Tag Archives: mineral nutrition

1519-1540 F.E. Omari, L. Beniken, A. Zouahri, R. Mrabet, H. Benaouda, R. Benkirane and H. Benyahia
Optimization of NPK levels of Clementine Sidi Aissa (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees grafted on different citrus rootstocks
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Optimization of NPK levels of Clementine Sidi Aissa (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees grafted on different citrus rootstocks

F.E. Omari¹, L. Beniken¹, A. Zouahri², R. Mrabet³, H. Benaouda¹, R. Benkirane⁴ and H. Benyahia¹

¹Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Kenitra, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), N°14, Ave. Abou Temmam mailbox: 257. Kenitra, Morocco
²Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Rabat, National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Ave. Mohamed Belarbi Alaoui mailbox: 6356 – Institutes, Rabat Morocco
³National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Rabat- Morocco. Ave. Ennasr mailbox: 415 RP Rabat Morocco
⁴Plant Productions, Animal and Agro-Industry Laboratory, Ibn Tofail University, Faculty of Science of Kenitra, University Campus, mailbox 133 Kenitra, Morocoo
*Correspondence: fatimaezahra.omari@inra.ma

Abstract:

The present study aims to investigate the impact of various nitrogen concentrations on young Clementine Sidi Aissa citrus trees (Citrus reticulata Blanco), grafted on five citrus rootstocks namely Moroccan Carrizo citrange, French Carrizo citrange, Troyer citrange, Citrus macrophylla, and sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.). The experiment took place in greenhouses at the Experimental station of El Menzeh INRA-Morocco, with the young trees grown in containers. We applied five different nitrogen treatments (expressed as mg L-1 of N-P2O5-K2O): (0–0–0), (0–25–50), (25–25–50), (50–25–50), and (100–25–50). The split-plot experimental design was used with three replications.

The findings demonstrate that the nitrogen enrichment resulted in enhanced plant growth, marked by increased plant height, rootstock and scion stem diameters, diameter and shoot length, relative water content (RWC), as well as leaf chlorophyll and proline content. Optimal growth of the Clementine Sidi Aissa trees was observed under the 100–25–50 (mg L-1 of N-P2O5-K2O) treatment.

The study also found that leaf nitrogen concentration increased in line with the quantity of nitrogen added, whereas the percentages of phosphorous and potassium in the leaves decreased. The most significant growth increase across the majority of the studied parameters was noted in Clementine Sidi Aissa trees grafted on Moroccan Carrizo citrange and Troyer citrange rootstocks.

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64-82 G. Cekstere, A. Osvalde, V. Nollendorfs, A. Karlsons, J. Pormale, P. Zalitis, G. Snepsts, S. Minova, L. Jankevica and M. Laivins
Effects of fertilization on Picea abies stands situated on drained peat soils
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Effects of fertilization on Picea abies stands situated on drained peat soils

G. Cekstere¹*, A. Osvalde¹, V. Nollendorfs¹, A. Karlsons¹, J. Pormale¹, P. Zalitis², G. Snepsts², S. Minova³, L. Jankevica³ and M. Laivins²

¹University of Latvia, Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Plant Mineral Nutrition, Miera street 3, LV-2169, Salaspils, Latvia
²Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Riga street 111, LV-2169, Salaspils, Latvia
³University of Latvia, Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Experimental Entomology and Microbiology, Miera street 3, LV-2169, Salaspils, Latvia
*Correspondence: gunta.cekstere@lu.lv

Abstract:

Norway spruce used for afforestation of drained peat soils frequently has low productivity and decay in a long-term, which could be related to soil chemical composition and nutrient status. The research aim was to elucidate the effect of PSM on new Norway spruce plantings (1st experiment) and 20-year-old spruce stands (2nd experiment) on drained peat soils by evaluating: (1) nutrient accumulation in soil-plant system, (2) soil microbiological activity, (3) health status of spruce individuals, (4) growth intensity and productivity of spruce, (5) changes in composition of vascular plant and moss species. The study was conducted at two forest (Myrtillosa turf.mel.) sites in Latvia, each consisting of two plots: control and treated with PMS (100 g m-2 in September 2007, 50 g m-2 in April 2008). During 2008–2016, regular analysis of soil, spruce needles, soil microbiology, assessment of tree crown vitality, stand productivity, inventory of vascular plant and moss species were done. The results showed that the fertilization with PMS resulted in a significantly improved K, Ca, Zn, and N status of trees, crown vitality and up to three times increased tree growth parameters at both experiments during the study period. The average count of bacteria and fungi in soil of fertilized plots, accompanied by a remarkable variability in the study years, was significantly higher only for the 1st experiment. Fungi: bacteria ratio for the fertilized and control plots differed significantly only for the 1st experiment. Significant increase of cover with nitrophilic plant (Urtica dioica, Antriscus sylvestris, Rubus idaeus) and moss (Plagiomnium cuspidatum, P. ellipticum) species at both fertilized sites were stated.

