Basal Application Research Articles

Iron Nutrition Improves Productivity, Profitability, and Biofortification of Bread Wheat under Conventional and Conservation Tillage Systems

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a major health issue worldwide, which can be alleviated by biofortification. Agronomic biofortification is a practical solution to overcome the Fe deficiency in cereals without sacrificing on yield. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Fe application on productivity, grain biofortification, and grain quality of bread wheat under conventional and conservation production systems. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-plot arrangement where wheat was sown under conventional tillage (CT) and zero tillage (ZT) systems and Fe was applied through various methods (no Fe application, seed priming (0.3% Fe solution), seed coating (250 mg kg−1 seed), basal application (12 kg ha−1), and foliar spray (0.5% Fe solution)). Iron nutrition significantly enhanced the yield and related traits and grain fat and protein contents. Averaged across two years, grain yield improvement from different Fe application methods was in the order of seed priming>basal application>foliar application>seed coating with respective increase of 33%, 28%, 25%, and 21% relative to control treatment. Grain Fe concentration was 65% and 58% higher with Fe foliar application compared with control during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. Interaction of tillage systems and Fe nutrition highlighted that 1000-grain weight and grain yield were improved, whereas Fe seed priming in ZT system provided maximum 1000-grain weight and grain yield. The Fe application through either method proved to be profitable and the highest benefit-cost ratio was obtained with Fe foliar application. Among tillage systems, the highest net benefits were obtained with ZT. Zero tillage significantly improved the soil microbial biomass carbon, soil microbial biomass nitrogen, and soil organic carbon by 9.25%, 2.5%, and 14%, respectively, compared with CT. In conclusion, Fe seed priming in both tillage systems improved the yield, and proved to be the most cost-effective, whereas foliar application improved the grain Fe concentration in both tillage systems.

Cadmium accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) alleviated by basal alkaline fertilizers followed by topdressing of manganese fertilizer

Rice is a main source of dietary cadmium (Cd), thus, how to reduce the Cd concentration in brown rice has received extensive attention worldwide. In three acidic paddy soils slightly to moderately contaminated with Cd, a series of field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different proportions of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) fertilizer (urea, calcium magnesium phosphate, and potassium carbonate, respectively) alone or coupled with a topdressing of manganese (Mn) fertilizer at the tillering stage on reducing Cd bioavailability in soil and uptake in rice. The rational application of N-P-K fertilizer not only provided the basic nutrients to promote the normal growth of rice but also increased soil pH and thereby reduced the Cd bioavailability in soil. The Mg(NO3)2-extracted Cd concentrations in the three soils were reduced by 26.46–56.53%, while TCLP-extracted Cd were reduced by 19.87–45.41%, with little influence on soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and organic matter (OM). The application of Mn fertilizer at the tillering stage increased Mn and Cd sequestration in the iron plaque. The Mn content in iron plaque increased by 15.71–58.67% and a significant positive correlation between Cd and Mn was observed at the three sites. Collectively, this combined method of fertilization significantly reduced Cd accumulation in rice tissues, the Cd concentrations in roots of treated plants decreased by 11.18–37.78%, whereas the concentrations in straw decreased by 13.16–41.03%. Particularly to brown rice, in which accumulation decreased by 25.19–44.70%, 37.35–47.84%, and 38.00–60.88% in three typical paddy fields, but no significant effect was observed for the Cd translocation factors (TF) among rice tissues. Thus, the basal application of combined urea and alkaline inorganic fertilizers followed by topdressing of Mn fertilizer may be a promising and cost-effective tactics for the remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy soils.

Short-term improved fallows of Tephrosia vogelii and Cajanus cajan enhanced maize productivity and soil chemical properties of a degraded fallow land in Southwestern Ethiopia

