Influence of substrate composition on the quality of curry plants (Helichrysum sp.)

Smilj je rastlina, ki raste na kamnitih, sušnih in peščenih območjih. Njegova uporaba se je zaradi eteričnega olja in fenolnih snovi, ki jih rastlina vsebuje, močno povečala, saj naj bi pozitivno vplivalo na počutje in zdravje ljudi. Pri poskusu smo se osredotočili na vpliv sestave substrata na kakovost sadik smilja. Poskus smo zasnovali s sadikami laškega smilja (Helichrysum italicum), katerega smo razdelili na pincirane in nepincirane sadike. Merili smo višino in premer sadik smilja, prostornino grmička, tehtali svežo in suho maso nadzemnega dela ter ocenili prekoreninjenost koreninske grude. Pri poskusu smo uporabili šoto Neuhaus Humin N3 in perlit, iz katerih smo, iz različnega utežnega deleža, naredili tri substratne mešanice, 100 % šotni substrat, substrat z 80 % šote in 20 % perlita ter substrat s 60 % šote in 40 % perlita. Za posamezen substrat smo namenili 72 sadik smilja, katere smo postavili v rastlinjak Biotehniške fakultete v Ljubljani. Vse sadike smilja smo skozi rastno dobo enako zalivali in vzdrževali. Ker je smilj rastlina, ki ne potrebuje veliko vode, nas je zanimalo katera mešanica substrata najslabše zadržuje vodo. Naredili smo poskus, kjer smo ugotavljali sposobnost substrata za zadrževanje vode in ugotovili, da je substrat, ki najslabše zadržuje vodo, substrat s 60 % šote in 40 % perlita. Z meritvami smo ugotovili, da je za vzgojo sadik najprimernejši substrat, kateremu smo dodali perlit in sicer substrat z 80 % šote in 20 % perlita ter substrat s 60 % šote in 40 % perlita, najmanj primeren pa 100 % šotni substrat. Za ugotavljanje prezimne trdnosti smo sadike smilja posadili na laboratorijsko polje Biotehniške fakultete v Ljubljani in konec koledarske zime ugotovili, da so vse sadike smilja preživele zimo.Curry plants are plants that grows in rocky, arid and sandy areas. Its use has increased significantly due to the essential oil and phenols contained in the plant, as this is expected to have a positive effect on human well-being and health. In the experiment, we focused on the influence of substrate composition on the quality of the seedlings. The experiment was designed with Helichrysum italicum seeds, which were divided into pruned and non pruned seedlings. We measured the height and diameter of the seedlings, the volume of the bush, weighed the fresh and dry weight of the above ground part and evaluated the root lumps. In experiment we used Neuhaus Humin N3 peat and perlite, where we did, from different weight, three substrate mixtures, 100 % peat substrate, 80 % peat and 20 % perlite and substrate with 60 % peat and 40 % perlite. For each substrate we allocated 72 seedlings, which were placed in the greenhouse of the Biotehnical Faculty in Ljubljana. Throughout the growing season we watered and maintained all seedlings equally. Because H. italicum is a plant that does not require much water, we were interested, which substrate mixture retains water the worst. Substrate that retains water the worst in substrate with 60 % peat and 40 % perlite. Measurements have shown that the most appropriate substrate for seedling cultivation is substrate with addition of perlite, the substrate with 80 % peat and 20 % perlite and the substrate with 60 % peat and 40 % perlite, and the least suitable 100 % peat substrate. To determine winter hardiness, we planted the seedlings on the laboratory field of the Biotehnical Faculty in Ljubljana, and at the end of the calendar winter we found that all seedlings survived the winter