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.

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.

Simulation of the Ecosystem Productivity Responses to Aerosol Diffuse Radiation Fertilization Effects over the Pan-Arctic during 2001–19

The pan-Arctic is confronted with air pollution transported from lower latitudes.Observations have shown that aerosols help increase plant photosynthesis through the diffuse radiation fertilization effects(DRFEs).While such DRFEs have been explored at low to middle latitudes,the aerosol impacts on pan-Arctic ecosystems and the contributions by anthropogenic and natural emission sources remain less quantified.Here,we perform regional simulations at 0.2o×0.2ousing a well-validated vegetation model(Yale Interactive terrestrial Biosphere,YIBs)in combination with multi-source of observations to quantify the impacts of aerosol DRFEs on the net primary productivity(NPP)in the pan-Arctic during 2001-19.Results show that aerosol DRFEs increase pan-Arctic NPP by 2.19 Pg C(12.8%)yr^(-1)under clear-sky conditions,in which natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to 8.9% and 3.9%,respectively.Under all-sky conditions,such DRFEs are largely dampened by cloud to only 0.26 Pg C(1.24%)yr^(-1),with contributions of 0.65% by natural and 0.59% by anthropogenic species.Natural aerosols cause a positive NPP trend of 0.022% yr^(-1)following the increased fire activities in the pan-Arctic.In contrast,anthropogenic aerosols induce a negative trend of-0.01% yr^(-1)due to reduced emissions from the middle latitudes.Such trends in aerosol DRFEs show a turning point in the year of 2007 with more positive NPP trends by natural aerosols but negative NPP trends by anthropogenic aerosols thereafter.Though affected by modeling uncertainties,this study suggests a likely increasing impact of aerosols on terrestrial ecosystems in the pan-Arctic under global warming.

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.

Synergistic effects of planting density and nitrogen fertilization on chlorophyll degradation and leaf senescence after silking in maize

Regulating planting density and nitrogen(N)fertilization could delay chlorophyll(Chl)degradation and leaf senescence in maize cultivars.This study measured changes in ear leaf green area(GLA_(ear)),Chl content,the activities of Chl a-degrading enzymes after silking,and the post-silking dry matter accumulation and grain yield under multiple planting densities and N fertilization rates.The dynamic change of GLA_(ear)after silking fitted to the logistic model,and the GLA_(ear) duration and the GLAearat 42 d after silking were affected mainly by the duration of the initial senescence period(T_(1))which was a key factor of the leaf senescence.The average chlorophyllase(CLH)activity was 8.3 times higher than pheophytinase activity and contributed most to the Chl content,indicating that CLH is a key enzyme for degrading Chl a in maize.Increasing density increased the CLH activity and decreased the Chl content,T1,GLAear,and GLA_(ear) duration.Under high density,appropriate N application reduced CLH activity,increased Chl content,prolonged T1,alleviated high-density-induced leaf senescence,and increased post-silking dry matter accumulation and grain yield.

Microfluidic thermotaxic selection of highlymotile sperm and in vitro fertilization

The selection of the most motile and functionally competent sperm is an essential basis for in vitro fertilization(IVF)and normal embryonic development.Widely adopted clinical approaches for sperm sample processing intensely rely on centrifugation and wash steps that may induce mechanical damage and oxidative stress to sperm.Although a few microfluidic sperm sorting devices may avoid these adverse effects by exploiting intrinsic guidance mechanisms of sperm swimming,none of these approaches have been fully validated by clinical-grade assessment criteria.In this study,a microfluidic sperm sorting device that enables the selection of highly motile and functional sperm via their intrinsic thermotaxis is presented.Bioinspired by the temperature microenvironment in the fallopian tube during natural sperm selection,a microfluidic device with controllable temperature gradients along the sperm separation channel was designed and fabricated.This study investigated the optimal temperature conditions for human sperm selection and fully characterized thermotaxis-selected sperm with 45 human sperm samples.Results indicated that a temperature range of 35–36.5℃along the separation channel significantly improves human sperm motility rate((85.25±6.28)%vs.(60.72±1.37)%;P=0.0484),increases normal sperm morphology rate((16.42±1.43)%vs.(12.55±0.88)%;P<0.0001),and reduces DNA fragmentation((7.44±0.79)%vs.(10.36±0.72)%;P=0.0485)compared to the nonthermotaxis group.Sperm thermotaxis is species-specific,and selected mouse sperm displayed the highest motility in response to a temperature range of 36–37.5℃ along the separation channel.Furthermore,IVF experiments indicated that the selected sperm permitted an increased fertilization rate and improved embryonic development from zygote to blastocyst.This microfluidic thermotaxic selection approach will be translated into clinical practice to improve the IVF success rate for patients with oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia.

