Search

Biogas slurry is increasingly adopted as a substitute for chemical fertilizer to improve soil fertility and control soil degradation. But little is known about its long-term effects on different soil layers. This study aims to test if biogas slurry substitution alters soil nutrients and aggregates differently in different layers and how the effects are influenced by straw return. A five-year field trial of a winter wheat–summer maize rotation was established to evaluate the effects of biogas slurry substitution [treatments: control without fertilizer (CK); chemical fertilizer (CF); 50% biogas slurry substitution (BSCF); 100% biogas slurry substitution (BS)] on two soil layers (0–20 and 20–40 cm) under equal N, P, and K fertilization in a Fluvisol. The result showed that compared with CK, fertilization was necessary to maintain soil available nitrogen (AN) and available potassium (AK) in the 0–20 cm layer. Also, fertilization had positive effects on soil EC, TN, and AP, especially in the topsoil. In terms of increasing the degree of water-stable macroaggregation, improving aggregate stability and reducing their crushing rates, CF was superior to biogas slurry substitution because of the greater accumulations of soil N, the most important physicochemical factor regulating soil macroaggregation and stability. The effects of biogas slurry substitution changed with soil layers. In surface soil, BD, water-stable macroaggregates, and aggregate stability significantly increased due to the positive regulatory effects of straw, AP, and EC; whereas in subsoil, they decreased. Inorganic fertilization with straw return functions well in soil structural degradation control and N fertility improvement, especially in the topsoil. Whereas in fields without straw return, biogas slurry substitution may be a feasible and economical choice to improve topsoil structure and also an excellent supplement to provide P and K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canadian nitrogen (N) fertilizer use has more than doubled since 1990 (1.2 to 2.9 MtN by 2021). Consequently, a better understanding of this trend is needed. A comprehensive set of recommended N rates (RNRs) that agreed with the fertilizer sales data from 1996 and 2001 was compared with the Fertilizer Use Survey (FUS). The FUS was conducted from 2014 to 2021, with 2017 being the most representative year for these data. Using non-parametric statistics, confidence intervals were derived from the histograms used to present the FUS data. N application rates from the RNR for canola, spring and Duram wheat, and oats in the west were all below their respective FUS confidence intervals, whereas N application rates for grain corn showed almost no difference in N use between the RNR and FUS. Crop-specific N application rates interpolated from the RNR and FUS were integrated over their respective crop areas and plotted against national fertilizer sales records from 1990 to 2021. The rapid increase in N use between 2001 and 2017 (0.89 MtN), 90% of it (0.80 MtN) in Western Canada, was primarily due to the increased application rates per crop, rather than crop area changes. The RNR-FUS interpolations were a good approximation of N sales records and could improve farm GHG emissions modelling. The economically important crops in Western Canada should be the main focus for N-related GHG reduction measures, but production losses need to be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is becoming more important as global uncertainty makes the production and application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers more expensive and environmentally unfriendly. Despite this, most cereal breeding programs still use yield-related components as proxies for NUE, likely due to the prohibitive cost and time of collecting and analyzing samples through traditional lab-based methods. Drone-based NUE phenotyping provides a viable and scalable alternative as it is quicker, non-destructive, and consistent. Here, we present a study that utilized financially accessible cost-effective drones mounted with red-green-blue (RGB) image sensors coupled with the open-source AirMeasurer platform and advanced statistical analysis to exclude low-NUE lines in multi-seasonal field experiments. The method helped us to identify high N agronomic use efficiency lines but was less effective with a high N recovery efficiency line. We found that the drone-powered approach was very effective at 180 kg N per hectare (N180, an optimized N-rate) as it completely removed low-NUE wheat lines in the trial, which would facilitate breeders to quickly reduce the number of lines taken through multi-year breeding programs. Hence, this encouraging and scalable approach demonstrates its ability to conduct NUE phenotyping in wheat. With continuous refinements in field experiments, this method would be employable as an openly accessible platform to identify NUE lines at different N-rates for breeding and resource use efficiency studies in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate modeling of site-specific crop yield response is key to providing farmers with accurate site-specific economically optimal input rates (EOIRs) recommendations. Many studies have demonstrated that machine learning models can accurately predict yield. These models have also been used to analyze the effect of fertilizer application rates on yield and derive EOIRs. But models with accurate yield prediction can still provide highly inaccurate input application recommendations. This study quantified the uncertainty generated when using machine learning methods to model the effect of fertilizer application on site-specific crop yield response. The study uses real on-farm precision experimental data to evaluate the influence of the choice of machine learning algorithms and covariate selection on yield and EOIR prediction. The crop is winter wheat, and the inputs considered are a slow-release basal fertilizer NPK 25–6–4 and a top-dressed fertilizer NPK 17–0–17. Random forest, XGBoost, support vector regression, and artificial neural network algorithms were trained with 255 sets of covariates derived from combining eight different soil properties. Results indicate that both the predicted EOIRs and associated gained profits are highly sensitive to the choice of machine learning algorithm and covariate selection. The coefficients of variation of EOIRs derived from all possible combinations of covariate selection ranged from 13.3 to 31.5% for basal fertilization and from 14.2 to 30.5% for top-dressing. These findings indicate that while machine learning can be useful for predicting site-specific crop yield levels, it must be used with caution in making fertilizer application rate recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed under the state agroecological monitoring program. The purpose of this work is to conduct an environmental assessment of the contents of chromium and nickel in the agroecosystems of the southwestern part of the Central Chernozem region (CChR) from the example of Belgorod oblast. All analytical studies were carried out in the accredited testing laboratory by generally accepted methods. During this study, it was established that the average total Cr and Ni contents in the arable layer in leached chernozems are 19.8 and 24.5; in typical chernozems, 20.0 and 24.9; and in ordinary chernozems, 20.9 and 26.6 mg/kg, respectively. The average contents of mobile forms of chromium and nickel in the studied soils range within 0.13–0.14 and 0.37–0.41 mg/kg, respectively. The levels of the approximate permissible concentration of nickel and the maximum permissible concentration of mobile forms of these heavy metals in soils are not exceeded. In the agroecosystems of Belgorod oblast, Cr and Ni are mainly supplied with organic fertilizers, but this does not pose a risk for soil contamination and crop products. The highest average chromium content (0.45 mg/kg) is observed in sunflower seeds, and the lowest (0.22 mg/kg) is in corn grain. Soybeans are characterized by an anomalously high nickel content (4.81 mg/kg), and the lowest concentration (0.63 mg/kg) is recorded in corn kernels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Root‐zone hole fertilization has a positive impact on enhancing crop production and fertilization efficiency. However, a suitable spacing for hole fertilization in rapeseed cultivation is unclear. To explore an adaptive hole spacing for improving rapeseed yield and fertilization efficiency, field experiments were conducted. Four spacings of hole fertilization were designed: 10 (FD10), 20 (FD20), 30 (FD30) and 40 cm (FD40), using no fertilization (F0) and deep‐banded placement of fertilizer (DBP) as controls. The burial depth was 10 cm for FD and DBP treatments. RESULTS: Compared to DBP, hole fertilization impacted soil microenvironment, crop growth and yield components, resulting in a significant increase of 28.4% in seed yield and 25.6% in oil yield. Seed yield in FD20 (4345.43 kg ha−1) increased by 4.3%, 9.4% and 15.1% compared to FD10, FD30 and FD40, respectively. Fertilizer partial factor productivity under FD20 was 4.2%, 8.6% and 13.9% greater than FD10, FD30 and FD40, respectively; whereas the increase for agronomic efficiency was 6.0%, 12.7% and 21.0%, and the increase for N recovery efficiency was 39.5%, 52.5% and 62.