Combination Of Organic Manure Research Articles

​Nutrient Release Pattern of a Fortified Manure Disc and its Implication on Yield of Tomato in Sandy Soils

Background: Development of fortified organic formulations using various organic sources and fertilizers for soil application will ensure efficient nutrient management in homestead vegetable production systems. Fortified organic formulations will help in preventing nutrient leaching also. Hence, the present study has been undertaken during 2019-20 to develop low cost fortified organic manure discs using various biodegradable agro waste materials and NPK fertilizers and to study its effect on growth and yield of tomato in sandy soils of Kerala. Methods: A fortified manure disc was developed by combining local biodegradable agro waste materials with conventional NPK fertilizers. Organic manures like rice husk ash, cow dung, rice husk, coirpith compost, vermicompost, neem cake and clay were used to develop the manure disc. The combination of organic manures was fortified with fertilizers at various proportions of manure: fertilizer viz., 1:1, 2:1, 0.5:1 and manure alone and used for incubation for a period of two months to study the nutrient release pattern of N, P and K.The 2:1(manure: fertilizer) formulation was selected based on the highest peak of nutrient availability of N, P and K even after 2 months. Effect of fortified manure disc was evaluated by using tomato variety Anagha as test crop in a pot culture experiment. Result: Growth, yield and quality of tomato increased significantly due to the application of fortified manure disc. The highest yield per plant of 0.97 kg was recorded for T8 (50% recommended dose fortified manure disc in 2 splits) and lowest yield was recorded for T9 (Manure alone). The fortified manure disc had a significant influence on nutrient use efficiency also. The highest NUE of 45.5% was recorded in treatment T8 (50% fertilizer fortified discs in 2 splits). Study revealed that fortified manure disc is a promising technology to reduce nutrient leaching and enhancing the nutrient use efficiency in sandy soils. Fifty percentage reduction in the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers were achieved by fortifying the manure disc with fertilizers.Thus the cost of fertilizers and fertilizer load per unit area can be reduced by the application of fortified manure disc which will act as slow release fertilizer.

Performance of Organic Manures on Growth and Yield of Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i> L.) Under Jatropha Based Alley Cropping System

Field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different organic manures (FYM + Neem cake + Vermicompost) application on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) under Jatropha based alley cropping system at the forest nursery, School of Forestry and Environment, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad (U.P.) India. Total of eight treatments including control were replicated three times. The data recording on plant height, number of branches and number of leaves per plant, number of fruit per plant, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit yield per plant at different interval 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and 120 days to evaluate the performance of different combination of organic manures on growth and yield of tomato were found to be maximum in T 7 [FYM + Neem cake +Vermicompost] followed by T 5 [FYM + Vermicompost], T 4 [Fym + Neem cake], T 6 [Neem + Vermicompost], T 3 [Vermicompost] and minimum in T 0 (Control) under the jatropha based alley cropping system. Therefore FYM + Neem cake +Vermicompost can be best combination of jatropha trees if tomato is to be planted. Moreover compared to open field cultivation of tomato crops in growth and yield slightly decreased under the jatropha based alley cropping system. This was due to the allelopathic effect of jatropha on tomato. Although growth and yield slightly decreased however tomato cultivation under jatropha based alley cropping system profited by providing biodiesel and tomato crop at the same time period. Ultimately this will help in reaching goals of sustainable agriculture.

Effect of chemical fertilizers and organic sources on growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and soil fertility

Field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) to evaluate the effect of different chemical fertilizers and organic manures on growth, yield and quality of turmeric in district Sangli (Maharashtra). The treatments consisted of 12 combinations of chemical fertilizers and organic manures (farmyard manure, vermicompost and neem cake) including unamended control. Results indicated that application of 50% recommended chemical fertilizer dose (RDF) + 50% N through neem cake was significantly better in improving fresh weight of primary and secondary rhizome, total weight of rhizomes per plant and marketable yield of rhizome (251.2 q/ha) compared to 100% RDF. The treatment of 50% RDF + 50% N as neem cake was also superior for enhancing the quality parameters of turmeric such as fats, protein, carbohydrates and curcumin content. The treatment combinations of 50% RDF + FYM or neem cake or vermicompost improved many of the soil fertility parameters compared to no application of organic manures. The present study reported that combination of organic manures, biofertilizers (Azospirrillium, P solubilizing bacteria) and inorganic fertilizer showed significant improvement in the growth, yield and quality of turmeric along with the improvement in soil fertility.

