Effect Of Green Manure Research Articles

English

In rainfed tract, the success of agriculture depends on conservation and efficient use of soil moisture and nutrients availability that directly linked with the presence of moisture in soil. The moisture can be conserved through several means including green manures and gypsum addition. The experiment was conducted to investigate the integrated effect of green manures and gypsum for moisture conservation and their impact on wheat production under rainfed conditions. The experiment was planned at six sites with five treatments including gypsum at 1 t ha-1, green manure (Guar 40 days old) and gypsum+green manuring were compared with control (untreated) and farmer practice (traditional). Results showed a significant increase (up to 38 to 76%) in wheat grain yield with the application of gypsum and green manure while soil moisture contents were enhanced up to 34 to 65% compared to control. It was also noticed that the treatments altered the soil properties (pH, Electrical conductivity (Ece), Organic Matter, Available Phosphorous and Extractable Potash) positively by improving soil water relationship over the control. Key words: Gypsum, green manure, moisture contents, soil properties, conservation, wheat yield.

Effect of green manure and plant density on correlation between rhizospheric bio-chemical properties and rice (Oryza sativa) yield

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of application of green manure along with varying plant density on microbial population and soil enzymatic activities of rhizospheric soil as well as on yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)during year 2013–14. Application of green manures @15 t/ha and increased plant density up to 44 plants/m2 positively enhanced microbial population in the soil. Correlation among different microbial population, soil enzymatic activities and soil nutrient status in different treatments irrespective of the time intervals showed that the treatments with higher plant density along with green manure showed a significant positive correlation between dehydrogenase enzyme and bacterial as well as with fungal population. On contrary, treatment having sole application of inorganic fertilizer with 22 plants/m2; actinomycetes and bacterial population had significant positive correlation with dehydrogenase activity whereas fungal population showed a negative relationship. The soil urease and alkaline phosphatase activity had positive correlation with bacterial and fungal population in all treatments except the treatment with 22 plants/ m2 + recommended inorganic fertilizers. There was significant negative correlation between fungal population and diazotrophic population in all treatments. The plant height and various yield attributes were significantly higher in treatment having green manure (15 t/ha) + 44 plants/m2+ recommended NPK. Thus, above finding revealed that the agronomic practices (green manure and increased plant density) significantly improved the interaction of microbial population and soil enzymatic activities in rhizospheric soil which in turn affect the soil fertility as well as rice yield.

¿La incorporación de residuos de diferentes especies de Lupinus, como abono verde, afecta la actividad microbiana del suelo?

In the state of Jalisco, corn and tequila agave are the most important agricultural crops. The soils to cultivate these species are characterized by low content of organic matter and nitrogen. The amendments applied to the soil provide an important source of energy and nutrients for microorganisms; promotes the diversity of nitrogen-f ixing bacteria and nitrifying bacteria, which increases nitrogen availability in the soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of two species of wild legumes: Lupinus exaltatus and Lupinus rotundiflorus as green manure (AV), and its effect on soil microbial biomass. An aerobic incubation experiment (14 days) was carried out on soil samples with green manure and without green manure (control). Under laboratory conditions, the microbial activity of soil was monitored through the response in basal respiration and the concentration of C and N in the microbial biomass. The CO2 production and C and N content in the microbial biomass showed significant differences (P < 0.05) due to the effect of green manure. The residues of Lupinus are considered better quality than the residues of Zea mays due to its nitrogen content and low C: N ratio. The response of microorganisms presented a positive primer effect with the input of AV. Therefore, we conclude that the input of L. exaltatus and L. rotundiflorus as a green manure to the soil increases the biological activity of the soil and promotes the enrichment of C and N of the microbial biomass.

