Effects of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil fertility and root functional traits in chestnut orchards

Soil aggregates are the material basis of soil structure and important carriers of nutrients. Long-term application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can affect the composition of soil aggregates to varying degrees, which in turn affects the distribution and storage of soil nutrients. We report the results of a 15-year long-term field-based test of aeolian sandy soil and used the wet sieve method to analyze the stability of water-stable aggregates, as well as the distribution characteristics of nutrients in different particle size aggregates. Our results show that long-term application of organic fertilizer (M3) and combined organic–inorganic treatments (NPK1-M1, NPK1-M2, and NPK1-M3) help to increase the amount of organic carbon, inorganic carbon, and cation exchange in the macro-aggregates, and the improvement rates are 92–103%, 8–28%, and 74–85%, respectively. The organic content of the fertilizers also promotes the formation of macro-aggregates, and the stability of aggregates increase from 0.24 to 0.45. In contrast, the application of inorganic fertilizers (NPK1, NPK2, and NPK3) has no marked effect on the formation and stability of macro-aggregates; the application of inorganic fertilizers can merely maintain the organic carbon content of the soil. Correlation analysis shows that the application of organic fertilizers and chemical (inorganic) fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium can markedly increase the content and reserves of available phosphorus and potassium across all aggregate sizes, and there is a significant positive correlation between these parameters and the amount of applied fertilizer (p < 0.05). Aggregates of various sizes in aeolian sandy soils in arid areas have the potential for greater nutrient storage. Therefore, organic fertilizers can be used in the agricultural production process to improve soil structure and fertility.

The technology demonstration on rice production under organic and inorganic fertilizer application was conducted to determine which of the identified treatments would give better rice growth and yield and showcase the technology to the farmers. The study was composed of three treatments. Treatment A – Inorganic Fertilizer (120-60-60); Treatment B – ½ of 50% Inorganic + 50% Vermicast RR; Treatment C – 25 bags of vermicast as organic fertilizer. An area of 778.18 square meters was divided into three plots with a measurement of 19.30 meters in length and 12.44 meters in width (19.30m x 12.44m). Between plots was provided with a 1-meter distance for the passageway and drainage for excess water. The research made use of frequency and mean to determine the growth and yield performance of NSIC Rc 160 (Tubigan 14) as applied with organic and inorganic fertilizers. Treatment variation was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The result of the study shows that the application of inorganic and organic fertilizers gave a comparable performance in terms of growth and yield performance. However, in terms of a cost analysis of using inorganic and organic fertilizers, it is more economical to use organic fertilizer than inorganic fertilizer. It further showed that the lower the cost of production, the higher the net income of the rice production under organic fertilizer application. The researcher further concluded that the application of vermicast alone as a fertilizer source or a combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers is more cost-efficient in rice production than purely inorganic fertilizer application.

Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Black Soil Fertility and Maize Yield

High and sustainable crop yields in the tropics have been reported to be only possible with judicious combination of mineral fertilizers and organic amendments. Fertilizing croppings to achieve this has usually been a difficult task to achieve. The growth and yield of maize cultivated with a complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers was assessed compared with sole organic and sole inorganic fertilizers between April and July 2003 and 2004 at Ibadan, Nigeria, in the degraded tropicalrain forest zone. There was a no-fertilizer treatment as the control. The organic fertilizer was an equal mixture of composted domestic waste and stale cow dung, applied at 10 tonnes ha-1. Urea and Single super phosphate were applied as the inorganic fertilizer to supply 70 kg N and 13 kg P2O5 ha-1 respectively. The mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment consisted of half the rates used for sole organic and sole inorganic fertilizer treatments: 5 tonnes organic mixture was applied, with 35 kg N and 6.5 kg P2O5. Maize plant height at 8 weeks after planting washighest with inorganic fertilizer application while the leaf area was highest with organic fertilizer application. Stover yield and cob yields were also highest with inorganic fertilizer. Complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers however had similar plant heights; stover yield as well as cob yields with inorganic fertilizer. Nitrogen appeared chelated with organic fertilizer application. Plant ear – leaf Nitrogen was highest (1.68%) with inorganic fertilizer while the control plots had a Nitrogen content of 1.12% which was higher than 0.84% and 0.98% N from sole organic and a complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, respectively. Plant P content was increased by 136% and 15% with organic and inorganic fertilizers, respectively, but was reduced by 15% with complementaryapplication of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The K content was highest with inorganic fertilizer (1.91%). Complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers had a K content of 1.70% while the organic – fertilized leaves had 1.53%. Stover nutrient uptake was highest for N and K with inorganic fertilizer while the P was highest with organic fertilizer application. Cultivating maize with complementary organic and inorganic fertilizers gives a comparable cob yield as inorganic fertilizer and has nutrients higher than from sole organic fertilizer application.Key words: Maize, Fertilizer type, Nutrient uptake

