Different soil amendments have varying effects on crop growth, yield and soil properties. The study evaluated the effect of poultry manure, inorganic fertilizer (NPK), and biochar-based fertilizer (organo-yield) ...Different soil amendments have varying effects on crop growth, yield and soil properties. The study evaluated the effect of poultry manure, inorganic fertilizer (NPK), and biochar-based fertilizer (organo-yield) on tomato growth, yield and post-cropping soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data on tomato growth and yield were collected and soils were tested before and after the cropping seasons. Analysis of variance was performed on the data and the effect of soil amendments on tomato growth and yield was determined. The effect of soil amendments on post-production soil properties was tested by comparing soil properties before and after the cropping seasons with published critical values. Results showed that all amendments increased the growth and yield of tomato significantly (P 0.05) compared to the control (without soil amendments). Plant height was higher in plots applied with soil amendments as compared to the control, while stem girth was highest in poultry-manured plots. Poultry manure and organo-yield applied plants exhibited high tomato fruit number and yield compared to control plots. In terms of soil properties, poultry manure and organo-yield improved the soil’s physical and chemical properties. Organo-yield decreased the soil bulk density and increased the pH from 4.8 to 5.5, while, application of NPK only increased calcium content in the soil. The findings confirmed that soil amendments applied increased tomato growth, and yield and also improved soil bulky density and pH.展开更多
Biosolids were applied with urea to produce a granulated organo-mineral fertiliser (OMF) for application by farm fertiliser equipment to a range of agricultural crops. The recommended rates of nitrogen, phosphate and ...Biosolids were applied with urea to produce a granulated organo-mineral fertiliser (OMF) for application by farm fertiliser equipment to a range of agricultural crops. The recommended rates of nitrogen, phosphate and potash were calculated for the test crops using “The Fertiliser Manual”, which assesses the nutrient requirement based on previous cropping, rainfall and soil index. The OMF produced similar crop yields compared to ammonium nitrate fertiliser when applied as a top-dressing to winter wheat, forage maize and grass cut for silage in the cropping years 2010 to 2014. In 2012 the grain yield of spring barley top-dressed with OMF was significantly lower than the conventional fertiliser treatment, due to dry conditions following application. For this reason it is recommended that OMF is incorporated into the seedbed for spring sown crops and The Safe Sludge Matrix guidelines followed. The experimental work presented shows that OMF can be used in sustainable crop production systems as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus for a range of agricultural crops.展开更多
文摘Different soil amendments have varying effects on crop growth, yield and soil properties. The study evaluated the effect of poultry manure, inorganic fertilizer (NPK), and biochar-based fertilizer (organo-yield) on tomato growth, yield and post-cropping soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data on tomato growth and yield were collected and soils were tested before and after the cropping seasons. Analysis of variance was performed on the data and the effect of soil amendments on tomato growth and yield was determined. The effect of soil amendments on post-production soil properties was tested by comparing soil properties before and after the cropping seasons with published critical values. Results showed that all amendments increased the growth and yield of tomato significantly (P 0.05) compared to the control (without soil amendments). Plant height was higher in plots applied with soil amendments as compared to the control, while stem girth was highest in poultry-manured plots. Poultry manure and organo-yield applied plants exhibited high tomato fruit number and yield compared to control plots. In terms of soil properties, poultry manure and organo-yield improved the soil’s physical and chemical properties. Organo-yield decreased the soil bulk density and increased the pH from 4.8 to 5.5, while, application of NPK only increased calcium content in the soil. The findings confirmed that soil amendments applied increased tomato growth, and yield and also improved soil bulky density and pH.
文摘Biosolids were applied with urea to produce a granulated organo-mineral fertiliser (OMF) for application by farm fertiliser equipment to a range of agricultural crops. The recommended rates of nitrogen, phosphate and potash were calculated for the test crops using “The Fertiliser Manual”, which assesses the nutrient requirement based on previous cropping, rainfall and soil index. The OMF produced similar crop yields compared to ammonium nitrate fertiliser when applied as a top-dressing to winter wheat, forage maize and grass cut for silage in the cropping years 2010 to 2014. In 2012 the grain yield of spring barley top-dressed with OMF was significantly lower than the conventional fertiliser treatment, due to dry conditions following application. For this reason it is recommended that OMF is incorporated into the seedbed for spring sown crops and The Safe Sludge Matrix guidelines followed. The experimental work presented shows that OMF can be used in sustainable crop production systems as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus for a range of agricultural crops.