Mineral Fertilizer Treatments Research Articles

Pulp mill sludges as a solution for reducing the risk of mineral nitrogen leaching from agriculture

Nitrogen (N) from agricultural systems contributes to the eutrophication of waterbodies through leaching. Incorporating organic material with a high carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, such as mixed pulp mill sludges (PMSs), into the soil in autumn could reduce the amount of leachable N. This study tested the potential of composted and lime-stabilised mixed PMSs (CPMS and LPMS) in reducing the concentration of mineral N in the soil, and thus the risk of N leaching from arable land in the boreal region using a two-year field experiment. To better understand the mechanisms of the PMSs for influencing mineral N concentration in soil, the impact of PMSs with different quality on the reactions of N in the soil was investigated in a laboratory incubation study. In the field experiment, nitrate-N (NO3--N) concentration was lower with PMSs compared to mineral fertilisation and the control during the first autumn and the following spring after PMS application. The undersowing of Italian ryegrass reduced the NO3--N concentration in the soil during the first autumn. In the incubation experiment, PMSs reduced the soil ammonium-N (NH4+-N) concentration at the beginning of the experiment and the soil NO3--N concentration throughout the experiment compared to a mineral fertiliser treatment and an organic fertiliser. Increased soil respiration in PMS-treated soils indicated increase in microbial activity, and thus immobilisation of soil NO3--N and NH4+-N due to PMSs addition. These results suggest that PMSs have the potential to reduce N leaching from agricultural soils. However, the immobilisation of N must be considered when planning the nutrient requirements of the following crops.

The influence of increasing mineral fertilizer application on nitrogen leaching of arable land and grassland—results of a long-term lysimeter study

IntroductionDespite various efforts to reduce nitrogen leaching from agricultural land, the permissible nitrate concentrations in groundwater have often been exceeded in the past. Intensive farming is often seen as the cause of the deterioration in water quality. Therefore, the present lysimeter study aimed to quantify nitrogen (N) leaching at different N fertilization levels for the agricultural land use systems of arable land and grassland to derive suitable management measures for improving groundwater quality.MethodsThe effects of three different of mineral fertilization treatments (50%, 100%, and 150%) in arable land and grassland use on four distinct soil types (loamy sand, sand, loam, loess) concerning seepage formation, nitrogen concentrations, nitrogen loads, dry matter yields and nitrogen balances were tested. The study was conducted at the lysimeter facility of the Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research – UFZ at Falkenberg (northeast Germany). Twenty-four non-weighable lysimeters with a surface area of 1 m² and a depth of 1.25 m were managed as grassland and arable land with three different fertilization treatments since 1985.Results and DiscussionFor arable land use, N leaching differed between the studied soil types, with the highest N loads from the sand (36.6 kg ha–1 yr–1 ) and loamy sand (30.7 kg ha–1 yr–1 ) and the lowest N loads from loess (12.1 kg ha–1 yr–1) and loam soil (13.1 kg ha–1 yr–1). In contrast to grassland use, a reduction of N fertilization level by 50 % did not result in reduced N leaching for arable land, whereas a maximal 29% reduced dry matter yields was observed. An increase of N fertilization by 50 % did not cause significant enhanced N leaching at arable land use. Soil-and management-related factors (soil type, texture, soil tillage, crop rotation, and others) mask the effect of increased N fertilization rates in arable land using lysimeters. For arable land use, a reduction of N fertilizer levels as the only measure was insufficient to reduce NO3– leaching, and other strategies besides N fertilization levels are required to improve groundwater quality. Measures should be targeted to reduce N losses by mineralization processes.

