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Abstract

Catanzaro, C.J. and B.T. Jordan III. 2009. Clays added to soilless root medium affect growth of ornamental grasses and nutrient uptake. JEMREST 6:00-00

DOI: 10.4029/2009jemrest6no12

Greenhouse studies were conducted on two container-grown ornamental grasses (Acorus gramineus ‘Oborozuki’, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) to determine the effects of three clays (pasteurized hydrous aluminosilicate, calcined attapulgite and calcined montmorillonite) on plant growth and leachate properties. Each clay was incorporated at two rates (5 or 10% v/v) into a bark-based commercial root medium. Growth of Acorus increased with calcined montmorillonite at 10%, but plant growth and quality decreased with pasteurized aluminosilicate. Growth of Calamagrostis increased with the two calcined clays at 10%. Total concentration of salts in container leachate was higher with the pasteurized aluminosilicate than with the other clays. Clays did not affect the concentration of total nitrogen in plant shoots, but most treatments decreased concentration of phosphorus. Root media amended with calcined clays can produce equivalent or increased growth of ornamental grasses without increasing the level of salts in container leachate.