الملخص الإنجليزي
ABSTRACT
Peat from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) leaf bases was produced by a fermentaion ses was
process. Physical and chemical properties, such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), macronutrient availability, total phenol and water holding capacity (WHC) of commercial peat moss (CP) and produced peats; fermented date palm leaf base peat (FLBP), dry date palm leaf bases peat (DLBP) and leached date palm leaf base peat (LLBP) were determined. The results showed no significant differences in most of the physical and chemical properties of peat mixes. All media mixes had pH and EC higher than CP, whereas, DLBP produced the higher total phenols than the other mixes, FLBP caused insignificant increase in WHC over CP and FLBP with CP, but significantly different from the remaining media. Produced peats from date palm leaf bases and CP were tested for their effects on the growth of some bedding flower vel plants: Zinna (Zinnia elegans) and Marigold (Tagetes erecta). There were no significant differences in plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of leaves per cm, number of flowers, growth rate and dry matter of shoot and root of Zinnia and Marigold plants in the potting media containing the CP and FLBP. In many casses, FLBP shown better results than CP. Also, date palm leaf base peat cost is lower than
the commercial peat moss by 63 %. Producing date palm leaf base peat has a friendly environment impact: it contributes to the disposal of large quantities of plant waste and reduces air pollution caused by burning palm leaves.
