不同形态氮肥对玉米产量和土壤浸提性有机质的影响

田间条件下,研究了不同形态氮肥(尿素、NH4+-N和NO3--N)对玉米产量、根际和非根际土壤氮和浸提性有机质的影响.结果表明,施氮处理的产量和吸氮量明显高于不施肥处理;施氮处理中,NO3--N和尿素处理开花前吸氮量显著高于NH4+-N处理,产量也略高于NH4+-N处理,但未达到显著水平;不同氮形态处理之间的土壤NH4+-N、NO3--N和浸提性有机碳(EOC)、氮(EON)没有差异;抽雄期EOC最高,与根系生长发育一致,而EON苗期相对最高.可见,在基础肥力较高的黑土上,不同形态氮肥对玉米产量、土壤养分影响不明显.     

Effect of some cations,anions, and organic residues on potassium leaching and fractionation in calcareous sandy loam soil

Potassium (K) is one of the essential elements for plants. There has been enough research to determine pollution of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and heavy metals in soil. However, by comparison research on the storage and transport of K has been neglected. Chemical fertilizer usage leads to serious environmental problems in Iran. Leaching of K can be affected by type of anions and cations present in the chemical fertilizers. Potassium leaching experiments were performed using 10 mM NH₄Cl, (NH₄)₂HPO₄, NH₄H₂PO₄, NH₄NO₃, NH₄OAC, CaCl₂, Ca(NO₃)₂, NaNO₃, and CO(NH₃)₂. The leaching experiment was lasted for 20 days (15 pore volumes). In addition, a set of experiments were conducted, where potato and wheat residues and poultry manure and sheep manure were added to soil at the rate of 5% and distilled water was used as the leaching solution to investigate impacts of organic residues on K leaching. In general, maximum K release was observed using NH₄Cl (566 kg ha^?1). Potato and wheat residues had maximum and minimum impacts on K leaching, respectively. Potassium fractionation was carried out after the end of the leaching experiment. The results indicated that leaching of soil in the presence of soluble salts and organic residues altered K distribution in different parts of soil.     

Effects of different organic materials on forage yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize (Zea mays L.)

The use of organic materials as a source of nutrients on agricultural lands ameliorates soil physical properties as well as being an environmentally friendly way of disposing of their wastes. This study was conducted to determine effects of three organic materials (poultry litter, cattle manure, leonardite) on yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. Poultry litter and cattle manure were applied based on phosphorus (P) or nitrogen (N) requirements of the crop whereas leonardite was applied only one dose (500 kg ha^?1) and also combined with three inorganic fertilizer doses (100%, 75%, 50% of recommended inorganic fertilizer dose). According to the results, the highest green herbage yield and nutrient uptake values were observed in LEO-100 whereas N-based treatments significantly decreased yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. The use of organic materials as a combination with inorganic fertilizer in silage maize cultivation is highly beneficial for sustainable forage production.     

秸秆还田量对土壤团聚体有机碳和玉米产量的影响

为明确秸秆深还田对土壤团聚体及有机碳和作物产量的影响,在辽宁省半干旱地区进行了6年秸秆深还田小区定位试验,秸秆施用量分别为0(CK)、6 000 kg/hm~2(T1)、12 000 kg/hm~2(T2)、18 000 kg/hm~2(T3)、24 000 kg/hm~2(T4),将秸秆还入20～40cm土壤亚表层,利用干筛、湿筛得到不同粒级土壤团聚体。结果表明:秸秆添加与CK比可降低土壤0～20 cm和20～40 cm土层土壤容重;土壤机械性团聚体主要集中在0.25 mm粒级,而水稳性团聚体主要集中在0.25mm粒级,与CK处理比秸秆的添加增加了土壤机械稳定性团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)和土壤水稳性团聚体MWD,随秸秆还田量增加,MWD值增大;秸秆深还田使各粒级团聚体有机碳均高于CK,对20～40 cm土层土壤团聚体碳含量的影响大于0～20 cm土层;秸秆深还田可增加玉米产量,随秸秆还田时间延长,不同秸秆还田量对玉米产量增加存在差异,2016年玉米产量测定结果各处理与CK比,T1增产4.66%、T2增产6.71%,T3增产5.37%、T4增产8.82%。秸秆深还田,能够提升土壤团聚体的稳定性,有利于增加土壤团聚体碳含量,对土壤质量和玉米产量的提高具有促进作用。     

