Integrated Nutrient Management for Rice Yield, Soil Fertility, and Carbon Sequestration

Reliance on inorganic fertilizers with less or no use of organic fertilizers has impaired the productivity of soils worldwide. Therefore, the present study was conducted to quantify the effects of integrated nutrient management on rice yield, nutrient use efficiency, soil fertility, and carbon (C) sequestration in cultivated land. The experiment was designed with seven treatments comprising of a zero input control, recommended inorganic fertilizers (RD), poultry manure (PM) (5 t ha−1) + 50% RD, PM (2.5 t ha−1) + 75% RD, vermicompost (VC) (5 t ha−1) + 50% RD, VC (2.5 t ha−1) + 75% RD, and farmers’ practice (FP) with three replications that were laid out in a randomized complete block design. The highest grain yield (6.16–6.27 t ha−1) was attained when VC and PM were applied at the rate of 2.5 t ha−1 along with 75% RD. Uptake of nutrients and their subsequent use efficiencies appeared higher and satisfactory from the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The addition of organic fertilizer significantly influenced the organic carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, soil pH, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium contents in post-harvest soil, which indicated enhancement of soil fertility. The maximum value of the organic carbon stock (18.70 t ha−1), total carbon stock (20.81 t ha−1), and organic carbon sequestration (1.75 t ha−1) was observed in poultry manure at the rate of 5 t ha−1 with 50% RD. The soil bulk density decreased slightly more than that of the control, which indicated the improvement of the physical properties of soil using organic manures. Therefore, regular nourishment of soil with organic and inorganic fertilizers might help rejuvenate the soils and ensure agricultural sustainability.

Watermelon Production in Dry Land with Liquid Biofertilizer and Different Compound NPK

An area of 12.90 million ha of dry land has not been used optimally for agriculture, opportunity available to plant watermelons with proper cultivation techniques, including the use of biological and inorganic fertilizers. Biofertilizers can help provide NPK nutrients for watermelon plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate dosage of biological fertilizers and compound NPK for increasing watermelon yields. The research was conducted at AKN Sakojo No.21 Kel. Kedondong Raya Kec. Banyuasin III Pangkalan Banyuasin City Hall, South Sumatra from July to October 2020. This study used a factorial randomized block design (RAK). Factorial 1 is the dose of liquid biological fertilizer, namely: 10 mL/L, 20 mL/L, and 30 mL/L. Factorial II is Compound NPK, namely: 600 kg/ha, 900 kg/ha, and 1200 kg/ha. The highest production of 22.32 kg/plot (38 tons/ha) was achieved at a dose of 30 mL/L of liquid biological fertilizer and 1200 kg/ha of compound NPK fertilizer.

Effect of nutrient management on growth and yield of two tomato varieties in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh

The main goal is to investigate the effect of crop nutrient management on growth and yield of two tomato varieties in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) region of Bangladesh. Two factors experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Factor A was two varieties of tomato namely, V1: BARI 2 and V2: BARI 15. Factor B was different types of fertilizer like F0 (Farmers practices), F1 (vermicompost), F2 (inorganic fertilizer), F3 (combined fertilizer: 3/4 vermicompost+ 1/4 inorganic fertilizers), F4 (control, no fertilizer). Soil characteristics and climatic conditions were recorded. Plant growth, flowering and fruit characters, and yield were found significantly different (p<0.05). The highest plant height, flowering and fruit characters related to higher production were found in BARI 15 (V2) variety influenced by combined application of fertilizer F3 (3/4 vermicompost + 1/4 inorganic fertilizers). The maximum number of flower clusters per plant (9.66), fruit clusters per plant (8.13), individual fruit weight (117.7 g), fruit numbers per plant (51.17) were found in V2F3 and the same parameters were the lowest in V1F4. The results showed the highest production (95.50 t/ha) in V2F3 followed by V2F0 (81.70 t/ha), V2F1 (72.17 t/ha) and V2F2 (68.06 t/ha), and the lowest yield (27.70 t/ha) in V1F4. The highest fruit yield ((95.50 t/ha) found in V2F3 showed 80.84% higher compared to the V1F4 (27.70 t/ha) treatment. Considering the variety, the highest yield (74.05 t/ha) was found in V2 which was 40% higher yield compared to V1. Combined application of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers performed best as the nutrient management and BARI 15 was found as a suitable variety for the CHTs climatic condition. Hence, the similar type fertilizers proportion can be applied for the other vegetables production in the farmers field for the healthy and eco-friendly environment achievement.

