Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.4, 191-200 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 196 also investigate the long-term impacts of BNF techniques on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions to fully understand their environmental benefits (Santos et al., 2019; Soumare et al., 2022). 5 Comparative Analysis with Other Sustainable Practices 5.1 Comparison with organic fertilizers Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and organic fertilizers both aim to reduce the reliance on synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers, but they operate through different mechanisms. BNF involves the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants through symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, while organic fertilizers, such as chicken litter, provide nitrogen through the decomposition of organic matter. Studies have shown that the use of organic fertilizers like chicken litter can be as effective as mineral nitrogen (MN) fertilizers in promoting sugarcane growth and yield. For instance, the application of chicken litter increased sugarcane yield and improved plant growth metrics such as height and tiller number, comparable to the effects of ammonium nitrate (Junior et al., 2023). Additionally, organic fertilizers contribute to soil health by enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial biomass, which are crucial for long-term soil fertility (Tenelli et al., 2021). 5.2 Comparison with integrated nutrient management Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) combines the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers to optimize nutrient availability and improve crop yields sustainably. INM practices often include the use of cover crops, crop rotations, and the strategic application of fertilizers to enhance nutrient use efficiency (NUE). Research indicates that INM can significantly improve sugarcane yields and reduce environmental impacts. For example, the use of legume cover crops in sugarcane fields has been shown to increase soil nitrogen storage and microbial biomass, leading to higher yields without the need for additional synthetic N fertilizers (Tenelli et al., 2021). Similarly, adjusting the timing and rate of N fertilizer application can enhance NUE and reduce nitrogen losses, as demonstrated by increased sugarcane yields when N was applied at optimal times (Castro et al., 2019). 5.3 Long-term sustainability and yield impacts The long-term sustainability of sugarcane cultivation practices is a critical consideration. BNF offers a sustainable alternative by reducing the need for synthetic N fertilizers, which are associated with greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Studies have shown that BNF can maintain or even increase sugarcane yields over multiple harvests, contributing to long-term soil fertility and sustainability (Figure 3) (Tenelli et al., 2021; Luo et al., 2023). Luo et al. (2023) illustrates the substantial genetic variation observed in Saccharum spontaneumaccessions for traits such as shoot length, stalk number, and brix percentage. The analysis reveals significant variability among the different genotypes, with some accessions demonstrating superior performance in one or more traits. For instance, accession G152 showed the highest BNF activity, while others like G103 performed poorly. Similarly, shoot length, stalk number, and brix content also exhibited considerable variation, although the range was less pronounced compared to BNF activity. The results underscore the genetic diversity within S. spontaneum and highlight the potential for selecting and breeding specific clones with desirable traits for improving sugarcane cultivation and productivity. This genetic variability is crucial for enhancing crop resilience and yield. In comparison, organic fertilizers also support long-term sustainability by improving soil health and reducing dependency on synthetic inputs. However, the effectiveness of organic fertilizers can vary based on the type and rate of application. For instance, the application of mill mud, an organic fertilizer, has been shown to reduce dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) losses in runoff, thereby protecting aquatic ecosystems (Vilas et al., 2021). INM practices, which integrate both organic and inorganic fertilizers, offer a balanced approach to sustainable sugarcane cultivation. By optimizing nutrient inputs and enhancing soil health, INM can improve crop yields and reduce environmental impacts over the long term. For example, the strategic use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination with cover crops has been shown to enhance sugarcane yields and soil fertility (Tenelli et al., 2021; Vilas et al., 2021).
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