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

In spite of okra's importance to food security in developing countries, its production is limited by low soil nutrient and health status. A screenhouse study examined soil chemical properties, okra growth and yield under complementary application of biochar, organic and inorganic fertilizer in an Ultisol. The treatments comprised 5 kg soil each amended with 5 t biochar ha−1, 5 t poultry manure compost (SPM) ha−1, urea at 56 kg N ha−1, urea (28 kg N ha−1) + 5 t biochar ha−1, 5 t ha−1 (2:1, PM: biochar) (SPMB), urea (28 kg N ha−1) + 5 t ha−1 (2:1, PM: biochar) (SPMBF2). The treatments, replicated thrice, were arranged in a completely randomized design. There were two sets of plants terminated at 50% flowering (dry matter yield (DMY) and nutrient uptake) and at 10 wk post-planting for growth and yield determination. Results revealed that soil chemical properties, okra growth and yield increased responsively to the organic amendments. The SPM, followed by SPMB and SPMBF, enhanced soil pH (0.18–0.19 unit), total N (79–100%), organic carbon (75–100%), available P (55–58%) and exchangeable cations over the control and others (p < 0.05). These treatments also increased the plant's agronomic parameters: plant height (10–19%), number of leaves, leave area (21–31%), stem girth (33–51%), DMY (59–67%), and tissue Ca, Mg and K. The SPMBF2 – treated soil had the highest fruit yield (45 g pot−1). Conclusively, sole and complementary applications of biochar and compost improved soil chemical properties, and okra growth and yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is an important staple crop not only in Pakistan but all over the globe. Although the area dedicated to wheat cultivation expands annually, the quantity of wheat harvested is declining due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Global wheat production and output have suffered as a result of the drought, which is largely driven by a lack of water and environmental factors. Organic fertilizers have been shown to reduce the severity of drought. The current research was conducted in semi-arid climates to mitigate the negative effects of drought on wheat during its critical tillering (DTS), flowering (DFS), and grain filling (DGFS) stages through the application of three different abscisic acid treatments: ABA0 (0 mgL−1) control, ABA1 (100 mgL−1) and ABA2 (200 mgL−1). Wheat growth and yield characteristics were severely harmed by drought stress across all critical development stages, with the DGFS stage being particularly vulnerable and leading to a considerable loss in yield. Plant height was increased by 24.25%, the number of fertile tillers by 25.66%, spike length by 17.24%, the number of spikelets per spike by 16.68%, grain count per spike by 11.98%, thousand-grain weight by 14.34%, grain yield by 26.93% and biological yield by 14.55% when abscisic acid (ABA) was applied instead of the control treatment. Moreover, ABA2 increased the more physiological indices (water use efficiency (36.12%), stomatal conductance (44.23%), chlorophyll a (24.5%), chlorophyll b (29.8%), transpiration rate (23.03%), photosynthetic rate (24.84%), electrolyte leakage (− 38.76%) hydrogen peroxide (− 18.09%) superoxide dismutase (15.3%), catalase (20.8%), peroxidase (− 18.09%), and malondialdehyde (− 13.7%)) of drought-stressed wheat as compared to other treatments. In the case of N, P, and K contents in grain were maximally improved with the application of ABA2. Through the use of principal component analysis, we were able to correlate our results across scales and provide an explanation for the observed effects of ABA on wheat growth and production under arid conditions. Overall, ABA application at a rate of 200 mgL−1 is an effective technique to boost wheat grain output by mitigating the negative effects of drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of organic fertilizer “cow manure” applications on quantitative and qualitative traits of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) evaluated under field conditions. Treatments consisted of four levels of cow manure (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha−1) for both the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. The results indicated that cow manure applied at 15 t ha−1 resulted in the highest number of fruits per plant, antioxidant activities, and carbohydrate contents. At the same time, the lowest values were recorded in the control treatment in 2017 and 2018 (respectively). In both years, the highest plant height, number of lateral branches, number of nodes, fruit yield per plant, fruit fresh weight, and total flavonoids were obtained in 10 t ha−1 of cow manure treatment. The lycopene contents were 47 and 60% higher in 5 t ha−1 of cow dung fertilizer than control treatments in both seasons. The minimum β –Carotene was recorded in control, and the maximum was observed in 5 t ha−1 of cow manure fertilizer in both years. The results confirm that cow manure positively affects hot peppers’ vegetative and reproductive traits and antioxidant activity under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term application of organic and inorganic fertilizers increases the possibility of contamination of greenhouse soils with heavy metals. This study investigated heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, and Zn) adsorption-desorption under mono and competitive systems in 10 soils from agricultural and greenhouse soils in western Iran. In most of the studied soils, the values of the Freundlich distribution coefficient (Kf) of Cu were higher than other heavy metals, indicating that Cu is maintained by the soils stronger than Cd, Co, and Zn. Based on the average Kf, the selectivity sequence of heavy metals in agricultural and greenhouse soils was ordered as Cu > Zn > Cd > Co in both mono and competitive systems. In general, greenhouse soils had lower Kf for heavy metals compared with agricultural soils, indicating the vulnerability of greenhouse soils to heavy metals leaching. In desorption experiments, the percentage of heavy metal desorption increased as the concentration of added heavy metals increased in both systems (except Cu in the mono-heavy metal system). The findings revealed that continuous vegetable production and the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in these greenhouse soils may cause changes in soil properties and heavy metal mobility, posing hazards to human health and groundwater quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although microplastics (MPs) in solid organic waste have been intensively studied, the presence of MPs in organic fertilizer and their potential as new emerging pollution to environment because of their use in agriculture has not been explained completely. Therefore, the identification and quantification of MPs in commercially available compost is important. This study aimed to estimate the quantity of MPs in commercial composts. The characteristics of MPs (shape, color, size, and type of polymers) were identified. This study found that MPs in commercial compost samples were found, reaching up to 160 particles/200 g of compost with various colors (blue, black, red, yellow, and white). The identified MPs had various sizes (0.1–1 mm) and shapes (81.8% fragment, 16.2% fiber, and 2% filament). The findings of this study are very important and significant to inform community and policymakers regarding the presence of MPs in commercial compost, hence, their intensive use in agriculture must be controlled and careful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marginal land has low nutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). Addressing nutrient deficiencies on marginal land requires a strategic approach. Biological fertilizers like Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance nutrient availability through symbiotic interactions. In addition, organic fertilizers such as compost could provide organic matter and improve soil structure to increase plant growth and productivity. Combining these three fertilizers with the addition of low doses of NPK fertilizer can increase the growth and productivity of maize crops on sub-marginal land. This study aims to determine the effect of AMF, consortium of PGPR, and a low dose of NPK on the growth and productivity of maize and soil nutrients on sub-marginal land by measuring plant growth up to 8 WAP (week after planting) (parameters: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll content, stomatal density) and productivity (parameters: cob length, cob weight with husk, fresh weight, dry weight) and levels of N, P, and K elements at 8 WAP in the soil after planting. All treatments showed an increase in the level of N and K elements, while the P element showed a decrease compared to the control (soil without treatment). Moreover, each parameter did not show a significant difference, but the P2 (Compost + PGPR consortium + AMF + 50% of NPK) treatment showed the best growth and productivity. Overall, the data showed the utilization of PGPR and AMF combination was able to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizer by 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Aerobic fermentation always suffers from nitrogen loss and low humification degree. The objective of this study was to investigate the promotion of phosphate buffer on organic matter degradation and precursor polymerization into humus (HS) in aerobic fermentation, and to analyze the key roles played by different precursors. In order to achieve this, sludge aerobic fermentation tests were conducted on control (CK), phosphate buffer addition treatment (KP) and potassium chloride addition treatment (K). RESULTS: The HS content of KP treatment exhibited a notable increase compared to the CK and K treatments, with a maximum increase of 38.29%. In addition, phosphate addition improved the nitrogen retention capacity and the complexity of the HS structure. Phosphate buffer enhanced both the polyphenol and Maillard humification pathways by promoting the condensation of precursors (polysaccharides, reducing sugars, polyphenols, amino acids and proteins). Among these precursors, reducing sugars, amino acids and proteins were identified as the key driving precursors of phosphate. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphate, as an exogenous additive to the fermentation system, reduces nitrogen loss while promoting precursor polymerization to form HS, which benefits the improvement of soil fertility and crop growth upon organic fertilizer application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic farming methods, including the use of organic substrates, fertilizers, pesticides, and biological control, are gaining popularity in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) due to economic benefits and environmental sustainability. However, despite several studies focusing on the preparation and evaluation of liquid organic fertilizers, none have explored the compatibility of these fertilizers with different hydroponic systems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate lettuce production using a liquid organic fertilizer under different hydroponic systems. Four distinct hydroponic methods were selected: nutrient film technique (NFT), deep water culture (DWC) (liquid culture systems), and Dutch bucket (DB), regular plastic container (RPC) (substratebased systems). 'Green Butter' lettuce was grown using a liquid organic fertilizer (Espartan) for four weeks. Shoot growth parameters (e.g., shoot width, number of leaves, leaf area, foliar chlorophyll content, fresh weight, and dry weight) and root growth parameters (e.g., root length, fresh weight, and dry weight) were measured. The growth difference of lettuce under the DB and RPC systems was negligible, but the growth in RPC was 29% to 60% and 15% to 44% higher than the NFT and DWC systems, respectively, for shoot width, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot fresh weight and dry weight. Root parameters were nearly identical for the NFT and DWC systems but significantly lower (21% to 94%) than the substrate-based DB and RPC systems. Although lettuce grown in the NFT system showed the least growth, its mineral content in the leaf tissue was comparable or sometimes higher than that of substrate-based hydroponic systems. In conclusion, the tested liquid organic fertilizer is suitable for substrate-based hydroponic systems; however, further evaluation of different liquid organic fertilizers, and crop species is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The potato holds the distinction of being the world's largest non-cereal food crop and ensuring its sustainable production is imperative for global food security. Notably, China leads in both the planting area and output of potatoes globally, cementing its crucial role in the nation's agricultural economy. A scientific assessment of the effectiveness of organic fertilizers on potato cultivation can significantly contribute to the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Methods: This study utilizes a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model and introduces a novel cost-efficiency approach to analyze and evaluate the production efficiency and economic impact of organic fertilizer application among 546 potato growers in Shandong. Results: The research findings reveal the following: Firstly, compared to the control group without organic fertilizer application, it is evident that the use of organic fertilizers enhances production technology efficiency, labor productivity, land productivity, and net profit per unit by 3.6%, 1588.47 kg/ person, 16346.77 kg/ha, and 16135.32 yuan/ha, respectively. Secondly, an examination of cost efficiency among growers with different production scales indicates that those with a planting scale of 0.667-1.333 hectares demonstrate relatively high production efficiency across multiple factors. Additionally, there is an observable inverted U-shaped trend in the relationship between planting scale and production efficiency. Thirdly, the continuous application of organic fertilizers proves advantageous in mitigating inefficiencies in investment techniques, leading to cost savings and efficiency improvements in potato cultivation. Discussion: Consequently, it is recommended that the government and relevant departments enhance technical support, elevate professional training programs, and optimize the allocation of input factors. These measures aim to encourage farmers to adopt organic fertilizers, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilization significantly influences soil quality and its sustainable use in urban garden maintenance. The widespread application of inorganic fertilizers has raised ecological concerns due to their potential environmental impacts. Organic fertilizers, while beneficial, often have slow effects and are costly. Biofertilizers, with their eco-friendly nature and low carbon footprint, are gaining attention for their multifaceted role in supporting plant growth. Despite the focus on fruit trees, vegetables, and medicinal plants, ornamental plants have been understudied. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel microbial fertilizer, 'natural soil biotin', on Rhododendron plants, specifically the Azalea hybrid 'Carnation'. The study employed a comparative approach to assess the impact of different fertilization strategies on soil properties, microbial diversity, enzyme activity, plant morphology, and physiological parameters. The application of 'natural soil biotin' was compared with the use of inorganic and organic fertilizers. The combined application of 'natural soil biotin' was found to effectively enhance soil properties and mitigate the impact of other fertilizers on soil pH. It also improved the relative abundance of beneficial microbial groups such as Proteobacteria, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, the mixed application significantly increased the activities of urease and sucrase in Rhododendron plants, which promoted their growth, development, and stress resistance. The results indicate that the mixed application of 'natural soil biotin' with inorganic and organic fertilizers not only improved the soil quality but also enhanced the efficiency of fertilizer utilization. This approach led to increased economic and environmental benefits in Rhododendron cultivation. The findings contribute to the foundation for soil improvement and ecological restoration, suggesting that 'natural soil biotin' could be a promising alternative or supplement to traditional fertilization methods in sustainable landscape architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide organic amendments have received much attention to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. Partial substitution of inorganic fertilizer through organic manure is a promising approach to decrease chemical fertilizer input while stabilizing or increasing crop yield. Field experiments were conducted in Hubei and Hunan provinces to assess the impact of partial substitution of chemical fertilizer through organic manure on cotton yield and soil properties during 2016 and 2017. The experimental plots (50 m2) were arranged in a randomized block design, with six treatments, and three replicates for each treatment. Our results revealed that the yield of 100% chemical fertilizer treatments was significantly higher than no fertilizer treatment in 2016, and the yield of organic fertilizer substitution treatments was higher than 100% chemical fertilizer and no fertilizer in 2017 in Hubei province. In Hunan province, the yield of replacing part of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer and 100% chemical fertilizer treatment was higher than those of 100% organic fertilizer and no fertilizer treatment over 2 years. Application of 100% organic fertilizer was found to be more beneficial in terms of improving soil fertility in Hubei provinces during both years. The substitution of chemical fertilizer by 50% organic fertilizer was effective to improve soil fertility and exerted a significant effect on soil available phosphorus, potassium in Hunan provinces during both years. Collectively, these results indicate that replace 100% chemical fertilizer through organic fertilizer in Hubei province and substitution of 50% chemical fertilizer in Hunan province could increase the cotton yield, improve soil fertility and reduce inorganic fertilizers, which have a potential impact on sustainable production of cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compost-bedded pack barns (CBP) are getting huge attention as an alternative housing system for dairy cows due to their beneficial impact on animal welfare. Effective microorganisms (EM) inoculums are believed to enhance compost quality, improve soil structure and benefit the environment. However, little information is available on the impact of incubation with external EM combinations on the barn environment, compost quality and microbial diversity in CBP. This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of inoculating different combinations of EM [Lactobacillus plantarum (L), Compound Bacillus (B) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S)] on compost quality and microbial communities of CBP