Nutrient Management Effects on Wine Grape Tissue Nutrient Content

With limited research supporting local nutrient management decisions in North Carolina grape (Vitis vinifera) production, field studies (2015–17) were conducted to evaluate late season foliar nitrogen (N) application on leaf and petiole N concentration and yeast assimilable N (YAN) in the fruit. Foliar urea (1% v/v) was applied at different rates and application times beginning pre-and post-veraison. Compared to soil applied N, late season foliar N substantially enhanced petiole N and grape YAN. Smaller split N applications were generally more effective in increasing YAN than single larger N rates. These data demonstrate the value of assessing plant N content at full bloom with petiole N analysis or remote sensing to guide foliar N management decisions. Additional field studies (2008–11) were conducted to evaluate pre-bud soil applied phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) effects on petiole P and K nutrient status. Fertilizer P and K were initially broadcast applied (0–896 kg P2O5 ha−1; 0–672 kg K2O ha−1) prior to bud-break in 2008–09 and petiole P and K at full bloom soil test P and K were monitored for three to four years after application. Soil test and petiole P and K were significantly increased with increasing P and K rates, which subsequently declined to near unfertilized levels over the sampling time depending on site and P and K rate applied. These data demonstrate the value of annually monitoring petiole P and K levels to accurately assess plant P and K status to better inform nutrient management decisions.

Analysis of Soil Primary Macro Nutrient Status in Agricultural Land, Tabundung District, East Sumba Regency

Agricultural land is land that can affect agricultural productivity. Land, which is part of land resources, is the main component in the production of agricultural commodities. In supporting the productivity of agricultural commodities, there must be sufficient nutrients in the soil. Tabundung sub-regency is a producer of food crops, livestock and fisheries. As the main producer in the agricultural sector, the production of agricultural crops is not proportional to the total area of harvested land, meaning that the productivity of agricultural crops is not optimal if it is based on harvested area. The study was conducted in Tarimbang Village, Proud Watu and Tapil Regency of Tabundung. The method used in this research was survey technique and soil sampling was carried out in a composite manner. Soil samples were analyzed at the Nusa Cendana University Laboratory, Kupang. Primary data analyzed were elements of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic carbon (C), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and pH. The results showed that the overall nutrient status of N, P, and K were in the medium, high and very high categories, but there were some sample points that were in the low category for macronutrients N and P. While the concentrations of organic C, CEC and pH were overall generally in pretty good condition. This condition indicates that the research area provides sufficient nutrients for plant cultivation during the growth and yield of plants, but improvements are needed to overcome macronutrient deficiencies in several observation locations.

Effect of magnesium fertilization on yield and nutrient status of rice in kole lands

The field experiments were conducted in farmer's field at five locations each of kole lands to study the effect of Magnesium (Mg) on yield and soil and plant nutrient status of rice during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments comprised of different levels of Mg viz; 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 kg Magnesium sulphate(MgSO4)/ha along with control. Observations on growth characters yield attributes, yield and soil and plant nutrient status were recorded. The results revealed that application of 100 kg MgSO4 / ha recorded the maximum number of panicles/m2 (419.13), number of grains/panicle (109.36), thousand grain weight (28.78 g), grain (9.27 t/ha) and straw yield (9.04 t/ha) of rice. The results of pooled data on plant and soil nutrient status revealed that application of magnesium had a positive effect on nutrient content and availability of nutrients in soil. A significant positive correlation was also noticed between Mg application, yield attributes, yield and nutrient contents. The study concluded that application of 100 kg MgSO4 / ha was found to be optimum for correcting the deficiency in Mg deficient areas of kole lands under below sea level farming.

Soil Fertility Properties, Leaf Nutrient Status and Yield Of Coconut and Intercrops as Influenced and Coconut Based Cropping System in Coastal Plain of Western India

An experiment was conducted during 2013 -2019 to study the impact of intergrated nutrient management through organic matter recycling (OMR) on the soil properties, leaf nutrient status and yield of coconut and its components crops at Regional Coconut Research Station (AICRP on Palms), Bhatye, Maharashtra, India. The experiment was laid out in 0.40 ha with four treatments namely T1, T2, T3 and T4. Results showed that, INM practices significantly improved the soil physico-chemical, biological properties and leaf nutrient status, whereas it was more prominent for the T1 treatment. The soil organic carbon content during post experimental period gradually increased in the organic recyclable treatment under cropping system (0.80 to 0.86%) compared to monocropping (0.60%). The recyclable biomass produced from the system varied between 9.0 - 18.0 t/ha/year and vermicompost produced was 4.8 to 10.2 t/ha/year by composting through earthworm. The nut yield (147.2 and 138.4 nuts/palm), copra output (25.75 and 23.06 kg/palm) and oil output (17.11 and 15.72 kg/palm) under treatment T1 and T2 were on par and differed significantly compared to monocrop. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1067-1075, 2021 (December)

