Compound substrate for promoting flower root development and application thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a compound substrate for promoting flower root development and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of flower cultivation. The compound substrate is prepared from the following components in parts by weight: 30 to 50 parts of sawdust, 20 to 30 parts of coco coir, 10 to 15 parts of zeolite, 12 to 20 parts of perlite, 3 to 5 parts of low-temperature fungicide, 3 to 5 parts of traditional Chinese medicine extract, 5 to 8 parts of humic acid and 1.5 to 2.5 parts of sodium polyacrylate. Through the optimal design of the compound substrate, the development quality and disease resistance of the flower root system are improved, and the limitation of a traditional substrate in a cold environment is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of flower cultivation technology, and in particular to a composite substrate that promotes root development in flowers and its application. Background Technology

[0002] As the core carrier for flower growth, the substrate's physicochemical properties and functionality directly determine the quality of root development, nutrient absorption efficiency, and plant resistance. The cool Hebei region has a temperate continental monsoon climate with large diurnal temperature variations (reaching 15-20℃ in winter) and prolonged periods of low temperatures (average temperatures below 5℃ from November to March of the following year). Furthermore, greenhouse cultivation typically involves low light and high humidity, placing special demands on the resistance and functionality of the flower substrate.

[0003] Currently, flower cultivation in northern Hebei Province mostly uses traditional substrates, such as simple mixtures of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. While these can meet basic aeration and water retention requirements, they have significant limitations: First, they have poor physical structural stability. Under low temperatures, peat moss easily decomposes, leading to substrate compaction and a 30%-50% decrease in porosity, resulting in frequent root hypoxia, manifested as a 20%-40% reduction in the number of fibrous roots and hindered taproot elongation. Second, they lack functional components, leading to an imbalance in the rhizosphere microecology, and under continuous cropping conditions, Fusarium and Dampingobacterium bacteria proliferate. Accumulation of pathogens such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can lead to an incidence rate of over 30% for wilt and damping-off diseases; thirdly, insufficient nutrient regulation capacity and blind addition of organic fertilizers can easily cause salinization (EC value exceeding 2.5 mS / cm), resulting in root burn, while single inorganic substrates have poor fertilizer retention and nutrient loss rate as high as 40%; fourthly, existing improvement technologies mostly focus on single components (such as adding microbial agents or humic acid alone), but the activity of microbial agents decreases by more than 50% at low temperatures, and the synergistic effect between components has not been explored, resulting in unstable effects.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of composite substrate that can balance physical structure optimization and functional component synergy, so as to improve the root vitality and disease resistance of flowers in the cold region of northern Hebei, while adapting to the special cultivation needs under the cold climate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a composite substrate for promoting root development in flowers and its application, thereby addressing the problems existing in the prior art. This invention improves the quality of root development and disease resistance in flowers through optimized composite substrate design, overcoming the limitations of traditional substrates in cold environments.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0007] This invention provides a composite substrate for promoting root development in flowers, comprising the following components by weight: 30-50 parts sawdust, 20-30 parts coconut coir, 10-15 parts zeolite, 12-20 parts perlite, 3-5 parts low-temperature bacterial agent, 3-5 parts traditional Chinese medicine extract, 5-8 parts humic acid, and 1.5-2.5 parts sodium polyacrylate.

[0008] The low-temperature inoculant contains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and Streptomyces microflavus and / or their fermentation products;

[0009] The herbal extracts mentioned are extracts of Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Sophora flavescens.

[0010] Furthermore, the ratio of the viable number of Bacillus subtilis, the viable number of Bacillus mucilaginosus, and the spore concentration of Streptomyces flavus in the low-temperature bacterial agent is (1-2):(1-2):(1-2).

[0011] Furthermore, the herbal extract is obtained by mixing Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis and Sophora flavescens in a mass ratio of (1-2):(1-2):(1-2) and then extracting.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method for preparing the composite matrix, comprising the following steps:

[0013] Wood chips and coconut coir are mixed together, water is added, and the mixture is piled up to decompose, resulting in decomposed material.

[0014] Zeolite and perlite are added to the composted material, and after stirring evenly, the low-temperature bacterial agent, the traditional Chinese medicine extract, humic acid and sodium polyacrylate are added to obtain the composite matrix.

[0015] Furthermore, the amount of water added is 15% of the total mass of the wood chips and coconut coir mixture.

[0016] Furthermore, the composting time is 20 days, and the temperature is 50-55℃.

