Effect of Potash Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Cotton, Maize, Watermelon and Hazelnuts in Turkey

Justification:
Statistical data shows that current fertilizer use in Egypt is highly unbalanced. For decades, farmers believed that the soil is rich in P and K and therefore traditionally used to apply fertilize N only, which lead to negative balance with respect to other nutrients. The current N:P:K ratio for example in the fertilizers used is highly negative with respect to K (1:0.12:0.04) which is negative to P and highly negative to K. Such negative nutrient balances indicate soil nutrient mining and thus loss in soil fertility and productivity. In addition and due to the scarcity of water resources in Egypt, there is a high need to promote the most efficient techniques in fertilization and irrigation in irrigated agriculture to enhance both water and fertilizer use efficiency. With this regard, such technologies need to be transferred to the farmers, extension agents and company dealers though training and field demonstration and publication and other outreach materials.
Objectives:
1. Determine the effect of balanced fertilization on the yield of major crops of the common cropping system in Egypt
2. Promote and transfer of the most efficient fertilization and irrigation techniques
Methodology:
Several field trials are conducted in two different locations in Egypt

Location I:
Oraby Village – Nobaria Sector – El-Behira Governorate
Winter Crop: Wheat

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the following treatments on the growth and yield of wheat (cv. Sakha 93) in a randomized complete block with three replicates. Soil was ploughed using a chisel plough, leveled by wooden leveler and divided into experimental units. Plot area was 10.5 m2 (3.5m long and 3 m wide). Wheat grains were sown on November 30th in 2010/2011 season, at the rate of 140 kg/ha.
The following treatments were investigated:
1-Control without any fertilizers addition
2- N:P2O5:K2O Farmer's Fertilizer 238:74:0 kg/ha.
3- N:P2O5 238:107 kg/ha
4- N:K2O 238:57 kg/ha
5- N:P2O5:K2O 238:107:57 kg/ha
6- N:P2O5:K2O Based on soil testing 285:107:114 kg/ha
7- N:P2O5:K2O Based on soil testing + micronutrients 285:107:114 kg/ha


Location I:
Oraby Village – Nobaria Sector – El-Behira Governorate
Summer Crop: Maize (Zea mays, L.cv. single cross Hi Tek 2010 (white variety)
A summer field experiment was carried out in Oraby Village at Nubaria sector, El-Behira governorate, during summer season of 2011 to study the effect of NPK on the yield and its components of Maize. Maize grains were sown on June 23th 2011.
The following treatments were investigated:
For Maize as a summer crop in the first location (El-Behira)
1-Control (without any fertilizers addition).
2- Recommended N : P2O5 (314:74 Kg/ ha)
3- Recommended N : K2O (314:57 Kg/ ha)
4- Recommended N : P2O5: K2O (314:74:57 Kg/ ha)
5- Farmer's fertilization N : P2O5 : K2O (285:74:0 Kg/ha)
6- Based on soil testing N : P2O5: K2O (314:74:114 Kg/ha)
7- Based on soil testing N:P2O5:K2O (314:74:114 Kg/ha)+ micronutrients

Location II
Kafer –El- Kadera village - El-Monofia Governorate
Winter season :Wheat
The following Treatments were investigated in a field experiment:
For Wheat as a winter crop in the second location (El-Monofia)
1- Control (without fertilizers addition).
2- Farmer's fertilization N : P2O5 : K2O (95:71:0 Kg/ha)
3- Recommended N : P2O5:K2O) (136:119:114 Kg/ ha)
4- Recommended N : P2O5 (136:119 Kg/ ha)
5- Recommended N : K2O (136:114 Kg/ ha)
6- Based on soil testing N : P2O5: K2O (190:136:131 Kg/ha)
7- Based on soil testing N : P2O5: K2O (190:136:131 Kg/ha)+ Micronutrients


Location II
Kafer –El- Kadera village - El-Monofia Governorate
Summer season (Lupine)
The following Treatments were investigated in a field experiment:
For Lupine as a summer crop in the second location (El-Monofia)
1- Control (without fertilizers addition).
2- Farmer's fertilization N : P2O5 : K2O (190:119:0 Kg/ha)
3- Recommended N : P2O5:K2O) (285:143:114 Kg/ ha)
4- Recommended N : P2O5 (285:143 Kg/ ha)
5- Recommended N : K2O (285:114 Kg/ ha)
6- Based on soil testing N : P2O5: K2O (297:155:190 Kg/ha)
7- Based on soil testing N : P2O5: K2O (297:155:190 Kg/ha)+ Micronutrients

Variables:
Yield and yield components, quality parameters, soil and plant analysis and field observations.