Response of promiscuously nodulating soybean to N and P fertilization andBradyrhizobium inoculation in a ferruginous tropical soil (Haplustalf)

Field trials were conducted at Samaru, Nigeria over a three-year period (1986–88) to study the effects of N and P fertilization on the response of promiscuously nodulating soybean toBradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation in a ferruginous tropical soil. Phosphorus fertilization enhanced nodulation, while N fertilization had no consistent effect on nodulation. Both N and P increased dry matter production. Seed yields were not influenced by the application of N. However, P increased seed yields in two out of three years. Response of seed yield to P fertilization was significant up to 26.4 kg P ha^–1.Bradyrhizobium inoculation consistently enhanced nodulation while it increased seed yield in only one out of three years. Results demonstrate that P is an important nutrient for soybean production in ferruginous tropical soils. The roles of promiscuously nodulating soybean in the maintenance of tropical soil fertility are discussed.     

Growth and yield responses of dryland grain sorghum to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in a ferruginous tropical soil (Haplustalf)

Field trials were conducted during the 1980–82 seasons to study the response dryland sorghum to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization in a ferruginous tropical soil. Treatments tested were factorial combinations of three rates of nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha^–1) and four rates of phosphorus (0, 11, 22 and 33 kg P ha^–1). Grain and straw yields and yield components were enhanced by nitrogen fertilization in two out of three years. The optimum N rate for grain yield was 60 kg N ha^–1 while straw yield responded up to 120 kg N ha^–1. The optimum P rate for dryland sorghum was 11 kg P ha^–1. Both N and P enhanced grain weight per head, grain number, test weight and tillering significantly but it was only N which enhanced 1000-grain weight and flag leaf area. Dry matter productin was increased by N fertilization but not by P. There were no significant N × P interactions for any of the parameters studied. Dryland sorghum response to N and P fertilization was influenced by season, time of planting and rainfall distribution.     

Growth,yield components and micronutrient nutrition of field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by nitrogen fertilization and plant density

Growth and yield components in field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) were enhanced by nitrogen fertilization ranging from 50 to 200 kg N ha^–1. Ear diameter, kernel depth, grain: stover ratio, number of ears plant^–1, plant height and dry matter production increased as N fertilization rate was increased up to 100 or 150 kg N ha^–1. Tasselling in maize was hastened by N fertilization. Increasing plant density from 25000 to 75000 plants ha^–1 increased plant height, dry matter production and delayed tasseling but reduced ear diameter, kernel depth, grain: stover ratio and number of ears plant^–1. Increased N supply and plant density had no influence on the concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe in ear leaf; except that Mn concentration increased as N fertilization rate was increased up to 150 kg N ha^–1. Nitrogen × plant density interactions on the concentrations of the micronutrients in maize ear leaf were not significant.     

Initial and residual effects of nitrogen fertilizers on grain yield of a maize/bean intercrop grown on a Humic Nitosol and the fate and efficiency of the applied nitrogen

Initial and residual effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on grain yield of a maize/bean intercrop grown on a deep, well-drained Humic Nitosol (66% clay, 3% organic carbon) were evaluated. Enriched (¹⁵N) N fertilizer was used to study the fate of applied N in two seasons: using urea (banded) at 50 kg N ha^–1 in one season, and¹⁵N-enriched urea (banded), calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN, banded), and urea supergranules (USG, point placement) were applied in the other season (different field) at 100 kg N ha^–1. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly (P = 0.05) increased equivalent maize grain yield in each season of application with no significant differences between N sources, i.e., urea, CAN, and USG. Profitmaximizing rates ranged from 75 to 97 kg N ha^–1 and value: cost ratios ranged from 3.0 to 4.8. Urea gave the highest value: cost ratio in each season. Most (lowest measurement 81%) of the applied N was accounted for by analyzing the soil (to 150 cm depth) and plant material. Measurements for urea, CAN, and USG were not significantly different. The high N measurements suggest low losses of applied N fertilizer under the conditions of the study. Maize plant recovery ranged from 35 to 55%; most of this N (51–65%) was in the grain. Bean plant recovery ranged from 8 to 20%. About 34–43% of the applied N fertilizer remained in the soil, and most of it (about 70%) was within the top soil layer (0–30 cm). However, there were no significant equivalent maize grain increases in seasons following N application indicating no beneficial residual effect of the applied fertilizers.     