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Fertilization with a hole spacing of 17 cm is a promising practice to maintain high production and fertilization efficiency when cultivating rapeseed. These results provide a theoretical foundation and scientific basis for improving rapeseed productivity and fertilizer utilization. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphate rocks are the raw materials for fertilizer production. This study aims to evaluate the occupational radiological hazards associated with phosphate rock processing. The average activity concentrations were 825 ± 41, 166 ± 8.3, 12 ± 0.6, and 1333 ± 67 (Bq/kg) for U-238, Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 respectively. All these concentrations are typical for phosphate rocks. The average absorbed dose rate is 139 ± 7 (nGy/h), which is higher than the worldwide average, reflecting the relative high concentrations of U-238, Ra-226, and K-40. The average total annual effective dose is 0.53 ± 0.03 (mSv/y). All the radiological parameters are lower than the recommended limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Inorganic Chemicals Industry is the property of Editorial Office of Inorganic Chemicals Industry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Objective] The effects of water and fertilizer coupling on the growth and yield of day lily were studied. [Method] This experiment took day lily as the research object, two factors experiments were set up to study the effects of water and fertilizer coupling on the growth and yield of day lily. [Result] Under the same drip amount, the yield of day lily was significantly different under different drip times, and the agronomic characters of day lily were the best under IV and V treatments, and the maximum yield was 5 983.96-6 000 kg/hm². Under the same fertilization time and different fertilization rates, S-IV treatment and S-V treatment showed the best agronomic characters such as height, number of flower buds and flower buds. [Conclusion] Daylily should be dripped 8-10 times during the whole growth period and fertilized with 525-600 kg/hm². [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the effect of inorganic fertilizers, Azotobacter and GA3, on growth, yield and quality of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) under subtropical conditions in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. The experiment measures the plant height, number of leaves, minimum days taken to primary and secondary head formation, maximum head diameter and maximum number of secondary heads per plant, and maximum yield per plant, per plot and per hectare.

The article explores the forecasting of plant nutrient requirements and crop fertilizer needs using machine learning to promote sustainable farming practices and precision agriculture. The experiment assesses farmer details, soil attributes and nutrient levels such as organic carbon percentage, nitrogen content, phosphorus content, potassium content, concentration levels of sulphur, zinc, iron, manganese and copper, lime status, and distribution of potential of hydrogen level in fertilizer.

Copyright of Cameroon Academy of Sciences Journal is the property of Cameroon Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper proposes a novel explainable artificial intelligence (AI) driven ensemble machine learning (ML) framework for predicting fertilizer price movements and assessing the contributions of the technical and macroeconomic indicators. We integrate the Boruta algorithm, Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transformation (MODWT), Random Forest (RF), and explainable AI. The predictive analytics exercise utilises the residual of the previous stage as an additional indicator for arriving at the subsequent stage forecasts. We observe a significant influence of the residual in providing forecasts for time series with higher frequencies. The explainable AI is used at the global and local levels to explain the impacts of the indicators on fertilizer price movements. We have used monthly urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) prices for nearly the last 30 years for predictive analytics. The explainable AI identifies the more significant impacts of the technical indicators compared to macroeconomic counterparts in forecasting urea and DAP prices at the global level. Also, the price movements of urea and DAP are similar at the global level. On the contrary, macroeconomic indicators influence more at the local level. The CBOE volatility index for urea, geopolitical risk, and commodity industrial input for DAP significantly influence the price movements at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture is facing a number of challenges, among which the efficient use of fertilisers to provide plants with the necessary nutrients is of particular importance. In particular, the growing focus on sustainable agriculture and the need to preserve soil resources underline the relevance of research into optimising fertiliser use. The purpose of the study was to identify effective methods of fertiliser use to provide plants with nutrients. To achieve this goal, the effectiveness of green manure, organic (manure) and mineral fertilisers under Sorghum and perennial grasses (Medicago sativa, Elytrigia, Agropyron) on saline soil was investigated. The study founded that organic fertilisers, such as manure and green manure, contribute to a more even supply of nutrients to plants compared to mineral fertilisers. This is particularly important in the context of nitrogen and phosphorus balance, where Medicago sativa has a positive nitrogen balance due to its ability to symbiotically fix nitrogen. Other crops studied, such as Elytrigia, Agropyron and Sorghum, showed a negative nitrogen balance on the control variant, but the application of N100P50K110 mineral fertiliser resulted in a positive nitrogen balance. The replacement of mineral fertilisers with organic fertilisers such as manure and green manure increased nitrogen inputs but also increased nitrogen removal from the soil due to the increase in phytomass yields. The results of the study confirmed the importance of transitioning to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of production in agriculture, which will ensure the development of the industry and increase its competitiveness in the international market. The practical significance of the study is to provide farmers with the opportunity to increase the yield of their crops and at the same time preserve soil fertility through the optimal use of nutrients contained in fertilisers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are known to contribute to global climate change. A two-year field study on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) evaluated cultivation practices and fertilizer use on GHGs. The presence of urea and hollow-tine aerification resulted in the highest soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. No significant differences between soil methane (CH4) flux were observed based on fertilizer; however, in 2014 the verticutting cultivation treatment fluxed significantly more soil CH4 than the uncultivated control. Results showed no significant differences in soil nitrous oxide (N2O) in 2013; however, in 2014, both fertilizer and cultivation practices showed significant differences between treatments, with the urea and the hollow-tine treatments fluxing significantly more soil N2O. The hollow-tined plots produced the greenest turf in 2013, followed by the uncultivated control and the verticutted treatment. In 2014, both the hollow-tine and the uncultivated control produced the greenest turf, followed by the verticutted treatment. The hollow-tined and uncultivated control treatments had significantly higher turfgrass quality than the verticutted treatment. The verticutted urea treatment was above acceptable levels (>6.0) for turfgrass quality following all cultivation events. The results show cultivation practices can be identified that reduce GHG emissions while maintaining turfgrass quality and color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using desi-cow waste products like Jeevamrit under natural farming is widespread among farmers for improving soil biology and productivity. Jeevamrit enhances soil chemical and microbiological properties without needing a large quantity of farmyard manure (FYM) as a sustainable farming practice with a reduced carbon footprint. Despite its traditional use, Jeevamrit faces criticism due to a lack of scientific evidence. This study investigated the comparative effect of Jeevamrit and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of marigold cv. Siracole. The experiment employed a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The mother block of marigolds was raised for both the summer