Inorganic Plots Research Articles

Impact of Organic and Chemical Farming on Soil Health and Production in Finger Millet

Deterioration of soil health, expensive and unnecessary inputs, water-intensive/water-pollutive, lethal and ecologically harmful farming practices in chemical farming do no good to agricultural advancement, and to public health. To reduce ill effects of chemical farming, a long term experiment is conducting to study the effect of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on yield, quality and soil health in finger millet since kharif 2013 at Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh, India with a test variety Vakula. The experiment consists of two treatments viz., organic farming and chemical farming. Recommended dose of manures and fertilizers were applied to organic and inorganic plots, respectively in each season. The data on yield parameters, yield, quality and soil properties was collected and statistically analyzed with paired t test by using SPSS 2.0. The results revealed that during kharif 2022, significantly the highest grain yield (31.62 q ha-1), straw yield (84.06 q ha-1), number of tillers/plant (1.9), were recorded with chemical farming. The highest N, P and K uptake by plant at flowering was also recorded with chemical farming during both Kharif and Rabi seasons. Regarding quality, high protein, total phenol and tannin content had been recorded with organic farming. Build up of organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus were noticed in post harvest soil when compared initial values (kharif 2013.). Soil enzymatic activity and microbial population was also higher with application of organic manures and biofertilizers than chemical fertilizers. The grain yield of organic farming plot was comparable with chemical farming after nine years of experimentation.

Carbon and nitrogen footprints of apple orchards in China's Loess Plateau under different fertilization regimes

To comprehensively understand the effects of different fertilization regimes on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in apple orchard production systems, we assessed the carbon (C) emissions and nitrogen (N) losses along with the life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the carbon footprint (CF) and nitrogen footprint (NF) under different fertilization regimes in the Loess Plateau, China. The field experiment was comprising four N fertilizer regimes such as i) single inorganic fertilizer with 800 kg N ha−1 (N800); ii) single inorganic fertilizer with 400 kg N ha−1 (N400); iii) inorganic and organic fertilizers each with 200 kg N ha−1 (N200+O200) as well as without N fertilizer treatment as control (CK). Data regarding the soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrate N (NO3−–N), ammonium N (NH4+–N) and emissions of carbon oxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) were measured. Organic fertilizer substitution (OFS) boosted SOC while decreased NO3−–N and NH4+–N concentrations. The cumulative CO2 emissions and emission factors (EFs) of N2O did not change significantly amongst fertilization strategies; however, as compared to N800, N400 and N200+O200 significantly reduced N2O emissions by 41.8%–45.7% and 43.5%–46.6% respectively. The NF was dominated by N residues (73.0%–97.4%) and organic fertilizer (24.37%), with a significant difference detected between N400 and N200+N200 treatments. Meanwhile, compared to inorganic plots, OFS significantly reduced CF (345.9%–368.0%), which was influenced by SOC sequestration. The CF from N plots in apple orchard was dominated by fertilizer (21.7%–39.6%), pesticides (4.3%–6.2%) and N2O (5.6%–11.8%). In addition, our results were further supported by a meta-analysis with 22 published studies, which showed that organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer + organic fertilizer significantly reduced regional CF by 388.8% and 78.2%, respectively. However, regional NF ranged from 441.4 kg N-eq ha−1 to 453.9 kg N-eq ha−1, with no significant difference between fertilizer strategies. Therefore, reducing the amount of N fertilizer and partial OFS is a viable long-term strategy for mitigating climate change through C sequestration, reduction of N residues, and GHG mitigation, which could be beneficial to low C apple production in the Loess Plateau, China.

Effect of Fourteen Years of Long Term Organic and Inorganic Fertilization on Productivity, Soil Quality and Grain Quality of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Background: Considering the importance of organic farming and growing demand for organically produced foods, field studies were conducted for 14 kharif years (2007 to 2020) on a black clayey vertisol soil at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, India to study the influence of organic and conventional farming systems on productivity, grain quality, soil health and economic returns of super fine rice variety BPT-5204. Methods: The experiment was laid out in non replicated two block design with each block of an area of 2000 m2 each. The organic plot was green manured with Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) and FYM @ 10 t ha-1, Castor cake and Neem cake were applied @ 500 kg ha-1 as basal dose of manure and topdressing of vermicompost was added as a nutrient sources. In in-organic plot, 100% RDF (240:80:80 kg NPK ha-1) was applied. Result: The pooled mean grain yield of paddy grown in vertisols under K.C. Canal ayacut under organic farming treatment was 4.04 t/ha while it was 5.6 t ha-1 under control (Inorganic/Conventional farming) and the straw yield also was 5.07 t ha-1 under organic farming and 7.96 t ha-1 under control. The average yield increase in in organic plot was 27% and for straw it was 35%.The Organic carbon status was highest in organic plot (0.60%) when compared to the inorganic plot (0.36%).

