Field experiment to assess the impact of radiation, temperature and foliar N application on rice was conducted. The treatments comprised of four sunlight levels, [control, 50% intensity during start to maximum tillering (R15–45), maximum tillering to booting (R46–75) and panicle emergence to maturity (R76–105) corresponding to 15–45, 46–75 and 76–105 days after transplanting] and 5 levels of foliar nitrogen [control, spray of 3% urea solution in water before (NB), midway (NM), afterwards (NA) and midway + afterwards (NMA) reduction in sunlight]. Results showed that leaf chlorophyll had an inverse relationship with radiation intensity. The R46–75 significantly reduced effective tillers (13.1–16.4%), R46–75 and R76–105 reduced grains/panicle (7.15–12.5%) as compared to control. NB produced significantly higher effective tillers (21.9–24.7%) and grains/panicle (12.2–12.9%) as compared to control. The reduction in sunlight and application of foliar nitrogen increased the minimum cooking time and decreased elongation ratio. Averaged over locations, R15–45, R46–75 and R76–105 decreased the yield significantly as compared to control by 9.29–11.3, 14.4–16.3 and 8.17–10.6%, respectively. The NB significantly increased grain yield as compared to control by 10.3% (Ludhiana) and 9.45% (Hoshiarpur). A decrease in maximum temperature (Tmax) by 2.85–5.70% (1–2°C) of 35.1°C, at 1416 μmol/m2/s of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) increased rice productivity by 10.6–21.0%, while a similar decrease in PAR by 2.85–5.70% at a Tmax of 35.1°C, decreased the productivity by 2.05–4.10%. So, decrease in Tmax due to cloudy weather might have a positive influence while negative impact of deficit radiation may be mitigated by foliar application of 3% urea prior to/during the cloudy weather.

It is often stated that organic rice has a higher content of healthy phytochemicals than ordinary rice, and the facts on this claim obtained experimentally are rare. Riceberry is a new rice variety in Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of organic practice and conventional practice on the content of chemical composition and bioactive compounds in Riceberry rice. The results showed that agricultural practices were not significantly different for grain yield in the first year, but they were different in the second year. Rice produced by organic practice had a higher content of iron, gamma-aminobutyric acid, total phenolic and anthocyanin (4.15, 1.67, 41.3 and 20.1 mg/100 g dry weight in the first year, and 4.06, 3.37, 89.7 and 14.7 mg/100 g dry weight in the second year) than that produced by conventional practice (2.25, 1.11, 38.8 and 6.89 mg/100 g dry in the first year, and 1.96, 2.77, 54.1 and 5.71 mg/100 g dry in the second year). Rice produced by organic practice also had lower sugar content (2.92 g/100 g dry weight in the first year, and 1.99 g/100 g dry weight in the second year) than that produced by conventional practice (3.46 g/100 g dry weight in the first year, and 2.81 g/100 g dry weight in the second year). Gamma oryzanol and antioxidant capacity were also lower in organic rice compared to conventional rice. This study indicated that organic Riceberry rice had a higher quality compared to non-organic rice.

Clay minerals are essential components of soil systems and understanding their role in soil structure and function is critical for soil environmental quality management and sustainable agricultural development. An in-depth study of clay minerals and the development of related materials is essential for a complete understanding and effective management of soil systems. This review is a detailed compilation of relevant studies over the past decade in this area, focusing on an overview of clay minerals and their modified materials and their regulation of soil structure and function. We focus on the direct influence of clay minerals on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils, such as soil structure, soil fertility, plant growth, soil microbial activity and soil carbon sequestration. Finally, we concluded by summarizing the existing issues with clay mineral materials in soil improvement and by outlining potential future development trends and strategies.

Hairy galinsoga (Galinsoga quadriradiata Cav.) is a troublesome weed in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and other low-growing crops. Many troublesome weed species are more responsive to fertilizer than major crops, and hence potentially more competitive under fertile conditions. This study examined the responses of G. quadriradiata and lettuce, in monoculture or competition with each other, to nitrogen and phosphorus. A greenhouse experiment assessed the biomass and flower production of G. quadriradiata grown in 16 nutrient treatments. The nutrient treatments were arranged in a phosphorus series, in which phosphorus varied, while nitrogen was either low or high, and a nitrogen series, in which nitrogen varied, while phosphorus was either low or high. A field experiment examined G. quadriradiata biomass, flower production, and competition with lettuce using the same nutrient treatments as the greenhouse experiment. Galinsoga quadriradiata dry biomass increased with phosphorus addition, especially when nitrogen was abundant. In the phosphorus series at high nitrogen, G. quadriradiata produced more biomass when competing with lettuce than in monoculture. Nutrient addition generally increased flower production per unit mass. Lettuce fresh biomass increased with phosphorus, but lettuce dry biomass was largely unaffected by fertility. Lettuce fresh and dry biomass were sometimes decreased by competition from G. quadriradiata, relative to intraspecific competition. We conclude that high phosphorus rates increase the productivity of G. quadriradiata and may increase its competitiveness. Therefore, high phosphorus rates should be avoided unless good weed control can be assured.

