Keywords:

Plant nutrition

Sustainable fertilization

Cotton

Ecient microorganisms

Agricultural productivity

Eect 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

Freddy Eli Zambrano Gavilanes²*

Marina Coromoto García de Almeida²

Rolando León Aguilar

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.

Facultad de Ingeniería Agronómica, Universidad Técnica

de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador.

División de Investigación, Facultades de Ingeniería

Agronómica, Ingeniería Agrícola y Ciencias de la Salud,

Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí,

Ecuador.

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

signicant 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 eect 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 ecient 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 ecient microorganisms (EM) did not

produce statistically signicant dierences compared to the control

treatment across all evaluated variables, as it signicantly 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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Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2025, 42(2): e254220 April-June. ISSN 2477-9409.

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 ecientes (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

signicativas con respecto al tratamiento testigo en todas las variables

evaluadas, ya que incrementó signicativamente 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 ecientes, productividad agrícola.

Resumo

O cultivo do algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L.) desempenha

um papel crucial na economia e na agricultura global, sendo sua

produtividade diretamente inuenciada 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 ecientes (ME) não resultou em diferenças

estatisticamente signicativas em relação ao tratamento controle para

todas as variáveis avaliadas, porém aumentou signicativamente 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 eciência do sistema produtivo, promovendo

uma agricultura mais sustentável.

Palavras-chave: nutrição vegetal, fertilização sustentável, algodão,

microrganismos ecientes, 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 acidication, loss of microbial

biodiversity and high production costs (Cañarte et al., 2020). In

response, the use of organic fertilizers and ecient 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 signicant

eects 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 dierences.

On the other hand, Hussain et al. (2024) reported signicant

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

ecient in terms of yield sustainability and soil quality. A signicant

increase in organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorus

content was indicated, which improved soil enzyme activity and

nutrient uptake eciency.

In this context, this research evaluated the eect of organic and

inorganic fertilization on the growth and yield of G. hirsutum in

Ecuador, integrating ecient 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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Mera et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2025, 42(2): e254220

3-6 |

herbaceous plants adapted to drought, such as Ceiba trichistandra,

Prosopis juliora 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. Ecient 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 ecient

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). Ecient 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 quantied 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 quantied by the Kjeldahl method, while P and K were

quantied 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

Signicant eects (P<0.05) were identied in several variables

as a function of N sources and doses, and the application of ecient

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 inuence of two

sources of N, organic matter (OM) and urea (U) showed signicant

statistical dierences (P<0.05) in the variables evaluated, evidencing

the dierential 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 dierentiation 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

eect on variables associated with plant growth (height and stem

diameter). Also, as nitrogen is a component of the chlorophyll

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Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2025, 42(2): e254220 April-June. ISSN 2477-9409.

4-6 |

Figure 2. Agro-productive response of cotton to two nitrogen

sources. Abbreviations: OM= organic matter; U= urea;

means with the same letter did not dier signicantly

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 signicantly

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 eciency, 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

2.67 ± 0.22

4.60 ± 0.52

100 5.84 ± 0.11

2.37 ± 0.09

4.10 ± 0.15

150 6.18 ± 0.25

2.27 ± 0.11

4.20 ± 0.20

200 6.09 ± 0.33

2.51 ± 0.30

4.30 ± 0.53

Means with the same letter did not dier signicantly from each other, according to Tukey’s

test (P≤0.05).

The analysis of the agro-productive variables in response to the

application of ecient microorganisms (EM) showed dierent eects.

There were no statistical dierences in acorn length, acorn biomass

and seed biomass. However, yield was signicantly 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 eciency in

the use of soil resources and increases crop productivity.

Table 2. Productive responses of cotton due to the presence of

ecient microorganisms.

Acorn length

Acorn bio-

mass

Seed biomass Yield

(cm) (g) (kg.ha

-1

)

WEM 5.89 ± 0.11

2.03 ± 0.05

4.10 ± 0.29

3,270.80 ±

547.11

WOEM 6.13 ± 0.30

2.27 ± 0.13

4.50 ± 0.30

2,879.60 ±

731.85

EM= ecient microorganisms; WEM= with ecient microorganisms; WOEM= without

ecient microorganisms. Means with the same letter did not dier signicantly 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, conrming the benet of integrating organic fertilizers with

complementary strategies to improve crop productivity.

