Article
Horticulture
A. Muscolo, F. Marra, F. Canino, A. Maffia, C. Mallamaci, Mt. Russo
Summary: Organic and industrial wastes can be utilized to produce organic-mineral fertilizers for land restoration and crop quality improvement. This study focused on using sulphur recovered from hydrocarbon refining residues and orange wastes stabilized with bentonite to cultivate lettuce. The results showed that sulphur-based fertilizers primarily improved the quality of lettuce, increasing the potassium and sulphate content as well as the amount of antioxidants and nutrients. The study suggests that using sulphur-based fertilizers can enhance the growth and quality of lettuce.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Naji Mordi Naji Al-Dosary, Mahmoud Abdel-Sattar, Abdulwahed M. Aboukarima
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of (NH4)(2)SO4:Ca(NO3)(2) ratios on the nutritional status, fruit set, yield, and marketable yield of pomegranate trees cv. Wonderful. The results showed that a ratio of 60% (NH4)(2)SO4:40% Ca(NO3)(2) resulted in the best fruit set and minimal fruit drop, while a ratio of 70% (NH4)(2)SO4:30% Ca(NO3)(2) led to the lowest fruit sunburn and cracking, as well as the highest yield and marketable yield.
Article
Agronomy
Rafa Tasnim, Lily Calderwood, Brogan Tooley, Lu Wang, Yong-Jiang Zhang
Summary: This study examined the effects of different fertilizers on wild lowbush blueberry and found that foliar fertilizers might benefit plant growth but have limited impact on yield. Moreover, the study revealed that the physiological traits of wild blueberries in the vegetative year are more closely related to crop yield.
Article
Horticulture
Lifeng Ma, Yun Zhu, Saipan Geng, Jianyun Ruan
Summary: Proper fertilization is crucial for sustainable tea production. The response of quality components in a chlorotic tea variety to fertilizers was similar to normal tea varieties. Partial substitution of chemical fertilizers by organic manure improved tea yield, quality, profit, and economic and environmental sustainability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Md Hafizur Rahman, Md Nazmul Hasan, Ruhul Amin, Md Ali Ahasan Setu, Selina Akter, Shireen Nigar, Md Zakir Hossain Khan, Md Zaved Hossain Khan
Summary: This study compared the effects of mixed nanocomposite (MNC) fertilizers and commercial fertilizers (CFs) on the growth and nutritional properties of rice plants. The results showed that the rice plants treated with MNC fertilizers had higher growth parameters and improved nutritional properties of the rice grains compared to those treated with CFs. In addition, MNC fertilizers enhanced rice-endophyte symbiosis. Therefore, MNC fertilizers could potentially be used as an alternative to CFs for sustainable rice production.
Article
Agronomy
Muhammad Abdullah Aziz, Fahad Masoud Wattoo, Faheem Khan, Zeshan Hassan, Imran Mahmood, Adeel Anwar, Muhammad Fazal Karim, Muhammad Tahir Akram, Rabia Manzoor, Khalid Saifullah Khan, Mosaed A. Majrashi
Summary: Biochar applications have various effects on nutrient availability, growth and yield of crops depending on feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. The application of biochars prepared from different feedstocks increased soil nutrient availability and microbial biomass, leading to improved crop growth and yield.
Article
Plant Sciences
Evgenia Papaioannou, Dionisios Gasparatos, Stefanos Stefanou, Theocharis Chatzistathis, Katerina Karamanoli, Evangelos Matziris
Summary: This study investigated the impact of soil mixtures on the growth, physiological characteristics, and nutritional status of chestnut seedlings. The results showed that both types of forest floor and fertilization had positive effects on seedlings growth and photosynthetic parameters. The GN-CFF and GN-EFF treatments had the most significant effects on soil nutrients, while the highest concentrations of extractable phosphorus (P) and exchangeable potassium (K) were observed in the GN-FER treatment. Leaf analysis revealed that most nutrient concentrations were within the adequacy limits, except for nitrogen (N) in GN, copper (Cu) in GN-EFF, and potassium (K) in all treatments. The incorporation of forest floor in the soil, combined with limited addition of potassium and phosphorus, could improve the nutrient adequacy in soil and plants, making it a suitable alternative for robust chestnut seedlings production.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Boris Kuzman, Biljana Petkovic, Nebojsa Denic, Dalibor Petkovic, Bogdan Cirkovic, Jelena Stojanovic, Momir Milic
Summary: The study established a predictive model using ANFIS method to predict crop yield, focusing on the impact of temperature, humidity, moisture, soil type, crop type, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous on fertilizer prediction. The optimal parameter combination for fertilizer prediction was found to be phosphorous and nitrogen, which can help optimize crop yield response to reduce costs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amrita Saju, Demi Ryan, Ivona Sigurnjak, Kieran Germaine, David N. Dowling, Erik Meers
Summary: The study evaluates the potential of different types of RDFs as nitrogen fertilizers for lettuce cultivation and investigates their nitrogen release dynamics. The results show varying effects of different RDFs on crop yield and nitrogen uptake.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiawen Cui, Zhaogeng Lu, Tianyi Wang, Gang Chen, Salma Mostafa, Hailong Ren, Sian Liu, Chunxiang Fu, Li Wang, Yingfang Zhu, Jinkai Lu, Xiang Chen, Zhenwu Wei, Biao Jin
