Effect of long-term application of farmyard manure on soil micronutrient status

In a long-term experiment conducted (1967?–?2001) at Hisar, India, pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) was grown during summer and winter in a rotation. The treatments consisted of farmyard manure (FYM) at the rate of 15, 30 and 45 Mg ha^???1 during one or both the seasons. A treatment without FYM was maintained as a control. This made the total number of treatments 10, along with 2 levels of nitrogen at 0 and 120?kg ha^???1. Samples from 0?–?15, 15?–?30 and 30?–?45?cm soil depths were collected and analysed for DTPA extractable and total content of zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Application of FYM significantly increased the DTPA extractable and total content of all the studied micronutrients in all soil depths. The increase was higher in the surface layer than in the lower depths. The time of application of FYM influenced the content of soil micronutrients. DTPA extractable and total content of micronutrients was higher when FYM was applied in winter as compared to summer. Application of N has no effect on DTPA extractable or total micronutrients content.     

Effect of Free Manganese Activity on Yield and Uptake of Micronutrient Cations by Barley and Oat grown in Chelator-buffered Nutrient Solution

The uptake of micronutrient cations in relation to varying activities of Mn²⁺ was studied for barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. Thule) and oat (Avena sativa L. var. Biri) grown in chelator buffered nutrient solution. Free activities of Mn²⁺ were calculated by using the chemical speciation programme GEOCHEM-PC. Manganese deficient conditions induced elevated concentrations of Zn and Fe in shoots of both species. The corresponding antagonistic relationship between Mn and Cu could only be seen in barley. The observed antagonistic relationships were only valid as long as the plant growth was limited by Mn deficiency. The Mn concentration in both plant species increased significantly with increasing Mn²⁺ activity in the nutrient solution. The concentration of Mn in the shoots of oat was higher than for barley except under severe Mn deficiency where it was found equal for both species. Manganese was accumulated in the roots of barley at high Mn²⁺ activity. The different shoot concentrations of Mn between barley and oat are therefore attributed to the extent of Mn translocation from roots to shoots. Manganese deficiency induced a significant increase in the shoot to root ratio in both species.     

Distribution of Total and DTPA‐Extractable Zinc,Copper, Manganese,and Iron in Vertisols of India

Abstract

Vertisols of India are developed over isohyets of 600 to 1500 mm, and their chemical cycles are set by drainage, landforms, and particle size, which results in variable pedogenic development within the otherwise homogeneous soils. The purpose of this study was to identify pedogenic processes in the distribution of total and DTPA‐extractable zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). The soils are developed over basaltic parent material of Cretaceous age. Soil samples were drawn from genetic horizons of the 13 benchmark profiles and analyzed by using HF–HClO₄ acid for total and DTPA extraction. Correlation coefficients were calculated taking all samples together. The total concentration varied from 24 to 102 mg kg^?1 for Zn, 21 to 148 mg kg^?1 for Cu, 387 to 1396 mg kg^?1 for Mn, and 2.36 to 9.50% for Fe. Their variability was proisotropic and haplodized, and their concentrations increased with advancing isohyets. Within the isohyets, hindrance in drainage caused retention of Zn and Cu but loss of Fe. The piedmont soils had more Fe than alluvium soils. The spatial distribution of total contents of Zn, Cu, and Fe was influenced by the pedogenic processes associated with Haplusterts but not with provenance materials. Surface concentrations of the elements by biotic lifting and/or harvest removal were negated by the pedoturbation that further contributed to the irregular distribution of the elements in the profiles. Total Zn and total Cu had positive coefficients of correlations with coarse clay, whereas total Mn and total Fe were positively correlated with fine clay. The DTPA‐extractable forms were functions of isohyets and drainage and showed association with organic carbon content and coarse clay.     

