Doses Of Nutrients Research Articles

Efficacy of Water Hyacinth as Growing Media for Amaranthus in Open Water Culture, Hydroponics and Land Cultivation in Kuttanad Ecosystem

A field experiment was conducted in farmer’s field in north Kuttanad during the kharif season during June-July 2023 and repeated consecutively during August-September 2023 to evaluate the efficacy of open water culture with respect to yield and growth attributes of amaranthus cultivation against deep water culture hydroponics with and without water hyacinth as medium. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Design (CRD), comprising six treatments with four replications. The treatments were T1: Open water culture without medium, T2: Open water culture with medium, T3: Hydroponics without medium, T4: Hydroponics with medium, T5: Land cultivation with a bed of water hyacinth alone as medium and T6: Control: soil culture-KAU-POP recommended dose of nutrients. The data revealed significant differences in plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and width, leaf area index, stem girth, root length and yield. Maximum plant height was recorded in T6 (Control- soil culture-Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) -POP recommended dose of nutrients) followed by T5 (Land cultivation with a bed of water hyacinth alone as medium). Highest leaf area index, stem girth and root length were in T6, but was on par with T5. The yield of the total harvest was significantly higher in T6, but was on par with T5, which proves the efficacy of water hyacinth as a growing medium for amaranthus cultivation. The lowest yield and growth attributes were recorded by T1 (Open water culture without medium) and T3 (Hydroponics without medium).

Nano-fibre matrix loaded with multi-nutrients to achieve balanced crop nutrition in greengram (Vigna radiata L.)

This research paper focuses on exploring the possibility of delivering macro, micro and trace elements using seed encapsulation through nano-fibres that are known to improve the nutrient use efficiencies while reducing the loss of nutrients. The nano-fibres were developed using an electrospinning machine by subjecting the polymer solution (10% polyvinyl alcohol PVA) loaded with recommended quantities of nutrients under optimal solution (pH, concentration, viscosity) and process (voltage, flow rate, tip-to-collector distance) parameters. The nano-fibres were characterized using SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XRD, TGA and Impedance spectra besides nutrient release pattern by ICP-MS. The data have clearly shown that nano-fibres retained nutrients and released slowly up to 35 days. After the characterization, green gram (Vigna radiata L) seeds were encapsulated with nano-fibres loaded with multi-nutrients and each seed was coated with approximately 20–25 mg of nano-fibres, dibbled into the soil and the physiological, nutritional, growth and yield responses were assessed. Seeds encapsulated with nano-fibres fortified with nutrients (NF) had registered significantly higher crop emergence percentage (C 62%; NF 99.8%), root length (C 12.3; NF 27.1 cm), shoot length (C 28.7; NF 47.7 cm), dry matter production (C 16.2; NF 27.5 g) and grain yield (C 621.6; NF 796.3 kg ha−1). All the parameters measured in nano-fibre encapsulated seeds fortified with 100% of recommended dose of nutrients (NF) were higher than uncoated control (C) seeds but comparable with 100 % conventional fertilizer applied ones (RDF). Such phenomenal increase in growth and yield parameters associated with the extensive surface area of nano-fibres that is capable of retaining and releasing nutrients in a regulated pattern and assist in improving the pulses productivity by achieving balance crop nutrition which alleviating multi-nutrient deficiencies.

Potato mycocenoses in the fields of the Novozybkovsky district of the Bryansk region with different levels of radioactive contamination and economic use

The peculiarities of the formation of mycocenoses in potato plantings growing in fields with different levels of radioactive contamination and economic use were studied. The experiments were carried out in 1991–1998 in the fields of the Novozybkov agricultural experimental station in the Bryansk region (pollution density l37Cs = 1.2 ± 0.2 MBq/m2) and the lands of the Komsomolets Agricultural Complex withdrawn from economic use (l37Cs 1.8 MBq/m2). Differences were noted in the incidence of potato plants with diseases in the field small–scale experiment (1992), depending on the fertilizers applied (background – peat manure compost (PMC) or additionally NPK + Mg), their balance (different doses of nutrients), as well as agricultural cultivation techniques. In the variants with the introduction of NPK + Mg and the use of the herbicide Promethrin SC or sodium humate, a significant decrease in the incidence of tubers with scab by 25–60% was revealed. Weather conditions influenced the development of pathogens. In 1994 rhizoctoniosis developed most actively in potato plantings and common scab on tubers (hydrothermal coefficient (GTС)may–august = 2.35, which is significantly higher than the average long–term norm for 1991–1998–1.35). In the experiment on potatoes of the Temp variety of Belarusian selection (1994), the possibility of restraining the development of pathogens due to pre-planting treatment of tubers with fungicides was shown: when using contact the decrease in the total level of development of phytopathogens and saprophytes was 1.4 times less than in the control, and when using the systemic fungicide Tect 450 CS – 2.3 times. The use of biologically active substances for the pre-planting treatment of potato tubers (Agate-25K, TPS, Crezacin, KRP and Epin-Extra R) led to a decrease in plant infestation with late blight by 2.2–4.5 times, infestation of tubers with scab by 17–32%, rhizoctoniosis by 10– 36% and later than in the control, the development of diseases, which determined the tactics of fungicidal protection of potatoes during the growing season. There was an increase in potato yield by 11–29% and a significant decrease in the accumulation of137Cs in tubers by 7–15%.

