Soil Corn Research Articles

Effects of Freeze−Thaw Cycles on Available Nitrogen Content in Soils of Different Crops

In order to study the effect of freeze−thaw cycles on the content of available nitrogen in soils of different crops and obtain an in-depth understanding of changes in soil fertility and soil environment in cold regions, a laboratory simulation experiment was conducted with different freeze−thaw times, temperature differences, and periods. The changes in available nitrogen concentrations in the 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm layers of corn, vegetable, and paddy soils were measured by the alkaline-hydrolysis diffusion method. The results were as follows. (1) The freeze−thaw process had significant effects on the available nitrogen content in the three soils. Under the treatment with different numbers of freeze−thaw cycles, the available nitrogen content in the 0–15 cm layers of corn soil, vegetable soil, and paddy soil reached the maximum values at the 8th, 1st, and 3rd freeze−thaw cycle, at 156.92 mg/kg, 479.17 mg/kg and 181.75 mg/kg, respectively; the available nitrogen content decreased slowly after reaching the maximum value. (2) Under the freeze−thaw temperature-difference treatment, the available nitrogen concentration in the 0–15 cm layers of corn soil, vegetable soil, and paddy soil reached the maximum value at a temperature difference of 30 °C, at 147 mg/kg, 476 mg/kg and 172.5 mg/kg, respectively, and the available nitrogen content of the 15–30 cm soil layers changed slightly. (3) Under different freeze−thaw periods, the magnitudes of the changes in soil available nitrogen concentration in 0–15 cm of corn soil and paddy soil were, in descending order, short-term freezing and long-term melting > long-term freezing and long-term melting > short-term freezing and short-term melting > long-term freezing and short-term melting. The soil available nitrogen concentration at different depths in the vegetable soil reached the maximum value under the treatment with long-term freezing and short-term melting. (4) The available nitrogen content of paddy soil under the high-water-content condition was higher than that of paddy soil under the low-water-content condition, and the change in available nitrogen content was more obvious under the high-water-content condition under different freeze−thaw period treatments; the opposite was true for corn soil and vegetable soil. Simulation studies on rapid changes in soil nitrogen content during tests that simulate winter freeze−thaw conditions are important for understanding crop growth, the application of nitrogen fertilizer in spring, and the prevention of surface-water pollution from agricultural runoff.

Pseudomonas beijingensis sp. nov., a novel species widely colonizing plant rhizosphere.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize the three bacterial strains (FP830T, FP2034, and FP2262) isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice, corn, and highland barley in Beijing, Heilongjiang, and Tibet, respectively, in PR China. These strains were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and have one or two polar flagella. They exhibited optimal growth at 28 °C and pH 7.0 in the presence of 1 % (w/v) NaCl and showed fluorescence under ultraviolet light when cultivated on King's B plates. The FP830T genome size is 6.4 Mbp with a G+C content of 61.0 mol%. FP830T has the potential to promote plant growth by producing various metabolites such as fengycin, pyoverdin, indole-3-acetic acid, and the volatile substance 2,3-butanediol. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that three isolates formed an independent branch, which most closely related to type strains Pseudomonas thivervalensis DSM 13194T and Pseudomonas zanjanensis SWRI12T. The values of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between three isolates and closest relatives were not higher than 93.7 and 52.3 %, respectively. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c), and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, and aminophospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone (Q-9). Based on polyphasic taxonomic analysis, it was concluded that strains FP830T, FP2034, and FP2262 represented a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, and Pseudomonas beijingensis sp. nov. was proposed for the name of novel species. The type strain is FP830T (=ACCC 62448T=JCM 35689T).

