Fertilizer Application Efficiency Research Articles

Design and experiments of an automatic depth-adjusting double screw trencher and fertiliserning.

In response to the problems of low fertilizer application efficiency, poor operation quality, and uneven application of fertilizer by domestic tea garden trenching and fertilizing machines, an automatic depth-adjusting double screw trenching and fertilizing machine was designed. The machine uses a double spiral furrowing and fertilizer application method, which can complete the integrated operation of furrowing, fertilizer application, and mulching at one time. The key components of the machine such as the screw-type fertilizer discharger, trenching, and fertilizer application mechanism are designed using theoretical analysis, and the trenching depth is automatically adjusted through the hydraulic control system to maintain a consistent depth. A single-factor test and a quadratic regression rotary orthogonal test were conducted to select the diameter of the spiral fertilizer discharger, the rotational speed of the spiral fertilizer discharger, and the rotational speed of the trenching and fertilizer application mechanisms. Based on these tests, the fertilizer application performance of the fertilizer machine was evaluated, and a mathematical model of the fertilizer application volume and coefficient of variation was established. The influence of the test factors on the coefficient of variation was also analyzed. In the study, 58.36 and 480.35 r/min were found to be the optimal rotational speeds for spiral fertilizer discharge and trenching and fertilizer application, respectively, while 88.90 mm was found to be the optimal diameter for spiral fertilizer discharge. The coefficient of variation for the spiral fertilizer discharge was 3.95%, which meets the tea plantation's fertilizer application requirements.

Greenhouse gas mitigation benefits and profitability of the GreenSeeker Handheld NDVI sensor: evidence from Mexico

Better targeting of fertilizer application can result in yields that meet or exceed those achieved without improved targeting while reducing total fertilizer use. However, in many growing regions, it may be difficult for farmers to access the necessary data to inform improved fertilizer use. The GreenSeeker Handheld is a low-cost technology that can be used to improve the efficiency of fertilizer applications by providing farmers with recommendations for the amount of nitrogen (N) to apply mid-season to meet the needs of their crops. The technology has been utilized on nearly 2,000 farmer fields representing more than 60,000 hectares in three regions of Mexico. In this study, the net effects of this technology on economic and environmental outcomes for these farmers were assessed. Specifically, farmer field-level data and locally derived greenhouse gas emission factors were analyzed and use of the GreenSeeker Handheld was estimated to have led to a total of $2.6 M USD in additional profits and more than 14,300 tons CO2e of avoided emissions. However, not all farmers utilizing this technology followed the resulting recommendations. Participating farmers that did not follow the recommendations experienced lower profits, indicating that benefits would have been larger had participants applied fertilizer at the levels recommended for their fields. In addition, the total benefits of higher farm profits and reduced emissions could be scaled up significantly if this technology were applied more broadly. However, development and implementation of the technology had been supported by subsidies and further efforts would be needed to make it sustainable.

Efficiency of agrotechnical methods of cultivation of soybean for grain in different ecological zones of Western Siberia

The results of three-year studies (2019-2021) on the study of the effeciencyof growing different varieties of soybean for grain in the ecological zones of Western Siberia (forest-steppe, steppe) are presented. The experiments were carried out on leached chernozem of the Novosibirsk region, gray forest soil of the Novosibirsk region and the Tomsk region and Kulunda steppe of the Novosibirsk region. It has been established that in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia, in the production of soybean grain it is efficient to use varieties Omskaya 4, SibSFI 315, Gorinskaya, Krasnoobskaya, Avanta and Bara, providing a yield level of 2-3.5 t/ha. on leached chernozem and gray forest soil. Photosynthetic parameters (leaf area and Photosynthetic Potential (PSP)) were observed when sowing different varieties of soybeans of the Siberian selection SibSFI 315, Krasnoobskaya, Gorinskaya and Omskaya 4, especially when sowing in the third decade of May and with a seeding rate of 500 thousand pieces of viable seeds per hectare. It was found that the yield of soybean varieties is higher when sown in the third decade of May. It is statistically determined that the yield of soybean grain depended on the technology element by 36%, genotype - 23% and weather conditions - 21%. The efficiency of irrigation is shown at a level of moisture supply of 70-80% of the highest moisture capacity (HMC) in the arid steppe Kulunda zone of Western Siberia: an increase in yield is of 160-190%, the efficiency of fertilizer application against the background of irrigation increases by 45%.

