Introduction:

1. Introduction: Soil is used for plant propagation and in horticulture nursery from ages. However, different plant growth media are prepared and used successfully in modern nurseries. Coco peat, leaf mould and sphagnum moss are amongst the most popular growth media. Plant Growth Media: They areOrganic or inorganic material which is used for growing plants as it provides nutrients, physical support and moisture to the plant during its growing period.

2. Properties of good growth Medium: • Good medium must be firm to hold the plant and volume of media should be fairy constant under wet or dry condition. • Media should be porous, drain out excess water and provide aeration and at the same time retain sufficient moisture in it. • Media should be free from weed seeds, nematodes and must have a neutral pH level. • Media must be capable of being sterilized without deleterious in porosity, structure and Texture.

3. Classification of Plant Growth Media The plant growth media are classified as soil media and soil less media. Soil Media: Soil media can be in solid, liquid and gaseous state. Media can provide physical and nutritional support to plant growth and should be available in plenty. Media should be Solid constituents of organic or inorganic forms. Liquid part is soil solution contains minerals in dissolved form.

4. Soil less Media Sand: Sand is soil less plant propagation media which contains stone and rock grains of 0.05 to 2.0 mm in diameter. Sphagnum Moss:Sphagnum moss is light weight dehydrated residue of plants called Sphagnum papillosum and Sphagnum palustre whichhas a high water absorption and holding capacity almost 20 times to its weight.

5. Soil less Media Peat: Peat is residue of aquatic, marsh or swamp vegetation which is preserved under water in partially decomposed state. Composition of different peat deposit varies depending upon vegetation and rate of decomposition like acidic peat, alkaline peat, muck peat, baled peat, etc Vermiculite:It is mica based hydrated magnesium, aluminum, iron silicate mineral material which expands significantly on heating. It is very light in weight can absorb 4 liter water per cubic feet.

6. Soil less Media Perlite:It is a gray white material of volcanic origin and light in weight which absorbs 210 to 280 liters water per cubic meter. Leaf Mould:Leaf mould is prepared by mixing soil added with small amount of ammonium sulphate with layers of leaf, water well and allow the material to decompose to form leaf mold. Wood Ash: Wood ash is a rich source of potash which can be produced by burning fire wood and tree branches.

7. Soil less Media Coco Peat:It is byproduct of coconut fiber industry which is rich in potassium and boron. It has high electrical conductivity, pH between 5.5- 5.8 and the C:N ratio is 110:1. Coco peat has 95 % porosity and 250kg/m3.bulk density. Pumice:It is silicon dioxide and Aluminum Trioxide with small amount of Fe, Ca, Mg, Na in oxide form.

8. Soil less Media Bone Meal:It isextensively used in potted plants and flower beds as a rich source of calcium and phosphorus. Oilcakes:it is residues from extraction of oil from oilseeds like Groundnut, Castor, Cotton which contain 2- 5 % nitrogen, 1-2 % phosphorus and are best for use in potted plants. Bark, Saw Dust and Wood Shavings: They are the byproducts of saw mills and available at reasonable cost.