Amounts Of Mineral Fertilizers Research Articles

Soil-dwelling springtails as indicators of the efficiency of No-till technologies with different amounts of mineral fertilizers in the crop rotation on chernozem soils

Conventional management negatively affects natural fertility of land resources. An alternative system of tillage associated with the absence of mechanical influence may be one of the solutions of the issue of preserving "healthy soil". It is especially relevant for agroecosystems of steppe chernozems with strong wind erosion. A long-term field experiment has been carried out to study the effects of environment-friendly agricultural technologies, such as No-till technologies with different amounts of mineral fertilizers, in the steppe zone. The influence of several factors on soil fauna has been assessed in a 4-field crop rotation (pea –– winter wheat –– sunflower –– corn). Collembola or springtails, small soil-dwelling arthropods, actively participating in soil formation processes, were considered as a model taxonomic group. Both high abundance and diversity are characteristic of "healthy soils". Total abundance of Collembola increased by 20 times, species richness by 1.5––2.0 times when using No-till technology. However, the absence of mineral fertilizers on the plots subject to No-till technology was accompanied by a decrease in the Collembola abundance. The type of crop influenced only the total abundance of Collembola. The species structure of communities under different crops were similar, but the plots with conventional and No-till technology differed significantly with respect to the dominance of Collembola species. The effect of No-till technology is as much stronger than that of other factors (mineral fertilizers and type of crop), having been achieved for at least the 9-year period of the experiment. As a total, Collembola communities responded positively when No-till technology was applied in the agroecosystem of steppe chernozems.

Difference in Energy Input and Output in Agricultural Production under Surface Irrigation and Water-Saving Irrigation: A Case Study of Kiwi Fruit in Shaanxi

China’s kiwi industry has seen rising production costs and shrinking planting areas in recent years; at the same time, the lack of professional production standards leads to the input redundancy and waste of production factors in the production process of kiwifruit, which intensifies the dilemma of unsustainable agricultural production. This has brought more and more serious challenges to the sustainable development of the industry. In order to solve this problem and clarify the composition and utilization efficiency of energy in the production process of kiwifruit, this study took Chinese kiwifruit production as the research object and analyzed the energy input and output under surface irrigation and water-saving irrigation from the perspective of energy. The results show that the energy input of kiwifruit production under traditional surface irrigation was 85.4 GJ/ha, and the energy output was 59.7 GJ/ha. Among all energy input elements, mineral fertilizers accounted for the highest proportion of energy input, accounting for 48.31%. Under water-saving irrigation, the energy input and output of kiwifruit production are 72.3 GJ/ha and 62.3 GJ/ha; the highest energy input is also mineral fertilizer. The data envelopment analysis results also confirmed that there is a large redundancy in the amount of mineral fertilizer. Compared with surface irrigation, water-saving irrigation technology has effectively improved the energy ratio (from 0.70 to 0.86), energy productivity (from 0.37 kg/MJ to 0.45 kg/MJ) as well as net energy (from −25.8 GJ/ha to −9.93 GJ/ha). Thus, promoting the application of water-saving irrigation technology and increasing the proportion of fertigation during the kiwi production process are necessary measures to promote the sustainable development of China’s kiwi industry.

Global Food Security and Fundamental Role of Fertilizer Part 1. Global Food Security and Fertilizer Production

It is shown that in order to ensure food security on a global scale, it is necessary to focus on the interaction of genetics × environment × management (G × E × M), where management means, first of all, the use of a sufficient amount of mineral fertilizers in precision agriculture. This opens up the potential to feed 9 billion people. The current state of production and application of mineral fertilizers is described, and it is shown that at the same time it is necessary to invest in methane chemistry. The possible role of RES in fertilizer production is also considered. The article presents data showing that the increase in actual yield depends on mineral fertilizers, in the production of which it is necessary to use methane — a source of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, as well as an energy source.

