Supplement of biochar and vermicompost amendments in coir and peat growing media improves N management and yields of leafy vegetables

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Aimé J. Messiga ◽  
Xiuming Hao ◽  
Martine Dorais ◽  
Carine S. Bineng ◽  
Noura Ziadi
Keyword(s):  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Partial Substitution ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Yield Gap ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
N Management ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Plot Design

A greenhouse trial assessed the effects of biochar and vermicompost as partial substitutes of conventional growing media on leafy vegetables’ yields and changes of NH4+-N and NO3−-N in growing medium and leachates. Six growing media mixtures [(a) coir, (b) coir + biochar, (c) coir + vermicompost, (d) peat, (e) peat +vermicompost, (f) peat + biochar] combined with three nitrogen (N) rates [0% (0 g N·pot−1), 50% (0.5 g N·pot−1), and 100% (1.0 g N·pot−1) commercial recommendation] were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. On average, the yield gap between 100% N and 50% N was improved when biochar and vermicompost were used as substitutes of coir (32% and 28% vs. 49%) and peat (14% and 18% vs. 27%). The concentrations of NH4+-N in the leachates for peat + biochar varied between 17.20 and 1.00 mg·L−1. The concentrations of NO3−-N in the leachates varied between 130.0 and 1.0 mg·L−1 for coir + vermicompost, and 60 and 1.0 mg·L−1 for peat + vermicompost. The residual NO3−-N in peat + biochar growing media and the leachates did not match the changes observed for NH4+-N, and the much lower residual NH4+-N indicates possible NH4+-N retention by biochar and loss through volatilization in the early growth stages. Our results show that partial substitution of peat with biochar and coir with vermicompost maintained acceptable crop yield at 50% N due probably to N supply by vermicompost and decreased residual mineral N and loss by biochar in the leachates which could be beneficial for the environment.

scholarly journals Combining Selenium Biofortification with Vermicompost Growing Media in Lamb’s Lettuce (Valerianella locusta L. Laterr)

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1072
Author(s):  
Lucija Galić ◽  
Marija Špoljarević ◽  
Alicja Auriga ◽  
Boris Ravnjak ◽  
Tomislav Vinković ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Waste ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Sodium Selenate ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Plant Foods ◽  
Growing Medium

Leafy vegetables are a daily part of the human diet all over the world. At the same time, a worldwide problem of Se malnutrition is present in human populations, mostly due to low soil Se contents. As plants represent the main source of this element in the human diet, with Se being an essential trace element for humans and animals, plant foods containing Se can be used as an efficient means of increasing the Se in the human diet, as well as in animal feed (biofortification). At the same time, the production of growing media relies on limited peat reserves. The use of earthworms facilitates the production of composted organic masses mostly consisting of organic waste, called vermicompost. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of three different growing media (commercial peat media, vermicompost, and a 1:1 mixture) on Se biofortification’s efficacy and yield in lamb’s lettuce. The Se biofortification was performed with sodium selenate (Na2SeO4). It was shown that biofortification increased the Se contents such that a mass of only 48.9 g of fresh leaves contained enough Se for the recommended daily intake in human nutrition (55 µg Se/day), which represents a significant potential for solving Se malnutrition. Furthermore, the use of a 1:1 vermicompost–commercial substrate mixture showed a similar performance to the peat growing medium, contributing to the preservation of peat reserves.

scholarly journals Distribution of nitrogen in wheat plant in its late growth stages with regard to organic fertilisation and mineral nitrogen rate

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 553-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Čeh-Brežnik ◽  
A. Tajnšek
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Content ◽  
Organic Fertilisation ◽  
N Rates ◽  
The Impact

In Central Slovenia within a long term static experiment IOSDV we investigated the impact of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilisation (0, 65, 130, 195 kg/ha) on the N content and the N amount in winter wheat (larger roots, stems, spikes and leaves) in EC 81/82 and EC 90/91, employing three systems of management: farmyard manure ploughing in before forecrop maize, straw ploughing in and green manure, no organic fertilisation. At EC 81/82 the N content in larger roots was around twice as high as the N content in stems and around twice as low as the N content in spikes and leaves. There was 80% of the whole N amount in plant located in the spikes and leaves (33–168 kg/ha) in EC 81/82 and 90% in EC 90/91. Calculated N recovery from mineral fertiliser was 68–87%; it increased with the increasing N rates in the system with farmyard manure ploughing in and in the system with no organic fertilisation, but not in the system with straw ploughing in and green manure. Between EC 81/82 and EC 90/91 wheat gained from 4 to 34 kg N/ha, but there were more important translocations of N inside the plants, which were higher at higher mineral N rates. There was a significant impact of management system on the N uptake at the highest mineral N rate.

