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Agronomic bio-fortification remains a crucial focus area for enhancing wheat productivity and quality while alleviating environmental pressures. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), persist among the Indian population, especially affecting women. These deficiencies can be effectively addressed through agronomic bio-fortification of wheat grains. To tackle this issue, a comprehensive multilocation (4) field experiment was conducted, incorporating four high-yielding wheat cultivars (HD-3226, HI-1544, DBW-187, and PBW-1-Zn) alongside six foliar fertilizer applications (Control, 2% S, 2% N, 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O, 1% KCl, and combined treatments) during 2021-22 and 2022-23 utilizing a split-plot design with three replications. Analysis over the years revealed that significant impacts of location and cultivar on yield and its attributes, and Fe, Zn, and protein content of grains. Warmer locations like Hisar exhibited higher yields primarily due to significantly increased earheads/m2 and grains number/m2 compared to other locations. Moreover, Fe content in wheat grains was notably higher in Gurdaspur followed by Hisar, surpassing Ludhiana. Notably, cultivar DBW-187 outperformed others with a 14.75% higher grain yield than the least yielding cultivar, HI-1544. PBW-1-Zn exhibited the highest grain Fe and Zn content among the cultivars studied. The interaction between cultivar and location significantly influenced all yield parameters and grain Fe content. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) during stem elongation and milk stages resulted in significantly higher grain Zn content compared to applications of KCl (1.0%), N (2.0%), and S (2.0%) alone, with an increase of 9.9% over no spray. In conclusion, the selection of appropriate cultivars tailored to specific regions, coupled with strategic agronomic bio-fortification approaches, is imperative for enhancing wheat productivity and grain quality, thereby ensuring nutritional security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of chelated fertilizers at specific concentrations could serve as an efficient method to mitigate the effects of drought stress in plants, considering it a global climatic issue. The objective of this study was to ascertain the influence of potassium and zinc chelate fertilizers on improving drought tolerance in quinoa plants. The experiment was conducted over two cropping years, 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. It followed a split-plot factorial design within a randomized complete block layout, in three replicates. The results indicated that the foliar application of the combined treatment of 50K + 50Zn significantly increased grain yield, particularly in the Q26 cultivar, under drought-stress conditions. However, the best harvest index was related to the Q26 cultivar under 100Zn application conditions. Nevertheless, the application of chelated fertilizers significantly enhanced these traits under stress compared to the non-application conditions. Furthermore, the content of glycine betaine and proline in the plant increased under the influence of 100K and 100Zn applications in the Q29 cultivar in 25% FC. Based on the obtained results for Catalase enzyme activity at 25% FC and in the presence of 100Zn foliar application and for Peroxidase at 25% FC and the presence of the combined 50K + 50Zn foliar application in the Q29 cultivar, the highest activity of these enzymes was observed. Consequently, considering the increased contents of glycine betaine and proline in the foliar application, as well as the enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes contributing to improved drought tolerance in these plants, the application of potassium and zinc chelates as fertilizers is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of long-term Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based nutrient management in regulating soil micronutrient status and optimizing crop productivity under a maize-wheat cropping system in an acid Alfisol. The experiment was initiated during monsoon 2007, consisted of eight treatments viz., control, farmers' practice, general recommended dose, soil test-based, STCR based targeted yield of 25 (wheat)/30 (maize) and 35 (wheat)/40 (maize) q ha−1 with FYM @ 5 t ha−1 and without FYM. Results revealed that the soil available Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn exhibited depletion in unfertilized plots over initial status. However, the STCR (Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply; IPNS) based targeted yield approach of fertilizer application maintains higher values of DTPA extractable micronutrients in comparisons to all other treatments. After nine continuous years, the highest DTPA- extractable Fe (27.6 mg kg−1), Mn (25.1 mg kg−1), Zn (1.25 mg kg−1) and Cu (0.75 mg kg−1) were recorded in treatment where, FYM was added along with fertilizers for targeted yield of 35 q ha−1. The micronutrient uptake by wheat was higher in STCR (IPNS) treatments. Low SRC values of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn indicated that long-term prescription based chemical fertilizers and FYM application can meet the plant nutritional requirement of wheat crop. Hence long-term STCR based integration of FYM (with NPK fertilizers) has an advantage in regulating the supply of micronutrients in soil-plant system and addressing the micronutrient deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Nitrogen is a key factor affecting the quality of rice. Studying the impact of nitrogen fertilizer on the taste, physicochemical properties, and starch structure of Indica rice with different amylose contents is of great significance for scientifically fertilizing and cultivating high‐quality rice varieties for consumption. RESULTS: The results indicate that increasing nitrogen fertilizer application reduces the amylose content and increases the protein content, resulting in a decrease in taste quality. Simultaneously, it reduces the intergranular porosity of starch particles, improving the appearance and milling quality of rice. Compared to the N1 treatment (nitrogen fertilizer application rate of 90 kg ha−1), the taste of low‐amylose rice (Yixiangyou 2115) and high‐amylose rice (Byou 268) decreased by 14.24% and 19.79%, respectively, under N4 treatment (nitrogen fertilizer application rate of 270 kg ha−1). The effect of nitrogen fertilizer on low‐amylose rice is mainly reflected in increased rice hardness, enthalpy value, and setback viscosity, resulting in a decline in taste. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer on high‐amylose rice is mainly reflected in a decrease in peak viscosity, an increase in gelatinization temperature, and crystallinity under high nitrogen levels. CONCLUSION: Increasing nitrogen fertilizer application can improve the appearance and milling quality of rice, but it also leads to an increase in protein content, hardness, gelatinization enthalpy, decrease in breakdown value, and a decline in palatability. In practical production, different production measures should be taken according to different production goals. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While organic fertilizers enhance tobacco quality and economic value, their low maturity levels often limit their effectiveness when applied within the same growing season, discouraging farmer adoption. Conventional composting methods typically require over 90 days to achieve full maturity. This study aimed to optimize composting methods and material formulations for large-scale factory production to shorten the fermentation period, enabling same-season application and benefits. Two large-scale experiments (each exceeding 100 tons) compared molecular membrane forced aeration combined with static and windrow composting against traditional windrow composting. Different material ratios of cow dung, mushroom residue, and distillery waste were also evaluated. Results showed that the optimized method, utilizing molecular membrane technology and adjusted material ratios, reduced the composting time from over 90 days to 60 days. The optimal formula consisted of cow dung, mushroom residue, and distillery waste at a 4:3:3 dry weight ratio with a moisture content = 63%. After 60 days, this optimized process yielded organic fertilizer meeting all quality standards, including humic acid content, nutrient levels, and absence of harmful organisms. This accelerated composting method facilitates same-season fertilizer application, benefiting farmers and enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of organic fertilizer production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizers have a significant influence on the forming of the circulation of substances and energy in soils, agroecological state of lands, as well as the quality of agricultural products. Fertilizers and ameliorants, as some of the most effective means of restoring soil fertility, have a considerable influence on the agroecological condition and agrochemical indicators of arable soils in the process of their agricultural usage. The article researched such ecological aspects of using mineral fertilizers as changing the chlorine content in soil solution, potassium, calcium and magnesium content in soil intake complex as well as gross sodium content in soil after continuous usage of fertilizers in field crop rotation. The experimental part of the work was done in continuous stationary experiment in the field rotation of grain and beet crops with a set of crops traditional for the region defined in 1964. It was defined that the chlorine of fertilizers does not produce stable compounds in soil and migrates a lot in its profile. Using fertilizers in field crop rotation in a dose of 45-135 kg of K2O/ha does not contribute to chlorine increase in physiologically active 1.5 m deep soil layer. At continuous fertilizer usage, there have been essential changes in the ashed fertile soil in the composition of its intake complex - the number of calcium and magnesium