Ha-1 Farmyard Manure Research Articles

Effect of initial soil fertility and integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS) on yield and NPK uptake by brinjal on an Alfisol

Following Inductive methodology (fertility gradient concept), a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of initial soil fertility and Integrated Plant Nutrition System (IPNS) on the yield of brinjal (var. CO 2) on Typic Rhodustalf of Tamil Nadu. In the first phase of the experiment, variations in soil fertility with reference to soil available N, P and K was established among the three fertility strips with the addition of fertilizers at graded levels and by growing fodder sorghum as gradient crop. In the second phase viz., the test crop experiment with brinjal, consisted of four levels each of fertilizer N, P2O5 and K2O and three levels of farm yard manure (FYM). The highest yield of 35.8 t ha-1was recorded with 150:75:75 kg ha-1 of fertilizer N, P2O5 and K2O along with 12.5 t ha-1 of FYM in strip III with initial soil available NPK status of 203, 34 and 500 kg ha-1 respectively. The fruit yield as well as NPK uptake by brinjal had increased with increase in initial soil fertility and with increase in the levels of fertilizer N, P2O5 and K2O and FYM.

Improving effectiveness of rock Phosphate through mixing with Farmyard manure, Humic acid and Effective microbes to enhance yield and Phosphorus uptake by wheat

The cheaper rock phosphate (RP) could replace the commercial phosphatic fertilizer with pronounced advantages provided if the solubility and release of P form RP is enhanced through addition of some organic amendments. Combined application of RP with organic materials to soil reduces the dependence on chemical fertilizers and maintains higher levels of P in soil solution for a longer period than the fertilizer alone. Thus the present field study was conducted to investigate the effect of RP treated with farmyard manure (FYM), humic acid (HA) and effective microbes (EM) on the yield and uptake of P by wheat in marginal P calcareous alkaline soil during rabi 2011-12. The treatments was control (T1), 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 as single super phosphate (T2), 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 as RP (T3), RP+ 10 t FYM ha-1 (T4), RP+ 5 kg HA ha-1 (T5), RP+EM (T6), RP+HA+EM (T7), RP+FYM+EM (T8) and RP+FYM+HA+EM (T9) were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with three replications. The SSP, RP and FYM was applied on soil surface; humic acid was first mixed with the sand and then applied whereas EM was first activated and then applied through spray on the soil surface at 200 L ha-1. After thorough mixing of treatments with soil, the wheat seeds cv. Atta Habib were sown in lines spacing 25 cm apart through seed drill with seed rate of 120 kg ha-1. The results showed that the application of RP alone significantly increased the grain yield from 3.74 in control to 4.42 t ha-1. This effect of RP was further enhanced when combined with FYM, HA, or EM and produced 4.98, 4.6 and 4.8 t grain yield ha-1, respectively suggesting improvement in P solubility. Among the amendments, FYM was superior to HA or EM but combining HA or EM with mixture of RP+FYM further enhanced the beneficial effect of RP. When RP was applied with FYM+HA+EM the grain yield jumped to the maximum (5.2 t ha -1) which was statistically similar to SSP. This combination resulted in net return of Rs. 36251 ha-1 with VCR of 4.02 which was almost double of SSP fertilizer. The tissue leaf N and grain N and P also significantly improved with application of RP in combination with the said amendments. Similarly the soil N and AB-DTPA extractable P also showed significant improvement with combined application of RP with FYM, HA and EM. The combination of RP+FYM+HA+EM which had the maximum yield with 2 times higher VCR than SSP and had higher tissue P at anthsis and in soil at boot and after harvesting of crop stages of the crop could be the optimum choice under the prevailing soil and climatic conditions. Keywords: Grain yield; Rock phosphate; farmyard manure; Humic acid; Effective microbes; Wheat http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2015.44005

Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil properties under cottonchickpea cropping sequence in vertisols of Deccan plateau of India

