Overuse Of Fertilizers Research Articles

Agriculture High-Quality Development and Nutrition

Modern Agricultural production wants to efficiently produce plant products and benefits to meet people's needs. However, because of better plant species and varieties, overuse of fertilizer and overdose of pesticide alters the plant resources relationship, resulting in soil degradation, vegetation decline, and crop failure or waste of resources, which influence the quality of fruit and benefit and are unfavorable for the sustainable utilization of nature resources and crops high-quality development. After a couple of years of study, the results showed that Agricultural development went into agricultural high-quality development in 2017, which is to use effective measures or methods to maximize yield and benefits and meet the need of people's need for better Agricultural produce and a better life. The theory foundation of the sustainable utilization of natural resources and Agriculture high-quality production is the resources use limit by plants, vegetation carrying capacity, and critical period of plant resources relationship regulation. The methods of Agriculture high-quality development are to select excellent plant species or varieties based on site conditions and market needs before planting crop young plants and sowing seeds, adopt appropriate initial planting density when planting crop young plants and sowing seeds, and regulate the relationship between plant growth and resources need in the process of crop production in a timely and appropriate amount, especially the chemical fertilizer and pesticide to obtain the maximum yield and benefits and realize the sustainable utilization of natural resources and achieve agricultural high-quality development.

Using an ensemble Kalman filter method for a soil nitrogen transport model in the real rice field

The overuse of nitrogen fertilizer in rice field of China leads to nitrogen loss and serious water pollution, so it is vital to accurately predict soil nitrogen transport in rice field. But the prediction errors of soil nitrogen transport are great due to complex chemical and reactive conditions and uncertain parameters in real rice fields. In this study, a prediction model of soil nitrogen transport in a rice field was established via modifying the HYDRUS-1D source code, and a data assimilation method called the ensemble Kalman filtering (EnKF) was coupled, based on the observed NH4+-N and NO3–-N concentrations at different depths in a real rice field. Study results for two different protocols of assimilating observed NH4+-N and NO3–-N concentrations simultaneously and separately were compared. It indicated the predictions accuracy of NH4+-N and NO3–-N concentrations was improved significantly via the EnKF method, and the former protocol is better than the latter. Moreover, for the latter protocol, observations of NO3–-N concentrations were more efficient than NH4+-N to improve the predictions accuracy of NH4+-N and NO3–-N concentrations at different depths. Inversed parameters of urea hydrolysis, NH4+-N volatilization, soil adsorption of NH4+-N, nitrification and denitrification increased over time. On the whole, the inversed model parameters were more stable at deep soil than shallow soil, which were different at different depths. With soil depths increase, parameters of the NH4+-N adsorption and NO3–-N denitrification increased, while parameters of urea hydrolysis, NH4+-N volatilization and nitrification decreased. This study improved the model predictions accuracy and inversed the model parameters, revealing the mechanism of nitrogen loss in real rice fields, which can provide scientific basis to reduce serious environmental problems caused by the overuse of nitrogen fertilizer.

Environmental–economic total factor productivity of vegetable production in China from the life cycle perspective

Enhancing agricultural green total factor productivity (GTFP) is crucial for promoting sustainable economic development. However, the absence of systematic approaches to assess the environmental-economic productivity from a full life cycle perspective hinders sustainable agricultural development and constrains the transition to a green economy. This study introduced an innovative framework of life cycle GTFP (LCGTFP) through interdisciplinary collaboration. This framework integrated regionalized life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), multimedia LCIA-based life cycle costing analysis, and the epsilon-based measure combined with the global Malmquist–Luenberger approach. This integration allows for the inclusion of comprehensive environmental burdens into GTFP analysis. Empirical results from the production of 10 types of vegetables in China reveal a “win–win” trend in vegetable industry from an environmental–economic perspective. The LCGTFP reached a value of 1.036 (CV: 0.021) over the past decade, indicating a 3.6% increase in environmental–economic productivity. However, challenges (e.g., fertilizer overuse and regression on the technical frontier) persist in sustainable vegetable production. This study highlights the necessity of technical dissemination, agricultural education, high-quality crop varieties, and e-commerce. Furthermore, the development of the vegetable industry must incorporate environmental and economic conditions, because environmental–economic misallocation occurs in areas that are recognized as having geoclimatic–locational advantages.