Nitrate leaching and efficiency measurement in intensive farming systems: A parametric by‐production technology approach

AbstractThis paper develops a novel empirical framework for estimating individual emission levels in a nonpoint source (NPS) pollution problem. For doing so, we build upon the sequential GME model suggested by Kaplan et al. using a specific theoretical structure describing both crop production technology and nature's residual generating mechanism in line with the multiple production relations model suggested by Murty et al. Our empirical model is fitted into a parametric stochastic framework and it is applied to a nitrogen leaching problem in a sample of 257 small‐scale greenhouse farms in Crete, Greece during the 2005–2006 cropping period. Empirical results indicate a great dispersion of individual nitrate leaching levels, which are associated with low‐ and high‐profit margins. Improvements in nitrate leaching and fertilizer application efficiency can decrease significantly individual leaching levels providing a more cost effective way to improve water quality in the area.

YIELD AND BALANCE OF NUTRITIONAL ELEMENTS IN WINTER GRAIN CROPS DEPENDING ON SOWING PERIOD IN THE SOUTHERN STEPPE OF UKRAINE

One of the factors of soil formation is the plant world, which accumulates organic matter through the process of photosynthesis. Organic matter is transformed into humus, which is the main dominant of the soil. In addition to humus, organic matter provides the accumulation of macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The first priority is to create the optimal content of essential nutrients and humus in soils, along with the development of methods to improve the efficiency of fertilizer application. Organic production should not be primitive or extensive. On the contrary, crop production must be sustainable and highly productive. Soil fertility must be restored. The dominant soil is humus. Its quantity is the first criterion for the formation of crop yields, including cereals. Humus is restored at the expense of organic matter through a complex transformation. The aim of the research was to establish the change in soil fertility and the yield of winter wheat and winter barley, depending on the timing of sowing in the conditions of organic farming in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. Research methods. Field experiments were carried out on the territory of the Odessa State Agricultural Experimental Station of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. The experiment studied the effect of sowing dates on the productivity of winter wheat and barley varieties, as well as the renewal of soil fertility and the balance of basic plant nutrients. The total area of the experiment is 4617 m2; the accounting plot is 16.5 m2. Varieties of winter wheat and barley were sown in 10 days interval - from September 25 to October 25. The predecessor is fallow. Placement of variants and repetitions – by the method of the Latin rectangle. Sowing was carried out with a selective planter "Klen – 1.5 C". Repetition – three times. Harvesting was carried out in an inseparable way using the "Sampo – 500" combine. A high yield has a positive effect on the supply of fresh organic matter, that is, there is not only a direct relationship between fertility and yield, but also an inverse relationship: a high yield through plant residues affects soil fertility. As you can see, the larger the yield, the more by-products are formed and the more plant mass accumulates. Winter barley compared with winter wheat has almost the same humus balance. Findings. According to the results of the studies, the best sowing time for all criteria that ensure the formation of grain crop yields and expanded reproduction of soil fertility – Southern chernozem, in terms of humus, nitrogen and potassium content, as well as simple reproduction of phosphorus content, is the second sowing date (October 5).

Економічна та енергетична оцінка елементів технології вирощування еспарцету на зелений корм

