Effects of biomass ash conditioner on soil properties,tobacco growth and nutrient content and tobacco leaf quality in tobacco fields
A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of biomass ash conditioner on soil physico-chemical properties,tobacco growth and flue-cured tobacco quality. The treatments included no fertilizer (CK1),con-ventional fertilizer (CK2),conventional fertilizer with 750 kg∙hm-2 of the conditioner (T1),conventional fertilizer with 1500 kg∙hm-2 of the conditioner (T2),and conventional fertilizer with 2250 kg∙hm-2 of the conditioner (T3). The re-sults showed that the value of soil pH,the contents of mineral nitrogen (Min-N),available phosphorus (Olsen-P) and available potassium (K) in tobacco root zone were significantly increased by the application of conditioners. Com-pared with the CK2,the application of conditioner (T1-T3) increased the value of soil pH by 0.36-0.44,and en-hanced the contents of NO3--N and Min-N by 49.6%-243.5% and 26.5%-164.6%,respectively,in the root zone. In addition,the NO3--N content in the root zone of tobacco was significantly increased during the middle growth period,but which was significantly reduced at the mature stage by T2 treatment,and thus facilitated the yellow fall of tobacco leaves at the later growth stage. Compared with the CK2,the application of conditioner (T1-T3) significantly promoted the growth and development of tobacco root system,increased the stem diameter of tobacco plants and the contents of N,P and K in tobacco leaves during the middle and early periods,and thus improved the flue-cured tobacco yields by 3.6%-6.2%;at the same time,the content of K in the upper leaves of tobacco was increased,while its contents of N and reducing sugar were decreased,and thus facilitated the improvement of sugar-alkali ratio in the middle leaves and the flue-cured tobacco quality. In conclusion,the application of biomass ash conditioner,especially with the optimal application rate of 1500 kg∙hm-2,could improve soil physicochemical properties and nutrient supply,enhance the nu-trient accumulation of flue-cured tobacco,and thus improve flue-cured tobacco quality.