Effect of mineral and organic fertilization of alfalfa on some seed yield characteristics, root biomass accumulation and soil humus content

A field trial at the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria (2000-2003) was conducted to study the effect of mineral and organic fertilization on seed yield of alfalfa, root biomass accumulation and soil humus content. Alfalfa variety 'Victoria' was grown on a leached chernozem soil w...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vasileva Viliana, Kostov Ognyan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Agronomy, Cacak 2015-01-01
Series:Acta Agriculturae Serbica
Subjects:
Online Access:http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0354-9542/2015/0354-95421539051V.pdf
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Summary:A field trial at the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria (2000-2003) was conducted to study the effect of mineral and organic fertilization on seed yield of alfalfa, root biomass accumulation and soil humus content. Alfalfa variety 'Victoria' was grown on a leached chernozem soil without irrigation. Rates of 70, 140 and 210 kg ha-1 mineral nitrogen (active ingredient) were tested as ammonium nitrate and well-matured cattle manure. It was found that mineral and manure fertilization at 140 and 210 kg ha-1 increased seed yield by 9.9% and 20.9% for mineral, and by 30.3% and 40.6% for manure. Seed yield was more stable under manure fertilization compared with mineral fertilization. Alfalfa accumulated between 2669 and 3098 kg ha-1 dry root mass after mineral fertilization and between 3310 and 3570 kg ha-1 after manure application. Additional root mass of 482 to 698 kg ha-1 was found to be accumulated for manure treatments compared to mineral fertilization. High ratios of nitrogen yields (192 - 216 kg ha-1) and plant available nitrogen (77 - 86 kg ha-1) have been obtained from the treatments with manure. The highest amount of humus remained in the soil after fertilization of alfalfa with manure at the rate of 210 kg ha-1.
ISSN:0354-9542
2560-3140