Acidified Animal Manure Products Combined with a Nitrification Inhibitor Can Serve as a Starter Fertilizer for Maize

There is an urgent need for better management practices regarding livestock farm nutrient imbalances and for finding alternatives to the actual use of mineral fertilizers. Acidification of animal manure is a mitigation practice used to reduce ammonia emissions to the atmospheric environment during manure storage and land application. Acidification modifies manure physicochemical characteristics, among which soluble N and P significantly increase. The main objective of this study was to investigate if acidification and the addition of a nitrification inhibitor to manure and placement of the treated manure close to the seed can stimulate maize growth by enhancing nutrient availability, specially P and consequently plant P uptake, at early development stages without the use of mineral N and P as a starter fertilizer. Raw dairy slurry and solid fractions from dairy slurry and digestate from a biogas plant were acidified to pH 5.5 and applied with or without a nitrification inhibitor (DMPP, 3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate) to maize in a pot experiment, where biomass productivity, nutrient uptake and soil P availability were examined. Acidification increased the water-extractable P fraction of all slurry and digestate organic residues (by 20–61% of total P) and consequently plant P uptake from solid fractions of both slurry and digestate compared to the untreated products (by 47–49%). However, higher plant biomass from acidification alone was only achieved for the slurry solid fraction, while the combination of acidification and DMPP also increased plant biomass in the digestate solids treatment (by 49%). We therefore conclude that the combination of acidification and a nitrification inhibitor can increase the starter fertilizer value of slurry and digestate products sufficiently to make them suitable as a maize starter fertilizer.

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Cultivar-Dependent Responses in Plant Growth, Leaf Physiology, Phosphorus Use Efficiency, and Tuber Quality of Potatoes Under Limited Phosphorus Availability Conditions

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.723862 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Leangsrun Chea ◽

Ana Meijide ◽

Catharina Meinen ◽

Elke Pawelzik ◽

Marcel Naumann

Keyword(s):

Tuber Yield ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

P Uptake ◽

Tuber Quality ◽

P Availability ◽

Plant Tolerance ◽

P Deficiency ◽

Leaf Physiology ◽

Use Efficiency

The limited availability of phosphorus (P) in soils causes a major constraint in the productivity of potatoes, which requires increased knowledge of plant adaptation responses in this condition. In this study, six potato cultivars, namely, Agria, Lady Claire, Milva, Lilly, Sieglinde, and Verdi, were assessed for their responses on plant growth, leaf physiology, P use efficiency (PUE), and tuber quality with three P levels (Plow, Pmed, and Phigh). The results reveal a significant variation in the cultivars in response to different P availabilities. P-efficient cultivars, Agria, Milva, and Lilly, possessed substantial plant biomass, tuber yield, and high P uptake efficiency (PUpE) under low P supply conditions. The P-inefficient cultivars, Lady Claire, Sieglinde, and Verdi, could not produce tubers under P deprivation conditions, as well as the ability to efficiently uptake P under low-level conditions, but they were efficient in P uptake under high soil P conditions. Improved PUpE is important for plant tolerance with limited P availability, which results in the efficient use of the applied P. At the leaf level, increased accumulations of nitrate, sulfate, sucrose, and proline are necessary for a plant to acclimate to P deficiency-induced stress and to mobilize leaf inorganic phosphate to increase internal PUE and photosynthesis. The reduction in plant biomass and tuber yield under P-deficient conditions could be caused by reduced CO2 assimilation. Furthermore, P deficiency significantly reduced tuber yield, dry matter, and starch concentration in Agria, Milva, and Lilly. However, contents of tuber protein, sugars, and minerals, as well as antioxidant capacity, were enhanced under these conditions in these cultivars. These results highlight the important traits contributing to potato plant tolerance under P-deficient conditions and indicate an opportunity to improve the P efficiency and tuber quality of potatoes under deficient conditions using more efficient cultivars. Future research to evaluate molecular mechanisms related to P and sucrose translocation, and minimize tuber yield reduction under limited P availability conditions is necessary.

