Effects of tillage methods on soil physical properties and crop yield in arid area of northwest China

Effects of no-tillage, deep tillage and tillage on soil physical properties and maize yield in Weibei dryland were studied through field experiments from 2008 to 2010. The results showed that the soil bulk density was the highest under no-tillage treatment. The maximum field water holding capacity and saturated water content were both the highest under deep-plowing treatment, which were 29.66 and 31.31%, respectively. Under the condition of balanced fertilization, during the growth period of maize, the average soil water storage of no-tillage and deep-plowing treatment was 44.2 and 34.6 mm higher than that of ploughing treatment. The yield, water use efficiency and net income of deep-plowing treatment with balanced fertilization were the highest among three combinations of tillage. It can be seen that the treatment of deep loosening with balanced fertilization is the best combination of tillage and fertilization in continuous cropping corn field in Weibei Arid Plateau. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 819-829, 2021 (September) Special

Yield response of barley to the application of mineral fertilizers containing major nutrients on Cambisols and Vertisols in Ethiopia

Increasing barley production in the face of declining soil fertility on smallholder farms is a critical challenge in Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the optimum rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) fertilizers under a balanced fertilization of other macro- and micronutrients (zinc and boron) and (2) quantify the agronomic efficiency of N and P on Cambisols and Vertisols. The trials were conducted for three consecutive years (2014–2016) on farmers’ fields on 83 sites under rain-fed conditions. On each farm, six rates of N, P, K, and S with a balanced application of the other nutrients were laid out separately in a randomized block design with three replicates. Balanced fertilization resulted in yield increments of 26–59% on Cambisols and 18–74% on Vertisols, as compared with the control (0 N). Application of P increased grain yield from 11% to 30% and from 7% to 14% due to the interaction of P by soil type as compared with the control. The application of K and S, however, had no significant effect on barley yields on either soil type. The highest agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) was obtained from 46 kg N ha−1, with AEN increasing by 117% on Cambisols and 33% on Vertisols, as compared with the highest N rate of 230 kg N ha−1. The maximum agronomic efficiency of P (AEP) was recorded with 10 kg P ha−1 on Vertisols, with AEP increasing by 73% on Cambisols and 452% on Vertisols, as compared with the application of 50 kg P ha−1. With balanced application of other nutrients, use of 230 kg N and 20 kg P ha−1 was recommended for tepid sub-moist mid-highlands and Vertisols. For tepid sub-humid mid-highlands, application of 46 kg N and 20 kg P ha−1 with balanced application of other nutrients was recommended. For Cambisols, application of 230 kg N and 40 kg P ha−1 was recommended with balanced application of the other nutrients. Similarly, application of 230 kg N, 40 kg P, and 10 kg S ha−1 was tentatively recommended for cool sub-most mid highlands. However, response to K was inconsistent and therefore a firm recommendation could not be proposed for the study sites. Further research needs to be conducted on more soil types and locations.

Balanced Fertilization for Improved Nutrient use Efficiency and Mulberry Productivity

Aim: To study the effects of balanced fertilization in improving leaf yield, quality and nutrient use efficiency in mulberry. Study Design: Experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) consisting of 7 treatments in 3 replications. Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted at Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Berhampore ((Latitude 24º05ʹN & Longitude 88º15ʹE; 18 m > MSL), West Bengal, India in two seasons during 2018 (July-August; September-October). Methodology: Existing S-1635 mulberry plantation (10year-old; 60 cm × 60 cm spacing; net plot area: 32 m2) was utilized. Experiments were conducted in two seasons (July-August, 2018; September-October, 2018) in randomized block design (RBD) consisting of 7 treatments in 3 replications. The treatments in this study included, T1: 100% N-P2O5-K2O+S+Zn with Urea-SSP-10:26:26 + Bentonite Sulphur (8 kg ha-1) + Zinc Sulphate (1 kg ha-1) as BF; T2: 75% BF; T3: 100% N-P2O5-K2O alone (Urea-SSP-10:26:26); T4: 75% N-P2O5-K2O alone (Urea-SSP-10:26:26); T5: 100% N-P2O5-K2O alone (Urea-DAP-MOP); T6: 100% N-P2O5-K2O alone (Urea-SSP-MOP) as farmers′ practice (FP); T7: Nutrients omission plot (Control). The recommended fertilizer dose (100%) for irrigated mulberry production in the Eastern region is N-P2O5-K2O=67-36-22 kg ha-1 crop-1. All the fertilizers were applied in two equal splits on 15th and 30th day after pruning. Results: This study reveals the importance of balanced fertilization of mulberry with N, P, K, S and Zn for sustainable productivity, which is reflected by the maximum values for leaf yield attributes, chlorophyll content and leaf yield. Further, mulberry leaf quality (in terms of total soluble protein and total soluble sugar) significantly improved with balanced fertilization. Higher PFP and AUE were also recorded with fertilization with compound/complex fertilizers than with straight fertilizers; but the balanced fertilization exhibited remarkable enhancement. Conclusion: The results prove that balanced fertilization of N-P2O5-K2O @ 67-36-22 kg ha-1 (Urea-SSP-10:26:26) with Bentonite sulphur (8 kg ha-1) and zinc sulphate (1 kg ha-1) were effective in improving mulberry productivity through enhanced nutrient use efficiency. This could be useful for realizing maximum productivity in mulberry as an efficient nutrient management strategy in mulberry cultivation.

