Nutrient Application Research Articles

Foliar application of nutrients and silicon for increasing soybean resistance against infection by Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Foliar application of nutrients and silicon for increasing soybean resistance against infection by Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Effect of foliar application of nano micro nutrients and deficit irrigation on stay green characteristics and drought resistance in maize

The stay-green character is a crucial trait linked to delayed leaf senescence, which enables the plant to continue photosynthetic activity for an extended time under early and terminal drought. Reduced water availability causes early leaf senescence, lower chlorophyll content and eventually poor yield in maize. The objectives were to quantify the effects of irrigation regimes, nanocomposite levels physiological parameters, yield attributes and yield of maize. The main plot treatments comprised of well irrigated and withheld irrigation, while the sub plot treatments consisted of different nanoparticles viz., ZnO, MnO, (ZnO + MnO), TNAU nano revive and ZnSO4 + MnSO4. The results revealed that higher dry matter production (5282 and 9891 kg/ha), leaf nitrogen (44.28 and 39.97), grain filling rate, grain filling duration (34.44 days), green leaf area (92.50%) and proline content (0.59 and 1.28 mg g -1) were recorded at tasseling and grain filling stage, respectively under well-irrigated conditions. Foliar spraying of ZnO (100 ppm) and MnO (20 ppm) nanocomposite, registered higher root biomass (24.21 and 32.11 g/plant), leaf nitrogen (44.6 and 39.1), dry matter production, green leaf area, lowest proline content which ultimately resulted in a higher number of cobs/plant, number of grains row/cob, number of grains/grain row, test weight (1000 grains weight), shelling percentage, crop water use (18.79 kg/ha/mm), grain yield (8.20 t/ha), stover yield (12.2 t/ha) and benefit cost ratio of 2.4. Thus, it could be concluded that well-irrigated condition followed by foliar spray with ZnO (100 ppm) and MnO (20 ppm) registered higher growth, yield attributes, yield, and economics.

Effect of Nutrient Management on Ricebean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi]- linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Background: Soil fertility depletion is a major constraint on agricultural production, necessitating a balanced application of inorganic and organic nutrients while effective crop residue management post-harvest enhances soil quality and structure, mitigates evaporation and aids carbon fixation. In Nagaland, agriculture faces challenges like nutrient loss from erosion and minimal use of external inputs while sustainable agriculture requires a viable cropping system and effective crop management; technological advancements in agro-techniques, particularly in cropping systems and nutrient management, are crucial for improving productivity in a ricebean-based linseed cropping system. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to focus on green manuring followed by cultivating a legume crop, rice bean and subsequently linseed in 2019-2021, the investigation would carry out to study the growth, yield and quality parameter and the study was laid in randomized block design with three replications and nine treatments with sources of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. Result: The study revealed substantial influence of growth and yield which included a combination of poultry manure at 0.7 tons ha-1 along with 100% RDF exhibited superior performance in ricebean, a similar trend was also observed in the subsequent crop, which was linseed and also yielded promising results in terms of plant height, nodules, pods plant-1, seeds pods-1 and yield and concluded to achieve higher seed yield, improve seed quality, preserve soil quality.

Nutrient Formulation—A Sustainable Approach to Combat PRSV and Enhance Productivity in Papaya

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a highly nutritious fruit crop cultivated commercially in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Being a shallow rooted fruit crop, it requires frequent application of nutrients. Papaya is highly remunerative due to its high productivity and responds positively to nutrient application. Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV) is a major threat to papaya production, which causes severe yield loss and reduces fruit quality. To combat PRSV and enhance productivity, a nutrient formulation was developed by combining organic, inorganic nutrient sources with biocontrol agents to improve the health and vigor of the plants. Experiments were conducted to standardize the application time and evaluate the efficacy of nutrient formulation in enhancing yield, and to combat papaya ring spot virus (PRSV) incidence in papaya from January 2021 to December 2023 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The results revealed that foliar application of nutrient formulation at monthly intervals from the 3rd to the 7th month after planting (MAP) along with regular application of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) at bimonthly intervals from the 3rd MAP significantly increased the yield (37.79% and 30.57% in TNAU Papaya CO 8 and Red Lady, respectively) and reduced PRSV disease incidence (22.49% in TNAU Papaya CO 8 and 16.53% in Red Lady). Metabolomics study indicates that foliar spray of nutrient formulation enhanced the activators and precursors of defense enzymes, viz., peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT) and nitrate reductase (NRase) in the sprayed plants over unsprayed control. Therefore, the sprayed plants exhibited tolerance to PRSV incidence by maintaining vigor and induced systemic resistance by the defense enzymes.