Effect of green manuring on the phytosanitary condition of agrocenosis and the yield of winter rye during the development of fallow land

Land resources were and continue to be one of the main natural resources of any state, the rational use of which depends on its food security, political stability and economic independence. The reformation of the Russian agroindustrial complex in the 90-ies of XX century, due to the transition to market relations, led to the fact that significant areas of arable land have been transferred to the country’s deposits. However, now to eliminate the negative phenomena that have arisen in agriculture, it is necessary to involve previously abandoned lands in the circulation, which are often in poor phytosanitary and cultural-technical condition. Researches on studying of influence of a sideration on optimization of a phytosanitary condition of agrocnosis and the yield of winter rye on sod-podzolic soil of the Eastern part of the Volga-Vyatka zone in the development of fallow lands are conducted. The effectiveness of the use of sideration is revealed. By cultivating of a winter rye on a green manure fallow the phytosanitary condition of crops improves and grain yield significantly increases. Accounting of a contamination of winter rye crops showed that the use of sideration promotes weed control. Preliminary sideration of a fallow land and the subsequent cultivation of winter rye on a green manure fallow reduced contamination of a culture agrocnosis at 18.0-20.0% in comparison with the cultivation on occupy fallow and 11.2-12.2 % – on a fallow land. Winter rye cultivated on a green manure fallow, in comparison with the cultivation on occupy fallow, was exposed less to diseases. The development and distribution of snow mold was lower on 20.0% and 6.1%, root rot – 16.7-17.8 and 13.7 to 15.3% respectively, and the development of Helminthosporium and Septoria blotch – 3.5-11.2 and the 38.4-46.2 % and the spread, respectively, 10.8-13.7 and 24.3-30.8 %, depending on the phenological phases of development and growth of winter rye. The grain yield of winter rye in the cultivation on a green manure fallow was 2.72 t/ha, which 830 kg/ha are more than control variant and on 730 kg/ha in comparison with the placement of a fallow land.

The effect of green manure on different systems of primary tillage on the nutrient regime of dark chestnut soil

The effect of green manure on different systems of primary tillage on the nutrient regime of dark chestnut soil

Effects of compound fertilizer and canola green manure on nutrient use efficiency, growth and potato tuber yields (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Nakuru, Kenya

Effects of compound fertilizer and canola green manure on nutrient use efficiency, growth and potato tuber yields (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Nakuru, Kenya

Green manure, Trichoderma asperellum and homeopathy in cultivating the biquinho pepper

The aim of this work was to study the effects of green manure, Trichoderma asperellum and homeopathy on the agronomic performance of the biquinho pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.). The design was of randomised blocks with four replications, in subdivided plots, with homeopathic remedies applied in the plots: 1) Arnica montana 6CH; 2) Pulsatilla nigricans 6CH; and 3) no homeopathic remedies; and seven treatments applied in the sub-plots: 1, 2 and 3) Crotalaria juncea ‘IAC-KR-1’ (sunn hemp P50 D25, P50 D50, and P0 D50); 4) Canavalia ensiformis (common jack-bean P0 D25); 5) Cajanus cajan ‘IAPAR 43 Arata’ (pigeon-pea 00 D25); 6) Trichoderma asperellum; and 7) control (with no green manure or T. asperellum). The green manure was sown at a density of 25 kg ha-1 (D25) and 50 kg ha-1 (D50) when transplanting the biquinho pepper (P0) and 50 days prior to transplanting (P50). The stem height and diameter, relative chlorophyll index, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), and fruit production were evaluated in the biquinho pepper. The intercrop with sunn hemp, sown 50 days before transplanting at a density of 50 kg ha-1, increased the height of the pepper plant by 8%, added 0.47 kg ha-1 dry biomass to the system, and showed similar productivity to the control treatment. The pepper plants treated with Pulsatilla nigricans 6CH were taller and had a larger stem diameter, with an increase of 11% and 6% respectively. Homeopathy had no influence on productivity in the pepper. T. asperellum brought no benefits to the biquinho pepper.

