GROWTH OF PRIMULA PLANT IN COIR DUST AND PEAT-BASED GROWING MEDIA

This study was performed under greenhouse conditions, with coir dust, moss peat, and sedge peat as the main components of the growing media. The performance of the media was evaluated through the growth of the primula (Primula obconica) plant. In general, aeration capacities were found to be relatively low, except for growing media that included moss peat mixtures. Nevertheless, easily available water content of all growing media was found to be within the appropriate ranges. Total and water-available plant nutrient contents of coir dust, moss peat, and sedge peat significantly fluctuated. Ornamental parameters related to media treatments were statistically significant, with respect to visual score performances, total leaf numbers, crown width, and total plant fresh weights. This study determined that coir dust, which is an industrial by-product, could be utilized for up to 50% of the total composition of coir dust-moss peat based media in floricultural aims. As floricultural quality parameters considered...