The Effects of Farmyard Manure and Mulch on Soil Physical Properties in a Reclaimed Coastal Tidal Flat Salt-Affected Soil

Careful soil management is important for the soil quality and productivity improvement of the reclaimed coastal tidal flat saline land in northern Jiangsu Province, China. Farmyard manure（ FYM） and mulch applications, which affect soil characteristics and plant significantly, are regard as an effective pattern of saline land improvement. As a conventional management in the study region, FYM and mulch are used for the amendment of the new reclaimed tidal flat regularly, but little is known about their effects on soil physical properties functioning. A study was conducted on a typical coastal tidal flat saline land, which was reclaimed in 2005, to evaluate the effects of FYM, polyethylene film mulch（PM）, straw mulch（SM）, FYM combined with PM（FYM＋PM）, FYM combined with SM（FYM＋SM）, on soil hydraulic properties and soil mechanical impedance. CK represented conventional cultivation in study area without FYM and mulch application and served as a control. The experiment, laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, was studied in Huanghaiyuan Farm, which specialized in the agricultural utilization for coastal tidal flat. Result showed that capillary water holding capacity（CHC）, saturated water content（SWC）, saturated hydraulic conductivity（ Ks） and bulk density（BD）, cone index（CI） were affected significantly by the FYM and mulch application, especially in the 0-10 cm soil layer. FYM and mulch management increased CHC, SWC and Ks over all soil depth in the order of FYM＋SM〉FYM＋PM〉FYM〉SM〉PM〉CK. With the contrary sequence, BD and CI decreased significantly; however, FYM and mulch application affected BD and CI only in the upper soil layers. CHC, SWC and Ks decreased significantly with the increasing of soil depth, BD and CI, and a significant liner equation was found between CHC, SWC, Ks and BD, CI. With the highest CHC（38.15%）, SWC（39.55%）, Ks（6.00 mm h-1） and the lowest BD（1.26 g cm-3） and CI（2.71 MPa）, the combined management of FYM and SM was recommend to be an effective method for the melioration of reclaimed coastal tidal flat saline soil.

Influence of Long Term Fertilization with Different Mineral Fertilizers and Farmyard Manure on Some Soil Chemical Properties and Crop Yields *1

A long term fertilization experiment was carried out in an experimental field in Lyczyn near Warsaw, Poland. Application ofmineral fertilizers, especially N fertilizers with and without farmyard manure accelerated the acidification process of the soil. Application of 1.6 t CaO ha -1 every four years was essential to maintenance of the soil pH KCl at 5.5～6.6 and base saturation degree above 60%. Application of 50 t farmyard manure ha -1 every 4 years, which contained 46 kg P and 240 kg K, was sufficient to maintain both the K and P fertility of the soil. Besides, it was beneficial to alleviating soil acidification. As a result of long term unbalanced fertilization, yield responses to N, P and K fertilizers increased significantly with time. The efficiency of N from farmyard manure was found to be comparable to that of N fertilizer during 1988～1991.

Ground cover management and farmyard manure effects on soil nitrogen dynamics, productivity and economics of organically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. subsp, secalina)

Ground cover management and farmyard manure （FYM） management have important roles in organic lettuce production. However, there is not enough information about their combined effects. In order to assess the effects of individual and combined ground cover and FYM management on soil mineral N （NH4-N and NO3-N） dynamics, lettuce yield and economics in organic farming, a two-year field experiment was conducted on a certified organic farm in Kisa6 （Vojvodina, Serbia）. The experiment had a two-factorial split-plot completely randomized block design. FYM was applied on the half of the experimental field as a whole-plot factor, while ground cover management included the following four treatments： （I） control, without ground cover management （0）; （11） hoeing （H）; （111） agrotextile cover; （IV） straw mulch （SM）, which were applied on split plots. The applied SM and AT increased soil moisture by 12.83 and 3.73%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. FYM increased soil mineral N concentration, the lettuce fresh matter （FM） yield and nitrate concentration in lettuce. However, nitrate concentration in lettuce in all treatments was below the limit required by the European Commission （EC） （2001）. The highest lettuce yield was obtained by AT （39 122 kg）, followed by SM （33 925 kg）, and it was higher with FYM application by 16.85%. Hoeing did not positively affect the yield, probably due to its negative effect on soil moisture. Additional profit was higher with FYM, showing the following decreasing order： AT〉H〉SM〉Ф. However, value/cost ratio （VCR） was in the order Ф〉H〉SM〉AT on FYM fertilized plots. FYM application led to higher lettuce yield and higher profit and VCR. In case a farm does not have FYM, SM is the best alternative due to its positive effect on the yield and low investment costs. Keywords： hoeing, agrotextile cover, straw mulch, farmyard manure, FYM, mulch

