Fertilization Practices Research Articles

A new adaptive identification strategy of best crop management with farmers

Identification of best performing fertilizer practices with on-farm trials is challenging, in particular in rainfed farming due to weather uncertainty. However, it remains crucial to test a range of viable practices to ascertain their performances, given that they are not known beforehand. This process also involves the testing of practices that could potentially yield inferior results in comparison to the best available practice(s). To identify a best management practice, an “intuitive strategy” typically sets up multi-year, multi-location field trials, wherein each practice is tested in a proportionally equal manner over a set number of years. Our objective was to provide an identification strategy for nitrogen fertilizer management designing a bandit learning algorithm. We aimed for the bandit algorithm to be better at minimizing farmers’ losses occurring from the testing of management practices that do not perform best, compared with the “intuitive strategy” that was formulized as the Explore-Then-Commit strategy. Our case study was for maize production in southern Mali. Bandit framework is a machine learning approach in which an agent learns from the feedback over time and accordingly selects actions in order to maximize its cumulative reward in the long term. To mimic the maize responses to nitrogen fertilization, we used the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model. We compared nitrogen fertilizer practices using a risk-aware measure, the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR), and a novel agronomic metric, the Yield Excess (YE). The YE accounts for both grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency. The bandit algorithm performed better than the intuitive strategy: it minimized farmers’ yield losses during the identification process. This study is a methodological step which opens up new horizons for risk-aware identification of the performance of a range of crop management practices in real conditions.

The addition of discrimination inhibitors stimulations discrimination potential and N2O emissions were linked to predation among microorganisms in long term nitrogen application and straw returning systems.

Ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) have been proven to be key microorganisms driving the ammonia oxidation process. However, under different fertilization practices, there is a lack of research on the impact of interaction between predators and AOA or AOB on nitrogen cycling at the multi-trophic level. In this study, a network-oriented microscopic culture experiment was established based on four different long-term fertilization practices soils. We used the nitrification inhibitors 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxide-3-oxyl (PTIO) and 3, 4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) inhibited AOA and AOB, respectively, to explore the impact of interaction between protists and AOA or AOB on nitrogen transformation. The results showed that long-term nitrogen application promoted the potential nitrification rate (PNR) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, and significantly increased the gene abundance of AOB, but had no obvious effect on AOA gene abundance. DMPP significantly reduced N2O emission and PNR, while PTIO had no obvious effect on them. Accordingly, in the multi-trophic microbial network, Cercozoa and Proteobacteria were identified as keystone taxa of protists and AOB, respectively, and were significantly positively correlated with N2O, PNR and nitrate nitrogen. However, Nitrososphaerota archaeon as the keystone species of AOA, had an obvious negative linkage to these indicators. The structural equation model (SEM) showed that AOA and AOB may be competitors to each other. Protists may promote AOB diversity through direct trophic interaction with AOA. The interaction pattern between protists and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms significantly affects potential nitrification rate and N2O emission, which has important implications for soil nitrogen cycle.

Survey based assessment of sustainable agricultural practices: Evidence from Indian plots

AbstractIn recent years concerns have been raised regarding the environmental consequences of over‐use of nitrogen fertilizers on a global level. However, the balance between sustainability and agricultural productivity, a central concern for policy makers in developing countries, has not been sufficiently addressed. In this paper, I evaluate farmers’ fertilization practices and their effect on yield using unique plot level data from India. I estimate quadratic crop response functions for different crops and cropping systems. To address endogenous input choices, I use input prices and cost shifters from the fertilizer industry as instrumental variables for the fertilization practice. I find that a large share of Indian cultivators overuse nitrogen relative to the other two nutrients, and could benefit from simply reducing the amount of nitrogen used while keeping the other nutrients fixed. This suggests a potential win‐win situation where both productivity and sustainability can be improved by changing fertilizer application. The widespread “nitrogen‐only” fertilization pattern is rejected as optimal in most cases. [EconLit Citations: Q12, Q15, Q16, E23, C26, C14].

