Mineral NPK Fertilizer Research Articles

Effect of long-term application of pig slurry and NPK fertilizers on trace metal content in the soil.

One of the goals of sustainable agricultural production is to avoid soil contamination by elements defined as trace metals (TMs). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact of the use of pig slurry (PS) and NPK mineral fertilizers on the soil content of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). In a 9-year crop rotation, PS was used three times only before root crops. The same four levels of NPK doses (N0P0K0, N1P1K1, N3P2K2, N4P2K2) were applied to both plots with and without PS. Soil samples were collected in early spring from topsoil (0-0.3m) and subsoil (0.3-0.6m). Three forms of TMs were determined in the soil: pseudo-total (Aqua regia); bioavailable (Mehlich 3 method) and readily bioavailable (mobile) forms (1M NH4NO3). The tested factors did not have a significant impact on the Cd, Cu and Pb content, regardless of the form analyzed and the soil depth. PS application significantly increased the content of bioavailable forms of Zn regardless of the year, and the content of pseudo-total Zn only in the sugar beet year, i.e. after manure application. Increasing NPK doses increased the content of mobile Zn in the topsoil, especially in PS plots. A tendency to accumulate mobile forms of Cd and Pb was also observed on NPK-fertilized plots. Thus, long-term application of high NPK doses may increase the risk of contamination of the food chain with these metals. The content of mobile Cd and Zn was positively related to the content of total nitrogen in the soil and negatively related to pH.

Rice straw biochar and NPK minerals for sustainable crop production in arid soils: a case study on maize-wheat cropping system

Maize and wheat are the main cereals grown in Egypt. However, the country relies on grain imports to meet its local demands. In order to improve their production, appropriate fertilization programs are needed. The present study investigates the effects of amending a clayey soil of an arid region with rice straw biochar and NPK mineral fertilizers, individually or in combination, for increasing growth and productivity of maize and wheat crops. Additionally, impacts of these additives on soil biological activities and carbon (C) transformations in soil were a matter of concern herein. To achieve this objective, a field research of a randomized block design was conducted during the summer (maize) and winter (wheat) seasons of 2020/2021. The following treatments were considered: unmodified control (CK), 100% N inputs in the form of biochar (reference organic treatment, RSB) (T1), 100% mineral treatment (reference inorganic treatment, T2), 75% RSB + 25% NPK minerals (T3), 50% RSB + 50% NPK minerals (T4) and 25% RSB + 75% NPK minerals (T5). Additional doses of mineral fertilizers were added to treatments from T3 to T5 to maintain NPK inputs within the recommended doses. Key results showed that all additives significantly enhanced plant growth parameters and productivity. They also increased soil organic carbon level by the end of the growing season hence reduced soil bulk density, even for the treatment that received only mineral NPK applications (T2). All additives also upraised soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil available nitrogen (N), and soil salinity. However, sole application of biochar recorded the least increase in soil salinity. Combined mineral-organic treatments not only recorded the highest increases in soluble and microbial fractions of organic carbon and nitrogen in soil; but also noted the greatest improvements in growth and grain productivity of maize and wheat versus sole applications of mineral fertilizers or biochar. The alkaline nature of biochar was buffered by soil while no significant differences were observed in harvest index among treatments. In conclusion, combined use of biochar and mineral fertilizers, especially T5 is recommended for increasing soil fertility and wheat and maize grain productvity.

Enriching NPK Mineral Fertilizer with Plant-Stimulating Peptides Increases Soilless Tomato Production, Grower Profit, and Environmental Sustainability.

The need to increase agricultural production to feed a steadily growing population may clash with the more environmentally friendly but less efficient production methods required. Therefore, it is important to try to reduce the use of chemical inputs without compromising production. In this scenario, natural biostimulants have become one of the most sought-after and researched technologies. In the present study, the results of a greenhouse experiment on hydroponic tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are presented, which involved comparing the use of ordinary NPK fertilizer (Cerbero®) with the use of NPK fertilizers enriched with 0.5% protein hydrolysate of plant origin (Cerbero Green®) at both standard (100%) and reduced (70%) fertilization rates. The results highlight how the use of Cerbero Green® fertilizers improves the production performance of tomatoes. More specifically, they show that the use of Cerbero Green® leads to higher marketable yields, especially under reducing fertilizer use, ensuring a positive net change in profit for the grower. In addition, carbon footprint analysis has revealed that the use of Cerbero Green® reduces the environmental impact of hydroponic tomato growing practices by up to 8%. The observed higher yield of hydroponically grown tomatoes even with reduced fertilization rates underlines once again the key role of natural biostimulants in increasing both the economic and environmental sustainability of horticultural production.

