Nitrogen Management Systems Research Articles

Effect of Integrated Nitrogen Management on Growth and Yield of Okra at Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is a crucial approach to improving the sustainable yield of crops in an environmentally friendly manner. In this study, a field experiment was conducted at Lamjung Campus, Sundarbazar, Lamjung, from March 2022 to June 2022 to evaluate the effect of integrated nitrogen management on the growth and yield parameters of okra and to find out the suitable nitrogen management system in okra. A randomized full-block design was utilized in the investigation, with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of a control (T1) and six other combinations of nitrogen sources, with each treatment receiving 50% of its nitrogen from chemical fertilizers and 50% from organic sources. The amount of organic manure was calculated based on the nitrogen content of the manures. Farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure, vermicompost, mustard cake, and goat manure were tested as organic sources. The effect of treatment combinations was evaluated in terms of plant height, stem diameter, leaf numbers, days to first flower opening, days to first fruit maturity, number of pods per plant, length, and diameter of pods, and yield ha-1. The findings revealed that integrated nitrogen management strategies had a substantial impact on okra growth and output. Among all the treatments, 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure (T4), which gave the highest number of pods per plant (19.87), yield per ha (13.59 t/ha), and shortest days taken to first flowering (46.54 days) and plant height (54.80 cm), followed by T2, while the control treatment (T1) yielded the lowest. These findings suggest that the application of 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure is an effective strategy for obtaining a high yield of okra in the study area.

Rice Production and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Different Nitrogen Management Systems Under Sub-Humid Conditions

ABSTRACT A two-year experiment study was conducted at CSK HPKV, Rice, and Wheat Research Center, Malan, Himachal Pradesh, India, on silty clay loam soil during kharif 2016 and 2017. Application of highest dose of nitrogen i.e. 125% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through neem-coated urea (NCU) in three splits recorded maximum grain (5.16 t ha−1) and straw yield (6.37 t ha−1), and this treatment also proved better in terms of absolute growth rate, relative growth rate, crop growth rate, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and uptake and apparent recovery efficiency over rest of the treatments. However, application of 75% RDN through NCU in three splits obtained higher agronomic efficiency (27.07 kg kg−1), utilization efficiency (35.72 kg kg−1), agro physiological efficiency (43.31 kg kg−1), and partial factor productivity (72.14 kg kg−1). The higher physiological efficiency (73.44 kg kg−1) was obtained with application of 100% RDN through NCU in three splits. Soil available nitrogen decreased over initial value, irrespective of the treatments. 125% RDN through NCU when applied in three splits recorded higher available soil nitrogen (449.5 kg ha−1) as well as soil available potassium (257.6 kg ha−1) while soil available phosphorus improved over initial value with highest value (49.5 kg ha−1) observed with 75% RDN through NCU in three splits.

Tillage, Water and Nitrogen Management Strategies Influence the Water Footprint, Nutrient Use Efficiency, Productivity and Profitability of Rice in Typic Ustochrept Soil

The current study was conducted to assess how optimal tillage water and nitrogen management system are adopted to reduce various field inputs, to improve water footprint (WF), nutrient use efficiency (NUE), rice productivity and profitability. The W1 (CS to a depth of 5 cm) achieved significantly higher total water footprint (TWFP) compared to all other irrigation strategies. When N1 (control) and N2 (80 kg N ha−1) was used, the highest TWFP was observed. The rice transplanted on wide raised beds (WBed-TPR) (0.71 kg m−3) yielded the greatest water productivity (WPIRRI), followed by reduced tillage transplanted rice (RT-TPR) and conventional tillage puddled transplanted rice (CT-TPR). The physiological NUE values ranged from 33.3 to 50.6 kg grain/kg N absorption, the values decreasing as the N doses rose. According to the findings, WBed-TPR and RT-TPR plots similarly drank more moisture from the deeper profile layer than CT-TPR practice. In plots of CT-TPR and WBed-TPR, the yield contributing characteristics of rice all increased, while grain yield increased by 16.8% and 10.6% over NBed-TPR technique, respectively. Finally, CT-TPR reported with maximum cultivation costs, followed by NBed-TPR and the lowest in RT-TPR plots, although WBed-TPR had the highest net profit, B: C ratio.

