The effect of biofertilizer and nitrogen rates on quantitative and qualitative properties of strawberry cultivar \u27Paros\u27

In order to investigate the effect of EM (Effective Microorganisms) application and various nitrogen levels on qualitative and quantitative traits of strawberry cultivar \u27Paros\u27. The layout of the experiment was based on randomized complete block with three replications. The research was conducted in an experimental planting of strawberry cv. \u27Paros\u27 at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, during 2014-2015. EM was used at four rates (0, 1, 2, and 3%) in two ways (soil and foliar application) and nitrogen was used in three rates (50, 100 and 150 kg*ha-1 soil application). Leaf area, number of flowers per plant, number of fruit per plant, length, volume, fresh and dry weight of fruit, yield per plant, vitamin C content, total soluble solids content and total acidity were measured. There was significant difference between the EM and nitrogen treatments for all the traits except fruit shelf life. Mean comparison revealed that 2% concentration of EM had positive effect on most of the traits. Regarding nitrogen treatments, the best yield was obtained at application of 100 kg*ha-1

Effects of vermicompost produced from cow manure on the growth, yield and nutrition contents of cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of vermicompost on the growth, yield and nutrient contents of cucumber grown under the glasshouse conditions. This experiment was performed in completely randomized design with five replications. The base medium (control) was selected to be a mixture of 75% farm soil with 25% sand that had been substituted with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% by volume of cow manure vermicompost. The highest leaf area, stem numbers, stem and root dry weight, fruit yield, and chlorophyll content were resulted from substitution of base medium with10 and 20% vermicompost that were significantly different from control (P≤0.05). Further, increase in the vermicompost content of the base medium, reduced the stem height, leaf area, stem dry weight, root dry weight, and chlorophyll content. Plant yield was the lowest in the 50% and 60% vermicompost medium. Shoot macro and micro-nutrient content such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper increased significantly in response to the increase in vermicompost ratio from 0 to 60%, therefore, the lowest and the highest of these nutrient contents were observed in the control and 60% vermicompost, respectively, and even in some cases, nutrients content reached the toxic levels