USAGE OF FERMENTED CHICKEN MANURE AS A BIOFERTILIZER IN AN APPLE ORCHARD

Abstract

Effects of fermented chicken manure on soil nutrient availability, leaf nutrient status and fruit quality parameters were studied in an apple plantation from Eastern Hungary. Beside control, three fermented chicken manure products (BIO-FER Natur Extra, Nitro vit and 7-9-7) were used in a field experiment trial at the Horticultural Experimental Farm of University of Debrecen in 2020. In this trial, soil and leaf analysis were made to check the effects of applied treatments on the nutrient supply of the soil and the nutrient status of the leaves. Beside soil and leaf analysis, yield and some fruit quality parameters were investigated. The products were applied at the beginning of April in 2020. Each treatment consisted of 5 trees. Soil pH has slightly decreased during the trial. The organic carbon content of the soil has not significantly changed during the experiment. Chicken manure treatments could not affect considerably the soil P, K, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn content compared to the control. All applied treatments increased the N content of leaves compared to the control, but the effect was not significant. Leaf P content was the same in all treatments, while the leaf K content was slightly higher where chicken products were used. Leaf Ca and Mg were not affected significantly by the treatments compared to the control. The usage of chicken manure increased yield, fruit weight and fruit flesh hardness compared to the control, but significant effect was observed only in certain treatments. Moreover, all applied treatments decreased the Brix value of apples compared to the control.

Keywords

• soil organic matter
• organic fertilization
• fruit nutrition
• chicken manure