Vol. 5, Issue 7, Part B (2019)

Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted in a four replicated at the research farm, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, Afghanistan to examine the production of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and soil properties under varying levels of cow manure, inorganic fertilizer and cow manure + inorganic fertilizers. The treatments included: T1= Control, T2= CM 6 t ha^-1, T3= CM 8 t ha^-1, T4= CM 12 t ha^-1, T5= 100 Kg N ha ^-1, T6= 150 Kg N ha ^-1, T7= 200 Kg N ha ^-1, T8= 3 t CM + 90 Kg N ha^-1, T9= 5 t CM + 80 Kg N ha^-1 and T10= 7 t CM + 70 Kg N ha^-1. The results showed that highest spinach yield were obtained in T7 (200 Kg N ha ^-1) and followed by T8 (3 t CM + 90 Kg N ha^-1), which were 4.2 and 4.1 t ha^-1 respectively. Control treatment pot had significantly lower yield as compare with others treatments. The crop fertilized with T7 (200 Kg N ha ^-1), T8 (3 t CM + 90 Kg N ha^-1) and T6 (150 Kg N ha^-1) produced highest plant heights which were 27.8, 25.8 and 24.3 cm respectively. All treatments except from T2 (CM 6 t ha^-1) had significantly higher plant height than control treatment. The highest amount of soil NO₃-N was obtained in T7 (200 Kg N ha ^-1) and followed by T8 (3 t CM + 90 Kg N ha^-1), which were 23.8 and 22.5 mg/L respectively. The lowest amount was obtained in control treatment. In T2 (CM 6 t ha^-1), T3 (CM 8 t ha^-1) and T4 (CM 12 t ha^-1) the cow manure decreased soil NO₃-N and negatively impact in spinach yield. The highest amount of Ws- P₂O₅ and Ws- K₂O in T9 (5 t CM + 80 Kg N ha^-1) and T10 (7 t CM + 70 Kg N ha^-1) were 20.3, 22.8 and 32.3, 34.8 respectively, and the lowest amount of Ws- P₂O₅ and Ws- K₂O were obtained in control treatment. The results suggested that cow manure with applied N application can be a valuable practice for increasing yield and available nutrients in soil.