Higher Dry Matter Accumulation Research Articles

Water Use Strategies and Shoot and Root Traits of High-Yielding Winter Wheat Cultivars under Different Water Supply Conditions

Drought is the most important factor limiting winter wheat yield in the North China Plain (NCP). Choosing high-yielding cultivars is an important measure to minimize the negative effects of drought stress. Field studies were conducted with 10 cultivars in the 2020–2022 seasons under three irrigation treatments (I0, without irrigation; I1, irrigated at jointing stage; I2, irrigated at jointing and anthesis stages) in the NCP to examine the water use strategies and root and shoot traits of high-yielding cultivars under different water supply conditions. The results showed that yield variation among cultivars was 21.2–24.6%, 23.7–25.9% and 11.6–15.3% for the I0, I1 and I2 treatments, respectively. Under water deficit conditions (I0 and I1), high-yielding cultivars reduced water use during vegetative stages and increased soil water use during reproductive stages, especially water use from deeper soil layers. Those cultivars with higher root length density (RLD) in deep soil layers exhibited higher water uptake. Each additional millimeter of water used after anthesis from the 100–200 cm soil layers increased grain yield by 23.6–29.6 kg/ha and 16.4–28.5 kg/ha under I0 and I1, respectively. This water use strategy enhanced dry matter accumulation after anthesis, decreased canopy temperature (CT) and increased relative leaf water contents (RLWC), which ultimately improved grain yield. For winter wheat grown under I2, cultivars that decreased water use after anthesis had higher water productivity (WP). Root length (RL), root weight (RW) and root:shoot ratio were each negatively correlated with grain yield, while above-ground biomass was positively correlated with grain yield. Therefore, higher dry matter accumulation and smaller root systems are two important traits of high-yielding cultivars under sufficient water supply conditions (I2) in the NCP.

Influence of Different Sowing Dates and Nutrient Management on Dry Matter Accumulation and Correlation Study for Grain Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum. L.)

A field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2020-21 in the Instructional farm of Barrister Thakur Chhedilal College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, to study the “Influenced of different sowing date and nutrient management on dry matter accumulation and Correlation and regression equations for grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum. L.)”. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications with keeping four sowing dates viz., D1 (25th October), D2 (5th November), D3 (15th November) and D4 (25th November) as main plot and three fertilizer rates viz., NM1 (RFD), NM2 (150% RFD + FYM 15 t ha-1) and NM3 (150% RFD + FYM 15 t ha-1 + Growth regulators) as sub plot treatments. The crop sown on 5th November and NM3 (150% RFD + FYM 15 t ha-1 + Growth regulators) was significantly influenced by higher dry matter accumulation, CGR, RGR. Results revealed that, the maximum growth i.e. (higher dry matter accumulation, CGR and RGR), yield attributes (weight of grains per ear and test weight) and yield (grain yield) of wheat crop sown on 5th November as compared to other sowing dates. Among the fertilizer rates, maximum growth i.e. (dry matter accumulation, CGR and RGR), yield parameters (weight of grains ear-1 and test weight) were recorded the treatment NM3 (150% RFD + FYM 15 t ha-1 + Growth regulators), which was at par with NM2 (150% RFD + FYM 15 t ha-1). The data revealed that grain yield of wheat was significantly and positively correlated with biomass yield, test weight, number of grain ear-1 head, spike length, grain weight ear-1 head.

Effect of Different Levels of FYM and Recommended Dose of Fertilizer and their Methods of Application on Groundnut in Western Uttar Pradesh

A two-year field experiment was conducted at the Research farm of Kisan Post Graduate College (Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut), Simbhaoli, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, from July-October of 2016 and 2017, respectively, to investigate the response of organic manures (farmyard manure) and chemical fertilizers and their method of application (broadcasting and root zone application) on Groundnut crop under assured irrigation. The soil of the field experiment was clay loam with chemical reaction 7.80, electrical conductivity (0.31 mm uS cm-1), low in organic carbon content (0.37%), low in available nitrogen and medium in phosphorus, and high in potassium. Results of the field experiment revealed that pod yield of groundnut improved by root zone placement of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers mainly through a significant improvement in weight of 100 kernels. FYM and different NPK levels of fertilizers were applied as broadcasting and root zone placement in different treatments. Application of 14.0 tonnes of FYM ha-1 recorded significantly higher pod yield over the control plot. Root zone application of 75% of the recommended dose of 20 kg N, 80 kg P2O5, and 20 kg K2O ha-1 resulted in higher dry matter accumulation which leads to higher pod yield. Amid the interaction effect, a combination of 14.0 tonnes of FYM ha-1+75% RDF, 14.0 tonnes of FYM ha-1+root zone application and 100% RDF of NPK+root zone application obtained the highest pods yield as compared to other treatment combinations.