A novel urea coated with pine oleoresin for enhancing yield and nitrogen uptake by maize crop

A study was conducted with maize in Vertisol, Inceptisol, Alfisol and Aridisol to evaluate the efficacy of the pine oleoresin coated urea fertilizers (coated with 1.25, 2.50, 3.75 and 5.00% pine oleoresin). Significant increase in biomass yield was observed in all the soils when urea was coated with pine oleoresin at 3.75% or more. All the pine oleoresin coated urea in Inceptisol and Aridisol; and 3.75% and 5% pine oleoresin coated urea in Vertisol and Alfisol significantly increased nitrogen (N) uptake as compared to uncoated urea. Nitrogen use efficiency increased from 19.34% to 32.80% in Vertisol, 13.06% to 28.27% in Alfisol, 13.87% to 23.86% in Inceptisol and 10.68% to 20.23% in Aridisol, as a result of coating urea with pine oleoresin. Thus the results indicate that there is a beneficial effect of coating urea with pine oleoresin with respect to yield, N uptake and use efficiency in maize crop.     

Origin and fate of soil lipids in a Phaeozem under rye and maize monoculture in Central Germany

Although soil lipids are an important class of soil organic substances, which is involved in numerous soil processes, their origin and fate in soils is insufficiently known. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the free lipid fraction in crop residues and farmyard manure (FYM), and soils which received these materials for long time. We sampled rye and maize stubble and roots, FYM, and Ap horizon soils from the ‘Unfertilized’ and ‘FYM’ plots of ‘Eternal Rye Cultivation’ experiment at Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Free lipids were extracted by dichloromethane/acetone and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Aliphatics were most abundant in all extracts, accounting for 61 to 77% of the total extractable lipids. By comparing the lipid composition of the added organic materials with that of the corresponding treated soil, the long-chain members of n-alkanols, n-alkanes, α,ω-alkanedioic acids, and unsaturated alkanoic acids from C₁₆ to C₁₉ did not disappear in soil whereas ω-hydroxyalkanoic acids and long-chain branched alkanoic acids were not extracted from soil probably because they were bound to nonextractable forms. It is suggested that the methodological approach can give information on decomposition and retention of free extractable lipids in soil. More information is needed to trace the fate of all lipids in the plant–soil system by the determination of bound molecules, which are nonextractable by organic solvents.     

尿素添加不同增效剂对夏玉米产量及氮肥利用率的影响

采用大田试验,研究了尿素添加不同增效剂(黄腐酸U17、聚天冬氨酸U24、复合增效剂黄腐酸加聚天冬氨酸组合U20)对夏玉米产量及氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明,施用增效尿素U20、U24和U17分别比普通尿素增产16.0%、8.5%和8.0%,达到显著性差异水平。与施用普通尿素相比,增效尿素U20、U24和U17减量20%时不减产。增效尿素U20、U24和U17能有效提高氮肥利用率,分别比普通尿素提高18.0、10.3和11.5个百分点;减量20%时,氮肥利用率比普通尿素提高18.6、12.7和12.3个百分点,且高于全量时处理。不同增效剂相比,以0.5%黄腐酸+0.3%聚天冬氨酸复合处理(U20)效果最优。     

不同灌水量下尿素添加适宜氮肥增效剂促进夏玉米灌浆增产

为揭示不同灌水水平和氮肥增效剂类型对夏玉米籽粒灌浆过程的影响规律,以郑单958品种为研究对象,采用裂区设计,主区设置2个灌水水平：40 mm（W1）、60 mm（W2）;副区在单施尿素（U）的基础上添加不同类型氮肥增效剂：脲酶抑制剂（NBPT）、硝化抑制剂（DCD）、双效抑制剂（NBPT+DCD）,采用Richards方程模拟夏玉米籽粒灌浆过程,研究不同灌水水平和氮肥增效剂类型对夏玉米各灌浆特征参数的调控效应,同时分析不同处理对夏玉米干物质转运和产量形成的影响。结果表明,3种氮肥增效剂下夏玉米的籽粒产量均显著高于U,DCD和NBPT+DCD的效果优于NBPT;增加灌水量至60 mm,可使氮肥增效剂的增产效果增强,NBPT、DCD和NBPT+DCD的产量分别提高了6.55%、5.36%和10.53%。NBPT、DCD和NBPT+DCD的转运率分别比U增大23.42%、19.58%和45.33%;两个灌水水平下的转运率无显著差异。Richards模型能较好地模拟夏玉米籽粒灌浆动态过程,拟合方程决定系数均在0.99以上。W2较W1水平显著延长了夏玉米总灌浆期持续时间,且延长了灌浆快增期和缓增期的灌浆时间,显著提高了缓增期的灌浆速率。3种氮肥增效剂均可提高夏玉米平均灌浆速率,且NBPT+DCD和DCD提高了灌浆快增期的灌浆速率。不同氮肥增效剂在不同灌水水平下效果不同。W2水平下,DCD能提高籽粒灌浆起始生长势,其总灌浆期持续时间延长至47.10 d,且优化了3个灌浆阶段的时长比例,平均灌浆速率较高,达0.828 g/d,是该研究中灌水水平和氮肥增效剂类型的最佳组合,研究可为关中地区氮肥增效剂的合理施用提供理论依据。     

