Partial substitution of mineral fertilizers by organic sources [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

Two field experiments were conducted during two successive seasons of 2006/07 and 2007/08 to study the effect of substituting part of mineral fertilizers, on plant growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cultivar Reda) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cultivar Brenji 22-80) under the plastic houses, using organic solution. The treatments consisted of three compost solution treatments injected into drip irrigation system (without, one or twice times per week) and three foliar types of application for organic solution treatments (without, once a week and once every two weeks). The objective of this study was to reduce the amount of the required mineral fertilizer under the greenhouse by injecting organic solution into the drip irrigation system. Data revealed that organic solution improved plant growth and yield during both seasons. Vegetative growth characters (plant height, number of leaves and leaf area) increased with increasing the frequency of organic solution application. The highest yield was obtained when injecting organic solution twice a week followed by once a week. The lowest plant growth and yield were obtained by using mineral fertilizers only. On the other hand, using organic solution to spray cucumber and pepper plants led to increased vegetative growth and fruit yield compared to without spraying treatment. Plant analysis revealed that contents of N, P and K increased with using the organic solution accompanied with mineral fertilizer comparing with using mineral fertilizer only. Economic analysis suggested that the injection of compost solution twice a week combined with foliar application once a week saves 40% of the mineral fertilizer compared to a system with mineral fertilizer application only.

Summary in Arabic.

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