Effect of Different Fertilizer Doses Applied in Different Seasons of Cutting Sapling Production on Nutrient Accumulation and Outplanting Performance of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don Cutting Saplings

The major issue in modern agriculture is long-term sustainability. Nutrient management by integrating organic manures and inorganic fertilizers may play a vital role in improving and sustaining crop productivity. A long-term field experiment (since 1984) comprising 11 treatments with different combinations of inorganic and organic fertilizers such as farm yard manure (FYM), wheat cut straw (WCS) and Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata L.) as green manure (GM) was conducted to evaluate their effects on crop yield, nutrient accumulation and soil fertility status under a rice – wheat cropping system. The maximum grain yield of wheat was recorded in T6, i.e. 50% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + 50% nitrogen through FYM in rice and 100% RDF in wheat (4291 kg ha−1) as compared to chemically fertilized plots T5, i.e. 100% RDF in both rice and wheat (3441 kg ha−1). The application of organic manures in combination with chemical fertilizers reduced soil pH and bulk density from 7.40 to 7.23 and 1.49 to 1.37 g cm−3, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC), available soil nutrients and nutrient accumulation by crop were higher in integrated nutrient management-treated plots as compared to control. A positive and significant correlation was observed between SOC and available soil nitrogen (r = 0.987), phosphorus (r = 0.913) and potassium (r = 0.921). The results clearly suggest that integrated use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures on a long-term basis improves soil fertility and crop productivity with the potential to enhance soil sustainability

In order to evaluate fertilizers doses in different substrates for growth and development of clonal matrices of Australian Red Cedar [Toona ciliata var. australis (F. Muell.) Bahadur], an experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. Five substrates were evaluate, with proportions by volume, the first consisting of 100% of Multiplant florestal®, the second of 50% vermiculite, 20% carbonized rice hulls, 20% soil and 10% coconut fiber, the third with 50% soil and 50% sand, the fourth was composed by 50% Multiplant florestal®, 10% soil and 40% coconut fiber and the fifth with 65% of Multiplant florestal®, 25% vermiculite and 10% carbonized rice hulls. The fertilizers doses applied were 0.0; 0.3; 0.6; 1.2; 2.4 of fertilization suggested by Malavolta (1980) for vases. The characteristics evaluated were: collar diameter of the matrices, production of dry mater by shoots, root system and total and accumulation of nutrients by shoot at the end of the experimental period of 150 days. The Australian Red Cedar plants have high nutritional requirements, as showed by the better development obtained with higher fertilizer doses than those suggested by Malavolta (1980). The substrate three provided the worst development to clonal matrices while the substrates 1, 4 and 5 provided the best environment for the development considering all the fertilizer doses and all variables.

Plantas de cobertura podem proporcionar maior ciclagem de nutrientes. O trabalho objetivou determinar o efeito da aplicação anual de gesso e calcário à superfície do solo e de doses de fertilizantes à cultura anterior (soja), na produção de biomassa seca e no acúmulo de nutrientes por plantas de milheto cultivadas em sucessão, sob sistema plantio direto. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 4x4, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de quatro tipos de condicionadores de solo (calcário, calcário + gesso, gesso e controle), parcelados em três partes (2 t ha-1 de calcário e 1,0 t ha-1 de gesso; 2 t ha-1 de calcário e 1,0 t ha-1 de gesso; e 1 t ha-1 de calcário e 0,5 t ha-1 de gesso), com quatro níveis de adubação com P (superfosfato simples e triplo) e K (cloreto de potássio) (0%, 50%, 100% e 150% da adubação recomendada), aplicados na semeadura da cultura anterior (soja). O calcário proporcionou incrementos na produção de biomassa seca e no acúmulo de nutrientes (N, P, K Ca, Mg e S), pelas plantas de milheto. O gesso não proporcionou alterações na produção de biomassa seca do milheto. A utilização de doses crescentes de fertilizantes na cultura anterior (soja) aumentou a produção de biomassa seca, concentração e acúmulo de nutrientes nas plantas de milheto. O emprego do milheto como planta de cobertura, na entressafra, utilizando o efeito residual do fertilizante aplicado à cultura de verão, proporcionou ciclagem de nutrientes que pode ser utilizada pela cultura em sucessão.

