Development of Standard Concentrations of Foliar Nutrients for Saskatoon

Soil and foliar samples were collected from saskatoon orchards in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta, Canada from 1997 to 1999 and analyzed for macro- and micronutrient content. Foliar samples were collected twice a month from the end of May until September in 1997 to examine the pattern of change in foliar nutrient concentrations throughout the season and to determine the most stable time period for foliar sampling. This period was determined to be from the last week in July until mid-August. Nutrient concentrations of foliar samples collected during this period from 1997 to 1999 were summarized according to the mean, median, minimum, and maximum values. Mean foliar nutrient concentrations were as follows: 2.48% nitrogen (N), 0.18% phosphorus (P), 1.15% potassium (K), 0.15% sulfur (S), 1.52% calcium (Ca), 0.50% magnesium (Mg), 6.9 ppm copper (Cu), 106 ppm iron (Fe), 124 ppm manganese (Mn), 16 ppm zinc (Zn), and 27 ppm boron (B). A number of significant positive correlations were found between soil and foliar levels of a nutrient, with the majority of these correlations occurring for the nutrients Cu, P, and Mn. Another study conducted during 2001–2002 examined differences in the foliar nutrient concentrations of the saskatoon cultivars ‘Smoky’ and ‘Thiessen’ sampled from nine orchards in Saskatchewan. Foliar concentrations of N, K, S, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Zn, and B were significantly higher in ‘Smoky’ than in ‘Thiessen,’ whereas foliar K content was higher in ‘Thiessen’ than in ‘Smoky’.     

Nitrogen Rate Influence on Pearl Millet Yield,Nitrogen Uptake,and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Nebraska

Abstract

Pearl millet is a potential dryland crop for Nebraska. Experiments were conducted in eastern Nebraska in 2000, 2001, and 2002, and in western Nebraska in 2000 and 2001. The objectives were to determine optimum nitrogen (N) rate, N uptake, and N use efficiency (NUE) for pearl millet. The hybrids “68×086R” and “293A×086R” and N rates of 0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha^?1 were used. Hybrids had similar yield, N uptake and NUE responses. In western Nebraska in 2000, pearl millet yield response to N rate was linear, but the yield increase was only 354 kg ha^?1 to application of 135 kg N ha^?1. In eastern Nebraska, pearl millet response to N rate was quadratic with maximum grain yields of 4040 in 2001 and 4890 kg ha^?1 in 2002 attained with 90 kg N ha^?1. The optimum N rate for pearl millet was 90 kg N ha^?1 for eastern Nebraska. For western Nebraska, drought may often limit pearl millet's response to N fertilizer.     

Organic Lettuce Growth And Nutrient Uptake Response To Lime,Compost And Rock Phosphate

Fertilizer recommendations are needed to increase organic vegetable yields. Thus, organic lettuce growth and nutrient uptake was investigated in a randomized block pot experiment with twelve treatments from the factorial structure of three factors: (i) Gafsa phosphate [0 and 200 kg phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) ha^?1], (ii) compost from source separated municipal organic waste (0, 15, and 30 t ha^?1) and (iii) limestone [0 and 8 t ha^?1 calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) equivalent]. Lettuce yield increased with compost application and a first order interaction between lime and phosphate was clear because lime partially replaced the need for phosphate. This was explained by the effect of liming on P availability in acid soils. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) accumulation increased in lettuces produced with compost or phosphate but only the accumulation of N was increased with lime. This compost is recommended to increase nutrient availability for organic lettuce whereas the need for phosphate fertilization may decrease with liming.     

Comparative Effect of Nitrogen Forms on Nitrogen Uptake and Cotton Growth Under Salinity Stress

The effects of nitrogen (N) forms (ammonium- or nitrate-N) on plant growth under salinity stress [150 mmol sodium chloride (NaCl)] were studied in hydroponically cultured cotton. Net fluxes of sodium (Na⁺), ammonium (NH₄⁺), and nitrate (NO₃^?) were also determined using the Non-Invasive Micro-Test Technology. Plant growth was impaired under salinity stress, but nitrate-fed plants were less sensitive to salinity than ammonium-fed plants due mainly to superior root growth by the nitrate-fed plants. The root length, root surface area, root volume, and root viability of seedlings treated with NO₃-N were greater than those treated with NH₄-N with or without salinity stress. Under salinity stress, the Na⁺ content of seedlings treated with NO₃-N was lower than that in seedlings treated with NH₄-N owing to higher root Na⁺ efflux. A lower net NO₃^? efflux was observed in roots of nitrate-fed plants relative to the net NH₄⁺ efflux from roots of ammonium-fed plants. This resulted in much more nitrogen accumulation in different tissues, especially in leaves, thereby enhancing photosynthesis in nitrate-fed plants under salinity stress. Nitrate-N is superior to ammonium-N based on nitrogen uptake and cotton growth under salinity stress.     

