Conjoint Application Research Articles

Effect of conjoint application of coated urea and organic manure on growth, productivity, profitability and nutrient acquisition of rice (Oryza sativa)

A 2 years field experiment was carried out at experimental farm of BCKV, Nadia, West Bengal during kharif season of 2019-20 and 2020-21 to study the effect of combined application of coated urea and organic manure on performance of rice. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replication and treatment comprised of five treatment combination such as T1- Control plot (without N); T2- 100% RDN through neem coated urea (NCU); T3- 75% RDN through NCU + 25% RDN through FYM (farm yard manure); T4- 100% RDN through polymer sulphur coated urea (PSCU); T5- 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM. The results showed that 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM have resulted in maximum growth attributes, yield components and yield of rice. The results showed that 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM have resulted in maximum growth attributes viz. taller plants (110.80 cm), maximum number of effective tillers per square meter (415.90/m2), highest DMA (740.02 g/m2), LAI (4.47) and CGR (6.56 g/m2/day), highest yield components like panicle length (23.5 cm), panicle weight (9.95 g), number of filled grains per panicle (113), and test weight (21.30 g) and maximum grain yield (4.79 t/ha) and straw yield (5.53 t/ha). Similarly significant maximum amount of total nutrient uptake by crop (99.7, 40.1 and 208 kg/ha NPK), protein yield (418 kg/ha), gross returns (71.8 x 103 Rs/ha), net return (52 x 103 Rs/ha) and B: C ratio (2.73) was noticed under T5 treatment as compared to the other treatments. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt a holistic nutrient management approach T5 (75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM) in rice cultivation contribute to optimizing growth, yield, nutrient uptake and quality ultimately improving agricultural productivity, profitability and sustainability.

Effect of nutrient omission plot technique based nutrient management in rabi rice (Oryza sativa) on crop productivity, nutrient uptake and soil health

A field experiment was conducted at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture’s post-graduate research farm in Gajapati, Odisha, during the rabi season of 2021–22 and 2022–23 to investigate the influence of nutrient omission plot technique (NOPT) based nutrient management on performance of rabi rice. The trial was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment comprised of seven nutrient management practices, viz. T1, N120P60K60Zn05S25; T2, N0P60K60Zn05S25; T3, N120P0K60Zn05S25; T4, N120P60K0Zn05S25; T5, N120P60K60Zn0S25; T6, N120P60K60Zn05S0 and T7, absolute control. The treatment T1 resulted the significant highest plant height, dry-matter accumulation (1282.2 g/m2), leaf area index, tillers/m2 (287.6), panicle/m2 (206.2), spikelets/panicle (149.7), filled grains/panicle (124.1), panicle length and grain yield (4.89 t/ha). The significant highest amount of total N (99.4 kg/ha) and Zn uptake (781.9 g/kg) was noticed under T1 as compared to the other treatments. The maximum total P (30.3 kg/ha) and total S uptake (27.1 kg/ha) was recorded under T1 which was statistically at par with T5 and significantly higher than remaining treatments, respectively. Similarly, treatment T1 also resulted significant highest amount of total K uptake (125 kg/ha) followed by T5 and T6. Thus, the conjoint application of N120P60K60Zn05S25 is a viable and suitable alternative technology for sustainable rice production in Orissa or other similar ecoregions.

Effect of nutrient omission plot technique based nutrient management in rabi rice (Oryza sativa) on crop productivity, nutrient uptake and soil health