An improved fallow experiment was established in 2013 to examine the contribution of shrub legume species, Tephrosia vogelii and Cajanus cajan, in improving the productivity of a degraded tropical soil and crop yields compared with traditional fallow. The study was conducted on five farmers’ fields in southwestern Ethiopia laid out in randomized complete block design with farmers as replicates. After 2 years, the amount of aboveground biomass produced was 5–8 t ha−1 for Tephrosia and 3–5 t ha−1 for Cajanus. Maize grain yield was 80% higher for Tephrosia and 41% for Cajanus compared with the traditional fallow. The legume species significantly increased soil pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen levels compared with the natural fallow but there was no significant effect for available phosphorus. The magnitude of fallow benefit from Tephrosia in terms of yield advantage and nitrogen availability could be related to its high biomass production capacity compared to Cajanus. Fallowing with Tephrosia has the potential for improving productivity of degraded tropical soils. Farmers’ responses to the improved fallows were in general positive and their preference was Tephrosia fallow. Farmers can therefore use Tephrosia to enhance soil fertility by increasing N-levels, soil pH and organic matter of the soil. However, phosphate fertilizer is required as basal application to enhance N-fixation by legumes.

Influence of Foliar Application of Nutrient on Growth, Yield, Economics, Soil Nutritional Status and Nutrient Uptake of Soybean

A field experiment was carried out during kharif season of 2016 and 2017 at an experimental farm of MACS Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India to study the influence of foliar application of nutrient on growth, yield, economics, soil nutritional status and nutrient uptake of soybean crop. An experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) comprising of three replications and nine treatments. Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) was applied as basal application to all treatments. Seven treatments consisted of different doses of nutrients as foliar application at pod initiation stage. Water spray at pod initiation stage and RDF alone were treated as control. The results revealed that, growth attributes, nodulation and its weight, morpho-physiological parameters, yield and its attributes, nutritional parameters and economics significantly differed by various foliar nutrition treatments except control and RDF + water spray. RDF + Urea 2% (3098 kg ha-1) gave significantly higher seed yield over control (2704 kg ha-1) and RDF + water spray (2686 kg ha-1) but was at par with RDF + DAP 2% (3050 kg ha-1), RDF + MOP 0.5% (2992 kg ha-1) and RDF + Molybdenum 0.5% (2955 kg ha-1). The increase in seed yield with foliar application of 2% Urea along with RDF was 14.57% over control and 15.34% over RDF + water spray. Higher net returns (Rs. 49,006/- ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.23:1) was obtained in treatment RDF + Urea 2% followed by RDF + DAP 2% foliar spray. Availability of N, P and K was significantly higher with treatment RDF + Urea 2% foliar spray over control and RDF + water spray. N and P uptake by soybean plants was significantly higher in treatment RDF + 2% Urea over RDF + water spray and RDF alone (control).

Basal Application of Zinc to Improve Mung Bean Yield and Zinc-GrainsBiofortfication

Worldwide, the dietary deficiency of zinc (Zn) is prevailing in almost all arid and semi-arid regions. Zinc deficiency is not only the major constraint of lower yield, but also dietary Zn deficiency in cereals grains may cause increasing malnutrition and chronic health problems in human. Exogenous application of Zn through basal soil nutrition might be a useful option to recover Zn deficiency in mung bean. Therefore, field study was conducted to optimize the optimum level and method of Zn nutrition to enhance crop yield and Zn biofortification of mung bean through basal application. Zinc was applied at 0, 5, 10 and 15 kg/ha as basal application and side dressing, and in combination (50% basal application + 50% side dressing). The results highlighted that Zn nutrition prominently improved the mung bean yield as compared with control (no Zn applied). The maximum grains yield and Zn concentration in grains were obtained where Zn was applied at 15 kg/ha as basal application as compared with all other combinations. Better improvement in grain yield was due to significant increase in more number of pods and grain size owing to welldeveloped root system, improved leaf area index and high chlorophyll contents in mung beans leaves. Amongst all applied Zn nutrition’s the basal application of Zn (15 kg/ha) was a viable option to get higher yield and Zn biofortification of mung bean.

Enhancing growth and yield potential of paddy through potassium application in North-Eastern plains of India

Split application makes potassium available at peak crop requirement period whereas basal application appeared to accommodate maximum demand at initial growth stages resulting into fixation and other losses. To assess the most suitable and economic ways of potassium application on growth and yield of transplanted paddy in north-eastern plains of India, an experimented was conducted during 2017-18, to evaluate the performance of different levels of potassium applied at different times. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with 3 replications consisting of three levels of potassium application i.e. K1-100% RDK (40kg), K2-150% RDK (60kg) and K3-200% RDK (80kg) at four different times i.e. S1 (basal), S2 (50% basal + 50% at max. tillering), S3 (50% basal + 25% at max. tillering + 25% at PI) and S4 (75% as basal + 1% spray at maximum tillering and PI). The results revealed that with increase in the level of potassium, significant positive effects on all the growth parameters and yield attributes were observed whereas potassium application with S3 showed better crop performance. Increased level of potassium (200% RDK) recorded significantly higher grain yield (4999 kg ha-1) and straw yield (8488 kg ha-1). Thus, levels of potassium in paddy may safely be increased up to 200% for maximizing yield potential as well as net profit and it should be applied in split doses with 50% of it as basal, 25% at max. tillering and rest 25% at panicle initiation.

