Comparative Analysis of Organic and Compound Fertilizers on the Yield and Metabolites of Platostoma palustre

To explore the effect of fertilizers on the yield and quality of Platostoma palustre,in this study,P.palustre was utilized as the research material,and field experiments were conducted with different application rates of compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer and non-targeted metabolomics analysis was further employed to compare and analyze the differences in the metabolic components between the compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer treatments.The results of field experiments demonstrated that both compound and organic fertilizers could promote the fresh weight,shade dry weight,and dry weight of P.palustre,with 450 kg hm−2 compound fertilizer and 4500 kg hm−2 organic fertilizer presenting the optimum effects.Non-targeted metabolomics revealed that 1096 metabolites were identified in 450 kg hm−2 compound fertilizer and 4500 kg hm−2 organic fertilizer,and 885 metabolites were annotated in the Human Metabolome Database(HMDB).There were 318 differential metabolites(DMs)found between the two treatments,and 263 metabolites were annotated in HMDB.The abundance of 2 phenolic compounds and 12 organic oxygen compounds in the treatment of 4500 kg hm−2 organic fertilizer was significantly higher than that of the 450 kg hm−2 compound fertilizer,while the abundance of 21 organic oxygen compounds,14 flavonoids,3 phenolic compounds,and 5 cinnamic acids and their derivatives was significantly up-regulated in 450 kg hm−2 compound fertilizer treatment.In addition,5 metabolic pathways were significantly enriched,and the flavone and flavonol biosynthesis was the most significantly differential metabolic pathway.These results suggested that the application of both compound fertilizers and organic fertilizers can increase the yield of P.palustre,but their effects on metabolites were different.This study has considerable implications for the planting and cultivation of P.palustre,furnishing a scientific foundation for an efficient and rational application of fertilizer.

Effects of Integrated Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Yield and Growth Parameters of Rice Varieties

We investigated the effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of indica rice variety Manawthukha and japonica rice variety Genkitsukushi.In a split-plot design,the two rice varieties were assigned as main plot factors,and the integrated treatments were the subplot factors,including no-N fertilizer(N0),50%chemical fertilizer(CF)(CF50),100%CF(CF100),50%CF+50%poultry manure(PM)(CF50PM50),50%CF+50%cow manure(CM)(CF50CM50),and 50%CF+50%compost(CP)(CF50CP50).CF100 was equivalent to N at 85 kg/hm2.Manure was applied based on the estimated mineralizable nitrogen(EMN)level,which is dependent on total N(%)of each manure type.Manawthukha rice plants were taller with higher tiller number and dry matter content.However,higher soil-plant analysis development(SPAD)values were measured in Genkitsukushi throughout the crop growth period,resulting in higher seed-setting rate(%)and greater yield.At the same N level,CF50PM50 application in both rice varieties resulted in higher SPAD values,plant height and tiller number than CF100.CF50PM50 containing total N more than 4%supplied synchronized N for the demands of the rice plants,resulting in maximum dry matter,yield and yield components.CF50CM50 and CF50CP50 treatments containing total N less than 4%resulted in lower yields which were similar to CF100.These results indicated that integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers enhanced growth parameters and yields of Manawthukha and Genkitsukushi,while reducing the dose of chemical fertilizer.

Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Black Soil Fertility and Maize Yield

By two years （2007-2008） located fertilizer experiment, the effect of long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on black soil fertility and crop yield was investigated in Shuangcheng City, Heilongjiang Province. The results showed that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers could increase the organinc matter, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium. At the same time, the increasing application of organic fertilizer could reduce the soil bulk density and improve the field moisture capacity. Field moisture capacity and organic matter of the combined application of high quantities of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers AtB5 treatment increased the fhstest, organic matter increased by 3.33 g. kg and field moisture capacity increased by 11.25% than the beginning of the experiment. Under the same fertilization, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers＇ increasing production range was higher than the single chemical fertilizers＇ which was from 0.8% to 9.4%. The results showed that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers could increase the nutrient contents of soil and also was the highest productivity contribution to black soil fertility. It was the best fertilization structure of increasing productivity level and improving the soil fertility.

