Terms Of Fertility Research Articles

Phosphorus Biofertilizers from Ash and Bones—Agronomic Evaluation of Functional Properties

<p>Renewable raw materials could be a valuable source of phosphorus for plants. The bioavailability of this element can be enhanced by phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria. Suspension biofertilizers have been produced from sewage sludge ash and animal bones and enriched with the bacteria <em>Bacillus megaterium</em>. The functional properties of these preparations were compared in field experiments (northeast Poland, 2014, four replications) on spring wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> ssp. <em>vulgare</em> Mac Key) to conventional fertilizers (superphosphate, phosphorite), ash-water solution (without microorganisms) and a control treatment without P fertilization. The soil type and cultivation regime were adjusted to the requirements of spring wheat in line with good agricultural practice. The effects of biofertilizers on the following were investigated: wheat yield, ear density, number of grains in the ear, the weight of 1000 grains, harvest index, weed infestation, the weight and structure of crop residues, and the pH of soil. Phosphorus biofertilizers from ash and bones equalled commercial fertilizers in terms of their crop-enhancing efficiency. Biofertilizer from ash, and ash diluted with water reduced weed infestation of the growing crop. Biofertilizer from bones resulted in a greater weight of wheat crop residues. Biofertilizers did not change the pH of soil. It is expected that the production of biofertilizers containing recycled phosphorus will be an alternative to its non-renewable resources and will also contribute to effective waste management.</p>

Effects of municipal solid waste compost, rice-straw compost and mineral fertilisers on biological and chemical properties of a saline soil and yields in a mustard–pearl millet cropping system

We investigated the effects of organic amendments, municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and rice-straw compost (RSC) with and without mineral fertilisers on biological and chemical properties of a saline soil. Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years during 2012–14. In the first year, application of 8tha–1 of MSWC+50% of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) resulted in higher microbial biomass carbon (MBC), enzyme activities, soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) than 7tha–1 of RSC+50% RDF, after mustard (Brassica juncea) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) harvests. Combined use of 8tha–1 of MSWC+50% RDF resulted in 47% and 54% more MBC than the unfertilised control after mustard and pearl millet harvests, respectively. Dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher with 100% RDF than the control after 2 years of the cropping cycle. Among organic amendments, MSWC was superior to RSC in terms of MBC, and activities of dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and urease. SOC was significantly increased under MSWC+50% RDF compared with 100% RDF alone. Significant build-up of soil fertility in terms of available N, P and K was observed with RSC+50% RDF compared with the control. During the second year of the cropping system, soil treated with RSC+50% RDF had 14%, 17% and 9% higher N, P and K than soil treated with 100% RDF, after pearl millet harvest. The magnitude of change in soil electrical conductivity and pH was low during 2012–13; however, soil salinity decreased by 55% and 48% with MSWC+50% RDF and RSC+50% RDF, respectively, relative to the control at 120 days of pearl millet growth in 2013–14. Application of MSWC +50% RDF produced 2.5 and 2.70tha–1 of mustard and pearl millet, and increased grain yield by 19% and 15%, respectively, compared with 100% RDF. Integrated use organic amendments and mineral fertiliser is recommended for promoting biological and chemical properties of saline soil in a mustard–pearl millet cropping system.

Growth and nutrient dynamics of transplanted <i>Quercus variabilis</i> seedlings as influenced by pre-hardening and fall fertilization

Stored nutrient reserves are closely correlated with survival and growth of transplanted seedlings. Previous studies have proven that combining pre-hardening fertilization (PF) with fall fertilization (FF) built seedling nutrient reserves more effectively; however, their effect on transplanting performance is poorly documented. We investigated the independent and interacting effects of 2 levels of PF and 4 levels of FF on seedling growth, nutrient acquisition and accumulation during different growth phases 1 year after transplanting of Blume in a nursery. High PF benefited nutrient reserves and subsequent transplanted seedling growth and tissue nutrient storage at the end of the rapid growth and hardening phases. Fall fertilization with 36 mg N increased stem dry mass and tissue nutrient content at the end of the hardening phase. At the conclusion of establishment, PF and FF showed a significant interaction for N and K uptake from soil. At the end of the rapid growth and hardening phases, high PF consistently increased nutrient uptake. Enhanced N and K uptake occurred following application of 36 mg N of FF at the end of the hardening phase. Distinct roles for PF and FF on 3 phases of transplanted seedlings demonstrated the necessity to evaluate fertilization in terms of nutrient reserves and subsequent transplanting performance in consecutive phases. Combining 100 mg N seedling during pre-hardening with 36 mg N seedling during fall yielded ideal transplanting performance for seedlings.Quercus variabilis –1–1Quercus variabilis

Does basal luteinizing hormone help predict the fate of in vitro fertilization?

