Application Of Farmyard Manure Research Articles

Evaluation of Land Surface Management on Moisture Conservation, Yield and Yield Components of Maize (<i>Zea Mays </i>L.) in East Shewa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

Maize is an important food crop in Ethiopia and it is one of the main smallholder food crops in the rift valley of Oromia, although shortage of rainfall and erratic occurrence was caused soil moisture content stressed yields reduced. Suitable soil and water conservation measures that can be easily integrated into the existing farming operations while enhancing in-situ moisture conservation. The study was conducted on land surface management to increase soil moisture content, amend soil nutrients and enhance yield and yield components of maize. The experiment was conducted during the 2021 and 2022 main cropping seasons at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center on-station using RCBD that had five tested treatments. Maize variety Melkasa-II was used as a testing crop for its familiar to local communities. The results indicated that soil moisture content was enhanced by 5.8% to 26.4% in maturity and vegetative stages up to 60 cm depths. Soil physico-chemical properties were improved and the highest grain yield was obtained from 5 tha<sup>-1</sup> (SM+FYM) plus NPS fertilizer and 5 tha<sup>-1</sup> of straw mulch plus inorganic fertilizers treatments that increased by three to four fold of the organic fertilizer applied and control treatments orderly. This result implies that retaining crop straw mulch and application of farmyard manure in the field within profitable cost can be used as soil moisture conservation tool for sustainable improvement of maize production in the study area.

Integrated Nutrient Management for Improving the Soil Sustainability and Crop Productivity: A Review

The excessive of chemical fertilizers with minimal organic inputs in modern agriculture are resulted in nutrient deficiencies and environmental problems. The inorganic chemical fertilizers cannot sustain plant nutrition in highly intensive agricultural systems. Sustainable yield and crop performance are difficult to improve without balanced application of nutrient management practices. The integrated nutrient management (INM) strategies involved the application of vermi-compost, green manure, cover crops, crop residues, vermi-compost and farmyard manure. Since organic manure cannot synchronized the concentrated requirement of plant nutrients as per crop demands, hence balanced integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers helps to improve the crop productivity and economic returns to famers. Therefore, INM strategy has come up as field specific approach in modern era. The INM strategy build-up the organic matter which improve the crop performance and efficient management of water and nutrients. However, optimizing the timing, rate, source and methods of nutrient application is helpful in achieving the higher apparent recovery efficiency and crop production synchronization with crop demands.

Effect of Organic Nutrients and Zinc Biofortification on Growth and Yield of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) CV. Mahy Harita

A field experiment was carried out at Orchard, Department of Horticulture, Annamalai University, Faculty of Agriculture, TamilNadu during 2023-2024. The experiment was laid out in RBD with fifteen treatments in three replications. The organic manures used in the experiment were farm yard manure (25 t ha-1) and enriched manure (1 t ha-1) as soil application along with consortium biofertilizer (2 kg ha-1) and foliar application of biostimulants viz., panchagavya (3%), sea weed extract (3%) and effective microbial inoculants (2%). The zinc in the form of Bacillus subtilis @ 10 and 20g was applied as soil application. The results of the experiment revealed that the growth parameters viz., vine length, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth and leaf area were recorded the highest in the treatment that received the application of farmyard manure 25 t ha-1combined with panchagavya (3%) as foliar application and Bacillus subtilis @ 20g. The yield attributes viz., the highest number of fruits plant-1, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, fruit yield plant-1 and the zinc uptake in fruit were registered in the treatment which received the application of enriched manure @1 t ha1 combined with panchagavya (3%) as foliar application and Bacillus subtilis @ 20g (T11) respectively.

Innovative organic nutrient management and land arrangements improve soil health and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in an organic farming system

