Response of sugar beet and corn crops to saw-dust compost and farmyard manure with combination of N sources:I. In relation to the effective properties of a calcareous soil

Abstract: In a field trial at Noubaria, where the soil is normal calcareous one having a sandy clay loam texture, locally composted saw-dust (SDC) at rates 4and 8 ton was compared with 12 ton farmyard manure (FYM) both were in combination with diluted HNO3¬, urea or slow-release N compound named Enciabien at 20 kg N/fed rate. During two successive seasons, sugar beet and corn were cropped to study the direct and residual effects of the organic manures on the role of soil through 10 months and crop yields.
The obtained results indicated that yield of sugar beet roots increased significantly by manuring over the control without differences between the 3 manure treatments, while the 8 level of SDC was the only significantly effective on increasing corn grain yield over the control and FYM. Nitrogen sources did not effect on sugar beet roots but either of urea or Enciabien was significantly the highest. However, Enciabien was the lowest in case of corn. The ratio of root/shoot in sugar beet was significantly affected with the higher rate of SDC over FYM and control while N sources were as the same as control.Weight of 100 grains increased significantly with the higher rate of SDC and FYM over the lowest SDC rate and control. Urea and Enciabien were superior to others for 100 grain weight. Whereas, corn harvest index was not affected with neither organic nor mineral applications.
There were real relationships between some soil properties (as independent variables) and sugar beet crop, root/shoot ratio corn grain yield weight of 100 grains (as dependent variable). The regression equations were calculated for those significant relationships and discussed due to behavior of the effective soil properties after 1, 5.5 and 10 months of organic additions.
In conclusion, saw-dust compost could be satisfactory manure for production of sugar beet followed by corn where the compost was combined with urea and a slow release-N (Enciabien). Due to application, improvement of certain soil properties enhancing crop responses under calcareous condition

Publication year

2005

Availability location

Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute

Availability number

Organization Name

Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute (SWERI)

Country

Egypt

City

Cairo

Publisher