Evaluate the role of baseline serum luteinizing hormone (LH) in predicting the success of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in terms of clinical pregnancy and live birth rate. Women who underwent IVF and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), following either the agonist or the antagonist protocol, were retrospectively evaluated over a period of two years at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. We investigated the correlation of serum LH levels in the follicular phase with pregnancy outcomes. A P-value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The individuals (351) were divided into four groups based on LH and FSH baseline values, and the levels were correlated with clinical pregnancy and live births. The highest clinical pregnancy rate (25%) was achieved in women with low LH (< 2IU/l); whereas the miscarriage rate was almost similar in all the groups. The pregnancy rate was the lowest (16%) in women with high LH levels (> 8IU/L). Pregnancy rates were intermediate (20%) if LH was intermediate (2-8IU/L). However, none of the results had statistical significance. Early follicular serum LH levels before an IVF/ICSI treatment cycle did not have any clear relationship with clinical pregnancy or live birth rates.

Researches Concerning the Productivity and Quality of Onix Soybean

Abstract Most food production systems depend on the addition of fertilizer, which is a finite source, considering their origin. Predictions on how long it is until these resources will be exhausted are not encouraging since time is limited to the level of few decades. It is therefore of huge importance to study and get to know the processes leading to increase in soybean productivity, whereas the adoption of proper management of nutrients must become the number one priority when we want to develop a sustainable vegetable production system. Through this research we aimed to evaluate the behavior of a variety (Onyx) of soybean developed by The Station for Agricultural Research and Development (SARD) of Turda under the influence of fertilization with different doses of Gulle in the specific conditions from SARD of Turda and thereby highlight the most effective dose of fertilizer both in terms of production as and quality. The experiments were established in 2013 within the SARD of Turda, located in western Transylvania Plain, Romania. Experimental variants are G1-0 t ha-1, control, G2-5 t ha-1, G3- 10 t ha-1, G4- not 15 t ha-1. The results showed that all parameters studied were favored by the climatic conditions specific to the year 2014 and by fertilization with 15 t ha-1 Gulle. Positive correlations have been highlighted between grain yield and protein yield and between nodule number and grain yield.

Long term effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and economics of rice (Oryza sativaL.)-wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) system in north-western Himalaya

The present investigation was carried out to study the integrated effect of nutrient management on rice and wheat yield and its economics in an on-going long term fertilizer experiment initiated during kharif 1991 at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. Eight treatments comprising control, 100% NPK (inorganic) and conjoint use of 50 and 75% NPK with 50 and 25% N substitution either through FYM, wheat straw or green manure Sesbania aculeata to rice (June-October) followed by 100 and 75% NPK through inorganics to wheat (November-May), respectively, were imposed since the inception of the experiment. Grain and straw yields of both the crops were recorded after 20th and 21st cropping cycles (2010–11 and 2011–12). The omission of chemical fertilizers and organics for last 20 years (control) resulted in significantly lower yield in comparison to rest of the treatments. Continuous substitution of 50% N through green manure with 50% NPK produced maximum rice grain (7.37 t/ha) and straw (6.21 t/ha) yield which was 16.8 and 14.8% higher over 100% NPK alone. In case of wheat, highest grain yield (3.64 t/ha) was recorded in treatment where 50% N was substituted through FYM to rice crop every year. The data further revealed that application of (i) 50% NPK+50% N through FYM to rice followed by 100% NPK to wheat, (ii) 100% NPK to both the crops and (iii) 50% NPK+50% N through green manure to rice followed by 100% NPK to wheat gave significantly higher net returns (193, 170 and 163%, respectively) over control. The highest benefit: cost (B: C) ratio of 1.40 was recorded in treatment where 100% NPK was applied to both the crops followed by 1.22 in treatment where 50% NPK+50% N through FYM to rice followed by 100% NPK to wheat was applied.

