Standard Fertilizer Research Articles

Effect of integrated biofertilizers with chemical fertilizers on the oil palm growth and soil microbial diversity

Prolong use of chemical fertilizers has adversely affected the environment and natural microbial diversity in soil and thereby reduced soil fertility and crop quality. The application of biofertilizers containing a combination of beneficial microorganisms in a formulation with a reduced amount of chemical fertilizer was believed to be more effective compared with the stand-alone application of biofertilizers or chemicals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of four different treatments on oil palm growth and soil microbial diversity shift located in Chaah, Achijaya, Johor. The treatments comprised of biofertilizers with zero chemical fertilizer content (BF100), biofertilizer amended with 30% of chemical fertilizer (BF70), 100% chemical fertilizer (CF100), and standard organic fertilizer (SF). The results indicated that the application of BF70 produced the highest oil palm height, meristem diameter, number of fronds , leaf area, wet and dry weight of oil palm leaves. Important macronutrients; nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) were highly significant in the oil palms treated with BF70; which were 2.85% and 4994.20 mg L −1 , respectively. While phosphorus (P) recorded 2147.78 mg L −1 with no significant difference compared to other treatments. Application of BF100 indicated the highest soil microbial biodiversity (H' = 3.4723) while BF70 showed a slightly lower H′ that was 3.2444 for bacteria compared to CF100 (2.2372). Whereas, for fungi, BF70 resulted in the highest H’ (2.6662) compared to BF100 (1.9730) and CF100 (2.3799). Therefore, environmentally friendly biofertilizer integrated with a small rate of chemical fertilizer helps in developing better oil palm growth, balanced and sufficient nutrient availability, and maintaining the survivability of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. • Excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture will lead to more environmental problems. • Researchers have emphasized the usage of environmentally friendly biofertilizers that hold vast potential in meeting plant nutrient requirements. • Integration of biofertilizer with a small rate of chemical fertilizer promised an excellent result compared to the usage of biofertilizer alone and 100% chemical fertilizer.

Nitrogen use by plants and nitrogen flows after application of standard and biomodified nitrogen fertilizers on barley

The aim of our study was to assess the efficiency of application of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers for barley, to reveal the sources of nitrogen used for biomass formation with the use of the 15N stable isotope, and to study nitrogen flows in the system of fertilizers–soil–plants–atmosphere. We demonstrated in a model experiment the ability of the plant growth-promoting bacteria Bacillus subtilis Ch-13 to move from the granules of mineral fertilizers to plant roots and to colonize them effectively. The effectiveness of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers for barley, Nur variety, was assessed in a microfield trial. After the application of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers, the accumulation of 15N in the plants increased by 2–5 %, its incorporation in the soil decreased and gaseous losses were decreased by 7 % as compared with the use of the usual forms of fertilizers. The application of biomodified nitrogen fertilizers can be used in agricultural practice as a novel technology to regulate nitrogen flows in the system of fertilizers–soil–plants–atmosphere.

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Different Crops at Charlands in Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted at the farmer’s fields of three Charlands in Bangladesh during November 2019 to July 2020 for establishing new technologies for enhancement of productivity through innovative soil management practices. The experiments were established in a randomized complete block design using six treatments and three replications. Treatments of the experiments were T1 = FP (Farmers’ Practice) (Control), T2 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Vermicompost (3t/ha), T3 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Quick Compost (3t/ha), T4 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Standard Organic Fertilizers (3t/ha), T5 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Poultry Manure (3t/ha) and T6 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Biochar (3t/ha). The soil status in all selected Charlands were very low to optimum. Results of the experiment showed that application of organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers produced significant (p<0.05) variation in growth and yield parameters of the crops. The findings from the study showed that different organic fertilizers showed better performance compared to Farmer’s practice. The statistically maximum fruit yield (41.35t/ha) of pumpkin, grain yield (3.24t/ha) of millet and tuber yield (43.69t/ha) of sweet potato was recorded in biochar treated T6 treatment compared to other treatments. Besides, the statistically highest fresh fruit yield (29.50t/ha) of snake gourd, fresh fruit yield (20.80t/ha) of okra and yield (74.16t/ha) of Indian spinach were recorded in poultry manure treated T5 treatment compared to other treatments. Comparatively higher growth and yield of different crops were obtained from poultry manure along with inorganic fertilizers which was followed by biochar and quick compost application. It is recommended to the farmers to use organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers.