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated vegetable crops in Ethiopia. The application of organic and inorganic fertilizers highly influence yield and quality attributes of potato. In this article, the effects of different inorganic and organic fertilizers on potato yield and quality were reviewed. Potato yields explained in different terms like total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield, storage tuber weight, and unmarketable tuber yield. And qualities were dry matter, specific gravity, and starch. Fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphorous potassium, and blended fertilizers; like NPSB, NPS, NPSZB, NBS, KCL, and organic fertilizer cattle manure is major fertilizer used in potato production in Ethiopia. These fertilizers are influence yield and quality of potato in both combined and alone application forms. The application of inorganic and organic fertilizer was positively affected yield and quality attributes of potato. However, the combined application form enabled to obtain higher yields and quality than sole application. However, it enhances productivity; the sole application of inorganic fertilizer has a negative impact on soil characteristics. Cattle manure improves soil structure and increases the yield. During the combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizer, the yield and quality obtain were high and soil structure might not be affected that's why a low amount of inorganic fertilizer is utilized. Therefore, the integrated use of inorganic and organic fertilizers was suggested as the better option in obtaining higher yields, improvement in the quality of potato, and soil structure. Keywords: Cattle manure, Dry matter, Inorganic fertilizer, Starch, Total tuber yield. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-22-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Fertilizer application is essential in the improvement of soil quality and crop yield; it was therefore necessary to investigate the effects of integrated application of inorganic and organic base fertilizer on the soil chemical and physical properties. This experiment was conducted at the Ambrose Alli University Teaching and Research Farm, Ekpoma, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments, replicated three times; the treatments were; control (zero application), Indorama granular urea (GU), prilled urea (PU), full dose of P&amp;K+75% Indorama granular urea (GUPK), full dose of P&amp;K+75% prilled urea (PUPK), full dose of P&amp;K+75% Indorama granular urea + 25% FYM (GUP&amp;K+FYM), and full dose of P&amp;K+75% prilled urea + 25% FYM (PUP&amp;K+FYM). The rice variety cultivated was FARO 59. The initial results of the soil analyses showed that the soil was low in nutrient below critical values, the combine application of organic and inorganic fertilizer significantly (p&lt;0.05) improved soil nutrient status compared to the other treatments. The combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizer increased soil pH value from 5.64 in control to 6.92. There was a significant (p&lt; 0.05) improvement of the macro and micronutrient from the integrated application of inorganic and organic based fertilizers compared to other treatments. The application of GUP&amp;K+FYM and PUP&amp;K+FYM significant (p&lt; 0.05) improved the Aggregate stability of the soil. The integrated applications of organic and inorganic fertilizer (GUP&amp;K+FYM and PUP&amp;K+FYM) will significantly (p&lt; 0.05) improve the chemical and physical properties of soil.

