Piotr STYRCZULA ? FOSFAN S.A. in Szczecin, Ewa MOŻDŻER ? West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Department of Land Cultivation and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture

Please cite as: CHEMIK 2013, 67, 7, 604-615

Abstract:
A pot vegetation experiment was carried out in . This study aimed at determination of the interaction of organic fertilisation with selected multi-component mineral fertilisers (SuproFoska 20, Suprofos 25 and Inmarc 4 with urea addition) in the formation of some qualitative traits of perennial rye-grass. Increase in the N, P and K contents in the test plant in the control object with compost did not exceed the values which were obtained in the experimental series with mineral fertilisers without compost. The obtained results are connected with the amount of nutrients being introduced into the soil material in the form of municipal sewage sludge compost and mineral fertilisers. Municipal sewage sludge compost being introduced into the soil material  ignificantly increased the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the test plant when compared with the experimental series where it had not been applied. The findings show that the largest correlation occurred between the crop yield of the test plant and the N, P and K uptake. This proves that the uptake of nutrients fully depends on the crop yield.

Keyword: multi-component mineral fertilisers, compost, content, uptake, correlation

Introduction

Nitrogen is a macro-element which affects crop yield to the greatest extent. From the whole quantity of nitrogen being contained in soil, merely 1 to 2% is available to plants. As reported [1], the remainder is to be found in organic form. Both nitrogen deficiency, inhibiting plant growth and limiting their yield-forming potential, and its excess, inducing over-intensive development of vegetative organs, suppression of maturation and lower plant resistance to fungal diseases and lodging [2]. Phosphorus plays a special role in plants. It is a component of many organic compounds, while pyrophosphate combinations are the main source of accumulated chemical energy in plants [3]. Due to the fertilisation aspect, special attention should be paid to these phosphorus forms which dissolve well in water [4]. The phosphorus forms being available to plants are orthophosphate ions (H2PO4 – i HPO4 2-). Górecki et al. [5] report that plants can also absorb phosphorus in the form of metaphosphates and pyrophosphates which undergo transformations to orthophosphates in plants.

Optimal conditions for absorption of orthophosphate (V) ions by plants are to found at soil pH from slightly acidic to neutral (pHKCl 6.0?7.2) [6]. In the 1990s of the 20th century, a drastic reduction occurred in the Polish agriculture in phosphorus application in the form of mineral and organic fertilisers with a simultaneous decrease in the consumption of calcium fertilisers. The study carried out by Lipińskiego [7] shows that significant decrease in the abundance of plant-available phosphorus in soil is a consequence of this situation. Potassium is a macro-element which is not included in basic plant organic substances, but, on the other hand, fulfils an important role in photosynthesis, respiration and regulation of cellular hydration [8]. Potassium is counted among macro-elements which can be absorbed by plants in excess. Excessive content of potassium in plants deteriorates their quality [4]. Too high single potassium doses lead to excessive losses of this element from soil, particularly from light soils. This is due to possible potassium washout outside plant root zones [6]. The yield-forming effect of non-processed municipal sewage sludge and composts being produced from it is comparable to manure as wall as to mineral fertilisers (in long-term experiments) with equivalent NPK doses because a favourable after-effect of organic fertilisation shows then [9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. The earlier studies show that application of supplementary mineral fertilisation with nitrogen and potassium can increase the grass yield to about 30% [14, 15, 16].

On the other hand, Harasimowicz at al. [17] indicate that the effect of municipal sewage sludge compost on plants and soil being evaluated in the second year from its application was more favourable than that of mineral fertilisers alone after application of the equivalent content of biogenic components. Wołoszyk and Krzywy [18], Krzywy et. al. [13] and Stankowski and Wołoszyk [19] found that also the size of applied compost dose affects the quality of crop yields. This study aimed at determining the interaction of organic fertilisation (compost produced with municipal sewage sludge) with selected multi-component mineral fertilisers, i.e. SuproFoska 20 Suprofos 25 and Inmarc 4 with urea addition, on the content and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and the reciprocal correlations between these parameters in perennial rye-grass.

