Fertilizer Mixture Research Articles

Fate of nitrogen in a tropical peat soil treated with clinoptilolite zeolite

Crop productivity on tropical peat soils is poor partly because of their nutrient deficiency and the acidic nature of tropical peat soils. Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3–) ions are commonly leached from tropical peat soils principally because of high rainfall and lack of clay to retain these nutrients. Leaching of these ions into water bodies causes water pollution through eutrophication which has been implicated in disrupting productive aquatic life. To reverse this act of environmental quality degradation, clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ) could be used to retain nutrients including NH4+ and NO3– in tropical peat soils for crop use because of the alkalinity and high affinity of CZ for retention of macronutrients. Moreover, this approach could be used as an innovative and sustainable alternative for high use of lime (CaCO3) because of the liming effect of CZ. However, information on using CZ on tropical peat soils is scarcely explored. Thus, CZ was tested in a leaching study to determine its effects on soil total nitrogen (N), exchangeable ammonium, and nitrate retention in a tropical peat soil. Treatments evaluated were: (i) soil only, (ii) nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) fertilizer alone, and (iii) combination of different amounts of clinoptilolite zeolite (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and different amounts of NPK fertilizer (50%, 75%, and 100%). The peat soils with CZ improved soil pH, exchangeable NH4+, and available NO3–. The mixture of CZ and NPK fertilizer reduced NH4+ and NO3– loss because CZ has high affinity for NH4+ whereas NO3– was absorbed into the channels of CZ. Co-application of 100% CZ with 100%, 75%, and 50% NPK fertilizer, together with 75%, 50%, and 25% CZ with 100% fertilizer increased total N of the peat soil. Ability of CZ to buffer the soil pH reduces the need for liming. This alternative way of retaining N in tropical peat soils is practical and a sustainable approach for improving peat soil productivity.

Efficiency of application of composition mixtures of plant growth regulators and complex fertilizers to increase the yield of spring barley in conditions of climate change

Efficiency of application of composition mixtures of plant growth regulators and complex fertilizers to increase the yield of spring barley in conditions of climate change

Application of inorganic fertilizer combination with various kinds of organic fertilizer in the nursery phase of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of natural feed growth on the growth and survival rate of white shrimp, specifically in relation to the usage of inorganic fertilizers in conjunction with various organic fertilizers. The experimental design consisted of four treatments, each replicated three times. The treatments included a combination of urea, SP-36, and organic fertilizer derived from superintensive shrimp pond waste (Treatment A), a combination of urea, SP-36, and petroganic (Treatment B), a combination of urea, SP-36, and chicken manure (Treatment C), and a control treatment consisting of only urea and SP-36 without any organic fertilizer (Treatment D). Urea was administered at a dosage of 5.2 grams per container, SP-36 at a dosage of 2.6 grams per container, and organic fertilizer at a dosage of 52 grams per container. The factors that were monitored included the composition of plankton, the growth of benthic algae, the growth and survival of white shrimp, and the quality of pond water. The study’s findings revealed no statistically significant difference in the growth of live feed when inorganic and organic fertilizers were combined (P>0.05). However, the survival rate of white shrimp exhibited a significant difference (P<0.05). Using a mixture of inorganic fertilizer (namely urea and sp-36) and organic fertilizer, within the context of a super-intensive shrimp pond, yielded the most favorable outcome regarding white shrimp survival rate, with a recorded percentage of 94.67%.