products, as well as the relationship with the heifers' barn environment. CBP barns were subjected to the following four treatments: CON with no EM inoculum, LB/LS/LBS were Incubated with weight ratios of 1:2 (L: B), 1:2 (L: S), 1:1:1 (L: B: S), respectively. Results: The EM inoculation (LB, LS, LBS) reduced the concentration of respirable particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in the CBP, and decreased the serum total protein and total cholesterol levels in heifers. Notably, LBS achieved the highest content of high-density lipoprotein compared to other treatments. Microbiome results revealed that EM inoculation reduced the bacterial abundance (Chao1 index) and fungal diversity (Shannon & Simpson indexes), while increasing the relative abundance of various bacterial genera (Pseudomonas, Paracoccus, Aequorivita) and fungi (Pestalotiopsis), which are associated with cellulose decomposition that ultimately resulted in accelerating organic matter degradation and humification. Furthermore, high nutrient elements (TK&TP) and low mycotoxin content were obtained with EM inoculation, with LBS showing a particularly pronounced effect. Meanwhile, LBS contributed to a decline in the proportion of fungal pathogen categories but also led to an increase in fungal saprotroph categories. Conclusion: Generally, EM inoculation positively impacted compost product quality as organic fertilizer and barn environment by modifying the abundance of cellulolytic bacteria and fungi, while inhibiting the reproduction of pathogenic microbes, especially co-supplementing with L, B and S achieved an amplifying effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizer application has been one of the most important facilities to advance agricultural mechanization. Particularly, manual fertilization cannot fully meet the large-scale production in recent years. In this article, a chain reversal trenching and application device was presented for the organic fertilizer in orchards, in order to enhance the trenching depth and uniform fertilization. A reverse-chain trenching mechanism was employed with a fixed trenching blade that moved in the opposite direction of the chain. The soil cutting and simultaneous backfilling were allowed within the trench, as the device progressed. A trenching depth of up to 600mm was achieved in the chain trenching mechanisms. The separate backfilling was reduced to leave no visible trenches on the surface after completion. This design was also a streamlined operation. The mathematical analysis of the trenching blade was conducted to establish a mathematical model using Cartesian coordinate transformations. The relationship equation was derived for the cutting angle. Optimal angle parameters were also provided. According to the trenching depth analysis, the hydraulic adjustment cylinders were selected for the trenching device. A scrapertype fertilizer application mechanism was adopted to develop the discrete element simulation models for both upright and sideways fertilizer application modes. The fertilizer distribution patterns were analyzed under the two modes. While both modes were similarly distributed fertilizer, and the forward-facing mode was more suitable for the operations with the larger fertilizer widths, while the sideward-facing mode was with the smaller fertilizer widths. In the two fertilizer application modes, the sideways application mode had better uniformity, especially at the lower forward speeds. Therefore, the application mode of sideward-facing fertilizer was selected to ensure that all organic fertilizer accurately fell into the trench. A single-factor experiment was carried out to explore the effects of scraper height, angle, and spacing on the normal contact force and coefficient of variation. All three parameters shared a significant impact on the coefficient of variation. In a coefficient of variation of less than 15%, the optimal height, angle, and spacing of the scraper were selected to minimize the normal contact force, resulting in values of 20 mm, 90°, and 180 mm, respectively. According to these optimal parameters of the scraper, the simulation was conducted to yield a coefficient of variation of 6.02% and a normal contact force of 9.03 N, both of which were lower than those before optimization. Subsequently, a physical prototype was fabricated and field-tested. An average coefficient of variation of 8.34% was obtained for fertilizer distribution, indicating better uniformity. Furthermore, the maximum and minimum fertilizer application tests showed that the quantities ranged from 0.8 to 6 kg/m, thus meeting the fertilization requirements of different plots. The trenching performance tests show that the average trenching depths of two operations were 616.0 and 624.4 mm, respectively, with stability coefficients of 93.57% and 92.58%, respectively, both exceeding 90%. The average trenching widths were 305.4 and 295.4 mm, respectively, with consistency coefficients of 96.16% and 95.04%, respectively, both exceeding 95%. Therefore, the device exhibited excellent performance in the fertilizer distribution and trenching operations, fully meeting the agronomic requirements. The findings can provide a new tool for the deep application of organic fertilizers in orchards, indicating the promising potential prospects. Innovative design and efficiency can also offer valuable insights into the agricultural fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe study aims to determine the nutrient chemical forms, storage effects, and phytotoxicity of fertilizers made from nutrient-rich materials and municipal organic waste in order to control the impact of farming practices on the ecology. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted at 3-month intervals over a period of 15 months to determine the binding forms of phosphate and nitrogen, and other quality parameters of fertilizers. The germination index (GI) method was used to assess the phytotoxicity of the fertilizers at three different rates of applications- 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 tonnes ha−1 on maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max). It was found that animal-based and organic mixture fertilizers had the highest levels of ammoniacal nitrogen and nitrate: NH4+-N (0.3 ± 0.0%) and NO3-N (0.7 ± 0.0%), respectively. Rock-based fertilizer had the highest levels of water-soluble (7.0 ± 0.0%) and neutral ammonium citrate soluble (4.1 ± 0.0%) forms of nitrogen and potassium, which are readily available to crops. The GI values of the fertilizers were generally above the safety standard of ≥80, except for synthetic fertilizer when applied on soybeans at 3.0 tonnes ha−1 (74.2). While organic fertilizers were deemed safe for application on the test crops, it is advised to avoid storing the fertilizers for an extended period of time due to potential chemical and biological changes that might affect the biome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprehensively investigated the abundance, morphologies, and polymer types of plastics, larger (1–5 mm) and smaller (< 1 mm) microplastics (MPs), in organic fertilizers using spectroscopic and microscopic methods. MPs abundance varied depending on the type of waste employed. MPs were detected in 80% of the investigated compost samples, while macro/meso plastics were found in only four samples. Compost from mixed municipal solid waste exhibited the highest MPs contamination (23100 ± 3615 items/kg dry weight), whereas compost produced from canteen waste had the lowest contamination (100 ± 65 items/kg dry weight). Smaller MPs were dominant in all samples. The estimated loads of MPs introduced into agricultural soil exceeded the previous studies. Common morphologies observed were sheet, film, fragment, and fiber, while dominant polymer types were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS). Heavy metals, including Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb, were identified in association with MPs. Results indicate that the utilization of appropriate waste for composting and upgrading fertilizer regulations is crucial to protect the environment and human health from smaller MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, to study the effect of different approaches of nutrient application on soil fertility and soil quality under maize-wheat cropping system. Nine treatment combinations were compared namely, Recommended Doses of Fertilizers (RDF), Soil Test Crop Response (STCR), and various combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers. This paper aims to develop Soil Quality Index (SQI) based on Minimum Data Set (MDS) using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Different indicators were employed to formulate the SQI, derived from surface soil layer measurements (0–15 cm). Each MDS indicator was then converted into a dimensionless score using linear scoring function and then integrated into SQI. Results showed that the key soil quality indicators identified as MDS using PCA under maize-wheat cropping system were Water Holding Capacity, organic carbon, available N and dehydrogenase activity. These soil quality indicators were found to be best for monitoring soil health status. After rabi wheat 2019–2020, SQI varied from 1.22 to 2.21 across the treatments whereas, after rabi wheat 2020–2021, SQI varied from 1.13 to 2.23 across the treatments. Among different approaches of nutrient application, STCR-based use of fertilizers along with FYM (T4) helped in maintaining better soil physical, chemical and biological properties and ultimately sustaining soil quality, which was followed by the treatment receiving 75% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + full P and K (T5). Integration of organics with inorganic fertilizers maintained soil quality, environmental health and reduced greater dependency on chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of different organic fertilizers and their potential for stabilizing toxic metals(loids) in soil have not been fully investigated. This study characterized and evaluated three organic fertilizers from different raw materials. The mushroom residue organic fertilizer (MO) had higher C, H, and O contents and more functional groups (-OH, C-H, and C = O). Its application significantly increased pH (1.00 ~ 1.32 units), organic matter (OM) content (26.58 ~ 69.11%), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) (31.52 ~ 39.91%) of soil. MO treatments can simultaneously reduce the bioavailable TCLP-Cd and TCLP-As in soil, solving the difficulties of remediating the combined Cd and As pollution. MO treatments inhibited the migration of Cd and As from soil to plant, promoting plant growth. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that metal(loid) variations in plants were related to soil properties (40.09%) and TCLP-Cd/As (44.74%). Furthermore, the toxic metals(loids) risk assessment for all organic fertilizers was at safe levels. This study provided a valuable reference for choosing organic fertilizers and presented a novel option for the "producing while remediating" of farmlands with low pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteases are the main enzymes traded worldwide—comprising 60% of the total enzyme market—and are fundamental to the degradation and processing of proteins and peptides. Due to their high commercial demand and biological importance, there is a search for alternative sources of these enzymes. Crotalaria stipularia is highlighted for its agroecological applications, including organic fertilizers, nematode combat, and revegetation of areas contaminated with toxic substances. Considering the pronounced biotechnological functionality of the studied species and the necessity to discover alternative sources of proteases, we investigated the extraction, purification, and characterization of a protease from seeds of the C. stipularia plant. Protease isolation was achieved by three-phase partitioning and single-step molecular exclusion chromatography in Sephacryl S-100, with a final recovery of 47% of tryptic activity. The molecular mass of the isolated enzyme was 40 kDa, demonstrating optimal activities at pH 8.0 and 50 °C. Enzymatic characterization demonstrated that the protease can hydrolyze the specific trypsin substrate, BApNA. This trypsin-like protease had a Km, Vmax, Kcat, and catalytic efficiency constant of 0.01775 mg/mL, 0.1082 mM/min, 3.86 s−1, and 217.46, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ecosystems store large amounts of carbon, contributing to the control of the gases that lead to climate change. At the same time, certain species provide beneficial materials for the production of fodder or organic fertilizers. This research measured the amount of carbon stored by, and the biomass provision potential of, a water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) population in a disturbed and unprotected Peruvian coastal wetland ecosystem. The results indicated that this population stored 3942.57 tCO2 and that a potential 2132.41 tons of biomass could be obtained for fodder. This pioneering research in Peru measured these ecosystem services, demonstrating the potential of this population of floating aquatic plants to provide both services. One of the most fascinating wetlands on Peru's central coast is the Santa Rosa wetland (Chancay, Lima), an ecosystem threatened by anthropogenic activities. Some of these impacts have led to the uncontrolled growth of Pistia stratiotes, an invasive aquatic plant. This study sought to quantify the regulation and provisioning of ecosystem services provided by P. stratiotes using carbon storage and the provision of biomass as indicators. To this end, the biomasses of 50 plots measuring 0.0625 m2 were weighed and georeferenced and the percentages of dry biomass (%DB) and total organic carbon in the biomass (%C) were quantified. The biomass and its coordinates were entered into ArcGIS and a Kriging interpolation technique was applied to determine the total amount of biomass (B). It was found that P. stratiotes stored 3942.57 tCO2 and that 2132.41 tons of biomass could be obtained for fodder. The total carbon stored by this aquatic plant represented 28.46% of the total carbon sequestered in the wetland ecosystem by vascular plants, suggesting that its contribution to the carbon cycle is significant. This is the first study to estimate the biomass of a floating aquatic plant population in a coastal Peruvian wetland and is a pioneering study addressing the in situ carbon estimation of Peruvian floating aquatic plants. The results and methods proposed in this research will serve in the evaluation of the potential of ecosystem services among similar populations of floating aquatic species. In addition, the data presented can be used to establish plans for the management and use of this biomass in the production of soil fertilizers and cattle forage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical fertilizers can improve crop productivity, but irrational fertilization often results in low crop quality and yield, poor soil fertility, and severe environmental pollution. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted with a close focus on the cultivation of radish in high mountain regions, a widely cultivated root vegetable known for its nutritional value and economic importance. Here, a method of reducing chemical fertilizers combined with the application of organic fertilizers is proposed upon studying four different ratios of chemical and organic fertilizers, including control (375 kg·ha−1 chemical fertilizer + 4500 kg·ha−1 organic fertilizer) and combinations (T1: 12% reduction in chemical fertilizer + 4500 kg·ha−1 organic fertilizer; T2: 20% reduction in chemical fertilizer + 4500 kg·ha−1 organic fertilizer; T3: 28% reduction in chemical fertilizer + 4500 kg·ha−1 organic fertilizer). Their effects on radish quality, yield, and soil environment were investigated. Compared with the control group, T2 significantly increased radish yield by 12.92% and improved the contents of vitamin C, soluble sugars, sulforaphane soluble solids, and titratable acidity in the radish roots by 10.62%, 2.15%, 50.00%, 26.90%, and 43.90%, respectively. The soil nutrient content was increased by the T2 treatment, with a 7.69% and 14.29% increase in total nitrogen and total phosphorus content, respectively, compared with the control. Moreover, soil urease activity, sucrase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and catalase activity were significantly enhanced by the T2 treatment, showing an improvement of 11.13%, 44.30%, 26.41%, and 9.33% compared with the control, respectively (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of beneficial bacterial phyla such as Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria was increased in the T2 treatment, potentially helping to maintain better soil health and long-term fertility. In summary, a promising fertilizer management strategy is herein unveiled through the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the application of organic fertilizer that not only improves radish yield and quality but also optimizes the soil environment, providing an effective means for sustainable crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogas digestate is increasingly used in organic farming to improve soil nutrient supply and sustainably increase yields. However, biogas digestate can also lead to environmentally relevant N2O emissions. The benefits, opportunities, and risks associated with the use of digestate as a fertilizer in organic farming are a subject of ongoing debate, in part due to a lack of conclusive experimental results. A field trial conducted in southern Germany examined the short-term and long-term impacts of digestate fertilization on winter wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and N2O-N emissions. The four-year results from the years 2019 to 2022 are presented. Digestate was applied with a nitrogen input of up to 265 kg ha−1, with 129 kg ha−1 NH4+-N. The application of digestate resulted in a significant increase in wheat yield, with an average increase of 53% (2019) to 83% (2022) compared to the unfertilized control. It is notable that the treatment applied for the first time did not reach the yield of the long-term fertilized treatment, with a yield gap of 0.5 to 1.2 Mg ha−1 (6% to 15%). The highest N2O-N emissions (up to 3.30 kg ha−1) in the vegetation period from spring to autumn were measured in the long-term fertilized treatment. However, very high N2O-N emissions (up to 3.72 kg ha−1) also occurred in two years in winter in the unfertilized treatment. An increase in soil inorganic N stocks and N2O-N emissions was observed following the wheat harvest and subsequent tillage in all treatments. No significant differences were identified between the fertilizer treatments with regard to product-related emissions. The experimental results demonstrate that N2O-N emissions are not solely a consequence of N fertilization, but can also be attributed to tillage, post-harvest practices, and previous crops, with considerable variability depending on weather conditions. The experimental data provide comprehensive insight into the influence of cultivation, soil characteristics, and meteorological conditions on N2O-N emissions at an agricultural