DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/27.3.4973
Original scientific paper
Evaluation of using geothermal water and local growing media for soilless culture in conventional and organic systems
2026, 27 (3) p. 667-681
Nadia ELABED, Asma BOUKHRIS, Mohamed Sadok BELKADHI
Abstract
Although organic hydroponics is not certifiable in many parts of the world, it remains possible to use organic materials in soilless production systems. These materials can be used as substrates, added to nutrient solutions, or applied as foliar fertilizers. Therefore, the influence of two organically certified composts: (1) date palm trunk compost (OPT); and (2) 70% date palm wastes + 30% sheep manure compost (ODM) used as soilless growing media was investigated in randomized blocks to compare tomato performance and productivity through unfertilized, organic, and conventional methods with coconut fiber and organic farm soil as positive and negative controls, respectively. The conventional growing media (CPT) and (CDM) were made of the same composition as the organic media OPT and ODM, respectively. Substrates and fertigation regime interacted to influence yield, with significantly lower yield in unfertilized treatments and higher yield under conventional fertigation in CDM, coconut fiber, and CPT substrates. Plants grown in CPT that received mineral fertilizers improved total polyphenol content (22 mg/100 g DW) and total soluble protein (750 mg/100g FW) more showed higher total polyphenol content (22 mg/100 g DW) and total soluble protein (750 mg/100 g FW) than the other combination treatments. Total soluble solids content in organically fertilized tomatoes grown in OPT (6.9 °Brix) and ODM (7 °Brix) was significantly higher. Values of photosynthesis parameters: stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation, and transpiration rate were the highest for plants grown in CDM and CF.
Keywords
tomato, growing media, yield, photosynthesis parameters
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