The use of fertilizer mixtures based on sewage sludge and zeolite in oilseed agrocenoses

The use of fertilizer mixtures based on sewage sludge and zeolite in oilseed agrocenoses

Effect of Soil Application of Zeolite-Carbon Composite, Leonardite and Lignite on the Microorganisms

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of mineral-organic mixture on changes in the abundance of selected soil microorganisms. The experiment contained: soil with NPK (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus) + 3 % or 6 % lignite (MF+CW3 %, MF+CW6 %) and 3 % zeolite-carbon composite (NaX-C); soil with NPK + 3 % or 6 % leonardite (MF+CL3 %, MF+CL6 %) and 3 % NaX-C; soil without fertilisation (C); soil fertilised with mineral NPK fertilisers (MF). Plants participating in the experiment were spring wheat and spring oilseed rape. The presence of the selected microorganisms was determined: Azotobacter spp., actinomycetes, ammonifiers, bacteria and mold fungi. Using Koch’s serial dilution method, the abundance of selected soil microorganisms was performed. The conducted research allows to conclude that the abundance of detected microorganisms depended on both the applied fertilisation and the plant grown. For the spring oilseed rape, the highest abundance of microorganisms was determined in treatments where fertilisation with lignite mixtures was applied, while for spring wheat, with leonardite mixtures. Increasing (from 3 % to 6 %) the share of lignite and leonardite in fertiliser mixtures did not translate into a proportional growth in the abundance of microorganisms, so such a treatment has no economic justification. Given their alkaline pH, the mixtures used can be a substitute for calcium fertilisers to improve soil properties and, consequently, protect soil organic matter from degradation.

Effectiveness of Passivator Amendments and Optimized Fertilization for Ensuring the Food Safety of Rice and Wheat from Cadmium-Contaminated Farmland

The effect of various soil amendments on cadmium (Cd)-contaminated farmland was evaluated in terms of effectiveness, safety, economics, and simplicity. Experiments were conducted in May 2020, on Cd-contaminated land in Tong Ling, An Hui, China. The efficacy of optimized fertilization and heavy metal passivators—gypsum, bamboo charcoal, lime, and a compound passivator (mixture of bamboo charcoal, silicon fertilizer, gypsum, furfural residue, plant ash, and chicken manure)—was evaluated as amendments to reduce the uptake of Cd in rice. The results indicate that all treatments reduced the Cd bioavailability in Cd-contaminated soil and rice grain Cd accumulation to levels that meet national food safety standards. Moreover, the rice yield increased by 4.80 to 14.27% and the Cd content in rice grains decreased by 23.53 to 36.83%. The efficacy of Cd reduction in rice was as follows: optimized fertilization > lime > compound passivator > bamboo charcoal > gypsum powder. Wheat was planted after the rice season to test the effect of the soil amendment measures implemented during the rice season on crop growth in the next season. Wheat yield improved by 3.46 to 10.96%, and the grain Cd content decreased by 6.47 to 41.03%. The efficacy of Cd reduction in wheat was as follows: lime > compound passivator > optimized fertilization > gypsum powder > bamboo charcoal. Following the lime treatment, the wheat grain Cd content met national food safety standards. A comprehensive comparison was conducted to evaluate the safe utilization and economic effect of the passivator and optimized fertilization. The results reveal that optimized fertilization was the most effective treatment. The findings from this study provide a scientific basis for safe rice–wheat rotation systems on mildly Cd-contained farmland (0.3 mg/kg < Cd < 1.0 mg/kg) in the Yangtze River Basin.

Distinct Changes in Abundance of Culturable Microbial Community and Respiration Activities in Response to Mineral–Organic Mixture Application in Contaminated Soil

