Effect of K Fertilizer on Absorption of Mineral Elements in Greenhouse-grown Strawberry Fruits

[Objectives]The paper was to explore the effect of K fertilizer on the absorption of mineral elements in greenhouse-grown strawberry fruits.[Methods]A systematic investigation was conducted on the effects of K fertilizer dosage levels on the absorption of mineral elements in Fengxiang strawberries,an excellent variety suitable for cultivation in Anhui Province.The investigation was carried out under medium N and P conditions in a greenhouse.[Results]The N content of strawberry fruits increased as the K_(2)O dosage increased within the range of 0-250 kg/hm^(2).Similarly,the P content of strawberry fruits increased gradually with the increase of K_(2)O dosage within the range of 0-125 kg/hm^(2).[Conclusions]This study presents a basis for enhancing the absorption of mineral elements in strawberry fruit by applying K appropriately.

Mineral Coated Fertilizer Effect on Nitrogen-Use Efficiency and Yield of Wheat

A field experiment with winter wheat （Triticum aestivurn L.） was conducted on a silt loam calcaric endorusti-ustic Cambosols derived from the Yellow River alluvial deposits in Henan, China, from 2001 to 2002 to evaluate N recovery and agronomic performance of different mineral coated fertilizers （MiCFs） compared to normal urea used in wheat cropping systems under field conditions. Five treatments, including CK （check, no N fertilizer）, urea and three different MiCFs at an equivalent N application rate were established in a randomized complete block design. N release from MiCFs in soil was more synchronous with the N requirement of wheat throughout the growth stages than that from urea, with grain yield of the MiCF treatments significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） than that of the treatment urea. Correspondingly, the N recovery rate was greater for all MiCFs compared to urea, increasing from 32.8% up to 50.1%. Due to its high recovery and low cost, use of the mineral coated N fertilizers was recommended instead of the polymer coated N fertilizers.

The influence of potassium to mineral fertilizers on the maize health

Field experiments （2009-2011） were conducted at the Department of Agronomy at Poznar~ University of Life Sciences on the fields of the Research Institute in Swadzim. We evaluated the health of maize plants of two types, depending on the variations in mineral fertilization. The conducted research recorded the occurrence of pests such as oscinella frit （Oscinella frit L.） and the European corn borer （Pyrausta nubilalis Hbn.）. Diseases recorded during the research included two patho- genes： Fusarium （Fusarium ssp.） and corn smut （Ustilago maydis Corda）. It was shown that the meteorological conditions during the maize vegetation had a significant influence on the occurrence of pests. Adding potassium to mineral fertilizers increased the maize resistance to Fusarium. Cultivation of ＂stay-green＂ cultivar shall be considered as an element of in- tegrated maize protection. The occurrence of oscineUa flit was correlated with the occurrence of Fusarium as well as the occurrence of the European corn borer for both examined cultivars.

A practical soil management to improve soil quality by applying mineral organic fertilizer

Heavy use of chemical fertilizer causes increasing soil and environmental crisis, and the use of organic fertilizer increases obvious in recent years. In this study,mineral organic fertilizer(MOF) and compound fertilizer(CF) were applied in amaranth culture to explore the effects of these two kinds of fertilizers on soil quality and the potential function for CO_2 fixation. Some soil parameters were tested, e.g. p H value, organic carbon content, microbial biomass, urease activity, and available potassium content. In addition, some parameters of soil infiltration water were also determined, such as p H and HCO_3^- concentration. Experimental results showed that MOF improved soil quality and amaranth biomass and increased possible soil carbon sink.On the contrary, the utilization of CF worsened soil quality and made the soil acidize. These results suggested that MOF can partially replace CF to improve plant growth, soil quality and possible CO_2 sink.

Influence of Long Term Fertilization with Different Mineral Fertilizers and Farmyard Manure on Some Soil Chemical Properties and Crop Yields *1

A long term fertilization experiment was carried out in an experimental field in Lyczyn near Warsaw, Poland. Application ofmineral fertilizers, especially N fertilizers with and without farmyard manure accelerated the acidification process of the soil. Application of 1.6 t CaO ha -1 every four years was essential to maintenance of the soil pH KCl at 5.5～6.6 and base saturation degree above 60%. Application of 50 t farmyard manure ha -1 every 4 years, which contained 46 kg P and 240 kg K, was sufficient to maintain both the K and P fertility of the soil. Besides, it was beneficial to alleviating soil acidification. As a result of long term unbalanced fertilization, yield responses to N, P and K fertilizers increased significantly with time. The efficiency of N from farmyard manure was found to be comparable to that of N fertilizer during 1988～1991.

