GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19

GREENFEED

BULLETIN ISSUE 19

MYANMAR AGRICULTURE PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION OF GREENFEED® PADDY GROW SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER IN PADI BERAS NASIONAL (BERNAS) CONTRACT FARMING PLOT IN BUKIT KENAK, TERENGGANU NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE

contents, 2018

From the desk of the Editor in chief

As the pioneer in Slow Release Fertilizer within the Southeast Asia Region, Greenfeed Group have relentlessly continues to provide significant improvements into the agricultural industry whether locally or globally. Each of this effort signifies the objectives of Greenfeed Groups through Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer; which is to foster the current practices within this industry such as oil palms towards the advanced precise sustainable agricultural practices. Such as the previous volumes, this series of bulletin will continue to be the channel of education and knowledge sharing to the public in order to increase their awareness in relating topic on the advantages

Features :

of Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer. Thus, within each volume of Greenfeed Bulletin, studies carried out and updated can

3

Nitrogen Management in Agriculture

14

Review Report : Application of Greenfeed Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer in Padi Beras Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) contract farming plot in Bukit Kenak, Terengganu

be seen published for reference to the reader as to what is slow release fertilizer and the benefits that can obtain through this Modern High Efficient Fertilizers.

As such, these Greenfeed Bulletins will be sent to respective clients with the aim to keep them updated with the current progress of Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer and also distributed to the public as necessary Grasping the torch to

19

Myanmar Agriculture Prospective

bring changes into auspicious industry, Green feed Groups continues to provide a platform for knowledge sharing between the company and respective clients as well the public. This Greenfeed Bulletin is part of the effort to share and clarify the noteworthy advantages of Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer. Malaysian establishes Greenfeed Groups in Malaysia, for Malaysian and soaring onto the global scale with

Editor-in-chief - Muhamad Nizam Amahd Unonis

achievements that will make Malaysia proud. Guided and motivated by the principle of “Passion with Innovation� this Greenfeed Bulletin will be achieved by this

Editor - Muhamad Izzuddin Khairuddin - Mohamad Badrul Hisyam Mat Lazim

Malaysian

company. Striving towards excellence will be experienced for betterment of the future

Muhamad Nizam Amahd Unonis All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, including but not limited to electronic or mechanical photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system or otherwise, without prior agreement and written permission from the publisher.

Disclaimer The view or options contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the policy and stand point of Greenfeed Group and Greenfeed Group will not liable or responsible towards any losses experienced by any parties on performance or non-performance based on information in this publication.

Novelty Technological Introduction

NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE M. B. H. Mat Lazim, M.I. Khairuddin and M.N. Unonis (*Department of Technical Research & Development (TRD), Greenfeed Agro Sdn Bhd, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

1.0

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen losses from agricultural lands/products not only amended soil fertility status and reduce crops production, but also given rise to antagonistic impacts on the environment, which always been the centre of debate amongst many parties. The losses have indirectly, for example; contribute to the emissions of nitrous oxide greenhouse gas, eutrophication, and exhaustion of the ozone layer, which adversely triggered climate change. This review article elucidates the roles and fate of nitrogen in crops production cycle. The proper management practices and recent developed technologies application to improve agriculture sustainability at the same time reduce the adverse impacts on the environment were also discussed.

2.0

INTRODUCTION

Nitrogen is the largest portion of the earth’s atmosphere compared to other gases (Figure 1), and a major food for plants. It is an essential constituent of protein and chlorophyll that present in many major parts of plant body. Nitrogen is build from amino acids that involves in chemicals catalyzation as well as electron transportation, and it is importantly facilitate photosynthesis process. In addition to that, nitrogen also plays a key role in physiological processes. It gives dark-green color in plants, promotes leaves, stem and other vegetative part’s growth and development including root growth.

Abundant researches have reported on the important function of nitrogen in agriculture where, it can produce rapid early growth, increased crops yield, and enrich the quality of food (Massignam et al., 2009; Ullah et al., 2010). Ultimately, it could controls overall growth of plants by encourages the uptake and utilization of other nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus. At the early growth stage for example; germination and seedling development, plants do not require higher dosage of Nitrogen because of short shoots and the root system is yet to be well developed. When the root has been fully developed, and leaves become broader, the requirement of N is increases for maximum photosynthesis process, which further stimulates plants’ physiological activity to help in N use efficiency. Plant N use efficiency generally decreases at full maturity stage of plant when plant changing to complete the cycle phase, and normally stops the vegetative growth.

Nitrogen

78.00 %

Oxygen

Argon

21.00 % Carbon dioxide Others

0.93 % 0.04 % 0.03 %

Figure 1 Composition of atmosphere (Adopted from Sharp, 2017).

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

There are several factors that greatly affected plant N use efficiency both by soil and climatic factors. They are including soil pH, soil texture and structure, soil compaction, organic matter, moisture, oxidation and reduction, volatilization, leaching, crops removal, burning and erosion, application method and timing of Nitrogen. In particular, N-use efficiency in crops is excellence at normal soil pH range from 6.5 to 7.0, but higher pH can resulting in pH disorders to plants’ root growth and disturbed the functions of other plants’ parts as well. On the other hand, soil texture is technically important to be considered because, sandy and coarse soils do not hold N. In contrast, the clay, clay loam and loamy soils have greatest capability to hold N for plants. Hence, N use efficiency is considerably higher in crops that cultivated in clay and loamy soils.

