Carbon Sequestration in Soil Humic Substances Under Long-Term Fertilization in a Wheat-Maize System from North China

The changes in humic substances （HS） is fundamental in detecting soil carbon sequestration mechanisms in natural and cultivated environments. Based on a long-term trial, the amounts of water dissolved substances （WSS）, humic acid （HA）, fulvic acid （FA） and humin （HU） were determined to explore the impact of long-term fertilization on HS. Increases in the amounts of WSS, HA, FA and HU were significant different among the treatments with manure. A significant correlation was found between the increased soil organic carbon （SOC） and HS （R^2=0.98, P〈0.01）. The change in the E4/E6 ratio was significantly correlated with the increased SOC （R2=0.88, P〈0.01）, HA （R^2=0.91, P〈0.01）, FA （R^2=0.91, P〈0.01） and HU （R^2=0.88, P〈0.01）. The cluster was mainly divided into two parts as manure fertilization and inorganic fertilization, based on the increases in HA, FA and HU. These results suggest that long term fertilization with manure favours carbon sequestration in HS and is mainly stabilized as HU, while the HA becomes more aliphatic. We conclude that increases in SOC can be linked to changes in the molecular characteristics of HS fractions under long term fertilization.     

Basic Soil Productivity of Spring Maize in Black Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization Based on DSSAT Model

Increasing basic farmland soil productivity has significance in reducing fertilizer application and maintaining high yield of crops. In this study, we defined that the basic soil productivity （BSP） is the production capacity of a farmland soil with its own physical and chemical properties for a specific crop season under local environment and field management. Based on 22-yr （1990-2011） long-term experimental data on black soil （Typic hapludoll） in Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, Northeast China, the decision support system for an agro-technology transfer （DSSAT）-CERES-Maize model was applied to simulate the yield by BSP of spring maize （Zea mays L.） to examine the effects of long-term fertilization on changes of BSP and explore the mechanisms of BSP increasing. Five treatments were examined： （1） no-fertilization control （control）; （2） chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium （NPK）; （3） NPK plus farmyard manure （NPKM）; （4） 1.5 time of NPKM （1.5NPKM） and （5） NPK plus straw （NPKS）. Results showed that after 22-yr fertilization, the yield by BSP of spring maize significantly increased 78.0, 101.2, and 69.4% under the NPKM, 1.5NPKM and NPKS, respectively, compared to the initial value （in 1992）, but not significant under NPK （26.9% increase） and the control （8.9% decrease）. The contribution percentage of BSP showed a significant rising trend （P〈0.05） under 1.5NPKM. The average contribution percentage of BSP among fertilizations ranged from 74.4 to 84.7%, and ranked as 1.5NPKM〉NPKM〉NPK〉NPKS, indicating that organic manure combined with chemical fertilizers （I.5NPKM and NPKM） could more effectively increase BSP compared with the inorganic fertilizer application alone （NPK） in the black soil. This study showed that soil organic matter （SOM） was the key factor among various fertility factors that could affect BSP in the black soil, and total N, total P and/or available P also played important role in BSP increasing. Compared with the chemical fertilization, a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） not only increased the concentrations of soil nutrient, but also improved the soil physical properties, and structure and diversity of soil microbial population, resulting in an iincrease of BSP. We recommend that a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） should be the fertilization practices to enhance spring maize yield and improve BSP in the black soil of Northeast China.     

Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation Increases Percentage of Soil Olsen-P to Total P at Two 15-Year Mono-Cropping Systems in Northern China

Soil organic carbon （SOC） and soil Olsen-P are key soil fertility indexes but information on their relationships is limited particularly under long-term fertilization. We investigated the relationships between SOC and the percentage of soil Olsen-P to total P （PSOPTP） under six different 15-yr （1990-2004） long-term fertilizations at two cropping systems in northern China. These fertilization treatments were （1） unfertilized control （control）; （2） chemical nitrogen （N）; （3） N plus chemical P （NP）; （4） NP plus chemical potassium （NPK）; （5） NPK plus animal manure （NPKM） and （6） high NPKM （hNPKM）. Compared with their initial values in 1989 at both sites, during the 1 lth to 15th fertilization years annual mean SOC contents were significantly increased by 39.4-47.0% and 58.9-93.9% at Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, and Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, under the two NPKM fertilizations, respectively, while no significant changes under the no-P or chemical P fertilization. During the 1 lth to 15th fertilization years, annual mean PSOPTP was respectively increased by 2.6-4.2 and 5.8-14.1 times over the initial values under the two chemical P fertilizations and the two NPKM fertilizations, but was unchanged in their initial levels under the two no-P fertilizations at both sites. Over the 15-yr long-term fertilization SOC significantly positively correlated with PSOPTP （r^2=0.55-0.79, P〈0.01）. We concluded that the combination of chemical P plus manure is an effective way to promote SOC accumulation and the percentage of soil Olsen-P to total P at the two mono-cropping system sites in northern China.     

