Application Of Inorganic Fertilizers Research Articles

The effect combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) growth

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is the most commonly and popular vegetables. The application of inorganic fertilizer is very important to increase the productivity of the crop, but overuse of inorganic fertilizer can lead to soil acidification that can affect the plant growth. The purpose of these study is to determine the effectiveness combination rate of organic and inorganic fertilizer toward okra growth and yield performance. This study was conducted in a greenhouse by using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates. The study was used chicken dung as organic fertilizer. The treatments applied were T0 (NPK), T1 (NPK + 20 g chicken dung), T2 (NPK + 40 g chicken dung), and T3 (NPK + 60 g chicken dung). NPK green was applied only one-time during 14 days after sowing (DAS) and was continued with NPK blue. T3 showed an increasing in fresh pod yield. Thus, combination of organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer was showed the positive effect to the crop production. The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer was proven to be the most effective in okra production.

Influence of Long-term Cultivation on Soil Nutrient Status and Properties of Paddy Fields in Panitan, Capiz, Philippines

Soil fertility evaluation of long-term cultivated paddy fields is relevant for proper nutrient assessment and adequate fertility management. Thus, the study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties, as well as determine the nutrient status, and recommend proper nutrient management practices in selected barangays of Panitan, Capiz, Philippines. Soil samples were collected from six farms and analyzed for their morpho-physical, chemical, biological properties and fertility status. Results revealed that the soil of all farms are slightly to moderately developed having an Ap, AB, Bg, Btg, Bwg, BC, and C horizons. They have brown-colored horizons, which have clay texture, few to no rock fragments, sub-angular blocky soil structure, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic, and coarse to fine mottles. The highest soil microbial activity was noted seven days after incubation. Results also revealed that all soils studied are less fertile having a very strongly acidic to slightly alkaline soil pH (4.83 to 7.47), very low to a low amount of soil organic matter (0.15% to 2.81%), very low to medium total nitrogen (0.03% to 0.22%), low to moderate available phosphorus (0.1 mg kg-1 to 17.31 mg kg-1), low to moderate exchangeable potassium (0.06 cmol kg-1 to 0.7 cmol kg-1), and very low to low cation exchange capacity (0.027 cmol kg-1 to 12.68 cmol kg-1). Therefore, to enhance the fertility status of the paddy fields it is recommended to integrate the rice straw after harvest, practice green manuring, and combine organic and inorganic fertilizer applications.

Corn Cob and Corn Husk Biochars Enhance the Growth of Corn (Zea mays L.) in Fertilized Clay Loam Soil

Biochar is a carbon (C) rich material that improves soil quality, increases crop yield, and is produced from biomass pyrolysis under a limited oxygen environment. An experiment laid out in a split-plot, a completely randomized design (CRD) and was conducted to investigate the growth responses of corn-to-corn cob biochar (CCB) (15 t ha-1), and corn husk biochar (CHB) (15 t ha-1) in a Lipa clay loam soil (Typic Eutrudepts) applied with organic fertilizer (OF) (10 t ha-1) and inorganic fertilizer [recommended rate (RR):120 N;60 P2O5-60; K2O per ha]. The results showed that CCB and CHB are rich in macro- and micro-essential elements. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis showed the high average surface area, high pore radius, and pore volume of biochars. The field emission-transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed a very high concentration of C (88 – 90%) and other elements (Cu, Na, K, Cl, S, Si, P, Ca, O) for the biochar. The CCB and CHB applied with organic and inorganic fertilizers improved the pH, EC, and nutrient status of the clay loam soil. This was evident in the enhanced growth of the plants (corn ear biomass, root biomass, and plant height) and increased leaf chlorophyll concentration. The CCB and CHB with organic and inorganic fertilizer applications are recommended for clay loam soil as they improve both the soil health and the plant growth.