Effect of fertilization and plant protection treatments on seed yield and seed quality of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

AbstractThe propagation and seed multiplication of site‐adapted and drought‐tolerant grass varieties are essential to provide high‐quality forage in temperate grasslands. A field experiment was conducted from 2016–2019 on orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) in the province of Styria, Austria. Treatment effects of sulfur, fungicide application and a plant growth regulator, singly and in combination, on seed yield and its reproduction parameters were tested under two different fertilizer nitrogen management systems (single application [N1] and split application [N2]). In terms of seed yield, a combination of all treatments compared to fertilization‐only treatment showed a significant increase of 22% under N2 fertilization. In terms of the thousand seed weight, the fungicide treatments and a combination of all treatments performed significantly better than other treatments within N1 and N2. The use of fungicide and a combination of all treatments also significantly increased the germination capacity in N1. Therefore, a combination of all plant protection treatments is recommended to optimize seed yield, thousand seed weight and germination capacity.

Conceptual Design of a Comprehensive Farm Nitrogen Management System

Data that are required for nutrient management are becoming increasingly available in digital format, leading to a high innovation potential for digital nitrogen (N) management applications. However, it is currently difficult for farmers to analyze, assess, and optimize N flows in their farms using the existing software. To improve digital N management, this study identified, evaluated, and systematized the requirements of stakeholders. Furthermore, digital farm N management tools with varying objectives in terms of system boundaries, data requirements, used methods and algorithms, performance, and practicality were appraised and categorized. According to the identified needs, the concept of a farm N management system (FNMS) software is presented which includes the following modules: (1) management of site and farm data, (2) determination of fertilizer requirements, (3) N balancing and cycles, (4) N turnover and losses, and (5) decision support. The aim of FNMS is to support farmers in their farming practices for increasing N efficiency and reducing environmentally harmful N surpluses. In this study, the conceptual requirements from the agricultural and computer science perspectives were determined as a basis for developing a consistent, scientifically sound, and user-friendly FNMS, especially applicable in European countries. This FNMS enables farmers and their advisors to make knowledge-based decisions based on comprehensive and integrated data.

A Credit System to Solve Agricultural Nitrogen Pollution

A Credit System to Solve Agricultural Nitrogen Pollution

From South Asia to the world: embracing the challenge of global sustainable nitrogen management

From South Asia to the world: embracing the challenge of global sustainable nitrogen management

Grain yield, and nitrogen uptake and translocation of peanut under different nitrogen management systems in a wheat–peanut rotation

AbstractBetter N fertilizer management is essential for improving crop productivity and reducing N losses to the environment. However, few studies have reported N absorption, use, and balance in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) relay intercropping system. This study aimed to determine the effects of different N application rates and ratios at different maturation stages on the yield and N use of peanut in this system. Nitrogen (300 kg ha−1) was applied the day before sowing and at jointing, booting, and anthesis in peanut at the following ratios: 50–50–0–0 (N1), 35–35–0–30% (N2), and 35–0–35–30 (N3) (control: 0 kg ha−1). Nitrogen isotope‐labeled urea was used under the same conditions in microplot. Peanut pod yield increased by 19.0 and 24.8% under the N2 and N3 treatments, respectively, compared with the N1 treatment. Applying N at three stages and withholding N until booting improved the N derived from fertilizer in peanut, promoted the distribution of 15N to pods, and increased pod yield. The 15N experiment revealed that N uptake at different growth stages of peanut was 20.7 to 30.4% higher under N3 than under N2, increasing N harvest index and apparent N recovery efficiency compared with N2. The N3 treatment also significantly increased the N recovery efficiency and the agronomic N use efficiency and reduced the apparent N loss. Therefore, applying N fertilizer as in the N3 treatment could be appropriate for wheat–peanut relay intercropping systems in China.

Nitrogen Consumption and Productivity of Cotton under Sensor‐based Variable‐rate Nitrogen Fertilization

Precision N management based on crop reflectance can be used to reduce over‐ and under‐application of N fertilizer to cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of variable‐rate nitrogen management systems (VNMS) based on optical sensing of crop canopy relative to a farmer's uniform‐rate nitrogen application system (FUNS) on N fertilizer consumption, post‐harvest soil N level, and cotton productivity. Eight field strip‐plot trials were conducted on cotton across West Tennessee during 2012 to 2014. Four sensor‐based VNMS were compared with FUNS in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Two VNMS were based on optical sensing of canopy alone with different algorithms, while the other two were developed from optical sensing and crop yield maps of previous years but differed in algorithms. The variable and uniform fertilizer application systems had similar leaf N concentrations between early bloom and mid‐bloom and similar canopy normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values at mid‐bloom. The VNMS produced similar lint yield as FUNS. The VNMS reduced N consumption by 10.3 to 16.9% and improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by 8.3 to 11.0% compared with FUNS. Both VNMS and FUNS had similar post‐harvest N levels in soil profile. Benefits from incorporating yield maps into sensor‐based VNMS were not noticeable. Thus, the in‐season sensor‐based VNMS are reliable in precision N management for cotton resulting in comparable lint yield, less N consumption, and higher NUE, which could lead to environmental and economic benefits.Core IdeasLeaf N concentration and canopy normalized difference vegetation index were comparable under variable‐rate N management systems relative to a farmer's uniform‐rate N application system.Variable‐rate N management systems produced similar lint yield but better fiber quality compared with a farmer's uniform‐rate N application system.Variable‐rate N management systems reduced N use by 10.3 to 16.9% but increased nitrogen use efficiency by 8.3 to 11.0% over a farmer's uniform‐rate N application system.No effect of variable‐rate N management systems was observed on post‐harvest soil N level relative to a farmer's uniform‐rate N application system.Benefits with incorporating yield maps into sensor‐based variable‐rate N management systems were not noticeable.

