Lateritic Soil Of West Bengal Research Articles

Effect of date of sowing and level of phosphorus on growth and yield of summer mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in Red and Lateritic soils of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of two sowing dates (16th March and 26th March) and five phosphorus levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2 O5 / ha) in mungbean during pre-kharif (summer) season of 2022 at Instructional Farm of Seacom Skills University, Kendradangal, Birbhum, West Bengal, India. The research work revealed that growth parameters were significantly higher under 26th March sowing over 16th March. Among the P levels, higher dose of P improved growth parameters. In case of yield attributes maximum number of pods/plant (9.6), pod length (6.9 cm) and seeds/pod (10.3) were recorded in 26th March sown crop of mungbean. Maximum seed yield (705 kg/ ha) and stover yield (1609 kg/ha) also recorded in 26th March sowing. Different P dose showed significant variations for yield traits and maximum pods/plant (11.45), pod length (7.96 cm) and seeds/pod (11.23) recorded with 80 kg P2 O5 / ha. Highest seed yield (812 kg/ha) and stover yield (1710 kg/ha) were obtained with 80 kg P2 O5 /ha. The gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio was maximum when the crop sown on 26th March with 80 kg P2 O5 /ha. Hence, mungbean sown on 26th March 2022 along with 80 kg P2 O5 /ha application could be more effective in augmenting growth, yield and economics in the red and lateritic soils of West Bengal.

Influence of Crop Diversification in Potato-Based Cropping Sequence on Growth, Productivity and Economics of Potato in Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

Influence of Crop Diversification in Potato-Based Cropping Sequence on Growth, Productivity and Economics of Potato in Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

Soil Properties Influence Vertical Distribution of Boron Fractions in Lateritic Soil

The present study was conducted at Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, West Bengal, India, during 2019-20 to evaluate the different fractions of boron (B) along depth and their relationship to some soil properties in lateritic soils of West Bengal, India. The sequential B fractionation scheme was followed to estimate B fractions in the studied soils. It was found that most of the soils fall under the sandy clay loam and clay loam soil textural categories. The soil pH was either categorized as extremely acidic or slightly acidic in nature and the range of low to medium organic carbon content was present. The studied soils’ CEC varied between 5.90 to 26.64 [C mol (P+) kg-1]. In the B fractionation study, it was revealed that, for uptake of plants, the readily soluble boron (Rs-B) is the most easily accessible fraction among all other fractions, and the residual boron (Res-B) fraction accounts for the major portion of total soil boron (Tot-B). Different soil properties of the study area greatly influenced the B fractions along soil depths. The contribution of different B fractions towards total soil B (Tot-B) B followed the order: residual boron (Res-B) >> oxide-bound boron (Oxd-B) > organically bound boron (Org-B) > specifically adsorbed boron (Sad-B) > readily soluble boron (Rs-B). The current study will be helpful for adopting the fertilizer management practices of boron-deficient lateritic soils (Alfisols).

Efficacy and Selectivity of Different Herbicides on the Transplanted Late Boro Rice under the Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during the late boro seasons (January–May) of 2018 and 2019 to assess the impact of herbicides on rice growth, yield and weed control in transplanted rice in the Agricultural Farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India. There were eight different treatments consisting of pretilachlor 50 EC @ 500 g ha-1 at 3 DAT, pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 WP @ 30 g ha-1 at 3 DAT, ethoxysulfuron 15 WDG @ 15 g ha-1 at 10 DAT, penoxsulam 21.7 SC @ 22.5 g ha-1 at 12 DAT, bispyribac-sodium 10 SC @ 25 g ha-1 at 15 DAT, hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAT, weed-free check and weedy check. Results from the pooled analysis of both the years revealed that pyrazosulfuron ethyl 30 g ha-1 and pretilachlor at 500 g ha-1 resulted in lower weed population and dry weight; higher plant height, number of tillers m-2, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index; grain and straw yield (5.98 and 7.81 t ha-1 and 5.81 and 7.62 t ha-1 respectively). The lowest weed index was registered by pyrazosulfuron ethyl 30 g ha-1 and pretilachlor at 500 g ha-1 and was superior to all other herbicidal treatments. Yield loss due to weeds infestation throughout the crop season was to the extent of 54.33%. Thus, pyrazosulfuron ethyl 30 g ha-1 and pretilachlor at 500 g ha-1 as pre-emergence may be recommended for effective weed control in transplanted late boro rice.

