Assessment of Acacia dealbata as green manure and weed control for maize crop

Acacia dealbata Link is one of the main invasive species in southwestern Europe and a resource with potential value for agriculture. Our objective was to assess the value of A. dealbata vegetative aerial biomass used as green manure and as a tool for weed control in maize crops through three sequential experiments. In 2017, an experiment was carried out with acacia green manure vs inorganic fertilization of pots sown with a field corn and a sweet corn hybrid with strong and weak nutrient demand, respectively. Nutrients were not released from acacia green manure at an appropriate timing, and maize suffered nutrient deficit. In 2018, a pot experiment was made outdoors incorporating acacia green manure at different times before maize sowing, and we found that a 4-month period was required for maximum nutrient release from acacia green manure. In 2019, an early and a late-field experiments were performed by incorporating acacia green manure 4 months before maize sowing. Physiological and agronomic data were recorded in maize, along with soil data, for all years, and weed data the last year. Altogether, most effects and interactions between genotype or environment and fertilization treatment were not significant, and some deficiencies caused by acacia green manure fertilization depend on genotype and environment. Incorporation of acacia green manure 4 months before maize sowing partially controlled weeds and replaced inorganic fertilization. However, deficiencies should be corrected with additional weed control practices and fertilization treatments, according to the nutrient demand of the crop and the soil environment.

Decreasing Energy and Nutrient Intake During Hospitalization In Muhammadiyah Lamongan Hospital

Inpatient Malnutrition rates are quite high and distributed in almost all hospitals for all types of diseases and socio-economic sufferers. This study aims to examine the nutritional status, total patient intake, and factors that influence the total intake of newly hospitalized patients at Muhammadiyah Lamongan Hospital. The study was conducted from November to December 2019 in the internal, surgical, and Obgyn departments of the Muhammadiyah Lamongan Hospital. A total of 80 patients were selected as samples using the accidental sampling technique. The results showed that 87.5% of patients were hospitalized due to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus, acute and chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis, acute myocardial infark, and others. Only 12.5% ​​are treated for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, meningitis, diarrhea, and others. Calculation of BMI in patients shows that 10% of patients are obese, 30% are overweight, 50% are normal and 10% are malnourished. 24-hour recall results showed that 100% of patients could not meet energy and nutrient requirements (<80% of energy and nutrient demand figures). The average patient is only able to meet 24% of energy, 17% protein, 24% carbohydrates, and 18% fat. As many as 35% of patients complained of nausea and 22.5% of them were accompanied by vomiting. The number of patients said that decreased appetite because abdominal pain (35%), 25% patients experienced shortness of breath. Many patients complained that their bodies were weak / without strength (95%). Appetite also decreased due to difficulty chewing (17.5%) and difficulty swallowing (22.5%). Physical conditions like weakness accompanied by other eating disorders can be the cause of the patient's decreased food intake. This has led to a decrease in nutritional status in patients due to inadequate energy and nutrient need (especially those who have to go through a long period of hospitalization).

Impact of Elevated CO2 and Temperature on Growth, Development and Nutrient Uptake of Tomato

Elevated carbon dioxide (EC) can increase the growth and development of different C3 fruit crops, which may further increase the nutrient demand by the accumulated biomass. In this context, the current investigation was conceptualized to evaluate the growth performance and nutrient uptake by tomato plants under elevated CO2 (EC700 and EC550 ppm) and temperature (+2 °C) in comparison to ambient conditions. Significant improvement in the growth indicating parameters like leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area duration and crop growth rate were measured at EC700 and EC550 at different stages of crop growth. Further, broader and thicker leaves of plants under EC700 and EC550 have intercepted higher radiation by almost 11% more than open field plants. Conversely, elevated temperature (+2 °C) had negative influence on crop growth and intercepted almost 7% lower radiation over plants under ambient conditions. Interestingly, earliness of phenophases viz., branch initiation (3.0 days), flower initiation (4.14 days), fruit initiation (4.07 days) and fruit maturation (7.60 days) were observed at EC700 + 2 °C, but it was statistically on par with EC700 and EC550 + 2 °C. Irrespective of the plant parts and growth stages, plants under EC700 and EC550 have showed significantly higher nutrient uptake due to higher root biomass. At EC700, the tune of increase in total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake was almost 134%, 126% and 135%, respectively compared to open field crop. This indicates higher nutrient demand by the crop under elevated CO2 levels because of higher dry matter accumulation and radiation interception. Thus, nutrient application is needed to be monitored at different growth stages as per the crop needs.

PAPEL DOS PEIXES NA RECICLAGEM DE NUTRIENTES EM RIACHOS TROPICAIS

Fish can contribute directly and indirectly to nutrient recycling in aquatic environments, affecting community structure and ecosystem processes. Through the excretion of metabolic waste, fish make inorganic nutrients available in the environment that can be used by algae and bacteria. Nitrogen and phosphorus are often limiting nutrients in streams, so fish can be a relevant source of these nutrients. Many factors can influence excretion rates, including diet, body nutrient demand (for reproduction and growth), ontogeny, body size, temperature and other abiotic factors. Currently, two theories propose to explain which factors control excretion rates: 1) The Theory of Ecological Stoichiometry is based on mass balance models and uses the amount of nutrients in the diet and the fish nutrient demand as predictors of excretion rates; and 2) the Metabolic Theory of Ecology that uses body size and temperature as factors that regulate an organism metabolic rates and, thus, its excretion rates. The relative importance of fish as nutrient recyclers in streams varies depending on species intrinsic characteristics and environmental factors. This includes the magnitude of excretion rates from the entire fish community, the nutrient concentration and nutrient input into the stream, the stream nutrient demand and the period of activity and behavior of the fish. For example, species that are abundant in oligotrophic streams have the potential to represent an important source of nutrients. But other peculiarities, such as diet, specific nutrient demands, or migratory behaviors, can make them important sources or sinks of nutrients in a stream. This article reviews studies that address the role of fish as nutrient recyclers and explains the most common techniques used in this type of studies.