Antibiotic dose and nutrient availability differentially drive the evolution of antibiotic resistance and persistence.

Effective treatment of bacterial infections proves increasingly challenging due to the emergence of bacterial variants that endure antibiotic exposure. Antibiotic resistance and persistence have been identified as two major bacterial survival mechanisms, and several studies have shown a rapid and strong selection of resistance or persistence mutants under repeated drug treatment. Yet, little is known about the impact of the environmental conditions on resistance and persistence evolution and the potential interplay between both phenotypes. Based on the distinct growth and survival characteristics of resistance and persistence mutants, we hypothesized that the antibiotic dose and availability of nutrients during treatment might play a key role in the evolutionary adaptation to antibiotic stress. To test this hypothesis, we combined high-throughput experimental evolution with a mathematical model of bacterial evolution under intermittent antibiotic exposure. We show that high nutrient levels during antibiotic treatment promote selection of high-level resistance, but that resistance mainly emerges independently of persistence when the antibiotic concentration is sufficiently low. At higher doses, resistance evolution is facilitated by the preceding or concurrent selection of persistence mutants, which ensures survival of populations in harsh conditions. Collectively, our experimental data and mathematical model elucidate the evolutionary routes toward increased bacterial survival under different antibiotic treatment schedules, which is key to designing effective antibiotic therapies.

ЕКСПРЕС-ДІАГНОСТИКА ХЛОРОФІЛУ НА ПОСІВАХ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ

The purpose of this research is a comparative analysis of the chlorophyll content in two varieties of winter wheat in different periods of plant development using an autonomous field device (N-tester) for operational measurement of nitrogen content and calculation of the optimal dose of nutrient application on winter wheat crops during different phases of vegetation. Methods and materials. The research was conducted in the Oleksandrivskyi and Bobrynetskyi districts of Kirovohrad region on the fields of two farms on winter wheat crops (varieties «Memory» and «Avenue») with selected control plots with an area of 3 m2 each. At the key moments of plant development, before applying fertilizers, chlorophyll was measured using the N-tester «CSM-200 Plus GPS» and the sugar content was measured with a refractometer «HT116ATC», after which the required dose of application of drugs was calculated. In both farms, fertilizing was carried out at the optimal time of fertilizer application, but the rates of fertilizer were radically different. Results. Wheat of the «Memory» variety in the control plot (the total amount of applied nitrogen was 198 kg/ha), starting from the earing phase, looked greener, taller, the ear had a larger size, the indicators of the N-tester and the content of sugars in the control plot had higher indicators, but also the ripening period in the control plot lasted longer than in the rest of the field (the total amount of applied nitrogen per year was 101 kg/ha). Winter wheat of the «Avenue» variety in terms of the main indicators in the control plot (the total amount of applied nitrogen 145 kg/ha) and in the field (the total amount of applied nitrogen 183 kg/ha) almost did not differ: the length of the ear, the height of the plant, and the color are the same, the indicators of the N-tester and the content of sugars are also almost the same. Therefore, it can be concluded that the introduction of an additional amount of 38 kg/ha per year was ineffective and did not increase productivity. Conclusions. Operational measurement of the nitrogen content in field conditions using the N-tester made it possible to effectively calculate the doses of nutrients applied to winter wheat crops during different phases of vegetation and contributed to increasing the yield level of the investigated crop varieties. Keywords: fertilizers, plant nutrition, winter wheat, refractometer, harvest, phases of plant development, chlorophyll, N-tester.

