A comprehensive review on enhancing nutrient use efficiency and productivity of broadacre (arable) crops with the combined utilization of compost and fertilizers. (1st September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oyetunji, Oluwadunsin; Bolan, Nanthi; Hancock, Greg
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 317(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-01
• Subjects: Compost -- Fertilizer -- Broadacre -- Arable -- Crops -- Nutrient use efficiency -- Soil quality; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115395
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Broadacre (arable) crops generally require a relatively higher nutrient input toward yield targets. The efficient use of nutrients in arable farmlands is very vital to this endeavor. It minimizes fertilizer input and adverse soil and environmental implications that may arise from the incremental use of fertilizers. It is understood that enhancing the natural capacity of the soil (i.e., the soil's physical, chemical, and biological quality), may effectively improve soil nutrient dynamics, availability, and efficient use by crops. The adoption of integrated nutrient management (INM) approaches such as the organic amendment of the soil in addition to fertilizer use has shown positive impacts on maintaining and recovering soil quality, hence lowering excessive fertilizer use in farmlands. Therefore, this review contextualized the effect of compost and fertilizer on nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and productivity of broadacre crops. The use of compost as an organic soil amendment material has shown some inherently unique advantages and beneficial impacts on soil health and fertility such as improved soil structure, nutrient retention, mobilization, and bioavailability. Several studies have explored these comparative advantages by either blending compost with chemical fertilizer before soil application or a co-application and have noted the observed amelioration of unfavorable soil conditions such as low porosity, high bulk density, low organic matter (OM), unfavorable pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC), low biological activities with different doses of compost. Consequently, the co-utilization of composts and chemical fertilizers may become viable substitutes for chemical fertilizers in maintaining soil fertility, improving NUE, and crop yield in farmlands. The review further described the comparative environmental and economic implications of adopting the combined utilization of compost and fertilizers in farmlands. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Soil nutrient dynamics are be optimized by improving the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. The combined use of compost and fertilizer enhanced soil nutrient availability, retention, and efficient nutrient uptake by broadacre/arable crops. A consistent relationship was observed between improved NUE efficiency and arable crop productivity. The combined use of compost and chemical fertilizers are widely considered economically viable solutions for enhancing crop productivity. Environmental quality may be enhanced in cropping systems adopting compost and chemical fertilizers as an INM strategy.