Overuse of fertilizer is detrimental to the sustainability of crop production from an economic and environmental perspective. While rice side-deep fertilization technology can significantly improve fertilizer utilization efficiency, improve crop yield and reduce environmental pollution caused by improper use of fertilizer compared with conventional fertilization methods. Therefore, side-deep fertilization technology has an important role in the sustainable development of agriculture. This article describes fertilizer selection, side-deep fertilization devices and the effects of side-deep fertilization technology on rice plants and soil. We summarize the types and characteristics of side-deep fertilizers and their ratios and modes. The basic principles and characteristics of the key components of mechanical fertilization devices are described in detail, including fertilizer discharging devices (rotating disc type, outer groove wheel type, screw type), fertilizer conveying devices (pneumatic, mechanical forced type) and sensors. The effects and mechanisms of side-deep fertilization on rice growth, yield, quality, fertilizer utilization efficiency and soil microorganisms are summarized. Finally, based on current research on side-deep fertilization, future directions are identified to aid the development of this promising technology.

In the context of climate change and increasing occurrences of extreme events, it is essential to understand farmers' responses to weather shocks and adaptations. This paper uses a panel dataset of 311 selected Indian districts ranging from 1966 to 2009 to investigate how application of chemical fertilizers varies in response to rainfall shocks. Two rainfall shock measures are constructed based on deviation in rainfall from the normal, a categorical measure of rainfall shock; and another, a continuous index of negative rainfall deviation. Based on a panel fixed effect regression, the study finds no apparent reduction in the level of fertilizer use in negative rainfall shock years. However, with a one-year lagged rainfall shock, a reduction in fertilizer application rate is observed for the continuous drought index. Further, exposure to higher intensity droughts in the previous year leads to an increase in the amount of fertilizer application in the current year.

Polyhalite is a multi-nutrient mineral ore containing potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S). Historically, it has enjoyed minor use as a fertilizer, but the opening of a new mine in the UK will make larger quantities available. Therefore, an examination of the performance of crops fertilized with polyhalite, or selected commercial alternatives, was pertinent and is reported here.

Four field trials were carried out between 2013 and 2016 to investigate the response of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and forage maize (Zea mays L.) to different application rates of polyhalite, potassium chloride (muriate of potash, MOP) and potassium sulphate (sulphate of potash, SOP) fertilizers. Potassium and S nutrition were the focus of these trials as they limit field production more often than Mg and Ca.

Polyhalite was found to be an effective source of both K and S for crop production. In three out of four trials, application of polyhalite resulted in similar or greater K offtake compared with both MOP and SOP; MOP application resulted in greater K offtake in one trial. In three out of four trials, application of polyhalite resulted in similar or better S offtake compared with both MOP and SOP; SOP application resulted in greater S offtake in one trial. Polyhalite and MOP treatments produced similar total dry weight in all four trials, but were slightly inferior to SOP treatment.

Biodegradation of chlorpyrifos under the influence of fertilizer application and climate factors such as elevated CO2, temperature and moisture was studied. Soybean was grown in control, inorganic, organic and integrated (both inorganic and organic) fertilized fields. Rhizospheric soils collected during the vegetative growth phase were amended with chlorpyrifos (10 μg/g soil) and incubated under different climate factors. The climate factors were CO2 concentration (400, 800 ppm), temperature (25, 45°C) and moisture-holding capacity (60, 100%). Chlorpyrifos degradation rate varied from 0.28 to 0.65 μg/g soil/d. The abundance of 16S rRNA gene copies of eubacteria varied from 13 × 106 to 7 × 105/g soil. Actinomycetes-specific 16S rRNA gene copies were in the range of 62.5 × 105 to 18.5 × 103/g soil. Microbial abundance was high in organic amended soil and low in control soil irrespective of climate factors. Elevated CO2 and high temperature inhibited (P < 0.05) chlorpyrifos degradation rate and the abundance of 16S rRNA genes of eubacteria and actinomycetes. Chlorpyrifos degradation followed as: organic > integrated > inorganic > control. The degradation rate was positively correlated (P < 0.01) with the soil organic C, available N, water-stable aggregates and mean weight diameter of the soil aggregates of soil. Principal component analysis denoted temperature and fertilizer as the major components of variation. The study highlights that elevated CO2 and temperature affect chlorpyrifos biodegradation; however, the effect can be alleviated by the amendment of organic fertilizer.

