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Article

The Effects of Organic Fertilizer Applications on the Nutrient Elements Content of Eggplant Seeds

by
Sevinç Başay
1,
Saliha Dorak
2 and
Barış Bülent Aşik
2,*
1
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa 16059, Turkey
2
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa 16059, Turkey
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020439
Submission received: 10 November 2024 / Revised: 30 January 2025 / Accepted: 7 February 2025 / Published: 11 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
This research was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of using organic fertilizers in improving the organic seed production process and increasing the seed quality needed in organic agriculture production. The experiment was established with organic fertilizers (farmyard manure—FYM, leonardite—L, vermicompost—VC) and the eggplant plant ’Pala-49’ variety and conducted for two years. As a result of the study, vegetative growth height varied between 52.65 and 68.06 cm, plant diameter width ranged from 51.85 to 61.20 cm, fruit height ranged from 14.67 to 21.90 cm, and fruit diameter varied between 4.73 and 6.73 cm. These differences were observed among farmyard manure (FYM), leonardite (L), and vermicompost (VC) organic fertilizer applications. In general, it was determined that the first year gave better results. In terms of parameters, the best result in all parameters was obtained from farmyard manure (FYM) organic fertilizer application. In addition, the nutrient element contents of the seed samples were found to be statistically significant. Organic applications significantly increased the nutrient element content of the seed samples according to the control. The nitrogen content varied between 0.242% and 0.271%, and the phosphorus content ranged between 0.274% and 0.456%. The highest K content was determined in farmyard manure (FYM) application in both years (0.272% and 0.309%). In contrast, Fe, Zn, and Mn contents were 35.1 mg kg−1, 63.7 mg kg−1, and 200.7 mg kg−1 in vermicompost (VC) application in the second year, respectively. The effect of the treatments on soil available nutrient content was also found to be significant. The amount of soil available for plant nutrients was higher in the second year.

1. Introduction

The detrimental impacts of agricultural chemicals on human health and the environment, alongside consuming chemically grown food, are becoming increasingly evident globally. In recent years, ecological agriculture and the use of ecological agricultural products have gained prominence as sustainable solutions to mitigate these effects. Organic inputs enhance soil sustainability, improve crop quality, conserve biodiversity, and address critical environmental challenges such as erosion, desertification, and climate change [1].
As a fundamental input in agriculture, seeds are now highly specialized and technological. Organic agriculture, which excludes chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and genetically modified organisms, has driven a growing demand for organic seeds. This demand reflects the broader interest in organic products and has spurred research into their effects on nutrient content in fruits, vegetables, and grains [2,3].
Organic seed usage in production has been mandatory in many countries since 2001. However, due to low organic seed production, this requirement is often postponed annually [4]. Especially for crops with long growing periods, the challenges of disease, pest management, balanced nutrition, and soil sustainability have slowed the development of organic vegetable seed production. Globally, the availability of organic seeds remains limited for many species [5,6].
Organic fertilizer sources have effects such as maintaining the sustainable fertility of the soil, the availability of soil organic matter and plant nutrients, and also reducing the impact of some insect pests and diseases. Therefore, the application of plant nutrients through organic sources like compost, farmyard manure, and biofertilizers remains the alternative choice of growers for maintaining sustainable production [7]. Organic fertilizers can also address the degradation of soil fertility caused by excessive and intensive use of synthetic fertilizers [8].
Organic fertilizer applications significantly affect crop yield and quality [9]. In addition to the excessive use of mineral fertilizers, decreasing organic matter contents threatens the quality elements of agricultural soils. Organic fertilization plays an essential role in increasing yields in terms of providing nutrients and regulating the soil’s physical, chemical and biological properties and improving sustainable productivity parameters [10].
Many studies have stated that compost, fermented manure and vermicompost can be preferred instead of mineral fertilizers. It has been reported that organic-based fertilizer applications increase soil respiration and enzyme values, thus soil microbial activities, improve soil fertility characteristics, and increase dry matter and mineral nutrient contents of plants [11,12,13,14,15,16,17].
As a result of organic practices, increasing soil fertility, the healthy growth of plants and obtaining quality products are seen as the primary goal. In this regard, many materials can be used as fertilizers of organic origin and to improve soil properties. Farmyard manure is known as the most commonly used fertilizer. In recent years, it is seen that leonardite and farmyard manure (FMY) have potential in terms of soil and plant development, and studies on this field have increased. It is an organic mixture containing high amounts of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) [18]. Vermicompost is sourced from the feces of earthworms. Worms can eat vegetables, fruits, kitchen and industrial wastes. The celoma body fluid in the worms’ digestive system passes into the fertilizer and develops immunity against pathogens in the plant. Plants can easily take up the micronutrient elements in organic waste as they are naturally chelated and excreted through the digestive system of earthworms. It is known that microorganisms, enzymes, and plant nutrients enrich the soil with organic matter thanks to the celoma fluid and positively affect its pH and biological structure [19,20,21,22].
Eggplant, whose homeland is India, is in the Solanum genus of the Solanaceae family and is botanically named Solanum melongena L. The heat-loving eggplant plant is grown in commercial productions at temperatures between 15 and 35 °C for a vegetation period of 6 months [23]. Eggplant is rich in minerals (K, Mn, Fe and Ca) and vitamins beneficial to human health, it is low in calories, and it is not only used as an edible vegetable but also has many medicinal values [24]. Although eggplant production and consumption is quite high in Turkey (817,591 tons in 2023), organic eggplant production and organic seed production remain quite limited. The lack of scientific studies, especially in organic seed production, and the fact that farmers have problems obtaining organic seeds show a deficit in this field.
This study aims to assess the effects of farmyard manure (FYM), leonardite (L), and vermicompost (VC) organic fertilizers on plant parameters and soil composition during the cultivation of the ’Pala-49’ eggplant variety, which is renowned for its significant production and consumption potential. The research focuses on evaluating key plant parameters, including vegetative growth height, stem diameter, and fruit dimensions as well as the influence of these organic fertilizers on soil nutrient composition and fertility. Furthermore, the study examines the nutritional content of eggplant seeds, providing valuable insights into the role of organic fertilizer applications in sustainable agricultural practices.

