Effects of Organic Manure Application with Chemical Fertilizers on Nutrient Absorption and Yield of Rice in Hunan of Southern China

To evaluate the effect of organic manure application with chemical fertilizers on rice yield and soil fertility under long-term double-rice cropping system, a six year field experiment was conducted continually in the paddy soil derived from Quaternary red clay in Hunan Province of southern China. Four different treatments, i.e., no nitrogen with chemical P and K （PK）, swine manure only （M）, N, P and K chemical fertilizers only （NPK）, and half chemical fertilizers combined with half swine manure （NPKM） with four replications were included. Each N, P and K application rate was the same at all the treatments （except the N application rate at PK） and N application rate was 150 kg N ha^-1. All fertilizers were applied to soil tillage layer with once application as baseal fertilizers. The nutrients uptake rate, grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and soil organic matter content at each treatment were investigated. The NPKM treatment achieved the highest mean annual yield of 12.2 t ha^-1 （68% higher than that of PK）. Higher dry matter accumulation and nutrients absorption were observed during the middle-late growth period in the NPKM treatment, with higher panicle number per unit and filled-grain number per panicle. Its average nitrogen use efficiency was 36.3% and soil organic matter increased by 18.5% during the experimental period in the NPKM treatment, which were significantly higher than those in the NPK treatment. Organic manure application with chemical fertilizers increased the yield and nitrogen use efficiency of rice, reduced the risk of environmental pollution and improved soil fertility greatly. It could be a good practical technique that protects the environment and raises the rice yield in this region.

Effect of Reducing Application of Chemical Fertilizers and Chemical Pesticides on Physiological Traits,Yield and Quality of Radish

This paper studied the effect of reducing application of chemical fertilizer,increasing application of functional organic fertilizer and trace elements and fully using biological pesticides on physiological traits,yield and quality of radish. The results showed that applying functional organic fertilizer and trace elements and fully using biological pesticides could help to significantly improve the radish fleshy root yield,increase soluble sugar and vitamin C content,reduce crude fiber and nitrate content,but had no significant influence on radish moisture content,glucosinolates and chlorpyrifos content in organophosphorus pesticides.

Evaluating the Effects of Sustainable Chemical and Organic Fertilizers with Water Saving Practice on Corn Production and Soil Characteristics

The rapidly growing world population,water shortage,and food security are promising problems for sustainable agriculture.Farmers adopt higher irrigation and fertilizer applications to increase crop production resulting in environmental pollution.This study aimed to identify the long-term effects of intelligent water and fertilizers used in corn yield and soil nutrient status.A series of field experiments were conducted for six years with treatments as:farmer accustomed to fertilization used as control(CON),fertilizer decrement(KF),fertilizer decrement+watersaving irrigation(BMP1);combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer+water-saving irrigation(BMP2),and combined application of controlled-release fertilizer(BMP3).A significant improvement was observed in soil organic matter(14.9%),nitrate nitrogen(106.7%),total phosphorus(23.9%),available phosphorus(26.2%),straw yield(44.8%),and grain yield(54.7%)with BMP2 treatment as compared to CON.The study concludes that integrating chemical and organic fertilizers with water-saving irrigation(BMP2)is a good approach to increasing corn productivity,ensuring water safety and improving soil health.The limitations of the current study include the identification of fertilizer type and its optimum dose,irrigation water type,and geographical position.

