Legume Research - An International Journal
Web of Science
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue: 6

Investigation of phosphorus and potassium biological fertilizers on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) physiological traits at different ages of the field

  • Author:
  • S. Marani1, H. Madani2,*, H. Heidari Sharifabad3, Gh. Afshar Manesh4, M.H. Shirzadi1
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Page Number: 741 to 745

1Department of Agronomy, Islamic University, Jiroft Branch, Jiroft, Iran

2Department of Agronomy, Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Arak, Iran

3Department of Agronomy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center in the South of Kerman Province, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Jiroft, Iran

*Corresponding Author: H. Madani, Department of Agronomy, Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Arak, Iran, Email: hmadania@yahoo.com

Online published on 12 July, 2023.

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most productive plant in terms of nitrogen fixation and the suitable amount of protein and carotene has a significant impact on the nutritional quality of alfalfa.

This combined experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during two consecutive years (2019–2020) under the climatic conditions of Jiroft area (Kerman province, Iran). The studied factors included alfalfa age (one, three and five-years old) and bio-fertilizers (Control, Potash-Barvar (KSB), Phosphate Barvar II (PSB), Potash-Barvar + Phosphate Barvar II) (KSB+PSB). The biofertilizers were used along with irrigation water. The studied physiological traits included nitrogen, phosphorus, crude protein, soluble sugars, malondialdehyde (MDA) and sodium amount.

The highest amount of crude protein, nitrogen, phosphorus and soluble sugars was observed in three-years old fields under the treatment of bio-fertilizers Potash Barvar + Phosphate Barvar II (KSB+PSB) (37.78%, 9.79%, 0.51% and 324.75% respectively). Unlike other treatments, the highest amount of sodium (0.95%) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (83.99 μM g−1FW) was measured for alfalfa in treatment one-years old field under no-fertilizers (control), while the lowest amount of sodium (0.49%) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (55.94 μM g−1FW) was observed in treatment five-years old field under bio-fertilizers Potash Barvar + Phosphate Barvar II (KSB+PSB) application.

Keywords

Alfalfa physiological traits, Phosphorus biological fertilizer, Potash biological fertilizer