Substrate influence on the quality of seedlings of ornamental trees produced in pots

Branislav Cvjetković Orcid logo ,
Branislav Cvjetković
Sanja Mataruga ,
Sanja Mataruga
Slađana Bubuć Damjanović ,
Slađana Bubuć Damjanović
Gordana Đurić
Gordana Đurić

Published: 04.07.2025.

Volume 10, Issue 1 (2025)

pp. 35-48;

https://doi.org/10.21750/refor.19.04.125

Abstract

The production of high-quality planting material for the most commonly used woody species in urban greening is a complex challenge influenced by several factors. One of the key factors in seedling production, especially in pots, is the selection of an appropriate substrate. Testing various substrates for different species is an ongoing process. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, four of the most frequently used taxa for urban planting in the region were tested: two varieties of northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.), namely 'Smaragd' and 'Columna', as well as European boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.) and Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia). One-year-old rooted cuttings were transplanted into two-liter pots using five different substrates: plain soil, compost, lumbrico humus, peat, and a combination of all these substrates. At the end of the growing period, morphometric parameters of the seedlings were measured, and based on these measurements, quality indices were determined. The results showed that each species and variety responded differently to the various substrates. Generally, the best results for most of the taxa were obtained using locally produced lumbrico humus and compost. However, some seedlings, such as Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd', exhibited similar growth characteristics across all substrates tested. Considering the varying costs of the substrates, it is possible to plan the production of these seedlings with significantly better quality while also reducing production costs.