site in southern Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the inefficient crushing of fertilizer during the mechanized spreading process caused by the caking of high-humidity organic fertilizer, a fertilizer spreader with a combined rotor and lining plate crushing mechanism was proposed in this paper. With the introduction of the basic structure and working principle of the spreader, a particle group model for an organic fertilizer consisting of both caked and bulk fertilizer was built, based on the Hertz–Mindlin model with bonding and the Hertz–Mindlin model with JKR contact, in EDEM to construct an organic fertilizer-crushing-and-spreading model. With the rotor speed, the axial distance of the hammer, and the number of circumferential hammer groups as the experimental factors and the maximum broken bond rate of the caked organic fertilizer and the minimum coefficient of variation of spreading uniformity as the experimental indices, the Box–Behnken test method was employed to establish regression equations for response surface analysis and multi-objective optimization of the test results. The results indicated that, when the rotor speed was 6.47 Hz, the axial distance of the hammer was 90.30 mm, the number of circumferential hammer groups was five, the broken bond rate reached 90.86%, and the coefficient of variation was 21.45%. Verification tests under these conditions showed a broken bond rate of 90.03% and a coefficient of variation of 22.12%, which were consistent with the optimization results. Therefore, our research provides a reference for the structural design of an organic fertilizer spreader and the optimization of its working parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated if reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer by combining it with organic fertilizer in Hemerocallis citrina Baroni (H. citrina) cultivation could improve plant growth and photosynthetic capacity and, consequently, increase yield and quality. A continuous two-year field experiment was conducted at a research farm in Zhangzhou City, China, during 2021–2022. Six fertilization levels with two locally grown H. citrina cultivars, "Taidong 6" and "Shibage", were tested. The results showed that 100% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) with bio-organic fertilizer yielded superior effects in promoting both vegetative and reproductive growth in comparison to RDF alone. However, reducing the application rate of chemical fertilizers, especially by more than 40%, resulted in a significant decline in certain agronomic traits such as plant width, leaf width, and scape length. Compared to RDF, the use of 100% or 80% RDF in combination with bio-organic fertilizer significantly increased chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate as well as yield production, while excessive reductions in chemical fertilizer rate produced results that demonstrated an opposite trend. The co-application of chemical and bio-organic fertilizer enhanced the contents of soluble sugar and lowered total acidity, whereas excessive chemical fertilizer reduction decreased vitamin C, total flavonoids, and soluble protein levels. Utilizing radar chart analysis for a comprehensive assessment of yield and quality demonstrates that the application of bio-organic fertilizer with 80% RDF could be a better field fertilization regime for H. citrina cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Long-term application of organic materials has been shown to significantly enhance the content of soil organic matter (SOM), underscoring the critical need to examine the components of soil organic carbon for a deeper understanding of SOM functionalities. Thus, the structural changes and microbial driving mechanisms of water extractable organic matter (WEOM), fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA) were investigated in black soil by a long-term fertilization experiment. Methods: This 33-year experiment comprises five treatments: no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (NPK), chemical fertilizer with low-rate straw (NPKJ1), chemical fertilizer with high-rate straw (NPKJ2), and chemical fertilizer with organic manure (NPKM). We also conducted a detailed study of WEOM, FA, HA, and the microbial community structure in both the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers. Results: Our findings indicate that organic material application primarily sourced WEOM, FA, and HA from microbial metabolism and plant-derived origins, exhibiting humus and aromatization characteristics with high molecular weight. WEOM was rich in fulvic acid-like and humic acid-like compounds, while FA and HA contained more protein-like components. Organic material use altered WEOM, FA, and HA structures by impacting soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and fungal/bacterial biomass. In 0–20 cm soil layer, SOM content was mainly influenced by humus, especially the HA fraction, whereas in 20–40 cm soil layer, it was predominantly affected by WEOM. Conclusions: The present study emphasizes that the application of organic materials can influence the structure of microbial communities, thereby affecting the composition of WEOM, FA, and HA, consequently influencing the organic matter content in different soil layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthworms benefit plant growth and play a vital role in shaping soil microbial communities. However, how earthworms modify the soil microorganisms and thus affect plant growth is still unclear. Although fertilizers alter the assembly of microbial communities, further investigations are required to test the effect of fertilizer type on the relationship between earthworms, soil microbial communities and plants.We evaluated the role of earthworms in soil microorganisms and maize plant growth characteristics under organic or chemical fertilizers in field and greenhouse experiments. We explored the relationships between earthworms, soil microbial community and plant growth under different fertilizer types.We found that the presence of earthworms promoted plant growth, increased the amount of plant root exudates, and enhanced the connections between rhizosphere bacterial, fungal and protist communities. Both earthworms and fertilizer application significantly changed the structure of soil bacterial, fungal and protist communities. The complexity of the soil microbial community network increased under organic, compared to chemical fertilizer application. The greenhouse experiment showed that the effect of earthworms on plant growth was weakened when maize plants were grown in sterilized soil under organic or chemical fertilizers.Synthesis and applications: Our study provides solid evidence that earthworms largely depend on soil microorganisms for their effects on plants under the application of different fertilizer conditions. This may provide new insights into reducing the amounts of fertilizer used by enhancing the role of earthworms and soil microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture not only causes a decrease in soil fertility but also has negative effects on the environment, natural resources, and human health. Therefore, environmentally friendly practices, such as the use of organic fertilizers (OFs) and plant biostimulants that increase yield and fruit quality can be effective in solving these problems. In the present research study, we investigated the impact of using an OF alone and in combination with as a biostimulant different doses of humic acid (HA) on plant growth parameters, yield, fruit characteristics, and leaf mineral nutrient concentrations in plants of the Monterey and Albion strawberry varieties. As a result of this study, we determined that the combined application of the OF and HA increased the yield, fruit quality, plant growth, and nutritional elements in the crop compared with using the OF alone. In addition, the Monterey variety plants treated with OF and HA (5.0 L·ha-1) in T3 offered the best results among the different treatment groups and varieties. With this treatment, we obtained the highest total yield (262.42 g/plant), fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS), and TSS/acid ratio, as well as increased growth parameters, and mineral nutrient concentrations in leaves. These results are hopeful for enhancing organic strawberry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify what affects mineral nitrogen (N) levels in lettuce by testing how different chemicals extract nitrate and ammonium, using continuous flow analysis for measurement. The study's rationale is to explore how agricultural methods and environmental factors impact the nutrition and safety of leafy greens. In this research, we utilized a collection of lettuce leaf samples obtained from our earlier investigation. The study involved examining different cultivars cultivated in diverse fields or greenhouse settings, using organic or conventional fertilizers, to observe the outcomes. To measure the amount of ammonium in leaf tissue, we assessed extraction solutions of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 2.0 M potassium chloride (KCl), along with distilled water. These evaluations were conducted using leaves from 16 different lettuce plants cultivated under various production conditions. To quantify nitrate, extracting solutions of 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl2), 2% acetic acid, and distilled water with two contact times (15 and 45 min) were evaluated. Increasing contact time increased the recovery of nitrate. Distilled water and calcium chloride were significantly more effective in extracting nitrate than acetic