Lower soil nitrogen-oxide emissions associated with enhanced denitrification under replacing mineral fertilizer with manure in orchard soils

Emerging evidence suggests that replacing mineral fertilizers with organic livestock manure can effectively suppress reactive gaseous nitrogen (N) emissions from soils. However, the extent of this mitigation potential and the underlying microbial mechanisms in orchards remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we measured nitrous and nitric oxide (N2O and NO) emissions, microbial N cycling gene abundance, and N2O isotopomer ratios in pear and citrus orchards under three different fertilization regimes: no fertilization, mineral fertilizer, and manure plus mineral fertilizer. The results showed that although manure application caused large transient peaks of N2O, it reduced cumulative emissions of N2O and NO by an average of 20 % and 17 %, respectively, compared to the mineral fertilizer treatment. Partial replacement of mineral fertilizers with manure enhanced the contribution of AOA to nitrification and reduced the contribution of AOB, thus reducing N2O emissions from nitrification. Isotope analysis suggested that the pathway for N2O production in the soils of both orchards was dominated by bacterial denitrification and nitrifier denitrification. The manure treatment reduced the ratio of denitrification products. Additionally, the dual isotope mixing model results indicated that partially replacing mineral fertilizers with manure could promote soil denitrification, resulting in more N2O being reduced. N-oxide emissions were on average 67 % higher in the pear orchard than in the citrus orchard, probably due to the differences in soil physicochemical properties and growth habits between the two orchards. These findings underscore the potential of partially replacing mineral fertilizers with organic manure in orchards to reduce gaseous N emissions, contributing to the transition towards environmentally sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices.

Valorization of organic residues for lettuce production minimizes nitrogen loss in soil in comparison to mineral fertilization

The agri-food industry, produces organic residues that could be reused as fertilizer, thereby allowing the recycling of nutrients for crops and the replacement of mineral fertilizers. In this context, here we examined the capacity of anaerobic digestates and mixed residues (digestates plus spent mushroom substrates) to supply nutrients to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in a greenhouse experiment. Moreover, the potential leaching of nutrients into the soil was evaluated in a column assay. The results obtained from organic residues treatments were then compared to those achieved in soil treated with mineral fertilizer and in untreated soil. Digestates treatments minimized the potential risk of nitrate (NO3 −) leaching by allowing the slow release of NO3 − maintaining crop yield. Given our observations, this type of organic residues emerges as an alternative to mineral fertilizer. The loss of NO3 −-N from the total amount of N applied reached ∼3% in the mixed residues treatments, 36–46% in the digestate treatments, and 68% in the mineral fertilizer treatment. The mixed treatments showed low available N content as a result of immobilization in the soil, which is a limiting factor for crop production. Moreover, the organic residues treatments had no negative effect on lettuce seed germination or plant growth with respect to parameters such as chlorophyll, total polyphenols, and heavy metals in aerial biomass. The findings reported herein contribute to a better understanding of nutrient availability provided by organic residues materials and the capacity of these amendments to replace mineral fertilizers and avoid nutrient loss by leaching.

Weed communities after decades of mineral fertilization and tillage treatments in a corn–soybean rotation

Abstract Soil fertility and disturbance can potentially modify weed dynamics in a corn–soybean rotation. Knowing how added mineral fertilizers and tillage influence weed populations in the long term can provide insight into weed community shifts, which may affect future weed management requirements. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 24 to 25 years of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization treatments and tillage (moldboard vs. no-till) on weeds (density, biomass, and composition) before and after herbicide applications in 2016/corn and 2017/soybean. The second objective was to evaluate the effect of the same treatments 6 yr after no postemergence weed management in 2022/corn. Since the last evaluation performed in 2004, weed density, richness, and diversity increased, and more annual grasses were observed under both tillage regimes. No fertilization effect was observed on any weed variables, including composition, except for increased biomass when left to grow all season after crop planting. In managed plots, the density and biomass of annuals and perennials were generally higher in no-till, and discrepancies were highest for annual grass densities before herbicide application. Weed species richness and diversity based on counts were equivalent between tillage regimes, but total biomass was distributed between more species in no-till. Higher weed densities and concurrent weed biomass, observed in no-till, reduced crop yields in 2016/soybean only. The combination of low crop diversity and low use of residual herbicides during the trial potentially led to the observed species shifts and increased weed density.

