Biomass ash-based organomineral fertilization improves morphophysiological performance of marandu grass in contrasting soil classes

Abstract

Abstract Organomineral fertilizers are an alternative source of nutrients for sustainable soil fertility management. This study evaluated the effects of different rates of biomass ash-based organomineral fertilizer on morphophysiological traits and SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) readings of Marandu grass cultivated in Oxisol and Neosol. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design under a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with five replications. The treatments consisted of five fertilizer rates of organomineral fertilizers (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 g dm−3) and two soil classes (Oxisol and Neosol). The variables analyzed were SPAD reading, plant height, number of tillers and leaves, stem diameter, leaf-to-stem + sheath ratio, and leaf area. The Neosol showed the greatest agronomic response to fertilizer application. The estimated optimal rate of organomineral fertilizer ranged from 13.7 to 21.08 g dm−³ for the parameters evaluated SPAD reading, plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, and leaf-to-stem ratio across the evaluation periods. Furthermore, the use of plant biomass ash in the formulation of organo-mineral fertilizers demonstrates potential as a sustainable fertilization strategy to optimize the productive potential of the forage crop. In addition, the use of ash from plant biomass in the formulation of organomineral fertilizers shows potential as a sustainable fertilization strategy for optimizing the productive potential of the forage crop.