Changes in Organic Carbon Index of Grey Desert Soil in Northwest China After Long-Term Fertilization

Soil organic carbon （SOC）, soil microbial biomass carbon （SMBC） and SMBC quotient （SMBC/SOC, qSMBC） are key indexes of soil biological fertility because of the relationship to soil nutrition supply capacity. Yet it remains unknown how these three indexes change, which limits our understanding about how soil respond to different fertilization practices. Based on a 22-yr （1990-2011） long-term fertilization experiment in northwest China, we investigated the dynamics of SMBC and qSMBC during the growing period of winter wheat, the relationships between the SMBC, qSMBC, soil organic carbon （SOC） concentrations, the carbon input and grain yield of wheat as well. Fertilization treatments were 1） nonfertilization （control）; 2） chemical nitrogen plus phosphate plus potassium （NPK）; 3） NPK plus animal manure （NPKM）; 4） double NPKM （hNPKM） and 5） NPK plus straw （NPKS）. Results showed that the SMBC and qSMBC were significantly different among returning, jointing, flowering and harvest stages of wheat under long-term fertilization. And the largest values were observed in the flowering stage. Values for SMBC and qSMBC ranged from 37.5 to 106.0 mg kg1 and 0.41 to 0.61%, respectively. The mean value rank of SMBC during the whole growing period of wheat was hNPKM〉NPK_M〉NPKS〉CK〉NPK. But there were no statistically significant differences between hNPKM and NPKM, or between CK and NPK. The order for qSMBC was NPKS〉NPKM〉CK〉hNPKM〉NPK. These results indicated that NPKS significantly increased the ratio of SMBC to SOC, i.e., qSMBC, compared with NPK fertilizer or other two NPKM fertilizations. Significant linear relationships were observed between the annual carbon input and SOC （P〈0.01） or SMBC （P〈0.05）, and between the relative grain yield of wheat and the SOC content as well （P〈0.05）. But the qSMBC was not correlated with the annual carbon input. It is thus obvious that the combination of manure, straw with mineral fertilizer may be benefit to increase SOC and improve soil quality than using only mineral fertilizer.     

Effects of Agricultural Practices on Soil Organic Nitrogen Fractions in an Inceptisol of a Cocoa Plantation

The effect of agricultural practices on soil organic nitrogen （N） fractions in a cocoa plantation has not been much revealed till now. Despite the fact that soil organic N has been long admitted for its importance to maintain soil fertility. Presented field experiment was conducted in Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute （ICCRI）, Jember, East Java, Indonesia, to investigate the effect of cocoa farm management, namely fertilization, weeding and soil tillage on the content of soil organic N fractions. The design of experiment was arranged in a split-split plot with two levels of weeding as main plots, two levels of soil tillage as subplot and three different fertilizer treatments as sub-sub plot. The analysis of soil N including total N and soil organic N fractions, namely, total hydrolized N, ammonium N, amino sugar N and amino acid N, were performed. The result showed that the effect of fertilization treatment was significant to the content of total N, ammonium N, amino sugar N and amino acid N. No-tillage treatment resulted in total N and amino sugar-N content increasing by 8% and 24%, respectively, over tillage treatment. Slashing treatment caused increase of the total N by 3% from herbicide treatment, whilst decrease of ammonium N and amino sugar N by 7% and 24%, respectively.     

