Physiological Studies on Apricot Trees Fertilization Grown in Ismailia Governorate 2-effect of Mineral (npk), Organic (compost) Fertilizers and Some Soil bio-stimulants on Growth and Nutritional Status of "Canino" Apricot Trees

Abstract

THE EFFECT of mineral (NPK) soil application either alone or in … combination with organic (compost) and some soil bio-stimulants (EM, bio-fertilizer, humic acid and compost tea) on increment percentage in trunk diameter (ITD %), average length and thickness of new shoots (cm), average number of leaves per shoot, leaf area and its dry weight, leaf photosynthetic pigments and leaf mineral content of apricot "Canino" cv. budded on local apricot rootstock grown at El-Kassasien Horti. Res. Sta., Ismailia Governorate during two successive seasons of (2010&2011) and (2011&2012). The obtained results revealed that all vegetative growth parameters under study except organic fertilizer (compost) at 100 % level resulted in significant increase in trunk diameter (ITD %), average length and thickness of new shoots (cm), average number of leaves per shoot and leaf area and its dry weight during both seasons of study. The same treatments increased, also, leaf nutrient contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and Mn as well as leaf photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotein). It could be concluded that all investigated NPK soil application in mineral form, organic (compost) fertilizers and some soil stimulants results in significant effect, however, the fertilization with mineral (NPK) at 100% level (T1) and mineral NPK in mineral form at 50% level + organic (compost) fertilizer at 50% level coupled with all tested soil stimulants (T13) were the most effective treatments for increasing vegetative growth parameters and leaf nutrient contents of "Canino" cv. Apricot trees.