Evaluating sustainable and environment friendly substrates for quality production of potted Caladium

Purpose Effect of various combinations of potting substrateswas assessed to enhance vegetative growth, plantproductivity and mineral composition of Caladium bicolor.Methods Different substrates like leaf compost, farmyardmanure, coconut compost, compost and perlite were usedin different combinations with silt. Bulbs were sown in potsfilled with different combinations of potting substrates,which were arranged under completely randomized design(CRD), with three replications, and totally there were tentreatment combinations.Results Application of different treatments of growingmedia either alone or in combinations led to considerableimprovement in plant growth characteristics as comparedto respective control. However, response differed accordingto the type of media manipulation. The highest stimulatoryeffect with maximum plant growth in terms of earlysprouting, plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll contents,fresh and dry weights of tubers was observed in plantstreated with silt leaf compost perlite combination; thiscombination significantly enhanced plant growth(30-150%) as compared to control. In case of NPK andprotein contents, treatment combination of silt leaf compost coconut compost was greatly affected which loweredthe pH, increased available organic matter and consequentlymaximized nutrient uptake by the plants.Conclusions The best selection of conventional organicand inorganic potting media is the key to successful masspropagation of containerized plants. Generally, it could beconcluded that application of potting mixes with silt, perlite,leaf composts and coco-based residues is a good culturalpractice to improve the crop productivity and providea better growing environment for plants.