Organic Fertilization In A “Tomato – Pea” Rotation In Southern Italy

The use of alternative to mineral fertilizers is an important issue in organic systems. A four-year field experiment to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers on yield and quality of processing tomato and proteic pea in rotation, was carried out in Southern Italy. The fertilization treatments aimed to supply 100 kg ha-1 of N for tomato and 60 kg ha-1 of P2O5 for pea and were: 1) an organic biological fertilizer (BIO); 2) an experimental compost obtained by olive residues, sludge and straw mixture (COMP); 3) a control managed with traditional chemical fertilizers (ammonium nitrate and perphosphate, MIN). At harvest, the main productive and qualitative parameters were assessed. Tomato fruit yield did not differ among the fertilization treatments, but unripe fruit yield was higher in the MIN and BIO treatment; MIN showed also smaller fruit than BIO and COMP. The N availability during crop cycle influenced the mean fruit weight and maturity date. No difference among treatments was observed for pea in rotation with tomato and, similarly, on the wheat cropped without fertilization following the two crops. The possibility to use organic fertilizer for processing tomato and proteic pea has been evaluated and the conclusion is that organic fertilization is comparable to mineral one from a productive and qualitative point of view

Effect of Compost and Mineral Fertilizer Rates on Mid-term Vegetable Succession

openExtensive use of mineral fertilizers in the past to fulfill the increased food demand for an increasing population has deteriorated soil qualities, with increased greenhouse emissions, reduced soil biodiversity, and groundwater contamination. Hence, organic fertilizer is applied to the soil to amend the soil properties and increase the organic matter content of the soil and biodiversity within the soil. This study was performed to assess the impact of varying rates of organic and mineral fertilizers in a vegetable crop succession, and thereafter, to determine if mineral fertilization could be replaced by organic fertilization or if they perform better together assuring satisfying yield and quality produce, while still promoting a sustainable agricultural system. The 5 fertilizer treatments used in this experiment were, i. T0 (No fertilization, control), ii. TMIN (Mineral fertilization, N, P2O5, K2O), iii. T50 (50% of crop N requirement contributed by mineral fertilization and 50% by organic fertilization), iv. T100 (100% of crop N requirement contributed by organic fertilization), v. T200 (200% of crop N requirement contributed by organic fertilization). The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with 4 replications for the vegetable crops in succession for three years. Analysis was done to determine the impact of treatments on the yield, quality, and nitrogen efficiencies to finally derive conclusions based on the objective of the study.Extensive use of mineral fertilizers in the past to fulfill the increased food demand for an increasing population has deteriorated soil qualities, with increased greenhouse emissions, reduced soil biodiversity, and groundwater contamination. Hence, organic fertilizer is applied to the soil to amend the soil properties and increase the organic matter content of the soil and biodiversity within the soil. This study was performed to assess the impact of varying rates of organic and mineral fertilizers in a vegetable crop succession, and thereafter, to determine if mineral fertilization could be replaced by organic fertilization or if they perform better together assuring satisfying yield and quality produce, while still promoting a sustainable agricultural system. The 5 fertilizer treatments used in this experiment were, i. T0 (No fertilization, control), ii. TMIN (Mineral fertilization, N, P2O5, K2O), iii. T50 (50% of crop N requirement contributed by mineral fertilization and 50% by organic fertilization), iv. T100 (100% of crop N requirement contributed by organic fertilization), v. T200 (200% of crop N requirement contributed by organic fertilization). The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with 4 replications for the vegetable crops in succession for three years. Analysis was done to determine the impact of treatments on the yield, quality, and nitrogen efficiencies to finally derive conclusions based on the objective of the study

