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The results of long-year experiments with mineral and organic fertilizing in the conditions of long-term stationary fields experiment have been given. A great number of experiments showed influence of different systems of fertilizing in field grain crop rotation on the elements of soil fertility, productivity and quality of winter wheat varieties in the conditions of ChZ of Tambov region. It has been revealed that the largest yields of grain were received in all variants of the experiment where fertilizing was applied in comparison with those where there was no any fertilizing. Mineral and organic fertilizing improves productivity and grain quality. Maximum productivity of variety ‘Mironovskaya 808’ (4,04 t/ha) was achieved with the use of NPK + manure 30t/ha, equivalent to 2 norms of NPK. Productivity of new winter wheat varieties ‘Moskovskaya 39’ and ‘Gubernator Dona’ was the greatest one in all experiments conducted in 2008-2013. The highest increase of productivity (1,05 t/ha) was noted in the case with application of NPK, 2 norms of N80P80K80. Together with productivity increase it’s necessary to pay attention to improvement of grain quality. Protein content is the most important trait of grain quality. Wheat cultivar ‘Mironoskaya 808’ is characterized with a lower content of raw protein. The least value (12,6%) was received in the cultivars without fertilizing. There was no essential difference among the cultivars which were fertilized. During 2008-2013 years the content of raw protein was higher than that of the variety ‘Mironoskaya 808’. There was no essential difference among the cultivars, some increase of content of raw protein (14,6 %) was noted in the case with application of NPK, 2 norms of N80P80K80 compared with the case without fertilizing. The basic agro chemical traits have been considered in the article; fertilizing effects on soil fertility components after a cycle of seven crop rotation were shown. During 42 years of experimenting humus content was reduced in all variants of the experimenting; content of moving phosphorus in soil was increased due to fertilizing; content of exchangeable potassium didn’t change greatly remaining on a rather high level.

During the years of 2012-2014 two varieties of spring barley ‘Bagrets’ and ‘Belgorodsky 100’ and their response to fertilizing have been studied in the trials of FSBSI ‘Ural research Institute of Agriculture’. The article considers the productivity of barley varieties of various ecologic-geographic origin and their yield structure (a number of productive stems, a number of kernels per head, 1000-kernel weight), and gives economic assessment of the used methods. The study has shown that the variety ‘Belgorodsky 100’ forms a larger yield than ‘Bagrets’ on 0.020.20 t/ha. On average both varieties produced a good yield with the fertilizing of N60P60K60 and it was on 0.75-0.93 t/ha more than without the fertilizing. The variety ‘Bagrets’ formed larger kernels (with 1000-kernel weight of 52.8 g). The fertilizing promoted an increase of the kernel size on 0.7-2.9 g, and a number of productive stems on 15-98 pieces, height of a plant on 4.010.4 sm, a length of head on 0.5-0.9 sm and a number of kernels per head on 0.7-2.2 pieces. In 2014 we obtained high productivity of the studied barley varieties (to 3.57 t/ha). In 2012 barley had better response to fertilizing and the amount of productivity increase was on 0.86-1.28 t/ha higher than the standard variety, but in 2013 and 2014 the increase of productivity was 0.31-0.76 t/ha. In 2013 there were favourable weather conditions (warm and wet) during the barley vegetation and 1000-kernel weight was 58.2 g.

Grasslands are crucial parts of the terrestrial ecosystem, with an extremely high differentiation of productivity and diversity across spatial scales and land use patterns. The practices employed to manage grassland, such as grazing, haymaking, fertilization or reseeding, can improve the grassland condition. This study focuses on the changes in productivity and diversity and the relationship between them as affected by management practices. Productivity and diversity have unequivocally been altered in response to different management practices. When grazing intensity of a typical steppe increased from 1.5 to 9 sheep per hectare, both productivity and diversity declined. Higher grazing intensity (6 to 9 sheep per hectare) accelerated loss of diversity because of lower productivity. Productivity was significantly improved but diversity was lost by fertilizing. N fertilization also reduced the sensitivity of diversity to productivity. A similar response was found in mown grassland with increased productivity and diversity but their relationship was negatively affected. Mowing also slowed down the decline in diversity as productivity increased. Reseeding purple-flowered alfalfa led to an increased diversity, while yellow-flowered alfalfa increased productivity significantly. The negative productivity-diversity relationship was transformed to a positive one by reseeding alfalfa. These results enhance understanding of how productivity, diversity and their relationships change in response to altered grassland management practices, and support an integrated approach for improving both productivity and diversity.

