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eISSN: 2083-5906
ISSN: 1230-1485
ISSN: 1230-1485
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Integrated Application of Enriched Compost and
Chemical Fertilizers Improves Soil Fertility, Zinc
Biofortification, and Cucumber Productivity
1
Department of Soil Science, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
2
National Research Center of Intercropping, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
3
Pests and Plant Diseases Unit, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982,
Saudi Arabia
4
Department of Arid Land Agriculture, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa
31982, Saudi Arabia
5
Agricultural Biotechnology Department, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa
31982, Saudi Arabia
6
Research and Training Station, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
7
Department: Agribusiness and Consumer Sciences, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University,
Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Submission date: 2025-05-14
Final revision date: 2025-07-22
Acceptance date: 2025-09-21
Online publication date: 2025-11-12
Corresponding author
Muhammad Fakhar U Zaman Akhtar
Department of Soil Science, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Department of Soil Science, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail
Pests and Plant Diseases Unit, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Pests and Plant Diseases Unit, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) enhances crop productivity and nutritional quality while
preserving soil health. This study evaluated the impact of the integrated application of enriched compost
derived from organic waste and chemical fertilizers on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) growth, yield,
and zinc (Zn) biofortification under pot conditions. A total of six treatments were tested: T1 (control),
T2 (chemical fertilizers: urea + diammonium phosphate (DAP) + sulfate of potash (SOP)), T3 (zinc
coated urea (zabardast urea) + DAP + SOP), T4 (zinc-enriched compost), T5 (zinc-enriched compost +
chemical fertilizers), and T6 (zinc-enriched compost + Zabardast urea + DAP + SOP). The integrated
treatment (T6: enriched compost + Zabardast urea + DAP + SOP) outperformed others, improving seed
germination (27%), seed vigor index (56%), chlorophyll content (54%), and key biochemical parameters:
carbohydrates (30%), soluble sugars (18%), protein (26%), and fiber (20%). Morphological traits such as
vine length (22%), stem girth (65%), number of leaves per plant (42%), and fruit yield (8%) were also
highest under T6. Furthermore, soil analysis after harvest revealed a substantial increase in organic matter and the availability of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and micronutrients
(zinc and iron). Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis confirmed strong positive
associations between improved soil fertility and cucumber performance. These results underscore the
potential of enriched compost derived from organic waste in recycling nutrients and reducing reliance
on synthetic inputs. The integrated use of enriched compost and chemical fertilizers (T6) represents a
sustainable, climate-resilient nutrient management strategy to enhance soil health, crop productivity,
and nutritional value.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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