The Effect of PGPR and Chicken Litter Ash Applications on the Development, Nutrient Element, and Heavy Metal Content of Cephalaria syriaca L.

Year 2025, Volume: 35 Issue: 3, 448 - 462, 30.09.2025

Yusuf Arslan , Hanife Ustabaş , Berfin İşler , Ferit Sönmez

https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1641243

Abstract

This problem has been solved by incinerating chicken litter waste, which causes environmental pollution. The resulting chicken litter ash is a valuable source of phosphorus and potassium.This study examined the effects of increasing doses of chicken litter ash (CLA), combined with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), on the growth and elemental composition of Cephalaria syriaca L. Chicken litter ash was applied to pots containing 2 kg of soil at 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4% rates. Microbial fertilizer was applied to some pots in combination with ash, while others were left untreated. At the end of the experiment, soil samples were analysed for soil pH, soil salinity (EC), plant growth parameters, nutrient elements, and heavy metal content of Cephalaria syriaca L. The results showed that CLA significantly influenced soil pH, EC, plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, and root fresh weight (P<0.01). The application of microbial fertilizer significantly affected EC, plant fresh and dry weights, root fresh weight, and leaf count (P<0.01), and root dry weight (P<0.05). Interaction effects between the ash and microbial fertilizer were significant for plant height, fresh weight, root fresh weight, dry weight, and root dry weight (P<0.01). Regarding nutrient elements and heavy metals, the CLA application, except Cu, Mn, and Ni, significantly impacted all elements at P<0.01 and P<0.05. The application of microbial fertilizer had no significant effect on the elements Ca, Cu, Ni, and Pb, while it significantly affected the other elements at P<0.01 and P<0.05 levels. Based on these results, it is concluded that chicken litter ash applications should be based on soil analysis, and that its use in combination with microbial fertilizers would be more beneficial.

Keywords

microbial fertilizer , ash , nutrient element , heavy metal , Cephalaria syriaca L

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