Judicious Use Of Fertilizers Research Articles

Integrated Nutrient Management as a Low Cost and Eco-Friendly Strategy for Sustainable Fruit Production in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

ABSTRACT Prolonged and excessive use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in serious harm to soil health and ecosystems. This study aimed to reduce the cultivation costs for apricot trees, nearly 1/3rd of which are spent on fertilizers. The research was conducted on fully grown apricot trees of the cultivar “New Castle,” in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The experiment consisted of fourteen treatment combinations evaluated in triplicate and statistically analyzed using a randomized block design (RBD). Results revealed that treatment T12 [50% Nitrogen (Calcium Nitrate) + 50% Nitrogen (Urea) + Azotobacter + Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria + Vermicompost] resulted in the highest percent increase in tree trunk girth (6.82%), highest leaf chlorophyll content (3.00 mg g−1 fresh weight), leaf area (58.29 cm), fruit set (61.00%) and total yield (61.9 kg tree−1). In terms of nutrient status, T12 had the highest leaf N (2.95%), leaf K (2.60%), soil N (386.33 kg ha−1), soil P (51.00 kg ha−1) and soil organic carbon (1.81%). The highest net return and profit over recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) was also recorded in treatment T12. The results of this study show that judicious fertilizer use along with integrated organic manure and bio-fertilizers can reduce cultivation costs, improve soil health, and increase fruit production with minimum ecosystem damage.

Optimizing crop rotations via Parrondo's paradox for sustainable agriculture.

Crop rotation, a sustainable agricultural technique, has been at humanity's disposal since time immemorial and is practised globally. Switching between cover crops and cash crops helps avoid the adverse effects of intensive farming. Determining the optimum cash-cover rotation schedule for maximizing yield has been tackled on multiple fronts by agricultural scientists, economists, biologists and computer scientists, to name a few. However, considering the uncertainty due to diseases, pests, droughts, floods and impending effects of climate change is essential when designing rotation strategies. Analysing this time-tested technique of crop rotations with a new lens of Parrondo's paradox allows us to optimally use the rotation technique in synchrony with uncertainty. While previous approaches are reactive to the diversity of crop types and environmental uncertainties, we make use of the said uncertainties to enhance crop rotation schedules. We calculate optimum switching probabilities in a randomized cropping sequence and suggest optimum deterministic sequences and judicious use of fertilizers. Our methods demonstrate strategies to enhance crop yield and the eventual profit margins for farmers. Conforming to translational biology, we extend Parrondo's paradox, where two losing situations can be combined eventually into a winning scenario, to agriculture.

A Study on Farmers’ Perception on Soil Health Card in Rangareddy District of Telangana State

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and primary source of income of larger part of Indian population. In view of this, Global soil partnership was conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization at its headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 7 to 9 September 2011. With this, Government of India had launched the Soil Health Card Scheme in 2015. The scheme main objective is to distribute soil health cards (SHCs) to each farmer in the country with advanced technologies such as GPS-enabled tablets and mass testing, along with better fertilizer subsidy policies. The soil samples were tested in laboratories across the India. Government conducted soil testing and issued soil health cards that carry crop specific recommendations of fertilizers required to enable more judicious use of fertilizers to improve productivity and decline cost of cultivation. The present study was conducted in two blocks namely Shabad and Kothur of Rangareddy district of Telangana State during the year 2019-2020 to analyse farmers’ perception on soil health card. Data was collected using a standardised and pre-tested interview schedule. It was observed that majority of the SHC holders were having moderate perception (71.66%), followed by good (15.00%) and poor perception (13.33%). All profile characteristics of farmers except mass media exposure and innovativeness had significant to highly significant association with regard to perception. The results also revealed that there is a significant association between perception and attitude (chi-square value 44.01) and between attitude and use efficiency (chi-square value 29.66).

