scholarly journals Agronomic Bio-fortification of Rice and Maize with Iron and Zinc: A Review

Author(s):  
Bisma Jan ◽  
Tauseef A. Bhat ◽  
Tahir A. Sheikh ◽  
Owais Ali Wani ◽  
M. Anwar Bhat ◽  
...  

Earlier, the agriculture system was oriented more towards achieving higher agronomic yields than the nutritional quality of food. Green revolution significantly enhanced the crop production primarily rice, wheat and maize production was boosted to meet the energy needs of growing population. As a consequence of the predominance of cereal-based staples that are fundamentally low in micronutrients, specifically Zn and Fe, more than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from an insidious type of deficiency known as micronutrient malnutrition. Just moderate amounts of micronutrient malnutrition can affect cognitive development, reduce disease resistance and increase the risk of women dying during childbirth. The approach to micronutrient fertilization has been shown to improve the yield and nutritional content of the staples. Agronomic biofortification provides an immediate and effective method to enhance accumulation of micronutrients especially Zn and Fe in cereals. An adequate amount of plant available micronutrients is a prime requisite to ensure adequate nutrient uptake. Most of the cereals are grown in soils deficit in Zn and under reduced conditions of rice ecosystem, its availability is decreased due to formation of less soluble Zn complexes with sulphate and carbonate. The form of fertilizer used, timing and method of application is critical for the enhancement of the grain quality of Zn and Fe. The effectiveness of agronomic biofortification can be enhanced by application of synthetic chelated micronutrient fertilizers and/or organic fertilizers fortified with micronutrients in combination with NPK ensuring proper nourishment of crops with adequate nutrient supply by slow release of nutrients in soil solution. Further, the response of foliar application has shown better results than soil application. Previous studies suggest that Zn fertilization not only enhances Zn concentration in grain but also improves the overall performance of maize crop. Agronomic biofortification of crops is advantageous in terms of accessibility, rapid result, ease in application and high sustainability.

Author(s):  
Murad Mohammed

In Ethiopia, maize is the second largest in production areas and first in its productivity but there are high yield gaps between the actual yield currently producing and the potential yield. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify factors that affecting maize production of smallholder farmers at the farm level in the Meta district in the east Hararge zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A two-stage random sampling technique was employed and a total of 200 smallholder farmers were randomly and proportionally selected to collect primary data. Multiple linear regression models were used to analysis factors that affect maize production among smallholder farmers. The result showed that the production of maize was influenced by several factors. The coefficient provided that as the farmers obtained 1 dollar from non-farm activity, the maize production of farmers increased by 293.2 kg, keeping other factors constant. Thus, the farmers who had money from non-farm sources used as additional income to gain agricultural inputs for maize production and thus generate more maize quantity. The result was pointed out that the size of the cultivated areas of land had a positive influence on the quantity of maize production of farmers. The coefficient entailed that as the size of the cultivated areas of land increased by one hectare, the farmer’s quantity of maize production increased by 140.4 kg by keeping other factors constant. The result was also indicated that other factors being constant, the maize crop production of smallholder farmers of Meta district was decreased by 4 kg as Development Agent’s (DA’s) office distance increased by one minute. The possible explanation was that extension services were a critical source of information on agronomic practices. Therefore, policy makers should encourage the current maize production and supplying improved seed and chemical fertilizer which support to improve smallholder farm households’ welfare by increasing their sources of income.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Baghdadi ◽  
Ridzwan A. Halim ◽  
Ali Ghasemzadeh ◽  
Mohd Fauzi Ramlan ◽  
Siti Zaharah Sakimin

