Conventional Chemical Fertilizers Research Articles

Impact of the Combination of Chemical and Organic Fertilization on the Growth and Yield of Pineapple under Two Shade Net Conditions

The use of organic sources presents itself as a viable alternative to mitigate the excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers in agricultural practices. However, in the realm of pineapple cultivation, research exploring the synergy between chemical and organic fertilizers remains scarce. In this context, the objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of the combination of chemical and organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of the MD-2 pineapple cultivar under two shade net conditions (installed 45 and 250 days after planting). The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design, with the main plot being the shade net conditions and the sub-plots the five fertilization treatments, which were applied 18 times via drip irrigation (control, 100% chemical fertilization, 50% reduced chemical fertilization, organic fertilization, and a combination of 50% chemical fertilization with organic fertilization). The results showed that the early installation of shade netting 45 days after planting decreases the growth and yield of pineapple; thus, the use of shade netting at this age is not recommended. Regarding fertilization, the combination of 50% chemical fertilization with organic fertilization showed similar growth and yield values compared to 100% conventional chemical fertilization under both shade net conditions. Furthermore, this combination presented similar nitrate and potassium values in the plant and did not negatively affect malic acid content. Therefore, the use of organic fertilizers in pineapple cultivation is a promising strategy to reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and it could also improve soil fertility.

Effects of the combined application of livestock manure and plant residues on soil organic carbon sequestration in the southern Loess Plateau of China

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration enhances the stability and productivity of agricultural ecosystems. Organic material application is a direct and effective way to maintain and improve SOC sequestration. However, currently, there is little knowledge on efficient practices for combined organic material application to improve SOC sequestration. In this study, we evaluated the effect of three organic materials alone or in combination on SOC sequestration in a 4-year field experiment. Eight treatments were included: control (CK, conventional chemical fertilizer), green manure (G), straw (S), decomposed sheep manure (M), green manure plus straw (GS), green manure plus sheep manure (GM), straw plus sheep manure (SM), green manure, and straw plus sheep manure (GSM). In 2020, decomposed sheep manure application (M, SM, GM and GSM) resulted in the greatest cumulative SOC sequestration (9.5–10.8 Mg C ha−1), followed by those in treatments S (6.1 Mg C ha−1) and GS (6.9 Mg C ha−1). The SOC sequestration efficiency in the M treatment (44.8 %) was greater than that in the others (15.2–34.8 %). A random forest model revealed that organic material quantity and quality, enzyme activity, and microbial community composition were the primary factors determining SOC sequestration. Sheep manure application increased SOC sequestration by increasing lignin quantity and proportion. Incorporating green manure and straw return enhanced SOC sequestration by promoting microbial growth and increasing soil C-acquiring enzyme activity. However, interactions between sheep manure and plant residues resulted in decreases in SOC sequestration efficiency compared with sheep manure application alone. This is because combined fertilization stimulated microbial growth and enzyme activity, causing changes in microbial community structure and accelerating organic material and SOC decomposition. Thus, we do not recommend combining livestock manure with straw or green manure to improve SOC sequestration and soil quality in the southern Loess Plateau.

Effects of Different Proportions of Organic Fertilizer Replacing Chemical Fertilizer on Soil Nutrients and Fertilizer Utilization in Gray Desert Soil