Nitrogen Enriched Organic Fertilizer (NEO) and Its Effect on Ryegrass Yield and Soil Fauna Feeding Activity under Controlled Conditions

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a new nitrogen-enriched organic-based fertilizer (NEO) on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) yield and soil fauna feeding activity. Nitrogen is transformed from the air to manure by a plasma process. At the farm level, NEO could improve self-sufficiency and sustainability. The work was carried out under controlled conditions in two pot trials. Five fertilization regimes were used: no fertilizer, different amounts of mineral fertilizer, three NEO types, organic fertilizer (untreated manure), and organic fertilizer + different amounts of N in mineral fertilizer, including 14 treatments in trial one and 11 treatments in trial two. Besides evaluating dry matter yields, we utilized the Bait-lamina test system to assess the feeding activity of soil fauna. The results indicated a clear positive impact of nitrogen (N) on ryegrass yield where all fertilizers increased the yield in correspondence with their N availability regardless of the fertilizer type; whereas the yield was highest with mineral fertilizer up to our maximum level of 235 kg N ha−1 in trial one and 175 kg N ha−1 in trial two. The NEO fertilizers yielded in the same range as mineral fertilizers. The same clear pattern was not observed for soil fauna feeding activity. Instead, a tendency was observed where no fertilization tends to give the highest feeding activity. We saw no correlation between the yield and the soil fauna feeding activity. The feeding activity was highest in depth below 5 cm from the soil surface. Feeding activity also increased over time after fertilization. The NEO fertilizers had no more adverse effects on soil fauna feeding activity than other fertilizers. Other factors than fertilization alone are determining the soil fauna feeding activity.

Assessment of the levers of influence over sustainable development target values of the agricultural sector

Assessment of the levers of influence over sustainable development target values of the agricultural sector

FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT IN POLAND IN LIGHT OF EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL OBJECTIVES

The aim of the paper is to outline the problem areas of fertilizer management in Poland, taking the need to achieve European Green Deal (EGD) objectives into account. Fertilizer management is one of the key elements of future agricultural policy, to which the European Green Deal refers, and is closer to the Farm to Fork strategy. The emphasis on the need to promote rational fertilizer management in European documents stemmed from the pressures of this economic activity on the natural environment. The paper focuses on the main determinants of fertilizer management, including the costs and quantities of mineral fertilizers used and the results of the NPK fertilizer balance, using the gross balance and indicator method. The study used Statistics Poland data 2007 and 2016 from the Farm Structure Survey and agricultural accountancy FADN 2014-2019. It was found that, at the level of the agricultural sector, the results of fertilizer balances do not create surpluses and problematic issues concern a significant share of farms with an understated balance of main NPK macroelements. The expected reduction in the level of fertilization under the EGD may result in a reduction in production and economic performance from a farm and negatively affect the state of the natural environment. The fertilizer balance and nutrient efficiency level should be used as measurable indicators for setting reduction targets.

Formation of the leaf surface and productivity of the chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativus L.) depending on the amounts of mineral fertilizers and pre-sowing inoculation of seeds

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of different amounts of mineral fertilization, bacterization of seeds on the leaf surface area formation and the chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativus) productivity. The study engaged six NPK fertilization amounts (0 – the check (control) without fertilizers, N15P15K15, N30P30K30, N15P30K30 + N15 (top dressing), N45P45K45 and N30P45K45 + N15 (top dressing) on two backgrounds of pre-sowing seed treatment (the control, water seed treatment, seed treatment with microbiological preparation Rizogumin, which contains a suspension of nodule bacteria Rhizobium leguminosarum 31 and physiologically active substances of biological origin). The leaf surface area was determined by the cutting method (in the phase of the first trifoliate leaf, budding, flowering, pod formation), which includes the selection of 15 plants, where the leaves are quickly cut off, weighed and their wet weight is determined. After that, cuts are made with a probe of a known diameter, 5 pcs. from every leaf. The mass of all cuts was determined. After determining the surface area of the leaves of each plant, the average plant area was calculated for each variant of the experiment. The average leaf surface area was multiplied by the number of plants per square meter, and the result was multiplied by 10000 to convert it to the average leaf surface area per hectare. The yield accounting was maintained by the method of continuous threshing from the registration plot by a selected combine harvester, with cleaning from impurities, weighing and determining the moisture content of the harvested grain. The maximum leaf surface area (60.8 thousand m2 ha-1) was in the phase of grain filling when N30P45K45 + N15 was added to top dressing and seed treatment with Rizogumin. In the absence of inoculation, the leaf area was 4.1 thousand m2 ha-1 less.

