Assessment of Reactive Nitrogen Flows in Bangladesh’s Agriculture Sector

To assess the status of and trends in agricultural nitrogen (N) flows and their wider consequences for Bangladesh, in this study, we analyzed data from national and international bodies. The increased rates of N fertilizer applied for increased food production leaves behind a huge amount of unutilized reactive N (Nr). N fertilizer use is the largest in the crop sector, an important sector, where current annual consumption is 1190 Gg. The present combined annual Nr production from crop, fishery, and livestock sectors is ~600 Gg, while emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, are ~200 Gg. Poor N management results in Nr leaking into the environment, which has increased approximately 16-fold since 1961. One potential consequence is the disruption of ecosystem functioning. The balanced tradeoff between food production and reducing Nr input needs to be achieved. One solution to reducing Nr may be a holistic approach that optimizes N application rates and incorporates waste of one subsector as an input to another applying the principle of the circular economy.

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Optimizing nitrogen fertilizer use for more grain and less pollution

10.21203/rs.3.rs-361734/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Keyu Ren ◽

Minggang Xu ◽

Rong Li ◽

Lei Zheng ◽

Shaogui Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Application Rate ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

N Application ◽

Fertilizer Use ◽

Application Rates ◽

Operational Practices ◽

N Management ◽

N Fertilizer Use

Abstract Optimal nitrogen (N) management is critical for efficient crop production and agricultural pollution control. However, it is difficult to implement advanced management practices on smallholder farms due to a lack of knowledge and technology. Here, using 35,502 on-farm fertilization experiments, we demonstrated that smallholders in China could produce more grain with less N fertilizer use through optimizing N application rate. The yields of wheat, maize and rice were shown to increase between 10% and 19% while N application rates were reduced by 15–19%. These changes resulted in an increase in N use efficiency (NUE) by 32–46% and a reduction in N surplus by 40% without actually changing farmers’ operational practices. By reducing N application rates in line with official recommendations would not only save fertilizer cost while increasing crop yield, but at the same time reduce environmental N pollution in China. However, making progress towards further optimizing N fertilizer use to produce more grain with less pollution would require managements to improve farmers’ practices which was estimated to cost about 11.8 billion US dollars to implement.

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Nitrogen management strategies on plant growth and severities of Sclerotinia stem rot of canola in eastern Canada

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2021-0160 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fen Gao ◽

Yuanhong Chen ◽

SeaRa Lim ◽

Allen Xue ◽

Bao-Luo Ma

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Stem Rot ◽

Sclerotinia Stem Rot ◽

Split Application ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

N Application ◽

Application Rates ◽

N Management

Effective nitrogen (N) management strategies are important for ensuring a balance between optimizing plant growth and minimizing disease damage. A field experiment was conducted for three years to (i) assess the effects of N fertilizer application on the growth and seed yield of canola, and severities of Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), and (ii) determine a reasonable N-rate for optimizing plant growth and minimizing the loss from SSR in eastern Canada. The experiment was designed with factorial combinations of eight N treatments and two canola hybrids. All N-treatments reduced canola emergence with increasing preplant N application rates above 100 kg ha–1, but had a positive impact on plant height, fresh weight, dry weight and seed yield. The development of SSR showed differential responses to N application rates. Of all the treatments, the split application (50 kg N ha–1 at preplant plus 100 kg N ha–1 side-dressed at the 6-leaf stage) increased canola growth, and often produced the highest or similar seed yields to those of equivalent N rate applied as preplant. At the 150 kg ha–1 N rate, no severe development of SSR was observed in either preplant-only or split application. Overall, this study demonstrates that the split-N management strategy (50+100 kg ha–1) maintained a balance between enhancing plant growth and mitigating the negative impacts of SSR on canola.

