| heal.abstract |
Four substrates were evaluated as intensive roof garden vegetative layer and their impact on Lantana camara growth was monitored. The four substrates were: a) sandy loam soil (S), b) sandy loam soil amended with urea formaldehyde resin foam (S:F-60: 40 v/v), c) sandy loam soil amended with peat and perlite at (S:P:Per- 50:30:20 v/v) and d) peat amended with urea formaldehyde resin foam (P:F at 60:40 v/v). Substrate weight at field capacity was reduced by 17%, 20% and 56% and bulk density by 46%, 43% and 95%, for S:F, S:P:Per and P:F respectively compared to S. The pH increased similarly at the four substrates while EC decreased in S and S:P:Per but increased in S:F and P:F. Shoot growth was better in S and S:F during the first seven months of the study compared to S:P:Per and P:F. However, S:P:Per exhibited an increased growth rate after the first seven months of the study resulting in a final growth rate that was similar to that of S and S:F. P:F could not support sufficient plant growth. S:F promoted earlier and more prolific flowering. |
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