Addition Of Farmyard Manure Research Articles

Carbon Storage Potential and Saturation Behavior of Soils As Influenced by Level of C Input and Soil Types in Indian Sub-Continent

ABSTRACT Agricultural soils have the potential to store C (carbon), thereby improving soil health, and contributing to climate change mitigation. However, the capacity of a soil to hoard C may be limited. We tested the C saturation behavior of agricultural soils belonging to predominant soil orders (Inceptisols, Entisols, Alfisols, Aridisols and Vertisols) in Indian Subcontinent. A mesocosm experiment in open environmental conditions was conducted with six rate of farmyard manure (FYM) addition (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40 Mg ha−1) for three and half years and total carbon (TC) was analyzed. Addition of more than 10 Mg FYM ha−1 enhanced TC content of soil with the period of experimentation irrespective of soil orders. Application of C input of the agriculturally recommended addition of FYM in India at 5.0 Mg ha−1 maintained the soil TC content. Without addition of any C input, sometimes there was depletion in native carbon. With higher levels of C additions, all the soils did not show any evidence of C saturation, thereby suggesting their higher potential to additional C storage. Indian agricultural soils could contribute significantly toward achieving the target of “4 per 1000” initiative of the United Nations. Higher organic carbon in soils would make agroecosystems more resilient toward extreme climate events and sustain crops productivity thereby could help to meet the food demand of the ever-increasing population of the country in the years to come.

Integrated plant nutrient supply modules for enhancing crop growth, productivity and nutrient balance in maize - chickpea cropping sequence

A long-term field study was conducted to evaluate integrated plant nutrient supply (IPNS) system in maizechickpea cropping sequence. In this study, twelve IPNS modules of Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based fertilizers, recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), urban compost (UC), maize residue (MR) and Gliricidia loppings (GL) were investigated. Results indicated that plant height, dry biomass, yield parameters (cob length and girth, grains/cob and 1000-grains weight) and yields (grain and stover) of maize significantly (p=0.05) improved with IPNS module (75% NPK +5 t FYM) and increased 31.8 and 23.8% grain yield over the RDF and 100% NPK of STCR, respectively. In chickpea, the higher plant height, dry biomass, pods/ plant and yields (grain and straw) were obtained with the residual fertility of FYM @ 25 t/ha every year and followed by IPNS module (75%NPK +5 t FYM). However, residual fertility of PM and UC based IPNS modules also considerably improved the crop growth and yields of chickpea. Substantially higher system productivity was also noticed with 75% NPK +5 t FYM and followed 75% NPK +1 t PM based IPNS modules which was 1.86 and 0.99 t/ ha higher than RDF. A positive nutrient balance was recorded with addition of higher level FYM only (25 t/ha) Whereas, a negative nutrient balance was noticed for N and K in all plots excluding higher level of organic manures. However, there has been substantial build-up of N, P and K in plots receiving 25 t FYM every year. The additional supply of nutrients (organic + inorganic) is crucial for positive nutrients balance. Thus, STCR based fertilizers (75% NPK) along 25% nutrients through organic manures (FYM and PM) sustained the crop yield while the addition of FYM (25 t/ha) is essential for a positive balance of nutrients in the soil.

Comparative Assessment of Inorganic Fertilizer and Farm Yard Manure Application on Yield, Sustainable Yield Index and Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Cauliflower-Capsicum Cropping Sequence in Northern- Western Himalayas

ABSTRACT Continuous addition of inorganic fertilizer and farm yard manure (FYM) alone or in combination is necessary to assess the changes in yield and soil properties. Therefore, a study was conducted for consecutive two years on nutrient management with nine treatments viz. T1- control, T2-100% FYM (N equivalent basis), T3-100% N, T4-NP, T5-NK, T6-PK, T7-NPK, T8-100% NPK+ FYM (recommended Practice) and T9- 150% NPK+ FYM to assess the influence of different treatments on yield, sustainable yield index, soil physic-chemical properties and soil carbon stock and sequestration rate in cauliflower and capsicum cropping sequence. Results showed that the addition of farm yard manure alone or in a combination with chemical fertilizers contributed to higher soil organic stock and soil carbon sequestration rate. Application of 150% NPK + FYM improved the SYI of system by 49.4% over a control. This treatment increases soil carbon stock by 12.5% from 25.9 Mg ha−1 to 29.6 Mg ha−1 and recorded with maximum soil carbon sequestration rate, i.e. 2.21 Mg C m−3 year−1 over the 2 years. Thus, balanced fertilization of NPK and FYM is beneficial for the maintenance of soil physical health, improving CEC and macro and micronutrient levels.