Systems thinking in sustainable agriculture development: a case study of garlic production in Indonesia

Sustainable agriculture involves complex interactions among social, economic, and ecological dimensions, each with distinct interests and goals. Achieving sustainable agricultural development is challenging and requires a comprehensive response. This study focuses on Indonesia’s garlic production, employing a systems thinking approach to provide a holistic understanding of the interconnected factors influencing sustainable agricultural systems. We utilized the first two steps of the five-step systems thinking methodology—problem articulation and the formulation of dynamic hypotheses. This process involved developing a causal loop diagram (CLD) to represent the dynamic hypotheses and identifying system archetypes to determine leverage and potential intervention points. Our analysis identified three system archetypes—Drifting Goals, Fixes that Fail, and Limit to Growth—as key patterns influencing the sustainability of garlic production. The Drifting Goals archetype reveals that efforts to boost local garlic stock in Indonesia are hindered by the allocation of garlic for seeds, due to the lack of a clear distinction between garlic for consumption and seed. The Fixes that Fail archetype illustrates the long-term detrimental effects of short-term agricultural practices, such as the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Limit to Growth archetype underscores the critical need for enhanced market access and a shift in consumer preferences to sustain garlic farming. To address these challenges, we recommend establishing clear distinctions between garlic for consumption and seed production, developing the seed industry, promoting integrated pest management, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs through environmentally friendly technology. Additionally, ensuring market and price stability is vital to maintain farmers’ interest in garlic cultivation. Therefore, the government should prioritize market penetration for local garlic and consistently enforce import restrictions to ensure the sustainability of garlic production in Indonesia.

Highly efficient removal of aqueous phosphate via iron-manganese fabricated biochar: Performance and mechanism

Biochar (BC) has emerged as a potential solution to phosphate removal from wastewater primarily resulting from global overuse of fertilizers. Further modification by embedment of iron (Fe)-manganese (Mn) oxides on BC can enhance phosphate removal; however, the modification method serves as a vital factor underlying distinctive removal performances and mechanisms, which have yet been systematically examined. Herein, two Fe–Mn modified BC, Fe/MnBC (comprised of Fe3O4 and MnO2) and Fe–MnBC (comprised of MnFe2O4), were comprehensively investigated for gaining insights into the unsolved perspectives. The results indicated that Fe–MnBC exhibited a markedly greater maximum phosphate adsorption capacity of 135.88 mg g−1 than that of Fe/MnBC with 17.93 mg g−1. The comparative results based on microstructure and spectroscopic analyses suggested that different Fe and Mn oxides were successfully loaded, which played a distinctive role in phosphate removal. Further characterizations unveiled that the key mechanisms for phosphate removal by Fe/MnBC are inner-sphere complexation and precipitation, while electrostatic interaction and outer-sphere complexation are the dominant mechanisms underlying the notable performance of Fe–MnBC. The delicately designed Fe–MnBC with special structure and property also enabled a superior regeneration capacity, which presented a promisingly high phosphate removal efficacy of over 81.34% after five cycles. These results enhance comprehension regarding the impact of biochar modification techniques on phosphate removal, offering positive indications for the remediation of excessive phosphate and other pollutant-containing water through feasible design and green chemicals.

Unlocking synergies and managing trade-offs: how climate actions in Indian agriculture support the Sustainable Development Goals

This paper assesses four relevant climate actions in Indian agricultural sector through the lens of United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to understand how climate actions (SDG 13) are linked with other SDGs and their targets and what measures can be taken to scale up these actions. Four board categories of climate actions are considered for this exercise: shift to less-flooded paddy water management practices; minimizing overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizer, system of rice intensification and climate smart agricultural practices. A mixed method has been followed: first, scoping review of literature between 2010 and 2022 is undertaken to capture the growing body of literature and then a normalized weighted score is used to understand the net strength of the linkages. Scoping review helped in identifying 100 studies spanned across Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and the eastern part of Peninsular India. Findings from the scoring method suggest that these practices have linkages with 15 SDGs and as many as 43 SDG targets. Almost all linkages are positive (synergy) but there are a few negative linkages (trade-offs) as well. Trade-offs include exacerbating inequalities including gender, high upfront cost, requirement of skilled labor, lack of access to information and finance. This paper provides a detailed description of these trade-offs and suggests measures to tackle and minimize them.

