Soil fertilization synergistically enhances the impact of pollination services in increasing seed yield of sunflower under dryland conditions

Abstract To exploit the potential of ecological intensification during sunflower cropping, it is crucial to understand the potential synergies between crop management and ecosystem services. We therefore examined the effect of pollination intensification on sunflower yield and productivity under various levels of soil fertilization over two seasons in the eastern Free State, South Africa. We manipulated soil fertility with fertilizer applications and pollination with exclusion bags. We found a synergetic effect between pollination and soil fertilization whereby increasing pollination intensity led to a far higher impact on sunflower yield when the soil had been fertilized. Specifically, the intensification of insect pollination increased seed yield by approximately 0.4 ton/ha on nutrient poor soil and by approximately 1.7 ton/ha on moderately fertilized soil. Our findings suggest that sunflower crops on adequate balanced soil fertility will receive abundant insect pollination and may gain more from both synergies than crops grown in areas with degraded soil fertility.

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Synergy Of Soil Fertilization And Pollination For Sunflowers

10.38140/ufs.14275265.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sean Van Der Merwe ◽

Dolapo Akinnuoye-Adelabu ◽

Angelinus Franke

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Synergetic Effect ◽

Crop Management ◽

Free State ◽

Soil Fertilization ◽

Ecological Intensification ◽

Eastern Free State

In order to harness the potential of ecological intensification during sunflower cropping, it is crucial to understand the potential synergies between crop management and ecosystem services. We therefore examined the effect of differing pollination intensification on sunflower yield and productivity under various levels of soil fertilization during 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons in the eastern Free State, South Africa. We manipulated soil fertility with fertilizer treatments and used exclusion bags to manipulate pollination exclusion intensity. We found a synergetic effect between pollination and soil fertilization whereby high pollination intensity produced a far higher impact on sunflower yield when the soil had been fertilized.

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Effect of fertilizer on seed yield of alfalfa under irrigation in Saskatchewan

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p03-136 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 1105-1108 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

B. D. Gossen ◽

H. Ukrainetz ◽

J. J. Soroka

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Seed Production ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Soil Testing ◽

Clay Loam ◽

Initial Soil ◽

The Impact ◽

Commercial Field

The impact of fertilizers containing macro- and micro-nutrients on seed production of alfalfa under irrigation in Saskatchewan was assessed. Trials were conducted on a Sutherland clay loam at Saskatoon, SK, from 1986 to 1991, and in a commercial field on Asquith sandy loam near Outlook, SK, from 1990 to 1993. Nutrients (primarily combinations of P, K, S) were applied at establishment (in-row with seed, side-banded, or broadcast and incorporated prior to seeding), and/or broadcast on the soil surface each year. Seed yield at both sites was excellent for the region, and application of fertilizer had little or no impact on yield. At sites with adequate initial soil fertility, as indicated by soil testing, alfalfa may not require added fertilizer to maintain high levels of seed production. Key words: Medicago sativa, lucerne

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Synergy Of Soil Fertilization And Pollination For Sunflowers

10.38140/ufs.14275265 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sean Van Der Merwe ◽

Dolapo Akinnuoye-Adelabu ◽

Angelinus Franke

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Synergetic Effect ◽

Crop Management ◽

Free State ◽

Soil Fertilization ◽

Ecological Intensification ◽

Eastern Free State

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Impact of Zinc, Boron and Molybdenum Addition in Soil on Mungbean Productivity, Nutrient Uptake and Economics

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v12n9p115 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 115

Author(s):

Md. Abdul Quddus ◽

Md. Babul Anwar ◽

Habib Mahammad Naser ◽

Md. Alamgir Siddiky ◽

Md. Jamal Hussain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Block Design ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Total N ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Molybdenum Addition ◽