Long‐term organic management: Mitigating land use intensity drawbacks and enhancing soil microbial redundancy

AbstractBackgroundSoils under organic farming systems exhibit better quality and higher biological activity than conventional systems. Manure addition, especially coupled with reduced or no tillage, significantly enhances microbial biomass and activity by improving soil physical properties and providing carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sources. While several studies have examined the effects of transitioning from conventional to organic farming on soil chemistry and biochemistry, limited research has explored the influence of land use variations on soil fertility within long‐term organic farming systems.AimsTherefore, the aim of this study was to assess how three different land uses—pasture, vegetable crops, and orchard—affected soil fertility under a long‐term organic farming system.MethodsSoil samples were collected from the 0 to 15 cm layer of plots used for pasture, vegetable crops and orchard, being the latter cover cropped with legumes, and analyzed to determine chemical and biochemical soil parameters.ResultsContrary to expectations, high land use intensity (vegetable crops and orchard soils) resulted in increased soil organic C and total N, compared to low intensity (pasture). Such an increase was ascribed to farmyard manure addition that counteracted the negative impact of tillage. Consequently, microbial biomass C and activity also increased. The greatest availability of organic substrates favored bacteria, particularly gram‐positive strains, shaping the microbial community. However, despite changes of microbial biomass and of the main microbial groups, microbial activity was only slightly affected, suggesting high functional redundancy of microorganisms in long‐term organic farming soil.ConclusionsResults suggested that if land use intensification provides for organic supply, its negative impact on soil fertility may be mitigated.

Effects of planting basins and farmyard manure addition on soil carbon and nitrogen pools under on‐farm conditions in Makueni county of Kenya

AbstractClimate change, land degradation and inadequate soil nutrients pose significant threats to food security and agricultural sustainability. This study aims to examine the effects of planting basins with farmyard manure on soil total carbon (C), nitrogen (N), isotopic C (δ13C) and N (δ15N) compositions within smallholder‐managed farms in Makueni County, Kenya. The study involved two management practices: planting basins with manure (PM) and conventional farming practices (FP) in 12 experimental sites. Soil samples were taken at three depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–40 cm), with three replicates for each treatment. Significant interactions were observed between land management practices and sites as well as land management practices and soil depth on soil total C and N. At each of the 12 sites, soil total C was higher under PM (ranging from 0.44% to 1.86%, p < .05) than FP management (ranging from 0.35% to 1.37%), across all soil depths. Soil total N concentrations ranged from 0.027% to 0.100% under FP and (0.060% to 0.190%, p < .05) under PM management. Across soil depths, higher (less negative) soil δ13C values were observed under conventional farmer practice (range − 22.5‰ to −17.1‰) compared with PM management range (−24.3‰ to −18.1‰). Soil δ15N was significantly enriched under PM management (range: 7.4‰ to 12.6‰, p < .05) compared with the conventional farmer practices (range: 6.1‰ to 9.8‰, p < .05). The findings show that planting basins with farmyard manure offers both climate mitigation and adaptation benefits by increasing soil C contents and improving soil fertility. The study provides insights into the real‐world implications of these practices, emphasizing the potential of planting basins with manure in enhancing soil quality and climate resilience.

Farmyard Manure Enhances Phytoremediation and Mitigates Pb, Cd, and Drought Stress in Ryegrass

Here, a pot experiment was designed to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of ryegrass (Lolium perennne L.) for Pb- and Cd-polluted soils under various drought levels in the presence of farmyard manure (FYM). Three levels of Pb (0, 300, and 600 mg kg−1), Cd (0, 100, and 200 mg kg−1), and drought (field capacity 100, 50, and 30%) as well as two levels of FYM (0 and 1%) were used in this experiment. Results from this study showed a significant decrease (up to 84%) in the overall growth and physiology of ryegrass. A substantial increase in antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and POD) was observed under HMs and drought stress. By the application of FYM, antioxidant activities were significantly reduced. The ryegrass accumulated higher amounts of Pb (up to 150 mg kg−1 in shoots and 193 mg kg−1 in roots) and Cd (up to 71 mg kg−1 in shoots and 92 mg kg−1 in roots) in plant tissues; however, an FYM addition significantly reduced the accumulation of both metals. Furthermore, the results of this research indicated that ryegrass has a promising ability to phytoremediate Pb and Cd, and the addition of FYM may be helpful in enhancing metal stabilization and plant growth despite water constraints.

