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[Characteristics of functional and nutritious soilless culture substrate for vegetables]
Shidong Zhu1, Wenjuan Xu, Guorong Zhao
1Department of Horticulture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036.
Abstract:
A functional and nutritious substrate for soilless culture, which consists of peanut shell, sawdust, vermiculite, chicken manure, coal cinder, etc, was used to grow cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers in this experiment. The results showed that the substrate was rich in organic matter, N, available P and K, in which the nutrients were basically in balance for three vegetables. High content of microorganisms and high activity of soil enzymes were propitious to the transformation of organic components in the substrate. The yields of cucumber, tomato and pepper increased by 23.83%, 27.34% and 32.98%, respectively. The production value of peppers increased by 180.85%, and its net income increased by 109.69%. The qualities of three vegetables were coincident with 'harmless vegetable' standards.
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