Response of Dieffenbachia seguine Plant to Some Organic and Mineral Fertilization Treatments

Response of Dieffenbachia seguine Plant to Some Organic and Mineral Fertilization Treatments

Effect of Zeolite, Poultry Manure and Mineral Fertilizers in Availability of NPK in Calcareous Soil

This experiment was conducted in one of fields belong to College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad–Station Research (F) in Jadriya. To find out effect of natural zeolite, organic fertilizer (poultry manure) and mineral fertilizers and their interactions on some soil characteristics in “Dounia” cabbage, a field experiment was carried out in fall season 2021. Treatments were replicated three times at factorial design in a RCBD. Factors of study experiment included addition of three levels of natural zeolite (without addition (Z0), 5 μg.ha-1 (Z5), and 10 μg.ha-1 (Z10), while poultry manure was added with three levels; without addition (O0), 5 μg.ha-1 (O5), and 10 μg.ha-1 (O10), As for mineral fertilizer treatments, they were added in three levels (50%, 75%, and 100% of complete fertilizer recommendation), which were 100 kg H-1 N, 150 kg H-1 P, and 150 kg H-1 K, which are denoted by symbols M50, M75, and M100, respectively. The experimental results showed that natural zeolite at 10 μg.ha-1 (Z10) significantly increased in in N, P, and K in soil after plant harvesting crop, which amounted to 42.72 mg N kg-1 soil, 20.23 mg P kg-1 soil, and 201.05 mg K kg-1 soil, respectively. Results also shows that poultry manure at 10 μg.ha-1 (O10) superiority of control treatment and gave highest N, P, and K in soil after plant harvesting, which amounted to 44.77 mg N kg-1 soil, 21.66 mg P kg-1 soil, and 207.38 mg K kg-1 soil, respectively. As for addition of mineral fertilizers, addition at 100% of complete fertilizer recommendation (M100) superiority of M50 and gave highest N, P, and K in soil after plant harvesting, which amounted to 38.96 mg N kg-1 soil, 18.88 mg P kg-1 soil, and 191.57 mg K kg-1 soil, respectively. Twice and triple interactions between the study factors significantly affected in availability of nitrogen, phosphor and potassium.

Effect of Adding Zeolite and Agricultural Sulfur on The Availability of Phosphorus From Rock Phosphate and Some Chemical Properties and Growth of Maize in Calcareous Soil

A field experiment was carried out in one of the fields of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad - Al-Jadriya, research station (A) on maize plant, synthetic varieties type (Fajr 1), in the autumn season during the agricultural season 2021-2022 to study the effect of adding zeolite and agricultural sulfur on the availability of phosphorus from Rock Phosphate and the growth of maize in calcareous soil with a loam texture. Agricultural sulfur was used with two levels (0, 2) μg.ha-1, which was added two months before the sowing date, and natural zeolite, which was added at sowing with two levels (0, 10) μg.ha-1, and Rock Phosphate, which was added at sowing with two levels (0, 80) μg.ha-1. While mineral phosphorus, was added in the form of DAP fertilizer according to the fertilizer recommendation for maize plants at a rate of (80) μg.ha-1 according to [1] with one level as a comparison sample with three replicates according to a factorial experiment within the randomized complete block design (RCBD), so that the number of experimental units to became (27) experimental units. Soil and plant samples were taken from the field during the two stages of plant growth (before flowering and harvesting). The results showed a significant effect of the triple interaction of adding agricultural sulfur, zeolite, and Rock Phosphate on the soil phosphorus availability at the harvesting stage which amounted to 10.15 mg.kg-1. The treatment of adding mineral fertilizer alone was 5.07 mg.kg-1, compared with the control treatment which amounted to 2.01 mg.kg-1. However the concentration of absorbed phosphorus in the plant at the stage before flowering was 916.10 mg P.plant-1, and for the treatment of mineral fertilizer alone, 519.90 mg P.plant-1, and for the control treatment amounted to 104.60 mg P.plant-1, respectively. The results also indicated the role of the triple interaction in decreasing the degree of soil reaction (pH) and increasing the degree of electrical conductivity (EC). The degree of pH reaction for the triple interaction treatment was 7.50 and 7.60, for the mineral fertilizer treatment 8.10 and 7.77, and the control treatment 8.13 and 8.13, respectively. The electrical conductivity EC for the triple interaction treatment was 3.00 and 2.84 dS/m, for the mineral fertilizer treatment 2.45 and 2.79 dS/m, and for the control treatment, which amounted to 2.33 and 2.24 dS/m during the two stages of plant growth before flowering and harvesting, respectively. The mineral zeolite alone affected the increase of the cationic exchange capacity (CEC) of the study soil which amounted to 24.27 and 25.70 Cmol.kg-1 during the plant growth stages before flowering and harvesting, respectively.