and winter seasons. From this mother block, three harvesting flushes were taken and propagated from cuttings. The rooted cuttings were planted at monthly intervals and evaluated for flowering parameters and compared to those treated with RDF (30:20:20 N, P, and K g/m2). Soil supplied with Jeevamrit showed enhanced bacteria (26.33%), fungi (18.92%), and actinomycetes (31.21%) populations compared to the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (i.e., N–P–K @ 30:20:20 g m−2). Jeevamrit-treated plants have a more marketable flower yield per square meter (3.98%) and a longer shelf life (9.93%) compared to RDF. The study concludes that Jeevamrit @ 2 liters m−2 is a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional fertilizers for enhancing marigold production in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh, where natural farming is already accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2008 economic crisis made food price to be doubled and currently the Ukraine-Russia war has resulted to higher food prices and costs of agricultural inputs like fertilizers are, thereby, drawing significant attention from scholars. This study was aimed at investigating the linkages between fertilizer prices and categorized food commodity prices using monthly data from January 1980 to May 2023. Relevant data was collected from primary and secondary sources. The Zivot--Andrew's unit root test, the Toda-Yamamoto time-domain causality test, and the frequency domain causality test were conducted for data analysis. Findings show that, at 5% significance level, grain prices induce the fertilizer price for all frequencies in the intervals of 0 to 3.14. This result suggests that there is both long-term and short-term causality from grains price index to fertilizer price index. In addition to this, fertilizer price causes the grains price for frequencies in the intervals of 1.08-1.64 and 2.71-3.14. These results indicate that fertilizer prices play a great role in predicting grain prices and have bidirectional causality with grain price. Furthermore, the empirical result from this study also reveals that fertilizer price index does not granger-cause the oil prices and other food prices for all frequencies in the intervals of 0-3.14, at 5% significance level. These results imply that fertilizer prices have no shortrun and long-run causal relationship with oil prices and other food prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture, by its nature, depletes essential nutrients from the soil. If soils are to remain productive, nutrients must be replaced by chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers, farming practices or a combination. The chemo-centric technological advancement during green revolution period boosted the production potential and provided food security in plains. However, over a period of time, this production system has started exhibiting its limited carrying capacity as reflected by production plateau. The success of industrial agriculture in recent decades has masked significant externalities, affecting natural resources, human health, and agriculture itself. Further, increasing consciousness about conservation of environment and health hazards associated with agrochemicals, and consumers' preference to safe and hazard-free food have shifted interests in organic agriculture. Contrary to this, the farmers of hills/mountains have not tasted the fruit of green revolution and ignored chemical inputs, though they are also facing the major challenge of non-availability of organic inputs, especially, nutrient sources to be used in organic production system. The farmers must be aware about how they can efficiently manage the nutrition under organic production system. This article will provide an insight to the farmers on the availability and usefulness of supplementary nutrient sources to enrich the soil for better crops under organic production system in remote mountain regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the intersection of scientific and practical knowledge in Valencian agriculture during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It examines how scientific innovations, such as new fertilizers and agricultural techniques, were integrated with traditional farming practices. It emphasizes that while scientific advancements played a role, the persistence of local knowledge and practices significantly shaped agricultural development in the region in Spain.

Agrochemicals can now be protected from harsh environments like pH, light, temperature, and more with the help of a drug-loading system. This has allowed the creation of targeted and continuous release functions for pesticides and fertilizers, as well as the precise application, reduction, and efficiency of agrochemicals. All of these benefits have been made possible by the recent advancements in the field of nanomaterials. A simple procedure known as electrospinning can be used to create nanofibers from natural and synthetic polymers. Nanofibers have come to be recognized as one of the sustainable routes with enormous applicability in different fields. In agriculture, a promising strategy may entail plant protection and growth through the encapsulating of numerous bio-active molecules as pesticides and fertilizers for intelligent administration at the desired places. Owing to their permeability, tiny dimensions, and large surface area, nanofibers can regulate the rate at which agrochemicals are released. This slows down the rate at which the fertilizer dissolves and permits the release of coated fertilizer gradually over time, which is more effectively absorbed by plant roots, as well as the efficiency of pesticides. Thus, modern agriculture requires products and formulations that are more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional agrochemicals. In addition to highlighting the significance and originality of using nanofibers and offering a brief explanation of the electrospinning technology, the review article's main goal is to provide a thorough summary of the research leading to breakthroughs in the nanoencapsulation of fertilizers and pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) are toxic elements that usually co-occur in paddy soils due to their chemical similarity. Those elements are redox-sensitive and shift their species across the soil–water interface (SWI) where redox potentials change in every millimeter. In the real world, the distribution and speciation of As and Sb in soils are often influenced by external redox disturbance, but their temporospatial response remains poorly understood. This study aimed to address this gap by introducing external disturbance by adding nitrate into the overlying water. Methods: Daily changes in the profile of As, Sb, iron (Fe), and sulfur (S) were measured using ICP-MS and the In-situ Porewater Iterative (IPI) sampler array. Results: The results revealed a rapid formation of a sink for As and Fe at the oxic-anoxic transition zone within one day, persisting for at least 6 days and extending to ~ 30 mm below the SWI. Moreover, Sb was re-mobilized in the same area as the As and Fe sink, but the re-mobilized Sb zone was weaker, lasting only 4 days and extending to ~ 20 mm below the SWI. The presence of aqueous ferrous Fe below the transition zone facilitated the formation of Fe and As sink, while the presence of aqueous sulfide below the transition zone hindered the development of the Sb source. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of carefully evaluating the impact of nitrate-based fertilizers or stabilization reagents when applied in As and Sb contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen fertilizers have revolutionized agriculture since the early 20th century and made a decisive contribution to combating world hunger. Nevertheless, the technology is controversial today because production is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to climate change. In addition, conventional fertilizers pollute groundwater, rivers and coastal waters. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer is made from ammonia (NH3) produced by the Haber-Bosch process, for which a patent was filed with the German Imperial Patent Office in 1908 (DE235421). For the urgently needed development of modern climate-friendly fertilizers, patent law seems to have played a minor role so far. The large and patent-active agrochemical corporations in the industrialized countries are focusing on other technologies, leaving fertilizer production to companies with direct access to energy below the global market price. Another reason is the very generous regulation of nitrogen fertilizers. For farmers, the use of less climate-damaging fertilizers is not worthwhile. However, the disruption of supply chains in the wake of Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the aggravation of climate change could lead to a rethink. In the US, the first support programs for the development of climate-friendly, innovative 'next-generation' fertilizers have been launched. This paper examines the interplay of patent law in concert with regulatory law and government funding tools in the area of innovative fertilizers. It starts from the hypothesis that other legal frameworks have a stronger influence on innovation activity than patent law at the moment. But this could change if the regulatory framework were to impose stricter requirements for the use of fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of localized fertilizer (LF) application on changes in root system architecture (RSA) of upland rice seedlings under upland condition were evaluated, and root traits important for deep root development were identified using three root box experiments (Exps). Fertilizer was homogeneously mixed and broadcasted on the soil surface in two control treatments, while in three LF treatments, it was point-placed at 2.5, 7.5 and 12.5 cm below the soil surface. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer in Exp. 1, phosphorus (P) fertilizer in Exp. 2 and compound fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) in Exp. 3 were used to compare the effects of LF. Localized N and NPK application altered the RSA through root proliferation and increasing root length percentage around the fertilizer-applied area, whereas localized P application had no effect on both root and shoot development. Deep root and shoot development were decreased with localized NPK application compared to homogeneously mixed control treatment but were maintained with localized N application, when applied at deeper soil depths. Furthermore, the increase in deep root length (DRL) was closely related to the increase in both total root length (TRL) and deep root length ratio (DRR). DRR increased with TRL in Exps. 2 and 3, while it was independent from TRL in Exp. 1, suggesting that DRL can be promoted by increasing DRR regardless of TRL. These results showed that localized N application at deeper soil depths could modify RSA of upland rice seedlings grown under upland condition without affecting shoot growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The online detection of fertilizer solution information is a crucial link in the implementation of intelligent and precise variable fertilization techniques. However, achieving simultaneous rapid online detection of multiple fertilizer components is still challenging. Therefore, a rapid detection method based on spectrophotometry for qualitative and quantitative identification of four fertilizers (typical N, P, and K fertilizers: KNO3, (NH4)2SO4, KH2PO4, and K2SO4) was proposed in this work. Full-scan absorption spectra of fertilizer solutions at varying concentrations were obtained using a UV–visible/near-infrared spectrophotometer. By assessing the linear fit between fertilizer concentration and absorbance at each wavelength within the characteristic band, the characteristic wavelengths for KNO3, (NH4)2SO4, KH2PO4, and K2SO4 were identified as 214 nm, 410 nm, 712 nm, and 1708 nm, respectively. The identification method of fertilizer type and the prediction model of concentration were constructed based on characteristic wavelength and the Lambert–Beer law. Based on the above analysis, a four-channel photoelectric sensor was designed with four LEDs emitting wavelengths closely matched to characteristic wavelengths for fertilizer detection. A detection strategy of "qualitative analysis followed by quantitative detection" was proposed to realize the online detection of four fertilizer types and their concentrations. Evaluation of the sensor's performance showed its high stability, with an accuracy of 81.5% in recognizing fertilizer types. Furthermore, the relative error of the sensor detection was substantially less than ±15% for the fertilizer concentrations not exceeding 80 mg/L. These results confirm the capability of the sensor to meet the practical requirements for online detection of four fertilizer types and concentrations in the field of agricultural engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Northwest A & F University - Natural Science Edition is the property of Editorial Department of Journal of Northwest A&F University (Natural Science Edition) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Precisely because of low nutrient availability and toxicities of nutrients unfertilized alfisols are unable to satisfy the nutrients requirement to meet plants demand. An investigation was carried out to assess the impact of biofertilizer inoculation (no biofertilizers, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) @ 10 kg ha−1, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) @ 10 kg ha−1, AMF+PSB @ 5 kg each ha−1 and AMF+PSB @ 10 kg each ha−1) and phosphorus levels (15, 30, 45, and 60 kg ha−1) on growth, quality, productivity and profitability of groundnut in alfisols of Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India, in a factorial randomized block design during 2017–18 and 2018–19 growing seasons. It was discovered that groundnuts grew better with 60 kg phosphorus and 10 kg each AMF+PSB ha−1 and produced significantly higher pod yield (35.86 q ha−1), kernel yield (2.52 t ha−1) and harvest index (41.47%). However, inoculation and their interaction did not reach the level of significance, despite the fact that they responded favorably to the high phosphorus (60 kg ha−1) rate. Similarly, plots infused with 60 kg phosphorus ha−1 and AMF+PSB 10 kg each ha−1 significantly exhibited highest oil content (50.62%), protein content (31.93%), total nitrogen (269.71 kg ha−1), phosphorus (8.60 kg ha−1) uptake, nutrient efficiency ratio (40.79 kg kg−1), nutrient harvest index (44.11%), gross return (INR 2,44,388 ha−1), net return (INR 62,209 ha−1), and benefit: cost ratio (B:C ratio) of 1.96. In view of their intense need for nutrients, groundnuts thrived well when given an appropriate combination of inorganic and biological fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing interest in human-excreta derived fertilizers requires more information on their agronomic relevance. In this study, we measured the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) mineralization from fresh urine, stored urine, urine-enriched biochar prepared with either fresh or stored urine, and feces-derived compost application in a 90-day aerobic loam soil incubation. Soils were extracted for available N at days 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 90, while soils were extracted for four biologically relevant P pools at days 0, 30, 60, and 90. We found that N in urine applied alone was immediately bioavailable, supplying nearly all the 200 kg-N ha-1 applied, while urine-enriched biochar supplied approximately half of the N applied. Feces-derived compost application led to a slow release of mineral N. Fecesderived compost application stimulated substantial native soil P mining, while urine-P was likely rapidly immobilized. These results are relevant to containerbased sanitation and other source-separated sanitation endeavors, and researchers and producers interested in human excreta-derived fertilizers. Future research should explore, among other things, different urine-enriched biochar preparations and the co-application of urine-based fertilizers and fecesderived compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet global food demands sustainably, it is necessary to safeguard finite natural resources and reduce harmful emissions to the environment. Nutrients in biowastes are often not managed appropriately. Instead, they can be recovered, recycled into bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) and reincorporated into food production systems. This review addresses three critical issues for developing and adopting new BBFs, focusing on the European context: (1) BBFs should match the agronomic efficiency of mineral fertilizers. We propose that the agronomic efficiency of BBFs can be increased through pre-treating the inputs in biowaste transformation processes (e.g., anaerobic digestion), chemical treatments of existing BBFs, organo-mineral combinations, and soil placement strategies. (2) Production and use of new BBFs is not free of environmental impacts, and these are influenced by regional conditions. (3) Public perception and end-user preferences play a significant role in the adoption of BBFs. Therefore, it is vital to address the requirements of end-users of BBFs. Our findings indicate that for widespread adoption, BBFs need sufficient and reliable nutrient amounts and crop-adequate ratios, as well as competitive pricing. A key advantage of BBFs over mineral fertilizers is their ability to improve soil fertility. However, farmers also require fertilizers that can be handled and applied with existing machinery and offer the practicality of commercial products. Another important aspect is the willingness of consumers to buy products fertilized with BBFs. Designing and promoting BBFs requires a careful assessment of environmental impacts and regional conditions, as the sustainability of BBFs depends on factors like energy sources and biowaste transport distances. Ultimately, the goal is to promote a circular economy and not just