Potential Effect of Horse Manure-green Waste and Olive Pomace-green Waste Composts on Physiology and Yield Of Garlic ( Allium sativum L.) and Soil Fertility

The use of composts appears to be a promising strategy to promote plant growth performance and to enhance soil fertility under field conditions. The objective of the present study was to select the best organic amendment able to enhance garlic growth, yield, physiological and biochemical parameters, as well as to improve soil fertility. The experiment was carried out under field conditions using three treatments: Control (C), Compost 1: horse manure-green waste (C1) and Compost 2: olive pomace-green waste (C2). To evaluate the effects of the application of the two composts on garlic growth, soil fertility and plant physiological, biochemical and nutritional traits were measured. The results showed that C1 decreased soil pH compared to the control, while electrical conductivity increased considerably for C2. In addition, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC) were significantly increased in soil for C1 followed by C2. The increase percentages of shoots dry biomass with C1 and C2 compared to the control were 64.9% and 158%, respectively. Moreover, for bulbs yield, the composts C1 and C2 produced 46.5% and 41.9%, respectively. Besides, physiological and biochemical parameters of garlic were improved by C1 and C2 compared to control plants. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes such as PPO and POX, decreased significantly in treated plants. Furthermore, mineral analyses showed that C1 and C2 significantly improved minerals contents in leaves and bulbs compared to the control. The results demonstrate the potential of horse manure-green waste compost for the improvement and optimization of soil fertility and crop productivity. This organic amendment could be an efficient practice and a potential bio-fertilizer to improve growth and development as well as biological agriculture of garlic production.