Cattle Manure Application Research Articles

A life cycle assessment of cover crop ensiling and co-digestion with cattle manure

AbstractCover crops offer a potential biogas feedstock, and to enable continuous operation of the biogas plant, ensiling can be used for biomass preservation. The aim of the present study was to assess the environmental impacts of biogas production at an organic dairy farm for two modelled scenarios: (1) harvesting and ensiling of cover crops and cereal straw and co-digestion with cattle manure, or (2) mono-digestion of cattle manure and direct cover crop soil incorporation. The biogas scenarios were modelled in a consequential LCA in relation to a common baseline without anaerobic digestion, with cover crop soil incorporation and field application of raw cattle manure. Biogas scenarios resulted in decreased global warming impacts of (1) 250 and (2) 120 Mg CO2eq for a 1000-hectare example dairy farm due to substitution of natural gas. However, emissions from ensiling, biogas plant operation, and agronomic effects increased other environmental impacts. Agronomic modelling with the Daisy model showed a crop yield increase of 0.11 Mg DM ha−1 year−1 on a sandy loam soil with cover crop digestion, but also an increase in N leaching of 38% and a decrease in soil C stocks of 8.1 Mg C ha−1 over 100 years relative to the reference. Emissions of VOCs and NOx during ensiling increased ozone formation and negative impacts on human health and ecosystems, although further research is needed to better understand these emissions. In conclusion, this modelling study shows that greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by using ensiled cover crops for co-digestion with manure when biogas is used to substitute fossil gas, although trade-offs with other environmental categories must be considered.

Life cycle assessment of biochar and cattle manure application in sugar beet cultivation – Insights into root yields, white sugar quality, environmental aspects in field and factory phases

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a well-known sugar crop essential for supplying the global demand for sugar. Examining how different farming techniques affect the environment may help produce a high-quality crop with the least negative environmental effects. To this, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of biochar (B) and cattle manure (CM) applications at three different rates (5, 10, and 15 tons ha−1) compared with conventional chemical fertilization (CH) in the autumn and spring sugar beet crops has been studied. The system boundaries for LCA analysis were set from the cradle to the sugar factory gate. Based on the results, the highest amounts of root yield were obtained under CM10 and CM15 treatments with 24.5% and 23.2% increase in autumn cultivation and 34.8%, and 33.9% increase in spring cultivation, compared to CH. However, CM15 resulted in significantly lower sugar content (10.9%) than B5 (17%). Also, B utilization significantly reduced molasses content in sugar beet rather than CM in both cultivation periods. Further, biochar treatments (B5, B10, B15) significantly increased the white sugar yield in both cultivation times by 43.7%, 39.2%, and 36.1%, on average. Generally, the highest and the lowest global warming potential (GWP) were obtained from CM15 and B15 with 638.5 and 437.2 CO2-eq ton−1 root/sugar yields, respectively. These findings validate the hypothesis that using biochar in sugar beet production could reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the amount of white sugar produced.

Respon Tanaman Sawi Hijau (Brassica juncea L.) dan Status Hara Nitrogen Tanah Terhadap Pemberian Pupuk Kandang dan Phonska Pada Berbagai Dosis

This research aims to determine the response of green mustard plants (Brassica juncea L.) to the application of cattle manure and phonska at various rates, and to determine Nitrogen status of the soils. The experiment was set up using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) which consisted of 2 factors. The first factor was the application of 15:15:15 phonska with three doses, namely ; P1 = 100 kg/ha, P2 = 200 kg/ha, and P3 = 300 kg/ha. The second factor was cattle manure in 4 doses, namely ; K1 = 5 tons/ha, K2 = 10 tons/ha, K3 = 15 tons/ha, and K4 = 20 tons/ha. So that obtain 12 treatments. Each treatment was repeated 3 times, resulting in 36 experimental polybags. The results showed that the interaction of cattle manure and Phonska had influence on plant parameters, namely plant height at 28 days after planting, fresh and dry weight, and fresh weight of root, while on soil parameters, namely pH and C-Organic. The application of Phonska had a significant effect on plant parameters, namely plant height at 14 and 28 days after planting, number of leaves at 14, 21 and 28 days after planting, leaf area, fresh and dry weight, and fresh weight of root, while soil parameters such as soil pH and C-Organic. And cattle manure had a significant on soil parameters, namely pH and total soil N.

