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Bioconversion of organic orange peel wastes into compost (OPC) or biochar (OPB) can help overcome the effects of soil salinity and maintain agricultural productivity. Effect of 1.0% OPC or 1.0% OPB as soil amendments on soil properties and performance of Phaseolus vulgaris plants under two salinity levels [5.60 dS m−1 (S-1) and 9.60 dS m−1 (S-2)] versus control [1.60 dS m−1 (S-0)] was investigated. Compared to the control, S-1 and S-2 increased soil sodium ion (Na+) content, while reducing soil organic matter (OM), macro- and micro-nutrients, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and enzyme (urease, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase) activities, reflecting decreased plant growth and yield. Under S-1 or S-2, OPC application exceeded OPB application, but both considerably enhanced soil OM content, nutrients, CEC, and enzyme activities. These positive results reflected decreased leaf electrolyte leakage and increased leaf-relative water content, pigments, nutrients, K+/Na+ ratio, antioxidant activity, plant growth, and yield. The beneficial impacts of 1.0% OPC were more pronounced under S-2 than S-1 or S-0. In conclusion, adding 1.0% OPC to saline soil (ECe of about 5–10 dS m−1) could mitigate the influences of soil salinity to improve Phaseolus vulgaris growth, physio-biochemistry, and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stone fruits, including peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, and almonds, are economically significant crops that require careful nitrogen management to optimize growth, yield, and fruit quality. Nitrogen (N) is a crucial macronutrient for stone fruits, playing a vital role in leaf development, photosynthetic capacity, and in the formation of sugars and carbohydrates essential for fruit development. However, nitrogen application needs careful management, as both deficiency and excess of this nutrient element can adversely affect fruit size, quality, and yield. Excessive nitrogen can lead to decreased flesh firmness, reduced sweetness, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Additionally, nitrogen remobilization from senescing leaves to storage tissues is a key process that supports nutrient use efficiency and reduces reliance on external nitrogen inputs in deciduous fruit crops. The timing of nitrogen application is critical, with peak demand occurring during bud break, flowering, and fruit set. Among its method of application, fertigation has proven to be an effective method for delivering nitrogen, improving leaf nutrient status, vegetative growth, and fruit quality. The interaction between nitrogen fertilization and soil organic matter (SOM) is also significant, as nitrogen influences SOM dynamics and potentially enhance the soil fertility and structure. This comprehensive review consolidates current knowledge on nitrogen fertilization in stone fruits, emphasizing the importance of balanced nitrogen management to achieve optimal growth, yield, and fruit quality. Despite extensive research globally, there is need to tailor nitrogen management practices to local conditions and improve sustainable stone fruit production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The utilization of chemical fertilizers is a key measure for maintaining tea yield and quality, but excessive use has negative environmental impacts. The substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer has been promoted to sustain crop yield and soil quality. However, knowledge gaps regarding the effects of organic substitution on soil quality and tea yield in tea plantations still exist. RESULTS: A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of organic substitution treatments (i.e. 25% partial substitution: biogas slurry + green manure + formula fertilizer, BFG; sheep manure + formula fertilizer, OFF; 100% complete substitution: sheep manure + green manure, OG) on the soil quality, tea yield and quality, and nitrogen utilization efficiency in southwestern China. Results showed that all organic substitution treatments slightly increased soil pH, and significantly increased soil organic matter by 13.22–14.88% compared to conventional fertilization (CF). The BFG treatment was the most effective in enhancing the soil quality index, showing increases of 16.80%, 8.37% and 24.87% higher than the CF, OFF and OG treatments, respectively. Tea yield significantly increased under the BFG, OFF and OG treatments by 11.97%, 13.58% and 5.90% compared to CF, respectively. The BFG treatment increased the amino acid content by 7.78% and decreased the tea polyphenol/amino acid ratio by 6.87%. Additionally, the BFG, OFF and OG treatments greatly increased the nitrogen utilization efficiency of young sprouts by 70.71%, 82.54% and 34.28%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, partial organic substitution could effectively improve soil quality while maintaining tea yield. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic fertilizers have been identified as a sustainable agricultural practice that can enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact. Recently, the European Union defined and accepted insect frass as an innovative and emerging organic fertilizer. In the wider domain of organic fertilizers, mathematical and computational models have been developed to optimize their production and application conditions. However, with the advancement in policies and regulations, modelling has shifted towards efficiencies in the deployment of these technologies. Therefore, this paper reviews and critically analyzes the recent developments in the mathematical and computation modeling that have promoted various organic fertilizer products including insect frass. We reviewed a total of 35 studies and discussed the methodologies, benefits, and challenges associated with the use of these models. The results show that mathematical and computational modeling can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organic fertilizer production, leading to improved agricultural productivity and reduced environmental impact. Mathematical models such as simulation, regression, dynamics, and kinetics have been applied while computational data driven machine learning models such as random forest, support vector machines, gradient boosting, and artificial neural networks have also been applied as well. These models have been used in quantifying nutrients concentration/release, effects of nutrients in agro-production, and fertilizer treatment. This paper also discusses prospects for the use of these models, including the development of more comprehensive and accurate models and integration with emerging technologies such as Internet of Things. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the yield of short-season crops under insufficient irrigation is of particular importance for regions that face water deficit during the plant growth period. This experiment was carried out by investigating the effects of organic and biological fertilizers on the growth, yield and water use efficiency of mung bean plants under water deficit conditions and the traits affecting grain yield. Experiment treatments including irrigation at three levels (100, 80 and 60% of water requirement (WR)), organic fertilizer (0 and 16 and 24 t/ha manure) and biofertilizer (control, Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and enterobacter (EB)). In stress and non-stressed conditions, the application of AM and organic fertilizer has increased the number of seeds and the number of plant pods. The highest weight of one hundred seeds was obtained in the condition of 80% WR and application of organic and biological fertilizer. The number of primary branches was higher with the use of EB, but the highest number of secondary branches was observed in the plant with AM. The highest plant height, biological yield and seed were observed in the condition of 100% WR and 24 t/ha of organic fertilizer and application of AM and EB. The highest water use efficiency was obtained with irrigation of 80% WR and application of AM and 24 t/ha of organic fertilizer, as well as irrigation of 60% WR and application of AM and 24 t/ha of organic fertilizer. The use of organic fertilizer along with biofertilizers in stress conditions has increased the measured traits, and this increase was more in severe stress with AM than EB fertilizer. The results of the path analysis showed that the weight of one hundred seeds, the number of seeds in the pod and biological yield are the most direct effects on seed yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the improvement effect of different organic substances on compacted cohesive soil in southern Xinjiang was discussed, with emphasis on the influence of different organic substances on soil chemical properties and microorganisms, so as to determine the best carbon source input and provide theoretical support for the rational utilization of organic materials in southern Xinjiang. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of farm fertilizer, biochar, commercial organic fertilizer, microbial fertilizer and mineral potassium humate on physical and chemical properties of viscous soil, agronomic properties and yield of cotton, with three gradients for each organic fertilizer. The results showed that: (1) all organic fertilizers improved soil structure, among which farm fertilizer significantly reduced soil bulk density and salinity, increased soil organic matter, total nitrogen and available nutrients, and thus increased cotton height, stem diameter and yield. The optimal application amount was 36000 kg/hm². (2) The application of different organic matter increased the contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium in 0-40 cm soil layer, increased the number of bacteria, fungi and actinomyces, and reduced soil salinity; (3) Structural equation model (SEM) was used to investigate the effect mechanism of organic matter input on soil microbial quantity, soil physicochemical properties and cotton yield. The model further confirmed the mechanism: the input of organic matter mainly regulates the number of microorganisms and the richness of microbial species, thereby improving the physical and chemical properties of soil and thereby increasing the cotton yield. The addition of 5 kinds of organic materials can promote the growth and yield of cotton. The comprehensive evaluation shows that the improvement effect is best when the fertilizer dosage is 150% of the recommended amount. In summary, as an effective soil amendment, farm manure can not only alleviate soil compaction, but also significantly improve the growth potential of cotton, which is in line with the goal of sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Agriculture is undergoing an agroecological transition characterized by adopting new practices to reduce chemical fertilizer inputs. In this context, digestates are emerging as sustainable substitutes for mineral fertilizers. However, large-scale application of digestates in agricultural fields requires rigorous studies to evaluate their long-term effects on soil microbial communities, which are crucial for ecosystem functioning and resilience. Material and methods: This study presents provides a comparative analysis in long-term field conditions of fertilization strategies combining annual applications of raw digestate with biennial applications of different organic waste products (OWPs)—biowaste compost (BIO), farmyard manure (FYM), and urban sewage sludge (SLU)—and compares them to combinations of the same OWPs with mineral fertilizers. The cumulative effects of repeated OWP applications, paired with two nitrogen sources—organic (digestate) and chemical (mineral fertilizer)—were assessed through soil physicochemical and microbial analyses. We hypothesized that the combined effect varied according to the N-supply sources and that this effect also depended on the type of OWP applied. Soil microbial communities were characterized using high-throughput sequencing targeting 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes, following DNA extraction from soil samples collected in 2022, six years after the initial digestate application. Results: The results indicated that combining OWPs rich in stable and recalcitrant organic matter, such as BIO and FYM, with raw digestate, offers an improved fertilization practice. This approach maintains soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, increases soil phosphorus and potassium content, and stimulates microbial communities differently than nitrogen supplied via mineral fertilizers. While microbial biomass showed no significant variation across treatments, microbial diversity indices exhibited differences based on the type of OWP and nitrogen source. The fertilization strategies moderately influenced prokaryotic and fungal community structures, with distinct patterns depending on the OWP and nitrogen source. Notably, fungal communities responded more strongly to treatment variations than prokaryotic communities. Discussion: This study provides new insights into the cumulative effects of substituting mineral fertilizers with digestates on soil microbial communities and soil physicochemical parameters. The sustainable development of agroecosystems significantly depends on a better understanding of the complex responses of soil microbial communities to different fertilization regimes. Future research should continue to assess the long-term impact of digestate application on soil microbiota in real agronomic field conditions, considering associated agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The salinization of coastal soils is a primary cause of global land degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic amendment on the soil microbial community within a saline gradient. Methods: The study was designed with five levels of electrical conductivity (EC): 0.33, 0.62, 1.13, 1.45 and 2.04 ds m−1. By conducting indoor potted plant experiments, determine the effects of applying microbial organic fertilizer on the physicochemical properties of soil and the structure of soil microbial communities under different salinity concentrations. Results: Compared with the control, higher OM content, total N, and higher crop biomass were observed in samples with organic amendment at the same salinity level. At the same salinity levels, the mean bacterial activity (AUC) and the mean number of substrates were higher than in the soil without organic amendment according to analyses by means of Biolog ECO MicroPlate. The results of canonical correspondence analysis indicate that after the application of organic amendments, the composition of loam and clay replaces soil pH, and aboveground biomass replaces root biomass as key indicators closely monitoring Community level physiological profiling (CLPP). In soil with the same salinity level, the application of microbial organic fertilizer led to an increase in the proportion of Actinobacteriota and a decrease in the proportion of Chloroflexi. In 0.3dS m-1 soil, the abundance of actinomycetes increased from 23% to 27% after application of microbial organic fertilizer, while the abundance of basidiomycetes decreased from 20% to 6%. In addition, after the application of microbial organic fertilizer, RB41, blastococcus and solirubrobacter significantly increased, while Melothermus and Herpetosiphon significantly decreased. Discussion: This study provides a strong theoretical basis for using microbial organic fertilizers to improve saline-alkali soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of organic materials and fertilizers on tea plant yield and quality in an organic tea garden in Türkiye. The objective was to identify sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers that could enhance tea production while maintaining or improving nutritional quality. A two-year field study (2019–2020) was conducted in an organic tea garden in Pazar, Rize, Türkiye, to assess the impacts of various organic materials on tea plant yield and quality. A Randomized Complete Block Design with split-split plots was employed, with three organic materials (Control, Farm Manure, Tea Waste) as main plots, five organic fertilizers (Control, Organoferm, Neobioplus, Bionur, Orbitosol) as subplots, and three harvest times as sub-sub plots. The study