Utilization Rate Of Fertilizer Research Articles

Optimizing Tomato Cultivation: Impact of Ammonium–Nitrate Ratios on Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Fertilizer Utilization

Tomatoes, an essential crop in controlled environments, benefit significantly from the careful use of nitrogen fertilizers, which are crucial for improving both yield and nitrogen efficiency. Using a tomato pot experiment arranged in a facility greenhouse, five treatments were established as follows: a control excluding the application of nitrogen fertilizer (C), and applications of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen with nitrogen mass ratios of 0:100 (A0N100), 25:75 (A25N75), 50:50 (A50N50), 75:25 (A75N25), and 100:0 (A100N0), to study the effects of different ratios of nitrogen mass on tomato yield, quality, nutrient accumulation, and nitrogen fertilizer utilization. The results showed that compared with C, the different ammonium–nitrate ratios significantly increased the yield, dry matter mass, N, P, and K accumulation, soluble solids, soluble sugars, and vitamin C content (Vc) of the tomatoes. Among all the treatments, A75N25 tomatoes had the highest dry matter accumulation, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium accumulation in fruits, soluble sugar, and soluble solids content. The differences in tomato yield and nitrogen fertilizer utilization between A75N25 and A100N0 were insignificant but their values were significantly higher than those of the other treatments. A75N25 had the highest nitrogen fertilizer utilization rate, 42.1% to 82.3% higher than C, A25N75, and A50N50. Hence, an ammonium-to-nitrate nitrogen mass ratio of 75:25 optimized tomato yield and quality in a controlled environment while minimizing nutrient loss.

Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer with Water Retention and Photosensitivity Properties Based on Sodium Alginate/Carboxymethyl Starch Sodium/Polydopamine

Using slow-release fertilizer is one of the sustainable strategies to improve the effectiveness of fertilizers and mitigate the environmental pollution caused by excess usage of fertilizer. In this study, a slow-release urea fertilizer with water retention and photosensitivity properties was prepared by a two-step method. It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and an infrared camera. This fertilizer can prolong the release period of urea, improve water-retention capacity of soil, and carry out photothermal conversion under illumination. Comparing four release kinetics models, the Ritger–Peppas model was the best fitting model for releasing behavior in soil, and diffusion followed the Fickian mechanism. The application of fertilizer on winter wheat was carried out to intuitively evaluate the fertilizer’s effects on promoting plant growth and resisting water stress. Thus, this study provides a new strategy for improving fertilizer utilization rate and maintaining soil moisture, which will be beneficial for sustainable agriculture.

Design and Test of Disturbed Fertilizer Strip-Ejection Device with Vertical Pendulum Bar Based on Discrete Element Method

Fertilizer can improve the yield of crops per unit area, and uniform fertilizer discharge can improve the fertilizer utilization rate. Therefore, it is meaningful to improve the performance of fertilizer-discharge devices in order to improve the modernization level of crop field fertilizer management. To address the problems of operational smoothness, stability and poor uniformity of fertilizer discharge, and other difficult problems encountered with strip fertilizer-discharge devices, this study designs a disturbed fertilizer strip-discharge device with a vertical pendulum. The main factors affecting the performance of fertilizer discharge were the wedge angle of the push-disturbing main pendulum bar (PMPB), the inclination angle of the aided-stirring pendulum pick (APP), the flow gap of the pendulum bar (FGPB), and the operation frequency of the swing-rod combination (SRC). The discrete element method (DEM) was used to establish a simulation model of the fertilizer device to explore the influence of the main factors on the performance of fertilizer discharge, with the coefficient of variation (CV) of fertilizer discharge uniformity and fertilizer discharge accuracy (FDA) used as the evaluation indices. The results show that the factors affecting the CV of fertilizer discharge uniformity and FDA were, in order of priority, the operation frequency of the SRC, the FGPB, the wedge angle of the PMPB, and the inclination angle of the APP. The optimal parameters after rounding were as follows: the wedge angle of the PMPB was 45°, the inclination angle of the APP was 46°, the operation frequency of the SRC was 188 times/min, and the FGPB was 4.5 mm. At this point, the model predicted that the CV of fertilizer discharge uniformity would be 10.53%, and that the FDA would be 3.19%. Using the optimal parameters for bench test verification, it was found that the wedge angle of the PMPB was 45°, the inclination angle of the APP was 46°, the operation frequency of the SRC was 188 times/min, the FGPB was 4.5 mm, the CV of the uniformity of the fertilizer discharge was 11.06%, and the FDA was 3.51%. In the test, the fertilizer-discharge device was stable and had good adaptability to different fertilizers. The results of this study can provide a theoretical reference for the development of precision strip-fertilizer application devices.

