Leaf yield and mineral content of mizuna in response to cut-and-come-again harvest, substrate particle size, and fertilizer formulation in a simulated spaceflight environment

The Veggie plant-growth unit deployed onboard the International Space Station (ISS) grows leafy vegetables to supplement crew diets. "Cut-and-come-again" harvests are tested to maximize vegetative yield while minimizing crew time. Water, oxygen, and fertilizer delivery to roots of leafy greens growing in microgravity have become the center of attention for Veggie. Current Veggie technology wicks water into particulate root substrates incorporating controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). Mizuna mustard (Brassica rapa) was grown under ISS-like environments in ground-based Veggie-analogue units comparing crop response to combinations of two different substrate particle sizes, two different fertilizer formulations, and three leaf-harvest times from each plant. Fine-particle porous ceramic substrate (Profile©) was compared with a 40:60 mix of fine-particle porous ceramic Profile© + coarse porous ceramic Turface© substrate. Identical 18-6-8 (NPK) CRF formulations consisting of [50% fast-release (T70) + 50% intermediate-release (T100) prills] vs. [50% fast-release (T70) + 50% slow-release (T180) prills] were incorporated into each substrate, and leaf tissues were harvested from each treatment combination at 28, 48, and 56 days after sowing. The combination of T100 CRF in 100% Profile© substrate gave the highest fresh mass (FM) and leaf area (LA) across harvests, whereas T180 CRF in 40% Profile© gave the lowest. Dry-mass (DM) yields varied with effects on leaf area. Tissue nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) specific contents declined across harvests for all treatment combinations but tended to be highest for T100 CRF/100% Profile©, and lowest for T180 CRF/40% Profile©. These major macronutrients were taken up faster by roots growing in small particle-size substrate incorporating intermediate-rate CRF, but also were depleted faster from the same treatment combination, suggesting it may not continue to be the best combination for additional harvests. Micronutrients did not decline in tissue specific content across treatment combinations, but manganese (Mn) accumulated in leaf tissue across treatments and apparently comes mainly from the ceramic substrate, regardless of particle size. Substrate leachate analysis following final harvest indicated that pH remained in the range for nominal availability of mineral nutrients for root uptake, but electro-conductivity measurements suggested depletion of fertilizer salts from root zones, especially from the treatment combination supporting the highest yields and major macronutrient contents. Although 100% Profile© was the better growth substrate for mizuna in combination with intermediate-rate CRF and three cut-and-come-again harvests in ground-based studies, mixed-particle-size substrates may be a better choice for plant growth under microgravity conditions, where capillary forces predominant and tend to cause saturation of a fine medium with water. Since there were no statistically significant interactions between substrate and fertilizer in this study, our ground-based findings for CRF choice should translate to the best substrate choice for microgravity, but if NASA wants to consider additional cut-and-come-again harvests from the same mizuna plants, more complex CRF formulations likely will have to be investigated.

Synthesis of tapioca starch/palm oil encapsulated urea-impregnated biochar derived from peppercorn waste as a sustainable controlled-release fertilizer

Nutrient leaching and volatilization cause environmental pollution, thus the pursuit of developing controlled-release fertilizer formulation is necessary. Biochar-based fertilizer exhibits slow-release characteristic, however the nutrient release mechanism needs to be improved. To overcome this limitation, the approach of applying encapsulation technology with biochar-based fertilizer has been implemented in this study. Black peppercorn waste was used to synthesize urea-impregnated biochar (UIB). Central composite design was used to investigate the effects of pyrolysis temperature, residence time and urea:biochar ratio on nitrogen content of UIB. The optimum condition to synthesize UIB was at 400 °C pyrolysis temperature, 120 min residence time and 0.6:1 urea:biochar ratio, which resulted in 16.07% nitrogen content. The tapioca starch/palm oil (PO) biofilm formulated using 8 g of tapioca starch and 0.12 µL of PO was coated on the UIB to produce encapsulated urea-impregnated biochar (EUIB). The UIB and EUIB pellets achieved complete release of nitrogen in water after 90 min and 330 min, respectively. The nutrient release mechanism of UIB and EUIB was best described by the Higuchi model and Korsmeyer-Peppas model, respectively. The improvement of water retention ratio of UIB and EUIB pellets was more significant in sandy-textural soil as compared to clayey-textural soil. The EUIB derived from peppercorn waste has the potential to be utilized as a sustainable controlled-release fertilizer for agriculture.