Material flow analysis of heavy metals in large-scale cattle farms and ecological risk assessment of cattle manure application to fields

This study bridges the knowledge gap pertaining to the pathways of heavy metal accumulation and migration within the industrial chain of large-scale cattle farms. Two such farms in Shaanxi serve as a basis for our exploration into Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, As, and Cd dynamics. Employing material flow analysis complemented by predictive models, we evaluate the potential ecological risks of arable soil from heavy metal influx via manure application. Our findings indicate that Zn and Cu predominate the heavy metal export from these operations, composing up to 60.00%–95.67% of their total content. Predictive models based on 2021 data reveal a potential increase in Cd soil concentration by 0.08 mg/kg by 2035, insinuating a reduced safe usage period for cattle manure at less than 50 years. Conversely, projections from 2022 data point towards a gradual Cu rise in soil, reaching risk threshold levels after 126 years. These outcomes inform limitations in cattle manure utilisation strategies, underscoring Cu and Cd content as key barriers. The study underscores the criticality of continuous heavy metal surveillance within farm by products to ensure environmental protection and sustainable agricultural practices.

English

The present study investigates the toxicological effects of cadmium stress on two different varieties of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L). Additionally, it explores the impact of cattle manure application on the morpho-physiological traits of cadmium-stressed spinach and fenugreek. The study employed a completely randomized design with three replicates assigned to each treatment. Two cadmium concentrations (35 mg L-1 and 70 mg L-1) were applied to both leafy vegetables two weeks after sowing. After 10 dwere of stress, the impact of cadmium stress on the biomass attributes (root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, number of leaves, and leaf area) of fenugreek and spinach varieties was assessed. The results indicate that cadmium stress decreased these attributes, with the maximum decrease observed under 70 mg L-1 Cd stress compared to the control and 35 mg L-1 Cd stress. Cattle manure demonstrated a more pronounced positive influence on these parameters, particularly at the 35 mg L-1 concentration, compared to the 70 mg L-1 concentration in both species. Thus, the use of animal manure shows promise as a treatment against heavy metal contamination.

Application of cattle manure increased the stability of organic carbon in the subsoil in Mollisols

Application of cattle manure increased the stability of organic carbon in the subsoil in Mollisols

Quantifying the mitigating effect of organic matter on heavy metal availability in soils with different manure applications: A geochemical modelling study

Manure is one of the main sources of heavy metal (HM) pollution on farmlands. It has become the focus of global ecological research because of its potential threat to human health and the sustainability of food systems. Soil pH and organic matter are improved by manure and play pivotal roles in determining soil HM behavior. Geochemical modeling has been widely used to assess and predict the behavior of soil HMs; however, there remains a research gap in manure applications. In this study, a geochemical model (LeachXS) coupled with a pH-dependent leaching test with continuously simulations over a broad pH range was used to determine the effects and pollution risks of pig or cattle manure separate application on soil HMs distribution. Both pig and cattle manure applications led to soil pH reduction in alkaline soils and increased organic matter content. Pig manure application resulted in a potential 90.5–156.0 % increase in soil HM content. Cattle manure did not cause significant HM contamination. The leaching trend of soil HMs across treatments exhibited a V-shaped change, with the lowest concentration at pH = 7, gradually increasing toward strong acids and bases. The dissolved organic matter-bound HM content directly increased the HM availability, especially for Cu (up to 8.4 %) after pig manure application. However, more HMs (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni) were in the particulate organic matter-bound state than in other solid phases (e.g., Fe-Al(hydr) oxides, clay minerals), which inhibited the HMs leaching by more than 19.3 % after cattle manure application. Despite these variations, high HM concentrations introduced by pig manure raised the soil contamination risk, potentially exceeding 40 times at pH ±1. When manure is returned to the field, reducing its HM content and mitigating possible pollution is necessary to realize the healthy and sustainable development of circular agriculture.