Effect of Foliar Applied DAP and Nano-DAP on Growth and Yield of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The main objectives of the experiment were to evaluate the effect of DAP and nano-DAP along with basal fertilizers on growth and yield of upland rice. The study was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. The experiment was carried out at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala during November 2022 to February 2023. The study consisted of (4×2)+1 treatments with two factors. The first factor was levels of recommended dose of nutrients (N) with four levels (n1 : 100 per cent N and P; n2 : 75 per cent N and P; n3 : 50 per cent N and P; n4 : 25 per cent N and P). Second factor was foliar fertilizers (F), included two levels (f1 : 2 per cent DAP at AT and PI stage; f2 : 0.2 per cent nano-DAP at AT and PI stage). Plant height, tillers per square metre, leaf area per hill, leaf area index, flag leaf area per hill and total dry matter production were significantly higher in full recommended dose of nutrients. Leaf area per hill, leaf area index, leaf area duration and flag leaf area per hill were higher with DAP treatment. Higher value of leaf area per hill, leaf area index, leaf area duration, flag leaf area per hill, total dry matter production, grain and straw yield were recorded in full dose of fertilizer along with DAP treatment. Considering the growth attributing factors and yield, the application of 100 per cent N and P along with 2 per cent DAP application was the best treatment combination.

Impact of nutrient doses on the physicochemical quality of wheat and consumer acceptability in feeding

Impact of nutrient doses on the physicochemical quality of wheat and consumer acceptability in feeding

Evaluación de soluciones nutritivas enfocadas en el desarrollo de retorno en el cultivo de banano

Banana cultivation is a vital component of the agricultural industry in Ecuador and other tropical and subtropical regions. This study focused on investigating the influence of different doses of nutrient solutions on the development of banana shoots in areas with low productivity and high demand for export-quality bananas. The hypothesis was based on the increasing global demand for bananas and the need to increase yields without compromising product quality. Three treatments with varying doses of nutrient solutions were evaluated, and developmental parameters such as Fuste growth, plant height, and leaf dimensions were analyzed. The results highlighted the significant impact of nutrient doses on banana growth. Overall, the treatment with the recommended complete dose proved to be more effective in terms of Fuste length, height, and leaf dimensions. While lower doses occasionally generated faster growth, the treatment with the complete dose exhibited maximum growth and higher values in the evaluated parameters over time. These findings underscore the importance of balanced and adequate nutrition for banana cultivation. The optimal dose of nutrient solution is essential for achieving robust development and high-quality production. As bananas have high nutritional requirements, particularly in nutrients like potassium, maintaining nutritional balance emerges as a key factor in maximizing production and ensuring fruit quality.

Pengaruh berbagai dosis nutrisi terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman selada (Lactuca sativa L) pada hidroponik sistem sumbu

The experiment was carried out in the hydroponic hut Wa Adi, Gunungmanik Village, Talaga District, Majalengka Regency, West Java, with an altitude of 700 meters above sea level and a temperature of 20-26°C. The experiment was carried out from February to March 2022. The randomized block design (RBD) consisted of three treatments (t = 3 treatments) and was repeated ten times. Dosage factor (D) consists of three levels: d1 : 3 ml/liter (1.5 ml A + 1.5 ml B/liter), d2: 5 ml/liter (2.5 ml A + 2.5 ml B/liter), and d3: 7 ml/liter (3.5 ml A + 3.5 ml B/liter). Further tested using Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 5% level. Duncan's further test results showed that the administration of various doses of nutrients had a significant effect on plant height at 10 hst, plant height at 20 hst, plant height at 30 hst, number of leaves at 10 hst, number of leaves at 20 hst, leaf width at 20 hst, stover weight, and net weight. Each of the growth and yield components of lettuce plants treated with d2 (5 ml/liter) nutrient doses showed the best results compared to d1 (3 ml/liter) and d3 (7 ml/liter) nutrient doses.

Yield Gap Analysis of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) through Cluster Front Line Demonstration under NFSM Pulses Scheme in Khowai District, Tripura, India

