Summary
This pot experiment evaluated the combined and individual effects of olive leaf compost (0–10% v/v), natural zeolite clinoptilolite (0–5% w/w), and NPK fertilisation on lettuce productivity, nutrient uptake, and soil fertility in two Mediterranean soils with contrasting pH and texture. Compost application consistently improved lettuce yield across both soil types, whilst the effectiveness of chemical fertilisation and zeolite was soil type-dependent; NPK fertilisation increased macronutrient availability but its effect on micronutrient status varied by soil chemistry. The findings suggest that organic amendment strategies may be more universally effective than mineral or mineral-amended approaches in heterogeneous soil environments.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in Greece under Mediterranean conditions and soil types that differ substantially from typical United Kingdom soils (generally more acidic and with different texture profiles). Whilst the general principles of compost benefit and soil type-dependent fertiliser response are broadly applicable, direct transfer of treatment recommendations to UK horticultural practice would require local validation, particularly given differences in rainfall, temperature, and soil mineralogy.
Key measures
Above-ground fresh weight (AFW) of lettuce; leaf macronutrient (P, K, Na) and micronutrient (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn) concentrations; soil-available macronutrients and DTPA-extractable micronutrients; soil pH and texture
Outcomes reported
The study measured above-ground fresh weight of lettuce, leaf nutrient composition, and soil fertility indicators under different combinations of olive compost, zeolite and NPK fertilisation across two contrasting soil types. Response patterns to treatments were evaluated as soil type-dependent.
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