PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF MINERAL NPK FERTILIZERS USING SOME ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SUBSTANCES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON BERMUDA GRASS GROWTH

Abstract

This study was conducted during the two successive seasons of 2021 and 2022 in a private backyard, located in Manqaten Village, Samalout District, Minia Governorate, Egypt. The aim of this work was to examine the ability of partial substitution of mineral fertilizers (NPK) with some environmentally friendly substances (effective microorganisms ‘EM’, moringa leaf extract, ‘MLE’ and humic acid, ‘HA’), as well as, their combinations on vegetative growth and some chemical constituents of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon, L.). Our results showed that the vegetative growth parameters (plant height, covering density, and clipping fresh and dry weights) were augmented with the application of all nine treatments (mineral and/or stimulating substances) during the four cuts in both seasons compared with control treatment, except for the treatment of 50% NPK in some cases. The best treatment was 50% NPK + EM + HA + MLE. Additionally, the photosynthetic pigments and the percentages of N, P and K were improved during the third and fourth cuts in both seasons, more so with 50% NPK + EM + HA + MLE treatment for the photosynthetic pigments and with 100% NPK (full dos treatment) for the percentages of N, P and K.

Keywords

• cynodon dactylon l
• em
• moringa leaf extract
• vegetative growth
• chemical constituents