Corn silage is an important feed for intensive ruminant production but the growing of corn has relied heavily on the use of chemical fertilizer. Sustainable crop production requires a careful management of all nutrient sources available in a farm, particularly in corn-based cropping systems. Experiments were conducted to determine the appropriate technology of corn-legume intercropping with supplemental use of chemical, organic manure, and biofertilizer. Combining chemical fertilizers with chicken manure in a 50:50 ratio and application of 50% NPK+ 50%, chicken manure (CM)+ biofertilizer (BF) resulted in similar dry matter (DM) yield with the 100% NPK treatment. Inorganic fertilizer (100% NPK) gave the highest DM yield (13.86 t/ha) of forage among single fertilizer treatments and it outyielded the chicken manure (100% CM) (9.74 t/ha) treatment. However, when CM was combined with NPK, the DM yield of forage (13.86 t/ha) and was the same as the 100% NPK (13.68 t/ha). Combinations of NPK and chicken manure resulted in increased plant height; crop growth rate (CGR) and leaf area index (LAI) compared to CM alone but was similar to 100% NPK application. The ratio of 50% CM + 50% NPK and 50%CM+50%NPK+BF recorded protein yield similar to those of conventional fertilizer. Similarly, CP content was not significantly different among 100% NPK and 50% CM+50% NPK. Use of biofertilizers had no significant impact on improving either yield or quality of forage fertilized with inorganic or organic fertilizers. Lactic acid responded differently to different fertilizer application and was significantly higher than the no fertilizer plots. Treatments with an application of biofertilizer and combination of biofertilizer with NPK or CM treatments gave higher values of acetylene reduction assay (ARA) (compared to sole chemical and sole organic manure fertilizers. Overall, evidence recorded from this study prove that corn-soybean intercrops could increase forage quantity and quality, produce higher total protein yield, decrease requirements for protein supplements and chemical fertilizer compared to the corn monoculture with a combination of chicken manure and chemical fertilizer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
W.S.L.V. Fernando ◽  
Brintha Karunarathna

Improved soil fertility is a requirement for enhanced crop production. Combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers improve crop productivity while reduce environmental degradation. An experiment was carried out at Eastern University, Sri Lanka to study the effect of Foliar Application of Banana Pseudostem Sap on Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in sandy regosol. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design having five treatments viz; recommended inorganic fertilizer N, P, K as basal and N as topdressing (T1), N, P, 1⁄2 K as basal with recommended N as topdressing and foliar spray of 1% , 3%, 5% and 7% banana pseudostem sap solution (T2-T5) at 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th week after planting. The results revealed that significant difference (P<0.05) were noted on number of pods per plant at 1st and 2nd picking. Higher number of pods per plant, maximum pod length and girth were in T2 while low in T1. Sun dried weights of pods and number of seeds per pod were significantly (P<0.05) varied at each picking. Further, cowpea yield at each picking were higher in T2 compared to tested treatments. The present study suggested that, among the tested treatments N, P, 1⁄2 K as basal with recommended N as topdressing and foliar spray of 1% Pseudostem sap solution at 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th WAP would be the most suitable for cowpea production in sandy regosol.


Author(s):  
G. Yu. Rabinovich ◽  
Е. А. Podolyan ◽  
T. S. Zinkovskaya

The expediency of introducing wastewater sediment (WWS) in fresh form together with additional fillers (peat, sawdust, straw) is justified. Field experience was conducted in 2015-2017. using WWS station of treatment facilities in Tver on sod-podzolic sandy loam soil. WWS was applied once during the laying of the experiment together with organic substrates in different proportions with a general application rate of 60 t/ha. For comparative characteristics, the experiment included a variant with compost harvested at the treatment plant, based on WWS and sawdust. The influence of non-traditional types of organic fertilizers on the yield of field crops (vetch-oat mix, winter rye, spring barley), the quality of the resulting product, including the accumulation of heavy metals in it, was revealed. The greatest effect was observed when applying WWS with peat and WWS with sawdust. The study of the ratio of the components of mixtures with WWS showed that the highest productivity and yield increase was ensured by the use of WWS: substrates = 1: 1. A further increase in the participation of sawdust, peat and straw led to a decrease in productivity and quality indicators. WWS, introduced in different ratios together with organic substrates, did not cause excessive accumulation of heavy metals in crop production. The sequence of heavy metals was established: Zn> Cu> Co> Pb> As> Cd, which reflects the degree of their accumulation in the green mass of the vetch-oat mix, winter rye and barley grain. The influence of the studied norms for introducing WWS on the yield and quality of crops is maintained during all three years of the crop rotation link.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (No. 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananya Chakraborty ◽  
Barkha Chakraborty ◽  
Pintoo Bandopadhyay

