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Wheat is the major staple cereal of the Pakistani people. For healthy growth of field crops potassium (K) is considered an essential element. Potassium activates many enzymatic reactions in plant body. The deficiency of bio-available potassium is pronounced throughout the world. In Pakistan due to dense plantation and minimum use of artificial potassium fertilization the yield and supply potential is diminishing day by day. The cost of potassium fertilization is very high and awareness for external nutrition of potassium benefits is also on the minimum side. To overcome potassium bio-available losses from Pakistani farming system is very essential to sustain crop growth. Keeping in view of these issues, a pot study was performed at the departmental research area. The aim of the research was to depict the efficacy of the use of carbon sequestering fertilizer (compost, press mud and fly ash) along with conventional potassium fertilizers (MOP & SOP) on wheat growth and potassium availability in soil. Carbon sequestering fertilizers were applied @ 0% (Control), 0.5 & 1% of soil weight along with recommended rated of commercial K fertilizers. After the crop was harvested, soil sampling was carried out followed by analysis in the laboratory. It was observed that use of press mud @ Yield 1 % in integration with SOP as chemical K fertilizer performed as best treatment by improving yield (4.11 t/ha) and yield contributing parameters like maximum plant's height (95.10 cm), length of spike (11.04), number of fertile tillers (5.67), 1000 grains weight (39.26 g) and grain count per spike (51). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield and mineral element concentration of beetroot (Beta vulgaris ‘Bulls Blood’) was determined in a closed nutrient-recirculating ‘Nutrient Film Technique’ (NFT) hydroponic experiment. Seedlings were grown and harvested 42 days after transfer into NFT system (DAT), either with a commercial hydroponic fertilizer or a non-hydroponic soluble fertilizer containing in mg liter-1: 108 nitrogen (N) and 12 calcium (Ca) (N1Ca1), or 200 N and 66.7 Ca (N2Ca2), respectively. Nutrient source had no significant effect (p=0.05) on leaf fresh and dry weight (LFW, LDW) or root dry weight (RDW) (g/plant) of beetroot. Whereas, edible root fresh weight (RFW) was significantly (p=0.0308) increased at N2Ca2 compared with N1Ca1, root dry weight ratio (RDWR; RFW/RDW) was greater (p=0.0004) at N1Ca1 than N2Ca2. The greater RFW at N2Ca2 corresponded with significantly higher (p=0.05) leaf concentrations of Ca, magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al) and sodium (Na), but not zinc (Zn). Nutrient source had no affect leaf N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) concentration. Although leaf macro- and micronutrient concentration were variable, all the essential elements except Ca, iron (Fe) and B (at N1Ca1) were either within or above the sufficiency range for beetroot. These observations suggest that low tissue concentration of Ca and B contributed to the lower RFW at N1Ca1 compared with N2Ca2. Sufficiency in Ca and B content should be a major consideration in nutrient source selection and management in NFT hydroponic culture of beetroot.

Fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis (FDFO) is a potential alternative to recover and reuse water and nutrients from agricultural wastewater, such as palm oil mill effluent that consists of 95% water and is rich in nutrients. This study investigated the potential of commercial fertilizers as draw solution (DS) in FDFO to treat anaerobic palm oil mill effluent (An-POME). The process parameters affecting FO were studied and optimized, which were then applied to fertilizer selection based on FO performance and fouling propensity. Six commonly used fertilizers were screened and assessed in terms of pure water flux (Jw) and reverse salt flux (JS). Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), and potassium chloride (KCl) were further evaluated with An-POME. MAP showed the best performance against An-POME, with a high average water flux, low flux decline, the highest performance ratio (PR), and highest water recovery of 5.9% for a 4-h operation. In a 24-h fouling run, the average flux decline and water recovered were 84% and 15%, respectively. Both hydraulic flushing and osmotic backwashing cleaning were able to effectively restore the water flux. The results demonstrated that FDFO using commercial fertilizers has the potential for the treatment of An-POME for water recovery. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed to address challenges such as JS and the dilution factor of DS for direct use of fertigation.

