Effects of compost and effective microorganisms on rubber seedling growth - A research note

Ahmad Ikram A. J., . and Mohd. Yusof M. N., . Effects of compost and effective microorganisms on rubber seedling growth - A research note. pp. 40-49. ISSN 1511-1768

The growth of Hevea brasiliensis seedlings in response to two soil series treated with compost and effective microorganisms (EM) was examined in a pot experiment. The experimental treatments were compared with an inorganic and a slow-release fertiliser (SRF). Plants were harvested at 24 weeks for measurements of shoot and root dry weights and shoot nutrient contents. In one experiment the overall effect of compost was similar to those treated with both fertilisers in increasing shoot growth and shoot contents of nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) but not magnesium (Mg). In the clayey soil compost with EM or SRF had no effect on shoot weight but it increased shoot yield for those treated with inorganic fertiliser. Addition of EM to compost or SRF did not affect N K or Mg contents in shoots but it did significantly increase P contents. Applying EM to inorganic fertiliser increased N and K contents in shoots although P and Mg uptake were unaffected. In the sandy soil compost with EM or SRF increased shoot growth but not those with inorganic fertiliser. Compost with EM did not affect N P and Mg contents in shoots but it did significantly increase K contents. However EM applied to SRF increased N P and K contents in shoots. In another experiment a chicken dung-rice bran compost formulation (Bokashi) with or without EM did not differ in shoot growth in either soils. However Bokashi improved shoot P uptake in both soils. The inorganic fertiliser treatment gave the highest yield in clayey soils but not in sandy soils. Adding EM to Bokashi did not affect shoot N K or Mg contents in the clayey soils but significantly improved shoot K and Mg contents in the sandy soil. We conclude that in practice growth and nutrient uptake by rubber seedlings in the short term could be achieved by use of compost and that responses to compost or mineral fertiliser additions were greatly modulated by soil characteristics.

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Abstract

The growth of Hevea brasiliensis seedlings in response to two soil series treated with compost and effective microorganisms (EM) was examined in a pot experiment. The experimental treatments were compared with an inorganic and a slow-release fertiliser (SRF). Plants were harvested at 24 weeks for measurements of shoot and root dry weights and shoot nutrient contents. In one experiment the overall effect of compost was similar to those treated with both fertilisers in increasing shoot growth and shoot contents of nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) but not magnesium (Mg). In the clayey soil compost with EM or SRF had no effect on shoot weight but it increased shoot yield for those treated with inorganic fertiliser. Addition of EM to compost or SRF did not affect N K or Mg contents in shoots but it did significantly increase P contents. Applying EM to inorganic fertiliser increased N and K contents in shoots although P and Mg uptake were unaffected. In the sandy soil compost with EM or SRF increased shoot growth but not those with inorganic fertiliser. Compost with EM did not affect N P and Mg contents in shoots but it did significantly increase K contents. However EM applied to SRF increased N P and K contents in shoots. In another experiment a chicken dung-rice bran compost formulation (Bokashi) with or without EM did not differ in shoot growth in either soils. However Bokashi improved shoot P uptake in both soils. The inorganic fertiliser treatment gave the highest yield in clayey soils but not in sandy soils. Adding EM to Bokashi did not affect shoot N K or Mg contents in the clayey soils but significantly improved shoot K and Mg contents in the sandy soil. We conclude that in practice growth and nutrient uptake by rubber seedlings in the short term could be achieved by use of compost and that responses to compost or mineral fertiliser additions were greatly modulated by soil characteristics.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Rubber
AGROVOC Term:	Seedlings
AGROVOC Term:	Composts
AGROVOC Term:	Microorganisms
AGROVOC Term:	Soil
AGROVOC Term:	Fertilisers
AGROVOC Term:	Inorganic fertilizers
AGROVOC Term:	Spraying
AGROVOC Term:	Yields
AGROVOC Term:	Growth
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:28
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/23289

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