[0017] Furthermore, the moisture content of the composite matrix is ​​40%-50%.

[0018] The present invention also provides an application of the aforementioned composite matrix in promoting the root development of flowers.

[0019] The present invention also provides an application of the aforementioned composite matrix in improving the disease resistance of flowers.

[0020] Furthermore, the flowers include orchids.

[0021] The present invention discloses the following technical effects:

[0022] This invention improves the quality of root development and disease resistance in flowers through optimized composite matrix design, overcoming the limitations of traditional matrices in cold environments. A synergistic blend of sawdust, coconut coir, zeolite, and perlite constructs a stable physical structure with good porosity at low temperatures, preventing compaction and root hypoxia, and promoting root growth. The synergistic effect of various microbial species in the low-temperature inoculant enhances low-temperature activity, inhibiting pathogen reproduction through occupancy effects and antimicrobial metabolites, effectively reducing root rot and stem rot incidence. The synergistic combination of traditional Chinese medicine extracts, such as Phellodendron amurense, inhibits pathogens and induces disease-resistant signaling pathways, enhancing the flowers' stress resistance. Humic acid and sodium polyacrylate optimize water and fertilizer retention, reducing nutrient loss and preventing salinization. Furthermore, this composite matrix is ​​suitable for orchids and other flowers, achieving a 100% survival rate in cold environments, with a 4.6mm increase in pseudobulb diameter, demonstrating superior overall performance compared to traditional matrices. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. This detailed description should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention, but rather as a more detailed description of certain aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] It should be understood that the terminology used in this invention is merely for describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, with respect to numerical ranges in this invention, it should be understood that each intermediate value between the upper and lower limits of the range is also specifically disclosed. Any stated value or intermediate value within a stated range, as well as each smaller range between any other stated value or intermediate value within said range, is also included in this invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may be independently included or excluded from the range.

[0025] Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. While only preferred methods and materials have been described herein, any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the implementation or testing of this invention. All references to this specification are incorporated by way of citation to disclose and describe methods and / or materials associated with those references. In the event of any conflict with any incorporated reference, the content of this specification shall prevail.

[0026] Various modifications and variations can be made to the specific embodiments described in this specification without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Other embodiments derived from this specification will also be obvious to those skilled in the art. This specification and embodiments are merely exemplary.

[0027] The terms “include,” “including,” “have,” “contain,” etc., used in this article are all open-ended terms, meaning that they include but are not limited to.

[0028] This invention provides a composite substrate for promoting root development in flowers and its application. The composite substrate comprises the following components by weight: 30-50 parts sawdust, 20-30 parts coconut coir, 10-15 parts zeolite, 12-20 parts perlite, 3-5 parts low-temperature bacterial agent, 3-5 parts traditional Chinese medicine extract, 5-8 parts humic acid, and 1.5-2.5 parts sodium polyacrylate.

[0029] The low-temperature bacterial agent of the present invention is prepared from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and Streptomyces microflavus.

[0030] In specific embodiments of the present invention, Bacillus subtilis (strain number CICC 10154), Bacillus mucilaginosus (strain number CICC 21700), and Streptomyces flavus (strain number CICC 23627) are all derived from the China Industrial Microbial Culture Collection Center. The public can obtain the above strains from the above-mentioned institution through conventional purchase channels. Other strains belonging to the same species and having the same biological activity as the above strains can also achieve the effects of the present invention.

[0031] The preparation method of the above-mentioned low-temperature bacterial agent is as follows:

[0032] (1) Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and Streptomyces flavus were cultured separately, with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus mucilaginosus being cultured to OD. 600 The value is 1.2-1.5 (viable bacteria count is 0.5-1×10⁻⁶). 9 CFU / mL), *Streptomyces flavus* cultured to a spore concentration of 1×10⁻⁶. 8 per mL.

[0033] (2) Three bacterial solutions were mixed in different mass ratios. Sterilized diatomaceous earth was used as a carrier. The bacterial solution and carrier were mixed in a ratio of 1:1 (g / mL) and stirred until uniformly moistened. The mixture was dried at 40°C under ventilation until the moisture content was ≤8%. Then, a protective agent and a dispersant were added to prepare the above-mentioned low-temperature bacterial agent.

[0034] The herbal extract of the present invention is prepared by mixing three Chinese herbs, namely, Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis and Sophora flavescens, and then following conventional water extraction and alcohol precipitation methods in the art.

