Fertilizer Usage Research Articles

Strategic Switching from Conventional Urea to Nano-Urea for Sustaining the Rice–Wheat Cropping System

In the face of declining crop yields, inefficient fertilizer usage, nutrient depletion, and limited water availability, the efficiency of conventional NPK fertilizers is a critical issue in India. The hypothesis of this study posits that nano-nitrogen could enhance growth and photosynthetic efficiency in crop plants compared to conventional fertilizers. For this, a randomized block design (RBD) field experiment was conducted with six treatments: no nitrogen (T1), 100% N through urea (T2), and varying levels of N replacement with nano-nitrogen (33%: T3; 50%: T4; 66%: T5; and 100%: T6). Morphological and physiological traits and yield attributes were measured at physiological maturity, and yield attributes were measured at harvest. Results showed that 33% nitrogen replacement with nano-nitrogen (T3) outperformed conventional urea (T2) in physiological traits and achieved higher grain yields (3789 kg/ha for rice and 4206 kg/ha for wheat) compared to T2 (3737 kg/ha for rice and 4183 kg/ha for wheat with 100% urea). Although T4 and T5 showed statistically similar yields, they were lower than T2 and T3 for rice, while 50%, 66%, and 100% replacements reduced wheat yield by 2.49%, 8.39%, and 41.26%, respectively, compared to T2. Key enzymes of N metabolism decreased with higher nano-nitrogen substitution. Maximum nitrogen availability was observed in T2 and T3. This study concludes that nano-nitrogen is an effective strategy to enhance growth, balancing productivity and environmental sustainability.

Investigating the Impact of Agricultural Credit on Wheat Farming: Evidence from Pakistan

Increasing food production is crucial for attaining the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG#2) by 2030 through supplying agricultural credit and improved inputs. Thus, the present study examined the roles of agricultural credit, applications of fertilizer, usage of pesticides, farming area, and agricultural employment in enhancing wheat production in the developing economy (Pakistan) from 1990 to 2020. This study applied the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) regression method for the empirical analysis. The empirical findings from the ARDL regression technique revealed that agricultural credit can significantly enhance wheat production, while improved inputs, including fertilizer and pesticide usage, also positively contribute to wheat production. Notably, agriculture credit plays a vital role in assisting farmers to purchase advanced farm inputs and indirectly increases the wheat yield. Consequently, this study suggests that the banking sector should supply agricultural credit to farmers under flexible lending conditions; therefore, farmers can easily access credit and adopt modern technologies to enhance food production and ensure food security.

Reducing Nitrogen Waste: Factors Influencing Neem‐Coated Urea Adoption in Bhutan

ABSTRACTIn Bhutan, farmers face constraints due to limited arable land, prompting a need to increase agricultural production per unit of inputs, but in the most sustainable way given the nation’s most stringent environmental conservation laws. This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of an enhanced‐efficiency fertiliser, that is, neem‐coated urea (NCU). Analysing data from 235 farmers using a double hurdle regression model, the paper identified several positive drivers of NCU adoption, including multiple plots, larger farm size, organic fertiliser use, recent agricultural training, and seeking advice on fertiliser decisions. Conversely, factors such as irrigation, crop demonstration attendance, machinery subsidies, rigid fertiliser usage adherence, perceived difficulty in handling fertilisers, and attitudes towards soil and crop management hinder adoption. Older farmers exhibit higher adoption rates, potentially due to accumulated knowledge, while male farmers surpass their female counterparts in adoption rates, reflecting existing gender disparities in NCU adoption. These findings offer insights for policymakers, extension services, and agricultural stakeholders to tailor interventions for promoting NCU adoption, thereby mitigating nitrogen waste and pollution in crop production.

