Efficiency Of Fertilizer Use Research Articles

Energy efficiency and economic analysis of mechanized vs conventional cotton production system: A comparative study under rainfed vertisols of Tamil Nadu

Energy efficiency plays a pivotal role in optimizing input use and improving the sustainability of agricultural practices, especially in energy-intensive crops like cotton. Due to its high economic importance, cotton cultivation has been in the need of the hour in developing mechanized cultivation practices aimed at improving production efficiency. This study evaluated energy consumption and performed an economic analysis of mechanized versus conventional cotton production under rainfed vertisols in Tamil Nadu. Among the various inputs, fertilizer application consumed the most energy in both systems, followed by labor energy differences between the 2 methods. Mechanized cultivation drastically reduced labor energy requirements (174.2 MJ/ha) compared to manual methods (2215.6 MJ/ha), highlighting the potential for labor savings. Mechanized cultivation also showed more efficient use of non-renewable energy sources, whereas conventional methods relied more on renewable energy inputs, highlighting the trade-offs between the 2 systems. Mechanized cultivation significantly reduced production costs (Rs. 74290/ha) compared to conventional methods (Rs. 140440/ha), largely due to a 47.8 % reduction in labor costs, demonstrating its economic viability. This study suggests that improving the energy efficiency of mechanized cotton production should prioritize efficient fertilizer use and reducing diesel fuel consumption through enhanced machinery performance.

Nano-fertilizers: The future of nutrient approaches for cereals

Nanotechnology offers a promising solution to address the nutrient demands of cereals, which are nutrient-intensive crops typically reliant on large amounts of inorganic fertilizers. These large quantities of nutrients are supplied to the crop by applying a huge amount of inorganic fertilizer as a soil application led to a decline in environmental systems, particularly affecting the soil health, lesser use efficiency of fertilizers and water resources contamination. In this context, nanotechnology serves as a potential solution. The huge demand for nutrients in cereal crops is met by nano-fertilizers. The nano-fertilizers are now playing a promising role in fulfilling the nutrient requirement of the crops by replacing the normal conventional fertilizers not only for cereals but also for other agricultural crops. The mechanism of action of nano-fertilizers is that they are smaller than the pore size of plant cell walls, allowing them to easily enter and reach the plasma membrane. Nano-fertilizers have 100 times greater surface area than conventional fertilizers, allowing them to easily interact with plant surfaces and increase the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, the nutrient-use efficiency of the crop is increased and shown a positive effect on the physiological and growth parameters of cereal crops, resulting in enhanced yield and improved drought tolerance. This review discussed, the effects and efficiency of nano-fertilizers on cereal crop growth and the correlation between physiological, qualitative, quantitative traits with nano-form of application in detailed manner. This review concludes that nano-fertilizers are the potential nutrient source for cereal crops like rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays) etc. and they are going to be a promising resource for nutrient management in agricultural crops.

Increased stability of a subtropic bamboo forest soil bacterial communities through integration of water and fertilizer management compared to conventional management.

Conventional management (CM), substantial fertilization and flooding irrigation, hasled to soil acidification, the decrease in soil bacterial diversity in bamboo forests. Integration of water and fertilizer management (IWF) can effectively improve the efficiency of water and fertilizer use, but its effect on soil environment, especially on microbial community, is still unclear. Here, we used next-generation high-throughput sequencing to compare soil properties and bacterial communities through different fertilization and irrigation methods under IWF and CM. Compared to the control group, CM significantly reduced soil pH and bacterial diversity, while IWF improved soil nutrition status, increased soil bacterial diversity and soil pH to a level similar to the control group. Compared with CM, IWF also improved the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and copiotrophic bacteria community in the soil, and the bacterial community in IWF was similar to CK. The structure of the bacterial community was also significantly correlated with soil organic matter, total nitrogen, hydrolyzable nitrogen, and available potassium, while soil bacterial diversity was mainly associated with soil hydrolyzable nitrogen. IWF can play an important role in preventing soil acidification, the loss of soil bacterial diversity, and improving the structure of the bacterial community under specific conditions.

