Levels Of Fertilizer Application Research Articles

Complex Microbial Fertilizer Promotes the Growth of Summer-Sown Short-Season-Cultivated Cotton and Increases Cotton Yield in the Yangtze River Basin by Changing the Soil Microbial Community Structure

The summer-sowing short-season cotton cultivation model is an important method for simplified and mechanized cotton planting in the Yangtze River Basin. However, the effects of microbial fertilizers on cotton growth and soil under this model remain unclear. In 2023, we conducted a systematic analysis on the application of microbial fertilizers (compost) at varying levels (CK, MF1, MF2, and MF3) during different growth stages of cotton (bud, flowering, bolling, and boll opening). Results showed that appropriate microbial fertilizer application (MF2 and MF3) enhanced soil bacterial and fungal diversity, enriched beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Acidobacteriota and Candidatus Udaeobacter), improved soil nutrient availability, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity (POD, SOD), while reducing membrane lipid peroxidation (MDA). These effects led to significant improvements in yield traits, such as cotton plant height, number of fruiting branches and bolls, boll weight, and coat weight. The highest microbial fertilizer application level (MF3) resulted in a 54.35% increase in seed yield and a 75.37% increase in lint yield compared to CK. PLS-DA (Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis) and multivariate statistical analyses revealed that microbial fertilizer application fine-tuned soil microbial community composition, emphasizing the dynamic balance of the microbial ecosystem. This study provides scientific support for optimizing microbial fertilizer strategies to enhance the yield and quality of summer-sown short-season cotton and promote sustainable agriculture.

Spatial association network structure of agricultural carbon emission efficiency in Chinese cities and its driving factors

In light of the Chinese government’s dual carbon goals, achieving cleaner production activities has become a central focus, with regional environmental collaborative governance, including the management of agricultural carbon reduction, emerging as a mainstream approach. This study examines 268 prefecture-level cities in China, measuring the carbon emission efficiency of city agriculture from 2001 to 2022. By integrating social network analysis and a modified gravity model, the study reveals the characteristics of the spatial association network of city agricultural carbon emission efficiency in China. Additionally, the quadratic assignment procedure is employed to investigate the driving factors. The findings indicate that: (1) The carbon emission efficiency of cities agriculture in China displays substantial spatiotemporal heterogeneity, characterized by marked regional clustering. Central cities generally exhibit higher efficiency levels, while the surrounding cities tend to have lower efficiency. (2) The carbon emission efficiency of city agriculture in China displays multidimensional, complex, and organic characteristics, with potential for enhanced network stability. (3) Agricultural regions in central and southeastern China dominate the spatial network, while regions with weaker agricultural sectors, like Beijing, Shanghai, and Ningxia, occupy peripheral positions. (4) Within the spatial association network of city agricultural carbon emission efficiency in China, Intra block spatial correlations are low, while interblock spatial correlations are strong, exhibiting significant spillover effects. (5)Variations in agricultural development levels and mechanization significantly enhance the formation of networks related to city agricultural carbon emission efficiency in China. Conversely, differences in industrial structure and fertilizer application levels exert a substantial negative influence on these networks.

Yield Gap Assessment in Senegal and Senegal River Valley: Factors Affecting the Yield Gap and Postharvest Activities Impact on its Improvement

Senegalese agriculture relies mainly on seasonal production activities marked with low productivity. This contributes to high dependency on imports as far as food self-sufficiency is concerned. This dependency on cereal imports, primarily of rice, wheat and maize has increased gradually due to their low incentive to produce comparison with cash crops (e.g., peanut and cotton), inappropriate policies and failures in improving agricultural productivity. Domestic agricultural production of cereals in Senegal covers approximately 40% of the country’s demand. And it is characterized by a low level of fertilizer application and low accessibility of inputs such as seeds and fertilizer. Reflecting these obstacles, the dependency of rice and maize on imports in Senegal reaches up to 80% and 50%, respectively. At the country level, the gap between current and potential yield is estimated to be 49.75% and 79.75% for rice and maize production, respectively. But in the Senegal River Valley, these yield gaps are less severe; they are 37.9% and 58.8% respectively. These yield gaps are caused by biophysical, socio-economic and institutional factors. Among them, problems associated with harvest and postharvest hindrances need to be addressed. And, as domestic financial support for loosening up these constraints is not easy because of a lack of financial capacity of government and farmers, one must look for financial support from overseas. Without funding from outside, many governmental agricultural projects targeting to boost up domestic agricultural production are under danger of failure.

