Basal Application Research Articles

Effects of Controlled Release Urea Formula and Conventional Urea Ratio on Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Direct-Seeded Rice

A one-off application of bulk blend urea (BBU), which includes a controlled release urea formula and conventional urea, has been recommended to simplify fertilisation management for direct-seeded rice. However, the effects of different basal application ratios of controlled-release urea formula and conventional urea on yield and nitrogen (N) use efficiency remain unknown in direct-seeded rice. This study set up three BBU treatments in which the controlled-release urea formula provided 50% (BBU1), 60% (BBU2), and 70% (BBU3) of the total N. This study measured their effects on grain yield and N use efficiency of direct-seeded rice. Split fertilisation with conventional urea was used as the control (CK). The study concluded four key points: (i) the grain yield of direct-seeded rice decreased as the proportion of controlled-release urea formula increased, (ii) BBU1 increased grain yields by 8.1–8.6% and 10.2–10.6% compared to BBU2 and BBU3, respectively, as well as a greater number of panicles and spikelets per m2, and post-anthesis dry matter accumulation, (iii) the N recovery efficiency and N agronomic efficiency of BBU1 were significantly higher than those of BBU2 and BBU3 treatments, and the nitrogen accumulation was also found to be more, and (iv) compared with the CK, BBU1 achieved considerable grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency while reducing the amount of fertilisation. In conclusion, the appropriate reduction of the basal application ratio of the controlled-release urea formula for direct-seeded rice increased grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency.

Effect of Organic Nutrients on Growth and Flowering Attributes of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under Terai Region of West Bengal

A field experiment was conductedat Instructional farm, Department of Floriculture, Medicinal and Aromatic plants, Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya during 2019-2020 to study the “Effect of organic nutrients on growth and flowering attributes of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under Terai region of West Bengal” with the objectives of different organic inputs for production of quantitative and qualitative flowers of African Marigold. Now a day’s organic cultivation practices have immense potentiality due to huge demand as because it resulted low health hazards as well as gave pollution free environment and improved soil fertility. The experiment was laid out by following Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design, consists of two factors in which first factor was varieties (Pusa Bahar-V1 and Pusa Narangi Gainda- V2)and second factor was ten treatments combination. Different Organic nutrients like Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermicompost, Poultry Manure, Sea Weed extract, Vermi wash and Mustard oil cake extract used in the experiments as basal application and foliar spray according to the treatments. The vegetative and floral attributes were recorded at peak flowering stage and the data was statisticallyanalysed. The data was significantly differed among the varieties, treatments and different treatment combinations with varieties. Between the two varieties, var.Pusa Narangi Gainda (V2) showed early flowering compared to var. Pusa Bahar (V1) but the longer duration of flowering (49.41 days) was observed with the var. Pusa Bahar (V1). Among the ten treatments,the treatment T10 (Poultry Manure @ 2.5t/ha + Vermiwash @ 3%) resulted the best against the important flowering parameters like total number of flowers per plant (55.73) and weight of ten fresh flowers (103.08 g). The var.Pusa Narangi Gainda when treated with Poultry Manure @ 2.5t/ha + Vermiwash @ 3% (T10)showed better performance in respect of several morphological and quality parameters of African Marigold. It may be recommended that the application of Poultry Manure@ 2.5t/ha as basal with combination of Vermi wash @3% spraying attwice (30 and 45 days after transplanting) during the plant growth for quantitative and qualitative producesof African Marigold in the terai region of West Bengal.