Humus state of chernozem at different ways of tillage in the agrosystems of the left-bank forest steppe of Ukraine

The contemporary condition of soil cover in Ukraine is characterized. The attention is focused onto widespread degradation processes in soils. The causes that determine the development of these negative processes are considered. The contemporary informational support for the condition of soil cover in Ukraine is estimated. In general, the current available information is of narrow-departmental nature, obtained by different methods and non-correlated monitoring programs. As a rule, it is stored in under-structured databases, incompatible with other information systems; mainly recorded on paper media unusable with modern technologies, whereby such information resources are diffi cult to be compiled together. These disadvantages are strong constraints against consistent usage of materials for evaluation, forecast and management of changes in the soil cover. The Soil Observation program should thereby be combined with Agrochemical Passportization and ecology-ameliora- tive monitoring; in other words, the application of innovative soil-agrochemical methodology is considered. Each individual type of surveys shall complement the others, and taken altogether, they shall constitute a con- sistent Information System, capable of solving the problems of assessing the condition, forecasting, manage- ment, usage and protection of soil resources. The monitoring procedures should be conducted on the basis of a new soil concept in line with unifi ed programs and methods, so as to meet European approaches to the maxi- mum extent. Such a technical composition enables getting information on present-day processes in soils, and is the only combination that actually helps us to “ecologize” our knowledge of soils, which is the leading trend in the scope of global soil-science. Thus obtained results will serve as a State-owned tool which would subse- quently facilitate the use and protection of soil resources all over the country, to be involved in a united global soil-information scope. The attention is focused onto social signifi cance of the information on soils and their fertility in terms of land resources optimization, as well as the formation of sustainable land use in Ukraine. Aim. To demonstrate the long-term effect of different ways of tillage of typical low-humus chernozem on the change in humus content and composition and the direction of transformation processes of organic fertili- zers. To study the changes in the structure of energy reserves in group and fractional composition of humus in typical low-humus light-loamy chernozem of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory, microbiological, computational, mathematical and statistical. Results. It was determined that in conditions of long-term subsurface tillage the most effi cient humus accumulation occurs in the 0–20 cm layer of chernozem with simultaneous increase in its content in the lower part of the processed layer without any accumulation differentiation. Surface tillage leads to expressed differentiation in humus accumulation in the 0–20 cm layer of soil (0.005 % per year). When 6 t/ha of humus are replaced by 7 t/ha of by-products the intensity of humus accumulation is decreasing regardless of the way of tillage, but humus accumulation was found to be the most effi cient for subsurface tillage. The application of subsurface tillage leads to the increase in the ratio of C HA : C FA , which is conditioned by the increase in the humifi cation of plant remains of by-products in the 0−20 cm layer of soil by 110–112 % – for subsurface tillage, and by 105 % – for surface tillage. Conclusions. It was established that systematic subsurface tillage of typical chernozem of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine leads to the structuring both of the total reserves of energy С org , and its quality content, aimed at the increase in the intensity of the processes of humifi cation and accumulation of organic carbon, and the decrease in miner- alization. The ratio of energy reserves С org of humic acids to fulvic acids in the 0−30 cm layer of chernozem is 1.85−1.87 regardless of the way of tillage, which testifi es to the repeatability of humus accumulation, but the total reserves of energy С org was higher for subsurface tillage (+ 31 Teracalorie/ha) compared to deep plough- ing. As for the surface tillage, the energy enrichment was at the level of deep ploughing.