Effect of Water Sources on the Growth Performance and Chlorophyll Content of Azolla pinnata R.Br.


 
 
 Azolla pinnata R.Br. is an aquatic fern that grows on the surface of water bodies. The unique quality of A. pinnata is its symbiotic relationship with a prokaryotic cyanobacterium (Anabaena azollae), which confers a high rate of nitrogen fixation. It is important to find the growing conditions of Azolla in different water sources for its optimum biomass production for different usages such as biofertilizers, animal feeds, water purification and biofuel production. This preliminary study was conducted to investigate the effect of water sources on the growth performance (shoot biomass, root biomass, root length), and the chlorophyll content of Azolla. Presence of Anabaena in Azolla fronds was monitored by light microscope and number of filaments were counted per leaflet. The experiment utilized three types of water sources (tap water as control (T1), lake water (T2) and cattle manure mixed tap water (T3), in plastic buckets with 40 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height. Each treatment was triplicated in a completely randomized design and total biomass was collected weekly. Data were statistically analyzed using Minitab 17. The highest biomass of Azolla was obtained in T3 from the first week until 8th week and it was higher from T1 and T2. The highest chlorophyll content was obtained in T3 (6.4 SPAD value) showed a significant difference from T1 and T2 (p<0.05). The dry weight of roots and root length in T1 showed a significant difference from T2 and T3 (p<0.05). The highest root length was observed as 5 cm in T1 indicating that roots may be in search of nutrients and the lowest root length was observed as 0.8 cm in T3 with high nutrient concentrations in water. The highest number of Anabaena was observed in the leaflet of Azolla fronds in T3 which in turn increase N content in Azolla plants. It reveals that application of cattle manure in tap water significantly affects the plant biomass and the chlorophyll content of Azolla. Further studies are needed to conduct in large scale growing facilities with different nutrient concentrations of water sources to find sustainable and optimum growing conditions for Azolla and the nutrient concentrations of the plants.
 Keywords: Azolla, Chlorophyll, Growth performance, Water sources
 
 

Effects of tied ridges and different cattle manure application rates on soil moisture and rainfall use efficiency on maize growth and yield in semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe

Effects of tied ridges and different cattle manure application rates on soil moisture and rainfall use efficiency on maize growth and yield in semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe

Cattle manure application for 12 and 17 years enhanced depth distribution of soil organic carbon and X-ray computed tomography-derived pore characteristics

Long-term fertilizer application in row crops may influence soil pore characteristics, thereby impacting soil aggregation and structure. Therefore, understanding the influences on soil pore characteristics is useful for adopting suitable conservation practices. However, the impact of cattle manure and inorganic fertilizer application at varied rates on soil pore characteristics in the soil profile at a microscale level remains limited. This study quantifies the impacts of manure and inorganic fertilizer amendments under a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.)-spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) rotation system on soil pore characteristics using the X-ray computed tomography (XCT). Treatments included: low manure (LM; 4.4 and 3.3 Mg ha−1), medium manure (MM; 27.4 and 18.7 Mg ha−1), high manure (HM; 54.8 and 37.4 Mg ha−1), medium fertilizer (MF; 136 kg N ha−1, 49 kg P2O5 ha−1, and 91.5 kg K2O ha−1), high fertilizer (HF; 204 kg N ha−1, 73.5 kg P2O5 ha−1, and 137.3 kg K2O ha−1), and control (CK), respectively, at Brookings (initiated in 2008) and Beresford (2003) in South Dakota. Four intact soil cores were collected from each treatment at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm depths. Results showed that the HM treatment increased the SOC by 8–68% compared to the CK and MF at 0–20 cm at the study sites. Both HM and MM treatments increased the macroporosity and mesoporosity in 0–20 cm soil depths at both study sites. Treatment did not always improve soil pore characteristics below 20 cm soil depth. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between the XCT-derived macroporosity, total number of macropores, and SOC for all the treatments. Therefore, this study encourages the adoption of the XCT technique in quantifying soil pore characteristics and suggests that long-term medium manure application enhances soil structure as compared to an equivalent inorganic fertilizer application.

