Abstract
BackgroundSlow-release fertilizers (SRF) are quite numerous, and diverse group of materials are involved in the improvement of the effectiveness of fertilization, mitigation of the negative impact of fertilizers on the environment, and the reduction of labor and energy consumption connected with the application of conventional fertilizers. The objective of the experiment was to measure vegetative growth parameters and nutritional status of Nonpareil almond young trees under two types of slow-release compound fertilizers: Matador at 30, 60, and 120 kg/Feddan and Nitrophoska at (25, 50, and 100 kg/Feddan. The experiment was conducted in the Experimental Research Station of National Research Centre at Nubaria, El Behera governorate, Egypt, during successive growing seasons 2018 and 2019.ResultsThe results indicated that increasing doses of slow-release fertilizer significantly improved vegetative growth of trees. The highest dose of Nitrophoska had significantly higher stem length, diameter, numbers of branches and leaves/trees, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf fresh and dry weight while the highest significant of specific leaf dry weight was obtained by applying the highest dose of Matador compared with control trees that received the fast-release fertilizer NPK 19:19:19 at 200 kg/Feddan. Leaf mineral contents of some macro (N, P, K and Mg) and micro elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) were significantly increased as a result of application with slow-release fertilizers. Nitrophoska at 100 kg/Feddan gave the highest values of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and iron while Matador at 120 kg/Feddan gave the highest value of manganese. Matador at all doses resulted in a significant increment in phosphorus concentration in leaves in both seasons. Nitrophoska at 100 kg/Feddan and Matador at 120 kg/Feddan recorded the highest values of zinc and copper without significant differences between them.ConclusionsIt could be concluded that application with slow-release fertilizers resulted in a positive and significant influence on most investigated vegetative growth measurements and leaf mineral contents of Nonpareil almond trees, since the application with Nitrophoska at 100 kg/Feddan was the most effective treatment for increasing growth measurements and improving leaf nutritional status of Nonpareil almond trees grown under Nubaria condition.
Highlights
Slow-release fertilizers (SRF) are quite numerous, and diverse group of materials are involved in the improvement of the effectiveness of fertilization, mitigation of the negative impact of fertilizers on the environment, and the reduction of labor and energy consumption connected with the application of conventional fertilizers
The objective of this work was to explore the efficiency of two types of slow-release compound fertilizers on growth and nutritional status of Nonpareil almond young trees grown under Nubaria conditions
The promotion on vegetative growth; stem length, diameter, numbers of branches and leaves/tree; and leaf area were associated with increasing the doses of Matador and Nitrophoska compared with application of fast-release fertilizer NPK 19:19:19
Summary
Slow-release fertilizers (SRF) are quite numerous, and diverse group of materials are involved in the improvement of the effectiveness of fertilization, mitigation of the negative impact of fertilizers on the environment, and the reduction of labor and energy consumption connected with the application of conventional fertilizers. About 40–70% nitrogen, 80– 90% phosphorus, and 50–70% potassium of the applied fertilizers are lost to the environment and cannot be absorbed by plants (Wu and Liu, 2008) The losses of these nutrients from the soil can be caused by leaching (washing off) by the rainfall, irrigation water, and runoff. Matrix-based formulations, with the nutrients dispersed in the polymeric or inorganic matrices and polyphosphate-based micronutrient fertilizers so, release their nutrient contents gradually and coincide with the nutrient requirement of plant (AlShamaileh et al, 2018) Thereby, they can minimize the pollution of soil and water associated with fertilizer over dosage and leaching. The objective of this work was to explore the efficiency of two types of slow-release compound fertilizers on growth and nutritional status of Nonpareil almond young trees grown under Nubaria conditions
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