Heavy Feeder Research Articles

The Role of Sugarcane Trash in Soil Fertility and Plant Growth: A Review

Sugarcane needs a hot and humid climate and can be grown on a variety of soils that can retain moisture. Owing to its long life cycle it heavily depletes soil nutrients during its growth period. Sugarcane, being a heavy feeder requires nearly 208 kg N, 53 kg P2O5, and 280 kg K2O from the soil to produce 100 t ha-1 sugarcane. Sugarcane, being a C4 plant, produces a large quantity of biomass. Approximately 10-15 t of trash, constituting 10-12% weight of cane harvested, is produced by the sugarcane crop. Generally, cane trash contains 68% organic matter, 0.42% N, 0.15% P, 0.57% K, 0.48% Ca, and 0.12% Mg, besides 25.7, 20.45, 236.4, and 16.8 ppm Zn, Fe, Mn and Ca, respectively. Trash conserves soil moisture, C, and N in the soil and provides energy to increase the yield. The trash application conserves the nutrients in the soil, also aids their availability to the plant, and reduces the fertilizer requirements through recycling nutrients in the soil from residue. Organic mulches also create a better physical, chemical, and biological environment of soils and in turn, improve crop productivity. Burning of trash deteriorate the fertility as well as soil health. It also reduces the soil microbial activity and destabilize of soil aggregates. Significant N losses from residues can occur during burning by high temperature volatilization. In the burnt system, >70% of the organic matter and nutrients in the trash are lost to the atmosphere.

Integrated Nutrient Management of Papaya (Carica papaya L.): Application of Microbial Consortium Enriched Organic Manures for Yield and Fruit Quality Enhancement

An experiment was undertaken to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of papaya under Kerala conditions. The trial was conducted in RBD. Papaya variety used for the study was Surya with ten treatments. The results revealed that the applications of microbial consortium enriched organic manures in papaya plants (NPK (25 %) as PGPR mix-1 enriched vermicompost along with N, P and K 75% of recommended dose of fertilizers fertilizers ( 240 N: 240 P2O5: 480 K2O (g plant-1) + 10 kg FYM) resulted in the highest number of fruit production, enhanced fruit weight , total fruit yield per plant. It also resulted in the production of fruits with highest fruit length, girth, pulp percentage and flesh thickness. Fruit quality characters like high TSS, less acidity, higher carotenoid content, ascorbic acid content, highest total sugar content and reducing sugar content were enhanced in papaya. Organoleptic characters of fruit were also enhanced by adopting integrated nutrient management in papaya . Papaya being an important fruit crop of Kerala gaining importance nowadays. Integrated nutrient management (INM) involves efficient and judicious supply of all major and micro components of plant nutrients including local available resources on sustainable basis. Papaya is known to be a heavy feeder of nutrients (NPK) and information regarding the effect of INM is more important

Effect on yield, nutrient uptake and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under integrated nutrient management

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a heavy feeder and highly responsive to nutrient input, where the proper quantity and timing of nutrient supply is most critical component in achieving high productivity in potato cultivation. To assess the crop response and productivity, the potato variety ‘Kufri Jyoti’ was taken under different integrated nutrient management practices. The recommended dose of fertilizer was at 150:80:100 kg N: P2O5: K2O/ha, 25 kg/ha of ZnSO4 and 15 kg/ha of Borax were applied during the experiment. The results indicated that there were highly significant effects of higher doses of nitrogen with recommended P and K combined applied with Zinc and Boron on tuber yield, plant NPK uptake efficiency and enzymatic activities. Results from the experiment expressed that the application of 125% RDN along with the application of Zn and B ensured maximum total tuber yield (24.73 t/ha), crop growth rate (5.222 g/m2/day), relative growth rate (0.066 g/g/day) at peak growth stages and quality such as starch (15.64%) and sucrose synthase activity (695 µg/g of fresh weight of tuber) of potato grown with the above nutrient management practices. This study indicated that production variation for higher nitrogen doses from inorganic sources of fertilizer existed among 16 different nutrient application treatments, and with better quality parameters.