The Impact ◽

Soil Fertility Improvement

Zinc (Zn), boron (B) and molybdenum (Mo) are essential to increase the productivity of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and help to maintain the soil fertility but mostly ignored. Hence, an experiment was conducted during the years of 2016 and 2017 to know the impact of Zn, B and Mo on mungbean yield, nutrient uptake, economics and soil fertility improvement. The experiments were planned in randomized complete block design including of eight treatments with three replications. The treatments were T1 = Control, T2 = Zn 2 kg ha-1, T3 = B 1.5 kg ha-1, T4 = Mo 1 kg ha-1, T5 = Zn2B1.5, T6 = Zn2Mo1, T7 = B1.5Mo1 and T8 = Zn2B1.5Mo1. The other fertilizers, N, P, K and S at 20, 20, 30 and 10 kg ha-1, respectively were used in all treatments. The results indicate that the highest seed yield (1522 kg ha-1) was obtained from T8 treatment followed by T7. The highest percent seed yield increment (51.6%) over control was achieved in T8 treatment. Most of the growth and yield contributing characters of mungbean were recorded highest in T8 treatment. The maximum nodulation (37.6) and highest amount of protein (24.3%) was also obtained from T8 treatment. The T8 treatment contributed positively to attain higher total uptake of N, P, K, S, Zn and B by mungbean. The combination of Zn, B and Mo is showed more productive compare to sole or couple use of these micronutrients. The T8 (Zn2B1.5Mo1 kg ha-1) treatment exhibited helpful effects on soil organic matter, total N, available P, Zn and B. This treatment also showed economically better on the basis of net return. Results of the present study suggest that the combination of Zn, B and Mo applied at 2, 1.5 and 1 kg ha-1, respectively could be recommended for mungbean cultivation.

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Characterisation of Chamaecytisus tagasaste, Moringa oleifera and Vachellia karroo Vermicomposts and Their Potential to Improve Soil Fertility

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12229305 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (22) ◽

pp. 9305

Author(s):

Mahlare Mapula Mokgophi ◽

Alen Manyevere ◽

Kingsley Kwabena Ayisi ◽

Lawrence Munjonji

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Eisenia Fetida ◽

Crop Production ◽

Moringa Oleifera ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Nutrient Supply ◽

The Impact ◽

Poor Soil

Poor soil fertility and land degradation limit crop production among smallholder farmers. The practice of agroforestry with leguminous trees has proven to be sustainable as it bolsters nutrient supply through nitrogen fixation and nutrient cycling. The beneficiation of agroforestry species could add even more value by using tree based waste materials as mulch or vermicomposting. A study was conducted to investigate the impact of vermicomposting on chemical and biological characteristics of three agroforestry species; Chamaecytisus tagasaste, Vachellia karroo and Moringa oleifera. Eisenia fetida earthworms were added to the leaves and small twigs of the three trees in worm composting bins. The worms were allowed to feed on the feedstocks for six weeks under laboratory conditions. The results showed that vermicomposting significantly enhanced macronutrient nutrient content in all the three feedstocks. The findings also showed that the quality of the vermicompost depends on the feedstock type. M. oleifera had the best quality vermicomposts with a significantly higher composition of macronutrients which ranged between 50 and 170% higher for Ca, K, Mg and P. Vermicomposting increased Mo while other micronutrients such as Zn, Mn, Fe and B significantly decreased with vermicomposting time. In addition, vermicomposting increased E. fetida reproduction with more than a 450% increase in earthworm numbers in all three feedstocks. In conclusion, vermicompost have potential to be used to improve soil fertility and thus reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers in crop production.

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Establishment theoretical of recommendation fertilization guide of vegetable crops in Algeria: concept and validation

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v5i1.5054 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 606-620

Author(s):

Mahtali Sbih ◽

Zoubeir BENSID ◽

Zohra BOUNOUARA ◽

Fouad DJAIZ ◽

Youcef FERRAG

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Critical Value ◽

Yield Response ◽

Published Data ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Fertilizer Recommendation ◽

