Co-Application of Inorganic Fertilizers with Charcoal and Sago Bark Ash to Improve Soil Nitrogen Availability, Uptake, Use Efficiency, and Dry Matter Production of Sorghum Cultivated on Acid Soils

Nur Hidayah Hamidi and Osumanu Haruna Ahmed and Latifah Omar and Huck Ywih Ch’ng and Prisca Divra Johan and Puvan Paramisparam and Adiza Alhassan Musah and Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh (2023) Co-Application of Inorganic Fertilizers with Charcoal and Sago Bark Ash to Improve Soil Nitrogen Availability, Uptake, Use Efficiency, and Dry Matter Production of Sorghum Cultivated on Acid Soils. Sustainability, 15. pp. 1-19. ISSN 2071-1050

	Text ABSTRACT.pdf Download (41kB)
	Text FULL TEXT.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (5MB) \| Request a copy

URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/1/827

Abstract

Efficient management of N fertilizers enhances crop yields and contributes to sustainable food security. Tropical acidic soils with high Al and Fe are prone to easy loss of basic cations, such as NH4+, via leaching and erosion. Appropriate soil amendments and agronomic practices minimize the loss of fertilizer nutrients, improve soil nutrient retention, and maximize their uptake by plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of co-applying charcoal and sago bark ash with inorganic fertilizers on N availability, uptake, use efficiency, and dry matter production of sorghum in a tropical acid soil. The results revealed that the co-application of inorganic fertilizers with charcoal and sago bark ash increased sorghum plant height, dry matter production, N uptake and N use efficiency. The soil treated with a combination of 100% of the recommended rate of charcoal and sago bark ash (C1A1) resulted in significantly higher sorghum dry matter production, N uptake, and use efficiency compared with normal fertilization (U1). The C1A1 treatment resulted in significantly lower soil available N compared with U1. The C1A1 treatment enhanced the uptake of N by the sorghum plants, resulting in less available N in the soil after the experiment. Although the effects of co-applying charcoal and sago bark ash on soil total N were not glaring, this practice increased soil pH and total C, and reduced exchangeable acidity and Al3+. A long-term field study is recommended to confirm the effects of co-applying inorganic fertilizers with charcoal and sago bark ash on sorghum productivity, economic viability, and soil nutrient residual effects.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Nutrient use efficiency; crop productivity; fertilizers; tropical soil; organic amendments
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology > QL1-991 Zoology > QL360-599.82 Invertebrates S Agriculture > SB Plant culture > SB1-1110 Plant culture
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture
Depositing User:	ABDULLAH BIN SABUDIN -
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2024 10:39
Last Modified:	12 Jun 2024 10:39
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38860

Actions (login required)

View Item