Normal Soil Research Articles

Genetic diversity in F3 segregating populations of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under salt stress

Rice is an important cereal crop rich in starch and carbohydrates grown around the globe. Despite its significance, rice exhibits substantial genetic variation, particularly under environmental stresses such as salinity. This study investigates the genetic diversity of F3 segregating populations of rice under normal and salt stress. Various segregating genotypes were evaluated, demonstrating statistically significant differences (p<0.01 and p<0.05, ANOVA) in morphological and physiological parameters. The genotypes Kharagnjia and L-12 performed well in normal soils, while Shua-92 and L-20 showed better performance in tiller plant-1 and panicle length. The cluster analysis grouped rice genotypes into four major clusters based on genetic similarity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified tillers per plant, panicle length, grain yield per plant, and leaf area as key contributors to genetic variation. The highest variability was observed in PC-XII (100%) and PC-XI (98.3%). These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing salt tolerance in rice.

Green remediation of lead (pb) from Pb-toxic soil by combined use of silicon nanomaterials and leguminous Lens culinaris L. plants

Lead (Pb) toxicity is a major issue due to anthropogenic activities that is faced by farmers nowadays which inhibits plant growth and decreases crop yields. From contaminated soils, Pb absorbed by the plants and then ultimately enters into the food chain. Silicon (Si) can reduce Pb availability to plants and can be helpful in Pb immobilization in the soils. Moreover, Si in its nano-form, is expected to augment the beneficial attributes of applied Si. However, very little is known regarding the prospects of nano-Si application and leguminous lentil for alleviating the effects of Pb stress. To assess the effectiveness of bulk Si and nano-Si for reducing Pb toxicity and improving the yield of lentils, a pot study was conducted. Lentil variety Punjab Masoor 2020 was examined under normal and Pb toxic conditions as affected by applied Si and nano-Si. There were eight treatments comprised of different combinations of Si at 100 and 200 mg Si kg− 1 soil, and nano-Si at 125 mg kg− 1 soil, which were tested against Pb at 500 mg kg− 1 soil. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangements was applied along with three replications each. The result showed that Pb toxicity reduced the plant growth, yield, total chlorophyll contents, membrane stability index, relative water content, shoot fresh weight and dry weights of lentil. Whereas Si and nano-Si lessened the negative effect of Pb toxicity by significantly reducing its concentration in plant roots and shoot, and improved agro-physiological traits of lentil in normal and Pb-toxic soil conditions. In soil spiked with 500 mg kg− 1 Pb, the application of 100 and 200 mg bulk Si per kg of soil and 125 mg kg− 1 nano-Si reduced the Pb concentration in shoot by 31, 62 and 84% respectively over controls. In squat, the application of nano-Si most significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the root and shoot Pb concentration in lentil.

A comparative study on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) quality under different soil and nutrient management

The present experiment was conducted during 2019–20 and 2020–21 at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat to determine the quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars in terms of their biochemical compositions grown under different soil types. Different genotypes of tomatoes (DVRT-2, GT-2, GT-6, and GT-7) were grown in normal, saline, and organic soils for two consecutive years. Different biochemical and antioxidative enzymes were analyzed from the mature fruits at the harvesting stage. The saline grown DVRT-2 cultivar revealed highest total carbohydrate content (5.97%), total antioxidant activity by DPPH (57.13 µg/ml), vitamin C (17 mg/100 gm), lycopene (16.58 mg/100 gm), antioxidant enzymes like ascorbate peroxidase (170.93 U/mg protein), catalase (9.11 U/mg protein), peroxidase (66.91 U/mg protein), superoxide dismutase (86.74 U/mg protein). Saline-grown GT-6 and DVRT-2 both had the highest phenyl alanine ammonia lyase activity (8.09 m molcinnamic ac. /g/mg). Conventional soil-grown DVRT-2, had the highest ash content (19.31%) and fat content (0.087%), total protein (0.86%). Therefore, among the cultivars, DVRT-2 was found to be a saline-resistant genotype. PCA analysis revealed a total of eight different principal components while 70% of the variance was explained by the first three PCs. In terms of nutritional content, organic soil was determined to be superior to normal soil, followed by saline cultivation. Mild stress is the cause of the qualitative enhancement in the fruits grown in organic soil.

