Effects of Seaweed Bio-organic Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Winter Wheat

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of seaweed bio-or- ganic fertilizer on yield and quality of winter wheat. [Method] Seaweed bio-organic fertilizer was applied to leaves of winter wheat according to the dose of 45 kg/hm^2 from jointing stage to maturing stage, and plant height, dry matter accumulation, flag leaf photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield of winter wheat were investigated. [Result] Foliar spraying of seaweed bio-organic fertilizer showed little effect on plant height of winter wheat, thickened stems, promoted dry matter accumulation, in- creased flag leaf photosynthetic rate by 3.16%, and increased yield of winter wheat by 6.85%. [Conclusion] Foliar spraying of seaweed bio-organic fertilizer promoted the intelligent growth, thickened the stems, improved the lodging resistance, significantly increased the panicle weight per plant, and increased the bulk density of winter wheat, as well as improving the physical quality of wheat grain. In addition, foliar spraying of seaweed bio-organic fertilizer promoted the synthesis of chlorophyll and mitigated the decomposition of chlorophyll in winter wheat. Under the background of fertilizer-pesticide double reduction, the test results and data of this study can be promoted in the wheat-growing areas of Shandong Province and even whole China.

Characters of Bio-organic Fertilizer and Trails on Its Effect When Applied to Peach

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of bio-organic fertilizer and its effect when applied to peach.[Method] Through launching demonstration trial on the application of bio-organic fertilizer in the major fruit producing areas in Liaoning Province,the effects of bio-organic fertilizer on peach growth and soil were investigated.[Results] After application of bio-organic fertilizer,both the peach yield and fruit quality were improved to some extent,of which yields was increased by 16.4％ compared with the control,and vitamin C and total sugar contents were also significantly increased; application of bio-organic fertilizer also improved the contents of total nitrogen,rapidly available phosphorus,available potassium and organic matter in soil,and reduced the soil volume weight.[Conclusion] Bioorganic fertilizer can significantly improve fruit yield and quality,as well as improving orchard soil and protecting the environment,thus possessing a bright application prospect in the production of green fruits.

Effects of Liquid Seaweed Bio-organic Fertilizer on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Vegetables

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer on seed germination and seedling growth of different vegetables. [Method] Serial dilution concentrations of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer were prepared for seed soaking and pot incubation of cucumber, tomato and chili, to ob- serve the effects of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer on seed germination and seedling growth of vegetables. [Result] Compared with the control, germination rate of cucumber and tomato seeds applied with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fer- tilizer varied significantly; germination rate of chili seeds applied with 400-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer varied significantly; germination energy and germination index of chili seeds applied with different dilution concentrations of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer presented no significant differences. In addition, 200-fold and 400-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer significantly improved the root length, plant height, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, chlorophyll content and leaf area of cucumber, tomato and chili seedlings; after treated with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer, root length, chlorophyll content and leaf area of cucumber seedlings varied significantly compared with the control, but no significant differences were observed in plant height, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight; after treated with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer, root length, chlorophyll content, plant height, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight of chili and tomato varied sig- nificantly compared with the control, but no significant differences were observed in leaf area. [Conclusion] Soaking vegetable seeds with liquid seaweed bio-organic fer- tilizer can significantly improve seed generation rate and seedling growth.

Effects of Bio-organic Fertilizer with Antagonistic Bacteria against Tobacco Bacterial Wilt on Soil Microbial Communities and Disease Resistance of Tobacco

In this study, the effects of bio-organic fertilizer with antagonistic bacteria against tobacco bacterial wilt on soil microbial communities and disease resist- ance of tobacco were investigated by field experiment. The results showed that the incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt in bio-organic fertilizer treatments （T3 and T4） decreased remarkably among four treatments in the field. Compared with the local conventional fertilization group, the incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt was re- duced by 21.9% and 25.0% in T3 and T4, respectively ; the yield of flue-cured tobacco was improved by 5.7% and 5.3%, respectively ; the proportion of mid- high grade tobacco leaves increased by 2.3% and 2.6%, respectively. After application of bio-organie fertilizer with antagonistic bacteria against tobacco bacterial wilt, rhizosphere soil microbial communities exhibited vast amount and abundant species ; the amount of rhizosphere soil bacteria of infected tobacco plants was im- proved by 218.5% with fewer species. It could be concluded that the application of bio-organic fertilizer with antagonistic bacteria against tobacco bacterial wilt could improve the ecological environment of tobacco field, inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, decrease the incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt, and enhance the quality of flue-cured tobacco. This study laid the foundation for further ecological prevention and control of soil-borne diseases of tobacco.