Effect of Soil Application and Foliar Spray of Sulphur Nutrition on Growth and Yield of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Aim: To study the effect of soil application and foliar spray of sulphur nutrient application in growth and development of black gram cultivation.
 Study Design: The Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) was used. The treatments of soil application of sulphur viz., No basal, Gypsum @ 25 kg ha-1, SOB @ 2 kg ha-1 as basal and foliar spray viz., No spray, pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1on 30 DAS, K2SO4 @ 1% on 45 DAS, pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1 on 30 DAS + K2SO4 @ 1% on 45 DAS were used.
 Place and Duration of Study: This research trail was conducted during the Winter season (February – May) of 2022 at ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sirugamani, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India.
 Methodology: The study consisted of 12 combination of treatments in FRBD which was replicated thrice. The black gram (Var. Vamban 8) was used for this study. The observations were recorded during the different phases of growth at regular intervals.
 Results: The experimental results revealed that the interaction effect of application of gypsum as basal along with foliar spray of pulse wonder + K2SO4 found to be superior and recorded significantly higher growth, yield and quality parameters viz., plant height, number of branches plant-1, dry matter accumulation, SPAD value at 20 DAS, 40 DAS and 60 DAS number of pods plant-1, number of seed pod-1, pod length, pod weight and sulphur content in seed. Gypsum as basal application along with foliar spray of pulse wonder + K2SO4 proved to be the best and increased the grain yield of 30% over the no basal application and no foliar spray. Thus application of gypsum @ 25 kg ha-1 as basal and foliar spray of pulse wonder @ 5 kg ha-1 on 30 DAS + K2SO4 @ 1% on 45 DAS could be recommended for improving the productivity of black gram.

Influence of organic nutrient sources on growth and yield of green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

To validate the effect of organic manures on growth and yield of green chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) a field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during December 2021- June 2022. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with thirteen treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments include basal application of organic inputs viz. FYM (25 t ha-1), Vermicompost (5 t ha-1), Ganajeevamrutha (200 kg ha‑1), Humic acid (25 kg ha-1), Ganajeevamrutha (200 kg ha‑1) + Jeevamrutha (500 l ha-1) along with standard check (recommended dose of NPK fertilizers with micronutrient spray). Foliar spray of Panchagavya (3%) and banana pseudostem sap (2%) at 45, 60 and 75 days after transplanting was done in all the treatments as separate sets. Growth and yield parameters were observed in randomly selected 5 plants from each treatment plot. Application of recommended dose of NPK fertilizers + Panchagavya @ 3% foliar spary (T11) recorded highest plant height (34.33 cm, 55.33 cm, 61.00 cm), number of branches plant-1 (6.53, 9.50, 11.00) on 30, 60, 90 DAT respectively. Number of flowers plant-1 (59.33, 80.00, 76.33) on 60, 75 and 90 DAT. Fruit length (8.41cm), fruit weight (3.82 g), number of fruit plant-1 (158.8) and yield plant‑1 (511.3 g) than all other approaches. Followed by organic treatment viz. application of FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + Panchagavya @ 3% FS (T1) recorded highest plant height (27.67 cm, 46.67 cm, 51.50 cm), number of branches plant-1 (5.53, 7.10, 8.97) on 30, 60, 90 DAT respectively. Number of flowers plant-1 (49.00, 71.27, 65.60) on 60, 75 and 90 DAT. Fruit length (7.66 cm), fruit weight (3.50 g), number of fruit plant-1 (133.0) and yield plant‑1(419.9 g plant-1) than control (T13). Hence these organic strategies can be adopted in organic chilli cultivation.

Restoration of rainwater techniques and fertilizer split application methods on yield and total nutrient uptake of rainfed sorghum under vertisols (Typic haplusterts)

In rainfed situation soil erosion, low plant nutrients availability and soil moisture stress during cropping season are among the major limitations to high crop production and sustainable land management in a rainfed Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT) in India. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of land configuration practices and fertilizer split application methods under vertisols condition in Rabi sorghum. The results revealed that the in-situ soil moisture conservation practices viz., broad bed furrow registered the highest yield attributes, yield, soil fertility status and plant nutrient uptake in rainfed sorghum. Under vertisols rainfed condition soil moisture conservation methods viz., broad bed furrow recorded higher yield (1611 kg/ha), net income (Rs.6675/ha), BC ratio (1.37) and RWUE (4.49 kg/hamm). But in case of fertilizer treatments, the treatment applied with 20 kg N as urea + 20 kg P2O5 enriched with farm yard manure + 10 kg K2O/ha as basal application and top dressing as 20kg N as urea and 10kg K kg/ha registered higher yield attributes, grain yield (1734 kg/ha), stalk yield (4357 kg/ha), net income (Rs.10607), BC ratio (1.70) and RWUE (4.81 kg/hamm) and plant nutrient uptake viz., nitrogen uptake (67.82 kg/ha), phosphorus uptake (19.30 kg/ ha), potassium uptake (108.06 kg/ha) and zinc uptake (117.1), respectively.

