The use of some wastes as a growing medium for rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its effects on the development of the plant

Plants need a suitable growing environment for their healthy growth and development. Choosing the right growing environment plays a critical role in ensuring optimal growth of plants by affecting factors such as water holding capacity, accessibility of roots to nutrients, and root development. This study was conducted in 2022 to investigate the effects of different growing environments on the yield and yield components of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) plants. The trial was established in Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Faculty of Agriculture, Application Greenhouse. The study was carried out in 4 replications, with 6 pots of 3 liters in each replication. The field soil filled in the pots (except the control group) was mixed with tea waste, olive waste, and mushroom waste at 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of the pot capacity. The control group consisted of only field soil as a 0% dose factor and was located next to each waste group. As a result of this study, parameters such as plant height, stem diameter, number of lateral branches per plant, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, fresh herb yield per plant, dry herb yield per plant, dry stem yield per plant, dry leaf yield per plant were investigated in rosemary plants. The values obtained as a result of the study were realized in the range of 14.39-34.99 cm, 2.77-7.76 mm, 1.66-11.25 pieces, 17.43-30.00 mm, 1.93-2.44 mm, 134-1998 pieces, 3.46-35.58 g, 1.33-19.66 g, 0.52-7.84 g, 0.60-11.82 g, respectively. It was determined that waste applications generally provided positive effects on the growth and yield of rosemary plants. Mushroom waste application doses of 6% and 8% caused significant increases in plant height, leaf number and total biomass. However, it was observed that some waste types caused negative effects. Olive waste application doses of 6% and 8% had negative effects on plant yield due to acidic properties. As a result, it was determined that different waste types had significant effects on yield and yield components of rosemary plant.