An experiment was conducted at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri a representative place for the vertisols of Deccan plateau of India to study the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield and soil physical, chemical and biological properties in the cotton-chickpea cropping sequence. There were seven treatments applied to hybrid cotton and each plot of summer cotton was equally divided into four parts to chickpea. Application of Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) according to Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) equation recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield and cotton equivalent yield, however it was at par with 10 t Farm Yard Manure (FYM) ha-1 + RDF. Chickpea registered significantly higher seed yield in 10 t FYM ha-1 + RDF and it was at par with 100% RDN through vermicompost. 100% RDF registered significantly superior seed chickpea seed yield and cotton equivalent yield. The soil physical, chemical and biological properties determined at the end of two crop cycles were improved due to the application of manures in sole or in combination with chemical fertilizers.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Yield Components of Food Barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.) in Kaffa Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Declining soil fertility is one of the major problems causing yield reduction of barley in Southwestern Ethiopia. Therefore, field experiments were, carried out at Adiyo and Ghimbo districts, Kaffa Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia, to determine the effects of combined application of farm yard manure (FYM) and vermi compost (VC) with inorganic NP on growth, yield and yield components of food barley. The treatments included combinations of two rates (2.5 and 5 t ha-1) of FYM and two rates (2.5 and 5 t ha-1) of VC with 25%, 50% and 75% of recommended rates of inorganic NP, respectively. In addition, 100% recommended rate of inorganic NP (23 kg N ha-1 and 46 kg P2O5 ha-1) and zero rates were used for comparison. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that applying 5 t ha-1 FYM combined with 75% inorganic NP gave the highest number of productive tiller m-2 (227 and 215) and grain number spike-1 (37 and 36.7) and grain yield (3668 and 3486 kg ha-1) of barley at Adiyo and Ghimbo, respectively. The application of 5 t ha-1 FYM in combination with 75% inorganic NP has increased grain yield by 69.30% and 43.45% at Adiyo and by 66.86% and 45.49% at Ghimbo over the control and the application of 100% recommended rate of NP fertilizers, respectively. Similarly, the economic evaluation indicated that the application of 5 t ha-1 FYM + 75% inorganic NP gave the highest net return which is 15,858.50 Ethiopian Birr ha-1 at Adiyo and 13,108.00 Ethiopian Birr ha-1 at Ghimbo. Hence, it can be concluded that, the use of combined application of FYM (5 t ha-1) with 75% of recommended rates of inorganic NP in the study areas and other locations with similar agro-ecologies can significantly increase food barley yield and provide high economic return.Keywords: Farm Yard Manure; Food barley; Nitrogen; Phosphorous; Vermicompost

Remediation of soil past erosion effects through amendments and agronomic practices

In Pakistan there has been a trend to shift agriculture towards steep lands, where soil erosion is one of the most significant ecological restrictions to sustainable agricultural production. This study was focused to find ways to ameliorate the soil fertility degraded by past soil erosion. Different cropping patterns viz maize-wheat-maize rotation (C1), maize-lentil-maize rotation (C2) and maize-wheat+lentil intercrop-maize rotation (C3) and different soil treatments, namely, the control (T1), 50 % NP (also called the farmer’s practice) (T2), 100 % NPK or the recommended dose of NPK (T3) and 20 t ha-1 farmyard manure integrated with 50 % N and 100 % PK (T4) were tested in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with split plot arrangements. Integrated use of organic manure (farmyard manure) and inorganic NPK fertilizers (T4) produced the highest wheat grain yield (4730 kg ha-1), which was 9 % higher than the 100 % inorganic NPK (T3, 4349 kg ha-1) and more than twice the control (T1, 2072 kg ha-1). The increase in lentil grain yield in T4 (1112 kg ha-1) was 7.4 % higher than in the recommended NPK levels for lentils (T3, 1035 kg ha-1) and 79 % higher than the control. A significant nutrient enrichment and an improvement in soil fertility parameters was recorded by T4 over T3. This was further augmented by the application of cereal-legume rotation (C2) in the traditional cereal-cereal rotation (C1) and their combination showed a significantly improved residual effect on soil fertility in the subsequent year. In conclusion the degraded soil fertility of Missa gullied soil cannot be ameliorated to its full potential with only the recommended dose of mineral fertilizers. 50 % N from organic fertilizer sources and the inclusion of legumes in the crop rotation is necessary to ensure agricultural sustainability on such soils. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v42i1.6680 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2014 42 (1): 46-62

Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall. Ex Nees) crop as influenced by the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic phosphorus in typic torripsamments of Hisar