Yield and energy efficiency in winter wheat agrocenosis under different fertilization systems in the conditions of the northern part of the Forest-Steppe

The influence of different types of fertilizers on the yield and energy efficiency of winter wheat cultivation was evaluated. It was found that the highest productivity was obtained under the organic-mineral fertilizer system, which involves the combined use of 12 t/ha of cattle bedding manure and mineral fertilizers in a dose of N100Р60К100, applied against the background of two-time fertilization with complex chelated fertilizers at a dose of 2 l/ha, where the yield was 5.67 t/ha, and when applying a double mineral dose (N100Р60К100) and a triple dose (N150Р90К150) – 5.76 and 6.00 t/ha respectively, which in terms of yield growth was lower than the NIR05 values. The combined use of litter manure and mineral fertilizers resulted in a synergistic effect, as winter wheat grain yields were 15–20 % lower when mineral and organic fertilizers were applied separately than when they were applied together. Increasing NPK doses by 1.5 times to N150P90K150 compared to N100P60K100 did not compensate for the lack of manure. Under the organic fertilizer system, the grain yield was the highest when OMBF was applied at a dose of 2 t/ha against a background of pea straw 3 t/ha, which amounted to 5.18 t/ha with an increase of 41 %, compared to the control (straw). The highest levels of energy efficiency were determined for the application of organic-mineral fertilizer of the organic brand in doses of 1 and 2 t/ha (5.4 and 5.3) and OMBF brand 4-4-4 in a dose of 1 t/ha (5.2). Under the organic-mineral system of fertilizing application of N50P30K50 and N100P60K100 at the background of 12 t/ha of manure established the index of energy efficiency at the level of 3.4 and 3.7 units, respectively. Application of cattle manure at a dose of 12 t/ha did not provide a significant difference in crop energy, compared to the variant 6 t/ ha – 75755 and 73305 MJ/ha respectively, but due to increased energy inputs in production and application of more manure Kee was 3.9 and 4.6 respectively. Key words: cattle manure, fertilizers, OMBF, yield, mineral fertilizers, by-products, fertilizer system, energy efficiency.

Mineralization mechanism of organic carbon in maize rhizosphere soil of soft rock and sand mixed soil under different fertilization modes.

This article endeavors to investigate the influence of various fertilization methods on the characteristics of rhizosphere soil and organic carbon mineralization in the mixed soil of Mu Us Sandy land under maize cultivation, with the objective of laying the groundwork for low-carbon agriculture and the development of high-quality farmland. The research focuses on soft rock and sand composite soil with a 1:2 ratio, and it comprises four treatments: no fertilization (CK), only chemical fertilization (CF), only cattle manure application (MF), and only oil residue application (DF). The findings revealed that the use of organic fertilizer substantially elevated nutrient content and enzyme activity in the maize rhizosphere soil. Furthermore, it had a notable influence on both soil aggregate diameter and stability. Specifically, the DF treatment led to a significant increase in both soil aggregate diameter and stability. The mineralization rate of organic carbon in the maize rhizosphere soil could be categorized into two distinct phases: a rapid initial decline followed by a slower release. By the end of the incubation period, the cumulative mineralization of organic carbon in the MF, DF, and CF treatments showed a significant increase of 119.87%, 57.57%, and 24.15%, respectively, in comparison to the CK treatment. Additionally, the mineralization rate constants of the DF and MF treatments experienced a substantial rise, with increments of 23.52% and 45.97%, respectively, when contrasted with the CK treatment. The bacterial phyla Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Firmicutes were dominant in the rhizosphere soil bacterial community. Specific genera such as Nocardioides and Sphingomonas showed significant correlations with organic carbon mineralization. The application of different organic fertilizer can improve soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and promote the mineralization process of organic carbon in maize rhizosphere soil. Notably, the DF treatment exhibited the most favorable outcome, improving the overall quality of maize rhizosphere soil while incurring a minimal loss of unit organic carbon. These findings hold significant implications for optimizing field management practices and augmenting soil quality.

