Combinations Of Fertilizer Treatments Research Articles

The Structural Quality of Soil Organic Matter under Selected Soil Fertility Management Practices in the Central Highlands of Kenya

As influenced by agricultural practices, soil organic matter (SOM) stability is imperative in maintaining soil fertility and crop production. Integrated soil management practices have been recommended for soil fertility improvement by enhancing soil organic matter. We examined the SOM stability under integrated soil management practices for six consecutive cropping seasons in the high agricultural potential area of the Central Highlands of Kenya. The experimental design was a complete randomized block design with fourteen treatments replicated four times. The treatments were minimum (Mt) and conventional tillage (Ct) combined with sole mineral fertilizer (Mf), crop residue combined with mineral fertilizer (RMf), crop residue combined with mineral fertilizer and animal manure (RMfM), crop residue combined with animal manure and Dolichos Lablab L. intercrop (RML), crop residue combined with Tithonia diversifolia and animal manure (RTiM), and crop residue combined with Tithonia diversifolia and phosphate rock (Minjingu) (RTiP), as well as a control (no inputs). SOC was higher in treatments with organic inputs and a combination of organic and inorganic inputs. Treatments with sole mineral fertilizer and no input recorded lower SOC amounts. The C functional groups followed the sequence: alkyl C (53%) > O-alkyl C (17%) > aromatic C (9%) > carboxyl C (8%) > methoxyl C (7%) > phenolic C (6%). The alkyl C proportion was higher in organic inputs treatments, while O-alkyl C was higher in organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment combinations. Methoxyl C, aromatic C, and phenolic C proportion of SOC was greater in crop residue and mineral fertilizer combination, while carboxylic C was lower than the control in most treatments. In addition, the organic inputs treatments had a higher alkyl C/O-alkyl C ratio, increased aliphaticity, and higher hydrophobicity. Applying organic fertilizers individually or in combination with inorganic fertilizers could potentially increase C storage in the soil, thereby enhancing SOC stocks.

RESIDUAL EFFECTS OF INORGANIC FERTILIZER AND BIOCHAR ON LEAD AND CADMIUM UPTAKE BY Amaranthus cruentus L. ON CONTAMINATED SOIL OF BAGEGA, NIGERIA

The need to remediate contaminated mine soils has led to the adoption of biochar technology. Soils obtained from gold mining sites are heavily contaminated soils due to the presence of heavy metal occlusions in the gold ores. Therefore, a two-trial study was conducted to assess heavy metal uptake by Amaranthus cruentus from biochar amended contaminated mine soils. The experiment was factorial and laid out in a completely randomized design with biochar at seven levels (control; woodchar and bonechar at three rates each) and mineral fertilizer (15-15-15 NPK) at three rates to give rise to twenty-one biochar and fertilizer treatment combinations with three replications. Harvested plant tissues were subjected to wet digestion to determine the concentrations of Pb and Cd. Determined Pb concentrations (0.82-1.04 and 0.74-1.15 mg kg-1) in plant tissues were under the critical limit of 2.0 mg kg-1 set by WHO. Cadmium concentrations (0.38-0.49 and 0.32-0.50 mg kg-1) in plant tissues obtained from both trials were above the critical limit of 0.02 mg kg-1 set by WHO. Values of Pb uptake by plants ranged from 1.99-12.64 mg kg-1 and 0.05-0.71 mg kg-1 in both cropping trials, while Cd uptake ranged from 0.09-0.37 and 0.002- 0.016 mg kg-1. Uptake values of Pb and Cd obtained from the first trial were comparatively higher than values obtained from the second trial. A combination of 30 t ha-1bonechar and 80 kg 15-15-15 NPK enhanced Pb and Cd uptake in both trials while 30 t ha-1 woodchar suppressed heavy metal uptake. Biochar made from plant sources is more suitable for remediating heavy metal contaminated soils.

