Nitrogen Doses Research Articles

Crop yield, water use efficiency and economic assessment of purple broccoli (Brassica oleracea) across varied water and nitrogen management practices

Inefficient management of irrigation and fertilizers emerges as the primary hurdle constraining the crop performance, profitability of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) production, resource wastage and environmental harm. To address this issue, a field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The research focused on investigating the effect of irrigation techniques and nitrogen management on broccoli yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and economic feasibility. The two main irrigation methods of drip irrigation and furrow irrigation as main factor, 2 irrigation regimes of full irrigation (100% ETC) and limited irrigation (75% ETC) as sub-factor, 3 nitrogen doses (N) of 125, 100 and 75% recommended dose of N as sub-sub factor were given and replicated thrice. The study aimed to analyse the yield, water use efficiency and assessment of economics under diverse irrigation water and N-management approaches. Under drip irrigation the mean yield and water-use efficiency shown substantial increase by 12 and 52% in comparison with furrow irrigated purple broccoli grown under the same condition. The highest benefit to cost (B:C) ratio of 3.81 and 4.79 was obtained in the treatment DRI1N1 during 2020–21 and 2021–22, respectively. Undoubtedly, the significance of adequate irrigation regime (100% ETC) and optimal N dose (125% RDN) became apparent, as they played significant roles in enhancing crop performance and ensuring the attainment of maximum broccoli yield, WUE and economics in Trans-Gangetic Plains region.

Residual effect of INM on mungbean (Vigna radiata) growth, yield uptake and nutrient balance

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2019–20 and summer season of 2020–21 at Byrasandra village, Karnataka to study the residual effects of integrated nitrogen management (INM) in maize (Zea mays L.) on succeeding mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] growth, yield, and soil properties. The residual effect of treatment involving 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 50% recommended dose of farmyard manure (RD FYM) +25% RDN through vermicompost to kharif maize resulted in significant (P<0.05) taller mungbean plants (25.4 cm), more leaves (16.0), increased pod count (21.7), longer pods (9.7 cm), higher test weight (4.4 g), seed yield (880.4 kg/ha) and haulm yield (1815.8 kg/ha) at harvest compared to the control group. After mungbean harvest, plots treated with 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 50% recommended dose of farmyard manure (RD FYM) + M 25% RDN through vermicompost showed significantly higher uptake of total N, total P, and total K (50.8, 9.3, and 49.1 kg/ha, respectively) compared to the control, improving soil nutrient balance and achieving the highest benefit-cost ratio in Alfisols.

Agronomic evaluation of rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes under varying fertility levels

The study suggests that rice varieties IET-27263 and NDR-359 can achieve increased yields by employing 150% of the recommended fertilizer dose (180:90:60 kg NPK/ha). Using 150% of the suggested nitrogen dose (RDN) results in notably elevated gross and net returns, as well as an improved benefit-to-cost ratio (B: C). Particularly, genotype IET-27263 exhibits significantly superior gross return, net return, and B: C ratio compared to other genotypes.

Can Plant Nutrient Dynamics and Indian Mustard Yield Be Influenced by Addition of Organic Amendments Under Saline Sodic Soils?

ABSTRACT Arid and semi-arid regions are having huge potential for agricultural production but also have limitations of salinity and alkalinity. By mediating rhizospheric environment with the application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources, Indian mustard yield could be enhanced in these areas. For this, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic (FarmYard Manure and vermicompost) and inorganic (urea) amendments with irrigation water of different sodium absorption ratios (SAR; 6, 10, 20 and 30). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design (SPD) with 24 treatment combinations keeping different SAR in main plots and organic and inorganic nitrogen sources in sub plots. Experiment results revealed that increasing SAR levels reduced the availability of major plant nutrients, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The soil organic carbon mineralization rate and Indian mustard seed yield were also deceased with increasing levels of SAR. Application of nitrogen through farm yard manure (FYM) and vermicompost decreased the electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and enhanced the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil solution. Application of 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through urea and 75% through vermicompost produced maximum seed and stover yield of Indian mustard. Thus, supply of recommended dose of nitrogen as inorganic (50%) and organic (75%) sources improved the soil health and Indian mustard yield of arid lands with sodic irrigation water. The use of organic sources in place of sole application of N fertilizer may be a potential management option in sodic groundwater irrigated areas for enhancing mustard crop yield.

