Advances in intergrated nutrient management for crop production in Nigeria

High and sustainable crop yields in the tropics have been reported to be only possible with judicious combination of mineral fertilizers and organic amendments. Fertilizing croppings to achieve this has usually been a difficult task to achieve. The growth and yield of maize cultivated with a complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers was assessed compared with sole organic and sole inorganic fertilizers between April and July 2003 and 2004 at Ibadan, Nigeria, in the degraded tropicalrain forest zone. There was a no-fertilizer treatment as the control. The organic fertilizer was an equal mixture of composted domestic waste and stale cow dung, applied at 10 tonnes ha-1. Urea and Single super phosphate were applied as the inorganic fertilizer to supply 70 kg N and 13 kg P2O5 ha-1 respectively. The mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment consisted of half the rates used for sole organic and sole inorganic fertilizer treatments: 5 tonnes organic mixture was applied, with 35 kg N and 6.5 kg P2O5. Maize plant height at 8 weeks after planting washighest with inorganic fertilizer application while the leaf area was highest with organic fertilizer application. Stover yield and cob yields were also highest with inorganic fertilizer. Complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers however had similar plant heights; stover yield as well as cob yields with inorganic fertilizer. Nitrogen appeared chelated with organic fertilizer application. Plant ear – leaf Nitrogen was highest (1.68%) with inorganic fertilizer while the control plots had a Nitrogen content of 1.12% which was higher than 0.84% and 0.98% N from sole organic and a complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, respectively. Plant P content was increased by 136% and 15% with organic and inorganic fertilizers, respectively, but was reduced by 15% with complementaryapplication of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The K content was highest with inorganic fertilizer (1.91%). Complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers had a K content of 1.70% while the organic – fertilized leaves had 1.53%. Stover nutrient uptake was highest for N and K with inorganic fertilizer while the P was highest with organic fertilizer application. Cultivating maize with complementary organic and inorganic fertilizers gives a comparable cob yield as inorganic fertilizer and has nutrients higher than from sole organic fertilizer application.Key words: Maize, Fertilizer type, Nutrient uptake

Inorganic and organic fertilizers application enhanced antibiotic resistome in greenhouse soils growing vegetables

The use of inorganic fertilizers combined organic fertilizer is commonly applied by farmers to increase shallot production. Research was conducted to determine the proper dosage of organic fertilizer which can reduce the use of inorganic fertilizer. The research was conducted at Tawangargo Village, Karangploso district, Malang. The fertilizers were organic fertilizers, enriched with N-fixing bacteria and P solvent bacteria. The research used RCBD where the treatments were combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers. The dose of organic fertilizer enriched functional microbes was set at 2 t/ha, while the dose for inorganic fertilizer is a combination of 600 kg/ha NPK+200 kg/ha SP36+400 ZA+100 kg/ha ZK. As comparison, farmers applied organic fertilizer from cow manure and without fertilization as control. The results showed that standard dose 100% inorganic fertilizer (1,300 kg/ha) + 100% standard dose (2,000 kg/ha) microbial-enriched organic fertilizer increased RAE 2% that produced 12.50 t/ha dry shallots in comparison with the farmer control. By dose of 2 t/ha of organic fertilizer enriched with functional microbes, the results will be equivalent to local organic fertilizer of 10,000 kg/ha and it is more effective than local organic fertilizers from cow manure.

The efficacy of organic fertilizers can be enhanced when combined with inorganic fertilizers. An experiment was conducted in a tropical rainforest zone with organic and inorganic fertilizer alone and in combination, to assess growth and yield of amaranthus (Amaranthus caudatus L) and determine the optimum ratio of combined sources. Ratios of 25:75; 50:50, and 75:25 of organic : inorganic fertilizers were compared to organic (5 Mt·ha−1) and inorganic (400 kg·ha−1 20N–10P–10K) fertilizers alone. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves/plant, leaf area, and fresh yield were measured. Inorganic fertilizer produced taller plants, plants with more leaves, thicker stems, and higher leaf areas. The 50:50 nutrient source produced plants with similar stem diameter and leaf area. Fresh yield was highest (1191 kg·ha−1) at 4 weeks after planting. Combined sources had similar yields as inorganic or organic fertilizers. Amaranthus can be cultivated with organic sources to eliminate dependence on use of inorganic fertilizers.