Drivers of the Chemical Quality of Market Gardening Soils in the Urban and Peri-Urban Environment of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso): Impact of Fertilizers Sources and Sites Location

Urban and peri-urban agriculture plays a key role by providing many goods and services. In particular, it provides diversified food and employment for vulnerable groups (youth and women). However, it often involves negative externalities due to non-conventional soils fertility management practices. This study aimed to investigate the chemical quality of soils over six (06) sites of the market gardening area of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) as affected by fertilizers uses and sites location. Thirty (30) representative market gardening farms, located in urban, semi-urban and rural areas, were randomly selected from a baseline survey database. Within each farm, composite soil samples made up of 3 individual cores were taken over the 0 - 15 cm soil depth for determining soils carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus contents and pH-water. These data were normalized and summarized to compute a synthetic Soil Fertility Index (SFI). The data processing was focused on a Principal Component Analysis and an Ascendant Hierarchical Classification in order to make a typology of the vegetable farms. Fertilizers management effects on soils quality were compared through Variance Analysis (ANOVA) following a GLM procedure in Rstudio software. As main results, soils chemical parameters, except for available K, were affected by the location of the sites. Soils in urban farms are less acidic (on average pH = 6.9), while semi-urban and rural sites (Samadeni, Nakaguana) have more acidic soils. However, the latter site had the highest values of C and N. Moreover, the long-term application of organic matter sources results in improving of the chemical quality of the market garden soil. The SFI is positively correlated with the rate of applied organic fertilizers, and the cultivation duration. On the other hand, soil quality tends to decrease with the expansion of the area, due to a dilution effect of the organic fertilizer doses. All these results suggest that there is a real scope to reinforce the position of the market garden as an opportunity for recycling organic wastes and sequestration of carbon by promoting relevant fertilization packages that strongly rely on organic matters sources (Compost, Biochar, etc.).

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.

Mercury in some chemical fertilizers and the effect of calcium superphosphate on mercury uptake by corn seedlings (Zea mays L.)

Mercury （Hg） contents in ten chemical fertilizers were determined, and the effect of calcium superphosphate （CSP） on the uptake and translocation of Hg in corn seedlings was investigated by pot experiments. CSP was applied at the levels of 0, 66.7, and 133.4 mg P2O5/kg to Hg-treated （2 mg/kg） and untreated soils. CSP had the highest Hg content （5.1 mg/kg）, followed by the NPK compound fertilizer 15-5-5 （15% N, 5% P2O5, 5% K2O） （1.2 mg/kg）, then by nitrogen fertilizers （except for ammonia sulfate） and potassium fertilizers. Application of CSP did not obviously iuence the biomass of corn roots, but it significantly increased the biomass of corn shoots in Hg-treated soil. Application of CSP at the levels of 66.7 and 133.4 mg P2O5/kg did not obviously iuence the uptake of Hg by corn seedlings on soils without Hg treatment, but it decreased the Hg uptake of corn seedlings significantly on Hg-treated soils. The transfer coefficient of Hg in corn seedlings improved slightly on soils without Hg treatment, but decreased slightly on Hg-treated soils with the application of CSP. These results implied that CSP could ameliorate Hg toxicity to corn seedlings by inhibiting the uptake and the translocation of Hg in plants on Hg-polluted soils.

Carbon sequestration rate,nitrogen use efficiency and rice yield responses to long-term substitution of chemical fertilizer by organic manure in a rice–rice cropping system

Combined application of chemical fertilizers with organic amendments was recommended as a strategy for improving yield,soil carbon storage,and nutrient use efficiency.However,how the long-term substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic manure affects rice yield,carbon sequestration rate(CSR),and nitrogen use efficiency(NUE)while ensuring environmental safety remains unclear.This study assessed the long-term effect of substituting chemical fertilizer with organic manure on rice yield,CSR,and NUE.It also determined the optimum substitution ratio in the acidic soil of southern China.The treatments were:(i)NPK0,unfertilized control;(ii)NPK1,100%chemical nitrogen,phosphorus,and potassium fertilizer;(iii)NPKM1,70%chemical NPK fertilizer and 30%organic manure;(iv)NPKM2,50%chemical NPK fertilizer and 50%organic manure;and(v)NPKM3,30%chemical NPK fertilizer and 70%organic manure.Milk vetch and pig manure were sources of manure for early and late rice seasons,respectively.The result showed that SOC content was higher in NPKM1,NPKM2,and NPKM3 treatments than in NPK0 and NPK1 treatments.The carbon sequestration rate increased by 140,160,and 280%under NPKM1,NPKM2,and NPKM3 treatments,respectively,compared to NPK1 treatment.Grain yield was 86.1,93.1,93.6,and 96.5%higher under NPK1,NPKM1,NPKM2,and NPKM3 treatments,respectively,compared to NPK0 treatment.The NUE in NPKM1,NPKM2,and NPKM3 treatments was higher as compared to NPK1 treatment for both rice seasons.Redundancy analysis revealed close positive relationships of CSR with C input,total N,soil C:N ratio,catalase,and humic acids,whereas NUE was closely related to grain yield,grain N content,and phenol oxidase.Furthermore,CSR and NUE negatively correlated with humin acid and soil C:P and N:P ratios.The technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS)showed that NPKM3 treatment was the optimum strategy for improving CSR and NUE.Therefore,substituting 70%of chemical fertilizer with organic manure could be the best management option for increasing CSR and NUE in the paddy fields of southern China.

Yield, Growth and Vegetative Development Parameters Response of Dry Beans to Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Biofertilizer

As part of the promotion of common bean cultivation, fertilization methods will have to be proposed to growers. The aim of this study is therefore to develop a technical itinerary for dry bean fertilization. To this end, different types of chemical and organic fertilizers were evaluated on three dry bean varieties (HARI25/GHA19, HARI35/GHA19 and HARI36/GUI21). Seven (7) doses of chemical and organic fertilizers were used, including two controls (D0 with no fertilizer and D1, the reference dose using NPK base and cover fertilizers in the form of urea). The fertilization trial was set up as a Split-Plot design, with variety as the primary factor and dose as the secondary factor. The experiment was repeated three (3) times. The results showed that vegetative development parameters and fruit set rate varied according to the variety studied. For yield and its components, the treatments had a significant effect. Indeed, the response of varieties to fertilizers was specific. For each variety used, the optimum yield was obtained with a different treatment, thus highlighting the genotype effect of the dry bean varieties studied. Among the treatments tested, D4 (5 t organic fertilizer/ha) performed best in all three varieties, generating yield increases of 20%, 46% and 91% respectively.

Impacts of chemical fertilizer reduction and organic amendments supplementation on soil nutrient,enzyme activity and heavy metal content

Excessive use of agro-chemicals （such as mineral fertilizers） poses potential risks to soil quality. Application of organic amendments and reduction of inorganic fertilizer are economically feasible and environmentally sound approaches to de- velop sustainable agriculture. This study investigated and evaluated the effects of mineral fertilizer reduction and partial substitution of organic amendment on soil fertility and heavy metal content in a 10-season continually planted vegetable field during 2009-2012. The experiment included four treatments： 100% chemical fertilizer （CF100）, 80% chemical fertilizer （CF80）, 60% chemical fertilizer and 20% organic fertilizer （CF60＋OM20）, and 40% chemical fertilizer and 40% organic fertilizer （CF40＋OM40）. Soil nutrients, enzyme activity and heavy metal content were determined. The results showed that single chemical fertilizer reduction （CF80） had no significant effect on soil organic matter content, soil catalase activity and soil heavy metal content, but slightly reduced soil available N, P, K, and soil urease activity, and significantly reduced soil acid phosphatase activity. Compared with CF100, 40 or 60% reduction of chemical fertilizer supplemented with organic fertilizer （CF60＋OM20, CF40＋OM40） significantly increased soil organic matter, soil catalase activity and urease activity especially in last several seasons, but reduced soil available P, K, and soil acid phosphatase activity. In addition, continu- ous application of organic fertilizer resulted in higher accumulation of Zn, Cd, and Cr in soil in the late stage of experiment, which may induce adverse effects on soil health and food safety.