2. Materials and Method

The study utilized the eggplant variety ‘Pala-49’ as plant material, which was cultivated using organic methods while ensuring that all required procedures were performed in a timely manner. The organic plot where the cultivation was conducted (Nilüfer Municipality Urban Gardens, Ürünlü village, Bursa) is organically certified, and the climatic data of Bursa province are presented in Table 1.
Eggplant seeds were sown at the beginning of March, and seedling transplantations were carried out at the beginning of May. The experiment was established in a randomized plot design with four replications. Each plot was 3 m × 5 m (15 m2) in size, and each replication consisted of 20 plants. The spacing between plants was 50 cm, while the row spacing was 70 cm. Organic materials, including farmyard manure (FYM), leonardite (L), and vermicompost (VC), were applied in the study. Economically recommended application rates for production were used with doses of farmyard manure (FYM) at 2 kg m−2, leonardite (L) at 0.5 kg m−2, and vermicompost (VC) at 0.5 kg m−2.
Plant measurements were conducted on the 30th, 60th, and 90th days after seedling transplantation. For each plot, 10 plants were randomly selected, and vegetative growth height (cm) and plant diameter width (mm) were measured. Measurements were taken using a digital ruler and a precision caliper with an accuracy of ±0.1 cm.

2.1. Fruit Measurements

The characteristics and methods examined in the seed-bearing eggplants harvested at the end of the development period were as follows. All seed-bearing eggplants were measured with a ruler, and the values were determined as fruit length (cm). After harvesting, the seed-bearing eggplants were cut in the middle and measured with a ruler, and the values were determined as fruit diameter (cm).

2.2. Seed Analysis

The seeds taken right after the harvest were rinsed twice with tap water, rinsed thoroughly with pure water, dried at 65 °C and ground to determine the content of some plant nutrient elements. The total nitrogen in seed samples was determined by the modified Kjeldahl method. The samples digested in a Buchi K-437 digestion block were distilled in a Buchi K-350 steam distillation device (BUCHI Labortechnik AG Meierseggstrasse 9230 Flawil, Switzerland). Within the scope of the study, nutrient element concentrations determined in the solution obtained as a result of wet digestion were evaluated [25]. Samples were wet digested in a Berghof MWS 2 (BERGHOF Products + Instruments GmbH, Eningen, Germany) model microwave oven using HNO3 and H2O2 (Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA). Some macronutrient elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na) and micronutrient elements (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) in the extract were determined by Perkin Elmer OPTIMA 2100DV model ICP OES (Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT, USA).

