Journal of Crop Nutrition Science
Volume:4 Issue: 2, Spring 2018

Fertilizer management plays an important role for obtaining satisfactory yields and to increase crop productivity. Nutrient management may be achieved by the involvement of organic sources, bio fertilizers, and micro-nutrients. Assessment effect of chemical and biological fertilizer on seed yield, its components and plant height of Sorghum crop. This research was carried out via split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Pure nitrogen from urea source was used as the main plot in four levels (a1= 0 or control, a2= 50, a3= 100, a4= 150 KgNha-1) and Nitroxin bio-fertilizer was used as the sub plot in two levels (b1= nonuse of bio-fertilizer or control and b2= use of 1 L.ha-1 Nitroxin per 200 kg seeds). The results of analysis of variance indicated that the effect of different level of nitrogen and Nitroxin on all measured traits was significant but interaction effect of treatment was significant only on seed yield, number of seed per spike and nitrogen use efficiency traits at 1% probability level. The maximum number of spikelet per spike, seed per spikelet, seed per spike, 1000-seed weight, seed yield and nitrogen use efficiency belonged to the treatment with consumption of 150 KgNha-1 and also to the treatment with consumption of Nitroxin bio-fertilizer. Crop under 150 kg nitrogen treatments and not using fertilizers with the mean of 116 and 108 cm had the highest and lowest plant height. Finally according result of current research consumption 150 Kg N ha-1 with 1 L.ha-1 Nitroxin led to achieve maximum seed yield (349 gr.m-2) and it can be advice to producers.

Silicon is a suitable solution to alleviate salinity stress and improve crop production. Investigation physiological and biochemical traits of Single Cross 704 corn affected foliar application of silicon (from a Sodium silicate source) under salinity stress. This research was carried out according split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The main factor included salinity at three level (a1: control or 0.34 ds.m-1, a2: 4 ds.m-1, a3: 8 ds.m-1) and foliar application of silicon (from a Sodium silicate source) belonged to subplot at three level (b1: control or non-spraying, b2: 1 mM b3: 2 mM silicon). Salinity stress reduced leaf dry weight, plant dry weight, root dry weight, and decreased stem height. It also increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), proline and sodium, and reduced potassium concentration in the plant. Foliar application of Silicon improved the growth traits, such that foliar application of 2 mM silicon brought about the highest dry weight of leaves and plants (21.73 and 120.85 gr). Foliar application of 1 and 2 mM silicone reduced MDA concentration by 12.93% and 13.7% at 8 ds.m-1 salinity compared to the control. The foliar application of silicon (1 and 2 mM) also led to 13.78 and 17.79% reduction in amount of proline at control salinity level and 28.51% and 21.08% reduction of proline levels at 8 ds.m-1 salinity levels compared to the control. Application of 1 and 2 mM silicon led to reduction of the leaf sodium concentration and increased Leaf potassium concentration at all salinity levels compared to the control. So the consumption of silicon reduced the effects of salt stress on corn. Finally according result of this research foliar application of silicone in amount of 2 mM can be recommended.

The use of agricultural waste as organic fertilizers is important for soil fertility and plants health production. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of different types and rates of vermicompost on physiological and morphological properties of lettuce. Present study was conducted according factorial experiment based on complete randomized design with three replication at green house condition. Treatment included different type of vermicompost (1-Carrot vermicompost 2-Sugar beet vermicompost and 3- date fruit composts) and different application rate of vermicompost (Zero or control, 2, 4 and 6 percent of medium dry weight). The results showed that, the type and amount of organic wastes had significant effects on fresh and dry weight, leaf area, plant height, marketability, carotenoid and chlorophyll b content of lettuce. Sugar beet and carrot vermicompost was more effective on most lettuce properties than date fruit waste. The organic compost rate had a sigmoid trend effects on most lettuce properties. The highest and lowest lettuce dry weight was observed respectively in 2% carrot vermin compost (500% more than control) and in date fruit compost (50% lower than control). The highest amount of carotenoid (0.49 mg.gr-1 fresh weight) was in sugar beet vermicompost (6%), which increased by 40% with respect to control. The highest marketable index was observed at (2% and 4%) both in sugar beet, which were increased by 400 and 380 present respectively in compared to control. Sugar beet and then carrot vermicompost were evaluated as the best raw materials for vermicompost production; also 4 and 6 percent had the greatest effect on the growth and yield of lettuce.