Fertilization management strategies for ‘Agata’ potato production

ABSTRACT Fluctuations in potato prices and invariably rising production costs need sustainable fertilization strategies. For this purpose, two experiments were conducted in the southwestern region of São Paulo state to evaluate fertilization management strategies for the ‘Agata’ potato cultivar. The treatments consisted of the producer’s standard fertilization (1700 kg ha-1 NPK 4-30-10 at planting + 100 kg ha-1 urea and 150 kg ha-1 KCl at hilling) and combinations of two P rates at planting (standard rate and half of the rate), as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) with two forms of KCl application (total rate in the post-planting phase or half of the rate in the post-planting phase and half at hilling). The application of half the P rate (255 kg ha-1 P2O5) as the MAP at planting and the transfer of K from planting to applications in the post-planting phase or in the post-planting phase and at hilling, despite having provided a lower leaf P concentration, maintained the total tuber yield with higher operational yield of planting fertilization. It also increased the yield of tubers with a diameter >4.5 cm under conditions of lower water availability in the vegetative stages of the crop and soil with medium availability of P and K. Such a fertilization strategy is valuable for cost reductions and possible environmental liabilities.

Tanzanian Bat Guano as an Alternative Source of Phosphorus for Organic Rice Production

Many tropical and subtropical soils are low in phosphorus. This is partly because of excessive weathering, high phosphorous (P) fixation rates, and low P levels in soil parent materials. Continuous removal of P from soils by crops, coupled with limited application of P fertilizers, is also among the contributing factors for low P in soils. Phosphorus is among the most limiting macronutrient in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of bat guano collected from Kisarawe (BGK-A and BGK-B) and Sukumawera caves (BGS) in Tanzania. The screen-house experiment at the Sokoine University of Agriculture was designed as a 4 × 6 factorial experiment conducted as a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Guano and triple superphosphate (TSP) were used as standard fertilizer at six P application rates. The yield of rice in response to applied TSP was comparable to applied guano but in the order TSP > BGK-A > BGS > BGK-B. All parameters increased with an increase in applied amounts of P from guano and TSP. Besides this study revealed the significant (P = .05) interaction between P sources and P rates on plant height (PH), micronutrient concentration and dry matter (DM). The study showed the correlation between grain yield (GY) and other crop components of dry matter (DM), the number of panicles (NP), Panicle height (PAH), plant height (PH) and number of tillers (NT). A significant and positive correlation was found for the GY-DM (r = 0.58, P = .05), GY-PAH (r = 0.65, P < .001), and GY-NT (r = 0.420, P = 0.1). But strong positive correlation was found between GY-PH (r = 0.76, P < .001) and GY-NP (r = 0.84, P < .001). It was concluded that studied guanos can be used as an alternative source of P, especially for smallholder farmers.

Effects of calcium cyanamide on Collembola in a standardized field test: Part 1. Rationale and performance of the study