The Effect of Different Doses of Nitrogen and Mixtures with Berseem Clover on Yield and Quality of Italian Ryegrass

The Effect of Different Doses of Nitrogen and Mixtures with Berseem Clover on Yield and Quality of Italian Ryegrass

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources on the Yield and Uptake of Major Nutrients in Soybean

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different organic sources of nitrogen with inorganic fertilizers on crop yield, yield attributes and uptake of major plant nutrients in the soya bean-maize cropping system. The highest soybean yield of 12.9qt-1 was obtained with the application of 75% of the recommended dose of nitrogen along with 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (P)& and potassium (K) through inorganic fertilizers+25% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost and the lowest values of all the parameters were obtained from the control treatment. The uptake of nitrogen (N), P&K increased with treatments that received integrated use of organic manures in combination with the recommended dose of nutrients.

Productivity and grain quality of winter wheat varieties depending on the fractional nitrogen top dressings and seeding rates

The study was carried out in the Kostroma region on soddy-podzolic soils with an average degree of cultivation in 2019–2022, with three repetitions of a field trial. The purpose of the study was to estimate the effect of different doses of nitrogen top dressings applied at critical phases of plant development on productivity and grain quality of winter wheat at seeding rates of 2, 4, and 6 million germinating kernels per hectare. There have been studied 5 winter wheat varieties of domestic breeding, such as ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (a standard variety), ‘Moskovskaya 40’, ‘Moskovskaya 56’, ‘Nemchinovskaya 57’ and ‘Nemchinovskaya 85’. The used agrotechnology corresponds to the zonal one in the Kostroma region. As a result of the study there has been identified a productivity variation from 2.9 to 3.7 t/ha depending on a variety. The largest productivity was formed by the variety ‘Moskovskaya 56’ with the use of a triple dose of nitrogen at a seeding rate of 6 million germinating kernels per hectare, which significantly exceeded the control variant on 0.5 t/ha. There has been estimated an influence of doses of nitrogen top dressings on technological parameters and flour properties of winter wheat grain. There has been found that the high content of crude protein (17.44–19.41 %), gluten (28.16–35.80 %) and hardiness (65.9–74.6 %) was demonstrated by the variety ‘Moskovskaya 40’. There has been also established a large hardiness of the variety ‘Nemchinovskaya 57’ (62.5–75.0 %). The largest 1000-grain weight (42.0–45.2 g) has been found in the variety ‘Moskovskaya 56’. Through three years of the study, there has been proved a stable response of the studied varieties to the improvement of productivity and n qualitative indicators as a result of the use of doses of nitrogen top dressings for winter wheat crops.

Interrelation between Nitrogen Doses and the Efficiency of Bt Genes in the Effective Control of Spodoptera frugiperda

The objective of this work was to identify the effect of nitrogen rates on Bt transgenic resistance and damage caused by Spodoptera frugiperda in corn plants at different developmental stages. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a 3x6 factorial arrangement, with three potassium rates (0, 80, and 160 kg ha-1 kg of N) and six corn hybrids (20A55Hx, 30A77PW, AG1051, MG652PW, NS90VTPro2, and NS92VTPro), with three replicates. The data were analyzed through the analysis of canonical variables. Nitrogen doses interfere directly with the tolerance and resistance conferred by the Cry proteins of the plants in corn hybrids, altering the control of the caterpillar Spodoptera frugiperda and possibly favoring the breakdown of resistance in low availability. The corn hybrids showed divergent performance regarding proteins under low nitrogen availability (0 and 80 kg ha-1), and it was impossible to state which would be the most efficient protein. However, pyramiding has greater control under the recommended dose (160 kg ha-1 of N), with damage in the opposite direction to the transgenics.

