الفهرس 
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Abstract
The selection of proper growing medium is one of the most important goal in nursery plants production. Peat, perlite and vermiculite are still the most popular substrates, peat in particular, for those working in the sector. This determined an intensive exploitation of peatlands that are limited resources. Therefore, during the last years, the peat is decreasing in quality and increasing in prices because the progressive depletion of source of supply.
The aim of this work has been to study new materials able to replace totally or in part peat, perlite and vermiculite as growing media. Attention has been focused on organic materials that are easily available and at low cost: clover biomass. The evaluation of the agronomic performance of these materials (peat, perlite, vermiculite, fermented and non-fermented clover) was supported by measuring their main physical and chemical properties. The ability of fermented clover produced by anaerobic fermentation of a mixture of clover and water to replace peat/perlite/vermiculite as growing media was validated through nursery trials for the transplants production of tomato following the traditional nursery practices. On the other hand, there is an urgent need to conserve and protect fresh water and to use the water of lower quality for irrigation. Therefore, the potential using of saline water with different concentrations to irrigate tomato transplants growing in the suggested clover-based organic amendment was evaluated.
The results indicate that the ability of such materials, fermented clover, to replace the traditional media is little influenced by their studied different characteristics. The study findings indicate that fermented clover guarantee better conditions at which tomato transplant can develop root systems without any release of phytotoxicity factors that inhibit germination also for more sensitive species as shown by the tested Lepidium sativum, and mine also the vitality of the plants.
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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Ayman R. A. Mohamed (2018) M.Sc., Fac. Agric., Ain Shams Univ.
Comparing the fermented clover mixtures medium with ideal media, most of their properties match or exceed specifications for growing media. Fermented clover in mixture with peat/perlite/vermiculite possess physical and chemical properties, which are desirable for horticultural substrates. Plants growth on these formulated media resulted health under the nutritional and agronomical profile. The higher rate of peat/perlite/vermiculite substitution with a good tomato transplant production were achieved in 20% followed by 30% fermented clover addition. Duration of three weeks for the fermentation process showed the better effect for the applied clover.
The significant vegetative growth increase of tomato transplant due to incorporation of fermented clover (20% addition and three weeks fermentation) with commercial growing media using saline irrigation water reveal the possibility for creating synergy among agronomic practices. Similar trend was recorded under salinity irrigation water, whereas, the highest growth parameters were obtained from the combination of growing medium with 20% addition of three weeks fermented clover. This implies that an entire package of agronomic practices will have to be considered to transform nursery practices of transplant growing into sustainable greenhouse production that use much less commercial growing substrates and fresh water. Based on the obtained results, and to continue experimental activities in this field, the following points are suggested:-
- Further experiments are necessary to examine in the details the interaction between different fertilizers and substrates contained fermented clover.
- Further studies should be done to understand if differences after transplants stage associated with differences in fruit yield or its quality according to substrates contained fermented clover.
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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Ayman R. A. Mohamed (2018) M.Sc., Fac. Agric., Ain Shams Univ.
- An economic study is required to ensure the importance of using fermented clover as a growing media and fulfill the principles for sustainable development.