Assessing the Impact of Zinc and Boron Supplementation on Oats Grown under Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

Background: Avena sativa L. (common oat) is the most important among the cultivated oat belongs to the Poaceae family and is known as Jai or Javi in Indian subcontinent. It is important winter forage in many parts of the world and is grown as multipurpose crop for grain, pasture, forage or as a rotation crop. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Zinc Sulphate and Borax on growth, yield components, yield and economics of oats seed production in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal during rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 at agricultural farm, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design having two factors each with four levels (Zinc Sulphate with 0, 15, 20 and 25 kg/ha as well as Borax with 0, 5, 10 and 15 kg/ha). Result: Pooled data over two years of experiments showed that soil application with Zinc Sulphate and Borax at various levels significantly influenced growth attributes (dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and crop growth rate), yield components (no. of panicles/m2, no. of filled grains/panicle and test weight), yield (seed yield, straw yield and biological yield) and economics of oats seed production. With increasing levels of ZnSO4 application, highest number of panicles/m2 (196.27), seed yield (3.00 t/ha), straw yield (6.94 t/ha) and biological yield (9.85 t/ha) were obtained at 25 kg/ha though these were at par with 20 kg ZnSO4 /ha. Higher number of filled grains/panicle (76.47), test weight (29.93 g), seed yield (2.95 t/ha), straw yield (6.70 t/ha) and biological yield (9.63 t/ha) were found with application of borax @ 10 kg/ha. The highest gross return, net return and return per rupee investment was achieved with application of ZnSO4 @ 20 kg/ha (₹ 1,17,257/ha, ₹ 68,997/ha and 2.65, respectively) which was significantly higher than both of 25 kg ZnSO4/ha (₹ 1,15,051/ha, ₹ 64,489/ha, and 2.52, respectively) and 15 kg ZnSO4/ha (₹ 1,05,198/ha, ₹ 59,240/ha and 2.44, respectively). Similarly, highest gross return, net return and return per rupee investment was obtained with application of borax @ 10 kg/ha (₹ 1,15,537/ha, ₹ 69,070/ha and 2.67, respectively). A significant interaction between Zinc Sulphate and borax was found towards seed yield, biological yield, gross return, net return and return per rupee investment in oats seed production. Use of ZnSO4 at 20 kg/ha and borax at 10 kg/ha conjunctively achieved highest seed yield (3.28 t/ha), biological yield (10.81 t/ha), gross return (₹ 1, 27, 530/ha), net return (₹78,760/ha) and return per rupee investment (₹3.78) in oats seed production.

Vertical Distribution of Forms of Sulphur in Relation to Physicochemical Properties of Lateritic Soils of Eastern India

Sulphur (S) deficiency is widespread in Indian soils, and it has been emerging as a major problem in rice-growing lateritic soils of West Bengal. The vertical distribution of S forms and their relationships with soil physicochemical properties were examined in 50 rice-growing locations of lateritic soils of West Bengal, India, for the current study. For this a total of one hundred fifty representative soil samples were collected from three depths and fifty representative locations of rice-based cropping systems of lateritic belt of West Bengal and analyzed for different fractions of S and important physicochemical properties using standard methodology. Most soils were sandy clay loam to clay loam, with low to medium levels of organic carbon, and strongly acidic to moderately acidic. A decrease in organic carbon across the depths was evident. Among the sulphur forms, organic S was dominant, and the contribution of water-soluble S was least throughout the soil profile. The studied sulphur forms followed the order: total S > organic S > heat soluble S > adsorbed S > sulphate S > water soluble S. Except for adsorbed S, most forms decreased with soil depth. The correlation study revealed that soil pH was positively and significantly correlated with water soluble (r = 0.431**) and sulphate S (r = 0.325*) in surface soils, with sulphate S both in mid-surface (r = 0.450**) and subsurface soils (r = 0.423**). Organic carbon showed a positive correlation with all the S forms throughout the profile. Both clay and silt content positively affected S forms, while sand content showed a negative relationship. Positive correlation among all the S forms observed along soil depth, except for a negative correlation between adsorbed S and sulphate S. This investigation will be helpful for sulphur management to optimize crop yields in lateritic soils.

