TY - EJOUR
AU - Javed, Hifza
AU - Iram, Shazia
AU - Bilal, Barira
AU - Tassawar, Tehreem
PY - 2023
DA - November
TI - Spinach powder as soil conditioner enhances physiochemical properties of soil and growth characteristics of Solanum melongena
T2 - International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
L1 - https://oiccpress.com/international-journal-of-recycling-of-organic-waste-in-agriculture/article/spinach-powder-as-soil-conditioner-enhances-physiochemical-properties-of-soil-and-growth-characteristics-of-solanum-melongena/
DO - 10.30486/ijrowa.2022.1956047.1450
N2 - Purpose (i) To evaluate the efficacy of spinach in dry powdered and liquid form as a sustainable substitute for chemical fertilizers; (ii) To analyze and compare the morphological and yield-related parameters of Solanum melongena plants using spinach powder and compost as compared to the control treatment. Method In a pot experiment, Solanum melongena seeds were sowed in soil mixed with spinach powder and compost while the control pots were without any amendment to the soil. The spinach -amended soil, compost-amended soil, and control soil sample were compared in terms physiochemical characteristics like pH , EC ,TDS, organic matter , nutrients i.e. nitrogen , phosphorus, potassium ,calcium ,magnesium and heavy metals. While, plant morphological traits plant height, root length, numbers of flowers and fruits were recorded. Results The pH of spinach-amended soil was slightly alkaline before plantation as compared to control soil. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in spinach dry powder was 15%, 36% and 49%, respectively. The organic carbon content was 56% with moderate amount of micronutrients like calcium, magnesium and iron. Spinach powder-amended soil significantly improved the plant morphological characteristics like stem height, root length and able to produce more flowers and mature fruits as compared to compost-amended soil and control soil. Conclusion The use of spinach in powder and liquid concoction was a suitable alternative to chemical fertilizers. It was able to deliver all major macro- and micronutrients to soil thus improving the fertility and has significant impact on plant growth and yield.   Highlights The organic fertilizer-derived spinach powder is beneficial since it can greatly minimize the amount of chemical fertilizers usage while also produced high-yielding plants that were free of dangerous pollutants.
PB - OICC Press
KW - Organic amendments, Soil fertility, Food Security, Plants fertilizers, Sustainable approach 
EN -