Soil Nutrient Balance Research Articles

Sustainability of nutrient management in grain production systems of south-west Australia

Balancing nutrient inputs and exports is essential to maintaining soil fertility in rainfed crop and pasture farming systems. Soil nutrient balances of land used for crop and pasture production in the south-west of Western Australia were assessed through survey data comprising biophysical measurements and farm management records (2010–15) across 184 fields spanning 14 Mha. Key findings were that nitrogen (N) inputs via fertiliser or biological N2 fixation in 60% of fields, and potassium (K) inputs in 90% of fields, were inadequate to balance exports despite increases in fertiliser usage and adjustments to fertiliser inputs based on rotations. Phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) balances were positive in most fields, with only 5% returning losses >5 kg P or 7 kg S/ha. Within each of the three agroecological zones of the survey, fields that had two legume crops (or pastures) in 5 years (i.e. 40% legumes) maintained a positive N balance. At the mean legume inclusion rate observed of 20% a positive partial N budget was still observed for the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) of 2.8 kg N/ha.year, whereas balances were negative within the Central Agricultural Region (CAR) by 7.0 kg N/ha.year, and the Southern Agricultural Region (SAR) by 15.5 kg N/ha.year. Hence, N budgets in the CAR and SAR were negative by the amount of N removed in ~0.5 t wheat grain, and continuation of current practices in CAR and SAR fields will lead to declining soil fertility. Maintenance of N in the NAR was achieved by using amounts of fertiliser N similar to other regions while harvesting less grain. The ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil in the NAR was twice that of the other regions. Across all regions, the ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil averaged ~4.0:1, a major change from earlier estimates in this region of 1:20 under ley farming systems. The low contribution of legume N was due to the decline in legume inclusion rate (now 20%), the low legume content in pastures, particularly in the NAR, and improved harvest index of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), the most frequently grown grain legume species. Further quantifications of the effects of changing farming systems on nutrient balances are required to assess the balances more accurately, thereby ensuring that soil fertility is maintained, especially because systems have altered towards more intensive cropping with reduced legume production.

Introduction to the Integrated Nutrient Management Strategies, and Contribution on Yield and Soil Properties

Alleviation of poverty and achieving food security are a significant challenge facing planner worldwide. A way of improving agronomic practices, mainly which has drastic effect on crop growth and yield potential is necessary and acceptable. In this domain, fertilization management has high priority, due to the expensive fertilizers, recently became the costlier input in agriculture. So, rationalization the use of chemical fertilizers is considerable. Replacement a part of chemical fertilizers by organic manure through a simple technique of using minimum effective dose of sufficient and balanced quantities of organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination with specific microorganisms, called INM are a bright solution. Not only for improving and building up of soil fertility but also for increasing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers and make fertilizers more available and most effective for maintaining higher yield without exposing soil native nutrients, ensuring environment and underground water with minimum risks and guaranteeing high profitability. Accordingly, integrated use of chemical fertilizer with organic manure became the quite promising practice not only for maintaining higher productivity but also for greater stability to crop production. Also, (INM) acts as a source of energy for the growth of soil microbes, improvement physical properties of soil, organic carbon and available nitrogen. Additionally, due to their slow realize have great residual effect on subsequent crops. The potential role of INM has been well documented by several investigators, despite some researchers have that, the effects of organic manures are not always have positive contribution and some fields have poor response to organic manures. Such conflicting effect may be due to the presence of high levels of phytotoxins and high C/N ratio, particularly in immature manures. So, the key component of INM goal is reaching to most effective and homogeneous combination could get a good fertilization program and effective target of the fertilizers, sufficient, balanced use of their quantity and quality, and straightforwardly uptake by plants for higher yield without jeopardizing soil native nutrients or polluting the environment. Conclusion, INM is a tool, that can offer good options and economic choices to supply plants with sufficient amount of most macro and micronutrients, and also can reduce the dose of chemical fertilizer, create favorable soil physiochemical conditions, healthy environment, eliminate the constraints, safety soil nutrient balance in long run, to an optimum level for sustaining the desired crop productivity and finding safe methods to get rid of agriculture wastes.