Liquid fertilizers in dry season vegetable production are applied using different cropping patterns with little or no empirical evidence on which pattern is the most profitable. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of cropping patterns on the profitability of liquid fertilizer usage in dry season vegetable production. Specifically, the study identified the various vegetable enterprises, assessed the inputs and outputs of the different vegetable enterprises and estimated the profitability of the vegetable enterprises. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 309 farmers in the Southern Guinea Savannah zone. Pretested and structured interview schedules were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and partial budgeting techniques were used for data analysis. Twelve different vegetable enterprises were identified in the study. Sixty percent of users of liquid fertilizer cultivated only fruit vegetables such as okra and peppers. The usage of the combination of both liquid and non-liquid fertilizers in mixed vegetable production yielded the highest quantity of output of about 1374kg/ha. However, usage of sole liquid fertilizer on exotic vegetables gave the highest profitability of 323 percent on the rate of return to capital investment. The study has concluded that the use of liquid fertilizer increases profitability and therefore recommends the formulation and implementation of policies that will encourage liquid fertilizer usage among the farmers.

Urban gardening is an activity that has been rapidly increasing. The aim of this study was to point out the common mistakes in cultivation practices made by producers on small city areas. Total of 96 individual plots under vegetable crops were sampled (56 from garden plots of the city of Novi Sad, and 40 from field plots in the suburbs). There was no significant difference in the content of organic matter between these two groups of tested soils. The contents of readily available P2O5 and K2O were significantly higher in garden soil than in the field plots for production of vegetables. According to the content of pseudototal copper, 39% of samples belonged to the category of critical concentration and/or above MAC in the urban soil. Obtained results prove the pollution of small area gardens due to high anthropogenic effect of excessive use of mineral fertilizers and copper-based fungicides.

A significant reduction in nitrogen (N) losses from agricultural fields will make a positive impact on the environment. Managing nitrogen for the optimum application provides economic benefits as well as environmental protection. This study presents a model that was developed to determine the optimum ratio of N to yield based on N sensor indices in winter wheat. A quadratic polynomial model was used to characterize the relationship between N and yield for the optimum N rate. The N was applied to the Bezostaja and Ahmetaga wheat varieties at 0 kg N ha-1, 80 kg N ha-1, 120 kg N ha-1, 160 kg N ha-1 and 200 kg N ha-1 ratios. The results showed that the most economical mean estimated N rate was 167.6 kg N ha-1 for Bezostaja and 206 kg N ha-1 for Ahmetaga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paratecoma peroba is a native forest species of great economic and ecological interest, currently at risk of extinction from selective and illegal exploitation; however, there are no established parameters for the production of seedlings of this species. The objective of this study was to analyze the growth and nutritional balance of P. peroba seedlings grown in polypropylene tubes of different sizes with variable doses of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). Three volumes of tubes (120, 180, and 280 cm3), four CRF doses (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 kg m-3), and a conventional mineral fertilizer (CF) were tested as indicated in the literature for native forest species: arranged in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme, with four replicates composed of 16 seedlings. After 180 days, the percentage of survival, growth variables, indices of the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system, and the average nutrient balance index of the seedlings were analyzed. Based on the total dry matter and the mean nutritional balance index, the combination of a 280 cm? tube with a 7.5 kg m-3 CRF dose was the most effective in the production of P. peroba seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organomineral fertilizers are the combination and/or mixture of organic fertilizers with mineral fertilizers. This combination provides the necessary nutrients for the development of the crops, being the organic matter, an enhancer of these minerals, besides an aggregator in the improvement of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. The objective of this work was to highlight the potential, production and benefits of using organominerals in crops, such as: lettuce, arugula, tomatoes, soybeans, coffee, corn, cowpea, potatoes, sugar cane, eucalyptus, wheat and sesame. It is noteworthy that numerous studies prove the effectiveness of these fertilizers in crops, aiming at numerous agronomic parameters. In addition to the environmental liability, it can generate a lot of revenue with this product with growth potential