Usage of Herbal (Thyme and Chicory) Waste as an Organic Substrate in Cucumber Production
This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to study the effect of herbal waste substrate as local substrate in cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Zomorod) production. Treatments included thyme: perlite (T50:PR50); thyme: perlite (T25:PR75); thyme, perlite: peat moss (T25:PR25:P50); chicory: perlite (C50:PR50); chicory: perlite (C25:PR75); chicory: perlite: peat moss (C25:PR25:P50), and perlite (100) as control. The experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 5 replications. The results showed that fruit number and fruit weight were more (about 54% and 65%, respectively) in C25:PR25:P50 treatment than that in the control. Also, the highest leaves number, shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weights, and root fresh and dry weights were observed in this treatment (C25:PR25:P50). The highest K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe contents were obtained in C50:PR50 treatment. Zn and Cu significantly increased in C25:PR25:P50 treatment. In general, substrate containing chicory was more effective than substr...