Journal of American Science, 2010;6(11)
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Efficiency of Natural Minerals in Presence of Different Nitrogen
Forms and Potassium Dissolving Bacteria on Peanut and Sesame
Yields
Gehan H. Youssef, Wafaa M. A. Seddik and Mona A. Osman
Soil, Water and Environ. Research Institute, agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out for two summer seasons at Ismailia Agric. Res. Station to study the
effect of some natural minerals combined with potassium dissolving bacteria inoculation in the presence of different
nitrogen forms on chemical properties of soil, nutritional status and yield of peanut-sesame. Each experiment was
designed in a split-split design with three replications. Three forms of nitrogen fertilizer were included along with
two natural minerals, in a presence of potassium dissolving bacteria inoculation, as well as one mineral fertilizer as
source potassium fertilizer. Furthermore, data show high significant increases in available N due to the application
of ammonium nitrate in combination with feldspar, and calcium nitrate in combination with potassium sulfate in a
presence of inoculation for peanut and sesame, respectively. However, application of calcium nitrate combined with
potassium sulfate, and ammonium nitrate in combination with feldspar, in a presence of inoculation, led to
significant increases in K available in soil for peanut and sesame, respectively. Oppositely, the pH values, different
to those of EC, decreased either for inoculation or non-inoculation as compared to control. In spite of that, the
values of EC and pH of soil were higher with application of either bentonite or bentonite + feldspar in a presence of
all nitrogen fertilizer forms. Generally, the highest EC values in soil, after the two studied seasons were encountered
with calcium nitrate fertilizer as well as bentonite mineral. Moreover, applying feldspar mineral and ammonium
nitrate treatments had recorded the highest values of yield components as well as nutrient (N and K) uptake by either
peanut or sesame crops, particularly in the presence of inoculation as compared to those given by other treatments.
[Gehan H. Youssef, Wafaa M. A. Seddik and Mona A. Osman. Efficiency of Natural Minerals in Presence of
Different Nitrogen Forms and Potassium Dissolving Bacteria on Peanut and Sesame Yields. Journal of American
Science 2010;6(11):647-660]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).
Keywords: Efficiency; Natural Mineral; Nitrogen; Potassium; Bacteria
alteration reaction, as microbial surfaces can be
complex with metal ions. Some recent reports
showed that silicate dissolving bacteria played a
promotion role in the release of Si, Fe and K from
feldspar (Badr, 2006).
According to Abdel Wahab et al., (2003),
the highest values of growth and green yield of pea
were obtained in case of organic compost application
in combination with chemical or natural sources of P
and K. Also, the applied natural sources of P and K
gave an almost similar trend to that obtained with the
chemical ones combined with the organic compost.
The concentrations of phosphorus and potassium in
plant tissues increased with increasing compost levels
irrespective of their sources. In addition, the
combined treatment of organic compost with both
sources of P-K achieved the highest values of P and
K concentrations in plant tissues.
Significant increases were obtained in height
of main stem, branch stem length, number of
branches, main stem diameter and leaf area of olive
seedlings treated with compost fortified with plant
guard and feldspar compared with the control
treatment. The same trend was also observed
1. Introduction:
Sandy soils represent the most desert area in
Egypt, and they are usually deficient in organic
matter and plant nutrients (Abdel Wahab et al, 2003).
Potassium is one of the three essential element viz.,
NPK, for the growth and reproduction of plants; it
plays vital roles in its nutrition. The crop production
in Egypt relies completely on imports to meet its
annual requirement of potash fertilizers; besides the
high cost of conventional, water-soluble K fertilizers
constrains their use by most of the farmers in the
country. In order to reduce the dependence on
imported potash, feldspar potash mineral contains
11.25 % K2O and therefore, it could be a potential Ksource for crop production. New approaches are
needed to unlock K from the silicate structure of this
mineral in order to render K more available for plant
nutrition (Badr, 2006). Many researchers showed
that microbes can accelerate weathering of minerals
and rocks by producing organic acids, phenolic
compounds, siderophores and possibly other
metabolites, which influence pH and redox
conditions. In addition, direct contact between
bacteria and minerals may be important in mineral
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concerning the application of compost and feldspar
on micro and macronutrient contents in leaves of the
mentioned olive seedlings (Abd El-Motty et al.,
2009).
Biofertilizers have been used as sources to
improve the status of plant nutrients in sustainable
agriculture. Inoculation with bacterial strain Bacillus
edaphicus NBT was found to increase root and shoot
growth of cotton and rape. Strain NBT could
mobilize potassium efficiently in both plants when
illite was added to the soil. In cotton and rape
growing on soils treated with insoluble potassium and
inoculated with strain NBT, the potassium content
was increased by 30 and 26 %, respectively. Bacterial
inoculation also resulted in higher N and P contents
of above ground plant components (Sheng, 2005).
Rock P and K applied either singly or in
combination did not significantly enhance soil
availability of P and K, indicating their unsuitability
for direct application. PSB (phosphate solubilizing
bacteria) was a more potent P-solubilizer than KSB
(potassium solubilizing bacteria), and co-inoculation
of PSB and KSB resulted in consistently higher P and
K availability than in the control without bacterial
inoculum and without rock material fertilizer.
Combined together, rock material and both bacterial
strains consistently increased further mineral
availability, uptake and plant growth of pepper and
cucumber plants, suggesting their potential use as
fertilizer (Han et al., 2006).
Phosphorus and potassium nutritional status
in the soil were markedly improved through
inoculation with solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus
mucilaginosus); groundnut plant dry matter increased
by 125 % and the oil content 35.41 % were increased
through bacterium inoculation (Sugumaran and
Janarthanam, 2007).
Recently, the treatment of Bacillus circulans
+ rock phosphate + feldspar was superior in plant
height, number of branches, number of nodules per
plant and fresh yield (ton/fed.) of snap bean plants
when compared with control and the un-inoculated
plants. The NPK analysis of shoot dry matter of snap
plants showed that as a result of addition of
alternatives and the viability of B. circulans, there
was marked increases in phosphorus and potassium
solubilization (Massoud et al., 2009).
The objective of this study was to determine
the efficiency of using different natural mineral as
alternative potassium fertilizer in the presence of
nitrogen forms and potassium dissolving bacteria
inoculation adopted for peanut and sesame plants
grown on sandy soil.
2. Materials and methods
Two summer successive field experiments
were carried out on peanut (Arachis hypogaea) –
sesame (Sesamum indicum) cropping sequence in a
sandy soil under drip irrigation system at Ismailia
Agric. Res. Station (A.R.C).
Some physical and chemical characteristics
of the studied soil before cultivation are shown in
Table (1).
Table (1): Some physical and chemical properties
of soil samples representing the studied
location.
Soil characteristics
Values
Particle size distribution %
Coarse sand
50.4
Fine sand
40.4
Silt
3.20
Clay
6.0
Texture class
Sandy
Chemical properties
CaCO3 %
1.4
pH (suspension 1:2.5)
7.92
EC dS/m (saturated paste extract)
0.37
Organic matter %
0.40
Soluble cations and anions (meq L-1)
Ca++
Mg++
Na+
K+
CO3-HCO3CLSO4--
0.95
0.89
1.51
0.45
1.42
1.02
1.36
Available nutrients (mg L-1)
N
P
K
40.0
15.0
55.6
Table
(2): Analysis of natural mineral
constituents.
Determination
Bentonite
Feldspar
EC dS m-1
2.89
0.44
pH
8.08
8.56
Available nutrients (mgL-1)
N
166
216
P
2.10
5.76
K
151
400
Peanut and sesame were cultivated in a
randomized split-split plot design, each treatment
being replicated three times. The main plots were
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superior at available N while ammonium nitrate
being superior at available K.
Furthermore, results showed that the highest
values of available nitrogen and potassium exist in
case of feldspar and potassium sulfate treatments,
respectively at the first studied season. Such results
are confirmed by Hagin and Shaviv (1990) who
reported that the adequate supply of potassium
enhances ammonium utilization and thus improves
yields. An opposite trend was obtained at second
season, which appeared to be highly significant with
applied potassium sulfate for available nitrogen with
feldspar being highly significant for available
potassium. This obtained data could be due to the
application of K solubilizing bacteria, which may
produce bacterial acids, alkalies or chelates to
enhance solubility and release of elements from
potassium containing minerals in soil ( Lin Qi-mei ,
et al., 2002 and Seddik, 2006).
To make the picture clearer, it was thought
usefully to express the obtained results as interactions
between the influences of both natural mineral and
nitrogen fertilizer forms; such interactions are shown
in Fig (2). For available nutrients (N and K) in soil, at
the two studied seasons, values were significantly
increased as a consequence of applied natural mineral
in the presence of nitrogen fertilizer and inoculation
as compared to control. A previous study (Barker, et
al., 1997 and Badr, et al., 2006) confirmed that this
bacterial strain produces several organic acids such as
acetate, butyric, pyruvic, lactic and formic acid
during their biological activities. Such acids can
increase mineral dissolution rates; carboxylic acid
groups, which were shown to promote dissolution of
silicate, are also common in extra cellular organic
materials. Moreover, some microorganisms in the soil
environment contain enzymes that function in ways
analogous to chitinase and celluloses. i.e. they
specifically break down mineral structures and
extract elements required for metabolism or structure
purposes (e.g., mineralization).
Also, data in Fig (2) show high significant
increases in available N due to the application of
ammonium nitrate in combination with feldspar, and
calcium nitrate in combination with potassium sulfate
in the presence of inoculation for peanut and sesame,
respectively. However, application of calcium nitrate
combined with potassium sulfate, and ammonium
nitrate in combination with feldspar, in the presence
of inoculation, led to significant increases in K
available in soil for peanut and sesame, respectively.
either inoculated or un-inoculated with potassium
dissolving
bacteria
(Bacillus
pasteurii)
as
(Biopotash). The sub main plots were three nitrogen
sources, including ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate
and ammonium nitrate, added at the rate of 30 kg
N/fed. The sources of nitrogen were added in four
equal split doses after sowing. The sub- sub plots
represented the natural minerals (feldspar and
bentonite), which were added individually or in
combination (50% bentonite and 50% feldspar, as
compared to mineral fertilizer (potassium sulfate)) at
the rate of 50 kg K2O/ fed. Phosphorus fertilizer was
added at the recommended dose (200 kg/fed.) for
both peanut and sesame in the form of
superphosphate 15.5 % P2O5. Both potassium and
phosphorus fertilizers were completely added to soil
before cultivation.
Plant and soil were sampled at 150 days and
120 days after sowing for peanut and sesame
respectively, which represent the harvesting stage.
Surface soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were
taken after harvesting stage to evaluate soil pH, EC
and available nutrients (N and K) were determined
according to Page et al. (1982).
Peanut and sesame plant samples were taken
at harvesting stage to determine the nutrients status
and yield components (straw and grain yield). Plant
samples were oven dried at 70 oC for 48 hrs up to
constant dry weight, then ground and wet digested
using H2SO4:H2O2 method described by Page et al.
(1982). The digests were then subjected to the
measurement of nutrients (N and K) according to
procedures described by cottenie et al. (1982).
Obtained results were subjected to statistical
analysis using STATISTICA 6.0 (statSoft, Inc, Tusla,
USA) according to Hill and Lewicki (2007). Analysis
of variance (ANOVA) was employed to examine the
independent and interacted effects of inoculation with
potassium dissolving bacteria, nitrogen and
potassium sources. Also, treatments were compared
by using L.S.D. at 0.05 level of probability according
to Snedecor and Cochran (1980).
3. Results and Discussion:
1- Influence of nitrogen fertilizer, natural mineral and
inoculation with bacteria on some soil chemical
characteristics.
As for the effect of nitrogen forms and
natural mineral on nitrogen and potassium
availability, at the two studied seasons, results in Fig
(1 A, B) reveal that calcium nitrate treatment was
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Peanut
Sesame
-1
Available nitrogen (mg L )
Available Nitrogen (mg L )
N (A)
-1
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
AS
CN
AN
77
72
67
62
57
52
AS
CN
Available nitrogen (mg L )
-1
-1
Available nitrogen (mg L )
130
110
90
70
50
30
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
AN
Nitrogen forms
Nitrogen forms
B+F
Feldspar
120
100
80
60
40
20
control
K2SO4
Natural minerals
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms 5.59
Natural mineral 8.08
6.24
5.99
150
140
130
CN
AN
-1
AS
Available potassium (mg L )
120
Nitrogen forms
-1
Available potassium (mg L ) Available potassium (mg L -1)
-1
Available potassium (mg L )
K(B)
240
200
160
120
80
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
72
67
62
57
AS
CN
AN
Nitrogen forms
75
70
65
60
55
50
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms 14.1
Natural mineral 19.5
2.16
2.52
Fig (1): Effect of one factor either nitrogen fertilizer or natural mineral on both nitrogen (A) and potassium
(B) availability for the tested soil after peanut and sesame harvesting.
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Peanut
Sesame
160
160
L.S.D.= 19.8
Available N (mg L-1)
Available N (mg L-1)
120
100
80
60
120
100
80
60
40
40
20
L.S.D.= 14.7
140
140
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
300
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
20
0
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
95
L.S.D.= 47.7
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
L.S.D.= 6.17
90
85
Available K (mg L-1)
Available K (mg L-1)
250
200
150
100
50
80
75
70
65
60
55
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
50
45
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
AS CN AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
Fig (2): Effect of different sources of natural mineral, nitrogen fertilizer and/ or inoculation with potassium
dissolving bacteria on available nutrients (N and K) for the tested soil after peanut and sesame
harvesting.
interactions between the influences of both natural
mineral and nitrogen fertilizer forms; such
interactions are shown in Fig (4). Data indicated that,
for both studied seasons, application of different
natural mineral significantly increased the EC values
but decreased the pH values of the studied soil in the
presence of nitrogen fertilizer forms as compared
with control, whether inoculation or non-inoculation
was performed. Moreover, the indicated values of EC
and pH were higher in case of applying either
bentonite or bentonite + feldspar ratio in the presence
of all nitrogen fertilizer forms. Soil salinity increase
could be due to the relatively high content of salts in
bentonite (Gouda, 1984).
Concerning EC and pH values, the highest
EC values in soil following the two studied seasons
were reported for calcium nitrate fertilizer as well as
bentonite mineral as a source of potassium fertilizer
(Fig 3.A). With respect to pH values, the highest
values in soil were reported for calcium nitrate at the
first season (peanut) and for ammonium nitrate at the
second season (sesame). An opposite trend was
generally encountered with natural mineral,
particularly for applied feldspar, which led to a
decrease in pH values at the two seasons as compared
to control (Fig 3.B).
Again, to make the picture clearer, it was
thought useful to express the obtained results as
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Peanut
Sesame
A
0.20
0.54
0.19
EC dSm
-1
EC dS m
-1
0.52
0.50
0.48
0.18
0.17
0.46
0.44
AS
CN
0.16
AN
AS
CN
AN
Nitrogen forms
Nitrogen forms
0.8
0.28
-1
0.6
EC dS m
EC dS m
-1
0.7
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
0.24
0.20
0.16
0.12
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms
Natural mineral
B
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
0.092
0.070
0.033
0.042
7.86
7.92
pH
pH
7.76
7.66
7.87
7.82
7.56
AS
CN
7.77
AN
AS
Nitrogen forms
CN
AN
Nitrogen forms
8.4
8.4
8.2
8.2
pH
pH
8.0
7.8
7.8
7.6
7.4
8.0
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
7.6
Feldspar
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms
Natural mineral
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
Natural minerals
0.09
0.11
0.11
0.15
Fig (3): Effect of either nitrogen fertilizer or natural mineral on both electrical conductivity (EC) (A) and soil
reaction (pH) (B) for the tested soil after peanut and sesame harvesting.
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Peanut
Sesame
1.0
0.30
LSD= 0.172
LSD= 0.104
0.9
0.28
0.8
0.26
0.24
EC dS m-1
EC dS m-1
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.22
0.20
0.18
0.4
0.16
0.3
0.2
0.1
AS
CN
AN
AS
control
CN
AN
AS
K2SO4
CN
AN
AS
Bentonit
CN
AN
AS
B+F
CN
AN
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
0.14
0.12
0.10
AS
CN
AN
control
Feldspar
AS
CN
AN
K2SO4
AS
CN
AN
AS
Bentonit
CN
AN
B+F
AS
CN
AN
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
Feldspar
8.1
8.1
LSD= 0.360
LSD= 0.279
8.0
8.0
7.9
7.9
7.8
7.8
7.7
7.7
pH
7.6
pH
7.6
7.5
7.5
7.4
7.4
7.3
7.3
7.2
7.2
7.1
7.0
AS
CN
control
AN
AS
CN
K2SO4
AN
AS
CN
AN
Bentonit
AS
CN
B+F
AN
AS
CN
AN
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
7.1
7.0
AS
CN
control
Feldspar
AN
AS
CN
K2SO4
AN
AS
CN
AN
Bentonit
AS
CN
B+F
AN
AS
CN
AN
INOCULAT
Inoc
INOCULAT
Non-Inoc
Feldspar
Fig (4): Effect of different sources of natural mineral, nitrogen fertilizer and/ or inoculation with potassium
dissolving bacteria on both electrical conductivity (EC) and soil reaction (pH) for the tested soil after
peanut and sesame harvesting.
sulfate > bentonite for peanut and sesame yield,
respectively.
In general, to make the picture clearer, it
was thought usefully to express the obtained results
as interactions between the influences of both natural
mineral and nitrogen fertilizer forms; such
interactions are shown in Fig (6). Data show that
natural mineral was favorable to yields either in the
presence of nitrogen fertilizer forms or inoculation
with potassium dissolving bacteria as compared to
control. Furthermore, results indicate that yield
components of peanut and sesame increased in the
presence of inoculation with potassium dissolving
bacteria as compared to non-inoculation. Such results
are confirmed by those of Han and lee (2005) who
reported that the inoculation of potassium
solubilizing bacteria synergistically solubilized the K
2- Influence of nitrogen fertilizer, natural minerals
and inoculation with bacteria on yield components
at harvesting stage.
With respect to yield of straw and yield of
grains or seeds for both peanut and sesame crops,
data shown in Fig (5. A and B) revealed that the
highest significant yield components of peanut and
sesame crops were reported for ammonium nitrate
fertilizer as compared to other treatments. Treatments
of nitrogen fertilizer may be arranged as follows:
ammonium nitrate > calcium nitrate > ammonium
sulfate. Also, feldspar mineral gave the highest
values of yield components. Treatments of natural
mineral may be arranged as follows: feldspar >
potassium sulfate > bentonite + feldspar > bentonite
and feldspar > bentonite + feldspar > potassium
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materials which were added into the soil and made
them more available to the plant. This led to the
promotion of their uptake and plant growth. Growth
enhancement by Bacillus may be also related to its
ability to produce hormones, especially IAA. In short,
Peanut
Straw (A)
co-inoculation of plant growth promoting
rhizobacteria (PGPR) with different beneficial
properties may be the future trend for bio-fertilizer
application to enable sustainable crop production.
Sesame
3000
Straw yield Kg fed.
Straw yield kg fed.
-1
-1
5000
4800
4600
4400
4200
4000
AS
CN
2800
2600
2400
2200
2000
AS
AN
-1
Straw yield Kg fed.
Straw yield Kg fed.
-1
6500
5500
4500
3500
2500
control
K2SO4
CN
AN
Nitrogen forms
Nitrogen forms
Bentonit
B+F
3200
2700
2200
1700
1200
Feldspar
control
Natural minerals
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms 315
Natural mineral 317
205
236
Grain and Seeds (B)
-1
Seed yield Kg fed.
Grain yield Kg fed.
-1
835
825
815
805
795
AS
CN
146
136
126
116
AN
AS
Nitrogen forms
CN
AN
Nitrogen forms
-1
950
Seed yield Kg fed.
Grain yield Kg fed.
-1
1050
850
750
650
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
150
135
120
105
Natural minerals
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms 63.9
7.93
Natural mineral 77.7
7.49
Fig (5): Response of yield components, straw (A) and grain or seeds (B), (Kg fed.-1) for both peanut and
sesame at two seasons to one factor either nitrogen fertilizer or natural mineral at harvest stage.
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Straw of peanut
Straw of sesame
L.S.D.= 776.8
L.S.D.= 577
6000
Straw yield Kg fed.-1
Straw yield Kg fed.-1
7000
5000
4000
3000
2000
AS
CN
AN
AS
Inoc
CN
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + Feldspar
Feldspar
4000
3000
2000
1000
AS
CN
AN
AS
Inoc
Non-Inoc
Grain of peanut
CN
AN
Non-Inoc
Seeds of sesame
170
L.S.D.= 18.3
L.S.D.= 190
160
Seed yield Kg fed.-1
grain yield Kg fed.-1
1050
950
850
750
650
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + Feldspar
Feldspar
AS
CN
Inoc
AN
AS
CN
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + Feldspar
Feldspar
150
140
130
120
110
100
AS
CN
Inoc
AN
AS
CN
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + Feldspar
Feldspar
Non-Inoc
Non-Inoc
Fig (6): Response of yield components (Kg fed.-1) for both peanut and sesame at two seasons to application of
different sources of natural mineral, nitrogen fertilizer and/ or inoculation with potassium dissolving
bacteria at harvest stage.
3- Influence of nitrogen fertilizer, natural mineral and
inoculation with bacteria on nutrients uptake at
harvesting stage.
A- Nitrogen uptake
With respect to nitrogen uptake of peanut
and sesame plants, generally, the highest significant
increases for nitrogen uptake of straw and grain or
seeds for either peanut or sesame yields were
reported for ammonium nitrate fertilizer and feldspar
mineral compared to other treatments (Fig 7., A and
B). Treatments of nitrogen fertilizer may be generally
arranged as follows: ammonium nitrate > calcium
nitrate > ammonium sulfate for the two studied
seasons. On the other hand, treatments of potassium
fertilizer may be arranged as follows: feldspar >
potassium sulfate > bentonite + feldspar > bentonite
at the first season while arranged as follows: feldspar
> bentonite + feldspar > potassium sulfate >
bentonite for the second season. Also, behavior of
nitrogen uptake followed the same trend of those
obtained for yield components at the two studied
seasons. In fact, Katai et al. (2010) indicated that the
large bentonite doses reduced the nitrate- N content
along with available phosphorus and potassium
contents of soil, which reflected on nutrients uptake
by plants.
To make the picture clearer, it was thought
usefully to express the obtained results as interactions
between the influences of both natural mineral and
Feldspar treatment had recorded the highest
values of yield components for either peanut or
sesame, particularly in the presence of inoculation as
compared to those given by other treatments. These
increases in yield components of peanut crop,
recorded 117 % and 46.2 % against 118 % and 39.4
% for sesame straw and grains or seeds as compared
to control, respectively. These data agreed with the
results reported by Badr (2006) who found that the
better performance of feldspar-compost plus silicate
dissolving bacteria could be attributed to better
maintenance of soil nutrient status in the root zone,
which in turn helped the plants to utilize nutrients
more efficiently; release of potassium took place
frequently, and thus favorably affects growth of the
crop. Locascio and Hochmuch (1997) reported that
potassium supply by the soil is an extremely
important factor in yield production, and the high
yield depends on the level of K available to the
plants. Recently, Massoud et al. (2009) reported that
AM-fungi inoculation combined to B.circulans is
highly beneficial to the growth of plants. This
combination optimizes the K solubilization from
feldspar and increased microbial activity in the
rhizosphere of plants. So, the weathering of feldspar
by AM- mycrrhizal fungi and B. circulans bacteria
enhance the release of K ions that led to
encouragement for the growth and consequently, the
diverse of rhizospheric microflora.
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when the respective rock potassium were added.