Compost applications increase bacterial community diversity in the apple rhizosphere

AbstractSustainable practices are key to the improvement of soil fertility and quality in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) orchards. Rootstock genotype and fertilizer inputs can alter soil biology, as well as aboveground traits including nutrient acquisition. In this study, a factorial design was used to assess the interaction between two apple rootstocks, ‘Geneva 41’ (‘G.41’) and ‘Malling 9’ (‘M.9’) with four fertilizer treatments [chicken‐litter compost, yardwaste compost, fertigation using Ca(NO3)2, and an unamended control]. The bacterial community in the rhizosphere was assessed for its impact on both plant and soil properties for each rootstock × fertilizer treatment combination. The bacterial community was dominated by Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Planctomycetes, but Verrucomicrobia and Chloroflexi were the most responsive to the fertilizer treatments. The chicken litter and yardwaste treatments had a greater effect on bacterial community structure than the control. Yardwaste, in particular, was associated with increased relative abundance of Chloroflexi, which was correlated with soil nutrient concentrations. Malling 9 had a greater bacterial diversity than G.41, but the rootstock treatment had no independent effect on the rhizosphere community structure. There was, however, a strong interaction between the rootstock and fertilizer treatments. Carbon cycling was the most prominent functional change associated with the soil bacterial community. These results suggest that compost amendments have a more positive effect on soil bacterial activity and nutrient availability than Ca(NO3)2. Our work shows that waste‐stream amendments can lead to multiple positive responses, such as increasing aboveground tree biomass, thus potentially improving orchard productivity.

Nutrition management on irrigated rice fields to increase maize productivity

Balanced fertilization is the main key to increase maize productivity. This paper aims to evaluate the recommendations of fertilizing N, P and K on the growth and production of maize on irrigated paddy fields. The study was conducted in three provinces of Lampung, Banten and Central Java. The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design with incomplete factorial. The number of treatments was 12 and each had 3 replications. Fertilization treatments were 4 levels of each N, P and K included Urea (0, 150, 300, 450 kg ha−1), SP-36 (0, 100, 200, 300 kg ha−1) and KCl (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1). The results showed that the yield of dry shelled maize for the three locations was obtained from a combination of fertilizer treatment with Urea fertilizer doses of 450 kg ha−1, SP-36 200 kg ha−1, and KCl 100 kg ha−1, with the respective results for the Lampung 7.77 t ha−1, Banten 7.58 t ha−1, and Central Java 7.67 t ha−1. Fertilization of N and K affected the increased stover weight and dry weight of maize kernels in Lampung, Banten, and Central Java. Meanwhile, P fertilization could not increase the stover weight and yield of maize.

Nutrient management in maize-sesame intercropping system

Two field experiments were conducted in early cropping season of 2015 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria and at Onitinrin village, about 15 kilometres away, to evaluate the effect of organic, inorganic fertilizer and their combinations on the growth and yield performance of maize and sesame intercrop and to determine the appropriate combination rates of organic-based fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer for sustainable high crop yields of maize and sesame intercrop grown in the Sothern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of different percentages of tithonia compost and inorganic fertilizer applied in combinations or alone, laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Generally, significantly higher maize yield was obtained in treated plots than control. Sesame yield from T3-50 kg N/ha (from urea fertilizer)+197.5 kg N/ha (from tithonia compost) and T5-75 kg N/ha (from urea fertilizer)+98.75 kg N/ha (from tithonia compost) applied plots was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the others in Onitinrin village. For maize/sesame intercrop at Teaching and Research Farm, any of the fertilizer treatment combinations can be applied.

