JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION, cilt.2, ss.1-16, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
In
this study, the effects of organic and chemical fertilizer source on some essential
nutrient elements content, nitrate (NO3--N) accumulation
and the growth of spinach plant (Spinacia oleracea L.) were investigated. The
experiment was carried out in a randomized plot design under greenhouse
conditions, with two levels. 1st level; applications with chemical fertilizer. 2nd
level; applications without chemical fertilizer. One compost material (kitchen
waste compost = KWC), five different doses (0, 0.4 %, 0.8 %, 1.2 %, 1.6 % ) and
three replications. For chemical fertilization, nitrogen
(N) dose of 150 kg ha-1 was applied by using 15-15-15 NPK (N:P2O5:K2O)
fertilizer. Overall, KWC applications increased plant growth and nutrient
content. However, the most significant increases occurred in
the trial subjects where chemical fertilizer and KWC were applied together. The
use of KWC together with chemical fertilization increased the leaf width, leaf and
stem length, fresh weight and dry weight, as well as nitrate accumulation, N, potassium
(K) and iron (Fe) content of the plant. The highest values of
these parameters were obtained at 0.8 % dose of KWC+NPK medium. As
a result, compost applications were effectively uptake of nutrients and nitrate
accumulation remained at acceptable values.