Effect Of Chemical Fertilizers Research Articles

Effect of Chemical Fertilizer with Compound Microbial Fertilizer on Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Yield

Compound microbial fertilizer is a new type of environmentally friendly slow-release fertilizer that can effectively improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil, significantly improve the ecological environment, and promote the sustainable development of agriculture. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to evaluate the impact of different applications of chemical fertilizer combined with composite microbial fertilizer on soil physical properties and soybean yields at Heshan Farm, Heilongjiang Province, China, during 2021–2022. Soybean varieties “Jinyuan 55” and “Keshan 1” were treated with three treatments implemented as follows: T1 (conventional fertilization), T2 (50% N fertilizer + compound microbial fertilizer), and T3 (0 N fertilizer + compound microbial fertilizer). Compared to conventional fertilization (T1 treatment), the application of composite microbial fertilizers (T2 and T3) resulted in a decrease in soil bulk density and an increase in porosity. Notably, we observed that moderate application of the composite microbial fertilizer (T3) led to a decrease in the volume fraction of clay particles and an increase in the volume fraction of sand particles. Furthermore, all treatments exhibited high content of agglomerates larger than 5 mm at 0–20 cm. The application of composite microbial fertilizers (T2 and T3) promoted the formation of large soil agglomerates and reduced the presence of micro-agglomerates smaller than 0.25 mm. In 2021–2022, The soybean yield increased by 13.02% in the T2 treatment compared with the T1 treatment and decreased by 9.34% in the T3 treatment. We concluded that the appropriate application of compound microbial fertilizer can help protect black soil, enhance the self-repair capability of black soil, and improve soybean quality in abnormal precipitation years. These results provide an actionable basis for constructing and developing green fertilizer systems for the soybean industry.

Determination of the effects of organic and chemical fertilization on grain yield and some agricultural characteristics of pea

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) plant, a legume species, is used as a vegetable for fresh consumption and frozen, canned or dried and processed and consumed as dry grain. The effects of organic fertilization, which is important for plant nutrition and soil fertility in pea cultivation, on grain yield and some agricultural characteristics were investigated. The experiment was carried out in the experiment field belonging to Selçuk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Abdülkadir AKÇİN Research and Application Station in 2021 according to the "Split Plots Experiment in Randomized Blocks" design with 3 replications. In the research, fertilizers were randomly placed in the main plots and varieties were randomly placed in the sub-plots. In the experiment, high yielding 16002, 16011, 16018, 16022 and Ultrello x Rondo genotypes suitable for fresh consumption and registered Betagreen pea variety were used as materials. Grain yield, some agronomic traits, protein yield and protein ratio were analyzed in the study. It was determined that the effects of chemical fertilizer and some organic fertilizer applications on all other traits examined in peas were statistically significant. According to the results of the research, the number of branches in pea plants was 3.18 pieces/plant (control) and 4.13 pieces/plant (chemical fertilizer), plant height was 45.89 cm (sheep manure) and 49.51 cm (chemical fertilizer), the number of pods was 14.31 pieces/plant (control) and 25.90 pieces/plant (chemical fertilizer), the number of grains in pods was 4.90 pieces (control) and 6.64 pieces (chemical fertilizer), the number of grains per plant was 70. 03 (control) to 172.20 (chemical fertilizer), hundred seed weight 29.30 g (control) to 33.22 g (chemical fertilizer), grain yield 128.75 kg da-1 (control) to 300.38 kg da-1 (chemical fertilizer), protein content 22.49% (control) to 23.12% (sheep manure) and protein yield 28.96 kg da-1 (control) to 67.91 kg da-1 (chemical fertilizer). The responses of genotypes to organic fertilizer applications showed differences. As a result, it was determined that organic fertilization in peas gave less grain yield than those grown with chemical fertilization, but protein content had higher values. This showed that organic fertilization is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option for pea cultivation.