Effects of Five Growing Media and Two Fertilizer Levels on Polybag—Raised Camden Whitegum (Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden &amp; Cambage) Seedling Morphology and Drought Hardiness

In developing countries, tree seedlings are often produced in polybags filled with mixtures of locally available materials. Seedling growth and quality can be affected by the type and amount of these substrates used in the mixture. Differences in seedling growth and quality can also be significantly affected when fertilization is employed during the nursery growing period. In this study, we assessed the effects of five different growing media and two fertilization regimes on nursery growth, seedling morphology and early post-planting response to drought of Eucalyptus benthamii (Maiden &amp; Cambage) seedlings. First, we evaluated the effects of each media by fertilizer treatment combination on morphological attributes during a nursery growing period. Seedlings raised in fertilized media without rice hulls yielded higher growth, root dry mass, shoot dry mass, total dry mass, Dickson quality index (DQI) scores, and number of first order lateral roots (FOLRs). Root to shoot ratio (R:S ratio) was, however, greater in non-fertilized media that contained rice hulls. We then conducted a simulated outplanting and drought hardiness experiment, in which seedlings were planted in 13.2 L containers and irrigated for one month, followed by the imposition of drought stress. Seedlings in fertilized media composed of sand, topsoil and compost showed greater growth than those in rice hull-containing media, during the irrigation phase. With the discontinuation of irrigation and prevention of precipitation reaching the seedlings, seedlings grown in non-fertilized media containing rice hulls survived longer than those in other media. There were no large differences in survival among other media or between fertilized and other non-fertilized seedlings. Seedling total size and shoot height at the time of planting played a major role in survival. Smaller seedlings with smaller shoot sizes and greater R:S ratios survived longer. This study demonstrates that growing media and fertilization can be manipulated to affect seedling morphology in the nursery and, ultimately, seedling performance and survival under water stressed conditions.

Soybean Yield Response to In‐furrow Fungicides, Fertilizers, and Their Combinations

Core Ideas Fungicide in‐furrow and starter fertilzer individually did not increase yield. Fungicide and starter fertilizer combined in‐furrow increased yield marginally. Fungicide and starter fertilizer in‐furrow may not be economical without disease. Planting into cool and wet conditions exposes soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed and seedlings to pathogens that may reduce plant populations, resulting in lower yield. Recently, fungicides have been labeled for in‐furrow applications and marketed to provide additional broad‐spectrum protection from soilborne fungi and enhance seedling vigor. Additionally, liquid fertilizers have been promoted recently as a carrier for fungicides to improve yield in some soybean producing areas in the United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a fungicide, starter fertilizer, and a combination of fungicide and starter fertilizer on soybean yield. Field experiments were laid out in Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, and Mississippi in the United States and Ontario, Canada, with a total of 14 site‐years. A positive yield response was observed with the fungicide and starter fertilizer treatment combination in Arkansas in 2014; however, there was no effect of treatment on soybean yield at any other location or year. Overall, a yield benefit of 1.6 bu/acre (107.6 kg/ha) (P = 0.02) with the fungicide and starter fertilizer treatment was observed across all locations when combined using meta‐analysis. In conclusion, our study suggests that the prophylactic application of fungicide and starter fertilizer may not be profitable without the risk of soilborne diseases and nutrient deficiencies.

Processing methods of organic liquid fertilizers affect nutrient availability and yield of greenhouse grown parsley

AbstractThe demand for organic foods is increasing globally, but a key limiting factor to the production of organic greenhouse produce is the lack of certified liquid fertilizers. In this experiment, four organic fertilizers were produced using either acidic extraction, anaerobic digestion or both of ensiled biomass of organic red clover and white mustard. The resulting fertilizers were applied to greenhouse-grown parsley either alone, or in combination with nitrogen (N)-enriched water produced by flushing acidic water with ammonia, to determine their effect on plant growth and the nutrient concentrations of parsley. Six combinations of fertilizer treatments were included in the greenhouse experiment. Three treatments received either fertilizers derived from acidic extraction, anaerobic digestion or both and three treatments received fertilizers derived from acidic extraction combined with N-enriched water. Conventional inorganic liquid fertilizer, chicken manure extract and no liquid fertilizer (only water) were added as control treatments. A higher N-min (ammonium and nitrate) to potassium (K) ratio was found in fertilizers after anaerobic digestion compared to acidic extraction. All organic fertigation treatments resulted in high pH, high K and chloride concentrations and high NH4/NO3 ratios in the root zone. In addition, high electrical conductivity (EC), P, K and Mg concentrations were found when only acidic extracted fertilizers were applied. Application of plant-based organic fertilizers without amending with N-enriched water resulted in biomass yields that were 21–26% lower than the inorganic fertigation control. However, fertigation with chicken manure extract, or a combination of fertilizer derived from acidic extraction and N-enriched water, resulted in similar plant growth as inorganic fertilizer. The lower yield from fertilizer derived from acidic extraction was due to elevated EC levels in the growing medium. Our results suggest that yield of greenhouse-grown parsley using either organic fertilizers combined with N-enriched water or chicken manure extract is similar to conventional fertilizer.