Organic fertilizer can improve soil management and alleviate soil nutrient loss caused by excessive fertilization. This study determines a fertilization scheme that can achieve high and stable crop yield and effective soil fertilization by exploring the effects of different organic fertilizer proportions on soil nutrient content, fertilizer utilization rate, and wheat yield. The experiment was conducted from 2018 to 2020 using the Xinchun 38 wheat variety and gray desert soil. The experiment used six treatments: no fertilizer (CK), with normal nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (CF). The amount of conventional chemical nitrogen fertilizer was reduced by 6%, 12%, 18%, and 24%, respectively, and supplemented with organic nitrogen fertilizer of the same proportion. The experimental treatment codes were SF6, SF12, SF18, and SF24, respectively. Plant samples from six wheat growth stages and 0–20 cm soil samples were collected to analyze the nitrogen and phosphorus content and organic matter; dry matter accumulation, crop yield, and yield components were measured at the harvest stage. Soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and soil organic matter contents increased with the replacement ratio of organic fertilizer after three consecutive years of application. The available nutrients and organic matter in soil treated with SF18 and SF24 were significantly higher than those in CK and CF. The dry matter accumulation and nutrient accumulation of wheat increased with increasing organic fertilizer replacement rates of SF18 and SF24, respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer utilization rates, partial productivity, and agricultural use efficiency also increased, with the SF18 and SF24 treatments having higher organic fertilizer replacement rates than those in the other treatments. The number of ears, 1000-grain weight, and yield of wheat treated with SF18 treatment produced the best results. Therefore, continuously using organic fertilizer as a partial replacement for conventional fertilizer can increase wheat growth and soil nutrient availability, which can improve the utilization rate of fertilizer, thereby achieving stability and even a significant increase in yield.

Enriched soil amendments influenced soil fertility, herbage yield and bioactive principle of medicinal plant (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) grown in two different soils

High cost of chemical fertilizers and poor nutrient content in conventional organic sources (manure, compost, charcoal etc.) can be addressed through development of enriched organic amendments. However, there is a need to evaluate enriched organic amendments as a potential alternative of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, an effort was made to prepare enriched organic amendments through blending distillation waste of aromatic plant biomass (DWB) with naturally available low-grade rock phosphate (RP) and waste mica (WM). Enrich compost (ENC) was produced from DWB in a natural composting process, blended with mineral powder, whereas biochar fortified mineral (BFM) was prepared by blending biochar, derived from DWB through hydrothermal reaction, with mineral powder. The main aims of the present study were to investigate the impacts of ENC and BFM applications on soil properties, and herbage yield and quality of a medicinal herb Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.). The performances of ENC and BFM at two different rates (2.5 and 5 t ha−1) were compared with the application of conventional farmyard manure (FYM, 5 t ha−1) and chemical fertilizers (CF, NPK 60-40-20 kg ha−1) in two different soils in a pot experiment. Both, ENC and EBC improved soil quality and fertility by increasing soil organic carbon, available nutrients, microbial biomass and enzyme activity. The ENC and BFM increased total herbage yields by 21 and 16.3 % compared to FYM. In both soils, the CF treatment produced the maximum dry herbage yields (32.7–37.4 g pot−1), which however were comparable to ENC (31.9–33.7 g pot−1) and BFM (30.7–35.1 g pot−1) treatments. Bioactive compound (sennoside) production in senna was significantly improved by ENC and BFM compared to CF. The present study indicates that ENC and BFM could not only help to overcome the limitation of conventional FYM, but also have the potentials to substitute costly chemical fertilizers, particularly in medicinal plant cultivation.

Using slow-release fertilizers ensures the maintenance of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) production by enhancing soil nutrient supply and optimizing microbial communities

