The effect of different growing media on the nutritional values and growing of edible flowers

BACKGROUND: Interest in edible flowers is growing due to their visual appeal and nutritional value. However, there is insufficient research on the cultivation of these plants. This study was conducted to test the usability of biochar-supplemented soil as a growing media for edible flowers and to determine the effect of different growing media on the plant nutrient content. METHODS: The study used Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), Electric Flower (Spilanthes oleracea), Red Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.), and Yellow Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.). Plants grown from seeds germinated in peat were transplanted into prepared growing media at the 2-3 leaf stage. The experiment was conducted in three different growing media: soil, peat, and soil supplemented with biochar. In addition to measurements to determine plant growth, the mineral content of the flowers was also determined. RESULTS: In the study, plants grown in pots filled with peat or soil supplemented with biochar produced better shoots and roots than those grown in soil-only pots. In all four plants with edible flowers, both the peat media and the biochar-supplemented media resulted in a significant increase in the number of flowers per plant. Although some increases in Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn) and Chromium (Cr) content were observed in some of the studied species due to peat and biochar application, overall, no significant effect of growing media on plant nutrient content was detected. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that the plants studied grew as well in biochar-supplemented media as in peat media, which is considered the ideal media for plant cultivation. Given that peat is no longer a renewable resource, biochar could be a good alternative to growing media.