Influence of different irrigation and nitrogen levels on crude oil and fatty acid composition of maize (&lt;em&gt;Zea mays&lt;/em&gt; L.)

The effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer levels on the crude oil and fatty acid composition of maize cultivars was studied. Three levels of irrigation (50, 75 and 100% of field capacity) and nitrogen (100, 200 and 300 kg·ha-1) were used for treatment groups. After harvest, the crude oils were extracted and fatty acid profiles were determined by Gas Chromatography system. The study was repeated for two years and the interaction effects of fertilizer and irrigation were determined. Our results show that the crude oil content was affected positively by the fertilizer and the irrigation applications. As expected, the most abundant fatty acid was linoleic and the harvest year did not alter it. The highest linoleic acid content value was obtained with a 50% field capacity and 300 kg·ha-1 fertilizer treatment combination. In addition, fatty acid contents varied with the changing of interaction effects except for myristic and palmitic acid. Oleic acid was the second abundant fatty acid in the oil samples and the lowest oleic acid value was obtained with a 50% field capacity and 300 kg·ha-1 fertilizer treatment combination. Oleic acid content tended to increase with 75% field capacity but 100% field capacity treatment decreased in it.

Pengaruh Pupuk Organik Limbah Kelapa Sawit dan Pupuk Anorganik terhadap Pertumbuhan Bibit Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) pada Pembibitan Utama

Palm oil mill waste is one of the biggest problems in palm oil mill development, hence the need for technology to treat the waste in order to be utilized. This study aims to obtain the composition of organic fertilizer solid waste palm oil factory combined with inorganic fertilizer in the main seedling of oil palm, carried out in the nursery garden of PT. Bio Nusantara Teknologi, Kec. Pondok Kelapa, Central Bengkulu District, from January 2016 to April 2016 with a height of 13 meters above sea level, using Completely Randomized Design (RCD), a factor with 4 replications. Dosage of combination Organic Fertilizer (POP) and Inorganic Fertilizer consisting of 6 levels, namely: O0 = 100% Inorganic (50 g / polybag) + 0% Organic (0 g / polybag), O1 = 80% Inorganic (40 g / polybag) + 20% Organic (100 g / polybag), O2 = 60% Inorganic (30 g / polybag) + 40% Organic (200 g / polybag), O3 = 40% Inorganic (20 g / polybag) + 60% Organic (300 g / polybag), O4 = 20% Inorganic (10 g / polybag) + 80% Organic (400 g / polybag), O5 = 0% Inorganic (0 g / polybag) + 100% Organic (500 g / polybag) ). The results showed that the combination of fertilizer treatment was significantly different from the variability of green leaves, the increase of seedlings 12 weeks after planting (MST), stem diameter 12 MST and leaf-breaking time, and not significantly different on the leaves leaf variable 12 MST.Keywords: palm oil waste, solid organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, palm oil nursery