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Cadmium accumulation in wheat grain as affected by mineral N fertilizer and soil characteristics

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss10061 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 91 (4) ◽

pp. 521-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Xianglan Li ◽

Noura Ziadi ◽

Gilles Bélanger ◽

Zucong Cai ◽

Hua Xu

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Nutrition ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Cadmium Accumulation ◽

Soil Characteristics ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Wheat Grain ◽

Mineral N ◽

N Application ◽

Application Rates

Li, X., Ziadi, N., Bélanger, G., Cai, Z. and Xu, H. 2011. Cadmium accumulation in wheat grain as affected by mineral N fertilizer and soil characteristics. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 521–531. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal distributed in soil by natural processes and anthropogenic activities. It can accumulate in crops, such as spring milling wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and its accumulation depends on crop species, soil factors, and agricultural practices like fertilizer inputs. Our objective was to study the effect of mineral N fertilizer and soil characteristics on wheat grain Cd concentration. A field study was conducted over 12 site-years (2004–2006) in Québec, with four N application rates (0, 40, 120, and 200 kg N ha−1). Wheat grain samples (n=192) were analysed for their Cd and N concentrations. Soil samples (n=48) taken before N fertilizer application were characterised for their chemical and physical properties, including Mehlich-3 extractable Cd concentration. Wheat grain Cd concentration increased significantly with increasing N application rates at 11 of the 12 site-years. Averaged across the 12 site-years, Cd concentration ranged from 53 µg kg−1dry matter (DM) without N applied up to 87 µg kg−1DM when 200 kg N ha−1was applied. Wheat grain Cd concentration also varied significantly with site-years (34–99 µg kg−1DM), but never exceeded the proposed tolerance for wheat grain of 235 µg kg−1DM. Wheat grain Cd concentration was significantly related to Mehlich-3 extractable Cd in soil (R2=0.44, P=0.021) and nitrogen nutrition index (R2=0.69, P=0.001). We conclude that soil Cd concentration and the crop N nutrition status affect Cd accumulation in spring wheat grain produced in eastern Canada.

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Carrot Yield, Quality, and Storability in Relation to Preplant and Residual Nitrogen on Mineral and Organic Soils

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.16.2.0286 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 286-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sean M. Westerveld ◽

Mary Ruth McDonald ◽

Alan W. McKeown

Keyword(s):

Mineral Soil ◽

Organic Soil ◽

Application Rate ◽

Yield Response ◽

Organic Soils ◽

Residual Soil ◽

N Application ◽

Application Rates ◽

Yield Quality ◽

N Management

The Nutrient Management Act (NMA) established in the province of Ontario in 2002 has prompted a re-evaluation of nitrogen (N) management practices. However, N management research in Ontario is currently outdated. The experiment in this 3-year study was designed to establish the yield response of carrot (Daucus carota) to N fertilization on mineral and organic soils and identify the relative yield effects of preplant and residual soil N. In 2002, N was applied at 0%, 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% of recommended N application rates in Ontario as ammonium nitrate (organic soil: 60 kg·ha-1 preplant; mineral soil: 110 kg·ha-1 split 66% preplant/33% sidedress). Experimental units were split in half in 2003 and 2004, and N was applied to one half in 2003 and both halves in 2004 to identify the effects of residual N from the previous season on yield. Crop stand, yield, and quality were assessed at harvest, and storability was assessed by placing carrots into cold storage for 6 months. Nitrogen application rate had no effect on the yield, quality, or storability of carrots grown on organic soil. On mineral soil there were no effects of applied N in the first year of the 3-year study. In the second and third year on mineral soil, yield increased in response to increasing N, up to 200% and 91% of the recommended application rate, respectively, based on the regression equations. Yield declined above 91% of the recommended application rate in the third year due to a decrease in stand at higher N application rates. There were no effects of N on carrot quality or storability on mineral soil. On mineral soil, residual N from the 2002 season had more effect on yield at harvest in 2003 than N applied in 2003. This major effect of residual soil N on yield provides an explanation for the lack of yield response to preplant N application in previous studies conducted in temperate regions. These results indicate that there is no single N recommendation that is appropriate for all years on mineral soil. Assessing the availability of N from the soil at different depths at seeding is recommended to determine the need for N application.

