Search

Background: The improper disposal of olive pomace causes a serious environmental issue in Palestine because of its negative effects on soil, environment and ground water. The current study was aimed to investigate the potential of using olive pomace as soilless growing medium. Methods: During the period 2016-2017 two field experiments were conducted at the experimental farm of Palestine Technical University Kadoorie, Tulkarm, Palestine. In the first experiment, olive pomace was mixed with peat moss as follows (Op:Pt2:1, Op:Pt1:1, Op:Pt1:2 and Op100%). In the second experiment, olive pomace was mixed with peat moss and compared with different known growing medium as follows (Op:Pt1:1, Op:Pt1:3, Pt:Vr1:1 and Pt:Pr1:1). Result: Results of the first experiment indicated that the olive pomace treatment (Op:Pt1:2) produced the highest plant height compared to the other treatments. In the second experiment the (Pt:Vr1:1) and (Pt:Pr1:1) treatments produced the highest yield of cucumber without significant difference between those two treatments. The (Op:Pt1:1) treatment produced higher plant height, root depth, dry weight, yield production and fruit number of cucumber compared with (Op:Pt1:3) treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]