Influences of vermicomposts on field strawberries: part 2. Effects on soil microbiological and chemical properties

The effects of applications of food waste and paper waste vermicomposts on some soil chemical and biological properties were evaluated in field plots planted with strawberries. Six-week old strawberries (Fragaria ananasa, var. Chandler) were transplanted into 4.5 m(2) raised beds under a plastic tunnel structure measuring 9.14 x 14.6 x 3.6 m. Vermicompost were applied at rates of 5 or 10 t ha(-1) supplemented with inorganic fertilizers to balance fertilizer recommendations for strawberries of 85-155-125 kg NPK ha(-1). Effects of vermicomposts on strawberry growth and yields have been reported previously [Arancon, N.Q., Edwards C.A., Bierman P., Welch, C., Metzger, J.D., 2004. The influence of vermicompost applications to strawberries: Part 1. Effects on growth and yield. Bioresource Technology 93:145-153]. Total extractable N, NH(4)-N, NO(3)-N and orthophosphates did not differ significantly between treatments, except on the last sampling date (harvest date) in which significantly greater amounts of NH(4)-N, NO(3)-N and orthophosphates (P 相似文献   

Vermicompost substitution influences growth, physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of vermicompost on growth, physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of 'Chandler' strawberry. For this, 4 levels of vermicompost (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0tha(-1)) were supplemented with inorganic fertilizers to balance fertilizer requirement of strawberry under semi-arid region of northern India. The vermicompost was incorporated into top 10cm layer of soil, which was supplemented on the basis of chemical analysis, with amount of inorganic N, P, K fertilizer calculated to equalize the recommended dose of nutrients. Vermicompost application increased plant spread (10.7%), leaf area (23.1%) and dry matter (20.7%), and increased total fruit yield (32.7%). Substitution of vermicompost drastically reduced the incidence of physiological disorders like albinism (16.1-4.5%); fruit malformation (11.5-4.0%) and occurrence of grey mould (10.4-2.1%) in strawberry indicating that vermicompost had significant role in reducing nutrient-related disorders and disease like Botrytis rot, and thereby increasing the marketable fruit yield up to 58.6% with better quality parameters. Fruit harvested from plant receiving vermicompost were firmer, have higher TSS, ascorbic acid content and lower acidity, and have attractive colour. All these parameters appeared to be dose dependent and best results were achieved @ 7.5tha(-1), however, beyond this dose of vermicompost, there was not significant influence on these parameters.     

Impact of long-term additions of chemical fertilizers and farm yard manure on carbon and nitrogen sequestration under rice-cowpea cropping system in semi-arid tropics

Restoration of soil organic carbon (SOC) in arable lands represents potential sink for atmospheric CO₂. The strategies for restoration of SOC include the appropriate land use management, cropping sequence, fertilizer and organic manures application. To achieve this goal, the dynamics of SOC and nitrogen (N) in soils needs to be better understood for which the long-term experiments are an important tool. A study was thus conducted to determine SOC and nitrogen dynamics in a long-term experiment in relation to inorganic, integrated and organic fertilizer application in rice-cowpea system on a sandy loam soil (Typic Rhodualf). The fertilizer treatments during rice included (i) 100% N (@ 100 kg N ha^?1), (ii) 100% NP (100 kg N and 50 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1), (iii) 100% NPK (100 kg N, 50 kg P₂O₅ and 50 kg K₂O ha^?1) as inorganic fertilizers, (iv) 50% NPK + 50% farm yard manure (FYM) (@ 5 t ha^?1) and (v) FYM alone @ 10 t ha^?1 compared with (vi) control treatment i.e. without any fertilization. The N alone or N and P did not have any significant effect on soil carbon and nitrogen. The light fraction carbon was 53% higher in NPK + FYM plots and 56% higher in FYM plots than in control plots, in comparison to 30% increase with inorganic fertilizers alone. The microbial biomass carbon and water-soluble carbon were relatively higher both in FYM or NPK + FYM plots. The clay fraction had highest concentration of C and N followed by silt, fine sand and coarse sand fractions in both surface (0–15 cm) and subsurface soil layers (15–30 cm). The C:N ratio was lowest in the clay fraction and increased with increase in particle size. The C and N enrichment ratio was highest for the clay fraction followed by silt and both the sand fractions. Relative decrease in enrichment ratio of clay in treatments receiving NPK and or FYM indicates comparatively greater accumulation of C and N in soil fractions other than clay.     