喀斯特山区土地利用方式转变对土壤酶活性及其化学计量特征的影响

土地利用变化引起的土壤理化性质改变会显著影响土壤碳氮磷养分含量及其化学计量特征，然而由于不同研究区域环境异性较大，土壤胞外酶活性及其化学计量特征与各土壤因子间的协同变化规律仍不明确。以喀斯特山区7种典型土地利用方式（马尾松林地、柏树林地、灌木林地、梯田菜地、梯田撂荒地、坡面撂荒地和坡耕地）为研究对象，采用时空互代法研究土地利用方式转变过程中6种土壤胞外酶活性（β-1，4-葡萄糖苷酶、β-1，4-木糖苷酶、纤维素二糖水解酶、β-1，4-N-乙酰葡萄糖苷酶、亮氨酸氨基肽酶和酸性磷酸酶）及其化学计量特征的变化规律，并分析它们与土壤理化因子之间的关系。结果表明坡耕地转变土地利用方式后，土壤养分状况和酶活性得到明显改善，并且土壤微生物通过调节酶的表达和活性提高了磷素的有效性，促进了土壤养分的平衡。总体来看，坡耕地转马尾松和柏树林地后土壤质量改善的效果更加显著，但加剧了土壤磷素的限制。此外，土壤全氮含量、C∶N、N∶P和pH是土壤酶活性变化的主要驱动因素，土壤酶活性与养分含量具有趋同性且受土壤pH的调控。因此，喀斯特地区马尾松和柏树人工林的经营管理过程中应考虑磷素的投入以缓解人工林生态系统的磷限制。;Changes of soil physicochemical properties caused by land use conversion will significantly affect the content of nutrients (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) in soil and its stoichiometric characteristics. However, it is still unclear about the synergistic change between soil extracellular enzyme activity as well as its stoichiometric characteristics and soil factors due to the large environmental difference in different study areas. In this study, 7 kinds of typical land use types (Pinus massoniana land, Platycladus orientalis land, shrub land, terrace of vegetable field, terrace of abandoned land, sloped abandoned land, and sloped farmland) were selected as research objects in karst mountainous area. Taking the existing sloped farmland as the reference substance, the variation of 6 kinds of extracellular enzyme activity and its stoichiometric characteristics (β-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, β-1,4-xylosidase, β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, leucine aminopeptidase and acid phosphatase) were compared before and after the change of land use types using the spatio-temporal contrast method, and the relationship between them and soil physical and chemical factors were also analyzed. The results showed that soil nutrient status and enzyme activity were significantly improved after the conversion of land use type from sloped farmland to other, which not only significantly increased the nutrient content but also promoted the soil nutrient balance, because soil microorganism regulated the expression and activity of enzymes and the availability of phosphorus was greatly improved. In general, land use conversion from the sloped farmland to Pinus massoniana land and Platycladus orientalis land showed similar and best effect of soil quality improvement, whereas it also increased the restriction of soil phosphorus. In addition, soil total nitrogen content, C:N, N:P and pH value were the main factors driving the change of soil extracellular enzyme activity. The change of soil enzyme activity was consistent with that of nutrient content, and was regulated by the power of hydrogen. Therefore, the phosphorus input should be considered in the management of Pinus massoniana and Platycladus orientalis forest land in karst areas for alleviating the phosphorus restriction of artificial forest ecosystem.

Nutrient removal by rice\u2013wheat cropping system as influenced by crop establishment techniques and fertilization options in conjunction with microbial inoculation

Nutrient uptake by the rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is an important indicator of soil fertility and plant nutrient status. The hypothesis of this investigation was that the rate and sources of nutrient application can differentially influence nutrient removal and soil nutrient status in different crop establishment techniques (CETs). Cropping system yield was on par in all the CETs evaluated, however, there were significant changes in soil nutrient availability and microbiological aspects. The system nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) uptake in aerobic rice system followed by zero tillage wheat (ARS-ZTW) was 15.7–17.6 kg ha−1, 0.7–0.9 kg ha−1, 7–9.8 kg ha−1 and 13.5–23.1 g ha−1 and higher than other CETs. The formulations of Anabaena sp. (CR1) + Providencia sp. (PR3) consortium (MC1) and Anabaena–Pseudomonas biofilm (MC2) recorded significantly higher values of soil chlorophyll and microbial biomass carbon and positively affected cropping system nutrient uptake and soil nutrient balance, illustrating the beneficial effect of microbial inoculation through increased supply of biologically fixed N and solubilised P. Zinc fertilization (5 kg Zn ha−1 through ZnSO4·7H2O as soil application) increased soil DTPA-extractable Zn by 4.025–4.836 g ha–1, with enhancement to the tune of 20–24% after two cropping cycles of RWCS. Our investigation recommends the need for change in the present CETs to ARS–ZTW, along with the use of microbial inoculation as a means of significantly enhancing cropping system nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status improvement.