The application of fertilizers is a key agronomic practice in the artificial cultivation of medicinal plants, aiming to boost yields and enhance the levels of their bioactive constituents. However, systematic investigations on the influence of various fertilizers on the concentration of active compounds in saponin-containing medicinal plants remain insufficient. In this study, 966 experimental outcomes from 29 papers were analyzed via meta-analysis to examine the effects of organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, and their combined application on the levels of different saponin monomers in medicinal plants. The findings from the meta-analysis revealed that inorganic fertilizers contribute positively to the accumulation of saponins such as Rg1 in ginseng, Rb1, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1, in addition to the saponins from Paris polyphylla, Dioscorea, Panax quinquefolius, and Platycodon grandiflorus. Moreover, the application of organic fertilizers was found to markedly elevate the concentrations of Notoginsenoside R1, Ginsenoside Rb1, Ginsenoside Rb2, Re, and Rg1, along with Lancemasid saponins and Quinoa saponins. The combined use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers was shown to effectively increase the levels of Notoginsenoside R1 and Panax ginsenosides, encompassing Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1. Overall, the results suggest that both individual and combined applications of organic and inorganic fertilizers have a positive impact on the enhancement of saponin monomers in medicinal plants. However, inorganic fertilizers promote the increase of saponin content, their prolonged use may lead to soil compaction and acidification, which could compromise the yield and quality of medicinal plants. On the other hand, organic fertilizers improve the soil environment and stimulate saponin accumulation, they do not supply all the nutrients required for the sustained growth of these plants. Therefore, a balanced fertilization strategy combining both organic and inorganic fertilizers is recommended as the optimal approach for cultivating saponin-rich medicinal plants.

Macroaggregation is promoted more effectively by organic than inorganic fertilizers in farmland ecosystems of China—A meta-analysis

Applying organic fertilizer can increase the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC) and active organic carbon, which are crucial for strengthening soil quality and fertility. Four treatments were established:no fertilization (CK), single application of organic fertilizer (M), single application of chemical fertilizer (NPK), and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers (MNPK). The changes in SOC and active components under long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were investigated, as were the effects of various fertilization measures on greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, we evaluated the variation in the soil carbon pool management index (CPMI). Total organic carbon (TOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), and particulate organic carbon (POC) increased by 82.84%, 66.30%, 21.12%, 93.28%, and 145.80%, respectively, when compared to those in the CK treatment. The NPK treatment had no discernible effect on SOC and organic carbon components. The combined application of organic and inorganic materials could enhance LI, CPI, and the soil carbon pool management index, with the increase in LI and CPI being the primary reason for the increase in CPMI. Correlation analyses revealed that soil organic carbon components and CPMI were significantly positively correlated with greenhouse gas emissions. The combined application of organic and inorganic materials enhanced cumulative CO2 emissions and warming potential (GWP) but decreased GHGI and yielded a maximum of 56365 kg·hm-2. Compared with that in the CK treatment (29073 kg·hm-2), apple yield in MNPK increased by 93.87%. Therefore, applying organic and inorganic fertilizers in dryland apple orchards can improve the accumulation of organic carbon and stabilize the soil carbon pool, which is more beneficial to the sustainable development of orchards.

The study was carried out to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on tomato yield and soil quality. The study was performed in a randomized complete block design consisting of 7 treatments with 3 replications in the research farm, Shaikh Zayed University, Khost, Afghanistan. The fertilizers treatments were T1, organic fertilizer (5 t/ha); T2, organic fertilizer (10 t/ha); T3, urea (150 Kg/ha); T4, urea (200 Kg/ha); T5, mixed fertilizers (organic fertilizer 3 t/ha + urea (100 Kg/ha); T6, mixed fertilizers (organic fertilizer 6 t/ha + urea (70 Kg/ha) and T7 a control. Results indicate that applications of inorganic fertilizers with a combination of organic fertilizers increased tomato yield and improves the nutrient status of the soil. T5 showed the highest yield of tomato and followed by T4 treatment, which were 33.1 and 31.7 t/ha respectively. The lower yield were obtained in T7 and T1 treatments. The highest plant heights (205.0 and 199.0 cm) were obtained in T5 and T4 respectively, while the lowest plant heights were obtained in T1 treatment and followed by T7 treatment. Similarly, we found that a combination of both inorganic and organic fertilizers application also is the best strategy to improve soil nutrients, maintain soil fertility. Soil P2O5 and K2O, where the highest amounts were obtained in T5 and followed by T6, which were 26.5, 22.5 and 44.5 and 41.5 mg/L respectively. The control treatment had the lowest amount of P2O5 and K2O. Therefore, this study suggests that an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer with inorganic fertilizer not only increased tomato yield but also improve soil fertility.

