Agronomy

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5 pages, 186 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production

by John Havlin and Ron Heiniger

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091349 - 8 Sep 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 11154

Abstract

Increasing crop productivity per unit of land area to meet future food and fiber demand increases both soil nutrient removal and the importance of replenishing soil fertility through efficient nutrient management practices. Significant progress in enhancing nutrient-use efficiency in production agriculture requires improved [...] Read more.

Increasing crop productivity per unit of land area to meet future food and fiber demand increases both soil nutrient removal and the importance of replenishing soil fertility through efficient nutrient management practices. Significant progress in enhancing nutrient-use efficiency in production agriculture requires improved estimates of plant-available nutrients in the root zone, enhanced crop response to applied nutrients, and reduced offsite nutrient transport. This special issue, Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production, presents 15 manuscripts that advance our knowledge of interrelated soil, plant, and management factors important to increasing the nutrient availability and crop recovery of applied nutrients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

Research

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12 pages, 1095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maize Grain Composition with Additions of NPK Briquette and Organically Enhanced N Fertilizer

by Xiaohui Wang, Shuangli Liu, Xinhua Yin, Nacer Bellaloui, John H. Winings, Sampson Agyin-Birikorang, Upendra Singh, Joaquin Sanabria and Alemu Mengistu

Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060852 - 15 Jun 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3405

Abstract

NPK fertilizer briquettes (NPKBriq) and organically enhanced N fertilizer (OENF), as newly developed fertilizer products, are reported to increase maize (Zea mays L.) yield and N use efficiency, but their effects on maize grain composition are unknown. The objective of this study [...] Read more.

NPK fertilizer briquettes (NPKBriq) and organically enhanced N fertilizer (OENF), as newly developed fertilizer products, are reported to increase maize (Zea mays L.) yield and N use efficiency, but their effects on maize grain composition are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of NPKBriq and OENF on the protein, oil, fiber, ash, and starch of maize grain. A field study was conducted at Jackson and Grand Junction, TN, during 2012 and 2013, with NPKBriq, OENF, ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) (+P and K), and urea (+P and K) as the main treatments and 0, 85, 128, and 170 kg N ha⁻¹ as the sub treatments under a randomized complete block split plot design with four replicates. The fiber concentration was more responsive to the fertilizer source than the protein, oil, ash, and starch concentrations. OENF resulted in a higher fiber concentration than NPKBriq at 85 kg N ha⁻¹ in 2013, averaged over the two sites. Both OENF and NPKBriq had nearly no significant effects on the concentrations of the quality attributes compared with ammonium sulfate and urea. In conclusion, the nutrient-balanced NPKBriq exerts the same or greater effects on maize grain quality relative to the commonly used nutrient management practices of urea (+P and K) and ammonium sulfate (+P and K) under normal weather conditions. OENF is an alternate N source to urea and ammonium sulfate for similar to higher maize grain quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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22 pages, 3415 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Biogas Digestate and Mineral Fertilisation on the Soil Properties and Yield and Nutritional Value of Switchgrass Forage