From the wild to the field: effect of foliar or soil application of inorganic or semi-organic fertilizers on various parameters of four local endemic plant species of Crete (Greece)

Domestication of wild plant species of interest coupled with introduction of pilot cultivation practices and appropriate fertilization schemes could be an efficient alternative for addressing sustainable exploitation needs of threatened and/or declining wild phytogenetic resources. In this field study focusing on four threatened wild-growing plants (Carlina diae, Origanum dictamnus, Origanum microphyllum, and Sideritis syriaca subsp. syriaca) confined to Crete (local endemics), the effects of three types of fertilization (inorganic, plain semi-organic or co-applied with commercial biostimulants based on edible raw plant materials) by two methods (foliar/soil application) on plants’ growth were investigated. Specifically, plant parameters such as aboveground biomass yield, content and uptake of nutrients by plants as well as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi root colonization were evaluated. Results revealed a distinction in plants’ multi-elemental stoichiometry, except in the case of Origanum species, in which the variance of their ionomics showed a significant overlap. The elements most closely related to yield were K and Zn, while Pearson tests showed various correlations between studied essential nutrients. Among them, the positive correlations between B and Ca, and Mg (with r value up to 0.9 at p ≤ 0.001, in all studied species except O. dictamnus); the negative correlations between K and Mg (in O. dictamnus and S. syriaca subsp. Syriaca, r = − 0.5 at p ≤ 0.001); and the positive correlation patterns between Fe and Mn, or Cu and Zn, respectively (in all studied species) , were observed. Biostimulant application alone or in combination with semi-organic fertilizers increased the yield of C. diae (up to 161%) and of the two Origanum species studied (up to 70% and 68% for O. dictamnus and for O. microphyllum, respectively), while inorganic fertilization was beneficial for S. syriaca subsp. syriaca (up to 170% increase) and O. microphyllum (up to 79% increase). However, no solid conclusions could be derived in respect of the preference of the four species for any fertilizers' application method (foliar or by soil).

Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Blend (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Boron) and Potassium Fertilizers Rates at Boloso Sore Woreda, Ethiopia

Background: The declining soil fertility is a severe bottleneck for crop production in Ethiopia. The application of inorganic fertilizer helps to correct a site-specific nutrient deficiency. Methods: The research was conducted at Achura kebele Farmers Training Center (FTC) from December 2020 to July 2021. Soil samples and crop data were collected and analyzed by standard procedures. Result: The soil reaction revealed that the soil was moderately acidic (pH=5.68) and low in organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and boron. The result of this study indicated that the growth and yield of maize were significantly (P less than 0.05) affected by the combined effect of both blended (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, boron) and potassium fertilizer rates. The highest grain yield (7200.9 kg ha-1) was found from NPSB, 200 kg ha-1 + K, 50 kg ha-1and the lowest was recorded from control.

Application of compost tea, co-inoculation and inorganic fertilization on Swiss chard plants

Swiss chard is a horticultural crop with a highly nutritious value. These crops’ production required nutrients, which can be provided through mineral nutrient solutions or biofertilizers. Biofertilizers are products that contain beneficial microorganisms that improve soil quality and that promote plant growth. Additionally, these microorganisms carry out nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization. The present work assessed the application of compost tea, co-inoculation (Azospirillum and Glomus), and inorganic fertilizer over the growth (roots, stem, and leaves) and nutrient content in Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. Forhook Giant) plants. The present work was carried out in a greenhouse using a randomized complete block design. Swiss chard plants treated with compost tea + inorganic fertilization (CTIF) accumulated more root and stem dry weight (4.06 and 8.10 g respectively), and, on the other hand, the leaf dry weight increased under three treatments: inorganic fertilization (IF), compost tea + co-inoculation (CTCi) and CTIF (12.5, 9.22 and 10.5 g respectively). Leaf area was greater in the IF and CTIF treatments. In Control (C) P and Mg content were higher; CTCi treatment increased the N, K, and Mn content; the co-inoculation (Ci) treatment increased Cu content as well as CTIF treatment increased the Ca, Fe, Zn, and B contents and in a lesser extent also the P, Mg, Cu, and Mn contents. The biomass partitioning coef ficient indicates that in six samples (from a total of seven samples), most of the photosynthates (PS) were used by the plants to form new leaves or to increase the size of the leaves. If an alternative method of fertilization is desired, it is recommended that a combination of biofertilizer and inorganic fertilization should be used, such as, the combination of compost tea and mineral solution that increased the production and the concentration of nutrients in the Swiss chard crop.