Response of soil antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial communities to fresh cattle manure and organic fertilizer application

Livestock manure use in agriculture contributes to pollutants like antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and resistant bacteria. This practice could potentially facilitate ARGs development in soil ecosystems. Our study aimed to explore ARGs and bacterial communities in cattle manure from Ningxia beef cattle farms with varying breeding periods. We also assessed the impact of different application rates of cattle manure compost, created by mixing manure with different growing periods, on soil's physicochemical and heavy metal properties. High-throughput PCR and sequencing were used to analyze ARGs and bacterial communities. We aimed to understand ARGs dynamics in cattle manure during breeding stages and the impact of different fertilizer application rates on soil bacteria and resistance genes. We found 212 ARGs from cattle manure, spanning tetracycline, aminoglycoside, multidrug, and MLSB categories. Relative ARGs abundance was presented across breeding stages: lactation (C1), breeding (C3), pre-fattening (C4), calving (C2), and late fattening (C5). pH, total nitrogen (TN), electrical conductivity (EC), arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) presence significantly impacted ARGs quantity and microbial community structure in manure. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were the primary factor altering ARGs in manure (65.56%). Heavy metals contributed to 18.60% of ARGs changes. Manure application changed soil ARGs abundance, notably in soils with high application rates, primarily associated with aminoglycoside, multidrug and sulfonamide resistance. Soils with higher manure rates had elevated MGEs, positively correlated with most ARGs, suggesting MGEs' role in ARGs dissemination. Soil microbial community structure was influenced by fertilization, particularly with the highest application rate. Heavy metals (specifically Cd, contributing to 23.12%), microbial community changes (17.42%), and MGEs (17.38%) were the main factors affecting soil antibiotic resistance. Our study establishes a framework for understanding ARGs emergence in manure and treated soils. This informs strategies to mitigate environmental ARGs transmission and guides diverse livestock manure application and management.

Organic soil fertility management practices for the management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), in maize.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous pest native to the Americas. It attacks several crops but in particular causes significant damage to maize, which is a staple crop in Africa. Organic soil amendments have an impact on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, which enhance plant resistance to or tolerance of insect pests and also promote a diverse population of natural enemies of the pest. However, the practices followed for the management of crop residue and animal manure affect their use as organic soil amendments. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of maize residue and cattle manure incorporation into soil on FAW in the Mana and Omo Nada districts of the Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia, during the 2018/19 cropping season. Treatment involved three factors: five different levels of maize residue retention (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), different cattle manure storage systems (control, open, steel roof, and grass roof), and two different districts (Mana and Omo Nada). These variables were organized in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The infestation and damage ratings were collected from 30 days after planting at 20-day intervals. The results indicated that maize plots with retained crop residue had a significant reduction in FAW infestation compared with plots without maize residue (control) in both study districts. Furthermore, manure-fertilized plants had a lower percentage of FAW infestation when compared with maize plots without cattle manure in both study districts. The lowest severity of FAW infestation was recorded in a plot with 100% of residue incorporated and treated with cattle manure stored under a grass roof in the Mana district. Therefore, conventional tillage with 100% maize residue incorporation and the application of cattle manure stored under a grass roof showed the best result for reducing FAW infestation in maize. However, further studies are important to determine the effect of treatments over seasons and locations on FAW infestation and maize yields.

Soil chemical properties 12 years after termination of cattle manure and swine effluent applications

AbstractFor how long the nutrient supply from long‐term application of manure and swine effluent will last to sustain crop production after applications had ceased is a research gap. We quantified the change in soil chemical properties 12 years after cattle manure and swine effluent applications had ceased. Data were collected in 2008 (termination of applications) and 2020 on a long‐term animal waste study at the Kansas State University, Southwest Research‐Extension Center near Tribune, KS. Treatments were three levels of cattle manure and swine effluent (phosphorus, P; nitrogen, N; and 2N) and an untreated control. Soil profile NO3‐N declined 78%–95%, 70%–82%, and 58% from the initial amount in 2008 compared to the amount remaining in 2020 in the swine effluent, cattle manure, and an untreated check, respectively. Profile NO3‐N levels were greatly elevated by the P‐based swine effluent treatment and the 2N rate of both cattle manure and swine effluent and remained high (>250 kg ha−1) after 12 years. Total nitrogen in the surface soil decreased by 11%–27% for cattle manure treatments with little change in the swine effluent and check treatments. Total carbon concentration in the surface soil decreased from 22% to 31% for cattle manure treatments and from 7% to 14% for swine effluent and check treatments. Mehlich‐3 P decreased significantly for the cattle manure treatments (41%–53%) but still remained very high (>100 mg kg−1). Soil test P levels in the swine treatments were similar to the check treatment. Application of cattle manure and swine effluent has lasting effects on many soil chemical properties long after ceasing applications.