One of the main directions of fodder production intensification is the cultivation of fodder crops and fodder harvesting from them at the lowest cost of energy and labor resources, the maximum yield of fodder products per unit area, and 1 UAH of production costs. To successfully perform this task, it is necessary, first of all, to increase the productivity of forage crops, the use of cost-effective and energy-saving technologies and increase the efficiency of fertilizer application. One of the most valuable perennial legumes is sainfoin, which is characterized by high fodder value, unpretentiousness to growing conditions and has great agronomic value. At the same time, the existing technologies for growing sainfoin for fodder purposes remain energy- and resource intensive. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of mineral fertilizers and seed inoculation on the economic and energy efficiency of the sainfoin growing technology on green fodder. Experimental studies were conducted during 2016-2018 on the research field of the Department of Forage Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology, located in the NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station" on typical low-humus chernozem. Experimental research was conducted during 2016-2018 on the research field of the Department of Forage Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology, located in the NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station". The scheme of the experiment included the following factors: factor A - varieties of sainfoin: Amethyst Donetskyi, Adam, Smaragd; factor B - fertilizer, inoculation: 1) without fertilizers, 2) N45R60K90 + seeds inoculation, 3) P60K90 + seeds inoculation. As nitrogen fertilizer was used ammonium nitrate 34%, phosphorus - simple superphosphate 19%, potassium - potassium salt 56%. Method of sowing - row, spring, coverless. Inoculation was performed by Rhizotorphin. Economic evaluation of the results of field experiments was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods developed by the Institute of Cereals NAAS, the Institute of Feed and Agriculture of Podillya NAAS, NSC "Institute of Agrarian Economics" and other research institutions. Calculations of energy efficiency of growing sainfoin for green fodder were calculated according to the "Methodology of bioenergy assessment of technologies for the production of livestock products and feed." According to the economic assessment, the calculations of monetary and material costs are performed taking into account the full mechanization of works. The costs for them are calculated according to the technological maps developed in the process of research. The cost of seeds, fertilizers and fuel was taken at wholesale prices as of January 1. 2019, 1 ton of fodder units of sainfoin was equated to the cost of 1 ton of feed grain. According to the results of research, it was found that when setting up an experiment with different varieties of sainfoin, both with the introduction of mineral fertilizers and without them, the costs were the same. Economic indicators differed significantly at the end of the growing season, as the productivity of different varieties of sainfoin differed significantly not only due to the biological characteristics of varieties, but also as a result of their different reactions to mineral fertilizers. According to the obtained results of the calculation, among the studied varieties of sainfoin the highest conditionally net profit (13354-16504 UAH/ha) and the level of profitability (129-176%), as well as the lowest cost of 1 ton of feed units (1431-1627 UAH per 1 ton) and crude protein (UAH 8393–7291 per 1 ton) were observed on crops of sainfoin Amethyst Donetskyi. In general, the most economically feasible in terms of profitability (176%) was the cultivation of this variety in the absence of fertilizer. The highest indicators of EEC (energy efficiency coefficient) (4.6-6.3) were observed for the cultivation of sainfoin variety Amethyst Donetskyi in the absence of mineral fertilizer or application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers only.

Mitigation of nitrous oxide emission through fertigation and ‘N’ inhibitors – A sustainable climatic crop cultivation in tomato

The impact of nitrous oxide (N2O) released from the fertilized agro-ecosystems are of increasing concern. Governing fertilizer requirements and utilizing nitrification inhibitors (NI) are effective methodologies to increase nitrogen retention and reduce N2O emissions from soil. Therefore, the effect of potassium thiosulfate (KTS) and neem-coated urea (NCU) on N2O efflux under irrigated tomato cultivation was assessed. Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based recommendation of NPK with normal Urea and KTS at 1% of applied N (183:160:125 kg ha−1) (STCR-U + KTS) recorded the least N2O emission and high efficiency in suppressing the nitrate reductase activity. STCR-NCU was on par with STCR-U + KTS, reporting a higher reduction of N2O (21.1, 31.2, and 34.4% during the basal application, 1st and 2nd top dressing, respectively) compared to the blanket recommendation of nutrients. Similarly, STCR-U + KTS recorded the highest reduction (26.2, 25.6, and 30.9% during the basal application, 1st and 2nd top dressing, respectively) after fertilizer application. Besides, the yield of tomatoes is increased in the STCR-NCU (14.08%) and STCR-U + KTS (12.48%) with good quality fruit along (AA, Lycopene, and TSS contents) with low N2O emissions. The DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model further revealed that the simulated data and assessed findings were in good accord, proving the model's reliability and use as a tool for predicting the efficiency of fertilizer application.