Evaluation of some insecticide modules against major insect pests and their natural enemies in rice, Oryza sativa L.

During present studies nine insecticides modules were assessed against major pests of rice and their natural enemies. Amongst them eight modules consist of a basal application of chlorantraniliprole 0.4 G @ 40 g a.i./ha at 20 DAT and third application of flonicamid 50 WG @ 75 g a.i./ha at 65 DAT and module ten was untreated control. Whereas module nine consist of a basal application of cartap hydrochloride 4G @ 600 g a.i./ha at 20 DAT followed by acephate 75 SP @ 658 g a.i./ha at 50 DAT and third application dinotefuran 20 SG @ 40 g a.i./ha at 65 DAT which was taken as farmers practice. All first eight insecticide modules differed with each other only second treatment which was applied at 50 DAT. The second treatments included: acephate 95 SG @ 682 g a.i./ha; cartap hydrochloride 50 WP @ 375 g a.i./ha; rynaxypyr 20 SC @ 30 g a.i./ha; fipronil 5 SC @ 75 g a.i./ha; spinetoram 6% + methoxyfenozide 30% SC @ 135 g a.i./ha; flubendamide 48 SC @ 48 g a.i./ha; azadirachtin 0.03 EC @ 8 g a.i./ha and chlorantraniliprole 0.4 G @ 40 g a.i./ha. The overall data revealed that all the treated plots recorded significantly lower per cent of dead heart, white ear-head caused by stem borer and plant hoppers respectively. Module with rynaxypyr 20 SC @ 30 g a.i./ha or spinetoram 6 + methoxyfenozide 30 SC @ 135 g a.i./ha treated plot recorded significantly higher % reduction of stem borer infestation and gave higher grain yield (5.26 t/ha and 5.15 t/ha respectively) than the other modules. Module with fipronil 5 SC @ 75 g a.i./ha recorded significantly lower number of plant hoppers than other modules. Among the different treated modules, the maximum numbers of spiders and mirid bugs were found in rynaxypyr 20 SC @ 30 g a.i./ha and azadirachtin 0.03 EC @ 8 g a.i./ha containing modules.

Effects of nutrient management on growth attributes and yield of high yielding rice (<em>Oryza sativa </em>L.) varieties of Chhattisgarh

The present investigation entitled “Effects of different nutrient management on growth attributes and yield of high yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties of Chhattisgarh” was conducted in northern hilly zone of Chhattisgarh at Rajmohini Devi College of Agriculture and Research Station, Ambikapur C.G. during kharif 2016-17. The study was comprised four treatments of nutrient management practices viz. M1-RDF (100: 60: 40 kg NPK ha-1), M2-150% RDF, M3-RDF (N– LCC) (Basal application of 30% N and full P+K and top dressing of Nitrogen as per LCC) and M4-Soil test based recommended dose for 7.0 t ha-1 grain yield (214: 42: 111 kg NPK ha-1) as main plots and five rice varieties viz. Rajeshwari, Durgeshwari, Maheshwari, Karma masuri and Indira Aerobic-1 as sub plots. The present study revealed that the maximum value of plant population (m-2), plant height (cm), number of leaves hill-1, number of tillers hill-1, dry matter accumulation (g hill-1) and crop growth rate (g day-1 hill-1) were recorded under treatment M4-Soil test based recommended dose for 7.0 t ha-1 grain yield (214: 42: 111 kg NPK ha-1) which was superior over other rest of the nutrient management practices. The application of treatment M4-Soil test based recommended dose for 7.0 t ha-1 grain yield (214: 42: 111 kg NPK ha-1) with variety Maheshwari produced maximum growth attributes and grain yield (60.83 q ha-1).

Impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendra on pearlmillet growers

Pearl millet is one of the most important sources of staple food and fodder in the predominantly rainfed areas of the Ajmer. Its grain has very high nutritive value for human consumption and livestock also relish its straw, both in fresh and dried forms. A study was conducted to find out the impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ajmer on knowledge and adoption of improved production technologies of pearl millet. Asample of 100 benefited and non benefited pearl millet growers were selected for the study. The results indicated that majority of benefited pearl millet growers (70%) were having high knowledge level regarding improved production technologies of pearl millet in comparison to only 16 per cent nonbenefited pearl millet growers. Further the data revealed that majority of benefited pearl millet growers (96%)fully and partially adopted the High Yielding Variety seeds, line sowing method and weed management practices. It was discouraging to note that both the categories of respondents have lowest adoption towards plant protection measures. Further, basal application of fertilizers, top dressing of urea, seed rate and spacing are also having low knowledge base of both the categories. Result also indicated that benefited respondents had more knowledge and more adoption than nonbenefited respondents regarding all the improved production technologies of pearl millet.

Nitrogen fertilizer management for enhancing productivity and nitrogen-use efficiency in Bt cotton

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi during kharif 2013–14 to study the effect of four nitrogen (N) levels on crop productivity and nitrogen-use efficiency in Bt cotton in a factorial randomised complete block design (RCBD). There were nine treatments, viz. (i) 4-N rates (100, 125, 150, and 175 kg/ha as urea), (ii) two rates of N application at sowing (0 and 30 kg N/ha) and (iii) one absolute control. Significantly higher seed cotton and lint yields were obtained with application of 175 kg N/ha along with basal application of 30 kg N/ha compared to remaining treatment combinations. Total N-uptake, N-harvest index and normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) of Bt-cotton were significantly higher at 175 kg N/ha compared with rest of N levels. However, highest N-use efficiency indices were recorded with 150 kg N/ha. A strong and positive correlation (r2=0.804-0.835) was observed between yield and NDVI indicating that NDVI could be used for predicting the potential yield of Bt cotton in semi-arid north Indian plains.

Evaluation of Replacement Ratio of Mixed Oilcake for Basal Application of Inorganic Fertilizers in Watermelon Cultivation at the Plastic Film House Soil

The objective of this study was analyzed the replacement ratio of mixed oil cakes(MC) for basal application of inorganic fertilizers. The fields were selected the plastic film house soils for watermelon cultivation. The MC were applied at 50(MC50+N50), 100(MC100), and 150(MC 150) % level of the basal amount of nitrogen fertilizer in soil testing recommendation. And these were compared to NPK treatment and -N(PK) treatment except nitrogen as inorganic fertilizer. The yields of watermelon in MC50+N50, MC100, and MC150 were similar to NPK treatment, but sugar contents as watermelon quality in MC50+N50, MC100, and MC150 were higher than NPK. In MC100 and MC150 treatments, nitrate nitrogen and electrical conductivity were lower than MC50+N50 treatment. Relative nitrogen efficiency of watermelon ranged 109 - 128%. These results suggest that MC application with the 100 - 150% level of nitrogen input as the basal dressing could be best to prevent a nutrient accumulation of soil and to increase the yield and commercial quality for watermelon. Changes in watermelon yield according to replacement ratio of basal amount of nitrogen fertilizer. ( ) mean relative yield of watermelon to NPK treatment. N, P, K, and MC mean nitrogen, phosphate, potash fertilizers, and mixed oil cakes, respectively. Treatment Fruit weight (g plant-1) Sugar contents (Brix) Weight of leaf, stem, and fruit (ton ha-1) -N (PK) 5,312(78)b† 10.0b 45.1b NPK 6,768(100)a 10.1b 58.0a MC 50+N50 6,866(101)a 11.1a 58.6a MC 100 6,963(103)a 11.5a 61.1a MC 150 6,960(103)a 11.7a 63.7a † Numbers with the same letter within a column are not significantly differed (Duncan's test, p < 0.05).

The effect of foliar application of the bio-stimulant “Felloton” on growth and yield of wheat.

