Compost and vermicompost enhances the growth, uptake and quality of zucchini plants (cucurbita pepo l.) grown on sandy soils

Compost and vermicompost enhances the growth, uptake and quality of zucchini plants (cucurbita pepo l.) grown on sandy soils | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Compost and vermicompost enhances the growth, uptake and quality of zucchini plants (cucurbita pepo l.) grown on sandy soils Saudi A. Rekaby, Adel M. Ghoneim, Mostafa Gebreel, Waleed Ali, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3188708/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Producing of safe food from alkaline sandy soils under high rates of chemical fertilization is a serious concern in Egypt. Compost and vermicompost can improve soil fertility and crop production, but their application has not been well evaluated in zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivation. This study aimed to determine the effects of compost and vermicompost on the yield, nutrient uptake of zucchini as well as on soil properties under field conditions. Four fertilization treatments, including a control without fertilization (CO), chemical fertilizer (CF), compost (CT), and vermicompost (VC) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The results showed that CT and VC application significantly increased the yield of zucchini by 17 and 53%, respectively, in comparison with CF treatment. In addition, CT and VC treatments significantly increased the soil organic matter, soil availability of NPK compared with those in the CO and CF treatments. The application of the CT and VC amendments increased the N, P and K uptake significantly as compared to the CO and CF treatments. The highest values of N, P and K use efficiency were found in the CT treatment. The highly significant and positive correlation was found among different soil properties and zucchini traits. CT and VC are crucial for increasing productivity, improving fruit quality, and yield of zucchini fruit and can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers for zucchini cultivation. Biological sciences/Plant sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences Compost Chemical fertilizer Fruit quality Nutrient uptake Vermicompost Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 1. Introduction Excessive long-term application of chemical fertilizers may negatively impact on environmental ecosystems and reduce the soil quality which consequently may reduce crop productivity. Overpopulation in the Egypt has led to an increase in the demand for food, which focused the attention to raise the crops production [ 1 , 2 ]. This led to an increase in the use of chemical fertilizers, especially in the cultivation of vegetable crops, where large amounts of chemical fertilizers are used in order to obtain the highest productivity [ 3 ]. The rates of chemical fertilizers used in the cultivation of vegetable crops are increasing compared to other crops because of intensive cultivation, which leads to exacerbate and increase the harmful effects on health and the environment, especially the residual effect of nitrate [ 4 ]. Although chemical fertilizers provide nutrients that are immediately available to plants to rapidly improve plant growth and crop yield, these fertilizers cannot replace the soil organic matter (SOM) that may be lost due to intensive cultivation [ 5 , 6 ]. Maintaining appropriate levels of SOM is important as it ensures efficient nutrients, which contributes to sustainable management of sandy soil [ 7 ]. Instead, vermicompost (VC) and compost (CT) application can increase the content of SOM, which improves soil fertility and crop production. For organic farming, VC and CT have been used as important alternatives to chemical fertilizers because chemical fertilizers are prohibited in organic farming [ 8 , 9 ]. VC is a kind of natural eco-manure, which is the product of organic matter degradation through the interaction between earthworms and microorganisms (10–12]. As a result, VC is regarded a nutrient-dense biofertilizer with a diversified microbial community (13–14]. VC contains nutrients that are readily taken up by the plants, such as, available-P, K, Ca and Mg. VC is an excellent soil amendment or conditioner because of high porosity, aeration, drainage, water-holding capacity and microbial activity [ 15 ]. Vermicomposting and composting are two distinct processes, and it is crucial not to confuse the two [ 16 ]. The vermicomposting process produces a high diversity and number of microorganisms because the temperature during VC production is suitable for worms [ 17 ]. Vermicompost was used as an organic fertilizer for several crops under greenhouses and fields conditions (Pierre-Louis et al. 2021). Extraordinary decrease in the C: N ratio of VC was testified than that was in the CT [ 18 , 19 ]. Zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops grown in Egypt for the local market. Zucchini plants belong to the cucurbit family ( Cucurbitaceae ), which are very diverse and popular for human consumption throughout the world [ 20 ]. However, zucchini fruit contain many nutrients, bioactive compounds (antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins) and have a high amount of dietary fiber, which is very low in calories [ 21 ]. However, intensive zucchini cultivation practices in Egypt need to use large amounts of chemical fertilizers, partly resulting in over-fertilization, soil degradation, and a decrease in SOM content. Therefore, it is necessary to provide alternatives to improve the sustainability of zucchini production. Soil degradation and its expansion are considered the greatest problem in Egypt, directly affecting food security and crop production [ 22 , 23 ]. Soil nutrients are necessary for crop growth and development and are critical factors for soil fertility along with adequate soil moisture, which is considered a key factor for crop growth and yield [ 24 , 25 ]. Therefore, manipulating nutrient release is an advanced and effective way to maintain sustainable zucchini production [ 26 , 27 ]. Farmers assume that the extensive use of CF leads to better yields of various crops without considering the hazardous effects on the environment. However, the continuous use of CF has negative impacts on the soil quality [ 28 , 29 ]. To ensure a healthy diet and reduce the environmental risks of chemical fertilizers, and in line with sustainable development programs that call for a return to nature, the current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing CF with VC and CT on soil fertility, growth, yield, and fruit quality of zucchini cultivation under field conditions. We hypothesized that VC and CT treatments would help produce zucchini fruit free from residual effect of CF and improve sandy soil properties under semi-arid conditions in Egypt. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Plant material Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hybrid squash Eskandarani F1, (Origin, USA, 2020); Product, lot #.PL385677, produced by Galaxy Seeds Company, USA. Imported by Ahmed Roshdy Ibrahim Company, Egypt. The collection of zucchini cultivar used in this experiment complies with institutional, national and international guidelines and legislation. 2.2. Location and experimental design Field experiment was carried out in 2021 and 2022 seasons at a commercial vegetable farm in Assiut city, Egypt (27°12′16.67′′ N; 31°09′36.86′′ E). The maximum and minimum temperatures and relative humidity during the two growing seasons are shown in Figure (1). The soil properties are summarized in Table (1). Each plot consisted of a 4.50 m-long and 3.0 m-wide with 3 terracing at a distance of 90 cm with ridge spacing of 40 cm in a row. Four treatments, including a control (CO) without fertilization, chemical fertilizer (CF), compost (CT) and vermicompost (VC) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. For the CF treatment, the recommended NPK fertilizers were applied at the rate of 178.5 kg N ha -1 , 71.4 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 , and 119 kg K 2 O ha -1 . Nitrogen fertilizer as urea (46% N) was applied in three splits: 20% as basal application, 40% 15 days after sowing (DAS), and 40% 15 days after second addition. Table 1. Physicochemical of the soil properties Property Unit Value Sand (g kg − 1 ) 457 ± 10.5 Silt (g kg − 1 ) 327 ± 6.90 Clay (g kg -1 ) 216 ± 5.40 Texture - Silty loam CaCO 3 (g kg − 1 ) 32.7 ± 2.57 Electrical conductivity EC (1: 2.5) (dS m − 1 ) 0.63 ± 0.10 pH (1: 2.5) - 7.90 ± 0.05 Organic matter (OM) (g kg − 1 ) 11.3 ± 1.39 Available N (mg kg − 1 ) 60.4 ± 5.40 Available P (mg kg − 1 ) 14.7 ± 1.30 Available K (mg kg − 1 ) 397 ± 5.30 Potassium fertilizer as potassium sulfate was applied in three splits: 40% 30 DAS, 30% 30 days from first addition, and 30% 30 days after the second addition; while the phosphorus fertilizer as (superphosphate) was applied in one split as basal application before sowing. The application rates of CT and (VC) were 7.15 t ha -1 each. The organic and chemical fertilizers were well mixed with the soil by raking to a depth of 10 cm. Seeds of zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo L.) were planted directly in soil on February 15th on 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. Each plot contained 18 zucchini plants (that equal to 13330 plants ha -1 ). Zucchini plants were collected 50 DAS and the fresh and dry weights were determined. In addition, the total chlorophyll content (SPAD) of the leaves was measured with (SPAD − 502-m Konica Minolta, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). The zucchini plants were harvested 90 DAS. Yield characteristics such as fruit length, diameter, number of fruit per plant, fruit weight, and total number of fruit per plot were recorded. The whole plants in each plot were gently removed and then rinsed with tap water. The yield (on a fresh weight basis) of each plot was recorded. Five plants were randomly collected from each plot and rinsed with deionized water before being oven-dried at 70°C for 72 h and accordingly, the dry weight biomass was recorded. 2.3. Plant nutrient analysis The dry zucchini plants were ground using a sample mill and stored in 20-mL plastic scintillation vials. The digestion of the plant tissues was performed using a mixture of 350 mL H 2 O 2 , 0.42 g selenium powder, 14 g LiSO 4 H 2 O and 420 mL concentrated H 2 SO 4 and then the total concentrations of N, P and K were measured according to methods of Page et al. [ 30 ]. 