Work

Effect of bio-organic fertilizer derived from agricultural waste resources on soil properties and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in semi-humid drought-prone regions

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Water stress, unreasonable fertilization management, and agricultural waste pollution severely reduce soil fertility and limit agricultural sustainability on the Loess Plateau. Organic fertilizer application has been an efficient method to improve soil water availability and grain yield in semi-arid and arid areas. However, the effect of bio-organic fertilizer derived from agricultural wastes on soil characteristics and wheat yield and the optimum bio-organic fertilizer substitution rate in semi-humid drought-prone areas remain unclear. A two-year field study was conducted to explore the effect of combined bio-organic and chemical fertilizer application on soil moisture, hydraulic properties, soil structure, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), grain yields, and water use efficiency (WUE). Six different treatments were designed: no fertilization (CK), conventional chemical fertilization (CF), and bio-organic fertilizer treatments substituting 25% (OF25%), 50% (OF50%), 75% (OF75%), and 100% (OF100%) of chemical N fertilizer. During early wheat growth, the OF75% and OF100% treatments generally improved soil water storage (SWS) and soil water content (SWC) within the 0–100 cm soil profile compared to the CK and CF treatments in both growing seasons. Bio-organic fertilizer substitution significantly reduced soil bulk density by 4.0–5.6% and enhanced soil porosity by 4.2–5.9% in 0–40 cm soil layer. Additionally, bio-organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and water content, improved aggregate size distribution, and enhanced SOC and TN contents in both years. The highest yield components, grain yields, and WUE were observed in the OF75% treatment due to the improved soil environment and nutrients. The OF75% treatment enhanced average wheat yield and WUE by 21.1% and 24.9%, respectively, relative to CF treatment across both growing seasons. The measured soil properties strongly correlated with wheat yield, yield components, and WUE. Thus, the OF75% treatment is an appropriate and promising fertilization management strategy to alleviate water stress, improve soil properties, and promote crop production in semi-humid drought-prone regions.

Source: Agricultural Water Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108539