Use Of Chemical Fertilizers Research Articles

USAGE OF HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENTS FOR PLANT PATHOGEN CONTROL, AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY AND TRENDS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The extensive use of synthetic chemical fertilizers in agriculture is causing environmental problem. In this situation it is desirable to find out suitable agents, which would increase plant growth without compromising with the quality of food and of soil. This paper represents the history and trends of homeopathic drugs utilized in the control of plant pathogens in plant pathology. This method started with the pioneering work of kolisko in 1923 on wheat germination and Junker in 1928 on growth of microorganisms. Literature search on the Homeopathic drugs in the control of plant pathogens, which have shown the anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties have been reviewed in this present paper. From the literature during the present study the different homeopathic drugs were found were used in agriculture. The contents of the article cover all the scientific reports published in Agricultural sectorfrom 1966 to till dates. A total 120 papers have been reported from homeopathic treatments used in Agriculture. Amongst these Arsenicum album, Natrum muriaticum, Cina, Thujawere found as the most used compounds. The science of homeopathy has great potentials and could give a new direction that requires attention of the researchers in alternative agriculture. This review discusses the experimental evidence relating to the use of homeopathic drugs in plant pathology, with view to assess the potential of homeopathy in agriculture.

Design and Development of a Pyrolysis Reactor to Produce Biochar at Industrial Scale

A pyrolysis reactor, operating at medium pyrolysis conditions (at 5500C temperature and 2 hrs of residence time) to continuously produce biochar was developed. The interruption caused by routine loading and unloading is eliminated by a screw mechanism that allows mechanized loading and unloading. Biochar as a bio fertilizer could be well matched with the current Sri Lankan agro community’s expectations on conserving the soil and its quality. The proposed design is capable of producing biochar at a rate of 100 g/min. A scaled-down 10 g/min prototype was built to measure and validate required temperature levels, continuous production, and the complete conversion of the biomass into biochar. Readily available cinnamon sticks and corncobs were utilized as biomass to create separate biochar samples. The biochar yields were measured as approximately 32% for cinnamon and 28% for corncobs. Further testing of biochar samples for their structural morphology displayed a significant number of pores ranging from micro to macro scale (good porosity). These porous morphologies would enable capturing diffusive substance and trap them, while acting as mass transfer channels. Due to these unique qualities, biochar can act as an effective fertilizer for soil, facilitating fast adsorption, retention, and slow diffusion of nutrient agents. So, this could well fit in to serve the purpose of using this product as a biofertilizer to remedy the loss of soil fertility due to the extensive use of chemical fertilizers.

Pengaruh Pemberian Biourin Sapi dan Lama Inkubasi Terhadap Ketersediaan Hara Nitrogen dan Fosfor pada Tanah Podsolik

Podzolic soil is characterized by acidic condition, low base saturation, and low CEC and nutrient contents. The use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture may damages soil and environment and may eventually affect the health of humans. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of cow urine on changes in pH, available N (NH4+ and NO3-), and available P of Podsolic soil. This study employed the completely randomized design two factors, in which first factor was the amounts of applied cow biourine: control (without biourine, 5.2, 10.4 and 15.6 mL of biourine), while the second factor was the incubation period: 2 and 4 weeks. Following the completion of each incubation period, soil pH, contents of ammonium, nitrate, and available phosphrous were determined for each treatment. Results of this study showed that the application of cow biourine with an incubation time of two and four weeks significantly influenced the ammonium and nitrate contents in soil. The higher amount of biourine applied, the higher ammonium and nitrate contents in the soil. The research results also showed that the application of cow biourine had an influence on available P content, but had no effect on changes in soil pH.