The effect of invasive species Lantana Camara L. on soil nutrients at Ol-Donyo Sabuk National Park, Kenya

The aim of this study was to establish whether the invasive plant Lantana camara L. alters the soil chemical properties at Ol-Donyo Sabuk National Park. The key objective was to evaluate the soil nutrient composition in areas invaded by L. camara and how these differ from areas without L. camara. Five study sites were selected by purposeful sampling, out of the existing 10 blocks. Soil samples were collected randomly from L. camara invaded areas and similarly from adjacent areas free from L. camara. The soil samples were subjected to determination of the following nutrients and parameters: pH, potassium (K), calcium (Ca) magnesium (Mg), total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and sodium (Na). The data obtained was analysed using Two-way ANOVA test to determine difference in nutrients composition in L. camara invaded and non-invaded areas. Three-way ANOVA test was used to gauge the interactions between wet and dry season, invaded and non-invaded areas and study sites. A post-ANOVA test, Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference was done to separate the means. The results from the study indicated L. camara invaded areas had a significant difference in pH, P, N, Mn, Fe and total organic C compared to the patches that had native plants and not invaded by L. camara. High pH also makes P to be more available to plants that is why P was high in the L. camara invaded areas. This study revealed that L. camara remarkably changes the concentration and balance of soil nutrients resulting to a change in chemistry of soil nutrients. This is in a bid to suit its survival to the detriment of the native plant species. This study is hence vital for designing an effective eradication and preventive strategy of L. camara in Ol-Donyo Sabuk National Park and other protected ecological habitats in Kenya.

Analysis of Soil Nutrient Balance and Enzymatic Activity and Growth Characteristics of Red Pepper under Protected Cultivation Using Organic Liquid Fertilizer Based on Condensed Molasses Soluble

Analysis of Soil Nutrient Balance and Enzymatic Activity and Growth Characteristics of Red Pepper under Protected Cultivation Using Organic Liquid Fertilizer Based on Condensed Molasses Soluble

The use of soil nutrient balances in deriving forest biomass harvesting guidelines specific to region, tree species and soil type in the Netherlands

The substitution of biomass for fossil fuels in energy consumption is a measure to decrease the emissions of greenhouse gases and thereby mitigate global warming. During recent years, this has led to an increasing interest to use tree harvest residues as feedstock for bioenergy. An important concern related to the removal of harvesting residues is, however, the potential adverse effects on soil fertility caused by increased nutrient removal, relative to conventional stem-only harvesting. In the Netherlands this is a major concern, since most forests are located on poor sandy soils.To develop forest harvesting guidelines, we applied a mass balance approach comparing nutrient inputs by deposition and weathering with nutrient outputs by harvesting and leaching for various timber harvesting scenarios, including both stem-only harvesting and additional removal of tree tops and branches. A distinction was made in seven major tree species, six soil types (three sandy soils, loam, clay and peat soils) and nine regions, with clear variations in atmospheric deposition of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K). For each region-tree-soil combination we calculated the maximum amounts that can be harvested such that the output of the nutrients Ca, Mg, K and P is balanced with the inputs. Results showed that at current harvesting rates, a negative balance of Ca, Mg, K or P is hardly calculated for the richer loamy to clayey soil types, while depletion can occur for the poorer sandy soils, particularly of P and K. Results are used to derive forest biomass harvesting guidelines, taking the uncertainties in the mass balance approach into account. The role of mitigating management approaches is also discussed.