Phycoremediation of Potato Industry Wastewater for Nutrient Recovery, Pollution Reduction, and Biofertilizer Production for Greenhouse Cultivation of Lettuce and Celery in Sandy Soils

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment offers an eco-friendly opportunity for simultaneous nutrient recovery and biomass generation, aligning with the circular bioeconomy concept. This approach aims to utilize the nutrients of potato industry wastewater (PIW) for algal growth while mitigating the environmental impact of this industrial byproduct. This study focused on cultivating three cyanobacterial strains, Anabaena oryzae, Nostoc muscorum, and Spirulina platensis, in PIW and synthetic media for 30 days to assess feasibility. Growth performance was monitored by measuring chlorophyll content, dry weight (DW), optical density (OD), and pH at 3-day intervals. The high-performing cyanobacterial biomass from the laboratory findings was formulated into a biofertilizer, which was then evaluated in a controlled greenhouse experiment on celery and lettuce plants. The biofertilizer replaced conventional NPK mineral fertilizers at different levels (25%, 50%, and 75%), while a control group received 100% chemical fertilizer. The results showed favourable growth of all three cyanobacteria strains and their mixture in PIW throughout the experiment. The mixed cyanobacteria followed by Spirulina platensis exhibited the highest growth rates, achieving chlorophyll contents of 3.75 and 2.30 µg·mL−1, DWs of 1.79 g·L−1 and 1.63 g·L−1, and ODs of 0.41 and 0.38, respectively, surpassing the other treatments. The formulated biofertilizers, Spi-PIW (Spirulina platensis + potato industry wastewater) and Cyano-PIW (mixed culture+ potato industry wastewater), significantly enhanced plant height, root and stem lengths, and the number of leaves per plant in celery and lettuce compared to the control group. These biofertilizer treatments also improved chlorophyll contents, as well as macro- and micronutrient levels, in the two crops. Additionally, the application of these biofertilizers improved certain sandy soil properties, i.e., pH, total organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In conclusion, utilizing PIW as a substrate for cultivating cyanobacteria strains and producing high-quality liquid bio-organic fertilizers holds potential for reducing recommended NPK fertilizer doses by 25–50% in celery and lettuce growth, providing an environmentally friendly approach.

Long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers increases crop yield sustainability by improving soil fertility in maize-wheat cropping systems1

Organic material combined with inorganic fertilizer has been shown to greatly improve g crop yield and maintain soil fertility globally. However, it remains unclear if crop yield and soil fertility can be sustained in the long term under the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Three long-term field trials were conducted to investigate the effects of organic amendments on the grain sustainable yield index (SYI), soil fertility index (SFI) and nutrient balance in maize-wheat cropping systems of central and southern China during 1991-2019. Five treatments were included in the trials: 1) no fertilization (control); 2) balanced mineral fertilization (NPK); 3) NPK plus manure (NPKM); 4) high dose of NPK plus manure (1.5NPKM); and 5) NPK plus crop straw (NPKS). Over time, the grain yields of wheat and maize showed an increasing trend in all four fertilization treatments at the Yangling (YL) and Zhengzhou (ZZ) locations, while they declined at Qiyang (QY). The grain yield in the NPKM and 1.5 NPKM treatments gradually exceeded that of the NPK and NPKS treatments at the QY site. The largest SYI was recorded in the NPKM treatment across the three sites, suggesting that inorganic fertilizer combined with manure can effectively improve crop yield sustainability. Higher SYI values were recorded at the YL and ZZ sites than at the QY site, possibly because the soil was more acid at QY. The key factors affecting grain yield were soil available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) at the YL and ZZ sites, and pH and AP at the QY site. All fertilization treatments resulted in soil N and P surpluses at the three sites, but soil K surpluses were recorded only at the QY site. The SFI was greater in the 1.5NPKM, NPKM and NPKS treatments than in the NPK treatment by 13.3-40.0 and 16.4-63.6% at the YL and ZZ sites, respectively, and was significantly higher in the NPKM and 1.5NPKM treatments than in the NPK and NPKS treatments at the QY site. A significant, positive linear relationship was found between SFI and crop yield, and SYI and nutrient balance, indicating that grain yield and its sustainability significantly increased with increasing soil fertility. The apparent N, P and K balances positively affected SFI. This study suggests that the appropriate amount of manure mixed with mineral NPK fertilizer is beneficial to the development of sustainable agriculture, which effectively increases the crop yield and yield sustainability by improving soil fertility.

