Comparative effects of bio-compost and compost on growth, yield and nutrients content of pea and wheat plants grown on sandy soils [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Two field trials were conducted on a sandy soil at Ismailia Agricultural Research Station to evaluate the response of both pea and wheat plants to the application of Bio-compost (rice straw compost inoculated with some microorganisms, i.e. Azotobacter chroococcum ,Badllus megatherium and Badl/us drculanS), compost I (rice straw compost and inoculation the soil with the same microorganisms) compared with compost II (rice straw compost without inoculation) and mineral fertilizers (NPK). The agronomic yield components were recorded and the chemical analysis of soil and plants for both pea and wheat at flowering stage (shoots) and harvest stage (straw, seeds or grains), respectively, were done. Total count of three types of bacteria were determined in soil samples at two growth stages as well as dry weight and number of nodules were recorded for pea plants. Obtained results revealed that application of both Bio-compost and compost I increased the amount of organic matter content, available N (NH4, NO3), P (P2P5) and K (K2O) as well as EC and pH values decreased in soil samples at both growth stages of pea and wheat plants. Data also show that compost I treatments were superior in this studied parameters as compared to Bio-compost and compost II. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake along with crude protein in seeds or grains were increased in mineral fertilizer treabnents, compost I and Bio-compost as compared to compost II. On the other hand, data show that apptication of compost I as a single Inoculum had the best results in the number of microorganisms as compared to different treatrrlents in two stages of pea and wheat plants. In addition to that compost I treatment increased the nodulation status of pea plants, but the highest increases in dry weights and number of nodules were recorded when rice straw compost was used and inoculation the soil with Azotobacter chroococcum. This may suggest the more suitability of added rice straw compost and inoculation the soil with bacteria as compared to Bio-compost and/or compost II for both pea and wheat plants. Key word: rice straw compost, biocompost, Azotobacter Chroococcum, Badllus megatherium and Badllus drculans, pea, wheat, nutrient uptake.

Summary in Arabic.

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