Crop Nutrients Review and the Impact of Fertilizer on the Plantation in Malaysia: A Mini Review

ABSTRACT

Improving the production of crops is always a concern in the plantation sector since higher production leads to the economic growth of a country. For developing countries, including Malaysia, one of their incomes is crop production. Focusing on crop nutrients supply using fertilizers to increase the production of the crops is better than expanding the plantation areas. The limited knowledge regarding the appropriate nutrients supply and the relation between the nutrients in Malaysia has caused the yield of the crops not meet expectations. Thus, sharing knowledge about the nutrient requirements and the nutrient availability toward the uptake rate of the plants are required. Hence, this work reviews the nutrient supply, the effect of each nutrient on the crop, and the nutrient availability in Malaysia’s plantation. A better understanding of the nutrient requirement to sustain crop health helps to improve the quality of the crop, its yield, and soil performance for future agriculture work. Moreover, this work also discusses the impact of fertilizer on the plantation and different types of fertilizer. Additionally, their nutrient release patterns will be discussed, along with the pros and cons of these existing fertilizers.

Abbreviations: ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate; SRF: Slow-release fertilizers; CRF: Controlled release fertilizer; SCU: Sulfur-coated urea fertilizer; PCU: Polymer-coated urea fertilizer; SRB: Slow release blending fertilizer; NUE: Nitrogen-use efficiency; AV: Ammonia volatilization; CRNF: Controlled release nitrogen fertilizer     

Perspectives on nutrient management in mixed farming systems

Abstract. Changes in agricultural subsidies in Europe and the ready availability of fertilizers have allowed a spatial decoupling of livestock and crop production. This has increased the flow of nutrients that occurs between farms compared to within individual farms. In terms of nutrient cycling, mixed farms provide the opportunity to re-integrate aspects of agricultural production. The degree of integration between crop and livestock production is defined by the reliance on the use of home-produced feed compared to imported feed, and is independent of intensity. Management of inputs and/or internal flows offers the scope to improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE) on mixed farms. Greatest uncertainties in calculating NUE are associated with variation in yield and composition of home-produced feed, and consequent manure composition. Three key areas are addressed to highlight the interchange of nutrients (and risks for losses) between crop and livestock production; (i) the role of livestock diet in manipulating the amount and availability of manure nutrients; (ii) the impact of manure management on nutrient losses; and (iii) nutrient management through the integration of crops and livestock in rotations. While not all the associated issues are unique to mixed farming, these three areas all influence NUE.     

Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Research Under Controlled Conditions: Basic Principles and Methodology

In modern agriculture, use of essential plant nutrients in adequate amounts and proper balance is one of the key components in increasing crop yields. Further, in developing crop production technologies, research work under field and controlled conditions is necessary to generate basic and applied information. In addition, research is very dynamic and complex due to variation in climatic, soil, and plant factors and their interactions. This demands that basic research information can only be obtained under controlled conditions to avoid or reduce effects of environmental factors on treatments. Hence, the objective of this article is to discuss basic principles and methodologies of research in soil fertility and mineral nutrition under controlled conditions. Topics discussed are soil and solution culture experimental techniques including, fertilizer application and planting, liming acid soils, experimental duration and observations, composition of nutrient solutions, preparation and sources of iron (Fe) in nutrient solutions, pH of nutrient solutions, and stable supply of nutrients in the solution culture.     

Recent approaches in nitrogen management for sustainable agricultural production and eco-safety

Among plant nutrients, nitrogen (N) is the most important. Its importance as a growth- and yield-determining nutrient has led to large and rapid increases in N application rates, but often with poor use efficiency. Nitrogen management requires special attention in its use so that the large losses can be minimized and the efficiency maximized. Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) has been found especially useful to achieve the goals of improved productivity and higher N use efficiency (NUE). Leaf color charts and chlorophyll meters assist in the prediction of crop N needs for rice and wheat, leading to greater N-fertilizer efficiency at various yield levels. Crop simulation models can be used in combination with field information and actual weather data to make recommendations to achieve higher NUE. Remote sensing tools are also used to predict crop N demands precisely. At the same time, traditional techniques like balanced fertilization, integrated N management (INM), use of nitrification inhibitors and slow-release nitrogenous fertilizers (SRNF), split application and nutrient budgeting, among others, are also used to supplement recent N management techniques to attain higher productivity and NUE, and reduce environmental pollution through the leakage of fertilizer N.     

