Abstract
Irrigated and highly fertilized alfalfa growing in the deserts of Southern Peru reached maximum growth rates of about 200 kg dry forage ha-1 d-1 during the summer period and of 150 kg ha-1 d-1 during winter. These high rates were maintained for 10 to 20 days, after which growth rates declined. ‘Ceiling’ yields of about 5000 kg dry forage ha-1 in summer and 3500 kg ha-1 in winter were obtained in a growth period of 53 days. Simulations with an adapted model indicate that a decreased photosynthetic rate for aging leaves is a probable cause for the decrease. Growth curve simulations were also very sensitive to the level of carbohydrate reserves in the root system at harvest.
High NPK fertilization (420, 280 and 420 kg ha-1 yr-1 of urea-N, P and K respectively) increased NO3-N in soil 2.5 fold, available-K 1.6 fold, and available-P 4.3 fold. NH4-N content did not increase. The higher amounts of available nutrients resulted in only about 10 percent increases in maximum growth rate and maximum yields. With respect to plant composition (%N, %P and %K), a significant response only to the higher P level was observed and a very slight, non-significant response to the higher K level was also noted. High N-fertilization did not increase the N-content of the plant, indicating that the rhizobia present are able to fix up to 900–1000 kg N ha-1 yr-1 in the above-ground herbage. Commercial inoculants did not improve this N-fixation capacity; even in virgin desert soils after only a few harvests, yields as well as N-contents of non-inoculated alfalfa were of the same order of magnitude as inoculated alfalfa.
Resumen
La alfalfa irrigada y altamente fertilizada cultivada en los desiertos del Sur del Perú, ha alcanzado tasas máximas de crecimiento de cerca de 200 kg ha-1 día-1 de forraje seco, durante el período de verano, y de 150 ka ha-1 día-1 durante el invierno. Estas altas tasas fueron mantenidas por 10–20 días, después de los cuales las tasas de crecimiento bajaron. Rendimientos tope de cerca de 5000 kg ha-1 de forraje seco en verano y 3500 kg ha-1 en invierno, fueron obtenidos en un período de crecimiento de 53 días. Simulaciones con un modelo adaptado, indican que una tasa decreciente de fotosíntesis de hojas viejas, es una probable causa para esta baja. Simulaciones de curvas de crecimiento fueron también sensibles al nivel de reservas de carbohidratos en el sistema de raíces en la cosecha.
La alta fertilización NPK (420,280 y 420 kg ha-1 año-1 Urea-N P y K respectivamente) aumentó el nivel de NO3-N en el suelo 2,5 veces, K disponible 1,6 veces y P disponible 4,3 veces. El contenido de NH4-N no aumentó. Las altas cantidades de nutrientes disponibles resultaron en solo cerca de 10% de aumento en tasas máximas de crecimiento y en máximos rendimientos. Con respecto a la composición de plantas (%N, %P y %K) se observó una respuesta significativa solo al alto nivel de P, y una muy ligera, no significativa, respuesta al más alto nivel de K fué también notada. Alta fertilización con N no aumentó el contenido de N de la planta; indicando que las cepas de Rhizobium presentes son capaces de fijar hasta 900–1000 kg N ha-1 Vanño-1 enelforraje. Inoculantes comerciales no mejoraron esta capacidad de fijación de N; aún en suelos vírgenes desérticos después de solo algunas cosechas, rendimientos tanto como contenidos de N de alfalfa no inoculada fueron del mismo orden de magtitud que alfalfa inoculada.
FAPROCAF is a joint Peruvian-Dutch and Israeli agricultural research project in Arequipa, Peru.
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© 1982 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague
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Versteeg, M.N., Zipori, I., Medina, J., Valdivia, H. (1982). Potential growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the desert of Southern Peru and its response to high NPK fertilization. In: Robertson, G.P., Herrera, R., Rosswall, T. (eds) Nitrogen Cycling in Ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7639-9_14
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