Stem characteristics and yield of wheat is regulated to improve planting efficiency and reduce lodging risk by fertilizer rate and irrigation stage

Stem characteristics and yield of wheat is regulated to improve planting efficiency and reduce lodging risk by fertilizer rate and irrigation stage

Hierarchical Bayesian semi-parametric models for measurement error correction in determining optimal fertilizer application levels

Hierarchical Bayesian semi-parametric models for measurement error correction in determining optimal fertilizer application levels

The long-term nitrogen fertilizer management strategy based on straw return can improve the productivity of wheat-maize rotation system and reduce carbon emissions by increasing soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration

The long-term nitrogen fertilizer management strategy based on straw return can improve the productivity of wheat-maize rotation system and reduce carbon emissions by increasing soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration

Кластерный анализ в оценке эффективности зернового производства Тюменской области

Abstract. In recent years, there has been stable production of grain industry products in volumes that meet the needs of the Tyumen region and allow the sale of products outside the region. The article is devoted to the study of territorial differentiation of the production of grain and leguminous crops in the Tyumen region. The purpose of the study is to assess the efficiency of grain production in the context of municipalities in the south of the Tyumen region and determine the dependence on the level of fertilizer application. Methods. Statistical methods of data processing (analysis of time series, method of variation, method of correlation-regression analysis), as well as cluster analysis using the Ward method, were used for the study. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that municipalities have been clustered and ranked according to a set of parameters characterizing the development of the grain production industry in the Tyumen region. Results. An assessment was made of the scale of industry development for the period from 2018 to 2022, quantitative and qualitative indicators were considered: the size of sown areas, gross yields, yields of grain and leguminous crops differentiated by municipal areas. An assessment was made of the dynamics of development of the grain production industry, trends of changes over 5 years, parameters of the influence and dependence of the yield of grain and leguminous crops on the level of fertilizer application were identified, clusters were identified that reflect the differentiation of municipal areas in grain production.

Analysis of the beneficial effects of prior soybean cultivation to the field on corn yield and soil nitrogen content.

Corn-soybean rotation is a cropping pattern to optimize crop structure and improve resource use efficiency, and nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is an indispensable tool to increase corn yields. However, the effects of N fertilizer application levels on corn yield and soil N storage under corn-soybean rotation have not been systematically studied. The experimental located in the central part of the Songnen Plain, a split-zone experimental design was used with two planting patterns of continuous corn (CC) and corn-soybean rotations (RC) in the main zone and three N application rates of 0, 180, and 360 kg hm-2 of urea in the secondary zone. The research has shown that RC treatments can enhance plant growth and increase corn yield by 4.76% to 79.92% compared to CC treatments. The amount of N fertilizer applied has a negative correlation with yield increase range, and N application above 180 kg hm-2 has a significantly lower effect on corn yield increase. Therefore, a reduction in N fertilizer application may be appropriate. RC increased soil N storage by improving soil N-transforming enzyme activity, improving soil N content and the proportion of soil organic N fractions. Additionally, it can improve plant N use efficiency by 1.4%-5.6%. Soybeans grown in corn-soybean rotations systems have the potential to replace more than 180 kg hm-2 of urea application. Corn-soybean rotation with low N inputs is an efficient and sustainable agricultural strategy.

Sustainability improvement of grain productivity of beet crop rotations in the foreststeppe of the Central Blackearth region

The purpose of the current study was to identify the effect of various crop rotations and rates of application of mineral fertilizers on productivity of winter wheat and spring barley, the productivity of crop rotations and the economic efficiency of cultivating crops. The study was carried out in a stationary field trial of the FSBSI “Kursk FARC” on typical heavy loamy blackearth (chernozem) in 2015–2023. Agricultural crops were grown in three crop rotations: 1 – grainrow fallow (black fallow, winter wheat, sugar beets, maize for silage, barley); 2 – grain-row green manure fallow (green manure fallow, winter wheat, sugar beets, maize for silage, barley); 3 – crop rotation (horse-bean for grain, winter wheat, sugar beets, white lupine for grain, barley). During the trial there have been compared two contrasting levels of mineral fertilizer application N30Р30К30 and N52Р52К52 per hectare of crop rotation area. The non-marketable portion of the harvest of all crops was used as fertilizer. Agricultural technology was generally conventional for the area. There has been established that, under all weather conditions, the highest yield of winter wheat at a low background of fertilization (N30Р30К300 per hectare of crop rotation area) is produced in green manure fallow, and at a high background of fertilization (N52Р52К52 per hectare of crop rotation area) in black fallow. There was found that the most favorable conditions for cultivating barley were created when cultivating with white lupine for grain. Fertilization increase led to productivity increase of the grain crops, but, at the same time, to a production profitability decrease. There has been determined that productivity of crop rotations with fallow forecrops is 14 % higher compared to crop rotations with a legume forecrop (horse-bean for grain). According to calculations, on average over the years of study, the most profitable was the winter wheat cultivation in black fallow, and spring barley cultivation in white lupine for grain. At the same time, the indicator of production profitability level decreased with an increase in the rate of mineral fertilizing, which results in production costs’ increase.