A field experiment was conducted at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture’s post-graduate research farm in Gajapati, Odisha, during the rabi season of 2021–22 and 2022–23 to investigate the influence of nutrient omission plot technique (NOPT) based nutrient management on performance of rabi rice. The trial was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment comprised of seven nutrient management practices, viz. T1, N120P60K60Zn05S25; T2, N0P60K60Zn05S25; T3, N120P0K60Zn05S25; T4, N120P60K0Zn05S25; T5, N120P60K60Zn0S25; T6, N120P60K60Zn05S0 and T7, absolute control. The treatment T1 resulted the significant highest plant height, dry-matter accumulation (1282.2 g/m2), leaf area index, tillers/m2 (287.6), panicle/m2 (206.2), spikelets/panicle (149.7), filled grains/panicle (124.1), panicle length and grain yield (4.89 t/ha). The significant highest amount of total N (99.4 kg/ha) and Zn uptake (781.9 g/kg) was noticed under T1 as compared to the other treatments. The maximum total P (30.3 kg/ha) and total S uptake (27.1 kg/ha) was recorded under T1 which was statistically at par with T5 and significantly higher than remaining treatments, respectively. Similarly, treatment T1 also resulted significant highest amount of total K uptake (125 kg/ha) followed by T5 and T6. Thus, the conjoint application of N120P60K60Zn05S25 is a viable and suitable alternative technology for sustainable rice production in Orissa or other similar ecoregions.

Long-term fertilization strategies for improving productivity, profitability and water-use efficiency of soybean–wheat cropping systems

Abstract In order to recognize the best nutrient supply options for profitable and sustainable production systems, observations were recorded from 2001 to 2020 (20 years) in a long-term fertilizer experiment initiated in 1995–96 with soybean–wheat cropping systems (SWCSs) under irrigated conditions. The experiment comprised of seven treatments including control, organic, inorganic and their combinations. A combined use of 10 Mg farmyard manure (FYM)/ha (M) along with 120 kg N/ha provided statistically (P < 0.05) similar yield and economic benefits to the M + NPK and also provided a positive yield trend (30.0 and 16.2 kg/ha/year) and net return (14.7 and 5.81 US$/ha/year) over the year in both wheat and soybean, respectively. The combined use of organic and chemical fertilizers, provided 32–41% higher production efficiency than their individual use. In contrast, long-term chemical fertilization provided a negative yield trend in both the crops with the highest reduction in sole N-fertilized plots ranged from −39 to −42 kg/ha/year. Water-use efficiency ranged from 3.20 to 12.3 kg/ha/mm in soybean–wheat rotation and increased almost 1.74–3.15 times in wheat and 1.30–1.80 times in soybean due to fertilizer application. A similar trend was observed for water-expense efficiency and remain closely associated with fertilization practice. Long-term chemical fertilizers declined the yield potential of the studied crops while their conjoint application with FYM in the winter season considered as an input efficient approach to sustain the overall productivity and profitability of SWCSs.

Correlation Between Voltammetry of Immobilized Particles and Mott-Schottky Analysis of Metal Corrosion Patinas.

The conjoint application of the voltammetry of immobilized particles (VIMP) methodology and the Mott-Schottky analysis (MS) of impedance data to studying metal corrosion patinas is described. The study is applied to copper and bronze objects exploiting the semiconducting character of cuprite and other copper corrosion products. A simplified theoretical modeling of MS analysis at microparticulate deposits extracted from metal corrosion layers attached to graphite electrodes is provided. The proposed model compensates for the disturbing effect of the regions of the basal electrode directly exposed to the electrolyte. Alternative models accounting for the variation of the density of charge carriers with depth are tested as well as the correlation between VIMP and MS data with reasonably satisfactory results.

Conjoint Application of Nutrients as Customized Fertilizers Influences Growth and Yield Characteristics of Brassica juncea L., Augmented Profitability and Nutrient Use Efficiency Indices

Conjoint Application of Nutrients as Customized Fertilizers Influences Growth and Yield Characteristics of Brassica juncea L., Augmented Profitability and Nutrient Use Efficiency Indices

Long-Term Manuring and Fertilization Influence on Soil Properties and Wheat Productivity in Semi-Arid Regions

