Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilization and Plant Density for Improved Growth and Yield of Syrian Rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.)

This study was carried out in Jibul village - Lattakia city, Syria during the agricultural season 2022, to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer (urea 46%) at a rate of (0, 100, and 200 kg. ha-1) and plant density at a rate of (500,000 and 1,000,000 plants. ha-1), and the interaction between them in some growth characteristics of Rocket plant local Syrian cv. “Balady”. The experiment was designed as a factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment means were compared using the least significant difference test (LSD) at a significant level of 5%.

The results showed that there was a significant effect (p < 0.05) of nitrogen fertilization on all the studied traits and the rate of 200 kg. ha-1 achieved the highest plant height (80.12 cm), the highest number of branches on the plant (7.50 branches. plant-1), and the highest number of leaves. (18.00 leaf. plant-1), and the highest fresh weight (60.50 g).

The results also showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the plant in all the studied traits. The low density of 500,000 plants. ha-1 achieved the highest number of branches on the plant (5.83 branches. plant-1), the highest number of leaves on the plant (15.16 leaves. plant-1), and the highest fresh weight (51.41 g), while the high density of 1,000,000 plants. ha-1 achieved the highest plant height (74.33 cm). The interaction between nitrogen fertilization and plant density had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on all studied traits.