BackgroundA field study lasting one year was performed to study the effects of a calcium cyanamide fertiliser (trade name: Perlka®) on Collembola in order to support the terrestrial risk assessment under the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation. Due to the lack of an appropriate guidance document, the design of the study was based on the ISO Guideline 11268–3, originally developed for earthworm field studies. However, the sampling procedure was adapted accordingly by applying ISO Guideline 23611–2, i.e. taking soil core and pitfall trap samples. Two groups of four plots each were treated with 200 kg/ha and 400 kg/ha Perlka®, respectively. A third group served as a fertiliser control, i.e. it was treated with a standard urea fertiliser (172.9 kg Piagran®/ha) at the same total nitrogen rate (79.5 kg/ha) as provided by the high Perlka® application rate. The fourth group served as negative control without any fertiliser treatment and the fifth group was treated with the reference item Agriclor® (480 g a.i./L chlorpyrifos), known to be toxic to springtails.ResultsIn total 16 different Collembola species were determined. For seven species, covering all life form types, a reliable statistical evaluation was possible, which was reflected in correspondingly low MDD values in the study. A statistically significant decrease of the abundance (at least 50%) on the reference item plots compared to the untreated control was observed for six species, thus demonstrating the sensitivity of the Collembola community.ConclusionNo long-lasting effects of the Perlka® application rates could be observed for any of the Collembola species. In order to support risk assessors in both industry and authorities in the interpretation of large and complex data sets typical for field studies with chemicals, further guidance on implementation and data interpretation is urgently needed.

Crop Field Level Estimation of Nitrogen Input from Fertilizer Use in Jeju Island, South Korea: Management Methods to Prevent Groundwater NO3-N Contamination

The application of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers has boosted crop yields globally. However, it has also imposed on environmental pollution problems. An estimation of actual fertilizer N inputs at the crop field level is needed to establish effective N management plans to control groundwater NO3-N contamination. Here, a survey to collect the types of cultivated crop and fertilizer application rate was conducted during 2016–2018, covering 44,253 small crop fields (7730 ha) in the western part (Hanrim and Hankyung regions) of Jeju Island, South Korea. Foreign vegetables, citrus fruits, and bulb vegetables are the major crop types grown in the total cultivated areas of 2165.6 ha, 1718.7 ha, and 944.9 ha, respectively. For several crops (green garlic, potato, and chives), the over-use of N fertilizers is observed, the amount of which is 1.73–4.95 times greater than the standard fertilizer application rate. The highest level of fertilizer N input is observed for bulb vegetables in both the regions (Hanrim: 500.5 kg/ha, Hankyung: 487.1 kg/ha), with nearly 80% of the N fertilizer input turned into surplus N loading. A comparison between a spatial interpolation map of the fertilizer N input and that of the groundwater NO3-N concentration implies that the excessive use of synthetic fertilizer results in the degradation of groundwater quality by NO3-N. N management plans for the study area are suggested based on the N fertilizer input at the crop field level. This study highlights that sustainable N management plans should be arranged at the crop field level, considering the spatial heterogeneity of N fertilizer use.

Yield and nutrient removal of cotton–corn–soybean rotation systems fertilized with poultry litter

AbstractExporting excess mineral nutrients from soils that receive repeated poultry litter (PL) applications may be enhanced by rotating crops and fertilizers that increase crop yield. This study determined the magnitude of yield enhancement and mineral nutrient removal at harvest by cotton–corn–soybean rotation systems and by PL‐synthetic fertilizer rotations. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were grown in rotation for 5 yr with five fertility treatments which included an unfertilized control (UTC), a standard fertilization with synthetic fertilizers yearly, phosphorus‐based poultry litter application every year for 5 yr (P5L), nitrogen‐based poultry litter application for 5 yr (N5L), and nitrogen‐based poultry litter application for 2 yr followed by synthetic nitrogen fertilization for 3 yr (N2L). The results showed that the N2L treatment, an alternative to the P‐based PL management, increased the yield of all three crops and enhanced nutrient mining and removal. All three treatments that involved PL fertilization increased soybean yield by as much as 12% over the Std. Rotation did not affect the yield of any of the three crops, but continuous cotton removed the least amount of nutrients. Rotations that included two soybean crops in the 5 yr removed the most amount of nutrients. The best strategy of managing PL where the three crops are grown in rotation is to fertilize cotton with PL to supply 100% of its N need followed by growing soybean without applying any fertilization in the subsequent 2 or 3 yr.

