Abstract
The aim of this pot experiment was to determine the effect of increasing rates of meat and bone meal (MBM), applied alone or in combination with a microbial preparation containing Bacillus subtilis (FITOdoctor), on the growth of Sinapis alba L.. Dry matter (DM) yield, the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content of white mustard were determined, together with the mineral N (Nmin) and available P content of soil. The application of FITOdoctor to the soil improved white mustard yield only during the second growing season. Second-harvest white mustard biomass had a significantly lower content of N and P than first-harvest biomass. The highest MBM rate significantly increased the Nmin content of soil. Nitrogen uptake by plants and N concentration in biomass were highest in the treatments with the highest mineral N content of soil. Similar relationships were observed for P whose uptake by plants was also affected by B. subtilis in two treatments (NPK, 0.8% MBM). MBM is a valuable N and P fertilizer, whereas B. subtilis has varied effects.
Highlights
Excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, intensive soil tillage and inadequate crop rotation have led to soil fertility decline
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing rates of Meat and bone meal (MBM), applied alone or in combination with a microbial preparation (FITOdoctor) containing B. subtilis, on the dry matter (DM) yield, N and P content of and uptake by white mustard (Sinapis alba L.)
In comparison with the NPK treatment, MBM applied at the highest rate contributed to a significant 9% increase in the available P content of soil, and soil was abundant in P, to the control treatment
Summary
Excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, intensive soil tillage and inadequate crop rotation have led to soil fertility decline. Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in eco-friendly soil amendments and crop protection methods. White mustard (Sinapis alba L.) is an oilseed crop grown for its seeds that are used as a spice. The species is grown as fodder, green manure and mulch. When used as green manure and mulch, the amount of organic matter and nutrients supplied by white mustard biomass to the soil is comparable with that found in the recommended rates of manure (Harasimowicz-Hermann and Hermann 2006). White mustard exerts phytosanitary effects and prevents soil erosion (Szymczak-Nowak and Nowakowski 2000).
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