Effects of Various Doses of Mineral Fertilizers(NPKS and Urea) on Yield and Economic Profitability of New Varieties of Zea mays L. in Faranah,Guinea

In Faranah Province （Guinea）, the ratio of supply and demand of corn is approximately 1 ： 2. The production is low and the deficit is covered by maize importation. This study was initiated in order to improve corn production by evaluating the effects of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers on the yield and economic profitability of corn. The experiment was conducted on a farm in Kamedankoude in a split plot with three replicates. Treatments included two varieties of maize （Perta and Kilissi113） and five doses of chemical fertilizers （D0=unfertilized control, Dl=300 kg NPKS＋200 kg urea. hm^2; D2=400 kg NPKS＋800 kg urea· hm^2; D3= 200 kg NPKS＋400 kg urea· hm^2 and D4=500 kg NPKS＋600 kg urea. hrn2）. The results showed that all the agronomic parameters increased with increasing dose of fertilizers, except for the number of ears per plant. The two varieties of corn tested produced similar yields. However, the profitability of mineral fertilizers decreased with increased doses and with value/cost ratio of 3. We recommended a mineral fertilizer dose of 300 kg NPKS ＋ 200 kg urea. The high prices of mineral fertilizers were often barriers to intensive maize cultivation, especially for low-income farmers. This study was a contribution to rational fertilization and adapted the socio-economic conditions of the region, with the background knowledge that most farmers in the regions earned low incomes.

The influence of potassium to mineral fertilizers on the maize health

Field experiments （2009-2011） were conducted at the Department of Agronomy at Poznar~ University of Life Sciences on the fields of the Research Institute in Swadzim. We evaluated the health of maize plants of two types, depending on the variations in mineral fertilization. The conducted research recorded the occurrence of pests such as oscinella frit （Oscinella frit L.） and the European corn borer （Pyrausta nubilalis Hbn.）. Diseases recorded during the research included two patho- genes： Fusarium （Fusarium ssp.） and corn smut （Ustilago maydis Corda）. It was shown that the meteorological conditions during the maize vegetation had a significant influence on the occurrence of pests. Adding potassium to mineral fertilizers increased the maize resistance to Fusarium. Cultivation of ＂stay-green＂ cultivar shall be considered as an element of in- tegrated maize protection. The occurrence of oscineUa flit was correlated with the occurrence of Fusarium as well as the occurrence of the European corn borer for both examined cultivars.

Effect of Biofertilizers on the Agromorphological Parameters of Three Okra Cultivars in Southern Côte d’Ivoire

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an herbaceous plant of the Malvaceae family. In Côte d’Ivoire, okra production is estimated to be over 193,000 tons. This low production is largely due to poor soils and hardly covers the needs of the population. To remedy this, growers systematically use mineral fertilizers. However, these fertilizers pollute the environment. To find an alternative to chemical fertilization and increase production, the effect of biofertilizers (Spaawet, Retone, Super Gro) compared with NPK mineral fertilizer was evaluated on Divo, Teriman, and Djonan F1 cultivars. The trial was set up in a factorial block design with three replications. Plant height, number of functional leaves, and crown diameter were assessed at 60 days after sowing (DAS). The time to 50% flowering, production time, and fruit yield were calculated. The results showed that the biofertilizer Retone induced the highest heights and number of functional leaves, with averages of 61.89 cm and 29.88 leaves, respectively. The diameter at the crown (17.77 mm) was highest with the NPK mineral fertilizer, and the shortest 50% flowering time, with an average of 47.61 days, was also obtained with the biofertilizer Retone. The NPK mineral fertilizer produced the longest production time, with an average of 35.25 days. The highest yields were obtained using Retone (11.07 t/ha) and NPK (9.52 t/ha) fertilizers. The “Divo*Retone” interaction produced the highest yield with an average of 12.19 t/ha. The biofertilizer Retone could therefore be used as an alternative fertilizer to chemical fertilization in okra crops, given its effect on the parameters assessed.