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON YIELD PARAMETERS OF MEDICINAL COLEUS (COLEUS FORSKOHLII BRIQ.)

Medicinal coleus is one of the most important medicinal crop in India. It plays an important role in medicinal industries. The demand of tuberous roots are high but the production is low. Therefore, the research was conducted to know the “Effect of Integrated nutrient management on yield of medicinal coleus (Coleus forskohlii Briq.)” at Sirukalathur village, Ariyalur District – Tamilnadu during 2018-2020. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. The plants are treated by using different combination of organic manures (Fym, neem cake and castor cake) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK) along with bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum and Azotobacter). Among these various treatments the plants treated by T5 (75 % RDF + FYM @ 15 t ha-1 + Castor cake @ 2 t ha-1 + Azotobacter @10 kg ha-1) is influenced the yield attributes of medicinal coleus like, maximum number of tuberous roots plant-1, root length, root girth and fresh and dry weight of tuberous roots ha-1

Integrated Nutrient Management Enhances Soil Quality and Crop Productivity in Maize-Based Cropping System

Soil quality deterioration, especially in intensive cropping systems, has become a serious problem for crop productivity; consequently, strategies for sustainable crop production and soil health are urgently required. Experiments on fields were organized to investigate the impact of organic manures on crop productivity, soil physiochemical properties and soil water availability in a maize-based cropping system. The experiment consisted of five treatments, including organic manures (OM) and inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers applied separately and in combinations: NPK = 250-150-125 Kg/ha (recommended rate), farmyard manure (FYM) = 16 t/ha, poultry manure (PM) = 13 t/ha, NPK + FYM = 150-85-50 Kg/ha + 8.5 t/ha and NPK + PM = 150-85-50 Kg/ha + 7.0 t/ha. The results showed that the combination of OM with mineral fertilizers increased crop productivity, fertilizer use efficiency and yield sustainability indices over the treatments amended with sole application of mineral fertilizers and OM. The analysis of undisturbed soil samples during different crop growth stages revealed that the addition of OM decreased the bulk density and increased the pore volume of soil at the beds of 0–20 and 20–40 cm. The application of OM to the soil not only increased saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil but also improved total available and readily available water contents to the plants, especially when FYM was included at 16 t ha−1. Soil-water retention properties recorded over the entire seven-day monitoring period following irrigation in the OM-amended treatments were consistently higher than the sole mineral NPK application treatments. When testing the soil nutrient status during different crop growth stages, it was noted that by adding OM into the soil not only the status of the organic carbon of soil, extractable N and K and available P contents is increased, but the duration of their availability to the plants are also enhanced. The results of the study show that organic manures addition is of major significance for maintaining soil quality and crop production sustainably, and should be advocated in the nutrient management strategies of intensive water- and nutrient-demanding cropping systems.