Assessing the Productivity and Economic Sustainability of Banana Cultivation under Diverse Colored Plastic Mulches in Western Maharashtra Region of India

Aims: Banana is a heavy feeder of the nutrients. It is therefore, essential to study the crop with respect to color plastic mulches and irrigation scheduling. In this study, the effect of various colored plastic mulches on the growth and quality parameters of banana crop along with its economic feasibility was assessed.
 Study Design: This experiment followed a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with nine treatments (T1 to T9), each with three replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra for the period of one year (crop cycle of banana).
 Methodology: Different color plastic mulches in combination with varying irrigation schedule were evaluated for growth and yield of banana crop. Various growth parameters of banana crop, yield, micrometeorological parameters, water use efficiency and cost economics of banana production were evaluated for the different treatments.
 Results: The highest banana yield recorded was 84.45 tons per hectare, and this was achieved using silver-black plastic mulch in conjunction with daily drip irrigation set at 48% of the Pan Evaporation (Ep) rate, referred to as treatment T3. Treatment T3 led to 37% increase in banana yield compared to surface irrigation with 1.00 Irrigation Water to Cumulative Pan Evaporation (IW/CPE) ratio (treatment T9). The seasonal water requirement for banana cultivation with treatment T3 amounted to 1015 mm, resulting in an impressive water use efficiency of 83.18 kg ha-1 mm-1. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values exhibited a range from 0.3895 during the initial growth stage of the banana to 0.8918 at the peak growth stage.
 Conclusion: From an economic perspective, the utilization of silver-black plastic mulch emerged as the best choice among all treatments, boasting the highest benefit to cost ratio of 2.34 and yielding the maximum net income of ₹ 3, 86,286 per hectare.

Zeolite Amendment for Enhanced Onion Growth with Reduced Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization: A Promising Approach

Onion, as one of the strategic crops, is a heavy feeder for nitrogen (N) nutrient. Despite the remarkable progress in the manufacturing of synthetic mineral nitrogen fertilizers, their excessive use with plants negatively affects human health after eating. So, the current research aims to reduce the onion mineral nitrogen requirement with keeping acceptable bulb yield without quality decline. So, a field trial was carried out aiming to assess different doses of mineral N [Usual dose of N and low dose of N (75% of the usual N dose)] as main plots. While zeolite [in the presence of zeolite and the absence of it] was evaluated as subplots. Also, the treatments of bio-stimulants i.e., yeast extract and algae in addition to control treatment represented the sub-sub plots. The maximum values of parameters expressing growth performance as well as onion yield and it’s quality were recorded with the combined treatment of zeolite + biostimulants extract under the usual N dose, noting the superiority of yeast extract to seaweed extract. Also, zeolite combined with a low N dose in the presence of both studied biostimulants recorded the best onion performance and productivity compared to that under the usualN dose without both zeolite and biostimulants. Also, there was an increase in the values of soil available nitrogen and soil WHC after harvest compared to the initial soil. Generally, this research work concludes that soil addition of zeolite combined with the exogenous application of biostimulants extracts will lead to the achievement of sustainability via raising N fertilizer efficiency. Based on these findings, we recommend further research to optimize the application rates of zeolite and biostimulants and investigate the long-term effects of these treatments on soil health and onion productivity. Furthermore, farmers and growers could benefit from incorporating zeolite and biostimulants into their fertilizer programs to reduce the use of synthetic mineral nitrogen fertilizers and promote sustainable onion production.

Usage of Biofertilizers to Correct the Nutrient Deficiency of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis): An Observational Study and Review

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is one of the most nutrient-intensive plantations in Malaysia. It requires many nutrients to reach its full potential and production stage. The main issue is that nutritional stress is a crop health issue caused by a lack of nutrient components to sustain crop growth requirements. We aimed to review the nutrient deficiency of oil palm based on an observation and literature study. The leaflet of the oil palm tree was analyzed for this study. The result showed that nutrient deficiency in oil palm is a common issue. Since oil palm is a heavy feeder plant that requires a well-balanced supply of nutrients, the continuous use of sustainable (eco-friendly) biofertilizers at a cost-effectively optimal level is necessary to achieve the maximum yield of oil palm. Though there are some inevitable causes of nutrient deficiencies, good management program should be carried out to lessen this problem and improve oil palm health and production.

Soil quality under different land uses in eastern India: Evaluation by using soil indicators and quality index.