In Ukrainian

For improve the quality of harvests, modern farms in many countries widely use fertilizers of mineral and natural origin. To mitigate the negative impact on the environment, they try to minimize the amount of mineral fertilizers applied to the soil by creating composite systems. In particular, powdered composite materials are known based on highly dispersed silica and microquantities of mineral fertilizers, which are applied to the surface of the seeds by dusting. The aim of this work was to develop a new generation of film stimulating coatings based on mixtures of hydrophobic AM-1-300 and hydrophilic A-300 silicas, mineral fertilizers and bioactive components. Mixtures of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silicas in the ratio 1:1 and 1:2 were used to obtain a pasty composite with the given stimulating properties; colloidal starch solution; medium salts of mineral acids, bioactive components “Humifriend” and fungicide “Fital”. Such composite systems were applied directly to the surface of sowing material, grains of wheat variety “Natalka” before sowing in sand and on filter paper, according to DSTU 4138-2002. During the study, the following parameters were measured: seed germination energy, germination and morphological characteristics of wheat germs, which consisted in measuring the length of the root and stem. It is shown that when editing certain amounts of bioactive components to the composition of stimulating pasty composites, it is possible to program the properties of future films and powders: to increase morphological characteristics, uniformity of germination and fungicidal characteristics of composites. It has been found that the presence of mineral fertilizers in pasty composites of silicas mixtures 1:1 and 1:2 has a positive effect on the uniform germination of wheat seeds in the sand and on the filter paper. Instead, the presence in the pastes of the active ingredients “Fital” and “Humifriend”, regardless of the environment where the seeds germinated, there is a significant slowdown in the growth of wheat germ in both environments. It has been found that an excess of hydrophilic silica in the pasty composite leads to the development on the surface of the grains of mycosis lesions, regardless of the germination environment. Therefore, stimulant pastes based on 1:2 silica mixtures must contain fungicides of mineral or biological origin.

Aplicación fraccionada de fertilizantes vía fertirriego y la eficiencia del nitrógeno, fósforo y potasio en calabacita

El fertirriego permite suplementar los fertilizantes en el momento y lugar requeridos, lo que aumenta la eficiencia en el uso de estos. En el presente estudio se determinó si la cantidad de fertilizantes minerales aplicados al cultivo de calabacita puede ser reducida, en comparación con la dosis regional recomendada, al fraccionar la aplicación a través de un sistema de fertirriego. Se diseñaron tres tratamientos: 100% de la dosis recomendada (120-33.6-174.3 kg ha-1 N-P-K), aplicada en forma sólida desde el momento de la siembra, y 62.5% y 50% de la dosis del tratamiento testigo, pero aplicados en forma fraccionada durante todo el ciclo del cultivo. Ni el rendimiento de fruto ni la concentración de N, P, Ca, y Mg en la parte aérea fueron afectados cuando la dosis se redujo a 62.5% o 50%; sin embargo, las plantas mostraron mayor eficiencia en la recuperación del N y P, así como mayor eficiencia agronómica por unidad de N, P y K aplicados. Se concluye que la fertilización fraccionada aplicada a través del fertirriego permite reducir la dosis de fertilización sin afectar el rendimiento ni el crecimiento de calabacita debido a un aumento en la eficiencia de recuperación y agronómica de los nutrientes aplicados.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY OF PERENNIAL LEGUMES AS PRECURSORS OF WINTER WHEAT GROWN IN THE CONDITIONS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND POLLUTION WITH HEAVY METALS

