Leonardites Rich in Humic and Fulvic Acids Had Little Effect on Tissue Elemental Composition and Dry Matter Yield in Pot-Grown Olive Cuttings

The use of humic substances in agriculture has increased in recent years, and leonardite has been an important raw material in the manufacture of commercial products rich in humic and fulvic acids. Leonardite-based products have been used to improve soil properties and to help plants cope with abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, the effects of two commercial leonardites and an organic compost, in addition to a control treatment, were assessed for pot-grown olive plants over a period of fourteen months on soil properties, tissue elemental composition and dry matter yield (DMY). Three organic amendments were applied at single and double rates of that set by the manufacturer. The study was arranged in two experiments: one containing the seven treatments mentioned above and the other containing the same treatments supplemented with mineral nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization. Overall, organic compost increased soil organic carbon by ~8% over the control. In the experiment without NPK supplementation, N concentrations in shoots and P in roots were the highest for the compost application (leaf N 12% and root P 32% higher than in the control), while in the experiment with NPK supplementation, no significant differences were observed between treatments. Total DMY was ~10% higher in the set of treatments with NPK in comparison to treatments without NPK. Leonardites did not affect significantly any measured variables in comparison to the control. In this study, a good management of the majority of environmental variables affecting plant growth may have reduced the possibility of obtaining a positive effect on plant nutritional status and growth from the use of commercial leonardites. The leonardites seemed to have caused a slight effect on biological N immobilization. This is not necessarily an advantage or a drawback; it is rather a feature that must be understood to help farmers make better use of these products.

Influence of Nitrogen Sources Applied by Fertigation to an Enriched Soil with Organic Compost on Growth, Mineral Nutrition, and Phytochemicals Content of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in Two Successive Harvests

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen source applied by fertigation to an enriched soil with organic compost on plant growth, mineral nutrition, and phytochemical contents in two successive harvests in coriander. The treatments were as follows: unfertilized soil, soil enriched with organic compost, and soil enriched with organic compost to which 60 kg N ha−1 as ammonium nitrate and as ammonium sulfate applied by fertigation were added. Ammonium nitrate addition allowed to obtain a high total fresh yield (3.6 kg m−2) with a low inorganic nitrogen input. Ammonium nitrate increased plant shoot dry weight; fresh yield; and shoot N, K, and Ca uptake in the first harvest. Ammonium nitrate relative to organic compost and to ammonium sulfate increased fresh yield by approximately 57 and 25%, respectively. However, ammonium sulfate in the first harvest greatly increased shoot total phenols, from 137 mgGAE/100 g FW in ammonium nitrate to 280.4 mgGAE/100 g FW. Coriander’s fresh yield, in the second harvest, was unaffected by nitrogen addition. However, ammonium nitrate increased shoot total phenols and FRAP activity. Overall, the shoot phytochemical accumulation in the second harvest was lower than in the first. The combined application of ammonium nitrate and organic compost is a strategy to reduce inorganic nitrogen application.

Atividade biológica em solos cultivados com maracujazeiro amarelo adubados com composto orgânico / Biological activity in soils cultivated with yellow passion fruit fertilized with organic compost

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da adubação orgânica de fundação em cultivo de maracujazeiro sobre a atividade biológica no solo. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em Rio Branco, AC, em um ARGISSOLO VERMELHO AMARELO Alítico plíntico, textura franca arenosa e em Porto Acre, AC, em ARGISSOLO VERMELHO AMARELO distrófico plíntico de textura franco argilosa. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados com 5 tratamentos e 4 blocos e quatro amostras, totalizando 20 parcelas experimentais. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por covas cilíndricas com 0,15 m de profundidade e 2,0 m de diâmetro, aplicados 1/3 v/v de composto em diâmetros de 0,4 m; 0,8 m; 1,2 m; 1,6 m e 2,0 m, constituindo os diferentes tratamentos, com seus respectivos volumes: 0,007; 0,03; 0,06; 0,10; 0,16 m³, com amostragem realizadas a 0,5; 1,0 e 1,5 m do colo da planta. Foram avaliadas as características biológicas: respiração edáfica, respiração basal, biomassa microbiana e quociente metabólico. Foi verificado que em solos de textura franco arenosa sob oito anos de cultivo orgânico, o aumento da área adubada com composto orgânico não aumenta a atividade biológica do solo. Em solos de textura franco argilosa a atividade basal é maior com o aumento da adubação orgânica e a atividade microbiana maior com o distanciamento do colo da planta.