Optimizing Growth and Yield of Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) Var. Neelam-61 through Integrated Use of Inorganic Fertilizers, Organic Manure and Rhizobium Inoculation

Organic matter decomposition is beneficial to plant growth and development. However, the overuse of chemical fertilizers poses risks to environmental sustainability and long-term soil health. The integration of organic fertilizers, such as poultry manure, offers a promising solution to reduce dependency on chemical inputs while maintaining crop productivity. The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj U.P during Kharif season of 2023. An experiment was conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three levels of N:P:K, Poultry manure and two levels of Rhizobium inoculation. The seeds were treated with Rhizobium. Based on the experimental data, the application of 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF), 100% Poultry manure and 100% Rhizobium inoculation not only resulted in maximum growth and yield attributes but also proved to be significantly superior to all other treatments.

Impact of agricultural inputs on the abundance of heavy metals (Cu, Zn) in soil, water, and plants in the south of Algeria

he aim of our study is to assess the impact of agricultural inputs on the levels of heavy metals, specifically copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in soil, water, and plants in the oasis of El Ghrous, Branis, and Sidi Okba in Algeria. The existence of perilous substances in the surroundings is a significant ecological issue, endangering both human well-being and agricultural output. The overuse of fertilizers and pesticides may be causing heavy metals build-up. The aim will be to highlight a better understanding of the concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), considering as detrimental contaminants, after extensive utilization of agricultural inputs. In order to examine the levels of trace metals (TMs), we performed additional tests by comparing field samples using metal analysis techniques that involved ammonium acetate and EDTA, and detection by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Our findings suggest that in soils affected by fertilizers and phytosanitary agents, the concentrations of Cu++ and Zn++ are below levels that would cause toxicity. Indeed, the levels of Cu++ are measured at 6.14 µg/g and the levels of Zn++ are measured at 4.97 µg/g. Nevertheless, the copper contents in irrigation waters from sites 01 and 02 beyond the levels that are considered dangerous. Similarly, copper levels in plants are categorized as hazardous. The findings emphasize the significance of implementing integrated pest management strategies in order to reduce the negative consequences of excessive use of agricultural inputs. Additionally, our study imposes the need to closely monitoring agricultural practices in order to mitigate environmental and public health hazards. Implementing sustainable farming practices and employing effective resource management strategies is crucial for safeguarding agricultural ecosystems and guaranteeing sustainable food production in the long run. Adopting an all-encompassing strategy is crucial for preserving the well-being of both the ecosystem and the populace.

Influence of Carbon Nanotube Support on Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Catalyzed by a Cobalt Complex

Access to clean water is a pressing environmental and public health concern. Excess nitrate (NO3 -) from the overuse of fertilizer finds its way into our surface water and groundwater, which leads to adverse health effects such as cancer and causes significant damage to ecosystems.1-4 The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) has emerged as a promising water treatment approach to address this issue. The NO3RR involves the transformation of waste NO3 - into value-added nitrogen species, such as ammonia (NH3), via reduction. NH3 serves as a valuable chemical in various applications, including its use as a fertilizer, chemical precursor, fuel, and a potential hydrogen (H2) carrier for energy storage and transportation.5-7 Leveraging renewable energy, the NO3RR provides a sustainable approach to distributed NH3 production, which stands in stark contrast to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process.8-10 As a result, there is growing interest in designing catalysts for the selective reduction of NO3 - to NH3. However, this requires that we obtain a clear understanding of the role of each component in the catalyst structure.Molecular catalysts have unique advantages over other electrocatalytic materials due to their well-defined structures, which can be tailored through the choice of the metal center and ligands.11,12 Moreover, molecular catalysts can be immobilized on substrates to create heterogeneous electrocatalysts capable of achieving a high current density.13,14 In previous investigations, we showcased the efficacy of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a catalyst support for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reactions.13,15 In heterogenized molecular catalysts, CNTs are generally believed to provide high surface area and electron conduction. However, our recent investigation reveals that CNTs can serve as catalysts themselves for the NO3RR,16 which expands our understanding of the diverse roles CNTs play in NO3 - reduction electrocatalysis.A major challenge in the field of electrocatalysis is the development of catalyst design strategies to control the reaction selectivity. We report on an underexplored approach to overcome this challenge by tuning the CNT support for a cobalt complex. With pristine CNTs as the support, the cobalt complex/CNT hybrid catalyst is selective for NO3 - reduction to NH3 with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 70%. In contrast, the cobalt complex supported on oxidized CNTs (OCNTs) generates mostly H2 under the same conditions. On the basis of kinetic measurements which reveal that the rate-determining step of NO3 – reduction is limited by the first electron transfer without involving a proton, we propose that the oxygen functional groups on the OCNT support help deliver protons and steer the supported cobalt complexes from catalyzing NO3 - reduction to H2 evolution. The performance of both of these hybrid catalysts is compared with the controls of bare CNTs and OCNTs. Additional control experiments include tests conducted in the absence of NO3 -. These control experiments together with the rest of the experimental data provide strong evidence to support the notion that the product selectivity of the NO3RR catalyzed by cobalt complexes can be controlled via the CNT support. This study demonstrates the importance of tailoring the catalyst support to advance reactivity in catalysis for environmental remediation.