Effect of Agricultural Use of the Mixture Phosphogypsum/Natural Phosphate on the Dynamics of Phosphor in Soil and the Plant

The industrial production of the phosphoric acid is important and makes itself in a big number of countries. The by-product descended of this industry, residuary gypsum called phosphogypsum, poses a major environmental problem. The aim of this work is to identify and to value the potentialities of valorization of the by-product phosphogypsum produce in Morocco, for a use in the domain of agriculture. They can contain 1% to 6% of free acids. The idea is to use this acid to partially solubilize natural phosphate and to make the final product richer in phosphorus （about I0% of total P205 half soluble） and therefore more attractive on the agronomic and economic plan. For mixtures phosphogypsum/natural phosphate, a study of clarification is necessary, by varying the proportions of products, the humidities, mixing techniques, the ripening time to achieve a final interesting product. The dynamics of the phosphor in soil has been measured by the Olsen method and the one in the plant has been measured after drying in the steamroom to a temperature of 70 ~C to 75 ~C during 72 hours. A trial hold is incinerated. The ashes are taken by acid hydrochloric extract and the phosphor is measured out with the help of an UV spectrometer to 430 nm. The pH has been followed with the help of a pH-meter. The phosphor presents a remarkable dynamics in mixture with the phosphogypsum.     

Nematicidal Effects of Azadirachta indica Seed Extract on Meloidogyne spp.

Root-Knot Nematodes （RKN） Meloidogyne spp. significantly affects glasshouse tomatoes in Central Greece. Elimination or halting J2s could be an efficient strategy to control RKN. Recently, it was reported that a commercial product of Neem （Azadirachta indica） seed extract （Azadirachtin 1% Emulsion Concentrate-EC） significantly reduced the number of galls on tomato roots and egg masses, compared to the untreated control. In the present study neem proved to have a direct immobilising effect on RKN J2s. Different concentrations （0, 0.05, 0,1, 0.25, 0.5, I, 5, 10, 25 and 50%） of the tested neem product were applied with water containing fresh J2s and in soil naturally infected with RKN. Records of immobilised J2s were taken after 10 min, 1 h, 6 h, 24 h and 72 h of Neem application in water and after six days of neem application into the soil. Neem solution concentrations 5% and 10%, resulted in 85% ± 3.2 and 100% of immobilised J2s. The same concentrations of neem when were added in the water for nematode extraction from the soil, resulted 14.25% ± 4.01 and 1.7%, of J2s extracted from the soil with a significant concentration effect （P = 0.008）, compared to the untreated control. However, the neem product at high application dose significant damage the tomato plants caused phytoxicity.     

Pelletized Poultry Litter as a Nutrient Source for Turfgrass Sports Fields

Natural organic fertilizers are receiving increased attention as a nutrient source for athletic turf fields. However, the performance of these fertilizers as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers is relatively untested. To address this issue, we initiated a study to evaluate turfgrass response to the use of pelletized poultry litter （PPL） as a nutrient source compared to inorganic fertilizer, and to compare core aeration and vibrating aeration. Four treatments were evaluated： synthetic fertilizer with vibrating aeration （VS）, synthetic fertilizer with core aeration （CS）, PPL with vibrating aeration （VP）, and PPL with core aeration （CP）. The PPL was applied at a nitrogen （N） rate equivalent to the synthetic fertilizer （assuming 50% availability of N）. Application of PPL did not produce significant changes in measured soil parameters during the 2.5 year study compared to the synthetic fertilizer. Minimal differences in tissue concentrations of Mn were observed. Remote sensing indicated that the CS treatment, which is the current management practice at the study site, produced the lowest turfgrass quality of all the treatments. Highest turf quality was achieved with the CP and VS treatments. Application of PPL resulted in greater turfgrass quality when compared to the same N rate of synthetic fertilizer, regardless of aeration method.     

Evolution of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil Polluted with Crude Oil Treated with a Natural Product

Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons contaminated/polluted soils has been recognized as an efficient, economic, versatile and environmentally good treatment. This method is limited by the microorganisms activity in degrading the spills hydrocarbons. Low solubility of the hydrocarbons involves low bioavailability to microorganisms. The main objective of this research is to increase biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by treating the crude oil polluted soil with the natural biodegradable product and bacterial inoculum. Biodegradation was quantified by total petroleum hydrocarbons （TPH） analyses. The paper presents data obtained in biodegradation process of an artificial polluted soil with 5% and 10% crude oil, treated with a natural biodegradable product and bacterial inoculum during two years of experiment. Biodegradation process takes time to rehabilitate and reuse of the soil in agricultural scopes.     