ПРИЕМЫ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТИ КАРТОФЕЛЯ НА ЧЕРНОЗЕМНЫХ ПОЧВАХ ПОВОЛЖЬЯ

The article presents an analysis of experimental data on assessing the effect of green manure, mineral fertilizers and biological products on increasing the productivity of potato agrocenoses. Field studies have established that the use of green manure and the biological product flavobacterin has a noticeable stimulating effect on the activation of biological soil processes, improves plant nutrition and their resistance to diseases. This significantly stimulated the production process of potatoes. Thus, the highest indicator of the net productivity of photosynthesis was observed in the variant of experiment N60P60 + flavobacterin against the background of winter rye + green manure mustard - 4.30 g / m2 • day. In turn, the activation of photosynthesis had a positive effect on the production process of crops. According to the research results, the best combination of the structure of the biological yield of potatoes was observed in the variant of experiment N60P60 + flavobacterin in terms of the greening background: the number of plants to be harvested - 48.1 thousand pieces / ha; the number of commercial tubers in one bush - 6.1 pieces; the mass of one tuber is 124 grams and the mass of tubers in one bush is 746 grams. The use of green manure, mineral fertilizers and the biological product flavobacterin had a positive effect on the productivity of potatoes. The highest yield of potato tubers was obtained with the variant N60P60 + flavobacterin on the background of green manure - 35.6 t / ha on average over three years. The use of flavobacterin surpassed in yield even the option with the maximum dose of mineral fertilizers N90P90. The use of a biological product flavobacterin is an effective technique in the technology of potato cultivation on leached chernozem in the Volga region, which ensures the maximum yield of biologically valuable products.

The effect of green manures on weediness of sugar beet

Thіs study aimed to investigate the effect of aplying post-harvest green manure on weediness of sugar beet crop rotation. Post-harvest green manure were grown under the conditions of the Scientific Research and Production Complex (NNVK) of Sumy National Agrarian University (Ukraine, Sumy oblast, Sumy region) after harvesting winter wheat from August to October 2000‒2004. After the plowing of it in the following 2001‒2006, a hybrid of sugar beet Umansky FM-97 was grown according to the technologies recommended for the local area. Potential weediness was determined by washing seeds from the soil on sieves at the beginning of the growing season and before harvesting sugar beets, and the actual weediness ‒ by quantitative-weight method before plowing the green manure and into the main stages of growth and development of sugar beets.
 The experimental plot had the least weediness under oilseed radish and the largest weediness under buckwheat as green manure. During growing seasons the radish oilseed formed good biomass and the number of weeds under its cover was noticeably reduced to 4.8 pieces/m2 and their mass ‒ to 21.8 g/m2. The findings obtained from statistic program showed the strongest correlation between the above-ground mass of radish and the number of weeds ‒ r = -0.55 and their weight ‒ r = -0.56. In the spring the amount of weed seeds under radish cover in the 0‒30 cm soil layer was reduced to 11.4 %, to 101 million units/ha, compared to the control without green manure. The impact factor of the effect of the radish biomass on the potential weediness was highest in all soil layers - within 70‒90 %. The biomass of radish decreased significantly the number of weeds in the sugar beet crops – by 39 to 19.2 pc/m2, and their weight ‒ by 23 % to 354 g/m2, compared to the control without green manure. Green radish oilseed mass had the greatest impact on reducing quantity of weeds – 67 % and their mass – 80 %. Radish cover provided the most significant reduction the potential weediness before harvesting sugar beets ‒ by 12 % in the 0-30 cm soil layer, compared to the control without green manure, where the amount of weed seeds was at 112 million units/ha. The inverse correlation of the radish biomass and the potential weediness at the time of sugar beet harvest was the closest ‒ r = -0.9.