by Aleksandra Głowacka, Bogdan Szostak and Renata Klebaniuk

Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040490 - 1 Apr 2020

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 4818

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a three-year application of digestate from an agricultural biogas plant on the physicochemical properties of highly acidic pH_KCl 4.4 ± 0.23, silty loam soils with low macronutrient content and on the [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a three-year application of digestate from an agricultural biogas plant on the physicochemical properties of highly acidic pH_KCl 4.4 ± 0.23, silty loam soils with low macronutrient content and on the yield and nutritional value of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass harvested for green fodder. The experiment included the following treatments: (1) O (control)—no fertilisation, (2) NPK—mineral fertilisation with (in kg ha⁻¹) 150 N, 53.0 P and 105 K, (3) biogas digestate at 30 m³ ha⁻¹ and (4) biogas digestate at 60 m³ ha⁻¹. The higher application rate of biogas digestate significantly reduced soil acidity to pH_KCl 4.9 ± 0.18 and improved its sorption properties. It also increased the soil organic matter content from 5.6 ± 0.21 to 6.4 ± 0.22 g C_org kg⁻¹ and of K and Zn. The higher level of biogas digestate significantly increased switchgrass yield to 5.15 ± 0.26 t ha⁻¹. The lower application rate of biogas digestate resulted in forage yield of 4.30 ± 0.20 t ha⁻¹ comparable to that obtained after mineral fertilisation (4.33 ± 0.22 t ha⁻¹). Following application of mineral fertilisers and the higher level of biogas digestate, the number of panicles per plant (150 ± 2.49–157 ± 0.6.17), panicle height (107 ± 1.98–114 ± 2.08), crude ash content (61.2 ± 0.43–65.5 ± 0.38) and protein content (106 ± 0.59–92 ± 1.11) in the switchgrass biomass from the first cut were higher than in the case of unfertilised soil (110 ± 3.81, 93 ± 1.32, 55.5 ± 0.40, 80.3 ± 0.37). The use of mineral fertilisers and biogas digestate increased the content of protein, P and Mg in biomass from the second cut. The results suggest that the use of digestate improved the physicochemical properties of highly acidic soil and increased the yield of switchgrass forage without diminishing its nutritional value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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17 pages, 1807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Straw-Return Method for the Maize–Rice Rotation System on Soil Properties and Crop Yields

by Yuling Han, Wei Ma, Baoyuan Zhou, Xiaolong Yang, Akram Salah, Congfeng Li, Cougui Cao, Ming Zhan and Ming Zhao

Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040461 - 26 Mar 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4496

Abstract

Exploring suitable maize straw-return measures is essential for the new double-cropping system of maize (Zea mays L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation in the middle reaches of Yangtze River in China, which can increase crop yield by improving soil quality. In this [...] Read more.

Exploring suitable maize straw-return measures is essential for the new double-cropping system of maize (Zea mays L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation in the middle reaches of Yangtze River in China, which can increase crop yield by improving soil quality. In this study, four straw-return measures were evaluated by investigating the soil bulk density (BD), organic matter (OM), microbial community, and nutrients from 2016 to 2018. The four straw-return treatments were as follows: (1) no straw-return (CK), (2) only rice straw incorporated into the field (M₀R_i), (3) both maize and rice straw incorporated to field (M_iR_i), and (4) maize straw mulched and rice straw incorporated into the field (M_mR_i). Compared to CK, two-season crop straw-return treatments changed soil microbial community composition, and increased soil total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), mineralized nitrogen (N_min), available phosphorus (P) and exchangeable potassium (K) in the 0–20 cm soil layer by 3.6%, 63.4%, 38.8%, 12.4%, 39.7%, and 21.6%, respectively, averaged across M_mR_i and M_iR_i treatments. In addition, M_mR_i and M_iR_i increased annual yield by 9.1% and 15.2% in 2017 and 11.7% and 12.9% compared to CK in 2018, respectively. M_mR_i exhibited superiority in the soil microbial community, enzyme activities, DOC, MBC, N_min, available P, and exchangeable K in contrast to M_iR_i. We concluded that M_mR_i is the best measure to implement for straw-return in maize–rice rotation systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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15 pages, 1877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Tobacco Plant on Macronutrient Levels in Sandy Soils

by Jacob Lisuma, Ernest Mbega and Patrick Ndakidemi

Agronomy 2020, 10(3), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10030418 - 19 Mar 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 8804