The Position of Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizer in Efficient Use of Nitrogen and Land:A Review

Our attitude towards mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers is ambivalent. N fertilizers have on one hand increased our supply of food, feed and other bio-based raw materials tremendously and also improved the use efficiency of land and labor, but have on the other hand a negative impact on the quality of the environment and contributed to the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. This awareness has resulted in strong pleas to spend much more attention to the recycling of N containing downstream “wastes”. It is, however, naive to assume that even perfect recycling suffices to offer the same number of people the same diet without inputs of “new” N, as inevitable losses of N make compensations indispensable. “New” N can be derived from either biological N fixation (“legumes”) or from industrially fixed N (“fertilizer”). The existing literature provides no evidence that the use of N fertilizers is per se unsustainable, as these fertilizers can also be made from renewable forms of energy. Besides, soil health and human health appear sensitive for the dosage but not for the form of N. It is yet imperative to reduce the input of “new” N as much as possible, so as to minimize adverse environmental effects. Measures to this end are a more precise assessment of crop N requirements, a better timing and positioning of N inputs, and any measure supporting the acceptance of “wastes” by farmers. The present paper elaborates the above aspects.

Efficiency of Bio-Fertilizing as One of the Natural Alternatives to Improve the Growth of Khaya senegalensis and Swietenia mahagoni Trees and for Sustainability

A field experiment was carried out at Ismailia Research Station, Ismailia Governorate from 2020-2022 to improve the growth of Khaya senegalensis and Swietenia mahagoni by using a combination of mineral fertilizer (NPK) and biological fertilizer (Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megatherium, and Bacillus circulant) as recommended dose under new sandy soils conditions. Split plot designed with four treatments (Control, (50% Mineral fertilizer (M.) + 50% Biological fertilizer (Bio.)), 100% M. and 100% Bio.) of each species. Vegetative growth, leaf area, tree biomass, stored carbon, basal area, tree volume, and in the soil both of microbial account and mineral content were determined. The experimental results showed no significant differences between studied species among the most studied parameters except for Khaya senegalensis which gave the highest significant difference in root biomass and below-stored carbon than Swietenia mahagoni. Evidently, the highest significant growth parameters were 100% mineral fertilizer followed by (50% M. + 50% Bio.) as compared with control. No significant difference between 100% M. and (50% M. + 50% Bio.) of shoot dry biomass (15.19 and 12.02 kg, respectively) and above-stored carbon (0.28 and 0.22 Mt, respectively). Microbial account and mineral content in soil were improved after cultivation of tree species compared to before planting and control, especially with 50% mineral fertilizer and 50% bio-fertilizer treatment. In conclusion, a treatment containing 50% mineral fertilizer and 50% bio-fertilizer has led to the ideal Khaya senegalensis and Swietenia mahagoni growth in sandy soil for cheaper and sustainable.

Soil CO_2 and N_2O Emissions in Maize Growing Season Under Different Fertilizer Regimes in an Upland Red Soil Region of South China

Upland red soils have been identified as major CO2 and N2O sources induced by human activities such as fertilization. To monitor characteristics of soil surface CO2 and N2O fluxes in cropland ecosystems after continuous fertilizer applications over decades and to separate the respective contributions of root and heterotrophic respiration to the total soil CO2 and N2O fluxes, the measurements of soil surface CO2 and N2O fluxes throughout the maize growing season in 2009 were carried out based on a fertilization experiment （from 1990） through of the maize （Zea mays L.） growing season in red soil in southern China. Five fertilization treatments were chosen from the experiment for study： zero-fertilizer application （CK）, nitrogen-phosphorus- potassium （NPK） fertilizer application only, pig manure （M）, NPK plus pig manure （NPKM） and NPK with straw （NPKS）. Six chambers were installed in each plot. Three of them are in the inter-row soil （NR） and the others are in the soil within the row （R）. Each fertilizer treatment received the same amount of N （300 kg ha-1 yr-1）. Results showed that cumulative soil CO2 fluxes in NR or R were both following the order： NPKS〉M, NPKM〉NPK〉CK. The contributions of root respiration to soil CO2 fluxes was 40, 44, 50, 47 and 35% in CK, NPK, NPKM, M and NPKS treatments, respectively, with the mean value of 43%. Cumulative soil N2O fluxes in NR or R were both following the order： NPKS, NPKM〉M〉NPK〉CK, and soil N2O fluxes in R were 18, 20 and 30% higher than that in NR in NPKM, M and NPKS treatments, respectively, but with no difference between NR and R in NPK treatment. Furthermore, combine with soil temperature at -5 cm depth and soil moisWxe （0-20 cm） together could explain 55-70% and 42-59% of soil CO2 and N2O emissions with root interference and 62- 78% and 44-63% of that without root interference, respectively. In addition, soil CO2 and N2O flUXeS per unit yield in NPKM （0.55 and 0.10 kg C t^-1） and M （0.65 and 0.13 g N t^-1） treatments were lower than those in other treatments. Therefore, manure application could be a preferred fertilization strategy in red soils in South China.

