Application Of FYM Research Articles

Assessing the Effectiveness of Integrated Treatments against Alternaria alternata in Stevia rebaudiana under Prayagraj Condition of India

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2022–23 at the Central Research Field of SHUATS, Prayagraj, to evaluate the integrated efficacy of organic manures (FYM @ 4.5 kg/m² and neem cake @ 40 g/m²), a bioagent (Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 2 g/m²), and biomix, applied at two different intervals, in managing Alternaria leaf spot of Stevia rebaudiana caused by Alternaria alternata. This disease poses a significant challenge in stevia cultivation, leading to considerable losses in both yield and leaf quality due to necrotic lessions and premature leaf drop. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments replicated three times. Disease severity was assessed using a standardized 0–5 rating scale, and data were statistically analyzed with significance determined at p ≤ 0.05. The results demonstrated that the combined application of FYM + neem cake + Pseudomonas fluorescens + biomix (Treatment T7) was the most effective, resulting in the lowest disease intensity of 18.56% at 90 days after transplanting (DAT). This treatment also recorded the lowest disease severity at 45 DAT (10.98%), indicating its potential in early disease suppression. The next most effective treatment was the combination of neem cake + Pseudomonas fluorescens + biomix, which showed a disease intensity of 21.85%. These findings highlight the synergistic effect of integrating organic amendments with biocontrol agents in enhancing plant health and managing foliar fungal diseases in stevia. The use of eco-friendly and sustainable disease management strategies like these can play a pivotal role in organic stevia production and improving crop resilience.

Effect of Organic Manure and N Fertilizer Management on Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Kenaf in the Coastal Plains of Odisha, India

Nitrogen fertilisation in Kenaf helps to increase the vegetative growth, thereby increasing the fibre yield. Hence nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is one of the key factor, which determines the ultimate yield of this crop. Keeping this point in view, an experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2020 and 2021 at Jute Research Station, Kendrapara (190 34’ N latitude and 86030’ E longitudes) with an objective to study the NUE of Kenaf (var. JBM 71) under the combined application of organic manure and application of nitrogen in splits. The experiment was carried out in a split plot design, with treatments viz. with and without FYM application (@5t/ha) in the main plots and five different treatments in sub plots : (i)control(N1), (ii) 40 kg N in equal splits at three and six weeks after sowing(N2), (iii)60 kg N in equal splits at three and six weeks after sowing (N3),(iv)40 kg N in three splits as 10 kg N as basal,15 kg each at three and six week after sowing(N4),(v)60 kg N in three equal splits (20kg in each split) as basal, at three and six weeks after sowing (N5). Nitrogen use efficiency and uptake differed significantly under different treatment combinations. Maximum N uptake (54.6kg/ha) and utilization efficiency(30%) was recorded when the crop was treated with 5t/ha FYM and 60kg of N in three equal splits (N5). In addition, performance of the crop in terms of biological parameter and fibre yield was also higher under the same treatment. Maximum fibre yield of 35.4q/ha was obtained under application of 60kg N/ha, partitioned into three equal splits preceded with application of FYM with B:C ratio of 1.95. For a given dose of fertiliser, better recovery of N and performance of the crop was obtained, under higher number of splits. Application of FYM had a positive impact on N uptake, recovery and use efficiency of kenaf.

Effect of nutrient management practices on grain yield and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays L.)