Abstract

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is associated with great uptake of soil macronutrients. Following the need to understand the macronutrients levels before and after tobacco cultivation, research was conducted in loamy sand soil of Sikonge, Urambo, and sand soil of Tabora, Tanzania. The [...] Read more.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is associated with great uptake of soil macronutrients. Following the need to understand the macronutrients levels before and after tobacco cultivation, research was conducted in loamy sand soil of Sikonge, Urambo, and sand soil of Tabora, Tanzania. The initial macronutrients levels in the soil were compared with those measured after unfertilized and fertilized tobacco. Results showed that unfertilized tobacco plant influences the increase of nicotine to the rhizosphere, the macronutrients Ca (135%) > N (25%), decrease in the order of S (81%) > P (49%) > Mg (12%) > K (11%). The sole effect of nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) and calcium–ammonium–nitrate (CAN) 27% fertilizers increased further nicotine, Ca (25%) > N (20%) > S (8%) > Mg (4%) > P (3%), and decreased K (3%) in the rhizosphere. Both tobacco plant and NPK + CAN fertilizers on the rhizosphere increased Ca (193%) > N (50%) and decreased S (80%) > P (48%) > K (14%) > Mg (8%). Leaf concentrations in fertilized tobacco increased Ca (197%) > K (28%) > P (27%) > S (26%) > N (18%) > Mg (12%). Therefore, tobacco plant increases soil N and Ca but decreases P, K, Mg, and S. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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19 pages, 2598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Slow-Release Fertilizer Improves the Growth, Quality, and Nutrient Utilization of Wintering Chinese Chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng.)

by Cheng Wang, Jian Lv, Jeffrey A. Coulter, Jianming Xie, Jihua Yu, Jing Li, Jing Zhang, Chaonan Tang, Tianhang Niu and Yantai Gan

Agronomy 2020, 10(3), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10030381 - 11 Mar 2020

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6570

Abstract

Excessive application of fertilizers leads to the loss of a high amount of nutrients and low fertilizer utilization, which severely restricts crop productivity. Establishing better fertilizer usage practices can mitigate the adverse effects of excessive fertilizer use in agricultural practices. This study determined [...] Read more.

Excessive application of fertilizers leads to the loss of a high amount of nutrients and low fertilizer utilization, which severely restricts crop productivity. Establishing better fertilizer usage practices can mitigate the adverse effects of excessive fertilizer use in agricultural practices. This study determined the effects of slow-release fertilizers on the growth; quality; root and nitrate reductase activity; accumulation; distribution of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in roots, stems, and leaves; and NPK utilization of winter Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng.) in multi-layer covered plastic greenhouses. Treatments were conventional fertilization (CF, NPK: 1369.5 kg ha⁻¹), conventional fertilization with slow-release fertilizer (SRF, NPK: 1369.5 kg ha⁻¹), reduced fertilization with slow-release fertilizers (SRFR, NPK: 942.0 kg ha⁻¹), and no fertilizer arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The SRFR treatment increased Chinese chives yield and economic profitability by 37% and 47%, respectively, compared to the CF treatment. Similarly, nitrate reductase activity, root activity, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and flavonoid contents in the Chinese chives were increased by 40%, 12%, 16%, 6%, and 18%, respectively, in SRFR than CF. In addition to these, we observed a significant reduction in the surplus of N (42%) and P (58%) in soil under SRFR compared to CF. Nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency were also greater in SRFR than in CF. The results indicate that the adoption of SRFR can be an efficient approach to enhance quality and productivity of Chinese chives compared to CF under a multi-layer covered plastic greenhouse system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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13 pages, 2723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Establishment and Application of Critical Nitrogen Dilution Curve for Rice Based on Leaf Dry Matter

by Lijuan Song, Shu Wang and Wanjun Ye

Agronomy 2020, 10(3), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10030367 - 6 Mar 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2866

Abstract

In order to investigate the feasibility of using rice leaf critical nitrogen concentration as a nitrogen nutrition diagnosis index, a three-year positioning experiment with large-spike rice cultivar (Wuyoudao4) and multiple-spike rice cultivar (Songjing9) under five nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 [...] Read more.

