2025-12-30
Sunil Kumar Medida, Prasuna Rani Podila, Geetha Sireesha, K. Anny Mrudhula, Ponnurangam Gramani Ganesan
Identifying the start of sowing in rice fallows is challenging due to its typical low land agro-ecosystem. Tracking the spatio-temporal shifts that take place during the transition from a wet to dry ecosystem, identifying crops, assessing their extent, and identifying optimal planting periods are vital information for researchers and planners. This study aimed at determining the crop sown area and sowing window of maize and sorghum crops planted in rice fallows during the Rabi 2020-2021 season in the Krishna Western delta of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Optical cloud-free satellite images of Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 were downloaded and using band ratios NDVI and NDWI was derived. A Threshold based algorithm was developed to detect the crop sowing window. The total area sown was determined using the SVM algorithm. The threshold-based algorithm is well-suited for identifying the sowing windows. The sowing window in the second fortnight of January had the largest area for both crops compared to other sowing windows. The detected sowing windows exhibited a deviation of up to two satellite acquisition intervals. The estimated area using SVM algorithm for maize and sorghum was 29,518 ha and 65,417 ha, respectively. The threshold-based algorithm overestimated the maize and sorghum crops as compared to SVM. This study established the superior performance of the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm for crop classification. Statistical validation confirmed that the SVM model achieved significantly higher accuracy in distinguishing both maize and sorghum from other land covers compared to the threshold-based algorithm, which exhibited a greater tendency for misclassification.
2025-12-30
Rajan Bhatt, Vishnu D. Rajput, Mandapelli Sharath Chandra, Debjyoti Majumder, Ashok K. Garg, Govindaraj Kamalam Dinesh, Amarinder Singh Riar, Kunal Bhatt, Krishan K Verma, Mauro Wagner de Oliveira, Vicky Anand, Olga Biryukova
Environmental and agricultural systems are under constant threat from the ever-increasing amounts of eco-agricultural waste, which is the primary focus of this review. By utilizing scientific and environmentally friendly techniques to reuse and recycle organic waste, proper management can help reduce waste. This analysis assessed the potential of earthworm species in agriculture and the role of vermicompost in the long-term recycling of crop nutrients, specifically nitrogen (N) recovery, which is at 76%. Sustainable organic farming relies on a scientific understanding of organic material management and nitrogen use efficiency through the application of vermicompost. The emphasis is on reusing and recovering nutrients from vermicompost at carbon-to-nitrogen ratios of 10 - 23, which reduces emissions of reactive nitrogen gases, achieves soil fertility, and allows the application of fertilizers made from sustainable sources. Vermicompost improves the soil’s properties and mitigates the adverse effects of global warming. Based on literature reviews and numerous trials, a proposal has been put forth to emphasize the importance of vermicomposting technology in agroecosystems. Reducing pollution, improving waste management, and lowering health hazards are all significant issues that could play an important role. In conclusion, vermicompost is a win-win technology for sustaining today’s agricultural system. It enhances soil properties, increases land productivity, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing chemical fertilizers.
2025-12-06
Abdul Kadir Salam, Deva Maharani Wirakrama, Kurnia Rahma Dani, Septi Nurul Aini, Hery Novpriansyah, Supriatin Supriatin
Heavy metal absorption by plants is suggested to be affected by soil treatment with different types of biochar. Due to various types of available biochar materials in the environment, effects of three representative biochar types were evaluated in a greenhouse experiment using polluted soils planted with pigweed ( Amaranthus spinosus L.) and napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum Schumach). Soil treatments were conducted with biochar of rice ( Oryza sativa )-husk, corn ( Zea mays )-cob and cassava ( Manihot utilissima )-stem at 10 Mg ha -1 . Soils and plants were analysed for Cu and Zn after a 4 weeks plant growth. The results showed that Cu and Zn accumulation by pigweed and napier grass were higher in soils polluted with more Cu and Zn. Pigweed in general acted as phytoextractor, accumulated more Cu and Zn in shoots, while napier grass as phyto-stabilizer, accumulated more Cu and Zn in roots. Pigweed accumulated Cu more effective than napier grass while napier grass more effective in Zn accumulation. Unlike rice-husk or corn-cob, cassava-stem biochar increased the soil Cu and Zn concentrations. Rice-husk and corn-cob enhanced but cassava-stem biochar decreased Cu and Zn accumulation by pigweed and napier grass. Rice-husk and corn-cob biochar showed better potential than cassava biochar for soil Cu and Zn phytoremediation by pigweed and napier grass in heavy-metal polluted tropical soils.