Application Effect of Bio-organic Fertilizer on Chuanzhu 16

Through the application of bio-organic fertilizer on Chuanzhuo 16, the re- sults showed that the yield could reach 185.23 kg in treatment with bio-organic fer- tilizer, 40.22 kg more than the conventional fertilization, and the yield increase rate reached up to 27.7%.

Effects of Partial Replacement of Chemical Fertilizer by Bio-organic Fertilizer Kunyijian on Yield and Quality of Tobacco Leaves

To explore the application effect of bio-organic fertilizer Kunyijian in flue-cured tobacco and provide scientific basis for its application in production,a plot trial was conducted with K326,a flue-cured tobacco variety,in the Science and Technology Test Base of Xundian County,Yunnan.Taking local fertilizer consumption(control 1)and 70%local fertilizer consumption(control 2)as controls,the following replacement groups were designed:under uniformly replacement 70%local fertilizer consumption,(i)organic fertilizer∶microbial agent=80∶1(kg),+600 kg/ha,+900 kg/ha,+1200 kg/ha,+1500 kg/ha Kunyijian;(ii)organic fertilizer∶microbial agent=40∶1(kg),+900 kg/ha Kunyijian.The results show that in the treatment of 70%local fertilizer consumption+1200 kg/ha Kunyijian[organic fertilizer∶microbial agent=80∶1(kg)],the comprehensive performance of flue-cured tobacco was significantly better than that in the control groups,the yield of tobacco leaves reached 2237.1 kg/ha,the output value was 45505.2 yuan/ha,and the average price of the tobacco leaves was 20.53 yuan/kg.The performance of flue-cured tobacco in the treatment of 70%local fertilizer consumption+1500 kg/ha Kunyijian ranked second.The performance of other fertilization treatments was not good,but it did not differ significantly from that of control 1.In terms of chemical composition of tobacco leaves,partial replacement of chemical fertilizer by bio-organic fertilizer Kunyijian,was beneficial to increase the sugar content and reduce the nicotine and total nitrogen contents in tobacco leaves,especially the treatment of 70%local fertilizer consumption+900 kg/ha Kunyijian[organic fertilizer∶microbial agent=80∶1(kg)],and it was also beneficial to increase the chlorine content in tobacco leaves,especially the treatment of 70%local fertilizer consumption+1500 kg/ha Kunyijian[organic fertilizer∶microbial agent=80∶1(kg)].Therefore,it is feasible to use the bio-organic fertilizer Kunyijian to replace 30%of chemical fertilizer in tobacco production.The rate is recommended to be 900-1500 kg/ha[organic fertilizer∶microbial agent=80∶1(kg)].It is suggested to further strengthen the demonstration and promotion of Kunyijian.

Application of Bio-organic Fertilizer Containing High-efficient Nitrogen-fixing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on Strawberry

With strawberry as a test material,the effects of the bio-organic fertilizer containing high-efficiency nitrogen-fixing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on nutrient contents in strawberry-planted soil,wilt occurrence and strawberry yield and quality were studied by a plot experiment,so as to provide reference for scientific use of the bio-organic fertilizer and green production of strawberry.The results showed that after hole-applying the bio-organic fertilizer at a rate of 22.5 t/hm^2,the contents of NH^+_4-N,available P,available K and organic matter did not change much with time;and when replacing 50%of chemical fertilizers with the bio-organic fertilizer at a rate of 11.25 t/hm^2(K_3),the contents of NH^+_4-N and available P in the soil did not change much with time,and the contents of available K and organic matter decreased slightly with time,but were both higher than the CK(the unfertilized treatment).Meanwhile,the disease index values of strawberry wilt disease in treatments K_2 and K_3were significantly lower than those of the CK and the conventional fertilization treatment(K_1),and the vitamin C contents of strawberry fruit in the two treatments were significantly higher than that of the CK.The yield determination showed that the cumulative yields of treatments K_2 and K_3 increased by 9.8% and 3.3%,respectively,and the increase rates of the early yields(before the Spring Festival)were 30.6% and 21.9%,respectively.Therefore,the application of the bio-organic fertilizer can replace chemical fertilizers,and can achieve the effects of reducing the occurrence of wilt,improving the early yield of fruit commodity and improving fruit quality.

