Search Results (216)

Management of livestock manure is a major concern due to its environmental impacts; consequently, laboratory-based incubations aim to quantify the C and N mineralization of organic matter (OM) to assess its potential to supply OM to soils. However, they can be limited by methodological constraints, notably the drying process of organic products. While litterbag experiments allow in situ decomposition of OM to be monitored, they often focus only on mass loss on a dry matter basis, which may overestimate biodegradation rates. To address these limitations, we designed an experiment that combined the measurement of material fluxes with the characterization of OM using transmission electron microscopy. Raw and dried farmyard cattle manure were incorporated into the soil and incubated in litterbags (200 µm mesh) for 301 days. The results demonstrated that drying significantly altered the biochemical composition of the cattle manure and influenced its microbial dynamics at the beginning of the incubation. However, this alteration did not influence the C mineralization rate at the end of incubation. Biodegradation alone could not explain C losses from litterbags after day 112 of incubation, which supports the assertion that physical and biological processes transferred large amounts of matter from the litterbags to the soil. These results highlight the importance of conditioning samples before laboratory incubations. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term crop rotation and fertilization treatments on the yield and yield component stability of spring barley and winter wheat on the basis of selected data over 30 years. The stability was measured using statistical methods (the Shukla stability index and linear mixed models). The long-term field experiments established in 1955 were conducted in central Poland (Chylice near Warsaw, 52°06′ N, 20°33′ E) and consisted of two crop rotations with the same fertilization regime. The first field experiment (A—NOR) is typical of the Norfolk rotation and consists of the following four crops: 1. sugar beet, 2. spring barley with undersown red clover, 3. red clover, and 4. winter wheat, while the second field experiment (B—NONleg) contains a sequence of crops without legumes: 1. sugar beet, 2. spring barley, 3. winter rapeseed, and 4. winter wheat. The following fertilization regimes are used in both experiments: a control without any fertilization (O), mineral fertilization (NPK), farmyard manure (FM), and mixed mineral and organic fertilization (½ NPK + ½ FM). The average yields of winter wheat and spring barley (in t*ha⁻¹) were 4.34 (a max of 5.48 in NONleg_NPK) and 4.27 (a max of 5.67 in NONleg_NPK) in the NONleg rotation treatment and 5.39 (a max of 6.12 in NOR_NPK) and 4.28 (a max of 5.22 in NOR_½ NPK + ½ FM), respectively, in the legume-based NOR rotation treatment. In the legume-free rotation treatment, the highest yield stability was found in the treatments fertilized only with manure (NONleg_FM) and in a mixed manner (NONleg_½NPK + ½FM), while in the Norfolk rotation treatment, the yield stability was the highest in the treatments with mixed fertilization (NOR_½NPK+½FM) and the treatments in which only mineral fertilizers were used (NOR_NPK). Full article

The aim of this article is twofold: to identify physical rural characteristics that persist after villages undergo urbanization, and to propose an appropriate planning “language” for preserving them. The article contributes to the literature, as current studies addressing rural preservation focus on the early stages of urbanization and on several physical preservation recommendations, most of which emphasize residential buildings alone. The article addresses the case study of Jewish villages established in pre-statehood Palestine. These comprise dozens of settlements planned based on European models and built from the late nineteenth century until World War I. Most underwent urbanization and evolved into towns or large cities. The study identifies rural characteristics that have endured and explores how they can be preserved through contemporary planning. The findings reveal that in all major cities examined, large open areas have been preserved within the former farmyards located behind the pioneers’ residential buildings. The article argues that beyond the preservation of original structures, historical trees, and gardens, particular importance should be placed on preserving these former farmyards as intra-urban open spaces. Maintaining sightlines from the streets toward these areas and enabling movement into them will help retain the rural features of the former villages. Full article