exchangeables has decreased, which entails worsening of the physical and chemical qualities and as a result leads to decreasing fertility level. The research results have evinced that the ratio between magnesium and potassium in a soil intake complex drops to 2.6-3.6 as a result of continuous potassium with fertilizer usage, according to the checking data without fertilizer application it makes up - 4.2, which corresponds to optimal ratio of Mg: K = 2-5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most crucial elements for crop yields. N management is incredibly important because it's a major component of crop productivity. It is challenging to control due to the large field variability of the innate soil N and the differences in crop demand at various crop growth stages. Additionally, N's partial factor production is deteriorating day by day. Furthermore, crop, cultivar, and environmental factors affect how much N is needed. Therefore, crop production depends heavily on applying N at the right rate for the crop's needs. Precision N management increases N use efficiency while reducing N loss from runoff, ammonia volatilization, and leaching. By providing N during crucial growth phases, real-time N management increases use efficiency by applying N based on need at the appropriate time and amount. One aspect of real-time N management is the application of the leaf color chart (LCC). The LCC is a relatively basic, low-cost, portable, and user-friendly gadget that contrasts the color of the leaf with the device's color hues. Because farmers typically prefer dark-colored leaves, they apply N regardless of need, which poses serious risks to the ecosystem and contaminates the surface and groundwater. The sustainability of output is threatened by the declining soil health caused by increased fertilizer application. Therefore, for small and marginal farmers, employing a leaf color chart for site-specific N management is a more practical solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizers are an essential input in agriculture as they can enhance crop yields. However, their use also poses significant environmental risks. To thoroughly explore the intensity of fertilizer use and its potential threats to the ecological environment, this study analyzed the environmental risks of fertilizer use from a temporal and spatial perspective based on fertilizer application data in China from 1978 to 2022. Additionally, the contribution of fertilizer application in Chinese farmland to greenhouse gas N2O emissions was quantified using IPCC emission factor methodology. The results indicated that fertilizer application intensity and N2O emissions in China initially increased and then decreased from 1978 to 2022. Despite the implementation of various fertilizer control measures at the policy level, such as the Zero Growth of Fertilizer Action in 2015 and the Efficiency-Increasing Action for Reducing Fertilizer Use in 2022, the intensity of fertilizer application in China still exceeded international safety standards by 1.33-fold in 2022, reaching 298.79 kg/hm2. Furthermore, N2O emissions amounted to 50.17 × 104t, accounting for 16% of China's total agricultural greenhouse gas emissions that year. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated that with increasing fertilizer application, crop production exhibits an inverted U-shaped growth trend, indicating limited effectiveness of high-intensity fertilizer use in increasing crop yields. These findings highlight the profound greenhouse effect resulting from the use of agricultural nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, this study proposed technical and policy-level mitigation measures to address the issues caused by excessive fertilizer application, aiming to provide insights for controlling agricultural non-point source pollution and preserving the agroecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Potassium deficiency significantly hinders cotton growth and development, adversely affecting yield and fiber quality. Applying potassium fertilizer is a common practice to address potassium deficiency in the soil. However, the effectiveness of potassium fertilizer application depends on the appropriate soil potassium levels in cotton fields. Methods: This study used a randomized block design with six different soil potassium levels and conducted experiments across 18 micro-zones in the field. This study aimed to investigate the response of cotton yield and quality to different soil potassium levels, to try to clarify the suitable soil potassium levels for cotton growth, so as to provide practical and effective help for determining the amount of potash fertilizer in the cotton field. Results: The results showed that the seedcotton yield was increasing, with the soil potassium level increased under no tillage. There was no significant difference among K4, K5, and K6 on seedcotton yield, which were significantly higher than K1 and K2. As soil potassium levels increased, the proportion of autumn boll and the proportion of outer boll also increased, indicating that higher soil potassium levels support the better growth and development of cotton in the middle and late stages, leading to increased boll sets and higher yields. Additionally, the available potassium content in the 0-40-cm soil layer was significantly correlated with yield and yield parameters but not with fiber quality indices. Discussion: It is concluded that K4 treatment could provide sufficient potassium to meet the growth and development needs of cotton. Potassium fertilizer application is recommended when the available potassium content in the 0-40-cm soil layer falls below 122.88 mg kg-1 in the cotton field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil fertility is a major constraint to agricultural development in the Sahel region of Africa. One alternative to reducing the use of mineral fertilizers is to partially replace them with microbes that promote nutrition and growth, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Mineral fertilizer microdosing is a technique developed to enhance fertilizer efficiency and encourage smallholder farmers to adopt higher mineral fertilizer applications. Methods: A pot experiment was set up to study the effects of AMF inoculation on the mineral nutrition of pearl millet under mineral fertilizer microdosing conditions. The experimental setup followed a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The treatments tested on millet were an absolute control and eight microdoses derived from the combination of three doses of 15-10-10 [nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)] mineral fertilizer (2 g, 3 g, and 5 g per pot), three doses of urea (1 g, 2 g, and 3 g per pot), and three doses of organic manure (OM) (200 g, 400 g, and 600 g), combined with and without AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis and Rhizophagus aggregatum). The parameters studied were growth, root colonization by AMF, and mineral nutrition. Plant height, stem diameter, root dry biomass, and percentage of root mycorrhization were measured. Results and discussion: The results revealed a significant effect of the fertilizers on the growth of pearl millet compared to the control. AMF and OM treatments resulted in the highest biomass production. AMF combined with microdoses of NPK improved N and calcium (Ca) concentrations, while their combination with organic matter mainly improved the K concentration. Combining AMF with microdosed NPK and compost enhanced zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) concentrations. Root colonization varied from 0.55 to 56.4%. This investigation highlights the positive effects of AMF inoculation on nutrient uptake efficiency when combined with microdosing fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-year multi-location trial on the farmer's field was conducted in West Bengal, India to evaluate the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the performance of kharif rice cv. Swarna Sub 1. The experiment employed a randomized block design (RBD) across eleven farmers' fields with similar soil properties, texture, topography, and historical fertilizer application patterns. Three treatments were tested: T1 – common practice of applying N:P:K @ 55:32:27 kg ha−1, T2 – soil test-based application (STA) of ∼75% recommended N dose through chemical fertilizer + ∼ 25% through Azolla, and T3 – soil test-based application of ∼ 75% recommended N dose through chemical fertilizer + 20% N from vermi-compost + 5% N through Azolla. The result of the experiment revealed that the T3 exhibited significant improvements in plant height, leaf area index (LAI), effective tillers meter−2, number of panicles plant−1, and 1000-grain weight compared to T2 and T1. Among the different nutrient management practices, the T3 recorded maximum rice grain productivity than the T1, and T2, Further, the benefit-cost ratio was noticed significantly higher under T3 (1.29) followed by T2 (1.27) and T1 (1.23). The soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrient was enhanced by the soil test-based application of ∼75% recommended N dose through chemical fertilizer + 20% N from vermicompost + 5% N through Azolla. Thus, our study indicated that the balanced nutrient application through combined sources (T3) could improve crop growth; and sustain rice productivity, besides enhancing the farm income, and soil different soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-soluble fertilizers provide a very effective and adaptable method of managing nutrients, which has completely changed contemporary agriculture methods. These fertilizers allow for exact control over the distribution of nutrients to crops because they are made to dissolve easily in water. This trait improves crop quality and production by facilitating better nutrient uptake. Farmers now have an easier time fertilizing their fields since water-soluble fertilizers are easy to apply and can adapt to a variety of irrigation schemes. They are a sustainable option in modern agriculture because of their decreased negative effects