in the world agricultural market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, liming and fertilizing recommendations for crops in the main regions of Brazil is made using the knowledge generated by researchers and summarized in liming and fertilizing manuals. This requires professionals to refer to these manuals for recommendations, which are often made manually. In this context, the AgroFert system was created to be an automated liming and fertilizing recommendation tool, assisting professionals and small producers in monitoring crop-related information. The system acts on the recommendation of correctives and fertilizers for the states of Rio Grande do Sul/Santa Catariana and Paraná for the main grain crops and to evaluate the evolution of the chemical characteristics of the soil. This work presents a multiplatform mobile application, which integrated with AgroFert system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant response to herbicides is one of the most essential points in corn (Zea mays L.) production, especially in inbred lines. Weed abundance is higher in corn lines comparing to hybrids. Insufficient herbicide selectivity in lines crop can be a limiting factor for their application. Weed control today is based on Integrated Weed Management (IWM) approach, i.e. to use all possible methods and measures for weed control and better crop fitness. In this research, sensitivity of one corn inbred line (selection based on previous research) was tested to two sulfonylurea herbicides in treatments with and without foliar fertilizer. Treatments included recommended and double field doses and control (no herbicide), with and without foliar fertilizer. Herbicides and foliar fertilizer were applied as a mixture. In a 3 yr field experiment, herbicides expressed different selectivity to the tested line. The line was further tested in controlled conditions for dose-response analyses in order to determine variations in biomass and biochemical compounds levels. The double dose of foramsulfuron affected fresh matter significantly (p < 0.05) with 90% decrease, compared to control. An experiment in controlled conditions showed increased tolerance to herbicides in treatments with foliar fertilizer -- according to higher effective doses (ED10, ED50, and ED90) estimated, indicating higher plant tolerance to herbicides when foliar fertilizer was applied. In corn leaves the highest herbicide dose and foliar fertilizer induced slight reduction of concentrations of free thiol groups, soluble proteins and phytic P (to 14.1%, 9.3% and 9.9%, respectively) and increased phenolics concentration (up to 26.7%) compared to treatment without herbicide application. Obtained results indicate positive effects of foliar fertilizer when it is applied in mixture with herbicides, and foliar fertilizing should be considered as important strategy in obtaining higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A banana is a nutritious fruit which contains good vitamins and nutrient for body. Banana tree requires suitable mean temperature and mean rainfall to grow up. Additionally, healthy soil improves crops growth due to sufficient nutrients. Farmers use fertilizer to improve soil nutrient and increase yield productions. Thus, a proper field management and fertilization is important to ensure banana plants to produce high quality of yield. Improper manage fertilizer will cause impact on the environment and affect the banana plantation. Therefore, fertilizer information system for banana plantation is developed to support farmers to manage information for banana farm in an effective way. Prototype model is employed to assist development of the system. PHP programming language is used to develop this system and MySQL as a system database. This system contains five modules which are registration and login module, manage banana plantation information module, fertilizer formulation management module, fertilizer information management module and report module. It is expected that the system will help farmers to manage and monitor the fertilizing task in the farm efficiently.

Abstract. The study was conducted during the period 2014 – 2016 in the experimental field of Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Sadovo. The influence of the period of sowing, the predecessor and the fertilization on the elements of productivity and grain yield per hectare in einkorn wheat were studied. It was established that the structural elements of productivity - number of productive tillers, length of the spike, number of spikelets per spike, mass of central spike, number of grains in central spike, weight of the grains from the central spike are with the highest values in plants grown after predecessor peas, sown in autumn and fertilized with extra nitrogen. With least developed productive capabilities are the plant variants sown in spring after sunflower and without additional fertilization with nitrogen. With proved the biggest impact on grain yield per hectare is the date of sowing. The sources of variation: predecessor and combined effect of factors predecessor x fertilization show equal share of influence on the productivity of einkorn. The results from the study give science-based information on the most favorable time of sowing, fertilizing and predecessor in einkorn.