Common beans are a vital source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Increasing common beans productivity is crucial for improving food security and farmers’ incomes globally. This study evaluated the growth and yield responses of common beans to integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers under field conditions at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University. The trial was repeated over two consecutive growing seasons in 2020 and 2021, using a randomized complete block design with 18 treatments and three replications. The fertilizers used included urea (N) (0, 60, and 90 kg/ha), diammonium phosphate (D) (0, 50, and 100 kg/ha), and farmyard manure (O) (0 and 5000 kg/ha). The results show that integrated fertilizers, particularly O5000N60D50, O5000N60D100, O5000N90D50, and O5000N90D100, significantly increased growth and yield parameters. In 2020, the grain yield increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 75.6, 76.7, and 68.4% with the O5000N60D50, O5000N60D100, and O5000N90D100 treatments, respectively. In 2021, O5000N60D50, O5000N60D100, and O5000N90D50 showed significant yield increases of 94.7, 89.6, and 97.9%, respectively. The grain yield strongly correlated with the SPAD value (r = 0.84), number of pods per plant (r = 0.71), and number of seeds per pod (r = 0.66) in 2020, and it more strongly correlated with the SPAD value (r = 0.91), number of pods per plant (r = 0.77), and number of seeds per pod (r = 0.76) in 2021. A principal component analysis highlighted the effectiveness of organic–inorganic fertilizer combinations, particularly O5000N60D50, in enhancing productivity while potentially reducing inorganic fertilizer application. This study demonstrates that integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers enhances sustainable crop productivity and reduces negative environmental impacts, particularly in regions facing nutrient depletion and drought conditions. Full article

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an emerging forage crop known for its high nutritional value and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, making it a promising alternative in sustainable livestock feeding systems in the Mediterranean region. A field experiment was established at the Agricultural University of Athens during the growing season 2020–2021 in a split-plot design with five fertilization treatments (Biocyclic-Vegan Humus Soil; BHS, Farmyard Manure; FMA, Organic Compost; OCP, Inorganic Fertilizer; IFZ, and No Treatment Control; CTRL, and two main salinity treatments (High Salinity Level; HSL, and Normal Salinity Level; NSL). The Forage Quality Index (FQI) was the highest under BHS at NSL (45) and lowest under CTRL at HSL (32), emphasizing the positive impact of organic fertilization. Crude ash (CA) was higher under NSL (9.7%), with OCP and IFZ performing best, while salinity reduced CA under CTRL. Crude fiber (CF) increased under salinity, particularly with OCP and IFZ, whereas BHS and FMA at NSL showed the lowest CF (15.8%), enhancing digestibility. Total fat (TF) was the highest under BHS and FMA at NSL (5.8%) and lowest under IFZ and CTRL at HSL (4.0%), underscoring the importance of balanced fertilization in maintaining fat content. These results highlight the potential of organic amendments to improve nutrient availability, digestibility, and overall feed value. Full article

In this study, the effects of different modifiers on rhizosphere soil microorganisms, their functions, and the soil properties of continuous tomato cropping were investigated. Nine amendments were selected to treat the soil from a 14-year continuous tomato cropping system. Tomato yield, soluble solids, soil physical and chemical properties, and soil enzyme activities were measured. Changes in soil microbial community structure and function were determined by metagenomic sequencing, and their correlation with environmental factors was analyzed. The results showed that among the nine amendments, the combination of farmyard manure + Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma harzianum (T2) and plant-derived straw decomposed soil + Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma harzianum (T3) had the most significant effects. The tomato yield, soil hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, organic matter, and total nitrogen contents and soil phosphatase activities were significantly increased under the T2 and T3 treatments. Compared with the CK treated with T2, the contents of yield, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, organic matter, and total nitrogen were significantly increased by 34.46%, 41.84%, 52.44%, 45.01%, 24.5%, and 41.18%, respectively. The soil microbial community structure also changed significantly. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidota increased significantly. The relative abundance of Hyphomicrobium, Rhodomicrobium, and Rhodoplanes increased significantly compared with the control. The soil microbial function was mainly enriched in two pathways of amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. Among them, T2 significantly enriched six community functions, such as bacterial chemotaxis. T3 significantly enriched three community functions, such as glutathione metabolism. A correlation analysis showed that soil hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, pH, phosphatase, and catalase were the key factors affecting microbial community changes. The treatment of farm manure/plant-derived straw decomposed soil + Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma harziensis improved the soil environment, increased crop yield, clarified the effects of different modifiers on the functional mechanisms of the soil microbial community, and provided a practical solution to the problem of soil degradation in agriculture monoculture. Full article