苗期干旱胁迫下施氮对玉米氮素吸收和土壤生物化学性质的影响

研究苗期干旱胁迫下施氮对东北春玉米氮素吸收利用和土壤生物化学性质的影响,为区域玉米养分管理与逆境调控提供依据.研究设置水、氮二因素盆栽试验,土壤水分包括3个水平:田间持水量的30％(W0),50％(W1)和70％(W2);施氮量包括2个水平:不施氮(N0)和施氮0.24 g/kg(N1),测定不同水氮条件下玉米苗期的植...     

Soil Acidity Changes in Bulk Soil and Maize Rhizosphere in Response to Nitrogen Fertilization

The capacity of nitrogen (N) fertilizers to acidify the soil is regulated principally by the rate and N source. Nitrogen fertilizers undergo hydrolysis and nitrification in soil, resulting in the release of free hydrogen (H⁺) ions. Simultaneously, ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) absorption by roots strongly acidifies the rhizosphere, whereas absorption of nitrate (NO₃ ^?) slightly alkalinizes it. The rhizosphere effects on soil acidity and plant growth in conjunction with N rate are not clearly known. To assess the impact of these multiple factors, changes in the acidity of a Typic Argiudol soil, fertilized with two N sources (urea and UAN) at two rates (equivalent to 100 and 200 kg N ha^?1), were studied in a greenhouse experiment using maize as the experimental plant. Soil pH (measured in a soil–water slurry), total acidity, exchangeable acidity, and exchangeable aluminum (Al) were measured in rhizospheric and bulk soil. Plant biomass and foliar area (FA) were also measured at the V₆ stage. Nitrogen fertilization significantly reduce the pH in the bulk soil by 0.3 and 0.5 units for low and high rates respectively. Changes in the rhizosphere (the “rhizospheric effect”) resulted in a significant increase in soil pH, from 5.9 to 6.2. The rhizospheric effect × N source interaction significantly increased exchangeable acidity in the rhizosphere relative to bulk soil, particularly when UAN was added at a low rate. Only total acidity was significantly increased by the fertilizer application rate. In spite of the bulk soil acidification, no significant differences in exchangeable aluminum were detected. Aerial biomass and FA were significantly increased by the higher N rate, but N source had no effect on them. Although changes in acidity were observed, root biomass was not significantly affected.     

钾氮配施对大蒜生长和养分吸收的影响

连续三年多点研究钾氮配施对大蒜生长及养分吸收利用的影响。结果表明:施用钾肥对大蒜的生长发育有明显的促进作用,三年试验平均,蒜苗、蒜苔和蒜头产量较不施钾的对照分别增长29.8~53.7%、30.4~39.7%和19.8~28.2%,平均增产42.9%、35.5%和24.1%。施用适量的氮钾肥提高了大蒜地上部茎叶含N量,大幅度增加茎叶、蒜苔、蒜头和全株P、K含量,改善大蒜植株的营养状况。两种氮肥水平下,大蒜地上部茎叶、蒜苔、蒜头和全株吸N、吸K及吸P量均随钾肥施用量的加大而提高。钾氮配施可促进磷素和钾素向蒜头的转移,从而提高P和K的再利用程度。     

Nitrogen Application in Winter Wheat Grown in Mediterranean Conditions: Effects on Nitrogen Uptake,Utilization Efficiency,and Soil Nitrogen Deficit

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most growth restricting nutrients in cereal grain and represents one of the highest input costs in agricultural systems; therefore, environmental and economic considerations require the effective use of N fertilizer in plant production. This study was conducted for three years to better understand wheat plant response to optimize N fertilizer and how to reduce the risk of ground water pollution.

