EFFECT OF SOME DIFFERENT SOURCES AND RATES OF ORGANIC MANURE ON SUMMER SQUASH YIELD PRODUCTION

Abstract

This study was conducted during the two summer seasons of 2007 and 2008 at Abou Awad Village, Aga, Dakahila Governorate, Egypt, on summer squash Arlika F1 hybrid, to investigate the utilization of some different sources and rates of organic manures (mineral N fertilizer, rice straw compost, chicken and farmyard manure) at 200 % and 100% of recommended rate/fed. from each source with foliar spraying of seaweed extracts (without and with 1g/ l) compared with mineral nitrogen fertilizer at 100 % and 50 % of recommended rate/ fed. and their interactions on plant growth, yield and quality as well as mineral NPK content. A split-split plot design in complete randomized blocks with three replications in both seasons, seaweed extracts represented in the main plot which were sub divided to four sub plots were occupied with the treatments of organic nitrogen fertilizer sources while rates of organic nitrogen sources were assigned to the sub- sub plots. The results indicated that most of plant growth parameters were significantly increased by foliar spraying with seaweed extracts of summer squash in both seasons. In addition, the treated squash plants with seaweed extracts produced more early yield, total yield and vitamin C content and lower nitrate content in fruits. Moreover, an increase in NPK content in the leaves and fruits as compared with control were detected in the two growing seasons . Application of compost manure (rice straw) gave the highest values of fresh and dry weight/plant, total yield and dry matter in both seasons. However the best early yield was obtained with chicken manure and FYM in the first and second seasons. While, lower nitrate content in the fruits was obtained with FYM and compost in the first and second season, respectively. With increasing the rate of organic nitrogen fertilizer addition, all vegetative growth parameters, early yield, total yield and fruits quality as well as NPK in the leaves and fruits were significantly increased. The interaction between seaweed extracts and organic nitrogen fertilizer sources and rates gave the highest values of vegetative characters, total yield in both seasons, but vitamin C in fruits was increased in the first season when summer squash plants was fertilized with rice straw compost at 200 % of recommended rate with spraying by seaweed extracts. In general, it can be concluded that: 1- By conducting economical estimation, it appears that the maximum net return (4992 and 4854 L.E./fed.) were obtained with foliar spraying by seaweed extracts in combination with 200 % of FYM, followed by rice straw compost at 200 % of recommended rate/fed. respectively, comparing with control. 2- There are good opportunities to utilize and manipulate rice straw compost to enhance crop productivity and synonym essential to adopt a system of organic farming for obtained safe and clean food of vegetable crops against the chemical farming and also, reduce the risks of the environmental pollution. 3- Moreover, application organic manure affects of the chemical and physical properties of the soil as well as improve soil fertility.