Nitrogen loss via runoff and leaching from paddy fields with the proportion of controlled-release urea and conventional urea rates under alternate wetting and drying irrigation

Alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) can reduce non-point source pollution from paddy fields by mitigating field water depth. However, the influence of compounding modes of polymer-coated urea (PCU) and conventional urea (CU) on nitrogen (N) loss via runoff and leaching from paddy fields under AWD conditions remains unclear. To address this question, in this study, a 2-year field experiment was set up with three N management treatments: (a) 100% CU (N1), (b) 60% PCU + 40% CU (N2), and (c) 100% PCU (N3), at an equivalent N rate of 240 kg ha-1 that was applied to traditional continuously flooded (CI) and AWD systems. The results of this experiment showed a high-risk period of N loss from the paddy fields within 7 d after basal fertilization and 5 days after tillering fertilization. AWD reduced irrigation frequencies by 3.5 times and total input of irrigation water by 38.1%, increasing water utilization from precipitation by 44.4% than CI and reducing the volume of runoff by 46.1% and leaching water by 22.1%. This reduced the total N (TN) loss through runoff and leaching under AWD. In the N2 and N3 treatment groups, N concentration in floodwater decreased from 33.8 to 24.9%, TN loss via runoff decreased by 35.3 to 25.0%, and leaching decreased by 41.7 to 30.3% from the paddy field compared to N1. With the same N mode, AWD showed a higher N uptake (from jointing to maturity stage) and rice yield compared to CI. Besides, N2 and N3 had higher N uptake compared to N1 under the two irrigation regimes. Moreover, the AWDN3 and AWDN2 treatments resulted in the lowest and second-lowest loss of TN via runoff (2.21 to 2.66 kg ha-1) and leaching (8.14 and 10.21 kg ha-1), respectively, from the paddy fields and had the relatively high N uptake in rice in the maturity stage. Remarkably, compared with N3, N2 had a comparable grain yield under CI; however, it showed a higher yield under AWD, suggesting that there is a positive interaction in the rice yield between the AWD and compounding N (PCU + CU) fertilization practice. Thus, AWD coupled with N2 could be recommended as a useful approach to reduce N loss via runoff and leaching from paddy fields, which could increase the grain yield of middle-season rice.

Outredgeous grown under International Space Station environmental conditions

Red Romaine leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Outredgeous) was grown in ground-based analogues of the Veggie plant-growth units used to grow salad vegetables for astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). Plants were grown for 56 days with three "cut-and-come again" leaf harvests from the same plants. Six Biomass-Production-Systems-for-Education (BPSe) units were used to grow 'Outredgeous' ('OR') lettuce in a walk-in growth chamber under temperature, humidity, and LED-lighting conditions similar to those occurring in Veggie on ISS. Because of the ISS micro-gravity environment, both Veggie and ground-based BPSe units utilize one-way capillary wicking of water into an arcillite clay root substrate. In the present study, two different controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) formulations incorporated into the arcillite were compared for effects on 'OR' growth rate, overall yield, and mineral content of leaves harvested from the same plants 28, 48, and 56 days after planting. Both CRF treatments had a rapid-releasing T70 component that kept growth rate equivalent over the first two harvests. Growth rate for both CRF treatments increased from the first to the second harvest, but then declined from the second to the third harvest, more so for the slower-releasing T180 CRF than for the moderately-releasing T100 CRF. Tissue content of the macro-nutrients N, P, and K declined at each harvest for both CRFs, while content of the micro-nutrients B, Zn, and Mn increased. Although pH did not go out of the nominal range for availability of mineral nutrients to roots over the cropping cycle, and electrical-conductivity of rootzone salts was neither excessive nor depleted, tissue macronutrient depletion and micro-nutrient accumulation may have contributed to yield declines. Although either CRF formulation can support adequate yield of 'OR' lettuce over a 56-day period, the moderately-releasing T100 formulation tends to give slightly higher yield, especially during the last growth increment, and with non-deficient mineral content.

Graft copolymer of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyether polyol (CMC-g-TMN-450) improves the crosslinking degree of polyurethane for coated fertilizers with enhanced controlled release characteristics

Novel superhydrophobic sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified polyurethane (MPU) was developed as the membrane material for controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) by cross-linking polymerization of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and CMC-based modified polyol (CMP) which was made by grafting CMC onto polyether polyol (TMN-450). The modified polyurethane coated fertilizer (MPUCF) was prepared by using MPU as the membrane material through a fluidized bed device. Analysis results of ¹³C NMR showed that the coatings of PUCF and MPUCF were prepared by connecting hydroxyl to isocyanate groups to form a carbamate. MPU had lower water absorption rates than PU, and MPUCF coating showed excellent hydrophobicity. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that MPUCF coating surface was much more smooth and flat than that of PUCF. Furthermore, the nitrogen (N) release longevity of MPUCF can increased to 140 days when the coating rate was 5%. It is concluded that MPU was an excellent superhydrophobic coating material for CRF.

Hydrophobic modification of waterborne polymer slows urea release and improves nitrogen use efficiency in rice

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) with long release longevity have been actively sought to match the nutrient demands of crops over the entire growing period. Waterborne polymer is an environmental friendliness coating for CRFs because it neither uses organic solvent nor influences soil property. However, its low hydrophobicity leads to a short controlled-release longevity of CRFs coated with waterborne polymer. To overcome this drawback, a hydrophobic coating was fabricated using silica-modified fluorinated lauryl-methacrylate-containing polyacrylate (SFLPA). After hydrophobic modification, both a slower water influx rate and a larger modulus induced a reduced swelling rate and an extended controlled-release longevity consequently from 42 days to 108 days. Furthermore, a pot trial demonstrated that a single application of SFLPA-coated CRFs significantly boosted grain yield (by 13.36%), nitrogen uptake (by 17.44%) and nitrogen use efficiency (by 24.29%) compared to a three-split application of urea in rice production. The study demonstrated substantial potential of silica/fluorinated waterborne polymer for improving the effectiveness of CRFs in rice production.