腐植酸尿素对玉米产量及肥料氮去向的影响

【目的】研究腐植酸尿素对玉米干物质量、籽粒产量及肥料氮去向的影响,以期为传统尿素产品的提质增效及新型腐植酸尿素肥料的研制提供理论与实践依据。【方法】以玉米品种郑单958为供试作物,以自制的腐植酸尿素为供试肥料,运用15N同位素示踪技术,开展土柱栽培试验,设置不施氮肥对照 (CK)、普通尿素 (U) 和腐植酸尿素 (HAU) 3个处理,所有肥料均作为基肥一次性施入土柱0—30 cm土层。玉米成熟后,采集植株地上部样品进行考种,同时,分别测定玉米叶片、茎秆、苞叶、穗轴、籽粒的干物质量、氮素含量和15N丰度;分别采集0—15 cm、15—30 cm、30—50 cm、50—70 cm、70—90 cm土层的土壤样品,测定其氮素含量和15N丰度。【结果】各处理玉米植株地上部及各器官 (苞叶除外) 干物质量由低到高为CK < U < HAU,而玉米各器官的干物质量占该植株地上部干物质总量的比例在不同处理下的差异均未达到显著性水平;与U处理相比,HAU处理玉米地上部干物质量平均提高13.8%,籽粒产量提高14.2%;玉米籽粒产量构成的分析结果表明,不同处理玉米穗粒数差异显著 (P < 0.05),而百粒重却无显著差异。同时, HAU处理玉米对氮素和肥料氮的吸收量分别比U处理高0.989 g和0.072 g,提高了氮肥利用率4.8个百分点;各处理氮素和肥料氮在各器官的分配均表现为苞叶、穗轴 < 茎秆< 叶片 < 籽粒,籽粒总氮和肥料氮的吸收量分别占整个植株地上部总吸收量的65.7%～74.2%和58.6%～60.5%;从氮素来源分析,各器官所吸收的肥料氮仅占该器官氮素总吸收量的13.3%～30.9%。另外,不同施氮处理对土壤中肥料氮的总残留量影响不显著,但HAU处理肥料氮在施肥层 (0—15 cm) 的残留量显著高于U处理 (P < 0.05)。HAU处理肥料氮的损失率为34.9%,低于U处理5.1个百分点。【结论】供试条件下,施用腐植酸尿素能够增加玉米干物质量和籽粒产量,促进玉米对肥料氮的吸收,减少肥料氮向下层土壤的淋溶,有利于土壤残留氮的进一步吸收利用。     

尿素浓度对喷灌夏玉米生长和产量的影响

喷灌施肥灌溉时叶片对尿素的直接吸收作用是提高氮肥利用率的潜在因素之一。以地面灌溉、尿素撒施处理为对照(CK),通过设置不同的尿素喷施浓度,研究夏玉米生理生态指标和产量的响应特征。结果表明,追施尿素后叶片相对叶绿素含量(SPAD)增加,但不同尿素喷施浓度处理的夏玉米株高、SPAD无显著差异(P>0.05)。尿素喷施浓度对叶面积指数(leaf area index,LAI)和产量的影响具有较大的年际变化,2017年不同尿素喷施浓度处理的产量差异达到了显著水平,尿素喷施浓度为0.146%处理的产量(12.5 t/hm^2)显著高于尿素喷施浓度≥0.178%处理的产量(11.3 t/hm^2),2018年尿素喷施浓度为0.188%处理的LAI在喷灌施肥后的一段时间内出现了显著降低。喷灌施肥后,叶片吸收尿素对光系统活性和光化学效率的影响与SPAD有关,2017年SPAD较高时,喷施尿素后光系统活性和光化学效率呈先减小后增大规律,且尿素喷施浓度≤0.146%处理的抑制作用仅发生在施肥后1 d,尿素喷施浓度≥0.178%处理的抑制作用持续至施肥后3~5 d;2018年SPAD较低时,与CK处理相同,喷施尿素后所有处理的光系统活性和光化学效率均呈先增大后稳定规律。与CK处理相比,施氮量小于等于CK的喷灌处理的产量和水分利用效率与CK处理无显著差异,但氮肥偏生产力显著高于CK处理,证明了喷灌施肥灌溉的可行性及其节肥、增产潜力。     