acid. No significant difference occurred between water and the salt solution to extract nitrate from leaf tissue. Moreover, the result revealed that 0.01 M KCl extractant satisfies the recovery of ammonium from the leaves regardless of cultivar, fertilizer source, or amount of N application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIt is possible to boost nutrient accumulation in grain, enhance grain production, and enhance the soil’s physical characteristics through the use of bio-fertilizers, zinc delivery methods, and organic and inorganic fertilizers integrated in a balanced manner. Often, zinc (Zn) is insufficient in soil due to a lack of organic matter additions to the soil. The world’s food supply is secured by Zn, a crucial micro nutrient. The effect of different zinc application methods and integrated nutrient management methods were tested on wheat crops based on crop production, nutrient uptake, and soil physico-chemical characteristics. Three distinct bio fertilizers, namely Azotobacter, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and Zn solubilizing bacteria were used in the experiment. There was a significantly greater number of effective tillers m−2 to the tune of 385 and 388 tillers m−2 and DTPA exchangeable Zn in the final soil of about 0.70 mg/kg with the soil and foliar application of zinc compared with the other treatments. A variety of integrated nutrient management treatments increased crop productivity and soil physico-chemical parameters by increasing soil nutrient availability. The current study indicates that adding organic manure is essential to sustainably preserving soil quality and crop productivity. It should therefore be included in nutrient management plans for crops that require a lot of nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of fertilizers is mainly adopted in arid regions to improve the soil carbon (C) pool and crop productivity. However, the mechanisms underlying improvements in dryland wheat field soils related to microbial metabolic activity and community structure remain poorly understood. Therefore, a field experiment with four fertilization treatments and no fertilizer as the control (CK) was conducted for 10 years in a semi-arid region of China. The results revealed that the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers (fermented chicken manure) clearly increased the levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and light-fraction organic carbon (LFOC) by 13.54–16.72%, 6.96–9.01%, and 11.00–13.51%, respectively, compared to the sole use of chemical fertilizers (FP treatment). Moreover, the combined treatment not only enhanced the metabolic activity of microorganisms concerning carbon source utilization but also increased the diversity of the bacterial community. This caused noticeable changes in the composition of the bacterial community. A Mantel test analysis revealed that Bacteroidetes and Mortierellomycota significantly enhanced the metabolic activity associated with carbohydrate, amino acid, and carboxylic acid C sources. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Mortierellomycota facilitated the accumulation of active C and particulate organic carbon (POC), whereas Mortierellomycota specifically promoted the accumulation of heavy-fraction organic carbon (HFOC), thereby collectively influencing the SOC content. The combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Mortierellomycota. This enhancement improved the metabolic utilization of carbohydrates, amino acids, and carboxylic acids, resulting in alterations in the types and quantities of soil metabolites. Consequently, these alterations ultimately affect the composition and quantity of the SOC pool in arid agroecosystems. In conclusion, the combined application of balanced NPK fertilizers and organic fertilizers has a strong positive effect in improving soil microbial activity and the soil C pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient management in coffee-based agroforestry systems plays a critical role in soil nitrogen (N) cycling, but has not been well documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of coffee canopy management and fertilization on soil N dynamics. This study used a randomized complete block design (2 × 3 × 2) with four replications. There were three factors: 1) coffee canopy management (T1: Pruned, T2: Unpruned), 2) fertilizer type (O: Organic, I: Inorganic; M: 50% Organic + 50% Inorganic), and 3) fertilizer dose (D1: low, D2: medium, D3: high). Soil N dynamic indicators (i.e., total N, ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−), net N-NH4+, net N-NO3−, soil microbial biomass N) were measured at two soil sampling depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm). Results showed that pruning increased soil total N and microbial biomass N (MBN) by 10–56% relative to unpruned coffee trees. In contrast, the unpruned coffee canopy had 15–345% higher NH4+, NO3−, net N-NH4+, net N-NO3−, and microbial biomass N concentration than pruned coffee. Mixed fertilizer application increased NO3− and net N-NH4+ accumulation by 5–15% relative to inorganic and organic fertilizers. In addition, medium to high dose fertilization led to a 19–86% higher net N-NO3− concentration and microbial biomass N as compared to low dose fertilization. The treatment of no pruning and mixed fertilizer at low to medium doses was the optimal management strategy to maintain soil available N, while pruning combined with organic fertilizer has the potential to improve soil total N and MBN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Insect manure or "frass" has emerged as an alternative nutrient source for alleviating the dependence on fossil fuel-based fertilizers, reducing food waste, and promoting food security. Yet, research on insect frass chemical composition is in its infancy. Here, we assessed the chemical properties of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) frass compared with poultry litter (PL). Insect frass was obtained from the National Biological Control Laboratory (NBCL; IF-L) and an insect-rearing company (IF-C). PL was collected from facilities in Arkansas (PL-AR) and North Carolina (PL-NC). Samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, macro- and micronutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, and indicator microorganisms. On average, insect frass had 43% and 47% higher C and N than PL, respectively (P  < 0.05). Considering a 5 mg/ha application rate, IF-C can supply 159 kg N/ha, twice the N supply of PL-AR (78 kg/ha). IF-L had a 53% higher P supply than PL-NC. Mean K, Ca, S, and micronutrient contents were higher in PL than in frass (P  < 0.05), whereas As, Cd, Cr, and Pb were nearly absent in frass. Chemical composition and pathogens in fertilizer sources were largely affected by insect-rearing substrate and supplements used in poultry and insect production. Insect frass utilized in this study had optimum C and N rates relative to PL, suggesting a promising soil amendment for improving soil health and C sequestration, thus contributing to sustainable agricultural intensification and reuse of food waste in circular economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels is an endemic species to Morocco that has multiple uses. It plays multiple important roles in terms of its botanical, ecological, and economic properties. However, the domestication of this species will open up considerable economic opportunities for Morocco. Here, for the first time, we assessed the effect of different doses of compost and NPK fertilizers on the vegetative growth parameters, biochemical and antioxidant potential of the Argania spinosa plant, and soil properties. Over a two-year period (2022–2023), eight different treatments were applied across two experimental sites. These treatments included the following: T0 (Control), T1 (F1-80.50.70 g NPK/plant), T2 (F1-125.75.100 g NPK/plant), T3 (F2-160.100.140 g NPK/plant), T4 (F2-250.150.200 g NPK/plant), T5 (F1-2.5 kg/plant compost), T6 (F1-5 kg/plant compost), T7 (F2-5 kg/plant compost), and T8 (F2-10 kg/plant compost), with F1 and F2 being the frequencies of application. We compared several doses of fertilizers with no fertilization as a control. The results showed a significant influence of the compost and NPK fertilizer on the vegetative growth parameters. For the Tamjlojt site, the first year is important because treatments T3 and T4 significantly increased height by 71.94 ± 21.15% and 74.31 ± 12.31%, respectively. For the circumference, the results showed a significant improvement by the treatments T4 and T3, and T1 demonstrated the highest gain. For the collar diameter, all treatments showed a significant difference. The most notable difference was observed with treatments T3 and T7 with 115.63 ± 33.88% and 101.09 ± 20.84%, respectively. For the Rasmouka site, the second year was the most important. The treatments with the most important height increase were T7 and T8, with a value of 43.14 ± 10.06% and 36.44 ± 9.95%; the same was observed for collar diameter as a significant increase was found in T8 and T7 with a value of 55.05 ± 15.7% and 54.08 ± 9.64%. For the circumference parameter, the treatments that increased significantly this parameter were T8 and T7 with a value of 53.36 ± 15.11% and 50.34 ± 11.29% in 2023. In addition, the highest content of carbohydrates was recorded for the treatment T3 with a value of 148.89 ± 8.11 (mg EG/g). For phenolic determination, the highest value was 2532 ± 457.13 (µg GAE/mL), shown for treatment T1. For flavonoids, the treatments that showed a significant effect were T1 and T6 with a value of 2261.98 ± 184.61 and 