Innovations in Crop Nutrition and Fertilization toward Sustainable Agriculture

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2022) | Viewed by 10445

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Guest Editor
Department of Crop Production and Agri-Technology, Murcia Institute of Agri-Food Research and Development (IMIDA), C/Mayor s/n, 30150 Murcia, Spain
Interests: abiotic stress; bioactive compounds; sustainable by-products; sustainable nutritional strategy; climate change
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global population growth poses a threat to food security in an era of climate change, leading to increased ecosystem degradation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. For this reason, modern agriculture increasingly demands an alternative to existing synthetic chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides). New nutrient formulations are sought not only in order to respond to changes in international laws and regulations, but also to consumer needs. Today, consumers demand foods that are both healthy and eco-friendly. In this context, a combination of biotechnology and nanotechnology could be key to revolutionizing agricultural systems and providing solutions to current problems. Within these agricultural systems are included the development and use of new formulations that present greater fertilizer efficiency and intelligent fertilizers with controlled release of nutrients and bioformulations based on bacteria or enzymes.

Thus, we are pleased to announce this Special Issue on “Innovations in Crop Nutrition and Fertilization toward Sustainable Agriculture” that will be a compilation of high-standard scientific research, reviews, and opinion articles. This Special Issue will address new and sustainable crop nutrition and fertilization strategies that allow to obtain a better production and quality of sustainable vegetables.

Dr. Jacinta Collado-González
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • abiotic stress
  • fertilizers
  • nutrient use efficiency
  • plant nutrition
  • plant growth promotion
  • sustainable agriculture
  • food by-products with added value
  • food quality