Somehow, nitrogen is known to be a nutrient that most often deficient for crop production and can causes substantial economic losses for farmers. The deficiency of nitrogen can reduce the growth of plants, the leaves color changes from green into yellow color (chlorosis), appearances of purple and red spots on the leaves, as well as restricts the development of leaves, stem and branches. According to Bianco et al., (2015), the deficiency symptoms are first appear on older leaves which then, leaf senescence starts. Likewise, an excessive application of nitrogen also gives adverse effects on plant growth by promotes extra dark-green color on the leaves, and less fruit quantity with less quality. Therefore, plants require optimum of nitrogen supply for a proper growth and development. When the rate of N at their optimum level, it could enhance plant’s physiological parameters such as photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll content, leaf area index, and leaf area net assimilation rate. These parameters are the determinant of higher crop yields (Rafiq et al., 2010).

2.0 NITROGEN CYCLE The behaviour of nitrogen within the soil system is complex, thus, an understanding of the basic process involved is necessary for an efficient N management. Nitrogen exists in many forms and undergoes transformations from one form to another easily in the soil system. The pathway that N follows is collectively known as the “nitrogen cycle” (Figure 2). The N-cycle is biologically influenced and each of the biological processes is influenced by prevailing climatic conditions together with the physical and chemical properties of a particular soil. Since the soil and climatic conditions play an important role in uptake and utilization of N, it is therefore compulsory to consider both soil and climatic conditions of a particular region prior to conduct any experiments in related to the response of N on growth and productivity of various crops species.

Atmospheric Nitrogen Atmospheric Fixation Industrial Fixation

Crop removal Gaseous Losses N2 , NO , N2O

Biological Fixation

Ammonia (NH3) Emission

Soil

Runoff/ erosion

Organic Resources (animal waste and plant residues

Volatilisation

Immobilsation

Ammonium (NH4)

Directory Sources process

Mineralization

Nitrification

Nitrification

Uptake Losses

Denitrification

Animal and Plant uptake

Nitrites (NO2)

Leaching Nitrates (NO3)

Figure 2 Illustration of Nitrogen Cycle pathway (Adopted from John et al., 2014).

GREENFEED BULLETIN

ISSUE 19, 2018

4

Nitrogen available to the plants came from many different

the organic nitrogen form must be converted into inorganic

sources including atmospheric N-fixation, biological

nitrogen form to be available for plants.

N-fixation, organic resources, and industrial N-fixation.

Atmospheric N-fixation takes place when lightning energy

Despite of many sources of Nitrogen available for the

breaks atmospheric N2O molecules into nitric oxide (NO)

plants, an important point to consider is, N can be only

and then combines it with oxygen (O2) molecules forming

absorbed by plant either in a form of ammonium (NH4+)

nitrate (NO3). The nitrate produced is then carried away

or nitrate (NO3-). Organic Nitrogen that exists in soil

into the earth along with rainfall and contributes a minor

organic matter such as crop residues, and animal

amount of N kg per year ha-1 into the soil for plants use.

waste/manure are firstly converted into inorganic N

Although atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is the major sources

through mineralization process. In this process, bacteria

of nitrogen in N-cycle, but this form normally unavailable

will digest the organic material and release NH4+ as

to most plants. Nonetheless, the large amounts of N2 can

by-product.

be used by leguminous plants via biological N-fixation

proportionally to the increases of microbial activity and the

where, nodule-forming Rhizobium bacteria resides within

bacterial growth is directly related to soil water content and

the roots of leguminous plants and form a symbiotic

temperature. It is worth mentioning that the NH4+-N

relationship to convert the atmospheric N2 into an

supplied from fertilizer through an industrial fixation is the

ammonium form that can be absorbed by plants. After

same as the NH4+-N supplied from the most organic

harvesting process, any portion of a legume crop that is left

resources.

The

formation

of

NH4+

increases

including roots and nodules normally will decompose and forming organic N sources to the plants.

Nevertheless, ammonium has a positive charge that tends to be attracted/held by negative charges within the soil and

Organic resources on the other hand, derived from animal

soil organic matter. Consequently, the NH4+-N produced

manures and plant residues can be important sources of

does not move downward into the soils and unable to be

organic N. Although the residues from non-leguminous

fully utilized by the plants. The Ammonium-N form that is

plants also contain N, but the amounts are rather small

unable to be taken up by plants will go through another

compared with legumes. Moreover, the N in crops residue

transformation called as nitrification. Nitrification is a

exists in complex organic forms, which can take some

biological process, which rapidly progress in moist, warm,

years to process before N is ready for plant to use. In other

and well-aerated soils to convert NH4+-N form into

case, the amount of N supplied by animal manure will

NO3--N. During the nitrification process, NH4+ is firstly

diverge depending on the type of livestock, application

converted into NO2- (Nitrites-N) by nitrifying bacteria

rate, handling and method of application. Thus, further

such as nitrosomonas and nitrosospira.

analysis of manure should be carried out before apply to the plants which consuming a lot of times and costs.