抑菌剂浇施与不均匀施肥对玉米马铃薯生长和产量的影响

农业生产中,肥料和抑菌性农药施用是两种重要的农业生产技术。在施肥过程中,点状和条状施肥是主要的施肥方式,易导致作物生长期内土壤养分以斑块状分布,因此根系趋肥性对农田中作物获取养分具有重要性。而在施用抑菌性农药时,药剂能够通过淋溶等过程进入土体中,对土壤生态环境和根-土过程产生直接或间接的影响。然而目前有关农药施用是否影响作物根系趋肥性,进而改变产量表现还不清楚。本研究选用旱地主要粮食作物玉米和马铃薯为研究对象,通过等量肥料下隔行施用的方式构建土壤养分斑块,在此基础上进行广谱性杀菌剂浇施土壤,研究抑菌性农药对作物利用异质性养分的影响。两年的大田试验数据表明,一定程度上,抑菌剂浇施和隔行施肥能够显著地影响作物的植株生物量、产量,根系生物量及分布,且对玉米生物量影响具显著交互效应,表现为隔行施肥对生物量的显著提高发生在抑菌剂浇施条件下,而抑菌剂对玉米生物量的提高则主要表现在隔行施肥条件下。同时,抑菌剂浇施能够提高作物的根系觅养精确度,其中在马铃薯上达到显著水平,表明抑菌剂浇施对作物适应土壤养分斑块具有一定的促进作用。当然,抑菌农药和养分斑块在影响作物生长过程中的显著性受作物类型和种植年份的影响,具有复杂性。因此,进一步针对不同作物、生态环境和栽培措施,探讨抑菌剂农药在作物适应养分斑块中的作用以及对作物根系趋肥的影响机制,对于了解农药施用对化肥利用的影响具有潜在的价值。     

作物N、P、K含量对于平衡施肥的诊断意义

利用在河南封丘潮土进行的长期肥料试验,以NPK处理为参照,分析肥料N、P、K不同配比处理的小麦、玉米子粒和秸秆中N、P、K含量变化。结果表明,小麦和玉米子粒或秸秆中N、P、K含量或比值可以很好地反映提供给小麦和玉米的N、P、K养分是否均衡。因此,通过作物收获物养分含量和比值及其产量分析,有可能为施肥是否满足作物对养分的均衡需求提供一个诊断标准,为下一季同一作物的施肥提供依据。文章还提出了制定相对参照标准的可能途径。     

Foliar Fertilization of Crop Plants

Essential plant nutrients are mainly applied to soil and plant foliage for achieving maximum economic yields. Soil application method is more common and most effective for nutrients, which required in higher amounts. However, under certain circumstances, foliar fertilization is more economic and effective. Foliar symptoms, soil and plant tissue tests, and crop growth responses are principal nutrient disorder diagnostic techniques. Soil applications of fertilizers are mainly done on the basis of soil tests, whereas foliar nutrient applications are mainly done on the basis of visual foliar symptoms or plant tissue tests. Hence, correct diagnosis of nutrient deficiency is fundamental for successful foliar fertilization. In addition, there are some more requirements for successful foliar fertilization. Foliar fertilization requires higher leaf area index for absorbing applied nutrient solution in sufficient amount, it may be necessary to have more than one application depending on severity of nutrient deficiency. Nutrient concentration and day temperature should be optimal to avoid leaf burning and fertilizer source should be soluble in water to be more effective. Foliar fertilization of crops can complement soil fertilization. If foliar fertilization is mixed with postemergence herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides, the probability of yield response could be increased and cost of application can be reduced.     

Nutrient Contribution and Release Kinetics of Vermicompost Amended Pine Bark

The composting of organic waste materials using earthworms yields the value-added product vermicompost (VC). The use of VC as a growing substrate amendment for containerized horticultural crop production is a sustainable nutrient management approach which can benefit crop production by providing plant nutrients and improving crop growth. In order to provide nutrient management guidelines for users of VC amended container substrates, a study was conducted to quantify nutrients supplied to substrates solution and to develop nutrient release kinetic models to predict plant available nutrient based on total initial loading rates. Experimental treatments and results were expressed on a volume basis (4-L container) for easy interpretation and application by growers of crops in containers.     

