Assessment of Containerized Substrates Developed from Poultry Manure Compost and Commercial Soil for Strawberry Plants Production as a Coco Peat Alternative = Assessment of Containerized Substrates Developed from Poultry Manure Compost and Commercial Soil for Strawberry Plants Production as a Coco Peat Alternative

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Optimal strawberry production requires a favorable environment and availability of essential nutrients for growth. Major elements such as NPK is required in the optimal quantity, followed by secondary elements to aid the growth of strawberry plants. Hence this study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of growth (growth rate) of strawberry plants in different media using image processing techniques. The medium for growth was labeled Compost A and B. Compost A (Bioplus Coco peat) was a standardized compost made of coconut and other biodegradable materials which are commonly used in South Korea for vegetable production. Compost B was prepared from the mixture of poultry manure and sawdust (wood chipping mill) using a concrete mixer while maintaining a C/N ration of 65% and 25% respectively. Compost B was mixed with sandy-loam soil at different rates of 15%, 30% and 45% (T1, T2, and T3). The essential nutrients were analyzed on both composts at the early and later stages of growth of the strawberry. The results of the experiments show that plants in compost A recorded an average growth rate of 65% per week. Analysis of nutrients availability showed that more than 60% of nutrients available at the early stage of growth had been used up by the plants at the latter stage of growth. Plant growth rate in compost B was highest in T3 mixture (53% growth rate/week) as compared to the T2 mixture ( 45% growth rate/week) and T1 mixture (34% growth rate/ week) It was concluded a 45% mixture of Compost B and sandy - loam soil could be used as an alternative growth medium for the cultivation of strawberries plants.