Cloud-based Internet of Things Approach for Smart Irrigation System

The agriculture sector is facing numerous challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, and low productivity due to outdated farming practices. In most of the countries, 75% of their GDP depends on the agricultural products. Hence at most care has to be taken to introduce modern technology in the agriculture sector to enhance its productivity and efficiency. This paper presents an IOT Based Smart Agriculture Monitoring System aimed to increase the agricultural productivity through automating and optimizing crop management. The first objective of the proposed system is to supply the water to the crops based on soil moisture and the surrounding temperature. It can be achieved through soil moisture sensor, DHT11 sensor, light sensitive module and Node MCU. All sensors are interfaced with Node MCU. The data collected through sensor will be processed by the processor. Whenever the soil moisture is less and temperature is more, the pump will be automatically switched on for irrigation. Apart from this the collected data from sensor is also transmitted to the cloud through Thingspeak. The same information can be accessed by the farmers to monitor the crops remotely and improve the productivity. By providing farmers with real time data on their crops, the system can help them make informed decisions regarding water and fertilizer usage, pest control, and harvesting times. This, in turn, can lead to increased crop yields, reduced costs, and improved profitability. With the increasing demand for food production and the need to address the challenges of climate change and food security, this project serves as a promising solution for sustainable agriculture.

Biofilm biofertilizer application in paddy cultivation: pioneering studies in Sri Lanka

The National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) developed Biofilm Biofertilizer (BFBF) in-vitro and it was tested for efficacy in paddy cultivation, progressing from controlled greenhouse experiments to large-scale field trials, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DoA) and other stakeholders. The outcomes of this research program have proven a substantial reduction of Chemical Fertilizer (CF) usage up to ca. 50% when combined with the BFBF applied at the rate of only 2.5 L/ha. With this fertilizer combination, the BFBF demonstrated the real and significant (p<0.05) crop yield improvement effects, boosting the yields on average ca. 25% compared to DoA's CF practices in the long-term extensive research. The widespread adoption of the BFBF across ca. 0.11 Mha of paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka revealed the practicality of its use. In conclusion, the BFBF integrated an eco-friendly fertilizer technology into commercial-scale paddy cultivation. As such, the BFBF stands out as a sustainable and transformative solution, providing a blueprint for future agricultural innovations with global implications. This research program serves as a testament to the vital role played by fundamental research in driving a meaningful change for the benefit of agriculture.

Enhancing Regional Topsoil Total Nitrogen Mapping Through Differentiated Fusion of Ground Hyperspectral Data and Satellite Images Under Low Vegetation Cover

Total nitrogen in soil (STN) serves as a crucial indicator of soil nutrient content and provides an essential nitrogen source necessary for crop growth. Precisely inversion of STN content is crucial for the sustainable management of soil resources and the advancement of agricultural development, particularly to achieve efficient fertilization—reduction in fertilizer usage without compromising yield or increase in yield while maintaining the total fertilization amount. Spectroscopy technology is regarded as an ideal non-destructive method for nutrient detection. However, due to the weak spectral signals of STN and its spatial heterogeneity, hyperspectral imaging technology presents significant potential for high-resolution measurements and precise characterization of STN heterogeneity. In this paper, the STN content was selected as the study subject, and three aspects of soil spectral feature enhancement, multi-source remote sensing data differentiated fusion, and STN content inversion model construction were studied. Therefore, a differentiated fusion of enhanced multispectral image bands (DFE_MSIBs) method combined with Random Forest (RF) algorithms was developed for spectral inversion of STN content. The findings demonstrate the following: 1. The enhanced spectral characteristics and differentiated fusion method not only strengthen the relationship between STN and Sentinel-2A MSI data but also enhance the precision of regional STN inversion models. 2. For the differentiated fusion of enhanced multispectral image bands (DFE_MSIBs) method combined with Random Forest (RF) algorithms, the R2 was 0.95, RMSE was 0.10 g/kg, and LCCC was 0.89. 3. Compared to the unfused model, the average R2 value was increased by 0.02, the average RMSE was decreased by 0.01 g/kg, and the average LCCC was increased by 0.03. These findings hold practical significance for utilizing multi-source remote sensing data in STN mapping and precision fertilization in agricultural fields.