2025-12-02
Stefina Liana Sari, Nguyen Quoc Khuong, Emma Trinurani Sofyan, Saefur Rohman, Rahmat Budiarto, Eso Solihin
The loss of topsoil in high-rainfall regions significantly reduces agricultural productivity, especially in degraded soils. This study investigated the effects of Mixed Fertilizer-Conditioner (MFC) on improving the chemical properties of subsoil cultivated with red chili peppers. A Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 11 treatments on subsoil and one control on normal soil was implemented, with three replications. The treatments included: A= subsoil without fertilizer, B= 0% MFC + full NPK, C= 25% MFC + full NPK, D= 50% MFC + full NPK, E= 75% MFC + full NPK, F= 100% MFC + full NPK, G= 50% MFC + 75% NPK, H= 50% MFC + 50% NPK, I= 50% MFC + 25% NPK, J= 50% MFC without NPK, and K= Full NPK on normal soil. The application of 100% MFC combined with full NPK significantly enhanced subsoil chemical properties. Soil organic carbon increased to 1.32%, pH rose to 6.3, CEC reached 22.1 cmol kg⁻¹, and base saturation improved to 49.4%. Nutrient availability also increased, including total N (1.21%), P (0.132%), K (0.677 cmol kg⁻¹), along with Ca (1362.72 ppm), Mg (311.04 ppm), and S (36.01 ppm). Micronutrients B, Co, and Zn also rose to 4.41 ppm, 18.95 ppm, and 11.97 ppm, respectively. Chili yields in subsoil treated with 50–100% MFC and full NPK exceeded 10 tons ha⁻¹. These results highlight the agronomic potential of MFC for rehabilitating degraded soils and recommend its use as a sustainable strategy to enhance soil fertility in low-fertility or erosion-prone areas, with implications for both farmers and agricultural policymakers.
2025-11-28
Chigozie Pascal Umeugokwe, Nancy Ekene Ebido, Ihuoma Eileen Uroawuchi, Chukwuebuka Edwin Awaogu, Obiageli Umeugochukwu, Chika Mike Jidere, Ifeyinwa Monica Uzoh, Charles Livinus Anija Asadu
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of economic development, food security, and the livelihoods of rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This study employed a parametric evaluation approach to assess the suitability of soils in the Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria, for cultivating maize ( Zea mays ) and Cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) using the Geographical Information System (GIS). The study applied the FAO land evaluation framework using systematic soil sampling, laboratory analyses, and GIS mapping. A total of thirty geo-referenced soil samples from the surface (0-20 cm) were gathered in triplicate across Nsukka LGA. Climatic and topographic data were integrated with soil parameters to assess suitability. Thematic maps were developed and overlaid to generate suitability classes for maize and cassava using the ArcGIS software. The climate characteristics were highly suitable for crop production. Topography (slope) and soil characteristics (texture, organic carbon, and base saturation) were the most limiting factors for both crops. The maps showed that 6.18% of the study region was highly suitable, while 93.82% was moderately suitable for maize production. The study region was entirely suitable for cassava cultivation. These results support the recommendation for crop-specific land-use planning and targeted soil management practices to improve maize productivity and leverage cassava's resilience in marginal soils.
2025-10-22
Uju Chinwe Osakwe, Sunday Ewele Obalum, Mohammed Moro Buri, Temitope Seun Babalola, Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, Jose Miguel Reichert
The response of soil structure to nutrient management may vary across environments. Poultry manure (PM) and/or inorganic fertilizers (IF) effects on soil pH, organic carbon (SOC), and hydraulic properties were assessed in derived savannah sandy-clay-loam Ultisols and rainforest sandy-loam Alfisols of Nigeria during 2013-2015. The Ultisols were inherently lower in soil pH and SOC than the Alfisols. Three PM rates (0, 5, and 10 t ha –1 ), each with four NPK/Urea-based IF levels (0, 50, 100, and 150%), were applied in 2013 and 2014 but not in 2015. At crop (maize) maturity, treatment affected the Ultisols more distinctly than the Alfisols. Regardless of IF level, PM 10 and PM 5 resulted in optimal soil pH (Ultisols) and hydraulic properties (Alfisols), respectively. Treatment PM 10 +IF 50 produced overall optimal effects in 2014 and 2015, being among the highest for SOC in the Ultisols (13.30 and 10.23 g kg –1 , respectively) and Alfisols (16.10 and 11.60 g kg –1 , respectively). Its substitutes for soil pH and hydraulic properties were PM 10 +IF 0 (Ultisols) and PM 5 +IF 0 (Alfisols). Unlike most PM-based treatments, sole IFs, especially PM 0 +IF 150 , had pronounced soil-acidifying effects in the Ultisols. The SOC and permeability depended almost entirely on PM across IF levels. Soil pH and SOC were positively correlated with total porosity (Ultisols) and permeability (both soils), with r = 0.60-0.93 (Ultisols) and 0.42-0.66 (Alfisols). Effective PM+IF may not always outperform PM regarding soil pH/SOC, whose influence on soil hydraulic properties can be location-specific. This calls for pre-adoption validation of promising PM+IF options in new tropical agro-environments.