Effects of Different Natural Organic Additives on in Vitro Shoot Regeneration of Raphanus sativus L. Var,Beeralu

Abstract： Raphunus sativus L. commonly known as ＂radish＂ is a popular vegetable crop used by people all over the world for its culinary and medicinal properties. Enhancement of in vitro regeneration system for radish variety beeralu is needed to further tissue culture studied. Therefore, the present study was carried out to find out the effects of different organic additives on in vitro shoot regeneration of Radish （Raphanus sativus L.） Var. Beeralu. Hypocotyl explants of aseptic plantlets were cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/L BAP （benzyl adenine） and 0.1 mg/L NAA （1-nphthaleneacetic acid） with different natural additives; 20% coconut water, 20% coconut milk, 10% grind spinach leaves, 10% grind potato tubers, 10% grind carrot, 5% rice flour, 10% green gram, 10% grind pumpkin, 10% banana fruit, 10% orange and control （without any additives）. Complete randomized design （CRD） with five replicates was used. After one month the numbers of regenerated shoots were counted and statistical analysis was carried out using the Student Newman-Kuells Means Separation Test of SAS program （9.1.3）. The highest mean number of shoots （12 shoots/explant） from Radish （Raphanus sativus L.） Var. Beeralu observed in MS basal medium with 2.5 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L NAA with 10% orange juice whereas the 2nd highest shoots were obtained with 20% coconut water. The lowest number of shoots （0 shoot/explant） was observed from medium with carrot juice and pumpkin juice, but they induced callus formation. Media with grind spinach leaves, rice flour, green gram, grind potato tubers and banana inhibit the shoot regeneration.     

中低产红泥田双季晚稻氮磷钾效应模型研究

采用"3414"二次回归D—最优设计,对影响水稻产量的氮、磷、钾三要素进行试验,建立融安县中低产红泥田双季晚稻施肥函数模型:y=3811.92+24.48N+6.3P+6.86K-0.10N2-0.43P2-0.09K2+0.13NP+0.01NK+0.23PK。通过该模型推算最高和最佳产量施肥量,并进行仿真模拟寻优,探索出产量大于5 700kg/hm2的施肥方案:N 135.8～195.8kg/hm2、P2O549.5～74.8kg/hm2、K2O 94.6～145.4kg/hm2,N∶P2O5∶K2O=1∶0.36～0.38∶0.70～0.74。     

Response of Soil Organic Carbon and Its Aggregate Fractions to Long-Term Fertilization in Irrigated Desert Soil of China

Irrigated desert soil samples in the Hexi Corridor of China were collected over a period of 23 years from a site where different fertilization methods had been used. Changes of soil organic carbon （SOC） and its water stable aggregate （WSA） size fractions were studied. The effects of various fertilization methods on the distribution of added organic carbon （OC） in different WSA size fractions were also analyzed. The results showed that the applied fertilizations for 23 years improved SOC concentrations and OC concentrations in all WSA size fractions compared to the non-fertilized treatment （CK）. In addition, fertilization obviously increased the OC stocks of2 mm, 0.25-2 mm and 0.053-0.25 mm WSA fractions, respectively. A signiifcant positive correlation was found between soil C gains and OC inputs （r=0.92, P〈0.05）, indicating that SOC may have not reached the saturation point yet at the site. The C sequestration rate was estimated by 14.02%at the site. The OC stocks in all of the〈2 mm WSA fractions increased with the increase of OC input amounts;and the conversion rate of the input fresh OC to the OC stock of〈0.053 mm WSA fraction was 1.2 and 2.6 times higher than those of the 0.25-2 mm and 0.053-0.25 mm WSA fractions, respectively. Therefore, the〈0.053 mm WSA fraction was the most important component for soil C sequestration in the irrigated desert soil.     

Effects of Elemental Sulphur and Farmyard Manure on pH and Salinity of Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil and Some Nutrient Elements in Tomato Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur （S） and farmyard manure on soil pH, EC and N, S, P concentrations of tomato grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400 mg kg~ and farmyard manure at 0, 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after applications, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P concentrations and dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Effects of sulphur and farmyard manure applications were not significant on N, P concentrations and dry matter yield of tomato plant. S concentration of tomato plant was increased by sulphur alone. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC was increased in both 2^nd and 3^rd soil sampling period by the sulphur applications. As a result of farmyard manure application, soil pH decreased in the 2^nd soil sampling period but increased in the 3^rd soil sampling period. Also, soil EC was significantly increased in 1^st and 3^rd soil sampling period. Farmyard manure had no significant effect on S supply to tomato plant. The N：S ratio of tomato plant was decreased by sulphur alone. However, the sulphur with farmyard manure applications decreased N：S ratio in lesser extend compared to the S applications.     