Summary: Medicago polymorpha is a nutritious and palatable forage and vegetable plant with a genome size of 457.53Mb. Genomic analysis revealed physiological and genetic traits that make it suitable for forage and vegetable usage.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haiqing Gong, Fanlei Meng, Guohao Wang, Tobias Edward Hartmann, Gu Feng, Jiechen Wu, Xiaoqiang Jiao, Fusuo Zhang
Summary: The study highlights the importance of integrating mineral P fertilizer types with soil-crop systems to improve P use efficiency and reduce P loss and footprint.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Isabella T. Tomasi, Silvia C. R. Santos, Rui A. R. Boaventura, Cidalia M. S. Botelho
Summary: Portugal is a major producer of chestnuts and the discarded nut shells have potential uses. The shells contain polyphenols, which can be extracted and used for various applications, including water treatment coagulants. In this study, tannin extraction from chestnut shells was optimized using a microwave-assisted method. The best extraction conditions were determined as a 5-minute extraction time, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 50 mL/g, and a temperature of 107 degrees C. The extracted polyphenols showed good features for use as raw materials in water treatment coagulants.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Bayuh Belay Abera, Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, Marc Cotter, Folkard Asch
Summary: The study found that transplanting rice can increase yield to a certain extent and extend vegetative development stages by approximately 15%. By combining appropriate rice genotypes with targeted crop management, it is possible to improve and stabilize yields in high-altitude rainfed rice farming systems.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elisabetta Prezzi, Dario Donno, Maria Gabriella Mellano, Gabriele Loris Beccaro, Giovanni Gamba
Summary: This study used a multivariate approach to investigate the phytochemical characteristics of Castanea spp. fruits. The results showed that the genotype was the main discriminating variable for the phytochemical composition, with polyphenols identified as the main bioactive compounds. By establishing a multivariate statistical model, this study provided a rapid, effective, and low-cost method for discriminating unknown cultivars of chestnuts.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Teresa Alhinho, Miguel Jesus Nunes Ramos, Sofia Alves, Margarida Rocheta, Leonor Morais-Cecilio, Jose Gomes-Laranjo, Romulo Sobral, Maria Manuela Ribeiro Costa
Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of unisexual flowers in sweet chestnut tree, identifying homologous genes to the ABCDE model for floral organ identity. The differential expression of B- and C-class genes in male and female flowers suggests a conserved mechanism in determining sexual organ identity in the predominantly monoecious Fagaceae family.
Article
Soil Science
Margarida Arrobas, Joao Decker, Bruna L. Feix, Wilson Godoy, Carlos A. Casali, Carlos M. Correia, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: Soil conditioners like biochar and zeolites may not significantly affect crop yields and elemental composition in the short term, but phosphorus application can increase crop yields and nutrient concentrations in plant tissues. Biochar increases total soil organic carbon, while zeolites increase soil potassium levels.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Margarida Arrobas, Jose Carlos Chiochetta, Leticia Damo, Ana Carolina Julio, Igor Pereira Hendges, Americo Wagner, Wilson Itamar Godoy, Luis Cesar Cassol, M. Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: This study compared the effects of using controlled-release and stabilized fertilizers with the application of conventional fertilizers on maize yield and nitrogen management. The results showed that applying the highest amount of fertilizer resulted in the highest maize yield, but stalk nitrate concentration showed potential as a tool for nitrogen management. Considering equipment suitability and fertilizer prices, these three fertilization strategies are valid options for farmers to consider.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ermelinda Silva, Alexandre Goncalves, Sandra Martins, Catia Brito, Helena Ferreira, Luis M. M. Ferreira, Jose Moutinho-Pereira, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues, Carlos M. Correia
Summary: The effects of mineral fertilizers on the physicochemical properties of olives and oil under rainfed conditions were investigated in a three-year study. The results showed that the application of NPKB increased olive yield and improved fruit quality, but had an impact on the phenolics concentrations in fruits and oil. Further research is needed to determine the specific effects of fertilizer treatments on measured variables.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lais Fabiana Serafini, Manuel Feliciano, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues, Artur Goncalves
Summary: After the industrial revolution, solid waste generation increased exponentially due to economic and populational growth. The current waste management strategies, such as landfill or waste incineration, produce suboptimal results. Composting is a potentially sustainable option that recycles organic compounds, but its environmental impacts are highly dependent on system boundaries and functional units.