Then, the conversion of NO2- into NO3- also takes place very quickly by another nitrifying bacteria including

Commercial N fertilizers are the different sources of

nitrobacter and nitrospira. As nitrification processes

Nitrogen, which are derived from the atmospheric N

quickly happened, both ammonium and nitrites are rarely

through industrial N-fixation. During the process, N2 were

accumulated in soil. Unlike ammonium, nitrate is a

combined with hydrogen (H2) via Harber-Bosch process to

negatively charged and will not be attracted to the soil

produce ammonia (NH3). Then, an anhydrous (crystallized

particles or soil organic matter. Moreover, Nitrate-N is

form) of ammonia is used to manufacture several other

water soluble and able to move below the crop-rooting

nitrogen fertilizers. Anhydrous ammonia or other N

zone under certain circumstances. Recent study by Leghari

products that derived from ammonia can be important

et al., (2016) highlighted that, NO3--N is the best form of

sources for crop nutrition but readily in organic nitrogen

N for plants growth and development because it’s mobile

form. It is therefore;

characteristics in the soils.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

3.0 NITROGEN LOSSES Nitrogen losses are able to cause serious impacts in which, if not managed properly, a great portion of applied N fertilizer can be lost instead of absorbed by crops. The losses of N either into the air or into the soils also resulted major concern on environment. In agricultural systems, Mineral-N is mostly prone to losses through several pathways (Figure 3).

Nitrogen Losses Pathway

Losses into the air

fication

Denitri

Leachi

ng

ation

z Volatili

Soil er osion runoff / moval

Crop re

Losses into the soil and waterbodies

Table 3. Nitrogen Losses Pathway (Adopted from John et al., 2014).

Denitrification is a microbial process that normally occurs when nitrate (NO3-) exists in soils that are saturated with water.

The saturated condition causes insufficient oxygen (O2) supplied to the soil bacteria and microorganisms. Consequently, soil EDFWHULD FRQYHUW 12 Ă­ LQWR ERWK QLWURXV R[LGH 1 2 DQG 1 JDVHRXV DV LOOXVWUDWHG LQ )LJXUH :KLOH 1 LV WKH PRVW abundant gas in the atmosphere and not negatively impacts the environment, each molecule of N2O gas which largely produced during denitrification in combination with some contribution from nitrification have been estimated to give 300 times more global warming effect compared to a molecule of carbon dioxide. The emission of nitrous oxide gas can cause depletion of the ozone layer and trigger climate change. It has been denoted that, soil physiochemical properties including soil pH, soil temperature, organic matter content, aeration and bulk density are robustly influence the denitrification process (Thomson et al., 2012). The rate of nitrous oxide that has been emitted from the denitrification process on different type of soils is summarized in Table 1.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

6

Table 1. The rate of nitrous oxide emitted from agriculture (adapted from Saggar et al., 2009).

Soil Types

N Input (kg N ha -1 year -1)

N2O Input (% of N Input)

Reference

Red brown earth

1000

0.5

Galbally et al. (2005)

Silt loam

1000

0.8

Di et al. (2007)

Sandy loam

1000

0.8

Cloygh et al. (1998)

Peat

1000

1.9

Cloygh et al. (1998)

Clay

1000

1.9

Cloygh et al. (1998)

Significant losses of Nitrogen also can happen through volatilization of surface ammonium. In contrast to denitrification, nitrogen can be lost from manure and fertilizer products containing urea, which released to the air as an ammonia (NH3) gas during the volatilization process (Figure 2). Ammonia can cause unpleasant odour and negatively impact crops vegetation.

At high concentrations, it can risk human health by causing irritation on eyes, throat, nose and burning skins when touched.

The extent of ammonia volatilization is occurring when ammonium forms of N such as ammonium sulphate (AS), ammonium nitrate (AN), di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) are surface applied to the soil that have higher pH level which is normally greater than 7.3, high air temperature, high moisture of soil surface due to high transpiration rate, and high organic matter contents. A collection data from previous study on the differences of N-losses rate through ammonia volatilization from urea fertilizer applied onto different type of soils are summarized in Table 2.

The other pathway that causes considerable loss of N amounts from the soil system is through removal of crop during the harvesting, when a total amount of nutrients is removed from the field via harvested portion of the crop including grain, silage, grain, straw and hay. Hopkins, (2015) estimated that, 250 bushels of corn crop, for instances can removes approximately 79.4 kg N per acre through the harvested grains. Thus, crop removal accounts huge amounts of the N losses from the soil system and released to the air as N2.

Table 2. Examples of ammonia volatilisation losses from urea fertiliser applied onto soils (adapted from Bishop & Manning, 2010).