1237.70 ± 95.65 (µg QE/mL), respectively. For the impact on soil properties, the electrical conductivity, at the Tamjlojt site, treatment T1 showed a significant increase to 1139.00 ± 241.30 (ms/cm), while at the Rasmouka site, treatment T8 showed a significant increase to 303.33 ± 9.33 (ms/cm). Concerning organic carbon, all treatments resulted in increased percentages of this parameter in the soil. For the Tamjlojt site, the T7 treatment had a significant positive effect on this parameter with a value of 0.87 ± 0.12%. For the Rasmouka site, the T3 treatment increased the percentage of organic carbon with a value of 1.17 ± 0.07%. In addition, the organic matter content showed an improvement with a value of 2.02 ± 0.12%. As there are no previous studies in Argania spinosa fertilization, this study greatly contributes to our understanding of the benefits of using different fertilizers at different doses, in particular T8 and T7 as organic fertilizers and T3, T4 as chemical ones, on argan growth, the biochemical and antioxidant properties of leaves, and its soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbits, which are commonly raised as livestock in many rural areas of Asian countries, produce liquid waste called urine that can have negative environmental impacts. In order to tackle this issue, the development of technology is necessary to effectively process this waste into a form that can be utilized without causing harm to the environment. Urine contains valuable organic compounds that can be used as raw materials for the production of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF). The quality of this fertilizer is dependent on the availability of microorganism substrates and the duration of fermentation. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of different substrates and fermentation periods on the properties of liquid organic fertilizer. The raw material used in this research is locally sourced rabbit urine. The experiments were conducted in a laboratory at the Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia. Three types of substrates were employed: bioactivator animal substrate (BAsb), bioactivator plant substrate (BPsb), and commercial microorganism (C-mic) as the control. Two different fermentation periods were tested: 2 weeks and 4 weeks. The data were analyzed using a completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial patterns. The results revealed that the type of bioactivator substrate had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on the N-organic, C/N ratio, P2O5, and K2O content. However, pH and C-organic showed no significant effect (p > 0.05). Additionally, fermentation time had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on C-organic, N-organic, and the C/N ratio, but pH did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between the substrate type and fermentation time in the LOF-RU process. The production of N-organic content from local rabbit urine yielded promising results. For the LOF-RU production process with BAsb or BPsb, fermentation periods of up to 4 weeks can be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature, earthworms process enormous quantities of plant debris, ingesting and converting them into vermicast, the final product of their digestion process. Vermicast is widely recognized as an organic fertilizer suitable for plants, usually obtained from the transformation of animal manure. Indeed, controlled vermicomposting of the organic fraction from municipal solid waste (OFMSW) has yielded contradictory results, limiting the extension of laboratory results to larger-scale initiatives. This study aims to analyze a combined composting–vermicomposting process using Eisenia fetida (also known as Californian red worm) for the treatment of OFMSW (containing different impurities, such as heavy metals), mixed with a suitable substrate for earthworms, consisting of a blend of animal bedding and pre-selected food scraps (SOM—pre-selected organic material). Different fractions from a municipal composting plant were tested for the biological process: raw OFMSW, pre-composted (PC, organic matrix that has completed the thermophilic biodegradation phase), and compost (C). Laboratory tests involved five different applications with varying mixing proportions, partly aided by the addition of OM. The physical–chemical parameters (e.g., pH, temperature, moisture) and worm growth rate in the different treatments were measured and compared. The results showed that the process improved the quality of the final product, especially for the selected matrices, and revealed a significant reduction in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (lower than 14 in all tests) when vermicomposting was applied to the mixed matrices and SOM. Worms increased during the process in net weight and growth rate, even if there was an accumulation of heavy metals in the "worm tea". Worm mass reached a little over double the initial value in all tests (from 200 g to more than 500 g in the SOM test), except for an increase of only 87% in the OFMSW test, while heavy metal content in the solid matrix was reduced in all tests compared to the starting content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Reducing fertilizer use and increasing its efficiency will improve the quality of farmland and resource conservation. These are necessary steps to achieving green development in agriculture. Nevertheless, fertilizer-reduction and efficiency-increasing technologies (FREITs) remain limited. To improve the situation, 538 farmers in Jiangsu and Hubei Provinces were surveyed with the goal of measuring the information acquisition ability (IAA) of farmers using an Item Response Theory (IRT) model. A model of improved technology selection was employed in conjunction with an IV-probit model to examine the impacts of IAA on farmers' adoption of FREITs. The results showed that 34.76% of the surveyed farmers had adopted FREITs, with 12.45% and 26.02% having adopted Soil Testing and Formula Fertilization Technology (STFFT) and Organic Fertilizer Replacement Technology (OFRT), respectively. Second, farmers who used more information access channels had greater IAA, which significantly improved their adoption of FREITs. Third, participation in technical training and an increased degree of technical understanding increased the probability of farmers adopting FREITs. The results remained robust after accounting for endogeneity and correlation. Consequently, enhancing farmers' IAA, organizing technical training, and improving technical publicity will promote the adoption of FREITs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables accumulate considerable amounts of nitrates that enter the human body through nutrition, causing severe problems. This study aims to determine celery plants' response to replacing mineral nitrogen fertilizers with bio-nanoparticles. Three different treatments of nano bio-nitrogen fertilizer (20, 30, and 40 ppm) in addition to traditional nitrogen (NH4NO3) treatment (100 kg N/acre) were applied on two celery cultivars (Balady and Utah Tall 52–75). Plant growth parameters, vitamin C, carotenoids, nitrate accumulation, macro-nutrient uptakes, and antioxidant activities were determined at the vegetative marketing stage. Our findings reveal a significant positive impact of replacing conventional nitrogen fertilizers with bio-nano-synthesized forms. Notably, applying bio-nanoparticles improved celery yield efficiency, ranging from 5.1 to 5.8 tons per acre, suggesting a viable alternative to traditional fertilization methods. Furthermore, transitioning from mineral to organic fertilizers in nanoparticle form reduced nitrate accumulation in fresh celery crops, decreasing nitrate levels from 342.5 ppm to as low as 100 ppm. This environmentally conscious approach offers a sustainable solution to mitigate chemical residues and enhance celery's flavor, nutritional value, and health benefits. Specifically, our results demonstrate alleviated nitrate contents in fresh celery leaves after applying bio-nano-fertilizer. Nitrate levels in treated plants decreased by up to 70.0% compared to traditional fertilization methods. This highlights the potential of organic nano-fertilizers to address concerns related to nitrate accumulation, thereby promoting safer and healthier vegetable consumption. By advocating for organic nano-fertilizers, we propose a promising strategy to optimize celery fertilizing management, ensuring sustainable farming and consumer well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the effect of pure castor meal and a mixture of castor meal with ground hydrothermalized phonolite rock (CM+HP mixture) in providing nutrients, particularly N and K, and optimizing yield and quality of sweet potato, a field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design. Treatments were the absence and presence of synthetic N and K fertilizers (ammonium nitrate and KCl) combined with rates of organic fertilizers (1.2 and 2.4 Mg ha−1 of castor meal, 2.25 and 4.5 Mg ha−1 of CM+HP mixture, plus a treatment without organic fertilizers). The CM+HP mixture maintained adequate N and K status in plant leaves. Organic fertilizers increased the number of storage roots per plant and the sweetness of the storage roots, while synthetic fertilizers increased the storage root mean weight. Castor meal combined with synthetic fertilizers improved soil health (increased organic matter and enzyme activity in the soil). The combined application of synthetic fertilizers with 2.4 Mg ha−1 of castor meal or 4.5 Mg ha−1 of CM+HP mixture had the greatest benefit on storage root yield, with an average