analyzed fresh and dry yield, protein content, cell wall components (Acid Detergent Fiber [ADF] and Neutral Detergent Fiber [NDF] representing indigestible fiber fractions, and Acid Digestible Protein [ADP] indicating protein availability), and macroelements (Phosphorus [P], Potassium [K], Calcium [Ca], and Magnesium [Mg]). Tea waste significantly enhanced protein content, yield, and phosphorus levels, while farm manure increased fresh and dry yields, as well as potassium and magnesium concentrations. Organoferm fertilizer improved most quality parameters except for calcium and magnesium. Results indicated that organic amendments, particularly farm manure, tea waste and Organoferm fertilizer, can be effective in improving tea plant yield and nutritional quality, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the effect of combined application of bio-organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of hemp for flowers and leaves, the effect of combined application of bio-organic fertilizer on growth index, dry matter weight, photosynthetic related index and yield of hemp for flowers and leaves were studied with “Hemp No. 7” as experimental material. The results showed that plant height, stem diameter, branch number, leaf area, dry matter weight, photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci) and transpiration rate (Tr) in F1(90% fertilizer +10% bio-organic fertilizer), F2 (80% fertilizer +20% bio-organic fertilizer) and (70% fertilizer +30% bio-organic fertilizer) increased by 0. 09%-404. 83% compared with CK(no fertilizer), CK1(chemical fertilizer), CK2 (bioorganic fertilizer); From the bud stage to the end of blooming, the growth indexes, root, stem, leaf dry weight, photosynthetic related indexes and flower and leaf yield of hemp showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase of biological organic fertilizer amount, and F2 was 2. 02%-81. 82% higher than F1 and F3. At the end of flowering period, the floral yield of F1, F2 and F3 was increased by 4. 89% - 216. 07% compared with CK, CK1 and CK2, and that of F2 was increased by 20. 48%-36. 98% compared with F1 and F3. The comprehensive analysis showed that 80% fertilizer (360 kg/hm²) combined with 20% bioorganic fertilizer (990 kg/hm² ) promoted the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of hemp for flower and leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composting is an environmentally friendly method for transforming the nutrients present in livestock manure into organic fertilizer. In this study, the compost quality-enhancing and N2O and CH4 emissions-reducing effects of superphosphate were investigated during industrial-scale in-vessel composting of swine manure. Alongside a control group, three different doses of superphosphate were tested: 5% (SSP5), 10% (SSP10), and 15% (SSP15). The results revealed that the superphosphate reduced the N2O and CH4 emissions by 18.5–26.3% and 15.8–25.1%, respectively. In addition, the superphosphate enhanced both the N and P contents of the compost. However, it had an adverse impact on compost maturity, with the SSP15 dose showing the lowest germination index (GI) at 70.4% and the highest electrical conductivity (EC) at 9.04 mS·cm−1. These findings suggest that superphosphate has potential for greenhouse gas mitigation and nutrient augmentation in industrial composting. Although the economic benefits of superphosphate addition for GHG reduction are limited, the technology holds considerable economic potential for nitrogen conservation. Further investigations should focus on combining superphosphate addition with other improvements, considering both compost quality and economic viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planting of fruit trees on sloping land can bring significant benefits to the local economy, but it also causes different degrees of soil and water erosion problems. In this study, we investigated the differences in nutrient migration in slope ditch runoff. In 39 scouring tests, a grass ditch reduced the loss of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) by intercepting runoff. There was a positive correlation between runoff and the loss rate of N and P. The flow affected the retention time of runoff in the ditch, and then changed the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loss rate in the runoff. The concentration of N and P did not affect the N and P loss rate, but did affect the total amount of N and P lost and the DOC loss rate in the runoff. The addition of organic fertilizer significantly increased the N loss rate in the runoff, and the change rule of the P and DOC loss rate was similar; thus, co-migration might have occurred. To sum up, the importance of the four factors on the migration and loss of C, N, and P in ditch runoff was as follows: organic fertilizer (100%) > fertilizer concentration (74.8%) > ditch type (12.6%) > initial flow (10%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought adversely affects the growth and performance of plants. By contrast, the application of organic modifiers can improve plant growth by supplying nutrients and water. The influence of foliar application of organic fertilizer under water deficit conditions on growth traits, chemical composition, and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., var. Maya) were investigated in greenhouse conditions based on bi-plot and principal component analysis (PCA). Plants which were cultivated in soil under greenhouse conditions were subjected to four levels foliar spraying of Zargreen liquid organic fertilizer, ZLOF (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 L 1000−1, shown as Z0, Z2.5, Z5, and Z7.5, respectively), and three levels of soil water, SW (100, 75, and 50% of field capacity (FC), shown W100, W75, and W50, respectively). The results of biplot analysis using the different treatments representing 42.9% and 38.3%, 60.3% and 28.8%, and 63.1% and 22.4% of the variance attributed to the first two principal components (PCs) for the PC1 and PC2, under 100, 75, and 50% FC conditions, respectively. Water deficit induced a reduction of fruit dry, and fresh weights. Application of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 L 1000−1 of the organic fertilizer significantly increased fruit fresh weight by 16, 20, and 22% and fruit dry weight by 13, 20, and 20% as compared to that of control, respectively. Vitamin C content of fruit significantly increased by 16 and 33% when respectively 5 and 7.5 L 1000−1 of the organic fertilizer was foliar sprayed. Besides, fruit iron (Fe), sodium (Na (and potassium (K) concentrations increased with the application of the organic fertilizer at different levels of water deficit. Furthermore, the highest fruit zinc (Zn) concentration was obtained at the highest level of both applied organic fertilizer and water deficit. The best treatments were selected with increased PC1 and decreased PC2 for different water conditions. The W100Z7.5, W75Z7.5, and W50Z5 treatments with the higher PC1 and the lower PC2, also exhibited higher scores for fruit dry weight, and Na and K concentrations under W100; vitamin C, number of fruits, fruit fresh weight, and fruit Fe concentration under W75; citric acid, and fruit Fe, Zn, Na, K, and Cu concentrations under W50 treatment. The addition of the organic fertilizer was effective in enhancing the plant growth traits under water deficit conditions. Therefore, it can be concluded that organic fertilizer addition is an effective management strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of drought and improve the quantity and quality of tomato fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal manure is a valuable organic resource of nitrogen (N) for crops, but it can also be a potential source of environmental pollution, depending on how it is managed and utilized at the farm level. Whilst manure is commonly used as an organic fertilizer amendment in crop production in many smallholder farming systems in southern Africa, this is not necessarily the case in South Africa. The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate the productivity of crop and livestock components. The study focused on the