[0035] The present invention will be demonstrated in detail below through specific embodiments and experiments.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] (1) The formula of the composite matrix, by weight, includes: 50 parts of sawdust, 20 parts of coconut coir, 10 parts of zeolite, 20 parts of perlite, 5 parts of low-temperature bacterial agent, 3 parts of traditional Chinese medicine extract, 5 parts of humic acid and 2 parts of sodium polyacrylate.

[0038] The ratio of viable counts of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and spore concentration of Streptomyces flavus in the low-temperature bacterial agent was 2:1:1 (cfu / cfu / spore).

[0039] The herbal extract was obtained by mixing Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis and Sophora flavescens in a mass ratio of 1:1:1.

[0040] (2) Preparation method of composite matrix

[0041] Mix sawdust with coconut coir, add water at 15% of the total mass, and pile it up for 20 days to decompose (turn the pile 4 times, control the temperature at 50-55℃ to avoid killing beneficial bacteria with high temperature), and cool it to room temperature.

[0042] Add zeolite and perlite to the compost and stir for 20 minutes until homogeneous (ensure the aeration porosity is ≥25%).

[0043] Add low-temperature bacterial agent, traditional Chinese medicine extract, humic acid and sodium polyacrylate in sequence, continue stirring for 15 minutes, adjust the water content to 40%-50%, and obtain the composite matrix.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] (1) The formula of the composite matrix, by weight, includes: 30 parts of sawdust, 25 parts of coconut coir, 15 parts of zeolite, 15 parts of perlite, 3 parts of low-temperature bacterial agent, 3 parts of traditional Chinese medicine extract, 8 parts of humic acid and 1.5 parts of sodium polyacrylate.

[0046] The ratio of viable counts of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus mucilaginosus and the spore concentration of Streptomyces flavus in the low-temperature bacterial agent was 1:2:1 (cfu / cfu / spore).

[0047] The herbal extract was obtained by mixing Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis and Sophora flavescens in a mass ratio of 2:1:1.

[0048] (2) Preparation method of composite matrix

[0049] Same as Example 1.

[0050] Example 3

[0051] (1) The formula of the composite matrix, by weight, includes: 40 parts of sawdust, 23 parts of coconut coir, 13 parts of zeolite, 12 parts of perlite, 4 parts of low-temperature bacterial agent, 4 parts of traditional Chinese medicine extract, 7 parts of humic acid and 2.5 parts of sodium polyacrylate.

[0052] The ratio of viable counts of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and spore concentration of Streptomyces flavus in the low-temperature bacterial agent was 2:2:1 (cfu / cfu / spore).

[0053] The herbal extract was obtained by mixing Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis and Sophora flavescens in a mass ratio of 1:2:1.

[0054] (2) Preparation method of composite matrix

[0055] Same as Example 1.

[0056] Example 4

[0057] (1) The formula of the composite matrix, by weight, includes: 45 parts of sawdust, 30 parts of coconut coir, 12 parts of zeolite, 13 parts of perlite, 4 parts of low-temperature bacterial agent, 5 parts of traditional Chinese medicine extract, 6 parts of humic acid and 1.8 parts of sodium polyacrylate.

[0058] The ratio of viable counts of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and spore concentration of Streptomyces flavus in the low-temperature bacterial agent was 1:1:2 (cfu / cfu / spore).

[0059] The herbal extract was obtained by mixing Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis and Sophora flavescens in a mass ratio of 1:1:2.

[0060] (2) Preparation method of composite matrix

[0061] Same as Example 1.

[0062] Comparative Example 1

[0063] The difference from Example 1 is that the low-temperature bacterial agent does not contain actinomycetes.

[0064] Comparative Example 2

[0065] The difference compared to Example 1 is that the low-temperature bacterial agent contains only Bacillus subtilis.

[0066] Comparative Example 3

[0067] Compared with Example 1, the difference is that the raw materials for preparing the Chinese herbal extract do not include Phellodendron bark.

[0068] Comparative Example 4

[0069] The difference from Example 1 is that peat moss is used instead of sawdust and coconut coir.

[0070] Effect verification

[0071] 1. Experimental Materials and Design

[0072] Orchid tested: Cymbidium goeringii (variety “Jibei Xue”, a main cultivated variety in the cold region of northern Hebei).

[0073] Experiment period: February-May 2025 (simulating spring cultivation in a greenhouse in northern Hebei, including the low-temperature seedling period).