The availability and affordability of fertilizers are the main risks currently faced by the fertilizer market. Therefore, there is a need to look for other sources of nutrient supply for plants, while taking care of soil properties. The application of fertilizers with the addition of functionalized materials could help in the efficient use of nutrients. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the application of mixtures with the addition of zeolite–vermiculite composites (NaX–Ver) on the culturable microorganisms and selected soil properties. A two-year pot experiment was conducted on soil with elevated contents of cadmium, zinc, and lead. The test treatments included soil mixed with NPK and additives in two doses of NaX–Ver combined with leonardite (Leo) or lignite (L). The test plant used in the experiment was maize. The soil material was analyzed for the number of bacteria, mold fungi, actinomycetes, and ammonifiers. Furthermore, soil pH, EC, N total, and SOC contents, as well as soil respiration activity, were tested. The applied fertilizer mixtures had a great effect on changes in the N total and SOC contents. The N total increase was 45.5% in NaX–Ver3%L3% and 51% in NaX–Ver9%Leo6%, and the largest SOC increase (24.3%) was recorded in the NaX–Ver3%Leo3% treatment. The highest respiration activity was determined in NaX–Ver3%Leo3% and NaX–Ver9%Leo6%: 2.12 µg C-CO2 g−1 DM h−1 and 2.14 µg C-CO2 g−1 DM h−1, respectively. A significant correlation between pH values and the number of culturable microorganisms was found. The number of soil microorganisms depended on the type of fertilization used. The best stimulation of the number of culturable soil microorganisms was found in treatments with the addition of 3% of L or Leo in combination with NaX–Ver. The percentage increases in the number of the analyzed culturable microorganisms after the application of leonardite-based fertilization in combination with the zeolite–vermiculite composite were, on average: bacteria, 1096%; mold fungi, 1529%; actinomycetes, 1477%; ammonifiers, 910%.

Similar strong impact of N fertilizer form and soil erosion state on N2O emissions from croplands

Soil erosion affects 20% of croplands worldwide. However, understanding the effect of soil erosion on N2O emissions, which is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, is still limited. This limitation is likely because the small-scale differences in soil properties and fertility induced by erosion (i.e. ranges of erosion states) have barely been considered in studies quantifying N2O emissions from croplands. There are, however, indications that the erosion state itself strongly impacts N2O emission, similar to the N fertilizer form. Therefore, our investigations aimed to further explore these indications.We measured N2O fluxes for three years and at five sites within an erosion affected field experiment. N2O emissions were quantified using a manual chamber system. Three sites were established on a summit position (Albic Luvisol; non-eroded) but differed in N fertilizer forms (organic biogas fermented residues, calcium ammonium nitrate and a mixture of both fertilizers). Two additional sites were established on an extremely eroded soil (Calcaric Regosol) and wet depositional soil in a depression (Endogleyic Colluvic Regosol) to measure the effect of soil erosion states on N2O emissions. Both additional sites were fertilized with calcium ammonium nitrate only.In case of the non-eroded soil (summit), organic fertilization resulted in the highest cumulative N2O emission (6.2 ± 0.21 kg N2O-N/ha y−1) compared to mixed (5.5 ± 0.18 kg N2O-N/ha y−1) and mineral (1.9 ± 0.17 kg N2O-N/ha y−1) fertilization. These high emissions were probably caused by soluble C and N substrates from organic fertilizer, resulting in microbial activities favoring high N2O emissions. Regarding the erosion status, we observed the highest N2O emissions in the depositional soil (2.8 ± 0.21 kg N2O-N/ha y−1), followed by the non-eroded (1.9 ± 0.17 kg N2O-N/ha y−1) and the extremely eroded soil (0.6 ± 0.03 kg N2O-N/ha y−1). These differences in N2O emissions were mainly due to the site-specific, erosion induced differences in soil properties such as soil texture, soil organic C and total N contents and stocks, water-filled pore space and soil pH. These results indicate that soil erosion state may indeed be of similar importance, as N fertilizer form, for the magnitude of N2O emissions from croplands.

The Effectiveness of Using Planting Media Based on Biotechnology Agents on the Growth of Wijayakusuma (Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.)Haw.)

