Type Of Fertilizer Application Research Articles

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A PLASTIC BOTTLE-BASED SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Several attempts have been made by researchers for an efficient and cost-effective means of applying irrigation water, since traditional Surface irrigation system is becoming unsustainable due to water shortage. Adoption of most of these systems have failed because sophistication in design and complexity in setup. The use of recycled plastic bottles (PB) is another attempt at achieving a less complex system, yet promoting reuse of spent PB. Experimental Plot was set up in Samaru-Zaria, for a Subsurface irrigation system using recycled PB perforated at the base and connected to network of pipes. Evaluation of the system was carried out to determine the orifice size, orifice depth and the type of fertilizer application with the best agronomic yield parameters in RCBD design with sixteen (16) treatments replicated three (3) times. The results show the treatment with 3mm orifice size buried to 10mm depth with inorganic fertilizer performs best. The use of PB is therefore recommended for use in subsurface system to promote low-cost, less complex yet very effective water saving irrigation system.

Physiological activities of cocoa trees induced by soil and foliar applications of boron fertilizer

This study investigates the impact of boron fertilizer on physiological activities of cocoa trees, specifically focusing on boron content, nitrogen content, nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis rate in cocoa plant leaves. This research was arranged in a randomized complete block design with two treatment factors, which were the type of boron fertilizer application (soil and foliar fertilizer), and the dose of boron fertilizer (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 g plant<sup>−1</sup> with 0 g plant<sup>−1</sup> as a control). Data were then analyzed for variance differences (ANOVA) with α = 5%, followed by the Tukey test, and contrast orthogonal for comparing treated and control plants. The results showed that the dose of boron fertilizer and the type of fertilizer application used have a significant effect on the physiological activity of the cocoa plant. The dose of boron with soil application affects physiological activity in a linear pattern where each additional dose of boron will increase the activity of nitrate reductase, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate. The dose of boron with foliar application affects physiological activity in a quadratic pattern, where the dose of boron in the range of 3 g plant<sup>−1</sup> is the optimum dose that gives maximum results on nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate in the cocoa leaves. Therefore, it is considered that the application of boron fertilizer at a dose of 3 g plants<sup>−1</sup> with the foliar application is more efficient in increasing physiological activity compared to the dose of boron with soil application.

Best management practices and its effect on soil properties in smallholder oil palm plantations, Jambi Province, Indonesia

The Best Management Practices (BMP) could improve oil palm production in smallholder plantations. This study aims to identify the effect of BMP and farmers’ practice (REF) on bulk density (BD), total N, available P, and organic C. The research was conducted in the smallholder oil palm plantations in Jambi Province, Indonesia. BMP applied pruned fronds stacks in inter-rows and within rows with fertilizer application above it except nitrogen fertilizer applied in the weeded circle. Besides, REF practice applied prune fronds stacks in inter-rows with all type of fertilizer application in the weeded circle. The result based on transect analysis showed that organic C, total N, and available P significantly higher near oil palm trees. In contrast, BD did not show a significantly different. Comparing BMP and REF practice revealed that BD, organic C, and total N did not differ significantly in all point observations. However, available P showed significantly different in point 2, 4, and 6. As this study was conducted in the second year of BMP treatment, the soil properties of BD, organic C, and total N were not influenced by BMP treatment. BMP study give land management information to improve soil properties that support oil palm production.

