Organic summer squash production using chicken manure, compost and AMF for enhancing soil fertility
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Two field experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, (Saba-Basha) -Alexandria University, during the growing seasons of 2017 and 2018, in order to study the effect of organic and bio fertilizer such as chicken manure, Compost and AM fungi on yield and quality of summer squash (El-Askandarani sp.).The study was conducted with randomized complete block design with three replicates.Eight treatments were carried out in this investigation i.e. (AM fungi , 100 % compost , 100 % chicken manure, 50 % compost + 50 % chicken manure, 50% compost + AM fungi, 50% chicken manure + AM fungi, 33.5% compost + 33.5% chicken manure + AM fungi and the recommended doses of chemical fertilizers N,P,K as a control ).The effects of the treatments on the growth, yield and plant nutrient elements of leaves and fruits of summer squash were determined.The results indicated that using 50% chicken manure + AM fungi improved significantly vegetative growth characters ( plant height, No. leaves/plant, leaf area index, shoot and root dry weight and nutritional status of plants in leaves and fruits) except 50 % compost + 50 % chicken manure gave the highest values in chlorophyll reading of leaves.Treatments of chicken manure increased significantly all morphological characteristics and qualities of squash.Also, AM fungi additions led to increase mineral content of leaves and fruits compared with control treatment.In our experience, add two types of organic fertilizers to cultivated squash with addition of AM fungi had different effects on the quality and quantity of the yield.The highest values of early and total yield production was achieved by the combination of 33.5% compost + 33.5% chicken manure + AM fungi compared to the control treatment.Also, the use of 100% chicken manure was increased values of the fruit length, fruit diameter and average fruit weight significantly compared to data recorded by the control.This study demonstrated the possibility of producing a good yield of squash safe and healthy without any applying chemical fertilizers via integration of compost, chicken manure and AM fungi as cleanly fertilizers and environmentally friendly practices.
Source: Current Science International
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4255960221