Effects of Elemental Sulphur and Farmyard Manure on pH and Salinity of Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil and Some Nutrient Elements in Tomato Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur （S） and farmyard manure on soil pH, EC and N, S, P concentrations of tomato grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400 mg kg~ and farmyard manure at 0, 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after applications, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P concentrations and dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Effects of sulphur and farmyard manure applications were not significant on N, P concentrations and dry matter yield of tomato plant. S concentration of tomato plant was increased by sulphur alone. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC was increased in both 2^nd and 3^rd soil sampling period by the sulphur applications. As a result of farmyard manure application, soil pH decreased in the 2^nd soil sampling period but increased in the 3^rd soil sampling period. Also, soil EC was significantly increased in 1^st and 3^rd soil sampling period. Farmyard manure had no significant effect on S supply to tomato plant. The N：S ratio of tomato plant was decreased by sulphur alone. However, the sulphur with farmyard manure applications decreased N：S ratio in lesser extend compared to the S applications.

The combined effects of farm yard manure and boron application on growth,and oil quality of Canola grown under newly reclaimed soils

Two field experiments were conducted during the main seasons of 2021/2022 at the Research and Production Station of National Research Centre in Egypt to investigate the effects of farmyard manure(FYM)and boron on Canola growth,yield,oil yield,and quality.The results unequivocally demonstrated that the combined application of FYM at a rate of 14.4 ton ha^(-1)with a foliar spray of boron at 100 ppm positively influenced plant characteristics,leading to enhanced growth rates and higher yields compared to the control group.Moreover,this integrated approach significantly improved nutrient content by enhancing levels of oil content,carbohydrates,proteins,phenolics,flavonoids,and total soluble sugars.These findings provide compelling evidence that utilizing farm manure along with boron can effectively enhance Canola properties in newly reclaimed soils while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Maize response to nitrogen and phosphorus starter fertilisation in mineral-fertilised or manured systems

Phosphorus(P)is an essential nutrient for maize production,but in temperate areas the P uptake during early growing stages can be limited due to low soil temperature,even though the soil was tested high in P.The objective of this study was to assess the effects of nitrogen and phosphorous(NP)starter fertilisation during early growth stages and its carryover until maize harvest,in mineral-fertilised or manured systems.A field experiment was carried out in north-west Italy during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons.The trial compared sub-surface placement of NP(diammonium phosphate)or N alone(ammonium nitrate)in bands close to the maize seed furrows,in differing long-term(LT)fertilisation managements:two doses of urea(Min-L and Min-H),two doses of bovine slurry(Slu-L and Slu-H)or two doses of farmyard manure(Fym-L and Fym-H).The two rates,low(L)and high(H),corresponded to 170 and250 kg N ha^(-1)year^(-1) respectively.Compared to N fertilisation,NP starter fertilisation improved early maize growth assessed by leaf area index(LAI)and shoot dry weight(SDW)in all systems.The effects differed between the two years(2019:LAI+63%,SDW+67%;2020:LAI+36%,SDW+38%),as 2019was cool during the first growth.Higher LAI and SDW values were confirmed at crop flowering in the mineral-fertilised systems only.As shoot growth was enhanced by NP starter fertilisation,anthesis occurred 1 day earlier in all systems.However,a response to NP starter fertilisation at harvest was recorded in mineral-fertilised systems only(+1.3 and+3.2 t ha^(-1) in Min-L and Min-H,respectively).The uptake of P,used as a true indicator of soil nutrient availability,increased with increasing soil Olsen P until 39 mg kg^(-1).These results suggest that soil test thresholds should be revised for points above which P fertilisation should be suspended.