Organic Fertilization in ‘Pérola’ Pineapple Increases Fruit Production and Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Pineapple is the third most cultivated tropical fruit in the world. However, few studies have focused on the cultivationusing organic fertilization, especially in semiarid regions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate growth, production andphysicochemical traits of pineapple fruits produced under organic fertilization in the semiarid. The experiment wascarried out at the didactic orchard of Federal Rural University of Semiarid, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Fourfertilization treatments were studied (chemical fertilizer, cattle manure, goat manure, poultry litter). At 18 monthsafter planting, plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, and productivity were evaluated. Results showed thatorganic fertilization with poultry litter provides best results for physicochemical traits of fruits and productivity of ‘Pérola’pineapple. Organic fertilization with poultry litter is most promising for plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, andproductivity in ‘Pérola’ pineapple, therefore, the most suitable for cultivation in the semiarid region. The fruit firmness,central cylinder weight, and ratio SS/TA showed best values under chemical and goat manure fertilization.Pineapple is the third most cultivated tropical fruit in the world. However, few studies have focused on the cultivationusing organic fertilization, especially in semiarid regions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate growth, production andphysicochemical traits of pineapple fruits produced under organic fertilization in the semiarid. The experiment wascarried out at the didactic orchard of Federal Rural University of Semiarid, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Fourfertilization treatments were studied (chemical fertilizer, cattle manure, goat manure, poultry litter). At 18 monthsafter planting, plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, and productivity were evaluated. Results showed thatorganic fertilization with poultry litter provides best results for physicochemical traits of fruits and productivity of ‘Pérola’pineapple. Organic fertilization with poultry litter is most promising for plant growth, physicochemical traits of fruits, andproductivity in ‘Pérola’ pineapple, therefore, the most suitable for cultivation in the semiarid region. The fruit firmness,central cylinder weight, and ratio SS/TA showed best values under chemical and goat manure fertilization

Response of Tagetes patula L. and Ageratum houstonianum Mill. to Microbial Biostimulant Inoculation and Organic Fertilization

A correct cultivation technique supported by scientific evidence that leads to high-quality standards can promote sustainable floriculture. It is urgent to find alternative solutions to the widely used chemical fertilizers and evaluate the effectiveness of other fertilizers. The liquid organic ones, already in use in organic vegetable farming, could be a good substitute if supplied together with growth-promoting products such as microbial biostimulants. In the hope of replacing the traditional chemicals with more sustainable organic-based fertilization, the present investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of a microbial biostimulant and various combinations of organic and mineral fertilization on morphological characteristics and physiological parameters of Tagetes patula L. and Ageratum houstonianum Mill. The plants were grown in pots with a substrate inoculated or not with the microbial biostimulant and were fertigated with nutrient solutions at different concentrations of elements from mineral and/or organic sources. Six fertilization formulas were adopted: control (only water without fertilizer), 100% mineral fertilization, 50% mineral fertilization, 100% organic fertilization, 50% organic fertilization, and 50% mineral + 50% organic fertilization. For the organic fertilization, a commercial liquid fertilizer admitted in organic farming with 3-2-5.5 NPK with 3% organic nitrogen was used. Mineral fertilization was formulated to match the organic solution as closely as possible. We observed an improvement in ornamental value (stem diameter and shoot number) with the biostimulant inoculum. Generally, the 50% mineral and 50% organic fertilization did not negatively influence the morphological characteristics. The reduction by 50% in the mineral nutrients and the integration of this reduction with an organic fertilizer was feasible to produce poed plants of these species during spring in the Mediterranean area

Dynamic stability of mineral-associated organic matter: enhanced stability and turnover through organic fertilization in a temperate agricultural topsoil

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a vital role for soil quality, sustainable food production and climate change mitigation. It is common knowledge that SOM consists of different pools with varying qualities, quantities, and turnover times. However, it is still poorly understood how mineral and organic fertilization affects the formation and stabilization of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) and how long it can remain there. Here, we report on the long-term effects of different farming systems on the stability and turnover of the fine silt and clay-sized MAOM fraction (<6.3 μm) of a Haplic Luvisol (0–20 cm) in the DOK long-term trial (Switzerland). We compared three farming systems with contrasting fertilization (CONMIN = pure mineral, CONFYM = mineral + organic, BIODYN = pure organic) with an unfertilized control (NOFERT) between 1982 and 2017. We performed specific surface area (SSA) measurements on fractionated MAOM samples (<6.3 μm) from 1982 to 2017, before and after removal of OM, measured the 14C activity of all samples during the entire period and estimated the mean residence time (MRT) with a model taking into account ‘bomb 14C’ and radioactive decay. We found constant MAOM-C contents under organic fertilization. Results of SSA analysis indicate best conditions for MAOM-C stabilization under organic fertilization and different sorption mechanisms in MAOM between farming systems with and without organic fertilization. The modelled MRTs were significantly higher in NOFERT (238 ± 40 yrs) and CONMIN (195 ± 27 yrs), compared to CONFYM (138 ± 18 yrs) and BIODYN (140 ± 19 yrs), implying a high C turnover (i.e. more active MAOM) at high C contents under organic fertilization. Our findings show that MAOM is not the dead OM but corroborates the concept of ‘dynamic stability’. Continuous OM inputs from organic fertilizers and their rapid and constant turnover are needed to stabilize the “stable” MAOM-C fraction