Effect of inorganic fertilizer and farmyard manure on soil physical properties, root distribution, and water-use efficiency of soybean in Vertisols of central India

A field experiment was conducted on a Vertisol for three consecutive years (1998-2000) to study the effects of combined use of inorganic fertilizer (NPK) and organic manure (farmyard manure) on soil physical properties, water-use efficiency, root growth and yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in a soybean-mustard cropping system. Application of 10 Mg farmyard manure and recommended NPK (NPK+FYM) to soybean for three consecutive years improved the organic carbon content of the surface (0-15 cm) soil from an initial value of 4.4 g kg(-1) to 6.2 g kg(-1) and also increased seed yield and water-use efficiency by 103% and 76%, respectively, over the control. The surface (0-15 cm) soil of the plots receiving both farmyard manure and recommended NPK had larger mean weight diameter (0.50 mm) and a higher percentage of water stable aggregates (55%) than both the inorganically fertilized (NPK) (0.44 mm and 49%) and unfertilized control plots (0.41 mm and 45.4%). The saturated hydraulic conductivity (13.32 x 10(-6) m s(-1)) of the NPK+FYM treatment of the 0-7.5 cm depth was also significantly greater than that of the NPK (10.53 x 10(-6) m s(-1)) and control (8.61 x 10(-6) m s(-1)) treatments. The lowest bulk density (1.18 Mg m(-3)) in the 0-7.5 cm layer was recorded in NPK+FYM whereas it was highest in the control plots (1.30 Mg m(-3)). However, at sub-surface (22.5-30 cm) layer, fertilizer and manure application had little effect on bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Root length density (RLD) up to the 30 cm depth was highest in the NPK+FYM plots and it was 31.9% and 70.5% more than NPK and control plots. The RLD showed a significant and negative correlation (r=-0.88( * *)) with the penetration resistance.     

Response of soil nematode communities to long-term application of inorganic fertilizers in the black soil of Northeast China

The effects of inorganic fertilizers on soil nematode communities were studied in a long-term fertilization experimental field in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China, where no fertilizer (CK), N fertilizer (N), combined application of N and P (NP), combined application of N and K (NK), and combined application of N, P and K (NPK) were compared. The results showed that the total nematode abundance was not affected significantly by inorganic fertilizers in the long-term field experiment. The numbers of bacterivores increased significantly in the NP treatment compared to the CK treatment, and those of fungivores and plant-parasites were inhibited in the NPK treatment. The similarity between CK and NPK treatment and the nematode diversity were higher than in other treatments. The stability of the soil ecosystem was disturbed by the inorganic fertilizers, as indicated by the change in MI values under different treatments. The response of soil nematodes mainly depended on the types of inorganic fertilizers applied.     

Response of soil nematode communities to long-term application of inorganic fertilizers in the black soil of Northeast China

The effects of inorganic fertilizers on soil nematode communities were studied in a long-term fertilization experimental field in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China,where no fertilizer (CK),N fertilizer (N),combined application of N and P (NP),combined application of N and K (NK),and combined application of N,P and K (NPK) were compared.The results showed that the total nematode abundance was not affected significantly by inorganic fertilizers in the long-term field experiment.The numbers of bacterivores increased significantly in the NP treatment compared to the CK treatment,and those of fungivores and plant-parasites were inhibited in the NPK treatment.The similarity between CK and NPK treatment and the nematode diversity were higher than in other treatments.The stability of the soil ecosystem was disturbed by the inorganic fertilizers,as indicated by the change in MI values under different treatments.The response of soil nematodes mainly depended on the types of inorganic fertilizers applied.     

Variation in Yield Gap Induced by Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer in North China Plain

A field experiment was conducted under a wheat-maize rotation system from 1990 to 2006 in North China Plain (NCP) to determine the effects of N, P and K on yield and yield gap. There were five treatments: NPK, PK, NK, NP and a control. Average wheat and maize yields were the highest in the NPK treatment, followed by those in the NP plots among all treatments. For wheat and maize yield, a significant increasing trend over time was found in the NPK-treated plots and a decreasing trend in the NK-treated plots. In the absence of N or P, wheat and maize yields were significantly lower than those in the NPK treatment. For both crops, the increasing rate of the yield gap was the highest in the P omission plots, i.e., 189.1 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for wheat and 560.6 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for maize. The cumulative omission of P fertilizer induced a deficit in the soil available N and extractable P concentrations for maize. The P fertilizer was more pivotal in long-term wheat and maize growth and soil fertility conservation in NCP, although the N fertilizer input was important for both crops growth. The crop response to K fertilizers was much lower than that to N or P fertilizers, but for maize, the cumulative omission of K fertilizer decreased the yield by 26% and increased the yield gap at a rate of 322.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. The soil indigenous K supply was not sufficiently high to meet maize K requirement over a long period. The proper application of K fertilizers is necessary for maize production in the region. Thus, the appropriate application of N and P fertilizers for the growth of both crops, while regularly combining K fertilizers for maize growth, is absolutely necessary for sustainable crop production in the NCP.     