Effect of Foliar Application of Nano Nutrients and Amino Acids as a Complementary Nutrition on Quantity and Quality of Maize Grains

In order to study the effect of foliar application of nano-NPK, nano-micronutrients, and nano-amino acids on the growth and yield of maize (Hybrid F1 Furat), a field experiment was carried out during the autumn season (2019) with an area of 1500 m2g within the district of (41)–Al-Husseiniyah / Al-Talea’a district / Babylon Governorate according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) for two factors with three replicates. The first factor (nano-NPK) included three treatments: control, nano-NPK (20-20-20), and nano-NPK (12-12-36), while the second factor (nano-micronutrients and nano-amino acids) included four treatments: control, nano-micronutrients, nano-amino acids, nano-micronutrients + nano-amino acids. The studied indicators on maize plant included estimation of nutrient absorption in grains and total absorption (kg H-1), estimation of fertilizer application efficiency (%). The results showed the significant superiority of NPK (12-12-36) spraying in achieving the highest averages of the studied indicators by an increase of (61.53%) in comparison with the comparison treatment for the total absorbed potassium, and an increase of iron and copper absorbed in the grains reached (3.938% and 22.321%), respectively, in comparison with the comparison treatment. And the application of the integrated nano-element fertilizer + nano amino acids achieved The highest averages of iron, manganese and copper absorbed in grains increased by (39.010%, 28.409%, 60.577%), respectively, comparing with the comparison treatment. and the interaction of the two study factors gave the combination of nano NPK (20-20-20) with integrated nano micro elements + nano amino acids the highest averages of nitrogen and phosphorus total absorption and for iron, manganese and copper with an increase of (110.06%, 81.83%, 64.251%)., 74.065%, 109.375%), respectively, by comparison with the comparison treatment. The highest nitrogen and phosphorous utilization efficiency was recorded at 55.12 and 36.65%, respectively, in comparison with high-potassium nano NPK, which corresponds to the combination of high-potassium NPK nano with nano (trace elements + amino acids) in recording the highest potassium utilization efficiency of 58.51% in comparison with the balanced nano NPK.

Farmers' land allocation responses to the soybean rejuvenation plan: evidence from “typical farm” in Jilin, China

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the impact of the soybean rejuvenation plan and the subsidy on farmers' land allocation decisions, which may reference policy adjustment from a micro perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a multi-objective optimized programming model on farm-level, which simulated the land-use changes, as well as the resulting changes in benefits of the rational “typical farm”. The simulation scenarios include changes in subsidy policy and production efficiency, and the baseline scenario was the production status in 2018.FindingsThe results show that an increase in soybean producer subsidy will encourage farmers to allocate more land for soybean planting, which can be considered as a policy tool in promoting soybean production in China. Besides, the effect of subsidy in adjusting soybean acreage for farms is further affected by external conditions such as production technology (such as breeding technology, pesticide and fertilizer application efficiency). Meanwhile, large-scale farms show more significant land adjustments when facing changes in policies and external conditions.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is to simulate the effects of soybean policy and subsidy change on farmers' land-allocation decisions through a multi-objective farmer decision-making model, which provides a micro perspective to understand the implementation effect of the soybean revitalization plan.

Nitrogen Fate and Efficiency of Fertilizer Application under a Rapeseed–Wheat–Rice Rotation System in Southwest China

To evaluate the efficient use of nitrogen (N) for rice in a rapeseed–wheat–rice rotation system, a pot experiment was conducted. The results indicated that in the conventional 15N-labeled (Nc) and reduced 15N-labeled (Nr) urea applications, absorbed N and soil residual N was higher in rapeseed than in wheat. In the rice season, the higher accumulation of 15N was achieved with an Nr application rate during the rapeseed season and an N fertilizer management model (40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilizer, and 20% as panicle fertilizer) during the rice season (PrNrM3). A high 15N accumulation was also achieved under the Nc application rate during the wheat season and the N fertilizer management model during the rice season (PwNcM3). The accumulation of 15N in PrNrM3 and PwNcM3 accounted for 21.35% and 36.72% of the residual N under the Nr application rate in the rapeseed season and the Nc application rate in the wheat season, respectively. Compared with the Nc application rate in the rapeseed season and M3 N management in the rice season (PrNcM3), the N agronomy efficiency (NAE) and the N partial factor efficiency (NPFP) of rice were increased by 23.85% and 1.59%, respectively, in PrNrM3. The annual crop yield was 3.95% lower in PrNrM3, which was not significant. PrNrM3 was a stable yield, N-saving application rate for rapeseed-rice rotation systems in southern China.