In order to investigate the feasibility of using rice leaf critical nitrogen concentration as a nitrogen nutrition diagnosis index, a three-year positioning experiment with large-spike rice cultivar (Wuyoudao4) and multiple-spike rice cultivar (Songjing9) under five nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg·ha⁻¹) was conducted. A critical nitrogen dilution curve and a nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) of rice leaf dry matter were constructed for Wuyoudao4 (N_c = 1.96L_DM^−0.56, R² = 0.87, NNI was between 0.6–1.26, and Normalized Root Mean Square Error (n-RMSE) = 13.07%) and Songjing9 (N_c = 1.99L_DM^−0.44, R² = 0.94, NNI was between 0.64–1.29, and n-RMSE = 15.89%). The relationship between dry matter and nitrogen concentration of rice leaves was a negative power function, and the model had good stability over the three years. The developed critical nitrogen concentration dilution curve, based on leaf dry matter, was able to diagnose nitrogen nutrition in rice efficiently. The model established in this study could be used to directly regulate and control the nitrogen nutrition of rice leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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15 pages, 620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Soil Physicochemical Properties and Maize Production Following Improvement of Salt-Affected Soils Using Coal Bio-Briquette Ash in Northeast China

by Yuji Sakai, Chie Shimizu, Hironori Murata, Hitomi Seto, Ryosuke Fukushima, Takashi Koga and Chang Wang

Agronomy 2020, 10(3), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10030348 - 3 Mar 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3340

Abstract

Soil degradation due to salinity and sodicity is one of the most important impediments to agricultural production. Coal bio-briquettes (CBB) made from coal, biomass, and desulfurizers have been proposed for use in desulfurization and usage of sustainable energy for coal and biomass in [...] Read more.

Soil degradation due to salinity and sodicity is one of the most important impediments to agricultural production. Coal bio-briquettes (CBB) made from coal, biomass, and desulfurizers have been proposed for use in desulfurization and usage of sustainable energy for coal and biomass in China. CBB ash contains calcium compounds such as calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and fly ash. The potential improvement of salt-affected soils using ashes from CBB made from two low-quality coals and/or organic manure (OM) was investigated in northeast China. The CBB ash application rates were 0 kg/m² (control), 1.16 kg/m², 2.32 kg/m², 4.64 kg/m², and 6.96 kg/m². Following the application of CBB ash and/or co-application of OM, maize production increased significantly, compared to control plots. Moreover, co-application with OM resulted in higher maize production than application of CBB ash only. Soil pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and Na⁺, HCO₃⁻, and CO₃²⁻ concentrations decreased, and Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and SO₄²⁻ concentrations increased from the start of the experiment to harvesting time. Maize production showed a tendency to increase with increasing CBB ash/OM application rates. The decrease in pH, ESP, and HCO₃⁻, and increase in Ca²⁺ in the application plots over time was particularly remarkable. Moreover, saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) after CBB ash application in the slightly and moderately salt-affected soils increased with increasing application rates. In case of the highest application rate (6.96 kg/m²), using ash from CBB made from lower quality coal, pH and ESP decreased from 9.47 to 7.61, and from 7.0% to 0.98%, respectively, and K_s increased drastically by three orders of magnitude. Therefore, not only soil chemical properties, but also K_s, were improved in salt-affected soils using CBB ash. In addition, the heavy metal content in CBB ashes was below the standard values according to Chinese guidelines. Taken together, these results demonstrate the feasibility of sustainable methods for energy usage and environmental application in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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18 pages, 3410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Field Inoculation of Bread Wheat with Rhizophagus irregularis under Organic Farming: Variability in Growth Response and Nutritional Uptake of Eleven Old Genotypes and A Modern Variety

by Elisa Pellegrino, Gaia Piazza, Iduna Arduini and Laura Ercoli

Agronomy 2020, 10(3), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10030333 - 2 Mar 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3649