quantities of manure production and its utilization as N source in croplands using a case study of the Eastern Province Cape, which typifies smallholder rural South Africa. A purposive random sampling of one hundred and fourteen households in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality was interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The households practice an integrated crop-livestock system, in which livestock rearing is the dominant diversified component, with 69.3% of the households raising more than one type of animal. The majority (78.7%) of farmers with access to communal arable land had outfields with land sizes ranging from 0.6 to 2 hectares (ha). Only 35.1 and 22.8% of households used manure and processed it before applying it to crop fields as N fertilizer. The overall quantities of manure utilized in crop fields amounted to 515 t, and manures that remained unutilized were 4367 t. The findings of this study show the weak linkage between the crop and livestock enterprises regarding manure use. The underutilization of manure and its impacts on the environment requires further study to assist in defining sustainable management practices for this and similar smallholder environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the effects of different types of fertilizers (organic and inorganic fertilizers) on plant growth, yield, and yield components of potatoes grown in the high-altitude plateau of eastern Türkiye in 2017 and 2019. In the experiment, single or combined doses of nitrogen (N; as ammonium sulfate) and phosphorus (P; as triple super phosphate) as inorganic fertilizers and leonardite (L) and vermicompost (V) fertilizers as organic fertilizers were used. In both years, different fertilizer treatments significantly affected plant growth, yield, and yield components. Tuber yield per hill (941.0 g), marketable tuber yield (32.71 t ha−1), total tuber yield (37.84 t ha−1), specific gravity (1. 077 g cm−3), chip productivity (35.9%), starch (13.03%) and protein (11.0%) ratios increased when N fertilizer was used in combination with vermicompost or leonardite. N fertilizer combined with V or L fertilizer increased tuber yield under harsh continental climates, short growth periods, and high altitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In strawberry cultivation, a variety of factors influence production and fruit quality. Yield is the most crucial component in fruit production. Chemical fertilizers are typically used to boost yields, however because of their high production costs, negative effects on the environment and human health, organic fertilizers or natural amendments are being utilized instead of chemical fertilizers. The primary goals of substituting chemical fertilizers with bioorganic formulations made from natural sources for fruit production are to lower costs of production and maintain fruit production sustainability. Therefore, to study the impact of these bioorganic formulations the current investigations were conducted in open field conditions under sub humid mid hills conditions of Himachal Pradesh with 12 treatment combinations and three replicate plots. The tested plants were given various combinations of bioorganic formulations [Jeevamrit (JE) and Ghanjeevamrit (GHA)] as a source of nutrients. When compared to conventional practices, statistically significant improvements were discovered in the parameters of yield and nutrient content in the soil and plant. Significant higher yield (21.13 tonnes/ha), soil nutrients and total microbial content was recorded in T4. The results of this study provide support to the recommendation that bioorganic formulations, such as the tested ones, be used on their own or in combination as a substitute for chemical fertilizers in plant nutrition for the production of strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated application of organic and chemical fertilizers is more effective in sustainable agriculture than the sole application of organic or chemical fertilizers. This study assessed the effect of sole and blended application of bio-slurry and chemical fertilizer on the vegetative growth and yield of tomatoes. A randomized complete block design comprising six treatments was conducted: 75% bioslurry +25% chemical fertilizer, 50% bioslurry +50% chemical fertilizer, 25% bioslurry +75% chemical fertilizer, 100% bioslurry, 100% chemical fertilizer, and control. The blending application of chemical fertilizer and bioslurry generally increased the vegetative growth and yield of tomato compared to the sole bioslurry and chemical fertilizer application, and the control. For instance, compared to the control, the application of 50% bioslurry +50% chemical fertilizers increased the number of secondary branches by 73%, the number of fruits per cluster by 50%, marketable yield by 17.45 tonha−1 and total yield by 9.9 tonha−1. Blending bioslurry and chemical fertilizer promoted vegetative growth and yield, and amended flowering, fruiting, and maturity. The blending application of 1bioslurry: 1chemical fertilizer became an optimum rate for increasing tomato production in the study area. Overall, the blending application of organic and chemical fertilizers could help in developing sustainable agricultural practices through providing balanced and sufficient nutrient availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical fertilizer is widely used in agricultural fertilization, but over-fertilization has caused soil quality degradation. Some studies have shown that the application of organic fertilizer is beneficial to soil quality, but there are few studies researching the long-term organic fertilizer application effect on tea plantation soil. In this paper, we studied the physical and chemical properties and microbial communities of tea plantation soil through long-term field experiments by applying organic fertilizer with equal nitrogen amounts. The experiment showed that the soil's physical and chemical properties were improved after long-term application of total organic fertilizer. Respectively, the soil organic matter (SOM), available potassium (K), available zinc (Zn), available copper (Cu), and pH were significantly enhanced, the soil bulk density was significantly increased, the water-stable aggregates were improved, the soil microbial diversity was increased. It was found that the main bacteria in tea soil were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Moreover, results from redundancy analysis showed that the SOM (p = 0 .001), A lkali h ydrolyzed n itrogen (p = 0 .049) and p H (p = 0 .008) h ad significant effects on the soil bacterial community composition. Thus SOM increased the relative richness of non-dominant bacteria, such as Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadestes, and Firmicutes. Overall, our results suggest that the use of organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer could effectively improve the quality of tea plantation soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the biggest muskmelon producing country across the world. Extreme application of fertilizer during planting of muskmelon poses a serious threat to the environment and food safety, so how to promote farmers to use organic fertilizer has become an important topic. This study creatively introduced green awareness into the extended framework of theory of planned behavior to explore the decisive factors of muskmelon farmers’ behavior intention to apply green organic fertilizer. The structural equation model is used for investigating behavior intention of 543 muskmelon farmers in Leting County, China. The results suggested that both subjective norm and green awareness can affect muskmelon farmers’ behavior intention positively and significantly. When the subjective norm increases by 1 standard deviation, the farmers’ intention increases by 1.028 standard deviation; for every 1 standard deviation increase in green awareness, the farmers’ intention increased by 0.703 standard deviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The linkage between land tenure security and land quality improvement investment is crucial given that the land tenure security system is