# Evaluation of Biochar and Composit Mixes as Substitutes to a Commercial Propagation Mix
## 3 Results and Discussion
### The Effects of the Biochar and Compost Mix on Seeding Growth  
In Experiment 1, the FWs of all the seedlings in the BC:VC mixes were similar to the ones in the control except for the vinca and pumpkin seedlings in 7 BC:3 VC (Figure 4). Similarly, all harvested seedling FWs in BC:VC mixes in Experiment 2 were similar to control, except those of marigold and salvia in 8 BC:2 VC, which were lower than that of the control (Figure 5a). All plant DWs at 7 weeks after transplanting were similar to or higher than those of the controls (Figure 5b). Research has shown that the FWs and DWs of the squash (_Cucurbita pepo_ var. 'Enterprise') seedlings in mixes of 75% (by volume) standard bagasse BC with the rest being commercial growing mix were similar to the ones in the control while those of the cantaloupe (_Cucumis melo_ var. 'Magnum 45') seedlings were lower than the ones in the control [44]. Similarly, the FWs and DWs of green bean var. 'Bowie' seedlings in mixes of 75% (by volume) sugarcane bagasse BC or pine BC with the rest being commercial growing media were similar to the control [20]. [PERSON] et al. [41] also showed that mixes of 60% or 80% (by volume) holm oak BC (with the rest being pig slurry compost) had similar or higher shoot DWs compared to the mixes with 60% or 80% coir (the resting being pig slurry compost), respectively.  
Figure 3: Seeds’ emergence percentages (**a**) and emergence indexes (**b**) (mean \(\pm\) standard error) in commercial propagation mix (control), 70% biochar:30% chicken manure compost (7 BC:3 CM, by volume), or 8 BC:2 CM in Experiment 3. The asterisks (*) indicate differences from the control using [PERSON]’s test at \(p<0.05\) (\(n=4\)). Means indicated by “\(\bullet\)” are 100% \(\pm\) 0.  
In Experiment 3, similar to the results on EPs and EIs, the FWs of all the seedlings in the BC:CM mixes were lower than those in the control except for the edamame seedling in 8 BC:2 CM and cowpea seedlings in both BC:CM mixes (Figure 6). The salinity and alkaline stresses caused by BC:CM mixes not only caused low and slow seed germination but also suppressed plant growth. The same CM and mixed hardwood BC has been used in the other research and the results also showed that the growth index, shoot DW and FW, and root and total DW of basil plants in mixes of the BC (80% or 90%, by volume) and 5% CM with the rest being commercial growing mix were reduced due to high salt and high pH [26].  
Figure 4: Fresh weight (mean \(\pm\) standard error) of the seedlings in commercial propagation mix (control), 70% biochar:30% vermicompost (7 BC:3 VC, by volume), or 8 BC:2 VC in Experiment 1. The asterisks indicate differences from the control using [PERSON]’s test at \(p<0.05\) (\(n=4\)).  
Figure 5: Fresh weights of the seedlings (**a**) and the dry weights of the plants harvested at 7 weeks after transplantation (**b**) (mean \(\pm\) standard error), which were germinated in commercial propagation mix (control), 70% biochar:30% vermicompost (7 BC:3 VC, by volume), or 8 BC:2 VC in Experiment 2. The asterisks indicate differences from the control using [PERSON]’s test at \(p<0.05\) (\(n=4\)).