Use Of Organic Fertilizers Research Articles

The effect of interaction of types and dosages of liquid organic fertilizer on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) growth and outcome

The use of liquid organic fertilizer (POC) is expected to improve soil physical, chemical and biological fertility. Soil fertility increases, maximum plant growth will increase production both in quality and quantity. This study aims to determine the effect of the interaction between the type of treatment and the dose of POC on the growth and production of eggplant. This study was a factorial experiment consisting of two factors, namely POC types consisting of 2 levels: POC kitchen waste (P1); Banana weevil POC (P2) and POC doses consisting of 4 levels: without POC (D0); 10 ml/tan (D1); 20 ml/tan (D2); 30 ml/tan (D3) with randomization according to a completely randomized design (CRD). Observations were made when the eggplant plants were 10 HST with an interval of 10 days until the plants were 40 days old. The parameters observed were plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, fruit length per plant, fruit diameter, number of fruit per plant, and fruit weight per plant. Observational data were analyzed using variance, if the results were significantly different it was continued with the smallest significant difference test (LSD) at the 5% level. The results showed that there was no significant interaction between the type of treatment and the dose of POC on all observed parameters. The various POC treatments significantly affected the parameters of plant height and number of leaves at all observed ages, stem diameters at 20 30, 40 DAP, and fruit weight per plant. POC dose treatment significantly affected the parameters of plant height and number of leaves at all ages of observation, stem diameter at 20, 30, and 40 DAP, number of fruit and fruit weight of the plants. Giving banana weevil POC resulted in better eggplant growth and production than kitchen waste POC. POC dose of 30 ml/plant resulted in the best eggplant growth and production. Because the results of the study showed that the effect of POC dose was still linear (the higher the POC dose, the higher the production).

Transformation of Poultry Wastes and Oil Palm Residues into Liquid Fertilizers and its Use in the Fertilization of Oil Palm at the Juvenile Stage

The use of organic fertilizers is beneficial and less expensive if applied in adequate doses. This is how the present investigation aims to determine the optimal quantities of vermiwash based on poultry waste and oil palm residues to be applied to oil palms in prenurseries and in nurseries. To do this, different quantities of this locally manufactured vermiwash constituted the treatments applied to the oil palms at the juvenile stage. Growth parameters such as collar diameter, length of longest leaf, number of leaves emitted, and height of seedlings and plants were assessed. At the prenursery stage, the results obtained showed that, whatever the growth parameter, the maximum values were recorded at a dose of 30 ml of vermiwash per seedling. In the nursery, the maximum values were recorded, on the one hand, at the dose of 100 ml in foliar application and, on the other hand, at the dose of 150 ml in application on the substrate. These different doses therefore constitute the optimal doses for the development of the oil palm at the prenursery and nursery stages. Vermiwash from poultry waste and oil palm residues therefore contributes to the development of oil palm at the prenursery and nursery stages and, thus, can be an alternative to chemical fertilization of plants.

Understanding Agriculturists' Perception and Adaptation to the Current Climate Patterns in Jaman South Municipality, Ghana

This paper examines agriculturists’ perception and adaptation to climate change in Jaman South Municipality of Ghana, utilizing a mixed research approach. The study engaged 150 farmers from five farming communities, alongside 10 local agricultural extension officers. Data were collected through questionnaires and structured interviews administered via face-to-face interactions. The data underwent analysis involving calculations of frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and utilization of the probit regression model. Respondents identified significant changes in rainfall patterns, including shortened planting seasons, reduced rainfall amounts, extreme dry spells, heavy rainfall, erratic patterns, and shifts in onset and cessation. Temperature changes were also reported, with increased daytime and nighttime temperatures. These changes were perceived to have adversely affected crop production in the study area. To this effect, farmers have employed diverse adaptation strategies, such as crop diversification, cover cropping, mulching, crop rotation, composting and use of organic fertilizers, adjusting planting time, land rotation, and use of drought-tolerant crop varieties to tackle these climatic changes. Age, level of education, engagement with extension services, and farmers' experience in farming emerged as the most influential factors for predicting the selection of strategies to adapt to climate change. This study contributes insights to policymakers and practitioners striving to bolster adaptive capacity in the face of climate change.