on the environment and less fertilizer waste. The increasing worldwide need for food has made the planned application of water-soluble fertilizers an indispensable instrument for attaining maximum agricultural productivity and guaranteeing food security amidst population growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollination is one of the most fascinating aspects of insect-plant interactions. Pollen is the male reproductive element of flowering plants, gathered by foraging Honeybees from the male parts of flowering plants called the anther. Guizotia abyssinica (L.f) is an important oilseed crop cultivated in Ethiopia and India, which belongs to the family Asteraceae. Although self-incompatibility is found in Guizotia abyssinica, a higher seed set is experienced in places with an active Honeybees population. Agricultural practices usually focus on inputs such as fertilizer application to improve seed yield of Guizotia abyssinica. However, these practices have little effect on yield if the availability of insect pollination is too low. To fill this gap, an experiment was carried out at Dandi district, West Shao zone, Oromia, Ethiopia to see the effect of Honeybees pollination management as an agronomic input. Pollination management of Honeybees was tested under feeding and non-feeding of colonies management. Pollen was trapped with and without sugar syrup feeding. The results discovered that Honeybees fed sugar syrup collected much more pollen than colonies not fed sugar syrup. The proportion of Guizotia abyssinica pollen collected through sugar syrup feeding of the colony was greater (62.2%), compared to the proportion of Guizotia abyssinica pollen trapped without sugar syrup feeding (37.8%). This indicates that sugar syrup feeding enhances the collection of pollen and probably enhances the pollination efficiency of Honeybees since they visit frequently to fulfill their daily protein requirement of pollen. Therefore, Honeybees pollination services should be included as one of the agronomic inputs with sugar syrup feeding as pollination management that might increase the yield of Guizotia abyssinica since it increases visiting frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil fertility is a major constraint to agricultural development in the Sahel region of Africa. One alternative to reducing the use of mineral fertilizers is to partially replace them with microbes that promote nutrition and growth, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Mineral fertilizer microdosing is a technique developed to enhance fertilizer efficiency and encourage smallholder farmers to adopt higher mineral fertilizer applications. Methods: A pot experiment was set up to study the effects of AMF inoculation on the mineral nutrition of pearl millet under mineral fertilizer microdosing conditions. The experimental setup followed a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The treatments tested on millet were an absolute control and eight microdoses derived from the combination of three doses of 15-10-10 [nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)] mineral fertilizer (2 g, 3 g, and 5 g per pot), three doses of urea (1 g, 2 g, and 3 g per pot), and three doses of organic manure (OM) (200 g, 400 g, and 600 g), combined with and without AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis and Rhizophagus aggregatum). The parameters studied were growth, root colonization by AMF, and mineral nutrition. Plant height, stem diameter, root dry biomass, and percentage of root mycorrhization were measured. Results and discussion: The results revealed a significant effect of the fertilizers on the growth of pearl millet compared to the control. AMF and OM treatments resulted in the highest biomass production. AMF combined with microdoses of NPK improved N and calcium (Ca) concentrations, while their combination with organic matter mainly improved the K concentration. Combining AMF with microdosed NPK and compost enhanced zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) concentrations. Root colonization varied from 0.55 to 56.4%. This investigation highlights the positive effects of AMF inoculation on nutrient uptake efficiency when combined with microdosing fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic fertilizers are essential for enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) levels and promoting sustainable agriculture. The mechanisms of carbon sequestration in upland red soils using various organic materials are not well understood. Here, the impact of various organic fertilization strategies on SOC fractions, functional groups, iron oxides, and soil aggregates was investigated to clarify the protective mechanisms underlying SOC preservation. Six fertilization regimes were examined: no fertilization (CK), mineral fertilizer (CF), 60% mineral fertilizer (RF), RF + straw (RFS), RF + pig manure (RFP), and RF + vermicompost (RFV). The results demonstrated that SOC contents significantly increased by 62.5% in RFP and 63.1% in RFV compared to the CF treatment, with particulate organic carbon (POC) being the primary contributor. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that RFP and RFV treatments induced the formation of denser flock‐like aggregates and increased aromatic C content, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that RFV treatment exhibited the highest abundance of functional groups among all treatments. SOC and POC were highly positively correlated with soil chemical properties, soil aggregates, poorly crystalline iron oxides, and aromatic rings. Structural equation models indicated that pig manure and vermicompost directly promoted POC accumulation, while straw provided physical protection for POC by enhancing aggregate formation. Furthermore, pig manure indirectly facilitated the development of POC and mineral‐associated organic carbon via soil biochemical properties and iron oxides, respectively. Overall, the application of organic fertilizers enhanced the physical protection, mineral immobilization, and recalcitrance (alkyl C, aromatic C) of organic carbon, facilitating C sequestration and stability. This study highlights the importance of organic management in upland red soils for increasing SOC storage and maintaining global C balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-the-go soil sensors have emerged as promising tools for real-time, high-resolution soil nutrient monitoring in precision agriculture. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in on-the-go soil sensor technology, discussing the potential benefits, limitations, and applications of various sensor types, including optical sensors (Vis-NIR, MIR, ATR spectroscopy) and electrochemical sensors (ISEs, ISFETs). The integration of these sensors with positioning systems (GPS) enables the generation of detailed soil nutrient maps, which can guide site-specific management practices and optimize fertilizer application rates. However, factors such as soil moisture, texture, and heterogeneity can affect sensor performance, necessitating robust calibration models and standardized protocols. Future perspectives highlight the need for multi-sensor systems, incorporation into IoT networks for smart farming, and enhancing affordability and adoptability of on-the-go sensor technologies to promote widespread adoption in precision agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balanced fertilizer application is crucial for achieving high-yield, high-quality, and efficient maize cultivation. Sulfur (S), considered a secondary nutrient, ranks as the fourth most essential plant nutrient after nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). S deficiency could significantly influence maize growth and development. Field experiments were conducted in Jiangsu, Yangzhou, China, from April 1 to July 20 in 2023. Jingkenuo2000 (JKN2000) and Suyunuo5 (SYN5) were used as experiment materials, and four treatments were set: no fertilizer application (F0), S fertilizer application (F1), conventional fertilization method (F2), and conventional fertilization method with additional S application (F3). The objective was to investigate the impact of S application on grain weight and the quality of fresh waxy maize flour and starch. The results indicated that all fertilization treatments significantly increased grain weight and the starch and protein contents in grains compared to no fertilization. Among these, F3 exhibited the most significant increases. Specifically, in JKN2000, the grain weight, starch content (SC), and protein content (PC) increased by 27.7%, 4.8%, and 14.8%, respectively, while in SYN5, these parameters increased by 26.3%, 6.2%, and 7.4%, respectively, followed by F2 and F1. Compared to F0, F3 increased starch and protein contents by 4.8% and 14.8% in JKN2000, and by 6.2% and 7.4% in SYN5. Compared to F0, F2 and F3 significantly increased the iodine binding capacity (IBC) of SYN5, with F3 being more effective than F2, while they had no significant effect on the IBC of JKN2000. The peak viscosity (PV) and breakdown viscosity (BD) of waxy maize flour and starch for both varieties showed a consistent response (increasing trend) to S application, and F3 had the largest increase. Regarding the thermal properties of waxy maize flour, F3 significantly enhanced the retrogradation enthalpy (ΔHgel) of both varieties compared to F0, while achieving the lowest retrogradation percentage (%R). In starch, the highest ΔHgel and the lowest %R were observed under the F2 treatment. In summary, under the conditions of this experiment, adding S fertilizer to conventional fertilization not only increased the grain weight of waxy maize but also effectively optimized the pasting and thermal properties of waxy maize flour and starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of Variable Rate Application (VRA) techniques is closely linked to the algorithm used to calculate the different fertilizer rates. In this study, we proposed an algorithm based on the integration between some estimated agronomic inputs and crop radiometric data acquired by