Indian soils are inherently poor in quality due to the warm climate and erosion. Conversion of land uses like forests to croplands and faulty management practices in croplands further cause soil degradation. This study aimed to understand the extent of these impacts in a small representative part of eastern India, covering Himalayan terai and nearing alluvial plains. Soils were collected from (i) forests, (ii) croplands (under agricultural practices for more than 50–60 years) and (iii) converted lands (converted from forests to croplands or tea gardens over the past 15–20 years). Different soil quality indicators were assessed and soil quality index (SQI) was generated to integrate, scale and allot a single value per soil. Results indicated that continuous organic matter deposition and no disturbances consequence the highest presence of soil carbon pools, greater aggregation and maximum microbial dynamics in forest soils whereas high application of straight fertilizers caused the highest available nitrogen and phosphorus in cropland soils. The SQI scorebook indicated the best soil quality under forests ( 0.532), followed by soils of converted land ( 0.432) and cropland ( 0.301). Comparison of the SQI spatial distribution with land use and land cover confirmed the outcome. Possibly practices like excessive tillage, high cropping intensity, no legume in crop rotations, cultivation of heavy feeder crops caused degraded soil quality in croplands. This study presented an example of soil quality degradation in India due to land use change and faulty management practices. Such soil degradation on a larger scale may affect future food security.

Effect of biodynamic package with vermicompost on growth, yield, quality and economics of potato under Malwa conditions of Madhya Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact on growth, yield, quality and economics of potato at the research farm of College of Agriculture, Indore, Madhya Pradesh during rabi season 2021-2022 in RBD with 3 replications. Ten treatments viz T0 (Control), T1 [Biodynamic preparation 500 (BD 500) @ 2.5 g/l], T2 (BD 500 @ 5.0 g/l), T3 [Biodynamic preparation 501 (BD 501) @ 2.5 g/l], T4 (BD 501 @ 5.0 g/l], T5 (Vermicompost @ 2.5 tons/ha), T6 (BD 500 @ 2.5 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha), T7 (BD 500 @ 5.0 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha), T8 (BD 501 @ 2.5 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) and T9 (BD 501 @ 5.0 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) were used. The treatments T9 (BD 501@ 5.0 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) (53.83 g) and T8 (BD 501 @ 2.5 g + vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnes/ha) (53.67 g) recorded higher fresh weight of leaves per plant as compared to T0 (Control) (49.33 g). Diameter of tubers was highest in T9 (8.42 cm) followed by T8 (8.23 cm) and lowest in T0 (6.33 cm). T9 recorded highest net income and B-C ratio (Rs 5,75,070.67 and 1:3.72 respectively) followed by T8 (Rs 5,06,428.33 and 1:3.71 respectively). Thus it can be concluded that the vermicompost and biodynamic approach are advantageous sources for sustainable agriculture specially for heavy feeder crops like potato.

Review on Mineral Nutrition of Onion (Allium cepa L)

Proper nutrition is one of the factors which is limiting onion production. Onion yield and quality is affected by fertilization of macro and micro nutrients. Mineral nutrients, Nitrogen, phosphorous and Potassium are macronutrients which significantly affect onion production. Nitrogen and phosphorous fertilization significantly affect growth, yield and quality of onion. The requirement of mineral fertilizer varies from place to place, depending on different factors in the growing areas. Effective use of N, P and K fertilizer depends on soil condition, irrigation system, climatic factors and management factors. In all different research reports, it is described that onion is a heavy feeder for N, P, K and the application of these mineral elements enhance production significantly. The quality of onion, physiology and production is highly limited by fertilization of N, P and K fertilizers. Therefore, in this review the effect of mineral nutrition on growth, physiology and yield of onion are discussed and examined in detail.

Microbial Consortia for Sustaining Productivity of Non-legume Crops: Prospects and Challenges

