Applied Chemical Engineering

Influence of Bokashi Organic Fertilizer, Balanced Mineral Fertilizer, and Foliar Application of Selenium and Silicon Nanoparticles on Soil Sustainability and the Growth and Yield of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

Montather Hussein Khalaf

College of Agriculture, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Department of Soil and Water Resources,

Hayawi W. A. Al-Juthery

College of Agriculture, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Department of Soil and Water Resources,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v8i4.5732

Keywords: EM Bokashi bio-organic fertilizer; balanced NPK mineral fertilizer; silicon nanoparticles; selenium nanoparticles; cabbage

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Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of organic, mineral, and nano-enabled fertilizers on soil sustainability and the growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea). A field experiment was conducted during the autumn season of 2024 in District 41, Babil Governorate, Iraq, using 16 treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Treatments included EM Bokashi bio-organic fertilizer, balanced NPK mineral fertilizer, and foliar sprays of silicon and selenium nanoparticles, applied individually or in combinations. The integrated treatment of EM Bokashi + NPK + SiNPs + SeNPs significantly improved soil fertility indicators (N, P, K, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity), enhanced microbial populations, and produced the highest plant growth and yield attributes, including a marketable yield of 100.42 Mg ha⁻¹. These findings highlight the potential of combining organic, mineral, and nano-fertilizers as a sustainable strategy to improve soil health, crop productivity, and future agricultural profitability.

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