Effects of Fertilization on Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) Growth, Yield and Fiber Quality

Abstract

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) is one of the most important sources of natural fiber. The yield and fiber quality of ramie are affected by mineral nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In the present study, we aimed to quantify the influence of N, P, and K fertilizers on growth, yield, and fiber quality of ramie. To this end, ramie plants grown under different fertilizer treatments (no fertilizer, N, P, K, NP, NK, PK, and NPK) were evaluated for differences in plant height, stem diameter, stem fresh and dry weights, number of stems, fiber fresh and dry weights, fiber quality (breaking strength, elongation, and diameter), and total N and P content. Across all fertilizer treatments, NPK, followed by NK, had the greatest significant effect for increasing plant growth, yield, and fiber quality as compared with control plants, whereas P application had the least effect. Plants fertilized with NPK showed strong positive correlations among fiber yield and quality traits with morphological parameters such as plant height, biomass, stem diameter, and numbers of stem. The p correlation of fiber breaking strength with stem diameter (r 2 = 0.79), stem biomass (r 2 = 0.88), N contents (r 2 = 0.91) and P contents (r 2 = 0.83) indicated that the combined application of NPK (150, 75,150 kg·ha −1 ) significantly enhances yield and fiber quality in ramie. Thus, it is suggested that optimum fertilization is important for sustainable ramie production.

Interactive effect of gibberellic acid and NPK fertilizer combinations on ramie yield and bast fibre quality

“…In the present study, fertilizer treatments that did not include N, such as the K, P, and PK treatments, produced shorter plants with less biomass and stem weight than the NK, NP, and NPK treatments. Ullah et al ., has also reported that treatment with combined NPK (150–75–150 kg ha −1 ) maximizes plant characteristics that affect ramie fiber yield 17 . Among the essential plant nutrients, N plays the most important role in improving agricultural production 17 , 18 .…”

“…Ullah et al ., has also reported that treatment with combined NPK (150–75–150 kg ha −1 ) maximizes plant characteristics that affect ramie fiber yield 17 . Among the essential plant nutrients, N plays the most important role in improving agricultural production 17 , 18 . N application promotes the growth and fiber yield of ramie by increasing plant chlorophyll, soluble protein, and proline content; reducing MDA content; and enhancing gas exchange parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity 19 .…”

“…As the stems of ramie plants are the main source of fibres, an increase in stem biomass and diameter results in increased fibre yield 17 . In the present study, the treatments that resulted in the lowest number, weight, and diameter of stems (controls and fertilizer treatments that did not contain N) also resulted in the lowest raw and degummed fibre yield.…”

Production and characterization of starch‐based films reinforced by ramie nanofibers (Boehmeria nivea)

“…Ramie ( Boehmeria nivea ) is a plant source that has long, strong, durable fibers with high cellulose content, high antimicrobial resistance, and low cost . Therefore, ramie cellulose nanofibers have outstanding characteristics and a high potential to be used as a reinforcing material in starch‐based films.…”

Integrative Transcriptome and Proteome Analysis Identifies Major Molecular Regulation Pathways Involved in Ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich) under Nitrogen and Water Co-Limitation

“…Usually, soil nitrogen and water are the most important factors affecting the growth of ramie and large amounts of N and water are required. Up to 280 kg/hm 2 of N would be used to maximize ramie yield [ 20 ] and the fiber yield could be decreased by more than 30% under N-deficit condition [ 21 ]. Compared to well-watered plants, the fiber yield, stem length, diameter, and bark thickness of ramie were decreased by 26.7%, 23.5%, 17.7%, and 19.7% under drought stress [ 18 , 19 ].…”