The growth attributes of kalmegh (plant height, number of primary branches, plant spread and dry weight of shoot) were enhanced significantly with the application of 12.5 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) 12.5 t ha-1 significantly improved all the growth attributes significantly over control. However, 12.5 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil along with FYM 12.5 t ha-1 resulted in significantly the highest values of growth attributes as compared to the other treatments and the results were on a par with higher level of fertilizer phosphorus (P) or FYM application. Application of FYM improved the andrographolide content significantly up to the level of 12.5 t ha-1 FYM in combination with fertilizer P 25 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil when compared with other treatments. Application of FYM 12.5 t ha-1 + 12.5 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil was found to be the best treatment combination for the highest nutrients uptake by kalmegh. Application of fertilizer-P alone significantly improved the status of organic carbon, available-P in post harvest soil, but decreased the available-nitrogen (N), available-potassium (K) and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable micronutrients (iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn)) up to the level of 25 mg P2O5 kg-1 soil. Use of FYM 12.5 t ha-1 helped in maintaining the soil fertility alone or in combination with fertilizer-P. Key words: Kalmegh, phosphorus, farmyard manure (FYM), quality, nutrients uptake, soil fertility status.

English

An attempt was initiated during two consecutive kharifs of 2009 and 2010 at Agronomy Farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir to ascertain the impact of nitrogen (N), sulphur (S) and farmyard manure (FYM) which was taken from farm animals (Bovine) on developmental dynamics and yield of sunflower. Application of N at 80 and 120 kg ha-1 at par, significantly increased periodic growth parameters and yield over 40 kg N ha-1. S at 60 kg ha-1 showed yield advantage over 30 kg S ha-1. Seed yield with 10 and 20 t FYM ha-1 was significantly higher over the control. Availability of N was highest with treatment combination of 120 kg N + 60 kg S + 20 t FYM ha-1. Similarity was observed for available S. Therefore, for sustainably higher yield of sunflower, the nutrient management must centre around 120 kg N + 60 kg S ha-1 with 20 t FYM ha-1. Key words: Seed yield, farmyard manure (FYM), nitrogen (N), oil content, sulphur (S), sunflower.

Effect of N, P and FYM rates on DM accumulation and uptake of K, Ca and Mg by Roselle (<i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> L.) in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria

An investigation was conducted during 2005, 2006 and 2007 wet seasons at the experimental farm of the institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru (11o 11ŒN, 07o 38ŒE, 686m above sea level) to study the effect of N, P and farmyard manure (FYM) rates on dry matter (DM) accumulation and uptake of cations by Roselle in the Northern Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The experiment consisted of three levels of N (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1)) in the form of urea, three levels of P (0, 13.2 and 26.4 kg P ha-1)) in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) and three levels of FYM (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1). A total of twenty seven treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The factorial combinations of N and P were assigned to the main plots, while the FYM was allocated to the sub-plots. The result showed that application of 60 kg N and 5 t FYM ha-1) recorded significant increase in DM accumulation in Roselle, while applied P had no significant effect on DM production. Combined application of 120 kg N ha-1) with 5 t FYM ha-1) was optimum for DM production in Roselle. N application reduced K and Mg content but increased the uptake of the nutrients. Similarly, FYM reduced K and Ca content of shoots, while the uptake of these nutrients was increased by manure application. P application increased K and Mg, but reduced Ca contents of shoots. Application of P did not however exert significant effect (P<0.05) on the K and Mg uptake, but reduced Ca uptake of Roselle. Further trial of N application at higher rates is recommended in the study area.KEY WORDS: DM Accumulation, FYM, Nutrients, Multiproduct, Roselle, and gZoborodoh

Vplyv aplikácie organických hnojív na dynamiku výskytu druhov čeľade bystruškovité (Carabidae, Coleoptera)

The effect of application of organic fertilizers in defined doses on structure of Carabid communities was studied. The Carabids were pitfall-trapped, in 2004-2006 on experimental plots in the university farm in Kolíňany (District of Nitra, S – N Slovakia), in 5 variants (1st – unfertilized; 2nd – 25 t*ha-1 farmyard manure, 3rd – 50 t*ha-1 bio sludge; 4th – 50 t*ha-1 farmyard manure; 5th – 100 t*ha-1 bio sludge) to the selected rotatio (2004 – Helianthus annuus, 2005 – Beta vulgaris, 2006 – Zea mays). The area of each variant was 1,800 m2. During the three-year period were obtained 16,172 individuals of Carabids belonging to 32 species. The distribution within the individual variants fluctuated as follows: 1st variant 10 – 13 sp.. and 612 – 1,904 ind. 2nd variant 12 – 15 sp. and 1,147 – 1,516 ind., 3rd variant 8 – 13 sp. and 360 – 3,127 ind.; 4th variant 7 – 9 sp. and 371 – 832 ind.; 5th variant 8 – 10 sp. and 404 – 1,072 ind. The dominant species in all variants were Pseudoophonus rufipes and Poecilus cupreus, while Calathus fuscipes, Anchomenus dorsalis, Carabus scheidleri, Brachinus crepitans were subdominant or recedent. However in individual varities and years they also reached dominant position. The high dominance of Pseudoophonus rufipes caused low values of the Shannon–Wiever´s diversity index ranging from 0.59 to 1.18. Based on maximum numbers of species and individuals, the most suitable were the 2. and 3. variants, (25 t*ha-1 farmyard manure and 50 t*ha-1 bio sludge). Out of the applied organic fertilizers, the climatic factors also played an important role.

Growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) as influenced by application of organic and inorganic fertilizers

This study was carried out to ascertain the effects of organic manure (farmyard manure, poultry manure, and vermicompost) and chemical fertilizers NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) on the growth and yield of onion. The research was consisting ten treatments with three replications. Different levels of nitrogen (0, 100, and 150 kg ha-1), phosphorus (0, 75, and 100 kg ha-1), potassium (0, 80, and 100 kg ha-1) fertilizers, and various rates of organic manures (20 ton ha-1 of farmyard manure, 20 t ha-1 of poultry manure and 15 t ha-1 of vermicompost) were applied to the soil at different combinations. The results of this study have shown that both inorganic fertilizers and organic manures significantly influenced all growth and yield parameters. Whereas, maximum plant height (50.50 cm) and bulb yield (30.75 t ha-1) were obtained at the combination of 20 t ha-1 farmyard manure + 150 kg ha-1 N + 100 kg ha-1 P2O5 + 100 kg ha-1 K2O. However, the minimum bulb yield (15.80 t ha-1) was observed with control where no fertilizer was applied. Therefore, application of 20 t ha-1 farmyard manure during field preparation followed by application of 150 kg ha-1 N + 100 kg ha-1 P2O5 + 100 kg ha-1 K2O can be recommended for optimal growth and maximum bulb yield of onion.

Up-scaling napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) production using "Tumbukiza" method in smallholder farming systems in Northwestern Kenya

Low and declining soil fertility and inadequate livestock feeds are major constraints limiting dairy productivity in smallholder farming systems in North-western Kenya. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is the most popular fodder used by dairy farmers. The farmer field school (FFS) and farmer participatory research (FPR) approaches were used to up-scale ‘tumbukiza’, a ‘Kiswahili’ word meaning placing in a hole, a new method of Napier grass production started by farmers which uses integrated nutrient management strategy to enhance efficient use of nutrients with sustained greater dry matter yields compared to the conventional method. In both methods, four fertilizer treatments were used: (1) 10 t ha-1 farm yard manure (FYM); (2) 5 t ha-1 FYM; (3) 5 t ha-1 FYM + 30 kg ha-1 N, and (4) 60 kg ha-1 P2O5 + 60 kg ha-1 N. Treatments arising from the two methods and four fertilizer rates were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) where schools or farmers served as replicates. Napier grass under Tumbukiza yielded significantly greater dry matter (DM) from two cuts than the conventional method (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in DM yields among the different fertilizer treatments across the two methods, suggesting that farmers had a wide option of fertilization regimes. Dry matter, plant height and tiller number data collected by farmers using agro-ecosystem analysis (AESA) showed that Tumbukiza was more superior compared to the conventional method. The FFS approach strengthened the link between stakeholders, increased participation and information flow among farmers, particularly women on available agricultural technologies. Farmers formed FFS networks to sustain the up-scaling process. Key words: Napier, Tumbukiza, tiller, dry matter, up-scaling.

Effects of Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM) Practices on the Sustainability of Maize-based Farming Systems in Nepal

Maize is a staple summer crop grown in the hilly areas of Nepal, where the soil is fragile and fertility is declining over years due primarily to degradation of natural resource base, high rates of soil erosion, increased cropping intensity and inadequate replenishment of soil nutrients. Forum for Rural Welfare and Agricultural Reform for Development (FORWARD) with the financial support from Hill Maize Research Program (HMRP/CYMMIT) conducted eight Integrated Plant Nutrient Systems (IPNS) trials, 16 Farm Yard Manure (FYM) improvement demonstrations and 16 conservation farming demonstrations each year through two women farmer groups since 2003 in Makawanpur District in order to raise the awareness of farmers on sustainable soil management practices through better utilization of locally available and external resources. The three years' trial results revealed that the maize crop with IPNS (15 t ha-1 FYM + 60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1) was better with respect to crop vigor and grain yields compared to the control treatment (farmers' practice with FYM and urea top dressing). The Improved cultivar with IPNS practices increased the grain yield by 64% (p

