10.57647/ijrowa.2026.18747

Effects of Different Fertilizer Regimes and Irrigation Water Qualities on Soil Fertility under Lettuce Production

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  • Thomaz Figueiredo Lobo1,
  • Helio Grassi Filho1,
  • João de Andrade Bonetti*1,2,
  1. São Paulo State University, UNESP. Avenida Universitária, 3780, CEP 18610-034, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
  2. Researcher at the Smart B100 Advanced Research Center/FAPESP, Brazil

Received: 2025-08-19

Revised: 2025-09-01

Accepted: 2025-12-30

Published Online: 2026-02-03

Copyright (c) -1 Thomaz Figueiredo Lobo, Helio Grassi Filho, João de Andrade Bonetti (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Figueiredo Lobo, T., Grassi Filho, H., & Bonetti, J. de A. Effects of Different Fertilizer Regimes and Irrigation Water Qualities on Soil Fertility under Lettuce Production. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa.2026.18747
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Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic compost as a substitute for synthetic nitrogen (N) and the use of wastewater irrigation on lettuce cultivation by assessing changes in key soil fertility parameters.

Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Department of the School of Agricultural Sciences in Botucatu, Brazil (22°50′S, 48°22′W), on a medium-textured Rhodic Hapludox. The experimental design was completely randomized in a split-plot arrangement, with six N fertilization treatments (organic and synthetic) combined with either wastewater or freshwater irrigation, and five replicates. The N treatments were as follows: T1 – no N; T2 – 0.54 g N applied as urea, split at 7, 14, and 28 days after transplanting; T3 – 0.27 g N from organic compost and 0.27 g N from urea, split at 7, 14, and 28 days after transplanting; T4 – 0.54 g N from organic compost; T5 – 0.81 g N from organic compost; T6 – 1.08 g N from organic compost.

Results: The highest compost rate (1.08 g N, T6) significantly improved soil fertility by increasing pH, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, and the availability of macro- and micronutrients, under both freshwater and wastewater irrigation. These treatments also enhanced soil organic matter and dissolved organic carbon contents, which were positively correlated with nutrient availability.

Conclusion: The T6 treatment also produced the highest green biomass yield of lettuce compared to the exclusive use of urea, highlighting organic compost as a sustainable alternative for N fertilization.

Highlights

·       Organic compost improved soil fertility, nutrient availability, and lettuce yield.

·       Wastewater irrigation enhanced nutrient recycling and crop productivity.

·       Combined organic and chemical fertilization reduced soil acidity and Al³⁺ toxicity.

·       Long-term compost uses increased soil organic carbon and nutrient correlations.

·       Organic compost offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

Keywords

  • Lettuce,
  • Organic matter,
  • Wastewater,
  • Poultry manure,
  • Composting
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