Growth of Bt cotton as influenced by time of fertilizer application and farm yard manure levels under rainfed condition

Growth of Bt cotton as influenced by time of fertilizer application and farm yard manure levels under rainfed condition

Effects of Bacterial Fertilizer on the Growth And Absorption of Cadmium and Lead in Maize

This study involed a simulated pot experiment to examine the effect of different levels of bacterial fertilizer application on the growth of maize. As per the results stated, SJ-1 or 0.35 g/kg should be the Maximum and SJ-4 or 2.25 g/kg should be the Minimum but both data points are being referred to as Maxima. As per the results CK and SJ-1 showed no difference and SJ-3 had the lowest but both SJ-1 and SJ-3 are stated to be the lowest. The bioconcentration factor (Pb) and transfer factor (Cd and Pb) in maize were reduced the most following the 2.25 g/kg treatment. The application of the bacterial fertilizer was found to reduce the pH and the amounts of EDTA-Cd and EDTA in the soil. The amount of the bacterial fertilizer applied was found to be positively correlated with the Cd and Pb contents in the underground parts. The results suggested that the correct application of the bacterial fertilizer could promote the growth of maize. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(2): 297-304, 2024 (June)

Effects of fertilizer types and application levels on phosphorus availability of saline soils and crops: A meta‐analysis

AbstractPhosphorus deficiency limits agricultural production in saline soils. Phosphorus fertilizer (P fertilizer) affects soil and crop phosphorus availability, water eutrophication control, and rock phosphate ore resource protection. To clarify the effect of varying types and amounts of fertilizers on the phosphorus availability enhancement at different degrees of saline soil and provide theoretical basis for rational fertilization at high salt soil, a meta‐analysis of 257 datasets from 24 studies was conducted. All studies were from Asia and focused on the effects of P fertilizer on the phosphorus availability in saline soils. P fertilizer application increased soil available phosphorus (AP) and total phosphorus (TP) contents by 49.24% and 56.19% (pQ < 0.05). Further sub‐group analysis revealed that the P fertilizer types, application levels, soil salinity, soil alkalinity, and crop species affected the response variables (AP, TP, above‐ground P content, and yield), as well as derived variables such as the proportion of AP to TP content (AP/TP) and the phosphorus fertilizer utilization efficiency. Intermediate‐level pure organic fertilizer enhanced AP content by 55.66%, while high‐level pure organic fertilizer enhanced AP/TP. Intermediate‐level pure organic fertilizer showed the best effects on above‐ground P content and phosphorus fertilizer utilization efficiency. Mineral plus organic fertilizer at this level achieved the highest yield increase (122.34%). Soil phosphorus availability improved more in mild salinity and pH <8.5 soils. Therefore, integrating the overall responses, applying mineral plus organic fertilizer or pure organic fertilizer at an intermediate level (20–60 kg·ha−1·year−1) for 1–2 years could enhance soil AP content, benefit crop growth, and agricultural productivity in saline soils while managing input costs effectively.

Integrated Nutrient Management: A Pathway to Enhanced Growth and Yield in Amaranthus tricolor L.

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of manures, fertilizer, and biofertilizers application, either alone or in combination on seed germination, vigor, and yield of Amaranthus. Recommended rates of organic manures viz., farmyard manure (5 t/ha) and vermicompost (2.5 t/ha) biofertilizers i.e., Azotobacter and Phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 200g per 10 kg of seed were integrated with the recommended dose of fertilizer @ 60: 40: 20 kg/ha NPK. The experiment was designed with twelve treatments with three replications that were laid out in a randomized complete block design. Results revealed that the treatment T12 which consists of half dose of NPK + half dose of vermicompost + Azotobacter and PSB observed early emergence of seeds (3.60 days) along with higher germination percentages (84.53 percent) as well as vigorous seedlings in terms of vigor index-1 (5.75) and vigor index-2 (5.56). The crop was harvested three times at a height of 20 cm and by the application of treatment T12, plants take minimum time for harvest i.e., 21.65, 30.65, and 41.16 days along with the highest yield i.e., 0.50, 1.15, and 0.85 kg per plot at first second and third harvest respectively. Therefore, it is clear that combining inorganic fertilizers with organic manures could increase soil health in addition to enhancing growth and facilitating consistent nutrition for the Amaranthus crop.