Zinc Tolerance in Wheat Cultivars as Affected by Varying Levels of Phosphorus

Abstract

The effect of zinc–phosphorus (Zn‐P) interaction on Zn efficiency of six wheat cultivars was studied. The higher dry matter yields were observed when Zn was applied at 5 µg g^?1 soil than with no Zn application. Phosphorus applications also increased dry matter yield up to the application of 25 µg P g^?1 soil. The dry matter yield was significantly lower at the P rate of 250 µg g^?1 soil. At the Zn‐deficient level, the Zn‐efficient cultivars had higher Zn concentrations in the shoots. Zinc concentrations in all cultivars increased when the P level in the soil was increased from 0 to 25 µg P g^?1 soil except for the cv. Durati, in which Zn concentrations decreased with increases in P levels. However, when Zn×P interactions were investigated, it was observed that at a Zn‐deficient level, Zn concentrations in the plant shoot decreased with each higher level of P, and more severe Zn deficiency was observed at P level of 250 µg g^?1 soil.     

Establishment of nutrients optimal range for nutritional diagnosis of mandarins based on DRIS and CND methods

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to establish for the first time nutrient optimal range (NOR) for mandarins in Tunisia using two methods: Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND). The study was performed using data from 120 mandarin’s commercial orchards, in several locations in Tunisia. Yield data and leaf nutrient content from 2011 to 2014 cropping season were compiled in a database. Leaf samples consist of spring flush leaves (7–8 months old) collected from nonfruiting terminals. The two methods were effective to diagnose the plant nutritional status based on the effectiveness of the chi-square-tested method. The two methods showed the nutrient imbalances of the studied commercial orchards. Phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) showed higher frequencies as the most required nutrients by the plant. The found norms were then compared to the norms used in other countries. The new norms for mandarins are different because some norms in the literature do not take into account the different species of citrus, and they were adopted in different pedoclimatic conditions. So, adopting the new leaf nutrient norms is key for ensuring productivity in mandarin citrus orchards in Tunisia.     

Crop Nutrients Review and the Impact of Fertilizer on the Plantation in Malaysia: A Mini Review

ABSTRACT

Improving the production of crops is always a concern in the plantation sector since higher production leads to the economic growth of a country. For developing countries, including Malaysia, one of their incomes is crop production. Focusing on crop nutrients supply using fertilizers to increase the production of the crops is better than expanding the plantation areas. The limited knowledge regarding the appropriate nutrients supply and the relation between the nutrients in Malaysia has caused the yield of the crops not meet expectations. Thus, sharing knowledge about the nutrient requirements and the nutrient availability toward the uptake rate of the plants are required. Hence, this work reviews the nutrient supply, the effect of each nutrient on the crop, and the nutrient availability in Malaysia’s plantation. A better understanding of the nutrient requirement to sustain crop health helps to improve the quality of the crop, its yield, and soil performance for future agriculture work. Moreover, this work also discusses the impact of fertilizer on the plantation and different types of fertilizer. Additionally, their nutrient release patterns will be discussed, along with the pros and cons of these existing fertilizers.

Abbreviations: ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate; SRF: Slow-release fertilizers; CRF: Controlled release fertilizer; SCU: Sulfur-coated urea fertilizer; PCU: Polymer-coated urea fertilizer; SRB: Slow release blending fertilizer; NUE: Nitrogen-use efficiency; AV: Ammonia volatilization; CRNF: Controlled release nitrogen fertilizer     

The profile distribution of total and extractable zinc in selected Nigerian soils

Abstract

The profile distribution of total, DTPA‐ and 0.1 N HC1‐extractable Zn was determined in 11 Nigerian soil profiles formed on various parent Materials including the coastal plain sands, shales, basalt, granite and banded gneiss.

The total content ranged from 9 to 84 ppm. Generally soils developed on igneous rocks contained more Zn than those on sedimenatary deposits. Among the soils on sedimentary rocks, those on shale had more total Zn than those on sandstones. Total Zn was weakly correlated with organic matter but strongly associated vith clay content and free oxides of iron and manganese.