Effect of Adding NPK-Chitosan Fertilizer and Organic Matter on phosphorus and potassium content of Corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, University of Basrah's research station in Garmat Ali during 2022 agricultural season. The study aimed to investigate the impact of three types of fertilizers (commercial NPK as a control and two types of prepared NPK-Chitosan organic fertilizers) at four addition levels (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 ton ha-1) and two levels of organic matter (0% and 2.5%) on the availability of nitrogen and potassium in loam sandy soil and yield of corn (Zea mays L.). The results indicated a significant effect of fertilizer type on increasing Phosphorus and Potassium Content of corn plant. The highest values of Phosphorus and Potassium Content for corn were 6.15 and 47.07 gm kg-1 respectively for the added fertilizer type. The NPK-Chitosan fertilizer in a 1:3 coating ratio achieved the, 3.62 and 31.01 kg ha-1, respectively, followed by the treatment of NPK-Chitosan fertilizer with a 1:3 mixing ratio and a fertilizer level of 2 tons/ha, which yielded The results showed a significant effect of fertilizer level on increasing Phosphorus and Potassium Content of the corn plants. Phosphorus and Potassium Content increased with higher levels of added fertilizer. The level 2 achieved the highest values of Phosphorus and Potassium Content for the vegetative part corn plants, reaching 2 tons per hectare.4.22 and 37.91 gm kg-1, and with a significant difference from level 1 and 1.5 tons per hectare, level 2 also outperformed level 0 tons per hectare (the control treatment). Similarly, the organic matter showed a significant effect the results indicated a significant interaction between the type and level of fertilizer, as well as the level of added organic matter to the soil, on Phosphorus and Potassium Content of the yellow corn plants. The NPK-Chitosan fertilizer with a 1:3 coating ratio added at the level of 2 tons per hectare outperformed the other treatments, yielding the highest phosphour contentand grain yield.

Paddy-Lilium Crop Rotation Improves Potential Beneficial Soil Fungi and Alleviates Soil Acidification in Lilium Cropping Soil

Lilium growth is severely impeded by continuous cropping, and crop rotation is essential to reducing the detrimental effects of monocultures. Soil (0–20 cm) was collected in three Lilium cropping patterns in Longshan County, Hunan Province, including continuous Lilium cropping (Lilium), corn upland rotation with Lilium (Corn), and paddy rotation with Lilium (Rice). Using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology, the fungal ribosomal DNA internal-transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) was examined to evaluate the features of soil fungi communities among three cropping patterns. Crop rotation has an impact on soil properties and the microbial community. Rice soil has a significantly higher pH than Lilium and corn soil, while corn and rice soil have a greater total nitrogen and total phosphorus content than Lilium soil. Rotation cropping clearly shifted the fungi community diversity based on the results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Ascomycota was the most prevalent phylum, with the highest levels in Lilium soil. Genetic analysis revealed that paddy rotation led to a clear reduction in or non-detection of eight potentially pathogenic fungal genera and a noticeable accumulation of eight beneficial fungal genera compared to Lilium continuous cropping. Fungi communities and their abundant taxa were correlated with soil pH and nutrients. Altogether, we propose that rice rotation, with its ability to mitigate soil acidification, reducing pathogenic and accumulating beneficial communities, may be an effective strategy for alleviating the continuous cropping barrier.

Identifikasi Karakteristik Mineral Magnetik Berdasarkan Analisis XRF di Lahan Pertanian Sekitar Sungai Biyonga Kabupaten Gorontalo

An analysis of soil chemical elements using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) has been conducted on paddy fields in Dutulanaa Village, Gorontalo Regency, and corn farms in Polohungo Village, Gorontalo Regency. Soil samples were taken at three locations, namely corn location 1 (location I), corn location 2 (location II), and paddy fields (location III). At each location, samples were taken at 2 points to obtain 6 pieces. The distance between sampling points is 10 m. Based on the results of XRF measurements, the elements that dominate in paddy fields and corn include silica (Si), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), potassium (K), and manganese (Mn), where Si is a diamagnetic element, Fe is a ferromagnetic element, and Al, Ca, Ti, and K are paramagnetic elements. The most significant percentage is silica (Si), 60.27% in corn soil 2 points J2T2. The next highest element is iron (Fe), 29.47% in corn soil, 1 point J1T2. The next element is aluminum (Al), 9.10% in corn soil at 1 point J1T1, calcium (Ca) in corn soil at 2 points J2T2 is 10.03 %, titanium (Ti) was 2.31% in paddy fields at ST5 point and potassium (K) was 2.31% in a paddy field at ST5 point, and the lowest value was manganese (Mn) of 0.59% in corn soil 2 points J2T1. Even some heavy metal elements, such as lead (Pb), were found—zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn). The highest heavy metal elements were found in agricultural corn land at 2 J2T2 points, namely lead (Pb) at 158 ppm, zinc (Zn) at 4,555 ppm, and manganese (Mn) at 17,100 ppm, where these results have exceeded the threshold of soil quality standards, resulting in environmental pollution of agricultural land.