Soil Types

N Input (kg N ha -1 year -1)

N2O Input (% of N Input)

Reference

25

7.5

Di & Cameron (2004c)

150

26.7

Chadwick (2005)

180

22.8

Baarbieri et al. (2006)

46

23.0

Turner et al. (2012)

80

9.5

Turner et al. (2010)

140

17.3

Rochette et al. (2009)

170

17.3

Sanz-Cobena et al. (2008)

Grassland

Arable

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

Leaching is one of the most devastating nitrogen losses pathways because; nitrate that leaching from the soil into water not only reduces the soil fertility but also can threaten human health and environment (Goulding et al., 2008). Nitrate-N can be leached from the soil when excess water due to rainfall or irrigation moves through the root zone and is discharged into streams, whereas in the end reaching water bodies. The greatest concern is, a high-nitrate groundwater will stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae similarly as it stimulates the growth of agricultural plants.

The increase of algae blooms henceforth, resulting in eutrophication (Figure 4). Eutrophication is occurred by the excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae due to the enrichment of nutrients in the surface water. It is turn out that, this event has causes the depletion of oxygen, risen of taste and odour problems, and ultimately, killed the fishes and other aquatic organisms. Generally, coarse-textured soils with lower water-holding capacity would have a greater potential to lose the nitrate by leaching as compared to fine-textured soils. The available data from the previous studies are shown in Table 3.

Soil erosion and runoff also can result in huge losses of N in agricultural productivity and continues to be a main issue, specifically under conventional agricultural practices (Veum et al., 2012). Soil erosion are natural occurrence. Regardless, when soil removal through bedrock weathering is faster than soil formation, it would become a problem, which often reduced soil ability to perform their roles (Mchunu et al., 2011). The erosion can be described as wind and water erosion or under certain circumstances it can be both. A study by Feng et al. (2011) has thoroughly explained that, soil wind erosion and elusive emission of dust would possibly contribute to land degradation, inhibits soil productivity, and resulting in deprived air quality and visibility. The atmospheric dust caused by erosion also can influences climate by fluctuating the Earth’s radiation balance. Ultimately, both wind and water erosion could remove the topsoil layer, which contains a huge amount of organic matter. It should be noted that, the top layer organic matter compensates a huge amount of N to crop plants. Thus, the losses of topsoil layer would ground higher losses of N. On the other hand, soil runoff occurred when water running on the earth surface and resulting in heavy precipitation of nitrogen. The soil runoff would travel the excessive nitrogen downhill towards water sources such as a lake or river and finally resulting in the water and environment pollution alike leaching.

Figure 4. Eutrophication on river (Sources: http://www.cserc.org/news/reduce-storm-water-pollution).

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

8

Table 3. The rate of nitrous oxide emitted from agriculture (adapted from Saggar et al., 2009).

Soil Texture

N Input (kg N ha -1 year -1)

N2O Input (% of N Input)

Reference

Loam

170

52

Bjorneberg et al. (1996)

Sandy loam

149

62

Letey et al. (1977)

Silt loam

125

36

Baker & Timmons (1994)

Silty clay loam

144

12

Goulding (2000)

Clay

169

35

Letey et al. (1977)

4.0 NITROGEN NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT Over the last few decades, N fertilization had vigorously increased crop yields worldwide. The cost of N fertilizers is very high and N fertilization often embodies the most expensive nutrients input in agricultural cropping systems. However, N is a highly mobile nutrient in soil and tends to lose easily along the process, and vastly contributes to severe adverse impacts. For example, nitrogen losses can degrade soil and environmental well being by exhibits N leaching, soil acidification, and emissions of a highly potent greenhouse gases such as N2O that obligated for global warming. Eickhout et al., (2006) projected that N losses to both air and water will continuously increase until twenty-second century in developing countries because of increased in human population, increased of food consumption, and increased in intensive agricultural systems.

Hence, adopting appropriate nitrogen management practices would be important to reduce N losses, improves N use efficiency, reduces the cost of crop production and also reduces the adverse impacts on the environment.

When evaluating suitable management systems, it is important to consider approaches that have the prospective to advance agronomic productivity, economic return, and environmental sustainability (Johnson et al., 2012). One of the approaches is the use of slow-release fertilizers. Rigorous study by Drury et al., (2012) has proven that, slow release fertilizer can control N release from soil rendering to plant demand thus, reduce N losses by leaching and denitrification. Through extensive researches for more than 40 years, Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer has been well developed from the N-sources that are not easily volatiles. Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer requires subsoil application which is the fertilizer is buried within the soil. Based on the result obtained from customers plantation, the application of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer as subsoil has denoted higher N use efficiency in crops such as oil palm, rubber, mango, pineapple, paddy and watermelon. Such results can be observed through the higher yields and crop growth performance for the specific crops (Figure 5).

Other than that, the plant physiological parameters such as Chlorophyll Content and Photosynthesis Rate that directly correlated with Nitrogen availability in the soil for plant uptake also shows a significant improvement after the application of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer. Below is an example of the results of Chlorophyll Content (Figure 6) and Photosynthesis Rate (Figure 7) obtained from an oil palm plantation only after 6 month the application of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer.