This long-term study used a lysimeter platform to monitor the NH3 and N2O emissions of summer maize resulting from various fertilization treatments in the Huanghuaihai area, with the goal to assess the efficiency of fertilization measures aimed at reducing NH3 and N2O losses during the production of summer maize; the results provide a theoretical basis for synergistically improving maize yield and fertilizer utilization efficiency. A 2-year field trial was conducted. The trial included a no-N-fertilizer treatment as a control to study the following three fertilizer treatments: the exclusive application of urea, the exclusive application of cattle manure, and the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The results show that during the two maize growth seasons included in the trial, the average N2O losses associated with exclusively applying urea, exclusively applying cattle manure, and the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were 273%, 542%, and 376% higher than those associated with the control treatment, respectively. During the same period, the average accumulative ammonia volatilization losses were 311%, 542% and 376% higher than those for the control treatment, respectively. The average nitrogen accumulation resulting from the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers was 82% higher than that for the control treatment, 12% higher than that for the exclusive application of cattle manure, and 6% higher than that for the exclusive application of urea. The average grain yield for the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, the exclusive application of urea and the exclusive application of cattle manure were 76%, 68% and 61% higher than that for the control treatment, respectively. Overall, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers showed a lower ammonia volatilization loss than the exclusive application of urea, which resulted in a higher ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen content in the soil, an increased nitrogen uptake, an increased dry matter accumulation of maize, and a high grain yield and nitrogen recovery efficiency.

Depletion of soil fertility is the main problem to sustain agricultural production and productivity in many countries. Soil fertility decline is a big issue in the Agriculture of Ethiopia. Soils in Ethiopian have low levels of plant nutrients due to its removal by erosion and leaching by high rainfall. One of the major constraints for crop production in the Ethiopia is improper nutrient management. The Organic fertilizer improves physical and biological activities of soil but they have comparatively low in nutrient content, so larger quantity is required for plant growth. However, inorganic fertilizer is usually immediately and fast containing all necessary nutrients that are directly accessible for plants, but continuous use of inorganic fertilizers alone causes soil organic matter: degradation, soil acidity, and environmental pollution. So, the integrated nutrient management system is an alternative system for the sustainable and cost-effective management of soil fertility by combined apply of inorganic with organic materials resulting in rising soil fertility and productivity without affecting the environment. An experiment on organic and inorganic fertilizer application and its effect on yield of wheat and soil chemical properties of Nitisols the research finding out put at Holetta Agricultural Research Center in 2014 to 2015 these results of soil analysis after harvesting revealed that application of organic fertilizer improved soil pH, OC, total N and available P, the highest wheat grain and biomass yield (6698 kg/ha and 19417 kg/ha respectively) were obtained from the application of 50% VC and 50% N and P followed by full dose of recommended rate N and P from inorganic fertilizer resulting in 6241 kg/ha grain and 18917 kg/ha biomass yields respectively. This review indicated that different crops has showed significance response to the combined soil fertility management treatments containing both organic and inorganic forms under farmers’ field condition that they could be considered as alternative options for sustainable soil and crop productivity in the soil fertility degraded of soil in Ethiopia. To maintain soil fertility, farmers have to take note of the characteristics and constraints of their soils and use sustainable management practices to conserve and improve fertility. Farmers deliberately incorporate household refuse, crop residues, animal manures, compost, biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer into compound farm soils with the sole purpose of improving soil fertility and to enhance crop productivity. The objective of this review has assessed the effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil fertility and productivity. The review revealed that the appropriate application of organic with inorganic fertilizers increases productivity without negative effect on yield quality and improves soil fertility than the values obtained by organic or inorganic fertilizers separately. Therefore, farmers will be adopting this technology for increasing the crop yield and soil fertility. Keywords: Soil fertility, Organic Fertilizer, Inorganic Fertilize, Integrated Nutrient Management DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-3-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2022

