Form Of Fertilizer Research Articles

Yield and Rhizosphere Soil Environment of Greenhouse Zucchini in Response to Different Planting and Breeding Waste Composts.

Composting, planting, and breeding waste for return to the field is the most crucial soil improvement method under the resource utilization of agricultural waste. However, how the vegetable yield and rhizosphere soil environment respond to different composts is still unknown. Therefore, eight formulations were designed for compost fermentation using agricultural waste [sheep manure (SM), tail vegetable (TV), cow manure (CM), mushroom residue (MR), and corn straw (CS)] without fertilizer (CK1) and local commercial organic fertilizer (CK2) as controls to study the yield and rhizosphere soil environment of greenhouse zucchini in response to different planting and breeding waste compost. Applying planting and breeding waste compost significantly increased the soil's organic matter and nutrient content. It inhibited soil acidification, which T4 (SM:TV:CS = 6:3:1) and T7 (SM:TV:MR:CS = 6:2:1:1) treatments affected significantly. Compared to CK2 treatment, T4 and T7 treatments showed a greater increase, with a significant increase of 14.69% and 11.01%, respectively. Therefore, T4, T7, and two control treatments were selected for high-throughput sequencing based on yield performance. Compared with the CK1 treatment, although multiple applications of chemical fertilizers led to a decrease in bacterial and fungal richness, planting and breeding waste compost maintained bacterial diversity and enhanced fungal diversity. Compared to CK2, the relative abundance increased in T7-treated Proteobacteria (Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Lysobacter) and T4-treated Bacteroidetes (Flavobacterium) among bacteria. An increase in T4-treated Ascomycota (Zopfiella and Fusarium) and Basidiomycota among fungi and a decrease in T7-treated Mortierellomycota have been observed. Functional predictions of the bacterial Tax4Fun and fungal FUNGuild revealed that applying planting and breeding waste compost from the T4 treatment significantly increased the abundance of soil bacterial Metabolism of Cities, Genetic Information Processing, and Cellular Processes decreased the abundance of Pathotroph and Saprotroph-Symbiotroph fungi and increased the abundance of Saprotroph fungi. Overall, planting and breeding waste compost increased zucchini yield by improving soil fertility and microbial community structure. Among them, T4 treatment has the most significant effect, so T4 treatment can be selected as the optimized formulation of local commercial organic fertilizer. These findings have valuable implications for sustainable agricultural development.

Optimization of fertilizer performances in long-term garlic cropping soils

Continuous cropping is a common pattern of modern agriculture that takes regional advantages for crop yield profits. Along the progress of mono-cropping continuously supported by intensive fertilizer inputs, such a cropping pattern often undergoes serious problems with low fertilizer use efficiencies and unsustainable crop production. In this study, we dealt with a > 25-year continuous garlic cropping system as an example for a problem-solving investigation. These garlic cropping soils underwent problems characterized by loss of soil organic matter, dramatic retention of NH4+-N, and excess accumulation of phosphate and potash chemicals. Through hydroponic simulations, we revealed that the presence of NH4+-N inhibited the root uptake of NO3--N and K by 68% and 88%, respectively. Despite the traditionally emphasized importance of K, we observed the negative effect of high K on the growth of garlic roots. Further field experiments demonstrated that P and K applications can be reduced by 60% and 50%, respectively, without loss of yield. We thus developed a high-performance fertilization strategy by integrating a recomposed NPK fertilizer formulation to reduce unnecessary P and K inputs, a supplementary application of long-lasting C of woody peat to compensate for the soil C loss, and a foliar K approach to strengthen the stomatal function improvement with K. This strategy allowed a 15% increase of garlic yield and a seasonal soil C profit of ca. 1.8 Mg ha-1 even at ca. 30% lower fertilizer cost. This study would be helpful in managing garlic fertilization and developing compound fertilizers, with broader significance for other long-term cropping soils.