Two of the most important durum wheat cultivars in Southern Italy and four N fertilization levels (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha^{? 1}, indicated as N0, N60, N120, and N180, respectively) were compared in this experiment. During plant growth, fresh and dry matter, plant nutritional state (SPAD readings and stem nitrate content), and N uptake were determined. At harvest, plant N content, N uptake, grain yield, yield components and quality were determined, allowing the calculation of the pre- and postanthesis N uptake and the N utilization efficiency indices. Furthermore, at the beginning and at the end of each year, soil mineral N was measured to calculate mineral N deficit in the soil.

The results indicated that the treatment with 120 kg N ha^{? 1} of fertilizer ensures a good balance between yield and N utilization. In fact, N180 and N120 showed similar yield (3.01 and 3.07 t ha^{? 1}, respectively) and protein content (13.7 and 13.5 %). Meanwhile, throughout the three-year experiment, N180 presented the highest final mineral N content in the soil at the end of the cropping cycles, increasing the amount of N available for leaching. The N120 treatment showed the same values of N utilization indices as compared to N180, indicating that further doses of N fertilizer did not increase wheat N utilization. Plant N status shows that it is possible to modify the N fertilization to reach its optimum level during plant growth, in accordance with variable weather conditions, and consequently the plants requirements. The mean treatments of the preanthesis N uptake were about 67.5% of the total N uptake, and it was significantly and positively correlated with wheat yield. On the contrary, the postanthesis N uptake showed positive correlation with grain protein content, confirming the importance of late N supply in grains quality. The variation of weather conditions affected winter wheat yield, quality, N utilization and plant N status, but any difference throughout years was found between N180 and N120, confirming that higher N rate did not influence wheat growth, yield, and N uptake.     

Maturity Effects on Mineral Concentration and Uptake in Annual Ryegrass

ABSTRACT

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) provides livestock feed and captures nutrients from fields receiving manure application. The objective of this study was to determine relationships among maturity and yield, mineral uptake, and mineral concentration. Primary spring growth of ‘Marshall’ ryegrass was harvested every 7 d to 56 d maturity and was fertilized with swine effluent containing 254 and 161 kg nitrogen (N) and 42 and 26 kg phosphorus (P) ha^?1 for two years. Yield increased linearly to a maximum of 13.6 mg ha^?1 after 49 d in 2001 and 8.0 mg ha^?1 after 56 d in 2002. Mineral uptake was highly correlated (r > 0.95) with yield and attained a maximum single harvest of 192 kg N ha^?1 and 32 kg P ha^?1 (mean of two years). Concentration of all minerals except calcium (Ca) declined as ryegrass matured. Low magnesium (Mg) concentration (< 2 g kg^?1 dry matter) increases the risk of hypomagnesemic grass tetany.     

Improved Nutrient Uptake and Growth of Maize in Response to Inoculation with Thiobacillus and Mycorrhiza on an Alkaline Soil

Most plant nutrients are optimally available when soil pH is close to neutral. In this experiment the effects of Thiobacillus and Mycorrhiza on nutrient uptake and grain yield of maize were studied on an alkaline soil as a factorial experiment with randomized complete blocks design. Treatments consisted of Mycorrhiza fungi (M): inoculated (m₁) and noninoculated (m₀), Thiobacillus (T): inoculated (t₁) and noninoculated (t₀), and sulfur (S) (S₀, S₁: 250, and S₂: 500 kg ha^?1). Inoculation of Mycorrhiza, Thiobacillus, and S application decreased soil pH and increased grain yield and seed oil content. The lowest soil pH and the greatest S content were obtained from the combination of Thiobacillus and 500 kg ha^?1 S. Inoculation of Thiobacillus and S application significantly decreased root colonization. The greatest iron (Fe) content was in the combination of Mycorrhiza inoculation and 500 kg ha^?1 S. Grain P content significantly increased with Mycorrhiza inoculation and S application. The greatest grain yield obtained from combination of Thiobacillus with 500 kg ha^?1 S.     