The field experiment was conducted at the agronomy research farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh to access the effect of optimization of nutrient management practices on yield and nutrient uptake of maize during kharif season of 2023 and 2024. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with 3 replications and consists three RDF Levels 50% RDF (NPK), 75% RDF (NPK) and 100% RDF (NPK)) and five Bio-agent enriched FYM and micronutrient (Zn @ 5 kg ha-1 + B @ 1kg ha-1, Enriched FYM @ 5 t ha-1, Enriched FYM @ 10 t ha-1, Zn @ 5 kg ha-1 + B @ 1kg ha-1 + Enriched FYM @ 5 t ha-1, Zn @ 5 kg ha-1 + B @ 1kg ha-1 + Enriched FYM @ 10 t ha-1). Results indicate that among the RDF levels crop fertilized with 100% RDF (NPK) recorded the maximum grain yield (44.07 q ha-1) and nutrient uptake by crop. Among the Bio-agent enriched FYM and micronutrient application of Zn @ 5 kg ha-1 + B @ 1kg ha-1 + Enriched FYM @ 10 t ha-1recorded significantly the highest grain yield (48.07 q ha-1) and nutrient uptake by crop during both the years.

Effect of Balanced Fertilization and Mulching on Growth, Yield and Economics of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in Odisha, India

A front-line demonstration was carried out at different farmers’ field of Kandhamal district of Odisha to determine the effect of balanced fertilization and mulching on growth, yield and economics of chilli during 2022-23. The experiment was conducted under the international collaborative project on Resilience, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kandhamal, OUAT, Bhubaneswar. The demonstration was conducted at ten farmers’ field with three treatments viz., T1 : Farmer’s Practice (FYM @ 2 t ha-1 & N:P2O5:K2O::50:30:30 kg ha-1), without mulching, T2 : FYM @ 10 t ha-1 & N:P2O5:K2O @100:75:75 kg ha-1 , foliar application of water soluble fertilizer (19-19-19) and mulching with paddy straw @ 6 t ha-1 and T3: FYM @ 10 t ha-1 & N:P2O5:K2O @ 100:75:75 kg ha-1 , foliar application of water soluble fertilizer (19-19-19) and double coated (black on silver) polythene mulching. The results revealed that significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height (89.6 cm), number of primary branches per plant (10.4) and plant spread (69.4 cm); yield attributes viz., number of fruits per plant (142.3), fruit length (6.41cm), fresh fruit weight (1.80 g), fruit dry weight (0.69 g ), fruit girth (2.73 cm) and fresh fruit yield (178.3 q ha-1) were observed with the treatment T3 (FYM 10 t ha-1,100% RDF, foliar application of water soluble fertilizer and polythene mulching) followed by T2 (FYM 10 t ha-1, 100% RDF, foliar application of water soluble fertilizer with paddy straw mulching @ 6 t ha-1). The highest number of weeds including grasses and broad leaf weeds (342.6 number of weeds m-2) was recorded in T1 (Farmer’s practice without mulching) plot followed by T2 (67.5 number of weeds m-2) and the lowest was in T3 (10.8 number of weeds m-2) indicating black polythene mulching was more effective than paddy straw mulching in suppressing weed growth. The treatments, received FYM 10 t ha-1,100% RDF, foliar spray with water soluble fertilizer and polythene mulching (T3) resulted in higher gross return of Rs. 4,45,750 ha-1, net return of Rs. 3,47,050 ha-1 and benefit: cost ratio of 4.5 as compared to T2 and T1. Hence, application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1, N:P2O5:K2O @ 100:75:75 kg ha-1, foliar application of water-soluble fertilizer and double coated (black on silver) polythene mulching enhanced the growth parameters, yield attributes, economic parameters and yield of chilli.

Effect of Farmyard Manure and Potassium on Nutrient Content and Quality of Kharif Groundnut (Var.- TG-37A) Grown in Loamy Sand

