الفهرس 
INTRODUCTION
Importance of nitrogen and potassium fertilizationOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
This study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2010 and 2011 on uniform in vigour transplants and trees of Manfalouty pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). This study was involved two experiments.
First experiment:
This experiment aimed to know more knowledge about the effect of soil texture and inoculation with either mycorrhizal fungi or yeast strains on growth and nutrients status of Manfalouty pomegranate transplants at the nursery of the Faculty of Agriculture, El-Azhar University, Assiut Branch.
The present experiment included two factors (S and T). The first factor (S) composed from three soil textures namely S1) sandy S2) loam and S3) clay.
The second factor (T) contained the following five treatments from inoculation with two concentration of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizeae and two strains of yeast.
T1 Control. (uninoculation).
T2 Inoculation of VAM at 10 ml/pot.
T3 Inoculation of VAM at 20 ml/pot.
T4 Inoculation with yeast (Y1) at 20 ml.
T5 Inoculation with yeast (Y2) at 20 ml.
The design of this factorial study was completely randomized with five replicates and each replicate was represented by two plants (in two pots).
The following measurements were determined during the two studied seasons:
1- Growth characters of plant and root.
2- Percentages and uptake of N, P and K.
3- Top/root ratio.
The nearly same obtained results during both seasons could be summarized as follows:
1- Effect of soil type and its inoculation with mycorrhizal or yeast on stem and root growth:
1.1- Stem growth:
Planting the transplants in loam media significantly increased the stem height and thickness and number of laterals per stem compared to plant in either clay or sandy media. It could be arranged in a descending order as follow loam, clay and sandy soil.
Inoculation the soil with Glomus sp. and Amantia sp. fungi at either 10 or at 20 ml/pot as well as yeast strains, Saccharomyces erigans (Y1) or Saccharomyces cerevisia (Y2) significantly increased the height and thickness and laterals of stem compared to the check treatment (uninoculation).
Inoculation with mycorrhizal was favourable than inoculation with yeast. No significant differences were observed on these growth traits due to inoculate with mycorrhizal at 10 ml/pot or yeast (Y1). Inoculation with mycorrhizal at 20 ml/pot gave the highest values of these growth characters. In contrarly, the least values were recorded on untreated transplants compared to other studied treatments.
All combinations of inoculation with mycorrhizal as well as yeast with any soil type had a pronounced effect. Inoculation any soil type with mycorrhizal at 10 or 20 ml/pot gave the highest values.
All studied combinations had obvious effect on growth character.
1.2- Leaf characters:
Manfalouty pomegranate transplants planted in loam soil medium had a significant increase in the number leaves and leaf area compared to other two soil type. The maximum number of leaves and leaf area in descending order were attributed due to plant in loam, clay and sandy soil.
Inoculation the soil with mycorrhizal as well as yeast strains materially increased the leaves number and leaf area compared to the uninoculation (control). Inoculation with mycorrhizal was more effects than inoculation with yeast. No significant differences on leaves number and leaf area due to inoculate mycorrhizal at 10 ml/pot or 20 ml/pot of yeast Y1. Inoculation with mycorrhizal at 20 ml/pot gave the maximum values.
They clearly increased to the interaction between soil medium and inoculation with mycorrhizal or yeast strains. In this respect combined the planting in loam soil medium with inoculation with mycorrhizal at 20 ml/pot gave the highest values.
1.3- Percentage of N, P and K in leaves:
Planting the transplants in loam or clay soil medium was associated with significant increase in the percentage of N, P and K in leaves compared to planting in sandy soil medium. Furthermore, planting in loam soil medium resulted in a more announced increase in N, P and K contents.
Inoculation the soil medium with mycorrhizal at any concentration or yeast at any strains significantly increased the percentage of N, P and K in leaves compared to uninoculated ones.
Inoculation with mycorrhizal surpassed the yeast in enhancing N, P and K contents. No significant differences on these nutrients were observed due to inoculate with mycorrhizal at 10 ml/pot or 20 ml/pot of yeast, Y1.
All combinations of mycorrhizal or yeast inoculation, as well as all combination of loam soil had significant effect on the percentages of N, P and K in leaves compared to other combinations. The maximum values of N, P and K were recorded on transplants grown under loam soil that mycorrhizal inoculation at 20 ml/plant.