Generally, pattern of nitrogen uptake followed the
same trend of those obtained with yield components
of both crops (peanut and sesame).
Application of feldspar with ammonium
nitrate as a source of nitrogen fertilizer generally
improved the uptake of nitrogen in plants, especially
in the presence of inoculation compared to control.
These increases in nitrogen uptake of peanut crop,
recorded 214 % and 301 % against 219 % and 176 %
for sesame straw and grains or seeds compared to
control, respectively.
Sesame
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
nitrogen fertilizer forms; such interactions are shown
in Fig (8). Data show that values at the two studied
seasons were positively affected by application of
natural mineral in the presence of nitrogen forms
either of inoculation or non-inoculation compared to
control.
Moreover, results showed that the nitrogen
uptake was significantly increased with inoculation
by potassium dissolving bacteria. These results are in
agreement with those of Han et al. (2006) who
reported that the soil inoculation with potassium
solubilizing bacteria significantly increased nutrients
uptake in pepper and cucumber plants, especially
Peanut
Straw (A)
109
107
105
103
101
99
AS
CN
AN
72
68
64
60
56
AS
-1
140
120
100
80
60
40
CN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
control
K2SO4
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
40
39
38
37
36
CN
AN
4.5
4.3
4.1
3.9
3.7
AS
CN
AN
Nitrogen forms
60
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
Feldspar
4.7
Nitrogen forms
50
40
30
20
10
B+F
5.62
6.44
Grains and Seeds (B)
AS
Bentonit
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms 11.9
Natural mineral 11.5
35
AN
Nitrogen forms
160
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
Nitrogen forms
76
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
6
5
4
3
2
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms
3.08
0.45
Natural mineral 4.03
0.49
Fig (7): Response of nitrogen uptake, straw (A) and grain or seeds (B), (Kg fed.-1) for both peanut and sesame
at two seasons to one factor either nitrogen fertilizer or natural mineral at harvest stage.
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Straw of sesame
140
L.S.D.= 15.8
-1
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
L.S.D.= 28.1
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
Straw of peanut
180
AS
CN
AN
AS
Inoc
CN
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + feldspar
Feldspar
120
100
80
60
40
20
AS
Non-Inoc
Grains of peanut
-1
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
Nitrogen uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
L.S.D.= 20.1
60
50
40
30
20
CN
Inoc
AN
AS
CN
AS
CN
AN
Non-Inoc
8
70
AS
AN
Seeds of sesame
80
10
CN
Inoc
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit +Feldspar
Feldspar
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit +Feldspar
Feldspar
L.S.D.= 14.3
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
AS
CN
Inoc
Non-Inoc
AN
AS
CN
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit +Feldspar
Feldspar
Non-Inoc
Fig (8): Response of nitrogen uptake (Kg fed.-1) for both peanut and sesame at two seasons to application of
different sources of natural mineral, nitrogen fertilizer and/ or inoculation with potassium dissolving
bacteria at harvest stage.
materials became available for uptake and
contributed considerably towards the nutritional
requirements of the crop. Further, loses due to
drainage, leaching and percolation of potassium from
feldspar charged compost are negligible as compared
to soluble potassium salts. Hence, use of feldspar in a
biological form should be, further, more economical
than imported potash fertilizer.
The obtained results as interactions between
the influences of both natural mineral and nitrogen
fertilizer forms (Fig 10) reveal positive responses for
potassium uptake to application of natural mineral
treatments in the presence of either nitrogen forms or
inoculate as compared to control.
Application of ammonium nitrate with
feldspar was generally superior, particularly in the
presence of dissolving potassium bacteria. However,
an exception being obtained in case of applying
calcium nitrate with potassium sulfate for straw at
first season compared to control. These increases in
potassium uptake of peanut crop, recorded 336 % and
78.3 % against 352 % and180 % for sesame straw
and grains or seeds as compared to control,
respectively.
B- Potassium uptake
However, the highest response for potassium
uptake of straw and grains or seeds at the two studied
seasons were recorded for ammonium nitrate
fertilizer as a source of nitrogen fertilizer with
potassium sulfate and feldspar mineral as sources of
natural mineral for peanut and sesame yield,
respectively. (Fig. 9, A and B).