Study the effect of Enterobacter cloacae on the gene expression, productivity, and quality traits of Curcuma longa L. Plant.

Overuse of artificial chemical fertilizers could be detrimental to the environment. Utilizing beneficial microorganisms as biofertilizers is a sustainable technique that promotes soil health, crop yield, and ecosystem preservation. Curcuma longa L. is utilized as a medication since it has its antibacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor characteristics, which reduce inflammation and hasten wound healing. The effect of E. cloacae strain MSR1, which is common in the roots of alfalfa grown in the Al-Ahsaa region, on C. longa plants is being investigated. C. longa rhizomes were planted under greenhouse conditions after being submerged in a solution of E. cloacae strain MSR1 (OD 500) or water treatment as a control for 12 hours. After 240 days of growing, ten randomly selected plants from each treatment were collected, and the vegetative growth and yield metrics were assessed. To investigate how E. cloacae influences C. longa production and chemical composition (photosynthetic pigment, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and curcuminoid), measurements were conducted as well as genes diketide-CoA and curcumin synthases genes. Our research showed that C. longa's growth and yield were favorably impacted by E. cloacae. Significant increases in the related plants' chlorophyll a,b, carotenoid, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels were likewise a reflection of the enhanced effects shown in the growth and yield parameters. Treatment with E. cloacae raised the curcuminoid's three sub-components' compositions to varying degrees: bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin. Comparing E. cloacae treated plants to the control, high expression levels of the genes diketide-CoA and curcumin synthase-1, -2, and 3 were also found. The treatment of E. cloacae is a good biostimulant candidate for boosting growth and yield as well as raising the medicinal qualities of C. longa, according to the overall results.

An eco-friendly approach harnessing Trichoderma lixii ORT2 for reducing chemical phosphatic fertilizer dependency and groundwater phosphorus management through integrated in silico, in vitro and omic studies

Groundwater pollution has become an escalating global issue, with excessive application of phosphorus (P) fertilizers emerging as a major contaminant. The overuse of chemical phosphatic fertilizers has intensified the problem of P infiltration into water table, compromising soil health and exacerbating groundwater pollution. This underscores the urgent need to explore sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers to safeguard groundwater and soil health. The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) plays important role in efficient P-solubilization achieved by Trichoderma sp. a soil fungus known for its gradual transportation of P from fixed sources to plants. This mechanism not only minimizes P leaching into groundwater but also reduces dependency on fertilizers. To investigate the active role of fungal ALP in P-solubilization, amino acid/gene sequences of enzyme from 20 Trichoderma strains were retrieved from NCBI. Molecular docking revealed strong catalytic interaction (−6.93 kcal/mol) between complex-bound P and the ALP, involving two hydrogen bonds and key residues Gln286 and Arg340. To confirm ALP-mediated P-solubilization, 12 newly isolated Trichoderma spp., were assessed in vitro using media amended with tri-calcium phosphate (TCP), zinc phosphate (Zn3(PO4)2), or ferric phosphate (FePO4) as sole phosphorus source. Trichoderma lixii ORT2 demonstrated highest P-solubilization, yielding 547.40 μg/mL phosphate from TCP, 538.6 μg/mL from Zn3(PO4)2, and 423.45 μg/mL from FePO4, in 72 h. Solubilization was accompanied by simultaneous expression of ALP and siderophore in the same aliquot. TCP induced maximum expression of ALP (9.47 U/mL), followed by Zn3(PO4)2 and FePO4 showing 8.65 and 5.64 U/mL, respectively, in culture filtrates at 72h, that was further confirmed through proteomic analysis. FESEM micrographs confirmed P binding and biosorption into fungal mycelia as P-globules. Furthermore, Cicer arietinum inoculated with Trichoderma lixii ORT2 bio-formulations showed significant enhancement in growth parameters in TCP amended soil as compared to di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). The integrated approach of microbial P-solubilization and further utilization by plants for their growth as major nutrients merges microbial and phyto-remediation to address sustainability issues related to the management of soil health and phosphorus contamination. This strategy aims to substitute chemical phosphatic fertilizers, which are significant contributors to rising dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) in groundwater. This approach directly supports SDG 6 by reducing P leaching and improving groundwater quality, ensuring sustainable water and sanitation management for all.

