TITLE:
An investigation on the nutrient and material effects of bark in komatsuna and tomato growing tests by using pots to determine the optimum mixed combination
AUTHORS:
Masafumi Tateda, Mayuko Deguchi, Yukihiro Kaji
KEYWORDS:
Bark; Fertilizer; Pot Test; Growing Test; Komatsuna; Tomato
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.4 No.5,
May
31,
2013
ABSTRACT: The effects of bark
on komatsuna (Japanese spinach) and tomato were investigated by changing the
nitrogen content of chemical fertilizers and bark mixing ratio. Mixing 25 and
50% of bark with soil improved komatsuna growth, and also exceeded the growth
rates obtained by using chemical fertilizers. However, komatsuna could not grow
in 100% bark alone, with excessive amounts of bark majorly inhibiting komatsuna
growth. The aeration of bark also did not enhance komatsuna growth. The
nitrogen content and bark-mixing ratio had a much lower impact on tomato growth
compared to komatsuna. In comparison, aerated bark was more effective in
enhancing tomato growth compared to komatsuna growth.