Information on the long-term effects of the addition of organics and fertilizers to wheat under the pearl millet–wheat cropping system with semi-arid conditions in north-western India is still lacking. The present research was conducted in an ongoing field experiment initiated during Rabi 1995 at the Research Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh at Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. After 25 years, the impacts of nutrient management practices on soil fertility and wheat productivity were evaluated. The experiment comprised a total of eight treatment combinations viz. half and full doses of recommended fertilizers (N and P), organic manures (FYM: farmyard manure, POM: poultry manure, and PRM: press mud) alone and in combination with NP fertilizers. The conjoint application of organic manure and chemical fertilizers resulted in a positive influx of nutrients via increasing total organic carbon (TOC), available N, P, K, and S, which ranged from 0.46 to 1.42%, 122.70 to 194.70, 15.66 to 74.92, 340.5 to 761.2, and 15.26 to 54.63 kg ha−1 in surface soil (0–15 cm), respectively. Carbon fractions and crop yield were significantly improved by adopting integrated nutrient management (INM). The TOC showed a positive and significant correlation with C fractions (r > 0.92) and with soil-available N, P, K, and S (r > 0.77) content. The data also revealed a strong relationship between TOC and soil-available (0–15 cm) nutrients i.e., available N (R2= 0.769), available P (R2 = 0.881), available K (R2 = 0.758), and available S (R2 = 0.914), respectively. Thus, practices that increased TOC were also beneficial in enhancing the availability of the nutrients in the soil. A positive and highly significant correlation was also found among wheat yield, nutrient (NPKS) content, and uptake. A polynomial relationship between grain yield and grain N (R2 = 0.962), P (R2 = 0.946), and K (R2 = 0.967) content, and between straw yield and straw N (R2 = 0.830), P (R2 = 0.541) and K (R2 = 0.976) content was obtained. Integrated use of PRM7.5 followed by FYM15 and POM5 coupled with NP fertilizers proved best, which could be beneficial for obtaining nutritious and highest wheat yield (grain: 6.01 t ha−1 and straw: 7.70 t ha−1) coupled with improved fertility within a sustained manner under the pearl millet–wheat sequence in prevailing semi-arid conditions of the North Indian state of Haryana.

Effect of Ni and Fe Co-Application on the Soybean Crop Grown in Nickel and Iron Deficient Soils of Mirzapur District

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of nickel and iron nutrition for the soybean crop, their deficiency inhibits the yield drastically specially in the area where soybean crop is dominant. To encounter this problem, a pot experiment was conducted in glass house on low nickel and iron soil in Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during 2019–20 and 2021–22. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of Ni (nickel) and Fe (iron) on the post-harvest soil parameters, growth, yield, nutrient uptake and nutrient content of soybean crop. There were 10 treatments with two levels of Ni (5 and 10 mg kg −1) and Fe (10 and 20 mg kg−1) with recommended dosage of fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (8.93, 35.71, and 17.86 mg kg−1) applied to all treatments except control. The result of the experiment revealed that the co-application of nickel and iron@10 mg kg−1 and 20 mg kg−1 (RDF + Ni10Fe20), resulted in the increase in plant height, greeness index, no of seed per pod, no of pod per plant, seed yield, and stover yield. Similar, findings for the post- harvest soil parameter indicated that there was increase in pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon content of soil. DTPA (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) extractable Ni, Fe, Zn, and Cu, also found highest in treatment where nickel and iron@10 mg kg−1 and 20 mg kg−1 (RDF + Ni10Fe20) were applied in soil, but in case of DTPA extractable Mn, the highest amount was found in treatment where nickel and iron@10 mg kg−1 and 10 mg kg−1 (RDF + Ni10Fe10) was applied in soil. The soil microbial biomass carbon and urease activity was also found highest in the treatment where nickel and iron@10 and 20 mg kg−1 was applied in soil. The minimum plant height, greeness index, no of seed per pod, no of pod per plant, seed, and stover yield was recorded in treatment where only RDF(T1) was applied. Similar, result recorded for the post-harvest soil parameters. So, overall findings of the pot experiment revealed that the conjoint application of nickel and iron has resulted in better yield of soybean crop.

