What soil information do crop advisors use to develop nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for grain growers in New South Wales,Australia?

The Australian grains industry relies on mineralized nitrogen (N) from soil organic matter and plant residues, but fertilizer N is increasingly needed to optimize yields. Most farmers are guided on N fertilizer requirements by commercial crop advisors. We surveyed (n = 132) and interviewed (n = 11) New South Wales grains advisors to gauge the usage of soil process understanding, soil data and decision support systems (DSSs) when developing N recommendations. Soil moisture at sowing, seasonal forecasts, crop rotation, soil mineral N, financial risk profiles and paddock history were all used to prepare N fertilizer advice, but stored soil moisture was most important. Farmer confidence in soil N testing was low due to high spatial variability. Most advisors calculated N fertilizer required for yields within 10%–15% of crop potential, but clients’ attitude to financial risk guided final N recommendations. Conservative growers preferred a low input system, while more reliable rainfall or greater reliance on stored soil water led growers to apply higher N rates to maximize long‐term profits. Advisors preferred “rules‐of‐thumb,” simple DSSs and knowledge of crop growth, to elaborate DSSs requiring detailed inputs and soil characterization. Few used in‐crop N sensing. N decision methodologies need to be updated to account for changes in soil fertility, cropping systems and farming practices. New research is needed to answer practical questions regarding soil N mineralization and N losses associated with alternative N application practices and extreme weather events. Training of new advisors in N processes and DSS use needs to be ongoing.     

Long-Term Trends of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Use and Soil pH Change in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington

Extension educates growers about using best management practices (BMPs) for nutrient management. However, it is important to understand grower management trends to prepare the best possible educational programs for growers. Three mail-based grower surveys conducted in 1981, 1996, and 2011 were used to document changing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer use and soil pH trends in the >450-mm precipitation zone of northern Idaho and eastern Washington, USA. The information collected in this paper spans a 40-year period. Nitrogen application rates have slightly increased, while P application rates on cereal crops have remained constant over the past 40 years. Average soil pH values have declined significantly over this time period; however, only about half of the surveyed growers were aware of this. This study is valuable because it (1) contains important information provided by growers on fertilization trends for the past 40 years (1971 to 2011), (2) quantifies the awareness of growers about soil pH decline in the region, and (3) provides baseline information, which can be used both in educational programming and to compare with future nutrient management.     

热带农业生态系统土壤肥力与植物养分综合管理研究进展

The greatest challenge for tropical agriculture is land degradation and reduction in soil fertility for sustainable crop and livestock production.Associated problems include soil erosion,nutrient mining,competition for biomass for multiple uses,limited application of inorganic fertilizers,and limited capacity of farmers to recognize the decline in soil quality and its consequences on productivity.Integrated soil fertility management(ISFM) is an approach to improve crop yields,while preserving sustainable and long-term soil fertility through the combined judicious use of fertilizers,recycled organic resources,responsive crop varieties,and improved agronomic practices,which minimize nutrient losses and improve the nutrient-use efficiency of crops.Soil fertility and nutrient management studies in Ethiopia under on-station and on-farm conditions showed that the combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizers significantly increased crop yields compared to either alone in tropical agro-ecosystems.Yield benefits were more apparent when fertilizer application was accompanied by crop rotation,green manuring,or crop residue management.The combination of manure and NP fertilizer could increase wheat and faba bean grain yields by 50%–100%,whereas crop rotation with grain legumes could increase cereal grain yields by up to 200%.Although organic residues are key inputs for soil fertility management,about 85% of these residues is used for livestock feed and energy;thus,there is a need for increasing crop biomass.The main incentive for farmers to adopt ISFM practices is economic benefits.The success of ISFM also depends on research and development institutions to provide technical support,technology adoption,information dissemination,and creation of market incentives for farmers in tropical agro-ecosystems.     