Vertical Distribution of Water Soluble Boron and Its Correlation with Physicochemical Properties in Lateritic Soils of West Bengal, India: A Comprehensive Study

The vertical distribution of water soluble boron and its relationship to certain soil properties was investigated from soil samples collected at various locations of lateritic soils of West Bengal during 2020-2021. In the lateritic zone of West Bengal, India, a total of 150 soil samples have been collected from 50 sites within two blocks: Bolpur and Illambazar. According to the study, the majority of soils have a clay loam to sandy clay loam texture. The soil pH of the surface soils of the study area ranged from 4.33 to 6.69 with an average value of 5.62, indicating that the majority of soils are strongly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction. The organic carbon content (%) of the surface soils (0–20 cm) of Bolpur and Illambazar blocks varied from 0.32 to 0.58 and 0.33 to 0.99 respectively, and it was found that most of the soils have low to medium organic matter content. With depth, the soil pH increased and the organic matter content decreased in the study area. In the surface soils of the Bolpur block, the water soluble boron content ranged from 0.16 to 0.33 mg kg-1 with its mean content of 0.24 ± 0.046 mg kg-1, whereas in the soils of the Illambazar block, it ranged from 0.15 to 0.33 mg kg-1 with a mean content of 0.25 ± 0.051 mg kg-1. From the results, it is understandable that water soluble B status decreased across the depth and that most of the soils under study were deficient in water soluble B content. From the correlation study, it was found that, water soluble boron significantly and positively correlated with clay content, pH, OC content, CEC and amorphous Fe and Al, indicating the importance of managing these parameters to enhance the availability of soil B. The results of the study would be very helpful to the scientists in advising B application for fruitful crop development in the lateritic soils of the region.

Suitability of Different Extractants for Estimation of Cationic Micronutrients in Lateritic Soils of West Bengal

The present study was conducted at Institute of Agriculture (Palli Siksha Bhavana), Visva-Bharati West Bengal, India during 2019–20 to evaluate the extractability of different extractants for extraction of cationic micronutrients in lateritic soils of West Bengal under rice based cropping system. Fifty surface (0‒15 cm) samples were collected from rice-based cropping systems from five different blocks of Birbhum district. The pH of the soil was found extremely acidic to slightly acidic. The organic carbon content (%) were low to medium range. Among major nutrients available phosphorus and sulphur showed deficiency under study area. The micronutrients cations were extracted from the soils using five different extractants, namely, Mehlich 3, HCl, AB-DTPA and the conventional extractant DTPA. The greatest mean concentration for all the micronutrients was obtained by Melich 3 extractant followed by HCl whereas the lower values were obtained when DTPA extractant used. Themagnitude of extraction for all cationic micronutrients was Mehlich 3>HCl>AB-DTPA>DTPA. Melich 3 has a higher extractability due to its high pH and ability to displace exchangeable cations due to the presence of the NH4+ ion in the extractant. The low extractability of the DTPA extractant may be due to disruption of metal-chelate equilibria in acidic soils. A higher positive significant correlation observed among the extractants from the study indicated that, they were able to extract the micronutrients from remarkably similar pools.

Effect of Tembotrione on Weed Growth and Productivity of Kharif Maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted in maize (Zea mays L.) during both kharif (June–September, 2014 and 2015) seasons in a randomized block design with nine treatments, including the herbicide tembotrione as early post-emergence at 80, 100 and 120 g ha-1 both as sole and in combination with atrazine at 500 g ha-1, atrazine at 1000 g ha-1, hand-weeding twice at 25 and 40 DAS and unweeded control with three replications. The experimental field was heavily infested with Ludwigia parviflora (Jacq.) Raven, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Cyperus rotundus (L.) and Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl. The yield of maize was reduced by around 48% due to weed infestation. From the experiment, it was found that combined application of tembotrione and atrazine was much more effective than sole application of herbicide at any of the levels that were evaluated. Tembotrione at a rate of 80–100 g ha-1+stefesmero surfactant at 733 g ha-1+atrazine at 500 g ha-1 recorded the lowest weed density, weed biomass and weed index; highest values of growth and yield parameters as well as the yield of maize. Therefore, early post–emergence application of tembotrione at 80–100 g ha-1+stefesmero surfactant at 733 g ha-1+atrazine 500 g ha–1 appeared to be the most effective weed management approach for higher weed control efficiency, yield, gross and net return of kharif maize in lateritic soil of West Bengal.