Combined Effect of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Hybrid Rice (Palethwe-1)

We investigated the effect of combining organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of hybrid rice (Palethwe-1) in the dry and wet seasons of 2015. Four quantities of inorganic fertilizer were used in the main plot [0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)] based on the recommended amounts of 150 kg N ha-1, 70 kg P2O5 ha-1, and 120 kg K2O ha-1, while different organic manures were applied to subplots [no organic manure (O0), cow manure (Oc), poultry manure (Op), and vermicompost (Ov);all at 5 t·ha-1] as part of a split-plot experimental design with three replicates. In both seasons, significant differences in growth parameters including number of tillers hill-1, soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values, total dry matter, yield, and yield components were observed in plants supplied with different inorganic fertilizers. The 100% NPK (I100) fertilizer produced the maximum yield but similar yields were achieved in plots supplied with 50% NPK (I50) and 75% NPK (I75). Significant differences in growth and yield parameters were also found in crops supplied with organic manures. Although identical quantities were supplied, Op produced the best growth parameters in both seasons including total dry matter, yield, and yield components. Oc also performed well. Combining inorganic and organic fertilizers demonstrated that I50 together with Op (5 t·ha-1) provided similar growth, total dry matter, and yield parameters to I100 in both seasons. Oc (5 t·ha-1) plus I75 also achieved similar yields to I100. This study demonstrates that the combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures has the potential to reduce chemical fertilizer usage without decreasing the yield of hybrid rice, and can enhance the growth, yield, and yield components of Palethwe-1.

Mitigation of N_(2)O emissions in water-saving paddy fields:Evaluating organic fertilizer substitution and microbial mechanisms

Water-saving irrigation strategies can successfully alleviate methane emissions from rice fields,but significantly stimulate nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emissions because of variations in soil oxygen level and redox potential.However,the relationship linking soil N_(2)O emissions to nitrogen functional genes during various fertilization treatments in water-saving paddy fields has rarely been investigated.Furthermore,the mitigation potential of organic fertilizer substitution on N_(2)O emissions and the microbial mechanism in rice fields must be further elucidated.Our study examined how soil N_(2)O emissions were affected by related functional microorganisms(ammonia-oxidizing archaea(AOA),ammonia-oxidizing bacteria(AOB),nirS,nirK and nosZ)to various fertilization treatments in a rice field in southeast China over two years.In this study,three fertilization regimes were applied to rice cultivation:a no nitrogen(N)(Control),an inorganic N(Ni),and an inorganic N with partial N substitution with organic manure(N_(i)+N_(o)).Over two rice-growing seasons,cumulative N_(2)O emissions averaged 0.47,4.62 and 4.08 kg ha^(−1)for the Control,Ni and N_(i)+N_(o)treatments,respectively.In comparison to the Ni treatment,the N_(i)+N_(o)fertilization regime considerably reduced soil N_(2)O emissions by 11.6%while maintaining rice yield,with a lower N_(2)O emission factor(EF)from fertilizer N of 0.95%.Nitrogen fertilization considerably raised the AOB,nirS,nirK and nosZ gene abundances,in comparison to the Control treatment.Moreover,the substitution of organic manure for inorganic N fertilizer significantly decreased AOB and nirS gene abundances and increased nosZ gene abundance.The AOB responded to N fertilization more sensitively than the AOA.Total N_(2)O emissions significantly correlated positively with AOB and nirS gene abundances while having a negative correlation with nosZ gene abundance and the nosZ/nirS ratio across N-fertilized plots.In summary,we conclude that organic manure substitution for inorganic N fertilizer decreased soil N_(2)O emissions primarily by changing the soil NO_(3)^(−)-N,pH and DOC levels,thus inhibiting the activities of ammonia oxidation in nitrification and nitrite reduction in denitrification,and strengthening N_(2)O reduction in denitrification from water-saving rice paddies.

Evaluation of Economic Importance of Locally Produced Manure over Inorganic Fertilizer for Maize Production: Vegetative Performance and Cost Implication