Winter wheat yield and nitrous oxide emissions in response to cowpea-based green manure and nitrogen fertilization

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of cowpea green manure and inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizers on yields of winter wheat and soil emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). The comparisons included cowpea grown solely as green manure where all biomass was terminated at maturity by tillage, summer fallow treatments with 90 kg N ha−1 as urea (90-N), and no fertilization (control) at planting of winter wheat. Fluxes of N2O were measured by closed chamber methods after soil incorporation of cowpea in autumn (October–November) and harvesting of winter wheat in summer (June–August). Growth and yields of winter wheat and N concentrations in grain and straw were also measured. Cowpea produced 9.5 Mg ha−1 shoot biomass with 253 kg N ha−1 at termination. Although soil moisture was favorable for denitrification after soil incorporation of cowpea biomass, low concentrations of soil mineral N restricted emissions of N2O from cowpea treatment. However, increased concentrations of soil mineral N and large rainfall-induced emissions were recorded from the cowpea treatment during summer. Growth of winter wheat, yield, and grain N concentrations were lowest in response to cowpea treatment and highest in 90-N treatment. In conclusion, late terminated cowpea may reduce yield of winter wheat and increase emissions of N2O outside of wheat growing seasons due to poor synchronization of N mineralization from cowpea biomass with N-demand of winter wheat.

PEMBERIAN PUPUK HIJAU DAN MOL TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN KACANG TANAH (ARACHIS HYPOGEAE L)

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of local green manure and micro organism (MOL) on the growth and yield of Peanut Plants. This study uses an experimental method with a Completely Randomized Design consisting of 2 factors, namely green manure and local micro organisms. The treatment consisted of no fertilizer, fertilizing with green fertilizer from gamal leaves, turi, chlotalaria and Chromolaena leaves. Then there are those who do not use MOL and use MOL. Both are combined to become 10 treatments. The results showed that Green and Micro Local Organisms fertilizers significantly affected peanut yield. Cromolaena treatment showed an increase in yield of 31.37%, followed by Turi leaves 27.45%, Gamal leaves 15.69% and Chlotalaria 11.76%. Furthermore, the treatment of local micro organisms increases the yield by 14.90%.

Improving soil aggregation, aggregate‐associated C and N, and enzyme activities by green manure crops in the Loess Plateau of China

AbstractGreen manure and fertilization practices have substantial impacts on soil chemical and biological properties over time. A field experiment was conducted on Cumulic Haplustoll to investigate the effects of leguminous green manure (LGM) crops and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on dry‐stable soil aggregate distributions and stability, the concentrations of organic carbon (OC) and N in the bulk soil and separated aggregate fractions, and soil enzyme activities in dry croplands on the Loess Plateau of China. Species tested as LGM crops were Huai bean (Glycine ussuriensis Regel et Maack.), soybean (G. max (L.) Merr.) and mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.). Two rates of N fertilizer (0 and 162 kg N ha−1) applied to winter wheat sown after LGM was incorporated into surface soil. Results showed that the inclusion of LGM crops for 6 years significantly increased the total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC), aggregate‐associated N and OC concentrations, enhanced the values of aggregate content with >0.25 mm size (R0.25) and mean weight diameter (MWD), and boosted soil enzyme (invertase, urease, dehydrogenase and aryl‐sulfatase) activities at the 0–20‐cm depth compared to the bare fallow system under dryland conditions. The long‐term application of N fertilizer substantially increased the proportion of macroaggregates (>5.0 mm), MWD and N contents in the 0.25–5‐mm size aggregates, and promoted the relative activities of invertase, alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase and aryl‐sulphatase, but decreased the urease activity. The correlations among macroaggregate fractions and soil chemical properties, aggregate stability and enzyme activities were significant and positive; however, the correlations between small aggregate fractions (<2 mm) and corresponding parameters were negative, or there were no correlations. Overall, combining green manuring practices with suitable N fertilizer application should be recommended to improve the soil quality in dryland regions similar to the Loess Plateau of China.Highlights Green manure crops significantly increased soil enzyme activities, SOC and total N contents. Green manure crops increased macroaggregate (>5 mm) formation and stability. Application of N fertilizer significantly increased the proportions and stability of macroaggregates. Green manure crops along with N fertilizer helped to build better soil quality in a dry loess cropland.

