Crop Fertilizer Use Research Articles

Unbalanced fertilizer use in the Eastern Gangetic Plain: The influence of Government recommendations, fertilizer type, farm size and cropping patterns

Intensive cropping systems with diverse cropping patterns present a challenge for nutrient management on smallholder farms. Government-endorsed recommendations for crop fertilizer use are designed to assist farmers achieve profitable and balanced nutrient inputs, but it is unclear how closely farmers follow these recommendations. We identified farmers' current nutrient use gaps (overuse or underuse) relative to the Government-endorsed recommended nutrient doses in two cropping patterns in three representative Agro-ecological Zones of Bangladesh. A total of 330 farms were surveyed in 2019 from three farm size categories (referred to as large-, medium and small-scale) and their gaps in nutrient use were assessed relative to Government-endorsed Fertilizer Recommendation Guides (FRG) published in 2012 and in 2018: FRG-2012 and FRG-2018. The large- and medium-scale farms used 11-16%, 80-90% and 21-30%, respectively, over-doses of NPK in the cropping season under fully rice-based cropping pattern relative to FRG-2012 recommendations, while the over-dose levels were much lower for small-scale farms. Small-scale farms used much less than recommended S, Mg, Zn, B and organic manure (OM) rates relative to FRG-2012. The FRG-2018, which increased N and K recommendations but decreased the P recommendation for rice crops relative to FRG-2012, shows that all farms can decrease the dose of P (by 50%) while small-scale farms need to increase the dose of N (7%), K (16%), S (20%) and to apply Zn in the fully rice-based cropping pattern. On the other hand, the farms could greatly reduce NPK (19%, 86% and 44%, respectively) use while increasing S (14%), Mg, Zn, B and OM use relative to FRG-2018 in the pattern with the high-value potato crop. To increase crop profitability, enhance food security and save Government treasury in the Eastern Gangetic Plain enabling approaches are needed to effectively communicate the benefits of balanced nutrient use practices to farmers.

15N Fertilizer recovery in different tillage–straw systems on a Vertisol in north‐west Mexico

AbstractTillage and residue retention affect nitrogen (N) dynamics and nutrient losses and therefore nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and crop fertilizer use, however, there is little information about residual fertilizer effects on the subsequent crop. Micro‐plots with 15N‐labelled urea were established in 2014/2015 on a long‐term experiment on a Vertisol in north‐west Mexico. N fertilizer recovery (NFR) and the effects of residual fertilizer N for summer maize (Zea mays L.) and the subsequent wheat (Triticum durum L.) crop were studied in three tillage–straw management practices (CTB: conventionally tilled beds; PB‐straw: permanent raised beds with residue retention; PB‐burn: permanent raised beds with residue burning). Fertilizer 15N recovery rates for maize grain across all treatments were low with an average of 11%, but after wheat harvest total recovered 15N (15N in maize and wheat straw and grain, residual soil 15N) was over 50% for the PB‐burn treatment. NFR was lowest in CTB after two cropping cycles (32%). Unaccounted N from applied fertilizer for the maize crop averaged 120 kg 15N ha−1 after wheat harvest. However, more than 20% of labelled 15N was found in the 0–90 cm soil profile in both PB treatments after wheat harvest, which highlights the need for long‐term studies and continuous monitoring of the soil nutrient status to avoid over‐application of mineral N fertilizer.

ELISA for the Detection of Marker Compound for Crop Fertilizer Use of Various Medicinal Crop Extracts using Bacterium

ELISA for the Detection of Marker Compound for Crop Fertilizer Use of Various Medicinal Crop Extracts using Bacterium

Adubação, produtividade e rentabilidade da rotação entre soja e milho em solo com fertilidade construída

