© The Authors, 2025, Published by the Universidad del Zulia*Corresponding author:freddyzg_86@hotmail.com
Keywords:
Plant nutrition
Sustainable fertilization
Cotton
Ecient microorganisms
Agricultural productivity
Eect of organic and inorganic fertilization on the growth and yield of Gossypium hirsutum L.
in Ecuador
Efecto de la fertilización orgánica e inorgánica sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento de Gossypium
hirsutum L. en Ecuador
Efeito da adubação orgânica e inorgânica no crescimento e rendimento de Gossypium hirsutum L.
no Equador
Julio César Mera Macías¹
,
²
Freddy Eli Zambrano Gavilanes²*
Marina Coromoto García de Almeida²
Rolando León Aguilar
2
Soraya Peñarrieta Bravo²
Adriana Beatriz Sánchez-Urdaneta
3,4
Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2025, 42(2): e254220
ISSN 2477-9407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47280/RevFacAgron(LUZ).v42.n2.IV
Crop production
Associate editor: Dr. Jorge Vilchez-Perozo
University of Zulia, Faculty of Agronomy
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
¹Maestría en Agronomía Mención Agricultura Sostenible,
Facultad de Posgrado, Universidad Técnica de Manabí.
Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador.
2
Facultad de Ingeniería Agronómica, Universidad Técnica
de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador.
3
División de Investigación, Facultades de Ingeniería
Agronómica, Ingeniería Agrícola y Ciencias de la Salud,
Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí,
Ecuador.
4
Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Agronomía, Univer-
sidad del Zulia. Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela.
Received: 06-02-2025
Accepted: 14-03-2025
Published: 19-04-2025
Abstract
The cultivation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has a
signicant impact on the global economic and agricultural sectors,
with its productivity being closely linked to nutrient management
and the sustainability of the production system. The objective
of this study was to evaluate the eect of organic and inorganic
fertilization on the growth and yield of G. hirsutum in Ecuador. A
completely randomized block design was used with a 2×4×2 factorial
arrangement, which included two nitrogen sources (organic matter
and urea), four nitrogen fertilization rates (50, 100, 150, and 200
kg N.ha
-1
), and the presence or absence of ecient microorganisms
(EM). Phenological, morphometric, and yield-related variables
were measured, along with foliar concentrations of N, P, and K. The
results indicated that urea fertilization promoted greater vegetative
growth and yield, while organic matter enhanced foliar potassium
uptake. The application of ecient microorganisms (EM) did not
produce statistically signicant dierences compared to the control
treatment across all evaluated variables, as it signicantly increased
yield. Moreover, the interaction between nitrogen sources and
fertilization rates showed that the combination of 150 kg N.ha
-1
with EM optimized production. Inorganic fertilization with urea
maximized cotton productivity, while organic matter contributed
to a more sustainable production system, promoting sustainable
agriculture.
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2-6 |
Resumen
El cultivo del algodón (Gossypium hirsutum L.) tiene una alta
repercusión en la actividad económica y agrícola a nivel mundial,
su productividad está estrechamente relacionada con el manejo
nutricional y la sostenibilidad del sistema productivo. El objetivo
de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la fertilización orgánica
e inorgánica sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento de G. hirsutum
en Ecuador. Se empleó un diseño de bloques completamente al
azar con un arreglo factorial 2×4×2, que incluyó dos fuentes de
nitrógeno (materia orgánica y urea), cuatro dosis de fertilización
nitrogenada (50, 100, 150 y 200 kg N.ha
-1
) y la presencia o ausencia
de microorganismos ecientes (ME). Se midieron variables
fenológicas, morfométricas y productivas, así como la concentración
foliar de N, P y K. Los resultados indicaron que la fertilización con
urea promovió un mayor crecimiento vegetativo y rendimiento,
mientras que la materia orgánica favoreció la absorción de potasio
foliar. La aplicación de ME no generó diferencias estadísticamente
signicativas con respecto al tratamiento testigo en todas las variables
evaluadas, ya que incrementó signicativamente el rendimiento.
Asimismo, la interacción entre fuentes nitrogenadas y dosis mostró
que la combinación de 150 kg N.ha
-1
con ME optimizó la producción.
