Tobacco dust waste as an alternative medium to grow geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) plants

Abstract

Tobacco dust (TD) waste is the typical lignocellosic agricultural residue of cigarette processing. In the region of Peloponnese, cigarette production is carried out by the leading company of Karelias S.A. The production of TD waste of approx. 2-3 tons/month is a major problem for the company. Plant growth media containing peat (P) + 0, 5, 10, 25 or 50% TD were prepared and tested on geranium plant growth and development. The use of TD increased EC and pH of the final medium. Plants of the cvs “ML Diego” and “ML Sailing ‘12” grown in P+5% or in P+10% TD had similar height, number of leaves, number of flowers, photosynthetic activity and transpiration rates to the P alone (control) indicating that solid agro-industrial waste of tobacco could be used to partially substitute peat in growing medium for floricultural crop production.