2.4. Soil and organic amendments analysis Compost (CT), produced from 100% of plant residues, was obtained from the Nile company, Al Obour city, Egypt, while the vermicompost (VC) was collected from Agricultural Climate Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. Samples of the CT and VC were digested, filtered and then the filtrate was used to determine the total N, P, and K contents according to Parkinson and Allen [ 31 ]. The pH of CT and VC was measured in a 1: 5 suspensions by a digital pH meter and electrical conductivity (EC) was estimated in 1: 5 extract using EC meter as described by Burt [ 32 ]. The soil organic carbon content was determined according to Walkley–Black method [ 33 ]. Some characteristics of the CT and VC are shown in Table (2). Table 2 Some chemical composition of the compost and vermicompost Property Unit Compost Vermicompost Electrical conductivity EC (1: 5) (dS m − 1 ) 4.39 ± 0.07 3.89 ± 0.82 pH (1: 5) - 7.77 ± 0.07 7.88 ± 0.05 Organic carbon (OC) (g kg − 1 ) 203 ± 3.12 237.6 ± 2.89 Total N (g kg − 1 ) 16.4 ± 2.31 16.9 ± 6.76 Total P (g kg − 1 ) 6.80 ± 1.43 12.9 ± 0.84 Total K (g kg − 1 ) 18.7 ± 0.80 10.9 ± 0.90 C: N ratio - 12.4 ± 0.70 14.1 ± 1.20 Each value represents a mean ± standard error (SE) of three replicates Before planting and at the end of the experiment, soil samples were taken from each pot, air-dried, crushed, passed through a 2 mm sieve, and then analyzed for the physical and chemical properties. Total calcium carbonate in the soil was determined by Collin’s Calcimeter method. Particle size distribution was determined according to the pipette method [ 34 ]. Available soil N was extracted using 1% K 2 SO 4 ; soil available P extracted with 0.5 M NaHCO 3 at pH 8.5 and soil available K by ammonium acetate 1M at pH 7 according to Jackson [ 33 ]. Soil pH was measured in in a 1: 2.5 of a soil to deionized water suspension using a glass electrode while, the electrical conductivity (EC) was measured in a 1: 2.5 of a soil to water extract using the EC-meter according to Page et al [ 30 ]. Agronomic nutrient use efficiency (NUE) was calculated according to the following equation: NUE = (Y t \(-\) Y 0 ) / N Where: Y t = yield of treatment (kg); Y 0 = yield of control (kg) and N is the amounts of added fertilizers (kg). 2.5. Statistical analysis The statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance technique by means of statistics 8.1 software package. Means of treatments were compared using the Duncan's multiple range test with a probability of P < 0.05 [ 35 ]. Principal component analysis (PCA) between soil properties and plant traits were run by Past software, version 4.06 and also the correlations among the soil properties and plant traits were calculated. 3. Results 3.1. Zucchini growth, yield and fruit quality Application of CT, VC and CF significantly ( P < 0.05 ) increased the fresh and dry weights of fruit of zucchini plants compared to the CO treatment in 2021 and 2022 seasons (Fig. 2 ). The fruit fresh weight of the treatments can be arranged in a descending order: CT > VC > CF > CO, while in fruit dry weight can be arranged in a descending order: CT > CF > VC > CO. The highest total chlorophyll in zucchini leaves was recorded in CT treatment. Significant differences were found in the fruit number, fruit length, fruit diameter, and zucchini yield among treatments (Fig. 3 ). Compared to the CO treatment, the fruit number per plant increased in the CF, VC, and CT by 21, 10, and 37%, respectively. Fruit weight increased by 1, 5 and 8%, respectively, in the CF, VC, and CT treatments, while fruit length increased by 24, 10 and 13%, respectively. Compared to the CO treatment, the fruit diameter increased by 21, 6, and 10%, respectively, while CF, VC, and CT treatments increased fruit dry weight by 13, 9 and 5%, respectively. The highest yield of zucchini was recorded in CT treatment in both seasons. Significant differences were found in the total soluble solids, N, P and K contents of zucchini fruit (Fig. 4 ). The CF treatment, flowed by VC recorded the highest total soluble solids and total NPK contents. 3.2. Zucchini uptake and nutrient use efficiencies Significant differences were found in N, P, and K uptake by zucchini among the treatments (Table 3 ). In general, the CT treatments significantly increased N, P, and K uptake by the zucchini plants. Consequently, N, P and K uptake can be arranged in the descending order: CT > CF > VC > CO treatments in 2021 and 2022 seasons. Significant differences were found in the agronomic NUE, PUE and PUE by zucchini among the treatments. In general, the CT treatment significantly increased the agronomic NUE, PUE and PUE by zucchini plants (Table 3 ). 3.3. Soil chemical properties After harvest, significant differences were found in the soil pH, EC, soil OM and availability of soil NPK contents among the treatments (Table 4 ). The added CT and CV significantly changed soil pH compared to the CF treatment. At harvest, the CT and VC treatments slightly reduced the soil pH, but the soil pH in the CF treatment increased to 7.83 and 7.85 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The higher soil pH values were recorded in CF, while the lowest ones were in CT in 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The EC value of the CO was significantly lower than that of the soil supplied with CT and VC treatments. Compared to the CO, the CF, VC, and CT significant ( P < 0.05 ) increased the EC values by 39, 17 and 53%, respectively. The CO and CF treatments showed a significantly lower content of OM than the CT and VC treatments. A Significant difference was observed in soil available N among the treatments, soil available N and soil available K were significantly enhanced by the CT and VC treatments. Consequently, soil available P and soil available K can be arranged in the descending order: CT > CF > VC > CO treatments. Table 3 Impact of different fertilizer sources on NPK uptake and nutrients use efficiency Treatments N Uptake P Uptake K Uptake NUE PUE KUE (kg ha − 1 ) (kg fruit kg nutrient − 1 ) 2021 CO 27.83 ± 0.36d 7.25 ± 0.75d 34.46 ± 1.32c - - - CF 108.25 ± 1.23b 21.22 ± 1.21b 101.24 ± 3.12a 34.9 ± 0.87b 87.2 ± 2.12b 52.3 ± 1.45b VC 52.46 ± 1.02c 12.98 ± 1.54c 54.55 ± 2.54b 25.2 ± 0.56c 63.1 ± 1.88c 37.8 ± 0.98c CT 154.24 ± 2.33a 27.85 ± 0.97a 105.43 ± 2.64a 65.3 ± 1.34a 163.3 ± 3.21a 98.0 ± 1.98a 2022 CO 27.89 ± 0.54d 5.93 ± 0.54d 32.10 ± 0.43c - - - CF 115.99 ± 2.43b 22.60 ± 1.03b 105.60 ± 1.55a 53.2 ± 0.88b 133.0 ± 3.65b 79.8 ± 1.56b VC 57.16 ± 1.54c 14.74 ± 0.87c 61.61 ± 0.98b 37.2 ± 0.98c 92.9 ± 0.78c 55.8 ± 0.78c CT 146.99 ± 2.32a 28.06 ± 1.32a 105.82 ± 1.01a 72.8 ± 1.23a 182.1 ± 3.11a 109.2 ± 0.54a CO = control, CF = chemical fertilizer, CT = compost, VC = vermicompost. NUE = nitrogen use efficiency, PUE = phosphorus use efficiency, KUE = potassium use efficiency. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly ( P < 0.05) according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The values are means ± standard error, n = 5. Table 4 Effects of organic amendments on selected soil properties Treatments pH EC OM Available N Available P Available K (dS m − 1 ) (g Kg − 1) (mg kg − 1 ) 2021 CO 7.80 ± 0.02a 0.38 ± 0.01c 10.9 ± 0.21c 50.4 ± 1.12c 8.71 ± 1.43c 221.7 ± 1.76c CF 7.83 ± 0.01a 0.53 ± 0.01a 10.7 ± 0.02c 60.2 ± 1.23b 16.4 ± 0.92a 466.4 ± 4.12b VC 7.76 ± 0.02b 0.45 ± 0.02b 13.5 ± 0.10b 67.8 ± 1.23a 12.7 ± 1.32b 452.7 ± 4.98b CT 7.71 ± 0.01c 0.58 ± 0.02a 16.1 ± 0.12a 71.9 ± 1.04a 18.8 ± 0.23a 689.2 ± 3.23a 2022 CO 7.77 ± 0.05b 0.36 ± 0.02c 10.6 ± 0.88c 54.8 ± 2.02b 9.20 ± 1.34c 201.9 ± 2.54c CF 7.85 ± 0.03a 0.58 ± 0.02a 10.6 ± 0.76c 58.0 ± 1.98b 17.7 ± 1.43a 426.5 ± 1.76b VC 7.74 ± 0.01b 0.53 ± 0.01b 14.5 ± 0.78b 64.9 ± 2.32a 11.4 ± 0.98b 462.9 ± 1.34b CT 7.68 ± 0.03c 0.62 ± 0.03a 17.2 ± 0.98a 68.7 ± 1.32a 17.6 ± 1.23a 609.3 ± 4.44a CO = control, CF = chemical fertilizer, CT = compost, VC = vermicompost. OM = organic matter; EC = electrical conductivity. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly ( P < 0.05) according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The values are means ± standard error, n = 5. 3.4. Correlation between soil properties and zucchini traits The first two principal components (PCs) of PCA accounted for 93.7% of the variation between soil properties and zucchini traits (Table 5 and Fig. 5 ). The PC1 accounted for 65.1% of the variance and was significantly and positively correlated with soil electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), soil available N (AN), soil available P (AP), soil available K (AK), average fruit number (AFN), fruit weight (FW), fresh biomass (Fb), dry biomass (Db), nitrogen uptake (NUp), and phosphorus uptake (Pup). While the PC2 accounted for 20.8% of the variance and was correlated positively with fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), fruit dry matter (DM), total chlorophyll (TCh), total soluble solids (T.S.S), potassium uptake (KUp), and total yield (TY) and significantly and negatively correlated with the soil pH (Fig. 5 ). The addition of CT and CF treatments positively increased the nutrient availability and zucchini growth indicators. Table 5 Correlation coefficient among soil properties and zucchini traits Variables pH E.C OM AN AP AK AFN FW FL FD DM TCh Fb Db TSS NUp Pup KUp TY pH 1.0 EC -0.46 1.0 OM -0.98 0.59 1.0 AN -0.88 0.68 0.95 1.0 AP -0.58 0.99 0.70 0.74 1.0 AK -0.69 0.94 0.81 0.88 0.97 1.0 AFN -0.56 0.99 0.67 0.71 1.00 0.95 1.0 FW -0.93 0.67 0.98 0.99 0.75 0.88 0.73 1.0 FL 0.19 0.75 -0.01 0.21 0.64 0.57 0.65 0.14 1.0 FD 0.29 0.71 -0.12 0.08 0.59 0.48 0.60 0.02 0.99 1.0 DM 0.30 0.49 -0.11 0.19 0.36 0.39 0.35 0.07 0.89 0.84 1.0 TCh 0.53 0.44 -0.36 -0.10 0.29 0.23 0.30 -0.19 0.92 0.93 0.93 1.0 Fb -0.78 0.91 0.85 0.83 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.87 0.41 0.35 0.14 0.03 1.0 Db -0.45 1.00 0.58 0.65 0.99 0.93 0.99 0.65 0.75 0.71 0.46 0.43 0.91 1.0 TSS 0.31 0.69 -0.15 0.05 0.58 0.46 0.59 -0.01 0.98 1.00 0.82 0.93 0.33 0.70 1.0 NUp -0.45 0.99 0.57 0.63 0.99 0.92 0.99 0.64 0.72 0.69 0.42 0.40 0.91 1.00 0.68 1.0 Pup -0.47 1.00 0.61 0.71 0.98 0.96 0.98 0.70 0.76 0.70 0.53 0.45 0.90 0.99 0.69 0.98 1.0 KUp 0.18 0.79 -0.02 0.16 0.69 0.57 0.70 0.11 0.98 0.99 0.78 0.87 0.46 0.79 0.99 0.78 0.78 1.0 TY -0.35 0.63 0.51 0.75 0.59 0.73 0.56 0.65 0.63 0.50 0.77 0.50 0.52 0.59 0.47 0.54 0.69 0.50 1.0 Values are different from 0 with a significance level at 0.05. Electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, (OM), soil available N (AN), available P (AP), available K (AK), average fruit number (AFN), fruit weight (FW), fresh biomass (Fb), dry biomass (Db), nitrogen uptake (NUp), and phosphorus uptake (Pup). While the PC2 accounted for 20.8% of the variance and was correlated positively with fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), fruit dry matter (DM), total chlorophyll (TCh), total soluble solids (T.S.S), potassium uptake (KUp), and total yield (TY). 