The Impact of Applying Different Fertilizers on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Ammonia Volatilization from Northeast Spring Corn

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ammonia (NH3) volatilization by improving fertilization methods to increase crop yield is beneficial for the green and sustainable development of agriculture. This study evaluated the effects of farmer practice fertilization (FP), nutrient expert optimized fertilization (NE—optimized fertilizer usage and time), the application of stable compound fertilizer (SF), and the application of controlled-release coated urea (CRU) on greenhouse gases, NH3 volatilization, and corn yield through field experiments set up in the corn planting area in western Liaoning Province. The results showed that compared with FP treatment, NE could significantly reduce NH3 volatilization by 28% and increase N2O release by 41%. Compared with FP treatment, SF could significantly reduce NH3 volatilization by 48.54%, N2O release by 38.54%, CO2 release by 13.96%, global warming potential (GWP) by 16.60%, and greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI) by 27.23%, and could significantly increase corn yield by 15.86%. Compared with FP treatment, CRU could significantly reduce NH3 volatilization by 63.46%, CO2 release by 11.98%, GWP by 10.73%, and GHGI by 13.77%, while increasing N2O release by 6.71%. Overall, NE, SF, and CRU treatments all showed better effects than FP treatment in increasing corn yield or reducing NH3 volatilization and GHG emissions. Among them, SF treatment demonstrated superior performance over NE and CRU treatments in terms of NH3 volatilization, corn yield, and GHGI. Therefore, the application of stable compound fertilizer is the optimal choice for corn planting in western Liaoning, with broad application prospects.

Influence of Fertilizer on the Colour and Starch Properties of Yam (Dioscorea spp) Tuber

Yam is a tuber crop grown for food security, cultural value and income generation. Due to its high nutrient-demanding nature, soil fertility is required for its cultivation. fertilizer is a crucial agronomic factor in yam production, Still, yam farmers are skeptical about fertilizer usage because of their fear of it exerting poor qualities on yam tubers. Limited information on the effect of fertilizer on yam tuber quality is available. Four varieties each of Dioscorea rotundata (TDr9518544, Danacha, Hembakwase and Ojuiyawo) and Dioscorea alata (TDa291, TDa0200012, TDa0000194 and TDa9801176) were cultivated under non-fertilization, manure fertilizer (4.5t ha‑1 poultry manure) and NPK fertilizer (90, 50 and 75 Kg N, P, K ha-1). The field experiment was conducted in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, in the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. The harvested tubers were evaluated for colour indices (L, a*, b* and browning index) and starch properties (starch yield, amylose and amylopectin, starch granule size and shape). Data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance using Statistical Analysis System software (SAS) package and means were separated using Duncan multiple range test with a probability of p≤0.05. Fertilizer did not cause browning or any significant change in the colour indices of the tuber flesh. starch yield (18.83 to 28.3%), increase in amylose was observed in D. rotundata in the order; manureNPKcontrol with manure having 92.66% and NPK 40.2% increase. Fertilizer had no significant effect on the granule size and shapes of the starches. Hence, fertilizer, especially manure and NPK, should be used to cultivate yam on nutrient-depleted soil without detrimental tuber colour and starch.

To the Studies on Pollution of Under Ground Water Mau City

The study focuses on the environmental evaluation and classification of the Mau City area, located in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. The investigation covers an area of approximately 20 km2 and includes a diverse population in terms of socio- economic, cultural, and geographical characteristics. The population data reveals significant growth, with a population increase from 168,716 in 1991 to 2,205,968 in 2011. Animal populations, including cattle and poultry, have also shown an increasing trend from 2018 to 2020. Fertilizer usage data between 2017 and 2020 indicates fluctuations in the consumption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, demonstrating potential agricultural impacts on the environment. Water quality analysis is a major part of this study, employing various methods to determine salinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Salinity was measured through titration with silver nitrate, while oxygen levels were analyzed using different methods, including dissolved oxygen (DO) analysis. Results indicate variations in water quality across different sampling sites (S1-S6), with key parameters such as pH, turbidity, temperature, and bacterial contamination being recorded monthly for the years 2019 and 2020.The research also involves the collection and analysis of water samples using various devices, including water samplers, bottom samplers, and biological samplers. Methods such as the EDTA method for water hardness, the gravimetric method for sulfate determination, and the colorimetric analysis for iron and chromium concentrations were utilized to evaluate the pollutants in the water. The study provides critical insights into water quality degradation, highlighting the presence of various pollutants, including nitrates, sulfates, and heavy metals like chromium, copper, and iron.