Enhancing the production potential and socio- economic level of farmers, altogether 325 front line demonstrations on field pea were laid out comprising 325 farmers covering the total area 160 ha with demonstration plots ranging from 0.20 to 1.0 ha during the year 2015- 16 to 2022- 23 in 14 different villages of Khowai district of Tripura to disseminate the production technology of improved varieties viz., Malviya Matar- 15 (HUDP- 15), Prakash (IPFD 1-10), Aman (IPF 5-19). Field diagnostic visits, regular inspection, farmer’s trainings, group discussion, field days ensured application of balanced and optimum doses of nutrient, and timely plant protection measures. The productivity ranged from 11.50 to 13.50 q/ ha with average yield under demonstration recorded 12.21 q/ ha under improved technology on farmers field as against a yield ranged from 6.75 to 8.50 q/ ha with a mean of 7.52 q/ ha recorded under farmers practice. However, in the demonstration plot the yield enhancement due to technological intervention was 62.15% over the farmer’s practice. An average net returns of Rs 24,441/- at demonstrations plot, while the average net returns from farmers practice is Rs 7218. The additional cost of Rs 5440 gave additional net return of Rs. 17,223/ ha. The increased cost benefit ratio was also estimated; it ranged from 1.56 to 1.97 in recommended practices and 1.11 to 1.36 in farmers practice. An extension gap of 4.69 q/ ha was found between demonstrated technology and farmers practice, technology gap being observed 12.41 q/ ha, whereas technology index 49.87%. Therefore, cluster front line demonstration of field pea was effective for increasing the productivity of field pea and changing the knowledge, attitude and skill of the farmers. This created greater awareness and motivated the other farmers to adopt improved practices of field pea.

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources on the Yield and Uptake of Major Nutrients in Soybean

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different organic sources of nitrogen with inorganic fertilizers on crop yield, yield attributes and uptake of major plant nutrients in the soya bean-maize cropping system. The highest soybean yield of 12.9qt-1 was obtained with the application of 75% of the recommended dose of nitrogen along with 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (P)& and potassium (K) through inorganic fertilizers+25% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost and the lowest values of all the parameters were obtained from the control treatment. The uptake of nitrogen (N), P&K increased with treatments that received integrated use of organic manures in combination with the recommended dose of nutrients.

Dietary supplements, guideline alignment and biochemical nutrient status in pregnancy: Findings from the Queensland Family Cohort pilot study.

In high-income nations, multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation during pregnancy is a common practice. We aimed to describe maternal characteristics associated with supplement use and daily dose of supplemental nutrients consumed in pregnancy, and whether guideline alignment and nutrient status are related to supplement use. The Queensland Family Cohort is a prospective, Australian observational longitudinal study. Maternal characteristics, nutrient intake from food and supplements, and biochemical nutrient status were assessed in the second trimester (n = 127). Supplement use was reported by 89% of participants, of whom 91% reported taking an MMN supplement. Participants who received private obstetric care, had private health insurance and had greater alignment to meat/vegetarian alternatives recommendations were more likely to report MMN supplement use. Private obstetric care and general practitioner shared care were associated with higher daily dose of supplemental nutrients consumed compared with midwifery group practice. There was high reliance on supplements to meet nutrient reference values for folate, iodine and iron, but only plasma folate concentrations were higher in MMN supplement versus nonsupplement users. Exceeding the upper level of intake for folic acid and iron was more likely among combined MMN and individual supplement/s users, and associated with higher plasma concentrations of the respective nutrients. Given the low alignment with food group recommendations and potential risks associated with high MMN supplement use, whole food diets should be emphasized. This study confirms the need to define effective strategies for optimizing nutrient intake in pregnancy, especially among those most vulnerable where MMN supplement use may be appropriate.

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.

Evaluation of DSSAT CROPGRO model on growth and yield of pigeonpea cultivars under different fertigation levels

Crop modelling can make it easier for researchers to comprehend and describe experimental results and pinpoint yield disparities. In this competition, the impact of pigeonpea growth and yield under various fertigation levels was examined using the Decision Support Systems for Agrotechnology Transfer 4.6 (DSSAT) and CROPGRO pigeonpea models. Under drip fertigated levels, the cultivars received various nutrient doses. The pigeonpea model developed by DSSAT-CROPGRO successfully simulated measured pigeonpea grain yield. The field trials took place in Coimbatore at the millet breeding facility of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The study ran the GLUE coefficient estimator to estimate the cultivar coefficients until it had a good match between the predicted and observed seed yield. The accuracy of the model was measured by calculating its R-squared, RMSE, NRMSE, and Agreement percentage. According to model simulation and field measurements, drip fertigation at 125% RDF via WSF + Azophosmet and foliar spray of 1% PPFM resulted in the highest seed output of 1875 kg ha-1(V1F5) over both years. The increase in seed yield with drip fertigation at 125% RDF via WSF + Azophosmet and foliar spray of 1% PPFM (V1F5) was 8.0 - 11.0% when compared to drip fertigation at 100% RDF via WSF + Azophosmet and foliar spray of 1% PPFM (V1F4)12.9 - 16.1 % compared to drip fertigation at 100% RDF through WSF; and 68.0 - 74.3 % compared to conventional fertilizer. It was indicated that the DSSAT v.4.6 can be a helpful tool for determining and forecasting pigeonpea growth yield if it is appropriately calibrated. Simulation models substantially facilitated maximizing crop growth and generating management advice.