Concerns around food security have emerged in recent years, with rising food demand and the options to meet. The FAO projections indicate that global food demand may increase by 70 percent by 2050, with much of the projected increase in demand for major food crops expectedly coming from soaring population and their dietary changes.Moreover, various abiotic stresses accentuated with changing climate has jeopardized the crop production scenario. Ensuring secured food production in the face of climate change is a formidable challenge. Furthermore, in the post-green revolution period, practice of intensive cultivationand extravagant usage of high analysis fertilizers to over-responsive high yielding cultivars have caused havoc micronutrient mining from the soil itself and thus backfired on sustainable food production. In addition to micronutrients, certain beneficial elements are found to be very useful withbetter plant physiology led crop production and nutritive value of the consumables. These elements are collectively referred to as beneficial-trace elements and play a stellar role in moderating various abiotic stresses. Therefore, the application of beneficial-trace elementsas soil and foliar application is needed to be focusedon toassure quality food production through ensuring their effects on crop physiology


Author(s):  
Ali Baghdadi ◽  
Ridzwan A. Halim ◽  
Ali Ghasemzadeh ◽  
Mohd Fauzi Ramlan ◽  
Siti Zaharah Sakimin

Corn silage is an important feed for intensive ruminant production but the growing of corn has relied heavily on the use of chemical fertilizer. Sustainable crop production requires a careful management of all nutrient sources available in a farm, particularly in corn-based cropping systems. Experiments were conducted to determine the appropriate technology of corn-legume intercropping with supplemental use of chemical, organic manure, and biofertilizer. Combining chemical fertilizers with chicken manure in a 50:50 ratio and application of 50% NPK+ 50%, chicken manure (CM)+ biofertilizer (BF) resulted in similar dry matter (DM) yield with the 100% NPK treatment. Inorganic fertilizer (100% NPK) gave the highest DM yield (13.86 t/ha) of forage among single fertilizer treatments and it outyielded the chicken manure (100% CM) (9.74 t/ha) treatment. However, when CM was combined with NPK, the DM yield of forage (13.86 t/ha) and was the same as the 100% NPK (13.68 t/ha). Combinations of NPK and chicken manure resulted in increased plant height; crop growth rate (CGR) and leaf area index (LAI) compared to CM alone but was similar to 100% NPK application. The ratio of 50% CM + 50% NPK and 50%CM+50%NPK+BF recorded protein yield similar to those of conventional fertilizer. Similarly, CP content was not significantly different among 100% NPK and 50% CM+50% NPK. Use of biofertilizers had no significant impact on improving either yield or quality of forage fertilized with inorganic or organic fertilizers. Lactic acid responded differently to different fertilizer application and was significantly higher than the no fertilizer plots. Treatments with an application of biofertilizer and combination of biofertilizer with NPK or CM treatments gave higher values of acetylene reduction assay (ARA) (compared to sole chemical and sole organic manure fertilizers. Overall, evidence recorded from this study prove that corn-soybean intercrops could increase forage quantity and quality, produce higher total protein yield, decrease requirements for protein supplements and chemical fertilizer compared to the corn monoculture with a combination of chicken manure and chemical fertilizer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-437
Author(s):  
Augustine R ◽  
D Kalyansundaram

Most of the health components based foods are boosted by the application of mineral nutrients. Since post green revolution, farmers fertilize the crop for optimum to higher yields which are often overlooked. In addition to higher yield, plant nutrition also affects other human nutritional needs like proteins, oils, vitamins and minerals. Trace elements necessary to human nutrition can be optimized by applying to food crops. Due to various factors like temperature, climate, time of applications, crop adaptability, etc., some nutrients have their own restrictions, and few micronutrients are beneficial and play a significant role in food nutrition making easier access in the plant edible parts by its applications. It is important to note that the foliar application of Zn and Fe at the later crop stage (mid booting stage or early milking stage) is found to be effective than early applications. When compared to related interventions like supplementation and fortification, biofortification was found to be significantly cost-effective in applications to crop and create values for human nutrition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
Murad Mohammed Baker ◽  
Desta Bati Nuno