Isolation and Purification of Bovine Colostrum slgA and IgG

To further utilize bioactive substance such as bovine colostrum sIgA and IgG, sIgA and IgG were isolated and purified simultaneously by salting out, ultrafiltration and gel chromatography, etc. The analysis of results were showed quantitatively by nonhydrogenized SDS-PAGE, and quanlities of sIgA and IgG were respectively detected by Western Blot. The results showed that the purity and yield of bovine colostrum sIgA were 85.3% and 42.8%, respectively, while the purity and yield of bovine colostrum IgG were respectively 97.2% and 64.4%. This preparative method provides theoretical and experimental foundation for sIgA industrial production.     

不同饲养方式对拜城油鸡生长、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响

[目的]探讨不同饲养方式对拜城油鸡生长、屠宰性能以及肉品质的影响,为拜城油鸡生产实际提供参考依据.[方法]试验选用1日龄的300只初生重相近的拜城油鸡雏鸡,随机分为散养、地面平养及网上饲养三个组,每组设4个重复,每个重复25只鸡,试验鸡饲喂相同的日粮.[结果]散养组鸡的末重及平均日增重显著低于地面平养组和网上饲养组(P＜0.05);散养组鸡的半净膛率显著低于网上饲养组与平养组(P＜0.05),腹脂率极显著低于网上饲养组(P＜0.01)和显著低于地面平养组(P＜0.05);散养组鸡胸、腿肌24、48h滴水损失率低于地面平养组和网上饲养组(P ＜0.05或P＜0.01);散养组鸡胸、腿肌剪切力显著高于地面饲养组和网上饲养组(P＜0.05);散养组鸡胸肌OD值高于地面饲养组和网上饲养组(P＜0.05);散养组鸡腿肌灰分含量高于地面平养和网上饲养组(P＜0.01);散养组鸡胸、腿肌肌内脂肪和腿肌肌苷酸含量均高于地面平养和网上饲养组(P＜0.05);网上饲养组胸肌及腿肌肌纤维直径均小于地面饲养组和散养组(P＜0.05),相反肌纤维密度小于地面饲养组和散养组(P＜0.05).饲养方式对拜城油鸡其它性能和肉质指标没有显著影响.[结论]三种饲养方式各有优缺点,生产者应根据自己的实际情况以及不同市场对鸡肉产品的不同要求选用适宜的饲养方式.     

Comparison of Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Components in Lettuce,Onion and Tomato Obtained with Different Levels and Forms of Nitrogen Fertilization

The effect of N levels and sources on the antioxidant components in vegetable is not completely understood. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the changes in antioxidant capacity diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） and ferric reducing antioxidant power （FRAP）, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total carotene and lycopene contents in edible portions of lettuce, onion and tomato due to different nitrogen levels and sources. The experiment included three N levels （20, 40 and 60 kg/ha for lettuce trial and 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha for either onion or tomato） and four nitrogen sources （calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and urea）. The antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents in lettuce was enhanced under low nitrogen level, while the antioxidant capacities, phenolics, carotenoids and lycopene in tomato fruits were not significantly affected by the nitrogen dose applied. Application of calcium nitrate caused 50% increase in DPPH and 20% in FRAP of lettuce compared to other nitrogen forms. Tomato treated with calcium nitrate or ammonium sulphate had higher phenolic and ascorbic acid contents than treated plants with ammonium nitrate or urea. Antioxidant tested parameters of onion were not significantly affected by the nitrogen treatments. Nitrogen concentration in tomato fruits significantly correlated with FRAP antioxidant capacity, phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotene and lycopene contents.     