scholarly journals Growing Mediums for Medical Cannabis Production in North America

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1366
Author(s):  
Reza Nemati ◽  
Jean-Pierre Fortin ◽  
Joseph Craig ◽  
Shaye Donald
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
The Usa

The production and use of cannabis for medical purposes has been legalized in Canada and several states in the USA. Due to the historically illegal nature of cannabis, there is very little information available in academic publications about appropriate growing media for growing cannabis. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the most commonly used growing media for the production of medical cannabis and to discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Based on current knowledge, there is a general agreement on the properties of a suitable growing medium within the cannabis industry. However, there is little consensus among growers on the best growing medium to grow cannabis. Different categories of growing media are widely used in North America. In this review, we classified them into several main categories principally based on the type of material used in their composition and the growth stages of the plant. The main categories include: coir-based, peat-based, rockwool, phenolic foam, and living soil. It is not easy to suggest the best growing medium for cannabis production. Each category of growing medium has its strengths and weaknesses. Overall, it seems that coir-based products are the intermediate substrates showing more advantages and less weakness; however, choosing any of these categories depends a lot on the growing technique and production system. Future research should focus on determining the optimal level of growing media properties to produce high yielding medical cannabis with the desired quality.

scholarly journals Effect of nitrogen and magnesium sulfate application on sugar beet yield and quality  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radosław Pogłodziński ◽  
Przemysław Barłóg ◽  
Witold Grzbisz
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Storage Roots ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Sulfate Application ◽  
The Right ◽  
N Management ◽  
N Rates

Adequate nutrition of sugar beet with magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) has been assumed to be the key to increase fertiliser nitrogen (N) efficiency. This hypothesis was validated on two soils differing in textural class, i.e., sandy and loamy. The experiment consisted of three factors: (1) in-soil application of Kieserite (0, 24 kg Mg/ha); (2) foliar application of Epsom salt (0.2 kg Mg/ha); (3) N rates (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N/ha). The following parameters were evaluated: (i) yield of storage roots (TY); (ii) qualitative features of storage roots, and (iii) yield of white sugar (WSY). Both yield characteristics, regardless on soil, were affected to a greater extent by in-soil than foliar MgS application. The highest increments of TY and WSY were obtained in 2016, a year with fewer favourable weather conditions and in soil with a wider Ca : Mg ratio. The greatest effect of Kieserite on TY and WSY was observed under low rates of applied N (up to 80 kg/ha). It can be concluded that the right nutrition of sugar beet with MgS in the early stages of sugar beet growth is the prerequisite of an effective N management on soils rich in mineral N.  

Plant diversity and species richness of Ljubljana marsh grasslands under the influence of different cutting and fertilizing regimes

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sinkovč
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Significant Negative Effect ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Cutting Regimes ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Exploitation Intensity ◽  
Plot Design

The botanical composition of grasslands determines the agronomic and natural values of swards. Good grassland management usually improves herbage value, but on the other hand it frequently decreases the plant diversity and species richness in the swards. In 1999 a field trial in a split-plot design with four replicates was therefore established on the Arrhenatherion type of vegetation in Ljubljana marsh meadows in order to investigate this relationship. Cutting regimes (2 cuts — with normal and delayed first cut, 3 cuts and 4 cuts per year) were allocated to the main plots and fertiliser treatments (zero fertiliser — control, PK and NPK with 2 or 3 N rates) were allocated to the sub-plots. The results at the 1 st cutting in the 5 th trial year were as follows: Fertilising either with PK or NPK had no significant negative effect on plant diversity in any of the cutting regimes. In most treatments the plant number even increased slightly compared to the control. On average, 20 species were listed on both unfertilised and fertilised swards. At this low to moderate level of exploitation intensity, the increased number of cuts had no significant negative effect on plant diversity either (19 species at 2 cuts vs. 20 species at 3 or 4 cuts). PK fertilisation increased the proportion of legumes in the herbage in the case of 2 or 3 cuts. The proportion of grasses in the herbage increased in all the fertilisation treatments with an increased numbers of cuts. Fertiliser treatment considerably reduced the proportion of marsh horsetail ( Equisetum palustre ) in the herbage of the meadows. This effect was even more pronounced at higher cut numbers. The proportion of Equisetum palustre in the herbage was the highest in the unfertilised sward with 2 cuts (26.4 %) and the lowest in the NPK-fertilised sward with 4 cuts (1.4%).