a widely applied policy tool for the protection of cultivation land in developing countries. Drawing on the triple land tenure security framework, this paper examines the impact of the de jure and the de facto land tenure security on farming households' decisions about using organic fertilizer on their plots in China, based on a national survey dataset covering 2308 plots matched with 962 farming households across 8 provinces in China (Shangdong, Shangxi, Jilin, Zhejiang, Henan, Gansu, Hunan, and Sichuan) from January to July 2013. The empirical results show that the de facto land tenure security affected the use of organic fertilizer by the farming households positively. In comparison, the impact of the de jure land tenure security on the use of organic fertilizer by farming households was modest. It is suggested that the government should implement the policies effectively to promote de jure land tenure security and encourage farming households to make sustainable land investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this field study was to assess the impact of meat and bone meal (MBM) on maize. The experimental procedures were as follows: (1) without fertilization; (2) inorganic nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus; (3) 1.0 Mg·ha−1 MBM; (4) 1.5 Mg·ha−1 MBM; and (5) 2.0 Mg·ha−1 MBM. Each year, MBM was applied before sowing. Nitrogen and potassium were applied at constant rates, and phosphorus was applied at increasing rates of 0.0, 45, 68, and 90 kg·ha−1. The herbage yields were significantly higher in fertilized treatments. Fertilization contributed to a significant increase in the crude protein content of maize herbage. The yield and other herbage parameters were affected by weather conditions and the amount of time that passed since the MBM application. The study demonstrated that the lowest dose of MBM (1.0 Mg·ha−1), which supplied 45 kg phosphorus·ha−1, fully met the phosphorus requirements of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (OC) sequestration in farmlands can be improved through fertilizer applications, particularly with the addition of organic amendments. However, our knowledge of the effects of long-term different fertilization on OC chemical stability and carbon management index (CMI), as well as their response to crop productivity remains limited in rice–rice cropping system. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of fertilization on various OC sequestration indicators in bulk soil and chemical fractions, and establish their relationships with crop productivity. The treatments selected in the present study were those which had undergone long-term fertilization under double-rice cropping including: (1) no fertilization (CK); (2) combined application of chemical nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium fertilizers (NPK); (3) the doubled rate of NPK treatment (2NPK); and (4) NPK treatment plus organic fertilizers (NPKM). After 29 years of fertilization, we observed that NPKM resulted in the highest OC stocks (11.47 and 26.15 Mg ha−1, respectively) and distribution ratios (24 and 54%, respectively) in the less-labile fraction and passive pool. Conversely, it showed the lowest OC values in the labile fraction and active pool compared to CK, NPK, and 2NPK treatments. Additionally, NPKM significantly (P < 0.05) increased CMI (by 47 and 33%) over CK and NPK treatments, which suggests that soil receiving NPKM was better managed. Apart from maintaining higher crop yields and increasing OC input, NPKM also tremendously enhanced OC sequestration as indicated by the highest soil OC stock (48.80 Mg ha−1) and OC sequestration rate (CSR, 0.37 Mg ha−1 yr−1). There was an increasing trend of CSR and passive OC pool, but a decreasing trend of carbon sequestration efficiency with increasing OC input, which may be associated with OC saturation behavior of soil. Furthermore, crop yield showed significant positive linear correlations with passive OC pool and CMI. In summary, long-term combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers enhanced OC sequestration and crop productivity by improving passive OC pool and CMI, which contributed to realize agricultural sustainability in double-cropping rice regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the largest producer and consumer of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in the world, and the cultivation and production of tobacco have extremely high economic value and social influence. Applying organic-inorganic fertilizer is a key strategy for boosting tobacco yield and quality. This meta-analysis examines 632 observations from 169 articles to determine the precise influence of organic-inorganic fertilizer on tobacco. It evaluates the effects of different tobacco types and fertilizer compositions on yield and quality after fertilizer application. The application of organic-inorganic fertilizer significantly increased the yield (3.4%), but it mainly improved the balance of chemical composition and enhance the quality of tobacco (high-grade tobacco, 10.3%; reducing sugar content, 5.5%; nicotine content, –5.6%). The Y85 and Y87 varieties showed the most positive response to fertilization, with yield increases of 5.59% and 5.82%, respectively, and high-grade tobacco leaf rates increased by 14.92% and 11.04%, respectively. Fertilizers with a low organic nitrogen ratio (15%-30%) are more effective for increasing yield, while those with a medium to high ratio (50%-60%) improve tobacco's chemical quality. The application of organic-inorganic fertilizer balanced the nutrient distribution within the tobacco plants, leading to simultaneous increases in both yield and quality. This study quantitatively assessed the effects of organic-inorganic fertilizer on the yield and quality of tobacco and provides a solid theoretical foundation for the scientific and high-quality application of organic-inorganic fertilizer in various tobacco cultivation areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work deals with identifying and determining the activity levels of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra and 232Th series, their decay products and 40K in chemical and organic fertilisers used in the Chattogram area, Bangladesh. A total of 39 samples collected from retail markets were investigated, out of which 28 are chemical fertilisers and the others are organic fertilisers. The average activity concentration of 226Ra and 232Th found in TSP fertiliser are 304.57 ± 36.0 and 19.1 ± 6.8 Bq kg−1 respectively and the average activity concentration of 40K in MOP fertiliser is found as 10,311.11 ± 1168 Bq kg−1. In the organic fertiliser samples, the mean concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are 17.35 ± 3.11, 7.20 ± 1.74 and 437.14 ± 42.58 Bq kg−1, respectively. The mean absorbed dose rates were measured after the end of our experiment, and the value was found to be 91.39 nGy h−1. The combined (indoor + outdoor) annual effective dose equivalent was also estimated as 0.322 mSv year−1. The mean radium equivalent activity found to be 190.15 ± 26.74 Bq kg−1 is well below the recommended level of 370 Bq kg1. The internal hazard index, external hazard index, and radioactivity level index of the investigated fertiliser samples were found as 0.56 ± 0.034, 0.54 ± 0.08 and 0.69 ± 0.10, respectively. From the calculated hazard parameters, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was found to be higher than the world average in most of the chemical fertilisers except in DAP and BOR, while the organic fertilisers show lower than the world average. The obtained results reveal that there are no significant radiation hazards due to natural radionuclides of the fertiliser samples in the studied area, but the higher concentration of 40K in MOP suggests strengthening the regulatory work. Overall, this study highly recommends the use of organic fertilisers, as these kinds have hazard parameters lower than the recommended levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield and quality of tobacco are significantly influenced by the quality of upper leaves, and improving the availability of upper leaves is a hot and urgent problem to be