PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF GROWTH SUBSTRATES DERIVED FROM PEAT MIXED WITH SILVICULTURAL COMPOST FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDLINGS

The present investigation was carried out with a view to the partial substitution of the peat successively by one of the two forestry Composts (based on Acacia branches) according to two different maturities (C1 and C2) in the screened state, produced on the composting platform attached to the modern forestry nursery of Chott Mariem (Tunisia), while seeking the appropriate proportion to incorporate. The culture substrates or made-up mixtures have undergone certain physicochemical analyzes (bulk density, porosity, pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter).The SB1 and SB2 substrates (80% Peat + 20% Compost), SD1 and SD2 (60% Peat + 40% Compost) and the substrate SE2 (50% Peat + 50% Compost) revealed the best physicochemical results. Overall, the incorporation of forest compost (longer than 6 months) should be maintained at 20-40%, or even 50%