La fertilización inorgánica con urea maximizó la productividad del
algodón, mientras que la materia orgánica contribuyó a un sistema
productivo, promoviendo una agricultura sostenible.
Palabras clave: nutrición vegetal, fertilización sostenible, algodón,
microorganismos ecientes, productividad agrícola.
Resumo
O cultivo do algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L.) desempenha
um papel crucial na economia e na agricultura global, sendo sua
produtividade diretamente inuenciada pelo manejo nutricional e
pela sustentabilidade dos sistemas de produção. O objetivo deste
estudo foi avaliar o efeito da adubação orgânica e inorgânica no
crescimento e rendimento de G. hirsutum no Equador. O experimento
foi conduzido em um delineamento em blocos completamente
casualizados, seguindo um arranjo fatorial 2×4×2, que considerou
duas fontes de nitrogênio (matéria orgânica e ureia), quatro
doses de adubação nitrogenada (50, 100, 150 e 200 kg N.ha
-1
) e a
presença ou ausência de EM. Foram avaliadas variáveis fenológicas,
morfométricas e produtivas, além das concentrações foliares de N, P
e K. Os resultados indicaram que a fertilização com ureia favoreceu o
crescimento vegetativo e o rendimento da cultura, enquanto a matéria
orgânica potencializou a absorção foliar de potássio. A aplicação
de microrganismos ecientes (ME) não resultou em diferenças
estatisticamente signicativas em relação ao tratamento controle para
todas as variáveis avaliadas, porém aumentou signicativamente o
rendimento. Além disso, a interação entre fontes e doses de nitrogênio
revelou que a combinação de 150 kg N.ha
-1
com EM otimizou o
rendimento do algodão. Conclui-se que a adubação inorgânica com
ureia maximizou a produtividade, enquanto a matéria orgânica
contribuiu para uma nutrição mineral equilibrada. A integração de
EM pode aprimorar a eciência do sistema produtivo, promovendo
uma agricultura mais sustentável.
Palavras-chave: nutrição vegetal, fertilização sustentável, algodão,
microrganismos ecientes, produtividade agrícola.
Introduction
Cotton, known as ‘white gold’ (Gossypium hirsutum L.), is a
natural bre widely used in the textile industry and a key resource
for the global economy (Bozorov et al., 2018). In addition to its bre,
its seeds have a high oil (18-24 %) and protein (20-40 %) content,
extending its importance in the food and livestock industry (Li et
al., 2019). Its cultivation is concentrated in Pakistan, Brazil, the
United States, China and India, accounting for 78.5 % of the world’s
production (Vitale et al., 2024). In Ecuador, production is limited,
with 1,800 ha cultivated mainly in Guayas and Manabí and 1,200
tonnes per year of production (Chinga et al., 2020).
Nitrogen fertilization is crucial for cotton yields, but its intensive
use has generated problems such as soil acidication, loss of microbial
biodiversity and high production costs (Cañarte et al., 2020). In
response, the use of organic fertilizers and ecient microorganisms
(EM) has emerged as a sustainable alternative, improving soil fertility,
optimising nutrient uptake and crop resilience (Wu et al., 2023).
Shi et al. (2023) suggested that combined fertilization (inorganic
+ organic fertilization) optimised cotton productivity without
compromising bre quality, when they found statistically signicant
eects of such combinations on the number of acorns (cotton fruit)
per plant and cotton yield by outperforming the control and chemical
fertilization. The 75 % chemical and 25 % organic treatment achieved
a yield of 479.43 kg.ha
-1
; 12.10 % higher than conventional. There
was also a greater stem diameter in the combined treatments, while
variables such as plant height, boll biomass and bre percentage did
not show statistical dierences.
On the other hand, Hussain et al. (2024) reported signicant
improvements in soil fertility in cotton, with increased levels of
nitrogen (7.30 ppm), phosphorus (8.27 ppm) and potassium (178
ppm) when fermented manure was used. A yield of 356.53 kg.ha
-1
of seed cotton was obtained, 18.7 % higher than the conventional
treatment. In addition, improvements in bre quality were observed,
including a higher percentage of bre obtained after ginning and
greater bre length.