Nanotechnology: its scope in agriculture

The growth in human population is estimated to reach 9.8 billion by mid-2050. To meet the food requirements, reducing the judicious use of fertilizers, agrochemicals and their impact on environment, soil, water, humans and the surrounding biodiversity we have to shift towards sustainable methods. Nanotechnology is one such technology that will help in crop production by improving the input use efficiency by minimizing their losses, site-specific, controlled delivery of fertilizers or agrochemical as per the requirement, increases shelf life, efficiency of the agrochemicals and reduces their recommended dosage. Nanoparticles are organic, inorganic or hybrid materials whose dimensions may range from 1 to 100 nm. Nanosensors can detect environmental stress and enhance the plant’s ability to combat diseases, used in automation of irrigation; it is a rapid and accurate tool to detect insect and pest, which helps in timely application of agrochemicals. Nano-iron fertilizer was found to improve essential oil content, nano-zinc and boron fertilizers improved fruit yield and quality, nano zeolite can sustain the nutrients in the soil for long term and it enhance germination and plant growth. As nanoparticles enhances growth, they aid in early maturity of the crop, improves the plant’s ability to tolerate stresses, hence they are effective tools in drought and flood-prone areas, they detoxify harmful pollutants especially heavy metals, pesticide residues. As nanoparticles have greater persistence, they may have long-term effect on plants, humans and also environment, but it has less impact than that of the normal agrochemicals. Advanced research is required to conclude in this aspect.

Management of fertigation and its effects on irrigation systems performance and crop yield

The world demand on food is increasing by the global population growing. World food production can be increased by intensifying food crop production on land already under cultivation and expanding the planted to food crops. The success of both methods will depend on judicious use of fertilizers. Fertigation is application of plant nutrients through irrigation water. It is a modern agro-technique provides an excellent opportunity to maximize yield and minimize environmental pollution by increasing fertilizer use efficiency, minimizing fertilizer application and increasing return on the fertilizer invested. Basic components of fertigation system are chemical supply tank; injection system (pressure differential tank, venturi suction device, and positive displacement injection pump); and, safety and anti-pollution devices to prevent any potential contamination of the water source. The irrigation system could be affected due to unsuitable management of fertigation system. Use of fertilizers changes the injected solution pH. Some irrigation system components may be damaged due to increase of reactivity /corrosivity by lowering of solution pH to 6.5 or lower. Clogging of lines and emitters may become a problem if not managed appropriately.

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY OF MAJOR NUTRIENTS: A REVIEW

Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is an important concept in the evaluation of crop production systems. With emerging nutrient deficiencies under intensive agriculture, there is a need to improve NUE. One of the approaches to enhance it is by judicious use of fertilizers (adequate rate, effective source, methods and time of application) as well as inclusion of organic manures. Organic nutrient sources are very effective but as their availability is not sufficient to meet the nutrient demand, we have to integrate both organic and inorganic sources of nutrients together in order to achieve higher NUE. Common measures of NUE include Partial Factor Productivity (PFP), Agronomic Efficiency (AE), Apparent Recovery Efficiency (RE), Physiological Efficiency (PE) and Internal Utilization Efficiency (IE). Mineral Fertilizer Equivalent (MFE) is another parameter that can be used to assess short term release of nutrients (mainly nitrogen) from organic nutrient sources

“That is my farm” – An integrated co-learning approach for whole-farm sustainable intensification in smallholder farming

The use of options for sustainable intensification of smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa is often limited by knowledge and resource constraints. To address both constraints, we developed and tested an integrated co-learning approach to improve farm level productivity. The approach was tested by differentiating a group of co-learning farmers and a group of comparison farmers in two locations in western Kenya during five seasons. Both groups received a US$ 100 voucher each growing season and the co-learning group also took part in co-learning activities. The integrated co-learning approach was comprised of four complementary elements: input vouchers, an iterative learning process, common grounds for communication, and complementary knowledge. Central to the approach were co-learning workshops before each season. Workshop topics built on topics from previous seasons and on farmers' feedback and researchers' observations. Activities during each season included farm management monitoring, yield measurements and evaluation interviews. This resulted in multiple learning loops for both farmers and researchers. The voucher fostered learning through increased and diversified input use. For instance, intercropped legumes were smothered by the prolific growth of maize resulting from increased fertilizer use. After setting up joint demonstrations, farmers started to use alternative spacing options for intercropping. Building common ground on concepts and processes governing farm system functioning fostered a deeper understanding by farmers on the suitability of options to their farm and by researchers on locally relevant content. Soil fertility gradients was such a concept through which judicious use of fertilizers was discussed. After five seasons, co-learning farmers had a more diverse and cohesive knowledge of their farm than comparison farmers. Co-learning farmers highlighted farm level management options, management of the parasitic weed striga and options for integrated soil fertility management as the most important things they learned. A tangible learning outcome was the continued increase in groundnut and soybean area among co-learning farmers, which led to more diversified maize cropping systems. We attribute these differences to the co-learning process. Our results demonstrate how the integrated co-learning approach changed both knowledge and practices of participating farmers and researchers. The amplifying effects of the four key elements appeared to be important for enabling sustainable intensification of smallholder farming systems.

