nstantaneous and historical temperature effects on a-pinene
Organic
matrix based slow release fertilizer enhances plant growth,
nitrate
assimilation and seed yield of Indian mustard
(BrassicajunceaL.)
Author Details
VinodK.Sharma
Department
of Biotechnology, Sobhasaria Engineering College,
NH-11, Gokulpura, Bajajgram,
Sikar - 332 001, India
RanaP.Singh
(Corresponding author)
Department of Environmental Science, BabasahebBhimraoAmbedkarUniversity, Raebareily
Road, Lucknow - 226 025, India
e-mail: ranapsingh1@hotmail.com
Publication Data
Paper received:
01
February 2010
Revised
received:
10
September 2010
Re-revised
received:
14
October 2010
Accepted:
20 November 2010
Abstract
Field experiments were
conducted to study the effect of organic matrix based slow release
fertilizers (SRFs) on plant growth, nitrate
assimilation and seed yield of BrassicajunceaL. cv. pusa bold. The agro-waste
materials like cow dung, clay soil, neem leaves and
rice bran were mixed together in 2:2:1:1 ratio and used as organic matrix for
the immobilization of chemical fertilizer nutrients with commercial grade saresh (Acaciagum, 15% solution) as binder. Different fertilizer treatments were
organic matrix based slow release fertilizers, SRF-I (542.0 kg ha-1);
SRF-II (736.5 kg ha-1) and chemical fertilizer combinations, boron
(3 kg ha-1)+sulphur (15 kg ha-1)+nitrogen
(80 kg ha-1) and boron (3 kg ha-1) + sulphur (15 kg ha-1)+nitrogen (80 kg ha-1)+phosphorus
(15 kg ha-1)+potassium (100 kg ha-1). Organic matrix
based SRF-II released ammonium up to 50-d in wet soil under laboratory
conditions which showed maximum retention of the nutrients. A very
significant increase in plant growth, nitrate assimilation and seed yield was
recorded in organic matrix based SRF-II applied plants. The maximum percent
increase in biomass production was observed with organic matrix based SRF-II
(increase of 65.8% in root fresh weight, 38.0% in root dry weight, 45.9% in
leaf fresh weight plant-1 and 27.5 % in leaf dry weight plant-1
in 60-d old plants). It also increased the acquisition and assimilation of
nitrate from the plant?s rhizosphere which was
evident by 45.6% increase in nitrate, 27.5% in nitrite and 11.7% in nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in leaves of 45-d old plants
over control. The organic matrix based SRF-II significantly increased the
seed yield by 28% in Indian mustard. Cost analysis revealed that this
formulation is cost effective as it is based on agro waste materials.
Key
words
Chemical fertilizer, Organic
matrix,? Slow release fertilizer, Seed
yield, Brassicajuncea
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