Real clinical practice of infertility treatment in Russia: a collective opinion of 425 reproductologists

Introduction. Approaches to treatment of infertility have been progressively updated because the field of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is a science-based symbiosis of the latest knowledge and advances in medicine, biology, and genetics. Today, a real-world clinical practice of a reproductive specialist needs to be assessed in the Russian Federation (RF) both in terms of a retrospectively analyzed development of RF in vitro fertilization (IVF) technologies and identifying promising approaches for infertility treatment in the future.Aim: analysis of current therapeutic tendencies and promising trends in real clinical practice of infertility in the Russian Federation.Materials and Methods. In 2022–2023 under the auspices of the Institute for Preventive and Social Medicine and the National Alliance for Public Health Advancement, a survey of reproductive doctors practicing at commercial and government ART centers was carried out. The questionnaire contained questions regarding describing a RF female patient’s portrait with an expected ovarian reserve and response to ovarian stimulation to propose a choice of ovarian stimulation protocol as well as basic and concomitant pharmacotherapy.Results. The opinion of 425 fertility doctors from 156 ART centers in 42 cities of the Russian Federation was assessed. A portrait of a female patient with infertility in the Russian Federation was determined in accordance with the ovarian reserve, expected response to gonadotropin-based stimulation (normal response – 40 %, hyporesponse – 40 %, hyperresponse – 20 % of patients). The basic pharmacotherapy in the stimulation protocol in the IVF program based on agonists and antagonists of gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH), various gonadotropin-containing drugs in female patients with expected normal, hypo- and hyperresponse to ovarian stimulation was assessed. The dominant protocol consists of using GnRH antagonist most often observed in patients with hyper- (95 % of cases), normal (75 % of cases) and hypo-response (45.5 %). Preferences in the basic and concomitant pharmacotherapy in IVF programs were identified as well as current trends in embryo transfer in fresh and cryoprotocols (a tendency to freeze all obtained embryos - “freeze-all” strategy), preimplantation genetic testing methods (used in 30 % of protocols in normal responders, 60 % in hyporesponders and 10 % in hyperresponders) were described.Conclusion. Our study provides the most large-scale analysis of the real-world clinical practice of RF reproductive specialists. A portrait of a RF female patient with infertility, expected ovarian reserve and response to ovarian stimulation was described. Contemporary approaches to select stimulation protocol, basic and concomitant pharmacotherapy in real-world clinical practice were identified. The data obtained represent an important significant cross-section for current practical approaches in real-world practice of RF fertility doctors and can serve as the basis for assessing developing ART methods in the Russian Federation as well as be used to create an evidence base for analyzing future clinical and economic effectiveness of IVF programs in the Russian Federation.

Automatic Modeling Prediction Method of Nitrogen Content in Maize Leaves Based on Machine Vision and CNN

Existing maize production is grappling with the hurdles of not applying nitrogen fertilizer accurately due to subpar detection accuracy and responsiveness. This situation presents a significant challenge, as it has the potential to impact the optimal yield of maize and ultimately, the profit margins associated with its cultivation. In this study, an automatic modeling prediction method for nitrogen content in maize leaves was proposed based on machine vision and convolutional neural network. We developed a program designed to streamline the image preprocessing workflow. This program can process multiple images in batches, automatically carrying out the necessary preprocessing steps. Additionally, it integrates an automated training and modeling system that correlates the images with nitrogen content values. The primary objective of this program is to enhance the accuracy of the models by leveraging a larger dataset of image samples. Secondly, the fully connected layer of the convolutional neural network was reconstructed to transform the optimization goal from classification based on 0–1 tags into regression prediction, so that the model can output numerical values of nitrogen content. Furthermore, the prediction model of nitrogen content in maize leaves was gained by training many samples, and samples were collected in three key additional fertilizing stages throughout the growth period of maize (i.e., jointing stage, bell mouth stage, and tasseling stage). In addition, the proposed method was compared with the spectral detection method under full-wave band and characteristic wavelengths. It was verified that our machine vision and CNN (Convolutional Neural Network)-based method offers a high prediction accuracy rate that is not only consistently better—by approximately 5% to 45%—than spectral detection approaches but also features the benefits of easy operation and low cost. This technology can significantly contribute to the implementation of more precise fertilization practices in maize production, leading to potential yield optimization and increased profitability.