Organic fertilization as a sustainable alternative in the production of bean varieties in the brazilian semiarid region

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization and the use of rock powder in different varieties of cowpea in an agroecological family farming system in a semi-arid region of Brazil. The design was in randomized blocks 4 blocks x 4 treatments (T1 - witness; T2 - 4.0 t ha-1 rock powder; T3 - 10 t ha-1 bovine manure + organic matter; and T4 - 4 t ha-1 rock powder + 2.1 t ha-1 organic compound) x 3 varieties. At 65 days, plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves (NL), leaf area (LA), and crop yield were evalueted: number of pods (NP), number of pods per plant (NPP), total seed weight (TSW), grain production (GP) and shoot dry matter production (SDMA). The creole variety Sedinha obtained better results in the development and yield of the crop, the organic compost was the most efficient for all varieties, the addition of rock powder did not result in significant effects compared to other treatments. This study highlights the potential for producing Creole seeds, in addition to demonstrating that organic fertilization is an efficient alternative, and reduces the use of chemical fertilizers contributing to the sustainable use of natural resources.

Integrated use of organic and synthetic fertilizers improves soil functioning, growth, yield and quality attributes of maize

The combined use of organic and chemical fertilizers may prove to be an excellent option for maintaining soil health, increasing fertilizer use efficiency, and improving crop quality and yield of maize. So, with this objective in mind a pot experiment was conducted to find out the effectiveness of organic and synthetic fertilizers on the yield and quality of maize crop. Two organic fertilizer levels (FYM and Press-mud @ 2% and 4% of each) were tested separately and in combination with recommended NPK fertilizers (160: 80: 60 kg ha-1). The experimental units were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. The results showed that the combined use of NPK + press mud @ 4% caused a significant increase in grain numbers per cob (8.6%), weight of grains per cob (11.5%), grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, stalk yield, and oil and protein contents up to 11.5%, 6.3%, 19.7%, 12.6% and 12.0%, respectively as compared to the control treatment. The oil and protein contents were also improved significantly over the sole application of NPK fertilizer. Soil health was also improved due to the combined use of synthetic fertilizer with 4% press mud and 2% FYM. It is concluded that integrated use of NPK fertilizers and press mud @ 4% not only increased the quality and yield of maize, but it also improved soil health.

Analysis of the structure of the acreage of the European Union countries with the concept of sustainable agriculture. Germany

This article is devoted to the analysis of the impact of changes in the structure of acreage and the land use system on the sustainability of agriculture in Germany. It is established that the land management system in Germany is decentralized, with regional and local authorities responsible for land issues. According to the German Law on Land Management, land plots must be used taking into account environmental, economic and social needs. This means that land use must be sustainable and meet the needs of local communities and ecosystems. Germany has historically been one of the largest markets for organic products. As of 2020, the share of land under organic farming in the country is 9.6% (1592.7 thousand hectares). In 2001–2020, the area of land under organic farming increased by 56.8%. In general, the land management system in Germany is sustainable and focused on meeting environmental, economic and social needs. The country is actively taking measures to preserve and improve soil quality, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, preserve biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Germany is also actively developing organic farming and precision farming, which makes it possible to use land resources more efficiently and reduce the negative impact on the environment. However, despite all these measures, the analysis of the reports of the German Government, the OECD and the FAO shows that the country still has problems with pollution of water resources, biocenoses and a decrease in soil fertility.

Influencia de microorganismos benéficos en el comportamiento agronómico del cultivo de la papa cv. “Bicentenaria”

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes alterations in soil microbial activity, environmental pollution and high production costs in potato cultivation (Solanum tuberosum L.). One way to avoid this effect is with the use of beneficial microorganisms, due to their ability to capture atmospheric nitrogen, produce growth-promoting substances such as indole acetic acid and solubilize inorganic phosphorus from insoluble compounds, which in turn time improves crop yields. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the beneficial microorganisms as biofertilizers on growth and yield of potato crop. In a population of 1,600 potato plants cv. “Bicentenaria” four treatments were evaluated: Trichoderma harzianum (0.5 g.L-1), Glomus spp. (30 g.plant-1), efficient microorganisms (EM) (50 mL.L-1) and a control treatment (no application of microorganisms). A completely randomized experimental design with four repetitions per treatment was used. The effect of the treatments was evaluated using vegetative and reproductive variables. It was evident that the treatment with T. harzianum significantly favored the rest of the treatments in plant height at 90 days (43.60 cm), tuber weight (154 g) and yield (57.13 t.ha-1). The use of Glomus spp. and EM, had only a partial effect on the growth of the plants. The treatment with T. harzianum could represent an ecological agricultural alternative for potato production.