EFFECT OF KORRA (Setaria italica) CROP RESIDUES INCORPORATION ALONG WITH MICROBIAL CONSORTIA ON HUMIC ACID, FULVIC ACID CONTENT IN SOIL AND PERFORMANCE OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum)

The field experiment was conducted on the clay soils of Agricultural Research Station, Amaravathi, Guntur between rabi 2017-18 and 2018-19 to find out the influence of crop residues on soil biological activity, growth and yield of chickpea under rainfed agro-climatic condition ofKrishna zone. The korra crop residue was incorporated in the soil 45 days before sowing of chickpea either alone or in combination with microbial consortia and starter dose of N and P fertilizers as decomposition accelerators. Humic acid and fulvic acid assayed at different crop growth stages of chickpea got significantly increased by the application of crop residue along with microbial consortia. The drymatter accumulation at different growth stages and grain yield of chickpea were significantly influenced by the treatments. Among the treatments, the highest drymatter accumulation and grain yield of chickpea were recorded with 100 percent RDF(20:50:0:40) and was at par with the treatment T7, which received crop residue @1.5 t ha-1+ Microbial consortium@2 kg t-1+ urea 3 kg t-1 + SSP 15 kg t-1 of residue incorporated to soil during both the years of the experimentation. There was a significant positive correlation between humicacid and fulvic acid content with drymatter production of chickpea.

Effect of Different Fertility Levels on Growth and Production Potential of Rice Genotypes

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2019 at Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) for evaluation of six rice genotypes (IET-27263, IET-26418, IET-26420, NDR-359, PD-19 and PD-26) under varying fertility levels (Control, 100% RDF, 150% RDF). Treatments were tested in Split Plot Design with three replications keeping fertilizer levels in main plots and genotypes in sub plots.
 Application of fertilizer at 150% RDF and genotype IET-27263 resulted in significantly taller plants, highest number of tillers, highest dry matter accumulation over all other fertilizer levels.
 So, it can be recommended that application of fertilizers at higher dose is essential for obtaining higher yield of rice as most of the parameters of growth, development and yield were responding well up to 150% RDF. The new rice genotype IET27263 was found superior to all other tested genotypes.

Tomato performance and changes in soil chemistry in response to salinity and Na/Ca ratio of irrigation water

Although unconventional water can be applied as an alternative for agricultural production, inappropriate irrigation water quality may adversely affect the soil crop system. Thus, field experiments under mulched drip irrigation were performed over three years (2017–2019) to investigate the impacts of three salinity (1, 2 and 3 g·L−1) with five Na:Ca molar ratios (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) of irrigation water on tomato plant growth, fruit development, soil salt accumulation and soil sodium adsorption ratio. The results showed that, with irrigation water salinity of 1 g·L−1, the critical value of irrigation water Na:Ca molar ratio for the high yield and dry matter accumulation was 3 and 5, respectively, while the threshold for high concentration of vitamin C and lycopene was 7. With the irrigation water salinity of 2 g·L−1 and 3 g·L−1, the Na:Ca molar ratio threshold for a high concentration of soluble solids, vitamin C and lycopene was 5. Moreover, considering the increase of plant nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation, the decrease of sodium adsorption ratio at 40–100 cm soil layer inside the film, and the diminution of soil salt accumulation at 0–100 cm layer, irrigation water with higher salinity and lower Na:Ca molar ratio was more proper than that with lower salinity and higher Na:Ca molar ratio. Based on the multi-objective optimization with entropy-weight TOPSIS method, irrigation water with a salinity level at 2 g·L−1 and the Na:Ca molar ratio at 5 was suggested for tomato planting in the Yinbei Yellow River Irrigation District, China.

Efficient sugar utilization and transition from oxidative to substrate-level phosphorylation in high starch storage roots of African cassava genotypes.