Productivity and profitability of Indian mustard under nutrient management and different sowing method in lateritic soil of West Bengal

Aim: This study was carried out to find the optimum fertilizer requirement and best planting method for higher productivity and profitability of Indian mustard. Methodology: A field trial was performed during the rabi season of 2019-20 on a sandy-loam soil at Agricultural Farm, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal. The treatments comprised of three methods of sowing, i.e., transplantation, broadcasting, and line sowing in the main plot and four nutrient managements, i.e., 60:30:30, 70:35:35, 80:40:40, and 90:45:45 (N: P2O5:K2O kg ha-1) in a subplot and replicated thrice in a split-plot design. Growth economics parameters were evaluated. Results: Transplanting method with the nutrient management 90 kg N, 45 kg P2O5, and 45 kg K2O ha-1 was significantly superior in terms of growth attributes, yield parameters, productivity, and profitability over other methods of sowing and nutrient management in lateritic soil of West Bengal. The transplanted mustard crop produced higher yield because it got the longest reproductive period and required nutrient level, i.e., 90 kg N, 45 kg P2O5, and 45 kg K2O ha-1. Interpretation: Finding appropriate method of sowing under different nutrient levels can be done using growth, yield attributes, and yield. Yield and profitability were found maximum under 90 kg N, 45 kg P2O5, and 45 kg K2O ha-1 over other nutrient levels and transplanting method of sowing of Indian mustard was better than broadcasting, and line sowing method in the present experiment under the lateritic soil of West Bengal. Key words: Indian mustard, Laterite soil, Nutrient management

Effect of foliar nutrition on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal

The influence of different foliar nutrition (Urea, DAP, NPK-19:19:19, NPK 10:26:26, ZnSO4 .7H2 O, Mo and Borax) along with recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) were evaluated with one control (RDF only) on summer season mungbean cv. Samrat during 2022 at Instructional Farm under Seacom Skills University, Birbhum, West Bengal. The experiment was laid down in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eight treatment combinations replicated thrice. The results showed that tallest plants (58.5 cm) with more number of leaves (23.9) were observed in RDF + Urea at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS) treated plots. The same treatment showed the highest number of branches per plant (17.5) with maximum DMA (284.6 g m-2) but in case of underground portion like root length recorded highest in DAP foliar spray plot. Earliest 50% flowering, early pod emergence and early picking was recorded where combined application of RDF + borax at 0.2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS). The treatment RDF + DAP at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS) augmented highest number of pods plant-1 (18.8), pod length (6.80 cm), number of seeds pod-1 (10.75), seed index (21.2 g), seed yield (845 kg/ha) and stover yield (2020 kg/ha); followed by RDF + NPK (19-19-19) at 1% and RDF + Urea at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS). Yield increase was to the tune of 3.54% to 10.74%. The gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio were maximum when the crop received RDF + DAP at 2% (sprayed twice at 20 and 40 DAS). Hence, combined use of RDF + DAP at 2% and urea at 2% (sprayed 20 and 40 DAS) is beneficial for green gram production programme during summer season in the Red and Lateritic soils of West Bengal.

Agroforestry offers multiple ecosystem services in degraded lateritic soils

Degradation of agricultural and forest lands is a global problem causing climate change, loss of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and environmental hazards. In the red and lateritic soils of the northeast, central and southern India, land degradation remains a major problem affecting the lives of millions of people. Agroforestry systems with appropriate combinations of arable crops, horticultural trees, and forest tree species are suggested as effective strategies to combat land degradation by restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services but the scientific evidence is lacking for red and lateritic soils of northeast India. In response, a forest deciduous tree species Gmelina [ Gmelina arborea Roxb.], a fruit tree mango [ Mangifera indica L.], and a legume crop pigeon pea [ Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] were grown solely or in various combinations for ten years (July 2009 to June 2019) in the red and lateritic soil of West Bengal, India to evaluate their role in the restoration of degraded land and the potential for offering multiple ecosystems services. Eleven indicators were selected for evaluating the multifunctionality of ecosystem services having synergies between them. Results after ten years of field experiments revealed that the Gmelina -mango-pigeon pea agroforestry system has provided multiple ecosystem goods like edible seeds (pigeon pea), fruits (mango), fuelwood and timber (mango/ Gmelina ) sequentially, and was 2–3 times more profitable in terms of net present value compared to sole Gmelina or mango or pigeon pea. This system also offered greater climate resiliency with 1–2 times higher annual biomass production , thus offsetting greenhouse gases emission . The composite evaluation index demonstrated that this system offers the highest level of multifunctionality of multiple ecosystem services. Evidence from this long-term experimentation suggests that the crop-fruit tree-forest tree-based agroforestry system has the potential to restore the land productivity of the degraded red and lateritic soils and provide multiple ecosystem services to millions of people dependent on such land. This system could potentially be out-scaled in many other similar agroecological zones of the world. • A new comprehensive evaluation index of ecosystem services is proposed. • Agriculture, horticulture, forestry and agroforestry were compared with the new index. • Agroforestry shows the highest level of synergies of multiple ecosystem services. • It results in net positive C balance, high EROI, and improved biodiversity.

Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Lentil

The field experiments were conducted to study effect of zinc (Zn) application on growth, yield, Zn uptake and Zn use indices of lentil (Lens culinaris or Lens esculanta) during rabi (October to March) seasons 2016 and 2017 in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal, India. There were two main plot treatments i.e., crop establishment methods (zero tillage and conventional tillage) and seven sub-plot treatments i.e. levels of Zn and methods of application (seed coating @ 0.6% ZnSO4.7H2O, 1.2% ZnSO4.7H2O and 1.8% ZnSO4.7H2O, two foliar sprays @ 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O, three foliar sprays @ 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O, seed coating @ 1.2% ZnSO4.7H2O+two foliar sprays @ 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O and control were laid out in split plot design replicated thrice. The crop establishment methods did not show any significant influence on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by lentil. However, among the levels of Zn and methods of application, seed coating @ 1.8% ZnSO4.7H2O produced significantly taller plants, more leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and yield. Regarding Zn concentration, combination of seed coating and foliar application @ 1.2% ZnSO4.7H2O+two foliar sprays @ 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O resulted in significantly higher concentration than other treatments. Zn use efficiency was significantly higher (seed coating @ 1.2% ZnSO4.7H2O for agronomic efficiency and physiological efficiency, seed coating @ 0.6% ZnSO4.7H2O for partial factor productivity and seed coating @ 1.8% ZnSO4.7H2O for apparent Zn recovery) as compared to that of foliar application or combined application of seed coating and foliar spray.

English

English

Effect of Sulphur and Biofertilizer in Nutrient Uptake by Sesame and Microbial Population in Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

The study was conducted in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal during pre-kharif season of 2016 on sandy loam soil of Agricultural Farm, Palli Siksha Bhavana, (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bangal. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications using four levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1) and single and dual inoculation of bio fertilizers to study the nutrient uptake by sesame and soil fertility status along with microbial population before and after harvest of crop. The results showed highest value of different nutrients uptake viz., Nitrogen, Phoshorus, Potasium and Sulphur with higher dose of fertilizer along with Azotobacter and PSB. The number of nitrogen fixing bacteria i.e. Azotobector and Phosphorus Solubilizng Bacteria (PSB) in soil increased due to inoculation of seed with biofertilizer. The seed inoculation exerted significant effect on number of nitrogen fixing bacteria and PSB in soil. The study suggested that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer in sesame cultivation in red and laritic soils will exerts significant yield through important implications in nutrient uptake by sesame for its improved nutrition and improved productivity of soil.

Studies on Growth, Productivity and Economics of Rice as Influenced by Diversification of Rice-Based Cropping Systems in Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

Studies on Growth, Productivity and Economics of Rice as Influenced by Diversification of Rice-Based Cropping Systems in Red and Lateritic Soil of West Bengal

Effect of nutrient management on growth, productivity and economics in rice based cropping system in lateritic soil of West Bengal