Integrating phosphorus management and cropping technology for sustainable maize production

Achieving high maize yields and efficient phosphorus(P)use with limited environmental impacts is one of the greatest challenges in sustainable maize production.Increasing plant density is considered an effective approach for achieving high maize yields.However,the low mobility of P in soils and the scarcity of natural P resources have hindered the development of methods that can simultaneously optimize P use and mitigate the P-related environmental footprint at high plant densities.In this study,meta-analysis and substance flow analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of different types of mineral P fertilizer on maize yield at varying plant densities and assess the flow of P from rock phosphate mining to P fertilizer use for maize production in China.A significantly higher yield was obtained at higher plant densities than at lower plant densities.The application of single superphosphate,triple super-phosphate,and calcium magnesium phosphate at high plant densities resulted in higher yields and a smaller environmental footprint than the application of diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate.Our scenario analyses suggest that combining the optimal P type and application rate with a high plant density could increase maize yield by 22%.Further,the P resource use efficiency throughout the P supply chain increased by 39%,whereas the P-related environmental footprint decreased by 33%.Thus,simultaneously optimizing the P type and application rate at high plant densities achieved multiple objectives during maize production,indicating that combining P management with cropping techniques is a practical approach to sustainable maize production.These findings offer strategic,synergistic options for achieving sustainable agricultural development.

Influence of Mineral Fertilization on the Capacity of Nodulation of Three Species of Legumes(Groundnut,Cowpea and Soybean)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and soybean (Vigna radiata) are the main food legumes grown in Cote d’Ivoire and the localities of Haut-Sassandra. These legumes are highly valued for their nutritional, agronomic and economic value. Groundnut, cowpea and soybean are the main food legumes grown in Cote d’Ivoire and in the localities of Haut-Sassandra. On the other hand, Ivorian soils are characterized by a tendency towards acidification and a decrease in the content of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen which have a direct impact on the products. To restore soil fertility, farmers use mineral fertilization. However, this fertilization has an influence on the nodulation of these legumes. The study took place at Jean Lorougnon University. We adopted a completely random experimental block device. The parameters measured included the number of nodules, the length and weight of the plant, the length and weight of the root system. Our results showed that mineral fertilization reduced the nodulation capacity of legumes. However, a small dose of phosphorus ( g) would be required for early growing legumes.

Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees(Bertholletia excelsa) in agroforestry at different fertilizer levels

The Brazil nut tree（Bertholletia excelsa） is a frequent component of agroforestry systems in the Amazon because of its adaptation to nutrient-poor upland soils and multiple uses.We investigated the aboveground biomass production（kg dry weight）,nutrient uptake and requirements（N,P,Ca,Mg,K） of Brazil nut trees of different sizes grown under agroforestry conditions and fertilized at different levels.Eight of 70 experimental trees with different size were harvested and stem,branches and leaves were separated.Nutrient contents were determined for three trees of varying size.Average tree growth was fast,but variability was high,suggesting considerable potential for the improvement of this economically important species.The trees responded to increased levels of fertilizer and lime with significantly increased foliar nutrient contents and growth,probably because of the improved availability of Mg and Ca for which the species seems to have a relatively high demand.In contrast to Brazil nut trees grown in forest or dense plantations,the agroforestry trees invested a substantial part of their biomass and nutrients in large branches and developed spreading crowns.To improve stem form,reduce competition with associated crops for light and recycle nutrients,regular pruning of lower branches or planting arrangements that favor self-pruning are recommended.These measures would also increase the recycling of Ca and Mg,large quantities of which are contained in the branches.

Effects of Sulfur and Manganese Micronutrients on the Yield of Soybean Varieties

In this article, it is given about lengthening of praxis period, stem and leaf growth, leaf surface, number of stems and weight than the control variant soybean varieties, and the yield and grain quality of soybean varieties are significantly higher when the three types of sulfur and manganese on background of mineral fertilizers are applied in suspension in the condition of meadow-swamp soil. In the soybean varieties, mineral fertilizers were used in the variant with an additional yield of around 5 - 12 c/ha compared to the control. According to the norms of the manganese element, around 7 - 20 c/ha;when using sulfur, the yield in soybean varieties is around 8.0 - 18.0 c/ha. On the background of mineral fertilizers, grain quality has changed due to micronutrients. Protein content in the “Orzu” variety increased by 3.1% - 8.4% when manganese and sulfur elements were used;in the “Nafis” variety, the protein content was found to increase by 6.1% - 8.5%.