The market structure and recipes for beer has been rapidly changing with craft beers attracting more consumers. Perceived hops quality (hoppiness) is one of the main attributes that microbrewers alter to differentiate their products to satisfy consumers’ changing tastes and preferences. We hypothesize that, in addition to manipulating beer-processing conditions, the conditions under which the hops are grown may also influence the final sensory properties of the beer. Using hops from a field experiment coupled with sensory attributes and sociodemographic characteristics from a contingent valuation survey, we analyzed the impact of under-fertilized hop treatments during the growing season on consumers’ willingness to pay for beer. The results indicate that uninformed consumers in a blind tasting could identify the differences in beer made from hops across the fertilization treatments and, thus, implying that all else equal sufficient fertilizer is required to achieve satisfactory hoppiness for which consumers are willing to pay. (JEL Classifications: C91, D12, L66, Q11)

The current study evaluated the effect of sowing date (early, mid-August or timely, mid-September) on two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (Hereford, Mariboss) with different rates of nitrogen (N) (0–225 kg total N/ha) applied as animal manure (AM; cattle slurry) or mineral fertilizers (N: phosphorus: potassium; NPK). Overwinter plant N uptake and soil mineral N content were determined during 2014/15, while harvest yields (grain, straw, N content) were determined during 2014/15 and 2015/16. Overwinter uptake of N was 14 kg N/ha higher in early than in timely-sown wheat. Despite very different yield levels in 2015 and 2016 harvests, the advantage of early sowing on grain yields was similar (1.1 and 0.9 t/ha); straw yield benefits were greater in 2015 (1.7 t/ha more) than in 2016 (0.4 t/ha more). In 2015 and 2016, N offtake was 35 and 17 kg N/ha higher in early than in timely-sown wheat, respectively. The mineral N fertilizer value of cattle slurry averaged 50%. Early sowing increased the apparent N recovery (ANR) for wheat regardless of nutrient source. However, ANR was substantially higher for NPK (82% in 2015; 52% in 2016) than for AM (39% in 2015; 27% in 2016). Performance of the two cultivars did not differ consistently with respect to the effect of early sowing on crop yield, N concentration and offtake, or ANR. Within the north-west European climatic region, moving the sowing time of winter wheat from mid-September to mid-August provides a significant yield and N offtake benefit.

Efforts to screen and mass-rear insects and diseases for leafy spurge biocontrol agents have been hampered by low success in propagation and slow growth of leafy spurge in the greenhouse. The optimum greenhouse conditions for leafy spurge growth were determined. Leafy spurge was propagated from stem tip cuttings, with the basal end treated with 0.2% NAA, and the plants misted with water for 10 d. Optimum conditions for growth were 27 C air temperature, application of a complete fertilizer at 70 kg ha−1 weekly or 135 kg ha−1 biweekly 20 d after stem tip propagation, in a peat/perlite/vermiculite growth medium at pH 7 and a 16-h photoperiod. Regrowth from roots of parent plants was improved when cuttings were taken from plants at least 60 d old, and plants grew nearly twice as rapidly when the medium was maintained at 30 C compared to 22 C. Refrigeration of stem tip cuttings or roots before planting did not affect survival or growth vigor. Only gibberellic acid of nine plant growth regulators evaluated increased growth, but plants were etiolated. Biotypes from Nebraska and South Dakota were shorter than five others from the United States or Austria but had similar root and shoot dry weight. The time required to propagate vigorous leafy spurge was reduced to 2 mo compared to 6 mo required prior to the study.