Comparative Study of Soil Nutrients in Selected Paddy Lands in Wet Zone Treated with Organic and Chemical Fertilizers

In Sri Lanka, paddy consumes the most significant part of chemical fertilizers and accounts for approximately 50 percent of the widespread use of chemical fertilizers. With the immediate banning of inorganic fertilizers, there was a huge argument between the government and the farmers about organic farming. Since the soil fertility change takes a long time, the impact of long-term application of the same fertilizer should be assessed. Field experiments were conducted in six selected paddy fields in wet zone considering fertilizer type and rice variety. Total 30 samples from each site were collected and soil initial nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) potassium (K), Organic C, and composition of used fertilizers were analyzed. Nutrient status compared using critical, optimum ranges, and general management practices are discussed. This study revealed that the total N level in all the sites varies near the critical level and is inadequate to produce expected yields. Soil organic C (3.8-6.7%) and N (0.06-0.2%) levels in organic sites were higher than the chemical sites (0.09-0.19N%, 1.4-2.1C%). Phosphorus level is below the critical level (0.9-8.4 mg/kg) in organic sites, and varies from medium to high (7.5-27.0 mg/kg) in chemical sites. The sites using chemical fertilizers showed excessive K (395-480 mg/kg), and organic sites were below the optimum range (82-92 mg/kg). According to the fertilizer analysis, organic fertilizers are rich in organic C (40-90 g/kg), while organic C is absent (0%) in chemical fertilizers. All the other nutrient amounts are very low (N:0.7-19.3 g/kg, P:0.06-0.8 g/kg, K:33.2-15.4 mg/kg) in organic fertilizers, and the composition is unstable. Chemical fertilizers have an exact composition of nutrients and can easily be applied at the particular growth stage of the plant which is beneficial. An external supply of essential soil nutrient through organic or chemical fertilizer sources is required to produce expected yields. Regular and continuous monitoring of soil quality, pre-nutrient assessment of organic fertilizers, site-specific fertilization, and proper agronomic practices are highly recommended. These results will be beneficial in selecting or manufacturing suitable fertilizer type/types for paddy cultivation, including bio-fertilizers. 
 Keywords: Organic fertilizers, Status of soil nutrients, Soil fertility, Rice varieties

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for Sustainable Production of Sugarcane and Rice

Sugarcane (Sacchraum officinarum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) are important cash and staple crop in the world respectively. In today’s population explosion the lots of pressure on cropping land to mitigate the feed need of consumers with judicious use of chemical fertilizers without considering the health of soil and its sustainability. The rhizobacteria live region around roots (2-80 mm) of crop with divers, dynamic and complex microflora having capacity with direct and indirect beneficial effects on crop health by availability of different nutrient, siderophores, rhizo deposits, auxins and role with bioremediation. There are different types of bacteria is isolated from rhizosphere of sugarcane and rice having Bacillus, Rhizobium, comamonas, cyanaobacteria, Nodosilinea, Levinella and Pseudomonas genera with most efficient nitrogen producer, solubilizers of inorganic phosphate, potash and other macro and micronutrient. In rice microbiome as Levinella, Psudomonas Anaeromyxobacter, Arenimonas, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Bellilinea Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and cyanobacteria with strains of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are further divided in vegetative and reproductive growth stage of rice crop. The article give brief idea about the large arena of them.