High temperatures and rainy climate conditions result in a very low nutrient utilization rate during crop cultivation in tropical regions. To determine whether slow-release fertilizers could have a positive impact on the yield and quality of litchi, and the soil ecology of orchards while reducing chemical fertilizer application, a field plot experiment with two fertilizer types (chemical fertilizers and lignin-based slow-release fertilizers) combined with a 0 %, 15 % and 30 % reduction of fertilizer application rates was set up from 2018 to 2019. Subsequently, a demonstration trial with an optimum dose of slow-release fertilizers with chemical fertilizers was carried out from 2019 to 2020 in acidic soils. The results demonstrated that all treatments could maintain the yield of litchi between 11,825–13,056 kg/hm2 in 2018–2019. Furthermore, compared to conventional chemical fertilizer treatment, the treatment of lignin-based slow-release fertilizer application with a 15 % fertilizer reduction significantly reduced the concentration of alkaline nitrogen by 19.9 % and available phosphorus by 22.0 % at the 20–40 cm soil layer during the maturity period of litchi growth. The result of the demonstration trial in 2019–2020 further confirmed that a slow-release fertilizer, along with a 25 % reduction in fertilizer application, could maintain high levels of soil alkaline nitrogen and available potassium at the 0–20 cm soil layer without affecting soil bulk density, total soil porosity, and soil aeration. Moreover, the treatment of lignin-based slow-release fertilizer application with a 15 % fertilizer reduction significantly increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria (1.21 times) and decreased the abundance of Firmicutes (0.81 times) compared to conventional fertilization treatment at the 0–20 cm soil layer. In contrast, it decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes (0.67 times) and Proteobacteria (0.37 times) at the 20–40 cm soil layer. Meanwhile, the fertilizer application only affected the soil fungi richness but did not increase their diversity. Applying slow-release fertilizers can realize the goal of reducing chemical fertilizers and ensuring excellent litchi production in tropical acidic soils.

Applying Ecology to Realize Organic Farming

Our conventional chemical fertilizers and pesticides are effective to improve our agricultural productivity, making our crops get more nutrients and less pests; however, the usage of our chemical fertilizers will lower quality of the soils, pesticides will also eliminate beneficial organisms which can fertilize soil and control pests. Pesticides except pyrethrin are hard to decay or be cleaned from the crops, they can be ingested by our human the most through our food chain and are harmful to human, pyrethrin is still harmful to fish. Organic farming doesn’t have these problems, but its productivity is still low, so we need organic methods to fertilize our crops and control harmful organisms that undermine our crops. Elements on the earth are used in cycle, so the only way to fertilize our crops is to make the elements move along the cycle, we can use methods that are same or similar to natural processes to provide fertilizers for our crops, such as producing ammonia by chemical synthesizing without adding other anions or cultivating clovers and processing them into organic nitrogen fertilizers, and import more sea foods into the inland and processing the inedible parts of them into organic fertilizers that can provide phosphorus, potassium and many other microelements that are scarce on the land. There are also many materials from some plants that can kill insects, they have small toxicity that is tolerable to human and can decompose after being used, such as matrine and nicotine. And it is also better to use natural enemies of the pest to control their population in low level, this is best to the crops since a low population of insects can stimulate the immunity of the crops by their bites, they possibly can also eat harmful microorganisms, practice shows the crops are less likely to be infected by diseases under such condition. It is perfect to use cat to eliminate mouse. By these organic methods to fertilize our crops and control harmful organisms, our organic farming possibly can have better productivity that is comparable to our conventional farming.

Effect of rate of biofertilizers on growth and development of spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.)

This research delves into the utilization of biofertilizers as a sustainable substitute for conventional chemical fertilizers, offering multifaceted advantages for soil fertility, plant vitality, and ecological equilibrium. The study investigates the effects of different application rates of biofertilizers on various growth parameters, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses in spinach cultivation. A series of experimental trials were conducted to evaluate the impacts of biofertilizer treatments, comprising vermicompost, Azotobacter, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), on spinach plants. The results indicate that combined application of biofertilizers significantly enhances key parameters including plant height, leaf area, shoot biomass, root biomass, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses compared to conventional fertilizer practices and control groups. Correlation and regression analyses reveal strong positive relationships between levels of biofertilizer application and various growth metrics, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses. Furthermore, ANOVA results confirm the statistical significance of differences among treatment groups, highlighting the efficacy of biofertilizers in promoting spinach growth and productivity. Economic evaluations suggest that despite higher initial costs, the use of biofertilizers results in increased spinach yields, making it a financially viable and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fertilization methods.