Determination of Economic Nitrogen Rate for Transplanted Aus Rice Varieties of Bangladesh

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy field, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Dhaka, from April to September 2019 to determine the economic nitrogen rates for popular transplanted Aus varieties. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with two factors. Factor A: three varieties as- BR26, BRRI dhan48, and BRRI dhan82; and Factor B: five levels of nitrogen rates as- 0, 40, 60, 80, 100 kg ha−1. The experimental data show the individual effect of variety and nitrogen (N) rate was significant in the case of N concentration, N uptake in grain and straw, and nitrogen harvest index (NHI). Overall, increasing N rate increases grain and straw's concentration irrespective of varieties. But higher N concentration and uptake were observed in the N rate of N60-N100 kg ha−1 in all varieties. Among the varieties, BRRI dhan82 observed higher N uptake (61.23 kg ha−1) in grain. Higher total N uptake was also observed in BRRI dhan48 at 80 kg N ha−1. NHI ranged from 55 to 72 % in different N levels, indicating 55 to 72% of the absorbed N translocated to the grains, and 45% to 32% remained in the dry matter within varieties. The estimated economic nitrogen dose for maximum yield was determined by regression analysis, and found that N rates of BR26, BRRI dhan48, and BRRI dhan82 were 97, 95, and 55 kg ha−1, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that the response of different N rates on three Aus varieties was linear up to 80 kg N ha−1 might be owing to better N uptake that made yield increase after that decreasing.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2023, 26(1): 84-95

Effect of residue and weed management practices on weed flora, yield, energetics, carbon footprint, economics and soil quality of zero tillage wheat

A two-year field study was conducted during Rabi 2018–2019 and 2019–20 to find out the influence of different residue and weed management practices on weed dynamics, growth, yield, energetics, carbon footprint, economics and soil properties in zero-tilled sown wheat at Research Farm, AICRP-Weed management, SKUAST-Jammu. The experiment with four rice residue management practices and four weed management practices was conducted in a Strip-Plot Design and replicated thrice. The results showed that residue retention treatments recorded lower weed density, biomass and higher wheat growth, yield attributes and yields of wheat as compared to no residue treatment. The magnitude of increase in wheat grain yield was 17.55, 16.98 and 7.41% when treated with 125% recommended dose of nitrogen + residue + waste decomposer (RDN + R + WD), 125% RDN + R, and 100% RDN + R, respectively, compared to no residue treatment. Further, all three herbicidal treatments decreased weed density and biomass than weedy treatments. Consequently, a reduction of 29.30, 28.00, and 25.70% in grain yield were observed in control as compared to sulfosulfuron + carfentrazone, clodinafop-propargyl + metasulfuron, and clodinafop-propargyl + metribuzin, respectively. Moreover, 125% RDN + R + WD obtained significantly higher energy output (137860 MJ ha−1) and carbon output (4522 kg CE/ha), but 100% RDN had significantly higher net energy (101802 MJ ha−1), energy use efficiency (7.66), energy productivity (0.23 kg MJ−1), energy profitability (6.66 kg MJ−1), carbon efficiency (7.66), and less carbon footprint (7.66) as compared to other treatments. Despite this, treatments with 125% RDN + R + WD and 125% RDN + R provided 17.58 and 16.96% higher gross returns, and 24.45% and 23.17% net outcomes, respectively, than that of control. However, compared to the control, sulfosulfuron + carfentrazone showed considerably higher energy output (140492 MJ ha−1), net energy (104778 MJ ha−1), energy usage efficiency (4.70), energy productivity (0.14 kg MJ−1), energy profitability (3.70 kg MJ−1), carbon output (4624 kg CE ha−1), carbon efficiency (4.71), and lower carbon footprint (0.27). Furthermore, sulfosulfuron + carfentrazone, clodinafop-propargyl + metasulfuron, and clodinafop-propargyl + metribuzin recorded 29.29% and 38.42%, 27.99%, and 36.91%, 25.69% and 34.32% higher gross returns and net returns over control treatment, respectively. All three herbicides showed higher gross returns, net returns, and benefit cost ratio over control. The soil nutrient status was not significantly affected either by residue or weed management practices. Therefore, based on present study it can be concluded that rice residue retention with 25% additional nitrogen and weed management by clodinafop-propargyl + metasulfuron herbicide found suitable for zero tillage wheat.

Effects of nitrogen treatments and bacterial inoculation on macro- and micro-element contents of the <i>Halisbey</i> peanut variety

This study was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) doses (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, and 240 kg ha-1) and bacterial inoculation on macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na) and micro- (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B) element contents of the Halisbey peanut variety. The nutrient requirements, specific nutrient management strategies, and adaptation of the variety to the regions where it was grown were also assessed. According to the average results of the N applications, different doses affected the levels of N (240N+B: 1.76%) alongside the content of other macro-elements, as well as sodium (200N: 0.09 mg kg-1), iron (80N: 32.39 mg kg-1), and copper (40N: 14.11 mg kg-1) among the micro-elements. The bacterial application was not found to significantly increase N content (240N+B: 1.76%), calcium content (0.08%) and zinc content (49.68 mg kg-1). At the same time, (240N+B) bacteria and N application increased the N ratio.

A dose calculation algorithm for boron neutron capture therapy using convolution/superposition method

The convolution/superposition (C/S) method originally designed for photon dose calculation was first applied for developing a treatment planning system for boron neutron capture therapy. The original concept of TEGMA (total energy generated per unit mass) was proposed to represent distinctive dose components from neutron reactions with the elements in the patient's tissue. First, neutron fluence distributions in a homogeneous brain phantom irradiated with an energy-groupwise pencil beam of 2.5 × 2.5 mm2 were calculated using the MCNP6.2 code. Then, a library of energy-groupwise TEGMA and KERMA were generated and stored in the developed C/S code. As a benchmark, dose distributions in a cuboid phantom and a human head phantom were calculated using the developed C/S and PHITS Monte Carlo codes. A neutron beam having a continuous epithermal spectrum and a square field of 22.5 × 22.5 mm2 or a circle field of 22.5 mm in diameter was assumed to be incident on the phantoms. The human head phantom was created by the pre-processing including the voxelization and transformation of test DICOM CT images. The differences in boron doses between C/S and MC ranged from 2% to 6%. In nitrogen doses, the differences were from 4% to 9%. A large discrepancy observed in hydrogen lateral dose profiles could be explained by the differences in cross-section data and recoil-proton transport algorithms of MCNP6.2 and PHITS. With isodose curves normalized at the center of the tumor in the human head phantom, they were almost identical in the range of 60%–110% for both cases. The C/S have underestimated the backscattering neutron and showed a larger absorbed dose gradient around 40% region. The calculation time of C/S using Intel i7-10700 processor was less than 1 min for both phantoms. The calculation time of PHITS using three Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 processors was 15.5 min for the cuboid phantom and ∼380 min for the human head phantom. The proposed algorithm has the advantages of high speed while promising fair accuracy in BNCT dose calculations.

Response of Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization on Uptake of Primary Nutrients by Maize

A field experiment was accomplished from November 2018 to April 2019 at the site for agricultural research of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh to assess the effect of irrigation and nitrogen application on uptaking of primary nutrients by maize plant. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two factors and three replications was used to execute the experiment. Four irrigation treatments (I1, I2, I3 and I4: irrigation concerning 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of soil available water, respectively) as factor A and three nitrogen doses [N1, N2 and N3: Nitrogen application at 75%, 100% and 125% of prescribed dose (PD) as per fertilizer recommendation guide (FRG)] as factor B was implemented. The crop responded significantly in uptaking N, P, K to different levels of irrigation and nitrogen. The uptake of N at its highest level (141.66 Kg ha-1) was observed in treatment I3N3 but the maximum uptake of P (49.17 Kg ha-1) and K (159.39 Kg ha-1) were found under the treatment I4N2. The addition of irrigation and nitrogenous fertilizer also enhanced the N (0.08%), P (8.75 ppm) and K (0.18 meq/ 100g) content of post-harvest soils. The maximum total consumptive use of water of the crop was found to be 446 mm in I4 treatment regardless N levels. Irrigation at 80% of soil available water using 100% N on prescribed dose (I4N2), appeared to be the most acceptable combination for optimal nutrient absorption by maize in the specified region.