Arsenic fractionation and speciation in different textured soils supplied with farmyard manure and accumulation by sunflower under alkaline calcareous conditions.

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element that is found in soil, water, and rocks. However, it can also be released into the environment through human activities. Arsenic is considered an environmental hazard because it is toxic to humans and animals and can cause serious health problems. Additionally, As-contaminated soil can limit plant growth and reduce crop yields, leading to economic losses for farmers. So, decreasing metal/metalloid solubility in soil by synthetic and organic amendments leads to better crop productivity on contaminated soils. The current study aimed to evaluate farmyard manure (FYM)-mediated changes in soil arsenic (As) behavior, and subsequent effects on achene yield of sunflower. Treatment plan comprised of two As levels, i.e., As-60 (60 mg kg-1) and As-120 (120 mg kg-1), four FYM levels (0, 20, 35, and 50 g kg-1), three textural types (sandy, loamy and clayey), and replicated thrice. Seven As fractions including water soluble-As (WS-As), labile-As (L-As), calcium-bound As (Ca-As), aluminum-bound As (Al-As), iron-bound As (Fe-As), organic-matter-bound As (OM-As), and residual-As (R-As) were determined which differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with FYM and soil texture. FYM supplementation decreased WS-As, L-As, Ca-As, and Al-As while increased Fe-As, OM-As, and R-As. The immobilizing effect of FYM increased with increasing its rate of application, and maximum effect was found in clayey soil. As speciation in soil also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by FYM and soil texture, with a reduction in arsenate while increase in arsenite, mono-methyl arsenate, and di-methyl arsenate with increasing the rate of FYM supplementation. Bioaccumulation factor reduced with FYM addition, and highest reduction of 38.65 and 42.13% in sandy, 34.24 and 36.26% in loamy while 29.16 and 35.10% in clayey soils at As-60 and As-120, respectively, by 50 g kg-1 FYM compared with respective As treatments without FYM. As accumulation in plant parts was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced by FYM with the subsequent improvement in achene yield.

Management of plant nutrient dynamics under alkaline soils through graded application of pressmud and gypsum.

An incubation experiment was conducted to monitor the effect of different organic matter inputs with the graded application of gypsum at different time intervals on soil pH, sodium (Na) content and available plant nutrients like nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) in alkaline soil. The experiment was formulated with nine treatments, i.e. control (T1), recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (T2), RDF+Gyp1 (T3), RDF+FYM5+Gyp2 (T4), RDF+FYM10+Gyp1 (T5), RDF+PM5+Gyp2 (T6), RDF+PM10+Gyp1 (T7), RDF+FYM2.5+PM2.5+Gyp2 (T8), RDF+FYM5+PM5+Gyp1 (T9) with three replications. Periodical soil samples were taken at six and twelve months intervals. Results showed that the addition of organic matter reduced the pH and Na content in the soil. More reduction was observed at one year period as compared to six months. The addition of farmyard manure (FYM) and pressmud (PM) at 10 t/ha with gypsum (1 t/ha) improved available N and available S content as compared to organic inputs (5 t/ha) with gypsum (2 t/ha) in soil. Pressmud application with FYM showed better availability of plant nutrients and a reduction of soil pH (8.39 to 7.79) and Na content from 626 to 391 mEq/L in the soil during the incubation period. During the study, the application of treatment T9 (FYM and PM in equal ratio with 1 t/ha gypsum) showed a better availability of available N (175 to 235 kg/ha) and S (15.44 to 23.24 kg/ha) and reduced the active ion concentration of Na. This study is very useful for the management of sodium toxicity, improving soil health and the mineralization rate of organic matter through the application of organic inputs for sustainable crop production.