IntroductionSoil health is vital for ecosystems, but excessive use of fertilizers, chemicals, and irrigation harms soil fertility, leading to reduced yields and degradation. Thus, exploring innovative land arrangements and nutrient management for staple crops such as wheat is essential. Organic farming offers a promising solution. This study hypothesized that an appropriate land arrangement, combined with split applications of farmyard manure (FYM) and liquid organic fertilizer, can enhance wheat productivity while also improving soil health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different sowing methods and organic nutrient management practices on the productivity of wheat and soil health.MethodsThis study aimed to examine the impact of sowing methods and nutrient management practices on soil health and organic wheat productivity during the winter seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the Organic Farming Unit (Agronomy), Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design, with three land arrangements/sowing methods in the main plot and eight nutrient management approaches in the subplots.ResultsConcerning different land arrangements, the furrow irrigated raised bed sowing (FIRB) method resulted in the maximum wheat yield (4.34 t ha−1) compared with flat row sowing and zero tillage sowing. With respect to nutrient management practices, 75% of the recommended dose of N (RDN) through the FYM was basal + 25% RDN with the 1st irrigation + Jeevamrut application at 500 L ha−1 during sowing, and the 1st irrigation + Panchagavya spraying at 5% during the booting stage resulted in the highest grain yield (4.47 t ha−1). Both the zero tillage and FIRB land arrangements resulted in better soil biological activities and microbial counts than did flat sowing. The results indicate that sowing wheat via the FIRB method, with the recommended nitrogen dose applied through split applications of FYM along with liquid organic manures such as Jeevamrut and Panchagavya, can be an excellent option for organic wheat cultivation. This approach can enhance both yield and soil health.ConclusionSeventy-five percent RDN through FYM as a basal + 25% RDN during the 1st irrigation + Jeevamrut at 500 L ha−1 during sowing and the 1st irrigation + spraying of Panchagavya at 5% during the booting stage effectively increased the growth and yield of organic wheat. With respect to land arrangements, both FIRB and zero tillage resulted in better growth, yield, and soil biological properties. The practical utility of this study is the optimization of split applications of FYM and land arrangements for organic wheat cultivation.

Phosphorus Availability from Rock Phosphates and Adsorption-Desorption Phenomenon in Red and Alluvial Soil as Affected by Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), FYM and Vermicompost Application

ABSTRACT Phosphorus (P) is typically fixed in red soils (as Fe-P and Al-P). P release from different sources i.e. Rock-phosphate (RP), Farm Yard Manure (FYM), and Vermicompost (VC) is mainly governed either by adsorption, desorption, fixation, or ligand exchange. The present study was undertaken using phosphorus solubilizers Burkholdaria cariabensis (PSB1) and B. cepacia (PSB2), inorganic sources Udaipur Rock-phosphate (RP1) and Purulia Rock-phosphate (PR2) and organic sources (FYM and VC) applied in red and alluvial soils. Results showed that pH statistically on par and available P content were significantly varied in both soil type under laboratory incubation experiment at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days intervals. P adsorption and desorption experiments were also carried out taking heavy suspension of two P-solubilizers. Results showed that higher soluble P was recorded in FYM amended soils (T8, T9, T10 and T11) over the VC treated soils (T12, T13, T14 and T15) in both soils. Data showed that the RP1 have higher (34.00%) total P concentration as compared to RP2 (10.87%). Meanwhile, it was observed that higher P adsorption observed in red soils as compared to alluvial soils and vice-versa in case of desorption maxima, similarly higher P adsorption in PSB1 as compared to PSB2. A quantitative and qualitative study on organic acid secretions by Burkholdaria cariabensis and Burkholdaria cepacia needs to be carried out in the future.

Remediation quantum of organic amendments to immobilize potentially toxic heavy metals in wastewater-contaminated soils through maize cultivation

Wastewater is considered a good reservoir of mineral elements that can be used for agriculture, aquaculture, and some other activities after adopting suitable measures. The gap between supply and demand for water is increasing exponentially because of the abrupt boost to the world’s population. This poses a threat to human life as it has reached alarming levels in some parts of the globe. Normally, wastewater consists of liquid waste produced by commercial or industrial sources for daily use, consumption, and production. It is time to refocus our attention on a kind of circulating water system by reusing municipal wastewater for agricultural purposes, particularly irrigation. The recycled or treated water would be used as an alternative to fresh water. In the current study, the impact of various organic amendments was studied to mitigate the toxic effects of pollutants present in wastewater by cultivating maize as a test crop. The present study comprised five treatments replicated four times with a randomized complete block design under field conditions. In this experiment, the treatments included T1 (treatment 1) = control (wastewater-polluted soil without the application of any amendment), T2 = farmyard manure (FYM) at 2.5 tons ha-1 (hectare-1), T3 = FYM at 5.0 tons ha-1, T4 = compost at 2.5 tons ha-1, and T5 = compost at 5.0 tons ha-1. The application of FYM at 5.0 tons ha-1 (T3) was recorded as being the most effective as the maximum improvement was observed in soil characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and organic matter, and for T3, these were 7.33, 2.22 dS m-1, 8.16, and 0.94%, respectively. T3 remained most superior in reducing the concentration of heavy metals in the soil; for example, lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic for T3 were 8.64, 1.34, 10.44, and 2.25 mg kg-1 (milligrams per kg), respectively. Maximum fresh biomass (fodder yield) of 9.98 tons ha-1 was harvested when FYM was applied at 5.0 tons ha-1 to the soil compared to 6.2 tons ha-1 in the control plot. The highest contents of nitrogen (1.20%), phosphorus (0.41%), and potassium (3.97%) were observed in maize plants for T3. In maize plants (T3), the concentration of lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic was reduced to levels of 1.92, 0.23, 2.28, and 1.25 mg kg-1, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded from the findings of the experiment that the application of FYM significantly reduced heavy metal concentrations and improved soil health, along with maize crop growth and productivity.

