Journal of Plant Nutrition

Adotey, Regina Enninful; Shekoofa, Avat; Yin, Xinhua; Sheldon, Kendall; Pourebrahimi, Mohil; Adotey, Nutifafa; He, Zhongqi

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2431540pmid: N/A

Abstract Corn currently ranks first in global cereal production with an estimated total production of 1.22 billion metric tons in 2023. However, corn is the principal consumer of nitrogen (N) fertilizer globally, accounting for 20% of world fertilizer N consumption. Nitrogen uptake and utilization by crops essentially constitute nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and any constraint such as water-deficit stress in corn can reduce yield and NUE. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the two most limiting factors for corn productivity: water and N. Field studies were conducted in 2020 and 2021 using a randomized complete block design with four irrigation treatments. There were significant (p < 0.05) regression relationships between grain yield and chlorophyll index, N concentration, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The ability of corn plants to take up N from the soil (total N uptake and N uptake efficiency), to translocate N into grains (N harvest Index and N partitioning to grain), to produce grain dry matter per N unit accumulated in grains (Grain metabolic N use efficiency) and to utilize the absorbed N efficiently in grain mass formation (N utilization efficiency and N grain production efficiency) were significantly (p < 0.05) affected mostly by the yearly variation. There was no significant (p > 0.05) effect of the irrigation regimes on all the NUE indices except partial factor productivity which decreased significantly in the non-irrigated treatment compared to the irrigated. This indicated how supplemental irrigation supports increase in yield per unit of fertilizer N applied.

Faridnia, Amir; Paknejad, Farzad; Sadeghi Shoa, Mehdi; Ilkaee, Mohammad Nabi; AghaYari, Fayaz

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2432501pmid: N/A

Abstract Different strategies are required to mitigate drought stress in plants. In order to effect of nano micronutrient and cytokinin on wheat under different irrigation regimes, the experiment was performed in Karaj city, Iran. The experimental factors included irrigation regimes at three levels [I1: normal irrigation, I2: normal irrigation from planting date to pollination stage, and irrigation at 60% available moisture discharge afterward, I3: normal irrigation from planting date to pollination stage, then holding cutoff irrigation], was considered as the main plots. Nano microelements at five levels: [control, zinc, iron, selenium and a combination of three elements (zinc + iron + selenium)], and cytokinin at four levels [control, flowering stage, milking development, flowering stage + milking development], were placed as the subplots. The results indicated that irrigation, cytokinin and nano micronutrients were significant in the traits of this study. The interaction effects of the treatments were not significant. Drought significantly decreased grain yield and biomass. In irrigation treatments, I1 increased grain yield (70.8%), chlorophyll index (80.44%), and superoxide dismutase (57.71%) compared to I3. In nano micronutrients, the combination of three elements promoted grain yield (75%), chlorophyll index (87.67%), and superoxide dismutase (68.76%). Cytokinin plays a significant role in wheat yield promotion. In cytokinin spraying, the flowering + milking treatment raised grain yield (71.56%), chlorophyll index (62.97%), and superoxide dismutase (41.13%). The present study may thus help to increase wheat yield with normal irrigation, the interaction of microelements (zinc + iron + selenium) and cytokinin in flowering + milking stages and can suggest improving wheat yield.

Oyege, Ivan; Balaji Bhaskar, Maruthi Sridhar

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2434583pmid: N/A

Abstract Corn is a vital global crop, yet its cultivation demands extensive agrochemical inputs, prompting the need for sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the impact of vermicompost (VC) and vermicompost tea (VCT) applications on corn growth, physiology, and resistance to Fall Armyworm (FAW) infestation using advanced optical plant sensors. Six treatments were employed: V0 (control), VC1, VCT100, VC1 + VCT50, VC3, and VC3 + VCT50. During the growing season, plant growth parameters, such as height, chlorophyll content, and spectral reflectance were measured using a chlorophyll meter, fluorometer, porometer, and spectroradiometer. Results indicated that VC-treated plants exhibited superior growth and higher chlorophyll content than control or untreated plants. The VC1 + VCT50-treated plants showed robust resistance to FAW, with no infestation throughout the season, while VC1-treated plants showed delayed attack by FAW. Soil chemical analysis showed that VC and VCT treatments had similar nutrient concentrations as the control. Plant nutrient content was higher in VCT100 compared to all treatments. These findings suggest that the combined application of VC and VCT, particularly at specific application rates, can enhance corn plant health, mitigate pest damage, and optimize yield potential.