Effect of Nitrogenous Fertilizer Treatment on Mineral Metabolism in Grazing Yaks

To assess the impact of N fertilization on contents of mineral elements in herbage and the effect of increased forage S on the copper metabolism of grazing yaks, study was conducted during the summer grazing season （2005, 2006, and 2007）. Pasture replicates （20 ha; n=3 per treatment） received the same fertilizer treatment in each growing season, consisting of i） 90 kg N ha^-1 from quickly available nitrogen, ii） 90 kg N ha^-1 from ammonium nitrate, iii） 90 kg N ha^-1 from ammonium sulfate, and iv） control （no fertilizer）. Forage sampling was collected at 60 days intervals following fertilization （10 samples per pasture） for Cu, Mo, Mn, Se, Fe, Zn, Ca, and P. To determine the effect of fertilizer treatment on mineral metabolism in grazing yaks, liver and blood samples were collected at the start and end of the study period in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Ammonium sulfate fertilization increased （P 〈 0.01） forage S concentration. Plant tissue N concentrations were increased by N fertilization, regardless of source in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Yaks grazing S fertilization pastures had lower （P〈0.05） liver and blood Cu concentrations at the end of the study period in 2005, 2006, and 2007, compared with urea, ammonium nitrate, and control. Nominal increases in forage in vitro organic matter digestibility were realized by fertilization, regardless of N source in each year.

On-farm Evaluation of Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Biomass and Yield of Millet/Cowpea Intercrop in the Sahel, West Africa

To determine the best combinations of organic and mineral fertilizer applications under resource-limited conditions in the Sahel, West Africa, on-farm experiments for two years in the Fakara region of western Niger is conducted. Ten treatments were tested; six of them received one of three organic fertilizers （none, millet husks, or manure）, with or without mineral fertilizer; two grew millet/（dual-purpose） cowpea intercrops with mineral fertilizer in 1：1 or 4：4 row arrangement; one grew a millet/（spreading） cowpea intercrop with manure; and one grew a millet/hibiscus intercrop with millet husks. Manure increased total biomass by 127%- 147% （P 〈 0.001 ） and millet yield by 130%- 184% （P 〈 0.01 ）. Mineral fertilizer increased total biomass by 27% （P 〈 0.01 ） and millet yield by 24% （P 〈 0.05） in 2008. The N balance was greatest and positive in the manure treatment （P 〈 0.001）, followed by millet husks. Mineral fertilizer on the intercropped dual-purpose cowpea increased the agronomic N use efficiency of millet by 329%-483% （P 〈 0.01） compared with manure. The use of small quantities of mineral fertilizer on the intercropped dual-purpose cowpea, therefore, is a best combination for limited N-resources-farmers. Single manure, millet husks plus mineral fertilizer, or year-alternative-application are also recommendable depends on farmers accessibility to the resources.

Effects of Various Doses of Mineral Fertilizers(NPKS and Urea) on Yield and Economic Profitability of New Varieties of Zea mays L. in Faranah,Guinea

In Faranah Province （Guinea）, the ratio of supply and demand of corn is approximately 1 ： 2. The production is low and the deficit is covered by maize importation. This study was initiated in order to improve corn production by evaluating the effects of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers on the yield and economic profitability of corn. The experiment was conducted on a farm in Kamedankoude in a split plot with three replicates. Treatments included two varieties of maize （Perta and Kilissi113） and five doses of chemical fertilizers （D0=unfertilized control, Dl=300 kg NPKS＋200 kg urea. hm^2; D2=400 kg NPKS＋800 kg urea· hm^2; D3= 200 kg NPKS＋400 kg urea· hm^2 and D4=500 kg NPKS＋600 kg urea. hrn2）. The results showed that all the agronomic parameters increased with increasing dose of fertilizers, except for the number of ears per plant. The two varieties of corn tested produced similar yields. However, the profitability of mineral fertilizers decreased with increased doses and with value/cost ratio of 3. We recommended a mineral fertilizer dose of 300 kg NPKS ＋ 200 kg urea. The high prices of mineral fertilizers were often barriers to intensive maize cultivation, especially for low-income farmers. This study was a contribution to rational fertilization and adapted the socio-economic conditions of the region, with the background knowledge that most farmers in the regions earned low incomes.