Considering the problems of current intertillage deep fertilizer applicators such as insufficient topdressing depth and poor adaptability in ridge forming, this paper designs a 3ZFS-520 intertillage deep fertilizer applicator by making some improvements to the deep application shovel and hiller. With a lengthened and narrowed deep application shovel and optimized penetration angle, clearance angle and curvature radius, this applicator experiences reduced working resistance and soil disturbance while increasing the fertilizing depth, and has enhanced adaptability in ridge forming and achieves better ridge forming effects through the integration of the hilling shovel and the hiller with adjustable extent. Test results show that, the 3ZFS-520 intertillage fertilizer applicator can reach a fertilization depth of 20cm with good ridge forming effects, strong applicability and adaptability, and stable working performance, and thus can meet the requirements set by the national standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinasse is a liquid organic waste from the fermentation process to obtain alcoholic substances, mainly ethanol. It is rich in potassium, essential nutrient for soy development. Vinasse is a class II (non-hazardous) residue characterized by the absence of heavy metals and pathogenic contaminants, so it can be used as biofertilizer in various agricultural crops. The objective of the present work was to study the effect of application of "fresh" and "concentrated" vinasse as potassium source in partial and total substitution in soybean crop. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments were distributed according to the conditions of the vinasse (fresh and concentrated), applied at sowing and covering when associated with mineral fertilization with potassium chloride at sowing. In the first year of cultivation the use of vinasse promotes better conditions for nodulation and plant growth. Vinasse does not affect soybean nodulation at both application times (sowing and mulching). Vinasse can be used as biofertilizer in partial or total substitution of potassium chloride mineral fertilization in soybean, regardless of its application form (fresh or concentrated). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective]This paper aimed to explore the effects of fertilization on the growth and development of spring maize and the absorption and utilization of its nutrient elements. [Method] A field experiment was designed to study the effects of different fertilization patterns on the growth characteristic and nitrogen use efficiency of corn for continuous three years. [Result] With the growing period, the contents of chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein in the leaves of corn by fertilization and CK showed a similar increasing trend, ordered as FP > OTP > CK in the same period. The plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, 100 grain weight, panicle grain number and panicle grain weight of corn at mature stage all showed FP > OTP > CK. Further, superoxide dismutase (SOD) , catalase, peroxidase activity of corn showed a similar increasing trend, while the leaf malondialdehyde content decreased with the fertilizer, and the difference between fertilizer and CK gradually expended with the growing period, suggesting that fertilization promoted the synthesis of spring maize growth and leaf physiological characteristics, especially in the mature period of performance. The accumulation of nitrate nitrogen in soil under energy application was mainly concentrated in the 0 - 10 cm soil layer, and the nitrate nitrogen content in the 0 - 10 cm soil layer accounted for 15.32 % -35. 64 % in soil (0 -30 cm soil layer) , supporting the surface-aggregation. Total nitrogen uptake under fertilization treatment showed FP > OTP>CK, with significant differences (PcO.05). Compared with CK, the total nitrogen uptake of spring corn under FP and OTP treatment increased by 58. 9 and 82. 9 kg/hm2 , respectively, and the nitrogen utilization rate was higher under FP treatment. [Conclusion] Altogether, it was considered that the fertilization mode significantly increased the grain weight and grain number per ear of spring corn at the ma-ture stage, indicating that fertilization promoted the increase of grain number per ear of spring corn to some extent and thus increased the yield of spring corn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The seedlings production with high quality standards requires substrates that provide chemical and physical characteristics suitable for this purpose. Therefore, was evaluated alternative substrates in the production of seedlings of peppers and sweet peppers. For this purpose, the following compounds were compared: commercial substrate (Carolina Soil®), washed sand + carbonized rice straw + bovine manure (1:1:1 v/v/v), washed sand + carbonized rice straw + earthworm humus (1:1:1 v/v /v), Carolina Soil® + carbonized rice straw + bovine manure (1:1:1 v/v/v) and Carolina Soil® + carbonized rice straw + earthworm humus (1:1:1 v/v/v). Two experiments were carried out simultaneously, both performed in a randomized block design. The first one was carried out in factorial scheme 5 (substrates) x 2 (pepper cultivars), with four replications. The second experiment was carried out in a factorial scheme 5 (substrates) x 3 (sweet pepper cultivars), with four replications. The emergence speed index, emergency percentage, shoot height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and fresh and dry masses of shoot, root and total were evaluated. Based on the evaluated characteristics, the commercial substrate Carolina Soil® was the most suitable for the production of pepper and sweet pepper seedlings. As an alternative substrate, the substrate composed of commercial substrate + carbonized rice straw + bovine manure is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizers are commonly applied to improve the yield and quality in orchards. But unbalanced fertilization negatively affects the nutrient contents of the fruits. Fruits with low energy and high mineral and vitamin contents are significant foods for human nutrition and human health. This study was carried out with '0900 Ziraat' sweet cherry cultivar grafted on 'Gisela 5' rootstock in two consecutive