Evaluation of Soil and Plant Nitrogen Tests in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production

Nitrogen (N) management is critical in optimizing potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and reducing environmental pollution. Several plant and soil based tests were proposed for assessment of N status in crop plants. Aim of this study was to evaluate the convenience of plant based tests (leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI) and petiole nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations) and soil based test (soil nitrogen (Nmin) content) for estimating potato N status. Experiment was conducted in North West region of Croatia in 2011 growing season as randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments were four N rates, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1. At pre-plant 50 kg N ha-1 was applied as NPK 7:20:30. Four side-dressed N rates, 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1 were applied 45 days after planting (DAP). CCI and petiole NO3-N concentrations were measured at 58 and 98 (DAP), while soil Nmin content was measured before planting, 58 DAP, 98 DAP and after harvest. No significant differences in total tuber yield were determined between 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1 treatments. Significantly highest residual Nmin content (33.25 kg ha-1) after harvest was determined on plots fertilized with 200 kg N ha-1, indicating potential N leaching during fall and winter. Significant linear relationship between petiole N-NO3 and N treatments were determined at 58 DAP (R2=0.32) and 98 DAP (R2=0.75) and between CCI and N treatments at 98 DAP (R2=0.62). Significant linear relationship between soil Nmin content and N treatments were determined at 58 (R2=0.57) and 98 DAP (R2=0.56). Plant based tests are better correlated with N treatments at later growth stages in which applied N could be utilized by the crop

Evaluation of Soil and Plant Nitrogen Tests in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production

Nitrogen (N) management is critical in optimizing potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and reducing environmental pollution. Several plant and soil based tests were proposed for assessment of N status in crop plants. Aim of this study was to evaluate the convenience of plant based tests (leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI) and petiole nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations) and soil based test (soil nitrogen (Nmin) content) for estimating potato N status. Experiment was conducted in North West region of Croatia in 2011 growing season as randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments were four N rates, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1. At pre-plant 50 kg N ha-1 was applied as NPK 7:20:30. Four side-dressed N rates, 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1 were applied 45 days after planting (DAP). CCI and petiole NO3-N concentrations were measured at 58 and 98 (DAP), while soil Nmin content was measured before planting, 58 DAP, 98 DAP and after harvest. No significant differences in total tuber yield were determined between 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1 treatments. Significantly highest residual Nmin content (33.25 kg ha-1) after harvest was determined on plots fertilized with 200 kg N ha-1, indicating potential N leaching during fall and winter. Significant linear relationship between petiole N-NO3 and N treatments were determined at 58 DAP (R2=0.32) and 98 DAP (R2=0.75) and between CCI and N treatments at 98 DAP (R2=0.62). Significant linear relationship between soil Nmin content and N treatments were determined at 58 (R2=0.57) and 98 DAP (R2=0.56). Plant based tests are better correlated with N treatments at later growth stages in which applied N could be utilized by the crop

Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Soil Chemical Properties on Vineyard Calcareous Soil

Organic fertilizers are an important contribution of organic matter that modify the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of the soil. The aim of investigation was to determine the effect of different organic fertilization on soil chemical properties on vineyard calcareous soil. Two-year fertilization trial was carried out in the Plešivica wine-growing region, in a 10-year old vineyard, cv. Sauvignon White grafted on Kobber 5BB rootstock, planted on soil with quite high pH for grapevine growing. The trial was performed according to randomize complete block design with 6 treatments (unfertilized, farmyard manure 20 t ha-1 and 40 t ha-1, peat 20 000 L ha-1 and 40 000 L ha-1, NPK 5-20-30 500 kg ha-1+200 kg UREA ha-1) in 4 repetitions. Statistically significant differences in soil reaction (pH) in plowing layer (0-30 cm) were found among fertilization treatments in the second year of studies. In the plowing layer (0-30 cm) in both years of the study significant differences between the values of average total nitrogen content and available phosphorus as well were found, while there were no significant differences in the subplowing layer (30-60cm). Regarding to average value of fertilization treatment, statistically significant difference in the content of available potassium in plowing layer were found in the both investigated years, while in subplowing layer statistical differences were found in the first year of investigation only. Therefore, fertilization with different organic fertilizers significantly influenced the most of studied chemical properties of the soil, especially in plowing layer (0-30 cm)

Macrominerals in Red Beet Root under Organic and Mineral Fertilization

Nutritive value of food should be an imperative and represents content of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. Macrominerals (P, K, Ca, Mg) have an irreplaceable role in the functioning of living organisms and are part of all important biomolecules. Therefore, the goal of present research was to determine the influence of fertilization on content of macrominerals in red beet. A field trial (2003-2005) was set up in a hilly part of Croatia according to the Latin square method with four types of fertilization (control, 50 t stable manure ha-1, 500 and 1000 kg NPK 5-20-30 ha-1). Results show that the highest red beet phosphorus content was determined in treatment with stable manure. Higher level of applied potassium had depressing effect on calcium and magnesium uptake. By fertilization is possible to raise content of macrominerals in red beet, but it is recommended to apply combination of organic and mineral fertilizers

Macrominerals in Red Beet Root under Organic and Mineral Fertilization

Nutritive value of food should be an imperative and represents content of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. Macrominerals (P, K, Ca, Mg) have an irreplaceable role in the functioning of living organisms and are part of all important biomolecules. Therefore, the goal of present research was to determine the influence of fertilization on content of macrominerals in red beet. A field trial (2003-2005) was set up in a hilly part of Croatia according to the Latin square method with four types of fertilization (control, 50 t stable manure ha-1, 500 and 1000 kg NPK 5-20-30 ha-1). Results show that the highest red beet phosphorus content was determined in treatment with stable manure. Higher level of applied potassium had depressing effect on calcium and magnesium uptake. By fertilization is possible to raise content of macrominerals in red beet, but it is recommended to apply combination of organic and mineral fertilizers

MINERAL RATIOS IN BEETROOT UNDER DIFFERENT FERTILIZATION

Besides the absolute values of mineral content in plant tissue, particularly is important their relative relationship. Imbalance in nutrient uptake very often is result of extensive fertilization with one nutrient, which is then in excess, so can prevent uptake of other nutrients what may cause disturbances in metabolism. Therefore, the goal of present research was to determine the influence of fertilization on mineral ratios in beetroot. A field trial (2003-2005) was set up in a hilly part of Croatia according to the Latin square method with four types of fertilization (control, 50 t stable manure ha-1, 500 and 1000 kg NPK 5-20-30 ha-1). Some investigated ratios ranged as follows: N+P+K 4.08-8.17, K+Ca+Mg 2.83-5.14, K/Ca 6.8-18.1, K/Mg 4.3-19.3, K/(Ca+Mg) 2.6-9.3, (N+P)/K 0.70-1.26, Ca/P 0.7-2.0, Ca/Mg 0.65-1.07, K/Mn 297-789, N/Zn 501-786, P/Zn 41-92, Fe/Mn 1.6-2.8, Fe/Cu 1123, Fe/(Cu+Zn) 2.1-4.2, Zn/Cu 3.3-7.6, Mn/Zn 1.5-1.8, Mn/Fe 0.38-0.62. In order to achieve high mineral content and its favorable ratio is necessary to combine the organic and mineral fertilizers with foliar fertilization

MAGNESIUM CONTENT IN CAULIFLOWER AT SALES PLACES IN ZAGREB

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is a biennial crop belonging to the mustard family. It is grown for a head consisting of a thick, short, hypertrophied flower stem with undifferentiated flowers and flower embryos. The minerals that are most abundant in cauliflower are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and sulfur. Magnesium is an essential element for almost all living beings, it is involved in many processes such as the synthesis of organic substances, it is responsible for the activation of a large number of enzymes and has a beneficial effect on the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The aim of this article was to determine the content of magnesium in cauliflower available in the city of Zagreb and to determine how much magnesium can be settled by consuming that cauliflower. The sampling was carried out at 9 sales places in the city of Zagreb, of which 3 were stores with organic products, 3 markets and 3 retail chains. Magnesium was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion with concentrated HNO3 and HClO4 in a microwave oven. The magnesium content of cauliflower ranged from 0.17 to 0.22% Mg in dry matter, 21.24 to 38.87 mg Mg/100 g in the fresh matter, and it was found that consuming 100 g of cauliflower can satisfy 5.98-10.75% of our daily need for magnesium

Seasonal Phosphorus Dynamics in Turfgrass of Different Purposes

Phosphorus (P) is a component of phospholipids, nucleic acids and molecules that store energy. It increases yield and water and nutrients use efficiency. Phosphorus turfgrass content is essential for root development, and, indirectly, nutrient uptake. The aim of this research was to determine soil and turfgrass blade phosphorus dynamics on two recreational (parks Bundek and Jarun) and two sports (Hippodrome and SP Mladost) turfgrasses in the city of Zagreb and determine adequate fertilization. Soil and plant material sampling was performed three times during the growing season 2012 in each of the four investigated locations. The results showed that, generally, soil phosphorus content was low or even turfgrass blade phosphorus content was on the lower end of optimal supply range. Soil phosphorus values ranged from 1.78 to 6.78 mg P2O5 100 g-1, while turfgrass blade phosphorus content ranged from 0.15 to 0.45 % P. Sampling time does not affect turfgrass blade phosphorus content. Due to the particularly low soil and turfgrass blade phosphorus status, special attention when designing the fertilization program should be given to phosphorus application with at least 10 g of P2O5 m-2 in the early spring, and, if necessary, with 1 g of P2O5 m-2 during the growing season

Beetroot mineral composition affected by mineral and organic fertilization

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