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Optimal N Application Rates on Switchgrass for Producers and a Biorefinery

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14237912 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (23) ◽

pp. 7912

Author(s):

Keven Alan Robertson ◽

Burton C. English ◽

Christopher D. Clark ◽

Jada M. Thompson ◽

Kimberly L. Jensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Ash Content ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Aviation Fuel ◽

N Application ◽

Profitability Analysis ◽

Biofuel Industry ◽

Application Rates ◽

Panicum Virgatum L

This study analyzes the effects of N fertilizer application rates on profitability of growing switchgrass and using the feedstock in a pyrolysis biorefinery facility to create a source of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply in Tennessee. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial bunchgrass native to North America with traits suitable for biofuel and co-product production. Previous chemical analysis has shown that ash content in switchgrass is related to the amount of nitrogen applied to the field, while at the biorefinery level, the percentage ash content reduces the biorefinery fuel output. To obtain optimal nitrogen (N) application rates for the switchgrass producers and the biorefinery, a two-part analysis is employed. First, a partial budgeting profitability analysis is conducted for this cropping enterprise at the farm-gate level without considering downstream implications of biomass quality, i.e., ash content. Second, the effects of higher ash content as a percentage of the feedstock on biorefinery output are analyzed. Results show farm-gate profit is maximized when N fertilizer is applied at 111 kg/ha, while as a result of increased production levels and decreased percentage ash content, biorefinery profit is maximized when N is applied at 157 kg/ha. Lower ash could lead to premium prices paid to switchgrass producers if higher quality feedstock were to be demanded as part of an integrated biofuel industry.

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Innovations in Food Production - Status and Directions of Development

Olsztyn Economic Journal ◽

10.31648/oej.3419 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 183-193

Author(s):

Barbara Grzybowska

Keyword(s):

Functional Food ◽

Food Production ◽

Food Industry ◽

Statistical Data ◽

New Products ◽

Technological Innovations ◽

The Status ◽

Product Manufacturing ◽

The Subject ◽

And Storage

This paper characterises the directions of innovative activities undertaken by food industry enterprises concerning the manufacturing of food products. Based on the subject literature and secondary statistical data, the status of food industry innovativeness and areas of innovative activities related to implementation of technological and non-technological innovations are presented. The activities of enterprises focus on manufacturing new products in response to the ever-changing needs and expectations of consumers. In particular, the production of so-called functional food (which seeks to promote health, minimise the risk of specific diseases, improve psychophysical fitness, lose weight, etc.) is increasingly extensive. Manufacturers must also improve the technologies and techniques of product manufacturing, packaging and storage.

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Achieving Sustainability in Food Systems: Addressing Changing Climate through Real Time Nitrogen and Weed Management in a Conservation Agriculture-Based Maize–Wheat System

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13095010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 5010

Author(s):

Kapila Shekhawat ◽

Vinod K. Singh ◽

Sanjay Singh Rathore ◽

Rishi Raj ◽

T. K. Das

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Weed Management ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Indian Agricultural Research Institute ◽

Interactive Effect ◽

Maximum Yield ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Wheat Crop ◽

N Application ◽

N Management

The proven significance of conservation agriculture (CA) in enhancing agronomic productivity and resource use efficiency across diverse agro-ecologies is often challenged by weed interference and nitrogen (N) immobilization. The collective effect of real-time N and weed management has been scarcely studied. To evaluate the appropriateness of sensor-based N management in conjunction with a broad-spectrum weed control strategy for the maize–wheat system, an experiment was conducted at ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute—in New Delhi, India, during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. Weed management in maize through Sesbania brown manure followed by post-emergence application of 2,4-D (BM + 2,4-D) in maize and tank-mix clodinafop-propargyl (60 g ha−1) and carfentrazone (20 g ha−1) (Clodi+carfentra) in wheat resulted in minimum weed infestation in both crops. It also resulted in highest maize (5.92 and 6.08 t ha−1) and wheat grain yields (4.91 and 5.4 t ha−1) during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, respectively. Half of the N requirement, when applied as basal and the rest as guided by Optical crop sensor, resulted in saving 56 and 59 kg N ha−1 in the maize–wheat system, respectively, over 100% N application as farmers’ fertilizer practice during the two consecutive years. Interactive effect of N and weed management on economic yield of maize and wheat was also significant and maximum yield was obtained with 50% N application as basal + rest as per Optical crop sensor and weed management through BM+2,4-D in maize and Clodi+carfentra in wheat crop. The study concludes that real-time N management, complemented with appropriate weed management, improved growth, enhanced agronomic productivity and endorsed N saving under a CA-based maize–wheat system in Trans Indo-Gangetic Plains.