Perceptions and Adaptation Practices of Agropastoralists to Rainfall and Temperature Changes in Mali

Many people in African countries derive their livelihoods from agriculture and livestock. Therefore, unfavourable environmental and climatic conditions render them more vulnerable to increasing food insecurity and poverty rates. However, few studies have investigated how farmers’ adaptation strategies affect farm productivity and household food security in the Sahelian region, notably Mali. This study aims to examine the impacts of climate change agro-pastoralists and to analyse the adaptation strategies in Mali. For this purpose, an analysis of daily rainfall and temperature data from 1960 to 2020 over Bamako, Ségou and Sikasso station was carried out using Instat+ v3.36, Rstudio, XLSTAT and Rclimdex software. Field surveys were conducted among 355 agropastoralists in three regions of Mali to assess the impacts and adaptation strategies of agropastoralists. The analysis of climate data showed a downward trend in overall rainfall. As for the temperature, it shows an upward trend over the series from 1960 to 2020 at the station of Ségou, Sikasso and Bamako.
 Agropatoralists use adaptation strategies such as organic fertilizers, changing planting dates and growing of short duration maize varieties to mitigate against the negative effects of climate change. The use of organic fertilizers and short-duration use of improved varieties promotes agricultural productivity and food security. We conclude that building agropastoralists adaptive capacity tends to reduce their vulnerability to climate change by increasing crop yields and food security.

Biochar-Acid Soil Interactions—A Review

Soil acidity is a major problem of agriculture in many parts of the world. Soil acidity causes multiple problems such as nutrient deficiency, elemental toxicity and adverse effects on biological characteristics of soil, resulting in decreased crop yields and productivity. Although a number of conventional strategies including liming and use of organic and inorganic fertilizers are suggested for managing soil acidity but cost-effective and sustainable amendments are not available to address this problem. Currently, there is increasing interest in using biochar, a form of biomass derived pyrogenic carbon, for managing acidity while improving soil health and fertility. However, biochar varies in properties due to the use of wide diversity of biomass, variable production conditions and, therefore, its application to different soils can result in positive, neutral and or negative effects requiring an in-depth understanding of biochar-acid soil interactions to achieve the best possible outcomes. Here, we present a comprehensive synthesis of the current literature on soil acidity management using biochar. Synthesis of literature showed that biochars, enriched with minerals (i.e., usually produced at higher temperatures), are the most effective at increasing soil pH, basic cation retention and promoting plant growth and yield. Moreover, the mechanism of soil acidity amelioration with biochar amendments varies biochar types, i.e., high temperature biochars with liming effects and low temperature biochars with proton consumption on their functional groups. We also provide the mechanistic interactions between biochar, plant and soils. Altogether, this comprehensive review will provide guidelines to agricultural practitioners on the selection of suitable biochar for the reclamation of soil acidity.

Moringa Growth Response in Treatment of Bokashi Composition and Dosage of Moringa Leaf (Moringa oleifera) Using Subsoil

Subsoil soil which is at a depth of more than 30 cm below the topsoil is a marginal soil for agricultural cultivation but has great potential for utilization. Improvement of subsoil soil with the use of organic fertilizers alone has been widely carried out. However, the use of moringa leaf bokashi fertilizer is thought to be able to improve the subsoil physically and chemically. The aim of the research was to find out the composition of the best moringa leaf bokashi fertilizer and the right dosage for the growth of moringa. Research using Completely Randomized Design. The first factor was the composition of moringa leaf bokashi, biochar and cow manure (K), namely K1 ratio of moringa leaves: biochar: cow manure (1:1:1); K2: (2:1:1); K3 (3:1:1). The second factor is the dose of moringa leaf bokashi fertilizer. Bo: control 5; B1:10; B2: 20; B3: 30; B4: 40 tons per hectare. The results showed that the K1 composition showed the highest plant height, number of primary roots, and canopy wet weight. A dose of 10 tons per hectare (B1) showed the best growth of Moringa seedlings with the highest dry weight of canopy. Keywords: Bokashi, Composition, Dosage, Moringa leaves, Moringa seedling

