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.

The Effects of Reduced Mineral Fertilisation Combined with the Foliar Application of Biostimulants and Fertilisers on the Nutrition of Maiden Apple Trees and the Contents of Soil Nutrients

The experiment compared the use of a dose of mineral fertilisation reduced by half in a nursery, which was replaced by foliar treatment with biostimulants and fertilisers. The control combination was a full dose of mineral fertilisation without foliar treatments. The half dose of mineral fertiliser applied into the soil decreased its acidity and salinity. At the same time, it decreased the soil content of macro- and micronutrients, except for calcium and iron. In most cases the simultaneous foliar application of the four biostimulants tested in our experiment reduced the content of macronutrients in the leaves of maiden apple trees, except for calcium. On the other hand, it increased the iron (28.2% average) and manganese (24.8% average) levels in the leaves but reduced the levels of zinc (11.8% average) and copper (25% average). The foliar application of two fertilisers increased the leaf contents of phosphorus (12% average) and calcium (9.3% average). One of the fertilisers also increased the leaf contents of potassium, magnesium, and micronutrients.

Impact of fertigation schema on yield and chemical composition of strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.)

A frequent fertigation of garden strawberry with solute mineral fertiliser in accord with the plant growth phase allows a more efficient mineral nutrient absorption compared to a single application of larger fertiliser amount. Field studies on medium loam-granulometry sod-podzol soil in fruiting garden strawberry plantations were carried out for three years in the Moscow Region to evaluate the impact of fertigation regimes on strawberry yield and the main nutrient content in soil and plant leaves. In study setup, the control crop grew with a no-fertiliser drip irrigation, schema 1 included frequent (once in 3 days) mineral fertiliser drip application at 2-3 g/l, schema 2 — 4-6 g/l solution application twice less often (once in 6 days). Materials and methods. Yield was estimated by weight per plot area unit, plant samples analysed with conventional wet ashing. Nitrate nitrogen was determined in ionometry, exchangeable ammonium — in photocolourimetry, mobile phosphorus and potassium specimens — by the Kirsanov’s CINAO-modified method. The article presents registration data, averaged leaf chemical assays and content dynamics of major soil macronutrients over a three-year observation period. Conclusions. A significant increase in three-year total yield was observed with the mineral fertiliser fertigation schema in the Ducat strawberry cultivar; a supraoptimal phosphorus accumulation in leaves of the Rusich cultivar was facilitated by a less frequent application of concentrated fertiliser solution; a maximal nitrogen amount in Ducat leaves was observed with fractional fertigation; in a lower-yield season, concentrated mineral fertiliser fertigation contributed to the increase of mobile phosphorus and potassium specimens in soil in mid growing season. A greater correlation was observed between the soil content of mobile potassium and its uptake by strawberry plants.

Organic Wastes Amended with Sorbents Reduce N2O Emissions from Sugarcane Cropping

Nutrient-rich organic wastes and soil ameliorants can benefit crop performance and soil health but can also prevent crop nutrient sufficiency or increase greenhouse gas emissions. We hypothesised that nitrogen (N)-rich agricultural waste (poultry litter) amended with sorbents (bentonite clay or biochar) or compost (high C/N ratio) attenuates the concentration of inorganic nitrogen (N) in soil and reduces emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). We tested this hypothesis with a field experiment conducted on a commercial sugarcane farm, using in vitro incubations. Treatments received 160 kg N ha−1, either from mineral fertiliser or poultry litter, with additional N (2–60 kg N ha−1) supplied by the sorbents and compost. Crop yield was similar in all N treatments, indicating N sufficiency, with the poultry litter + biochar treatment statistically matching the yield of the no-N control. Confirming our hypothesis, mineral N fertiliser resulted in the highest concentrations of soil inorganic N, followed by poultry litter and the amended poultry formulations. Reflecting the soil inorganic N concentrations, the average N2O emission factors ranked as per the following: mineral fertiliser 8.02% > poultry litter 6.77% > poultry litter + compost 6.75% > poultry litter + bentonite 5.5% > poultry litter + biochar 3.4%. All emission factors exceeded the IPCC Tier 1 default for managed soils (1%) and the Australian Government default for sugarcane soil (1.25%). Our findings reinforce concerns that current default emissions factors underestimate N2O emissions. The laboratory incubations broadly matched the field N2O emissions, indicating that in vitro testing is a cost-effective first step to guide the blending of organic wastes in a way that ensures N sufficiency for crops but minimises N losses. We conclude that suitable sorbent-waste formulations that attenuate N release will advance N efficiency and the circular nutrient economy.