Impact of Vermicomposting in Agricultural Waste Management vis-à-vis Soil Health Care

Accumulation and putrefaction of various wastes may cause several adverse effects on environment and living organisms including human health. Preparation of vermicompost (organic manure) from various organic wastes will save our environment as a whole; simultaneously organic wastes can also be managed properly. With this background for saving our environment from use of chemical fertilizers through proper management of agricultural wastes, an experiment was carried out in the farmer’s field at village Bhabanipur, Block Haringhata, District Nadia, West Bengal, India) during the year 2013 – 2014 with two crops (Rice-kharif/ rainy season and Lentil-rabi/winter season). It has been found that the application of vermicompost showed better result in comparison to chemical fertilizers in terms of soil physical and chemical properties as well as productivity of soil.J. Environ. Sci. &amp; Natural Resources, 8(1): 99-104 2015

High male fertility in males of a subdioecious shrub in hand-pollinated crosses.

Female reproductive success in females versus hermaphrodites has been well documented. However, documenting a potential advantage in male fertility of male versus hermaphrodite individuals in subdioecious species is also essential for understanding the evolutionary pathway toward dioecy from hermaphroditism via gynodioecy. Siring success in terms of fruit set, fruit mass, number of seeds and mean seed mass was compared by hand-pollinated crosses in the subdioecious shrub Eurya japonica The pollen was from male and hermaphrodite individuals, and the pollen recipients were females and hermaphrodites. Seed quality was also evaluated in terms of seed germination rate, seed germination day and seedling survival. Overall, pollen from males sired more fruits of larger size and more seeds than did pollen from hermaphrodites. The male advantage was observed when pollen recipients were females, whereas no effect was found in hermaphrodite recipients. Pollen from males also produced better quality seeds with higher germination rate and sooner germination day. Although these results could also be explained by a higher pollen load for crosses with male pollen donors, we took care to saturate the stigma regardless of the pollen donor. Therefore, these results suggest that male individuals of E. japonica have advantages in male fertility in terms of both quantity and quality. Our previous studies indicated that females exhibit higher female reproductive success compared with hermaphrodites. Thus, both the female and male functions of hermaphrodites are outperformed by females and males, respectively, raising the possibility that the subdioecious E. japonica at this study site is entering the transitional phase to dioecy along the gynodioecy-dioecy pathway.

Phylogenetically diverse AM fungi from Ecuador strongly improve seedling growth of native potential crop trees.

In many deforested regions of the tropics, afforestation with native tree species could valorize a growing reservoir of degraded, previously overused and abandoned land. The inoculation of tropical tree seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) can improve tree growth and viability, but efficiency may depend on plant and AM fungal genotype. To study such effects, seven phylogenetically diverse AM fungi, native to Ecuador, from seven genera and a non-native AM fungus (Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM197198) were used to inoculate the tropical potential crop tree (PCT) species Handroanthus chrysanthus (synonym Tabebuia chrysantha), Cedrela montana, and Heliocarpus americanus. Twenty-four plant-fungus combinations were studied in five different fertilization and AMF inoculation treatments. Numerous plant growth parameters and mycorrhizal root colonization were assessed. The inoculation with any of the tested AM fungi improved seedling growth significantly and in most cases reduced plant mortality. Plants produced up to threefold higher biomass, when compared to the standard nursery practice. AM fungal inoculation alone or in combination with low fertilization both outperformed full fertilization in terms of plant growth promotion. Interestingly, root colonization levels for individual fungi strongly depended on the host tree species, but surprisingly the colonization strength did not correlate with plant growth promotion. The combination of AM fungal inoculation with a low dosage of slow release fertilizer improved PCT seedling performance strongest, but also AM fungal treatments without any fertilization were highly efficient. The AM fungi tested are promising candidates to improve management practices in tropical tree seedling production.

Analysis of Information Support for the Condition of Soil Resources in Ukraine

The contemporary condition of soil cover in Ukraine is characterized. The attention is focused onto widespread degradation processes in soils. The causes that determine the development of these negative processes are considered. The contemporary informational support for the condition of soil cover in Ukraine is estimated. In general, the current available information is of narrow-departmental nature, obtained by different methods and non-correlated monitoring programs. As a rule, it is stored in under-structured databases, incompatible with other information systems; mainly recorded on paper media unusable with modern technologies, whereby such information resources are diffi cult to be compiled together. These disadvantages are strong constraints against consistent usage of materials for evaluation, forecast and management of changes in the soil cover. The Soil Observation program should thereby be combined with Agrochemical Passportization and ecology-ameliora- tive monitoring; in other words, the application of innovative soil-agrochemical methodology is considered. Each individual type of surveys shall complement the others, and taken altogether, they shall constitute a con- sistent Information System, capable of solving the problems of assessing the condition, forecasting, manage- ment, usage and protection of soil resources. The monitoring procedures should be conducted on the basis of a new soil concept in line with unifi ed programs and methods, so as to meet European approaches to the maxi- mum extent. Such a technical composition enables getting information on present-day processes in soils, and is the only combination that actually helps us to “ecologize” our knowledge of soils, which is the leading trend in the scope of global soil-science. Thus obtained results will serve as a State-owned tool which would subse- quently facilitate the use and protection of soil resources all over the country, to be involved in a united global soil-information scope. The attention is focused onto social signifi cance of the information on soils and their fertility in terms of land resources optimization, as well as the formation of sustainable land use in Ukraine.

Characterization of the productive performance of Highlander sheep in Southern Chile. II. Male reproductive traits

Basic information on the reproductive potential of animals is required to establish sound reproductive procedures including the application of assisted reproductive technology. The study aimed to characterize the reproductive performance of rams of the Highlander breed during the breeding season. With this purpose 53 rams were allocated to two experiments: in the first one, 8 Highlander rams were compared against 8 Suffolk rams used as reference in terms of scrotal circumference, ejaculate traits and service capacity test; and in the second experiment, 37 rams and 506 ewes in a male to female ratio ranging between 1:8–24, were used to assess male fertility in terms of conception and prolificacy rates of ewes exposed. Compared to Suffolk rams, results showed that Highlander rams exhibited larger scrotal circumference (P=0.003), tended to have both larger sperm concentration (P=0.08) and lower volume (P=0.098), and have similar sperm normal morphology (P=0.63) in their ejaculates; their spermatozoa moved at lower speed (VCL, P<0.001; VAP, P=0.02) but more linearly (LIN, P=0.006; ALH, P<0.001), and rams displayed less sexual activity (effective mounts, P=0.028; false mounts, P<0.001). When rams were exposed for natural breeding, their average reproductive performance was consistent with the conventional targets demanded for high productivity. Although significant differences in performances were found between rams, no correlation was found between conception rate neither with male to female ratio (P=0.82) nor with prolificacy (P=0.95) or between male to female ratio and prolificacy (P=0.58). Cumulative results suggest that Highlander rams exhibit an adequate potential for reproduction. However, for meeting high standards of productivity, Highlander rams need to be selected by potential fertility of their ejaculates and service capacity in addition to the conventional breeding soundness evaluation.

Biowaste compost effects on productive and qualitative characteristics of some field crops and on soil fertility

Biowaste compost exploitation is a way of recovering agricultural soil fertility that in these last decades decreased up to a desertification limit. In order to test compost efficacy on crop yield and soil fertility, in the period 2011-2013 at COTIR experimental farm, a trial comparing different amounts of compost on two crop rotations was carried out. Crop rotations tested were durum wheat-sunflower-durum wheat and tomato-durum wheat-pepper. Results showed that the use of 40 t ha–1 of compost increased wheat grain yield and protein content if compared to control and mineral fertilised treatment. Compost application at 40 t ha–1 increased also yield of pepper in the first two harvest times, while during the third harvest, which included green and red berries, (the) yield was statistically different only if compared to control treatment. Moreover, compost improved soil fertility both in terms of organic matter and main nutritional elements, while a negative aspect of its use was the increase of soil electric conductivity, although no negative effect on crops yield were observed.