Agricultural sector is a mainstay of farmers’ livelihoods in Ethiopia. Maize is a largest crop being grown in Ethiopia; however, currently, yield gaps are the challenges faced by the producers. This study has an objective of identifying the determinants of maize production of smallholder farmers. Data were collected from 200 farmers living in the selected kebeles (communes) of Meta district in the East Hararge zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. The collected data was analyzed using multiple linear regression model. The result showed that the production of maize was influenced by several factors. Non-farm activity had a positive impact on the production of maize. Thus, the farmers who had money from non-farm sources utilized these additional incomes as inputs to gain more maize production. The cultivated areas of land have a positive influence on the higher yields of maize. The maize crop production of smallholder farmers was negatively affected by Development Agent’s office. The study suggests that policy makers should encourage the current maize production by supplying improved seeds and fertilizers, which tend to support improving the smallholder farms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-76
Author(s):  
F.O. Takim ◽  
J.O. Omeke ◽  
P. Tunku ◽  
J.A. Shebaya ◽  
G. Olaoye ◽  
...  

Field trials were conducted in savanna ecologies of Nigeria during the 2015 and 2016 seasons using maize (PVA8) and soybean (TGX 1448-2E) intercropping systems with different fertilizer rates to evaluate the yield of maize and assess the best intercropping system for resource management. Single plant stands and two plants/stand and 2 arrangements of rows (one row on a ridge and two rows on a ridge) were used to impose maize plant densities evaluated in strip inter-crop with soybean. The trial was factorial, laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Thus, 8 maize-soybean strip cropping systems and application of 3 NPK rates were evaluated at Saki-Oyo, Ilorin, and Nasarawa (southern Guinea savanna), Kaduna in the northern Guinea savanna, Funtua (Katsina) and Gusau (Zamfara) located within Sudan savanna ecologies of Nigeria. Data on yields and yield components were collected. The intercropping systems were assessed using existing intercropping indices such as Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Relative Crowding Coefficient (K), Aggressivity (A), Competitive Ratio (CR), Actual Yield Loss (AYL), Intercropping Advantage (IA) and Monetary Advantage Index (MAI). The result showed that Nasarawa and Kaduna were most ideal locations for maize production in the Nigeria savannas. The highest grain yield of 4.04 tons/ha maize and 1.36 tons/ha soybean were obtained from seeding 1 plant/stand in 2-rows per ridge x 4 ridges of maize alternated with 2 rows of soybean with the application of NPK at 100:50:50. The LER was 1.11, AYL (1.10) and MAI (208) gave a profit of ₦312,102.00 (US$990.80) ha-1 with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.38 and production efficiency of 29.56%. The study concluded that, seeding 80% maize and 20% soybean per ha will lead to sustainable maize crop production with limited use of fertilizer. It can be adopted by the farmers in Nigeria savannas as a relatively profitable intercropping system. Keywords: Maize production, Ideal location, Fertilizer rate, Competitive indices, Savanna ecologies, Nigeria