Changes in Some Nutritional and Mineral Components of Nerica Rice Varieties as Affected by Field Application with Mycorrhiza and Chemical Fertilizer in Northern Cameroon

Rice as staple food is the most important and valuable cereal crop in Cameroon, particularly in rural areas where poor population cannot afford to cook and eat at their convenience. With the outbreak of Nerica varieties, it is important to evaluate and compare their nutritional and mineral properties to those of the local ones prior to their vulgarisation. Therefore, some nutritional and mineral properties of 4 Nerica and a local seeds varieties used in this study were harvested from control (T0), chemical fertilizer (TE), mycorrhiza (TM) applied plants, or their mixture (TEM). These seeds originating from Wakwa and/or Yagoua experimental sites were assessed and compared in a split-plot design (4 × 5) × 3 between treatments (4) and varieties (5). The local DIR-95 variety had values close to those of Nerica varieties in all the parameters assessed. Protein contents ranged from 17.66% - 24.35%, and was higher than those reported in rice samples elsewhere. All the studied varieties were classified as high amylose rice, and therefore, their textures in cooked form should be less sticky and harder, which is convenient to the diet behavior of many consumers. The relative low Fe content in Nerica rice suggest that these varieties may be resistant to Fe accumulation in seeds. The P, N, Mg contents were found to be more elevated in seeds harvested from mycorrhiza or chemical fertilizer applied plants, with Nerica seeds variety FKR62-N as the best of all in nutrients mineral and nutritional compositions. These results confirm varietal and site influences on proximate and mineral contents in the studied rice varieties.

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.

Residual Effect of Long Term Application of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Selected Chemical Properties of a Savanna Alfisol

The residual effect of organic and mineral fertilizers on selected chemical properties of an Alfisol in the long term soil fertility trial established in 1950 at Samaru, Nigerian savanna was assessed. The trial was left fallow for fourteen years due to lack of funds. Topsoil was collected from plots that received three levels of cow dung （D）, nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） in all possible combinations. The soils were analyzed for selected chemical properties. Except for significant effect of applied P on available P, sole application of cow dung, N or P had no significant effect on all the measured soil properties. The interaction of D and P significantly affected the mean values of exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and ECEC in the range of 1.12-1.96, 0.62-1.11, 0.37-0.64 and 2.82-4.11 cmol/kg respectively. The most important results were the ability of the plot that received neither D nor P to significantly increase these parameters than the plots that received only one of the treatments. The results show that the fallow period has changed the effects of application of organic and mineral fertilizers on the soil chemical properties under continuous cultivation by modifying them towards those of a native savanna Alfisol.

Effects of Continuous Mineral and Organic Fertilizer Inputs and Ploughing on Groundnut Yield and Soil Fertility in a Groundnut-Sorghum Rotation in Central Burkina Faso

Two field experiments were conducted at Saria in the centre of Burkina Faso in order to assess the effect of chemical and organic fertilizers on yields and soil fertility on two different soils. Groundnut haulm yield, pod yield, number of pods, % 2-seeded pods, % pod rot, seed yield and 100 seeds weight as well as sorghum dry shoot and grain yields were measured. Most of the different variables were affected by continuous cropping without fertilizer application on the two soils, in particular on the coarse one. The effect of nutrient deficiencies was observed. The mineral fertilizers maintained yields, but their supply was not able to replenish the nutrient uptake by plants. The effect of compost on crop production was initially minimal, but improved during years seven and height. Tillage had also a slightly positive effect on yield, which varied with soil type. In the control plot, the content of organic matter decreased in five years and did not increase with the application of fertilizers. In contrast, addition of fertilizers increased total N and Bray-I P. Nitrogen, P, K and Ca balances were negative in almost all treatments without mineral fertilizers. Results showed that fertilizers used were inadequate for maintaining soil fertility and yields in long run. However, extra production did not provide significant profits.