Resumo:O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adubação sobre os teores de P e K, em solo com fertilidade construída, e identificar as doses de N, P e K necessárias para obtenção de maior rentabilidade com a rotação entre soja e milho nesses solos. O experimento foi realizado durante três safras, em propriedade com alto investimento tecnológico, em Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo argiloso de Cerrado, com elevada fertilidade. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdividas e três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de 0, 50, 100 e 150% das doses de fertilizantes NPK recomendadas na semeadura (parcelas) e das doses de KCl (soja) e N (milho) em cobertura (subparcelas). Mesmo após a colheita das três safras, os teores de P (Mehlich-1) se mantiveram inalterados no solo sem adubação. Além disso, não houve decréscimo na produtividade da soja na ausência de adubação. O milho, no entanto, foi mais sensível à redução de adubação, com o máximo retorno econômico obtido com 312 kg ha-1 do adubo formulado 10-32-10, e 263 kg ha-1 de ureia em cobertura. Solos com fertilidade construída demandam ajustes de manejo de adubação, para o uso eficiente dos fertilizantes em lavouras com alto investimento tecnológico.

Influence of Zeolite Fertilization on Spring Barley Crop under Ecopedological Conditions from ARDS Turda

The use of zeolites in agriculture is part of the current trend of finding viable alternatives for increasing soil productivity in concurrence with growing fertility. Using zeolite as a partial or total replacement for chemical fertilizers is based of the vast capability of this product to improve the physical and chemical properties of soil. The spring barley crop fertilizer use based on zeolite had a beneficial effect, increasing production.

Brazilian beef cattle feedlot manure management: A country survey1

No information regarding the management of manure from beef cattle feedlots is available for Brazil. To fill this knowledge gap, a survey of 73 feedlots was conducted in 7 Brazilian states. In this survey, questions were asked regarding animal characteristics, their diets, and manure handling management from generation to disposal. These feedlots finished 831,450 animals in 2010. The predominant breed fed was Nellore, with average feeding periods of 60 to 135 d. Corn was the primary source of grain used in the feedlot diets (76% of surveyed animals) with concentrate inclusion levels ranging from 81 to 90% (38% of surveyed animals). The most representative manure management practice was the removal of manure from pens only at the end of the feeding period. Subsequently, the manure was stored in mounds before being applied to crop and pasture lands. Runoff, mainly from rainwater, was collected in retention ponds and used for agriculture. However, the quantity of runoff was not known. Manure was composted for only 20% of the animals in the survey and was treated in anaerobic digesters for only 1% of the animals. Manure from 59% of the cattle surveyed was used as fertilizer, providing a cost savings over the use of synthetic fertilizers. Overall, chemical analysis of the manure before application to fields was conducted for the manure of 56% of the surveyed animals, but the exact quantity applied (per hectare) was unknown for 48%. Feedlots representing 48% of the surveyed animals noted similar or greater crop and pasture yields when using manure, rather than synthetic fertilizers. In addition, 32% mentioned an increase in soil organic matter. Feedlots representing 88% of the surveyed cattle indicated that information concerning management practices that improve manure use efficiency is lacking. Feedlots representing 93% of the animals in the survey reported having basic information regarding the generation of energy and fertilizer with anaerobic digesters. However, only 1 feedlot implemented this technology. In conclusion, the manure management evaluated in this study represents an important indirect economic benefit that was represented by decreased use of synthetic fertilizers in crops. However, little attention was given to the specific treatments and environmental impacts of handling manure. This survey provides information that should assist in the development of better research practices and broader application of future models.

Productivity and Profitability of Abaca Varieties/Hybrids (Musa textiles Nee) Under Mature Tall Coconuts in Davao City, Southern Mindanao, Philippines

Two abaca varieties; Tangongon and Maguindanao, and two hybrids; Magino and Bongtang were grown under mature Laguna Tall coconuts spaced 9x9 m triangular in Bago Oshiro, Davao City from 2006-2010. The growth, yield and economic performance of these varieties/hybrids were evaluated to identify varieties/hybrids suitable as coconut intercrop and to show its suitability as coconut+abaca intercropping.
 Magino, a cross between Maguindanao and Inosa, was the consistent highest yielder. It had good yield attributes like good suckering ability, taller and bigger plants contributing to high fiber yields and high economic returns i.e. NPV and BCR. Maguindanao variety and Bongtang hybrid had comparable performance with Magino hybrid. Tangongon variety is the consistent lowest yielder with yield and yield attributes inferior to the rest of the plants tested affecting its profitability.
 Crop Fertilizer Use Efficiency (CFE) using fiber yield as an index revealed that top yielding entries are more efficient in converting fertilizer inputs into economic yield as reflected by their high CFEs.
 Abaca is a highly suitable intercrop for coconut and coconut areas could be used as expansion areas for growing the crop. Profitability of abaca farming under coconut is influenced by the variety used. Some drawbacks in abaca farming and good practices are discussed.