Predicting resistance and pseudoprogression: are minimalistic immunoediting mathematical models capable of forecasting checkpoint inhibitor treatment outcomes in lung cancer?

Background:The increased application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in lung cancer treatment generates clinical need to reliably predict individual patients’ treatment outcomes. Methods:To bridge the prediction gap, we examine four different mathematical models in the form of ordinary differential equations, including a novel delayed response model. We rigorously evaluate their individual and combined predictive capabilities with regard to the patients’ progressive disease (PD) status through equal weighting of model-derived outcome probabilities. Results:Fitting the complete treatment course, the novel delayed response model (R2=0.938) outperformed the simplest model (R2=0.865). The model combination was able to reliably predict patient PD outcome with an overall accuracy of 77% (sensitivity = 70%, specificity = 81%), solely through calibration with primary tumor longest diameter measurements. It autonomously identified a subset of 51% of patients where predictions with an overall accuracy of 81% (sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 81%) can be achieved. All models significantly outperformed a fully data-driven machine learning-based approach. Implications: These modeling approaches provide a dynamic baseline framework to support clinicians in treatment decisions by identifying different treatment outcome trajectories with already clinically available measurement data. Limitations and future directions:Conjoint application of the presented approach with other predictive tools and biomarkers, as well as further disease information (e.g. metastatic stage), could further enhance treatment outcome prediction. We believe the simple model formulations allow widespread adoption of the developed models to other cancer types. Similar models can easily be formulated for other treatment modalities.

Conjoint Application of Lime, Organics, Inorganic Fertilizers, and Bio-fertilizers Increases Groundnut Productivity, Available Phosphorus and Microbial Biomass Phosphorus in Acidic Soil of Tripura, India

In Tripura, India the soil productivity is less due to its light texture, acidic in nature, low fertility status, low microbial activity. Thus, a field experiment on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was carried out on acidic soil of Khowai district of Tripura during 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the impact of the application of various combinations of lime, farm yard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), and rhizobium with the recommended doses of NPK on groundnut productivity, available phosphorus (P) and microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) content of acidic experimental soil. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design (RBD) with 13 treatments with various combinations of application of lime, farm yard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), and rhizobium with the recommended doses (RD) of NPK, each having 3 replications. Both initial and post-harvest soil samples were collected and analyzed to estimate the available P and MBP content. Results indicated that the use of the different combinations of the RD of NPK accompanied by the application of lime, organic manure (FYM or PM) and seed treatment with Rhizobium significantly increased available P and MBP content in the post-harvest soil which has resulted in increased seed yield of groundnut compared to the RD of NPK alone. Again, the use of RD of NPK @ 20:60:40 kg ha-1 conjointly with lime (@ 1/5th LR), PM (@ 5 t ha-1), and treating the seeds with Rhizobium @ 20 g kg-1 of seed might be recommended to the growers in achieving higher groundnut productivity with better return in acid soil of Tripura, India, as it showed maximum enhancement in groundnut productivity as well as available P2O5 content in post-harvest soil.

Zinc oxide and ferric oxide nanoparticles combination increase plant growth, yield, and quality of soybean under semiarid region

Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) malnutrition are global health challenges that need immediate attention. Hence, to address these issues, a two-pronged approach involving the development and application of novel Zn and Fe products for crop fertilization may be a potential solution. Therefore, zinc oxide (ZnO) (∼13.2 nm) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) (∼15 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized. Seven nutrients treatments viz, control, ZnO- NPs (25 mg kg−1), Fe2O3-NPs (25 mg kg−1), ZnO + Fe2O3-NPs (25 mg kg−1each), ZnSO4 (55.8 mg kg−1), FeSO4 (60.4 mg kg−1) and ZnSO4+ FeSO4 (55.8 and 60.4 mg kg−1) were arranged in five-time replicated Completely Randomized Design model to test the effectiveness of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs in two soybean cultivars over conventional zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) fertilizers. The results indicated that the photosynthetic rate (Pn) and chlorophyll content increased (33.9–86.2%) significantly at the flowering stage with ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs applications, compared to their conventional counterparts. Likewise, the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs reduced H2O2 production by 17–19% and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities by 15–17% and 9.6–11.4% over the combined use of ZnSO4 and FeSO4, respectively. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) showed an increase of 6.9–44.2% under ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs, as well as ZnSO4 and FeSO4. Furthermore, the combined application of NPs enhanced soybean seed yield by 4.6–18.3% compared to conventional Zn and Fe fertilizers. Concerning seed Zn and Fe density, conjoint application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs increases Zn by 1.8–2.2-fold and Fe by 19.22–22.58% over the combined application of Zn SO4 and FeSO4, respectively. While the application of NPs significantly decreased seed phytic acid concentrations by 7.3–59.9% compared to the control. These findings suggest that the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 NPs effectively enhances soybean productivity, seed nutrient density, and overall produce quality. Therefore, the combined application of ZnO and Fe2O3 -NPs in soybean can be a potential approach for sustainable soybean production and to reduce/arrest Zn and Fe malnutrition in a growing population.

Effect of conjoint application schedules of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on growth, yield and economics of rice

A field experiment was conducted during (kharif) summer season of 2019 and 2020 at Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh to study the effect of integrated use of chemical nitrogen fertilizer and green manure on performance of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment consists of fourteen treatment combinations of conjoint application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients was laid-out in randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that the significant highest dry matter accumulation (1,205.90 g/m2 ) at harvest stage, leaf-area index (4.18), crop growth rate (16.34 g/m2 /day), relative growth rate (7.09 mg/g/day), grain yield (3.88 t/ha) and straw yield (6.64 t/ha) recorded in the 25% recommended N through dhaincha incorporated + 75% N through chemical fertilizer was found at par with RDF (120N : 60P : 50K) and 25% recommended N through vermicompost incorporated 10 days before transplanting + 75% N through chemical fertilizer and it was significantly superior over rest of the treatment combinations. The substitution of 25% N through incorporated dhaincha at planting was found most promising in terms of productivity, profitability and performed better than other treatments and may be recommended for farmers of Uttar Pradesh and similar agro-eco regions.

Effect of Conjoint Application of NPK Sources and Nitrification Inhibitors on Micronutrients Uptake in Late Sown Cauliflower under Sub-tropical to Sub-temperate Conditions

Effect of Conjoint Application of NPK Sources and Nitrification Inhibitors on Micronutrients Uptake in Late Sown Cauliflower under Sub-tropical to Sub-temperate Conditions

Synthesis, Characterization and Impact of Nano-urea on Growth and Yield of Wheat in Inceptisol

A study on “Synthesis, Characterization and Impact of Nano-urea on Growth and Yield of Wheat in Inceptisol” was conducted at Division of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Pune during rabi 2021. The object of this experiment is to synthesize and characterize nano-urea at post graduate laboratory of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Pune and which is named as COAP (College of Agriculture, Pune). Nano-urea was synthesized from granular conventional urea and characterised for size of nano particles by using scanning electron microscope. The experiment consisted of twenty one combinations of treatment based on 3 levels of recommended doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 75%) and six nitrogen levels for foliar sprays and water spray as a control which was replicated twice in factorial completely randomized Design (FCRD). The foliar sprays of nitrogen consisted of four levels of COAP nano-urea @ 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm, IFFCO nano-urea @ 160 ppm and conventional urea @ 10,000 ppm applied at 30 and 50 DAS.
 It could be revealed that average size of COAP (22.419 nm) and IFFCO (22.773 nm) nano-urea was almost same. Results revealed that conjoint application of 75% nitrogen along with two foliar sprays of conventional urea @10,000 ppm, COAP nano-urea @ 200 ppm and IFFCO nano-urea @ 160 ppm taken at 30 and 50 DAS for wheat recorded significantly higher periodical plant height and leaf area at 35 and 55 DAS. Significantly higher plant height was reported with combine application of 75% RDN along with two foliar sprays of urea @ 10,000 ppm (76.83 cm) which was statistically at par with nano-urea of IIFCO (76.20 cm) and COAP (74.20 cm) than rest of the treatment at 55 DAS. In case of leaf area, application of 75% RDN along with two foliar sprays of either conventional urea @ 10,000 ppm, IFFCO nano- urea @ 160 ppm and COAP nano-urea @ 200 ppm at 35 and 55 DAS. Application of 75% recommended dose of nitrogen along with two foliar sprays of 10,000 ppm conventional urea recorded significantly higher grain (45 g pot-1) and straw yield (65.39 g pot-1) of wheat which was found to be significantly at par with 75% RDN + IFFCO nano-urea @160 ppm (44.91 and 62.87 g pot-1) and 75% RDN + COAP nano-urea @ 200 ppm (44.83 and 60.66 g pot-1).