The experiment was conducted during 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 at farmers’ field situated at Binuria village (23 o40’N and 87 o37’E) of Birbhum district of West Bengal under the red and lateritic belt of West Bengal.The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replication and twelve treatments in both during kharif and boro season. The plot size was 5m x 4m and the treatment combinations are T1-N80P40K40Zn25S20, T2-N40P40K40Zn25S20, T3-N0P40K40Zn25S20, T4-N80P20K40Zn25S20, T5-N80P0K40Zn25S20, T6-N80P40K20Zn25S20, T7-N80P40K0Zn25S20, T8-N80P40K40Zn12.5S20, T9-N80P40K40Zn0S20, T10-N80P40K40Zn25S10, T-11,N80P40K40Zn25S0 and T12 -Control where as in boro season the treatment combinations are T1-N120P60K60Zn25S20, T2-N60K60Zn25S20, T3-N0K60Zn25S20,T4-N120P30K60Zn25S20,T5-N120P0K60Zn25S20, T6-N120P60K30Zn25S20, T7 N120P60K0Zn25S20, T8-N120P60K60Zn12.5S20,T9-N120P60K60Zn0S20,T10-N120P60K60Zn25S10,T11-N120P60K60Zn25S0, and T12- Control. The high yielding varieties (HYV) rice during Kharif season was MTU 7029 (Swarna) and hybrid variety used in Boro season was Arize 6444 GOLD. The study concludes that application of N80P40K40Zn25S20 (T1) during kharif and N120P60K60Zn25S20 (T1) in boro season during the two season of experimentation was essential for improving growth attributes, yield components and productivity of high yielding variety (HYV) and hybrid rice. The treatments positively influenced the crop efficiency factors, improved physico-chemical properties and fertility status of the soil and paid highest gross and net returns from the rice cultivation. The study suggests the application of ample dose of fertilizer for better growth, higher productivity, profit and sustainability of rice in the lateritic soil of west Bengal.

Effect of zinc application on growth and yield of baby corn (Zea mays L.) in lateritic soil of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2017-18 at agricultural farm, Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, to study the “Effect of zinc application on growth, yield and economics of baby corn (Zea mays L.) in lateritic soil of West Bengal”. The experiment was laid out in Factorial RBD having two factors: one with two levels of soil application of ZnSO4; 0 and 25 kg ha-1 and other with four levels of foliar spray of ZnSO4; no foliar spray, 25 DAS, 40 DAS and twice at 25 DAS & 40 DAS. There were eight treatment combinations with each treatment replicated thrice. Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 exhibited significantly higher growth attributes (viz. plant height, number of leaves/plant, LAI, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate) and yield attributes (viz. number of cobs per plant, corn and cob weight, corn and cob length, corn and cob girth and also corn yield, cob yield, husk yield and green fodder yield) of baby corn, than no soil application of ZnSO4. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 applied twice at 25 DAS & 40 DAS gave the highest yield components and yield in baby corn. However, this was statistically at par with foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 40 DAS and 25 DAS. Combined soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 and foliar spray twice at 25 DAS & 40 DAS interacted significantly and produced higher number of cobs per plant, number of cobs per hectare of baby corn cultivation. This was at par with soil application of ZnSO4 at 25 kg ha-1 and foliar spray at 40 DAS and significantly higher than foliar spray at 25 DAS.

Tillage and weed management effects on productivity of wheat under dry seeded rice-wheat system on lateritic soils of West Bengal

A field study was conducted during 2016-17and 2017-18 to evaluate the impact of four tillage systems, viz. zero tillage (ZT) both in rice and wheat, conventional tillage (CT) both in rice and wheat, ZT in rice - CT in wheat and CT in rice -ZT in wheat with four weed management practices (recommended herbicide, recommended herbicide + one hand weeding, weed free and weedy check) in dry seeded rice-wheat cropping system on a lateritic soil of West Bengal. Among weed management practices, application of sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron at 0.032 kg/ha at 20 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 40 DAS in wheat was found to be the most effective. The yield of wheat under ZT-ZT was found to be the highest (3.78 t/ha), which was at par with CT-ZT. Advantages in ZT-ZT were to the extent of 23.6 and 21.8% over CT-CT in first and second year, respectively. Among weed management practices, recommended herbicide followed by one hand weeding registered higher yield (3.78 t/ha) and was comparable with the weed free treatment. The highest B:C ratio was recorded in zero tillage in wheat (ZT-ZT and CT-ZT) in combination with the sole application of recommended herbicide. The continuous ZT, especially in wheat with recommended herbicide alone was promising for higher productivity and profitability under dry-seeded rice-wheat system on lateritic soils of Eastern India.

Effect of zinc priming and aerobic rice cultivar on chlorophyll content, relative water content and water productivity under irrigation regime during summer season in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal

Effect of zinc priming and aerobic rice cultivar on chlorophyll content, relative water content and water productivity under irrigation regime during summer season in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal