Improving Ionic Exchange Process of Potassium in Poor Soils by Bentonite

The current study was carried out to improve ionic exchange for potassium in sandy and gypsiferous soils to obtain an increase in absorption of potassium ions in NPK fertilizers, the improving process includes two stages; The first is adding NPK fertilizer with concentrations (0.020%, 0.040%, and 0.070%) by weight for two samples, the exchange potassium concentration was measured and notice the increasing from 124 ppm to 140 ppm in sandy soil and from156 ppm to 180 ppm in gypsiferous soil when using the highest concentration (0.070%), the second stage included adding grinded bentonite ore (10%, 20%,30%) by weight to the two samples after treated with NPK fertilizer in same concentrations above, potassium exchange increased to 340 ppm in sandy soil and to 450 ppm in gypsiferous soil by using NPK fertilizer and bentonite ore concentrate (0.070% & 30%) respectively.

Aplikasi pupuk hayati ameliorant, dan pupuk NPK terhadap N total, P tersedia serta pertumbuhan dan hasil jagung pada inceptisols

Inceptisols umumnya memiliki tingkat kesuburan tanah rendah sampai sedang. Upaya peningkatan ketersediaan hara tanah Inceptisol dengan pupuk anorganik NPK perlu diimbangi dengan aplikasi pupuk hayati dan amelioran organik. Percobaan ini bertujuan untuk mengurangi dosis pupuk NPK dengan menggunakan pupuk hayati dan amelioran organik serta meningkatkan hasil tanaman jagung. Percobaan dilakukan di Pasir Banteng, Kabupaten Sumedang. Penelitian menggunakan RAK faktorial. Pupuk hayati dengan amelioran organik sebagai faktor pertama sebanyak empat taraf: tanpa pupuk hayati dan amelioran (kontrol), diberi pupuk hayati, amelioran organik, dan gabungan keduanya. Faktor kedua yaitu dosis pupuk NPK empat taraf: 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% NPK dosis anjuran. Dilakukan tiga kali ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat interaksi antara pupuk hayati, amelioran organik, dengan pupuk NPK terhadap tinggi tanaman, N-total tanah, bobot tongkol berkelobot dan tanpa kelobot. Pemberian pupuk hayati dan amelioran disertai pupuk NPK 100% dan yang tanpa diberi amelioran menghasilkan bobot tongkol tanpa kelobot sebesar 1.089 g dan 1.064 g per tanaman. Pemberian pupuk hayati dengan amelioran dan pemberian pupuk NPK 100% menghasilkan bobot pipilan per tanaman 526,08 g dan 539,08 g. Aplikasi pupuk hayati dan amelioran organik belum mampu mengurangi dosis penggunaan pupuk NPK pada Inceptisols asal Pasir Banteng. Inceptisols generally have low to moderate soil fertility. The effort to increase the nutrients availability in Inceptisol through the application of NPK fertilizers need to be balanced with biofertilizers and organic ameliorants. This experiment aimed to reduce the dose of NPK fertilizer by using biofertilizers and organic ameliorants and to increase maizeyields. The experiment was conducted in Pasir Banteng, Sumedang Regency. The factorial RBD was used. The biofertilizer with organic ameliorant as the first factor: no biofertilizer and no ameliorant (control), biofertilizer, organic ameliorant, and combination of both. The second factor was dose of NPK fertilizer: 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% of recommended NPK dose. It was repeated three times. The results showed that there was interaction between biofertilizer, organic ameliorants, with NPK fertilizers on plant height, N-total soil, weight of cobs with and without husk. The application of biofertilizer and ameliorant with 100% NPK fertilizer and without ameliorant were 1,089 g and 1,064 g of cobs without husks, respectively. The application of biofertilizer with ameliorant and 100% NPK fertilizer had a grain weight of 526.08 g and 539.08 g, respectively. The application of biofertilizers and organic ameliorants has not been able to reduce the dose of NPK fertilizer on Inceptisols from Pasir Banteng.

influence of product quality and promotion on the purchase decision of NPK retail non subsidy fertilizer at PT. Pupuk Sriwidjaja Palembang in the South Sumatra Region

This study aims to determine the effect of product quality and promotion on purchasing decisions of retail non-subsidized NPK fertilizers at PT Pupuk Sriwidjaja Palembang in the South Sumatra region. The population in this study is the end-user, namely household food crops agricultural buyers of non-subsidized retail NPK fertilizers, both Pusri and other brands divided based on the harvest area in 2019 in South Sumatera Province many as 100 respondents using two-stage cluster random sampling technique as a sample determination. The multiple linear regression analysis results show that product quality positively and significantly affects purchasing decisions. The promotion has a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions. Product quality is better to improve quality control of the production process and product quality, evaluate the standard of fertilizer bags used, evaluate the fertilizer distribution process, evaluate the implementation of fertilizer storage at GPP, and conduct socialization and education to kiosk. Promotions, giving direct gifts to farmers, conducting outreach activities, and meeting customers, Pusri officers in the field must be more proactive in visiting kiosk, providing scheduled soft skills training to Pusri officers.

