Compost and Compost Tea Fertilization Effects on Soil and Artichoke Mineral Nutrition in Organic Farming

Abstract

This study aims to improve fertilization management of artichoke in organic farming. Four fertilization program treatments based on compost and compost tea have been experienced: Control Treatment (T0): 100% compost needs are made in solid form before planting (BP);Treatment 1 (T1 ): 50% compost needs are made in solid form BP , 25% are made in solid form at 22 weeks after planting (WAP) and 25% are applied as compost tea sprayed on the leaves weekly for 26 weeks from 12 WAP, Treatment 2 (T2): 50% compost needs are made in solid form BP and 50% in the form of compost tea applied by fertigation weekly for 26 weeks from 12 WAP and Treatment 3 (T3 ): 50% compost needs are made in solid form BP , 25% in the form of compost tea applied as a foliar spray and 25% in the form of compost tea applied by fertigation. T3 provides better plants supplied with nitrogen, higher dry matter content and higher phosphorus potassium and calcium levels that reached 8.8%, 11% and 16% respectively for P, K and Ntot compared to control. Compost application once before planting (T0) limits plant nutrient supplies during crop season. Splitting compost is more effective for nutrient supplies than its full input before planting. Combining compost tea foliar spray with fertigation allows to have better nutrient provides than the use of every single application method.