years. The effects of different nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) doses on nutrient content of fruits were investigated. Different doses of N (0, 50, 125 and 250 g N tree-1) and K (0, 50, 125 and 250 g K2O tree-1) were applied beneath the tree canopy in 6 replications and 1 tree in every replication in two consecutive years. Fruit samples were harvested from each tree and fruit colour, firmness, cracking index and nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and B) were determined. Fruit N content, N:K ratio, L*, a*, C* and firmness values increased with increasing N doses. While K fertilization did not have significant effects on K content and N:K ratio, it negatively influenced the N content of the fruits. It was concluded that N fertilization directly influenced fruit quality attributes, but K fertilization did not have any significant effects on fruit quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to establish the effectiveness of preparations, made on the basis of humic and fulvic acids on the yields of crops in case of different methods and amounts used. The experiments were held with varieties and hybrids of winter wheat, soya, corn, and sunflower. Based on the obtained results of investigation during the period of 2015-2017, the positive impact of foliar additional fertilizing with 4R Foliar Concentrate growth stimulator on the basis of humic and fulvic acids on the formation of productivity of the main crops sown areas was established. Proceeding from the results of the research, the using of growth stimulators based on humic and fulvic acids, which contain high concentrations of these substances, can be recommended as an expedient and efficient measure of raising the productivity and improving qualitative indicators of corn, sunflower, soya, and winter wheat yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ceres is the property of Revista Ceres 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 Landbauforschung is the property of Thuenen Institut 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 aim of this experiment was to compare the influence of fertilizers with different speed of nutrients release on growth–production indicators of turf under non–irrigated conditions. The experiment was carried in warm and dry conditions in area Nitra (Slovak Republic). In the experiment were followed 5 treatments (1. without fertilization, 2. Nitre with dolomite, Superphosphate, Potassium salt, 3. Turf fertilizer Travcerit®, 4. Slow release fertilizer SRF NPK 14–5–14 (+ 4CaO + 4MgO + 7S), 5. Controlled release fertilizer Duslocote® NPK (S) 13–9–18 (+6S)). The highest gain of height reached variant fertilized by fertilizer SRF NPK 14–5–14 (+ 4CaO + 4MgO + 7S). Comparison of the individual treatments for the whole period showed significantly lower average daily gains of height on control treatment compared to fertilizing treatments Nitre with dolomite, Superphosphate, Potassium salt, SRF NPK 14–5–14 (+ 4CaO + 4MgO + 7S) and Duslocote® NPK (S) 13–9–18 (+6S). During the reported period the highest gain of weight reached treatment by application fertilizer Duslocote® NPK (S) 13– 9–18 (+ 6S). Comparison of the individual treatments for the whole period, were found significantly lower average daily production of phytomass on control treatment in comparison with fertilization turfs by Travcerit® and Duslocote® NPK (S) 13–9–18 (+6S).

In order to obtain the information about changes of titanium contents in the phytomass during the growing season of winter oilseed rape and about the titanium contents drawn by the rape yield during two farming years the small plot field trial was established. In the trial the fertilizer Mg-Titanit (MgTi) containing 8.5 g of titanium in 1 liter was used. The experiment consisted of 5 treatments. 0 – control treatment without MgTi fertilizer; 2xTi0.2 – two applications of MgTi in the dose of 0.2 l/ha; 3xTi0.2 – three applications of MgTi in the dose of 0.2 l/ha; 2xTi0.4 – two applications of MgTi in the dose of 0.4 l/ha; 3xTi0.4 – three applications of MgTi in the dose of 0.4 l/ha. The fertilizer was applied in spring during two, or three different growth stages: BBCH 50, BBCH 59, BBCH 66. The first plant sampling was carried out shortly before the first application of fertilizer (BBCH 50). The second, third and fourth sampling was taken 2–3 weeks after the application of Mg-Titanitu (BBCH 59, BBCH 66, BBCH 71). The obtained results showed that the titanium content in the phytomass of rape was falling during the monitored period. The titanium content in the rape aboveground phytomass varied in the interval from 16.81 to 67.6 mg/kg and in the root in the interval from 56.6 to 258.81 mg/kg. The titanium application on plant leaves in the quantities from 3.4 to 10.2 g per hectare of soil did not have the unambiguous impact on the titanium content in the rape phytomass. In the yield of one tonne of seed and appropriate quantity of rape straw on average 20 grams of titanium was taken in.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield, nutritional value and potential ruminal degradation of Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.) harvested at four regrowth ages (28, 35, 42 and 49 days) and fertilized with two nitrogen doses (N; 100 and 300 kg N ha-1). The experimental design was a randomized block design, arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, with six replications each. Nitrogen fertilization increased (p < 0.05) dry matter yield and digestible dry matter production of hay and also lignin and crude protein contents. Nitrogen fertilization increased (p < 0.01) the dry matter yield and the digestible dry matter production of hay, as well as lignin (p = 0.01) and crude protein (p = 0.01). The neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (p = 0.01), acid detergent fiber (p = 0.01) and cellulose (p = 0.02) adjusted to the quadratic function regression model of the regrowth ages. For potential rumen degradability hay, it was observed quadratic effect (p = 0.01) with maximum value of 73.1% at 37 days of regrowth. Tifton 85 hay fertilized with 300 kg ha -1 of N and harvested up to 37 days of regrowth results in higher hay dry matter yield, higher crude protein content, and better dry matter rumen degradability.