Essential oil yield and compositions of Dracocephalum moldavica L. in intercropping with fenugreek, inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria

Intercropping is one of the most important components of sustainable agriculture. The effects of chemical fertilizer (CF), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus sp.) and AMF + nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) including Azospirillum and Azotobacter (AMF + NFB) was studied on essential oil yield and compositions of Moldavian balm (Mb) (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) in sole cropping and intercropping with fenugreek (F) (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). The experiment was conducted during 2020 and 2021 growing seasons in East Azarbayhan, Iran. The highest dry herbage yield (6132 kg ha−1) was obtained in Mb:F(4:2) and CF treatment. After sole Moldavian balm, the highest essential oil yield (15.28 kg ha−1) was obtained in Mb:F (4:2) and AMF + NFB treatment. Geranial, geranyl acetate, geraniol, neral, and nerol were the main chemical constituents of essential oil. In AMF + NFB treatments the geranial contents in intercropping patterns of Mb:F (1:1), (2:2) and (100:50), increased by 25.1, 15.5 and 34.6% compared with sole Moldavian balm. The highest LERT values were observed in Mb:F (100:50) cropping pattern in 2021 (1.70 and 1.63 for CF and AMF + NFB treatments). Generally, it can be concluded that Mb:F (100:50) intercropping and use of AMF + NFB bio-fertilizer could be recommended to medicinal plant growers in sustainable production systems.

Effect of Chemical Fertilizer and Tobacco Stalks-derived Biochar on FCV Tobacco Yield, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Carbon Management Index in a Light Textured Alfisol

Aims: To investigate the effect of tobacco stalk biochar (TS Biochar) and synthetic zeolite (SZ) on light textured sandy loam soil in terms of improving the nutrient use efficiency and productivity of FCV tobacco.
 Study Design: Randomized block design (RBD).
 Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-CTRI RS, Jeelugumilli, Andhra Pradesh, India.
 Methodology: Field experiment was conducted with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments included T1: 100 % NPK; T2: 100% NPK + 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar; T3: 100% NPK + 250 kg ha-1 Synthetic Zeolite (SZ) ; T4: 100 % NPK + 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar + 250 kg ha-1SZ; T5: 100% NPK + 0.5 t ha-1 TS Biomass; T6: Adjusted N & K + 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar; T7: 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar + 250 kg ha-1SZ; T8: Control.TS Biochar was characterized for different functional groups using FTIR analysis
 Results: Results revealed that the application of 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar + 100% NPK and 1 t ha-1 TS Biochar +250 kg ha-1 SZ + 100% NPK resulted in a significant increase in tobacco leaf yield compared to the 100% RDF alone . The highest uptake of nitrogen (84.56 kg ha-1) and potassium (122.73 kg ha-1) by tobacco was observed in T2 (100% NPK +1 t ha-1 TS Biochar). Recovery efficiency of N and K applied was greater in tobacco stalk biochar soil amendment with 50.78 and 77.83 per cent as against 100 % NPK alone with 32.83 and 49.64 per cent, respectively. FTIR analysis indicated that TS Biochar is having negative hydroxyl, carbonate and carboxyl functional groups on the surface. Hence, tobacco stalk biochar (TS Biochar) at the rate of 1t ha-1 along with 100% recommended chemical fertilizers can be recommended for the tobacco growing farming community for enhanced yield, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and soil properties.
 Conclusion: Tobacco stalk biochar (TS Biochar) can serve as soil amendment for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in light textured Alfisols.

