 Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.1 Effect of Gyttja and Nitrogen Applications on Growth and Flowering of Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus L.) Plant in the Two Soils Depth Abstract: Plant morphological attribute has been reported to be increased through the application of organic material (Gyttja) to the soil. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus L.) was studied under plastic house conditions to determine the effect of two different soil depth-SH (0-20 cm and 20- 40 cm), four different gyttja doses-GD (0, 1, 2, and 3%), and three different nitrogen doses-ND (0, 140, and 280 mg kg -1 ) on some of the plant’s morphological characters; Plant Height (PH), Fresh Weight Per Plant (FWP), Number of Leaves Per Plant(NLP), Stem Diameter(SD), Number of Branches Per Plant (NBP), Number of Flower Per Spikes (NFPS) and Flower Spike Length (FSL). The results showed that gyttja application at doses of 3%, significantly increased PH, SD, NBP, NFPS, and FSL, while FWP increased only at 2% gyttja application dose and decreased at the 3% dose. The application of 280 mg kg -1 of nitrogen significantly increased (PH, FWP, NLP, NBP, NFPS and FSL). All parameters increased at (0-20 cm) soil depth, and the GD x SH x ND interaction had a significant effect on (SD, NLP, NFPS and FSL). These results suggest that adding of gyttja with nitrogen fertilizer to the calcareous and infertile soil will enhance the morphological attributes of plants. Keywords: Gyttja, Snapdragons plant, Nitrogen Fertilizer, Soil Depth. 1. INTRODUCTION The agricultural soils in Bakrajo, Sulaimani, Kurdistan region/Iraq, contain low organic matters. This is because of cultivation system, high rate of soil erosion, land degradation and dry and hot microclimate. In order to address the agricultural, environmental and economic problems organic materials are essential to add to this agro-ecosystem [1]. There are higher and more active microbial population in the soils supported by organic inputs in compare to those managed with mineral fertilizers [2]. To improve soil properties and fertile its content, materials such as (leonardite, gyttja, poultry manure, sewage sludge, etc.) are commonly used [3], thus also address some of the soil-borne pathogens and plant diseases [4]. Gyttja is a semi-formed lignite coal cover layer that is black or brown mud with organic matter and not used for fuel due to low calorie [5, 6, and 7]. The (EC) was 0.68 mmhos/cm -1 , the acidity (pH) of gyttja was 7.75, total lime content was 32.5% and total organic carbon content was 25.5%. Total nitrogen content was 0.84% and total phosphor of gyttja was 17 mg kg −1 . The amounts of fulvic and humic acids were 27.49 and 40.78%, respectively [1, 8]. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus L.) is the most common flower growing in gardens and parks. The name comes from its character when pinch the flowers at the sides with the thumb and index finger, open and closes like the mouth of a dragon. Snapdragon cultivars growth and flowering based on their response to day length and temperature [9]. The bright and colored flowers and the ability of the plant to adapt in local growing conditions make it easy to produce and spread [10]. Snapdragon is desirable for cut flowers because of its wide range of petal colors and smell. The snapdragon cut flowers are sensitive to ethylene, and their vase lives are relatively short [11, 12, 13]. The aim of this study was to assess the gyttja effects, nitrogen applications and soil depth on some morphological characters of Snapdragons. 