Evaluation of the CERES-Rice Model for Precision Nitrogen Management for Rice in Northeast China

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-332
Author(s):  
J. Zhang ◽  
Y. Miao ◽  
W.D. Batchelor
Keyword(s):  
Northeast China ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Optimum N Rate ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
N Management ◽  
N Rates ◽  
N Use

Over-application of nitrogen (N) in rice (Oryza sativaL.) production in China is common, leading to low N use efficiency (NUE) and high environmental risks. The objective of this work was to evaluate the ability of the CERES-Rice crop growth model to simulate N response in the cool climate of Northeast China, with the long term goal of using the model to develop optimum N management recommendations. Nitrogen experiments were conducted from 2011–2015 in Jiansanjiang, Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China. The CERES-Rice model was calibrated for 2014 and 2015 and evaluated for 2011 and 2013 experiments. Overall, the model gave good estimations of yield across N rates for the calibration years (R2=0.89) and evaluation years (R2=0.73). The calibrated model was then run using weather data from 2001–2015 for 20 different N rates to determine the N rate that maximized the long term marginal net return (MNR) for different N prices. The model results indicated that the optimum mean N rate was 120–130 kg N ha–1, but that the simulated optimum N rate varied each year, ranging from 100 to 200 kg N ha–1. Results of this study indicated that the CERES-Rice model was able to simulate cool season rice growth and provide estimates of optimum regional N rates that were consistent with field observations for the area.

Potato response to crop sequence and nitrogen fertilization following sod breakup in a Gleyed Humo-Ferric Podzol

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Li ◽  
L. É. Parent ◽  
C. Tremblay ◽  
A. Karam
Keyword(s):  
Solanum Tuberosum ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Common Scab ◽  
Solanum Tuberosum L ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Tuber Quality ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Silty Loam ◽  
N Rates

Meadow soils could supply significant amounts of N for several years and reduce N requirements for the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). We examined a combination of three crop sequences, three cultivars and six N rates in relation to tuber yield and quality. Superior, Kennebec and Snowden were grown as follows on a Tilly silty loam between 1993 and 1995: (1) 3-yr continuous potato cropping of Superior, (2) 3-yr continuous potato cropping starting with Snowden and followed by 2 yr of Kennebec, and (3) 3-yr sequence of Kennebec, oat (Avena sativa L. 'Marion') and Superior. There were six N treatments (0, 70, 105, 140, 175 and 210 kg N ha−1) and a split application of 140 kg N ha−1 (half at seeding and half before hilling). The seasons were either favorable to growth (1993), relatively wet (1994) or relatively dry (1995). In 1993 and 1994, total yield varied between 37 and 50 t ha−1. In 1995, continuous cropping of Kennebec and Superior produced 28 t ha−1 compared with 37 t ha−1 under crop rotation. The rotation increased total yield of Superior by 34% and graded yield by 42% in 1995. The N requirement was closely related to yield, rather than cultivar. Compared with continuous cropping of Superior, tuber-quality index was highest with the rotation for rhizoctonia (Rhizoctonia solani) (67 vs. 57) and common scab (Streptomyces scabies) (90 vs. 82). The incidence of both diseases decreased when at least 70 kg N ha−1 was applied. For common scab, skin coverages was higher at rates of 0, 175 and 210 kg N ha−1 than at intermediate rates of 70–140 kg N ha−1. Mineral N accumulated in the 0–60-cm layer in the interrow and increased rapidly when N rates exceeded 105 kg N ha−1. After sod breakup an N rate in the range of 70–100 kg N ha−1 and crop rotation with cereals sustained the productivity of the potato during 3 yr while minimizing the environmental impact of mineral N. Key words: Crop rotation, common scab, rhizoctonia, reduced N rates, Solanum tuberosum L.

scholarly journals Rate of Nitrogen Rather Than Timing of Application Influence Yield and NUE of Canola in South Australian Mediterranean Environments

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1505
Author(s):  
Amritbir Riar ◽  
Gurjeet Gill ◽  
Glenn K. McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Irrigation Treatment ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
N Management ◽  
The Impact

