Organomineral Fertilizer Research Articles

Yield and Fruit Characteristics of Tomato Crops Grown with Mineral Macronutrients: Impact of Organo-Mineral Fertilizers through Foliar or Soil Applications.

The utilization of plant biostimulants has gained importance as a strategy by which to improve plant productivity and soil health. Two independent trials were conducted across two seasons (2021 and 2023) to evaluate the effects of foliar or soil applications of various commercial organo-mineral fertilizers (Futuroot®, Radicon® Amifort®) with biostimulant action that is exerted on yield and fruit characteristics of processing tomato crops (cv Taylor F1) that have been exposed to mineral macronutrients. These treatments were administered three times during the season: at the transplanting, pre-flowering and berry development stages. In the first trial, conducted in two fields characterized respectively by low and high fertility, foliar applications of Radicon®, which is based on humic acid and amino acids, increased the leaf greenness index SPAD compared with the control. Furthermore, the leaf green colour intensity (SPAD index), measured during the reproductive phases of the tomato exhibited a positive correlation (R2 = 0.726) with the marketable yield obtained. This increase in marketable yield was significant in the biostimulant treatment compared with the control in both soils, especially in the soil characterized by lower fertility (16.1%), when compared with the more fertile soil (6.8%). In the second trial, conducted in the low-fertility field mentioned above, soil applications of all biostimulants (Futuroot®, Radicon® and the combinations [Radicon® + Amifort-Plus®]) significantly increased the marketable yield by 27.8%, 13.5% and 27.7%, respectively, compared with the control. The most significant beneficial effects of both Futuroot® and [Radicon® + Amifort®] could be attributed to the combination of humic acids and auxins, cytokinins or microelements (Zn, Mn, MgO) present in the formulation of these products. Furthermore, the increase in marketable yield obtained when Radicon® was applied to leaves was higher (16.1%) than that observed with soil application (13.5%). In both trials, no relevant effects of biostimulant products were observed on most of the physicochemical characteristics of tomato fruits. In conclusion, the biostimulants based on humic acid and amino acids combined with chemical fertilizers tested in the present study and applied by fertigation were more effective in improving tomato yield, and therefore they can be recommended for efficient agricultural production.

Efficiency of the main application of fertilizers and top dressing of eggplant under drip irrigation on ordinary chernozems of the Rostov region

Relevance. Fertigation is the application of fertilizers, in which nutrients are dissolved in water for irrigation. This method is relevant when growing eggplant in the Rostov region, allowing effective use of fertilizers, since nutrients enter directly into the roots of plants, which eliminates their loss to evaporation or weathering. During fertigation, there is no need to carry out separate procedures for fertilization and irrigation, operations are combined into one, which reduces time and costs. The Rostov region is characterized by variable climatic conditions, including drought and strong winds. Fertigation ensures uniform and constant nutrition of plants, allowing them to better adapt to weather conditions, and can help increase yields by optimizing plant growth and development conditions.Material and methodology. In the conditions of the Rostov region, on ordinary heavy loamy chernozems, studies were conducted on the cultivation of eggplant on different backgrounds of the main application of mineral fertilizers in calculated doses before planting and using root fertilizing with complex fertilizers with trace elements with irrigation (fertigation), as well as leaf fertilizing with organomineral fertilizer Arksoil during the growing season.Results. It was revealed that mineral fertilizers and top dressing accelerated the growth and development of plants, and in the best case, the increase in indicators was 2 times higher compared with the control, while the height of the main stem, the number of lateral shoots and the number of ovaries on the plant, as well as the average weight of the fruit, significantly increased, which ensured an increase in plant productivity. The combined use of basic fertilizer and complex soluble fertilizers in the drip irrigation system has significantly increased plant productivity and increased yields to 77.82 t/ha. The application of high doses of fertilizers in combination with fertigation with water-soluble fertilizers did not actually affect the quality of fruits. The content of dry matter and nitrates remained at an optimal level.