Continuous Models ◽

Poor Soil

The goal of fertilization is to meet the nutritional needs of plants by completing the supply of soil nutrients in an economically profitable and environmentally friendly. Achieving on-farm optimum economic crop yields of marketable quality with minimum adverse environmental impact requires close attention to fertilization guide. The recommendations seek to do this by ensuring that the available supply of plant nutrients in soil is judiciously supplemented by additions of nutrients in fertilizers. The objective is that crops must have an adequate supply of nutrients, and many crops show large and very profitable increases in yield from the correct use of fertilizers to supply nutrients. The main objective of this work is to establishing a reference guide of fertilization of vegetable crops and cereal in Algeria. To meet this objective, we have processes in two steps: 1) Establishment of theoretical fertilizer recommendation from international guide of crop fertilization; 2) Validation of these developed theoretical fertilizer recommendation by trials in the fields. Sixteen fertilization guides of vegetable crops from the Canadian provinces (5 guides), USA (10 guides) and countries of northern Europe England (1 guide). Generally, the rating of these recommendation is ranging from poor soil to soil exceedingly rich; however, the numbers of fertility classes are very different. Indeed, Quebec Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin New England, Maryland and Kentucky and Florida guides are subdivided into 5 fertility classes, ranging from poor soil to soil exceedingly rich. The recommendation of New Brunswick and Manitoba contain six classes. The recommendation of Michigan, Nova Scotia and England contain 10 and 7 fertility classes respectively. The recommendation fertilizer of New York and New Jersey have 3classes. Unlike the systems of fertilization recommendation mentioned above, the recommendation fertilizer of Pennsylvania is based on continuous models of P, K and contains 34 classes for P and 22 classes K. Then we standardized the P soil analysis with conversion equations (Olsen method) and units of measurement (kg/ha, mg/kgâ€¦).Following this procedure we transformed discontinued systems of fertility classes in to continuous models to facilitate comparison between the different fertilization recommendation models in one hand, in other hand to obtain critical value (CV).Finally, we used statistics of the conditional expectation in order to generate the theoretical recommendation fertilization guide of fertilization with 7 fertility classes (VL, L, M, MH, OP, H and VH). The next step was calibrating soil tests against yield responses to applied nutrient in field experiments. A database (not published data) from agriculture and agri-food Canada, were used. Production of pumpkin responded positively and significantly to P or K soil fertility levels, increases being observed with P more often than with K. According to the Cate-Nelson methods, the critical value of Olsen-P in the top 20 cm of soil was about 25 mg/kg: at values of greater than or equal to 25 mg/kg, crops achieved about 80% of their maximal yield in the absence of fertilizer application. The CV of K in soil for this crop was about 140 mg/kg. The CV found was very close to this generated by the theoretical method for recommendation of fertilization guide. Finally, we used the procedure of Cope and Rouse in both sides of the CV in order to make subdivisions of different groups of soil fertility. One calibrates the soil-test value against yield response to tile nutrient to predict fertilizer requirement.

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Review on Sublethal Effects of Environmental Contaminants in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Knowledge Gaps and Future Perspectives

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041863 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1863 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Agata Di Noi ◽

Silvia Casini ◽

Tommaso Campani ◽

Giampiero Cai ◽

Ilaria Caliani

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Sublethal Effects ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Anthropogenic Contamination ◽

Knowledge Gaps ◽

Pollination Services ◽

General Decline ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic ◽

The Impact

Honey bees and the pollination services they provide are fundamental for agriculture and biodiversity. Agrochemical products and other classes of contaminants, such as trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, contribute to the general decline of bees’ populations. For this reason, effects, and particularly sublethal effects of contaminants need to be investigated. We conducted a review of the existing literature regarding the type of effects evaluated in Apis mellifera, collecting information about regions, methodological approaches, the type of contaminants, and honey bees’ life stages. Europe and North America are the regions in which A. mellifera biological responses were mostly studied and the most investigated compounds are insecticides. A. mellifera was studied more in the laboratory than in field conditions. Through the observation of the different responses examined, we found that there were several knowledge gaps that should be addressed, particularly within enzymatic and molecular responses, such as those regarding the immune system and genotoxicity. The importance of developing an integrated approach that combines responses at different levels, from molecular to organism and population, needs to be highlighted in order to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic contamination on this pollinator species.

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Impact of Chronic Exposure to Sublethal Doses of Glyphosate on Honey Bee Immunity, Gut Microbiota and Infection by Pathogens

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9040845 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 845

Author(s):

Loreley Castelli ◽

Sofía Balbuena ◽

Belén Branchiccela ◽

Pablo Zunino ◽

Joanito Liberti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Chronic Exposure ◽