Use Efficiency, Reduction Potential, and Effects of Fertilizers on Carbon Emissions in China’s Major Citrus Regions

Enhancing the efficiency of fertilizer utilization and advancing fertilizer reduction efforts constitutes a pivotal initiative for augmenting the quality and productivity of the citrus industry; this constitutes an indispensable prerequisite for attaining green and sustainable development. Utilizing panel data from seven prominent mandarin-producing regions and seven prominent tangerine-producing regions in China spanning from 2002 to 2022, this study employed the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) method to develop a translog production function model for precisely measuring the fertilizer use efficiency for mandarins and tangerines. Employing the calculated optimal fertilizer use rates, we further ascertained the fertilizer reduction potential for mandarin and tangerine; then, we estimated the associated carbon emission reduction potential within these key citrus regions. The research revealed the following findings: the overall level of citrus fertilizer use efficiency in China is comparatively low, with the mean values for mandarin and tangerine fertilizer use efficiency being merely 0.4403 and 0.3887, respectively, indicating substantial room for improvement by approximately 60%; substantial potential exists for decreasing fertilizer use in China’s citrus industry, with average reduction potentials of 66.27% for mandarins and 64.83% for tangerines, signifying a notable redundancy in fertilizer application within major citrus-producing areas. The magnitude of carbon emission reduction potential through the diminution of citrus fertilizer use is tremendous. When optimal fertilizer rates are applied, the average carbon emission reductions resulting from fertilizer reduction in mandarins and tangerines amount to 815.8681 kg/hm2 and 602.3551 kg/hm2, respectively. The average carbon reduction potential for mandarins and tangerines reach levels of 55.9673% and 61.1299%, respectively, both surpassing the threshold of 55%. Significant differences exist in the technical efficiency of fertilizer input, reduction potential, and carbon emission mitigation potential among major citrus-producing regions. Citrus orchards in Guangdong exhibit higher potential for fertilizer reduction but demonstrate a relatively low level of technical efficiency. In contrast, Hunan Province shows an opposite trend, necessitating the development of region-specific strategies. Therefore, to minimize citrus fertilizer use and augment the technical efficiency of citrus fertilizer, it is imperative to comprehensively integrate and promote the “three new” technologies aimed at reducing fertilizer use and enhancing its efficiency within the citrus industry; implement a regional coordinated development strategy for citrus fertilizer reduction; and intensify policy guidance, publicity, and training efforts related to citrus fertilizer reduction, efficiency enhancement, and carbon emissions reduction.

Optimization of an aerated fertilizer irrigation application scheme for tomato photosynthesis, yield and quality in Xi'an, China

Soil aeration is known to alleviate root zone hypoxia, improve root growth environment, and enhance crop yield and water and fertilizer use efficiency. However, the specific effects of coupled soil aeration and fertilization on photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, yield, and quality of tomato remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, greenhouse experiments were conducted for 2 years on tomato in Xi'an, China. In preliminary experiments, it was observed that the combination of venturi and two dispersers treatments could enhance air transfer distance within the drip irrigation system over a range of 0–25 m. Subsequently, in the planting experiments, 3 levels of aeration (A) were established: A1 (no aeration), A2 (7.50 % air-to-water ratio), and A3 (15.00 % air-to-water ratio), along with 3 fertilizer (F) levels: F1 (no additional fertilizer), F2 (N- P2O5-K2O fertilizer application rate of 120-60-78 kg ha−1), and F3 (N- P2O5-K2O fertilizer application rate of 240-120-150 kg ha−1). The study revealed that aeration significantly increased the photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and dry matter content of tomatoes, resulting in a substantial improvement in both yield and quality. Additionally, aeration was found to enhance fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) and water use efficiency (WUE). In 2021, fertilizer increased the Chl. b content and improved photosynthesis, ultimately enhancing the yield, vitamin C, and total soluble sugars in tomatoes. Under the A3F1 treatment, FUE was the highest, while WUE was the highest under the A3F3 treatment. The A1F1 treatment resulted in the lowest tomato yield, with 37.22 t/ha in 2021 and 39.85 t/ha in 2022. The A3F3 treatment consistently produced the highest yield, achieving 50.53 t/ha in 2021 and 51.11 t/ha in 2022. The A1F3 treatment exhibited the highest return on investment. These findings are of paramount importance for optimizing tomato cultivation practices, improving fertilizer efficiency, and promoting sustainable agricultural production.