Combined Application of Chemical and Organic Fertilizers: Effects on Yield and Soil Nutrients in Spring Wheat under Drip Irrigation

In this study, we established a feasible fertilization programming method for wheat production by exploring the effects of the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers on wheat yield, nutrient uptake, soil nutrient content, and fertilizer utilization. Six treatments, no fertilizer (CK), conventional fertilizer (CF), optimized fertilizer (with reduced fertilizer amount) (RF), chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer extract (RPAE), partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with raw amino acid powder (RAF), and partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with raw humic acid powder (RHF), were set up for a field experiment. The fertilizer application rates for the RF treatment were calculated based on fertilization-monitoring techniques (30.3% nitrogen and 24.8% phosphorus reductions in 2022 and 23.0% nitrogen and 1.5% phosphorus reductions in 2023). The effects of different fertilizer treatments on yield, dry matter accumulation, plant nutrient accumulation, soil nutrients, and nutrient utilization in wheat were investigated. The results showed that, on the basis of 23% nitrogen and 1.5% phosphorus reductions, there was no significant difference in wheat yield between the RF and CF treatments and that the utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer was improved. The application of organic fertilizer promoted dry matter accumulation in different organs of wheat; increased plant nutrient accumulation; improved soil nutrient content, nutrient utilization rate, nutrient partial productivity, and nutrient agronomic use efficiency; and ensured stable and increased crop yield. Specifically, compared with CF, the RPAE, RAF, and RHF organic fertilizer treatments increased wheat yield by 3.85%, 1.97%, and 0.67%, respectively, and the utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers induced by these treatments significantly increased by 40.46%, 39.28%, and 37.46% (nitrogen) and by 9.83%, 8.91%, and 7.46% (phosphorus), respectively. As a result of our experiment, we concluded that RPAE exerted the best effects among the three organic fertilizer treatments (RPAE, RAF, and RHF) and that its use can result in a higher wheat yield and fertilizer utilization rate in drip-irrigated wheat fields. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers, which is conducive to sustainable agriculture development.

A Precise Simultaneous Sowed Control System for Maize Seed and Fertilizer

To improve the utilization rate of maize seed fertilizer, this study aimed to propose a precise co-sowing control system for the real-time control of the relative position of seed fertilizer during the co-sowing operation. According to the operating speed of the machine, the longitudinal distance between the seed feeder and the outer groove wheel, the height of the seed and fertilizer falling, and the relative position of the seed and fertilizer falling into the soil, the calculation method for the seed and fertilizer falling into the soil was obtained, the precise co-seeding model of the seed fertilizer was constructed, the control algorithm of the precise co-seeding of the seed fertilizer was designed, and the hardware system and software system were designed. Based on the hardware structure and working principle of the motor drive seeding and fertilization control system, a functional circuit based on the STM32F103ZET6 single-chip microcomputer (Zhengdianyuanzi (Guangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China) was built. When the system is working, the satellite speed measurement module collects the operating speed of the machine, the encoder feeds back the motor speed in real time, a Hall sensor detects the time interval between fertilizer and seed discharge at the point of discharge, and the PID algorithm is applied to make the speed regulation system regulate the motor speed and position and adjust the speed and position of the seed discharge tray and fertilizer on the outer slot wheel in real time. The relative position of seed and fertilizer in the soil can be controlled accurately in the process of sowing fertilizer. The test results showed that when the feed speed was 2, 3, and 4 km·h−1, and the grain spacing was 20, 25, and 30 cm, respectively, the seed fertilizer alignment was better and met the requirements of precise sowing, improving fertilizer utilization rate.