Effects of Grafting and Green Manure Treatments on Postharvest Quality of Tomatoes

Effects of green manures (Vicia faba) incorporated into the soil at different growth stages (FS (green manure mixed into the soil at flower stage) and SAH (green manure mixed into the soil at a stage after harvest)) on quality attributes of grafted and ungrafted tomatoes during cold storage were investigated. Fruit obtained from plants fertilized with different green manures were stored at 8 ± 0.5 °C and 90 ± 5% RH for 7, 14, and 21 days. At the end of each storage period, weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, and bioactive compounds of the fruit were determined. At the end of the storage periods, fruit of ungrafted plants had lower weight loss, respiration rate, and phenolic acids (except for caffeic acid), but greater firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), vitamin C, total phenolics (TPs), and antioxidant activity (AA). Green manure–treated fruit had greater weight loss, firmness, total flavonoids (TFs) (except for FS), and AA, but lower respiration rate, hue angle, SSC (except for SAH), acidity, vitamin C, and TPs (except for FS). Grafting × green manure interactions had significant effects on quality attributes of tomatoes. In ungrafted plants, as compared with the control, green manure yielded lower weight loss, hue angle, vitamin C, and TPs (except for FS), but greater respiration rate, firmness, SSC (except for FS), and AA. On the other hand, in grafted plants, again as compared with the control, green manure yielded greater weight loss, TPs (except for FS), TFs, and AA, but lower respiration rate, firmness, SSC, acidity (except for SAH), and vitamin C. At the end of storage, green manure–treated fruit had greater protocatechuic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids than the control fruit. In terms of changes in fruit quality attributes during storage, the responses elicited by green manure treatments were dependent on whether or not plants were grafted. For instance, while green manure treatments increased weight loss of the fruit from grafted plants, they decreased weight loss of fruit from ungrafted plants at the end of 21-day storage.

Effect of compost and green manure to growth performance of Hibiscus sabdariffa.L and grown on BRIS soil.

Fertility of BRIS soil was evaluated for growth performance of Hibiscus sabdariffa.L (Roselle) and to determine on the potential of Sesbania grandiflora as green manure for improvement of BRIS soil fertility. Growth performance of Hibiscus sabdariffa.L (Roselle) was determined by using three different media; BRIS soil, BRIS soil with compost and BRIS soil with green manure under two different light conditions (30% and 50%). The growth performance analysis of Roselle was carried out in the study to determine the effects on height of stem, number of leaves, stem diameter and biomass production (fresh and dry weight) of Roselle plants. The result showed that, the highest performance of stem height of Roselle was in BRIS soil with compost under 30% light intensity, while the best performance in term of number of leaves was BRIS soil with compost under 50% light intensity. In term of stem diameter, the highest value was in BRIS soil with compost under 50% light intensity. The highest performance of biomass production (fresh and dry weight) of roots, stems and fruit was treatment BRIS soil with compost under 50% light intensity. Based on statistical analysis using non-parametric method, the result indicated that there was significant different in the comparison of media BRIS soil and BRIS soil with compost under two different light conditions (30% and 50%). However, there was no significant different in comparison of media BRIS soil and BRIS soil with green manure. BRIS soil with compost showed the highest potential for growth performance of Roselle. In conclusion, compost is the best treatment that suitable for BRIS soil as it improves the fertility and structure of BRIS soil. Similarly, the light condition of 50% was better than 30% as sufficient amount of light is important for photosynthesis process and for growth and yield of plants.

Temporal changes in biochemical indicators of soil quality in response to tillage, crop residue and green manure management in a rice-wheat system