increase of 128% (10.9 Mg ha−1) on marketable storage root yield, and the nutrient removal compared with the sole application of organic fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Anaerobic digestion of manure, together with other biowastes, produces biogas that can substitute fossil energy and thereby reduce CO2 emissions and post- digestion greenhouse gas emissions. The final digestate of the process is an organic fertilizer rich in plant nutrients and recalcitrant organic constituents. The digestate characteristics and quality depend on several parameters, such as input feedstocks and operational conditions of the biogas plants. In Denmark, the rapid expansion of the biogas sector in recent years has resulted in a great variety of feedstocks used in the plants. The first generation of biogas plants mainly treated manure, industrial wastes, and energy crops with short retention times, while the new generation of biogas plants are co-digesting manure with higher amounts of lignocellulosic feedstocks and operating with longer retention times. This study evaluated whether this shift in feedstock composition could impact the fertilizer quality and post-digestion greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions during storage and application of digestate. Methods: Digestate samples from 2015 to 2023 were collected and analyzed for composition and residual methane yields. The efficiencies of solid–liquid separation applied to several digestate samples from the new generation of biogas plants were investigated and the nutrients contents of the liquid and solid fractions of digestate were evaluated. Results and discussion: The most evident change caused by the feedstock transition was an average increase of 52% in the total solids content of digestate, which can negatively impact ammonia emissions during digestate application. In contrast, similar average residual methane yields on a fresh matter basis of approximately 5 L/kg indicated comparable risks of methane emissions during storage. The liquid fraction of industrially separated digestate presented, on average, nutrient concentrations similar to those of unseparated digestate, while the solid fraction presented similar K, lower total ammoniacal nitrogen, and higher organic N and P contents than unseparated digestate on a fresh matter basis. The average residual methane yield of the industrially separated solid fraction of digestate was 101 L/kg volatile solids, while the average calorific value was 21 MJ/kg volatile solids, indicating its potential for additional energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dryland area of the Loess Plateau in northwest China, long-term excessive fertilization has led to soil compaction and nutrient loss, which in turn limits crop yield and soil productivity. To address this issue, we conducted experiments using environmentally friendly organic fertilizer and bacterium fertilizer. Our goal was to investigate the effects of additional organic and bacterium fertilizer inputs on soil water migration, crop root architecture, and yield formation. We implemented six different fertilizer strategies, namely: Nm (mulching, N 30 kg/ha), NPK1m (mulching, N 60 kg/ha; P 30 kg/ha; K 30 kg/ha), NPK2m (mulching, N 90 kg/ha; P 45 kg/ha; K 30 kg/ha), NPKOm (mulching, N 90 kg/ha; P 45 kg/ha; K 30 kg/ha; organic fertilizer 2 t/ha), NPKBm (mulching, N 60 kg/ha; P 30 kg/ha; K 30 kg/ha; bacterium fertilizer 10 kg/ha), and N (N 30 kg/ha; no mulching). The results revealed that the addition of bacterium fertilizer (NPKBm) had a positive impact on soybean root system development. Compared with the other treatments, it significantly increased the total root length, total root surface area, and total root length density by 25.96% ~ 94.89%, -19.63% ~ 36.28%, and 9.36% ~ 28.84%, respectively. Furthermore, NPKBm enhanced soil water consumption. In 2018, water storage during the flowering and podding periods decreased by 12.63% and 19.65%, respectively, while water consumption increased by 0.97% compared to Nm. In 2019, the flowering and harvest periods decreased by 23.49% and 11.51%, respectively, while water consumption increased by 0.65%. Ultimately, NPKBm achieved high grain yield and significantly increased water use efficiency (WUE), surpassing other treatments by 76.79% ~ 78.97% and 71.22% ~ 73.76%, respectively. Subsequently, NPK1m also exhibited significant increases in yield and WUE, with improvements of 35.58% ~ 39.27% and 35.26% ~ 38.16%, respectively. The use of bacterium fertilizer has a profound impact on soybean root architecture, leading to stable and sustainable grain yield production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To explore different organic fertilizer application measures suitable for Zhangmulin small leaf tobacco and Daning tobacco, and provide scientific basis for expanding the planting scale of sun-cured tobacco in Guangxi. [Method] Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of different fertilizer combinations of compound fertilizer, tobacco specific organic fertilizer, and farm manure (tung seed blight, peanut bran, chicken manure, and clay ash) on the growth and physicochemical properties of Zhangmulin small leaf tobacco and Daning tobacco. [Result] For Zhangmulin small-leaved tobacco, the growth of tobacco plants in Z2 and 24 treatments was better, with leaf area reaching 810.58 cm2; Z2 treatment had the largest single leaf weight, and its filling value increased by 29.03% compared to Z1 treatment; for Zhangmulin small leaf tobacco and Daning tobacco, the content of total sugar and reducing sugar was the best under fertilization treatments of Z2 and Z4, D1 and D4, respectively. Compared to Daning tobacco, Zhangmulin small leaf tobacco were low in nicotine, low in potassium and high in chlorine. [Conclusion] In the application measures of organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer for Zhangmulin small leaf tobacco and Daning tobacco, peanut bran and chicken manure, tung seed blight, chicken manure, and clay ash can be applied to each plant of Zhangmulin small leaf tobacco and Daning tobacco to replace tobacco specific organic fertilizer, which is better for the growth and quality of tobacco plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

AbstractLow soil phosphorus (P) availability is a limiting factor for crop production. Application of livestock manure as organic fertilizer can increase soil P availability, but may cause soil contamination with antibiotics such as sulfadiazine (SD), thus adversely affecting plant growth and nutrient uptake. The effects of P (0 and 50 mg kg−1) and SD (0, 1, 10, and 100 mg kg−1) levels on plant growth, root development, and nitrogen (N) and P uptake of maize and soybean were examined in a pot experiment using a loess soil as the test soil. High levels of SD considerably inhibited plant growth of both crops. Both P fertilization and SD negatively affected root development of both crops, especially at higher SD levels. For both crops, the average root diameter and the proportion of thick roots increased with increasing soil SD level. When soil SD level was ≤10 mg kg−1, the effects of P fertilization and SD on plant N and P concentrations, and N:P, N- and P-utilization efficiency were not significant in most cases. The effects of SD on plant N and P nutrition could not be of a great concern when soil SD level was ≤10 mg kg−1. Overall, soil SD pollution could reduce plant biomass and inhibit root development of soybean and maize, with a stronger effect on root development than on plant biomass at a high soil SD level (≥10 mg kg−1). In agricultural production, attention should be paid to soil SD pollution via manure application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe growing popularity of cold-brewed coffee has resulted in large amounts of localized spent coffee grounds (SCG) generated from production plants. Spent coffee grounds offer many favorable agronomic properties, but also contain caffeine, tannins and phenolic compounds that may be deleterious to plant growth. There is a growing body of research examining the effects of SCG on plants, but little of which pertains to use in turfgrass systems. The objective of this two-year field study was to evaluate the feasibility of using SCG as an agronomic source of nutrients for turfgrass. Field studies were conducted over two years to characterize performance of ‘Riley’s Super Sport’ (Celebration®) bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) receiving multiple nutrient source treatments including fresh and composted SCG, as well as synthetic, natural organic, and bridge fertilizers, some which included SCG. Soils were analyzed at the conclusion of the study to determine whether SGC provided long-term effects of on soil pH and/or nutrient concentrations. Our results demonstrated that although SCG possesses between 2.3-2.9% N and a favorable C:N ratio, direct SCG applications over two seasons did not produce responses typical of a fertilizer when applied as a topdressing. However, when combined with poultry litter, the SCG-containing organic fertilizer GeoJava produced improved turf quality relative to other organic and synthetic commercial fertilizers in our study, including Milorganite, ammonium sulfate, and URI-PEL S.R. Further, despite the acidic nature of SCG, their repeated application over multiple years did not result in any long-term changes to soil pH. Although early on, SCG treatments caused mild and transient phytotoxicity, these effects were not observed when it was applied in combination with the manure used in GeoJava. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]