Trends of Soil and Solution Nutrient Sensing for Open Field and Hydroponic Cultivation in Facilitated Smart Agriculture.

Efficient management of soil nutrients is essential for optimizing crop production, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices, and addressing the challenges posed by population growth and environmental degradation. Smart agriculture, using advanced technologies, plays an important role in achieving these goals by enabling real-time monitoring and precision management of nutrients. In open-field soil cultivation, spatial variability in soil properties demands site-specific nutrient management and integration with variable-rate technology (VRT) to optimize fertilizer application, reduce nutrient losses, and enhance crop yields. Hydroponic solution cultivation, on the other hand, requires precise monitoring and control of nutrient solutions to maintain optimal conditions for plant growth, ensuring efficient use of water and fertilizers. This review aims to explore recent trends in soil and solution nutrient sensing technologies for open-field soil and facilitated hydroponic cultivation, highlighting advancements that promote efficiency and sustainability. Key technologies include electrochemical and optical sensors, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring, and the integration of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive modeling. Blockchain technology is also emerging as a tool to enhance transparency and traceability in nutrient management, promoting compliance with environmental standards and sustainable practices. In open-field soil cultivation, real-time sensing technologies support targeted nutrient application by accounting for spatial variability, minimizing environmental risks such as runoff and eutrophication. In hydroponic solution cultivation, precise solution sensing ensures nutrient balance, optimizing plant health and productivity. By advancing these technologies, smart agriculture can achieve sustainable crop production, improved resource efficiency, and environmental protection, fostering a resilient food system.

Influence of Seed Priming, Plant Geometry and Conjunctive Use of Fertilizers, FYM and Vermicompost on Productivity and Economics of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

Background: Nutrients requirement of crops can easily be met by the application various fertilizers alone but in long run their continuous use deteriorate soil health and may retard the productivity of crops also. Further cost escalation and timely availability of fertilizers and other inputs lead to uneconomic production. Integrated nutrient management (INM) practices including reduced levels of fertilizers with locally available organic sources of plant nutrients, low cost and no cost inputs may be answer to the problems. Very meagre work has been done in past on different aspects on green gram crop. Present study aimed at evaluating and quantify the performance of summer green gram (Vigna radiata L.) crop as affected by seed hydropriming, plant geometry and nutrient applications through fertilizers, FYM, vermicompost and their combinations for maximizing the productivity and economic viability. Methods: The low cost seed hydropriming, no cost treatments of 2 plant geometries of (i) G1 (30´10 cm) and (ii) G2 (30´20 cm) and 5 treatments of integrated nutrient management (INM) practices (N) viz; (i) N1 (20+40+20 kg NPK/ha (RDF), (ii) N2 (100% RDF equivalent FYM), (iii) N3(100% RDF equivalent vermicompost) (iv) N4(50% RDF from fertilizer+50% RDF equivalent FYM) and (v) N5 (50% RDF from fertilizer+50% RDF equivalent vermicompost) were evaluated in field experiments using split-split plot design having 3 replications. Result: The main conclusion is that practices of seed hydropriming and planting geometry of 30´10 cm proved superior for realizing maximum productivity and profitability. Integrated application of fertilizer equivalent to 50% of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) coupled with 50% nutrients through organic sources like farmyard manure and or vermicompost (treatments N4 and N5) proved most effective over organic sources alone (FYM and vermicompost through treatments N2 and N3) and 100% RDF through fertilizers (N1) for summer green gram cultivation on sustainable basis. The results of the present work will be useful for majority of farmers particularly pulse crops growers to bridge the gap between present level of productivity and potentially realizable productivity of moong bean crop on cost effective and sustainable basis.

Enhancing Maize Production Through Timely Nutrient Supply: The Role of Foliar Fertiliser Application

Maize, regarded as a staple economic crop, attracts special global attention with the aim to enhance its production. Foliar fertilisation offers a complementary method to traditional soil fertilisation amongst resource-limited agricultural systems, providing a more efficient solution to nutrient deficiencies, especially in suboptimal soil conditions. This study aimed to analyse foliar fertiliser formulation research directions and their application in maize production. A literature search was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) database. Bibliometric analyses were performed using the VOSviewer software (version 1.6.17). The changes in the publication trends of documents were tested using the Mann–Kendall test. The production effects of foliar fertilisation were independently synthesised. The results showed a strong positive increase in publication trends regarding maize foliar fertilisation (R2 = 0.7842). The predominant nutrients that affected maize production were nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese. The timely foliar application of nutrients corrected deficiencies and/or sustained nutrient supply under several abiotic stresses. Foliar application at critical growth stages like flowering and grain filling boosted carbohydrate and protein content, lipid levels, kernel size, mineral content, and the weight of the maize grain. This review identified important research gaps, namely genotype-specific responses, interactions with other agronomic practices, and long-term environmental effects.

Importance of Nitrogen and Zinc Fertility in Pecan Production

Pecan is an important nut crop in the United States. It is native to North America and dominantly produced in the southern states in the US. Nitrogen and zinc are two of the most critical nutrients for pecan production. This review provides a comprehensive overview of nitrogen and zinc fertilizer management in pecan orchards, covering key topics such as nitrogen sources, nitrogen application rates, the timing of nitrogen application, nitrogen application of damaged trees, the impact of zinc deficiency, and methods for zinc application. The deficiency of these nutrients causes severe loss in pecan production. However, the cost involving nutrient application and post the effect of excessive application on the soil and environment is of serious discussion. This review summarizes nitrogen and zinc management strategy and explores application methods that can reduce the cost of fertilizer with minimal adverse effect on the soil and environment. Also, this review sheds light on the areas that needs extensive research in nutrient management in pecan production.

Assessment of the environmental impacts of soybean production within fields in Madhya Pradesh: a life cycle analysis approach.

Soybean is a versatile crop that can be used as an oilseed or food crop. Increasing soybean production is beneficial to agricultural economies, but significant concerns have been raised about its environmental impacts. This study evaluates the environmental footprint of soybean production using life cycle assessment (LCA) within the "cradle-to-gate" system in Madhya Pradesh (central India) for the first time. The analysis demonstrated that untreated residue on the ground increases the global warming potential by 19.78 kg CO2 eq ha-1 and land use emissions by 3.61 m2a crop eq ha-1. Additionally, burning residue significantly increases global warming potential by 210.80 kg CO2 eq. ha-1. Furthermore, the potential for aquatic eutrophication ranges between 0.38 and 0.80 kg N eq. and between 0.16 and 0.21 kg P eq ha-1 for marine and freshwater systems, respectively. This assessment reinforces that global warming potential, fossil resource scarcity, acidification, and land use emissions are the primary environmental concerns linked to soybean cultivation. These issues predominantly arise from fuel combustion in agricultural machinery and the application of soil nutrients throughout the production process. This investigation provides a basis for informed decision-making and the development of sustainable practices to balance the agricultural significance of soybean with environmental considerations.

Studies on split application of major nutrients through fertigation on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) in deep black soils of Karnataka

Studies on split application of major nutrients through fertigation on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) in deep black soils of Karnataka

Technology Innovation: A Green Approach to Soil Health

Soil is a critical factor in determining plant growth and development. With approximately 30% of Indian soils degraded, caused by excessive fertilizer use, monocropping, and climate change such as cyclones, floods, cloudbursts, and landslides, the nation faces a crucial task of reversing soil damage. Thus this paper, highlights the importance and the utility of diversifying nutrients through different organic manure production techniques (fermentation/ decomposition or composting process), use of mountain micro-organisms, weed manures, crop residues, oil cakes and bio-fertilizers. These organic sources not only improve soil fertility and soil productivity but also replenishes soil with nutrients. Additionally, practices like conservation tillage has a huge scope to reduce soil compaction and improves soil structure. Smart innovations including, soil remediation, bio inoculation of extremophiles, high-quality worm castings free of chemical additives, and genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) can be harassed and used effectively to reduce use of commercial fertilizers. Under rapid progressing water deficits and climate change, use of hydrogels and cultivation of Fonio, a nutritious gluten-free grain can serve as an alternative to combat drought and retain water. The potential of new innovative technology along with precision agriculture and A. I can aid soil health. Low-cost technology, coupled with a reliable mobile app that provides AI-based agricultural information and collaboration with various agencies, can significantly boost the economy of small-scale farmers. It can reduce crop health issues, minimize post-harvest losses, improve farmers' income, enhance resource use efficiency, and promote balanced nutrient application, which in turn can help to mitigate the diverse effects on soil.