Effect on Yield, Attribute Character and Economics of Various Treatment in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm of Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Faizabad (U.P.) during Rabi season of 2014-15 to study the response of late sown wheat varieties to doses of nitrogen application. Eighteen treatment consisted of six doses of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N ha-1) and three varieties of wheat (PBW-373, HD-2327, and NW-1014). The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design R.B.D. (factorial) with three replications on silt loam having low organic carbon (0.37%), nitrogen (194.25 kg ha-1), medium in phosphorus (15.25 kg ha-1) and potassium (250.25 kg ha-1). All the growth and yield parameters increased significantly with increasing nitrogen doses up to 200 kg ha-1. The maximum net return (Rs. 40712ha-1) was obtained at 160 kg N ha-1 with NW-1014 and B:C ratio 1.19 followed by same variety at 120 kg N ha-1. Thus it may be concluded that application of 160 kg N ha-1 proved appropriate levels of nitrogen for exploration of the yield potential of the late sown wheat varieties. Among the varieties NW-1014 was found the most suitable for cultivation under late sown condition for Northern East Plain zone.

Efficacy of different organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth and yield of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

The cultivation of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) in Nepal faces significant challenges, resulting in diminished yields compared with other regions. The pivotal issue is optimizing fertilizer management practices to enhance bitter gourd growth and yield. In April 2022, a field experiment was conducted in Kapilvastu, Nepal to investigate the efficacy of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of bitter gourd. The study included five treatments: the recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer (111.66:54.56:35.36 NPK kg ha−1, and 29.49 t ha−1 farmyard manure), 100 % poultry manure, 100 % farmyard manure, 50 % NPK + 50 % poultry manure, and 50 % NPK + 50 % farmyard manure. We hypothesized that a blend of 50 % organic and 50 % inorganic manure would significantly enhance bitter gourd performance. These treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and analyzed using R-Studio. The results showed that 50 % NPK +50 % poultry manure increased growth parameters, such as plant height (380 cm), branch count plant−1 (22), node count plant−1 (34.75), female flower count (50.50), fruit length plant−1 (24.75 cm), and fruit diameter (6.53 cm), and decreased male flower count (132.25) and days to first male (33.75) and female (36.25) flowering. The application of 50 % NPK and 50 % poultry manure increased individual fruit weight (274.50 g) and yield-attributing traits, such as fruit count (17.25), fruit yield (55.56 t ha−1), net return (7944$), and benefit-cost ratio (3.14). A synergistic blend of 50 % NPK and 50 % poultry manure can serve as a viable and effective nutrient source for promoting growth and maximizing bitter gourd yield. Although these results are promising, further validation and extension of these positive findings are required on a larger scale in diverse ecological regions.

Revealing suppression effects of injection location and dose of liquid nitrogen on thermal runaway in lithium iron phosphate battery packs

Thermal runaway (TR) and TR propagation in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) impose a fire risk. Despite liquid nitrogen (LN) can effectively suppress TR in small-capacity 18,650-type LIBs, its effectiveness in inhibiting TR and TR propagation among large-capacity LiFePO4 batteries requires further investigation. This study explores the two-way domino effect of TR and analyzes the distribution of energy flow. Furthermore, LN is applied to control TR propagation in large-capacity LiFePO4 battery packs, considering different LN injection doses and locations. The results demonstrate that injecting 11–18 kg of LN from above the battery pack effectively suppressed TR and its propagation. Injecting 18 kg of LN absorbs approximately 1.45 times more heat from the pack compared to injecting 11 kg of LN. Identifying high-risk LIBs and selecting appropriate LN injection locations are crucial. LN injection from the top of the pack successfully prevents TR propagation and absorbs 694.7 kJ of heat from battery 1#-4# at higher TR risk. However, TR propagates when LN is injected from the left or back side. The heat absorbed by LN from battery 1#-4# is 228.4 kJ and 447.9 kJ, respectively. This work is expected to guide suppressing TR and TR propagation of LIBs.

