Beyond its role as a major source of dietary energy, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has a substantial contribution to food security. Increasing demand for potato production highlights the necessity of developing efficient and economically sustainable cultivation technologies. This study evaluated the effects of six fertilization systems on tuber yield and economic efficiency, including conventional, intensive conventional, organic, low-rate controlled-release, high-rate controlled-release, and conventional fertilization supplemented with potassium. For the study, two potato genotypes developed in the Potato Research and Development Station with different maturity were used: Secuiana (semi-early) and Redsec (semi-late). The study was performed under the pedoclimatic conditions of Târgu Secuiesc, Romania, during 2023–2025. Highly significant effects (p < 0.001) of year, genotype, fertilization system, and their interactions were observed. Climatic conditions were the primary factor influencing varietal performance, with mean yields ranging from 18.39 t ha−1 during the drought year (2025) to 36.18 t ha−1 in the favorable year (2024). The highest three-year average yield was obtained under the high-rate fertilization system (RV5) in the Redsec genotype (32.33 t ha−1), whereas within the Secuiana genotype, the organic fertilization system (SV4) achieved the greatest economic efficiency by combining relatively high productivity (27.67 t ha−1) with the lowest production costs (EUR 638.7 ha−1) and the highest yield-to-cost ratio. These findings demonstrate that optimized nutrient management can significantly improve potato yield and economic efficiency under variable climatic conditions.
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and cash crop in Bangladesh; however, production in coastal regions is constrained by poor soil fertility and salinity stress. Vermicompost has emerged as a sustainable soil amendment capable of improving soil health and crop productivity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different rates of supplementary vermicompost under a recommended inorganic fertilizer regime on the growth and yield of the potato cultivar BARI Alu-88 under coastal conditions. The experiment was carried out during the 2021–2022 growing season at the field of Noakhali Science and Technology University using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: T₀ = control (recommended inorganic fertilizer only), T₁ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 3.5 t ha⁻¹, T₂ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 5.5 t ha⁻¹, and T₃ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 7.5 t ha⁻¹, with three replications each. Supplementary vermicompost application significantly (P ≤ .01) improved all growth and yield attributes compared with the recommended inorganic fertilizer alone. The highest vermicompost rate (T₃) produced the tallest plants (56.73 cm), the greatest numbers of leaves (495.03 hill⁻¹), stems (7.60 hill⁻¹), and tubers (21.55 plant⁻¹), and the highest gross tuber yield (40.44 t ha⁻¹) and marketable yield (36.79 t ha⁻¹). Moreover, T₃ reduced the proportion of small-sized tubers (19.32%) while increasing the proportion of large-sized tubers (50.05%). The findings indicate that supplementary vermicompost application under the recommended inorganic fertilizer regime markedly enhanced vegetative growth, tuber development, and yield performance of BARI Alu-88 under coastal conditions. Although vermicompost is recognized as an environmentally friendly soil amendment, its adoption in the coastal saline areas of Bangladesh remains limited. The findings of the present study indicate that applying vermicompost at 7.5 t ha⁻¹ significantly improves the growth and yield of BARI Alu-88 under saline conditions. Therefore, supplementing the recommended inorganic fertilizer with vermicompost at 7.5 t ha⁻¹ can be recommended as an environmentally sustainable nutrient-management strategy for improving potato productivity in the coastal regions of Bangladesh.
