Effect of some organic and chemical amendments on some micro and macronutrient uptake in spinach

Spirulinacyanobacterium (Arthrospira platensis) has a vast range of nutritional organic and inorganic substances and can be used as new material for organic cultivation of plants. In order to evaluate the effect of non-living powder of Spirulinacyanobacterium on spinach (Spinasia olerace L.) yield and nutrient uptake and comparing the results with some organic and chemical fertilizers, a greenhouse experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments including of control, four non-living spirulina levels (500, 1000, 2500, 5000 mg kg-1), vermicompost (10000 mg kg-1), cattle manure and sheep manure (20000 mg kg-1), chemical fertilizers: (1) 80 mg N kg-1 and 10 mg P kg-1, (2): 150 mg N kg-1 and 20 mg P kg-1 as urea and monocalcium phosphate, respectively. Results showed that the highest and lowest dry weights were obtained in 500 mg non-living Spirulina kg-1 and sheep manure respectively. The total content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) in spinach was significantly increased with application of 500 mg non-living Spirulina kg-1as compared to control. Application of higher levels of cyanobacterium (more than 1000 mg kg-1 soil) had not significantly effect on spinach yield and some nutrient uptake. Results showed that the effect of fertilizers on some studied characteristics such as dry weight, N, P, K and micronutrient uptake was as following order: Spirulina cyanobacterium > cattle manure> vermicompost> chemical fertilizer (N and P)> control= sheep manure.