Comprehensive evaluation of chiral sedaxane with four stereoisomers for risk reduction: Bioactivity, toxicity, and stereoselective dissipation in crop planting systems

A comprehensive evaluation of chiral pesticide at the stereoisomeric level is an effective strategy to improve efficiency and reduce risk on foods. For chiral sedaxane with four stereoisomers, there were 517–1013 fold differences in bioactivity for three kinds of phytopathogens and 3.73 fold differences in toxicity against model organism (Danio rerio) between the best (trans-1R2S-sedaxane) and worst stereoisomer (cis-1S2S-sedaxane). Trans-1R2S-sedaxane had the strongest affinity with the active site than other stereoisomers, which might contribute to the highest bioactivity. Trans-sedaxane was 28.2–331 fold more effective than cis-sedaxane. The dissipation half-lives of sedaxane stereoisomers ranged from 3.28 to 30.7 d in the test crops and soils. Trans-1S2R-sedaxane and cis-1S2S-sedaxane were preferentially dissipated in corn plants, while the preferential dissipation of trans-1R2S-sedaxane was found in wheat plants, potato plants and corn soil. The preferential dissipation of trans-sedaxane in corn plants, wheat plants, potato plants and corn soil would be environmentally friendly.

Role of biochar on improvement of physical characteristics of re-vegetated ex coal mined soil and production of black corn (Zea mays L. var. Black Aztek)

Ex coal mined soil generally had problem for farming activities, even though it had been re-vegetated for few years. This research was aimed to determine the effect of biochar derived from corn cob to improve the physical characteristics of ex coal mined soil and production of black corn. A pot trial was conducted in Glasshouse at Andalas University, Padang. Soil was taken from re-vegetated of ex coal mined soil in Sawah Lunto, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The soil was mixed with biochar at 4 different doses (0; 0.5; 1.0; and 1.5%) of the weight basis. The experimental units were allocated based on Completely Randomized Design. Parameters analyzed were soil texture, bulk density (BD), total soil pore (TSP), hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil organic matter (SOM), and plant available water (PAT), as well as corn production parameters. The result showed that biochar significantly increased the SOM. SOM content at 1.5% biochar application increased by 32.4% compared to the OM content of the soil without biochar (0 T ha−1). Improving SOM due to biochar application, improved the soil physical properties, especially it decreased the soil BD (r=-0.71); increased HC (r=0.65); TSP (r=0.71); PAW (r=0.86); aeration pore (r=0.54); field capacity (r=0.83); and decreased wilting point (r=-0.66). Biochar application also improved production of black corn. It linearly increased crop height (r=0.76); corn stalk dry weight (DW) (r=0.75); grain yield DW (r=0.75); shoot DW (r=0.74); and root DW (r=0.76). Biochar derived from corn cob could be used to improve physical properties of ex coal mined soil.

Regional distribution and migration potential of antibiotic resistance genes in croplands of Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Agricultural activities have recently disturbed the ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the shift of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the different types of farmlands is not well understood, so more comprehensive ecological barrier management measures cannot be provided for the region. This research was performed to exploring ARG pollution in cropland soil on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to obtain information on the geographical and climatic factors shaping the ARG distribution. Based on high-throughput quantitative PCR (HT-qPCR) analysis, the ARG abundance in farmland ranged from 5.66 × 105 to 6.22 × 107 copies per gram of soil higher than previous research at soil and wetland in Qinghai-Tibet plateau, and it was higher in wheat and barley soils than in corn soil. The distribution of ARGs exhibited regional features as ARG abundance was adversely affected by mean annual precipitation and temperature with lower temperature and less rainfall at high altitude. According to network analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and heavy metals are the key drivers of ARG dissemination on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as they show negative relationship with ARGs, and selection copressure from heavy metals in cropland soil increases the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) potential of ARGs through synergistic selection effects, each contribution to the ARGs was 19% and 29% respectively. This research suggests the need to focus on controlling heavy metals and MGEs to constrain the dissemination of ARGs, as arable soil is already slightly contaminated by heavy metals.

A genome-wide co-expression network analysis revealed ZmNRAMP6-mediated regulatory pathway involved in maize tolerance to lead stress.