Effect of chemical and organic fertilization on soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation in a newly cultivated farmland

Increased food demand from the rapidly growing human population has caused intensive land transition from desert to farmland in arid regions of northwest China. In this developing ecosystem, the optimized fertilization strategies are becoming an urgent need for sustainable crop productivity, efficient resources use, together with the delivery of ecosystems services including soil carbon（C） and nitrogen（N） accumulation. Through a 7-year field experiment with 9 fertilization treatments in a newly cultivated farmland, we tested whether different fertilizations had significant influences on soil C and N accumulation in this developing ecosystem, and also investigated possible mechanisms for this influence. The results showed that applying organic manure in cultivated farmland significantly increased the soil C and N accumulation rates; this influence was greater when it was combined with chemical fertilizer, accumulating 2.01 t C and 0.11 t N ha^（–1） yr^（–1） in the most successful fertilization treatment. These high rates of C and N accumulation were found associated with increased input of C and N, although the relationship between the N accumulation rate and N input was not significant. The improved soil physical properties was observed under only organic manure and integrated fertilization treatments, and the significant relationship between soil C or N and soil physical properties were also found in this study. The results suggest that in newly cultivated farmland, long term organic manure and integrated fertilization can yield significant benefits for soil C and N accumulation, and deliver additional influence on physical properties.

Partial organic substitution weakens the negative effect of chemical fertilizer on soil micro-food webs

Soil biotic communities play vital roles in enhancing soil nutrient cycling and soil fertility.Long-term excessive nitrogen(N)application is disadvantageous to the stability of soil food webs and affects arable soil health and sustainable utilization.Proper organic substitution is essential to improve soil health and alleviate the disadvantages of excessive chemical fertilization.However,the biological effects of various organic amendments on soil micro-food webs are poorly understood.In order to explore the effects of various organic amendments including stover,biochar and manure on soil micro-food webs(microbial and nematode communities),a field plot experiment with maize having five treatments viz.,100%urea(100%N),70%urea(70%N),70%urea plus stover(Stover),70%urea plus cattle manure(Manure)and 70%urea plus biochar(Biochar)was conducted.Manure treatment increased the carbon(C)to N use efficiency of soil microbes,which contributed to the retention of soil C,while Biochar treatment elevated soil organic C(SOC)and soil p H.Additionally,Biochar treatment mitigated the negative effects of soil acidification on the soil micro-food web and reduced the abundance of plant parasites.Overall,the biological effect of organic amendments was distinguished from chemical fertilization(100%N and 70%N)through principal co-ordinates analysis.Negative relationships among soil properties,microbial and nematode biomass in the 100%N treatment were diminished in treatments where chemical fertilizer was reduced.The bottom-up effects on soil food webs were observed in organic substitution treatments.In conclusion,organic amendments improved soil fertility by regulating soil microbial and nematode communities in the cropland ecosystem,alleviated the negative effects of chemical fertilizer on the micro-food webs and controlled the trophic cascades among soil biota.

Effect of different fertilizers on methane emission from a paddy field of Zhejiang, China

Methane emissions from Chinese paddy soil (Zhejiang Province) were measured over the rice growing seasons. Different fertilizers (organic and chemical) were applied, emissions of methane were high during two periods(5 days after peak tillering and 7 days after heading flowering stage) and significant effect of fertilizers was observed. Methanogenic activities in soils treated with organic manures were obviously higher than those with chemical fertilizers. Among the organic manured fields the maximum methane emission from green manure, biogas residue and beef manure treatment were 52, 20 and 19 times respectively of that given by control, and among chemical fertilizers it was NH\-4HCO\-3>CO(NH 2) 2>(NH 4) 2SO 4>NH 4Cl>NaNO 3 with 2\^4, 2, 1\^5,1\^3 and 0\^2 times respectively of that from control.