Leaching of nitrate,calcium and magnesium under maize cultivation on an oxisol in Togo

In tropical regions, crop yields generally decrease with time, partly due to a decline in the levels of exchangeable bases linked to acidification of the upper layers of the soil. Nitrogen, calcium and magnesium balances were studied on an oxisol in southern Togo under continuous maize cropping with mineral fertilization and crop residue return, by measuring inputs and outputs.The balance was near equilibrium for nitrogen (urea dressing, 120 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) and negative for calcium and magnesium. Leaching represented between 29% and 85% of the total output for nitrogen and accounted for practically all the calcium and magnesium outputs.In the upper horizons, nitrate, calcium and magnesium contents in the soil solution were correlated. This was interpreted as an exchange between the calcium and magnesium ions adsorbed on the soil and the protons released by the transformation of ammonium into nitrate. The nutrient content of the soil solution increased in the case of no potassium fertilization, probably because of a lower nitrogen immobilization by microorganisms, the crop residue yield being reduced by the induced deficiency. An insufficient potassium fertilization increases leaching losses of calcium, magnesium and nitrogen.In the deeper horizons, the nitrate content of the soil solution was not correlated with the calcium and magnesium contents. Nitrogen was probably taken up by roots and some calcium and magnesium ions exchanged during their transport through the soil.     

Effect of urea management on yield and N use efficiency of lowland rice on an acid sulfate soil

Field experiments were conducted during 1988–1989 at two adjacent sites on an acid sulfate soil (Sulfic Tropaquept) in Thailand to determine the influence of urea fertilization practices on lowland rice yield and N use efficiency. Almost all the unhydrolyzed urea completely disappeared from the floodwater within 8 to 10 d following urea application. A maximum partial pressure of ammonia (pNH₃) value of 0.14 Pa and an elevation in floodwater pH to about 7.5 following urea application suggest that appreciable loss of NH₃ could occur from this soil if wind speeds were favorable. Grain yields and N uptake were significantly increased with applied N over the control and affected by urea fertilization practices (4.7–5.7 Mg ha^–1 in dry season and 3.0–4.1 Mg ha^–1 in wet season). In terms of both grain yield and N uptake, incorporation treatments of urea as well as urea broadcasting onto drained soil followed by flooding 2 d later were more effective than the treatments in which the same fertilizer was broadcast directly into the floodwater either shortly or 10 d after transplanting (DT). The¹⁵N balance studies conducted in the wet season showed that N losses could be reduced to 31% of applied N by broadcasting of urea onto drained soil and flooding 2 d later compared with 52% loss by broadcasting of urea into floodwater at 10 DT. Gaseous N loss via NH₃ volatilization was probably responsible for the poor efficiency of broadcast urea in this study.     

Plant response to the management of fluid and solid N fertilizers applied to furrow-irrigated corn

The use of fluid fertilizers has increased in recent years. Plant response to field management practices of fluid and solid N fertilizers in furrow-irrigated field studies has not been well-documented. This research studied the response of corn (Zea mays L.) to several field management practices of fluid and solid N fertilizers applied at several rates. Corn grown with sidedressed applications of the fluid fertilizers, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) and 18-0-0+7Ca, generally had higher grain yields, higher yield efficiencies, higher ear populations, larger seed size, more kernels per ear, and a higher ear leaf N concentration than corn grown with preplant broadcast treatments of urea, ammonium nitrate (AN), and UAN. In 1988, corn grown with 280 kg N ha^–1 of AN applied preplant broadcast had a lower grain yield, yield efficiency, kernels per ear, and ear leaf N concentration, while ear population and kernel size were unchanged, in comparison to split applications of UAN at 224 kg N ha^–1. In 1989, corn grown with three split applications of UAN at 280 kg N ha^–1 had a higher grain yield and produced more kernels per ear without affecting yield efficiency, ear population, kernel size, or ear leaf N concentration compared with treatments at the 224 kg N ha^–1 rate. Use of split, side-dressed N management practices in furrow-irrigated corn should eliminate the need to use excessive N rates while maintaining grain yields and other plant responses, resulting in more efficient N use than traditionally achieved.     