氮肥运筹对滴灌甜菜产量、氮素吸收和氮素平衡的影响

以甜菜品种"Beta356"为材料,研究了氮素运筹[甜菜叶丛快速增长期、块根膨大期和糖分积累期的氮素追施比例分别为6∶3∶1、5∶3∶2、4∶4∶2(用N1、N2、N3表示),不施氮素的处理为对照(用CK表示)]对滴灌甜菜产量、氮素吸收和氮素平衡的影响。结果表明:各处理甜菜产糖量为N3N2N1CK,氮素运筹间差异不显著。与N1处理相比,适当降低叶丛快速生长期的氮素施用比例,有利于提高氮肥表观利用率和氮肥表观残留率,降低氮肥表观损失率。其中N2处理的氮肥表观利用率和氮肥表观残留率分别比N1和N3处理提高了-3.00%和22.00%,108.22%和-0.14%,N2处理的氮肥表观损失率分别比N1和N3处理降低了262.40%和65.25%。综合考虑产量、氮素利用和氮素平衡认为,N2处理具有较高经济效益和环境效益,是北疆滴灌甜菜合理氮素运筹模式。     

肥力梯度红壤上不同形态氮库对玉米吸氮量的贡献

不同形态的土壤氮素是作物吸收氮素的主要来源,而土壤肥力不仅影响氮素的含量,也影响氮素的有效性,进而影响作物对氮素的吸收利用。明确不同肥力红壤中各形态氮素的变化及其对作物吸氮量的贡献,可为阐明氮素循环机制和沃土培肥提供理论依据。2019年5月在湖南祁阳红壤实验站选取低肥力、中肥力和高肥力红壤进行田间微区试验,设置不施氮（N0）和常规施氮（N1）两个处理。分析了2020年玉米（该试验的第三季作物）种植前和收获后土壤矿质氮（MN）、固定态铵（FN）、微生物生物量氮（MBN）和可溶性有机氮（SON）含量的变化及其与玉米地上部吸氮量的关系,并通过结构方程模型（SEM）建立了各形态氮库与吸氮量的关系模型。结果发现,N0条件下高肥力土壤的籽粒产量约为中肥力土壤的4.6倍,但在N1条件下,高肥力土壤的玉米产量和生物量与中肥力土壤无显著差异,但其吸氮量显著高于中肥力土壤。与种植前相比,N0条件下,收获后中肥力土壤FN含量显著提高了63%,低肥力和高肥力土壤分别增加了47%和11%。与其相反,土壤MN、MBN和SON含量均有所降低。土壤MN含量降低了0.4~4 mg?kg-1;MBN降低了18%~44%且土壤肥力间无显著差异;SON减少了55%~84%。N1条件下,土壤MN含量降低了约22~38 mg?kg-1; MBN降低了32%~72%;而SON的减少量在高肥力土壤中可达99 mg?kg-1,分别为中肥力土壤和低肥力土壤的2.0倍和9.3倍。相关分析结果表明,地上部吸氮量与MBN、SON和NH4+-N减少量存在显著正相关关系。结构方程模型结果进一步表明,SON和NH4+-N直接影响吸氮量,MBN通过影响SON和MN间接影响玉米地上部吸氮量。总体而言,SON和MBN可直接或间接影响玉米对氮素的吸收利用,是土壤中重要的氮素存在形态,应进一步加强对其形态转化的机制研究,可促进红壤培肥和氮素高效利用。     

不同控释氮肥减量施用对双季水稻产量和氮素利用的影响

研究不同控释氮肥在减氮量施用条件下早、晚稻产量效应、氮素吸收利用、土壤氮素养分特性和养分释放规律的差异,为南方双季稻区控释氮肥在水稻高产节肥栽培上的应用提供参考。采用静水溶解试验和田间小区试验研究了2种控释氮肥(树脂包膜尿素和硫包膜尿素)的养分释放特性和在常规尿素施氮量基础上节氮15%和30%对早、晚稻产量、产量构成因素、氮素养分吸收利用及土壤氮养分含量的影响。结果表明,2种控释氮肥的氮素累积释放曲线均为"S"形,但在培养期间硫包膜尿素氮素累积释放率均高于树脂包膜尿素。在田间条件下,与常规尿素处理相比,早稻减氮15%和30%施用硫包膜尿素和树脂包膜尿素均表现为增产,而晚稻施硫包膜尿素增产,施树脂包膜尿素减产。株高、每穗实粒数、结实率和千粒重的增加是早、晚稻增产的主要原因。施用2种控释氮肥均能促进早、晚稻水稻植株氮素养分的吸收积累,施用相同种类控释氮肥早晚稻稻谷、稻草和植株氮养分积累量随施氮量提高而提高。减氮15%和30%施用2种控释氮肥有利于氮肥回收利用率、氮肥偏生产力和氮肥农学效率的提高,在同一施氮水平下,硫包膜尿素的提高效果优于树脂包膜尿素。常规尿素处理、减15%氮的2种控释氮肥处理均能保持较高的土壤氮素水平,减30%氮的控释氮肥处理土壤氮素肥力较试验前有所降低。适当降低氮用量施用控释氮肥,能促进双季水稻增产、增加氮素利用效率、维持或提高土壤氮素肥力和可持续生产力,控释氮肥养分释放规律的差异是导致其作用效应不同的主要原因。     