Determination of the levels of selected essential and toxic metals in soil collected from the flower farm in Roshara Roses PLC (Bishoftu) of Ethiopia and assessment of associated human health risks

The overuse of pesticides and fertilizers to grow high-quality roses unintentionally introduces heavy metals into the soil which is detrimental to the human health. Thus, the aim of the current study is to examine the concentrations of the essential (Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni) and toxic metals (Cd and Pb) in the soil samples from the flower farm using Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and to assess the risk that heavy metals pose to human health. To obtain an optimum condition for the wet digestion of soil samples, the volume ratio of reagents, reflux time and temperature were optimized. The concentrations of Ca, Fe, Mn, Mg, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu were found to be 3468, 4926, 450, 255, 74, 70,48.5 and 25 and 2150, 4862,472, 241, 71, 58, 37 and 12.5 mg/kg for the soil samples collected from the flower farm and road side, respectively. Cadmium and lead were not detected in the studied soil samples. Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the concentrations of Ca and Cu in the two soil samples are significantly different. Correlation analysis showed there was strong positive association for Fe with Zn, Cr and Ni, Mg with Ca, Cu, Ni and Cr, Zn with Cr and Cu and Ni with (Cu, Zn and Cr). Values of hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for the heavy metals under the study in the all exposure pathways are below 1.0 indicating that none of them could be harmful to human health.

Unboxing PGPR-mediated management of abiotic stress and environmental cleanup: what lies inside?

Abiotic stresses including heavy metal toxicity, drought, salt and temperature extremes disrupt the plant growth and development and lowers crop output. Presence of environmental pollutants further causes plants suffering and restrict their ability to thrive. Overuse of chemical fertilizers to reduce the negative impact of these stresses is deteriorating the environment and induces various secondary stresses to plants. Therefore, an environmentally friendly strategy like utilizing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a promising way to lessen the negative effects of stressors and to boost plant growth in stressful conditions. These are naturally occurring inhabitants of various environments, an essential component of the natural ecosystem and have remarkable abilities to promote plant growth. Furthermore, multifarious role of PGPR has recently been widely exploited to restore natural soil against a range of contaminantsand to mitigate abiotic stress. For instance, PGPR may mitigate metal phytotoxicity by boosting metal translocation inside the plant and changing the metal bioavailability in the soil. PGPR have been also reported to mitigate other abiotic stress and to degrade environmental contaminants remarkably. Nevertheless, despite the substantial quantity of information that has been produced in the meantime, there has not been much advancement in either the knowledge of the processes behind the alleged positive benefits or in effective yield improvements by PGPR inoculation. This review focuses on addressing the progress accomplished in understanding various mechanisms behind the protective benefits of PGPR against a variety of abiotic stressors and in environmental cleanups and identifying the cause of the restricted applicabilityin real-world.

The Effect of Recycled Spent Coffee Grounds Fertilizer, Vermicompost, and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth and Soil Quality of Red Radish (Raphanus sativus) in the United Arab Emirates: A Sustainability Perspective.