2- Effect of soil type and its inoculation with mycorrhizal or yeast on root growth:
Root growth traits, i.e. length and distribution of roots were significantly responsed by soil type. Transplants grown under soils namely sandy, clay and loam, in ascending order effective in increasing the root length and root distribution. Thus, the highest root length and root distribution were recorded on plants grown under loam soil.
Therefore, it could be concluded that transplant grown under either loam or clay soil had vigorus roots since increased root spread and distribution, consequently increased the water and essential nutrient uptake.
Soil inoculation with mycorrhizal or yeast significantly increased the length and distribution of roots compared to uninoculated ones. Soil inoculated with mycorrhizal was more significantly increased than with the analogous ones inoculated with yeast. Inoculation with mycorrhizal at 20 ml/pot gave the highest values of length and distribution of roots.
Length and distribution of roots significantly increased to interaction between soil medium type and inoculation either mycorrhizal or yeast strains. In this respect, treating transplants under loamy soil with mycorrhizal at 20 ml/pot gave the longest roots and widest distribution compared to other combinations.
Moreover, all combinations of mycorrhizal or yeast inoculation, as well as soil textures had significant effect.
3- Effect of soil type and its inoculation with mycorrhizal or yeast on plant and root dry weight and top/root ratio
Plants grown under loam soil significantly increased the plant dry weight compared to those grown under either clay or sandy soil. The maximum values of dry weight of plant and root and hence top/root ratio were recorded on plants grown under the loam soil.
Soil inoculation with mycorrhizal or yeast significantly increased the dry weight of plant and root, as well as significantly decreased the top/root ratio compared to uninoculated ones. Soil inoculated with mycorrhizal was preferable than using yeast. Inoculation the soil with mycorrhizal at 20 ml/pot gave the heaviest dry of plant and root system and least top/root ratio.
Also, all combinations grown under loam soil gave the highest values of dry weight of plant and root compared to other combinations.
It is interesting to notice that all combinations of inoculation the transplats on the under loam soil significantly improved the plant growth higher than individual effect of loam soil or inoculation alone. Hence, that it is necessary to mycorrhizal or yeast inoculation of all soil types, especially sandy to produce vigorus transplants.
4- Effect of soil type and its inoculation with mycorrhizal or yeast on uptake of N, P and K (mg/plant)
Uptake of N, P and K by plant was enhanced plants grown in soil textures loam clay and sandy soil in descending order.
Inoculation the soil media with mycorrhizal at any concentration or yeast at any strains significantly increased the uptake of N, P and K compared to uninoculated ones.
So, it can be concluded that mycorrhizal inoculation surpassed than yeast inoculation in increasing uptake of N, P and K. No significant differences on uptake of these nutrients due to inoculate with mycorrhizal at 10 ml/pot or 20 ml/pot yeast, Y1. At the same time, the increment percentage of uptake P surpassed than uptake either N or K.
All combinations of mycorrhizal or yeast inoculation, as well as, all combination of loam or clay soil significantly increased the uptake of N, P and K of whole plant compared to other combinations. The maximum values of N, P and K uptake were obtained on plants grown under loam soil that mycorrhizal inoculated at 20 g/plant.
All studied combinations significantly improved the uptake nutrient of plants. So, it could be concluded the importance and necessary of chosing the soil type and inoculation all soil media type, especially sandy soil with mycorrhizal or yeast to produce vigorus seedling or transplants fruits.
On the light of the previous results, it could be concluded that for producing vigorus seedlings it is recommended to chose loam soil and inoculated it by mycorrhizal or yeast.
Second Experiment:
This experiment was carried out to study the effect of using bio and organic, as well as, slow release fertilizers on growth and fruiting of Manfalouty pomegranate trees. Trees were planted at spacing 5x5 meters 30 years old and grown in the experimental orchard of Faculty of Agriculture, Assuit University. The texture of the tested soil is clay with a water depth not less than two meters and surface irrigation system was followed in the orchard.
This experiment included two factors (N and K). The first factor (N) comprised six application from mineral, organic, bio-form and slow release of nitrogen fertilization, as following:
N1- Applying the recommended nitrogen dose (RND) at 600 g N/tree via mineral source (check treatment, control).
N2- Applying RND at 25% organic plus 75% out of RND via mineral source.