The Chemical Element Composition of Turmeric Grown in Soil–Climate Conditions of Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan

A mineral fertiliser has positive effects in improving turmeric nutrients, soil enzymes and soil properties. The aim of this research was to study the effect of mineral fertilisers on the content of mineral elements in turmeric rhizome, soil enzymes activity and soil properties in the Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan. For the first time in Uzbekistan, the turmeric rhizome was cultivated to study the mineral elements present in the rhizome. A microplot experiment was conducted with four treatments including T1 (Control), T2 (N75P50K50 kg/ha), T3 (N125P100K100 kg/ha) and T4 (N100P75K75 + B3Zn6Fe6 kg/ha) and turmeric rhizome, which were collected for observation along with the soil samples. The analyses indicated that the NPK + BZnFe (100:75:75:3:6:6 kg/ha) treatment significantly improved minerals such as K, Ca, P, Mg and Na contents rhizome as compared to the control without fertiliser. Likewise, the maximum quantity of micronutrient content viz., Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr and Si was also recorded in turmeric rhizome treated with NPK + BZnFe (125:100:100:3:6:6 kg/ha). It showed an increase in these micronutrients in the rhizome compared to the control, followed by a low rate of NPK (75:50:50 kg/ha). The highest content in terms of total N, P, K content, humus, active phosphorus, potassium, and enzymes activity was also observed in soil with the treatment of mineral fertiliser viz., NPK + BznFe (100:75:75:3:6:6 kg/ha), which enhanced soil nutrient and enzyme activity. The NPK + BznFe (100:75:75:3:6:6 kg/ha) treatment significantly increased the active N content by 40%, total P content by 38% and total K content by 22% in comparison to the control without mineral fertiliser. Overall, it was found that NPK + BznFe (100:75:75:3:6:6 kg/ha) was significantly valuable for enhancing the total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels in the soil compared to control, which is useful for improving soil health in terms of soil enzyme and soil nutrients. Additionally, the micronutrients in turmeric rhizome were significantly enhanced when using this combination of fertiliser applications [NPK + BznFe (100:75:75:3:6:6 kg/ha)]. Therefore, this present study revealed that the NPK+BznFe (100:75:75:3:6:6 kg/ha) could produce the most significant yield of high-quality turmeric plants and improve soil properties in Uzbek soil–climate conditions.

Response of the Yam Variety Krengle (Dioscorea rotundata) to Organo-mineral Fertilisation at Bouaké in Central of Côte d’Ivoire

The decline in yam productivity due to the lack of arable land and impoverished soils forces farmers to use fertiliser. The fertilisers used are mineral, organic or organo-mineral. A study of these fertilisers has been carried out to propose to the farmers a dose or combination that can improve their yield. Thirteen (13) fertilisers obtained from the combination of mineral fertiliser (NPK 15-15-15) and composted cow or poultry manure were tested on the yam variety Krengle in a 3 replicate randomized complete block design. The experiment was conducted over two (2) campaigns at Bouake in Central of C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire. The results show that high dose mineral fertilisation (NPK 15-15-15, 300 kg/ha) negatively influenced the growth and yield parameters of the yam variety Krengle. High doses of organic fertilisers (Cow manure (CM) 20 t/ha and poultry manure (PM) 20 t/ha) have a positive effect on vegetative growth. While the medium-high doses of organic fertiliser (CM 15 t/ha and PM 15 t/ha) gave better tuber yield (13.5 t/ha) and allowed an increase in tuber yield from 17 to 18%. Organo-mineral fertilisation combining a small dose of organic fertiliser (5 t/ha) with a medium dose of mineral fertiliser (200 kg/ha) gave also fairly good yield (13.3 and 14.42 t/ha) with an increase of 15 to 25%. Thus, 200 kg/ha of NPK 15-15-15 associated with 5 t/ha of poultry or cow manure can be recommended for the cultivation of the yam variety Krengle at Bouake.