Nitrogen response of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F) grown sole or intercropped with banana

In the 1994 and 1995 cropping seasons, fluted pumpkin(Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F) was intercropped withbanana (Musa AAA) or grown alone. The flutedpumpkin, whether intercropped or grown alone, received 30 to 120 kgNha^–1 in the first cropping season and 80 to320kg N ha^–1 in the following season. Fluted pumpkinplants grown alone or which did not receive N served as controls. The objectiveof the study was to determine the N requirement of fluted pumpkin when grownalone or as an intercrop. Intercropping significantly decreased vine yield andnumber of fruits set in the 1994 cropping season, but it did not significantlyinfluence number of fruits set in the 1995 cropping season. In both croppingseasons, intercropping had no significant effect on fruit yield. In the 1994cropping season, linear trends were significant for the response of vine yieldto N fertilization. In the 1995 cropping season, quadratic trends weresignificant for the response of fruit set and fruit yield to N fertilization.There was no interaction between cropping systems and N fertilization. Based oncash advantage due to fertilizer application values, 160 kg Nha^–1 was considered optimal for dual purpose (vegetable+ seed) production of fluted pumpkin.     

Fruit yield of Valencia sweet orange fertilized with different N sources and the loss of applied N

Nutrient management recommendations are needed to increase nitrogen uptake efficiency, minimize nutrient losses and reduce adverse effects on the environment. A study of the effects of nitrogen fertilization on N losses and fruit yield of 6-yr-old Valencia sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) on Rangpur lime rootstock (C. limonia Osb.) grove was conducted in an Alfisol in Brazil from 1996 to 2001. Urea (UR) or ammonium nitrate (AN) fertilizers were surface-applied annually at rates of 20, 100, 180, and 260 kg N ha^–1 split into three applications from mid-spring to early fall. A semi-open trapping system, using H₃PO₄ + glycerol-soaked plastic foams, was used for selected treatments in the field to evaluate NH₃ volatilized from applied N fertilizers. Ammonia volatilization reached 26 to 44% of the N applied as UR at the highest rate of N used. Ammonia volatilization losses with AN were lower (4% of the N applied). On the other hand, AN resulted in greater nitrate leaching and greater soil acidification than UR. A marked effect of AN fertilizer on soil pH (CaCl₂) in the 0–20 cm depth layer was observed with a decrease of up to 1.7 pH units at the highest N rate. Acidification was followed by a decrease in exchangeable Ca and Mg; consequently, after 5 yr of fertilization with AN, soil base saturation dropped from 77% in the plots treated with 20 kg N ha^–1 per year, to 24% in those that received 260 kg N ha^–1 per year. The effect of N sources on fruit yield varied from year to year. In 2001, for a calculated N application rate of 150 kg ha^–1, the fertilizer efficiency index of UR was 75% of that of AN.     

Total and light fraction organic C in a thin Black Chernozemic grassland soil as affected by 27 annual applications of six rates of fertilizer N

Maintenance and sequestration of C is important to sustain and improve the quality and productivity of soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 27 annual applications of six N rates (0, 56, 112, 168, 224 and 336 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1) on total organic C (TOC) and light fraction organic C (LFOC) in a thin Black Chernozemic loam soil. Nitrogen (ammonium nitrate) was surface-applied to bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) managed as hay near Crossfield, Alberta, Canada. The concentration and mass of TOC and LFOC in the 0–5, 5–10, 10–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers increased with N rate and showed a quadratic response to N rate with significant R² values, with their maximum values at 336 kg N ha^–1 in the 0–5 cm layer and at 224 kg N ha^–1 in other layers. But the increase in TOC and LFOC per kg of N addition was maximized at 56 kg N ha^–1 and declined with further increase in N rate. These trends indicated that higher N rates would cause a faster build up of soil C, whereas lower N rates would achieve a greater increase in soil C per unit of N addition. Response of C mass to N application was much greater for LFOC (range of 697 to 156% increase) than for TOC (range of 67 to 17% increase). Percentage of LFOC in TOC mass increased with N rate. At the 168 to 336 kg N ha^–1 rates, almost all of the increase in TOC in the surface 10 cm soil occurred as LFOC. Thus, LFOC was more responsive to N application and was a good indicator of N effect on soil C. The trend of change in soil TOC and LFOC was similar to hay yield and C removal in hay, which suggests that increasing hay yield with N application concurrently also increases soil organic C. In conclusion, long-term annual applications of N fertilizer to bromegrass resulted in a substantial increase in TOC and LFOC in the soil, thereby indicating that N fertilization can be used to sequester more atmospheric C in prairie grassland soils.     