<i>Beauveria bassiana</i> as an effective IPM component against cotton stem weevil <i>Pempherulus affinis</i> Faust

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in reduction of cotton stem weevil in ecofriendly manner is attaining importance in recent days. In present study, three treatments including IPM module 1, IPM module 2 and farmers’ practice were imposed against cotton stem weevil in a field trial. Among the three treatments, IPM module 2 which included basal application of FYM 25 t/ha and 250 kg/ha of neem cake, seed treatment with Beauveria bassania @10g/kg of seed, border crop with Hibiscus cannabinus, soil drenching with Imidacloprid 17.80 SL @ 25 g a.i./ha (125 ml/ha) at 15 DAS and placement of cotton stem bits (25 kg/500box/ha) + Hibiscus cannabinus stem bits (25 kg/500box/ha) + Chlorpyriphos dust 1.5 DP (2.5 kg/500box/ha) @ 30 DAS followed by earthing up @ 30 DAS recorded least stem weevil infestation of 13.21% with a yield of 1642.75 kg/ha. It was followed by IPM module 1 (21.78%) and farmers’ practice (33.56%) with yield of 1456.25 kg/ha and 1588.25 kg/ha, respectively. The mean survival of plants was also higher in IPM module 2 (94.28%) followed by farmers’ practice (88.57%) and IPM module 1 (80.00%).

Influence of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Formulations on Rice Yield in the Guinea Savanna Zone of Ghana

Low soil fertility has been a major constraint to the increased and sustainable rice production in the Guinea savanna zone of Ghana. Studies were conducted in four locations to evaluate the yield of rice under different fertilization regimes. The fields were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications for each fertilizer treatment. Data were collected on grain yield and seed mass, and subjected to analysis of variance, with treatment means separated at a 5% level of significance. Significant improvement in rice grain yield was realized in all study locations due to the fertilizer treatments. Grain yield improvement of up to 4,280 kg/ha was obtained. The best two performing fertilization regimes in improving rice grain yield were UNIK-CLB+AMI and ACT-CLB+AMI. In general, rice grain yield among treatments containing CropLiftBio (CLB) foliar treatments was statistically similar. Application of ACT+URE or UNIK+ACT with no the CropLiftBio foliar supplementation consistently demonstrated lower grain yields in rice compared to the other fertilizer treatments. Rice grain mass was, however, not significantly impacted by the fertilization regimes in all study locations. From the results of this study, Activa fertilizers used as basal treatment was unsuitable for rice production in the ecology as these generally provided lower grain yields. For maximum grain yield in rice, UNIK (NPK 15:15:15) fertilizer was the most recommended. The basal application of UNIK at 125 kg/ha and topdressing with Amidas at 125 kg/ha with CropLiftBio foliar supplementation will provide better yields for farmers than applying any of the formulations with Activa as a topdress.