2.3. Soil Analysis

Soil samples were taken 0–30 cm depth from the parcels where the study was carried out before planting and after harvesting according to the principle of soil fertility, and some physical and chemical analyses were performed and evaluated in the study. The sand, silt and clay fractions of the experimental area soil were determined by the hydrometer method. The soil pH value was determined in a 1:1 soil to water ratio suspensions with a WTW 3110 model pH meter [26]. The EC value was diluted 1:1 with pure water and determined using a WTW LF 92 model EC meter also (WTW Wissenschaftlich-Technische Werkstätten GmbH, Weilheim, Germany) [27]. The lime content was determined by a Scheibler calcimeter (Gabbrielli Technology, Calenzano, Italy), and the organic matter content was determined by the Walkley–Black method [28,29]. The total nitrogen content of the soils taken from the parcels was determined by the Kjeldahl method. The samples incinerated in a Buchi K-437 incineration block were distilled in a Buchi K-350 steam distillation device [29]. The available phosphorus content was determined by the ascorbic acid method in the filtrate obtained by extraction with 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate (pH 8.5); available cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg) were determined with 1 N ammonium acetate (pH 7.0) solution; sodium, potassium and calcium were determined by Eppendorf Elex 6361 fleymphotometer (Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, Germany), and magnesium was determined by Perkin Elmer Optima 2100 DV model ICP OES device (Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT, USA). Available microelements (Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) were determined in the filtrate obtained by extracting the soil with DTPA, and the available metals were determined with a Perkin Elmer Optima 2100 DV model ICP OES [30] (Jones, 2001). The results obtained are given in Table 2 and compared with the limit values.

2.4. Organic Fertilizer Analysis

The properties and methods examined in the organic materials (farmyard manure (FYM), leonardite (L) and vermicompost (VC)) used in the study are as follows. The pH values of the organic samples were determined with a pH meter model WTW 3110 in a 1:10 dilution of pure water [31]. Electrical conductivity value was determined by measuring with a WTW LF 92 model condactivitometer in 1:10 diluted medium. The amount of organic matter was determined by taking into account the weight loss of the sample as a result of incineration of the materials in an ash furnace at 550 °C [32]. The total nitrogen content was determined by the Kjeldahl method. The samples incinerated in a Buchi K-437 incineration block were distilled in a Buchi K-350 steam distillation device. The total P and K were determined by a Perkin Elmer Optima 2100 DV model ICP OES in the solution obtained by wet incineration with HNO3 + HCI in a Berghof MWS2 microwave incineration unit [33]. The results obtained are given in Table 3.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis of the physical and chemical data obtained from the fruit and seeds, as well as the chemical analysis of the soil where the study was conducted, was performed using the JUMP 7.0.1 statistical software. Analyses were conducted with three replicates, and mean values were used for comparison. The Least Significant Difference (LSD) test (p < 0.05) was applied to assess the differences between the means. It is important to note that the seed germination percentage data were not subjected to arcsine transformation prior to statistical analysis.