Influence of modified forms of urea and nitrogen levels on weed growth and grain yield of lowland rice

The growth of weeds and their subsequent reduction of rice yield as affected by N source neem cake coated urea (NCU), dicyandiamide coated urea (DCU), rock phosphate coated urea (RPCU), urea supergranules (USG) and prilled urea (PU) was studied on a clay loam soil at Coimbatore, India. Experiments were conducted in northeast monsoon (NEM) 1981, summer 1982, and southwest monsoon (SWM) 1982 seasons.The crop was associated with eleven weed species, and the dominant weeds wereEchinochloa crus-galli, Cyperus difformis andMarsilea quadrifolia. The weed flora varied between seasons. Deep placement of USG reduced the dry weight of weeds in NEM and summer seasons at 60, 90 and 120 Kg N ha^–1 whereas it increased the dry weight at 60 and 90 but not 120 Kg N ha^–1 in SWM season. The dry weight of weeds decreased with increased N rates for all N sources during NEM and summer seasons. In SWM season, dry weight of weeds increased with increased N rates for all N sources except USG. The grain yield of rice was drastically reduced with the deep placement of USG at 60 but not 120 Kg N ha^–1 in SWM season. The differential effect of the N sources between seasons was due to the change of the weed flora. Dominance ofE. crus-galli during SWM season had greater influence on weed dry weight and grain yield of rice.Nitrogen uptake by weeds was frequently greater in unfertilized plots, particularly in NEM and summer seasons. In SWM season, the apparent fertilizer N recovery by weeds was high for USG. It decreased from 53% for 60 Kg USG-N ha^–1 to 4% for 120 Kg USG-N ha^–1.Contribution from the part of Ph.D. work of the first author at Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India.     

The effect of nitrogen source and crop rotation on the growth and yield of processing tomatoes

Four crop rotation and management systems were studied in 1994 and 1995 in relation to growth and yield of irrigated processing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The four treatments were three four-year rotation systems [conventional (conv-4), low input and organic] and a two-year rotation system [conventional (conv-2)]. The four-year rotation was tomato-safflower-corn-wheat(or oats+vetch)/beans, and the two-year rotation was tomato-wheat. Purple vetch (Vicia sativa L.) was grown as a green manure cover crop preceeding tomatoes in the low input and organic systems. Nitrogen was supplied as fertilizer in the conventional systems, as vetch green manure plus fertilizer in the low input system and as vetch green manure plus turkey manure in the organic system. Tomato cv. Brigade was direct-seeded in the conventional systems and transplanted to the field in the low input and organic systems. In both years the winter cover crop was composed of a mixture of vetch and volunteer oats with N contents of 2.2% in 1994 and 2.7% (low input) or 1.8% (organic) in 1995. In 1994 yields were higher in conventionally grown tomatoes because a virus in the nursery infected the transplants used in the low input and organic systems. In 1995 tomatoes grown with the low input and conv-4 systems had similar yields, which were higher than those of tomatoes grown with the conv-2 and organic systems. N uptake by the crop was greater than 200 kg N ha^–1 for high yield (> 75 t ha^–1) and uptake rates of 3 to 6 kg N ha^–1 day^–1 during the period of maximum uptake were observed. The lower yield with the organic system in 1995 was caused by a N deficiency. The main effect of the N deficiency was a reduced leaf area index and not a reduction of net assimilation rate (NAR) or radiation use efficiency (RUE). Nitrogen deficiency was related to low concentration of inorganic N in the soil and slow release of N from the cover crop + manure. A high proportion of N from the green manure but only a low proportion of N from the manure was mineralized during the crop season. In the conventional systems, the estimated mineralized N from the soil organic matter during the crop season was around 85 kg ha^–1. A hyperbolic relationship between N content and total dry weight of aboveground biomass was observed in procesing tomatoes with adequate N nutrition. Lower yields with the conv-2 than with the conv-4 system were due to higher incidence of diseases in the two year rotation which reduced the NAR and the RUE. Residual N in the soil in Oct. (two months after the incorporation of crop residues) ranged between 90 and 170 kg N ha^–1 in the 0–90 cm profile.Department of Vegetable Crops.     