Soil C and N dynamics and maize (Zea may L.) yield as affected by cropping systems and residue management in North-western Pakistan

This paper presents the results of irrigated rotation experiment, conducted in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan, during 1999–2002 to evaluate effects of residues retention, fertilizer N and legumes in crop rotation on yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and soil organic fertility. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L) were grown in the winters and mungbean (Vigna radiata) and maize in the summers. Immediately after grain harvest, above-ground residues of all crops were either completely removed (−residue), or spread across the plots and incorporated by chisel plough by disc harrow and rotavator (+residue). Fertlizer N rates were nil or 120 kg ha⁻¹ for wheat and nil or 160 kg ha⁻¹ for maize. Our results indicated that post-harvest incorporation of crop residues significantly (p < 0.05) increased the grain and stover yields of maize during both 2000 and 2001. On average, grain yield was increased by 23.7% and stover yield by 26.7% due to residue incorporation. Residue retention also enhanced N uptake by 28.3% in grain and 45.1% in stover of maize. The soil N fertility was improved by 29.2% due to residue retention. The maize grain and stover yields also responded significantly to the previous legume (chickpea) compared with the previous cereal (wheat) treatment. The legume treatment boosted grain yield of maize by 112% and stover yield by 133% with 64.4% increase in soil N fertility. Similarly, fertilizer N applied to previous wheat showed considerable carry over effect on grain (8.9%) and stover (40.7%) yields of the following maize. Application of fertilizer N to current maize substantially increased grain yield of maize by 110%, stover yield by 167% and soil N fertility by 9.8% over the nil N fertilizer treatment. We concluded from these experiments that returning of crop residues, application of fertilizer N and involvement of legumes in crop rotation greatly improves the N economy of the cropping systems and enhances crop productivity through additional N and other benefits in low N soils. The farmers who traditionally remove residues for fodder and fuel will require demonstration of the relative benefits of residues return to soil for sustainable crop productivity.     

针对农户地块的施肥决策支持系统的设计与实现

针对中国耕地管理单元散乱、施肥盲目性大的现状,以地块为施肥单元的决策支持系统可以为农户提供更精确的按需定位的施肥指导。以海伦市光荣村为例,以遥感数据、田间采样数据、农户调查数据为数据源, 利用GIS和地统计学的研究方法建立基于农户地块的施肥决策方案管理单元图, 根据长期定位实验数据和养分平衡原理设计施肥模型;在Super Map Object平台上研制开发了光荣村施肥决策支持系统,实现了针对农户承包地块的可视化的施肥指导平台。利用该平台帮助农民按需施肥,从而减少施肥盲目性,促进黑土区土壤生态修复,保护生态环境。     

COMPARING FARMERS' PERCEPTION OF SOIL FERTILITY CHANGE WITH SOIL PROPERTIES AND CROP PERFORMANCE IN BESEKU,ETHIOPIA

Farmers' perceptions of soil fertility change were compared with observations on soil quality changes and crop performance in soils from a chronosequence representing a range of soil ages since conversion from forest to cropland (0 to 57 years). A majority of the farmers, 92 per cent, had observed a decline in soil fertility on their land. Farmers use crop yield, indicator plants, soil softness and soil colour to judge soil fertility. They identified 11 plants that they used to indicate high soil fertility and four plants that they used to indicate low soil fertility. There was a strong correlation (r = 0·96) between soil organic matter content (loss on ignition) and farmers' ranking of soil fertility based on colour and softness of soil samples from the chronosequence. The biotest experiment with maize showed an exponential decline in biomass production along the chronosequence, confirming the results of farmers' soil fertility ranking. In the biotest, total soil N predicted produced biomass well (r² = 0·95), whereas the relationship with soil available P (Olsen) was less obvious. Among the eight analysed plant nutrients in the maize leaves, N content was found to correlate best with biomass production (r² = 0·94). We conclude (i) that there is good agreement between farmers' knowledge and scientific indicators of soil fertility and (ii) that the major reason for declining soil fertility in Beseku is the decrease in N mineralization over time. Interventions should focus on supporting farmers to implement a diversified nutrient management strategy that can maintain or increase long‐term productivity of the soil. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

