The Sensory Evaluation of Choy Sum (Brassica chinensis L. var. parachinensis) Grown with Mineral and Organic Fertiliser in Kampar, Perak, Malaysia

Consumers perceive organic vegetables as better in taste and quality compared to conventional vegetables. Therefore, this study aims to determine the sensory difference of choy sum (Brassica chinensis L. var. parachinensis) grown with organic fertiliser and mineral fertiliser without the input of synthetic pesticides. A survey was carried out to determine Malaysian consumer sensory perception on organic and conventional leafy vegetables. The choy sum was planted in a Complete Randomised Block Design (CRBD), with input of organic fertiliser (T1, rate: 1500kg/4046m2) and mineral fertiliser (T2, rate: 63kg/4046m2) in a 7-day interval. It was harvested for sensory evaluation at maturity. Seventy-five untrained panellists were selected for the sensory test. The moisture content was analysed using oven drying method, while the sugar and colour analysis was carried out using a brix refractometer and a spectrophotometer, respectively. The survey confirmed that most consumers believe that the sensory attributes of organic vegetables are better than conventional vegetables. However, sensory evaluation shows that there is no significant difference (P > 0.05) in all sensory attributes tested except for greenness. T2 were significantly greener (P < 0.05) than T1. There were also no significant differences (P > 0.05) found between the treatments in the sugar, moisture and colour analysis.

Availability and utilisation pattern of agricultural waste at household level in selected areas of Bangladesh

The use of organic fertilisers and soil amendments are almost universally recommended for improving the organic matter levels and maintaining soil health, but few studies documenting the actual availability and quality of such materials on smallholder farms are available. We selected a case study of 300 households from northern and southern Bangladesh to assess the types of waste materials available for recycling and their usage patterns at household level and we applied a novel approach to empirically identify household waste as input inefficiency in a production context. Northern districts have highly intensive farming systems whereas southern districts have low intensity farming. The total amount of agricultural waste produced at household level was estimated at 822 kg per month. Cow dung contributed about 65% of the total waste followed by animal feed refusal waste (11%), garbage (7%) and kitchen waste (6%). Most of the farmers utilised cow dung and wastes as organic fertiliser and lesser amounts as cooking fuel. Econometric analysis shows that the number of cattle and small ruminant per holding, total area of cultivated land and family size were significant factors that influence the amount of waste production at household level. Each household can reduce the chemical fertiliser cost by Tk. 1463 (US$ 17.84) per month by using compost prepared from household waste. There were ample opportunities for compost/vermicomposting and potential markets. The Department of Agricultural Extension from the public sector and private sector agents might motivate farmers to harvest the potential benefits of agricultural waste through effective management and utilisation.

Impact of fertilisers on five turfgrass mixtures for football pitches under natural conditions

For 2 years (2019–2020), a field experiment to test the activities of different fertilisation schemes on the yield, colour and health status of five different grass mixtures for football pitches was conducted. Two grass mixtures were composed of different varieties of perennial ryegrass, one mixture was composed of varieties of perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, one mixture consisted of the species Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea and Poa pratensis, and the seeds of only one variety of perennial ryegrass were sowed in one plot. Three different fertilisation schemes were included in the experiment. The first scheme (A) contained an inorganic fertiliser with added soil improvers, the second scheme (B) included an organic fertiliser with added soil improvers and the third scheme (C) was composed of an inorganic fertiliser. According to this study, the grass yield largely depends on the soil temperature, amount of precipitation and soil water content, and the occurrence of the fungus Laetisaria fuciformis is influenced by the fertilisation scheme, as the % infection with the fungus was highest when organic fertilisers with low % nitrogen was used. The selection of fertilisers is seen as an important factor for the turfgrass colour.

An analysis of supply chain collaboration index by using FAHP and SCCI: a case study of organic fertiliser company X, Indonesia

Supply chain collaboration is one of the most crucial variables of driving business success in organic fertiliser Companies, especially to maintain the continual flow from upstream to downstream. Therefore, understanding the level of collaboration factors is vital in sustaining the partnership as well as reducing any conflicts among stakeholders. This study aims to measure the depth of collaboration among Company X and its suppliers. The assessment of the supply chain collaboration index will perform Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to weight the collaboration behaviour factors and Supply Chain Collaboration Index (SCCI) to measure the depth level of collaboration. The collaboration behaviour factors examined in this study are including joint effort, collaboration values, sharing activities, adaptation, trust, power, stability, commitment, continuous improvement and coordination. Based on the computation process using SCCI, the collaboration index among company X and its supplier is 76.72 on a scale of 1-100. It implies that the collaboration is at a moderate level. Consequently, the company needs to recognise the low score factors and develop a strategy for improvement. Some aspects that deserve further attention are sharing activities, power, and stability. By enhancing the performance of these factors, the supply chain collaboration index can also be increased.