2. METHODS AND MATERIALS The experiment was carried out during the years 2015- 2016, and Snapdragons plants were used as test plants, under plastic house condition, in the Ornamental plants Department, Technical Institute of Bakrajo, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani - Iraq. Gyttja was gained from Lignite deposits at the Afsin - Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş, Eastern Turkey). The effect of gyttja on plant growth was tested by using four different gyttja doses (0, 1, 2, and 3 % plant (w/w), and three different nitrogen doses (0, 140, and 280 mg/ kg -1 -N). The nitrogen fertilizer was added as urea at three doses after 25 days of sowing. 2.1. Soil and Gyttja Analysis The soil used for growing Snapdragons was taken at two different soil depths (0-20, 20-40) cm from Bakrajo, Sulaimani, Kurdistan region/Iraq. After collections the both of soil was dried by air and sieved (<2 mm) in the laboratory to determine physical and chemical properties (Table 1). Based on these values, both of soils have low organic matter and varied in macro and micronutrients contents, the soil pH was slightly alkaline and the amount of lime in the depth (0-20) lower than of (20- Ardalan J. Mjeed Ornamental Plant Dept, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq ardalan.majeed@spu.edu.iq Mariwan A. Ali Ornamental Plant Dept, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq mariwan.ali@spu.edu.iq Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.1 40), and organic matter, P, Cu, Fe, Zn and EC contents in the soil depth (0-20) cm were very high compared with lower soil depth. The (EC) and acidity (pH) of both soil depth and gyttja were measured in H2O suspension by using a glass electrode - calomel electrode system [14]. The Walkley-Black method was used for determining Organic Matter (O.M) in gyttja and soil depth samples [15]. UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to determine the concentration of phosphorus in soil by using a solution of 0.5 N sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 at pH 8.5 [16]. The DTPA-TEA extraction method that was developed by [17] for extracting metal micronutrients in neutral and calcareous soils was used for measuring plant available (Mn, Cu, Fe, and Zn) and the Ammonium acetate (1N NH4OAc) at pH 7.0 solution was used for assayed macronutrient (Ca, Mg, K and Na) [18] by using Perkin Elmer 3110 Atomic Absorption Spectrophoto- meter (AAS). The Total lime (CaCO3 %) in the soil was evaluated by using Scheibler Calcimeter method [19]. The gyttija used in the experiment was slightly alkaline, low EC, high calcium carbonate and organic matter content (Table 2). Finally the gyttja was mixed manually at each application rate until the gyttja- 2kg soil mixture was homogenous for each pot. Table l: The properties of the soil: Parameters Soil Depth (0 – 20) cm Soil Depth (20 – 40) cm pH 7.65 7.74 EC (mmhos/cm -1 ) 2.0 1.56 CaCO3 (%) 24.5 32.1 O.M. (%) 2.30 1.27 Ca (mgkg -1 ) 4521 5485 Mg (mgkg -1 ) 223.2 153.7 Na (mgkg -1 ) 48.1 44.2 K (mgkg -1 ) 203 255 P (mgkg -1 ) 4.07 2.37 Fe (mgkg -1 ) 9.22 7.8 Zn (mgkg -1 ) 1.43 0.85 Cu (mgkg -1 ) 2.60 1.06 Mn (mgkg -1 ) 27.2 35.16 Table 2: Properties of gyttja used in the study: Parameters Value pH 7.70 EC (mmhos/cm -1 ) 0.86 CaCO3 (%) 31.8 Organic Matter (%) 42.1 2.2. Plant Characteristic Plants was harvested 90 days after planting and to record the following morphological attributes including, Plant Height (PH) cm, Fresh Weight Per Plant (FWP) g, Number of Leaves Per Plant (NLP), Stem Diameter (SD) cm, Number of Branches Per Plant (NBP), Number of Flower Per Spikes (NFPS) and Flower Spike Length (FSL) cm, the plants need to uprooted and washed with tap water. 2.3. Statistical Analysis Experiment was performed by randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used in this study to test main and interaction effects. The data sets were analyzed with (IBM SPSS Advanced Statistics version 20.0.0). For direct comparison of treatments, Duncan’s’ Multiple Comparison tests were used. (ANOVA) analysis of variance was used for testing the main effect, the interaction of all variables; SH, GD and ND for all treatments at statistical significance level (p ≤ 0.05). The figures were designed using Graph pad prism version 6.0 software. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results of (ANOVA) for the different soil depth, gyttja doses, nitrogen doses, and their interactions regarding the measured morphological characters of Snapdragons plant are shown in (Table 3). Nitrogen and gyttja doses had significant effects on all parameters. Soil depth showed significant variation in NBP, NFPS, and FSL. However, the effect of soil depth was non- significant on (PH, FWP, NLP and SD). Soil depth showed significant variation in NBP, NFPS, and FSL. However, the effect of soil depth was non- significant on (PH, FWP, NLP and SD). The interaction between the soil depth and gyttja doses has affected all the characters except FSL. The interaction of soil depth and nitrogen doses had a significant effect only on NLP and FSL. The interaction between gyttja doses and nitrogen doses significantly affected all morphological Snapdragons characters except PH. The interactions between SH x GD x ND were significant for all treatments except NFPS and PH. Duncan’s multiple comparison tests have indicated that the application of 140 and 280 mg kg -1 nitrogen doses significantly increased PH, FWP, and NLP. However, NBP, NFPS, and FSL were significantly higher than control when 280 mg kg -1 nitrogen was used (Table 4.). The stem diameter has shown linear increases when 140 mg kg -1 nitrogen was applied. Nitrogen was added as an experimental factor in this study because previous researches recommended that the application of N together with the gyttja positively affects the plant growth. This might be due to the decrease in nitrogen loss by leaching. Moreover, nutrient uptake by plants is controlled not only by nutrient supply but also by the demand of the plant. According to [21] peat and leaf compost as growing substrates with sufficient supply of N content are good for healthy plant growth. Applying gyttja at 3% enhanced the morphological attributes; PH, SD, NBP, NFPS, NLP and FSL in the Snapdragons plant, but it does not increase FWP (Table 5). The Fresh Weight Per Plant increased at 2% gyttja Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.1 application. The gyttja application presented maximum stem diameter which is also supported by [21] Table 3: The ANOVA results of the treatments and their interactions for the measured morphological attributes of Snapdragons plant. Parameters Plant Height (cm) Fresh Weight Per Plant (g) No. of Leaves Per Plant Stem Diameter (cm) No. of Branches Per Plant No. of Flowers Per Spike Flower Spike Length (cm) Source Df F-Value Sig. F-Value Sig. F-Value Sig. F-Value Sig. F-Value Sig. F-Value Sig. F-Value Sig. Soil Depth (SH) 1 7.004 0.770 7.281 0.206 61.661 0.145 10.509 10.509 0.162 1.730 0.001 57.845 0.000 37.902 0.000 Gyttja Dose (GD) 3 110.66 7 0.000 39.550 0.000 166.139 0.000 43.353 0.000 70.471 0.000 202.537 0.000 203.331 0.000 Nitrogen Dose (ND) 2 87.550 0.000 71.838 0.000 118.363 0.000 60.720 0.004 57.261 0.000 112.755 0.000 63.211 0.000 SH* GD 3 1.567 0.000 16.761 0.000 4.907 0.005 21.794 0.000 0.684 0.000 6.055 0.001 0.704 0.554 SH * ND 2 2.349 0.274 8.098 0.102 4.397 0.018 6.806 0.061 3.381 0.392 0.746 0.480 10.429 0.000 GD* ND 6 1.963 0.051 21.190 0.000 11.973 0.000 12.236 0.000 0.975 0.000 3.515 0.006 9.737 0.000 SH * GD * ND 6 1.668 0.072 11.301 0.017 5.300 0.000 10.123 0.000 1.420 0.004 2.158 0.064 7.471 0.000 who observed thickest stem of dahlia in sand, silt, and Leaf mould medium. Results showed that plants gave a maximum increase in FWP in 2% gyttja doses containing media. In this respect, [22, 23] observed the fresh weight per plant increases in the media containing organic matter. The peak in a number of plants shoots presented the vital vegetative plant growth. Also it helped by nutrient rich and growing media. The maximum