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Agronomy
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New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management
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New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management

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 January 2022) | Viewed by 30441

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mauro Mori

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Interests: sustainable agriculture; biostimulants; plant nutrition; abiotic stress; agricultural practices; food crops; biomass crops; traditional varieties
Dr. Ida Di Mola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Interests: agronomy; crop science; irrigation and water management; plant physiology; abiotic stress; sustainable agriculture; salinity; food crops; agricultural practices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

In recent decades, food demand has increased in line with the increase in the world population. To satisfy this need, farmers often have recourse to high nutrient inputs, especially mineral fertilizers, but these ones can have a strong impact on the environment, as well as on human health. For example, one only need consider the massive use of nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause several problems if they are used incorrectly, such as groundwater pollution, but also greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate accumulation in green leafy vegetables, all of which are very dangerous for human health (especially in children). In addition, consumers today are also much more attentive to food quality. Therefore, in order to match all these needs, the scientific community has the task of proposing an innovative approach that can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, preferring organic compounds, such as organic matter or biostimulants, but also boosting nutrient use efficiency and improving fertilization techniques. Therefore, we encourage the submission of paper regarding the following topics: (1) innovative approaches for fertilization and their impact on the environment; (2) agronomic practices for improving nutrient use efficiency and food quality; (3) organic or integrated farming; (4) use of biostimulants as alternative or integrative compounds to chemical fertilizers.

Dr. Mauro Mori
Dr. Ida Di Mola
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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 monthly 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

  • sustainable agriculture
  • innovative fertilization
  • biostimulant
  • organic farming
  • integrated farming
  • mycorrhiza
  • nutrient use efficiency

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 785 KiB  
Article
Alternative Solution to Synthetic Fertilizers for the Starter Fertilization of Bread Wheat under Mediterranean Climatic Conditions
by Fakir Mathlouthi, Roberto Ruggeri and Francesco Rossini
Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 511; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12020511 - 18 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2144
Abstract
Under the high temporal variability of the Mediterranean climate, the prompt emergence of wheat seedlings and early vigor are pivotal attributes, positively affecting the final grain yield. Phosphorus (P) fertilization at sowing is largely used in wheat cultivation to support the early-season growth [...] Read more.
Under the high temporal variability of the Mediterranean climate, the prompt emergence of wheat seedlings and early vigor are pivotal attributes, positively affecting the final grain yield. Phosphorus (P) fertilization at sowing is largely used in wheat cultivation to support the early-season growth and promote a more rapid crop establishment. While conventional farming can rely on a wide variety of synthetic fertilizers, the number of options available for the starter fertilization of organic wheat is restricted and many are often unsuitable. Nanotechnology applied to fertilizers could provide a valuable means to combat this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the starter effect of a granular soil bio-enhancer (SBE) on bread wheat grown in two locations of Northern Tunisia as compared to conventional fertilization with diammonium phosphate (DAP). The SBE was obtained by physically grinding phosphate rocks at a nanoscale level and further mixing it with azotobacters. Aerial dry biomass, plant height, crop density, tiller density, leaf area index (LAI), and leaf P concentration were determined up to 70 days after emergence (DAE) to assess the early vigor of wheat seedlings. The application of SBE before sowing resulted in a greater early vigor of wheat seedlings as compared to commercial DAP over three consecutive growing seasons. Specifically, the aerial dry biomass and the plant height at 7 DAE were found to have increased by 56% and 48%, respectively. LAI at 70 DAE was enhanced by 8.5%, while moderate percentage increases were detected for both crop and tiller density. Finally, wheat plants fertilized with SBE showed a significantly higher leaf P concentration than DAP-fertilized plants in 2020 and 2021 (+21% and +32%, respectively). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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15 pages, 1216 KiB  
Article
Yield and Quality of Three Cultivars of Dark Fire-Cured (Kentucky) Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Subjected to Organic (Compost) and Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization
by Maria Isabella Sifola, Eugenio Cozzolino, Ida Di Mola, Lucia Ottaiano, Luisa del Piano and Mauro Mori
Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 483; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12020483 - 15 Feb 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1919
Abstract
A biennial experiment (2009 and 2010) was conducted at Calvi (Benevento, Southern Italy) to evaluate the effect of compost by organic fraction municipal solid waste (OFMSW), in combination with mineral nitrogen (N) fertilization, on yield and quality of three Dark Fire-cured (Kentucky) tobacco [...] Read more.