Farm Size, Soil Investment, and Quality: Theory and Evidence from a Panel Data Set in Tanzania

Achieving sustainable agricultural development is a vital concern as soil degradation poses a growing threat to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the developing world. Previous literature has highlighted the potential for rural population growth to exacerbate this concern by leading to smaller farm sizes and crop production on marginal land. This paper uses a theoretical model to demonstrate a countervailing effect consistent with the work of Esther Boserup: Smaller farm sizes can encourage greater intensification and investment in the soil. Using panel data from the Tanzania National Panel Survey, I test the model and find some evidence consistent with this effect. Smaller farms are associated with greater organic, but not inorganic, fertilizer application, and higher levels of some soil quality proxies. These results suggest that if key resource and information constraints are overcome, population growth need not be an obstacle, and can be a boon, to sustainable agricultural development.

Method for Monitoring Wheat Growth Status and Estimating Yield Based on UAV Multispectral Remote Sensing

An efficient and accurate estimation of wheat growth and yield is important for wheat assessment and field management. To improve the accuracy and stability of wheat growth and yield estimation, an estimation method based on a genetic algorithm-improved support vector regression (GA-SVR) algorithm was proposed in this study. The correlation analysis between vegetation indices calculated from spectral data and wheat growth phenotypes and yields was performed to obtain the optimal combination of vegetation indices with high correlation and good estimation performance. At the same time, the optimal model for wheat growth monitoring was screened and constructed in experiments with 12 wheat varieties and 3 gradient nitrogen fertilizer application levels. Then, the yield estimation model was established and its applicability was verified under different nitrogen fertilizer application levels. The results showed that the constructed models for the leaf area index, plant height, and yield estimation performed well, with coefficients of determination of 0.82, 0.71, and 0.70, and root mean square errors of 0.09, 2.7, and 68.5, respectively. This study provided an effective UAV remote sensing technique for monitoring wheat growth status and estimating yield. This study provides an effective unmanned aerial remote sensing technique for monitoring wheat growth and estimating yield, and provides technical support for wheat yield assessment and field management.

Improving Yield and Water Use Productivity of Green Squash Under Different Levels of Water and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application

Improving Yield and Water Use Productivity of Green Squash Under Different Levels of Water and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application

Impacts of the tillage systems on the production of green corn (Zea mays L.) in long‐term plots in Northeastern Brazil

AbstractIn the current global context of climate change and the increasing demand for sustainability, optimizing agricultural production is very important in order to meet the demands for food and to mitigate environmental impact. To achieve sustainable agricultural production, particularly in regions with tropical soil and climate conditions, is necessary to adopt conservation‐oriented techniques. This includes no‐tillage system, the use of soil‐cover crops, and the application of inoculants. The objective of this research was, at the end of the 22nd cropping season, to assess the influence of soil compaction in the production of green corn (Zea mays L.) in a long‐term field experiment. This study was conducted under different soil tillage systems in a Red‐Yellow Ultisol from the Coastal Tablelands of northeastern Brazil. Three soil tillage systems were applied: Conventional Tillage (CT), Minimum Tillage (MT), and No‐tillage (NT). These were combined with four previous crops: cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), crotalaria (Crotalaria juncacea), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), and millet (Pennisetum glaucum), as well as two levels of nitrogen fertilizer application: (1) 100% of the recommended N dose, and (2) 50% of the recommended N dose plus Azospirillum brasilense inoculant. The experimental design consisted of strip plots with subplots divided and randomized within each strip, with three replications. Soil compaction was assessed using parameters of soil density (SD) and soil mechanical resistance to penetration (MRP) in conjunction with moisture content (MC). The principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted that conservation‐oriented systems exhibited greater soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, leading to increased productivity of commercial green corn cobs. The synergistic effect of diversifying previous crops and adopting conservation tillage systems, especially in soils under long‐term tillage, resulted in heightened productivity of commercial green corn ears.

