NL2029968B1 - Handy and efficient vertical soilless planting pattern of pelargonium sp. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a handy and efficient vertical soilless planting pattern of Pelargonium sp., and belongs to the field of biotechnology. The present disclosure includes the following steps: step 1, preparation of a culture substrate: formulating coconut coir and peat in a volume ratio of 2:1 into a culture substrate; and step 2, transplanting and water and fertilizer management: transplanting a seedling of Pelargonium sp. into the culture substrate, and applying a formulated fertilizer; the formulated fertilizer includes 1,000—1,5OO mg of calcium nitrate, 250—300 mg of potassium nitrate, 40—60 mg of potassium sulfate, 700—800 mg of magnesium sulfate, 300—400 mg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and 100—200 mg of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)—Fe 11% per liter of water. In the vertical cultivation of Pelargonium sp., use of a formula of coconut coir and peat (V: V = 2:1) as the culture substrate, in combination with a proper ratio of formulated fertilizer can effectively guarantee the normal. growth. and, ornamental value of Pelargonium sp.; meanwhile, the weight of a 'vertical cultivation. module is reduced through the planting pattern, water retention, slow release of nutrients, and water permeability are relatively high, and the application and popularization of Pelargonium sp. in vertical greening are facilitated.

Description

P836/NLpd

HANDY AND EFFICIENT VERTICAL SOILLESS PLANTING PATTERN OF PELARGONIUM SP.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure belongs to the field of biotechnology, and specifically relates to a handy and efficient vertical soil- less planting pattern of Pelargonium sp.

BACKGROUND ART With the rapid development of China's economy, the accelerat- ing process of urbanization, the increase of high-rise buildings, and the decrease of urban green space, improving urban greening is of great significance to the solution of urban ecological prob- lems. Vertical greening is one of the important manifestations of urban three-dimensional greening. It is reflected in most cities in China, has a positive effect on improving the urban ecological environment, and is conducive to the in-depth development of urban beautification and urban planning. Vertical greening is mainly composed of the following parts: green plants, maintenance equip- ment and hardware (such as watering equipment), and culture sub- strate (such as soil, water, or soilless substrate). Because the vertical greening cultivation pattern is significantly different from other patterns, there are certain requirements for the cul- ture substrate in this pattern. For example, the growth medium re- quires good stability; taking into account the load-bearing of the building and the difficulties in conservation and maintenance of the planting, a smaller bulk density ratio (small bulk density and light weight), better water retention, slow nutrient release, and good water permeability are also required. Therefore, the selec- tion of a culture substrate suitable for vertical greening has al- ways been the research priority in the art.

SUMMARY In order to solve the technical problem of use of Pelargonium sp. in vertical greening, the present disclosure provides a handy and efficient vertical soilless planting pattern of Pelargonium sp., which guarantees the normal growth and ornamental value of Pelargonium sp. and reduces the weight of a vertical cultivation module. To achieve the above objective, the present disclosure is achieved by the following technical solution: The handy and efficient vertical soilless planting pattern of Pelargonium sp. includes the following steps: step 1, preparation of a culture substrate: formulating coco- nut coir and peat in a volume ratio of 2:1 into a culture sub- strate; and step 2, transplanting and water and fertilizer management: transplanting a seedling of Pelargonium sp. into the culture sub- strate, and applying a formulated fertilizer, where the formulated fertilizer includes 1,000-1,500 mg of calcium nitrate, 250-300 mg of potassium nitrate, 40-60 mg of potassium sulfate, 700-800 mg of magnesium sulfate, 300-400 mg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and 100-200 mg of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Fe 11% per liter of water.

Further preferably, in step 2, the formulated fertilizer may include 1,500 mg of the calcium nitrate, 300 mg of the potassium nitrate, 50 mg of the potassium sulfate, 800 mg of the magnesium sulfate, 400 mg of the potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and 100 mg of the DTPA-Fe 11% per liter of water.

Further preferably, the formulated fertilizer and the water may be subjected to integrated water and fertilizer management and applied 5-8 times a day by trickle irrigation according to weather conditions.

The present disclosure has the following beneficial effects: In the present disclosure, coconut coir and peat (in a ratio of 2:1) are formulated into a culture substrate for cultivating Pelargonium sp., and a formulated fertilizer is applied in combi- nation. In the vertical soilless cultivation of Pelargonium sp., better water retention, slow nutrient release, and good water per- meability guarantees the normal growth and ornamental value of Pelargonium sp., and the ornamental value is significantly higher than that of traditional patterns. Meanwhile, this planting pat-

tern reduces the weight of a vertical cultivation module, which is more conducive to the application and promotion of Pelargonium sp. in vertical greening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates bulk densities of substrates, where a rep- resents the bulk densities of red soil, humus, peat, and coconut coir; b represents the bulk densities of three well-mixed sub- strate formulas, a conventional substrate formula (red soil + co- conut coir + humus), coconut coir + humus, and coconut coir + peat.

FIG. 2 illustrates the influence of different culture sub- strates and fertilizers on plant height of Pelargonium sp., where A represents a conventional substrate formula (red soil + coconut coir + humus), B represents coconut coir + humus, E represents co- conut coir + peat, I represents a conventional compound slow- release fertilizer, and II represents a formulated fertilizer.