Effects of Microbial Fertilizer on Growth Characteristics of Facility Tomato and Chemical Properties of Acidic soil

[Objectives] This study was conducted to discuss the possibility of applying microbial fertilizer to production of facility tomato,so as to determine rational application rate for facility tomato. [Methods]A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of the application of microbial fertilizer onto acidic soil on yield,quality and soil chemical properties of facility tomato. [Results] Yield of facility tomato was improved after the application of microbial fertilizer.Treatment ABA-2 showed the highest yield,which was higher than the CK by 7. 98%. On the basis of conventional fertilization,the combined application with microbial fertilizer could promote growth and development of tomato,and could significantly improve fruit weight,and Vc,soluble solid and lycopene contents. Furthermore,the microbial fertilizer could remarkably improve soil p H,alkali-hydrolyzale nitrogen,available phosphorus and rapidly available potassium contents.[Conclusions]The application of microbial fertilizer at 80 kg/667 m;has better effects on tomato growth and development and soil status.

SITUATION AND OUTLOOK OF CHINA'S CHEMICAL FERTILIZER INDUSTRY

China has made remarkable progress in Chethecal fertilizer (CF) industryin the past decades. Ih 1995 the output of CF reached 24.97 whllion (M for short)tons. The aggregate consumphon in the past 46 years (from 1949-1995) came to449.68 M tons, including 337.26 M tons produtal domestically and 112.42 M tonsimported from abroad. The rate of selfsrmdency of the industry was about 75percent The demand for the year 2000 is estimated to be 42 M tons. The averaglevel of nutriats contained in China-made CF is 27 percen. Ingh conotrationfertilizers shall be developed as a major means to raise product quality. The averagecontent of nutnents will increase up to 32 percat by 2000. The reduction of energyconsumption and the upgrading oftechnology and equipment shall be another aspectwhich should be heded for China's CF industry in the future.

Factors in fluencing farmers' participation in crop intensification program in Rwanda

The crop intensification program（CIP）was introduced in Rwanda in 2007 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources（MINAGRI）,Rwanda,as a solution to the land fragmentation,low use of agricultural inputs and low access to extension services.However,due to the voluntary nature of farmers’participation and their reluctance to participate,this study aimed at assessing the factors that influence their participation.Data were collected from 340 respondents through a household survey in Mayange and Rusarabuye sectors.Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data.Results show that the factors that significantly influenced the farmers’participation in the CIP include gender,non-farm income,farmland size,farming experience,land acquisition means,market access,trust and agro-ecological conditions.In fact,the non-farm income significantly increased the farmers’decisions to participate in the CIP（P〈0.001）as it eases the financial capital needed to invest in the CIP activities.On the land acquisition means,the farmers who inherited or bought the land positively and significantly participated in the CIP（P〈0.05）because they had the land tenure security.However,the participation in the CIP was hindered by inadequate irrigation and mechanization facilities,lack of farmers’participation in the CIP planning process,inadequate extension services,inadequate agricultural inputs and inadequate post-harvest technologies.Closer collaboration between farmers,local leaders,extension agents and agricultural service providers as well as the farmers’practical skills in irrigation and mechanization could enhance the participation to the program.Therefore,there is a need on the part of policymakers to empower farmers with adequate knowledge on better cropping practices and agricultural technologies through appropriate extension services and bottom-up based program.