Phosphorus-Enriched Organomineral Fertilizers Affect the Cation Exchange Algorithm of the Soil: A Comparative Evaluation

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of phosphorus-enriched cattle manure applications on the exchangeable cations content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation rate (BSR) of the lime soil. The research was carried out with four different levels (except control) of dairy cattle manure (M1: 10; M2: 20; M3: 30; M4: 40 t ha-1) and with four different levels (except control) of phosphorus dose (P1: 10; P2: 20; P3: 30; P4: 40 kg P ha-1) in the ecological conditions of Southwest Türkiye during the wheat vegetation period of 2019-2021. The study was carried out in medium calcareous soil (14.8%) with three replications randomized blocks experimental by composing organomineral fertilizer combinations. According to the results of the study, the highest change in exchangeable Ca and K content in soils was obtained from organomineral fertilizer applications by 11.2% and 29.7% respectively, and the highest change in exchangeable Mg and Na content was obtained from dairy cattle manure applications by 25.1% and 18.2%, respectively for M4P2 (40 t ha-1 dairy cattle manure + 20 kg P ha-1). Among the fertilization systems, the highest increase in total exchangeable cations was 13.1% and the increase in CEC was 21.3% in organomineral fertilizer applications. The fastest decrease in the BSR was also obtained from the organomineral fertilization system. As a result, it has been determined that M4P2 application is the most economical and the most effective combination in the cation exchange capacity among organomineral fertilizer combinations.

Stable Isotopic Evaluation of Recharge into a Karst Aquifer in a Glaciated Agricultural Region of Northeastern Wisconsin, USA

Ground water contamination from septic systems and the application of dairy cattle manure has been a long-standing problem in rural northeastern Wisconsin, especially in areas with thin soils over karstified Silurian dolostone bedrock, where as many as 60% of the wells show evidence of fecal contamination. We present the results of a citizen science supported water-isotope study in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin to evaluate aquifer recharge processes in the critical zone and to demonstrate the viability of time-series stable isotope data as a supplement to traditional water quality indicators in a contamination-prone aquifer. A meteoric water line was also constructed for Green Bay, Wisconsin, providing reasonable isotopic ranges for aquifer recharge events. Volunteer homeowners collected water samples from their domestic wells for a period of ~14 months to provide a measure of long-term isotopic variation in produced water and to determine whether event-driven responses could be identified using δ18O and δ2H isotopic values. Three shallower wells with a prior history of contamination exhibited significant seasonal variation, while the deepest well with the greatest soil thickness (above bedrock) showed less variation. For moderate precipitation events, the shallowest well showed as much as 5–13% of produced water coming from direct recharge, with smaller contributions for deeper wells. Our case study provides a clear example of how citizen science can collect useful time-series isotopic data to support groundwater recharge studies.

The Effect of Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Cattle Manure in Increasing the Biomass of Asiatic Pennywort (Centella asiatica L. Urb)

Asiatic pennywort (Centella asiatica L. Urb) is one of the medicinal plants, it had a large spread, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. This study aimed to determine the dose of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF), cattle manure, and their interaction to increase the biomass of asiatic pennywort. This study was conducted at Medan Selayang Sub-district with an altitude ± 25 m ASL from March to May 2022. This study used a factorial randomized block design (RBD), the first factor was the cattle manure: 0; 3.375; 6.75; and 10.125 tons/ha, and the second factor was the LOF application: 0; 1.5; 3; and 4,5 ml/ l. The data were analyzed by an ANOVA, and the mean was continued by a DMRT at P<0.05. The results showed that the application of cattle manure at a dose of 6.75 to 10.125 tons/ha could be increased the number of leaves and the number of primary tendrils by 40.98% and 35.02%, respectively. The LOF-treated at doses of 3 to 4.5 ml/l could be increased petiole length, number of leaves, and number of primary tendrils were 32.94; 60.49; 64.73%. The K0P2 and K3P3 interactions could be increased stalk length by 93.57% respectively.