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of spraying a sea weed extract with different concentration on growth and yield of two wheat cultivars (Barcelona and IPA99). The planets were fertilized with 40Kg N + 40Kg P hectare−1 as basal application. At the jointing stage the nutritional extract was sprayed with the following concentrations (control, 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, 500 ml/100 liter of water). The experiment laid out was in split-plot RCBD. The concentrations occupied the main plots and, the varieties had the sub-plots with three replicates. Results showed that Barcelona variety out yielded IPA cultivar on the over whole studied traits (plant height, leaf number, flag leaf area, plant dry weight, spike length, number of seed/spikes, weight of 100 grain, grain, and straw yield. The concentration 300 ml/100 liter of water gave the highest means. There was no significant difference between control with 200 ml/100 liter of water and 400 ml with 500 ml/100 liter of water in planet height, number of leaves, planer dry weight, spike length, number of seeds/spikes, weight of 100 grain, grain, and straw yield. Barcelona variety gave 5.16 ton of seed yield compared with 4.83 Ton hectare−1 for 1PA cultivar. The interaction between Barcelona and 300 ml/100 liter of water gave the best results.

Split application of reduced nitrogen rate improves nitrogen uptake and use efficiency in sweetpotato

Splitting nitrogen (N) application is beneficial for enhancing sweetpotato growth and promoting optimum yields under reduced N rates; however, studies concerning how split N can affect sweetpotato N dynamics and utilization are limited. Field experiments were conducted from 2015 to 2016 to determine how split N application affects sweetpotato N uptake and N use efficiency (NUE) under a reduced N rate. Two cultivars (Xushu 22 and Shangshu 19) were planted under four N treatments, a conventional basal application of 100 kg N ha−1 (100:0), a basal application of 80 kg N ha−1 (80:0), two equal split applications of 80 kg N ha−1 (basal and 35 days after transplanting, 40:40) and a N omission treatment (N0). Data from two years revealed that sweetpotato yields decreased at a reduced 20% N rate with a basal application (80:0); however, the reduced 20% N rate with a split application (40:40) significantly increased the yield by 16.6–19.0%. Although the 80:0 treatment decreased sweetpotato N uptake, the 40:40 treatment increased the N uptake by increasing the N uptake rate and prolonging the duration of the fast N uptake phase. In comparison to the basal application, the split N application used N more efficiently, showing consistently higher levels of agronomic use efficiency, recovery efficiency, physiological efficiency and partial factor productivity. NUEs under split N improved due to increased N uptake during the middle and late growth stages and a higher N partition ratio to the storage root. The above results indicate that split N application provides better N for crop developmental stages and is recommended as an alternative approach to simultaneously increasing storage root yield and NUE under a reduced N rate in sweetpotato production in China.

Agronomic Performance of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) Fertilized with Poultry Manure Enriched with Oil Palm Refuse Bunch Ash in a Low Fertile Soil

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the efficiency of poultry manure enriched with oil palm refuse bunch ash (OPRBA) on the growth and yield of sweet potato in a low fertile soil. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments involved five rates (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha-1) of oil palm refuse bunch ash (OPRBA) in the first year of the experiment. In the second year, the treatments were 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 t ha-1 of OPRBA. All plots were treated with a basal application of 15 t ha-1 of poultry manure. Data were collected on vine length (cm), number of branches, number of nodes, number of leaves, leaf area index (LAI) and total dry weight (g m-2) at 8 weeks after planting. Data on yield components were collected on tuber length (cm), tuber girth (cm), number of tubers, tuber size (kg), tuber weight (kg) and tuber yield (t ha-1). The results showed that vine length, number of branches, number of nodes, number of leaves and leaf area index and total dry weight increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) while increasing the rate of OPRBA. The highest tuber yield (50.22 t ha-1) was recorded for plants treated with 6 t ha-1 of OPRBA in 2016. In 2017, plants treated with 6, 8 and 10 t ha-1 OPRBA had the highest tuber yield (29.10, 30.00 and 32.00 t ha-1, respectively). Tuber yield correlated significantly (p &lt; 0.05) and positively with total dry weight (r = 0.748), LAI (r = 0.938), number of branches (r = 0.679), number of leaves (r = 0.879), number of nodes (r = 0.440), number of tubers (r = 0.561), tuber girth (r = 0.751), tuber length (r = 0.864), tuber size (r = 0.952) and vine length (r = 0.940). It is therefore suggested that poultry manure at the rate of 15 t ha-1 should be enriched with OPRBA at the rate of 6 t ha-1 for optimum production of sweet potato.