Potential of yak dung-derived hydrochar as fertilizer: Mechanism and model of controlled release of nitrogen

Improving fertilizer efficiency with assistance of biochar has drawn much attention in sustainable agriculture. Promoting slow-release properties of biochar itself with cost-effective production technology is a pressing demand. In this study, hydrochar derived from nutrition-enriched yak dung (HC) and corresponding controlled release nitrogen fertilizer (HCRNF) via HCl modifying were studied, and the slow release performance as well as mechanisms were investigated. The results show that HCRNF presents a better N controlled-release performance with cumulative N release amounts of 56.01%-70.30% compared with 72.60%-78.45% of HC. The specific surface area reached highest 47.161 m²·g^-1 in HCRNFs with the pore volume of 0.098 cm³·g^-1. Hydrochloric acid modification treatment increases the surface acid group contents such as phenolic hydroxyl group content increasing to 1.48 mmol·g^-1 in HCRNF250. Because the porous structure and stable internal force between N and O-containing functional groups are improved, the N desorption from HCRNF is retarded, which shows a controlled release behavior. We concluded that the HCRNF via HCl modification in this work has a great application potential as slow released N fertilizer in sustainable green agriculture.

Effects of a controlled-release fertilizer on yield, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer usage efficiency in early ripening rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

BACKGROUND

Nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) are critical nutrient elements necessary for crop plant growth and development. However, excessive inputs will lead to inefficient usage and cause excessive nutrient losses in the field environment, and also adversely affect the soil, water and air quality, human health, and biodiversity.

METHODS

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on seed yield, plant growth, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer usage efficiency for early ripening rapeseed (Xiangzayou 1613) in the red-yellow soil of southern China during 2011-2013. It was grown using a soluble fertilizer (SF) and the same amounts of CRF, such as SF1/CRF1 (3750 kg/hm²), SF2/CRF2 (3000 kg/hm²), SF3/CRF3 (2250 kg/hm²), SF4/CRF4 (1500 kg/hm²), SF5/CRF5 (750 kg/hm²), and also using no fertilizer (CK).

RESULTS

CRF gave higher seed yields than SF in both seasons by 14.51%. CRF4 and SF3 in each group achieved maximum seed yield (2066.97 and 1844.50 kg/hm², respectively), followed by CRF3 (1929.97 kg/hm²) and SF4 (1839.40 kg/hm²). There were no significant differences in seed yield among CK, SF1, and CRF1 (P>0.05). CRF4 had the highest profit (7126.4 CNY/hm²) and showed an increase of 12.37% in seed yield, and it decreased by 11.01% in unit fertilizer rate compared with SF4. The branch number, pod number, and dry matter weight compared with SF increased significantly under the fertilization of CRF (P<0.05). The pod number per plant was the major contributor to seed yield. On the other hand, the N, P, and K uptakes increased at first and then decreased with increasing the fertilizer rate at maturity, and the N, P, and K usage efficiency decreased with increasing the fertilizer rate. The N, P, and K uptakes and usage efficiencies of the CRF were significantly higher than those of SF (P<0.05). The N accumulation and N usage efficiency of CRF increased by an average of 13.66% and 9.74 percentage points, respectively, compared to SF. In conclusion, CRF significantly promoted the growth of rapeseed with using total N as the base fertilizer, by providing sufficient N in the later growth stages, and last by reducing the residual N in the soil and increasing the N accumulation and N usage efficiency.

Evaluation of the interactions between chitosan and humics in media for the controlled release of nitrogen fertilizer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions of peat, humic acids, and humin with urea dispersed in chitosan, in systems intended for the controlled release of urea. Spheres of chitosan with humic material and urea intentionally added to the media were prepared and characterized by means of elemental analysis (CHN), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The spheres possessed functional groups related to humic substances that interacted with the chitosan, and the presence of urea in the media was also confirmed after it has been added. Release experiments demonstrated that the samples released urea in a controlled manner that was dependent on pH, increasing in the order: pH 2.5 < pH 4.0 < pH 9.0. In soil experiments, the degree of release of urea (α) increased over time, with values of 0.44 for chitosan-humic acids-urea (CHAU), 0.48 for chitosan-peat-urea (CPTU), and 0.67 for chitosan-humin-urea (CHMU) obtained in the first day of the experiment. The release of urea did not exceed 70% after 7 days. The results demonstrated the potential of using peat, humic acids, and humin, in combination with chitosan, in order to manufacture controlled release urea fertilizers and contribute to reducing adverse environmental and economic impacts.