Abstract
This research evaluated powdered nepheline syenite (NS) as a potassium source for corn. The treatments were different particle sizes and heating the NS with calcium chloride at 900oC, and the samples were incubated in soil under controlled conditions before cropping. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using corn (Zea mays L.) plants cultivated in pots in a completely randomized 2x3 + 2 factorial block design with five replications. Five plants were growth in each pot with 5 kg of an Oxisol–Typic Hapludox soil for three successive 33-day cropping periods. At the end of each cropping period the K contents of shoot dry matter and soil and were determined. There was no effect on shoot dry matter production (p> 0.05). There was greater soil and dry matter K contents when heated NS was used, but for particle size. The treatments significantly affected (p <0.01) the K levels in the plants in the first crop. There was no residual effect on potassium content in the soil after the third crop (p> 0.05). NS in natura has low solubility and does not provide potassium to plants while calcined rock powder works as a thermopotassium source.
Highlights
Brazilian agriculture is the world’s largest consumer of fertilizers and one of the largest importers
Rock powder consists of finely ground rocks that are used as a nutrient source for plants (Resende et al, 2006; Cortes et al, 2010) and represents a practice that has been long-used and that has gained new impetus with the Law 12.890/2013 (Brasil, 2013, 2016)
The potassium present in nepheline syenite is intricately associated with different mineral phases present in the host rock
Summary
Brazilian agriculture is the world’s largest consumer of fertilizers and one of the largest importers. In 2018 Brazil imported 10.5 million tons of potassium chloride (KCl), the most commonly used source of potassium (GLOBALFERT, 2018). This demand for potassium (K) is met by imports from Canada, Belarus, Russia and Israel since the national fertilizer industry cannot supply the domestic market (Melamed et al, 2009; GLOBALFERT, 2018). The use of rock powder as an alternative for soil fertilization, or as a complement to chemical fertilizers, is an important step towards sustainable development (Lapido-Loureiro and Ribeiro, 2009). Rock powder consists of finely ground rocks that are used as a nutrient source for plants (Resende et al, 2006; Cortes et al, 2010) and represents a practice that has been long-used and that has gained new impetus with the Law 12.890/2013 (Brasil, 2013, 2016). Martins et al (2008) suggested the need to conduct regional studies in order to demonstrate the potential of these agrominerals in agriculture
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Ambiente e Agua - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Science
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