Soil fungal diversity and biological activity as indicators of fertilization strategies in a forest ecosystem after spruce disintegration in the Karpaty Mountains

Forest soils are being exposed to nutrient deficiency and acidification at increasing rates as a result of intensive management. Mineral fertilization, however, provides a way to improve soil nutrient balance. The aim of this study is to present the effects of mineral fertilization on the properties of forest soil 11 years after fertilization. Our research investigated the effects of dolomite, magnesite and serpentinite fertilization on the physicochemical properties of the soil, soil biological activity, and fungal diversity. We also determined the condition of a new generation of fir trees after mineral fertilization. In autumn, 2008, fertilizers (dolomite, magnesite and serpentinite, specifically) in the amount of 4000 kg.ha−1 were added to plots in the Wisła Forest District in Poland; one area was left unfertilized to act as the control area for this research. Our results reveal that all fertilization improved the selected soil's physicochemical properties (pH, Ca and Mg content) and accordingly, its biochemical activity; in particular, we found that dolomite (4000 kg.ha−1) contributed heavily to soil improvement. The findings also showed that soil pH and calcium content were strongly dependent on enzymatic activity, while dolomite fertilization resulted in a significant increase in biomass size in the fir trees included in this study. In addition to being associated with the highest plant biomass and amounts of enzymatic activity, dolomite-fertilized soil also had the highest number of fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs): 403, compared to 322 OTUs in the control soil. Finally, the fungal communities in the control soil varied significantly from the fungal communities in soils fertilized with dolomite and serpentinite. The results of this research support mineral fertilization, and in particular, fertilization using dolomite in amounts of 4000 kg.ha−1, to improve soil nutrient supply and to shape the biological activity expressed by the enzymatic activity of forest soils.

Quantification of Soil N, P and K Balance In Peat Soils: Influence of Fluctuating Water Table

This study intends to develop the soil N, P and K balance in peat soils by quantifying the input, internal flow and output of the nutrients under different water table conditions, with and without the pineapple crops uptake. The soil samples for each water table conditions were analyzed for total-N, mineral-N, available-P and exchangeable K. Results showed that pineapple of the variety Moris requires high input of N and K compare to P. Without crops uptake, all treatments indicate positive soil nutrient balance where the treatment with fluctuating water table between 40-80 cm depth showed highest positive balances. In contrast, negative nutrient balance occurred in the presence of uptake by pineapple, where treatment with fluctuating water table between 0-40 cm recorded the highest nutrient deficiency. It is suggested that fluctuating water table influence the soil nutrient dynamics and soil nutrient balance and in this case act as the main pathways of nutrient loss through leaching.

Responses of soil C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios to N and S additions in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest

Acid deposition from the emission of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) has become an important factor affecting the soil nutrient balance and biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The average levels of N and S deposition in the rainy area of southwestern China from 2008 to 2010 were 9.5 g N m−2 y−1 and 19.3 g S m−2 y−1, respectively. External additions of N and S fertilizers combined with high levels of acid deposition may affect the soil ecological stoichiometry in the region’s widely distributed subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. Therefore, we investigated the responses of the soil stoichiometric ratios and enzyme activities to added N (+N), added S (+S), added N and S (+NS), and a control (Ctr) in the 0–20 cm layer in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in the rainy area of southwestern China from April 2013 to April 2015. The results showed that the soil total N (TN) concentration and N/P ratio were higher and the soil organic C (SOC) concentration and C/N ratio were lower in the fertilization treatments than the Ctr, although N and S additions did not significantly alter the soil total P (TP) concentration. The +N, +S, and +NS treatments increased the soil acid phosphatase activity and reduced the soil invertase, cellulase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase activities. The +N and +NS treatments increased the soil urease activity and reduced soil peroxidase activity. The +S treatment reduced the soil urease activity and did not alter soil peroxidase activity. N and S additions had synergistic decreasing effects on the SOC concentration, C/N ratio, and soil cellulose and catalase activities. Moreover, structural equation models identified that N and S additions regulated the SOC, TN, and TP concentrations via shifting the activities of soil enzymes and the pathways differed between N addition and S addition. In conclusion, N and S additions decreased the SOC concentration, C/N ratio, and most soil C-cycle enzyme activities and increased the TN concentration, N/P ratio, and soil acid phosphatase activity. All these results indicated that external N and S additions combined with acid deposition increased soil N concentrations and exacerbated soil C and P limitations in this forest.

