The Impact of Nano Processed Cattle Manure Combinations on the Yield and Quality Changes of Cotton

Combining green manure and cattle manure to improve biomass, essential oil, and thymol production in Thymus vulgaris L.

The combined use of organic manure and chemical fertilizer (CF) is considered to be a good method for sustaining high crop yields and improving soil quality. We performed a field experiment in 2019 at the research station of Guanxi University, to investigate the effects of cattle manure (CM) and poultry manure (PM) combined with CF on soil physical and biochemical properties, rice dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation and grain yield. We also evaluated differences in pre-and post-anthesis DM and N accumulation and their contributions to grain yield. The experiment consisted of six treatments: no N fertilizer (T1), 100% CF (T2), 60% CM + 40% CF (T3), 30% CM + 70% CF (T4), 60% PM + 40% CF (T5), and 30% PM + 70% CF (T6). All CF and organic manure treatments provided a total N of 150 kg ha−1. Results showed that the treatment T6 increased leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by 11% and 13%, chlorophyll content by 13% and 15%, total biomass by 9% and 11% and grain yield by 11% and 17% in the early and late season, respectively, compared with T2. Similarly, the integrated manure and CF treatments improved post-antheis DM accumulation and soil properties, such as bulk density, organic carbon, total N, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) relative to the CF-only treatments. Interestingly, increases in post-anthesis DM and N accumulation were further supported by enhanced leaf Pn and activity of N-metabolizing enzyme during the grain-filling period. Improvement in Pn and N-metabolizing enzyme activity were due to mainly improved soil quality in the combined manure and synthetic fertilizer treatments. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed a strong relationship between grain yield and soil properties, and a stronger relationship was noted with soil MBC and MBN. Conclusively, a combination of 30% N from PM or CM with 70% N from CF is a promising option for improving soil quality and rice yield.

The article considers the results of many years of field experiment (1968-2018) conducted in the Central part of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia (Vladimir region). The research was carried out during eleven rotations of the four-field grain crop rotation. The study shows the effect of use of organic and mineral fertilizers applied in various doses and combinations on crop rotation yield, fertility of sod-podzolic sandy loam soil. It was found that the organomineral fertilizer system (manure 10 t/ha + N50P25K60) provided stable crop rotation productivity (on average for eleven rotations) at the level of 39.9 c. e./ha, or 79.7 % higher than the control without fertilizers. The mineral fertilizer system at medium doses of fertilizers (N50P25K60) was at the level of the organomineral system. The organic system was inferior in efficiency to the mineral system, both at medium doses (manure 10 t/ha) and at elevated doses (manure 20 t/ha). At the same time, the long-term use of organic fertilizers provided an increase in the humus content, depending on the dose of litter manure, by 16-36 % compared to the initial values. The use of organic fertilizers led to the stabilization of the content of available forms of potassium in the soil at an average and elevated level, respectively. Stabilization of the content of mobile phosphorus in the soil at the level of average supply was noted in mineral, organomineral and organic fertilizer systems, respectively, with low and medium doses. When using increased doses of fertilizers, there is a further increase in the content of nutrients in the soil. Growing crops in crop rotation without the use of organic and mineral fertilizers gradually led to a decrease in yield. The use of fertilizers provided greater stability of crop yields over the years of the study compared to the variant without fertilizers. The soil in the variants with organic (manure 20 t/ha) and organomineral (manure 10 t/ha + N50P25K60) fertilizer systems was characterized by high values of the main physiological groups of microorganisms. The ratio of the number of amylolytic and proteolytic microorganisms was 1.1-1.2, that indicated a balance in the processes of mineralization of organic matter in the soil and its humification.

