Effects of compost interactions on the alterations in mineral biochemistry, growth, tuber quality and production of Solanum tuberosum

Abstract

Incorporation of compost in soil will not only protect the environment, but also take advantage of the nutrients and organic matter contained in the compost to enhance soil fertility and crop production. Field experiments were carried out during the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 growing seasons at the College of Food and Agriculture Farm, United Arab Emirates University. The experiments were established in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The plot dimension was 3.2m×2.8m, with four rows per plot. The treatments were designed to study the effect of compost rates on the potato production and soil fertility properties. Five rates of compost were investigated (control, 40, 80, 120 ton compost per hectare; and inorganic fertilizers (250€kg N·ha^−1, 250kg P₂O₅·ha^−1 and 300kg K₂O·ha^−1)). Results of the first growing season 2006/2007 showed that marketable tuber yield, plant height and specific gravity were greater in compost amended soil than in non-amended soil even if inorganic fertilizers were added. Application of 120 ton compost per hectare gave the highest total tubers number, marketable tuber yield, height and specific gravity.

Keywords

compost / soil fertility / tuber quality / minerals / crop production / Solanum tuberosum