PENGARUH KONSENTRASI DAN INTERVAL WAKTU PEMBERIAN PUPUK ORGANIK CAIR AZOLLA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN PAKCOY Varietas Nauli (Brassica rapa chinensis L.)

The aim of the research was to determine whether there was a real interaction effect of Azolla POC concentration and the time interval of POC administration on the yield and growth of Pakcoy plants. The research used a Randomized Group Design (RAK) arranged factorially including 2 factors which were repeated 3 times. Factor I is the nutrient dose of Azolla liquid organic fertilizer which consists of 3 levels 4 namely D1: 0 ml/1 water, D1: 2 ml/l water, D2: 4 ml/l water, D3: 6ml/l water and Factor II is Time interval for application of 3 level Azolla liquid organic fertilizer. S1: Application time interval 2 days, S2: Application time interval 4 days, S3: Application time interval 6 days. Plant height (cm) was observed at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 HST, measured using a meter. The number of leaves at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 WAP and leaf width at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 HST were measured using a tape measure. Accumulated fruit weight per plant (grams) The wet fruit weight of Pokcoy plants is determined by weighing all parts of the plant (roots, stems, leaves). Plants were weighed one by one using an analytical balance. Observational data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a level of α = 0.05 and if there were significant differences between treatments then a further test was carried out using the DMRT test (Duncan's Multiple Range Test) at a level of α = 0.05. The results of research that have been carried out have concluded that there is a real interaction between the concentration of Azolla liquid organic fertilizer (D) and the time interval for POC application on the growth and yield of Pak Choy plants. The best treatment combination for plant height variables; number of leaves; leaf area is the D2S2 treatment, namely the combination treatment of azolla POC concentration of 4 ml/L and the POC application time interval of 4 days, while for plant fresh weight the best combination is D2S3, namely the combination treatment of 6 ml Azolla POC concentration and 4 day POC application time interval with weight. fresh plants amounting to 58.17 grams.

Productivity and nutrient use of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in sequential cropping system in Vertisols

Field experiments were conducted on fixed plot for three consecutive years during 2009-12 onmediumVertisolsat Hyderabad. The experimental site was clay soil with a soil pH and organic carbon of 7.7 and 0.51 per cent,respectively. The productivity and sustainability ofrabi sunflower was assessed under three cropping sequences in rainy(kharif) and winter (rabi)seasons viz., fallow-sunflower; sunflower-sunflower and soybean-sunflower and four nutrient management practices. The kharif crops were grown as rainfed and rabi sunflower was grown with one irrigation at sowing. The highest seed yield (1412 kg/ha) of sunflower was recorded in soybean-sunflower system followed by fallow-sunflower (1185 kg//ha) system. Continuous cropping ofsunflower resulted in lowest yield (983 kg/ha). N and P uptake of rabi sunflower succeeding either soybean or fallow was higher compared to continuous cropping. Significantly higher and comparable seed yield, stalk yield were obtained with the application of recommended dose of major nutrients in conjunction with farm yard manure (FYM).

Influence of Different Residue Retention and Nutrient Levels on Crop Productivity of Soybean (Glycine max L.) under Conservation Agriculture

During the kharif season of 2020-22, a field experiment with soybean in a soybean-wheat cropping system was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, (M.P.) to assess the effect of different levels of crop residue retention treatments and nutrient doses on growth parameters, physiological indices, yield attributes, yield and profitability of soybean. The experiment was laid out with Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) comprised of 16 combinations of 4 residue level (0%, 30%, 60% and 90%) and 4 nutrient doses (N1-RDF (120:60:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1), N2-75% N+100% P2O5 and K2O ha-1, N3-75% P2O5+100% N and K2O ha-1, N4-75% K2O+100% N and P2O5 ha-1) with 3 replication under ongoing CRP-CA (Consortium Research Platform on Conservation Agriculture). The result showed that growth parameters, physiological indices as well as yield, yield attributes and profitability were significantly higher in 90% than other crop reside retention treatment. The higher (90%) crop residue retention resulted in 16% higher grain yield, 16.88% stover yield and 17.55% higher profitability then without residue treatment. Among different nutrient doses 100% RDF showed significantly higher growth and better physiological indices at all the growth stages. Significantly higher seed (1226 kg ha-1) and stover (2274 kg ha-1) yields were recorded with 100% RDF with any other management practices.

Dry Matter Accumulation and Physiological Growth Parameters of Maize as Influenced by Different Nutrient Management Practices

Background: Maize, which is an important cereal for its yield potential and it can be influenced by various agronomic factors. In hybrid maize, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index are strongly affected due to applied nutrients. The amount of dry matter accumulation is directly related to the grain yield. The present study has been conducted with a focus on the effect of nutrient management on dry matter accumulation and other physiological parameters for quantifying the growth of maize. Methods: The present study was conducted during rabi season for two consecutive years of 2021-2022 and 2022-23 at the P.G. Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 14 treatments and three replications. The treatment details include different recommended doses of nutrients, leaf colour chart and sufficiency index-based nitrogen management and nutrient expert based nutrient management in maize. Result: The study revealed that application of ample dose of nitrogen, i.e., 200-60-60 kg/ha of N-P2O5-K2O resulted in obtaining the highest dry matter accumulation and leaf area index of maize throughout the growth periods for both the years of maize. Further, the treatments 150% RDF and SI-based N management (N-60-60 kg/ha) at SI 90-95% also performed at par in terms of growth attributes of maize.

Yield attributes of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and soil properties in Southern Laterites, Kerala as influenced by consortium biofertilizers

A field experiment was undertaken at College of Agriculture, Vellayani during June to December 2019, to assess the efficacy of liquid consortium biofertilizer, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Mix - I in cassava and to examine the changes in soil chemical and biological properties with the application. The treatment combinations included four levels of biofertilizer [PGPR Mix - I liquid (L) @ 2 %, PGPR Mix - I liquid (L) @ 5 %, PGPR Mix - I powder (P) formulation @ 10g of 2 % mixture per plant, without biofertilizer] and three levels of nutrients, with 50: 50: 100 kg NPK/ha as the standard dose of nutrients (SDN), [50 % SDN, 75 % SDN, 100 % SDN]. The 4 × 3 factorial experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The results of the study revealed that the liquid biofertilizer consortium at 5 per cent + 75 percent SDN (37.5: 37.5: 75 kg NPK /ha) recorded significantly superior yield attributes in cassava and improved the soil organic C, available K status and microbial count.

Reduced tillage and subsurface fertigation improve productivity and economic benefits in the cotton-wheat cropping system

Soil compaction under repetitive tillage and surface flood method of irrigation (SFMI) are significant hurdles for sustaining crop production in India, necessitating the adoption of efficient soil and water management strategies. Hence, a 3-year field study was conducted at two diverse agro-climatic locations (Abohar and Faridkot) to investigate the impact of subsurface drip (SUSD) fertigation on crop and water productivity of cotton-wheat cropping system (CWCS), over traditional practice (TP) (conventional tillage with SFMI and manual application of nutrients). The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized complete block design with three levels of subsurface drip irrigation (SUSDI) [100, 80, and 60% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)] and two fertigation levels [75% recommended dose of nutrients (RDN) and 100% RDN], where TP and surface drip (SD) fertigation at 80% ETc coupled with 100% RDN (Control 2), served as two control treatments. Cotton was raised through reduced tillage, while zero till drill was used for sowing wheat. The results revealed that, barring SUSDI at 60% ETc, both crops exhibited improved yield under all drip combinations of reduced or zero tillage over TP. Better mass and higher length of cotton roots in drip fertigation were evident due to improved steady-state infiltration rates (SSIR) and reduced bulk density (BD) under conservation tillage. When 100% RDN was applied, the 100% and 80% ETc SUSDI resulted in 26.7% and 24.7% higher seed cotton yield (SCY) than TP. Similarly, wheat yield with 100% RDN was improved by 10.5% and 14.4% under SUSDI of 80% and 100% ETc, respectively, over the TP. The results indicated that SUSD can be clubbed with reduced tillage for better soil health, improved crop yield, and higher apparent water productivity. The improved benefit to cost (B:C) owing to enhanced monetary returns over TP also substantiated that reduced tillage with SUSD is a viable and remunerative practice for CWCS. The study elucidated that reduced tillage exercised a beneficial effect on physical soil properties by lowering BD and improving SSIR. At the same time, SUSD could save huge amounts of irrigation water besides enhanced input use efficiency leading to higher crop productivity.