Effect of Integration Vermicompost and Nano-Fertilizer on Fig Seedlings Growth and Soil Health

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of making a new approach to plant fertilization based on nano-fertilizers and vermicompost and its positive effect on soil health. This work was carried out in the experimental research shade house of National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt during (2020- 2021). For this purpose, healthy 5 years old fig seedlings sultani cultivar. The seedlings were planted in black polyethylene pots with 30 cm diameter fooled. with use 10 kg washed sand mixed very good with use three concentrations of Vermicompost 500 -1000 and 1500g/seedling ,with adding varied doses of Nano-NPK(20:20:20) fertilizers (200, and 400ppm) as foliar application. Nano-NPK fertilizers treatments were applied two times monthly during active season, also fig  seedlings were irrigated twice weekly .At the end of each growth season, leaves were collected to record some vegetative parameters (leaf fresh and dry weight and leaf area) then these samples of leaves were dried and digested to determine nutrient statues under tested treatments. Moreover, Estimation of microbial and enzymatic activities of vermicompost. Obtained results indicated that, substituting half recommended dose of spraying with Nano-fertilizers at (400 ppm) positively promote most of recorded vegetative growth parameters and without any deficiency symptoms on seedlings. Also, The microbial and enzyme activities of the soil are closely related to the organic matter content and influenced by all practices applied for soil including adding fertilizers, emphasize these impacts of organic matter as vermicompost and nano-fertilizers. Besides, all treatments (vermicompost + nano-fertilizers) resulted in increasing enzyme activity comparing with control treatment. Also, indicated that at the same level of nano-fertilizers, increasing vermicompost dosses lead to increase enzyme activity particularly in level 200ppm of fertilizers.