适宜肥料与改良剂改善盐碱土壤理化特性并提高作物产量

为了构建黄淮海平原盐碱障碍耕地适宜的培肥改土增产技术体系提供理论依据,在黄淮海平原典型轻中度盐碱障碍耕地进行了2 a的施肥试验,探究肥料结合改良剂施用对盐碱障碍耕地的土壤改良与作物增产效应。研究表明:仅依靠提高化肥施用量能够在一定时期内提高作物产量,但是会造成土壤盐分升高,土壤物理性质恶化,不利于盐碱土改良与可持续利用。在适度增施化肥的基础上,结合施用改良剂或有机肥可以明显降低土壤盐分含量,有利于盐碱耕地养分积累,显著提高作物产量:试验进行2 a后小麦产量分别较当地常规施肥提高21.41%和27.72%,分别达到6.35×103和6.68×103 kg/hm2;玉米产量分别较当地常规施肥提高10.44%和12.85%,分别达到7.68×103和7.85×103 kg/hm2。黄淮海平原盐碱障碍农作区应当重视有机肥与改良剂的施用,在降低土壤盐分含量、培肥地力的基础上提高作物产量,实现区域土壤资源可持续利用。该文可为黄淮海平原盐碱障碍耕地的可持续利用提供技术参考。     

有机-无机肥长期配施对潮土土壤肥力和作物产量的影响

以24年(19812～004年)的肥料长期定位试验为基础,分析探讨了有机-无机肥长期配施对潮土土壤肥力和作物产量的影响。研究结果表明,除增施秸秆外,增施化肥也能提高土壤有机质的含量,但同时增施化肥和秸秆更有利于土壤有机质的积累。在提高有机质复合量方面,施用化肥的效果好于施用秸秆,而有机-无机肥结合效果较单一施用秸秆或化肥都要高;随秸秆或化肥施用量的增加有机质的复合度逐渐降低,但有机-无机肥结合施用可以提高有机质的复合度。有机-无机结合有利于改善土壤的物理性状,降低了土壤容重,提高了土壤田间持水量和饱和含水量,增加了土壤总孔隙度和毛管孔隙。单施秸秆肥和单施化肥均有显著的增产效应,而化肥的增产幅度远远大于秸秆肥,有机-无机结合的增产幅度在同等施肥量下较单独施用秸秆或化肥的产量都要高。结果表明,有机-无机结合较单一施用秸秆肥或化肥能更有效地提高潮土的土壤肥力,提高作物产量。     

Soil Test and Plant Tissue Analysis as Diagnostic Tools for Fertilizer Recommendations for Cassava in an Ultisol

Soil- and plant-based fertilizer recommendations hold promise for increasing farmers’ incomes with high-input crops such as cassava. Considering the significance of cassava for the food, nutritional, and economic security of a half billion people globally and the positive response of the crop to fertilizer and manure applications in terms of tuber yield and quality through starch improvement and cyanogenic glucoside reduction, these recommendations were validated and popularized in two districts of Kerala State. Soil and plant samples from nine major cassava-growing districts of Kerala were analyzed for soil reaction, organic carbon, and essential nutrients, which formed the basis for the recommendation. The soil-test-based recommendation [nitrogen (N)–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K)–zinc (Zn) at 82:6.3:68:2 kg ha^?1 along with farmyard manure (FYM) at 6.25 t ha^?1] resulted in the greatest benefit–cost ratio of 1.75 with improvements in tuber and soil quality.     

