Recovery Of Fertilizer Research Articles

Fate of nutrients and heavy metals during two-stage digestion and aerobic post-treatment of municipal organic waste

The biogas technology is a promising approach for the recovery of energy and fertilizer from municipal organic waste (MOW). However, only scarce information on the development of initial nutrient and heavy metal loads during processing is available. Therefore, this study investigates properties of source-separated MOW during treatment in a semi-industrial scale two-stage biogas plant and subsequent digestate composting including impurities removal. Data from 15 batch experiments was investigated by material and substance flow analysis. Results of this study have shown that about 40% of nutrients contained in the MOW inflow are mineralized during anaerobic and subsequent aerobic treatment. A higher nutrient release was observed during the anaerobic treatment step. Additionally, impurities removal causes a significant reduction of final nutrient content. Heavy metal analysis confirmed a high heterogeneity of contamination levels. However, digestion and composting do not seem to significantly impact on total heavy metal loads in the substrate flow.

Characterization of dissolved organic nitrogen in leachate from a newly established and fertilized turfgrass

Understanding the mechanisms of nitrogen (N) retention and loss from fertilized urban turfgrass is critical to develop practices that mitigate N transport and protect water quality in urban ecosystems. We investigated the fate of N in lysimeters sodded with St. Augustine turfgrass and amended with labeled 15N from either ammonium sulfate or urea. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy (FTICR-MS) was employed to identify various biomolecular classes in the leached dissolved organic N (DON) from one lysimeter for each treatment and the control. Mean DON concentrations, over 92 days, were 88, 94, and 94% of total N in the leachate from the control, urea, and ammonium sulfate treatments, respectively. Isotopic analysis showed that <3% of N in the leachate originated from newly applied N fertilizer, suggesting that the remainder of the N in the leachate was derived from the lysimeter soil or sod biomass pools. The 15N fertilizer recovery was greatest in soil (44–48%), followed by sod+thatch (18–33%), grass clippings (10–13%), and leachate (<3%). Despite isotopic evidence of little contribution of N from fertilizers in the leachate, a fraction of ammonium sulfate fertilizer was recovered as DON in the leachate, likely after uptake and conversion of inorganic fertilizer to organic plant exudates and/or microbial byproducts. FTICR-MS identified N-bearing organic molecular formulas in the leachate from urea and ammonium sulfate treatments, providing evidence of N leaching from newly established turfgrass of DON compounds in a range of biomolecular compositions such as lipid-, protein-, carbohydrate-, and lignin-like molecules.

Impacts of the conventional tillage tools and reduced tillage on the soil fertility preservation: critical review

Objective: The long-term impacts of conventional tillage through compaction, soil erosion and loss of soil fertility have led to evaluation of this system. To mitigate these problems, simplified cultivation techniques (SCT) are increasingly practiced. The objective of this review is to clarify the effects of conventional tillage and minimum tillage on soil fertility.Methodology and Results: The methodology is based on a documentary research through a synthesis and a confrontation of the researches results of different authors. It is found that, after 5 to 6 years, conventional tillage lowers the fertility of the soil and reduces its productivity. There is a diversity of SCT with convincing results. These techniques leave more agricultural residues and allow an improvement of the indicator of organic matter on the soil by reduction of the mineralization. The STC, such as zero tillage, increase soil fertility and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Improving soil fertility increases yield with a saving in working time. Hydraulic conductivity increases when switching from conventional tillage to direct sowing. Compared to conventional tillage, SCT provide an ideal environment for soil fertility recovery. However, the adoption of SCT and no-till is subject to a constraint on the agricultural equipment used. The design of effective equipment remains the challenge to facilitate large-scale application of SCT.Conclusion and application of results: It is noticed that conventional tillage induce long-term disturbance of soil properties and reduce fertility. Simplified cultivation techniques and particularly a direct sowing have a positive effect on the amount of soil organic matter, its density and water retention, and final production. The specific direct seeder must be designed to accompany the mechanization of these techniques.Keywords: conventional tillage, direct sowing, soil fertility, conservation agriculture.