The ability of a plant to resist or tolerate pests is grounded partially in favorable physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Investigate the influence of nutrient sources on Podagrica uniforma and Nisota dilecta infestation, population dynamics and performances of okra. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 treatments (5 t.ha-1 poultry manure, 5 t.ha-1 pig manure, 5 t.ha-1 cattle manure and control (no manure), replicated three times. P. uniforma and N. dilecta (Coleoptera: Chrysomalidae) infestation on okra in respond to nutrient sources application were investigated at the Teaching and Research Farm of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. The experiment showed that pig manure recorded the lowest amount of defoliation (17.0 ± 6.15 and 8.66 ± 2.62) in both planting season, it also recorded a low number of fruits in 2015 and 2016 planting season (3.00 ± 3.46 and 2.11 ± 1.92) and fruit weight (21.04 ± 26.37 and 12.26 ± 10.52) respectively. The highest yield (number of fruits) was recorded in poultry manure in 2015 (6.00 ± 3.61) and control in 2016 (4.66 ± 4.25), the highest fruit weight was recorded in control plot in both planting seasons (61.75 ± 52.00 and 43.04 ± 40.36). Poultry manure recorded moderate amount of defoliation (19.73 ± 21.42 and 9.57 ± 3.10) along the season. Also poultry manure record moderate amount of defoliation also record the highest number of yield (3.58 ± 3.52) when compared to other treatment (pig, cattle and control). It was concluded that poultry manure is best suitable for the production of okra. Both pig and poultry manure are best for controlling P. uniforma and N. dilecta infestation on okra as they both show greater tolerant and compensatory ability and thus recommended for the management and suppression of P. uniforma and N. dilecta population in studied area.

Seed aging is an important problem in developing countries which seeds stored in inappropriate condition. Current research was carried out to study the effect of seed aging on quantitative parameters of wheat seeds (Chamran cultivar). Experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Treatment included seed aging factor at five levels (a1: zero or control, a2: 48, a3: 72, a4: 96, a5: 110 hr). According to result of analysis of variance effect of different levels of seed aging on measured traits in the laboratory including the index of seedling emergence, mean daily germination, daily germination speed, seedling vigor, radicle length, plumule length, and seedling dry weight was not significant, but the effect of treatment on mean time for germination and coefficient velocity of germination was significant at 1% probability level. Mean comparison result of different level of seed aging indicated that the longest mean time of germination was related to the aging level of 110 hr (3.72) and the lowest one belonged to control treatment with aging level of 0 hr (3.25). Also the highest mean daily germination belonged to 100 hr seed aging level (10.55) and the lowest one belonged to the control treatment with 0 hr of aging (9.65). Moreover, the maximum and minimum amount of coefficient velocity of germination belonged to control (0.85) and treatment with 110 hr aging (0.55), respectively. Seed aging had significant effect on physiological indices especially on the mean time of germination and coefficient velocity of germination. Also temperature and duration of aging were the most important factors that affecting the occurrence and development of seed aging. Therefore, aging development by increasing temperature and its duration was predictable.

Humic acid is a natural polymeric composition which is produced as a result of decaying organic matters in soil, peat and lignin to increase crop product. Assessment the effect of different irrigation regime and humic acid on red bean production and correlation coefficient between measured traits. Current research was done via split plots experiment based on completely randomized blocks design with three replications. Main factor consisted irrigation halt at three levels (I1: Complete irrigation or control, I2: halt irrigation at flowering stage, I3: halt irrigation at pod stage) and humic acid foliar application dosages at three levels (H1: Control, H2: using 1.5 L.ha-1, H3: 3 L.ha-1 humic acid) belonged to subplots. The effect of irrigation halt and humic acid on biological yield, seed yield, harvest index, number of pods per plant and seeds per pod and 100 seed weight were significant. Mean comparison result of interactions effect of treatments revealed the highest seed yield (3758.4 kg.ha-1) was in complete irrigation with 3 L.ha-1 humic acid consumption and the lowest one (2170.1 kg.ha-1) belonged to irrigation halt at flowering stage. So, this reduction in the irrigation at flowering stage was about 6% by consumption of 3 L.ha-1, and was improved to 38%. flowering stage is the most critical stage of growth of red beans in response to irrigation regimes and foliar application of humic acid could be used as a new method to decrease damage caused by halt irrigation, so halt irrigation in pod stage with use 3 L.ha-1 humic acid is recommended to achieve maximum yield.