Introduction: In conventional farming, the soil and crop are considered uniform in different locations of the farm and the fertilizers are applied according to the average of soil needs with an additional percentage for safety (Loghavi, 2003). Non-essential chemical fertilizers in the field have harmful effects and social, economic and environmental concerns will increase. Many fertilizers go into the surface waters and ground waters and cause poisoning and environmental pollution without being absorbed by the plants. In variable rate technology, the soil fertilizer needs a map of all parts of the farm which is prepared with the GIS system. This map is uploaded on the computer before variable rate fertilizer machine starts. The computer continually controls the fertilizing rate for each part of the farm using a fertilizing map and global positioning system. The purpose of this study is to construct and evaluate a map-based variable rate fertilizer system that can be installed on a common fertilizer in Iran to be used as a variable rate system. Materials and methods: In common variable rate fertilizers, the rotational speed change of the distributor shaft is used to apply fertilizers. In this way, a DC motor is assembled on the main shaft of all distributors, which reduces the fertilizing accuracy. The reason for this is that there is no separation for units along the width of the fertilizer. Therefore, we used one DC motor for each distributor and another motor to rotate the agitator in the tank. System Set up: To design and select a suitable engine, the required torque for the rotation distributor shaft was measured by a torque meter and the amount of 2.1 Nm was acquired for that. With regard to the maximum rate of nitrogen fertilizer for land and tractor speed at the time of fertilizing, the order of 350 kg per hectare and 8 km per hour, the maximum distributor shaft speed and power required to rotate distributor shaft were calculated to be 55 rpm and 6.9 watts, respectively. The selected motor was rated 27.5 watts, 24 volts and 7.5 amperes (Since there were no 6.9 watts motors in the market, a more powerful motor was selected). According to the gear ratio and motor speed, the speed of the distributor shaft was adjustable in the range of 0 to 65 rpm. To determine the speed and position with respect to the direction, a central encoder (E50S8-600-6-L-5 model manufactured by Autonix Korea) was used on the ground wheel. The encoder had 600 pulses per revolution of the axis. Performance evaluation of the system: Performance evaluation of the system consists of two parts; static and moving tests. In static tests, the purpose was the determination of the fertilizer loss (in grams), due to changes in distributor speed as well as the accuracy of the electromechanical control system according to the command values sent to the device. Results of this part were used for the calibration of the device. In motion tests: In motion tests, the assessment of fertilizer loss was due to values set in a given situation and the accuracy of planted fertilizer in place (delay and acceleration) is reviewed. The delay is found by the determination of the distance that the fertilizer was placed after the desired location on the ground and the acceleration is found by the determination of the distance that the fertilizer is placed before the desired location on the ground. Results and discussion: The distributor flow rate on F0 valve position was measured for different rotation speeds. The correlation (linear regression) between the planted fertilizer and rotation speed of distributor shaft (rpm) were 0.99 for y=71.636x+75.182. So, it can be deduced that these two parameters have a good linear correlation. The results achieved from diagrams and regression model were used in the programming of the system control unit. Thus, by reading the distributors motor speed, the amount of fertilizer can be calculated and the amount of used fertilizer according to the need of the farm in each part is controlled. The effect of plot length on the amount of fertilizing on 25% need level was not significant, but it was significant on 50% need level. This is due to stopping and starting fertilizer flow during the test, changes in motors speed and error of these on fertilizer output at a certain amount of fertilizing so that at the 25% need level, the error resulting from these factors had less share on the amount of plant fertilizer and the effect of plot length was not significant according to the system default. On the other hand, the effect of forward speed was significant on the 50% need level and insignificant on the 25% need level. Conclusions: In order to calculate the accuracy of the system, the error from the application amount of fertilizer was measured at different fertilizing rates. The correlation between the adjusted fertilizing rate and the measured fertilizing rate was 0.98 with regression model of y=1.0475x which shows the good accuracy of the system.