Comparing the Impact of a Neonicotinoid and Biorational Agroneem on Herbivorous and Beneficial Arthropods on Cowpea and Tomato

Cowpea （Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.） and tomato （Lycopersicum esculentum L. Karst） are attacked by a wide range of insect pests worldwide. In many cases, pesticides are used to control the pests. In 2010 and 2011, we conducted field experiments to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of a biorational （Agroneem~） and conventional pesticide （imidacloprid or thiamethoxam） on insect pests of these crops. In the first year, two varieties of cowpea （Mississippi Silver and Pinkeye Purple Hull） and two of tomato （Mariana and German Johnson） were used; in the second year, the better performing of each group （Mississippi Silver and Mariana） were used for the study. A split-plot design with four replications in Year 1, and a randomized complete block design with six treatment combinations in Year 2. In the first year, both pesticide groups were applied following manufacturer＇s recommendation （10-14 d cycles）; and in the second year, the application of the pesticides was driven by economic thresholds level （ETL） of insect pests. The most prevalent species of insects recorded in both crops were in the families： Chrysomelidae, Pentatomidae, Cicadellidae, Vespidae, Sarcophagidae, Thripidae and Sphingidae. In both years, the diversity of insects on cowpea was greater than on tomato and more insects were observed in the second year compared to the first, despite the absence of significant difference （P 〉 0.05） between varieties in the treated plots. The yield of cowpea and tomato was comparable in all sprayed plots.     

Responses of Lowland NERICA and Improved Oryza sativa Rice to Phosphorus and Nitrogen in Sudan Savanna Agroecosystem

The responses of five inter-specific lowland rice cultivars （NERICA-L-19, NERICA-L-20, NERICA-L-41, NERICA-L-42, and NERICA-L-60） and four improved Oryza sativa cultivars （FKR 19, BW 348-1, WITA 4, and SIPI 6923033） to levels of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization were compared on a Typic Natrustalfat Kadawa in the Nigerian Sudan Savanna in 2006 and 2007 The responses of the NERICA-L eultivars to N and P fertilization were similar to the O. sativa cultivars. In a dry year （2007）, the NERICA-L cultivars gave higher yields than O. sativa cultivars. Phosphorus level did not significantly affect crop physiology, yield, and yield components of all the cultivars. Pooled across cultivars, N and P levels, days to panicle initiation, mid-flowering and maturity were, respectively delayed by 17.0, 15.6 and 6.4 days in 2007 compared to 2006. NERICA-L-42 and NERICA-L-41 were the most stable, exhibiting the least difference in duration to maturity between the two years （3.5 and 4.4 days, respectively）, and could therefore be more adapted to rain-fed environments prone to frequent droughts. Increasing N levels from 0 to 120 kg hal produced yield increments of 62.9 and 37.2% in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Cultivars FKR 19 and WITA 4 gave higher yields in 2006 （3940 and 3542 kg ha^-1, respectively）, while in 2007, NERICA-L-42, NERICA-L^-19 and NERICA-L-20 ranked among the highest in grain yield （3935, 3807 and 3726 kg hal, respectively） and could be recommended to resource-poor farmers. a     

Tillage and Poultry Manure Effects on Soil Physical Properties,Nutrient Status,Growth, Dry Matter and Grain Yield of Sorghum

The effects of different tillage systems and poultry manure on soil physical properties, performance and nutrients in sorghum were studied for three years at Owo, southwest Nigeria. There was factorial combinations of herbicide-based zero tillage （ZT）, manual clearing （MC）, disc ploughing （P）, ploughing plus harrowing （P＋H） and ploughing plus double harrowing （P＋2H）, and two rates of poultry manure at 0 and 7.5 Mg ha^-1. Herbicide-based zero tillage and manual clearing reduced soil temperature and conserved more water than mechanized tillage techniques. Poultry manure reduced soil bulk density and temperature and increased soil water and porosity. There was a percentage decrease of leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, plant height, leaf area, stem girth, root dry weight, dry matter and grain yield in ascending order for herbicide-based zero tillage, manual clearing, ploughing, ploughing plus harrowing and ploughing plus double harrowing while percentage increases were recorded in a descending order for all the various combinations of tillage with poultry manure in that order. Poultry manure in combination with tillage increased dry matter and grain yield by 33.1 and 39.5%, respectively in comparison with tillage only. The manure-zero tillage methods increased dry matter and grain yield by 8% and 15%, respectively when compared with manure-mechanized tillage methods. Zero tillage or manual clearing in combination with 7.5 Mg ha^-1 poultry manure was most suitable for sorghum cultivation.