Sulphur and sodium inputs from rainfall in relation to proximity of sites from the coast in peninsular Malaysia

Sulphur (S) and Sodium (Na)accessions through rainfall at sites of varying distances from the coast in Peninsular Malaysia were monitored. Result indicate that S accessions was of anthrophogenic and marine origin, with S deposition at site in the central and south transects being influenced more by industrial activities. Na accessions was related to the monsoons, with sites on the east coast having high accumulations during the northeast monsoon, and site on the west coast during the southwest monsoon. Na:S ratio was lower than their ratio in sea water indicating that S accession was from anthropogenic and terrestial origins

Ammonia volatilization loss from surface placed urea-treated POME pellets

Ammonia volatilization loss from urea applied to inland Malaysian soils can be as high as 50% of the nitrogen (N) applied. The high pH of the microsites developed upon urea hydrolysis results in NH + being unstable leading to (NH3) volatilizing. In this study acidified POME (palm oil mill effluent) was matrixed with urea and pelletized with the objective of providing lower pH of the microsite during urea hydrolysis. The high cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the POME could also increase the H-buffering and sites for NH4+ adsorption. Results show that urea-30 % POME acidified was able to reduce NH3 volatilization loss to 8% compared with 30 % of the urea-only pellets. Reduction in NH3 volatilization loss was directly correlated with increase in the POME content in pellets. The higher the POME, the lower NH3 volatilized. CEC and H-buffering are properties of POME that help reduce NH3 volatilization loss. The high CEC adsorps NH+ from the hydrolysis of urea and the H-buffering reduces the pH of the microsites

The Response to Potassium and Uptake by Maize (Zea mays L) on Two Malaysian Soils

The respon·se to four levels of Kfertilizer (0, 100,200 and 300 kg K 20/ha) by maize (Zea mays var. Metro) on two known K-deficient soils of different texture (Munchong and Serdang) formerly under rubber, 1Uas studied in a pot experiment for three months, in relation to various K extraction methods. A sigl~ificant increase in the dry matter yield of maize was found in the sandier Serdang soil, with 100 kg K 20jha; higher levels did not give increased yields. At 100 kg K 20jha level, dry matter yield response was also detected for clayey Munchong soil, but the total K uptake was significantly higher at 200 kg K 20 in this soil than in Serdang soil. Extractable K by CR3COOR gave the highest significant correlation with the stem portion in Serdang soil (r = 0.921) and with the leaf in Munchong soil (r = 0.819)

Nutrient content in rice husk ash of some malaysian rice varieties

Analysis performed on more than 60 samples of 10 different paddy varieties showed 21.33% of the rough rice comprised rice husk, while 13% of the husk constituted rice husk ash. The nutrient content of rice husk ash was 80.26% silica, 0.38% phosphorus, 1.28% potassium, 0.21% magnesium and 0.56% calcium. Statistically, nutrient composition is significantly influenced by varietal differences. As a potential material for fertilizer use, the estimates of total nutrient supplementation available from rice husk ash per annum are discussed

Kesan Paras N dan K dalam Larutan Nutrien terhadap Keupayaan Pertukaran Kation Akar Tanaman Selada (Lactuca sativa)

A study on the influence of nitrogen (N) (100, 200, 300 and 400 mgNL-l ) and potassium (K) (100, 200 and 400 mgKL-l) combinations in solution using the nutrient film technique, hydroponic system on the root cation exchange capacity (GE.G) of lettuce plant (Lactuca sativa var crispa cv. Poly) was undertaken. Roots were sampled on the 20th, 30th and 40th day after germination. Significant increase in roots GE. Cfrom 39.4 7 to 51.11 cmol(+)kgl due to the N level was only detected on the 40th day of sampling. However, increasing the k concentration in nutrient solution at the three sampling times significantly decreased the root GE.C values from 29.48-57.00 to 23.25-35.92 cmol(+)kgl . Root GE.C increased from 27.1 7 to 46.23 cmol(+)kg1 with plant growth stage

Urea as the Nitrogen source in NIT Hydroponic System

Urea as the source of nitrogen in the nutrient solution in NIT (nutrient film technique) hydroponic system undergoes hydrolysis which results in the release of ammonium in solution. Urea hydrolysis was rapid from the 7th day onwards and ended by the 20th day. At the same time, ammonium concentration in solution increased and reached its maximum on the 20th day. Nitrification occurred simultaneously and peaked also on the 20th day. Plant dry matter weight at harvest was similar for both urea and nitrate treatments. Ammonium concentration in leaves and roots was higher in urea than in nitrate treatments. Nitrate concentration in leaves and roots was similarfor both treatments. The study showed that urea can be substituted for nitrate as the nitrogen source in the NIT hydroponic system

Empty fruit bunch application and oil palm root proliferation.