Photosynthetic and grain yield responses to intercropping of two common bean lines with maize under two types of fertilizer applications in the colombian amazon region

Acid soils in the Amazon region are characterized by low fertility and high aluminum saturation causing reduced crop yields. Improving genetic adaptation of crop genotypes together with suitable agronomic management practices can mitigate the impact on crop production in acid soils. The objective of the present study was to determine the photosynthetic and grain yield responses of two common bean lines to intercropping with maize under two types of fertilizer applications in the Colombian Amazon region. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications in a nested trifactorial arrangement was used consisting of two advanced bean lines of BFS 10 and ALB 121 (main plots); three cropping system patterns of monoculture, intercropping pattern 1, intercropping pattern 2 (subplots); and two types of fertilizer applications, chemical and organic (sub-subplots) for a total of 12 treatments. The experiment was conducted in two growing seasons and the effects of the treatments were evaluated during two growth stages within a cropping season. Measurements included photosynthetic gas exchange characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence, specific leaf area, viability of pollen and grain yield. Mean values from two growing seasons were presented. Photosynthetic response of BFS 10 was superior to ALB 121 under both monoculture and intercropping patterns with either chemical or organic fertilizer application. Both bean lines showed an increase in apparent quantum efficiency and maximum rate of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) carboxylation (Vcmax) during pod filling growth stage when grown in association with maize, particularly with organic fertilizer application. Small farmers in the Amazon region can benefit from either one of the two bean lines by growing them as intercrops with maize, using organic fertilizer application.

Agronomic Performance Evaluation of Intercropping Two Common Bean Breeding Lines with a Maize Variety under Two Types of Fertilizer Applications in the Colombian Amazon Region

Intercropping the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with maize (Zea mays L.) is a widely used agronomic practice in smallholder farms in different regions of the world. Although it is a common practice in the Colombian Amazon region, crop yields are low due to the degradation of low fertility, acidic soil and high-temperature stress. Studies are needed on how the integration of genetically adapted common bean breeding lines into an intercropping system can benefit smallholders. The objective of this study was to: (i) evaluate differences in agronomic performance of two common bean lines when intercropped with maize in two different patterns under two types of fertilizer applications; and (ii) identify which intercropping pattern is better to maximize productivity and land use in the Colombian Amazon region. To achieve these aims, 2 field experiments (October 2018 to January 2019, season 1; April to June 2019, season 2) were conducted in the Colombian Amazon region. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in a nested trifactorial arrangement in a split-plot scheme was used. The experimental design consisted of 2 advanced bean breeding lines of BFS 10 and ALB 121 (main plots); 3 cropping system patterns, including a monoculture, intercropping pattern 1, and intercropping pattern 2 (subplots); and 2 types of fertilizer, inorganic and organic (sub-subplots), for a total of 12 treatments. The experiment was conducted in two growing seasons in low fertility, acidic soil. Different competition indices and monetary advantage index values were estimated depending on the yield and cost of production from maize and bean intercropping patterns (land equivalent ratio, LER; relative crowding coefficient, RCC; aggressiveness index, AI; competitive ratio, CR). A significant effect on grain yield was observed with both intercropping patterns compared to monocropping of beans and maize. Grain yields obtained for maize were similar under monoculture with both types of fertilizer application, while both bean lines yielded better in monoculture under the application of inorganic fertilizer. Under intercropping patterns, the yield reductions were from 8 to 30% for maize and from 43 to 72% for the 2 bean lines. LER values increased with intercropping patterns under both types of fertilization, which was supported by positive values in the actual yield loss index. The interaction indices between the two crop components showed a greater dominance of maize over beans (RCC, AI, CR). However, the intercropping systems increased the economic advantage (the monetary advantage index) over monocropping. Smallholders in the Amazon region can profit through increased grain yield as well as land-use efficiency by integrating a genetically adapted bean breeding line, BFS 10, as an intercrop with maize under the application of organic fertilizer.

RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT TYPE OF FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH OF TWO GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) VARIETIES IN KATSINA A SUDAN SAVANNAH

The experimental trial was conducted to evaluate the response of different types of fertilizers on the growth of two groundnut varieties in Katsina a Sudan savannah. The experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 rainy seasons at Samaru farm Mani LGA, Katsina State, Nigeria. Treatments consisted of two varieties of groundnut (SAMNUT 25 and SAMNUT 26) and four different types of fertilizer (zero fertilizer, organic manure, NPK 30:30:30 and poultry manure) replicated three times. The treatments were factorized and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The result shows that groundnut growth components such as: the number of leaves per plant, leaf area index and days to 50% flowering per plot was significantly influenced by different types of fertilizer and SAMNUT 25 (P≤0.05) outperformed SAMNUT 26. Different types of fertilizer Applications also recorded a significant (P≤0.05) effect on growth parameters. However, the Application of poultry manure significantly (P≤0.05) outperformed better on the number of leaves and leaf area index at 3, 6 and 9 WAS but during the 2020 growing season at 6 WAS organic manure recorded the highest (105) number of leaves. The study revealed that the application of poultry manure on SAMNUT 25 proves to promote better growth of groundnut in the study area.

Delineation of Soil Fertility Management Zones for Site-specific Nutrient Management in the Maize Belt Region of Nigeria

Site-specific nutrient management can reduce soil degradation and crop production risks related to undesirable timing, amount, and type of fertilizer application. This study was conducted to understand the spatial variability of soil properties and delineate spatially homogenous nutrient management zones (MZs) in the maize belt region of Nigeria. Soil samples (n = 3387) were collected across the area using multistage and random sampling techniques, and samples were analyzed for pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg), micronutrients (S, B, Zn, Mn and Fe) content, and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC). Spatial distribution and variability of these parameters were assessed using geostatistics and ordinary kriging, while principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate K-means cluster analysis were used to delineate nutrient management zones. Results show that spatial variation of macronutrients (total N, available P, and K) was largely influenced by intrinsic factors, while that of S, Ca, ECEC, and most micronutrients was influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors with moderate to high spatial variability. Four distinct management zones, namely, MZ1, MZ2, MZ3, and MZ4, were identified and delineated in the area. MZ1 and MZ4 have the highest contents of most soil fertility indicators. MZ4 has a higher content of available P, Zn, and pH than MZ1. MZ2 and MZ3, which constitute the larger part of the area, have smaller contents of the soil fertility indicators. The delineated MZs offer a more feasible option for developing and implementing site-specific nutrient management in the maize belt region of Nigeria.

Effects of Different Organic Fertilizers on Some Bioactive Compounds and Yield of Cherry Tomato Cultivars

The tomato is an important fruit, both fresh and processed, for human nutrition worldwide, and plays a significant role in agriculture. Especially in the agricultural system where chemical fertilizers are not used, there may be significant differences in the quantity and quality of tomatoes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of four types of fertilizer applications (microbial, compost, mixture [2 t da−1 manure +2 t da−1 compost +300 g 100 L−1 microbial fertilizer], and manure) on some bioactive compounds and yield of three hybrid cherry tomato cultivars (Pekbal F1, Yeniceri F1, and Inci F1) obtained from two Turkish seed companies. Interactions between cultivars and fertilizers were investigated for qualitative and quantitative parameters. The highest yields were obtained by application of the compost in Inci, Pekbal, and Yeniceri (1780, 1790, and 668 kg da−1, respectively). Inci F1 had the highest total soluble solids (8.82%) followed by Yeniceri (7.64%) and Pekbal (6.90%). Yeniceri was the least-producing cultivar with four different fertilizer applications. Another important parameter, vitamin C, was highest (32.18 mg 100 g−1) in Inci F1 followed by Yeniceri (30.44 mg 100 g−1) and Pekbal (30.20 mg 100 g−1). Pekbal and Inci cultivars were the most productive under the different applications. Among the organic fertilizers used in this study, compost application was the most productive for all three cherry tomato cultivars.