Wijayakusuma ornamental plant (Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.) Haw.) is a plant that is easily propagated by cuttings. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to pay attention to the planting media used. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of providing planting media based on biotechnology agents on the growth of Wijayakusuma ornamental plants. This study is a quasi-experimental quantitative study using a Randomized Block Design, this study used six treatments with four replications. Follow-up test using Duncan's Post-Hoc Test at a level of 5% using SPSS version 26 program. The results of the analysis of various studies stated that planting media based on biotechnological agents with a mixture of burnt husks, cocopeat, raw husks, andam, livestock manure and liquid fertilizer obtained results < 0.05 which means that it has a significant effect on the parameters measured, such as the number of leaves, stem height, and plant root length. These results indicate that the effectiveness of using growing media containing potassium, calcium, phosphorus, through the fermentation process, contains biotechnological agents such as rhizobium, mycorrhizae, and phytohormones that affect plant growth. The most optimal composition of planting media based on biotechnology agents for plants based on Duncan's Post-Hoc test results is T2 treatment with a composition of growing media based on biotechnology agents + roasted husk growing media. Then there is no relationship between climatic factors with the growth of ornamental plants Wijayakusuma. Wijayakusuma plants grow well in places that are not exposed to direct sunlight, normal environmental temperature and humidity, moist soil that is neither too wet nor too dry, and optimal soil pH.

PENGARUH KOMBINASI BIOSLURRY DAN AIR KOTORAN LELE TERHADAP TANAMAN JAGUNG (Zea mays L.)

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of different mixtures of bioslurry and catfish manure on the growth and production of hybrid maize. This research was conducted on the experimental field of the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of Agricultural Innovation, Universitas Ichsan Gorontalo, for 4 months from February to May 2022, which was conducted to examine the best formula for a mixture of organic fertilizer made from bioslurry and catfish wastewater manure through experiments. The field experiment design was arranged based on a Randomized Block Design (RAK) which consisted of 5 treatments and 3 replications, resulting with 15 experimental plots. The results of this study showed that the combination of treatment of bioslurry with catfish wastewater manure had a significant effect on the variable length of corn cobs in treatment B1 (75% bioslurry combined with catfish wastewater 25%), and was the best treatment for the variable number of leaves, cob length, cob diameter, wet shelled weight and dry shelled weight of corn.

CONTENT AND RATIO OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS IN STIPULES OF WINTER PEA WITH USING DIFFERENT GROWING TECHNOLOGIES

The article describes the results of research on the content and ratio of photosynthetic pigments in the stipules of winter peas using different cultivation technologies. The objects of the study were winter pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) of variety NS Moroz, plant growth regulator (PGR) Endofit L1 RK, bacterial preparation Bioinoculant BTU-r, microfertilizers «LF-Bobovi» and Biobor 140. The purpose of our research was to study the formation of photosynthetic pigments of winter pea plants under the action of growth regulator Endophyte L1 RK, bacterial preparation Bioinoculant BTU-r, their complex applying and foliar treatment systems with microfertilizers «LF- Bobovi» and Biobor 140. Analysis of chlorophyll and carotenoid content in alcohol extract (96.0%) was performed using a spectrophotometer Ulab − 102UV (China) at different values of wavelength: λ = 441; λ = 649; λ = 665. The volume of the working solution was 25 ml. Calculations of these indexes were performed according to the formulas of H. K. Lichtenthaler. During the study period, the influence of plant growth regulator, bacterial preparation, and foliar fertilization on the content of chlorophyll a and b, their sum, and concentration of carotenoids in the stipules of winter pea plants were evaluated. The research results indicate the dependence of these indicators on the use of the growth regulator and the bacterial drug, as well as on foliar fertilization. It was found that the implementation of foliar treatment in the phase of 3-5 stipules and complex use (in phases 3-5 of stipules and buttons) phase with tank mixtures of micro fertilizers «LF- Bobovi» (1.5 l / ha and 2.5 l / ha) and Biobor 140 (1.0 l / ha) led to an increase of the content of chlorophyll a and b, their total amount and carotenoid content. The highest content of chlorophylls a and b, their sum, and carotenoids in the stipules of winter pea plants were in the variant with the combined use of pre-sowing seed treatment with growth regulator Endophyte L1 RK (0.01 l / t), bacterial preparation Bioinoculant BTU-r (2 l / t) and at foliar treatment with microfertilizers «LF- Bobovi» (1.5 l / ha and 2.5 l / ha) and Biobor 140 (1.0 l / ha).The search for ways and opportunities to increase the grain yield of winter pea varieties Moroz due to the introduction of new technological methods of its cultivation remains relevant. A possible solution to the problem of improving the productivity of winter peas is the use of different mechanisms of action of plant growth regulators, inoculation with symbiotic microorganisms, and foliar feeding with tank mixtures of chelated microfertilizers.