Repercussions of fertilization with boron and enriched organic manure on soil chemical characteristics, boron and phosphorus fractions, and French bean productivity in an acidic Inceptisol of eastern Himalaya

Boron (B) and phosphorus (P) in the soil are dispersed in numerous geochemical fractions (forms) which depend primarily on physicochemical properties of soils, climate and management exercises, and each form is in dynamic equilibrium with each other. The study of these fractions caters for an advanced understanding of their bioavailability to plants. To better elucidate how the nexus of B and enriched farmyard manure (EFYM) synergy influences the soil chemical characteristics, B and P fractions, and French bean pod production, an investigation was undertaken during the three consecutive years from 2015 to 18 in acidic Inceptisol of eastern Himalaya. The experiment was laid out in symmetrical factorial design and the imposed treatments comprised four graded levels each of B (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 kg ha−1) and EFYM (0, 5, 10, 15 Mg ha−1). The results implied that the conjoint (interaction) application of a higher rate of B @ 1.5 kg ha−1 and EFYM @ 15 Mg ha−1 (B1.5EFYM15) levels were superior to other treatment combinations in improving soil chemical characteristics including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon content (SOC) and reducing the concentration of iron oxides (Fe2O3) and aluminium oxides (Al2O3). Similarly, there was a significant increase of B fractions, total B, Hot water-soluble B (HWS-B), P fractions, total P and available P in the soil. Correspondingly, the maximum average French bean pod yield (FBPY) (12.04 Mg ha−1) was achieved under plots fertilized with B1.5EFYM15, while the minimum FBPY (7.82 Mg ha−1) was logged under B0EFYM0 (control). The correlation study exhibited a significant positive correlation amongst EC, SOC and cation exchange capacity (CEC) with both the B and P fractions. Of the various B fractions, readily soluble B (RSB) followed by organic bound B (OBB) was the most overriding B fraction affecting the available B. Likewise, concerning the P fraction, Resin P followed by bicarbonate extracted inorganic and organic P fractions (BiCPi and BiCPo), was realized to be the overriding P fraction implicated in affecting the available P. Higher phosphorus activation coefficient (PAC) was logged in those plots fertilized with B1.5EFYM15. The inclusive findings indicated that the addition of the successive increase in the level of B and EFYM up to B1.5EFYM15 can enhance the status of soil characteristics, diverse B fractions, total B, Hot water-soluble B (HWS-B), P fractions, Total P and available P and ultimately the FBPY in an acidic Inceptisol of eastern Himalaya.