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196–204 A. Karlsons and A. Osvalde
Nutrient status of the American cranberry in Latvia (2005–2016)
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Nutrient status of the American cranberry in Latvia (2005–2016)

A. Karlsons* and A. Osvalde

Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Laboratory of Plant Mineral Nutrition, Miera street 3, Salaspils, Salaspils municipality, LV-2169, Latvia
*Correspondence: andis.karlsons@lu.lv

Abstract:

The American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) is an evergreen groundcover plant native to North America. Nowadays cranberries are successfully cultivated in Latvia with total plantings of more than 125 ha. Being a native wetland plant, cranberries are considered as nutrients low requiring crop, however, balanced mineral nutrition is one of the key factors that determine plant growth and yield development. Surveys were carried out to determine the actual status and trends in mineral nutrition of American cranberries in Latvia during 2005–2016. Together 190 plant samples were collected from different cranberry producing sites in Latvia over 3 periods: 2005–2007, 2008–2011 and 2012–2016. Cranberry tissue analyses were used as diagnostics method to control plant nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) status. The obtained results revealed notable nutrient imbalance in the years of the study. In general, our results suggest that only about 50% of plant tissue nutrient indices were in the sufficient range. Deficiency of N P, S, Fe, Cu, and Mo, and high levels of Mn was found in the majority of samples analyzed. In general, diverse tendencies were stated for the nutrient supply of cranberries from 2005 to 2016: positive trend in nutrient status of cranberry crop were found for N, K, Ca, while mean concentrations of S, Fe and Mo, as well as frequency of optimal indices decreased. The small count of nutrient indices in high till toxic range suggested on environmentally sound way of cranberry fertilization practices in Latvia.

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481-486 V. Surikova, A. Kārkliņš and E. Rubauskis
Preliminary results of nitrogen uptake with mown grass in an apple orchard under influence of mulch and irrigation
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Preliminary results of nitrogen uptake with mown grass in an apple orchard under influence of mulch and irrigation

V. Surikova¹, A. Kārkliņš² and E. Rubauskis¹

¹Latvia State Institute of Fruit–Growing, Graudu iela 1, Dobele, LV 3701; e–mail:Valentina.Surikova@lvai.lv
²Latvia University of Agriculture, Lielā iela 2, Jelgava, LV 3001; e–mail:Aldis.Karklins@llu.lv

Abstract:

Nitrogen leaching from intensive agriculture systems is one of the major contributors responsible for nitrate concentration increasing in groundwater. The aim of the study was to determine the content of total nitrogen in the orchard lawn and use this parameter as a correction factor for reduction of nitrogen fertilizers application and to include the nitrogen from mown grass into the N balance and turnover calculation. The investigation was conducted at the Latvia State Institute of Fruit–Growing, Dobele in 2009, on the basis of an existing field experiment planted in 1997 with cultivar `Melba` (rootstock B 9). The influence of soil moisture management treatments were compared near the alleyway: control, sawdust mulch and fertigation. The alleyway was covered by grass vegetation (Lolium perenne L. and Poa pratensis L,). Total nitrogen was determined using the Kjeldahl method. The preliminary results show that the mulch used in tree strips in an apple orchard had a significantly negative influence on the concentration of nitrogen in the dry matter of mown grass of the alleyway compared with control and fertigation. Near the mulching treatment the concentration of nitrogen in dry matter of mown grass in the alleyway was 2.23%, but near the control and fertigation treatments it was 8% higher. Nitrogen concentration in the grass of the alleyway was significantly influenced by the time of grass mowing. Nitrogen uptake with mown grass biomass in the alleyway near the control in tree strips was 33.36 kg ha-1, near the mulch treatment it was higher by 6%, but in fertigation treatment – by 20%.

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