The overuse of chemical fertilizers degrades the soil ecosystem and restricts the natural development of plants. Various byproducts are produced throughout the production and consumption of coffee within the coffee industry, and they are significant in terms of environmental waste. Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) contains various bioactive compounds that have demonstrated potential applications in various fields. These compounds can enhance soil quality by improving its physicochemical properties and biological fertility, ultimately leading to improved plant growth and reducing food waste and contamination at the same time. This current study examined the impact of chemical fertilizer, vermicompost, SCGs with percentage fertilizer (SCGPF), and SCGs on the top dressing fertilizer (SCGTDF) on red radish (Raphanus sativus) growth and soil quality. This greenhouse experiment tested various concentrations of SCGPF (5%, 10%, 25%, and 50%) and different doses of SCGTDF (0.5 g, 1 g, and 2.5 g). The results showed that the 0.5 g SCGTDF treatment yielded the highest mean plant length (18.47 cm) and fresh weight (27.54 g), while the vermicompost at a 50% concentration produced the highest mean leaf surface area (58.32 cm2). These findings suggest the potential of SCGs as a sustainable fertilizer alternative, contributing to improved plant growth and soil quality, thus supporting sustainable agricultural practices and a circular economy.

An optimized crop-livestock system can achieve a safe and just planetary boundary for phosphorus at the sub-basin level in China.

The contribution of crop and livestock production to the exceedance of the planetary boundary for phosphorus (P) in China is still unclear, despite the country's well-known issues with P fertilizer overuse and P-related water pollution. Using coupled models at sub-basin scales we estimate that livestock production increased the consumption of P fertilizer fivefold and exacerbated P losses twofold from 1980 to 2017. At present, China's crop-livestock system is responsible for exceeding what is considered a 'just' threshold for fertilizer P use by 30% (ranging from 17% to 68%) and a 'safe' water quality threshold by 45% (ranging from 31% to 74%) in 25 sub-basins in China. Improving the crop-livestock system will keep all sub-basins within safe water quality and just multigenerational limits for P in 2050.

Utilization of lysed and dried bacterial biomass from the marine purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum as a sustainable nitrogen fertilizer for plant production

Plant-based agricultural systems rely heavily on inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizers to increase yields and ensure food security for the rapidly growing global population. However, the production and overuse of synthetic fertilizers lead to significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, causing a critical need for the development of alternative and sustainable organic N fertilizers. Here, we demonstrate the effective use of lysed and dried bacterial biomass from the marine purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum as an alternative source of N fertilizer for the cultivation of Japanese mustard spinach (komatsuna, Brassica rapa var. perviridis). To assess the suitability of this processed bacterial biomass, containing approximately 11% N, as a N fertilizer, we examined the effects of its application on plant germination and growth (measured by leaf chlorophyll, maximum leaf length, and dry weight) under two different temperature regimes, comparing it to that of a conventional N-containing mineral fertilizer. Application at rates up to four times that of the mineral fertilizer had no negative effects on seed germination and plant growth. The bacterial biomass had to be applied at approximately twice the rate of mineral fertilizer to obtain similar plant growth parameters, roughly corresponding to the predicted 62% rate of mineralization of the bacterial N. Our findings confirm the ability of plants to take up N from the lysed and dried biomass of marine purple photosynthetic bacteria, demonstrating the potential for using R. sulfidophilum as a source of N fertilizer.

Heavy Metal Concentration in Fish Species Clarias gariepinus (Catfish) and Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia) from Anambra River, Nigeria

Studies have emphasized that the presence of heavy metals in freshwater fish represents a global public health issue. Nigeria, being a developing nation with less emphasis on the quality of seafood consumed by the residents, ranks this study very vital. The policy implication of this study is the advancement of a healthy population in contemporary Nigeria. Hence, this study assessed heavy metal concentration in two fish species, Clarias gariepinus (Catfish) and Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia), in the Anambra River. The sample included twenty fishes, of which eighteen were collected from the three sampling locations (the fish ports of Anambra River), namely Otu-nsugbe, Otuocha, and Ikemivite) while two control samples were collected from a pond about 200 m away from the river. The levels of heavy metals were determined using Varian AA 240 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium and arsenic) in the sampled fishes from Anambra River exceeded the joint World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO/WHO) standard for fish and fish product consumption, while the concentration of chromium, mercury, and lead are within the permissible limit. The study also showed the distribution of the heavy metals in the fish organ varies among fish species. Heavy metals occur higher in Clarias garepinus than in Oreochromis niloticus, while tissue preference for heavy metal accumulation is in the order of gill > liver > muscle. It was recorded from this study that the heavy metal concentration in the fish from the pond is generally higher than the fish from the river for some metals. The high level of heavy metals in the sampled fish was attributed to heavy metals contamination of the river as a result of various anthropogenic activities such as mining, burning of fossil fuel and emission from the exhaust of boats/vehicles, overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, discharge of effluent, sewage, and hospital waste. This study concluded that long-term consumption of fish from the river may pose health risks to the consumers due to the possible bioaccumulation of heavy metals, especially cadmium and arsenic. It was recommended that continuous monitoring of heavy metal levels in the fish and water, public awareness, and appropriate legislative provisions should be put in place to ensure that harvested fish and fish products may be safe for human consumption.

