Low Fertility Research Articles

Exploring the instability in the food security due to nitrogen fertilizer regulatory policy

AbstractThe nitrogen regulatory policy (NRP) solution is introduced as a mitigation measure against environmental nitrogen losses and keeps food production in the Safe Operating Space of the Nitrogen Planetary Boundary. Meanwhile, scientific research shows that steps taken to reduce environmental harm can increase the unpredictability of calorie production from crops. This study sought to investigate the impact of NRP solutions on the level of risk of accessibility to calorie sources from domestic production, the variations in calorie sources by livestock and non‐livestock diet components, and the responses of different dietary preferences, namely, poor, medium, and rich livestock protein diets, against NRP solutions in the Zayandeh‐Rud River basin, Iran. We developed the aggregate household food security index (AHFSI) and combined it with outputs of crop simulation model to examine how changes in dietary energy supplies under three NRP scenarios—low, moderate, and high nitrogen fertilizer application—affect the stability of three regional dietary preferences. The comparison of NRP scenarios movements realized that increases (or decreases) in nitrogen fertilizer rates contradicted the stability in AHFSI. Additionally, a one‐unit change in the average calories from non‐livestock sources, such as wheat and potatoes, results in greater fluctuations in the standard deviations of produced calories compared to changes in meat and dairy production. We proposed that in order to prevent adverse effects of NRP solutions on food security, mitigation strategies addressing the NRP solution should be structured based on (i) regional heterogeneities, (ii) type of crops, that is, food and feed crops, (iii) the range of nitrogen rates movement; (iv) and the socioeconomic background related to dietary preferences or economic deciles of food expenditure.

Effects of probiotic on growth and production of brown midrib sorghum mutant line (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in ultisol

This study aims to observe the efficiency of probiotic inoculants on growth, soil fertility, and production of brown midrib (BMR) sorghum mutant lines. The experimental using a Randomized Block Design of four treatments and four blocks, P0: manure + (N, K, 0% P) + probiotic; P1: manure + (N, K, 50% P) + probiotic; P2: manure + (N, K, 75% P) + probiotic; P3: manure + (N, K, 100% P) without a probiotic (control). The dose of cow manure fertilizer is 10 tons/ha, and the doses of N, P, and K fertilizers are 120 kg/ha, 90 kg/ha, and 60 kg/ha, respectively, from urea, triple superphosphate (TSP), and potassium chloride (KCl). Parameters observed were plant morphology, biomass production, nutrient and fiber fraction content, and soil fertility. The treatment had no significant effect (P>0.05) on stem diameter, leaf length, and width, soil pH, fresh and DM production, the number of leaves, plant height, stem:leaf: panicle ratio, colony PSB, soil P-available, fiber and nutrient fractions of sorghum whole plant. The conclusion is that applying probiotics with lower phosphate fertilizer in sorghum cultivation produces growth, forage production, nutrition and fiber fraction content, and P-available and colony PSB, like 100% P fertilizer application. Probiotic bacteria could be applied as phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and reduce the application of P fertilizer on BMR sorghum in ultisol.

Editorial Comment to 31-year follow-up of those with occult spinal dysraphism who underwent spinal cord untethering: Lower urinary tract function, skin stigmata, fertility, and work participation.

Editorial Comment to 31-year follow-up of those with occult spinal dysraphism who underwent spinal cord untethering: Lower urinary tract function, skin stigmata, fertility, and work participation.

“Gender wars” and populist politics in South Korea

The 2022 South Korean presidential election campaign saw populist politicians, especially conservative parties, leverage gender conflicts and misogyny to attract young male swing voters. But there has been limited scholarly attention to the connection between gender and populist politics, particularly in South Korea, with research primarily focused on women's voting patterns, their political party representation, and on populist politics in the US, Europe, and Latin America. Existing research identifies that common strategies employed by populist politicians include anti-feminist discourses, reference to crises in masculinity, and appeals to emotion and affect. This paper examines how South Korean populist politics has utilized gender conflicts since democratization, considering the evolution of ‘gender wars’ in the South Korean context. It specifically delves into the strategies employed by conservative populist politicians from the People Power Party (PPP) during the 2022 election campaigns. These strategies, although similar to those of right-wing populists in Europe and the US, emphasized three key issues unique to South Korea: compulsory military service, low fertility rates, and the dismantling of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. This South Korean case contributes significantly to academic discussions about populist politics and gender, contextualized within the local political, social, and cultural context.