Rock dust as a source of nutrients for upland rice crop

Some farmers use rock dust as a cheap and efficient alternative to supply nutrients to plants. It is known that rock dust has the potential to replace chemical fertilization in organic production or it may complement chemical fertilization in other production systems. Thereby, the aim of this research was to evaluate the response of upland rice under different doses of rock dust. The experiment was carried out at Fazenda Cachoeira, Raul Soares city, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil with an altitude corresponding to 360 m, sandy-clay soil. It was used BRSMG Caravera cultivar. Analysis of rock dust and soil before and after fertilization were performed to check nutrients levels present in them. It was used randomized blocks as the experimental design with five replications and four doses of rock dust: 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700 kg. ha-1, with an additional treatment consisting of NPK mineral fertilization without rock dust. Yield, weight of 1000 grains and the percentage of full and empty grains did not differ between treatments. Therefore, rock dust is a promising strategy to replace chemical fertilizer in rice crops providing equivalent yield to conventional fertilization with remarkable reduction of crop costs as well as the reduction of environmental impacts caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

Optimizing an Organic Method of Sugar Beet Cultivation and Yield Gap Decrease in Northern Poland

In the period of 2016–2018, two series of field studies on organic sugar beet growing (Beta vulgaris L.) were carried out in northern Poland on Luvisol loamy soil (medium–heavy) soil in Bałcyny and Płonne. The aim of this study was to decrease the yield gap between organic and conventional beets. Factors to increase the yield of organic beet were differentiated fertilization (cattle farmyard manure (FYM), compost, and Bioilsa) and choice of varieties (Eliska, Jampol, and Sobieski). The reference point was the conventional cultivation of the same sugar beet varieties, fertilized with manure and NPK mineral fertilizers, the prevailing standard of sugar beet cultivation in Poland. High sugar beet root yields exceeding the average yield in Poland by 25–30% were obtained in both studies, both in conventional and organic cultivation. Higher root and white sugar yields were obtained in the study conducted at Płonne (with similar soil conditions to those at Bałcyny), but they were characterized by higher temperatures during the growing season. The lowest root yields in both experiments were obtained by fertilizing the organic beet with compost (66.1 t per ha in Bałcyny and 78.13 t per ha in Płonne), which were 10.8% and 8.5% lower than the conventional crop, respectively. Higher root yields in organic cultivation were obtained by fertilizing the sugar beet with FYM, which reduced the differences from conventional beet to 7.7% in the study in Bałcyny and 2.1% in the study in Płonne. Thus, the results showed no need to convert cattle FYM to compost. The highest root yields in organic cultivation were obtained by fertilizing the sugar beet with Bioilsa N 12.5 supplemented with mineral fertilization of K, Mg, and S (Patentkali). This fertilization provided a yield of 78.1 t of roots per ha in Bałcyny, which is a reduction in the yield gap to 1.4%, a statistically insignificant value. Moreover, in the study at Płonne, organic sugar beet fertilized with Bioilsa and Patentkali yielded 86.7 t of roots per ha, compared to 85.6 t per ha of conventional beet, so a yield gap was not seen here. The choice of varieties was also of great importance for root and pure sugar yields in both farming systems. The lowest yields were obtained from the Eliska variety, and at Bałcyny, a change of beet cultivar to Jampol increased the organic root yield from 68.8 t per ha to 76.0 t per ha, while reducing the yield gap from 10.1% to 2.2%. At Płonne, replacing the Eliska variety with Jampol reduced the yield gap between organic and conventional roots from 6.6% to 0.3%.