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Water and phosphorus uptake by upland rice root systems unraveled under multiple scenarios: linking a 3D soil-root model and data

10.1101/2020.01.27.921247 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Trung Hieu Mai ◽

Pieterjan De Bauw ◽

Andrea Schnepf ◽

Roel Merckx ◽

Erik Smolders ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Upland Rice ◽

Phosphorus Uptake ◽

Root Systems ◽

Multiscale Model ◽

P Uptake ◽

Water Dynamics ◽

Small Scale ◽

P Availability ◽

P Deficiency ◽

Plant P Uptake

AbstractBackground and aimsUpland rice is often grown where water and phosphorus (P) are limited and these two factors interact on P bioavailability. To better understand this interaction, mechanistic models representing small-scale nutrient gradients and water dynamics in the rhizosphere of full-grown root systems are needed.MethodsRice was grown in large columns using a P-deficient soil at three different P supplies in the topsoil (deficient, suboptimal, non-limiting) in combination with two water regimes (field capacity versus drying periods). Root architectural parameters and P uptake were determined. Using a multiscale model of water and nutrient uptake, in-silico experiments were conducted by mimicking similar P and water treatments. First, 3D root systems were reconstructed by calibrating an architecure model with observed phenological root data, such as nodal root number, lateral types, interbranch distance, root diameters, and root biomass allocation along depth. Secondly, the multiscale model was informed with these 3D root architectures and the actual transpiration rates. Finally, water and P uptake were simulated.Key resultsThe plant P uptake increased over threefold by increasing P and water supply, and drying periods reduced P uptake at high but not at low P supply. Root architecture was significantly affected by the treatments. Without calibration, simulation results adequately predicted P uptake, including the different effects of drying periods on P uptake at different P levels. However, P uptake was underestimated under P deficiency, a process likely related to an underestimated affinity of P uptake transporters in the roots. Both types of laterals (i.e. S- and L-type) are shown to be highly important for both water and P uptake, and the relative contribution of each type depend on both soil P availability and water dynamics. Key drivers in P uptake are growing root tips and the distribution of laterals.ConclusionsThis model-data integration demonstrates how multiple co-occurring single root phene responses to environmental stressors contribute to the development of a more efficient root system. Further model improvements such as the use of Michaelis constants from buffered systems and the inclusion of mycorrhizal infections and exudates are proposed.

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Soil phosphorus bioavailability as influenced by long-term management and applied phosphorus source

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.1139/cjss-2018-0075 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (3) ◽

pp. 292-304

Author(s):

Tandra D. Fraser ◽

Derek H. Lynch ◽

Ivan P. O’Halloran ◽

R. Paul Voroney ◽

Martin H. Entz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

P Uptake ◽

Italian Ryegrass ◽

P Availability ◽

P Fractionation ◽

Soil P ◽

Plant P Uptake ◽

Term Management

Soil phosphorus (P) availability may be impacted by management practices, thereby affecting plant P uptake and plant response to P amendments. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-term management on soil P pools and to assess the response of P bioavailability, plant growth, and P uptake to mineral versus manure P treatments. Soils were collected from plots under organic (ORG), organic with composted manure (ORG + M), conventional (CONV), and restored prairie (PRA) management. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) seedlings were grown in the greenhouse for 106 d in soils amended with various rates of manure or mineral P. The ORG soil had lower concentrations of labile P (resin-P and NaHCO3-P) compared with the CONV and PRA soils, as determined by sequential P fractionation prior to planting. Ryegrass biomass (root + shoot) and shoot P uptake from soils receiving no P were significantly lower for the ORG than all other management systems. Although apparent P use efficiency of the whole plant was increased by low P rate in the ORG management system, the source of applied P, manure > mineral, only influenced Olsen test P.

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Dynamics of phosphorus fractions in soils treated with dairy manure

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr18325 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (3) ◽

pp. 289

Author(s):

L. B. Braos ◽

A. C. T. Bettiol ◽

L. G. Di Santo ◽

M. E. Ferreira ◽

M. C. P. Cruz

Keyword(s):

