This experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions during two successive seasons (2008&2009). One-year-old rooted cuttings of Thompson seedless grape (Vitis vinifera L.) were the plant material used. Compost was irradiated by gamma rays at (0, 5, 10 and 15KGy) and used at rates (0, 5, 10 and 20% w/w) which mixed with sandy loam soil before planting. Application of compost, either non-irradiated or irradiated one markedly stimulated plant growth which in turn increased recorded growth parameters, i.e. plant height, stem thickness, leaves number, …….etc. Also, increased dry matter production and enhancing formation of both leaf chlorophylls and stem carbohydrates contents. Using the treatments greatly encouraged absorption and translocation of nutrients which consequently increased their levels and total contents in different organs. Therefore, levels and total contents of N, P and K were markedly increased by using gamma doses and/ or compost rates. In general, the proper rate of compost was 10% (w/w) and effective dose for irradiating compost was 10KGy. So, their combination could be considered the more efficient treatment where this dose improved compost efficiency to become nearly the double. |