Dhar, Debabrata; Saha, Bholanath; Padhan, Dhaneshwar; Chatterjee, Nitin; Basak, Piu; Saha, Sushanta; Batabyal, Kaushik; Dutta, Swaraj Kumar; Hazra, Gora Chand

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2436469pmid: N/A

Abstract Potato is an important vegetable crop as well as the most important staple food crop in India after rice and wheat. Being one of the cheapest sources of energy rich natural nutritive foods, potato contains several antioxidant in minute quantities. Potato is highly sensitive to Zn deficiency and the yield and quality of tuber is affected in Zn deficient soils. Establishing the critical limit of Zn in soil and plant is highly essential for optimizing the Zn fertilization dose. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the critical limit of Zn in soil and plant. To assess the critical limit of Zn, four graded doses of Zn was administered in the form of ZnSO4.7H2O like Zn0: 0 kg Zn ha−1, Zn5.0: 5 kg Zn ha−1, Zn10.0: 10 kg Zn ha−1 and Zn20.0: 20 kg Zn ha−1. The result indicated Zn concentration below 0.49 mg kg−1 in soil showed Zn deficiency while the Zn concentration below 7.0 mg kg−1 would indicate deficiency of Zn in potato tuber in respect of yield and quality of potato. Similarly, the critical concentration of Zn in potato shoot was found to be 32.7 mg kg−1 (average of values determined by both graphical and statistical method). Below this concentration, it was considered to be deficiency of Zn in potato shoot which can influence yield and quality of potato. Moreover, the application of Zn @ 20.0 kg ha−1 showed higher response to biomass yield of potato and may be recommended for quality tuber production.

Farahani, Elahe; Tabatabai, Seyed Jalal; Khanqoli, Shahpour

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2439873pmid: N/A

Abstract Despite the lengthy history of saffron cultivation in Iran, the reliance on traditional methods persists and falls short of meeting the growing market demand. Greenhouse technologies and hydroponic cultivation provide a solution by boosting stigma production, reducing labor, and addressing climatic challenges. An experiment was conducted in 2019 at the research greenhouses of Shahed University to examine the impact of artificial light intensities and nutrient concentrations on the quantitative and qualitative performance of saffron under hydroponic conditions. The study followed a split-plot scheme based on a completely randomized design. The main factor involved varying white light intensities (2, 4, 8, and 16 mol.m−2.d−1), while the subfactor included different Hoagland nutrient solution concentrations (0.75, 1.4, and 2.8 dS.m−1). Results showed that optimal conditions (light intensity up to 8 mol.m−2.d−1 and nutrient concentrations of 0.75 to 1.4 dS.m−1) led to a 3.64-fold increase in saffron flower yield and a 2.09-fold increase in stigma dry weight. These treatments also significantly enhanced crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal content, improving the spice’s quality by 5.43, 10.30, and 8.22 times, respectively. Light intensity significantly influenced the weight of the mother corm, while nutrient concentration did not, although consistent nutrition combined with higher light intensity increased the mother corm’s diameter. These findings highlight the effectiveness of using light intensities up to 8 mol.m−2.d−1 and Hoagland nutrient concentrations of 0.75 to 1.4 dS.m−1 for hydroponic saffron cultivation in greenhouses.

Sarker, Protima Rani; Biswas, Dipak Ranjan; Bhattacharyya, Ranjan; Basak, Biraj Bandhu; Sarkar, Abhijit; Das, Debarup; Dass, Anchal; Biswas, Sunanda; Singh, Renu

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2441302pmid: N/A

Abstract Integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers is inevitable to sustain intensive agricultural production; however, assessment of combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil phosphorus (P) fractions is yet to be understood. This study aims to investigate availability, distribution, and fractions of soil P as influenced by long-term fertilization under soybean-based cropping systems in Vertisol. Soil samples were collected during 2021 from a 17-year-old field experiment with six treatments viz., T1: 100% Organic, T2: 75% Organic + 25% Innovative approach, T3: 50% Organic + 50% Inorganic, T4: 75% Organic + 25% Inorganic, T5: 100% Inorganic, and T6: State recommendation under soybean-wheat, soybean-mustard, and soybean-chickpea cropping systems at two soil depths after wheat, mustard, and chickpea, and examined for 0.5 M NaHCO3-P, total P, inorganic P, and different P fractions namely, saloid-P (1 M NH4Cl), aluminium-P (0.5 M NH4F), iron-P (0.1 M NaOH), calcium-P (0.25 M H2SO4), and reductant soluble-P (0.3 M Na3C3H6O7 + 1 M NaHCO3 + Na2S2O3). Results demonstrates that continuous fertilization using organic, inorganic, and their combination influences soil P dynamics. Soybean-chickpea system was found better in sustaining P availability. Higher NaHCO3-P was observed under 50% organic + 50% inorganic plot. Inorganic fertilizer dominated soil P accumulation as observed from higher inorganic fractions, and total P. Addition of organic manure could contribute to solubilization of fixed-P fractions and renders plant available form. It can be concluded that fertilization with organic manures and inorganic fertilizer should be followed so that 25–50% costly P-fertilizers could be saved for crop production under soybean-based cropping systems in Vertisols.

