The physicochemical properties of the new media soil prepared by mixing Sphagnum Peat Moss(P) and vermiculite(V) were investigated in relation to its effects on the growth of cucumber seedlings.
1. The media soils showed its strong acidity of pH 4.5, regardless of the mixing ratio.
2. The mineral contents of media soils were very low: 0.83me K+, 17.37me Ca^(++), 6.35me Mg^(++)/100g, respectively. Phosphorus (P₂O_5) was markedly lower in the media soils (66.2 ppm) than in the conventional media soils (225.1 ppm).
3. By adding the lime and complex fertilizer for horticultural plants to the media soils, the plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and the dry weight of cucumber plants were markedly greater than in the conventional media soils.
4. The contents of total soluble sugars, amino acids, ascorbic acids, and chlorophyll showed no significant difference in cucumber plants between the kinds of media soils.
5. More female flowers were formed on the plants grown on the media soils than those grown in the conventional media soils.
6. Wilting of the plants was delayed on the media soils rather than on the conventional media soils, irrespective of the mixing ratio of Sphagnum Peat Moss and Vermiculite.
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