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Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 21196

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Dr. Aspasia (Sissy) P. Efthimiadou

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Department of Soil Science of Athens, Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization – Demeter, Lycovrissi, Greece
Interests: plant growth; field experiments; yield; soil quality; plant nutrition; soil fertility; product quality
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Dr. Nikolaos Katsenios

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Department of Soil Science of Athens, Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization – Demeter, Lycovrissi, Greece
Interests: agronomy; crop science; plant propagation; weed control; seed treatment; soil quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historically, the term soil fertility was used to describe the ability of soil to supply the cultivated crops with all the essential elements necessary for the production of quality agricultural products. Until recently, the focus of the agricultural management regarding plant nutrition was on providing all the elements and compounds necessary for the plant metabolism using chemical and organic fertilizers.

However, recently, there has been a significant increase in research interest on plant growth promoters (PGP) or plant biostimulants among the stakeholders of the agricultural sector in an effort to contribute toward more sustainable agriculture. PGP can be microbial or non-microbial products, and their role is to stimulate plant nutrition processes in order to improve nutrient use efficiency and the availability of some nutrients in the soil, to enhance flowering and fruit set, to increase tolerance to abiotic stress against a wide range of abiotic factors, and to improve quality characteristics of agricultural products.

This Special Issue welcomes researchers from a wide disciplinary background to share their research into soil fertility and plant growth promoters on growth, yield, and quality of crops.

Dr. Αspasia (Sissy) P. Efthimiadou
Dr. Nikolaos Katsenios
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biostimulants
plant growth promoters
microorganisms
aminoacids
soil fertility
plant nutrition
crop quality
yield

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Diverse Peanut Cultivars to Calcium Fertilization under Clay Soil Conditions

by Mohamed Hamza, Mohamed Abbas, Shimaa Sharaf and Fatma H. Galal

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2656; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102656 - 22 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1555

Abstract

The absence of calcium decreases the production of peanuts compared to any other element. To investigate the influence of calcium (Ca) applications on the production and seed quality of four diverse peanut cultivars from different regions—USA (NC-7), Egypt (Giza-6) and Nigeria (Samnut-23 and Samnut-24)—under clay soil conditions, two experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Experimental and Research Station, Cairo University, Egypt, during the two seasons of 2016 and 2017. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a spilt-plot arrangement with three replications. The main plots were allocated to four peanut cultivars (Giza-6, Samnut-23, Samnut-24 and NC-7), and the sub-plots were devoted to calcium applications (soil application in the form of calcium sulfate dihydrate, foliar application in the form of calcium oxide and the control treatment of distilled water). Results indicated that all four peanut cultivars responded differently to the application of calcium fertilizers. The calcium application significantly enhanced peanut growth, yield components, biological, pod, seed, oil yields, seed oil, free fatty acids and seed calcium percentages in different cultivars. Soil calcium application significantly improved peanut production compared to foliar calcium application. NC-7 cultivar treated with the soil Ca application resulted in the maximum values of biological yield (92.9-ton ha⁻¹), pod yield (6.8-ton ha⁻¹), seed yield (4.4-ton ha⁻¹), oil yield (2247.0 kg ha⁻¹), pod index (203.2 g) and seed index (84.1 g). The interaction between the NC-7 cultivar and soil calcium applications is recommended to attain the best combination, leading to the highest yield and seed quality of peanuts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

15 pages, 7338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Twice-Split Phosphorus Application Alleviates Low Temperature Stress by Improving Root Physiology and Phosphorus Accumulation, Translocation, and Partitioning in Wheat

by Hui Xu, Muhammad Ahmad Hassan and Jincai Li

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2643; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102643 - 19 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1107