The aim of the research was to study the effect of the inclusion of different types of perennial leguminous plants as winter wheat precursors in the crop rotation on the rate of accumulation of heavy metals in the soil compared to traditional winter wheat predecessors. The objectives of the research are to develop measures to reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils under conditions of modern crop rotation, limited by the number of crops grown and winter wheat. The accumulations of heavy metals in soils were calculated during the cultivation of the main crops of crop rotation with intensive fertilizer. The concentration of heavy metals in the soil was determined before and after the cultivation of legume precursors. Field studies were carried out during 2013-2017. On gray podzolized medium loamy soils of the Agronomichesky Research Institute of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University. We calculated the volumes of heavy metals with optimal rates of mineral fertilizer application for the most common types of crops grown in crop rotation. Four types of perennial grasses were sown: sowing alfalfa, meadow clover, horned lamb, sainfoin and eastern goatskin. After their four years of use, winter wheat was sown. The control was the predecessors in the following sequence: winter wheat - sunflower - winter wheat - corn. Laboratory studies of the content of mobile forms of heavy metals in soil were carried out in the Vinnytsia branch of the State Center for the Protection of Soil Fertility. Analysis of soil contamination with heavy metals during fertilization of major cereals showed that the amount of mineral fertilizers is from 257 kg/ha to 571 kg/ha for ammonium nitrate, from 175 to 225 kg/ha for double superphosphate and from 58 to 75 kg/ha on potassium chloride. According to the volume of mineral fertilizers used in the cultivation of winter wheat, 1944 mg / ha of lead and 339 mg / ha of cadmium enter the soil. Of these, with ammonium nitrate - 51.4% and 7.4%, respectively, with double superphosphate - 39.6% and 41.3% and with potassium chloride - 9.0% and 51.3%. When growing corn per 1 ha with mineral fertilizers, 2357 mg of lead and 434 mg of cadmium are applied, of which with ammonium nitrate - 48.4% and 6.7%, respectively, with double superphosphate - 42% and 41% and with potassium chloride. - 9.6% and 51.8%. Cultivation of spring barley leads to the receipt of mineral fertilizers to soils 1458 mg/ha of lead and 327 mg/ha of cadmium, of which with ammonium nitrate - respectively 35.2% and 4.0%, with double superphosphate - 52.8% and 42.8% and with potassium chloride - 12.0% and 53.2%. Mineral fertilization of winter rape leads to the entry into the soil per 1 ha of 2223 mg of lead and 390 mg of cadmium, of which with ammonium nitrate - respectively 51.4% and 7.4%, with double superphosphate - 39.6% and 41% and with potassium chloride - 9.0% and 51.5%. With mineral fertilizers for growing sunflower in the soil per 1 ha gets 2073 mg of lead and 427 mg of cadmium, of which with ammonium nitrate - respectively 41.4% and 5.2%, double superphosphate - 47.8% and 42.2 % and potassium chloride - 10.8% and 52.6%. The positive effect of growing leguminous perennial herbs on the decrease in the concentration of heavy metals in the soil and grain of winter wheat has been established. Under the conditions of intensive farming by Vinnitskaya, lead and cadmium fall into the soil for the use of mineral fertilizers in accordance with 1944 mg/ha and 339 mg/ha for growing winter wheat, 2357 mg/ha and 434 mg/ha for growing corn, 1458 mg/ha and 327 mg/ha when growing spring barley, 2223 mg/ha and 390 mg/ha when growing sunflower. The four-year cultivation of perennial leguminous grasses under intensive farming reduced the concentration of lead in the soil from 1.33 to 3.2 times and cadmium from 37 to 54 times compared with cereal crops, which contributed to improving the quality of winter wheat grain by reducing the concentration of lead from 1 7 to 2.4 times and cadmium from 1.4 times to 2.1 times. Key words: legumes, precursors, winter wheat, heavy metals, pollution.

Changes of soil-rhizosphere microbiota after organic amendment application in a Hordeum vulgare L. short-term greenhouse experiment

AimsIn order to counteract the enduring decreases in the quality of agricultural land, mechanistic studies for a more sustainable agricultural crop production were performed. They aimed to assess the effects of organic amendments in combination with mineral fertilizer on soil-rhizosphere microbiota and their influence on soil health and plant performance.MethodsIn a short-term greenhouse experiment, the effects of pelletized spent mushroom substrate, with different combinations of biochar and mineral fertilizer, on agricultural soil and performance of Hordeum vulgare L were scrutinized. To evaluate improved soil quality, different soil biological and chemical properties, microbial activity, bacterial diversity and plant performance were assessed.ResultsPlant performance increased across all fertilizer combinations. Bacterial β-diversity changed from the initial to the final sampling, pointing at a strong influence of plant development on the rhizosphere with increasing abundances of Acidobacteria and decreasing abundances of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. Microbial activity (FDA), potential enzyme activity and metabolic diversity of the microbial community (BIOLOG) were not affected by the amendments, whereas bacterial community structure changed on family level, indicating functional redundancy. Treatments containing biochar and the highest amount of mineral fertilizer (B_MF140) caused the strongest changes, which were most pronounced for the families Xanthobacteraceae, Mycobacteriaceae, and Haliangiaceae.ConclusionApplying organic amendments improved plant performance and maintained soil health, contributing to more sustainable crop production. Nevertheless, long-term field studies are recommended to verify the findings of this short-term experiment.