Effect of chemical fertilizer and humic acid on cabbage leaves' N, P, K and S concentrations (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

A field study was carried out in one of the fields of Jdeidet Al-Shatt district is, located 30 km from the center of Baquba in Diyala governorate, during the autumnal season 2021-2022 on silty loam soil classified to a level under the Typic Torrifluvent according to the modern American classification to know the effect of adding chemical fertilizer and humic acid on the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations for cabbage leaves, according to of randomized complete block design (RCBD) by using three replicates. The first factor was the chemical compound fertilizer NPK( 20:20:20 ) added at three different levels 0, 150 kg ha-1, 300 kg ha-1, while the second factor was humic acid at three levels 0, 15 kg ha-1, 30 kg ha-1. Fertilizers were added to the soil by making an incision around the plant and were added in two stages, the first when planting and the second 43 days after the date of the first batch. The results of the study showed that adding chemical fertilizer at a level of 300 kg ha-1 led to significant differences in the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulfur elements in the inner leaves, where the concentrations of elements reached 2.55%,0.34%, 2.95%,1.36% respectively, the outer leaves. In contrast, the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium reached 4.00 %, 0.34%, and 2.67%, respectively, While the superiority of the humic acid at the level of 30 kg ha-1 to 2.33%, 0.32%, 2.77%,1.47% in the inner leaves, respectively, while in the outer leaves 3.80 %,0.31 %,2.49%. Keywords: chemical fertilizer, humic acid, concentrations of N,P, K and S, cabbage.

Application of a Nano-Enhanced Fertilizer in the Development of Agricultural Low-Carbon Economy in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

The application of fertilizers can increase the yield of crops. Nano-fertilizer is a nano-organic fertilizer, which is an organic fertilizer with very fine particles. The effect of chemical fertilizers is better than that of general chemical fertilizers, which can effectively improve soil organic matter and is beneficial to the growth of crops. Organic fertilizers mainly refer to commercial organic fertilizers produced by high-temperature composting and fermentation of organic solid wastes such as livestock and poultry manure, crop straw, etc., eliminating toxic and harmful substances and being rich in nutrients including organic acids and peptides. Low-carbon economy refers to an economic model that uses various means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve good ecological operations under the guidance of the concept of sustainable development. With the increase in the global population and the continuous growth of the economic scale, environmental problems and consequences caused by the use of conventional energy such as fossil energy are constantly recognized by people. Under this background, the low-carbon economy emerges as the times require. This paper aims to study the application of nano-enhanced fertilizers in the development of agricultural low-carbon economy in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. In today’s low-carbon economy, the combination of nano-efficiency fertilizers and agricultural production is conducive to improving the utilization rate of chemical fertilizers and reducing carbon emissions. This paper analyzes the carbon sink capacity of farmland ecosystems and the elements affecting the growth of LCA. This provides a basis for the exploration of farmland ecosystems. It expounds the relevant concepts of low-carbon economy and briefly discusses the agricultural carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The experimental results in this paper show that the enteric fermentation of dairy cows will produce 60 kg of methane and 15 kg of feces. Sheep enteric fermentation produces 4 kg of methane and fecal emissions of 0.13 kg. According to the data, the carbon emission of dairy cows is much greater than that of sheep.

Effect of Chemical Fertilizer and Humic Acid on the Growth and Development of Paulownia tomentosa Seedlings.

Silvicultural treatments were applied in forest nursery to produce high quality and quantity seedlings. Fertilizer application is one of the most important treatments that were used to improve seedling morphological and physiological traits. The study investigated the influence of NPK fertilizer levels viz. 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g pot-1, Humic acid levels viz. 0, 5, 10 and 15 g pot-1 and their interactions on growth and physiological properties of Paulownia tomentosa. Morphological growth parameters (the increment in the stem height, stem diameter and leaf number) and physiological parameters (leaf area, chlorophyll content and protein percent, and N, P, K content) were measured. The results indicate that the highest values of stem height and stem diameter increment were (52.70 cm and 10.69mm) at (1.5g) of NPK fertilizers. The maximum values of both traits were (51.40 cm and 10.33mm) recorded at (15g) of Humic acid. The highest mean value of nitrogen (2.90 and 2.53 %) reported from application of (1.5 g NPK and15g Humic acid), respectively. Among physiological parameters chlorophyll content recorded the highest value which were (56.97 and 56.04) at (1.5g NPK and 10g Humic acid,) respectively. From interaction between (1g NPK x 15g Humic acid) recorded the highest value of potassium which was (3.74%). The results will help will improve nursery practices to produce healthy and a high quality of P. tomentosa seedlings to meet the plantation programs.