The response of the aquatic plant Sparganium emersum to different sediment nutrient levels was studied in three mesocosm experiments. The aim was to assess plant growth parameters and nutrient accumulation in the plant tissue under conditions relevant for habitats with sediments affected by anthropogenic nutrient enrichment. The experimental treatments were produced by fertilisation of the rooting medium (washed river sand) with differing doses of either NPK mineral fertiliser or digested sludge from solid pig slurry waste. Growth inhibition by high nutrient levels was not observed in any treatment (highest nutrient concentrations in the sediment with mineral fertiliser: N 250 mg kg−1, P 50 mg kg−1; organic fertiliser: N 6300 mg kg−1, P 1800 mg kg−1), which confirms the tolerance of S. emersum to high nutrient loads. The sediment nutrient concentration was best reflected in shoot dry mass. Nutrient contents in plant tissues were similar for most nutrient concentrations in the rooting media; only N increased significantly with N levels in the sediment in belowground parts. Nutrient standing stocks in plants, however, generally corresponded to the nutrient supply, and reached highest values (max. N 3.7 g m−2, P 1.2 g m−2) in the richest treatments with organic fertiliser. The capability of S. emersum to use nutrients from high sediment concentrations and in organically polluted environments recommends this species for use in water quality management including tertiary wastewater treatment.

Short-term effects of different doses (0.25 and 0.5 kg m -2 ) of wood ash fertilization in a field experiment in a 20-year-old Scots pine stand on a nutrient-poor sandy soil (Arenosol) was studied in North Estonia. Soil chemical properties, nutrient accumulation, soluble carbohydrates, starch, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin were used as biochemical indicators for the assessment of the state of trees from 2000 until 2005. Changes in the soil upper horizon (30 cm) showed an increase in the pH and in the concentrations of K, Ca, B, Mg, and other elements, except N, after treatment. Statistical relationships were found between the doses of wood ash used in the treatment and the mineral composition of the soil. Changes in soil properties brought about changes in nutrient accumulation into trees and the needle diagnosis showed an essential increase in the K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in needles. No statistically significant changes were observed in the concentrations of soluble carbohydrate (tendency to decrease), starch (tendency to increase), and structural carbohydrates, but a somewhat higher accumulation of cellulose and lignin was registered in the needles of Scots pine. The effect of wood ash on carbohydrate metabolism and lignin synthesis seemed to depend on the seasonal development stage of needles and climatic conditions.

The application of soluble fertilizers without planning burdens agricultural production and leads to soil salinization, a very evident problem in irrigated agriculture in the semiarid region. The soil management practices used in grape and mango cultivation are the main responsible for the loss of nutrients by leaching and soil salinization in the São Francisco submedium’ Valley. The objective of the work was to quantify the accumulation and vertical displacement of nutrients in 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80 and 80-100 cm layers of cultivated and native areas. The study was carried out in the municipality of Petrolina/PE, in 43 areas with different cultivated grapevine, mango and Caatinga crops in the São Francisco submedium’ Valley. PH, EC, OM, P, K+, Ca++ and M++ were evaluated at different depths. The movement of nutrients, especially P, was favored by the continuous application of high fertilizer doses as well as by the sandy texture of the soils studied. The high levels of nutrients observed in the areas cultivated with grapevine suggest an adjustment in the recommended fertilizer doses, aiming at the reduction of environmental impacts and fertilizer losses.