Background: Crops of economic importance like Maize are preferred to other crops with capacity of giving the highest yields, having the ability to help alleviate poverty within the African continent. The consistent use of inorganic fertilizers has great adverse effect on soil structure. The quest to seek alternative method of boosting maize production is imminent to avoid further soil degradation. Most plants form symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizae and improve nutrients uptake by host plants. Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of mycorrhizae in local manure production on development of maize, in comparison with inorganic fertilizer application and its cost implication. Methods: The experiment involved samples of starter soil from 7 local governments. Organic waste was added to starter soil, each having three replicates. Nine other replicates served as non-inoculated controls and nine served for fertilizer application at 50 g, 100 g and 150 g. One [1] gram of Maize sown in 50 ml pot contains soil at different treatment levels 50 g, 100 g, and 150 g. After two weeks, samples were transplanted in an open field. Results: The result showed plots treated with locally produced fertilizer, significantly influenced plant height, culm diameter, number of leaves and leaf broadness in comparison to inorganic fertilizer, which showed 53%, 47% respectively. Conclusion: Cost production of a bag of organic fertilizer was one-fourth cheaper compared to an inorganic fertilizer price from an open market.

The Production of Organic-Inorganic Compound Film-Coated Urea and the Characteristics of Its Nutrient Release

The effect of different concentrations of natural macromolecular compound on the characteristics of nutrient release in the membrane materials of organic-inorganic compound film-coated urea was discussed, and the optimal concentrations for better nutrient release was proposed. The characteristics of nutrient release of film-coated urea were evaluated by soil column leaching experiment. Organic-inorganic compound film-coated urea showed good characteristics of nutrient release, which could be well simulated by Logistic curve. The two parameters in this curve, a and r, can be used to present nutrient release of film-coated urea, and followed the order of B 〉 C 〉 A and C 〈 B 〈 A, respectively, indicating that the release was stronger with the increasing concentration of natural macromolecular compound in the membrane, which implied better controllability of nutrient release. The concentration of 5% of natural macromolecular compound showed better characteristic of nutrient release and can be utilized as a membrane material combined with inorganic mineral powders to develop film-coated slow-release fertilizer.

Effects of Organic Compound Fertilizers on Soil Water Infiltration Characteristics

In order to study the effects of organic compound fertilizers on soil water infiltration characteristics,an indoor one-dimensional soil column water infiltration test was carried out.Six soil sample treatment groups were set,namely marshy solonchak(control check,CK for short),bamboo charcoal-mixed marshy solonchak,Difuyuan-mixed marshy solonchak,salined flavo-aquic soil(CK),bamboo charcoal-mixed salined flavo-aquic soil and Difuyuan-mixed salined flavo-aquic soil.After 120 min of infiltration,compared with the CK groups of marshy solonchak and salined flavo-aquic soil,the cumulative infiltration volumes of the bamboo charcoal and difuyuan treatment groups increased by -18.78%,-3.93% and 25.77%,6.53%,respectively;and the displacement increased by -18.93%,1.64% and 22.6%,12.5%,respectively.The relationship between the wetting front displacement and time conformed to a linear function.The effects of organic compound fertilizers on the initial infiltration rates of marshy solonchak and salined flavo-aquic soil were significant,and the relationship between infiltration rate and time conformed to a power function.The vertical distribution of soil moisture under the application of organic compound fertilizers showed that the moisture content changed relatively small within 5 cm of the surface soil layer,then decreased slowly within 5-10 cm of the soil layer,and decreased drastically below 10 cm of soil layer;and relative to the CK group,the application of organic compound fertilizers was beneficial to increase the moisture content of salined flavo-aquic soil.The organic compound fertilizers reduced the water infiltration capacity of marshy solonchak and improved the water infiltration capacity of salined flavo-aquic soil.Compared with Difuyuan,bamboo charcoal reduced the water infiltration capacity of marshy solonchak better and improved the water permeability of salined flavo-aquic soil more significantly.

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Organic Inorganic Hybrid Compound [Co(dien)_2](dienH_3)(H_3O)_7[P_2Mo_5O_(23)]_2·14H_2O

A new compound,[Co（dien）2]（dienH3）（H3O）7[P2Mo5O23]2·14H2O, has been hydrothermallly synthesized by using Na2MoO4,CoCl2, H3PO4 and dien, and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction analysis, SEM, IR and TG analysis. The results show that the compound is composed of a polyanion [P2Mo5O23]2^12, complex [Co（dien）2]^2＋ cation, protonated [dienH3]^3＋ , and forteen crystallization water molecule.

