Utilization of zeolite as a substrate for containerized oriental spruce (Picea orientalis L. (Link.)) seedlings propagation

This study was designed to investigate influence of different growing media and their mixtures (with zeolite and without zeolite) on seedling morphological characteristics of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis L. (Link.)). Eighteen growth media with different volume combinations (%) (7:3, 5:23, 6:2:2, 7:2:1, 5:2:2:1) of Barma peat (BP), tea residue compost (CTR), fine pumice (FP), coarse pumice (CP), perlite (P) and zeolite (Z) were prepared as a potting material, then sown with oriental spruce seeds. In this study, irrigation strategies were applied based on observation, and the same fertilization regime was applied to all the media. At the end of the second growing period, 30 seedlings from each treatment with three replications were harvested and measured for height (SH), root collar diameter (RCD), root dry weight (RDW), stem dry weight (SDW) and dry root percentage (DRP). As a result, significant difference was not determined among the treatments as to the SH, RCD, SDW/RDW and DRP. However, significant difference was determined among the growth media as to the RDW and SDW. The maximum SDW was determined for BP (0.5) + CTR (0.2) + CP (0.2) + Z (0.1) medium (3.24 g) while BP (0.6) + P (0.2) + Z (0.2) (1.59 g) medium showed minimum SDW. In addition, the maximum RDW were determined for BP (0.5) + CTR (0.2) + CP (02) + Z (0.1) medium (1.82 g) while BP (0.6) + CP (0.2) + Z (0.2) medium (1.01 g) showed minimum RDW. Addition of 20% zeolite to growing media types had a negative effect on the seedling morphological characteristics. Still, natural zeolite could be used as a substrate such as pumice and perlite: Turkey has 45.8 billions of zeolite potential. Therefore, using zeolite in nurseries may reduce the costs of nurseries.