Aims: To study the effect of farmyard manure and potassium on nutrient content and quality of kharif groundnut in loamy sand. Study Design: Factorial Randomized Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was carried out during kharif season at Castor Mustard Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. Gujarat Methodology: The field trial was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications, and the treatments comprised of two levels of farmyard manure (F1: 0 t ha-1 and F2: 5 t ha-1), three levels of potassium (K1: 20 kg K2O ha-1, K2: 40 kg K2O ha-1 and K3: 60 kg K2O ha-1) and two levels of potassium mobilizing bacteria (B1: With KMB and B2: Without KMB). Results: The results showed that significantly higher oil (50.24 %) and protein (23.90 %) content of groundnut was observed with FYM application at 5 t ha-1 (F2). Moreover, significantly higher content of nitrogen (3.39 %), phosphorus (0.46 %) and potassium (0.61 %) in kernel and in haulm nitrogen (1.49 %), phosphorus (0.20 %), potassium (0.66 %) were observed with application of 5 t FYM ha-1. Among three levels of potassium, K3 (60 kg K2O ha-1) recorded significantly maximum oil (50.27 %) and protein (24.19 %) contents, P (0.45 %) and K (0.60 %) content in kernel and N (1.49 %), K (0.66 %) content in haulm. Oil (50.06 %) and protein (23.93 %) contents found positive with KMB application over without KMB.

Effect of NPK and Fym with Biofertilizer on Quality of Potato and Soil Nutrient Dynamics

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Research Farm, Janta College, Bakewar, Etawah during the Rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-2024. Composite soil samples were collected in a zig-zag manner during the fallow period before the start of the experiment and after the harvesting of the crop. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments replicated thrice. PSB was used for seed inoculation. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on the quality and soil nutrient status of potatoes. The results revealed that application of FYM @ 15t/ha + 1/2 of the recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizer resulted in maximum carbohydrate percentage. Application of FYM @ 30t/ha + 1/2 of the recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizer resulted in maximum proteins, TSS and sugars in potato as compared to other integrated nutrient management treatments. As far as soil nutrient status is concerned, different treatments recorded maximum organic carbon percentage, available N, P and K percentage. The results revealed that the application of integrated nutrient management with the application of FYM @ 30t/ha + 1/2 of the recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizer resulted in satisfactory quality parameters in potatoes. Keywords: Potato, integrated nutrient management, soil nutrient, chemical fertilization, protein, sugar, TSS.

RESIDUAL EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON BERSEEM PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL QUALITY UNDER DIFFERENT FARM YARD MANURE AND NITROGEN LEVELS

To study the residual effect of biochar on berseem productivity and soil quality under different farmyard manure and nitrogen levels, a field experiment was performed at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan during Fall 2013-2014. Randomized complete block design was used for conducting experiment with three replications. Three residual biochar levels (0, 25 and 50 t ha-1), farm yard manure two levels (5 and 10 t ha-1) and two levels of nitrogen (15 and 30 kg ha-1) were included in experiment. 50 t ha-1 biochar applications resulted in elevated plant height, fresh and dry fodder yield. Higher values for these traits were observed with the addition of 25 t biochar to the previous crop. FYM at the rate of 10 t ha-1 produced taller plants, higher fresh and dry fodder yield. Plots treated with 30 kg N ha-1 resulted in taller plants, higher fresh and dry fodder yield. Similarly, farmyard application @10 t ha-1 resulted in higher soil carbon, soil total nitrogen and soil pH. Residual biochar @50 t ha-1 increased soil pH, EC, carbon and total nitrogen. It was concluded from the study that 50 t ha-1 BC, 10 t ha-1 FYM and 30 kg ha-1 N increased fodder yield, whilst BC application @50 and FYM application @10 t ha-1 improved soil physio-chemical properties.

Performance of kharif blackgram under integrated use of fly ash, farm yard manure and soil test based fertilizer recommendations

