EFFECTS OF ANIMAL MANURES ON YIELD QUALITY AND NUTRIENT CONTENT IN ORGANIC BROCCOLI (BRASSICA OLERACEA L. VAR. ITALICA)

This study was conducted to determine the animal manures on yield, quality, and nutrient content of broccoli heads. Treatments consisted of 0, 30 and 60 t ha(-1) of sheep and cattle manure and organic commercial fertilizer (B5A). Manure rates significantly increased yield, average weight of main and secondary heads, and the diameter in broccoli compared to control. the highest total yield (27.74 t ha(-1) ) was obtained using sheep manure (30 t ha(-1)). At harvest, the highest amount of the total N in broccoli heads was measured at organic commercial fertilizer application. Potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) content increased with higher doses but, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) contents were not influenced. Additionally, the highest nutrient removal for broccoli heads was obtained at 30 t ha(-1) sheep manure application rate.