Impact of Microdosing Practices on Technical Efficiency: An Analysis Accounting for Selection Bias Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Burkina Faso

Smallholder maize farmers are currently confronted with the arduous challenge of managing limited financial resources while incessantly facing the issue of land degradation. To address this issue, an alternative solution has been implemented to optimize the use of chemical fertilizer by adopting microdosing. This innovative system not only helps them enhance their agricultural productivity but also allows them to protect the environment. However, it is unclear how microdosing adoption could increase the technical efficiency (TE) of maize production. Therefore, this research aims to assess how the adoption of microdosing affects the technical efficiency of maize production as well as identify the key factors that influence the technical efficiency of maize production in Burkina Faso. To achieve this goal, farm household survey data was conducted with 210 randomly selected farmers from the Plateau Central and northern regions of Burkina Faso. To account for potential selection biases that could result from both observable and unobservable factors, we used a sample selection stochastic production frontier model and a propensity score matching approach. A stochastic meta-frontier approach was applied to estimate TE differences and the technology gap between adopters and non-adopters. The findings showed that adopters of microdosing have an average efficiency of 68 percent, which is higher than the 53 percent estimated for non-adopters. Adopters of microdosing have been found to have high TE and better agricultural technology than non-adopters. The meta-frontier estimation revealed that the adoption of improved maize varieties would yield better returns. This study contributes significantly to the literature on how fertilizer microdosing affects maize productivity, as well as the policy implications of targeting and encouraging smallholder maize farmers in Burkina Faso to optimize the use of productive inputs and improve maize output by using microdosing.

Exploring Traditional Agricultural Techniques Integrated with Modern Farming for a Sustainable Future : A Review

Potential of integrating traditional agricultural techniques with modern farming practices in India, aiming to forge a path towards sustainable agriculture. Recognizing the multifaceted challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including environmental degradation, climate change, and socio-economic disparities, the paper explores the synergistic potential of blending age-old wisdom with contemporary agricultural advancements. The analysis begins with a historical overview of traditional Indian agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, terracing, polyculture, and the use of organic manures, underscoring their inherent sustainability and ecological harmony. Modern farming techniques, including mechanization, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and precision agriculture, are examined for their advancements and limitations, particularly concerning environmental and economic impacts. The core of the review focuses on the integration of these two paradigms, emphasizing the rationale behind such a merger, which includes enhancing sustainability, increasing biodiversity, and improving soil health. A series of case studies from various Indian states illustrate successful examples of this integration, including agroforestry, organic farming, and permaculture practices. The paper also addresses the challenges and barriers to integration, highlighting sociocultural factors, economic constraints, policy and regulatory issues, and hurdles in knowledge and technology transfer. Looking forward, it outlines the future directions and research needs in this domain, emphasizing the critical role of policy and government support, the necessity for targeted education and awareness programs for farmers and consumers, and identifying research gaps. The paper concludes by affirming the viability and necessity of integrating traditional and modern farming practices in India, advocating for a model of agriculture that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, catering to the needs of the present while safeguarding resources for future generations.

Increasing Concentrations of Arthrospira maxima Sonicated Biomass Yields Enhanced Growth in Basil (Ocimum basilicum, Lamiaceae) Seedlings

The continued increase in human populations and use of chemical fertilizers remain a threat to the health and stability of human–ecological systems worldwide. To ameliorate this problem and achieve long-term food security, a variety of ecofriendly technologies have been developed, including the production of cyanobacteria-based biofertilizers. This technology can be optimized through experiments that assess how plant growth is enhanced under different biofertilizer concentrations (g L−1). In this study, the biofertilizer capabilities of various concentrations of sonicated biomass (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g L−1) derived from the cyanobacteria Arthrospira maxima on the growth of basil (Ocimum basilicum, Lamiaceae) were assessed, comparing their effectiveness with that of a positive control, a commercial biofertilizer (OptiMar Algas Marinas®) administered at 4 mL L−1. Generally, increased concentrations led to enhanced growth parameters; however, discernible differences from the negative control (0 g L−1) were often observed only when concentrations exceeded 5 g L−1. Surprisingly, the negative and positive controls often yielded similar results. A chemical composition analysis of A. maxima revealed high concentrations of the phytohormones, macronutrients, and essential amino acids that likely explain how our A. maxima sample enhanced growth in basil. Further research is required to determine how other crop plants respond to different concentrations of A. maxima. Additionally, assessing the feasibility of creating an economically accessible product with a higher concentration of A. maxima is crucial for practical applications.