Soil management in Brazilian states: comparative analyzes of Physical and Monetary Soil Nutrient Balance in 2005 and 2015

Intensive agricultural production tends to stimulate the outflow of nutrients from the soil, requiring producers to properly manage the soil to avoid reducing fertility in the following crops. Thus, the objective was to estimate the annual monetary balance of nutrients in the soil of six Brazilian states that present the highest consumption of inorganic fertilizers in the years 2005 and 2015. The Annual Balance of Nutrients in Soil was used to calculate the physical and monetary balance of nutrients, in the main crops of these States, by quantifying the export of N, P, K from the soil by plants and the insertion of nutrients, through the application of fertilizers, fertigation, and biological fixation. The monetary balance of N, P and K added for the six states was positive and increased by 114% between 2005 and 2015, however, the balance of P for the state of Paraná was negative in 2015 reaching R$ 1,769.17. The balances and Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, and Paraná were higher concerning Goiás, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. Except for Paraná, related to P, there was no positive depreciation of the associated NPK nutrients. The different flows, in the comparison among states, are caused by the different dynamics of land use, mainly in the size of the corn and soybean cultivation area.

Evaluation of the effect of maize-legume intercropping on soil moisture improvement in arid area of Bena-Tsemay district, South omo zone, Southern Ethiopia

Usually crop failure due to moisture shortage in soils is very much common due to high evaporation. Sometimes famers try to combat this problem by using mulches of crop residues in the study area. However, this is also highly challenged shortage because the crop residues used as feed for animals. Therefore, using the advantage and opportunity of cover legumes as an intercrop is the solution of the problems simultaneously in addition to their contribution improving soil nutrient balance and other many fold benefits. Therefore, this study aimed for evaluating the effect of maize-legume covers intercropping on soil moisture improvement and crop yield in moisture stress areas of the study area. The entire grain yield of maize and legumes, as well as soil moisture data were collected. The result on soil moisture revealed that intercropping of maize with cowpea had better soil moisture contents during active crop development (15.98%) and after harvest (16.70%) in average as compared to the others. The current finding also showed that adopting intercropping of maize with cowpea-boosted yield by 5256.24 kg ha-1 maize and 977.45 kg ha-1 cowpea in average with higher moisture improvement as compare to the other treatments. Therefore, intercropping of maize with cowpea is important to farmers since it would provide additional crop yield with the same piece of land. However, to get considerable changes on soil and water balances, other soil physic-chemical properties and crop yields, conducting similar studies in more than two years period at permanent field plots is paramount in the future.
 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(1): 80-86, June 2020

Introduction to the Integrated Nutrient Management Strategies and Their Contribution to Yield and Soil Properties

Alleviation of poverty and achievement of zero-hunger target and food security are significant challenges faced by agricultural planners worldwide. Improving many agronomic approaches, which have drastic effects on crop growth and yield, is urgently needed to report this aim. Replacement of a part of chemical fertilizers by organic manure through a simple technique of using minimum effective dose of sufficient and balanced quantities of organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination with specific microorganisms, called INM, has a bright solution in this area. Recently, several investigators reported that integrated use of chemical fertilizers with organic manure is becoming a quite promising practice not only for maintaining higher productivity but also for greater stability to crop production. In addition, INM acts as a source of energy, organic carbon, and available nitrogen for the growth of soil microbes and improvement of physical properties of soil, and also have great residual effect on subsequent crops. So, the key component of the INM goal is to reach the eco-friendly practice through the harmonious properties of both sources by making a combination that can be used for decreasing the enormous use of chemical fertilizers and accreting a balance between fertilizer inputs and crop nutrient requirement, maintaining the soil fertility, optimizing the level of yield, maximizing the profitability, and subsequently reducing the environmental pollution. Lastly, INM is a tool that can offer good options and economic choices to supply plants with a sufficient amount of nutrients in need and can also reduce total costs, create favorable soil physiochemical conditions and healthy environment, eliminate the constraints, safeguard the soil nutrient balance, and find safety methods to get rid of agriculture wastes.