4. Discussion The results of field study reveals that the CT and VC treatments can be used as an alternative to CF for zucchini cultivation because they significantly improve soil quality as a result of increasing soil OM, soil available NPK. Consequently, these changes in soil properties enhance the growth, yield, fruit quality and nutrient uptake of zucchini. The results of this study may be useful when applying CT and VC as a complete or partial substitute for CF in zucchini cultivation. To be applied as a replacement for CF, CT and VC should be supplied a rate of available N similar to that provided by CF, but the most important conditions is to meet the N requirement of a given crop. Although it is difficult to calculate the amount of CT and VC to be used as a total substitute for CF, the most rational way is to establish comparisons between these two kinds of fertilizers which may be based on their similar N availability [ 36 , 37 ]. CT and VC, used in this study, significantly improved sandy soil properties, suggesting that they can be included in the integrated soil fertility management for zucchini cultivation. In this study, the original field soil pH was 7.90, which is higher than limit of pH 5.50 for most vegetable growth, including zucchini. At harvest, the CT and VC treatments slightly reduced the soil pH probably due to the release of H + ions, organic acids and CO 2 . The increased salt concentration in soils that accompanies the application of composts is a major environmental concern [ 38 , 39 ]. However, the current results indicated that CT and VC application have increased soil EC slightly. These results may have resulted from the considerable uptake of nutrients by zucchini plants in plots treated with CT or VC as well as the possibility of leaching during irrigation. A significant difference was observed in soil available N and soil available P among treatments. This could be attributed to the higher levels of P and K that accompanied the application of CT or VC, as the application rate of these composts was calculated based on the N requirement estimated by the N content and assumed mineralization rate during the zucchini growing periods. Previous studies have suggested that increasing OM enhances soil microbial activity [ 40 , 41 ]. Our results showed that the application of CT and VC significantly increased soil OM content which is in agreement with previous studies. OM management through the use of CT and/or VC can improve crop growth, yield, and the residual effects of compost application they can also sustain crop production for several years through the continual release of nutrients from OM [ 42 , 43 ]. Organic matter plays a critical role in soil because it provides substrates for decomposing microbes, improves soil structure and water holding capacity [ 44 , 45 ]. In addition, there is an indirect effect via improvement of soil properties that induces an optimal root growth. Similar results were reported by Rekaby et al., [ 42 , 44 , 46 ] who found that compost application increased soil OM, enhanced nutrient uptake. These results may be a direct effect of CT and VC addition in increasing the soil nutrient contents. The application of CT and VC gave the highest values of soil N, P and soil K availability and uptake confirming their ability to increase the efficient use of N, P and K fertilizers. The growth, quality, and yield of zucchini plants were improved by the application of CT and VC. In the current study, there were clear increases in chlorophyll and nutrient uptake which is likely to have led to the increase in vegetative growth and total plant biomass. Soils under semi-arid conditions, in Egypt, suffer from high alkalinity and consequently, the quality of the soil is clearly reduced. Lowering the soil pH provides ideal conditions for increasing nutrients availability, thus increasing the activity of soil microorganisms and increasing the secretion of soil enzymes [ 47 , 48 ]. The results may be attributed to the ability of added CT and VC retains nutrients, reduce nutrients losses, resulting in increased nutrient uptake. 5. Conclusions This study demonstrates that compost and vermicompost can be used as a complete substitute for chemical fertilizers in zucchini cultivation under field conditions because they significantly improve sandy soil properties as a result of increasing soil organic matter, availability of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The changes in soil properties, in turn, enhance zucchini growth, nutrient uptake, fruit quality and yield compared to chemical fertilizers. The results of this study may be beneficial when applying compost and vermicompost as a complete or partial substitute for chemical fertilizers in zucchini production under field conditions. Declarations Data availability The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Author Contributions: Conceptualization, A.M.G.; methodology, S.A.R. and W.M.A.; software, A.M.G, and A.F.Y.; investigation, S.A.R.; data curation A. M.G and S.A.R.; writing—original draft preparation, A.M.G and S.A.R.; writing—review and editing; visualization, A.M.G.; supervision, A.M.G and S.A.R.; project administration, A.F.Y and M.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: This research was funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank. Institutional Review Board Statement: “Not applicable” Informed Consent Statement: “Not applicable” Data Availability Statement: “Not applicable” Acknowledgments: The authors express their gratitude to Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch), for their assistance during this work. We would like to thank the Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority and Egyptian Knowledge Bank for funding this article. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. 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Techno-economic assessment of agricultural land remediation measures through nutrient management practices to achieve sustainable agricultural production. Environ Challenges, 2022, 7, 100492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100492 Tamer, C.E.; Incedayi. B.; Yönel, S.P.; Yonak, S.; Copur, O.U. Evaluation of several quality criteria of low calorie pumpkin dessert. Not Bot Horti Agrobot Cluj Napoca, 2010, 38: 76–80 Hosen, M.; Rafii, M.Y.; Mazlan, N.; Jusoh, M.; Oladosu, Y.; Chowdhury, M.F.N.; Khan, M.M.H. Pumpkin ( Cucurbita spp .): a crop to mitigate food and nutritional challenges. Horticulturae, 2021, 7: 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7100352 Kopittke, P.M.; Menzies, N.W.; Wang, P.; McKenna, B.A.; Lombi, E. Soil and the intensification of agriculture for global food security. Environ Int., 2019, 132: 105078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105078 El-Sharkawy, M.; El-Naggar, A.H.; AL-Huqail, A.A.; Ghoneim, A.M.) Acid-modified biochar impacts on soil properties and biochemical characteristics of crops grown in saline-sodic soils. Sustainability, 2022, 14:8190. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138190 Souri, M.K.; Hatamian, M. Aminochelates in plant nutrition: a review. J. of Plant Nutr., 2019, 42: 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2018.1549671 Li, S.; Wu, J.; Wang, X.; Ma, L. Economic and environmental sustainability of maize-wheat rotation production when substituting mineral fertilizers with manure in the North China Plain. J. Clean Prod., 2020, 271: 122683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122683 Pierre-Louis, R.C.; Kader, M.A.; Desai, N.M.; John, E.H. Potentiality of vermicomposting in the South Pacific island countries: A review. Agriculture, 2021, 11: 876. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11090876 Song, X.; Li, H.; Song, J.; Chen, W.; Shi, L. Biochar/vermicompost promotes hybrid Pennisetum plant growth and soil enzyme activity in saline soils. Plant Physiol Biochem., 2022, 183: 96–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.05.008 Singh, D.; Singh, S.K.; Modi, A.; Singh, P.K.; Zhimo, V.Y.; Kumar, A. Impacts of agrochemicals on soil microbiology and food quality. In Agrochemicals detection, treatment and remediation, 2020, 101–116. Butterworth-Heinemann. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-103017-2.00004-0 Raiesi, F.; Dayani, L. Compost application increases the ecological dose values in a non-calcareous agricultural soil contaminated with cadmium. Ecotoxicology, 2021, 30: 17–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-020-02286-1 Page, A.L.; Miller, R.H.; Keeney, D.R. Methods of soil analysis. Part 2: Chemical and microbiological properties. 2nd ed. Amer Soc Agron Inc. Soil Sci Soc of Am., Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 1982 Parkinson, J.A.; Allen, S.E. A wet oxidation procedure suitable for the determination of nitrogen and mineral nutrients in biological material. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal., 1975, 6: 1–11 Burt, R. Soil survey laboratory methods manual. Soil Survey Investigations Report No. 42, Version 4.0, United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, 2004 Jackson, M.L. Soil chemical analysis. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. New Delhi, India, 1973 Klute, A. Water retention: laboratory methods. Methods of soil analysis: Part 1 physical and mineralogical methods, 1986, 5: 635–662 Steel, R.G.D.; Torrie, J.H Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1980, 633 p Hernández, T.; Chocano, C.; Moreno, J.L.; García, C. Use of compost as an alternative to conventional inorganic fertilizers in intensive lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) crops-effects on soil and plant. Soil Tillage Res., 2016, 160: 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2016.02.005 Zhang, S.; Wen, J.; Hu, Y.; Fang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Xing, L. Humic substances from green waste compost: An effective washing agent for heavy metal (Cd, Ni) removal from contaminated sediments. J. Hazard Mate r., 2019, 366: 210–218. https://doi.10.1016/j. jhazmat. 2018. 11. 103 Xu, P.; Shu, L.; Li, Y.; Zhou, S.; Zhang, G.; Wu, Y.; Yang, Z.) Pretreatment and composting technology of agricultural organic waste for sustainable agricultural development. Heliyon, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16311 Sekaran, U.; Kotlar, A.M.; Kumar, S. Soil health and soil water. Soil Hydrology in a Changing Climate, 2022 Shaji, H., Chandran, V.; Mathew, L. Organic fertilizers as a route to controlled release of nutrients. In Controlled release fertilizers for sustainable agriculture (231–245). Academic Press, 2021 Hashempoor, J.; Asadi-Sanam, S.; Mirza, M.; Jahromi, M. The Effect of different fertilizer sources on soil nutritional status and physiological and biochemical parameters of cone flower ( Echinacea purpurea L.). Commun Soil Sci Plan Anal., 2022, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2022.2046025 Rekaby, S.A.; AL-Huqail, A.A.; Gebreel, M.; Alotaibi, S.S.; Ghoneim, A.M. Compost and humic acid mitigate the salinity stress on quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa Willd L.) and improve some sandy soil properties. J. Soil Sci. and Plant Nutr., 2023, 23: 2654–2661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01221-7 Sharma, S.B. Trend setting impacts of organic matter on soil physico-chemical properties in traditional vis-a-vis chemical-based amendment practices. PloS Sustainability and Transformation, 2022, 1: e0000007. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000007 Rekaby, S.A.; Awad, M.Y.; Hegab, S.A.; Eissa, M.A. Effect of some organic amendments on barley plants under saline condition. J. of Plant Nutr., 2021, 43: 1840–1851. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1750645 Youssef, M.A.; AL-Huqail, A.A.; Ali, E.F.; Majrashi, A. Organic amendment and mulching enhanced the growth and fruit quality of squash plants ( Cucurbita pepo L.) grown on silty loam soils. Horticulture, 2021, 7: 269. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae70902 69 Tahiri, A.I.; Meddich, A.; Raklami, A.; Alahmad, A.; Bechtaoui, N.; Anli, M.; Oufdou, K. Assessing the potential role of compost, PGPR, and AMF in improving tomato plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and water stress tolerance. J. Soil Sci. and Plant Nutr., 2022, 22: 743–764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-021-00684-w Wang, F.; Wang, X.; Song, N. Biochar and vermicompost improve the soil properties and the yield and quality of cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) grown in plastic shed soil continuously cropped for different years. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 2021, 315: 107425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107425 Kompała-Bąba, A.; Bierza, W.; Sierka, E.; Błońska, A.; Besenyei, L.; Woźniak, G. The role of plants and soil properties in the enzyme activities of substrates on hard coal mine spoil heaps. Scientific Report, 2021, 11: 5155. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84673-0 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About In Review Editorial Policies Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3188708","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":222457325,"identity":"cf1416b2-867c-4c19-b52c-57075cf38bfa","order_by":0,"name":"Saudi A. Rekaby","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch)","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Saudi","middleName":"A.","lastName":"Rekaby","suffix":""},{"id":222457326,"identity":"621b3ddd-997f-48f4-8685-0888e96a9520","order_by":1,"name":"Adel M. Ghoneim","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABCklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFCCBMYDEAYPiJBg4AcLFuDVwgDUYoDQItkAEjQgXguQCbYUjxb+9uQDhyv3/JFn4F978HFBhUW08fnViR8eGDDI84sdwKpF4syzhINnnhkYNki8SzaecUYid9uNt5slgA4znDk7Abs1N3IMDjYcMEgAajaT5m0DaTm7AaQlweA2di3yN/I/IGn5J5G7ecbZzT/waTG4kcMA0cLfA9TSIJG7gb93G15bDIH+AGoxNmyT4DE25jkmkTvjBu82iwQDCZx+kTue/PBhwwE5eX7+M4aPeWrqcvv7z26++aPCRp5fGof3YYBNAqYAwpDArxwM+A+gM0bBKBgFo2AUQAAAdTNjzsdFfwkAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Field Crops Research Institute","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Adel","middleName":"M.","lastName":"Ghoneim","suffix":""},{"id":222457327,"identity":"64bef125-c8b1-45ac-9afa-2b9787dda486","order_by":2,"name":"Mostafa Gebreel","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch)","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mostafa","middleName":"","lastName":"Gebreel","suffix":""},{"id":222457328,"identity":"b7eaf41f-177d-4396-bb1e-f0a669e8a96b","order_by":3,"name":"Waleed Ali","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch)","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Waleed","middleName":"","lastName":"Ali","suffix":""},{"id":222457329,"identity":"927adfe3-0e9e-40a8-afb7-e632b3ccf8dd","order_by":4,"name":"Ahmed F. Yousef","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch)","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmed","middleName":"F.","lastName":"Yousef","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-07-20 13:44:32","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3188708/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3188708/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":41027077,"identity":"253ffaf2-9e45-4735-a51e-259859d5e6c9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-08-03 16:16:51","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":105367,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMaximum temperature, minimum temperature, and relative humidity during 2021 and 2022 growing seasons of zucchini cultivation\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3188708/v1/6aaa9753c5767ca0900897c1.png"},{"id":41027080,"identity":"0933b755-f5e9-4716-aad8-b6d4bd6a4813","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-08-03 16:16:51","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":32474,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of compost and vermicompost application on fruit fresh biomass (A), fruit dry biomass (B) and total chlorophyll content (C) of zucchini plants. CO = control, CF = chemical fertilizer, CT = compost, VC = vermicompost. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly (\u003cem\u003eP \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.05) according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The values are means ± standard error, \u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e = 5\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3188708/v1/55e9ad7abd1f2b63b139d861.png"},{"id":41027078,"identity":"80dc7ab5-01a2-4af6-b4fd-b10a2cc5ef59","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-08-03 16:16:51","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":51594,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eImpact of different fertilizers on fruit number (A), fruit length (B), fruit length (C), fruit dimeter (D), and total yield per hectare (E). CO = control, CF = chemical fertilizer, CT = compost, VC = vermicompost. The values are the average of 2021 and 2022. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly (\u003cem\u003eP \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.05) according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The values are means ± standard error, \u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e = 5\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3188708/v1/c55d1d5d16c3223de98a0df8.png"},{"id":41027079,"identity":"cb5aadf1-ff50-48bf-8aa3-628dfb577c52","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-08-03 16:16:51","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":45129,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eImpact of organic fertilizers on fruit total soluble solids, total N, total P and total K (D). CO = control, CF = chemical fertilizer, CT = compost (7.15 t ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e), VC = vermicompost. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly (\u003cem\u003eP \u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.05) according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The values are means ± standard error, \u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e = 5\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3188708/v1/5d3b81b792cc2a9200109b80.png"},{"id":41027081,"identity":"a1036263-9f80-4d8d-b909-0e5b0f4ed583","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-08-03 16:16:52","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":39183,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePrincipal component analysis (PCA) between soil properties and zucchini plants traits. Where CF = chemical fertilizer; CT = compost; VC =vermicompost; CO = control; EC = soil electrical conductivity; OM = organic matter; AN = Available-N; AP = Available-P; AK = Available-K; AFN = average fruit number; ; FW = Fruit weight; FL= fruit length; FD = fruit diameter; DM = fruit dry matter; TCh =total chlorophyll; Fb = fresh biomass; Db = dry biomass; T.S.S =total soluble solids; NUp = nitrogen uptake; PUp =phosphorus uptake; KUp = potassium uptake; TY = total yield\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3188708/v1/d6786461429bfc414fe6c2a3.png"},{"id":42759202,"identity":"16bbb605-0a1f-4bbe-be0c-d30273f55d81","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-09-07 09:52:41","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":569460,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3188708/v1/0882df7d-6882-49a7-81c5-abaa62a37a20.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Compost and vermicompost enhances the growth, uptake and quality of zucchini plants (cucurbita pepo l.) grown on sandy soils","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExcessive long-term application of chemical fertilizers may negatively impact on environmental ecosystems and reduce the soil quality which consequently may reduce crop productivity. Overpopulation in the Egypt has led to an increase in the demand for food, which focused the attention to raise the crops production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. This led to an increase in the use of chemical fertilizers, especially in the cultivation of vegetable crops, where large amounts of chemical fertilizers are used in order to obtain the highest productivity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. The rates of chemical fertilizers used in the cultivation of vegetable crops are increasing compared to other crops because of intensive cultivation, which leads to exacerbate and increase the harmful effects on health and the environment, especially the residual effect of nitrate [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Although chemical fertilizers provide nutrients that are immediately available to plants to rapidly improve plant growth and crop yield, these fertilizers cannot replace the soil organic matter (SOM) that may be lost due to intensive cultivation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Maintaining appropriate levels of SOM is important as it ensures efficient nutrients, which contributes to sustainable management of sandy soil [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Instead, vermicompost (VC) and compost (CT) application can increase the content of SOM, which improves soil fertility and crop production.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor organic farming, VC and CT have been used as important alternatives to chemical fertilizers because chemical fertilizers are prohibited in organic farming [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. VC is a kind of natural eco-manure, which is the product of organic matter degradation through the interaction between earthworms and microorganisms (10\u0026ndash;12]. As a result, VC is regarded a nutrient-dense biofertilizer with a diversified microbial community (13\u0026ndash;14]. VC contains nutrients that are readily taken up by the plants, such as, available-P, K, Ca and Mg. VC is an excellent soil amendment or conditioner because of high porosity, aeration, drainage, water-holding capacity and microbial activity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Vermicomposting and composting are two distinct processes, and it is crucial not to confuse the two [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. The vermicomposting process produces a high diversity and number of microorganisms because the temperature during VC production is suitable for worms [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. Vermicompost was used as an organic fertilizer for several crops under greenhouses and fields conditions (Pierre-Louis et al. 2021). Extraordinary decrease in the C: N ratio of VC was testified than that was in the CT [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eZucchini (\u003cem\u003eCucurbita pepo\u003c/em\u003e L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops grown in Egypt for the local market. Zucchini plants belong to the cucurbit family (\u003cem\u003eCucurbitaceae\u003c/em\u003e), which are very diverse and popular for human consumption throughout the world [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. However, zucchini fruit contain many nutrients, bioactive compounds (antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins) and have a high amount of dietary fiber, which is very low in calories [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. However, intensive zucchini cultivation practices in Egypt need to use large amounts of chemical fertilizers, partly resulting in over-fertilization, soil degradation, and a decrease in SOM content. Therefore, it is necessary to provide alternatives to improve the sustainability of zucchini production.