Growth and flowering response of 'Monte Grace' lily grown in media amended with bioplastic pellets and in bioplastic pots containing feather fibers

- Growth of hybrid lily, 'Monte Grace' in bioplastic resigns containing feather fibers was studied.
- Macro- and micro-elements in growing medium and foliar samples were analyzed.
- Extra nitrogen becomes available from Pellet 32 or BP 32 pots, but it is not recommended.
- Both pellets and bioplastic pots processed with pellets 45 containing 30% feather were suitable.
- The use of Pel 45 or BP 45 pots with SRF proved to be the most effective bioplastic material.

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and flowering of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. × L. × elegans Thunb. (LA) hybrid 'Monte Grace' when grown in media amended with three bioplastic resin pellets (Pel) containing chicken feather fibers (Pel 29, Pel 32, and Pel 45) and in injection molded bioplastic (BP) pots processed with three pellets. Bulbs were planted in a growing medium amended (GMA) with 4 or 8 g of each pellet or planted in the BP pots placed in the center of plastic pots. After potting, 2 g of slow release fertilizer (SRF) were applied to the surface of the growing medium. The changes in color of BP 29 and BP 32 pots suggested that these two BP pots may biodegrade faster than BP 45 pots. The growth and development of 'Monte Grace' in growing medium amended with Pel 32 and also in BP 32 pots were significantly reduced, resulting in flower bud blast. The negative effects of Pel 32 in the growing medium and in BP 32 pots were not reduced by addition of SRF. The growing medium pH was lowered significantly by the addition of SRF regardless of the BP pot types. However, growth and development was not affected by low pH. Concentrations of macro- and micro-elements fell into suggested and optimum ranges as reported for Lilium species and hybrids; however, the calcium concentration was lower than the optimum concentration, although, no nutrient deficiency symptoms were observed. Although extra nitrogen becomes available from Pel 32 or BP 32 pots, it is not recommended for lily production. The use of Pel 45 or BP 45 pots with SRF proved to be the most effective bioplastic material when plant growth, growing medium, and foliar analysis were evaluated.