Utilization of slurry and mushroom baglog to improve growth and yield on strawberry on degraded volcanic soils

Utilization of slurry under the combination with mushroom baglog could be used a potential source for replacing nitrogen fertilizer and improve soil fertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different combination and the level of slurry application combining with mushroom baglog on total soil nitrogen and organic contents, total soil bacteria and fungi, along with the improvement of growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). The experiment used a complete randomized design with five treatments and five replications. The treatments were A1 (100% inorganic fertilizer application as control), A2 (50% composted slurry and mushroom baglog + 50% in-organic fertilizer), A3 (100% composted slurry and mushroom baglog), A4 (150% composted slurry and mushroom baglog), A5 (50% composted slurry and mushroom baglog + 50% in-organic fertilizer), A6 (100% fresh slurry (uncomposted)), and A7 (150% uncomposted fresh slurry). Results showed that the treatments significantly affected total soil nitrogen, total soil bacteria and fungi, along with the growth and yield of strawberry. The A6 treatment which used 100% uncomposted fresh slurry, showed the highest total nitrogen in the soil (0.23%) and total population of bacteria (7.1 log CFU/g) and the greatest number of strawberry stolons. In term of the number of leaves and total soil fungi, the A3 treatment was the greatest, resulted in number of leaves and total soil fungi at 19.7 per plant and 4.8 log cfu/g x 104. However, the best yield was obtained from the A7 treatment (150% of fresh slurry) at 15.1 kg/ha.

Carbon-nitrogen ratio in soils with fertilizer applications and nutrient absorption in banana (Musa spp.) cv. Williams

This research took place in Uraba, Antioquia, in the CENIBANANO-AUGURA experimental field, where a research program on nutrition and fertilization in bananas is carried out. This crop requires high amounts of nitrogen for production, so it is indispensable to evaluate the impact of these applications on the carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) in soil. Published literature is scarce for this problem. This research evaluated the C/N ratio in areas with fertilizer applications and nutrient uptake, along with the interaction with production in a banana crop of the AAA group giant Cavendish subgroup, Williams clone, sixth generation in two production cycles. A randomized complete block design was used with five treatments that consisted of differential doses of nitrogen (161, 321.8, and 483 kg ha-1), and an omission and absolute control distributed in four replicates. The treatments with nitrogen doses generated statistical differences for the interactions between the two study zones for the percentages of carbon and total soil nitrogen and C/N ratios; the highest values were found in the fertilization zone during the first production cycle (2.47% C, 0.33% N, and 7.7 C/N ratio). The treatment with 483 kg ha-1 of N obtained the greatest increases in the values for these variables that are attributed to the highest dose of nitrogen and the residual acidity of urea that was able to release non-free carbon from the soil. For this reason, the correlation analysis for the C/N ratio and production was significant for the study areas (absorption and fertilization), inferring that higher C/N ratio values tend to increase production.

Influence of No-Tillage on Soil Organic Carbon, Total Soil Nitrogen, and Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grain Yield

No-tillage (NT) can improve soil properties and crop yield. However, there are contrasting reports on its benefits compared to conventional tillage (CT). Dataset (2003–2018) from long-term continuous winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) experiments 222 (E222) at Stillwater and 502 (E502) at Lahoma in Oklahoma, USA, established in 1969 and 1970, respectively, was used. Both experiments were managed under CT until 2010 and changed to NT in 2011. In each tillage system, treatments included nitrogen (N) rates at E222 (0, 45, 90, and 135 kg·N·ha−1) and E502 (0, 22.5, 45, 67, 90, and 112 kg·N·ha−1). The objective was to determine the change in wheat grain yield, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total soil nitrogen (TSN) associated with the change to NT. Grain yield was recorded, and postharvest soil samples taken from 0–15 cm were analyzed for TSN and SOC. Average TSN and SOC under NT were significantly above those under CT at both locations while grain yield differences were inconsistent. Under both tillage systems, grain yield, TSN, and SOC increased with N rates. At E222, grain yield, TSN, and SOC under NT were 23%, 17%, and 29%, respectively, more than recorded under CT. At E502, grain yield was lower under NT than CT by 14% while TSN and SOC were higher by 11% and 13%, respectively. Averaged over experimental locations, wheat grain yield, TSN, and SOC were 5%, 14%, and 21%, respectively, higher under NT compared to CT. Therefore, NT positively influenced grain yield, TSN, and SOC and is likely a sustainable long-term strategy for improving soil quality and crop productivity in a continuous monocropping system.

Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency and Total Soil Nitrogen Accumulation in Long-Term Beef Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer Application

Livestock manure is a common soil amendment for crop-livestock production systems. However, the efficiency of crop nitrogen (N) uptake from the manure-amended soil may not equate with that from inorganic N sources. The objective of this paper was to determine the efficiency of N uptake, grain yield, and total soil nitrogen (TSN) accumulation in beef manure-amended soil compared to the inorganic N fertilizer-amended soil. Data (1990–2015) from a long-term continuous winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fertility experiment at Stillwater in Oklahoma, USA, were used in this report. Three of the six “Magruder Plot” treatments used in this study were manure, NPK plus lime (NPKL), and a check (no nutrients applied). Pre-plant N, P, and K were applied annually at 67, 14.6, and 27.8 kg·ha−1, respectively, while beef manure was applied every 4 years at 269 kg N·ha−1. The results indicated that grain N uptake in the manure treatment (48.1 kg·ha−1) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that in the NPKL treatment (60.2 kg·ha−1). This represents 20.1% efficiency of inorganic N uptake than the manure N uptake. The average grain yield (1990–2015) from the manure and NPKL treatments was 2265.7 and 2510.5 kg·ha−1, respectively, and was not significantly different. There was a trend of TSN increase over the study period for both manure and NPKL treatments. The average TSN from manure and NPKL treatments was 0.92 and 0.91 g·kg−1 soil, respectively, and was not significantly different. While no significant difference between manure and NPKL grain yield was observed, there was a significantly lower uptake efficiency of manure N compared to inorganic N. Furthermore, the low uptake efficiency of the manure N could suggest a potential for environmental pollution. Appropriate timing and application rate of manure N sources could optimize crop use efficiency and limit potential threat to the environment.

Soil and highbush blueberry responses to fertilization with urea phosphate

The low availability of soils with an appropriate pH value (4.2-5.2) is a factor limiting an increase in highbush blueberry acreage. The experiments examined the influence of a physiologically acidic urea phosphate fertilizer on the pH change of the soil and the mineral content in the soil, leaves, and fruit as well as polyphenols in the fruit of two highbush blueberry cultivars – ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Brigitta Blue’. The fertilizer, at doses of 30 and 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare, was used in the experiments in each of the three years of the study. After using 60 kg N ha−1, urea phosphate caused a reduction in soil pH. It also significantly influenced the total soil nitrogen content – the average for the cultivars was 7.40 mg in 2015, while in the control plots – 1.85 mg 100 g−1. These quantities are above the optimum recommended for highbush blueberry. At the same time, low amounts of this ingredient were found in the leaves (‘Sunrise’ – 1.83 mg; ‘Brigitta Blue’ – 1.77 mg 100 g−1). Even after the application of 30 kg of fertilizer in the second year, the phosphorus content in the soil was at a high level (> 4 mg 100 g−1). The amount of phosphorus also increased in the leaves and fruit. Despite considerable quantities of available magnesium in the soil after urea phosphate application, a significant reduction of this component was observed in the leaves and fruit compared to the unfertilized control bushes. The applied fertilizer reduced the amount of polyphenols in the fruit of the tested cultivars.

