Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Physical Properties in an Arid Greenhouse Environment: Emphasis on Date Palm Waste Compost

Soil degradation is a growing concern, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where unsustainable agricultural practices often lead to a significant decline in soil fertility and structure. One of the major consequences of this degradation is nutrient depletion, which adversely affects crop productivity and ecological balance. In this context, sustainable soil management practices that restore soil health are of paramount importance. Among these, the use of organic amendments such as compost derived from agricultural residues particularly date palm waste offers a promising, eco-friendly solution. This study was conducted in a controlled greenhouse environment at the Department of Agronomic Sciences, University of Biskra, to evaluate the effect of different fertilization treatments on key physical soil properties. The treatments included palm-based compost, farmyard manure, and a commercial NPK mineral fertilizer. The parameters assessed were soil moisture content, bulk density, porosity, useful water reserve, and readily available water (RFU). Results showed that compost based on date palm residues significantly improved soil physical characteristics, particularly enhancing water retention capacity, increasing porosity, and reducing bulk density attributes that collectively promote better soil structure and microbial activity. These changes contributed positively to plant development. While NPK fertilizer improved plant growth, its impact on soil physical properties was relatively limited. Farmyard manure showed intermediate effects but was less effective than compost. Overall, this study highlights the potential of date palm compost as a sustainable and locally available soil amendment that not only supports plant growth but also contributes to long-term soil health and resilience in arid regions.