numbers of plant shoots were recorded in the result of treatment gyttja, N + topsoil that showed the enhanced vegetative growth in Antirrhinum majus L. These findings are similarly seen in both researches done by [24, 25] first was on Sinmondsia chinensis that the maximum number of shoots in organic material. The second was using coconut compost growing media in combination with silt + organic material increased side branches. Table 4: The effect of the nitrogen doses on some measured morphological attributes of Snapdragons plant. Nitrogen Dose (mg/kg -1 ) Plant Height (cm) Fresh Weight Per Plant (g) No. of Leaves Per Plant Stem Diameter (cm) No. of Branches Per Plant No. of Flowers Per Spike Flower Spike Length (cm) 0 89.375b 81.166b 334.38b 1.066b 10.50c 34.46c 25.92b 140 111.666a 120.792a 553.54a 1.370a 24.17b 46.79b 27.33b 280 105.292a 130.208a 540.92a 1.213ab 30.96a 53.83a 34.17a *Means in the same column followed by the same symbol are not significantly different at p ≤ 0.05 level based on Duncan test. Table 5: The effect of the gyttja doses on some measured morphological attributes of Snapdragons plant. Gyttja Dose (%) Plant Height (cm) Fresh Weight Per Plant (g) No. of Leaves Per Plant Stem Diameter (cm) No. of Branches Per Plant No. of Flowers Per Spike Flower Spike Length (cm) 0 75.28d 57.44c 261.06c 1.000b 9.28c 28.00d 17.28d 1 95.28c 74.28b 429.50d 1.128b 14.78b 38.17c 27.11c 2 107.17b 82.39a 574.22b 1.128b 30.61a 51.11b 33.94b 3 112.11a 73.06b 640.33a 1.611a 32.83a 62.83a 38.22a *Means in the same column followed by the same symbol are not significantly different at p ≤ 0.05 level based on Duncan test. Based on estimated marginal mean, both of soil depth effects on morphological attributes of Snapdragons plant were compared together are shown in (Table 6). Mostly, all parameters (FWP, NLP, NBP, NFPS and FSL) of the plants grown in the soils depth (0-20) cm were higher than those grown in soil depth (20 – 40) cm. This might be due to the higher amount of organic matter and some macro-micronutrients in the soil depth (0-20) cm than the second depth. The gyttja amended soils (0-20) cm had higher morphological attributes with nitrogen fertilizer compared with soil in (20-40) cm, due to that material contains high amounts of organic matter (42.21%) and having a stronger relationship between them. Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.1 Table 6: The effect of the soil depth on some measured morphologic attributes of Snapdragons plant. Soil Depth (cm) Plant Height (cm) Fresh Weight Per Plant (g) No. of Leaves Per Plant Stem Diameter (cm) No. of Branches Per Plant No. of Flowers Per Spike Flower Spike Length (cm) 0-20 101.67 114.390a 527.556a 1.27 23.333a 49.083a 31.111a 20-40 102.56 107.060b 425.000b 1.16 20.417b 40.972b 27.167b *Values represent based on estimated marginal mean. Duncan’s multiple comparison tests indicated that all the morphological attributes of snapdragons plants grown in the soils amended with gyttja in soil depth (0-20) cm better than soil (20-40) cm. The PH had statistically increased by increasing with gyttja doses with N-140 mg kg -1 and gets the high vale at 3% (115.04) cm followed at 2% (103.39) cm and 1% (92.43)cm over 0 % of gyttja doses, although maximum increases (94.66)cm in PH was obtained with N-Control and at 3% of gyttja doses (Fig1 A). The FWP (129.393) gm statistically increased in the fertilized with N-280 mg kg -1 at 2% of gyttja dose and (123.067) gm decline was observed with 3% doses, and in the non-fertilized treatments the FWP statistically was increased at 3% (119.197) gm followed by 2% (101.303)gm and 1% (80.720)gm over the 0% of gyttja (60.200) gm (Fig1 B). When the soil fertilized with N-140 mg kg -1 , the SD increased significantly at 3% doses (1.64) cm over the 0% doses (0.90) cm, and there were no statistical differences between 1, and 2% doses (1.09) cm, whereas in the non-fertilized