Influence of organic amendments, PGPR and fermented folk liquid formulations on bell pepper in mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh state of India

Bell pepper is an important cash crop of small farmers of Himachal Pradesh state of India. The present study was carried out in two consecutive years comprising seven treatments, as T1 being 100% recommended dose of nutrients alone and T2 to T7 included 90, 80, 70, 60, 50 and 40% RDN respectively; along with PGPR and fermented folk liquid formulations (panchagavya, jeevamrut and amritpani) which were replicated thrice in randomized block design. The recommended doses were given by vermicompost and poultry manure on nitrogen equivalence basis. Results of the study concluded that the application of PGPR with 90% RDN along with fermented folk liquid formulations significantly influenced bell pepper growth, quality, and yield parameters as well as soil organic carbon and available nutrient status including soil microbiological properties over the T1. The 90% RDN with PGPR and fermented folk liquid formulation also resulted in higher benefit cost ratio in comparison to T1 with 100% RDN, alone. Hence, it may be recommended to use conjoint application of PGPR, bulky manures and fermented folk liquid formulations to boost sustainable bell pepper production, higher economic returns and maintaining soil fertility status.

Conjoint application of nano-urea with conventional fertilizers: An energy efficient and environmentally robust approach for sustainable crop production.

One of the biggest challenges to be addressed in world agriculture is low nitrogen (N) use efficiency (<40%). To address this issue, researchers have repeatedly underlined the need for greater emphasis on the development and promotion of energy efficient, and environmentally sound novel fertilizers, in addition to improved agronomic management to augment nutrient use efficiency for restoring soil fertility and increasing farm profit. Hence, a fixed plot field experiment was conducted to assess the economic and environmental competency of conventional fertilizers with and without nano-urea (novel fertilizer) in two predominant cropping systems viz., maize-wheat and pearl millet-mustard under semi-arid regions of India. Result indicates that the supply of 75% recommended N with conventional fertilizer along with nano-urea spray (N75PK+nano-urea) reduced the energy requirement by ~8-11% and increased energy use efficiency by ~6-9% over 100% nitrogen through prilled urea fertilizer (business as usual). Furthermore, the application of N75PK+ nano-urea exhibited ~14% higher economic yields in all the crops compared with N50PK+ nano-urea. Application of N75PK+nano-urea registered comparable soil N and dehydrogenase activities (35.8 μg TPF g-1 24 hrs-1 across all crops) over the conventional fertilization (N100PK). This indicates that application of foliar spray of nano-urea with 75% N is a soil supportive production approach. More interestingly, two foliar sprays of nano-urea curtailed nitrogen load by 25% without any yield penalty, besides reducing the greenhouse gases (GHG) emission from 164.2 to 416.5 kg CO2-eq ha-1 under different crops. Therefore, the application of nano-urea along with 75% N through prilled urea is an energy efficient, environmentally robust and economically feasible nutrient management approach for sustainable crop production.

Moderation of nitrogen availability through the application of pyrolyzed and unpyrolyzed organic materials in saline water irrigated soil

Soil application of pyrolyzed biomass (biochar) has been proposed as an effective strategy for managing degraded land, but its limitations as a sole nutrient supplier discourage its widespread application as a soil amendment. Excessive use of saline water for irrigation leads to buildup of salts and other toxic ions, which cause a decline in the availability of essential nutrients due to negative effects on the mineralization process. Therefore, a long-term incubation experiment was conducted for 52weeks to study the individual or combined impact of pyrolyzed [biochar derived from rice residue (RB)] and unpyrolyzed organic materials [rice residue (RR) and animal manure (AM)] on nitrogen (N) dynamics in soil irrigated with water of varying electrical conductivity (EC) (EC0.3 [non-saline canal water), EC10, and EC15 dS m-1 (saline)]. Increasing salinity had an adverse effect on N mineralization, reducing it by 20-70% during the incubation period. Irrespective of the EC, soil amended with AM showed greater and faster N mineralization than unamended control, while individual application of RB or RR showed immobilization of N during the early period of incubation. However, conjoint application of pyrolyzed (RB) and unpyrolyzed organic materials (RR or AM) showed enhanced mineralized N content (26-96%) compared with the sole biochar-amended soil irrigated with water of different EC levels. It was most likely due to the synergic effect of unpyrolyzed materials on the mineralization rate of biochar. On the other hand, the high cation exchange capacity, large surface area, and greater total porosity of the biochar may cause stronger adsorption of free NH4+-N released from the labile organic amendments, thereby moderating the N mineralization process under saline conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that biochar be used in conjunction with AM or RR to ensure the prolonged availability of N in a saline environment.

