Soilless media for seed germination and growth of tomato transplants, and for the rooting of certain herbaceous stem cuttings

Media containing Weblite were compared to various media for its effectiveness in germination, plant growth and rooting. The 2M media were compared by determining the percentage germination and the dry weight after U2 days of Lycopersicon esculentum cv Better Boy, grown to transplant size. These media were composed of various proportions and combinations of Weblite, vermiculite, Jiffy Mix, peat moss and sand. The available moisture, porosity,field capacity and permanent wilting point of these 2b media were determined. This information was compared with the results from the germination and growth study of tomato plants. Weblite was a constituent of the seven best media for germination. Tomato plants grown in media containing vermiculite had the highest dry weights. Chrysanthemum morifolium cv Sunny Mandalay stem cuttings were rooted in six media. These media were composed of various proportions and combinations of sand, peat moss, Weblite, and perlite. Their root system and foliage condition were evaluated 18 days later. Weblite was significantly better in rooting Chrysanthemums than the six other media.Dianthus caroyphyllus cv Caribe stem cuttings were rooted in nine media. These media were composed of various proportions and combinations of sand, peat moss, Weblite. perlite, and vermiculite. Their roots, stem and foliage condition were evaluated 26 days later. The best root system developed in media with vermiculite as its main constituent.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Horticulture

Department dc:contributor.department

Horticulture

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1974

Author dc:creator

• Ray, Frederick Harding

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Judkins, Wesley P.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Smeal, P. L.
• Amos, Dan F.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54851

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/54851