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) promote crop growth and yield by increasing N and P uptake and disease resistance, but the role of field AMF inoculation on the uptake of micronutrients, such as Fe and Zn, and accumulation in plant edible portions is still [...] Read more.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) promote crop growth and yield by increasing N and P uptake and disease resistance, but the role of field AMF inoculation on the uptake of micronutrients, such as Fe and Zn, and accumulation in plant edible portions is still not clarified. Therefore, we studied the effect of field inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis in an organic system on 11 old genotypes and a modern variety of bread wheat. Inoculation increased root colonization, root biomass and shoot Zn concentration at early stage and grain Fe concentration at harvest, while it did not modify yield. Genotypes widely varied for shoot Zn concentration at early stage, and for plant height, grain yield, Zn and protein concentration at harvest. Inoculation differentially modified root AMF community of the genotypes Autonomia B, Frassineto and Bologna. A higher abundance of Rhizophagus sp., putatively corresponding to the inoculated isolate, was only proved in Frassineto. The increase of plant growth and grain Zn content in Frassineto is likely linked to the higher R. irregularis abundance. The AMF role in increasing micronutrient uptake in grain was proved. This supports the introduction of inoculation in cereal farming, if the variable response of wheat genotypes to inoculation is considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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8 pages, 398 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Optimizing the Phosphorus Concentration and Duration of Seedling Dipping in Soil Slurry for Accelerating the Initial Growth of Transplanted Rice

by Aung Zaw Oo, Yasuhiro TSUJIMOTO and Njato Mickaël RAKOTOARISOA

Agronomy 2020, 10(2), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10020240 - 6 Feb 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3819

Abstract

Given the finite nature of P fertilizer resources, it is imperative to investigate effective P management practices in order to achieve sustainable rice production. This study was conducted (1) to assess the effect of dipping rice seedlings in P-enriched slurry before transplanting (P-dipping, [...] Read more.

Given the finite nature of P fertilizer resources, it is imperative to investigate effective P management practices in order to achieve sustainable rice production. This study was conducted (1) to assess the effect of dipping rice seedlings in P-enriched slurry before transplanting (P-dipping, hereafter) on initial plant growth and (2) to determine the optimum P concentration and dipping duration. In the P-dipping treatments, four P₂O₅ concentrations in the slurry (4.3%, 5.0%, 6.0%, and 7.5%) and four dipping durations (0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h) were investigated. After the treatments, the seedlings were transplanted into 1/5000 Wagner pots and grown under flooded conditions for 42 days and they were compared with plants under conventional P incorporation at the rate of 300 mg P₂O₅ pot⁻¹ and with plants under no P application. The amount of P₂O₅ attached to P-dipped seedlings, or locally applied in the rhizosphere at transplanting, increased with higher P concentrations in the slurry, ranging from 87.5 to 112.2 mg pot⁻¹. Shoot biomass at 42 days after transplanting (DAT) was greatly increased in plants under the P-dipping treatments, compared to that in plants with no P application and was comparable to or greater than that in plants under conventional P incorporation, even when P levels were 2.5 to 3 times lower. Among the P-dipping treatments, we observed some significant effects of P concentrations and dipping durations on seedling P uptake and shoot biomass, without any interaction between these variables. Seedling P uptake and biomass tended to be higher with higher P concentrations in slurry and longer dipping durations. Conversely, the shoot biomass at 42 DAT was significantly lower in plants under the highest P concentration treatment (7.5% P₂O₅) compared to that in other plants and tended to be lower with longer dipping durations (4 h and 8 h). These negative effects can be attributed to the slow recovery from transplanting shock because of the chemical damage of seedlings exposed to higher salt concentrations for longer durations. The present study highlights that (1) P-dipping could be an effective approach to increase transplanted rice production with minimal P inputs, and (2) this effect could be higher with a low P-concentration in the slurry (4.3% P₂O₅) and a short dipping duration (0.5 h). Based on the obtained results, further on-farm trials are expected to assess farmers’ appreciation and the potential constraints of adopting this technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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11 pages, 1814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Estimation of the Nutrient Uptake Requirements of Peanut

by Mengmeng Xie, Zhongqiang Wang, Xinpeng Xu, Xing Zheng, Hanyu Liu and Puxiang Shi

Agronomy 2020, 10(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010119 - 13 Jan 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4437

Abstract

Understanding the characteristics of the balanced nutrient requirements for peanut to achieve target yields is paramount when formulating fertilizer management strategies to increase yields and avoid fertilizer loss. Nutritional requirement estimation models can provide effective alternatives for the estimation of the optimum crop [...] Read more.