This improvement in term of physiological status of the plant can be further fortified by analysing the Nitrogen content in the leaf of the plant (Figure 8). Palm that are using Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer shows a better improvement in term of Chlorophyll Content, Photosynthesis Rate and Nitrogen content on leaf samples suggesting a better Nitrogen deliverance efficiency from the fertilizer towards the plant.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

Average yield comparison on Oil Palm, Mango and Paddy using Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer and Common Compound Fertilizer 30.0

27.4

25.0 20.5

Yield (MT/Ha)

20.0

15.0

10.0

6.0

8.0

5.0

4.0

3.3

0.0 Greenfeed

Common Fertilizer

Greenfeed

Oil Palm

Common Fertilizer

Greenfeed

Mango

Common Fertilizer

Paddy

Figure 5. Average yield of oil palm, mango and paddy using Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer and common compound fertilizer.

Average Palm Chlorophyll Content (SPAD Reading) in the Studied Block 80.0

74.7

70.0

68.0 62.0

Chlorophyll Content (SPAD)

60.0

72.1

68.9 59.0

57.6

64.3

64.1

60.3

50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 Visit 1

Visit 2

Visit 1

L33 (Greenfeed)

Visit 2

K33 (Control) TM3

Visit 1

Visit 2

Visit 1

K31 (Greenfeed) TM2

Visit 2

J32 (Control)

Visit 1

Visit 2

L38 (Greenfeed) TM1

Figure 6. Average Chlorophyll Content of palm using Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer and common compound fertilizer (control).

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

10

Average Photosynthesis rate reading for Palm in studied block

18.0 16.0

15.4

15.4

16.0 15.4

14.5

16.0

14.6

15.0

14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Block 1

Block 9

Block 7(A)

Greenfeed

Block 7(B) Control

Figure 7. Average Photosynthesis Rate of palm using Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer and common compound fertilizer.

3.50

3.00

2.90

2.86 2.78 2.68

2.58 2.50

2.46

2.50 2.22

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00 Block 1

Block 9 Greenfeed

Block 7(A)

Block 7(B) Control

Figure 8. Average Photosynthesis Rate of palm using Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer and common compound fertilizer.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

Moreover, the application method used also bypasses the large amount of nutrient loss, which can exceed more than 50% from surface runoff, sediment movement, competition from weeds and leaching losses. Thus, only small amounts of fertilizers are required for an adequate N rate compared to the common fertilizers. Using highly efficient fertilizer not only improve the plant vegetative growth, and yield, but also reduce fertilizing round and dosage, thus contribute to lower amount of nitrogen to loss through leaching and runoff. The overall results for comparative studies comparing the frequency usage of Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer with common compound fertilizer for various crops were also summarized in Figure 9 and 10. Nitrogen release is efficiently managed by using Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer, thus resulting in much lower fertilizer application frequency and fertilizer input also is significantly reduced.

Comparison on quantity of fertilizer usage for Oil Palm, using Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer and common Compoun Fertilizer 16 Fertilizer Input (kg/palm)

14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Fertilizer Requirement Greenfeed Fertilizer

Common Fertilizer

Figure 9. Comparison on the quantity of fertilizer usage for oil palm of Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer against common compound fertilizer.

Application frequency on various crops, using Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer and common compound fertilizer program 9 8 Application Frequency

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Oil Palm Greenfeed

Oil Palm Common Fertilizer

Rubber Greenfeed

Rubber Common Fertilizer

Mango Greenfeed

Mango Common Fertilizer

Figure 10. Comparison on application frequency for various crops, using Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer and common compound fertilizer program.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

12

Another approach that can be done to manage N nutrient is by using natural zeolites. Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates that commonly characterized by a complex three-dimensional network of SiO4 and AlO4, which are connected by collective oxygen atoms. Partial substitution of silicon and aluminium are giving excessive negative charges, which later on compensated by cations (Gholamhoseini et al., 2012). These cations are sited together with water molecules in the hollows and channels inside the aluminosilicate framework. It has been revealed that, water and cations can be removed or replaced by other cations (Rehakova et al., 2004; Murphy et al., 2005) giving the zeolite the ability to exchange cations appropriately.

It is remarkable to highlight that Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer was effectively integrated with zeolites.

Through the selective absorption and controlled release of cations functions, Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer could enhance the nutrients availability and at the same time improve the growth and development of plants. What is more, the use of zeolite as additional feature can reduce NH4 + loss by the soil runoff and leaching because it has an ability to slowdown the release of ammonium. Then again, the honeycomb structure of zeolites allowed Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer to store N-nutrients inside it and only be released when required by the plants. Consequently, the usage of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer is capable to prevent the excessive supply of N-nutrients at the same time reduce the losses of Nitrogen; therefore, deteriorate the adverse impacts to the environment.