Better Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Improved Mchare Banana Productivity and Profitability in Northern Highlands, Tanzania

Declining land productivity is a major problem constraining banana (Musa spp.) production in Tanzania. Banana fruit yield consequently reaches only 15% of the potential, primarily due to inadequate soil nutrient replenishment. Improving farmers’ soil nutrient replenishment strategy in banana home gardens, which relies on applications of cattle manure only, by mixing with inorganic fertilizer resources can increase land productivity and can improve the overall profitability of banana production in the country. Experiments were conducted at Tarakea, Lyamungo, and Tengeru to determine the effects of organic fertilizer resources (animal manure and crop residue) and their combination with inorganic fertilizer resources on the productivity and profitability of Mchare banana production. Banana fruit yield differed significantly among the experimental sites, with drier areas of Tengeru recording, on average, 19.6 t ha−1 year−1, while the more humid areas of Lyamungo recorded, on average, 39.3 ha−1 year−1. Mchare banana plants grown under sole inorganic fertilizer produced significantly low yields (33.0 t ha−1 year−1) compared with those fertilized with cattle manure only, which lifted the yields to 38.8 t ha−1 year−1, but the latter required more labor input. Soil nitrogen (N) fertilization via cattle manure + mineral fertilizer gave the highest average banana fruit yield (43.0 t ha−1 year−1) across the sites, and reduced fertilization costs by 32%. Subsequently, this integrated fertilization technique generated the highest average net benefits in all sites and both cropping cycles. Thus, the findings of this study form a basis to improve land productivity and profitability in banana-based home gardens in the study area by directing more labor input to good soil N management.

Regulation of soil water and nitrate by optimizing nitrogen fertilization and the addition of manure based on precipitation: An 8-year field record

Optimizing fertilization strategies to improve water utilization efficiency and obtain higher crop yields and low nitrate leaching is essential for balancing food security and environmental risks in the rain-fed area of the Loess Plateau. The eight consecutive years (2014–2022) field experiment followed a split-plot design, and the experimental factors were nitrogen application rate (N0, N75, N150, N225, and N300) and manure application rate (M0 and M1). In general, (1) the relationships between nitrogen application rate and grain yield (GY), crop N uptake and water utilization efficiency (WUE) followed a quadratic curve. Compared with chemical fertilizer alone (NPK), chemical fertilizer plus manure (MNPK) significantly increased the annual average grain yield by 28.5%, 18.3%, 8.9%, 6.9% and 4.2% at the N application rate of N0, N75, N150, N225 and N300. (2) The nitrate accumulation (SNA) in the same soil layer increased with the nitrogen application rate. The residue nitrate will increase dramatically when the N application rate exceeds 150 kg ha-1. The peaks of SNA gradually moved to the deeper layer with increasing years of fertilization. The total soil nitrate accumulation (TSNA) of NPK was significantly higher than that of MNPK in dry and normal years, but the opposite was true in wet years. The total soil water storage (TSWS) decreased and then increased with the N application rate, and the annual average TSWS of the MNPK treatments was 3.9% less than that of the NPK treatments. (3) The addition of manure significantly increased the annual average moisture storage rate (MSR) during the fallow season by 4.6%. The GY in dry and normal years was more dependent on MSR than that in wet years. In terms of the long-term effects, the MSR contributes more to GY than growing season precipitation (GSP), and the high MSR caused by manure application reduced TSNA and TSWS by promoting crop growth. The results showed that M1N150 could obtain a high grain yield while maintaining low nitrate residue. Taken together, this study emphasized the importance of optimizing nitrogen fertilizer management and cattle manure application in combination with precipitation types to ensure food production and reduce negative environmental effects in the rain-fed area of the Loess Plateau in China.