Effects of Different Proportions of Organic Fertilizer Replacing Chemical Fertilizer on Soil Nutrients and Fertilizer Utilization in Gray Desert Soil

Organic fertilizer can improve soil management and alleviate soil nutrient loss caused by excessive fertilization. This study determines a fertilization scheme that can achieve high and stable crop yield and effective soil fertilization by exploring the effects of different organic fertilizer proportions on soil nutrient content, fertilizer utilization rate, and wheat yield. The experiment was conducted from 2018 to 2020 using the Xinchun 38 wheat variety and gray desert soil. The experiment used six treatments: no fertilizer (CK), with normal nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (CF). The amount of conventional chemical nitrogen fertilizer was reduced by 6%, 12%, 18%, and 24%, respectively, and supplemented with organic nitrogen fertilizer of the same proportion. The experimental treatment codes were SF6, SF12, SF18, and SF24, respectively. Plant samples from six wheat growth stages and 0–20 cm soil samples were collected to analyze the nitrogen and phosphorus content and organic matter; dry matter accumulation, crop yield, and yield components were measured at the harvest stage. Soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and soil organic matter contents increased with the replacement ratio of organic fertilizer after three consecutive years of application. The available nutrients and organic matter in soil treated with SF18 and SF24 were significantly higher than those in CK and CF. The dry matter accumulation and nutrient accumulation of wheat increased with increasing organic fertilizer replacement rates of SF18 and SF24, respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer utilization rates, partial productivity, and agricultural use efficiency also increased, with the SF18 and SF24 treatments having higher organic fertilizer replacement rates than those in the other treatments. The number of ears, 1000-grain weight, and yield of wheat treated with SF18 treatment produced the best results. Therefore, continuously using organic fertilizer as a partial replacement for conventional fertilizer can increase wheat growth and soil nutrient availability, which can improve the utilization rate of fertilizer, thereby achieving stability and even a significant increase in yield.

The water-retaining functional slow-release fertilizer modified by carboxymethyl chitosan

To solve the problem of shortage of agricultural water resources and low utilization rate of fertilizer, a slow-release fertilizer based on chitosan modified water retention function was developed. Solution polymerization and semi-interpenetrating network technology were used to load urea aldehyde into carboxymethyl chitosan superabsorbent resin network. This technology realizes the simultaneous slow release of nutrients and water by using modified chitosan, which has important implications for the application of chitosan in agriculture to regulate the soil water and fertilizer conditions. The optimal preparation conditions were: MBA 0.07 %, KPS 0.8 %, AM to AA mass ratio of 0.3:1, CMC content of 10 %, AA neutralization degree 85 %, UF 20 %, AA+AM mass sum of 10 g, reaction temperature 70 °C and reaction time 2 h. The maximum water absorption rate of the optimized NC reached 172.3 g/g. The cumulative release of nitrogen in 30 days was 83.67 %. The application of NC in sandy soil promoted seed germination and growth. The comprehensive results indicate that NC has broad application prospects in arid areas based on its excellent water retention and nutrient release performance.

Compression Strength and Critical Impact Speed of Typical Fertilizer Grains

The application of fertilizer is necessary for the growth and yield of crops, especially for paddy rice. Precision application is important for the fertilizer utilization rate and sustainable development of agriculture. However, the crushing of fertilizer grains will reduce the quality of fertilization, for the decrease in the size and mass of the fertilizer particles and the degree of crushing mainly depend on the physical and mechanical properties of the fertilizer grains. In this study, the compression strength and critical impact speed of four typical commonly used fertilizer grains, a compound fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK compound fertilizer), organic fertilizer, large granular urea, and small granular urea, were measured and analyzed. The static compression test was carried out using a TMS-Pro texture analyzer and the results show that the four kinds of fertilizer grains are brittle materials, and their elastic moduli are 208 MPa, 233 MPa, 140 MPa, and 107 MPa, respectively; the theoretical impact model of fertilizer granules is established based on the compression test result and Hertz elastic contact theory, the theoretical formula for the critical impact speed of fertilizer grains is derived, and the theoretical critical impact strength and speed are worked out. An image capture system for the impact process of fertilizer grains was developed, and the impact test was conducted. The results show that the critical impact speed of the four kinds of fertilizer grains decreases with the increase in granule size, while the variance analysis shows that the effect is not significant. The comparison of the experimental results with the theoretical values shows that the theoretical formula could be used to predict the trends of the critical impact speed of fertilizer grains. The model was optimized with the MATLAB 2018 function fitting tool based on the test and analysis. The goodness of fit of the formula is 0.824, which is 13.43% greater than that of the original theoretical formula, indicating that the modified formula based on the compression test data might estimate the critical impact speed of the granular fertilizer with brittle material properties more accurately. The results may provide a reference for the parameter design of a precision fertilization machine.