A review of nitrogen translocation and nitrogen-use efficiency

Nitrogen (N) is a primary nutrient for crop growth. In most agricultural areas, crop production relies heavily on the supply of exogenous N fertilizers. Globally, a large amount of nitrogenous fertilizer is applied to achieve maximum crop productivity. However, N fertilizer application is costly and negatively impacts the environment. One way around these problems is to provide a new N-use efficiency (NUE) framework that promotes the efficient acquisition and use of N and high N translocation rates from vegetative organs to reproductive organs under reduced N inputs. This review integrates the current knowledge about the direct and indirect effects of soil properties, crop varieties, soil water status, soil N fertilizers, and soil microbes on N translocation. In addition, we explore strategies that specifically accomplish N translocation via mycorrhizal fungi. Finally, we discuss recent advances in plant physiology, demonstrating that N translocation is an effective target to improve cereal yields and NUE. Although the relationship between crop variety and N translocation is mostly unknown, understanding this relationship is necessary to select and breed crop varieties that exhibit high yields and N translocation efficiency.     

Improving agricultural water use efficiency by nutrient management in crop plants

Abstract

Improvement of agricultural water use efficiency is of major concern with drought problems being one of the most important factors limiting grain production worldwide. Effective management of water for crop production in water-scarce areas requires efficient approaches. Increasing crop water use efficiency and drought tolerance by genetic improvement and physiological regulation may be a means to achieve efficient and effective use of water. A limited water supply inhibits the photosynthesis of plants, causes changes of chlorophyll contents and components and damage to photosynthetic apparatus. It also inhibits photochemical activities and decreases the activities of enzymes in plants. Water stress is one of the important factors inhibiting the growth and photosynthetic abilities of plants through disturbing the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant defence, causing accumulation of reactive oxygen species which induce oxidative stress to proteins, membrane lipids and other cellular components. A number of approaches are being used to enhance water use efficiency and to minimize the detrimental effect of water stress in crop plants. Proper plant nutrition is a good strategy to enhance water use efficiency and productivity in crop plants. Plant nutrients play a very important role in enhancing water use efficiency under limited water supply. In this paper we discuss the possible effective techniques to improve water use efficiency and some macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium), micronutrients (zinc, boron, iron, manganese, molybdenum and chloride), and silicon (a beneficial nutrient) in detail to show how these nutrients play their role in enhancing water use efficiency in crop plant.     

Influence of soil temperature and moisture on micronutrient supply,plant uptake,and biomass yield of wheat,pea, and canola

Abstract

Crop yield response to micronutrient fertilization is difficult to predict, particularly under unfavorable environmental conditions as these may alter both crop nutrient demand and the soil micronutrient supply to plant roots. The research objective was to evaluate the effect of various soil temperature and moisture conditions on crop growth response to added micronutrient copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) along with soil micronutrient supply and distribution among fractions. Brown and Dark Brown farm soils collected from southern Saskatchewan were used to grown wheat, pea and canola within controlled environment chambers. The biomass yields of all crops decreased under cold soil temperature and moisture stress (drought and saturated) conditions. Greater plant uptake of Cu, Zn, and B was associated with optimum (i.e., field capacity) soil moisture and warm temperature (23°C) growing conditions, compared to drought (i.e., 50% field capacity), saturated, and cold (5°C) temperature conditions. Environmental stress had the greatest impact on pea growth, reducing crop yield and micronutrient utilization efficiency more than 95%. Soil supplies of Cu and Zn were most negatively impacted by drought stress due to reduced mobility of these diffusion limited nutrients. The extractable micronutrients levels and chemical speciation fractions of Cu, Zn, and B indicating that bioavailability and micronutrient transformation were not affected during our short-term (i.e., six-weeks) study. However, it is suggested that assessments of micronutrient forms also be conducted on soil samples under actual moisture and temperature conditions as they exist in the experiment, as well as on dried, processed samples.     

Response of Wheat Cultivars to Nitrogen and Sulfur for Crop Yield,Nitrogen Use Efficiency,and Protein Quality in the Semiarid Region

ABSTRACT

The effects of nitrogen (N at 0, 100 and 180 kg N ha-1) and sulfur (S at 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg S ha-1) on crop yield, nutrient uptake, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and amino acid composition of two bread wheat cultivars, ‘Shehan’ and ‘Enkoy,’ grown in Andisols and Cambisols in randomized blocks with three replications were evaluated. Both cultivars responded significantly (P < 0.05) to N and S applications and S application with N improved the NUE by 28%. The yield increase for the two cultivars by N and S application ranged between 0.8 to 2.4 Mg ha^?1. The N concentration increased significantly from N0 to N2 in both cultivars. Sulfur fertilization increased the concentration of cysteine and methionine by 27% and 14%, respectively, as compared to N alone. The grain yield, NUE, N, and S uptake, and the S-amino acid concentration of ‘Enkoy’ were significantly higher than ‘Shehan’ cultivar.     