Methods of increasing the seed productivity of the new variety of sage medicinal Fioletovy Aromat

Relevance. Salvia officinalis L. is an important essential oilseed crop with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Providing the pharmaceutical industry with raw materials of Salvia in full is possible due to the expansion of production areas and the availability of the maximum amount of highquality seed material of new promising varieties.Methods. In 2019-2022 in the conditions of the North Caucasus branch of VILAR on a new variety of Salvia Fioletovy aromat II year of vegetation by staging small-scale experiments were conducted to study the systematic application of organomineral fertilizer – EcoFus and growth regulators of different mechanism of action – Zircon, Epin-extra, retardant Hardy to increase seed productivity and seed quality. The area of the experimental plots was 12 m2. Treatment with EcoFus was carried out at the beginning of regrowth, and with bioregulators – during the budding phase. The consumption of the working solution is 300 l/ha. Control variants of medicinal crops were treated with water.Results. Application of EcoFus in the phase of regrowth contributed to the activation of the intensity of photosynthesis and increase in the accumulation of plastic substances, which allowed plants to enter the generative phase earlier, the budding phase came 2-3 days earlier than in the control. Subsequent treatment of budding plants with growth regulators led to earlier and more friendly flowering, the time of seed ripening was reduced by 3-4 days. The highest efficiency was observed in the variants of joint application of EcoFus with Zircon or Hardy, where the number of inflorescences on plants increased, seed setting and seed productivity increased by 37-42%, seed quality also improved – weight of 1000 seeds increased by 9-10% and germination by 6-7%.

The influence of herbicides and organomineral fertilizers on the water consumption coefficient of chickpea in the Lower Volga region

The influence of herbicides and organomineral fertilizers on the water consumption coefficient of chickpea in the Lower Volga region

Biochemical changes, metal content, and spectroscopic analysis in sewage sludge composted with lignocellulosic residue using FTIR-MIR and FTIR-NIR.

The use of lignocellulosic residues, originating from sawdust, in composting sewage sludge for organic fertilizer production, is a practice of growing interest. However, few studies have explored the effect of the proportion of sawdust and sewage sludge raw materials on composting performance in the humification process. This study assessed the addition of sawdust in the sewage sludge composting process, regarding carbon content, presence of heavy metals, and humification of the organic compost. The experimental design employed was a randomized complete block design with five treatments featuring different proportions of organic residues to achieve C/N ratios between 30-1 (T1: 100% sewage sludge and 0% sawdust, T2: 86% sewage sludge and 14.0% sawdust, T3: 67% sewage sludge and 33% sawdust, T4: 55% sewage sludge and 45% sawdust, and T5: 46.5% sewage sludge and 53.5% sawdust) and five replications, totaling 25 experimental units. The addition of lignocellulosic residue in sewage sludge composting increased the levels of TOC and the C/N ratio, reduced the levels of pH, P, N, Na, Ba, and Cr, and did not interfere with the levels of K, Ca, Mg, S, CEC, labile carbon, and metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb. The increase in the proportion of sawdust residue favored the degradation of aliphatic groups, increasing the presence of aromatic structures and reducing humification at the end of composting. The use of sawdust as a lignocellulosic residue in sewage sludge composting is a viable and efficient alternative to produce high-quality organomineral fertilizers.