Studies on the effects of bio-organic fertilizer on the physical and chemical characteristics of soil and the yield of cassava＊

Bio-organic fertilizer is a new type of fertilizer which have advantages of both organic manure and fertilizer. This study investigated the effects of bio-organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of cassava and the soil fertility. The study was carried out in the period of 2004-2005 and the material was cassava cultivar FUXUAN01. The bio-organic fertilizers were applied as basic fertilizers on four different levels of 450 kg/hm^2, 600 kg/hm^2, 750 kg/hm^2, 900 kg/hm^2 in this experiment. The growth of stem and leaf, the yield of earthnut and the starch content of tuber root of cassava and the unit weight, the hole percent, the content of organic matters, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, microbes, the activity of soil urease and invertase were analyzed during the experiment. The results showed that not only can the bio-organic fertilizer promote the growth of cassava stems and leaves, increase the chlorophyll content and the photosynthesis of leaves, improve the physiological metabolism of cassava, and strengthen physiological function of anti-senility, promote the transformation from photosynthetic organism to tuber root and increase the yield and starch content in the tuber root of cassava, but also decrease the soil unit weight, increase the hole percent of soil, promote microbe activity in the soil, increase the activity of soil urease and invertase, promote the availability of nutrients, increase the content of organic matters, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and increase the utilization rate of fertilizer. It was an effective way to apply the bio-organic fertilizer to increase the yield and starch content in the tuber root of cassava, improving the physical and chemical characters of soil and increasing the soil fertility.

Effects of Full-Element Bio-Organic Fertilizer on Growth,Yield,and Rhizosphere Soil Nutrients of Pepper

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of self-developed full-element bio-organic fertilizer on the growth,yield,and rhizosphere soil nutrients of pepper.Four treatments were designed,including full-element bio-organic fertilizer+conventional fertilizer reduced by 50%(T1),inactivated full-element bio-organic fertilizer+conventional fertilizer reduced by 50%(T2),conventional fertilizer(T3),and no fertilizer(CK).The results showed that T1 significantly increased the plant height,crown width,fruit number per plant,and yield of pepper.T1 had higher pH value,total nitrogen,total phosphorus,total potassium,available nitrogen,available phosphorus,and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil than T3 and CK,and it had higher available phosphorus and available potassium than T2.The disease index of bacterial wilt in T1 was 21.74,which was 10.37,20.19,and 35.48 lower than T2,T3,and CK,respectively.The control effect of T1 reached 56.71%.The above results indicated that whole bio-organic fertilizer promoted the growth to improve the yield and benefit of pepper.Moreover,the fertilizer activated soil nutrients to improve soil fertility and reduced soil-borne diseases.Therefore,the full-element bio-organic fertilizer can be promoted in the pepper fields with continuous cropping obstacles.

Optimizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impact through deep placement of nitrogen fertilizer

Nitrogen(N)serves as an essential nutrient for yield formation across diverse crop types.However,agricultural production encounters numerous challenges,notably high N fertilizer rates coupled with low N use efficiency and serious environmental pollution.Deep placement of nitrogen fertilizer(DPNF)is an agronomic measure that shows promise in addressing these issues.This review aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of DPNF,beginning with a succinct overview of its development and methodologies for implementation.Subsequently,the optimal fertilization depth and influencing factors for different crops are analyzed and discussed.Additionally,it investigates the regulation and mechanism underlying the DPNF on crop development,yield,N use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.Finally,the review delineates the limitations and challenges of this technology and provides suggestions for its improvement and application.This review provides valuable insight and reference for the promotion and adoption of DPNF in agricultural practice.

Long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers increases crop yield sustainability by improving soil fertility in maize-wheat cropping systems