Geochemical Interaction and Bioavailability of Zinc in Soil Under Long‐Term Integrated Nutrient Management in Pearl Millet–Wheat System

ABSTRACTThe degree and severity of zinc (Zn) deficiency in soil reduced the agricultural yield and quality, thus encouraging malnutrition in humans worldwide. The study was hypothesized to increase the bioavailability and release of Zn in soil and Zn biofortification in wheat grains under integrated nutrient management (INM). The long‐term (54 years) experiment laid out in a split‐plot design comprising single (W) and dual (PW) applications of farmyard manure (FYM) (0, 5, 10, and 15 Mg ha−1) and nitrogen (0, 60, and 120 kg ha−1) was studied to understand the distribution of different Zn fractions in soil and their relationship to wheat grain yield and Zn uptake. A laboratory incubation study was performed on surface soils to evaluate the release kinetics of native Zn at field capacity. The different fractions of Zn in soil increased with increasing frequency and levels of FYM application. Residual Zn constituted the maximum proportion (89.03%) of total soil Zn. A high positive correlation (p < 0.01) of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable Zn and total grain Zn content were observed with different Zn fractions. The release kinetics of native soil Zn increased up to 10 days and became almost constant, indicating the establishment of chemical equilibria between the soil solid and solution phase. Thus, long‐term INM ensured higher wheat production (6.08 Mg ha−1) and Zn biofortification (38.95 mg kg−1) to combat Zn malnutrition and achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals on “zero hunger” and “good health and well‐being.”

Integrated disease management strategy for stem rot of rice caused by Sclerotium oryzae Catt

Stem rot of Rice caused by Sclerotium oryzae Catt was once thought to be a minor disease, is becoming one of the major constraints of rice production currently. An experiment was conducted in split plot design with manures, bio agents, fungicide in different treatments alone or integration at Agricultural Research station, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh for three rabi seasons of consecutive years (2019-2021). Pooled analysis of two years data revealed that among all the treatments application of farm yard manure @ 4t/ac+dhaincha @10kg/ac+ 2kg Trichoderma asperellum multiplied in 90 kg farm yard manure+10kg neem cake/ac applied to one acre through soil + two sprays of propiconazole 25EC @ 1ml/l with 15 days interval from booting to panicle emergence effectively managed the diseases with significantly least stem rot incidence (11.40%) and highest grain yield (8359 kg/ha).

Effect of different organic manures on the growth and yield of Zucchini in Khotang, Nepal

This experiment was conducted from February 2022 to May 2022 in ward no 1 of Diktel Rupakot Majuwagadi Municipality, Khotang district of Nepal to evaluate the efficacy of different organic manures in the growth and yield of zucchini in Khotang. We aimed to identify the most effective organic manure (goat manure, poultry manure, farm yard manure (FYM), vermicompost experiment, and control), and the research was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replications. The Cheongma variety of zucchini was used as a test crop. The recommended dose of manure (goat manure at 20 t/ha, poultry manure at 15 t/ha, FYM at 20 t/ha, vermicompost at 6 t/ha, and control) was applied to each treatment. There is no significant difference observed between treatments and vegetative parameters but a significant difference was found in yield. Furthermore, results showed that the highest yield was obtained from the field treated with poultry manure (1.84 kg), followed by FYM (1.40 kg) and 1.38 kg on vermicompost, respectively. The minimum yield was recorded at 1.09 kg from control, followed by goat manure (1.29 kg). The study by (Farhan, 2021; Eifediyi, 2010) found that the application of poultry manure and FYM significantly increased fruit yield and our research study also demonstrated the same findings.