The results found by Wang et al. (2024) on the impact of combined
fertilization on cotton yield sustainability, where the treatment with
75 % inorganic fertiliser and 25 % organic fertiliser was the most
ecient in terms of yield sustainability and soil quality. A signicant
increase in organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorus
content was indicated, which improved soil enzyme activity and
nutrient uptake eciency.
In this context, this research evaluated the eect of organic and
inorganic fertilization on the growth and yield of G. hirsutum in
Ecuador, integrating ecient microorganisms as a strategy to improve
the sustainability of the production system.
Materials and methods
Experiment location and edaphoclimatic characteristics
The study was conducted from April to September 2019
(rainy season from December to May and dry season from June
to November), at La Teodomira Experimental Farm, Faculty of
Agronomic Engineering, Technical University of Manabi, Ecuador
(01°10’14.834‘ S, 80°23’27’ W; 60 masl) located on the Ecuadorian
coast, in a life zone according to the Holdridge system of tropical
dry forest (bs-T) (Holdridge, 1978). The mean annual temperature
was 27.5 °C, with the presence of deciduous trees, shrubs and
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3-6 |
herbaceous plants adapted to drought, such as Ceiba trichistandra,
Prosopis juliora and Bursera graveolens, among others. During the
experiment, rainfall and temperature data were recorded (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Precipitation and maximum and minimum temperatures
recorded at the La Teodomira Experimental Farm,
Faculty of Agronomic Engineering, Technical University
of Manabí, during the research.
The soil where the sowing was performed has a clay loam texture
with a pH of 7.5. It has 0.90 % organic matter and 0.04 % total nitrogen.
The available phosphorus content is 17.4 mg.kg
-1
, while exchangeable
potassium is 1.06 mg.kg
-1
. Calcium and magnesium concentration is
15.25 cmol.kg
-1
and 5.27 cmol.kg
-1
, respectively. Hydrogen reaches
26.7 cmol.kg
-1
. Among the micronutrients, manganese is 5.55 mg.kg
-1
,
cobalt 2.19 mg.kg
-1
and zinc is <2.60 mg.kg
-1
.
Plant material and agronomic management
The G. hirsutum variety used in this research was DP-Alcalá
90, known for its adaptability, bre quality and low pest incidence
(Cañarte et al., 2020). It owers 51 days after emergence (DDE),
reaching an average height of 90 cm and a yield of 1,637.71 kg.ha
-1
of seed cotton (Rodríguez and Ruiz, 1996). The seeds for this study
were provided by the +Cotton Ecuador project, implemented by FAO.
Sowing was carried out on 10 April 2019, directly into the soil at a
distance of 0.40 m between plants and 1.00 m between rows. Seedling
emergence occurred after six days. Harvesting was carried out 140
days after emergence.
The organic matter used in the experiment consisted of bovine
manure compost, whose analytical composition was 4 % nitrogen
(N), 0.58 % phosphorus (P), 1.58 % potassium (K), 1.42 % calcium
(Ca) and 0.50 % magnesium (Mg). This compost was generated by
a controlled aerobic decomposition process over a period of 60 days
and then applied according to the organic source treatments in each
planting furrow prior to planting. Ecient microorganisms (EM)
prepared in a 200 L biodigester according to Higa and Parr (1995),
consisting of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus spp.), photosynthetic
bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas spp.), fermenting fungi (Aspergillus
spp., Saccharomyces spp.), actinobacteria (Streptomyces spp.),
nitrogen-xing bacteria (Azotobacter spp.) and yeasts (Saccharomyces
spp.), with an average concentration of 1×10⁶ to 1×10⁸ CFU.mL
-1
,
grown under controlled anaerobic conditions for activation.
Experimental design and treatments
A completely randomised block design with a 2×4×2 factorial
arrangement was used, in which three factors were evaluated: nitrogen
source (organic matter and urea), level of nitrogen fertilization (50,
100, 150 and 200 kg N.ha
-1
) and presence or absence of ecient
microorganisms. As base fertilization in treatments carrying urea,
120 kg.ha
-1
of P₂O₅ and 60 kg.ha
-1
of K₂O were applied at sowing
(Shareef et al., 2019) and nitrogen in the form of urea was applied in
two fractions: 50 % at 20 days after emergence (DAE) and the rest at
the beginning of owering (50 DAE). Ecient microorganisms were
supplied at three times: 0.5 L.ha
-1
at sowing, 1 L.ha
-1
at 20 DAE and 1
L.ha
-1
at the beginning of owering (Higa and Parr, 1995). Mepiquat
chloride 5 % (1 L.ha
-1
) was applied at anthesis as a growth controller.
