The effect of growth regulator Tytanit dose on Medicago x varia T. Martin and Trifolium pratense L. yield and nutritional value

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of different doses of Tytanit as a biostimulant on the yield and nutritional value of Medicago × varia T. Martin and Trifolium pratense L. It was assumed that titanium application during any life cycle of alfalfa hybrid and red clover would contribute to their growth, digestibility, and total protein content. In addition, it was expected that increasing doses of Tytanit up to 0.6 dm 3 ha −1 would improve the yield and quality of forage plants. Different doses of Tytanit in different ways affected the yield. However, the largest dose of 0.6 dm 3 turned out to be the most effective. It contributed to a 38% increase in the yield of hybrid alfalfa and to a 31% increase in the red clover yield. Individual doses of Tytanit in different ways affected accumulation of protein and crude fibre in the dry matter. Used at 0.4 and 0.6 dm 3 doses it increased the amounts of protein and crude fibre relative to control. The smallest dose had no significant effect on these parameters. Tytanit did not improve dry matter digestibility, and there was no statistically significant variation as a result of its application. Foliar application of the biostimulant resulted in an increase in the concentration of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in plant dry matter. High content of calcium in the plant species before Tytanit application increased further as a response to 0.2 and 0.4 dm 3 doses, with a slight increase in the ratio of K: (Ca + Mg) and an excessive growth of the Ca: P ratio, which reduced hybrid alfalfa and red clover nutritional values. Thus, Tytanit doses used in the experiment significantly increased hybrid alfalfa and red clover yields, but the nutritional value of the plants did not improve.

Effects of Tytanit and Nitrogen on Cellulose and Hemicellulose Content of Festulolium braunii and on Its Digestibility

“…The results showed that the average value of dry matter digestibility in Festulolium was 62.61% and did not fully meet the above standard set by Stachowicz [43]. Slightly lower digestibility of Tytanit-treated plants were recorded by Sosnowski et al [6], with 57.7% for Trifolium pratense and 55.5% for hybrid alfalfa.…”

“…They are applied to the soil as soil conditioners or to leaves. An example of one such product is Tytanit, containing titanium [4][5][6][7]. Tytanit contains 8.5 g dm-3 of the chelated form of titanium.…”

“…According to Buettner and Valentine [12] and Radkowski and Radkowska [13], it increases the chlorophyll content of leaves, accelerates their growth and development, and reduces the sensitivity of plants to adverse environmental conditions. Studies on the reaction of plants to titanium have focused mainly on vegetables and some other crops [6,14,15]. The recommended concentration of Tytanit for use in agricultural practice is 0.02-0.04%.…”

Soil Microbial Communities Altered by Titanium Ions in Different Agroecosystems of Pitaya and Grape

“…Evidence indicates that titanium ions have plant growth-regulating activity ( 15 – 17 , 19 ). Our previous study showed that titanium ions could improve the expression of genes related to photosynthesis, protein translation, and disease resistance in Medicago sativa ( 28 ).…”

“…Studies have shown that titanium ions can promote crop growth and development by stimulating specific enzyme activities and increasing chlorophyll content and photosynthesis ( 16 ). A commercial fertilizer containing titanium, Tytanit, can improve crop yield and quality ( 17 ). Additionally, titanium can degrade organic pesticides and herbicides in soil by redox reactions and photocatalysis ( 18 ); it can also inhibit bacterial growth and extend the vase life of cut flowers ( 19 ).…”