Dissipation of AM Nitrification Inhibitor in Soil Supplemented with Organic Amendments

ABSTRACT To examine the effect of organic amendments on the dissipation and nitrification inhibition activity of 2-amino 4-chloro 6-methyl pyrimidine (AM), a laboratory study was conducted on a sandy loam soil (Typic Hapludoll) receiving no organic amendments (Control) or application of farmyard manure (FYM) or pine needles biochar (PNB) @ 5 t ha−1. Dissipation of AM was initially faster during the first 7 d, and then it slowed down. Dissipation kinetics of AM conformed to the first-order model (R2 values = 0.973 to 0.981, significant at p ≤ .01). The conventionally estimated time for the dissipation of half the amount of initially detected AM (half-life) was 15.9, 23.6, and 12.1 d for the control, FYM, and PNB treatments, respectively. All treatments receiving AM had numerically lower NO3 −–N concentrations compared to no AM but significantly lower NO3 −–N concentrations were recorded under, especially the PNB + AM treatment at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 d. The higher effectiveness of AM under PNB could be attributed to the sorption of AM in the micro-pores of PNB with slower release. Percent distribution of sorbed AM onto FYM and PNB revealed that desorption of sorbed AM from PNB was comparatively very limited. FTIR spectra revealed that both FYM and PNB strongly retained AM. Application of AM @1 mg kg−1 soil (equivalent to 2.24 kg ha−1) seems to effectively retard the nitrification of urea in soil amended with PNB and help reduce the leaching losses of NO3 −–N in agriculture.

Effect of organic inputs on the productivity of confectionery sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Organic farming is gaining momentum nowadays and the demand for organic food is increasing day by day. Field investigations were carried out during five consecutive summer seasons (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020) at the Regional Research Station, Vridhachalam to optimize the organic inputs and to develop an organic production package for sesame. The field experiment comprised eight treatments with different organic inputs [farm yard manure (FYM), neem cake, biofertilizers, panchakavya] applied in different forms. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. The experimental results showed that the application of FYM @ 12.5 t/ha + seed treatment (Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria + PGPR each @ 600 g/ha of seed) + soil application of biofertilizer (Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria + PGPR each @ 2 kg/ha of seed) and foliar application of 3% panchagavya at 35 and 45 DAS recorded a higher seed yield (783 kg/ha).

Effects of farmyard manure and chemical fertilizer application rates on soil biology, cotton and fiber yield

Organic and inorganic fertilizers have significant effect on plant physiology, yield per unit area, available plant nutrient contents and extracellular enzyme activities of soils. This study was carried out in field conditions in arid and semi-arid regions between 2020-2021 years, May 01. The effects of farmyard manure (FM) (20, 40, 60 Mg ha-1) and chemical (CF) (350 kg urea ha-1, 100, 200, 300 kg DAP ha-1) fertilizers applied at different rates on plant nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) contents, SPAD value and NDVI of cotton plants, seed cotton yield and soil enzymes (urease, catalase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase) were investigated. The results showed that FM applications significantly (p<0.01) increased the plant macro and micronutrients compared to CF applications, except for N (200 + 150 kg urea ha-1), Zn and Cu (300 kg DAP + 200 + 150 kg urea ha-1) in the 2021 cotton growing season. Mineralization of FM is slow under natural conditions; therefore, the use of FM alone is not sufficient to meet the nutrient needs of high yielding varieties. Urease and dehydrogenase activities increased significantly in FM treated soils compared to CF, while no significant (p<0.01) increase was recorded in alkaline phosphatase and catalase activities. Farmyard manure is a useful management practice for increasing soil biological activity. Physiological parameters of NDVI, SPAD and seed cotton yield significantly increased in FM treated soils compared to CF applications. The increase in cotton yield was 29.15%, in NDVI value was 22.38% and in SPAD value was 121.7%. The main issues with cotton in the area are the low organic carbon content of the soils, high clay content, arid and semi-arid soils, and their detrimental impact on the uptake of particular nutrients (N, P and B).

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Properties of Lowland Rice on Vertisols of Fogera District, Northwestern Ethiopia

Declining land productivity due to low soil fertility status as a result of continuous cultivation, inadequate use of organic and inorganic fertilizers is a major cause for decline crop productivity. Hence, a field experiment was conducted at Fogera National Rice Research and Training Center (FNRRTC) during the 2021 cropping season to determine the effects of integrated use of farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen fertilizer on soil properties and yield of lowland rice on the vertisols of Fogera district. The treatments were factorial combination of three levels of FYM (0, 5, and 7.5 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) and four levels of Nitrogen (0, 46, 92, and 184 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Representative soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm before treatment application and after crop harvest, and analyzed following the standard laboratory procedures. All collected soil data were analyzed by using SAS software (version 9.4). After crop harvest the results showed that soil pH, OC, TN, CEC, Exc. K, Ca, Mg and Av.P were significantly (p<0.01) affected by the main effects of FYM. The combined applications of FYM and N fertilizer also significantly (p<0.01) affected CEC, OC and Exc.Mg. The highest soil CEC, OC and Exc.Mg were recorded from the combine effects of 7.5 t/kg with 92 kg/ha. From the results of this experiment, it could be concluded that combined application of FYM and inorganic N fertilizers improved the chemical and physical properties, which may lead to enhanced and sustainable production of rice in the study area.