Effect of Spraying Liquid Mineral Mixed Fertilizers on the Mineral Elements of Potted Poa crymophila cv. Qinghai

Objective] The aim was to explain the accumulation characteristic of mineral elements in alpine grassland plants and the effect of supplementary supply on the nutrient changes of mineral elements. [Method] Potted Poa crymophila cv. Qinghai plants were regularly applied with liquid mineral mixed fertilizers, and samples were collected for analysis and detection. [Result] After the regular spraying of liquid mineral mixed fertilizers, the mineral elements in potted P. crymophila and its soil reduced （ P 〈0.05）, but the accumulation of corresponding mineral elements of P. crymophila in the control group was increased due to the ＂Starvation Effect＂, which was one of the endogenetic forces driving the increase in the accumulation of mineral elements. [Conclusion] This study is of great significance for the study of the accumulation of mineral elements in degraded grassland plants and its dynamic mechanism, as well as testing the hypothesis of the Starvation Effect of mineral elements. In addition, it also provides scientific bases and technical support for the restoration and remediation of degraded grassland and the development of ecological livestock husbandry.

Enhanced Growth and Yield Performance of Cassava Peel Compost and Mineral Fertilizer on Corchorus olitorius L.

Application of inorganic fertilizers improves crop yields but costs and adverse health effects often discourage their applications. This study therefore aims at evaluating the combined effects of cassava peel compost with poultry manure and mineral fertilizer on growth and yields of Corchorus olitorius. Pots （factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design） and field （split-plot with fertilizer being the main effect and the varieties the sub plot effect） experiments were carried out during rainy season at Ibadan, Nigeria. Treatments consisted of 0, 5, l0 and 20 t/ha composts prepared from cassava peel and poultry manure in ratio 3：1 and mineral fertilizer （NPK 15：15：15） at the rate of 250 kg/ha, using two varieties of C. olitorius. Five and six weeks after planting （WAP）, plants were assessed for growth and yields in pot and field experiments respectively, and also in residual studies. Application of compost significantly improved growth （heights） （36.50-41.56 cm）, while morphological and dry weight values increased with increase in compost. Marketable yield increase of 13.2%, 22.3%, 32.1% and 29.3% were recorded using 5, 10, 20 t/ha compost and NPK fertilizer respectively in the field. Corresponding increase when ratooned were 40.0%, 42.9%, 57.1% and 52.0%, respectively. Application of compost at the rate of 20 t/ha performed better in the main and residual effect experiments compared to NPK fertilizer and other compost rates. Application of cassavas peels compost at the rate of 20 t/ha proved to be adequate for optimum growth and yield performance of C. olitorius.

The Position of Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizer in Efficient Use of Nitrogen and Land:A Review

Our attitude towards mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers is ambivalent. N fertilizers have on one hand increased our supply of food, feed and other bio-based raw materials tremendously and also improved the use efficiency of land and labor, but have on the other hand a negative impact on the quality of the environment and contributed to the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. This awareness has resulted in strong pleas to spend much more attention to the recycling of N containing downstream “wastes”. It is, however, naive to assume that even perfect recycling suffices to offer the same number of people the same diet without inputs of “new” N, as inevitable losses of N make compensations indispensable. “New” N can be derived from either biological N fixation (“legumes”) or from industrially fixed N (“fertilizer”). The existing literature provides no evidence that the use of N fertilizers is per se unsustainable, as these fertilizers can also be made from renewable forms of energy. Besides, soil health and human health appear sensitive for the dosage but not for the form of N. It is yet imperative to reduce the input of “new” N as much as possible, so as to minimize adverse environmental effects. Measures to this end are a more precise assessment of crop N requirements, a better timing and positioning of N inputs, and any measure supporting the acceptance of “wastes” by farmers. The present paper elaborates the above aspects.

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.

Effect of Biofertilizers on the Agromorphological Parameters of Three Okra Cultivars in Southern Côte d’Ivoire

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an herbaceous plant of the Malvaceae family. In Côte d’Ivoire, okra production is estimated to be over 193,000 tons. This low production is largely due to poor soils and hardly covers the needs of the population. To remedy this, growers systematically use mineral fertilizers. However, these fertilizers pollute the environment. To find an alternative to chemical fertilization and increase production, the effect of biofertilizers (Spaawet, Retone, Super Gro) compared with NPK mineral fertilizer was evaluated on Divo, Teriman, and Djonan F1 cultivars. The trial was set up in a factorial block design with three replications. Plant height, number of functional leaves, and crown diameter were assessed at 60 days after sowing (DAS). The time to 50% flowering, production time, and fruit yield were calculated. The results showed that the biofertilizer Retone induced the highest heights and number of functional leaves, with averages of 61.89 cm and 29.88 leaves, respectively. The diameter at the crown (17.77 mm) was highest with the NPK mineral fertilizer, and the shortest 50% flowering time, with an average of 47.61 days, was also obtained with the biofertilizer Retone. The NPK mineral fertilizer produced the longest production time, with an average of 35.25 days. The highest yields were obtained using Retone (11.07 t/ha) and NPK (9.52 t/ha) fertilizers. The “Divo*Retone” interaction produced the highest yield with an average of 12.19 t/ha. The biofertilizer Retone could therefore be used as an alternative fertilizer to chemical fertilization in okra crops, given its effect on the parameters assessed.