Abstract

In the context of global warming, low temperature (LT) disasters in major crops are also becoming more common. LT stress in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, the central wheat region in China, caused a massive reduction in wheat yields. A step towards ensuring wheat yield stability and food security, this study investigated the effects of optimizing phosphorus application on the root physiology, dry matter phosphorus accumulation, translocation, and partitioning of wheat under LT stress, using the representative cultivar Yannong 19 as the test material. The treatments included conventional phosphorus application (R1) and twice-split phosphorus application (R2), followed by −4 °C LT treatment and normal temperature (NT) treatment during the anther interval stage. Analysis of the root physiology (enzymatic activities and acid phosphatase, contents of malondialdehyde, soluble sugar, and soluble protein), phosphorus and dry matter accumulation, translocation, partitioning, and agronomic and yield-related components was carried during this research study. The results showed that the wheat root activity was significantly reduced and the antioxidant enzyme activities were increased to mitigate the damage of LT stress. Moreover, LT treatments damaged root function. The root activity and antioxidant properties were significantly lower than those of the NT treatment at the flowering stage. The dry matter and phosphorus accumulations were reduced by 30.6~33.6% and 15.1~21.3% at the flowering and maturity stages, resulting in final yield losses of 10.3~13.0%. In contrast, root activity increased by 16.1~27.2% in the twice-split phosphorus application treatments, and the root antioxidant characteristics were higher. As a result, dry matter and phosphorus accumulation increased after twice-split phosphorus application and their translocation to the grains was more; the final yield increased by 5.5~7.3%. Overall, the twice-split phosphorus application enhanced the physiological function of the root system and promoted the accumulation of nutrients and their transport to the grain, and alleviated the yield loss of wheat caused by LT stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

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15 pages, 4229 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Nano-Chitosan Loaded with Potassium on Potassium Fractionation in Sandy Soil and Strawberry Productivity and Quality

by Shaimaa Hassan Abd-Elrahman, Yasser Abd El-Gawad El-Gabry, Fadl Abdelhamid Hashem, Mohamed F. M. Ibrahim, Ehab I. El-Hallous, Zahid Khorshid Abbas, Doaa Bahaa Eldin Darwish, Nadi Awad Al-Harbi, Salem Mesfir Al-Qahtani and Noura Mohamed Taha

Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041126 - 15 Apr 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2152

Abstract

Under sandy soil conditions, increasing the efficiency of potassium (K) fertilizers is considered to be a major limiting factor for improving the productivity and quality of fruit crops. In this context, utilizing nanotechnology has emerged as a novel technique to increase the efficiency of K applications. In our study, two field trials were conducted, in two consecutive seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021), to compare the effects of nano-chitosan loaded with K as a foliar treatment with those of conventional soil applications of K on plant growth, yield, and quality of strawberry plants grown in sandy soil. Strawberry plants were treated with 12 different treatments, which were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design in each growing season. Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄, 48% K₂O) was applied to the soil at a rate of 150.0 kg acre⁻¹ (recommended rate, 100%). Meanwhile, the spraying of nano-chitosan loaded with K was applied at 1000 mg L⁻¹ as a control. In addition, K₂SO₄ was applied either individually or in combination at the rate of 112.5 or 75.0 kg acre⁻¹ with four nano-chitosan-K dosages (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L⁻¹). After harvesting, soil samples were collected and prepared to determine K fractions. As well, plant samples were collected to determine the vegetative growth parameters and the foliage content of NPK and chlorophyll. Eventually, the yield traits and quality parameters were evaluated. A principal component analysis was conducted to determine the interrelationships of the treatments’ averages and their effects on yield components and quality traits. A combined analysis was performed for the two studied seasons and the values were the mean of six replications. The results indicated that the application of common K fertilizer (150.0 kg K₂SO₄ acre⁻¹) resulted in the maximum increase in soluble and exchangeable K in the soil, which was comparable to those observed with 112.5 kg K₂SO₄ acre⁻¹ + 1000 mg L⁻¹ nano-chitosan-K and 112.5 K₂SO₄ acre⁻¹ + 750 mg L⁻¹ nano-chitosan-K. The total yield, marketable yield, and fruit firmness were all significantly increased by the latter two treatments compared to the control group. Furthermore, plots treated with 112.5 kg K₂SO₄ acre⁻¹ + 1000 mg L⁻¹ nano-chitosan-K significantly increased the total soluble solids, vitamin C levels, acidity, total sugar, and anthocyanin levels in strawberry fruits. In conclusion, under sandy soil conditions, the utilization of nanoparticles could be an indispensable tool for manipulating fertilization management when cultivating strawberries. The K status of the soil was improved by applying 75% of the recommended dose of mineral K in combination with 1000 or 750 mg L⁻¹ of nano-chitosan-K, without compromising strawberry yield or quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