MINERAL FERTLIZER AS AN ALTERNATIVE FERTILIZER IN INCREASING RICE YIELD IN TABANAN REGENCY

Production can be increased through improved harvest index genetic engineering, and the availability of nutrients in the soil. Ciherang rice production tests conducted over two years by toposekuen in Tabanan. First in five Subak, (Jangga, Bulung Daya, Andal Dewa, Lanyah1, and Perean) with 10 fertilizer treatments. The second year, five fertilization treatments in the two Subak (Petung dan Babahan). The study was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Parameters observed included vegetative and generative growth, and yield of paddy field farming. Duncan`s test, with a confidence level of 5% using the Costat program, and input output fertilization. Fertilization is very significant effect on rice production. The first year results, the highest rice production (9.33 tons ha-1) was achieved in a combination of fertilizer treatment (organic + NPK + mineral), can increase production 43.98%. The second year of the highest rice production (11.878 tons ha-1) were achieved on the fertilization of NPM (100 kg urea + 100 kg Phonska ha-1) + organic fertilizer (2.5 tons ha-1) + mineral fertilizer (2.5 tons ha-1), production increased 50.4%. Organic fertilization received the lowest rice production (5,420 to 8,940 tons ha-1), and the highest percentage of empty grain (9.29%). Mineral fertilizers can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and high-dose organic fertilizers. The increase in yield of paddy field farming compared to control for the treatment of organic fertilizer (Rp 1.011 million ha-1), NP (Rp 6.416 million ha-1), NPK (Rp7.636 million ha-1), and NPM (Rp12.576 million ha -1).

Efficiency of BJRI Kenaf-4 Yield Under Different Fertilizer Levels

The present study was conducted to clarify the fertilizer requirement on the growth and yield of the variety Bangladesh Jute Research Institute Kenaf-4. Consequently the experiment was conducted in Jute Agriculture Experimental Station, Manikganj and Jute Research Regional Station, Kishoreganj of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute. The results indicated significant effect of different NPKS levels on Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) Kenaf-4 yield and yield contributing characters over control. The highest fibre (3.14t/ha) and stick (7.65t/ha) yield were obtained by the combination dose of N₁₀₀ Kg/ha with PKS 10-60-20 kg/ha at Kishoreganj. The plant height (3.14m), base diameter (19.47mm) also found highest with the same fertilizer treatment combination. By the same treatment produced higher fibre yield and yield contributing characters at Manikganj though that yield was slightly lower than Kishoreganj. Economic analysis suggested the best combination is N₁₀₀P₁₀K₆₀S₂₀ kg/ha. The findings of the present experiment clearly indicated a great prospect of nutrient combination of N₁₀₀P₁₀K₆₀S₂₀ kg/ha on the growth and yield of fibre production on the variety BJRI kenaf-4.

EFFECT OF BIO FERTILIZER ON MATURE OIL PALM IN NORTH SUMATRA AND RIAU

Chemical fertilizers have routinely been applied at oil palm plantations to maintain soil fertility. Due to the increase of chemical fertilizer prices, some efforts have been done at such as to reduce cost and increase efficiency in chemical fertilizer application at oil palm plantations include the use of bio fertilizer (BF). The objective of experiment was to evaluate the effect of reducing oil palm standard dosage of chemical fertilizers combined with BF on mature oil palm yield. The experiment was carried out in 2002-2003 covering an area of 4367 ha at PTPN IV in North Sumatra and of 515.58 ha at PTPN V in Riau. The planting material was Dura x Pasifera variety and planted in 1980-1995. A randomized block design was used having three fertilizer treatments: (A) 100% chemical fertilizer (normal dosage), (B) 75% chemical fertilizer + BF, and (C) 50% chemical fertilizer + BF. The replications at PTPN IV and V were 11 and 7, respectively. The BF was applied firstly in May 2002. Dosage of BF was 250 g tree-1 yr-1. The BF was given in pockets with four pockets per palm tree. The parameters observed were fresh fruit bunch (FFB) weight, average of bunch weight, and average of bunch number. Results of the experiments showed that palm yield treated with 75% chemical fertilizer + BF and 50% chemical fertilizer + BF were both not significantly different with palm yield treated with 100% chemical fertilizer. The application of 75% chemical fertilizer + BF and 50% chemical fertilizer + BF gave benefit of Rp509,093 and Rp1,231,535 ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Technically, nutrients given as chemical fertilizers using combination of 75% chemical fertilizer + BF are still higher than the nutrients transported into 26 tons palm FFB ha-1 yr-1. Fertilizer treatment combination of 50% chemical fertilizer + BF will technically be safe only for palm yield of &amp;lt;16 tons palm FFB ha-1 yr-1, since nutrients given as fertilizer are still higher than those transported into the palm yield.