Evaluating the effect of organic NPK granules on yield, nutrient uptake, post-harvest soil fertility and soil microbial population in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is the most important and staple food crop for more than two third of population of India. India is the second largest rice producing country in the world after China. Although, rice planted area in India is 40 per cent higher than in China, Indian rice production is 30 percent below Chinese production because of lower yields. Among several constraints of production, nutrient management plays a key role in realizing sustainable yield from any given cultivation practices. Integrated nutrient management system plays a vital role in balancing the soil fertility and plant nutrient supply to an optimum level through the judicious and efficient use of chemical fertilizers, green manure, FYM and biofertilizers leading to an eco-friendly approach and economically viable solution for this problem. Continuous integrated use of organic manures with chemical fertilizers would be quite promising in assessing the sustainability of a cropping system vis-à-vis monitoring the soil properties. To investigate further, a field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu from June to September 2023 with a key objective of evaluating the effect of combined application of graded levels of conventional fertilizers along with organic NPK granules in lowland rice. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments comprised of different levels of conventional fertilizers along with organic NPK granules. Among the nutrient management evaluated, all the yield attributes of lowland rice viz., grain yield, straw yield, uptake of nutrients and post-harvest soil available nutrients were significantly influenced by the application of 70% NPK through synthetic fertilizers and 30% NPK through organic granules. Combining conventional fertilizers along with organic NPK granules improved nitrogen use efficiency via metabolite production, enzyme activity stimulation, and microbial rhizosphere interactions significantly enhancing the yield attributes and yield.

Effect of adding fish emulsion and vermicompost on the growth of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.)

The experiment was carried out in the canopy of the Horticulture and Landscape Department - College of Agriculture - University of Kerbala during the spring semester of 2023. The study was implemented as a factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D.) with three replications. The experiment included two factors: fish emulsion (F), which was added at four concentrations: 0, 1, 2, 3% and added five times every two weeks, while the second factor was vermicompost (V), which was added before transferring the seedlings to the planting pots, at four levels: 0, 25, 50. 100 g pot-1. The results showed that adding fish emulsion had a significant effect on most vegetative growth traits, except for plant height and dry matter percentage, while adding Vermicompost had no significant effect on plant height and chlorophyll content of leaves, while it had a significant effect on the rest of the vegetative growth traits. The results of the intervention treatments between the study factors varied in their influence on the studied traits. The F4V4 intervention treatment gave the highest rate of plant height and number of branches, as it gave 85.16 cm and 32.50 branch plant-1, respectively, while the F2V3 treatment gave the highest rate of stem diameter of 3.127 mm, and F1V3 gave the highest rate of dry matter perce32wesaz2ntage, which gave 20.57%, and F3V3 the highest rate of leaf chlorophyll content, which gave 46.91 mg g-1 fresh weight. It can be concluded from this study that fertilizers resulting from organic waste can be used as fertilization sources for plants and combined with them to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, reduce environmental damage, follow a sustainable agriculture system, and increase the efficiency of fertilizer use.

The Influence of Microalgae Fertilizer on Soil Water Conservation and Soil Improvement: Yield and Quality of Potted Tomatoes

We aim to study the impact of microalgae fertilizer on soil nutrients, water conservation and crop yield and quality while also determining the optimal ratio of microalgae fertilizer to chemical fertilizer. Using “Xinoufen No.9” tomatoes as the test subject, we conducted pot experiments with four different treatments: control with 100% chemical fertilizer (CK), T1 (25% microalgae fertilizer + 75% regular chemical fertilizer), T2 (75% microalgae fertilizer + 25% regular chemical fertilizer) and T3 (100% microalgae fertilizer). The results show that an increased application of microalgae fertilizer enhanced the soil organic matter, ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium content. T3 showed the most improvement followed by T2. The co-application of microalgae fertilizer with chemical fertilizer can significantly increase the stem girth, plant height and yield of tomatoes. At the same time, microalgae fertilizer effectively regulates leaf stomatal conductance, promoting tomato leaf respiration. As the stomatal conductance increases, the transpiration rate and net photosynthesis rate of all treatments improve, followed by a decline in intercellular CO2 concentration, with T2 exhibiting the best performance. Among all treatments, T2 treatment yielded the highest per-plant production (0.630 kg), followed by T3 (0.521 kg). This is because the microalgae fertilizer promotes the distribution of photosynthetic products to the fruit, enhancing the yield and quality of tomatoes. Additionally, the microalgae fertilizer also increases the content of soluble sugars, soluble protein, vitamin C and lycopene in the fruit while reducing the nitrate content. Compared to the control group CK, T2 increases the content of soluble sugars, vitamins and lycopene by 26.74%, 39.29% and 158.31%, respectively. Microalgae fertilizer also helps to improve soil water and thermal conditions, enhancing the water-use efficiency of tomatoes. Compared to CK, the water-use efficiency of T2 treatment increased by 54.05%. Correlation analysis indicates that water and fertilizer factors significantly affect tomato yield, with a correlation exceeding 70%. The net photosynthesis and transpiration rates significantly influence fruit quality, with correlations above 80%. By applying microalgae fertilizer, the efficiency of water and fertilizer use can be effectively improved, thus achieving the goal of water conservation and quality enhancement. Therefore, through comprehensive analysis, using the membership function method of indicators such as soil environment, crop yield, fruit quality and water-use efficiency, it is concluded that T2 is the optimal fertilization treatment. This study provides theoretical support for the application of microalgae biofertilizer technology in the cultivation of tomatoes and other vegetables in the northern, cold and arid regions.

