Composite Zeolite/ NPK Fertilizer: Performance Evaluation of Papaya Plant Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Semi-Arid Environment

Abstract

The present research was conducted to prepare a zeolite-based fertilizer composite containing different rates of zeolite-A (Z) and NPK (19 N: 19 P2O5: 19 K2O) fertilizer (F) to grow papaya seedlings in the Pomology greenhouse of the National Research Centre in Egypt, under the semi-arid conditions of Egypt during the 2014 summer season. Combined mixtures were designed by adding 8.0, 6.0, 4.0, 2.0, 1.0 and 0.0 (g/ pot/ plant) rates of zeolites to the respective NPK amounts of 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 (g/ pot/plant). The macro- and micronutrients in the leaves, stems and roots were analyzed using spectrophotometer and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer 100 B). The whole results were statistically analyzed. The results of Z/F composite application revealed that, the optimum
enhanced plant nutrition values were obtained when zeolite contents increased at the expenses of NPK mineral fertilizer. The highest performance was recorded for T5 (6.0 g Z +1.0 g F) and T4 (4.0 g Z+2.0 g F), meanwhile T1 (0.0 g Z+5.0 g F) and T6 (8.0 g Z+ 0.0g F) implied the lowest values of all treatments. Applying (Z/ F) seemed to positively influence the plant growth by increase the fresh and dry weights, macro and micronutrient uptake by using lower rates of NPK to the extent of 1.0-2.0 g/ pot/ plant. Better plant growth was achieved with 60 to 80% reduction in the fertilizer cost.