Effect of mulch and nutrients on growth and yield in transplanted ginger

The conventional propagation method using ginger rhizome being slow, a suitable method of raising ginger seed material in portrays has been devised by Indian Institute of Spices Research and Kerala Agricultural University. The advantages of this technology are production of healthy uniform planting materials and reduction in seed rhizome quantity which eventually reduced cost on rhizomes. The experiment was carried out in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during April 2016 to January 2017. The ginger variety used was Karthika. Field experiment was laid out in split plot design with four levels of mulches in main plots and fertilizer levels in sub plots with four replications. Two nodded rhizome bits of ginger cultivar was raised in protrays were transplanted at 55 days in beds taken in the interspaces of coconut. Plants that received M1 (30 t ha1) in main plot resulted in maximum plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves/plant shoot weight, fresh yield and dry yield treatment T2 (150:100:100 kg ha1 and their interaction (m1t2) also resulted in highest plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves/plant, shoot weight, fresh yield and dry yield on all periods of observation The results of the study indicated that ginger transplants intercropped in coconut garden, that mulching @ 30 t ha1 ( half at transplanting and half 2 MAT) along with 150:100:100 kg NPK ha-1 and basal application of 30 t ha-1 of farm yard manure could be recommended for higher yield and growth.

Seasonal differences in N release dynamic of controlled-released urea in paddy field and its impact on the growth of rice under double rice cropping system

Single basal application of bulk blending urea(BBU) which consists of both controlled-released urea(CRU) and conventional urea(U) has been proposed to facilitate fertilization and lower cost of CRU. Nevertheless, its effect on the growth, yield and N use efficiency(NUE) of rice in double rice cropping system under subtropical environment are still unknown. Field experiments were conducted at two different sites(Taishan county and Wengyuan county) simultaneously in Guangdong province to investigate the effects of single basal application of two types of BBU(P-BBU which consists of parabolic pattern CRU, and S-BBU which consists of sigmodial pattern CRU) on soil available N, grain yield and NUE. Conventional high-yield fertilization treatment with four split applications of U(FP) and no-N treatment(CK) were established as controls. The results demonstrated that BBU could provide similar or more adequate N nutrient for rice with FP during late rice season. BBU performed comparably to or better than FP on soil NH4+-N, dry matter, grain yield and NUE during late rice season. During early rice season, BBU performed comparably with FP on soil NH4+-N, N content of rice, dry matter, grain yield and NUE at Taishan site, while at Wengyuan site, it significantly reduced soil NH4+-N, N content of rice, dry matter and NUE compared with FP, and reduced grain yield slightly. Release tests in water and paddy field were conducted in order to evaluate the releasing dynamics of parabolic and sigmodial pattern CRU. Results showed that the N release rate of CRU in paddy field during early rice season was significantly slower than that during late rice season. This was closely correlated with the changing pattern of accumulated temperature. The N release rate of parabolic CRU in paddy field was faster and more sensitive to changing temperature than sigmodial CRU. Non-linear regression analysis shows that the N release patterns of sigmodial CRU in paddy fields were more close to N uptake of rice during both rice seasons. The grain yield of rice and NUE in S-BBU was higher slightly than P-BBU during both rice seasons. These results demonstrated that BBU obtained similar grain yield in double rice cropping system in South China, and S-BBU treatment is better for N requirement of rice during both seasons. Future studies should focus on optimizing and customizing the blending ratio of BBU for each rice season in double rice cropping system to increase crop yield and the robustness of BBU to changing weather conditions.

