The influence of pig slurry fertilisation on the mineral content of horticultural crops grownin calcareous soils

The influence of pig slurry applications on the nutrient composition of three horticultural crops (pepper, tomato and lettuce) grown on two calcareous soils under irrigated conditions was studied. The optimum dose of pig slurry for nitrogen nutrition of the crops was found to be 100 m3 ha−1 and was independent of the number of previous applications. Soil characteristics had a great influence on the amount of phosphorus taken up by the plants. This is due to the large amount of phosphorus added in the slurry which remained in the soil in a plant-available form. As the number of applications increased, the amount of slurry required to satisfy the phosphorus requirement of the crops decreased. Amounts of slurry within 100-150 m3 ha−1 were required for adequate potassium plant nutrition. However, soil characteristics, particularly the amount of clay and thus its exchange capacity, had a significant influence on the plant potassium uptake.Peer reviewe