Effect of Row Spacing and Organic Manures on Growth and Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

A field experiment was carried out at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P) in Rabi 2021-2022 to study the “Effect of Row spacing and Organic manures on Growth and Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)”. It was consisting of three combinations of Row spacing & Organic manures. The experiment laid out in Randomized Block Design which consisting of nine treatments with 18 cm+ FYM 5 tons/ ha,18 cm + Neem cake 0.8 t, 18 cm + Vermicompost 2 t, 20 cm + FYM 5 tons ha, 20 cm + Neem cake 0.8 t., 20 cm + Vermicompost 2 t,22.5 cm+ FYM 5 tons /ha ,22.5 cm+ Neem cake 0.8 t, 22.5 cm + Vermicompost 2 t. The experiment results revealed that the growth parameters and yield parameters such as plant height (79.74 cm), dry weight (19.77 g/plant), number of Tillers/m2 (449.40), number of grains/spike (25.33) and test weight (51.33 g) at harvest, significantly recorded in treatment 8 with the application of 22.5 cm+ Neem cake 0.8 t. Moreover, grain yield (5.22 t/ha), straw yield (7.95 t/ha) and harvest index (45.28%), were also recorded significantly higher in the treatment of 8 which is 22.5 cm + Neem cake 0.8 t/ha among all treatments. The row spacing along with basal application of organic manures could be a promising option for growth and yield enhancement in barley.

Impact of Tillage and Phosphorus Application on Agronomic Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) in the Eastern Part of DRC

There is limited information on the impact of tillage and Phosphorus application on Phosphorus Agronomic efficiency of maize and, the implication for crop yield on different soil types in the Eastern part of DRC. To bridge this gap in knowledge, a study was undertaken in the major rainy season of 2018 on an Orthi-Ferric Acrisol at Walungu and Rhodic Lixisol at Mulungu in the Easter montain of DRC. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications for both locations. There were two variants for the tillage factor: conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) systems and four phosphorus application rates: 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5 in the form of triple superphosphate (TSP) designated as P0, P30, P60 and P90, with basal applications of nitrogen and potassium at the rates of 90 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg K2O ha-1. Phosphorus use efficiency indices such as partial factor productivity (PFP) and agronomic efficiency (PAE) were evaluated. The results showed tillage to generally influence P use efficiency of maize in both experimental sites at harvesting with good values for CT. Phosphorus was efficiently utilized by the maize crops at on both soils. Significant tillage x phosphorus interactions (p<0.05) were recorded among treatment combinations with regards to PFP and PAE at both Walungu and Kabare Though CTP60 Kabare recorded the highest grain yield comparable to that of CTP60 at Walungu. Although its limitation in most of tropical soil, Phosphorus can be used efficiently under valuable tillage systems for sustainable crop production in this area.

Modeling ammonia volatilization following urea and controlled-release urea application to paddy fields

• The WHCNS model performed well in simulating NH 3 flux measured by a continuous ventilation method. • Urea split application reduced the peak of NH 3 flux but increased total NH 3 loss. • Controlled-release urea application significantly reduced NH 3 loss compared to urea. • The controlled-release urea rate was recommended to reduce N loss without reducing yield. Ammonia volatilization, a main pathway of nitrogen (N) loss in paddy fields, can easily lead to environmental problems, such as haze and water eutrophication. Field measurement of ammonia volatilization is time-consuming and expensive. Soil–crop system models can simulate the effect of different fertilizer management practices on NH 3 volatilization and compensate for the limitations of field measurement. Therefore, the WHCNS (soil Water Heat Carbon Nitrogen Simulator) model was used to evaluate the feasibility of simulating NH 3 volatilization in paddy fields under different N fertilizer types and application methods. The field experiment, including four treatments of farmer’s practice (FP), basal application of urea in one dose (SBN), split application of urea in three doses (SPN), and basal application of controlled-release urea in one dose (CRU), was conducted from 2013 to 2014. All treatments were conducted with a fertilizer rate of 165 kg N ha −1 , except for FP with a rate of 210 kg N ha −1 . The measured dry matter weight, grain yield, N uptake, and NH 3 flux were used to test the WHCNS model. The model evaluation indices of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency ( NSE ) and index of agreement ( d ) were close to 1 for the measured variables, except for NSE of yield (0.16). The normalized root mean square error ( NRMSE ) of NH 3 flux was slightly over 30%, but lower than 30% for the other items. Results showed that the model can successfully simulate rice yield and NH 3 flux of urea and controlled-release urea under different application methods. The simulated annual average cumulative NH 3 losses of FP, SBN, SPN, and CRU accounted for 18.9%, 17.8%, 20.6%, and 10.1% of their N inputs, respectively. Compared with the FP treatment, the ratios of NH 3 losses of the SBN and CRU treatments were decreased by 1.2%-8.8%. Compared with the SBN treatment (the same rate of 165 kg N ha −1 ), SPN reduced the peak of NH 3 flux but increased the cumulated NH 3 losses and CRU significantly reduced the NH 3 flux and cumulative NH 3 losses. The application rate of controlled-release urea could be further optimized by refined model calculations to reduce NH 3 volatilization and total N loss while maintaining yield.