Kikuyugrass was analyzed for nitrate (expressed as KNO3) and soluble oxalate concentration after it was grown for 8 wk in nutrient solution supplemented with KCl, NaCl, or NH4NO3; fertilized in the greenhouse with urea and KNO3 at 112 kg N ha-1; and fertilized in the field in Hawaii and Panama with urea at 56 and 112 kg N ha-1. Both treated and untreated kikuyugrass grown in nutrient solution contained toxic levels of nitrates and soluble oxalates. Plants treated with urea in the greenhouse contained 0.4% nitrate (nontoxic) 72 h after treatment whereas those treated with KNO3 contained 2.36% nitrate (highly toxic). Fertilization of kikuyugrass with urea in Panama and Hawaii did not significantly affect soluble oxalate concentration, but nitrate concentration increased to potentially lethal levels (over 1.5% as KNO3, dry wt) in plants from Hawaii.

A small -plot, pneumatic applicator was developed to apply either granular herbicide formulations or liquid herbicides impregnated on commercial dry fertilizer to field research plots. Pre-weighed herbicide samples poured into a stainless steel, motor-driven belt, cone seeder are automatically sput into four subsamples in a four-outlet rota seed distributor run by a 12-volt electric motor, and delivered to four plastic venturi chambers. A gasoline engine-powered leaf blower forces air through a 10-cm diam polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe to the input sides of the venturi chambers. The forced air stream carries the herbicide samples through 2.5-cm diam flexible plastic tubing to four deflector shields mounted 61 cm apart on a fiberglass boom. The applicator uniformly delivers granules up to 400 kg/ha in a 2.5-m wide swath.

Research was conducted to determine the influence of water carrier quality on grass control from sethoxydim. Water from a well near Halliday, ND, where sethoxydim failed to control grasses, contained 650 mg/L sodium and 1650 mg/L bicarbonate. Both sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate when included in the sethoxydim spray reduced grass species control in the greenhouse and field. Sodium carbonate in the spray generally was more antagonistic than sodium bicarbonate to sethoxydim toxicity to grasses. The antagonism from sodium bicarbonate at 6000 mg/L was overcome by diammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate at 2.8 kg/ha or a 28% nitrogen liquid fertilizer at 9.4 L/ha in the sethoxydim spray. These compounds also overcame sodium carbonate and partly overcame the antagonism of sethoxydim by bentazon. Three commercial adjuvants for use with sethoxydim differed in their effect on wheat and oats control with sethoxydim alone or with bentazon.

Water samples from eight locations, ranging in pH from 7.1 to 8.5, were tested to determine the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) pressurization on pH. After pressurization with CO2 the pH of the water decreased 1.8 to 4.1 pH units. An increase of 0.4 to 1.2 pH units occurred after the CO2 pressurized water exited a spray nozzle. The use of N2 or air as a pressurizing gas had very little effect on pH. The addition of diammonium phosphate, urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN)3, or ammonium sulfate had only minor effects on water pH. The addition of monoammonium phosphate reduced water pH to 4.6 to 5.5. The physical/chemical properties and activity of a herbicide may be altered with the change in spray solution pH by using CO2 to pressurize the spray solution.

A three-year field study in west-central Kansas investigated the effects of combinations of spray carrier, nonionic surfactant (NIS), triasulfuron, and/or 2,4-D on winter wheat foliar injury and grain yield. Herbicides applied in water without NIS caused little or no foliar injury in two of three years. Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) at 112 L/ha (40 kg N/ha) alone or as a carrier for herbicides caused moderate to severe foliar injury in all three years. Adding NIS to UAN spray solutions increased foliar injury, especially with the tank mixture of triasulfuron + 2,4-D. Effects of triasulfuron + NIS or 2,4-D applied in UAN were additive. Foliar injury was related inversely to temperature following application. Foliar injury was most evident 4 to 7 d after application and disappeared within 2 to 3 wk. Diluting UAN 50% with water lessened foliar injury in two of three years, especially in the presence of NIS, regardless of whether herbicides were in the spray solution. Treatments did not reduce wheat grain yield in any year despite estimates of up to 53% foliar injury one year.

The project “FArming Tools for external nutrient Inputs and water Management” (FATIMA, H2020-SFS2) is developing satellite-based methodologies and information to support effective and efficient water and nitrogen input recommendations in agricultural production. This paper focuses on nitrogen recommendation for winter cereals in Austria and presents preliminary findings from the 2015/16 crop growing season. The Nitrogen Nutrition Index was applied using an empirical relationship to derive dry mass from Leaf Area Index (LAI) and %Na from a chlorophyll index. Results showed a very high correlation between LAI and above ground dry mass (R2=0.95) but a lower correlation between the chlorophyll index and %Na (R2=0.24). Despite various indices tested, the relationship to estimate %Na remains weak. Additional field data and research are needed to further study this aspect.