scholarly journals Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: II. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Leaf and Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Relationships with Yield from Planting through Maturity

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1777-1794
Author(s):  
Bernadine C. Strik ◽  
Amanda Vance ◽  
David R. Bryla ◽  
Dan M. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Feather Meal ◽  
Leaf N Concentration ◽  
Planting Method ◽  
Leaf N

The impact of various production systems on leaf nutrient concentration and soil organic matter, pH, and nutrient status was evaluated from the first growing season (2007) through maturity (2016) in a certified organic planting of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Treatments included planting method (on raised beds or flat ground), fertilizer source (granular feather meal or fish solubles) and rate (“low” and “high” rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 N, respectively, during establishment, increased incrementally as the planting matured to 73 and 140 kg·ha−1 N, respectively), mulch [sawdust, yard-debris compost topped with sawdust (compost + sawdust), or black, woven polyethylene groundcover (weed mat)], and cultivar (Duke or Liberty). Mulches were replenished, as needed, and weeds were controlled throughout the study. The impacts of year, planting method, fertilizer, mulch, and cultivar on leaf and soil nutrient levels over this 10-year study were complex with many interactions among treatments. Soil pH remained within the recommended range for all treatments. Plants fertilized with fish solubles had higher leaf N, P, and K concentrations than those fertilized with feather meal, particularly at the high N rate in both cultivars. By contrast, fertilization with feather meal increased leaf Ca. Compost + sawdust added a cumulative (2007–16) total of 2274, 400, 961, and 2744 kg·ha−1 of N, P, K, and Ca, respectively, over the use of sawdust alone, and increased the concentration of P, K (as much as 90%), Ca, and Mg in the soil relative to other mulches. Soil organic matter content averaged 4.1% under compost + sawdust, 3.3% under sawdust, and 2.9% under weed mat, averaged over the last 5 years. Mulching with weed mat or compost + sawdust increased leaf K compared with sawdust in both cultivars, regardless of fertilizer treatment. Leaf Ca, on the other hand, was highest with sawdust and tended to be lowest with weed mat in both cultivars. Soil nutrient levels were not consistently correlated with leaf nutrient concentrations, other than between soil NO3-N and leaf N (5 years) and between soil and leaf K (4 years). On average, raised beds resulted in higher concentrations of N, P, K, Fe, and Al and lower concentrations of Ca, Mg, and B in the leaves than planting on flat ground. Furthermore, concentrations of N and Ca in recent fully-expanded leaves at standard sampling time was higher in young plants than in mature plants in both cultivars, whereas the opposite was found for leaf P. In ‘Duke’, yield was positively correlated with leaf Ca in 8 out of 9 years and negatively correlated with leaf K and P in 5 and 6 years, respectively. Leaf Ca and Mg were also negatively correlated with leaf K in most years for both cultivars, as was leaf N. Although leaf N concentration was higher with added compost, regardless of fertilizer source in ‘Duke’, and when fertilized with feather meal in ‘Liberty’, this was not correlated with yield. High N rates increased leaf N concentration, but did not result in greater yield. While soil and leaf tissue testing are important to help manage fertilizer programs, the lack of a consistent relationship between soil and plant nutrient status and yield was a reflection of the complicated interactions that occurred among nutrients in these organic production systems. Soil nutrient imbalances and changes in leaf nutrient concentrations associated with extended use of compost + sawdust mulch and fish solubles may lead to growth and yield problems in longer-lived plantings. In addition, the loss of organic matter under weed mat would need to be addressed in long-term plantings for sustainable production.

scholarly journals Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: I. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Yield and Fruit Quality from Planting through Maturity

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 1201-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadine C. Strik ◽  
Amanda Vance ◽  
David R. Bryla ◽  
Dan M. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Feather Meal ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Planting Method ◽  
Flat Ground ◽  
Low Rate

A long-term trial was established in Oct. 2006 in western Oregon to identify organic production systems for maximum yield and quality in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The planting was transitional during the first year after planting and was certified organic during fruit production (2008–16). Treatments included planting method (on raised beds or flat ground), fertilizer source (granular feather meal or fish solubles), and rate (“low” and “high” rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 N during establishment, increased incrementally as the planting matured to 73 and 140 kg·ha−1 N, respectively), mulch [sawdust, yard debris compost topped with sawdust (compost + sawdust), or black, woven polyethylene groundcover (weed mat)], and cultivar (‘Duke’ and ‘Liberty’). Mulches were replenished, as needed, and weeds were controlled throughout the study. Raised beds resulted in greater yield than flat ground during the establishment years but had less effect on yield once the plants were mature. After 9 years, cumulative yield was 22% greater on raised beds than on flat ground in ‘Liberty’ but was unaffected by planting method in ‘Duke’. Cumulative yield was also 10% greater with feather meal than with fish solubles, on average, and 4% greater with the low rate than with the high rate of fertilizer. ‘Duke’ was particularly sensitive to fertilizer source and produced 35% less yield overall with fish solubles than with feather meal. By contrast, there was relatively little effect of fertilizer source or rate on yield in ‘Liberty’. In five of 9 years, yield was 8% to 20% greater with weed mat than with sawdust or compost + sawdust. Mulch type had no effect on cumulative yield of ‘Duke’, but cumulative yield of ‘Liberty’ was 11% greater with weed mat than with sawdust or compost + sawdust. Soil temperature was warmer under weed mat than under sawdust, and plants on raised beds covered with weed mat required more irrigation than those grown on flat ground mulched with sawdust. ‘Duke’ produced heavier, larger, and firmer berries with lower total soluble solids (TSS) than ‘Liberty’. However, other treatment effects on berry quality were relatively small and inconsistent. For example, berry weight was greater on raised beds than on flat ground, on average, but only by 3% (0.06 g/berry). Plants on raised beds also produced berries with slightly lower TSS than those on flat ground (15.2% and 15.7%, respectively, in ‘Liberty’, and 13.1% and 13.3%, respectively in ‘Duke’). There was no effect of fertilizer source or rate on TSS in ‘Liberty’ (15.5% on average), whereas in ‘Duke’, TSS was highest when fertilized at the high (13.7%) or low (13.4%) rate of fish, and was lower when using feather meal (12.9% and 13.1% for low and high rate, respectively). Plants fertilized with fish produced firmer fruit than with feather meal in five of the 7 years in which the measurements were taken. Also, fertilization with the higher rate of either product increased berry firmness compared with the low rate in six of the 7 years. The impact of mulch was inconsistent through the study period. On average, ‘Duke’ berries were softest when fertilized with the low (173 g·mm−1 deflection) and high (176 g·mm−1) rates of feather meal and were the firmest with the high rate of fish (182 g·mm−1). In ‘Liberty’, the low rate of feather meal produced softer fruit (157 g·mm−1) than the other fertilizer treatments (162 g·mm−1 on average). When this study was initiated in 2006, the most common organic production system in this region was raised beds with sawdust mulch and fertilizing with a high rate of fish solubles. For this production system, yield for mature plants in our study (2014−16) was the equivalent of 8.9−12.3 t·ha−1 in ‘Duke’ and 11.8−23.7 t·ha−1 in ‘Liberty’. However, when plants were grown on raised beds with weed mat and fertilized with the high rate of feather meal, yield increased to 10.2−19.3 t·ha−1, depending on year, in ‘Duke’. By contrast, there was little effect of production system on yield of mature ‘Liberty’ plants. These yields, particularly for the best-performing treatment combination in ‘Duke’, are similar to what are observed in commercial conventional fields or organic farms using similar management practices. Our results showed that choice of organic production system can have significant impact on yield and economic costs and returns.

scholarly journals Variations of leaf N, P concentrations in shrubland biomes across northern China: phylogeny, climate and soil

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 18973-18998 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Yang ◽  
X. Chi ◽  
C. Ji ◽  
H. Liu ◽  
W. Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Soil P ◽  
P Concentration ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Leaf N Concentration ◽  
Chemical Traits ◽  
Leaf P ◽  
Leaf N

Abstract. Concentrations of leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are key leaf traits in ecosystem functioning and dynamics. Foliar stoichiometry varies remarkably among life forms. However, previous studies have focused on trees and grasses, leaving the knowledge gap for the stoichiometric patterns of shrubs. In this study, we explored the intra- and interspecific variations of leaf N and P concentration in relation to climate, soil property and evolutionary history based on 1486 samples composed of 163 shrub species from 361 shrubland sites in northern China expanding 46.1° (86.7–132.8° E) in longitude and 19.8° (32.6–52.4° N) in latitude. The results showed that leaf N concentration decreased with precipitation, leaf P concentration decreased with temperature and increased with precipitation and soil P concentration. Both leaf N and P concentrations were phylogenetically conserved, but leaf P concentration was less conserved than leaf N concentration. At community level, climates explained more interspecific, while soil nutrient explained more intraspecific, variation of leaf nutrient concentrations. These results suggested that leaf N and P concentrations responded to climate, soil, and phylogeny in different ways. Climate influenced the community chemical traits through the shift in species composition, whereas soil directly influenced the community chemical traits.

scholarly journals Weed Management, Training, and Irrigation Practices for Organic Production of Trailing Blackberry: II. Soil and Aboveground Plant Nutrient Concentrations

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K. Dixon ◽  
Bernadine C. Strik ◽  
David R. Bryla
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Training Time ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Plant Nutrient Concentrations

Organic production of blackberries is increasing, but there is relatively little known about how production practices affect plant and soil nutrient status. The impact of cultivar (Black Diamond and Marion), weed management (nonweeded, hand-weeded, and weed mat), primocane training time (August and February), and irrigation (throughout the summer and none postharvest) on plant nutrient status and soil pH, organic matter, and nutrients was evaluated from Oct. 2012 to Dec. 2014 in a mature trailing blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) production system. The study site was certified organic and machine harvested for the processed market. The planting was irrigated by drip and fertigated with fish hydrolysate and fish emulsion fertilizer. Soil pH, organic matter content, and concentrations of soil nutrients, including ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), were greater under weed mat than in hand-weeded plots. Soil K and boron (B) were below recommended standards during the study, despite a high content of K in the fish fertilizer and supplemental B applications. Primocane leaf nutrient concentrations were below the N, K, Ca, and Mg sufficiency standards in ‘Black Diamond’ and were lower than in ‘Marion’ for N, phosphorus (P), Ca, Mg, S, B, and Zn in at least one year. In contrast, floricane leaves and fruit tended to have higher nutrient concentrations in ‘Black Diamond’ than in ‘Marion’. Weed management strategy affected many nutrients in the soil, leaves, and fruit. Often, use of weed mat led to the highest concentrations. Withholding irrigation postharvest had limited effects on plant nutrient concentrations. Primocane training time affected the nutrients in each plant part differently depending on year.

Assessment and Mapping soil fertility status of Potato Super Zone, Kavrepalanchowk

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (02) ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
S. P. Vista ◽  
T. B. Ghimire ◽  
T. S. Rai ◽  
B. S. Kutu ◽  
B. K. Karna
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Sampling ◽  
Sampling Point ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Fertility Status

Potato is a staple food crop in high hills and mountains and a major vegetable throughout the country and one of the most important cash generating crops in Nepal. With the efforts undertaken by research and extension sectors, its productivity has significantly increased in last twenty years. However, this is not sufficient for increasing population of the country. Considering its potentiality for income, employment, industrial products, export and processing, appropriate technologies are urgent.Soil fertility evaluation is the most basic decision making tool for the sustainable soil nutrient management. Soil fertility studies and mapping is an effective way to diagnose soil status and recommend as per the need of the nutrient to particular crop in the area. This research aims to assess and prepare soil nutrient map of potato super zone, Kavrepalanchowk in Nepal. The specific objectives of the research were to assess soil texture, pH and organic matter status and simultaneously prepare soil fertility map of the potato super zone. A total of 202 soil samples were collected and nutrients were analyzed using standard procedure in the soil laboratory. Composite soil samples were collected from 6 to 10 different spots of the area at 0-20 cm depth by using soil auger. The GPS location of each soil sampling point was noted. The soil sampling point of each zone was determined by studying various aspects (area, slope, colour, texture, etc.) of the study area. Based on the nutrient status, nutrient maps were prepared and presented. Soil fertility maps were prepared by observing the critical nutrients required for the specific crops and by giving those nutrients certain ranking based on the nutrients role for the crop. The soil of Potato super zone was mostly found to be silty loam, moderately acidic (pH 5.9), medium in organic matter content (2.67%) and total nitrogen (0.13%), high in available phosphorus content (56 kg/ha) and available potassium (356kg/ha). There is also sandy loam, loam and silty clay loam types of soil in the area. Soil fertility maps were prepared by setting criteria based on nutrient status that were tested in the laboratory and on the basis of nutrients that are critical for each crops of the super zones. Vegetable super zone soil was found having medium (50%) and high (30%) fertility status. Based on the soil analysis report, it could be concluded that the soils of potato super zone is fair enough for cultivating potato crop at the moment.