Results of monitoring of natural and anthropogenic agro ecosystems transformation in the Voronezh Region for the period of agricultural environmental management

The paper deals with the theoretical analysis of peculiarities of agricultural nature management influence on the components of natural environment in the Voronezh Region. A retrospective analysis of soil research reveals a degree of its degradation. Dynamics of agro ecosystems development and the degree of change in the natural background of vegetation are determined; the peculiarities of agricultural impact are shown. The value of land resources in the Voronezh Region is determined by their fertility. The State Center of Agrochemical Service Voronezh and the State Station of Agrochemical Service Talovskaya control the structure, dynamics and condition of soils. As a result, soils of agro ecosystems on phosphorus, potassium, humus, acidity, heavy metals, mineral fertilizers and pesticides are comprehensively monitored. The Land Committee for the Voronezh Region reveals violations of the land legislation. Agro ecosystems have an unclosed cycle of biogenic elements. This is related to the loss of nutrients during harvesting and the activation of erosion processes. Changes in the balance of basic soil nutrients reduce the quality and yield of crops. Agro ecological monitoring includes systematic observation, study and analysis. In this regard, there is a need for research into the significant magnitude of the associated factors. The existing system of regional monitoring is based on the repeatability of soil, agrochemical and bacteriological studies of agroecosystems. Both continuous and local agro monitoring is conducted. It should be noted that agroecosystems of the region are insufficiently provided with biogenic elements, microelements and in this connection there is a need to create a model of balanced agricultural environmental management.

Analysis of Soil Nutrient Balance, Soil Enzymatic Activity and Growth Characteristics of Facility-grown Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) with Incorporation of Hairy Vetch>Analysis of Soil Nutrient Balance, Soil Enzymatic Activity and Growth Characteristics of Facility-grown Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) with Incorporation of Hairy Vetch

Long-term use of chemical fertilizers will impair the physical and biological properties of facility soil environment for crop cultivation. The effective way to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and improve soil properties is known to utilize green manure crops. The objectives of this study were to investigate the growth characteristics and yields, to analyze the nutrient utilization efficiency, and to measure the effect of soil microbial activity through enzyme activity when incorporating hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) with facility-grown peppers (Capsicum annuum L.). Four different fertilizer treatments were applied: no fertilizer (CON), chemical fertilizer (CF), hairy vetch and 0.5N additional fertilizer (HV0.7N), and hairy vetch and N additional fertilizer (HVN). Soil and plant nutrient content, plant nutrient use efficiency, and soil enzyme activity were analyzed in each treatment. All fertilization treatments significantly increased total fresh weight and fruit dry weight of red pepper compared to the control (CON). However, total fresh weight, macronutrient uptake, and P and K use efficiency were significantly lower in the HV0.7N treatment than the CF and HVN treatments. The HV0.7N and HVN treatments significantly increased soil dehydrogenase activity during entire cultivation period. Whereas, urease and β-glucosidase activity were significantly increased only in the early stages of cultivation. These results suggest that the incorporation of hairy vetch residue as organic fertilizer in cultivation facility, can increase enzyme activity in the soil. Moreover, the yield of red pepper fruits was not small compared to that of CF treatment, even if only a lower amount of nitrogen was applied. Comparison of growth response of red pepper between chemical fertilizer and hairy vetch treatments, in which N input was equal.

Effect of shading on availability and nutrient balance in soils planted with Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson as cover crop

This study aimed to examine the role of A. gangetica as cover crops in increasing the availability and nutrient content of N, P, K in the soil on the nutrient balance under with shade and without shade conditions. The experiment was conducted in Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, UISU, Gedung Johor Medan, Indonesia from February 2018 to June 2018. The research method is a non-factorial randomized block design with shading as treatment and six replications. Treatment consists of without shade and with shade 50%. A. gangetica was planted using stem cuttings measuring 15 cm or two segments with a spacing 20 cm x 20 cm and on a plot size of 2 m x 2 m. The shade is paranet 50%. Urea is given at a dose of 150 kg/ha. The results showed that A. gangetica as a cover crop, both in conditions without shade and with shade 50%, was able to increase the available N, P, K soil based on the nutrient balance, namely 16.25%, 86.33%, and 426.99% respectively in treatments without shade, and 13.10%, 171.06%, and 560.43% respectively in shade 50% treatment.

