Abiotic stress is characteristic of the semi-arid region, so fertilization with silicon (Si) can mitigate the damage caused by this stress, increasing yield and improving food quality. In this scenario, this study evaluated the agronomic performance and quality of onion bulbs as a function of Si doses in a semi-arid region of Brazil. A field experiment was conducted, designed in complete randomized blocks, testing Si doses (0, 42.6, 83.2, 124.8, and 166.4 kg ha-1), with four replicates. Dry mass, chlorophyll, nutrition, yield, and physicochemical quality of the bulbs were evaluated. Fertilization with Si increased the concentrations of P, N, K, Zn, and Cu in the leaves, indicating an improvement in the nutritional status. There was a decrease in the physicochemical characteristics of the bulbs, such as titratable acidity, soluble solids, total soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, and pyruvic acid, compared to the control. Fertilization with 68 and 72 kg ha-1 of Si, respectively, increased by 10% the commercial yield (81.49 t ha-1) and by 8% the total yield (87.96 t ha-1) of bulbs. The total and commercial yield of onion bulbs is increased with Si doses of 68 and 72 kg ha-1, respectively; however, Si reduces the concentration of physicochemical quality attributes of the bulbs.

For establishment and growth of newly planted seedlings it is essential to overcome environmental stress at the planting site. Adding the amino acid arginine at planting is a novel treatment aiming at increased establishment success, so far tested in a limited number of applied studies. We examined the effects of adding arginine-phosphate (arGrow (R)), mechanical site preparation (MSP), and planting time on survival and growth of Norway spruce and Scots pine seedlings in two field experiments in boreal southeastern Norway. After three growing seasons, survival for spring planted seedlings of both species was significantly better following MSP, while addition of arginine-phosphate did not have any effect. Autumn planted pine seedlings with MSP and arginine had higher survival and also larger diameter than spring planted ones with MSP but without arginine. Spruce and pine seedlings with MSP were taller and had larger diameter than those without MSP. For spring planted seedlings of both species, dry weight of roots and shoots was positively affected by MSP, but not by arginine. To conclude, arginine-phosphate had neutral to modestly positive effects on survival and growth, while MSP had clear positive effects. The effect of planting time varied with species.

Excessive nutrient input in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) production not only results in wasted fertilizer application and potential decline in quality, but may also fail to further increase yield. Additionally, it can damage the health of the agroecosystem. However, it is unknown whether optimized fertilization can balance all these benefits. Here, a meta-analysis was conducted using a dataset of 72 paired observations in China to synthesize the response of cabbage yield, quality, farmers' income, net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB), and global warming potential (GWP) to optimized fertilization and its regulators. We found that optimized fertilization significantly increased cabbage yield by average 10 % and farmers' income by average 12 % with 11-23 % less fertilizer applied. Optimized fertilization significantly improved the quality of cabbage, such as soluble sugar and vitamin C. Furthermore, optimized fertilization significantly enhanced NEEB and mitigated GWP to the environment. No significant differences in optimized fertilization effect were found between optimizing the chemical fertilization rate (OCF) and optimizing chemical fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer application (OCFM). The ratio of N application rate between optimized fertilization and farmers' fertilizer practice was the dominant driver affecting the yield and quality of cabbage in the OCF treatment. While, there was no uniform factor affecting the yield and quality of cabbage in the OCFM treatment. These results highlight the multiple mechanisms of optimized fertilization methods in controlling yield and quality of cabbage. In future studies, conducting extensive field fertilization trials is essential for gaining insight into how various agronomic practices affect cabbage production. This knowledge will be crucial for optimizing these practices to maximize the comprehensive benefits of vegetable cultivation.