N3- Applying RND at 25% organic plus 75% bio (yeast strain, Saccharomyces erigans).
N4- Applying RND at 25% organic plus 75% bio (Azotin).
N5- Applying RND at 25% organic plus 25% mineral and 50% bio (Azotin).
N6- Applying 75% of the RND via slow release-N (Perlka, calcium cinamide, CaCN2, 19.8% N).
Whereas, the second factor (K) involved three treatments of mineral, organic and bio-potassium fertilizers, as following:
K1- Application of the recommended rate of K (500 g K2O/tree/year) via mineral source (1000 gm potassium sulphate 50% K2O).
K2- Application of 100% of (R.R.) via bio-potassium (500 g potassiomag).
K3- Vinasse (2.02% K2) spraying 3 L/tree.
The organic-N fertilizer was added once in the last week of December. The slow release-N fertilizer (Perlke) was added once during the spring growth in the first week of March. Azotin and yeast were added in two equal batches at growth start and one month later. Mineral-N was added at three times in the first week of March, May and August. Potassium sulphate was added at two equal batches at first week of March and August. Potassiomag was added in two equal batches at two equal batches at growth and one month later. Vinasse was sprayed three times in mid of March, June and August. The bio-fertilizers were prepared by mixing it with moist sand before the applications, added in soil holes around the trunk of the tree and then directly irrigated after covering the holes with soil.
The tested treatments were evaluated through the following measurements during the two studied seasons.
1- Some vegetative growth parameters.
2- Leaf nutritional status and C/N ratio.
3- Yield and yield components.
4- Fruit quality.
The nearly same obtained results in the two studied seasons could be summarized under the following main items.
1- Effect of different sources of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on vegetative growth:
1.1- Shoot growth:
Using the recommended dose of nitrogen (RND) via 25% organic-N plus 75% bio-form (yeast) or (Azotin) significantly decreased the shoot length compared to using RND via mineral-N fertilizer (check treatment). However, all fertilization treatments, except using 25% organic plus 75% mineral-N significantly increased the shoot thickness compared to using mineral-N only (check treatment).
Using potassiomag as bio-K or vinasse spraying as organic-K significantly increased the length and thickness compared to using (recommended dose of potassium) RDK via mineral source.
All combinations of potassium sulphate or vinasse spraying gave the least values of length and thickness of shoot. The maximum values of shoot length were found in trees fertilized with RND via 75% mineral plus 25% organic-N or 100% of mineral-N combined vinasse spraying. Whereas, the maximum values of shoot thickness were recorded on the trees that fertilized with RND via 25% organic plus 75% bio-form combined potassiomag compared to other combinations.
1.2- Leaf characters:
Using the recommended dose of nitrogen (RND) via 25% organic-N plus either 75% mineral-N, bio-form yeast or Azotin as well as, 25% organic plus 25% mineral-N and 50% bio-form or 75% slow-release increased significantly the leaf number and leaf area compared to using RND via mineral-N fertilizer (check treatment). The highest number of leaf and leaf area were recorded on the tree that fertilized with 75% slow release or 25% organic plus 25% mineral-N and 50% bio-form (three form) compared to other treatments, respectively.
from the aforemention results it could be concluded that slow release-N or both organic or bio-forms plus mineral-N increased the number and area of leaves. Such effect gave a pronounced increment in leaf surface expansion.
Using potassiomag as bio-K or vinasse spraying as organic-K significantly increased the number and area of leaf compared to using RDK via potassium sulpahte (mineral-K). The highest leaves number and leaf area were obtained due vinasse spraying. No significant differences in number or area of leaves due to using potassiomag or vinasse.
All combinations of studied nitrogen fertilization with any potassium fertilizer application significantly increased the leaf number and leaf area compared to use the mineral-N of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer.
Thus, it could be concluded that using either slow release, organic and bio forms or slow release-K vinasse or bio-K (potassiomag) alone or combined was more effective in improving the leaf surface expansion of Manfalouty pomegranate trees.
2- Effect of different nitrogen and potassium fertilization sources on percentage of N, P and K in leaves:
Application of organic, bio-form or slow release-N were associated with significant increase in the percentage of N, P and K in leaves compared to using mineral-N fertilizer only.
The maximum N% values was detected on trees that fertilized with combined fertilizer from organic plus inorganic and bio-form (three forms).