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil degradation and its expansion are considered the greatest problem in Egypt, directly affecting food security and crop production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Soil nutrients are necessary for crop growth and development and are critical factors for soil fertility along with adequate soil moisture, which is considered a key factor for crop growth and yield [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, manipulating nutrient release is an advanced and effective way to maintain sustainable zucchini production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. Farmers assume that the extensive use of CF leads to better yields of various crops without considering the hazardous effects on the environment. However, the continuous use of CF has negative impacts on the soil quality [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo ensure a healthy diet and reduce the environmental risks of chemical fertilizers, and in line with sustainable development programs that call for a return to nature, the current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing CF with VC and CT on soil fertility, growth, yield, and fruit quality of zucchini cultivation under field conditions. We hypothesized that VC and CT treatments would help produce zucchini fruit free from residual effect of CF and improve sandy soil properties under semi-arid conditions in Egypt.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.1. Plant material\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hybrid squash Eskandarani F1, (Origin, USA, 2020); Product, lot #.PL385677, produced by Galaxy Seeds Company, USA. Imported by Ahmed Roshdy Ibrahim Company, Egypt. The collection of zucchini cultivar used in this experiment complies with institutional, national and international guidelines and legislation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.2. Location and experimental design\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eField experiment was carried out in 2021 and 2022 seasons at a commercial vegetable farm in Assiut city, Egypt (27\u0026deg;12\u0026prime;16.67\u0026prime;\u0026prime; N; 31\u0026deg;09\u0026prime;36.86\u0026prime;\u0026prime; E). The maximum and minimum temperatures and relative humidity during the two growing seasons are shown in Figure (1). The soil properties are summarized in Table\u0026nbsp;(1). Each plot consisted of a 4.50 m-long and 3.0 m-wide with 3 terracing at a distance of 90 cm with ridge spacing of 40 cm in a row. Four treatments, including a control (CO) without fertilization, chemical fertilizer (CF), compost (CT) and vermicompost (VC) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. For the CF treatment, the recommended NPK fertilizers were applied at the rate of 178.5 kg N ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, 71.4 kg P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e, and 119 kg K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e. Nitrogen fertilizer as urea (46% N) was applied in three splits: 20% as basal application, 40% 15 days after sowing (DAS), and 40% 15 days after second addition.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1. Physicochemical of the soil properties\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" width=\"91%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"48%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProperty\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"28%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValue \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSand\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e457 \u0026plusmn; 10.5\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilt\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e327 \u0026plusmn; 6.90\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClay\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e216 \u0026plusmn; 5.40\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"3\" width=\"77%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTexture\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilty loam\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaCO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e32.7 \u0026plusmn; 2.57\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElectrical conductivity EC (1: 2.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(dS m\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.63 \u0026plusmn; 0.10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epH (1: 2.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.90 \u0026plusmn; 0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic matter (OM)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11.3 \u0026plusmn; 1.39\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable N\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60.4 \u0026plusmn; 5.40\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable P\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14.7 \u0026plusmn; 1.30\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable K\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"27%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(mg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"22%\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e397 \u0026plusmn; 5.30\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePotassium fertilizer as potassium sulfate was applied in three splits: 40% 30 DAS, 30% 30 days from first addition, and 30% 30 days after the second addition; while the phosphorus fertilizer as (superphosphate) was applied in one split as basal application before sowing. The application rates of CT and (VC) were 7.15 t ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e each. The organic and chemical fertilizers were well mixed with the soil by raking to a depth of 10 cm. Seeds of zucchini (\u003cem\u003eCucurbita pepo\u003c/em\u003e L.) were planted directly in soil on February 15th on 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. Each plot contained 18 zucchini plants (that equal to 13330 plants ha\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZucchini plants were collected 50 DAS and the fresh and dry weights were determined. In addition, the total chlorophyll content (SPAD) of the leaves was measured with (SPAD \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;502-m Konica Minolta, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). The zucchini plants were harvested 90 DAS. Yield characteristics such as fruit length, diameter, number of fruit per plant, fruit weight, and total number of fruit per plot were recorded. The whole plants in each plot were gently removed and then rinsed with tap water. The yield (on a fresh weight basis) of each plot was recorded. Five plants were randomly collected from each plot and rinsed with deionized water before being oven-dried at 70\u0026deg;C for 72 h and accordingly, the dry weight biomass was recorded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.3. Plant nutrient analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dry zucchini plants were ground using a sample mill and stored in 20-mL plastic scintillation vials. The digestion of the plant tissues was performed using a mixture of 350 mL H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, 0.42 g selenium powder, 14 g LiSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003eH\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO and 420 mL concentrated H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e and then the total concentrations of N, P and K were measured according to methods of Page et al. [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.4. Soil and organic amendments analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompost (CT), produced from 100% of plant residues, was obtained from the Nile company, Al Obour city, Egypt, while the vermicompost (VC) was collected from Agricultural Climate Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt. Samples of the CT and VC were digested, filtered and then the filtrate was used to determine the total N, P, and K contents according to Parkinson and Allen [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. The pH of CT and VC was measured in a 1: 5 suspensions by a digital pH meter and electrical conductivity (EC) was estimated in 1: 5 extract using EC meter as described by Burt [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. The soil organic carbon content was determined according to Walkley\u0026ndash;Black method [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. Some characteristics of the CT and VC are shown in Table\u0026nbsp;(2).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"colspec\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"colspec\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome chemical composition of the compost and vermicompost\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProperty\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnit\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompost\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVermicompost\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElectrical conductivity EC (1: 5)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(dS m\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4.39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.82\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epH (1: 5)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic carbon (OC)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e203\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e237.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.89\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal N\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.76\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal P\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.43\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTotal K\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(g kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.80\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.90\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eC: N ratio\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.70\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.20\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach value represents a mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard error (SE) of three replicates\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore planting and at the end of the experiment, soil samples were taken from each pot, air-dried, crushed, passed through a 2 mm sieve, and then analyzed for the physical and chemical properties. Total calcium carbonate in the soil was determined by Collin\u0026rsquo;s Calcimeter method. Particle size distribution was determined according to the pipette method [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. Available soil N was extracted using 1% K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e; soil available P extracted with 0.5 M NaHCO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e at pH 8.5 and soil available K by ammonium acetate 1M at pH 7 according to Jackson [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. Soil pH was measured in in a 1: 2.5 of a soil to deionized water suspension using a glass electrode while, the electrical conductivity (EC) was measured in a 1: 2.5 of a soil to water extract using the EC-meter according to Page et al [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgronomic nutrient use efficiency (NUE) was calculated according to the following equation: NUE = (Y\u003csub\u003et\u003c/sub\u003e\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(-\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003eY\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e) / N\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere: Y\u003csub\u003et\u003c/sub\u003e = yield of treatment (kg); Y\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;yield of control (kg) and N is the amounts of added fertilizers (kg).