Float system and crucial points of the method for seedling production and crop cultivation with or without organic fertilization

Float system is a less-intensive and low-cost technology that enables efficient control of the nutrition of the growing plants. The findings of experiments carried out under float system in various crops with or without organic fertilization need to be reviewed. The importance of float system for growing plants without inorganic fertilization and chemical pesticide use needs also to be pointed out. Float system can enhance root development of growing plants and control the height of produced transplants. This can result in increased yields and improved transplant quality, not only in tobacco transplant production systems but also in the case of vegetable crops such as tomato or lettuce. In the case of crops like tobacco and for the success of float system alkalinity and oxygen content of the water in the nutrient solution and selection of the growing media are crucial. Regarding vegetable crops, the combination of float system and organic fertilization can enhance root development in tomato as compared to the combination and lettuce resulting in high-quality products. Several aromatic and medicinal plants, including basil and spearmint, provide high yields and good product quality in floating systems especially along with organic fertilization. Conclusively, float system is a major method for producing high quality products or transplants. Further investigation is needed regarding the combined effects of organic fertilization and float system on more crops and under different climatic conditions

Organic Soil Management: Impacts on Yields, Soil Quality and Economics

Understanding organic management practices is a key in developing sustainable organic farming systems. We report the results of four different organic fertilization strategies in a field trial on yields, soil quality and economic performance. We found highest yields and economic performance in two direct plant feeding strategies. One of these strategies, a newly developed strategy based on biowaste compost (GFT) and an additional fertilizer performed well in terms of yields but looks also very promising in terms of soil quality and biodiversity. The economic perspective of this strategy renders it promising in regions with little animal manures

N USE AND PARTITIONING IN CORIANDER (CORIANDRUM SATIVUM L.) AFTER ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL N FERTILIZATION

In coriander, a well known spice herb, many studies concerning the effect of N fertilization have been conducted in special areas where the cultivation of such plant has a major importance, such as India. Limited information is available as concerns the response of coriander to N fertilization under Mediterranean climatic conditions, above all when organic N fertilizers (mandatory when organic cropping management is chosen) are used. This work refers about some observations realised from 2004 to 2006 by an experiment on organic and mineral N fertilization techniques in coriander, carried on in the experimental farm “Sparacia” (Cammarata, AG, Sicily). Similarly to what suggested for other species, each year at harvest time, for each fertilizer treatment, seeds yield and plant biomass were weighed and the respective N content was determined in order to compare N plant uptake with total and mineral N measured in the soil before and after cropping cycle. From such data a few indices were calculated in order to get information about the efficiency of use by plants of the tested N forms. Some differences in N partitioning and use efficiency according to treatment were noticed, suggesting an overall higher efficiency of N chemical fertilizers

Feeding trials in organic food quality and health research

Feeding experiments comparing organically and conventionally produced food are performed to assess the overall impact on the animals' health as a model for the effects experienced by the human consumers. These experiments are based on systems research and characterized by their focus on production methods, whole food testing and procedures in accordance with the terms of organic farming. A short review of such experiments shows that the majority of these tests revealed effects of the organically produced feed on health parameters such as reproductive performance and immune responses. Systems research is not just about simple cause-effect chains, but rather about the pluralism of interactions in biological networks; therefore, the interpretation of the outcome of whole food experiments is difficult. Furthermore, the test diets of organic and conventional origin can be constituted in different ways, compensating for or maintaining existing differences in nutrient and energy contents. The science-based results suggest positive influences from organic feeds, but there is still a need for confirmation in animals and, finally, in humans. For this purpose animal feeding trials with feed from different production systems should be conducted, with the aims to define health indicators and to establish biomarkers as a basis for future dietary intervention studies in humans