Evaluation of Fertilizer-manure Blocks as a Slow Release Fertilizer Formulation for Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Background: Fertilizer use efficiency is the output of any crop per unit of the nutrient applied under a specified set of soil and climatic conditions and slow/ ccontrolled release fertilizer formulations offer agricultural producers the opportunity to increase fertilizer/nutrient use efficiency, especially in soils with very low cation exchange capacity. Methods: In pot culture study, fertilizer-manure blocks consisting of selected proportions of different organic manures and fertilizers were prepared in two dimensions (100 g and 25 g) with three different dosages of fertilizers (100% POP, 50% POP, 25% POP) and were evaluated in a pot culture experiment using Okra variety Arka Anamika. Result: Fertilizer-manure blocks showed significant effect on growth and yield of okra. The use of fertilizer-manure blocks of proportion; Coirpith-35%, Cowdung-25%, Vermicompost-13%, Groundnutcake-10%, Neem cake 10%, Zeolite-2%, Humic acid-5%, 100 g size containing 25% of the recommended dose of nutrients placed 5cm below the level of planting and top dressing of 50% of KAU POP recommendation was identified as the best treatment (B:C ratio-1.26 and nutrient use efficiency-28.12) for enhancing the productivity of okra in grow bags. Days to flowering, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, length of fruits, girth of fruits and number of seeds per fruit were significantly influenced by the treatments. The selected treatment had recorded highest value for number of fruits per plant (20.70), fruit yield per plant (457.9 g), fruit length(17.90 cm), fruit girth (6.326 cm) as well as number of seeds per fruit (58.67). The general application of the recommended fertilizers and soil test based recommendation were found to be on par with the placement of slow release fertilizer- manure blocks with respect to fruit yield per plant.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Growth and Yield Responses to Yara Fertilizer Formulations in Rain-fed Lowland Condition

This experiment evaluated the effects of Unik-15 (15N + 15P + 15K) and Actyva (23N + 10P + 5K+ 2MgO+ 3S + 0.3Zn), likewise Amidas(40N+5.6S) and urea (46N) on rice growth and yield under rain-fed lowland condition. The study was a single factor trial laid out in a Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with three replications at the University for Development Studies Experimental Field, located in Tamale, Ghana. The treatments were inorganic fertilizer combinations with a control (T1 = UNIK- 15 at 125 kg ha-1 + AMI at 125 kg ha-1, T2 = ACT at 125 kg ha-1 +AMI at 125 kg ha-1; T3 = UNIK-15 at 125 kg ha-1 + URE at 125 kg ha-1, and T4 = ACT at 125 kg ha-1 +URE at 125 kg ha-1). The Growth and yield traits measured were tiller number, plant height, number of grains panicle-1, panicle length, grain yield, and 1000-grain weight. The results showed that the fertilizer treatments significantly (P<.05) influenced growth and yield parameters. The application of UNIK-15 at 125 kg ha-1+URE at 125 kg ha-1 resulted in the tallest plant (115.26 cm), longest panicle (29.30 cm), highest grain yield (6,074 kg ha-1) and maximum 1000-grain weight (23.72 g). The number of tillers were increased by 53, 66, 74 and 81% for ACT+AMI < UNIK-15+AMI < ACT+URE < UNIK- 15+URE over the control, respectively. Similarly, ACT+AMI < ACT+URE < UNIK-15+AMI < UNIK-15+URE produced more grains panicle-1 than the control, increasing it by 46, 51, 78, and 91%, respectively. Likewise, the grain yield was increased by 99, 132, and 178%, respectively, compared to the control, by ACT+AMI < ACT+URE < UNIK-15+AMI. Grain yield positively correlated with effective tiller count (r=0.53*), number of grains per panicle (r=0.90***), and 1000- grain weight (r=0.80**). Therefore, the application of UNIK-15 at 125 kg ha-1 + URE at 125 kg ha- 1 is recommended for rice production under lowland condition.

PATTERN OF POTASSIUM RELEASE FROM SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER POTASSIUM SULFATE-BENTONITE FERTILIZER

Potassium is a macro nutrient element that is needed by plants. Potassium plays a role in plant metabolism, maintains turgor, and forms stronger stems. Sadly. Potassium is easily lost through washing because it is easily soluble in water. This is what triggers plants to often experience a lack of potassium. Efficiency in the use of potassium fertilizers can be increased through the formulation of fertilizers made in the form of slow release (Slow Release Fertilizer), namely by controlling the solubility of the substance in water through fertilizer coating. The purpose of this study was to determine the potassium content obtained, the largest mass of SRF fertilizer, and the pattern of potassium release in the soil after being bound by acid-activated bentonite in the manufacture of potassium sulfate SRF. Coating of potassium sulfate with bentonite was carried out with a mass of 10 bentonite; 20; 30; 40; and 50 grams with a mass of 10 grams of potassium sulfate. Total potassium levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of the analysis of potassium levels obtained the levels of each SRF fertilizer with the code SRF 10: SRF 20: SRF 30: SRF 0; and SRF so respectively 4.41: 5.49: 6.06: 6.54; and 7.01 mg/g with the maximum concentration obtained from SRF sa fertilizer. Furthermore, the potassium release test was carried out using the percolation method with distilled water for potassium sulfate-bentonite SRF fertilizer with a ratio of 10:50. release test using time variation every 1 week period for 1 month. As a result, the average potassium level was obtained, namely 11.51; 38.33; 51.37; and 72.24% w/b. Based on the results of this release test it is known that potassium. experience a slow release pattern in the soil.

Evaluation of the Effect of Conventional and Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizers on the Nutritional Status of Several Maize Cultivars (Zea mays L.) in Critical Growth Stages Using Plant Analysis

The study presents the results of a three year field trial aimed at assessing the nutritional status of maize in critical growth stages by means of a plant analysis in the cultivation of three maize cultivars differing in their agronomic and genetic profile. The main research problem was to demonstrate whether the availability of nitrogen from stabilized fertilizers for “stay-green” maize varieties is consistent with the dynamics of the demand for this component. This is very important from both the economic and agronomic aspect of maize cultivation. The research showed a significant response of the maize cultivars to different nitrogen fertilizer formulations, which was observed in the period from the five-leaf stage to the full flowering stage. The advantage of the fertilizer, UltraGran stabilo, over other nitrogen fertilizers in the BBCH 15 stage was demonstrated only for the cultivar, ES Metronom, which produced a greater aerial mass while maintaining the nitrogen concentration at the level of the other two maize cultivars. The nitrogen and potassium content shaped the kernel weight in the ear in the flowering stage, confirming the importance of the interaction of these two elements in forming this feature of maize as the main predictor of the grain yield. This trait (expressed by the R2 coefficient) manifested each year of the study, but especially in the years with optimal weather patterns (i.e., the first year). The response of the maize cultivars to nitrogen fertilizers, especially the cultivar, ES Metronom, was manifested by an increase in the content of nutrients and chlorophyll in the ear leaf, that is considered a predictive organ for grain yield. The fertilizers, Super N-46 and UltraGran stabilo, had a positive effect on the chlorophyll content (CCI parameter) and increased its efficiency of excitation energy transfer (the F0 parameter).

High-throughput shoot phenotyping reveals temporal growth responses to nitrogen and inorganic and organic phosphorus sources in tomato.

The application of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers to soils is required to maintain crop yields, so the sufficient and timely delivery of nutrients to match crop demand is important in fertilizer management. We quantified temporal growth responses of tomato plants with different rates of N and P application using high-throughput shoot phenotyping. The tomato plants were grown in soil that had organic, inorganic or a combination of sources of P incorporated. Additional N was added to each pot at low and high rates, 13 days after planting. At the same rate of total P application, the inorganic P source resulted in greater shoot growth at the early time points. Later on, the plants supplied with organic or mixed P sources grew faster than those that received the inorganic P source, resulting in comparable shoot biomass in all treatments at the time of destructive harvest. The shoot phenotyping data demonstrated that readily available soil P was important for early tomato growth while available N was more important in later stages of vegetative growth. These results suggest that a fertilizer formulation of combined inorganic and organic P sources may be able to sustain rapid and great shoot growth in tomato plants, while also reducing additional N input.