Effect of Different Levels of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Background: Brinjal or eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.), a member of solanacea family, is one of the most common vegetable crops grown in India. Brinjal is staple vegetable in almost all tropical countries in the world and liked by both poor and rich. Its nutritive value varies among varieties. It contains vitamin A and B. Since there is a common belief that it is not good vegetable more while brinjal may have the medicinal property like white brinjal which is used for Diabetics patients. The basic concept underlying the principles is the maintenance and improvement of soil fertility for sustaining crop productivity on a long-term basis, which can be achieved through the combined use of various sources of nutrients and by managing them scientifically along with optimum growth, yield and quality of crop. Considering the above facts, the present study was therefore under taken to investigate the intergraded management on yield and yield contributing characters of brinjal and on soil properties.Methods: An experiment was conducted at Horticulture Experimental field Department of Horticulture, Naini Agriculture Institute, SHUATS, Allahabad during Rabi season of 2016-17. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 8 treatments and each replicated thrice. Thirty days old healthy and uniform seedlings were transplanted on 24th Sep. 2016.Result: Overall vegetative parameters were influenced due to application of Nutrient through combination of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers were proved beneficially for increasing growth of brinjal crop. The fruit and yield parameters like Average fruit weight, Length of fruit, Diameter of Fruit, Fruit per plot, Fruit per plant and Fruit per hectare was influenced significantly by the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers in different treatments which were recorded after harvesting of fruits.

Response of Extracellular Enzyme Activities to Substrate Availability in Paddy Soil with Long-term Fertilizer Management

The availability of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and other substrates in soil determines the growth and metabolism of microorganisms and affects the activity of extracellular enzymes. To study the activities of β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in response to C and N availability, samples that underwent four treatments-non-fertilization (CK), chemical fertilizer (NPK), combination of organic manure and chemical fertilizer (OM), and mixture of straw and chemical fertilizer (ST)-were collected from long-term fertilization paddy soil and incubated for 0, 4, 8, and 12 months to obtain soil with different C and N availability gradients. The results showed that the dissolved organic carbon(DOC) content of OM and ST treatment samples was 2-3 times higher than that of CK and NPK treatment samples. With the increase of DOC and ammonium (NH4+-N) contents, the activities of BG and NAG and the contents of microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN) showed no increase during incubation within each treatment. Fertilization treatments, incubation time, and their interaction are crucial factors varying the contents of DOC, NH4+-N, MBC, and MBN among different fertilization treatments (P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between MBC/MBN and DOC/NH4+-N of OM treatment (P<0.05) and a negative relationship between ln(BG)/ln(NAG) and DOC/NH4+-N of ST treatment (P<0.01), indicating that the availability of substrates played a key role in the potential activity of extracellular enzymes in paddy soil, and the carbon-nitrogen ratio of microbial biomass was controlled by the C/N stoichiometry of substrates in soil. The results have a certain guiding significance for further study on the variation of extracellular enzyme activity in paddy soil, regulating the balance of carbon and nitrogen, and improving the fertility of paddy soil.

Growth and yield of tomato as affected by organic and inorganic fertilizers

Unscrupulous use of synthetic fertilizers are not only increasing cost of tomato production but also decreasing tomato yield and quality, deteriorating soil health and environment. Organic manures can produce quality product as well as maintain soil health. Considering this verity an experiment was carried out at the Dr. Purnendu Gain Field Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna to evaluate the performance of tomato crop under application of different organic and inorganic fertilizers. The experiment was designed in RCBD using two varieties (BARI Tomato-14 and BARI Tomato-15) and eight treatments [i) 100% Recommended fertilizer dose (RFD) for N, P and K; ii) 100% cowdung (CD); iii) 100% poultry manure (PM); iv) 100% vermi-compost (VC); v) 100% Mustard oil cake (MOC); vi) 100% organic manures (25% of each of CD , PM , VC and MOC); vii) 80% organic manure (20% of each of CD, PM, VC and MOC) + 20% RFD; viii) 60% organic manure (15% of each of CD, PM, VC and MOC) + 40% RFD].The tallest plant (77.5 cm) with maximum fruit length (5.98 cm), maximum number of flower clusters plant-1 (16.24), number of flowers cluster-1 (13.07), number of fruit clusters plant-1 (8.20) and number of fruits cluster-1 (6.97) were observed from combined effect of 60% organic manures with 40% RFD in BARI Tomato-15. On the contrary, this treatment produced maximum fruit diameter (6.29cm), maximum weight of individual fruit (91.43g) and the highest yield (87.17 t/ha) in BARI tomato-14. From economic point of view, maximum net return (Tk. 841345) as well as benefit cost ratio (5.11) was also observed from 60% organic manure + 40% RFD. Thus, BARI tomato-14 with combination of organic manures (60%) and inorganic fertilizers (40%) provided better performance concerning growth, yield and economic aspects.&#x0D; &#x0D; J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(4): 500–506, 2019

Effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on productivity, profitability and soil fertility in onion (Allium cepa) under Entisol

Field experiment was conducted for two consecutive winter (rabi) seasons of 2014–15 and 2015–16 at Panwari village, Agra,Uttar Pradesh to find out the best combination of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers for increasing productivity, profitability and soil fertility in onion (Allium cepa L.) under Entisol. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications. The results revealed that the fresh weight of onion bulb, and bulb yields increased on application of 100% NPK. The yields of onion bulbs were significantly lower with the suboptimal dose of NPK fertilizers (75% RDF). An additional bulb yield of 7.25 t/ha was realized with 75% NPK+15 t/ha FYM over 75% NPK alone. Application of 75% RDF+6 t/ha vermicompost increased bulb yield by 29.4% over 75% RDF alone. Application of 75% RDF+15 t/ha FYM+20 kg/ha S and 75% NPK+6 t/ha vermicompost+20 kg/ha S increased the bulb yield by 38.5 and 43.8% over 75% RDF, respectively, indicating the superiority of vermicompost over FYM. The maximum content of protein (7%) was recorded with 75% NPK+15 t/ha FYM+20 kg/ha S, but maximum value of protein yield (481 kg/ha) was recorded with 75% NPK+6 t/ha vermicompost+20 kg/ ha S. Application of 75% NPK+20 kg/ha S also improved the yield (29.92 t/ha), quality, and uptake of nutrients by onion bulbs but proved inferior compared to vermicompost and FYM. The uptake of NPK and S was highest with 75% NPK+6 t/ha vermicompost+20 kg/ha S and lowest in control. Net returns (` 1,44,375/ha) and B:C ratio (3.20) were also highest with 75% NPK+6 t/ha vermicompost+20 kg/ha S. Use of organic manures decreased soil pH and their combined use with fertilizers built up organic carbon and available NPK and S in post-harvest soil.

Reproductive Behaviour of Lemon (Citrus limon Burm.) Affected by Different Pruning Intensities and Integrated Nutrient Management Under Various Growing Seasons

The main objective of this study was to know the reproductive behaviour of lemon (Citrus limon Burm.) affected by different pruning intensities and integrated nutrient management under various growing season. The experiment was laid out in two factorial randomized block design with four levels of pruning, seven levels of nutrient, consisting recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and different combinations of organic manure (Vermicompost), inorganic fertilizer, biofertilizer (Azotobacter), Mycorrhiza (VAM) and their interaction to study their effect on plant reproductive behaviour during 2013–2015 on 9-year-old lemon plants in three growing seasons. The investigation revealed that the reproductive parameters, viz. number of flowers per plant, fruit set percentage and fruit yield, were found highest in lightly pruned plants fed with 75% RDF + Vermicompost + Azotobacter + Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza at Ambe, Mrig and Hasth bahar, respectively. Among the three seasons of cropping, Ambe bahar recorded the best result in respect to yield followed by Mrig and Hasth bahar.