Effect of conjoint application schedules of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on growth, yield and economics of rice

A field experiment was conducted during (kharif) summer season of 2019 and 2020 at Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh to study the effect of integrated use of chemical nitrogen fertilizer and green manure on performance of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment consists of fourteen treatment combinations of conjoint application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients was laid-out in randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that the significant highest dry matter accumulation (1,205.90 g/m2 ) at harvest stage, leaf-area index (4.18), crop growth rate (16.34 g/m2 /day), relative growth rate (7.09 mg/g/day), grain yield (3.88 t/ha) and straw yield (6.64 t/ha) recorded in the 25% recommended N through dhaincha incorporated + 75% N through chemical fertilizer was found at par with RDF (120N : 60P : 50K) and 25% recommended N through vermicompost incorporated 10 days before transplanting + 75% N through chemical fertilizer and it was significantly superior over rest of the treatment combinations. The substitution of 25% N through incorporated dhaincha at planting was found most promising in terms of productivity, profitability and performed better than other treatments and may be recommended for farmers of Uttar Pradesh and similar agro-eco regions.

Chemical Characteristics of Shallow Groundwater in the Yellow River Diversion Area of Henan Province and Identification of Main Control Pollution Sources

The northern plain of Henan in the lower reaches of the Yellow River is an area where the Yellow River is frequently diverted. The shallow groundwater quality in this area is poor， and many types of components have been found to be exceeding the limit value； however， the contribution of various environmental factors to water quality needs to be further quantified. In order to clarify the genesis of water quality of shallow groundwater in the study area， 330 groups of shallow groundwater samples were collected via a regional water quality survey. The evolution of shallow groundwater quality in the Yellow River diversion area of northern Henan was revealed using the principal component-absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression （PCA-APCS-MLR） model. The results showed that the components with a shallow groundwater excess rate greater than 10% in descending order were manganese， iron， total hardness， total dissolved solids， sodium， fluoride， arsenic， chloride ions， sulfate， and ammonium. In particular， the excess rate of manganese reached 76%. The four factors of dissolution enrichment， native origin of soil， redox conditions， and agricultural activities were identified as the main reasons for poor groundwater quality， which accounted for 71.24% of the cumulative interpretation rate of variance. In addition， the recharge from the surface water also influenced the groundwater quality. The effects of dissolution between the water and aquifer matrix and redox condition in the aquifer of the Yellow River dried-riverway like Xinxiang were significantly enhanced， resulting in the increasing concentration of iron， arsenic， total hardness， TDS， and other components in groundwater. Fluoride enrichment was caused by dissolution enrichment， the origin of the soil， and lateral replenishment of the Yellow River. Groundwater with high manganese concentration was widely affected by the soil matrix. Nitrate pollution of the groundwater was caused by the extensive use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural activities in individual areas.

Assessing the Role of Green Finance in Enhancing Rural Economic Resilience and Environmental Sustainability

Green finance plays a key role in enhancing the resilience of rural economies and environmental sustainability. Rural economies have traditionally relied on natural resources, which makes them particularly vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation. By providing the necessary financial support, green finance can help rural areas invest in sustainable agricultural practices, upgrade aging infrastructure, implement resource conservation projects, and adopt clean energy and energy-efficient technologies. Green finance can facilitate shifts in agricultural practices, such as supporting organic farming, precision farming and conservation tillage. These practices help to increase land productivity, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and conserve biodiversity, while increasing the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change. Green finance supports the sustainable transformation of rural infrastructure, such as the efficiency improvement of irrigation systems, the recycling of agricultural waste and the green transformation of rural energy, which helps to reduce environmental pollution and improve resource efficiency. The development of green finance also requires the support of relevant policies, including the establishment of a sound green financial system, the improvement of financial institutions’ awareness and assessment capacity of green projects, policy tools to incentivize green investment and credit, and the enhancement of rural communities’ awareness and acceptance of green finance.