Organic Amendments with Poultry Manure and Cow Dung Influence the Yield and Status of Nutrient Uptake in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The field experiment cultivating wheat during the winter season from November 2014 to March 2015 was conducted in the “North Eastern Barind Tract Soils” at Kushadaha, Nawabganj, Dinajpur in Bangladesh. The wheat variety BARI Gom 26 was selected in focusing to evaluate the effects of organic amendments using poultry manure (PM) and cow dung (CD) on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake by the plant. The texture of the field soil was clay with acidic nature (pH 5.61). The trials comprise three treatments following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Results showed that significantly greater plant height, number of tillers per hill and straw yield were 98.10 cm, 3.66 and 5425 kg/ha respectively in receiving the treatment T2 than T3 (95.66 cm, 3.38 and 4483 kg/ha) and T1 (control). Spike length, 1000 grain weight and grain yield were 9.23 cm, 39.81 kg/ha and 3100 kg/ha respectively also higher in T2 treatment than T3 (8.76 cm, 38.51 kg/ha, 3091 kg/ha) with no statistical differences among them. Therefore, the treatment T2 (PM) comprised of poultry manure and NPK exhibited as the best treatment for producing the highest in all growth and yield parameters of wheat. In wheat grain, the content of N, P, K, S, Mg, Zn and B ranged from 1.080% to 1.380% N, 0.390% to 0.398% P, 0.780% to 0.840% K, 0.079% to 0.111% S, 0.181% to 0.187% Mg, 25.56 to 29.77 ppm Zn and 10.12 to 12.54 ppm B. Similarly in straw, nutrients content ranged from 0.220 to 0.300% N, 0.045% to 0.074% P, 0.970% to 1.250% K, 0.152% to 0.191% S, 0.097% to 0.101% Mg, 10.78 to 13.23 ppm Zn and 27.98 to 2989 ppm B. Therefore, organic amendment with 5-ton cow dung (CD) ha-1 with a recommended dose of NPK significantly increased the content of N, S, Mg, Zn and B in the grain and straw of wheat. Alternatively, the poultry manure treatment with NPK significantly increased the content of P and K in the grain and straw of wheat. However, results revealed that the treatments T2 and T3 comprising a recommended dose of NPK with poultry manure and cow dung respectively could increase the content of N, P, K, S, Mg, Zn and B in wheat. The overall results expressed that the poultry manure treatment with NPK (T2) exposed as superior for producing the top growth and yield attributes of wheat in the studied area.

Application of Chinese milk vetch affects rice yield and soil productivity in a subtropical double-rice cropping system

Green manure can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizer without reducing rice yield.We studied the responses of soil fertility and rice yield to different combinations of Chinese milk vetch(CMV;Astragalus sinicus L.)and chemical fertilizer in a subtropical double-rice cropping system.Our goal is to reduce chemical fertilizer use and decrease environmental contamination.Compared with the recommended rate of chemical fertilizer(CF),both early-and late-rice yields in the two treatments supplied with 15 and 22.5 Mg CMV ha^-1 plus 60%CF(represented as 60 A and 60 B,respectively)showed no significant differences while the two treatments supplied with 30 and 37.5 Mg CMV ha^-1 plus 60%CF(represented as 60 C and 60 D,respectively)showed significantly higher values.The sustainable yield index(SYI)values in the 60 C and 60 D treatments with double-rice croppong system were significantly higher than those in other treatments(P<0.05).Early-rice yield showed a significant positive relationship with the Chinese milk vetch incorporation rate.The coefficients increased annually from 2009 to 2013 and then decreased in 2014.Soil organic matter increased over time by the end of the experiment in all of the treatment groups.Soil organic matter in 60 A,60 B and 60 C showed no significant difference compared with that in CF,while soil organic matter in 60 D was significantly higher than that in CF.The slopes of soil organic matter and total nitrogen over six years were the highest in 60 C and 60 D.The soil total nitrogen content in 60 A,60 B,60 C and 60 D was higher than that in CF,but the differences were not significant(P>0.05).Therefore,a relatively high Chinese milk vetch incorporation rate(≥30 Mg ha^-1)was more effective in improving the productivity and sustainability of paddy soil.The decreased coefficients of early-rice yield and the Chinese milk vetch incorporation rate in 2014 implied that the benefits of soil fertility and rice yield created by Chinese milk vetch input may decline after five years under a continuously high rate of Chinese milk vetch incorporation.