Effectiveness of combined dose of organic manure and fertilizer on Knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) vegetable crop

Fertilizers including organic and inorganic are very crucial for providing the essential nutrients to plants to enhance the agricultural productivity. Organic manure and bio-fertilizers are environmental eco-friendly materials for better yield and better soil health. A field experiment was conducted during rabi (winter) season of 2016-2017 at Horticultural Research Centre, Department of Horticulture, Chauras Campus, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand to assess the effectiveness of combined dose of organic manure and fertilizer on Knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) vegetable crop. The study involved twenty treatments with control (T0): RDF 100% (T1), RDF 50% (T2), Azosprillum (T3), Azotobacter (T4), Neem cake (T5), Chicken manure (T6), RDF 75% + Azosprillum (T7), RDF 75% + Azotobacter (T8), RDF 75% + Neem cake (T9), RDF 75% + Chicken manure (T10), RDF 50% + Azosprillum (T11), RDF 50% + Azotobacter (T12), RDF 50% + Neem cake (T13), RDF 50% + Chicken manure (T14), Azosprillum + Azotobacter (T15), Azosprillum + Neem cake (T16), Azosprillum + Chicken manure (T17), Azotobacter + Neem cake (T18), Azotobacter + Chicken manure (T19) and Neem cake + Chicken manure (T20). The findings showed that, the treatment T7 (RDF 75% + Azosprillum) is more efficient over other treatments. The maximum yield was found (61.83%) in treatment T7 (RDF 75% + Azosprillum) as compared to control (T0). Different fertilizer- use efficiencies were significantly improved with the application of organic, inorganic and bio-fertilizer over control as well as chemical fertilizer alone. The treatment T7 (RDF 75% + Azosprillum) showed maximum nutrient use efficiency followed by other treatments and the minimum value was quantified in T2 (RDF 50%) > T1 (RDF 100%) > T17 (Azosprillum + Chicken manure) > T15 (Azosprillum + Azotobacter) > T5 (Neem cake) and T0 (control). Study concluded that the combination of organic manure and bio-fertilizer improved the growth and yield of Knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) plant. Therefore, the application of organic manure and bio fertilizers are recommended to better crop production. In which the combined dose of organic manure and bio fertilizer are most effective for eco-friendly crops production and soil health.

Growth and Yield response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Different Rates of NPK fertilizer and Poultry manure in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Low soil fertility is one of the factors hindering crop production in Cameroon. This is attributed to the fact that continuous cropping is carried out without adequate external farm inputs. The adoption of an Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM)technique such as the combination of organic manure and chemical fertilizers is being taken as one of the solutions tothis problem. A study was conducted during the main cropping season in the experimental farm of the Institute of AgriculturalResearch for Development (IRAD), Bambui in the Western Highlands of Cameroon to investigate the effect of different rates ofNPK fertilizer and poultry manure on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). The field was laid out in a randomizedcomplete block design with tree replications and twelve treatments which were: no input (control), 300KgNPK/ha + 0Kg PM(Poultry manure)/ha, 150KgNPK/ha + 0Kg PM/ha, 0KgNPK/ha + 2.5tons PM/ha, 0KgNPK/ha + 5tons PM/ha, 0KgNPK/ha+10tonsPM/ha,150KgNPK/ha+2.5tonsPM/ha,150KgNPK/ha+5tonsPM/ha,150KgNPK/ha+10tonsPM/ha, 180KgNPK/ha + 2.5tonsPM/ha,180KgNPK/ha+5tons PM/ha and180KgNPK/ha + 10tons PM/ha. Each plot measured 4m x 5m. Planting was done at a spacing of 80cm x 50cm with two seeds per station to maintain a plant population of 50,000 plants per hectare. All cultural practices were followed from planting to harvesting. The data collected were plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth, leaf area, Ear length, Ear girth, number of grain rows per ear, number of grains per ear, weight of 1000 grains, and grain yield. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was run to find the differences between the various parameters and the LSD Fisher’s multiple range test was executed to compare the different treatments. The results of the study showed that application of 0kgNPK/ha + 10tonsPM/ha and 0kgNPK/ha + 5tons PM/ha significantly (P<0.05) increased the growth and yield of maize as compared to the other treatments. The application rate of 300kgNPK/ha + 0kg PM/ha also enhanced the growth and yield of maize. Besides that, the treatment 150KgNPK/ha + 2.5tons PM/ha also gave higher yields. This later treatment may be recommended to maize producers in the study area to improve maize yields since it is more economical in terms of cost of production.

