DefinePK

Abstract

Background and objective: Strawberry is one the economic crops in Egypt. There is a potentiality to improve growth and quality of this crop by applying vermicompost combined with nano-fertilizer. Material and Methods: Current work carried out in National Research Centers Farm, Northern Egypt, under greenhouse condition to estimate the impact of two types of vermicompost at different dosescombined with nano-fertilizers on strawberry plants (2019/2020), as well as soil health. Strawberry seedlings were divided into 9 groups according to treatments. At the end of each growth season, different parameters were measured in this context concern plant growth performance, nutrient content, fruit quality and soil health. Results: Obtained results showed that there a positive impact of combining vermicompost and nano-fertilizer on fresh and dry weight of leaves; nutrient contents, fruit quality, soil health and (T8) surpassed all studied treatments in its impact on the most of studied parameters. However, T4 resulted in the highest leaf N content without markedly differences with T8. Also, T6 was recorded the highest value of fruit acidity and T1 produced the highest value sugar content and vitamin C (VC.). Besides, T4 led to an increment in fruit anthocyanin comparing to the other treatments. Also, T5 produced the highest value of P and K content in soil than other treatments. Meanwhile, T4 surpassed all treatments in its impact on microbial activity. Conclusion: This study came in a chain of several evidences that support the positive role of both vermicompost and nano-fertilizers on plant growth and soil health. Also, through vermicompost and nano-fertilizers application, the excessive amount ofmineral fertilizers that used by farmers may be reduced to safe levels for environment and consumer health.