P Uptake ◽

Dairy Manure ◽

P Availability ◽

Organic P ◽

Triple Superphosphate ◽

P Fractions ◽

Inorganic P ◽

Soil P ◽

Plant P Uptake ◽

Inorganic P Fractions

The evaluation of phosphorus (P) transformations in soil after application of manure or mineral P can improve soil management and optimise P use by plants. The objectives of the present study were to assess organic and inorganic P forms in two soils treated with dairy manure and triple superphosphate and to establish relationships between soil P fraction levels and P availability. Soil organic and inorganic P fractions were quantified using a pot experiment with two soils, a typical Hapludox and an arenic Hapludult, with three types of fertiliser treatments applied (no fertiliser application, application of dairy manure, and application of triple superphosphate, by adding 100 mg P dm–3 in the form of fertiliser in the two latter treatments) and four incubation times (15, 45, 90, and 180 days). Inorganic P was fractionated into aluminium-bound, iron-bound, occluded, and calcium-bound P. Organic P was extracted sequentially using sodium bicarbonate, hydrochloric acid, microbial biomass, sodium hydroxide, and residual organic P. After incubation, maize plants were cropped to quantify dry matter yield and absorbed P. Application of dairy manure resulted in a significant increase in most of the organic P fractions, and application of triple superphosphate led to a significant increase in inorganic P fractions. Both fertilisers raised labile organic P fractions in the two soils. The major sinks of P in Hapludox were occluded and fulvic acid-associated P. In contrast, the major sink of P in Hapludult was iron-bound P. The available P levels were stable after application of dairy manure, and decreased with time when fertilised with triple superphosphate. In the Hapludox, the organic P fractions had a significant positive correlation with P uptake by plants. The results suggest that organic P mineralisation plays a more significant role in plant P uptake in the Hapludox soil and inorganic P forms are the main contributors to plant P uptake in the Hapludult soil.

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Comparison of amendment with distillers’ grain versus urea on crop yield and nutrient uptake in a canola-wheat rotation in southern Saskatchewan

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps-2014-140 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (8) ◽

pp. 1513-1517

Author(s):

Khaled D. Alotaibi ◽

Jeff J. Schoenau

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Crop Yield ◽

P Uptake ◽

Land Application ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

First Year ◽

Single Application ◽

Urea Treatment ◽

Plant P Uptake ◽

Distillers Grain

Alotaibi, K. D. and Schoenau, J. J. 2014. Comparison of amendment with distillers’ grain versus urea on crop yield and nutrient uptake in a canola-wheat rotation in southern Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1513–1517. A surplus of distillers’ grain resulting from rapid expansion in biofuel production has led to interest in finding alternative uses for this co-product, apart from its traditional use as an animal feed. Land application to agricultural soil in order to recycle the nutrients is one potential use. In this study we evaluated the effect of a single application of wet wheat distillers’ grain (WDG) on crop yield and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in a 3-yr canola–wheat–canola rotation in southern Saskatchewan. The experimental treatments included a single application of WDG at a rate of 100 kg N ha−1 in comparison to urea applied at the same rate of N along with an unfertilized control. In the first year, WDG produced a canola yield of 1266 kg ha−1, which was significantly greater than the urea treatment. The WDG treatment resulted in increased plant N uptake that was 59% greater than the control, but was 20% less than that observed in the urea treatment, indicating that only a portion of the applied N in the WDG was available for recovery. Greater yield of WDG may be due to factors other than N. Both WDG and urea treatments had a significant effect on plant P uptake in the first year. The residual effect of WDG addition on crop parameters in the second and third years was mainly limited to enhancement of plant P uptake in second year. Overall, the WDG applied at the same rate of N was at least as effective as urea for increasing crop yield.

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Four soil phosphorus (P) tests evaluated by plant P uptake and P balancing in the Ultuna long-term field experiment

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/313/2018-pse ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 441-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jarosch Klaus A ◽

Santner Jakob ◽

Parvage Mohammed Masud ◽

Gerzabek Martin Hubert ◽

Zehetner Franz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Phosphorus ◽

P Uptake ◽

P Availability ◽

Soil P ◽

Extractable P ◽

Plant P Uptake ◽

Soil P Tests ◽

Water Extractable ◽

Term Field

Soil phosphorus (P) availability was assessed with four different soil P tests on seven soils of the Ultuna long-term field experiment (Sweden). These four soil P tests were (1) P-H2O (water extractable P); (2) P-H2OC10 (water extractable P upon 10 consecutive extractions); (3) P-AL (ammonium lactate extractable P) and (4) P-CDGT (P desorbable using diffusive gradients in thin films). The suitability of these soil P tests to predict P availability was assessed by correlation with plant P uptake (mean of preceding 11 years) and soil P balancing (input vs. output on plot level for a period of 54 years). The ability to predict these parameters was in the order P-H2OC10 > P-CDGT > P-H2O > P-AL. Thus, methods considering the P-resupply from the soil solid phase to soil solution performed clearly better than equilibrium-based extractions. Our findings suggest that the P-AL test, commonly used for P-fertilizer recommendations in Sweden, could not predict plant P uptake and the soil P balance in a satisfying way in the analysed soils.

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A functional–structural model of upland rice root systems reveals the importance of laterals and growing root tips for phosphate uptake from wet and dry soils

Annals of Botany ◽

10.1093/aob/mcaa120 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 126 (4) ◽

pp. 789-806 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pieterjan De Bauw ◽

Trung Hieu Mai ◽

Andrea Schnepf ◽

Roel Merckx ◽

Erik Smolders ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Root System ◽

Structural Model ◽

Upland Rice ◽

Root Systems ◽

P Uptake ◽

Small Scale ◽

P Availability ◽

Root Tips ◽

Root Segments ◽

Plant P Uptake

Abstract Background and Aims Upland rice is often grown where water and phosphorus (P) are limited. To better understand the interaction between water and P availability, functional–structural models that mechanistically represent small-scale nutrient gradients and water dynamics in the rhizosphere are needed. Methods Rice was grown in large columns using a P-deficient soil at three P supplies in the topsoil (deficient, sub-optimal and non-limiting) in combination with two water regimes (field capacity vs. drying periods). Root system characteristics, such as nodal root number, lateral types, interbranch distance, root diameters and the distribution of biomass with depth, as well as water and P uptake, were measured. Based on the observed root data, 3-D root systems were reconstructed by calibrating the structural architecure model CRootBox for each scenario. Water flow and P transport in the soil to each of the individual root segments of the generated 3-D root architectures were simulated using a multiscale flow and transport model. Total water and P uptake were then computed by adding up the uptake by all the root segments. Key Results Measurements showed that root architecture was significantly affected by the treatments. The moist, high P scenario had 2.8 times the root mass, double the number of nodal roots and more S-type laterals than the dry, low P scenario. Likewise, measured plant P uptake increased >3-fold by increasing P and water supply. However, drying periods reduced P uptake at high but not at low P supply. Simulation results adequately predicted P uptake in all scenarios when the Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) was corrected for diffusion limitation. They showed that the key drivers for P uptake are the different types of laterals (i.e. S- and L-type) and growing root tips. The L-type laterals become more important for overall water and P uptake than the S-type laterals in the dry scenarios. This is true across all the P treatments, but the effect is more pronounced as the P availability decreases. Conclusions This functional–structural model can predict the function of specific rice roots in terms of P and water uptake under different P and water supplies, when the structure of the root system is known. A future challenge is to predict how the structure root systems responds to nutrient and water availability.

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Phosphorus uptake in faba bean, field pea, and corn cultivars from different sources: preliminary studies of two options for organic farmers

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp08103 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 183 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gunasekhar Nachimuthu ◽

Peter Lockwood ◽

Chris Guppy ◽

Paul Kristiansen

Keyword(s):

Production Systems ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Phosphorus Uptake ◽

Poultry Manure ◽

P Uptake ◽

Organic Production ◽

P Availability ◽

Single Superphosphate ◽

Traditional Cultivars

Low soil phosphorus (P) availability commonly limits yield in Australian broadacre organic production systems where superphosphate fertiliser is not permitted, and alternative P nutrition strategies are sought. Glasshouse experiments were conducted to investigate the potential of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) (FB), or field peas (Pisum sativum L.) (FP), grown in acidic sandy loam or alkaline clay, to accumulate P, which could then be supplied to a subsequent crop as part of a green manure rotation or after harvest. Another experiment investigated differences in growth and P acquisition between corn (Zea mays L.) cultivars: Hycorn 424 (a modern hybrid), and four traditional cultivars used in organic production. The experiments were carried out under conditions of P stress and had rock phosphate (RP), poultry manure (PM), or single superphosphate (SP) applied at 50 kg P/ha. For FP, maximum P input to the soil from incorporation would occur at or after pod initiation. However, P uptake by both legumes in both soils from sparingly soluble RP was low, with fertiliser P-use efficiencies of 0–1.3% compared with 1.8–12.7% for PM and 6.1–9.9% for SP. In the corn experiment, P fertiliser source had much larger effects than cultivar on plant biomass and P uptake, with responses generally ranked SP > PM > > RP > Control. Hycorn 424 generally produced higher dry matter and P uptake than the traditional cultivars under all P treatments. The implications of these preliminary investigations for Australian broadacre organic agriculture are discussed.

