EFFECT OF COMPOST/NPK AND BIOFERTILIZATION TREATMENTS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH, YIELD AND HERB NPK% OF FENNEL PLANTS

A field experiment was conducted during the two successive seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 to study the effect of compost/NPK and biofertilization treatments on vegetative growth, yield and herb NPK % of fennel plants. Obtained results revealed that the best vegetative growth characters (plant height, stem diameter, number of main branches and herb dry weight), yield parameters (number of umbels and fruit yield per plant and per fed) and herb % of NP and K values were obtained due to the use of the full dose of mineral NPK, ¼ compost + ¾ NPK dose or ½ compost + ½ NPK dose with no significant differences being detected between such three fertilization treatments. Concerning biofertilization treatments, all of the prementioned growth, yield and chemical traits were considerably augmented due to the dual treatment (Minia Azotein + phosphorein) followed by Minia Azotein, while phosphorein gave the least values. In regard to the interaction gave between the, two involved factors, the highest growth, yield and chemical composition values were given by fertilizing fennel plants with the full dose of mineral NPK, ¼ compost + ¾ NPK or ½ compost + ½ NPK in combination with dual biofertilizer treatments (Minia Azotein + phosphorein). Therefor, it could be advised from the economical and environmental point of view, to supply fennel plants with the treatment of ½ compost + ½ NPK dose in combination with both Minia Azotein plus phosphorein in order to obtain the best fruit yield of fennel plants.