Addition of Tithonia Compost and Lime as Ultisol Soil Fertility Improvement for Oil Palm Sedling Media

Research to improve soil fertility, especially the chemical characteristics of Ultisol, has been carried out by adding compost and lime. The incubation method of soil plus compost at a dose of 0.5 kg/pot – 2 kg/pot and 1x exchanged Al lime was carried out for 2 weeks. The results of soil nutrient analysis after incubation were an increase in pH of 0.58 points, a decrease in exchanged Al to unmeasured, an increase in the C-organic content of the soil by 3.44%, an increase in the total N-value of the soil by 0.19%, an increase in the amount of soil organic matter. P-available was 5.81 ppm and exchanged K soil increased by 0.02 me/100 g soil. Likewise, the micro elements analyzed also increase. Thus there is a change in the chemical properties of the soil towards the better. The increase in nutrients N, P, K, Ca, and Mg clearly comes from tithonia, which is the result of decomposition of tithonia compost which is added containing high nutrients. In addition, tithonia compost produces organic acids that can dissolve previously insoluble nutrients into soluble ones. The improvement of the chemical properties of the soil towards a better direction is expected to be able to increase the growth of oil palm seedlings planted on the seedling medium growing.

Allelopathy and allelochemical quantitative analysis in Pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi)

Pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi) considered as a perennial legume animal fed plant with good soil fertility improvement was uesed for its allelopathy that had been reported on the germination of Ageratum conyzoides L, Comnyza canadensis L. Cronq., Bidens pilosa L., Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annum. through the solutions extracted from different parts of pinto peanut on mustard greens (Brassica juncea), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) and junglerice (Echinochloa colonum). Consideration of the growth of hypocotyls and rootlets at 48 hours after incubation with pinto peanut extracts, results showed that 1.0 g/ml of the methanolic pinto peanut stem extract greatly inhibited 100% mustard greens growth, 77.7% and 93.5% the hypocotyls and rootlets growth of barnyardgrass, 57.2% and 92.7% the hypocotyls and rootlets growth of junglerice, respectively. The allelopathic activity after liquid-liquid extraction of the ethyl acetate phase greater than the aqueous phase. Allelopathic extract loading from C18 chromatographic column was purified by HPLC to obtain 6 phenolic compounds with the contents in 1 g fresh pinto peanut weight were 0.214 μg (cinamic acid), 0.8344 μg (caffeic acid), 7.7676 μg (coumaric acid), 2.2354 μg (ferullic acid), 0.045 μg (2-4 dimehydroxy benzoic) and 32.1162 μg (salicylic acid). These results should be accordingly considered in the production of biological herbicides.

Enhancing the Fertilizer Value of Cattle Manure Using Organic Resources for Soil Fertility Improvement: A Review

The poor quality of cow dung in Ghana resulting from the opportunistic feeding mode of cattle impedes its adoption due to high quantities needed for application. This calls for nutrient optimization of cattle manure with inexpensive locally available sources of organic inputs that could enhance its quality. Though large volumes of crop residues and other agro-wastes are produced on-farm, they are underutilized and mostly a nuisance. Major food crops take approximately, 44 %, 42 % and 56 % of the total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), respectively and are found in crop residues. There is therefore the need to develop appropriate technologies for utilizing agro-wastes by transforming them into useful “resources” with potentially available plant macro and micronutrients. Common agro-wastes in Ghana include cocoa pod husk (CPH), palm kernel cake (PKC), cattle manure (CM) and poultry manure. Hence, this review sought to explore the use of crop residues and agro-minerals to improve the quality of manure and consequently its fertilizer value for soil fertility improvement and increased crop yield. The review presented an assessment of resource potentials of some crop residues and local agro-mineral as a means of enhancing the quality of CM. Using published data, the review has identified that PKC, rock phosphate (RP) and CPH have high potential for improving the N, P and K contents of CM, respectively. In conclusion, it recommends the need to extensively explore the potential of other commonly available organic resource materials for their efficacy to improve the fertilizer value of cattle manure.