A metal transporter ZmNRAMP6 was identified by using a trait-associated co-expression network analysis at a genome-wide level. ZmNRAMP6 confers maize sensitivity to Pb by accumulating it to maize shoots. ZmNRAMP6 knockout detains Pb in roots, activates antioxidant enzymes, and improves Pb tolerance. Lead (Pb) is one of the most toxic heavy metal pollutants, which can penetrate plant cells via root absorption and thus cause irreversible damages to the human body through the food chain. To identify the key gene responsible for Pb tolerance in maize, we performed a trait-associated co-expression network analysis at a genome-wide level, using two maize lines with contrasting Pb tolerances. Finally, ZmNRAMP6 that encodes a metal transporter was identified as the key gene among the Pb tolerance-associated co-expression module. Heterologous expression of ZmNRAMP6 in yeast verified its role in Pb transport. Combined Arabidopsis overexpression and maize mutant analysis suggested that ZmNRAMP6 conferred plant sensitivity to Pb stress by mediating Pb distribution across the roots and shoots. Knockout of ZmNRAMP6 caused Pb retention in the roots and activation of the antioxidant enzyme system, resulting in an increased Pb tolerance in maize. ZmNRAMP6 was likely to transport Pb from the roots to shoots and environment. An integration of yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assay uncovered that ZmNRAMP6 was negatively regulated by a known Pb tolerance-related transcript factor ZmbZIP54. Collectively, knockout of ZmNRAMP6 will aid in the bioremediation of contaminated soil and food safety guarantee of forage and grain corn.

Ammonia volatilization and nitrogen status in second-season corn after lime and gypsum application in no-till

In no-till (NT), liming and urea fertilization are performed on the soil surface, which can increase nitrogen (N) losses via ammonia volatilization. On the basis of N fertilization management, gypsum application provides a promising alternative for improving N uptake by plants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the N behavior loss by NH3-N volatilization, the soil pH at a depth of 0 – 0.05 m, leaf N content, and N uptake by second-season corn after lime and gypsum application in a Rhodic Ferralsol under NT. Overall, the treatments consisted of a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement with four lime rates (0, 2.6, 5.4, and 8.1 Mg ha-1) and four gypsum rates (0, 4, 8, and 12 Mg ha-1). During the study period, second-season corn was cultivated for two years and fertilized with urea, for which the N losses through ammonia volatilization, soil pH, leaf N content, and N uptake values were quantified. The losses through ammonia volatilization were subjected to nonlinear regression using a logistic model, and the other variables were subjected to linear regressions. The lime applied by broadcasting on the soil surface in the NT increased the pH of the topsoil and increased N losses via NH3-N volatilization in the second-season corn. Further, the N losses in the NT treated with lime accounted for 58% of the applied N, which increased by 2.3 to 2.5% for each Mg ha-1 of lime applied. Therefore, lime or gypsum application did not improve the status of N in second-season corn in soils with low acidity and no S deficiency.

Monolith soil core sampling to develop nitrate testing protocol for manure injection

AbstractInjecting manure and commercial fertilizer beneath the soil surface is an important nutrient management practice that conserves ammonia‐nitrogen (N) but creates distinct bands of N below the soil surface. To date, no widely accepted soil nitrate sampling protocol has been developed to account for the extreme heterogeneity created by injection. To develop sampling recommendations for Pre‐Sidedress Nitrate Test (PSNT), we quantified patterns of NO3−‐N concentrations in soil of corn (Zea mays L.) plots injected with liquid dairy cattle (Bos taurus L.) manure at 76 cm spacing over 2 years. Soil monoliths were collected to allow precise sampling of 30 cm deep by 2.5 cm soil cores from which a mid‐season PSNT was determined. Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to simulate the effects of alternative soil sampling protocols on bias and error. Results from the simulation support the following equispaced sampling protocol: five, 30‐cm deep soil cores are spaced 15 cm apart and oriented in a line perpendicular to the injected manure bands, collected at four locations in the field, to produce a single composite of 20 samples for NO3− analysis. It is not necessary to know manure band location. As spatially discrete manure application patterns become more prevalent with the expansion of manure injection, we believe this PSNT sampling protocol balances risk of error with practical concerns needed to promote adoption.