Soil test-based fertilizer recommendation is an imperative-approach that helps in economic benefit to the growers for crop production. A field experiment of blackgram was conducted during kharif 2019–20 and 2020–21 in at Farmers’ Field under Jambad, Block, Purulia, West Bengal. Five different treatments viz. T1, application of ash (3.0 t/ha); T2, Application of ash (3.0 t/ha) with FYM (4 t/ha); T3, application of ash (3.0 t/ha) with FYM (4 t/ha) and DAP (2% foliar application before flowering); T4, application of ash (3.0 t/ha) with FYM (4 t/ha) and inorganic fertilizers (RDF – N:P:K 20:40:60); and T5, application of ash (3.0 t/ha), FYM (4 t/ha) and soil test based fertilizer recommendations (N:P:K 25:50:25). The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with 4 replications. The results indicated that soil organic carbon, available N, P, K, Fe and B was significantly increased with the application of T5. The application of T5 improved seed yield of blackgram by 11.26% and 11.32%, respectively in 2019–20 and 2020–21, and also resulted higher B:C ratio (2.41 and 2.17). Character association analysis of yield component features revealed a positive and significant relationship between seed yield with plant height (r = 0.90), number of branches/plant (r = 0.98), number of pods/plant (r = 0.96) and number of seeds/pod (r = 0.90). Results in field that the application of ash (3.0 t/ha) and FYM (4 t/ha) along with soil test-based fertilizer recommendations (T5), could be a viable option for enhancing the blackgram productivity under slightly acidic soil conditions.

Effect of organic supplements and inorganic nutrients levels on productivity and quality of maize in acidic soil

The field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Assam to evaluate the effect of organic supplements and inorganic nutrients levels on growth, productivity and quality of maize in acidic soil of upper Assam during kharif season of 2023. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications and consists three organic supplements (Control, FYM @ 10 t/ha and Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha) in main plots and four inorganic nutrients levels along with lime @ 300 kg/ha (Control, 50% RDF (NPK), 75% RDF (NPK) and 100% RDF (NPK)) in sub plots. Results indicate that among three organic supplements, application of FYM @10 t/ha showed higher dry matter accumulation (1150.1g/m2) at 60 DAS, grain (4.47 t/ha), stover (8.18 t/ha) and biological yield (12.54 t/ha), N (1.48% and 0.89%), P (0.27% and 0.17%) and K (0.45% and 1.56%) concentration in grain and stover, respectively and higher crude protein content (9.27%). Among the inorganic nutrients levels, application of 100% RDF(NPK) proved best in respect to dry matter accumulation (1145.1 g/m2) at 60 DAS, grain yield (4.43 t/ha), stover yield (8.17 t/ha), biological yield (12.6 t/ha) and the N (1.53% and 0.91%), P (0.29% and 0.19%), K (0.44% and 1.56%) concentration in grain and stover, respectively and crude protein content in grain (9.54%).

Yield and Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as Influenced by Combined Application of Fym and Npsb Blended Fertilizer at Gewata District, Southwestern Ethiopia

Background: The experiment was, conducted during the 2019/2020 cropping season to investigate the yield and quality response of potatoes (variety Belete) to combined fertilization of farmyard manure and NPSB fertilizer in the Gewata district. Methods: Four levels of FYM (0, 5, 10, 15 t ha-1) NPSB (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1) blended fertilizer, was laid out in a 4´4 factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Result: The mixed application of FYM with NPSB blended fertilizer significantly influenced (P less than 0.01) the tuber weight, marketable, unmarketable, total tuber, starch content and significantly (P less than 0.05) on specific gravity and nutrient use efficiency. The highest average tuber weight (99.33 g), marketable and total tuber yield (37.62 and 37. 9 t ha-1), specific gravity (1.09 g), starch content (17.83%) and the net benefit of Ethiopian Birr 325849.2 were recorded from the mixed, fertilization of 15t ha-1 FYM with 150 kg ha-1 NPSB blended fertilizer. Therefore, it can be concluded that the yield and quality of potatoes in the Gewata district, could be improved by mixed use of FYM (15 t ha-1) and NPSB blended fertilizer (150 kg ha-1).

