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Yield Response of Pangolagrass Grown on Tiwiwid Fine Sand to Mg and Fritted Micronutrients 1
Author(s) -
Chesney H. A. D.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1972.00021962006400020007x
Subject(s) - micronutrient , dry matter , agronomy , yield (engineering) , zoology , nutrient , mathematics , chemistry , biology , materials science , metallurgy , organic chemistry
With the recent availability of 30,000 ha of Tiwiwid fine sand (Type Quartzipsamment), a highly leached, excessively permeable, coarse‐textured soil of poor natural fertility, it was necessary to evaluate the potential of this marginal soil for sustained agricultural production. The effect of Mg and Fritted micronutrients (FTE 503)—singly and in combination—on the dry matter yield of pangolagrass ( Digitaria decumbens Stent) was studied over an 18‐month period by means of a 3 2 factorial experiment. The variables of Mg and FTE 503 were 0, 88, and 176 kg/ha/annum of MgO and FTE 503, respectively, applied in four equal increments at 12‐week intervals. Yields were measured by cutting the grass at regular intervals. Magnesiumd id not have a positive effect on yield at any harvest and actually depressed yields at some harvests. Magnesium ✕ micronutrients interaction was also non‐significant. Up to 88 kg/ha/annum of FTE 503 generally and 176 kg/ha/annum during periods of heavy rainfall increased yields at all harvests, with the effect becoming progressively greater with time. Some micronutrient deficiencies were observed on the grass that did not receive micronutrients. Over the 18‐month period FTE 503 increased total dry matter yield by 8,700 kg/ha over the control.