Effect of Combined Application of Slow-Release and Conventional Urea on Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Rice and Wheat under Full Straw Return

The effects of one-time basal application of different mixtures of slow-release urea (SRU) and conventional urea (CU) on yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice and wheat were investigated to determine the appropriate ratios of SRU to CU for one-time basal fertilization in a rice–wheat rotation farmland under full residue incorporation. A field plot experiment was used in this study. Six treatments were established as follows: CK (no nitrogen fertilizer applied), T0 (100% CU, 50% applied as basal fertilizer and 50% applied as jointing fertilizer), T3 (one-time basal application of SRU and CU mixture with 30% SRU), T5 (one-time basal application of SRU and CU mixture with 50% SRU), T7 (one-time basal application of SRU and CU mixture with 70% SRU), and T10 (one-time basal application of 100% SRU). The results showed that the combined application of SRU and CU increased the yields of rice and wheat. Treatment T7 resulted in the highest rice yield, and T3 resulted in the highest wheat yield, which were 25.6% and 29.4% higher, than those of treatment T0, respectively. Compared with treatment T0 (application of CU alone), the combined application of SRU and CU resulted in 27.4–96.5% and 22.8–57.1% higher NUE in rice and wheat, respectively.

Application of controlled-release compound fertilizer to mechanically dry direct-seeded rice increased rice biomass, nutrient accumulation and yield

To clarify the effects of mechanically dry direct-seeded rice (MD-DSR) through drilling and controlled-release compound fertilizer (CRF) on rice production, field experiments were carried out with mixed controlled-release urea; controlled-release potassium; and common urea, phosphorus and potash fertilizers as test materials. The experiment was implemented with a split-plot design, with fertilization modes as the main plots and two varieties (indica and japonica) as the subplots. The fertilization modes were a one-time application of CRF (denoted Indica and Japonica when applied to indica and japonica, respectively), a basal application of CRF followed by topdressing with urea at the tillering stage (Indica + N, Japonica + N) and three-time fertilization, representing typical farmer fertilization practices (FFP) (Indica + FFP, Japonica + FFP). The results showed that the yields of indica and japonica rice were 5.5–15.8% and 5.3–16.3% higher, respectively, under the two CRF treatments than under FFP in the 3 years of the experiment. The effective tiller percentage, shoot and root biomass, root-shoot ratio, and harvest index of the population and the biomass per plant of indica and japonica rice improved under the two CRF treatments relative to FFP. The Indica + FFP and Japonica + FFP plants exhibited higher total N accumulation but significantly lower fertilizer partial productivity than the corresponding plants under the two CRF treatments. The net benefits to indica and japonica under the two CRF treatments were higher than those under FFP. Therefore, MD-DSR combined with the one-time application of CRF can increase rice yield, reduce fertilizer and labor costs, and benefit rice production.

