Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive Cultivation
Although jojoba (<i>Simmondsia chinensis</i>) has been cultivated for years, information on its N requirements is limited. A 6-year study of mature jojoba plants grown under field conditions with an intensive management regime evaluated the effect of N application rate on plant nutrient...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/17/3132 |
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| author | Arnon Dag Shamir Badichi Alon Ben-Gal Aviad Perry Noemi Tel-Zur Yonatan Ron Zipora Tietel Uri Yermiyahu |
| author_facet | Arnon Dag Shamir Badichi Alon Ben-Gal Aviad Perry Noemi Tel-Zur Yonatan Ron Zipora Tietel Uri Yermiyahu |
| author_sort | Arnon Dag |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although jojoba (<i>Simmondsia chinensis</i>) has been cultivated for years, information on its N requirements is limited. A 6-year study of mature jojoba plants grown under field conditions with an intensive management regime evaluated the effect of N application rate on plant nutrient status, growth, and productivity, and nitrate accumulation in the soil. Five levels of N application were tested: 50, 150, 250, 370, and 500 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>. Fertilizers were provided throughout the growing season via a subsurface drip irrigation system. Leaf N concentration, in both spring and summer, reflected the level of N applied. A diagnostic leaf (youngest leaf that has reached full size) concentration of 1.3% N was identified as the threshold for N deficiency. Increasing rates of N application resulted in higher P levels in young leaves. Plant K status, as reflected in the leaf analysis, was not affected by N treatment but was strongly affected by fruit load. Vegetative growth was inhibited when only 50 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup> was applied. Soil analysis at the end of the fertilization season showed substantial accumulation of nitrate for the two highest application rates. Considering productivity, N costs, and environmental risk, 150 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup> is the recommended dosage for intensively grown jojoba. N deficiencies can be identified using leaf analysis, and excess N can be detected via soil sampling toward the end of the growing season. These results and tools will facilitate precise N fertilization in intensive jojoba plantations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:15:43Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:15:43Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-bd08216ea8054ebf964194b886fd0a282023-11-19T08:41:47ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472023-08-011217313210.3390/plants12173132Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive CultivationArnon Dag0Shamir Badichi1Alon Ben-Gal2Aviad Perry3Noemi Tel-Zur4Yonatan Ron5Zipora Tietel6Uri Yermiyahu7Gilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeTsiyon 8528000, IsraelGilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeTsiyon 8528000, IsraelGilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeTsiyon 8528000, IsraelGilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeTsiyon 8528000, IsraelFrench Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Dryland, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Sede Boker 8499000, IsraelGilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeTsiyon 8528000, IsraelGilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeTsiyon 8528000, IsraelGilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeTsiyon 8528000, IsraelAlthough jojoba (<i>Simmondsia chinensis</i>) has been cultivated for years, information on its N requirements is limited. A 6-year study of mature jojoba plants grown under field conditions with an intensive management regime evaluated the effect of N application rate on plant nutrient status, growth, and productivity, and nitrate accumulation in the soil. Five levels of N application were tested: 50, 150, 250, 370, and 500 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>. Fertilizers were provided throughout the growing season via a subsurface drip irrigation system. Leaf N concentration, in both spring and summer, reflected the level of N applied. A diagnostic leaf (youngest leaf that has reached full size) concentration of 1.3% N was identified as the threshold for N deficiency. Increasing rates of N application resulted in higher P levels in young leaves. Plant K status, as reflected in the leaf analysis, was not affected by N treatment but was strongly affected by fruit load. Vegetative growth was inhibited when only 50 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup> was applied. Soil analysis at the end of the fertilization season showed substantial accumulation of nitrate for the two highest application rates. Considering productivity, N costs, and environmental risk, 150 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup> is the recommended dosage for intensively grown jojoba. N deficiencies can be identified using leaf analysis, and excess N can be detected via soil sampling toward the end of the growing season. These results and tools will facilitate precise N fertilization in intensive jojoba plantations.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/17/3132diagnostic leaffertilizationplant nutritionproductivity<i>Simmondsia chinensis</i>vegetative growth |
| spellingShingle | Arnon Dag Shamir Badichi Alon Ben-Gal Aviad Perry Noemi Tel-Zur Yonatan Ron Zipora Tietel Uri Yermiyahu Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive Cultivation Plants diagnostic leaf fertilization plant nutrition productivity <i>Simmondsia chinensis</i> vegetative growth |
| title | Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive Cultivation |
| title_full | Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive Cultivation |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive Cultivation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive Cultivation |
| title_short | Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Jojoba under Intensive Cultivation |
| title_sort | optimizing nitrogen application for jojoba under intensive cultivation |
| topic | diagnostic leaf fertilization plant nutrition productivity <i>Simmondsia chinensis</i> vegetative growth |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/17/3132 |
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