Proportions of mineral and organomineral fertilizers in onion cultivation

Organomineral fertilizers is an innovation in agriculture, since it uses organic matter enriched with minerals. The combination of mineral phosphate and organomineral fertilization can contribute to the development of a more sustainable and economical fertilization program for the crop. So, organomineral fertilization can be an alternative or complement to mineral fertilization. However, the careful selection of fertilizer sources and doses is essential to increase productivity in the onion crop and finding proportions between different fertilizers can be a promising choice for sustainable agriculture. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effect of different proportions of mineral and organomineral fertilizers on the development, production and post-harvest quality of onion bulbs, cv. Sublime F1, under Cerrado conditions. The experiment was carried out in the field, in Cristalina, GO, Brazil, in a randomized block design, with four replications. Six treatments were used: five proportions of mineral fertilizer (M) with organomineral (OM) and the control (without additional fertilization). It was evaluated: length, width and number of leaves; productivity; soluble solids content; titratable acidity; and loss of fresh mass. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), at 1% (p≤0.01) and 5% (p≤0.05) of significance, and means compared by Tukey and Dunnett tests (p≤0.01 and p≤0.05). The fertilization proportions were submitted to regression (p≤0.05). The proportion of 50%M50%OM promotes higher bulb average mass and class 4 onion productivity. The proportions of fertilizers did not alter the postharvest characteristics (total soluble solids and total acidity) of the onion, which were affected only by the time of storage. Cultivar Sublime F1 showed good development for the region, conditions and fertilizers used.

Vermicompost and millicompost as a resource in sustainable agriculture in semiarid: decomposition, nutrient release, and microstructure under the action of nitrogen and organic-mineral fertilizers.

With the expansion of organic agriculture, research is needed to indicate economically and ecologically viable fertilizer options, especially in semiarid regions, with low soil organic matter and nitrogen content. In the Brazilian semiarid region, vermicomposts are widely used by farmers and are scientifically investigated; however, there is no information for millicompost, a new type of organic compound that has shown very promising results in other regions. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the decomposition rate, nutrient release, and microstructure evaluation of vermicomposts from different sources and of millicompost produced from plant residues, with the application of mineral nitrogen-urea and organo-mineral fertilizer in the Brazilian semiarid region. The experimental design was a randomized block in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replicates; four organic composts (millicompost, commercial vermicompost, vermicompost from bovine manure, vermicompost from goat manure); and three types of fertilization (without fertilizer, with mineral-urea and organo-mineral fertilizer). The organic composts were decomposed using litterbags at the soil surface. The variable's decomposition rate and the nutrient release were evaluated at six-time intervals (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150days), and microstructure was evaluated at the beginning and the end of the experiment, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest decomposition was verified for commercial vermicompost rich in macro and micronutrients and with lower P contents. The lignin:N ratio and the initial P content were more important in the permanence of the organic compost in the field than the C:N ratio. Regardless of the organic composts, the use of urea as a mineral fertilizer stimulated decomposition more than the organo-mineral fertilizer. The initial composition of the nutrients was decisive in the dynamics of nutrient release, mass loss, and decomposition of C. There was no pattern in the release order of macronutrients. However, for the micronutrients, the release order was Cu > Fe > Mn, in all treatments. Microstructure analysis is a visual analysis where differences are detected through microphotographs and the biggest difference occurred with millicompost, which showed elongated fibers and fiber bundles, forming a relatively open structure characteristic of the presence of fulvic acid. However, the addition of organo-mineral fertilizer formed agglomerates in compacted micro-portions, helping the mineralization of C and N.

BIOMASS AND YIELD OF SOFT WHEAT VARIETY “ISTIKLOL-6” DEPENDING ON VARIOUS AGROTECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES ON THE FARMED GROUND

Based on the research conducted on long-term stationary experience, it is clear that grain yield and the accumulation of total biomass of soft wheat fluctuates sharply depending on the predecessor and the use of organo-mineral fertilizers. A close positive correlation (r=0.75) was noted between the yield and biomass accumulation of soft wheat “Istiklol-6”. In terms of yield indicators and accumulation of total biomass of soft wheat “Istiklol-6”, option 6 was noted (wheat + 10 t/ha manure -+ Р40 under the plow).

Phosphate fertilization in sequeiro rice cropping

Rice farming has great importance in Brazil and around the world as the grain is a vital source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. With an increasing productive demand, there is need to search for sustainable and more efficient means of production. A promising alternative is fertilization with organomineral fertilizers, however, its application and efficiency is little explored by the literature. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of varying doses of phosphorus (P) from organomineral fertilizer on the productivity and nutritional status of rice plants. The design was completely randomized with 3 replications. The rice plants were treated with doses of 0, 75, 150 and 225 kg/ha of P2O5 from organic-mineral fertilizer and doses of 75 and 150 kg/ha of P2O5 from high solubility mineral fertilizer. The macro and micronutrient contents of fresh grain mass, total dry grain mass, dry grain mass and mass of 100 grains of rice were evaluated. The organomineral phosphate fertilizer showed similar behaviour to the high-solubility mineral fertilizer.