Optimizing Bio-fertilizers to Address Food Security and Advance Nutritional Sustainability

This chapter delves into the pivotal role of biofertilizers as a sustainable solution in addressing the intertwined challenges of food security and nutrition. Biofertilizers, derived from beneficial microorganisms, offer a promising alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers, enhancing soil fertility, crop productivity, and overall ecosystem health. The abstract explores the multifaceted benefits of biofertilizers in bolstering agricultural yields, improving soil health, and fostering nutrient-rich crops, consequently contributing to a more resilient and nourishing global food system. Additionally, it examines the hurdles and opportunities in widespread adoption, emphasizing the necessity for continued research, technological innovation, and comprehensive educational initiatives to maximize their potential impact on sustainable agriculture and human nutrition.

Effect of Foliar Spraying of Nano Zno on Qualitative and Physical Parameters of Tomato Grown in Polybags

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the main vegetable crop extensively grown all over the globe. Tomato requires both major and micronutrients for its proper plant growth. Nano fertilizers are preferred largely due to their efficiency and environmentally friendly nature compared to conventional chemical fertilizers. Nano fertilizers are preferred largely due to their efficiency and environmentally friendly nature compared to conventional chemical fertilizers. The use of nano fertilizers is expected to maintain better soil fertility and provide greater crop yields.
 Methods: A polybag experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2020-21 at Agricultural College, Palem, PJTSAU, in a completely randomized design (CRD) with fourteen treatments comprising different concentrations of nano ZnO (50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750, 2000, 2250 and 2500 ppm), ZnSO4 and control.
 Results: Foliar spraying of nano ZnO 1000 ppm recorded the lowest total soluble solids (4.00 0brix), highest ascorbic acid (23.71 mg 100g-1), highest titrable acidity (0.48%), lowest percentage of total sugars (2.80%), lowest percentage of reducing sugars (2.48%), highest percentage (0.32%) of non-reducing sugars and highest value of lycopene content (6.64 mg 100g-1), maximum shelf life (11.67 days) and firmness (3.05 kg cm-2). On 3rd, 6th and 9th day after harvest, same treatment recorded minimum physiological loss in weight (3.64%, 6.36% and 8.51%).

A Comprehensive Review of Nano-Urea vs. Conventional Urea

Conventional chemical fertilizers, notably urea, have long been employed globally to meet the increasing demands for food production. However, the use of conventional urea has raised environmental concerns, including nitrate leaching, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and groundwater pollution. Additionally, there is an overburden on the government in the form of import expenditure. As the global population grows and arable land diminishes, the demand for chemical fertilizers, particularly nitrogen intensifies. Urea production, responsible for a significant portion of the global nitrogen fertilizer demand, contributes to environmental problems such as greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Researchers advocate for reducing urea demand through energy-efficient fertilizers to address these issues. Nano-fertilizers, characterized by nano-dimensions and slow-release properties, offer a potential solution. They serve as efficient nutrient carriers, minimizing losses through leaching and emissions. Nano-urea, developed by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), stands out with nanometer-sized particles, prolonged shelf-life, and reduced environmental impact. Its adoption holds promise for sustainable agriculture, reducing agro-chemical use and enhancing soil health. Comparing nano-urea to conventional urea reveals higher efficiency, reduced environmental impact, controlled nutrient supply, and economic benefits. Nano-urea's nanotechnology-based innovations offer a transformative approach to crop nutrition, promoting sustainability, environmental conservation, and increased profitability for farmers. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute's experiment revealed that basal nitrogen application at 75% with prilled urea, full phosphorus and potassium, and nano-urea + nano-Zn sprays achieved yields comparable to 100% N + full P and K doses. Embracing energy-efficient novel fertilizers, such as nano-fertilizers, is crucial for achieving sustainable agriculture and meeting global food demands while mitigating environmental impacts.