Crop yields and soil fertility as affected by dryland rotations in Southern Alberta

Abstract

Six of seven nonfertilized dryland crop rotations, consisting of combinations of fallow, wheat, alfalfa, and grass, have depleted several major plant nutrients in the soil in 20 years. The average contents of organic matter, total N, and exchangeable K were decreased by 14.5, 10.1, and 26.7%, respectively, in the 0‐ to 15‐cm soil horizon and by 24.1, 13.3, and 25.7% in the 15‐ to 30‐cm horizon. Total P content of the soils changed very little during 20 years of cropping. The amount of NaHC03‐extractable P decreased by 38.3% in the 0‐ to 15‐cm horizon of all soils except those in a manured fallow‐wheat‐wheat rotation, where a 30.6% increase occurred. Although soils were generally depleted, plant nutrients have not yet reached critically low levels, and therefore crop yields have been maintained at a fairly uniform level by using improved cereal varieties, timely tillage, good seedbed preparation, suitable seeding methods, and adequate in‐crop weed control. However, further depletion of plant nutrients from the soils will probably restrict crop production in the future. The results indicate that applications of adequate amounts of N, P, and K fertilizers, as determined by soil tests and correlative field tests, must be made to these and similar soils to ensure continued productivity.     

Nitrogen‐enriched compost application combined with plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) improves seed quality and nutrient use efficiency of sunflower

Ecological benefits associated with plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculants offer a promising integrated nutrient management option to counteract plant nitrogen (N) deficiency. We performed field experiments to evaluate the effect of integrated N fertilizer regime involving chemical N fertilizer (CNF) and N‐enriched compost (NEC), either alone or combined with selected PGPR (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) on sunflower seed quality, N use efficiency (NUE) and soil fertility during 2014–2015. We found that integrated N biofertilizer application resulted in significantly higher seed oil concentration, fatty acid composition, and harvest index in both cropping years. Greater effects on N yield efficiency (NYE), N use efficiency (NUE), N physiological efficiency (NPE), and photosynthetic N use efficiency (PNUE) were recorded in nitrogen‐enriched compost+PGPR inoculant (NECPI) treatment followed by chemical N fertilizer+PGPR inoculant (CNFPI) treatment. Statistically significant differences were observed in linoleic and linolenic acid, NYE, and NUE for treatment × year interaction, thus, suggesting that the integrated N biofertilizer approach facilitates the efficient N use by sunflower for improving yield and seed quality. Moreover, we also found considerable enhancement of soil N fertility after two consecutive cropping years of sunflower. The enhancement of seed quality, N use efficiencies, and soil N fertility through integrated N biofertilizer application emphasizes the importance of balanced crop N nutrition, ensuring sufficient N supply to sunflower with adequate N balance in soil for the next crop. Overall, combination of PGPR with NEC amendment may optimize N uptake efficiency and reduce N fertilizer losses, which is necessarily required for the sustainable sunflower production.     

Leaching losses of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium on tobacco soils in north Queensland

Abstract

A study was conducted in the north Queensland tobacco producing area to examine the efficiency of use of N, P and K on two tobacco farms in the 1987 growing season. A nutrient balance was calculated from soil and plant analysis plus farmer fertiliser applications to estimate the losses of N, P and K which occur through leaching of these nutrients out of the root zone (0–0.45 m). Losses of 110 to 160, 50 to 80 and 160 kg/ha were found for N, P and K respectively during the grand‐growth period from hilling up to first pick. If 75% of these losses could by prevented, savings of $A5000 on an average 20 hectare crop of tobacco could be achieved.     

Nutrient use efficiency in perennial fruit crops—A review

Perennial fruits crops by the virtue of their nutritional qualities have already emerged as a major alternative, cutting short the menacing load on the consumption of traditional monotonous cereal/tuber crop-based diet. A nutrient management-based production system of perennial fruit crops is inherently complex to understand due to large variation in nutrient use efficiency (NUE). The current state of diagnosis of nutrient constraints in the current season-standing crop has minimum efficacy. Therefore, the development of production-linked nutrient norms using crop-specific index plant parts needs a thorough revisit at the orchard level using conventional basin irrigation versus fertigation. The application of hyperspectral analysis as proximal sensing of nutrient stress has started imparting precision to nutrient constraint diagnosis. On the other hand, the biggest constraint in making soil test ratings more purposeful is the non-redressal of spatial variation in soil fertility in the form of soil fertility analogs vis-a-vis fruit crops. The conjoint use of geoinformatics and Nutrient Experts as decision support tool(s) accommodating site-specific nutrient management strategy, newer concept of fertigation such as open-field hydroponics and variable-rate application as possible improvements in NUE collectively using a logical relationship between canopy volume and nutrient requirement, and exploiting further the nutrient–harmone and nutrient–microbe (in the consortium mode) synergies have yielded a definite edge over conventional methods of nutrient management options in fruit crops.     

