Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Application on Soil and Cucumber (Cucumis Sativa L.) Plant Productivity

Abstract

The application of organic fertilizer combined with or without chemical fertilizer to soil is considered as a good management practices in any agricultural production system because it improves plant quality and soil fertility. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of compost on cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) productivity and soil properties. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in Tulkarm, Palestine, during the summer season of 2012. The results showed that the application of compost improving the soil characteristics; increasing soil productivity and organic matter content. Compost application can compensate use of chemical fertilizers, which have adverse environmental effects. The experimental results confirmed that the use of organic fertilizers increasing the crop productivity with compost (7005 kg / dunum, dunum is 0.1 ha) comparing with (6017 kg / dunum) with chemical fertilizers, on the other hand, increasing the soil fertility and saving water, were the water requirements was decreasing with using compost (180 m 3 / season) comparing with (213 m 3 / season) were chemical fertilizers used during the agriculture period.