EFFECT OF SHRIMP POND SLUDGE ON SEEDLING GROWTH OF MAHOGANY (Swietenia macrophylla)

Shrimp farming is economically admired and environmentally accused in Bangladesh. Environmental impacts of shrimp farm are related among others to management of waste water and pond sludge. Pond sludge has the potential to be recycled and also can be used as organic manure considering the presence of high level of nutrients and organic matter. The performance of sludge as organic manure was studied on Mahogany seedlings, which was grown on incremental sludge (10%, 20%, 30% --------- 90%) mixture with soil and the performance was compared with other soil mixtures (soil with chemical fertilizer; soil with cow dung and soil with both chemical fertilizer and cow dung mixture) in the nursery. The height, diameter, biomass (leaf, root and shoot) and nutrient concentrations (N, P and K) in leaf of seedlings were measured after 4 month of germination. It was observed that the height and diameter growth, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in leaf of seedlings were similar in soil mixture with 90% sludge and soil with both chemical fertilizer and cow dung mixture. The biomass (leaf, root and shoot) production was higher in soil mixture with 90% sludge than soil with both chemical fertilizer and cow dung mixture.

PEMANFAATAN ZEOLIT ALAM ENDE UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KADAR HARA PUPUK ORGANIK

Indonesia is an agrarian country. Therefore, the method of cultivating agricultural crops needs to be continuously improved through various methods. It starts from land management techniques, the use of pesticides, manufacture of superior seeds, to innovations that produce fertilizers in an effort to increase crop productivity. The use of organic fertilizers are very good in increasing nutrient content and plant growth, but organic fertilizers on the market generally have low nutrient content and slow nutrient supply compared to inorganic fertilizers. Therefore, to increase the nutrient content in organic fertilizers, it is necessary to formulate fertilizers with mineral enrichment into organic fertilizers such as those found in mineral zeolites.
 The Zeolite mineral is broken down. Then, it is ground into a fine powder and is sieved, physically activated through a heating process in an oven at a temperature of 300 - 4000C for 3 hours. Organic fertilizers are sifted and weighed, put into containers with variations in weight, namely 25; 50 and 75 g. Zeolite was mixed with samples of organic fertilizer until it becomes a homogeneous colloid with a weight ratio of 25 g Zeolite: 75 g fertilizer, 50 g Zeolite: 50 g fertilizer and 75 g Zeolite: 25 g fertilizer.
 The results showed that mixing Zeolite into organic fertilizer was able to increase the levels of macro nutrients in organic fertilizers, except for the levels of N nutrients contained in organic fertilizers. The best composition for a mixture of Zeolite and organic fertilizer in regular fertilization is a mixture of x1 (25 g Zeolite and 75 g organic fertilizer or a ratio of 1: 3), to prepare land as a planting medium is a mixture of x2 (50 g Zeolite and 50 g organic fertilizer or a ratio of 1:1), and if it will be used to repair the damage to the physical and chemical properties of the soil, the mixture is x3 (75 g Zeolite and 25 g organic fertilizer or a ratio of 3: 1).