English

Global warming stimulates soil salinization and calcification, resulting in phosphorus (P) deficiency in arid and semiarid regions worldwide. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can enhance phosphorus availability, but their role has been less explored under arid and semiarid climatic conditions. A two-year consecutive field experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PSB loading onto seeds, organic, and mineral fertilizers. The trial followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications for each treatment. There were five treatments: T1 was the uninoculated control with no fertilizer (Control), T2 was uninoculated with recommended NPK (NPK), T3 was PSB-inoculated wheat seeds (PSB-Seed), T4 was PSB-inoculated organic fertilizer (PSB-OF), and T5 was PSB-inoculated mineral fertilizer (PSB-MF). Results revealed that inoculation with PSB onto seeds, organic, or mineral fertilizer had a more pronounced impact not only on the vegetative development and yield of wheat but also on P contents in grains. It was observed that the PSB-inoculated mineral fertilizer treatment responded well, showing noticeable wheat biomass accumulation, grain yield, and improved P uptake in grain and straw. Interestingly, the highest uptake of nitrogen (N) in wheat grain was observed with both PSB-inoculated organic fertilizer treatment and PSB-inoculated mineral fertilizer treatment, highlighting the efficacy of slow-release nitrogen from organic fertilizer in addition to the impact of PSB. In conclusion, PSB inoculation on organic or mineral fertilizer has substantial potential in enhancing crop productivity and combating P deficiency in arid and semi-arid regions.

Enhancing the Yield, Quality and Antioxidant Content of Lettuce through Innovative and Eco-Friendly Biofertilizer Practices in Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a contemporary agricultural system providing precise control over growing conditions, potentially enhancing productivity. Biofertilizers are environmentally friendly, next-generation fertilizers that augment product yield and quality in hydroponic cultivation. In this study, we investigated the effect of three bio-fertilizers in a hydroponic floating system, microalgae, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), combined with a 50% reduction in mineral fertilizer, on lettuce yield and quality parameters including antioxidants: vitamin C, total phenols and flavonoids. The treatments tested were: 100% mineral fertilizer (control 1), 50% mineral fertilizer (control 2), 50% mineral fertilizer with microalgae, 50% mineral fertilizer with PGPR and 50% mineral fertilizer with AMF. The research was conducted during the winter months within a controlled environment of a glasshouse in a Mediterranean climate. The PGPR comprised three distinct bacterial strains, while the AMF comprised nine different mycorrhizal species. The microalgae consisted of only a single species, Chlorella vulgaris. AMF inoculation occurred once during seed sowing, while the introduction of PGPR and microalgae occurred at 10-day intervals into the root medium. Our findings revealed that the treatment with PGPR resulted in the highest growth parameters, including the lettuce circumference, stem diameter and fresh leaf weight. The 100% mineral fertilizer and PGPR treatments also yielded the highest lettuce production. Meanwhile, the treatment with AMF showed the highest total phenol and flavonoid content, which was statistically similar to that of the PGPR treatment. Furthermore, the PGPR recorded the maximum range of essential nutrients, including nitrogen (N), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). Thus, the inclusion of PGPR holds promise for optimizing the lettuce growth and nutrient content in hydroponic systems. In conclusion, PGPR has the potential to enhance nutrient availability in a floating hydroponic system, reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers. This mitigates environmental pollution and fosters sustainable agriculture.