Grain quality, wheat productivity and microbial properties in sandy loam soil under pearl millet-wheat sequence: long-term effects of organic manure and fertilizer N application

ABSTRACT The experiment commenced in Rabi 1967 involved farmyard manure (FYM: 0, 5, 10, 15 t ha−1) application in rabi crop (winter season), kharif crop (summer season) and both the crops (rabi and kharif season), and fertilizer N (0 and 120 kg ha−1) in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)- wheat (Triticum aestivum) sequence at Hisar, India. The influence of nutrient management practices on the quality and productivity of wheat coupled with soil microbial biomass was determined. Following 51 yr of pearl millet-wheat cultivation, wheat and straw yields varied between 3.14 to 4.93 and 4.23 to 6.51 t ha−1, respectively. N application significantly increased grain and straw yields by 57.01% and 53.90%, respectively, over the control plot (N0). Applying 15 t FYM ha−1 increased grain N (17.65%), protein (17.76%), straw N (54.58%), and K (29.41%) content of wheat, its germination, productivity, qualitative attributes, and soil microbial biomass C (MBC, 602.56%) and N (MBN, 479.92%) of wheat compared to no FYM. Adding 120 kg N ha−1 influenced grain N, protein and straw NPK, germination, shoot and seedling length, soil MBC, and MBN to N0. Combined application of FYM and fertilizer N (FYM15× N120) during both seasons improved wheat quality, yield, and microbial properties.

Effect of soil breeding and soil amendments on soil physical properties, rice yield and economics in crusted Alfisol

The impact of soil breeding and soil amendments on soil physical properties, rice yield, and economics under crusted Alfisols (red soil) was investigated in a field experiment at the Agricultural College and Research Insti- tute, Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India. The study was conducted for three consequetive years (2020–2023). There were totally nine treatments, comprising of clay, sand, and manure alone and their combinations and lime were replicated thrise. In the first year of the experiment, the treatments were imposed as per schedule and thoroughly mixed with surface soil. Every year, sunnhemp was raised as the first-season crop and incorporated in-situ at flowering prior to transplanting of rice. The results indicated that application of FYM 12.5 t ha-1+ clay 100.0 t ha-1+ coarse sand 100.0 t ha-1 (T8) recorded highest growth and yield attributes, viz., plant height (94.26 cm), number of productive tillers (16.53), grain yield (3.981 t ha-1 ), and straw yield (5.250 t ha-1 ) of rice and B:C ratio of 1.66. Further, application of FYM 12.5 t ha-1+ clay 100.0 t ha-1+ coarse sand 100.0 t ha-1 reduced soil bulk density (1.31 Mg m-3 ), increase in pore volume (45.40 %), soil infiltration rate (3.62 cm h-1 ) and hydraulic conductivity (3.02 cm h-1 ). However, this was on par with application of FYM 12.5 t ha-1+ clay 50.0 t ha-1+ coarse sand 50.0 t ha-1 (T7).

Interactive Effect of Irrigation Supplementation, Compost‐Fertilisation and Resistant Cassava Varieties on the Control and Management of CMD and CBSD, Incidences and Severity Through Morphological Detection Technique

