Volume 14, Issue 2 (5-2024)                   2024, 14(2): 15-30 | Back to browse issues page


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Islamic Azad University , hm_mirzakhani@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (902 Views)
Introduction
Alfalfa is one of the most important fodder plants, being able to produce a high quantity of forage dry mass with high concentration of protein and to symbiotically fix atmospheric nitrogen. Having a deep and extensive root system, it reduces soil erosion and improves water penetration in agricultural soils (11). The results of the previous researches showed that the use of Nitroxin and Phosphate Barvar-2 bi-fertilizers had a significant effect on plant protein concentration and the highest protein (22.3%) was obtained when the plants were inoculated with Phosphate Barvar-2 and received organic amendment in the form of mushroom compost. Also, the use of Nitroxin and Barvar-2 bi-fertilizer increased the efficiency of nitrogen consumption, and inoculation with Nitroxin had the highest (22.8%) nitrogen use efficiency (5). Our study aimed to shed light on the nitrogen physiological efficiency and some agronomic traits of alfalfa in the presence of bio-fertilizers and organic manures in Kashan, central Iran.
Materials and Methods
This study was carried out in Aran and Bidgol, central Iran, in 2014. The experiment was conducted with a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were 4 levels of bio-fertilizers (control, Nitroxin, Phosphate Barvar-2, and Nitroxin+Phosphat Barvar-2) and animal manures (control, cattle manure, sheep manure, and poultry manure in 10 tons/ha). Stems/m2, grains/m2, 1000-grains weight, days to 10 percent flowering, accumulative fresh weight, nitrogen content, protein content, protein yield, physiological efficiency of nitrogen and nitrogen use efficiency were evaluated.
Results and Discussion
Application of bio-fertilizers enhanced all examined attributes, compared to control, the extent of enhancement in a majority of attributes being greater for Nitroxin + Phosphate Barvar-2. The highest and lowest grains/m2 and 1000-grains weight belonged to application of Nitroxin+ Phosphate Barvar-2 + 10 tons/ha cattle manure and control treatments, respectively. The highest nitrogen content, protein content, and protein yield were obtained by the application of Nitroxin and poultry manures. The highest physiological efficiency of nitrogen was recorded under the conditions of control and cattle manure (3.19 Kg/Kg). The highest nitrogen use efficiency was observed in the presence of cattle manure and Nitroxin+ Phosphate Barvar-2. The application of Nitroxin + Phosphate Barvar-2 with an average of 68.4 tons/ha led to 15.63% increase compared to other levels of bio-fertilizer. Therefore, the combined application of Nitroxin and Phosphate Barvar-2 has been able to produce a high-quality animal feed in successive harvests than the sole application of each of these bio-fertilizers. Among the different levels of organic fertilizers, application of cow manure with an average of 67.08 tons/ha and no use of organic fertilizer with an average of 62.37 tons/ha produced the highest and lowest cumulative fresh weight of alfalfa, respectively. Also, the highest physiological efficiency of nitrogen (with an average of 3.40 kg of grains produced per kg of nitrogen applied) was achieved when 10 tons/ha of cow manure was applied.
Conclusions
The combined application of Nitroxin and Phosphat Barvar-2 bio-fertilizers was more effective than the sole application of each of these biofertilizers. Among the levels of organic manure (10 tons per hectare), cow manure was found to be more effective in enhancing the examined traits. Application of poultry manure had a more favorable effect on nitrogen and protein concentrations and protein yield of alfalfa. Therefore, combined application of Nitroxin and Phosphat Barvar-2 bio-fertilizers is recommended for producing alfalfa in the climatic conditions of Kashan.
 
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Type of Study: Applicable | Subject: General

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