Influence of nitrogen and potassium inputs on plant biomass and nitrogen use efficiency of Dioscorea alata
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Date
2023
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are known to be important for root and tuber crops but their interactions have not yet been studied in Dioscorea spp. A field experiment was conducted on a Luvisol, in Sri Lanka, over two consecutive seasons in 2013/14 and 2014/15 with D. alata (cv. ‘Raja Ala’). The study was designed to assess the effects of combined N and K inputs added as mineral fertilizers on biomass production, leaf area index (LAI), tuber yield, N and K uptake, fertilizer N recovery in soil/plant system, and N and K input-output balances. The fertilizer N recovery was studied using 15N labeled urea. Increased N inputs increased the LAI, N and K uptake via increased biomass production, and tuber yield. Potassium input alone had no effect on LAI or tuber yield. After two seasons, 4 to 10% of the fertilizer N applied on yam, exported with the roots and tubers while 5 to 9% recovered in the senescent shoots, 29 to 62% of fertilizer N recovered in the first 50 cm of the soil and 25 to 58% of l fertilizer N had not been recovered in plant and soil system. Results suggest that nutrient management in yam should consider: (i) the amount of fertilizer N and K should cover the amount of N and K exported with the tuber harvest and (ii) yam should be followed by a crop with a long and fine root system to take up N in the soil profile.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
46 (3)
Pages / Article No.
321 - 343
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
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Edition / version
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Software
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Subject
Yam; N and K mineral fertilizers; leaf area index; fresh tuber yield; N and K uptake; 15N labeled urea; N-fertilizer recovery
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03427 - Frossard, Emmanuel (emeritus) / Frossard, Emmanuel (emeritus)