scholarly journals Expanded Reproduction of Chernozem Fertility in Biological Agriculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1724-1729
Author(s):  
Vladimir Borisovich Azarov
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Biological Factor ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Typical Chernozem ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Corn Productivity

The current stage of development of zonal farming systems in the Central Black Earth region involves the creation of balanced, highly productive, and sustainable agricultural landscapes, maximally adapted to the natural conditions of the region and ensuring the preservation and improvement of soil fertility. The solution to the problem of reproduction of soil fertility in traditional agriculture is associated with the use of a large number of energy-intensive resources and, first of all, irreplaceable ones. However, the level and direction of soil/biological processes are not sufficiently taken into account, whereas they to a certain extent ensure the reproduction of soil fertility. In this regard, the problem of the formation of the scientific foundations of the reproduction of soil fertility through the integrated use of methods of biologization of agriculture in the Central Black Earth Region and the activation on this basis of the soil/biological factor in the long-used chernozems acquires special importance. The purpose of the study is to review the changes in soil fertility indicators in conditions of biological agriculture. The paper presents the results of a study to determine changes in soil fertility indicators in typical chernozem of the Belgorod region (Russia) in a field experiment with various technologies of crop cultivation. The study demonstrates the regularities of the transformation of the fertility of chernozem. In terms of its fertilizing efficiency, compost in the applied norm turned out to be equivalent to a half dose of mineral fertilizers since both variants under consideration provided equivalent increases in the corn yield. The full dose of mineral fertilizers on the background of organic matter turned out to be excessive since its introduction did not contribute to a reliable increase in corn productivity.

scholarly journals Optimizing Soil Fertility Management Strategies to Enhance Banana Production in Volcanic Soils of the Northern Highlands, Tanzania

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akida I. Meya ◽  
Patrick A. Ndakidemi ◽  
Kelvin M. Mtei ◽  
Rony Swennen ◽  
Roel Merckx
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
N Dose

Banana is an important crop in high altitude areas of Tanzania, grown widely both as a food staple and as the main source of income. However, its production is constrained by low soil fertility, a result of gradual nutrient mining by the crop. Currently, soil fertility management in banana-based farming systems in the country relies mainly on applications of animal manure. However, the amount of manure produced in most farms is not enough to replenish soil fertility due to the small number of animals kept by smallholder resource-poor farmers who are the major producers in the country. Field experiments were conducted at three sites with varying soil types and contrasting weather conditions along the altitudinal gradients on the slopes of the volcanic mountains of Kilimanjaro and Meru, northern Tanzania to (1) investigate the effect of mineral nitrogen (mineral N) fertilizer applications on the growth and yield of Mchare banana (Musa spp., AA, a traditional East African highland cooking banana sub-group), at the four levels of 0, 77, 153, and 230 kg N ha−1 year−1 as a starter strategy to improve the current soil fertility management strategies, and (2) evaluate the effect of the combined use of inorganic and organic N sources on growth and banana fruit production as an alternative strategy to manage soil fertility and minimize animal manure requirements. The treatment factors were trial sites (Tarakea, Lyamungo, and Tengeru) as the main factor and N fertilization strategies (as urea alone, sole cattle manure, and in combination with urea, sole common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) haulms as well as in combination with urea) as a sub factor. Bean haulms and cattle manure were applied each year for two years. Fertilization at 153 kg N ha−1 year−1 derived solely from urea significantly (p < 0.001) resulted in high yield increment of up to 42% relative to the control. However, the increase was highest (52%) with the same N dose derived from cattle manure in combination with urea at 50% substitution. Sole bean haulms resulted in a smaller yield increment, the same as the lowest N dose from the sole urea fertilization treatment. The study concludes that soil fertility management in smallholder banana-based farming systems should not solely rely on animal manure and mineral fertilizers.

scholarly journals The response of climbing bean to fertilizer and organic manure in the Northern Province of Rwanda

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 722-737
Author(s):  
Edouard Rurangwa ◽  
Bernard Vanlauwe ◽  
Ken E. Giller
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Large Variability