Assessing agricultural practices and insecticides resistance for effective malaria vector control in northwestern Iran

BackgroundAfter three years with no local transmission of malaria, an outbreak occurred in Iran in 2022. Key malaria control methods in Iran are including indoor residual spraying (IRS), long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs), and prompt diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases. Anopheles sacharovi is one of the main malaria vectors in Iran. This study aimed to determine the insecticides resistance status of An. sacharovi in northwestern Iran, to inform effective vector control programs in this region.MethodsLarval stages of An. sacharovi were collected from various larval habitats located in the villages along the Aras River. Adult susceptibility tests were performed on An. sacharovi using diagnostic doses of insecticides accordance to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The study also evaluated agricultural insecticide and fertilizer usage alongside the presence of natural mosquito predators in breeding sites in the study area.ResultsAlongside various chemicals such as silica, humic acid, superphosphate, sulfur, urea, and solupotasse at different dose levels, organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides are commonly used in rice fields and orchards. Anopheles sacharovi displayed diverse reactions to insecticides, demonstrating resistance to DDT but sensitivity to malathion, and showing similar reactions to carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides.ConclusionsThese results provide significant insights into agricultural practices and the presence of mosquito larvae in the study area. The extensive use of a specific herbicide illustrates its popularity among farmers for weed control, while other agricultural products focus on enhancing soil fertility and productivity. The absence of mosquito larvae in habitats with predators indicates the usefulness of these predators in controlling the population of mosquitoes. The resistance of mosquitoes to certain insecticides highlights the need for careful selection and intermittent use of insecticides in vector control programs. These findings can inform the development of targeted strategies to reduce malaria transmission risks. Further research is essential for assessing the effectiveness of these interventions.

Ionically crosslinked Sodium alginate – Galactoxyloglucan hydrogel beads as a controlled release system for sustainable urea delivery

The prolonged usage of chemical fertilizers often causes deleterious effects on the environment, and it remains an alarming issue in agricultural practices. Smart delivery of fertilizers achieved by hydrogels proved their efficiency in reducing risk in action. In this study, we investigated the optimization of urea-encapsulated hydrogel formulations and evaluated their physical and chemical attributes for agricultural applications. The proposed hydrogel formulation consists of ionically crosslinked two promising plant biopolymers (galactoxyloglucan and sodium alginate) which are specifically developed for the controlled release of urea fertilizer. The FT-IR analysis of the hydrogel beads confirmed the presence of biopolymer functional groups and urea. XRD analysis indicated the amorphous nature of the biopolymers. TGA revealed a thermal stability of up to 350°C. SEM images showed the porous structure of the hydrogel beads. To investigate the controlled release of urea, two kinetic models were employed: Korsmeyer-Peppas and Peppas-Sahlin. The results indicated a controlled release mechanism. The hydrogel beads demonstrated excellent water retention properties, maintaining soil moisture for up to 16 days. Additionally, degradability results demonstrated that in the soil environment, the hydrogel beads were degraded completely in 21 days. Therefore, we are confident that the formulated hydrogel bead exhibits eco-friendly and bio-compatible characteristics, which potentially mitigate the risks associated with urea fertilizers.