Efficacy Evaluation of Organic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters of French Beans, Maize and Kale in Different Counties of Kenya

Sustainable agriculture is an important global issue. Organic fertilizer application improves crop growth by supplying plant nutrients, including micronutrients, as well as improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, thereby providing a better environment for root development by improving the soil structure. It has been widely reported that continuous applications of inorganic fertilizers alone resulted in deterioration of soil health in terms of physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Understanding the nutrient variability and release pattern of organic fertilizers is crucial to supply plants with sufficient nutrients to achieve optimum productivity, while also rebuilding soil fertility and ensuring protection of environmental and natural resources. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Fertiplus on growth, quality and yield in Kale, Maize and French Beans in Kenya. The trial plots were 3 m×3 m arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated 4 times. The treatments consisted Fertiplus 4-3-3 alone; Fertiplus 4-3-3+100% recommended fertilizer practice; Fertiplus 4-3-3+50% recommended fertilizer practice; Fertiplus 4-3-3+75% recommended fertilizer practice; Reference product (Permeate); recommended fertilizer practice (Conventional) and the absolute control. Application of Fertiplus plus 50% of the recommended fertilizer practice led to the highest number of pods per plant (18) and application with 75% of the recommended fertilizer practice showed a peak harvest of fresh pods with 374.3 g per plant. In an area of 1 m2, application of Fertiplus and 50% recommended fertilizer practice had 6.7 kilograms of kale with a maximum of 14 mature leave per plant in a span of 20 days. In maize, the Fertiplus and 50% recommended fertilizer treatment showed the highest cob weight per plant (480 g) and an average grain yield of 396.7 g per plant compared to the doubled level (100%) of the recommended fertilizer practice that had 401 g per plant. From the study, it was observed that the highest yield of the three study crops were under the integrated treatments of the organic fertilizer and half the rate of synthetic fertilizer program.

Soil Aggregation Controls Biological Activities on Long-Term Integration of Organic Amendments and Inorganic Fertilizers in Rice-Wheat Cropping System

ABSTRACT Integrated nutrient management (INM) practice with farmyard manure (FYM), wheat straw (WS) and green leaf manuring (GLM) augments aggregate formation in soils. However, soil aggregation regulating several soils biological activities has been proven to be intricate with both positive and negative interactions across studies. We studied the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil enzymes across three aggregate classes (>2000 µm, 2000–250 µm and <250 µm) from a long-term rice-wheat cropping system. Integrated nutrient management practices significantly influence the fraction of soil macro-aggregates; whereas suboptimal level of fertilization was dominated by micro-aggregates. Application of inorganic fertilizer with FYM over long-term improves SOC to the tune of 12.78% when compared with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF); whereas WS as an amendment improves MBC to the tune of 51.80% over RDF. Activities of the studied soil enzymes (Acid phosphatase, Alkaline phosphatase, Dehydrogenase, Fluorescein Diacetate Hydrolysing Capacity and Urease) were found to be higher when associated with large macro-aggregates fraction of size >2000 µm as compared to micro-aggregates. In conclusion, large macro-aggregates improve and regulate all the soil biological indicators after a long-term integration of organic amendments with inorganic fertilizers.