Effect of Integrated Use of Inorganic Fertilizer and Organic Manures on Bacterial Wilt Incidence (BWI) and Tuber Yield in Potato Production Systems on Hill Slopes of Central Kenya

Bacterial wilt (BW) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most damaging diseases of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Kenya and worldwide. In Kenya, potato tuber yield losses due to BW infection are estimated at 50 ~ 100%. Low soil fertility is also one of the most important constraints limiting potato production in central Kenya highlands. Farmers tackle this problem through use of inorganic fertilisers and organic manures, both of which amend the soil environment to influence bacterial wilt development. Undecomposed organic manures can also introduce the pathogen into a clean field. Between short rains 1999 and 2000, 10 on-farm extension-researcher- farmer-designed and farmer-managed trials were done at Kianjuki catchment in Embu District. The objective was to use farmers?participatory research approach and select the most suitable organic and inorganic fertiliser combination(s) with lowest BWI and acceptable usable tuber yields, and also to demonstrate use of some components of integrated disease management methods in reduction of disease incidence and spread. Seven treatments were proposed, presented to the farmers for discussion and the most relevant four were selected for evaluation. A newly released potato variety 慉sante?was planted during the short rains 1999 and long rains 2000. BWI didn抰 result in significant differences between treatments but the tuber yields were significantly different in short rains of 1999 and 2000. During short rains 2000, both BWI and tuber yields and unusable tubers differed significantly between treatments. The results confirmed that well- decomposed manures or manures from pathogen-free areas can be used in combination with inorganic fertilisers to improve soil fertility and potato tuber yields in smallholder farms without influencing BWI. Use of certified seed tubers in pathogen free field and following recommended field sanitation measures resulted in apparently bacterial wilt free crop. Considering the high cost of inorganic fertiliser and its negative effects on the environment, reduced usage at half the recommended rates combined with half rates of FYM is feasible option friendly to the farmer, soil and environment. The interviewed farmers also ranked the option as the most appropriate combination for soil fertility improvement for potato production in smallholder farms.

Effects of Different Organic Manure Applications on the Micro Nutrient Contents of Soil in Different Growing Seasons

This experiment aims to elaborate the influence of different organic manure applications on soil iron （Fe）, copper （Cu）, manganese （Mn） and zinc （Zn） contents in three successive seasons. Farmyard manure （FM）, chicken manure （CM） and blood meal （BM） and their mixtures and 1 control collectively 18 applications were tested under the open field conditions. All micro nutrients tended to increase with regard to the successive applications some of which were found to be statistically significant to a different extent. Considering the seasonal mean, an increase between the seasons in Fe, Cu and Mn contents were found to be statistically insignificant, whereas the Zn content was found to be statistically significant. CM gave rise to an augmentation in Cu, the Mn and Zn contents, BM also showed a tendency to increase in Fe contents of soils, but we recommend using BM only in small quantities due to the unfavorable features of the material. Summing up, 2.5 ton ha^-1 CM ＋ 0.3 ton ha^-1 BM and 2.5 ton ha^-1 CM ＋ 4.0 ton ha^-1 FM applications gave the better results.

Effects of Different Organic Manure Applications on the Macro Nutrient Contents of Soil in Different Growing Seasons

Different kind of organic manure, farmyard manure （FM）, chicken manure （CM） and blood meal （BM）, was tested during three successive seasons in order to reveal the effects of the applications on the macro nutrient contents of soil under cabbage （Brassica oleracea L.） growth. 17 organic manures and ! control, collectively 18 treatments, were used in a randomized block design with four replications under the open field conditions. As a result, total nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P）, magnesium （Mg） and potassium （K） contents were influenced by the treatments to a different extent, while calcium （Ca） contents were less influenced. Evaluating the seasonal mean, P and K contents rose significantly from autumn 1 to autumn 2 season, but the increase in total N, Ca and Mg contents were found to be statistically insignificant. Consequently, 10.0 ton ha-1 FM ＋ 1.2 ton hal CM and 1.7 ton ha-1 CM ＋ 7.5 ton ha^-1 FM treatments gave the better results than the others. FM and CM treatments gave the better results than the BM treatment and we concluded that the BM should be used in small quantities in mixtures.