Effect of Timing and Levels of Nitrogen Application with Farmyard Manure Application on Growth and Yield of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Effect of Timing and Levels of Nitrogen Application with Farmyard Manure Application on Growth and Yield of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Combining Farmyard Manure with Mineral Nitrogen Fertilizer Boosts Maize Yields and Maintains Soil Health: Insights from Four Long-Term Experiments

Maize productivity in sub-Saharan Africa often falls below its potential due to soil fertility challenges. Researchers assessed the potential to counteract soil organic carbon (SOC) losses and yield declines using different organic resource treatments, with and without mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer. While all treatments that received mineral N had similar yields in the first year, the application of farmyard manure (FYM) combined with mineral N was the only treatment that did not lose yields over the two decades, eventually outperforming all others. The results suggest that combining FYM with mineral N is the most effective of all tested strategies for simultaneously sustaining maize yields and SOC levels in similar tropical soils.

Productivity and profitability of sesame (Sesamum indicum)- chickpea (Cicer arietinum) organic cropping system as influenced by nutrition and planting geometry

An experiment was conducted during 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the research farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab to optimize organic nutrition and planting geometry for improved productivity and profitability of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)-chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) organic cropping system. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design (SPD) with three organic nutrition management practices in main plots, viz. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) to supply recommended doses of nitrogen (RDN) i.e. 52.5 kg/ha for sesame and 15 kg/ha for chickpea; Application of FYM to supply RDN + natural farming concoctions (NFCs) i.e. beejamrit, ghanjeevamrit and jeevamrit; and Control i.e. without application of FYM and NFCs. In sub-plots, four planting geometries were evaluated for sesame (30 cm × 15 cm, 45 cm × 10 cm, 60 cm × 10 cm, and paired rows) and chickpea (30 cm × 10 cm, 45 cm × 7 cm, 60 cm × 7 cm, and bed planting). Application of FYM significantly improved growth, yield attributes and seed yield of sesame and chickpea compared to the control, whereas the addition of NFCs along with FYM did not further enhance these parameters significantly during both the years. Paired row sowing followed by (fb) bed formation led to notably higher seed yield in sesame, while chickpea sown at 30 cm × 10 cm spacing achieved the highest seed yield, statistically equivalent to sowing at 45 cm × 7 cm and bed planting. The most productive system, recorded a sesame equivalent yield of 18.1 q/ha, net returns of ₹1,06,224/ha, and a benefit cost (B:C) ratio of 1.51, achieved through paired row sowing of sesame and bed planting of chickpea. Conclusively, the optimized organic nutrition and planting geometry significantly enhanced the productivity and profitability of the sesame-chickpea cropping system, with paired row sowing and bed planting emerging as the most effective strategies.

Impact of agroforestry intervention on carbon stock and soil quality in mid-hills of Nepal

Traditionally, planting trees on agricultural land including livestock is a very common practice in the mid-hills of Nepal. Trees on farms fulfill the demand for fuel wood/timber including fodder used to feed the livestock. Animal urine/dung is used as a bio-fertilizer that increases soil fertility. However, very few studies have been conducted on assessing carbon (C) stock and soil quality in agroforestry systems. This study was carried out to estimate the C stock and soil quality in agroforestry and agricultural land in the Kaski district of Nepal. Silvo-horto-agro system and agricultural land were selected from Site 1 (900–1000 m and west) and Site 2 (700–800 m and west). Total C stock was higher in the agroforestry at Site 1 (98.57 t ha−1) than agroforestry at Site 2 (64.73 t ha−1). Soil organic C, pH, and available potassium were higher in agroforestry than agriculture sites. Total nitrogen was higher in agroforestry than agriculture at Site 1. Available phosphorus was higher in agriculture than agroforestry at Site 1. Soil quality index (SQI) was good (0.8) and fair (0.6) in agroforestry and agriculture at Site 1. SQI was fair (0.6) in agroforestry and poor (0.5) in agriculture at Site 2. Altogether, the application of farmyard manure and vermi-compost including the higher vegetation density contributes to enhancing the soil quality in agroforestry systems. Further research on C stock including various soil quality indices is necessary under various kinds of agroforestry systems for a better understanding of their contribution towards climate change mitigation.