Fertilization Highly Increased the Water Use Efficiency of Spring Maize in Dryland of Northern China: A Meta-Analysis

Water and fertilizer play an important role in crop growth in dryland areas. It is a necessity to improve the water use efficiency (WUE) of the crop once the water resource is limited. In northern China, where there is a wide shortage of water resources, it is therefore necessary to investigate how fertilization affects the WUE of spring maize and to quantify the effects. A total of 33 published peer-reviewed papers were collected, and a meta-analysis and random forest model analysis were performed with 364 WUE comparisons, aiming to explore the effects of fertilization on the WUE of spring maize and to clarify the optimal conditions for WUE under fertilizer management. The results showed that fertilization significantly increased the WUE of spring maize by 56.72% (P &lt; 0.01) when compared with non-fertilization. The WUE effect under the organic–inorganic fertilizer combination (MNPK) was approximately twice as high as that under inorganic fertilizer (NPK) or organic fertilizer (M). The greatest increase in WUE occurred at 0–100 kg ha−1 of nitrogen application (NA). Under environmental conditions including 7 ≤ mean annual temperature in the test year (T) ≤ 10 °C, 400 ≤ mean annual precipitation in the test year (P) ≤ 600 mm, and mean altitude (A) &gt; 1500 m, and soil conditions including 10 ≤ soil organic matter content (SOM) ≤ 14 g kg−1 and available phosphorus (AP) &lt; 5 mg kg−1, the fertilization optimally enhanced the WUE of spring maize when the agronomic measures of ridge–furrow planting (RFP) and mulching film (MF) were used. The random forest model analysis indicated that the influence factors (i.e., fertilizer regimes, environmental factors, soil factors, and agronomic measures) caused 65.62% of the variation in spring maize WUE effects, while in all influence factors, fertilizer types related to fertilizer regimes caused the most variation. The initial available potassium (AK) and available nitrogen (AN) of the soil were negatively correlated to the WUE effect, indicating that fertilization imposed a better effect on the WUE of spring maize when the soil was infertile. Fertilization significantly increased the WUE of spring maize, and organic and inorganic fertilizer application provided an effective measure for the sustainable development of spring maize in northern China. After clarifying the required conditions for fertilization increasing WUE, high-efficiency water use may be achieved.

Combination of bio-organo-mineral fertilizers on optimizing the growth and production of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in dryland environment

Mineral or inorganic fertilizers are increasingly being used to increase tomato productivity. However, excessive use of inorganic fertilizers may negatively impact soil fertility and microbial activity. To maintain food safety and agricultural sustainability, the use of inorganic fertilizers must be balanced with organic fertilizers. Additionally, sub-optimal land, such as dryland, can be used to optimize tomato productivity, particularly in the North Lombok Regency, Indonesia. This study aimed to investigate the effect and interaction of a combination of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF), plant growth regulator (PGR), and NPK fertilizers as inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of tomatoes in dryland. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design, with two factors: the concentrations of commercial inorganic fertilizer (0, 1,300, and 2,600 ppm) and the type of commercial LOF (Bio-Extrim and Organox) + commercial PGR (Hormax). The results showed that the interaction was not significantly different between inorganic fertilizer and LOF + PGR, except for mean fruit weight in the first week of harvest. However, there were differences in responses at the level of each factor. The application of inorganic fertilizer at 2,600 ppm increased tomato productivity by 13.81%. LOF was only significantly different in fruit weight/plant in the first week of harvest and was not significant after that.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Application on Soybeans Growth and Yield (Glycine max L. Merril)

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of petroganic organic and inorganic fertilizer application aimed to increase soybeans productions in dry land. This experiment is carried out in Keloka, Batujai village, Central Lombok. The experiment consists of two factors using splitplot design, organic fertilizer as main plot with two level which is the application 20 tons/ha of organic fertilizer (petroganic) and without application of organic fertilizer. Compound inorganic fertilization as sub-plot which consists of five levels, they are without phonska (control), 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% NPK recommendation. The results of the experiment showed that there is no interaction between organic with inorganic fertilizer to the soybeans yield, but both organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer gave different effect to the fresh and dry weight, 100 seed weight and yield. Inorganic 50% NPK recommendation fertilization is the best in increasing the fresh weight (83,30 kg/plot), dry weight (64,49 kg/plot), 100 seed weight (42,75 g) and yield (4,55 kg/plot) which is equal to 3,16 tons/ha.

