Effect of date palm wastes and rice hull mixed with soil on growth and yield of cucumber in greenhouse culture

Abstract

Different substrates have several materials which could have direct and/or indirect effects on plant growth and development. The use of different organic and inorganic substrates allows that plants have best nutrient uptake and sufficient growth and development to optimize water and oxygen holding. This work was carried out using a completely randomized design with six treatments and six replications. The treatments were pure palm peat, pure rice hull, soil + 5% (weight) palm peat, soil + 5% (weight) rice hull, soil + 5% (weight) palm peat + 5% (weight) rice hull and pure soil. During plant growth Papadopolus formula with fertigation method was used for nutrient solution. Selected physiochemical properties of culture media and selected growth indices of plants were measured at the end of growth period. Results showed that amount of porosity, water holding capacity (WHC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in date-palm peat was higher than soil and rice hull but amount of bulk density in date-Palm peat was lower than the others. Also The results showed that many growth parameters were affected by the culture media. Most amount of yield and plant height in each was related to palm waste (100%) and had significant difference at 5% level as compared with the others. Results showed that plant growing indices for cucumber plant were sufficient when cultured only in date Palm waste and rice hull substrates and when this materials were added to the soil, although it amended physiochemical properties of media but decreased the plant growing indices.