长期施肥对农田土壤氮素关键转化过程的影响

当前,如何合理施肥、提高作物产量、维持土壤肥力、并兼顾生态环境效应是农业研究的主要挑战之一。本文综述了长期施肥对农田土壤氮素关键转化过程的影响,主要从土壤氮转化过程的初级转化速率角度综述肥料(有机肥和化学氮肥)对土壤氮素关键转化过程的影响。土壤氮素矿化-同化循环是自然界氮循环过程中两个至关重要的环节,是决定土壤供氮能力的重要因素。总体而言,长期施用氮肥,尤其是有机肥能显著提高初级矿化-同化周转速率;长期施肥可以刺激自养硝化作用,且有机肥的刺激作用更明显;施用化学氮肥和有机肥均能提高反硝化速率,且有机肥的刺激作用高于化学氮肥。有机肥一直被提倡和实践用来改善土壤肥力和提高土壤固碳能力,无论是单施有机肥还是有机-无机配施,均能有效地减轻硝酸盐污染,改善土壤肥力并提高作物产量。但是有机肥的施用并不是多多益善,有机肥过多施用也会增加氮损失的风险。因此,本文综述了长期施肥对农田土壤氮素关键转化过程初级转化速率的影响,讨论了各个氮转化过程之间的联系,以期增强人们对长期施肥措施影响农田土壤氮素循环的理解,并为合理施用氮肥、提高氮肥利用率、减少与氮相关的环境污染提供理论依据。     

Stretching Soil Sampling to Watershed: Evaluation of Soil‐Test Parameters in a Semi‐arid Tropical Watershed

Soil sampling is an integral component of fertility evaluation and nutrient recommendation for efficient use of nutrients in crop production. Little attention has been devoted to evaluating methodology for sampling watersheds under dryland agriculture. A stratified random sampling methodology for sampling the Appayapally watershed in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh state in the semi‐arid tropical region of India was adopted and evaluated. The watershed has an area of about 500 ha, with gentle sloping lands (<1% slope), and 217 farmers own land in the watershed. The soils are Alfisols. A total of 114 soil samples were collected from the top 15‐cm layer to represent the entire watershed. Each sample was a composite of 7–8 cores, randomly collected from the area represented by a crop and group of farmers. The soil samples were air dried, ground, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and extractable phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and boron (B). Statistical analysis of the results on soil fertility parameters showed that the mean‐ or median‐based results of soil tests performed in the study did not differ significantly when the sample set size varied from 5 to 114 (100% of the population). Our results indicate that farmers' fields in the Appayapally watershed are uniform in the chemical fertility parameters studied, and even a small sample set size can represent the whole population. However, such a sampling strategy may be applicable only to watersheds that are very gently sloping and where fertilizer use is very low, resulting in an overall low fertility in the whole watershed.     

有机物料施用对旱地红壤作物产量和有机质活性组分的影响

为了探讨不同有机物料施用对作物产量和土壤有机质活性组分的影响,以达到农田增产和土壤培肥的目的,本研究依托2015年在江西省红壤研究所布置的田间施肥试验,设置不施肥(CK)、常量化肥(CF)、减量化肥(RF)、减量化肥配施秸秆(RFR)、减量化肥配施生物黑炭(RFB)、减量化肥配施猪粪(RFP)、减量化肥配施蚓粪(RFV)7种不同施肥处理,研究减量化肥40%条件下配施不同有机物料对作物产量及耕层土壤有机质活性组分的影响。结果表明:在红薯-油菜轮作制度下,减肥配施有机物料处理的作物产量较常量化肥处理都有不同程度的增加,其中RFP、RFV处理油菜籽产量显著高于CF处理(P0.05);减肥配施有机物料处理的土壤微生物生物量有机质(MBOM)、水溶性有机质(DOM)、颗粒性有机质(POM)、易氧化有机质(LOM)含量均高于CF处理,其中油菜季POM含量较红薯季有明显的提升;相关性分析表明,经过两季的施肥处理,SOM和有机质活性组分与作物产量均呈显著正相关关系(P0.05),MBOM、POM、LOM与SOM呈极显著正相关性(P0.01)。可见,不同有机物料替代部分化肥,可以一定程度提高作物产量,更重要的是可以促进土壤有机质活性组分的提高,对于土壤培肥至关重要。     