Effect of biochar blended organic fertilizers on soil fertility, radish productivity and farm income in Nepal

Declining soil fertility and nutrient availability are one of the major threats to reducing crop productivity in Nepal. A field experiment was conducted to assess the potential of biochar (10 t ha-1) blended with organic and inorganic fertilizers on improving soil fertility and radish productivity in Morang district, Nepal. Biochar was prepared from locally available twigs, branches, and wood using the soil pit “Kon tiki” method. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 7 treatments having four replications viz., control (CK), biochar (BC), biochar + cattle manure (CM), biochar + poultry manure (PM), biochar + cattle urine (CU), biochar + commercial biofertilizers (BF) and biochar + inorganic fertilizers (urea-N). The nitrogen rate used in all the treatments was equivalent to 100 kg ha-1. The agronomic effect of biochar blended organic amendments was compared with control and inorganic urea-N treatments. Biochar amended plots showed significantly higher soil pH (6.5), organic matter (4%), total N% (0.8%), available P (80.1 kg ha-1), and K (203.6 kg ha-1) compared with control. CM increased marketable yield by 320% (63 t ha-1) and biomass yield by 198% (100 t ha-1) compared with control (15.0 t ha-1 and 34 t ha-1) of marketable and biomass yield, respectively. CM increased marketable yield by 44% compared with the urea-N treatment (44 t ha-1). Moreover, net return was observed highest with CM treatment among all the organic and urea-N treatments. The study suggests that the combination of biochar with locally produced cattle manure has the potential to increase radish productivity and could compete with mineral nitrogen fertilizers while producing similar or even higher crop yields and economic returns.

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Different Crops at Charlands in Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted at the farmer’s fields of three Charlands in Bangladesh during November 2019 to July 2020 for establishing new technologies for enhancement of productivity through innovative soil management practices. The experiments were established in a randomized complete block design using six treatments and three replications. Treatments of the experiments were T1 = FP (Farmers’ Practice) (Control), T2 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Vermicompost (3t/ha), T3 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Quick Compost (3t/ha), T4 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Standard Organic Fertilizers (3t/ha), T5 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Poultry Manure (3t/ha) and T6 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Biochar (3t/ha). The soil status in all selected Charlands were very low to optimum. Results of the experiment showed that application of organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers produced significant (p<0.05) variation in growth and yield parameters of the crops. The findings from the study showed that different organic fertilizers showed better performance compared to Farmer’s practice. The statistically maximum fruit yield (41.35t/ha) of pumpkin, grain yield (3.24t/ha) of millet and tuber yield (43.69t/ha) of sweet potato was recorded in biochar treated T6 treatment compared to other treatments. Besides, the statistically highest fresh fruit yield (29.50t/ha) of snake gourd, fresh fruit yield (20.80t/ha) of okra and yield (74.16t/ha) of Indian spinach were recorded in poultry manure treated T5 treatment compared to other treatments. Comparatively higher growth and yield of different crops were obtained from poultry manure along with inorganic fertilizers which was followed by biochar and quick compost application. It is recommended to the farmers to use organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers.

