Abou-El-Hassan S. and Desoky A.H.( 2013). Effect Of Compost And Compost Tea On Organic Production Of Head LettuceJournal of Applied Sciences Research, 9(11): 5650-5655, 2013
ISSN 1819-544X
Abstract: Lettuce is one of the widely used salad vegetables in Egypt and the world. However, there is a dearth of information pertaining to organic lettuce production. An experiment was conducted in the experimental Farm of Arid Land Agricultural Research and Service Center (ALARC), Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Egypt to assess the effect of compost and compost tea on organic production of head lettuce grown in sandy soil. The head lettuce seedlings cultivar Chianti were planted in sandy soil during mid of October 2011 and 2012. Four rates of compost (50, 75, 100 and 125% as recommended dose of nitrogen) with and without addition of compost tea were investigated on yield, quality and minerals content of head lettuce comparing to mineral fertilizer (control). The results showed that the rates of compost 75, 100 and 125 % with addition of compost tea gave significant superiority in growth, yield and some of head lettuce quality compared to control. Compost rates of 100% and 125% with added compost tea gave the highest content of macronutrients (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu). All rates of compost with or without compost tea reduced nitrate content in lettuce heads. Using 100 and 125% compost with or without added compost tea increased the heavy metal contents in the lettuce heads, but still less than the critical limits in normal vegetables. It is recommended that organic production of head lettuce in sandy soil can be performed successfully using rate of 75 or 100% of compost with addition of compost tea to get high yield and quality with low nitrate content of head lettuce.
Keywords: (Head lettuce organic fertilizers, compost, compost tea, organic production, nitrate content, heavy metal)