Organic material combined with inorganic fertilizer has been shown to greatly improve crop yield and maintain soil fertility globally. However, it remains unclear if crop yield and soil fertility can be sustained in the long term under the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Three long-term field trials were conducted to investigate the effects of organic amendments on the grain sustainable yield index(SYI), soil fertility index(SFI)and nutrient balance in maize–wheat cropping systems of central and southern China during 1991–2019. Five treatments were included in the trials: 1) no fertilization(control);2) balanced mineral fertilization(NPK);3) NPK plus manure(NPKM);4) high dose of NPK plus manure(1.5NPKM);and 5) NPK plus crop straw(NPKS). Over time, the grain yields of wheat and maize showed an increasing trend in all four fertilization treatments at the Yangling(YL) and Zhengzhou(ZZ) locations, while they declined at Qiyang(QY). The grain yield in the NPKM and 1.5NPKM treatments gradually exceeded that of the NPK and NPKS treatments at the QY site. The largest SYI was recorded in the NPKM treatment across the three sites, suggesting that inorganic fertilizer combined with manure can effectively improve crop yield sustainability. Higher SYI values were recorded at the YL and ZZ sites than at the QY site, possibly because the soil was more acid at QY. The key factors affecting grain yield were soil available phosphorus(AP) and available potassium(AK) at the YL and ZZ sites, and pH and AP at the QY site.All fertilization treatments resulted in soil N and P surpluses at the three sites, but soil K surpluses were recorded only at the QY site. The SFI was greater in the 1.5NPKM, NPKM and NPKS treatments than in the NPK treatment by 13.3–40.0 and 16.4–63.6% at the YL and ZZ sites, respectively, and was significantly higher in the NPKM and 1.5NPKM treatments than in the NPK and NPKS treatments at the QY site. A significant, positive linear relationship was found between SFI and crop yield, and SYI and nutrient balance, indicating that grain yield and its sustainability significantly increased with increasing soil fertility. The apparent N, P and K balances positively affected SFI.This study suggests that the appropriate amount of manure mixed with mineral NPK fertilizer is beneficial to the development of sustainable agriculture, which effectively increases the crop yield and yield sustainability by improving soil fertility.

Organic fertilizer enhances soil aggregate stability by altering greenhouse soil content of iron oxide and organic carbon

Both soil organic carbon (SOC) and iron (Fe) oxide content, among other factors, drive the formation and stability of soil aggregates.However, the mechanism of these drivers in greenhouse soil fertilized with organic fertilizer is not well understood.In a 3-year field experiment, we aimed to investigate the factors which drive the stability of soil aggregates in greenhouse soil.To explore the impact of organic fertilizer on soil aggregates, we established four treatments:no fertilization (CK);inorganic fertilizer (CF);organic fertilizer (OF);and combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizers(COF).The application of organic fertilizer significantly enhanced the stability of aggregates, that is it enhanced the mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter and aggregate content (%) of>0.25 mm aggregate fractions.OF and COF treatments increased the concentration of SOC, especially the aliphatic-C, aromatic-C and polysaccharide-C components of SOC, particularly in>0.25 mm aggregates.Organic fertilizer application significantly increased the content of free Fe(Fed), reactive Fe (Feo), and non-crystalline Fe in both bulk soil and aggregates.Furthermore, non-crystalline Fe showed a positive correlation with SOC content in both bulk soil and aggregates.Both non-crystalline Fe and SOC were significantly positively correlated with>2 mm mean weight diameter.Overall, we believe that the increase of SOC, aromatic-C, and non-crystal ine Fe concentrations in soil after the application of organic fertilizer is the reason for improving soil aggregate stability.

Decreased nitrous oxide emissions associated with functional microbial genes under bio-organic fertilizer application in vegetable fields

Bio-organic fertilizers enriched with plant growth-promoting microbes(PGPMs)have been widely used in crop fields to promote plant growth and maintain soil microbiome functions.However,their potential effects on N_(2)O emissions are of increasing concern.In this study,an in situ measurement experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of organic fertilizer containing Trichoderma guizhouense(a plant growth-promoting fungus)on soil N_(2)O emissions from a greenhouse vegetable field.The following four treatments were used:no fertilizer(control),chemical fertilizer(NPK),organic fertilizer derived from cattle manure(O),and organic fertilizer containing T.guizhouense(O+T,referring to bio-organic fertilizer).The abundances of soil N cycling-related functional genes(amoA)from ammonium-oxidizing bacteria(AOB)and archaea(AOA),as well as nirS,nirK,and nosZ,were simultaneously determined using quantitative PCR(qPCR).Compared to the NPK plot,seasonal total N_(2)O emissions decreased by 11.7%and 18.7%in the O and O+T plots,respectively,which was attributed to lower NH_(4)^(+)-N content and AOB amoA abundance in the O and O+T plots.The nosZ abundance was significantly greater in the O+T plot,whilst the AOB amoA abundance was significantly lower in the O+T plot than in the O plot.Relative to the organic fertilizer,bio-organic fertilizer application tended to decrease N_(2)O emissions by 7.9%and enhanced vegetable yield,resulting in a significant decrease in yield-scaled N_(2)O emissions.Overall,the results of this study suggested that,compared to organic and chemical fertilizers,bio-organic fertilizers containing PGPMs could benefit crop yield and mitigate N_(2)O emissions in vegetable fields.