Research methodology

While pursuing the research objective, a three-factor pot vegetation experiment was carried out in the plant house of the Western Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin in spring 2007. The first factor was a series without and with municipal sewage sludge compost, the second factor was types of multi-component mineral fertilisers, while the third one was doses of multi-component mineral fertilisers. A test plant was perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne) of the cultivar Stadion. Soil material with the granulometric composition of heavy loamy sand, being classified into very good rye complex of the soil quality class IVa, was used in the study. The soil material used in this study was characterised by a reaction being similar to neutral one (6.50). The content of plant-available phosphorus, potassium and magnesium forms (64.5, 123.0 and 48.4 mg?kg-1d.m., respectively) was average (Tab. 1). Due to the fact that municipal sewage sludge composts were applied in the experiment, the total content of heavy metals was also determined in the soil material. The obtained data indicate that the content of microelements, including heavy metals, did not exceed the acceptable standards being specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Environment [20] when using municipal sewage sludge. Data included in Table 2 show that he compost being used in this study contained clearly more nitrogen and phosphorus in relation to potassium. The content of organic matter and macro-elements in this compost was within the standards for organic fertiliser provided in ministerial regulations [21]. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in multi-component mineral fertilisers being used in this study are presented in Table 3. Multi-component mineral fertiliser SuproFoska 20 did not contain nitrogen, whereas multi-component mineral fertilisers Suprofos 25 and Inmarc 4 had small nitrogen quantities which, however, did not cover nutritional requirements of the test plant. Therefore, nitrogen was additionally applied in the form of urea. The content of macroelements in the multi-component mineral fertilisers was consistent with that being declared by manufacturer. Experimental design is presented in Table 4.

The experiment was carried out in randomised complete block design in four replications with a control group being separated. Statistical calculations referring to the significance of differences in the parameters being analysed (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and their uptake) were conducted using a three-factor analysis of variance according to FR-ANALWAR computer software. Confidence half-intervals were calculated for the significance level p = 0.05, using the Tukey?s test. The Pearson?s linear correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between test plant yield and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents, between test plant yield and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptakes, and between nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptakes and their contents in perennial ryegrass. The significance of correlation coefficients was tested using the Student?s t-test of significance.

Results and discussion

Results referring to the effect of multi-component mineral fertilisers applied without and with municipal sewage sludge compost being obtained in this pot vegetation experiment are presented in Table 5. When analysing the data in Table 5, it can be concluded that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in perennial rye-grass were within average values when compared to the values reported [22, 23]. The highest average nitrogen content in perennial rye-grass was obtained in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 at a level of 21.1 g N?kg-1 d.m. and it was higher compared to those with SuproFoską 20 and Inmarc 4 being introduced into soil by 7.10 and 4.97%, respectively. When taking into account the experimental series without municipal sewage sludge compost, it can be concluded that most nitrogen was contained by perennial rye-grass from the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 and this value was higher compared to those with SuproFoska 20 and Inmarc 4 being applied by 9.0% and 6.18%, respectively. In the experimental series with municipal sewage sludge compost, most nitrogen was contained by perennial rye-grass from the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25. The nitrogen content in the test grass increased between the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 being introduced into soil and those with Inmarc 4 and SuproFoska 20 by 4.85% and 3.84%, respectively. Differences in the effect between respective types of mineral fertilisers and the size of applied dose did not significantly differentiate the nitrogen content in the test grass. The highest average increase in the nitrogen content in perennial rye-grass was obtained between the fertilisation objects with multicomponent mineral fertilisers being applied without and with combined organic fertilisation and the control one, by 24.8% and 33.7%, respectively (Tab. 5).