Susanto D, Mulyati S, Purnomo H, Ruhiyat D, Amirta R. 2017. Growth, biomass production and nutrient accumulation of Macaranga gigantea in response to NPK fertilizer application. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 330-337. Research described in this paper investigated the effect of fertilizer application on the growth, biomass production and nutrient accumulation of mahang (Macaranga gigantea) plant components. The experiment was carried out in a research area of the Faculty of Forestry, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, East Kalimantan. The effects of five dose levels of an NPK (16-16-16) fertilizer on the growth rate of mahang seedlings planted in field conditions were compared. The treatments consisted of a control group (with no fertilizer), and dosages of 40 g, 80 g, 120 g and 160 g per plant. Fertilization at those levels was applied twice: the first application at four weeks after the planting and the second application at 6 months after the first. Growth rates between treatments were compared over a twelve month period. The research findings revealed that as the dosages of fertilizer increased, so the growth, biomass production and nutrient accumulation in components of the plants also increased. The best growth was found in the treatment in which fertilizer was applied (twice) at a dosage of 120 g per plant; at this dose level, by twelve months of age, the stem basal diameter had reached 45.24.9 cm, stem height 219.239.1 cm, number of leaves per plant 17.31.2, and canopy diameter 246.725.0 cm. The highest production of above-ground biomass was also found in the fertilizer treatment of 120 g per plant; the largest proportion of the biomass was in the leaves, followed by the wood, and then bark. The nutrient element that had accumulated most in plants at 1 year of age was potassium, followed by phosphorus and then nitrogen. The highest nitrogen uptake of stands was found in the NPK fertilization with a dosage of 160 g per tree, while the highest phosphorus and potassium uptake was found at a fertilizer dosage of 120 g per tree. The amount of nutrients accumulated in producing one tonne of above-ground biomass increased in response to different fertilization treatments. The fertilizer treatment of 120 g per plant (applied twice; the first soon after planting and the next after 6 months) resulted in the accumulation within the 1 year old plants of 2.38 kg of nitrogen, 6.36 kg of phosporus and 17.83 kg of potassium, with an N:P:K ratio of 13.3 : 35.6 : 100. The availability of the element potassium needs special attention when this species is cultivated.

It is critical to understand nutrient dynamics within different plant parts to correctly fine-tune agronomic advices, and to update breeding programs for increasing nutrient use efficiencies and yields. Farmer’s field-based research was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels on dry matter and nutrient accumulation, partitioning, and remobilization dynamics in three popular maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (P3522, P3396, and Rajkumar) over two years in an alluvial soil of West Bengal, India. Experimental results revealed that NPK rates as well as different cultivars significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the dry matter accumulation (DMA) in different plant parts of maize at both silking and physiological maturity. The post-silking dry matter accumulation (PSDMA) and post-silking N, P, and K accumulations (PSNA, PSPA, PSKA) were highest in cultivar P3396. However, cultivar P3522 recorded the highest nutrient remobilizations and contributions to grain nutrient content. Total P and K accumulation were highest with 125% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) while total N accumulation increased even after 150% RDF (100% RDF is 200 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, and 60 kg K2O ha–1 for the study region). Application of 125% RDF was optimum for PSDMA. The PSNA continued to increase up to 150% RDF while 125% RDF was optimum for PSPA. Cultivar differences significantly affected both remobilization efficiency (RE) and contribution to grain nutrient content for all tested macronutrients (N, P, and K). In general, RE as well as contribution to grain nutrient content was highest at 125% RDF for N and K, and at 100% RDF for P (either significantly or at par with other rates) for plots receiving nutrients. For all tested cultivars, nutrient remobilization and contribution to grain nutrient content was highest under nutrient-omission plots and absolute control plots. Both year and cultivar effects were non-significant for both grain and stover yields of maize. Application of 75% RDF was sufficient to achieve the attainable yield at the study location. The cultivar P3522 showed higher yield over both P3396 and Rajkumar, irrespective of fertilizer doses, although, the differences were not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). The study underscores the importance of maize adaptive responses in terms of nutrients accumulation and remobilization at different levels of nutrient availability for stabilizing yield.

There is a lack of agronomic research on the production of custard apple seedlings, especially regarding the ideal substrate and nutritional requirement of the plants. In order to evaluate the accumulation of nutrients in shoots and roots, leaf chlorophyll index and absorption efficiency index (AEI) in custard apple seedlings grown in different substrates and under doses of slow-release fertilizer, an experiment was set in randomized blocks in split-plot scheme with four replicates and eleven plants per plot. The custard apple seedling production method was by sowing. Plots were represented by substrates (fresh sugarcane bagasse; enriched sugarcane bagasse; coconut powder, and commercial organic substrate), whereas subplots were represented by Osmocote Plus® fertilizer doses (0; 3; 6; 9; 12 and 15 kg m-3). The final evaluation was performed at 105 days after sowing. The effect of the slow-release fertilizer on the formation of custard apple seedlings was influenced by the substrate. There was greater accumulation of nutrients as the availability of nutrients increases, as well as increase in nutrient AEI. Custard apple seedlings were found to be more efficient to absorb N > Mg > K > Ca > P > Fe > Mn > Zn. As substrate, coconut powder associated with the 9 kg m-3 slow-release fertilizer dose is recommended to produce custard apple seedlings.

