Peat Use in Horticulture

Peat is a spongy substance which is an effect of incomplete decomposition of plant residues in different stages of decomposition. Between the several organic matters which are used as substrate for horticultural plants cultivation in soilless conditions, peat is the unabandonable ingredient for mixtures for commercial production of plants. Peat is used in horticulture as a component of garden plant substrates, in agriculture for the production of garden soil and as an organic fertilizer, and in balneology as a material for baths and wraps. The use of peat for agriculture and horticulture is determined by the following quality parameters: the degree of decomposition, ash content, pH, the presence of carbonates, the density of the solid phase, bulk density, and porosity. As an organic material, the peat forms in the acidic, waterlogged, and sterile conditions of fens and bogs. The conditions seem like the development of mosses. The plants do not compose as they die. Instead of this, the organic matter is laid down and accumulates in a slow time as peat due to the oxygen deficiency in the bog. This makes peat a highly productive growing medium. In the present novel review, we discuss the peat use in horticulture

Effects of foliar applications of commercial seaweed and spirulina platensis extracts on yield and fruit quality in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

AbstractRecently, resource consumption and population growth have negatively impacted the environment. The use of algae as biofertilizers or biostimulants is one of the most innovative agronomic techniques as an alternative to chemicals. It holds promise for the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the effects of spirulina (a microalgae species) and brown seaweed (a macroalgae species) on the yield and quality of peppers. A total of 7 applications [seaweed (2000 ppm, 4000 ppm, and 6000 ppm), spirulina (2000 ppm, 4000 ppm, and 6000 ppm), and control] were carried out 3 times at 21-day intervals from the seedling planting. Parameters such as yield per plant, number of fruits, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, stem diameter, fruit flesh thickness, fruit colors, chlorophyll content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total/reducing sugars, total phenolic, and ß-carotene were analyzed. The results showed that both spirulina and seaweed applications had a positive effect on the yield and quality parameters of pepper, however, spirulina applications provided better results in terms of yield parameters. The highest yield (g/plant) values were obtained in all spirulina treatments. While the highest fruit weight (26.50 g) and fruit width (23.52 mm) values were determined in the 4000 ppm spirulina application, the highest fruit length value (21.55 cm) was obtained in the 6000 ppm spirulina application. Fruit numbers ranging between 92.01 and 115.35 and chlorophyll (SPAD) values ranging between 70.89 and 78.97 were highest in 2000 ppm spirulina application

Effects of Chitosan Application on the Yield and Quality of Lettuce

Modern agricultural production has adopted the principle of maximizing yields in an environmental-friendly, inexpensive, and non-hazardous way. With these characteristics, chitosan has become an increasingly preferred biostimulant in sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of chitosan application on yield and quality in lettuce cultivation. For this purpose, Yedikule 5107 lettuce variety was used, and foliar chitosan applications were applied 3 times at 4 different doses of 0, 75, 150, and 300 ppm levels. The total yield, leaf number, leaf width, chlorophyll, total phenolic, and antiradical activity values ranged from 2970 to 3290 kg da-1, from 35.8 to 37.7, from 11.27 to 12.33 cm, from 38.05 to 41.82, from 21.50 to 38.71 mg/100 g, and 46.0% to 54.9%, respectively, and the highest values were obtained in the 300 ppm chitosan application. The highest root collar and plant diameter values were determined at 75 ppm and 150 ppm chitosan doses, respectively. All chitosan applications increased leaf length. Furthermore, chitosan applications were effective in preventing nitrate accumulation. In conclusion, it was determined that the effect of pre-harvest chitosan application was positive, and especially 300 ppm chitosan dose was more effective than other doses

Effects of Chitosan Application on the Yield and Quality of Lettuce

Modern agricultural production has adopted the principle of maximizing yields in an environmental-friendly, inexpensive, and non-hazardous way. With these characteristics, chitosan has become an increasingly preferred biostimulant in sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of chitosan application on yield and quality in lettuce cultivation. For this purpose, Yedikule 5107 lettuce variety was used, and foliar chitosan applications were applied 3 times at 4 different doses of 0, 75, 150, and 300 ppm levels. The total yield, leaf number, leaf width, chlorophyll, total phenolic, and antiradical activity values ranged from 2970 to 3290 kg da-1, from 35.8 to 37.7, from 11.27 to 12.33 cm, from 38.05 to 41.82, from 21.50 to 38.71 mg/100 g, and 46.0% to 54.9%, respectively, and the highest values were obtained in the 300 ppm chitosan application. The highest root collar and plant diameter values were determined at 75 ppm and 150 ppm chitosan doses, respectively. All chitosan applications increased leaf length. Furthermore, chitosan applications were effective in preventing nitrate accumulation. In conclusion, it was determined that the effect of pre-harvest chitosan application was positive, and especially 300 ppm chitosan dose was more effective than other doses

Use of oxalic acid and chitosan to improve pepper yield and quality

The importance of environmentally friendly agricultural practices in increasing the yield and nutritional value of crops is becoming more and more important day by day. This study was aimed to determine the effects of oxalic acid and chitosan treatments on pepper yield and quality. For this purpose, 3 different doses of oxalic acid (1, 3 and 5 mM), 3 different doses of chitosan (150, 300 and 450 ppm) and control were applied foliarly 3 times with 21 days intervals from seedling planting. It was found that oxalic acid and chitosan treatments had no significant effect on fruit width, flesh thickness, stem diameter, green colour value, chroma, hue, or beta carotene. Also, results showed that the treatments increased the yield values compared to the control, and the highest yield value was obtained in 450 ppm chitosan application. The highest values of fruit number, fruit weight and fruit length were obtained in 450 ppm and 150 ppm chitosan; 450 ppm chitosan and 5 mM oxalic acid; 5 mM oxalic acid treatments, respectively. The highest reducing sugar value was determined in 300 ppm chitosan application. While the highest lightness values were determined in 1 mM and 3 mM oxalic acid applications; the highest green colour values were obtained in 1 mM, 3 mM oxalic acid and 150 ppm chitosan applications. As a result of the study, it was found that 450 ppm dose of chitosan is recommended for pepper production, especially in terms of yield and yield parameters

The effect of different mulch color on the yield and quality properties of tomato

Bu çalışma. 4 farklı malç uygulamasının (mavi, yeşil, şeffaf, siyah) kontrole (malçsız) göre domatesin verim ve kalite özelliklerine etkilerini tespit etmek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Deneme sonunda, kontrol uygulaması dışındaki tüm uygulamalarda toprak sıcaklığında bir artış söz konusu olmuştur. En yüksek verim şeffaf malç uygulamasından (8469 kg/da) elde edilirken, en düşük verim kontrol uygulamasından (5128 kg/da) elde edilmiştir. Siyah malç uygulaması en yüksek meyve ağırlığını (151.21 g) verirken kontrol uygulaması en düşük değeri (118.40 g) vermiştir. pH, briks ve delinme direnci sırasıyla; 4.43-4.51, 3.67-4.00 ve 1.514-1.767 kg/cm2 arasında değişim göstermişlerdir.In this study was conducted for determine the effect of different 4 mulches (blue, green, transparent and black polyethylenes) according to control (unmulched) on the yield and quality properties of tomato. In the result of this research, all treatments increased soil temperature in respect of the control treatment. The highest yield was obtained in transparent mulch application (8469 kg/da) while the lowest yield was obtained in control application (5128 kg/da). Black mulch application has given the highest fruit weight (151.21 g) while control application has given the lowest value as 118.40 g. pH, brix and penetration values were changed between 4.43-4.51, 3.67-4.00 and 1.514-1.767 kg/cm2, respectively