This study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly horticultural substrate that promotes the growth of organic onion(Allium cepa L.) seedlings. Four substrates were prepared by mixing different ratios of peatmoss, cocopeat, perlite, vermiculite, and zeolite. Their pH and electrical conductivities ranged from 5.12 to 5.60 and from 0.07 to 0.08 dS/m, respectively. Beneficial microorganisms, molasses, sesame oil cake, and sulfur were added to one substrate combination, which was named “environmentally friendly horticultural substrate” (EFHS). The chemical properties of the EFHS were analyzed and compared with a commercial organic horticultural substrate (OHS) and a commercial general horticultural substrate (GHS). The organic matter and inorganic ion (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, zinc, and sulfur) contents in the EFHS were higher than those in the OHS and GHS. The germination rates of onion seeds in the EFHS were higher than in the OHS and GHS. The mean number of leaves, sheath diameter per seedling, and weight of 30-day-old seedlings grown on the EFHS were greater than those of seedlings grown on the OHS and GHS. The length of the seedlings grown on the EFHS was comparable to that of the seedlings grown on the OHS and greater than that of the seedlings grown on the GHS. Overall, the growth parameters of onion seedlings grown on the EFHS were better than those of seedlings grown on the OHS and GHS, suggesting that the EFHS may be used as an organic horticultural substrate for growing organic onion seedlings.

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
    1. Preparation of horticultural substrates
    2. Analysis of the chemical properties of thehorticultural substrates
    3. Growth of onion seedlings
    4. Analysis of the chemical components of onionseedlings
    5. Statistical analysis
Results
    1. EC and pH values of the horticultural substrates
    2. Chemical properties of the horticultural substrates
    3. Growth of organic onion seedlings on thehorticultural substrates
    4. Chemical components of onion seedlings
Discussion
References

• Tae-Won Kim(Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Medicinal Resources Research Institute)
• Dhruba Khakurel(Department of Biology, Graduate School, Gyeongsang National University)
• Byeong-Gyun Jeon(Department of Biology Education, Gyeongsang National University)
• Sung-Ho Lee(Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University/Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University) Corresponding author