Improving Potato Productivity and CO2 Sequestration by Using Organic Amendments and Foliar Calcium Application

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate, Agricultural Research Centre, Dokki 12411, Giza- Egypt

2 Physics and Chemistry Dept., Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

The necessity to conserve limited natural resources requires the investigation of alternative methods to improve food production while ensuring environmental sustainability. Using organic amendments can play a vital role in crop production and soil health. In this context, the performance of vermicomposting as an effective tool for converting organic waste materials into valuable organic amendments, integrated with foliar Ca supply at different rates, was investigated on a strategic potato crop (Solanum tuberosum, L.) cv. Sponta production system, compared to the traditional organic amendment of cattle manure, which is also integrated with foliar Ca supply. Two successive summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 were conducted under open field conditions at the Central Laboratory for Agriculture Climate (CLAC), Agriculture Research Centre. A split-plot design was applied  using vermicompost (20 m3/acre) compared to cattle manure at the same rate, combined with rates of foliar calcium application (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% calcium nitrate). The results indicated that integrating vermicompost organic waste with foliar calcium application significanly improved potato production, outperforming traditional amendment of cattle manure. Vermicompost with foliar calcium application improved potato yield, increased CO2 sequestration in the soil, maintained soil health and promoted environmental sustainability. 

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Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Sustainable Development
Volume 2, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 456-475

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