Response of jatropha to organic and phosphate fertilization under irrigated conditions

Abstract

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) is a perennial species that requires expressive amounts of nutrients in order to produce satisfactorily. An experiment was conducted using pots, arranged in a randomized block design, with four replicates and one plant per plot, in order to evaluate different fertilization recommendations (phosphate fertilizer and cattle manure) based on soil analysis. The treatments consisted of a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, which represented 4 recommendations of organic fertilization [absence of organic fertilization (0 t ha -1 ), recommended dose (4 t ha -1 ), 1.5 times the recommended dose (6 t ha -1 ) and 2 times the recommended dose (8 t ha -1 )] and 4 recommendations of phosphate fertilization [absence of phosphate fertilization (0 kg ha -1 ), recommended dose (90 kg ha -1 ), 1.5 times the recommended dose (135 kg ha -1 ) and 2 times the recommended dose (180 kg ha -1 ). One hundred and eighty days after seedlings were transplanted to the pots, growth variables and production components were measured. Plant height, number of branches, stem diameter, leaf area, number of inflorescences, number of fruits, number of bunches, number of fruits per bunch, mass of fruits, number of seeds per fruit, number of seeds per plant and total mass of seeds per plant were influenced by the fertilization recommendations. The recommendation of organic and phosphate fertilization suggested by the laboratory of soil analysis (4 t ha -1 of organic matter and 90 kg ha -1 of phosphorus) was insufficient to obtain productive plants. The isolated use of organic matter in fertilization of jatropha promotes positive effects on growth variables and production components. The application of 1.5 the dose of organic matter recommended by the laboratory of soil analysis, corresponding to 6 t ha -1 of cattle manure, isolated, or associated with 135 kg ha -1 of P, is sufficient to supply the nutritional demand for N and P in the first cultivation cycle. Phosphate fertilization associated with organic fertilization significantly influenced plant height, number of branches, stem diameter, leaf area, number of seeds per plant and total mass of seeds of jatropha plants.Keywords: Jatropha curcas L.; fertilization recommendation; cattle manure Abbreviations: S_Sum of bases; T_Cation exchange capacity; V_Saturation of bases; OM_Organic matter; DAT_Days after transplant ; LA_Leaf area , Σ_sum of leaf area; L_Midrib lenght; W_leaf width; PH_ Plant height , NLB_Number of leaves per plant, NBP_Number of branches per plant , SD_Stem diameter; LA_Leaf area (%); ns_Not significant; DF_Degree of freedom; C.V_Coefficient of variation; NIP_Number of inflorescences per plant; NFP_Number of fruits per plant; NBP_Number of bunches per plant; NFB_Number of fruits per bunch; MMF_Mean mass of fruits; NSF_Number of seeds per fruit: NSP_Number of seeds per plant; MSP_Mass of seeds per plant.

Effectiveness of a micronutrient delivery system fertilizer in jatropha plants is related to enhanced photosynthesis, gas exchange and biomass allocation

“…Our results evidenced direct benefits of NPK fertilization on jatropha leaf production and expansion, mainly in plants grown with no MDS (Figure 1). Recent studies investigated NPK effects on this species and have also demonstrated effective response of jatropha plants to NPK fertilization (LIMA et al, 2016;NEGUSSIE et al, 2016). In contrast, chlorophyll index in MDS-treated plants slightly varied due to NPK doses, showing high SPAD values even with no incorporation of NPK into the soil ( Figure 1C).…”

“…In this context, jatropha or physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is a promising tropical biofuel plant and has been considered as a potential crop for marginal environments due to its ability to grow relatively well under harsh conditions, such as scarce rainfall and poor soil (SILVA et al, 2010). Nonetheless, recent studies have revealed that yield is significantly low in non-fertilized fields (LIMA et al, 2016;NEGUSSIE et al, 2016).…”

“…Negussie et al (2016) observed significant responses of jatropha to fertilization, especially with nitrogen, resulting in increased yield. In addition, Lima et al (2016) reported that phosphate and organic fertilization together beneficially influenced plant height, number of branches, stem diameter, leaf area, number of seeds per plant, and total mass of jatropha seeds. In contrast, excessive amounts of mineral fertilizers in the soil, such as standard NPK products, may result in nonpoint source pollution, which is a worldwide issue mostly caused by surface runoff and interflow of nitrate and phosphate (CAO et al, 2017).…”

Quantitative analysis of jatropha growth: micronutrient delivery system and NPK combined effects

“…The higher LA values observed in response to NPK incorporation evidenced direct benefits on jatropha leaf production and expansion (Figure 2A). Similarly, recent studies in the literature have investigated NPK effects on jatropha, from early development through final yield, which have demonstrated effective response of this species to NPK fertilization (LIMA et al, 2016;NEGUSSIE et al, 2016).…”

“…It is claimed that this species can be grown on soils with low nutrient content, but Negussie et al (2016) have revealed in their recent study that yield is significantly low in non-fertilized trees. In contrast, for Lima et al (2016), jatropha is a perennial species that requires expressive amounts of nutrients to produce satisfactorily. These authors observed that phosphate fertilization associated with organic fertilization significantly influenced plant height, number of branches, stem diameter, leaf area, number of seeds per plant and total mass of seeds.…”