solved in the tobacco industry. Based on the literatures on the quality of upper tobacco leaves in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), we constructed a co-occurrence knowledge graph of authors, institutions, keywords using bibliometric methods through CiteSpace software. The current research status and hot frontiers in the field of usability of upper leaves in tobacco were analyzed. Results showed that the research on improving the usability of upper leaves was always an urgent problem to be solved for the high-quality development of the tobacco industry, and the number of researches kept stable at about 70 articles from 2020 to 2023.The main directions of researches in the field of upper leaf usability were enhancing the sensory and appearance quality of tobacco leaves, mature harvesting and preparation and baking. Reasonably topping and leaving leaves, harvesting at maturity and scientifically baking were the key technologies to enhance the upper leaf usability. In the future, more attention could be paid to the research mechanism of improving the usability of upper leaves through the application of organic fertilizers and the improvement of tobacco field quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to research and develop suitable seedling substrate based on domestic sludge organic fertilizer, the suitable kinds of domestic sludge organic fertilizer and the mixing ratio of organic fertilizer to perlite and vermiculite were screened through seedling tray test, providing theoretical basis and technical support for domestic sludge resource utilization. The treatments included 4 types of domestic sludge organic fertilizers (A1, A2, A3, A4) and 4 mixing mass ratio of organic fertilizers∶ perlite∶ vermiculite (2∶ 1∶ 1, 4∶ 1∶ 1, 6∶ 1∶ 1, 8∶ 1∶ 1) which were denoted by B1, B2, B3, B4 respectively, with commercial substrate as control and watermelon as tested crop. The results showed that both sludge organic fertilizer varieties and mixing ratios had significant effect on watermelon seed germination and seedling growth. Watermelon seed germination, plant height, number of leaves and SPAD were higher in A2B3 treatment than other treatments. Also there were highly significant interaction effects between organic fertilizer varieties and mixing ratios, while the combination of A2B3 was optimum i.e. sludge organic fertilizer A2 and its mixing ratio with perlite and vermiculite was 6∶ 1∶ 1, which can be recommended as sludge organic fertilizer seedling substrate formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To investigate the effect of organic fertilizers replacing chemical fertilizers on the quality of grapes and soil nutrients of orchards in Xiaoxian. [Method] Taking the facility grapes as the research object, set no fertilization (T1), conventional fertilization (T2), optimized chemical fertilization (T3), organic fertilizer replacing 15% chemical fertilizer (T4), organic fertilizer replacing 30% chemical fertilizer (T5), organic fertilizer replacing 15% N (T6), and organic fertilizer replacing 30% N (T7). [Result] Different treatments of organic fertilizers replacing chemical fertilizers increased soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen and total potassium contents by 1.72%-3.03%, 5.62%-13.30%, 5.71%-21.90% and 7.37%-11.58%, respectively, compared with T2 treatment. For T4 and T5 treatment, grape soluble solids, sugar-acid ratio content were elevated 5.06% and 1.74%, 7.28% and 2.08%, respectively, soil cation exchange and available potassium content were increased 4.85% and 5.45%, 25.76% and 7.12%, respectively, the fruit reducing sugar, vitamins, and soil total phosphorus content were reduced; T4 treatment also increased grape yield and soil available phosphorous by 13.26% and 44.42%, respectively. T6 treatment increased grape yield, soluble solids, sugar-acid ratio and vitamin content by 1.74%, 3.13%, 9.38% and 3.64%, respectively, and increased soil pH, organic matter, total potassium, total phosphorus and available phosphorous content. T7 treatment decreased grape yield, reducing sugar, soluble solids, sugar-acid ratio and vitamin content by 13.84%, 1.27%, 0.41%,2.20% and 3.73%, respectively. [Conclusion] Combining fruit quality and soil quality, T4 treatment has the best effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 16S meta-analysis of composts is challenged by data availability and protocols. • Microbial composition of composts shifts at 44 °C. • Bacillota ratio and Faith PD as maturity indicators of organic byproducts. • Meta-analysis revealed maturation signatures of microbial composition. • Ecological and phylogenetic biomarkers for land application. Although a wide variety of biomass sources have been subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, ecological and phylogenetic signatures of maturity have not been identified quantitatively. In this meta-analysis we reanalyzed data from the only published study with publicly available 16S and temperature data (Zhou et al., 2018), and then applied the Zhou results to 705 samples from 13 additional studies. Using the Zhou data, we found that Faith's alpha diversity index correlated inversely with compost temperature and positively with maturity. We also noted a dramatic shift in the ratios of Bacilliota to Acidobacteriota, Planctomycetota, and Pseudomonadota, as samples cooled below 44 °C (p < 0.001). A negative correlation between Bacillota and Pseudomonadota was also observed in all 705 samples that included compost, sugarcane mill mud, anerobic digestates, and vermicompost. Even in the absence of temperature data for the majority of samples, our meta-analysis shows that microbiomes of diverse residuals converged on similar communities that resemble those of soil, regardless of the starting material or residual management process. We propose that approximately < 0.4 log(Bacillota:Pseudomonadota) and > 43 Faith's phylogenetic diversity indices are indicative of maturity of diverse biomass materials destined for land application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minute particles within the soil can normally possess charges and predominantly concentrate on the soil colloids. These charges on the soil surface can contribute to a variety of physical, chemical, and physiochemical characteristics of the soil. Key property parameters of soil colloidal particles can include the surface potential, surface charge density, surface electric field intensity, specific surface area, and surface charge number. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of prolonged utilization of organic fertilizer and straw on these electrochemical characteristics of the soil surface. Furthermore, the primary influencing factors were determined to enhance the fertility of arable land. A long-term experiment was conducted at the Shuitou experimental base in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province since in 2007. Four treatments were set as the exclusive application of chemical fertilizer (F), a combination of organic and chemical fertilizer (MF), the integration of straw returning with chemical fertilizer (SF), and a comprehensive application of organic fertilizer, straw returning, and chemical fertilizer (MSF). The electrochemical properties of the soil surface were examined, including surface potential, surface charge density, surface electric field intensity, specific surface area, and surface charge number. Additionally, organic carbon fractions were also analyzed, such as soluble organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, mineral-associated humus, fulvic acid, and humic acid. Furthermore, the investigation was conducted on the structural characteristics of mineral-associated humus. The results indicated that the application of organic fertilizer and straw returning treatments (MF, SF, and MSF) was substantially enhanced the electrochemical characteristics of the soil surface, compared with the F treatment (P<0.05). Among them, the MSF treatment exhibited the highest values, with the respective measurements of 17.07 cmol/kg, 67.02 m² /g, 0.25 c/m², 5.12×108 V/m, and -91.14 mV, respectively. Compared with the F treatment, the MF, SF, and