Development of yield prediction model for wheat by using AquaCrop model with different nitrogen dose applications in Central Anatolia Region (semi arid) conditions

In this study, yield prediction was made for Tosunbey and Bayraktar bread wheat varieties under rainfall conditions and 4 different fertilizer ratios with AquaCrop model, one of the plant growth models. In this experiment conducted at Haymana Ikizce Research Farm, actual field observations and model predicted grain yield, biomass, and green area coverage ratio were evaluated. Mean deviation (α), standard error (RMSE), and model efficiency coefficient (E) tests were used to determine the performance of the model. The AquaCrop model was calibrated in the first year and validated based on observational data collected in the first and second years of the experiment, respectively. Based on the results obtained, it was observed that the AquaCrop model simulated grain yield at different levels of nitrogen fertilizer applications with higher precision for Bayraktar variety. For Bayraktar variety, grain yield E = 0.93 in the first year and 0.99 in the second year for grain yield, and E = 0.83 in the first year and 0.98 in the second year for biomass, indicating excellent agreement between model and observation was found. In Tosunbey variety, first-year grain yield E=0.66 and 2nd year grain yield 0.76 were found. The 2nd year RMSE value for grain yield of Bayraktar variety was 0.266, and the 2nd year RMSE value for the grain yield of Tosunbey variety was 0.664 and found to be statistically compatible. Grain yield, biomass, and percent cover (CC) values obtained from the model were found to be highly consistent with field observations.

Effect of Plant Spacing and Fertilizer Application on Growth and Yield of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annum) in Experimental Farm at Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Optimum plant population, natural resources, such as nutrients, sunlight, soil moisture and efficient fertilization are some of the primary factors that ensure satisfactory growth and yield. Hence, the objective of this paper was to investigate the effect of plant spacing and fertilizer application on growth and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annum) in experimental farm at Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. Three levels of spacing (S1=30cm x 50cm, S2=40cm x 50cm and S3 =50cm x 50cm) and four different levels of fertilizer application (F0 = control, F1 = 20 t ha-1 poultry manure, F2 = 300 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 and F3 = 150 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 + 10 t ha-1 were adopted. The parameters measured were plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, number of leaves, number of branches, fresh fruit weight per plant, fresh fruit weight per plot, fruit diameter, fruit length, and number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield. The results showed that S3F1, (50cm x 50cm spacing + 20 t ha-1 poultry manure) had the highest plant height and stem diameter and S2F3, (40cm x 50cm spacing + 150 kg ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 and 10 t ha-1) had the highest fruit yield (1731.60 kg ha-1). The lowest yield (994.49 kg ha-1) was obtained at S1F0, (40cm x 50cm spacing + control). Therefore, farmers in this locality could grow bell pepper (Capsicum annum) at S2F3 for increased fruit yield.

Effects of Intercropping and Nitrogen Application on Soil Fertility and Microbial Communities in Peanut Rhizosphere Soil

The intercropping of peanuts and sugarcane is a sustainable planting model that deserves in-depth research. For this study, two variables, i.e., intercropping status (peanut monocropping or sugarcane/peanut intercropping) and the level of nitrogen fertilization (low, medium, or high), were evaluated to analyze the effects of intercropping and nitrogen application on soil fertility and microbial communities in peanut rhizosphere soil. These analyses revealed that higher nitrogen application led to increased total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), and soil organic matter (OM) levels in rhizosphere soil for both monocropped and intercropped peanuts, with a decrease in pH. Monocropped peanuts had higher TN, total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) levels compared to intercropped peanuts at the same nitrogen level but lower AN content and pH levels. The diversity of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of intercropped peanuts was significantly higher than that of monocropped peanuts under high levels of nitrogen fertilizer application. Higher levels of Gemmatimonadetes abundance were observed in intercropping rhizosphere soil, compared to that associated with peanut monocropping under low, middle, and high levels of nitrogen fertilizer application, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Chloroflexi abundance. Nitrospira abundance levels rose gradually in the monocropping treatment group, whereas the opposite trend was evident under intercropping conditions. Further analyses of nitrogen cycle-related genes demonstrated higher levels of nitrogen conversion cycle activity in intercropping peanut rhizosphere soil under low nitrogen levels, whereas nitrogen transformation cycle activity levels were higher in monocropping peanut rhizosphere soil under high levels of nitrogen amendment. It can be concluded that intercropping and nitrogen fertilizer application change the physical and chemical properties of soil, thus affecting the diversity and function of soil microbial communities in the peanut rhizosphere. These results offer a theoretical foundation for more efficient sugarcane/peanut intercropping systems.