Response of head lettuce plants to organic fertilization by different compost rates and compost tea in sandy soil [electronic resource].

Includes reference

An experiment was conducted in the Experimental Farm of Arid Land Agricultural Research and Service Center (ALARC), Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Egypt to study the effect of organic fertilization by different compost rates and compost tea on head lettuce plants grown in sandy soil. The head lettuce seedlings (Chianti Hybrid) were planted in sandy soil on 11 and 15 October of 2011 and 2012 respectively. Four rates (50, 75, 100 and 125%) of compost as recommended dose of nitrogen with and without adding compost tea were investigated on growth, yield, quality and minerals content of head lettuce comparing to mineral fertilizer (control). The results mentioned that applying 75, 100 and 125 % of compost with adding compost tea gave significant superiority in growth, mineral content, yield and some of head lettuce quality compared to control. Addition of compost by rates 100 and 125% with adding compost tea gave the highest content of macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) in head lettuce plants. All rates of compost with or without compost tea reduced nitrate content in lettuce heads. It is recommended that organic fertilization for producing head lettuce in sandy soil can be performed successfully using rate of 75 or 100% of compost with adding compost tea to get high yield and quality with low nitrate content of head lettuce. Key words: Head lettuce, organic fertilization, compost, compost tea, sandy soil, nitrate content.

Summary in arabic.

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