Potassium Simulation Using HYDRUS-1D with Satellite-Derived Meteorological Data under Boro Rice Cultivation

Potassium (K) is a critical nutrient for crops, as it is a major constituent in fertilizer formulations. With increasing concentrations of K in agricultural soil, it is necessary to understand its movement and retention in the soil. Sub-surface modeling is an alternative method to overcome the exhausting and uneconomical methods to study and determine the actual concentration of K in soil. HYDRUS-1D is considered an effective finite-element model which is suitable for sub-surface modeling. This model requires the input of ground-station meteorological (GM) data taken at a daily timestep for the simulation period. It can be a limiting factor in the absence of ground stations. The study compares K predictions in surface and sub-surface soil layers under Boro rice cultivation obtained with the usage of different meteorological datasets. Thus, the main hypothesis of the study was to validate that, in the absence of GM data, satellite-based meteorological data could be utilized for simulating the K concentration in soil. The two meteorological datasets that are considered in the study included the GM and satellite-derived NASA-Power (NP) meteorological datasets. The usage of a satellite meteorological product at a field scale may help in applying the method to other regions where GM data is not available. The numerical model results were validated with field experiments from four experimental fields which included varied K doses. The concentration in soil was assessed at the regular depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–30, 30–45 and 45–60 cm), and at various stages of crop growth, from bare soil and sowing, to the tillering stages. The concentration of K was measured in the laboratory and also simulated through the optimized model. The modeled values were compared with measured values statistically using relative root mean square error (RMSER) and Nash–Sutcliffe modeling efficiency (E) for simulating K concentration in the soil for the Boro rice cropping pattern with both GM data and NP data. The model was found most suitable for the 0–30 cm depth on all days and for all treatment variations.

Organo-Mineral Fertilization Based on Olive Waste Sludge Compost and Various Phosphate Sources Improves Phosphorus Agronomic Efficiency, Zea mays Agro-Physiological Traits, and Water Availability

In the context of intensive and sustainable agriculture, limiting soil degradation and the loss of organic matter has become an obligation to maintain food security. The use of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) products is an innovative technology that may solve the different challenges raised. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) formulations on Zea mays agro-physiological traits, phosphorus (P)-related parameters, and water conservation during a 90-day pot experiment. The OMF formulations consisted of blending several doses of a stable OMWS compost (10 t /ha(OMF1), 50 t/ha (OMF2), or 100 t/ha (OMF3)) with different sources of mineral P, namely diammonium phosphate (DAP), rock phosphate (RP), or phosphate washing sludge (PWS), compared with separate applications. The results indicated that the effect of an OMF on the soil and plants was strongly dependent on the source of P used and the dose of OMWS compost. The best agronomic performance was attributed to OMF1-based DAP, which resulted in a significant improvement in the shoot and root biomass dry weight by more than 260% and 40%, respectively. However, using an OMF2 formulation was more optimal when using RP and PWS as mineral P sources. Independently of the type of P fertilizer, the addition of stable OM systematically improved multiple soil properties, including water availability, and the nutrient concentrations, such as the available P, exchangeable potassium, and magnesium. Furthermore, the plant’s respiration, photosynthetic activity, and nutrient assimilations were positively affected by the OMF formulations. Overall, our results demonstrate that organo-mineral fertilization is a promising solution for increasing the efficiency of low-P and high-P mineral fertilizers in alkaline soils through direct and indirect mechanisms involving improved soil properties and higher P solubilization.

Biochar addition to organo-mineral fertilisers delays nutrient leaching and enhances barley nutrient content

ABSTRACT Biochar, a carbon-rich solid produced from biomass pyrolysis, has attracted growing interest as a fertiliser ingredient due to its ability to non-permanently retain nutrients. A greenhouse pot experiment was set up to compare three commercial organo-mineral fertiliser formulations (NPK, NP and K) with the corresponding formulations containing a slow-pyrolysis wood biochar (NPK+B, NP+B and K+B) (6 replications each). Nutrient leaching as well as crop growth and nutrient uptake was monitored using barley as model species. Nutrient leaching was slowed down in the NPK+B compared to the NPK fertiliser. The most responsive ions were nitrate and potassium, whose leaching during the two first weeks was reduced by 28% and 22%, respectively, while this trend reversed from the third week on. One plausible explanation would be a microbial nutrient immobilisation mediated by the concurrent NPK and biochar habitat provision. NPK+B significantly enhanced barley straw biomass (23.43% increase respect to NPK), whereas all the biochar-based fertilisers showed increases in nutrient content and export (involving potassium, sulphur, calcium and manganese), possibly indicating that biochar acted as a nutrient source. These results provide some evidence of the potential use of the studied biochar in biochar-based fertilisers to meet nutrient availability with plant demands.