Ovarian torsion in pediatric and adolescent patients: A systematic review

ObjectiveOvarian torsion in pediatric patients is a rare event and is primarily managed by pediatric general surgeons. Torsion can be treated with detorsion of the ovary or oopherectomy. Oopherectomy is the most common procedure performed by pediatric general surgeons for ovarian torsion. The purpose of this systematic review by the American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Evidence Based Practice Committee was to examine evidence from the medical literature and provide recommendations regarding the optimal treatment of ovarian torsion. MethodsUsing PRISMA guidelines, six questions were addressed by searching Medline, Cochrane, Embase Central and National clearing house databases using relevant search terms. Risks of ovarian detorsion including thromboembolism and malignancy, indications for oophoropexy, benefits of detorsion including recovery of function and subsequent fertility, and recommended surveillance after detorsion were evaluated. Consensus recommendations were derived for each question based on the best available evidence. ResultsNinety-six studies were included. Risks of ovarian detorsion such as thromboembolism and malignancy were reviewed, demonstrating minimal evidence for unknowingly leaving a malignancy behind in the salvaged ovary and no evidence in the literature of thromboembolic events after detorsion of a torsed ovary. There is no clear evidence supporting the benefit of oophoropexy after a single episode of ovarian torsion. The gross appearance of the ovary does not correlate with long-term ovarian viability or function. Pregnancies have occurred in patients after detorsion of an ovary both spontaneously and with harvested oocytes from previously torsed ovaries. The consensus recommendation for imaging surveillance following ovarian detorsion is an ultrasound at 3months postprocedure but sooner if there is a concern for malignancy. ConclusionThere appears to be overwhelming evidence supporting ovarian detorsion rather than oopherectomy for the management of ovarian torsion in pediatric patients. Ovarian salvage is safe and is the preferred treatment for ovarian torsion. Most salvaged ovaries will maintain viability after detorsion. Type of studySystematic review of level 3–4 studies. Level of evidence3–4

The role of complementarity and selection effects in P acquisition of intercropping systems

Enhanced crop productivity by intercropping is commonly assumed to be driven by resource complementarity. However, relatively few studies have directly measured resource acquisition to assess potential mechanisms underlying enhanced performance of intercropping. A long-term field experiment with three P application rates (0, 40, 80 kg P ha−1 yr.−1) and four maize-based intercropping systems was used to assess P acquisition and P fertilizer recovery efficiency (PRE) for three consecutive years. To identify underlying mechanisms, the additive partitioning method was applied to determine complementarity (CE) and selection effects (SE) in P acquisition of intercropping. Average P acquisition increased by 28.4% and 27.6% compared to their monocultures in faba bean/maize and chickpea/maize intercropping, respectively. However, P acquisition was generally not enhanced and even reduced in the last year in soybean/maize and oilseed rape/maize intercropping. Enhanced P acquisition was due to positive CE in faba bean/maize, and to positive CE and SE in chickpea/maize intercropping. Increased resource acquisition via CE and/or SE depended on the particular crop combination in intercropping systems. Application of the additive partitioning method to intercropping may help to identify underlying mechanisms of overyielding and carefully select crop combinations to enable more efficient resource use.

Late‐Split Nitrogen Applications Increased Maize Plant Nitrogen Recovery but not Yield under Moderate to High Nitrogen Rates

Core Ideas Late‐split N applications at V12 increased total N uptake and N recovery efficiency. Gains in N recovery with late‐split N came from increased post‐silking N uptake. Increased whole‐plant N accumulation by R6 did not result in increased grain yields. Grain yield was not sensitive to in‐season N timing in this single‐location study. Newer (2012, 2014) and older (1993, 1995) hybrids respond similarly to late‐split N. Theoretically, N losses are reduced by synchronizing fertilizer additions with plant uptake requirements. We investigated the impacts of supplemental, late‐season N applications on nitrogen fertilizer recovery efficiency (NRE), and N accumulation and partitioning in maize (Zea mays L.) at silking (R1) and physiological maturity (R6). Also tested was whether modern hybrids responded differently to split‐N applications compared to hybrids released 20 yr ago. We compared 3 to 4 N rates ranging from 0 to 245 kg N ha−1 applied either in a single application at V3, or split with the last 45 kg N ha−1 delayed until V12, over 3 yr. Two newer hybrids (2012 and 2014) and two 1990 era hybrids (1991 and 1995) were compared at all N treatment combinations. Additional plant N accumulation following late‐split N applications was already apparent at R1, particularly in stems. Late‐split N application increased both whole‐plant R6 N accumulation and NRE through higher post‐silking N uptake. However, these benefits were rarely accompanied by increased grain yields. We found little evidence of differential hybrid responses to N rate or timing treatments. Principal component analysis revealed that the most consistent predictor of high post‐silking N uptake was lower N remobilization during grain‐fill; these had a strong inverse relationship. Therefore, gains from N management programs aiming to increase post‐silking N uptake are most likely in environments where whole‐plant N accumulation at R1 (and, consequently, potential N remobilization) is reduced. Further studies of late‐split N approaches are most warranted at lower total‐season N rates.

