Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 126-136 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 132 fertilizers and chemical fertilizers together, reducing the amount of chemical fertilizers, and adding trace elements can make sorghum grow taller, with longer ears and heavier 1 000-grain weight. It used only 75% of the recommended amount of chemical fertilizers, plus zeolite, pressed mud, and biological agents. As a result, plant height increased by 23.73%, ear length increased by 31.34%, and 1 000-grain weight increased by 30.67%. Nitrogen fertilizers and irrigation can also make sorghum grow taller and have larger leaves. Studies have found that higher plant heights are associated with higher yields (Wang et al., 2024). Organic fertilizers such as poultry manure and cow dung can increase yields by 8% to 110% when used with chemical fertilizers. However, different sorghum varieties respond differently to fertilizers (Akinseye et al., 2023). The effects of NPK compound fertilizers and zinc fertilizers vary in different terrains. The effects are most obvious in lowlands, but not so strong in highlands (Desta et al., 2022). 8.2 Quality traits: starch content, tannin levels, protein content Fertilization not only increases yields, but also affects the quality of sorghum grains. For example, under normal irrigation conditions, there is little difference in protein, starch, and minerals (such as phosphorus and calcium) between nanofertilizers and ordinary chemical fertilizers. But if there is drought, the effect of nanofertilizers is obvious, with protein content increasing to 21.5%, tannins also increasing (0.373%), and fat and phosphorus absorption improving (Kazemi et al., 2022). The combination of organic fertilizers and chemical fertilizers can also increase soluble solids (that is, Brix value) and juice extraction rate. Higher levels of these two indicators indicate that starch and sugar content have also increased. 8.3 Trade-offs and correlations (e.g., yield vs. protein) Yield and quality cannot always be achieved at the same time. Some studies have found that more nitrogen fertilizers can indeed increase yields, but protein content may not necessarily increase as well. Sometimes, changes in nutrients such as protein and tannins are affected by fertilizer type and weather (Kazemi et al., 2022). While pursuing high yields, costs and the environment must also be considered. Although some fertilization schemes produce more, they also cost more money, which may not be cost-effective (Tonitto and Ricker-Gilbert, 2016; Akinseye et al., 2023). 9 Case Study: Field-Based Evaluation of Fertilization Regimes 9.1 Location and Setup: Describe a selected representative study (e.g., from India, Nigeria, or U.S. Midwest) The experiment was conducted in the Ganges River Basin in India using a randomized block design. Ten different fertilization methods were set up, and each treatment was replicated three times. These methods included conventional NPK fertilizers, compost, fertilizers and organic fertilizers (such as 75% of the recommended amount of fertilizers with zeolite, filter press mud and biological agents), and single biological fertilizer treatments. 9.2 Treatments compared: Control, NPK, compost, INM, biofertilizer The treatments used in the experiment included: No fertilizer (control group) NPK fertilizers (100% recommended amount and 75% recommended amount) Compost (such as filter press mud) Integrated nutrient management (INM: 75% fertilizer + zeolite + filter press mud + biological agents) Biological fertilizers (such as Bio-Nima) 9.3 Results summary: Key differences in yield, quality, cost-efficiency Yield performance: Integrated nutrient management (INM) has the best effect. Plant height increased by 23.73%, dry matter increased by 42.25%, ear length increased by 31.34%, grain yield increased by 53.25%, and thousand-grain weight also increased by 30.67%. Quality improvement: INM can also increase the Brix value by 37.67% and the juice extraction rate by 39.04%, indicating that the quality of sorghum has also improved.
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