Variables assessed
Growth and yield variables were measured. Flowering was
recorded when 50 % of the plants entered anthesis. Plant height and
stem diameter were measured at 77 DAE with metric ruler and digital
caliper, respectively. The number of acorns-plant
-1
was quantied at
129 DAE, considering the fully developed acorns. Diameter, length
and biomass of acorns, bre and seeds were measured. Yield was
obtained by harvesting the central rows of the useful plots (140 days
after sowing) and bre biomass was determined on an analytical
balance. For foliar uptake of N, P and K, ve fully developed leaves
were collected from 10 plants per treatment at 77 DAE. Samples were
dried at 60 °C for 72 hours, pulverised and analysed (Henriquez et al.,
1998). N was quantied by the Kjeldahl method, while P and K were
quantied by wet digestion.
Statistical analysis
Data were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means
were compared with Tukey’s test (P≤0.05). To ensure the validity
of the results, the assumptions of normality and homogeneity of
variances were checked using the Shapiro-Wilk and Hartley tests.
All statistical analyses were performed with INFOSTAT software (Di
Rienzo et al
., 2019).
Results and discussion
Signicant eects (P<0.05) were identied in several variables
as a function of N sources and doses, and the application of ecient
microorganisms; as well as in their interactions, except in the triple
interaction. The most relevant combinations were observed in the
number of acorns per plant (NAPP), diameter and biomass per acorn,
yield and foliar K concentration.
Agro-productive performance of cotton under the inuence of two
sources of N, organic matter (OM) and urea (U) showed signicant
statistical dierences (P<0.05) in the variables evaluated, evidencing
the dierential impact of the sources on crop development and yield
(Figure 2).
Urea fertilization accelerated owering compared to organic
matter, in agreement with previous studies in intensive nitrogen
management systems (Shareef, 2019). Also, U-fertilized plants
attained greater height and stem diameter, which was consistent
with research associating mineral nitrogen with vigorous vegetative
growth (Geng et al., 2020; da Silva et al., 2023).
One of the reasons why urea accelerates owering in cotton is
because it provides readily available nitrogen, which stimulates
vigorous growth and early dierentiation of reproductive structures,
whereas organic fertilization releases nitrogen more gradually,
leading to sustained development but slightly later owering, which
was corroborated by Li et al. (2017) and Yang et al. (2021).
The easy availability of the nitrogen source urea is crucial for
protein and growth hormone synthesis. This translates into a greater
eect on variables associated with plant growth (height and stem
diameter). Also, as nitrogen is a component of the chlorophyll
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Figure 2. Agro-productive response of cotton to two nitrogen
sources. Abbreviations: OM= organic matter; U= urea;
means with the same letter did not dier signicantly
from each other, according to Tukey’s test (P≤0.05).
agronomic management and the variables evaluated. In this study,
boll length, bre biomass and seed biomass responded signicantly
to N doses, which partially coincided with Palomo et al. (2004), who
determined an optimum yield with 80 kg.ha
-1
in the variety Laguna
89.
Table 1 shows the results of the variables evaluated according
to the doses of nitrogen fertilization. The highest acorn length
was recorded at 150 kg.ha
-1
(6.18 mm), while bre biomass (2.67
g) and seed biomass (4.60 g) peaked at 50 kg.ha
-1
. These results
highlighted the need to consider not only total yield, but also nitrogen
use eciency, optimising inputs and maximising productivity in
sustainable farming systems.
Table 1. Cotton yield response to four fertilization rates.
Dose
(kg de N.ha
-1
)
Acorn length Biomass bre Seed biomass
(mm) (g)
50 5.93 ± 0.12
b
2.67 ± 0.22
a
4.60 ± 0.52
a
100 5.84 ± 0.11
c
2.37 ± 0.09
ab
4.10 ± 0.15
b
150 6.18 ± 0.25
a
2.27 ± 0.11
b
4.20 ± 0.20
ab
200 6.09 ± 0.33
ab
2.51 ± 0.30
ab
4.30 ± 0.53
ab
Means with the same letter did not dier signicantly from each other, according to Tukey’s
test (P≤0.05).
