Residual effects of repeated animal manure application on coarse-textured Ultisol, nutrient uptake and cucumber yield

Micro-drip irrigation promotes high water and nutrient use efficiency in crops.We aimed to develop a new micro-drip irrigation technology that can reduce the effects of chemical fertilizer input on soil quality while maintaining agricultural productivity. There were four treatments: micro-drip irrigation with 240 (LF), 300 (MF), and 360 kg ha-1 fertilization (HF) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) with 240 kg ha-1 fertilization (CK). Micro-drip irrigation decreased N concentration around the roots by >24% compared with SDI, and increased the urease, alkaline phosphatase activities, and partial nitrogen productivity by 31.5%, 37.7%, and 22.1%, respectively. Although the HF treatment increased cucumber yield by 20%–45% compared with LF and MF, the urease and alkaline phosphatase activities decreased by 11.4%–15.3% and 11.5%–23.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the HF treatment significantly increased the N concentration around the roots. There was a negative correlation between soil enzymatic activities and N concentration. Overall, micro-drip irrigation mitigated the inhibition of soil enzymatic activities and increased nutrient uptake and cucumber yield. However, the negative effects of high fertilization on soil quality and N loss were unavoidable. The optimal fertilization level for greenhouse cucumber cultivations was 300 kg N hm-2 under micro-drip irrigation.

The application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on agricultural farming as a management practice has tremendously brought about a great boost to crop yield due to improvement in soil fertility. The thrust of this experiment was to compare the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth, yield and nutritional qualities of cucumber (cucumis sativus). The research was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti in 2019 using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment consisted of sole application of NPK fertilizer, sole application of goat manure, sole application of poultry, NPK + goat manure, NPK fertilizer + poultry manure and control. Parameters assessed include vine length (cm), stem girth (cm), number of leaves, fruit weight (g), length of fruit (cm), fruit diameter (cm) and number of fruit plant-1. The results revealed that poultry manure (PM) significantly influenced all the agronomic parameters and yield of cucumber than other treatments. There were significant differences among the agronomic parameters measured including yield in all the treatments except the number of fruits plant-1. Poultry manure had the highest fruit yield followed by goat manure, NPK fertilizer and poultry manure respectively. For the proximate test, it was observed in the results that there were slight differences in the composition of the proximate of cucumber based on the treatments, suggesting that fertilization can influence the proximate of fruit and vegetables. The overall assessment of the research suggested that poultry manure is the best fertilizer for cucumber growth and yield performance.

There is a continuing argument about the benefits of biochar on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, crop growth, yield, and fertility of soil. There is also limited research on the effects of biochar on AM colonization, cucumber yield, and soil fertility improvement. Therefore, this investigation aimed to determine the impact of poultry litter biochar (PLB) on colonization of roots by indigenous AM fungi in agricultural soil and their contribution to cucumber yield, nutrition, and soil fertility improvement. A field trial was conducted to assess the effect of PLB combined with compound poultry manure (CPM) and nitrophos (NP) fertilizer to investigate the response of treatments on nutrient-deficient sandy soils. Plant growth responses to biochar showed better plant growth and yield of cucumber. Application of biochar with and without CPM and NP reduced the negative impact of nutrient deficiency stress on cucumber growth. AM fungal colonization, soil fertility, and cucumber yield were improved with the combined application of biochar, CPM, and NP fertilizer. Post-harvest, soil C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn increased with application of biochar applied with CPM and NP. Biochar application with CPM and NP also increased the percent root colonization of cucumber. Use of biochar with CPM and NP has the potential to improve plant growth, yield, nutrient uptake, and soil fertility. Further studies in various agro-ecological conditions would help utilize this technology in sustainable crop production.

The application of animal manure (AM) along with zinc (Zn) and silicon (Si) can help improve the growth, increase the yield and nutritional value of wheat grain. Hence, we investigated the effects of AM along with Zn and Si sources on yield components, grain yield, nutrient uptake and protein content in wheat grain. The experiment was conducted as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the seasons of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The experimental treatments included the main plot assigned to AM application (control or non-application of AM and AM application), and the sub-plot assigned to Si and Zn fertilizers application (control, zinc sulfate, potassium silicate, ZnO-NPs, Si-NPs, potassium silicate + zinc sulfate, ZnO-NPs + potassium silicate, Si-NPs + zinc sulfate, and Si-NPs + ZnO-NPs). The results showed that the AM-treated plants had higher grain yield and greater protein accumulation when compared with untreated plants. Simultaneous foliar application of Si-NPs and ZnO-NPs on wheat plants produced the highest grain yields similar to co-application of potassium silicate and zinc sulfate as soil. The foliar application of nanoparticles had slightly better effects than soil application in terms of grain yield. The use of Si sources resulted in higher Si accumulation, and the application of Zn sources resulted in higher Zn and protein production in wheat grain. However, nanoparticles foliar application was superior to soil application in improving the nutrients uptake like Si and Zn and protein content in wheat grains. In general, the plants treated with co-application of AM + Si-NPs + ZnO-NPs showed higher grain yield compared with other experimental treatments. Overall, our results highlight that simultaneous foliar application of Si-NPs and ZnO-NPs plus AM has great potential in increasing yield and improving the nutritional quality of wheat grain.