Integrative Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Some Soil Properties and Growth of Faba Bean under Different Levels of Irrigation Water

Integrative Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Some Soil Properties and Growth of Faba Bean under Different Levels of Irrigation Water

Assessment of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAP) Adopted by Crop Farmers in Adapting to Climate Change and Environmental Issues in Zamfara State, Nigeria

This study assessed the Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAP) adopted by arable crop farmers in adapting to climate change and environmental issues in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling techniques was used to select six local government areas in the state. Three hundred and fifty (350) farmers were randomly selected and administered questionnaire. Sets of standardized questionnaires survey and interview were used to elicit information on CSAP from the farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Total Factor Productivity (TFP), and Least Squares Regression (LSR). The analysed results were presented on tables and charts. The results show that the prevalent CSAP adopted by the farmers were: cover cropping, application of organic manures, adoption of minimum tillage, practice of crop rotation with legumes, usage of mulching, application of inorganic fertilizers and planting of improved seed varieties. Results of the determinants of TFP estimate reveals that age (-1.328), education (0.427), farm size (0.41), organic fertilizer (0.48), access to extension services (0.342), cover cropping (0.023), inorganic fertilizer (.47), improved seed varieties (0.503), crop rotation with legumes (0.54), access to credit facilities (0.273) significantly contribute to productivity at different levels of significance in the study area. While age impacted negatively on productivity, all others impacted positively on productivity. The study concluded that CSAP had positive impacts on crop productivity. The study recommends the adoption of sustainable CSAT such as the use of organic and inorganic fertilizer, cover cropping, and the use of improved seed varieties; provision of agricultural credit facilities to the farmers and availability of extension workers in the study area.&nbsp

Combined Application of Coffee Husk Compost and Inorganic Fertilizer to Improve the Soil Ecological Environment and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Arabica Coffee

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers deteriorates the soil environment and limits the normal growth of Arabica coffee trees. In order to identify the optimal coupling mode of chemical fertilizer application and biomass return that enhances the soil ecological environment and promotes the photosynthetic efficiency of Arabica coffee, this study investigated the impacts of three levels of inorganic fertilizers (FL: 360 kg·ha−1, FM: 720 kg·ha−1, and FH: 1080 kg·ha−1) and three types of coffee husk returning methods (CB: coffee husk biochar, CC: coffee husk compost, CA: coffee husk ash) on the soil fertility, microbial amount, enzyme activity, and photosynthetic characteristics of the Arabica coffee root zone. The entropy weight-TOPSIS method was employed to evaluate the comprehensive benefits. The results showed that FM had the biggest effect on improving soil fertility, microorganisms, and enzyme activities compared with FL and FH. Moreover, compared to CA, CC significantly increased soil organic carbon, organic matter, and total nitrogen content. CC significantly enhanced the activities of soil phosphatase and urease, respectively, by 29.84% and 96.00%, and significantly increased the amount of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes by 62.15%, 68.42%, and 46.21%, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs) of FMCC were significantly higher than those of other treatments. The comprehensive benefit evaluation of the soil environment and photosynthetic characteristics by the entropy weight-TOPSIS method ranked FMCC first. Therefore, FMCC was the optimal coupling mode for fertilizer application and the coffee husk returning method. The findings of this study not only provide scientific guidance for fertilizing Arabica coffee but also clarify the proper approach to returning coffee husk to the field, thereby improving soil ecology and promoting green and efficient production of specialty crops.

Effects of inorganic and compost tea fertilizers application on the taxonomic and functional microbial diversity of the purslane rhizosphere.