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2297 KiB  
Article
Effects of Sphingobium yanoikuyae SJTF8 on Rice (Oryza sativa) Seed Germination and Root Development
by Ying-Tzy Jou, Elmi Junita Tarigan, Cahyo Prayogo, Chesly Kit Kobua, Yu-Ting Weng and Yu-Min Wang
Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1890; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111890 - 10 Nov 2022
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Abstract
The interaction between plant roots and rhizobacterium communities plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture. We aimed to assess the effects of Sphingobium yanoikuyae SJTF8 on rice seed germination and development, as well as to observe the effects of different concentrations of S. yanoikuyae [...] Read more.
The interaction between plant roots and rhizobacterium communities plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture. We aimed to assess the effects of Sphingobium yanoikuyae SJTF8 on rice seed germination and development, as well as to observe the effects of different concentrations of S. yanoikuyae SJTF8 on the root systems of rice seedlings. The bacteria are best known for their role in the bioremediation and biodegradation of pollutants, and thus far, there is research that supports their agricultural prospects. The experiment comprised five different S. yanoikuyae SJTF8 concentrations: SP-y 8 (108 CFU/mL); SP-y 7 (107 CFU/mL); SP-y 6 (106 CFU/mL); SP-y 5 (105 CFU/mL); SP-y 4 (104 CFU/mL). We used sterilized water as the control treatment. The bacteria triggered the synthesis of IAA, while the seedling root lengths substantially increased on the 12th day after germination. The high application concentrations of S. yanoikuyae SJTF8 resulted in higher IAA production (with the SP-y 7 and SP-y 8 concentrations ranging from 151,029 pg/mL to 168,033 pg/mL). We found that the appropriate concentrations of S. yanoikuyae SJTF8 when applied as an inoculant were SP-y 7 and SP-y 6, based on the increased root growth and biomass production. The bacteria were also able to solubilize phosphorous. The growth response from the rice seedlings when inoculated with S. yanoikuyae SJTF8 presents the potential of the bacteria as a growth promotor. Its application in rice cultivation could be a sustainable approach to rice production. Full article
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9 pages, 901 KiB  
Article
Impact of Organic and Chemical Nitrogen Fertilizers on the Crop Yield and Fertilizer Use Efficiency of Soybean–Maize Intercropping Systems
by Shifang Lin, Yijun Pi, Dayong Long, Jianjun Duan, Xingtao Zhu, Xiaoli Wang, Jin He and Yonghe Zhu
Agriculture 2022, 12(9), 1428; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12091428 - 9 Sep 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3851
Abstract
The effect of the mixture (1:1) of chemical and organic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on crop yield quality and N fertilizer use efficiency remains elusive. A nitrogen field experiment was conducted in the growing seasons of 2020 and 2021 to investigate the effects of [...] Read more.
The effect of the mixture (1:1) of chemical and organic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on crop yield quality and N fertilizer use efficiency remains elusive. A nitrogen field experiment was conducted in the growing seasons of 2020 and 2021 to investigate the effects of the mixture of chemical and organic N fertilizer on the crop yield, crop quality and nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency in a maize–soybean intercropping system in China. Four treatments applied at 150 kg N ha−1 were used: no nitrogen fertilizer (CK), chemical N fertilizer (ChemF), mixture (1:1) of chemical and organic N fertilizer (ChemF + OrgF) and organic N fertilizer (OrgF). The results showed that the yield and aboveground N accumulation of both soybean and maize increased with the application of fertilizer. The ChemF + OrgF treatment had lower maize and soybean seed yields than for ChemF treatment, but higher than the other two treatments in both years, and the maize yield of the (ChemF + OrgF) treatment was significantly higher (14.9%) in 2021 than 2020. Yields were significantly positively correlated with aboveground N accumulation and fertilizer use efficiency, measured using the nitrogen partial productivity (NPP), nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) and nitrogen fertilizer recovery rate (NFRR). The protein content tended to increase and the oil content tended to decrease under (ChemF + OrgF) applications in soybeans. The (ChemF + OrgF) treatment had the lowest starch content in maize. There was no significant difference in the nitrogen harvest index among treatments, while the NPP, NAE and NFRR were the highest for the application of chemical N fertilizer and significantly decreased with the addition of organic N fertilizer. We conclude that the mixture (1:1) of chemical and organic N fertilizer increased the seed yield and quality of maize, but only the seed yield of soybean. Full article
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15 pages, 9170 KiB  
Article
Utilizing Urea–Chitosan Nanohybrid for Minimizing Synthetic Urea Application and Maximizing Oryza sativa L. Productivity and N Uptake
by Omnia M. Elshayb, Abdelwahed M. Nada, Khaled Y. Farroh, Arwa Abdulkreem AL-Huqail, Maha Aljabri, Najat Binothman and Mahmoud F. Seleiman
Agriculture 2022, 12(7), 944; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070944 - 29 Jun 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2579
Abstract
In paddy fields, overuse of nitrogen fertilizer to maximize yields can lead to excessive economic loss and degradation of the environment. Therefore, studying the effects of urea–chitosan nanohybrid as a slow released source of nitrogen fertilizer on rice cultivation was the aim of [...] Read more.
In paddy fields, overuse of nitrogen fertilizer to maximize yields can lead to excessive economic loss and degradation of the environment. Therefore, studying the effects of urea–chitosan nanohybrid as a slow released source of nitrogen fertilizer on rice cultivation was the aim of our study. The effects of fertilization applications, namely: CU: control treatment; U1: application of a full recommended dose of classical urea (165 kg N ha−1); U2: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 80% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; U3: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 80% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L; U4: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 60% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; U5: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 60% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L; U6: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 40% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; and U7: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 40% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L on growth indicators, yield-related components, grain productivity, and N uptake status of rice plants were investigated during two successive seasons. As a result, significant achievements concerning growth, yield and yield-related traits were obtained when rice plants were fertilized with exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid (i.e., 500 mg N/L) + 60% classical urea without a significant decline in the studied traits compared to the full recommended dose of classical urea. Accordingly, this investigation revealed that chitosan nanohybrid at 500 mg N/L as a compensatory alternative can be used in saving 40% of classical urea requirement. Full article
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10 pages, 235 KiB  
Article
Agronomic Performance of Soybean with Bradyrhizobium Inoculation in Double-Cropped Farming
by Fazliddin Namozov, Sokhib Islamov, Maruf Atabaev, Kholik Allanov, Aziz Karimov, Botir Khaitov and Kee Woong Park
Agriculture 2022, 12(6), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12060855 - 13 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1456
Abstract
Land degradation is a serious problem in arid regions, including in Central Asian countries. Soybean symbiosis with rhizobia microbes has an essential role in improving crop productivity and sustaining soil fertility in an arid environment. An experiment was conducted in light straw-colored sierozem [...] Read more.
Land degradation is a serious problem in arid regions, including in Central Asian countries. Soybean symbiosis with rhizobia microbes has an essential role in improving crop productivity and sustaining soil fertility in an arid environment. An experiment was conducted in light straw-colored sierozem soils in the Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan (41.4° N, 64.6° E) under arid conditions over the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 growing seasons. This study aimed to assess the beneficial N fixation (BNF) ability of soybean in association with the Bradyrhizobium R6 strain and the Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 strains and their combined effect on soil fertility and crop yield. The residues of winter wheat and soybean improved soil structure, i.e., soil humus and N and P contents, significantly differing from those on the soybean followed by summer fallow treatment. Furthermore, soybean in association with dual inoculation had the highest N derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) (62.9 kg N ha−1), followed by individual soybean treatments with the R6 and USDA110 strains at 51.9 and 40.6 kg N ha−1, respectively. Improved soil quality positively impacted crop output, increasing winter wheat and soybean yields by 36.5% and 34.6%, respectively. Likewise, the yield parameters, i.e., the number of pods, weight of grain per pods, and 1000 seeds were significantly higher in the inoculated treatment with the highest value observed in the dual-inoculated treatment. These results suggest the insertion of soybean with symbiotic bacteria into the cropping system has considerable potential to contribute to sustainable land management practices in arid zones. Full article
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