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.5. Statistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance technique by means of statistics 8.1 software package. Means of treatments were compared using the Duncan's multiple range test with a probability of \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. Principal component analysis (PCA) between soil properties and plant traits were run by Past software, version 4.06 and also the correlations among the soil properties and plant traits were calculated.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.1. Zucchini growth, yield and fruit quality\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplication of CT, VC and CF significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) increased the fresh and dry weights of fruit of zucchini plants compared to the CO treatment in 2021 and 2022 seasons (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The fruit fresh weight of the treatments can be arranged in a descending order: CT\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;VC\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CF\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CO, while in fruit dry weight can be arranged in a descending order: CT\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CF\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;VC\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CO. The highest total chlorophyll in zucchini leaves was recorded in CT treatment. Significant differences were found in the fruit number, fruit length, fruit diameter, and zucchini yield among treatments (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Compared to the CO treatment, the fruit number per plant increased in the CF, VC, and CT by 21, 10, and 37%, respectively. Fruit weight increased by 1, 5 and 8%, respectively, in the CF, VC, and CT treatments, while fruit length increased by 24, 10 and 13%, respectively. Compared to the CO treatment, the fruit diameter increased by 21, 6, and 10%, respectively, while CF, VC, and CT treatments increased fruit dry weight by 13, 9 and 5%, respectively. The highest yield of zucchini was recorded in CT treatment in both seasons. Significant differences were found in the total soluble solids, N, P and K contents of zucchini fruit (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The CF treatment, flowed by VC recorded the highest total soluble solids and total NPK contents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.2. Zucchini uptake and nutrient use efficiencies\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignificant differences were found in N, P, and K uptake by zucchini among the treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). In general, the CT treatments significantly increased N, P, and K uptake by the zucchini plants. Consequently, N, P and K uptake can be arranged in the descending order: CT\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CF\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;VC\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CO treatments in 2021 and 2022 seasons. Significant differences were found in the agronomic NUE, PUE and PUE by zucchini among the treatments. In general, the CT treatment significantly increased the agronomic NUE, PUE and PUE by zucchini plants (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.3. Soil chemical properties\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter harvest, significant differences were found in the soil pH, EC, soil OM and availability of soil NPK contents among the treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The added CT and CV significantly changed soil pH compared to the CF treatment. At harvest, the CT and VC treatments slightly reduced the soil pH, but the soil pH in the CF treatment increased to 7.83 and 7.85 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The higher soil pH values were recorded in CF, while the lowest ones were in CT in 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The EC value of the CO was significantly lower than that of the soil supplied with CT and VC treatments. Compared to the CO, the CF, VC, and CT significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) increased the EC values by 39, 17 and 53%, respectively. The CO and CF treatments showed a significantly lower content of OM than the CT and VC treatments. A Significant difference was observed in soil available N among the treatments, soil available N and soil available K were significantly enhanced by the CT and VC treatments. Consequently, soil available P and soil available K can be arranged in the descending order: CT\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CF\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;VC\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;CO treatments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"colspec\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImpact of different fertilizer sources on NPK uptake and nutrients use efficiency\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eN Uptake\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eP Uptake\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eK Uptake\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNUE\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePUE\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKUE\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(kg ha \u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(kg fruit kg nutrient\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"7\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCO\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e27.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36d\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.75d\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e34.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.32c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCF\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e108.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.23b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e21.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.21b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e101.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.12a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e34.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e87.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.12b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e52.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.45b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVC\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e52.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.02c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.54c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e54.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.54b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e25.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e63.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.88c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e37.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e154.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.33a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e27.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.97a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e105.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.64a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e65.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.34a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e163.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.21a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e98.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.98a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"7\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCO\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e27.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54d\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54d\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e32.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCF\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e115.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.43b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e22.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.03b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e105.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.55a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e53.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.88b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e133.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.65b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e79.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.56b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVC\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e57.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.54c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e61.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e37.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e92.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.78c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e55.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.78c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e146.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.32a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e28.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.32a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e105.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.01a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e72.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.23a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e182.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.11a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e109.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;control, CF\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;chemical fertilizer, CT\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;compost, VC\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vermicompost. NUE\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;nitrogen use efficiency, PUE\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;phosphorus use efficiency, KUE\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;potassium use efficiency. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) according to Duncan\u0026rsquo;s Multiple Range Test. The values are means\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard error, \u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"colspec\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEffects of organic amendments on selected soil properties\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEC\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOM\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable N\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable P\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable K\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(dS m\u003c/strong\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(g Kg\u003c/strong\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(mg kg\u003c/strong\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"7\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCO\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e50.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.12c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e8.71\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.43c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e221.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.76c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCF\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.23b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.92a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e466.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.12b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVC\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e13.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e67.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.23a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.32b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e452.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.98b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.71\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e16.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e71.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.04a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e689.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.23a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"7\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCO\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.88c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e54.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.02b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e9.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.34c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e201.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.54c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCF\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.76c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e58.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.98b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.43a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e426.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.76b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVC\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.78b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e64.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.32a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e462.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.34b\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCT\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03c\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.98a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e68.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.32a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.23a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e609.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.44a\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;control, CF\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;chemical fertilizer, CT\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;compost, VC\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vermicompost. OM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;organic matter; EC\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;electrical conductivity. Means within a column followed by the same letter do not differ significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) according to Duncan\u0026rsquo;s Multiple Range Test. The values are means\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard error, \u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.4. Correlation between soil properties and zucchini traits\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two principal components (PCs) of PCA accounted for 93.7% of the variation between soil properties and zucchini traits (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The PC1 accounted for 65.1% of the variance and was significantly and positively correlated with soil electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), soil available N (AN), soil available P (AP), soil available K (AK), average fruit number (AFN), fruit weight (FW), fresh biomass (Fb), dry biomass (Db), nitrogen uptake (NUp), and phosphorus uptake (Pup). While the PC2 accounted for 20.8% of the variance and was correlated positively with fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), fruit dry matter (DM), total chlorophyll (TCh), total soluble solids (T.S.S), potassium uptake (KUp), and total yield (TY) and significantly and negatively correlated with the soil pH (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The addition of CT and CF treatments positively increased the nutrient availability and zucchini growth indicators.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"colspec\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorrelation coefficient among soil properties and zucchini traits\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eE.C\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOM\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAN\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAP\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAK\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAFN\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFW\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFL\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFD\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTCh\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFb\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDb\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTSS\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNUp\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePup\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKUp\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTY\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEC\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.46\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOM\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.98\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.59\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.88\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.95\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAP\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.58\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.70\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAK\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.94\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.81\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.97\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAFN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.56\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.95\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFW\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFL\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.01\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFD\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.59\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.48\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.60\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDM\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.30\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.49\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.89\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.84\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTCh\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.44\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.36\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.23\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.30\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.19\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFb\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.78\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.91\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.85\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.83\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.96\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.96\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.96\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.41\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDb\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.45\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.58\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.91\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTSS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.15\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.58\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.59\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.01\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.33\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.70\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNUp\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.45\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.91\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePup\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.47\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.96\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.70\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.76\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.70\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.90\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKUp\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.79\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.70\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.79\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTY\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.35\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.51\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.59\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.56\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.77\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.52\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.59\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.47\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.54\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.0\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"10\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eValues are different from 0 with a significance level at 0.05.