We studied the effects of applying different composts (urban organic waste, green waste, manure and sewage sludge), mineral fertilizer and compost plus mineral fertilizer on chemical, biological and soil microbiological parameters over a 12-year period. The organic C and total N levels in soils were increased by all compost and compost + N treatments. Microbial biomass C was significantly (P £ ...

This paper presents the effect of soil supplementation with urea and magnesium on nitrogen uptake and its utilization by two different types of hybrid maize cultivars. Based on the results of 3-year fertilization studies, it was shown that for average volume of grain yield of maize, nitrogen content in grain dry matter and nitrogen uptake with its yield was significantly determined by the doses...

of plant residue C and N. Application of 15N-labeled fertilizer or maize residue together resulted in more than The role of mineral fertilizer-N inputs and N deposition to agricultwice as much 15N recovered from fertilizer than from tural and natural ecosystems can affect plant residue decomposition and soil C processes. Yet it is still unclear whether residue-N or residue in the SOM (Dourado-N...

The source and quantity of nutrients available to plants can affect the quality of leafy herbs. A study was conducted to compare quality of Cosmos caudatus in response to rates of organic and mineral-based fertilizers. Organic based fertilizer GOBI (8% N:8% P₂O₅:8% K₂O) and inorganic fertilizer (15% N, 15% P₂O₅, 15% K₂O) were evaluated based on N element rates at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg h⁻¹. Appl...

Received: Revised: Accepted: December 21, 2010 May 03, 2011 May 04, 2011

Fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy were explored to investigate the movement and localization of mineral oils in citrus. In a laboratory experiment, fluorescence microscopy observation indicated that when a 'narrow' distillation fraction of an nC23 horticultural mineral oil was applied to adaxial and opposing abaxial leaf surfaces of potted orange [Citrus x aurantium L. (Sapind...

Grasslands provide grass and fodder to sustain the growing need for ruminant meat and milk. Soil nutrients in grasslands are removed through withdrawal in these livestock products and through animal manure that originates from grasslands and is spread in croplands. This leads to loss of soil fertility, because globally most grasslands receive no mineral fertilizer. Here we show that phosphorus ...