Ensuring an adequate good nutritional supply has been a major concern of mankind over the millennia, and even in today’s modern world of great scientific and technological achievements. Fruits and vegetables are of great nutritional value and they are sources of vitamins and minerals, thus, essential components of human diet. Premise to the above challenge there is the need to evaluate the economics production of cucumber under different agronomic management in order to encourage local production among small holder farmers. Experiment to document the productivity of cucumber was in early and late cropping seasons of 2016 at Teaching and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The experimental design was a split-plot laid out in a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main plot include; four vine trailing methods (Staked, Trellised, Mulch and control) while sub-plots were six levels of organomineral fertilizers fortified in ratios (1:3, 1:1, 3:1 of organic with inorganic fertilizer;, 100% NPKha-1, 100% Organic Nha-1 and 0% Nha-1 as a control). The fertilizers were aimed to give 100% kg Nha-1. Data were collected on fruit yield per plot and yield was converted to hectare. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using (SAS, 2003). Means of significant treatments were separated using the Duncan`s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Also, gross margin analysis was carried out to know the profitability of the production seasons of cucumber. The data obtained from the experiments show that type of vine management and fertilizers significantly affected the yield of cucumber. Among the vine trailing methods investigated mulched method significantly enhanced the yield and subsequently produced the higher number of fruits and resulted in higher fruit yield per hectare. Ratio 1:1 combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers resulted in the highest number of cucumber fruits and economic return. Therefore, for effective production of cucumber, application of organic and mineral fertilizers at the ratio 1:1 with the use of straw mulching resulted in higher yield and better revenue. In addition, gross margin analysis reviewed that late raining season production of cucumber gives more income compared with early season production.

\nThis study objective was to determine the dose of organic and inorganic fertilizers which can increase N, P and K nutrients uptake as well as the growth and yield of sweet corn on inceptisol soil of lowland swamp. Inceptisol soil has low soil fertility and relatively low to moderate levels of organic matter content. Application of organic fertilizer on inceptisol soil of lowland swampis expected capable to increase N, P and K nutrients as well as yield of sweet corn. This research was conducted from April to July 2014 at Experimental Farm Area of Pulau Semambu Village, Indralaya Utara Subdistrict, Ogan Ilir District, South Sumatra Province. The method used in this research was randomized block design consisting treatments as follows: 75% inorganic fertilizer + 5 ton.ha−1organic fertilizer, 50% inorganic fertilizer + 5 ton.ha−1organic fertilizer, 25% inorganic fertilizer + 5 ton.ha−1 organic fertilizer, 0% inorganic fertilizer + 5 ton.ha−1organic fertilizer with six replications. The recommended dose of inorganic fertilizerswas 200 kg.ha−1 urea, 100 kg.ha−1 SP-36 and 100 kg. ha−1 KCl. The results showed that treatment of 75% of inorganic fertilizer + 5 ton.ha−1organic fertilizer had produced N, P and K nutrients uptake with magnitude of 1.850, 0.418 and 2.374 g.plant−1 respectively as well as good growth and yield of sweet corn with magnitude of 356.36 g. plant−1or 15.21 ton ha−1.\n