Phloem sap metabolites vary according to the interactive effects of nutrient supply and seasonal conditions in Eucalyptus globulus (Labill).

Improving the efficiency of fertilizer application is paramount to both the sustainability and profitability of forest plantations. Therefore, developing reliable, cost-effective tools to assess tree nutritional status is of great interest. This investigation sought to assess the use of phloem sap-derived metabolites as an indicator of nutritional status on a background of seasonal water availability of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill) trees grown under field conditions. Phloem is a central conduit for long-distance transport and signaling in plants and offers great promise in reflecting plant-scale resource limitations. Changes in the abundance of solutes and isotopes in phloem sap are sensitive to environmental cues. With a focus on both water and nutrient availability, we characterize patterns in phloem sugars, amino acids and the abundance of carbon isotopes in phloem sap obtained from E. globulus among different seasons and fertilizer treatments. Phloem-derived total amino acid concentration was found to increase with an increasing nitrogen (N) supply; however, this response was lost with the concurrent addition of phosphorus and at the highest level of N supply. Significant seasonal variation in all measured parameters was also detected, highlighting the need for caution in making quantitative relationships with growth. Broader implications of the interactive effects of both water supply and multi-nutrient additions and relationships with growth are discussed.

Biochar: Usage, Potential as Alternative to Chemical Fertilizer and Impact of Biochar on Soil-Microbial-Plant Root Interaction

Natural resource constraints in the country have severely hampered agricultural production, putting sustainable agriculture and food security in jeopardy. The farmer, through utilizing viable solutions, plays a critical role in ensuring that food needs of a growing human population are met, which has resulted in a greater reliance on chemical fertilizers for higher productivity. It enhances plant growth and energy, hence ensuring global food security; nevertheless, plants cultivated in this technique do not improve good plant characteristics such as root system, shoot system, nutritional features, and will not have enough time to grow and mature appropriately. Chemically generated plants will collect harmful compounds in the human body, which are extremely toxic. The adverse effects of chemical fertilizers will begin not only with their application on soil, but also with their manufacture, which will produce poisonous compounds or gases such as NH4, CO2, and CH4, among others, which will pollute the air. And when industrial pollutants are dumped into neighbouring water bodies without being cleansed, it pollutes the water it also contains the most alarming consequence of chemical waste accumulation in aquatic bodies, namely, water eutrophication. When used continuously in soil, it destroys soil health and quality, resulting in soil contamination. As a result, it is past time to recognize that this food production input is depleting our ecology and environment. As a result, continuing to use it without taking any remedial measures to minimize or judiciously use it will eventually deplete all natural resources and endanger all life on the planet. Only by adopting new agricultural technical techniques, such as transitioning from chemical intensive agriculture to organic inputs such as biochar, manure, and Nano fertilizers, can the negative effects of synthetic chemicals on human health and the environment be mitigated or eliminated. This would increase fertilizer application efficiency as well as use efficiency. Organic farming will help to maintain a healthy natural environment and ecology for current and future generations.