The analysis of the agro-productive variables in response to the
application of ecient microorganisms (EM) showed dierent eects.
There were no statistical dierences in acorn length, acorn biomass
and seed biomass. However, yield was signicantly higher with EM
application, reaching 3,270.80 kg.ha
-1
, compared to 2,879.60 kg.ha
-1
without EM application (Table 2). These results highlighted the
potential of EM in combination with organic or inorganic fertilizers to
optimize crop productive performance, probably due to their ability
to improve nutrient availability and uptake, stimulate soil microbial
activity and promote root growth, which favours greater eciency in
the use of soil resources and increases crop productivity.
Table 2. Productive responses of cotton due to the presence of
ecient microorganisms.
ME
Acorn length
Acorn bio-
mass
Seed biomass Yield
(cm) (g) (kg.ha
-1
)
WEM 5.89 ± 0.11
b
2.03 ± 0.05
b
4.10 ± 0.29
b
3,270.80 ±
547.11
a
WOEM 6.13 ± 0.30
a
2.27 ± 0.13
a
4.50 ± 0.30
a
2,879.60 ±
731.85
b
EM= ecient microorganisms; WEM= with ecient microorganisms; WOEM= without
ecient microorganisms. Means with the same letter did not dier signicantly from each
other, according to Tukey’s test (P≤0.05).
Previous ndings support this trend. Wang et al. (2020) reported
that the use of organic fertilizers in Hexi region, Gansu province, China,
increased the number of acorns per plant, dry biomass accumulation
and cotton growth. An increase in bre and seed yield was also
observed, conrming the benet of integrating organic fertilizers with
complementary strategies to improve crop productivity.
Analysis of the interaction between nitrogen sources and nitrogen
doses revealed signicant dierences in cotton yield variables (Table
3). The highest number of acorns per plant (NBP) was obtained
with the combination of urea (U) and 200 kg N.ha
-1
(18.00), being
molecule, this type of fertilization increases chlorophyll and therefore
photosynthetic activity, thereby increasing biomass accumulation and
growth-related variables by improving nitrogen uptake and utilization
(Duan et al., 2020).
In terms of productivity, urea application increased the number
of acorns per plant, as well as their diameter and length. In addition,
this treatment favoured a higher number of seeds in the acorns and
a higher yield when compared to OM. However, leaf potassium
concentration was signicantly higher in plants fertilized with organic
matter, reecting its sustained nutrient supply and its positive eect
on mineral nutrition, as reported by Higa and Parr (1995) and Cañarte
et al. (2020).
The higher foliar potassium content in plants fertilized with
organic matter is due to several reasons, among others, to the
progressive and constant release of potassium, to its lower leaching
due to a higher retention of this element in the soil, to the presence of a
higher microbial activity, this contributes to a greater availability and
accessibility of potassium in soils with organic fertilization, which in
turn explains its higher concentration in the leaf tissue, compared to
plants fertilized with urea.
Vesco et al. (2022) evaluated three levels of nitrogen fertilization
(60, 120 and 180 kg.ha
-1
) on NIAB-111, CIM-496 and FH-901
varieties, nding that 120 kg.ha
-1
promoted higher seed and bre
biomass. However, in the present investigation, the lower dose (50
kg.ha
-1
) resulted in higher seed and bre biomass, suggesting atypical
crop behaviour under the experimental conditions.
This could be associated with an optimal nutrient balance, which
improved nitrogen use eciency and favoured the partitioning of
photoassimilates to reproductive structures, avoiding excessive
vegetative growth. In addition, mild nutrient stress may have induced
an adaptive response, prioritising reproduction. In turn, a better
carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio favoured the quality and quantity of
bre produced. These results highlight the importance of adjusting
fertilization to agroecological conditions to optimise crop productivity
and are in line with ndings by Gospodinova & Panayotova (2019)
and Baird et al. (2024).