Yield,water use and nitrogen uptake for different water and N levels in winter wheat

In an effort to establish an optimum combination of water and nitrogen for winter wheat a field investigation was carried out on a coarse loamy sand soil during 1984–85 and 1985–86 to assess effects of irrigation regime (IR) and N application on yield, water use and N uptake. The treatments compromised all combinations of three irrigation regimes (IR) based on ratios of irrigation water to cumulative pan evaporation viz.1.2 (I-1), 0.9 (I-2) and 0.6 (I-3) and four rates of N, viz. 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha^–1. Grain yield increased with increase in frequency of irrigation. In spite of wide differences in weather during the two years, scheduling of irrigation at IW/CPE = 1.2 gave the highest wheat yield on the coarse-textured soil. During 1984–85, the rainless year, grain yield under I-1 was 20 and 32 per cent higher than I-2 and I-3, respectively. With increasing N rate the yield and water use efficiency increased progressively upto 180 kg N under I-1 and upto 120 kg N ha^–1 under I-2 and I-3 regimes. During 1985–86, the wet year, grain yield response to IR was relatively low. Irrespective of IR, yield increased progressively upto 180 kg N ha^–1 during the wet year. Irrigation water regimes and N application also influenced leaf area index and root growth of wheat. The yield of unfertilized wheat was relatively less affected by seasonal rainfall and IR.Both N uptake and grain yield of wheat were found to increase linearly with increase in water use. Water use efficiency was highest under I-1 regime at all levels of N in the dry season of 1984–85 and under I-3 regime in the wet season of 1985–86. Increase in N uptake with increasing N rates was significantly higher under I-1 than I-2 and I-3 regimes. The N use efficiency being maximum at 60 kg N ha^–1, decreased at higher N levels irrespective of IR.     

Effects of N management on growth, N2 fixation and yield of soybean

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most importantfood and cash crops in China. Although soybean has the capacity to obtain alarge proportion of its N from N₂ fixation, it is commonfarmer's practice to apply an N top dressing to maximize grain yield. Afield experiment was conducted to study the effects of N application as urea atvarious stages during the vegetative and reproductive phases on crop biomass,N₂ fixation and yield of two soybean genotypes, Luyuebao and Jufeng.Starter N at 25 kg ha^–1 resulted in minimumbiomass and pod yield while starter N at 75 kgha^–1 had no significant effect and N top dressing, ateither the R1 or R5 stage, resulted in increased biomass and pod yield. Maximumbiomass and pod yield were obtained when a top dressing of 50 kgha^–1 was applied at the flowering stage. The effects oftop dressing on the capacity to fix N₂ were complex. The proportionof plant N derived from N₂ fixation (Pfix) was highest when onlystarter N at 25 kg ha^–1 was applied. Any topdressing reduced nodulation and Pfix, but increased biomass, so that totalN₂ fixed increased for top dressing at the flowering or pod fillingstage. Common farmer's practice of applying 75 kg Nha^–1 at the V4 stage, resulted in a significantreduction in N₂ fixation. To evaluate the application of Nfertilization at various stages ofdevelopment on growth, nodulation and N₂ fixation in more detail, anexperiment in nutrient solution with or without 20 mMNO₃ ^– was conducted with genotype Tidar. The N-freetreatment gave the lowest biomass and total N accumulation, as in the fieldexperiment. A continuous nitrate supply resulted in the highest biomass,associated with an increase in total leaf area per plant, maximum individualleaf area, branch and node number per plant, shoot/root ratio and leaf arearatio, compared to the N-free treatment. R1 was the most responsive stage fornitrate supply as well as for interruption of the nitrate supply. Since theresults from the field experiment were in agreement with thosefrom the experiment in nutrient solution in a greenhouse, the latter can beusedto predict crop performance in the field.     