Nitrogenated Fertilization In Pasture Brachiaria Brizantha Cv. Marandu Via Organic Compounds

The objective was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative effect of fertilization of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu using nitrogen from liquid cattle manure and organomineral fertilizer. The experiment was developed in a pasture already established and soil analysis of this area was made for the necessary corrections. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme. The treatments consisted of control with 0 kg/ha of N, 3 treatments with application of bovine liquid manure and 3 treatments with organomineral fertilizer in the dosages of 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha of N. Three cuts were made in Marandu grass when the pasture reached 30 cm in height, leaving a residue of 15 cm, the production of DM, leaf production, stem, CP, NDF and ADF were evaluated. At the end of the experiment, the cost of fertilizing with manure and organomineral fertilizer was done. To compare the averages obtained and the morphological components of each sample, the Tukey test at 5% significance was used, with the aid of the SISVAR statistical program. With the highest nitrogen levels of organomineral fertilizer and the bovine liquid manure, a higher CP content was obtained, reaching 9.30; 7.78 and 7.90% in the first cut, with organo 180, 120 and manure 180 respectively. Fertilizations with manure 60 and 180, organomineral 120 and 180 showed the lowest values for NDF in the first cut, the ADF only showed a significant difference in the second cut with organo 60, manure 120 and 60 with the highest values. Organomineral fertilizer in different doses provided higher production, but at a higher cost. Fertilization improved the quality of the forage.

Influence of mineral, organic, organomineral fertilization on winter hardiness components of columnar apple tree (<i>Malus domestica</i> Borkh.)

Intensive biological technologies of apple-tree cultivation with application of organic and mineral fertilizers form high nitrogen nutrition, thus leading to prolonged growth of fruit plants and reducing their winter hardiness. Columnar apple tree fail to demonstrate high potential for winter hardiness. Therefore, research into regularities and mechanisms behind the influence of nutritional status of columnar apple tree on indicators of plant winter hardiness is considered relevant. The research was aimed at establishing the influence of mineral, organic, organomineral fertilization on the components of winter hardiness of columnar apple trees grown on podzolic soil. Materials and methods. The research involved the ‘Triumph’, ‘President’, ‘Ostankino’ columnar apple varieties, as well as organic and mineral fertilizers. The experiment was conducted in 2016–2021 in the agrochemical experiment station of the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Moscow region) on podzolic soil of medium-loam particle size distribution. The experimental design included 4 variants: 1) control without fertilizers; 2) N90K90; 3) organic fertilizers 100 t/ha; 4) N90K90 organic fertilizers 100 t/ha. Naa (ammonium saltpeter), KCl mineral fertilizers were applied annually, organic fertilizer (horse manure with sawdust) was applied in 2014. Winter hardiness components and plant samples were analyzed according to generally accepted methods. According to the research into the influence of mineral, organic, organomineral fertilization on the components of winter hardiness of columnar apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) grown on podzolic soil in the conditions of the Moscow region, the fertilizer is found inefficient in terms of providing the optimal level of nitrogen nutrition of columnar apple tree plants, except for ‘Triumph’ variety when getting organic fertilizers at a dose of 100 t/ha. In January, fructose prevailed in the sugars of annual shoots of columnar apple tree plants. The ‘Triumph’ and ‘President’ varieties showed a tendency to increase in the content of fructose and glucose as compared with the control when getting organic fertilizers and their combination with mineral fertilizers. The same tendency was observed in the ‘Ostankino’ variety for the content of ascorbic acid in annual shoots, whereas this indicator of the ‘Triumph’ and ‘President’ varieties demonstrated the opposite trend. The ascorbic acid content in annual shoots in winter appeared consistent with its content in August shoots and remained independent on the content in leaves in August. With a decrease in temperature to -40 °C (component II of winter hardiness), the ‘Triumph ‘and ‘Ostankino’ varieties suffered reversible damage to the vegetative buds from 0 to 2.0 points, the ‘President’ variety introduced with 100 tons/ha organic fertilizers demonstrated an increase in damage to the vegetative buds to 3.17 points. The greatest damage to reproductive buds in the ‘President’ and ‘Ostankino’ varieties (3.85-3.91 on the control) was observed in component II of winter hardiness. The application of mineral and organic fertilizers increased these damages to complete death of reproductive buds. Injuries to bark, cambium in all variants of the studied varieties did not exceed 2.0 points. Wood appeared more damaged in the ‘Ostankino’ variety (up to 4.03 points in the combined application of N90K90 and 100 t/ha of organic fertilizers) as well as in the Triumph variety (up to 3.80 points in the N90K90 variant). As for component III of winter hardiness, an irreversible damage was noted for reproductive buds of the studied varieties in all variants of the experiment. In terms of component IV of winter hardiness, irreversible changes occurred in reproductive buds to the greatest extent (complete death in the ‘Triumph’ and ‘President’ varieties); in the tissue under reproductive buds, to the greatest extent in the ‘President’ variety (3.07 points in the variant of 100 tons/ha of organic fertilizers) and in the ‘Ostankino’ variety (2.76 points in N90K90), at the core, the maximum damage was noted in the N90K90 variant in the ‘Triumph’ (3.22 points) and ‘Ostankino’ (2.76 points) varieties.