FIG. 3 illustrates the influence of different culture sub- strates and fertilizers on canopy breadth of Pelargonium sp., where A represents a conventional substrate formula (red soil + coconut coir + humus), B represents coconut coir + humus, E repre- sents coconut coir + peat, I represents a conventional compound slow-release fertilizer, and II represents a formulated fertiliz- er.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS In order to make the objective, technical solution, and bene- ficial effects of the present disclosure clearer, the preferred examples of the present disclosure will be described in detail be- low to facilitate the understanding of the skilled person.

Example 1) Preparation of cutting seedlings of Pelargonium sp.: 8 cm stem segments were cut from the apex of the female par- ent stem of Pelargonium sp., and two top leaves were reserved at each stem segment.

The cutting substrate was humus: peat: perlite (V: V) = 2:3:1.

The treated cuttings of Pelargonium sp. were soaked in 2 g/L rooting powder for 30 min and then taken out. After slight air- drying, the cuttings were taken out and inserted in the prepared substrate. The cutting depth was 3 cm. The water was completely poured to keep the matrix moist. Two months later, the cuttings survived and well-grown cutting seedlings of Pelargonium sp. were obtained. 2) Preparation of culture substrate and transplanting: Five substrate formulas were used: Sl: red soil: coconut coir: perlite (V: V) = 3: 2: 1; S2: coconut coir: humus (V: V) = 2:1; S3: coconut coir: peat (V: V) = 2:1; S4: coconut coir: peat (V: V) = 3:1; and 85: coconut coir: peat (V: V) = 1:1.

The cutting seedlings of Pelargonium sp. were transplanted into cultivation boxes equipped with the above-mentioned formulat- ed substrates; two seedlings were transplanted in each cultivation box, watered thoroughly after transplanting, applied with conven- tional compound slow-release fertilizer at one time, and watered regularly during the later pericd of growth. The bulk densities of red soil, coconut coir, perlite, humus, and formulas S1, S2, and S3 were determined to compare the effects of several substrate ra- tios on the plant height, canopy breadth, and inflorescence of Pelargonium sp.

Table 1 The influence of different substrate ratios on the growth of Pelargonium sp. Number of inflo- Culture sub- Plant height Canopy breadth strate (rem) (em?) rescences (inflo- rescence) sr sz 3 == 52 48 330 4 S53 57 380 5 s4 61 390 4 S55 54 360 4 From Table 1, a more suitable ratio of coconut coir: peat (V: V) = 2:1 can help Pelargonium sp. obtain moderate plant height and canopy breadth.

By determining the bulk density of each formula, it is found that red soil has the maximum bulk density, followed by humus, peat, and coconut coir; after red soil, coconut coir, and perlite are mixed, the substrate formula has the maximum bulk 5 density, followed by coconut coir + humus.

The bulk density of co- conut coir + peat is minimal {see FIG. 1, Tables 2 and 3). There- fore, the formula, coconut coir: peat (V: V) = 2:1, is selected as the culture substrate, which further satisfies the requirements of vertical cultivation of Pelargonium sp.

However, from the perspec- tive of the number of inflorescences, the application of conven- tional compound slow-release fertilizers does not significantly promote the formation of flower buds.

Therefore, further research on formulated fertilizers based on single fertilizers is needed to increase the number of inflorescences and enhance the ornamental effect of Pelargonium sp. in vertical greening.

Table 2 Bulk densities of different culture substrates Table 3 Bulk densities of different combinations of culture substrates Coconut coir + peat

3) Water and fertilizer management: a.

Using the formula with better effect, coconut coir: peat (V: V) = 2:1, as the culture substrate, different formulated fer- tilizers were set up (Table 4) to compare the influences of dif- ferent formulated fertilizers on the plant height, canopy breadth, and inflorescence of Pelargonium sp.

The formulated fertilizer was applied as follows: the formulated fertilizer and water were sub- jected to integrated water and fertilizer management and applied

5-8 times a day by trickle irrigation according to weather condi- tions.

Table 4 Different formulated fertilizers: the content of each component in 1 L of water “Formulated ~~ Molecular for- Consumption Chemical name fertilizer mula (mg) Calcium nitrate Ca(NO;), . 4H,0 1500 Potassium nitrate KNO+ 300 Potassium sulfate K.S50, 50 Formula 1 Magnesium sulfate MgSO, -7H,0 800 Potassium dihydrogen KH.PO4 400 phosphate DTPA-Fe 11% CieHi eNO FeNa 100 Calcium nitrate Ca(NOs;)., . 4H,0 1000 Potassium nitrate KNO: 250 Potassium sulfate K:S0, 40 Formula 2 Magnesium sulfate MgSO, 7H;0 700 Potassium dihydrogen KH,PO4 300 phosphate DTPA-Fe 11% C‚sHieN;O0,FeNa 150 Calcium nitrate Ca{(NO:): . 4H:0 1250 Potassium nitrate KNO; 275 Potassium sulfate Ko SO, 60 Formula 3 Magnesium sulfate MgSO,4 - 7H,0 750 Potassium dihydrogen KH;PO4 350 phosphate DTPA-Fe 11% CisHieN-O,;FeNa 200 From Table 5, potassium nitrate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate in formula 1 mainly provide potassium and phosphorus, which promote the differentiation of flower buds and the plant re- sistance; calcium nitrate mainly provides calcium, which promotes the resistance and plant hardness of Pelargonium sp.; magnesium sulfate mainly provides magnesium, which can promote the active function of chloroplasts, thereby enhancing the plant resistance.