Detection of the stunt nematode Tylenchorhynchus annulatus in the rhizosphere of rice and corn in Indonesia

A morphometrics, morphological and molecular study revealed the presence of the stunt nematode Tylenchorhynchus annulatus in rhizosphere soil of paddy rice and corn in Central Java, Indonesia. Phylogenetic analysis placed the Indonesian populations in a clade with populations from China and South Korea, separated from populations from the USA. To our knowledge this is the first report of T. annulatus in Indonesia.

Economics and fertility status of organic and inorganic fertilizer-applied soil in sweet corn (Zea mays) cultivation

A rainfed field experiment was laid out during the rainy season of 2019 at the Research farm of Raj Mohini Devi College of Agriculture and Research Station, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on economic viability and residual nutrient status of soil in sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata). The experiment comprised 2 sources of organic manures, viz. vermicompost and FYM together with no organic manure and 3 levels of fertilizers, viz. 50%, 75% and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (120, 60 & 40 kg N, P and K/ha respectively) and replicated trice. The result showed that, the application of 3 t vermicompost/ha resulted in the highest growth and yield attributes as well as cob and fodder yields, followed by 5 t FYM/ha and both these treatments proved significantly superior to no organic manure. However, 100% RDF recorded higher value of these parameters and was found significantly superior to 75% and 50% RDF. The highest dehusked cob yield (14.9 t/ha) and net returns (` 147,265.2/ha) were obtained with 3.0 t vermicompost/ha + 100% RDF. Different organic sources did not cause any significant effect on available N, P and K but significantly enhanced organic carbon content of the soil. Nutrient levels had significant effect on available N, P and K of the soil at harvesting.

Cropping system drives microbial community response to simulated climate change and plant inputs

The soil microbiome’s role in regulating biogeochemical processing is critical to the cycling and storage of soil organic carbon (C). The function of the microbiome under different land management uses has become a focal area of research due to the interest in managing soil C to mitigate climate change. This study investigates the structural and functional response of soil microbiomes from annual monoculture (corn [<i>Zea mays</i> L.]) and perennial diversified (prairie) cropping systems, both under no-till management for bioenergy production. We used a full factorial soil incubation study to understand the influence of temperature and moisture on microbial C decomposition in these soils, with and without addition of cellulose as a model plant residue. Overall, perennial prairie soil supported distinct microbiomes with more diverse prokaryotic and fungal communities compared to annual corn soil. The less diverse corn microbiome was sensitive to the addition of C, resulting in significantly higher respiration compared to prairie, and this increased respiration was amplified under warmer temperatures. In contrast to C loss from the corn soil as carbon dioxide (CO₂), prairie soil had significantly higher extracellular enzyme activities and small increases in microbial biomass, illustrating cropping system-specific tradeoffs between microbial C allocation. Specific community structure shifts occurred with added cellulose, where fast-growing, motile decomposers became more abundant under wet conditions, while a small subset of fungi dominated under dry conditions. These differential responses of fungi and bacteria reflect microbial traits important for accessing substrates like plant residues. These changes in community structure due to moisture and cellulose amendment were not necessarily reflected in community function, as potential enzyme activities of most hydrolases were insensitive to temperature and C amendment on this short time scale. Lower respiration occurred in prairie compared to corn soil in response to increased available C and temperature, indicating a more resistant prairie microbiome that may be beneficial when confronted with climate change. These findings support deploying perennial and diversified systems in place of annual monocultures as bioenergy feedstocks, cover crops, buffer strips, or urban greenspaces as part of a land management strategy and highlight the importance of microbial activity in developing sustainable agroecosystems.

Effects of Two Kinds of Commercial Organic Fertilizers on Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Properties of Corn on New Reclamation Land.

