The effect of liquid algae fertilizer and vermicompost on barley growth and root zone microbiological properties

Today, the use of organic fertilizers is preferred as an alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers. It has been determined that the structure of the soil is deteriorated with the use of chemical fertilizers and it causes great damage to plant development. This leads us to organic fertilizer. It has been observed in studies that vermicompost, one of the preferred organic fertilizers, accelerates plant growth, increases germination rate, and suppresses soil-borne plant diseases. In many countries, liquid algae fertilizer, which is used both as a liquid extract and directly mixed with the soil; Its effects such as strong root development in the plant, accelerating the formation of chlorophyll in plants, making plants more resistant to diseases and environmental stresses, removing micro and macro elements from the soil in a balanced way, increasing the effect of agricultural pesticides and reducing the damage of nematodes in the soil have been observed in studies. In this thesis, the effects of barley growth and root zone microbiological properties were investigated by using liquid algae fertilizer and vermicompost fertilizer. Vermicompost and liquid algae fertilizer were obtained from dealers selling commercial fertilizers. Barley seeds were also obtained from the GAP Agricultural Research Institute. The soils used in the experiment were taken from a depth of 0-25 cm from the surface without any application, passed through a 2 mm sieve and filled into pots. In the experiment, 2 kg pots with plates were used. Ammonium sulphate at a dose of 6 kg N/da and TSP at a dose of 6 kg P2O5/ da were given to all pots with planting as basic fertilizer. 4 doses of vermicompost (0%, 10%, 20% and 40%), 4 doses of liquid moss fertilizer (0%, 1%, 2% and 3%) and the combination of vermicompost and liquid moss fertilizer were applied to the soils separately before planting. For each application group, a total of 48 pots were used, 3 of which were parallel to the pots. Liquid algae fertilizer was applied to the pots as 50 ml, and the plants were regularly watered with distilled water until harvest when necessary. Barley seeds were sown 5 in each pot, diluted to 3 after emergence. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with natural light according to the randomized plot design. Plants were harvested 60 days after planting. The results obtained at the end of the harvest were an increase in the amount of chlorophyll, elongation in plant height, strong root development and elongation, and observable changes in green parts in fresh and dry weights. In addition, the activities of some microbiological activities in the soil in the root zone with the used vermicompost and liquid algae fertilizer were examined. This alternative organic fertilizer, which is used because Turkey's soil is poor in terms of organic nutrients, is of great importance for the sustainability of agriculture.