Abstract
The application of compost and biochar has both gained significant interest as replacement of peat in horticultural as potting
substrates. In this study, (1) composted material derived from plant residues such as grass clipping and leaves and (2) wheat
straw biochar were evaluated as partial replacement of 10% for peat in horticultural potting substrate using Dracaena
deremensis cv. “Lemon Lime”. Five potting substrates were formulated from 10% v/v addition of both biochar and compost
individually and combined in 90/10 peat/perlite mixture. Six month old plants were used for the experiment. Chemical
characteristics of the potting substrates, and plant growth parameters were measured. The experiment was arranged in a
completely randomized design with ten replications. Biochar and compost both helped in improving the chemical properties of
peat-perlite based potting substrates. Application of biochar and compost increased the pH, EC, CEC, N, P and K and organic
matter contents of the substrates (T2, T3 and T4). Addition of biochar and compost increased the vegetative growth (plant
height, number of leaves, leaf area, and fresh biomass) of dracaena by 10-30% with respect to peat-perlite potting substrate.
This study suggests the use of biochar and compost for replacing peat and for high quality production of dracaena.