Md Billal Hossain, Hania Aslam, M. Ali et al.· Asian Journal of Research in...· 0 citations
Chemical fertilization is essential for increasing yields in various crops, including
Sorghum bicolor
. Currently, there is increasing interest in sustainable alternatives, such as microbial-based biostimulants. Among the most widely used microorganisms,
Trichoderma
spp. are well-known plant growth-promoting fungi. The objective of this study was to evaluate biological strategies for reducing fertilizer use in grain sorghum through the application of
Trichoderma harzianum
combined with varying rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. Two experiments were conducted at the State University of Goiás, in Ipameri, Goiás, Brazil. The experimental design was a 4 × 5 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with five replications. In the nitrogen experiment, stabilized urea (N45) and conventional urea were applied, with or without
T. harzianum
, at nitrogen rates of 50, 70, 90, 110, and 130 kg N ha
-1
. In the phosphorus experiment, stabilized phosphorus sources (P35) and single superphosphate were applied at rates of 10, 80, 150, 220, and 290 kg P
2
O
5
ha
-1
. The evaluated variables included plant height, relative chlorophyll content, days to flowering, stem diameter, fresh stem mass, fresh leaf mass, and dry grain mass. The treatment with stabilized urea (N45) combined with
T. harzianum
(T
2
) exhibited higher dry grain mass at the maximum nitrogen rate (130 kg N ha
-1
), which was associated with higher photosynthetic activity, greater consistency of stem diameter growth, and increased leaf mass compared to the conventional urea treatment (T
3
). In the phosphorus experiment, treatment T
2
(stabilized phosphorus – P35 combined with
T. harzianum
) exhibited the highest dry grain mass at 290 kg P
2
O
5
ha
-1
. In this case, the increase in grain yield was attributed to higher photosynthetic activity, greater plant height and stem diameter, and increased fresh stem and leaf mass, despite fewer days to flowering, compared with T
3
(single superphosphate).
Cintia da Silva de Oliveira, Rikelme Matheus dos Santos Relvas, Rithielly Machado Rodrigues de Araújo et al.· Frontiers in Agronomy· 0 citations
Wheat productivity is constrained by declining soil fertility and low nutrient-use efficiency resulting from the continuous dependence on chemical fertilizers. Integrated Nutrient Management, through the judicious integration of organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources, offers a sustainable approach to enhance crop growth, yield, soil health, and long-term productivity; however, its effectiveness in combination with nano-fertilizers requires further evaluation. Therefore, a field experiment was planned during the Rabi season of 2024-25 and 2025-26, at the research farm of Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana. The experiment was laid out in a two-factorial randomized block design with three replications. Factor A comprised two wheat varieties (WH 1270 and DBW 222), while Factor B consisted of eight nutrient management treatments involving RDF, vermicompost (2 t/ha), foliar nano urea (1250 mL/ha), foliar nano DAP (1250 mL/ha), and Azotobacter applied alone or in combination. The pooled data revealed that the variety DBW 222 showed significantly higher plant height (94.34 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (65.77), DMA/meter row length (224.82 g), LAI (5.56), spike length (9.84 cm), grains/spikes (48.31), effective tillers/m2 (300.80), test weight (40.27 g), grain yield (5042 kg/ha) and straw yield (6651 kg/ha) over variety WH 1270. Among various nutrient combinations, maximum plant height (104.65 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (70.51), DMA/meter row length (251.73 g), LAI (6.18), spike length (10.88 cm), grains/spikes (51.37), effective tillers/m2 (322.57), test weight (42.21 g), grain yield (5642 kg/ha) and straw yield (7439 kg/ha) was recorded with treatment T3 (100% RDF with vermicompost @ 2t/ha) which was found at par with T5 and T4. These treatments were found superior over T2, T6, T8 and T7. The least were found in T1
Sanjeev Kumar, I.S. Singh· Research on Crops· 0 citations
Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is an important pulse crop with considerable potential to enhance food and nutritional security, improve soil fertility, and increase farmers’ incomes in Afghanistan. However, its productivity remains constrained by the widespread use of low-yielding varieties and the challenges associated with semi-arid climatic conditions. This study evaluated the Agronomic performance and yield potential of four mung bean varieties under the Agro climatic conditions of Kabul, Afghanistan, where low annual precipitation, high summer temperatures, and climatic variability limit crop production. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of four treatments: Helmandi (T1), Local (T2), 08 Certified (T3), and 07 Certified (T4), with six replications. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were compared using an appropriate mean separation test.