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Increased C-gain by an endemic Australian pasture grass at elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration when supplied with non-labile inorganic phosphorus

Functional Plant Biology ◽

10.1071/pp98153 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 443 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Damian J. Barrett ◽

Roger M. Gifford

Keyword(s):

Net Primary Productivity ◽

P Uptake ◽

Sand Culture ◽

P Availability ◽

Pasture Grass ◽

Elevated Atmospheric Co2 ◽

P Concentration ◽

Rooting Medium ◽

Plant P Uptake ◽

Citrate Efflux

Limited phosphorus (P) availability in Australia's highly weathered soils may constrain an increase in terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP) with the globally increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration. We examined whether an Australian temperate pasture grass (Danthonia richardsonii) grown in sand culture and supplied solely with virtually insoluble Al- and Fe-phosphate was able to increase C-gain when exposed to elevated (731 µmol mol −1 ) compared with ambient (379 µmol mol −1 ) CO 2 concentrations. When supplied with 8 mg kg −1 insoluble P concentration, total citrate efflux by root systems (µmol h −1 ), plant P uptake, shoot photosynthesis rates and plant mass were all significantly greater at elevated than at ambient CO 2 after a growth period of between 55 and 63 days. In this treatment, although the P concentration of the rooting medium limited growth at ambient CO 2 , elevated CO 2 increased P-uptake from the non-labile source, increased photosynthesis rates per unit shoot soluble-P and increased plant mass. At P concentrations lower than 8 mg kg −1 , plant mass, specific citrate efflux and maximum leaf carboxylation rates were limited by the amount of P available in the rooting medium and no CO 2 effect was observed. In all treatments, carbon supply did not appear to limit citrate efflux. Where an increase in P uptake at elevated CO 2 was achieved, it was due to an increase in root mass (indicative of a potentially larger soil volume explored) rather than to increased specific rates of citrate efflux. Above 8 mg kg −1 , the supplied P concentration was sufficient that minimal rates of specific citrate efflux alone solubilised enough P for growth and a strong CO 2 effect on plant mass, photosynthesis and P uptake was observed.

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Changes in Phosphorus Fractions and Its Availability Status in Relation to Long Term P Fertilization in Loess Plateau of China

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10111818 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1818

Author(s):

Mohsin Mahmood ◽

Yi Tian ◽

Qingxia Ma ◽

Waqas Ahmed ◽

Sajid Mehmood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Grain Yield ◽

P Uptake ◽

Phosphorus Fractions ◽

Available P ◽

P Availability ◽

Residual P ◽

Plant P Uptake ◽

Significant Difference

Excessive phosphorus (P) application can alter soil P availability and limit plant growth by compacting soil and fixation of P into different organic and inorganic forms. However, it remains uncertain whether these changes happen after limited fertilization or an excessive rate applied under the winter wheat cropping system. The current study aimed to identify the transformation of P into different organic (Po) and inorganic (Pi) fractions, and their role in the plant P uptake and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. A long-term study (12 years) was conducted to assess the changes in soil Pi and Po fractions in response to different P rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg P2O5 ha−1) applied to winter wheat. Phosphorus fractions were determined using the Hedley modified Tiessen and Moir fractionation scheme. Our findings demonstrated that different P rates significantly increased the available P, particularly NaHCO3-Pi, in the inorganic P fractions compared to P0 treatment. NaHCO3-Pi showed a strong relationship with grain yield (R2 = 0.91) and P uptake (R2 = 0.80). Grain yield was significantly higher in the P100 treatment, but no significant difference was observed between P100 and P200 treatments. The P200 treatment had a maximum grain P content and plant P uptake. Compared with the P0 treatment, all organic fractions yielded the highest Po with the P rate increase, ranging from 27.3 to 75.6 mg kg−1, 27.2 to 35.6 mg kg−1, and 58.8 to 124 mg kg−1 for NaHCO3-Po, NaOH-Po, and HCl-Po, respectively. Among all Pi fractions, the maximum fraction, known as apatite (HClD-Pi), was found in the P200 treatment with the range of 165 to 245.9 mg kg−1. HClD-Pi accounted for 32% of total P, which can be transformed into the available P form with the passage of time. An increase of 78% in residual P was found under the treatment of P200. The residual P fraction was positively correlated with grain yield, P uptake, and other inorganic fractions. It can be concluded that application of P increases P availability and grain yield with an increase in its application rate, but too much use of P can cause soil pollution and higher fixation of P. Consequently, a balanced application of fertilizer is recommended to reduce its fixation and increase its availability for higher crop yield.

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