Effect of Integrated Natural Mineral Compound and Farm-yard Manure Soil Fertilizer on Wheat Crop Yield versus Chemical Fertilizer

Abstract

Aims: The great challenge is how to create and secure natural component derived from natural elements that can be used as mineral fertilizer sources and have a superior "residual effect" compared with the chemical fertilizers in agricultural systems. Also, to attain high productivity with lower costs relative to chemical (control) treatment, to upgrade and maintain the soil productivity and to improve the nutrient reserve in soil. Methods: The production of the natural mineral soil fertilizer is fundamentally depending on the special mixture. It includes phosphate, feldspars, dolomite, gypsum, sulphur and ores of manganese, copper and iron, pyrite, sphalerite, magnetite and rare earth elements bearing minerals, as well as some clay minerals and other micronutrients. The experiment was done at clay-loamy soil on two treatments; 1- chemical fertilizer (Control), and 2- integrated farmyard nutrient (FYN) with Natural Minerals Compound (NMC) for growing wheat crop. Measurements was done on two steps during two seasons of wheat cultivation Results: The growth parameters after ten weeks of sowing show greater results under treatment with the integrated farmyard manure and Natural Mineral Compound related to the control one. The growth parameters include: plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf and total leaves area, crown diameter, stem diameter, internode length and root (length and width). At harvest time, the results indicate an increase of 32% of wheat grain yield compared to the control treatment. Conclusion: The integrated NMC and FYN are more economically attractive; they have reasonable price and can reduce the costs of wheat production by 25% compared to the control treatment. This application will give safe products for users, increase benefits (e.g. higher productivity, lower production cost) and reduce the impacts on the environment.