A biennial experiment (2009 and 2010) was conducted at Calvi (Benevento, Southern Italy) to evaluate the effect of compost by organic fraction municipal solid waste (OFMSW), in combination with mineral nitrogen (N) fertilization, on yield and quality of three Dark Fire-cured (Kentucky) tobacco cultivars commonly cultivated at Benevento province (Campania region, Southern Italy). Six N fertilization treatments (N0 = soil N reserves available for plant growth; MIN = 135 kg ha−1 of N applied as mineral fertilizer; C10 = 10 Mg d.w. ha−1 compost; C10N = 10 Mg d.w. ha−1 compost + 50% MIN; C20 = 20 Mg d.w. ha−1 compost; C20N = 20 Mg d.w. ha−1 compost + 50% MIN) were combined with the following cultivars: (i) Foiano, medium early maturing; (ii) Riccio Beneventano (local ecotype), medium maturing; (iii) SKL, medium maturing. Yield of cured leaves (Mg ha−1) and growth components (number of leaves per plant, mean individual leaf area, leaf area per plant, specific leaf weight, stem diameter and height) and color parameters (L*, a*/b*) were measured. Leaf quality traits (nitrates, total N and alkaloids contents, score) and N use efficiency were also determined. The best growth and yield performance was reached in 2010 when plants were taller, developed both stems that were more robust and leaves having greater individual leaf area, and showed a higher leaf area per plant than in the first year. Regardless of the form of applied N (compost, mineral fertilizer, or a combination of both), tobacco plants appeared to be directly and positively influenced by increasing quota of readily available N received by each treatment, which was determined at the beginning of field growth by N soil balance and taking into account the percentage of N supplied by organic (compost) and mineral fertilizers. Results obtained with compost treatments, particularly when combined with mineral fertilizer (at C10N more than C20N), appeared comparable or sometimes better than those of full mineral fertilization although N fertilization by synthetic products was applied at very low doses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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13 pages, 3721 KiB  
Article
Degradable Slow-Release Fertilizer Composite Prepared by Ex Situ Mixing of Inverse Vulcanized Copolymer with Urea
by Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef, Carmelo Maucieri, Obaid Ur Rehman, Arief Aizat Rosman, Mohamed Izzat Haziq and Amin Abbasi
Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 65; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12010065 - 28 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2265
Abstract
To improve the crop yield and nitrogen uptake efficacy, a novel slow-release urea composite fertilizer (SUCF) was developed using inverse vulcanized copolymer with better biodegradation and nutrient release longevity. Copolymers were synthesized via inverse vulcanization of jatropha oil, and their properties were evaluated [...] Read more.
To improve the crop yield and nitrogen uptake efficacy, a novel slow-release urea composite fertilizer (SUCF) was developed using inverse vulcanized copolymer with better biodegradation and nutrient release longevity. Copolymers were synthesized via inverse vulcanization of jatropha oil, and their properties were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powdered-X-ray diffractometry (p-XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SUCFs were developed by ex situ mixing of inverse vulcanized copolymer with urea powder using mechanical mixer, and their properties were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectra of developed fertilizer possesses the urea characteristics peaks along with the undisturbed peaks representing copolymer, confirming the mechanical mixing and that no reaction took place. SEM images of the SUCFs compared with images of copolymer revealed the appearance of new isolated particles with different morphology; EDX mapping showed that these particles represent the urea added to the copolymer. Nitrogen release longevity of developed fertilizers was evaluated in both soil and distilled water. The leaching test revealed that only 70% of the total nitrogen of SUCF prepared from 50 wt% sulfur copolymer was released after 16 days of incubation in distilled water, whereas it released only 35% nitrogen after 20 days in soil. The biodegradability of all copolymers developed was investigated by burying in soil and it revealed their biodegradable nature as weight loss was observed, which increased with the increase of incubation period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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15 pages, 1383 KiB  
Article
Can Seaweed Extract Improve Yield and Quality of Brewing Barley Subjected to Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization?
by Eugenio Cozzolino, Ida Di Mola, Lucia Ottaiano, Sabrina Nocerino, Maria Isabella Sifola, Christophe El-Nakhel, Youssef Rouphael and Mauro Mori
Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2481; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11122481 - 07 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2701
Abstract
Barley is the primary matrix for malting process of beer production. Farmers count on increasing cultivation inputs, especially nitrogen fertilization, in order to reach a higher yield. Nevertheless, an overuse of nitrogen, besides causing environmental damages, can determine a deterioration of quality traits [...] Read more.