Effects of different fertilizer applications on yield, yield components and fiber quality in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Bu çalışma, 2020-2021 yıllarında Şanlıurfa-Harran koşullarında tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre Candia pamuk çeşidi kullanılmış olup ve 3 tekrarlamalı olarak yürütülmüştür. Her parsel 5 sıra olup, parsel uzunluğu 12 m, sıra arası 70 cm ve sıra üzeri mesafe ise 10-12 cm olarak uygulanmıştır. Deneme, toplam 24 parselden oluşmuştur. Çalışmada farklı kimyasal ve organik gübrelerin karışımlarından oluşan uygulamalar uygulanmıştır. Bunlar, 1-Kontrol, 2-Taban gübresi (0 kg)+Üst gübre (Üre 35 kg da-1), 3-Taban gübresi (10 kg DAP da-1 )+Üst gübre (Üre 35 kg da-1), 4-Taban gübresi (20 kg DAP da-1 )+Üst gübre (Üre 35 kg da-1), 5-Taban gübresi (30 kg DAP da-1 )+Üst gübre (Üre 35 kg da-1), 6-Taban gübresi (2 ton çiftlik gübre -1da)+ Üst gübre (Üre 35 kg da), 7-Taban gübresi (4 ton çiftlik gübre da-1)+Üst gübre (Üre 35 kg da-1), 8-Taban gübresi (6 ton çiftlik gübre da-1)+Üst gübre (Üre 35 kg da-1) karışımları uygulanmıştır. Hasat sonrası ölçümlerde dekara verim (kg da-1), koza sayısı (adet bitki-1), koza ağırlığı (g), koza kütlü ağırlığı (g), çırçır randımanı (%), 100 tohum ağırlığı (g), lif inceliği (mic.), lif kopma dayanıklılığı (g tex-1) ve lif uzunluğu (mm) incelenmiştir. Çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre; denemenin iki yılında da en fazla koza sayısı (24.33 ve 24.66 adet bitki-1); koza ağırlığı (6.66 ve 6.55 g); dekara verim (526.40 ve 514.66 kg da-1) 6 ton çiftlik gübresi + 35 kg üre uygulamasından elde edilmiştir. Çalışmaya konu olan uygulamaların lif kalite özelliklerine etkisinin olmadığı saptanmıştır.

Cover crops and N fertilization affect soil ammonia volatilization and N2O emission by regulating the soil labile carbon and nitrogen fractions

Introducing cover crops in monocropping systems to improve soil health has been broadly adopted worldwide. However, the impacts of different cover cropping systems on soil emissions and related soil fractions and their regulatory mechanism remain elusive. In this study, four cropping systems, i.e., relay intercropping with Orychophragmus violaceus L./cotton (OvC), Vicia villosa Roth/cotton (VvC), a cover crop mixture (Ov and Vv)/cotton (MSC) and a fallow field–cotton (FFC) system, were combined with four N application rates in a two-rotation cycle (2019–2021) to evaluate the effects on soil greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission, ammonia (NH3) volatilization, and labile carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions and their relationships. Compared with the FFC system, the cumulative NH3 volatilization and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of OvC are noticeably reduced 13% and 58%, respectively, and those of VvC are comparable, while those of MSC are markedly increased by 15% and 24%, respectively. N fertilization significantly affects soil NH3 volatilization and N2O emissions, and a higher N rate results in more gaseous N emissions. In addition, NH3 volatilization and N2O emission are positively correlated with the soil microbial biomass N (MBN), dissolved organic N (DON), NH4+-N and NO3--N but negatively correlated with microbial biomass C (MBC) and dissolved organic C (DOC). OvC system decreased gaseous N emission by high soil MBC/MBN ratio, Vv as cover crop indirectly promote soil N2O emission through increased soil MBN, DON and MBC content, while cover crop mixtures increase soil labile C and N fractions and enhance gaseous N emission ultimately. Overall, application of N fertilizer and cover crop mixture both promoted soil NH3 and N2O emissions; the relay intercropping nonlegume cover crop Ov noticeably mitigates N2O and NH3 emissions through an increase in the soil MBC and reduce in the labile N, while introduction of the legume cover crop Vv increases N2O emissions but reduces soil NH3 volatilization due to a lower soil MBC/MBN ratio.