Cyperus esculentus is an invasive sedge causing high losses in many crops. Prevention is key in minimizing further spread and damage. Propagules (tubers or seeds) may spread via cattle manure. This study examined the effect of ensiling, digestion, and storage in manure on the viability of C. esculentus propagules. Propagules were subjected to five durations (0–16 weeks) in silage maize, seven durations (0–48 h) of ruminal digestion, and five durations of storage (0–16 weeks) in manure (slurry or farmyard), or combinations of previous processes. Afterwards, the viabilities were determined by a germination and tetrazolium test. After 6 weeks in a maize silo, the viability of the propagules was reduced by at least 96%. Incubation for 36 h in the rumen, followed by post-ruminal digestion in vitro, reduced seed viability by 30%. However, for the tubers, no effect was observed. The viability of seeds and tubers was reduced by 90% after 11.5 and 13.7 weeks of incubation in slurry, respectively. Compared with seeds, tubers were less tolerant to 12–24 h of animal digestion, followed by 8 weeks of storage in slurry. Keeping a maize silo closed for at least 6 weeks and maintaining slurry storage for at least 16 weeks are excellent measures to eliminate C. esculentus. For farmers, these preventive measures are relatively easy and cheap to implement compared to the requirements of curative control methods. Full article

It has been assumed that the long-term impact of a diversified soil use system (SUS) and the continuous application of manure and/or mineral fertilizers (NPK) affects the sustainability of soil fertility components. This influence is manifested through the content and distribution of nutrients, as well as some bioavailable heavy metals in the soil. This hypothesis was verified in 2022 in a long-term field experiment that started in 1957. It consisted of a seven-course crop rotation: potato–spring barley–winter triticale–alfalfa–alfalfa–winter wheat–winter rye and monocultures of these crops plus black fallow. The studies were carried out on three separate fields: black fallow (BF), winter wheat grown in monoculture (WW-MO), and crop rotation (WW-CR). Each of these experimental objects consists of five fertilizer variants (FVs) fertilized in the same way every year: absolute control (AC)—variant without fertilizers for 75 years; farmyard manure—FM; mineral fertilizers—NPK; mixed variant—NPK + FM; mineral fertilizers plus annually applied lime—NPK + L. The second factor was the soil layer: 0.0–0.3 m, 0.3–0.6 m, or 0.6–0.9 m. The obtained results clearly indicate that long-term fertilization with NPK + FM, especially in rotation with legumes, strengthens the eluviation/illuviation processes, decreasing the sustainability of soil fertility. Liming is a factor stabilizing the content and distribution of silt and clay particles in the soil. The key factor determining the content and distribution of micronutrients and heavy metals in the soil was the content of organic carbon (C_org). Its content decreased in the following order: WW-CR (13.2 ± 5.8) ≥ WW-MO (12.3 ± 6.9) > BF (6.6 ± 2.8 g·kg⁻¹). The large variability resulted from a distribution trend with soil depth, which increased as follows: MO ≥ CR > BF. FVs with FM had the highest C_org content. NPK, regardless of the long-term soil use system (SUS), had the lowest content. Among the elements studied, the key one impacting the content of both micronutrients and heavy metals was iron (Fe). The Fe content decreased in the order BL (100%) > WW-MO (90.5%) > WW-CR (85%). The opposite tendency was found for the remaining elements, the content of which was consistent with the content of C_org, which was the highest in CR. The strongest impact of Fe, modified by the SUS, was found for Zn, Pb, and Cd. Despite the differences observed between SUSs, fertilization variants, and soil layers, the content of Fe and Mn was in the medium class, while Zn and Cu were in the high class of availability. The content of Ni was the highest for NPK + FM in WW-CR. The content of Pb was weakly affected by the long-term SUS but showed a strong tendency for accumulation in the topsoil layer. The content of Cd was the highest in BF, where it exceeded the threshold of 0.27 mg·kg⁻¹. The long-term diversified SUS, as the main factor determining the sustainability of soil fertility, makes it possible to indicate the directions of humus accumulation and its distribution in the soil. It turned out to be a key factor, but in cooperation with Fe, it determined the content of micronutrients and bioavailable heavy metals in the soil. Full article

The influence of different mineral and organic fertiliser applications on the soil organic matter (SOM) content and quality was monitored in long-term field trials. We used long-term field experiments (27 years) with a crop rotation of potatoes, winter wheat, and spring barley on cambisol soil. The treatments were as follows: an unfertilised control (Cont), sewage sludge in normal and triple doses (SS1 and SS3, respectively), farmyard manure (F1) in a conventional dose, a half dose of farmyard manure with a half dose of mineral nitrogen (F1/2 + N1/2), straw with mineral nitrogen fertiliser (N + St), and mineral nitrogen without any organic fertiliser (N). This study focused on the ability of the total and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (T-GRSP and EE-GRSP, respectively) and the water stability of aggregates (WSA) as indicators of long-term SOM quality changes. The results were compared with the content of humic substance fractions and the carbon in humic substances (C_HS), humic acids (C_HA), and fulvic acids (C_FA). The lowest SOM content and quality were observed in the control treatment. The highest overall SOM quality, including the degree of polymerisation (HA) and the GRSP content, was found in the F1 treatment. The organic matter in sewage sludge contributed less to the formation of stable SOM than straw. A significant correlation was found between both the EE-GRSP and the T-GRSP and the content of the C_SOM, C_HS, C_HA, and HA, but not with the C_FA. The influence of fertiliser on the GRSP content was demonstrated. However, no relationship was observed between the WSA and SOM quality, the EE-GRSP, or the T-GRSP content. Full article