Про вплив кліматичних змін на агросферу України: огляд

The purpose of this work is to review and analyze the main results of modern research on the impact of climate change on the agro-sphere of Ukraine. Results. Analysis of research has shown that the effects of climate change on the agro-sphere are already being felt today and will continue in the future. The observed climate changes in recent decades have already significantly affected the shift in the northern direction of all agro-climatic zones of Europe, including Ukraine. From the point of view of productivity of the agro-sphere of Ukraine, climate change will have both positive and negative consequences. The positives include: improving the conditions of formation and reducing the harvesting time of crop yields; the possibility of effective introduction of late varieties (hybrids), which require more thermal resources; improving the conditions for overwintering crops; increase the efficiency of fertilizer application. Model estimates of the impact of climate change on wheat yields in Ukraine mainly indicate the positive effects of global warming on yields in the medium term, but with an increase in the average annual temperature by 2 ° C above normal, grain yields are expected to decrease. The negative consequences of the impact of climate change on the agrosphere include: increased drought during the growing season; acceleration of humus decomposition in soils; deterioration of soil moisture in the southern regions; deterioration of grain quality and failure to ensure full vernalization of grain; increase in the number of pests, the spread of pathogens of plants and weeds due to favorable conditions for their overwintering; increase in wind and water erosion of the soil caused by an increase in droughts and extreme rainfall; increasing risks of freezing of winter crops due to lack of stable snow cover. Conclusions. Resource-saving agricultural technologies are of particular importance in the context of climate change. They include technologies such as no-till, strip-till, ridge-till, which make it possible to partially store and accumulate mulch on the soil surface, reduce the speed of the surface layer of air and contribute to better preservation of moisture accumulated during the autumn-winter period. And in determining the most effective ways and mechanisms to reduce weather risks for Ukrainian farmers, it is necessary to take into account the world practice of climate-smart technologies.

The role of soil in defining planetary boundaries and the safe operating space for humanity

We use soils to provide 98.8% of our food, but we must ensure that the pressure we place on soils to provide this food in the short-term does not inadvertently push the Earth into a less hospitable state in the long-term. Using the planetary boundaries framework, we show that soils are a master variable for regulating critical Earth-system processes. Indeed, of the seven Earth-systems that have been quantified, soils play a critical and substantial role in changing the Earth-systems in at least two, either directly or indirectly, as well as smaller contributions for a further three. For the biogeochemical flows Earth-system process, soils contribute 66% of the total anthropogenic change for nitrogen and 38% for phosphorus, whilst for the land-system change Earth-system process, soils indirectly contribute 80% of global anthropogenic change. Furthermore, perturbations of soils contribute directly to 21% of climate change, 25% to ocean acidification, and 25% to stratospheric ozone depletion. We argue that urgent interventions are required to greatly improve soil management, especially for those Earth-system processes where the planetary boundary has already been exceeded and where soils make an important contribution, with this being for biogeochemical flows (both nitrogen and phosphorus), for climate change, and for land-system change. Of particular importance, it is noted that the highly inefficient use of N fertilizers results in release of excess N into the broader environment, contributes to climate change, and results in release of ozone-depleting substances. Furthermore, the use of soils for agricultural production results not only in land-system change, but also in the loss (mineralization) of organic matter with a concomitant release of CO2 contributing to both climate change and ocean acidification. Thus, there is a need to markedly improve the efficiency of fertilizer applications and to intensify usage of our most fertile soils in order to allow the restoration of degraded soils and limit further areal expansion of agriculture. Understanding, and acting upon, the role of soils is critical in ensuring that planetary boundaries are not transgressed, with no other single variable playing such a strategic role across all of the planetary boundaries.

Ammonium Adsorption Characteristics of Jasaan Clay Soils under Conservation Agriculture and Conventional Plow-based Production Systems

Knowledge of nutrient adsorption characteristics of soils is important for analyzing nutrient retention for plant uptake and potential losses due to leaching in agricultural crop production systems. This study aimed to characterize and compare the ammonium adsorption behavior of Jasaan clay soils under conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS) and under conventional plow-based (PB) production systems. Soil samples were collected from plots laid in a randomized complete block design for selected treatments T2 (Maize + Stylosanthes – Stylosanthes – fallow) and T5 (Cassava + Stylosanthes – Cassava + Stylosanthes) and a PB system, T6 (Maize-Maize), at the SANREM Research site in Claveria, Misamis, Oriental. Batch adsorption experiments were performed for desorbed soil samples using ammonium solution of various initial concentrations to determine equilibrium concentrations. The adsorption isotherm models such as linear, Freundlich and Langmuir models were then fitted to the experimental data through linear regression analysis. Results showed that the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models best fitted the experimental data for all treatments, with the coefficient of determination R2 ranging from 0.84 to 0.98 for the Freundlich model and from 0.64 to 0.95 for the Langmuir model. Results also showed that the mean distribution coefficient Kd and the maximum adsorptive capacity of the soils under CAPS were significantly higher (α=5%) than those under PB system. The mean Kd values for treatments T2, T5 and T6 obtained in this study were 1.421, 1.585 and 0.691 L/kg, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum adsorptive capacity values were found to be 2,210.1, 2,441.6 and 1,077.3 mg/kg for treatments T2, T5 and T6, respectively. The results of this study suggest that soils under CAPS have better ammonium adsorption for plant uptake and lower leaching losses than soils under PB systems. Consequently, higher ammonium-nitrogen fertilizer application efficiency can be expected under CAPS than under PB systems.

Development and evaluation of a water flow and solute transport model for furrow fertigation with surge flow

AbstractOne of the important factors in fertilizer application efficiency in surface fertigation is the shape of inflow hydrographs. In this research, a fertigation model is developed to analyse the effect of surge flow on furrow fertigation. Saint‐Venant equations and the advection–dispersion equation were used to estimate water flow and solute transport characteristics, respectively. The field experiments, including different fertigation treatments with surge flow, were conducted to calibrate and evaluate the developed model. Most of the water and nitrate losses occurred through runoff; water losses through runoff ranged from 13.8 to 33.4%, while fertilizer losses varied between 5.1 and 47%. Water and nitrate losses in the second fertigation experiments were higher than those in the first due to the reduction of the surge effect. A comparison between simulated and observed data shows appropriate accuracy of the developed model; the root mean squared error (RMSE) index for nitrate and water runoff losses was 8.4 and 12.1%, respectively. Fertigation during all advance surges was recognized as the desirable option in furrow irrigation with a surge flow. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Modification of the unit for subsurface injection of organomineral fertilizers

Subsurface injection of liquid organomineral fertilizers provides activation of soil microflora, increased nutrient adsorption by plants, improved physical and agrochemical properties of soil, adsorption of harmful contaminants, pesticides and radioactive nuclides from soils. Subsurface injection of liquid fertilizers is usually carried out locally in planting or feeding seedlings, using sowing and planting units, plant nourishing cultivators, fertilizing systems, cultivators with feeding devices. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in increasing the efficiency of using liquid fertilizers, including organomineral fertilizers, by upgrading the developed technical means for their intra-soil application. (Materials and methods) The article presents the designed, manufactured and tested a technical tool for continuous intra-soil application of liquid organomineral fertilizers during pre-sowing soil treatment. Authors proposed the design of a combined device that includes a vertical milling cultivator, a system for injecting liquid organomineral fertilizers and a rolling drum and allows to carefully loosen the soil, grind root and crop residues, conduct a continuous intra-soil application of liquid organomineral fertilizers to a depth of 20 centimeters, as well as create a compacted seedbed. (Results and discussion) The authors identified a number of design flaws during the tests of the developed machine, and therefore decided to modernize some of them. Authors have upgraded the design of the cutter and coulter and changed the injection system of liquid fertilizers. (Summary) As a result of the modernization, authors have increased the charge productivity of the unit, improved the quality of soil treatment and increased the efficiency of fertilizer application by increasing the uniformity of their application.