3. Results and Discussion

The experiment was established with FYM, L and VC organic fertilizers and eggplant ’Pala-49’ type according to the regulation on the principles and implementation of organic agriculture and repeated for two years. According to the results obtained, the difference of L, VC and FYM treatments between years was found to be statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) in terms of all parameters. While the first year gave better results in vegetative growth height, plant diameter width and fruit length parameters, the second year gave better results in fruit diameter parameters. In general, the fact that the results of the first year were better than the results of the second year can be attributed to the fact that the amount of precipitation falling in June and July in the second year was above the long-term average of precipitation.
Upon examining the results, the application of FYM demonstrated the most significant effect on vegetative growth height and plant diameter, outperforming the control treatment (Table 4). The lowest effect on vegetative growth height was determined in the L treatment with 52.13 cm and 51.85 cm in the first and second years, respectively (Table 4). Organic fertilizer applications, including FYM, compost, and bio-based amendments, demonstrated effectiveness in increasing plant size when applied to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) under organic farming conditions [34]. In previous studies, it was reported that plant height always increased in parallel with increasing nitrogen doses and increasing organic fertilizer doses, such as FYM, compost, and bio-based amendments, as demonstrated in studies on flue-cured Virginia tobacco and Esendal tobacco cultivars [35,36]. It has been shown that the performance of organic fertilizers, such as FYM, L, and VC, which were used in organic eggplant (Solanum melongena L. var. Pala-49) seed production [37], is much better and has a significant advantage over chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers, including cattle manure and composted organic matter, have been shown to perform significantly better and offer considerable advantages over chemical fertilizers [38]. Organic fertilizers, which are mixtures of manure, improved the growth characteristics of plants [39]. Fertilization using natural pigeon manure, up to a dose equivalent to 18 kg plot−1 or 15 tons ha−1 (G3), was shown to significantly increase plant height, leaf number, and tiller count in spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.) cultivation [8].
FYM showed the highest performance in the 1st and 2nd year measurements of fruit length. The 1st and 2nd year measurements of FYM showed the highest performance in the measurements of fruit diameter followed by VC (Table 4). Plant length, grain yield, and 1000-grain weight have been reported to increase with organic and chemical fertilizer applications due to the improved uptake of essential nutrients, while differences in plant height were attributed to the diversity of primary nutrients in fertilizer sources. Similar results were observed with the use of organic fertilizers, such as poultry manure and compost, in rice cultivation [40]. Similarly, the combined application of biofertilizer and vermicompost, along with the foliar application of seaweed extract, has been shown to have a significant effect on yield per plant and total yield per hectare in organic okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) cultivation [7]. This may be because the organic matter contained in vermicompost improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and when combined with biofertilizer leads to the dissolution of the nutrient fixed in the soil, mineralizing it and making it available to the plant for better growth.