Enhancing Fertilizer Effect of Bioprocessed Brewers’ Spent Grain by Microbial Consortium Addition

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is primarily recycled as livestock feed due to its high fiber content, undegradable protein, and water-soluble vitamins. However, BSG composting represents a possible alternative to organic waste management. Adding a microbial consortium further enhances the agronomical properties of the compost intended for fertilizing applications. Microbial-based fertilizers (plant growth-promoting microorganisms, PGPM) are a means to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of excessive or improper chemical fertilizer use, enhance the direct or indirect uptake of nutrients by plants, and add value to food waste. In a short-term pot experiment on iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), this study assessed the effects of compost and pelletized compost from brewers’ spent grain, both enriched with a microbial consortium. In a randomized block experiment, this study compared four organic BSG fertilizers to chemical fertilizer (NPK) and an unfertilized control treatment. The investigation indicates that BSG compost and BSG pelleted compost, with and without bio-inoculum, in general, are comparable to mineral fertilizer treatment; lettuce fresh weight was higher in pots amended with bioprocessed BSG, associated with more significant growth of soil LAB, fungi, and actinomycetes. The investigation outcomes support composting as an alternative recycling process for producing PGM for agricultural applications.

Effect of adding Biohealth, zeolite and mineral fertilizer on some measurements of potato yield

To know the effect of bio-enhancer (zeolite), biohealth, mineral fertilizers and their interactions, the possibility of replacing mineral fertilizers with bio-enhancers and bio-enhancers, and their effect on some potato yield measurements. A field experiment was conducted at one of the field stations of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, near the electronic calculator center, research station (F) in Al-Jadriya region in the loam mixture soil during autumn season 2021-2022 AD, It was designed using a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The factors of the study experiment included three levels of zeolite (0, 6 tons ha-1, and 12 tons ha-1), which were symbolized by (Z0), (Z1) and (Z2), respectively. As for the bio-enhancer (Biohealth), it was added at two levels (0 and 5) to kg ha-1, which was symbolized by the symbols (B0) and (B1), respectively. As for the mineral fertilizer treatments, they were added at three levels (0, 50%, and 75%) of the fertilizer recommendation, which was (300 kg ha-1 N, 100 kg ha-1 P, and 300 kg ha-1 potassium), symbolized by (F0). and (F1) and (F2), respectively. Potato seed, Rivera cultivar, was planted as a furrow on 1/23/2022. The area of the experimental unit was 6 m 2 (3 m 2 x 2 m2 ). Eighteen treatments were distributed randomly in the sectors (replicates), so the number of units became 54 experimental units. Keywords: Potato; Biohealth; Zeolite; Mineral Fertilizer.

EFFECT OF LOURO-PARDO AND IT IS FERTILIZATION ON THE ACCUMULATION OF CARBON IN THE LITTERFALL AND BIOMASS OF ARUANA-GRASS IN A SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM

Were evaluated the litterfall/carbon accumulation of louro-pardo as a function of different fertilization doses and the influence of the tree component on the biomass/carbon accumulation of aruana grass in a silvopastoral system in southwestern Paraná, Brazil. Samples were collected in the middle of the row (MR), in the crown projection (CP), and the midpoint between two rows (MR). Four mineral fertilization treatments applied to tree species were also compared: T0: without fertilization, T1: NPK (33-22-9), T2: NPK (66-44-18), and T3: NPK (99-66-27). The experimental design in randomized blocks was bifactorial with three positions x four doses, totaling 12 treatments with three replications, reaching 36 samples per component. Litterfall accumulation did not show significant differences between fertilizer doses and sampling positions, with a general average of 3846.8 kg ha-1. There was also no significant difference in the accumulation of aruana grass biomass between the different positions and doses, with a general average of 3479.8 kg ha-1. About to the accumulated organic carbon, there was no significant difference between the sampling positions and fertilization doses in the louro-pardo litter and the aruana grass biomass, with an average of 1791.3 kg ha-1 of carbon for the louro-pardo and 1653.1 kg ha-1 for aruana grass. The fertilization doses also did not significantly influence the carbon content of the litter of louro-pardo, which presented a general average of 1797.2 kg ha-1. In general, the fertilization of louro-pardo did not influence the amount of carbon in the litterfall, nor the amount of biomass of the aruana grass, and there was no indication for fertilization for this study.