to substitute mineral fertilizers with new products. This review aims to guide researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders by highlighting key innovations and addressing critical barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizers and deicers are common materials for property maintenance in the Midwest, however, their application contributes to negative environmental impacts when applied incorrectly. While fertilizer use is well researched, deicer use on private properties is not. This research aims to ascertain whether patterns of fertilizer use are different from those of deicer use in Hamilton County, Ohio, and determine what factors influence a resident's decision to use these materials. Survey data were collected from 110 single-family households (38.9% response rate). Respondents are motivated by property appearance to apply fertilizers. Deicer use stems from safety concerns. Respondents were significantly more likely to consider the environmental impact of fertilizers than deicers. Respondents felt that using deicers is a more neighborly practice while using fertilizers reflects more positively on them in their neighborhood. This information can be used to develop outreach programs to reduce the environmental impacts of fertilizers and deicers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of the new type middle east Lüjuneng compound fertilizer on the yield, root characteristics and nitrogen absorption and utilization of Wuyunjing 23 rice, the experiments were designed under pot cultivation and field cultivation conditions. Compared with conventional compound fertilizer, the yield of Lüjuneng compound fertilizer was increased in pot experiment and field experiment. The higher the application amount or proportion, the greater the yield increase. The earlier the application, the better the yield increase. Field tests showed that MT5 and HT5 treatment had the best yield increase effect. The increase of yield was mainly due to the significant increase of ear number. The average nitrogen accumulation in maturity stage was increased by 24.9%, and the average nitrogen accumulation in contrast, application and application period was increased by 30.03%, 23.66% and 20.79%, respectively. With the increase of Lüjuneng application rate, nitrogen accumulation showed an increasing trend, and the effect of early application was obviously greater than that of late application. Nitrogen harvest index, nitrogen use rate, nitrogen agronomic use rate and nitrogen partial productivity were all promoted. With the increase of Lüjuneng application rate, the latter three indexes showed an increasing trend. At 30 days after planting, the number of adventitious roots per plant, total length of adventitious roots per plant, root dry weight per plant, total absorbed area and active absorbed area were lower, while the root activity per plant, longest root length and mode root length were higher. At heading stage, the above root characters were higher than control group (CK), but the root-shoot ratio was lower than CK. Root-shoot ratio at maturity was higher than that of CK. The application of Lüjuneng compound fertilizer significantly promoted the increase of ear number, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application effects of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of chemical fertilizers were respectively reduced under the application rate of commercial organic fertilizer 45 t/hm² to screen out the best ratio of organic fertilizers to replace chemical fertilizers suitable for honey peach in Xinyi area. The yield and quality of juicy peaches were statistically determined, and the economic benefits and fertilizer agronomic efficiency of organic fertilizer substitution were analyzed. The analysis of economic benefits and fertilizer utilization showed that although the cost of increasing organic fertilizer and reducing chemical fertilizer application by 10% and 20% was higher than that of increasing organic fertilizer and reducing application by 30% and 40%, the yield increased more and the economic benefit increased. The overall economic benefits and fertilizer agronomic efficiency were improved. The replacement of chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers could improve fruit quality and potentially increase economic benefits. The treatment of replacing chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer increased the fertilizer agronomic efficiency, and reducing the application rate by 10% and 20% was the best for the use efficiency of chemical fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent advancements in precision agriculture have led to a high demand for a portable and intelligent device capable of accurately measuring soil nutrients with reduced use of chemicals. Instead of relying on chemical-based laboratory tests, a smart portable device has been developed. The device measures soil nutrients, such as ammonium, calcium, potassium, nitrate, and chloride, and provides fertilizer dose recommendations. The device uses ion-selective electrodes, a microcontroller, multiplexer, operational amplifier, data logger, and input/output units. It reports soil health status to farmers or users via WhatsApp and e-mail. The measured soil nutrient values are uploaded to a database, which generates soil health cards and fertilizer dose recommendations. The device's performance was compared to standard methods, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9906 for ammonium, 0.9949 for calcium, 0.9852 for potassium, 0.9716 for nitrate, and 0.9716 for calcium. The sensor-based soil nutrient analyzer demonstrated similar performance to other established standard methods when tested on 250 soil samples of agricultural fields. Consequently, this device holds great potential for utilization in soil testing laboratories as well as for on-site soil monitoring in agricultural fields, specifically for the purpose of precision farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanized biochar field application remains challenging due to biochar's poor flowability and bulk density. Granulation of biochar with fertilizer provides a product ready for application with well-established machinery. However, it's unknown whether granulated biochar-based fertilizers (gBBF) are as effective as co-application of non-granulated biochar with fertilizer. Here, we compared a gBBF with a mineral compound fertilizer (control), and with a non-granulated biochar that was co-applied at a rate of 1.1 t ha−1 with the fertilizer in a white cabbage greenhouse pot trial. Half the pots received heavy rain simulation treatments to investigate nutrient leaching. Crop yields were not significantly increased by biochar without leaching compared to the control. With leaching, cabbage yield increased with gBBF and biochar-co-application by 14% (p > 0.05) and 34% (p < 0.05), respectively. Nitrogen leaching was reduced by 26–35% with both biochar amendments. Biochar significantly reduced potassium, magnesium, and sulfur leaching. Most nitrogen associated with gBBF was released during the trial and the granulated biochar regained its microporosity. Enriching fertilizers with biochar by granulation or co-application can improve crop yields and decrease nutrient leaching. While the gBBF yielded less biomass compared to biochar co-application, improved mechanized field application after granulation could facilitate the implementation of biochar application in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture is increasing globally, providing protein to a growing population, but little is known regarding the nutrient budgets in aquaculture. To obtain insight into how management practices impact nutrient fluxes in freshwater aquaculture earthen ponds worldwide, we conducted a literature review. Our literature search yielded 23 papers in which nutrient budgets were reported. Our results showed that the main nutrient inputs are inlet water, feed, and fertilizers, but they varied according to location and management practices. Overall, feed and fertilizers constituted the predominant nutrient sources, accounting for up to 99% of the total inputs. The most quantified outputs were outlet water, fish, and sedimentation. Our findings indicate that only up to 20% of carbon, 45% of nitrogen, and 60% of phosphorus are assimilated by the fish. In some systems, up to 80% of carbon, 80% of nitrogen, and 60% of phosphorus accumulate in pond bottoms; in other systems, the outflow represents substantial losses of up to 16% of carbon, 76% of nitrogen, and 55% of phosphorus. More insight into nutrients' fate in fishponds is crucial from a sustainability perspective, as feed and fertilizer use can likely be optimized, reducing operational costs and the potential impact on the surrounding environment and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of beach-cast macroalgae as a fertilizer (F) or soil amendment (SA) is coming back into focus, due to its highly efficient transformation of CO2, nutrients, salts and minerals from its aqueous surroundings into biomass. This research