Hybrid Pennisetum colonization by Bacillus megaterium BM18-2 labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) under Cd stress

Researchers have reported that Bacillus megaterium BM18-2 reduces Cd toxicity in Hybrid Pennisetum, but understanding the interaction between plants and associated endophytes is crucial for understanding phytoremediation strategies under heavy metal stress. The current study aims to monitor the colonization patterns of GFP-labeled endophytic bacteria BM18-2 on Hybrid Pennisetum grass. Additionally, it will monitor Cd’s effect on plant bacterial colonization. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of plant roots infected with gfp tagged BM18-2 revealed that the bacterium colonised root hairs and epidermal cells at the early stage of colonization, and over time, the bacteria penetrated to the internal tissues following their colonization of the stem and leaf. The roots, stems, and leaves of H. Pennisetum grown in Cd-contaminated soil contained a higher number of bacteria than those grown in normal soil. The result of Cd translocation indicated the condensation of heavy metals in the root cells and stem, while no Cd was found in the leaf. The study will also look for the enzymatic activity of bacteria BM18-2 and use Leadmium Green AM dye to track how Cd is taken up and moved through the plant. The enzymatic activity results showed that BM18-2 can produce catalase and amylase, but did not record any cellulase or lipase activity. As a result, the pattern of useful endophytic BM18-2 colonization through H. Pennisetum grass will aid in the application and maintenance of these bacteria in farming, and it presents new opportunities for the development of innovative strategies in the fields of agriculture and biotechnology.

Impacts of continuous cropping on soil fertility, microbial communities, and crop growth under different tobacco varieties in a field study

AbstractContinuous cropping obstacles are significant factors that limit the yield and quality of tobacco. Thus, the selection and breeding of varieties is a crucial strategy for mitigating these challenges. However, the effects and mechanisms by which different tobacco varieties influence the structural composition of soil microbial remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a field experiment involving five tobacco varieties (K326, K394, XL, Y87, and Y97) and two types of soil (continuous cropping obstacle soil and normal soil). We examined microbial responses to different tobacco varieties in each soil type. Our results revealed that soil available nutrients and organic matter were decreased in obstacle soil compared to normal soil. The fresh biomass decreased by 18.05–27.92% in obstacle soil (except K394 and Y97). The microbial community composition in the rhizosphere soil remained consistent in various tobacco varieties in obstacle soil. The connections between soil fertility nutrients and microbial communities were reduced in obstacle soil compared to normal soil. The alteration of bacterial community composition was a stochastic process, whereas the modification of fungal community composition was a deterministic process in obstacle soil. Furthermore, the abundance of differential fungi (Zoopagomycota) was notably higher in obstacle soil. Overall, our results revealed that the disturbance of microbial communities and soil degradation in the obstacle soil are primary factors contributing to reduced crop yields. Therefore, it is an economical strategy for overcoming continuous cropping obstacles by utilizing rhizosphere microecology through multi-variety planting.

Sustainable Water Management Using Rainfall-Runoff Modelling in Rift Valley Basin, East Africa