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18 pages, 1065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Goat Manure Fertilization on Grain Nutritional Value in Two Contrasting Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties Cultivated at High Altitudes

by J. A. González, Sawsan K. M. Yousif, L. E. Erazzu, L. Martínez Calsina, E. F. Lizarraga, Rihab M. Omer, D. Bazile, J. L. Fernandez-Turiel, S. E. Buedo, M. Rejas, P. D. Fontana, D. A. González, A. Oviedo, Fahad Mohammed Alzuaibr, Salem Mesfer Al-Qahtani, Nadi Awad Al-Harbi, Mohamed F. M. Ibrahim and C. P. Van Nieuwenhove

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030918 - 20 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3953

Abstract

In this study, the effects of goat manure fertilization (2, 4, 8, and 12 Tn/ha) on the grain yield, organic compounds, and mineral composition of two quinoa varieties (CICA-17 and Regalona Baer) were evaluated under field conditions in Northwest Argentina. The results indicate that fertilization improved the quinoa grain yield and total protein content. Low manure doses positively affected the fatty acid (FA) profile, and significant changes were determined for the monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid contents of CICA-17 and on the saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents of R. Baer seeds. The amino acid contents were positively affected in CICA-17 and negatively in R. Baer. Soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), major elements (K, Si, P, Mg, Ca, and Na), minor elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, and Cu), and ultratrace elements (Cr and Li) were detected and discussed in terms of their impact on human nutrition and health. Conclusively, manure addition affected some essential amino acids, the desaturase activity, the n6:n3 and SFA/UFA ratios, the atherogenic index, soluble sugars, and mineral content, and the fatty acid metabolism of each variety was differently affected, especially the C16 and C18 desaturase activity, which responded differently to various manure doses. Manure addition is a promising alternative to improve the nutritional quality and functionality of quinoa grains, but the response is not linear. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

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16 pages, 352 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Biostimulant Application, under Reduced Nutrient Supply, Enhances Quality and Sustainability of Ornamental Containerized Transplants

by Danilo Loconsole, Giuseppe Cristiano and Barbara De Lucia

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030765 - 6 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3543

Abstract

Ornamental containerized transplant production needs high doses of controlled release fertilizers (CFR), but it is known that there is an environmental risk caused by inadequate fertilization management. To the best of our knowledge, amino acid-(AaB) and seaweed extract-(SeB) based biostimulant application, in ornamental transplant production, is still poorly studied. Therefore, the aim of this work was to assess the hypothesis that, under reduced nutrient supply, SeB and AaB applications, via foliar spray, can promote quality and sustainability in the production of high-quality ornamental seedlings with a 90-day growing cycle. The CRF incorporated into the peat-growing medium was Osmocote Exact Mini in formulation N:P:K = 15 + 9 + 11 (3 months). Six treatments were compared in two economically important potted (0.3 L in volume) ornamentals: Abelia × grandiflora and Lantana camara: T1 = conventional full CRF dose: 4 gL⁻¹ per pot; T2 = limited CRF dose: 50% of T1; T3 = T2 + MC-Extra^® [SeB 0.5 gL⁻¹]; T4 = T2 + MC-Extra^® [SeB 1.0 gL⁻¹]; T5 = T2 + Megafol^® [AaB 1.5 mL L⁻¹]; T6 = T2 + Megafol^® [AaB 2.5 mL L⁻¹]. The research results showed that the application of 50% CRF plus biostimulant application resulted in plant performance greater than or equal to those raised under the conventional CRF full dose. In particular, S1 (Abelia × grandiflora ‘Edward Goucher’) and S2 (Lantana camara ‘Little Lucky’) behaved differently concerning the Megafol^® dose under 50% CRF; compared to T1, in A. × grandiflora young transplants, T5 increased root morphological characteristics, as well as number of leaves, leaf area, and dry biomass accumulation; in L. camara, T6 achieved higher performance. The application of biostimulants under 50% CRF also improved, in both A. × grandiflora and L. camara, the physiological and agronomical Nitrogen Use Efficiency, compared to a full CRF dose. This study can support decision-making in terms of agronomic technique choices in line with the sustainable development of high-quality ornamental transplant production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