Abstract Soil quality degradation in the last four decades is threatening the sustainability of puddled transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (RW) system in north-western region of India. Hence comprehensive information on the influence of soil and crop management practices in intensive and nutrient exhausting RW system on soil quality is urgently needed. The present study evaluated the effects of crop residues, green manure and tillage on the changes in soil biochemical properties at different growth stages of wheat after five cycles of RW system. Four main plot treatments in rice included combinations of wheat straw and Sesbania green manure management: (1) PTRWS0, puddled transplanted rice (PTR) with no wheat straw (2) PTRWS25, puddled transplanted rice with 25% anchored wheat stubbles retained (3) PTRWS0 plus green manure (GM), and (4) PTRWS25 plus GM. Three sub-plots treatments in subsequent wheat included (1) CTWRS0, conventional tillage wheat without rice straw (2) ZTWRS0, zero tillage wheat without rice straw and (3) ZTWRS100, ZTW with 100% rice straw retained as surface mulch. The results showed that PTRWS25 plus GM and ZTWRS100 increased significantly all the soil biochemical properties (enzyme activities and glomalin related soil protein concentration) except phenol oxidase and peroxidase activities. The activities of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase and concentration of easily extractable glomalin and total carbohydrate carbon under ZTWRS100 were 36.8, 24.6, 25.9 and 23.3% higher than CTWRS0. Application of GM and wheat straw retention in previous rice significantly increased grain yield of subsequent wheat crop by 26.5%. The majority of the increases in biochemical properties were higher at vegetative growth (at 40–45 days after sowing) and flowering (at 80–85 days after sowing) stages compared to the initial and at maturity. Principal component analysis identified β-glucosidase, cellulase and phenol oxidase activities as the most sensitive and reliable indicators for assessing soil quality for conservation agriculture based RW system.

Integrated approach to Fertilizer Application on crop productivity and Soil Health in Degraded Jhum Cultivation in Assam

An experiment was conducted to explore the effect of green manure, biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on crop productivity and nutrient status in degraded jhum soil. The treatments were made by incorporation of leafy green manure viz., Sesbania bispinosa, Crotalaria pallida, Dalbergia sissoo and Albizia procera, Rhizobium biofertilizer and standard doses of inorganic fertilizer were applied in the plot. Highest amount of crop yield and yield attributes were found in inorganic fertilizer treatment followed by biofertilizer and green manure applied plot at the initial year. Although in successive year green manure (2364.6 kg/h) and biofertilizer (2357.3 kg/h) treatment gave more yield as compared to inorganic fertilizer (1936.5 kg/h) which may be due to input of crop residue. Nutrient uptake of crop was significantly more in green manure and biofertilizer plot compared to inorganic fertilizer applied plot during consecutive year. Soil organic carbon and NPK content was remarkably more in inorganic fertilizer applied plot at the initial year, but in successive year nutrient content was relatively more in biofertilizer followed by green manure and least in inorganic fertilizer applied plot. Observation concludes that application of green manure and biofertilizer in degraded jhum land ensure steady supply of nutrient through decomposition of leafy foliage, improve soil microbe's interaction and thus recuperate soil health that ultimately leads to enhanced crop productivity.

Effects of cultivation patterns on wheat yield and soil fertility in dryland

A field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of plastic film mulching (PM), straw retention (SR), and planting green manure (GM) on winter wheat grain yield and soil fertility. The results showed that PM did not have consistently positive effect on the grain yield, when compared to the traditional patterns (TP). No difference of average grain yield was observed between them over three years. Soil total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) were decreased in 20-40 cm layer in PM than those in TP, while no difference was observed for soil organic matter, nitrate (NO3--N), available iron (Fe) and copper (Cu). The mean grain yield of three years decreased by 12.1% in SR than that in TP treatment. At maturity stage of winter wheat, soil total N and available Cu was increased by 5.8% in 0-20 cm and 6.2% in 20-40 cm layer, respectively, while soil available P and Mn were decreased by 36.1% and 10.2%, respectively. No difference was observed between SR and TP treatments for soil organic matter, NO3--N, available K, S, Zn and Fe at anthesis and maturity stages. Compared to the TP treatment, the mean grain yield was decreased by 12.1% in GM treatment. Soil pH, available P and S were decreased, while the soil organic matter, total N, NO3--N, and available Zn and Mn were increased. No difference was observed for soil available K, Fe and Cu. In conclusion, the PM and SR were not beneficial for the improvement of soil fertility, and thus inhibited the grain yield increase in dryland with low soil fertility level. The GM has greater potential to increase soil nutrients, but it should be paid more attention to the risk of grain yield reduction due to insufficient annual precipitation.