Enhancing the cultivation of Salicornia fruticosa with agroindustrial compost leachates in a cascade cropping system: evaluating the impact of melatonin application.

Cascade cropping systems (CCS) utilize leachate from a primary crop to grow secondary crops and enhance the efficient use of water and fertilizers in areas with scarce water resources. A preliminary study investigated the effect of melatonin in a cascade cropping system to potentially improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study aimed to cultivate Salicornia fruticosa in this cropping system to reduce nutrient discharge and assess the impact of exogenous melatonin on Salicornia growth and quality. The CCS included a primary crop of Salicornia grown in an agro-industrial compost or peat. Leachates from these media were used to cultivate the same plant once again in a floating system under four treatments: compost leachate (T1), peat leachate (T2), 100% nutrient solution (NS) (T3), 50% NS (T4) strength. Four concentrations of exogenous melatonin were applied in foliar spray: 0, 100, 200, and 400 µM. Melatonin application increased yield, with the highest values observed when plants were grown in T1. Water use efficiency was also maximized in T1 and with both 200 and 400 µM melatonin applications. The highest nitrogen use efficiency was achieved in plants grown in peat leachate. The lipid membrane damage was assessed revealing that plants grown in compost leachate exhibited the lowest MDA values regardless of melatonin concentrations. The accumulation of some antinutritional compounds (nitrate, oxalate, and sodium) were the highest in those plants grown in compost leachate. Overall, shoots grown in peat leachate exhibited the best phytochemical profile (total phenol content, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity), with peak values in plants treated with 200 µM melatonin. These findings suggest that S. fruticosa can be effectively cultivated using leachate from a previous crop in a floating system and that exogenous melatonin application enhances the yield and nutritional quality of Salicornia shoots.

Combined Application of Biochar and Silicon Fertilizer for Improved Soil Properties and Maize Growth

Biochar can be a good soil amendment to reduce the soil pH, increase crop growth rate, and improve the efficient use of fertilizer. Other than that, silicon fertilizer also would promote photosynthetic ability on plant development that would help to produce high yield. In this work, a series of experiments was conducted to observe the effect of rice husk biochar and silicon fertilizer on the maize growth rate and soil pH. A 45-day pot experiment in the greenhouse with three replicates of 9 experimental treatment combinations of RHB at two rates (5 and 2.5 t.ha-1) with silicon fertilizer at three rates (125%, 100%, 75%), sole biochar (10 t.ha-1), sole silicon fertilizer (100%) and control (NPK) to observe the best rate and combination to improve growth rate and change in soil chemical in acid soil. The result showed that the co-application of sole biochar and biochar with Silicon significantly improved growth development, increased photosynthesis rate, altered soil pH, and reduced Fe concentration compared to control. The plant height increased 88.35% from T4 (5 t.ha-1 RHB + 100% Si) compared to the control and the conductance was higher in T4 (0.53) followed by T8 (0.438) while T1 (0.071) recorded the lowest conductance. The shoot fresh weight was higher in T4 (127.83 g) followed by T8 (57.14 g). However, the weight increased by 343.7% at T4 followed by T8 (2.5 t.ha-1 RHB + 75% Si) at 98.33%. The highest pH increment of 1.24 units (T1 = 5.53, T4 = 6.77) of soil pH was noted from T4 (5 t.ha-1 RHB + 100% Si) compared to control (NPK), and the highest total Fe in soil was observed from T1 (442.30 mg.kg-1). The current study results showed that T4 (50% RHB + 100% Silicon) was the best treatment over the other rates of RHB and silicon increased plant height, photosynthetic rate, and biomass.