Synthesis of Urea-Formaldehyde Fertilizers and Analysis of Factors Affecting These Processes

Urea formaldehyde slow-release fertilizers are efficient and environmentally friendly fertilizers. They have good slow-release properties and can significantly improve the utilization rate of fertilizers. However, problems remain regarding the synthesis of urea formaldehyde slow-release fertilizers, their characterization, and aspects of their performance. This study explores the effects of different reaction conditions on the quality of synthesized urea formaldehyde and establishes a response relationship between synthesis factors and sustained-release performance. Optimal conditions for urea formaldehyde synthesis included use of an ammonium chloride catalyst, pH 4 as the final pH condition, and a urea/formaldehyde molar ratio (U/F) of 1.3. Samples prepared in this study were characterized in terms of cold water-insoluble nitrogen, hot water-insoluble nitrogen, and soil-available nitrogen. The samples were also characterized by spectroscopic and instrumental methods to correlate the microscale behaviors of the urea formaldehyde particles with their performance as controlled-release fertilizers. This work is expected to provide a basis for the production of urea formaldehyde and to improve its performance as a slow-release fertilizer.

Application of information fusion technology in maize fertilizer utilization experiments

Abstract The article first utilizes the hyperspectral image grayscale, texture information, and reflectance spectral information at characteristic wavelengths to establish the corresponding quantitative analysis models of nutrient content in maize plants using three modeling methods, MLR, PCR, and PLS. Then from the basis of polarized reflection features, it was inferred that the polarization degree features at sensitive wavelengths were extracted using polarized spectra and combined with chemometric techniques to achieve a quantitative analysis of the degree of nutrient stress in maize. Finally, the feature variables extracted on the hyperspectral and polarized-reflection spectral measurement systems were fused with multiple information. A diagnostic evaluation model of fertilizer utilization with polarization-hyperspectral multidimensional light information was established. The results showed that for the new slow-release fertilizers, SF1 and YNPK had higher nitrogen utilization rates, 9.91% and 7.43% higher than N1PK, respectively. And the nitrogen fertilizer utilization rate was correspondingly higher by 6%-7% in 2020 than in 2019 for each fertilizer application treatment.

Seasonal differences in yield and fertilizer use efficiency of different low-calcium-tolerant peanut varieties in response to the timing and splitting of calcium application in southern China

Soil Ca deficiency hinders the development of the peanut industry, and inappropriate Ca fertilizer application increases the risk of soil environmental degradation and reduces the fertilizer utilization rate and yield in peanuts. N fertilizer doses are frequently split and applied over different time periods. However, whether this widespread method is applicable to Ca fertilizer and improves peanut growth and yield in southern China requires further investigation. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of timing and splitting Ca applications on the dry matter accumulation and partition, fertilizer use efficiency, and yield of different low-Ca-tolerant peanut varieties (low-Ca-sensitive Jihua 16 and low-Ca-tolerant Yueyou 45) in the early and late seasons. The results showed that the early timing and splitting of Ca application significantly increased the pod yield of Jihua 16 by increasing nitrogen and calcium use efficiencies, dry matter accumulation, and assimilate transfer from vegetative parts to the pods in both years. The highest pod yield of Jihua 16 was obtained with 300 kg CaO ha−1 basal application before sowing and 300 kg CaO ha−1 top-dressing application at the flowering stage (B300:T300) in the early season and 600 kg CaO ha−1 basal application before sowing and 600 kg CaO ha−1 top-dressing application at the flowering stage (B600:T600) in the late season; the yields were significantly increased by 91.87 % in 2020, 92.15 % in 2021, and by 255.36 % in 2020, 248.22 % in 2021, respectively, compared with those obtained with no Ca fertilizer use. However, the Ca treatments did not significantly affect pod yield or the related parameters of Yueyou 45 in either season. The pod yield of both cultivars was higher in the early season than that in the late season because of the higher effective accumulated temperature and precipitation during the reproductive stage in the early season of both years. The results of this study indicate that the early season is most suitable for peanut production, and the B300:T300 and no Ca application strategies are appropriate for the Ca-sensitive and -tolerant cultivars, respectively, in the early season in southern China. Notably, additional Ca-tolerant cultivars should be selected for cultivation in southern China to reduce future fertilizer application. These results provide useful information for improving double-cropping systems, Ca fertilization strategies, and peanut cultivar breeding in southern China.