窒素管理システムに関する国際動向―INMS-2会議およびINMS-East Asiaワークショップ報告

窒素管理システムに関する国際動向―INMS-2会議およびINMS-East Asiaワークショップ報告

Development of Nitrogen Load Assessment System in the Dniester River Catchment

Purpose. Exploring the issues and underpinning the development of an assessment system for Nitrogen load on aquatic ecosystems in the Dniester river basin, as a part of a future international Nitrogen management system (INMS), which should be established in the framework of the UNEP-GEF project 'Targeted Research for improving understanding of the Global Nitrogen Cycle towards the establishment of an International Nitrogen Management System (Towards INMS)'. Results. Knowledge gaps related to diffusive pollution sources have been identified, as well as significant shortcomings of point pollution sources monitoring have been found in the Dniester river basin area. The main sources and sinks of Nitrogen have been characterized, the relationship of Nitrogen load and its impact on the constituents of entire basin system has been shown. Conclusions. New knowledge for Nitrogen load on Dniester river delta ecosystem and its impact on coastal areas of the Black Sea will enable to establish (set up) a scientific background for development of overall (general) skeleton (layout) for biogeochemical Nitrogen cycle and balance in the region and allow to produce and implement recommendations for the development of Nitrogen assessment and efficient management system in Ukraine, aimed at mitigation of Nitrogen load on ecosystem functioning and human health according to the EU Water Framework (WFD) and Nitrate Directives (ND).

Breeding for increased nitrogen‐use efficiency: a review for wheat (T. aestivum L.)

AbstractNitrogen fertilizer is the most used nutrient source in modern agriculture and represents significant environmental and production costs. In the meantime, the demand for grain increases and production per area has to increase as new cultivated areas are scarce. In this context, breeding for an efficient use of nitrogen became a major objective. In wheat, nitrogen is required to maintain a photosynthetically active canopy ensuring grain yield and to produce grain storage proteins that are generally needed to maintain a high end‐use quality. This review presents current knowledge of physiological, metabolic and genetic factors influencing nitrogen uptake and utilization in the context of different nitrogen management systems. This includes the role of root system and its interactions with microorganisms, nitrate assimilation and its relationship with photosynthesis as postanthesis remobilization and nitrogen partitioning. Regarding nitrogen‐use efficiency complexity, several physiological avenues for increasing it were discussed and their phenotyping methods were reviewed. Phenotypic and molecular breeding strategies were also reviewed and discussed regarding nitrogen regimes and genetic diversity.

Developing a global perspective on improving agricultural nitrogen use

Nitrogen (N) fertilisers help ensure food security for many regions in the world, but excess or inappropriate use can have serious impacts on both human and environmental health (e.g. threatening air, soil, and water quality, reducing biodiversity and disrupting of greenhouse gas balance). While losses are exacerbated by the decoupling of animal and crop production systems, there are many opportunities to reduce N pollution and increase productivity simultaneously. On the 26th and 27th of March 2015, delegates from diverse backgrounds met at the Second BASF Fireside Chat to discuss these issues and explore possible solutions. Stakeholders from some regions emphasised the desire to avoid simplistic regulations, encouraging the empowerment of farmers to develop their own solutions. Other regions highlighted the need for more effective government intervention. This applied both for adoption of emission mitigation methods in regions of excess, as well as for good governance and infrastructure to improve fertiliser supply in regions of too little. A core message was that, although strategies to increase N use efficiency vary between global regions, there are substantial common themes, the shared development of which could greatly strengthen global action.These challenges are now being taken up by the International Nitrogen Initiative and the United Nations Environment Programme. With financial support from the Global Environment Facility, they are working towards an International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) to provide coordinated scientific support for international N policy-making.