field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat, during the kharif seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 to evaluate the “Impact of Green Manure and Nutrient Management on Quality and Nutrient Uptake in Castor (Ricinus communis L.)”. The experiment involved 20 treatment combinations, consisting of four green manure treatments (Control, Sunhemp, Clusterbean, and Cowpea) and five nutrient management treatments (100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF), 75% RDF + 1% Banana pseudostem sap foliar spray at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, 75% RDF + 1.5% Banana pseudostem sap foliar spray at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, 100% RDF + 1% Banana pseudostem sap foliar spray at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, and 100% RDF + 1.5% Banana pseudostem sap foliar spray at 30, 60, and 90 DAS). A split-plot design with three replications was used. Results showed that the sunhemp green manure treatment significantly increased oil yield upto 1665 kg/ha and nutrient (N, P, K) uptake by the castor stalk. The application of 100% RDF combined with a 1.5% Banana pseudostem sap foliar spray at 30, 60, and 90 DAS led to significantly higher nutrient uptake by both seed and stalk compared to other treatments. However, the combined application of green manuring and nutrient management did not significantly affect nutrient uptake by seed and stalk. Although nutrient management treatments did not affect oil content in castor seed, the highest oil yield and nutrient uptake were observed with 100% RDF + 1.5% Banana pseudostem sap foliar spray at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, followed by the 1% sap foliar spray treatment. Overall, growing sunhemp as green manure at 45 DAS, followed by 75% RDF application and 1.5% Banana pseudostem sap foliar spray at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, improved oil yield and nutrient uptake in castor.

Investigation was taken up to assess the combined effects of drip irrigation and mulches on yield, water-use efficiency and nutrient uptake in cucumber. The treatments of the study comprised of different combinations of three drip irrigation levels (100, 80 and 60% of crop water requirement) and three mulches (white polyethylene sheet, black polyethylene sheet and no mulch). The yield of cucumber increased with the increasing amount of irrigation water in mulched treatment. Highest yield per plot (72.18 kg), yield per 1000 Sq. mt. (11.32 t) and yield per hectare (110.90 t ha-1) was observed in the treatment consisting of 100% crop ET with white plastic mulch. The water use efficiency was highest in treatment consisting of drip irrigation at 60% crop ET with white plastic mulch (10.70 t ha-1cm-1). The nitrogen (48.12 kg ha-1), phosphorus (10.36 kg ha-1) and potassium (52.21 kg ha-1) uptake was highest in treatment consisting of 100% crop ET with white plastic mulch. The study reveals that drip irrigation with mulch has an explicit role in increasing the yield and water productivity in cucumber.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of integrated nutrient management using poultry manure and legume tree prunings on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under field conditions in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Study Design: A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was used. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out from January to August 2022 at the Research Farm of Adanwomase Senior High School in the Kwabre East District and at the AAMUSTED Research Field, Asante Mampong Campus. Methodology: Seven treatments comprising sole and combined applications of poultry manure, Gliricidia sepium, and Leucaena leucocephala prunings, as well as a control, were evaluated. The treatments included: (i) 10 t/ha Gliricidia sepium, (ii) 10 t/ha Leucaena leucocephala, (iii) 10 t/ha poultry manure, (iv) 5 t/ha Gliricidia sepium + 5 t/ha poultry manure, (v) 5 t/ha Leucaena leucocephala + 5 t/ha poultry manure, (vi) 5 t/ha Gliricidia sepium + 5 t/ha Leucaena leucocephala, and (vii) a control (no amendment). Soil samples were collected before planting and after harvest to assess changes in soil chemical properties. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and treatment means were separated using Tukey’s HSD test at 5% level of probability. Results: Application of poultry manure and legume tree prunings, either alone or in combination, significantly improved soil chemical properties, vegetative growth, and yield of cucumber at both locations. Cucumber growth was greatest under 10 t/ha poultry manure, which produced the longest vines and the highest number of leaves. Fruit size was enhanced by the combined application of 5 t/ha Leucaena leucocephala and 5 t/ha poultry manure, while the highest total fruit weight and overall yield were obtained with 10 t/ha poultry manure. The sole application of 10 t/ha Gliricidia sepium and the control treatment recorded the poorest performance for most growth and yield parameters. Conclusion: The combination of 5 t/ha Leucaena leucocephala + 5 t/ha poultry manure is ideal for enhancing fruit size and length, while 10 t/ha poultry manure is best for maximizing yield. Continued use of organic amendments should be encouraged as a sustainable alternative to inorganic fertilizers, promoting long-term soil productivity.