The effectiveness of nitrification inhibitor application on grain yield and quality, fertiliser nitrogen recovery and soil nitrous oxide emissions in a legume–wheat rotation under elevated carbon dioxide (FACE)

Managing nitrogen (N) supply to better match crop demand and reduce losses will be an important goal under future predicted elevated carbon dioxide (e[CO2]) conditions. This study comprised two Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiments conducted in southern Australia in 2011. The first experiment (Exp-1) was a field experiment that investigated the impact of a nitrification inhibitor (NI), 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), and supplementary irrigation on utilisation of legume (field pea) residual N by a wheat crop and soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The second experiment (Exp-2) used 15N techniques in soil cores to investigate the impact of DMPP on recovery of fertiliser N. In Exp-1, grain N concentration increased (by 12%, P &lt; 0.001) with NI application compared with no NI application, irrespective of CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and supplementary irrigation. With NI application the grain N harvest index increased under e[CO2] (82%) compared with a[CO2] (79%). Applying the NI compensated for decreased grain copper concentration observed under e[CO2] conditions. NI had minimal effect on soil N2O emissions in the wheat crop regardless of [CO2]. In Exp-2, 65% (±1 standard error, n = 15) of the applied N fertiliser was recovered in the aboveground plant, irrespective of NI use. The use of a NI in a cereal–legume rotation may help to increase grain N concentration, increase the mobilisation of N towards the grain under e[CO2], and may also help to compensate for decreases in grain copper concentration under e[CO2]. However, use of a NI may not provide additional benefit for productivity or efficiency of N utilisation.

A liquid injection dosing system for site-specific fertiliser management

Based on the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for nitrogen fertilisation, site-specific management must consider the most appropriate placement as well as the appropriate application rate according to local agronomic recommendations. Nitrogen fertilization on the soil surface (e.g., broadcasting, side dressing) is a common practice associated with high N loss to the environment and a low fertiliser recovery efficiency compared to the deep placement of fertiliser. We have worked to implement site-specific fertiliser management that encompasses a mechanised soil punching process combined with liquid fertiliser injection, which causes minimal disturbance of the soil subsurface (i.e., roots, soil or straw) and harmonises with conservative tillage practice. The objective was to design a hydraulic injection system to enable site-specific management according to the BMPs, as applied to mechanised soil punching to implement soil injection fertiliser placement. In this context, an injection dosing system (conceptual design, laboratory evaluations and analyses) has been developed to perform liquid injection synchronised with soil punching and variable rate application. In general, the applications were satisfactory because (i) the liquid injection was synchronised with soil punching and the fluid was incorporated into the soil at a depth greater than 50 mm, which was an appropriate deep placement with the potential to reduce nutrient losses combined by increasing nutrient uptake. In addition, (ii) the application rate was varied in a representative range (5.0 up to 18 ml cycle−1), which demonstrated a good potential for soil injection of fertiliser as a function of the local agronomic recommendations. Both conditions were aligned with the BMPs.

Organic amendment type and application frequency affect crop yields, soil fertility and microbiome composition

Vegetable cultivation under plastic tunnels provides high-quality crop yields but negatively affects soil fertility, especially when conventional agricultural system (e.g., use of synthetic mineral fertilizer and agrochemicals) was adopted. In this regard, the use of organic amendments has been proposed as a reliable and effective approach for soil fertility recovery. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different organic amendments and application frequency on crop yield, soil fertility and soil microbial communities. A 1-year long mesocosm experiment was performed by conditioning a soil with different organic amendment types and frequency of application, compared with the ordinary soil management based on mineral fertilizers and fumigation. Soil fertility was assessed by determining physical and chemical soil parameters, whereas microbial community functioning and structure were assessed by high-throughput sequencing of bacterial and eukaryotic rRNA gene markers and BIOLOG EcoPlates™. Compared to the organic amendment, the use of synthetic fertilizer had a higher crop production but negatively affected pH, soil organic carbon content and soil aggregation. Diversity and richness of bacteria and eukaryotic were lower in the synthetic than in the organic amendments. The addition of organic amendments promoted the growth of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes bacteria. On the contrary, members of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were more abundant in the soil treated with synthetic fertilizer. This study increases our current knowledge on the effect of the synthetic and organic amendment applications on crop yield, soil fertility and soil microbial community functionality.