Zinc Fertilization: Effects on Nutrients Availability and Productivity of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In India, zinc is considered as the fourth important yield limiting nutrient after nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and it is essential for increasing crop production and enhancing animal and human health. To address these challenges, zinc fertilizations (basal & foliar) are practised for enhancing the soil health and crop productivity. The two years (2020-21 & 2021-22) on farm trial established at farmers field of district Saran, Bihar with the aim to compare the methods of zinc fertilization on plant available nutrients and crop productivity. An on farm trial was laid out in randomised block design involved seven replication of three different treatments viz., T1: NPK- 130:40:20 kg ha-1 (Farmer’s Practice), T2: RDF (NPK-120:60:40 kg ha-1 + Zn @ 5.0 kg ha-1 and T3: RDF (NPK-120:60:40 kg ha-1) + foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 at 25 DAT. The pooled results of two years trial revealed that basal application of RDF-NPK and Zn (T2) significantly improved the soil organic carbon by 16.22%, plant available N by 11.96%, plant available P by 15.32%, plant available K by 10.99% and plant available Zn by 24.00% as compared to farmers practice. The crop productivity was also improved by 24.22% and 14.43% in treatment having basal application of Zn (T2) and foliar application of Zn (T3), respectively over farmers practice (T1). A positive polynomial relationship was obtained between soil organic carbon and plant available zinc due to soluble complexes form by zinc with soil organic matter. Thus, the basal fertilization method of zinc @ 5.0 kg ha-1 along with RDF-NPK is potentially recommended over foliar method and farmer practices to semi arid region of Bihar.

Influence of yellow gypsum on nutrient uptake and yield of groundnut in different acid soils of Southern India

Yellow gypsum (YG), a synthetic product from Linz-Donawitz slag containing high iron (Fe) (5.41%), zinc (Zn) (0.37%) and silicon (Si) (3.41%) can be used as a source of these nutrients along with calcium (Ca) and sulphur (S) for groundnut production. Three field experiments were conducted to know the effect of different rates (500 and 625 kg YG ha−1) and time of application (basal alone and basal + split) of YG on growth, yield and economic returns of groundnut, and micronutrient and Si availability and their uptake in comparison with basal application of 500 kg natural gypsum (NG) ha−1. Basal alone and basal + split application of YG significantly increased the growth, yield and economic returns of groundnut. Further, it increased the soil pH, availability of micronutrients, Si and their uptake by haulm and kernel of groundnut over NG. Irrespective of the location, YG application recorded higher plant available nutrient (PAN) coefficient of micronutrients, while NG application recorded higher PAN recovery coefficient of Si. Basal + split application of YG resulted in better growth and yield of groundnut than basal application of YG. In conclusion, YG can be a potential alternative for NG as a source of Fe, Zn and Si along with Ca and S for groundnut production.

Effect of zinc and boron management on yield and yield contributing characters of Aus rice (Oryza sativa)

Zinc (Zn) and boron (B) are two of the most important micronutrients for plants which play vital role in various metabolic functions. However, deficiency of these nutrients elements in agricultural soils is very common and it has been associated with lower yield of rice in many regions of the world. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh during the period from May 2019 to August 2019 to study the effect of different levels of Zn and B fertilizers on the yield of Aus rice (cv. BRRI dhan48). The experiment included four levels of Zn fertilizer (ZnSO4.7H2O) management and three levels of boron fertilizer (boric acid) management. The Zn treatments were 0 kg/ha (control), basal application @ 10 kg/ha, basal application @ 5 kg/ha + soil application during active tillering stage @ 5 kg/ha, and foliar application (0.5% solution of ZnSO4.7H2O) during flag leaf stage. The B fertilizer managements were 0 kg/ha (control, 1.5 kg/ha basal application, and foliar application of 2% solution of H3BO3 during flag leaf stage. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Zn and B boosted all studied parameters of rice in comparison to their controls, i.e., no fertilization. The highest values for grain yield and almost all yield contributing characters of rice were obtained from foliar application of H3BO3 during flag leaf stage. The highest number of filled grains/panicle and grain yield were obtained from foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O. The results also showed that grain yield of rice increased with increasing levels of both Zn and B up to 4.39 t/ha and 4.29 t/ha, respectively. For the maximum grain yield of Aus rice cv. BRRI dhan49, 2% solution of H3BO3 coupled with 0.5% of ZnSO4.7H2O solution should be applied during flag leaf stage. Further research should be conducted on different agro-ecological zones to assess the interaction between Zn and B in different soil types.

