Efficiency test of potting media from organic wastes of agricultural factory

Abstract

An experiment to test an efficiency of potting media was conducted in a greenhouse for 3 months. Materials for making potting media were filter cake and bagasse from sugar mill factory, carbonized rice husk, chicken manure and dredged lake sediment. Seven formulas of potting media were produced and analyzed for chemical and physical properties before germination test. Seven treatments were conducted and legummineous plant (Leucaena leucocephala(Lam.) de wit) was used as test plant. Result indicated that there was no statistical different in nitrogen content among treatments before germination test, whereas phosphorus, potassium, moisture and total porosity trended to be increased in the high rate of filter cake. Further more, the plant growth and biomass in higher rate of filter cake were better than lower rate treatments. The results from the experiment can be concluded that physical property has more effect on the early stage of plant growth than chemical property.