Cycling Phosphorus and Nitrogen through Cropping Systems in an Intensive Dairy Production Region

As pressure on the dairy industry to reduce its environmental impact increases, efficient recycling of manure nutrients through local cropping systems becomes crucial. The aim of this study was to calculate annual nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) budgets in six counties located in the Magic Valley, Idaho and estimate what distance manure would need to be transported to be in balance with crop nutrient demand given current dairy cattle populations and cropping systems. Our analysis suggests that crop N needs will not be met solely by manure, and synthetic fertilizer will need to be applied. However, to balance P with crop production, manure would need to be transported a minimum of 12.9 km from dairies and would have to replace synthetic fertilizer P on 91% of regional cropland. Education of producers and technical specialists would be necessary to improve the management of manure use in regional cropping systems. Technical solutions such as alternative diets for cattle and nutrient capture from manure streams will also likely be necessary to bring regional P into balance to protect environmental quality and improve the sustainability of the regional dairy industry.

Süt Sığırcılığı İşletmelerinde Ahır Gübresi Kullanımının ve Yönetiminin Ekonomik Analizi: Burdur İli Örneği

The objective of research was to economic analysis of manure utilization for fertilizer and manure management practices at the different size dairy farms engaged also in crop production in Burdur province. Data were obtained by conducting a questionnaire with 102 farmers which had dairy and crop productions. It was determined that as farm size increased ratio of crop nutrient demand met by manure increased. Crop nutrient demand met by manure was 29.9, 58.9 and 45.2 % for Group I, II and all farms average, respectively. When farmers used manure as fertilizer, amount of saving were 51.8, 107.1 and 80.6 TL/decare for Group I, II and all farms average, respectively. These results indicate that manure use can become economical for farmers. However, it has been found that nutrient losses are related to the excess in use of chemical fertilizers in all farms. Nutrient surplus due to extra chemical fertilizer use were 7.1, 15.9 and 11.8 kg for Group I, II and all farms average, respectively. Economic losses due to surplus nutrient substances usage were 65.1, 152.6 and 110.6 TL for Group I, II and all farms average, respectively. It was determined that farmers' knowledge level on manure use, management and chemical fertilizer were low in the research area. One major issue to be solved before manure use is to inform farmers about the importance of soil testing.

AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF SUGARCANE INOCULATED WITH Nitrospirillum amazonense (BR11145)

ABSTRACT Sugarcane cultivation areas are usually characterized by low soil fertility and high nutrient demand, especially for nitrogen. Technologies that can raise crop yield and lower the use of pesticides and fertilizers are among the main needs of this crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of sugarcane after in-furrow application of the diazotrophic bacterium Nitrospirillum amazonense (BR11145). The treatments consisted of applying five doses of N. amazonense-based product to the planting furrow, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 L commercial product (c.p.) ha-1; a treatment consisting of the combination of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis; one control without fertilization; and one control with fertilization. Based on the results obtained from the pooled analysis of two field experiments, the N. amazonense-based product improved the growth parameters of sugarcane plants, and at doses of 1.0 and 1.5 L c.p. ha-1, these benefits resulted in a significant increase in yield and in the amount of sugar per hectare. Inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria can benefit sugarcane, especially because it promotes the growth and yield of the crop similarly to fertilizers.

Yield and Nutrient Demand and Efficiency of Eucalyptus under Coppicing Regime

Eucalyptus stands can be managed by coppicing, however, in several Brazilian regions reduced yield has been observed with harvesting successions. This reduction can be attributed to reduced nutrient availability, among other factors. This study aimed to: to assess the nutritional demand of the Eucalyptus stand under a coppice regime; the effect of fertilization on the production of wood, distribution and compartmentalization of nutrients in eucalyptus stands managed by coppice; the effect of the height and number of shoots, on the occasion of the sprouting, in the production of eucalyptus managed by coppice and to compare the productivity of high eucalyptus wood with coppice management regime. The trial was conducted for clone GG157 (Eucalyptus urophylla hybrid), in Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Oxisol), of the Cerrado region in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Trees were originally planted at the 3.8 × 2.4 m spacing and, after the first harvesting, at age 84 months, the stand was managed by coppicing. Treatments consisted of: (a) fertilization or not; (b) one, two or four poles per stump; and (c) selection of 1-, 2- or 4-m-high poles and repeated three times. Sixty months after treatment application, plots of 80 trees were used for the assessments. The gain in trunk yield with fertilization and the combination between the height of poles at the time of pole selection and number of poles left varies between 140.2% for thinning when the pole is 2 m high and maintains 1 pole per strain and 128.6% when the plants are 1 m high and maintain 1 pole per strain. Not supplying nutrients in the coppicing system leads to lower accumulation of nutrients in the tree and reductions in both wood and trunk yields. Trees in the coppicing system use nutrients for trunk production more efficiently than those in high forest. Earlier pole selection enables the best use of growth resources, resulting in increased yield. Adequate nutritional management of coppiced stands results in the maintenance or increase of yield compared to the first rotation.