Optimisation of the timing of fertilisation assessment for oocytes cultured in standard incubation: lessons learnt from time-lapse imaging of 78 348 embryos.

Using time-lapse data, can the current consensus for the timing of fertilisation assessment of oocytes, cultured in standard incubation, be optimised? The optimum time to perform fertilisation assessment for oocytes cultured in standard incubation is 16.5 ± 0.5 h post-insemination (hpi), and the current consensus requires modification in order to minimise the chance of fertilisation being missed. Time-lapse incubation allows the embryologist to retrospectively review collated images of oocytes and embryos to capture important embryological observations that may otherwise be missed in standard incubation. According to expert consensus, the optimum time to perform the assessment of fertilisation is 17 ± 1 hpi. A retrospective, multicentre analysis utilised data obtained from 54 746 ICSI-derived embryos and 23 602 IVF-derived embryos cultured in time-lapse incubation between January 2011 and November 2019. Using time-lapse imaging (TLI), the precise time of pronuclei appearance and disappearance was recorded, where applicable, and the number of oocytes with two pronuclei observable during 10 30-min intervals from 15 hpi to 20 hpi was determined. Between 15 and 17.5 hpi, the average number of oocytes exhibiting normal fertilisation, elicited as two pronuclei, was 98.19% with the highest proportion of oocytes having visible pronuclei at 16-16.5 hpi (98.32%). At 18-18.5 hpi, the number of visible pronuclei reduced to 95.53% and continued to fall to 87.02% at 19.5-20 hpi. The authors' expectation is that these findings are transferable to other settings, however it is possible that, with alternative culture media and incubation environments, calibration of this timing may be required. As data cannot readily be recorded for pronuclear appearance for IVF-derived embryos, it is not possible to determine the optimum time to perform the fertilisation assessment for IVF-derived embryos. By fine-tuning the time at which fertilisation assessment takes place the accuracy of the assessment can be increased to maximise the number of fertilised oocytes identified, thereby increasing the number of usable embryos for the patient. Without TLI and following current consensus guidelines, over 11% (n = 3000) of oocytes would have been marked as unfertilised within this cohort. Further to this, depending on the time of a standard fertilisation assessment, up to 300 embryos which resulted in live births could have been categorised as unfertilised, as they presented no visible pronuclei at the conventional assessment time-point. A.C. is a minor shareholder in CARE Fertility Limited. Validated algorithmic time-lapse embryo selection is offered to patients at CARE Fertility at an additional charge as an adjuvant treatment option. N/A.

Fertilizer bio urine effectiveness test and the combination with chemical fertilizer on nutrient uptake and rice production

The goal of the study was to determine the impact of applying bio urine fertilizers on soil chemical properties and rice yield in order to improve soil fertility. Randomized complete block design with 10 kinds of treatment had adopted in this study for three times. As part of the treatment, bio urine fertilizer and NPK fertilizer are used at various levels. As a result of these findings, the use of bio urine in conjunction with NPK fertilizer had a significant impact on pH as well as total N as well as available P and K as well as absorption of N, P and K, strawweight, dry grain weight and 1000 grain weight. As a result, rice plants can absorb more nutrients such as organic C, total nitrogen, existing P, K, N, P and K when combined with NPK fertilizer. 5.65 t ha-1 of rice was harvested using 30 ml of bio urine and 75 percent NPK fertilizer, while 4.01 t ha-1 of rice was harvested using the farmer's (control) method of treatment. It's 165.66 percent. When used at this dosage, the fertilizer is more in effect than standard fertilizers, and its economic test magnitude is about 1.42, making it a good choice for rice farming.

