Evaluation of Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Inorganic Fertilizer Combination on the Growth and Yield of Brinjal (Solanum melongena)

Abstract

Fertilizer application is a constraining factor for crop growth and yield improvement but the excessive application of Inorganic Fertilizers (IF) increases negative impacts on human health and the environment. Sri Lankan government spends a lot of money on the importation of inorganic fertilizers. However, long term sustainable strategies are required to overcome these issues. Liquid Organic Fertilizers (LOF) are used as an alternative for inorganic fertilizers which is one of the best solutions for this problem. Inorganic fertilizer levels (70% and 50%) are combined with liquid organic fertilizer as recommended level. Hence, the study was conducted using commercially grown SM-164 brinjal variety with seven treatments. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. The growth and yield characters were measured including plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, number of pods, and chlorophyll level and canopy area at 2 weeks intervals. The final result indicated no any significant difference between 70% inorganic fertilizer + LOF treatment and the recommended 100% inorganic fertilizer treatment in height, canopy area, number of branches, number of flowers, chlorophyll content, number of pods, and yield of brinjal. Treatment of 70% inorganic fertilizer + LOF combination was found to be performed well under field conditions. The selected other varieties can be used for this experiment to achieve further development.