沈阳市玉米主产区土壤有机质和有效磷含量及其与玉米产量水平之间的关系

为了解沈阳市玉米主产区土壤养分状况及其与玉米产量水平之间的关系，于2004～2005年对沈阳市不同肥力水平的玉米主要产区的土壤有机质和有效磷含量及其与玉米产量水平之间的关系进行分析。结果表明，沈阳市玉米主产区土壤有机质含量总体处于中低水平，有效磷含量总体处于较高水平；玉米的产量水平与有机质和有效磷含量之间表现出了极显著的正相关关系。由此提出增施有机肥，实行有机无机肥配施以及建立适应目前农业生产需要的土壤磷素丰缺指标是发挥玉米增产潜力的必要手段。     

有机肥配施荧光假单胞菌肥对玉米产量与复垦土壤磷素有效性的影响

复垦土壤贫瘠,磷素含量极低,严重影响作物的生长发育。研究化肥、有机肥配施荧光假单胞菌对玉米产量和复垦土壤磷素形态以及酶活性的影响,为加速培肥矿区复垦土壤提供技术支持和理论依据。该研究在山西省晋中市采煤塌陷区进行了2a的定位培肥试验,共设置7个处理：不施肥（CK）、单施化肥（CF）、化肥配施荧光假单胞菌（CFB）、单施有机肥（M）、有机肥配施荧光假单胞菌（MB）、化肥配施有机肥（MCF）、化肥有机肥配施荧光假单胞菌（MCFB）。采集各处理土壤样品测定相关指标,并通过相关性分析和结构方程模型来探究各形态磷与有效磷以及土壤磷酸酶之间的关系。结果表明：1）在整个试验周期（2021—2022年）,与CK相比,不同施肥处理均能显著提高玉米产量以及各形态磷素。其中,以MB处理下的玉米产量、有效磷、磷活化系数、不稳定态磷以及部分不稳定态磷含量最高,与CK处理相比,玉米产量显著提高2.4倍,有效磷含量、磷活化系数值、不稳定态磷含量、部分不稳定态磷含量分别显著提高4.5倍、4.67倍、0.98倍、1.16倍。2）与CK处理相比,化肥、有机肥配施荧光假单胞菌能够显著提高土壤微生物量磷以及酸性和碱性磷酸酶活性,配施荧光假单胞菌后,微生物量磷水平和碱性磷酸酶活性均以MB较M处理提升效果最佳,分别显著提高27.08%和9.56%。3）结合相关性分析以及结构方程模型,随着荧光假单胞菌和化肥有机肥的施入,在提高不稳定态磷素含量的同时也提高有效磷的供应能力,促进磷素在农田生态系统中的循环转化,产生积极的正向影响。化肥、有机肥配施荧光假单胞菌能够一定程度上影响复垦土壤玉米产量及产量性状、各形态磷素及有效性和微生物活性,对复垦土壤脆弱的农田生态系统产生积极影响。     

