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Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (8): 39-49.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2024-0536

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Effects of Liquid Fertilizers Compounded from Hydrothermal Cracking Products on Sweet Potato Growth and Nutrient Utilization

TANG Chaochen1(), CHEN Diwen2, ZHOU Wenling2, YANG Yiling1, AO Junhua2, WANG Zhangying1, HUANG Zhenrui1()   

  1. 1 Crop Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Guangdong Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Improvement, Guangzhou 510640
    2 Institute of Nanfan & Seed Industry, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 516310
  • Received:2024-08-14 Revised:2024-12-24 Online:2025-03-15 Published:2025-03-14

Abstract:

This study investigated the effects of different fertilization treatments on sweet potato growth, nutrient utilization, and soil quality using liquid fertilizers compounded from hydrothermal cracking products of agricultural and forestry residues, to provide a scientific basis for the application of hydrothermal cracking liquid fertilizers in sweet potato cultivation. A randomized block design was conducted with five treatments: no fertilizer (CK), conventional solid water-soluble fertilizer (CF), conventional solid water-soluble fertilizer plus micro-element liquid fertilizer (CFMI), macro-element liquid fertilizer (MA), and macro-element plus micro-element liquid fertilizer (MAMI). Quantitative analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of these fertilization treatments on sweet potato yield and quality, economic benefits, nutrient absorption and utilization efficiency, and soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that compared to the CK treatment, all fertilization treatments significantly enhanced sweet potato yield, quality and economic benefits. Compared to the CF treatment, the application of hydrothermal cracking liquid fertilizers significantly increased the number of marketable roots per plant, individual root weight, fresh root yield, marketable root yield and the proportion of marketable roots, as well as the content of soluble sugar, vitamin C and carotene. Particularly under the MAMI treatment, the fresh root yield and marketable root yield increased by 13.7% and 19.8%, respectively, and the output/input ratio improved by 16.3%, demonstrating significant enhancement of yield and economic benefits. Additionally, the use of hydrothermal cracking liquid fertilizers did not significantly reduce soil pH nor did it lead to excessive nutrient accumulation. However, it enhanced nutrient (N, P, K) utilization efficiency and agronomic efficiency, thereby reducing resource waste. In summary, liquid fertilizers compounded from hydrothermal cracking products of agricultural and forestry residues are highly efficient, which can promote the yield and quality of sweet potatoes and improve the soil environment. The results support the potential agricultural application of hydrothermal cracking liquid fertilizers in sustainable sweet potato cultivation.

Key words: sweet potato, liquid fertilizer, organic fertilizer, hydrothermal decomposition products, integrated water and fertilizer