The need to increase agricultural production for food, fiber, and feed for a growing population is a global call. Sub-Saharan Africa currently experiences declining soil fertility and increasing pest pressures affecting agricultural production. Soil fertility and pest management practices tend to vary greatly among smallholder farmers due to farm-based limitations, attitudes, and perceptions. Using focus group discussions and individual farmer interviews, we evaluated the socio-economic factors influencing the production and utilization of nutrient resources by smallholder farmers. We also assessed factors for pest prevalence and management by smallholder farmers. We observed that the major organic nutrient fertilizer resources used by farmers are farmyard manure and crop residue recycling. The production and utilization of organic nutrient fertilizer resources vary according to agroecological zone, influenced by livestock ownership, grazing management, and farmer organization; Farmer Research Network farmers show optimal use of nutrient resources compared to non-Farmer Research Network farmers. Pest problems varied across agroecologies and were influenced by field management gradients. We noted that FRN farmers used ecologically relevant pest management approaches more frequently than non-FRN farmers. Our findings on nutrient resources and pest management highlight context-specific issues to leverage to promote agroecological approaches for agricultural productivity and resilient semi-arid landscapes. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of multi-year variations in nitrogen fertilisation (N) and farmyard manure application (FYM) in two 4-year crop rotations, A and B—which differed primarily in terms of their organic matter management systems (A: poor vs. B: enrichment)—on changes in the content of calcium and soil organic carbon at three soil horizons of Luvisols, and on the dynamics of these changes over the past 40 years. Mineral N fertilisation was found to affect the movement of Ca in the profiles of both rotations. Most Ca accumulated in the soil layer at >55 cm in the profiles of both rotations. The total Ca content was similar in both rotations; however, a correlation analysis revealed a stronger relationship between organic carbon and Ca in the enriched-cropping system (rotation B) compared to the poor-organic-matter system (rotation A). In the 0–30 cm soil layer, the correlation coefficient between organic carbon and Ca was r = 0.52 in rotation B, while in rotation A, it was lower at r = 0.23. In deeper layers, this relationship weakened or became non-significant. Under the climatic and soil conditions of Poland, where the phenomenon of nutrient leaching into the soil profile is prevalent, it is extremely important to manage these nutrients in a sustainable way in order to limit their loss. The predominantly sandy texture of the topsoil horizons (0–30 cm) of the Luvisols prevents any significant enrichment of these horizons in Corg, even over a very long period of time, i.e., more than 40 years. Full article

This study hypothesized that different base fertilizer application has different effects on improving the efficiency of maize water utilization and promoting maize growth. Utilizing field positioning sloping farmland micro-zone experiments, six distinct types of base fertilizers were designed: a control group without fertilization (CK), chemical fertilizer alone (T1), a mixture of local farmyard manure (40% pine needles and 60% livestock manure, T2), a 50% reduction in chemical fertilizer combined with farmyard manure (T3), the incorporation of crushed straw through deep plowing (T4), and the fermentation of crushed straw mixed with urea before field application (T5). The results indicate that, compared to the CK treatment, the T3 and T5 treatments significantly enhanced soil moisture content, with increases ranging from 4.06% to 18.67% during the normal year (2023) and the drought year (2024), respectively. Additionally, the water utilization efficiency of maize was improved significantly, with values of 35.38% and 41.54%, and the yield increased by 12.30% to 25.92%. The maize yields under T3 and T5 treatments reached 12.19 and 13.31t/ha, respectively. Therefore, we propose that crushing straw and incorporating urea and water for fermentation as a base fertilizer in maize fields can ensure efficient water use in this region, leading to higher yields. Full article