长期施肥对黄壤有机碳平衡及玉米产量的影响

基于长期定位试验,以黔中典型黄壤为研究对象,采用单因素方差分析、可持续性指数、稳定性指数等方法对长期定位试验获取的数据进行分析和比较,以探讨长期不同施肥处理对黄壤有机碳含量、有机碳平衡量、玉米产量稳定性、可持续性及其相互关系的影响。结果表明:(1)与施化肥和对照处理相比,施有机肥处理土壤有机碳含量明显升高,按大小排序依次为:MMNPK1/2M+1/2NPK1/4M+3/4NPK;(2)施有机肥处理黄壤有机碳平衡量为正值,且随有机肥施用量增加而增加,相反,施化肥和对照处理均为负值,大小依次为:MNPK、M1/2M+1/2NPK1/4M+3/4NPKNPKNKNPN、CKPK,各处理差异显著;(3)有机肥与化肥配施、有机肥单施及氮磷钾化肥协调施用更有利于提高玉米产量,排序为:MNPK1/4M+3/4NPK、1/2M+1/2NPKNPK、MNPNK、PK、NCK;(4)适量有机肥与化肥配施可提高玉米产量稳定性和可持续性(可持续性指数0.6,变异系数0.3),其中,1/4M+3/4NPK处理玉米产量稳定性和持续性最好;(5)玉米年产量与黄壤有机碳平衡量相关度较高,而玉米可持续性、稳定性则主要受有机碳含量影响。综上,有机肥与化肥配施有利于黄壤有机碳含量提升、玉米维持高产稳产。按适量"减肥"原则,以25%有机肥配施75%氮磷钾化肥效果最佳。     

短期翻耕和有机物还田对东北暗棕壤物理性质和玉米产量的影响

构建适宜作物生长的耕层是解决农田土壤耕层变浅、变薄、变硬和透气透水性差的重要技术途径之一,对于土壤黏粒含量较高的土壤来说,更是如此.该研究以黑龙江省较为典型的农田暗棕壤为研究对象,在黑河市爱辉农业示范园区设置不同耕层构建模式试验,分析不同翻耕深度(15、35 cm)和不同有机物还田(秸秆和牛粪)对暗棕壤物理性质、玉...     

缓释尿素氮肥在玉米苗期的养分释放特点

采用盆栽试验，模拟田间生态环境，研究施用不同种缓释氮素肥料玉米苗期上壤的尿素态氮、硝态氮和铵态氮含量。结果表明，施用硝化和脲酶抑制剂（DCD/NPBT）涂层尿素肥料的尿素态氮含量最高，为14．37mg／kg，延缓尿素转化效果明显；施用醋酸酯淀粉包膜尿素肥料，硝态氮含量最高，为102．08mg／kg。2种膜材料包膜硝化抑制剂（DCD）涂层尿素、包膜DCD／NPBT涂层尿素肥料的铵态氮含量都很高，在56．38～60．22mg／kg之间，而硝态氮含量都很低，DCD／NPBT涂层尿索肥料的硝态氮含量也很低，在28．0mg/kg左右。包膜抑制剂涂层尿素肥料对氮素养分的缓释效果优于只包膜尿素，包膜涂层2种抑制剂优于一种抑制剂，涂层2种抑制剂优于只涂层一种抑制剂；丙烯酸树脂包膜肥料的缓释性能强于醋酸酯淀粉包膜。     

Phosphorus characterization of manure composts and combined organic fertilizers by a sequential‐fractionation method

Characterization of the forms of phosphorus (P) in organic soil amendments was conducted by sequential P fractionation. More than 60% of total P was inorganic P (P_i). The major P_i forms in the cattle‐manure composts were NaHCO₃‐ and HCl‐extractable P fractions. HCl‐extractable P_i was the predominant P form and a considerable proportion of the total P was present in the HCl‐extractable organic P fraction in the poultry manure composts and combined organic fertilizers.     

Effect of acid modification of biochar on nutrient availability and maize growth in a calcareous soil

The nutritional quality of acid‐modified poultry manure biochar is unclear, so a better understanding of its properties and agronomic potential is needed. The biochar was modified with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃) and a combination of the two, before and after pyrolysis. After characterization of biochar samples and determination of total and water‐soluble mineral element concentrations, biochars were applied to a calcareous soil at a rate of 0.5% (w/w) to find out their effects on the mineral nutrition and growth of maize. Treatment with H₃PO₄+ HNO₃ enriches the biochar with phosphate, nitro groups and nitrate. The experimental results suggested that biochar modified with HNO₃ and/or HNO₃+H₃PO₄ after pyrolysis increased the water‐soluble phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) concentrations and increased plant‐available nutrients and plant growth by positively affecting the absorption of plant nutrients. The highest plant dry weight was obtained from biochar post‐treated with HNO₃+H₃PO_4, and this was followed by HNO₃‐ and H₃PO₄‐modified biochars. Premodification with HNO₃+H₃PO4 also significantly increased plant dry weights. The results of this study revealed that poultry manure biochar modified with HNO₃ and H₃PO₄ can be used effectively in calcareous soil for the improvement of plant mineral nutrition.     