COMPARISON OF VARIOUS TISSUE AND CELL THERAPY APPROACHES WHEN RESTORING OVARIAN, HEPATIC AND KIDNEY’S FUNCTION AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED OVARIAN FAILURE

The study was carried out in BALB/c mice with the modeled ovarian failure, induced by cyclophosphamide and busulfan. The restoration dynamics of ovarian and sexual function, liver and kidneys after application of cryopreserved explants, cryoextract, placental mesenchymal stem cells, those of adipose tissue has been studied. It has been shown that the use of various methods of cell and tissue therapy has comparable efficacy when treating an ovarian failure induced by chemotherapy. The most rapid and complete restoration of the reproductive system, liver and kidneys was observed when using the placental explants, extract and cells, but not with the use of mesenchymal stem cells of adipose tissue. No recovery of fertility in this experiment was observed. Various methods of cellular and tissue therapy are perspective in treatment of the chemotherapy complications. More effective are placental derivates.

Effects of mixing forage species contrasting in vertical and temporal nutrient capture on nutrient yields and fertilizer recovery in productive grasslands

Mixing grasses with N2-fixing legumes benefits grassland yields. We examined if grass/forb/legume mixtures combining species with complementary vertical and temporal nutrient capture further promote nutrient yields and improve fertilizer N recovery. Four species differing in N2-fixing ability and in vertical and temporal nutrient capture were grown in monoculture and two- and four-species mixtures. 15N was used to examine vertical complementarity in nutrient capture and fertilizer N recovery. Asynchrony was quantified from the N yield distribution over the year. The positive mixture effects on N and P yields (P < 0.001) between species contrasting in vertical and temporal nutrient capture (with same N2-fixing ability) were of a similar magnitude (+45 kg N) as those between N2-fixing and non-fixing species with shallow roots (+52 kg N). Mixture benefits were maximized up to +99 kg N when constituent species differed in N2-fixing ability and vertical and temporal nutrient capture. Species modified their vertical N capture when grown in mixture (niche shift). Remarkably, mixing Trifolium pratense and Cichorium intybus, which were similar in both vertical and temporal nutrient capture, generated negative mixture effects. The 4-species mixture captured as much fertilizer N as the grass monoculture, despite significant abundance of legumes. Combining species differing in multiple characteristics for nutrient capture optimizes nutrient capture of non-legume/legume-mixtures.

Co-culture of mouse spermatogonial stem cells with sertoli cell as a feeder layer, stimulates the proliferation and spermatogonial stemness profile

Abstract Objectives Sertoli cells effect the fate map of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to self-renew via providing the special microenvironments. Maintenance of proliferation and self-renewal activity of SSCs may be usable as a therapeutic strategy, leads to increase the recovery of male fertility. This research was aimed to evaluate the effect of mouse sertoli cells on spermatogonia stem cells proliferation and the expression pattern of stemness markers. Methods Spermatogonia stem cells were collected from neonatal mouse testis using a two-step mechanical and enzymatic digestion. SSCs were cultured in three groups: The first group or co-culture group consists of spermatogonia and sertoli cells that were cultured together. The control group, only spermatogonial cells and the group no. 3 included spermatogonial cells in the presence of GDNF. The colony formation of mentioned groups, was monitored during one month in culture. Identification of the colonies, was confirmed using PLZF and Oct4 immunostaining. Spermatogonial stemness genes includes; Stra8, mvh and piwill2 were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results In the co-culture group, cells proliferated rapidly and many colonies were appeared whereas they were rarely formed in the control groups. Colonies were exhibited alkaline phosphatesase activity and were immunopositive to Oct4 and PLZF, strongly. The gene expression of srta8, mvh and piwill2, in SSCs that were cultivated with sertoli cells, were greater significantly than other control groups. Conclusion It is concluded that co-culture of SSCs with sertoli cells prepares conditions which leads to efficient proliferation and maintenance of stemness condition of SSCs, that is usable as a therapeutic approach for treatment of male fertility.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Therapy for Recovery of Fertility: a Systematic Review.