Using mixed fertilization from 25% organic-N plus 75% yeast as a bio-form was very effective in increasing the leaf content of phosphorus compared to other application.
Using potassiomag as bio-K or vinasse spraying as organic-K significantly increased the percentage of N, P and K in the leaves to fertilize by potassium sulphate (control). The maximum values of N, P and K of leaves was found when the trees were fertilized by vinasse spraying.
All combinations of vinasse and potassiomag significantly increased the leaf phosphorus percentage compared to other fertilization combinations.
The maximum leaf N and K contents were recorded in leaves of trees that fertilized by three forms (organic, bio + mineral) combined with vinasse spraying. Whereas, the highest leaf P contents were found in leaves of trees that fertilized by organic plus yeast as bio-form combined with vinasse spraying.
Therefore, it could be concluded that fertilizing by three fertilization form (bio and organic plus mineral-N) combined with either potassiomag or vinasse could achieve a beneficial improvement the tree vigor and nutritional status.
3- Effect of different sources of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on shoot total carbohydrates and nitrogen percentage and C/N ratio:
Fertilizing the Manfalouty pomegranate trees with recommended dose of nitrogen (RND), via 25% organic-N plus either 75% mineral, 75% bio-form (yeast) or 75% Azotin, as well as three form (25% organic plus, 25% bio and 25% mineral-N) or 75% slow release fertilizer significantly increased the total carbohydrates of shoot comparing to using the fast release-N (check treatment). The highest shoot content of carbohydrates and nitrogen percentage and hence C/N ratio was observed due to fertilize by three forms fertilization (organic plus bio and inorganic).
Using potassiomag as bio-K or vinasse spraying as organic-K significantly increased the total carbohydrate contents of shoot compared to fertilize by potassium sulphate (control). The maximum values of total carbohydrate contents of shoots was found when trees were fertilized by vinasse spraying.
Hence, use the potassiomag as bio-K significantly increased the C/N ratio of the shoot, whereas, vinasse spraying had insignificant effect on C/N ratio of the shoot compared to use potassium sulphate (control).
All combination of potassiomag significantly increased the shoot total carbohydrates and C/N ratio and insignificant increase in nitrogen percentage compared to other fertilization combinations.
The maximum total carbohydrate contents and nitrogen percentage of shoots were recorded in shoots of trees that fertilized by three forms (organic, bio + mineral) combined with vinasse spraying. At the same time, the maximum C/N ratio was recorded in shoots of trees that fertilized by the combined organic and bio-forms plus mineral-N with potassiomag.
Fertilizing by three fertilization form (bio and organic plus mineral-N) combined with either potassiomag or vinasse would achieve a beneficial improvement the tree vigor and nutritional status in favour of flower bud formation induce an increases of yield.
4- Effect of different sources of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on yield and its components:
Fertilizing the trees by the combination of mineral-N with organic or bio-form, as well as mineral-N plus organic and bio-form (three fertilization form) or slow release at 75% of RDN significantly increased the yield/tree and commercial yield percentage compared with using the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) via mineral-N source only (check treatment). On other hand, these fertilization application significantly decreased the fruit splitting percentage compared to completely via mineral-N source only (check treatment).
The highest values of yield/tree and commercial yield percentage were recorded on trees that fertilized with RDN via 25% organic-N plus 50% Azotin and 25% mineral-N (three fertilization form) compared to other fertilization treatments and RND via mineral-N fertilizer (check treatment). Whereas, the lowest values of fruit splitting percentage was found in the trees that fertilized by RDN via either 25% organic-N plus 75% bio-form (Azotin) or 25%-organic-N plus 25% mineral-N and 50% Azotin (three form) compared to other fertilization treatments.
Using potassiomag or vinasse spraying significantly increased the yield/tree and significantly decreased the fruit splitting percentage, hence significantly increased the commercial fruit percentage. No significant differences on these studied traits due to fertilize via either potassiomag application or vinasse spraying.
All combination sof potassiomag gave the least values of fruit splitting, hence, it gave the highest values of commercial fruit percentage compared to other studied combinations.
The maximum yield/tree, commercial fruit percentage and the minimum fruit splitting were recorded on the trees that fertilized with the three nitrogen forms combined of vinasse spraying. At the same time, all combinations of potassiomag or vinasse application, as well as, organic or bio-forms of nitrogen fertilizers significantly improved the yield traits compared to check treatment.
