Controlled-release fertilizer increases growth, chlorophyll content and overall quality of loquat seedlings

Abstract

Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. (Rosaceae), commonly known as the loquat tree, is widely cultivated due to production of edible fruits, which can be consumed fresh or processed into different food products. Enhancement of loquat seedlings quality is an important issue for more efficient propagation protocols, including rootstock production. The objective with the present study was to assess the effects of increasing doses of controlled-release fertilizer on loquat seedlings growth, quality and chlorophyll content. Seeds were sowed in containers filled with commercial substrate previously treated with different doses of controlled-release fertilizer (N, P, K, Mg, S and micronutrients): 0.0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg per cubic meter of substrate (kg m-³). Seedlings were evaluated 182 days after sowing and the data were submitted to polynomial regression analyses. Increasing doses of the fertilizer promoted increasing linear behavior on seedlings height, root collar diameter, leaf area, roots and shoots dry mass and Dickson quality index. Chlorophylls a, b and total chlorophylls increased up to the dose of 7.5 kg m-³, followed by a decrease at the dose of 10 kg m-³. The dose of 10 kg m-³ promoted the highest values of Dickson quality index and growing variables on loquat seedlings.

Production of Beauregard Sweet Potato in vertical farming under different fertilization technologies

“…Similar results were identified by (Gomes et al, 2020) with okra plantlet. The authors mention that the effect of SRF on the height increase may occur due to the availability of N, P and K throughout the growth period of the plant (Gomes et al, 2020). Similar results were described by (Rossa et al, 2011 with forest species.…”

“…Studies carried out by (Gomes et al, 2020) confirmed positive responses of the use of controlledrelease fertilizer on the accumulation of root and shoot dry biomass in loquat seedlings. This result of the increase in biomass in plants due to the application of SRF or controlled-release was also verified in several studies with fruit and forest species (Gomes et al, 2020).…”

“…Although this fertilizer has been studied in seedlings of forest and fruit species (Gomes et al, 2020), data on controlled-release fertilization in field sweet potato cultivation are scarce.…”

Uso de diferentes tipos de fertilizantes minerais na produção de Ipomoea batatas BRS Amélia em cultivo vertical

“…Os modelos de regressão e respectivas equações e coeficientes de determinação (R²) para os dados biométricos são apresentados na Figura 1. O incremento na altura de plantas em função do aumento da dose do FLC está relacionado com o fornecimento do nutriente, em especial à disponibilidade de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio, em proporções adequadas para cada etapa de desenvolvimento da planta, visto que a absorção de nutrientes não é constante ao longo do ciclo (GOMES et al 2020, MARANA et al 2008. Observando as formulações utilizadas no presente estudo, o nitrogênio está presente em 13% na formulação NPK utilizada e 15% no FLC, oferecendo alta concentração de nitrogênio para a planta que apresenta alta exigência deste elemento, mesmo com baixo nível de matéria orgânica -M.O.…”

“…O FLC promoveu incrementos significativos no diâmetro do coleto de plantas de batata-doce BRS Amélia (Figura 1B), atingindo um máximo de 10,33mm, correspondente à dose de 120g por cova de plantio, obtendo um aumento de 36,1% quando comparadas com as plantas que não receberam fertilização. Resultado semelhante ocorreu na avaliação de mudas de angico-vermelho (ROSSA et al 2015), de nêspera (GOMES et al 2020) e, em plantas jovens de açaizeiro (ALMEIDA et.al. 2018).…”