Article
Soil Science
Margarida Arrobas, Joao Silva, Mariah Ruaro Busato, Ana Carolina Ferreira, Soraia Raimundo, Abel Pereira, Taciane Finatto, Nilvania Aparecida de Mello, Carlos Manuel Correia, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: Due to the value of the European chestnut, research was conducted to establish fertilisation programmes for ecological intensification in orchards. The results showed that chestnut yields were not significantly affected by different NPK fertilisers, but the control treatment had a decreasing trend. The study also highlighted the risks of N loss to the environment and the importance of maintaining herbaceous vegetation during winter.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Martins, Ermelinda Silva, Catia Brito, Luis Pinto, Carlos Martins-Gomes, Alexandre Goncalves, Margarida Arrobas, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues, Carlos M. Correia, Fernando M. Nunes
Summary: Under climate change threats, it is necessary to adopt sustainable practices in rainfed olive orchards to ensure crop yield, olive oil quality, and soil health. The combination of a leguminous cover crop and natural zeolites shows promising results in increasing yield and improving olive oil quality. However, long-term studies are needed to ensure the sustainability of crop yield and olive oil quality.
Article
Agronomy
Paulo Dimande, Margarida Arrobas, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder farmers rely on local fertiliser resources for soil fertility management. In Vilankulo, Mozambique, farmers have access to bat guano and biochar, but in limited quantities. A study was conducted in a haplic Lixisol to examine the impact of different treatments on maize yield. The results showed that treatments with higher levels of guano and biochar led to higher maize yields, while biochar did not significantly contribute to plant nutrition.
Article
Horticulture
Paulo Dimande, Margarida Arrobas, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: Since it is difficult for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to obtain commercial fertilizers, it is important to optimize the use of local organic resources. A study in VilanKulo, Mozambique, found that in the short term, farmers can benefit from using bat guano to release nutrients, while in the long term, the use of biochar can improve soil properties.
Article
Plant Sciences
Margarida Arrobas, Monica Andrade, Soraia Raimundo, Sergio Miguel Mazaro, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two leonardites (Humitec and Humic Gold) and an organic compost (Nutrimais) on lettuce compared to an untreated control. The experiment was conducted in NE Portugal in two seasons. The results showed that the growing season and NPK fertilization significantly affected lettuce dry matter yield (DMY). The organic amendment influenced nutrient concentration in plant tissues and some soil properties, but did not affect DMY. Nutrimais had a positive effect on DMY in the first growing season and in pots without NPK fertilization. Leonardites did not have any significant effect on soil properties, nutrient concentration, or DMY. The increase in lettuce DMY with organic compost was likely due to the supply of nitrogen, which is the most critical limiting factor for plant growth. Therefore, NPK fertilizer and Nutrimais, a compost with a low C/N ratio and nitrogen supply, had the greatest impact on lettuce DMY.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Margarida Arrobas, Nuno Conceicao, Ermelinda Pereira, Sandra Martins, Soraia Raimundo, Catia Brito, Carlos Manuel Correia, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: This study found that the application of lime in acid soils can significantly increase soil pH and improve olive yield. Dolomitic limestone was found to be more effective than calcitic limestone in improving cation exchange capacity, reducing acidity, and aluminum levels. The use of lime also increased calcium and magnesium levels in the leaves.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Ermelinda Silva, Alexandre Goncalves, Sandra Martins, Luis Pinto, Luis Rocha, Helena Ferreira, Jose Moutinho-Pereira, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues, Carlos M. Correia
Summary: A three-year study found that the application of nitrogen fertilizer can prolong the coloration period of olive fruits, but can also reduce the quality of the oil, especially in high doses. Moderate nitrogen rates can ensure the quality and stability of the oil.
Article
Soil Science
Margarida Arrobas, Surian Fernanda de Almeida, Soraia Raimundo, Lucas da Silva Domingues, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues
Summary: The use of humic substances, particularly leonardite, has become increasingly popular in agriculture due to its potential benefits for soil properties and plant growth. However, this study found that leonardite-based products did not significantly affect soil properties, tissue elemental composition, or dry matter yield in pot-grown olive plants. In contrast, organic compost was found to increase soil organic carbon and promote plant growth. Understanding the specific effects and limitations of commercial leonardites is important for farmers to make informed decisions on their use.