Diagnostic nitrogen concentrations for tomatoes grown in sand culture

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
DO Huett ◽  
G Rose
Keyword(s):  
Critical Values ◽  
Sand Culture ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Total N ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Leaf N Concentration ◽  
Petiole Sap ◽  
N Status ◽  
Leaf N

The tomato cv. Flora-Dade was grown in sand culture with 4 nitrogen (N) levels of 1.07-32.14 mmol L-1 applied as nitrate each day in a complete nutrient solution. The youngest fully opened leaf (YFOL) and remaining (bulked) leaves were harvested at regular intervals over the 16-week growth period. Standard laboratory leaf total and nitrate N determinations were conducted in addition to rapid nitrate determinations on YFOL petiole sap. The relationships between plant growth and leaf N concentration, which were significantly affected by N application level, were used to derive diagnostic leaf N concentrations. Critical and adequate concentrations in petiole sap of nitrate-N, leaf nitrate-N and total N for the YFOL and bulked leaf N were determined from the relationship between growth rate relative to maximum at each sampling time and leaf N concentration. YFOL petiole sap nitrate-N concentration, which can be measured rapidly in the field by using commercial test strips, gave the most sensitive guide to plant N status. Critical values of 770-1 120 mg L-I were determined over the 10-week period after transplanting (first mature fruit). YFOL (leaf + petiole) total N concentration was the most consistent indicator of plant N status where critical values of4.45-4.90% were recorded over the 4- 12 week period after transplanting (early harvests at 12 weeks). This test was less sensitive but more precise than the petiole sap nitrate test. The concentrations of N, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in YFOL and bulked leaf corresponding to the N treatments producing maximum growth rates are presented, because nutrient supply was close to optimum and the leaf nutrient concentrations can be considered as adequate levels.

scholarly journals Integrated Nutrient Management of an Acid Paddy Soil in Karang Tanjung Village, Padang Ratu, Central Lampung

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-106
Author(s):  
Antonius Kasno ◽  
Irawan Irawan ◽  
Husnain Husnain ◽  
Sri Rochayati
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Soil Nutrient Status ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Set Up

Balanced fertilization is the key factor to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fertilization.The dosage of inorganic fertilizers applied can be determined based on the nutrient status of P, K and rice productivity. The research aims to improve balance fertilization that combines inorganic fertilizers, which is set up based on soil nutrient status, and organic fertilizers. The research was conducted in Karang Tanjung Village, Padang Ratu District, Central Lampung, in the dry season of 2009 until 2012. An experimental plot of one hectare was set up in the farmer’s paddy fields. Generally, the plot for every treatment was owned by two or more farmers. The treatments consisted of the dose of fertilizer applications for lowland rice, namely (1) dose of fertilizers based on farmer practice, (2) dose of fertilizers proposed by Petrokimia, (3) 75% of fertilizer dose that was set up based on soil analysis plus straw compost, and (4) 75% of inorganic fertilizer combined with manure and biofertilizer. At the fourth growing season, each plot was applied with 100% inorganic fertilizer (NPK fertilizer). The results showed that the limiting factor of the soil used in the current study is the content of organic-C, N, K, and CEC. The compost of rice straw used as organic matter in the current study contains higher organic-C and total-N in comparison to manure. Organic matter application in the form of straw compost or manure can reduce 25% of NPK application, while the production of rice remains high. Fertilization on paddy soils based on soil nutrient status can improve fertilization efficiency. Rice production in the treatment of 100% NPK is similar to that in the fertilization treatments based on farmer practice and Petrokima rate. Keywords: Nutrient management, acid soil, fertilization efficiency

scholarly journals Investigation of soil properties and nutrients in agricultural practiced land in Tangail, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-90
Author(s):  
MS Islam ◽  
T Nusrat ◽  
MR Jamil ◽  
F Yesmin ◽  
MH Kabir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Soil Nutrient Status ◽  
Total N ◽  
Content Status

The study investigated on soil nutrients in agriculture practiced high, medium high, medium low and low land at Kalihati upazila of Tangail district during October 2017 to June 2018. Thirty soil samples were collected from different land types at the study area and analyzed at Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) to determine soil nutrient status. The soil parameters under investigation included pH, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available zinc (Zn), available iron (Fe), available manganese (Mn), available boron (B), exchangeable potassium (K), exchangeable calcium (Ca) and exchangeable magnesium (Mg). Results indicated that many of the soil nutrient levels decreased such as pH (5.63 to 6.40), P (3.50 to 23.20 μg g-1), Zn (3.27 to 3.60 μg g-1), Mn (21.12 to 57.90 μg g-1), B (0.17 to 0.60 μg g-1), K (0.18 to 0.30 meq 100g-1) and Ca (5.75 to 9.10 meq 100g-1). On the contrary, the average content of OM (2.30 to 1.40%), Fe (248.22 to 161.10 μg g-1) and Mg (2.07 to 1.80 meq 100g-1) were increased. Total N content status did not change much (0.12%). Soil nutrients like those that available Zn, Fe, Mn and Mg contents were found above optimum level (very high) but OM and N status found below optimum level (low, very low and medium). Nutrient concentrations below optimum levels may limit crop yield. Updated knowledge about soil nutrient status needs to be provided for the farmers so that they can use necessary amount of fertilizers and avoid applying excess amount of fertilizers. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(2): 84-90, December 2020

scholarly journals Leaf Nutrition and Soil Nutrients Are Affected by Irrigation Frequency and Method for NP-Fertigated `Gala' Apple

1995 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 971-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.H. Neilsen ◽  
P. Parchomchuk ◽  
D. Neilsen ◽  
R. Berard ◽  
E.J. Hague
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Irrigation Frequency ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Leaf N Concentration ◽  
Leaf P ◽  
Leaf Nutrition ◽  
Similar Yield ◽  
Leaf N

`Gala' apple (Malus domestica Borkh) on M.26 rootstock was subjected, in the first five growing seasons, to NP-fertigation and a factorial combination of treatments involving method and frequency of irrigation. Two types of emitters (drip or microjet) were used to apply the same quantity of water at high (daily), intermediate (about weekly) and low (about bi-weekly) irrigation frequencies. Although initial tree vigor and yield were higher for drip-fertigated trees, by the end of the study microjet fertigation produced larger trees of similar yield. These microjet fertigated trees had higher leaf P, K and Cu but lower leaf N, Mg, and Mn than drip-fertigated trees. Soil pH and extractable Mg and K concentrations were higher and extractable-P concentrations lower directly beneath microjet-emitters as a result of the larger fertigated soil volume relative to drip-emitters. High frequency irrigation improved tree growth but had less effect on leaf nutrient concentrations or soil chemical changes than lower frequency irrigation. Leaf N concentration was most affected by irrigation frequency, tending to decrease with daily irrigation.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Rate, Cultivar, and Within-row Spacing Affect Collard Yield and Leaf Nutrient Concentration

HortScience ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 701-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Dangler ◽  
C. Wesley Wood
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Nitrogen Rate ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Rate Maximum ◽  
Leaf N Concentration ◽  
Leaf Nutrient Concentration ◽  
N Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Leaf N

Collards (Brassica oleracea L. Acephala Group) were grown in spring and fall to evaluate the effects of N fertilizer rate (0, 56, 112, 168, and 224 kg·ha -1), cultivar (Blue Max and Vates), and within-row spacing (15, 23, and 30 cm) on yield and leaf mineral nutrient concentrations. Season, cultivar, and N rate interacted in their effects on yield. In spring, `Blue Max' yield increased linearly with N rate to 10.4 t·ha-1, whereas the highest `Vates' yield (7.0 t·ha-1) was obtained with 112 kg N/ha, and yield remained similar with additional N. In fall, `Blue Max' and `Vates' yields were highest (14.5 and 9.9 t·ha -1, respectively) with 112 kg N/ha. Leaf N and P concentrations increased quadratically and linearly, respectively, in response to N rate. Maximum yields were obtained with the 15-cm within-row spacing. Leaf N concentration increased linearly with increased plant population. The adequacy of the present sufficiency range for leaf Ca concentrations of field-grown collards is discussed.

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