Frass from Tenebrio molitor as alternative to NPK-mineral fertilization: Results from a germination test and pot experiment on sunflower

The use of alternative fertilizers instead of conventional mineral fertilizers, such as the insect excreta (frass) is a new sustainable agronomic practice. Rearing insects for mass consumption has a small ecological footprint, but produces high quantities of frass. The aim of this work was to verify the potentials of frass from Tenebrio molitor L. as fertilizer. Two experiments were performed: firstly a germination test to observe the effects of frass on sunflower, tomato, lettuce and cress at four levels of frass added to a potting mix, and; secondly, a pot experiment to compare frass as organic fertilizer against NPK-mineral fertilization on sunflower. We provided 120 kg ha−1 N, 43 kg ha−1 P and 47 kg ha−1 K via the application of frass or NPK mineral fertilizer or the combination of the two. From the germination test, all species show a reduction in the germination rate. Considering the seedlings biomass, sunflower performs better than the other species especially at the lowest frass dose. In the pot experiment, sunflower plants from soil amended with frass or NPK mineral fertilizer had a similar biomass, demonstrating that frass from T. molitor can be used as organic fertilizer being capable of meeting the crop requirements.

Responses of Crop Yield, Soil Fertility, and Heavy Metals to Spent Mushroom Residues Application.

Waste mushroom residues are often returned to fields as organic amendments. Here, we estimated the effects of the continuous applications of different spent mushroom substrates for 2 years on crop yields, soil nutrients, and heavy metals in paddy fields. The study comprised seven treatments: no fertilization (CK) and mineral NPK fertilizer (CF), as well as NPK fertilizer combined with Enoki mushroom residue (EMR50), Oyster mushroom residue (OMR50), Auricularia polytricha mushroom residue (APR50), Shiitake mushroom residue (SMR50), and Agaricus bisporus residue (ABR50). The grain yield was highest under the APR50 treatment. The short-term application of waste mushroom residue significantly increased SOC, TN, TP, and TK content relative to the CK treatment. The SOC, TP, and TK were highest under ABR50. Both total Cr and Cd contents were highest under CF treatment. The highest cumulative ecological risk was observed under OMR50 treatment. In addition, crop yield was positively correlated with SOC, TN, TP, and TP. Our results highlight that further research and innovation are needed to optimize the benefits and overcome the challenges of mushroom residue application.

The Impact of Using Different Types of Compost on the Growth and Yield of Corn

The cultivation of corn holds immense importance as a foundational global grain crop, catering to human sustenance and serving as vital animal feed. Moreover, corn plays a substantial role in biofuel production. Additionally, cultivating corn can have a positive effect on crop rotation by improving soil quality and reducing erosion. In a pot trial using six distinct compost variations derived from different organic wastes as fertilizers for GS210 corn, specific indices, such as Fv/Fm (0.80, 0.80, 0.81), Fv/F0 (4.07, 3.99, 4.03), PI (4.62, 4.22, 5.21), and RC/ABS (1.71, 1.68, 2.01), exhibited the highest values. Interestingly, mineral fertilization with NPK displayed significant benefits on various growth parameters like plant height (188.9 cm), cob length (17.50 cm), grains per cob (324.0), and thousand-grain weight (MTZ) (285.2). The difference in the cob grain count between NPK mineral fertilization and the control reached 168.5 grains, which was statistically confirmed. Furthermore, the grain’s protein content notably increased with mineral fertilization (9.5) compared to the control (8.5). While organic fertilizers showed lower outcomes (9.1–9.3) than NPK mineral fertilization, they generally outperformed the control (8.5). This prompts the need for future studies to assess the effectiveness of individual organic fertilizers in combination with mineral nitrogen fertilization.

Effect of Adding Mineral Fertilizer NPK and Biochar on the Potential Buffering Capacity of Potassium and its Relation to Corn Yield in Calcareous Soil in Northern Iraq

Effect of Adding Mineral Fertilizer NPK and Biochar on the Potential Buffering Capacity of Potassium and its Relation to Corn Yield in Calcareous Soil in Northern Iraq

DYNAMICS OF FERTILITY INDICATORS OF LIGHT-CHESTNUT SOIL AND OIL FLAX PRODUCTIVITY UNDER BOGARIAN CONDITIONS OF SOUTHEAST KAZAKHSTAN

The suitable research aims to ascertain the optimum dose of mineral fertilizers and methods of soil processing and preparation for successful flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivation in the semi-arid conditions of the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, focusing on achieving high crop productivity with good seed quality. Agrochemical investigations also employed modern devices and widely accepted methods. Studying parameters, such as total humus, labile humus, nitrate nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, soil composition density, structural-aggregate composition, and moisture supply, ensued using specific techniques. The study observed an enhancement in nitrate nitrogen content in the soil, from an initial level of 11–19 mg/kg to 36–91 mg/kg during flax harvest in all experimental variants. On the contrary, the mobile phosphorus exhibited a decline in the soil from the beginning of crop vegetation until harvest; however, determining the available phosphorus in different practices showed medium, high, higher, and very high. Moreover, a decline in exchangeable potassium content (from 344–446 mg/kg to 175–215 mg/kg) emerged during the flax crop across all the experimental variants. The application of mineral fertilizers NPK at the rate of 60:60:30, with the application of a growth regulator Ecorost at the rate of 2 liters per ton of seeds, and employing a flatcut treatment (10–12 cm) on light chestnut soil in the semi-arid zone with super dry season of Almaty Region, resulted in the highest flax yield in cv. Karabalykskaya (410 kg/ha