Potensi precision farming dalam penerapan prinsip reduce untuk mengurangi limbah sumber daya pertanian

Background: The increase in agricultural production is often accompanied by excessive use of chemical inputs, contributing to environmental pollution. Precision farming is a modern approach that can address this challenge by optimizing input use through advanced technology. This paper explores the application of the reduce principle in precision farming to support efficient use of fertilizers and other resources. Method: The method used is a literature review of various published studies related to precision farming and agricultural land management. Findings: The application of the reduce principle in fertilization activities with precision farming can reduce fertilizer waste by up to 50%, increase land productivity by 10%, and minimize harmful environmental effects, such as groundwater pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Precision farming also improves irrigation efficiency through precision irrigation technology. Conclusion: This study confirms that applying precision farming with a focus on the reduce principle not only supports sustainable agriculture but also provides economic benefits for farmers by reducing production costs. Innovations in precision farming technology, such as the integration of AI-based sensors and IoT, further enhance potential efficiencies in the future. Novelty/Originality of this article: Emphasizing the use of the reduce principle in precision farming as a primary strategy to achieve more efficient and environmentally friendly agriculture aligns with the goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for responsible production.

The effect of combined application of biochar and phosphate fertilizers on phosphorus transformation in saline-alkali soil and its microbiological mechanism

This study investigated the effects of combining Phragmites australis-based biochar, prepared at 400 °C, with various types of phosphate fertilizers—soluble, insoluble, and organic—on the content and transformation of phosphorus fractions in saline-alkali soil. Additionally, we explored microbiological mechanisms driving these transformations. The results showed that this combination significantly increased the concentrations of dicalcium phosphate (Ca2P), octacalcium phosphate (Ca8P), aluminum phosphate (AlP), moderately labile organic phosphorus (MLOP), and resistant organic phosphorus (MROP) in soil. Conversely, the levels of hydroxyapatite (Ca10P) and highly resistant organic phosphorus (HROP) decreased. The increase in labile organic phosphorus (LOP) content or decrease in iron phosphate (FeP) was found to effectively enhance the availability of Olsen phosphorus (Olsen-P) in soil. Furthermore, the study revealed that biochar mixed with organic phosphate fertilizers increased the activity of soil acid phosphatase (ACP) and neutral phosphatase (NEP), while reducing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. In contrast, biochar combined with soluble and insoluble phosphate fertilizers decreased the activity of ACP (22.59 % and 28.57 %, respectively) and NEP (62.50 % and 11.11 %, respectively), with the combination with insoluble fertilizers also reducing ALP activity by 55.84 %, whereas the soluble combination increased it by 190.34 %. Additionally, the co-application of biochar and phosphate fertilizers altered the composition and abundance of the gene phoD-harboring microbial community, enhancing the abundance of Proteobacteria and reducing that of Actinobacteria. Correlation analysis between phoD-functional microbial species and various phosphorus fractions showed that Rhodopseudomonas was significantly associated with several phosphorus components, exhibiting a positive correlation with Ca2P, Ca8P, AlP, LOP, MLOP, and MROP, but a negative relationship with Ca10P. These findings suggest that the combined application of biochar and phosphate fertilizers could change the abundance of Rhodopseudomonas, potentially influencing phosphorus cycling in the soil. This research provides a strong scientific foundation for the efficient combined use of biochar and phosphate fertilizers in managing saline-alkali soil.