Growth and consolidation in the livestock industry in the past 30 years have resulted in more total farm animals being raised on fewer Iowa farms. The effects of this on stream water quality at the landscape scale have largely gone unexplored. The main objective of this work was to quantify the effects on stream nitrate levels of livestock concentration in two western Iowa watersheds relative to seven other nearby watersheds. To achieve this objective, we used data on high-frequency nitrate concentration and stream discharge, commercial nitrogen fertilizer use, and manure-generated nitrogen in each watershed. Our analysis shows much higher stream nitrate in the two watersheds where livestock concentration has been greatest, and little difference in commercial fertilizer inputs with the widespread availability of manure N. Reducing N inputs and better management of manure N, including analysis of crop N availability in soil and manure, can reduce uncertainty regarding fertilization while improving water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study to improve the growth, production, and fruits quality of cucumber, Two experiments were carried out. firstly; a field experiment to produce cucumber by the soilless culture system. This experiment was to study effect of nutrients solution (A1, A2), growth media (C1, C2, C3, and C4), and methods of flowering management (B1, B2, B3 and B4). Second experiment was conducted to study the effect of storage methods on the yield of 32 field treatments combination (ABC), for a week in four cases of storage as follows: S1 represented the storage by using perforated polyethylene bags at 25°C, while S2 at 7°C. S3 storage by using non-perforated bags at 25°C, and S4 represented the storage by using nonperforated bags at 7°C. The results were revealed that the plant nutrition by using standard solution (A1) had significantly superior in percentage calcium in the leaves (%3.4), firmness (9.27kg.cm2), and TSS% (%5.81) of fresh fruits. Commercial solution (A2) results indicated significantly superior in number of the fruits (54.24 fruit.plant-1) and plastic house production (9.46 tons). The highest yield was 10.84 ton.house-1 produced at the A2B2C1 field treatment combination. The best quality (TSS%) was 5.51% in the case of a storage S2 and the lowest fruits weight loss was 1.90% in the case of S4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global practices of handling, storage, transportation and disposal of organic waste constitute one of the challenges of complexity and relevance; Since these are considered as a potential focus of pollution of natural resources. One of the factors, increased incidence, relates to the treatment of domestic wastewater, which has as a by-product the biosolids; These defined as elements, solid, semi-solid or liquid possessing high content of organic matter (MO) and nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K); and is considered the possibility of process and take advantage of them, using different alternatives to reuse. One of them, the technique of vermicomposting, is based on OM stabilize it by the action of worms of different species, which are able to feed on these substrates, generating humus, which can be used as soil or manure. This research shows the case where developed a system of reactors, with worms of the Californian red species, Eisenia foetida; using as raw material from biosolids from the treatment of wastewater of the New Granada Campus, UMNG, Cajicá, Cundinamarca. Is aimed at generating and measuring a biological process of stabilization that the conditions of the biosolids, where retrieved humus can be used as amendment to the recovery of soils; establishing the physicochemical characteristics of the final product, under the framework of the NTC 5167. And can conclude that it is within the limits established by the regulation, to be used as a soil conditioner, degraded or Decompensated by anthropogenic or natural processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the fertilizing value of struvite deposit recovered from swine wastewater in cultivating lettuce. Struvite deposit was compared to complex fertilizer, organic fertilizer and compost to evaluate the fertilizing effect of struvite deposit. Laboratory pot test showed that the struvite deposit better enhanced lettuce growth in comparison to commercial fertilizers. It was revealed that the growth rate of lettuce was simultaneously controlled by phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). Moreover, nutrients such as nitrogen (N), P, K, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were abundantly observed in the vegetable tissue of struvite pot. Meanwhile, struvite application led to the lower accumulation of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr6+) and nickel (Ni). In addition, no detection of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in the lettuce tissue was observed in struvite application pots. The experimental results proved that the optimum struvite dosage for lettuce cultivation was 0.5 g struvite/kg soil. The column experiments clearly showed that ammonia nitrogen was more slowly released from struvite deposit than from complex fertilizer. Consequently, it was concluded that the struvite deposits recovered from swine wastewater were effective as a multi-nutrient fertilizer for lettuce cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown that biostimulation can promote hydrocarbon bioremediation processes in Antarctic soils. However, the effect of the different nutrient sources on hydrocarbon removal heavily depends on the nutrients used and the soil characteristics. In this work, using a sample of chronically contaminated Antarctic soil that was exposed to a fresh hydrocarbon contamination, we analyzed how a complex organic nutrient source such as fish meal (FM) and a commercial fertilizer (OSEII) can affect hydrocarbon biodegradation and bacterial community composition. Both amended and unamended (control) biopiles were constructed and controlled at Carlini Station and sampled at days 0, 5, 16, 30 and 50 for microbiological, chemical and molecular analyses. FM caused a fast increase in both total heterotrophic and hydrocarbon degrading bacterial counts. These high values were maintained until the end of the assay, when statistically significant total hydrocarbon removal (71 %) was detected when compared with a control system. The FM biopile evidenced the dominance of members of the phylum Proteobacteria and a clear shift in bacterial structure at the final stage of the assay, when