Effect of Forage Plant Mixture and Biostimulants Application on the Yield, Changes of Botanical Composition, and Microbiological Soil Activity

Recently, an increasing interest in such fertilizers and fertilization methods which not only directly supply nutrients to plants, but also stimulate soil bioactivity is noted. Their effect on both soil microbiota and forage plants has not been fully recognized. The aim of the study was to investigate the combined effect of forage plant mixture type and mineral fertilizers (NPK) with biostimulants based on a marine algae extracts on the botanical composition, yield, the structure of selected taxonomic and trophic groups of soil microorganisms, and the soil enzymatic activity. During the years 2018–2019 a field experiment established in split-plot design with two different forage plant mixtures, as a first factor, and different fertilization basing on mineral fertilizers amended with biostimulants, as a second factor was conducted. Two types of forage mixtures of sown species were used: grass mixture (GM) and legume-grass mixture (LGM). Every year the following biostimulants were applied: N-14, PinKstart, Physiostart, Physioactive and they were compared with standard NPK fertilisation and no fertilisation as a control. The reaction of forage plant mixtures on applied fertilisation was different. The intensive development of grass species, mainly Lolium perenne, at the expense of Trifolium repens share in LGM was observed. In GM sward dominated Dactylis glomerata. A beneficial effects of biostimulants’ application on the biomass yields of both grass mixtures was observed. The systematic soil acidification and a decrease of soil enzymatic activity in result of applied fertilization, except NPK + Physioactive treatment (calcium fertilizer containing 76% calcium carbonate), was noted. Soil reaction to applied fertilisation was dependent on the botanical composition of the sward. The counts of microorganisms in the soil under LGM were almost two times higher than in the soil under GM. The most effective, in reducing the negative effect of nitrogen mineral fertilization on the pH of soil, was fertilization with NPK + Physioactiv.

A FALSE START: CAN SINGLE PRONUCLEAR ZYGOTES GET BACK ON TRACK?

Single pronuclear (1PN) zygotes have the potential to develop into blastocysts and lead to live birth.1 We investigated whether the blastocyst formation rate was different in embryos with 1 versus 2 pronuclei observed at standard fertilization time point, approximately 18-20 hours post insemination.

MACROELEMENTS CONCENTRATION IN PLUM TREE LEAVES AND SOIL IN RESPONSE TO ORCHARD FLOOR MANAGEMENT

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of various methods of orchard floor management on extractable mactronutrients concentration in plum leaves and orchard soil. Study carried out between 2013 and 2015. Standard mineral fertilization on experimental plots was applied. Trees of ‘Valjevka’ plum (Prunus domestica L.), grafted onto Myrobalan seedlings (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. var. divaricata Ledeb.), were planted in the spring of 2008. From 2009 to 2015, the following methods of soil cultivation under tree canopies were introduced: control with limited weeding around tree trunks; spraying with foliar herbicides; mulching with organic waste, i.e. straw with compost; mechanical soil cultivation with the use of rotary cultivators and hoe; weed mowing. The method of soil cultivation had influence on leaf concentration of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as soil concentration content of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in particular years of the study or as three-year mean. Orchard floor management did not affect leaf nitrogen concentration in any way. The results showed that regular weed control in the evaluated type of orchard is not necessary for properly supplying plum trees with macronutrients.

Applicability of Conventionally Recommended Fertilizer Rates for Potato Cultivated in Saemangeum Reclaimed Land in the Fall Season