In recent years, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have provided the new opportunities to treat different disorders including infertility. Different studies have suggested that the MSCs have ability to differentiate into germ-like cells under specific induction conditions as well as transplantation to gonadal tissues. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the results obtained from different studies on MSCs therapy for promoting fertility. This search was done in PubMed and Science Direct databases using key words MSCs, infertility, therapy, germ cell, azoospermia, ovarian failure and mesenchymal stem cell. Among the more than 11,400 papers, 53 studies were considered eligible for more evaluations. The obtained results indicated that the most studies were performed on MSCs derived from bone marrow and umbilical cord as compared with the other types of MSCs. Different evaluations on animal models as well as in vitro studies supported from their role in the recovery of spermatogenesis and folliculogenesis. Although the data obtained from this systematic review are promising, but the further studies need to assess the efficiency and safety of transplantation of these cells in fertility recovery.

Germline Stem Cell Activity Is Sustained by SALL4-Dependent Silencing ofDistinct Tumor Suppressor Genes.

SummarySustained spermatogenesis in adult males and fertility recovery following germ cell depletion are dependent on undifferentiated spermatogonia. We previously demonstrated a key role for the transcription factor SALL4 in spermatogonial differentiation. However, whether SALL4 has broader roles within spermatogonia remains unclear despite its ability to co-regulate genes with PLZF, a transcription factor required for undifferentiated cell maintenance. Through development of inducible knockout models, we show that short-term integrity of differentiating but not undifferentiated populations requires SALL4. However, SALL4 loss was associated with long-term functional decline of undifferentiated spermatogonia and disrupted stem cell-driven regeneration. Mechanistically, SALL4 associated with the NuRD co-repressor and repressed expression of the tumor suppressor genes Foxl1 and Dusp4. Aberrant Foxl1 activation inhibited undifferentiated cell growth and survival, while DUSP4 suppressed self-renewal pathways. We therefore uncover an essential role for SALL4 in maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonial activity and identify regulatory pathways critical for germline stem cell function.

New insight into the mechanism of heterofertilization during maize haploid induction

To study the influence of both pollen competition ability (PCA) and haploid induction rate (HIR) on heterofertilization, we used maize haploid inducers with different HIRs as male parents. For these experiments, maize plants underwent dual pollination, first by the inducers and then by self-pollination at different time intervals. We found that PCA strongly influenced heterofertilization, as measured by the resulting ratio of hybrid kernels to selfed kernels. When log10 (hybrid kernel/selfed kernel) was close to 0, i.e., when pollen from the different parents arrived at the embryo sac nearly simultaneously, the heterofertilization rate (HFR) was high. Haploid inducers with a high HIR, such as CAU5 and CAUB73, led to not only more haploids and embryo aborted kernels but also more heterofertilized kernels, as compared with a non-inducer or with a haploid inducer with a low HIR. We thus conclude that PCA is an important factor that affects HFR through polytubey. In addition, during maize haploid induction, abnormal fertilization could also contribute to heterofertilization, which may be due to fertilization recovery of kernels that otherwise would have been aborted at early stage.

A pentatricopeptide repeat protein restores nap cytoplasmic male sterility in Brassica napus.

Two forms of male-sterile cytoplasm, designated nap and pol, are found in the oilseed rape species, Brassica napus. The nap cytoplasm is observed in most B. napus varieties, and it confers male sterility on a limited number of cultivars that lack the corresponding restorer gene, Rfn. In the present study, using linkage analysis in combination with 5652 BC1 progeny derived from a cross between a nap cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) line 181A and a restorer line H5, we delimited the Rfn gene to a 10.5 kb region on chromosome A09, which contained three putative ORFs. Complementation by transformation rescue revealed that the introduction of ORF2, which encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein, resulted in the recovery of fertility of nap CMS plants. Expression analysis suggested that the Rfn was highly expressed in flower buds and it was preferentially expressed in the tapetum and meiocytes during anther development. Further RNA gel blots and immunodetection suggested that the Rfn gene may play a complicated role in restoring the nap CMS. Our work laid the foundation for dissecting the molecular basis of CMS fertility restoration and the nuclear-mitochondrial interactions in CMS/Rf systems.