Nutrient Element Content

The effects of organic applications on the nutrient content of plants were evaluated, and statistically significant results were found. The N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn contents of seed samples are given in Table 5.
The nitrogen content of the seeds varied between 0.242 and 0.271%. The difference between treatments in both the first and second year was not significant (Table 5). Relatively high values were determined in VC and FYM treatments compared to the control. This is related to the high total nitrogen content of the experimental soil (Table 2). The differences in the total P content of eggplant seed samples depending on the treatments were not found statistically significant, while the differences between years were found to be significant. The P content of seed samples varied between 0.274% and 0.456%. Relatively high values depending on the treatments were determined in VC treatments. The second-year P content average (0.434%) was higher than the first-year average (0.283%). The results obtained are related to the high available P content of the second-year experimental soil.
The differences in K content of seed samples due to treatments were not significant in both years. The potassium content was found to be 0.239% in the first year and 0.277% in the second year. Depending on the applications, the K content varied between 0.210 and 0.309% and was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) (Table 5). In both years, the highest K value was obtained from farmyard manure (FYM) applications compared to the control application. These results can be explained by the higher K content of FYM. The differences in Na and Ca contents of the seed samples due to the applications were not found to be statistically significant in both years. The Na and Ca contents of the samples varied between 0.026–0.049% and 0.084–0.103%.
The total Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn contents of seed samples were found to be statistically significant in both years. The Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn contents of seed samples varied in the ranges of 11.9–17.6 mg kg−1, 37.6–47.3 mg kg−1, 77.6–110.3 mg kg−1, and 28.8–39.3 mg kg−1 in the first year. In the second year of application, the values varied in the range of 22.6–35.1 mg kg−1, 72.0–89.8 mg kg−1, 146.6–200.7 mg kg−1 and 41.7–63.7 mg kg−1. While the lowest amounts were determined in control applications in both years, the highest Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn contents were obtained from VC applications in the second year. These values were followed by FYM in terms of Fe, Cu and Zn content and L treatments in terms of Mn content. The values obtained in the second year were higher than the first-year application results.
It has been reported that organic origin materials and organic fertilizer applications positively and significantly affect plant growth and nutrient content. Some researchers reported that L application increased mineral nutrient absorption and yield in plants [41,42,43]. Leonardite applied to pepper plants grew better than the control treatment, but the changes in N, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn contents except for P were not statistically significant. They also stated that the effectiveness of L application increased with vesucular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) fungus application [44]. L and VC application increased the protein content of the plant compared to the control [45].
VC applications increase the macro and micro-element content of the soil and enable the nutrients to be taken more easily by the pea plants [46]. Similarly, there are significant increases in the soil and plant K, Ca, Mg and some other element contents in VC applications [47]. VC application increases the nutrient content of the plant more than FYM. It has been reported that the effect on nutrient uptake is related to the properties of organic substances [48]. It has been determined that the effect of FYM applications on the dry matter, yield, total N, K, Fe, Cu and Zn content of the plant is statistically significant, but the effect on total P, Ca, Mg, Na and Mn content is insignificant [16]. The highest nutrient contents were obtained in the increasing FYM applications This result is attributed to the calcareous and alkaline structure of the soil in which the study was conducted [49].
In general, it has been stated that the changes in soil properties and increases in plant growth with the application of organic fertilizers and organic source materials to the soil may be due to the physical and chemical properties of the applied materials, the increase in enzyme activity of the soils, the high microbial diversity in the content, and the increase in microbial activity [50,51,52,53,54].
In this study, it is thought that the treatments increased dry weight and yield, but the reason why the change in nutrient content was not significant is due to the accumulation effect. The fact that the effect seen in the seed samples, especially in micro-element contents, is important is that micro-element deficiencies are common in our country’s soils in general, and in order to prevent this, solutions are sought with organic origin applications. This effect was also observed in this study.
In the study, in order to determine the changes in soil properties as a result of the treatments, soil samples were taken from the treatment plots according to the productivity principle and analyzed. The effects of the treatments on soil properties were found to be statistically (p < 0.05) significant. The results obtained are given in Table 6.
When Table 6 is examined, it is seen that the differences in soil available P content in the second year and available Zn content in the first year depending on the applications were not found to be statistically significant. In general, the second-year soil nutrient content was higher than the first-year soil sample results in terms of total N, available P, available K, Na and available microelements. Organic C-rich materials improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and increase plant growth [18]. VC and FYM increase soil nutrient availability [55]. It has been reported that FYM application increases plant P uptake and soil P availability [56]. This effect is associated with the release of both P and low molecular weight organic acids during the decomposition of organic components [57]. Organic acids/anions can solubilize insoluble P and compete with phosphate for adsorption sites on the surfaces of soil particles, thereby increasing P availability [58]. In addition, organic compounds have been reported to increase soil biological and enzyme activities, thereby increasing P availability through dissolved organic carbon in the soil [59].
It is thought that the change between the applications was not significant in the study because the nutrient contents in the soil were above the sufficiency limit value. Humic substances provided by the application of materials of organic origin to the soil play an important direct and indirect role in the development of plants. The direct effect on plants occurs by affecting root development and the metabolism of nutrients absorbed by plants. Humic acid indirectly increases the availability of nutrients by improving water retention, drainage, aeration and by forming water-soluble forms by forming chelate compounds or metallic-hydroxides with metallic ions.

4. Conclusions

In terms of the plant parameters evaluated in the study, the efficiency of FYM organic fertilizer was found to be higher in all parameters. Considering the soil characteristics of our country, it can be said that L and VC organic fertilizers, especially FYM, will increase success in organic seed production. According to the results of the analysis of the seed samples, it was observed that the organic materials applied in the organic farming process increased the nutrient element contents of the seeds at different levels. When the nutrient element content was evaluated in terms of seed quality, it was observed that the effect of FYM and VC applications was more apparent. The reason for better results in FYM and VC applications can be explained by the fact that it has both structural and nutrient element content and is more easily mineralized.
In the conducted study, the differences in seed nutrient content between years varied depending on the change in the available nutrient content of the soil and climatic conditions.
Materials of organic origin are known to be beneficial in terms of the ecological balance, the sustainable continuation of soil fertility, the increase in plant health and quality, and the proper use of natural resources. In the organic production process, fertilizer application levels should be determined by considering soil properties and plant needs in the application of organic origin materials to soils as organic carbon sources. Therefore, economic applications and fertilization programs can be put forward depending on the conditions. Since the type and application level of organic fertilizers to be used in the studies to be carried out are also of great importance in terms of mineralization, these factors should be taken into consideration in the studies to be planned.