Popularization of organic chilli cultivation in the Eastern Ghat high land zone of Odisha, India

The present study was conducted in the Koraput district of Odisha in India during 2012-13 and 2013-14 under National Horticulture Mission for popularization of organic chilli cultivation through frontline demonstrations.The green chilli yield of hybrid Guntur Hope varied from 5.0 t/ha to 6.67 t/ha in different FLD organic plots, where as it varied from 5.75 t/ha to 6.83t/ha in inorganic plots (Farmers Practice). The average yield in organic plots was 6.29 t/ha in comparison with average yield 6.52 t/ha of inorganic plots in farmers practice. The average cost of cultivation per ha of chilli on FLD plots was Rs.46, 100/- as against Rs. 43,400/- on inorganic plots (Farmers Practice). The cost of chilli cultivation in organic farming was comparatively higher than the conventional practice because of use of bio inputs in the field. However, the averages net return of Organic chilli in different FLD plots was Rs. 58,167/- in contrast to Rs. 43,107/- in inorganic chilli. The organic farming recorded higher net return than that of the Farmers Practice. The B:C ratio was found to be 1: 2.28 in Organic chilli and 1: 2.00 in Inorganic chilli. Organic chilli growers were highly satisfied with their organic production and economic return. Chilli farmers were advised to switch over to organic farming which can give high return and minimize environmental degradation.

IMPACT OF BIOPESTICIDES APPLICATION ON POD BORER COMPLEX IN ORGANICALLY GROWN FIELD BEAN ECOSYSTEM

ABSTRACT The investigation was carried out at the Agriculture Research Station, Balajigapade, Chickaballapura district during kharif season 2009. The evaluated biopesticides were NSKE (5%), HaNPV (250 LE/ha), Bt (1kg/ha), neem oil (2%), Panchagavya (3%), Clerodendron + Cow urine extract (10%) and sequential spray of HaNPV-Bt -NSKE, Bt-NSKE-HaNPV and NSKE-HaNPVBt. FYM (9.5 t ha-1) and bio-digester liquid (6,500 l ha-1) were applied to organic plots. Sequential spray of insecticidal spray (Carbaryl-Endosulfan-Malathion) and recommended dose of FYM (7 tha-1), fertilizer (25:50:25 kg NPK ha-1) were applied to inorganic plot. Pod borers viz., Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Maruca testulalis Geyer, Exelastis atomosa Walshinghan, Sphenarches caffer Zeller, Etiella zinkenella (Treitschke), Lampides boeticus Linnaeus, Adisura atkinsoni Moore emerged as serious pests during cropping period. Sequential spray of insecticides carbarylendosulfan-malathion applied at 45, 55 and 70 DAG, respectively recorded less insect pests abundance. Among biopesticides, sequential application of NSKE-HaNPV-Bt was effective against insect pests. HaNPV was effective against H. armigera larvae, but ineffective to other pod borers. Panchagavya and clerodendron + cow urine extract were ineffective in reducing the pod borer incidence. Among biopesticides treated plots, sequential application of NSKE-HaNPV-Bt recorded higher grain yield (10.01qha-1) whereas, package of practices followed treatment (inorganic plot) recorded 11.37 qha-1 grain.

Long‐Term Study of Properties of a Xerofluvent of the Guadalquivir River Valley under Organic Fertilization

The long‐term effect of inorganic and organic fertilization in a vegetable crop rotation on soil chemical and biochemical properties was investigated in a trial in southern Spain. Two crops were grown in succession, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and a mixed‐cropped strawberry–onion (Fragaria vesca L.–Allium cepa L.). Total organic carbon (TOC), Kjeldahl‐N, bicarbonate‐extractable P (Olsen‐P), ammonium acetate extractable‐potassium (AAE‐K), microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), and enzyme activity (dehydrogenase, β‐glucosidase, protease, and alkaline phosphatase) were determined in soils in the seventh and eighth year of management comparison. The metabolic quotient (qCO2) and the Cmic to TOC ratio were also calculated. Organically fertilized soils showed significant increases in TOC and Kjeldahl‐N, available‐P, AAE‐K, microbial biomass C, and enzymatic activities compared with those found under inorganically fertilized soils. The qCO2 values were greater in inorganic than in organic fertilized plots indicating a lower microbial community respired at a greater rate in inorganic fertilized soils. The Cmic to TOC ratio in organic plots was lower than in inorganic plots indicating that microorganism in inorganically fertilized soils could have a better efficiency in the conversion of C sources to microbial biomass. Long‐term organic fertilization positively affected soil organic matter content, thus improving soil chemical and biological fertility under arid environmental conditions in southwest Spain. However precautions must be taken as excessive accumulation of some nutrients, particularly N and P, can arise from the long‐term use of compost.

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Growth of Rice Plants under Different Light Intensities.

Effects of organic fertilizer (liquid concentrated protein extract ; N : 9.2%, P2O5 : 2.4%, K2O : 3.1%) and inorganic fertilizer on the growth of rice plants were studied under various light intensities. Rice seedlings (cultivar ; Nipponbare) of 2.5-leaf age were transplanted in 1 /2000a Wagner pots, and were fertilized with the water solution of organic (organic plot) and inorganic fertilizers (inorganic plot), every ten days after transplanting, under 0 and 50% shading from transplanting until the flag leaf expansion. The amounts of N, P2O5 and K2O (460, 120, 150 mg per pot, respectively) applied was adjusted to be the same. Leaf emergence rates of main stem were affected by light intensity, but not by fertilizing. More tillers emerged in the inorganic plot than organic plot without shading. Under 50% shading, the organic plot seemed to produce more tillers than the inorganic plot. Photosynthetic rate, leaf color (SPAD) value and N content of flag leaf were higher in inorganic plot than in organic plot. Top dry matters at the stage of flag leaf expansion were heavier in inorganic plot under no shading, and heavier in the organic plot under 50% shading. Root dry matter at the same stage was heavier in organic plot under both light intensities.