Effect of FYM and GA3 on Growth and Yield of Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus L.) under Terai Zone of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during 2003 - 04 and 2004 - 05 at the Instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, to study the effect of different levels of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 t ha-1) and GA3 (0 and 100 ppm) on production in Sweet Flag. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. Farm Yard Manure significantly affected yield and vegetative characters. GA3 also showed similar effect, except, that rhizome diameter and dry-recovery percentage were found non-significant. Interaction effect between FYM and GA3 for growth and yield parameters was found nonsignificant. Plant height, number of leaves, rhizome length, rhizome diameter and yield increased with increase in dose of FYM from 0 to 50 t ha-1 but was reverse in the case of dry recovery. Similarly, these parameters increased with application of GA3 but showed non-significant relationship, except in rhizome yield. Maximum fresh and dry rhizome yield (3013.23 kg ha-1, 1389.15 kg ha-1 respectively) was recorded with 50 t ha-1 FYM supplemented with 100 ppm GA3-, followed by application of 50 t ha-1 FYM (2879.80 and 1342.65 kg ha-1, respectively).

OCCURRENCE OF SPECIES FAMILY CARABIDAE (COLEOPTERA) INDEPENCE ON THE INPUT OF ORGANIC MATTER INTO SOIL

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of different rates of organic fertilizers (farmyard manure and bio sludge) on occurrence of soil organisms with focus to species of family Carabidae. During 2001-2003, samples of biological material were collected using the earth trap method. Samples were taken from five treatments (i) unfertilized, (ii) 25 t ha-1 farmyard manure, (iii) 50 t ha-1 bio sludge, (iv) 50 t ha-1 farmyard manure, (v) 100 t ha-1 bio sludge) which cover area of 9 000 m2 at experimental farm of Slovak Agricultural University Koliňany. Totally 59 054 individuals of soil edaphon belong to 23 epigeic groups was collected from which 25 species totally 21 189 individuals belong to the target group Carabidae. The attributes of specific identity according Jaccard (IA) ranged from 45.45 to 71.43 % and those of dominant identity (ID) from 94.20 to 97.72 %. The attributes of diversity (d) achieved a level from 0.5406 to 0.8986. Harpalus rufipes (De Geer, 1774) occurring on arid to damp soil, mostly in light places, was determined as the dominant species. The attributes of individual treatments are influenced by the quantity of organic mater inputs into soil that affects the formation of well-defined communities with the characteristic species composition. A comparison of individual treatments in terms of the occurrence of zooedaphon showed that application of 100 t ha-1 bio sludge create the most suitable soil condition for zooedaphon development.

Response of Anchote (Coccinia Abyssinica) to Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Rates and Plant Population Density in Western Oromia, Ethiopia

A comparative study of organic and inorganic fertilizer, and intra-row and inter-row spacing experiments were conducted at Bako Agricultural Research Center for three consecutive years (2002-2004) to determine optimum nutrient supply and plant population, respectively, for anchote production. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The fertilizer study consisted of four nitrogen levels: 0, 46, 92 and 138 kg N ha-1 and three phosphorous levels: 0, 20 and 40 kg Pha-1 in a factorial arrangement along with farmyard manure (FYM) at rates of 5, 8 and 10 t ha-1. The spacing study was conducted using three intra-rows: 10, 20 and 30 cm and four inter rows: 40, 60, 80 and 100 cm. Analysis of variance showed highly significant difference among N rates with respect to root length and root yield. Similarly, P and FYM supply resulted in highly significant difference in root yield. Apparently, application of 5 and 8 t ha-1 FYM resulted in an improved root yield of 44% and 63% over control, respectively. The supply of FYM was found to be superior over inorganic fertilizer supply perhaps due to its merits in improving soil structure, organic matter and enhancement of nutrient uptake. Intra-row spacing affected root yield highly and significantly while inter row spacing affected root yield and average root weight per plant. The reduction of intra-row spacing from 30 cm to 10 cm resulted in increase of total tuberous root yield by 137%. Reduction of inter row spacing from 100 cm to 40 cm resulted in high total tuberous root yield by 37.4%. From the present findings, therefore, 5-8 t ha-1 FYM or 46/20 kg ha-1 N/P and 40-60 cm inter row and 10 cm intra-row spacing are recommended for high yield of anchote production and enhancement of soil structure and its nutrient contents for the western sub-humid zones of Oromia, Ethiopia. Keywords: Anchote; Farm Yard Manure; Inorganic Fertilizer; Root Yield; Spacing East African Journal of Sciences Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 120-126