Conversion of anaerobic digestates from biogas plants: Laboratory fertilizer formulation, scale-up and demonstration of applicative properties on plants

This research paper presents a zero-waste method for preparing a fertilizer based on digestate from food residues. The waste was treated with a mixture of inorganic acids (sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid). The process allowed for sanitization with simultaneous production of free amino acids and short peptides. In preliminary studies, the effect of the order of addition of components (digestate hydrolysate, ash from incineration of sewage sludge) on nitrogen loss was observed during the neutralization/granulation process. The slow addition of ash to the hydrolysate minimizes nitrogen loss (0.6 g N/kg fertilizer) six times compared to the reverse order. Based on the optimal conditions, a large-scale fertilizer was produced, meeting the quality requirements of the EU Regulation for solid inorganic macronutrient fertilizer - PFC 1(C)(I)(a)(i). The physicochemical properties of the final fertilizer were investigated: microbiological analysis, granule strength tests, and bioavailability and leachability of nutrients in extraction tests. The effectiveness of the fertilizer was confirmed in 30-day pot tests, with results similar to those of the mineral fertilizer. The fertilizer obtained can be a substitute for traditional mineral fertilizers, which is a promising solution in the situation of rising natural gas prices and the availability of fossil raw materials.

Suitable Models for Describing Sulphate Desorption Kinetics in Selected Bauchi North Soils of Varying Parent Materials in the Nigerian Sudan Savanna

The modelling of sulphate desorption data is critical for a proper S diagnosis and fertilizer formulation to ensure profitable crop production. Five (5) models such as first-order, second-order, Elovich, fractional power, and parabolic diffusion were used to test the best model describing sulphate desorption kinetics in some soils from Bauchi-north, Sudan Savanna, Nigeria. To achieve this, soil samples were collected from three different parent materials namely Basement complex rock and two sedimentary rocks (Kerri-Kerri Formation and Chad Formation). The study showed that the parabolic diffusion and first-order models were found to describe S desorption data satisfactorily, characterized by relatively high R2 values and lowest S.E values by soil parent materials, respectively. While, the second-order, Elovich and Fractional power equations failed to describe the kinetics desorption of sulphate in all the studied soils, as judged by their high SE values. Therefore, the better fit of S desorption data to the first-order equation is an indication of probable ligand exchange of sulphate ion during the desorption process, and to parabolic diffusion equation suggests that diffusion-controlled phenomena are rate-limiting steps. Based on the findings, we concluded that the rate of sulphate desorption kinetics in these soils is mainly controlled by diffusion-controlled phenomena, which is critical for sulphate-based fertilizer formulations and applications.

PLANTING FERTILIZATION AND NITROGEN DOSES IN TOPDRESSING IN SECOND-CROP CORN

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of fertilization formulated at planting and doses of nitrogen in topdressing on the yield components of second-crop corn. The experiment was conducted between March and June 2018 on the farm of the State University of Goiás, University Unit of Ipameri-GO. The randomized block design, arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme with four replications, was used. Three fertilizer formulations at planting (06-22-12; 08-20-15 and 06-22-12 + 2% organic carbon) and five doses of N (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) in topdressing were evaluated. Leaf nitrogen content, fresh and dry mass of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, first ear insertion height, length and diameter of ears, 1000-grain weight, the mass of plants per hectare, extraction of nitrogen, and grain yield were assessed. Given the results, NPK formulated fertilizers can be used indifferently to grow second-crop corn. Nitrogen doses in topdressing have satisfactory results up to the estimated rate of 135 kg ha-1 for the cultivation of second-crop corn.