Determination of NPS Fertilizer Rate Based on Calibrated Phosphorus for Yield of Tef in Girar Jarso District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Appropriate soil fertility management practices based on the actual limiting nutrients and crop nutrient requirement for a given crop is economic and judicious use of fertilizers for sustainable crop production. Moreover, application of balanced fertilizers and nutrient requirements of the crop is the basis to produce more crop yield from the land under cultivation. Accordingly, field experiment was conducted in 2019 & 2020 main cropping season to determine NPS fertilizer rate in relative to determined P-critical and P-requirement factor for tef and to estimate the economically feasible NPS fertilizer rate for higher yield of tef in Girar Jarso district. The indicate that, plant height, spike length, straw and grain yield was highly significantly (P<0.01) affected by NPS fertilizer rate. The highest plant height (86.32cm), spike length (32.51cm), straw yield (7004 kg ha^-1) and grain yield (1622 kg ha^-1) of tef was recorded from the application of 100% P-critical from NPS fertilizer rate supplemented with recommended Nitrogen whereas, the lowest value was recorded from the field without fertilizer which was significantly inferior to all other treatments. Furthermore, the economic analysis depicted that, application of NPS fertilizer at the rate of 100% P-critical in NPS fertilizer with recommended Nitrogen fertilizer (92 kg N ha^-1) for the production of tef was more economically beneficial for the district. In conclusion, farmers could be advised to use 100% PC from NPS fertilizer rate with recommended nitrogen for tef production in the district.

Impact of Soil Testing Programme on Behavioral Changes Among the Farmers of Kaushambi District (Uttar Pradesh)

Soil health and fertility is the basis for sustainable profitability of the farmers. Using optimal doses of fertilizers and cropping pattern as per the scientific recommendation is the first step towards sustainable farming. Soil testing is a science based and time-tested tool for assessment of soil fertility status and soil ailments and for nutrient amendment recommendations. Soil testing, as a tool for judicious fertilizer use, works on the principle of profitability, meaning if all other factors of production are at optimum and none of them limiting, there is all probability to obtain more profitable response to applied nutrients based on soil testing than those applied on adhoc basis. The constraints reported by the farmers in adoption of recommendations included high cost, difficulty in adoption, low credibility of soil testing report, and long distance to laboratory. There is ample scope to improve the analyzing capacity as well as dissemination ability of soil testing laboratories. This, coupled with professional management through proper linkages, can bring radical changes in soil testing services in the state. It is suggested that the issued SHCs need to be periodically updated so that the farmers remain aware about the changing fertility status of their land. The awareness generation regarding spraying, fertigation and drilling method of fertilizers application is also needed among the farmers. The advantages of adoption of recommendations of soil testing may be disseminated among the farmers along with strengthening of extension service delivery in the state.

Soil fertility status of Ratte Khera farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab, India

Aim: To delineates micro and macro nutrients along with physico-chemical properties of Ratte-Khera farm of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India for effective use of nutrients. Methodology: Thirty two soil samples were collected during 2019 from eight different location using GPS from different soils depths viz.? 0-15,15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm in the problematic water logged soils of Ratte-khera farm. Further, GPS maps were also prepared pertaining to different depths for the judicious use of fertilizers in the region.? Parker nutrient index was also evaluated for different nutrients for the region. Results: Around 87.5% of the samples had normal pH (6.5 -8.7) and 12.5% soils were with pH on higher side with higher range of EC, lower range of SOC, higher and potassium. About 87.5 % samples were in higher available-phosphorus. Further, lower and higher range of DTPA zinc and copper observed in samples while 25 and 37.5% recorded with lower range of DTPA iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). Correlation analysis revealed? availability of Fe is positively associated with Mn, P, Cu and Zn in the soil. Interpretation: Soils of Ratte-Khera farm reported to be saline (white alkali soils) with normal range of pH (no need to add any gypsum or lime). Final recommendation is to apply 25% higher dose of nitrogenous (N) and phosphatic (P) fertilizers with no need for potassic fertilizers. Further, micro-nutrients should be applied as and when symptoms observed on the field crops.