EFFECT OF BIO FERTILIZER ON MATURE OIL PALM IN NORTH SUMATRA AND RIAU

Chemical fertilizers have routinely been applied at oil palm plantations to maintain soil fertility. Due to the increase of chemical fertilizer prices, some efforts have been done at such as to reduce cost and increase efficiency in chemical fertilizer application at oil palm plantations include the use of bio fertilizer (BF). The objective of experiment was to evaluate the effect of reducing oil palm standard dosage of chemical fertilizers combined with BF on mature oil palm yield. The experiment was carried out in 2002-2003 covering an area of 4367 ha at PTPN IV in North Sumatra and of 515.58 ha at PTPN V in Riau. The planting material was Dura x Pasifera variety and planted in 1980-1995. A randomized block design was used having three fertilizer treatments: (A) 100% chemical fertilizer (normal dosage), (B) 75% chemical fertilizer + BF, and (C) 50% chemical fertilizer + BF. The replications at PTPN IV and V were 11 and 7, respectively. The BF was applied firstly in May 2002. Dosage of BF was 250 g tree-1 yr-1. The BF was given in pockets with four pockets per palm tree. The parameters observed were fresh fruit bunch (FFB) weight, average of bunch weight, and average of bunch number. Results of the experiments showed that palm yield treated with 75% chemical fertilizer + BF and 50% chemical fertilizer + BF were both not significantly different with palm yield treated with 100% chemical fertilizer. The application of 75% chemical fertilizer + BF and 50% chemical fertilizer + BF gave benefit of Rp509,093 and Rp1,231,535 ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Technically, nutrients given as chemical fertilizers using combination of 75% chemical fertilizer + BF are still higher than the nutrients transported into 26 tons palm FFB ha-1 yr-1. Fertilizer treatment combination of 50% chemical fertilizer + BF will technically be safe only for palm yield of &amp;lt;16 tons palm FFB ha-1 yr-1, since nutrients given as fertilizer are still higher than those transported into the palm yield.

Fertilizer and irrigation effects on forage protein and energy production under semi-arid conditions of Pakistan

Fertilizer and irrigation water are major inputs for forage production in semi-arid areas, and to ensure sustainability, nutrient and water efficient crop species should be used. The major objectives of the present study were to (i) evaluate the effect of crop species, fertilizer and irrigation on nutritive value and (ii) determine irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) in terms of crude protein (CP) and metabolizeable energy (ME) production per unit of land. A two-year field experiment was conducted in Faisalabad, Pakistan, with a four times replicated completely randomized design in a split-plot arrangement of a combination of fertilizer treatment (control, farm yard manure (FYM) and mineral fertilizer (MIN)) and irrigation (recommended irrigation (RI), half recommended irrigation (HRI)) as main-plots. Sub-plots were assigned to two cropping systems Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) followed by corn (Zea mays L.) (common cropping system, CCS) and the drought-adopted cropping system (DACS) oat (Avena sativa L.) followed by sudangrass (Andropogon sorghum subsp. drummondii). Crude protein concentration and IWUE of CP production per unit of land in CCS was 44 and 13% higher than in DACS, whereas ME contents and IWUE of ME production in DACS was 9.5 and 38% higher than in CCS. In view of ME as the major limiting nutritive property in roughages for feeding dairy cows, it is concluded that the tested DACS may be more suitable for sustainable forage production under water and nutrient limited conditions in semi-arid areas of Pakistan.

