Biochar coupled with contrasting nitrogen sources mediated changes in carbon and nitrogen pools, microbial and enzymatic activity in paddy soil
JOURNAL OF SAUDI CHEMICAL SOCIETY
Authors: Ullah, Saif; Liang, He; Ali, Izhar; Zhao, Quan; Iqbal, Anas; Wei, Shanqing; Shah, Tariq; Yan, Bo; Jiang, Ligeng
Abstract
There is limited information on changes cause by nitrogen (N) fertilizers and biochar (BC) application in soil carbon and nitrogen availability, leaching and microbial activity at different growth stages in rice. This is first comprehensive study conducted in early and late seasons during 2019 to evaluate efficiency of various traditional N fertilizers (i) Urea (ii) Ammonium nitrate and (iii) Ammonium sulfate (315 kg N ha(-1)) with or without biochar (30 t ha(-1)). Results illustrated that all N fertilizers sources applied with biochar significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content by an average 48.44% and 50.63%, soil total nitrogen (Nt) by 4.56% and 4.94%, reduction in total nitrogen leaching by 42.63% and 76.16%, while dissolved organic carbon leaching (DOC) augmented by 39.87% and 38.38% than non-applied treatments in early and late season, respectively. Additionally, soil microbial biomass C and N progressively increased with growth stages and was found higher than non-applied treatments in both seasons. Furthermore, combined application of N fertilizers and biochar, facilitated soil N transformation and the net concentration of NH4+-N and NO3--N was relatively higher than non-charred treatments. Similarly, in both early and late seasons, urease enzyme activity increased by an average 13.52% and 13.55%, bglucosidase by 15.99% and 19.27% however, catalase activity decreased by 14.58% and 12.38%, correspondingly. Moreover, no significant difference (p < 0.05) was recorded among N fertilizers sources in both seasons. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.
Growth and production of 'Prata Ana Gorutuba' banana under different planting densities
SCIENTIA AGRICOLA
Authors: Siqueira, Celia Lucia; Toledo Pereira, Marlon Cristian; Nietsche, Silvia; Xavier, Adelica Aparecida; Mendes, Athos Henrique; Araujo Xavier, Helisson Robert; Guimaraes, Railton de Souza; Lacerda, Danilo Reis; dos Santos, Silvanio Rodrigues
Abstract
Increased planting density, different types of thinning management, and the use of beneficial microorganisms have been adopted as strategic tools in the effort to increase crop yields in a sustainable manner. This investigation evaluated the growth and production of 'Prata Ana Gorutuba' banana (Musa spp., MB) under different plant densities during two production cycles in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Micropropagated plantlets were also inoculated with endophytic bacteria and cultivated as part of two mat management strategies. Planting density varied between 1,680 and 3,920 plant ha(-1). During the experiment, water was less than optimal because of rationing due to drought in the region. Under field conditions, there was no difference between bacterially inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The dense planting system increased the crop cycle. The highest-density planting treatment (3,920 plant ha(-1)) resulted in the highest yield in the first cycle, but no net income was observed. However, the high-density planting treatments resulted in the highest yields and gross incomes in the second production cycle. Management with thinning of plants up to 10-months-old and thinning up to harvest associated with high planting density increased the length of the production cycles. Although the water restriction experienced in the first and second crop cycles, the vegetative and productive traits of 'Prata Ana Gorutuba' banana did not compromise the objectives of this study.