ABSTRACTThe field experimental study was conducted to investigate or determine and analyse the interactive effect of better agronomical practices such as cropping system, irrigation, compost‐fertilisation, planting dates and resistant varieties on the cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) disease presence, incidences and severity through morphological detection technique. The qualitative and quantitative primary data were collected and analysed, through Generalised Model Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), linear regression analysis, GENSTAT and JMP Pro software from this research field experiment study which were laid out in a RCBD design with three blocks and four replications in different location sites. The study took place in Mara and Coastal regions, at Nyasirori Butiama district and Nyegina and Busungu‐Majita Musoma rural district and Msoga Bagamoyo Coast region between October 2021 and August 2023. The results findings show that the disease incidence and levels of severity varied or differed significantly among the four location sites and between the two provinces or zones, Coastal and Mara of the Lake zone, at p < 0.001 level of significance. However, the findings show that there were greater levels of disease incidence and severity in Mara region means (1.9199) particularly Nyegina and Busungu‐Majita villages (2.034632) and (2.0002706), respectively, than Msoga Coast region and Nyasirori Mara region, which both recorded low levels of disease incidence and severity of (1.8509) and (1.65536), respectively. But likewise, the higher mean for disease severity scale score showed to decline progressively from (4.2 ± 0.24) Nyegina, (3.2 ± 0.14) Busungu‐Majita, (2.5 ± 0.2) Msoga and (2.0 ± 0.21) Nyasirori having the lowest level of severity. Moreover, the results also found that there was significant influence at p < 0.001 level of significance with agronomic practice treatment, particularly the application of compost FYM + solely or in combination with irrigation supplementation on reducing and controlling the disease incidence and severity, similarly with growth stage and varietal influence. However, conversely again, the result findings had shown significant reduction and management of the disease incidence and severity levels following treatment application of agronomic practices with FYM and Fertilisation (1.817703), Monocropping + FYM + Irrigation (1.8238636) and Irrigation + FYM + Crop rotation (1.7921402) treatments. Similarly, with the varieties influence, particularly with Mkuranga 1, Kipusa, Chereko and Kiroba, had shown the lowest means (1.285871), (1.474808), (1.711939) and (1.819277), respectively, among the varieties tested. However, the best results for disease prevention, management and control, and thus the recommended application rates of compost FYM + Fertiliser materials were found to be lower and/or ranging between 40 and 60 kg per row equivalent to 20.0–32.0 t ha−1 application rates and 30 kg NPK and 10 kg CAN ha−1 depending on soil type (i.e., too poor and too sandy or sandy–sandy loam) and fertility status of the soil, since even lower rates still have shown significant control. Finally, this will have a tangible benefit of reducing the diseases pandemic to farmers and cassava crop stakeholders, agriculture industry sector on the increased crop productivity performance, yield and more importantly the government policy on increased use and application of compost FYM and fertilisers and a very low cost of production countrywide.

Standardization of manure and planting geometry for production of organic oats

The goal of the current investigation was to standardize the manures and planting geometry for the production of organic oats at the SHUATS Model of Organic Farm (SMOF), SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2023-2024 and laid out in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments, each replicated thrice. The experimental results showed that treatment 12 significantly increased the plant height and the number of spikes per running row meter. On the other hand, treatments T6, T11, T9, and T5 recorded significantly higher numbers of tillers/running row meter, grains/spike, grain yield, and straw yield, respectively. However, the application of FYM (50% N) + Karanj cake (50% N) + biofertilizer + 20 cm x 15 cm (treatment 9) resulted in significantly higher gross returns, while the application of FYM (50% N) + poultry manure (50% N) + biofertilizer + 20 cm x 15 cm (treatment 7) yielded significantly higher net returns and benefit-cost ratios due to the cheaper price of poultry manure in treatment 7 compared to the costlier karanj cake in treatment 9. Therefore, the application of FYM (50% N), poultry manure (50% N), and biofertilizer at a planting geometry of 20 cm x 15 cm (treatment 7) yielded the best results compared to other treatments, as it projected the highest net returns and benefit-cost ratio in terms of organic oats production.

Utilization of FYM and hydrogel to improve soil moisture retention, nutrient uptake and onion (Allium cepa L.) yield in semi-arid region of Punjab

Poor water holding capacity of soil, low soil organic matter, and limited fresh water supply are the major hurdles in increasing onion productivity in South-Western Punjab. Hydrogels are known to increase soil water retention, nutrient uptake and yield of crops under water stress conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the effect of three doses of FYM (0, 25 and 50 t ha-1) and five levels of hydrogel (0, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 kg ha-1) on the performance of rabi onion at Bathinda, Punjab. Application of FYM increased the soil moisture by 32 to 74%, whereas hydrogel enhanced it by 23 to 57%, irrespective of their doses. The maximum soil moisture was recorded with FYM @ 50 t ha-1 + hydrogel @ 15 kg ha-1. Utilization of FYM @ 50 t ha-1 in combination with hydrogel @ 10 to 15 kg ha-1 exhibited the highest plant height, leaves plant-1, P and S content in leaves, and P content in bulbs. Application of FYM @ 50 t ha-1 along with hydrogel @ 7.5 to 15 kg ha-1 manifested the maximum bulb equatorial diameter, neck thickness, bulb weight and K content in bulbs. Incorporation of FYM @50 t ha-1 in combination with hydrogel @ 5 to 15 kg ha-1 registered the maximum bulb yield, N and K content in leaves, along with N and S content in bulbs.