Net annual global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in Chinese double rice‐cropping systems: a 3‐year field measurement in long‐term fertilizer experiments

The impact of agricultural management on global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) is not well documented. A long‐term fertilizer experiment in Chinese double rice‐cropping systems initiated in 1990 was used in this study to gain an insight into a complete greenhouse gas accounting of GWP and GHGI. The six fertilizer treatments included inorganic fertilizer [nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (NP), nitrogen and potassium fertilizer (NK), and balanced inorganic fertilizer (NPK)], combined inorganic/organic fertilizers at full and reduced rate (FOM and ROM), and no fertilizer application as a control. Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes were measured using static chamber method from November 2006 through October 2009, and the net ecosystem carbon balance was estimated by the changes in topsoil (0–20 cm) organic carbon (SOC) density over the 10‐year period 1999–2009. Long‐term fertilizer application significantly increased grain yields, except for no difference between the NK and control plots. Annual topsoil SOC sequestration rate was estimated to be 0.96 t C ha^?1 yr^?1 for the control and 1.01–1.43 t C ha^?1 yr^?1 for the fertilizer plots. Long‐term inorganic fertilizer application tended to increase CH₄ emissions during the flooded rice season and significantly increased N₂O emissions from drained soils during the nonrice season. Annual mean CH₄ emissions ranged from 621 kg CH₄ ha^?1 for the control to 1175 kg CH₄ ha^?1 for the FOM plots, 63–83% of which derived from the late‐rice season. Annual N₂O emission averaged 1.15–4.11 kg N₂O–N ha^?1 in the double rice‐cropping systems. Compared with the control, inorganic fertilizer application slightly increased the net annual GWPs, while they were remarkably increased by combined inorganic/organic fertilizer application. The GHGI was lowest for the NP and NPK plots and highest for the FOM and ROM plots. The results of this study suggest that agricultural economic viability and GHGs mitigation can be simultaneously achieved by balanced fertilizer application.     

Impacts of nano- and non-nanofertilizers on potato quality and productivity

Today, to achieve sustainable agriculture with maximum yield and minimum environmental risks, the use of nanofertilizers has riveted ample consideration. Field experiments were conducted during binary season of 2016 and 2017 at Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, Egypt to estimate whether NPK nanofertilizers applied in equivalent or lower rates could replace recommended levels of NPK chemical fertilizers in potato farming systems without retrograde effects upon yield production or quality. Impacts of recommended rates of NPK chemical fertilizers (control treatments) compared to NPK nanofertilizers in equivalent or lower rates (100%, 50% and 25%), foliar or soil applied on potato productivity and quality were studied.Compared with control treatments, plots receiving foliar application of NPK nanofertilizers at 50% or 25% of recommended level showed higher values of economic yield (23.59-ton ha⁻¹), starch rates (79.62%), NPK nutrient use efficiency (67.74, 278.92, 118.54 kg potato/kg nutrient), harvest index (59.24%) and only lower potato nitrate content (1.15 g kg⁻¹) as a harmful indicator. Among all treatments, foliar application of NPK nanofertilizers at 50% rate was found to be the most economical treatment as it gave highest potato yield and quality plus highest profit: cost ratio of potato production. This research recommends foliar application of nanofertilizers in potato production to increase production and quality compared to soil applications. As yet, using lower rates of nanofertilizers as foliar application in the present study proved to be an eco-friendly environmental and economic alternative to recommended rates of chemical fertilizers with significant increase in potato productivity and quality.     