Nitrate subsurface transport and losses in response to its initial distributions in sloped soils: An experimental and modelling study

AbstractTransport and losses of nitrate from sloped soils are closely linked to nitrogen fertilizer management. Previous studies have always focused on different types of fertilizer applications and rarely analysed various initial nitrate distributions as a result of nitrogen fertilizer applications. Under certain conditions, both subsurface lateral saturated flow and vertical leaching dominate nitrate losses. Soil tank experiments and HYDRUS‐2D modelling were used to better understand the subsurface nitrate transport and losses through lateral saturated flow and vertical leaching under various initial nitrate distributions. Low (L: 180 mg L−1), normal (N: 350 mg L−1), and high (H: 500 mg L−1) nitrate concentrations were used in five different distributions (NNNN, NLLN, LHHL, LNLN, and HNHN) along the slope of the tank. The first two treatments (NNNN and NLLN) were analysed both experimentally and numerically. Experiments were conducted under 12 rainfall events at intervals of 3 days. The HYDRUS‐2D model was calibrated and validated against the experimental data and demonstrated good model performance. The other three treatments (LHHL, LNLN, and HNHN) were investigated using the calibrated model. Nitrate concentrations in purple sloped soils declined exponentially with time under intermittent rainfalls, predominantly in the upper soil layers. Non‐uniform initial nitrate distributions contributed to larger differences between four locations along the slope in deeper soil layers. The non‐uniform nitrate distribution either enhanced or reduced decreases in nitrate concentrations in areas with higher or lower initial nitrate concentrations, respectively. Higher nitrate concentrations at the slope foot and along the slope were reduced mainly by lateral flow and vertical leaching, respectively. Increasing nitrogen application rates increased subsurface nitrate losses. Mean subsurface lateral nitrate fluxes were twice as large as mean vertical leaching nitrate fluxes. However, due to longer leaching durations, total nitrate losses due to vertical leaching were comparable with those due to lateral flow, which indicated comparable environmental risks to surface waters and groundwater.

Impacts of straw, biogas slurry, manure and mineral fertilizer applications on several biochemical properties and crop yield in a wheat-maize cropping system

To investigate the effects of different sources of organic matter on soil biochemical properties and crop productivity and to find the best substitute for cow manure in the fields, a field experiment was carried out in a wheat-maize cropping system during 2012–2015. Three types of fertilizer applications, including a mineral fertilizer (CK), straw (S) and biogas slurry (B) were compared with cow manure (M) under an equal dose of nitrogen. In the 0–20 cm soil layer, the soil total nitrogen, microbial biomass nitrogen and carbon content of the M treatment was the highest, and the total organic carbon equivalent ratio of M decreased by 28.60% respectively, relative to S. Compared with CK, S and B, the urease activity equivalent ratio in the M treatment increased by 52, 12 and 21%, and the invertase activity equivalent ratio increased by 21, 20 and 26%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the hydrogen peroxidase activity among the four treatments. The annual crop yield and water use efficiency of the M treatment was significantly higher than other treatments, followed by S, B and CK. Our findings indicated that straw returning was the best substitute for cow manure.

The Effect of Variety and Fertilizer Application on Functional Properties of ‘Mukunuwenna’ (<em>Alternanthera sessilis)</em>

The study investigated the functional properties, such as antioxidant activity, phenolic content and ascorbic acid content of the popular leafy vegetable, Alternanthera sessilis (‘Mukunuwenna’). Two varieties such as Piliyandala and Colombo Selection grown under four different fertilizer application types namely, Inorganic fertilizer mixture recommended by the Department of Agriculture (Urea 9 kg/1000 m2 , MOP 13.5 kg/1000 m2 , TSP 10 kg/1000 m2 ), Integrated treatment [mixture of inorganic (Urea, MOP and TSP) and organic fertilizer (cattle manure and gliricidia)], Organic fertilizer (cattle manure and gliricidia) and Homescale cultivation (No fertilizer) were used. Antioxidant activity (AOA) of the methanolic leaf extract was determined by using 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Assay. Phenolic content (PC) and ascorbic acid content (AAC; IC50 value) were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and 2, 6-Dichlorophenol-indophenol titration method, respectively. A 2-factor factorial experiment was used in the study. Varieties Piliyandala (7.92 mg/mL) and Colombo Selection (9.50 mg/mL) did not differ in their AOA while variety Colombo Selection recorded a higher phenolic content (472.67 mg GAE/100 g) compared to Piliyandala (343.83 mg GAE/100 g). Ascorbic acid contents of Piliyandala and Colombo Selection varieties were 11.48 and 12.44 mg/100 mg, respectively. Home-scale cultivation and organic fertilizer treatment resulted in significantly higher (p˂0.05) AOA of 3.364 and 8.034 mg/mL and PC of 410.87 and 404.99 mg GAE/100 g, respectively. Organic fertilizer application significantly increased (p˂0.05) the antioxidant activity of variety Piliyandala but not in Colombo Selection. Results indicated that, A. sessilis grown with inorganic fertilizer and a mixture of inorganic and organic fertilizer contained significantly lower antioxidant levels and phenolic contents compared to those grown organically and in home-scale without fertilizer application.