Wood Ash Additive for Performance Improvement of Gelatin-Based Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer

Urea is a crucial nutrient for plant growth, but because of its substantial losses due to nitrification, ammonification, and subsurface leaching, there is currently a push to reduce these losses. Urea is frequently uploaded and trapped in gelatin. In this research, the improvement of urea uploading and encapsulation efficiency is investigated using wood ash made from plant biomass (Pinus roxburghii). The 8 g w/v of gelatin was mixed with various concentrations of wood ash (from 4 to 16 g w/w), urea (from 4 to 24 g w/w), and glutaraldehyde (from 0.5 to 3 mL g−1) to prepare various formulations of slow-release fertilizer (SRF). According to this study, adding wood ash to gelatin increases its ability to upload and encapsulate urea. The urea on its surface and the metal in wood ash both considerably contribute to the compositional alterations in gelatin in SRFs, which were demonstrated by IR spectroscopy. Visualization from photographs revealed that the homogenous dispersion of wood ash improved structural compatibility. The water content of the SRF formulation showed that wood ash can reduce water absorption by changing how hydrophobic gelatin is. Wood ash improves the gelatin’s ability to reduce the rapid release of urea over time, according to testing of cumulative urea release from SRF. The optimal combinations for achieving the maximum 53.43% of urea uploading were 2.44 g of urea, 2.47 mL of glutaraldehyde, and 1.50 g of wood ash, according to the Box–Behnken model. The gelatin-based SRF that had been amended with wood ash was applied to the Mentha spicata plant, and the plant’s healthy development and higher chlorophyll content revealed its agronomic potential. This study has a significant contribution to the development of an affordable and more effective wood ash-modified gelatin-based SRF.

Impact of in-furrow fertilizers on winter wheat grain yield and mineral concentration

AbstractPlacement of fertilizer in the seed furrow to increase nutrient availability is a common practice in row-crop production. While in-furrow application of fertilizer is widely utilized in the production of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), there is a lack of work evaluating new formulations and nutrient combinations that are available. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of in-furrow fertilizer products and combinations of products on winter wheat grain yield, nitrogen and mineral concentrations. Trials were conducted across five site-years in central Oklahoma using 11 fertilizer formulations placed in-furrow at the time of planting. In locations that soil test phosphorus (STP) levels or potassium were above sufficiency, the use of in-furrow fertilizers did not improve yield over the control. Inconsistency of response was noted at locations where STP levels were below the critical threshold. While one location showed no response to the addition of P regardless of source, two other locations had significant yield responses from three or more P-containing fertilizers. The addition of both sulphur and zinc resulted in increased yield over the base product at one low STP location. Nutrient concentrations were also influenced in nutrient-limited soils; however, no trends in response were present. Based upon the results of this study, the application of in-furrow fertilizer has the potential to increase winter wheat grain yield and nutrient concentration, when soil nutrients are limiting. As expected the addition of fertilizer when soil test levels are at or above a sufficiency did not increase grain yield.

Innovative bio-waste-based multilayer hydrogel fertilizers as a new solution for precision agriculture

The aim of the research work was to present a multilayer hydrogel capsule with controlled nutrient release properties as an innovative fertilizer designed for sustainable agriculture. Preparation of the capsules included the following steps: sorption of micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Zn) on eggshells (1) and their immobilization in sodium alginate, with the crosslinking agent being the NPK solution (2). The capsules were coated with an additional layer of a mixture of biopolymers (0.79% alginate, 0.24% carboxymethylcellulose and 8.07% starch)by means of dipping and spraying techniques. The biocomposites were characterized by limited (<10% within 100 h for the structures encapsulated by the dipping method) release of fertilizer ions (except for small K+ ions). The hydrogel fertilizer formulations were analyzed for physicochemical properties such as macro- and micronutrient content, surface morphology analysis, coating structure evaluation, mechanical properties, swelling and drying kinetics. High nutrient bioavailability was confirmed in vitro (extraction in water and neutral ammonium citrate). Germination and pot tests have revealed that the application of multicomponent hydrogel fertilizers increases the length of cucumber roots by 20%, compared to the commercial product.

