Quantitative Changes in Various Nutrient Ratios in Fodder Plants as an Effect of Compost and Fly Ash Application

Abstract

Despite the popularity of concentrated feed, fodder crops are still important, especially in organic livestock farming. However, this type of feed must meet certain criteria, which are often described using correct nutrient ratios. The research investigates the influence of compost and fly ash on quantitative changes in nutrient ratios determined for lupine and oat cultivated on soil slightly contaminated with Cu. A pot experiment was conducted on medium soil. Immobilizing agents (compost and fly ash) were applied at the dose of 40 t per ha. Plant materials were subjected to chemical analyses to assess their macronutrient content and, based on these data, mutual proportions of individual nutrients were calculated as mass ratios of K:Mg, K:Na, Ca:P, Ca:Mg, K:(Ca+Mg) and (K+Na):(Ca+Mg). Changes in ratio values were visualized using statistical tools, i.e., Anova, correlation coefficients and dendrograms. It was found that immobilizing agents constituted a source of the chosen nutrients because their amounts in plants grown on the soil fertilized with either compost or fly ash compost were significantly higher than in the control plants. This phenomenon was especially visible with regard to Ca and Mg for both lupine and oat. It should be emphasized here that the effect of compost or fly ash on the content of Ca and K in plants was comparable. In general, the application of compost contributed to higher values of the analyzed nutrients in both plants. The control and fertilized fly ash plants were characterized by lower values of nutrient ratios. The expected optimal value range of 2–3:1 was determined only for Ca:Mg, which was found in both lupine and oats. The proper values of K:Mg (2–6:1) were found only in the case of fodder plants cultivated on soil amended with compost.

Assessment of lupine seed fodder quality depending on the variety and tillage system used as factors for sustainable agriculture

“…Usually the assessment of the effect of agricultural factors on the chemical compounds of plant biomass is conducted in one way throughout fertilization (Manas et al, 2018;Jakubus and Bakinowska, 2020b;Herencia et al, 2011). However, the reports may occasionally be found (Rady et al, 2016;Jakubus and Bakinowska, 2020a;Jakubus and Graczyk, 2022) related to the assessment of the effect of fertilization on the ratios between the nutrients. In cited studies it has been clarified and confirmed that fertilization influences the nutrient contents in plant biomass, as well as the relationship between them.…”

“…This element is also required for muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission (Cherian, 2019). Despite the considerable importance of nutrient ratios and the appropriate balance of nutrients in fodder plants referenced in the literature, as yet there is only fragmentary information concerning the assessment of the quality of various crops (vegetables, grassland, crops, herbaceous or leguminous plants) using the ratios of their nutrients (Jakubus and Bakinowska, 2020a;Jakubus and Graczyk, 2022). Moreover, in the literature there are very different and broad ranges of nutrient contents given as optimal and critical levels for crops (Mahler, 2004;Prasad, 2017).…”

“…On the basis of the recorded amounts, the following quantitative nutrient ratios: N:P, K:Mg, K:Na, Ca:P, Ca:Mg, K:(Ca+Mg) and (K+Na):(Ca+Mg) were calculated. The selection of the listed nutrient ratios was purposeful and based on literature reports (Jakubus and Graczyk, 2022;Jakubus and Bakinowska, 2020a;Grzegorczyk et al, 2017;Ostrowska and Porębska, 2017;Maćkowiak et al, 2011), because certain ratios are considered to be useful parame-ters in the assessment of plant quality and some of them are used obligatorily in routine chemical tests for agricultural purposes. In addition, the study presents the uptake of macronutrients using the yield of lupine seeds.…”

“…The quality of the plants cultivated for both cooking and fodder purposes is largely determined by their nutritional value. Obligatorily it is described by the macronutrient contents in the biomass of the plant and only occasionally it is expressed by the mutual quantitative ratios of the nutrients (Rady et al, 2016;Jakubus and Bakinowska, 2020a;Jakubus and Graczyk, 2022). Although the relationships between the various macronutrients are often ignored, their importance is very significant because they determine the proper development of plants and ensure a high quality of biomass and grain yield.…”

“…Additionally, it can be assumed in most cases that the plant nutrient ratios provide a better index of the deficiency of macronutrients than their concentration. Agrotechnical treatments have an impact on quantitative changes in macronutrients in plants and/or seeds, which are most often analysed in the context of fertilization (Rady et al, 2016;Manas et al, 2018;Jakubus and Bakinowska, 2020a;Jakubus and Graczyk, 2022). These treatments have been justified and proven through fertilization effects on the quantitative changes of nutrients in plant biomass, and therefore their mutual relationship has been proven.…”