Evaluation of Chemical Properties of Date-Palm Waste as Culture Media and Its Effect on Number and Yield of Tomato

Aims: The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical properties of Date-Palm waste

as culture media and its effect on number and yield of tomato fruit.

Study Design: The experiment was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized block design with 9 treatments and 3 replications. Treatments included three sizes (S1= <0.5, S2=0.5-1 and S3=1-2 cm) and three composting times (C1=0, C2=3 and C3=6 months) of date palm waste.

Place and Duration of Study: This research was performed in the greenhouse research site of Isfahan Azad University (Khorasgan) from 2011 to 2012.

Methodology: Palm wastes were separated in three sizes (<0.5, 0.5-1 and 1-2 cm) and composted during the 3 and 6 months. Then, these materials were used as culture media for tomato cultivation. To compare the effect of plant cultivation, the same treatments were used for media without plant. Some chemical characteristics of the culture media including carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC) and pH were measured before planting, and at the end of cultivation from culture medias without and with plant. Number, yield and firmness of tomato fruit were measured.

Results: Statistical analysis showed values of pH and CEC were significantly increased at the end of cultivation from culture media without and with plant in compare to before planting (P<0.05). Amounts of EC in culture media before planting were significantly higher than culture media without and with plant (P<0.05). Also a significant reduction C/N ratio was occurred in culture media without plant in compare with culture media before planting and culture media with plant (P<0.05). Mature compost (C3S2) significantly increased number and yield of tomato fruit.

Conclusion: The overall results indicated composting process changed chemical properties of the media and difference in chemical properties of media had effect on yield and number of tomato fruit.