Evaluation of fertigation technique for phosphorus application of maize in the semi-arid region of Northeast China

To determine the best phosphorus (P) fertilizer management strategy in chernozem soil in the semi-arid region of Northeast China, a field experiment under film mulched drip irrigation was conducted for two consecutive years. Five P application methods were tested, including no P fertilizer applied (P0); P fertilizer one-time basal application (P1); one fertigation one time (P2); fertigation twice (P3) and fertigation four times (P4). The shoot dry matter weight, phosphorus accumulation, yield and POlsen in soil were measured regularly during the maize growing season. The results demonstrated that P fertilizer application methods imposed significant effects on dry shoot matter, the apparent P loss, P fertilizer use efficiency and yield of maize (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The yield, P agrinomic efficiency and P recovery efficiency of P4 treatment were significantly higher than P1 treatment by 4.2, 39.7, and 66.4% across two year. In addition, P4 treatment significantly enhanced the shoot dry matter weight after V12 stage, post-silking P uptake and reduced the apparent P loss. In conclusion, P fertigation and a rational frequency (e.g., fertigation four times) enable to keep the maximum grain yield, the shoot dry matter, and recovery efficiency of P fertilizer (66.4%) though changing agronomic methods for efficient acquisition of P toward a sustainable and productive agricultural fertigation system.

Comparative Effect of Different Modes of Nitrogen Application on Mineral Nutrients in Grains of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Grown At Two Different Locations in Bareilly

During Kharif season of 2014-15, field experiment were conducted at two different locations (Bilwa and Nawabganj) of Tarai region near Bareilly district (U.P., North India). Split applications of nitrogen fertilizer gave significantly higher values of Ca and Fe than those of basal applications at both the sites. However, site Bilwa was found to be more conducive for var. Jaya in respect to almost all mineral nutrients. For the chosen variety, split applications of nitrogen responded well for the mineral status, as compared to the full basal application.

Exploring the role of zinc fertilization methods for agronomic bio-fortification and its impact on phenology, growth and yield characteristics of maize

Zinc (Zn) is a key mineral nutrient for plant and human growth and its deficiency can reduce the plant growth and development, however; agronomic bio-fortification can cure plant and human Zn deficiency. By using different Zn fertilization approaches, this study investigated the role and its impact on phenology, growth and yield of maize during two growing seasons 2015 and 2016. The treatments comprised of: no Zn application (ZnC0), basal application of 10 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnB1), basal application of 15 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnB2), foliar application of 1% solution of ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnF3), foliar application of 1.5% solution of ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnF4) applied to two hybrids of maize (YSM-112 and DK-6525). The maize hybrid DK-6525 showed superiority in term of growth and yield than YSM-112. The ZnF4 brings early emergence, tasseling and silking that resulted in early crop maturity. However, ZnB2 improved crop growth rate, grain yield and Zn concentration in maize grain by 44, 11.39 and 33.24%, respectively than ZnC0 (control). Regression model indicated that each 1 g increment in 1000-grain weight improved the grain yield by 0.01 and 0.16 t ha-1 of YSM-112 and DK-6525, respectively. Conclusively, it is concluded that DK-6525 with ZnB2 is suitable for optimal growth and yield of maize and would also be helpful to optimize the yield and Zn concentration of maize.

Effect of Split N-Fertilizer Application on Soil Quality and Maize Yield of Tropical Alfisol

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of split application of nitrogen fertilizer on soil properties and maize yield. Two sites at Apatapiti layout, South gate of the Federal University of Technology Akure were used as the experimental sites. The experiment was designed in a randomized-complete-block design arrangement with three replications. The treatments consisted of urea applied at four levels of split application (0kgha-1, 60kgha-1 basal application, 30kgha-1 basal application+ 30kgha-1 applied at 15 days after planting, 30kgha-1basal application + 20kgha-1applied at 15 days after planting + 10kgha-1applied at 30 days after planting). The plot size was 2 m x 2 m with 1 m space between plots and blocks. Maize (Zea mays L. var. TZB-SR) was planted at 75 cm by 25 cm spacing and 10 were sampled per unit for yield parameters. Split application of urea (30kgha-1basal application + 20kgha-1applied at 15 days after planting + 10kgha-1applied at 30 days after planting) significantly (p&gt;0.05) increased N content of the soil. There was no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference with regard to other nutrients. Soil pH was significantly (p&gt;0.05) reduced as a result of urea application in all treatments. Split urea fertilizer application retained a considerable amount of nitrogen in soil even after the harvest of maize. Exchangeable cations were not significantly different from one another as well as CEC. Split application of urea (30kgha-1basal application + 20kgha-1applied at 15 days after planting + 10kgha-1applied at 30 days after planting) gave the highest grain yield of maize for both sites. Also, plant biomass of both split application were better than the basal application and control.