Attenuation of Zucchini mosaic virus disease in cucumber plants by mycorrhizal symbiosis

Key messageArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi generated systemic acquired resistance in cucumber to Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, indicating their prospective application in the soil as a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to inhibit the spread of pathogens.The wide spread of plant pathogens affects the whole world, causing several plant diseases and threatening national food security as it disrupts the quantity and quality of economically important crops. Recently, environmentally acceptable mitigating practices have been required for sustainable agriculture, restricting the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural areas. Herein, the biological control of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants using arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was investigated. Compared to control plants, ZYMV-infected plants displayed high disease incidence (DI) and severity (DS) with various symptoms, including severe yellow mosaic, mottling and green blisters of leaves. However, AM fungal inoculation exhibited 50% inhibition for these symptoms and limited DS to 26% as compared to non-colonized ones. The detection of ZYMV by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique exhibited a significant reduction in AM-inoculated plants (5.23-fold) compared with non-colonized ones. Besides, mycorrhizal root colonization (F%) was slightly reduced by ZYMV infection. ZYMV infection decreased all growth parameters and pigment fractions and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, however, these parameters were significantly enhanced and the MDA content was decreased by AM fungal colonization. Also, the protein, proline and antioxidant enzymes (POX and CAT) were increased with ZYMV infection with more enhancements due to AM root colonization. Remarkably, defence pathogenesis-related (PR) genes such as PR-a, PR-b, and PR-10 were quickly expressed in response to AM treatment. Our findings demonstrated the beneficial function of AM fungi in triggering the plant defence against ZYMV as they caused systemic acquired resistance in cucumber plants and supported their potential use in the soil as an environment-friendly method of hindering the spread of pathogenic microorganisms sustainably.

A review on Vrikshayurveda - Upavanavinoda: Unlocking the potential of sustainable agriculture and environmental health

The domestication of diverse plant species to meet human needs has been an integral aspect of human society throughout history. The ancient practice of domestication and cultivation is deeply rooted. Ayurveda, recognized as a holistic health science, has devoted attention to the well-being of plant under the topic ‘Vrikshayurveda’. Various texts have been expounded dealing with Vrikshayurveda. Sharangdhar Padhdhati, a text of thirteenth century deals with the topic of cultivation and other factors affecting plant health. The description becomes more important in present day scenario with many health issues originating due to non-judicious use of chemical fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides. The chapter Vrikshayurveda: Upvanvinoda of Sharangdhar Padhdhati offers valuable insights into ancient agricultural practices. This chapter focuses on tree and plant care, provides a remarkable treasure of wisdom, detailing various techniques, principles, and holistic approaches to cultivating and nurturing plants. As modern agriculture is struggling with sustainability challenges, the revival of such traditional agricultural knowledge is quite relevant. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the chapter's content, delving into various aspects, including soil health, plant propagation, pest control, and significance of trees. Furthermore, it explores the potential applications of this ancient wisdom in modern agriculture, such as biodiversity conservation, organic farming, permaculture, crop improvement, and innovative pest management. By bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary agricultural practices, this review envisions a more sustainable and harmonious future for cultivation of herbal drugs and the environment.