Testing the accuracy of Soil Testing Kit® Transchem

Soil testing is key to soil fertility management as it serves as a fertilizer application guide to farmers, scientists and consultants. It gives information on soil nutrient status and its supplying capacity. Laboratory (LB) procedures have been the most reliable approach for soil nutrients analyses. However, it is costly and nonpoint. Thus, the use of in–situ testing kit emerges and becomes prominent. Notwithstanding, applicability of soil testing kit must be validated by laboratory test. This work aimed to examine the reliability/suitability of Soil Testing Kit® Transchem (SK) in determining selected soil nutrients in Sahel Savannah, Nigeria. Twentyfive replicate soil samples were collected from 12°47’86’’-12°20’96’’N and 4°38’37’’-4°188’02’’E, Kebbi State Nigeria and used to test soil pH, N, P, K and soil organic carbon (SOC) by SK and LB. The SK uses colour chart and comparator for rating nutrients status qualitatively into; low, medium and high and up to very high for P. The LB results were transformed to qualitative data by corresponding the values with soil rating standardinto low, medium and high. To perform statistics, weighting was done by assigning weight load to each category; low = 1, medium = 2 and high = 3. The two methods were compared using t-test, regression and descriptive analyses. Results showed non-significant difference between the two methods for soil contents of N, P and K. However, SK poorly estimated soil pH and SOC. Correlation and regression coefficients (r = 0.915 and R2 = 0.838, respectively) indicated reliability of the SK. It is concluded that SK can be reliably used for N, P, and K but not soil pH and SOC estimation for soils in Sahel savannah of Nigeria.

Response of Organic Manure and Azotobacter on Quality and Leaf Nutrient Status of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Cv. Winter Dawn

The field experiment was conducted during two subsequent years, i.e., 2017-18 and 2018-19 at the Department of Horticulture, Hisar with aim to study the effect of organic manures and Azotobacter on quality and leaf nutrient status of strawberry cv. Winter Dawn under hi-tech greenhouse conditions of Haryana. In this experiment, organic manures in combination with biofertilizers comprised of nine treatments, viz., T1: Sand: FYM (3:1), T2: Sand: FYM (2:1), T3: Sand: Vermicompost (3:1), T4: Sand: Vermicompost (2:1), T5: Sand: FYM (3:1) + Azotobacter, T6: Sand: FYM (2:1) + Azotobacter, T7: Sand: Vermicompost (3:1) + Azotobacter. T8: Sand: Vermicompost (2:1) + Azotobacter and T9: Control (Sand); were tested as potting media in complete randomized block design. Maximum TSS, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin content and minimum acidity content and leaf with maximum N, P and K content were observed under sand: vermicompost (2:1) + Azotobacter in comparison to the other treatments. The results of this experiment revealed that, the combination of sand: vermicompost (2:1) with Azotobacter showed significant influence on leaf nutrient content of strawberry and produced better results with respect to quality of strawberry fruits.

Fat Body Phospholipid State Dictates Hunger Driven Feeding Behavior

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) leads to dysfunctional feeding behavior. But the precise molecular nodes that are dysregulated by DIO that alter satiety sensing and feeding motivation are not fully disentangled. The fruit fly is a simple genetic model system yet displays significant evolutionary conservation to mammalian nutrient sensing and energy balance. Using a longitudinal high sugar regime, in Drosophila, we sought to address how lipid alteration in fat cells alters feeding motivation. We find that long-term exposure to an HSD increases baseline feeding in flies. However, prolonged exposure to HSD degrades the hunger-driven feeding (HDF) response. Lipidomics analysis reveals that longitudinal exposure to HSD significantly alters whole body phospholipid profiles. Then, performing a systematic screen for phospholipid enzymes, we identify that a specific enzyme PECT, a rate-limiting enzyme in the phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) biosynthesis pathway and the fly ortholog of human PCYT2, was critical to maintaining hunger-driven feeding motivation. We show that disrupting PECT only in the fat body causes insulin-resistant phenotypes and a loss of hunger-driven feeding. Excitingly, we find that overexpression of PECT restores HSD-induced loss of hunger-driven feeding response. Strikingly human studies have noted a correlation between PCYT2/PECT levels and clinical obesity. Now, our unbiased studies in Drosophila provide specific genetic evidence for PECT in maintaining nutrient sensing during DIO. Our study provides novel insights on the role of phospholipids in interorgan communication of nutrient status.

Low-Rank Coal as a Source of Humic Substances for Soil Amendment and Fertility Management

Humic substances (HS), as important environmental components, are essential to soil health and agricultural sustainability. The usage of low-rank coal (LRC) for energy generation has declined considerably due to the growing popularity of renewable energy sources and gas. However, their potential as soil amendment aimed to maintain soil quality and productivity deserves more recognition. LRC, a highly heterogeneous material in nature, contains large quantities of HS and may effectively help to restore the physicochemical, biological, and ecological functionality of soil. Multiple emerging studies support the view that LRC and its derivatives can positively impact the soil microclimate, nutrient status, and organic matter turnover. Moreover, the phytotoxic effects of some pollutants can be reduced by subsequent LRC application. Broad geographical availability, relatively low cost, and good technical applicability of LRC offer the advantage of easy fulfilling soil amendment and conditioner requirements worldwide. This review analyzes and emphasizes the potential of LRC and its numerous forms/combinations for soil amelioration and crop production. A great benefit would be a systematic investment strategy implicating safe utilization and long-term application of LRC for sustainable agricultural production.