两种钢渣源调理剂对水稻生长及氮磷钾吸收量的影响

钢渣富含硅、钙等养分,是优良的土壤调理剂原料,但其肥效和合理施用量在很大程度上取决于钢渣的养分含量和组分,本研究选取白色钢渣调理剂(W)和黄色钢渣调理剂(Y)2种性质不同的钢渣调理剂,通过盆栽试验研究其不同施用量(W调理剂0.74、1.47、2.94、5.88 g·kg~(-1)和11.76 g·kg~(-1);Y调理剂1.47、2.94、5.88、11.76 g·kg~(-1)和23.52 g·kg~(-1))对水稻生长的影响。研究结果表明,与单施NPK相比,添加W调理剂对水稻生长无显著促进作用,而Y调理剂施用量为11.76 g·kg~(-1)和23.52 g·kg~(-1)时可提高晚稻籽粒产量20%,且当Y调理剂施用量为5.88~23.52 g·kg~(-1)时显著提高晚稻秸秆产量24.02%~35.23%。施用Y调理剂促进了晚稻对氮、磷、钾素的吸收,提高幅度分别为12.61%~21.55%、7.63%~38.31%、11.89%~54.13%。综合结果表明,在弱酸性水稻土(pH 6.51)上,添加W钢渣源调理剂未促进水稻生长,而施用Y调理剂对晚稻生长和氮磷钾养分吸收具有一定的促进作用。     

Integrated Fertilizer Management: Influence on Soil Nitrogen,Available Phosphorus,Potassium, Nutrient Uptake and Maize Yield

A field experiment was conducted on an Alfisol (kandic paleustalf) in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria, for two seasons to assess the influence of inorganic and organic fertilizers on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), nutrient uptake and maize yield. The treatments consisted of three rates of organic fertilizer 0, 5 and 10 t ha^?1 in the form of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer (20:10:10) applied at 0 and 120 kg ha^?1. Maize (Zea mays) was used as the test crop. The results showed that the combined application of 10 t ha^?1 poultry manure and 120 kg ha^?1 NPK fertilizer enhanced the uptake of N, P and K better than other treatment combinations. Application of 10 t ha^?1 poultry manure alone gave the highest grain yield, which was 67.02% higher than the control in the first season. Complementary application of 5 t ha^?1 poultry manure with 120 kg ha^?1 NPK 20–10-10 was recommended for grain yield.     

Specific Leaf Area and Leaf Nitrogen Concentration of Lantana in Response to Light Regime and Triazole Treatment

Abstract

The paclobutrazol (0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg L^?1) and triapenthenol (175, 350, 700, and 1400 mg L^?1) effects on specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen (LN) concentration of Lantana camara L. (subsp. camara) under the shading levels 0%, 27%, and 66% were determined in glasshouse experiments. In most cases, increased concentrations of paclobutrazol and triapenthenol decreased SLA and increased LN of plants logarithmically at all shading levels. The SLA, at all concentrations examined, was generally increased with increased shading; LN showed an increase at 66% shading compared to 0% shading in the case of triapenthenol. The SLA reduction of paclobutrazol‐treated plants in relation to untreated plants of the same shading level was 18% to 37%; reduction was 49% to 73% for plants treated with triapenthenol at 0% shading, indicating a greater effect of triapenthenol on SLA reduction than paclobutrazol at previous shading.     

