Wheat grown on volcanic ash with slow releasing nitrogen fertilizer and amended with sewage sludge compost

Abstract

The volcanic ash of the Mount Pinatubo in Philippines is used in this study. The major drawbacks of this volcanic ash for growing agricultural crops are nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) deficiencies with low organic matter contents. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of sewage sludge compost on wheat through shoot and root development as well as dry matter production by pot culture. Either oxamide or polyolefinresin‐coated urea (PORCU) along with potash and phosphate fertilizers is applied to each pot containing volcanic ash. Application of sewage sludge compost in oxamide treatment yield a better plant height with an extended root length and high dry matter production compared to PORCU. However, statistical analysis of the data on plant height shows significant level (p<0.001, n=36), while those on root growth and dry matter production show no significant difference (p<0.335 and 0.564, n=36). Thus it is concluded that the coupling effect of oxamide and sewage sludge compost has a greater impact on plants, while growing on this ash.

Notes

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