Phosphorus-, potassium-, and silicon-solubilizing bacteria from forest soils can mobilize soil minerals to promote the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

BackgroundForest soils are usually highly weathered and abundant in mineral-weathering bacteria, which have not been used to mobilize soil minerals for crop production. Here, we used an acidic forest soil with low available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and silicon (Si) to isolate bacteria capable of co-solubilizing P, K, and Si (PKSi-solubilizing) and the model rice plant to test their potential to mobilize soil P, K, and Si for crop nutrition.ResultsSix PKSi-solubilizing strains representative of common mineral-weathering proteobacteria taxa (genera Burkholderia, Paraburkholderia, Collimonas, Pseudomonas, and Agrobacterium) were screened out. They showed diverse P-, K-, or Si-solubilizing activities and produced diverse organic acids. Their mineral-solubilizing activities were positively correlated with the levels of medium pH reduction and gluconic acid production. They promoted the growth of rice seedlings grown in the forest soil by increasing soil available P and Si, plant P, K, and Si cumulative contents and dry weight, and the corresponding root-to-shoot ratios. The growth of rice seedlings alone and with the inoculated PKSi-solubilizing stains in the acidic forest soil did not reduce the soil pH.ConclusionsThe forest soil with low available P, K, and Si is a valuable resource for high-performance PKSi-solubilizing bacteria improving soil fertility and crop nutrition. The PKSi-solubilizing bacteria screened out can promote rice seedling growth by mobilizing P, K, and Si from soil to plant in the acidic soil with low available P, K, and Si. They show potentials to mitigate soil P, K, and Si deficiency and promote crop growth, and to recover soluble P, K, and Si from chemical fertilizers and improve the use efficiency of chemical fertilizers, thus reducing the input of chemical fertilizers. They may retard soil acidification by Si-solubilization and improve soil quality.Graphical

Adjusting Irrigation and Phosphate Fertilizer to Optimize Tomato Growth and Production

The efficient use of phosphate fertilizers and optimization of the amounts of irrigation water can maximize tomato growth and fruit production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different phosphorus (P) doses and sources on the growth and production components of tomato plants of the cultivar Gaúcho Melhorado Nova Seleção subjected to different irrigation water percentages. To achieve this, we set up an experiment using a factorial design to test the effects of four doses of P2O5 (corresponding to 25%, 50%, 100%, and 200% of the recommended dose), two P sources (monoammonium phosphate—MAP and organomineral—OM), and four irrigation water percentages (50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of field capacity). Tomato plant growth improved when water was supplied at a percentage close to 100% of field capacity, with increased plant height, leaf length, and number of flowers observed (increases of 11.95%, 7.33%, and 13.87%, respectively, compared to 50% of field capacity). However, both excess and deficit irrigation resulted in morphological changes in tomato plants. Additionally, we observed that OM was more effective than MAP in increasing plant diameter and number of flowers, with increases of up to 36.4% and 227.6%, respectively, when using OM. Conversely, tomato growth was negatively affected by higher doses of MAP doses, suggesting that 25% of the recommended dose may yield the best growth rates. We verified that tomato plants can compensate for low phosphorus doses by increasing productivity with higher water amounts (125%–42.40 t ha−1), but high phosphorus doses result in greater fruit production with lower water percentages (50%–41.52 t ha−1).

Impact of greenhouse climate on performance of strawberry cultivated in soilless media under time-differential supplemental lighting

Strawberry production is significantly affected by the climatic conditions (mainly light, temperature, and humidity). Thus, management of climate is of utmost importance for improving the plant growth, yield, and quality of strawberries. Keeping this in view, a study was undertaken to study the impact of greenhouse climate on performance of strawberry cultivated in soilless media under time-differential supplemental lighting. This research included three levels of supplemental lighting (I) viz. 235 (I1), 169 (I2), 132 μ mol m−2 s−1 (I3), and 3 levels of photoperiod (P) viz. 12 (P1), 14 (P2), and 16 h (P3) replicated thrice in a factorial completely randomized design (CRD) layout. The supplemental lighting of 132 μ mol m−2s−1 and photoperiod of 16 h resulted in highest fruit yield of 450.0 g/plant with an average value of 408.9 g/plant. The results indicated a significant increase in yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) of camarosa strawberry with decrease in supplemental lighting from 235 to 132 μ mol m−2s−1 and increase in photoperiod from 12 to 16 h. Thus, subjecting the camarosa strawberry plants to light in the range of 362.5–430.6 μ mol m−2s−1 (including supplemental light of 132 μ mol m−2s−1) for about 16 h, keeping the temperature and humidity in the range of 19.5–25.0 °C and 65.0–75.0%, respectively, is desired to record the improved plant growth and quality fruit production, when cultivated in soilless media inside a greenhouse.