BLACK CURRANT PRODUCTIVITY FORMATION AS AFFECTED BY THE COMPONENTS OF CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY

Studied in the experiment were the following components of cultivation technology for black currant: maintaining the soil between rows as black fallow or grassed; maintaining the rows as black fallow, mulched with straw or covered with polyethylene mulch film; foliar dressing in the budding stage with liquid suspended organic fertiliser Riverm at the concentrations of 1, 3 or 5% against the background of complete mineral fertiliser N60P90K90. According to the results of the research, it was found that the best growth and development of black currant plants was for maintaining the soil between rows as black fallow and maintaining the rows mulched with straw. Such practices activate the soil microbiota and facilitate the availability of nutrients to plants. Mulching with straw effectively protects against weeds, prevents damage to plants by tillage tools, and does not prevent rainfall from entering the soil. Accordingly, the best indicators of the maximum number of bunches of black currant (604) fruit number per bush (1315) were obtained in the treatment with maintaining the rows as black fallow and the use of fertiliser N 60P90 K90 (background) + Riverm 5 %. However, the highest fruit weight (1.66?1.74 g) was obtained in the treatment with maintaining the soil between rows as black fallow, the use of fertiliser background N60?90K90 + Riverm 3 % or Riverm 5 %. In general, the use of mineral fertilisers along with foliar dressing using Riverm increased the fruit yield in the treatment with N60P90K90 + Riverm 3 % under maintaining the rows as black fallow and mulching the rows using the straw up to 13.44 t/ ha; for the use of Riverm 5 %, the fruit yield was 13.28 t/ha.

UTICAJ NAČINA PRIMENE MINERALNIH ĐUBRIVA NA PRINOS KROMPIRA

This study showed the effect of different methods of application of mineral fertiliser rates on the yield of two potato cultivars grown under the agroenvironmental conditions of the Radočelo Mountain massif on a luvisol exhibiting rather favourable agrophysical and some what poorer agrochemical properties. In 2018 and 2019, a trial with potato cvs. ‘Arizona’ and ‘Esmee’ was established. Planned rates of mineral fertilisers (N200, P150, K150) were applied as two treatments: treatment 1 – fertiliser rates were ploughed in during autumn, and treatment 2 – one half of the planned rates was applied during seedbed preparation and the other half in-furrow at planting. The results showed that the treatment involving the application of one half of the fertiliser rate before planting, and the other half at planting resulted in higher total yields of both potato cultivars compared with the placement of the whole rate of fertilisers during deep ploughing in autumn.

The effect of two different fertilisers on the quality of Viola x wittrockiana Gams. seedlings

This research was carried out to analyse the effect of diverse types of fertilisers on the morphological features of pansy seedlings (Viola x wittrockiana Gams.), as well as to decide on the most appropriate concentration of fertiliser in order to obtain the highest seedlings quality. Two different types of liquid fertilisers were used in this experiment - Magnicvet and Magnihortal with six treatments. Each treatment comprised 30 plants or a total of 180 plants in the experiment were used. 30 plants per treatment were measured, 50 days after planting into plastic containers. The following biometric parameters were analysed: plant height (mm), stem thickness (mm), number of branches and number of flower buds. Measurements of biometric parameters showed that the liquid mineral fertiliser Magnihortal with NPK 10-5-5 + micro elements is more appropriate as compared with the liquid mineral fertiliser Magnicvet with NPK 7-1-5 + micro elements concerning the reinforced nutrition and eventually the enhanced quality of Viola x wittrockiana Gams. seedlings. Treatment V (Magnihortal 0.3 %) showed the highest average height of seedlings, average stem thickness and average number of branches, while the treatment VI (Magnihortal 0.4 %) showed the highest average number of flower buds.

Comparative Effects of Different Organic and Inorganic Fertilisers on Soil Fertility, Plant Growth, Soil Microbial Community, and Storage Ability of Lettuce

The current study was conducted to assess whether organic fertilisation could replace mineral fertilisation in lettuce production without adverse effects on yield, quality, and postharvest behaviour. The effect of either mineral or organic fertiliser on soil fertility or the microbial community was also studied. Control plots were fertilised with recommended rates of mineral fertiliser (150: 45: 65 kg/ha NPK) and the other treatments were 15 t/ha compost, 10 t/ha rabbit manure, and 10 t/ha chicken manure. Our results indicated that all sources of organic fertiliser significantly increased total nitrogen, organic carbon, total fungi, and bacteria contents of soils compared with mineral fertiliser. Rabbit and chicken manure fertilisers resulted in a significant increase in yield. Compared with conventional fertiliser and other organic treatments, plots receiving rabbit manure showed a lower weight loss and microbial load on fresh lettuce head. Moreover, rabbit manure significantly reduced polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity. Hence, these results suggest that rabbit manure fertiliser could be an alternative to conventional production without significant reduction in yield and with low enzymatic browning and better storability.