The Changes of Nutrient Content in Soil in Long-term Fertilizer Experiments

&lt;p&gt;The paper describes the influence of long term (more than 30 years) fertilizer application to the changes of soil properties and identifies the influence of different fertilization rates to phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium accumulation in soil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The research has been carried out at the Research Institute of Agriculture of Latvian University of Agriculture in the long-term subsurface drainage field established in Skrīveri in 1981 under the guidance of professor J. Štikāns. The long-term drainage field was established in the uncultivated gleyic sod-podzolic &lt;em&gt;Hypostagnic&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Endogleyic Albeluvisol (Hypereutric), stw-ng-AB(he) &lt;/em&gt;loam that had not been used in agriculture for 20 years before. The experimental field was established with four rates of mineral fertilizers: without fertilizers, N45P30K45; N90P60K90 N135P90K135 calculated in form of P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt; and K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O. Since 1994 a seven-year crop rotation has been organized: 1) winter triticale, 2) potatoes, 3) spring wheat, 4) spring oilseed rape, 5) spring barley + perennial grasses (red clover, timothy), 6) perennial grasses, 1st year of using, and 7) perennial grasses 2nd year of using. Mineral fertilizers were applied according to the anticipated rates of plant nutrient elements annually during the cultivation of soil before sowing. For winter cultivars the phosphorus as superphosphate and potassium as potassium chloride fertilizers were cultivated before the sowing in autumn and nitrogen in form of ammonium nitrate was applied the next spring at the beginning of vegetation and at the stage of tillering. During the vegetation period all the required common agro-technical measures were taken – treatment with herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After 32 years of trial similar soil parameters showed significantly different content of nutrients related to the different level of fertilizer application. On a low background of fertilizers (N45P30K45) a small increase of mobile phosphorus in soil has only been observed in recent years. At the fertilizer rate N90P60K90 the content of available phosphorus and potassium in soil gradually begins to grow. Fertilization norm N135P90K135 caused a constant accumulation of nutrients in soil. In 30 years’ time the content of exchangeable phosphorus (calcium lactate – extractable) has increased more than 20 times (from 9 till 184 mg P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt; kg&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) and exchangeable potassium (calcium lactate – extractable) has increased more than 4 times (from 64 till 223 mg K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O kg&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;). There were no relation between different fertilizing rates and calcium and magnesium content in soil observed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

The Nutrient Concentration in Drainage Water in Fertilizer Experiments in Skriveri

&lt;p&gt;The paper describes the influence of long term (more than 30 years) fertilizer application to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium leaching through subsurface drainage in small experimental catchment. The effect of crop and cultivation practice on nutrient concentrations in drainage water is analyzed. This paper presents leaching data during 2011-2013 when spring oilseed rape (OSR), spring barley (SB) and perennial grasses (GC) were grown.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The research has been carried out at the Research Institute of Agriculture of Latvian University of Agriculture in the long-term subsurface drainage field established in Skrīveri in 1981 under the guidance of professor J. Štikāns. The long-term drainage field was established in the uncultivated gleyic sod-podzolic &lt;em&gt;Hypostagnic&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Endogleyic Albeluvisol (Hypereutric), stw-ng-AB(he) &lt;/em&gt;loam that had not been used in agriculture for 20 years before. The experimental field was established with four rates of mineral fertilizers: without fertilizers, N45P30K45; N90P60K90 N135P90K135 calculated in form of P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt; and K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O. Since 1994 a seven-year crop rotation has been organized: 1) winter triticale, 2) potatoes, 3) spring wheat, 4) spring oilseed rape, 5) spring barley + perennial grasses (red clover, timothy), 6) perennial grasses, 1st year of using, and 7) perennial grasses 2nd year of using. The total area (1.6 ha) of the experimental field was divided into 16 plots (15x50 m). Each plot was supplied with a seepage tile drain at the depth of 80-100 cm and an inspection well for drain water sampling and measurement of total water amount.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The nitrate nitrogen content in subsurface drain water was significantly affected by fertilizer rate and crop species. The concentration of nitrogen in drain water was significantly lower from non-fertilised plots than from other treatments and was considerably lower growing grass without autumn soil tillage than with conventional ploughing. Different fertilizer rates (applying 30, 60 or 90 kg ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; of phosphorus and no fertilizer) had no significant effect on phosphorus concentration in drain water. However, concentration of potassium in drain water depended remarkably (&lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.001) on fertilization rate and was lower from non-fertilized plots. Without autumn ploughing and providing vegetation potassium leaching was significantly lower. The use of fertilizers increased the subsurface water concentration of calcium and magnesium considerably.&lt;/p&gt;

Forms of soil phosphorus and depth wise distribution under organic and inorganic nutrient management in a Vertisol planted rice

