Soil chemical characteristics and growth of broccoli and cauliflower plants as affected by liquid organic fertilizers and irrigation water levels

Abstract

Organic fertilizer and water management are essential factors for achieving adequate broccoli and cauliflower development and productivity. Two field experiments were conducted in a clay soil at Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Giza governorate, Egypt, during the two successive seasons of 2014 and 2015. The study carried out to investigate the effect of different irrigation water levels (50, 75 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)) and different sources of fertilizers (inorganic fertilizer (control), compost tea and vermin liquid) on vegetative growth, yield and water use efficiency of broccoli and cauliflower plants. The investigation aimed to optimize the efficient use of irrigation water and minimize the chemical fertilizer use; the study involved evaluation for their effects on some soil chemical characteristics (pH, ECe, chemically available N, P and K, along with OM content). The experimental design was of split plots, the irrigation levels being located as main plots and different fertilizers treatments are located as sub-plots. Data indicated that, the liquid organic fertilizers had a promotive effect on all growth parameters including the vegetative growth, yield, nutrients content of N, P and K in the plants. Regarding the irrigation water treatments, using 50% of ETc increased water use efficiency compared to other treatments of irrigation. Regarding the soil chemical characteristics under investigation according to the tested treatments and crop species, data declared that vermicomposting tea combined with low level of irrigation water can save macronutrients from leaching out of the soil profile. Moreover, it improved plant ability to resist against water stress.