Keywords

References

Abbey, T., & Rathier, T. (2005). Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Biostimulants and Water Absorbing Polymers on the Growth and Survival of Four Landscape Plant Species. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 23(2), 108–111. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-23.2.108
Alam, M. Z., Chong, C., Llewellyn, J., & Lumis, G. P. (2009). Evaluating Fertilization and Water Practices to Minimize NO3-N Leachate from Container-grown Forsythia. HortScience, 44(7), 1833–1837. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.44.7.1833
Alves, L. D. S., Figueirêdo, C. B. M., Silva, C. C. A. R., Marques, G. S., Ferreira, P. A., Soares, M. F. R., Silva, R. M. F., & Rolim-Neto, P. J. (2014). Thuja occidentalis L. (Cupressaceae): Review of botanical, phyto-chemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects. Int J Pharm Sci Res, 5(4), 1163–1177.
Barrett, G. E., Alexander, P. D., Robinson, J. S., & Bragg, N. C. (2016). Achieving environmentally sustainable growing media for soilless plant cultivation systems – A review. Scientia Horticulturae, 212, 220–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.09.030
Biswas, R., Mandal, S. K., Dutta, S., Bhattacharyya, S. S., Boujedaini, N., & Khuda-Bukhsh, A. R. (2011). Thujone‐Rich Fraction of Thuja occidentalis Demonstrates Major Anti‐Cancer Potentials: Evidences from In Vitro Studies on A375 Cells. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neq042
Blievernicht, A., Irrgang, S., Zander, M., & Ulrichs, C. (2013). Sphagnum biomass-the next generation of growing media. Peatlands International, 1(2013), 32–35.
Caron, J., & Rochefort, L. (2013). USE OF PEAT IN GROWING MEDIA: STATE OF THE ART ON INDUSTRIAL AND SCIENTIFIC EFFORTS ENVISIONING SUSTAINABILITY. Acta Horticulturae, 982, 15–22. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.982.1
Davidescu, V. E., Caretu, G., Madjar, R. M., Stanica, F., Peticila, A. G., & Dumitrascu, M. (2003). THE INFLUENCE OF SUBSTRATE AND CUTTING PERIOD ON THE PROPAGATION OF SOME ORNAMENTAL SPECIES. Acta Horticulturae, 608, 273–277. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.608.34
Fatemeh, B., & Zaynab, M. (n.d.). Influence of Rooting Substrate and Cutting Type on Rooting of Cuttings in Schefflera arboricola L. Plants. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 4(3), 281–287. https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2015/8013
Fonteno, W. C. (1993). PROBLEMS & CONSIDERATIONS IN DETERMINING PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF HORTICULTURAL SUBSTRATES. Acta Horticulturae, 342, 197–204. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1993.342.22
Grafiadellis, I., Mattas, K., Maloupa, E., Tzouramani, I., & Galanopoulos, K. (2000). An Economic Analysis of Soilless Culture in Gerbera Production. HortScience, 35(2), 300–303. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.35.2.300
Grossnickle, S. C., & El-Kassaby, Y. A. (2016). Bareroot versus container stocktypes: a performance comparison. New Forests, 47(1), 1–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9476-6
Gruda, N. S., Hirschler, O., & Stuart, J. (2024). Peat reduction in horticulture – an overview of Europe. Acta Horticulturae, 1391, 545–560. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1391.75
Haase, D. L., Bouzza, K., Emerton, L., Friday, J. B., Lieberg, B., Aldrete, A., & Davis, A. S. (n.d.). The High Cost of the Low-Cost Polybag System: A Review of Nursery Seedling Production Systems. Land, 10(8), 826. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10080826
Jahromi, N. B., Walker, F., Fulcher, A., Altland, J., & Wright, W. C. (2018). Growth Response, Mineral Nutrition, and Water Utilization of Container-grown Woody Ornamentals Grown in Biochar-amended Pine Bark. HortScience, 53(3), 347–353. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12643-17
Katić, B., Herak-Ćustić, M., Čoga, L., Karlović, K., & Petek, M. (2006). In Influence of fertilization on growth of Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd”. Agronimic bulletin Zagreb:137-146.
Landis, T. D., & Morgan, N. (2009). Growing media alternatives for forest and native plant nurseries. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations-2008. Proc. RMRS-P-58, 26–31.
Mariana, V., Andra, I., & V. (2016). Influence of substrate and Atonik bioactive substance on the rooting of Thuja occidentalis “Compacta” and “Globosa” cuttings. Analele Universităţii Din Oradea, Fascicula Protecţia Mediului, XXVII, 491–496.
Mariotti, B., Oliet, J. A., Andivia, E., Tsakaldimi, M., Villar-Salvador, P., Ivetić, V., Montagnoli, A., Janković, I. K., Bilir, N., Bohlenius, H., Cvjetković, B., Dūmiņš, K., Heiskanen, J., Hinkov, G., Fløistad, I. S., & Cocozza, C. (n.d.). A Global Review on Innovative, Sustainable, and Effective Materials Composing Growing Media for Forest Seedling Production. Current Forestry Reports, 9(6), 413–428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-023-00204-2
Matthes-Sears, U., & Larson, D. W. (1991). Growth and Physiology of Thuja occidentalis L. from Cliffs and Swamps: Is Variation Habitat or Site Specific? Botanical Gazette, 152(4), 500–508. https://doi.org/10.1086/337912