Cassava's storage roots represent one of the most important sources of nutritional carbohydrates worldwide. Particularly, smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on this crop plant, where resilient and yield-improved varieties are of vital importance to support steadily increasing populations. Aided by a growing understanding of the plant's metabolism and physiology, targeted improvement concepts already led to visible gains in recent years. To expand our knowledge and to contribute to these successes, we investigated storage roots of eight cassava genotypes with differential dry matter content from three successive field trials for their proteomic and metabolic profiles. At large, the metabolic focus in storage roots transitioned from cellular growth processes towards carbohydrate and nitrogen storage with increasing dry matter content. This is reflected in higher abundance of proteins related to nucleotide synthesis, protein turnover and vacuolar energization in low starch genotypes, while proteins involved in sugar conversion and glycolysis were more prevalent in high dry matter genotypes. This shift in metabolic orientation was underlined by a clear transition from oxidative- to substrate-level phosphorylation in high dry matter genotypes. Our analyses highlight metabolic patterns that are consistently and quantitatively associated with high dry matter accumulation in cassava storage roots, providing fundamental understandings of cassava's metabolism as well as a data resource for targeted genetic improvement.

Impact of crop establishment techniques and weed management practices on Oryza sativa L. growth and yield

AbstractDue to increased demand, labor costs, and water scarcity, farmers look for an alternative way of rice cultivation under prevailing conventional transplanting. Direct‐seeded Oryza sativa and system of rice intensification (SRI) have been developed as superior substitutes to transplanting. However, if weeds are not controlled properly, the direct seeding method faces serious weed infestation and yield losses. In this context, a field study was undertaken during kharif growing seasons to evaluate the growth and yield of O. sativa under various crop establishment methods and weed management practices. The results revealed that system of rice intensification (SRI) method of crop establishment significantly produced taller plants, higher dry matter accumulation, a greater number of tillers per meter square, highest leaf area index, yield attributes, namely, panicle density, panicle length, and grains per panicle, and higher grain and straw yield over direct seeded rice (DSR) and transplanted O. sativa. Among the various weed management practices, penoxsulam produced significantly higher grain and straw yield. The results demonstrated that average grain yield increase with SRI was reported to be 24.11% and 23.62% over DSR and 10.47% and 12.23% over transplanted O. sativa. Among various establishment techniques, lower weed density and dry weed biomass were achieved by transplanting O. sativa. Penoxsulam herbicides significantly reduced the weed density and dry weed biomass but penoxsulam herbicide demonstrated significantly the maximum reduction in number of weeds per meter square and dry weed biomass and proved superior against complex weed flora.

Performance of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Influenced by the Application of Nano-fertilizers

An experiment into the "Performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on application of nano-fertilizers" was conducted on well-drained sandy soil in response to concerns about food and nutritional security as well as second-generation post-green revolution problems, such as increasing input use with declining efficiency trends, deteriorating soil health, depleting water resources, pollution and narrowing farmer profits. On the wheat variety DBW187 in RBD with three replications, 12 twelve treatments containing control, basal administrations of the required 100% NPK (150:60:40), 75% NPK (112.5:45:30), and Nano N and Nano P in various combinations were tried. The study's findings showed that wheat sprayed with 75% NPK + Nano N and Nano P at 30 and 45 days of growth experienced significantly better growth as evidenced by taller plants (91.23 cm), more tillers per square metre (322.5), higher LAI (0.83), and higher dry matter accumulation per square metre (1532.7), all of which were measured at harvest.

Effects of Spraying KH2PO4 on Flag Leaf Physiological Characteristics and Grain Yield and Quality under Heat Stress during the Filling Period in Winter Wheat.