EMISSÃO DE ÓXIDO NITROSO ASSOCIADO AO USO DE UREIA NO CULTIVO DE MELÃO AMARELO

O meloeiro tem grande importância econômica para o Nordeste brasileiro. Entretanto, em seu cultivo utiliza-se insumos que podem prejudicar o ambiente; como, os fertilizantes nitrogenados. Objetivou-se avaliar a emissão de N2O em cultivo de meloeiro amarelo ‘Goldex’. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram: 0 (controle), 1,0; 1,5 e 2 vezes a quantidade de nitrogênio recomendada para cada estádio. Foi analisado o fluxo de N2O, área foliar, número de folhas, massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca dos frutos, massa seca da parte radicular, nitrogênio total do solo, das plantas e N (NH4+ e NO3-) do solo. O fluxo de N2O teve comportamento temporal irregular durante a fase de plântulas e crescente na floração. Os tratamentos afetaram significativamente a área foliar, número de folhas, massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca da parte radicular, nitrogênio da parte aérea e parte radicular das plantas e do solo. A aplicação de nitrogênio, em dosagens superiores à recomendada, não aumentou a produção do meloeiro. E o cálculo do fator de emissão mostrou que a emissão do N2O não atingiu valores prejudiciais ao ambiente.Palavras-chave: fator de emissão, efeito estufa e nitrogênio. NITROUS OXIDE EMISSION ASSOCIATED WITH UREA USE THE YELLOW MELON CROP ABSTRACT: The melon has great economic importance for the Brazilian Northeast. However, in its cultivation uses inputs that can harm the environment; Such as nitrogen fertilizers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the emission of N2O in yellow 'Goldex' cultivar. The experiment was installed in a completely randomized design with five replications. The treatments were: 0 (control), 1.0; 1.5 and 2 times the amount of nitrogen recommended for each stage. N2O flux, leaf area, leaf number, shoot dry mass, fruit dry mass, dry mass of the root portion, total soil nitrogen, of the plants and N (NH4 + and NO3 -) of the soil were analyzed. The flow of N2O had irregular temporal behavior during the seedling phase and increased in flowering. The treatments affected significantly the leaf area, number of leaves, dry mass of the aerial part, dry mass of the root part, nitrogen of the aerial part and root part of the plants and the soil. The application of nitrogen, in dosages higher than the recommended one, did not increase the production of the melon. And the calculation of the emission factor showed that the emission of N2O did not reach values harmful to the environment.Keywords: emission fator, greenhouse and nitrogen.

Soil properties and earthworm dynamics affected by land use systems in western Chitwan, Nepal

Field experiments were conducted in acidic soils of Mangalpur and Fulbari Village Development Committees in western Chitwan, Nepal to study the effects of different land use systems on soil properties and earthworm dynamics. Seven land use systems (cereal based lowland, cereal based upland, vegetable farm land, fruit orchard land, pasture land, forest land and farmer’s field) were used and they were replicated four times in randomized complete block designs. Soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen were significantly higher from pasture land (4.7 % and 0.2 %) and the lowest were from farmer’s field (2.4 % and 0.1 %). However, available soil phosphorous content was significantly higher from cereal based upland (448.3 kg ha-1) and it was the lowest from forest land (13.0 kg ha-1). The highest earthworm count was observed from pasture land (10.1 numbers per trap) than others but it was the lowest from farmer’s field. There were significant positive correlations between soil organic matter content and the earthworm count (r= 0.96**) and between total soil nitrogen content and earthworm count (r= 0.80**). In contrast, a significant negative correlation was observed between earthworm count and available P (r= -0.51**). Correlation between earthworm count and silt content was positive (r= 0.68**) but between earthworm count and sand content was negative (r= -0.64**). However, there were no significant relationships of earthworm count with available K, pH, bulk density and clay content of soils. The soil organic matter, total soil nitrogen and earthworm count were higher from pasture soil than other soils. As soil organic matter, total soil N, available soil P and soil texture regulated earthworm dynamics in soils. Earthworm population may be used as a bio-indicator of soil fertility status and it can be developed as an alternative technique for soil fertility evaluation after quantification and verification from further experiments on earthworm dynamics under different land use systems.Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science.Vol. 33-34, 2015, page: 123-128

Effect of seasonal variation on soil enzymes activity and fertility of soil in paddy fields of North Vanlaiphai, Mizoram, India

For sustainability in agricultural productions, familiarity of soil quality and manual improvement to create the best possible growing environment for plants are extremely important. In this study the quality of soil of a paddy field in North Vanlaiphai was investigated with respect to the change in seasons throughout the year. A total of five (5) soil samples were selected from various places of the paddy field, and soil fertility indicators such as pH, total soil nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (Pav), exchangeable potassium (Kex), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM) and soil enzymes viz. dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease were analyzed using standard protocols. All the parameters except available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were found to be highest during rainy season whereas lowest in summer.