长期施用不同无机肥对旱地红壤线虫群落的影响

红壤生态系统中土壤生物群落对于维持土壤功能的正常发挥具有重要作用.本研究基于持续25年的红壤旱地化肥定位试验,研究不同无机肥组合,包括氮磷钾(NPK)、氮磷钾补充石膏(NPKCaS)、氮磷(NP)、氮钾(NK)和磷钾(PK)对花生生长季土壤线虫群落的影响.结果表明： 土壤线虫总数、营养类群以及各生态指数在处理间差异显著(P<0.01).线虫总数由高到低的顺序为PK>NPKCaS>NPK>NP>NK.除5月外,NPK、NP、NK处理的线虫总数均显著低于NPKCaS和PK处理.NPKCaS处理的优势类群为食细菌线虫,平均丰度为42.1%,其他处理均以植食性线虫为优势营养类群,其平均丰度为38%~65%.NPKCaS处理线虫群落较高的成熟度指数、瓦斯乐斯卡指数和结构指数说明土壤食物网结构较为成熟和稳定,同时表明氮磷钾补充石膏通过缓解土壤酸化创建了良好的土壤健康状况.仅施氮钾的处理则相反.本研究证实了施用石膏和磷肥是改善红壤质量的有效措施,土壤线虫群落分析能较好地反映不同无机肥对红壤旱地生态系统的影响.
     

Prof. Dr. H. C. Władysław Węgorek 16 February 1918-16 July 2001

Abstract

In 2004, two field trials with cotton were conducted at two locations in Tajikistan to estimate the effectiveness of FZB 24® Bacillus subtilis (ABiTEP GmbH Berlin) as a biofertilizer for increasing the cotton yield in comparison to the utilization of the conventional fertilizer containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), with an application rate per ha 180 kg N, 120 kg P, 60 kg K. The following treatments of cotton cultivated as test variants each on 1 ha field under the same conditions were carried out and the effect on the plant growth, the development of number of bolls/plant and mainly the cotton fibre yield were calculated: (i) Seed treatment with water and only crop application of the NPK fertilizer; (ii) Only seed treatment with spore suspension of FZB 24 WG Bacillus subtilis, without application of the NPK fertilizer; (iii) Seed treatment with spore suspension of FZB 24 WG Bacillus subtilis plus crop application of the NPK fertilizer; and (iv) Only seed treatment with the comparable plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria product Extrasol 55 (ARRIAM St Petersburg), without application of the fertilizer. Comparing cotton growth and yield of the variants in both field tests, there appeared a remarkable yield and growth increase (up to 30%) by the use of FZB 24 alone compared to the application of the NPK fertilizer. The additional application of the NPK fertilizer (Variant: FZB 24 + NPK) could not enlarge this plant productivity-promoting effect. Apparently under the test conditions the increase of the root system in size and capacity as well as the additional enzymatic mobilizing of organic bound phosphorus for the plant as activities from the Bacillus subtilis introduction was more important for the plant system than the limited direct input with N, P and K. The plant treatment alone with Extrasol 55 resulted in similar promotion of cotton growth and yield as FZB 24 when compared with the NPK plant fertilizing, showing that the activity of FZB 24 was not very specific. However the cotton field tests generally demonstrate for FZB 24 Bacillus subtilis a high ability to improve plant growth and yield based on increasing the capacity of roots to mobilize and take up nutrients and substances for overall reproductive plant fitness. The use and value for part-substitutions of some environmentally problematical mineral fertilizers in other and intensive plant production systems is discussed.     

Compatibility of Soil Amendments with Entomopathogenic Nematodes

The impact of inorganic and organic fertilizers on the infectivity, reproduction, and population dynamics of entomopathogenic nematodes was investigated. Prolonged (10- to 20-day) laboratory exposure to high inorganic fertilizer concentrations inhibited nematode infectivity and reproduction, whereas short (1-day) exposures increased infectivity. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was more sensitive to adverse effects than were two species of Steinernema. In field studies, organic manure resulted in increased densities of a native population of Steinernema feltiae, whereas NPK fertilizer suppressed nematode densities regardless of manure applications. Inorganic fertilizers are likely to be compatible with nematodes in tank mixes and should not reduce the effectiveness of nematodes used for short-term control as biological insecticides, but may interfere with attempts to use nematodes as inoculative agents for long-term control. Organic manure used as fertilizer may encourage nematode establishment and recycling.     