Modification of total and phosphorus mineralizing bacterial communities associated with Zea mays L.through plant development and fertilization regimes

Harnessing the rhizospheric microbiome,including phosphorus mineralizing bacteria(PMB),is a promising technique for maintaining sustainability and productivity in intensive agricultural systems.However,it is unclear as to which beneficial taxonomic group populations in the rhizosphere are potentially associated with the changes in soil microbiomes shifted by fertilization regimes.Herein,we analyzed the diversity and community structure of total bacteria and PMB in the rhizosphere of maize(Zea mays L.)grown in soils under 25 years of four fertilization regimes(compost,biocompost,chemical,or nonfertilized)via selective culture and Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes.Plant development explained more variations(29 and 13%,respectively)in the composition of total bacteria and PMB in the rhizosphere of maize than the different fertilization regimes.Among those genera enriched in the rhizosphere of maize,the relative abundances of Oceanobacillus,Bacillus,Achromobacter,Ensifer,Paracoccus,Ramlibacter,and Luteimonas were positively correlated with those in the bulk soil.The relative abundance of Paracoccus was significantly higher in soils fertilized by compost or biocompost than the other soils.Similar results were also observed for PMB affiliated with Ensifer,Bacillus,and Streptomyces.Although plant development was the major factor in shaping the rhizospheric microbiome of maize,fertilization regimes might have modified beneficial rhizospheric microbial taxa such as Bacillus and Ensifer.

Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization Kinetics from Organically-Amended Upland Purplish Soil

The application of organic amendments in upland soils may influence soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mineralization, which are very important for understanding plant nutrition. However, the kinetics of C and N mineralization from organically amended upland purplish soils has been poorly studied. Therefore, this study investigates C and N mineralization kinetics in organically amended upland purplish soils. Incubation experiments were conducted using soil samples collected from experimental plots that have been under long-term organic amendment fertilization, which includes: Organic manure (OM), crop residues (CR), combined organic manure with inorganic fertilizers (OMNPK), combined crop residue with inorganic fertilizers (CRNPK), conventional inorganic fertilizer (NPK), and no fertilizer (CK). The results showed that organically amended treatments increased C and N mineralization rates by 8 - 24% and 17 - 33%, respectively, compared with NPK. Likewise, the amount of potentially mineralizable carbon (Co) and nitrogen (No) increased by 4 - 9% and 15 - 20%, respectively, compared to the conventional NPK treatment. The rate constants for labile C (kC) and N (kN) were 6 - 29% and 3 - 27% higher than the NPK treatment, respectively. In addition, the initial potential rate of C (Co × kC) and N (No × kN) in organically amended soils were 10 - 37% and 18 - 52% higher compared to NPK. This study tried to show that the mechanisms of N supply was direct application of mineral N fertilizer and mineralization of organic N, while the N retention was reducing soil active N loss and storing more active N in cropland of purplish soil. These results suggest that the long-term application of organic amendments to upland soils may increase nutrient bioavailability.

Influence of Mineral Fertilization on the Capacity of Nodulation of Three Species of Legumes(Groundnut,Cowpea and Soybean)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and soybean (Vigna radiata) are the main food legumes grown in Cote d’Ivoire and the localities of Haut-Sassandra. These legumes are highly valued for their nutritional, agronomic and economic value. Groundnut, cowpea and soybean are the main food legumes grown in Cote d’Ivoire and in the localities of Haut-Sassandra. On the other hand, Ivorian soils are characterized by a tendency towards acidification and a decrease in the content of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen which have a direct impact on the products. To restore soil fertility, farmers use mineral fertilization. However, this fertilization has an influence on the nodulation of these legumes. The study took place at Jean Lorougnon University. We adopted a completely random experimental block device. The parameters measured included the number of nodules, the length and weight of the plant, the length and weight of the root system. Our results showed that mineral fertilization reduced the nodulation capacity of legumes. However, a small dose of phosphorus ( g) would be required for early growing legumes.