Vermicompost Substitution Influences Shelf Life and Fruit Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

The growing awareness on health makes consumer more concerned for food quality and safety. In tomato, the nutrient content, texture, colour and nitrate level mostly determines the degree of acceptability of ripe fruit. The present study was aimed to assess the influence of different nutrient sources on shelf life and important quality attributes of tomato. The field experiment was conducted during 2005-06 and 2006-07 with 14 different treatments by combining inorganic and organic sources of nutrients in presence and absence of microbial amendment. The pooled analysis revealed that the shelf life, total soluble solids, total sugar, vitamin A and vitamin C contents were significantly influenced by the application of different sources of nutrients. Also, substitution of 25% inorganic nitrogen with manure along with microbial amendment influenced shelf life and nutritional qualities of tomato. Within the 75% inorganic fertilizer treatment combination, quality attributes were correlated with the type and amount of the organic manure applied. Higher levels of vermicompost resulted in better growth medium compared to higher levels of farmyard manure. Within the vermicompost treated plots, inoculation with microbial amendment gave better results than the uninoculated treatments. The fruit nitrate content was also reduced upon the application of 75% of recommended inorganic fertilizer combination as compared to 100% inorganic fertilizer treatment combination.

The effect of non-targeted application of propiconazole on the yield and quality of malt barley

Karamanos, R. E., Flore, N. A., Harapiak, J. T. and Stevenson, F. C. 2012. The effect of non-targeted application of propiconazole on the yield and quality of malt barley. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 341–349. There is a desire to use non-targeted applications of foliar fungicide to improve malting barley production under higher fertility situations. An experiment was conducted at 80 sites (location by year combinations) with a 12 combinations of N/P/K rate-placement to determine if applications of propiconazole improve malt barley yield and quality under high fertility conditions. Treatment differences for days to maturity were no greater than about 1 d. Fungicide by fertility treatment interactions were not significant (P&gt;0.05). Applications of propiconazole improved yield by 305 kg ha−1 (6%) and plump kernels by 3 g kg−1 (3%) across all fertility treatments, which included N fertilizer rates ranging from 0 to 90 kg N ha−1. The effect of fungicide on yield was greatest at sites with highest yield potentials (ca. 8000 kg ha−1) and was not statistically significant at lower-yielding sites (ca. 3000 kg ha−1). Application of propiconazole also improved net returns [barley revenue – (N cost+propiconazole cost+other operating costs)] by $22 ha−1 with higher barley priced ($190 T−1) and high yield potentials. At sites with low yield potential, the application of propiconazole resulted in net losses of about $7 ha−1 compared with not applying propiconazole. Nitrogen fertilizer rates from 0 to 90 kg N ha−1 (15/30-0 P-K fertilizer treatment combinations) increased yield and protein concentration, and reduced plump kernels in a curvilinear fashion when averaged across fungicide treatments. Net returns were maximized at N fertilizer rates slightly less than 90 kg N ha−1, depending on the price/cost regime. Consequently, malt barley producers will have to consider tradeoffs regarding N fertilizer rate that optimizes yield/returns and kernel quality. Also, decisions regarding fungicide applications and N/P/K fertilizer rate-placement applications can be made independent of each other for malt barley production.