Managing water resources offers crucial information about the availability of water supplied from catchments into water bodies, which plays a vital role in water resource engineering. However, due to changes in the global climate, hydrological modeling of river catchments is critically crucial for socio-economic development and livelihoods. Numerous models evaluate runoff from precipitation, but the SCS-CN method is fundamental and the most widely recognized for calculating runoff. This research evaluates runoff depth in the Rift Valley River basin using the SCS-CN model and remote sensing techniques from 1991 to 2022 based on precipitation data availability. The 37861 km² (65.75%) of the study area was covered by the hydrological soil group “C,” and 19729 km² (34.26%) was by the hydrological soil group “D.” The land use classification shows that approximately 2556.65 km² (4.44%) is water, 9003.72 km² (15.63%) is tree cover, 144.3 km² (0.25%) is flooded vegetation, 19012.21 km² (33.01%) is cropland, 3122.07 km² (5.42%) is built-up area, 984.29 km² (1.71%) is bare land, and 22763.82 km² (39.53%) is rangeland, which covers the largest area in the study region. The evaluated curve numbers for the study area were 74.71 for normal soil moisture conditions (AMC-II), 55.37 for dry soil moisture conditions (AMC-I), and 87.20 for wet soil moisture conditions (AMC-III). The evaluated probable maximum retention capacity (S) was 213.73 for AMC-I, 94.98 for AMC-II, and 46.38 for AMC-III. The preliminary abstraction loss (Ia) was 42.75 for AMC-I, 19.00 for AMC-II, and 9.280 for AMC-III. The higher the value of maximum retention (S) and Ia, the more maximum retention and maximum abstraction loss, which leads to low runoff depth, whereas the smallest value of S and Ia represents less retention and less abstraction loss, demonstrating high runoff depth. As a result, the average annual surface runoff calculated for the Rift Valley River Basin from 1991 to 2022 was observed to be 787.425 mm per year, with a total volume of approximately 45347805750 m³/year. The maximum rainfall recorded was 1047.11 mm in 2020, while the minimum was 673.22 mm in 2021. From the evaluated results, the estimated average rainfall runoff varies between 562.70 and 1047.1 mm, and the average volume of rainfall-runoff ranges from 32403589400 to 60303064900 Cubic Meters. The spatial distribution of runoff shows a significant variation in the study period between 2011 and 2022, which was essential to identify hotspot areas for water resource management. This data is valuable for watershed development, effective planning of water resources, sustainable ecological practices, and groundwater recharge initiatives. Moreover, the SCS-CN and GIS techniques have proven effective, requiring less time and resources to manage large datasets across broader environmental regions for identifying potential sites for artificial recharge structures.<strong>Keyword</strong><strong>s</strong>Water resource management; rainfall-runoff modeling; spatiotemporal variation of runoff; SCS-CN model and GIS techniques

Examining the Impact of Microbial Compost from Anaerobic Digestion on Soil Fertility and Maize Crop Nutrient Uptake

This research study was to evaluate the effects of combining microbial compost and mineral fertilizer on soil properties, maize growth, and nutrient uptake. Therefore, after selecting normal soil, 10 kg of soil was placed in each pot. Nine treatments with three replications were applied by using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) for the study layout. The results revealed that the maximum plant height (101.73 cm), shoot fresh weight (69.36 g), shoot dry weight (128.6 g), root fresh weight (1.68 g), and root dry weight (0.89 g), as well as the highest content of nitrogen (1.66%), the highest phosphorus concentration (1.04%), and the maximum potassium concentration (2.13%) were noted in SF+MM + ½ NPK, while contents of iron (80.2 mg/kg), zinc (98.46 mg/kg), copper (78.66 mg/kg), and manganese (67.7 mg/kg) were also recorded in SF+MM + ½ NPK compared to other treatments. After harvesting maize crops, the lowest pH (7.27), highest EC (0.38 dS/M), and the highest contents of organic matter (1.03%) were recorded in SF+MM + ½ NPK. Maximum nitrogen content in soil (37 mg/kg), phosphorus content in soil (19.7 mg/kg), and potassium content in soil (105.8 mg/kg) were recorded in T8, while maximum contents of iron (4.88 mg/kg), zinc (1.80 mg/kg), copper (0.51 mg/kg), and manganese (1.95 mg/kg) were recorded in SF+MM + ½ NPK. The combination of SF+MM + ½ NPK showed to be the most effective treatment, whereas the usage of compost and chemical fertilizer alone remained the least effective.