Population density effects on gamete traits and fertilisation dynamics under varying sperm environments in mussels.

Gamete traits can vary widely among species, populations and individuals, influencing fertilisation dynamics and overall reproductive fitness. Sexual selection can play an important role in determining the evolution of gamete traits with local environmental conditions determining the strength and direction of sexual selection. Here, we test for signatures of post-mating selection on gamete traits in relation to population density, and possible interactive effects of population density and sperm concentration on sperm motility and fertilisation rates among natural populations of mussels. Our study shows that males from high-density populations produce smaller sperm compared with males from low-density populations, but we detected no effect of population density on egg size. Our results also reveal that females from low-density populations tended to exhibit lower fertilisation rates across a range of sperm concentrations, although this became less important as sperm concentration increased. Variances in fertilisation success were higher for females than males and the effect of gamete compatibility between males and females increases as sperm concentrations increase. These results suggest that local population density can influence gamete traits and fertilisation dynamics but also highlight the importance of phenotypic plasticity in governing sperm-egg interactions in a highly dynamic selective environment.

Active Soil Organic Carbon Pools Decrease with Increased Time since Land-Use Transition from Rice Paddy Cultivation to Areca Nut Plantations under the Long-Term Application of Inorganic Fertilizer

Many croplands in the tropics of China have been converted over the last decades into areca nut plantations due to their high economic returns. This land-use transition was accompanied by changes in agricultural practices such as soil moisture regimes and fertilizer inputs, which may affect soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions, especially in tropical soils with low fertility and high nitrogen loss. Yet, how the time since land-use transition from rice paddy cultivation to areca nut plantations affects soil carbon dynamics and their underlying mechanisms in the tropics of China remains elusive. Here, areca nut plantation soils with different ages (2, 5, 10, 14, and 17 years) and paddy fields in the tropical region of China were investigated. The study result indicates that the contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), light organic carbon (LFOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) decreased significantly with increased time since land-use transition from rice paddy cultivation to areca nut plantations. Similarly, the ratios of DOC/SOC, MBC/SOC, POC/SOC, LFOC/SOC, and EOC/SOC decreased significantly with increased time since land-use transition. Compared with the paddy soil, the carbon pool management index decreased by 36.6–76.7% under the areca nut plantations, concluding that increasing the time since land-use transition from rice paddy cultivation to areca nut plantations with high application rates of chemical fertilizers resulted in reduced soil active carbon fractions and SOC supply capacity. Therefore, agricultural practices such as the use of organic fertilizers should be applied to improve the soil’s ability to supply organic carbon in managed plantation ecosystems in the tropics of China.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) response to application of mineral nitrogen and bradyrhizobia on Nitisols of Teppi, Southwest Ethiopia

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), an important crop grown for its protein source for humans and livestock, is widely introduced in different parts of Ethiopia. However, the productivity of the crop is far below its potential in the country due to different factors, among which low soil fertility is a major contributor. Hence, this field experiment was conducted with the objective of determining the optimum rate of starter nitrogen (N) and bradyrhizobium inoculation on yield and yield components of soybean in the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. Two levels of bradyrhizobia (inoculated and uninoculated) and six levels of starter nitrogen (0, 9, 18, 27, 36, and 54 kg N ha−1) were arranged in a factorial design. The result showed that soybean grain yield increased by about 60 % with inoculation of bradyrhizobia applied with low rates of starter nitrogen fertilizer, regardless of cropping seasons. Application of a nitrogen rate above 18 kg N ha−1 leads to yield decline and has no significant variation from bradyrhizobia inoculation only. Regardless of the cropping seasons, elevated levels of starter nitrogen beyond 27 kg ha−1 suppressed nodulation and nodule dry matter. Starter N at a rate of 9 and 18 kg N ha−1 improved soybean nodulation by 125–130 % over control and 95 % over bradyrhizobia inoculation alone. Thus, it was recommended to apply bradyrhizobia strains with 9 or 18 kg N ha−1 starter nitrogen for better yield of soybean as well as adequate nitrogen fixation in Nitisols having moderate soil nitrogen levels similar to the Teppi areas.