Highlights • Weeding of ground vegetation enhanced seedling performance in all five tested species. • Fertilizing is a cost-efficient and effective means to enhance seedling success. • Mounding had limited effect for seedling performance and was labor-intensive. • Species-specific planning for site preparation treatments is crucial. Abstract Degraded tropical peatlands in Southeast Asia are a major challenge for reforestation. Often treeless, drained and several times burnt, these peatland areas are nutrient-poor hostile environments prone to droughts, heavy flooding and extreme diurnal temperature changes. In order to succeed in establishment of a viable tree stand, careful selection of species and management techniques is needed. In this study we investigated the suitability of five native tree species for reforestation of tropical peatlands with three site preparation treatments for potentially enhancing seedling success: weeding, mounding and fertilizing. The study area was a clear-cut, drained and repeatedly burnt former tropical peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Seedlings were grown in a field nursery, planted in the field and their growth and survival were monitored regularly for 1.5 years. Seedling growth in response to environmental variables and treatments was studied by linear mixed models and seedling survival with Cox regression models. In most cases, weeding and fertilizing proved beneficial for the growth and survival of the seedlings, whereas mounding only had a minor impact on seedling performance. The seedlings of Shorea balangeran performed the best and can be recommended for reforestation of heavily degraded areas. Alstonia pneumatophora and Dacryodes rostrata performed relatively well depending on the treatments, whereas Dyera polyphylla had mixed results with problems in seedling production, and Campnosperma squamatum performed rather poorly. The effects of wildfires which engulfed the study area two years after planting were also monitored and are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of cover crops and nitrogen (N) doses on the agronomic performance of watermelon cultivated under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Roraima savannah, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. In the plots, cover plants were tested: spontaneous vegetation, brachiaria ruziziensis (Brachiaria ruziziensis) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan); and in the subplots the doses of N, being: 0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1 in the form of urea. The average fruit mass, number of fruits per hectare, fruit productivity, pulp firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and fruit pH were evaluated. The vegetal coverings formed by the pigeon peas and the Brachiaria ruzizienses improve the yield of the watermelon crop in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the savannah of Roraima, Brazil. The dose of 127.65 kg ha-1 of N yields maximum yield of watermelon fruits in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the savannah of Roraima, Brazil. The cover formed by the spontaneous plants favors the increase of soluble solids contents of the fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga 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 Brazilian Journal of Applied Technology for Agricultural Science / Revista Brasileira de Tecnologia Aplicada nas Ciências Agrárias is the property of Brazilian Journal of Applied Technology for Agricultural Science 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.)

Moringa oleifera presents important medicinal properties, and its seeds are used to treat water for human consumption and wastewater. The aim of the present study was to analyze the initial growth of M. oleifera seedlings in enriched commercial substrate with differing doses of controlled release fertilizer. The experimental was designed in randomized blocks, with four repetitions of 16 seedlings each. The treatment used doses of controlled release fertilizer, with 0; 2; 4; 6; and 8 kg m-3 of commercial substrate. A hundred days after installing the experiment, the following characteristics were analyzed: height of the aerial part; diameter of the root collar; length; volume; and dry mass of the roots and aerial part. Additionally, the relation between the height of the aerial part and the diameter of the root collar and the Dickson quality index (DQI) were determined. The data was submitted to analysis of variance and to the Shapiro-Wilk test to verify the normality and regression. Controlled release fertilizer at a dose of 5.37 kg m-3 of substrate is recommended for M. oleifera seedling production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of wood-ash fertilization on forest soils has been assessed mainly through geochemical methods (e.g., content of soil organic matter or nutrients). However, a simple and fast method of determining the distribution of the ash and the extent of affected soil is missing. In this study we present the use of magnetic susceptibility, which is controlled by Fe-oxides, in comparing the fertilized soil in the forest plantation of pine and oak with intact forest soil. Spatial and vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility was measured in an oak and pine plantation next to stems of young plants, where wood ash was applied as fertilizer. Pattern of the susceptibility distribution was compared with that in non-fertilized part of the plantation as well as with a spot of intact natural forest soil nearby. Our results show that the wood-ash samples contain significant amount of ferrimagnetic magnetite with susceptibility higher than that of typical forest soil. Clear differences were observed between magnetic susceptibility of furrows and