Field experiments were carried out at Kaguvi Vocational Training Centre located in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe, to determine the effect of planting date and fertilizer types in enhancing the productivity of spider plant, an indigenous leafy vegetable. The experimental design was a split- plot arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks. The planting date was the main plot with three levels (15/10/12, 30/01/13 and 15/02/13) and the fertilizer treatments as the subplots with seven levels including a control (no fertilizer applied), 20 t/ha cattle manure, 30 t/ha cattle manure, 5 t/ha poultry manure, 10 t/ha poultry manure, 300 kg/ha Compound D + 100 kg/ha ammonium nitrate and 300 kg/ha Compound D + 150 kg/ha ammonium nitrate). Growth parameters, vitamin A and C, crude protein, iron content, fresh and dry yield were significantly (p<0.05) increased by use of organic and inorganic fertilizers across all planting dates compared to the control where no fertilizers were added. The October 2012 planting date, combined with high rates of organic and inorganic fertilizers had the best response with regards to the variables measured, including the duration of the harvest period which was nine weeks, compared to the January and February planting dates where harvesting was for six weeks. The inorganic fertilizers provided readily available nutrients for uptake by the plants while the long production period for the October 2012 planting date enabled the organic manures (cattle and poultry manure) adequate time to release the nutrients for uptake, compared to the January 2013 and February 2013 planting dates. It can be concluded that there is merit in staggering the planting dates while using organic and inorganic fertilizers as the practice results in an extended harvest period. High rates of both inorganic and organic fertilizers are recommended for the different planting dates as follows; 30 t/ha cattle manure, 10 t/ha poultry manure, 300 kg/ha Compound D + 100 kg/ha ammonium nitrate and 300 kg/ha Compound D + 150 kg/ha ammonium nitrate. Key words : Indigenous vegetable, spider plant, planting dates, fertilizers, nutrients

The goal of the study is the scientific substantiation of the criteria for the use of fertilizers safe for the health of the population in soil restoration with the implementation of European requirements for the quality of organic materials in order to implement the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine “On measures to increase the level of chemical safety in the territory of Ukraine” (clause 2.3), put into effect the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated March 19, 2021 No. 104/202/ Objects and methods of research. The objects of the research are the physical, chemical and sanitary-toxicological indicators of fertilizers (reports of own research of past years), the conditions of their use according to the nature of the action according to the regulatory and technical documentation agreed in previous years. The work was carried out by the method of hygienic analysis of available data and comparative sanitary-hygienic assessment of the features of the impact on the soil using the analysis of literary data. The research used data from its own laboratory instrumental studies, performed according to approved methods on certified equipment. Research results and discussion. Currently, reclamation measures to restore the state and fertility of the soil are extremely important, they are a guarantee and one of the most important components of the country's food security. The amount of nutrients available to plants in the soil is constantly decreasing, and therefore the main measure to increase productivity in agriculture is the application of various types of fertilizers: mineral, organo-mineral, organic and complex. Fertilizers have the main function of creating optimal harmonic ratios between nutrients in the soil. Based on the analysis of indicators of the main mineral (synthetic) and organic groups of fertilizers, signs of their influence on the condition (structure, physical and chemical properties, fertility) of the soil were established. When using fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), the yield of cultivated agricultural plants increases significantly, but the mobility of nutrients and exchangeable forms of calcium and magnesium in the soil increases dramatically, which disrupts soil processes, in particular, increases acidity, deteriorates physical, physical, chemical and microbiological properties. Long-term application of fertilizers as nutrients leads to deterioration of soil fertility and changes in their structure. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers work to improve and restore depleted lands, which leads to improved conditions for plant growth. The greatest advantage of organic fertilizers is a positive natural effect on soil quality indicators, since the introduction of organic substances increases the soil's ability to retain moisture, promotes the restoration of colonies of agronomically useful microorganisms and adds the main nutrients (N, P2O5 and K2O) in a plant-friendly form. For soils affected by military actions, the most effective fertilizers are organic fertilizers, which are able to bind heavy metals with the formation of immobile complexes, contribute to the restoration of microbiota and the humus layer after fire damage. In turn, soil microorganisms participate in the transformation and retention of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which not only prevents the emission of greenhouse gases, but also ensures the absorption of carbon from the atmosphere and the accumulation and retention of it and nitrogen in the soil, contributing to the mitigation of the effects of climate change. In addition, the use of organic fertilizers from natural renewable sources (plants, animal by-products, minerals) creates conditions for the development of organic agriculture with the production of products that are more beneficial for health. Conclusions. It has been established that, by all indications, organic fertilizers are more suitable for the tasks of restoration of disturbed soils and in the future should replace traditional mineral (synthetic) fertilizers and protect the environment. The use of organic and organo-mineral fertilizers and soil improvement mixtures will benefit both the environment and agriculture, as improving the quality of the soil will contribute to the improvement of conditions for plant growth and the nutritional value of agricultural crops, increase yields on a long-term permanent basis and reduce costs for producers. Keywords. Soil, fertility, recovery, organic and mineral fertilizers, nutrients, effect on quality, beneficial effect.