The connection between the antibiotic resistome and nitrogen-cycling microorganisms in paddy soil is enhanced by application of chemical and plant-derived organic fertilizers

Antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) present significant risks to environments and public health. In particular, there is increasing awareness of the role of soil nitrogen in ARG dissemination. Here, we investigated the connections between antibiotic resistome and nitrogen-cycling microbes in paddy soil by performing five-year field experiments with the treatments of no nitrogen fertilization (CK), reduced chemical nitrogen fertilization (LN), conventional chemical nitrogen fertilization (CN) and plant-derived organic nitrogen fertilization (ON). Compared with CK treatment, CN and ON treatments significantly increased soil NH4+ and TN concentrations by 25.4%–56.5% and 10.4%–20.1%, respectively. Redundancy analysis revealed significantly positive correlation of NH4+ with most ARGs, including tetA, macB and barA. Correspondingly, CN and ON treatments enhanced ARG abundances by 21.9%–23.2%. Moreover, CN and ON treatments promoted nitrate/nitrite-reducing bacteria and linked the corresponding N-cycling functional genes (narG, narH, nirK and nrfA) with most ARGs. Metagenomic binning was performed and identified Gemmatimonadaceae, Caulobacteraceae, Ilumatobacteraceae and Anaerolineaceae as hosts for both ARGs and nitrate/nitrite reduction genes that were enriched by CN and ON treatments. Soil resistome risk score analysis indicated that, although there was increased relation of ARG to nitrogen-cycling microorganisms with nitrogen fertilizer application, the environmental risk of ARGs was not increased due to the lower distribution of ARGs in pathogens. This study contributed to a deeper understanding of the role of soil nitrogen in shaping ARG profiles and controlling soil resistome risk.

Response of flour corn (zea mays l. Var. Amylacea) to the Inoculation of azospirillum and pseudomonas

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that inhabit root rhizosphere of plants are of great agricultural importance due to their ability to produce phytohormones during root colonization. These phytohormones produce physiological changes in the plant that favor a greater absorption of nutrients, promote growth and increase production. This study analyzed the effect of inoculation of two of these bacteria, Azospirillum sp. And Pseudomonas fluorescens, under field conditions representative of the Andean Highlands. The experiment was carried out using flour corn seed of the INIAP-101 variety in a randomized complete block design with six repetitions. The treatments corresponded to: T1 (Azospirillum sp.), T2 (P. fluorescens), T3 (Azospirillum sp. and P. fluorescens), T4 (control, conventional chemical fertilization) and T5 (absolute control). The application of these bacteria significantly increased (p<0.05) the root length, the diameter of the cob, and the yield of fresh corn (“elotes” or “choclos”). The combined inoculation of these bacteria (T3) obtained the highest yield, with 19.70 t ha-1 of fresh corn; while the chemical control and the absolute control got 17.12 and 13.58 t ha-1 of fresh corn, respectively. The economic analysis of T3 reported a benefit/cost of 1.35, which indicates that the synergism of these two bacteria could be a sustainable strategy to improve yields and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers for corn production in the Andean region.

Recycling of gas-to-liquid sludge as a potential organic amendment: Effect on soil and cotton properties under hyperarid conditions

Gas-to-liquid (GTL) sludge is a specific wastewater treatment by-product, which is generated during the industrial process of natural gas conversion to transportation fuels. This least studied sludge is pathogen-free and rich in organic carbon and plant nutrients. Therefore, it can be reused for soil enhancement as a sustainable management strategy to mitigate landfill gas emissions. In this field study, we compared the performance of soil treatments with GTL sludge to the more conventional chemical fertilizers and cow manure compost for the cultivation of cotton under hyperarid conditions. After a complete growing season, GTL sludge application resulted in the enhancement of soil properties and plant growth compared to conventional inputs. As such, there was a significant dose-dependent increase of soil organic matter (4.01% and 4.54%), phosphorus (534 and 1090 mg kg−1), and cumulative lint yield (4.68 and 5.67 t ha−1) for GTL sludge application rates of 1.5% and 3%, respectively. The produced fiber quality was adequate for an upland cotton variety (Gossypium hirsutum var. MAY 344) and appeared more dependent on the prevailing climate conditions than soil treatments. On the other hand, the adverse effects generally related to industrial sludge reuse were not significant and did not affect the designed agro-environmental system. Accordingly, plants grown on GTL sludge-amended soils showed lower antioxidant activity despite significant salinity increase. In addition, the concentrations of detected heavy metals in soil were within the standards’ limits, which did not pose environmental issues under the described experimental conditions. Leachate analysis revealed no risks for groundwater contamination with phytotoxic metals, which were mostly retained by the soil matrix. Therefore, recycling GTL sludge as an organic amendment can be a sustainable solution to improve soil quality and lower carbon footprint. To reduce any environmental concerns, an application rate of 1.5% could be provisionally recommended since a two-fold increase in sludge dose did not result in a significant yield improvement.