Synthesis and Characterizaion of a New Inorganic-organic Sulfate Compound——Crystal Structure of [Ni(H_2O)_6][H_2N(C_2H_4)_2NH_2](SO_4)_2

Ni(H_2O)_6][H_2N(C_2H_4)_2NH_2](SO_4)_2 is an inorganic-organic compound with a new open framework synthesized by hydrothermal method, and characterized by means of single-crystal diffraction and spectroscopic data. The compound crystallized in a monoclinic space group P2_1/n with a=1.29089(2) nm, b=1.06301(3) nm, c=1.33202(4) nm, β=114.0870(10)°, V=1.67127(8) nm 3, Z=4, and was solved by using the direct method and the least-squares refinement converged at R=0.0214[I>2σ(I)]. The structure consists of isolated Ni(H_2O)_6 octahedra and SO_4 tetrahedra, with both of them hydrogen-bonded to piperazine cations.

CHARACTERIZATION OF RADIATION GRAFT COPOLYMER OF INORGANIC COMPOUND ONTO ALKENE

In this paper, the radiation graft copolymer of MgO, SiO2 and-Y- molecularsieve onto organic compounds, such as methacrylate, styrene and acrylonitrile obtained by per-rndiation method were characterized by X- ray diffraction, pyrolysis gas chromatography, GPC and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Organic Compounds Possessing the Plastic Crystalline Phase: Calculation of Their Fusion Enthalpies

For the first time, for different organic and inorganic compounds possessing the plastic crystalline phase, a new semiempirical equation describing dependence of their fusion enthalpies on such physico-chemical quantities as normal melting temperature, surface tension, molar volume and critical molar volume is received on the base of the principle of corresponding states and the energy equipartition theorem. Moreover, the proposed equation allows one to take into account the particularities of one-particle molecular rotation in the plastic crystalline phase.

Effect of N Fertilizers on Root Growth and Endogenous Hormones in Strawberry

Endogenous hormones play an important role in the growth and development of roots. The objective of this research was to study the effect of four types of N fertilizers on the root growth of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duchesne) and the endogenous enzymes of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and isopentenyl adenosine (iPA) in its roots and leaves using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Application of all types of N fertilizers significantly depressed (P ≤ 0.05) root growth at 20 d after transplanting. Application of organic-inorganic fertilizer (OIF) as basal fertilizer had a significant negative effect (P ≤ 0.05) on root growth. The application of OIF and urea lowered the lateral root frequency in strawberry plants at 60 d (P ≤ 0.05) compared with the application of two organic fertilizers (OFA and OFB) and the control (CK). With the fertilizer treatments, there were the same concentrations of IAA and ABA in both roots and leaves at the initial growth stage (20 d), lower levels of IAA and ABA at the later stage (60 d), and higher iPA levels at all seedling stages as compared to those of CK. Thus, changes in the concentrations of endogenous phytohormones in strawberry plants could be responsible for the morphological changes of roots due to fertilization.

Changes of Organic Matter, N, P and K Content of Soils in Red Soil Areas Under Long-Term Experiment

The content of organic matter （OM）, nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P）, and potassium （K） in the three selected soils, including Calcaric Purpli-Orthic Primosols （purple sand-shale parent material）, Dystric Turbi-Anthric Primosols （quaternary red clay parent material） and Typic Udi-Sandic Primosols （granite parent material） were studied under a long-term experiment by using crop straw and inorganic fertilizers at the Hunan Red Soil Experiment Station of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The results showed that the contents of OM, N, P and K in the three selected soils increased after 23 years application of crop straw and inorganic fertilizers, but the contents increased much less when crop straw or inorganic fertilizers was applied alone. The nutrient contents in the three soils developed from granite changed more remarkably than those in the soil derived from quaternary red clay and purple sand-shale. It was also found that the contents of OM, N, and P increased slightly in the treatments without applying fertilizers or returning the crop straw to the root bed. Combined application of inorganic fertilizers and crop straw could remarkably increase the contents of OM, alkalihydrolyzable N and available K, the positive correlation between application of organic fertilizers and increase of OM in soil did not always happened, it provided evidence for the relation between appropriate C/N ratio and accumulation of OM in soil. The increase of nutrient content was influenced by the soil properties. By comparing the contents of nutrient in 0-20 cm depth in the three different soils, it was concluded that the most increases of OM, alkali-hydrolyzable N, and available P were observed in Typic Udi-Sandic Primosols with the average increase by 3.03, 27.38, and 21.73 mg kg^-1, respectively. The available K increased in Dystric Turbi-Anthric Primosols with the average increase by 25.82 mg kg^-1, while it decreased in Calcaric Purpli-Orthic Primosols and Typic Udi-Sandic Primosols. It was concluded that the application of inorganic fertilizer and crop straw was important to improve the soil fertility for all of three selected soils. The straw return to the field had played a significant role for enhancement of the soil quality in the study areas. The application of inorganic fertilizer combined with the straw return to the fields could remarkably improve the soil fertility.