Amendment of organic compost proprieties through composting-vermicomposting integration

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effects of integrating composting-vermicomposting to improve the organic compost as from the physicochemical analyses and by their application on Brachiaria decumbens growth. Experiments carried out in composting unit used 30:1 ratio of nitrogen-rich organic waste (raw vegetables, fruits and cooked food) and carbon (dry grass) in 2 pile configurations (with, or without passive aeration). After 60 days, product was subjected to vermicomposting for 45 days. Composts were analyzed to check their quality (temperature, pH, moisture, organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus levels), as well as compared to each other as biofertilizers (10% (w/v)) for B. decumbens growth. Data have suggested that the vermicomposting process improved the compost pile by increasing its nitrogen (1.26% to 1.95%), phosphorus (0.64% to 1.2%) and organic carbon contents (17.1% to 18.9%). B. decumbens growth showed no significant differences between those treatments, which indicates that organic fraction should be increased (>10%) to release their nutrients to plant.

Different substrate compositions in the development of Brazilian berry in pots

The Brazilian berry (Pliniacauliflora, sin: Myrciariacauliflora Berg), a native tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, called by native people as “Jabuticaba” and cultivated throughout the national territory, is a species produced for consumption in natura, manufacturing liqueurs, ice cream, fermented drinks and juices, jellies, in addition to be used in the pharmaceutical industry for essential oil production. Despite being a tree species, it has been cultivated in pots by those who have little space. Thus, this study aimed to verify substrate compositions with soil in the development of Brazilian berry in full sun and potted. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 3 treatments and 9 replications, being: T1 – Soil + organic compost (1:1); T2 – Soil + sand (1:1); T3 – Soil + sand + organic compost (1:1:1). Chemical and physical properties of substrate mixtures, chlorophyll index and fresh and dry matter of leaves and analysis of leaf macro and micronutrients content were evaluated. Among the evaluated treatments, soil + sand + organic compost (1:1:1) showed favourable results for the evaluated characteristics, while soil + sand (1:1) showed unfavourable results, probably due to the presence of sand in its mixture.

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON PRODUCTION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL TRAITS OF FRUITS OF CONVENTIONALLY AND ORGANICALLY GROWN FIG1

ABSTRACT Fig (Ficus carica L.) is widely accepted due to its organoleptic and pharmacological properties. Search for innovations to improve the crop management has increased to reduce environmental impacts and improve the organoleptic quality and food safety of the fruits. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of fertilization methods and plant training systems on the production and physicochemical traits of fig. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme, with three blocks and three plants per plot. The factors corresponded to five fertilizers (chemical, cattle manure, sheep manure, poultry litter, and organic compost) and four training systems (two branches, three branches, four branches, and espalier). Results showed that, when using chemical fertilizer and poultry litter, plants showed similar productivity and number of fruits, which had similar firmness, length, and peel color (L and °h). The highest production and number of immature fruits were obtained using cattle manure. Soluble solids content and soluble solids content/ titratable acidity ratio were higher in fruits from plants fertilized with cattle manure, sheep manure, and organic compost. On the other hand, plants trained with three and four branches or in espalier produced fruits with the highest soluble solids content and weight. Also, heavier fruits were obtained using chemical fertilization and conducting plants with two, three, and four branches.

Influence of alternative substrates on biomass and quality of cedar seedlings

The production of native species seedlings is essential for the establishment of planted forests or for the recovery of degraded areas. In the nursery stage, the quality of the substrate is crucial for plant growth and development. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of alternative substrates, produced from agroforestry residues and decomposed forage grasses, on the biomass input and quality of cedar (Cedrela odorata) seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, located in Rio Branco, Acre, in a completely randomized design, with three treatments, consisting of substrates: brachiaria organic compost (1:1); organic compost combined with crushed brazil nut husk (2:1) and commercial substrate, with ten repetitions. At 90 days after sowing, total, shoot and root dry matter and Dickson's quality index were evaluated. The organic compost from Brachiaria grass favors the accumulation of biomass, improves the quality of cedar seedlings and can replace the commercial substrate in a viable way.

To Find the Rapid Method of Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is the scientific method of making compost by using earthworms. It is the cheap and effortless way for producing the organic compost. vermicompost is a backbone for enhancing the organic movement. the research was carried out in the kapilvastu district Nepal under the direction of Dr. Deepak kholiya (A professor of Graphic era hill university).to see the rapid method of vermicomposting and to use animal waste such as cow dung in the effective manner. Eisenia foetida an species of earthworm was used for the conversion of animal waste into the compost. In research we used two methods of vermicomposting i.e.,1. Pit method of size 5*5*3 feet 2. Bed method of size 6*2*2 feet. 200earthworms of same size were introduced in the both methods i.e., body length 3-10 cm body weight 0.4 to0.6 g. The substrate used in vermicomposting is rice straw along with chopped vegetable waste are mixed with the cow dung. Vermicompost sample of both methods are collected. Compost from bed method was collected after 60 days (about 2 months) and pit method was collected after 30-35 days (about 1 month 4 and a half days). both the vermicompost sample were high in nutrient content.