Impact of chemical fertilizer on soil fertility of oil palm plantations in relation to productivity and environment

Indonesia produces around 45 MT of CPO in 2020. It is predicted that the demand of world palm oil will remain. Most of the oil palm plantations are grown on acidic soils with low fertility levels, such as Peat soils, Podzolic soils, and Acid sulfate soils. The domestic demand of phosphate and Kalium fertilizer still fulfilled by importation. Production of oil palm had depend on this fertilizer. Various research results have found that fertilizing oil palm using chemical anorganic fertilizers, especially Urea, TSP, KCl and Kieserit, has produced fresh fruit bunches which are quite high and profitable. Fertilizing oil palm crops requires a very large cost of around 30% of production costs. Currently, non-subsidized chemical fertilizers are rocketing, which is very burdensome for oil palm farmers. Some research results indicate that the continuous use of chemical fertilizers in oil palm plants causes to the land degradation. The use of organic fertilizers can improve sour and less fertile land, can increase the weight and number of oil palm fruit bunches. This paper aims to examine the impact of the use of chemical fertilizers on oil palm fruit production, as well as provide alternative organic fertilizers which sources are mostly around plantations.

Microplastic Pollution in EU Farmland Soils: Preliminary Findings from Agricultural Soils (Southwestern Poland)

Agricultural soils are considered as “hot-spots” of plastic particles; however, due to a lack of standardized method of microplastic determination in soils, as well as no legal regulations requiring the monitoring of the soil environment in the context of microplastic contamination, the data on MP abundance and occurrence in European soils are very limited. In this first study of MPs pollution in agricultural soils in Poland, we developed a method of microplastic extraction from soil samples with different properties (particle size distribution, clay and organic matter content) and used optical microscopy for MP determination and quantification. In this study, we analyzed 44 soil samples from five sampling site locations with differing soil type, agricultural activity, including farmland soils on floodplains and past records of sewage sludge and compost applications. We found evidence that 93% of cultivated soils in the SW part of Poland contained MPs. The content of MP varied between soil types and present/former use of the land. Loamy and clay soils contained more MPs, 1540 ± 912 particles per kg soil and 933 ± 682 particles per kg, respectively, compared with sandy soils at 383 ± 188 particles per kg of soil. The highest MP concentrations were determined in soils amended with sewage sludge, wastewaters and green-waste composts (up to 4050 ± 2831 particles per kg of soil). The wide distribution of MPs with a dominance of plastic fibers (up to 60% of determined MP types) can be associated with agricultural sources such as soil mulching, the use of organic fertilizers, seed coating or unintentional waste dumping and air deposition.

Fairtrade on coffee farming in Takengon District, Central Aceh Regency

Fairtrade in coffee farming has been widely applied in several coffee-producing countries. Not only providing a quality guarantee to coffee consumers, but fair trade also guarantees higher price and benefit for coffee farmers in exchange for all the efforts made during coffee cultivation. Gayo Coffee is one of the commodities that is being produced and becomes exporting commodity in Indonesia. The Fairtrade system has been implemented by coffee Gayo farmers in Takengon District Since 2018. There are two groups of Gayo Coffee farmers in Takengon District, non-fairtrade and fairtrade coffee farmers. The result of study shows that productivity incremental of non-fairtrade farmer is greater than fairtrade farmer due to the requirements of fairtrade such as the use of organic fertilizers which causes farmers’ productivity to be lower. However, income incremental of non-fairtrade farmer is lower than fairtrade farmer due to additional price that is only given to the fairtrade farmer.

