Effect of Irrigation Water and Organic Fertilizer on Reducing Nitrate Accumulation and Boosting Lettuce Productivity

Abstract Accumulation of high level nitrate (NO 3 ? ) in leaves is a serious issue for vegetable crops like lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.). Therefore, this study aimed to limit NO by adjusting the balance between fertilization and irrigation program lettuce. In strip plot design with three replicates, plants were grown under four fertilizer treatments regimes. Three organic fertilizers (biochar, compost vermicompost), addition mineral fertilizer, used. The regimes 60, 80 100% crop evapotranspiration, ETc (ETc60, ETc80, ETc100). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) potassium (K) matter (OM) soil as well yield, N, P, K estimated. Findings showed that vermicompost or biochar (with any regime) ETc60 effective combinations increasing content after harvest. Under ETc80 ETc100, efficient yield equaling farmer common practice (ETc100 x fertilizer). ETc60, highest leaf K. Moreover, recorded maximum leaves. accumulation owing reached about 1.24 times than fertilizers. Compost ETc100 minimal –N accumulation, hence, relative reductions compared fertilizer) observed. conclusion, 80% instead evapotranspiration organically fertilized (especially vermicompost) could be adopted since such productivity low content.