MSF treatments were significantly enhanced the quantities of total soil organic carbon and organic carbon fractions, including the soluble organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, mineral-associated humus, fulvic acid, and humic acid. Additionally, there was also an increase in the ratio of humic acid to fulvic acid (P<0.05). Specifically, the MSF treatment exhibited the highest contents and ratio, with the values of 21.5, 0.1, 12.1, 5.5, 3.3, 2.2 g/kg and 1.5. Meanwhile, the organic fertilizer and straw returning treatments were resulted in the a significant reduction in the E4/E6 and △lgK values of mineral-associated humus (P<0.05). There was the an increase in the relative abundance of C=O/C(O)N group within the mineral-associated humus. The comprehensive analysis revealed that there was the a significant positive correlation between soil surface electrochemical characteristics and various factors, including the total soil organic carbon, organic carbon fractions, clay content, and the ratio of humic acid to fulvic acid. Notably, there were the most substantial influences on the soil surface electrochemical characteristics by the mineral-associated humus, clay content, and the ratio of humic acid to fulvic acid, with the interpretation rates of 67.0%, 5.9%, and 4.8% respectively. And the E4/E6, △lgK, and C=O/C(O)N groups of humus were strongly associated with the soil surface electrochemical characteristics. In summary, the prolonged use of organic fertilizer and straw were substantially enhanced the electrochemical properties of the soil surface, in terms of the soil organic carbon fraction and the structural characteristics of humus. Consequently, these findings can also provide the theoretical foundation for the microscopic and macroscopic processes in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing awareness of the depletion of fossil fuels and numerous environmental issues have led to increased interest in finding natural components that can be used to produce various types of fuels. In this study, composts made from the organic fraction of agri-food waste (i.e., two composts produced in a bioreactor and one obtained from a Municipal Waste Disposal Facility) were evaluated for the first time as potential sources of additives for fuel production. The presence of fatty acid methyl esters was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS/SIM), while the calorific value and heat of combustion of the samples were measured in accordance with the PN-EN ISO 1928:2002 standard using a calorimeter. Chromatographic studies identified the presence of 33 compounds, predominantly unsaturated esters. The highest ester content was noted in the compost obtained from the company, while the lowest content was found in the compost containing grass, buckwheat husk, and apple pomace. Of the studied raw materials, the highest calorific value and heat of combustion on a dry matter basis were observed for the compost containing grass, buckwheat husk, and apple pomace, while the lowest values were recorded for the compost obtained from the company. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that composts could serve as biocomponents of fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the effect of the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers on phosphorus morphology and its conversion to an active state. A long-term field positioning experiment comprising five treatments was conducted in black soil. The results concluded that the soil total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), inorganic phosphorus, and organic phosphorus contents of all treatments ranked as follows: 1.5M1NPK > M2NPK > M1NPK > NPK > CK. The long-term application of chemical and organic fertilizers increased the proportion of soil reactive phosphorus and moderately reactive phosphorus but decreased the proportion of mildly active phosphorus and residual phosphorus. A phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectral analysis showed that the contents of orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, phosphoric acid diesters, and orthophosphate acid monoesters increased with the application of chemical and organic fertilizers, of which 1.5M1NPK usually resulted in the highest increases. In conclusion, the long-term application of chemical fertilizers could promote the conversion of soil phosphorus into active phosphorus and improve the effectiveness of soil phosphorus, and the long-term use of organic and chemical fertilizers was more effective than the use of chemical fertilizers only, with 1.5M1NPK providing the best effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBroccoli is considered a highly valuable vegetable due to its significant enrichment with health-promoting biochemicals. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the responses of broccoli plants to different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) applied via foliar spray and organic fertilizer (OF) applied to the soil. The results revealed that 40 mg/L TiO2NPs had the greatest effect on leaf dry matter (16.38%), total polyphenolic content (39.77 μg GAE/g FM), nitrogen (1.93%), and phosphorus content (0.35%) compared to the control and other treatments. OF applied at 30 L/ha improved the chlorophyll content (1.99 μg/g FM). Furthermore, vegetative and root growth, fruit characteristics, and potassium content were significantly influenced by the interaction of 20 mg/L TiO2NPs with 15 L/ha OF. The combination of 20 mg/L TiO2NPs with 30 L/ha OF resulted in the most significant increase in root diameter (8.77 mm), chlorophyll b (0.40 μg/g FM), carotenoid (0.50 μg/g FM), and total flavonoid content (4.56 μg QE/g FM) compared to control plants and single effect of TiO2NPs and OF. The combination of 40 mg/L TiO2NPs with 15 L/ha OF increased the number of roots (21.84), and 40 mg/L TiO2NPs with 30 L/ha OF significantly increased total soluble solids (7.85°Brix) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (5.12 μg/g FM). This study established that TiO2NPs were more effective for enhancing broccoli plant growth when applied in combination with OF and can be recommended for use in sustainable agriculture, particularly at the interaction of 20 mg/L TiO2NPs with 15 and 30 L/ha OF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Highbush blueberry fruits have attracted a lot of attention from consumers due to their exquisite taste and considerable quantities of bioactive compounds. This premium‐class foodstuff also contains antioxidant enzymes (phenoloxidases) implicated in the degradation of polyphenols that lead to discoloration and loss of antioxidant activity during fruit ripening. Despite substantial progress in research focused on fruit quality, unanswered questions remain about the effect of fertilizer strategy in soilless blueberry cultivation on the phytochemical content and phenoloxidases activities. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the individual effect of mineral fertilizers (Min treatment) and combined application of organic and mineral fertilizers (Org‐Min treatment) the content of targeted primary and secondary metabolites, as well as phenoloxidases activities of blueberry cultivar ‘Bluecrop’ grown in pots.The sugar content and sweetness index were not affected by the fertilizer treatment, while the predominant organic acids content (citrate and malate) increased significantly by the Org‐Min treatment in both years studied. The Org‐Min treatment also stimulated the synthesis of phenolic acids, primarily chlorogenic and p‐coumaric acid, while the Min treatment contributed to significant increase in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in both years of the study.The Org‐Min treatment in annual amounts of 72 kg ha−1 nitrogen, 48 kg ha−1 phosphorus, and 68 kg ha−1 potassium had the most pronounced positive effect on the content of phenolic bioactives, which indicates that a partial replacement of mineral by organic fertilizers can be recommended in soilless cultivation of blueberries. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable soil management to optimize water use and enhance nutrient uptake is a promising approach for decreasing the incidence of coffee leaf rust. This work analysed soil coverings, fertilizers and soil conditioners to optimize water usage and nutrients in coffee rust management. The experiment was set up in the field in January 2016, with seedlings of Coffea arabica ‘Mundo Novo IAC – 379‐19’, susceptible to rust. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three replications and arranged in a 3 × 2 × 5 factorial scheme. We assessed the combination of three soil coverings (plastic film, Urochloa decumbens and bare soil), two fertilizer types (conventional and controlled release) and five soil conditioners (organic compound, coffee husk, agricultural gypsum, water‐retaining polymer and control without soil conditioner). The rust incidence and foliage progress curve were integrated into the area under the rust incidence or foliage progress curve. Additionally, we assessed the leaf area index and coffee yield. The association of U. decumbens with controlled‐release fertilizers and organic compound or coffee husk increased coffee foliage and yield despite higher disease incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIntegration of organic and inorganic fertilizers is inevitable to sustain intensive agricultural production; however, assessment of combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil phosphorus (P) fractions is yet to be understood. This study aims to investigate availability, distribution, and fractions of soil P as influenced by long-term fertilization under soybean-based cropping systems in Vertisol. Soil samples were collected during 2021 from a 17-year-old field experiment with six treatments viz., T1: 100% Organic, T2: 75% Organic + 25% Innovative approach, T3: 50% Organic + 50% Inorganic, T4: 75% Organic + 25% Inorganic, T5: 100% Inorganic, and T6: State recommendation under soybean-wheat, soybean-mustard, and soybean-chickpea cropping systems at two soil depths after wheat, mustard, and chickpea, and examined for 0.5 M NaHCO3-P, total P, inorganic P, and different P fractions namely, saloid-P (1 M NH4Cl), aluminium-P (0.5 M NH4F), iron-P (0.1 M NaOH), calcium-P (0.25 M H2SO4), and reductant soluble-P (0.3 M Na3C3H6O7 + 1 M NaHCO3 + Na2S2O3). Results demonstrates that continuous fertilization using organic, inorganic, and their combination influences soil P dynamics. Soybean-chickpea system was found better in sustaining P availability. Higher NaHCO3-P was observed under 50% organic + 50% inorganic plot. Inorganic fertilizer dominated soil P accumulation as observed from higher inorganic fractions, and total P. Addition of organic manure could contribute to solubilization of fixed-P fractions and renders plant available form. It can be concluded that fertilization with organic manures and inorganic fertilizer should be followed so that 25–50% costly P-fertilizers could be saved for crop production under soybean-based cropping systems in Vertisols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The addition of organic fertilizers and sheep slat manure have important effects on soil quality in alpine mining areas, but how they affect soil physicochemical properties and microorganisms is not yet known. Methods: The current study employed field-controlled experiments and high-throughput sequencing technology to investigate differences in soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structures, and diversity under four treatments: no fertilization (CK), 100% sheep manure (SM), a combination of 50% sheep manure and 50% commercial organic fertilizer (MF), and 100% commercial organic fertilizer (OF). Results: Aboveground biomass increased by 191.93, 253.22, and 133.32% under SM, MF and OF treatments, respectively, when compared to CK treatment. The MF treatment resulted in significantly higher soil total nitrogen, total phosphorus, organic matter, and available nitrogen content compared to other treatments. Soil total nitrogen content, total phosphorus content, organic matter, available nitrogen content and available phosphorus content were 211, 120, 380, 557, and 271% higher, respectively, under the MF treatment than the CK treatment. Different nutrient additions significantly influenced soil microbial community composition. The SM and MF treatments notably increased soil bacterial and fungal community Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) indices and Chao 1 indices, while nutrient addition had no meaningful effect on the Simpson indices for microbial communities. There was a highly significant positive correlation between aboveground biomass and observed soil nutrient content. Conclusion: The combined application of sheep manure and commercial organic fertilizer is more conducive to improving soil quality and enhancing plant productivity in alpine mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inefficient use of nitrogen is due to the loss of nitrogen (N) in the soil caused by a range of mechanisms, including the volatilization of ammonia, the leaching of nitrates, the runoff of soil, and autotrophic reactions. In this work, an effort was made to keep nitrogen from being lost during the urea treatment by making use of frass produced by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on decanter cake (DC) and palm kernel expeller (PKE). Thirty days of soil incubation was carried out to study the effects of varying concentrations of BSFL on the amount of nitrogen retained from varying concentrations of urea. In the incubation of the soil, the treatments were as follows: 300 g of soil only (T0), 300 g of soil + 4 g of urea (T1), 300 g of soil + 40 g of frass (T2), 300 g of soil + 30 g of frass+ 3 g of urea (T3), and 300 g of soil + 20 g of frass + 2 g of urea (T4). The treatments were organized using a complete randomized design (CRD), and each replication was performed three times. Incorporating BSFL frass into the soil increased pH, total carbon, organic matter, available nitrate and exchangeable ammonium, and cation exchange capacity in the soil. This is due to BSFL frass being rich in base cations. Amending urea with BSFL frass significantly increased soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pH because high pH contributes to a low concentration of H+ ions in the soil and increases the possibility of NH4+ cations binding on the negative sites on the surface of BSFL frass. In conclusion, pH was an important regulator of net nitrification during BSFL composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of a study of the possibility of using biogas enriched with hydrogen at a steam-turbine mini-thermal power plant with a capacity of 1 MW, in which the process of heat energy accumulation was organized. Two-stage biological conversion of organic waste was considered in the technological scheme as the basis for obtaining biohydrogen and biogas. Five compositions of gaseous fuels were analyzed in this paper. The biohydrogen content was varied in increments of 15 %–45 %. When generating steam, a boiler with a capacity of 25 tons/hour was used; its calculation was key in the power generation unit. For fast recycling of waste with minimal hydraulic retention time, the most effective way is to use gas with a hydrogen content of up to 15 %. At the same time, the daily processing of waste will be from 349.87 to 362.21 tons, and the excess of technical hydrogen of 99.99 % purity can be realized in cylinders. The amount of organic fertilizers produced at the mini-TPP will be at least 241 tons/day. The efficiency of the steam boiler will be 95 %. Resulting steam is sent to a 1 MW steam turbine to generate electricity. Although the smallest amount of flue gases is generated by burning fuel with a hydrogen content of 45 % in a steam boiler, this is technologically impossible to implement in the scheme under consideration, since there is a shortage H 2. It should be noted that the fuel consumption in a steam boiler increases as the proportion of hydrogen increases. Based on a comprehensive analysis, it can be argued that there are not enough standard methods for designing a steam-turbine mini-thermal power plant on hydrogen, and additional research is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]