Nitrogen use efficiency in organic melon production under greenhouse conditions in South West of Morocco
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Organic melon production under greenhouse condition is widespread in South West of Morocco. However, Organic melon producers are facing serious problems in optimizing nitrogen supply to the crop under greenhouse conditions due to the lack of scientific data on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Knowing that for an average yield of 60 T/Ha, melon nitrogen requirements are about 400 kg/Ha. In order to investigate NUE for the most common organic fertilizers used by farmers as compared to a mineral fertilizer (Tm) (20-20-20), an experiment was conducted in Souss Massa region using a randomized complete bloc design with four replicates. Organic nitrogen was applied as compost (Tc): (2.5-3-2.5), (TNPK): Eveilorga (7-4-7), (TNP+K): Altér Orga NP+ Patenkali (8-12-0) + (0-0-30) and (TN+P+K): 10-0-0+ phosphate (0-18-0)+ Patenkali (0-0-30). Nitrogen use efficiency was evaluated on four different parameters: Agronomic efficiency (AE, yield increase per unit of N applied) and physiological efficiency (PE, yield increase per unit of N uptake). Results showed that the form of organic nitrogen applied to the crop has a significant impact on biomass, yield and nitrogen use efficiency. The average yield with organic fertilizers was about 32 T/Ha as compared to the mineral fertilizer (29 T/Ha). Within the organic treatments, a significant difference in yield, AE, and PE were observed. Keywords: Nitrogen use efficiency, Organic melon, Organic fertilizer, Agronomic efficiency
Authors: Kaoutar Aouass, Lahcen Kenny, Jamal Krim
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2997016695