The use of sensor technology is essential in managing fertilization, especially in urban landscape where excessive fertilization is a common issue that can lead to environmental damage and increased costs. This study focused on optimizing nitrogen fertilizer application for Satinleaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), a native Florida plant commonly used in South Florida landscaping. Fertilizer with an 8N-3P-9K formulation was applied in six different treatments: 15 g (control), 15 g (15 g twice; T1), 15 g (15 g once; T2), 30 g (15 g twice; T3), 30 g (15 g once; T4), and 45 g (15 g twice; T5). Evaluations of plant growth and nutrient status were conducted at several intervals: baseline (0), and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days post-fertilizer application. Three types of optical sensors-GreenSeeker (TM), SPAD meter, and atLEAF chlorophyll sensor - were used to monitor chlorophyll levels as an indicator of nitrogen content. The study found that the 30 g (15 g twice; T3) treatment was most effective in promoting plant growth and increasing nitrogen content in leaves and soil, while the 45 g (15 g twice; T5) treatment resulted in higher nutrient runoff, indicating potential environmental risks. These findings emphasize the value of using optical sensors for precise nitrogen management in plant nurseries to enhance growth, lower costs, and minimize environmental impact.

Non-point source pollution resulting from agricultural fertilization may enter neighboring water bodies, negatively impacting the environmental water quality. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficiency of innovative fertilization strategies for agricultural non-point source pollution control and explore their benefit for carbon negativity. The results show that organic fertilizers are more likely to be washed out by rainfall or irrigation due to their higher soluble component content. The treatments using bamboo biochar, microbial agents, or both significantly reduced the nitrogen concentrations in infiltration and surface runoff. The washedaway phosphate demonstrated a different trend because adding microbial agents, including phosphorussolubilizing bacteria, converted fixed inorganic phosphorus in the soil into water-soluble phosphorus. In addition, the scouring and leaching in rainfall events mainly cause the farmland's nutrient loss after fertilizer application. The nutrient uptake by crops was increased by 15-30 %, and nutrient mass in infiltration and runoff waters was reduced by 5-10 %. By combining fertilizer reduction and innovative fertilization strategies, the crop yield remained similar to that with a full amount of fertilizer application. Over-dose application in fertilizer may not necessarily promote crop growth but may cause crop damage and fertilizer loss. The carbon negativity benefit of using innovative fertilization strategies was explored, and adding both microbial agents and bamboo biochar in half organic fertilization demonstrated the highest reduction (80.75 %) in carbon emission through synergistic interactions in the soil matrix. The innovative fertilization strategies employed in this study can (1) effectively reduce non-point source pollution from agricultural activities without impairing crops' overall growth and yield and (2) induce the synergistic effects in reducing nutrient loss, enhancing soil carbon sequestration, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

The consumption of tomatoes has been associated with diminishing the risk of several lethal diseases, e.g., heart attack and cancer. This is because tomato contains high antioxidants that have been shown to protect against oxidative damage in numerous empirical and epidemiological studies. Considering the health benefits, more emphasis should be given to produce organic tomatoes. Tomatoes have been ranked as the most important fruit and vegetable in Western diets as essential source of antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene, phenols, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Environmental conditions and agricultural practices are key factors that affect the quantities of these compounds available in tomato. Therefore, controlling the environmental conditions, such as water availability, temperature, light, saline soil, and agricultural practices (fertilization practices, harvesting, and food storage) are valuable tools to enhance the nutritional value of tomato fruits organically. Although, the quantitative and qualitative contents of health-promoting compounds in vegetables and fruits depend on their genetic predispositions. Agricultural practices and different environmental condition have broad effects on the nutraceutical compounds. Thus, this present study emphasizes on enhancing tomato nutrition through improved agricultural practices and optimized farming, especially in saline and water-deficit conditions. This organic-oriented strategy may counteract the scepticism caused by genetically modified tomatoes (GMOs) and will prompt further exploration in future studies.

Pecan is an important nut crop in the United States. It is native to North America and dominantly produced in the southern states in the US. Nitrogen and zinc are two of the most critical nutrients for pecan production. This review provides a comprehensive overview of nitrogen and zinc fertilizer management in pecan orchards, covering key topics such as nitrogen sources, nitrogen application rates, the timing of nitrogen application, nitrogen application of damaged trees, the impact of zinc deficiency, and methods for zinc application. The deficiency of these nutrients causes severe loss in pecan production. However, the cost involving nutrient application and post the effect of excessive application on the soil and environment is of serious discussion. This review summarizes nitrogen and zinc management strategy and explores application methods that can reduce the cost of fertilizer with minimal adverse effect on the soil and environment. Also, this review sheds light on the areas that needs extensive research in nutrient management in pecan production.