Influence of Urea Fertilizer Placement on Nitrous Oxide Production from a Silt Loam Soil

Urea placement in band or nests has been shown to enhance N use efficiency, but limited work has been done to assess its affect on N(2)O emissions. This study compared N(2)O emissions from urea prills applied to an Amsterdam silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, frigid Typic Haplustolls) using broadcast, band, and nest placements. Experiments were conducted in greenhouse pots (200 kg N ha(-1)) and in canola (Brassica rapa L.) seeded fields using rates of 100 kg N ha(-1) (recommended) and 200 kg N ha(-1). Urea placement affected N(2)O emission patterns and cumulative N(2)O losses in the greenhouse and field. Urea prills placed in nests, and sometimes bands delayed N(2)O production with peak flux activity occurring later, and elevated emission activity being more prolonged than for broadcast applications. Differences were more obvious at 200 kg N ha(-1). These effects were attributed to a delay in urea hydrolysis and inhibition of nitrification. The fraction of applied urea-N lost as N(2)O for broadcast, band, and nest placements applied at the recommended rate averaged 2.0, 2.7, and 5.8 g N kg(-1) N, respectively. The fraction of applied urea-N lost as N(2)O averaged 2.9, 10.4, and 9.2 g N kg(-1) N for broadcast, band, and nest placements when urea-N rate was increased from 100 to 200 kg N ha(-1), respectively. Greater N(2)O production with nest placement may in part be due to significant soil NO(2)-N accumulations. Potential benefits to crop fertilizer use efficiency that come with placement of urea in concentrated zones may lead to enhanced N(2)O production.

In Situ Soil Phosphorus Monitoring Probe Compared with Conventional Extraction Procedures

In this work, selective chemical sensors of phosphorus (PO4 3−) installed in PVC probes and their associated instrumentation were evaluated in soil solution phosphorous monitoring. The evaluation was carried out with the addition of a 0.1 mol L−1 P‐PO4 3− solution in the soil, followed by data acquisition supplied by the probes; by collecting soil samples in the region where the probes were installed; and by phosphorus determination through conventional laboratory techniques. The phosphorus amounts were determined by spectrophotometry after the following extraction methodologies: Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and ionic exchange resin. The results, compared with the potentials registered by the probes, express the best correlation with the results obtained with the resin method. The results indicate good response of the sensors and the potential applicability of these probes to assist in the monitoring of soil nutrients, helping to establish rational processes in the use of fertilizers in crops.

CROP FERTILIZER USE EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS (CFE): A Tool in identifying appropriate planting materials of coconut in different agro climatic conditions

Nine (9) sites with different growing conditions used in the Regional Testing of Promising Coconut Hybrids and Cultivars in the Philippines or MULTILOC Project (1985‑1996) was subjected to the Crop Fertilizer Use Efficiency (CFE) Analysis. Two CFE indices were used CFEn = nut yield/kg fertilizer applied (per tree) and CFE X = kg copra yield kg fertilizers applied (per tree).
 
 To a great extent, crop fertilizer use efficiency (CFE) ofsuperior hybrids grown in similar environments and appied with same moderate rates offertilizers have higher efficiency of converting the appliedfertilizers to economic yield, nuts or copra (measured in terms of CFEn and CFEc) compared to tall varielies tested in all MULTILOC sites (dry, intermediate and wet growing zone) at n ine years ftom field‑planting (FP). The CFEs, CFEn (nut‑based) at nine sites clearly differed in ternu of the first (best) five entries with highest CFE values. Explanation for this observation deserves further study, looking into the relationship of hybrid vigour (heterosis), crop morphology, physiology and yield.