Application of Multi-Component Conditioner with Clinoptilolite and Ascophyllum nodosum Extract for Improving Soil Properties and Zea mays L. Growth and Yield

Abstract

The application of various conditioners in agriculture is one of the management practices used to improve soil quality and plant growth and development. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a multi-component conditioner on the selected soil properties and maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield. The effect of a conditioner on a set of soil properties and maize growth and yield was studied in one-year experiments carried out at three study sites, which were under a conventional tillage system. All of the study sites were located on farms in three geographic mezoregions in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Region (Midwestern Poland). The studied soils were Haplic Luvisol (Janocin and Kobylnica) and Albic Luvisols (Krukówko) that were composed of sandy loam. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of a conditioner Solactiv on the soil and plant properties. The conditioner significantly affected the soil enzyme activities such as dehydrogenase (DHA), fluorescein sodium salt hydrolysis level (FDAH) and carboxymethylcellulose cellulase (CMC—cellulase); wherein the last one increased by about 16–20%. The application of Solactiv also increased the available K content (about 11%) but not the content of the microbial biomass C and N. Total porosity (TP), which was significantly higher in the soil treated with conditioner than in the control soils, increased the available water capacity (AWC) (about 2.2%). The higher AWC in the treated soil indicated the greater contribution of the mesopores in the TP (about 4%). A significantly higher readily available water capacity (RAWC) and small pores available water capacity (SAWC) was determined in the treated soils compared to the controls. Of the plant properties, only plant height, fresh cob biomass (BBCH 87–89) and fresh plant biomass (BBCH 84–85) were significantly increased by the conditioner. The application of Solactiv is considered to be a promising approach for developing sustainable agriculture by improving the soil’s biological activity and water-related properties.

Improvement of rooting and growth in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) cuttings with organic biostimulants

“…Additionally, in one study, it was demonstrated that components of commercial A. nodosum extracts influence the quantity and localization of auxins, which may account, at least in part, for the improved plant growth in Arabidopsis seedlings with a DR5:GUS reporter gene construct [ 58 ]. Similar results have been reported with Gracilaria edulis sap in potato [ 59 ], in hybrid maize [ 60 ], in foxtail millet [ 61 ], with Ascophyllum nodosum in maize [ 62 ], in Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal [ 63 ] and in winter wheat [ 64 ] and many more.…”

The Role of Zinc- Zeolite in the Growth and Yield of (Zea Mays L.) in Two Calcareous Soils

“…It is found that the increase in the amount of potassium absorbed by different crops keeps along with the increase in the concentration of zinc added as fertilizer, this is attributed to the important role of zinc in activating the processes of photosynthesis and respiration through the activation of enzymes whose effect is reflected on the vital plant processes. This demonstrates with what [28,29,30] Proposed. [32] showed that the reason underlies behind the high exchange capacity of zeolite is due to the distinctive silicate structure of zeolite, which gives it open cavities in the form of channels occupied by water molecules and cations such as potassium, sodium, calcium and other exchangeable cations.…”

A Review: Soil Management, Sustainable Strategies and Approaches to Improve the Quality of Modern Viticulture

“…Seaweed-based extracts were recently employed as sustainable tools to improve abiotic stress tolerance, increase nutrient uptake and grape quality. However, the effects of its application into the soil are not yet fully understood [141]; the effect of these soil applications on secondary metabolism compounds, which are fundamental for the quality of grapes and wine, is still scarcely known. More information is known about the use of this biostimulant by foliar application.…”