Biotic relationships to aggregation in a Vertisol under long-term no-till, stubble retention and nitrogen fertilisation

Soil aggregation is critical for high-clay Vertisols to facilitate water movement, aeration, nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and hence soil productivity. Both abiotic and biotic factors affect aggregation, although the effect of biotic factors on aggregation remains unclear in subtropical Vertisols managed under no-till (NT), stubble retained (SR) and N fertilisation practice. Using a 54-years old cereal cropped NT experiment in subtropical semi-arid region, we examined the biotic effects on soil aggregate-size distribution in a smectitic Vertisol (65 % clay) at 0–0.1 m depth. The experiment consisted of NT versus conventional till (CT), SR versus stubble burned (SB), and N fertiliser rates (0, 30, and 90 kg N ha−1; N0, N30, and N90, respectively) arranged in a randomised complete block design, with four replications (48 plots). NT generally had no significant effect on biotic factors and aggregate mean weight diameter (MWD). SR had significantly higher microbial activity (as assessed by cumulative CO2 production over 140 days), C-acquiring and N-acquiring enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase), easily extractable and total glomalin-related proteins, microbial biomass C, large- (>2 mm) and medium aggregates (1–2 mm), and MWD (1.23 ± 0.06 mm in SR and 1.02 ± 0.07 mm in SB (P < 0.02)). In addition, N fertiliser rates had significantly higher soil organic C and mineral associated organic N but lower C:N ratio. Thus, soil organic C and N, microbial biomass C, glomalin, and microbial and enzyme activities enhanced by SR, and lower C:N ratio of the organic matter following N fertilisation improved MWD in this subtropical Vertisol.

Responses of soil physico-chemical properties, structure of the microbial community and crop yields to different fertilization practices in Russia's conventional farming system.

The use of fertilizers affects not only the soil fertility and crop yield, but also significantly changes the taxonomic structure of the soil microbiocenosis. Here, based on stationary field experiment, we studied the influence of organo-mineral fertilizer (ОМF), modified by bacteria Bacillus subtilis, H-13 in comparison with different fertilizer systems (organic, mineral, organo-mineral) on (i) crop yield, (ii) physical and chemical properties, and (iii) alpha and beta diversity of the microbial community Albic Retisol (Loamic, Aric, Cutanic, Differentic, Ochric). The studies were carried out against the background of liming (рНКCl - 5.9) and without it (рНКCl - 5.1). The use of only one cattle farmyard manure was less effective than its co-application with mineral fertilizers in half doses. A similar effect was obtained when applying ОМF. In addition, the use of OMF contributes to a significant increase in the reserves of soil organic carbon in the soil layer 0-20 cm by 18%-32%. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA variable V4 gene sequence libraries, 10.759 taxa from 456 genera were identified, assigned to 34 fila (31 bacterial and 3 archaeotic. Unilateral application of mineral fertilizers leads to a significant decrease in the alpha diversity of the structure of soil microbial communities (OTE (other things equal) and Shannon index). A clear clustering of the microbiota was found in the variants with and without the introduction of сattle farmyard manure. It is revealed that the taxonomic structure of the microbiocenosis is formed under the influence of two main factors: crop rotation culture and applied fertilizers. The type of cultivated crop determines the dynamics of the microbiota at the level of larger taxa, such as domains, and fertilizers affect the structure of the microbial community at a lower taxonomic level (phyla, orders, bloodlines). On the basis of the Deseq analysis, marker taxa were identified, according to the share participation of which it is possible to determine the type of cultivated crop and fertilizers used in the experiment. Understanding the dynamics of taxa association and other influential factors can lead to the creation of universal systems of metagenomic indication, where tracking the dynamics of microbial communities will allow for a comprehensive assessment of the agroecological state of soils and timely decisions to prevent their degradation.

Comprehensive evaluation of the water-fertilizer coupling effects on pumpkin under different irrigation volumes.