Wheat straw fibre based semi-IPN composite: Preparation and evaluation as a matrix for water and fertilizer release and in slope reinforcement

To improve the utilization rate of fertilizer and reduce environmental pollution, the effective management of water and fertilizer is extremely significant for the development of modern agriculture. Herein, using agricultural wastes (wheat straw fibre, WS) and phosphoric acid-based geopolymers (PGs) as eco-friendly materials, a novel wheat straw fibre composited polymer/PGs (WS-Po/PGs), was prepared by in-situ graft polymerization strategy, and a kind of nutrient-water carrier with semi-IPN was formed. Its structure and morphology were revealed by XRD, FT-IR, BET and SEM. Its water-retaining and controlled release behavior, and the nutrient release model were studied, while the effects on plant growth and loess slope of WS-Po/PGs were further investigated. The results illustrated that the obtained nutrient-water carrier had excellent water absorption (270.27 g/g) and salt tolerance (131.58 g/g) as straw fibres were mixed into polymer networks and formed semi-interpenetrating structures (semi-IPN). Comparing with controls, the WS-Po/PGs significantly improved the water retention capacity and N release longevity (30 d, 66.2%). Its nutrient release fitted the Fickian diffusion model (n < 0.5). Furthermore, the WS-Po/PGs could remarkably enhance the erosion resistance and stability of the loess slope, regulate the pH of the soil, and promote the germination rate of slope vegetation. In summary, by using agricultural wastes straw and loess as resources, the obtained WS-Po/PGs presented excellent slow-release behavior, salt tolerance and slope reinforcement function, and this kind of semi-IPN nutrient-water carrier could provide an insight for agriculture and slope protection.

Effects of Partial Substitution of Organic Fertilizer for Synthetic N Fertilizer on Yield and N Use Efficiencies in a Semiarid Winter Wheat–Summer Maize Rotation

Finding field management techniques that increase crop output while protecting soil sustainability is essential for maintaining a long-term food supply in a changing environment. However, comprehensive evaluation of the effects of nitrogen (N) reduction combined with organic fertilizer on grain yield, N use efficiency (NUE), water use efficiency (WUE), and soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N (TN) contents of winter wheat–summer maize double cropping systems in drought-prone areas remains limited. Therefore, a 3-year field experiment (2018–2021) was conducted in a winter wheat–summer maize double cropping system with five treatments: no N fertilizer (CK), conventional farmer fertilization (CF), recommended fertilization (R), organic N substitution of 20% of the recommended synthetic N (R20), and organic N substitution of 40% of the recommended synthetic N (R40). When results were averaged from 2018 to 2021, R20 had the highest annual grain yield, which increased by 42.15%, 7.69%, 7.58%, and 12.50% compared with CK, CF, R, and R40, respectively. Compared with CF, R20 increased winter wheat and summer maize NAE, NPFP, NUE, and WUE. In addition, the soil organic carbon content of R20 and R40 treatment increased with the increase in years. In conclusion, R20 was considered ideal for improving crop yield, promoting soil fertility, and increasing the fertilizer utilization rate in a semiarid winter wheat–summer maize rotation.

Transcriptome Analysis of Nitrogen-Deficiency-Responsive Genes in Two Potato Cultivars

The potato is the third largest food crop, and nitrogen fertilizer is important for increasing potato yields; however, the shallow root system of potatoes causes the nitrogen fertilizer utilization rate to be low, which results in waste and environmental pollution, meaning that high nitrogen efficiency breeding is highly significant for potatoes. In the high nitrogen efficiency breeding of potatoes, genes with a nitrogen-deficient response should first be identified, and RNA-seq is an efficient method for identifying nitrogen-deficiency-response genes. In this study, two potato cultivars, Dongnong 322 (DN322) and Dongnong 314 (DN314), were utilized, and two nitrogen fertilizer application rates (N0 and N1) were set for both cultivars. Through the determination of physiological indicators, we identified that DN314 is more sensitive to nitrogen fertilizer, while DN322 is relatively insensitive to nitrogen fertilizer. Samples were taken at the seedling and tuber formation stage. At the seedling stage, DN322 and DN314 had 573 and 150 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), while at the tuber formation stage, they had 59 and 1905 DEGs, respectively. A total of three genes related to a low-nitrogen response were obtained via the combined analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), of which two genes were obtained at the tuber formation stage and one gene in the seedling stage, providing theoretical guidance for the high nitrogen efficiency breeding of potatoes.

