Yield Potential, Nutrient Uptake, Metal Fractionation and Effect on Soil Properties under Integrative Use of Varied C:N Ratio Composts, Fly Ash and Inorganic Fertilizer Nitrogen in Rice Grown on Inceptisol

S R Dar,D Singh,Guru Prem Grover,Asima Amin,Vivek Shankar,A K Pundir,R K Malik,J C Dagar,Hidayatullah Mir,T Thomas

doi:10.5539/jas.v4n6p206

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of incorporating fly ash and spent mushroom composts of varied C:N ratio with and without fertilizer nitrogen on yield, trace metal content, nitrogen uptake, metal fractions and soil properties. Fertilizer nitrogen, fly ash and white button spent mushroom compost of narrow C:N ratio increased whereas oyster spent mushroom compost of wider C:N ratio decreased the paddy and straw yield. Cd and Ni content in paddy and straw, in the treatment comprising oyster spent mushroom compost did not vary significantly, however addition of fly ash or white button spent mushroom compost enhanced their content in paddy and straw. Zn content of paddy and straw in composts were higher as compared to fertilizer nitrogen, fly ash. Uptake of nitrogen by paddy and straw was higher under integrated nutrient treatments, however oyster spent mushroom compost resulted in initial nitrogen starvation, so reduction in nitrogen uptake. Compost mainly one with wider C: N ratio has shown more influence on adsorption of metals especially Zn. The exchangeable, organic matter bound and residual fractionation percentage were higher for Cd, Zn and Ni respectively in compost, especially one with wider C:N ratio.

Highlights

The use of mineral fertilizers is the quickest and surest way of boosting crop production
Spent mushroom composts i.e. white button spent mushroom compost (WBSMC) with narrow C:N ratio and oyster spent mushroom compost (OYSMC) with wider C:N ratio and fertilizer nitrogen in form of urea were used in different combinations
Fly ash was applied @ 20 t ha -1, organic compost i.e. white button spent mushroom compost (WBSMC) with narrow C:N ratio and oyster spent mushroom compost (OYSMC) with wider C:N ratio were applied @ 5 t ha-1 and fertilizer nitrogen in the form of urea was applied @ 120 kg ha-1

Summary

Introduction

The use of mineral fertilizers is the quickest and surest way of boosting crop production. Their cost and other constraints frequently deter farmers from using them in recommended quantities and in a balanced proportion. As a consequences of this and other constraints there seems to be no option but to fully exploit potential alternative sources of plant nutrients. Complementary use of plant nutrients from waste material along with mineral fertilizers is of great importance for soil productivity (Roy, 1994; Low Ogbomo et al, 2011 and Ayeni, 2011). Land application of fly ash to agricultural crops may offer a sensible distributed waste recycling alternative to land fill disposal, provided that their positive value in crop growth can be demonstrated (Pankaj et al, 2010). The physical structure of fly ash often consists of “hollow spheres” and these particles show an increased surface area capillary action and nutrient holding capacity (Fisher et al, 1976)

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion