Microalgae biofilm in soil: nitrogen loss and crop productivity
J. S. Castro1*, M. L. Calijuri1, I. R. Assis2, P. P. Assemany1 and V. J. Ribeiro2
1Federal University of Viçosa, Av. P.H. Rolfs – Campus of the Federal University of Viçosa – Viçosa, MG – Brazil – Postal Code: 36570-900. 2Soil Department, E-mail: igor.assis@ufv.br; vinicius.j.ribeiro@ufv.br
(free)
In this study, the effect of the application of microalgae biomass on the soil surface was evaluated with respect to ammonia volatilization and plant productivity and compared with a conventional chemical fertilizer commonly used in agriculture. Three experimental plots 4 m2 each were conducted under different treatments varying the source of nitrogen for the crop. The treatments were as follows: (i) 120 kg/ha of N supplied by algal biomass; (ii) 120 kg/ha of N supplied by conventional urea; (iii) Control treatment that there was no supplementation with any kind of fertilizer. The experiment was conducted during 60 days under planting of pearl millet, cultivar BRS 1501. The ammonia volatilization was statistically lower when the application of algal biomass was made as a source of nitrogen. The application of algal biomass was statistically equal to the chemical fertilizer as regards dry matter yield of aerial part (APDM) and nitrogen content assimilated by the plant. The chemical fertilizer was superior only in the production of leaf dry matter yield (LDM). In view of this, it is believed that the algal biomass can be used as a source of nutrients being efficient in the replacement of the conventional chemical fertilizer and recovery of nutrients from the high rate pond