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Allow Reduced Application Rates of Chemical Fertilizers

The search for microorganisms that improve soil fertility and enhance plant nutrition has continued to attract attention due to the increasing cost of fertilizers and some of their negative environmental impacts. The objectives of this greenhouse study with tomato were to determine (1) if reduced rates of inorganic fertilizer coupled with microbial inoculants will produce plant growth, yield, and nutrient uptake levels equivalent to those with full rates of the fertilizer and (2) the minimum level to which fertilizer could be reduced when inoculants were used. The microbial inoculants used in the study were a mixture of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IN937a and Bacillus pumilus T4, a formulated PGPR product, and the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus (AMF), Glomus intraradices. Results showed that supplementing 75% of the recommended fertilizer rate with inoculants produced plant growth, yield, and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) uptake that were statistically equivalent to the full fertilizer rate without inoculants. When inoculants were used with rates of fertilizer below 75% of the recommended rate, the beneficial effects were usually not consistent; however, inoculation with the mixture of PGPR and AMF at 70% fertility consistently produced the same yield as the full fertility rate without inoculants. Without inoculants, use of fertilizer rates lower than the recommended resulted in significantly less plant growth, yield, and nutrient uptake or inconsistent impacts. The results suggest that PGPR-based inoculants can be used and should be further evaluated as components of integrated nutrient management strategies.     

Organic and inorganic fertilizer effects on a degraded Patagonian rangeland

The forest-steppe ecotone in NW Patagonia is a semiarid ecosystem affected by natural and anthropogenic fires, and overgrazing by sheep. Following a wild fire in the driest portion of this ecotone, a 3-year study was conducted to assess the impacts of a single application of inorganic and organic fertilizers on soil and vegetation recovery. Organic fertilizers were composts derived from biosolids and municipal solid wastes. Six treatments were evaluated: screened and unscreened biosolids compost and municipal solid wastes compost (40 Mg ha^?1), inorganic fertilizer (100 kg N and 35 kg P ha^?1), and no application. Soils were chemically characterized, and soil microbial activity was assessed as potential respiration and N-mineralization. Vegetation responses included plant cover, composition, phytomass, and N resorption prior to abscission, and leaf litter quality of the dominant species. Organic fertilizers increased soil organic matter, nutrients and microbial activity. Plant cover and aboveground phytomass, dominated by the native perennial tussock grass Poa ligularis, showed a higher increase with inorganic than with organic fertilization. While vegetation responded more to inorganic fertilizer, due to its higher initial pulse of available N, organic fertilizers had a positive impact on soil chemical and biological properties.     

Fertilizer-dependent efficiency of Pseudomonads for improving growth,yield, and nutrient use efficiency of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Acquisition of nutrients by plants is primarily dependent on root growth and bioavailability of nutrients in the rooting medium. Most of the beneficial bacteria enhance root growth, but their effectiveness could be influenced by the nutrient status around the roots. In this study, two 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC)-deaminase containing plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. fluorescens biotype F were tested for their effect on growth, yield, and nutrient use efficiency of wheat under simultaneously varying levels of all the three major nutrients N, P, and K (at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of recommended doses). Results of pot and field trials revealed that the efficacy of these strains for improving growth and yield of wheat reduced with the increasing rates of NPK added to the soil. In most of the cases, significant negative linear correlations were recorded between percentage increases in growth and yield parameters of wheat caused by inoculation and increasing levels of applied NPK fertilizers. It is highly likely that under low fertilizer application, the ACC-deaminase activity of PGPR might have caused reduction in the synthesis of stress (nutrient)-induced inhibitory levels of ethylene in the roots through ACC hydrolysis into NH₃ and α-ketobutyrate. The results of this study imply that these Pseudomonads could be employed in combination with appropriate doses of fertilizers for better plant growth and savings of fertilizers.     

Nutrient effect on maximum photosynthesis in arctic plants

The effect of a 1976 nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilization at Eagle Creek, Alaska, on photosynthetic rates was investigated in 1978 in eight vascular and three nonvascular plant species. While NPK fertilization increased the growth rate of shoots of most vascular plant species, this treatment depressed photosynthetic rates in all vascular species. Therefore, it appears that nutrient limitation of growth is a direct limitation and not mediated through nutrient effect on carbon uptake rates and levels of available photosynthate. The reason for the reduction in photosynthetic rates with fertilization is not known. It is speculated that increases in growth with fertilization causes a dilution of other nutrients or factors, the effect of which is to depress photosynthesis.
Moss photosynthesis is stimulated with fertilization, High NPK fertilizer levels stimulate photosynthesis more than low NPK fertilizer levels. This may indicate basic differences in the ecology or physiology of the two growth forms. It is not yet known if the growth of mosses in this area is stimulated by NPK fertilization.     