The current farming system is highly reliant on synthetic fertilizers, which adversely affect soil quality, the environment, and crop production. Improving crop productivity on a sustainable basis is a challenging issue in the current agricultural system. To address this issue, we assumed that the combined use of manure and chemical fertilizers (CF) could improve rice (Oryza sativaL.) grain yield and soil properties without the expense of the environment. Therefore, a 2‐yr field experiment was conducted to explore optimal fertilizer management strategies using a combination of CF and organic fertilizer in the form of cattle manure (CM) or poultry manure (PM). Manure was added at two levels and soil microbial biomass production, enzyme activities, nutrient content, as well as grain yield of rice were measured. The study consisted of six treatments: no N fertilizer control, 100% chemical fertilizer (Pos‐Con), 60% cattle manure + 40% chemical fertilizer (High‐CM), 30% cattle manure + 70% chemical fertilizer, 60% poultry manure + 40% chemical fertilizer, and 30% poultry manure + 70% chemical fertilizer. Results showed that the addition of manure significantly increased soil enzymatic activities such as soil invertase, acid phosphatase (POH), urease, catalase (CAT), β‐glucosidase, and cellulase as compared to sole CF application. Similarly, the combined fertilizers application led to significant increases in soil microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN), soil pH, soil organic C (SOC), total N, available N (AN), available P (AP), and rice yield. Average increases in soil MBC, MBN, SOC AN, and AP in the 0‐to‐20‐cm soil depth were 62.2, 54.5, 29.2, 17.4, and 19.8%, respectively, across the years in the High‐CM treatment compared with the Pos‐Con. In addition, the linear regression analysis showed that soil enzymatic activities were highly positively correlated with soil MBC and MBN. The principal component analysis and linear regression analyses showed that the increased soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass production played a key role in the higher grain yield of rice. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that the combined use of synthetic fertilizer and organic fertilizer in paddy fields could be beneficial for the farmers in southern China by improving soil functionality and yield of rice on a sustainable basis.

Current farming systems are highly reliant on chemical fertilizers (CF), which negatively affect soil health, the environment, and crop productivity. Substituting organic fertilizer for chemical fertilizer (CF) is an important agricultural practice that improves soil health and crop productivity and is eco-friendly. To explore the effects of organic fertilizer in the form of cattle manure (CM) or poultry manure (PM) combined with CF on soil properties, leaf physiological traits, and grain physiochemical characteristics of rice, a 2-year field experiment was conducted in a dual cropping system with six treatments: Neg-CF (no N fertilizer control), Pos-CF (100% CF), High-CM (60% CM + 40% CF), Low-CM (30% CM + 70% CF), High-PM (60% PM + 40% CF), and Low-PM (30% PM + 70% CF). The results exhibited that the adding of organic manure significantly improved soil chemical traits such as soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), and available N (AN). Similarly, applying the combined fertilizer led to significant increases in the leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), SPAD values, and rice grain nutritional and cooking characteristics according to Rapid Visco-Analyzer (RVA) profile. Average increases in SOC, TN, Pn, starch content (SC), and amylose content (AC) were 16%, 12%, 9%, 7%, 9%, and 12%, respectively, across the year in the Low-PM compared to the Pos-CF treatment. Moreover, the manure amendments significantly altered the RVA profile attributes, including peak viscosity, tough viscosity, final viscosity, and the setback and pasting temperatures compared to Pos-CF. Linear regression analysis revealed that SOC and TN were positively associated with leaf Pn and SPAD values. Further, leaf Pn and SPAD were positively correlated with rice grain SC and AC. The correlation heat map analyses revealed a positive correlation in the RVA profile between the soil properties and leaf physiological traits. These correlation analyses showed that the increase in soil chemical traits and leaf physiological activities played a significant role in higher rice grain nutritional and cooking quality. Overall, the findings of this study show that the integrated use of organic fertilizers and CF in rice fields enhances soil functionality and the quality of rice on a sustainable basis.