Improving meliorative condition of salted lands on the basis of using local mineral agro ores

Field experiment was carried out in order to improve salty lands of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The aims of the experiment are improving meliorative condition of soil, increasing its productivity, defining influence of organic fertilizers and local agro ores. As a result of investigations it was obvious that when mineral fertilizers were fully used, the amount of chlorine and other salts increased, soil productivity decreased at the end of vegetation. When the amount of mineral fertilizers was shortened to 25% and additionally 10, 20 t/ha organic fertilizers and 1,5-2,0 t/ha celadon green from local agro ores were used, increasing the amount of chlorine and other salts slows down, the amount of nutritious elements in the structure of soil also balances. It was defined that for improving salty lands it is effective using N180P130K90 kg/ha mineral fertilizers, 20 t/ha organic fertilizer, 1,5-2,0 t/ha celadon green in improving soil and increasing cotton productivity.

Investigation of Causes and Influences of Soil Acidity on Crop Yields in Kozova District, Ternopil Region

The paper covers the causes of occurrence and the methods of investigating soil acidity in Kozova destrict, Ternopil region. It is a highly topical issue, since increased soil acidity negatively influences the growth and the development of most cultivated crops and affects favourable microbiological soil properties. Soil acidity is caused by hydroions that are formed under the dissociation of acids and hydrolytic acid salts and are absorbed by the smallest soil particles – colloids, which can go into interstitial water. The increased soil acidity, which is a limiting factor for the biodiversity of a particular area and interferes healthy plant development, is an important agricultural problem. It can cause the decrease of crop yields as well as plant diseases. That is why, farmers should be aware of the type and the peculiarities of the soil present on their lots and take into account and regulate pH values when cultivating various agricultural crops. Soil acidity is considered to be acceptable for the healthy growth and development of plants, if it falls within the limits of рН 6.5–7.5. It has been determined that the application of mineral fertilizers without limestone materials causes acidification of typical black soils. If there is a long-term use of the increased amounts of mineral fertilizers, there is an increase of the active acidity observed. The application of nitrogenous fertilizers increases soil active acidity even more compared to the use of phosphate potassium fertilizers. Soil exhaustion prevention techniques have been substantiated. The methods of determining soil acidity have been considered. A potentiometric method is the most wide-spread in terms of determining soil acidity level, since it is highly sensitive and accurate. Soil acidity has been experimentally determined by potentiometry using TsINAO method (GOST 26483–85) and hydrolytically using Kapenn method (GOST 26212–91). Statistical data processing has been performed. The weighted-average acidity index pH salt. is 6.3 and the hydrolytic acidity is 1.77 mg–acs/100g of soil, pH salt. is 5.9 and hydrolytic acidity is 1.92 mg–acs/100g of soil. It shows that plants can grow and develop well in this soil. Scientific and production experience suggests that the yield from acid soils decreases for 15–20%. The scientific agro-ecological approach, that is the calculation of the balance of nutrients and humus depending on the kind of the cultivated crop as well as physical, chamical and bilological soil characteristics and well-timed liming, can provide the necessary level of nutrients in the soil of agricultural enterprises. In order to provide fertile soil and improve agro-ecological conditions of the soil in Kozova district, it is necessary to provide annual application of nutrients using organic and mineral fertilizers with the optimal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and by liming acid soils. Currently, it is very important to apply organic agriculture, which can improve the quality and the competitiveness of agricultural products. Scientific investigations on every crop have determined the optimal рH level and its value depends on the soil and the climatic conditions, the type of soils, their particle-size distribution and the state of cultivation. Soil acidity is one of the factors that influence the decrease of yields, especially the yields of those crops that require great amounts of potassium and magnesium for their healthy growth.

