Effect of different nitrogen fertilizer application rates on Dichrostachys cinerea and Acacia karroo sapling growth, foliar nutrient and antinutrient concentrations in a southern African savanna
Nitrogen (N) fertilization influences woody plant growth, foliar nutrient and antinutrient concentrations. We conducted a nursery experiment to determine the effect of five N fertilization rates on Dichrostachys cinerea and Acacia karroo sapling height, basal diameter, growth of longest shoots an...
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| Format: | text |
| Language: | English |
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John Wiley and Sons Inc.
2021
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| Online Access: | https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337535116_Effect_of_different_nitrogen_fertilizer_application_rates_on_Dichrostachys_cinerea_and_Acacia_karroo_sapling_growth_foliar_nutrient_and_antinutrient_concentrations_in_a_southern_African_savanna/link/5ddd3b064585159aa44a41d5/download http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4304 |
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| Summary: | Nitrogen (N) fertilization influences woody plant growth, foliar nutrient and
antinutrient concentrations. We conducted a nursery experiment to determine
the effect of five N fertilization rates on Dichrostachys cinerea and Acacia karroo
sapling height, basal diameter, growth of longest shoots and root length,
crude protein (CP), acid and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), condensed tannins
(CT) and total phenolic (TP) concentrations. Eight potted plants of each woody
species were allocated to each of five N fertilization rates (0, 0.21, 0.42, 0.63
and 0.84 g N/kg of soil) in a completely randomized design. Different N fertilization
rates did not result in varying plant growth in terms of height, stem
diameter and root length in both D. cinerea and A. karroo. However, N fertilization
rate of 0.63 g N per kg of soil resulted in an increase in length of the
longest shoot in both D. cinerea and A. karroo. Foliar CP increased with an
increase in N fertilization rate up to 0.63 g N per kg of soil, while acid and
NDF, CT and TP were lowest at N fertilization rates of 0.63 g N per kg of soil
in both D. cinerea and A. karroo. We conclude that N did not limit plant
growth, and therefore N fertilization is unlikely to significantly improve sapling
growth. However, N fertilization improved foliar CP and reduced CT and
TP concentrations in both D. cinerea and A. karroo improving their nutritive
value to browsers. |
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