The crop response and characteristics of soil solution (SS) change depending on the dose and fertilizer type used. This research determined the growth and yield of the broccoli and changes of the SS to identify the effect of the dose and fertilizer type used for the crop nutrition. Mineral fertilizer (MF) in 200% of the recommended dose (MF200), 10 t ha−1 of the green manure velvet bean (GM10), MF similar to that supplied with GM10 (MF=GM10), GM10 + MF to supply a dose similar to that applied with MF200 (GM10+MF=MF200), and a control treatment were applied to broccoli. GM10 promoted growth, yield, and dry matter (DM) similar to the control but promoted less electrical conductivity (EC) in SS in the first 21 days after transplanting (TF21DAT). Less yield, harvest index (HI), DM, accumulation of nutrients, recovery efficiency (RE) of Ca and Mg, EC, and macronutrient concentration of SS in TF21DAT were obtained with GM10 compared with MF=GM10. The GM10+MF=MF200 promoted less accumulation of N, P, and Mg and EC in the SS in TF21DAT compared with MF200. A negative correlation was observed between the canopy area with the EC and concentration of N, K, Ca, Mg, and S of the SS. The GM10 did not alter the growth, yield, and DM of broccoli. Higher yield, DM, and RE were obtained with MF=GM10 compared with GM10. The combined fertilization allowed to obtain similar growth, yield, DM, and RE to the obtained with MF200. The characteristics of SS changed depending on fertilization dose, fertilizer type, and broccoli growth.

Coffee genotypes cultivated in the Amazonian region have been gaining increasing prominence in Brazilian plantations. This study aimed to quantify nutrient accumulation in the fruits, grains, and husks of Robusta coffee genotypes cultivated in the Brazilian Amazon and estimate genetic diversity. The experiment was conducted in Alta Floresta D’Oeste—Rondônia, Brazil. To assess nutrient accumulation, fresh fruits were collected. These were dried, processed, separated into grains and husks, and subjected to chemical analysis. Nutrient accumulation in fruits, grains, and husks, as well as the grain/husk ratio, underwent analysis of variance through the F-test (p < 0.01. For each evaluated trait, the experimental coefficient of 337 variation (CVe), genetic coefficient of variation (CVg), and genotypic determination coefficient (H2) were also estimated. Variability was observed among Robusta coffee genotypes, with VP06, AS4, and AS10 being the most dissimilar. LB080 had the lowest dry fruit weight and the lowest percentage of grains in relation to husks. ZD156 accumulated more K in the grains, while VP06 and AS10 were the genotypes that accumulated more nutrients in the husks. Nutrients N, K, Ca, and P are accumulated in larger quantities, necessitating the calibration of mineral fertilization dosages and distribution.

The analysis of the accumulation and export of nutrients by the cowpea crop is fundamental for a more sustainable fertilization program, because the definition of the doses of organic fertilizers based only on the estimated maximum yield does not guarantee the maintenance of soil fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fertilization with chicken manure on the productivity, accumulation and exportation of nutrients by the pods of cowpea. A randomized block design was used, with five doses of chicken manure (0; 5; 10; 20 and 40 t ha-1) and four repetitions. The highest levels of P and Mg were found in the leaves with the application of 40 t ha-1 of manure. The maximum pod length was 14.47 cm, estimated with the dose of 33.33 t ha-1 of manure. The highest values of diameter, number of pods per plant and pod productivity were observed at the highest dose of manure applied. In relative terms, that is, total exported in relation to the total extracted by the aerial part, phosphorus is the nutrient most exported by the pods, on average 58%, followed by N (55%), K (43%), Mg (40%), S (38%) and Ca (17%). At the highest dose, although Ca accumulation occurred in large quantities (31.3 kg ha-1), only 13% of it was exported by the pods. Fertilizing cowpea with chicken manure supplied essential nutrients and increased pod yield from 7.2 (no fertilization) to 16.3 t ha-1 (fertilization with 40 t ha-1 of chicken manure). The plant remains of the cowpea constitute an important source of nutrients, being obtained at the highest dose of manure applied (40 t ha-1) the following amounts of macronutrients (kg ha-1): N (51.4); P (5.1); K (27.6); Ca (27.1); Mg (8.2); S (5.1), which may return to the soil, with the incorporation of the plants.