Biostimulants induce positive changes in the radish morpho-physiology and yield.

An ever-increasing population has issued an open challenge to the agricultural sector to provide enough food in a sustainable manner. The upsurge in chemical fertilizers to enhance food production had resulted in environmental problems. The objective of the current study is to assess the utilization of biostimulants for sustainable agricultural production as an alternative to chemical fertilization. For this purpose, two pot experiments were conducted to examine the response of radish against individual and combined applications of biostimulants. In the first experiment, the effects of chemical fertilizer (CK), glycine (G), lysine (L), aspartic acid (A), and vitamin B complex (V) were studied. The results demonstrated that V significantly improved the transpiration rate (81.79%), stomatal conductance (179.17%), fresh weight (478.31%), and moisture content (2.50%). In the second experiment, tested treatments included chemical fertilizer (CK), Isabion® (I), glycine + lysine + aspartic acid (GLA), moringa leaf extract + GLA (M1), 25% NPK + M1 (M2). The doses of biostimulants were 5g L−1 glycine, 1g L−1 lysine, 2g L−1 aspartic acid, and 10 ml L−1 moringa leaf extract. The photosynthetic rate improved significantly with GLA (327.01%), M1 (219.60%), and M2 (22.16%), while the transpiration rate was enhanced with GLA (53.14%) and M2 (17.86%) compared to the Ck. In addition, M1 increased the stomatal conductance (54.84%), internal CO2 concentration (0.83%), plant fresh weight (201.81%), and dry weight (101.46%) as compared to CK. This study concludes that biostimulants can effectively contribute to the sustainable cultivation of radish with better growth and yield.

Effects of Chemical Fertilization and Microbial Inoculum on Bacillus subtilis Colonization in Soybean and Maize Plants.

Plant growth-promoting endophytic microorganisms in agriculture have been expanding in Brazil and are an excellent strategy to face the challenges of current agriculture, such as reducing production costs with fewer environmental impacts, without detriment to productivity. However, little is known about the factors that can affect the colonization of endophytic such as inoculant concentration and mineral fertilization. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of these factors on soybean and maize crops and found that for soybean crops, the highest Bacillus subtilis concentration of 1 × 104 and 1 × 1010 CFU ml−1 promoted the highest number of recovered bacteria, when there was no mineral fertilization. However, mineral fertilization limited the number of recovered bacteria, suggesting that mineral fertilization interferes with endophytic colonization. For maize crops, the highest number of recovered bacteria occurred from the concentration of 1 × 106 CFU ml−1, not differing from the highest concentrations. A mineral fertilization dose of 25% promoted the greatest B. subtilis recovery compared to the other treatments. Regarding plant development, the highest microbial inoculum concentrations did not necessarily promote greater positive growth promotion effects compared to the concentration of 1 × 104 CFU ml−1 for both crops. The results also suggest that the higher number of endophytic bacteria recovered in the plant does not necessarily affect plant growth in the same proportion. For soybean plants, there is a strong tendency that with the increase in the B. subtilis inoculant concentration, the need for mineral fertilization doses to achieve the same plant development is consequently increased, and inoculations with 1 × 105 and 1 × 106 CFU ml−1 with fertilization doses between 44% and 62% are the ideal combinations for greater plant development. In maize plants, the best growth promotion response (height) was obtained using inoculation concentration of 1 × 102 and 1 × 1010 CFU ml−1, increasing according to the increase in fertilization doses. The findings suggest, for soybean crop, that these high inoculum concentrations required more photosynthetic metabolites from the plants and more nutrients from the soil. Thus, the need for mineral fertilization for plant growth must be increased.