不同培肥方式对复垦土壤玉米养分吸收及肥料利用率的影响

为研究不同培肥处理对平朔露天煤矿复垦土壤作物养分含量及肥料利用率的影响,进行了玉米盆栽试验,结果表明:不同培肥处理对玉米植株的N,P,K含量均有提高作用,玉米N,P,K在根、茎、叶器官分配顺序为叶 > 茎 > 根;有机肥、菌肥和配施低浓度化肥处理对玉米N素含量增加最明显,有机肥、菌肥和化肥配施各处理对玉米P和K含量增加最明显,其次对玉米N,P,K含量增加较明显的为有机肥配施菌肥处理,而单施有机肥处理对玉米N,P,K含量增加效果最差;有机肥、菌肥和化肥配施处理对玉米N,P,K肥利用率高于有机肥配施菌肥处理更高于单施有机肥处理,此研究为恢复矿区复垦土壤肥力水平提供理论依据。     

保水剂与氮磷肥配施对玉米生长及养分吸收的影响

以夏玉米为研究对象,采用避雨桶栽试验方法精确控制水肥条件,研究保水剂(SAP)与5种氮磷肥配比(N∶P分别为1∶4,2∶3,1∶1,3∶2,4∶1)模式对土壤肥力水平、玉米植株生长及其养分吸收利用的效应。结果表明,保水剂与氮磷肥均衡施用(N∶P为1∶1)能够促进玉米植株的生长及对养分的吸收利用,生育期内平均株高、叶面积较其他处理分别提高了3.36%～7.19%,5.36%～29.26%;干物质积累与植株氮、磷累积量较其他处理分别提高了13.79%～27.61%,15.91%～32.47%,18.66%～33.75%;同时与未施保水剂处理相比,生育期内土壤平均无机氮含量减少5.42%,有效磷含量提高3.55%;在本试验条件下,施用SAP 1.68g/pot、N 2.89g/pot、P 2.89g/pot可得到最大玉米产量113.93g/pot,收获时产量较其他处理提高了18.69%～30.94%。试验结果为华北地区应用保水剂条件下的夏玉米氮磷肥施用配比提供了参考。     

水氮互作对冬小麦氮素吸收分配及土壤硝态氮积累的影响

试验采用完全随机裂区设计,研究不同灌水和施氮处理对田间冬小麦氮素吸收转运分配以及成熟期土壤剖面硝态氮分布积累的影响.结果表明:冬小麦氮素吸收速率在拔节-开花期达到最大;阶段氮素吸收量、籽粒氮素积累量和氮收获指数均随灌水量的增加而增加,表现为W1500＞W1200＞W900＞W0;施氮量超过150 kg/hm2时,籽粒氮素积累量、氮收获指数,拔节-成熟期的氮素吸收量不再显著增加;灌水和施氮均能增加冬小麦营养器官氮素转移量,氮素转运率随施氮量增加而增加,氮素转运贡献率随灌水量的增加而降低;冬小麦成熟期表层(0-20 cm)土壤硝态氮含量随着灌水量增加而降低,表现为W0＞W900＞W1200＞W1500;相同灌水处理下,各土层硝态氮含量随施氮量的增加而增加,施氮处理能显著增加0-120 cm土层硝态氮含量,当施氮量超过150 kg/hm2时,随灌水量增加,土壤剖面中的硝态氮由上层向下层移动.     

Humus-Rich Compost Increases Lettuce Growth, Nutrient Uptake, Mycorrhizal Colonisation, and Soil Fertility

Sandy soils, typical of Australia's west, either have little or no habitat protection for microbes including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which are essential for nutrient cycling. To minimize this problem, the application of organic matter, such as humus-rich composts, is necessary during vegetable crop production. This study aimed at determining the effects of humus-rich composts on either indigenous or inoculated AM fungal colonisation in roots, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Quechua) growth, and soil fertility improvement. Four different humus-rich composts with varying humus contents were applied at the same standard rate to lettuce grown under glasshouse conditions for 10 weeks after sowing and compared with two low-humus composts and non-amended soil (control). Humus-rich composts significantly increased lettuce shoot growth, root growth, and AM fungal colonisation in roots. Humus contents in the composts were also correlated with lettuce shoot and root growth. Soil dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and fertility were increased with the application of humus-rich composts. These humus-rich composts, especially the compost of higher humic acid with and without AM inoculation, might have a significant role in sustainable vegetable production, for example lettuce growth. Overall, the results indicate that supplementation with humus-rich compost is highly beneficial to enhance soil fertility and potentially maintain the sustainability of vegetable production.