Loss of nutrients from meadow-brown soils during irrigation of apple trees in the conditions of the dry subtropics of Azerbaijan

The article presents the results of studies on the effect of water consumption, depending on the length (96, 144 and 192) meters of irrigation furrow with a slope of relief tg = 0.021 on the leaching of nitrogen, phosphorus and humus from irrigated soils of the dry subtropics of Azerbaijan under apple trees. Under conditions of leaching of nutrients, the effect of mineral and organic fertilizer systems on apple yields has also been studied. With a 96-meter furrow and a water consumption of 0.2 l/sec, the content of leached nutrients (N, P) and gross humus with soil was 0.01 % nitrogen and phosphorus, 0.02 % gross humus. Increase in water consumption from 0.2 l/sec. up to 0.4 l/sec. It has a negative effect on the leaching of humus, nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil. With a water consumption of 0.4 l/sec, these indicators increased markedly by 0.01 % for humus, nitrogen and phosphorus. Along the length of the irrigation furrow in both water consumption rates, the leaching of nutrients and humus from the soil increases. It was found that with an increase in the length of the furrow to 192 meters at a water consumption of 0.4 l/sec, the leaching was greater than the 96-meter furrow in humus by 0.22 %, nitrogen by 0.07 % and phosphorus by 0.04 %. The use of an organomineral fertilizer system (Background+ N120P120K90) had a positive effect on the yield of apple trees. Thus, in the non-maneuverable version on a 94–meter furrow, the yield of the apple tree was 274.2 c/ha - when the furrow was lengthened to 192 m, the yield gradually decreased due to the high content of leached nutrients and humus (268.5 c/ha). When using N120P120K90 + 10 t/ha of manure, 278.4 c/ha yield was established at 96 m furrow and 0.2 l/sec of water consumption. Whereas, when the furrow was lengthened to 192 m at the same rate of fertilizers and water consumption, the yield decreased to 278.2 c/ha, that is, furrow lengthening was ineffective at slopes tg = 0.021. It was found that at high slopes, the shorter the furrow, the less nutrients are washed out.