It is important to increase the area of potato cultivation in the fall season for a stable year-round supply system in Korea. Saemangeum reclaimed land has the potential to extension of potato cultivation area with appropriate practices. This study was performed to test applicability of fertilizer recommendation in southern coastal area to the Saemangeum area. Two experiments were conducted: one experiment compared the yield response of potato between standard rates of N-P-K (SR) and recommendation rates of N-P-K based on soil test (STR) and the other experiment analyzed yield response to 4 different levels of N, P, K, respectively. The potato yield in SR was 6.05 Mg ha-1 on average and varied from 1.68 Mg ha-1 to 11.80 Mg ha-1. The potato yield in STR, meanwhile, ranged from 8.13 Mg ha-1 to 12.17 Mg ha-1 with a mean value of 9.65 Mg ha-1. Potato yield was increased linearly with N fertilization rates but P and K fertilization did not have any significant effect on potato growth. The N fertilization rate (NFR) and the soil available phosphate content (Av. P2O5) had significant positive corelation with potato yield (p < 0.01). Based on stepwise multiple regression analysis, partial regression coefficient was 0.30 for NFR and 0.08 for Av. P2O5; Y = 19.6 X1 + 34.9 X2 + 1,410, where Y, X1, and X2 mean potato yield, NFR, and Av. P2O5, respectively. Conclusively, STR was strongly recommended for potato in the Saemangeum reclaimed land and the conventional standard fertilization rate was hardly applicable to the area, especially for nitrogen. Potato product by fertilization rates in the fall season. The standard rates were 120, 106, and 156 kg ha-1 for N, P2O5, and K2O. The other two were provided as the standard rates.

Zinc uptake and HMA4 activity are required for micro- and macroelement balance in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

The pleiotropic effects of zinc deficiency on ion homeostasis have already been described in several plants. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) heavy metal ATPases HMA4.1 and HMA4.2 are involved in zinc and cadmium root-to-shoot translocation. In previous research, we have shown that N. tabacum HMA4 RNAi plants and HMA4 double-nonsense mutants exhibit strongly reduced zinc and cadmium levels in leaves as well as stunted growth. In this study, the ionome and transcriptome of these lines were investigated to better characterize the effect of reduced zinc levels and to understand the impaired growth phenotype. We found that, under standard greenhouse fertilization rates, these lines accumulated up to 4- to 6-fold more phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper than their respective controls. Under field conditions, HMA4 double-mutant plants also exhibited similar accumulation phenotypes, albeit to a lower extent. In both HMA4 RNAi plants and HMA4 mutants, transcription analysis showed a local zinc-deficiency response in leaves as well as an FIT1-mediated iron-deficiency response in roots, likely contributing to iron and manganese uptake at the root level. A phosphate-starvation response involving HHO2 was also observed in HMA4-impaired plant leaves. The high level of phosphorus observed in HMA4-impaired plants is correlated with leaf swelling and necrosis. The upregulation of aquaporin genes is in line with cellular water influx and the observed leaf swelling phenotype. These results highlight the involvement of HMA4 in zinc homeostasis and related regulatory processes that balance the micro- and macroelements in above-ground organs.

PENGARUH BIOAKTIVATOR PADA KOTORAN AYAM DAN PEMBERIAN TRICHODERMA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL KEDELAI (Glycine Max L. Merril)

Based on the research results, the effect of bioactivators on chicken manure and trichoderma on the growth and yield of soybeans ( Glycine max L. Merril ). showed a significant effect of manure fertilizers enriched with bioactivators on the height of soybean plants at the age of 28 DAS, 42 DAS, 56 DAS, number of leaves 28 DAS, 42 DAS, 56 DAS, number of branches 42 DAS, 56 DAS, plant wet weight, number of pods well, plant wet weight, plant dry weight, 100 seeds weight and seed weight per plant. but not significant effect on plant height 14 DAS, number of leaves 14 DAS, number of branches 28, root nodules, length of roots and pods of cipo. The treatment of chicken manure with bioactivators showed a significant increase which showed a significant effect on the observed parameters compared to standard NPK fertilizers. while the treatment of Trichoderma and the interaction between the two had a significant effect on the weight observation parameters of 100 seeds

Hydrolysis of fish waste using fruit wastes of Ananas comosus and Carica papaya for the formulation of liquid fertilizers

