Vegetative and Physiological Responses of “Emerald” Blueberry to Ammoniacal Sources with a Nitrification Inhibitor

Abstract

The nitrogen nutrition in blueberry has been studied by some authors; however, the effect of N-nitrate or N-ammoniacal fertilizers with nitrification inhibitors on plant growth and physiology has not been known. The aim of this investigation was to study the effectiveness and physiological implications of ammoniacal fertilizers, with or without nitrification inhibitors in blueberry. An experiment was conducted on 1-year "Emerald" blueberries grown in 20-L plastic pots. Our data indicate that ammoniumcontaining fertilizers promote vegetative growth and increase the leaf nitrogen concentration and gas exchange in plants, possibly due to higher nitrogen root absorption compared with nitrate. On the other hand, fertilization with ammonium with a nitrification inhibitor increases the leaf chlorophyll concentration compared with the addition of ammonium without a nitrification inhibitor and nitrate. However, the ammonium supply decreases the concentration of calcium and potassium in leaves. Our data suggest, for the first time, that fertilization with ammonium accompanied by a nitrification inhibitor is an effective strategy to improve the nitrogen status and promote plant development in "Emerald" blueberry.

Combined Effects of CaCO3 and the Proportion of N-NH4+ Among the Total Applied Inorganic N on the Growth and Mineral Uptake of Rabbiteye Blueberry

“…+ treatments om chlorophyll concentration during the measurements in June and July (Table 3). Similar positive effect on leaves photosynthesis rate and vegetative response of Emerald blueberry to ammonium nutrition in comparison to nitrate was reported by Osorio et al (2020). They also showed much higher leaf Mn concentration in the ammonium fed plants than the nitrate treatment.…”

“…The growth and nutrient uptake of those plants were even greater when the NH 4 + was supplied together with a nitrification inhibitor (Thomson et al 1993). Osorio et al (2020) showed that the application of N as NH 4 + and NH 4 + NO 3¯w ith or without a nitrification inhibitor increased the total biomass production of highbush blueberry, as compared to application of N as NO 3¯. Furthermore, they also showed that the application of N as NH 4 + and NH 4 + NO 3w ith a nitrification inhibitor led to increased concentrations of N and P in the leaves, as compared to the application of NH 4 + without a nitrification inhibitor (Osorio et al 2020).…”

“…Osorio et al (2020) showed that the application of N as NH 4 + and NH 4 + NO 3¯w ith or without a nitrification inhibitor increased the total biomass production of highbush blueberry, as compared to application of N as NO 3¯. Furthermore, they also showed that the application of N as NH 4 + and NH 4 + NO 3w ith a nitrification inhibitor led to increased concentrations of N and P in the leaves, as compared to the application of NH 4 + without a nitrification inhibitor (Osorio et al 2020). These results point to the greater acidification of the rhizosphere following N-NH 4 + application.…”

“…Blueberry production has expanded rapidly in recent decades (Brazelton et al 2019;Osorio et al 2020) and is spreading to areas with suboptimal soils. The optimal soil conditions for blueberry growth are pH < 5.5, high organic content (Darnell and Hiss 2006;Korcak 1989), and very good drainage (Finn et al 1993).…”

Effects of Different Chabazite Zeolite Amendments to Sorption of Nitrification Inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate (DMPP) in Soil

“…Both the processes mentioned above lead to a reduced N availability for plant growth and hence to a decrease in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and economic losses for the farmers. One possible way to minimize the adverse effects of nitrification is the use of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) (Alfaro et al 2018;Osorio et al 2019). These substances inhibit the enzyme ammonium monooxygenase (AMO) by depressing the activity of AOB in soil without generally affecting the second step of nitrification, facilitating the retention of soil N in the form of NH 4 + (Zerulla et al 2001).…”