长期施肥制度对稻田土壤反硝化细菌群落活性和结构的影响

以中国科学院桃源农业生态试验站长期定位施肥试验为平台,研究了3种长期施肥制度(对照不施肥-CK,化学施肥-NPK,化学施肥+有机肥-NPKOM)下土壤反硝化速率的差异.同时,以硝酸还原酶基因(narG)作为反硝化细菌的功能标志物,分析了施肥对反硝化细菌群落结构和多样性的影响.结果表明,长期施用有机肥的土壤反硝化速率,反硝化菌多样性都高于对照和施用化肥处理.从3个处理的土壤样品中共获得35个narG基因的可操作分类单元(OTU)主要分布在两个簇,与变形菌门(Proteobacteria)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria)的反硝化细菌有一定的亲缘关系,均为首次从土壤中克隆.Shannon多样性指数显示,NPKOM处理的narG基因多样性最高,CK处理次之,NPK处理最低.LUBSHUFF软件对narG基因群落组成的分析显示,施有机肥后含narG基因的细菌群落组成与CK之间有显著性差异(P<0.05),而化肥(NPK)没有产生显著影响.实验结果为进一步研究亚热带地区水稻土反硝化作用及反硝化功能菌提供了重要的依据.     

Effect of incorporated green manure crops on subsequent oat production in an acid,infertile silt loam

A field-size experiment was initiated in 1982 on an acid, low fertility Springhill silt loam to determine the effect of five unfertilized green manure crops (alsike clover, sweet clover, single- and double-cut red clover, and buckwheat) on subsequent oat production and soil fertility. The field was limed in 1982 and green manures were seeded (without fertilizer) in spring, 1983 in 1400 m² strips randomly assigned within three treatment blocks. Plant tissue samples were taken from different locations in each plot in the fall of 1983 and all crops were incorporated. In 1984 the field was separated into an upper and lower section and each section received three rates of NPK fertilizer (0; 30-36-36; 60-72-72 kg ha^-1) spread across the previous strips. Gary oats were seeded and at harvest were divided into grain and straw. The results indicated significant effects of field sample location, green manure type and fertilizer level on oat yields. Buckwheat significantly reduced oat production compared to the four clovers, while the highest fertilizer rate improved oat yields compared with the other levels of fertilizers. Elemental analysis of the green manure crops and soil fertility was compared with data of the same crops grown in more fertile, neutral soils.     

Influence of different fertilizers on nett gain or loss of soil nitrogen in long-term manure and fertilizer applications

Summary The nett gain or loss of total soil nitrogen was worked out from a long-term manure and fertilizer experiment conducted for seven years and still continuing at Ranchi Agricultural College, Kanke, Ranchi India. The total nitrogen in soil showed a deficit balance where lower and unbalanced doses of fertilizers were applied. Increasing levels of fertilizer combinations with lime removed the highest amount of nitrogen in intensive cropping. The nett loss was highest (95 kg/ha) in case of control, at 100% NPK the nett gain was 37 kg N per ha, and at 150% NPK 72 kg N per ha which was the highest.     

Initial Effects of Differently Treated Biogas Residues from Municipal and Industrial Wastes on Spring Barley Yield Formation

Soil application of biogas residues (BGRs) is important for closing nutrient cycles. This study examined the efficiency and impact on yields and yield formation of solid-liquid separated residues from biodegradable municipal and industrial wastes (bio-waste) in comparison to complete BGRs, nitrification inhibitor, agricultural BGRs, mineral fertilizer and unfertilized plots as control. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design on silt loam Cambisol. Biogas residues from four biogas plants were evaluated. Plants per m², ears per plant, grains per ear and thousand grain weight (TGW) were measured at harvest. Fertilization with BGRs resulted in similar biomass yields compared with mineral fertilizer. Mineral fertilizer (71 dt/ha) and plots fertilized with liquid fraction (59–62 dt/ha) indicated a trend to higher yields than solid fraction or complete BGR due to its high ammonia content. Liquid fractions and fraction with nitrification inhibitor induced fewer plants per m² than corresponding solid and complete variants due to a potential phytotoxicity of high NH₄-N concentration during germination. However, barley on plots fertilized with liquid fraction compensated the disadvantages at the beginning during the vegetation period and induced higher grain yields than solid fraction. This was attributable to a higher number of ears per plant and grains per ear. In conclusion, BGRs from biodegradable municipal and industrial wastes can be used for soil fertilization and replace considerable amounts of mineral fertilizer. Our study showed that direct application of the liquid fraction of BGR is the most suitable strategy to achieve highest grain yields. Nevertheless potential phytotoxicity of the high NH₄-N concentration in the liquid fraction should be considered.