Bacillus sp., formas de adubação e estresse salino na produção da soja

ABSTRACT The use of Bacillus sp. mitigates salt stress and increases the productive yield in soybean plants. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the production of soybean grown under different forms of fertilization and salt stress, inoculated with Bacillus sp. The experiment was performed in the experimental area of the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (UNILAB), Redenção, Ceará, Brazil. A completely randomized design was used in a 4 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme, with five replications, corresponding to four forms of fertilization (F1 = 100% of the NPK recommendation; F2 = 50% of the NPK recommendation; F3 = 100% bovine biofertilizer; F4 = organomineral fertilization - 50% NPK + 50% bovine biofertilizer), two electrical conductivities of the irrigation water (ECw - 0.3 and 4.0 dS m-1), with and without inoculation of Bacillus sp. The forms of fertilization organic with 100% of the recommendation through bovine biofertilizer, organomineral fertilization - 50% mineral and 50% organic with bovine biofertilizer, and 50% of the NPK recommendation promote greater productive performance of the soybean crop irrigated with water of lower salinity. Organomineral fertilization - 50% mineral and 50% organic with bovine biofertilizer was more efficient for soybean production, in the absence or presence of Bacillus sp. Salt stress negatively affected the production components of soybean crop under all forms of fertilization.

Response of cucumber cultivars to organomineral fertilizer rate in rainforest savannah

Organomineral fertilizer is used to improve and ameliorate the supply of nutrients in soils. Right and adequate application of fertilizers are determinants of its nutrient supply efficiency, which in turn enhances the vegetative growth and yield of cucumber. Field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, to assess the effects of variety and rate of organomineral fertilizer on cucumber growth and yield. Trials were conducted from June to August 2019 and repeated from September to November 2019. The cultivars were Poinsett, Greengo, and Monalisa. The rates of organomineral fertilizer were 0, 2.5, or 5.0 tons. ha−1. The treatments were replicated three times. Cucumber vegetative characters, yield, and yield components were studied. ‘Greengo’ produced the most leaves, followed by ‘Monalisa’; ‘Poinsett’ produced the least. Application of 5.0 tons. ha−1 organomineral fertilizer produced the longest vines and fruits. ‘Greengo’ had the earliest days to 50% flowering, followed by ‘Monalisa’; ‘Poinsett’ had the most days to 50% flowering. Plants treated with an application of 5.0 tons. ha−1 organomineral fertilizer attained 50% flowering in 29 days, but in 30 days with an application of 2.5 tons. ha−1 organomineral fertilizer; the control treatment attained 50% flowering in 33 days. Application of 5.0 tons. ha−1 organomineral fertilizer produced the longest fruits, thicker fruit diameter, and highest fruit yield compared with 2.5 and 0 tons. ha−1 of organomineral fertilizer treatments. The Greengo variety with application of 5.0 tons. ha−1 of organomineral fertilizer is recommended for optimum growth and yield in south western Nigeria.

Granulated fertilizers are more efficient in reducing potassium leaching losses than combining biosolids with inorganic sources

ABSTRACT Widespread use of soluble mineral fertilizers derived from non-renewable sources has raised concerns about environmental impacts, energy expenditures, and sustainability. Combining biosolid and mineral sources of phosphorus and potassium to produce organomineral fertilizers (OMF) can be used as an alternative nutrient source while reducing the environmental impact of sewage residues. As this approach simultaneously provides nutrients and incorporates organic matter, we hypothesized the presence of an organic source (biosolid) granulated with mineral sources of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) would reduce leaching due to the benefits of the organic source and the slower release caused by granulation. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of different OMFs on the leaching losses of nutrients. Two forms of isolated N, P, and K sources (granulated and non-granulated), five OMFs with different NPK proportions (1-2-0, 1-4-0, 1-0-2, 1-2-2, 1-2-4), and a control (unfertilized) were evaluated over ten weeks in a leaching column experiment. Non-granulated potassium sulfate exhibited the highest K leaching and did not differ from OMFs with K in their formulation (granulated PS, 1-0-2, 1-2-2, and 1-4-2). Planned contrasts showed that granulation was particularly effective at reducing K leaching, resulting in a 70 % reduction compared to non-granulated PS. While formulation and granulation showed a trend of potential benefits in reducing N-(NO 3 - + NO 2 - ) leaching, the effect was not statistically significant. Interaction between fertilizer treatments and leaching events was marginally significant for NH 4 + leaching, indicating temporal variations of OMFs in nutrient dynamics may be influenced by mineralization. As granulation modulated how OMFs affected nutrient leaching dynamics, this highlights the importance of the physical characteristics of fertilizers for effective nutrient management.

