Effects of nettle slurry (Urtica dioica L.) used as foliar fertilizer on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and plant growth

Abstract

Organic agriculture is becoming increasingly important, and many natural products are now available for organic farmers to manage and improve their crops. Several ethnobotanical studies have indicated that the use of nettle slurry as fertilizer in organic farming for horticultural crops is spreading. Sometimes, however, the consequences of using these natural products have been poorly evaluated, and there is very little scientific evidence for the effects of using these slurries. In this study, we aimed to analyze the possible effect of nettle slurry on potato yields produced by organic farming. To achieve this main objective, we assessed the effect of nettle slurry on potato yields, plant size and growth parameters, chlorophyll content, and the presence of pests and diseases. Different slurry doses were assessed in 36 plots and nine variables were measured during the crop cycle. Under these field experimental conditions, nettle slurry (including one treatment with Urtica in combination with Equisetum) had no significant effects on yield, chlorophyll content, or the presence of pests and diseases in organic potato crops. The highest chlorophyll content was found in the double dose treatment, but the difference was not significant. This result, together with a small improvement in plant height with the double dose treatment, might indicate very slight crop enhancement which, under our experimental conditions, was not enough to improve yield. The Urtica and Equisetum slurry chemical analyses showed very low levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

The influence of organic plant material on seed germination and development of Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings

“…the negative effect of nettle on scots pine seed germination and seedling growth was to some extent confirmed by the results of research conducted in Spain by Garmendia et al (2018) on the possibility of enriching the substrate for cultivation of potato Solanum tuberosum l. in organic farming with the use of liquid nettle suspension. the study showed no positive effects of nettle treatment either on yield or chlorophyll contents in the plant aboveground parts or the pests and diseases in the organic potato crops.…”

Bat guano and Nettle slurry (Urtica dioica L.) used as biostimulants on Delosperma cooperi and Sedum rubrotinctum plants

“…One of the main effects attributed to the use of nettle slurry on plants is precisely the stimulation due to the high concentration of nutrients (nitrogen and others). Nitrogen is a major element in plants and is assimilated in free amino acids, proteins and other nitrogenous compounds that are related to growth and development [9]. In nettle, the most important nitrogen is stored in roots and rhizomes.…”

“…It is not a resolving treatment but it helps in prevention. It is possible to use nettle slurry on the plants at the time of transplantation, wetting the roots, or as an activator of composting to be used later as part of the substrate [9].…”

“…Its antioxidant, therapeutic and immunological properties are important. [7][8][9]. Although nettle has promising applications in the food, medical and cosmetic sectors [10], few studies have focused on the agronomic use of nettle slurry as a fertilizer, the chemical composition of fermented slurry and its effect on crop yields.…”

The medicinal chemistry of Urtica dioica L.: from preliminary evidence to clinical studies supporting its neuroprotective activity

“…Throughout centuries and continents, U. dioica was employed in several fields. Besides its well-known role in the context of food and nutrition, it found application, in the form of a slurry, as a fertilizer for several plantations [ 3 , 4 ]. This plant and its extracts can also be commonly found in cosmetic preparations, and bast fibers can be used for the production of textiles [ 5 , 6 ].…”