CARACTERISATIONS PHYSIQUE ET HYDRIQUE DES SUBSTRATS DE CULTURE DES PLANTS FORESTIERS EN CONTENEURS

Abstract

The high quality of containers production plants will affect the establishment, the physiology and the growth of plants, and will ensure a better success in reforestation sites. The development of good plants is largely dependent on the physical and hydraulic properties of the used substrate. This study aims to assess the physical and hydraulic parameters of the forestry compost, derived from crushed Acacia, produced in the modern forest nursery of Chott Mariem (Sousse, Tunisia). This is the crude compost and other sifted and derived from vibrating screening with different meshes. Analyzes of various tested substrates had concerned particularly porosities (total, aeration and retention), dry bulk density and water retention capacity. The obtained results have revealed that even with the application of screening, the tested growth substrates are predominantly highly aerated with low water availability, requiring so a very high frequency of irrigation and low dose, proving the need for further research for an efficient substrate ensuring an optimal and balanced growth of plants.