studied the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of Fucus vesiculosus macroalgae to hydrochar and evaluated its feasibility for use in soil applications. F. vesiculosus was submitted to HTC following a full factorial design of experiments with three HTC process parameters varied to assess their impact on the hydrochars: temperature (T: 160, 190, 220 °C), solid content (%So: 20, 35%), and process water recirculation (PWrec: yes and no). In general, F. vesiculosus and its hydrochars were rich in nutrients, but also contained regulated heavy metals. Investigation of the partitioning behavior of inorganic elements between the hydrochars and process water showed that heavy metals like Cr, Pb, Co and Cu tended to accumulate in the hydrochar, unaffected by HTC conditions. Nutrients such as P, N, B, and Mn were primarily found in the hydrochar and could be partially influenced to transfer to process water by changing %So and T. The correlation between the mass fractions of 22 elements in the hydrochar and HTC process parameters was studied. T was the most influential parameter, showing a significant positive correlation for eleven elements. %So and PWrec showed inconsistent effects on different elements. When process water was recirculated, some elements decreased (Ca, Cd, Fe) while others increased (K, Na, B, N) in the hydrochar. Assessment against various regulations and standards for F and SA revealed that F. vesiculosus complied with Cd limit values for most rules including the EURF and B, and was regulated only in the RAL for SA, over the limit value. In contrast, the limit value of Cd for both F and SA applications was surpassed in the 13 hydrochars. The contents of N, P, K, S, and Na in the feedstock and hydrochars complied with European F and SA rules, while they were too high for German rules on SA. The other limits for F rules were achieved (under certain HTC process parameters) except for P (lower than the requirements in F for F. vesiculosus and its hydrochars). Highlights: The brown algae complied with most limit values for Cd content to be applied as soil amendment or as fertilizer. Hydrochars from brown algae did not comply with any Cd limit values. No HTC process condition reduced the Cd content to comply with the requirements. Inorganic mass fractions were mostly influenced by temperature (positively correlated with 11/22 elements), followed by water recirculation (7) and solid content (6). Heavy metals accumulate in hydrochars across all HTC conditions. The partitioning for some elements (e.g., Cd, Co, Cu, W, V) showed no correlation with process conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritional and functional properties of squashes are influenced by various factors, such as the stage of plant development, soil composition, and type of fertilizer. This study evaluates the impact of various organic fertilizers on Cucurbita moschata D. properties. For this purpose, squashes were fertilized using Ash at 10 kg/25 m2, bovine compost at 62.5 kg/25 m2, and a 1:1 mixture of ash and bovine compost. Negative control (without fertilizers) and positive control (NPK 20‐10‐10 at 2 kg/25 m2) were included. Post‐harvest, the yield, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities were assessed. Ash fertilizer resulted in the highest number of fruits per plant (2.20 ± 0.16). Regarding flavonoids, the bovine compost yielded the highest level (428.67 ± 2.62 mg/100 g of edible portion). The mixture of ash and bovine compost produced fruits with the highest content of total carotenoids, β‐carotene, lycopene, and total phenolic compounds (249.7 ± 3.68, 219.80 ± 3.41, 26.07 ± 0.41, and 575.00 ± 9.95 mg/100 g of edible portion, respectively). Moreover, carotenoids extracted from this mixture exhibited the highest inhibition of DPPH and ABTS free radicals (30.87 ± 0.65 and 47.32 ± 1.30%, respectively). This research suggests that the use of a mixture of ash and bovine compost could significantly enhance the yield of squashes and their phytochemical and antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to low adoption and sub-optimal fertilizer use and planting density recommendation in maize, redesigning and testing these technologies are required. The study was conducted to evaluate redesigned fertilizer use of maize in two pant densities (32,443 and 53,333 plants ha-1 in Central Rift Valley (CRV); 27724 and 62,000 plants ha-1 in Jimma) on farmers' fields in contrasting agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. The on-farm study was conducted in the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons with 3 × 2 fertilizer and plant density, factors in both regions of Ethiopia. In redesigned fertilizer use, nutrients were estimated based on the target yield. In this study, 40.8, 0.0, and 12.2 kg ha-1 N, P, and K were estimated for the redesigned fertilizer use in CRV (50% of water-limited potential yield (Yw) = 3.1 t ha-1) whereas in Jimma (50% of Yw = 7.5 t ha-1) 149.8, 9, 130.6 kg ha-1 N, P and K were estimated to produce the 50% of Yw. Linear mixed modeling was used to assess the effect of fertilizer-plant density treatments on maize yield and nutrient use efficiency. The result revealed that the average estimated maize yield for WOF, FFU, and RDFU fertilizer treatments were 2.6, 3.6, and 4.5 t ha-1 under current plant density (32,443 plants ha-1) in CRV whereas the average yields of these treatments were 3.2, 4.5 and 4.5 t ha-1 respectively when maize was grown with redesigned plant density (53,333 plants ha-1) in the same location. The average maize yield with WOF, FFU, and RDFU were 3.0, 4.6, and 4.6 t ha-1 with 27,774 plants ha-1 plant density in Jimma whereas the average maize yields over the two seasons with the same treatments were 4.3, 6.0 and 8.0 t ha-1 respectively when the crop is planted with 62,000 plants ha-1 plant density. The RDFU and redesigned plant density resulted in significantly higher yield compared to their respective control CRV but RDFU significantly increased maize yield when it was planted at redesigned (62,000 plant ha-1) in Jimma. FFU and RDFU were economically viable and redesigned plant density was also a cheaper means of improving maize productivity, especially in the Jimma region. Soil organic carbon and N were closely related to the grain yield response of maize compared to other soil factors. In conclusion, this investigation gives an insight into the importance of redesigned fertilizer use and redesigned plant density for improving maize productivity and thereby narrowing the yield gaps of the crop in high maize potential regions in Ethiopia like Jimma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The native species Barbados gooseberry (Pereskia aculeata Miller) is an unconventional food source of protein and nutrients. The objective of this work was to verify the efficiency of the use of P. aculeata biomass as a nutritional source in lettuce. Two production cycles were conducted in the greenhouse and in pots. The treatments were based on mineral fertilization; fertilization with P. aculeata biomass and mineral fertilization in combination with P. aculeata; and a control without fertilization. Randomized block design was used with 5 replications of 4 plants per treatment. Data on fresh and dry mass of the aerial part and roots, length of the last leaf and of the roots, and chlorophyll index were obtained. In the first cycle only the combination of 2/3 mineral fertilizer + 1/3 of P. aculeata biomass provided gains in root length compared to using the full dose mineral fertilizer. In the second cycle, however, the aerial part of the plants and the chlorophyll index increased when receiving the treatments when compared to the control. The number of leaves and the chlorophyll a content were higher in the treatments with P. aculeata enrichment. Leaf fresh mass increased with the use of mineral fertilizer and in the treatment 2/3 mineral fertilizer + 1/3 of P. aculeata biomass. The use of fresh biomass of P. aculeata as organic fertilizer helped in the gain of parameters of the aerial part in the second productive cycle of lettuce showing potential for new studies as biofertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of multifunctional microbial fertilizer and inorganic macronutrient fertilizers N, P, K on plant biomass, essential oil yield, chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) grown in Hanoi, Vietnam. Among the four formulas tested, F2 emerged as the most favourable, comprising a basal fertilization of 10 tons of decomposed manure, 15 kg of multifunctional microbial fertilizer, 150 kg of P fertilizer, and 75 kg of K fertilizer, together with top dressing of 200 kg of N fertilizer and 75 kg of K fertilizer per hectare.  