Early Season Nitrogen Fertilizer Recovery by Corn within a Furrow-Irrigated Production System

Early Season Nitrogen Fertilizer Recovery by Corn within a Furrow-Irrigated Production System

Direct recovery of 33 P-labelled fertiliser phosphorus in subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum ) pastures under field conditions – The role of agronomic management

Abstract Grazing systems are a major producer of food and fibre across the world. These systems often require the addition of fertiliser phosphorus (P) for maximum pasture growth, and it is now estimated that a four-fold increase in the use of P fertiliser in grasslands is needed to meet increased food demand by the year 2050. However, the recovery of P from fertiliser is often inefficient and global issues associated with P scarcity will continue to worsen. Knowledge on the uptake of fertiliser P by grasslands, including the effect of agronomic management, remains incomplete under field conditions. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of soil P fertility (across three levels of soil P fertility), time of fertiliser application (at one level of soil P fertility), and placement of fertiliser (at one level of soil P fertility) on the growth and uptake of fertiliser P by clover pastures during a growing season. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) monocultures established at two field sites in Australia were used to test the growth response to, and recovery of: (i) early-season (autumn) additions of fertiliser P to the soil surface at three levels of soil P fertility; (ii) mid-season (late winter) additions of fertiliser P to the soil surface; and (iii) early-season additions of fertiliser P placed 6 cm below the soil surface. Fertiliser P was applied to the pastures as single superphosphate that was labelled with a 33P radiotracer to supply ∼20 kg P ha−1. Total herbage yield and recovery of fertiliser P by the clover pastures was generally highest when fertiliser P was applied to the soil surface early in the growing season and to soils maintained at the optimum level of soil P fertility for maximum pasture growth. An audit of the 33P recovery of fertiliser P in the clover pasture revealed that up to 50% of the fertiliser P was recovered by the clover plant (shoots and roots), 5–15% remained in the fertiliser granule, and 20–25% was recovered in the 0–4 cm soil layer (largely as inorganic P) by the end of the growing season. We demonstrate that clover pastures are able to recover a relatively large proportion of surface applied fertiliser P during a growing season. Surface application is the simplest and most cost-effective strategy for management of fertiliser P in pastures.

Interspecific cross‐hybrids of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. (gla.) S ‘K326’ with Nicotiana alata

AbstractIn order to introduce the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) resistance from Nicotiana alata into Nicotiana tabacum, a cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) line of N. tabacum (N. tabacum L. cv. (gla.) S ‘K326’), was successfully crossed with N. alata. Despite a high DNA content variability, F1 hybrids could be classified in two subgroups, a major one encompassing fertile hybrids morphologically similar to their tobacco maternal parent but TSWV sensitive, and a minor one displaying sterile hybrids showing an intermediate phenotype and TSWV resistant. In order to elucidate the unexpected fertility recovery of the fertile F1 plants, some N. alata fertility restoration ppr genes were cloned and were shown to be differentially expressed between parental lineages as well as between both F1 subgroups, suggesting that N. alata contains fertility restoring allele able to overcome the CMS of N. tabacum.

Development of a Land Resources Protection Model

Effective and intensive development of agricultural industry is impossible without a system of measures to protect agricultural lands from different types of degradation. On the one hand, it is necessary to provide a maximum yield of agricultural crops and, on the other hand, to maintain and increase soil fertility, as well as to prevent negative human impact on the environment. More extensive soil fertility recovery requires a system of measures: application of fertilizers, agricultural and ameliorative practices, stimulation of humification and others. Humus is a key element of soil fertility. It accelerates biochemical and physiological processes, metabolism and total energy of processes in a plant body, intensifies nutrient enrichment, thus increasing the crop and its quality. Soil exhaustion due to humus reduction may result in a disaster for the agro industrial complex of a region. Soil fertility is the national heritage and the country’s strategic reserve.&#x0D; This article suggests that the problem should be solved by creating the Agro Landscape - Technology system and studying the responses of the simulated system on changes in its characteristics and initial conditions according to the considered methods of control over working operations. The methodology being designed provides practical methods of making forecasts and using them in solving management problems where many interrelated (system) factors and phenomena should be considered and vast forecast data should be used.