Nutrient regime and balance of nutrients in soil under forage crops under application of different types of fertilizers (on the example of Kyzylorda region)

Modern agriculture is facing a number of challenges, among which the efficient use of fertilisers to provide plants with the necessary nutrients is of particular importance. In particular, the growing focus on sustainable agriculture and the need to preserve soil resources underline the relevance of research into optimising fertiliser use. The purpose of the study was to identify effective methods of fertiliser use to provide plants with nutrients. To achieve this goal, the effectiveness of green manure, organic (manure) and mineral fertilisers under Sorghum and perennial grasses (Medicago sativa, Elytrigia, Agropyron) on saline soil was investigated. The study founded that organic fertilisers, such as manure and green manure, contribute to a more even supply of nutrients to plants compared to mineral fertilisers. This is particularly important in the context of nitrogen and phosphorus balance, where Medicago sativa has a positive nitrogen balance due to its ability to symbiotically fix nitrogen. Other crops studied, such as Elytrigia, Agropyron and Sorghum, showed a negative nitrogen balance on the control variant, but the application of N100P50K110 mineral fertiliser resulted in a positive nitrogen balance. The replacement of mineral fertilisers with organic fertilisers such as manure and green manure increased nitrogen inputs but also increased nitrogen removal from the soil due to the increase in phytomass yields. The results of the study confirmed the importance of transitioning to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of production in agriculture, which will ensure the development of the industry and increase its competitiveness in the international market. The practical significance of the study is to provide farmers with the opportunity to increase the yield of their crops and at the same time preserve soil fertility through the optimal use of nutrients contained in fertilisers

Effects of Different Microbial Fertilizers on Soil Quality and Maize Yield in Coastal Saline Soil

Microbial fertilizers have the characteristics of high efficiency and environmental protection in improving saline soils, and the application of functional microbial fertilizers is of great significance for the green abatement of saline barriers and the improvement of soil quality in coastal areas. The experiment was based on moderately saline soil in the coastal area of Hebei Province, with corn as the indicator crop, on the basis of conventional chemical fertilizer application. Different microbial fertilizer treatments, namely, T1 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + compound microbial agent 75 kg·hm-2）, T2 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + Bacillus megaterium 300 kg·hm-2）, T3 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + B. mucilaginosus 300 kg·hm-2）, T4 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + organic silicon fertilizer 600 kg·hm-2）, T5 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + bio-organic fertilizer 600 kg·hm-2）, T6 （conventional fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + active microalgae 15 kg·hm-2）, and CK （only fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2）, were used for these seven treatments, to study the effects of different microbial fertilizers on soil nutrients, salinity, bacterial community, and corn yield and economic efficiency during two critical periods （V12 stage and maturity stage） of corn. The results showed that compared with that in CK, T1 significantly increased soil total nitrogen （TN） and available phosphorus （AP） contents during the whole growth period. Over the whole reproductive period, soil organic matter （OM） at maturity increased by 10.35% over the V12 stage compared to that in CK, but there was no significant difference between treatments. Compared with that in CK, T5 and T6 significantly reduced soil total salinity and Ca2+ content during the whole growth period by an average of 14.51%-18.48% and 24.25%-25.51%. T1 significantly increased the bacterial diversity index over the whole growth period by 45.16% compared to that in CK. The dominant soil phyla were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, and the dominant genera were Bacillus and Geminicoccaceae. The most abundant functions of the bacterial community in the study area were chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophy, with average relative abundances of 28.89% and 27.11%, and T3 and T6 significantly improved soil N cycling function. The results of redundancy analysis （RDA） indicated that Na+, SO42-, pH, and EC were important factors driving the structure of the bacterial community, and correlation heatmaps showed that Na+, SO42-, pH, and EC were significantly and positively correlated mainly with the phylum Planctomycetota, whereas soil OM and TN were significantly and positively correlated with Cyanobacteria. Compared with that in CK, T6 increased the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria and optimized the bacterial community structure during the whole growth period. Using recommended dosages of bacterial fertilizers T1 and T6 increased maize yield by 7.31%-24.83% and economic efficiency by 9.05%-23.23%, respectively. The preliminary results of soil chemical properties and yield correlation analysis revealed that EC, AP, HCO3-, and Mg2+ were the obstacle factors limiting soil productivity in coastal areas. In conclusion, the use of the compound bacterial agent （T1） and active microalgae （T6） at the recommended dosage can significantly enhance soil nutrients, reduce salinity, and improve the structural diversity of soil bacterial communities, which not only ensures the increase in maize yield and efficiency but also realizes the efficient use of microbial fertilizers and the improvement of soil quality.

