Effect of using vermicompost and biofertilizers as partial alternatives for chemical fertilizers on growth and fruiting of Superior grapevines

Abstract

This investigation was conducted during two successive seasons of 2018 & 2019 on Superior seedless grapevines cultivar grown in the experimental farm of faculty of agriculture, South Valley University. Qena Governorate, Egypt, where the soil is sandy loam in attempt to reduce the application of N P K chemical fertilizers through partially substitute of chemical fertilizers with vermicompost and biofertilizers at rate of 25 -75 % to control chemical fertilization and reduce environmental pollution and improve growth, yield and fruit quality of Superior grapevine besides improving the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. Seven treatments of mineral NPK, vermicompost and biofertilizers were applied to study the impact of them on growth characteristics and fruiting of Superior seedless grapevines as well as soil nutrient status. The results indicated that supplying Superior vine with NPK via mineral sources at 50% plus 860 g vermicompost (approximately 25 % from the recommended dose of NPK) and 150 Ml biofertilizaers (mixed from strains bacteria nitrogen-fixing, Phosphate dissolvers and Silicate dissolver) or 50 % via mineral sources plus 1720 g vermicompost (approximately 50 % from the recommended dose of NPK) was very effective in improving all growth properties, i.e. length of shoot, leaf area, number of leaves /shoot, leaf mineral contents and gave the highest yield and fruit quality of Superior grapevines and improve physical and chemical properties of the soil and reducing environmental pollution. Furthermore, reduction of mineral fertilization may help to produce fruits safe for human as well as decreasing environment pollution.