Understanding the characteristics of the balanced nutrient requirements for peanut to achieve target yields is paramount when formulating fertilizer management strategies to increase yields and avoid fertilizer loss. Nutritional requirement estimation models can provide effective alternatives for the estimation of the optimum crop balanced nutrient requirements under varied agricultural conditions which are less time consuming and expensive. In the present study, the quantitative estimation of the optimum crop balanced nutrient requirements of peanut in China were obtained using quantitative evaluation of fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model. The database covered the main agro-ecological region for peanut crops in China between 1993 and 2018. The predicted results of the QUEFTS model indicated that nutrient uptake requirements increased linearly with increasing pod yields until the yields had reached approximately 60% to 70% of the potential pod yields. It was found that with the increasing pod yields during the nutrient linear absorption stage, the plants had required 38.4 kg N, 4.3 kg P, and 14.0 kg K in total to produce 1000 kg of pods, and the corresponding internal efficiencies were 26.0 kg N/kg, 235.0 kg P/kg, and 71.6 kg K/kg, respectively. In addition, the balance rates of the removal nutrient in the pods were determined to be 29.4 kg N, 2.9 kg P, and 4.9 kg K per 1000 kg of pod yield, or approximately 76.5%, 67.4%, and 34.7% of N, P, and K in the total plants, respectively. This study’s field validation experiments verified the applicability and accuracy of the QUEFTS model. Therefore, it was considered to be an effective alternative for the estimation of the optimal balance N, P, and K uptake requirements for peanut crops. These findings will potentially be helpful when making future decisions regarding fertilizer recommendations for peanut crops in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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18 pages, 2955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agronomic Responses of Major Fruit Crops to Fertilization in China: A Meta-Analysis

by Wenli Li, Min Yang, Jie Wang, Zhichao Wang, Zihan Fan, Furong Kang, Yuheng Wang, Yayin Luo, Dejiao Kuang, Zhihui Chen, Chaoyi Guo, Yujia Li, Xinhua He, Xinping Chen, Xiaojun Shi and Yueqiang Zhang

Agronomy 2020, 10(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010015 - 20 Dec 2019

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4989

Abstract

With increasing application of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers, especially in China’s fruit crops, the agronomic responses of fruit crops to fertilization may be reduced with time. Thus, the quantification of these responses would be useful for establishing nutrient recommendation [...] Read more.

With increasing application of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers, especially in China’s fruit crops, the agronomic responses of fruit crops to fertilization may be reduced with time. Thus, the quantification of these responses would be useful for establishing nutrient recommendation and fertilizer management for fruit crops. Here, a meta-analysis including 552 paired data for agronomic response and 1283 sets for amounts of optimal fertilization from 293 field studies in China were performed to systemically quantify these variations of yield response (YR), relative yield (RY), agronomic efficiency (AE), and partial factor productivity (PFP) in response to the application of N, P, or K fertilizer under different groups including fruit crop types, time, and regions. The results showed that the average YRs to N, P or K fertilizer were 7.6, 5.2, or 5.9 t ha⁻¹, indicating related RYs of 78.0%, 82.9%, or 82.4%, respectively. All of the RYs for N, P, or K application in studies after 2000 were higher and less variable than those before 2000. Higher RYs were also shown for deciduous fruit trees when compared with evergreen fruit trees. The average AEs of N, P, and K fertilizer in China’s fruit crops were 29.1, 32.4 and 20.2 kg kg⁻¹, all of them were negatively correlated with fertilizer rate. Due to a higher yield response and less fertilizer rate, annual crops (mainly watermelon and melons) had significantly higher AE than that of perennial crops. The average PFPs of N, P, and K fertilizer in China’s fruit crops were 129, 205, and 113 kg kg⁻¹, all of which showed a declining trend with time. These findings demonstrated that the building-up of soil indigenous nutrient supply (indicated by RY) together with improving fruit varieties, as well as pest management and other forms of management could make external fertilization less important for increasing the yield of fruit crops in China. A rational nutrient management is therefore crucial for balancing yield and environmental concerns in countries like China, India, and other countries where fertilizers are often overused. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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22 pages, 1200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Potential Role of Cobalt and/or Organic Fertilizers in Improving the Growth, Yield, and Nutritional Composition of Moringa oleifera

by Nadia Gad, Agnieszka Sekara and Magdi T. Abdelhamid

Agronomy 2019, 9(12), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120862 - 9 Dec 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5291

