Effects of a certified organic fertilizer on the yield and market quality of root parsley (<i>Petroselinum crispum</i> (Mill) Nym. ex A.W. Hill ssp. <i>tuberosum</i> (Bernh.) Crov.)

Abstract

The study shows the results of a four-year study on the effects of Siforga, a certified organic fertilizer on the yield and market quality of the root of the parsley variety Berliner medium long. The researched fertilizer quantities were at the rates of 500, 1.000, 2.000 and 3.500 kg ha^-1 and the control treatment was a plot where no organic fertilizer was applied. Field trials were conducted in the spring cycle of parsley growing, from 2005 to 2008, in Starcevo, on anthropogenic soil of subtype chernozem with signs of gley in loess. The results of these study show that the lowest root yield was found in the control treatment (23.22 t ha^-1), while the  highest yield was found in the treatment with 1.000 kg ha^-1 of Siforga (37.03 t ha^-1). The best market quality of parsley root, that is, the largest portion of 1st class roots had 3.500 kg ha^-1 at rate of Siforga, whereas the poorest quality was obtained at 500 kg ha-1 rate of Siforga (75.11%).

Key words: Root parsley, organic fertilizer, root yield, market quality.