Broadcast application versus band application of polyolefin‐coated fertilizer on green peppers grown on andisol

Abstract

Green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) field experiments were conducted in Northeastern‐Japan in order to evaluate the effects of band and broadcast applications of a polyolefin‐coated fertilizer (POCF) on yield of green pepper grown on Andisol in comparison with conventional, rapidly available fertilizers (RAF). POCF broadcast treatment produced the best yield while POCF band treatment and RAF treatment gave similar results. At the POCF treatments similar or better nutrient uptake was observed than in the RAF treatment resulting similar or better fresh and dry matter productions and consequently similar or higher fruit yield. Thus, by using POCF, labor and energy costs and environmental loading can be reduced without any yield decrease. Among the relatively cold field conditions roots could not reach the POCF band quickly, that caused slower early plant development and eventually lower yield than in comparison with the broadcast application. The very low pH of the soil solutions, having taken from the POCF band throughout the growing period, provided a further possible explanation for the inferiority of band application method. According to these results for green peppers grown on Andisol in Northeastern Japan the broadcast application of POCF is a more effective fertilization method than the band application.

Notes

Present address: Department of Horticultural Technology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Szent István University, Práter K. Str. 1., 2103 Gödöllo, Hungary.