Economic Effects of Fertilizer Subsidy on Major Crops Productivity in Pakistan

Based on time series data set (1990-2022) this study was conducted to estimate the economic effects of fertilizer subsidies on major crops productivity in Pakistan. Majority (90%) of the farmers having small land holding size are not in a position to apply inputs like fertilizer which incurred 15-20% of total cost of production. Three types of analysis were employed i.e., Trend analysis, Correlation analysis and Regression analysis. The trends in growth rate of fertilizer use along with trends in growth rate of respective crop yield have been sketched with different trends. The correlation analysis between fertilizer subsidy and yield (kg ha-1) of major crops i.e. wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton and maize has been calculated with positive correlation coefficient values as 0.459, 0.468, 0.351, 0.224 and 0.551 respectively. The simple linear regression analysis depicted that a rupee of one billion PKR subsidies is significantly increased the crop fertilizer usage (000 tons nutrients) of wheat (37.10), rice (14.97), sugarcane (13.60) and cotton (40.12) as well as increased the crop yield (mound acre-1) of wheat (0.26), rice (2.04), sugarcane (32.93), maize (62.17) and cotton (0.19) respectively which indicated that the yield of the crops is also positively affected by fertilizer use and fertilizer subsidy. The elasticity of yield with respect to fertilizer subsidy also confirmed the regression analysis results. Although yield is inelastic to subsidies; however, one % increase in fertilizer subsidy resulted in 0.043, 0.061, 0.044, 0.022 and 0.207 (%) increased in yield of wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton and maize respectively. Based on positive values of coefficients, it is concluded that the fertilizer subsidies should be distributed more efficiently to enhance the productivity of crops.

Metal‐Organic Framework (Cu@ZIF) for Photocatalytic Reduction of p‐Nitrophenol and its Toxicological Evaluation using Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)

AbstractGlobal food security depends on agricultural development, yet excessive fertilizer and pesticide usage is harmful to the environment. These substances have a role in human health problems, environmental changes, and erosion of the soil. Although p‐nitrophenol, an organic pollutant and other organophosphorous compounds are utilised in agriculture, their usage raises major health and environmental issues. These synthetic pesticides are quite effective at getting rid of pests, but they have also been linked to serious health problems for people and animals, degraded soil, and contaminated water. One typical persistent pollutant present in industrial wastewater is the organic pollutant, which is produced by organophosphorous compounds. The primary objective of this work is to use Cu@ZIF for photoreduction of p‐nitrophenol (PNP). A UV‐visible spectrophotometer test revealed that the deterioration peak after 60 mins. An analyzer for total organic carbon (TOC) was utilised to assess the PNP mineralization. The catalyst remained same and continued in the same behaviour even after four cycles. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of PNP on the development of early‐stage zebrafish, paying particular attention to the embryonic developmental deformities. The technique of photocatalytic decontamination is safe for the environment, financially practical, and technically achievable.

Irrigation suitability assessment of urban wastewater for sustainable agriculture: a case study of Musi river, India

In urban areas with dense populations and high water demands, effective management of water resources is crucial for sustainable development. It includes optimizing water usage and recycling wastewater to balance supply and demand. Urban rivers, which now carry sewage year-round due to increased urban water consumption, are increasingly used for irrigation in peri-urban regions. This study aims to assess the suitability of an urban stream for irrigation compared to catchment groundwater, using hydrochemical parameters to evaluate water quality indices. Analysis of major ion distribution from upstream to downstream reveals a significant increase of TDS (r2 = 0.65; p < 0.001) in the surface water and a decrease (r2 = 0.93; p < 0.001) in groundwater samples. The calculated Weighted Arithmetic-Water Quality Index (WA-WQI) indicates that around 85% and 75% of surface water and groundwater samples from the Musi river are classified as very poor to unsuitable for any use, highlighting critical pollution levels. Based on irrigation suitability indices, only 16% of the surface water samples and 60% of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation. The nitrate concentration increased from less than 10 mg l−1 in the upstream region to over 100 mg l−1 in the urban stretch. Nitrogen-Phosphate-Potassium (NPK) ratios across the basin are exceptionally higher, representing crops irrigated using the Musi river water might not require fertilizer applications. The adoption of fertilizer application concerning supplied water hydrochemistry, particularly the NPK ratio, might limit the excess usage of fertilizer and benefit farmers. Additionally, this practice may also limits the excess input of nitrate to the groundwater in the Musi river basin.