Wildfires significantly alter soil properties and result in vegetation shifts; therefore, rapid reforestation activities are needed in the forests affected by wildfires. The decreased nutrient in the soil is the obvious effect of wildfires; however, little is known about the reforestation of Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests with application of NPK fertilizers. Juniper forests are common in Asir and Taif regions of Saudi Arabia and vulnerable to wildfires; thus, reforestation is needed after the onset of fires. This study assessed the impact of different doses of organic NPK fertilizer (0, 5 and 10 g/L) on growth and nutrient accumulation of Juniper trees grown on fire-damaged and intact soils. Data relating to tree height, number of leaves per plant, fresh and dry biomass accumulation in shoot and root, chlorophyll contents and uptake of N, P, K, and Na were recorded. Individual and interactive effects of soil types and fertilizer doses significantly altered all measured traits with minor exceptions. Overall, higher values of the measured traits were recorded for intact soil and 10 g/L fertilize dose. The increasing fertilizer doses improved the growth and nutrient acquisition and application of 10 g/L fertilizer on intact soil recorded the highest values of growth traits. Juniper trees grown on fire-damaged soil accumulated higher amount of nitrogen than intact soil. Similarly, the trees grown on intact soil accumulated lower amount of Na and maintained comparable K/Na ratio to intact soil. It is concluded that supplying 10 g/L fertilizer could improve the establishment of Juniper trees on fire-damaged soil. Therefore, organic fertilizer can be used to improve the reforestation of wildfire-affected Juniper forests in the Asir province.

O principal entrave da abacaxicultura brasileira é a ausência de mudas com qualidade e em quantidade. A obtenção de mudas livres de pragas e doenças é possível por meio da cultura de tecidos, no entanto essas mudas necessitam de um período de aclimatação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito de diferentes substratos e doses de adubo de liberação lenta no desenvolvimento e nutrição de mudas micropropagadas de abacaxi durante a aclimatação. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com três substratos (1- solo de superfície; 2- compostagem de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e torta de filtro, e 3- um substrato composto (solo + areia + Plantmax®)) e 5 doses de Osmocote®: 0;10; 20; 25 e 30 g planta-1, com quatro blocos. O substrato que proporcionou maiores teores de N, P e K nas plantas foi o composto de bagaço de cana mais torta de filtro. O Osmocote® proporcionou incremento no comprimento da planta, no número de folhas e no peso da matéria seca da parte aérea. Dosagens elevadas de Osmocote® proporcionaram a redução do pH dos substratos e acúmulo de nutrientes, tornando-se tóxicos às mudas.

Due to the increasing demand for food, the agricultural sector is facing a huge challenge related to its production without having a negative impact on the environment. The above issues are regulated by the current EU policy, indicating the need to conduct plant production by the European Green Deal strategy (2020), based on reducing the use of chemical plant-protection products by 50% and reducing the level of mineral fertilization by 20% by 2030. Using appropriate techniques of applying mineral fertilizers, which have a positive effect on the development and activity of soil microorganisms, the availability of nutrients in the soil can be increased while reducing fertilizer applications. This study aims to show whether the use of foliar nitrogen fertilizers in combination with sulfur in a two-year field experiment with triticale stimulates the multiplication of selected groups of microorganisms and the level of soil enzymatic activity. In addition, effects on the content of available forms of nutrients in the soil, triticale yield, and total nutrient uptake were analyzed. It is shown that the applied foliar fertilizers enriched with sulfur, compared to fertilization with ammonium nitrate, contributed to a 100% increase in the number of analyzed groups of microorganisms, urease, and alkaline phosphatase activity; a 44% increase in dehydrogenase activity; and a 15% increase in acid phosphatase activity. The hybrid application technique, with reduced doses of nitrogen fertilizers enriched with sulfur by 20 and 25%, resulted in grain yields exceeding 8 t/ha. Moreover, compared to conventional fertilization based on ammonium nitrate, an increase in the grain yield of triticale was obtained in the range of 16 to 24%, as well as an increase in the accumulation of nutrients in the plant. It is shown that foliar fertilization is a promising alternative to standard fertilization techniques.