Azolla Compost as an Approach for Enhancing Growth, Productivity and Nutrient Uptake of <i>Oryza sativa</i> L.

The excessive application of synthetic fertilizers can result in severe environmental risks, while composting green and fresh feedstocks can provide slow-release nutrients. Therefore, the aim of the current investigation was to study the effects of eight individual and combination treatments of azol...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mahmoud F. Seleiman, Omnia M. Elshayb, Abdelwahed M. Nada, Sara A. El-leithy, Lina Baz, Bushra A. Alhammad, Ayman H. A. Mahdi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-02-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/2/416
Description
Summary:The excessive application of synthetic fertilizers can result in severe environmental risks, while composting green and fresh feedstocks can provide slow-release nutrients. Therefore, the aim of the current investigation was to study the effects of eight individual and combination treatments of azolla compost and NPK synthetic fertilizers (control = no fertilizer and compost; 100% NPK = full recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers as follows: 165 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>, 37 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> and 50 kg K<sub>2</sub>O ha<sup>−1</sup>; 70% NPK; 40% NPK; 100% azolla compost (5 t DM ha<sup>−1</sup>); 50% NPK + 50% azolla compost; 70% NPK + 30% azolla compost and 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost) on rice growth, productivity and nutrient uptake in semi-arid agro-ecosystems. The results indicated that the combination of 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost or 50% NPK + 50% azolla compost resulted in the most optimal growth and the highest yield components. In addition, the application of 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost exhibited similar rice grain yields (10.76 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) as well as N, P, and K content and uptake compared with the full recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (100% NPK). This study declared that the utilization of azolla compost as an individual or combination application can reduce usage of synthetic fertilizers by up to 60% without significant reduction in the growth and grain productivity of rice.
ISSN:2073-4395