an increase of Actinobacteria was observed. The biopile containing the commercial fertilizer evidenced a hydrocarbon removal activity that was not statistically significant when compared with the untreated system and exhibited a bacterial community that differed from those observed in the unamended and FM-amended biopiles. In summary, biostimulation using FM in biopiles significantly enhanced the natural hydrocarbon-degradation activity of the Carlini station soils in biopile systems and caused significant changes in the bacterial community structure. The results will be considered for the future design of soil bioremediation protocols for Carlini Station and could also be taken into account to deal with diesel-contaminated soils from other cold-climate areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient plant nutrition management enhances and sustains agricultural production and safeguards the environment. The use of organic and inorganic fertilizer has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of nutrient supply, soil quality and crop growth. Developing a suitable nutrient management system that integrates use of these fertilizers may be a challenge to reach the goal of sustainable agriculture. An experiment to improve synthetic fertilizer efficiency through bio-fertilizer (BF) application in rice was conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, in 2009. The results showed that combination of bio-fertilizer, nitrogen and phosphorous (500: 120: 90 kg ha-1) exceeded all other treatments in number of tillers m-2, number of panicles m-2, number of spikelets panicles-1, percent normal kernels, 1000-grain weight (g) and paddy yield (t ha-1). The results also showed that bio-fertilizer along with different levels of nitrogen and phosphorous significantly increased the growth and yield components of rice crop. The use of bio-fertilizer along with N and P was found better than N and P alone. This study suggests that bio-fertilizer along with different levels of nitrogen and phosphorous (BF: 500 kg, N: 120 kg, P: 90 kg ha-1) should be used for maximizing rice productivity, reducing inputs of chemical fertilizers and sustaining soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present work evaluated the fertilizing value of struvite deposit recovered from semiconductor wastewater in cultivating Chinese cabbage. The fertilizing effect of struvite deposit was compared with that of commercial fertilizers: complex, organic and compost. Laboratory pot test results clearly showed that the growth of Chinese cabbage was better promoted when the struvite deposit was used than with organic and compost fertilizers even though complex fertilizer was the most effective in growing Chinese cabbage. It was revealed that potassium (K) was a key element in the determination of growth rate of Chinese cabbage. Also, the abundant nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), K, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were observed in the vegetable tissue of struvite pot. Specifically, P was the most-founded component in the vegetable tissue of struvite pot. Meanwhile, the utilization of struvite as a fertilizer led to the lowest accumulation of copper (Cu) and no detection of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in the Chinese cabbage. It was found that the optimum struvite dosage for the cultivation of Chinese cabbage was 1.6gstruvite/kgsoil. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the struvite deposits recovered from semiconductor wastewater were effective as a multi-nutrient fertilizer for Chinese cabbage cultivation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study evaluated the feasibility of using struvite deposit recovered from semiconductor wastewater as a slow-release fertilizer for cultivating Lactuca sativa (lettuce). To the best of our knowledge, the plant availability and fertilizer value of the recovered struvite precipitate have never been studied before. In an assessment, the fertilizing value of struvite deposit was compared with that of commercial fertilizers: complex, organic, and compost. Laboratory pot test results clearly showed that lettuce growth was better facilitated with struvite deposit than with commercial fertilizers. In addition, the fixed amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium were the highest in the lettuce tissue grown in the struvite pots. At the same time, less mercury, lead, chromium, and nickel accumulated in the lettuce tissue grown in the struvite pots than in commercial fertilizer pots. The optimum struvite dosage for the cultivation of lettuce was found to be 0.938 g struvite/kg soil. The column experiments also showed that the nitrogen-leaching rate of struvite deposits was lower than that of complex fertilizer. Results obtained in our study will contribute to the development of methods for the application of struvite precipitate, produced from semiconductor wastewater by crystallization, in the cultivation of lettuce and other plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Land application of organic wastes to short rotation woody crops (SRWC) can reduce the environmental impacts associated with waste disposal and enhance the productivity of biomass production systems. Understanding the potential impacts of organic amendments however, requires the examination of changes in soil characteristics and plant productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of paper sludge and dairy manure on biomass production of shrub willow (Salix dasyclados SV1) and to determine the impacts of these amendments on soil chemical properties. Treatments included urea, dairy manure and paper sludge separately and in combination, and a control. These materials were applied in the summer of 2005 to two fields of SV1 at different stages of growth: An old field with one year old shoots on a 10 year old root system and a young field which was beginning regrowth after being coppiced at the end of its first growing season. Foliar nutrient concentrations and soil chemical properties were analyzed at the end of the second growing season after treatment application to determine plant response to the fertilization regimes and to determine the effects of fertilization on soil characteristics. Fertilization did not increase biomass production in either field. However, application of the N-poor paper sludge did not reduce yield either. In general, fertilization did not influence soil or foliar chemistry, although there were some exceptions. The lack of response observed in this study is probably related