Ameliorative effects of microbial fertiliser on yield and quality parameters of curly lettuce and cucumber with fertiliser saving

ABSTRACT This research aimed to evaluate the potential effects of microbial fertilizer on the growth, yield and quality parameters and fertiliser savings of lettuce and cucumber. The study had control (C), microbial fertilisation (MF), chemical fertilisation (CF), chemical fertilisation + microbial fertilisation (CF + MF), 50% chemical fertilisation + microbial fertilisation (50% CF + MF) and dipping into microbial fertiliser + chemical fertilisation (D + CF) treatments. The highest head length, root collar diameter, soluble solids and leaf number of lettuce were obtained in D+CF. Maximum chlorophyll contents were obtained in CF, CF + MF and D + CF, all of which were higher than the C application. D + CF and CF + MF resulted in the highest total and marketable yields. In cucumber cultivation, although the highest fruit length was obtained in CF, CF + MF, 50% CF + MF and D + CF were only slightly less than CF. The highest fruit diameters were in CF + MF and 50% CF + MF. The chlorophyll contents were significantly more in 50% CF + MF and D + CF than in other applications. The highest first- and second-class yields were in 50% CF + MF and were significantly higher than those in C and CF. Average fruit weight was also higher in all MF applications. It counclud that the alone MF application is not important, so MF has to be used with organic or chemical fertilisers in lettuce and cucumber cultivation.