Mexican Rice Borer Control Tactics in United States Sugarcane

The invasive Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), expanded its range from Mexico to South Texas in the early 1980s. By 2008 the pest had moved into sugarcane- and rice-growing areas of East Texas and Louisiana, and by 2012 it was reported on noncrop host plants in Florida. Efforts to suppress E. loftini in United States sugarcane with chemicals and biological control agents were unsuccessful, so both tactics were discontinued, and E. loftini infestation of sugarcane has continued unchecked. During the last 15 years, however, research has focused on the pest’s ecology, improved insecticides and scouting methods, the identification of sugarcane resistance mechanisms, and new cultural tactics. A surveillance technique was developed that indicates when larvae are most vulnerable to insecticide sprays. Currently, registered insecticides for E. loftini control are not widely applied, although some show promise, including an insect growth regulator. A number of potentially useful cultural practices are available, including plowing under fallow stubble, judicious use of fertilizer, adequate irrigation, avoiding proximity to E. loftini-susceptible maize cultivars, and enhancement of natural enemy populations. Demonstrated and potentially useful sugarcane resistance mechanisms involve physiochemical attributes, physical characteristics, and transgenic cultivars.

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on white rust disease of mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss.

India is one of the largest oilseed economies of the world. The contribution of oilseeds to the agricultural economy of India ranks second only to food grains. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the judicious use of fertilizers against white rust disease in mustard. Susceptible plant variety JKMS-8001 was sown in 2 m x 3 m plot size with recommended spacing in a randomized block design with three replications and nine treatments viz., T1 - (Control), T2 - (80 N+40 P2O5 kg/ha), T3 - (100 N +40 P2O5 kg/ha), T4 -(120 N+40 P2O5 kg/ha), T5 - (140 N+40 P2O5 kg/ha), T6 - (100 N+30 P2O5 kg/ha), T7 - (100 N +50 P2O5 kg/ha), T8 - (100 N+60 P2O5 kg/ha) and T9 - (100 N +70 P2O5 kg/ha). Minimum percent disease incidence (17.03) and maximum percent disease control (67.66) were observed in treatment in T9 (100 kg N +70 kg P2O5 /ha). Furthermore, maximum yield and yield attributes were found in T9 (100 kg N +70 kg P2O5 /h).

Cost Escalation in Cotton Cultivation: An Analysis

There is a growing discontentment among Indian cotton farmers because of declining profitability. Increase in production costs, yield stagnation and volatile output prices have affected the net incomes adversely. In this study we analysed cost of cotton cultivation to elucidate reasons for cost escalation. Cost of cultivation data obtained from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics for the period 2000-01 to 2014-15 was used for the analysis. It was found that an increase in human labour wage rates was the major factor that contributed to cost escalation. Fertilizers were another factor that contributed to cost escalation. Selective mechanization for curtailing human labour consumption and judicious use of fertilizers are options to lower the cost of cotton cultivation.

Phosphorus transfer at a small catchment in southeastern Brazil: distributed modelling in different land use scenarios

ABSTRACT Identifying and ranking nutrient loss risk areas are important steps towards integrated catchment management. This study aimed to apply the P index model at the Posses catchment, south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We applied the P index for the current land use at the Posses catchment and for two hypothetical scenarios: scenario 1, in which P fertilizer was applied to all land uses, except for native forests; and scenario 2, which considered the use of P fertilizer as in scenario 1, and that the Environmental Protection Areas referring to the riparian forests and springs were totally restored. Considering current land use, almost the whole catchment area (91.4%) displayed a low P loss risk. The highest P index was associated to croplands and eucalyptus plantations. Regarding scenario 1, areas under pasture fell into the low (15.1%), medium (45.5%), high (27.1%) and very high (12.3%) P index categories. Environmental Protection Areas on scenario 2 decreased the P loss risk from the scenario 1 in 37.6%. Hence, the model outputs indicate that the reforestation of buffer zones can decrease P loss risk in the case increasing use of P fertilizer. The P index model is a potential support tool to promote judicious use of fertilizers and conservation practices at the Posses catchment.