Effects of Recommended Fertilizer Application Strategies Based on Yield Goal and Nutrient Requirements on Drip-Irrigated Spring Wheat Yield and Nutrient Uptake

Excessive application of fertilizers in drip-irrigated wheat production can suppress yields, lower nutrient utilization efficiency, and lead to economic and environmental issues such as nitrogen residues in the soil. Based on a recommended fertilizer application (RF) strategy that takes into account target yield and nutrient requirements, this study explores the responses of wheat plant traits, changes in topsoil and subsoil nutrients, fertilizer utilization, and economic benefits under this strategy. From 2022 to 2023, a field experiment was conducted in a typical oasis spring wheat production area at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. The treatments included no fertilizer control (CK), the farmer’s conventional practice (FP), recommended fertilizer (RF), RF with nitrogen omission (RF-N), phosphorus omission (RF-P), and potassium omission (RF-K). The results showed that compared with FP, the RF reduced 91 kg N ha−1 (30.3%) and 33 kg P2O5 ha−1 (24.8%) in 2022, and 69 kg N ha−1 (23.0%) and 2 kg P2O5 ha−1 (1.5%) in 2023. The effect in 2023 was better; RF also decreased the NO3−1-N residue in the 0–100 cm soil layer by 40.1 kg N ha−1 compared with FP, with no significant difference in wheat grain yield (RF: 5382.9 kg ha−1) or economic benefit (RF: USD 1613.1 ha−1). Furthermore, there were no significant differences between RF and FP in pre-anthesis NP transport or post-anthesis NP accumulation; however, RF significantly increased pre-anthesis potassium transport volume (15.8%) and transport rate (12.5%). RF led to a 16.3% increase in nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), while there was no significant difference in phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) compared with FP. The fertilizer yield effect for RF was evaluated as N &gt; P &gt; K. Correlation analysis indicated that grain yield was significantly positively correlated with pre-anthesis NPK transport and post-anthesis NP accumulation. It was also positively correlated with organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, and Olsen-P content in both the topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm), but not with available potassium in the soil. Therefore, conducting soil tests and determining fertilizer recommendations based on the proposed RF method at harvest can reduce fertilizer usage and achieve a balance between the conflicting objectives of environmental protection, increased crop yields, nutrient utilization efficiency, and improved economic benefits in oasis agricultural areas facing excessive fertilizer application.

The Effect of the Use of a Novel Urease Inhibitor Coated Urea on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Ammonia Volatilization Losses from a Maize Field

Nitrogen fertilizers are essential for enhancing agricultural productivity but are also major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ammonia volatilization, which affect environmental sustainability. This study evaluated the effect of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL)-coated urea on GHG emissions and ammonia losses from maize fields in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, known for excessive nitrogen fertilizer usage. A randomized block design was employed with four treatments: control (no nitrogen), prilled urea, neem-coated urea (NCU), and CNSL-coated urea (CCU). Gas samples were collected using the closed chamber method, and emissions of CO₂ and N₂O were analyzed via gas chromatography. Ammonia volatilization was measured using the forced air draft method. Results showed that the CCU treatment significantly reduced ammonia volatilization compared to prilled urea (15.84% reduction), with reductions of 9% to those observed with NCU. Moreover, CCU-treated plots exhibited reduced cumulative GHG and lower global warming potential (GWP) without compromising maize yields. Cumulative GHG emissions varied among the treatments in the order urea&gt; CCU&gt; NCU&gt; Control. CCU treated plots exhibited a net GWP decrease of 8.59% compared to urea and an increase of 4.13% compared to NCU. These findings suggest that CNSL-coated urea can serve as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional urea, potentially mitigating environmental impacts associated with nitrogen fertilization. Further studies are recommended to assess the long-term efficacy of CNSL in various soil types and climatic conditions.

Synergistic effect of climatic and non-climatic factors on food security in Syria: an autoregressive distributed lag approach

ABSTRACT Food security has always been the main goal of Syrian agricultural strategy. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine the dynamic relationship between selected climatic and non-climatic variables and food security in Syria from 1961 to 2018. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach is applied to estimate the association among the study variables with evidence of long-run and short-run analysis. The long-run estimates revealed that non-climatic variables including crop production, agricultural land, land under cereal production, and population, positively affected food security. Moreover, climatic variables including temperature and CO2 emissions positively affected food security in the long-run. The findings revealed that in the short-run, fertilizer affected food security positively. However, in the long run, the effect of fertilizer consumption turned out to be negative and significant. This study suggests that governments may consider measures to improve food security in Syria. Governments should focus on the issue of using climate-adapted plant varieties. Increasing the area under cereal crops and reducing agricultural land degradation could be an important long-term strategy for the government. There is a need to properly train farmers regarding fertilizer usage and switch from chemical fertilizer to organic fertilizer.