Soil pH is a main factor that contributes to higher N losses from soil–plant system. In some cases, most of the ammonium volatilization are resulted from applied N sources at alkaline soil pH (>7.0). Therefore, maintaining soil pH level can be a good practice for successful N management. Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer is furnished with alkaline properties which would maintain the soil pH. By preserving the pH level, Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer not only decrease the ammonium volatilization rate but also ease denitrification process which turn out inhibiting N losses from the soils. Previous study by Klemedtsson et al. (1977) and Muller et al. (1980) found that, there is a direct positive relationship between the rate of denitrification and the soil pH in acidic soils. It can be explained by the decrease of denitrification process in acidic soils but later increased proportionally to the increasing of soil pH. 5.0 CONCLUSION In summary, Nitrogen (N) is a vital nutrient in crops production. The understanding on Nitrogen (N) cycle would give better insight to understand the roles and the fate of Nitrogen (N) in the crops production system. Although Nitrogen (N) inputs are prone to loss through different pathways that could lead to environment pollution, but proper management practices could be done to mitigate this occurrence. With the application of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer for example; could improve Nitrogen-use efficiency, maintain soil pH level, and control the released of the nutrients effectively. Moreover, the management of Nitrogen (N) by using Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer also significantly reducing the ammonium volatilization and denitrification to the atmosphere thus inhibits the emission of greenhouse gases and reducing air pollution.

The integration of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer with activated zeolites also meaningfully minimize the leaching and runoff of Nitrogen (N) to the water bodies and groundwater as a result, preventing water pollution and the occurrence of eutrophication. Appropriate management practices are the key to mitigate the losses of Nitrogen (N) in agricultural system.

Not only that, by managing Nitrogen (N) through the utilization of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer contributes to healthier plant development that subsequently leads to higher yield production. It is ought to aim the optimum of soil Nitrogen (N) and applied Nitrogen (N) fertilizer utilization for better growth and performance in crops production at the same time reduce the costs to be endured by the farmers. Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer is a fertilizer that falls into the category of Highly Efficient Fertilizer that utilizes modern technology that not only reduces the rate and frequency of fertilization, but also increase crop yield productivity. Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer promotes the concept of "Low Input Sustainable Agriculture" (LISA) to the industry and this leads to an understanding of the internal interactions of the elements in the fertilizer formulation to a healthier plant, without much use of harmful chemical.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

REVIEW REPORT: APPLICATION OF GREENFEED® PADDY GROW SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER IN BERNAS CONTRACT FARMING PLOT IN BUKIT KENAK, TERENGGANU. *M. N. Unonis, M. I. Khairuddin and B. H. Mat Lazim (*Department of Technical Research & Development (TRD), Greenfeed Agro Sdn Bhd, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

1.0 INTRODUCTION It is estimated that about 40% of the world’s population

The objective of this evaluation is to monitor the

consume rice as their major source of food. Rice

performance of Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release

production has been described as the world’s single most

Fertilizer for commercial paddy planting with prospect to

important economic activity. Malaysia is one of the most

be included within improved paddy care routine for

import-dependent countries in the world where more than

farmers in Malaysia.

50% of the food is imported. Malaysia will import as necessary to ensure sufficient supply of rice for domestic

2.0 FINDINGS & DISCUSSION

consumption. The rice production in Malaysia is only

The overall findings and results attained from the trials are

fulfilling approximately about 65% of the domestic

briefly discussed and presented within this section.

demand. Therefore, the government has targeted to achieve 70% of self-sufficiency level (SSL) on rice.

2.1 Fertilizer Application & Newly Established System for Paddy Planting

High usage of fertilizer is needed to sustain high rice yield, although the crop did not takes up all the nutrients making the

process

become

inefficient. Active

fertilizer

technological advancement can be a solution for this problem while also help to increase the productivity and yield of the crop. The national paddy yield standard is currently at 4.4 metric ton per hectare with recent development indicates increment even up to 6.4 metric ton per hectare is possible. However, this achievement is still not sufficient to facilitate internal demand and overseas imports are still heavily required in order to facilitate such matter.

Greenfeed Group of Companies has commercially introduced Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer (13:10:20:2 + TE) that allows further beneficial qualities to be included within the formulation. One of the Figure 2.1 General paddy development stages.

key advantages is the significantly lower recommendation per hectare as compared to the subsidized fertilizer recommendations that requires up to 490 kg per hectare.

Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer

On 29th January 2018, Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow

(13:10:20:2 + TE) have been used for this plot. The

Release Fertilizer was introduced as part of the fertilizing

fertilizer application method is by broadcasting method,

scheme for 5 hectares of BERNAS contract farming plot in

which is by spreading the fertilizer evenly into the field.

Bukit Kenak, Terengganu.

The illustration of this application method can be referred in Figure 2.2. The paddy variety used in this area is SIRAJ

Within this study, performance evaluation was carried out

297.

based on vegetative and yield performance during harvesting in the end of May 2018.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

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Table 2.1 Fertilizing scheme using Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer.

Day After Sowing (DAS)

Greenfeed Block Fertilizer Application Routine

21 DAS

Greenfeed Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer 13:10:20:2 + TE / 60kg / Hectare

55 DAS

Greenfeed Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer 13:10:20:2 + TE / 60kg / Hectare

75 DAS Total Fertilizer Applied

Greenfeed Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer 13:10:20:2 + TE / 60kg / Hectare Greenfeed Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer 13:10:20:2 + TE / 180kg / Hectare

10 Meter

10 Meter

Figure 2.2 Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer application method.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

Based on the analysis conducted by BERNAS Research & Development (R&D) team, paddy in Greenfeed trial plot was reported to be healthier and greener than the standard range. Referring to the Leaf Color Chart (LCC), which is the used as an indicator of Nitrogen (N) fertilizer availability for the plant, the standard reading for paddy is between 3 – 4 LCC and paddy at Greenfeed plot recorded an average reading of 4 LCC, suggesting a sufficient Nitrogen (N) supply towards the plant.

