Page 134 - EER-2-1

Explora: Environment
and Resource Sustainable fertilization for long bean cultivation

3.4.4. Broader relevance for SDGs making agricultural systems more resilient to climate
57
The integration of quail manure and natural phosphate variability and extreme weather events. These benefits
fertilizers in this study aligns closely with global efforts to are particularly important in tropical regions, where the
achieve sustainable agricultural practices and addresses impacts of climate change are expected to be severe.
multiple United Nations SDGs. The results demonstrate The economic implications of this research further
how locally available, low-cost resources can transform strengthen its relevance to the SDGs. By utilizing locally
marginal soils into productive farmland, contributing to available resources such as quail manure, farmers can
environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and reduce input costs and improve their profitability,
food security in tropical regions. contributing to economic resilience and poverty
One of the primary contributions of this research is alleviation. 21,54 The significant increases in yield observed
to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), which aims to end hunger and in this study translate directly into higher revenues for
promote sustainable agricultural practices. By improving farmers, enabling them to invest in education, healthcare,
the productivity of long bean cultivation on podzolic soils, and community development. These outcomes align with
this study provides a scalable model for enhancing food the broader objectives of sustainable development, which
production in regions with limited agricultural potential. aim to create inclusive and equitable growth opportunities
The significant increases in pod length, number of pods per while preserving natural resources for future generations. 21
plant, and pod weight per plant observed under the P2R2 In addition to addressing these specific goals, this
treatment suggest that integrating organic and natural study demonstrates the interconnectedness of the
fertilizers can optimize yields without relying on costly SDGs. Sustainable agricultural practices, as explored in
synthetic inputs. This is particularly crucial for smallholder this research, create ripple effects that impact multiple
farmers, who constitute over 80% of the world’s agricultural aspects of development, from improved livelihoods and
producers and often lack access to advanced farming food security to environmental protection and climate
technologies. By enabling these farmers to increase their resilience. By focusing on the integration of organic
56
21
productivity sustainably, this approach directly supports and natural fertilizers, this study highlights a pathway for
efforts to achieve food security and improve nutrition. achieving these interrelated goals through innovative yet
Furthermore, the environmental benefits of this practical solutions tailored to local contexts.
study align with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and
Production), which focuses on sustainable management 4. Conclusion
of natural resources and reducing waste. The use of This study demonstrated that integrating quail manure and
quail manure as an organic amendment exemplifies the natural phosphate fertilizers significantly improved soil
principles of a circular economy, where agricultural waste fertility, crop growth, and yield of long beans on marginal
is repurposed as a valuable resource for soil enrichment. podzolic soils. The P2R2 treatment (3 kg quail manure per
This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which are plot and 25 g natural phosphate per plant) resulted in the
associated with significant environmental costs, including shortest days to flowering (27.00 days), largest stem diameter
greenhouse gas emissions during production and nutrient (0.86 cm), highest number of pods per plant (36.66), and
runoff during application. Similarly, natural phosphate greatest pod weight per plant (2850.66 g). These findings
6,7
provides a slow-release source of phosphorus, minimizing highlight the potential of organic and natural amendments
the risk of nutrient leaching into water bodies and reducing to mitigate soil acidity, enhance phosphorus availability,
the environmental footprint of agriculture. These practices and sustainably increase crop productivity. The application
6
demonstrate how agricultural systems can be designed to of this integrated fertilization strategy has practical
balance productivity with environmental stewardship. implications for field-scale implementation, particularly
This study also contributes to SDG 13 (Climate in tropical regions with nutrient-deficient soils. Strategies
Action), which emphasizes the need to mitigate climate for large-scale adoption should focus on optimizing
change and its impacts. By reducing reliance on synthetic application rates, assessing cost-effectiveness, and ensuring
fertilizers, which are energy-intensive to produce, the long-term soil health benefits. In addition, this approach
integrated approach explored in this research lowers the aligns with global sustainability goals, contributing to
carbon footprint of farming systems. Organic amendments SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enhancing food production,
like quail manure not only enhance soil fertility but SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by
also sequester carbon, helping to offset greenhouse gas reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and SDG 13
emissions. Improved soil structure and organic matter (Climate Action) by promoting organic soil management
content reduce erosion and increase water retention, practices. Future research should focus on long-term field

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 9 doi: 10.36922/eer.8348