The effect of zeolite, organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil chemical properties, growth and biomass yield of apple trees

• DOI: 10.17221/107/2009-pse
• Publication Date: 2018-02-10T20:44:05Z
• Authors: T. Milosevic; N. Milosevic
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 2. Zero hunger; fertilization; vegetative growth; Plant culture; zeolites; crop yield; 15. Life on land; vertisol; 01 natural sciences; SB1-1110

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic (cattle manure) and inorganic fertilizers [composite NPK (15:15:15)] and natural zeolites on soil properties, vegetative growth and yield of apple plants grown on vertisol under Cacak conditions (Western Serbia). The results showed that the combined fertilization induced a decrease in acidity, an increase in humus content, a partial increase in total nitrogen (NTOT), and, primarily, a rise in available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels. A highly significant (P < 0.01) interactive effect of the apple cultivars and nutrients on one-year-old shoot length and trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and a significant effect (P < 0.05) on yield per tree and yield per hectare were determined.