Competitive Relationships and Yield Advantage of Intercropping Faba Bean with Sugar Beet under Bio-Organic Additives and Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates

A field experiment was conducted at El-Serw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta Governorate, Egypt during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons to reduce mineral N inputs of sugar beet with increased land use efficiency and profitability under intercropping conditions. Seven treatments included five treatments (90 kg nitrogen “N” + 30 m3 farm yard manure “FYM”/fad, 80 kg N +30 m3 FYM/fad, 70 kg N +30 m3 FYM/fad and 400 g of Cerealine + 30 m3 FYM/fad for intercropping faba bean cultivar Spanish with sugar beet cultivar Gloria) and two treatments (90 and 20 kg N/fad for solid culture of sugar beet and faba bean, respectively, as recommended mineral N fertilizer rate) were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Solid culture of sugar beet with the application of recommended rate (90 kg N/fad) gave the highest top, root and sugar yields/fad, as well as the percentage of purity compared with the other treatments in both seasons. Intercropping faba bean with sugar beet plants with application of 90 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad gave the highest number of leaves/plant, leaf area/plant, root length, root diameter and root weight/plant followed by intercropped sugar beet plants that fertilized with 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad compared with the other treatments in both seasons. On the other hand, intercropped sugar beet that received 400 g of Cerealine + 30 m3 FYM/fad had the highest percentages of T.S.S. and sucrose followed by 70 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad compared with the other treatments in both seasons. Solid culture of faba bean with the application of 20 kg N/fad gave the highest plant height, number of seeds/pod and seed yield/fad, meanwhile the highest number of branches/plant and pod length were achieved by intercropping faba bean with sugar beet with application of 90 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad followed by intercropped faba bean plants that fertilized with 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad compared with the other treatments in both seasons. However, intercropped faba bean plants that fertilized with 70 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad gave the highest number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed index and seed yield per plant compared with the other treatments in both seasons. Land equivalent ratio (LER), land equivalent coefficient (LEC) and relative crowding coefficient (RCC) were high by intercropping faba bean with sugar beet with the application of 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad indicating yield advantage was achieved. The value of aggressivity (Agg) of sugar beet was negative for all combinations indicating that sugar beet is dominated component in the present study. Intercropping faba bean with sugar beet with the application of 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad achieved higher total income and monetary advantage index (MAI) than the other treatments. Growing sugar beet plants in both sides of beds (1.2 m width) with one faba bean row in middle of sugar beet beds with the application of 80 kg N + 30 m3 FYM/fad decreased mineral N fertilizer rate by 10.00% of the recommended sugar beet mineral N fertilizer rate, as well as increased land usage and profitability for Egyptian farmers compared with sugar beet solid culture.

Coupling of reduced inorganic fertilizer with plant-based organic fertilizer as a promising fertilizer management strategy for colored rice in tropical regions

Colored rice is a type of high-quality,high-added-value rice that has attracted increasing attention in recent years.The use of large amounts of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer in rice fields results in low fertilizer use efficiency and high environmental pollution.Organic fertilizer is a promising way to improve soil quality and sustain high yields.However,most studies focus on the effect of animal-based organic fertilizers.The effects of different ratios of plantbased organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on the grain yield and quality of colored rice have rarely been reported.Therefore,a two-year field experiment was conducted in 2020 and 2021 to study the effects of replacing inorganic N fertilizers with plant-based organic fertilizers on the yield,nitrogen use efficiency(NUE),and anthocyanin content of two colored rice varieties in a tropical region in China.The experimental treatments included no nitrogen fertilization(T1),100% inorganic nitrogen fertilizer(T2),30%inorganic nitrogen fertilizer substitution with plant-based organic fertilizer(T3),60%inorganic nitrogen fertilizer substitution with plant-based organic fertilizer(T4),and 100% plantbased organic fertilizer(T5).The total nitrogen provided to all the treatments except T1 was the same at 120 kg ha-1.Our results showed that the T3 treatment enhanced the grain yield and anthocyanin content of colored rice by increasing nitrogen use efficiency compared with T2.On average,grain yields were increased by 9 and 8%,while the anthocyanin content increased by 16 and 10% in the two colored rice varieties under T3 across the two years,respectively,as compared with T2.Further study of the residual effect of partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers showed that the substitution of inorganic fertilizer with plant-based organic fertilizer improved the soil physiochemical properties,and thus increased the rice grain yield,in the subsequent seasons.The highest grain yield of the subsequent rice crop was observed under the T5 treatment.Our results suggested that the application of plantbased organic fertilizers can sustain the production of colored rice with high anthocyanin content in tropical regions,which is beneficial in reconciling the relationship between rice production and environmental protection.