Model based optimization of fertilization with treated wastewater reuse

Treated wastewater contains vital crop nutrients and offers the possibility for not only irrigation but also fertilization from a renewable source. The feasibility of replacing conventional chemical fertilizers with wastewater reuse is investigated, focusing on the implications of coupling irrigation and fertilization. We consider a multi-objective dynamic optimization problem of crop irrigation and fertigation with treated wastewater, with the objectives of maximizing crop production and minimizing environmental costs. A double modeling method is proposed that relies on both a modern complex crop model – the simulation model – and a low-order dynamical systems model – the control model – to solve efficiently the optimization problem, whilst maintaining a detailed representation of the system of study. Through a case study, we show that it is possible to achieve high levels of crop production. The maximum nutrient concentration of the reclaimed waters CNmax is a key parameter of the system performance: when CNmax is high enough, it is possible to substitute entirely conventional fertilization for irrigation with wastewater. However, when CNmax is small, our results highlight that meeting crop needs would require excessive irrigation, with the added risk of dilution of the nutrients already present in soil. We find that there is a maximum amount of nutrients that can be delivered efficiently to the soil-crop system and identify the conditions when wastewater irrigation is only be capable of providing a portion of the crop needs and should be complimented with other sources of fertilization. The double modeling method and the control model provide a means to estimate the key quantities to determine the best strategy to adopt for wastewater fertilization, as well as to obtain efficient and simple controls, that could be applied in practice.

Effect of bio-organic fertilizer derived from agricultural waste resources on soil properties and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in semi-humid drought-prone regions

Water stress, improper fertilization practices, and agricultural waste pollution severely reduce soil fertility and limit agricultural sustainability on the Loess Plateau. Organic fertilizer application is an efficient method for improving soil water and nutrient availability and grain yield in semi-arid and arid areas. However, the impact of bio-organic fertilizer derived from agricultural waste on soil characteristics and wheat yield and the optimum bio-organic fertilizer substitution rate in semi-humid drought-prone areas remain unclear. A two-year field study was conducted to explore the effect of combined bio-organic and chemical fertilizer application on soil moisture, hydraulic properties, soil structure, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), grain yield, and water productivity (WP). Six different treatments were designed: no fertilization (CK), conventional chemical fertilization (CF), and bio-organic fertilizer treatments substituting 25% (OF25%), 50% (OF50%), 75% (OF75%), and 100% (OF100%) of the chemical N fertilizer. From the seedling to over wintering stage, the OF75% and OF100% treatments generally improved soil water storage (SWS) and soil water content (SWC) within the 0–100 cm soil layer compared to the CK and CF treatments across both growing seasons. Bio-organic fertilizer substitution significantly reduced soil bulk density by 4.0–5.6% and enhanced soil porosity by 4.2–5.9% in the 0–40 cm soil layer. Moreover, bio-organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and water content, improved aggregate size distribution, and enhanced SOC and TN contents in both years. The OF75% treatment produced the highest aboveground biomass, yield components, grain yields, and WP, attributed to the improved soil physical environment and nutrient contents. Notably, the OF75% treatment increased the average wheat yield and WP by 21.1% and 24.9%, respectively, relative to the CF treatment across both growing seasons. The measured soil properties strongly correlated with wheat yield, yield components, and WP. Thus, the OF75% treatment is an appropriate and promising fertilization management strategy to alleviate water stress, improve soil properties, and promote crop production in semi-humid drought-prone regions.