This formula yielded the highest tulsi dry biomass (4.73 ton/ha), essential oil yield (0.831%), and essential oil production (39.29 L/ha), which were significantly different (p < 0.001) from those of the remaining formulas. In addition, the concentration of the essential oil main compound - eugenol (63.1%) of tulsi in F2 was also the highest, which may be the cause of the strongest antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli (IC50 of 320, 273 µg/mL, respectively), and antifungal activity against Candida albicans (IC50 of 400 µg/mL), as well as antioxidant activity (IC50 of 0.165 µg/mL) compared to the other formulas tested. The results suggested the role of both multifunctional microbial fertilizer and inorganic macronutrient fertilizers N, P, K on growth and essential oil biosynthesis in tulsi. These findings are important in identifying the most efficient fertilization formula for cultivating tulsi, serving the needs of the cosmetic and medicinal industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive utilization of nitrogen (N) fertilizers within maize cultivation systems has resulted in diminished nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and contributed to nitrogen pollution on a global scale. To assess the ecological repercussions of excessive fertilization, it is imperative to elucidate both the nitrogen use efficiency and the fate of nitrogenous fertilizers upon application. The current research evaluated the potential of a newly developed slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on maize growth and its behavior in soil under controlled conditions. Six different levels of urea fertilizer (UF) and slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) were administered within the field, representing 100%, 85%, and 70% of the recommended application rates. The slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) exhibited superior performance regarding growth, yield and nutrient retention in comparison to urea fertilizer (UF). Moreover, minimal ammonia emissions were detected with the employment of the slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF), while other urea-based fertilizers proved inefficient in mitigating ammonia emissions, despite enhancing various growth and yield parameters. The efficiency in nutrient recovery followed a distinct pattern, with polymer-coated fertilizers demonstrating superiority. The plots treated with SRNF displayed significantly higher growth and yield characteristics compared to those treated with urea fertilizer. In terms of NH3 volatilization, the urea fertilizer (UF) treatment at 100% application rate showed higher emissions (1.99 mg g-1) after a 27-day incubation period, as opposed to the slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) treatment (1.68 mg g-1). Leaching data indicated that urea fertilizer treatments led to greater losses of NO3-N (2.01 mg L-1) compared to SRNF treatments (0.88 mg L-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The use of slow-release fertilizers is currently widely used in irrigated agriculture, since it allows for economical consumption of macroelements, increasing their efficiency, preventing the nutrients losses and environment pollution. Purpose: to determine the agrochemical efficiency of slow-releasing bentonite-modified fertilizers, to identify the amount of macroelements uptake by cotton and to calculate the economic efficiency of these fertilizers. Methodology: The study of agrochemical effectiveness on cotton was carried out according to "Methods..., Tandoned., 2013; VNIISSiAVH methods, 2005. Originality: 1. In a lysimetric experiment, the agrochemical effectiveness of bentonite-modified nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers was proven; 2. an increase in the accumulation of NPK and the extent of uptake under the influence of bentonitemodified fertilizers has been established; 3. The economic efficiency and the amount of bentonite-modified fertilizers net profit were calculated. Findings: bentonite-modified fertilizers, due to slow-releasing properties, enhance growth, development and the formation of vegetative and reproductive biomass; increase productivity and the utilization rate of macroelements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourier Transform Infrared technique was utilized to measure the infrared spectra of bone and dung chars at ambient temperature. The spectra of the investigated char samples showed some notable similarities, suggesting that the compounds have functional groups which display bands at similar wavenumbers in IR spectrum. Additionally, correlations between the chars and the terra preta soils were found. This implies that the investigated biochars and the terra preta soils share comparable characteristics. Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy showed the existence of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and oxygen in the bone char which are classified as macronutrients. In addition, the bone char contained two micronutrients (nickel and chlorine) and one non-essential nutrient (sodium). The dung char was constituted with all the macronutrients found in the bone char and in addition it had traces of sulfur which is also a macronutrient. Iron, manganese and chlorine were present in the dung char as micronutrients. There was also the presence of sodium and aluminum which are classified as non-essential nutrients. Zinc which is also fundamental in soil fertility was detected using Atomic Adsorption Spectroscopy in all the chars. Both the samples are alkaline with pHs ranging between 9 and 11. The results of this research will be useful in determining which biochars are best suited for production of synthetic fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive legume cropping system enhances the soil productivity and reduce the dependance on exterior inputs as legumes are well known for nitrogen (N) fixation by biological means. In addition, inorganic fertilizers, together with the integrated and careful use of FYM, could be an efficient option for increasing the productivity of the legume - legume cropping system. The common use of fertilizer and organics has been shown to have a synergistic effect on crop productivity, while simultaneously improving soil fertility. The residual effects of organic manures applied to previous crops may be available to subsequent crops. As a result, this experiment was designed to shed information on the usage of integrated nutrients from organic and inorganic sources on leguminous groundnut and the residual influence on subsequent blackgram. Methods: During 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, a field experiment was undertaken at Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on the groundnut-blackgram cropping sequence. Four nutrient combinations for groundnut were tested in a randomized block design and the residual effect on productivity of succeeding blackgram was investigated using four fertilizer levels in a split plot design. Result: The application of 125% RDF + FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 to groundnut increased growth, yield, quality, economics and soil properties, while the residual effect to succeeding blackgram resulted in significantly higher blackgram seed yield and other important parameters, which was followed by the application of 75% RDF. Among the various levels of fertilizers applied to blackgram, 75% RDF produced the highest blackgram seed yield, economics and soil characteristics compared to the other three levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This two-year study assessed nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and its effect on potato tuber protein concentration, focusing on crude protein concentration (CPC), crude protein yield (CPY), and patatin relative abundance (PRA) across 19 potato genotypes and four nitrogen management treatments (organic with no added fertilizers and three integrated treatments with N rates of 60, 120, and 180 kg ha−1). Nitrogen availability significantly affected CPC, with the highest average CPC across genotypes being 10.7% at 180 kg ha−1 and the lowest of 8.15% at 60 kg ha−1. Certain genotypes consistently outperformed others in terms of CPC and/or CPY under varying nitrogen treatments. A significant negative correlation was found between CPC and NUE, and genotypes with higher NUE typically had lower CPC. A positive correlation between CPY and NUE was observed, with the highest CPY of 1.36 t ha−1 at 120 kg N ha−1 in 2020. This suggests that higher NUE genotypes are more efficient in protein production per unit area. PRA varied significantly among genotypes, ranging from 8.7% to 35.51%. Although the relationship between NUE and PRA was weak, the significant and negative correlation indicates that cultivars with high NUE could have low PRA and vice versa. The findings underscore the importance of genotype variability in the relationship between NUE and protein content in potato tubers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) holds significant importance among grain legumes, particularly in terms of its production and productivity. Over the years, the decline in the cultivation area of this crop has become increasingly evident due to its persistently low yields. Many technologies are being implemented to improve the yield, and nipping is one of them. The main objective of this paper was to standardize the nipping timing and