Reuse of biogas sludge for the slow-release fertilizer production to improve fertilizer use efficiency and soil fertility

Fertilizer overuse causes negative impacts on the environment and crop yields. Therefore, the production of slow-release fertilizers from biogas sludge is a potential solution for waste reuse and sustainable use of fertilizers. Granular fertilizers containing primary macronutrients (N, P and K) were formulated using biogas sludge and supplementary chemical compounds before coating with a thin film of glutaraldehyde cross-linked gelatin. The coating films reduced the release rates of N and P effectively. The application of formulated biogas fertilizers resulted in the competitive yield and growth rate of mustard greens over the 45-days cultivation compared to the application of commercial fertilizers. Particularly, the application of coated biogas fertilizers led to less nutrient losses in drainage water while maintained a balanced supply of available nutrients and beneficial bacteria in soils. This study emphasizes the feasibility to reuse biogas sludge for slow-release fertilizers production in improving fertilizer use efficiency and soil fertility.

Fertilizer Optimization through Machine Learning-driven Models: An Empirical Investigation on Smart Farming of Amaranth

Amaranth is a highly nutritious leafy vegetable cum pseudo-cereal crop known for its adaptability to various climatic conditions, making it a promising crop for addressing the food security and nutritional needs of a growing population. To enhance its quality and boost yields, farmers mainly depend on synthetic fertilizers. However, the excessive use of inorganic fertilizers to maximize crop yields poses significant ecological risks. This study aimed to investigate the impact of excessive inorganic fertilizer on the growth, yield, and physiological attributes of Amaranthus with the aid of advanced machine learning paradigm. An experimental pot trial was conducted using different NPK fertilizer dosage regimes, and agronomic parameters such as moisture level, crop yield, plant height, leaf length, leaf width etc. were measured and analyzed using statistical methods. The results demonstrated that the application of excessive inorganic fertilizer initially promoted plant growth but surpassed optimal levels resulting in negative effects, including stunted growth and reduced vigor. By identifying the Amaranthus's productivity and adaptability in different chemically treated soil conditions and automatically phenotyping its traits using image-based machine learning models, this study aims to determine the overuse of synthetic fertilizers. A comparative evaluation of different learning algorithms was carried out and the experimental result proves that SVM classifier could be a more appropriate learning algorithm for the proposed system with 80% accuracy. These findings highlight the importance of adopting sustainable fertilizer practices for the cultivation of Amaranthus and emphasize the need for ecological balance in crop production systems.

Integrated Nutrient Management for Lentil Cultivation: Improving Soil Fertility, Nutrient Content, and Economic Returns

Context: -Overuse of chemical fertilizers reduces soil fertility, which highlights the need to switch to integrated farming practices for sustainable growth. Purpose: – A field experiment was conducted to analyse the effects of various integrated nutrient management strategies on soil fertility generally, nutrient level fluctuations in the soil, plant uptake, and nutrient content and economic consequences in lentil farming. Method: – Eight different treatments representing various nutrient sources were used in the experiment, which used a Randomized Block Design. Each treatment had three replications. Result: – The results indicated that there was no significant difference among 8 different treatments for soil pH and EC. The available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium in soil and content in straw and seed were found highest in T 8 while protein content in seed was also found highest in T 8 (24.85 %) followed by T 7 (24.50 %). But the economics of cultivation indicated T 4 to be the best with the highest B:C ratio (1.96). Conclusion: – The proper and balanced usage of organic and inorganic sources of nutrient increased soil accessible nutrient pool and there was abundant of the remainder of nutrient in the soil. The impact of combined RDF, rhizobium, vermicompost and FYM may be the reason in higher nutrient content in soil, plants and quality of lentil. Implication: – The practice of integrated nutrient management strategies are for improving lentil cultivation's soil fertility, nutrient uptake, protein content, and overall economic viability.