Estimating Nutrient Uptake Requirements for Melon Based on the QUEFTS Model

Imbalanced and excessive fertilizer application has resulted in low yields and reduced nutrient use efficiency for melon production in China. Estimating nutrient requirements is crucial for effectively developing site-specific fertilizer recommendations for increasing yield and profit while reducing negative environmental impacts. Relationships between the yield and nutrient uptake requirements of above-ground dry matter were assessed using 1127 on-farm observations (2000–2020) from melon production regions of China. The quantitative evaluation of fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model was used to estimate nutrient requirements. It predicted a linear increase in yield at balanced nutrient uptake levels until the yield reached approximately 60–80% of the potential yield. In order to produce 1000 kg of fruit, 2.9, 0.4 and 3.2 kg/ha of N, P and K (7.2:1.0:7.8), respectively, were required for above-ground parts, while the corresponding nutrient internal efficiencies were 345.3, 2612.6 and 310.0 kg per kg N, P and K, respectively, whereas 1.4, 0.2 and 1.9 kg of N, P and K were required to replace nutrients removed after harvest. The corresponding fruit absorption rates were 47.0%, 59.5% and 58.2%, respectively. Field validation experiments confirmed the consistency between observed and simulated uptake rates, indicating that this model could estimate nutrient requirements. These findings will help develop fertilizer recommendations for improving melon yield and nutrient use efficiency.

Sulphur Dynamics under different land uses of Outer Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh

The knowledge of different sulphur (S) forms and their relationship with soil properties is of much relevance in assessing the short- and long-term availability of the nutrients to crops and in formulating sound fertilizer recommendations. For this purpose one hundred and one representative soil samples were collected from the study area and analyzed for various physicochemical properties and forms of sulphur (water soluble, exchangeable, available, organic, non-sulphate and total S) using standard methods. The different forms of sulphur viz., water soluble, exchangeable, available, organic, non-sulphate and total sulphur ranged from 1.1 to 7.0, 1.9 to 10.9, 3.1 to 21.1, 75.9 to 316.1, 8.0 to 41.5 and 75.5 to 372.5 mg kg-1, respectively in soils of Outer Himalayas under different land uses. The content of different forms of sulphur present in these soils were in the order of total sulphur, organic sulphur, non-sulphate sulphur, available sulphur, exchangeable sulphur and water soluble sulphur. All the forms of S correlated positively and significantly with organic carbon and clay content of soils. A negative and significant relationship was also observed between all forms of sulphur and sand content of soils. In the present study, it was also found that all forms of S present in soils were significantly and positively correlated with each other. The knowledge regarding different forms of S in soils and their availability controlled by different soil properties will be helpful for its management to optimize crop yields in the Outer Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh.

Distribusi Unsur Hara Kalium Tanah dan Kadarnya pada Tanaman Padi Sawah di Wilayah Sub Das Serayu Hilir Kecamatan Sampang Kabupaten Cilacap

This study aims to determine: (1) distribution of soil potassium nutrients in paddy fields in Serayu Watershed Downstream, Sampang District, Cilacap Regency, (2) distribution of soil potassium nutrient availability, K-content in plant tissue with rice yields in Serayu Watershed Downstream, Sampang District, Cilacap Regency, and 3) fertilizer recommendations potassium in paddy soil in Serayu Watershed Downstream, Sampang District, Cilacap Regency. The study method was conducted by determining 9 sample points by the making of SLH (Homogeneous Land Unit) map with a scale of 1:50.000 by overlaying the Sampang Disctrict Administration Map, the Soil Type Map, the Slope Map, and the Land Use Map. The variables mesured were pH H2O, pH KCl, DHL (electrical conductivity), redox potential, K-available, K-content in plant tissue, climatic conditions, plant varieties, and wet grain rice yields. The results showed that the distribution of potassium nutrients in Sampang District had a low status. The paddy varieties cultivated during research in Sampang District consist of Ciherang, HT Logawa, Inpari 32, and IR64. The climatic condition of Sampang District is the optimal climates for paddy cultivation. The best correlation result with crop yield was between K-available and crop yield. The value of K-available has a determinant coefficient of 47.37% of the yield of rice, while the K content in plant tissue has 19.45% of the yield of rice. Fertilizing recommendations in the research area is 87.73 kg K2O/ha or equivalent to an average of 175.47 kg KCl/ha.