旱地土壤硝态氮与氮素平衡、氮肥利用的关系

利用长期肥料试验资料研究了土壤氮素平衡、氮肥利用率和土壤硝态氮之间的相互关系。结果表明,小麦不同施肥处理的氮肥利用率（NUE）为30.9%~65.8%,平均53.6%;土壤硝态氮累积率2.3%~44.1%,平均13.2%;氮素表观损失率25.0%~42.7%,平均33.2%。一般情况下,氮素盈余值与氮肥用量呈正相关,与磷肥用量呈负相关;土壤中硝态氮的数量与氮素盈余值呈正比,与氮肥利用率呈反比。黄土旱塬地区,小麦在经济合理施氮条件下,氮素盈余值为13.79 kg/hm2,硝态氮累积量为23.00 kg/hm2,说明过量施用一定数量的氮肥对保持作物生产力和土壤氮素营养是必要的。     

Macro‐ and micronutrients removed by upland and lowland rice cultivars in West Africa

Abstract

Plant analysis is an important component of soil fertility and plant nutrition research. Plant analysis at harvest of the crop forms the basis for constructing nutrient balances and assessing the nutrient needs of production systems. Amounts of macro‐ and micronutrient elements removed by improved, upland and lowland rice cultivars were determined in field experiments at two sites in Ivory Coast. Amounts of nitrogen (N), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) removed for 11 rice grain yield by upland and lowland rice cultivars were similar, but the amounts of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) removed were higher for lowland than upland rice. The nutrient element harvest indexes (amount in grain/amount in grain plus straw) varied between the cultivars, but more importantly, among nutrient elements. On average the nutrient harvest index was highest for P (69%) and lowest for K (10%). The results suggest that the nutrient requirement of rice for K can be met to a large extent through the recycling of K in rice straw. The amounts of other major nutrients, N and P in the straw were small and hence less scope for supplying these nutrients through the recycling of rice straw.     

Yield and nitrogen use efficiency of bell pepper grown in SLAB fertigated with different nitrogen rates

Abstract

Adequate plant nutrition is important to reduce costs and increase the crop yield. This study tried to verify the influence of Nitrogen (N) on plant biomass production and the yield of bell pepper grown in SLAB; quantify the N use efficiency (NUE), and to quantify the residual N concentration in the substrate after the end of the crop cycle. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment. Pepper seedlings were transplanted to SLAB bags containing 40?dm³ of substrate. The treatments consisted of six N rates (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5?g plant^?1) split into 10 fortnightly applications, in a randomized block design with four replications. The fruit yield was evaluated throughout the experiment and after the final harvest, the dry mass of leaves, stem, and root of the plant, the N content and accumulated, the residual nitrate and ammonium in the substrate, and the NUE were evaluated. The rate of 5.51?g plant^?1 of N, corresponding to 355.5?kg ha^?1, provided the maximum yield of commercial fruits of 1.57?kg plant^?1 or 101.2 t ha^?1. With increasing N rate, the residual nitrate concentration in the substrate increased and the NUE decreased.     

高产农田土壤有机质、养分的变化规律与作物产量的关系

以山东桓台县高产农田为研究对象 ,对全县 1982～ 1998年的平均作物产量、土壤有机质、速效养分、化肥施用量等进行了调查和分析。结果表明 ,从 1982年到 1998年 ,桓台县农田土壤有机质处于不断增加的状态 ,但增加的幅度随着秸秆还田的普及而逐渐变小。目前全县县域农田土壤有机质平均水平为 15.0 gkg-1,有可能是当前耕作方式、土壤类型和气候条件下土壤有机质的平衡点。研究还表明 ,高产条件下土壤有机质与作物产量之间存在显著正相关关系。在吨粮田发展过程中 ,土壤速效氮和速效钾对作物产量的贡献逐渐降低 ,而土壤速效磷的贡献呈增加趋势。