Sistema integral de nutrición con HMA, abonos verdes y fertilizantes minerales en Manihot esculenta Crantz

In recent years the positive results of mycorrhizal inoculant application in different crops and their integration with the mineral fertilization schemes have increased. In order to establish an integrated plant nutrition system for the cultivation of Manihot esculenta Crantz, including also green manure and low doses of mineral fertilizer, two field experiments were carried out on Ferralitic Red Lixiviated Soils. In the first one, five levels of mineral fertilizer were studied, in the presence or not of the inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus cubense / INCAM-4, in a random block design with factorial arrangement and four replicates. In the second, Canavalia ensiformis was introduced as a green manure, preceded and intercalated, and 12 treatments were studied, consisting of mycorrhizal inoculation or not of canavalia and cassava in the presence of a fixed fertilization fund of NPK corresponding to 25 % of fertilization recommended for cassava. Treatments with four doses of fertilizers (0, 25, 50 and 100 % NPK) were also included in a randomized block design with four replicates. The inoculation decreased the fertilizer quantities by 33 % in order to obtain high yields and increased its agronomic efficiency by 67 %, with the crop showing a good mycorrhizal function. The inclusion of the previous and intercalated inoculated canavalia decreased in another 33 % plus the amounts of mineral fertilizer, with a positive response to the intercalation in the yield (P <0,05 %) and doubling the agronomic efficiency of fertilizers.

Effect of Organo-Mineral Fertilization on Vegetative Growth and Productivity of Potato under the New Valley Conditions

Filed experiment was conducted during winter seasons (2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017) to study the effect of organo-mineral fertilization (NPK, compost , poultry manure, ½ NPK 16 > + compost and ½ NPK + poultry manure) on vegetative growth and production of two potato cultivars (Rosetta and Burren) under EL-Dakhala Oasis (latitude 25 35 2.35N , longitude 29 0 31.62 E) New valley governorate . The amount of the used fertilizers was 300 kg Ammonium nitrate 33.5% (NH4 NO3). In addition, Super phosphate (15.5% P2O5) was applied at rate of 387 kg/fed and potassium sulfate (50 % K2O) was added at rate of 200 kg/fed. The compost was added as 11 tons / fed and the poultry manure was added at rate of 4 tons/fed. Half of the above amounts of mineral fertilizers, NPK, were added when either of the organic materials were mixed with NPK. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design using split plot arrangement with four replications. The two potato cultivars were arranged in the main plots while, the five organo-minerals treatments were allocated in the sub plots. The results showed that all studied factors and their interaction had a significant effect on the studied traits. Burren potato cultivar surpassed Rosetta cultivar in all studied traits. Moreover, organo-mineral fertilization (½ NPK + compost fertilizer) was superior treatment in all studied traits followed by ½ NPK + poultry manure compared to NPK or organic manures alone. Furthermore, the highest mean values of the studied traits were obtained by Burren cultivar that fertilized with ½ NPK + compost and ½ NPK + poultry manure under New valley conditions.

Initial Effects of Differently Treated Biogas Residues from Municipal and Industrial Wastes on Spring Barley Yield Formation.

Soil application of biogas residues (BGRs) is important for closing nutrient cycles. This study examined the efficiency and impact on yields and yield formation of solid-liquid separated residues from biodegradable municipal and industrial wastes (bio-waste) in comparison to complete BGRs, nitrification inhibitor, agricultural BGRs, mineral fertilizer and unfertilized plots as control. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design on silt loam Cambisol. Biogas residues from four biogas plants were evaluated. Plants per m², ears per plant, grains per ear and thousand grain weight (TGW) were measured at harvest. Fertilization with BGRs resulted in similar biomass yields compared with mineral fertilizer. Mineral fertilizer (71 dt/ha) and plots fertilized with liquid fraction (59–62 dt/ha) indicated a trend to higher yields than solid fraction or complete BGR due to its high ammonia content. Liquid fractions and fraction with nitrification inhibitor induced fewer plants per m² than corresponding solid and complete variants due to a potential phytotoxicity of high NH4-N concentration during germination. However, barley on plots fertilized with liquid fraction compensated the disadvantages at the beginning during the vegetation period and induced higher grain yields than solid fraction. This was attributable to a higher number of ears per plant and grains per ear. In conclusion, BGRs from biodegradable municipal and industrial wastes can be used for soil fertilization and replace considerable amounts of mineral fertilizer. Our study showed that direct application of the liquid fraction of BGR is the most suitable strategy to achieve highest grain yields. Nevertheless potential phytotoxicity of the high NH4-N concentration in the liquid fraction should be considered.