Lemon Cv. Assam Lemon (&lt;i&gt;Citrus limon&lt;/i&gt; Burm.) Quality and Soil-Leaf Nutrient Availability Affected by Different Pruning Intensities and Nutrient Management

A field experiment was laid out in two factorial randomized block design with four levels of pruning and seven levels of nutrients, consisting recommended dose of fertilizers and different combinations of organic manure (vermicompost), inorganic fertilizer, bio-fertilizer (azotobacter), mycorrhiza (VAM) and their interaction between 2013 and 2015 on 9-year-old lemon plants. Studies revealed that all physicochemical parameters, viz. fruit weight, puncture force, total soluble solid, total sugar, ascorbic acid were highest in (P3N4) combination of higher level of pruning. However, the maximum availability of leaf and soil nutrients was recorded in N 4 .

Effect of the organic manure and in organic fertilizer on growth and yield of garlic (Allium Sativum L.)

The present experiment entitled “Effect of the organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) ”was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Applied Plant Science (Horticulture), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow (U.P.) during year of 2013–14. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The row to row and plant to plant spacing were maintained at 15 x10 cm respectively. The treatment combinations were control, RDF (NPK)100%, Vermicompost 100%, FYM 100%, 50% RDF +50% Vermicompost, 50% RDF +50 FYM, 50% Vermicompost + 50% FYM, 75% RDF + 25% Vermicompost, 75% RDF + 25% FYM, 50% RDF +25% FYM + 25% and Vermicompost. The observations were recorded i. e. height of plant (cm), number of leave, length of leaves (cm), width of the leaves (cm), diameter of stem (cm), diameter of bulb (cm), number of clove/bulb, length of cloves/bulb (cm), neck thickness of bulb (cm), weight of bulb (g), number of bulbs/Kg and bulb yield (q/ha). On the basis of above investigation it may be concluded that the combination of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer i.e. treatment T8 (75% RDF+25%Vermicompost) can be recommended for garlic growers to achieve the better growth, higher yield and quality crop under the Lucknow condition.

Eight‐Year Cattle Manure Amendment Alters Chemical and Biochemical Properties of Eroded Mollisols

Core Ideas Chemical and biochemical properties of eroded Mollisols were determined to assess the amending of the effect of organic manure on eroded Mollisols. Organic manure in combination with NPK increased soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, but C/N ratios changed irregularly. Organic manure in combination with NPK increased all biochemical indicators selected in eroded Mollisols. Combination of organic manure and chemical fertilizers is recommended to amend eroded Mollisols. Soil chemical and biochemical properties are important indicators in assessing soil quality. To investigate the effect of manure application on eroded Mollisols, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), C/N ratio, and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), urease activity, and sucrase activity were determined after 8‐yr application of cattle manure in combination with chemical fertilizers in a soil erosion simulation facility by removing the topsoil by 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 cm in a typical Mollisols region in China. All parameters except C/N ratio showed a declining trend with the increasing of erosion depth. Soil organic C, TN, PMN, MBC, urease activity, and sucrase activity were 11 to 23, 5 to 9, 5 to 16, 11 to 19, 18 to 32 and 13 to 37% higher under the chemical fertilizer + manure treatment than the chemical fertilizer alone plots, respectively. The C/N ratios did not change significantly with the increase of erosion depth, but they were also 5 to 17% higher in the chemical fertilizer + manure treatment than that in the chemical fertilizer alone treatment. Eight‐year application of cattle manure in combination with chemical fertilizers improved soil quality of eroded Mollisols, but was not good enough to restore the fertility of eroded Mollisols to that of non‐eroded soils.