Chemical Control of Soil Environment by Lime and Nutrients to Improve the Productivity of Acidic Alluvial Soils under Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Bangladesh

The productivity of rice-wheat cropping has declined in acidic alluvial soils widespread in Bangladesh. Field experiments were conducted for three years at two locations to investigate the effects of 3 levels of lime (0, 1.2 and 2.4 t ha-1) and six combinations of fertilizer treatments on soil pH, nutrient availability, and yields of rice and wheat. Soil pH, available P, exchangeable Ca, and hot-water-extractable B were increased by liming. The levels of Fe and Al content in soil were significantly decreased with lime levels whereas the level of Zn was not affected by lime levels. Boron availability enhanced by liming could have significant effect in preventing spikesterility and thereby increased the yield of wheat. The yield response of crops revealed that combination of full dose of liming (2.4 t ha-1) with N, P, K and S applications at the rates of 100, 40, 40 and 20 kg ha-1 in both the crops and 5 kg ha-1 of Zn only in rice are preferable to obtain higher yield in acidic alluvial soil. Mg and B were not required to apply as fertilizer at least for 3 years in such a soil treated with full dose of lime.

The Economics of Sustainable Agriculture Alternatives on the Semiarid Canadian Prairies: The Case for Legumes and Organic Amendments

ABSTRACT The economic performance of rotations with reduced summerfallow frequency, legume crop alternatives, and manure applications was evaluated using data from a rotation experiment established in 1992 on Brown Chernozemic soil at Bow Island, Alberta (Alberta Crop Diversification Center South). Net returns and variability were calculated for each of the six rotations under test and for different fertilizer treatments, including manure (a total of 20 rotation and fertilizer treatment combinations). A farm-level economic risk model was formulated to simulate optimal rotation selection under uncertainty and risk aversion. The six rotations included continuous wheat (W), fallow-wheat (FW), fallow-wheat-wheat (FWW), flax-wheat-fallow (FxWF), legume-Allan wheat (LW), and grass (G). The wheat and flax phases of the fertilized rotations were fertilized with 0, 20 or 40 kg N ha−1 (0, 17.9 or 35.7 1bs N ac−1) and with 0 or 8.6 kg P ha−1 (7.7 lbs P ac−1). The W and FW rotations also had a manure treatment. Of the traditional cropping systems, the FWW and FW rotations (with applications of 40 kg ha−1 N: 8.6 kg ha−1P (35.7 1bs ac−1N: 7.7 1bs ac−1 P)and 20 kg ha−1N: 8.6kg ha−1P(17.81bs ac−1 N: 7.7 1bs ac −1 P), respectively), exhibited the highest returns and the FW(20,8.6) rotation experienced less variability. The simulation revealed that increases in net returns could be attained through the introduction of a LW rotation because of its ability to fix N and thus reduce the input costs. Risk averse producers would be expected to plant a combination of LW(0,0) and FW(40,8.6). W and FW rotations with manure treatments were not as profitable as those with chemical fertilizer treatments.

Crop Rotation and Nitrogen Effects on Normalized Grain Yields in a Long‐Term Study

Effects of year‐to‐year variability in agricultural production systems have always been a concern, but few studies are conducted for a long enough period of time where management system evaluations and assessments can be made. Given this limitation, questions about whether management systems are effective at reducing temporal variability remain in production agriculture. These questions prompted investigation of a long‐term crop rotation study to determine effects of crop rotation and N fertilization practices in a rainfed environment on normalized grain yields. Sixteen years of grain yield data from an experiment with seven cropping systems (three monoculture, two 2‐yr rotations, and two 4‐yr rotations) and three N fertilizer rates are included in the study. Grain yields from 1983 through 1998 for each crop and N fertilizer treatment were normalized and then relative grain yield within a cropping system and N fertilizer treatment were combined, which resulted in relative yields for each cropping system and N fertilizer treatment combination in each year. Using the normalized yields, overall analyses of the 16 yr of data were conducted to assess what effects cropping systems and N fertilizer have on yield variability. These analyses demonstrated that crop rotation systems are more effective at reducing long‐term yield variability than monoculture systems, even with N fertilizer. As expected, N fertility, obtained from either fertilizer or legumes in monoculture or rotation systems, is probably one of the most, if not the most important aspect in reducing yield variability. Analyses of normalized yields also demonstrated that reductions in yield variability could be obtained in many of our cropping systems with proper management.