Effect of Long-Term Fertilization on Soil Productivity and Nitrate Accumulation in Gansu Oasis

A long-term （1982-2001） field experiment was conducted in a calcareous soil under wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）-wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）-maize （Zea mays L.） rotation system at Zhangye, Gansu Province, China to determine the effects of long-term fertilization on crop yield, nutrients interactions, content and accumulation of nitrate-N in soil profiles. Twenty- four plots in a split-plot factorial with a combination of eight treatments （from nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P）, potassium （K） and farmyard manure （M） applications） and 3 replications were selected. Main treatments were M and without M, and the sub-treatments were no-fertilizer （CK）, N, NP and NPK. When P and K fertilizers were part of treatments, their ratio to N was 1N：0.22P：0.42K. All M, P and K fertilizers were applied as the basal dressing. The grain yield was harvested each experimental period and straw yield for the period from 1988 to 1997. After crop harvest in 2000, the soil was sampled from the 0-20, 20-60, 60-100, 100-140 and 140-180 cm depths to determine NO3^--N content. Maize yield of CK in 2000 was only 28.2% of that in 1984, and wheat in 2001 was 25.7% of that observed in 1982. Average impact of fertilizers on grain yield decreased in the order of N 〉 M 〉 P 〉 K. Yield response to N and P fertilizers increased with progress of the experiment. The impact of K fertilizer showed no increase in grain yield during the initial 6 years （1982-1987）, moderate increase in the next 5 years （1988-1992）, and considerable increase in the last 9 years （1993-2001）. The straw yield trend was similar to grain yield. Accumulation and distribution of NO3^--N in soil was significantly affected by annual fertilizations. Mineral fertilizers （NP and NPK） led to NO3^- -N accumulation in most subsoil layers, with major impact in the 20-140 cm depth. The combination of mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure （MNP and MNPK） reduced soil NO3^--N accumulation in comparison to mineral fertilizers, It can be argued that long-term fertilization significantly enhanced grain and straw yield in this rotation scheme. The findings of this research suggest that it is important to balance application of mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure in order to protect soil and underground water from potential NO3^--N pollution while sustaining high productivity in the oasis agro-ecosystem.

Microbial Biomass Dynamics in a Tropical Agroecosystem： Influence of Herbicide and Soil Amendments

The influences of herbicide alone and in combination with the soil amendments with contrasting resource qualities on dynamics of soil microbial biomass C （MBC）, N （MBN）, and P （MBP） were studied through two annual cycles in rice-wheat-summer fallow crop sequence in a tropical dryland agroecosystem. The experiment included application of herbicide （butachlor） alone or in combination with various soil amendments having equivalent amount of N in the forms of chemical fertilizer, wheat straw, Sesbania aculeata, and farm yard manure （FYM）. Soil microbial biomass showed distinct temporal variations in both crop cycles, decreased from vegetative to grain-forming stage, and then increased to maximum at crop maturity stage. Soil MBC was the highest in herbicide ＋ Sesbania aculeata treatment followed by herbicide ＋ FYM, herbicide ＋ wheat straw, herbicide ＋ chemical fertilizer, and herbicide alone treatments in decreasing order during the rice-growing period. During wheat-growing period and summer fallow, soil MBC attained maximum for herbicide ＋ wheat straw treatment whereas herbicide ＋ FYM, herbicide ＋ Sesbania, and herbicide ＋ chemical fertilizer treatments showed similar levels. The overall trend of soil MBN was similar to those of soil MBC and MBP except that soil MBN was higher in herbicide ＋ chemical fertilizer treatment over the herbicide ＋ wheat straw treatment during rice-growing period. In spite of the addition of equivalent amount of N through exogenous soil amendments in combination with the herbicide, soil microbial biomass responded differentially to the treatments. The resource quality of the amendments had more pronounced impact on the dynamics of soil microbial biomass, which may have implications for long-term sustainability of rainfed agroecosystems in dry tropics.