AbstractClimbing beans play a central role in food security of rural households in the densely populated highlands of East and Central Africa. Soil fertility degradation and the lack of nutrient inputs are major limitations to yield of beans and other crops. We conducted field trials in Northern Rwanda in Kinoni and Muko villages to evaluate the effect of mineral N, P, and K fertilizers (both alone and in combination) and farmyard manure on nitrogen fixation and grain yields of climbing bean in smallholder farmers’ fields. The trials were laid down in a randomized complete block design with seven replicate blocks in each village. Manure and fertilizer application led to greater yields in all fields, and the largest yields were achieved when manure was combined with NPK. Large variability in yield between fields was observed. Application of fertilizer together with manure increased the grain yield from 1.5 to 3.9 t ha−1 in Kinoni and from 2.6 to 5.4 t ha−1 in Muko. Fertilizer and/or manure increased stover yield from 0.8 to 2.3 t ha−1 in Kinoni and from 1.5 to 3.4 t ha−1 in Muko. Application of 30 kg P ha−1 and 5 t manure ha−1 led to increased N and P uptake (from 49 to 106 kg N ha−1 and from 6.1 to 12.4 kg P ha−1 in Kinoni and from 46 to 128 kg N ha−1 and from 5.3 to 17.9 kg P ha−1 in Muko). There was no clear relationship between soil fertility characteristics and the response of climbing bean to applied inputs at Muko site. However, at Kinoni site, limited response to manure and NPK application was observed in plots where soil available P and soil exchangeable K were relatively low. Our results show the benefits of using manure along with mineral fertilizers for increased climbing bean yields and nutrient uptake in smallholder farming systems.

scholarly journals Reducing the negative impact of soil erosion in the Belgorod region through adaptive landscape farming system

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-190
Author(s):  
Igor E. Soldat
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Adaptive Landscape ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Landscape System

In the Russian Federation, solving problems of land use, land relations, and land policy leave the basis for social, environmental, economic, and overall political stability of the state. The area of the Belgorod region is 2713.4 thousand hectares, including arable land - 1654.4 thousand hectares (61 %), pastures - 347.6 thousand hectares (12.8 %), hayfield - 68.1 thousand hectares (2.5 %), forests and other lands - 316.5 thousand hectares (22.7 %). The area of eroded soils is 53.6 % of the entire territory of the region. They include: slightly washed out soils - about 35 %, moderate washed out soils - about 13 %, strongly washed out soils - 5.6 %, and flushed - about 1 %. According to Belgorod agrarian scientific center of the RAS area of eroded lands in the Belgorod region has increased in the Western natural-agricultural zone - by 5.1 %, in the Central - by 8.4 % and in the South-East - by 9.1 % over the last 3040 years. Currently, the concept of adaptive landscape farming has been developed, which provides for comprehensive measures to prevent soil degradation and create environmentally sustainable agricultural landscapes. Adaptive landscape soil protection system of agriculture provides for expansion of perennial grasses up to 25 %, introduction of leguminous crops and annual grasses in crop rotations. With a reduction in the use of mineral and organic fertilizers in modern economic conditions, it is impossible to achieve a balance of humus acceptable for sustainable development of the studied agricultural landscape. System of agriculture adapted to local landscapes provides for introduction of the whole complex of soil conservation measures which can stop land degradation caused by soil erosion. Introduction of adaptive landscape system of agriculture in the pilot farm of the Belgorod agricultural research center allowed to minimize erosion processes, stabilize soil fertility, and significantly improve economic indicators and energy efficiency of agriculture in the economy. The area of arable land was slightly reduced, and the area of forest belts and soil protection crop rotations increased. The average yield of grain crops and sugar beets increased greatly, the use of organic and mineral fertilizers increased significantly, their payback improved, and the crop industry became profitable and cost-effective. Only through adaptive landscape agriculture it is possible to stop water erosion, create conditions for stabilizing and increasing soil fertility, ensure the biologization of agriculture and increase its economic efficiency. Ultimately, this will increase production of domestic agricultural products and increase Russias food security.

Options to improve family income, labor input and soil organic matter balances by soil management and maize–livestock interactions. Exploration of farm-specific options for a region in Southwest Mexico

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Flores-Sánchez ◽  
Jeroen C.J. Groot ◽  
Egbert A. Lantinga ◽  
Martin J. Kropff ◽  
Walter A.H. Rossing
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Crop Nutrition ◽  
Trade Offs

AbstractFarming systems in the Costa Chica region in Mexico face limitations linked to low yields and soil fertility degradation. Several alternative maize-based cropping systems have been proposed to improve current limitations. These field-level options need to be evaluated at farm level in order to assess their feasibility, taking into account input requirements, contributions to self-sufficiency in food and long-term soil fertility, and the availability of labor. In this study, we defined four scenarios to explore consequences of changes in current farming systems for eight typical farms in the region; the first two scenarios comprised redressing current imbalances in crop nutrition and organic matter (OM) supply, respectively, and the last two scenarios explored high fertilizer input and animal husbandry. Farms responded in different ways to the various options depending on available land, current soil quality, current cropping systems and presence of livestock. Improvements in crop nutrition based on mineral fertilizers increased family income but only had substantial effects on soil OM (SOM) balances when fertilizer rates were double the amount currently subsidized. Addition of organic fertilizers resulted in positive effects on SOM balance, but with often strong trade-offs with family income due to costs of acquisition, transport and application. Animals played an important role in increasing SOM balances, but had relatively little effect on improving family income. The results demonstrated that improvements in family income and SOM balance at farm scale were feasible but that without more fundamental system changes trade-offs between short-term yield increases and longer-term soil fertility increases should be expected. The results highlight the need for policies that take into account farm-specific differences in crop and livestock intensification opportunities.