treatment the SD expanded by increasing of gyttja doses, but statically a similar effect by 2 and 3% doses was observed (0.93), and (0.96) cm respectively (Fig1 C). In the fertilized treatment N-280 mg kg -1 maximum increases in NFPS (79.660) was observed at 3% application followed by 2% (61.660) and by 1% (46.660) over the 0% (40.000), although in the non- fertilized treatment the NFPS increased at 1,2,3% over the control (33.660, 42.330 and 59.660) respectively (Fig1 D). The NBP (49.000) statistically increased in the fertilized with N-280 mg kg -1 at 2% of gyttja dose and decline (42.700) was observed at 3% doses. In the non- fertilized treatments the NBP was increased statistically at 3% (15.660) followed by 2% (13.330) and at 1% (10.330) over the 0% of gyttja (5.330) (Fig1 E). In addition, NLP was significantly increased by gyttja application over the control. In the fertilized treatment N-140 mg kg -1 the NLP (883.000) initially increased till the 2% doses, however a steady decrease was observed with increasing at 3% (733.000), When the soil non- fertilized the NLP significantly increased at 3% doses (569.700) over the control (120.700), and statistically there were no differences between 1, and 2% doses (388.7), and (414.000) respectively (Fig 1F). Finally, in the fertilized treatment N-280 mg kg -1 maximum increases in FSL (48.33)cm was shown at 3% application followed at 2% (41.330)cm and at 1% (33.330)cm over the 0% (25.660)cm, although in the non-fertilized treatment the FSL increased at 1,2,3% over the control (29.000, 31.660, and 38.330)cm respectively (Fig 1G). Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.1 P la n t H e ig h t ( c m ) 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 5 0 1 0 0 1 5 0 N - 1 4 0 m g k g - 1 N - C o n t r o l a a d b c d c b G y t t j a D o s e + ( 0 - 2 0 ) c m S o i l D e p t h N o . o f b r a n c h e s p e r p la n t 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 2 0 4 0 6 0 N - 2 8 0 m g k g - 1 N - C o n t r o l a a b c d b c d G y t t j a D o s e + ( 0 - 2 0 ) c m S o i l D e p t h F r e s h W e ig h t p e r P la n t ( g ) 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 5 0 1 0 0 1 5 0 N - 2 8 0 m g k g - 1 N - C o n t r o l a a d b c b d c G y t t j a D o s e + ( 0 - 2 0 ) c m S o i l D e p t h N o . o f l e a v e s p e r p la n t 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 1 0 0 0 N - 1 4 0 m g k g - 1 N - C o n t r o l a a d bc bc d G y t t j a D o s e + ( 0 - 2 0 ) c m S o i l D e p t h S t e m d ia m e t e r ( c m ) 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 . 0 0 . 5 1 . 0 1 . 5 2 . 0 N - 1 4 0 m g k g - 1 N - C o n t r o l a a a b c c b b G y t t j a D o s e + ( 0 - 2 0 ) c m S o i l D e p t h F lo w e r s p i k e l e n g t h ( c m ) 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 2 0 4 0 6 0 N - 2 8 0 m g k g - 1 N - C o n t r o l G y t t j a D o s e + ( 0 - 2 0 ) c m S o i l D e p t h a a b c d b d c N o . o f F lo w e r p e r S p ik e 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 1 % 2 % 3 % 0 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 0 1 0 0 N - 2 8 0 m g k g - 1 N - C o n t r o l a a d c b b c d G y t t j a D o s e + ( 0 - 2 0 ) c m S o i l D e p t h A B C D E F G Figure 1: Plant growth measurements (Mean ± SE) of Antirrhinum. Measurements contain Plant Height (PH) cm, Fresh Weight Per Plant (FWP) g, Number of Leaves Per Plant(NLP), Stem Diameter(SD) cm , Number of Branches Per Plant(NBP), Number of Flower Per Spike (NFPS) and Flower Spike Length(FSL) cm. That figure illustrated the best interaction between four Gyttja doses (0, 1, 2, and 3%), tow soil depth (0-20) (20-40), and three Nitrogen doses (0, 140, and 280 mg kg -1 ), compare with non-fertilized treatment (N- Control). The abbreviation (a) means the greatest effect on plant morphological attributed. Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.1 4. CONCLUSION A number of experiments were conducted to test how gyttja application to the soil affects soil properties and plant growth. This study shows that the morphological attributed (PH, SD, NBP, NFP and FSL) had increased with gyttja application at 3%. Based on these results, it was observed that nitrogen dose 280 mg kg -1 had major effects and increases (PH, FWP, NLP, NBP, NFPS and FSL). The Snapdragons plants response was more in (0- 20) cm than the (20-40) cm soil. This means that the top soil contains higher organic matter and macro- micronutrients than other soil depth. Based on the Fresh Weight per Plants, the combination of (soil (0-20) cm, 2% gyttja dose, and 280 mg kg -1 N application) had the greatest interaction. 5. REFERENCES [1] A. Karaca, C. T. Oguz, and T. Nihal, “Effects of a Humic Deposit (Gyttja) on Soil Chemical and Microbiological Properties and Heavy Metal Availability,” Biol Fertil Soils 42: 585–592, 2006. [2] W.A. Dick, “Influence of Long-Term Tillage and Crop Rotation Combinations on Soil Enzyme Activities,” Journal of SSSA. 48:569–574, 1984. [3] F. J. Stevenson, “Humus Chemistry: Genesis, Composition, Reactions,” 2nd edn. Wiley, New York, 1994. [4] H. Kheyrodin, H. 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Masaguer, R. D. Antonio, and A. Moliner, “Use of Pruning Waste Compost as a Component in Soil Less Growing Media,” Bioresource Technology, Vol.96. 597-603, 2005. [21] M. Kiran, J. Din, K. Waseem, M. S. Jilani, and M. Q. Khan, “Effect of Different Growing Media on the Growth and Development of Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata) Under the Agro-Climatic Condition of Dera Ismail Khan,” Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, Vol.10, 4140-4143, 2007. [22] T. Wang,and E. A. Konow, “Fertilizer Source and Medium Composition Growth of Moth Orchid,” Hortic Sci, 34: 515-520, 1999. [23] A. T. Liopa, D. Chalikiopoulos, and A. Papasavvas, “Effect of Chitin on Growth and Chlorophyll Content of two Medicinal Plants,” Journal of Medical Plants Research, Vol.4, 499- 508, 2010. Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.1 [24] M. A. Bashir, M. Ahmad, and M. A. Anjum, “Effect of Various Potting Media on Growth of Rooted Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Cuttings. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Vol.9, 147-151, 2007. [25] A. Riaz, M. Arshad, A. Younis, A. Raza, and M. Hameed, “Effect of Different Growing Media on the Growth and Flowering of Zinnia Elegans cv. Blue Point,” Pakistan Journal of Botany, Vol.40, 1579-1585, 2008. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors wish to express their deep thanks to Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dikici and Research Assist. Ömer Faruk Demir for all of their assistance with the analysis in soil laboratory, University of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam. I would like to thank my dear friends, especially Assist. Lec. Shara Salih Ali and Assist. Lec. Haval Mohamed for his kindness, help, and he supported me during my experiments. AUTHORS Ardalan J. Mjeed received the BSc degree in Agriculture / Soil and Water Department from Salahaddin Unive- rsity/ Erbil / Iraq in 2007; MSc in Bioengineering and sciences Department, Specialization Soil and Plant Nutrition from Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University / Turki in 2014. He is also Rapporteur of the Department of Ornamental Plants in Bakrajo Technical Institute from Sulaimani Polytechnic University (SPU) /Iraq. Mariwan A. Ali received his BSc in Agriculture/ Horticulture Department from Sulaimani university/ Iraq in 1978; MSc in Agriculture / Horticulture Department, specialization Ornamental plants and landscaping from Sulaimani university/Iraq in 2001. He is also head of Ornamental Plant Department in Bakrajo Technical Institute from Sulaimani Polytechnic University (SPU) /Iraq.