Response of Soil Microbial Properties to Long-Term Application of Organic and Inorganic Amendments in a Tropical Soil (Saria, Burkina Faso)

Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) activities and bacterial community structure were assessed in a long-term (26 years) experiment, at physiological stages of sorghum growth, comparing different management methods for organic (manure, straw residues) and inorganic (urea) amendments at the INERA field station in Saria (Burkina Faso). Annual application of manure led to the highest soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities. Investigations indicated that only microbial biomass and β-glucosidase activities were affected during the cropping season. Phosphatase and FDA enzyme activities did not depend on the crop development stages. The application of N fertilizer modified phosphatase and FDA enzyme activities, the activities being higher in soils amended with N fertilizer. The bacterial community structure was analyzed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) targeting the eubacterial 16S rRNA gene. Cluster analysis of PCR-DGGE patterns showed two major clusters, the first containing the mineral fertilization and straw treatments and the second, the straw + urea, manure and manure + urea treatments. Sorghum grain yields were the highest for manure treatments. In this long-term experiment, applying straw did not produce a better grain yield than that obtained in the un-amended plot.

Recent advances in the chemistry of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium as fertilizers in soil:A review

The advent of civilization has made humans dependent on plants for food and medicine,leading to the intensification of agricultural production.The intense cultivation of crops has resulted in the depletion of available nutrients from soil,thereby demanding the application of excess nutrients to soil to improve yield.Thus,mineral fertilizer discovery and application have,in many ways,contributed greatly to meeting global food demands.However,aside from the positive effects of mineral fertilizers,their excessive application to soil produces large amounts of pollutants that affect environmental sustainability.This necessitates the study of the major mineral fertilizer elements(nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),and potassium(K)),the forms in which they are applied to soil,and their chemistry/reactions in soil.Here,we reviewed the forms of different N,P,and K mineral fertilizers to provide current knowledge on their constituents,the chemistry of N,P,and K in soil to understand the reactions they undertake in soil,the efficient methods of fertilizer application for environmental sustainability,the effects of mineral fertilizer loss to the environment,and improved fertilization technologies for environmental sustainability.Nanofertilizers are a promising technology for sustainable agricultural production and are discussed in detail in this review.

Dependence of the Plant Productivity on Optimal Food Regime and Density

It has been studied the dependence of vegetable crop yield on standing density of the plant. Field experiments have been conducted on plain Mughan of Azerbaijan Republic. For identifying the maximum value of crop yield it has been carried out approximation of the results of field works with special programs. The point of yield maximum for tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers has been calculated, and also it has been carried out the variation in the amount of nitrogen to decreasing direction in nutrition circuit and the impact of this variation on yield has been regarded. The obtained data are interpreted on the basis of two-substrate model of plant growth.

Soil mineral nitrogen dynamics in fallow periods in a rainfed semiarid Mediterranean agricultural system

Rainfed agricultural systems in semiarid Mediterranean environments are subject to erratic but often heavy rainfall events.As an agronomic practice,fallow periods can be included even within the existing European Union common policy for crop diversification.This study aimed to quantify the effects of previous mineral fertilization on soil mineral nitrogen(N_(min))content and potential nitrate leaching during no-till fallow periods of crop rotation.The Leaching Estimation and Chemistry Model(LEACHM)was used for soil N_(min)prediction after fallow.During fallow periods,N_(min)measured in the soil profile increased by an average of 125 kg N ha^(-1),whereas the model showed an average increase of 95 kg N ha^(-1).The amount of nitrogen(N)leached was estimated to be 11–38 kg N ha^(-1).The N balance simulated using LEACHM might differ from the actual situation.The calibrated LEACHM underestimated soil N_(min)after a drought period followed by soil water replenishment,probably due to a pulse in soil C and N mineralization caused by the wetting of dry soil,but overestimated soil N_(min)after occasional rainy spells when soil quickly became saturated,probably due to occasional nitrous oxide emissions not being fully accounted for by the model and specific preferential water flow,which might lead to greater nitrate leaching than that simulated by LEACHM using the convection-dispersion equation.The results show that soil N_(min)measurements after fallow periods cannot be well predicted by LEACHM.The findings of this study provide a support for fertilization planning for crop rotation systems including a fallow period to avoid overfertilization in the following cropping season and reduce N environmental impacts.