Should farmers apply fertilizer according to when their daffodils are in flower? Utilizing a “farmer‐science” approach to understanding the impact of soil temperature on spring N fertilizer application in Wales

Perennial ryegrass starts growing when soil temperatures reach 5.5°C for five consecutive days; applying N fertilizer before this risks environmental losses. To test whether daffodil flowering signified when to apply N fertilizer, farmers volunteered to take part in a citizen science study. The PROSOIL project used a “citizen science”, participatory approach to create farmer‐informed science, aiming to increase awareness of the importance of soil health. In 2014, over 300 farmers completed a “How do you manage your soil” survey. The survey included a question on the use of daffodils (Narcissus spp.) to indicate the best time to apply the first nitrogen fertilizer of the season, based on anecdotal feedback from farmers involved in the PROSOIL project. The survey recorded 7% of farmers based their first fertilizer application on when daffodils flowered. To increase farmer awareness of soil temperatures, we provided them with soil thermometers, held workshops and hosted interactive stands at agricultural events in 2014. In autumn 2014, farmers planted daffodil bulbs of the same variety, across Wales, and monitored soil temperatures. Farmers returned postcards once their daffodils were in flower, noting the soil temperature. An assessment of whether daffodil flowering date could indicate when to apply N fertilizer was made. Overall, in spring 2015, daffodils flowered when soil temperature was 6.4(±0.35)°C, suggesting daffodil flowering date is a more reliable indicator for fertilizer application, than first hypothesized. Findings show a scientific validation of local knowledge, regarding the use of daffodils to indicate the “not‐before” date for the first N fertilizer application.     

Constructing a nitrogen fertilizer recommendation system using a dynamic model: what do farmers want?

Abstract. An effective fertilizer recommendation system requires information on seasonal, soil-related and cultural variations in soil mineral nitrogen (N) and nutrient requirements of the crop. This can be provided by dynamic N turnover models, such as listed by Plentinger & Penning De Vries (1996). In this paper, we describe a survey of farmer opinion designed to ascertain what farmers want from such a decision support system. Over 100 farmers were surveyed. Surveyed farmers requested that default values be available for all model inputs. Inputs should be entered both by windows-based menu (for clarity) and tabular format (for speed), have user-selected units, and be fully supported by context-sensitive help. The system should have a hierarchical structure allowing access to fixed parameters, and be compatible with commonly used farm recording packages. Recommendations should be provided both for the field (single and optional application rates), and in tabular format across the whole farm. Simulations should be easily rerun using more recent crop and weather data. Turnover processes underlying recommendations should be illustrated by flow diagrams of flux between pools, pie charts of fertilizer fate, bar charts of movement down the soil profile and graphical plots of changes in N status against time.     

Macro element status of Mandarin orchards in Southern Turkey

Abstract

Citrus nutrition and fertility of the orchards are not intensively studied in Turkey compared to the size of orchards and amount of production. A survey study was conducted in Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey to evaluate the macro element status of Mandarin orchards and to define potential correlations between the soil parameters and leaf element contents. Twenty five mandarin orchards were selected for the survey study. Soil and leaf samples were collected from each orchard based on the size and uniformity. The amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were measured in soil and leaf samples. The results indicated that there were not apparent nutrient deficiencies in the soils, however, the macro element deficiencies in the leaves were detected. Only a few number of correlations existed between the soil and leaf parameters. Previous fertilizer applications by growers should be considered in the current fertilizer programs.     