Soybean,corn, and wheat yields with variable soil pH on Plinthic Acrisols

Liming costs have escalated since the mid 1970's in the United States. Studies of crop response to lime with irrigation are limited as well as those of crop response to soil acidifying agents. This study was conducted to determine yield response of irrigated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], corn (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to lime and S and the change in soil pH, in response to lime and S. Irrigated soybean, corn, and wheat were grown on Dothan and Tifton loamy fine sand (Plinthic Acrisols) with different levels of calcite, dolomite, and S. Soil samples were collected before applying treatments and during each growing season. Soil pH and Mehlich I extractable P, K, Ca, and Mg in addition to grain yield of each crop were determined. Highest soybean yield (4.2 t ha^–1) occurred in 1984 at a soil pH of 4.9 (1:1 v/v soil—water suspension) while the yield was zero at a pH of 3.7 on S treated plots. A soil pH of 4.8 in 1985 reduced soybean yield from 3.4 to 2.7 t ha^–1 in comparison to untreated plots (pH = 5.6). In 1986, soybean yield was 0.8 t ha^–1 at pH 4.0 in comparison to 2.3 t ha^–1 at pH 5.1 and 5.9. Corn did not respond to lime with control pH of 5.3 in 1985 or 5.1 in 1986 but S at pH 4.6 reduced yield from 12.3 to 8.7 t ha^–1 in 1985 and S reduced yield from 11.0 to 0.9 t ha^–1 at pH 4.0 in 1986. Sulfur reduced wheat yield from 4.3 to 1.7 t ha^–1 in 1985 and from 2.2 to 0.9 t ha^–1 in 1987. Soil pH after cropping with S addition was 4.4 each year. Wheat did not respond to lime when unlimed soil had a pH of 5.2 or above.     

Fertilization of tropical rice: A case study on Bangkok plain

This study consisted of a survey on the nutritional status of rice plants in relation to nutrient application and yield in 70 farmers' fields in four provinces of Bangkok plain during the 1977 wet season. In addition a series of fertilizer experiments were carried out on rice experimental stations in the same provinces to study yield response to N and P fertilization and to develop a fertilizer recommendation system based on plant analysis.The average grain yield in the survey was 3.2 t ha^–1 and the early (high yielding varieties), medium (local) and late maturity (local) types yielded 3.3, 2.8 and 3.0 t ha^–1, respectively. The average amount of fertilizers applied to these maturity types were 33, 15 and 7 kg N ha^–1 and 15, 8 and 6 kg P ha^–1, respectively. Regression analysis indicated only a slight correlation between yield and any level of fertilizer application. On experimental stations yields over 6 t ha^–1 were obtained with applications of N over 100 kg ha^–1 and P over 22 kg ha^–1. Evaluation of nutritional status of plants based on plant analysis showed that in all provinces there were strong and widespread nutrient deficiences primarily of N and secondarily of P, and possibly of some other nutrients. Fertilizer application based on plant analysis gave high yield responses. It was concluded that the major constraints of yield on Bangkok plain are too low fertilizer application especially of N, and unbalanced fertilization of N and P.     

Nitrogen use efficiency by maize as affected by a mucuna short fallow and P application in the coastal savanna of West Africa

Maize is the primary food crop grown by farmers in the coastal savanna region of Togo and Benin on degraded (rhodic ferralsols), low in soil K-supplying capacity, and non-degraded (plinthic acrisols) soils. Agronomic trials were conducted during 1999–2002 in southern Togo on both soil types to investigate the impact of N and P fertilization and the introduction of a mucuna short fallow (MSF) on yield, indigenous N supply of the soil, N recovery fraction and internal efficiency of maize. In all plots, an annual basal dose of 100 kg K ha^–1 was applied to the maize crop. Maize and mucuna crop residues were incorporated into the soil during land preparation. Treatment yields were primarily below 80% of CERES-MAIZE simulated weather-defined maize yield potentials, indicating that nutrients were more limiting than weather conditions. On degraded soil (DS), maize yields increased from 0.4 t ha^–1 to 2.8 t ha^–1 from 1999 to 2001, without N or P application, in the absence of MSF, with annual K application and incorporation of maize crop residues. Application of N and P mineral fertilizer resulted in yield gains of 1–1.5 t ha^–1. With MSF, additional yield gains of between 0.5 and 1.0 t ha^–1 were obtained at low N application rates. N supply of the soil increased from 10 to 42 kg ha^–1 from 1999 to 2001 and to 58 kg N ha^–1 with MSF. Application of P resulted in significant improvements in N recovery fraction, and greatest gains were obtained with MSF and P application. MSF did not significantly affect internal N efficiency, which averaged 45 kg grain (kg N uptake)^–1. On non-degraded soils (NDS) and without N or P application, in the absence of MSF, maize yields were about 3 t ha^–1 from 1999 to 2001, with N supply of the soil ranging from 55 to 110 kg N ha^–1. Application of 40 kg P ha^–1 alone resulted in significant maize yield gains of between 1.0 (1999) and 1.5 (2001) t ha^–1. Inclusion of MSF did not significantly improve maize yields and even reduced N recovery fraction as determined in the third cropping year (2001). Results illustrate the importance of site-specific integrated soil fertility management recommendations for the southern regions of Togo and Benin that consider indigenous soil nutrient-supplying capacity and yield potential. On DS, the main nutrients limiting maize growth were N and probably K. On NDS, nutrients limiting growth were mainly N and P. Even on DS rapid gains in productivity can be obtained, with MSF serving as a means to allow farmers with limited financial means to restore the fertility of such soils. MSF cannot be recommended on relatively fertile NDS.     

