The effect of different organic fertilization on garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Bahía Blanca region, Argentina

Abstract

The work was carried out during the years 2007 and 2008, in a sandy soil located in the experimental field of the Agronomy Department, Universidad Nacional del Sur. The objectives of the work were to study the effect of three organic fertilizations on garlic production and to determine the macronutrient content in leaves during the crop cycle. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The treatments were: T0, with inorganic fertilization (100 kg ha-1 of diamonic phosphate + 100 kg ha-1 of urea); T1, 16.07 kg ha-1 of bovine manure-Onion compost (+ 50 kg ha-1 of phosphate rock); T2, 2000 kg ha-1 of BioOrganutsa Nitro Plus a commercial organic fertilizer, (+ 50 kg ha-1 of phosphate rock); and T3, BioOrganutsa Nitro Plus + vermicompost tea (same as T2 + 1,25 L vermicompost tea). During both years, the number of leaves, height and dry weight along the cycle increased in all treatments. T2 and T3 showed the highest values compared to T1. Nitrogen and potassium content in leaves decreased gradually in all treatments after the beginning of bulb formation. At harvest, T2 and T3 presented the highest yield, weight and diameter bulbs in 2008, while T1 obtained the lowest values of these parameters. In 2007 T3 showed significant differences compared to T1 as regards the 3 parameters. The commercial organic fertilizer BioOrganutsa Nitro Plus + phosphate rock, incorporated alone or in combination with vermicompost tea, can be an alternative to fertilize organic garlic crop. It will be necessary to try different doses of the compost to evaluate its value as an organic fertilizer.