Effect of Tea Waste and Tree Bark Waste Composts on Some Properties of Growing Media and Quantity and Quality of Greenhouse Lettuce

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Composting of organic agricultural wastes is a sustainable method for recycling of the wastes. For determining the effects of Tea Waste Compost (TWC) and Tree Bark Compost (TBC) on growing media and some quantity and quality of greenhouse lettuce cv. Grate Lake 118 this experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design of four replications. The treatments were different mixtures of tea waste compost, tree bark composts, and soil vs. soil (used as control). Analysis of composts revealed that almost all chemical properties of the TWC (pH, EC and potassium exchangable) were in a better state than those of TBC. The growing medium along with TBC+TWC is of desirable characteristics (pH, EC and potassium exchangable) for hydroponic culture of greenhouse lettuce. Results showed that either type of compost increased yield over soil used as control. However, growth, dry matter accumulation, and head weight were lower in TBC amended media than those in TWC treatment. In addition to head yield, crop maturity was also positively affected with compost application. Earlier crop was obtained in soilless media, while the crop grown in soil reached its maturity two weeks later. The highest percantages of phosphore, potassium and calcium in head were found in treatments of 3TWC+1Soil, TWC+TBC and TBC+Soil, respectively. With respect to earliness (78 days) and high yield in the amended media with TWC, its application in greenhouse production lettuce is highly recommended.

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