using a multispectral sensor. Generally, VRA algorithms are evaluated by comparing the yields, but they can often be affected by factors acting in the final phase of the crop cycle and not dependent on the fertilization treatments. Therefore, we decided to compare our algorithm (ALG) versus the traditional application of fertilizer (TRD) by evaluating the crop growth 1.5 months after the fertilization time. The algorithm was tested on a sorghum crop under organic farming, managed with or without manure. The saving of N obtained with ALG was equal to 14 and 5 kg ha− 1 (-14 and − 10% for the non-manure and fertilized treatments, respectively). The NDVI values acquired after fertilization showed a remarkable reduction of relative standard deviation for ALG system (from 22 to 9% and from 34 to 14% for manured and not manured, respectively), which was not found for TRD system (from 16 to 17% and from 29 to 18% for manured and not manured, respectively). The above ground biomass produced was statistically equivalent for the two systems in the manured plots and significant higher for ALG in not-manured plots (+ 0.74 t ha− 1 of dm, equal to + 23%). Finally, the indices calculated to evaluate the Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) were consistently better in the ALG theses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Manganese (Mn) deficiency due to nutrient mining by high yielding cereal–cereal cropping patterns and forgetfulness of Mn fertilizer applications becomes potential challenge in crop production. Aim: Nano‐enabled Mn fertilizers can be safer and more nutrient efficient than conventional Mn fertilizers (nutrient use efficiency ≈ 1%–3%). However, studies about nano‐Mn fertilizer synthesis and their behaviour in soil–plant system are rare. Methods: In this study, two novel nano‐Mn fertilizers, that is nano‐MnO2 (NMO) and manganese nanoclay polymer composites (Mn‐NCPC), were synthesized, characterized (dynamic light scattering, X‐ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopic and energy‐dispersive X‐ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy etc.) and investigated for their impact on growth, yield and nutrient acquisition by wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L., variety HD‐2967) in a pot culture experiment. Treatment comprised 25%, 50% and 100% of recommended dose of Mn (RDMn) through NMO along with 100% RDMn through MnSO4·H2O (MS). Effect of exposure route was also investigated using foliar spray of NMO at tillering stage. Mn‐NCPC was found to be most efficient Mn fertilizer in terms of yield, Mn uptake and use efficiency by wheat crop. Results: Nano‐sized formulations improved the solubility of Mn in soil due to its higher active surface area (NMO) and slow‐release behaviour (Mn‐NCPC); thus, minimal losses happened due to the fixing of Mn in oxide/hydroxide forms. Application of 25% RDMn through NMO fertilizers maintained equitant diethylenetriamine pentaacetate Mn content to 100% RDMn through MnSO4·H2O. Mn‐NCPC stimulated the soil enzymatic activities, namely dehydrogenase, acid–alkaline phosphatase activities. Mn‐NCPC and NMO at 100% RDMn recorded 3.51% and 5.20% improvement in grain yield, respectively, when compared to MnSO4·H2O 100%. Conclusions: Mn fertilizer doses can be reduced up to 25% of RDMn when applied through NMO or Mn‐NCPC fertilizers. However, effects of Mn‐NCPC and NMO need to be critically evaluated in long‐term field experiments in various cropping systems especially under cereal–cereal sequences for economic profitability and wide‐scale farmer's adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To meet the needs of the global population (9.7 billion people) until 2050, a 45 percent increase in corn production is required. Efforts to enhance corn production may be informed, among others, by precise nitrogen management. The objective of this study is to investigate nitrogen dynamics and accurate nitrogen nutrient management in corn farming through the utilization of a leaf chlorophyll meter and nitrogen response assessments in order to forecast corn yield in tropical upland acid soils. METHODS: The current study was conducted in an Ultisol and verified in an Oxisol. The trial was arranged in a randomized completely block design with eight treatments: 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, and 315 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare, repeated three times. The chlorophyll content of corn leaves was measured at 45 and 60 days after planting, using a chlorophyll meter. An analysis was conducted on the vegetative growth and yield, along with the nitrogen content in the soil, leaf, and grains. FINDINGS: The study found that the application of nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 180 kilograms per hectare can alter nitrate concentrations in soil and significantly increase nitrogen uptake, growth, and corn yield. The nitrogen fertilizer application reached its peak at 274.5 kilograms per hectare, resulting in chlorophyll meter readings of 52.8 and a corn yield of 8.58 tons per hectare. The corn yield at the rate of maximum nitrogen fertilizer (8.58 tons per hectare) was not significantly different from that at the rate of 180 kilogrammes nitrogen per hectare (8.54 tons per hectare). A robust relationship was observed between corn yields and chlorophyll meter values, exhibiting a correlation coefficient 0.92. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that applying nitrogen fertilizer at the medium rate of 180 kilograms per hectare can increase in nitrogen uptake, growth, and corn yield on tropical upland acid soils. The corn yield did not show a notable variance between the nitrogen fertilization rate of 180 kilograms per hectare and the highest rate of 274.5 kilograms per hectare. In terms of sustainable agriculture management, the medium rate of 180 kilograms of nitrogen is recommended for maximizing crop yield on the upland acid soils and minimizing potential environmental impacts associated with the excessive use of fertilizers. A significant relationship exists between leaf chlorophyll meter measurements and corn yield, indicating that the chlorophyll meter can be utilized as a dependable instrument in the research area for establishing the most effective fertilizer levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various sources of pollution have been assigned as contributing to the Freshwater Salinization Syndrome (FSS), by which water bodies are undergoing concurrent salinization and alkalinization. In many urban areas that receive substantial snowfall, road salt application has been ascribed as the main source of chloride driving the FSS. In rural areas, however, inorganic (e.g. chemical) and organic (e.g. manure) fertilizer applications have been found to be the most important sources of chloride. Herein, we compared daily mean concentrations of chloride over the past decade of time between Coldwater Creek and Chickasaw Creek, two tributaries of Grand Lake St. Marys, the largest reservoir in Ohio. We also used Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) analyses to visualize trends in chloride data and compared chloride vs. nitrate levels to delineate likely sources of chloride for the two streams. We found that road salt application increased over time in both subwatersheds and that 37% and 25% of the chloride could be apportioned to road salt as a source in Coldwater Creek and Chickasaw Creek, respectively. Additionally, in Coldwater Creek, 37% of the chloride was apportioned to animal or septic sources, while 25% was apportioned to inorganic fertilizers, in comparison with 30% and 42% for Chickasaw Creek. Monitoring and assessing salinized streams for both chemical and biological water quality is important, particularly since the FSS has become increasingly linked to declines in water quality (e.g. harmful algal blooms, including recent upticks in Prymnesium parvum blooms) and is expected to be exacerbated with global climate change (e.g. increased precipitation causing increased runoff of chloride from the land). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortage is the most critical abiotic stress and adversely impacts crop growth and productivity. Biofertilizers are an environmentally friendly method for sustainable agricultural development and improving plant water deficit tolerance. The effects of biological and chemical fertilizers on yield, yield components, and nutrient absorption of chickpea plants were studied in 2018 and 2019. The main plots were assigned to the irrigation levels [80% (I80) and 50% (I50)] and the subplot was assigned to 13 fertilizer combinations including free-living N-fixing bacteria (NB), potassium solubilizing bacteria (KB), phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PB), common chickpea nutrition program (F; NPK chemical fertilizer), and their combination. The results showed that shoot phosphorus content was increased by 80% when F + NPB (NPK chemical fertilizer and N + P biofertilizers) was applied at I80 compared with the control at I50. Furthermore, I80 and the application of PKB (P + K biofertilizers) and NPKB (N + P + K biofertilizers) obtained the highest shoot K and N concentrations, respectively. The NPKF + B-treated plants (N + P + K chemical fertilizer and N + P + K biofertilizers) demonstrated superior growth attributes such as plant height and the number of sub-branches at I80. The highest grain yield was obtained from the NPKF + B treatment at I80, which was 7.1-fold higher compared with the control at I50. In general, the combined application of biochemical fertilizers mitigated the adverse effect of water deficit and improved nutrient absorption and chickpea yield. The use of biochemical fertilizers can be efficient in reducing the consumption of chemical fertilizers and achieving sustainable agricultural goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Research of Soil & Water Conservation is the property of Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Ministry of Water Resources 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.)