Zonta et al. (2016) indicated similar results by identifying that
the optimal dose in semi-arid conditions ranged between 70 and 140
kg.ha
-1
, although with variations depending on the environment,
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5-6 |
signicantly higher than organic matter (OM) with 100 and 200 kg
N.ha
-1
, as well as U with 50 kg N.ha
-1
.
For acorn diameter, the highest responses were observed with U
at doses of 200, 150 and 50 kg N.ha
-1
, signicantly outperforming
MO at 200 kg N.ha
-1
. As for leaf potassium concentration (% K),
the highest values were recorded with MO at 50 and 100 kg N.ha
-1
,
diering from U at 50, 100 and 150 kg N.ha
-1
.
Table 3. Cotton production response to the interaction between
nitrogen source and dose.
Sources
Dose
(kg de N.ha
-1
)
NAP Acorn diameter K
(number) (mm) (%)
OM 50 13.25 ± 3.37
ab
33.00 ± 1.33
ab
1.93 ± 0.24
a
OM 100 12.45 ± 2.41
b
34.07 ± 2.32
ab
1.94 ± 0.09
a
OM 150 13.50 ± 2.02
ab
34.29 ± 2.13
ab
1.81 ± 0.17
b
OM 200 12.23 ± 5.08
b
32.12 ± 1.27
b
1.67 ±0.23
bc
U 50 12.15 ± 3.04
b
34.15 ± 2.31
a
1.45 ± 0.16
c
U 100 14.08 ± 2.26
ab
33.09 ± 3.11
ab
1.44 ± 0.28
c
U 150 17.53 ± 3.23
ab
34.24 ± 0.64
a
1.55 ± 0.19
c
U 200 18.00 ± 4.31
a
34.77 ± 1.72
a
1.79 ± 0.20
bc
NAP= number of acorns per plant; K= foliar potassium concentration; OM= organic matter;
U= urea; means with the same letter did not show signicant dierences between them,
according to Tukey’s test (P≤0.05).
Wang et al. (2020) reported that the combination of organic
fertilizers with ecient microorganisms (EM) in cotton signicantly
increased yield compared to single application of organic fertilizers
or EM. This eect was attributed to the synergy between the two
components, which supports the results of the present study regarding
the impact of organic matter (OM) on potassium balance. Similarly,
Blaise et al. (2005) found that the use of manure in rainfed cotton not
only improved bre yield, but also maintained a positive potassium
balance, highlighting the role of organic sources in agricultural
sustainability.
Liu et al. (2023) found that application of 150 kg N.ha
-1
optimised
seed cotton yield (bre and seed) and bre quality compared to doses
of 75, 150 and 300 kg N.ha
-1
. In contrast, the 75 kg N.ha
-1
dose
showed inconsistent results, while the eects of applications below
this threshold were unclear. Taken together, these ndings conrm
that integrated management of nitrogen sources and adjusted doses
maximises yields and optimises the nutritional balance of the crop,
promoting eective strategies for sustainable agriculture.
Table 4 presents the results of the interaction between nitrogen
sources and the application of ecient microorganisms (EM) on the
acorn diameter and biomass variables. The largest acorn diameter
(34.43 mm) was obtained with the interaction of urea (U) and the
presence of EM (WEM), being signicantly higher than organic
matter (OM) with WEM. In contrast, in the treatments with OM,
the largest diameter was recorded without the application of EM
(WOEM), suggesting that OM could contain microorganisms such
as plant growth-promoting bacteria and growth promoters, as well
as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and saprophytes that contribute to
these results. In terms of acorn biomass, the OM×WOEM interaction
showed the highest value (2.38 ± 0.42 g), diering signicantly from
OM×WEM.
Table 4. Productive response of cotton to the interaction between
sources and presence of ecient microorganisms.
Sources EM
Acorn diameter Acorn biomass
mm g
OM WEM 32.64 ± 1.70
b
1.89 ± 0.22
b
OM WOEM 34.10 ± 2.25
a
2.38 ± 0.42
a
U WEM 34.43 ± 2.26
a
2.17 ± 0.56
ab
U WOEM 33.69 ± 1.99
ab
2.15 ± 0.29
ab
EM= ecient microorganisms; OM= organic matter; U= urea; WEM= with ecient
microorganisms; WOEM= without ecient microorganisms. Means with the same letter did
not show signicant dierences between them, according to Tukey’s test (P≤0.05).