The benefits derived from the application of empty fruit bunches (EFB) included better yields and improved palm nutrient status. These benefits were the result of better soil conditions after applying EFB. Root proliferation resulting from EFB application was observed to be an important factor that led to the better yields and palm nutrient status. The study was conducted on three-year-old DxP palms. Treatments followed an arrangement for the paired t-test with one side of the palm receiving EFB (treatment) at 100 kg per palm while no EFB was applied to the other side of the same palm (which acted as the control). Root samples were collected at three and six months after EFB application. The root masses from both treatment and control were then analysed as a total of all root orders, and also according to each root order, i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary. Comparison of quaternary roots was made using density/unit tertiary root length. Results showed that there was a proliferation of roots at a depth of 30-45 cm three months after EFB were applied. This proliferation occurred in a soil environment which was significantly improved (p<0.05) in terms of total and exchangeable K and total Ca at 15-45 cm soil depth. Significant (p<0.05) improvements in soil pH, soil moisture and P at 0-15 cm soil depth may also have influenced this proliferation of roots. It is postulated that the increased root mass under improved soil conditions implies an enhanced nutrient uptake process which explains the increased yields and better nutrient status

Status Fosfat Organik dalam Tanah Siri Bungor dengan Sistem Tanaman Tunggal dan Giliran

An experiment was carried out to ascertain the status of organic phosphorus (P) and its contribution to P source for plants under monoculture (maize) and crop rotation (groundnut and maize) systems. The amount of organic P in both cropping systems was in the range of 40-50% of total P in P fertilized soils and 70-80% of total P in non P fertilized soils. Mineralization at a rate 0.2 to 16% of the amount of organic P if/, the soil in a cropping season was detected and this can contribute to 1 to 60 kg P ha'l for the plants. The C:P ratio in both systems was in the range of 140-160:1 which encouraged mineralization

Nutrient absorption by oil palm primary roots as affected by empty fruit bunch application

Various parts of the oil palm primary roots were tested to determine the part which absorbs nutrients. An understanding of this aspect of nutrient absorption by the oil palm will explain why the application of empty fruit bunches (EFB) is important. Applying EFB increases the amount of roots, thus increasing the palm’s ability to absorb nutrients and hence, potentially making fertilizer applications more effective. To determine which part of the roots collects and absorbs nutrients, various locations on the primary roots, starting from the root tip, were treated with a solution of KH2PO4 containing 5 μg P ml-1 and 4 μCi of carrier-free 32P. The various locations were identified based on their colour, i.e. creamy white for the root tip, beige for that part of the root just after the creamy white portion, and dark brown for the oldest part of the root. After 24 hr of exposure, the amount of radioactivity emitted from each location was determined. Another experiment was conducted to determine the nutrient distribution pattern in the root after the nutrient was absorbed. In this experiment, the root tip and the part of the root that was dark brown in colour were treated with potassium chloride solution laced with 86Rb for 24 hr. After that time period, about 1 cm of each treated root, starting from the root tip and moving towards the palm base was cut, and their radioactivity determined. Results show that the part of the root that was creamy white (root tip) was significantly more active (P<0.05) in absorbing the nutrient compared to the other parts of the root. The amount of nutrient absorbed at that part of the root increased over time and was significantly higher (p<0.05) at 72 hr compared to absorption at 24 hr. The nutrient distribution pattern in the root from the point of exposure towards the palm base was different when the nutrient was absorbed from the root tip compared to the older part of the root which was dark brown in colour. When the nutrient was absorbed at the root tip, the distribution pattern of the nutrient along the length of the root from the tip to the base of the palm showed a certain pattern. Nutrient concentration was highest at the tip of the root and gradually decreased along the root towards the palm base. However, the nutrient distribution in the treatment of the dark brown part of the root did not follow the same pattern. It is suggested that the nutrient collected within the spaces in the older brown part of the root and flowed towards the root tip before being absorbed. Application of EFB increased the mass of roots. The results imply that for fertilizer application to be more effective, the fertilizers should be applied to those places where most of the roots are formed, i.e. especially under the heaps of EFB