Rice–wheat productivity and profitability with residue, tillage and green manure management

The rice–wheat system (RWS) practiced in northwestern parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains of India is highly productive, but conventional practices are resource (water, labour and energy) and cost intensive. A 4-year field study evaluated the effects of green manure (GM), crop residue and tillage on crop yields, economic profitability and soil fertility in a RWS. Four main plot treatments in rice included combinations of wheat stubble and Sesbania aculeata GM management: (1) puddled transplanted rice (PTR) with no wheat stubble, (2) PTR with 25% wheat stubbles (15–20 cm high) retained, (3) PTR with no wheat stubble plus GM, and (4) PTR with wheat stubble splus GM. Three sub-plots treatments in subsequent wheat included (1) conventional till wheat with rice straw removed (CTWR0), (2) zero till wheat with rice straw removed (ZTWR0) and (3) zero till wheat with 100% rice straw retained as surface mulch (ZTWR100). The results showed that main rice yield was significantly higher (8.0%) with 50% less fertilizer N application in GM compared with conventional PTR with no GM. Rice treatments did not affect the grain yield of subsequent wheat. ZTWR100 produced significantly higher mean wheat grain yield by 7.3% and 17.5% compared with CTWR0 and ZTWR0, respectively. System productivity was 11.5% higher in PTR with wheat stubble + GM followed by ZTWR100 compared with the conventional RWS and resulted in Rs 24,075 ha−1 more net returns. Significant increases in soil organic carbon, available P and available K contents were recorded in ZTWR100 over CTWR0. Recycling rice and wheat stubble in the field in RWS is also environment friendly as it avoids ill effects of straw burning.

Soil Fertility, Onion-Maize Productivity and N-Use Efficiency as Affected by Green Manure, Mineral and Bio Fertilizers.

SOIL fertility was and still one of the most important factors controlling the productivity of crops. A field experiment was conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Egypt to assess the effect of green manure, bio-N fertilizer and mineral nitrogen fertilizer on some soil properties, mineral nitrogen fertilizer efficiency (i.e., N-use efficiency) and yield of onion (in winter season 2015/2016) following by maize (in summer 2016). Treatments included bio-N-fertilizers, mineral nitrogen fertilizer and green manure. The results showed that using all green manures (i.e., Egyptian clover and fenugreek) before planting onion significantly developed soil properties; increased availability of the studied nutrients and total porosity. Inoculations with bio-fertilizer maximize these effects on soil properties and yield of onion and maize. Interaction between fenugreek with bio-fertilizer and mineral N-fertilizer at 120 kg fed-1 attained the highest values of total onion yield, averages of bulb weight, diameter, dry matter content and nutrients-uptake of NPK in the first season after green manure application. After cultivation of maize, the highest values of grain and dry stalks yields, 100-grain weight and NPK-uptake were obtained with the interaction of Egyptian clover with bio-fertilizer and N-fertilizer at 90 kg fed-1. The use of Egyptian clover as green manure with bio-fertilizer increased N-use efficiency for onion at 60 kg N fed-1 and for maize grain yield was at 120 kg N fed-1. So, the study concluded importance of using green manures to improve soil properties and use efficiency of mineral nitrogen fertilizer.

Green manure effects on inorganic nitrogen dynamics in soil and its accumulation in grape must

The adoption of green manure practices in organic agriculture is increasingly spreading. This work aims to prove whether winter green manure—when compared to a traditional mineral fertilizer— alters the dynamics of inorganic nitrogen (NO3−and NH4+) availability in soil and the yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in grape musts. During a two-year period, the soil nitrogen content was influenced by climatic trend and, especially, by rainfall. In fact, rainy periods reduced inorganic nitrogen availability in the soil. In both years, the green manure plot presented higher soil content of inorganic nitrogen at fruit-set, while different dynamics were shown over the following phenological phases. The must YAN concentration did not differ among treatments over the two-year experiment.