The amounts of Zn extracted by DTPA and 0.1 N HC1 ranged from 0.01 to 10.98 and from 0.23 to 6.25 ppm, respectively. The dilute acid generally removed more Zn from the soils than did the DTPA. The amounts extracted generally decreased vith depth especially vith DTFA extractant. Soils developed on basalt and shales contained the highest amounts of 0.1 N HCl‐extractable Zn while those on basement complex rocks gave the highest values of DTPA‐extractable Zn. Extractable Zn from soils on coastal plain sands remained relatively lev. The extractable Zn was more associated vith organic matter than vith clay content.     

Effects of Boron Application on Yield,Foliar Boron Concentration,and Efficiency of Soil Boron Extracting Solutions in a Xanthic Ferralsol Cultivated with Banana in Central Amazon

Boron (B) is known to play important roles in the structures of cell walls and membranes and in the integrity and functions of membranes in plants. Under the conditions in the central Amazon region, there are few studies about this nutrient. In Brazilian soils, the hot-water B extraction method has been extensively used for evaluation of soil B status. However, difficulties with this method result in poor accuracy and precision of extraction of available B in soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield, foliar concentration, and efficiency of B extracting solutions and the effect of B fertilization on B uptake in banana (Musa spp.) leaves and fruits, subgroup Cavendish (AAA), cultivated in a Xanthic Ferralsol (dystrophic Yellow Latosol) located in Amazonas State, Brazil. The experimental design was a completely randomized split plot, with four B rates (0, 4, 8, and 12 kg ha^?1), two harvest cycles (subtreatments), and four replicates. Available B was determined with seven extractant solutions: Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, hot water, hydrochloric acid (HCl) 0.05 mol L^?1, HCl 0.1 mol L^?1, HCl 5.0 mol L^?1, and potassium chloride (KCl 1.0 mol L^?1). The application of B fertilizer increased the yield and B concentration in leaves and fruits. Hot water and KCl 1.0 mol L^?1 were the most efficient extracting solutions for the determination of available B in soil. The application of 3.4 kg B ha^?1 in the first cycle and 1.3 kg B ha^?1 in the second cycle guarantees an adequate nutritional status in banana plants.     

Influence of Composted Biodiesel Cake on Growth,Yield, and Micronutrient Composition of Tomato

There has been growing interest in commercial plantations of Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata because of their ability to produce biodiesel fuel. A substantial portion of the by-product of the biodiesel extraction process is the de-oiled cake. Prior research has demonstrated its potential to be gainfully utilized as organic fertilizer in composted form. The commercial utilization, however, is still a distant dream as more research is required to obtain optimal proportions and demonstrate their efficacy on specific crops.

The present study was conducted to assess the influence of composted de-oiled cakes of Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata wastes on the growth, yield, color, and macronutrient and micronutrient composition of Lycopersicon esculentum (cultivar Bezosheetal) fruits. The composted cake was added to soil in various proportions.

The results indicate that addition of the composted organic wastes improve availability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca), as well as key micronutrients such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) in soil. Consequently, a significant improvement in yield and protein was observed in the tomato crops grown in the soil applied with specific composted proportions. The availability of micronutrients in the fruit was also enhanced, although there was reduction in color parameters. Thus, Jatropha- and Pongamia-based composted fertilizers have demonstrated their utility as commercially viable alternative to chemical fertilizers.     

Effect of lime,P, and Mg on growth and elemental concentrations of mugwort

Abstract

There is evidence that mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) may have potential for use as a livestock forage. This study was undertaken to determine mugwort growth response to lime, P, and Mg, and their effect on elemental concentration of plant material.

Factorial combinations of 0, 5.6, and 11.2 mt lime/ha; 0, 112, and 224 kg P/ha; and 0, 224, and 448 kg Mg/ha were applied to low pH soil in greenhouse pots and planted to mugwort. In the absence of lime and Mg, growth was very poor. Lime was the most effective treatment in promoting mugwort growth. Growth response to Mg was greatest in the absence of lime, and response to P was dependent on lime and/or Mg application. Macronutrient concentrations of mugwort plants were considered adequate for use as forage for non‐lactating beef cows. Concentrations of several of the micronutrients were very high, especially at low lime and Mg. Copper was high at all treatments.