Moler disease and cultivation practiced by shallot farmers in Brebes Central Java

Shallot is one of the leading commodities for farmers in Brebes, Central Java. Brebes is the largest supplier of Indonesia's national shallot production. This is what makes Brebes famous as a center for shallot production. However, recently farmers have been faced with the attack of pathogens that cause Moler disease, which recently increased their attacks so that certain conditions cause significant yield losses of up to 40%. The relationship between increasing the intensity of moler and cultivation practised by shallot farmers in Brebes is discussed in this text. The research was conducted through a survey by taking seven districts with the Brebes district's highest production area. Five farmers were selected for each speed. The data was excavated from farmers with a questionnaire about the shallot cultivation practice carried out by farmers. The results showed that the cultivation practices carried out by farmers had the potential to increase the intensity of moler disease. The practice that is meant is without crop rotation or varieties, without organic fertilizers, intensive application of fungicide, and balanced fertilization.

Balanced fertilization for increasing and sustaining fruit quality and productivity-A Review

Balance nutrient management is an approach to soil health management that combines organic and mineral methods of soil fertilization with physical and biological measures for soil and water conservation. The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides along with improper nutrient management is deleterious to the plant and soil health, environment and human being who consume them. It also causes soil health deterioration and disturbs the soil microorganisms. Due to these practices, the plants also become susceptible to several biotic and abiotic stresses. The quality attributes of different fruits are badly affected due to indiscriminate application of inorganic agro-chemicals which results in quality deterioration with less consumer preference and low returns to the growers. Thus, adequate mineral nutrition is a pre-harvest factor affecting fruit quality. Therefore, it is a holistic approach based on usage of all possible sources of plant nutrients in an integrated manner is considered as alternative source to maintain soil fertility and plant nutrient supply for sustaining the desired crop productivity. Due to huge distinction in the nutrient use efficiency of perennial fruit crops, their nutrient management- based production system is characteristically intricate to understand. Integrated plant nutrient management aims to optimize the condition of the soil, with regard to its physical, chemical, biological and hydrological properties, for the purpose of enhancing farm productivity, whilst minimizing land degradation. There are studies that integrated nutrient management provide tangible benefits in terms of higher yields, but simultaneously and almost imperceptibly conserve the soil resource itself along with produce quality. The replenishment of soil nutrients lost by leaching and/or removed in harvested products through an integrated plant nutrition management approach that optimizes the benefits from all possible on- and off-farm sources of plant nutrients. The review on balanced fertilization on a variety of fruit crops revealed similar combinations. These observations provided a countrywide database that INM module which consists of nutrient sources having three-tier nutrient release pattern, has far reaching consequences on soil and plant health translating into real guard production sustainability, nearer to climate resilient fruit crops.

INTEGRATED PATHOGENS AND PESTS MANAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Attack pathogens and increasing abundance of some insect pests were favored by the climate changes, culture technologies practiced and increasing of cultivated areas with soybeans. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the attack of pathogens in soybean crop and to monitor some pest Lepidoptera species in order to identify technological measures to ensure their control by methods with minimal impact on the environment. The experiment was performed at the Research and Development Station for Agriculture Turda during 2018-2020 period. The best technological option is plowing, balanced fertilization and fungicides application, either alone, or in combination with an insecticide.