2025-10-03
Desi Nadalia, Arief Hartono, Heru Bagus Pulunggono, Bambang Hendro Trisasongko, Widiatmaka Widiatmaka, Muhammad Fuady Emzir
The potassium (K) Quantity-Intensity (Q-I) relationship results in important parameters, including the activity ratio of potassium at equilibrium (ARe K ), which indicates potassium availability in soil. Experiments to observe soil Q-I K relationship parameters are often complex, time-consuming, and do not include environmental variables. This research aims to model ARe K using a machine learning (ML) approach. ML models applied are Random Forest (RF), Cubist, and Support Vector Machine (SVM) as the primary approaches, with Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) serving as a baseline. The dataset was derived from sixty-one observation points in Brebes, Central Java. The predictors were pH, organic carbon, clay, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable cations (Exc-Ca, Mg, K, Na), water soluble K, available K, K saturation, potential K, non-exchangeable K (NE-K), elevation, and slope. The response variable was the ARe K . Variable selection was performed using Pearson correlation to eliminate highly correlated predictors and reduce multicollinearity. Exactly 75% of the data was utilized as the training set and 25% as the test set. Three metrics, i.e., MAE, RMSE, and R², were used in model evaluation. The results showed that the Cubist model could predict ARe K with high accuracy (R 2 =0.9437) and low RMSE (0.5701) and MAE (0.3514). Based on the Cubist model, Exc-K, Exc-Mg, CEC, and Exc-Ca were the most important variables for predicting ARe K . This model can be employed to support site-specific fertilizer recommendation strategies. To improve the performance of the model, it is necessary to add other predictor variables (e.g., soil physical properties, clay minerals, rainfall, temperature and soil moisture).
2025-09-19
Mira Media Pratamaningsih, Diah Puspita Hati, Bambang Susanto, Muhammad Amir Solihin, Edi Yatno, Winda Ika Susanti, Muhammad Hikmat
Coffee is an essential agricultural commodity that significantly contributes to Indonesia's foreign exchange revenue. Arabica coffee ( Coffea arabica L.), generally grown in highland areas at elevations between 1,000 to 2,000 m above sea level, exhibits persistently low productivity within the country. A primary factor influencing this low yield is the biophysical condition of the land. This study aims to examine the impact of land biophysical characteristics on Arabica coffee productivity and to investigate the interrelationships among those biophysical factors. This study was conducted in Bandung Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia. This study utilized 60 data sets encompassing 22 land biophysical parameters and one plant parameter, specifically coffee productivity. The data collection utilized a survey approach. Land biophysical data were collected through field observations and laboratory analyses, whereas coffee productivity data were obtained through farmer interviews. The principal component regression (PCR) method, incorporating principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple regression, was employed for statistical analysis. The findings indicated 7 principal components (PC) with a data representation level of 75.8%. PC1 comprises primary components consisting of sand content, clay content, exchangeable Mg, Ca, and Na, with a representation level of 18.6%. PC2 consists of exchangeable K and potential K 2 O, while PC3 consists of total N, organic C, altitude, and slope. These components are the most significant factors influencing Arabica coffee production. The application of K and N fertilizers along with organic materials is expected to increase Arabica coffee production.