The Impact of Using a Mixture of Organic Fertilizers (Compost And Liquid Organic) and Plastic Mulch, on the Development of Cayenne Pepper Plants

Husoak Village, Hubikiak District Jayawijaya is one of the regions in Papua province where plants including chili. The cultivation system are extensively and using traditional method depending on soil nutrients. The aim of the research is to see how utilizing a mix of organic fertilizer and mulch affects the growth and development of chili plants. This research was conducted based on a randomized block design consisting of 4 treatments. namely P1 = compost; P2 = compost + liquid organic fertilizer + plastic mulch; P3 = compost +TiO2+liquid organic fertilizer + plastic mulch; P4= Control (No Treatment). When compared to the control. the results showed that using a mix of organic fertilizer (compost and liquid organic) and mulch had an effect that was not significant. This demonstrates that cayenne pepper plants may still get the nutrients they require from nutrients available in the soil. Fertile land is still classified as cultivated land.

Optimizing NPK fertilizer requirements for Jatropha zeyheri tea under greenhouse conditions

Jatropha zeyheri is an indigenous crop to South Africa, which contains tea brewing and medicinal properties commonly utilized by local communities in rural areas of South Africa. Domestication and commercialization of indigenous herbal teas have gained popularity in recent years however, domestication of J. zeyheri will require optimum NPK fertilizer mixture to improve the yield and quality. Therefore, the study was intended to determine whether different fertilizer application rates will optimize yield parameters of J. zeyheri tea under greenhouse conditions. At two-leaf stage, J. zeyheri seedlings were transplanted into 25 cm diameter plastic pots. Each pot was filled with heated-pasteurised sandy soil and Hygromix at 3:1 (v/v) ratio and placed in a spacing of 0.30 m × 0.30 m inter-and intra-row spacing. Six treatments constituting NPK fertilizer rates (0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 g) were arranged in a randomized complete block design, with five replications. Treatments were initiated a week after transplanting, and 130 days after that, treatments had highly significant effects on chlorophyll content, leaf width and dry root mass, contributing 70, 78 and 62% in total treatment variation (TTV), respectively. In contrast, vine length, stem diameter and leaf length were significant, contributing 47, 60 and 49% in TTV, respectively. However, treatments had no significant effects on normalized difference vegetation index, number of leaves and dry shoot mass. Jatropha zeyheri plant variables exhibited positive quadratic relations with increasing fertilizer levels. Fertilizer requirements for J. zeyheri were optimized at 3.34 g fertilizer/plant, which translates to 33 kg NPK fertilizer/ha for 10 000 plants of J. zeyheri. In conclusion, J. zeyheri appears to qualify as a low-input tea crop.

Optimizing NPK fertilizer requirements for Jatropha zeyheri tea under greenhouse conditions

Jatropha zeyheri is an indigenous crop to South Africa, which contains tea brewing and medicinal properties commonly utilized by local communities in rural areas of South Africa. Domestication and commercialization of indigenous herbal teas have gained popularity in recent years however, domestication of J. zeyheri will require optimum NPK fertilizer mixture to improve the yield and quality. Therefore, the study was intended to determine whether different fertilizer application rates will optimize yield parameters of J. zeyheri tea under greenhouse conditions. At two-leaf stage, J. zeyheri seedlings were transplanted into 25 cm diameter plastic pots. Each pot was filled with heated-pasteurised sandy soil and Hygromix at 3:1 (v/v) ratio and placed in a spacing of 0.30 m × 0.30 m inter-and intra-row spacing. Six treatments constituting NPK fertilizer rates (0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 g) were arranged in a randomized complete block design, with five replications. Treatments were initiated a week after transplanting, and 130 days after that, treatments had highly significant effects on chlorophyll content, leaf width and dry root mass, contributing 70, 78 and 62% in total treatment variation (TTV), respectively. In contrast, vine length, stem diameter and leaf length were significant, contributing 47, 60 and 49% in TTV, respectively. However, treatments had no significant effects on normalized difference vegetation index, number of leaves and dry shoot mass. Jatropha zeyheri plant variables exhibited positive quadratic relations with increasing fertilizer levels. Fertilizer requirements for J. zeyheri were optimized at 3.34 g fertilizer/plant, which translates to 33 kg NPK fertilizer/ha for 10 000 plants of J. zeyheri. In conclusion, J. zeyheri appears to qualify as a low-input tea crop.