Os solos do Agreste paraibano têm baixa fertilidade e a prática usual de adubação é a incorporação de esterco na época do plantio. Entretanto, dependendo da qualidade do esterco, essa prática pode causar a imobilização de nutrientes do solo durante os primeiros meses de cultivo. É possível que o cultivo e incorporação de Crotalaria juncea, combinado com o esterco, possa promover mineralização mais sincronizada com a demanda de nutrientes pelas plantas. No presente estudo, realizado em 2003, foram conduzidos experimentos de campo e em casa de vegetação para testar essa hipótese. As parcelas de campo foram previamente cultivadas com batata no período de 1996 a 2002 e submetidas anualmente aos seguintes tratamentos: plantio e incorporação da crotalária na época da floração (C); adição de 15 t ha-1 de esterco (E); plantio e incorporação de crotalária + 7,5 t ha-1 de esterco (CE); e testemunha, sem esterco ou crotalária (T). Em 2003, foram aplicados os mesmos tratamentos de adubação orgânica e foi avaliada a dinâmica da decomposição e liberação de nutrientes pelo material vegetal e esterco contidos em sacolas de náilon incorporadas ao solo das parcelas de campo. Também se avaliou a dinâmica da disponibilidade de N, P e K no solo das parcelas de campo, por meio de coletas periódicas de solo. No ensaio em casa de vegetação, foram realizados cultivos sucessivos de capim-buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) por um período de 300 dias, utilizando-se amostras do solo das parcelas de campo. As perdas de massa e nutrientes do material incorporado ao solo foram maiores nos primeiros 30 dias da incubação, em todos os tratamentos. No final do ensaio, as proporções de matéria seca e nutrientes remanescentes foram maiores nos tratamentos E e CE que nos tratamentos C e T. No solo das parcelas de campo, o tratamento E aumentou os teores de P e K extraíveis (Mehlich-1) do solo ao longo do período do estudo, porém provocou a imobilização de N do solo nas primeiras semanas. O tratamento C aumentou o teor de N mineral do solo no período imediatamente após a incorporação, mas não aumentou o teor de P e K extraíveis. No ensaio em casa de vegetação, o capim-buffel acumulou mais biomassa aérea e nutrientes no primeiro corte, 35 dias após o transplantio do capim, no solo do tratamento CE. Nos cortes subseqüentes, o tratamento E levou à maior produção de biomassa e acumulação de nutrientes, indicando que a limitação de N no período inicial após a incorporação de esterco ao solo prejudicou o crescimento do buffel. Os resultados corroboram a hipótese de que o plantio e incorporação da crotalária, combinado com a aplicação de apenas a metade da dose usual de esterco caprino, promoveu mineralização de nutrientes mais sincronizada com as necessidades das culturas agrícolas, pois foi capaz de evitar a imobilização de N do solo no período inicial de cultivo e elevou os teores de P e K disponíveis ao longo de todo o período.

Different substrates have several materials which could have direct and/or indirect effects on plant growth and development. The use of different organic and inorganic substrates allows that plants have best nutrient uptake and sufficient growth and development to optimize water and oxygen holding. This work was carried out using a completely randomized design with six treatments and six replications. The treatments were pure palm peat, pure rice hull, soil+5% (weight) palm peat, soil+5% (weight) rice hull, soil+5% (weight) palm peat+5% (weight) rice hull and pure soil. During plant growth Papadopolus formula with fertigation method was used for nutrient solution. Selected physiochemical properties of culture media and selected growth indices of plants were measured at the end of growth period. Results showed that amount of porosity, water holding capacity (WHC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in date-palm peat was higher than soil and rice hull but amount of bulk density in date-Palm peat was lower than the others. Also The results showed that many growth parameters were affected by the culture media. Most amount of yield and plant height in each was related to palm waste (100%) and had significant difference at 5% level as compared with the others. Results showed that plant growing indices for cucumber plant were sufficient when cultured only in date Palm waste and rice hull substrates and when this materials were added to the soil, although it amended physiochemical properties of media but decreased the plant growing indices.