Parameters of Aerobic Biocomposting of Various Age Wastewater Sludge with the Addition of Plant Raw Materials

Decades of accumulated wastewater sludge (WWS) at Ukrainian sewage treatment plants (STP) represent a significant environmental hazard. In European countries, the predominant methods for managing sludge at STPs are thermal drying and sludge incineration, both of which come with substantial initial and ongoing expenses. In Ukraine, a more cost-effective and energy-efficient solution is aerobic biocomposting of WWS, resulting in the production of an organo-mineral mixture. Depending on the input sludge, this mixture can be utilized for land restoration and landfill rehabilitation. The capital costs associated with the implementation of biocomposting are 3-5 times lower than for drying and 8-10 times lower than for incineration. The resulting compost contains a sufficient amount of nutrients necessary for plant growth and development. Extensive research has shown that the use of organo-mineral fertilizers derived from WWS increases the humus content and boosts crop yields. Nevertheless, the optimal methods for implementing biocomposting to produce versatile substrates for various biological reclamation projects remain very relevant.

Effect of fertilizers and liming on soil condition and productivity of sugar beet

Purpose. To investigate the influence of an alternative organo-mineral fertilization system on the productivity of sugar beet at different application rates of lime. Methods. Short-term field and analytical. Results. The results of research on the influence of alternative organo-mineral fertilizers and liming on the alkaline-acidic balance of leached chernozem, its nutritional regime and productivity of sugar beets are presented. The perspective of using traditional and alternative fertilizers combined with lime on weakly acidic soil in conditions of sufficient moisture was revealed. Conclusions. The application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw and 7.5 t/ha of defecation sludge in sugar beet ensured the maximum stability of the acid-alkaline balance of leached chernozem, increased the amount of absorbed alkalis with an increase in the content of calcium and magnesium in the soil-absorbing complex. Obtained рНsalt was 6.62, hydrolytic acidity 1.69 mg-eq/100 g, amount of absorbed alkalis 28.4 mg-eq/100 g of soil. Application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw and 7.5 t/ha defecation sludge ensured the highest mobility of phosphorus and potassium in leached chernozem: the content of mobile phosphorus in the 0–30 cm layer was 170 mg/kg and potassium 128 mg/kg that provided increase of 32 and 38 mg/kg of soil, respectively, compared to control. Liming increased the mobility of potassium in the soil and did not affect the content of mobile phosphorus. The maximum productivity of sugar beet on leached chernozem was achieved with the application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw + 7.5 t/ha of defecation sludge (1.5 standard rate of CaСО3). Obtained root yield was 73.3 t/ha, sugar content 18.6%, and sugar yield 13.6 t/ha that is higher compared to control without fertilizers and defecation sludge by 22.7 t/ha, 0.2%, and 4.3 t/ha, respectively.

Improvement of an ecologically safe system of control of fungal diseases for growing on the basis of organic farming