ridges. Moreover, the dispersed ash remains practically on the surface, does not penetrate to deeper layers. Finally, our data suggest significant differences in surface values between the pine and oak plants. Based on this study we may conclude that magnetic susceptibility may represent a simple and approximate method of assessing the extent of soil affected by wood-ash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problems of the excessive application of fertilizer and the low utilization rate of fertilizer in the process of rice direct-seeding with synchronous fertilizing, according to the agronomic requirements, a set of electrical drive side deep hill-drop fertilization system for precision rice hill-direct-seeding machine was developed. The omni-directional profiling system was designed by hydraulic self-balance way, and the machine could adapt to the operation environment and accomplish the real-time and automatic adjustment; The design of fertilizer furrow opener was completed by circle function curve, and the opened smooth fertilizer furrow was with 50 mm width, with adjustable depth and at a lateral distance of 30 mm from bud row; The electrical outer slot wheel fertilizer applicator was designed by electrical drive way, which were connected with the electric parts. According to the work requirements, each fertilizer applicator can be adjusted separately, the fertilizer was applied onto the bottom of fertilizer furrow. Field experiments carried out in the Northeast Agricultural University test base in Suihua of Heilongjiang province, with the optimal working condition: machine speed was 2.48 km/h, the seed-metering device and fertilizer applicator both worked at a rotation speed of 29 r/min, the fertilizing depth was 50 mm, qualification rates of seeds and fertilizers in each hill were 86.73% and 87.49%. The fertilizing hill spacing matched seeding hill spacing, the variation coefficients of seeding and fertilizing hill spacing were 17.2% and 16.5%. The broken bud seed rate was 0.31%. During the feasibility experiment, the seed metering device and fertilizer applicator both worked at different rotation speeds such as 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 r/min. Test results showed that fertilization system could be matched with precision rice hill-direct-seeding machine, at the same time the synchronization of ditching furrows, side deep hill-drop fertilization, covering mud, forming ridges and precision rice hill-direct-seeding were achieved. The performance indexes could satisfy agronomic requirements of rice hill-direct-seeding as well as fertilization, so as to provide a reference for the design and evaluation of key fertilization components for precision rice hill-direct-seeding machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron is an essential element in all phases of the soybean cycle, participating in several physiological processes. The objective of this work was to verify the influence of different sources of boron via leaf, applied in three stages of the soybean crop in the reproductive period, on the components of yield, yield and germination of soybean seeds. The work was carried out under lowland conditions, in the municipality of Formoso do Araguaia - TO, between the harvest of the agricultural year of 2016. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in 2x3x5 triple factorial (products x seasons x doses), with four replications. The characteristics evaluated were: number of pods per plant (NVP), number of seeds per plant (NSP), mass hundred seeds (MCS), productivity (PROD), Percentage of germination (G%) and emergence speed index (EVI). It was verified that the treatments in which there was application of the source of boron, composed of boric acid and octaborate, obtained the best answers for all characteristics evaluated. In the soil and climatic conditions of irrigated lowland harvest, applications of B in R2 and R4 obtained the best response. Higher averages were obtained with the application of 1,5 to 2 kg.ha-1 of boron from product A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga 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.)

Slow release and coated urea has been commercially available, but the studies are still growing. Most of the studies used synthetic polymers and involved relatively complicated procedures. This study aimed to explore preparation of environmental friendly slow release urea tablet (SR-urea). The effect of composite composition, chitosan coating on the SR-urea tablet stability and nitrogen release were studied prior to the fertilizing characterization on growth parameters of corn. A composite containing prilled urea, rice husk ash, sago starch and chitosan in appropriate composition were used to fabricate stable SR-urea tablets that survived without decomposition in water up to 30 days of incubation. The nitrogen content was 12.27% (w/w) per tablet. The rate of urea leaching from SR-urea tablet in 100 mL water decreased from 0.048 g to 0.01 g per day, if SR-urea tablets were coated with chitosan film. Chitosan coating protected SR-urea tablet from excessive leaching, functioned as water storage and fungal growth retardation for at least one month. Growth parameters of fertilizing corn with 0.5 g SR-urea tablet showed nonsignificant difference from fertilizing with 2 g of prilled urea after 30 days of cultivation, but the nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) within dried plant was higher (12.37%) in treatment of SR-Urea tablet fertilizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientific Journal of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. Series: Agronomy is the property of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine 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.)