The Effects of Farmyard Manure and Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Performance of Safflower

Low soil organic matter is a prevalent problem in soils with semi-desert climates, which seems to have effects on the efficiency of the utilized chemical fertilizers. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the interaction between farmyard manure (FYM۰=۰, FYM۱۰=۱۰, and FYM۲۰=۲۰ t ha-۱) and nitrogen fertilizer (N۰=۰, N۴۰= ۴۰ and N۸۰=۸۰ kg ha-۱) on growth ad seed production of safflower in the west of Iran. Results showed that the application of nitrogen at all levels of animal manure increased the height of the plant. The effect of using small amounts of nitrogen (۴۰) was more evident in the conditions of application of animal manure. The application of FYM۱۰+N۸۰ increased the number of lateral branches by about ۵۶%. With the increase in nitrogen consumption, the chlorophyll content in the leaves increased linearly. The increasing effect of applying FYM۲۰ on chlorophyll content was similar to the application of ۴۰ kg of nitrogen and improved the chlorophyll content by about ۲۶%. Canopy width increased by ۸۰% with the utilization of FYM۲۰+N۸۰ compared to the control condition (FYM۰+N۰). Application of FYM۱۰ and FYM۲۰ increased capitulum diameter by canopy by ۴۰% and ۵۴%, respectively. Altogether, the best safflower performance was achieved under the conditions of using FYM۲۰+N۸۰, which improved the yield by ۴۳۹ kg ha-۱ over control. The use of FYM increased the positive effect of nitrogen on leaf chlorophyll, canopy width, and capitulum number and ultimately improved seed yield. Improving soil organic matter is one of the necessities to increase the efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers in semi-arid areas.

کلیدواژه ها:

Canopy width ، improving soil conditions ، morphophysiological characteristics ، oilseed crop ، synergistic effect ، Yield components