Cut-soiler-constructed residue-filled preferential shallow sub-surface drainage improves the performance of mustard-pearl millet cropping system in saline soils of semi-arid regions

Agricultural productivity in semi-arid regions is constrained by soil and groundwater salinity. This study quantified the desalinization potential of cut-soiler-constructed preferential shallow sub-surface drainage (PSSD) and its impact on crop performance in saline agroecologies. The study was conducted at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India, from 2019-2021. The rice residue-filled PSSD was simulated manually (60 cm depth) in a split-split plot experiment with saline and normal soil under saline water irrigation (4, 8, and 12 dS m-1). Cut-soiler PSSD were constructed in the middle of the lysimeter using rice residue (equivalent to 6 Mg ha-1) as the filling material with an outlet to quantify salt and water outflow. Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum L. (R. Br)], variety HHB-197, and mustard (Brassica juncea L.), variety CS-58, were grown in the rainy (Kharif) and winter (Rabi) seasons, respectively. The soil salinity profile decreased by 23.3%-58.5% with cut-soiler PSSD in different soils. The decrease in salinity was associated with increased plant height, dry matter accumulation (DMA), net assimilation rate (NAR), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area (LA), and leaf area Index (LAI) in both crops. The pearl millet and mustard yield increases in the two soil types were 11.6%-43.3% and 26%-36%, respectively using saline water up to 12 dS m-1. This study concludes that cut-soiler PSSD can effectively mitigate salinity stress and utilize saline water at the farm scale in salt-affected semi-arid agro-eco-regions.

Impact of Neem-Coated Urea on NO₃-N and NH₄-N Availability and Growth Performance of Maize in Saline and Non-Saline Soils

This study investigates the effects of neem-coated granular urea on nitrogen volatilization and leaching in maize (Zea mays L.), focusing on nutrient availability (NO3-N and NH4-N) in both normal and saline soils. The pot experiment was conducted in a glass-panelled wire house CRD design with three replications. The experimental treatments included T1 (control without fertilizer), T2 (0.05 % neem-coated granular urea @ 200 kg ha⁻¹ + recommended P and K), T3 (0.08 % neem-coated granular urea @ 200 kg ha⁻1 + recommended P and K), T4 (0.01 % neem-coated granular urea @ 200 kg ha-1 + recommended P and K), and T5 (recommended NPK: 200 kg N ha⁻¹, 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, and 60 kg K₂O ha⁻¹). Soil samples were taken prior to planting, one month later, and following harvest in order to examine key chemical components. The results demonstrated that maize growth and nutrient uptake were significantly enhanced by T3 (0.08 % neem-coated urea). Under T3, there was an increase of 34.32 % in shoot length, 50.48 % in fresh weight, and 22.40 % in dry weight. There were notable increases in root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of 36.68 %, 21.32 %, and 46.53 %, respectively. Additionally, in comparison to the control, the T3 treatment increased the plant membrane stability index (MSI), chlorophyll content, and nitrate retention by 21.32 %, 22.13 %, and 17.29 %, respectively. Treatment T3 enhanced potassium content, phosphorus absorption, and nitrogen concentration. According to data, applying 0.08 % neem-coated urea along with recommended levels of potassium and phosphate enhances maize growth, and overall crop productivity. This makes it a feasible substitute for long-term and effective fertilizer application in both normal and salinized soils.

Temporal assessment of water and soil quality near Barapukuria coal mine, Bangladesh