Residual Effect of Organics and Humic Acid on Physical, Chemical and Biological Property of Soil after Harvest of Succeeding Chickpea

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, C. P. College of Agriculture, SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar to study the effect of organics and humic acid on kharif pearlmillet and their residual effect on succeeding chickpea during kharif- 2022 to 2023 and rabi 2022-23 to 2023-24. The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture, alkaline in reaction, normal in salinity, low in organic carbon, available N, medium in available P2O5 and K2O and low DTPA- extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. The treatments were applied in kharif pearlmillet crop and their residual effect was studied in succeeding chickpea crop. Residual effect of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 recorded significantly increased OC (0.298, 0.302 and 0.300 per cent), available N (177.28, 180.10 and 178.69 kg ha-1), P2O5 (41.20, 42.04 and41.62 kg ha-1) was observed during both the year and pooled result and total bacterial count (156.26 cfu g soil-1) in pooled result soil with the application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1. While application of humic acid did not get significant result and but numerically increased above mention parameter under the soil application of humic acid 30 kg ha-1.

Effect of FYM and Vermicompost application on growth, yield and quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2021-22 at the Research Farm, Raja Balwant Singh College, Bichpuri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. To study the “Effect of FYM and Vermicompost application on growth, yield and quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)crop” in alluvial soil of Agra region. The experiment having combination of eight treatments viz. T1 - Absolute control, T2 - N 120, P 60, K 40 kg ha-1 (100% RDF), T3 - N90, P 45, K 30 kg ha-1 (75% RDF), T4 – N 60, P 30, K 20 kg ha-1 (50% RDF), T5 – N 60, P 30, K 20 kg ha-1 (50% RDF) + FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1, T6 – N 60, P 30, K 20 kg ha-1 (50% RDF) + FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1, T7 – N 90, P 45, K 30 kg ha-1 (75% RDF) + FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1, T8 – N 90, P 45, K 30 kg ha-1 (75% RDF) + FYM@ 2.5 t ha-1+ Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1 with three replications in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The results of experiment showed that the higher grain 52.40 q ha-1and strawyield 79.79 q ha-1 obtained in T8 with the application of 75% RDF + FYM @2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1. Maximum plant height, number of grains/ spike, test weight and protein content was recorded in treatment T8 ((75% RDF) + FYM@ 2.5 t ha-1+ Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1). The data exposed that maximum harvest index (39.63%) was observed in treatment T8 ((75% RDF) + FYM@ 2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @ 1.5 tha-1). The soil properties in respect of pH, EC, organic carbon and available N, P & K were noticed with the treatment T8 (75% NPK) + FYM@ 2.5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1). The T8 treatment is the good option for farmer field in present scenario because it replaces 25% inorganic nutrients by organic source of nutrients which increase qualityof grain.

Assessing Integrated Nutrient Management Strategies for Improved Growth Rates and Nutrient Uptake in Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

