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Reducing runoff loss of applied nutrients in oil palm cultivation using controlled-release fertilizers

Authors :
Bah, Alagie
Mohd Hanif, Ahmad Husni
Teh, Christopher Boon Sung
Yusop, Mohd Rafii
Syed Rastan, Syed Omar
Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna
Bah, Alagie
Mohd Hanif, Ahmad Husni
Teh, Christopher Boon Sung
Yusop, Mohd Rafii
Syed Rastan, Syed Omar
Ahmed, Osumanu Haruna
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

Controlled-release fertilizers are expected to minimize nutrient loss from crop fields due to their potential to supply plant-available nutrients in synchrony with crop requirements. The evaluation of the efficiency of these fertilizers in tropical oil palm agroecological conditions is not yet fully explored. In this study, a one-year field trial was conducted to determine the impact of fertilization with water soluble conventional mixture and controlled-release fertilizers on runoff loss of nutrients from an immature oil palm field. Soil and nutrient loss were monitored for one year in 2012/2013 under erosion plots of 16 m2 on 10% slope gradient. Mean sediments concentration in runoff amounted to about 6.41 t ha−1. Conventional mixture fertilizer posed the greatest risk of nutrient loss in runoff following fertilization due to elevated nitrogen (6.97%), potassium (13.37%), and magnesium (14.76%) as percentage of applied nutrients. In contrast, this risk decreased with the application of controlled-release fertilizers, representing 0.75–2.44% N, 3.55–5.09% K, and 4.35–5.43% Mg loss. Meanwhile, nutrient loss via eroded sediments was minimal compared with loss through runoff. This research demonstrates that the addition of controlled-release fertilizers reduced the runoff risks of nutrient loss possibly due to their slow-release properties.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
application/pdf, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1155765875
Document Type :
Electronic Resource