Placed nitrogen (N) starter fertilizer for planted iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Fertilizer that does not get used in crop growth is a problem for Swedish agriculture since there are risks that nutrients leach into lakes, streams and seas. Short culture time and a nitrogen (N) demanding crop with fast development are factors that give high risk of nitrogen leakage in lettuce...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Ekengard, Klara
Formato: Otro
Lenguaje:sueco
Inglés
Publicado: 2008
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/12626/
Descripción
Sumario:Fertilizer that does not get used in crop growth is a problem for Swedish agriculture since there are risks that nutrients leach into lakes, streams and seas. Short culture time and a nitrogen (N) demanding crop with fast development are factors that give high risk of nitrogen leakage in lettuce production. Extensive growth at time for harvest leaves fertilizer nitrogen in soil that can leach from the field. Starter fertilizer is a method for precise fertilization. By using this method every plant gets the exact amount needed and fertilization of soil without roots is minimized. This project aimed at finding an application method and fertilizer level for N used as starter fertilizer in Swedish iceberg lettuce production. Earlier studies in the UK show good results for the use of starter fertilizer in lettuce. The results from this study showed that a bigger amount of nitrogen tested does not give a better yield than the lower amount tested. The plants in the trial showed examples of physiological disorders but such plant damages can be related to climate difficulties rather than over fertilization. The damages make the results insecure. The recommended application method from the trial is to put fertilizer in two strains 3 cm beside the plant. Even if the results from this study are insecure due to plant damages, further research in the area is recommended since the use of starter fertilizer is a method that can help reducing nitrogen leakage from Swedish iceberg lettuce production. By using starter fertilizer the amount of nutrient broadcasted over the field can be limited but yield can be maintained.