As one of the most important wheat-producing areas in China, wheat is prone to heat stress during the grain filling period in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain (3HP), which lowers yields and degrades the grain quality of wheat. To assess the effects of spraying potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) on the physiological traits in flag leaves and grain yield (GY) and quality under heat stress during the filling period, we conducted a two-year field experiment in the winter wheat growing seasons of 2020-2022. In this study, spraying water combined with heat stress (HT), 0.3% KH2PO4 (KDP), and 0.3% KH2PO4 combined with heat stress (PHT) were designed, and spraying water alone was used as a control (CK). The dates for the spraying were the third and eleventh day after anthesis, and a plastic film shed was used to impose heat stress on the wheat plants during the grain filling period. The results showed that spraying KH2PO4 significantly improved the chlorophyll content and net photosynthesis rate (Pn) in flag leaves compared with the non-sprayed treatments. Compared with CK, the Pn in HT decreased by 8.97% after heat stress, while Pn in PHT decreased by 7.44% compared to that of KDP. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase in flag leaves were significantly reduced when the wheat was subjected to heat stress, while malonaldehyde content increased, and the enzyme activities were significantly enhanced when KH2PO4 was sprayed. Heat stress significantly decreased the contribution rate of dry matter accumulation (DM) after anthesis of wheat to grain (CRAA), whereas spraying KH2PO4 significantly increased the CRAA and harvest index. At maturity, the DM in CK was significantly higher than that in HT, KDP was significantly higher than PHT, and KDP had the highest DM. Compared with CK, the GY in KDP significantly increased by 9.85% over the two years, while the GY in HT decreased by 11.44% compared with that of CK, and the GY in PHT decreased by 6.31% compared to that of KDP. Spraying KH2PO4 after anthesis primarily helped GY by maintaining a high thousand grain weight to lessen the negative effects of heat stress on wheat. Moreover, heat stress significantly reduced protein concentration, wet gluten content, dough development time, and hardness index in grains of mature, while spraying KH2PO4 maintained a sufficient grain quality under the conditions of achieving higher yields. Overall, spraying KH2PO4 after anthesis could enhance the heat stress resistance of wheat and maintain the photosynthetic capacity of flag leaves, ensuring the dry matter production and reducing the negative effects on grain yield and quality in the 3HP.

Optimizing fertilizer schedules for irrigated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh

Conventionally chickpea is cultivated as rainfed crop but under irrigated conditions the optimum dose of fertilizers was not known and the research was also limited. The purpose of this study was to study the optimum dose of fertilizers for chickpea under irrigated conditions. A field experiment was conducted to study the growth and yield of chickpea under varied levels of fertilizer application on sandy loam soils at Agricultural College, Mahanandi during rabi 2021-22. The experimental field was laid out in a randomized block design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. Nitrogen and phosphorus were applied through urea and single super phosphate, respectively, to all the plots. The results revealed that significantly higher and comparable values of plant height (44.0 cm), number of branches/plant (28.7), number of pods/plant (63.4), 100-seed weight (32.4 g), seed yield (1346.1 kg/ha), gross returns (71344.7 Rs./ha), net returns (43187.7 Rs./ha) and B : C ratio (2.5) were registered with treatment 20 kg N basal+20 kg N split+60 kg P2O5 basal (T9) and higher dry matter accumulation (7168.5 kg/ha) and haulm yield (1352.0 kg/ha) with 20 kg N basal+20 kg N split+70 kg P2O5 basal (T10). Number of seeds/pod and harvest index were not significantly affected by levels of fertilizer application.

Productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) cultivars under organic management condition in mid-hills of Sikkim

A field experiment was conducted during pre-rainy (kharif) seasons of 2019 and 2020 at Research Farm of ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim to evaluate the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars under organic management condition. Twelve cultivars of maize, viz. ‘Seti Makkai’, ‘Pahenlo Makkai’, ‘Rato Makkai’, ‘Baiguni Makkai’, ‘Kalo Makkai’, ‘Satheya’, ‘RCM 1–1’, ‘RCM 1–3’, ‘RCM–75’ and ‘Vivek Sankul 31’, ‘Vivek Sankul 37’ and ‘Vivek Sankul 35’ were evaluated under organic management system in randomized complete block design. The results showed that cultivar ‘Seti Makkai’ recorded significantly maximum plant height (305 cm) as compared to the other cultivars. The highest dry-matter accumulation (81 g/plant) was registered under ‘Rato Makkai’ which was significantly superior to that of remaining cultivars. The maximum leaf-area index was recorded under ‘Vivek Sankul 35’ (4.35) as compared to the other cultivars. The minimum days required to 50% flowering (61 days) was noticed under ‘Vivek Sankul 35’. As compared to the other cultivars, the maximum cob length (16.7 cm) was recorded under ‘RCM 1-1’. ‘Vivek Sankul 31’ registered significantly higher cob girth (13.4 cm) than the others. Number of rows/cob (12.9) was significantly higher in ‘Vivek Sankul 35’ than the remaining cultivars. Maximum number of grains/row was registered in ‘Kalo Makkai’ (36.8). The highest grain yield (3.97 t/ha) and economic benefits were recorded with ‘Vivek Sankul 35’ as compared to the remaining cultivars. Short- duration maize cultivar ‘Vivek Sankul 35’ was found most promising in terms of productivity and profitability and may be recommended for cultivation by farmers of Sikkim Himalayas and similar agroecoregions under organic production system.