Moraes, Ana Renata Abreu de; Araújo, Suzana Romeiro; Silva Junior, Mário Lopes da; Lins, Paulo Manoel Pontes; Gomes, Maynara Santos; Gomes, Mila Façanha; Marques, Jonathan Dias; Dias, Victor Henrique Rodrigues

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2442724pmid:

Halshoy, Hawar Sleman; Rasul, Kamaran Salh; Ahmed, Hiwa M.; Mohammed, Hewa Abdullah; Mohammed, Aram Akram; Ibrahim, Abdulrahman Smail; Braim, Shwana Ahmed

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2442726pmid: N/A

Abstract Broccoli is considered a highly valuable vegetable due to its significant enrichment with health-promoting biochemicals. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the responses of broccoli plants to different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) applied via foliar spray and organic fertilizer (OF) applied to the soil. The results revealed that 40 mg/L TiO2NPs had the greatest effect on leaf dry matter (16.38%), total polyphenolic content (39.77 μg GAE/g FM), nitrogen (1.93%), and phosphorus content (0.35%) compared to the control and other treatments. OF applied at 30 L/ha improved the chlorophyll content (1.99 μg/g FM). Furthermore, vegetative and root growth, fruit characteristics, and potassium content were significantly influenced by the interaction of 20 mg/L TiO2NPs with 15 L/ha OF. The combination of 20 mg/L TiO2NPs with 30 L/ha OF resulted in the most significant increase in root diameter (8.77 mm), chlorophyll b (0.40 μg/g FM), carotenoid (0.50 μg/g FM), and total flavonoid content (4.56 μg QE/g FM) compared to control plants and single effect of TiO2NPs and OF. The combination of 40 mg/L TiO2NPs with 15 L/ha OF increased the number of roots (21.84), and 40 mg/L TiO2NPs with 30 L/ha OF significantly increased total soluble solids (7.85°Brix) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (5.12 μg/g FM). This study established that TiO2NPs were more effective for enhancing broccoli plant growth when applied in combination with OF and can be recommended for use in sustainable agriculture, particularly at the interaction of 20 mg/L TiO2NPs with 15 and 30 L/ha OF.

Zhang, Kaiyi; Zhang, Lu

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2442729pmid: N/A

Abstract As global waste management challenges grow and the demand for sustainable horticulture increases, green waste (GW) has emerged as a key resource for compost production. However, this kind of green waste compost (GWC) has numerous difficulties when employed directly because of its inherent limits. It includes poor bulk density, irregular nutrient content and inadequate porosity. This study was to investigate the impact of various ratios of vermicompost (VC; 0%, 10%, 20%) and pond sediment (PS; 0%, 10%, 25%) on GWC and their potential use as substrates for floriculture in order to get over these restrictions. The total fresh weight (TFW), total dry weight (TDW), and total chlorophyll (TChl) of stevia were measured, alongside a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical properties of the enhanced substrate. TFW, TDW, and TChl of stevia in T5 were increased by 140%, 78%, and 30%, respectively, compared to the unmodified GWC. The optimal cultivation substrate for stevia was provided by the most comprehensive evaluation index, which reached 0.76. This study effectively utilized waste materials to improve the fertility and structure of the cultivation substrate, significantly enhancing nutrient uptake and promoting stevia growth and development, resulting in a dual improvement in yield and quality. Moreover, the study contributes to the creation of a more efficient and friendly horticultural ecosystem, demonstrating how waste can be converted into valuable resources and offering innovative solutions for waste management. These outcomes support sustainable development and optimize waste management strategies.

Mondal, Krishnendu; Jana, Kalyan; Saha, Priyanka; Paramanik, Bappa; Mondal, Ramyajit; Agrawal, R. K.; Das, Bimal; Kundu, Arindam

doi: 10.1080/01904167.2024.2443112pmid: N/A

Abstract The food-forage production system is crucial for the sustainability and livelihood of resource-poor farming communities. This study evaluates the impact of various nutrient sources on the sustainable production of oats as a fodder crop and green gram as a sequence crop. Application of nitrogen and phosphorus are key factor that affects the quality and yield of fodder. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of various combinations of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the sustainable production of green gram as a sequence crop and oats as a fodder crop. The highest grain yield, overall system productivity, and oats equivalent yield of green forage and green gram were obtained from the treatment (T6) with combination of 75% of the recommended nitrogen dose + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria @ 15 kg/ha + Azotobactor @ 10 g/kg seed + zinc sulfate (ZnSO4, 7H2O) @ 20 kg/ha. Additionally, T6 markedly increased the amount of crude protein content, dry matter yield, nutrient uptake, and forage quality in both green gram and oats. According to the energy balance analysis, T6 had the highest levels of energy use efficiency and energy profitability. Results also showed that T6 had superior irrigation and total water productivity, as well as enhanced soil microbial populations. The treatment (T6) produced the highest gross and net returns despite having the highest cultivation costs, indicating that combining organic and inorganic fertilizer sources can increase agricultural profitability.