Year 2017, Volume 2, Issue 3

Year : 2017
Volume : 2
Issue : 3
   
Authors : Zeina EL SEBAALY, Linda KFOURY, Georges NABHAN, Nidal SHABAN, Youssef Najib SASSINE
Title : USE OF LOCAL COMPOSTED WINERY WASTE FOR LETTUCE PRODUCTION IN LEBANON
Abstract : Recently, the Lebanese wine sector has been witnessing a non-precedent growth producing huge amounts of winery wastes referred to as grape marc. The effect of using grape marc compost on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production was investigated in an open-field experiment in Central Bekaa. Seedlings of the Romaine variety were planted in different substrates: S1: 100% soil or control, S2: 75%soil + 25% grape marc compost, S3: 25%soil + 75% grape marc compost and S4: 100% grape marc compost. Root growth, leaf growth and leaf characteristics were compared among the different mixtures. Tests showed that the grape marc compost contained acceptable values of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter and a perfect germination index ranking between 0.8 and 1 for the direct and diluted solutions. Results showed that at early stages of growth, the best results were obtained from plants grown in the substrate S4. However, at later stages of growth, grape marc compost with a percentage higher than 50% (S4) in the mixture induced lower averages of leaf number, length and width of largest leaf and leaf weight and those higher than 25% (S3 and S4) increased dry matter and total soluble solids content due to its low water holding capacity causing a water stress on plants. Root growth was proportional to increased percentages of grape marc compost. Finally, composted grape marc provided the highest benefit to plants when added to soil in quantities of 25% by volume allowing the best yield increase (47%) compared to control.
For citation : El Sebaaly, Z., Kfoury, L., Nabhan, G., Shaban, N., Sassine, Y. N. (2017).Use of local composted winery waste for lettuce production in Lebanon. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 2. Issue No. 3. pp. 99-107. DOI: 10.7251/AGRENG1703099S
Keywords : Lactuca sativa, grape marc compost, water holding capacity, plant growth
   
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