Abstract

In sustainable farming, the use of organic fertilizers is a costly but environmentally-oriented type of soil–crop system management. Among essential microelements, cobalt (Co) deficiency commonly occurs in arid and semi-arid climatic regions suitable for the growing of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam), an [...] Read more.

In sustainable farming, the use of organic fertilizers is a costly but environmentally-oriented type of soil–crop system management. Among essential microelements, cobalt (Co) deficiency commonly occurs in arid and semi-arid climatic regions suitable for the growing of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam), an economically important, multipurpose tree. Therefore, in this study, two pot experiments were conducted to identify the interaction effects of Co and organic fertilizers in modifying the growth, yield, and nutritional composition of moringa. Each experiment consisted of 21 treatments as combinations of seven concentrations of Co (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 mg L⁻¹) and three organic fertilizers (chicken manure, CM; farmyard manure, FYM; and compost, Comp). Co, at 7.5–12.5 mg L⁻¹, in combination with CM, significantly increased the height, leaf number, leaf area, and dry weight of plants, as well as N, P, K, Zn, Cu, protein, total carbohydrate, total soluble solids, total phenolics, carotenoids, and vitamin C in leaves. Co was positively correlated with N, P, K, and the dry weight content in moringa leaves, and this synergistic interaction may underpin the remaining parameters enhanced by Co. The cobalt effect was dose-dependent, so the improved growth, yield, and nutritional composition of moringa can be managed through a proper Co dose in combination with organic fertilizer. Co and organic fertilization could be a promising strategy for improving moringa plant productivity and its biological value in conditions of sandy soils and Co deficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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14 pages, 2401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mulching-Induced Changes in Tuber Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Potato in China: A Meta-Analysis

by Linlin Wang, Jeffrey A. Coulter, Jairo A. Palta, Junhong Xie, Zhuzhu Luo, Lingling Li, Peter Carberry, Qiang Li and Xiping Deng

Agronomy 2019, 9(12), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120793 - 22 Nov 2019

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 4411

Abstract

In dry environments, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is grown under mulching for water conservation and improving tuber yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). A meta-analysis was conducted to determine how mulching improved tuber yield and NUE in potato and how yield and [...] Read more.

In dry environments, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is grown under mulching for water conservation and improving tuber yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). A meta-analysis was conducted to determine how mulching improved tuber yield and NUE in potato and how yield and NUE is influenced by fertilization, tillage practices, and growing environment in China. A search of peer-reviewed publications was performed to collect data on the effects of mulching on yield and NUE in potato grown in China. The data included were from field studies with a mulching and a no mulching treatment and data on tuber yield and NUE. A total of 169 publications (17 in English and 152 in Chinese) containing 1802 observations from 105 sites were compiled into the dataset. Mulching significantly increased both tuber yield and NUE by an average of 24% compared to no mulching, respectively. Plastic film mulching was more effective in improving yield and NUE than straw mulching. The yield and NUE increase were highest under plastic film mulching on ridge-furrow plots and straw mulching on flat plots. Mulching was more effective at improving yield and NUE in the Northwest dryland region at a plant density between 55,000 and 70,000 plants ha⁻¹ and with application of synthetic N and P₂O₅ at rates of 100−200 kg ha⁻¹, K fertilization at 0−100 kg K₂O ha⁻¹, and without organic fertilization. Integrated use of organic fertilizer and mulching was found to reduce synthetic N and P fertilizer input by 50% and K fertilizer input by 100% for production without affecting yield and NUE. These results demonstrate that mulching increases yield and NUE in potato in China, but the benefits occur when the growing region, tillage, and fertilization practices are appropriately considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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16 pages, 793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Efficiency of Vermicompost Derived from Different Biowastes on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plant Growth and Soil Health

by Zubair Aslam, Safdar Bashir, Waseem Hassan, Korkmaz Bellitürk, Niaz Ahmad, Nabeel Khan Niazi, Ahsan Khan, Muhammad Imran Khan, Zhongbing Chen and Mansoor Maitah