Characteristics of Organic Manures and Its Effect on Physical Properties of Soil in Pearl Millet

Organic manures are rich source of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, which are essential for plants. It also contains organic matter that improves soil structure, water-holding capacity, and aeration. The study focused on evaluating two types of organic manures, i.e. Farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost. Results showed that vermicompost had higher nutrient content them FYM. A field experiment was conducted during kharif season 2018 at Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture Jobner (Rajasthan). The design of experiment was factorial randomized block design with three replications. The experiment comprised five treatments of organic manures (Control, vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1, FYM @ 5 t ha-1 and FYM @ 10 t ha-1) and four treatments of fertility levels (Control, 50 per cent RDF (recommended dose of fertilizer), 75 per cent RDF and 100 per cent RDF). The variety used for experiment was RHB-173 of pearl millet. Results showed that the application of FYM @ 10 t ha -1 significantly decreased the bulk density and increased the saturated hydraulic conductivity over control. The maximum water retention of soil (12.86 per cent and 3.28 per cent) at 33kPa and 1500 kPa were recorded under the treatment vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 being at par with FYM @ 10 t ha -1. Thus, addition of FYM @ 10 t ha -1 improves the physical soil properties.

Influence of Organic Manure and Chemical Fertilization on Flowering and Yield Bulbs of Tulip Frenged, Tulipa gesneriana L.

The experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of levels of two types of fertilizers: organic (farmyard) manure (O0= 0, O1= 200, O2= 400 g/m2) and NPK fertilizer (15:15:15) (F0= 0, F1= 80, F2= 120 g/m2) on decorative features of Tulip Frenged, Tulipa gesneriana. All the flowering and bulb quality attributes were significantly influenced by the addition of farmyard manure and NPK to the soil. The results indicated that the farmyard manure FYM added to the soil increased the spike and flower diameter and reduced the number of days of flower color show, in comparison, the plants grown without farmyard manure and chemical fertilizer NPK. the highest flower diameter was recorded when the FYM2 with chemical fertilizer NPK F1 and F2 were mixed and added to the soil together. The results showed that the bulbs, which were planted in soil containing farmyard manure and NPK chemical fertilizer, shortened the flower days to show color and open. NPK applications increased the weight and diameter of bulbs.

Effect of soil amendments on the sorption behavior of atrazine in sandy loam soil.

The sorption behavior of pesticides applied during cultivation of crops is affected by amendments such as farm yard manure (FYM) and vermicompost (VC) during land preparation. Among pesticides, atrazine, a widely used herbicide in many crops, was analyzed for its kinetics and sorption behavior through the addition of FYM and VC in sandy loam soil. The pseudo-second-order (PSO) model best fit the kinetics results in the recommended dose of FYM and VC mixed soil. More atrazine was sorbed onto VC mixed soil than FYM mixed soil. In comparison to control (no amendment), both FYM and VC (1, 1.5, and 2%) increased atrazine adsorption, but the effect varied with dosage and type of amendment. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm adequately explained atrazine adsorption in soil/soil + (FYM/VC) mixtures, and the adsorption was highly nonlinear. The values of Gibb's free energy change (ΔG) were negative for both adsorption and desorption in soil/soil + (FYM/VC) mixtures, suggesting sorption was exothermic and spontaneous in nature. The results revealed that the application of amendments used by farmers interferes the availability, mobility, and infiltration of atrazine in the soil. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that amendments such as FYM and VC can be effectively used to minimize the residual toxicity of atrazine-treated ago-ecosystems in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Simulating SOC Dynamics under Different Temperature Regimes and FYM Addition in Bamboo Species Using RothC-Model

To assess the impact of bamboo plantations on soil organic carbon (SOC) under prevailing climatic conditions, increase in temperature and soil amendments, the Roth C model was used. RothC is a promising model for the estimation of SOC changes in different land use systems. In the present study, the RothC model was used to predict the dynamics of SOC in the plantation of seven bamboo species under a usual scenario: increase temperature by 1 °C and 2 °C and farm yard manure (FYM) addition. The result revealed that RothC fairly predicts the SOC. The root mean square error (RMSE) value varied from 0.74 to 3.2 among seven bamboo species while comparing modeled and measured data. The increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in SOC. The decrease in SOC varied from 0.46 to 5.96 per cent as compared to the usual scenario, and the extent of the decrease varied from species to species. Among all species, the application of 9 t ha−1 FYM was found appropriate for maintaining the initial SOC level during the initial stage of bamboo growth.