2025-08-27
Mohammad Nurcholis, Dwi Fitri Yudiantoro, Soeranto Human, Erni Johan, Kristin Natalia H Makahenggang, Laponda Jaya Katon, Firdaus Muhammad Fauzi
Soils in gold mining areas have the potential to contain heavy metals from rock weathering. Such soil was planted with sweet sorghum to increase land productivity in Boto Village, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java during the dry season. The harvested crop was not used for food, but processed into biofuels through fermentation and distillation. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to trace the presence of several heavy metals in vinasse, a by-product of sweet sorghum stem juice fermentation process, from plants grown on soil in a community of gold mining area. Two varieties of sweet sorghum, Samurai 1 and Samurai 2, were cultivated on this soil. Then, they were harvested and the sorghum stem extract was fermented to produce ethanol. Distillation process was carried out on the fermented juice to increase the ethanol concentration, leaving behind vinasse. Chemical analysis was carried out on the chemical properties of the soil (pH, CEC, Organic-C, total-N, available-K, and potential-P), and content of the heavy metals of Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cu in the soil, juice, and vinasse. The soil exhibits a neutral reaction, low salinity, organic-C, total-N, available P and CEC. The levels of Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cu in soil are 7.8%, 0.1%, 76.00 ppm, 23.81 ppm. In the juice, these concentrations were 9.66, 21.14, 1.49, 1.64 in ppm. In the vinasse, they were 5.29, 28.15, 1.05, 0.73 ppm, respectively. These results indicate that heavy metals in soils could be absorbed by sorghum crops and they were absorbed in the stems of Samurai 1 and 2 sweet sorghum varieties, extracted into the juice, and partially remained in the vinasse.
2025-08-25
Jamilah Jamilah, Khairul Effendi, Sunadi Sunadi, Widodo Haryoko, M. Zulman Harja Utama, Nur Qursyna Boll Kassim
The increasing demand for maize in Indonesia is challenged by suboptimal productivity on acidic Ultisols, despite high doses of inorganic fertilizers being applied. This study aimed to evaluate soil pH dynamics and maize response to liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) enriched with Sapindus rarak biosurfactants as a substitute for chemical fertilizers. A factorial completely randomized design was used with two factors: inorganic fertilizer (NPK + Urea) doses (0%, 50%, and 100% of the recommended rate) and biosurfactant concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%). Data were analysed using the F-test at a 5% significance level, with LSD tests applied for significant effects. Results showed that soil pH in maize crops decreased over time but remained slightly acidic. Higher NPK doses generally increased soil pH, especially at 45 days after planting (DAP). Biosurfactant-enriched LOF significantly impacted leaf area index (LAI), relative growth rate (RGR), and shoot-root ratio, particularly at 60 DAP. The highest maize yield, reaching 6.60 tons per hectare, was obtained with a combination of 50% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer and 50 mL L⁻¹ of 0.1% biosurfactant-enriched LOF. This yield is comparable to the normal yield obtained by farmers when applying 100% of the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer. Optimising fertilizer application and planting strategies to effectively manage the shoot-to-root ratio is essential for improving maize productivity and enhancing resource use efficiency. The study highlights the potential to reduce chemical fertilizer use by up to 50%, lowering costs while improving soil pH and root development. It promotes efficient resource use, supports integrated nutrient management using local materials such as Sapindus rarak , and encourages farmer training and sustainable agricultural policies to restore productivity on degraded Ultisols.
2025-08-25
Zheng Zhang, Xiangzhe Huang, Shuwen Qin, Muhammad Azeem, Hongqin Wang, Shoujun Yang
Overuse of traditional chemical fertilizers may result in environmental pollution and a decrease in the quality of farm produce. By contrast, applying biochar-organic compound fertilizers can enhance soil structure, increase soil fertility, and mitigate pollution levels. This study explores the intricate mechanisms of the combined application of biochar-organic compound fertilizers and chemical fertilizers on soil chemical properties and corn growth. The aim is to elucidate the theoretical foundations supporting the widespread adoption of biochar-organic compound fertilizers. A total of 6 treatments were set up, among which the CK treatment did not apply fertilizer, the CF treatment used bovine excrement organic fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer, the T1 to T4 treatments used biochar-organic compound fertilizers and replaced 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% bovine excrement organic fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer. The results showed that applying biochar-organic compound fertilizers enhanced the slow-release properties of soil available nutrients, increased corn yield, and improved grain quality. Notably, when biochar-organic compound fertilizers were employed instead of 100% bovine excrement organic fertilizer, the yield surpassed that of other treatments, exhibiting a remarkable 9.30% increase compared to the CF treatment. Through comprehensive analysis, it was determined that using biochar-organic compound fertilizer to replace 60% of bovine excrement organic fertilizer is a scheme that can balance both fertilizer efficacy and cost and is recommended to farmers. This research can contribute to promoting the green transformation of agriculture and help achieve the goal of "carbon neutrality".