Improving upland rice (Oryza sativa l.) performance through enhanced soil fertility and water conservation methods

The experiment was conducted at Experimental sites of Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) – Ukiriguru, Mwanza, Tanzania. The objective was to improve performance of upland rice through enhanced soil fertility and water conservation methods. A split–split plot experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications and three factors that were (a) upland rice cultivars (WAB 450, NERICA1 and NERICA4) (b) fertilizer types, (Urea 80Kg N/ha, farm yard manure 5 t/ha and control) (c) three water conservation methods (flat cultivation, open ridge and tie ridge were applied). Rice was sown in seven rows at 30 cm inter–and intra–row spacing. Data on soil, weather, crop growth, yield components and grain yield were collected. Rainfall was 651.2 mm during the cropping season which was poorly distributed. Average temperature was 24oC with mean relative humidity of 75%. Soil analysis results showed that total nitrogen was 0.08 %, phosphorus 2.09mgP/Kg and organic carbon 0.58%. The soil calcium was 3.38 cmolc/Kg and potassium was 0.36cmolc/Kg, while zinc was 0.39 mg/Kg. Cultivars had significant effect on yields which were 2856, 2507 and 2140 Kg/ha for WAB 450, NERICA4 and NERICA1 respectively. Fertilizer types also significantly affected grain yield in the order of urea (3368 Kg/ha) > FYM (2723 Kg/ha) and > control (1421 Kg/ha). Moisture conservation methods significantly affected yield in this order: tie ridges (2710 Kg/ha) > open ridge (2398 Kg/ha) > flat cultivation (2394 Kg/ha). Overall, the study results indicated low fertility status in the soil, although it was found to be suitable for upland rice production with further improvement. It is concluded that rice cultivar, WAB 450 had the highest yield potential, while application of Urea at 80 Kg N/ha gave high grain yield, while tie ridges were the best in soil moisture conservation.

Formulating new types of rice husk biochar‐based fertilizers for the simultaneous slow‐release of nutrients and immobilization of cadmium

AbstractChina, as a significant global consumer of chemical fertilizers and a leading producer of rice, faces challenges associated with low fertilizer efficiency and fewer utilization options of rice husks. The development of rice husk biochar‐based fertilizers (RHBF) offers a strategic solution to address these issues. In this study, diverse biochar fertilizer production techniques were used to develop four types of fertilizers: blended RHBF, soaked RHBF, high‐pressure soaked RHBF, and pure rice husk biochar coated fertilizer. The nutrients slow‐releasing performance of these four RHBF were compared by hydrostatic and soil column intermittent leaching methods. Effects of their application on rice growth, yield, and cadmium reduction potential were analyzed and compared by the pot trial. Results demonstrated that nutrients of the four RHBF were generally released slower in the soil compared with the conventional compound fertilizer (CK). The slow nutrient release effect was more pronounced under high‐pressure soaked RHBF. Notably, in the soil column leaching experiment, the cumulative leaching rates of nitrogen and K2O for RHBF3 (12.0% and 13.9%) were greatly lower than those of CK (42.3% and 51.3%). Moreover, the application of RHBF induced a marked enhancement in the nutrient use efficiency, grain yield, harvest index, and photosynthetic characteristics compared to CK. The average agronomic efficiency of P2O5 for the four RHBF increased by 102.8% compared with CK, while the average grain yield of the four RHBF increased by 20.6%. In addition, RHBF showed a significant reduction in Cd mobilization by an average of 80.1% compared to CK. This study offers a promising model for enhancing the comprehensive performance of RHBF and optimizing traditional fertilizer application practices.

PERIODISATION OF CHANGES IN STATE FAMILY POLICY IN POLAND BETWEEN 1989 AND 2022

The subject of this article is the periodization of changes in the state family policy in Poland that took place in the years 1989–2022, in order to systematize on this basis the main directions, priorities and instruments of the title policy as well as the most significant events, activities and turning points in a given area. This analysis shows a multi-aspect perspective on the assessment of the evolution of family policy in Poland in the years 1989–2022. Indicates, among others: periods in which there was a significant expansion of the scope of state intervention in the functioning of the family, especially through a significant increase in expenditure on financial instruments, for example after 2015. However, the development of service and leave instruments is particularly important, which took place in particular in 2013 as part of the "Good climate for the family" program. Due to the low fertility rate, financial difficulties of many families and difficulties in combining child care responsibilities with paid work, family policy should be based to a greater extent on investments and social services.

Efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation

Bean production in Tanzania barely meets half of the domestic demand because of low yield attributed to low fertility, nitrogen being the most common deficient. The use of rhizobia inoculants can substantially increase bean yields. However, less than 1% of the farming population is aware of inoculants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation and yields. Four experiments were conducted during in a screen house at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Two experiment consisted Leonard jar and the other two were pot experiments in which the soil used were either sterilized or unsterilized. The landraces collected were Kasuka Nywele, Msafiri and Manjano from Mbeya; Nyayo, Soya and Kachumbaa from Arusha; and Kabungu, Nyamungu and Karanga from Morogoro. Two sets of Leonard jars were arranged in completely randomized block design in triplicate and the other two pot experiments were arranged in split split plot design. Inoculants in pot experiments used were Nitro-SUA, Underwood Biostacked as commercial and native. Landrace were the main plot, soil sterilization as a sub plot and inoculants as sub sub plot replicated three times. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using GENSTAT software. Significance differences in N2 fixation were observed among all landraces in all experiments, promising results were observed from Nyayo, Nyamungu, Msafiri and Kabungu. Native rhizobia had comparable symbiotic effectiveness to commercial inoculants in unsterilized soils and vice versa in sterilized soils conditions though soil sterilization was not significant. The findings on this study provide rooms for further research especially on the promising landraces to nodulation and explore their effectiveness.

The Effect of Open and Closed Oocyte Vitrification Systems on Embryo Development: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background/Objectives: Open and closed vitrification systems are commonly employed in oocyte cryopreservation; however, there is limited evidence regarding a comparison of their separate impact on oocyte competence. This study uniquely brings to the literature, data on the effect of open versus closed vitrification systems on laboratory and clinical outcomes, and the effect of cooling and warming rates. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed using the databases PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Library, limited to articles published in English up to January 2023. A network meta-analysis was conducted comparing each vitrification system versus fresh oocytes. Results: Twenty-three studies were included. When compared to fresh oocytes, both vitrification devices resulted in lower fertilization rates per MII oocyte retrieved. When comparing the two systems in terms of survival rates, no statistically significant difference was observed. However, interestingly open systems resulted in lower cleavage and blastocyst formation rates per 2 pronuclear (2PN) oocyte compared to fresh controls, while at the same time no statistically significant difference was detected when comparing closed devices with fresh oocytes. Conclusions: In conclusion, closed vitrification systems appear to exert a less detrimental impact on the oocytes' competence, which is reflected in the blastocyst formation rates. Proof of superiority of one system versus the other may lead to standardization, helping to ultimately determine optimal practice in oocyte vitrification.

Prospects of crambe for the bioeconomy of the Swabian Alb in southwest Germany

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R.E.Fr.) is a drought-tolerant, non-edible annual oil crop with low fertilization needs, and there are compelling opportunities for crambe to capitalize on market growth in natural cosmetics and the regional sustainability. It is therefore proposed for cleaner biomass production on marginal land, and the development of novel value chains and webs in rural areas. Therefore, this study assesses the prospects for growing and processing crambe in the Swabian Alb, a rural area in southwestern Germany large parts of which are characterized by marginal shallow stony soil. A literature review, stakeholder questionnaires, and a SWOT analysis were used to assess crambe's potential in the region. This informed a locally adapted value web, which combines multiple value chains and stakeholders into one interlinked diagram showing present potential valorization opportunities for crambe in the region. However, it was found that it is not currently possible to implement a value web for crambe in the Swabian Alb. Instead, a single value chain involving farmers, cosmetics companies, and biogas plants is possible. To expand this value chain opportunity into a value web, more information is needed for all stakeholders. European Innovation Action projects could help by providing more information about crambe cultivation and by ensuring ecologic and social sustainability. Economic sustainability, however, will require the involvement of other stakeholders in the value web, so that supply matches demand. Local institutions and networks can share knowledge to grow the currently possible value chain into a broader value web. This approach could also be used in other regions to assess the sustainability of novel biobased value chains across social, economic, and environmental dimensions.

Understanding the interactions of genotype with environment and management (G×E×M) to maize productivity in Conservation Agriculture systems of Malawi.

