The Effect of Foliar and Soil Application of Urea Fertilizer on the Growth of the Vegetative Total of Nalta Jute (Corchorus Olitorius)

Abstract

The study was conducted in Wadi Ataba region in southwestern Libya during the summer season of 2023 to investigate the growth response of Nalta Jute plants to foliar spraying and ground fertilization. A practical study was carried out according to a complete block design (RCBD) to study the effect of nitrogen fertilization on growth traits (plant height and number of leaves) for the season, where the treatments included four levels of fertilization with (urea 46.4% N) fertilizer (0, 0.5, 1, and 4) g N/254 cm², coded as  (N0, N1, N2, N3) respectively by adding it to the soil surface directly, and (0, 0.5, 1, 4) g N/litre (R1, R0, R2, R3) respectively by spraying it on the leaves by dissolving it in 1L of water. The study concluded that there were significant differences between the added concentrations of urea as they affected plant growth traits. It was found that the fertilization level of 1 g/254 cm² and 1 g/L for foliar and ground fertilization had the best effect on plant characteristics. In comparison, the concentration of 4 g/254 cm² and 4 g/L for foliar and ground fertilization affected the plants negatively, resulting in leaf drop and the death of some plants. The study showed significant differences in plant height and number of leaves in foliar fertilizer spraying compared to spreading it on the soil surface, and the study also showed the effect of fertilizer type and concentration on wet and dry weight.