Author Contributions

Formal analysis, S.D.; Resources, S.B.; Writing—original draft, B.B.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Data Availability Statement

Data is contained within the article.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Nilüfer Municipality in Bursa for providing the application area for this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Table 1. Temperature, precipitation and relative humidity values for 2020 and 2021 in Bursa/Nilüfer during the long years average and the study period.
Table 1. Temperature, precipitation and relative humidity values for 2020 and 2021 in Bursa/Nilüfer during the long years average and the study period.
MonthsOld-Field AverageYear 2020Year 2021
Temperature
(°C)		Precipitation
(mm)		Relative Humidity
(%)		Temperature
(°C)		Precipitation
(mm)		Relative Humidity
(%)		Temperature
(°C)		Precipitation
(mm)		Relative Humidity
(%)
May17.4344.3062.1717.5093.7068.8018.6014.5067.10
June22.5736.3057.7421.7040.5067.9020.9061.7073.00
July24.8517.2856.1224.801.3064.1025.5032.8066.10
August24.5613.7057.3724.701.5062.0025.900.1060.60
Total-111.58--148.70--109.10-
Average22.35-58.3522.18-65.7022.73 66.70
Table 2. Soil characteristics of the experimental area.
Table 2. Soil characteristics of the experimental area.
CharacteristicsValuesLimit Values *
% Sand27.2Clay
% Silt21.9
% Clay50.8
pH8.1Slightly alkaline
EC, µS cm−1315No Salt
Lime, %5.8Medium calcareous
Organic matter, %3.1High
Total N, %0.298High
Available P, mg kg−125.0Very high
Available Na, mg kg−1130.0Low
Available K, mg kg−154.6Very low
Available Ca, mg kg−14900Very high
Available e Mg, mg kg−123.6Very low
DTPA-Cu, mg kg−127.4Very high
DTPA-Zn, mg kg−12.0Low
DTPA-Mn, mg kg−112.9Low
DTPA-Fe, mg kg−114.7Middle
* Soil nutrient element limit values are specified according to suitability for vegetables.
Table 3. Some properties of the organic materials used in the experiment.
Table 3. Some properties of the organic materials used in the experiment.
FYMLVC
pH7.704.189.18
EC, mS cm−13.23.756.97
Organic matter, %75.0355.1447.3
Total N, %2.11.450.95
C:N ratio20.7222.0528.8
Total P, %1.050.030.38
Total K, %0.810.600.88
Total Fe, %0.081.270.96
Total Cu, mg kg−155.425.141.0
Total Zn, mg kg−1397.015.295.0
Total Mn, mg kg−1332.026.3283.0
FYM: farmyard manure, L: leonardite, VC: vermicompost.
Table 4. Vegetative growth height, plant diameter width, fruit height and fruit diameter measurements of eggplant ’Pala-49’ type at the end of FYM, L and VC organic fertilizer application.
Table 4. Vegetative growth height, plant diameter width, fruit height and fruit diameter measurements of eggplant ’Pala-49’ type at the end of FYM, L and VC organic fertilizer application.
YearsApplicationVegetative Growth Height (cm)Plant Diameter Width
(cm)		Fruit
Height (cm)		Fruit
Diameter
(cm)
1st YearControl57.26 b *54.00 ab15.85 b5.02 b
FYM68.06 a61.20 a21.90 a6.73 a
L55.93 b52.13 b14.68 b5.06 b
VC61.13 ab59.00 ab16.61 b4.89 b
Means60.59 A56.58 A17.26 A5.42 B
2nd YearControl55.81 b53.02 ab16.76 b4.73 c
FYM65.12 a60.50 a20.73 a6.70 a
L52.65 b51.85 b14.67 b5.06 bc
VC61.47 ab58.70 ab15.57 b5.54 b
Means58.76 B56.01 B16.93 B5.50 A
* Letters indicate different groups at p ≤ 0.05 level.
Table 5. Effects of FYM, L and VC organic fertilizer applications on the nutrient element content in seeds of eggplant ’Pala-49’ variety.