Influence of crop residue and nitrogen management on nutrient uptake, yield, and economics of rice-wheat cropping system

The present investigation was conducted to find out optimize Nitrogen (N) dose and its scheduling to achieve nutrient uptake and higher productivity of ZT wheat with residue retention at the research farm of CCSHAU, Regional Research Station (RRS), Karnal during rabi seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. The field experiment comprised four main plot treatments viz., Zero tillage wheat-Happy seeder (ZTW-HS) with full residue (chopped), ZTW-HS with full residue (unchopped), ZTW-HS with partial residues (anchored stubbles), and conventional tillage wheat- drill sown (CTW-DS) with full residue (chopped); and six sub-plots having two N levels viz., 150 and 180 kg/ha applied into 2 and 3 splits, i.e. at sowing, before 1st irrigation, after 1st irrigation, and after 2nd irrigation. ZTW-HS with full residue (unchopped) in wheat increased the grain yield of wheat by 9.18% more than CTW-DS with full residue (chopped). Three N-splits, i.e. at sowing, before 1st irrigation and after 1st irrigation in wheat increased grain yield of wheat by 8.08% more than 2 splits, i.e. at sowing and after 1st irrigation. ZTW-HS with full residue (unchopped) with N@150 kg/ha with 3 splits, i.e. at sowing, before 1st irrigation and after 1st irrigation provides the best combination effect and improved the nutrient uptake in grain and straw, N, Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and yield of wheat and provide high economic returns.

Performance of Cotton (Gossipium hirsutum L.) Varieties under High Density Planting System in Alfisols of Telangana, India

Aims: Cotton productivity is lower in India than the global average due to inadequate soil moisture during boll formation stage due to cessation of south west monsoon. Cotton is mainly grown under rainfed conditions in marginal and shallow soils, cultivating short duration cotton varieties with high density could improve productivity in the rainfed regions. So, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the three cotton varieties and a hybrid under four high density spacings.
 Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice.
 Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted for three years during Kharif 2014, 2015 and 2016 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Nagarkurnool District of Telangana state, India. The experimental site was located at 16.51703° North latitude and 78.2469° East longitude and an altitude of 478 m above mean sea level.
 Methodology: Treatments consisted of 4 spacings (45×10 cm, 60×10 cm, 75×10 cm and 90×10 cm) under main plots and 3 non bt cotton varieties (Suraj, WGCV-48 and ADB-39) and 1 Bt Cotton hybrid Jadoo was included as 4th treatment under subplots during 2015 and 2016. The soil at the site was Alfisol with low organic carbon (0.24%) and N (210 kg ha-1), high in available P (75 kg P2O5 ha-1) and available K (455 kg K2O ha-1). The crop was cultivated under rainfed conditions. Intercultivation and hand weeding was done and kept weed free. Gross plot size of 9 m × 3 m was maintained for each treatment. Nitrogen dose of 40 kg N ha-1, 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 20 kg K2O ha-1 was applied. The single plant data was collected on five tagged plants in each plot of each treatment and yield data was collected from the net plot area.
 Results: Seed cotton yield was significantly influenced by the spacing and the varieties. The pooled data of 3 years revealed that cotton crop under 90×10 cm spacing (2054 kg ha-1) recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield than the crop under 75×10 cm (1854 kg ha-1), 60×10 cm (1723 kg ha-1) and 45×10 cm (1603 kg ha-1). The pooled data of 3 years revealed that the seed cotton yield in hybrid Jadoo (2189 kg ha-1) was significantly higher than the three varieties. The seed cotton yield in all the three varieties (Suraj, WGCV-48 and ADB-39) was on par with each other during all the years under study.
 Conclusion: High density spacing of 90×10 cm, recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield than the other tested spacing. Among the varieties and the hybrid, cotton Jadoo outperformed all the cotton varieties and seed cotton yield of cotton varieties (Suraj, WGCV-48 and ADB-39) was on par with each other.

