Suitability of Whole Pine Tree Substrates for Seed Propagation

Wood-based substrates are a viable option for producing crops in containers, but seed propagation in such substrates has not been sufficiently examined. Seed germination and seedling development in processed whole pine tree (Pinus taeda L.) substrates were evaluated using the Phytotoxkit and seedling growth tests. Substrates compared using the Phytotoxkit included a reference soil, aged (WPTA) and fresh (WPTF) whole pine tree, aged (PNA) and fresh (PNF) pine needles, pine bark (PB), peat moss (PM), and saline pine bark (SPB). Substrates evaluated using the seedling growth test included WPTA, WPTF, PB, and a peat-lite (PL) substrate. Seed germination percentage and total root length were evaluated for garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in repeated Phytotoxkit experiments (2010 and 2011). Seed germination percentage was lowest for garden cress in PNF, but similar among all substrates for white mustard and sorghum. Total root length ...