Regime of soil humus rural residential areas organic farming systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (95) ◽  
pp. 78-81
Author(s):  
L.I. Shkarivska
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Humus Content ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Typical Chernozem ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
Organic Farming System

The changes of the soil’s humus soil within the rural areas are investigated for the organic farming system. The most significant impact of organic agriculture on humus content over 55% was observed on soddy podzolic soils (V>75%), the lowest –7,5% on typical chernozem (V≈16%). Changes in the qualitative composition of humus for the introduction of various types of organic substrates are analyzed.

scholarly journals Poultry Litter, Biochar, and Fertilizer Effect on Corn Yield, Nutrient Uptake, N2O and CO2 Emissions

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karamat R. Sistani ◽  
Jason R. Simmons ◽  
Marcia Jn-Baptiste ◽  
Jeff M. Novak
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
First Year ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Biomass Yields ◽  
Corn Productivity

Biochar holds promise as a soil amendment with potential to sequester carbon, improve soil fertility, adsorb organic pollutants, stimulate soil microbial activities, and improve crop yield. We used a hardwood biochar to assess its impact on corn (Zea mays) grain, biomass yields and greenhouse gas emission in central Kentucky, USA. Six treatments included as follows: control (C) with no amendment applied; poultry litter (PL); biochar (B); biochar + poultry litter (B + PL); fertilizers N-P-K (F); and biochar + fertilizers (B + F). Biochar was applied only once to plots in 2010 followed by rototilling all plots. Only PL and fertilizer were applied annually. When applied alone, biochar did not significantly increase dry matter, grain yield, and N-P-K uptake. There was also no significant difference between the combined treatments when compared with PL or F applications alone. We observed a slight increasing trend in corn grain yield in the following 2 years compared to the first year from biochar treatment. Poultry litter treatment produced significantly greater N2O and CO2 emissions, but emissions were lower from the B+PL treatment. We conclude that this biochar did not improve corn productivity in the short term but has potential to increase yield in the long term and may have some benefit when combined with PL or F in reducing N2O and CO2 emissions.

Soil fertility in organic farming systems - fundamentally different?

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Stockdale ◽  
M.A. Shepherd ◽  
S. Fortune ◽  
S.P. Cuttle
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Organic Farming Systems

SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT BASED ON INTENSIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL FACTORS IN THE FARMING SYSTEMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (90) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
V.N. Masalov ◽  
◽  
N.A. Berezina ◽  
V.T. Lobkov ◽  
Yu.А. Bobkova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management

Novel approaches to evaluate sustainability of pasture-based livestock systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-190
Author(s):  
A. Bernués
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Public Goods ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Systems

Pasture-based livestock systems, often located in High Value Nature farmland areas, hold the greatest potential to deliver public goods across European agricultural systems. They play an important role in preserving agricultural landscapes, farmland biodiversity, cultural heritage, and in sustaining rural development. However, many of these functions are ignored in evaluation frameworks because public goods do not have market price and are often ignored in policy design, so farmers do not get the appropriate incentives to provide them. Different conceptual frameworks can be utilized to evaluate the multiple functions or services of these systems: Multifunctional Agriculture, Ecosystem Services, and Total Economic Value. We analyze the common characteristics of these concepts (e.g. they place human benefits and societal demands at the core of their definitions), their specificities (e.g. use of different units of analysis and spatial-temporal scales), and how they can be embedded in the wider concept of sustainability. Finally, we illustrate how the different concepts can be combined to evaluate pasture-based livestock farming systems from a socio-cultural and economic perspective. The public goods (ecosystem services) provided by representative case studies in Mediterranean and Nordic regions are quantified (also in monetary terms) under different environmental/policy scenarios. The results show that there is a clear underestimation of the socio-cultural and economic values of ecosystem services provided by these farming systems. They also show that the social welfare loss linked to further abandonment of livestock farming, and the associated environmental degradation, is very large. From a societal perspective, it is necessary to jointly measure the biophysical, socio-cultural and monetary values of ecosystem services (market and nonmarket) in order to promote the sustainability of pasture-based livestock systems.

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