Crop Growth and Nitrous Emission in Red Pepper Soils: Effects of Chemical Fertilizer and Livestock Manure Compost Treatments

Crop Growth and Nitrous Emission in Red Pepper Soils: Effects of Chemical Fertilizer and Livestock Manure Compost Treatments

Correlation of Chemical Attributes of Soil with Yield of Wheat Crop

A long term field experiment on integrated management of compost, crop residue with inorganic fertilizer in rice-wheat system is in progress at the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar since rabi 1988-89. The grain and straw yield of wheat increased significantly with increasing levels of NPK fertilizer. However, the yield at 150% NPK was at par with 100% NPK. Integrated effect of chemical fertilizer with organic manure and crop residue also augmented a build-up of available N, P, K and S. addition of different organic materials increased the organic carbon and also decreased the pH and EC. Correlation analysis is used for the study of relationship between different chemical properties and yield of crop. Most of the chemical attributes were positively correlated with the yield of crop.

Effects of Chemical Fertilizer, Fym and Bio-Inoculants On Nutrient Content, Uptake and Quality of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

Effects of different levels of chemical fertilizer, farmyard manure (FYM) and bio-inoculants on nutrient content, uptake and quality parameter of wheat were studied. Results indicated that increasing levels of chemical fertilizer, FYM and bio-inoculants significantly enhanced nutrient content and uptake by wheat, while quality parameters of wheat showed significant results with bio-inoculants application. Maximum N, P and K content and their uptake in grain (80.3, 11.07 and 25.29%, respectively) and straw (32.18, 7.14 and 95.92%, respectively) were noticed with 100% NPK over control. Application of FYM @ 10 t/ha significantly increased nutrient content (NPK) in grain and straw and their uptake over the control. The total N, P and K uptake by wheat were found to be maximum 80.97, 12.68 and 86.10 kg/ha, respectively with the application of FYM over control. Combined use of fertilizer levels and FYM, and combined use of fertilizer levels and bio-inoculants significantly increased the nutrient uptake by wheat. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1109-1117, 2021 (December)

Effects of Organic Amendments Produced from Agro-Wastes on Sandy Soil Properties and Black Pepper Morpho-Physiology and Yield

Sandy-textured soil infertility poses a problem for sustainable crop cultivation. This problem is usually dealt with by the addition of chemical fertilizers, which are expensive and can cause serious environmental issues if not managed well. A better alternative to improve and manage sandy soil infertility is the use of organic amendments produced from agro-wastes. This two (2)-year field study was conducted in a sandy-textured soil grown with black pepper to evaluate mainly the effects of chemical fertilizer, fermented plant and fruit juices, compost, and biochar on soil properties and morpho-physiological characteristics and yield of black pepper. Generally, the results indicated that the combination of fermented fruit juice, compost, and biochar was comparable to and in some cases better than chemical fertilizer in terms of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties as well as crop performance. These findings were even more pronounced in the second year of measurements. There were strong positive relationships between soil N and pepper leaf chlorophyll content and between soil microbes and soil respiration. The findings showed that these soil amendments produced from agro-wastes are a good alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers on sandy soils to improve soil fertility and productivity and the yield of black pepper sustainably.

Effect of chemical fertilizer and straw-derived organic amendments on continuous maize yield, soil carbon sequestration and soil quality in a Chinese Mollisol

