Effect of organic mineral-N sources on Fe, Zn and Cu uptake by sorghum grown on clay soil

Abstract EN

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different organo/bio and mineral fertilizers on iron, zinc and copper uptake by sorghum crop grown on clay soil.

Mineral fertilizer in the form of labeled ammonium sulfate with 2% 15N atom excess was applied at two rates of 200 and 400 mg N pot-1.

Compost, chicken manure and leucaena residues were applied at the same rates per pot according to its content of nitrogen.

Sorghum plants treated with organic or mineral fertilizers were inoculated or uninoculated with Azotobacter chrooccocum.

A completely randomized block design was followed for statistical analysis.

Dry matter yield of shoots and roots was enhanced by application of 400 mg N pot-1 combined with chicken manure comparable to compost and leucaena residue.

Inoculation with Azotobacter has a positive effect on dry matter yield of both organs as compared to uninoculated plants.

In most cases, the uptake of Fe, Zn and Cu was enhanced by inoculation and 200 mg N pot-1 rate.

High quantities of these elements were accumulated in roots.

Application of chicken manure resulted in higher accumulation of these elements in either shoots or roots as compared to compost or leucaena residue.

Sometimes, it was fluctuated according to plant organs as affected by bio-organic or mineral fertilization treatments.