The Combined Effect of Biochar and Mineral Fertilizer on Triticale Yield, Soil Properties under Different Tillage Systems

This study examined the effect of study time, biochar dose, and fertilization-tillage system on the improvement of sandy loam physical-chemical properties and triticale grain yield. The soil properties (water holding capacity (WHC), wettability, moisture content (MC), organic matter content (SOM), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) were monitored in short time intervals (after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months). Soil was tilled in two methods (shallow ploughless tillage and direct drilling), fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers, and amended with three hydrophobic pine wood biochar doses (0 t/ha; 5 t/ha; 15 t/ha). It was found that 15 t/ha biochar dose had the highest effect on the soil’s physical-chemical properties improvement (SOM increased by 33.7%, pH—by 6.84%, EC—by 23.4%, WHC—by 8.48%, and MC—by 21.8%) compared to the variants without biochar. Direct drilling, fertilization with NPK fertilizers and 15 t/ha biochar dose significantly influenced the rise of soil’s physical-chemical properties and triticale yield (3.51 t/ha).

Antioxidant Capacity and Nutritional Value of Potato Tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) as a Dependence of Growing Conditions and Long-Term Storage

The aim of the study was to assess the interactive effect of the use of bio-fertilizer and organic matter brought into the soil, as well as to limit the use of mineral fertilization on the content of bioactive compounds in potato tubers cultivar ‘Satina’. The test results show a positive effect of the applied bio-fertilizer in all tested variants of organic fertilization (straw, fodder pea, manure) on the level of the tested compounds. Comparing the content of crude protein in tubers from plots where half the dose of mineral fertilization was applied, the use of bio-fertilizer increased the content of this component, especially after using straw. After 6 months of storage, organic fertilization had no significant effect on the protein content, while significant differences were found in tubers fertilized with mineral, in favor of the full dose of NPK fertilizers. The storage time increased the content of tyrosine, leucine, lysine, alanine, glutamic acid, and total AA, and also methionine, aspartic acid, and asparagine, while the content of isoleucine and phenyl-alanine decreased. The highest content of total polyphenols was found in tubers where the plots were covered with pea application, a full dose of mineral fertilizer, and the use of bio-fertilizer. Unfortunately, after 6 months of storage, potato tubers from plots fertilized with peas, especially those fertilized with half the dose of mineral fertilization and without the use of biofertilizer, significantly lost the most total polyphenols. Similar relationships were obtained for the level of chlorogenic acid in tubers, which is significantly correlated with the content of polyphenols, but only organic fertilization in the form of peas significantly increased the concentration of chlorogenic acid. On the other hand, the highest post-harvest antioxidant activity was characteristic of tubers from plots fertilized with manure, with a full dose of mineral fertilization and biofertilizer. During the 6-month storage, there was a decrease in the antioxidant capacity, on average 12.4% for the objects. This may indicate the influence of polyphenolic compounds as well as other antioxidants on the assessed trait.

Evaluation Genetic Variation and Diversity of Grain Yield and Quality Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes for Low Input NPK Fertilizers

Determination of genetic variance in a large number of rice genotypes is an effective strategy for increasing yield. The goal of this research was to determine the genetic variability, phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficients of variation, broad-sense heritability, expected genetic advance and multivariate analysis for eight rice grain quality and yield traits, in twenty Egyptian and exotic genotypes under low NPK fertilizer input levels at RRTC, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt and evaluated across two successive seasons. Results revealed highly significant mean squares for all traits. High estimates of both PCV and GCV were detected for grain elongation followed by gelatinization temperature and head rice. High estimates of heritability were noted for grain length, grain shape, hulling, milling, head rice, amylose content, grain elongation and grain yield. Results revealed that highly significant differences among different genotypes were observed for studied characteristics under different NPK levels. Cluster results revealed that genotypes from the same origin or taxonomy type were clustered together. Diversity analysis showed four clusters. Cluster I and III had maximum genotypes (70%) and Cluster IV showed the highest mean values for studied traits. The results revealed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 65.6% of the diversity between genotypes investigated. These findings show that some genotypes have a lot of diversity, indicating an opportunity to breed for low-input genotypes without sacrificing grain production and quality. GZ10590-1-3-3-2 and IET1444, both of which have high grain yield, can be employed as hybrid parents and could help with further genetic research for reduced NPK input.

The effectiveness of technology packages of 15 biofertilizer formulas to increase soybean productivity on acidic soils

