1. Soilless cultured medium manufactured from agricultural wastes

Utilization of spent mushroom wastes and chicken feather, duck feather, and feather powder to producing three composting products. Highest nutrient content among the three composts was duck feather compost. The duck feather compost can be directly used as culture medium for producing strawberry, muskmelon, honeydew melon and sweet pepper without further fertilization. The branch compost was produced by using crushed miscellaneous tree branches combined with feather powders and inoculation of Bacillus licheniformis TCLigB. The branch compost cab be used as culture medium for production of honeydew melon and Echinacea. Under the same chemical fertilizer applied amounts, higher yield of honeydew melon and Echinacea was found by culturing plants in the branch compost than in the peat and the amounts of total phenolic compound of Echinacea were higher by cultured in the branch compost than in the peat.

▲ The branch compost manufactured and applied in soilless honeydew melon production

2. Development and application of beneficial microorganisms

The feather-hydrolyzing bacterium Arthrobacter ureafaciens TC4-1C) with salt resistant ability, IAA production, and phosphate solubilizing ability was isolated for hydrolyzing feather, soybean meal and fish wastes etc. The strain TC4-1C can be produced via simple instrument with heater, agitator and condenser. 65 liter of strain TC4-1C suspensions with bacterial number higher than 10⁸ CFU/mL and contamination rate lower than 5%.

▲ Duck feather	▲ Feather hydrolysis by strain TC4-1C

3. Integrated application of optimal fertilizer amount and soil improvement

• The experimental results showed the highest yield of celery needed to be applied nitrogen fertilizer as 225 kg-N/ha, that can be recommended for farmers. (2015).
   
• In mountain area, the cabbage yield by using 400 kg-N/ha fertilizer  divided into 4 times application was similar with farmers' usual fertilizer dosage (800 kg-N/ha, divided into 4 times application). However,  Applicaton of 200 kg-N /ha combined with DCD nitrification inhibitor in cabbage, the yield can be increased 17.4% compared with farmers' usual fertilizer dosage. DCD nitrification inhibitor can benefit in decreasing nitrogen fertilizer input and increasing cabbage yield. (2015).
   
• Rapeseed meal (5% nitrogne and 80% of mineralization) was used as rice (Taichung 192 and Taiken 9) fertilizer, in the first season, the optimal amount of rapeseed meal as 115-140 kg-N/ha for Taichung 192 and 150-200 kg-N/ha for Taiken 9; in the second season, the optimal amount of rapeseed meal as 100-150 kg-N/ha for Taichung 192 and 150-200 kg-N/ha for Taiken 9. Long term applied rapeseed meal as fertilizer for rice production, soil phosphorous and potassium might be deficient. (2013-2014).
   
• It is recommended that the application of 10 mM potassium chloride and calcium chloride at intervals of 7-10 days can significantly improve guava leaf traits, especially leaf thickness; while the application of 40 mM calcium chloride can significantly increase the number, pulp weight and nutrient content of guava fruits. (2013).
   
• The rice variety Tainong No. 71, which was planted in sandy shale non-calcareous old alluvial soil in the first season; rice variety Tainan No. 11 was planted in red soil in the second season. The recommended rice nitrogen fertilizer amount is 130kg-N/ha. (2011).

4. Promotion of Soil management technology

(1) For the field ridge vegetation demonstration, plants such as perennial peanuts, mint Charlie, and three-flower tickclover, were planted in Dajia District, Taichung City. Mulch planting helps in reduce soil bulk density, increases beneficial insect populations and eliminates the application of herbicides. (2016).

▲ Perennial peanuts (left), three-flower tickclover (middle) and mint Charlie cover (right) on field ridge

(2) Jointly holding the "International Training Course on Rational Fertilization" with the FFTC to demonstrate the concrete results of long-term promotion of rational fertilization in Taiwan. (2015).

▲ Lead students in the Asia-Pacific region to judge the application period of rice panicle fertilizer.	▲ Teach leaf sampling techniques

(3) Followed implementation of rational fertilization policies and strengthen organic agricultural technology research and Counseling.

▲ On-site observation and learning activities in the demonstration field.	▲ Establish demonstration fields for rational fertilization
▲ Promote grass covering and application in orchard.	▲ Organize rational fertilization educational classes for teaching farmers to choose and utilize fertilizers.

(4) Published "Proceedings of the Seminar on the Application of High-Quality Organisms in Crop Nutrient Management", "Proceedings of the Seminar on Rational Fertilization Guidance Results", "Rational Crop Fertilization Special", "Rational Fertilization Technology", "Green Manure Crop Planting Management and Utilization", etc. Crop fertilizer management technology book.