Urea and Manure Effect on Growth and Mineral Contents of Maize Under Saline Conditions

Abstract

Salinity and soil nutrient deficiencies are the main factors reducing plant productivity in arid and semiarid areas. Among the essential elements, nitrogen is usually the most growth limiting plant nutrient in saline or non-saline soils. A pot experiment was carried out in the greenhouse to evaluate the influence of composted manure and urea as nitrogen sources on growth and mineral [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na)] content of maize (Zea mays L.) under different levels of salinity. Saline soils were prepared from an infertile loamy-sand soil, namely masatsuchi, by adding a mixture of Ca, Mg, and Na salt solutions with concentrations of 60, 110, and 160 mmol c L À 1 . The final salinity levels (ECe) achieved were 4, 9, and 13 dSm À 1 denoted as S1, S2, S3, respectively; S0 denotes untreated soil. The pH of the saline soils ranged from 7.1 to 7.4. Nitrogen was applied at four levels JOURNAL ORDER REPRINTS as follows: urea, composted manure, 1 2 urea þ 1 2 composted manure, and a control (no N fertilizer). Each of the three levels of applied N was at the rate of 200 kg ha À 1 . A basal dose of P and K was also applied. Treatments were factorially combined using RCB design with 3 replications. Maize was grown as the test crop. Plant growth and shoot and root biomass were monitored for 8 weeks, and shoot samples were also analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na. Maize height and dry matter production were depressed with increasing salinity levels. The application of composted manure and urea fertilizer enhanced plant growth and nutrient uptake compared with the non-treated control. Maize growth was better under urea fertilizer than under composted manure. The uptake of nutrient was also affected by the salinity and form of fertilizer applied. Calcium, Mg, and Na uptake of shoot increased with increasing level of salinity irrespective of fertilizer level. However, for any level of salinity, the uptake of these elements differed in the following order: urea > urea þ manure > composted manure > control. Nitrogen uptake decreased with increasing salinity up to S2 while P and K decreased up to S3. Irrespective of salinity, N, P, and K uptake were higher in urea and urea þ manure treatments as compared to manure and control. The poor response of composted manure may be due to its short-term application or impeded N mineralization under saline conditions.

Nutrient Availability to Corn From Dairy Manures and Fertilizer in a Calcareous Soil

“…There has been a great deal of research related to N, P, and K mineralization after manure application in various climates and soil conditions (Bar-Tal et al, 2004;Eghball et al, 2002;Irshad et al, 2002;Whalen et al, 2001;Meek et al, 1982). However, there has not been much focus on the effects of manure application on the uptake of other macronutrients such as Ca, Mg, and micronutrients such as iron (Fe), Mn, and Zn.…”

The examination of Na-Ca effect on some qualitative and quantitative characters in durum wheat plants

“…Many researchers reported that salinity significantly reduced dry and fresh matter accumulation in various plants (Irshad et al, 2002;Ghoulam et al, 2002;Da gan et al, 2002). Reduction in dry weight reflects the increased metabolic energy cost and reduced carbon gain.…”

Response of two halophyte plants (Nitraria schoberi and Halocnemum strobilaceum) to potassium sulfate under saline condition

“…Also, Na + disorder translocation of K + from root to shoot (Botella et al, 1997) and completion with K + for uptake (Coskun et al, 2013). On the other hand more uptakes and accumulation of toxic ions (such as Na + ) affected osmotic potential of plant tissues, which cause the reduction in photosynthesis and plant growth rate (Irshad et al, 2002;Ali et al, 2012, Kausar et al, 2012. As a result the plant development depends upon the availability of suitable amounts of potassium especially under saline conditions (Wang et al, 2013).…”