Soil micro-organisms play a pivotal role in food production through their significant effects on nutrient transformation and release, soil organic matter and carbon dynamics, and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance to plants. The microbial consortia (MC) are mixtures of two or more microbial species/strains, living together symbiotically. Generally, a consortium of micro-organisms performs better than the inoculum of single microbial species. The MC, specifically plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and biofilm biofertilizers can be used in non-legume cereal crops grown in a large area of the world. The MC may help in solubilization of plant nutrients from the soil native pool, production of beneficial substances (siderophores, hormones, etc.) for better root growth of non-legume crops and reduction in plant growth retarding hormone(s). The MC research focuses/encompasses, mainly legume crops, although there are prospect and substantial evidences of their use in non-legume crops. Reports indicate that the use of MC can enhance micronutrients, total organic carbon and N in soil. They could fix N, solubilize P and K, improve soil physico-chemical properties and act as phyto-stimulator. Globally, almost 50% of the total N, P and K used in crops are consumed by cereal crops, which are heavy feeder with high yield potential. Integration of MC with chemical fertilizers provides enormous scope for increasing nutrient-use efficiency in accordance with harmonious improvement in crop yield and soil health. The MC as a component of integrated nutrient management in non-legume cereal crops would considerably reduce the demand and use of mineral fertilizers and cost of cultivation and save nutrient for use in other crops of economic importance. They are low-cost and eco-friendly options and can improve soil health vis-a-vis enhancing productivity of non-legume crops.

Linking rhizosphere bacterial diversity and soil fertility in tobacco plants under different soil types and cropping pattern in Tanzania: A pilot study

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), one of the major crop plants in Tanzania, cropping affects the level of soil fertility, but the reason has not been known. Plant rhizosphere plays an important role in affecting soil fertility through changing microbial composition. We planned a pilot study to understand the changes in microbial composition and soil nutrients in the rhizosphere soils of tobacco in three agro-ecological zone, namely Sikonge, Tabora and Urambo in Tanzania. This study assessed bacteriota composition using 16S rRNA sequencing and soil fertility in the rhizosphere of tobacco plants. The results showed that bacterial diversity in tobacco rhizosphere soils belonged to Proteobacteria phyla, associated significantly (p < 0.05) with solubilization of insoluble P, K and S. The solubilization of P, K and S in soils facilitates the availability of these nutrients to the tobacco plants (a heavy feeder crop) allows low levels of these nutrients in the soils for the subsequent crop. The Proteobacteria phyla also associated with an increase in soil N content through fixation. Therefore, bacteria diversity in tobacco rhizosphere influence solubilities of macronutrients (P, K, S) and quickly up taken by the tobacco plant and reduces their levels in soils, some bacteria involved in fixing N and increases total N in the soil.

Nano pyrite driven root foraging increases production of the heavy feeders, viz., cauliflower, cabbage and tomato in nutrient deficient soil with no fertiliser application

Plant draws nutrition from soil and air, while former contributes minerals and water, the later provides carbon dioxide. Similar to early man, who wandered around, hunting for resources, roots ‘forage’ underneath into the soil for nutrients. Root foraging is a function of nutrient availability. Here, for the first time, we show, root foraging which is quantified by the root architecture, can be modulated by a brief nano pyrite (FeS2) intervention. A 3 h root treatment of plant saplings with a 100 μg ml−1 suspension of nano FeS2, followed by transplantation onto a fallow land with no fertiliser application, influences root architecture and yield of cabbage, cauliflower, and tomato. These ‘heavy feeder’ vegetables drawing significant nutrients from the soil, are grown and consumed globally. This root treatment strategy, if applied for ‘heavy feeders’, can contribute towards sustainable vegetable farming with reduced fertiliser input; thus helping the marginal farmers across the world.

Soil fertility status of cassava fields treated by integrated application of manure and NPK fertilizer in Zambia

BackgroundCassava is a heavy feeder crop that can cause serious depletion to soil nutrient stocks. This research aimed to explore soil fertility status and nutrient supply capacity at different growth stages of cassava fields under combined application of organic manure and NPK fertilizers in two agroecologies of Zambia. Topsoil (0–20 cm) samples were collected from cassava fields treated with factorial combination of four levels of chicken manure (0, 1.4, 2.8, and 4.2 ton ha−1) and four levels of NPK (control, 50N-11P-41.5K, 100N-22P-83K, and 150N-33P-124.5P). The soils were sampled under the cassava canopy to determine soil pH, available phosphorus (AP), total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable bases and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn). The samples were collected before planting andafter establishment at 4, 8, and 12 months after planting (MAP).ResultsManure application significantly (p < 0.05) increased soil pH, while the application of mineral fertilizer reduced soil pH at all the plant growth stages. Similarly, manure application and their interaction with mineral fertilizer increased OC and TN levels, especially at harvest. By contrast, OC and TN decreased with the application of mineral fertilizer. AP levels increased following the application of both fertilizers. In addition, manure application significantly increased soil Zn content from 0.69 mg kg−1 in the control to 3.54 mg kg−1 for the highest level of manure at harvest. The interaction between manure and NPK significantly affected Fe and Mn content in the soil.ConclusionThe results revealed that sole chicken manure application or its combination with mineral fertilizer improves soil nutrient status of cassava fields in Zambian condition.