Up-graded Control System of Liquid Nitrogen Management System of SST-1

Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) is used for 80 K thermal shield of Steady-state Super-conducting Tokamak (SST-1), Integrated Fluid Distribution and Control System, Current Feeder System and 80 K refrigerant in Helium Liquefier/Refrigerator. A dedicated storage and distribution system for LN2was installed at IPR. The present system includes 3-nos of storage tanks, sub-cooler dewar, vacuum jacketed cryo-lines and instrumentation. This system employs PLC based supervisory control system with smart process instrumentation. Considering nonupgradability and lack of reliability due to obsolesce of components of automation system and future plan of 80 K single phase distribution system for thermal shield of SST-1, new control system is required. Various control schemes are employed for sub-cooler dewar, evaporators and storage tanks. The up-graded control system will offer ease of operation with improved automation, better maintainability and reliability. This paper describes design and development of up-graded control system of LN2 system.

Transplanting by Uprooting Tillers from Dibbled Field: An Idea for Crop Intensification and Sustainable Rice Cultivation

An experiment was conducted in the field laboratory of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute to determine the suitable time for uprooting of the tillers from dibbled plots for transplanting as well as nitrogen management system in the transplanted field. It was revealed that uprooting of half of the tillers from dibbled plots did not reduce crop yield in the dibbled plots (after uprooting of half of the tillers) compared with dibbled plots without tiller uprooting. In both irrigated and rainfed management systems, transplanting with uprooted tillers from dibbled plot at 30 to 40 days after seeding (DAS) produced optimum yield. Significant yield reduction was observed when the uprooted tillers were transplanted after 40 DAS. In nitrogen fertilizer management system, two split of urea application was proved to be effective. Considering both tiller splitting time and urea fertilizer applications, uprooting of half of the tillers from dibbled plot at 30 DAS and transplanting to new areas with two split of urea application were found to be effective. This method of rice farming might be suitable for salinity affected coastal areas to escape detrimental effect of salinity during germination and early seedling establishment, as well as suitable to increase cropping intensity.

Transplanting by Uprooting Tillers from Dibbled Field: An Idea for Crop Intensification and Sustainable Rice Cultivation

An experiment was conducted in the field laboratory of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute to determine the suitable time for uprooting of the tillers from dibbled plots for transplanting as well as nitrogen management system in the transplanted field. It was revealed that uprooting of half of the tillers from dibbled plots did not reduce crop yield in the dibbled plots (after uprooting of half of the tillers) compared with dibbled plots without tiller uprooting. In both irrigated and rainfed management systems, transplanting with uprooted tillers from dibbled plot at 30 to 40 days after seeding (DAS) produced optimum yield. Significant yield reduction was observed when the uprooted tillers were transplanted after 40 DAS. In nitrogen fertilizer management system, two split of urea application was proved to be effective. Considering both tiller splitting time and urea fertilizer applications, uprooting of half of the tillers from dibbled plot at 30 DAS and transplanting to new areas with two split of urea application were found to be effective. This method of rice farming might be suitable for salinity affected coastal areas to escape detrimental effect of salinity during germination and early seedling establishment, as well as suitable to increase cropping intensity.

Analyzing the effects of risk and uncertainty on optimal tillage and nitrogen fertilizer intensity for field crops in Germany

This study provides a risk analysis of long-term field experiments in Germany (Bavaria) on various field crops (potato, wheat and corn), grown in rotation, under a variety of different tillage and nitrogen management systems. The field experiment provided yield and input data for the analysis, and was combined with market data relevant to the case-study region. The emphasis of the analysis is on the interaction between risk and tillage and nitrogen strategies. Over the whole rotation (corn–wheat–potato–wheat), conventional tillage combined with conventional nitrogen rates is optimal, both for risk-neutral and risk-averse farmers. Although less intensive management practices involve lower risk, the decrease in risk premium is not sufficient to alter the ranking of strategies, even for farmers with higher levels of risk aversion. Reducing nitrogen rates would be costly to farmers, especially under reduced or shallow tillage. Decoupled farm subsidies within the expected utility model show that even for a scenario with no subsidies our conclusions do not change.

