Effect of a new remediated substrate on bioactive compounds and antioxidant characteristics of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivar ‘Purple Queen’

The maritime ports and terminals periodically carry out dredging activities. This operation is necessary in order to avoid the excessive accumulation of sediments in the areas of maneuvering and berthing of ships. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect that dredged remediated sediments have on the quality and bioactive components of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivar ‘Purple Queen’. Pomegranate trees were grown on three substrate-based treatments: Peat 100% (Pt as a control), dredged remediated sediments 100% (DRS), and a 50% mixture of each (Pt-DRS). Pomegranate fruits and two types of juices (juice of arils and juice of arils plus carpellary membranes) were characterized. The results showed that the use of dredged remediated sediments 100% (DRS) negatively affected yield, numbers of fruit per tree, and fruit weight average of pomegranate fruits. However, neither fruit quality nor composition of pomegranates grown on this substrate and mixture were affected. The tested media showed suitable horticultural properties for pomegranate cultivation, at which the Pt and Pt-DRS had better plant responses than the DRS one.