Barley is the primary matrix for malting process of beer production. Farmers count on increasing cultivation inputs, especially nitrogen fertilization, in order to reach a higher yield. Nevertheless, an overuse of nitrogen, besides causing environmental damages, can determine a deterioration of quality traits of malting barley, in particular an increase in grains protein content, which should range between 10 and 11% as required by the mating industry. Over two successive years, barley was grown under 4 different nitrogen (N) doses—0 kg N ha−1—N0; 20 kg N ha−1—N20; 40 kg N ha−1—N40 and 60 kg N ha−1—N60, and subject to a biostimulant treatment (Ecklonia maxima seaweed extract). Barley yield and growth parameters increased with nitrogen and seaweed application. N40 was already sufficient in the second year to reach the plateau of the highest production. Biostimulant application increased 17.9% the nitrogen use efficiency, 15.7% the biomass production, and 17.0% the yield with respect to untreated plants. Our results indicate that a significant reduction in nitrogen is possible and desirable, combined with the application of a plant-based biostimulant like seaweed extract, which determines an improvement in nitrogen use efficiency, assuring a higher production and lower fertilization inputs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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25 pages, 3459 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Grain Yield and Nitrogen Accumulation in Wheat Plants Grown under a Mediterranean Arid Environment by Foliar Spray with Papain-Released Whey Peptides
by AbdAllah M. El-Sanatawy, Salwa M. A. I. Ash-Shormillesy, Ahmed Abou El-Yazied, Hany G. Abd El-Gawad, Ehab Azab, Adil A. Gobouri, Mahmoud Sitohy and Ali Osman
Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1913; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11101913 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1863
Abstract
Due to their beneficial, stimulating impact on plant growth, productivity, and alleviating environmental stresses, protein hydrolysates have recently received increasing attention as a possible substitute. This investigation aimed to explore the effects of foliar application of papain-produced whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) on the [...] Read more.
Due to their beneficial, stimulating impact on plant growth, productivity, and alleviating environmental stresses, protein hydrolysates have recently received increasing attention as a possible substitute. This investigation aimed to explore the effects of foliar application of papain-produced whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) on the yield attributes and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of soft wheat. Wheat plants were cultivated under a Mediterranean arid environment and received four soil nitrogen (N) fertilization levels with ammonium nitrate (145, 185, 215, and 250 kg N ha−1) and compared to control treatment and urea foliar application. WPH increased grain yield, yield attributes, and N accumulation in wheat plants. Partial productivity factors of applied nitrogen, as NUE indicators under relatively steady-state cropping systems, were also enhanced by WPH compared to control treatment. WPH significantly improved flag leaf area, spike number m−2, and grain yield compared to urea foliar application. Increasing the soil N fertilization level from 145 up to 215 kg N ha−1 was accompanied by significant increases in all yield traits and N accumulation measurements, except for the partial factor productivity of applied N, which decreased. A strong positive association was detected among grain and straw yields, their attributes, and total N uptake. Results highlighted the efficacy of WPH in increasing wheat yield and NUE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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16 pages, 1347 KiB  
Article
Yield Response, Quality Traits, and Nitrogen-Use Efficiency of a Burley Tobacco Crop Grown in Mediterranean Areas (Southern Italy) as Affected by Intensive N Management
by Maria Isabella Sifola, Ida Di Mola, Eugenio Cozzolino, Lucia Ottaiano, Gennaro Piccirillo, Luisa del Piano and Mauro Mori
Agronomy 2021, 11(9), 1837; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11091837 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1758
Abstract
Tobacco is an annual cash crop widely cultivated over the world, which generally needs great amounts (N) of nitrogen to achieve the best yield and quality. However, with a view to sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, also for this crop, the reduction in [...] Read more.
