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Abstract
Copper is a microelement involved in the metabolism of nitrogen compounds in plants. Good utilization of nitrogen from soil and fertilizers by plants requires an adequate supply of copper. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of increasing levels of copper (100, 200, and 300 mg Cu·kg−1 of soil) applied together with various organic fertilizers (cattle manure, chicken manure, and spent mushroom substrate) on nitrogen content and uptake by cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and the coefficient of nitrogen utilization from organic fertilizers. The pot experiment was carried out in three growing seasons (May–September) in greenhouse, and in this cocksfoot was grown and harvested four cuts in each year. Copper and organic fertilizers were applied once in the first year before sowing cocksfoot, and the after-effect was investigated in the second and third years. Application of different amounts of copper did not influence the nitrogen content in the biomass of cocksfoot. At the same time, soil application of this micronutrient in the amount of 100 mg Cu∙kg−1 of soil caused an increase in nitrogen uptake in the biomass of cocksfoot. Application of 100 and 200 mg Cu·kg−1 of soil caused an increase in the coefficient of nitrogen utilization from the organic fertilizers, which was highest effect in the case of cattle manure. All of the organic materials used increased the content of nitrogen and its uptake by cocksfoot, but the greatest effect was noted following application of chicken manure. The study showed no synergistic or antagonistic relationships between copper and nitrogen.
Highlights
Pollution of the natural environment with heavy metals is a major threat to human life and health [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The various nitrogen levels obtained in the present study in cocksfoot following application of organic substances may be due to the introduction of different amounts of this macroelement with organic fertilizers (0.12 mg N·kg−1 of soil with cattle manure, 0.18 mg N·kg−1 of soil with chicken manure, and 0.16 mg N·kg−1 of soil with spent mushroom substrate) and to different rates of mineralization in the soil
Our study showed that uptake of nitrogen by cocksfoot was significantly correlated with its yield and its content in the plant biomass and depended on the amount of copper in the soil and on application of organic fertilizers
Summary
Pollution of the natural environment with heavy metals is a major threat to human life and health [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Copper in plants functions as an activator of numerous enzymes that catalyze oxidation reactions involving molecular oxygen It is a component of oxidoreductase (polyphenols, cytochrome and ascorbic acid), takes part in photosynthesis, respiration, and cell wall metabolism, protects against oxidative stress, and is involved in seed reproduction and protein formation [24,25,26]. It is involved in metabolism of nitrogen compounds; plants require an adequate supply of copper for optimal utilization of mineral nitrogen from the soil and fertilizer [27]. In addition to organic matter application, lime may be added in order to raise the pH and aid the Cu removal process by which Cu is removed [33]
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