Compared to conventional irrigation and fertilization, the Water-fertilizer coupling can significantly enhance the efficiency of water and fertilizer utilization, thereby promoting crop growth and increasing yield. Targeting the challenges of poor crop growth, low yield, and inefficient water and fertilizer utilization in the arid region of northwest China under conventional irrigation and fertilization practices. Therefore, a two-year on-farm experiment in 2022 and 2023 was conducted to study the effects of water-fertilizer coupling regulation on pumpkin growth, yield, water consumption (ET), and water and fertilizer use efficiency. Simultaneously the comprehensive evaluation of multiple objectives was carried out using principal component analysis (PCA) methods, so as to propose an suitable water-fertilizer coupling regulation scheme for the region. The experiment was set up as a two-factor trial using water-fertilizer integration technology under three irrigation volume (W1=37.5mm, W2=45.5mm, W3=52.5mm) and three organic fertilizer application amounts (F1=3900-300kg ha-1, F2=4800-450 kg·ha-1, F3=5700-600 kg·ha-1), with the traditional irrigation and fertilization scheme from local farmers as control treatments (CK). The results indicated that irrigation volume and organic fertilizer application significantly affected pumpkin growth, yield, and water and fertilizer use efficiency (P<0.05). Pumpkin yield increased with increasing irrigation volume. Increasing organic fertilizer levels within a certain range benefited pumpkin plant growth, dry matter accumulation, and yield, however, excessive application beyond a certain level had inhibited effects on those. The increased fertilizer application under the same irrigation volume enhanced the efficiency of water and fertilizer utilization. However excessive irrigation only resulted in inefficient water consumption, reducing the water and fertilizer use efficiency. The Comprehensive evaluation by PCA revealed that the F2W3 treatment outperformed all the others, effectively addressing the triple objectives of increasing production, improving efficiency, and promoting green production. Therefore, F2W3 (Irrigation volume: 52.5mm; Fertilizer application amounts: 4800-450 kg/ha-1) as a water and fertilizer management scheme for efficient pumpkin production in the arid region of northwest China.

Impact of fertilization and tillage practices on transformations of carbon, essential plant nutrients and microbial biota composition in soils: a review

Impact of fertilization and tillage practices on transformations of carbon, essential plant nutrients and microbial biota composition in soils: a review

The Effect of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) Extract on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn under Reduced Nitrogen Fertilization Practice

The Effect of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) Extract on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn under Reduced Nitrogen Fertilization Practice

Effects of different fertilization patterns on soil improvement and vegetation restoration of desertified grassland in northwest Liaoning Province, China

Improving soil fertility is one of the key approaches for ecological restoration of the wind-sand area in northwest Liaoning Province. Taking wind-sand area in northwest Liaoning Province as test object, we conducted a fertilization experiment with treatments of inorganic fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers), organic fertilizer, combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, and organic fertilizer combined with a biologically organic matrix (γ-polyglutamic acid), and no fertilizer as control. We measured soil organic matter content and extractable cations concentrations, vegetation coverage, and biomass under different fertilization treatments and determine the suitable fertilization mode. The results showed that compared to the control, inorganic fertilizer rapidly increased vegetation coverage and biomass, but high levels of inorganic fertilizer (150 kg N·hm-2) led to soil acidification and Ca2+ leaching. Organic fertilizer increased soil organic matter content, exchangeable K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ contents, as well as coverage and biomass vegetation, especially combined with γ-polyglutamic acid. Overall, the combination of low levels of inorganic fertilizer (50 kg N·hm-2) and moderate levels of organic fertilizer (30000 kg·hm-2) was the best fertilization practice for the rapid and stable restoration of grassland in wind-sand area. Moreover, the extra addition of γ-polyglutamic acid (60 kg·hm-2)could effectively improve soil fertility.

Different organic farming systems under greenhouse do not improve soil C storage but affect microbial functions across soil aggregates

AbstractVegetable crops production is usually based on organic fertilizers purchased off‐farm while the care of soil fertility based on the maintenance of adequate level of soil organic matter receives few attentions. Organic production in plastic tunnel‐greenhouses represents the most intensified organic production system. Therefore, we compared four alternative organic production systems mainly characterized by the combination of fertilizer application practices based on compost, cover crops and commercial organic fertilizers. The systems were: input substitution organic method (BAU), biodynamic method (BIODYN), organic‐agroecological (AGROEC) and a not fertilized but organically managed control (CNT). The objective of this study was to explore in a 3‐year long trial, the effects of different organic systems on soil organic carbon (SOC) balance and the possible effects on soil chemical–physical characteristics, enzymatic activities involved in the C, N and P cycling, total bacterial biomass (16S rRNA), and the microbial functional genes cbbL and amoA in bulk soil and in three aggregate size fractions (macroaggregates &gt;250 μm, free microaggregates 250–53 μm and free silt plus clay (free‐SC) &lt; 53 μm). The conducive microclimatic conditions for soil microbial activities under the greenhouse, together with the transition toward a more intensive rotation and tillage, determined a decrease of the SOC stock (from 5.9 Mg C ha−1 in BIODYN to 10.8 in CNT) that was only partially balanced by C input distributed to soil (from 4.6 Mg C ha−1 in CNT to 31.6 in AGROEC). The different organic systems did not seem to directly affect chemical and microbial properties in the bulk soils. The higher SOC decline in CNT, however, resulted in the degradation of soil structure but at same time led to the increase of the FDAse in the bulk soil. At aggregate level, instead, more evident effects of organic systems were observed on both chemical–physical and microbial properties. The impact of organic systems on enzymatic activities differed in the different aggregate size classes while the effect on bacterial biomass and functional genes was the same in all aggregate size classes. Interestingly, the cbbL gene abundance in soil aggregates, especially in macroaggregates, was correlated positively to OC inputs (r = .82; p &lt; .001). The amoA gene and bacterial biomass, instead, put in evidence for BIODYN, a significant decrease in soil aggregates that seemed to be related, particularly in macro and free microaggregates, to the low amount of total N content. In soil aggregates, only AGROEC compared with CNT, determined the increment of the phosphatase in macroaggregates, while BIODYN and BAU highlighted even lower values of β‐d‐glucosidase, β‐d‐glucosaminidase and phosphatase in free‐SC. In conclusion in high‐input organic systems under tunnels, the misleading notion that a high supply of OC and TN through green manuring, compost amendment etc., improves per se soil health is challenged.