Comparative effects of composted organic waste and inorganic fertilizer on nitrate leachate from the farm soils of northern Guam

The purpose of this study was to quantify the release of nitrate into vadose zone as well as the nitrogen-holding capacity of compost applied on calcareous soils of northern Guam amended with both inorganic fertilizer and composted organic waste,to examine potentially adverse effect of these nutrient materials to groundwater quality.Three different nitrogen levels each of the composted organic waste and the inorganic fertilizer were applied to corn(maize)(farmland)study plots for three consecutive seasons,two dry and one rainy season.During each season,soil organic matter(SOM,w/w%)content and carbon-nitrogen ratio(C/N,w/w%),were determined for analysis of the nitrogen-holding capacity of these calcareous soils.Nitrate levels in soil pore water were also determined for study of potential groundwater contamination.For three seasons,compost plots showed higher SOM%contents and lower C/N%than fertilizer plots.That is,compost-treated soils showed higher SOM content and adsorbed more nitrogen under normalized soil mass than did fertilizer-treated soils.Nitrate levels in pore water were generally higher on compost plots during early stages of corn but were generally higher on fertilizer plots during active leaf,tasseling,and maturity stages.During the rainy season,nitrate leachate seemed to increase,but this trend could not be confirmed because rainfall amounts were not measured.Overall,composted organic waste proved to be a good amendment for soil productivity and agricultural sustainability while reducing nitrate leachate from northern Guam farmland.

The Application of Fertilizer and AMF Promotes Growth and Reduces the Cadmium and Lead Contents of Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) in a Copper Mining Area

Heavy metal-polluted soil was collected from the Pulang copper mine in Shangri-La City,Yunnan Province,Southwest China.The effects of fertilizer(organic and inorganic)and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)on ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum L.)growth,root morphology,mineral nutrition and cadmium(Cd)and lead(Pb)contents were investigated by pot experiments.The results showed that both fertilizer and AMF significantly ameliorated the root morphology and mineral nutrition,reduced the Cd and Pb contents,and promoted the growth of ryegrass.Among all treatments,the combined application of organic–inorganic compound fertilizer with AMF had the highest effect,resulting in increases in root length,surface area and branch number by 2.3,1.1,and 3.9 times,respectively;an 88%increase in plant biomass;a nitrogen content increase of 2.3 and 1.2 times,and phosphorus content increase of 62%and 68%in shoots and roots,respectively was also recorded as well as decreases in Cd content by 34%and 62%and Pb content by 47%and 34%in shoots and roots,respectively.Twofactor analysis showed that both fertilizer and AMF significantly promoted ryegrass growth(plant height,biomass,chlorophyll content,root length,nitrogen and phosphorus content)and reduced the Cd and Pb contents in roots,and there was a synergistic effect between them.Moreover,the nitrogen and phosphorus contents were very significantly positively correlated with the shoot and root biomasses but very significantly negatively correlated with the Cd and Pb contents of ryegrass.Thus,the application of fertilizer and AMF synergistically improved ryegrass growth on polluted soils in the copper mining area.

Growth, Yield and Yield Characteristics of Three Pepper Cultivars to Fertilizers Application in the Mount Cameroon Region