Recovery of Phosphorus From Dried Sewage Sludge for Fertilizer Formulations

Recovery of Phosphorus From Dried Sewage Sludge for Fertilizer Formulations

Effects of Soil Texture and Nutrients Application On Soybean Nutrient Uptake, Growth and Yield Response

Soybean is a good source of protein and calories and therefore important for food security. Soybean yields in small scale farmers field stand at less than 1.0 t ha-1 against a potential of 3 to 3.6 t ha-1. This has been attributed to low soil fertility. Although a lot of work has been carried out on Soybean nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrition, but research findings indicate that yields are still low, raising suspicion that other nutrients could also be limiting. To investigate this, a nutrient omission trial was used in the greenhouse to find out the nutrients that limit soybean production in four distinct soil textures - clay loam, sandy clay loam, sandy clay and sandy loam following the recommended rate of 20:40:20:5:20 Kg/ha for N,P,K,Zn, and S respectively. Similarly we applied 1 ton/ha of poultry manure with thirty six treatments combinations arranged in a completely randomized design. The results revealed that soybean performance and nutrient uptake varied significantly (p&lt;0.05) between the soil texture andnutrients application. Sandy clay loam and sandy loam textures respond significantly to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and manure application whereas zinc and NPK nutrients limits soybean performance and uptake in sandy clay and clay loam soils. In conclusion, to increase soybean production in sandy loam and clay loam of Sudan savanna of Nigeria, fertilizer formulations containing N, P, K and Zn should be used. Manure may be used to improve soybean production in sandy clay and sandy clay loam together with application of NPK fertilizer.

Effects of foliar application of organic acids on strawberry plants

The large economic costs and environmental impacts of iron-chelate treatments has led to the search for alternative methods and compounds to control iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis. Strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa) were grown in Hoagland's nutrient solution in a greenhouse with two levels of Fe: 0 and 10 μM Fe(III)-EDDHA. After 20 days, plants growing without Fe showed typical symptoms of Fe deficiency chlorosis in young leaves. Then, the adaxial and abaxial sides of one mature or one young leaf in each plant were brushed with 10 mM malic (MA), citric (CA) or succinic (SA) acids. Eight applications were done over a two-week period. At the end of the experiment, the newly emerged (therefore untreated), young and mature leaves were sampled for nutritional and metabolomic analysis, to assess the effectiveness of treatments. Leaf regreening was monitored using a SPAD-502 apparatus, and the activity of the ferric chelate-reductase activity (FCR) was measured using root tips. Iron deficiency negatively affected biomass and leaf chlorophyll but did not increase FCR activity. Application of succinic acid alleviated the decrease in chlorophyll observed in other treatments, and the overall nutritional balance in the plant was also changed. The concentrations of two quinic acid derivatives increased under Fe deficiency and decreased in plants treated with succinic acid, and thus they are proposed as Fe stress markers. Data suggest that foliage treatments with carboxylates may be, in some cases, environmentally friendly alternatives to Fe(III)-chelates. The importance of Fe mobilization pathways in the formulation of new fertilizers is also discussed.

Rendimento e viabilidade econômica da cebola em resposta à adubação com enxofre

ABSTRACT The cultivation of onion in the Brazilian Northeast region has been gaining prominence due to the favorable edaphoclimatic conditions and the use of technology. However, the increase in production costs, price fluctuations and the suppression of sulfur in fertilizer formulations constitute a risk for the farmers. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the productive and economic aspects of onion production as a response to sulfur fertilization. Two experiments were carried out from June to November 2018 and 2019, at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, belonging to the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido, in the municipality of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in an Ultisol. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with 14 treatments and four replicates, corresponding to the combination of two onion cultivars and seven doses of sulfur. The following characteristics were evaluated: sulfur content in the diagnostic leaf, bulb yield, total operating costs, gross revenue, net revenue, rate of return and yield index. Regardless of the cultivar, input costs add up to higher expenses, reaching approximate values of 60.6 and 48.4% of the total operating cost for the Rio das Antas and IPA 11 cultivars, respectively. Rio das Antas was more sulfur efficient, achieving greater bulb yield and net revenue. The 34 kg ha-1 sulfur dose promoted maximum yield and net revenue for Rio das Antas. The application of sulfur did not influence the yield of the IPA 11 cultivar.