Assessment of long-term Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) on soil organic carbon dynamics and sequestration in a rice-rice cropping system

This study examined the long-term effects of the Site-Specific Nutrient Management Integrated Plant Nutrient System (SSNM-IPNS) on carbon sequestration, stock, loss and mineralization in soil within a 26-year-old ricerice cropping system at wetland of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The research focused on the impact of integrated organic and inorganic nutrient application on carbon fractions compared to conventional fertilization methods under wetland ecosystems. Results indicated that the SSNM-IPNS approach significantly enhances soil total organic carbon (TOC), with levels reaching 1.56% compared to just 0.78% in control treatments. Furthermore, labile carbon fractions such as permanganate-oxidizable carbon (POx-C), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), water-soluble carbon (WSC), and particulate organic carbon (POC) were found to be greater in the SSNM-IPNS management. Increased rates of carbon mineralization and basal respiration also reflected a more active and efficient microbial community in these soils. Soil microbial indices, including the microbial quotient (qMic) and the metabolic quotient (qCO2), further emphasized the benefits of the SSNM-IPNS approach in enhancing soil health. Overall, the findings demonstrate that SSNM -IPNS significantly improves carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and soil fertility, promoting sustainable agricultural practices vital for long-term productivity in intensive cropping systems. This research underscores the importance of adopting innovative nutrient management practices for sustainable agriculture.

Drone-based foliar nutrient spray improves physiology, nutrient uptake and yield of greengram (Vigna radiata)

The present study was carried out during summer 2021 to optimize the spray volume and nutrient concentration for drone application of nutrients to accelerate the physiological growth, nutrient uptake and productivity of greengram. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with 7 treatments, replicated thrice. Treatments consisted of 1% and 2% nutrient solution (TNAU Pulse wonder), two levels of spray volume (30 and 50 litre/ha) for drone application, manual spray (500 litre/ha spray volume) and control. The results showed that foliar application of nutrients through drones in greengram at flowering stage increased the physiological growth, nutrient uptake and yield over manual spray. Spray fluid used in the drone at 30 and 50 litre/ha was statistically comparable with each other, indicating that 30 litre/ha is sufficient for nutrient spray. When compared to 500 litre/ha spray fluid under manual spray, the drone used only 30 litre, with a reduction of 470 litre/ha (94%). However, the concentration has to be increased from 1–2% under drone application to have a significant effect. From the present study it may be concluded that drones could be effectively used for foliar application of Pulse wonder 2% with spray volume of 30 litre/ha at flowering stage, for better plant physiological activities, nutrient uptake and yield of greengram under the current scenario of labour scarcity in agriculture.

Nourishing plant health and growth through the application of nutrients and plant growth regulator mixture in tomato

A pot culture experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of foliar application of nutrients and plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the growth and physiological attributes of tomatoes. The trial was carried out at the Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. Various nutrient-PGR combinations (T1-T9) were applied at two distinct developmental stages: 25 and 50 days after transplanting (DAT). The growth traits, including plant height, number of branches, leaf area and total dry matter production (TDMP), showed significant variation in response to the foliar application of the nutrient-PGR mixture. In addition, several physiological parameters, such as the chlorophyll index and chlorophyll fluorescence, exhibited notable differences among the treatments. In conclusion, the application of Tomato Booster II (T8), a foliar nutrient-PGR mixture containing nitrogen(N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and salicylic acid (SA), significantly enhanced plant growth. This was evidenced by increased plant height (34.1 cm and 67.2 cm) and leaf area (265.89 cm² and 1448.55 cm² plant?¹) at 30 and 60 P, respectively. Additionally, plants treated with Tomato Booster II (T8) showed improved root development, characterized by a substantial increase in total root length (4402.86 cm), root volume (58.9 cm³) and root surface area (1807.84 cm²). Moreover, T8-treated plants exhibited a significant increase in spectral reflectance, indicative of enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, reaching a maximum of 81.8% following two foliar applications. These results suggest that Tomato Booster II (T8) is a promising nutrient-PGR mixture for enhancing tomato growth and development.