Organic farming can enhance biodiversity and soil health and is a sustainable alternative to conventional farming. Yet, soil protists especially protistan predators, have received inadequate attention, and their contributions to the sustainability of organic farming remained underexplored. In this study, we examined soil microbial communities from 379 samples, including both organic and chemically fertilized soils from China. Our findings revealed higher bacterial diversity and increases in plant-beneficial bacteria in organically farmed soils. Notably, organic farming systems facilitated dynamic predator-prey interactions, which may be disrupted by the application of chemical fertilizers. Additionally, organic farming enriched protistan predators, enhancing the relative abundance of functional PGPR, thus improving soil health. We further conducted a case study highlighting the critical role of organic matter in sustaining protistan predator populations and their interactions with bacteria. We propose the crucial contributions of organic inputs for supporting protistan predators and the interplay of predator-prey, ultimately enhancing soil functions and promoting agricultural sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional fertilizers, although widely available, are relatively low in nutrient use efficiency and cause serious environmental concerns like eutrophication, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, nitrate poisoning, and soil pollution. With this in mind, a randomized block design (RBD) experiment was conducted in an experimental field taking 10 treatments and 3 replications to investigate the effects of integrated approaches of nano-formulated DAP fertilizer applications on rice growth, yield, and nutrient use efficiency over conventional approaches. The result revealed that plant height, panicle length, number of tillers hill-1, total number of grain panicle-1, and root length were maximum in T10 treatment (50% of the soil test recommended doses (STD) for N and P + seedling root dipping (SRD) with nano DAP at 5 mL L-1 + twice foliar sprays (FS) with nano DAP at 4mL L-1 at 25 and 45 DAT (date after transplanting). The highest mean grain yields (4.12 and 4.05 Mg ha-1) and nutrient uptake were recorded in the T2 treatment (100% STD), but this was at par with T10 treatment. The highest benefit--cost ratio (2.26) was recorded in T10, which was 3.5% higher than T2. N and P agronomic use efficiency (AUE) ranged from 7.5% to 31.5% and 15% to 63%, and recovery efficiency (RE) ranged from 30% to 94.2% and 11.2% to 90.4%. The highest nutrient use efficiency was recorded with T10, followed by T9, and lowest in T4. Post-harvest soil pH and available N and P were significantly highest in T10. Soil MBC, MBN, MBP, urease, and phosphatase activity were found significantly higher in T2, followed by T10. The integrated application of 50% STD for N and P + SRD with nano DAP at 5mL L-1 + twice FS with nano DAP at 4 mL L-1 at 25 and 45 DAT application can be a suitable substitute for conventional DAP and urea for rice in climate-smart agriculture as it possibly reduces environmental pollution while undisturbing crop yield over the 100% STD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences is the property of Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences Editorial Office 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.)

The adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices can improve soil quality and sustainably increase crop yield while slowing down the rate of ongoing degradation. This research assessed the effects of selected ISFM practices on soil properties at the Dire and Legedadi watersheds, central highlands of Ethiopia, in the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons. Eight treatments were selected (sole wheat, sole faba bean, 100% recommended NPS + urea fertilizers, 100% recommended vermicompost (VC), wheat with half dose both NPS + urea and VC, wheat and faba bean intercropping with half dose both NPS + urea and VC, wheat and faba bean intercropping with half‐dose NPS + urea fertilizers, and wheat and faba bean intercropping with 50% VC). The treatments were studied on farmers' fields using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that soil samples collected from each plot indicated significant differences in soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Pav), exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Na+, and Kexc), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Soil pH and moisture showed improvement in combined fertilizers application compared to the preplanting soil sample. A combined application of VC and NPS + urea fertilizers significantly (p < 0.05) increased SOC, Pav, K+, Na+, and CEC compared to the control. A combined application of VC and NPS + urea fertilizers improved the soil quality. The highest TN contents of 0.36% at the Dire site and 0.30% at the Legedadi site were obtained with the full dose VC treatment. Additionally, this treatment resulted in the greatest water‐holding capacity and soil carbon stock at both sites. Similarly, the wheat‐faba bean intercropped plots showed a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the soil carbon stock and sequestration over the control in both study sites. Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that the combined application of a half dose of each VC and NPS + urea fertilizers improved most soil physicochemical properties at both sites. This suggests that using a combination of VC and NPS + urea fertilizers can help farmers reduce their inorganic fertilizer needs by 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing nursery plants in containers usually requires the addition of fertilizer to achieve optimal growth. However, misconceptions among growers often lead them to apply quantities of fertilizers exceeding the recommended dose, resulting in nutrient runoff and increased production costs. Reducing fertilizer application is beneficial to have healthy plants and environment as well as to save on fertilizer costs. In this study, we wanted to determine the minimal level of phosphorus (P) required to grow bedding plants i.e. Lysimachia nummularia 'creeping jenny' (moneywort) and Vinca minor 'Bowles' (periwinkle) in nursery. The plants were grown within a greenhouse in a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and rice hulls (3:1:1 v/v) substrates and subjected to various P treatments. The treatments included single dose of 1, 3, or 6 mg/L of P, double doses of 3 or 6 mg/L of P, or a control that received 6 mg/L of P at each irrigation. The results indicated that single dose of 6 mg/L of P had similar fresh weight compared to control in both taxa. Reducing P application further to a single dose of 1 and 3 mg/L reduced fresh weight and leaf area in both groundcovers however did not reduce their stem length or physiological parameters such as Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Phosphorus concentration in the plant tissue at maturity was lower in all treatments than control for both the taxa. During the study period, control plants received 26 times the dose of P compared to plants receiving 6 mg/L of P once. Therefore, this study outlines the possibility of reducing P fertilizer application while growing these groundcovers in nurseries for sale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the critical need for nitrogen (N) in cropping systems, excessive N fertilizer application has severe environmental consequences. The synergistic interaction between sulfur (S) and N in plant nutrition could be exploited to increase N utilization, thereby maximizing N recovery and reducing losses. In a three-year study at six locations across three countries (USA, Ghana, and Mali), we evaluated the effect of S availability on N leaching losses from N fertilizer application using corn as the study crop. The study consisted of three S sources (micronized elemental sulfur [MES], untreated elemental sulfur [ES], and ammonium sulfate [AS]); five S application rates [(i) site-specific recommended S rate (SR), (ii) ¼ of the recommended S rate (25%_SR) (iii) ½ of the recommended S rate (50%_SR), (iv) ¾ of the recommended S rate (75%_SR); and (v) 1¼ of the recommended S rate (125%_SR)]; and a single N application rate (site-specific recommended N rate). Regardless of the S source, N