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Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] has the potential to be one of those crops that have gained the interest of people of the Western world due to their beneficial health effects. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization on yield and yield components of teff crop. A field experiment was laid out according to a randomized complete block design, with three replicates and three fertilization treatments [untreated, organic fertilizer (Bokashi) and inorganic fertilizer (34.5-0-0)]. The results showed that the higher plant height (85.9 cm), panicle length (33.4 cm), number of branches per panicle (9.3), number of grains per panicle (815.6), grain yield (1652 kg ha-1) and straw yield (3793 kg ha-1) were achieved through the application of inorganic fertilizer; however, the differences between the organic and inorganic fertilization were not statistically significant. The number of panicles per plant (9.6-10.4) and thousand grain weight (0.316-0.327 g) were not affected by fertilization. Finally, the results indicated that the organic fertilizer (Bokashi) should be considered as an alternative to chemical fertilizers for teff production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for organically grown products is increasing because many people are concerned about the environment and believe that organic products are healthier than conventional ones. Some studies have shown that organically produced tomato fruits contain higher levels of antioxidants, polyphenols and carotenoids than those produced conventionally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic fertilization on agronomic and quality characteristics of the processing tomato. The 2-year experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, with three replications and three fertilization treatments (untreated, compost and inorganic fertilizer). The results showed that the highest fruit number per plant (98.5), average fruit weight (63.6 g) and fruit yield (168.0 t ha-1) were obtained under inorganic fertilization. The highest total soluble solids (4.39 °Brix) and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (17.4), L* (43.4) and a* (35.4) values, as well as the highest lycopene content (88.5 mg kg-1 f.w). were achieved through the application of organic fertilizer. Significantly higher total soluble solids and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio in organically grown tomatoes are particularly important to the processing tomato industry. Finally, the highest lycopene content produced under organic fertilization as well as the non-significant difference between the organic and conventional tomatoes in terms of lycopene yield make organic processing tomatoes suitable for lycopene production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Greece common marigold is one of the major medicinal plants widely used in cosmetics, perfumes and the pharmaceutical industry. A field experiment was conducted at Komotini, Greece, to compare the effect of organic and conventional fertilization combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on yield and floral qualitative characteristics of the common marigold during the 2015 growing season. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three replicates, three main plots (fertilization treatments, inorganic, organic and untreated) and two sub-plots (addition/non-addition of commercial mycorrhiza of the genus Glomus spp.). Floral fresh and dry weight as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers were recorded. Data analysis confirmed no significant correlation between fresh/dry floral yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers and type of fertilization. The results also demonstrate a tendency of increase of the fresh or dry weight of the flowers when the commercial mycorrhiza is applied but it is not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is economically one of the most important annual crops in the world grown for edible oil and for bio-energy purposes. Due to the high cost and the environmental concern, fertilization is among the agronomic inputs that ought to be reconsidered and further studied. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the growth and productivity of three sunflower hybrids under several fertilization regimes. The experiment was conducted in Agricultural University of Athens according to the split-split plot design (randomized complete block) with three replicates, three main plots (inorganic, organic and untreated) and three subplots (sunflower hybrids: Neoma, P64HE39, P64LL62). Several growth and yield parameters were measured. The results indicated that Neoma was the most productive hybrid and the one which reacted better in terms of its vegetative growth in the incorporation of the organic compost. Organic fertilization had a significantly positive effect on yield and seed number of P64HE39 and P64LL62. Conclusively, organic fertilization of sunflower hybrids can result to high yields and it can be suggested as a successful practice to sunflower growers as long as the interactions between fertilization regime and hybrid are going to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for aromatic plants as ornamentals and sources of essential oils has increased recently. A float system is a promising alternative method of seedling production. Two cropping systems, float and conventional (seed bed), and two nutrient solution formulations, one organic and one inorganic, were evaluated for Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Mentha spicata (spearmint) seedling production. Basil seedlings grown in float system had better or comparable growth of shoots and leaves with those grown in seedbeds, irrespective of the fertilization, whereas spearmint organic fertilization reduced the growth of the aboveground parts of the seedlings, regardless of the cropping system. By contrast, fertilization treatments on both species' seedling grown in float system showed better root length and higher root biomass accumulation. The survival percentage of seedlings after transplanting, as well as the subsequent growth of plants, were not seriously affected by the cropping system of the fertilization method during transplant production. Overall, we conclude that a float system can be used for the production of Ocimum basilicum and Mentha spicata seedlings under organic or inorganic fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]