Analysis of the interaction between nitrogen sources and nitrogen

doses revealed signicant dierences 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 signicantly higher in plants fertilized with organic

matter, reecting its sustained nutrient supply and its positive eect

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 eciency 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 |

signicantly 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

, signicantly 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

diering 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

33.00 ± 1.33

1.93 ± 0.24

OM 100 12.45 ± 2.41

34.07 ± 2.32

1.94 ± 0.09

OM 150 13.50 ± 2.02

34.29 ± 2.13

1.81 ± 0.17

OM 200 12.23 ± 5.08

32.12 ± 1.27

1.67 ±0.23

U 50 12.15 ± 3.04

34.15 ± 2.31

1.45 ± 0.16

U 100 14.08 ± 2.26

33.09 ± 3.11

1.44 ± 0.28

U 150 17.53 ± 3.23

34.24 ± 0.64

1.55 ± 0.19

U 200 18.00 ± 4.31

34.77 ± 1.72

1.79 ± 0.20

NAP= number of acorns per plant; K= foliar potassium concentration; OM= organic matter;

U= urea; means with the same letter did not show signicant dierences between them,

according to Tukey’s test (P≤0.05).

Wang et al. (2020) reported that the combination of organic

fertilizers with ecient microorganisms (EM) in cotton signicantly

increased yield compared to single application of organic fertilizers

or EM. This eect 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 eects of applications below

this threshold were unclear. Taken together, these ndings conrm

that integrated management of nitrogen sources and adjusted doses

maximises yields and optimises the nutritional balance of the crop,

promoting eective strategies for sustainable agriculture.

Table 4 presents the results of the interaction between nitrogen

sources and the application of ecient 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 signicantly 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), diering signicantly from

OM×WEM.

Table 4. Productive response of cotton to the interaction between

sources and presence of ecient microorganisms.

Sources EM

Acorn diameter Acorn biomass

mm g

OM WEM 32.64 ± 1.70

1.89 ± 0.22

OM WOEM 34.10 ± 2.25

2.38 ± 0.42

U WEM 34.43 ± 2.26

2.17 ± 0.56

U WOEM 33.69 ± 1.99

2.15 ± 0.29

EM= ecient microorganisms; OM= organic matter; U= urea; WEM= with ecient

microorganisms; WOEM= without ecient microorganisms. Means with the same letter did

not show signicant dierences between them, according to Tukey’s test (P≤0.05).

Khaliq et al. (2006) demonstrated that the combination of organic

fertilizers with ecient 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 reected 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 ecient

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 ecient 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 ecient microorganisms.

Doses

(kg de N.ha

-1

)

Acorn diameter Yield

(mm) (kg.ha

-1

)

50 WEM 33.84 ± 2.29

3,037.04 ± 376.25

100 WEM 33.79 ± 2.78

3,055.56 ± 304.29

150 WEM 33.79 ± 1.20

3,805.56 ± 553.05

200 WEM 32.73 ± 1.65

3,185.19 ± 603.15

50 WOEM 33.32 ± 1.57

2,851.85 ± 615.31

100 WOEM 33.37 ± 2.79

2,500.00 ± 363.45

150 WOEM 34.74 ± 1.85

2,574.07 ± 674.03

200 WOEM 34.16 ± 2.17

3,592.59 ± 762.28

WEM= with ecient microorganisms; WOEM= without ecient microorganisms. Means

with the same letter did not show signicant dierences 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 eect 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 scientic 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 ecient microorganisms to

optimize cotton yield in a sustainable manner.

Conclusions

Nitrogen fertilization management signicantly inuences

cotton growth and yield in Ecuador. The combination of organic,

inorganic and ecient microorganisms (EM) fertilization shows

potential to optimize productivity without relying exclusively on

synthetic fertilizers. The application of EM showed a positive eect

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 scientic basis for optimizing

cotton fertilization and improving decision making in agricultural

systems. It is recommended to continue with studies that evaluate its

application in dierent agroclimatic contexts and its long-term eect

on input use eciency.

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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