Micronutrients use efficiency and dry matter yield of annual crops as affected by inorganic and organic amendments

Abstract

Sustainable crop production is increasing, owing to environmental concerns over the intensive use of chemical fertilizers. This study investigated the effects of equal N substitution by pig slurry compost on micronutrients use efficiency and dry matter yield of Vicia faba L., Lupinus albus L. and Triticum aestivum L. Plants were grown in pots with sandy-loam soil and quartz (silica) sand under controlled greenhouse conditions. The treatments were (a) no fertilization (control), (b) NPK fertilizer, (c) pig slurry compost with 50% NPK (PSC), (d) quartz sand with pig slurry compost and 50% NPK (Quartz-PSC) applied at the same rate of 200 mg N kg−1 soil. Inorganic N (NPK) and PSC applications increased seed yield about 10-32%, shoot and root dry matter, on average, by 36% and 21% respectively in mature plants. Micronutrients uptake and use efficiencies were generally lower in PSC- plants than in NPK-plants. Results also showed increased seed Fe (3-28%), Zn (10-26%) and Cu (6-31%) concentrations in NPK and PSC-treated plants. Also, NPK (enriched with Se) significantly elevated seed Se concentration and use efficiency (SeUE) in all plants. Interestingly, PSC addition increased, although not significant, seed Se concentration and SeUE in faba bean and wheat. But no such effect was observed in white lupin. Overall, the results suggest that substitution of half-dose of NPK fertilizer with pig slurry compost is a promising alternative of chemical fertilizer for improved biomass yield and seed micronutrients (Zn, Fe and Cu) concentration in sustainable intensifications.