Assessing Biodegradable Containers for Greenhouse and Landscape Performance

Biodegradable containers are a sustainable product that might be easily adapted to floriculture production, provide resource conservation, and excellent marketing opportunities.  However, there is little information on the feasibility of using these containers in floriculture production systems or landscape performance. The objective of this research was to evaluate the greenhouse and landscape performance of ‘Dreams Midnight’ petunia (Petunia x hybrida), pansy (Viola x witrockiana) or ‘Citron Yellow’ wall flower  (Erysimum allionii) grown in 10cm round plastic containers or biodegradable containers composed of peat, wood fiber, or core.  The leaf area of pansy was greatest when grown in wood fiber containers when compared to the plastic or coir containers.  However, the leaf area and dry weight of petunia was greatest when grown in peat containers compared to the wood fiber containers by 50% and 40%, respectively.  Thus, there appears that there may be a difference in the effect container type has on plant growth based on plant type.  There was no effect of container type on growth of wall flower.  The results of plant quality ratings during the landscape performance evaluation was similar to that found in growth of the greenhouse grown plants during the first 4 weeks.  However, these differences disappeared during the remainder of the study.