Effect of Chitosan-PMAA-Nutrients Slow-release Fertilizer on Germination of Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J. W. Grimes

Slow-release fertilizer (SRF) with chitosan (CS) coating as a supply of plant nutrients is an alternative to the efficient use of conventional chemical fertilizers and reduces environmental pollution. However, its potential in woody plants is limited. This study aimed to analyze the effect of SRF on Falcataria moluccana germination and SRF phosphorus release rate. This study used SRF from polymerizing CS with methacrylic acid (MAA) to trap nutrients (CS-PMAA-nutrients SRF). The seeds of F. moluccana were germinated at six concentrations SRF: without fertilizer (F0), SRF CS dose 0.5% weight 0.03 g (F1), SRF CS 0.5% 0.01 g (F2), SRF CS 0.7% 0.03 g (F3), SRF CS 0.7% 0.01 g (F4), and conventional fertilizer (F5) for 21 days. SRF can increase the germination of F. moluccana. F4 increased normal sprout (10%) and germination power (16%) of F. moluccana. Furthermore, SRF with a concentration of 0.01 g produced a higher germination value than a concentration of 0.03 g. The release rate of SRF’s nutrients was slower (91.80% phosphorus) than conventional fertilizers. SRF application can reduce nutrients lost and increase the efficiency of nutrient absorption. Hence, it can improve F. moluccana growth.

Nano-Biofertilizer Formulations for Agriculture: A Systematic Review on Recent Advances and Prospective Applications.

In the twenty-first century, nanotechnology has emerged as a potentially game-changing innovation. Essential minerals are mostly unavailable in modern cropping systems without the application of synthetic fertilizers, which have a serious negative impact on the ecosystem. This review focuses on the coupling of nanoparticles with biofertilizers to function as nano-biofertilizers (NBFs), which may ensure world food security in the face of the rising population. The inoculation of plants with NBFs improves plant development and resistance to stress. Metallic nanoparticles as well as organic components comprising polysaccharide and chitosan may be encapsulated, utilizing microbe-based green synthesis to make NBFs, which circumvents the limitations of conventional chemical fertilizers. The application of NBFs is just getting started, and shows more promise than other approaches for changing conventional farming into high-tech "smart" farming. This study used bibliographic analysis using Web of Science to find relevant papers on "nano biofertilizers", "plants", and "agriculture". These subjects have received a lot of attention in the literature, as shown by the co-citation patterns of these publications. The novel use of nanotechnology in agriculture is explored in this research work, which makes use of the unique characteristics of nanoscale materials to address urgent concerns including nutrient delivery, crop protection, and sustainable farming methods. This study attempts to fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge by discussing the formulation, fabrication, and characterization of NBFs, as well as elucidating the mechanisms by which NBFs interact with plants and how this benefits the ability of the plant to withstand biotic and abiotic stress brought about by climate change. This review also addresses recent developments and future directions in farming using NBF formulations in the field.