Long‐term effects of tillage, nutrient application and crop rotation on soil organic matter quality assessed by NMR spectroscopy

AbstractCrop and land management practices affect both the quality and quantity of soil organic matter (SOM) and hence are driving forces for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. The objective of this study was to assess the long‐term effects of tillage, fertilizer application and crop rotation on SOC in an agricultural area of southern Norway, where a soil fertility and crop rotation experiment was initiated in 1953 and a second experiment on tillage practices was initiated in 1983. The first experiment comprised 6‐yr crop rotations with cereals only and 2‐yr cereal and 4‐yr grass rotations with recommended (base) and more than the recommended (above base) fertilizer application rates; the second experiment dealt with autumn‐ploughed (conventional‐till) plots and direct‐drilled plots (no‐till). Soil samples at 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths were collected in autumn 2009 and analysed for their C and N contents. The quality of SOM in the top layer was determined by 13C solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The SOC stock did not differ significantly because of rotation or fertilizer application types, even after 56 yr. However, the no‐till system showed a significantly higher SOC stock than the conventional‐till system at the 0–10 cm depth after the 26 yr of experiment, but it was not significantly different at the 10–30 cm depth. In terms of quality, SOM was found to differ by tillage type, rate of fertilizer application and crop rotation. The no‐till system showed an abundance of O‐alkyl C, while conventional‐till system indicated an apparently indirect enrichment in alkyl C, suggesting a more advanced stage of SOM decomposition. The long‐term quantitative and qualitative effects on SOM suggest that adopting a no‐tillage system and including grass in crop rotation and farmyard manure in fertilizer application may contribute to preserve soil fertility and mitigate climate change.

Effects of Long‐Term Fertilization on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Chinese Mollisols

Three field experiments were conducted to examine the influence of long‐term (30–31 yr) effect of fertilizer applications on soil C and N in the mollisols of Northeast China. Each experiment represented a different latitude range: low latitude (LatL), middle latitude (LatM) and high latitude (LatH). Four types of fertilizer applications were considered: (i) CK: unfertilized (control); (ii) NPK: balanced application of inorganic fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium; (iii) M: application of organic manure; and (iv) NPKM: fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, plus organic manure. Compared with CK treatments, applications of fertilizers increased soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and microbial biomass nitrogen (Nmic). On average compared with CK treatments, SOC in the NPK, M, and NPKM treatments increased by 2.74, 22.00, and 27.81%, respectively. Thus, applications of organic manure combined with inorganic fertilizers showed greater effects on the topsoil C and N content than inorganic fertilizers. Under the same fertilizer treatments, SOC, TN, Nmic, and Cmic contents were the lowest at LatM site. Available N content decreased for a latitude sequence of LatH > LatM > LatL for CK, M, and NPKM treatments and LatM > LatH > LatL for the NPK treatments. These results indicate that the magnitude of soil C and N among the three sites was not related to the latitude of the experiments.