Soil fertility is a major determinant of plant-microbial interactions, thus, directly and indirectly affecting crop productivity and ecosystem functions. In this study, we analysed for the first time the effects of fertilizer addition on the cropping of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) with particular attention to the taxonomic and functional characteristics of their associated soil microbiota. We tested the effects of different doses of inorganic fertilization differing in the amount of N:P:K namely IT1 (300:100:100); IT2 (300:200:100); IT3 (300:200:200); and IT4 (600:100:100) (ppm N:P:K ratio) and organic fertilization (compost tea) which reached at the end of the assay the dose of 300 ppm N. Purslane growth and soil quality parameters and their microbial community structure, abundance of fungal functional groups and prevailing bacterial metabolic functions were monitored. The application of compost tea and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased the purslane shoot biomass, and some soil chemical properties such as pH and soil enzymatic activities related to C, N and P biogeochemical cycles. The bacterial and fungal community compositions were significantly affected by the organic and chemical fertilizers input. The majority of inorganic fertilization treatments decreased the fungal and bacterial diversity as well as some predictive bacterial functional pathways. These findings suggest that the inorganic fertilization might lead to a change of microbial functioning. However, in order to get stronger evidence that supports the found pattern, longer time-frame experiments that ideally include sampling across different seasons are needed. Thus, further research is still needed to investigate the effects of fertilizations on purslane productivity under commercial field conditions.

Modeling ammonia emissions and abatement potential from the rice-wheat rotation fields using the calibrated DNDC model: A case study in Shanghai, China

Abating ammonia (NH3) volatilization from intensive cropping system is of great importance for preventing the pollution of atmospheric environment and sustainable agriculture. Urea, a common nitrogen fertilizer, can convert to an unstable carbamate and further releases NH3 from the fields. However, few investigations of NH3 volatilization loss following fertilizer application to agricultural soils have been done using process-based models. In this study, a two-year field study was conducted to calibrate and evaluate the DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model for simulating NH3 volatilizations and crop production for the rice-wheat rotation system under four fertilizer regimes: control group without N fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (CF), mixed application of inorganic and organic fertilizer (MF), and organic fertilizer (OF) treatments. The calibrated and modified DNDC performed effectively in simulating cumulative NH3 volatilization (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.96 for rice and 0.92 for wheat field, relative deviation (RD) = −6.3% - 2.1% for rice and −22.5 to −4.6% for wheat) and grain yields for both crops (R2 = 0.94 for rice and 0.91 for wheat, RD of rice: 4.94%–9.59%; wheat: −1.84%–11.51%). The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that NH3 volatilization from rice-wheat rotation field was most sensitive to N application rate. Compared to CF and OF, MF treatments significantly mitigated NH3 volatilization and improved crop yield. Therefore, scenario simulation was conducted to confirm the optimal N application rate under MF. The results revealed that 250 kg N ha−1 and 112.5 kg N ha−1 in MF were recommended for rice- and wheat-growing, respectively. Compared to the current N fertilizer rate, the recommended rate saved 50 kg N ha−1 and mitigated NH3 volatilization loss by 28.31% from rice field and saved 37.5 kg N ha−1 and mitigated NH3 volatilization loss by 19.29% from wheat field. Overall, the calibrated DNDC model proved to be an effective tool to simulate NH3 volatilization from the rice-wheat rotation system and provides a promising fertilizer management strategy to decrease N input and mitigate NH3 volatilization.

The Combined application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers to Improve Fertility of Degraded Soil and Sustainable Yield in Intensive Irrigated Rice Systems

Minimizing the problem of nitrous oxide emissions from paddy field that contributes to climate change is the key to increase fertilizer efficiency. Application of Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium efficiently in combination with organic fertilizer is crucial to improve fertility of degraded soil without sacrificing the yield. A trial in 2022 dry season, as part of on-farm long term fertility experiment applied combination of chemical fertilizer and organic to explore changes in soil fertility, soil organic content and yield under double rice cropping system. The experiment was designed in Split Plot with 4 replications, has been conducting at the Sukamandi experimental station, ICRR. The main plot was 5 chemical fertilizers which were without fertilizer input as control, + PK, + NP, NK + and + NPK. The subplot was organic fertilizer: a dose of 2 ton manure ha−1, straw compost with dose 5 ton ha−1 and without organic content as control. The results of cropping season 2022 showed that (1) combined application of organic and chemical fertilizer at plot +NK significantly improved the soil organic content and yield of rice, (2) Fertilization significantly affected the growth, yield of rice and the soil nutrient status, (3) Adequate supply of macronutrients N-P-K treatment resulted in higher grain yield and more efficient fertilizer use.

