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.

1
Introduction
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.
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Properties of good growth Medium

• 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.

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Classification of Plant Growth Media
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.
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Soil less 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 CN ratio is 1101. 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.
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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.