包膜尿素与普通尿素掺混施用方式对土壤脲酶及春玉米生长的影响

采用大田试验,以不施氮为对照,采用释放期为60 d的包膜控释尿素(30%)与普通尿素(70%)掺混,研究了其不同施用方式(侧施、底施、分层施)对土壤脲酶及春玉米叶片净光合速率、保护酶活性的影响。结果表明:相同施氮水平下,底施处理0~40 cm土壤脲酶活性显著高于侧施和CK,尤其是在春玉米抽雄、灌浆期,但底施与分层施处理间没有显著差异。其中0~20 cm土层底施处理脲酶均值高于分层施、侧施和CK,分别为4.03%、55.94%和58.01%;20~40 cm土层底施处理脲酶均值高于分层施、侧施和CK,分别为3.77%、57.07%和67.37%。各处理植株和籽粒全氮含量变化趋势也基本一致,均表现为底施分层施侧施CK。采用底施处理在抽雄与灌浆期较分层施、侧施和CK叶片净光合速率平均值分别高3.61%、11.42%和33.43%,同时底施还提高了叶片超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性。与分层施、侧施、CK相比,采用包膜尿素与普通尿素掺混底施春玉米产量分别增加0.42%、5.81%、49.23%。采用包膜控释尿素与普通尿素掺混底施效果明显且减少成本,是适宜北京地区推广的施用方式。     

玉米秸秆质量和土壤水分对土壤活性有机碳组分和微生物性质的影响

Investigating the effects of residue chemical composition on soil labile organic carbon(LOC) will improve our understanding of soil carbon sequestration.The effects of maize residue chemical composition and soil water content on soil LOC fractions and microbial properties were investigated in a laboratory incubation experiment.Maize shoot and root residues were incorporated into soil at 40%and 70% ?eld capacity.The soils were incubated at 20?C for 150 d and destructive sampling was conducted after 15,75,and 150 d.Respiration,dissolved organic carbon(DOC),hot-water extractable organic carbon(HEOC),and microbial biomass carbon(MBC)were recorded,along with cellulase and β-glucosidase activities and community-level physiological pro?les.The results showed that the cumulative respiration was lower in root-amended soils than in shoot-amended soils,indicating that root amendment may be bene?cial to C retention in soil.No signi?cant differences in the contents of DOC,HEOC and MBC,enzyme activities,and microbial functional diversity were observed between shoot- and root-amended soils.The high soil water content treatment signi?cantly increased the cumulative respiration,DOC and HEOC contents,and enzyme activities compared to the low soil water content treatment.However,the soil water content treatments had little in?uence on the MBC content and microbial functional diversity.There were signi?cantly positive correlations between LOC fractions and soil microbial properties.These results indicated that the chemical composition of maize residues had little in?uence on the DOC,HEOC,and MBC contents,enzyme activities,and microbial functional diversity,while soil water content could signi?cantly in?uence DOC and HEOC contents and enzyme activities.     

Alterations in yield,physicochemical components and mineral composition of onion following organic manure and inorganic nitrogen application

Onion is the one of the most important vegetable crops grown extensively throughout the world; hence, understanding the response of the crop to the form and amount of N provided is of immense importance. In a field experiment, poultry and cattle manure (at 10?t/ha) were compared with four inorganic nitrogen (N) application levels (0, 60, 90 and 120?kg?N/ha), and six combinations of manure and N applications were investigated. Plant growth and total yield (kg/ha) significantly increased, when N application increased from 0 to 120?kg/ha, with or without added poultry manure. Plant height, leaf number and neck thickness were significantly reduced at 0?kg/ha?N plus cattle manure. The bulb ascorbic acid concentration significantly increased with the use of poultry manure (15.94?mg/100?g) and cattle manure (15.94?mg/100?g), compared with 120?kg/ha inorganic N (11.42?mg/100?g). No significant effects were observed on total phenolics and total soluble solids of onion bulbs following the different fertiliser treatments. Cattle manure increased P and K concentrations, whilst poultry manure significantly increased Zn and Fe concentrations in onion bulbs. Onion bulb Ca and Mg concentrations were lower when cattle manure (0.19% and 0.12%) was used than when other organic or inorganic fertilisers were used. Therefore, organic manure increases the concentrations of certain minerals in onions, compared with inorganic N application, without negatively affecting bulb size.