[0074] Experimental location: Greenhouse of Chengde Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (temperature 8-20℃, nighttime minimum 8℃, relative humidity 65%-75%, light intensity 600-1000 μmol / m²) 2 / s, which meets the low-light requirements of orchids.

[0075] Experimental Design: The substrates of Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-4 were filled into 20cm×18cm breathable orchid pots (with expanded clay pebbles at the bottom), with 25 plants per treatment and replicated 3 times. Uniform Cymbidium seedlings (pseudobulb diameter 1.5-2.0cm, 3-4 roots) were selected. When planting, the substrate was filled to 1 / 2 of the pseudobulb, without compaction (to maintain aeration). Regular watering was performed (substrate moisture content maintained at 45%-50%), and no additional fertilizer was applied.

[0076] 2. Measurement Indicators and Methods (after 120 days of cultivation)

[0077] (1) Root morphology indicators

[0078] New root count: The number of healthy new roots with a diameter ≥ 0.3 mm (per plant).

[0079] Longest root length: Measure the length (cm) of the longest new root.

[0080] The number of new roots and the longest root length reflect the quantity of healthy roots generated during plant growth and the extent of root elongation, thus assessing the growth vitality and development status of the plant's root system. Root fresh weight: After washing and drying the entire plant's root system, it is weighed (g / plant). Fresh weight reflects the biomass accumulation of the plant's roots during growth, thereby assessing the plant's root growth status and nutrient absorption capacity.

[0081] Root respiration rate: measured using the oxygen electrode method, in μmol O2·g -1 FW·h -1 Records are kept in units. Root respiration rate reflects the intensity of respiration in plant roots during growth, thereby assessing the metabolic level and growth vitality of plant roots.

[0082] (2) Disease resistance indicators

[0083] Root rot rate: Count the number of plants with browning and rotting roots, and calculate the root rot rate. The calculation formula is as follows:

[0084] Root rot rate = (Number of plants with brown and rotten roots / Total number of plants) × 100%.

[0085] Stem rot incidence rate: The incidence rate of stem rot is calculated by counting the number of plants with rotten pseudobulbs. The calculation formula is as follows:

[0086] Stem rot incidence rate = (Number of plants with rotten pseudobulbs / Total number of plants) × 100%.

[0087] (3) Growth indicators

[0088] The number of surviving plants was counted, and the difference in pseudobulb diameter before and after cultivation was measured. The survival rate and the increase in pseudobulb diameter were then calculated.

[0089] 3. Test Results

[0090] The measured indicators and calculation results are shown in Table 1.

[0091] Table 1 Statistical results of various indicators for different treatments

[0092]

[0093] As shown in Table 1, Examples 1-4 outperformed the comparative examples in all growth and disease resistance indicators, demonstrating the synergistic effect of the low-temperature fungal agent and the multi-component traditional Chinese medicine extract.

[0094] Synergistic effect of strains: Example 1 contained a complete low-temperature inoculum (including actinomycetes, etc.), Comparative Example 1 did not contain actinomycetes, and Comparative Example 2 only contained Bacillus subtilis. Example 1 had 18 new roots / plant and 0% root rot rate, Comparative Example 1 had 10 new roots / plant and 20% root rot rate, and Comparative Example 2 had 9 new roots / plant and 12% root rot rate. This shows that actinomycetes and strains such as Bacillus subtilis work synergistically to promote new root growth and inhibit root rot. The effect is significantly reduced when using a single strain or when key strains are missing.

[0095] Synergistic Effect of Multiple Components in Traditional Chinese Medicine Extracts: Example 1's extract contained components such as Phellodendron bark, while Comparative Example 3 did not contain Phellodendron bark. In Example 1, the incidence of stem rot was 4%, and the increase in pseudobulb diameter was 4.6 mm. In Comparative Example 3, the incidence of stem rot was 16%, and the increase in pseudobulb diameter was 2.0 mm. This indicates that Phellodendron bark, in synergy with other traditional Chinese medicine components, can reduce the incidence of stem rot and promote pseudobulb growth. The absence of key components weakens the disease resistance and growth-promoting effects.