Growth and Development of Bell Peppers Submitted to Fertilization with Biochar and Nitrogen

The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the DEAg/UFCG, Campina Grande (PB), Brazil, to evaluate the growth and development of the bell pepper subjected to fertilization with biochar and nitrogen. The experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, in 4 × 4 factorial scheme, relative to four doses of biochar (0;7;14 and 21 m3⋅ha−1) and four doses of nitrogen (0;40;80 and 120 kg⋅ha−1), with three replicates. Considering the analysis of growth of bell pepper plants during the first 45 DAS, is recommended the average dose of biochar of 19 m3⋅ha−1 on vegetable behavior. Under the conditions of the experiment, nitrogen favored only the absolute growth rate of plant height and the stem diameter.

Effects of chemical fertilizer combined with organic manure on Fuji apple quality,yield and soil fertility in apple orchard on the Loess Plateau of China

To evaluate the effects of chemical fertilizer combined with organic manure on apple yield,quality and soil fertility,an experiment was conducted in an apple orchard on the Loess Plateau of China.Six treatments,i.e.,1)no nitrogen(N)with chemical phosphorus(P)and potassium(K)(PK),2)no P with chemical N and K(NK),3)no K with chemical N and P(NP),4)N,P and K chemical fertilizers only(NPK),5)swine manure(M)only(M),and 6)half chemical fertilizers combined with half swine manure(NPKM)were included with three replications for each.The NPKM treatment achieved 36.9 t/ha average annual yield,which was 42.5%greater than the yield of PK treatment.The average annual yields followed the sequence of NPKM>NPK>M>NK>NP>PK.In NPKM treatment 71.3%of the collected apples had an apple diameter greater than 80 mm compared with 58.2%,41.5%and 37.2%in NK,PK and NP treatments,respectively.The sugar to acid(S:A)ratio was the greatest in NPKM treatment.The results of Vitamin C,soluble solid and firmness showed that NPKM treatment had the highest values.The concentration of soil organic carbon(SOC)in the 0 to 20 cm depth of soil was significantly affected by addition of M.Compared to the antecedent soil properties,the SOCS in the NPKM and M treatments were increased by 28.8%,29.4%,and TN contents were 56.5,49.8%more for soil at 0-20 cm depths,respectively.The major soil nutrients of N,P and K were also significantly increased by M and NPKM treatments in surface soil for five years.The data support the conclusion that,for a production of 35-40 t/ha in an apple orchard on the Loess Plateau of China,the 25-30 t/ha organic manure,160-200 kg/ha N,100-150 kg/ha P2O5 and 120-160 kg/ha K2O were the most suitable fertilizer application.The finding will be helpful for harmonious development of apple production technology,economic income increase for farmers,and improvement of the apple orchard ecosystem.

Soil physical quality as influenced by long-term fertilizer management under an intensive cropping system

In China’s major rice(Oryza sativa L.)production regions,the traditional fertilization modes are challenged by the continued decrease in manure and increase in mineral fertilizer.However,limited information exists on the influences of long-term fertilizer management on soil organic carbon(SOC)and soil physical properties under the intensive rice production system in southern China.The objective of this study was to characterize the changes of soil physical properties as related to mineral fertilizer,crop residues,and manure application based on a long-term field experiment.The experiment,initiated in 1986,has five treatments:unfertilized,mineral fertilizer alone,rice residues plus mineral fertilizer,low manure rate plus mineral fertilizer,and high manure rate plus mineral fertilizer.The cropping system consists of barley(Hordaum vulgare L.),early rice,and late rice,three crops in a year.In May 2006,after barley harvest,soil samples were collected from the 0~10 cm and 10~20 cm layers to determine SOC concentration,aggregate size distribution,bulk density(rb),saturated hydraulic conductivity(Ks),and soil water characteristic curves(SWCC).The results indicated that manure significantly reducedrb,increased SOC concentration,soil aggregation,Ks,transmission and storage porosity,as well as water retention capacity.Combined application of crop residue and mineral fertilizer also improved soil physical properties,but the improvement by mineral fertilizer alone was limited.Correlation analysis demonstrated that S,the slope of the SWCC at its inflection point,was closely associated with the selected physical parameters,suggesting S was an effective parameter for soil physical quality evaluation.Nevertheless,in applying the S-theory,a unified approach to define the residual water content should be considered.