Assessing influences of farmyard manure addition, elevated CO2, soil sterilization, soil types, and soil moisture on clothianidin dissipation kinetics

Aim: To investigate the effects of farmyard manure addition, elevated CO2, soil sterilization, dry conditions, field-capacity conditions, and submerged conditions on clothianidin dissipation from the soil, as well as the effects of different pH levels, namely, pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.2, on its dissipation from the aqueous solutions. Methodology: Samples were processed by the QuEChERS method from the soil and the dipping and shaking method from the aqueous solution, and then analyzed by Shimadzu HPLC-PDA. Results: The results revealed that clothianidin dissipation from soil and aqueous solution best fit first-order kinetics, with the coefficient of determination r2 value < 0.90. In the soil, varying clothianidin dissipation was recorded with significant impact and their decreasing dissipation rate was as follows: submerged conditions (t1/2103.7–107.5 days) > elevated CO2 (t1/2115.7–143.3 days) > farmyard manure addition (t1/2130.8–150.5 days) > field-capacity conditions (t1/2158.4–215.0 days) > dry conditions (t1/2250.8–334.4 days) > soil sterilization (t1/2342.0–376.2 days). In the aqueous solution, clothianidin dissipation was slow at pH 4.0 (t1/2430 days) but fast at pH 9.2 (t1/2273.6 d days). Interpretation: The findings suggest that clothianidin dissipation could be positively affected by FYM addition, elevated CO2, soil sterilization, dry conditions, field-capacity conditions, submerged conditions, and aqueous pH level in all the treatments. This information would help gain a better understanding of clothianidin dissipation in the environment for good agricultural practices,proper risk assessment, and monitoring guidelines. Key words: Aerobic-anaerobic degradation, Microbial activity, Organic carbon content, Persistence half-life period

Integrated use of phosphorus fertilizer and farmyard manure improves wheat productivity by improving soil quality and P availability in calcareous soil under subhumid conditions.

Low soil fertility and high fertilizer costs are constraints to wheat production, which may be resolved with integrating fertilizer phosphorus (P) and farm-yard manure (FYM). Study objectives were to evaluate P source impacts on soil, P efficiency, and wheat growth in a calcareous soil. Treatments included P fertilizer (0, 17, 26, or 39 kg P ha-1) and/or FYM (0 or 10 T ha-1) in a: 1) incubation experiment and 2) wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) field experiment. Soil organic matter increased (30-72%) linearly for both fertilizer and FYM, whereas pH decreased (0.1-0.3 units) with fertilizer only. Addition of fertilizer and FYM increased plant available P (AB-DTPA extractable soil P) an average of 0.5 mg P kg-1 soil week-1 with incubation. The initial increase was 1-9 mg P kg-1, with further increase after 84 d of ~3-17 mg P kg-1. There was also a significant increase of available P in the soil supporting plants in the field study, although the magnitude of the increase was only 2 mg kg-1 at most for the highest fertilizer rate + FYM. Grain (66 to 119%) and straw (25-65%) yield increased significantly, peaking at 26 kg P ha-1 + FYM. The P Absorption Efficiency (PAE), P Balance (PB), and P Uptake (PU) increased linearly with P rate, with the highest levels at the highest P rate. The P Use Efficiency (PUE) was highest at the lowest rates of P, with general decreases with increasing P, although not consistently. Principal component analysis revealed that 94.34 % of the total variance was accounted for with PC1 (84.04 %) and PC2 (10.33 %), with grain straw yield significantly correlated to SOM, PU, and PAE. Regression analysis showed highly significant correlation of PB with P-input (R2= 0.99), plant available P (R2= 0.85), and PU (R2= 0.80). The combination of FYM at the rate of 10 T ha-1 and fertilizer P at 26 kg P ha-1 was found as the optimum dose that significantly increased yield. It is concluded that FYM concoction with fertilizer-P not only improved SOM and residual soil P, but also enhanced wheat yields with reasonable P efficiency.

Nutrient Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Affected by Fertilization and Farmyard Manure Addition in Rice–Wheat System

Nutrient Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Affected by Fertilization and Farmyard Manure Addition in Rice–Wheat System

Immobilization of chromium bioavailability through application of organic waste to Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) under chromium-contaminated Indian soils.