Effect of rate of biofertilizers on growth and development of spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.)

This research delves into the utilization of biofertilizers as a sustainable substitute for conventional chemical fertilizers, offering multifaceted advantages for soil fertility, plant vitality, and ecological equilibrium. The study investigates the effects of different application rates of biofertilizers on various growth parameters, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses in spinach cultivation. A series of experimental trials were conducted to evaluate the impacts of biofertilizer treatments, comprising vermicompost, Azotobacter, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), on spinach plants. The results indicate that combined application of biofertilizers significantly enhances key parameters including plant height, leaf area, shoot biomass, root biomass, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses compared to conventional fertilizer practices and control groups. Correlation and regression analyses reveal strong positive relationships between levels of biofertilizer application and various growth metrics, nutrient assimilation efficiency, yield components, and physiological responses. Furthermore, ANOVA results confirm the statistical significance of differences among treatment groups, highlighting the efficacy of biofertilizers in promoting spinach growth and productivity. Economic evaluations suggest that despite higher initial costs, the use of biofertilizers results in increased spinach yields, making it a financially viable and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fertilization methods.

Oral medroxyprogesterone acetate for the use of ovulation suppression in in vitro fertilization: a cohort trial

To broadly assess the efficacy of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for ovulatory suppression during in vitro stimulation (IVF) when compared to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist cycles DESIGN: Cohort Trial SETTING: A single academic-affiliated private fertility practice SUBJECTS: Patients of all diagnoses aged 18-44 years undergoing autologous IVF for fertility treatment between 2020-2023 EXPOSURE: Comparison of MPA vs. antagonist IVF stimulation cycles MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of premature ovulation, oocyte and embryo yield, embryo quality, pregnancy rates, and logistical benefits RESULTS: Prospective data was collected on 418 patients who underwent MPA-protocol ovarian stimulation (MPA group) which was compared to 419 historical control GnRH antagonist cycles (control group). Age was similar between groups (35.6 +/- 4.6 vs. 35.7 +/- 4.8 years; p = 0.75). There were no cases of premature ovulation in the MPA group compared to a total of five cases in the control group (0% vs. 1.2%; RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-1.66). No differences were seen between number of oocytes retrieved (14.3 +/- 10.2 vs. 14.3 +/- 9.7; p = 0.83), blastocysts (4.9 +/- 4.6 vs. 5.0 +/- 4.6; p = 0.89), or euploid blastocysts (2.4 +/- 2.6 vs. 2.2 +/- 2.4; p = 0.18) in the MPA vs. control group respectively. Clinical pregnancy rate was similar between groups (70.4% vs. 64.2%; RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.72 - 1.18). There was no difference in length of IVF stimulation or dose of stimulation medications. Patients in the MPA group saved an average of $491 +/- $119 on medications, had an average of one less monitoring visit (4.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 5.6 +/- 1.1; p < 0.01), and 5.0 +/- 1.2 less injections per cycle. When adjusting for age and ovarian reserve, protocol group (MPA vs. control) did not influence having an embryo available for transfer (76.6% vs. 73.4%; adjusted RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94 - 1.14). For ovulatory suppression during IVF cycles, MPA was effective at preventing ovulation while demonstrating similar cycle and reproductive outcomes, with the additional benefits of patient cost savings, increased convenience with decreased number of visits, and fewer injections.

