Abstract

QUINTERO C., María Fernanda; GUZMAN P., José Miguel  and  VALENZUELA, Juan Luis. Evaluation of alternative substrates for growing the mini carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). rev.colomb.cienc.hortic. [online]. 2012, vol.6, n.1, pp.76-87. ISSN 2011-2173.

Since 1990, carnation crops have been carried out on substrates other than soil on Bogotá Plateau. Usually, burnt rice husk is the most widely used substrate but environmental pollution due to burning, availability and raised costs are reasons to seek alternatives. This article compares four substrates that could be used as an alternative to burnt rice husk: raw rice husk, sterilized raw husk, coconut fiber and coal slag. Physicochemical characteristics of the substrates, productivity of the crops, bunch weight, macro and micronutrient foliar content and percentage of dead plants due to Fusariun oxyxporum were determined over one year. The data show significant differences between the assessed substrates, which means that management is different. Coconut fiber obtained the highest productivity followed by burnt rice husk. Fusarium wilt had a higher incidence in plants grown in raw rice husk, followed by burnt rice husk. Although burnt rice husk is still an alternative for mini carnation crops, the data show advantages in some of the studied materials that could improve results if suitable mixtures of these materials are used, however the search for alternative substrates for this crop should continue.

Keywords : rice husk; coconut fiber; coal slag; ornamental.

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