Effects of Various Herbicide Types and Doses, Tillage Systems, and Nitrogen Rates on CO2 Emissions from Agricultural Land: A Literature Review

Although herbicides are essential for global agriculture and controlling weeds, they impact soil microbial communities and CO2 emissions. However, the effects of herbicides, tillage systems, and nitrogen fertilisation on CO2 emissions under different environmental conditions are poorly understood. This review explores how various agricultural practices and inputs affect CO2 emissions and addresses the impact of pest-management strategies, tillage systems, and nitrogen fertiliser usage on CO2 emissions using multiple databases. Key findings indicate that both increased and decreased tendencies in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were observed, depending on the herbicide type, dose, soil properties, and application methods. Several studies reported a positive correlation between CO2 emissions and increased agricultural production. Combining herbicides with other methods effectively controls emissions with minimal chemical inputs. Conservation practices like no-tillage were more effective than conventional tillage in mitigating carbon emissions. Integrated pest management, conservation tillage, and nitrogen fertiliser rate optimisation were shown to reduce herbicide use and soil greenhouse gas emissions. Fertilisers are similarly important; depending on the dosage, they may support yield or harm the soil. Fertiliser benefits are contingent on appropriate management practices for specific soil and field conditions. This review highlights the significance of adaptable management strategies that consider local environmental conditions and can guide future studies and inform policies to promote sustainable agriculture practices worldwide.

Role of nanomaterials in modern agriculture

Agriculture is a foundation of several emerging countries, and it is one of the most economically significant drivers. Farmers, consumers, and the environment are all at risk as a result of the increased usage of mineral fertilizers and harmful pesticides. Over the last few years, substantial research into the application of Nanotechnology to boost agricultural productivity has been undertaken. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been discovered to be beneficial as nanopesticides, nanobiosensor, nanofertilizers, and nanoremediation in agrifood production. Nutrients, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides are compacted with a variety of NPs to facilitate the progressive release of fertilisers and pesticides, resulting in exact dose accessibility to plants. Nanofertilizers improve nutrient utilization, reduce nutrient deficiencies, reduce soil toxicity, and lessen the negative consequences of overdosing, all while reducing treatment frequency. Nanoformulations are used in agriculture to boost germination of seed, reduce nutrient losses in fertilization, reduce the amount of pesticides dispersed, aid water and nutrient management, and. This review also discusses various challenges and concerns about pesticide product development, formulation, and toxicity for ecologically friendly and sustainable agriculture.

Cereal production amidst fertilizer usage, cereal cropland area, and farm labor in Nigeria: a novel dynamic ARDL simulation approach

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and the essential foods for Nigerians are cereal crops, including maize, rice, sorghum, millet, and wheat. However, their productivity is significantly affected by population pressure, poor cropland utilization, and high fertilizer costs. Against this backdrop, this study examines the relationship between cereal production, cereal cropland area, fertilizer usage, and the rural population (farm labor). The study utilizes the novel dynamic autoregressive distributed lag simulation (DYARDLS) model and analyzes annual time series data for Nigeria from 1980 to 2021. The unit root test results suggest that the chosen variables are stationary. Furthermore, the bound test affirms that all variables are cointegrated, with a significance level of 1%. The results from the DYARDLS show that in the long run, a percentage change in rural population and cereal cropland area boosts cereal food production by 0.018% and 0.51%, respectively. Meanwhile, a 1% change in the food production index exacerbates cereal output by 0.25% in the long run and 1.06% in the short run. We also find that fertilizer consumption could improve cereal production in the short and long run, but the results are insignificant. In conclusion, we demonstrate that our study variables are the decisive determining factors of cereal productivity and cannot be disregarded in the mission to attain food security.