Industrialization results in production of large volume of wastewaters, and disposing of them become a serious problem. The wastewaters may have range of heavy metals, which have an impact on soil and plant health. The objective was to evaluate the influence of farm yard manure (FYM) and pressmud (PM) applications on Indian mustard growth and chromium (Cr) uptake in tannery effluent irrigated Cr-contaminated soil. Soil was collected from the tannery effluent irrigated fields (chromium contaminated) of Shekhpura village of Kanpur, India. A pot culture experiment was carried out by growing Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) var. RH 749 on the Cr-contaminated soil with application of different levels and combinations of FYM and PM (at 0, 2.5, and 5gkg-1 each). Biomass yield, Cr uptake, bioconcentration factor (BCF), transfer factor (TF), transfer efficiency (TE), and Cr removal indices were examined. Higher doses of FYM and PM resulted in reduction of Cr concentrations in shoot (6.60 to 2.50µgg-1) and root (27.27 to 9.43µgg-1); and absorption in plant tissues and had improved total dry matter yield (14.56 to 30.94g pot-1). The use of FYM and PM had a substantial (p ≤ 0.05) impact on phytoremediation parameters like BCF (0.128 to 0.045), TE (59.61 to 64.51%), and Cr removal (0.65 to 0.51%). Combined application of FYM (5gkg-1) and PM (5gkg-1) had enhanced the dry matter yield of shoot (12.51 to 26.40g pot-1) and root (2.05 to 4.54g pot-1) and reduced the Cr uptake (138.54 to 108.79mg pot-1) than the individual amendment addition of FYM (138.52 to 135.89mg pot-1) and PM (126.02 to 130.52mg pot-1). Combined application of FYM (5gkg-1) and PM (5gkg-1) could be beneficial for remediation of Cr-contaminated areas for cultivation of crops.

Alternative cropping systems and optimized management practices for saving groundwater and enhancing economic and environmental sustainability

Rapid decline in groundwater table due to excessive withdrawal of water for irrigation has been posing a serious threat to sustainable agricultural production in hot arid region of India. Alternative cropping systems having low irrigation requirement have been proposed to resolve unsustainable groundwater use but trade-off with other dimensions such as yield, profitability, and environmental impacts is not well-documented. An integrated analysis of amount of groundwater use, productivity, profitability, resource-use efficiency (RUE), and environmental impacts of three cluster bean-based cropping systems [conventional cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) (CB–W), and two alternative cropping systems, namely cluster bean-Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) (CB–IM) and cluster bean–blond psyllium (Plantago ovata) (CB–BP)] under different soil management practices [two tillage types, i.e., conventional (CT), and deep tillage (DT); and three farmyard manure (FYM) application rates, i.e., 0, 5, 10 Mg ha-1] was carried out. Based on a three-year field experiment, compared to conventional CB–W, alternative cropping systems produced 28.6–47.4 % lower seed yield, but enhanced economic returns (7.6–31.1 %), while reduced amount of irrigation (− 27.9 to − 37.2 %), energy (− 22.4 to − 37.0 %), and nutrient (− 17.4 to − 46.1 %) used, global warming potential (− 20.2 to − 45.9 %) and greenhouse gas intensity (− 27.3 to − 57.7 %). Alternative cropping systems saved 1.87–2.50 × 103 m3 per year per hectare of groundwater than conventional cropping systems. Soil management practices influenced agro-economic and environmental dimensions of cropping systems. Deep tillage (DT) enhanced yield (14.0 %), economic profit (18.8 %), RUE (13.2 %, 13.8 % and 8.5 % for nutrient, water and energy use efficiency, respectively). Addition of FYM increased yield (up to 23.0 %), economic net return (up to 21.8 %), RUE (up to 22.7 %, 16.5 %, 91.0 % in water, energy and nutrient use efficiency), and reduced global warming potential (up to − 7.9 %). The CB-BP cropping system with DT and FYM addition offered the best balance of yield, profit, saving of irrigation water, energy and nutrient, while minimizing GWP. This study provides empirical evidence of the opportunities for alternative cropping systems which balance the multiple objectives of sustainable groundwater use, farmer profitability and environmental sustainability for arid region of India. The results have direct implications for sustainable utilization of underground water for similar regions of the world facing water shortage.