The effect of sulphur and lime dosage application on grain yield of hybrid maize

The preparation of the Method for Determining Fertilizer S Recommendations for Maize based on Soil Analysis and Yield has been carried out at the Bontobili Installation, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, from February 2020 to May 2020. The purpose of this experiment is to find out S fertilizer recommendations based on soil analysis. The pH of the study site was <6.5, and to make a difference in soil pH, it was incubated with lime 2 t/ha to raise the pH to neutral and 4 t/ha to obtain a pH >7.5. For each soil pH condition treatment was made using a split plot group design. The main plots were given agricultural lime at a rate of 0, 200kg/ha, 400 kg/ha and 600 kg/ha.. While the sub-plots were fertilized with S, namely: 0.20,40,60,80, kg S with 3 (three) replications. All treatments will be fertilized with N and P based on soil analysis. The highest yield was obtained with lime and S fertilizer at the dose of K3S60 (600 kg/ha lime and 60 t/ha S fertilizer) showing the highest yield of 10.81 t/ha and not significantly different from the K3S80 treatment (600 t/ha lime). and fertilizer S 80 kg/ha) which is 10.64 t/ha.

Soil parameter detection of soil test kit-treated soil samples through image processing with crop and fertilizer recommendation

<span>Standard laboratory soil testing is deemed to be expensive and time-consuming. Utilizing a soil test kit is considered to be a cost-efficient and time-saving way of soil testing. This project study aims to develop a prototype that detects soil parameters (i.e., soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and gives crop and fertilizer recommendations after the soil sample has undergone a soil treatment test kit and its acceptability for possible users. The prototype development primarily used image processing to detect the needed parameters that lead to crop and fertilizer recommendations. In the evaluation of the effectiveness of the prototype, 50 trials were conducted per parameter. All of the said parameters were recorded as highly effective except for nitrogen Low, which is interpreted as effective only. There were 30 possible users invited to assess the acceptability of the prototype. A survey based on the technology acceptance model was administered to the 30 respondents garnering a 4.85 weighted mean interpreted as excellent. The prototype was proven effective and accepted as a device that can detect soil pH and primary macronutrient levels. It gives the appropriate crop and fertilizer recommendations based on the gathered data.</span>

Prediction of Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) Emission Based on Paddy Harvest Area in Lampung Province Indonesia using ARIMA on IPCC Model

Agricultural are significant sources of N2O emission. Lampung, Indonesia is an area dominated by agriculture including crops that emit N2O on their cultivation practices especially the fertilizers: paddy and vegetables. Last census in 2015 recorded that paddy fields were 1.321.120 ha and vegetables 99,284 ha with fertilizers recommendations were 200 kg/ha urea (without organic materials) and 150 kg/ha urea (if added with 2 tons/ha manure). This study aimed to estimate and predict N2O emissions based on the paddy field area using IPCC 2006 model. The IPCC model was applied to the paddy field data 1993 to 2012 from the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture to estimate the N2O emission and then using Box Jenkins model to predict the emission for following years. The results showed that the prediction of N2O emission on the following years would be in the range of 0.282- 0.451Gg/year using only synthetic fertilizer and if added with organic fertilizers would be 5,846-9,359 Gg/year. These results were lower compared to some countries; however, this result was not implied that fertilizer recommendations in Lampung were safe since the results came from default numbers of the model. More researches should be conducted that local emission factors would be available that fertilizer recommendation could be evaluated.

SOIL HEALTH STATUS OF SELECT VILLAGE OF DISTRICT SONIPAT, HARYANA AND WAY FORWARD

Soil health and fertility are the basis for gaining sustainable profit through higher productivity by the farmers. Using optimal doses of fertilizers and cropping pattern as per the scientific recommendations is the first step towards sustainable farming. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most important component in maintaining soil quality because of its role in improving physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Organic matter is an important source of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Soil Health card is a Government of India's scheme promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, apart from giving the health index of soil, will also indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment required for the farm. Under Govt. of Haryana sanctioned Soil Health Card project, ARF carried out the fertility status study of 3000 acres of land of village Baroda Mor, block Mundlana, Tehsil Gohana, Sonipat, Haryana and distribute the cards well before the harvesting of Rabi crop with proper recommendation on dosage of appropriate fertilizer as per deficiency of essential nutrient parameter.