Soil is used for plant propagation and in horticulture nursery from

ages. However, different plant growth media are prepared and

used successfully in modern nurseries. Coco peat, leaf mould and

sphagnum moss are amongst the most popular growth media.

Plant Growth Media: They are Organic or inorganic material

which is used for growing plants as it provides nutrients, physical

support and moisture to the plant during its growing period.

Introduction:

• Good medium must be firm to hold the plant and volume of

media should be fairy constant under wet or dry condition.

• Media should be porous, drain out excess water and provide

aeration and at the same time retain sufficient moisture in it.

• Media should be free from weed seeds, nematodes and must

have a neutral pH level.

• Media must be capable of being sterilized without deleterious in

porosity, structure and Texture.

Properties of good growth Medium:

The plant growth media are classified as soil media and soil less

media.

Soil Media: Soil media can be in solid, liquid and gaseous state.

Media can provide physical and nutritional support to plant growth

and should be available in plenty. Media should be Solid

constituents of organic or inorganic forms. Liquid part is soil solution

contains minerals in dissolved form.

Classification of Plant Growth Media

Sand: Sand is soil less plant propagation media which contains

stone and rock grains of 0.05 to 2.0 mm in diameter.

Sphagnum Moss: Sphagnum moss is light weight dehydrated residue of plants called Sphagnum papillosum and Sphagnum palustre which has a high water absorption and holding capacity almost 20 times to its weight.

Soil less Media

Peat: Peat is residue of aquatic, marsh or swamp vegetation

which is preserved under water in partially decomposed state.

Composition of different peat deposit varies depending upon

vegetation and rate of decomposition like acidic peat, alkaline

peat, muck peat, baled peat, etc

Vermiculite: It is mica based hydrated magnesium, aluminum, iron

silicate mineral material which expands significantly on heating. It is

very light in weight can absorb 4 liter water per cubic feet.

Soil less Media

Perlite: It is a gray white material of volcanic origin and light in

weight which absorbs 210 to 280 liters water per cubic meter.

Leaf Mould: Leaf mould is prepared by mixing soil added with

small amount of ammonium sulphate with layers of leaf, water

well and allow the material to decompose to form leaf mold.

Wood Ash: Wood ash is a rich source of potash which can be

produced by burning fire wood and tree branches.

Soil less Media

Coco Peat: It is byproduct of coconut fiber industry which is

rich in potassium and boron. It has high electrical

conductivity, pH between 5.5- 5.8 and the C:N ratio is 110:1.

Coco peat has 95 % porosity and 250kg/m3.bulk density.

Pumice: It is silicon dioxide and Aluminum Trioxide with small

amount of Fe, Ca, Mg, Na in oxide form.

Soil less Media

Bone Meal: It is extensively used in potted plants and

flower beds as a rich source of calcium and phosphorus.

Oilcakes: it is residues from extraction of oil from oilseeds

like Groundnut, Castor, Cotton which contain 2- 5 %

nitrogen, 1-2 % phosphorus and are best for use in potted

plants.

Bark, Saw Dust and Wood Shavings: They are the

byproducts of saw mills and available at reasonable cost.

Soil less Media