Profitability of diammonium phosphate use in bush and climbing bean-maize rotations in smallholder farms of Central Burundi

Soil fertility decline is a major constraint to bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and maize (Zea mays) production in the Central Highlands of Burundi. Nutrient sources, specifically fertilizers, are paramount to increasing the production in the regions. Hence, improving fertilizer use efficiency is considered as a key factor towards sustainable intensification. The use of grain legumes with low harvest indices, such as climbing beans, are assumed to improve soil fertility and fertilizer use efficiency. This study compares the rotational effects of bush and climbing bean varieties on maize and evaluates the profitability of diammonium phosphate (DAP, 18–46-0) fertilizer in the bean-maize rotations in 59 smallholder farms of Mutaho district, Gitega Province in Central Burundi. The application of DAP fertilizer significantly increased the grain yields by 14% and 21% for bush and climbing beans, respectively (P<0.001). Positive effects of bean varieties were large for about 80% of the farmers. Climbing beans in general yielded more than bush beans for about two thirds of the farmers and fertilizer effects were positive. In the bean-maize rotations, the fertilizer induced on average a yield increase of 8% and 22% for maize following bush and climbing beans, respectively. Maize grain yields were significantly (P<0.001) higher following climbing beans than following bush beans. The value cost ratio (VCR) more than doubled compared with the common practice (bush bean-maize rotation). Variation was substantial, and for approximately 67% of the farmers, DAP application was profitable (VCR>2 $ $−1) in a climbing bean-maize rotation while 45% of the farmers in a bush bean-maize rotation. Regression tree analysis showed that targeting fertilizer use to soils with higher C and clay content, and ensuring timely planting are the predominant factors to ensure fertilizer response and profitable returns. This study confirms the need for integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), and that a combination of judicious fertilizer use, an improved grain legume (climbing bean) and adjustment to local conditions (targeting to responsive soils) maximizes economic returns of legume-cereal rotation systems.

Maize Supply Response in Vietnam

This study used a supply response model to determine factors affecting maize supply in Vietnam. It estimated response coefficients from semi-annual time-series data for the period 1986-2011. Using three criteria, it chose the rational expectation hypothesis supply response model (Model I) with the separated price expectation formation hypothesis according to the information set at time (t-1) to estimate the supply response model for maize. Farmers used the available information set to form their expected price. Estimated parameters’ results in Model I indicate that the farmers' supply had a positive response to the expected price of maize, but was negative to that of cassava. This means that maize and cassava are close substitutes in the supply response models. Maize production also positively responds to the amount of fertilizer per hectare, maize area, one-period lagged investment, irrigation, trend variable, and agricultural extension policy. Recommended policies include: enhancement of the judicious use of fertilizers and possible establishment of local factories; increase in maize area by changing the crop structure and multiple cropping with long-term industrial trees like perennials and fruit trees; improvement of the irrigation system in two deltas and in high production regions; increase in government support to farmers; increase in government spending on research and development of new maize varieties; and improvement of the extension system to provide farmers the needed market and technological information.

Blended Fertilizers Effects on Maize Yield and Yield Components of Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Appropriate fertilization practices based on actual limiting nutrients and crop requirement for a given crop is economic and judicious use of fertilizers for sustainable crop production. In view of this, a study was conducted at Kejo and Ongobo farmers’ fields, located at GobuSeyo District of East Wollega Zone of Oromia region in 2011 to evaluate the effects of blended fertilizers for maize production. The five treatments used for the field experiment were control (without fertilizer), recommended NP, recommended NP + Cu + Zn, blended fertilizer and blended fertilizer + Cu+ Zn. The treatments were laid out in RCBD design with four replications. The results of the study revealed that the analysis of variance among fertilizers types showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) on almost all the maize characters tested. However, applied Cu and Zn to either of the recommended NP fertilizers or blended fertilizer showed no significant difference on maize agronomic characters and yield except leaf area. The shortest mean days to 50% tasseling (85.25), silking (87.25) and maturity (154.25) of maize were obtained from blended fertilizers with Cu and Zn, whereas the longest days were recorded for the control plot. The maximum mean grain yield (8399.7 kg ha-1), stover yield (8553.1 kg ha-1) and total biomass yield (16867.7 kg ha-1) were recorded for blended fertilizers with Cu and Zn, whereas the lowest mean grain yield (2824.8 kg ha-1) were recorded for control. Blended fertilizers had improved grain nutrient uptakes and agronomic efficiency of maize. It was also apparent that much of the nutrients applied were assimilated by the grain than that achieved by the stover. The result of the study showed that blended fertilizers increased maize productivity compared to the previously existing NP fertilizers in the country and appropriate fertilization practices can improve the current situation.