Purpose Fish waste is a protein-rich source that can be used as a value-added product in the formulation of organic liquid fertilizers. This study carried out to investigate the utilizing potential of fruit wastes of Ananas comosus and Carica papaya that contain bromelain and papain as major proteases in order to hydrolyze fish waste proteins to fulfill plant nitrogen requirements. Method Proteases were extracted from A. comosus (leaves, crown, unripe fruit pulp, ripe fruit peels and pulp) and C. papaya (leaves, ripe fruit peels and unripe fruit peels). The optimum temperature and pH for the enzymatic activities were determined. Four liquid organic fertilizers were produced with hydrolyzed fish waste that enriched by adding Gliricidia sepium, Chromolaena odorata, Tithonia diversifolia, Mikania scandens and coconut husk-ash. Fertilizers were tested on the growth of Basella alba comparing with a standard fertilizer. Results Ananas comosus ripe fruit peels and the mixture of (A. comosus + C. papaya) showed the highest enzyme activities (0.33±0.02 and 0.36±0.01 U mL-1 enzyme respectively) at 55 oC and 70 oC. The optimum pH for all the studied extracts was 7.5 at 37 oC. The highest plant fresh and dry weights were recorded in the foliar-applied fertilizer produced by hydrolyzing the fish waste using A. comosus and C. papaya, showing no significant differences to the standard fertilizer. Conclusion Hydrolysis of fish waste using the fruit wastes of A. comosus and C. papaya could be effectively used as an organic fertilizer for the growth of B. alba that leads towards sustainable waste management.

Can a Rice Field Ingest Untreated Municipal Waste Water Beneficially in Bangladesh

Safe usages of untreated municipal wastewater (WW) containing both plant nutrients and contaminants can reduce cost and clean the environment. This study investigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) traits and soil health under irrigation with municipal WW in combination with five fertilizer doses in two field experiments. The fertilizer treatments comprised no application of fertilizer (F₀, control) and application of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of recommended standard fertilizer dose (F₁, F₂, F₃, F₄, respectively) that were distributed in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.

The Effect of Different Fertilization Regimes on Yield, Selected Nutrients, and Bioactive Compounds Profiles of Onion

Here we report the results of a three-year replicated field trial on the effects of novel clover- and alfalfa-based fertilizer products (Ekofert® K and Ekofert® L), with the input levels equivalent to 120, 180, or 240 kg N ha−1, on the yield and selected sensory and nutritional quality parameters of onion. The study showed that Ekofert fertilizer applied at all three levels produced similar or higher yields than the standard fertilization regimes used in conventional farming in all three seasons. Significant differences in onion composition profiles between fertilization treatments were detected within individual seasons; however, due to substantial interseasonal variation, no consistent differences could be detected between (i) mineral N and Ekofert fertilizer treatments, (ii) the two different Ekofert products, and (iii) contrasting Ekofert input levels. Results demonstrate that clover- and alfalfa-based pelleted organic fertilizer products are a suitable alternative for intensive organic field vegetable production.

Application of Sugar Beet Pulp Digestate as a Soil Amendment in the Production of Energy Maize

This study aimed to determine the suitability of sugar beet pulp digestion by-products as soil amendments for maize grown for energy purposes. In a plot experiment, nitrogen fertilizer at a standard rate of 200 kg N ha−1 was applied as a control vs. treatment with solid and liquid digestate fractions. Digestate was obtained from a gasifier processing only sugar beet pulp. Following harvest, heating and calorific values were determined together with the yield and chemical composition of the maize cob and stover. It was found that soil amendment with crude (unseparated) digestate or its two fractions (separated into liquid and solid) produced higher yields of maize cobs and stover compared with the application of standard fertilizer. An analysis of the energy value of the maize plant revealed differences between the studied soil treatments. Cobs obtained from plots treated with the digestate showed higher calorific and heating values than those obtained from control plots; however, maize stover from control plots showed higher calorific and heating values compared with plants from other experimental plots. It can be concluded that by-products obtained from sugar beet pulp digestion can be alternatively used as a soil amendment for maize production in a crop rotation with sugar beet. Among studied amendments the solid fraction of the digestate was found to have the best performance.