Efficacy of long -term integrated plant nutrient management on importan soil properties of an Inceptisol

A long-term field experiment conducted since 1972 on Vertic Ustropep indicated that application of 10 t ha-1 of farmyard manure along with 100 per cen NPK recorded significantly lower bulk density. Farm yard manure application wit 100 per cent inorganics increased the hydraulic conductivity, water stable aggregates porosity and water holding capacity. There was increase in CEC, organic carbon an total N content of soil due to incorporation of organics with inorganics. There wa no marked changes in soil pH and EC due to various treatments. Available major and micronutrients increased significantly when organics was incorporated along with inorganic sources of nutrients

EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS APPLIED ALONE OR IN COMBINATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) / EFECTO DE FUENTES ORGANICAS E INORGANICAS DE SUSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS APLICADAS EN PARTICULAR Y EN COMBINACIONES SOBRE EL CRECIMIENTO Y EL RENDIMIENTO DE GIRASOL (Helianthus annuus L.) / EFFET DES ENGRAIS DE SOURCE S ORGANIQUE ET INORGANIQUE ADMINISTRÉS

SUMMARY Field experiments have been conducted to study the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients applied alone or in combination on the growth and yield of sunflower. Application of a recommended dose of fertilizer (62.5:75:62.5 kg NPK ha-1) coupled with 10 t ha-1 of farmyard manure has recorded highest seed and stalk yields of sunflower. Growth and yield parameters were also favorably influenced by the application of the recommended dose of fertilizer coupled with farmyard manure. Seed oil content was not influenced by the application of organic or inorganic sources of nutrients.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality attributes of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) var. Rajendra Shyama grown under terai region of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2014–15 and 2015–16 to study the effects of various combination of different levels of inorganic, organic and bio-fertilizers (Azophos) on the vegetative growth, yield contributing attributes and quality of seeds of black cumin. The results showed that the combination of 100% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizer) + 15 t ha-1 FYM (Farm Yard Manure) + 4 kg ha-1 Azophos significantly improved most of the parameters related to growth of plant, seed yield and net returns. However, for production of seed oil, 75% RDF of chemical fertilizers + FYM + bio-fertilizer was recorded was the best. Most of the soil properties were improved by application of 100% RDF + FYM. Therefore from the results, it could be suggested that inclusion of organic manure and bio-fertilizer along with 100% (RDF) is the best combination for seed production of black cumin whereas for better quality seed oil 25% RDF can be substituted with FYM and biofertilizer (Azophos) in terai region of West Bengal.

Long Term Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Rice under Rice-Wheat Cropping Sequence

A long term field experiment was started in 1989 on alluvial soil of Inceptisol at Agronomy Research Farm, Khumaltar, Lalitpur to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil properties and yields of rice under ricewheat cropping sequence. Rice yield was monitored from 1998 to 2003. Chianung-242 rice variety was used as a test crop for all of the five years of experimentation. All the treatments manifested significant increase in rice yield over control. Results showed highest significant grain yield of 7.9 tons ha-1 from the sole application of farmyard manure (FYM) @ 10 tons ha-1. The long-term experiment exhibited that the balanced application of chemical fertilizers alone did not sustain soil productivity under continuous cropping system. Application of 100 kg N ha-1 alone produced the yield up to 7.2 tons ha-1 whereas phosphorus and potassium did not affect the yields in most of the years. None of the soil properties, soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium were affected by application of balanced fertilizers while with the application of 10 tons FYM ha-1, the total nitrogen, available phosphorus and organic carbon contents in the soil were improved as compared to other treatments. The efficiency of fertilizers and manure was influenced by the amount of rainfall received as reflected by the higher grain yield during the higher rainfall years. Key words: rice, alluvial soil, organic manure, inorganic fertilizers, rice-wheat system DOI: 10.3126/njst.v9i0.3156 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 9 (2008) 7-13