Optimization of Chemical Fertilizer through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Approach and its Effect on Growth and Yield of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A field experiment to test the optimization of chemical fertilizer use through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) approach and its effect on growth and yield of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) was carried out at Rampur agricultural field of Doon (P.G) College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand during the rabi season 2021-2022. The experiment comprised of nine treatments of organic and inorganic nutrient combination, viz T1- Control (No Fertilizer), T2- Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) (80:60:40 kg/ha), T3- 100 % vermicompost (6.0 t/ha), T4- 75% Farm Yard Manure (FYM) (15.0 t/ha) + 25% RDF (20:15:10 kg/ha), T5- 50% RDF (40:30:20 kg/ha) + FYM (5.0 t/ha) + green manure (2.5 t/ha) + gypsum (10.0 kg/ha), T6-50% RDF (40:30:20 kg/ha) + vermicompost (3.0 t/ha)+ gypsum (5.0 kg/ha), T7- 75% RDF (60:45:30 kg/ha) + vermicompost (2.5 t/ha), T8- 75% RDF (60:45:30 kg/ha) + vermicompost (1.5 t/ha) + green manure (1.5 t/ha), T9- 75% RDF (60:45:30 kg/ha) + FYM (1.5 t/ha) + vermicompost (1.0 t/ha) + green manure (1 t/ha) + gypsum (10.0 kg/ha), laid out in randomized block design with three replication. The results of experiment revealed that there was increase in plant growth parameters in the treatment T9, followed by treatment T8 and T5, respectively. Moreover, the maximum seed yield (2240.39 kg/ha) was observed under T9 over control, where no fertilizer application was applied. The present investigation established the fact that integrated use both organic and inorganic fertilizer can be recommended to the farmers as one of the key strategies for enhancing crop response in terms of growth and yield of mustard.

Baku mutu kualitas air muara sungai di kawasan Pura Petitenget dan upaya pengendaliannya

The main objective of this research is to analyze the quality standards for the quality of flowing water and river estuaries in the Petitenget Temple Area and efforts to control pollution or reduce the quality standards for flowing and river estuary water in the Petitenget Temple Area. The research was conducted from December 2018 to April 2019 in the river that flows into Petitenget Beach by taking four sampling points. The quality of water quality standards is measured using the water quality standards of Bali Governor Regulation No. 16 of 2016 concerning Environmental Quality Standards and Standard Criteria for Environmental Damage. The results of the research found that the quality of the water quality standards in the Petitenget Temple area had experienced pollution, namely the parameters of turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), phosphate (PO4-P), total ammonia (NH3-N), fecal coliform, and total coliform. Efforts that can be made to overcome pollution in Loloan waters and river estuaries in Petitenget are the creation of Waste Management Regulations through the 4R (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Replace) pattern, limiting the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, creating waste storage and processing (septic tanks), and involving traditional villages (based on traditional villages) as well as environmental law enforcement.

Implications of Vegetal Protein Hydrolysates for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Leafy Vegetables

Climate change and the degradation of ecosystems is an urgent issue to which the agricultural sector contributes through the overuse of productive inputs such as chemical fertilizers. A disproportionate use of nitrogenous fertilizers combined with low efficiency inevitably results in worsening environmental problems (greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, water eutrophication, and groundwater pollution). Nevertheless, increasing population growth puts additional pressure on the already struggling agricultural world. Awareness of these problems has pushed the world of research towards the development of more sustainable but equally efficient strategies in terms of production. The use of biostimulant substances and/or micro-organisms promoting yield, resilience to abiotic stresses in plants, and increasing the functional quality of products have been indicated as a valid strategy to improve the sustainability of agricultural practices. In modern horticulture, the use of vegetable–protein hydrolysates (V-PHs) is gaining more and more interest. These biostimulants could influence plants directly by stimulating carbon and nitrogen metabolism and interfering with hormonal activity, but also indirectly as V-PHs could improve nutrient availability in plant growth substrates and increase nutrient uptake and utilization efficiency. By exploiting this aspect, it would be possible to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers without affecting potential yields. After a brief introduction to the issues related to the intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers, this review focuses on the use of V-PHs as a strategy to increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Starting with their heterogeneous origins and compositions, their effects on nitrogen metabolism, as well as the physiological and biochemical processes involved in these products, this review concludes with an in-depth discussion of the effects of V-PHs on major leafy vegetables.