Pollination Services ◽

Deformed Wing Virus ◽

Immune Genes ◽

Bee Health ◽

Honey Bee Health ◽

Sublethal Doses ◽

The Impact

Glyphosate is the most used pesticide around the world. Although different studies have evidenced its negative effect on honey bees, including detrimental impacts on behavior, cognitive, sensory and developmental abilities, its use continues to grow. Recent studies have shown that it also alters the composition of the honey bee gut microbiota. In this study we explored the impact of chronic exposure to sublethal doses of glyphosate on the honey bee gut microbiota and its effects on the immune response, infection by Nosema ceranae and Deformed wing virus (DWV) and honey bee survival. Glyphosate combined with N. ceranae infection altered the structure and composition of the honey bee gut microbiota, for example by decreasing the relative abundance of the core members Snodgrassella alvi and Lactobacillus apis. Glyphosate increased the expression of some immune genes, possibly representing a physiological response to mitigate its negative effects. However, this response was not sufficient to maintain honey bee health, as glyphosate promoted the replication of DWV and decreased the expression of vitellogenin, which were accompanied by a reduced life span. Infection by N. ceranae also alters honey bee immunity although no synergistic effect with glyphosate was observed. These results corroborate previous findings suggesting deleterious effects of widespread use of glyphosate on honey bee health, and they contribute to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying a global decline of pollination services.

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Effect of Organic Amendment Addition on Soil Properties, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Grape Yield in Semi-Arid Vineyard Agroecosystems

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11081477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1477

Author(s):

Antonio Marín-Martínez ◽

Alberto Sanz-Cobeña ◽

Mª Angeles Bustamante ◽

Enrique Agulló ◽

Concepción Paredes

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Co2 Emissions ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Organic N ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

The Impact ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Grape Yield

In semi-arid vineyard agroecosystems, highly vulnerable in the context of climate change, the soil organic matter (OM) content is crucial to the improvement of soil fertility and grape productivity. The impact of OM, from compost and animal manure, on soil properties (e.g., pH, oxidisable organic C, organic N, NH4+-N and NO3−-N), grape yield and direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in vineyards was assessed. For this purpose, two wine grape varieties were chosen and managed differently: with a rain-fed non-trellising vineyard of Monastrell, a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard of Monastrell and a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon. The studied fertiliser treatments were without organic amendments (C), sheep/goat manure (SGM) and distillery organic waste compost (DC). The SGM and DC treatments were applied at a rate of 4600 kg ha−1 (fresh weight, FW) and 5000 kg ha−1 FW, respectively. The use of organic amendments improved soil fertility and grape yield, especially in the drip-irrigated trellising vineyards. Increased CO2 emissions were coincident with higher grape yields and manure application (maximum CO2 emissions = 1518 mg C-CO2 m−2 d−1). In contrast, N2O emissions, mainly produced through nitrification, were decreased in the plots showing higher grape production (minimum N2O emissions = −0.090 mg N2O-N m−2 d−1). In all plots, the CH4 fluxes were negative during most of the experiment (−1.073−0.403 mg CH4-C m−2 d−1), indicating that these ecosystems can represent a significant sink for atmospheric CH4. According to our results, the optimal vineyard management, considering soil properties, yield and GHG mitigation together, was the use of compost in a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard with the grape variety Monastrell.

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Is Cut-Flower Industry Promotion by the Government Negatively Affecting Pollinator Biodiversity and Environmental/Human Health in Uganda?

ISRN Biodiversity ◽

10.1155/2014/368953 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-52

Author(s):

Bin Mushambanyi Théodore Munyuli

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Crop Production ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

Primary Data ◽

Small Scale ◽

Pollination Services ◽

Toxicological Studies ◽

The Government ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

The Impact

A study was conducted from 2010 to 2012 around the flower growing areas in central Uganda to generate baseline information on the status of pollinators. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire that aimed at determining farmers and flower farm officials’ perceptions on the impact of activities carried out inside greenhouses on pollinators, human health, and on crop production in the surroundings. Results indicated that the quantity of pesticides and fertilizers applied daily varied among the different flower farms visited. Bee species richness and abundance varied significantly (P<0.01) according to flower farm location, to the landscape vegetation type, and to field types found in the surrounding of flower farms. Bee richness found around flower farms varied in number from 20 to 40 species in total across seasons and years. Bee density increased significantly with the increase in flower density. Small-scale farmers were aware of the value and importance of pollination services in their farming business. There was no clear evidence of a direct effect of agrochemicals application on bee communities living in the surrounding habitats. There is a need for further research to be conducted on human health risks and for toxicological studies on soils, plants, flowers, and bees in the farm landscape.

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