Association between Exposure of Rare Earth Elements and Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer in Beijing

Objective The study aimed to investigate the impact of rare earth elements(REEs)exposure on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)by analyzing samples from spouses.Methods A total of 141 couples were included.Blood and follicular fluid from the wives and semen plasma from the husbands,were analyzed for REEs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Spearman's correlation coefficients and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to assess correlations and compare REE concentrations among three types of samples,respectively.Logistic models were utilized to estimate the individual REE effect on IVF-ET outcomes,while BKMR and WQS models explored the mixture of REE interaction effects on IVF-ET outcomes.Results Higher La concentration in semen(median 0.089 ng/mL,P=0.03)was associated with a lower fertilization rate.However,this effect was not observed after artificial selection intervention through intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)(P=0.27).In semen,the REEs mixture did not exhibit any significant association with clinical pregnancy.Conclusion Our study revealed a potential association between high La exposure in semen and a decline in fertilization rate,but not clinical pregnancy rate.This is the first to report REEs concentrations in follicular fluid with La,Ce,Pr,and Nd found at significantly lower concentrations than in serum,suggesting that these four REEs may not accumulate in the female reproductive system.However,at the current exposure levels,mixed REEs exposure did not exhibit reproductive toxicity.

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%.

Research Progress of Different Fertilization Models in Farmland Based on Bibliometrics

In order to grasp the research status of different fertilization modes in China s farmland more comprehensively, with papers in core journals of Chinese Peking University collected in CNKI database from 2003 to 2022 as the main research object, this paper analyzed the research status of different fertilization modes from the perspectives of annual number of published papers, published journals, keywords and highly cited papers applying the bibliometrics research method. This study provides reference for the research in this field.

Persistence of fertilization effects on soil organic carbon in degraded alpine wetlands in the Yellow River source region

In the restoration of degraded wetlands,fertilization can improve the vegetation-soil-microorganisms complex,thereby affecting the organic carbon content.However,it is currently unclear whether these effects are sustainable.This study employed Biolog-Eco surveys to investigate the changes in vegetation characteristics,soil physicochemical properties,and soil microbial functional diversity in degraded alpine wetlands of the source region of the Yellow River at 3 and 15 months after the application of nitrogen,phosphorus,and organic mixed fertilizer.The following results were obtained:The addition of nitrogen fertilizer and organic compost significantly affects the soil organic carbon content in degraded wetlands.Three months after fertilization,nitrogen addition increases soil organic carbon in both lightly and severely degraded wetlands,whereas after 15 months,organic compost enhanced the soil organic carbon level in severely degraded wetlands.Structural equation modeling indicates that fertilization decreases the soil pH and directly or indirectly influences the soil organic carbon levels through variations in the soil water content and the aboveground biomass of vegetation.Three months after fertilization,nitrogen fertilizer showed a direct positive effect on soil organic carbon.However,organic mixed fertilizer indirectly reduced soil organic carbon by increasing biomass and decreasing soil moisture.After 15 months,none of the fertilizers significantly affected the soil organic carbon level.In summary,it can be inferred that the addition of nitrogen fertilizer lacks sustainability in positively influencing the organic carbon content.

Phosphorus limitation on CO_(2)fertilization effect in tropical forests informed by a coupled biogeochemical model

Tropical forests store more than half of the world's terrestrial carbon(C)pool and account for one-third of global net primary productivity(NPP).Many terrestrial biosphere models(TBMs)estimate increased productivity in tropical forests throughout the 21st century due to CO_(2)fertilization.However,phosphorus(P)liaitations on vegetation photosynthesis and productivity could significantly reduce the CO_(2)fertilization effect.Here,we used a carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus coupled model(Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model;DLEM-CNP)with heterogeneous maximum carboxylation rates to examine how P limitation has affected C fluxes in tropical forests during1860-2018.Our model results showed that the inclusion of the P processes enhanced model performance in simulating ecosystem productivity.We further compared the simulations from DLEM-CNP,DLEM-CN,and DLEMC and the results showed that the inclusion of P processes reduced the CO_(2)fertilization effect on gross primary production(GPP)by 25%and 45%,and net ecosystem production(NEP)by 28%and 41%,respectively,relative to CN-only and C-on ly models.From the 1860s to the 2010s,the DLEM-CNP estimated that in tropical forests GPP increased by 17%,plant respiration(Ra)increased by 18%,ecosystem respiration(Rh)increased by 13%,NEP increased by 121%per unit area,respectively.Additionally,factorial experiments with DLEM-CNP showed that the enhanced NPP benefiting from the CO_(2) fertilization effect had been offset by 135%due to deforestation from the 1860s to the 2010s.Our study highlights the importance of P limitation on the C cycle and the weakened CO_(2)fertilization effect resulting from P limitation in tropical forests.