Management of nitrogen by fertigation of potato in Lebanon

Reports on soil and groundwater contamination with nitrates in Lebanon and other developing countries could be related to the mismanagement of water and fertilizer inputs. The objective of this work was to determine the N requirements and N-use efficiency of a main-crop potato in Lebanon, irrigated by a drip system, compared to the farmer's practice of macro-sprinkler. In the drip irrigation, fertilizers input was as soil application at the time of sowing or added continuously with the irrigation water (fertigation). Nitrogen-fertilizer recovery was determined using ¹⁵N-labeled ammonium sulfate. Fertigation with continuous N feeding based on actual N demands and available sources allowed for 55% N recovery. For a total N uptake of 197 kg ha^–1 per season in the lower N rate, the crop removed 66 kg N ha^–1 from fertilizers. The spring potato crop in this treatment covered 44.8% of its N need from the soil and 21.8% from irrigation water. Higher N input increased not only N derived from fertilizers, but also residual soil N. Buildup of N in the soil with the traditional potato fertilization practice reached 200 kg N ha^–1 per season. With increasing indications of deteriorating groundwater quality, we monitored the nitrate leaching in these two watering regimes using soil solution extractors (tensionics). Nitrate leaching increased significantly with the macro-sprinkler technique. But N remained within the root zone with the drip irrigation. The crop response to applied N requires a revision of the current fertilizer recommendation in semi-arid regions, with an improved management of fertilizer and water inputs using fertigation to enhance N recovery.     

Nitrogen concentration in cottonseed as an indicator of N availability

Research on corn and winter wheat has shown that a critical N concentration in the grain exists above which a yield response to N fertilizer is unlikely. This indicator can be used for post-harvest evaluation of N sufficiency and for mapping N availability in the field, which may be helpful for making future N fertilizer decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine if a critical N concentration in the seed exists for cotton. The study was conducted in the Georgia Coastal Plain during 1998, 1999, and 2001, using a different variety of cotton in each year. In 1998, 12 N fertilizer rates ranging from 38 to 203 kg ha^–1 were applied to Delta Pineland 90 at three locations within one field that differed in soil organic matter and clay concentration, and in 1999 and 2001, 6 N fertilizer rates ranging from 22 to 179 kg ha^–1 were applied to Stoneville 474 and Delta Pineland 458 in a different field. At all locations, the N concentration in the cottonseed increased linearly with increasing N fertilizer rates. Maximum yields were obtained at less than maximum seed N concentration. Lower seed N concentrations indicated some degree of N deficiency. Based on these results, it appears that a critical N concentration of 35 g kg^–1 exists for cottonseeds, above which no yield response to N fertilizer is likely. Information on the spatial distribution of cottonseed N concentrations could therefore help to evaluate the adequacy of N fertilization for cotton, thereby providing a basis for adjustment of N fertilization rates in future crops.     

Assessment of the nitrogen requirements of maize (Zea mays L.) in Southern Guinea Savanna agroecology of Nigeria

During the growing seasons (May to October) of 1987 and 1988 respectively five and four different rates of N were tested on maize (Zea mays L.) at 12 different field sites across the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Nitrogen was applied through granular urea (size +14 mesh), ordinary prilled urea (–35 mesh) and calcium ammonium nitrate. Marked differences existed among experimental sites in maize grain yield response to N with Yelwa and Ta-Hoss in Plateau State having the highest response at 60 and 90 kg N ha^–1 respectively.During 1988, at five experimental sites the yield was maximized with 120 kg N ha^–1, while at three other sites the yield maximization occurred at 90 kg N ha^–1. During 1987, the corresponding number of sites was two and six with 120 and 90 kg N ha^–1 rates, respectively. Plant height and cob number exhibited a linear relationship with yield. Differences in yield in response to application of different N sources were non-significant.Contribution from the Nationally coordinated fertilizer use programme funded by Federal Government of Nigeria