Системи удобрення батату (ipomoеa batаtas) в умовах Лівобережного Лісостепу України

A status quo survey was carried out by oral interviews among 100 organic vegetable farmers throughout Germany. Out of a wide range of topics the farm structure, share of protected cultivation and the use of fertilizers are analyzed. The farm sizes ranged from {\textless}1 ha up to {\textgreater}100 ha with a maximum between 1 and 10 ha. The range of vegetable area was found between 0.7 and 140 ha. The sum of all protected areas within the 100 farms resulted in 116,848 m2. They were mainly covered by glass, less by plastics. Beside these stable houses, some farmers used low or mobile plastic tunnels. More than 60{%} of the covered area was not heated, a clear indication for less intensive production systems. Farm yard manure was accessible as on-farm source at most of the farms, mainly as cattle manure. In addition purchased dung as cattle or horse manure was often used for the replacement of degraded organic matter in soil. Among other purchased fertilizers the use of organic nitrogenous fertilizers was dominating.

Fertilizer, though one of the most essential inputs for increasing agricultural production, is a leading cause of nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture, contributing significantly to global warming. Therefore, understanding factors affecting farmers’ use of fertilizers is crucial to develop strategies to improve its efficient use and to minimize its negative impacts. Using data from 2528 households across the Indo-Gangetic Plains in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, this study examines the factors affecting farmers’ use of organic and inorganic fertilizers for the two most important cereal crops – rice and wheat. Together, these crops provide the bulk of calories consumed in the region. As nitrogen (N) fertilizer is the major source of global warming and other environmental effects, we also examine the factors contributing to its overuse. We applied multiple regression models to understand the factors influencing the use of inorganic fertilizer, Heckman models to understand the likelihood and intensity of organic fertilizer (manure) use, and a probit model to examine the over-use of N fertilizer. Our results indicate that various socio-economic and geographical factors influence the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in rice and wheat. Across the study sites, N fertilizer over-use is the highest in Haryana (India) and the lowest in Nepal. Across all locations, farmers reported a decline in manure application, concomitant with a lack of awareness of the principles of appropriate fertilizer management that can limit environmental externalities. Educational programs highlighting measures to improving nutrient-use-efficiency and reducing the negative externalities of N fertilizer over-use are proposed to address these problems.

The broad objective of the study is to comparatively analyse the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers among yam farmers. The specific objectives are to determine farmers preference for the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers , their average yam yields per hectare and the annual income realized from the sales of yam. It also include the examination of various factors militating against the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers .To achieve this, the study was conducted in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria.The methodology involved a stepwise random sampling of 10 wards, 19 villages and purposive sampling of 131 yam farmers. Primary data were collected with the aid of Interview Schedule that was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Test- retest method ( r = 0.83). Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyse data collected for the study. Hypotheses were tested at 5% significant level. Results showed that 40.5% and 59.5% of the farmers preferred the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers respectively. Findings also indicated that there was no significant difference between annual yam yields per hectare, using organic and inorganic fertilizers. However, the study confirmed a significant difference between the income realized from sales of yam by the farmers. This might be connected to different marketing strategies being adopted by individual farmer. It is recommended that Extension Agents (EAs) should encourage farmers to adopt the use of organic fertilizers with a view to complementing the use of inorganic fertilizers which were considered very expensive and not readily available by the yam farmers.Key words: Organic fertilizer, Inorganic fertilizer, Yield, Income, Soil nutrients and Yam