recovery progressively increased with increasing S application rate. For the AS and MES sources, leachate nitrate concentration from the treatments with S application ≥ SR was statistically similar to that of the background concentrations, and the highest concentrations occurred with the treatment with no S application. Thus, for environmental stewardship, a critical look into S application in cropping systems is a necessity due to its synergistic interaction with N. In addition to improving productivity and enhancing efficient recovery of applied N fertilizers, S availability will minimize nitrate leaching commonly associated with application of N fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic additions help improve soil biophysical qualities, but they are insufficient to supply nutrient demand and could result in unintentional nutrient immobilization in soils, particularly soils with low fertility status. A 16-week laboratory incubation study was conducted to determine how the method of application of compost and inorganic fertilizers influence microbial respiration, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) mineralization. Topsoil (500 g, 0–15 cm) was amended with compost (0, 5, and 10 g kg−1) and either inorganic N (50 kg N ha−1) or P (30 kg P ha−1). Two soil amendment strategies, applying compost and inorganic fertilizer separately to opposite sides of the soil using a divider and mixing them evenly throughout the soil, were compared for their effects on microbial activity and nutrient mineralization. The cumulative amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) evolved were measured fortnightly using the static CO2 absorption method and inorganic N and P mineralization. N mineralization was unaffected by the method of compost and inorganic fertilizer application (p >.05), while at the end of day 42, available P in separate applications of compost and mineral N fertilizers was 33% greater than combined applications. Compost and inorganic P fertilizer had favorable N priming effects, but compost and inorganic N had negative effects. The different N priming effects of compost and inorganic N and P fertilizers may be attributable to microbial nutrient demand. The data suggest that composting with conventional fertilizers may change microbial nutrient demand and crop nutrient availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil fertility is a major constraint to agricultural development in the Sahel region of Africa. One alternative to reducing the use of mineral fertilizers is to partially replace them with microbes that promote nutrition and growth, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Mineral fertilizer microdosing is a technique developed to enhance fertilizer efficiency and encourage smallholder farmers to adopt higher mineral fertilizer applications. Methods: A pot experiment was set up to study the effects of AMF inoculation on the mineral nutrition of pearl millet under mineral fertilizer microdosing conditions. The experimental setup followed a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The treatments tested on millet were an absolute control and eight microdoses derived from the combination of three doses of 15-10-10 [nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)] mineral fertilizer (2 g, 3 g, and 5 g per pot), three doses of urea (1 g, 2 g, and 3 g per pot), and three doses of organic manure (OM) (200 g, 400 g, and 600 g), combined with and without AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis and Rhizophagus aggregatum). The parameters studied were growth, root colonization by AMF, and mineral nutrition. Plant height, stem diameter, root dry biomass, and percentage of root mycorrhization were measured. Results and discussion: The results revealed a significant effect of the fertilizers on the growth of pearl millet compared to the control. AMF and OM treatments resulted in the highest biomass production. AMF combined with microdoses of NPK improved N and calcium (Ca) concentrations, while their combination with organic matter mainly improved the K concentration. Combining AMF with microdosed NPK and compost enhanced zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) concentrations. Root colonization varied from 0.55 to 56.4%. This investigation highlights the positive effects of AMF inoculation on nutrient uptake efficiency when combined with microdosing fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase the limited commercial utility and lessen the negative environmental effects of the massive growth of brown macroalgae, this work illustrates the feasibility of valorizing the invasively proliferated Sargassum latifolium into different value‐added products. The proximate analysis recommends its applicability as a solid biofuel with a sufficient calorific value (14.82 ± 0.5 MJ/kg). It contains 6.00 ± 0.07% N + P2O5 + K2O and 29.61 ± 0.05% organic C. Its nutritional analysis proved notable carbohydrate, ash, protein, and fiber contents with a rational amount of lipid and a considerable amount of beneficial macronutrients and micronutrients, with a low concentration of undesirable heavy metals. That recommends its application in the organic fertilizer, food, medicine, and animal fodder industries. A proposed eco‐friendly sequential integrated process valorized its biomass into 77.6 ± 0.5 mg/g chlorophyll, 180 ± 0.5 mg/g carotenoids, 5.86 ± 0.5 mg/g fucoxanthin, 0.93 ± 0.5 mg/g β‐carotene, 21.97 ± 0.5% (w/w) alginate, and 16.40 ± 0.5% (w/w) cellulose, with different industrial and bioprocess applications. Furthermore, Aspergillus galapagensis SBWF1, Mucor hiemalis SBWF2, and Penicillium oxalicum SBWF3 (GenBank accession numbers OR636487, OR636488, and OR636489) have been isolated from its fresh biomass. Those showed wide versatility for hydrolyzing and saccharifying its polysaccharides. A Gram‐negative Stutzerimonas stutzeri SBB1(GenBank accession number OR764547) has also been isolated with good capabilities to ferment the produced pentoses, hexoses, and mannitol from the fungal saccharification, yielding 0.25 ± 0.014, 0.26 ± 0.018, and 0.37 ± 0.020 g ethanol/g algal biomass, respectively. Furthermore, in a pioneering step for valuing the suggested sequential biomass hydrolysis and bioethanol fermentation processes, the spent waste S. latifolium disposed of from the saccharification process has been valorized into C‐dots with potent biocidal activity against pathogenic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia rice crop is considered as a strategic food security crop which is expected to contribute to ensuring food security in the country. Bennch Sheko Zone is one of the major rice growing areas in the South Western Regional State. The study was conducted with specific objectives to investigate factors affecting smallholder farmers' market supply of rice and identify constraints related to rice production in the study area. Two-stage sampling technique was employed to select 119 representative rice-producer households. Descriptive statistics and appropriate econometric models were used to analyze the collected data. Multiple linear regression model used to analyze factors affecting rice market supply. Descriptive result of the study showed, the average annual rice production at the household level was 2.8 tons, of which 70% was supplied to the market. Econometric result showed farm size owned, credit use, annual income, number of oxen owned, and quantity of rice produced were found to be significantly affecting the market supply of rice in a district. Major constraints related to rice production in the district were a lack of proper weed management practices, improved seed, proper method and time of fertilizer application, weak institutional support, disease, and post-harvest handling problems were also important. The research findings suggest that attention should be given to rice production constraints through generation and wide demonstration of demand-driven rice production and post-harvest handling technologies for increased production and productivity to have a better market supply of rice to the market and benefit smallholder farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University / Nanjuing Nongye Daxue Xuebao is the property of Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University 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.)

