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Agronomy
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Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops
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Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 August 2026 | Viewed by 8841

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anita Zapałowska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture and Waste Management, University of Rzeszów, St. Ćwiklinskiej 1a, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: sustainable agriculture; soil fertility; fertilizers; organic farming; vermicomposting
Dr. Wacław Jarecki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Crop Production, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza 4 St., 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: agrotechnics; crop production; fertilization; foliar fertilization; nutrients; legumes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mineral fertilizers have transformed agriculture by delivering nutrients in readily available forms, leading to substantial yield improvements. However, their overuse has caused environmental issues such as soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Organic fertilizers, rich in humus and beneficial microorganisms, enhance soil structure and provide sustained fertility. A combined approach integrating mineral and organic fertilizers balances high crop performance with environmental sustainability.

This Special Issue focuses on innovative fertilization strategies, emphasizing the synergy between mineral and organic inputs and advancements in precision agriculture, such as soil and yield mapping, to optimize nutrient management. Topics include the environmental impacts of fertilization, nutrient cycling, and integrated approaches to enhance soil health and productivity.

We seek research articles, reviews, and case studies addressing comparative fertilizer analyses, precision fertilization technologies, and sustainable practices. Contributions should aim to advance interdisciplinary solutions for sustainable crop production and soil management.

Dr. Anita Zapałowska
Dr. Wacław Jarecki
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mineral fertilization
  • organic fertilization
  • integrated nutrient management
  • soil health
  • crop productivity
  • precision agriculture
  • fertilizer optimization

