scholarly journals Changing Fertilizer Management Practices in Sugarcane Production: Cane Grower Survey Insights

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Syezlin Hasan ◽  
James C. R. Smart ◽  
Rachel Hay ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele

Improved fertilizer management practice in sugarcane production is a key component in plans to improve Great Barrier Reef (GBR) water quality. Research focused on understanding the wider systemic factors that drive behavioral change in agriculture is currently limited, with the dominant focus on individual farmer and psycho-social factors. Adopting a wider systems perspective, this study examines farming behavior change and the role of supporting services among 238 sugarcane growers (74,597 hectares) in Queensland’s Wet Tropics region who completed surveys reporting on changes in the method they used to calculate fertilizer application rates, along with information on their farm business, socio-demographics, and self-reported importance ratings on a variety of topics. Informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, survey data are analyzed using regression models to identify factors influencing the change from traditional to improved practice, and early adoption of improved practice. Results indicate growers were less likely to change fertilizer practice if they regarded maintaining good relationships with other local growers as being extremely important, had off-farm income, or had not attended a government-funded fertilizer management workshop in the five years preceding the survey. Similar drivers acted to promote or delay early adoption of improved practice. Results demonstrate the influence of government-funded services to support practice change.

Author(s):  
Syezlin Hasan ◽  
James C. R. Smart ◽  
Rachel Hay ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele

Research focused on understanding wider systemic factors driving behavioral change is limited with a dominant focus on the role of individual farmer and psychosocial factors for farming practice change, including reducing fertilizer application in agriculture. Adopting a wider systems perspective, the current study examines change and the role that supporting services have on fertilizer application rate change. A total of 238 sugarcane growers completed surveys reporting on changes in fertilizer application along with factors that may explain behavior change. Logistic regressions and negative binomial count-data regressions were used to examine whether farmers had changed fertilizer application rates and if they had, how long ago they made the change, and to explore the impact of individual and system factors in influencing change. Approximately one in three sugarcane growers surveyed (37%) had changed the method they used to calculate fertilizer application rates for the cane land they owned/managed at some point. Logistic regression results indicated growers were less likely to change the basis for their fertilizer calculation if they regarded maintaining good relationships with other local growers as being extremely important, they had another source of off-farm income, and if they had not attended a government-funded fertilizer management workshop in the five years preceding the survey. Similar drivers promoted early adoption of fertilizer practice change; namely, regarding family traditions and heritage as being unimportant, having sole decision-making authority on farming activities and having attended up to 5 workshops in the five years prior to completing the survey. Results demonstrated the influence of government-funded services to support practice change.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob T. Bushong ◽  
D. Brian Arnall ◽  
William R. Raun

Preplant irrigation can impact fertilizer management in winter wheat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the main and interactive effects of preplant irrigation, N fertilizer application timing, and different N, P, and K fertilizer treatments on grain yield and WUE. Several significant two-way interactions and main effects of all three factors evaluated were observed over four growing seasons for grain yield and WUE. These effects could be described by differences in rainfall and soil moisture content among years. Overall, grain yield and WUE were optimized, if irrigation or adequate soil moisture were available prior to planting. For rain-fed treatments, the timing of N fertilizer application was not as important and could be applied before planting or topdressed without much difference in yield. The application of P fertilizer proved to be beneficial on average years but was not needed in years where above average soil moisture was present. There was no added benefit to applying K fertilizer. In conclusion, N and P fertilizer management practices may need to be altered yearly based on changes in soil moisture from irrigation and/or rainfall.


Author(s):  
V. K. Singh ◽  
B. S. Dwivedi ◽  
S. S. Rathore ◽  
R. P. Mishra ◽  
T. Satyanarayana ◽  
...  

AbstractPotassium (K) demand by crops is almost as high as that of nitrogen (N) and plays a crucial role in many plant metabolic processes. Insufficient K application results in soil K mining, deficiency symptoms in crops, and decreased crop yields and quality. Crop K demands vary with crop types, growth patterns, nutrient needs at different physiological stages, and productivity. Science-based K application in crops needs to follow 4R Nutrient Stewardship to ensure high yield, improved farm income, and optimum nutrient use efficiency. Studies around the world report widespread K deficiency, ranging from tropical to temperate environments. Long-term experiments indicate significant yield responses to K application and negative K balances where K application is either omitted or applied suboptimally. Limited understanding of K supplementation dynamics from soil non-exchangeable K pools to the exchangeable and solution phases and over-reliance on native K supply to meet crop demand are major reasons for deficit of K supply to crops. Research on optimum timing of K fertilizer application in diverse climate–soil–crop systems is scarce. The common one-time basal K management practice is often not suitable to supply adequate K to the crops during peak demand phases. Besides, changes in crop establishment practices, residue retention, or fertigation require new research in terms of rate, time, or source of K application. The current review assesses the synchrony of K supply from indigenous soil system and from external sources vis-à-vis plant demand under different crops and cropping systems for achieving high yield and nutrient use efficiency.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-246
Author(s):  
ATM Sakhawat Hossain ◽  
F Rahman ◽  
GM Panaullah ◽  
MA Saleque