Wind erosion: the perspective of grass-roots communities in the Sahel

Under the harsh conditions prevailing in the West African Sahel, farmers must deal with a range of environmental and socio-economic issues that constrain agriculture. Although scientific evidence indicates that wind erosion is potentially a major land degradation process, little is known about the Sahelian farmer's perception of the relative importance of wind erosion as a constraint to agricultural production. A village-level survey was therefore undertaken to assess farmers' views about the relative importance of perceived constraints to agricultural production in 41 villages across Niger. During the interviews, the communities' views were also recorded regarding the causes and consequences of wind erosion as well as known wind erosion control measures. Wind erosion ranked eighth overall and was listed by male farmers among the top 10 constraints in 54 per cent of the villages. It was perceived by male farmers to be a moderate to high constraint in 39 per cent of the villages but was not considered important by female farmers. Wind erosion ranked third among environmental constraints, behind drought and soil fertility. Wind erosion related health problems were generally of more concern than crop damage or loss of topsoil by wind erosion. Deforestation, removal of crop residue and land-clearing practices were identified by farmers as major contributors to soil losses by wind. To address this issue, at least 10 different low-cost technologies are currently being implemented by farmers, including leaving crop residue in the field, mulching and natural regeneration of vegetation. The survey results indicate that farmers are well aware of the overriding importance of their management practices, as opposed to climatic factors, on the current extent of wind erosion. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土壤肥力质量与施氮量对小麦氮肥利用效率的综合定量关系研究

耕地土壤肥力及施氮量对于小麦产量和氮肥利用率均具有重要影响,但它们综合影响的定量关系及相对贡献率并不清楚。在太湖流域常熟市研究区,通过设置不同土壤肥力与施氮量的小麦田间试验,研究施氮量、土壤肥力综合质量指数对小麦产量和氮肥利用率的影响,并利用多元回归方法拟合他们之间的定量关系方程,分析揭示施氮量与土壤肥力综合质量指数对小麦产量和氮肥利用率综合影响的相对贡献率。结果表明,提升施氮量和土壤肥力综合质量指数,有利于增加小麦产量,但不利于小麦氮肥利用率提升;土壤肥力综合质量指数对小麦产量和氮肥利用率的影响大于施氮量,两者对产量和氮肥利用率的相对贡献率比值分别为1.09∶1和1.32∶1。表明通过提升土壤综合肥力、削减氮肥施用量,达到粮食与生态双重安全目标,培育和提升耕地土壤质量显得更为基本和重要。     

An overview of fertilizer‐P recommendations in Europe: soil testing,calibration and fertilizer recommendations

The procedure for applying phosphorus (P) fertilizer to soil can be divided into three consecutive steps: (i) Measurement of soil‐P availability, (ii) calibration of the soil‐P fertility level and (iii) estimation of the recommended P dose. Information on each of these steps was obtained for 18 European countries and regions with the aim of comparing P fertilizer recommendation systems at the European scale. We collected information on P fertilizer recommendations through conventional or grey literature, and personal contacts with researchers, laboratories and advisory services. We found much variation between countries for each of the three steps: There are more than 10 soil‐P tests currently in use, apparent contradictions in the interpretation of soil‐P test values and more than 3‐fold differences in the P fertilizer recommendations for similar soil‐crop situations. This last result was confirmed by conducting a simple experimental inter‐laboratory comparison. Moreover, soil properties (pH, clay content) and crop species characteristics (P responsiveness) are used in some countries in the calibration and recommendation steps, but in different ways. However, there are also common characteristics: soil‐P availability is determined in all countries by extraction with chemical reagents and the calibration of the soil‐P test values, and the fertilizer recommendations are based on the results from empirical field trials. Moreover, the fertilizer recommendations are nearly all based on the amount of P exported in the crops. As long as rational scientific and theoretical backgrounds are lacking, there is no point in trying to synchronize the different chemical methods used. We therefore call for a mechanistic approach in which the processes involved in plant P nutrition are truly reproduced by a single standard method or simulated by sorption‐desorption models.