There is a growing need to increase global crop yields, whilst minimising use of resources such as land, fertilisers and water. Agricultural researchers use ground-based observations to identify, select and develop crops with favourable genotypes and phenotypes; however, the ability to collect rapid, high quality and high volume phenotypic data in open fields is restricting this. This study dev...

Given the limited resources of fossil energy, and the environmental risks of excess fertilizer on crops, it is time to reappraise the potential role of food legume biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) as sources of nitrogen for cropping systems in China. 150 soil samples across 17 provinces and 2 municipalities of China were collected and analyzed. A distribution map of the soil fertilities and t...

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term fertilisation on soil aggregation and associated changes in organic carbon (SOC) nitrogen (N) pools aggregates. combined application mineral fertiliser manure improved aggregation, SOC N content aggregates, compared or alone, thus proved be a suitable strategy increase C sequestration agroecosystems.

One of the critical issues in using micronutrient fertilisers is comparison methods and amounts fertiliser use, which very important from aspect increasing production economic viewpoint. The aim this research was to analyse nutrient composition different parts maize (Zea mays L. FAO 490) during growing season with six-level nitrogen fertilisation supplies at five phenological stages. study incl...

Flooded paddy soil ecosystems in the tropics support the cultivation of the majority of the world's leading crop, rice, and nitrogen (N) availability in the paddy-soil rooting zone limits rice production more than any other nutritional factor. Yet, little is known about the dynamic response of paddy soil to N-fertiliser application, in terms of horizontal and vertical patchiness in N distributi...

Current fertiliser recommendations for nitrogen are limited in their accuracy and may be improved by the use of simple on-farm soil rapid tests. This paper investigates the potential for using nitrate (NO3) ion selective electrodes (ISEs) and dual wavelength UV spectroscopy as part of a rapid soil NO3 diagnostic test. Three soil types, representing the major soil types for agriculture in the we...

Nitrogen from fertilisers and crop residues can be lost as nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas that causes an increase in global warming and also depletes stratospheric ozone. Nitrous oxide emissions, soil chemical status, temperature and N2O concentration in the soil atmosphere were measured in a ®eld experiment on soil compaction in loam and sandy loam (cambisols) soils in south-east Scotla...

Wastewater from the fertiliser industry is characterised by high chloride concentration, normally varying between 60 and 76 g/ l. Experiments with biological denitrification were performed in laboratory-scale ‘fill and draw’ reactors with synthetic fertiliser wastewater, with chloride concentrations up to 96.7 g Cl/l at 37°C; the pH was controlled in the range 6.8 to 7.2. Potassium acetate was ...

Evidence for the role of silica in plants is reviewed with respect to the application of silicate based sprays in biodynamic agriculture. There is research indicating improved resistance to pests, disease, drought and other stresses on plants from application of silica fertilisers and sprays. There is also evidence of improved nutrient uptake. Experiments with field grown lettuce were undertake...