[0096] Physical structure suitability: Based on root-related indicators, Examples 1-4 generally showed better results than the control group in terms of new root number, longest root length, and fresh root weight. A substrate composed of sawdust, coconut coir, and perlite was used to construct a physical structure suitable for orchid aerial roots, ensuring adequate aeration and water retention, and promoting root development. Simultaneously, a low-temperature inoculant improved the rhizosphere microenvironment, aiding root expansion; and traditional Chinese medicine extracts regulated the physicochemical properties of the substrate, assisting root nutrient absorption. Both these factors, combined with the improved substrate physical structure, jointly promoted root growth. In contrast, the control group, due to substrate structural defects and the lack of effective inoculants and traditional Chinese medicine assistance, experienced limited root development.

[0097] Adaptability to cold environments: The survival rate of Examples 1-4 reached 92%-100%, far exceeding that of the comparative examples. In cold environments, the physical structure of the substrate ensures root respiration, while the low-temperature microbial agent enhances root cold-resistance metabolism, such as promoting the synthesis of heat-producing substances; the herbal extracts enhance the plant's stress-resistance signal transduction. These three factors work synergistically to maintain high root activity. In contrast, the comparative examples, lacking the synergistic effect of the substrate, microbial agent, and herbal extracts, exhibited reduced root activity and a low survival rate under low temperatures.

[0098] Disease resistance analysis: The examples relied on the synergistic effect of the substrate physical structure, microbial agents, and traditional Chinese medicine extracts: the substrate, composed of sawdust, coconut coir, and perlite, maintained a porosity of 25%-30%, creating a breathable and non-compacting environment that inhibited the anaerobic reproduction of pathogens; the low-temperature microbial agent competed for rhizosphere niches through a "site-occupation effect" and secreted antibacterial secondary metabolites, directly suppressing root and stem rot pathogens; the traditional Chinese medicine extracts not only disrupted the cell membrane structure of pathogens and inhibited spore germination through their active ingredients, but also induced orchid plants to activate disease resistance signaling pathways and enhance the activity of root defense enzymes (such as polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase). With the synergistic effect of these three factors, the root rot rate and stem rot incidence in Examples 1-4 were significantly lower than those in the control group.

[0099] The combined effects are evident: In Example 1, due to the synergistic effect of multiple components including the bacterial strain and the Chinese herbal extract, the survival rate was 100%. In contrast, in Comparative Example 1, due to the lack of actinomycetes, in Comparative Example 2, due to the single bacterial strain, and in Comparative Example 3, due to the lack of components in the Chinese herbal extract, the survival rates were 80%, 84%, and 64%, respectively. This highlights the key promoting effect of the synergistic effect of multiple components on plant survival and growth. Without the synergistic effect, various indicators deteriorated.

[0100] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite substrate for promoting root development in flowers, characterized in that, By weight, it includes the following components: 30-50 parts sawdust, 20-30 parts coconut coir, 10-15 parts zeolite, 12-20 parts perlite, 3-5 parts low-temperature microbial agent, 3-5 parts traditional Chinese medicine extract, 5-8 parts humic acid, and 1.5-2.5 parts sodium polyacrylate. The low-temperature inoculant contains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mucilaginosus, and Streptomyces microflavus and / or their fermentation products; The herbal extracts mentioned are extracts of Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Sophora flavescens.

2. The composite matrix according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the viable count of Bacillus subtilis, the viable count of Bacillus jellyii, and the spore concentration of Streptomyces flavus in the low-temperature bacterial agent is (1-2):(1-2):(1-2).

3. The composite matrix according to claim 1, characterized in that, The herbal extract was obtained by mixing Phellodendron bark, Scutellaria baicalensis and Sophora flavescens in a mass ratio of (1-2):(1-2):(1-2).

4. A method for preparing the composite matrix according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Wood chips and coconut coir are mixed together, water is added, and the mixture is piled up to decompose, resulting in decomposed material. Zeolite and perlite are added to the composted material, and after stirring evenly, the low-temperature bacterial agent, the traditional Chinese medicine extract, humic acid and sodium polyacrylate are added to obtain the composite matrix.

5. The preparation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The amount of water added is 15% of the total mass of the wood chips and coconut coir mixture.

6. The preparation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The composting time is 20 days, and the temperature is 50-55℃.

7. The preparation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The moisture content of the composite matrix is ​​40%-50%.

8. The application of the composite substrate according to any one of claims 1-3 in promoting the root development of flowers.

9. The application of the composite substrate according to any one of claims 1-3 in improving the disease resistance of flowers.

10. The application according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The flowers mentioned include orchids.

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