Agrohomoeopathy: Bridging Nature and Agriculture for Sustainable Crop Health

Agro-Homeopathy is an emerging field of science that seeks to revolutionize agricultural practices by integrating the principles of homeopathy with sustainable farming methods. This innovative approach aims to promote crop health, enhance productivity, and reduce the reliance on conventional chemical inputs. Drawing inspiration from homeopathy, which focuses on stimulating the self-healing abilities of living organisms, Agro-Homeopathy utilizes potentized remedies to treat and prevent diseases in crops. These remedies are then applied to crops in various forms, such as sprays, soil treatments, or through irrigation systems. By stimulating the plant's natural defense mechanisms and strengthening its vitality, Agro-Homeopathy aims to create an optimal environment for crops to thrive. The potential benefits of Agro-Homeopathy are manifold. Firstly, it offers a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical pesticides and fertilizers, minimizing environmental contamination and reducing the risk of chemical residues in food. Secondly, Agro-Homeopathy has shown promising results in enhancing crop resistance to diseases, pests, and adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, it has the potential to improve nutrient uptake, strengthen plant roots, and promote overall plant vigor. Rigorous scientific studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness across different crops, regions, and farming systems. In conclusion, Agro-Homeopathy holds great promise as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to agriculture. By harnessing the power of natural remedies and principles of homeopathy, this field of science offers a holistic and harmonious way of nurturing crops, supporting biodiversity, and safeguarding the environment for future generations. Keywords: Homoeopathy, Agro-Homoeopathy, Biotic and Abiotic stress, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Insecticides.

An Overview of Biostimulants’ Effects in Saline Soils

The unsustainable use of natural resources and their overexploitation continue to be major threats to global agriculture development. This practice increases the abiotic stresses, resulting both in crop yield losses and soil degradation. Low productivity is often associated with salinized soil, which is caused by the toxic and osmotic effects of soluble salt accumulation and, consequently, lack of organic matter. Conversely, there is a need to improve the current crop productivity to meet the increasing food demands. Among the current methodologies proposed to increase plant resistance to abiotic stress, the utilization in crop production of plant biostimulants has been recently proposed. These are organic products mainly based on algae, microorganisms, fulvic and humic acids, proteins, and amino acids that improve physiological plant performance, leading to increased crop productivity. Among their positive benefits, the application of plant biostimulants can also reduce the usage of conventional chemical fertilizers. The aim of this work was to present the effects of different biostimulants on saline conditions. In particular, in this review, we report and critically discuss the most recent research dealing with the effects of the application of plant biostimulants both on crop growth and on plant salinity resistance.

Nanofertilizers as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers: A review

The population of the world is steadily increasing, in contrast to the natural resources which are limited and subjected to further depletion. This induces pressures to develop effective agricultural production systems to meet the growing demands on food and, thus, to mitigate hunger and poverty worldwide. Generally, inorganic fertilizers play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and improving crop yield and quality. Inorganic chemical fertilizers are regarded as the main source to supply crops with their needs of nutrients. Proper nutrient management of crops is a major challenge worldwide as it relies predominantly on chemical fertilizers. However, inorganic fertilizers are not only costly but may be harmful and pose risks to human health and have negative impacts on the environment. About half of the amount of applied fertilizers is used by the crop, whereas the remaining fertilizers are lost through leaching and gaseous emissions. The lost nutrients contribute to environmental pollution, global warming and climate change. Moreover, high application rates of chemical fertilizers can deteriorate soil fertility and raise soil salinity and thus lower crop production and quality will occur. This creates a need to invent smart fertilizers that are friendly to the environment, particularly those of high nutrient use efficiency and low leaching potential. Nanotechnology has a vital role in the construction of such fertilizers (nanofertlizers). In these fertilizers, nutrients are bound to nano-dimensional adsorbents (nanomaterials), which release nutrients very slowly as compared to conventional chemical fertilizers. Nanofertilizers are nutrients coated or encapsulated with different types of nanomaterials. They have unique properties like large surface area, slow-release profile, and controlled delivery of nutrients to the targeted sites to meet the nutrient requirements of crops. Nanofertilizers are emerging as a promising alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers, as they offer great opportunities to improve plant nutrition under harsh environments. The benefits associated with the use of nanofertlizers are opening new approaches toward the development of sustainable agriculture. However, further studies are needed for a sound and safe application of nanofertlizers. In this review, researchers’ attempts to produce and use nanofertlizers for sustainable crop production have been presented. The advantages and limitations of the application of these smart fertilizers have also been discussed. Key words: Nanoparticles, Sustainable agriculture, Phytotoxicity, Slow and controlled release, Metal oxides