The negative impact of excessive fertilization on the sustainable development of agriculture has become the focus of universal attention. Thus, the aim is to maximize the yield of rice without imposing too much damage on the environment. This paper uses data regression analysis based on the statistical data (from 1990 to 2020) of a certain region to explore the impact of fertilizer application on rice yield, and adopts the sensitivity analysis to study the sensitivity of rice yield to the applied amount of chemical fertilizer. The results show that the average rice yield increased with increasing Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers application within the statistical data range; while the average rice yield decreased as Phosphorus (P) fertilizer application increased. Simultaneously, increasing the application of N and K fertilizers improved the average rice yield. Reducing the amount of P fertilizer and increasing the proportion of K fertilizer positively affected the average rice yield. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the average rice yield was most sensitive to K application amount. The sensitivity value maximized at a small amount of N fertilizer (11.25 kg hm-2) and a large amount of P fertilizer (6 kg hm-2). The findings reveal the interactive effect of multiple fertilizer application rates on grain yield and address the unclear mechanism of single fertilizer application on grain yield in the existing research. This paper provides a theoretical basis for scientific fertilizer use, agricultural quality, efficiency improvement, and sustainable development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Resources & Environment / Nongye Ziyuan yu Huanjing Xuebao is the property of Journal of Agricultural Resources & Environment Editorial Board 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 Agricultural Resources & Environment / Nongye Ziyuan yu Huanjing Xuebao is the property of Journal of Agricultural Resources & Environment Editorial Board 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 Agricultural Resources & Environment / Nongye Ziyuan yu Huanjing Xuebao is the property of Journal of Agricultural Resources & Environment Editorial Board 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.)

Nano-priming is an emerging application of nanotechnology in agriculture intending to increase crop yield and nutritional quality while reducing fertilizer applications. This study aimed to investigate the effects of seed priming with citrate-coated CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) suspensions (10, 20, and 40 mg NPs L−1) on the life cycle of the Phaseolus vulgaris L. OTI cultivar and evaluate the technology costs. The effect of nano-priming was assessed in the germination, flowering, and harvest stages. Unprimed and hydro-primed seeds were negative and positive controls, respectively. Nano-priming with CoFe2O4 NPs had no effect neither on the germination nor on plant nutrition (in the flowering stage) of OTI beans compared to unprimed and hydro-primed seeds. In contrast, nitrogenase activity (343.3 ± 1.1 µmol h−1 plant−1 of C2H4) was detected in the plants from the 40 mg kg−1 nano-primed seeds. The K concentration of progeny seeds from nano-priming with 10, 20, and 40 mg NPs L−1 increased significantly by 3%, 16%, and 13% compared to the control seeds. The Zn concentration in the seeds from nano-priming with 10 mg NPs L−1 was 27% higher than in the control and 28% higher than in the hydro-primed seeds. When nano-priming with 40 mg NPs L−1, the Zn concentration was 5% and 6% higher than the control and hydro-primed seeds. The calculated cost of nano-priming seeds per ha ranged from 121 to 143 USD. In this regard, nano-priming of bean seeds with citrate-coated CoFe2O4 NPs could be a low-cost approach to achieve nutritional security and agricultural sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the effectiveness of using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M) and compost applied alone or in combination (vs. conventional chemical fertilizer application (NPK)) on tomato resistance to vascular wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae. In this study, ten treatments were applied: (1) Control (2) M: Rhizophagus irregularis (3) C: Compost (4) MC: The combination of M and compost (5) NPK: conventional chemical fertilizer (6) V: plants infected with V. dahliae (7) MV: plants infected with a conidial suspension of V. dahliae and M, (8) CV: The combination of compost and V. dahliae, (9) MCV: The combination of M, compost and V. dahliae, (10) VNPK: V. dahliae and NPK. The combination of biostimulants reduced disease severity and incidence, as well as the leaf alteration index compared to control plants (V). However, the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and final mean severity (FMS) were reduced by 37% and 46% respectively by the application of the combination of M, compost and V. dahliae (MCV) compared to the V control. Additionally, the MCV treatment showed the greatest increment in protein content (152.6%), in TSS content (54.6%), and CV increased proline content by 46.6%. Furthermore, MCV also protected the photosynthetic apparatus from pathogen-induced oxidative stress and reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) (215.03%), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (74.73%) and peroxidase activity (POX) (101.91%). MC also enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities by 166.19% compared to their controls (V). M alone or in combination with compost, remains a favourable interaction for suppressing plant diseases and improving antioxidant defense systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office 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.)

Returning livestock manure to the cropland as organic fertilizer is a sustainable and environmentally friendly treatment method, but its application also alters the soil microenvironment. However, the impact of soil microbial community disturbance and pollutant accumulation from different types of organic fertilizers remains largely unknown in South China. To fill this gap, we investigated the effects of organic fertilizers, including chicken manure, pig manure and vermicompost on the soil bacterial and fungal communities and environmental risks. The results show that applying organic fertilizer effectively increases the soil nutrient content. High-throughput sequencing of bacteria and fungi showed that the application of different organic fertilizers had differential effects on microbial community structure, with the highest number of microbe-specific OTUs in the vermicomposting treatment. Additionally, this study found no risk of heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd) contamination from short-term organic fertilizer application, but there was a risk of antibiotic (ENR and CHL) contamination. Functional microorganisms regulating heavy metals and antibiotics were identified by RDA analysis. This study facilitates the screening of types of organic fertilizers that can be safely returned to the field as well as developing strategies to regulate functional microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is a staple food crop that feeds billions globally. Addressing Zn deficiency in rice is crucial for improving nutrition and food security. Zn deficiency in rice is a widespread issue, especially in purple tidal mud substrates, which often exhibit low Zn availability. The objective of this two-year pot study was to explore the relationship between Zn content, yield components, and Zn absorption in rice grown in purple tidal mud substrate with varying amounts of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.) incorporation. The experimental design consisted of seven treatments: an unfertilized control, a Chinese milk vetch control, a chemical fertilizer control, and four treatment variations incorporating Chinese milk vetch alongside chemical fertilizer applications. The results indicated that planting and applying Chinese milk vetch improved the grain yield of rice in purple tidal mud substrate, and the yield increased with higher levels of Chinese milk vetch applied. The increased grain yield resulted in higher Zn absorption in rice grains. The application of Chinese milk vetch, both solely and in combination with chemical fertilizers, had varying effects on zinc uptake and grain zinc formation efficiency in early and late rice, with the control and low-level Chinese milk vetch treatments generally exhibiting the highest performance across the two-year period. By introducing Chinese milkvetch following the use of chemical fertilizers, the Zn content in rice grains increased starting from the second year. The treatment with Chinese milkvetch applied at a rate of 2.25 t/hm2 showed the best results in increasing the Zn content in rice grains. The increase in Zn content and Zn uptake by the rice plants gave rise to a lowering of the DTPA-extractable Zn content in the purple tidal mud substrate. Sole Chinese milk vetch application and using Chinese milk vetch following chemical fertilizer application both increased Zn content extracted by DTPA in purple tidal mud substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive fertilizer application increases the risk of eutrophication and agricultural non-point source pollution (ANPS) in rivers near farmland. However, the processes and mechanisms of runoff and phosphorus losses, particularly in the interflow, under various fertilizer treatments and rainfall scenarios are not well understood. This study used orthogonal experimental methods to investigate the combined effects of fertilization schemes and rainfall intensity on multi-form phosphorus runoff losses and to establish statistical relationships and regression models between phosphorus losses and environmental factors in surface runoff and interflow. The results indicated that (1) the optimized fertilization scheme, compared with conventional fertilization, enhanced pak choi (Brassica rapa) growth while reducing phosphorus runoff losses. By reducing phosphorus fertilization by 35.7%, total phosphorus losses decreased