The results demonstrated significant differences (P < 0.05) among the evaluated varieties. The 07 Certified variety (T4) produced the highest mean grain yield (1,833.77 kg ha⁻¹), followed by 08 Certified (T3) (1,720.72 kg ha⁻¹), Local (T2) (1,378.87 kg ha⁻¹), and Helmandi (T1) (643.56 kg ha⁻¹). Mean comparison analysis confirmed significant differences among all varieties, with the performance ranking as T4 > T3 > T2 > T1. The superior yield performance of the 07 Certified variety indicates its greater adaptability and productivity under the semi-arid conditions of Kabul. These findings highlight the importance of promoting improved certified mung bean varieties to enhance crop productivity, support climate resilient agricultural systems, and contribute to improved food security and rural livelihoods in Afghanistan. Further multi location and multi-season evaluations are recommended to assess the stability, adaptability, and potential for wider adoption of the 07 certified variety.
Fazalellahi Hamdard, Dalila Saidi, Safiullah Jawhar· International Journal of Cur...· 0 citations
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production requires sustainable fertilization practices to improve productivity while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This study evaluated the effects of different BioDeposit Elixir organic fertilizer application rates on the agronomic and economic performance of two tomato varieties under field conditions in Côte d’Ivoire. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024-2025 cropping season using a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of two varieties (Petomech+ and Cobra 26 F1) and five application rates (0, 12, 15, 20, and 25 mL per 10 m²), with three replications. Morphological, phenological, yield, fruit quality, postharvest, and economic traits were evaluated. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance followed by the Newman–Keuls multiple range test at P < 0.05. BioDeposit Elixir significantly affected most traits. Significant variety × BioDeposit Elixir dose interactions were observed for stem collar diameter, plant height, flowering time, fruit diameter, fruit fresh weight, gross yield, and shelf life. The 25 mL rate generally produced the highest values. Cobra 26 F1 showed superior performance for several traits, including plant height, fruit diameter, gross yield, and shelf life. The number of leaves, number of flowers, fruit appearance, harvest timing, and blossom-end rot incidence were mainly affected by the variety and/or BioDeposit Elixir dose without significant interaction. The 25 mL rate also resulted in the highest net economic value under both selling price scenarios (700 and 900 XOF kg⁻¹). Overall, BioDeposit Elixir improved several agronomic, postharvest, and economic traits, with responses depending on the trait and variety. The 25 mL rate provided the best overall performance under the experimental conditions.
Yaya Toure, Laddy Ouattara, Tchoa Koné et al.· World Journal of Advanced Re...· 0 citations
Flax is an important dual-purpose crop cultivated for fiber and seed production, but its productivity depends strongly on cultivar selection and nutrient-management practices. This study evaluated the response of two flax cultivars to nitrogen rates and foliar applications of silicon, sulphur and iron under field conditions. The experiment was conducted during the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 winter seasons at Etay El-Baroud Agricultural Research Station, Egypt, using a split-split plot design. The main plots included two cultivars, Giza 11 and Giza 12, while nitrogen fertilisation at 75% and 100% of the recommended dose was assigned to sub-plots. Foliar treatments containing Fe-EDTA, potassium silicate and potassium thiosulphate were applied individually and in combinations at 50, 60 and 85 days after sowing. The results showed that capsule number, seed yield, straw yield, technical length and mineral content were influenced by interactions among cultivar, nitrogen rate and foliar treatment. Giza 12 generally showed higher seed productivity, with seed yield ranging from 0.43 to 0.66 Mg fed⁻¹, whereas Giza 11 ranged from 0.43 to 0.57 Mg fed⁻¹. Combined foliar treatments, especially Si × S, Si × Fe and S × Fe, often produced better yield related responses than individual applications. The findings indicate that cultivar-specific integration of nitrogen and foliar nutrient management can improve flax productivity under the tested conditions.
Amira M. Hassen, S. Abdelaziz, I. Sallam et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations