PRODUCTION AND NUTRITIONAL CONTENT IN FORAGE OATS FERTILIZED WITH CHEMICAL AND ORGANIC SOURCES

Abstract

Fertilization is a key component in crop production and harvest quality; in addition, it leaves sequels in the substrate where it is applied. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization and their combination, on the production and mineral content of oat (Avena sativa L.) fodder, and on the physico-chemical properties of the soil. The study was performed in Namiquipa, Chihuahua, Mexico in 2015. A completely randomized experimental design was used to evaluate five treatments: 1) T1-C: organic fertilization using compost, 2) T2-L: organic fertilization with vermicompost leachate, 3) T3-Q: chemical fertilization in two applications, 18N-46P-00K and 46N-00P-00K, 4) T4-QC: chemical fertilization plus compost, and 5) T5-QL: chemical fertilization plus vermicompost leachate. The variables evaluated in soil were: organic matter, apparent density, electrical conductivity, macro and micronutrients; in plant: plant density, dry matter production, macro and micronutrients. Analysis of variance and means comparison using the Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05) were performed through the SAS statistical package. Results showed that compost treatment (T1-C) produced the best values of the evaluated variables in soil and a greater increase in organic matter with 18.1 g kg^-1, followed by the treatment of vermicompost leachate (T2-L) with 17.3 g kg^-1. The highest values of dry weight and nitrogen content were observed in the oat fodder obtained with T3-Q, T4-QC and T5-QL treatments. Differences were observed in nutritional content of the forage with the different types of fertilization, except for Na, Cu and Zn, where T3-Q and T5-QL treatments were the ones that excelled in nutrient supply. Based on the results, it is recommended to add organic fertilizers to the soil, as they improve various indicators of fertility during the same cycle, in addition to reflecting a good combination with chemical fertilization in the production of fodder oats.