Impact of climate change and farm management

Climate change is all about increased temperature, altered precipitation regime and more recurrent frequency of extreme events. The global climate change resulted from anthropogenic activities. The major impact will be on the grain filling duration and incident radiation. The paradox is that areas that are currently most food-insecure will be most affected by climate change. Even a small change in climate may result in high social vulnerability. Since, climate change poses complex challenges like multiple abiotic stresses on crops and livestock, shortage of water, land degradation and affecting economies in addition to serious challenge to produce 40% more food, with limited land and water, using less energy. Due to climate change, the geographical shift of major field crops is likely to take place. Moreover, the useful insects are reducing which causes serious concerns to food and nutritional security. Furthermore, the excessive chemicals drained in water responsible for the development of dead zones due to which Marine Industries are bound further loss to the food and nutritional security for the ever increasing population. The biodiversity loss, climate change and the rising use of fertilizers are the major threat to our planet. The impact of climate change can be mitigated by suitable varieties and crop substitution, altering irrigation, water management practices the judicious use of fertilizers, manures and increased use of natural microbes that can fix nitrogen naturally. Similarly, the use of biofertilizers, biopesticides, biofungicides, and so on to reduce the chemical load and to sustain productivity. The conservation of natural resources (i.e., land and water) and better farm management practices will certainly help in not only enhancing production and productivity. Similarly, the integration of different components of the system, namely agriculture, livestock and agro/social forestry, will certainly be beneficial for the sustainability of the farms. Nevertheless, the practices of ecological agriculture, diversity farming, optimum levels of farm mechanization and reduction of postharvest losses become the key component for maintaining factor productivity. The adoption of climate-resilient agriculture, change in crop calendar and new techniques like SRI, crop diversification and pollination management techniques will definitely reduce the yield gap at the farm level. The strengthening of weather forecasting system, credit facilities, linking to the market with better storage facilities and/or infrastructural development, and so on will be key factors to obtain the optimum price of the farm produce at the right time and the right place. The adaptation to climate change should include autonomous as well as planned measures. Therefore, suitable adjustment and improvements over the existing practices are required at different levels to mitigate the negative impact of climate change at the farm level.

Green manuring, mustard residue recycling and fertilizer application affects productivity and sustainability of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in Indian semi-arid tropics

An experiment was conducted for five-years (2005–06 to 2009–10) to evaluate the impact of Sesbania green-manuring (GM), mustard-residue recycling and fertilizers on soil health and productivity of Indian mustard under fallow–mustard sequence. Sesbania (GM) significantly increased SOC, carbon-sequestration-potential rate, infiltration rate, available NPK status but decreased bulk density. Supplementing mustard-residue recycling 2.5tha−1 further improved the soil quality attributes significantly. The increase in fertilizer from N40P8.7K0 to N80P17.4K33.3 also improved the soil attributes gradually. This improvement in soil properties due to Sesbania (GM) and mustard-residue recycling significantly influenced plant height, branches/plant, siliquae/plant, seeds/siliqua and ultimately seed and oil yield compared to existing fallow–mustard practice. The mustard seed yield was increased by 42.3% due to Sesbania (GM) and by 63.9% due to supplementary mustard residue recycling in five years. Increase in fertilizers levels from N40 to N80 and P8.7 to P17.4 significantly improved mustard yield attributes, seed and oil yield while results of K application was inconsistent. The combined application of N80P17.4K33.3 synergistically increased the seed yield by 82.1% over N40P8.7K0. Sustainability yield index, partial factor productivity, production efficiency and incremental benefit cost ratio also showed significant improvement due to Sesbania (GM), mustard-residue recycling and judicious fertilizer use.

Carbon sequestration in soils of cool temperate regions (introductory and editorial)

The cool temperate climate, dominance of perennial land use, and relatively large proportion of peat and organically rich soils, make the northern European regions to have a large potential of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. However, with predicted global warming soils in these areas may become sources of atmospheric CO2. Quantitative and reliable assessment methods and understanding of the spatial variability of SOC pools are required to make accurate mean estimate of available C and integrate variability into predictive models of SOC reserves and sequestration potential. Advanced analytical methods such as near-infrared spectroscopy and carbon isotope techniques can be used to estimate retention time and C turnover rates in soils. The rehabilitation of peat lands has shown a potential for SOC sequestration ranging from 25 to 45 gCm−2 yr−1 in Scandinavian countries. The potential of SOC sequestration in agricultural and forestry ecosystems depends on the land use and management practice adopted. Furthermore, the proven land management practices (e.g. conservation tillage, reduced soil erosion, restoring wetlands and degraded lands) coupled with improved cultivation practices (e.g. judicious fertilizer use, crop rotations and cover crops) can make the soil of this region as C sink.