This study determined the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of three pepper cultivars in the Mount Cameroon Region. Pepper seedlings were treated with six treatments (T1 = no fertilizers (control), T2 = 250 Kg/ha NPK 20:10:10, T3 = 350 Kg/ha NPK 20:10:10, T4 = 450 Kg/ha NPK 20:10:10, T5 = 20 Mg/ha poultry manure (PM), T6 = 30 Mg/ha PM). The effects of fertilizers had a significant effect on vegetative growth and yield of Capsicum chinense cv. “Big Sun” plants had the maximum plant height (39.09 cm) and mean collar diameter (6.02 mm) in plots treated with poultry manure at 20 Mg/ha (T5) and 30 Mg/ha (T6) respectively. The highest yield (33.63 Mg/ha) was in Capsicum chinense cv. Safi plants supplied with 30 Mg/ha poultry manure (T6) and the lowest yield (10.44 Mg/ha) was in Capsicum frutescens in control plots (T1). The highest fruit diameter (11.08 mm) and longest fruits (18.39 mm) were observed in Capsicum chinense cv. Big Sun plants supplied with 30 Mg/ha poultry manure. Capsicum frutescens fruits had the highest concentration of N (2.39%), P (0.42%) and K (3.06%). Essential oils analysis shows that there were 179 essential oils from pepper fruits of Capsicum chinense cv. Safi, with major essential oil been 3,4-dimethyl-benzaldehyde and main essential oils were alpha Terpinene and alpha Pinene based on their abundance. Fruits of Capsicum chinense cv. Big Sun had two-hundred and eight essential oils with major essential oil been 1,3,5-Trimethyl-1-H-pyrazol-4-amine and main essential oils were Caryophyllene oxide and Cymene, based on their abundance. Fruits of Capsicum frutescens had one-hundred and eighty-one essential oils with major essential oil been Limonene, and main essential oils were Carvacrol and D-limonene with respect to abundance. Results show that 20 Mg/ha poultry manure was the most cost effective in the production of pepper in Buea Cameroon.

Study of the Factors Affecting the Abundance of Organic Matter in Jurassic Carbonate Rocks in Qiangtang Basin, Tibet

Field and laboratory analyses of carbonate rock samples from the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet, indicate that carbonate source rocks are mainly developed in the Middle Jurassic Xiali Formation and Upper Jurassic Suowa Formation. Comprehensive studies showed that the Suowa Formation carbonate source rocks have a favorable hydrocarbon-generating potential. The abundance of organic matter in the carbonate rocks is controlled mainly by sedimentary environment and inorganic compounds in the rocks, which is higher in the restricted platform facies than in the open platform facies. Organic carbon contents decrease with increasing CaO contents in the source rocks.

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Novel Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Compound {[Cu(2,2′-bpy)_2]_2-Mo_8O_(26)}

A novel organic-inorganic hybrid compound {[Cu(2,2'-bpy)_2]_2Mo_8O_(26)} hasbeen hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group, Pna2_1, with a = 2.4164(5), b =1.8281(4), c = 1.1877(2) nm, V = 5.247(2) nm^3, Z = 4, and final R_1 = 0.0331, wR_2 = 0.0727. Thestructure consists of discrete {[Cu(2,2'-bpy)_2]_2Mo_8O_(26)} clusters, constructed from aβ-octamolybdate subunit [Mo_8O_(26)]^(4-) covalently bonded to two [Cu(2,2'-bpy)_2]^(2+)coordination complex cations via bridging oxo groups. In addition, the spectroscopic properties andthermal behavior of this compound have been investigated by spectroscopic techniques (UV-vis, IR,Raman and EPR spectra) and TG analysis.

Evaluation of Biological Soil Fertility Management Practices for Corn Production in Oxisols

Field trials on the management of soil biological fertility with aim to increasing corn production were conducted in a savannah region of the DR-Congo. Three organic matters including fresh biomass of Entada abyssinica, Tithonia diversifolia, Stylosanthes gracilis and a mineral combination of nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) (115-63-0) along with a control (without fertilization) were evaluated for corn crop growth and production. The field trial was a completely randomized design with four replicates. Plant height, basal stem diameter, and yield components were assessed. Irrespective of fertilization treatments and variety, maize showed a similar growth up to 20 days after sowing (DAS), and then two distinct trends were observed. At 60 DAS, plant height and basal diameter were significantly bigger in plots treated with NP, T. diversifolia and E. abyssinica compared to S. gracilis treatment and control (NoF). This pattern was also confirmed with agronomic traits such as cob length, number of kernel per cob, and net grain yield. The local variety was the least productive under any treatment. In general, the response of corn crop to organic and inorganic fertilization showed that the mineral combination (NP) increased the most grain yield and other yield components compared to unfertilized trial, followed by T. divessifolia and E. abyssinica. NP and T. diversifolia treatments increased significantly and equally soil potassium content compared to control and other treatments. Application of T. diversifolia appears a more cost effective approach for small farmers to improving fertility of the oxisol prevailing in Central Africa compared to mineral fertilizers.