Table 5. Effects of FYM, L and VC organic fertilizer applications on the nutrient element content in seeds of eggplant ’Pala-49’ variety.
YearsApplicationPlant Nutrient Element
N,
%		P,
%		K,
%		Ca,
%		Na,
mg kg−1		Fe,
mg kg−1		Cu,
mg kg−1		Mn,
mg kg−1		Zn,
mg kg−1
1st YearControl0.242 ns0.286 ns 0.210 b *0.026 ns0.091 ns11.9 c 37.6 ns 77.6 d *29.3 c *
FYM0.2540.279 0.272 a0.0380.10317.6 c45.3 85.4 cd32.5 c
L0.2510.274 0.236 ab0.0280.09916.1 c43.8 93.7 cd28.8 c
VC0.2580.292 0.237 ab0.0360.10315.8 c47.3 110.3 c39.3 bc
Means0.2510.283 B ** 0.2390.032 0.09915.3 B ** 43.5 B **91.7 B **32.5 B **
2nd YearControl0.247 ns 0.417 ns 0.248 ab0.034 ns0.084 ns22.6 bc 72.0 ns146.6 b 41.7 bc
FYM0.2710.431 0.309 a0.0490.09231.7 ab85.4 152.5 b52.5 ab
L0.2660.433 0.277 ab0.0250.09030.0 ab83.2 172.4 ab45.1 abc
VC0.2700.456 0.274 ab0.0470.09435.1 a 89.8 200.7 a63.7 a
Means0.2640.434 A0.2770.039 0.09029.9 A82.6 A168.0 A50.7 A
* and ** indicate significant differences at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels of probability, respectively. ns indicates non-significant differences. Lower case letters are used to compare the mean of treatments, and upper case letters are used to compare the mean of years.
Table 6. Changes in soil characteristics depending on treatments of FYM, L and VC organic fertilizer.
Table 6. Changes in soil characteristics depending on treatments of FYM, L and VC organic fertilizer.
YearsTreatmentSoil Properties
N,
%		P,
mg kg−1		K,
g kg−1		Ca,
g kg−1		Na,
mg kg−1		Fe,
mg kg−1		Cu,
mg kg−1		Mn,
mg kg−1		Zn,
mg kg−1
1st YearControl0.14592.50.0784.0830.07946.616.5133.36.51 b *
FYM0.164114.50.1224.2240.08359.326.9032.06.90 b
L0.145124.80.0654.3960.08353.706.6229.26.90 b
VC0.154149.00.0824.3160.08451.158.2938.88.29 a
Means0.152B *120.2 B *0.089 B 4.255 A 0.082 B 52.6977.0832.2 B 17.72
2nd YearControl0.164136.5 b *0.0864.1050.11050.077.1041.8118.92
FYM0.181196.2 a0.1964.0810.10951.147.0955.1322.17
L0.190202.4 a0.1544.1640.10449.867.2944.2118.73
VC0.164198.7 a0.1764.0840.10460.408.0459.9025.66
Means0.190 A183.4 A0.167 A4.109 B0.107 A52.8637.3848.3 A21.37
* indicate significant differences at the 0.05 levels of probability. Lower-case letters are used to compare the mean of treatments, and upper-case letters are used to compare the mean of years.
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Başay, S.; Dorak, S.; Aşik, B.B. The Effects of Organic Fertilizer Applications on the Nutrient Elements Content of Eggplant Seeds. Agronomy 2025, 15, 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020439

AMA Style

Başay S, Dorak S, Aşik BB. The Effects of Organic Fertilizer Applications on the Nutrient Elements Content of Eggplant Seeds. Agronomy. 2025; 15(2):439. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020439

Chicago/Turabian Style

Başay, Sevinç, Saliha Dorak, and Barış Bülent Aşik. 2025. "The Effects of Organic Fertilizer Applications on the Nutrient Elements Content of Eggplant Seeds" Agronomy 15, no. 2: 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020439

APA Style

Başay, S., Dorak, S., & Aşik, B. B. (2025). The Effects of Organic Fertilizer Applications on the Nutrient Elements Content of Eggplant Seeds. Agronomy, 15(2), 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020439

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