Impact of "3414" fertilization on the yield and quality of greenhouse tomatoes.

This study aimed to explore the effects of different nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios on the yield and nutritional quality of greenhouse tomatoes under a water and fertilizer integration model. Greenhouse tomatoes were used as the research object, and the "3414" fertilizer trial design was employed to assess tomato growth, yield, quality, and soil indicators across various treatment combinations. The goal was to determine the optimal fertilization scheme and recommend appropriate fertilizer quantities for tomato cultivation and production. The results revealed that different fertilizer ratios significantly affected both the quality and yield of tomatoes. Overall, the tomato yield tended to increase with higher fertilization amounts, with potassium exhibiting the most pronounced effect on yield increase, followed by phosphorus and nitrogen. The comprehensive analysis of principal components indicated that the N2P2K1 treatment yielded the highest nutritional quality and yield. Therefore, the best fertilization combination identified in this study consisted of nitrogen fertilizer at 197.28 kg hm-2, phosphorus fertilizer at 88.75 kg hm-2, and potassium fertilizer at 229.80 kg hm-2. These findings provided the scientific basis for optimizing fertilization practices in greenhouse tomato cultivation and production in the Jilin Province.

Sperm morphology: Evaluating its clinical relevance in contemporary fertility practice.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends reporting sperm morphology in a standard semen analysis. However, the clinical utility and prognostic value of morphology is often debated. We reviewed and summarized studies that assessed both the benefits and limitations of sperm morphology in the context of natural fertility, assisted reproductive technologies, and recurrent pregnancy loss. We additionally describe possible environmental and anatomical etiologies of teratozoospermia. Sperm morphology evaluation has continuously evolved since the release of the first WHO manual in 1980. Initially, several large studies reported significant inverse associations between fertility outcomes and teratozoospermia. Most recent studies, however, fail to show an association between sperm morphology and natural or assisted fertility outcomes. Sperm morphology analysis may have limited diagnostic and prognostic value. Providers should be aware of these limitations when counseling or managing infertile patients.

Conservation agriculture practices impact on biological and microbial diversity in earthworm cast under maize-wheat system

Soil degradation is a major global concern due to its negative impact on soil quality and the sustainability of agricultural resources. The conservation agriculture (CA) approach, which includes three key principles such as zero tillage, retention of crop residue and crop rotation has gained widespread adoption to help mitigate the climate change effects on agricultural soils and meet the growing demand for increased production. Earthworm communities, along with microbial activity and diversity, are highly sensitive to tillage practices. Additionally, microbial activity and diversity quickly respond to different cropping systems, making them effective indicators for detecting short-term changes in soil functioning. We therefore, assess the effects of CA innovative approached after 6-years on biological and microbial diversity within earthworm cast in maize-wheat system (MWS). The treatments consist of PBM-RN0/ZTW-RN0 (permanent beds No-N control-both residues removed and wheat with zero tillage); PBM+RN0/ZTW+RN0 (permanent beds No-N control-both residues retained)-50% of maize stover and 25% of wheat residue retained; PBM-RN120/ZTW- RN120 (permanent beds with 120 kg N ha-1 both residues removed wheat with zero tillage); PBM+RN120/ZTW+RN120 (permanent beds with 120 kg N ha-1 both residues retained and wheat with zero tillage) and FBM-RN120/CTW-RN120 (fresh beds in maize/CT in wheat with 120 kg N ha-1 both residues removed). The result of present study showed that activities of carbon (C) cycle-related enzymes in the cast soils viz., dehydrogenase (DHA), β-glucosidase (β-glu), cellulase, and xylanase were significantly higher under PBM+RN120/ ZTW+RN120 than under PBM-RN0/ZTW-RN0. Specifically, the activities of these enzymes were 21.5, 26.8, and 76.5% higher under the PBM+RN120/ZTW+RN120 treatment, respectively. Moreover, the Alk-P activity was found to be 1.3 times higher in the PBM+RN120/ZTW+RN120 treatment than in the PBM-RN0/ZTW-RN0 treatment. The bacterial, fungal, and actinomycete counts in the cast soil ranged from 6.87 to 7.47 CFU (colony forming units) x 106 g-1 soil, 3.87–3.30 CFU x 104 g-1 soil, and 5.09–5.67 CFU x 104 g-1 soil, respectively. Total organic carbon (TOC) showed significant increases of 34.6% under PBM+RN120/ZTW+RN120 as compared to PBM-RN0/ZTW-RN0. The less labile C (Frac. 3), total carbohydrate carbon (TCHO), phenol oxidase (PHE) and peroxidase (PER) were observed as the sensitive indicators under different tillage, rate of nitrogen and residue management practices. This study suggests that permanent beds with crop residue retention with balance fertilization practices can be recommended and popularized to the overall improvement of soil biological pools within earthworm casts in MWS.