Climatic variability and soil fertility decline present a fundamental challenge for smallholder farmers to determine the optimum management practices in the production of maize. Optimizing genotype (G) and management (M) of maize under different environmental conditions (E) and their interactions are essential for enhancing maize productivity in the smallholder sector of Malawi where maize is the main staple food. Here, we evaluated over seven seasons, the performance of four commercial maize genotypes [including hybrids and one open pollinated variety (OPV)] managed under different Conservation Agriculture (CA) and conventional practices (CP) across on-farm communities of central and southern Malawi. Our results revealed significant G×E and E×M interactions and showed that hybrids such as DKC 80-53 and PAN 53 outyielded the other hybrid and the OPV in most of the environments while the OPV ZM523 had greater yields in environments with above-average rainfall and shorter in-season dry spells. These environments received a maximum of 1250 mm to 1500 mm of rainfall and yet the long-term averages were 855 mm and 1248 mm, respectively. Despite yielding lower, the OPV ZM523 also exhibited higher yield stability across environments compared to the hybrid MH 30, possibly due to its resilience to drought, heat stress, and low soil fertility conditions which are often prevalent in the target communities. Conservation Agriculture-based practices outyielded CP across the genotypes and environments. However, amongst the CA-based systems, intercropping of maize with pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) performed less than monocropping maize and then rotating it with a legume probably due to competition for moisture between the main and the companion crops in the intercrop. The key findings of this study suggest the need to optimize varietal and management options for particular environments to maximize maize productivity in Malawi. This means that smallholder farmers in Malawi should adopt hybrids and CA-based systems for enhanced yields but could also consider OPVs where the climate is highly variable. Further rigorous analysis that includes more abiotic stress factors is recommended for a better understanding of yield response.

Effects of Straw Returning on Soil Aggregates and Its Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Retention under Different Mechanized Tillage Modes in Typical Hilly Regions of Southwest China

Tillage modes and straw returning influence soil aggregate stability and the distribution of organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in aggregates of different particle sizes. In the typical hilly regions of southwest China, the predominant soil type is purple soil, characterized by heavy texture and high stickiness, with relatively lower soil fertility compared to other soil types. The improper use of fertilizers and field management practices further exacerbates soil compaction. However, abundant straw resources in the region provide an opportunity for comprehensive straw utilization. The effective utilization of straw resources is of significant importance for stabilizing agricultural ecological balance, improving resource utilization efficiency, and alleviating ecological pressure. Previously, most studies have focused on the impact of different mechanized tillage systems on the physical and chemical properties of soil in hilly areas, while research on the preservation of water-stable aggregates’ organic C and N content remains limited. In this study, the soil properties of fields under a winter pea–summer corn rotation for two years were studied with regards to the effects of straw returning on its water-stable aggregate distribution, macroaggregate content (R0.25), mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and the organic C and N content in soil aggregates of different particle sizes and at different depths. The effects of five different tillage modes were assessed, namely rotary tillage with straw mixed retention (RTM), conventional tillage with straw burial retention (CTB), no-tillage with straw covered retention (NTC), subsoiling with straw covered retention (STC), and no-tillage without straw retention (NT). Based on the study results, under different tillage modes, straw returning effectively enhanced the soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) reserves at the plow layer (0–30 cm), SOC increased by 17.2% to 88%, and TN increased by 8.6% to 85.9%. At the same time, the content of 0.25–2 mm aggregates increased under the straw-return treatments under different tillage patterns. The NT treatment had the lowest R0.25 and MWD and GMD values for soil aggregates at different depths, which were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the other treatment modes. The correlation coefficients between SOC and soil aggregate stability indices ranged from 0.68 to 0.90, with most of them showing highly significant positive correlations (p < 0.01). In conclusion, straw returning under different tillage systems has improved soil aggregate stability and promoted soil structure stability. Specifically, the STC treatment has shown more pronounced effects on soil improvement in the upper soil layer of the hilly regions in southwest China, while the RTM treatment is beneficial for improving the lower soil layer. Therefore, the comprehensive experimental results indicate that the combination of STC and RTM treatments represents the most promising mechanized tillage and straw returning practices for the hilly regions in southwest China.