Nitrogen and Sulfur Interaction Affects Strawberry Production and Quality

ABSTRACT Understanding ionic interactions is essential to promote adequate crop nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) and their effects on strawberries’ production and postharvest quality. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions adopting a completely randomized design in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the combination of three rates of S (0, 30, and 60 mg dm−3) in the form of calcium sulfate (CaSO4·2 H2O) and five rates of N (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg dm−3) in the form of urea (pro analysis grade) enriched to 10 atom% 15N. The fruits were harvested weekly when showing ¾ maturation. At the end of the harvest, evaluations of the mineral composition of the plants’ shoots, determination of N utilization, and physicochemical analyses of the fruit pulp were performed. The results showed that the interaction between N and S affected the fertilizer use efficiency (FUE), strawberry production, and the physicochemical attributes of the fruit pulp. Applying 120 mg dm−3 N and 30 mg dm−3 S improved both strawberry production and postharvest quality. Therefore, balancing N and S levels can improve both the yield and quality of strawberries.

Research on the Coupling Effect of Water and Fertilizer on Maize under Multi-Objective Conditions and Its Application Scenarios

It is of great significance to establish maize water and fertilizer application schemes under multi-objective conditions to improve water- and fertilizer-use efficiency, reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable agricultural developments. This study aims to analyze the effects of different water and fertilizer combinations on the summer maize yield, water-use efficiency, and field N2O flux and to determine the optimal water and fertilizer application scheme for summer maize. Field experiments were conducted in 2023, with a total of 15 different combinations of upper and lower limits of irrigation and fertilizer levels. A binary quadratic regression model based on the yield, water-use efficiency, and N2O emission flux was constructed. The fast non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA-III) was employed for verification and solution finding to simulate the optimal water and fertilizer regime. The results indicate that with increasing water and fertilizer applications, the field N2O emission flux gradually increases. The summer maize yield and water-use efficiency show a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing. Compared to fertilization, irrigation has a more significant impact on the summer maize yield and water-use efficiency, while fertilization notably influences the field N2O emission flux to a greater extent. Using NSGA-III, the simulated optimal water and fertilizer combination showed no significant difference in the yield and water-use efficiency compared to the actual optimal water–fertilizer irrigation combination (moderate water and moderate fertilizer), with a 3.12% increase in the field N2O emission flux, a 15.30% decrease in the irrigation amount, and an 11.90% reduction in the fertilizer application. In conclusion, employing the optimized water and fertilizer combination can reduce agricultural irrigation and fertilization while ensuring crop yields, providing theoretical support for the green, efficient, and sustainable development of the summer maize industry.

Integrated nitrogen fertilizer management for improving wheat yield and the efficiency of water and nitrogen fertilizer use

Improving resource use efficiency through optimized nitrogen (N) management is the key to increasing crop productivity, but it remains unclear whether integrated N management practices could better improve wheat yield and the use of N and water. Here we investigated the effects of individual and integrated N management practices on wheat production in different soil-climatic conditions, and constructed the relationship between the soil-climate factors and N application rate on wheat yield. Results showed that individual N management practice (optimized N application rate only) reduced wheat yield by 2.4 %, increased N use efficiency (NUE) by 45 %, and decreased water use efficiency (WUE) by 2.2 %; however, integrated N management practice (integrating optimized N rate with irrigation, tillage, manure, or straw return) increased yield and NUE on average by 5.4 % and 55 % respectively, without reducing WUE. In different soil-climate conditions, individual N management practice decreased wheat yield from 1.1 % to 5.0 %; however, integrated N management practice increased yield by 8.5 %, 6.4 %, and 5.8 % in soil organic carbon (SOC) ≥ 10 g kg−1, mean annual precipitation ≤ 400 mm, and 10 °C < mean annual temperature ≤ 15 °C, respectively. Mixed-effects model showed that the integrated N management practice had a higher yield by better exploiting the yield-enhancing benefits of SOC. Facing the complex production environment of the future, applying integrated N management practice will be a key alternative for improving grain production and resource use efficiency.