Enhancement of Soil Available Nutrients and Crop Growth in Sustainable Agriculture by a Biocontrol Bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes LE16: Preliminary Results in Controlled Conditions

The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has led to adverse environmental impacts and poor crop quality and accelerates the depletion of mineral reserves used for fertilizer production. Microbes are vital in soil nutrient cycling, and some effectively enhance soil nutrient supply and reduce chemical fertilizer usage. Biocontrol bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes LE16 can produce various hydrolases against plant pathogens to mineralize soil organics via enzyme production. Therefore, the enzyme production, soil organic P and N mineralization, and crop agronomic performances induced by L. enzymogenes LE16 were investigated by pure culture, soil incubation, and greenhouse pot experiments. L. enzymogenes LE16 can hydrolyze lecithin and protein and convert them to inorganic P and NH4+-N. Similarly, available P and N increased as this bacterium was inoculated and grown in the tested soil. In the greenhouse pot experiment, phosphomonoesterase and protease produced by L. enzymogenes LE16 inoculant effectively mineralized soil organic P and N and enhanced soil available nutrients, thereby improving the nutrient uptake, fertilizer utilization rate, and agronomic efficiency of lettuce and pepper seedlings. Bacterial inoculation increased the lettuce yield by 6.43–11.30% and pepper fruit yield by 43.82–70.32%, even with less chemical fertilizer application. Therefore, L. enzymogenes LE16 can hydrolyze lecithin and protein in pure cultures, and mineralize organic P and N in soils, thus improving crop yield and quality and reducing chemical fertilizer application via the production of phosphomonoesterase and protease. L. enzymogenes LE16 shows potential for sustainable agriculture beyond plant protection.

Comprehensive evaluation on effect of planting and breeding waste composts on the yield, nutrient utilization, and soil environment of baby cabbage

Treatment of the planting and breeding waste is becoming a big issue due to their significant quantities. Composting could be an effective alternative for planting and breeding waste management which could be used as fertilizer. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of planting and breeding waste on baby cabbage growth and soil properties, to establish a suitable agricultural cycle model for semi-arid area in central Gansu Province. The planting and breeding wastes [sheep manure (SM), tail vegetable (TV), cow manure (CM), mushroom residue (MR) and corn straw (CS)] were used as the raw materials in this study, which were designed 8 compost formulas for composting fermentation. With no fertilization (CK1) and local commercial organic fertilizer (CK2) as the control, the comprehensive evaluation of planting and breeding waste composts on the yield of baby cabbage, fertilizer utilization rate, soil physical and chemical properties and microbial diversity were studied to select the best compost formula suitable for the growth of baby cabbage. And the material flow and energy flow analysis of the circulation model established by the formula were carried out. The results showed that the biological yield and economic yield of baby cabbage, absorption and recycling utilization of total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) reached the maximum under the formula of SM: TV: MR: CS = 6:2:1:1. Compared with CK2, the formula of SM: TV: MR: CS = 6:2:1:1 significantly increased the richness of soil bacteria and beneficial bacteria Proteobacteria, and decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria Olpidiomycota. Principal component analysis showed the comprehensive score of SM: TV: MR: CS = 6:2:1:1 was the best organic compost formula suitable for producing high-quality and high-yield baby cabbage and improving soil environment. Therefore, this formula can be used as a reference organic fertilizer formula for field cultivation of baby cabbage.

一次性机械化穴施缓释复合肥对玉米产量和养分吸收的影响

Currently, maize production in China suffers from many problems, such as excessive fertilizer application, inefficient fertilizer use, and insufficient agricultural labour. The effect of one-time mechanical point-applied fertilization of controlled-release compound fertilizer in the root-zone on yield and nutrient uptake was investigated to explore efficient fertilization patterns for fertilizer decrease and yield increase in maize. The selected fertilizer was a controlled-release granular fertilizer (24-6-10 for N-P2O5-K2O) with six treatments in the application program: 1) no fertilizer (CK); 2) application of a one-time banding fertilizer (BDP) 5 cm off the seeds between rows and 10 cm deep; 3) application of a one-time point-applied fertilization (RZF) 5 cm off seed in the row and 10 cm deep; 4) application of a one-time point-applied fertilization (90% RZF) 10% fertilizer reduction 5 cm off seed in the row and 10 cm deep; 5) application of a one-time point-applied fertilization (80% RZF) 20% fertilizer reduction 5 cm off seed in the row and 10 cm deep; 6) application of a one-time point-applied fertilization (70% RZF) 30% fertilizer reduction 5 cm off seed in the row and 10 cm deep. The results showed that RZF increased yield by 5.84% over BDP, and the difference was significant, indicating that mechanized point-applied fertilization of fertilizer can replace manual point-applied fertilization application operations and achieve increased crop yield. The agronomic utilization rate of fertilizer of 12.35% and the bias productivity of 5.31% were higher in RZF than in BDP, and the differences were significant, indicating that one-time mechanical point-applied fertilization in the root zone significantly improved fertilizer utilization and reduced fertilizer loss.