In vitro propagation and plant regeneration of Torenia crustacea (L.) Charm. & Schltdl; an important ethnic medicinal plant

Torenia crustacea (L.) Charm. & Schltdl is an important medicinal herb used in India, Indonesia and Malaysia. This herb is used by Bodo tribes in the Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam to treat various diseases like diabetes. The present experiment developed an efficient protocol for in vitro mass propagation technique for Torenia crustacea species using its nodal explants. For tissue culture, the rapidly growing nodal explants of Torenia crustacea were used. Effective explant surface sterilisation was found at 15 min. of treatment with 2% sodium hypochlorite resulting in a maximum explant survival rate and a lower rate of explant contamination after 21 days of explant culture. Media containing full strength MS (Murashige and Skoog's) + BAP (6- Benzyl amino purine) (1 mg/l) were found most effective for the establishment of the explant. The highest shoot proliferation and multiplication were observed in the media containing full strength MS + BAP (1 mg/l) + NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) (0.2 mg/l); in this combination, an average of 16 shoots formed per nodal explant. The rooting of explants was observed highest in MS media along with 0.4 mg/l concentration of NAA and 1 mg/l BA. The in vitro multiplied shoots were grown in plastic pots containing vermicompost fertiliser and soil mixture and successfully grown in the open field condition.

Evaluation of Si Fertilization and Spraying of Nano-K and Ca on Si Content, Si Uptake, and Si Use Efficiency of Rice

A study was carried out in Al-Tale’a town (District of 41-Al-Husseiniyah, south of Hilla City) in the Babylon Governorate of Iraq from the 15th of June to the 19th of November 2020 to evaluate the effects of Si fertilization and Nano-K and Nano-Ca spraying on the content and uptake of Si and its use efficiency in rice crops. This experiment was conducted in an effort to determine the This experiment was conducted between the 15th and 19th of June, 2020. (Oryza sativa L.). The research was done using a split-plot design, and the parameter distribution was carried out using a randomized full blocks approach (RCBD). The supplied amounts of Si fertilizer served as the major plot, while the concentrations of nano-fertilizer concentrations served as the secondary plot. There were a total of sixteen treatments, and each was replicated three times. The analysis and interpretation of the research’s results were conducted using statistical tools. The amount of silica fertilizer was the first variable with four levels: 0 kg ha-1, 100 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1, and 300 kg ha-1. The second component was the application of nano-fertilizers, which contained four separate treatment options: the control, nano-potassium, nano-calcium, and nano-(K + Ca). The only treatment option that did not include nano-fertilizers was the control. According to the findings, silica fertilization at a rate of 300 kg ha-1 led to the highest silicon content in grain and straw (0.961 and 0.952)%, as well as the maximum Si-uptake in grain and straw (55.363, 122.337 and 177.700) kg Si ha-1. The use of nano foliar spraying with potassium and calcium produced the highest grain silicon concentration (44.540) kg Si ha-1 and total silicon content among all treatments (153.339) kg Si ha-1. Strong interaction between Si fertilization and foliar spraying with nano-K and Ca led in the largest mean of total Si-uptake (179.268) kg Si ha-1 and silicon utilization efficiency. This was accomplished by a mixture of silica fertilizer and nano-potassium and calcium foliar sprays. This outcome was achieved by using silica fertilizer in combination with nano-potassium and calcium-containing foliar sprays (66.95)%.