Long-Term Effects of Tillage, Crop Rotations and NitrogenManagement Systems on Water Use Efficiency andGroundwater Quality

Increasing global population in the world is putting enormous pressure on available water resources and preservation of water quality. Therefore, sound policies with good incentives are needed to implement water conservation and pollution control practices, especially in areas of the world where major water bodies are already showing signs of degradation. To develop sustainable agricultural production practices, long-term studies were initiated in 1988 at Iowa State University to determine the effects of different tillage, crop rotation, and nutrient (fertilizer and manure) management systems on water use, crop yields, and nitrate–nitrogen (NO3-N) leaching losses to groundwater with the goal of mitigating environmental concerns of production agriculture. A three phase field study was conducted from 1988 to 2006 to investigate the impact of tillage systems (chisel plough and no-till), crop rotations (continuous corn and corn-soybean rotation), and nine N-management systems on NO3-N concentrations and leaching losses to tile water. The N-application rates of 202 and 168 kg-N.ha-1 were applied during first (1988-1992) and third phases (2001-2006), and lower N rates of 135 and 110 kg-N.ha-1 were applied in the second phase (1993-1998). Rotated corn resulted in better water use efficiency, significantly (p=0.05) higher corn grain yields, and lower NO3-N leaching losses compared with continuous-corn for all tillage systems. On the average, higher NO3-N concentrations were observed during first phase (20.7 mg.l-1), followed by third phase (18.7 mg.l-1) and second phase (10.5 mg.l-1) due to higher N-application rates. Chisel ploughing increased corn grain yields and exited almost equivalent NO3-N leaching losses to tile water compared with no-till system. Effects of wet year after dry years and low plant N-uptake elevated NO3-N concentrations to as high as 32.8 mg.l-1 in 1990 and 24.5 mg.l-1 in 2004. Fall applied manure and chisel ploughing had significantly higher NO3-N concentrations of 27 mg.l-1compared with 17.7 mg.l-1 from no-till and spring applied manure. Results of this study showed that lower N application rates from UAN or manure in combination with chisel ploughing and corn-soybean rotation could be a good viable sustainable practice of farming.

Clover and Manure Management Strategies for Overcoming the Wheat Residue Antagonism of No-Till Corn

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop residue can negatively affect the growth and development of no-till corn (Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to determine whether nitrogen management practices including legume cover crops and manure applications used in conjunction with a pre-sidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT) could be used to overcome the observed wheat residue antagonism of no-till corn growth and development. A PSNT nitrogen strategy was effective in maintaining no-till corn grain yield in wheat residue systems equivalent to no-till corn grain yield in no-wheat residue systems in 4 of 6 site years. Similar results were obtained for PSNT plus clover cover crop and PSNT plus manure plus clover cover crop nitrogen management systems. Utilization of a PSNT with manure application equalized no-till corn grain yield in high wheat residue treatments with no-till corn grain yield in treatments without wheat residue in all site years. This can be a recommended practice in the Michigan eco-region.

Nitrogen management systems to optimize spring wheat under no-till: Effects on plant development

Surface residues and standing stubble protect soil against erosion and mitigate against crop water deficits by conserving additional moisture. However, residues and stubble can also present a dilemma for producers practising no-till in terms of nitrogen (N) fertilizer management and row spacing. The objective of this research was to determine how row spacing, N management using urea and two rates of post-emergent herbicide (66 and 100% of recommended) affect spring wheat establishment and plant development. The study was conducted using a no-till system and a canola-springwheat cropping system at three locations over a 3-yr period. The N management and row spacing treatments were (1) 23-cm row spacing with fall banded N on 30 cm; (2) 23-cm row spacing with spring banded N on 30 cm; (3) 30-cm row spacing with the N side-banded; (4) 23-cm row spacing with the N side-banded; and (5) sweep on 23-cm spacing with seed and fertilizer scattered over a 20-cm width. Herbicide rates did not affect wheat development. Planting depth was greater for the sweep treatment, but only by 6 mm. Plant densities were at the low end of the optimal range of 200–250 plants m-2 for all treatments and were least for the 30 cm row spacing. Average frequencies for tillers T0, T1, T2 and T3 were 20, 81 61 and 10%, respectively. Fall and spring band treatments resulted in lower tiller frequencies than the sweep treatment, with intermediate levels for the side-band treatments. Tiller frequencies were identical between the 23-cm and 30-cm row spacings with N side-banded. Greater tiller frequencies for the sweep treatment likely resulted from the greater spread of seed, reducing inter-plant competition and closer proximity of the seed to fertilizer N. Spike density was not affected by N management. Expected spike density, calculated from tiller frequency and plant density data, was within 1% of the actual spikes recorded, when averaged over treatments. This means that tiller frequencies at the 5 to 5.5 leaf stage are a good predictor of expected spike density. Wider row spacings did not affect plant and tiller development but applying N fertilizer at time of seeding provided better spring wheat tiller development. Key words: Triticum aestivum L., nitrogen management, tiller development