Bacterial inoculants to increase the biomass and nutrient uptake of Tithonia cultivated as hedgerow plants in Ultisols

Hermansah, . and Rina Alfina, . and Yulnafatmawita, . and Hakim N., . and Agustian, . Bacterial inoculants to increase the biomass and nutrient uptake of Tithonia cultivated as hedgerow plants in Ultisols. pp. 115-123. ISSN 1394-7990

Ultisols require greater amounts of fertilizer application compared to other soils. Unfortunately the price of synthetic fertilizers has increased over time during the years making them unaffordable for most Indonesian farmers. Over the last century efforts to reduce reliance on synthetic agro-chemicals have recently focused on Tithonia diversifolia as a green manure alternative. Generally known by its common name of tree marigold or Mexican sunflower this plant has attracted considerable attention for its prolific production of green biomass rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium (NPK). This outstanding feature and the plants capacity to solubilize soil P have recently been capitalized for improving the fertility of highly leached soils in Africa and particularly in Kenya. As microorganisms are expected to play an important role in biomass production and high nutrient uptake of this plant this issue of importance was pursued further in the following investigation. The aim of this study was to determine the type of bacteria suitable for Tithonia cultivation as hedgerow plants in Ultisols which have higher biomass production and nutrient content. The field experiment was conducted with 5 treatments in a randomized block design (RBD) using 3 replications. The treatments were : without microorganisms inoculation or control (K); phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (L); Azospirillium (M); PSB Azospirillium (N); and PSB Azospirillium Azotobacter (O). The bacterial substrates were inoculated into the Tithonia rhizosphere in the nursery. The young Tithoniaplants were then planted as hedgerow on Ultisols in the experimental field for 8 months and pruned once every 2 months. The differences between treatments were statistically significant by HSD test at the 95 level of probability. Treatment L (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) was found to be the most effective followed by treatment N (PSB Azospirillum).

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.msss.com.my/mjss/Full%20Text/vol18/9_Nu...

Abstract

Ultisols require greater amounts of fertilizer application compared to other soils. Unfortunately the price of synthetic fertilizers has increased over time during the years making them unaffordable for most Indonesian farmers. Over the last century efforts to reduce reliance on synthetic agro-chemicals have recently focused on Tithonia diversifolia as a green manure alternative. Generally known by its common name of tree marigold or Mexican sunflower this plant has attracted considerable attention for its prolific production of green biomass rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium (NPK). This outstanding feature and the plants capacity to solubilize soil P have recently been capitalized for improving the fertility of highly leached soils in Africa and particularly in Kenya. As microorganisms are expected to play an important role in biomass production and high nutrient uptake of this plant this issue of importance was pursued further in the following investigation. The aim of this study was to determine the type of bacteria suitable for Tithonia cultivation as hedgerow plants in Ultisols which have higher biomass production and nutrient content. The field experiment was conducted with 5 treatments in a randomized block design (RBD) using 3 replications. The treatments were : without microorganisms inoculation or control (K); phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (L); Azospirillium (M); PSB Azospirillium (N); and PSB Azospirillium Azotobacter (O). The bacterial substrates were inoculated into the Tithonia rhizosphere in the nursery. The young Tithoniaplants were then planted as hedgerow on Ultisols in the experimental field for 8 months and pruned once every 2 months. The differences between treatments were statistically significant by HSD test at the 95 level of probability. Treatment L (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) was found to be the most effective followed by treatment N (PSB Azospirillum).

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Tithonia
AGROVOC Term:	Tithonia diversifolia
AGROVOC Term:	Biomass
AGROVOC Term:	Nutrient uptake
AGROVOC Term:	Hedgerow plants
AGROVOC Term:	Field experiments
AGROVOC Term:	Azospirillum
AGROVOC Term:	Azotobacter
AGROVOC Term:	Planting distance
AGROVOC Term:	Chemical analysis (methods)
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8024

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