The overall observed tillering performance increased 160%, Greenfeed plot recorded a higher number of tiller, which is an average of 13 as compared to the standard range, with an average of 5 number of tiller. Number of tiller is particularly important because it will determine the amount of active tiller that is producing paddy grain. Higher numbers of tiller increases the probability of active tiller that subsequently contribute to higher yield output. Culm length in Greenfeed plot is taller by 4 cm from standard range. In term of root length, Greenfeed plot has a higher reading, which is 12 – 17 cm as compared to the standard range, which is 10 cm. Table 2.2 show the summary of the result and findings in the trial area.

For the yield performance, it is estimated to increase from 4.0 metric ton per hectare, which is the yield farmer usually harvested from previous season in that area, to 5.9 metric ton per hectare for the current season. The details of the yield performance can be referred in Table 2.3.

Apart from that, farmers also share their views regarding the paddy plot after the application of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer. Generally, paddy at Greenfeed plot is healthier and does not have any major pest or disease infestation. Farmers stated that by using Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizers they are able to ease their workload in planting practices with fewer usage than conventional fertilizers.

Other than that, they noted that paddy receiving Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer showing stronger and healthier characteristics. The grain formation also looks healthier. They also reported that paddy on Greenfeed plot started flowering 1 week earlier than paddy at control plot, which is good in their opinion because they can start harvesting earlier and gain their profit faster after a long hard work they put into the paddy field.

Table 2.2 Summary of the result and findings of paddy in Greenfeed Plot.

Items

Greenfeed Plot

Standard Range

Leaf Color Chart (LCC)

4

3-4

Number of Tiler

13

5

Lenght of Root (cm)

12 - 17

10

Leng of Culm (cm)

19 - 109

90 - 105

*The data is provided by BERNAS Research and Development (R&D) team

Table 2.3 Yield performances in Greenfeed Plot.

Plot

Previous Yield

Total Area

Total Yield

Yield

Greenfeed Plot

4.0 MT/Ha

5.0 Hectare

29.98 MT

5.996 MT/Ha

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

16

3.0 CONCLUSION The objective of this evaluation is to monitor the performance of Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer for commercial paddy planting with prospect to be included within improved paddy care routine for farmers in Malaysia. With the application of Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer into the specific plot, there were improvements in term of yield performances when compared to the normal records within the area. An average of 5.9 MT/Ha are achieved in this plot in Bukit Kenak, a significant increase considering the previous yield that farmers can get from that area is only around 4.0 MT/Ha. It is worth mentioning again that paddy in Greenfeed Plot are only using 180 kg of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer per hectare compared to normal fertilizing practice that can be as high as 490 kg per hectare. Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer shows a promising results despite having significantly lesser fertilizer requirement and also requires significantly lower workforce for each fertilizing rounds.

Inclusion of Greenfeed® Paddy Grow Slow Release Fertilizer should provide a new ground within the Malaysia’s paddy planting sector and further observation may improve the overall paddy production performance at higher efficiency rate.

Greenfeed Groups will continue its effort in achieving new frontier benefiting the planters through Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer as “Modern Agriculture Practices” initiator, as we will continue to introduce our newest Low Input Sustainability Agriculture (LISA) concept.

Plate 4.1 Overall view of the paddy in the Greenfeed Plot.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

Plate 4.2 Greenfeed team with BERNAS contract farming participant in Bukit Kenak, Terengganu.

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By : Izzuddin Khairuddin

Agriculture Outlook Myanmar is blessed with unusually fertile soils and abundant water source that are legendary in Southeast Asia. Some even said that Myanmar has the most favorable agricultural conditions in all of Asia.

The land can grow almost anything in the country whether its rice, fruits, vegetables and pulses. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the agriculture sector dominates the economy, contributing 38% of GDP, employing more than 60% of the workforce and generates 25 to 30 percent of total export earnings.

The agriculture sector will continue to play a remarkable role in reducing poverty in Myanmar for many years to come. Through one of the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nation,

“Agriculture in Myanmar contributing 38% of GDP, 60% of workforce and up to 30% of total export earnings.”

Myanmar has successfully cut its population of people suffering from hunger in half and in 2015 the FAO has recognized Myanmar achievement as one of the 72 countries to do so.

Current Scenario However, as of now, the agricultural productivity remains low. A study conducted by the World Bank confirmed that land and labor productivity in Myanmar are much lower than in other Asia’s rice-producing countries. To put into perspective, one day of work generates only 23 kg of paddy in Myanmar during the monsoon season, compared to 62 kg in Cambodia, 429 kg in Vietnam, and 547 kg in Thailand. One of the reasons why this is happening is because of the lack of agricultural input such as usage of fertilizer.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

Myanmar Potential Myanmar has among the highest land area in Southeast Asia, with more than 65 million hectares of land and wide variety of growing conditions. However, only about 20 percent of its land area is actually used for agriculture. This is considerably low compared to their neighbor country, Vietnam that uses almost the same land area for agriculture despite being only half the size of Myanmar. The potential for Myanmar’s agriculture to improve is very strong. It has a lot of the right factors that can contribute to the development in this industry.