Effect of Crop Sequence, Compost and Plant Residues on Maize Yield Production, Sandy Soil Fertility and Reduce N-Mineral Fertilizer

Continuous population growth gives rise to food problems in developing countries, which requires enhancement in quantity and quality of agricultural products as well as reduce fertilizer use. Therefore a cropping system study was carried out to establish good agricultural practices that decrease soil degradation and building up fertility of desert soils in Egypt. Accordingly, two rotation cycles were established to investigate the effect of inclusion legume crop (pea) in the rotation compared to heavy feeder crop (potato)

Performance of Tomato with Organic Manures in Plastic Tunnel

Tomato is one of the most demanded vegetable with increasing trend of commercial cultivation in Nepal. As it is the heavy feeder crop thus soil nutrient management has been always challenging. Since, in modern world organic production has been favored by consumers for many reasons thus we aimed to compare the efficacy of various compost, mineral fertilizers and their combinations in tomato production and soil productivity. For the purpose a field experiment in plastic tunnel was carried out in Horticulture Research Division, Khumaltar in two consecutive years (2014 and 2015). Srijana, a popular tomato hybrid among commercial producers, was purposively selected. Eight treatments (control, recommended doses of chemical fertilizers, compost 15 t ha-1 + cattle urine, compost 10 t ha-1 + cattle urine, compost 12.5 t ha-1 + cattle urine, compost 15 t ha-1 + 1/4 recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, compost 10 t ha-1 + ¾ recommended dose of chemical fertilizer and compost 12.5 t ha-1 + 1/2 recommended dose of chemical fertilizer) were laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. The result showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) positive correlation between the plant height and yield of tomato. The treatment with compost dose of 12.5 t ha-1 with half dose of recommended dose of chemical fertilizers produced the highest incremental yield (85% increment) over other treatments followed by compost 15 t ha-1 with cattle urine. Addition of soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen, soil potassium by the increasing level of compost though not significant, but increment in carbon content, nitrogen content and potassium content of soil observed in successive years. For commercial producer at plastic tunnel, compost at the rate 12.5 t ha-1 with half dose of recommended level of chemical fertilizer (100:90:40 kg N:P:K ha-1) is recommended to apply in field, while for organic producer, application of 15 tha-1 compost with fermented cattle urine is recommended.

Role of nitrogen, phosphorus and bio-fertilizer in improving performance of fodder sorghum-A Review

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important cereal fodder crop which fulfils over 2/3rd of the fodder demand during kharif season. It responds well to high doses of fertilizer due to its excellent growing habit, high potential, better nutritive value and quick regrowth. Fodder sorghum is a heavy feeder of nutrients and remove large amount of nutrients from the soil. Its yield and quality suffers heavily if proper amount of fertilizers is not applied. Nitrogen being an important constituent of chlorophyll and protein, imparts dark green colour, promotes vegetative growth, rapid early growth and improves the quality and biomass production by increasing the protein content and dry matter yield of fodder crops. Phosphorus gradually increase plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area per plant and fodder yield. Biofertilizers plays an important role in atmospheric nitrogen fixation and phosphorous solubilisation; these also help in stimulating the plant growth hormones, providing better nutrient uptake and increased tolerance towards drought and moisture stress. Therefore, an attempt has been made in this article to review works done on several aspects of nitrogen, phosphorus and biofertilizer management.