Communication Strategy in Resourced-Based Waste Segregation in Klungkung Subdistrict, Klungkung Regency

Increasing the number of human population, consumerism, and changes in modern activities directly proportional with the number amount of waste. As a tourist destination, Klungkung Regency occupies the second position as the largest waste producer in the Province of Bali and there are still 3,795.83 tons or 11.09% of unmanaged waste to total waste production in Klungkung Regency. Resourced-based waste management is the earliest or upstream handling of household waste which is the key to the success of the next steps. This study aims to analyze: (1) Communication pattern are implemented to change people's behavior; (2) Inhibiting factors of communication strategy; (3) Implications of communication strategy that applicated by local goverment.. This study uses a descriptive research method with a qualitative approach. The research location is in Klungkung District, Klungkung Regency with a focus on Semarapura Kangin Village. Data collection was carried out through observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The theory used as the basis for the analysis is: (1) Persuasive Communication Theory; (2) Attitude Change Theory, (3) Social Judgement Theory; and (4) Diffusion of Innovations Theory.. The findings in this study are: (1) The pattern of communication in the implementation of Tri Hita Karana uses group communication, while in the implementation of laws and regulations it uses patterns of interpersonal communication, group communication, and mass communication; (2) There are 3 (three) factors inhibiting communication, namely technical barriers (limited communication media used), semantic barriers (regional language) and human barriers (perception and time of visit); (3) The implications of a persuasive communication strategy consist of 3 (three) dimensions, namely cognitive, affective, and conative in the form of: increasing public awareness about the negative impacts of waste and the importance of waste segregation, changing attitudes, and changing behavior in sorting waste and becoming a customer of a waste bank. Strict application of real sanctions is needed for people who violate laws and regulations related to waste management and waste segregation according to the types listed in laws and regulations. The local government of Semarapura Kangin is expected to innovate more in reusing waste that is still economically valuable, reuse and recycle organic and inorganic waste through various methods involving the active role of the community, such as: optimizing the use of Waste Recycling Holes (Bang Daus), ecoenzymes, making and the use of organic fertilizers, as well as the development of a waste bank.
 Keywords: Communication Strategy, Communication Pattern, Persuasive, Waste, Resourced-Based Waste Management.

Farmers response to introducing of integrated crop management technology for lowland rice in Konawe district

One of the efforts to spur national rice production is through the application of location-specific technological innovations, which is believed to support the program to increase national rice production when applied by farmers as recommended. The study aims to determine the response of farmers to the components of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) technology for lowland rice. The study was carried out in April - August 2021, located in Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. Respondents were 25 farmers who were involved in the NEW SUPERIOR VARIETY paddy rice demonstration plot. The response of farmers to the observed lowland rice farming technology refers to the component of rice Integrated Crop Management (ICM) technology, which consists of: perfect tillage, quality seeds, lowland rice new superior variety, planting methods, use of organic matter, fertilization, pest management and disease and timely harvest. Data were analyzed with a qualitative descriptive approach. The results of the study of farmers’ responses to the ICM technology components obtained, the response rate of farmers was 88%, included in the high category. This means that 88% of the introduced ICM technology components are accepted by farmers. Partially, the level of response of farmers to the components of ICM technology are: perfect tillage (100%), quality/labeled seeds (100%), organic matter (100%), timely harvest (100%), fertilization (90%), pest and disease management (80%), lowland rice NEW SUPERIOR VARIETY (75%), tapin and atabela Jarwo (60%).

Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Kedelai (Glycine max (L) Merrill) Menggunakan Pupuk Organik pada Pengolahan Tanah yang Berbeda

This study aims to determine the dose of fertilization on the growth and yield of soybeans, to determine the effect of tillage on the growth and yield of soybeans and to determine the interaction of doses of the level of use of organic fertilizers and tillage on the growth and yield of soybeans. The research was conducted using factorial group random planning method or factorial RAK. The first factor is the amount of organic fertilizer (cow stage) which is divided into four levels, namely P0 without fertilization, P1 organic fertilizer (10 tons/ha), P2 organic fertilizer (30 tons/ha). The second factor is tillage which consists of two levels, namely T0 (least tillage) and T1 (perfect tillage). Each treatment combination was repeated 3 times so that there were 24 research plots. The results showed that there was no interaction between organic fertilizers and tillage. The application of organic fertilizer significantly affected the parameters of soybean plant height, number of leaves, rate of formation of flowers and pods, number of pods per plant, weight of 100 seeds, and dry weight of the plots. Tillage significantly affected plant height, number of leaves, percentage of flower pods, number of pods per plant, and weight per 100 seeds. The application of 20 tons of organic fertilizer per hectare and intensive tillage has the best effect on the growth and yield of soybeans

