Controlled-Release Nutrient Fertilizer in Sustainable Irrigated Cabbage Production: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Agriculture seeks efficient solutions to reduce soil losses. The technology using controlled-release fertilizers promises to minimize nutrient leaching and apply fertilizers more efficiently, making agriculture more sustainable. This study evaluated the effect of different dosages of controlled-release fertilizers from the Multicote® Agri/Multigro® line by Haifa on greenhouse-grown cabbage production. Three treatments were tested: T1 (100% of the recommended dose), T2 (80%), and T3 (60%), in an experiment with completely randomized blocks and four replications. Two growing cycles were conducted. In the second cycle, without additional fertilizer application, the residual availability of nutrients rom the first cycle was assessed. Parameters analyzed included fresh head mass of cabbage, chemical analyses of plant tissue, and soil electrical conductivity. Results showed no statistically significant difference in fresh head mass among the three treatments. This suggests that even with a reduction of up to 40% in fertilizer dosage (as in treatment T3), cabbage production was not negatively affected. It was concluded that the treatment with 60% of the recommended dose provided a significant savings of 20% to 40% in fertilizer use compared to the other tested doses.