Articles
Towards sustainable seedling nutrition: rock dust and NPK fertiliser combinations in low input moringa production
Article number
1460_32
Pages
271 – 280
Language
English
Abstract
Moringa oleifera Lam, commonly known as moringa, is a drought-tolerant and fast-growing tree of increasing commercial and nutritional interest.
Optimising fertilisation practices is crucial to enhancing biomass and nutrient yield in moringa production systems, especially in the seedling phase.
During the early stages of growth, sufficient nutrient supply is critical for establishing robust plants and achieving optimal biomass.
In low-input systems, there is growing interest in using mineral alternatives such as rock dust (RD) in place of conventional nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilisers.
This study investigated the effects of different top-dressing treatments, comprising varying ratios of NPK fertiliser and RD, on the growth, leaf yield, and nutrient content of moringa seedlings.
The trial was conducted under tunnel conditions at Welgevallen Experimental Farm, Stellenbosch University (South Africa), using a randomised complete block design with six topdressing treatments and six replications.
The topdressing treatments (T) protocol were as follows: T1 − control; T2 – 100% NPK (5 g 2:3:2 (22) fertiliser mixture per plant); T3 – 75% NPK (3.75 g) and 25% RD (1.25 g); T4 – 50% NPK (2.5 g) and 50% RD (2.5 g); T5 – 25% NPK (1.25 g) and 75% RD (3.75 g); and T6 – 100% (5 g) RD. Results showed that neither growth parameters nor leaf yield were significantly affected by the treatments.
Moreover, nutrient concentrations in moringa leaves remained largely unchanged across treatments, except for dry shoot mass and K. Notably, shoot biomass was significantly higher under 100% RD, while K concentrations were significantly elevated in the 25% NPK + 75% RD and 100% RD treatments compared to the control.
Findings suggest that neither rock dust alone nor in combination with reduced NPK levels significantly enhances moringa seedling growth or leaf nutrient composition under controlled conditions.
While 100% rock dust marginally improved shoot biomass and K content, the overall impact was limited, indicating that rock dust may not be a viable alternative to synthetic fertilisers for optimising early-stage moringa production.
Nevertheless, this study contributes to identifying environmentally friendly approaches that support food and nutritional security in resource-limited regions.
Further field-based studies may be necessary to validate results under variable soil and climatic conditions.
Optimising fertilisation practices is crucial to enhancing biomass and nutrient yield in moringa production systems, especially in the seedling phase.
During the early stages of growth, sufficient nutrient supply is critical for establishing robust plants and achieving optimal biomass.
In low-input systems, there is growing interest in using mineral alternatives such as rock dust (RD) in place of conventional nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilisers.
This study investigated the effects of different top-dressing treatments, comprising varying ratios of NPK fertiliser and RD, on the growth, leaf yield, and nutrient content of moringa seedlings.
The trial was conducted under tunnel conditions at Welgevallen Experimental Farm, Stellenbosch University (South Africa), using a randomised complete block design with six topdressing treatments and six replications.
The topdressing treatments (T) protocol were as follows: T1 − control; T2 – 100% NPK (5 g 2:3:2 (22) fertiliser mixture per plant); T3 – 75% NPK (3.75 g) and 25% RD (1.25 g); T4 – 50% NPK (2.5 g) and 50% RD (2.5 g); T5 – 25% NPK (1.25 g) and 75% RD (3.75 g); and T6 – 100% (5 g) RD. Results showed that neither growth parameters nor leaf yield were significantly affected by the treatments.
Moreover, nutrient concentrations in moringa leaves remained largely unchanged across treatments, except for dry shoot mass and K. Notably, shoot biomass was significantly higher under 100% RD, while K concentrations were significantly elevated in the 25% NPK + 75% RD and 100% RD treatments compared to the control.
Findings suggest that neither rock dust alone nor in combination with reduced NPK levels significantly enhances moringa seedling growth or leaf nutrient composition under controlled conditions.
While 100% rock dust marginally improved shoot biomass and K content, the overall impact was limited, indicating that rock dust may not be a viable alternative to synthetic fertilisers for optimising early-stage moringa production.
Nevertheless, this study contributes to identifying environmentally friendly approaches that support food and nutritional security in resource-limited regions.
Further field-based studies may be necessary to validate results under variable soil and climatic conditions.
Authors
C.V. Mashamaite, P.J. Pieterse, P.N. Mothapo, B.L. Ngcobo, E.E. Phiri
Keywords
potassium uptake, alternative soil amendments, nutrient-use efficiency, inorganic fertiliser, organic mineral sources
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