Growth and productivity of energy poplar plantations in Prykarpattia

Purpose. To determine the optimum density and efficiency of fertilizer application to ensure the high productivity of the energy plantations of the 'Max-4' poplar on the sod podzolic soils of the Prykarpattia region. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical. Results. After the fourth year of vegetation, the highest height of trees in the poplar plantations was recorded in the version with the lowest planting density (5.6 thousand plants/ha), 8.9 and 9.3 m, respectively. The average diameter of the central shoot was 109 mm at the control and 112 mm with fertilization at the rate of N40P300K300 + N40. It was found that the growth of the poplar of the fourth year of vegetation in height was slightly higher than the indicators of the third vegetation period, and lower in diameter. The diameter with the highest density (8.3 thousand plants/ha) was reduced to 9 and 12 mm per year. The average growth of these plantations in height over the last 2 years was at the level of 2.1 m, and in individual variants, it significantly increased from 1.7–1.9 m to 2.2–2.5 m. The highest yield of 4-year biomass was obtained at a density of 6.7 thousand plants/ha_ 69.5 t/ha of dry weight, which is 5.6 t/ha more than at a density of 8.3 thousand plants/ha and 2.9 t/ha compared to a density of 5.6 thousand plants/ha. The introduction of mineral fertilizers provided an increase in the yield by 12.9–16.2 t/ha of dry weight. According to the variants of the experiment, the average annual growth of dry biomass in the 4 years was from 12.8 to 17.7 t/ha, while in the fourth year it was from 11.2 to 15.6 t/ha. This indicates the feasibility of conducting the first harvest of poplar energy biomass after four years of cultivation. With the harvesting of poplar biomass after the third year of vegetation, a considerable amount of dry biomass (from 9.0 to 12.4 t/ha) can be obtained already in the first year. The introduction of mineral fertilizers ensured an increase in energy yield for all the studied density variants ranging from 227.0 to 285.1 GJ/ha. Conclusions. On turf podzolized medium-loamy soils of the Prykarpattia region, the highest indicators of the biomass productivity were found at the average planting density (6.7 thousand plants/ha) and fertilizer application. The biomass yield was 69.5 t/ha of dry weight, which is 8.8 % more than at the planting density of 8.3 thousand plants/ha and 4.4 % more than at the density of 5.6 thousand plants/ha. The optimum age of the first biomass harvesting in the studied density range is 4 years, and the next harvesting should be carried out every 3 years.

Household Welfare Implications of Better Fertilizer Access and Lower Use Inefficiency: Long-Term Scenarios for Ethiopia

High population growth in Ethiopia is aggravating farmland scarcity, as the agrarian share of the population stays persistently high, and also creates increasing demand for food and non-food biomass. Based on this fact, this study investigates welfare implications of intensification measures like interventions that improve access and use efficiency to modern farming inputs. Using a dynamic meso-economic modeling framework for Ethiopia, ex-ante scenarios that simulate a) decreased costs of fertilizer use and b) elevated efficiency of fertilizer application for all crops are run for a period of 20 years. Fertilizer-yield response functions are estimated (based on results from an agronomic crop model and actual survey data) and embedded into the economic model in order to get realistic marginal returns to fertilizer application. This is our novel methodological contribution in which we introduce how to calculate input use inefficiency based on attainable yield levels from agronomic crop model and actual yield levels. Simultaneous implementation of these interventions lead to annual yield increases of 8.7 percent for an average crop farmer compared to the current level. Increased fertilizer application is also found to be profitable for an average farmer despite price reduction for crops following increased market supply. As a result of price and income effects of the interventions, all household types exhibit welfare gain. Non-farming households, being net consumers, enjoy lower costs of living. Rural farming households enjoy even higher welfare gain than non-farming households because they consume a higher share from crop commodities that become cheaper, and because their farming profits increase.

The socio-economic impacts of introducing circular economy into Mediterranean rice production

Abstract: A novel bio-fertilizer technology that utilizing paddy rice residues (bran and husk) through composting was assessed in the context of life cycle assessment application to circular bio-economy. The bio-fertilizer can recycle the nutrients in residues to replace synthetic fertilizer within the rice production system. To evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of this circular rice production system, a hybrid life cycle assessment model was developed to estimate social-economic impact. The model combined the multi-regional input-output database (Exiobase), with engineering process data of conventional and circular rice production systems from the Agrocycle project. The gross value added and employment in each system were compared at functional unit and sectoral level. The results indicated the efficiency of fertilizer application has a significant effect on social-economic impacts. The circular system has the potential to increase the gross value added and employment in conventional rice production, but the circular rice system could not improve both economic and social impacts at the same time. The results indicated the circular system did not necessarily achieve more positive social-economic impacts than the convention linear system. Considering the circularity and efficient use of resources, the bio-fertilizer technology should not be dismissed. To derive better social-economic performance from the circular rice supply chain, further developments are required, such as technology development to reduce unit production cost and infrastructure development to support bio-fertilizer production.