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1161 KB  
Article
Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Growth and Yield Responses to Cultivar and Nitrogen Fertilization
by Mariola Staniak, Edyta Baca, Katarzyna Czopek and Anna Stępień-Warda
Agronomy 2025, 15(12), 2840; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122840 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 240
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of cultivar and nitrogen fertilization on the morphological and physiological traits and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) grown in central-eastern Poland. In a strict, two-factor field experiment, four soybean cultivars [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of cultivar and nitrogen fertilization on the morphological and physiological traits and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) grown in central-eastern Poland. In a strict, two-factor field experiment, four soybean cultivars were used: ‘Abelina’, ‘Malaga’, ‘Coraline’, and ‘Petrina’, and three nitrogen rates: 0, 30, and 60 kg N ha−1. The moderate rate (N30) was applied before sowing, while the higher rate (N60) was divided into two parts, with 50% applied before sowing and 50% top-dressed at BBCH 61. The studies were conducted during two growing seasons. It was shown that both the cultivar and nitrogen fertilization significantly affected plant height, leaf area index (LAI), leaf greenness index (SPAD), and chlorophyll fluorescence indices (Fv/Fm, PI). The interaction among cultivar, fertilization, and years was significant for SPAD and Fv/Fm index, indicating a strong influence of environmental factors on plant response. Nitrogen fertilization increased plant height and chlorophyll content but reduced fluorescence indices. Among the cultivars studied, the late-season cultivar ‘Malaga’ was characterized by the highest SPAD index (502), Fv/Fm (0.800), and PI values (4.3), and achieved the highest seed yield (5.06 t ha−1) and thousand-seed weight (230 g). In contrast, the medium-season cultivar ‘Abelina’ showed the lowest SPAD (454), and significantly lower Fv/Fm and PI values (0.790 and 3.51, respectively), resulting in the lowest yield (4.25 t ha−1) and TSW (169.7 g). The application of a moderate rate of nitrogen (N30) improved the physiological indicators of plants and elements of yield structure without reducing the potential photochemical efficiency of PSII, while a higher rate (N60) did not result in a significant increase in yield, despite a greater number of pods and seeds per plant, which may have been due to a reduction in thousand-seed weight. The results highlight the importance of cultivar selection and moderate N fertilization of soybean grown in temperate climates and indicate the need for further research on the physiological mechanisms that determine cultivar-specific nitrogen use efficiency and yield stability under environmental stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops)
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14 pages, 603 KB  
Article
Response of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) to Vermicompost Fertilization and Foliar Application of Methylobacterium symbioticum
by Wacław Jarecki
Agronomy 2025, 15(12), 2681; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122681 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 373
Abstract
In the cultivation of leguminous plants, various fertilizers and microbiological preparations are used to increase nutrient availability or stimulate plant development. A pot experiment was conducted to examine the response of soybean to vermicompost fertilization and foliar application of Methylobacterium symbioticum. The [...] Read more.
In the cultivation of leguminous plants, various fertilizers and microbiological preparations are used to increase nutrient availability or stimulate plant development. A pot experiment was conducted to examine the response of soybean to vermicompost fertilization and foliar application of Methylobacterium symbioticum. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Vermicompost fertilization was found to increase the SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) value and improve selected physiological parameters of the plants (Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, PI, RC/ABS) compared to the control. The most optimal results were obtained for vermicompost from sewage sludge, regardless of Methylobacterium symbioticum application. Fertilization with this variant significantly increased seed weight per plant and seed protein content compared to the control. Therefore, vermicompost fertilization, particularly with sewage sludge, can be beneficial in soybean cultivation, as it reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. However, foliar application of Methylobacterium symbioticum generally did not modify the tested parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops)
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14 pages, 1479 KB  
Article
Transport of Phosphorus from Three Fertilizers Through High- and Low-Phosphorus Soils
by Lily DuPlooy, Joshua Heitman, Luke Gatiboni and Aziz Amoozegar
Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2395; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102395 - 15 Oct 2025
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Chemical fertilizers are commonly used to supply phosphorus and other nutrients to crops, but due to high affinity of soils for P fixation, over-application of P fertilizer is common, which may result in groundwater and surface water pollution. To increase P use efficiency, [...] Read more.
Chemical fertilizers are commonly used to supply phosphorus and other nutrients to crops, but due to high affinity of soils for P fixation, over-application of P fertilizer is common, which may result in groundwater and surface water pollution. To increase P use efficiency, different strategies, including different fertilizer formulations and types, have been developed. Two struvite-based fertilizers, Crystal Green® (CG) and Crystal Green Pearl® (CGP), are touted as environmentally safe, because they are insoluble in water but soluble in organic acids exuded from crop roots. The objective of this study was to assess fate and transport of P from diammonium phosphate (DAP), CG, and CGP through two loam soils with a significant difference in their initial P content. Two loamy soils, one collected from an experimental field receiving fertilizer continuously since 1985 and one from an adjacent area receiving no fertilizer, and a pure sand control were packed in 5 cm diameter and 5 cm long columns. Several grains equivalent to approximately 80 mg P from each fertilizer were imbedded at the bottom of the column. Distilled water was passed through the soil columns from the bottom at a relatively constant rate, and the outflow was collected every two hours using a fraction collector. Outflow samples from each treatment combination were analyzed for P by the colorimetric method, and the amount of P retained by the soils along the column at the end of the water application was determined by the nitric acid digestion method. Approximately 91% of P in DAP, 34% in CG, and only 3.8% in CGP was transported through the sand column. In contrast, the amounts of P transported were approximately 42.2% for DAP, 6.4% for CG, and 0.4% for CGP through the high-P soil and 22.4% for DAP, 0.6% for CG, and almost zero for CGP through the low-P soil. Overall, the results show a high solubility and transport for DAP, very low transport for CGP, and somewhat low to medium transport for CG fertilizers. In addition, the results show that even the high-P soil that has received fertilizer for about 40 years has the capacity to fix significant amounts of P. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops)