Review on nutrient management, cycles, flows and balances in different farming systems

Soil fertility management is continuously modified and adapted as conditions change in time and integrated plant nutrient management is a holistic approach to optimizing plant nutrient supply for the objective of adequately nourish the crop as efficiently as possible, while minimizing potentially adverse impacts to the environment Existence of life depends on continuous cycling of nutrients from the nutrient pool (in the abiotic component of environment) to the living beings and then back to the nutrient pool. These complex series of invisible, delicately balanced, and interrelated biochemical reactions fuel life on earth. Nutrients cycles have been substantially altered by human activities mainly agriculture with large positive and negative consequences for a range of ecosystem services and for human well-being and The presence of animals into the agricultural production system can modify the rates and flows of nutrient dynamics between the compartments of the system and Integrated crop-livestock systems can positively change the biophysical and socio-economic dynamics of farming systems, reestablishing sustainable rural development and promoting higher overall farm profitability. Soil nutrient balances reflect the net change in soil fertility and indicate trends in time, but do not necessarily determine the current state of soil fertility yet; soil nutrient balances can differ considerably between different crops, farming systems and agro-ecological zones.

Influence of Green Manuring Crops on Dry Matter Production and Soil Health Improvement

The field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University to evaluate the impact of different kind of green manures on soil nutrient balance through adding biomass and N,P and K accumulation. Green manuring crops were incorporated after in situ cultivation and results showed that, the biomass incorporation increased the N production in soil. The biomass from Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania aculeata and Crotalaria juncea gave the higher dry matter and nutrient status. Incorporation of Sesbania rostrata and Sesbania aculeata added more organic matter and nitrogen to the soil after green manure incorporation than the prior soil. However, the improved soil quality was recorded with S. rostrata and S. aculeata followed by C. juncea and V. unguiculata incorporation as compared to control (no green manure) and other green manuring crops. The nutrient balance of soil after incorporation of different green manuring crops specially S. rostrata, S. aculeata and C. juncea showed positive balance of nutrients than other green manures.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2019, 22(1): 39-45

Influence of fertilizers, including biomodified ones, on the balance of nutrients in the soil and yield capacity in crop rotation

The article presents the results of studies on the influence of mineral, biomodified mineral fertilizers and BisolbiFit biologics on the balance of basic nutrients in soil under fallow crops. According to the results of correlation and regression analysis, the total removal (grain plus straw) of basic nutrients strongly depended on the level of grain yield. The increase in grain yield from 2.85 to 3.45 t/ha was accompanied by an increase in the total removal of nitrogen from 73.6 to 130.1 kg/ha, phosphorus – from 30.8 to 68.4 kg/ha, and potassium – from 41.6 to 74.0 kg/ha. The balance of basic nutrients depended not only on the grain yield, but also on the doses of fertilizers applied. For all variants of the experiment, the nitrogen balance was consistently reduced from –55.4 to –22.1 kg/ha as the yield increased from 2.85 to 3.45 t/ha. The phosphorus balance decreased from –52.4 to –30.8 kg/ha, and its negative balance increased from background 1 (zero) to background 3 (½ NH4NO3m). The balance of potassium, as well as the balance of nitrogen and phosphorus, was negative for all variants of the experiment, and decreased from –60.9 to –40.0 kg/ha.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on sweet corn–potato cropping system: Productivity, economic yield and soil nutrient balance

The study was conducted to estimate the productivity, economic yield and soil nutrient balance of integrated nutrient management in sweet corn-potato cropping sequence was conducted during kharif and rabi season of 2014-15 to 2015-16 at Instructional Research Farm, Central Campus, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The performance of sweet corn–potato cropping sequence was assessed in terms of residual fertility status at the end of two years crop sequence. The treatment T1-100% GRDF to preceding crop sweet corn during kharif season registered maximum net gain of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (+49.19, +6.54 and +80.74 kg ha-1) at the end of two years experimentation.