VPD modifies CO_(2) fertilization effect on tomato plants via abscisic acid and jasmonic acid signaling pathways

Atmospheric CO_(2)concentration is elevated globally,which has“CO_(2)fertilization effects”and potentially improves plant photosynthesis,yield,and productivity.Despite the beneficial effect of CO_(2)fertilization being modulated by vapor pressure deficit(VPD),the underlying mechanism is highly uncertain.In the present study,the potential roles of hormones in determining CO_(2)fertilization effects under contrasting high and low VPD conditions were investigated by integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses.Beneficial CO_(2)fertilization effects were offset under high VPD conditions and were constrained by plant water stress and photosynthetic CO_(2)utilization.High VPD induced a large passive water driving force,which disrupted the water balance and consequently caused plant water deficit.Leaf water potential,turgor pressure,and hydraulic conductance declined under high VPD stress.The physiological evidence combined with transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that abscisic acid(ABA)and jasmonic acid(JA)potentially acted as drought-signaling molecules in response to high VPD stress.Increased foliar ABA and JA content triggered stomatal closure to prevent excessive water loss under high VPD stress,which simultaneously increased the diffusion resistance for CO_(2)uptake from atmosphere to leaf intercellular space.High VPD also significantly increased mesophyll resistance for CO_(2)transport from stomatal cavity to fixation site inside chloroplast.The chloroplast“sink”CO_(2)availability was constrained by stomatal and mesophyll resistance under high VPD stress,despite the atmospheric“source”CO_(2)concentration being elevated.Thus,ABA-and JA-mediated drought-resistant mechanisms potentially modified the beneficial effect of CO_(2)fertilization on photosynthesis,plant growth,and yield productivity.This study provides valuable information for improving the utilization efficiency of CO_(2)fertilization and a better understanding of the physiological processes.

Assessing the Influence of Phosphorus Fertilization on the Growth and Yield of Maize/Soybean Intercrop by Analyzing Nitrogen Uptake

Intercropping, particularly the combination of maize and soybeans, has been widely recognized for its potential to improve nitrogen uptake and promote sustainable agriculture. This study examines the patterns of nitrogen uptake in maize and soybean intercropping systems under different growth stages and phosphorus fertilization levels and investigates the influence of nitrogen uptake on growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area, and biomass accumulation in the maize/soybean intercrop under different phosphorus fertilization regimes. The study also collected chlorophyll samples at different growth stages of maize in monoculture and intercropping with maize or soybean. The results showed that plant height was greater in V10 in both fertilized and unfertilized treatments for intercropped maize and soybean, and chlorophyll concentration was higher in VT intercropped maize. The results also showed a higher accumulation of biomass. Understanding the growth dynamics of these plants in monoculture and intercropping systems and the impact of fertilization practices is crucial for optimizing crop productivity and sustainability in agricultural systems.

Calcium-Magnesium Ca/Mg Ratios and Their Agronomic Implications for the Optimization of Phosphate Fertilization in Rainfed Rice Farming on Acidic Ferralsol in the Forest Zone of Ivory Coast

This study is a contribution to improving rice productivity on acidic plateau soils of the tropical rainforest zone. It is based on taking into account the cationic balances of the soil in order to optimize the phosphorus (P) nutrition of rice on these acidic soils, where this nutrient constitutes a limiting factor for agricultural production. Three (3) pot trials were conducted in Adiopodoumé in the forested south of Côte d’Ivoire. The interactive effects of calcium carbonate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Ca ha−1) and magnesium sulfate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg Mg ha−1) were evaluated on the response of NERICA 5 rice at doses 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg P ha−1 of natural phosphate from Togo, applied only once at the start of the experiment. Additional fertilizers of nitrogen (N) (100 kg N ha−1) and potassium (K) (50 kg KCl ha−1) were added to each of the tests in a split-plot device. The test results revealed a paddy production potential of approximately 3 to 5 t⋅ha−1 for NERICA 5 on an acidic soil, under the effect of the interaction of P, Ca and Mg. The quadratic response of rice yield to the doses of these fertilizers would be more dependent on their balance, itself influenced by Ca nutrition. For the sustainability and maintenance of rice production in agro-ecology studied, it was recommended doses of 38 kg Ca ha−1, 34 kg Mg ha−1 in a Ca/Mg ratio (1/1) with intakes of 41 kg P ha−1, overall in a ratio 1/1/1 (P/Ca/Mg) more favorable to the availability of free iron considered a guiding element of mineral nutrition. Thus, these promising results should be confirmed in a real environment for better management of the fertilization of rice cultivated on acidic plateau soils in Côte d’Ivoire.

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.

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.