Greenhouse gas emissions and grain arsenic and cadmium concentrations as affected by a weed control drainage in organic rice systems

AbstractRice (Oryza sativa L.) is the primary staple food for more people than any other crop, but it is also a significant source of methane (CH4) emissions and arsenic (As) in the human diet. For organic rice, these factors pose a greater challenge due to the use of organic fertilizers and that organic rice consumers often prefer brown rice. A major management challenge for organic rice producers is weed control. In California, organic producers have developed a practice to control weeds that involves a severe dry‐down (DD) about 30 days after planting. Our objective was to determine the impact of a DD on greenhouse gas emissions and grain As and cadmium (Cd) concentrations compared to a continuously flooded (CF) control. The DD treatment reduced seasonal CH4 emissions by 50% (from 359 to 181 kg CH4 ha−1). Only during the DD period were nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions detected, but cumulative emissions were low (0.35 kg N2O ha−1). The global warming potential (GWP) was reduced by 49% in the DD treatment relative to the CF. Grain As and Cd concentrations were not at levels deemed a health concern in any treatment. However, grain As concentrations in the DD treatment were reduced by 30% and 37% in brown and white rice, respectively. Under the DD treatment, Cd concentrations increased but remained low. This study confirms that the weed management DD practice has a positive effect on GWP and grain As concentrations. In Cd contaminated soils, this practice may not be advisable.

Effect of Inorganic Fertilizers and Organic Manures on Physical Properties of Soil: A Review

Deterioration of physical properties of soil and there after depletion the soil fertility are the main constrains in food and environment security of any country. This review paper summarizes the current knowledge and information on the effect of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures on soil physical properties. The use of inorganic fertilizer or organic fertilizer alone has both positive and negative effects on soil properties, plant growth and nutrient availability. Most of earlier investigators confirmed that combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures improved the physical properties and available nutrient status in soils. Organic manures improve physical properties of soil but they are comparatively low in nutrient content, addition of larger quantity of manures is required for successful plant growth. However, inorganic fertilizers is contain all the essential nutrients which are early accessible for plants. Due to continuous use of inorganic fertilizers alone causes soil organic matter degradation, soil acidity or alkalization, soil deterioration and environmental pollution, so integrated or mixed inorganic and organic nutrient management system is an alternative system for the sustainable and cost effective management of soil and the result is improve in soil properties and raising soil fertility without affecting environment. The objective of the review is to assess the effect of inorganic fertilizer and organic manure on physical properties of soil. The study revealed that appropriate application of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures improves soil physical properties and increases the productivity without negative effect on soil health than the values obtained by organic or inorganic fertilizers separately.

Adaptation of agriculture to extreme weather events: evidence from apple farmers' organic fertilizer use in China.

Overcoming the challenge of more frequent and extreme weather events holds importance in agricultural production. We take spring frost disasters as a representative extreme weather event to identify how perennial economic crop farmers adjust the quantity of organic fertilizer used in response to extreme weather events and their adjustment mechanism. In this study, we establish a conceptual framework for the adaptation mechanism of apple growers under extreme weather events. This article draws and verifies five hypotheses through on-site investigations of apple growers in Shaanxi Province, China. Empirical evidence shows that farmers increase the quantity of commercial organic fertilizer materials in the year and in the following year when spring frost occurs, indicating that their adaptative behavior can be subdivided into repair and prevention. Mechanism analysis shows that liquidity constraints impact farmers' adaptive behavior. Liquidity constraints limit the ability of farmers to increase the quantity of commercial organic fertilizer materials to adapt to a spring frost disaster. Furthermore, for farmers not constrained by liquidity constraints, household resource endowment conditions still affect their adaptive behavior. Significantly, the household labor force size mainly influences farmers to increase commercial organic fertilizer to adapt to a spring frost disaster. Our findings highlight the differences between the adaptive behavior mechanism of perennial crop farmers and food crop farmers. Moreover, we reconfirm the stimulating effect of organic fertilizer on crop production.