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"11\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElectrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, (OM), soil available N (AN), available P (AP), available K (AK), average fruit number (AFN), fruit weight (FW), fresh biomass (Fb), dry biomass (Db), nitrogen uptake (NUp), and phosphorus uptake (Pup). While the PC2 accounted for 20.8% of the variance and was correlated positively with fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), fruit dry matter (DM), total chlorophyll (TCh), total soluble solids (T.S.S), potassium uptake (KUp), and total yield (TY).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of field study reveals that the CT and VC treatments can be used as an alternative to CF for zucchini cultivation because they significantly improve soil quality as a result of increasing soil OM, soil available NPK. Consequently, these changes in soil properties enhance the growth, yield, fruit quality and nutrient uptake of zucchini. The results of this study may be useful when applying CT and VC as a complete or partial substitute for CF in zucchini cultivation. To be applied as a replacement for CF, CT and VC should be supplied a rate of available N similar to that provided by CF, but the most important conditions is to meet the N requirement of a given crop. Although it is difficult to calculate the amount of CT and VC to be used as a total substitute for CF, the most rational way is to establish comparisons between these two kinds of fertilizers which may be based on their similar N availability [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCT and VC, used in this study, significantly improved sandy soil properties, suggesting that they can be included in the integrated soil fertility management for zucchini cultivation. In this study, the original field soil pH was 7.90, which is higher than limit of pH 5.50 for most vegetable growth, including zucchini. At harvest, the CT and VC treatments slightly reduced the soil pH probably due to the release of H\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e ions, organic acids and CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e. The increased salt concentration in soils that accompanies the application of composts is a major environmental concern [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. However, the current results indicated that CT and VC application have increased soil EC slightly. These results may have resulted from the considerable uptake of nutrients by zucchini plants in plots treated with CT or VC as well as the possibility of leaching during irrigation. A significant difference was observed in soil available N and soil available P among treatments. This could be attributed to the higher levels of P and K that accompanied the application of CT or VC, as the application rate of these composts was calculated based on the N requirement estimated by the N content and assumed mineralization rate during the zucchini growing periods. Previous studies have suggested that increasing OM enhances soil microbial activity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. Our results showed that the application of CT and VC significantly increased soil OM content which is in agreement with previous studies. OM management through the use of CT and/or VC can improve crop growth, yield, and the residual effects of compost application they can also sustain crop production for several years through the continual release of nutrients from OM [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e]. Organic matter plays a critical role in soil because it provides substrates for decomposing microbes, improves soil structure and water holding capacity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e]. In addition, there is an indirect effect via improvement of soil properties that induces an optimal root growth. Similar results were reported by Rekaby et al., [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e] who found that compost application increased soil OM, enhanced nutrient uptake. These results may be a direct effect of CT and VC addition in increasing the soil nutrient contents. The application of CT and VC gave the highest values of soil N, P and soil K availability and uptake confirming their ability to increase the efficient use of N, P and K fertilizers. The growth, quality, and yield of zucchini plants were improved by the application of CT and VC. In the current study, there were clear increases in chlorophyll and nutrient uptake which is likely to have led to the increase in vegetative growth and total plant biomass. Soils under semi-arid conditions, in Egypt, suffer from high alkalinity and consequently, the quality of the soil is clearly reduced. Lowering the soil pH provides ideal conditions for increasing nutrients availability, thus increasing the activity of soil microorganisms and increasing the secretion of soil enzymes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e]. The results may be attributed to the ability of added CT and VC retains nutrients, reduce nutrients losses, resulting in increased nutrient uptake.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study demonstrates that compost and vermicompost can be used as a complete substitute for chemical fertilizers in zucchini cultivation under field conditions because they significantly improve sandy soil properties as a result of increasing soil organic matter, availability of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The changes in soil properties, in turn, enhance zucchini growth, nutrient uptake, fruit quality and yield compared to chemical fertilizers. The results of this study may be beneficial when applying compost and vermicompost as a complete or partial substitute for chemical fertilizers in zucchini production under field conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eData availability\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable\u0026nbsp;request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Contributions: Conceptualization, A.M.G.; methodology, S.A.R. and W.M.A.; software, A.M.G, and A.F.Y.; investigation, S.A.R.; data curation A. M.G and S.A.R.; writing—original draft preparation, A.M.G and S.A.R.; writing—review and editing; visualization, A.M.G.; supervision, A.M.G and S.A.R.; project administration, A.F.Y and M.G. \u0026nbsp;All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;This research was funding provided by The Science, Technology \u0026amp; Innovation Funding Authority in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstitutional Review Board Statement: “Not applicable”\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInformed Consent Statement: “Not applicable”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData Availability Statement: “Not applicable”\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcknowledgments:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors express their gratitude to\u0026nbsp;Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch), for their assistance during this work. We would like to thank the Science, Technology \u0026amp; Innovation Funding Authority and Egyptian Knowledge Bank for funding this article. \u0026nbsp;The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConflicts of Interest: “The authors declare no conflict of interest.”\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAhmed, N.; Al-Mutairi, K.A. Earthworms effect on microbial population and soil fertility as well as their interaction with agriculture practices. 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Environ., 2021, 315: 107425. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107425\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/j.agee.2021.107425\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKompała-Bąba, A.; Bierza, W.; Sierka, E.; Błońska, A.; Besenyei, L.; Woźniak, G. The role of plants and soil properties in the enzyme activities of substrates on hard coal mine spoil heaps. Scientific Report, 2021, 11: 5155. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84673-0\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1038/s41598-021-84673-0\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Compost, Chemical fertilizer, Fruit quality, Nutrient uptake, Vermicompost","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3188708/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3188708/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eProducing of safe food from alkaline sandy soils under high rates of chemical fertilization is a serious concern in Egypt. Compost and vermicompost can improve soil fertility and crop production, but their application has not been well evaluated in zucchini (\u003cem\u003eCucurbita pepo\u003c/em\u003e L.) cultivation. This study aimed to determine the effects of compost and vermicompost on the yield, nutrient uptake of zucchini as well as on soil properties under field conditions. Four fertilization treatments, including a control without fertilization (CO), chemical fertilizer (CF), compost (CT), and vermicompost (VC) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The results showed that CT and VC application significantly increased the yield of zucchini by 17 and 53%, respectively, in comparison with CF treatment. In addition, CT and VC treatments significantly increased the soil organic matter, soil availability of NPK compared with those in the CO and CF treatments. The application of the CT and VC amendments increased the N, P and K uptake significantly as compared to the CO and CF treatments. The highest values of N, P and K use efficiency were found in the CT treatment. The highly significant and positive correlation was found among different soil properties and zucchini traits. CT and VC are crucial for increasing productivity, improving fruit quality, and yield of zucchini fruit and can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers for zucchini cultivation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Compost and vermicompost enhances the growth, uptake and quality of zucchini plants (cucurbita pepo l.) grown on sandy soils","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2023-08-03 16:16:47","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3188708/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"5128f022-1699-4041-99da-b21f3e0517bf","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 3rd, 2023","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":23648376,"name":"Biological sciences/Plant sciences"},{"id":23648377,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2023-09-07T09:44:33+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2023-08-03 16:16:47","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3188708","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3188708","identity":"rs-3188708","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"re_ckhLnmML6MCF96OHNJ","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}