by 29.3%, 34.2%, and 29.8% under light, moderate, and heavy rainfall, respectively. (2) Different fertilizer applications and rainfall intensities had varying effects on phosphorus losses through different pathways. Fertilizer application was the primary factor affecting phosphorus losses in surface runoff, while rainfall intensity mainly influenced phosphorus losses through interflow. (3) Surface runoff was the dominant pathway for phosphorus losses from farmland (>92.0%), with particulate phosphorus (>89.4%) being the predominant form. However, under high-intensity and long-duration rainfall, interflow became a significant pathway for phosphorus losses. This study highlights the importance of optimized fertilization in reducing phosphorus losses and improving fertilizer efficiency in agricultural fields. The findings will help develop strategies to mitigate ANPS and soil nutrient losses in the North China Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic fertilizers and microbial biofertilizers are now widely recognized to effectively complement traditional mineral fertilizers for plant growth. The present study shows that bio-organic fertilizers can be enhanced by the addition of functional plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that provide additional benefits to plants. We hypothesized that not all beneficial soil bacteria are functional in different farm soils and plant varieties; hence, the most effective PGPR that are suitable to each farm's individual cropping conditions were selected. Five different field soils and their respective crops were tested for compatibility with six microbial biofertilizers (including three new bacterial strains) to supplement a commercially available bio-organic fertilizer. In pot trials with lucerne plants, four out of the six microbial treatments led to significant (p < 0.05) growth promotion benefits (up to 79.8% more leaves and dry weight) compared to mock-treated or bio-organic fertilizer-only-treated control plants. A trial with industrial hemp demonstrated that compatibility with PGPR occurs in a cultivar-specific manner, leading to growth promotion ranging from −3.4% to 68.9%, with each cultivar displaying a preference for a different PGPR. Finally, pot trials with Rhodes grass and two different soils demonstrated high yield increases compared to control plants, with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 33YE being most effective for one soil and Bacillus velezensis UQ9000N/Pseudomonas lini SMX2 for the other soil. Yield advantages reduced after several cuts of grass, but a repeat biofertilizer treatment at 69 days after the initial treatment restored high yield advantages, with the same PGPR again being most effective. These results demonstrate the importance of customization of microbial inoculants to identify the most compatible PGPR–cultivar–soil interaction. The customization of microbial biofertilizers to soils and plant cultivars, combined with complementary fertilizer applications, can potentially lead to more reliable and more sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a crucial indicator of soil quality and fertility. However, excessive nitrogen (N) application, while increasing Moso bamboo yield, may reduce SOC content, potentially leading to soil quality issues. The impact of N on SOC and its active fraction in Moso bamboo forests remains underexplored. Investigating these effects will elucidate the causes of soil quality decline and inform effective N management strategies. Four N application gradients were set: no nitrogen (0 kg·hm−2·yr−1, N0), low nitrogen (242 kg·hm−2·yr−1, N1), medium nitrogen (484 kg·hm−2·yr−1, N2), and high nitrogen (726 kg·hm−2·yr−1, N3), with no fertilizer application as the control (CK). We analyzed the changes in SOC, active organic carbon components, and the Carbon Pool Management Index (CPMI) under different N treatments. The results showed that SOC and its active organic carbon components in the 0~10 cm soil layer were more susceptible to N treatments. The N0 treatment significantly increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content but had no significant effect on SOC, particulate organic carbon (POC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC) contents. The N1, N2, and N3 treatments reduced SOC content by 29.36%, 21.85%, and 8.67%, respectively. Except for POC, N1,N2 and N3 treatments reduced MBC, DOC, and ROC contents by 46.29% to 71.69%, 13.98% to 40.4%, and 18.64% to 48.55%, respectively. The MBC/SOC ratio can reflect the turnover rate of SOC, and N treatments lowered the MBC/SOC ratio, with N1 < N2 < N3, indicating the slowest SOC turnover under the N1 treatment. Changes in the Carbon Pool Management Index (CPMI) illustrate the impact of N treatments on soil quality and SOC sequestration capacity. The N1 treatment increased the CPMI, indicating an improvement in soil quality and SOC sequestration capacity. The comprehensive evaluation index of carbon sequestration capacity showed N3 (−0.69) < N0 (−0.13) < CK (−0.05) < N2 (0.24) < N1 (0.63), with the highest carbon sequestration capacity under the N1 treatment and a gradual decrease with increasing N fertilizer concentration. In summary, although the N1 treatment reduced the SOC content, it increased the soil CPMI and decreased the SOC turnover rate, benefiting soil quality and SOC sequestration capacity. Therefore, the reasonable control of N fertilizer application is key to improving soil quality and organic carbon storage in Moso bamboo forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In order to study the effects of combined application of compound fertilizer and branch fertilizer on the growth and yield of machine-transplanted rice, four hybrid rice varieties were used as experimental materials, and four fertilization treatments were set up by completely random design: compound fertilizer (T0), compound fertilizer + conventional branch fertilizer (T1), compound fertilizer + (branch fertilizer − 20%) (T2), compound fertilizer + (branch fertilizer + 20%) (T3). The results showed that the branch fertilizer could effectively promote the early growth and rapid development of tillers, and increase the agronomic traits such as chlorophyll content, LAI and dry matter accumulation. Among the four varieties, the yield of the V4 variety was the highest under T3 treatment, which was 11,471.15 kg·hm−2, which was 37.34% higher than that of the control, and the yield increase effect was the most significant. The correlations showed that dry matter accumulation and LAI were significantly or highly significantly positively correlated with the number of effective spikes and yield, and the number of effective spikes was highly significantly positively correlated with the yield. In general, the application of pitchfork fertiliser increased the effective number of spikes and the number of grains per spike of each variety to different degrees, which effectively promoted the improvement of the rice yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphate fertilizers are applied to the soil surface, especially in vineyards in production in subtropical regions. Nowadays, phosphorus (P) is not incorporated into the soil to avoid mechanical damage to the root system in orchards. However, over the years, successive surface P applications can increase the P content only in the topsoil, maintaining low P levels in the subsurface, which can reduce its use by grapevines. For this reason, there is a need to propose strategies to increase the P content in the soil profile of established orchards. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of management strategies to (i) increase the P content in the soil profile; (ii) enhance the grape production; and (iii) maintain the grape must composition. An experiment on the 'Pinot Noir' grape in full production was carried out over three crop seasons. The treatments were without P application (C), P on the soil surface without incorporation (SP), P incorporated at 20 cm (IP20), P incorporated at 40 cm (IP40), and twice the P dose incorporated at 40 cm (2IP40). The P concentration in leaves at flowering and veraison, P content in the soil, grape production and its components, and chemical parameters of the grape must (total soluble solids, total polyphenols, total titratable acidity, total anthocyanins, and pH) were evaluated. The P concentration in leaves did not differ among the P application modes. The application of P associated with soil mobilization, especially at 20 cm depth, increased grape production. The P application modes did not affect the values of the chemical parameters of the grape must except for the total anthocyanins, which had the highest values when the vines were subjected to 2IP40. Finally, the P application and incorporation into the soil profile was an efficient strategy for increasing the grape production in full production vineyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a "Smart Fertilizing Using Internet of Things (IoT) Multi-Sensors" system to enhance fertilizer management in agriculture. The system has four main parts: the Nutro Determining Unit (NDU), the Nutro Sensing Unit (NSU), the Nutro UAV Variable Fertiliser Spray System, and a Variable Rate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Sprayer model. The NDU collects vital data on Soil Moisture (SM) and Environmental Conditions (EnC) using advanced IoT cameras, while the NSU consolidates and normalises the data for advanced analysis using Heuristic Decision Trees (HDT) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms. In India, a data-driven UAV system uses IoT and UAV technologies to determine nutrient needs and create a prescription map for fertilizer application. The approach caused increases in the efficient utilisation of resources, Crop Yield (CY), and ecological footprint when it underwent evaluation in a crop maize field that was 14 hectares in size. A fresh benchmark for Smart Farming (SF) techniques has been set up by this method of operation, which is motivated by data and symbolises an important innovation in modern and ecologically conscious SF methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]