Effect of the chicken manure on the parameters and physiological characteristics of some plant species

• Ibtisam Abdulkareem Nada Dawood1, Prof. Dr. Rushdi Sabah Abdulqader2

  Author

This study evaluated the effects of different chicken manure-based organic fertilizer treatments on the physiological characteristics of four vegetable crops (celery, parsley, garden cress, and leek) cultivated at two field locations in Al-Zab sub-district, Al-Hawija District, Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq, during the winter growing season (October 2025–March 2026). The experiment was conducted using four fertilization treatments (control, untreated chicken manure, sieved chicken manure, and soaked chicken manure) to assess their effects on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carbohydrates, proteins, and plant macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). The results demonstrated significant differences among fertilization treatments and between the two study locations. In general, organic fertilization markedly improved the physiological characteristics of the studied crops compared with the unfertilized control. The soaked chicken manure treatment produced the highest total chlorophyll content in garden cress (164.66 mg g⁻¹), while the highest chlorophyll a value reached 131.41 mg g⁻¹. The maximum carbohydrate content was 23.40% in leek, and the highest nitrogen concentration reached 5.25% in garden cress. Overall, the second study site exhibited superior performance for most physiological parameters, particularly chlorophyll pigments and carbohydrate content, whereas nutrient accumulation varied according to plant species and fertilization treatment. These findings indicate that chicken manure, particularly in soaked form, is an effective and environmentally sustainable organic fertilizer that enhances plant physiological performance, improves nutrient uptake, and contributes to better soil fertility and crop productivity

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