Utilization of date palm (Phoenix dactilyfera) fibers in horticultural sub-strates for the production of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) vitro plant grown in soilless crop system

Abstract

The fibers of the date palm (FP) offer a real alternative for the development of a bio composite constituting the horticultural substrate (HS). It is, environ-mentally friendly and preferable in terms of cost, availability and water ab-sorption capacity compared to commercial peat. In this work, using the soil-less crop, we studied the main physicochemical characteristics of 3 HS and the witness (WT) composed by peat. These HS were composed by 3 different rates of PF and topsoil (TS) in proportions (PF% -TV %): T(80-20), T(70-30) and T(60-40). The growth parameters of Vitro plant (VT) of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) grown in these HS were also studied. The T(80-20) gave the most appropriate physicochemical parameters and the most suita-ble parameters for normal growth plant compared to the other substrates. The T(80-20) irrigated by the nutrient solution (NS) composed by (g / L): 0.38, 0.48 and 0.48 for N, P, K respectively gave the best evolution of the EC-pH couple during the whole plant cycle compared to the others NS studied. This couple did not exceed the stressful values of 3 mS for EC and 7 for pH. This same HS gave, also, the best yields and fruit number (FN).