HIỆN TRẠNG SẢN XUẤT LÚA VÀ XỬ LÝ RƠM RẠ SAU THU HOẠCH Ở TỈNH THỪA THIÊN HUẾ

Điều tra thực trạng sản xuất lúa và vấn đề xử lý rơm rạ sau thu hoạch tại Thừa Thiên Huế được thực hiện thông qua phỏng vấn nông hộ ở xã Thủy Phù (thị xã Hương Thủy) và xã Hương Toàn (thị xã Hương Trà). Tiến hành điều tra 80 hộ nông dân bằng phiếu hỏi lập sẵn, kết quả cho thấy: Diện tích sản xuất lúa của các nông hộ đều phân bố rải rác với quy mô chủ yếu <5000 m2 (chiếm 77,5%). Cơ cấu giống lúa đa dạng với 16 giống và đã mạnh dạn canh tác các giống lúa mới. Các nông hộ ở địa điểm điều tra bón phân vô cơ cho lúa ở mức cao hơn so với quy trình khuyến cáo của Trung tâm Khuyến nông lâm ngư Thừa Thiên Huế. Các loại phân vô cơ được trộn lẫn với nhau và bón tập trung trong 4 đợt (bón lót và 3 lần bón thúc). Nông dân cũng sử dụng phân hữu cơ vi sinh Sông Hương và Quế Lâm để bón lót cho cây lúa nhưng tỷ lệ hộ áp dụng chưa nhiều (22,5% ở Thủy Phù và 12,5% ở Hương Toàn) và lượng bón còn thấp (500 kg/ha). Đa số nông hộ thu hoạch lúa bằng máy gặp đập liên hợp. Tùy tập quán từng vùng mà chiều cao gốc rạ để lại sau thu hoạch có khác nhau từ 20 - 30 cm (ở Hương Toàn) và >30 cm (ở Thủy Phù). Hình thức xử lý rơm rạ của người dân chủ yếu là đốt trực tiếp, vùi lấp và xử lý bằng chế phẩm. ABSTRACT Investigating the current situation of rice production and the treatment of rice straw after harvest was conducted by interview households at two location, namely Thuy Phu and Huong Toan commune in Thua Thien Hue province. The samples of the survey were 80 farm households. Results indicated that the rice production area of the households was scatteredly distributed with the main scale of <5000 m2 (77.5%). The structure of rice varieties was quite diverse with 16 varieties and new rice varieties were actively cultivated. The amount of inorganic fertilizer was applied at a higher level than recommended by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Extension Center in Thua Thien Hue. Inorganic fertilizers were mixed together and applied in four times including the basal fertilizer and three times application. Farmers also used Song Huong Organic fertilizers and Que Lam Organic fertilizers for fertilizing but the number of households applying it was not much (22,5% at Thuy Phu and 12,5% Huong Toan) with the level of investment was still low (500 kg/ha). Harvesting rice was conducted by the combine harvester. Depending upon the custom of each region, the height of the stubble was left behind different with 30 cm in Thuy Phu and 20 - 30 cm in Huong Toan. The form of rice straw treatment of farmers was direct burning, backfilling and treatment by using probiotics.

Economic and Technical Feasibility of AnchoisFert Organic Fertilizer Production

Is the production of the “AnchoisFert” organic fertilizer via the circular economy process based on omega-3 lipid extraction of milled anchovy fillet leftovers with citrus limonene followed by mild drying economically and technically viable? This study answers this question and identifies the main obstacles, chiefly of economic and organizational nature, to be overcome prior to commercialization of this new organic fertilizer. Along with non-variable and proven efficacy, successful competition with conventional organic and inorganic fertilizers requires affordable cost and regular supply. This, inter alia, requires to establish new and mutually beneficial relationship between bioeconomy firms and fish processing companies.

Germination, Growth and Yield Responses of Leaf Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus) to Rates and Times of Poultry Manure Application

Manures are more environment-friendly and effective in improving soil fertility, hence their recent preference over inorganic fertilizers. Poultry manure is believed to be the most valuable manure produced by livestock. However, the application had always been only before sowing, unlike the inorganic fertilizers that are, generally, applied after sowing/planting of crops. Therefore, the effects of broiler droppings applied at different rates and times were evaluated on seed germination, growth and yield of leaf amaranths, during the raining season of year 2019. Broilers droppings were applied at 0, 30 and 50 tha-1, at 1 and 2 week (-s) before sowing, at sowing and 1 and 2 (week)s after sowing of amaranth seeds. The experiment was factorial and treatments were replicated thrice in a randomized complete block design. Growth parameters measured were: Plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area, number of germinated seeds , and yield were measured at 7, 8 and 9 weeks after sowing (WAS). The data generated were subjected to ANOVA at &alpha;0.05. At 7 WAS, application of 50 tha-1 manure at sowing produced the highest plant height (17 cm), stem girth (7.40 cm), number of harvested stands (18.33) and marketable yield (7.95 tha-1) with significant differences. At 8 WAS, the highest yield (5.83 tha-1 was obtained from plots treated with 30 tha-1 of poultry dung applied at 2 weeks before sowing while more seeds (27) germinated on both plots treated with 50 t/ha of broiler droppings applied at sowing and 1 WAS. The best recorded values for number of germinated seeds (27) and yield (2.83 tha-1) at 9 WAS were obtained from 50 tha-1 of broiler droppings applied at sowing. 50 t/ha of broiler droppings, at sowing compared well with poultry droppings applied at any rate before sowing.