Potential of plant species adapted to semi-arid conditions for phytoremediation of contaminated soils

Physical and chemical remediation techniques used in contaminated areas are expensive and damaging to the soil structure. Biological alternatives, such as phytoremediation, are economical and applicable to large areas. The main limitation of phytoremediation is identifying plants that are both capable of stabilizing and/or absorbing metals from soil and adapted to edaphoclimatic conditions of the contaminated areas. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of plant species adapted to Brazilian semi-arid conditions to grow in soils contaminated with Pb. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in a 4 × 5 factorial: four plant species (M. oleifera, P. juliflora, A. peregrina, and U. ruziziensis) and five Pb concentrations in soil (0.0; 0.52; 1.05; 2.10, and 4.20 g kg−1). All species grew at all Pb levels, but only P. juliflora and A. peregrina did not exhibit significant reductions in most growth variables. U. ruziziensis, despite showing reductions in growth variables, was the species with the highest dry matter accumulation in both shoots and roots, in addition to accumulating higher amounts of Pb. We conclude that the species P. juliflora, A. peregrina and U. ruziziensis are more suitable for cultivation in soils containing high levels of Pb.

Effects and Recovery of Maize (Zea mays Linn) to Waterlogging Imposed at Early Seedling Stage

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of different waterlogging duration imposed at the V2 leaf stage and assess the impact of waterlogging on maize growth during the recovery period, identify susceptible and tolerant lines and traits conferring tolerance to waterlogging at the early seedling stage. Methods: The study was arranged in a Split-plot RCBD and replicated three times. Intercharacter and waterlogging durations to maize growth parameters were correlated to determine the degree of the linear relationship using Pearson’s product moments correlation and simple linear regression analysis. Result: The result shows that the different waterlogging durations negatively influenced the maize growth parameters regarding plant height and root length. These parameters became shorter and did not recover after waterlogging stress was removed. Therefore, plant height and root length are traits sensitive to waterlogging stress. The USM Var 10, BRK and T. Monkayo obtained a high degree of leaf greenness, heaviest shoot and root dry matter compared to other evaluated maize lines. Maize with greener leaves, taller plant height, longer root length and high total dry matter accumulation could be a good criterion in selecting a parent material in the maize waterlogging breeding program.

Response of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) to varying spacing and transplanting in north Gujarat region

A field experiment was conducted at Castor Mustard Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat during the winter (rabi) season of 2020–21, to study the response of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj.] to different spacing and transplanting schedule in north Gujarat. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with 4 spacing in the main plots and 3 transplanting dates in the subplots, that were replicated 3 times. The maximum plant height at harvesting (189.18 cm) and crop-growth rate (11.69 g/plant/day) at 30–60 days after transplanting (DAT) were recorded with narrow spacing of 45 cm × 30 cm and higher dry-matter accumulation at 30 and 60 DAT (11.57 and 71.70 g/plant respectively) were recorded at 60 cm × 45 cm spacing. Indian mustard transplanted at 45 cm × 30 cm spacing recorded significantly higher seed yield (2,187.1 kg/ha), being statistically at par with spacing 45 cm × 45 cm spacing (2,070.4 kg/ha). In terms of seed yield, the crop transplanted on 10 November (2,142.7 kg/ha) outperformed the crop transplanted on 20 November (1,829.0 kg/ha), but it was statistically on a par with the crop transplanted on 31 October (1,996 kg/ha). The higher net returns (`61,227/ha), production efficiency (19.59 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (`548.5/ha/ day) were registered at 45 cm × 30 cm spacing. Significantly higher net return realization (`63,596/ha), production efficiency (19.13 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (`567.8 /ha/day) were noted under 10 November transplanting.

Does Belt Uniform Sowing Improve Winter Wheat Yield under High Sowing Density?