Field experiments were carried out at Kaguvi Vocational Training Centre located in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe, to determine the effect of planting date and fertilizer types in enhancing the productivity of spider plant, an indigenous leafy vegetable.The experimental design was a split-plot arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks.The planting date was the main plot with three levels (15/10/12, 30/01/13 and 15/02/13) and the fertilizer treatments as the subplots with seven levels including a control (no fertilizer applied), 20 t/ha cattle manure, 30 t/ha cattle manure, 5 t/ha poultry manure, 10 t/ha poultry manure, 300 kg/ha Compound D + 100 kg/ha ammonium nitrate and 300 kg/ha Compound D + 150 kg/ha ammonium nitrate).Growth parameters, vitamin A and C, crude protein, iron content, fresh and dry yield were significantly (p<0.05)increased by use of organic and inorganic fertilizers across all planting dates compared to the control where no fertilizers were added.The October 2012 planting date, combined with high rates of organic and inorganic fertilizers had the best response with regards to the variables measured, including the duration of the harvest period which was nine weeks, compared to the January and February planting dates where harvesting was for six weeks.The inorganic fertilizers provided readily available nutrients for uptake by the plants while the long production period for the October 2012 planting date enabled the organic manures (cattle and poultry manure) adequate time to release the nutrients for uptake, compared to the January 2013 and February 2013 planting dates.It can be concluded that there is merit in staggering the planting dates while using organic and inorganic fertilizers as the practice results in an extended harvest period.High rates of both inorganic and organic fertilizers are recommended for the different planting dates as follows; 30 t/ha cattle manure, 10 t/ha poultry manure, 300 kg/ha Compound D + 100 kg/ha ammonium nitrate and 300 kg/ha Compound D + 150 kg/ha ammonium nitrate.

Problem Statement: In assessing fertilizer effects to sustain an intensive cropping system, the residual effects of fertilizer applied to preceding maize on the growth and yield of cassava and the effects of intercropping with soybean were studied in field experiments at Ibadan, Nigeria. Approach: Maize, established in April was fertilized using either organic manure or inorganic fertilizer or a mixture of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers. Organic manure was an equal mixture of domestic waste collected from a composted refuse dumping site applied at l0 t ha-1. Inorganic fertilizer was 150kg N supplied as urea and 50 kg P ha-1 as Single Super phosphate fertilizer. The mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment was 5 tonnes organic manure and 75kg N+25 kg P ha-1. Cassava was established in June and soybean planted in July, after harvesting maize. Results: Organic fertilizer treatment gave the tallest Soybean plants of 53 cm. Plants from sole inorganic fertilizer and from a mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizers had comparable heights but were significantly lower than plants from sole organic fertilizer application. Organic fertilizer application gave the highest seed yield of 481 kg ha-1 that was significantly higher than 380 kg ha-1 observed from a mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Stover yield followed the same trend as seed yield. Cassava plant height was increased with fertilization but was reduced with intercropping. Sole organic fertilization had the tallest plants of 206 cm. Plant leaf area was neither significantly affected by fertilizer type nor cropping system. Fresh root yield was significantly reduced by 16% with soybean intercropping. Sole organic fertilizer application gave the highest yields of 22 tons ha-1 in sole crop and 18 tons ha-1 in intercrop with soybean. Conclusion: Cultivating an early season maize crop, followed by a cassava-soybean intercrop is more favored with application of 10 tons ha-1 organic fertilizer.

ABSTRACTWheat is a key cereal crop that is substantial to global food security. Fertilizers are crucial in wheat production and significantly impact the yield. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of inorganic, organic, and integrated fertilizers in terms of sustainable wheat production and economic and environmental benefits. For this review, we thoroughly examined 133 previous research findings. The results indicate that inorganic fertilizers play a vital role in improving wheat yield. However, continuous use of inorganic fertilizers pollutes the environment, affects beneficial microorganisms in the soil, and increases the emissions of greenhouse gases, consequently decreasing crop yield. Organic fertilizers enhance soil quality, which is critical for crop growth and development. However, a high concentration of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) are emitted from organic fertilizers, but the CO2 emission rate is less than the sequestration rate. Integrated fertilizers trade off the drawbacks of both inorganic and organic fertilizers. Integrated fertilizers decrease nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) emissions and carbon loss by 11%–24%, 13%–27%, and 18%, respectively, compared to the sole use of fertilizers. From the review analysis, the highest grain yield (4855 kg ha−1) and net benefit ($2836.66) are achieved by using a combination of 75% organic and 25% inorganic fertilizers at a rate of 120 kg N ha−1. Therefore, this combination is recommended for the users. Furthermore, a site‐specific approach research is needed on integrated fertilizers that simultaneously focus on economic and environmental profits. Also, there must be a policy that supports the farmers in teaching, training, and subsidizing them to adopt integrated fertilizers for sustainable wheat production and improving food security.

