Comparative study on organic fertilizer (Elkhaseeb) and inorganic fertilizers effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth, yield and nutrient content under greenhouse conditions

Organic fertilizers are derived mainly from animal matter, human excreta or crop residues, while chemical fertilizers are defined as any inorganic material of wholly or partially synthetic origin, that is added to the soil to sustain plant growth. This study was designed to compare between a commercial organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizers for their effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth, yield and nutrient content under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in the cropping season of 2016/2017 at the University of Gezira. The experiment consisted of four treatments viz. control, inorganic fertilizers, organic fertilizers (commercial organic fertilizer, Elkhaseeb, of only cow manure) and a combination between organic and inorganic fertilizers. The soil of the experimental site is a riverain silt loam soil. The experiment for the two vegetable crops was arranged in a split plot design with three replications, and two factors, commercial organic fertilizer (OM) and chemical fertilizers (MN) which include nitrogen in the form of urea and phosphorus in the form of triple superphosphate. Foliar fertilization of micronutrients with Ca and B, was used for all treatments. Commercial organic fertilizer: OM was added at the rate of 15 tons /ha and nitrogen was added as urea at 86 kg/ha(2N). Phosphorus was applied as triple superphosphate at 43 kg P2O5/ha (1P). Tomatoes seedlings of cultivar Termis were transplanted on the ninth of February,2017 whereas cucumber seeds, variety Leader were planted on the first of February, 2017.The results showed that the effect of combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic fertilizers is significantly higher than application of either fertilizer alone. The combination resulted in 417.65 kg /ha of tomatoes and 823.53 kg / ha of cucumber. Application of the commercial organic fertilizer alone gave 261.4kg / ha in tomatoes, while in cucumber it gave732.03 kg /ha. Inorganic fertilizers alone gave 256.84 kg/ha in tomatoes and 447.7kg/ha in cucumber. This lead to a recommendation that application of combined fertilizers (organic+ inorganic) is the best practice for tomatoes and cucumber under greenhouse conditions than any of the two fertilizers alone.