The belt uniform (BU) sowing pattern can improve the yield of winter wheat, but whether and how the BU sowing pattern can increase yield under different sowing densities is unknown. The field study was conducted in Guiyang (Guizhou province) during the growing season in 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020. Four winter wheat cultivars were used in field experiments to investigate the changes of the dry matter accumulation and partition, yield and yield components at maturity under five sowing densities (75, 150, 225, 300, and 375 plants per m2), and three sowing patterns: line and dense (LD) sowing with 33.3 cm row spacing (LDS); the belt uniform (BU) sowing with 15 cm (BUN), and 20 cm (BUW) row spacing. The BU sowing pattern significantly increases shoot dry matter and grain yield in all four winter wheat cultivars under all five sowing densities and in each growing season, particularly under the high sowing density of 300 and 375 plants m−2. Harvest index was unaffected by the different sowing densities and sowing patterns. While spike number increased, grain weight per spike decreased with the increase in sowing density. The 1000-grain weight and grain number per spike were unaffected by the sowing patterns. The variation in the shoot dry weight can explain 94% variation in grain yield and 66% variation in spike number. Allometric analysis showed that more dry matter was partitioned to the spike than to the stem and leaf. We conclude that the BU sowing pattern can increase grain yield under high sowing densities associated with a high shoot dry matter accumulation and its partition to the spike.

Wheat Nutrient Management Strategies to Increase Productivity, Profitability and Quality on Sandy Loam Soils

By 2050, the population of the world is anticipated to increase from 7.7 billion to 9.7 billion people, and, and wheat is expected to continue to play a vital role in ensuring food security globally. It is the main diet for 40% of the world’s population and supplies food for more than 4.5 billion people in 94 countries contains 21% of the joules and 20% of the protein. The present investigations were carried out during rabi 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 to determine how optimal nutrient management (INM) practices enhance fertilizer usage efficiency, productivity, soil health, and viability in wheat (Variety DBW 71) through innovative nutritional sources and their modes of application methods. The treatments comprised of, viz., control, basal applications of recommended NPK (80:60:40)/NPK granules (200 kg/ha) + FYM (5 t ha−1) + bio-stimulant granules (62.5 kg/ha), +NPK bio-fertilizer (seed treatment), along with a top dressing of urea (20 kg/ha)/bio-stimulant (625 mL ha−1)/NPK Powder (1%) sprays (40/55/70 DAS), which had triplicated randomized block design (RBD) at the crop research farm of SVPUA&T, Meerut (U.P.). The results revealed that wheat grown with incorporation of FYM and bio-stimulant –L attained significantly better growth and higher dry matter accumulation across the stages. The crop contained 1.63% N, 0.31% P, 0.69% K in grain, and 0.57% N, 0.11% P and 1.34% K in straw. Such crops exhibited agronomic, physiological, and apparent recovery efficiency of NPK of the order of 3.2 kg kg−1 of nutrient applied, 14.0 kg kg−1 of nutrient uptake, and 0.23% against recommended NPK. Applications of FYM, NPK bio-fertilizer+ urea, and bio-stimulant + NPK sprays worked synergistically and increased grain yields by 29.8, 35.2, 50.3 and 41.1% over their respective controls. The results also indicated that soil organic carbon (0.47%), available NPK (227.0, 27.7, 172.1 kg/ha), dehydrogenase activity, and microbial population (bacteria, fungal and actinomycetes) in soil was also highest with the treatment. Finally, the wheat crop required an investment of Rs ha−1 131,453 and fetched a net reoccurrence of Rs. 96,154, with benefits of Rs. 3.72 over cost, respectively. Therefore, the study reveals that integrated nutrient management, viz., FYM 5 t ha−1 +NPK (12–32–16) -G @ 200 kg/ha + NPK bio-fertilizer (seed treatment) + urea @ 20 kg/ha, foliar application NPK (18−18−18) -P@ 1% and bio-stimulant –L 0.62 L ha−1 improved the better growth, productivity, soil health and profitability of wheat crops. Finally, to boost production, the region must emphasize the wheat crop’s part in integrated nutrition management with foliar application of bio-stimulants. Furthermore, these investigations must be reinvestigated at different sites with different agro-climatic conditions and texturally divergent soils.