This study assessed the water suitability for various purposes, evaluated heavy metal contamination and soil fertility, and investigated seasonal variations in water and soil parameters near the Barapukuria coal mine in Bangladesh. A total of nine sampling locations were selected, resulting in 18 samples (12 water and 6 soil) collected during the summer and winter seasons. The water samples were analyzed at the Environmental Engineering Laboratory, while the soil samples were analyzed at the Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI). The suitability of drinking water was evaluated using the Water Quality Index (WQI), and heavy metal contamination was assessed using the geo-accumulation index. The findings indicate that surface water is generally suitable for irrigation due to several positive attributes, with slight to moderate seasonal variations. However, treatment is required for high turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD). On the other hand, wastewater quality exhibits elevated levels of turbidity, total suspended solids, and chemical oxygen demand, although most parameters are within acceptable limits. The assessment of drinking water quality using the WQI reveals that both hand and deep tubewells are generally unfit for consumption. The WQI values peak at 441.84 in summer and 202.79 in winter for the hand tubewell, and 129.66 in summer and 95.88 in winter for the deep tubewell. This finding emphasizes the need for effective treatment and continuous monitoring. The soil analysis indicates that most heavy metals are not present in significant amounts, except for cadmium, which shows uncontaminated to moderately contaminated conditions during the summer. Moreover, the soil treated with coal water exhibits significantly higher levels of organic matter, micronutrients, and macronutrients compared to the normal field soil. Further analysis of the coal water treated soil shows a shift from a slightly acidic pH in summer (6.30) to a neutral pH in winter (7.10). The organic matter content remains consistently high, and nutrient analysis shows high to very high levels of Zn, Cu, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe, while phosphorus remains low. Seasonal analysis reveals increased levels of zinc, potassium, and phosphorus in winter, whereas other nutrients generally decrease. The primary novel contribution of this study is the detailed seasonal analysis of water and soil quality near the coal mining area, capturing changes across summer and winter. Additionally, it compares coal water treated soil with normal field soil, revealing significant improvements in soil quality and fertility.

Impact of Salinity Stress on Morpho-physiology of Four Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties

Abiotic stress, especially salinity, is one of the major restraints for attaining self-sufficiency in the food grain production. The saline soils affect the crop growth both directly and indirectly by interfering with plant metabolism resulting in reduction in yield potential of various crops. Rice (Oryza sativa L.), the staple food of much of the world’s population, is categorized as a salt-susceptible crop. Improving the salt tolerance of rice would increase the potential of saline-alkali land and ensure food security. To investigate the effect of different levels of salinity on morpho-physiological characters and yield of four rice variety viz. Pokkali, Narendra Ushar Dhan 3, IR 28 and IR 29. A pot experiment was conducted during Kharif 2011 and 2012 at the Department of Crop Physiology, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) under normal soil and saline conditions with EC 6.0 and EC 10.0 dS/m. Gradual increase on plant height as well as biomass with the advancement in the age of crop up to dough grain in all the varities under both normal and salinity treatment. Maximum grain yield recorded in tolerant varieties Narendra Usar Dhan 3 followed by Pokkali, whereas minimum in IR 28. Under saline conditions regarding sink potential, the tolerant varieties recorded less reduction in yield attributes like length of panicle (cm), number of panicle per plant, number grain panicle-1 and grain yield plant-1 as compared to normal condition. The salinity tolerance capacity of tolerance varieties was associated with increased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme batter accumulation of proline and total carbohydrate as compared to normal condition.

Assessment of physicochemical properties among petroleum contaminated and normal soil: A multivariate statistical analysis

Soil surveying and mapping are vital operations in soil science. They contribute to the evaluation of changes in soil quality between various geographical regions. This study intended to investigate the effect of geographic variability on soil properties gathered from different geographical areas of the Rajasthan State of north-western India, using conventional analytical methods. Normal and petroleum-contaminated soils were collected from four diversified regions of Rajasthan: namely, hyper saline wetland (Sambhar), arid desert region (Jaisalmer), semi-arid region (Ganganagar) and humid irrigated plains (Banswara). The correlations between normal and contaminated soil for these four stations were investigated using multivariate analyses, principal component analysis (PCA) and statistical quality control. The one-way ANOVA test is applied to determine the statistical significance between different sampling stations for both normal and contaminated soil. Since the p-value in both cases is less than 0.05, it reflects a significant difference in physical properties among all four stations. The PCA analysis suggests that the first three components have Eigen values greater than one that can describe 100% of the total variability in soil properties. Heavy metals (Lead, Nickel and Copper) are the primary measures of variability between sample points for contaminated soil. In contrast, physicochemical properties (pH, Conductivity and Sodium) are the primary measures of variability between sample sites for normal soil.