Tobacco is an annual cash crop widely cultivated over the world, which generally needs great amounts (N) of nitrogen to achieve the best yield and quality. However, with a view to sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, also for this crop, the reduction in N fertilization is a priority, but without negatively affecting the yield and quality of the cured product. Therefore, field experiments were conducted during 2002 and 2003 on light air-cured (Burley) tobacco at three different locations of the Campania region (Southern Italy) where high-quality light air-cured (Burley) tobacco is traditionally cultivated. At each location, the following six N fertilization treatments were compared with four replications (blocks): (i) a not fertilized control (N0); (ii) 50 kg N ha−1 (N50); 90 kg N ha−1 (N90); 130 kg N ha−1 (N130); 170 kg N ha−1 (N170); 210 kg N ha−1 (N210). The yield of cured leaves appeared positively influenced by N fertilization but not at a rate higher than 170 kg ha−1. N fertilization directly influenced nitrates and the total N content of cured leaves at all locations. The greater values of both parameters were reached at N130 or N90, respectively, at Vitulazio (CE), N170 at Bellizzi (SA), and N90 at San Giorgio del Sannio (BN). The fire holding capacity increased with N fertilization up to N170 treatment (12–13 s at CE and BN but just 8 s at SA). L* (brightness) decreased with increasing N fertilization giving cured leaves less bright and opaquer. The a/b ratio (a*, green/red; b*, blue/yellow) increased with N treatments producing cured leaves of dark hazelnut. The best scores were assigned to cured products obtained by plants fertilized with 170 kg N ha−1. N-use efficiencies were negatively influenced by N fertilization. The best NUE and N-uptake efficiency was recorded in 2002 at Vitulazio (CE), in spite of a higher NO3-N before N fertilization than other locations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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13 pages, 1274 KiB  
Article
Biostimulant Application under Different Nitrogen Fertilization Levels: Assessment of Yield, Leaf Quality, and Nitrogen Metabolism of Tunnel-Grown Lettuce
by Lucia Ottaiano, Ida Di Mola, Eugenio Cozzolino, Christophe El-Nakhel, Youssef Rouphael and Mauro Mori
Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1613; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11081613 - 13 Aug 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3171
Abstract
Promising strategies that could aid a shift from N-intensive agriculture to an eco-friendlier approach include the integrated use of plant-based biostimulants. To date, results about the accumulation of nitrate in green leafy vegetables due to biostimulant application are conflicting. Therefore, the current study [...] Read more.
Promising strategies that could aid a shift from N-intensive agriculture to an eco-friendlier approach include the integrated use of plant-based biostimulants. To date, results about the accumulation of nitrate in green leafy vegetables due to biostimulant application are conflicting. Therefore, the current study aimed at assessing the effect of a new plant-based biostimulant, containing triacontanol (TRIA), that is claimed to reduce nitrate accumulation in leaves, based on the yield and leaf quality of lettuce grown in a plastic tunnel under different N conditions. The experimental design was a factorial combination of three nitrogen fertilization levels (N0, N30, and N60, corresponding to 0, 30, and 60 kg N ha−1) and two biostimulant applications (treated with ‘ILSASTIM+’ = YB and untreated control = NB). Nitrogen fertilization resulted in a 40% yield increase over N0. Biostimulant application increased the yield 21% over NB, and both improved all growth parameters. In addition, the biostimulant had a positive effect on color and Soil Plant Analysis development (SPAD) index, thus enhancing the qualitative aspect. Interestingly, biostimulant application boosted nitrogen use efficiency with a 23% increase over untreated plants. The use of biostimulant proved to be suitable to be applied in a sustainable strategy of production and quality improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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17 pages, 2316 KiB  
Article
Evening Primrose and Rapeseed Yield Components and Grain Oil Concentrations Were Differentially Modulated by the N, P, and K Supplies in a Mediterranean Area
by Hoda Sany, Hussein A. H. Said-Al Ahl, Luigi Pari, Ali S. Sabra, Mohamed F. Ramadan and Sergio Saia
Agronomy 2021, 11(7), 1271; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11071271 - 22 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1834
Abstract