Evaluation of the Productivity of Two Improved Varieties of Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merill) Grown in Burkina Faso under Different Formulations of NPK Mineral Fertilizer

Evaluation of the Productivity of Two Improved Varieties of Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merill) Grown in Burkina Faso under Different Formulations of NPK Mineral Fertilizer

Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency and plant productivity in long-term precrop/crop rotation and fertilization management

ContextLong-term experiments are an important tool to investigate the effects of crop rotation and fertilization measures under climate change conditions. However, there are few studies on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of crops in long-term cropping systems in Europe, but no consolidate studies in Germany. ObjectiveWe analyzed a long-term experiment established in 1982 to observe the role of legumes on total nitrogen uptake, NUE, agronomic efficiency, nitrogen response index and N recovery efficiency compared to fallow land and cereals in a crop rotation over the long-term. MethodsThe experiment included five different precrops (fallow land, maize, oat, field bean and clover mulch) in combination with four levels of fertilization (control, PK, PK+N with reduced dosage, and PK+N with full dosage followed by three years of cereal cultivation (winter wheat, winter rye, summer barley) in all treatments. The field trial was conducted as a fully factorial split plot design, with spatially randomized field repetitions in four blocks. ResultsLong-term mineral NPK fertilization improved the N uptake of winter wheat (185.7 kg N ha−1), winter rye (152.2 kg N ha−1) and summer barley (92.2 kg N ha−1) when the higher level of fertilization (NPK 100%) was implemented. A year-round application of clover mulch as green manure in the rotational system resulted in higher NUE (up to 37%) compared to fallow land after 40 years. Crop rotation with oat and maize (100% cereals) led to lower NUE (up to 30%) compared to fallow land. Clover mulch (198%), field bean (155%), fallow land (148%) and maize (119%) significantly increased the N uptake of wheat compared to oat in 2015. Over time, the agronomic efficiency was increased. This increase was 4 or 5 times higher in the 9th and 10th crop rotation compared to the beginning of the experiment (in 1983). Nitrogen response index of clover mulch was approximately 33–37% lower than fallow land at the beginning of the experiment in 1983 and 45–50% lower over the 40 years. N recovery efficiency values of winter wheat (94%), winter rye (66%) and summer barley (46%) increased within the 10th crop rotation compared to the beginning of the long-term experiment. ConclusionsCombining clover mulch as a green manure with mineral fertilizer has greater potential to improve NUE and crop productivity by increasing soil N availability. ImplicationsOur study highlights the importance of evaluating agronomic management practices in long-term field experiments to understand their sustainable effects.

Response of Rose Growth and Flowering to NPK and Potassium Silicates Application and Spraying with Magnesium

This study was conducted in a lath house, Dept. Of Hort. and Landscape, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Univ. Baghdad, Al-Jadriya during 2022 growing season to investigate influence of mineral fertilizers NPK, potassium silicate and spraying with magnesium (Disper Mg) on some vegetative growth characteristics and flowering of one year’s old of Wiener Charme rose cultivar. Factors of study experiment included addition of two levels of mineral fertilizers NPK (without addition (C0) and 5 g.transplant-1 (C100), while potassium silicate was added with three levels; without added (S0), adding at 200 mg.L-1 (S200) and adding at 300 mg.L-1 (S300), As for magnesium fertilizer treatments, they were sprayed in three levels (0, 7.5, and 15 g.L-1), which are denoted by symbols M0, M7.5, and M15, respectively. Treatments were replicated three times (four plants in experimental unit) at factorial experiment in a RCBD and thus number of plants used was 216 plants. The experimental results showed that chemical fertilizers at 5 g.L-1(C100) significantly increased in plant height of 16.24 cm, leaf nitrogen content of 1.287 %, leaf phosphor content of 0.349 %, flowers number of 17.64 flower.plant-1 and floral stem length of 20.33 cm. Results also showed that potassium silicate application, showed significant superiority in increased in plant height of 18.66 cm, leaf nitrogen content of 1.286 %, leaf phosphor content of 0.374 %, flowers number of 17.25 flower.plant-1 and floral stem length of 20.04 cm. Magnesium spray especially spraying at 15 g.L-1 excelled in increasing of plant height of 16.07 cm, leaf nitrogen content of 1.289 %, leaf phosphor content of 0.367 %, flowers number of 17.08 flower.plant-1 and floral stem length of 20.62 cm. Twice and triple interactions between study factors significantly affected in all studied traits.

Effect of Biochar Application and Mineral Fertilization on Biomass Production and Structural Carbohydrate Content in Forage Plant Mixture

Biochar, a fine-grained porous material, exhibits properties that improve soil quality on agricultural land. Biochar, in combination with mineral fertilizers in perennial mixed crops, has so far not been studied for its effect on biomass production and feed value. The study, conducted in 2021 and 2022, aims to investigate the impact of different biochar application rates (alone and in combination with high and low NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer dosages) on the yield and structural carbohydrate content in grass–legume mixtures. Thus, a two-factorial pot study consisting of 36 pots was established in 2021. The study was set up in a randomized block design with nine fertilization treatments in four replicates. The factors studied were the rate of biochar (0, 5, and 10 Mg ha−1) and the rate of NPK mineral fertilizer application (0, 105, and 185 kg ha−1). First, biochar was applied and then the grass–legume mixture was sown, consisting of Lolium perenne L., Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Dectylis glomerata L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., Phleum pratense L., Festuca rubra L., Festuca ovina L., Poa pratensis L., Trifolium repens L., and Medicago sativa L. In both years of the study, during the growing season, plant biomass was harvested three times to assess biomass production and structural carbohydrate content. In the collected samples, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were examined, and, based on these, dry matter digestibility (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), and relative feed value (RFV) were calculated. Compared to the control, the biochar addition increased the biomass production by 6.7–14.4% in the first year and by 49–59% in the second year after application. The addition of biochar in combination with NPK fertilization caused an increase in biomass production—22–45% in the first year and 71–136% in the second year after application. The structural carbohydrate content in the mixture depended neither on the biochar dose nor on fertilization. On the other hand, the most significant differences for the studied parameters were observed due to different harvest dates.

Combined benefits of fermented washed rice water and NPK mineral fertilizer on plant growth and soil fertility over three field planting cycles

Washed rice water (WRW) is the leftover water after washing rice grains and is usually discarded. However, WRW contains nutrients leached from rice, making it a potential plant fertilizer. Reusing WRW promotes better water governance, particularly in the face of increased freshwater needs due to population expansion and climate change. Recent experiments in rain shelters have demonstrated the advantages of using WRW as fertilizer. Building on this, our study assessed WRW's efficacy in an open field against NPK fertilizer, both individually and in combination. The treatments were: R3 (3-day fermented WRW), N1 (full recommended NPK rate), N0.5R3 (half NPK rate and R3), and CON (tap water only). These treatments were tested over three consecutive planting cycles of choy sum (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis) vegetable. At the end of each planting cycle, measurements were taken for the plant's growth, nutrient content and uptake, as well as various soil chemical properties and bacterial population. Plants were watered daily with 5 mm WRW (R3 and N0.5R3) or tap water (N1 and CON). N0.5R3 showed the best results in terms of plant growth, nutrient content, uptake, and soil nutrient levels. N0.5R3 supplied the most nutrients, especially N, P, and K. Increased plant growth also led to increased plant uptake of nutrients, including micronutrients. Macronutrients had a greater impact on plant biomass than micronutrients, as R3 and N1 had similar results. R3 soils had higher bacterial populations but were more acidic than N1 soils. The negative effect of NPK on bacteria was partially offset by combining NPK with WRW as N0.5R3. No carryover effects were observed, likely because of the high nutrient leaching from heavy rains. These findings confirm WRW's is an effective fertilizer in open fields, but measures like surface mulching are crucial to minimize nutrient leaching prior to its use.