Plant Characteristics and Bulb Yield of Onion as influenced by Farmyard Manure and Potassium Application Under Maize-based Cropping System at Dailekh

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of farm yard manure (FYM) (0, 10 and 20 t/ha) and potassium (K2O) fertilization (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha) on plant characteristics and bulb yield of onion cv. ‘Red Creole’ at Horticulture Research Station (HRS), Dailekh during two consecutive years (2019 and 2020). Experiments were laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The combined analysis revealed that FYM significantly affected on plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf length, bulb diameter, bulb weight and bulb yield. But the significant effect of K2O was observed on plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf length, bulb weight and bulb yield. The highest bulb yield (37.4 t/ha) was recorded at the treatment of 10 t/ha FYM, whereas K2O fertilization at 90 kg/ha produced the highest (39.9 t/ha) bulb yield. The combined application of 10 t/ha FYM and 30 kg/ha K2O produced the highest (41.7 t/ha) bulb yield and found the best treatment combination from the benefit cost ratio analysis. Therefore, the combination of 10 t/ha FYM with 30 kg/ha K2O can be recommended to apply at the soils having medium organic matter and high K2O content to get the highest bulb yield at maize-based cropping system of upland condition in Dailekh.

Effects of farmyard manure (FYM) and blended NPSB fertilizer rate on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Gewata, Kaffa, southwest Ethiopia

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an essential crop for nutrition and food security and generating income to small-holder farmers in Ethiopia. Productivity of the crop is, however, limited by poor nutrient management practices and low soil fertility. In most parts of potato growing areas of Ethiopia, soil are deficient in macro (nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur) and micro nutrients (boron) which are known to affect production and productivity of potato. A field trail was accompanied to determine the growing response of potatoes ’Belete varieties’ to combine the treatment of farmyard manure and blended NPSB (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur and boron) fertilizer at Gewata, southwest Ethiopia during 2019/2020 main cropping season. The variables are laid out four level of farmyard manure (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) and four level of blended NPSB fertilizer (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha). The treatments were organized in a completely randomized block design with three replications using a 4x4 factorial layout. SAS (version 9.4) was used for data were analyzed. The finding indicate that, combined application of FYM (farmyard manure) with NPSB significantly (p<0.01) affects plant height, average mass of tuber, number of marketable and unmarketable tuber per hill, and tuber yields per plot. It also significantly (p<0.05) influenced days to flowering, maturity, and tuber number per hill. The highest tuber weight (99.33 g), tuber number per hill (9.67), and yield (34.10 kg) per plot were recorded from the mixed fertilization of 15 t FYM with 150 kg/ha NPSB mineral nutrients. As a current finding, it can be stated that the combined use of FYM (15 t/ha) and NPSB blended fertilizer could improve potato growth and yield in the study area (150 kg/ha).

Optimizing phosphorus requirement of seed potato through organic and inorganic sources in north-west India

Phosphorus optimization is essential to maximize seed-size potato productivity and reduce the occurrence of over-sized and under-sized tubers. A field experiment was conducted for two years at the two locations in Punjab, India to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic phosphorus management on seed potato productivity. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three organic (farmyard manure, biofertilizer, and control) treatments in main plots and five fertilizer phosphorus (0, 46.9, 62.5, 93.8, and 125 kg/ha P2O5) treatments in subplots. The application of farmyard manure (50 t/ha) resulted in a significant increase in growth and yield attributes, tuber yield, seed size (3.5–4.5 cm) tuber number, and economic returns. The percentage increase in seed size tuber number and tuber yield with farmyard manure over the control was 36.6% and 29.3%, respectively. Among the fertilizer phosphorus levels, the highest growth attributes, tuber yield, seed size tuber number and economic returns were obtained with a 125 kg/ha. The application of 125 kg/ha fertilizer phosphorus resulted in a 36.3% and 23.0% (mean) increase in seed size tuber number and tuber yield compared to the unfertilized phosphorus (0 kg/ha). No significant organic sources x fertilizer phosphorus levels interaction effects were found on any of the traits evaluated at both locations. The result of this study indicates that P management can play an important role in increasing seed size and productivity.