With the increasing demand for stevia as a natural sweetener among health-conscious diabetics, a field trial was conducted in 2022 and 2023 at the Agronomy farm, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, to evaluate the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth rates and nutrient uptake of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni). The experiment followed a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two factors: manure (no manure, vermicompost at 2.5 t ha-¹, and farmyard manure at 5 t ha-¹) and NPK levels (20:10:10, 40:20:20, and 60:30:30 kg ha-¹). The highest crop growth rate (CGR) was observed with FYM @ 5 t ha-¹ and 60:30:30 NPK kg ha-¹, particularly at the 30-45 DAP stage. Relative growth rate (RGR) was significantly influenced only during the first growth period, with the highest RGR observed under FYM @ 5 t ha-¹ and 60:30:30 NPK kg ha-¹. Pooled mean nitrogen and phosphorus uptake was highest with FYM @ 5 t ha-¹, and higher potassium uptake was with FYM @ 5 t ha-¹ and vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-¹ among manures The highest NPK uptake was obtained with 60:30:30 NPK kg ha⁻¹ among NPK levels. In conclusion, the combined application of FYM @ 5 t ha-¹ and NPK @ 60:30:30 kg ha-¹ resulted in better growth performance and nutrient absorption by stevia.

Farmyard Manure and Gypsum Effects on Soil pH and EC in a Semi-Arid Region of Kandahar, Afghanistan

Soil alkalinity and salinity are the two main problems in Kandahar province, which cause poor crop growth and yield losses. FYM and gypsum can reduce soil alkalinity and salinity and gradually fix the mentioned problems. The application effects of these amendments have not been investigated before in this area. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in the old city of Kandahar province in 2023 to assess the impacts of FYM and gypsum on soil pH and EC in the common bean field. The study utilized a split-plot design, with three main plots varying FYM application rates (0, 5, and 10 t ha-1) and three subplots representing different gypsum levels (0, 2, and 4 t ha-1). Results indicated that soil pH and EC were significantly decreased with the increasing addition of FYM and gypsum at all crop growth stages. The significantly lowest pH and EC values were recorded at the harvest stage with the addition of 10-ton FYM and 4.0-ton gypsum per hectare. Except for soil EC at 30 DAS, other interaction effects between FYM and gypsum on soil pH and EC were significant at all crop growth stages. The best treatment was a combination of 10 t ha-1 FYM and 4.0 t ha-1 gypsum, followed by 5.0 t ha-1 FYM and 4.0 t ha-1 gypsum, where the lowest pH and EC values were recorded. However, these results were found from a year-long experiment conducted in the old city of Kandahar province and may be recommended.

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Micronutrients and Organic Matter Dynamics in Maize-mustard Crop Rotation in Himalayan Foothills

Aims: The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures on availability of micronutrients and organic matter in soils of rainfed agriculture in foothills of Himalayas. Place and Duration of Study: Present study was conducted at Advance Centre for Rainfed Agriculture (ACRA), Rakh Dhiansar, Jammu from 2020 to 2022. Methodology: In a long-term field experiment, we investigated the effects of 10 treatments on soil micronutrients, organic matter and their correlation under rain fed agriculture. Randomized block design was used with three replications. Following are the treatments: T1 - Control, T2 - 100% RDF of N,P,K through chemicals, T3 - 50% RDF of N,P,K through chemicals, T4- 50% RD of N through crop residue, T5 - 50% RD of N through FYM, T6 -50% RDF of N,P,K through chemicals + 50% RDF of N through crop residues, T7- 50% RDF of N,P,K through chemicals + 50% RD of N through FYM, T8 - FYM @ 10 ton/ha, T9 - 100% RDF of N,P,K through chemicals + Zinc Sulphate @ 20kg/ha and T10 - Farmer practice (FYM @ 4 ton/ha + 40kg urea /ha). The micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) showed maximum increase with the application of organic manures along with inorganic fertilizers over control in both surface and sub surface layers of the soil. However, in the sub-surface soil, there was less availability of these nutrients than the surface layer of the soil. The available Zn content was found maximum in the treatment T9 getting 100% NPK + ZnSO4 @ 20kg/ha over control. The treatment T8 with the application of FYM @ 10 ton/ha recorded highest content of soil organic matter in surface soil. Positive and significant correlations were observed between soil organic matter and the micronutrient content of the soil. The INM practices proved very beneficial for increasing the sustainability of soil.