Effect Of Bacteria And Yeast Bio Fertilization On Nitrogen Budget, Growth, And Yieid Of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) When Intercropping With Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.)

The study was conducted in the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad on soil with a mixture of loam during the winter season of the year (2020-2021). The study included a field experiment to evaluate the effect of the prepared nitrogenous bacterial biofertilizer and yeast extract at a concentration of 5 g.L-1 and mineral fertilization on the nitrogen budget in the soil and in the growth parameters of wheat plants and the interaction under the 50% level of the fertilizer recommendation with the use of a recommendation treatment Complete fertilizer 100% For comparison, the amount of water added to each experimental unit was measured after draining 50% of the prepared water using a water meter. A (factorial) experiment was carried out by arranging the split plates (The Split-Plot Design) according to the (RCBD) design. The results of the experiment showed the moral superiority of the intercropping coefficients in Dry weight, the yield of grain weight, and nitrogen concentration in the soil and plants for biological fertilization treatment, where bacterial fertilization and yeast recorded the highest values compared with the mineral fertilization 50 and 100% If it gives an average of (6.667 and 11.533) (Mg.ha-1 ) for dry weight and grain yield, respectively, and 39,730 mg.Kg-1 nitrogen concentration in the soil and 1.367 % nitrogen concentration in the plant compared to the dry weight (4.567 and 4.633) (Mg.ha-1 ), grain yield (10,066 and 8,300) (Mg.ha-1 ), and the nitrogen concentration in the soil (24,400 and 22,200) mg.Kg-1 and nitrogen concentration in the plant (1.237 and 1.043), respectively, for 50 and 100%. The mineral fertilization treatments of 100% also recorded the highest value of ammonia volatilization, amounting to 19,700, followed by 50% treatment at 17.746, and the lowest amount of volatile ammonia was recorded by the bacterial fertilization treatment at 12.976, then the treatment of 12.976 Bacteria with yeast extract 16.980 and yeast treatment 17.960 (kg N ha-1 )for the intercropping treatments. Keywords: Bio fertilization, Yeast extract, Mineral fertilization, Budget nitrogen intercropping It is partially extracted from the Ph.D. thesis of the first researcher.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation of winter wheat in an intensive crop producing farm

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation represents a valid tool for improving crop yield, primarily in the case of extensive crop production. The conditions of intensive crop production inhibit the growth of AMF and decrease the plant root mycorrhization. To clarify the possibilities of AMF inoculation under intensive farm conditions, a two-year field experiment was set up. The effect of AMF inoculation and mineral fertilization (130 kg N ha-1, 78 kg P2 O5 ha-1, 60 kg K2 O ha-1) were investigated on the crop yield, crop P content and root mycorrhization of two modern winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. The soil was Chernozem with calcareous precipitates (WRB classification: Calcic Chernozem). The AMF inoculum contained reproductive units of Rhizophagus irregularis and Glomus mosseae. The whole experimental area was 32 ha and cultivated according to the usual intensive crop production of the farm. Both AMF inoculation and mineral fertilizer treatment had a significant effect on crop yield and root mycorrhization. The yield-enhancing effect of AMF inoculation was only observed in plots without mineral fertilizer and depended on the interaction of the year and the cultivar. AMF inoculation did not affect the P content of the crop. In the dry year the effect of AMF inoculation was cultivar dependent. AMF inoculation increases the yield to a smaller extent than the mineral fertilization. Our results show that AMF inoculation without fertilization can be profitable under intensive farming conditions.

