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Pak. J. Bot., 46(2): 471-475, 2014. |
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Updated: 05-04-14 | ||||
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EFFECTS OF FERTILIZATION WITH LIQUID EXTRACTS OF BIOGAS RESIDUES ON THE GROWTH AND FORAGE YIELD OF ALFALFA (MEDICAGO SATIVA L.) UNDER ARID ZONE CONDITIONS
F.Y. AL-JUHAIMI1*, S.H. HAMAD2, I.S. AL-AHAIDEB3 M.M. AL-OTAIBI2 AND M.M. EL-GARAWANY4
Abstract: In this study liquid extract of biogas residue (LEBR) from date palm waste was used to fertilize soil for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation. The results revealed that LEBR application significantly increased plant height, number of branches per meter and the contents of crude protein and ash over the control. The largest plant height and number of branches per meter and the highest ash and Phosphorus contents in the plant dry matter were obtained at the application of 3 L/m2 of LEBR solution containing 15% extract, to the soil while a solution containing 10% extract gave the highest fresh and dry biomass yields. Soil treated with LEBR had higher EC and higher contents of NH4, NO3, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu than the untreated soil. The pH of the soil decreased with increased amount of LEBR applied.
1Department of Food Science & Nutrition, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia 2Department of Food and Nutrition Sciences, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, PO Box 420, Al Hassa 31982, Saudi Arabia 3Geography Department, College of Social Sciences, University of Imam MohamedBin Saud, PO Box 84339, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia 4Department of Environment and Agricultural Natural Resources, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, PO Box 420, Al Hassa 31982, Saudi Arabia *Corresponding author email: faljuhaimi@ksu.edu.sa Tel. +96611467408 Fax: +966114678394 |
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