Economic and ecological values of frass fertiliser from black soldier fly agro-industrial waste processing

The sustainable utilisation of black soldier fly (BSF) for recycling organic waste into high-quality protein feed and organic fertiliser with a low environmental footprint is gaining momentum worldwide. Although BSF farming is becoming a rapidly growing agribusiness, studies on the BSF farming’s economic aspects are limited. This study analysed the economic benefits of farming BSF for animal feeds and composted frass, called frass fertiliser (FF) production using experimental data. The BSF larvae were fed on brewery spent grain amended with sawdust, biochar, and gypsum to determine the cost-effective feed and other by-products production. The agronomic performance of FF on the maize crop was assessed using field experiments. Our results demonstrated that sourcing and preparing the waste substrate for rearing the BSF larvae accounts for 81-90% of the total BSF production cost. The utilisation of FF as an additional value-added product would increase farmer’s net income by 5-15 folds compared to BSF farming alone. Feedstock amended with 20% biochar increased net income by 10-64% for BSF larvae and FF production than other feedstocks. Production of one megagram (Mg) of dried BSF larvae (USD 900) would generate 10-34 Mg of FF worth USD 3,000-10,200. Maize grown on plots treated with FF yielded 29-44% higher net income than maize harvested from plots amended with commercial organic fertiliser. Furthermore, smallholder insect farmers’ direct use of FF for maize production would generate 30-232% higher net income than farmers purchasing similar FF. Our results demonstrate for the first time the role of insect farming in circular economy and justify the opportunities for future investments that would lead to enhanced sustainability for agricultural and food systems, especially for smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries.

Impact of multiple soil conservation practices on rice yields and chemical fertiliser use in China

PurposeThis paper analysed survey data of 715 rice-producing households in China to assess the determinants of adoption of five mutually exclusive soil conservation practices (SCPs) and their impact on rice yield and chemical fertiliser use.Design/methodology/approachThe multinomial endogenous treatment effects model was used to account for selection bias and endogeneity arising from both observed and unobserved heterogeneity.FindingsFarms that adopted SCPs as a package experienced an increase in rice yield and decrease in chemical fertiliser use. Adoption of SCPs as a package led to a 12.0% increase in yield and 15.2% decrease in chemical fertiliser use; these results have policy implications for the non-point source pollution control in the agricultural sector. In contrast, adoption of straw retention only significantly reduced yield by 4.9% and increased chemical fertiliser use by 18.1%.Originality/valueThe authors evaluate and compare multi-type of SCPs, such as straw retention, deep tillage and use of organic fertiliser, separately or in combination, and their impacts on smallholder farmers’ rice yield and chemical fertiliser usage.

Can Long-Term Experiments Predict Real Field N and P Balance and System Sustainability? Results from Maize, Winter Wheat, and Soybean Trials Using Mineral and Organic Fertilisers

Agri-environmental indicators such as nutrient balance may play a key role in soil and water quality monitoring, although short-term experiments might be unable to capture the sustainability of cropping systems. Therefore, the objectives of this study are: (i) to evaluate the reliability of long-term experimental N and P balance estimates to predict real field (RF) (i.e., short-term transitory) conditions; and (ii) to compare the sustainability of short- and long-term experiments. The LTE-based predictions showed that crops are generally over-fertilised in RF conditions, particularly maize. Nutrient balance predictions based on the LTE data tended to be more optimistic than those observed under RF conditions, which are often characterised by lower outputs; in particular, 13, 44, and 47% lower yields were observed for winter wheat, maize, and soybean, respectively, under organic management. The graphical evaluation of N and P use efficiency demonstrated the benefit of adopting crop rotation practices and the risk of nutrient loss when liquid organic fertiliser was applied on a long-term basis. In conclusion, LTE predictions may depend upon specific RF conditions, representing potential N and P use efficiencies that, in RF, may be reduced by crop yield-limiting factors and the specific implemented crop sequence.

Performance of black soldier fly frass fertiliser on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, yield, nutritional quality, and economic returns

Although the black soldier fly frass fertiliser (BSFFF) is globally recognised as a promising and potential high-quality organic fertiliser, there is inadequate information on its impact on the growth performance and nutritional status of maize. Furthermore, no information exist on their combination with mineral fertiliser (NPK) as well as economic impact on maize production. This study evaluated the comparative impact of BSFFF, NPK and commercial organic fertiliser (Evergrow®) on growth, nitrogen use efficiency, yield, nutritional quality, and profitability of maize under greenhouse conditions. The treatments included: (1) sole application of BSFFF, conventional compost of brewers’ spent grain (BSG), Evergrow, and NPK at rates equivalent to 100 kg nitrogen (N) per hectare; (2) BSFFF and BSG combined with NPK so that each fertiliser supplies 50% of the N required; and (3) the control (unamended soil). Our findings revealed that BSFFF increased maize grain yield at higher rates: 2-25, 25-113 and 153-212% than NPK, BSG and Evergrow, respectively. Similarly, the BSF frass application led to higher maize growth and yield than the control treatment. The agronomic N use efficiency of maize grown using BSFFF was 2 and 3 times higher compared to that of BSG and Evergrow, respectively. Maize grown using BSFFF and NPK had higher crude protein and crude fibre content compared to the other treatments. The net income generated from the commercialisation of maize grown using a combination of BSFFF and NPK was 2, 163 and 173% higher than those achieved using sole NPK, mixture of BSG and NPK, and sole BSFFF, respectively. Our results imply that developing and promoting BSFFF alone or in integration with NPK can enhance the food security and livelihoods of smallholders, while safeguarding planetary health.