Application of organic amendments, such as maize straw and its derived biochar and compost are considered as effective strategies for sustaining soil productivity. However, limited information available on the variation of soil carbon sequestration, soil quality and crop yield responses to these amendments, especially in the highly rich organic matter soils. The field experiment was conducted in a Mollisol since the fall of 2011 to evaluate the impact of chemical fertilizer plus maize residue driven materials amendments on continuous maize yield, soil carbon sequestration and soil quality parameters. The experiment consisted of five treatments: CK (no fertilizer), NPK (chemical fertilizer), NPK+ST (NPK plus maize straw), NPK+CP (NPK plus straw compost), and NPK+BR (NPK plus straw biochar). The organic materials were applied on an equal carbon input basis (3.2 Mg ha−1 per year). Soil samples were collected from 0 to 10 cm and 10–20 cm soil depths in 2017, and analyzed for contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nutrients and aggregates-size distribution. The NPK+BR and NPK+CP significantly increased SOC stock at the topsoil (0–20 cm) relative to CK and NPK treatments. The amount of soil carbon sequestration (relative to SOC baseline in 2011) associated with different treatments was as follow: NPK+BR (13.1 Mg ha−1) > NPK+CP (5.60 Mg ha−1) > NPK+ST (2.90 Mg ha−1) > NPK (0.50 Mg ha−1) > CK (−1.90 Mg ha−1). However, the greatest concentrations of ROC, DOC and MBC at the topsoil were observed in NPK+CP treatment, with greater supply of available nutrients than other treatments. The NPK+BR reduced the fraction percentage of microaggregates significantly (<0.25 mm), and in greater mean weight diameter and geometrical mean diameter than NPK+ST and NPK+CP treatments. The NPK plus straw or compost increased grain yield during the first year of application significantly as compared to NPK treatment, but no apparent change in yield observed in the first 3 years under biochar treatment. There is no considerable difference was found over six-year average of grain yield between the three organic treatments. Our results suggest that over six years the maize-derived organic materials use have led to significant improvement in soil quality and maize yield, where straw derived biochar was more effective for soil carbon sequestration in Mollisol of Northeast China.

Effect of chemical fertilizers and organic sources on growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and soil fertility

Field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) to evaluate the effect of different chemical fertilizers and organic manures on growth, yield and quality of turmeric in district Sangli (Maharashtra). The treatments consisted of 12 combinations of chemical fertilizers and organic manures (farmyard manure, vermicompost and neem cake) including unamended control. Results indicated that application of 50% recommended chemical fertilizer dose (RDF) + 50% N through neem cake was significantly better in improving fresh weight of primary and secondary rhizome, total weight of rhizomes per plant and marketable yield of rhizome (251.2 q/ha) compared to 100% RDF. The treatment of 50% RDF + 50% N as neem cake was also superior for enhancing the quality parameters of turmeric such as fats, protein, carbohydrates and curcumin content. The treatment combinations of 50% RDF + FYM or neem cake or vermicompost improved many of the soil fertility parameters compared to no application of organic manures. The present study reported that combination of organic manures, biofertilizers (Azospirrillium, P solubilizing bacteria) and inorganic fertilizer showed significant improvement in the growth, yield and quality of turmeric along with the improvement in soil fertility.

Effect of Chemical Fertilization on the Impacts of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria in Maize Crops.

The use of chemical fertilizers strongly promotes productivity in agricultural crops; therefore, large amounts of chemical fertilizers have been used. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria may be a strategy to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers; however, little is known about the effect of chemical fertilization on the performance of these bacteria through plant-microbe interactions. The present study aimed to verify the performance of Bacillus subtilis, Azospirillum brasilense, B. pumilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, Herbaspirillum seropedicae, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, and the mixtures A. brasilense + B. subtilis, B. pumilus + B. amyloliquefaciens, and H. seropedicae + G. diazotrophicus on parameters such as nitrogen and phosphorus extraction from soil, the concentrations of these nutrients in maize plants, and plant growth in both fertilized and unfertilized soil. The results showed that H. seropedica increased the nitrogen content by 6.6gkg-1 in leaves and 2.2gkg-1 in the root when comparing the unfertilized with the fertilized condition. G. diazotrophicus increased the nitrogen content by 3.7gkg-1 in leaves and 2.4gkg-1 in the root. B. pumilus increased the phosphorous content by 1.7gkg-1 in leaves, and B. amyloliquefaciens increased the phosphorous content by 0.61gkg-1. The present study showed that even though the bacteria presented good performance related to plant growth under fertilized conditions, H. seropedicae, G. diazotrophicus, B. pumilus, and B. amyloliquefaciens could be used in the maize crop with a reduced chemical fertilization dose.

