THE EFFECT OF DATE-PALM WASTES AS A CULTURE MEDIA ON SOME NUTRIENT ELEMENTS OF TOMATO FRUIT

In many countries, soilless culture techniques are used for production, especially in greenhouses. The experiment was conducted as split factorial in a completely randomized block design with 27 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments included three particle sizes (S1= 0.5, S2=0.5-1 and S3=1-2 cm), three composting times (C1=0, C2=3 and C3=6 months) and three amounts of irrigations (I1 =1.8, I2= 2.4 and I3=3 liters). During tomato growth Papadopolus formula with fertigation method was used for nutrient solution. Highest amount of porosity and carbon/nitrogen ratio were related to culture media C1S3. Different irrigations, particle sizes and composting times of palm wastes had significant effect on N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe in tomato fruit (p 0.05). Maximum concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe in tomato fruit were related to treatment C3S2I3 (p 0.05). The overall results of this research indicated culture media quality is one of the most important influences on fruit quality. A good culture media has both the chemical and physical properties that promote healthy of fruit. Nutrient elements content especially potassium content is important for the nutritional value of tomato. Iron and calcium plays an important role in tomato nutrition and fruit quality, they are essential for bone development and efficient oxygen carrier in blood system.