Respons Hasil beberapa Varietas Kedelai terhadap Aplikasi Pupuk Fosfat

Soybean is including a major protein source with a relatively higher consumption rate. Similarly, various efforts have been adopted towards boosting production, including selecting high-yield species and soil fertility improvement using fertilizers. This research aims to increase soybean production by employing the appropriate variety and phosphate fertilizers to improve soil fertility. This experiment was conducted in Takalar, South Sulawesi, between April-July 2019. The split-plot design method was applied with three replications. Consequently, the main plot encompasses the treatment of three varieties, termed Argomulyo, Anjasmoro and Gema, while the subplots relate to phosphate fertilization, comprising three levels, including fertilization with a dose of SP-36 at 50, 100 and 150 kg.ha^-1. The results showed that the modifications in variety and phosphorus fertilization significantly influenced soybean production, as Argomulyo obtained the maximum rate of 2.77 t.ha^-1, followed by Anjasmoro at 2.45 t.ha^-1. Furthermore, phosphate fertilization with a dose of SP-36 at 100-150 kg.ha^-1 demonstrated the optimal soybean production as indicated by the maximum productive nodes and pods. Therefore, no interaction was observed between the various species and phosphate fertilization.

Corn Grain and Stover Nutrient Uptake Responses from Sandy Soil Treated with Designer Biochars and Compost

Biochars are used for soil fertility improvement because they may contain certain elements that plants use as nutrients. However, few studies have demonstrated enhanced crop nutrient uptake. Our study examined nutrient uptake responses of corn (Zea Mays L.) grain and stover over 4 years (Y) after a Goldsboro sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, sub-active, thermic Aquic Paleudults) received different designer biochars and a compost. The designer biochars were produced from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) chip (PC), poultry litter (PL), blends with switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum), and a SG compost alone. Topsoil treated with 100% PL biochar and blended PC:PL biochar had significantly greater Mehlich 1 (M1) extractable P, K and Na contents compared to the control or other treatments. No significant differences were detected in annual grain nutrient concentrations. In the first corn stover harvest (Y1), significantly greater concentrations of P and K were taken up after treatment with 100% PL biochar, with PC:PL blend and with SG when compared to control. By the fourth corn stover harvest (Y4), nutrient uptake between treatments was not significantly different. Biochar impact on corn stover P, K and Na concentrations was time dependent, suggesting that repeated biochar applications may be needed.

The Influence of ZnCl2 Activation on Macronutrient NPK Adsorption Simultaneously Using Coconut Shell Biochar for Soil Fertility Improvement

The influence of ZnCl2 activation on macronutrient Nitrogen, Phosphor, Potassium (NPK) adsorption simultaneously using Coconut Shell Biochar for soil fertility improvement has been conducted. Biochar formation is carried out at temperature up to 500 oC using variation in the concentration of ZnCl2 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0; dan 2,5 M. The biochar formed was characterized using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy and Surface Area Analyzer (SAA). Whereas NPK analysis has used the Indonesian standard method (SNI 7763: 2018). Based on this research, it was concluded that the greater the concentration of ZnCl2 activator, indicated that the higher intensity of the spectra of –OH and –NH2 at wave number 3400 cm-1 and 1600 cm-1. It showed that biochar activation was higher and a more active functional group was opened. Increasing the concentration of ZnCl2 activator has increased Biochar adsorption of NPK macronutrients. The optimum condition for activation of coconut shell Biochar was activation with ZnCl2 2.5 M. The addition of activated Biochar was increased soil adsorption on NPK macronutrients. Biochar addition had increased Nitrogen (N) adsorption up to 23.53%, Phosphor (P) up to 200%, and Potassium (K) up to 41.24%.

Application of Gliricidia sepium Tree Leaves and Nitrogen Fertilizer to Improve Tomato Production and Soil Properties

Excess use of agrochemicals for intensive cultivation affects crop quality and destroys agro-ecosystems, and eventually creates health hazards. The study aims to investigate the effect of Gliricidia sepium (GS) tree leaf as suitable green manures for supplementing nutrient supply along with nitrogen (N) fertilizer to produce quality tomato and soil fertility improvement. A field experiment was conducted at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh, from November 2016 to March 2017. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (two factors) with three replications. There were nine treatment combinations with three levels of GS tree leaves (5, 10 and 15 t ha−1) and three doses of N (0, 50 and 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer). The highest tomato yield was recorded in GS15×N100 treatment combination, which was 41.68% higher compared to the control treatment. Decreasing C: N ratio in increasing dose of GS and N treated plot indicated the quality of tree leaves that ensures faster decomposition and high nutrient release pattern of this species. Increasing rate of soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in different treatments as compared to initial soil showed soil fertility improvement. Overall, the results indicated that quality tomato could be grown successfully by the application of G. sepium tree leaves along with an appropriate amount of N fertilizer. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2020) 24(1) : 77-87