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Growth of golden shrimp plant (Pachystachys lutea Nees.) transplants was evaluated in media containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% compost derived from biosolids and yard trimmings. A commercial coiror peat-based media was amended with compost. As compost composition in the peat or coir-based media increased from 0% to 100%, carbon/nitrogen ratios decreased; and media stability, nitrogen mobilization, pH, and electrical conductivity increased. Bulk density, particle density, air-filled porosity, container capacity, and total porosity increased as more compost was added to either peator coir-based media. Plants grown in media with high volumes of compost (75% or 100%) had less leaf area and lower shoot and root dry weight compared to the controls (no compost). Regardless of percentage of compost composition in either peat or coir-based media, all plants were considered marketable after 8 weeks. Peat is used extensively in the greenhouse industry as a primary component in commercial soilless potting media. The increased use of peat as an organic amendment is challenged by economic and environmental pressures. Developing inexpensive and nutrient-rich organic media alternatives can potentially reduce fertilization and irrigation rates, and, ultimately, nursery costs (Rahmani et al., 1999). In addition, controversy over the effects of peat mining has inspired a national search for peat substitutes (Bright, 1993). With our burgeoning population increase, it is logical to evaluate waste products as potential alternatives to peat. Municipalities have upgraded wastewater treatment processes to comply with federal requirements, and the sludge or biosolids removed during wastewater treatment are mixed with processed and screened yard trimmings and then stabilized and converted to a usable material by composting (Wootton et al., 1981). Horticultural grade quality and quantities of composts derived from municipal solid waste (MSW) have become commercially available at very low costs in recent years from private and municipal landfills. Likewise, coir currently is being distributed by major growth medium producers (Wiethop, 1999). Coir is produced from the mesocarp tissue or husk of the coconut fruit (Cocos nucifera L.) and originates primarily from Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guyana (Evans and Stamps, 1996). In the past several years, extensive research has been directed towards obtaining consistent coir and compost products. Consequently, organic materials have been used to successfully grow a wide range of ornamental crops including bedding annuals (Klock-Moore, 1999), vegetables (Roe, 1998), and woody shrubs and trees (Fitzpatrick et al., 1998). Researchers have reported that numerous container-grown ornamental species grown in MSW and yard trimming compost reach marketable size faster than plants grown in commercial soilless media. The desirable source and optimum percent of the compost in the final substrate differ with varying plant species. Siminis and Manios (1990) reported that container-grown Benjamin fig (Ficus benjamina L.) can be grown successfully in substrates of peat with 20% of refuse MSW compost from Greece. Lamanna et al. (1991) performed a study on various annuals and foliage plants and reported that for most of the species examined, the quantity of peat could be reduced to 1/3 of the total substrate, thereby creating a substrate with optimal physical characteristics. Evans and Iles (1997) reported that the growth of arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum L.) and lilac (Syringa ×prestoniae L.) in coir-based substrates was similar to or greater than that of plants grown in comparable peat-based substrates. Likewise, Meerow (1994) reported that the growth index and dry weights of pentas (Pentas lanceolata Schum.) and ixora (Ixora coccinea L.) were significantly higher in coir-based medium as compared with that of sedge peatbased medium. However, minimal research is available pertaining to the use of biosolid/yard-trimming compost and coir for containerized perennial plant production. The objectives of this investigation were to develop and evaluate organic media alternatives for peat in container-grown perennial crop production systems. Results from this investigation will provide pertinent, scientific information on the use of compost as a complete or partial additive to commercial, peat or coir-based media commonly used by the greenhouse industry.

Evaluation of Compost as an Amendment to Commercial Mixes used for Container-grown Golden Shrimp Plant Production