Abstract
• Sustainable media mixes were developed for early establishment of container-grown blueberries. • Locally sourced peanut shells and rice husks supported optimal blueberry growth and yield. • Media with peanut shells enhanced early fruit production in ‘Biloxi’ southern highbush blueberry. • Media with spent mushroom compost raised pH and EC, negatively impacting plant health and growth. • Results support cost-effective, eco-friendly media alternatives for subtropical blueberry systems. Container-grown blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) production using soilless substrates has gained significant attention for offering better control over growing conditions. However, the reliance on peat moss as a primary substrate poses environmental concerns due to its non-renewable nature, emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the use of locally sourced agricultural and forestry wastes as alternative media mixes for container-grown ‘Biloxi’ southern highbush blueberry ( V. corymbosum interspecific hybrids) in Taiwan. The media mixes tested included combinations of ultisols with rice husks, peanut shells, spent mushroom compost, or wood chips from longan ( Dimocarpus longan Lam.) and sweetgum ( Liquidambar formosana Hance) trees. Key growth parameters, such as leachate pH, electrical conductivity (EC), shoot length, leaf area, gas exchange characteristics, plant dry weights, and fruit yield, were monitored during plant establishment. Our findings demonstrated that media mixes containing peanut shells [peanut shells: ultisols (v/ v = 2:1, PSU)] effectively maintained optimal pH and EC levels, promoting vigorous growth and early fruit production, with total dry weights comparable to the peat-based control (PMP). These growth improvements were potentially linked to increased net CO 2 assimilation rates. Conversely, the media mix with spent mushroom compost [spent mushroom compost: ultisols (v/ v = 2:1, MCU)] resulted in elevated pH and EC levels, adversely impacting plant growth. The findings suggest that locally sourced materials can serve as sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to peat moss for blueberry production during the nursery or establishment phase, helping reduce costs and environmental impact. Further research is necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of these media mixes and their applicability across different blueberry cultivars and environmental conditions, focusing on their performance in later production cycles and larger container systems.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Peanut-shell medium maintained suitable substrate pH and EC.
Verbatim
e0“media mixes containing peanut shells [peanut shells: ultisols (v/ v = 2:1, PSU)] effectively maintained optimal pH and EC levels”
t0“southern highbush blueberry”
Claim · model-written summary
Peanut-shell medium promoted vigorous blueberry growth and early fruit production.
Verbatim
e0“media mixes containing peanut shells [peanut shells: ultisols (v/ v = 2:1, PSU)] effectively maintained optimal pH and EC levels, promoting vigorous growth and early fruit production, with total dry weights comparable to the peat-based control (PMP)”
t0“southern highbush blueberry”
Claim · model-written summary
Blueberry dry weight under peanut shells was comparable to the peat control.
Verbatim
e0“media mixes containing peanut shells [peanut shells: ultisols (v/ v = 2:1, PSU)] effectively maintained optimal pH and EC levels, promoting vigorous growth and early fruit production, with total dry weights comparable to the peat-based control (PMP)”
t0“southern highbush blueberry”
Claim · model-written summary
Increased net CO2 assimilation was proposed as a link to growth improvement.
Verbatim
e0“These growth improvements were potentially linked to increased net CO 2 assimilation rates.”
t0“southern highbush blueberry”
Claim · model-written summary
Spent mushroom compost medium elevated pH and EC.
Verbatim
e0“the media mix with spent mushroom compost [spent mushroom compost: ultisols (v/ v = 2:1, MCU)] resulted in elevated pH and EC levels”
t0“southern highbush blueberry”
Claim · model-written summary
Spent mushroom compost medium adversely affected blueberry growth.
- Taxon
- southern highbush blueberryt0
- Treatment
- spent mushroom composte0
- Outcome
- plant growthe0
- Direction
- adversely impactinge0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“the media mix with spent mushroom compost [spent mushroom compost: ultisols (v/ v = 2:1, MCU)] resulted in elevated pH and EC levels, adversely impacting plant growth”
t0“southern highbush blueberry”
Claim · model-written summary
Local materials were suggested as sustainable and cost-effective peat alternatives during establishment.
Verbatim
e0“locally sourced materials can serve as sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to peat moss for blueberry production during the nursery or establishment phase”
t0“southern highbush blueberry”
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