Matthes-Sears, U., & Larson, D. W. (1995). Rooting Characteristics of Trees in Rock: A Study of Thuja occidentalis on Cliff Faces. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 156(5), 679–686. https://doi.org/10.1086/297290
Meisl, T., Dubský, M., Šrámek, F., & Nečas, T. (2013). The effect of clay amendment on substrate properties and growth of woody plants. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 60(8), 163–170. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201260080163
Michalak, B., Filipek, A., Chomicki, P., Pyza, M., Woźniak, M., Żyżyńska-Granica, B., Piwowarski, J. P., Kicel, A., Olszewska, M. A., & Kiss, A. K. (n.d.). Lignans From Forsythia x Intermedia Leaves and Flowers Attenuate the Pro-inflammatory Function of Leukocytes and Their Interaction With Endothelial Cells. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00401
Montagnoli, A., Dumroese, R. K., Negri, G., Scippa, G. S., Chiatante, D., & Terzaghi, M. (2022). Asymmetrical copper root pruning may improve root traits for reforesting steep and/or windy sites. New Forests, 53(6), 1093–1112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-022-09913-1
Naser, B., Bodinet, C., Tegtmeier, M., & Lindequist, U. (2005). Thuja occidentalis (Arbor vitae): A Review of its Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Clinical Properties. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2(1), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neh065
Parađiković, N., Zeljković, S., Đurić, G., Vinković, T., Mustapić-Karlić, J., Kanižai, G., & Iljkić, D. (2009). Rast i razvoj kadife (Tagetes erecta L.) pod uticajem volumena supstrata i tretmana biostimulatorom. 44. Croatian and 4th International Symposium on Agriculture. Zbornik Radova, 786–790.
Rosati, C., Simoneau, P., Treutter, D., Poupard, P., Cadot, Y., Cadic, A., & Duron, M. (2003). Engineering of flower color in forsythia by expression of two independently-transformed dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and anthocyanidin synthase genes of flavonoid pathway. Molecular Breeding, 12(3), 197–208. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026364618719
Schindler, U., & Müller, L. (n.d.). Hydraulic Performance of Horticultural Substrates—2. Development of an Evaluation Framework. Horticulturae, 3(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae3010006
Sloan, J. J., Cabrera, R. I., Ampim, P. A. Y., George, S. A., & Mackay, W. A. (2010). Performance of Ornamental Plants in Alternative Organic Growing Media Amended with Increasing Rates of Expanded Shale. HortTechnology, 20(3), 594–602. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.20.3.594
Stojnić, S., Đurić, G., Mićić, N., Cvetković, M., & Oljača, R. (n.d.). Rast korjena deset vegetativnih podloga jabuke u dva zemljišna supstrata. АГРОЗНАЊЕ, 16(5), 593. https://doi.org/10.7251/AGRSR1505593S
SZÁSZ-LEN, A.-M., HOLONEC, L., TRUȚA, A., & REBREAN, F. A. (n.d.-a). Aspects regarding the propagation of Thuja occidentalis ’Columna’ using different rooting substrates. Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Horticulture, 72(1). https://doi.org/10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:10998
SZÁSZ-LEN, A.-M., HOLONEC, L., TRUȚA, A., & REBREAN, F. A. (n.d.-b). Aspects regarding the propagation of Thuja occidentalis ’Columna’ using different rooting substrates. Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Horticulture, 72(1). https://doi.org/10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:10998
Tsiri, D., Graikou, K., Pobłocka-Olech, L., Krauze-Baranowska, M., Spyropoulos, C., & Chinou, I. (n.d.). Chemosystematic Value of the Essential Oil Composition of Thuja species Cultivated in Poland—Antimicrobial Activity. Molecules, 14(11), 4707–4715. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules14114707
Verdonck, O., De Vleeschauwer, D., & De Boodt, M. (1982). THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUBSTRATE TO PLANT GROWTH. Acta Horticulturae, 126, 251–258. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1982.126.30
Verdonck, O., & Gabriëls, R. (1988). SUBSTRATE REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANTS. Acta Horticulturae, 221, 19–24. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1988.221.1
Wang, X., Fernandez, R. T., Cregg, B. M., Auras, R., Fulcher, A., Cochran, D. R., Niu, G., Sun, Y., Bi, G., Nambuthiri, S., & Geneve, R. L. (2015). Multistate Evaluation of Plant Growth and Water Use in Plastic and Alternative Nursery Containers. HortTechnology, 25(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.25.1.42
Zeljković, S., Šušak, U., Parađiković, N., Davidović-Gidas, J., Tkalec, M., & Todorović, V. (2017). Primjena zeolita, kao kondicionera supstrata u proizvodnji presadnica surfinije (Petunia hybrida Juss. Proceedings 52nd Croatian and 12th International Symposium on Agriculture, 290–293.

Citation

Copyright

Article metrics

Google scholar: See link

The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Most read articles