13 pages, 17141 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation of Low Nitrogen Tolerance in Oat (Avena sativa L.) Seedlings

by Yue Wang, Kaiqiang Liu, Guoling Liang, Zhifeng Jia, Zeliang Ju, Xiang Ma and Qingping Zhou

Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020604 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1557

Abstract

In oat production, the over-application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in fields due to low N fertilizer use efficiency not only increases production costs but also causes environmental pollution. Currently, mining low N-tolerant oat varieties is an important way to promote sustainable agriculture. In this study, 30 oat varieties were grown in a seedling culture with two treatments of normal N (10 mM NH₄NO₃) and low N (1.25 mM NH₄NO₃), and the correlations between agronomic traits and plant N content and low N tolerance coefficients and indices were determined, which can be used as indicators for the evaluation of low N-tolerant oat varieties. Coefficient of variation, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, partial least-squares discrimination analysis, random forest analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and model evaluation, and membership function analysis were used for in-depth analysis of these indicators. Plant N content, root–crown ratio, and dry weight of aboveground plant parts were found to be important indicators of low N tolerance in oats. According to the membership function ranking of the 30 selected oat varieties, Jiayan 2, Qingyongjiu 035, and Qingyin 2 had strong tolerance to low N stress and Qingyongjiu 003, Qingyongjiu 021, and Qingyongjiu 016 had poor tolerance to low N stress. Thus, this study provides a reliable and comprehensive method for evaluating the low N tolerance of oat varieties as well as a reference for screening other low N-tolerant plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

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18 pages, 888 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Different Tillage Systems and Soil Biostimulants on Agrochemical Properties and Intensity of Soil CO₂ Emission in Wheat Crop

by Lina Marija Butkevičienė, Vaida Steponavičienė, Rita Pupalienė, Lina Skinulienė and Vaclovas Bogužas

Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020338 - 24 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1815

Abstract

In this study, a field experiment was performed at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy in Lithuania from 2018 to 2020. The researched soil comprised carbonate deeper gleyic leachate (IDg4-k) (Calc(ar)i Endohypogleyic Luvisol) (LVg-n-w-cc). A two-factor field experiment was performed on spring and winter wheat. Factor A was soil tillage technology; factor B was the use of biostimulants and their mixtures (Ruinex, Penergetic, Azofix). The experimental fields were arranged randomly in four replicates. The aim of the work was to assess the soil CO₂ emissions, soil carbon, soil nitrogen, humus, and humic substances using two different soil tillage management methods (no till—wheat straw left on the soil surface; and reduced till—soil incorporation of the wheat straw) and different biostimulants or nitrogen fertilization. The humus content of the soil remained sufficiently stable or slightly decreased when the straw was retained and the single-component biostimulators Azofix, Ruinex, and Penergetic were used. In contrast, when continuous straw application was combined with two- or three-component mixtures of these biological preparations or with compensatory nitrogen the humus content increased. Compared with the initial state, it increased by 1.4–12.8 % due to the improved complexity of extra conditions for microbiological biodiversity. Meanwhile, after three years of investigation, the soil tillage technology did not significantly impact the humus content, total nitrogen, and CO₂ emissions. Tillage technologies had a significant impact on the content of water-soluble soil carbon. Under no-till, the carbon content increased by an average of 9.0%, and under reduced tillage, the carbon content increased by only 2.3%. It is likely that the combination of no-till with catch crops increased the stocks of soluble C in the soil. Compared to the use of compensatory nitrogen, this indicator was increased by all biostimulants, especially when using all three preparations in the mixture (Ruinex, Penergetic, Azofix). The effect of the two-preparation mixtures was also more pronounced than that of the single component. The results over three years show that biostimulants promote the release of mobile humic substances and mobile humic acids better than compensatory nitrogen for straw decomposition. The effect was the same for the organic carbon content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

