PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HAZELNUT HUSK RESIDUES WITH DIFFERENT DECOMPOSITION DEGREES FOR SOILLESS GROWING MEDIA PREPARATION

In this study, the main physical, physiochemical, and chemical properties of hazelnut husk have been determined for the suitability as a container growing medium. Four substrates were prepared based upon decomposition degree: raw (H₁), medium decomposed (H₂, H₃), and strongly decomposed hazelnut husk samples (H₄), to determine the optimum growing medium parameters. Particle size was the key parameter to determine the physical properties, which was decreased with the increasing decomposition degrees. The main physical parameters were in the ranges for the ideal growing medium characteristics for H₄. Except for raw material (H₁), chemical characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon (C)/nitrogen (N), and nutrients were within acceptable ranges. The results indicated that hazelnut husk could be an alternative growing media component for containerized crops, if optimum particle size within the range of 0-2mm is obtained, for both aeration and water holding requirements.