Understanding the Dynamics of Soil Nutrient Balance and Its Management Option of a Common Bean Farm: The Case of West Arsi, Ethiopia

The yield of Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), the important legume crop for large percentage of the world's population is challenged by soil fertility declining in the most growing regions. The survey was conducted in Goto Onomo kebele, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia during June 15, 2017 to understand the dynamic of soil nutrient balance in common bean farm and its management option. The Combinations of field observation and semi-structure interview data collection methods and NUTMON (nutrient monitoring for tropical farming systems) method of FAO data analysis in micro level approach were applied. Accordingly, a total of 10kg/day of cow dung was recorded. Total inputs of 45.75kg/season was recorded as Nitrogen sources from different inputs. Additionally, 48.83kg/season of nutrient out flow was recorded. As a result, negative nutrient balance (-3.08kg/season) was exhibited due to the high nutrient removal rates by harvested biomass that leads to poor nutrient management and low use efficiency. Hence, the farm has been exposed for nutrient deficiency by -3.08kg/season that farm level nutrient management such as crop residue management, addition of farmyard manure, and inorganic fertilizer sources are recommended as better alternative management options for legume crop production. Keywords: Common bean, Goto Onomo, nutrient balance, West Arsi DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-13-01 Publication date: July 31 st 2022

Acetamiprid fate in a sandy loam with contrasting soil organic matter contents: A comparison of the degradation, sorption and leaching of commercial neonicotinoid formulations

The impacts of neonicotinoids have generally focussed on the responses of the pure active ingredient. Using a selection of two commercial formulations and the active ingredient, we ran three laboratory studies using 14C-labelled acetamiprid to study the leaching, sorption and mineralisation behaviours of the commercially available neonicotinoid formulations compared to the pure active ingredient. We added 14C-spiked acetamiprid to a sandy loam soil that had received long-term additions of farmyard manure at two rates (10 t/ha/yr and 25 t/ha/yr) and mineral fertilisers, as a control. We found significant differences in acetamiprid mineralisation across both the SOM and chemical treatments. Sorption was primarily impacted by changes in SOM and any differences in leachate recovery were much less significant across both treatment types. The mineralisation of all pesticide formulations was comparatively slow, with <23 % of any given chemical/soil organic matter combination being mineralised over the experimental period. The highest mineralisation rates occurred in samples with the highest soil organic matter levels. The results also showed that 82.9 % ± 1.6 % of the acetamiprid applied was leached from the soil during repeated simulated rainfall events. This combined with the low sorption values, and the low rates of mineralisation, implies that acetamiprid is highly persistent and mobile within sandy soils. As a highly persistent neurotoxin with high invertebrate selectivity, the presence of neonicotinoids in soil presents a high toxicology risk to various beneficial soil organisms, including earthworms, as well as being at high risk of transfer to surrounding watercourses.

Assessing soil system changes under climate-smart agriculture via farmers' observations and conventional soil testing.

Soil degradation remains a challenge in African highlands, where land management lacks a strong context‐specific evidence base. We investigated the impacts of recently implemented soil and water conservation (SWC) practices—farmyard manure addition, incorporation of crop residues in soil and fanya juu terracing under an agroforestry system on soil health indicators in the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. Farmers' observations of soil changes were combined with conventional soil testing to assess the initial impacts of SWC practices relative to conventional non‐SWC practice. Majority of farmers (66%–83%) reported that combining fanya juu terracing with organic amendments led to soil colour change from red to black and an increase in crop yield. Despite the observed darkening of the soil, there was no significant increase in soil organic carbon stock and the contents of N, P, K. There were important changes in soil physical properties, including greater aggregate stability (mean weight diameter of 1.51–1.71 mm) in the SWC plots, a greater volume of transmission pores (>60 μm) and coarse storage pores (10–60 μm) in the surface soil layer (0–15 cm), and greater volume of fine storage pores (0.2–10 μm) and residual pores (0.2 μm) in the sub‐surface layer (15–30 cm) of the SWC plots compared with the conventional plots. These changes indicate that SWC rapidly enhances infiltration and retention of water within the root zone, which are important for increasing crop yields and improving the resilience of the agro‐ecosystem to environmental stress. Combining SWC with effective soil fertility management is needed for sustainable highland agriculture.