Yield benefits from joint application of manure and inorganic fertilizer in a long-term field pea, wheat and potato crop rotation

Yield benefits from joint application of manure and inorganic fertilizer in a long-term field pea, wheat and potato crop rotation

Application of Liquid Organic Pusri Fertilizer (LOPF) and Inorganic Fertilizer on Ultisols Planted With Red Chili (Capsicum annuum L.)

Red chili is a strategic horticultural commodity that is currently experiencing an increase in demand, especially in the food industry. Chili productivity itself tends to be unstable and often decreases. The things that can be done to increase the plant growth and production are fertilization. Liquid Organic Pusri Fertilizer (LOPF) is a biological fertilizer product developed by Pupuk Sriwidjaja Ltd. As the growth promoter, LOPF contains nitrogen fixing bacteria, P and K solubillizing bacteria with a biostimulant carrier made from seaweed extract. This study was designed in a randomized block design with 9 treatment levels and 3 replications. The treatment levels are P0 (100% inorganic fertilizer); P1 (LOPF application to soil); P2 (LOPF application to soil + 50% inorganic fertilizer); P3 (LOPF application to soil + 75% inorganic fertilizer); P4 (LOPF application to soil + 100% inorganic fertilizer); P5 (LOPF application to seeds and soil); P6 (LOPF application to seeds and soil + 50% inorganic fertilizer); P7 (LOPF application to seeds and soil + 75% inorganic fertilizer); and P8 (LOPF application to seeds and soil + 100% inorganic fertilizer). The recommendation dose of 100% inorganic fertilizer for NPK 16-16-16 is 300 kg ha−1 and urea fertilizer 200 kg ha−1. LOPF applied to seeds with a concentration of 100 ppm and in soil was 12 L ha−1. Application of LOPF on seeds and soil combined with 100% recommendation dose of inorganic fertilizer gave the best results in increasing the production of red chili plants with a production of 9.70 tons ha−1.

Farmer’s Knowledge on Weed Management, Soil Fertility and Moisture Conservation Practices on Rice Production, A Case Study of Mbarali District in Tanzania

This study was intended to investigate farmer’s knowledge on weed management, soil fertility and moisture conservation in rice production. A field survey was conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 in Mbarali District involving 90 rice growers, whereby structured questionnaire was used cropping seasons 2020-21. The collected data were analysed to determine distribution of respondents per variables using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16. Mean separation in each variable was done using independent sample t-test at p≤0.05 level of significance to determine whether there was statistically significance different between each agronomic practice and productivity. The results revealed that weeds and soil fertility were big problems on rice productivity in Mbarali. The majority (98.9%) of interviewees reported to have challenges of weed infestation and all (100%) responding inadequate soil fertility constrains rice productivity, which forced them to use inorganic fertilizer for better yield. Farmers (43.3%) interviewed reported to have applied herbicides to control weed and majority (56.7%) of interviewees’ practised hand weeding as measures to manage weed infestation. Three practices which are application of inorganic fertilizer (100%) incorporating crop residues (90%) and application of organic manure (6.7%) were determined as being practised by farmers that facilitate the improvement of soil nutrients and conservation of water. Furthermore three types of seeds were identified as being used by farmers; Certified (6.7%), Quality declared seed (QDS) (36.7%) and Farmer saved seed (FSS) (56.7%). Furthermore, the results indicated significantly higher yield of famers use certified seeds (2.83 t/ha, P≤0.041), (23.67 t/ha, P≤0.001) and (3.52t/ha P≤0.001) for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 production seasons respectively. How to Cite: Mkoka Hamza Juma, Kallunde P. Sibuga, Newton L. Kilasi, 2023. "Farmer’s Knowledge on Weed Management, Soil Fertility and Moisture Conservation Practices on Rice Production, A Case Study of Mbarali District in Tanzania." Journal of Agriculture and Crops, vol. 9, pp. 233-239.