Effect of Nano-nutrient on Growth Attributes, Yield, Zn Content, and Uptake in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Considering the food and nutritional security concerns, and post green revolution second generation problems i.e. increasing input use with declining efficiency trends, deteriorating soil health, depleting water resources, pollution, and narrowing profits at the end of farmers, an investigation was carried out on Wheat (Triticum aestivum) crop during 2019-20 at the crop research centre of SVPUA & T, Meerut (U.P.) to overcome these problems. Novel nutrient sources and their modes of applications with 14 treatments consisting of control, basal applications of recommended 100% NPK (150:60:40), 75% NPK (112.5:45:30) + water spray + nano N (4 ml l-1) + bio nano P (40 ml l-1) + bio nano K (40 ml l-1) + bio nano Zn (10 ml l-1) in various combinations were attempted on wheat variety DBW17 in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results of the study revealed that wheat grown with 75% NPK + nano nutrients (N + P + K + Zn) attainted significantly better growth as reflected by taller plants (91.7 cm), more no. of tillers m-1 row length (61.8), and higher dry matter accumulation m-1 row length (239.2), recorded at harvest with grain yield of (52.4 q ha-1). The crop contained 53.2 ppm Zn in grain and 31.8 ppm Zn in straw. Applications of nano nutrients – N, P, K, Zn and N +P + K + Zn +75% NPK worked synergistically and increased grain yields by 17.9, 15.7 14.5, 16.5 and 26.9% over 100% NPK. Thus, the wheat crop grown with the application of Nano-N + 75% NPK followed Nano-Zn + 75% NPK by had attained better growth (plant height, no. of the tiller, dry matter accumulation, yield (grain), nutrient content, and nutrient uptake.

Density-Dependent Fertilization of Nitrogen for Optimal Yield of Perennial Rice

In the absence of tillage, perennial rice is an innovation and supplement to rice production. Proper N fertilizer application connected to planting density has been proposed as an effective way to improve rice yields. The tradeoff between crop N uptake and N supply is essential for optimal N management and soil environment benefit in the perennial rice cropping system. To assess the response of perennial rice to N fertilizer and planting density, field experiments with four consecutive growing seasons within two years, from 2016 to 2017, were conducted in southern China. Four nitrogen rates (N0, N1, N2, and N3 refer to 0, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha−1, respectively) combined with three planting densities (D1, D2, and D3 refer to 100 × 103, 167 × 103 and 226 × 103 plants ha−1, respectively) were designed. The results showed that both N rate and planting density significantly affected crop production (p < 0.05), N uptake and soil N balance. Specifically, the N2D3 mode could achieve sustainable and higher dry matter accumulation (15.15 t ha−1) and grain yield (7.67 t ha−1) among all the treatments over the four seasons. A positive relationship between N uptake and dry matter/grain yield was observed. The N2D3 mode showed significantly higher N uptake (201 kg ha−1 each season) and less soil N loss (27.1%), relative to C.K. Additionally, the N2D3 mode could reach the optimal N balance (−0.2 kg ha−1) with a low N requirement (23.9 kg N Mg−1 grain), resulting in higher N use efficiency (NAE: 26.5 kg N kg−1, NRE: 64.9%). In the perennial rice cropping system, therefore, 180 kg N ha−1 integrated with 226 × 103 plants ha−1 could deliver higher grain yields with less N requirement, higher N use efficiency and less soil N loss. This optimal combination between planting density and nitrogen rate can result in soil N balance for sustainable perennial rice production.

Evaluation of Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) Varieties for Koshi Region of Bihar

Background: Field experiment was conducted under In-house Project of the University during kharif seasons of 2015 and 2017 for evaluation of clusterbean varieties for Koshi Region of Bihar. Methods: The experiment was conducted by using randomized complete block design with three replications. Observations were recorded on different agronomic parameters including, plant height, dry matter accumulation, days to maturity, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, test weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index. Economics of crop was also calculated to find out the economic feasibility for the farmers. Result: Result revealed that the significantly taller plants along with higher dry matter accumulation was observed under clusterbean variety Bundel Guar-2 (BG-2). Clusterbean variety Gujarat Guar-2 (GG-2) taken least number of days to maturity, however, highest number of days to maturity was taken by RGC-986 and BG-1. Significantly higher number of pods per plant was observed under RGC-1033. HG-365 resulted into significantly higher number of grains per pod and BG-1 recorded significantly higher test weight. RGC-1033 proved significantly better in terms of grain yield, harvest index and net returns. In terms of stover and biological yield BG-2 proved significantly superior.