Indigenous farming practices increase millet yields in Senegal, West Africa

ABSTRACT Soil degradation is a major constraint to food security in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the effect of indigenous (the traditional use of rotating fallow-based systems (toss) for livestock herding and soil enrichment) and non-indigenous farming patterns (the use of fertilizer input or no-inputs (non-toss)) on millet yields and soil characteristics in six villages in west-central Senegal. Soil samples were collected in 60 fields in six villages at 0–10 cm depth in 5 random locations in each field. Total yield was measured as head weight per m2 and head weight per plant. The use of toss systems and hybrid farming (toss + fertilizer input) provided higher millet yields than conventional and low-input systems, and the effects of chemical fertilizer were modest in the small amounts applied by the farmers (7 kg/ha of 15–10-10 N-P-K). Soil carbon and pH and the number of trees were the best predictors of millet yield, but the overall predictive power was modest (R2 < 0.34). This research sheds new light on the evolving role of local techniques and knowledge in the struggle to maintain agricultural productivity, as Sahelian communities confront soil fertility depletion and food insecurity.

Effect of nutrients management on yield attributes of fodder beet under sandy soil conditions.

The effect of chemical fertilizer (NK) and humic acid on top length, root length, root diameter, leaf area per plant, top fresh & dry weight and root fresh & dry weight of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L. c.v voroshinger) was carried out in the Experimental Farm of Agriculture Faculty, South Valley University at Qena during the two seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 on sandy soil. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design in split- plots arrangement with three replications. Humic acid treatments were arranged in main plots while, fertilization treatments (NK) were allocated in sub-plots. The highest mean values of most previous traits were obtained from fodder beet plants which were supplemented by soil application of humic acid and 90kg N+100kg K2O /fed. (H1F9). Based on these results, it is recommended to adding humic acid on soil and fertilization with NK by 90 Kg N + 100 kg K2O per Feddan for fodder beet under similar soil and climate conditions.

Effects of Chemical Fertilizer and Some Bacterial Formulations on Growing Medium and Plant Heavy Metal Content in Poinsettia Cultivation

High amount of chemical fertilizers and various pesticides are used in the cultivation of poinsettia. This study was conducted to compare the amount of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd (mg kg-1) and B (mg kg-1) metalloid) accumulated by the use of different bacterial formulations and chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of poinsettia. The research was conducted in climate controlled research greenhouse conditions between July 2015 and July 2017. In the study, rooted cuttings of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.ex Klotzsch cv. Christmas Eve) were used as plant material. The applications were created as BI (Paenibacillus polymyxa TV-12E + Pseudomonas putida TV-42A + Pantoea agglomerans RK-79), BII (Bacillus megaterium TV-91C + Pantoea agglomerans RK-92 + Bacillus subtilis TV- 17C), BIII (Bacillus megaterium TV-91C + Pantoea agglomerans RK-92 + Kluyvera cryocrescens TV-113C), BIV (Bacillus megaterium TV-91C + Pantoea agglomerans RK-79 + Bacillus megaterium TV-6D), CF [the full amount of commonly used chemical fertilizer (150 g 100L-1)], BI+CF, BII+CF, BIII+CF, BIV+CF (by combining with 50% the reduced amount of chemical fertilizer by (75 g 100L-1)) and control (uninoculated). The highest Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd (mg kg-1) amounts were obtained from BIV application in growth medium. According to CF and control applications, BI+CF application was determined as reducing in the Zn amount of leaf samples of plants 14.47% and 15.70%, respectively. BI application was determined as reducing in the Cd amount of leaf samples of plants 26.58% and 54.69%, respectively when compared to CF and control applications. The highest amount of Pb was determined in plant root samples.

Effect of chemical fertilizers and different Rhizobium inoculants on nutrient content, uptake, growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

Effect of chemical fertilizers and different Rhizobium inoculants on nutrient content, uptake, growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)