Effects of Land Cover and Fertilization Method on Water Flow and Solute Transport in Five Lysimeters: A Long‐Term Study Using Stable Water Isotopes

Land cover and agricultural management practices can significantly influence soil structure. However, little is known about how fertilizer applications and land cover affect soil hydrology and groundwater recharge over long time periods. The objective of this study was to use stable water isotopes as environmental tracers to provide additional information required for better understanding of water flow and solute transport processes in the unsaturated zone influenced by land cover and type of fertilizer applications. Five lysimeters containing undisturbed soil monoliths from the same agricultural field site were investigated over a period of 5 yr. Liquid cattle slurry and solid animal manure were applied to the maize (Zea mays L.) and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) lysimeters. The grass–clover lysimeter was treated with mineral fertilizer. Quantitative influence of land cover and type of fertilizer application on water flow and solute transport was evaluated for all lysimeters using a modified version of HYDRUS‐1D. The highest drainage was observed in the maize lysimeter treated with cattle slurry, and the lowest in the grass lysimeter treated with mineral fertilizer. Pronounced differences in water contents and estimated saturated hydraulic conductivities between the lysimeters were restricted to the upper 25 to 30 cm of the soil. In particular, the lysimeters treated with animal manure had higher porosities, indicating a higher content of organic matter. Main differences in discharge between the lysimeters were observed in spring and during the plant growth periods, indicating the importance of nonuniform, patchy infiltration patterns during snow melt and of root water uptake, respectively. Mean water flow velocities, transit times, and effective water contents were estimated from the stable water isotope data, providing evidence on the impact of land cover and type of fertilizer application. We found smaller mean transit times in the maize lysimeters and for soils with liquid cattle slurry applications. Simulations indicate that numerical modeling can reproduce the general trend of water flow and isotope transport. Despite differences in mean transit times, fitted dispersivities were all in the same range, suggesting similar soil structures in the five lysimeters. However, more data for calibration and more information about heterogeneous infiltration would be required to improve the model accuracy. In general, stable water isotopes clearly contributed an added value, elucidating differences in mean flow parameters between the lysimeters. Thus, they provided evidence of the impacts of land cover and fertilizer applications, which are not obvious from water balance and mean discharge rates alone.

Frequency of Manure Application in Organic versus Annual Application of Synthetic Fertilizer in Conventional Vegetable Production

The cost of transporting manure can affect profit. Manure was applied either annually or biennially to bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), cv. Jupiter, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), cv. Earli Pik, and sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa Bonaf.), cv. Incredible (se endosperm genotype), produced using organic methods and compared with production of these crops using conventional methods and annually applied synthetic fertilizer. Conventional and organically maintained portions of the field were separated by a 25-m buffer zone planted with sweet corn, which was provided with manure. The experiment was conducted from 2005 to 2008 at Lane, OK. Nutrient contents of soil and edible portions were determined as were yields. Economic analyses comparing costs of production and profit were conducted. There were yield responses resulting from year. Bell pepper yield was little affected by type of fertilizer application. Cucumber and sweet corn benefited from use of manure over conventional fertilizer. There was no pattern of alternating increased or decreased nutrient content in edible portions or in the soil as a result of annual or biennial application of manure. Treatment with manure produced higher returns than did conventional fertilizer. Annual treatment with manure produced higher returns in bell pepper and sweet corn than did treatment with manure in alternate years; the opposite was true for cucumber. Annual application of manure appears to be necessary for most of the vegetable crops tested.

Adubação e irrigação de café: adubação combinada com irrigação no primeiro ano da instalação das covas

This paper deals with different types of fertilizer applications in coffee hill in the moment of transfering the plants to the field. During the first year, irrigation was applied in the dry season. After one year, the following characters were analised: plant height; plant diameter; number of productive branches; lenght and number of nodes in the first branch of the plant. The results obtained can be summarized as follows: the irrigation employed did not affect the treatments and mineral fertilizers combined with organic fertilizer were better than the others treatments used for comparisons.