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) is an industrial crop-producing seed with high oil concentration characterized by high gamma-linoleic acid. However, limited information is available on its response to the nutrient supply, especially P and K. The aim of this work was to [...] Read more.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) is an industrial crop-producing seed with high oil concentration characterized by high gamma-linoleic acid. However, limited information is available on its response to the nutrient supply, especially P and K. The aim of this work was to compare the response of Evening Primrose to the application of N, P, and K alone or in combination in a P and K deficient soil in terms of grain yield, yield components, and oil composition in comparison to Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Evening Primrose yielded 54.4% less seed and 67.3% less oil than Rapeseed. Such differences were reduced when nutrients, especially N or P, were applied. N stimulated Evening Primrose more than Rapeseed. Application of K favored Evening Primrose oil yield when no N or P were added, and this especially occurred by an enhancement of the pod number. P favored yield per pod and oil yield in the Evening Primrose more than Rapeseed in almost all conditions. Fertilization scarcely affected lipid composition. In particular, an increase in the oleic acid concentration was found only when N + K or N + P + K were applied compared to the sole N or sole K applications. These results suggest that P and K differentially influenced yield components of both species and that Evening Primrose was less adapted than Rapeseed to a scarce nutrient supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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19 pages, 676 KiB  
Article
Productivity of Paddies as Influenced by Varied Rates of Recommended Nutrients in Conjunction with Biofertilizers in Local Landraces
by T. H. Nataraja, Raja Naika, Shashidhar K. Shankarappa, Krishna Viswanatha Reddy, Shaimaa A. M. Abdelmohsen, Fatemah F. Al-Harbi, Tarek K. Zin El-Abedin, Hosam O. Elansary and Ashraf M. M. Abdelbacki
Agronomy 2021, 11(6), 1165; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11061165 - 07 Jun 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2406
Abstract
This research work explores the productive performance of local paddy landraces under different fertility levels as well as the role of microbial inoculants in improving the yields of paddy landraces and reducing nutrient additions by increasing nutrient use efficiency under changing climatic scenarios [...] Read more.
This research work explores the productive performance of local paddy landraces under different fertility levels as well as the role of microbial inoculants in improving the yields of paddy landraces and reducing nutrient additions by increasing nutrient use efficiency under changing climatic scenarios in coastal areas. The landrace Padmarekha recorded taller plants, more tillers per hill, higher total dry matter accumulation other than grain and straw yields besides better uptake of N, P2O5, K2O, S and Zn. Further, nutrient management with the application of 100% of the recommended doses of fertilizers combined with biofertilizers including Azospirillum + Bacillus megatherium var. Phosphoticum + Frateuria quaratia + Thiobacillus thiooxidans + Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza recorded higher growth and yield traits in addition to improving the uptake of nutrients and partial factor productivity. Thus, it can be concluded that the application of 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer, inoculated with biofertilizers, would be helpful in increasing the efficiency of applied nutrients in addition to improving yield and nutrient use efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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16 pages, 2859 KiB  
Article
Agro-Environmental Sustainability of Anaerobic Digestate Fractions in Intensive Cropping Systems: Insights Regarding the Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Crop Performance
by Federico Grillo, Ilaria Piccoli, Ivan Furlanetto, Francesca Ragazzi, Silvia Obber, Tiziano Bonato, Francesco Meneghetti and Francesco Morari
Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 745; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11040745 - 12 Apr 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2403
Abstract
Digestate is an anaerobic digestion by-product rich in inorganic-nitrogen (N) that can be used as an organic fertilizer. Digestate agronomic efficiency and its impact on the environment have not yet been studied in detail, therefore this study tries to fill this gap. The [...] Read more.