Goal. To assess the level of effectiveness of the elements of control of fungal diseases in potato agrocenoses for various combinations of biofungicides with biologically active substances and fertilizers, methods of application and the reaction of potatoes of the Myroslav variety to them, for growing on the basis of organic farming.
 Methods. The following methods were used during the research: field — monitoring of the main diseases of potatoes in field experiments, crop accounting, determination of the effectiveness of combinations of biofungicides with plant growth regulators, organic and organo-mineral fertilizers; laboratory — accounting for damage to tubers by diseases, according to generally accepted methods.
 Results. In 2021—2022, the Laboratory of Immunity and Plant Protection of the Institute of Potato Breeding of the National Academy of Sciences conducted research on improving the elements of an environmentally safe system of controlling fungal diseases for cultivation based on organic farming. The research used the Myroslav variety of the institute’s selection, biopreparations with insecticidal, fungicidal and growth-regulating action, and organic and organo-mineral fertilizers. The lowest level of Alternaria development was noted in option 9 (treatment of tubers — organic fertilizer + PPR + plant treatment Bactophyt + PPR + organic and organo-mineral fertilizer), the development of the disease was 25.0%, the spread was 35.0 %, and the technical efficiency of the elements protection was 56.7%. It was established that for effective control of the development of common scab, rhizoctoniosis and fusarium dry rot, it is advisable to use a mixture of substances (PPR + organic fertilizer — treatment of tubers + biofungicide + organic and organo-mineral fertilizer + PPR — plant treatment), which significantly reduced the level of disease development tubers and limited their spread, compared to control and standards. The yield of potatoes in the variants was higher than in the control (22.5 t/ha) and was in the range of 31.1—42.0 t/ha. The level of the preserved harvest, relative to the control, was in the range of 8.6—19.5 t/ ha. The highest level of yield is 42.0 t/ha, noted in option 9 (organic fertilizer + PPR treatment of tubers + three Bactophyt plant treatments + organic and organo-mineral fertilizer + PPR) which, respectively, is 19.5 t/ha higher than the control and by 3.1 t/ha — standard.
 Conclusions. The use of tank mixtures of biofungicides with growth regulators and fertilizers significantly reduces the level of potato disease development and helps to increase the level of its yield. It has been established that the mixture of drugs (PPR + organic fertilizer — treatment of tubers + biofungicide + organic and organo-mineral fertilizer + PPR — plant treatment) is advisable to use to control the development of alternariosis, common scab, rhizoctoniosis and fusarium dry rot, since such a combination is ecologically safe for the environment, at the same time significantly reduces the level of development of fungal diseases and limits their spread, in comparison with control and standards, for growing on the basis of organic farming.

Sustainable approach for nutrient release control in organic fertilisers by using phosphogypsum

ABSTRACT Fertilisers maintain agricultural productivity for world needs, Despite the numerous advantages of controlled release fertilisers (CRFs), production expenses and impacts on the environment and soil quality limit widespread adoption. This research focuses on valorising agro-industrial waste through a biotransformation process (anaerobic and aerobic digestion). The resulting biofertilisers, when associated with phosphogypsum (PG) using the simplex-centroid design, create organo-mineral fertilisers with controlled nutrient release. A balanced formulation with 33.33% of each component (digestate, compost, and phosphogypsum) demonstrates a promising sustainable approach, contributing nutritional elements with exceptional control and sustained release characteristics, all without the previous use of coating materials. This environment-friendly approach accords with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly 2, 3, 12, and 15.

Opportunities and challenges organo-mineral fertiliser can play in enabling food security

Food security is a growing challenge related to an increasing global population. The agricultural sector is key for a secure supply of food but relies up to 50% on mineral fertilisers to meet crop nutrient demands. As mineral fertilisers production is energy intensive, causing close to 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this poses greater challenge to meet net zero targets. Other challenges include extreme weather patterns, GHG during fertiliser applications and diffuse pollution, declining soil health, pest, disease, and loss of soil biodiversity. As mineral fertilisers’ price increases and the state of soil health decreases, innovative solutions are needed to meet crop nutrient demands while ensuring that sufficient organic matter is conserved in the soil. One solution to achieve net zero in agriculture can be in the form of organo-mineral fertilisers (OMF). OMFs are a new concept that take organic feedstock (such as biosolids, livestock manure, crop residues, food waste) and combines them with reduced amounts of mineral fertilisers resulting in a balanced fertiliser product. This Perspective piece discusses a Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis on OMF and summarizes how OMF applications can play a role to improve food security. This is further linked with short, medium and long terms policy interventions that can be deployed to achieve a more sustainable approach by balancing between protecting the wider environment and meeting food security.