In recent times, achieving sustainability as a development goal is a global concern. In agricultural system, a conflict regarding accomplishing higher production with diminishing environmental risks is always being remained. Rapid growth in world population put higher pressure to increase the agricultural production which triggered the use of inorganic fertilizers to attain higher yield. Inorganic fertilization intensified the crop productivity by too many folds. However, this leads to gradual worsening in soil fertility. Unplanned land use pattern and improper inorganic fertilization practices degrade the soil quality. Moreover, misuses of inorganic fertilizers are resulting in health hazards and environmental problems. In consequences of these, concept of organic fertilization has been introduced as it can improve the soil health. Organic agriculture has the potentiality to sustain the ecosystem by ameliorating the detrimental effects of inorganic fertilizers. Yet organic fertilizers have some limitations regarding nutrient availability and sufficient food production issues which are essential to feed the increasing population. So advancement in agricultural management practices is required for food security. A judicious approach combining the inorganic and organic nutrient sources can be an effective alternative to maintain the soil characteristics which in turn increase the yield efficiency and curtail the environmental risks. Various researches on suitability of coupling application of inorganic and organic fertilizers to optimize the productivity and to achieve sound agricultural practices are ongoing worldwide. Such agricultural management practices have already been recognized by means of ensuring food security and safeguarding the environment.

A field experiment was conducted to find out a combination dose of a novel organic fertilizer (Organonitrophos, OP) and inorganic fertilizers (N, P, and K) for the growth and yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) during two planting periods of 2012-2013 and 2013- 2014 in ultisol soil (low in nutrients and organic matter) of Bandarlampung. The treatments were a six combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer. The experiments were laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The difference combination of Organonitrophos and NPK fertilizers showed significantly effects on the plant height, the NPK sorption of total plant and total root, and the yields of cassava. The highest NPK sorption of total plants and total yields and the highest yields of cassava were found in N45P36K120OP1,000 kg ha-1 combination for the two planting periods. Based on Relative Agronomic Effectiveness (RAE) of cassava root yield, it can be concluded that 45-36-120-1,000 N-P-K-Organonitrophos kg ha-1 was the best combination dose of inorganic and organic fertilizers for the production of cassava in ultisol soil of Bandarlampung. Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE [ How to Cite : Dermiyati, J Lumbanraja, IS Banuwa, S Triyono, O Maulida and D Agsari. 2015. Application of Organonitrofos and Inorganic Fertilizer on Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) in Ultisol Soil. J Trop Soils 20: 167-172. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2015.20.3.167 ]

The turnip (Brassica rapa) is an important plant from genus Brassica which is mostly cultivated as a vegetable crop. Usually, it is grown in the season when the temperature is low. The current review focuses on the importance of turnip due to its pharmacological importance and high phytochemical profile. Using different types of fertilizers can directly affect the growth and production of turnip. While growing turnip, inorganic and organic fertilizers can be used for the sake of higher yields. Among organic fertilizers, well rotten farmyard manure, poultry manure, and peat moss can be used. Whereas, Nitrogen (urea), Phosphorus (DAP) and Potassium (SOP) can be used in combinations as inorganic fertilizers to obtain good results. While using the organic fertilizers higher growth rate, yield, improved soil structure, low erosion, lower soil temperatures, soil aeration, help in developing healthy roots, facilitation in seed germination and increased soil water retention capacity can be observed. However, through inorganic fertilizers fast growth and easy availability to the crop can be obtained; moreover, inorganic fertilizers are convenient, affordable and can be provided in ample amounts. Literature review has revealed that the application of organic or synthetic fertilizers is necessary for the better growth of turnip plants.