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19 pages, 9133 KB  
Article
Optimizing Stem Strength and Yield Stability by Combining Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer and Urea Application Across Different Sowing Dates
by Yinsen Qian, Umair Sarfraz, Huawen Bian, Quan Ma, Xiaoqi Gu, Fujian Li, Ying Li, Min Zhu, Chunyan Li, Jinfeng Ding, Wenshan Guo and Xinkai Zhu
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051253 - 21 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1490
Abstract
The delayed sowing date and basal internode lodging caused by climate change are major constraints on wheat productivity. To investigate the effects of varying sowing dates and fertilization application regimes on wheat yield and lodging resistance, a two-year field experiment was conducted with [...] Read more.
The delayed sowing date and basal internode lodging caused by climate change are major constraints on wheat productivity. To investigate the effects of varying sowing dates and fertilization application regimes on wheat yield and lodging resistance, a two-year field experiment was conducted with two sowing dates and five fertilization application regimes. Results revealed that the T2 sowing period caused grain yield reductions of 43.82% and 29.82% over two consecutive years, accompanied by shortened second basal internode length and decreased plant height, although lignin content increased significantly. Among fertilization treatments, S4 effectively enhanced the mechanical strength of the second basal internode, achieving both higher yield and superior lodging resistance. We propose combining controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (CRNF) with urea across different sowing dates to optimize productivity and stem stability. These strategies tackle climate-driven sowing delays and lodging while maximizing yield potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops)
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22 pages, 2310 KB  
Article
Enhancing Organic Selenium Forms in Alfalfa Forage Through Inorganic Selenium Foliar Application: Insights from Laboratory and Field Studies Using X-Ray Spectroscopy
by María-Jesús Sánchez-Martín, Mónica Gaggiotti, Laura Simonelli, Carlo Marini, Federico Marini, Roberto Boada, Mercè Llugany, Manuel Valiente, Gabriel Céccoli, María Micaela Stoffel, Marcia Viltres-Portales, Juan Manuel Picco, María Gabriela Guevara and Fernando Felipe Muñoz
Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030580 - 26 Feb 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1649
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, yet its deficiency remains a global concern. This study investigates the biofortification of alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. ProINTA Super Monarca GR9) via foliar Se application to enhance Se accumulation and transformation into bioavailable organic forms. A [...] Read more.
Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, yet its deficiency remains a global concern. This study investigates the biofortification of alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. ProINTA Super Monarca GR9) via foliar Se application to enhance Se accumulation and transformation into bioavailable organic forms. A controlled environment experiment in a plant growth chamber and a one-season open-field trial (January 2023, Argentina) were conducted. Treatments included sodium selenate (Se(VI)), sodium selenite (Se(IV)), and a 1:1 mixture, applied at 45 and 90 g Se ha−1, with and without the biostimulant BIOFORGE®. Treated plants exhibited increased Se content, correlating with the applied doses. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirmed that most inorganic Se was transformed into organic Se forms, with Se(IV) treatments yielding the highest concentrations of organic Se species such as selenocysteine (SeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet). Open-field trials showed a complete conversion of Se, though total Se accumulation was lower than in controlled conditions. Se treatments did not affect forage quality or biomass production. The biostimulant slightly reduced Se uptake but did not compromise biofortification. These results highlight Se(IV) as the optimal treatment for alfalfa biofortification, presenting a sustainable strategy to enhance dietary Se intake through functional foods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops)
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25 pages, 3615 KB  
Article
Impact of Polymer-Coated Controlled-Release Fertilizer on Maize Growth, Production, and Soil Nitrate in Sandy Soils
by Morgan Morrow, Vivek Sharma, Rakesh K. Singh, Jonathan Adam Watson, Gabriel Maltais-Landry and Robert Conway Hochmuth
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020455 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3687
Abstract
Polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers’ (CRFs) unique nutrient release mechanism has the potential to mitigate the leaching of mobile soil nutrients, such as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). The study aimed to evaluate the capacity of a polymer-coated CRFs to maintain maize (Zea mays L.) [...] Read more.
Polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers’ (CRFs) unique nutrient release mechanism has the potential to mitigate the leaching of mobile soil nutrients, such as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). The study aimed to evaluate the capacity of a polymer-coated CRFs to maintain maize (Zea mays L.) crop growth/health indicators and production goals, while reducing NO3-N leaching risks compared to conventional (CONV) fertilizers in North Florida. Four CRF rates (168, 224, 280, 336 kg N ha−1) were assessed against a no nitrogen (N) application and the current University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommended CONV (269 kg N ha−1) fertilizer rate. All CRF treatments, even the lowest CRF rate (168 kg N ha−1), produced yields, leaf tissue N concentrations, plant heights, aboveground biomasses (AGB), and leaf area index (LAI) significantly (p < 0.05) greater than or similar to the CONV fertilizer treatment. Additionally, in 2022, the CONV fertilizer treatment resulted in increases in late-season movement of soil NO3-N into highly leachable areas of the soil profile (60–120 cm), while none of the CRF treatments did. However, back-to-back leaching rainfall (>76.2 mm over three days) events in the 2023 growing season masked any trends as NO3-N was likely completely flushed from the system. The results of this two-year study suggest that polymer-coated CRFs can achieve desirable crop growth, crop health, and production goals, while also having the potential to reduce the late-season leaching potential of NO3-N; however, more research is needed to fully capture and quantify the movement of NO3-N through the soil profile. Correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that CRF performance was significantly influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature. In 2022, temperature-driven nitrogen release aligned with crop uptake, supporting higher yields and minimizing NO3-N movement. In 2023, however, rainfall-driven variability led to an increase in NO3-N leaching and masked the benefits of CRF treatments. These analyses provided critical insights into the relationships between environmental factors and CRF performance, emphasizing the importance of adaptive fertilizer management under varying climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conventional and Alternative Fertilization of Crops)
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