Khaliq et al. (2006) demonstrated that the combination of organic
fertilizers with ecient microorganisms in cotton crop resulted in
higher yields (1,552 kg.ha
-1
), in contrast to the results obtained with
pure organic fertilizers (1,263 kg.ha
-1
) or EM alone (1,278 kg.ha
-1
).
These results reected the synergy between organic components and
microorganisms in improving the productive performance of cotton.
In this study, favourable responses were observed with both
OM and U in combination with EM, particularly in acorn diameter.
However, the use of OM without EM was shown to be an ecient
strategy for the variables evaluated, possibly due to the presence of
native microorganisms in its composition. These results highlighted
the importance of considering both the quality of the organic source
and the integration of OM in sustainable management strategies to
optimise crop performance.
Table 5 shows the results of acorn yield and diameter as a
function of the interaction between N dose and presence or absence
of ecient microorganisms (EM). The highest yields were obtained
with the application of 150 kg.ha
-1
of N and EM (WME), reaching
3,805.56 kg.ha
-1
, while the lowest yield was recorded with 100 kg.ha
-1
of N without EM (WOEM), with 2,500.00 kg.ha
-1
. Regarding acorn
diameter, the highest values were observed with 150 kg.ha
-1
of N
and SME (34.74 mm), followed by similar values among the other
treatments.
Table 5. Cotton productive response to the interaction between
doses and presence of ecient microorganisms.
Doses
(kg de N.ha
-1
)
EM
Acorn diameter Yield
(mm) (kg.ha
-1
)
50 WEM 33.84 ± 2.29
ab
3,037.04 ± 376.25
bc
100 WEM 33.79 ± 2.78
ab
3,055.56 ± 304.29
bc
150 WEM 33.79 ± 1.20
ab
3,805.56 ± 553.05
a
200 WEM 32.73 ± 1.65
b
3,185.19 ± 603.15
bc
50 WOEM 33.32 ± 1.57
ab
2,851.85 ± 615.31
c
100 WOEM 33.37 ± 2.79
ab
2,500.00 ± 363.45
d
150 WOEM 34.74 ± 1.85
a
2,574.07 ± 674.03
d
200 WOEM 34.16 ± 2.17
ab
3,592.59 ± 762.28
b
WEM= with ecient microorganisms; WOEM= without ecient microorganisms. Means
with the same letter did not show signicant dierences between them, according to Tukey’s
test (P≤0.05).
The ndings of this study are in agreement with previous research
such as Chen et al. (2019) who reported that 240 kg N.ha
-1
improved
acorn quality, an eect similar to that observed with 200 kg N.ha
-1
in this work. Tao et al. (2017) demonstrated that organic fertilizers
(3.0-6.0 Mg.ha
-1
) improved productivity in extensive systems.
Similarly, Chen et al. (2019) highlighted that the optimal nitrogen
dose depends on agroecological factors, which coincides with the
This scientic publication in digital format is a continuation of the Printed Review: Legal Deposit pp 196802ZU42, ISSN 0378-7818.
Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2025, 42(2): e254220 April-June. ISSN 2477-9409.
6-6 |
higher productivity obtained in this study when combining EM and
an intermediate dose of N. These results highlight the importance of
integrated fertilization management and ecient microorganisms to
optimize cotton yield in a sustainable manner.
Conclusions
Nitrogen fertilization management signicantly inuences
cotton growth and yield in Ecuador. The combination of organic,
inorganic and ecient microorganisms (EM) fertilization shows
potential to optimize productivity without relying exclusively on
synthetic fertilizers. The application of EM showed a positive eect
on productivity, especially with an intermediate dose of nitrogen
(150 kg.ha
-1
), although its impact varies according to management
conditions. This study provides a scientic basis for optimizing
cotton fertilization and improving decision making in agricultural
systems. It is recommended to continue with studies that evaluate its
application in dierent agroclimatic contexts and its long-term eect
on input use eciency.
Acknowledgments
The authors express their gratitude for the nancial support
received for this research from the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO) through the Project + Cotton initiative.
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