The study results obtained show that an increase in the phosphorus content in perennial rye-grass between the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 being applied and those with SuproFoska 20 and Inmarc 4 was higher by 5.86% and 1.99%, respectively. The highest average phosphorus content in perennial rye-grass was obtained in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25. The average content of phosphorus in perennial rye-grass in the experimental series without municipal sewage sludge compost as affected by Suprofos 25 and Inmarc 4 application was the same (2.94 g P?kg-1d.m.) and higher by 6.90% when compared to that being obtained as affected by SuproFoska 20. In the experimental series with organic fertilisation, most phosphorus was contained in the test grass from the fertilisation object with Suprofosem 25 and it was higher compared to those with SuproFoską 20 and Inmarc 4 being introduced into soil by 4.90 and 4.22%, respectively. As affected by a single and doubled dose of multi-component mineral fertilisers, most phosphorus was contained by perennial rye-grass in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 being introduced into soil, while the least in that with Suprofoska 20 (Tab. 5). The application of multi-component mineral fertiliser Inmarc 4 in the study resulted in the highest potassium content being obtained in perennial rye-grass. The potassium content in the test plant was higher by 4.61% when compared to the fertilisation object with SuproFoska 20 being introduced into soil. In the experimental series without municipal sewage sludge compost, most potassium was contained by the test plant from the fertilisation object with Inmarc 4 and it was higher in relation to those with Suprofos 25 and SuproFoska 20 being applied by 3.60 and 5.23%, respectively. In the experimental series with municipal sewage sludge compost, the lowest content of potassium in perennial rye-grass was obtained as affected by application of SuproFoska 20 (19.9 g K.kg-1d.m.). Most potassium was contained by perennial rye-grass in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 and this value was higher compared to that with SuproFoska 20 being introduced into soil by 4.52%. When taking into account the interaction between types of multi-component mineral fertilisers with urea addition and their doses, a significant effect of these experimental factors on the potassium content in perennial ryegrass was observed. The highest content of this chemical element in the test plant was obtained in the fertilisation object where a doubled Suprofos 25 dose (20.6 g K?kg-1d.m.). had been applied. Least potassium was contained in the test grass in the fertilisation object where a single SuproFoska 20 dose (19.1 g K?kg-1d.m) had been applied.

Municipal sewage sludge compost introduction into the soil material significantly increased nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in perennial rye-grass when compared to the experimental series where organic fertilisation had not been applied. On the other hand, doubling of the doses of multi-component fertilisers and urea significantly increased the nitrogen and phosphorus contents in perennial rye-grass only when compared to single doses. No significant differences were observed in the potassium content in the test grass between a single Suprofos 25 dose and that of Inmarc 4 and between a single Suprofos 25 dose and a doubled SuproFoska 20 dose as well as between a single Inmarc 4 dose and a doubled SuproFoska 20 dose.

The increase in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in the test plant in the control fertilisation object with municipal sewage sludge compost did not exceed the values being obtained in the experimental series with multi-component mineral fertilisers without municipal sewage sludge compost. The results obtained are connected with the quantity of nutrients being introduced into the soil material in the form of municipal sewage sludge compost and multi-component mineral fertilisers. Similar results were obtained [24, 25, 26, 27, 28]. In the experimental series with multi-component mineral fertilisers and urea being applied without and with municipal sewage sludge compost, the phosphorus content in perennial rye-grass was within the limits of lower optimum value, while that of potassium within the high category. More phosphorus and potassium was contained by the test plant from the fertilisation objects in the experimental series with municipal sewage sludge compost and multi-component mineral fertilisers when compared to that where organic fertiliser had not been applied. The study results obtained show that larger nitrogen and phosphorus doses can be safely applied under perennial rye-grass than those which had been introduced into the soil material in this experiment.

Table 6 presents nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptakes by perennial rye-grass. The highest uptake of nitrogen by perennial rye-grass was obtained in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 (0.590 g N?pot) and it was highly significant in relation to that in the fertilisation objects with SuproFoska 20. When taking into account the single and the doubled dose of multi-component mineral fertilisers and urea, the highest nitrogen uptake by the test grass was obtained in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 (0.552 and 0.627g N?pot, respectively) in relation to other fertilisation objects (Tab. 6).

