Response of Two Cut Chrysanthemum Cultivars to the Application of Mushroom Waste Compost and Vermi-Compost

Chrysanthemum (Dendrathema grandiflora) belongs to family Astraceae and is native to Asia, demands for its production, including cut flowers, garden, potted plants and ground cover types has increases worldwide. These experiments were conducted to assess the effects of differnt levels of mushroom waste compost and vermicompost on growth, flowering, mineral uptake and vase life of two chrysanthemum cultivars “whitebucket” and “chinitta”. Rooted-cutting were planted on media containing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent of mushroom waste compost and 10, 20, 30 and 40 percent of vermicompost. Results showed a significant difference among treatments, moreover the responses of cultivars to the treatment were statistically different. Application of mushroom waste compost and vermicompost to the media improved plant growth (plant dry weight, leaf number and height), increased macronutrient uptake (N, K, Ca and Mg) and leaf chlorophyll content. Flower quality (flower stalk and diameter) and post harvest vase life were also improved. However, levels higher than 30 percent of vermicompost showed a negative impact on plant growth. So, it seems that these compounds were able to improve plant growth by improving the nutrient uptake, leaf chlorophyll and leaf number.