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural fields is crucial for mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable agriculture. This study conducted a meta-analysis of 82 domestic experimental studies to assess the effects of fertilization, tillage, and straw return on CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions across different regions in China. The key findings include: fertilization measures: split fertilization increased CH₄ and N₂O emissions, whereas a single application had the strongest impact on CO₂ emissions. The application of carbon alone or in combination with NPK reduced GHG emissions, while the combination of nitrogen and farmyard manure significantly increased CH₄ and CO₂ emissions. Tillage measures: tillage generally reduced CH₄ and CO₂ emissions but increased N₂O emissions. No-tillage effectively suppressed CH₄ emissions, while rotary tillage significantly reduced CO₂ emissions. Straw return: straw returning through rotary tillage led to the highest increase in CH₄ and CO₂ emissions, whereas direct straw return most notably enhanced N₂O emissions. This study provides insights into optimizing agricultural practices to mitigate GHG emissions and offers guidance for sustainable and low-carbon agricultural development. Full article

Mostly, phosphorus (P) fertilizers are fixed in the interlayer of soil and become unavailable to crop plants. Combined inorganic fertilizers with organic manures could be a suitable solution to release these nutrients from the soil. P deficiency in soil adversely affected crop growth and development to a larger extent. To check out this problem, present research was conducted over a two-year period to evaluate the efficiency of a combined mixture of inorganic P and organic manure as a better farming strategy, in relation to their sole treatments, for enhancing P availability, plant growth, yield and quality, and soil properties. The inorganic source of P was SSP in the form of P₂O₅, while the organic source was cattle manure mixed with crop residues called farmyard manure (FYM). The experiment consisted of the same six treatments over each year: (i) control (0F+0P), (ii) 45 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ (45P), (iii) 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ (90P), (iv) 45 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ + 1000 kg FYM ha⁻¹ (45P+1000F), (v) 1000 kg FYM ha⁻¹ (1000F), and (vi) 2000 kg FYM ha⁻¹ (2000F), using randomized complete block design (RCBD), to five replications. Results demonstrated that the combination of SSP with FYM increased the plant height (27.9%), grain yield (23.4%), and plant P uptake efficiency (43.7%) of maize as compared to sole SSP at 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, which occurred due to improved P availability in soil. By comparing sole amendments of P fertilizer sources, FYM-treated plots have performed better in increasing maize growth and yield components such as plant height, dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR), net photosynthetic rate, grain yield, and crude protein (e.g., nitrogen contents); this happened due to enhanced soil chemical properties that might be related to improvement in P level and decreased bulk density of soil. Further, significant positive correlations were exhibited among studied crop and soil data. The plant available P and grain protein contents (N concentration) also showed a significant positive correlation and exhibited higher nitrogen contents under organic amendments of P fertilizer, as compared to inorganic treatments. The study concluded that combined SSP at 45 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ with organic cattle manure at 1000 kg ha⁻¹ has a great potential for enhancing maize productivity under water deficit conditions. Results of this research may further be improved by including rigorous soil samples and field heterogeneity data between the plots and the years, which will provide more clear findings from a combined mixture of organic and inorganic fertilization. Full article

This research was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of using organic fertilizers in improving the organic seed production process and increasing the seed quality needed in organic agriculture production. The experiment was established with organic fertilizers (farmyard manure—FYM, leonardite—L, vermicompost—VC) and the eggplant plant ’Pala-49’ variety and conducted for two years. As a result of the study, vegetative growth height varied between 52.65 and 68.06 cm, plant diameter width ranged from 51.85 to 61.20 cm, fruit height ranged from 14.67 to 21.90 cm, and fruit diameter varied between 4.73 and 6.73 cm. These differences were observed among farmyard manure (FYM), leonardite (L), and vermicompost (VC) organic fertilizer applications. In general, it was determined that the first year gave better results. In terms of parameters, the best result in all parameters was obtained from farmyard manure (FYM) organic fertilizer application. In addition, the nutrient element contents of the seed samples were found to be statistically significant. Organic applications significantly increased the nutrient element content of the seed samples according to the control. The nitrogen content varied between 0.242% and 0.271%, and the phosphorus content ranged between 0.274% and 0.456%. The highest K content was determined in farmyard manure (FYM) application in both years (0.272% and 0.309%). In contrast, Fe, Zn, and Mn contents were 35.1 mg kg⁻¹, 63.7 mg kg⁻¹, and 200.7 mg kg⁻¹ in vermicompost (VC) application in the second year, respectively. The effect of the treatments on soil available nutrient content was also found to be significant. The amount of soil available for plant nutrients was higher in the second year. Full article