Due to the development of urbanization and industrialization, a large amount of cultivated land resources has been occupied, while new reclamation land could expand the supply of usable land for food security. Organic fertilizers, such as crop residues, biosolids, sheep manure, mushroom residue, and biogas liquid, have been considered as an effective amendment in immature soil to improve its quality. Recently, two kinds of commercial organic fertilizers, pig manure and mushroom residue organic fertilizer (PMMR-OF), and sheep manure organic fertilizer (SM-OF), have been more regularly applied in agriculture production. However, the information available on effect of the two kinds of fertilizers on plant growth and rhizosphere soil properties in immature field is very limited. In order to evaluate PMMR-OF and SM-OF on immature soil, the soil quality and microbial community structure of corn rhizosphere soil samples under the two kinds of organic fertilizers at different concentrations was investigated. The results revealed a significant difference between commercial organic fertilizers (especially SM-OF) and chemical compound fertilizers (CCF) in soil properties and microbial community structure. Indeed, compared with the control based on16S and ITS amplicon sequencing of soil microflora, SM-OF caused a 10.79–19.52%, 4.33–4.39%,and 14.58–29.29% increase in Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Ascomycota, but a 5.82–20.58%, 0.53–24.06%, 10.87–16.79%, 2.69–10.50%, 44.90–59.24%, 8.88–10.98%, and 2.31–21.98% reduction in Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Chytridiomycota, respectively. CCF caused a 24.11%, 23.28%, 38.87%, 19.88%, 18.28%, and 13.89% reduction in Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, but a 22.77%, 41.28%, 7.88%, and 19.39% increase in Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Ascomycota, and Mortierellomycota, respectively. Furthermore, redundancy discriminant analysis of microbial communities and soil properties of PMMR-OF, SM-OF, CCF, and the control treatments indicated that the main variables of bacterial and fungal communities included organic matter content, available P, and available K. Overall, the results of this study revealed significant changes under different fertilizer conditions (PMMR-OF, SM-OF, CCF, under different concentrations) in microbiota and chemical properties of corn soil. Commercial organic fertilizers, particularly SM-OF, can be used as a good amendment for the new reclamation land.

Effects of Different Microbial Fertilizers on Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Properties of Corn in Newly Reclaimed Land.

Land reclamation may expand the supply of usable land for food security. Soil microorganisms have been considered as an amendment in immature soil to improve its quality. However, different microbial fertilizers’ effects on plant growth in immature soil have largely been unexplored. In order to evaluate the effects of different microbial fertilizers on immature soil, the soil quality and microbial community structure of corn rhizosphere soil samples under different microbial fertilizers were investigated. The results revealed a significant difference between microbial fertilizers (especially seaweed microbial fertilizer, SMF) and commercial chemical compound fertilizers in the soil properties and microbial community structure. Indeed, SMF caused a 486.21%, 23.17%, 21.08%, 38.33%, and 482.39% increase in Flavobacteriaceae, Planctomycetaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Acidobacteria_Gp3, and Mortierellaceae but a 23.82%, 18.66%, 42.36%, 29.12%, 81.97%, 42.19%, and 99.33% reduction in Cytophagales, Comamonadaceae, Rhodospirillaceae, Sinobacteaceae, Aspergillaceae, Myrmecridiaceae, and Typhulaceae, respectively; while CCF caused an 85.68% and 183.22% increase in Xanthomonadaceae and Mortierellaceae but a 31.29%, 36.02%, and 65.74% reduction in Cytophagales, Spartobacteria, and Cyphellophoraceae compared with the control based on 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing of soil microflora. Furthermore, redundancy discriminant analysis of the microbial communities and soil properties indicated that the main variables of the bacterial and fungal communities included exchangeable Ca, organic matter content, total N, and available P. Overall, the results of this study revealed significant changes under different fertilizer conditions in the microbiota and chemical properties of corn soil. Microbial fertilizers, particularly SMF and SM, can be used as a good amendment for newly reclaimed land.

Assessment Of Phosphate Solubilization, Indole Acetic Acid and Ammonia Production By Bacteria And Fungi Isolated From The Rhizosphere Of Guinea Corn (Sorghum bicolor)