Canola has a high nitrogen requirement and optimal nitrogen (N) management in environments with variable rainfall is a challenge. This study investigated the impact of timing of N as a single or split application at different growth stages on seed yield, N uptake and water-use efficiency in canola. Nitrogen rates of 100 and 200 kg ha−1 were applied after sowing when two leaves were unfolded or equally split between the rosette, green bud and first flower stages. The experiments were conducted at two sites with contrasting rainfall and a supplementary irrigation treatment at the low rainfall site, generating a third environment. Nitrogen application increased seed yield by up to 20% at a high rainfall site and by up to 77% at a medium rainfall site, but the timing of N did not significantly affect the yield response to N. Seed yield was closely associated with total dry matter production and seed m−2. N-use efficiency was influenced more by N recovery and uptake efficiency, rather than physiological efficiency, which highlights the importance of soil moisture availability and the ability of the crop to exploit soil water and N reserves. The results suggest that better use of subsoil moisture by overcoming some of the subsoil constraints may be an avenue for further improvements in yield and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) of canola in this environment.

scholarly journals Printed Paper Waste as an Alternative Growing Medium Component to Produce Brassica Seedlings under Nursery Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 5992
Author(s):  
Antonios Chrysargyris ◽  
Panayiota Xylia ◽  
Gorkem Akinci ◽  
Konstantinos Moustakas ◽  
Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Paper Waste ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
The Media ◽  
Low Levels

Significant quantities of paper waste (PW) have been accumulated in recent years and the reuse/recycling of PW is required due to environmental concerns. In the present study, printed PW was used as a peat (P) substitute in growing medium for the Brassica seedlings production, considering recycling, sustainable agriculture, and partly peat replacement. Seeds of cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage were seeded in growing media made of 0–10–30–50% PW. The addition of PW improved the growing media pH and mineral content, reduced the media aeration, and affected seed emergence. The PW decreased plant growth and the effects were more pronounced at 50% PW. The PW ≥ 30% decreased stomatal conductance, while chlorophyll fluorescence and content of chlorophylls decreased with high PW ratio, negatively affecting the plant physiology. The PW decreased plant sodium and iron and increased potassium, calcium, magnesium, and copper content. The PW increased antioxidant activity to a certain degree for cauliflower and cabbage and resulted in no change for broccoli, while polyphenols increased in cabbage seedlings. The addition of PW did not cause cellular damage as both lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide production remained at low levels, maintaining low levels on the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) metabolism. The present study shows that low PW content can partially replace peat for Brassica seedling production under a sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly scheme.

scholarly journals Improving High-Latitude Rice Nitrogen Management with the CERES-Rice Crop Model

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Yuxin Miao ◽  
William Batchelor ◽  
Junjun Lu ◽  
Hongye Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Latitude ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Rice Varieties ◽  
Partial Factor Productivity ◽  
N Management ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Partial Factor

Efficient use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is critically important for China’s food security and sustainable development. Crop models have been widely used to analyze yield variability, assist in N prescriptions, and determine optimum N rates. The objectives of this study were to use the CERES-Rice model to simulate the N response of different high-latitude, adapted flooded rice varieties to different types of weather seasons, and to explore different optimum rice N management strategies with the combinations of rice varieties and types of weather seasons. Field experiments conducted for five N rates and three varieties in Northeast China during 2011–2016 were used to calibrate and evaluate the CERES-Rice model. Historical weather data (1960–2014) were classified into three weather types (cool/normal/warm) based on cumulative growing degree days during the normal growing season for rice. After calibrating the CERES-Rice model for three varieties and five N rates, the model gave good simulations for evaluation seasons for top weight (R2 ≥ 0.96), leaf area index (R2 ≥ 0.64), yield (R2 ≥ 0.71), and plant N uptake (R2 ≥ 0.83). The simulated optimum N rates for the combinations of varieties and weather types ranged from 91 to 119 kg N ha−1 over 55 seasons of weather data and were in agreement with the reported values of the region. Five different N management strategies were evaluated based on farmer practice, regional optimum N rates, and optimum N rates simulated for different combinations of varieties and weather season types over 20 seasons of weather data. The simulated optimum N rate, marginal net return, and N partial factor productivity were sensitive to both variety and type of weather year. Based on the simulations, climate warming would favor the selection of the 12-leaf variety, Longjing 21, which would produce higher yield and marginal returns than the 11-leaf varieties under all the management strategies evaluated. The 12-leaf variety with a longer growing season and higher yield potential would require higher N rates than the 11-leaf varieties. In summary, under warm weather conditions, all the rice varieties would produce higher yield, and thus require higher rates of N fertilizers. Based on simulation results using the past 20 years of weather data, variety-specific N management was a practical strategy to improve N management and N partial factor productivity compared with farmer practice and regional optimum N management in the study region. The CERES-Rice crop growth model can be a useful tool to help farmers select suitable precision N management strategies to improve N-use efficiency and economic returns.

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