Mohammad Sadat-Hosseini

In this study, the effect of a partial substitution of peat by rice hull and Municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) on the growth traits of a common vegetable (Capsicum frutescens var. grossum) was tested. Growing media was prepared in different proportion (% v/v): (T1) peat moss: rice hull: MSWC (100: 0: 0), (T2) peat moss: rice hull: MSWC (90: 5: 5), (T3) peat moss: rice hull: MSWC (80: 10: 10), (T4) peat moss: rice hull: MSWC (70: 20: 10) and (T5) peat moss: rice hull: MSWC (60: 35: 5). When the seedlings were able to transfer to the field, the mean of five harvested plants in each replication: plant survive percentage, number of leaf, plant height, shoot diameter, root length, shoot and root dry matter, plant ash, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight and root dry weight were recorded. Analysis of variance showed that different media mixture affected essential oil yield and growth traits of C. frutescens. Results showed that plants of the combination of rice hull and MSWC with peat moss substrates reached better growth and quality. The Best result was determined in peat moss: rice hull: MSWC 60:35:5 and it means MSWC in a low proportion have better effect on plant growth. Utilizing only peat moss in all parameter showed the lowest value.