Impact of iron sulfate (FeSO4) foliar application on growth, metabolites and antioxidative defense of Luffa cylindrica (Sponge gourd) under salt stress

Salt stress is becoming a major issue for the world’s environment and agriculture economy. Different iron [Fe] sources can give an environmentally friendly alternative for salt-affected soil remediation. In this study the effects of Iron sulfate on Luffa cylindrica (Sponge gourd) cultivated in normal and saline water irrigated soil were examined. When FeSO4 (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 ppm) were applied to salt affected soil, the length, fresh and dry biomass of sponge gourd plant roots and shoots inclined by an average of 33, 28, 11, 21, 18 and 22%, respectively. In plants irrigated with saline water, leaf count was raised successively (23–115%) with increasing concentration of FeSO4 (0.025-0.1 ppm) compared to stress only plants. The use of FeSO4 boosted sponge gourd growth characteristics in both normal and salt-affected soils compared to respective controls. The application of Iron sulfate under salt stress boosted photosynthetic indices such as chlorophyll a (22%), chlorophyll b (34%), carotenoids (16%), and total chlorophyll levels (22%). Iron sulfate application also exhibited incline in primary (total free amino acids, 50%; total soluble proteins, 46%) and secondary (total phenolics, 9%; flavonoid content, 51%) metabolites in salt-affected soils. Oxidative enzymatic activities such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and DPPH scavenging activity (36%) were also increased by foliar spray of FeSO4 in control and salt stressed L. cylindrica plants. FeSO4 had a considerable impact on the growth and development of Luffa cylindrica in normal and salt-affected soils. It is concluded that FeSO4 application can effectively remediate salt affected soil and improve the production of crop plants.

A New Approach to Differentiate the Causes of Excessive Cadmium in Rice: Soil Cadmium Extractability or Rice Variety

In order to effectively decrease cadmium (Cd) in rice grains in contaminated paddy soil and maintain the safe production of rice, identifying excessive Cd in rice caused by rice varieties or soil Cd is critical, but it is currently lacking. In the present study, the soil ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-extractable Cd (EDTA-Cd) and the bioaccumulation factors of rice based on EDTA-Cd (BCFEDTA-Cd) were used to develop an approach to identify excessive Cd in rice caused by rice varieties or soil Cd. Based on an empirical soil–plant transfer model and species sensitivity distribution (SSD), BCFEDTA-Cd and EDTA-Cd were divided into five grades. The results showed that the five grades of the EDTA-Cd (minimum value less than 0.11 mg/kg and maximum value greater than 2.93 mg/kg) and BCFEDTA-Cd (minimum value less than 0.09 and maximum value greater than 1.40) were classified in the normal soil pH range. Further, the conversion equation between EDTA-Cd and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Cd was obtained through linear regression analysis using 67 sets of soil data from the literature. In addition, the four selected rounding thresholds for the percentage of EDTA-Cd to total soil Cd (EDTA-Cd) (%) were 52.5, 67.5, 82.5, and 97.5%. A selected soil EDTA-Cd (%) (about 75%) can be used to identify the status of soil bioavailability, especially in soil with high background Cd. Finally, a set of 1084 pairs of rice and soil data for Cd-contaminated soils was used to investigate the respective contributions of rice varieties and soil Cd when Cd in rice exceeds the limit (0.2 mg/kg). Based on field experiment data, a systematic identification approach for the causes of rice Cd exceeding the limit, soil Cd or rice variety, was established and applied. In conclusion, under Cd exposure conditions, the importance of the causes of Cd in soil and rice varieties can be identified, and their contributions can be distinguished, thus helping to identify the causes of Cd contamination in rice.