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Nitrogen Leaching and Nitrogen Balance under Differing Nitrogen Fertilization for Sugarcane Cultivation on a Subtropical Island

Water ◽

10.3390/w13050740 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 740

Author(s):

Ken Okamoto ◽

Shinkichi Goto ◽

Toshihiko Anzai ◽

Shotaro Ando

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Application Rate ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

N Leaching ◽

N Recovery ◽

N Application ◽

Fertilizer Application Rate ◽

Sugarcane Yield ◽

Cropping Seasons

Fertilizer application during sugarcane cultivation is a main source of nitrogen (N) loads to groundwater on small islands in southwestern Japan. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of reducing the N fertilizer application rate on sugarcane yield, N leaching, and N balance. We conducted a sugarcane cultivation experiment with drainage lysimeters and different N application rates in three cropping seasons (three years). N loads were reduced by reducing the first N application rate in all cropping seasons. The sugarcane yields of the treatment to which the first N application was halved (T2 = 195 kg ha−1 N) were slightly lower than those of the conventional application (T1 = 230 kg ha−1 N) in the first and third seasons (T1 = 91 or 93 tons ha−1, T2 = 89 or 87 tons ha−1). N uptake in T1 and T2 was almost the same in seasons 1 (186–188 kg ha−1) and 3 (147–151 kg ha−1). Based on the responses of sugarcane yield and N uptake to fertilizer reduction in two of the three years, T2 is considered to represent a feasible fertilization practice for farmers. The reduction of the first N fertilizer application reduced the underground amounts of N loads (0–19 kg ha−1). However, application of 0 N in the first fertilization would lead to a substantial reduction in yield in all seasons. Reducing the amount of N in the first application (i.e., replacing T1 with T2) improved N recovery by 9.7–11.9% and reduced N leaching by 13 kg ha−1. These results suggest that halving the amount of N used in the first application can improve N fertilizer use efficiency and reduce N loss to groundwater.

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INFLUENCE OF THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION ON RICE YIELD AND NITROGEN AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY WITH DIFFERENT N APPLICATION RATES

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479709007583 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 275-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

LIMEI ZHAO ◽

LIANGHUAN WU ◽

YONGSHAN LI ◽

XINGHUA LU ◽

DEFENG ZHU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

N Use Efficiency ◽

System Of Rice Intensification ◽

N Application ◽

Application Rates ◽

Rice Intensification ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

N Rates ◽

N Use

SUMMARYField experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to investigate the impacts of alternative rice cultivation systems on grain yield, water productivity, N uptake and N use efficiency (ANUE, agronomic N use efficiency; PFP, partial factor productivity of applied N). The trials compared the practices used with the system of rice intensification (SRI) and traditional flooding (TF). The effects of different N application rates (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg ha−1) and of N rates interacting with the cultivation system were also evaluated. Resulting grain yields with SRI ranged from 5.6 to 7.3 t ha−1, and from 4.1 to 6.4 t ha−1 under TF management. On average, grain yields under SRI were 21% higher in 2005 and 22% higher in 2006 than with TF. Compared with TF, SRI plots had higher harvest index across four fertilizer N rates in both years. However, there was no significance difference in above-ground biomass between two cultivation systems in either year. ANUE was increased significantly under SRI at 80 kg N ha−1 compared with TF, while at higher N application rates, ANUE with SRI was significantly lower than TF. Compared with TF, PFP under SRI was higher across all four N rates in both years, although the difference at 240 kg N ha−1 was not significant. As N rate increased, the ANUE and PFP under both SRI and TF significantly decreased. Reduction in irrigation water use with SRI was 40% in 2005 and 47% in 2006, and water use efficiency, both total and from irrigation, were significantly increased compared to TF. With both SRI and TF, the highest N application was associated with decreases in grain yield, N use efficiency and water use efficiency. This is an important finding given current debates whether N application rates in China are above the optimum, especially considering consequences for soil and water resources. Cultivation system, N rates and their interactions all produced significant differences in this study. Results confirmed that optimizing fertilizer N application rates under SRI is important to increase yield, N use efficiency and water use efficiency.

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