5- Effect of different sources of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer on fruit properties:
5.1- Physical fruit properties:
Fertilizing the trees by the combination of mineral-N with organic or bio-form, as well as mineral-N plus organic and bio-form (three fertilization form, N5) or slow release at 75% of RDN significantly increased the fruit weight as well as grain and extracted juice percentage relative to whole fruit weight compared with using the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) via mineral-N source only (check treatment). The highest fruit weight was found on the trees that fertilized with (three form).
Moreover, the size, height and diameter of fruit took similar trend of fruit weight as affect of studied fertilization application. The highest values of size, height and diameter of fruit were recorded on the trees that fertilized with three form.
So, it could be concluded that fertilized with three forms fertilizer gave the best results with regard to fruit weight, size and its grain and extracted juice compared other studied fertilization treatments. Moreover, used any studied one was better than use mineral-N only.
Using potassiomag or vinasse spraying significantly increased the fruit weight and grain and extracted juice percentage as well as fruit size, diameter and height compared to use potassium sulphate (check treatment).
All combinations of vinasse spraying gave the heighest values of weight, size and dimention of fruit. In other hand, all combination of potassiomag gave the height values of grain percentage, hence, it gave the highest values of extracted juice percentage compared to other studied combinations.
The maximum weight, size and dimention were recorded on the fruits on trees that fertilized by three forms (organic, bio + mineral) combined with vinasse spraying as source of potassium fertilization. Whereas, the highest values of grain and juice percentage were detected of fruit on the trees that fertilized by three form combined with potassiomag as bio-K compared to other combinations.
All combinations of two form (organic and bio), three form (organic, bio and mineral-N) and slow release-N combined with any potassium fertilization sources significantly improved the physical fruit properties compared to other fertilization combination.
Combined fertilization from (organic and bio-plus mineral-N) with potassium as bio (potassiomag) or organic (vinasse) significantly improved the physical fruit properties.
Fertilizing by the three fertilization form combined with either potassiomag or vinasse could achieve a beneficial improvement in physical fruit properties of Manfalouty pomegranates.
5.2- Chemical constituents
Fertilizing the Manfalouty pomegranate trees with recommended dose of nitrogen (RND) via 25% organic-N plus either 75% mineral, 75% bio-form yeast or 75% Azotin, as well as three form (25% organic plus, 25% bio and 25% mineral-N) or 75% slow release fertilizer was preferable in improving the chemical fruit quality than using the RND via fast release-N source. Thus improvement of chemical quality parameters of fruits as affected in terms of increasing total solids, TSS/acid, reducing sugars and V.C. contents and decreasing the total acidity.
The highest values of total soluble solids, TSS/acid, reducing sugars and vitamin C contents and least values of total titratable acid were observed due using mixed fertilization (organic plus bio, yeast).
Using potassiomag as bio-K or vinasse spraying as organic-K significantly increased the total soluble solids, TSS/acid ratio, reducing sugar and vitamin C contents and significantly decreased total acidity compared to fertilize by potassium sulphate (control). The maximum values of these parameters of fruits, except total acidity were observed in fruits of trees that were fertilized by potassiomag application.
The maximum values of total soluble solids, TSS/acid, reducing sugar and vitamin C content, and least values of total acidity were recorded in fruits of trees that fertilized by two forms (organic, bio, yeast) combined with potassiomag application.
Moreover, it can be noticed that all combination of either two form (organic plus (bio, yeast) or 75% slow release-N as well as all combination of potassiomag were very effective in improving the chemical properties of fruits compared to other combinations.
Conclusion
On the light of previous results, it could be an emphasized the importance and necessary of chosing the loam soil and inoculated it by mycorrhizal or yeast to produce vigorus transplants. Besides fertilization by either two forms (organic plus bio or mineral), three form (organic, bio plus mineral) or slow release accompanied with potassiomag or vinasse as a source of potassium fertilization. These fertilization program enhanced growth and nutritional status as well as increased the yield with good fruit quality. Moreover, application of this program improved the soil fertility and minimized the production cost and the environments pollution which could be occurred by excess of using chemical fertilizers used or industry wastes. Application of such treatment maintain and conserve soil and water resources for sustainability of agricultural and future generation.