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12 pages, 1584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Phosphorus Supply on Seed Yield and Quality in Flax

by Yaping Xie, Yang Li, Yanni Qi, Limin Wang, Wei Zhao, Wenjuan Li, Zhao Dang, Jianping Zhang, Xingzhen Wang, Yanjun Zhang, Xingrong Wang, Zhengjun Cui, Linrong Shi and Zhongcheng Lv

Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3225; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123225 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1497

Abstract

Flaxseed, which is rich in lignan, α-linolenic acid, dietary fiber, and several minerals, is an important food and nutrition source. In this study, trials were conducted at Yongdeng over two consecutive years (2018 and 2019), with three cultivars (Longyaza 1, Longya 14, and Zhangya 2) and five application rates of phosphorus (P) (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹). We examined the effects of P on the seed yield, and the yields and contents of dietary fiber, lignan, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu). We found that P fertilization positively influenced yields of seed and levels of lignan, Fe, and Cu, showing average increases of 15, 20, 24, and 28%, respectively, compared with plants not given P over the 2-year study. Additionally, P fertilization resulted in increased concentrations of Fe and Cu in flaxseed of 8 and 2%, respectively. P fertilization negatively affected the levels of dietary fiber, Zn, and Mn, which were reduced by 7, 11, and 7%, respectively, in comparison with the control. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that appropriate P application is an effective strategy for improving yields of seed, lignan, Fe, and Cu in flax production and for enhancing concentrations of Fe and Cu in flax. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

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12 pages, 1327 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Comparative Evaluation of Mineral and Organo-Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization and the Role of Amino Acids as Plant Growth Promoters in Maize Cultivation

by Aspasia Efthimiadou, Panagiotis Sparangis, Dimitrios Leonidakis, Christoforos-Nikitas Kasimatis, Ioanna Kakabouki, Ioannis Mylonas, Elissavet Ninou, Panagiotis Gianniotis and Nikolaos Katsenios

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112638 - 26 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1705

Abstract

The challenge to increase nitrogen uptake efficiency in intensively cultivated soils without runoffs and atmospheric release has been difficult to handle and usually leads to the excess application of mineral fertilizers. In the present study, four combinations of two different N fertilizers and a control were used in maize cultivation to evaluate the use of different types of N fertilization in the case of agronomic and plant physiology characteristics, as well as the quantity and quality characteristics of maize’s yield. The results show that, when the full rate of mineral fertilization with the addition of half rate of organo-mineral fertilizer with amino acids (MF+OMAA/2) was used, maize presented a 16% yield increase in comparison with the control, followed by mineral fertilization (MF) with a 10% increase. Protein content was increased in all treatments by 3–6% compared to the control, with the conventional fertilization and the alternates with lower rates of mineral fertilization not differing significantly. The nitrogen content in the leaves of maize increased in both measurements (11–23% and 19–40% at 70 and 107 days after sowing, respectively) of the different fertilizer treatments compared to the control. The results of this study confirm that the organo-mineral fertilizer containing amino acids can be used as an alternative or additive N fertilization that can decrease the use of conventional mineral fertilizers or can result in improved seed productivity and protein content in maize farms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Promoters on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Crops)

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