To study the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization on depth wise distribution of different forms of phosphorus in Vertisol was performed on Vertisol under rice crop on soil samples obtained from the ongoing long term fertilizer experiment (LTFE) project. The P status of the different soil P fractions (salod-P, Al-P, Fe-P, Red-P and Ca-P) were analyzed from 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-60 cm in soil depths. All P fractions were higher in surface layer than that subsurface layer. The sequential order of dominance of different forms of P were Ca-P > Red-P > Fe-P > Al-P > saloid-P in Vertisol. The highest value of P fractions were recorded in the treatments 150 per cent NPK and 100 per cent NPK+FYM. Fertilizer was added rate of 0, 50, 100 and 150 per cent of recommended dose (100:60:40) in rice integrated with FYM at 100 per cent level and with green manure and BGA at 50 per cent level in rice. The integration with FYM showed pronounced effect on P fractions. Continuous monitoring of physical and chemical properties should be carried out for maintaining soil health and enhancing the crop production. Maximum portion of applied P was transformed in Ca-P followed by Red-P, Fe-P and Al-P. Percentage distribution of different forms of P at 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-60 cm soil depths was also studied the higher amount of all P fractions (%) were recorded in surface layer (0-15 cm) than at sub surface (15-30 cm) and low in deep layer (30-60 cm). However, higher P availability was observed at surface layer than that at sub surface layer.

Soil Test and Plant Tissue Analysis as Diagnostic Tools for Fertilizer Recommendations for Cassava in an Ultisol

Soil- and plant-based fertilizer recommendations hold promise for increasing farmers’ incomes with high-input crops such as cassava. Considering the significance of cassava for the food, nutritional, and economic security of a half billion people globally and the positive response of the crop to fertilizer and manure applications in terms of tuber yield and quality through starch improvement and cyanogenic glucoside reduction, these recommendations were validated and popularized in two districts of Kerala State. Soil and plant samples from nine major cassava-growing districts of Kerala were analyzed for soil reaction, organic carbon, and essential nutrients, which formed the basis for the recommendation. The soil-test-based recommendation [nitrogen (N)–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K)–zinc (Zn) at 82:6.3:68:2 kg ha−1 along with farmyard manure (FYM) at 6.25 t ha−1] resulted in the greatest benefit–cost ratio of 1.75 with improvements in tuber and soil quality.

Effect of long term fertilization and manuring on soil quality and productivity under sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) sequence in Inceptisol

A permanent field experiment is continued since 1984-85 at Research Farm, AICRP on Cropping Systems Research Unit, Akola, Maharashtra with a view to find out effect of integrated nutrient management on soil quality and productivity of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] -wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop sequence. The long term impact of organic, inorganic and integrated nutrient management practices on soil quality and productivity were studied after 27th cycle (2010-11). The treatments comprised different levels of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), viz. 50, 75 and 100% and RDF in combination with farmyard manure, wheat straw, leucaena loppings and the farmer's practice. The results indicated that, application of 50% RDF + 50% N through FYM recorded highest sorghum (24.58 q/ha) and wheat (26.23 q/ha) grain yield as well as sorghum grain equivalent yield (61 q/ha). The uptake of N, P, K and S by sorghum (83.98, 23.14, 98.67 and 18.60 kg/ha) and wheat (96.17, 18.79, 74.69 and 13.53 kg/ha) was maximum with the integrated nutrient management. The improvement in soil fertility status was observed under the same treatment with concomitant increase in sustainability yield index (0.494) and soil quality index (2.33). The overall increase in the soil quality index (1.98-2.33) was recorded under INM, whereas only chemical fertilizers caused considerable decrease in the SQI (1.19-1.87). The hydraulic conductivity contributed substantially in governing sorghum yield (63.09%) and wheat yield (98.75%). The soil organic carbon contributed substantially in sorghum yield (29.01%). The parameters like hydraulic conductivity (94.7%), OC (5.14%) and DHA (0.07%) contributed in SQI.