Methodology for the predictive assessment of the environmental safety of the use of ag-rochemicals by fertilizer seeding devices of combined potato planters

In the complex of environmental agricultural practices during of potatoes production an important place is given to the intrasoil local method of fertilizing. Technological systems for the application of this method operate as part of potato planting combined units. The use of automated technological systems for the implementation of an intrasoil local method of applying fertilizers will allow real-time dosed placement of foci of agrochemicals in those layers of the soil horizon that available for root system of plant. This will significantly reduce losses and increase the utilization rate of fertilizers while ensuring an acceptable level of environmental safety of their use and improving the working conditions of a operator. Therefore, given the random nature of the operating conditions of potato planting units, the development of an automated device for active control of the depth of placement of fertilizer foci in given horizons of the root layer the algorithm of which uses methods of predictive assessment of the state of the object is a very urgent task.

Bionic Design of Liquid Fertilizer Deep Application Spray Needle, Based on Badger Claw-Toe, for Improving the Operating Performance of Liquid Fertilizer Deep Application in Northeast China

Deep application of liquid fertilizer is a technique that applies liquid fertilizer deep near the root system of crops, which has many advantages such as high fertilizer utilization rate and low environmental pollution. However, high power and high specific energy consumption caused by soil-engaging components in liquid fertilizer deep application make it difficult to popularize in northeast China. The claw-toe structure of burrowing animals has the characteristics of low resistance and low friction, which has been the focus of many scholars’ research on soil-engaging components. The claw-toe structure of the badger, a widely distributed burrowing animal in northeast China, has good characteristics of low power and low specific energy consumption. Therefore, in this research, a bionic liquid fertilizer deep application spray needle was designed, based on the claw-toe structure of the badger, to improve the operating performance of liquid fertilizer deep application. In this research, the discrete element method (DEM) was used for a computer simulation test, and the indoor soil bin verification test was carried out. The results showed that the operating angle, operating speed and fertilization depth of bionic liquid fertilizer deep application spray needle had significant effects on the power and specific energy consumption, and the optimal operating performance combination of bionic liquid fertilizer deep application spray needle was obtained as follows: The fertilization depth is 60 mm; the operating speed is 6 km h−1; the operating angle is 24.8°; the power consumption is 0.066 kW; and the specific energy consumption is 4.257 kJ m−3 under this operating condition. Through the comparison of operating performance, the operating performance of the bionic liquid fertilizer deep application spray needle is significantly better than that of other types of liquid fertilizer deep application furrow opener, with the power reduced by 9.52~40.5% and the specific energy consumption reduced by 93.9~208.6%. This research clarified the internal mechanism affecting the operating performance. Finally, based on the above findings, this research suggests that more attention should be paid to finding suitable bionic prototype and design scheme in the future design and research of soil-engaging components of liquid fertilizer deep application.

Evaluation of Fertilizer Inputs and Soil Nutrient Status in Apple Orchards in China

Apple is an important horticultural crop in China and its production consumes large amounts of Chemical fertilizers. In a survey of more than 300 Chinese apple growers, we found that small farmers’ fertilizer inputs are blind. Current research lacks a comprehensive evaluation of fertilizer inputs and soil nutrient status for apple production in China, but the evaluation work will play a supporting role in the macro management decision of nutrient resources. In this study, a database of fertilizer inputs and soil nutrients in five major apple producing areas in China was constructed by means of data integration. Two main conclusions can be drawn from the analysis of the database. Firstly, the chemical N and P fertilizer inputs exceed the recommended use in all five production areas, and secondly, the organic matter content of orchard soils in the five production areas only reaches a maximum of level 3. The research shows that China’s agricultural authorities should carry out macro management of nutrient resources in apple orchards, so as to guide different producing areas to adjust fertilizer input according to their soil environment, so as to improve the utilization rate of fertilizer.