Effects of seaweed fertIlIzer and wood vInegar applIcatIon on nutrIent uptake, plant growth and yIeld of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) grown in a greenhouse

Silica nanoparticles boost growth and productivity of cucumber under water deficit and salinity stresses by balancing nutrients uptake

In modern agriculture, optimising the use of fertilisers is a key factor in enhancing cucumber yields. Manure, as a traditional organic fertiliser, alongside modern agronomic inputs such as mineral fertilisers and nanohumic substances, plays an important role in supplying plants with essential nutrients. This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of traditional organic fertiliser (manure) when applied alone and in combination with nanohumic substance and mineral fertilisers on cucumber crops under greenhouse conditions. Such a comparison made it possible to determine optimal fertilisation strategies to achieve maximum cucumber yields. The research was carried out in greenhouse conditions using the cucumber hybrid Absolut. Various combinations of fertilisers, including manure, mineral fertilisers, and nanohumic substances, were applied during the experiment, followed by an analysis of their effects on yield and fruit quality. A positive influence of the full range of fertilisers – both mineral and manure, whether applied individually or in combination with nanohumic substance – on the productivity of cucumber plants were established. A particularly significant increase in cucumber yield was observed following the application of manure, although the average fruit weight was lower compared to the use of mineral fertilisers. However, the number of fruits per square metre significantly exceeded that recorded with mineral fertilisers, resulting in a higher overall yield. Thus, the application of mineral fertilisers increased cucumber yield to 14.88 kg per square metre, which was double the control value. When manure was used, the yield rose to 16.38 kg per square metre, representing a 10.08% increase compared with mineral fertilisers and a 2.2-fold increase over the control. The results of this study may be used by greenhouse operations and farmers to optimise cucumber fertilisation systems, thereby improving both yield and product quality

Three fertility gradient stripes were created in Inceptisols of Odisha by applying no fertilizer, recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and double of the RDF and rice was grown during kharif, 2018 in the Central Research Farm of OUAT, Bhubaneswar. These three stripes were subdivided into 24 sub-plots and cucumber was grown with different graded doses of fertilizers and manures during rabi, 2018-19. Initial soil nutrient status, nutrient uptake, nutrient requirement, soil efficiency, fertilizer efficiency, organic matter efficiency and yield data were recorded. The highest cucumber yield (118.2 q ha-1 ) was obtained with 70 kg N, 40 kg P2O5 and 100 K2O ha-1 . Fertilizer prescription equations were derived for targeted yield of cucumber in Inceptisols of Odisha. Nutrient requirement for producing of one quintal of cucumber yield on this technique is 0.44, 0.15, and 0.63 kg N, P2O5 and K2O. This enables the farmers to make the most efficient and profitable use of the costly inputs in farming.

Three fertility gradient stripes were created in Inceptisols of Odisha by applying no fertilizer, recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and double of the RDF and rice was grown during kharif, 2018 in the Central Research Farm of OUAT, Bhubaneswar. These three stripes were subdivided into 24 sub-plots and cucumber was grown with different graded doses of fertilizers and manures during rabi, 2018-19. Initial soil nutrient status, nutrient uptake, nutrient requirement, soil efficiency, fertilizer efficiency, organic matter efficiency and yield data were recorded. The highest cucumber yield (118.2 q ha-1) was obtained with 70 kg N, 40 kg P2O5 and 100 K2O ha-1. Fertilizer prescription equations were derived for targeted yield of cucumber in Inceptisols of Odisha. Nutrient requirement for producing of one quintal of cucumber yield on this technique is 0.44, 0.15, and 0.63 kg N, P2O5 and K2O. This enables the farmers to make the most efficient and profitable use of the costly inputs in farming.

Pesticide exposure in the soil is indicated to affect soil fertility as well as nutrient uptake by the plant due to its active ingredient that can affect soil sorption. This research focused on organic matter effect on soil fertility (pH, organic-C, N, P, K) in the soil under several doses of pesticide exposure as well as nutrients (N, P, K) uptake by the green mustard plant. Treatments consisted of control, d and four doses of pesticide application (50%, 100%, 150%, 200% of recommendation dose), four doses of pesticide application combined with two doses of manure application (0 and 2 t ha-1). Soil pH, organic C, N, P, and K were measured before treatments and after harvest. Nutrients uptake (N, P, K) and yield of green mustard were measured at harvest. Results of the study showed that the exposure of pesticide in soil reduced the yield of green mustard by 40% compared to control. Nutrients (N, P, K) uptake by plant decreased by 72%, 92%, dan 78% compared to control in soil with exposure of 0,2 ml pesticide 500 ml-1 water even though with the addition of organic matter.