Long-term impact of biofertilization on soil health and nutritional quality of organic basmati rice in a typic ustchrept soil of India

Healthy soils are the foundation for producing healthy food and creating a healthy environment. Therefore, we assessed the changes in the physical and chemical properties of soil, and their long-term impact on yield, quality, and nutritional status of rice grains in an organic basmati rice-based cropping system in a typic Ustchrept Soil of India. The experiment was laid out in a strip plot design with three replications. The vertical strips consisted of two rice-based cropping systems, namely, basmati rice-wheat-mung bean (RWM) and basmati rice-wheat-sesbania (RWS), whereas seven combinations of different organic materials and biofertilizers (BF) were assigned to horizontal strips, viz., control (no manure application), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), FYM + crop residues (CR), VC + CR, FYM + CR + BF, and VC + CR + BF. The results revealed that soil moisture content (SMC), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total N, and soil available P, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu were significantly higher under the RWS system than in RWM. The application of organic manures either alone or in conjunction with CR and BF significantly lowered the soil pH (∼3.0%), EC (43.1%–45.8%), and BD (3.3%–9.2%) as compared to the control. Water holding capacity (WHC), SMC, and SOC were increased by 5.7%–14.7%, 8.7%–49.3%, and 35.3%–76.5%, respectively under single or co-application of FYM/VC with CRs and BFs as compared to control. Similarly, sole or conjoint application of organic manures, CR, and BF significantly enhanced the soil available macro (N, P, and K) and micro (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu) nutrients over the control. Grain yield, protein content, N uptake, and cooking quality parameters were significantly higher under the RWS system than under RWM. However, the Zn concentration and its uptake by grains were significantly higher under the RWM system over RWS. The grain yield was significantly increased by 25.8%–49.2% under different organic nutrient management options over control. The single or conjoint application of FYM/VC with CR and BF increased the hulling, milling, head rice recovery, and protein concentration in grain by 9.4%–9.8%, 23.2%–28.4%, 22.7%–25.5%, and 9.6%–10.7%, respectively over control. The concentration of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu was significantly improved by 9.7%–11.3%, 45.5%–63.6%, 16.7%–20.8%, 66.9%–74.1%, 72.9%–81.9%, 87.1%–97.0%, and 48.9%–67.2%, respectively under co-application of FYM/VC with CR and BF compared to control. Thus, our results indicate that improved soil properties could significantly increase the physical and nutritional quality of basmati rice grain. Therefore, adopting basmati rice-based cropping systems with different organic nutrient sources can sustain soil health, end global hunger, produce nutritious food, and create a healthy environment.

Multi-layer edge resource placement optimization for factories

Introducing distributed computing paradigms to the manufacturing domain increases the difficulty of designing and planning an appropriate IT infrastructure. This paper proposes a model and solution approach addressing the conjoint application and IT resource placement problem in a factory context. Instead of aiming to create an exact model, resource requirements and capabilities are simplified, focusing on usability in the planning and design phase for industrial use cases. Three objective functions are implemented: minimizing overall cost, environmental impact, and the number of devices. The implications of edge and fog computing are considered in a multi-layer model by introducing five resource placement levels ranging from on-device, within the production system, within the production section, within the factory (on-premise), to the cloud (off-premise). The model is implemented using the open-source modeling language Pyomo. The solver SCIP is used to solve the NP-hard integer programming problem. For the evaluation of the optimization implementation a benchmark is created using a sample set of scenarios varying the number of possible placement locations, applications, and the distribution of assigned edge recommendations. The resulting execution times demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach for small (100 applications; 100 locations) and large (1000 applications, 1000 scenarios) instances. A case study for a section of a factory producing electronic components demonstrates the practical application of the proposed approach.