THE EFFECT OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON THE GROWTH DYNAMICS OF THE MEDICINAL AND ORNAMENTAL PLANT SCHISANDRA CHINENSIS.
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of organic fertilizers on the growth dynamics of Schisandra chinensis. Schisandra chinensis is a medicinal and ornamental liana, and its productivity, fruit quality, and richness in biologically active compounds are directly dependent on soil fertility, particularly on the supply of organic fertilizers. Based on the conducted experiments, the growth dynamics of the plant were evaluated under different treatments: the first variant served as the control (no fertilizer applied), the second variant involved the application of well-rotted cattle manure, the third variant used vermicompost (biohumus), and the fourth variant applied poultry manure. The results demonstrated that the third variant (vermicompost application) was the most optimal. In this variant, compared to the control as well as the second and fourth variants, plant growth and development, fruit yield, and the content of biologically active compounds were significantly higher. The differences observed among the experimental variants were clearly influenced by the application of vermicompost as an organic fertilizer. Furthermore, yield calculations showed that the productivity of Schisandra chinensis in this variant was 25–40% higher than in the other variants, with fruits being larger, of higher quality, and more uniform in color. Phytochemical analysis of the fruits revealed increased levels of biologically active substances, including schizandrin A, vitamins B and C, gomisin A, B, and C, as well as certain flavonoids, compared to the other variants, which has been scientifically substantiated.