Possibility replacement of peat - perlite - sand with Azolla compost in growing media (Pedilanthus tithymaloides)

In order to investigate the effect of Azolla compost on vegetative characteristics of ornamental plants, Pedilanthus tithymaloides was selected as a model plant. In this regard, an experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design in five treatments and three replications in the Advanced Greenhouse of the Research Institute of Biotechnology, Rasht. The Growing media control of this study, peat-perlite-sand, was considered 1: 1: 1 ratio, and the compost Azolla was replaced by 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% volumes. The treatments consisted of: Azolla compost + 100% Peat-perlite-sand (control), Azolla compost + 75% Peat-perlite-sand, 50% Azolla compost + 50% Peat-Pearlite-Sand, 75% Azolla compost + 25% Peat-perlite-sand and 100% Azolla compost + 0% Peat-perlite-sand. In this experiment, growth indices, including number of leaves, number of buds, length of bud, fresh and dry weight of stem, fresh and dry weight of root were measured. The results showed that replacing Azolla compost levels had a significant effect on leaves number, length of bud, fresh and dry weight of stem, fresh and dry weight of root. Comparison of the substrate used showed that replacement of 25% Azolla compost in the Growing media had the most effect on Pedilanthus plant growth indices.