Effects of different soil management styles and cropping practices on the yield and quality of fava bean (Vicia faba L.)

This research aimed to determine the effects of various soil tillage techniques and the use of organic and chemical fertilizers on the overall yield and quality of fava beans. The study emphasized the significance of fertilizer types and their interaction with soil tillage methods. Although the quantity of grains per pod was notably influenced by the choice of fertilizers, the impact of soil tillage alone was found to be insignificant. Moreover, this study demonstrated that the yield index of fava beans was significantly influenced by fertilizer sources, emphasizing the importance of proper nitrogen managements. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing crop production and quality through optimized soil tillage practices and the use of organic and chemical fertilizers. Through an examination of both the measurable and qualitative elements of fava bean cultivation, this study offers valuable knowledge on how to optimize the application of nitrogen fertilizers and effectively utilize mycorrhizal inoculation to improve grain yield and seed quality. These findings have implications for sustainable agriculture practices and guide farmers and researchers in making informed decisions regarding soil management strategies in fava bean cultivation.

PENGARUH PUPUK ORGANIK CAIR URINE SAPI PLUS TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN SELADA (Lactuca sativa L.)

Lettuce has great potential to be cultivated because it has a short harvest period, a wide open market, and a relatively stable price. The demand for lettuce also continues to increase, but the availability of lettuce stock is still limited. This causes the use of chemical fertilizers to increase. Continuous use of chemical fertilizers can damage soil fertility and the environment. One way that can be applied to support an environmentally friendly cultivation system is the use of liquid organic fertilizer plus cow urine. This liquid fertilizer is made from cow urine and additional ingredients in the form of spices and tobacco. Utilization of cow urine can help increase the economic value of livestock waste. In addition, this organic cow urine plus liquid organic fertilizer also contains nutrients that can help increase plant growth and yields. Additives such as spices and tobacco in fertilizers also help control pests on plants. The method in this study used a one-factor Randomized Block Design with p0 (0%), P1 (5%), P2 (15%), P3 (25%), P4 (35%), and P5 (45%). The results showed that liquid organic fertilizer plus cow urine had a significant effect on plant height, leaf width, number of leaves, and fresh weight of lettuce plants. The best concentration of organic cow urine plus fertilizer on the growth and yield of lettuce was found in treatment P1 (5%) with an average plant height of 9.22 cm, number of leaves of 14.75 cm, leaf width of 7.77, and fresh weight of 30.13 g.

Impact of Agrochemicals on Beneficial Microorganisms and Human Health

Agrochemicals, including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, are widely used in agriculture to improve crop yields and protect plants from pests and diseases. There is growing concern over their impact on beneficial soil microorganisms and, indirectly, on human health. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the effects of agrochemicals on soil microbial communities and human health, focusing on recent scientific research and case studies. Exploring various agrochemicals can disrupt microbial diversity, population, and functionality, affecting crucial soil processes and, in turn, ecosystem health. We delve into the pathways of human exposure to agrochemicals and the potential health implications. To mitigate the adverse effects of agrochemicals, the review highlights several alternative approaches, including the use of organic fertilizers and pesticides, precision agriculture, and genetically modified crops. Despite these advancements, research gaps persist in understanding the complex interplay between agrochemicals, beneficial microorganisms, and human health, particularly in the changing agricultural practices and climate conditions. We argue that interdisciplinary, long-term studies are needed to fill these gaps and develop sustainable, health-conscious agricultural practices. The review is intended for researchers, policymakers, and agricultural practitioners seeking to understand and address the environmental and health impacts of agrochemicals.

