Response of alfalfa to the application of sheep dung and n fertilizer under siwa oasis conditions

الملخص EN

Under Siwa Oasis conditions in 1994 and 1995 seasons, fresh and dry alfalfa yields and their components were studied under the application of different sheep dung rates (SD) (20, 30 and 40 m3 fad-1 ; faddan = 4200m2), added in two installments during soil preparation and during winter of the second year.

Nitrogen rates (0, 10 and 15 kg fad-1) was applied after each cut.

The results indicated that applying sheep dung manure increased plant height, weight of stems, leaves yield per cut and seasonal yield in both seasons.

Higher production occurred with 40 m3 fad-1 SD and 10 kg N fed-1.

Generally, no significant differences were observed between 10 and 15 kg N fad-1 for most traits studied.

The interaction of SD and N rates was insignificant for all traits studied.