The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on plant nutrient content and agronomic performance of stevia

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Stevia is an important medicinal plant that is used as a natural sweetener. Fertilizers are increasing crop yield, preserving and improving soil fertility. This current study has been conducted in the 2019–2020 period to determine the yield, macro and micro-nutrient intake and agronomic performances of stevia. As a plant material criolla seedling was used. 20-20-20 and urea fertilizer have been used as inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers, leonardite, vermicompost and animal manure, were applied in same doses (10 ton ha−1). The results of study are presented as average values of the 2-year period. Fertilizer applications and harvesting time were found to be statistically significant at **P ≤ 0.01 on total stevioside glycoside (TSG). Organic fertilizers affect the stevioside content. The highest total dry plant weight in first harvest was obtained from leonardite (3537 kg ha−1). Fertilizer applications did not have any statistical effects on plant height, number of branches, total fresh plant, total dry plant weight and dry leaf/stem. Harvest times were significant at a level of **P ≤ 0.01 on plant height, total fresh plant and fresh plant weight. The statistical results of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) were affected by fertilizer applications when compared to control application, but Zinc (Zn), Cupper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Mangan (Mn) results were not affected with any fertilizer applications in the first harvest. There were no statistical differences in parameters between chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers. It is believed that an organic fertilizer that is suitable under producer conditions is important for stevia and sustainable agriculture.