Field experiment was performed
during the 2004-2005 and
2005-2006 seasons at the Floriculture
Nursery, Experimental
Farm, Faculty of Agriculture,
Assiut University to investigate
the effects of plant spacing (15
and 30cm) and various fertilizer
treatments; cattle manure
(15m3/feddan), NPK fertilization
[ammonium nitrate (33.5% N)
60, calcium superphosphate
(15.5%P2O5) 45, and potassium
sulphate(48%K2O) 48kg/feddan]
and bio-fertilizers [Biogen (500g)
and phosphorein (300g/Kg seeds)
were added either individually or
in combination].
A complete randomized block
design in a split-plot arrangement
with four replicates was used in
this experiment. Plant spacing
was randomly distributed in the
main plots and fertilizer treatments
in the sub plots.
Data obtained showed that significant
increases were found in
branch number, seed production,
yields of volatile and fixed oil in
seeds in relation to plant spacing
of 30cm comparison to that of 15
cm. Moreover, leaf contents of
carbohydrates, nitrogen, phos
phorous and potassium recorded
similar trend. All fertilizer treatments
significantly increased
plant height and branch number
per plant compared to unfertilized
plants. However, cattle manure
was more effective in this
concern. Cattle manure produced
higher yields of seeds and volatile
oil than other treatments. In
addition, it significantly increased
leaf contents of carbohydrates,
N,P and K. The interaction
among treatments cleared
that the space of 30 cm along
with cattle manure yielded the
best results.