Effect of Different Substrates and Time of Application of Nutrient at Different Concentration on Growth Parameters of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

The aim of this study was to determine the combined effect of different substrates and time of application of nutrient at different concentration on growth parameters of Romaine long (green) lettuce. The experiment was conducted in semi-controlled naturally ventilated polyhouse for two years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) during Rabi season at Department of Horticulture, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (MH). The research was laid in a Factorial Completely Randomized Design, which is replicated twice with three factors i.e. Factor A) consisted different substrates (S) (S1: cocopeat, S2: cocopeat + perlite (1:1 v/v), S3: cocopeat + perlite (2:1 v/v) and S0: soil), Factor B) levels of nutrient concentration (F) (F1: 100%, F2: 80% and F3: 60%) and Factor C) application time interval (I) (I1: one day interval, I2: three days interval and I3: six days interval). The nursery raising of lettuce was done under greenhouse in pro-trays and seedling are ready for transplanting one month after sowing. The result revealed that combined application of treatment T6 [S2F1I2] i.e. Cocopeat + Perlite (1:1) + 100% + Three days interval recorded maximum plant height (28.24 cm) and number of inner leaves (18.50) whereas maximum number of outer leaves per plant (5.35) was recorded in the treatment combination of T1 [S1F1I1] i.e. Cocopeat + 100% + One day interval and T5 [S1F1I2] i.e. Cocopeat + 100% + Three days interval in pooled mean data at harvest. Further, the highest leaf area was (105.84 cm2) was observed in the treatment combination of T33 [S1F3I3] i.e. Cocopeat + 60% + Six days interval. The obtained result showed clear difference of lettuce growing under different substrates and time of application of nutrient at different concentration on growth parameters.

Regulation of the physicochemical properties of nutrient solution in hydroponic system based on the CatBoost model

Too high or low nutrient solution concentrations adversely affect hydroponic vegetables’ growth and yield performance. In addition, the temperature of the solution and the dissolved oxygen (DO) content of the water are critical factors. A real-time regulation model for nutrient solutions based on the CatBoost model was developed to address the issues of low automation and accuracy of nutrient solution configuration and management. The pH, electric conductivity (EC) and DO of the nutrient solution, and the corresponding water temperature of 96 groups of hydroponic lettuce nutrient solutions (KNO3, MgSO4, Ca(NO3)2, KH2PO4, NH4H2PO4, and microfertilizer) were measured using a gradient combination test designed according to the formula of hydroponic lettuce nutrient solution. A prediction model of the nutrient solution index was constructed using a gradient-enhanced decision tree algorithm and the accuracies of the random forest, XGBoost, and CatBoost algorithms were compared. The results show that the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of determination (R2) of the simulated and measured values of the EC prediction model established by the CatBoost model were 248.28 µS/cm, 203.19 µS/cm and 0.946, respectively. At the same time, it was found that the hydroponic variable fertilization control system, composed of four modules–data acquisition, data decision, field control, and manual control–could predict the EC and pH value changes of the nutrient solution and timely add compounds for control. The application of nutrients based on the developed system was good and the weight of the cream lettuce (Flandria RZ) grown using the system was more than 200 g, which meets the requirement for high-quality cream lettuce production. Therefore, the CatBoost model system can be used to improve the hydroponic production system of vegetables by managing nutrients effectively.

Commercial organomineral fertilizer produced through granulation of a blend of monoammonium phosphate and pulp and paper industry waste post-composting

This study investigates a commercial granular organomineral fertilizer (GOF) produced by physically mixing landfill paper and cellulose industry waste composted over a long period with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), focusing on its morphological properties, and phosphate release into the water. The organic base used in the GOF composition is rich in humic and fulvic acids due to its long-term composting, rebalances the soil's organic matter, and eliminates a critical environmental liability. No studies have involved long-term lignocellulosic waste composting as the organic base of organomineral fertilizers. Most GOF and MAP granules range from 2 to 4 mm in size, with rough and macroporous surfaces observed through scanning electron microscopy. The specific surface area values of fertilizers are low compared to other fertilizers with different organic matrices. However, 2–4 mm granules exhibit similar values, indicating uniformity of granules. Infrared spectroscopy reveals bands from mineral and organic bases, with possible clay additives confirmed by the silicon detected in Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy analysis. Thermogravimetric curves exhibit improved thermal stability for GOF over the composted organic base, with a 31 °C increase in the second decomposition stage and delayed completion of the subsequent stages. However, this did not significantly alter the Tonset of the ammonium phosphate decomposition, as GOF presented a similar thermal behavior to MAP. GOF and MAP exhibit similar kinetic profiles, with rapid phosphorus release in the first 4 hours, reaching about 77 % of the available phosphorus. GOF shows an increase in specific surface area 29 times after 240 hours of contact with water, facilitating phosphorus release from the commercial mixture. MAP and GOF exhibit a release rate exceeding 84 %, indicating rapid phosphate availability. These values are comparable to those of other organomineral fertilizers. The results demonstrate that the GOF performs similarly to MAP, with lower phosphorus dosages, rebalance of soil organic matter, and increased nutrient application efficiency.

Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen and Zinc Foliar Application on Yield and Nutrient Accumulation in Rice at Various Growth Stages.

The rising interest in foliar nutrient spraying as a strategy to boost crop yields has led to investigations of how such application influences nutrient uptake and accumulation, especially in edible plant parts. Despite its importance, the effects of single versus simultaneous nutrient application on plant absorption, transport, and accumulation have been underexplored. This study addresses this knowledge gap by examining the physiological and molecular responses of rice to foliar application of nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) individually and in combination at different growth stages. We assessed how the treatments affect rice grain yield and nutrient accumulation in relation to the expression of Zn transport-related genes. Foliar application of N+Zn+ at the tillering stage resulted in a 62.01% increase in grain yield compared to the control. Additionally, Zn concentrations in brown rice were increased by 26.04% and 34.20% when N0Zn+ and N+Zn+ treatments, respectively, were applied at panicle initiation. Gene expression analysis revealed that the timing and nutrient combination significantly influenced rice productivity and grain Zn concentration. At the tillering stage, the N+Zn+ treatment elevated the expression of Zn transporters such as OsZIP3, OsZIP4, and OsZIP9 in leaves, thereby enhancing grain yield. At panicle initiation, the nutrient treatments influenced a broad range of genes, including OsZIP4, OsZIP9, OsHAM2, OsDUR3, OsAAP1, OsGS1;1, and OsFd-GOGAT, affecting grain Zn and N accumulation. These insights are crucial for developing targeted nutrient management strategies to optimize rice yield and grain nutritional quality for the benefit of consumers.

Effects of Time Based Integrated Organic and Mineral Fertilizer Rate Application on Improved Coffee Cultivar Yield at Awada South Ethiopia

Coffee Production plays a significant role in Ethiopian economy, even though the productivity at farm level is among the lowest as compared to other coffee producing country. Soil degradation is one of the most challenging problems in coffee growing areas of Ethiopia. Declining soil fertility is a fundamental problem to agricultural growth and a major reason for slow growth of food production. Therefore, this activity was designed to determine optimum application time of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers under coffee growing areas and to assess the effects of temporal application effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on coffee yield and yield stability performance of coffee cultivar. The experiment was conducted with RCBD design with four replications and ten treatments settled from integrated organic and inorganic inputs at Awada Agricultural research sub-center starting from 2013-2023 for the last 10 consecutive years. The result demonstrated that, application of 200kgha<sup>-1</sup>N, 77kgha<sup>-1</sup>P and 12.5ton ha<sup>-1 </sup>integrated nutrient application at each cropping season resulted statically significant higher yield result as compared to the other nutrient applications. The plot treated with the recommended NP + recommended decomposed coffee husk application per year (200kgha<sup>-1</sup>N, 77kgha<sup>-1</sup>P and 12.5ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) indicated over all yield advantage over the other plots by 22.07% or 345kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the recommended (200kgha<sup>-1</sup>N, 77kgha<sup>-1</sup>P) applied alone per year and 33.39% or 522kg/ha of clean coffee yield over the plots treated with recommended decomposed coffee husk (12.5ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) alone application per each cropping season.

Integrated Nutrient Management for Improving the Soil Sustainability and Crop Productivity: A Review

The excessive of chemical fertilizers with minimal organic inputs in modern agriculture are resulted in nutrient deficiencies and environmental problems. The inorganic chemical fertilizers cannot sustain plant nutrition in highly intensive agricultural systems. Sustainable yield and crop performance are difficult to improve without balanced application of nutrient management practices. The integrated nutrient management (INM) strategies involved the application of vermi-compost, green manure, cover crops, crop residues, vermi-compost and farmyard manure. Since organic manure cannot synchronized the concentrated requirement of plant nutrients as per crop demands, hence balanced integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers helps to improve the crop productivity and economic returns to famers. Therefore, INM strategy has come up as field specific approach in modern era. The INM strategy build-up the organic matter which improve the crop performance and efficient management of water and nutrients. However, optimizing the timing, rate, source and methods of nutrient application is helpful in achieving the higher apparent recovery efficiency and crop production synchronization with crop demands.