The influence of nitrogen fertilization rates on tomato production and agrochemical properties of the Gypsisol on the Absheron Peninsula (Azerbaijan)

Abstract

The aim of the study. The main objective of the work was to study the influence of different nitrogen fertilization rates applied on the background of organic fertilizer on the nutrients (NPK) content in the grey-brown (Gypsisol) at different phases of tomato plants’ development on the Absheron Peninsula.

Location and time of the study. Field experiments were conducted in 5 variants according to the following scheme: control (without fertilizers); manure (10 t/ha) + N₀P₉₀K₉₀ (background); background + N₃₀; background + N₆₀; background + N₉₀.

Results of the study. It was found that the studied gray-brown soil had low content of humus, nitrogen and phosphorus, while having potassium closer to the regular content. The article discusses agrochemical properties of the agricultural gray-brown soil. The combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers was shown to increase nutrients content in soil, especially in the flowering phase of tomato plants. In the course of nutrients uptake from soil by tomato plants due to their development and growth the nutrients content (especially nitrogen and potassium) in soil decreased. The greatest gain in tomato yield (30%) was obtained when N₉₀ were applied on the background of 10 t/ha of manure and N₀P₉₀K₉₀, the yield of tomato fruits reaching 518 c/ha.

Conclusion: To obtain high yields of tomato fruits on the gray-brown soil (Gypsisol) of the Absheron Peninsula combined organic and mineral fertilization can be recommended.