The traditional method of detecting crop nutrients is based on the direct chemical detection method in the laboratory, which causes great damage to crops. In order to solve the above problems, the main goal of this study is to design a precise fertilization method for greenhouse vegetables based on the improved back-propagation neural network (IM-BPNN) algorithm to increase fertilizer utilization efficiency, reduce production costs, and improve the economic viability of agriculture. First, soil samples from the farm in china are selected. With the laboratory treatment, available phosphorus, available potassium, and alkaline nitrogen are extracted. These data are preprocessed by the z-score (zero-mean normalization) standardization method. Then, the BPNN (backpropagation neural network) algorithm is improved by being trained and combined with the characteristics of the dual particle swarm optimization algorithm. After that, the soil sample data are divided into training and test sets, and the model is established by setting parameters, weights, and network hierarchy. Finally, the NBTY (nutrient balance target yield),BPNN (backpropagation neural network) and IM-BPNN algorithm are used to calculate the amount of fertilizer. Compared with the BPNN and NBTY algorithm, it shows that the IM-BPNN algorithm can more accurately determine the amount of fertilizer required by vegetables and avoid over-application, which can improve fertilizer utilization efficiency, reduce production costs, and improve the economic feasibility of agriculture.

Phosphate fertilizers are applied to the soil surface, especially in vineyards in production in subtropical regions. Nowadays, phosphorus (P) is not incorporated into the soil to avoid mechanical damage to the root system in orchards. However, over the years, successive surface P applications can increase the P content only in the topsoil, maintaining low P levels in the subsurface, which can reduce its use by grapevines. For this reason, there is a need to propose strategies to increase the P content in the soil profile of established orchards. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of management strategies to (i) increase the P content in the soil profile; (ii) enhance the grape production; and (iii) maintain the grape must composition. An experiment on the 'Pinot Noir' grape in full production was carried out over three crop seasons. The treatments were without P application (C), P on the soil surface without incorporation (SP), P incorporated at 20 cm (IP20), P incorporated at 40 cm (IP40), and twice the P dose incorporated at 40 cm (2IP40). The P concentration in leaves at flowering and veraison, P content in the soil, grape production and its components, and chemical parameters of the grape must (total soluble solids, total polyphenols, total titratable acidity, total anthocyanins, and pH) were evaluated. The P concentration in leaves did not differ among the P application modes. The application of P associated with soil mobilization, especially at 20 cm depth, increased grape production. The P application modes did not affect the values of the chemical parameters of the grape must except for the total anthocyanins, which had the highest values when the vines were subjected to 2IP40. Finally, the P application and incorporation into the soil profile was an efficient strategy for increasing the grape production in full production vineyards.

The study investigated the prolonged impact of swine manure application on soil inorganic phosphorus (P) fractions over an 8-year continuous, randomized field trial involving rotating wheat (wet conditions) and rice (flooded conditions) crops. The trial comprised six treatments: triplicate control plots receiving only chemical fertilizers, and triplicate plots receiving chemical fertilizers and/or swine manure ranging from 150 to 1200 kg P2O5 ha- 1. The continuous application of swine manure increased soil P content and availability. Initially, P primarily accumulated in the soil as Fe-P during the first four years of manure application, transitioning to Ca8-P over the following four years. The main driver of these changes in P fractions was soil total organic carbon (TOC) was identified as the main driver of these changes in P fractions, contributing 31.5% to the observed variations. TOC increased steadily throughout the trial, with a faster rising in years 1-4 compared to years 4-8. Laboratoryscale soil incubation experiments were conducted, involving the addition of glucose or cellulose as exogenous carbon sources to test their effects on soil P dynamics and mitigate environmental damage from P leaching. The addition of cellulose to soil that had received high quantities of swine manure for eight years resulted in increased the moderately labile and moderately resistant organic P fractions while decreasing the Ca8-P and Olsen-P fractions. This promoted adsorption of high-activity inorganic P to organic matter, consequently limiting the accumulation of Ca8-P. The long-term application of swine manure altered soil P fractions and enhances P lability, enhancing P lability and availability. This study identified an optimized the risk of leaching of labile P from soil under a fertilization regime applying 10,300 kg ha- 1 yr- 1 swine manure. To further mitigate the risk of P leaching, the inclusion of additional cellulose-based organic matter (e.g., straw) in swine manure fertilization regimes is recommended.