الفهرس 
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Abstract
The present investigation was conducted at the Experimental Station and in the Laboratory of Vegetable and Floriculture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University during the two successive seasons of 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 to study the effect of soil type, application rate of rice straw compost and their interaction on some growth characteristics and chemical composition of Bermuda grass and geranium plants, in addition to the available N, P and K in the growing media. The plant materials in this research were as following: Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.), Fam. Gramineae and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens (L.) Fam. Geraniaceae. The objective of this investigation aimed to study the effect of applying rice straw compost at different rates (%) to four different soil types on some soil chemical properties and growth characteristics as well as, chemical constituents of Bermuda grass and geranium plants. The soil types used in this investigation were calcareous, loamy, saline and sandy. Each soil type was mixed with rice straw compost at the rate of 0, 25, 50, and 75 % by weight to form sixteen treatments. In addition, growing medium containing 100 % rice straw compost was also used as a comparative treatment for compost application rates. Treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates. It could be recommended that under the conditions of this research, the best results of plant growth and chemical composition as well as the highest content of essential nutrient elements in the growing media: Applying of rice straw compost at a rate of 50 or 75 % (w/w) to the used soil for cultivation of Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon L. and geranium plants Pelargonium graveolens L. However, it must be taken into account that application rates of compost can vary greatly depending on soil characteristics. Lower application rates can be used when soil quality is moderate. Excessively coarse-textured (sandy) or fine-textured (clay) soils will require greater amounts of compost than loam-based soils. Soil test results are helpful in establishing application rates