In vertical greening, the proper proportion of the plant height and canopy breadth of Pelargonium sp. can achieve the optimal or- namental effect.

As shown in Table 5, formula 1 obtains the opti- mal plant height, canopy breadth, and number of inflorescences,

and there are 8 inflorescences and more branches, and the overall ornamental trait is optimal. Table 5 Influences of different formulated fertilizers on growth of Pelargonium sp. Number of inflores- Formulated fer- Plant height Canopy breadth . cences (inflo- tilizer (Tan) (cm*)} rescence) Formula 1 ss 3% 8&8 Formula 2 45 350 5 Formula 3 53 330 ©

EE b. The cutting seedlings of Pelargonium sp. were transplanted into cultivation boxes equipped with the above-mentioned culture substrates S81, S2, and S3; two seedlings were transplanted in each cultivation box, which were watered thoroughly after transplant- ing. As shown in Table 6, the fertilizer was applied in two man- ners: (1) formulated fertilizer 2 and water were subjected to in- tegrated water and fertilizer management and applied 5-8 times a day by trickle irrigation according to weather conditions; and (2) conventional compound slow-release fertilizer was applied at one time, and regular watering was performed during the later period of growth. The plant height and canopy breadth of plants were measured three months after the cultivation of Pelargonium sp. Table 6 Experimental settings Culture substrate Fertilization Remarks (No.) st Conventional com- A. I pound slow- release fertiliz- er S1 Formula 1 A. II S2 Conventional com- B. I pound slow- release fertiliz- er S2 Formula 1 B. II S3 Conventional com- E. I pound slow- release fertiliz-

er 53 Formula 1 E. II Table 7 Influences of different experimental settings on growth of Pelargonium sp. Plant height Canopy breadth Number of inflorescences No. (mm) (emt) (inflorescence) Al 62 360 5 A.I 39 125 5 B. 1 38.5 255 6 B. I 66 400 7 E. I 63 455 3 E. I 59 390 10 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and Table 7, when the culture sub- strate is coconut coir and peat (V: V = 2:1) and the formulated fertilizer is applied, Pelargonium sp. obtains moderate plant height and canopy breadth and a large amount of flowers, and each plant has an average of more than 10 inflorescences; the flo- rescence can last for more than half a year, and the ornamental traits are optimal. The growth and ornamental value of Pelargonium sp. applied with formulated fertilizers based on single fertiliz- ers are significantly better than those applied with conventional compound slow-release fertilizers.

In summary, an objective of the present disclosure is to pro- vide a planting pattern suitable for vertical greening of Pelargo- nium sp., with the goal of light weight and sufficient and bal- anced nutrition. Experiments have proved that in the vertical cul- tivation of Pelargonium sp., use of a formula of coconut coir and peat (V: V = 2:1) as the culture substrate, in combination with a proper ratio of formulated fertilizer can effectively guarantee the normal growth and ornamental value of Pelargonium sp.; mean- while, the weight of a vertical cultivation module is reduced through the planting pattern, water retention, slow release of nu- trients, and water permeability are relatively high, and the ap- plication and popularization of Pelargonium sp. in vertical green- ing are facilitated.

Finally, it should be noted that the above preferred examples are only intended to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure and not to limit them.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail through the above pre-

ferred examples, those skilled in the art should appreciate that various changes may be made to the present disclosure in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.

Claims (3)

CONCLUSIONS A convenient and efficient vertical soilless planting pattern of Pelargonium sp. comprising the following steps: step 1, preparation of a growing substrate: formulating coconut coir and peat in a volume ratio of 2:1 to a growing substrate; and step 2, transplanting and water and fertilizer management: transplanting a seedling of Pelargonium sp. in the culture substrate and applying a formulated fertilizer, the formulated fertilizer containing 1,000-1,500 mg calcium nitrate, 250-300 mg potassium nitrate, 40-60 mg potassium sulfate, 700-800 mg magnesium sulfate, 300-400 mg potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 100-200 mg diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Fe 11% per liter of water. 2. Convenient and efficient vertical soilless planting pattern of Pelargonium sp. according to claim 1, wherein the formulated fertilizer comprises 1500 mg calcium nitrate, 300 mg potassium nitrate, 50 mg potassium sulfate, 800 mg magnesium sulfate, 400 mg potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 100 mg DTPA-Fe 11% per liter of water. 3. Convenient and efficient vertical soilless planting pattern of Pelargonium sp. according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the formulated fertilizer and water are subjected to integrated water and fertilizer management and applied by drip irrigation 5-8 times a day, depending on weather conditions.