The potentcy of acidic soils for soybean development in Indonesia is quite large. However low of soil fertility and microorganisms population become contrains for achieving high productifity of soybean. The aim of this research is to determine the effectiveness of technology packages for 15 biofertilizers formula to increase soybean productivity in acidic soils. The research was conducted during the end of rainy season in South Kalimantan. The soil use in the study had pH 5.2 and soil Al-saturation 34.2%. The reasearch was arranged in a randomized block design, three replications consisted of 20 treatmens, namely: 1) 0 NPK, 2) 50% NPK, 3) 50% NPK +2 t/ha organic fertilizer 4) 70% NPK, 5) 100% NPK (100 kg urea + 100 kg SP36 + 100 kg KCl/ha), 6) Iletrisoy+ Biovam+Starmix, 7) Iletrosoy Plus, 8) Beyonic, 9 Biotrico, 10) Probio New, 11) RhizoBIOST, 12) Bio-SRF, 13) Biopim, 14) BioMIGE, 15) Biocoat, 16) FajarSOYA, 17) Rhizobion, 18) Agrizone, 19) Rhizoplus, and 20) BISRF. For each biological fertilizer, 50-75% of recommended NPK fertilizers were given at 15 days after planting. The results indicated that combination of Biovam + Iletrisoy + Startmix biofertilizers, Iletrisoy plus, Biotricho, Probio New, Bio Mige, and Fajar SOYA were effective for increasing soybean productivity on acidic soils. These biological fertilizers + 50% recommended NPK + 1.5 t/ha organic fertilizer increases pods number, and soybean productivity more than 10% compared to the recommended NPK fertilizer dosage whic was 1.81 t/ha. Several of these biological fertilizers have good prospects to be developed as bio-fertilizers for soybeans in acidic soils.

Initial Characterization of Bio-Slurry as Liquid Fertilizer

The demand for organic fertilizers in Indonesia is currently in a critical state. In 2015, it was noticed that the demand of Indonesia for NPK fertilizers reached over 6.5 million tons per year. Given the current state of demand for organic fertilizers in Indonesia, it is imperative to have alternative organic fertilizers that are environmentally friendly and readily available raw materials. One alternative is to use biogas waste that contains essential plant-based nutrients such as NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and additional nutrients such as magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S). The composition of Bio-Slurry after fermentation consists of 25% ± 5 dry matter and 75% ± 5 water. If the dry substance is decomposed, it contains 18- 27% organic matter. The production of liquid organic fertilizers from BioSlurry requires some anaerobic fermentation process lasting 20 days. During the fermentation process it is necessary to additional raw materials such as cow urine, banana stalk and banana peel to add the N, P and K values to BioSlurry. In the initial characterization test, BioSlurry liquid (after pressing) showed an NPK value of <1% and a C-Organic value of 0.04.

Foliar Nutrient Supplementation with Micronutrient-Embedded Fertilizer Increases Biofortification in Eggplant Fruit and Soil Biological Activity While Enhancing Plant Productivity

Micronutrient malnutrition or hidden hunger remains a major global challenge for human health and wellness. The problem results from soil micro- and macro-nutrient deficiencies combined with imbalanced fertilizer use. Micronutrient-embedded NPK (MNENPK) complex fertilizers have been developed to overcome the macro- and micro-element deficiencies to enhance the yield and nutritive value of key crop products. We investigated the effect of foliar applications of an MNENPK fertilizer containing N, P, K, Fe, Zn & B in combination with traditional basal NPK fertilizers in terms of eggplant yield, fruit nutritive quality and on soil biological properties. Applying a multi-element foliar fertilizer improved the nutritional quality of eggplant fruit, with a significant increases in the concentration of Fe (+26%), Zn (+34%), K (+6%), Cu (+24%), and Mn (+27%), all of which are essential for human health. Increasing supply of essential micronutrients during the plant reproductive stages increased fruit yield, as a result of improved yield parameters. The positive effect of foliar fertilizing with MNENPK on soil biological parameters (soil microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase) also demonstrated its capacity to enhance soil fertility. This study suggests that foliar fertilizing with a multi-nutrient product such as MNENPK at eggplant flowering and fruiting stages, combined with the recommended-doses of NPK fertilizers is the optimal strategy to improve the nutritional quality of eggplant fruits and increase crop yields, both of which will contribute to reducing micronutrient malnutrition and hunger globally.

Soil organic matter and ammonium affect potassium retention in soil microaggregates under long--term fertilization

The adsorption and fixation of potassium in agricultural soils are important as they influence K availability for crops. Soil organic matter (SOM) and ammonium (NH4+) exist in soils and play indispensable roles in soil fertility and crop yield; however, the effects of SOM and NH4+ on K retention in soil aggregate remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SOM and NH4+ on K adsorption and fixation in soil microaggregates (<0.25 mm). Soil microaggregates were extracted from three long-term fertilization treatments under rice-wheat rotations: no fertilizer (CK), fertilized with inorganic NPK (NPK), and inorganic NPK fertilizers combined with straw return (NPKS). Long-term fertilization, particularly the application of inorganic NPK combined with straw return, significantly improved the SOM content in microaggregates. Both NPK and NPKS treatments increased K adsorption but decreased K fixation, and SOM oxidation of microaggregates reduced K adsorption but increased K fixation in all treatments, indicating the positive and inhibitory effects of SOM on K adsorption and fixation, respectively. NH4+ significantly inhibited K adsorption and fixation, and this inhibitory effect was more significant in microaggregates with a higher SOM content. Although NH4+ reduced the positive effect of SOM on K adsorption, it enhanced the inhibitory effect of SOM on K fixation. Conclusionally, long-term fertilization increases K adsorption but reduces K fixation by improving SOM content, where NH4+ enhances SOM inhibited K retention in soil microaggregates, which is considered to improve K availability in soils amended with K fertilizers. Keywords: soil organic matter, NH4+, K, adsorption, fixation