Effect of straw mulch and integrated nitrogen management on yield and quality of turmeric under North Indian plains

The continuous application of nitrogen (N) through chemical source has shown deleterious effect on productivity of turmeric, whereas availability of organic source is very limited to meet the nitrogen requirement. Therefore it was considered worth to study the impact of integration of chemical and organic source of N on productivity of turmeric. A three-year field experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during 2011–12 to 2013–14 to study the response of turmeric to straw mulching and N applied through different combinations of organic manure (FYM) and N-fertilizer (urea). Application of paddy straw as mulch @ 6.25 t ha−1 significantly increased the plant height, number of tillers, mother, primary and secondary rhizomes, rhizome weight and yield of turmeric. The fresh rhizome yield increased by 85.0 and 34.9% during 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively, due to mulch application over no-mulch. A slight improvement was noticed in curcumin content, however, the difference between mulch and no-mulch treatments was non-significant. Application of 125 kg N/ha through FYM alone, produced the highest rhizome yield during all study years (20.6, 22.36 and 23.17 t/ha during 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2013–14, respectively), which was, however, statistically at par with the application of two-third and half of organic manure along with one-third and half of N through urea, respectively. Nitrogen substitution through urea beyond 50% resulted into reduced growth and fresh rhizome yield. Hence, integration of 50% of N (62.5 kg/ha) through organic manure (FYM) and 50% of N through fertilizer urea enhanced the turmeric yield as compared to 100% N fertilizer alone. Quality parameter in terms of curcumin content did not show any significant differences with the different combinations of integrated nitrogen source.

Effect of different organic sources and their combinations onweed growth and yield of wheat Triticum aestivum

A field study was conducted at experimental farm of the Regional Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Gurdaspur during rabi season of 2014-15 to find out the effect of different sources of organic manures and their combinations on weed growth and wheat grain yield. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eight treatments namely, control (T1), recommended dose of NPK+ weedicide (T2), farmyard manure + poultry manure (T3), farmyard manure + bagasse ash (T4), farmyard manure + rice husk ash (T5), poultry manure + bagasse ash (T6), poultry manure + rice husk ash (T7), and bagasse ash + rice husk ash (T8). The results indicated that maximum dry weight of grassy weeds (2.65 g/m2) and broad leaf weeds (2.10 g/m2) was recorded in treatment where poultry manure was used in combination with farmyard manure whereas minimum dry weight of grassy (1.15 g/m2) and broad leaf weeds (1.00 g/m2) was obtained in treatment where these were controlled chemically. The minimum grain yield was obtained in control treatment where neither organic manure was added nor weeds were controlled by using herbicide. Among different combinations of organic manures, it was found that wherever poultry manure was used in combinations, higher yields were obtained due to higher plant height, maximum number of effective tillers/m2, maximum spike length in comparison to other manure combinations. Within the treatment combinations, rice husk ash combinations resulted in higher yield and also effectively controlled the weeds as compared to bagasse ash combinations.

Effect of Mineral, Organic and Bio-fertilization on Growth and Production of Moringa (Moringa oleifera, L.) Plants

Two filed experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University at Abees region, Alexandria, Egypt during the two growing seasons of 2014 and 2015 to study theeffect of mineral, organic and bio-fertilization on growth and productivity of moringa plants (Moringa oleifera, Lam).The experimental design was split plot were three replicates. The main plot were conducted for the five combination of organic manure plus mineral fertilizer of (100% organic, 75% organic manure + 25% mineral, 50% organic manure + 50% mineral, 25% organic manure + 75% mineral and 100% mineral), while, the four bio-fertilization treatments were uninoculation, phosphorein, A- mycorrhizal and cerealine were arranged in the sub-plot. The main results could be summarized as follows: (1) The application of 75% organic manure + 25% mineral; gave the highest mean values of all studied characters, (2) the application of 75% organic manure + 25% mineral with A- mycorrhizal inoculation was the best combination to obtain the highest mean values of plant height, stem length, stem diameter, number of branches /plant, fresh and dry weights/plant, K (%), total carbohydrate (%) and vitamin (C). However, all traits under study increased significantly due to inoculation treatments over the application 100% mineral with uninoculation treatments.