Phosphorous as the major yield limiting nutrient for maize in the river basin areas of western Nepal

Maize is a heavy feeder crop but not always higher quantity of chemical fertilizers leads for higher grain yield. Objective of the study was to identify the major yield limiting macro nutrient for maize in the river basis areas. Field experiments were conducted at four locations viz. Dasharathpur, Ramghat, Mehelkuna, and Gumi VDCs of Surkhet district, under research command areas of Agriculture Research Station, Surkhet. Different doses of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizers were applied. Planting was done in the summer season of 2010 and 2011. All field experiments were laid out in randomized complete block designs with three replications at each site and year. Deuti variety of maize was used in the experiment. Days to tasseling, silking, and physiological maturity due to fertilizer application were found significant. One week earlier silking, tasseling, and physiological maturity was observed due to use of 100:100 kg ha-1 nitrogen and phosphorous as compared to the most late maturity with application of 100 kg nitrogen ha-1. The highest grain yield (6802 kg ha-1) was found with application of 100:100 kg nitrogen and phosphorous ha-1 and the lowest grain yield (4174 kg ha-1) was found with the normal recommended fertilizer dose. Phosphorous was observed as the major yield limiting factor in this study.

Effect of N and K levels on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of FCV tobacco cv. Kanchan

A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Jeelugumilli, Andhra Pradesh under irrigated Alfisols conditions to find out the effect of levels of nitrogen and potash on growth, yield and nutrient uptake pattern of flue-cured Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cv. Kanchan which is a heavy feeder and high yielder. The results of the experiment revealed that leaf dry weight increased from 30-90 days after planting with increase in N dose from 90 to 140 kg N/ha. Maximum accumulation of leaf dry weight was observed between 60-90 days after planting. Stem and root dry weight increased up to 120 days after planting during both the years. Green leaf yield and cured leaf yield increased progressively and significantly with increase in the N level from 90 to 140 kg N/ha. Higher grade index was recorded at 115 kg N/ha followed by 140 and 90 kg N/ha. The concentration of nitrogen in the leaf increased with increase in nitrogen dose but decreased with increase in level of potassium at the same nitrogen level. Nitrogen uptake increased with increased levels of N and K. Potassium content was high in the initial stages and slowly decreased with the advance in the age of the crop. Initially the difference in the uptake of N and K was narrow, the ratio widened with the age of the crop and finally the ratio was 1:1.3 to 1.4. Higher K uptake in leaf was observed at 115 kg N and while, higher K uptake in stem and root were observed at 140 kg N with 140 kg K2O /ha. The chemical quality parameters, viz. reducing sugars and nicotine in leaf lamina were within the acceptable limits. Higher green leaf yield, cured leaf yield, nitrogen and potassium uptake were recorded with application of 140 kg each of N and K2O/ha in FCV tobacco cv. Kanchan in irrigated Alfisols of Andhra Pradesh.

Influence of Intercrops on Cropping, Quality and Relative Economic Yield of Sweet Cherry cv. Bigarreau Noir Grossa (Misri)

&lt;p&gt;An experiment was conducted to assess the impact of different intercrops like maize, pea, strawberry, cabbage, red clover, french bean, oats and maize on cropping, quality and relative economic yield of cherry cv. Misri under Kashmir conditions. The results obtained revealed significant improvement in cherry trees intercropped with leguminous crops like pea, red clover and french bean than clean cultivation and heavy feeder crops (requiring high level of soil nutrients) like strawberry, cabbage, oats and maize. Highest per cent fruit set, fruit maturity, fruit yield and fruit physico-chemical characteristics were recorded maximum in cherry trees with leguminous type of crops. The impact of intercrops on relative economic yield of cherry (system equivalent yield) revealed that the cherry plants intercropped with pea had better benefit: cost ratio (1.71) followed by cabbage (1.41), red clover (1.40) and French bean (1.39) than clean cultivation (1.34).&lt;/p&gt;

Study on PCS7 Heavy Plate Feeder automation control system

Aiming at problems in the secondary crushing system of a concentrator crushing plant, such as the old-fashioned control mode of heavy plate feeder control system, overload and under-load conditions of the mechanical equipment, large labor intensity of the operators, control lag, and low production efficiency, the research is done on automation design of heavy plate feeder in the secondary crushing system of the crushing plant. The proposed method is to adopt PCS7 system to make automatic detection, control the start-stop and the speed of SIEMENS converter which is used to drive the heavy plate feeder, and use WINCC to design the monitoring picture of the secondary crushing system. The research shows that, with automatic control based on WINCC and PLC, the system becomes flexible, convenient, and stable, and the overload and under-load conditions are eliminated, which further results in lower failure rates. In practical application, through continuous optimization of the improved automatic control system of the heavy plate feeder, better performance on stability, accuracy and failure rates is obtained.