Agronomy 2019, 9(12), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120791 - 22 Nov 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5842

Abstract

The present study was conducted to explore the role of different types of vermicomposts (VCs) prepared from different substrates to improve soil health (physical and chemical properties) and wheat plant growth under field conditions. Different combinations of vermicompost prepared from different substrates (cow [...] Read more.

The present study was conducted to explore the role of different types of vermicomposts (VCs) prepared from different substrates to improve soil health (physical and chemical properties) and wheat plant growth under field conditions. Different combinations of vermicompost prepared from different substrates (cow dung, paper waste, and rice straw) and inorganic fertilizers were applied in soil using wheat as a test plant. The impact of three different VCs on physico-chemical characteristics and nutrient availability in soil was evaluated to examine their efficacy in combination with chemical fertilizers. Temporal trends in vermicomposting treatments at various stages showed significant improvement in physico-chemical attributes of the VCs substrates. All the plant physiological attributes showed significant response where N:P:K 100:50:50 kg ha⁻¹ + 10 t ha⁻¹ cow dung vermicompost was applied. In addition, post-harvest analysis of soil not only revealed that different combinations of the vermicomposting treatments improved the soil health by improving the physico-chemical attributes of the soil. Conclusively, application of cow dung vermicompost along with recommended NPK not only improved crop yield, soil health, reduced insect (aphid) infestation but also fortified grains with Zn and Fe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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15 pages, 2578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Factor Diagnostic and Recommendation System for Boron in Neutral and Acidic Soils

by Richardly Lenz Clove Dupré, Lotfi Khiari, Jacques Gallichand and Claude Alla Joseph

Agronomy 2019, 9(8), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9080410 - 25 Jul 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3756

Abstract

Despite its inconveniences, the most recognized method to extract boron from soils is that of hot water extraction (B_HW), which is used for diagnostics and recommendations. However, the Mehlich-3 (M3) method is widely used to extract and diagnose several elements at [...] Read more.

Despite its inconveniences, the most recognized method to extract boron from soils is that of hot water extraction (B_HW), which is used for diagnostics and recommendations. However, the Mehlich-3 (M3) method is widely used to extract and diagnose several elements at once (P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, B, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) and is well adapted to routine analyses. The objective of our study was to develop a soil diagnostic and recommendation system for boron as a function of measured B_M3 (and other interacting elements), crop type, and spreading methods. This system is based on three databases from either the international literature or the chemical characterization of acidic-to-neutral soils typical from Québec (Canada). The first database came from the characterization of 365 samples typical of Québec soils; it has been used to predict, by the AutoML (Automatic Machine Learnig) supervised learning algorithm, B_M3 as a function of a set of parameters from the following: B_HW, pH_W, organic carbon (OC), Ca_M3, K_M3, and Mg_M3. Depending on the parameters used, the R² between the measured and observed B_M3 varied from 0.36 to 0.99. This database allowed us to define two classifications for soil boron diagnostics and fertility evaluation. The Cate–Nelson analysis for these two models allowed us to define three boron fertility classes: Low, medium and high; that is 0.00–0.23, 0.23–0.58, and 0.58–3.70 mg B kg⁻¹, respectively, for B_HW, and 0.00–0.65, 0.65–1.03, and 1.03–12.70 mg B kg⁻¹, respectively, for B_M3. The third database was extracted from 130 yield responses to increasing levels of boron; it was used to define a recommendation model for boron, based on AutoML, as a function of B_M3, pH_W, the crop boron requirement (medium, high), and the type of spreading (broadcast, sidedress, foliar spraying). This model resulted in an R² of 0.63. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production)

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