Diverse impacts of female chromosomal polymorphisms on assisted reproduction outcomes: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe effects of female chromosomal polymorphisms (FCPs) on various aspects of reproductive health have been investigated, yet the findings are frequently inconsistent. This study aims to clarify the role of FCPs on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).MethodsThis retrospective cohort study comprised 951 couples with FCPs and 10,788 couples with normal karyotypes who underwent IVF/ICSI treatment at Peking University Third Hospital between 2015 and 2021. The exposure was FCPs. The embryological outcomes and clinical outcomes were compared.ResultsThe FCPs, as a whole, compromised the oocyte maturation rate (76.0% vs. 78.8%, P = 0.008), while they did not adversely affect other IVF/ICSI outcomes. Further detailed analyses showed that every type of FCPs contributed to the lower oocyte maturation rate, particularly the rare FCPs (69.0% vs. 78.8%, P = 0.008). The female qh + was associated with a higher normal fertilization rate (63.0% vs. 59.2%, adjusted P = 0.022), a higher clinical pregnancy rate (37.0% vs. 30.7%, adjusted P = 0.048), and a higher live birth rate (27.0% vs.19.0%, adjusted P = 0.003) in couples undergoing IVF. Conversely, in couples undergoing ICSI, female qh + was found to be related to a lower normal fertilization rate (58.8% vs. 63.8%, P = 0.032), a comparable clinical pregnancy rate (25.7% vs. 30.9%, P = 0.289), and a comparable live birth rate (19.8% vs. 19.2%, P = 0.880) compared to the control group. Additionally, an increased risk of preterm birth was observed in women undergoing IVF with multiple polymorphisms (62.5% vs. 16.9%, adjusted P < 0.001) and in women undergoing ICSI with pstk+ (36.4% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.036).ConclusionsOur research unravels the diverse impacts of various FCPs on IVF/ICSI outcomes, highlighting the detrimental effects of FCPs on oocyte maturation and the risk of preterm birth.

Use of &lt;i&gt;Hermetia illucens&lt;/i&gt; hermicompost in the technology of growing legume microgreens

Relevance. The work describes the prospect of using black soldier fly zoohumus as an organic fertilizer to activate the growth of microgreens of non-traditional legume species, including small-seeded ones, and the prospects of reducing the dose of mineral fertilizers.Methods. An experiment was carried out with a comparative study of changes in the morphometric and chemical parameters of plant growth at the full recommended dose of mineral fertilizers, and at 25% of their use, but with the addition of 1% liquid extract of zoohumus, also enriched with essential elements. The duration of the experiment was 21 days. The plants were grown in a closed grow tent, with intensive light culture and control of the internal microclimate of the working area.Results. Among the six studied non-traditional legume species grown for microgreens, the most responsive to combined treatment with an organomineral complex was Onobrychis viciifolia. Trifolium rubens showed the worst result in terms of biomass. Analysis of changes in the profile distribution of essential elements in the resulting green biomass, carried out using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), revealed iron and zinc ions as potential targets associated with yield shortfalls in juvenile shoots. Since in global food systems these microelements are the most common nutrients noted for the manifestation of “hidden hunger”, especially among children under 5 years of age and women of childbearing age, when creating a nutritional biocomposition based on black soldier fly zoohumus for growing non-traditional types of legumes, further the emphasis should be on them. No significant differences were found in the number of macroelements.Results. The results of the study confirmed the high efficiency of using humic fertilizers in conditions of low soil fertility and revealed the selective sensitivity of vegetable crops to humic preparations of various origins.

Effects of Bio-Organic Fertilizers Substitution on Gaseous Nitrogen Losses in Rice Fields