Assessment of nutrient uptake by sugar beet as a factor of the crop biological potential realization

Purpose. To establish the peculiarities of the accumulation and removal of macroelements by sugar beet in the Steppe Zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field research was conducted during 2020–2022 in the Chkalov Agrocompany LLC (Kirovohrad region). The scheme of the experiment provided for the cultivation of sugar beets against the background of the use of a water-retaining agent (without hydrogel; hydrogel Aquasorb, 300 kg/ha), under different systems of the main fertilizer [without fertilizers – control; manure, 20 t/ha; N170P180K350; Leonardyt, 400 kg/ha; Parostok (brand 20), 400 kg/ha] and foliar feeding during the growing season (without foliar feeding; Humifild, SE, 2 kg/ha in the BBCH stage 30 + 39). Organic and mineral fertilizers (PK) were applied in autumn at plowing and nitrogen at cultivation in early spring. The adsorbent was applied to the soil two weeks before sowing the crop locally in the zone of the row, based on the data of the GPS tracker. The rest of the agricultural activities corresponded to the generally accepted culture cultivation technology in the research area. Results. On average, according to the experiment, sugar beet used 90.2 kg/ha of nitrogen, 15.1 kg/ha of phosphorus, and 75.6 kg/ha of potassium to form a crop. The consumption of macronutrients for the formation of humus was not calculated, since it was immediately returned to the soil during harvesting. The use of organic fertilizers of the new formulation contributed not only to the formation of a high yield of sugar beet roots, but also to a significant removal of macronutrients from the soil. In particular, when applying Leonardyt (400 kg/ha) with the crop, 94.8 kg/ha of nitrogen, 16.1 kg/ha of phosphorus and 79.9 kg/ha of potassium was removed, which is 17.1; 3.1 and 14.7 kg/ha more than on the unfertilized control. When applying Parostok (brand 20) (400 kg/ha), 101.6 kg/ha of nitrogen, 16.7 kg/ha of phosphorus and 84.2 kg/ha of potassium was removed, which exceeded the control indicators by 23.9; 3.8 and 19.1 kg/ha, respectively. Conclusions. According to the indicators of the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of photosynthesis, the highest coefficient values were obtained in the case of applying Aquasorb hydrogel in the zone of the row before sowing and fertilizing with Leonardyt (0.58–0.59) and Parostok (brand 20) (0.58–0.60). Therefore, the best conditions for the growth and development of sugar beets were formed in these treatments of the experiment. Based on the obtained coefficients of the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of photosynthesis, the yield of root crops can be predicted by the equation y = 88.5x + 5.1.

Improvement of soil acidification and ammonium nitrogen content in tea plantation by long-term use of organic fertilizer.

Soil acidification was common in Chinese tea plantations, which seriously affected the growth of tea trees, and it was of great significance to explore soil remediation in acidified tea plantations for the sustainable development of tea industry. We sought to determine how different fertilizers improve acidified soil and their nitrogen transformation in tea plantation. Different fertilizers were used to treat acidified soils in tea plantations for 4 consecutive years from 2017 to 2021, and the changes in soil pH, indexes related to soil nitrogen transformation and tea yield were analyzed to construct interaction networks of the above indexes and obtain the indexes with the greatest influence on the fertilization effect. Long-term use of sheep manure fertilizer in tea plantation improved soil acidification, increased the soil pH value, enhanced the number and intensity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and ammonifying bacteria, urease, protease, asparaginase and N-acetamide glucose ribosidase activities, nifH gene expression, reduced the number and intensity of soil nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase activities, and the expressions of amoA-AOA, nirK, nirS, narG and nosZ genes, which in turn increased ammonium nitrogen content of the soil, reduced nitrate nitrogen content, and enhanced tea yield. Topsis index weight analysis showed that ammonium nitrogen content in soil had the greatest impact on the fertilization effect. Long-term use of sheep manure fertilizer was beneficial to restore the balance of micro-ecosystem of acidified soil. This study provided an important practical basis for soil remediation and fertilizer management in acidified tea plantation soils.