Repositioning fertilizer manufacturing subsidies for improving food security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in China

China removed fertilizer manufacturing subsidies from 2015 to 2018 to bolster market-oriented reforms and foster environmentally sustainable practices.However,the impact of this policy reform on food security and the environment remains inadequately evaluated.Moreover,although green and low-carbon technologies offer environmental advantages,their widespread adoption is hindered by prohibitively high costs.This study analyzes the impact of removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies and explores the potential feasibility of redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in the diffusion of these technologies.Utilizing the China Agricultural University Agri-food Systems model,we analyzed the potential for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes regarding food security and environmental sustainability.The findings indicate that removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies has reduced greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions from agricultural activities by 3.88 million metric tons,with minimal impact on food production.Redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in green and low-carbon technologies,including slow and controlled-release fertilizer,organic-inorganic compound fertilizers,and machine deep placement of fertilizer,emerges as a strategy to concurrently curtail GHG emissions,ensure food security,and secure robust economic returns.Finally,we propose a comprehensive set of government interventions,including subsidies,field guidance,and improved extension systems,to promote the widespread adoption of these technologies.

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.

Combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer alleviates the kernel position effect in summer maize by promoting post-silking nitrogen uptake and dry matter accumulation

Adjusting agronomic measures to alleviate the kernel position effect in maize is important for ensuring high yields.In order to clarify whether the combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer(CAOFCF)can alleviate the kernel position effect of summer maize,field experiments were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons,and five treatments were assessed:CF,100%chemical fertilizer;OFCF1,15%organic fertilizer+85%chemical fertilizer;OFCF2,30%organic fertilizer+70%chemical fertilizer;OFCF3,45%organic fertilizer+55%chemical fertilizer;and OFCF4,60%organic fertilizer+40%chemical fertilizer.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments significantly alleviated the kernel position effect by increasing the weight ratio of inferior kernels to superior kernels and reducing the weight gap between the superior and inferior kernels.These effects were largely due to the improved filling and starch accumulation of inferior kernels.However,there were no obvious differences in the kernel position effect among plants treated with CF,OFCF3,or OFCF4 in most cases.Leaf area indexes,post-silking photosynthetic rates,and net assimilation rates were higher in plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2 than in those treated with CF,reflecting an enhanced photosynthetic capacity and improved postsilking dry matter accumulation(DMA)in the plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments increased post-silking N uptake by 66.3 and 75.5%,respectively,which was the major factor driving post-silking photosynthetic capacity and DMA.Moreover,the increases in root DMA and zeatin riboside content observed following the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments resulted in reduced root senescence,which is associated with an increased post-silking N uptake.Analyses showed that post-silking N uptake,DMA,and grain yield in summer maize were negatively correlated with the kernel position effect.In conclusion,the combined application of 15-30%organic fertilizer and 70-85%chemical fertilizer alleviated the kernel position effect in summer maize by improving post-silking N uptake and DMA.These results provide new insights into how CAOFCF can be used to improve maize productivity.

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.

Effect of Fertilizers on the Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivated in the Zinder Region (Niger Republic)

Maize constitutes one of the most important crops in Niger’s fight for food security, and it is cultivated in all regions of the country. However, maize cultivation is declining due to low soil fertility. This study focused on evaluating the impact of fertilizers on maize plant production in Zinder. The fertilizer effect was evaluated based on 21 quantitative and 9 qualitative descriptors proposed by IBPGR and CIMMYT 1991. The experiment was conducted during the rainy season in the experimental domain of Université André Salifou following randomized complete block designs with three repetitions. Seven fertilizer treatments, including two organic, two mineral, two combinations of fertilizers, and a control treatment, were applied. The analysis shows that fertilizers had positive effects on the earliness and productivity of the selected variety. The best yield of dry corn cob (7480 kg/ha) was recorded on organic fertilizer of composted poultry manure, which is equal to 4.8 times that obtained with the control (1561 kg/ha), followed by the mineral fertilizer NPK combined with composted cow dung with 6395.231 kg/ha. Therefore, the use of fertilizers could be an appropriate alternative to overcome the negative consequences of yield declines in the corn production system in the Zinder region.