Mitigating the effects of polyethylene microplastics on Pisum sativum L. quality by applying microplastics-degrading bacteria: A field study

Mitigating the effects of polyethylene microplastics on Pisum sativum L. quality by applying microplastics-degrading bacteria: A field study

Profiling of Key Hub Genes Using a Two-State Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network of 'Jao Khao' Rice under Soil Salinity Stress Based on Time-Series Transcriptome Data.

RNA-sequencing enables the comprehensive detection of gene expression levels at specific time points and facilitates the identification of stress-related genes through co-expression network analysis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and identifying key genes associated with salt tolerance is crucial for developing rice varieties that can thrive in saline environments, particularly in regions affected by soil salinization. In this study, we conducted an RNA-sequencing-based time-course transcriptome analysis of 'Jao Khao', a salt-tolerant Thai rice variety, grown under normal or saline (160 mM NaCl) soil conditions. Leaf samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. In total, 36 RNA libraries were sequenced. 'Jao Khao' was found to be highly salt-tolerant, as indicated by the non-significant differences in relative water content, cell membrane stability, leaf greenness, and chlorophyll fluorescence over a 9-day period under saline conditions. Plant growth was slightly retarded during days 3-6 but recovered by day 9. Based on time-series transcriptome data, we conducted differential gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analyses. Through centrality change from normal to salinity network, 111 key hub genes were identified among 1,950 highly variable genes. Enriched genes were involved in ATP-driven transport, light reactions and response to light, ATP synthesis and carbon fixation, disease resistance and proteinase inhibitor activity. These genes were upregulated early during salt stress and RT-qPCR showed that 'Jao Khao' exhibited an early upregulation trend of two important genes in energy metabolism: RuBisCo (LOC_Os10g21268) and ATP synthase (LOC_Os10g21264). Our findings highlight the importance of managing energy requirements in the initial phase of the plant salt-stress response. Therefore, manipulation of the energy metabolism should be the focus in plant resistance breeding and the genes identified in this work can serve as potentially effective candidates.

Differential growth, morphological characters, and yield of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) genotypes grown on salt degraded soil

AbstractQuinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a high‐value halophytic crop, is a promising candidate to ensure food security in the scenario of increasing soil salinization due to climate change. In a 2‐year field study (during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020), 18 quinoa genotypes of different origins (Q‐4, Q‐6, Q‐9, Q‐7, Q11, Q‐15, Q‐22, Q‐24, Q‐27, Q‐45, Q‐50, Q‐51, Q‐52, Q‐76, Q‐81, Q82, Q‐124, and Q‐126) were grown at two different locations (salt‐affected and normal soil having electrical conductivity (EC) of 16.24 and 1.76 dS m−1, respectively). Morphological, physiological, and yield parameters were recorded to assess the impact of salinity on different genotypes of quinoa. All the tested genotypes performed better in normal soil (37% more yield) than salt‐affected soils. Under salt‐affected conditions, differential salt tolerance responses of quinoa genotypes were observed. Among tested genotypes, Q‐7 achieved the highest chlorophyll content index, biological mass (7905 kg ha−1), and seed yield (1916 kg ha−1) under salt‐affected conditions, it was followed by Q‐81. Salt stress caused up to 94% reduction of seed yield in the salt‐sensitive genotype (Q‐11), while the salt‐tolerant genotype (Q‐81) showed only 15% reduction in seed yield. Morphological characteristics of quinoa genotypes were differently influenced by salt stress. The salt‐tolerant accessions Q‐7 and Q‐81 exhibited similar morphological characteristics. Based on the findings of this study, salt‐tolerant quinoa genotypes can be successfully grown in salt‐degraded soils (with EC ≤ 16.24 dS m−1) in extreme winter seasons with arid climatic conditions.