The rhizosphere is known to harbour a number of bacteria and fungi that can improve plant growth and productivity. This study investigated the abilities of bacteria and fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of guinea corn to solubilize phosphate, Idole Acetic Acid (IAA) and ammonia production. Purified isolates were confirmed through biochemical test and Gram staining. Phosphate solubilization was quantified using Pikovskaya’s, medium on standardized isolates using standard curve. IAA, production was observed using spectrophotometer and ammonia production was confirmed using Mcfaland standard. Serratia marcescens, exhibited the highest phosphate solubilization activity (547.52 ug/ml), while Micrococcus luteus, exhibited the least (1.45 ug/ml). However, Escherichia coli, had the highest (1821.4 ug/ml), IAA, production and Serratia marcescens had the least (100.71ug/ml). Bacillus licheniformis, had the highest ammonia production (2452.65 ug/ml), while Lactobacillus bulgaricus, had the least (1495.77 ug/ml). Among the fungal isolates, Aspergillus niger had the highest phosphate solubilization effects (679.31ug/ml), while Mucor pusillus had the least ((1.82 ug/ml). Ammonia production was observed from all isolates screened. B. lichiniformis had the highest (2452.65ug/ml) and L. bulgaricus, had the least (1495.77ug/ml). The findings imply that rhizosphere soil of guinea corn harbours bacteria and fungi which can help to improve the availability of solubilized phosphate, production of IAA and ammonia.

Comparative elemental analysis of soil of wheat, corn, rice, and okra cropped field using CF-LIBS

The food chain is responsible for harmful chemical poisoning due to land pollution. Heavy metal contamination of the food chain is regarded as one of the key environmental channels of human exposure leading to possible health risks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxic elements of soil samples of different cropped fields of the specific parts on the lower course of the river Indus in district Jamshoro, the southern Sindh province of Pakistan. We report the comparative elemental composition of the Soil at 3 and 6 in. depth of the wheat, rice, corn, and okra cropped field using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Soil plasma is generated using Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm), 5 ns pulse duration, and 10 Hz repetition rate. At laser energy of 25 mJ the estimated irradiance is 7.15 × 1010 W/cm2. In this experimentation we have detected the Fe, Si, Mg, Ca, Al, Ba, Hg, Cr, Ni, Mn, H, Cu, Li, Sr, K, Ti, Na, Pb, V, and C in soil plasma spectra at the depth of 3 in. and 6 in. of wheat, rice, corn, and okra cropped field. We have estimated the electron temperature and electron number density under the assumption of the local thermodynamic equilibrium. We have found electron temperature (Te) corn plasma (3 in. depth) in the range of (13768–7003) K and electron number density (Ne) in the range of (9.01–5.18) × 1016 cm−3. In addition, we have also estimated the weight percentage of the different soil samples using Calibration Free LIBS (CF–LIBS).

Effect of Cotton Stalks Residues to Check Fertility Level of Soil, Yield and Energetics of Sweet Corn

A field experiment on Impact of incorporation of shredded cotton stalks to influence soil fertility status along with production of succeeding sweet corn was organized at college farm, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad in the midst of rabi 2020-21. The demonstration was proportioned in Randomized Block Design (factorial) and replicated thrice. Treatments contain two residue management viz., Shredded cotton stalks incorporation and no incorporation and five levels of fertility levels viz., control, 75% RDF, 100% RDF, 125% RDF and 150% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer). Incorporation of cotton stalks did not significantly influenced the grain and fodder yield. Grain and Fodder yield was significantly higher in 125% RDF which was on par with 150% RDF. Incorporation of cotton stalks @ 5 t ha-1 (Residue management) before sowing of the succeeding sweet corn did not influence the energy ratio, energy productivity, productivity day-1. 125% RDF recorded higher energy ratio, energy productivity, while higher productivity day-1 was observed in 150% RDF.

Modification and Validation of Ritchie Model for Evaporation of Maize Field in Saline Alkali Soil

In order to study the evaporation law of the soil between the corn trees of Daqing salt-alkali soil, the evaporation simulation value of different growth stages in the experimental period was compared with the measured value according to the Ritchie model theory, and the model fit was not well matched by using a homemade microsteaming seepage instrument to study the evaporation of the whole fertility period of corn in the green wind garden test area of Daqing High-tech Zone, as well as rainfall and soil moisture content. The accuracy of the two parameters in Ritchie’s model directly determines the accuracy of the model’s prediction of evaporation. The first U value and the second-stage α values were revised, respectively, and the model verification was based on the different growth-and-long-term values of corn, and the analysis showed that the average monthly rainfall was a function relationship with the average monthly evaporation. The modified Ritchie model has a maximum evaporation fit of 0.96 for maturity and a minimum fit of 0.91 for seedling. It provides an accurate evaporation prediction model for the accurate prediction of evaporation between saline soil corn classes in Daqing area and provides a theoretical basis for water quantity management and soil salinization prevention and control in the corn planting process.