Traditional practices for managing irrigation and fertilizer in Chinese rice fields have historically consumed large amounts of water resources and caused serious gaseous nitrogen losses (ammonia volatilization and N2O), resulting in low water and fertilizer use efficiency. While both water-saving irrigation and substituting organic fertilizer for chemical fertilizer can impact ammonia volatilization and N2O emissions, the impact of their combined application on gaseous nitrogen loss in rice fields remains unclear. To achieve this goal, we conducted a two-year experiment using two irrigation methods and three bio-organic fertilizer substitution modes. The experiment investigated the effect of different irrigation and fertilizer management techniques on gaseous nitrogen losses in rice fields. The result indicated that controlled irrigation could reduce the peak value of ammonia volatilization by 36.8~75.9% and ammonia volatilization accumulation by 45.8%. However, it also leads to a 71.4% increase in N2O accumulation emissions, resulting in a 43.0% reduction in gaseous nitrogen losses. Compared to full chemical fertilizers, bio-organic fertilizer substitution could effectively reduce the peak of N2O and ammonia volatilization. Cumulative ammonia volatilization and N2O emissions went down by 22.7~60.0% and 38.6~42.6%, respectively. This then led to a 23.4~52.9% drop in total gaseous nitrogen losses. In contrast, the utilization of controlled irrigation and bio-organic fertilizer substitution did not have a significant impact on rice yield. However, it did reduce the intensity of gaseous nitrogen loss from rice fields by 42.7% and 22.5% to 56.5%, respectively. When taken together, the substitution of bio-organic fertilizer in controlled irrigation can effectively reduce gaseous nitrogen losses while maintaining rice yields. This study has significant practical implications for reducing nitrogen loss from paddy fields, improving water and fertilizer utilization, and achieving sustainable agricultural development.

Assessment of the effect of organic fertilizers on growth and biochemical parameters of &lt;i&gt;Lepidium sativum&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Raphanus sativus&lt;/i&gt;

Relevance. The article presents the results of studying the effect of organic fertilizers of various origins on vegetable crops of radish and watercress. The relevance of the study is related to the need to find the most effective preparations based on humic acids from a wide list offered for use in crop production.Methods. The research was carried out in a model experiment in 2022–2023 with humic fertilizers of geological (“Humate K”) and biological (“AgroVerm” and “Humate K”) origin. The study of the effect of meliorants was carried out on vegetable crops: radish of the Heat variety and watercress of the Moscow Greenhouse variety. The data obtained allow us to conclude that the application of organic fertilizers significantly increases germination, stimulates the growth and development of crops. The effect of humic preparations significantly increased growth indicators and the content of photosynthetic pigments in the green mass of plants with control. For the watercress culture, the highest yield values (1.46 kg /m2) were noted against the background of the introduction of the drug “Humate K”, and for radish, the maximum yield value (2.8 kg/ m2) was observed in the variant of using the effluent Samorod.Results. The results of the study confirmed the high efficiency of using humic fertilizers in conditions of low soil fertility and revealed the selective sensitivity of vegetable crops to humic preparations of various origins.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth, nodulation, and yield as affected by varieties, Mesorhizobium strains, and NPSB fertilizer in Southern Ethiopia.

A significant legume crop in Ethiopia, chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) have several advantages, including high nutritional value and the capacity to improve soils deficient in nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation using several endosymbiotic Mesorhizobium spp. strains. However, the host variety, the soil's capacity to hold nutrients, and the endosymbiont's innate physiological traits all affect how efficient the strains are. The primary obstacles to its cultivation in the research area are inadequate agronomic methods and low soil fertility [low nitrogen (N), low soil organic matter (OM), low accessible phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), and boron (B)], which results in ineffective nodulation. To evaluate the effects of NPSB fertilization and inoculation, a field experiment was carried out in Buchach Kebele's Cheha area during the primary cropping season of 2021/22. The trial included two chickpea kinds (Local and Arerti), two NPSB levels (zero and 121 kg NPSB ha-1), and four levels of Mesorhizobium strains (CP-M41, CP-EAL 029, CP-M20b, and un-inoculated control). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to organize the treatments in a factorial form with three replications. In comparison to the single application and the control, the interaction impact of strains, NPSB fertilizer, and variety greatly increased nodulation parameters, growth parameters, yield, and yield components. The Arerti variety combined with the CP-M41 Mesorhizobium strain and NPSB fertilizer had the maximum grain production (3177.16 kg ha-1). It yielded 15.96%, 24.06%, and 37.93% more than the Arerti with CP-M41 strain, Arerti with NPSB, and the control treatments, respectively. The partial budget analysis of the study treatments showed that the Arerti variety with the combined application of 121 kg NPSB ha-1 and Mesorhizobium strain CP-M41 inoculation produced the highest net return (102,092.6 ETB ha-1) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (618%). It has been found that the CP-M41 strain and the Arerti variety, when combined with 121 kg NPSB ha-1 application, is a suitable treatment combination to achieve increased chickpea crop yield and profit in the studied area. However, the results need further validation in the farmer's field before recommending to farmers.