Effects of long-term fertilization on soil gross N transformation rates and their implications

Application of fertilizer has been found to significantly affect soil N cycling. However, a comprehensive understanding of the effects of long-term fertilization on soil gross N transformation rates is still lacking. We compiled data of observations from 10 long-term fertilization experiments and conducted a meta-analysis of the effects of long-term fertilization on soil gross N transformation rates. The results showed that if chemical fertilizers of N, P and K were applied in balance, soil p H decreased very slightly. There was a significantly positive effect of long-term fertilization, either chemical or organic fertilizers or their combinations, on gross N mineralization rate compared to the control treatment（the mean effect size ranged from 1.21 to 1.25 at 95% confidence intervals（CI） with a mean of 1.23）, mainly due to the increasing soil total N content. The long-term application of organic fertilizer alone and combining organic and chemical fertilizer could increase the mineralization-immobilization turnover, thus enhance available N for plant while reduce N losses potential compared to the control treatment. However, long-term chemical fertilizer application did not significantly affect the gross NH4＋ immobilization rate, but accelerated gross nitrification rate（1.19; 95% CI： 1.08 to 1.31）. Thus, long-term chemical fertilizer alone would probably induce higher N losses potential through NO3– leaching and runoff than organic fertilizer application compared to the control treatment. Therefore, in the view of the effects of long-term fertilization on gross N transformation rates, it also supports that organic fertilizer alone or combination of organic and chemical fertilizer could not only improve crop yield, but also increase soil fertility and reduce the N losses potential.

Effects of Fertilizing Materials on Rapidly Available-N in Black Soil in Songnen Plain

The analyses on the mathematical models of the long- term location test in black soil in Song-nen Plain shows that farm manure and chemical fertilizers make great contribution to rapidly available-N in soil, while stalk makes less contribution. The most optimal pattern of fertilizing materials is 28 t / ha of farm manure, 630 kg / ha chemical fertilizers and 2.41 / ha of stalk.

Changes in soil organic carbon pools following long-term fertilization under a rain-fed cropping system in the Loess Plateau,China

Understanding the mechanism of soil organic carbon(SOC)sequestration is of paramount importance in sustaining crop productivity and mitigating climate change.Long-term trials were employed to investigate the responses of total SOC and its pools,i.e.,mineral-associated OC(MOC),particulate OC(POC,containing Light-POC and Heavy-POC),to fertilization regimes at Yangling(25-year),Tianshui(35-year)and Pingliang(37-year)under a rain-fed cropping system in the Loess Plateau.The fertilization regimes in each trial included three treatments,i.e.,control(no nutrient input,CK),chemical fertilizers(CF),and organic manure plus chemical fertilizers(MCF).Relative to the CK,long-term fertilization appreciably increased SOC storage by 134,89 and 129 kg ha^(–1)yr^(–1)under CF,and 418,153 and 384 kg ha^(–1)yr^(–1)under MCF in plough layer soils(0–20 cm),respectively,at the Yangling,Tianshui and Pingliang sites.The MOC pools accounted for 72,67 and 64%of the total SOC at the above three sites with sequestration rates of 76,57 and 83 kg ha^(–1)yr^(–1)under CF and 238,118 and 156 kg ha^(–1)yr^(–1)under MCF,respectively.Moreover,the MOC pool displayed a saturation behavior under MCF conditions.The POC accordingly constituted 27,33 and 36%of SOC,of which Light-POC accounted for 11,17 and 22%and Heavy-POC for 17,16 and 15%of SOC,respectively.The sequestration rates of POC were 58,32 and 46 kg ha^(–1)yr^(–1)under CF,and 181,90 and 228 kg ha^(–1)yr^(–1)under MCF at the three respective sites,in which Light-POC explained 59,81 and 72%of POC under CF,and 60,40 and 69%of POC under MCF,with Heavy-POC accounting for the balance.Compared with CK,the application of CF alone did not affect the proportions of MOC or total POC to SOC,whereas MCF application markedly reduced the proportion of MOC and increased the POC ratio,mainly in the Light-POC pool.The distribution of SOC among different pools was closely related to the distribution and stability of aggregates.The present study confirmed that organic manure amendment not only sequestered more SOC but also significantly altered the composition of SOC,thus improving SOC quality,which is possibly related to the SOC saturation level.