to the nutrient status of the site or losses of applied nutrients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two separate field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of swine lagoon effluent relative to inorganic fertilizer at equivalent rates on phosphorus (P) status of an acidic Vaiden (very fine, montmorillonitic, thermic, Aquic Dystrudert) and an alkaline Okolona (fine, montmorillonitic, therimic, Typic Chromudert) silty clay soil. In each site, a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of treatments was used. Treatments were replicated four times. Cumulative swine lagoon effluent P application rates for the year 1994 through 1996 were 0, 59, 121, and 175 kg P ha -1 on the Vaiden soil and 0, 72, 148, and 223 kg P ha -1 on the Okolona soil. In each replication, commercial fertilizer P at rates equivalent to swine effluent P application were also included. For both sites, soil P concentration increased with increasing swine effluent and commercial fertilizer P applications. No significant difference in soil P level was observed between two P sources. At high application rate, desorbed P was 1.20 and 0.59 mg P kg -1 in the Okolona and Vaiden soil respectively. In the Vaiden soil, P adsorption approached the maximum for equilibrium P concentration greater than 600 mg L -1 . However, Okolona soil displayed a linear adsorption potential with application of swine effluent P. Among P fractions, NH4Cl‐P and HCl‐P concentrations increased the most compared to the check in both Okolona and Vaiden soils. Results indicated that P status differs between the soils, but no significant differences in P concentration were obtained between swine lagoon effluent and commercial fertilizer, suggesting that both P sources had similar effect on soil P after 3 years of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During times of economic uncertainty, such as the current period, all costs of agricultural production become important and worthy of close scrutiny if the threat of farm foreclosures is to be minimized. This concern particularly applies to the cost of plant nutrients, which, under conventional approaches, typically represents 24%–30% (or more) of the total variable costs of production [Lu et al. (2000) Food Reviews International 16(2): 121–157; Bullen and Brown (2001) Economic Evaluation of UNR Cotton, NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina]. The purpose of this paper is to examine, via a review of the literature, the economics and profitability of various plant nutrient management strategies–both conventional and alternative ones–in an attempt to identify those strategies that can lead to financial resource optimization and, ultimately, maximum profits for farm enterprises. The results of this analysis are as follows: In a meta-analysis of 120 studies, conventional nutrient management systems, using commercial fertilizers, showed higher profit for most grain crops (with the exception of corn and sorghum), than organic nutrient management systems. Both cover crop and animal manure-based systems show considerable promise as alternative nutrient management strategies for increasing farm profitability. A cover crop system produced the highest average corn yield and gross margin per hectare with the smallest coefficient of variation compared to no-tillage conventional, manure-based, or crownvetch systems. Manure-based systems that do not require purchase or transport of the manure (as in combined animal and crop production systems) can be considerably more profitable than conventional systems. Both manure-based and cover crop systems that do not include the use of commercial fertilizers (i.e., organic systems), hold particular promise due to the output price premiums typically garnered by the organic crops grown under such conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis (FDFO) is a potential alternative to recover and reuse water and nutrients from agricultural wastewater, such as palm oil mill effluent that consists of 95% water and is rich in nutrients. This study investigated the potential of commercial fertilizers as draw solution (DS) in FDFO to treat anaerobic palm oil mill effluent (An-POME). The process parameters affecting FO were studied and optimized, which were then applied to fertilizer selection based on FO performance and fouling propensity. Six commonly used fertilizers were screened and assessed in terms of pure water flux (Jw) and reverse salt flux (JS). Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), and potassium chloride (KCl) were further evaluated with An-POME. MAP showed the best performance against An-POME, with a high average water flux, low flux decline, the highest performance ratio (PR), and highest water recovery of 5.9% for a 4-h operation. In a 24-h fouling run, the average flux decline and water recovered were 84% and 15%, respectively. Both hydraulic flushing and osmotic backwashing cleaning were able to effectively restore the water flux. The results demonstrated that FDFO using commercial fertilizers has the potential for the treatment of An-POME for water recovery. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed to address challenges such as JS and the dilution factor of DS for direct use of fertigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal sludge has economic value as a low-grade fertilizer as it consists of appreciable amounts of the macro and micronutrients. When using sludge as fertilizer, the economic aspect should be taken into account. In this study, the following specific objectives were identified: (a) to investigate the economic feasibility of using sludge as a fertilizer; (b) to estimate the maximum economic distance sludge can be transported as a fertilizer; and (c) to test the economic feasibility of selling sludge using commercial inorganic fertilizer as a bench mark. The study showed that for anaerobically digested, paddy dried, municipal sludge consisting of 3% N, 2% P, and 0.3% K the economic feasibility of transporting the sludge was limited to a diameter of 20 km in the arid zone, 28 km in the semi-arid zone, 51 km in the sub humid zone, 66 km in the humid zone, and 75 km in the super-humid zone. Therefore, the economic feasibility of using sludge as a substitute for or complementary to commercial inorganic fertilizer is dictated by the distance between the wastewater care work and the farm, sludge nutrient concentration, agro-ecological zone (rain and temperature), and the real-time commercial inorganic fertilizer price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]