Fertilizer Utilization Myanmar soils have been used for growing crops over hundreds of years while the farmers did not worry much about replenishing the soil with essential nutrients for the crops. Because of the lack of knowledge, training and a shortage of fertilizer quality assurance, Myanmar farmers use much less fertilizer, often with the wrong nutrient balance. The low productivity situation that is faced by the country is due to the depletion and exhaustion of the soil, which led to the average yields of almost all crops are among the lowest in the world. Using the right type of fertilizer actually can solve this pressing problem. A well-nourished soil is capable of increasing yield productivity. Chemical fertilizer is undoubtedly one of the agricultural inputs to increase yield productivity when used at the right time and right nutrient balance. In Myanmar, the utilization of fertilizer per hectare is rather lower than Thailand and Vietnam, with Myanmar use only about 0.1 MT of fertilizer per hectare, compared to Thailand that uses 0.3 MT/Ha and Vietnam, 0.7 MT/Ha. This scenario is significantly affecting the yield productivity of the crops, thus directly reducing the income per hectare for farmers in Myanmar.

Increasing Awareness However, based on the market trend, the fertilizer usage and demand has gradually improved in recent years. This signifies that the farmers are increasingly aware of the importance of using the correct fertilizer at the right time, as a result of the government and the policymaker efforts to educate and share the knowledge to the people to improve the agriculture sectors in the countries. In order to capitalize on the opportunities based on the current economic state, Myanmar’s government has created a set of agricultural policies to “establish a peaceful, modern and develop country.” The 12 policies focus on further developing, protecting and educating farmers and reducing poverty through the agriculture industry. In fact, one of the commitments stated in the policies is to conduct training and education for farmers and extension staff on advanced agricultural technique.

Being a company well known for its commitment to knowledge sharing and technological advancement, Greenfeed Groups has responded to this effort by introducing Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer to Myanmar market. With the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) as a strategic partner, Greenfeed Groups have been actively involved in providing training and sharing knowledge to the farmers. Various seminars, forum and training have been conducted by Greenfeed and CTUM members throughout the country as an effort in advancing the agricultural industry. With more than 40 years of experience, Greenfeed Groups are confident to further develop the agriculture industry and directly contribute to the livelihood of the country.

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Course of Action Practically, agricultural productivity is affected by many factors and some of them are beyond the immediate influence of agriculture policymaker, yet few factors can be directly contributed by the government such as the access of good quality crops seeds and irrigation and more efficient use fertilizer. For seeds supply, the public system does not produce enough good quality seeds and biased towards only the hybrid rice varieties. The seeds supply towards farmer needs to broaden its scope to a diverse range of paddy and other crops as well. The irrigation systems should be more flexible and should be provided to the demanding area properly to enable farmers to produce different crops in different areas and following the market opportunities. For the fertilizer usage, the farmer has been widely using urea and compound fertilizers for paddy production in both monsoon and dry seasons, however, the application rates are inefficient and the nutrient composition is not consistent. This is where GreenfeedÂŽ Slow Release Fertilizer come into the picture. At Greenfeed, we emphasized on utilizing the fertilizer more efficiently, not just higher. In other words, the farmer can produce more by using less input, instead of using more to achieve higher yield.

The latter is not only costly, but also can contribute a great amount of deal related to pollution. This is parallel to the Low Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) concept that is introduced to the world by Greenfeed Groups during the Fertilizer Show 2018 in Shanghai, China. This concept against the high input of substances which only gives small benefits while contributing greatly to pollution and degrading soil quality. It focuses on improving the fertilization efficiency rather than dumping nutrients towards the plant to achieve high yield and this makes the agriculture industry to be sustainable. We believe this is the key to ensure high return and the development for the agriculture industry in Myanmar.

Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer application for Mango planting in Myanmar

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 19, 2018

Low Input Sustainable Agriculture

Environmental Friendly | Economically Viable | Socially Just Main objectives of LISA is to create a profitable and productive farming, protection of resources and environmental quality. Companion objectives include ensuring safe and nutritious food supplies and reducing health risks to farmworkers.

The Low Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) concept is against the high agricultural input which only gives small benefits while contributing greatly to pollution and degrading soil quality. This concept focuses on improving the fertilization efficiency rather than excessively applying fertilizer towards the plant to get higher yield. This can help to make the agriculture industry to be more sustainable.

www.greenfeed.com.my

www.bjagro.com

20TH CHINA INTERNATIONAL AGROCHEMICAL & CROP PROTECTION EXHIBITION

Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai SNIEC, CHINA

5th - 7th March 2019

10th China International Fertilizer Show

BOOTH N4H48 in this prestigious event.

For over the years we pledge to bring significant innovations and advancement to provide positive impact to the agriculture industry. With passion to strive towards sustainable and modern agriculture, we committed to share the knowledge and technology that we have achieved. Hence participation in CAC 2019 is part of our sincere effort for the fourth consecutive year.

We will be at