THE USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND DIATOMITE AS GROWING MEDIUM IN SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) SEEDLING PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF ITS LAND PERFORMANCE

Although several organic and inorganic substrates are added to growing media for improving its physical and chemical characteristics, the need for search of new materials and/or mixtures that reduces the high-priced peat content in substrates is still interesting. This study evaluated the feasibility of reducing the peat content in substrates by replacing it with different amounts of diatomite and sewage sludge for Scots pine seedling (Pinus sylvestris L.) growth and their land performance. In order to evaluate the feasibility of reducing the peat content in substrates by replacing it with different amounts of diatomite and sewage sludge, an experiment was carried out in a temperature-controlled greenhouse under natural light. To evaluate the land performance of Scots pine seedlings grown in different substrates, a trial was established between the years 2013-2017 in Sarikamis, Kars (NE Anatolia). Sewage sludge application, due to its high organic matter and macro and micronutrient content, has improved the composition of the rhizosphere, thereby resulting in growth acceleration. As a result of the evaluations made in terms of both seedling morphological characteristics and land performance; the best performance was determined in the 9th (50%P+50%SS) and 3rd (75%SS+25%DE) mixtures.