CHANGES IN THE CONSUMPTION OF MINERAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES IN POLAND AND UKRAINE – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Ukraine has very good natural conditions for agricultural production and year by year it is becoming an increasingly important producer in Europe and the World. Poland, despite worse natural conditions and more than three times smaller area of utilization agricultural area, is also an important producer in the EU. The current geopolitical situation requires comparative analyzes of numerous aspects of the agricultural potential of Poland and Ukraine. They are necessary for utilitarian reasons and provide a scientific basis for making political decisions of a strategic nature, especially in relation to agricultural policy. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is to compare the trends of changes and the current state in the consumption of mineral fertilizers and pesticides in Polish and Ukrainian agriculture. The material for analysis was statistical data from the FAO. The analysis covers the years 1992-2020. The consumption of mineral NPK fertilizers and pesticides in Poland and Ukraine in the years 1992-2020 varied both in terms of the level, dynamics and directions of changes. The consumption of mineral fertilizers in the analyzed period was higher in Poland than in Ukraine. On the other hand, the use of pesticides in most years was higher in Ukraine than in Poland. However, since 2015, this regularity has changed and therefore the consumption of pesticides in Poland is higher than in Ukraine. Considering the outlined trends in the consumption of mineral fertilizers and plant protection products, it should be pointed out that Ukraine will strengthen its position as the leading food producer in the world. In this case, it will be a big challenge for Poland and the entire EU, which should be the subject of further scientific analyses.

Aftereffect of Seven Years of Straw Handling on Soil Sustainability and Vitality

Straw, as organic material, contains macronutrients and a wide range of micronutrients. Properly treated straw can become a valuable source for soil improvement and crop nutrition needs. The field experiment was carried out at the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, in 2014–2021 on Cambisol. On a shallow ploughless tillage background, eight treatments were investigated: chopped straw + ammonium nitrate (CSA), chopped straw + ammonium nitrate + NPK (CSA+F), chopped straw + microorganisms (CSM), chopped straw + microorganisms + NPK (CSM+F), straw removed, not fertilized (SR), straw removed, fertilized (SR+F), chopped straw, not fertilized (CS), chopped straw, fertilized (CS+F). We hypothesized that treatment of straw with microbiological products in combination with mineral NPK fertilizers is a more efficient technology than treatment/non-treatment of straw with ammonium nitrate, either with or without NPK fertilizers. The aim of this work was to investigate the aftereffects of seven years use of mineral NPK fertilizers and bioproducts containing soil bacteria and microscopic fungi (Bacillus megaterium, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Trichoderma reesei) in combination with straw management on soil sustainability (soil C sources, soil water release characteristics, pore-size distribution, aggregate stability, crop yielding capability) and soil vitality (CO2 exchange rate-NCER). It was revealed that NCER was highest in the treatment CSM+F (Bacillus megaterium, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Trichoderma reesei + NPK). It was 32.95% higher than in CSA (chopped straw without fertilizers) and 45.34% higher than in CSA+F (chopped straw + ammonium nitrate + NPK). Bioproducts applied favored soil vitality in general by exhibiting higher soil microbiological activity. As a result, a healthy and more viable Cambisol produced a higher winter wheat grain yield.

Soil organic carbon dynamics shift by incorporating wheat straw in paddy soil in China.

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of unfertilized control (CK), mineral NPK fertilizer (NPK), NPK plus medium-rate wheat straw (MSNPK), and NPK plus high-rate wheat straw (HSNPK) on soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions and C-cycle enzymes at distinct depths (0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-50cm) in paddy soil. The SOC content at 0-50cm depth ranged from 8.50 to 21.15g kg-1 , following the trend HSNPK>MSNPK>NPK>CK. Correspondingly, the content of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), particulate organic carbon (POC), and easily oxidizable carbon (EOC) ranged from 0.08 to 0.27g kg-1 , 0.11 to 0.53g kg-1 , 1.48 to 8.29g kg-1 , and 3.25 to 7.33g kg-1 , respectively, and HSNPK exhibited the highest values for these parameters among all treatments and soil depths, with significant differences observed compared to NPK and CK (p<0.05). The cellulase activity of HSNPK was significantly (p<0.05) higher by 6.12%-13.30% compared to the CK at 0-30cm depth; while the activity of invertase and β-glucosidase of HSNPK were significantly (p<0.05) higher by 34.09%-433.43% and 26.61%-130.50%, respectively, compared to the CK at 0-50cm depth. Enzyme activities were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with SOC fractions and the dominant factors driving changes in enzyme activities were WSOC, POC, and EOC. HSNPK was associated with the highest SOC fractions and enzyme activities, indicating that it was the most favorable management practice for promoting soil quality in rice paddy fields.