Effect of different nutrient resources on yield and quality of basmati/aromatic rice in inceptisol of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Station, Masodha under Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, (U.P.) during Kharif season 2008-2009 to evaluate the productivity and quality of aromatic/basmati rice variety under different nutrient parameters which included the application of nutrients through only chemical fertilizer, only organic source and combination of organic manure and fertilizer, besides the foliar spray of a plant growth retardant (Cycocel) in combination with inorganic fertilizer to reduce plant height. An improved basmati variety vasumathi, a traditional culture, tarori basmati and local non-basmati aromatic rice, Kalanamak were included as a test variety. A significant response of different nutrient resources @ 100:50:50 kg NPK ha -1 on rice production and their quality was observed. Use of inorganic fertilizer with cycocel produced maximum grain (3.77 t ha -1 ) and straw (5.93 t ha -1 ) yield followed by inorganic fertilizer alone treatment which recorded 3.68 grain and 5.32 straw yield t ha -1 . Organic sources applied alone produced minimum grain (3.31 t ha -1 ) and straw (4.94 t ha -1 ) whereas integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatment significantly improved grain (3.60 t ha -1 ) and straw (5.03 t ha -1 ) over organic treatment alone. Among varieties, the improved basmati (Vasumathi) recorded higher grain (3.76 t ha -1 ) and straw (4.62 t ha -1 ) yield than traditional tarori basmati which recorded 2.30 t grain/ha and 4.04 t straw/ha. Whereas maximum grain (4.01 t ha -1 ) and straw (5.18 t ha -1 ) yield was produced by non-basmati aromatic variety Kalanamak. The influence of nutrients sources on grain quality was significant for kernel dimensions, amylase content and gell consistency. Organic sources in general, were superior to fertilizers in improving grain and the quality parameters and recorded maximum hilling (78.6%), millimg (67.79%), KL (6.74mm), KB (1.84mm), amylase content 26 per cent and gell consistency (61.6 mm). Among varieties, improved basmati (Vasumathi) recorded maximum hilling (79.5%) and milling (68.6%) fallowed by Kalanamak which recorded 78.2 per cent hulling and 67.6 per cent milling. The minimum grain quality parameters were recorded by traditional tarori basmati grown in Inceptisol of Eastern U.P.

Impact of Different Pruning Severity and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Lemon cv. Assam Lemon (Citrus limonBurm.)

Impact of Different Pruning Severity and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Lemon cv. Assam Lemon (Citrus limon Burm.) Like many other citrus species, the lemon (Citrus limon Burm.) presents a number of diverse forms slightly varying from each other. Pruning is one of the important approaches for the canopy management of citrus. The result of pruning on growth parameters have been reported by various workers. It is also a highly nutrient responsive perennial fruit crop and requires adequate nutrition for proper growth and yield of the plants. A field experiment was laid out in two factorial Randomized Block Design with four levels of pruning, seven levels of nutrient, consisting .recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and different combinations of organic manure (Vermicompost), inorganic fertilizer, bio-fertilizer (Azotobacter),mycorrhiza (VAM) and their interaction during 2013 to 2015.The investigation revealed that all the vegetative parameters viz. trunk girth (32.74cm, 33.26cm and 33.13cm) and its percentage increase (1.25%, 2.88% and 4.56%), canopy volume (85.22 m3 , 100.03 m3 and 125.84 m3 ) and its percentage increase (31.66%, 56.21% and 114.24%), number of laterals per primary shoot (9.53, 11.87 and 10.80) and its percentage increase (31.65%, 63.64% and 98.25%) and leaf chlorophyll content (1.45%, 1.94% and 2.56%) and its percentage increase (48.61%, 98.41% and 172.80%) was recorded best in highest level of pruning with 75% RDF + Vermicompost + Azotobacter + Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza at 6th, 12th and 18th month after pruning. Among the three season of cropping Ambebahar recorded the best result in respect to yield (total number of fruits/plant) followed by Mrig and Hasthbahar. .