HighlightsThe Integrated Farm System Model appropriately represented average emission rates measured in corn production.Compared to the use of feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses.Compared to inorganic fertilizer use, cattle manure increased soluble P loss while reducing GHG emission.Production and environmental differences among production systems were similar under recent and future climates.Abstract. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) emissions from livestock systems have become important regional, national, and international concerns. Our objective was to use process-level simulation to explore differences among manure and inorganic fertilizer treatments in a corn production system used to feed finishing cattle in the Northern Great Plains region of the U.S. Our analysis included model assessment, simulation to compare treatments under recent climate, and comparisons using projected midcentury climate. The Integrated Farm System Model was evaluated in representing the performance and nutrient losses of corn production using cattle manure without bedding, manure with bedding, urea, and no fertilization treatments. Two-year field experiments conducted near Clay Center, Nebraska; Brookings, South Dakota; and Fargo, North Dakota provided observed emission data following these treatments. Means of simulated emission rates of methane, ammonia, and nitrous oxide were generally similar to those observed from field-applied manure or urea fertilizer. Simulation of corn production systems over 25 years of recent climate showed greater soluble P runoff with use of feedlot and bedded manure compared to use of inorganic fertilizers, but life-cycle fossil energy use and greenhouse gas emission were decreased. Compared to feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses in corn production by retaining more N in manure removed from a bedded housing facility and through increased runoff because a large portion of the stover was removed from the cornfield for use as bedding material. Simulation of these treatments using projected midcentury climate indicated a trend toward a small increase in simulated grain production in the Dakotas and a small decrease for irrigated corn in Nebraska. Climate differences affected the three production systems similarly, so production and environmental impact differences among the fertilization systems under future climate were similar to those obtained under recent climate. Keywords: Climate change, Greenhouse gas, Integrated Farm System Model, Nutrient losses.

There is limited knowledge on how frequency of leaf harvest and soil nutrient replenishment affects growth and yield of Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir). An experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Training Center Matuga-Mkongani, Kenya, to determine effects of a combination of synthetic compound fertilizer (NPK) and cattle manure, and frequency of leaf harvest on growth and yield of butternut. The synthetic fertilizer was applied at 250, 500, or 750 kg∙ha−1, and manure at 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 t∙ha−1 in all combinations. Leaves were harvested at 2, 4, 6, or 8 week interval. Combining NPK fertilizer at 500 kg∙ha−1 with cattle manure at 5.0 t∙ha−1 increased number of branches, vine length, stomatal conductance, and resulted in better sex expression ratio than the rest of the treatments. Butternut leaf harvest frequency of at least 4 week interval was sufficient to maintain higher branch numbers. Combining 500 kg∙ha−1 of NPK fertilizer with 2.5 t∙ha−1 of cattle manure was sufficient to improve growth and fruit yield of butternut, even at 2 week leaf harvest frequency. Combined use of NPK fertilizer and cattle manure may benefit yield of butternut when harvesting leaves for consumption.

The combined use of organic and chemical fertilizers may prove to be an excellent option for maintaining soil health, increasing fertilizer use efficiency, and improving crop quality and yield of maize. So, with this objective in mind a pot experiment was conducted to find out the effectiveness of organic and synthetic fertilizers on the yield and quality of maize crop. Two organic fertilizer levels (FYM and Press-mud @ 2% and 4% of each) were tested separately and in combination with recommended NPK fertilizers (160: 80: 60 kg ha-1). The experimental units were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. The results showed that the combined use of NPK + press mud @ 4% caused a significant increase in grain numbers per cob (8.6%), weight of grains per cob (11.5%), grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, stalk yield, and oil and protein contents up to 11.5%, 6.3%, 19.7%, 12.6% and 12.0%, respectively as compared to the control treatment. The oil and protein contents were also improved significantly over the sole application of NPK fertilizer. Soil health was also improved due to the combined use of synthetic fertilizer with 4% press mud and 2% FYM. It is concluded that integrated use of NPK fertilizers and press mud @ 4% not only increased the quality and yield of maize, but it also improved soil health.

Legacy effects of wheat season organic fertilizer addition on microbial co-occurrence networks, soil function, and yield of the subsequent maize season in a wheat-maize rotation system