Soil Fertility Status of Paddy (Oryza Sativa L.) Growing Soils of Different Agro-climatic Zones, Telangana, India

The main occupation of Telangana State, India, is agriculture. Achieving food security requires intelligent management to increase land use productivity and production per unit area because of the expanding population and decreasing amount of agricultural land per capita. In this sense, assessing the productivity and fertility of the soil is a necessary step toward sustainable agricultural development. In the current study, paddy grown different soils in the districts of Telangana State were assessed for soil fertility using random sampling approach. This study was conducted to analyze the fertility characteristics of paddy cultivated soils in different districts of Telangana State. Collected 275 soil samples at 0-15cm depth under paddy crop grown during 2018-19 and 2019-20. The samples were found to be slightly acidic to alkaline in nature and low amount of soil organic matter. Soil nutrients such as available nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) ranged from 50-401 kg ha-1, 17-147 kg ha-1 and 60-842 kg ha-1 in red soil, 63-314 kg ha-1, 33-126 kg ha-1 and 95-460 kg ha-1 in black soil and 73-312 kg ha-1, 25-158 kg ha-1 and 153-458 kg ha-1 in alluvial soil, respectively. The paddy cultivated soil survey results conclusively indicate that the soil samples reveals normal soil reaction, electrical conductivity and low organic carbon (0.48% average) and widespread low nitrogen levels (91% of samples). Conversely, phosphorus availability is high (82% of samples) with an average content of 82 kg P2O5 ha-1, and potassium levels are notably elevated (57%).

Assessing and Mapping of Salt Affected and Waterlogged Soils in Nagarjuna Sagar Left Bank Canal Command Area of Deccan Plateau Using the AVIRIS NG Hyperspectral Data

By using the AVIRIS NG Hyperspectral data, analyzed the relationship between the soil spectral reflectance and various degree of salt affectedness and waterlogged soils from the soil sampling sites from Nagarjuna Sagar Left Bank Command area, Nalgonda district, Telangana, India. The individual AVIRIS NG Hyperspectral image scenes were processed with ENVI 5.3 software geocoded, and mosaicked, and the data is subjected to MNF, performed PPI, n-D visualizer, and classification (mapping) for salt-affected and waterlogged soils was attempted using the Spectral Angle Mapper algorithm. Out of the total classified area normal, slightly saline-sodic, moderately saline-sodic, severely saline-sodic, and waterlogged soils occupy 67.9, 17.0, 3.42, 7.27 and 0.04%, respectively. The Pearson correlation studies showed that 1830, 1850, 1930, 1935, and 1940 nm wavelengths significantly showed a negative correlation with EC, ESP, and CEC. The PCR model showed the possibility of retrieval of EC, ESP, and CEC more accurately. The SAM classification for AVIRIS NG showed a producer accuracy percentage of 76.4- 88.4 and a user accuracy percentage of 77.4-87.9.

Influence of phosphate and boron addition to mixed liquid fertilizer on the growth and yield of red chili cultivated in the subsoil layer

This study assesses the impact of adding phosphate and boron in a mixed liquid fertilizer (MLF) on the growth and yield of red chili plants cultivated in a subsoil environment. The experiment was conducted to comprehend how these nutrients affect the performance of red chili plants, particularly when cultivated in less ideal conditions such as subsoil, a remnant of excavation for brick production. The research was carried out at the Ciparanje Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. The research design employed a Randomized Completely Block Design with the following treatments: A = Control (degraded soil without fertilizer), B = 0% MLF + 1 NPK, C = 0.25% MLF + 1 NPK, D = 0.50% MLF + 1 NPK, E = 0.75% MLF + 1 NPK, F = 1.00% MLF + 1 NPK, G = 0.5% MLF + 3/4 NPK, H = 0.5% MLF + 1/2 NPK, I = 0.5% MLF + 1/4 NPK, J = 0.5% MLF + 0 NPK, and K = 1 NPK in normal soil. The results revealed that the addition of phosphate and boron in MLF significantly influenced the growth and yield of red chili in subsoil conditions. The recommended MLF concentration was 0.75%, alongside the standard NPK dose. These findings provide crucial insights for the development of more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices, especially in challenging soil conditions like subsoil, where nutrient availability can be a determining factor for agricultural success.