An experiment was conducted at the farmers’ fields in the Himalayan Piedmont soil to evaluate the soil test based (STB) fertilizer dose on wheat crop practicing in the rice – wheat cropping sequence during the Rabi season 2002-2003. Three fertilizer treatments: (i) no fertilizer (control), (ii) local farmers’ fertilizer management practice (FP) and (iii) soil test based fertilizer dose (STB) were tested in 10 farmers’ fields. The soils of the test fields were acidic and light textured. Results showed that the control plot produced a mean yield of 1.54 t/ha, which increased to 3.96 t/ha with FP and 4.98 t/ha with STB fertilizer dose. The STB fertilizer dose also increased the nitrogen, P, K and S uptake by wheat. Wheat yield showed a strong linear relationship with N, P, K, and S uptake. Partial factor productivity (PFP) of fertilizer (sum of N, P, K and S) was 25.2 kg/kg in FP and that in STB was 24.6 kg/kg. Slightly lower PFP in STB than that of FP may be attributed to the higher dose of N and K in the former. However, the significant yield increase in STB compared with FP encouraged farmers to practice STB fertilizer application for wheat cultivation. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(2): 241-246, June 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i2.15887


Author(s):  
R. Manimekalai ◽  
V. A. Vijayashanthi ◽  
P. Yogameenakshi ◽  
P. Santhi ◽  
G. Sathish

Soil Health plays a vital role to ensure agricultural production in a sustainable manner. The basic objective of the soil testing is to provide recommendations to the farmers for the optimum and economic use of fertilizers and better soil management practices to increase agricultural production in their farm. The present study was conducted to analyze the adoption of soil testing and Soil Health Cards for fertilizer management conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tirur, Tiruvallur district. The data revealed that the number of conduct of awareness and training programmes on soil health management and soil samples analysed (30 nos. to 240 nos.) at KVK Tirur increased from 2012 to 2018. Results indicated that highest percentage of beneficiaries belonged to the middle age group of 36-55 years (48.75%) followed old age (37%).  Most of the farmers were practicing agriculture in Semi Medium (28%) followed by medium land holdings (24%) among the SHC beneficiaries and small (35%) and Marginal land holdings (30%) among non-SHC beneficiaries. It was observed that medium level of knowledge was obtained (48%) by SHC beneficiaries followed by high level (20%) whereas 60% of non-beneficiary was having low level of knowledge on SHC. On an average majority of the SHC beneficiary were lying in the medium adoption level (43%) followed by high adoption category (21%). Reason behind the partial adoption and no adoption might be due to their unawareness on the benefits of optimum fertilizer application. Comparative analysis between adopted beneficiaries and SHC non-beneficiaries on crop productivity in paddy, Greengram Blackgram and groundnut indicated 11.66%, 16.12%, 8.67 and 15.10% increase in productivity over non-beneficiaries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiri C. Broad ◽  
Roger J. Sneath ◽  
Timothy M. J. Emery

Beef businesses in northern Australia are facing increased pressure to be productive and profitable with challenges such as climate variability and poor financial performance over the past decade. Declining terms of trade, limited recent gains in on-farm productivity, low profit margins under current management systems and current climatic conditions will leave little capacity for businesses to absorb climate change-induced losses. In order to generate a whole-of-business focus towards management change, the Climate Clever Beef project in the Maranoa-Balonne region of Queensland trialled the use of business analysis with beef producers to improve financial literacy, provide a greater understanding of current business performance and initiate changes to current management practices. Demonstration properties were engaged and a systematic approach was used to assess current business performance, evaluate impacts of management changes on the business and to trial practices and promote successful outcomes to the wider industry. Focus was concentrated on improving financial literacy skills, understanding the business’ key performance indicators and modifying practices to improve both business productivity and profitability. To best achieve the desired outcomes, several extension models were employed: the ‘group facilitation/empowerment model’, the ‘individual consultant/mentor model’ and the ‘technology development model’. Providing producers with a whole-of-business approach and using business analysis in conjunction with on-farm trials and various extension methods proved to be a successful way to encourage producers in the region to adopt new practices into their business, in the areas of greatest impact. The areas targeted for development within businesses generally led to improvements in animal performance and grazing land management further improving the prospects for climate resilience.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 64-74
Author(s):  
M Maniruzzaman ◽  
JC Biswas