Fertilization is a key factor for sustaining productivity in agroecosystems. A long-term experiment in cambisol following periodical application of several types of fertilization has been running at the experimental site since 1954. In this study, we determined the impact of applied inorganic and/or organic fertilizers on the activity of soil enzymes and on the structure of microorganisms at depths of 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm. Single-factor comparison showed that use of inorganic and/or organic fertilizer had an insignificant effect on the activities of soil enzymes (at depths 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm) and also on the structure of microbial communities at both depths studied. Only soil respirations exhibited stimulation by combined fertilization. The results, irrespective of sampling depth (0–60 cm), showed that application of combined organic and inorganic fertilization stimulated the activity of glucosidases and use of inorganic fertilizer inhibited the activity of arylsulphatases. Respirations were stimulated by application of organic fertilizer and combined fertilization. Nevertheless, principal component analyses, which calculate with multidimensional data, revealed differences in samples treated by sole mineral fertilizer compared to other variants, especially in the lower layer. In general, our results indicate that use of combined fertilization may improve biological characteristics in deeper parts of soil profile and possibly increase biological activity in agroecosystems.

In recent times, achieving sustainability as a development goal is a global concern. In agricultural system, a conflict regarding accomplishing higher production with diminishing environmental risks is always being remained. Rapid growth in world population put higher pressure to increase the agricultural production which triggered the use of inorganic fertilizers to attain higher yield. Inorganic fertilization intensified the crop productivity by too many folds. However, this leads to gradual worsening in soil fertility. Unplanned land use pattern and improper inorganic fertilization practices degrade the soil quality. Moreover, misuses of inorganic fertilizers are resulting in health hazards and environmental problems. In consequences of these, concept of organic fertilization has been introduced as it can improve the soil health. Organic agriculture has the potentiality to sustain the ecosystem by ameliorating the detrimental effects of inorganic fertilizers. Yet organic fertilizers have some limitations regarding nutrient availability and sufficient food production issues which are essential to feed the increasing population. So advancement in agricultural management practices is required for food security. A judicious approach combining the inorganic and organic nutrient sources can be an effective alternative to maintain the soil characteristics which in turn increase the yield efficiency and curtail the environmental risks. Various researches on suitability of coupling application of inorganic and organic fertilizers to optimize the productivity and to achieve sound agricultural practices are ongoing worldwide. Such agricultural management practices have already been recognized by means of ensuring food security and safeguarding the environment.

The effect of fertilizer application on the dynamics of soil-available nutrients in the rhizosphere was studied in a pot experiment. A rhizobox equipped with a soil solution sampler was used to collect soil solutions and soils in the rhizosphere. The experiment consisted of 6 treatments; soils with application of inorganic fertilizer (NH4NO3, NaH2PO4, KCI), organic fertilizer (rice bran), and without fertilizer application, each of which was either planted or not with maize (Zea mays L.). During the 17-d experiment, soil solutions in the rhizosphere were collected 5 times. After the experiment, soils in the rhizosphereand plants were also sampled. The ionic concentrations of the soil solution and soil extracts with deionized water and the nutrient contents of the plants were then determined. The application of inorganic and organic fertilizers immediately increased the total ionic concentration of the soil solution. As the plant grew, the total ionic concentration of the soil solution in the rhizosphere increased in the inorganic fertilizer treatment mainly due to the accumulation of CI- in the rhizosphere, whereas it decreased in the others. After the experiment, the concentrations of water-soluble N, P, and K decreased i.n the rhizosphere in all the treatments. The decrease in the concentrations of N, P, and K in the treatment without fertilizer extended significantly until 10, 0, and 2 mm from the root surface, respectively. The decrease was generally larger for the fe!tilizer treatments. From these results, the amounts of apparent decrease of N, P, and K in water-soluble forms within or beyond 10 mm from the root surface were calculated, and they were related to the amount of plant uptake. As a result, although the difference among the treatments was not as appreciable as that among elements, the contribution of the net supply of N, P, and K by the replenishment from the soil solid phase was higher for the organic fertilizer treatment than for the inorganic fertilizer treatment.