An IoT-Based Hydroponic Monitoring and Control System for Sustainable Food Production

The agricultural sector, historically the main source of food globally, faces unprecedented challenges due to decreasing soil fertility and unsustainable farming practices. This study presents a smart farming method, a tailored approach to cultivating food and arable crops, as a sustainable and innovative farming method. Hydroponics involves growing plants in nutrient water solutions rather than soil, establishing a controlled environment free from external conditions. We developed a sophisticated hydroponics system equipped with sensors monitoring temperature, humidity, pH, and light levels. Using IoT technologies, we enabled real-time data transmission from sensors to a dedicated web server - Amazon web services (AWS) and an Android mobile application powered by a Raspberry Pi3. This setup allows remote monitoring and control of the hydroponic system, reducing human intervention. The experiment validated the sensor network's efficiency in accurately transmitting data. The findings suggest that widespread adoption of hydroponic farming could substantially enhance global food security. Future advancements in this method could include real-time monitoring of plant growth rates by incorporating additional sensors, like carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors. This research is a significant step toward sustainable agriculture. It offers a technologically advanced solution capable of transforming food production methods and ensuring a more secure and sustainable food supply worldwide.

Biological soil conditioner with reduced rates of chemical fertilization improves soil functionality and enhances rice production in vegetable-rice rotation

Soil is an essential source of nutrients for crop growth, but excessive chemical fertilizer can lead to soil acidification and decreased sustainability. Organic fertilizer helps improve soil physicochemical properties and increase soil utilization efficiency. However, soil functionality and crop sustainability response to organic fertilizers need further research. In this study, multiple fertilizer practices (including different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer or soil conditioners, traditional organic fertilizer), various rice varieties, and other rotation systems were applied to test the effects of soil conditioners on crop yield and soil fertility. The results showed that crop yield sustainability and stability were significantly positively correlated with soil pH, EC value, and nitrogen (Pearson r > 0.5). In addition, improving soil quality was beneficial to increasing crop yield sustainability and stability (R2 > 0.5). Chemical fertilizers and soil conditioners can increase soil nutrient content and improve crop yield sustainability index (>0.8). Applying soil conditioners can enhance the activity of soil catalase and urease in paddy soil, especially in the 12 and 15 m3 ha−1 soil conditioner treatments due to soil microbial activity being affected by soil salinity and organic matter content. Soil conditioners increase the mass of Nitrospira species in soil, decompose nitrogen in the soil, and reduce soil nitrate and nitrite content, thereby improving soil pH and reducing the risk of soil acidification caused by excessive chemical fertilizer. Combining soil conditioners and chemical fertilizer (20 % less than traditional fertilization) can promote soil quality and fertility while improving crop yield sustainability and stability.

Ammonia Volatilization from Pig Slurries in a Semiarid Agricultural Rainfed Area

Slurries are one of the main NH3 emission sources. Nitrogen losses impact air quality, and they constrain the sustainability of farming activities. In a rainfed Mediterranean agricultural system, the aim was to quantify NH3 emissions at a time when plants do not yet cover the soil surface and according to fertilization practices. One treatment was slurry from fattening pigs (PSF) applied before cereal sowing and incorporated into the soil; two treatments were PSF or from sows (PSS) applied at the cereal tillering stage (topdressing); and two more treatments received slurries twice, before sowing and as topdressing. Ammonia emissions were quantified with semi-static chambers during 145 h (before sowing) and 576 h (at cereal tillering) after slurry application. Before sowing, tillage after slurry application controlled NH3-N emissions, but they accounted for 14% of the total NH4-N applied. At tillering, average NH3-N emissions also accounted for ca. 14% of total NH4-N applied as PSF or PSS, respectively. Slurry dry matter from 84 kg m−3 (PSS) up to 127 kg m−3 (PSF), combined with low soil moisture content (below 30% of water holding capacity) at application time, helped in NH3 emission control. Slurry applications before sowing did not enhance later NH3-N emissions at topdressing.