Ectomycorrhizal community structure and function in interior spruce forests of British Columbia under long term fertilization

Long-term fertilization is being considered as a mechanism to increase growth of pine and spruce trees in British Columbia following a major outbreak of mountain pine beetle. It is important, however, that long-term fertilization not disrupt colonization by ectomycorrhizal fungi or impede their ability to release nutrients from soil organic matter. In order to determine the effect of long-term (up to 14years) fertilization on the structure and function of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities on roots of interior spruce, we characterized the ECM fungal community and, on separate samples collected at a different time of year, assayed for extracellular enzymes in the mycorrhizoplane. The study was conducted at three interior spruce (naturally occurring hybrids of Picea glauca [Moench] Voss and Picea engelmannii Parry) plantations in the interior of south-central British Columbia. Three 0.164ha plots per site received no (controls), periodic (200kgha−1N, plus P, K, S, Mg, and B every 6years), or annual (same nutrients adjusted to maintain foliar N concentration at 1.3% and other nutrients in balance; 50 to 75kgha−1 of N, depending on site and year) fertilization. There was no overall effect of fertilization on the composition of the ECM fungal community (OTUs) on spruce roots (permutational MANOVA P=0.4) nor on alpha diversity per plot. At single sites, there was reduced relative abundance of Cortinarius spp. mycorrhizas under periodic fertilization, and increased relative abundance of Lactarius spp. or Tylospora spp. mycorrhizas under annual fertilization. None of the dominant genera increased or decreased significantly across sites. The ratio of carbon-acquiring to mineral nutrient-acquiring enzyme activities in the mycorrhizoplanes increased with frequency of fertilizer application. Increased litterfall may explain the increase in plant cell wall-degrading enzyme activity in fertilized plots. A decrease in activities involved in the release of sulphur was as expected in fertilized plots because the fertilizer contained inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur. Although activities of two enzymes involved in nutrient cycling (sulfatase and phosphomonoesterase) tended to decrease, there did not appear to be an overall loss of organic matter-degrading potential from the ECM fungal community on spruce roots under long-term fertilization.

Inter-annual variability of precipitation constrains the production response of boreal Pinus sylvestris to nitrogen fertilization

Tree growth resources and the efficiency of resource-use for biomass production determine the productivity of forest ecosystems. In nutrient-limited forests, nitrogen (N)-fertilization increases foliage [N], which may increase photosynthetic rates, leaf area index (L), and thus light interception (IC). The product of such changes is a higher gross primary production and higher net primary production (NPP). However, fertilization may also alter carbohydrate partitioning from below- to aboveground, increasing aboveground NPP (ANPP). We analyzed effects of long-term N-fertilization on NPP, and that of long-term carbon storing organs (NPPS) in a Pinus sylvestris forest on sandy soil, a wide-ranging forest type in the boreal region. We based our analyses on a combination of destructive harvesting, consecutive mensuration, and optical measurements of canopy openness. After eight-year fertilization with a total of 70gNm−2, ANPP was 27±7% higher in the fertilized (F) relative to the reference (R) stand, but although L increased relative to its pre-fertilization values, IC was not greater than in R. On the seventh year after the treatment initiation, the increase of ANPP was matched by the decrease of belowground NPP (78 vs. 92gCm−2yr−1; ∼17% of NPP) and, given the similarity of IC, suggests that the main effect of N-fertilization was changed carbon partitioning rather than increased canopy photosynthesis. Annual NPPS increased linearly with growing season temperature (T) in both treatments, with an upward shift of 70.2gCm−2yr−1 by fertilization, which also caused greater amount of unexplained variation (r2=0.53 in R, 0.21 in F). Residuals of the NPPS-T relationship of F were related to growing season precipitation (P, r2=0.48), indicating that T constrains productivity at this site regardless of fertility, while P is important in determining productivity where N-limitation is alleviated. We estimated that, in a growing season average T (11.5±1.0°C; 33-year-mean), NPPS response to N-fertilization will be nullified with P 31mm less than the mean (325±85mm), and would double with P 109mm greater than the mean. These results suggest that inter-annual variation in climate, particularly in P, may help explaining the reported large variability in growth responses to fertilization of pine stands on sandy soils. Furthermore, forest management of long-rotation systems, such as those of boreal and northern temperate forests, must consider the efficiency of fertilization in terms of wood production in the context of changes in climate predicted for the region.