This study was conducted at S & B Farm located in Eufaula, AL in 2014. The treatments were Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio); Inorganic fertilizer/“Farmer’s Mix” (NPK 13:13:13 + ammonium nitrate mixed in 3:1 ratio + Bio-grow) plus microbe mix; and Organic Fertilizer – Mighty Grow (4-3-4) with a microbe mix. All fertilizers were applied prior to mulch application after which the following crops squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) were directly seeded in a complete randomized design. The results showed that the inorganic fertilizer had higher yields (lbs/acre) than organic fertilizer. The addition of microbes to the inorganic fertilizer significantly increased the numbers of cucumbers and okra per acre. Overall, the “Farmer mix” with or without the addition of microbes significantly increased yields for all crops compared to the organic-based fertilizer.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the commonly found heavy metal contaminants in soil and has a toxic effect on plants and humans. Understanding the Cd resistance of soil microorganisms under different fertilization regimes can provide a theoretical basis for controlling heavy metal pollution by organic fertilizers. In order to investigate the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers on the Cd resistance level of soil microorganisms, paddy soil samples were taken in Changzhou, Shanggao, and Fuzhou. A functional gene array (GeoChip 5.0) was used to investigate the distribution of microbial Cd resistance genes. The results indicated that the content of available Cd in soil with organic fertilizer[(1.08±0.70) mg·kg-1] was significantly lower than that in soils with inorganic fertilizer[(3.75±1.22) mg·kg-1](P<0.05). A total of 639 Cd resistance genes were detected. The abundance of microbial Cd resistance gene in soil with organic fertilizer was higher than that of inorganic soil. The content of available Cd, moisture content, pH, and ammonium nitrogen were important environmental factors affecting the distribution of Cd resistant microorganisms. Analysis of the molecular ecological network of Cd resistant microorganisms showed that pH, moisture content, and the effective state of the Cd content were the main factors affecting the potential interaction of functional microorganisms with inorganic fertilizer, and the main factors were total potassium and moisture content with organic fertilizer. Compared with inorganic fertilizers, the application of organic fertilizers can improve the Cd resistance level of microorganisms in soil and promote positive relationships among Cd resistant soil microorganisms.

This field experiment research, conducted in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, from August 26, 2022 to December 10, 2022, attempted to assess the impact of different fertilizer interventions on sakurab (Allium chinense G. Don) yield. Having a Split Plot Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) set-up, the experiment had treatment factors such as organic fertilizers (Control, Vermicast, Chicken dung, Vermicast + Chicken dung) and inorganic fertilizers (Control, Complete Fertilizer 14-14-14, Ammonium phosphate 16-20-0, Urea 46-0-0). The objectives were to determine the growth and yield of sakurab with different organic and inorganic fertilizers and to assess the combined impact of such fertilizers on sakurab yield. The study indicated outstanding variations in plant height, which is a reflection of the synergistic benefit of the organic blend of vermicast and chicken dung. Inorganic fertilizers, in the form of Urea (46-0-0), had comparable effects to the use of no fertilizers. On leaf number, inorganic fertilizers significantly affected leaf number, whereas organic fertilizers were shown to guarantee balanced nutrition supply and soil fertility improvement. The study emphasized sakurab’s plasticity to fertilization treatment, with emphasis on resistance to synthetic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers greatly outperformed inorganic fertilizers in vegetative yield, and the vermicast and chicken dung blend had the greatest value. In summary, the research provides useful information to improve sakurab yield by using targeted fertilization techniques, highlighting the use of organic fertilization advantages and judicious inorganic fertilizer choice. The research advises farmers to implement a two-way chicken manure and vermicast system, look for alternatives of other inorganic fertilizers with optimal nutrient content, and build tolerance to adjusting fertilization techniques. Promotion of local and organic practices and ongoing research into synergistic fertilizer blends and economics is essential to sustainable sakurab cultivation.