Influence of nitrogen levels on yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under different irrigation regimes

The proper irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer management are crucial for sustainable and potential production of French bean as a legume crop overall favoring human nutrition. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during November 2018 to April 2019 at Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University to assess the impact of irrigation and nitrogen at the yield performance on French bean. The stages of irrigation viz., no irrigation, one irrigation during flowering at 40 days after sowing (DAS), two irrigations during flowering (40 DAS) and pod formation stage (60 DAS), and three levels of nitrogen viz., no nitrogen fertilizer, 90 kg N/ha at 100% basal application, 45 kg N/ha at 50% basal application and 45 kg N/ha at 50% pod development stage (60 DAS) were utilized in a Split-plot layout allocating irrigation to the whole plots. The treatments were replicated three times. Yield and yield attributes were appreciably influenced by both irrigation and nitrogen treatments. From irrigation treatment, the highest plant, quantity of pod/plant, length of pod, number of seed/pod, number of seed/plant, weight of 1000 grains, stover yield, biological yield and harvest index were observed in one irrigation at flowering stage at 40 DAS which consequently produced the best grain yield (2.07 t/ha); while the least grain yield (1.48 t/ha) found in control or no irrigation treatment. Considering nitrogen, the best seed yield was recorded in (45+45) kg nitrogen/ha. In interaction, the highest plant (42.87cm), number of pod/plant (5.64), length of pod (15.24), weight of 1000 grains, grain, stover, and biological yields (2.52, 3.76, and 6.29 t/ha, respectively) and the harvest index were observed in one irrigation during flowering (40 DAS) and 90kg N/ha at 50% (45 kg) basal application and 50% (45 kg) at pod development stage (60 DAS). The experiment results indicated to the scope of increasing the yield of French bean by irrigation at flowering stage and proper doses of nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, the application of one-time irrigation during flowering stage along with 90 kg nitrogen/ha at 50% (45 kg) as basal and 50% (45 kg) at pod development stage (60 DAS) can be recommended as the promising technique for French cultivation.

Influence of potassium fertilization on the functional components and antioxidant activity of pummelo [Citrus maxima (Burm. Ex Rumph.) Merr.] fruit

This study aimed to determine the influence of potassium (K) fertilization on the functional components and antioxidant activity of 13-year-old 'Magallanes' pummelo [Citrus maxima (Burm. Ex Rumph.) Merr.]. The field experiment was conducted at South Davao Corporation (SODACO) farm, Davao City for 12-month duration. Five treatments with increasing K levels were applied per tree: control, no K, 150g K basal, 225g K basal, and 225g K basal + foliar application. The functional components and antioxidant activity were analyzed following harvest at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. Application of 225g K rates positively influenced functional components of pummelo. The yield of total phenol, flavonoid, vitamin C and oil per tree increased by 3-10 times with 225g K application. The effects of basal alone and foliar + basal application of K were only significantly different from each other in terms of flavonoid yield per tree. On the other hand, the application of 225g K basal + foliar resulted to higher total phenol, vitamin C and oil yield per tree in pummelo, implying a higher mobilization of K in the leaves than K uptake by the roots. The results of the study indicated the important role of K in improving the functional components in 'Magallanes' pummelo.

​Effectiveness of Foliar and Soil Application of Zinc Fertilizer on Growth Characteristics of Vigna unguiculata

Background: The Zinc deficiency is a worldwide nutritional constraint for crop production in many types of soil. Appropriate application methods of Zn fertilizer are still unclear. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Zn fertilizer and application methods on the growth characteristics of Vigna unguiculata. Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Zinc fertilizer and application method on photosynthetic characteristics and yield of Vigna unguiculata from June to September of 2019, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. A pot experiment was conducted as a factorial design with 3 replications. Result: The application of 15 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha increased chlorophyll content in leaves, improved photosynthesis and increased protein content of Vigna unguiculata, when applied as foliar application as opposed to being applied in basal application. These results have important implications for guiding the rational application of Zinc fertilizer and improving the yield of Vigna unguiculata.