Productivity of oat (Avena sativa L.) as affected by fertilization

Purpose. To identify varieties of oat (Avena sativa L.) by yield in the northern part of the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine, establish the efficiency of sulfur in the fertilization system and the specifics of the impact of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur application rates on crop productivity. Methods. Field studies were carried out at the Agronomic Research Station of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv region) in 2021–2023 in typical low-humus chernozem soils according to the scheme of a two-factor experiment: factor A: variety [‘Neptun’ (control), ‘Lehin Nosivskyi’, ‘Svitanok’, ‘Zakat’, ‘Zubr’, ‘Albatros’, and ‘Aivori’]; factor B: fertilization system. According to the scheme of the experiment, the application of NPK) and N8P24K24S9 fertilizers was foreseen. Equalization of the nitrogen dose with the introduction of N8P24K24S9 was carried out by the introduction of ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate was also used for nitrogen fertilization at the microstage BBCH 31–32. Results. The yield of oat varieties on average over three years yielded from 2.28 t/ha in the control option for the cultivation of the ‘Neptun’ variety to 5.54 t/ha for the cultivation of the ‘Aivori’ variety and the introduction of N120P120K120S45 + N30. A yield increase ranged from 0.32 to 2.83 t/ha, depending on fertilizers. Among the seven studied oat varieties, the most productive was the 'Aivori' variety, the yield of which, depending on the year and the fertilization system, varied from 2.38 t/ha in the control version in 2022 to 5.98 t/ha when applying N120P120K120S45 + N30 in 2023. The yield increase on average for the application of N120P120K120S45 + N30 was 2.73 t/ha compared to the control and 0.66 t/ha with the option where an equivalent rate of macronutrients was applied, but without sulfur. All oat varieties show a positive reaction to sulfur by increasing productivity, but its growth varies against the background of different rates of fertilizer application. Yield increases in varieties ‘Zakat’, ‘Zubr’ have a positive correlation dependence on the use of sulfur against the background of increasing rates of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium application. Conclusions. Oat varieties are characterized by a specific reaction; however, all respond positively to increasing rates of fertilizers and the introduction of sulfur into the nutrition system, which increases the resistance of oats to lodging and the level of nitrogen use. The combined introduction of sulfur with macroelements provides a significant increase in yield, which is due to more efficient use of nitrogen by plants. Optimizing nitrogen-sulfur nutrition ensures increased efficiency of mineral fertilizers.

Efficiency of Domestic Hygienization of Fertirrigated Lettuces with Wastewater from Dairy Cattle Farming

Lettuce is the most consumed vegetable worldwide, which has a great economic importance. Its growth demands a large volume of water, encouraging the search for alternative water sources, such as fertigation with cattle wastewater. However, as it is a fecal-origin material, this practice can increase the initial microbial load of the vegetable and affect the efficiency of the sanitation process. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of domestic sanitation with sodium hypochlorite solution of lettuces obtained with different dosages of fertigation with wastewater from dairy cattle. After the sanitization, samples of all treatments showed lower number of total Coliforms, Escherichia coli and Aerobic Mesophiles. However, lettuces grown with 200% and 300% of the recommended dose of nitrogen showed microbial counts higher than those declared safe for consumption even after sanitization. There was no development of Salmonella spp. Although the productivity of the vegetable has increased with this irrigation technique, the limit of 100% of the recommended dose of nitrogen must be respected, since higher doses caused the persistence of pathogens at unsafe levels for human health even after the sanitation process. However, fertigation proved to be an outstanding alternative for saving water resources and proper disposal of wastewater.