YIELD AND QUALITY OF SORGHUM IN IRRIGATED AGRO LANDSCAPES OF REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN

Aim. One of drought-resistant crops that can provide stable high yields is sorghum, which is salt-tolerant, heat-resistant and a flexible crop of versatile use (green forage, silage, hay, grass meal, grain forage). The research conducted in 2010-2013 included studies on the effectiveness of the methods and norms of sowing the sorghum, required quantities of mineral fertilizers to increase the crop yields and nutritional value of sorghum sown in the irrigated lowland areas of Dagestan. Methods. We conducted three field researches. In experiments with grain sorghum (the middle ripening group Zernogradskiy 88) we studied drill and broad-cast methods of sowing, seeding rate, the calculated doses of mineral fertilizers on programmable levels of crop yields: 6 t/ha (N160P112K70), 7 t/ha (N190P128K80) and 8 t/ha (N220P144K90). Seeding rate was 300, 350 and 400 thousand viable seeds per 1 ha; broadcast was chosen as a sowing method.A field experiment with sweet sorghum included promising hybrid crop Debut, fertilizers N140P80K70, N190P110K95 and N240P140K120 to obtain 60, 70 and 80 t/ha of green mass for two mowings, respectively. Results. The use of fertilizers based on a given level of productivity at optimum plant population can significantly improve the nutritional regime of the soil during the growing season of the sweet sorghum and create optimal conditions for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium security for the crops and thus obtain the planned crop yield. Conclusion. The fodder quality of sweet sorghum varies depending on the nutrient status of the soil and mowing time.

The Productivity of Greenhouse Cucumber Depending on the Types of Soils and Amounts of Mineral Fertilizers in the Conditions of South-Eastern Kazakhstan

The Productivity of Greenhouse Cucumber Depending on the Types of Soils and Amounts of Mineral Fertilizers in the Conditions of South-Eastern Kazakhstan

Potencial de efluente de esgoto doméstico tratado como fonte de água e nutrientes no cultivo hidropônico de alface

The search for alternative sources of water for agriculture makes the use of treated sewage sludge an important strategy for achieving sustainability. This study evaluated the feasibility of reusing treated sewage effluent as alternative source of water and nutrients for the hydroponic cultivation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L). The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Center for Agricultural Sciences - UFSCar, in Araras, SP. The cultivation took place from February to March 2014. The hydroponic system used was the Nutrient Film Technique, and included three treatments: 1) water supply and mineral fertilizers (TA); 2) use of effluent treated and complemented with mineral fertilizers based on results of previous chemical analysis (TRA); and 3) use of treated effluent (TR). The applied experimental design was four randomly distributed blocks. We evaluated the fresh weight, nutritional status, the microbiological quality of the culture, and the amount of mineral fertilizers used in the treatments. The fresh weights were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Only the TR treatment showed a significant difference in the evaluated variables, as symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in plants and significant reduction in fresh weights (p <0.01) were found. There was no detectable presence of Escherichia coli in any treatment, and it was possible to use less of some fertilizers in the TRA treatment compared to TA.

Spent mushroom compost as a nitrogen source for spring barley

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) contains a range of plant nutrients, including nitrogen (N), a large proportion of which originate from arable crops. Using SMC as an organic fertilizer for crops recycles these nutrients. Effective use of SMC in fertilizer regimes requires knowledge of the nitrogen fertilizer value (NFV) of the SMC, which is the amount of mineral fertilizer N required to give the same N yield, or marketable yield, as an application of SMC. The objectives of these experiments were to evaluate the effect of SMC on spring barley grain yield and quality and to determine its NFV. Experiments were carried out on two soils, light- and medium-textured, over 3 years (2008–2010). The experiments compared the yield response and N uptake of spring barley to fertilizer N with and without SMC. SMC application gave similar or higher grain yield and N uptake compared to fertilizer only treatments at corresponding fertilizer N rates. SMC had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the economic optimum fertilizer N rate but the maximum yield was significantly (P < 0.05) higher where SMC was applied in two of the six experiments. Effects of SMC on grain quality were small. Results indicated that the NFV, expressed as a proportion of the total N applied in SMC, ranged from 0.05 to 0.29 kg kg−1 N applied in SMC, with a mean of 0.15 kg kg−1. It is concluded that SMC can contribute to the nitrogen nutrition of small grain cereal crops in high yield potential environments.