Two on-farm experiments were conducted during dry seasons, 2001-04 at Kurigram and Pirgonj in Thakurgaon districts to select the best water management practices and to find out the suitable and economically viable combination of irrigation scheduling and fertilizer dose for maximizing irrigated rice yield. In alternate irrigation at saturation (AIS) treatment, about 28% water was saved compared to continuous flooding (CF), but it was needed to apply water frequently. However, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) method saved 31% and 39% water in Kurigram and Pirgonj, respectively compared to CF. In both the sites, there was no significant yield difference among the water treatments, though the applied water varied from 836-1046 mm in Kurigram and 802-1092 mm in Pirgonj. The water productivity in Kurigram ranged from 0.62 to 0.89 kg m-3, whereas in Pirgonj it varied from 0.54 to 0.75 kg m-3. Besides, AWD had the highest water productivity irrespective of locations and farmer can follow AWD practices for achieving competitive rice yield with reduced irrigation cost. The soil test based (STB) fertilizer management gave the highest grain yield followed by BRRI recommend dose irrespective of water managements. About 33-35% less amount of water was required in AWD compared to farmer’s practice (FP) in both the sites having 0.5-1.0 t ha-1 yield advantage. In both the locations, the water productivity was the highest with STB fertilizer in combination with AWD water management which required additional fertilizer cost of Tk. 2800 ha-1, but resulted in added benefit of Tk. 8400 ha-1 compared to FP. In STB fertilizer treatment, nutrient uptake was more compared to BRRI recommendation and FP. It was concluded from the study that AWD water management practice was the best option for water saving and improving water productivity. The combination of AWD with STB fertilizer management is suitable for maximum return from rice cultivation in light textured soils.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20902Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 64-74


2013 ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Latukha ◽  
T. Tsukanova

The study investigates talent management practices in Russian and foreign companies. The inquiry of Russian and foreign companies (working in Russia) showed that perceived and dedicated talent management practices contribute to better companies performance. The study results can be used in talent management practice development.


1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. DORMAAR ◽  
C. W. LINDWALL ◽  
G. C. KOZUB

A field was artificially eroded by levelling in 1957 and then continuously cropped to barley for 7 yr. Subsequently, a wheat-fallow experiment was conducted from 1965 to 1979 to determine the effects of four fertilizer treatments and green manure (yellow sweet clover) on restoring the productivity to soil that had been "eroded" to various depths. After 22 yr and 14 crops, the productivity of the land from which soil was removed has been improved but not fully restored. Although green manuring with yellow sweet clover improved soil structure, wheat yields were not improved because of competition for soil moisture and poorer in-crop weed control in this part of the rotation. The addition of 45 kg N plus 90 kg P2O5 per hectare in each crop year to sites from which 8–10, 10–20, or 46 + cm of soil had been removed resulted in yield increases of 18, 46, and 70%, respectively, over the unfertilized check of each treatment; the average yields were 104, 91, and 70%, respectively, of the undisturbed, unfertilized (check) treatment. On "erosion" treatments where only 8–10 cm of soil were removed, 45 kg N plus 22 kg P2O5 per hectare were sufficient to restore the productivity. Precipitation apparently had a greater effect than fertilizer application on wheat yields. The loss of organic matter and associated soil structure characteristics seemed to be critical factors contributing to yield losses associated with soil erosion. These results show that it is more practical to use management practices that prevent soil erosion than to adopt the practices required to restore eroded soil. Key words: Soil erosion, topsoil loss, water-stable aggregates, soil organic matter, green manure, precipitation


Author(s):  
Jay Andrew Cohen

Purpose – This paper aims to look at the peripheral management practice that facilitates employee learning. Such management practices are embedded or inseparable to working and being a good manager. Design/methodology/approach – Point of view. Findings – For many frontline managers and their employees, the separation between working and learning is often not apparent. There appears to be no clear distinction between when they are working and when they are learning. Practical implications – Better development of organizational managers. Originality/value – This paper highlights the informal nature of learning and working and builds on the understanding that much of the learning that occurs at work occurs as part of a social act, often involving managers and their employees. In this way, employee learning that is identified and facilitated by frontline managers is so often entwined in other management activity. Furthermore, this paper outlines some practical actions that organizations can undertake to aid greater frontline management involvement in employee learning.


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