Effects of coated slow-release fertilizers on nitrous oxide emission from winter wheat field in a cool-temperate region in Japan

ABSTRACT To elucidate the effects of slow-release fertilizers on nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from fields with winter wheat cultivation in cool-temperate regions, we conducted a two-year field experiment in Hokkaido. Four types of fertilizer treatment, i.e., urea (U), coated urea (CU), coated calcium nitrate (CC), and no nitrogen fertilizer (NN) were investigated. In the U treatment, urea was applied at 40 and 90 + 60 kg N ha−1 in autumn and in spring, respectively. In the CU and CC treatments, all the nitrogen (190 kg N ha−1) was applied using coated fertilizers in autumn for the first cultivation, whereas nitrogen was applied at 130 kg N ha−1 using the coated fertilizers in autumn and the remaining 60 kg N ha−1 was applied using urea in spring for the second cultivation. The magnitudes and seasonal courses of N2O flux did not largely differ among the treatments (i.e., types of fertilizer), including the NN treatment in most of the experimental periods except that the N2O fluxes were higher in the U and CU treatments than in the CC and NN treatments at the beginning of the second wheat cultivation. In all the treatments, the N2O flux showed the highest peak immediately after basal fertilization, followed by other small peaks in autumn. After the next spring, the N2O flux consistently remained low until the wheat harvest including immediately after the end of snowmelt and after supplemental fertilizations. Cumulative N2O emissions tended to be lower in the CC treatment than in the U and CU treatments, although these differences in the emissions were not statistically significant. Although the wheat grain yields were lower in the CU and CC treatments than in the U treatments, the differences were small for the second wheat cultivation. These results indicate that reduction in N2O emission with no decrease in the wheat yield can be achieved by the basal application of slow-release nitrate fertilizer combined with the supplemental application of conventional fertilizer in winter wheat cultivation in Hokkaido, although further studies are still necessary to determine the optimum allocation levels of the basal and supplemental nitrogen applications.

Nitrogen application practices to reduce cadmium concentration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in paddy soils creates challenges in rice grain production, thereby threatening food security. The effectiveness of different base-tillering-panicle urea application ratios and the combined basal application of urea and Chinese milk vetch (CMV, Astragalus sinicus L.) in minimizing Cd accumulation in rice grains was explored in a Cd-contaminated acidic soil via a field experiment. The results indicated that under similar nitrogen (N) application rates, an appropriate amount of urea applied at the panicle stage or the combined basal application of urea and CMV decreased Cd absorption by rice roots and its accumulation in rice grains, as compared with that of conventional N application (control). Furthermore, under a 3:4:3 base-tillering-panicle urea application ratio or under a high basal application of CMV (37,500kg hm-2), Cd concentrations in brown rice were significantly lower (40.7% and 34.1%, respectively) than that of control. Cadmium transport coefficient from root to straw was significantly higher than that of control when an appropriate amount of urea was applied at the panicle stage or when urea and CMV were applied basally, whereas the Cd transport coefficient from straw to brown rice was relatively lower. Moreover, soil pH, or the CEC and CaCl2-Cd concentrations under different N fertilizer treatment was not significantly different. However, the rice grain yield increased by 29.4% with basal application of a high CMV amount compared with that of control. An appropriate amount of urea applied at the panicle stage or the combined basal application of urea and CMV decreased Cd absorption by rice roots and inhibited its transport from straw to brown rice, thus reducing Cd concentration in brown rice. Therefore, combined with the key phase of Cd accumulation in rice, a reasonable urea application ratio or a basal application of high CMV amounts could effectively reduce Cd concentration in brown rice.