graded levels of nitrogen (N) application on growth and seed yield in blackgram cultivars under irrigated conditions. A study with three blackgram cultivars (cv.), three levels of N, and three intervals of nipping was taken up during the winter and monsoon seasons of 2018 and 2019, respectively. The study revealed that blackgram cv. VBN8 recorded a higher plant height of 49.52 cm, a higher number of branches (4.08), a higher number of pods per plant (47.75), a higher seed yield of 882 kg.ha−1, and a benefit cost ratio (B:C ratio) of 2.49. Among the graded levels of nutrients, applications of 125% N and 100% phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) recorded the highest growth and yield attributes, with a B:C ratio of 2.33. Nipping at 25 days after sowing (DAS) registered a higher number of branches (4.08), more pods per plant (48.14), and a seed yield of 902 kg.ha−1 with a B:C ratio of 2.36. Higher N, P, and K uptake was observed in blackgram VBN8, with an application of 150% recommended N and 100% P and K and nipping at 25 DAS. To conclude, application of 125% recommended N and 100% P and K and nipping at 25 DAS were found to be significant in enhancing the productivity of blackgram and NPK uptake, and resulted in 14% more profit than no nipping treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil test correlation determines whether a soil test can be used to predict the need for fertilization based on the critical soil test value (CSTV). Our objectives were to compare the CSTV estimated from five combinations of correlation models and yield sufficiency interpretations and to select one method for soil test correlation performed with the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST). Four models were fit to three datasets with strong (Mehlich‐1 K), moderate (Mehlich‐3 K), or weak (Olsen P) correlations between soil test P or K and crop relative yield. We tested the arcsine‐log calibration curve (ALCC), exponential (EXP), linear plateau (LP), and quadratic plateau (QP) models. The CSTV was defined as 95% of the maximum predicted yield for the ALCC and EXP methods, the join point for LP, and both the join point and 95% of the maximum for the QP providing five CSTV predictions. The five CSTVs ranged from 46 to 66 mg kg−1 for the Mehlich‐1 K dataset, 115 to 165 mg kg−1 for the Mehlich‐3 K dataset, and 7 to 16 mg kg−1 for the Olsen P dataset. Ten pairwise comparisons showed the estimated CSTV was numerically and sometimes statistically influenced by the model and sufficiency level interpretation. Despite differences among CSTVs, the frequency of significant yield responses above and below the predicted CSTV was generally comparable among the methods, with false‐negative errors occurring at 0%–18% of sites for a given dataset. The QP model with a CSTV at 95% of the predicted maximum was selected as the modeling approach for FRST. Core Ideas: Critical soil test (P and K) values (CSTVs) are estimated from soil test and relative yield data.Methods to estimate the CSTV for the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) were compared.The CSTV is numerically and statistically affected by model selection and interpretation.FRST will use the quadratic plateau model with the CSTV at 95% of the plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia loss following nitrogen fertilization can degrade air quality and impact human health, whereas nitrous oxide (N2O) can contribute to global warming and climate change. Mitigation practices that target only one N‐loss pathway can lead to pollution swamping; hence, practices targeting both N‐losses are required. A 3‐year field study examined fertilizer N‐placement (broadcast urea, single‐slot injection of urea ammonium nitrate [UAN], double‐slot UAN injection) and N‐metabolization inhibitors (with/without urease and nitrification inhibitors) impacts on NH3 and N2O losses and corn yields. Ammonia volatilization was reduced (p < 0.05) by 26% with single‐slot UAN injection (10.6 kg N ha−1) and by 63% with double‐slot UAN injection (5.32 kg N ha−1) compared to broadcast urea (14.3 kg N ha−1). Dual urease and nitrification inhibitors reduced NH3 volatilization (0.84–3.86 kg N ha−1) by 57%–92% compared to no inhibitors (5.32–14.3 kg N ha−1). When no inhibitors were applied, N2O emissions from slot injection (6.43–7.62 kg N ha−1) were 2.6–3.1 times greater than from broadcast urea (2.43 kg N ha−1). Dual inhibitors reduced N2O emissions by 43% from 6.43 to 3.66 kg N ha−1 with double‐slot injection. Double‐slot UAN injection increased corn grain yields (9.73 t ha−1) by 12%–13% compared to single‐slot UAN injection (8.71 t ha−1) and broadcast urea (8.6 t ha−1). Double‐slot UAN injection effectively decreased NH3 losses and increased corn grain yields, but dual N inhibitors were required to also reduce N2O. Hence, combined productivity and environmental benefits were accrued only when fertilizer containing urease and nitrification inhibitors was combined with double‐slot injection. Core Ideas: Single‐slot and double‐slot UAN injection reduced NH3 loss by 26% and 63%, respectively, compared to broadcast urea.Dual inhibitors with broadcast urea or UAN injection reduced NH3 losses by 57%–92% compared to no inhibitors.Dual inhibitors reduced N2O emissions by 18% with single‐slot injection and by 43% with double‐slot injection.Double‐slot injection increased corn grain yields by 12%–13% compared to broadcast urea and single‐slot injection.Double‐slot injection with dual inhibitors increased yields and resulted in dramatic decreases in NH3 and N2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mungbean (Vigna radiata) has gained increasing significance as a crucial grain legume in Nepal's tropical and sub-tropical regions due to its short growth cycle and soil fertility enhancement properties. This research was conducted at Agronomy farm of Lamjung campus, to assess how mungbean performs under varying row spacing and Npk fertilizer levels. The study employed two-factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three row spacing levels (20 cm, 25 cm, and 30 cm) and three NPK fertilizer doses (10:10:10, 20:20:20, and 30:30:30 kg NPK/ha) as treatments. The investigation explored phenological and yield attributing parameters. Interestingly, the outcomes showed that row spacing had negligible impact on root growth attributes, including root length and nodule formation. However, root nodule number increased with higher NPK fertilizer levels, particularly notable with the application of (30:30:30) kg NPK/ha, resulting in the highest nodules per plant (140.40), while the lowest nodules (91.35) were observed with (10:10:10) kg NPK/ha. Vital traits like plant height, branch and leaf counts, pod set, pod length, and seed weight were unresponsive to both NPK doses and row spacing levels. In contrast, grain yield exhibited a substantial increase with NPK fertilizer application, with the highest yield (1263.55 kg/ha) achieved with (30:30:30) kg NPK/ha and the lowest (929.27 kg/ha) with (10:10:10) kg NPK/ha. Therefore, this study shows strong correlations, especially between root nodules and grain yield, emphasized key links. NPK doses impacted vital root nodules for nitrogen fixation and suggests dense planting of Pratikshya mung beans with increased NPK fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) cultivars (genotypes) with four cultivars representing four industry-categorized color groups [phenotypes (Burgundy, Orange, Red, and Yellow/Green)] were evaluated to determine if leaf color affected tissue nutrient concentrations. Plants were grown at two locations provided with a liquid fertilizer concentration of 150 mg.L−1 N delivered from 17 N–1.31P–14.1K. Leaf tissue samples were collected and analyzed for the concentration of 12 elemental nutrients after eight or 10 wk of growth, depending on location. Leaf tissue nutrient concentrations were influenced by leaf color (color groups), but the magnitude varied for each elemental nutrient. Leaf tissue nutrient concentrations were significantly different for each color group for phorphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and boron, but not for nitrogen, sulfur, manganese, or zinc. Trends for higher P and K leaf tissue concentrations in Red-leaf coleus cultivars, and lower P in Yellow/Green cultivars agree with prior work reported for Heuchera sp. This data further support the initial foundational work to determine the relationship between leaf color and tissue nutrient concentration. Further investigations among other species may offer additional data that will help establish a relative relationship between an element and phenotypes. Given the wide variation in leaf tissue concentrations across all 16 cultivars, an overall consolidated data set was developed to provide a refinement of the leaf tissue nutrient standards for coleus across all elements. This expands the recommended ranges available for interpreting leaf tissue samples, which will assist growers and crop advisors in diagnosing nutrient disorders of coleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]