Novel carbon capture-based organo-mineral fertilisers show comparable yields and impacts on soil health to mineral fertiliser across two cereal crop field trials in Eastern England

ContextWhilst mineral fertiliser is required to meet nearly 50% of global crop demand, its production is energy intensive and contributes close to 2% of the global emissions of greenhouse gases. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a novel fertiliser to meet crop demand and its impacts on soil health. This novel fertiliser incorporates point source carbon dioxide captured into organic matter balanced with mineral fertiliser. It is hypothesised that this carbon capture-based organo-mineral fertiliser (CCOMF) will mineralise and release nutrients adequate to meet demand of cereal crops. MethodsTwo field trials were conducted to evaluate the performance of CCOMF on winter wheat and winter barley. Each field trial compared three concentrations of CCOMF (5% N, 10% N, and 15% N) to a conventional mineral fertiliser treatment and an unfertilised control. Each fertiliser treatment was applied at the recommended application rate for the crops (270 kg/ha N and 180 kg/ha N, for winter wheat and winter barley, respectively). Each field trial included three additional application rates for each fertiliser treatment of 50% less, 50% more, and double the recommended rate in order to obtain a yield response curve. This totalled 160 experimental plots (2 field sites, 5 fertiliser treatments, 4 doses, with 4 replicates). All treatments were organised into a randomised block design with 4 replicates in both sites. The impact of the fertilisers on yield, soil nutrients, and root development were established by comparing baseline soil analysis and root measurements taken before the first application of fertiliser to samples taken at harvest. ResultsThe results showed that the CCOMFs produced winter wheat and winter barley yields (7.49 ± 0.74 t/ha and 5.85 ± 0.29 t/ha, respectively for the 10% N) comparable to those produced following mineral fertilisers (7.40 ± 0.50 t/ha and 5.35 ± 0.16 t/ha, respectively). There was no significant fertiliser impact on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, or pH. In terms of nutrients, there was also no significant difference in residual concentrations. There was also no significant difference in root development between the treatments. ConclusionThis study showed that CCOMFs are a promising alternative to conventional mineral fertilisers as they produce comparable yields with no additional negative impacts in the short term. ImplicationsThis study is the first of its kind in a field context showing feasibility of using carbon capture technology to formulate sustainable fertilisers adopting a circular economy approach.

Impact of different organic fertilizers on soil available nutrient contents, potato yield, tuber nitrate contents

In this study, field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different organic fertilizer and mineral fertilizer on mineral and different organic fertilizer treatments effect on available N, P, K contents, the yield of potato (Solanum tubevosum L.), cultivar Astana, nitrate contents of tuber under dark chestnut soil conditions in southeast of Kazakhstan during the spring and summer of 2022. The experiment was carried out in the field and laid out as complete randomized block design with four replicates. Thirteen treatments that are, control without fertilizer treatment, mineral fertilizer with recommended dose (N150P90K120) and eleven different organic fertilizers treatment were used. The results showed that available nutrient (N, P and K) contents of the post-harvest soil were affected by mineral and different organic fertilizers compared to the control. And, the available N, P and K contents in the soils taken from the biohumus (10 t ha-1) and cattle manure (40 t ha-1) treated plots were found to be higher than all of the other treatments and control. Similarly, plots treated recommended mineral fertilizer and different organic fertilizers had a significantly higher yield of potato tuber compared with control. When all applications were compared with each other, it was determined that the treatments that increased the potato yield the highest was the treatment of Biohumus (10 t ha-1) + BioZZ (5 L ha-1, 3 times). The highest nitrate content of tubers was obtained in mineral fertilizer with recommended dose (N150P90K120). Hence, these results suggest that organic production of potato (Biohumus, 10 t ha-1 + BioZZ 5 L ha-1, 3 times) could be an alternative to conventional production in Kazakhstan without reduction in yield, and with low nitrate content of tuber and high available nutrient contents in soil.