The average uptake of phosphorus by the test plant in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 was significantly higher when compared to those with SuproFoska 20 and Inmarc 4 being introduced onto soil. No significant differences in the effect of SuproFoska 20 and Inmarc 4 on the value of phosphorus uptake by perennial ryegrass were observed. In the experimental series without and with municipal sewage sludge compost, most phosphorus was absorbed by perennial rye-grass as affected by application of Suprofos 25 when compared to other fertilisation objects. The highest average uptake of potassium by perennial rye-grass was obtained in the fertilisation object where Suprofos 25 had been applied (0.562 g K?pot). The potassium uptake by the test plant in this fertilisation object was significantly higher when compared to those where SuproFoska 20 and Inmarc 4 had been applied. When taking into account the single and the doubled dose of multi-component mineral fertilisers, the highest uptake of potassium by the test grass was obtained in the fertilisation object with Suprofos 25 (0.506 and 0.618 g K?pot) in relation to other fertilisation objects. Municipal sewage sludge compost being introduced into the soil material significantly increased the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the test plant when compared to the experimental series where it had not been applied. Introduction of the doubled doses of multi-component mineral fertilisers and urea significantly increased the uptake of all analysed chemical elements by the test plant (Tab. 6). The nutrient uptake by perennial rye-grass depended more on the crop yield than on their content in the test plant. Since multicomponent mineral fertilisers, containing principally phosphorus and potassium, and urea were used in this experiment, calculations referring to correlation between the crop yield and the content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in them, between the crop yield and the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and between the content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their uptakes were made. The results of these calculations are presented in Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and synthetically in Table 7.

When analysing the obtained results of calculations, it can be concluded that the highest correlation occurred between perennial ryegrass crop yield and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptakes by it. The values of correlation coefficients being calculated are as follows: r = 0.973 for nitrogen, r = 0.961 for phosphorus, and r = 0.972 for potassium. Lower correlation occurred between the content of macroelements and their uptake. The values of correlation coefficients are as follows: r = 0.816 for nitrogen, r = 0.873 for phosphorus, and r = 0.741 for potassium. The lowest correlation occurred between the crop yield of perennial rye-grass and the content of macro-elements in it. Its coefficients are as follows: r = 0.663 for nitrogen, r = 0.705 for phosphorus, and r = 0.565 for potassium. The correlation between test plant crop yield and the potassium content in it was not significant (Tab. 7 and Figs. 1÷9).

The study results show that the highest correlation occurred between test plant crop yield and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptakes. This proves that the nutrient uptake depends to the greatest extent on the crop yield, while to a lesser extent on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in the test plant. Similar results were obtained [26].

Conclusion
1. Multi-component mineral fertilisers being applied in single doses affected the increase in average nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in perennial rye-grass biomass when compared to the control fertilisation object.
2. Multi-component mineral fertilisers and urea being applied with municipal sewage sludge compost increased nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and uptakes by perennial rye-grass biomass when compared to the fertilisation object where organic fertiliser had been exclusively applied.
3. As affected by single and doubled doses of multi-component mineral fertilisers and urea being introduced into soil, the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the test plant was higher when compared to the control fertilisation object.

The doubled doses of multi-component mineral fertilisers being introduced into soil increased nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and uptakes the test plant when compared to single doses.

Acknowledgements
Work realized within a frame work of research work project N N

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Piotr STRYCZULA ? Ph.D. (Eng.), graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the Agricultural University in Szczecin (today Western Pomeranian University of Technology) in Environmental Protection in 1997. In 1012, he was awarded the doctor?s degree in agricultural sciences in agronomy conferred by the Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, Western Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin. Since 2001, he has been working for the FOSFAN SA in Szczecin. At present, he is employed as DeputyCommercial Director for Garden Fertilisers.

Ewa MOŻDŻER ? Ph.D. (Eng.), graduated from the Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture at the Western Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin in Environmental Protection. She was awarded the doctor?s degree in agricultural sciences in agronomy at the same Faculty in 2006. Since 2007, she has been working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Land Cultivation and Environmental Chemistry, Western Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin. She specialises in environmental protection, agronomy and waste management.
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