2020 ◽  
pp. 26-28
Author(s):  
Н.Т. Чеботарев ◽  
Н.Н. Шергина

Пахотные угодья Республики Коми в основном представлены дерново-подзолистыми почвами с низким естественным плодородием, которые без применения удобрений быстро подвергаются деградационным процессам, что резко снижает их продуктивность. Цель исследований: оценка эффективности долговременного применения органических и минеральных удобрений при выращивании картофеля в кормовом севообороте в условиях Республики Коми. Методической основой выполнения работ были комплексные исследования дерново-подзолистых почв, клубней картофеля на участках многолетнего полевого эксперимента, заложенного на землях Института агробиотехнологий ФИЦ Коми НЦ УрО РАН в соответствии с «Методическими указаниями географической сети опытов с удобрениями». Длительный период исследований (более 40 лет) характеризовался различными климатическими условиями, которые отразились на количестве урожая и качестве клубней картофеля. Было проведено 7 ротаций (14 лет) с выращиванием картофеля. Вносили органические удобрения – торфонавозный компост (ТНК) в дозах 40 и 80 т/га (1 и 2 фон, соответственно) под картофель и минеральные удобрения – NPК в дозах 1/3; 1/2 и 1 для восполнения выноса растениями элементов питания. Установлено положительное влияние комплексного применения органических и минеральных удобрений на урожайность и качество картофеля, а также на плодородие дерново-подзолистой легкосуглинистой среднеокультуренной почвы в кормовом севообороте в почвенно-климатических условиях Республики Коми. В результате применения шестипольного севооборота и комплексного внесения удобрений с 1978 года к 2019 году в почвах снизилась обменная и гидролитическая кислотность; повысилось содержание гумуса на 0,5% (в контроле); на 0,2–0,5% (с тремя дозами минеральных удобрений); на 0,3–1,1% (с ТНК); на 0,2–1,6% (при совместном применении органических и минеральных удобрений). Наибольшие урожаи картофеля получены при совместном применении органических (80 т/га) и минеральных удобрений (1 NPК) и составили 37,1 т/га клубней (8,5 тыс/га кормовых единиц). При таком соотношении удобрений показано высокое качество клубней картофеля: содержание крахмала 15,5%, витамина С – 19,4 мг%, сырого протеина – 14,1%. Количество нитратного азота не превышало ПДК (ПДК 250 мг.с.м.). Экономические расчеты показали, что при внесении ТНК 40 т/га + 1 NPК в дерново-подзолистые почвы с.-х. использования в среднетаежной зоне Республики Коми при выращивании картофеля, условный чистый доход составит 68,4 тыс. р. с 1 га, себестоимость 1 т картофеля – 2,8 тыс. р., рентабельность 188,7%. The arable land of the Republic of Komi is mainly represented by dern-sub-ground soils with low natural fertility, which without the use of fertilizers are quickly subjected to degradation processes, which dramatically reduces their productivity. The aim of the research is to evaluate the efficiency of long-term use of organic and mineral fertilizers in the growing of potatoes in feed crop rotation in the conditions of the Komi Republic. The methodological basis for carrying out the works was comprehensive studies of dern-subhead soils, potato tubers on the sites of a multi-year field experiment laid on the lands of the Institute of Agrobiotechnology of the FRC Komi SC UB RAS in accordance with the «Methodological Instructions of the Geographical Network of Experiments with Fertilizers». A long period of research (more than 40 years) was characterized by different climatic conditions, which affected the number of crops and the quality of potato tubers. There were 7 rotations (14 years) with potato cultivation. Organic fertilizers – peat-avous compost (TNK) in doses of 40 and 80 t/ha (1 and 2 background, respectively) for potatoes and mineral fertilizers – NPK in doses of 1/3; 1/2 and 1 to replenish the carry-out of food elements by plants. The positive effect of the integrated use of organic and mineral fertilizers on the yield and quality of potatoes, as well as on the fertility of soddy-podzolic light loamy medium cultivated soil in fodder crop rotation in the soil and climatic conditions of the Komi Republic, has been established. As a result of the use of six-bed crop rotation and the integrated application of fertilizers, metabolic and hydrolytic acidity decreased in soils from 1978 to 2019; humus content increased by 0.5% (in control); 0.2–0.5% (with three doses of mineral fertilizers); 0.3–1.1% (with TNCs); 0.2–1.6% (with combined use of organic and mineral fertilizers). The largest potato yields were obtained from the combined use of organic (80 t/ha) and mineral fertilizers (1 NPK) and amounted to 37.1 t/ha tubers (8.5 thousand/ha feed units). The largest potato harvests were obtained with the combined use of organic (80 t/ha) and mineral fertilizers (1 NPK) and amounted to 37.1 t/ha of tubers (8.5 thousand/ha of feed units). With this ratio of fertilizers, the high quality of potato tubers was also determined: the starch content was 15.5%, vitamin C – 19.4 mg%, crude protein – 14.1%. The amount of nitrate nitrogen did not exceed the MPC (MPC 250 mg.s.m.). Economic calculations showed that if TNK is added 40 t/ha 1 NPK to the dern-sub-ground soils of agricultural use in the medium-sized zone of the Komi Republic when growing potatoes, the conditional net income will be 68.4 thousand rubles from 1 ha, the cost of 1 t of potatoes – 2.8 thousand rubles, profitability 188.7%.


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