Digestate is an anaerobic digestion by-product rich in inorganic-nitrogen (N) that can be used as an organic fertilizer. Digestate agronomic efficiency and its impact on the environment have not yet been studied in detail, therefore this study tries to fill this gap. The agro-environmental sustainability of digestate fractions was evaluated in a holistic way by comparing the best management practices available in the Veneto Region agroecosystem. A farm experiment involving mineral fertilizer and both liquid and solid digestate fractions was established involving silage winter wheat and silage maize as main crops. Agro-environmental sustainability was investigated coupling crop performance analysis (e.g., yield, N uptake and N use efficiency (NUE)) with a novel proposed agro-environmental sustainability index (AESI) (i.e., product of the dry yield and NUE). The results showed that the liquid digestate fraction gave agronomic performances comparable to mineral fertilizers and a satisfying AESI while solid digestate showed lower performances. In conclusion, liquid digestate fractions might be an effective substitute for mineral fertilizers in the Veneto region agroecosystem reaching encouraging levels of agro-environmental sustainability. On the contrary, longer-term experiments are requested to evaluate solid digestate fraction sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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19 pages, 1231 KiB  
Article
Plant Growth, Yields and Fruit Quality of Processing Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) as Affected by the Combination of Biodegradable Mulching and Digestate
by Luigi Morra, Eugenio Cozzolino, Antonio Salluzzo, Francesco Modestia, Maurizio Bilotto, Salvatore Baiano and Luisa del Piano
Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 100; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11010100 - 07 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2668
Abstract
In order to improve environmental sustainability of tomato cultivation and the quality of the harvested fruits, we tested (a) the digestate from anaerobic fermentation of buffalo slurries as partial replacing of NP fertilizers and (b) the biodegradable mulching to improve the nutrients and [...] Read more.
In order to improve environmental sustainability of tomato cultivation and the quality of the harvested fruits, we tested (a) the digestate from anaerobic fermentation of buffalo slurries as partial replacing of NP fertilizers and (b) the biodegradable mulching to improve the nutrients and water availability for crop and to control weeds. In 2017–2018, a private farm of Campania region hosted a trial with four treatments deriving from the combination of two experimental factors: (1) fertilization strategy (standard farm NPK fertilization vs. digestate combined with reduced rates of NP fertilizers); (2) soil mulching (biodegradable mulching vs. no mulching). We measured fresh and dry aboveground biomass (fruits and stem + leaves), yields, fruits quality. Results pointed out: (1) combination of digestate with reduced rates of NP fertilizers did not decrease yields compared to complete mineral fertilization; (2) yields were improved in 2017 by synergic effects of soil mulching and combination of digestate and reduced rates of NP fertilizers; (3) in both the years, digestate combined with reduced rates of NP fertilizers and soil mulching determined the significant improving of fruits quality parameters interesting the processing industry, namely, fruit color, and firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity while antioxidant activity, contents of ascorbic acid, polyphenols, flavonoids, and lycopene showed responses variable with year or cultivar. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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13 pages, 2247 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Watermelon Nutrient Requirements Based on the QUEFTS Model
by Furong Kang, Zhichao Wang, Huaye Xiong, Yujia Li, Yuheng Wang, Zihan Fan, Huanyu Zhao, Dejiao Kuang, Zhihui Chen, Jie Wang, Xinhua He, Xinping Chen, Xiaojun Shi and Yueqiang Zhang
Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1776; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy10111776 - 13 Nov 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3561
Abstract
Estimating balanced nutrient requirements for a watermelon plantation is essential to increase its fruit yield and nutrient use efficiency. This is vital for China, which produces 60% of world’s watermelons with excessive fertilizer application. Therefore, datasets between 2000 and 2019 from field experiments [...] Read more.
Estimating balanced nutrient requirements for a watermelon plantation is essential to increase its fruit yield and nutrient use efficiency. This is vital for China, which produces 60% of world’s watermelons with excessive fertilizer application. Therefore, datasets between 2000 and 2019 from field experiments in major watermelon producing regions across China were collected to assess relationships between fruit yield and nutrient uptake, and to estimate nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) requirements for a target yield using a modified Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model. The results showed that the QUEFTS model predicted a linear increase in fruit yield to 60–70% of the total potential yield when balanced amounts of N, P, and K nutrients were absorbed. To produce 1000 kg of watermelon, 2.11 kg N, 0.27 kg P, and 2.69 kg K were required in shoot, and the corresponding internal efficiencies (IE) were 475, 3682, and 372 kg fruit per kg of N, P, and K, respectively. The modified QUEFTS model also simulated a balanced N, P, and K removal by fruit (accounting for 50.9%, 58.2%, and 66.4% of these nutrient accumulations in shoots, respectively). Field validation experiments further verified that the modified QUEFTS model could be used for estimating balanced nutrient requirements. Results from this study can provide practical guidance on fertilizer recommendations for improving fruit yield while preventing excessive or deficient nutrient supplies in China’s watermelon plantations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Methods for Plant Nutrition Management)
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