Transcriptome profiling of barley in response to mineral and organic fertilizers

BackgroundNitrogen is very important for crop yield and quality. Crop producers face the challenge of reducing the use of mineral nitrogen while maintaining food security and other ecosystem services. The first step towards understanding the metabolic responses that could be used to improve nitrogen use efficiency is to identify the genes that are up- or downregulated under treatment with different forms and rates of nitrogen. We conducted a transcriptome analysis of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. Anni grown in a field experiment in 2019. The objective was to compare the effects of organic (cattle manure) and mineral nitrogen (NH4NO3; 0, 40, 80 kg N ha−1) fertilizers on gene activity at anthesis (BBCH60) and to associate the genes that were differentially expressed between treatment groups with metabolic pathways and biological functions.ResultsThe highest number of differentially expressed genes (8071) was found for the treatment with the highest mineral nitrogen rate. This number was 2.6 times higher than that for the group treated with a low nitrogen rate. The lowest number (500) was for the manure treatment group. Upregulated pathways in the mineral fertilizer treatment groups included biosynthesis of amino acids and ribosomal pathways. Downregulated pathways included starch and sucrose metabolism when mineral nitrogen was supplied at lower rates and carotenoid biosynthesis and phosphatidylinositol signaling at higher mineral nitrogen rates. The organic treatment group had the highest number of downregulated genes, with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis being the most significantly enriched pathway for these genes. Genes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism and plant-pathogen interaction pathways were enriched in the organic treatment group compared with the control treatment group receiving no nitrogen input.ConclusionThese findings indicate stronger responses of genes to mineral fertilizers, probably because the slow and gradual decomposition of organic fertilizers means that less nitrogen is provided. These data contribute to our understanding of the genetic regulation of barley growth under field conditions. Identification of pathways affected by different nitrogen rates and forms under field conditions could help in the development of more sustainable cropping practices and guide breeders to create varieties with low nitrogen input requirements.

Fertilization Strategies on Fennel Crop in the Mediterranean Environment: Agronomic Performance, Costs and Sustainability Assessment

In the Mediterranean area, using organic fertilizers is crucial to maintaining and increasing soil fertility and crop productivity since soil organic matter is being progressively depleted due to climate change effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare two different organic fertilizers (MC1 without and MC2 with an inoculum of selected microorganisms), applied at 100% and 50% doses, with mineral fertilization and an unfertilized control: (i) by assessing the agronomic performance of fennel crop; and (ii) by investigating environmental and economic sustainability, through GHG emissions determination, carbon efficiency, and cost analysis. The results of the MC2 were comparable to the mineral fertilization for crop growing parameters (plants and roots dry weights) and marketable yield, irrespective of the amount applied (50–100%), likely due to the inoculum of selected microorganisms. These may have favored the soil microbial activity, the nutrient availability, and better synchronization of N mineralization with fennel N demand with respect to MC1 (with a higher C/N ratio). The MC2 also achieved lower costs than the other treatments. The highest GHG emission value was found in the mineral fertilization treatment, while the lowest was recorded in the unfertilized control treatment. The two organic treatments at 100% were the most carbon-efficient systems because of the highest carbon stocks/output, considering the difference between C stocked/output and the C loss/input emitted.

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from coffee agroforestry systems with different intensities of canopy closure

Agroforestry-based coffee production systems (AFs) contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. However, it is unclear whether AFs produce lower nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions than the open-shade coffee production system. In addition, little to no evidence is available to explain the relationship between canopy cover levels and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in AFs. The aim of this study was to investigate N2O, CH4 and yield-scaled emissions in AFs with differing shade-tree canopy levels. Three canopy cover levels were identified: (i) dense shade (80 % canopy closure), (ii) medium shade (49 % canopy closure), and (iii) open-shade (full sun) production. To determine the effect of canopy cover on GHG emissions under varying soil fertility management practices, three soil fertilization strategies were included: (i) mineral fertilizer, (ii) compost, and (iii) control (i.e., without soil amendment). The results showed that N2O emissions were two-to-three times greater when there was dense canopy cover than from open-shade production. The effect of canopy cover on N2O emission was more pronounced under the mineral fertilizer treatment. CH4 emissions were 44–64 % greater under the open-shade production system than under AFs. The yield-scaled global warming potential of 1 kg of fresh coffee cherries was 0.72 kg CO2eq for open-shade production, 0.58 kg CO2eq for medium canopy cover and 0.52 kg CO2eq for dense canopy cover. This study provides the first evidence of the importance of considering canopy cover intensity when determining the spatial-temporal variations in GHG emissions from agroforestry systems.