Publication Date:
2021-10-15
Description:
Nitrification inhibitors (NI) are aimed at improving N-fertilizer use efficiency in cropping systems. This study aimed to assess the nitrification inhibition potential and non-target effects of dry leaf powders (botanicals) of ten plant species [neem (Azadirachta indica), lantana (Lantana camara), karanda (Pongamia pinnata), Brachiaria humidicola, cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), wild-sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), mee (Madhuca longifolia), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and pepper (Piper nigram)]. The effect of botanicals on the growth of three ammonia oxidizing bacteria isolates (M4, M5 and M7) and NO3- formation in soil were tested in laboratory experiments. In a pot-experiment, botanicals were applied with urea to assess their effect on vegetative-growth of tomato and capsicum. The non-target effects of botanicals on soil bacteria and fungi, and seed germination were assessed separately. Dicyandiamide (DCD) was used as the positive control in all experiments. Only the growth of M7 was significantly suppressed by all botanicals except neem, Brachiaria and pepper. The highest shoot-biomass of tomato was obtained when urea was applied with pepper. Nitrate leaching from pots was significantly reduced (p
Print ISSN:
0008-4271
Electronic ISSN:
1918-1841
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Permalink