Treatments of nitrogen fertilizer seemed to
follow a trend for potassium uptake similar to those
obtained for nitrogen uptake. Regarding to treatments
of natural minerals, they could be arranged as
follows: potassium sulfate > feldspar > bentonite +
feldspar > bentonite for the peanut yield while
arranged as follows: feldspar > bentonite + feldspar >
potassium sulfate > bentonite for the sesame yield.
The last behavior of potassium uptake, again, seemed
to follow a trend similar to those obtained for
nitrogen uptake for the two studied seasons. In the
same concern, Badr (2006) found that the total uptake
was greater when feldspar- compost plus silicate
dissolving bacteria was applied followed by
potassium sulfate while the lower was recorded for
feldspar. This may indicate that a major portion of K
present in feldspar mineral as well as in the organic
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Journal of American Science, 2010;6(11)
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was generally similar to that of potassium sulfate,
particularly in the presence of inoculation. So, this
biofertilizer is highly efficient to achieve the
economy of potash fertilizer and reduce the cost of
cultivation through the use of cheap and locally
potash source.
Sesame
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
From our obtained results, it could be
concluded that, the feldspar mineral and ammonium
nitrate as a source of potassium and nitrogen recorded
the highest values of yield components as well as
nutrient (N and K) uptake for either peanut or sesame
particularly in the presence of inoculation. Moreover,
the effects of both feldspar and feldspar + bentonite
Peanut
Straw (A)
72
70
68
66
64
62
60
58
AS
CN
AN
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
Nitrogen forms
100
80
60
40
20
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
10.3
10.1
9.9
9.7
9.5
AS
35
33
31
29
AS
AN
60
50
40
30
20
10
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
CN
AN
2.4
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
AS
CN
AN
Nitrogen forms
Nitrogen forms
-1
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
CN
Nitrogen forms
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
10.5
9.3
37
2.81
5.85
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms 7.68
Natural mineral 8.18
Grains and Seeds (B)
39
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
L.S.D at 5%
Nitrogen forms 1.01
Natural mineral 1.01
2.8
2.4
2.0
1.6
1.2
0.8
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
B+F
Feldspar
Natural minerals
0.18
0.16
Fig (9): Response of Potassium uptake, straw (A) and grain or seeds (B), (Kg fed.-1) for both peanut and
sesame at two seasons to one factor either nitrogen fertilizer or natural mineral at harvest stage.
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Journal of American Science, 2010;6(11)
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Straw of sesame
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
AS
CN
AN
AS
Inoc
CN
AN
80
L.S.D.= 14.3
-1
L.S.D.= 20.1
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
140
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
Straw of peanut
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + feldspar
Feldspar
70
60
50
40
20
10
AS
Non-Inoc
L.S.D.= 2.47
AS
CN
AN
Non-Inoc
3.5
L.S.D.= 0.39
-1
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
-1
AN
Seeds of sesame
14
Potassium uptake (Kg fed. )
CN
Inoc
Grains of peanut
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
AS
CN
Inoc
AN
AS
CN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit +Feldspar
Feldspar
30
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + feldspar
Feldspar
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
AS
CN
Inoc
Non-Inoc
AN
AS
CN
AN
control
K2SO4
Bentonit
Bentonit + feldspar
Feldspar
Non-Inoc
Fig (10): Response of Potassium uptake (Kg fed.-1) for both peanut and sesame at two seasons to
application of different sources of natural mineral, nitrogen fertilizer and/ or
inoculation with potassium dissolving bacteria at harvest stage.
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Acknowledgment
The authoresses wish to express their sincere
gratitude and appreciation to the Development of Soil
Conditioners Project, Dept. of Chemistry and Physics
of Soil, Soils, Water and Environ. Res. Inst., Agric.
Res. Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt, for introducing all
facilities needed to accomplish this study.
Corresponding author
Gehan H. Youssef
Soil, Water and Environ. Research Institute,
agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt
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Journal of American Science, 2010;6(11)
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