Nutrient Addition Research Articles

Nitrogen and phosphorus additions affect fruiting of ectomycorrhizal fungi in a temperate hardwood forest

The functioning of mycorrhizal symbioses is tied to soil nutrient status, suggesting that nutrient availability should influence the reproduction of mycorrhizal fungi. To quantify the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability on ectomycorrhizal fungal fruiting, we collected >4000 epigeous sporocarps representing 19 families during the course of a season in a full factorial NxP addition experiment in six replicate forest stands. Nutrient effects on fruiting shifted as the season progressed, with early fruiting species responding more to P and late-fruiting species responding more to N. The composition of species fruiting in young successional forests differed more with nutrient addition than in mature forests. Sporocarp abundance and species richness were suppressed by N addition. This work shows that N and P availability affect ectomycorrhizal fungal fruiting, with these effects taking place within a context defined by stand age and the progression of fruiting across the season.

Preparation of Valuable Solid Fertilizers from Bittern in Salt-Pans of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India

Common salt, also known as sodium chloride, is widely distributed on earth, especially in the form of seawater, which is an inexhaustible source. Common salt is economical and an excellent supplier of balanced nutrients, viz., sodium, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, etc., and even trace elements. Today majority of the farmlands are being depleted of minerals because of unwanted agricultural practices. Therefore, the soil has to be made fertile by the addition of nutrients in the form of different fertilizers. The organic mixture is the humus fraction, which improves soil structure and texture. One of the important sources for the synthesis of such fertilizers is the bittern, which is an unavoidable toxic material being let off from solar salt pans after crystallizing common salt. As this bittern is highly corrosive and poses transportation problems, it can be transformed into solid fertilizers through various improved methods.

Does the presence of mineral nutrient enhance the carbon sequestration, soil aggregation, and microbial biomass in the subtropical clay soil?

Crop residue incorporation is considered as a promising approach for improving carbon sequestration coupling with soil aggregation (MWD). However, better understanding is needed regarding to the mechanism of carbon sequestration and aggregation following crop residue return in subtropical clay soil. A short-term field experiment (1.5 years) was conducted to explore the underlaying potential mechanism of carbon sequestration after crop residues return in the subtropical clay soil. Four treatments were applied as follows: (1) Control, (2) Inorganic fertilization (NPK), (3) Crop residue at 8-ton ha−1, (6) NPK + Crop residue at 8-ton ha−1. MWD, soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), glomalin protein (GRSP), mineral and aggregate-associated SOC, and Fe oxides were determined. Results exhibited that the mineral nutrients with or without crop residue enhanced the SOC significantly in comparison to the only straw and control treatments (P < 0.05). The short-term residue return enhanced the MWD compared to the baseline soil, which was less than control due to the greater concentration of amorphous Fe oxides. Moreover, GRSP and MBC were significantly increased upon crop residue return in presence of mineral nutrients treatment (P < 0.01). SOC was reduced in the order of NPK > NPK + Crop residue > Crop residue > control, while MBC and GRSP were increased in the order of control < Crop residue < NPK < Crop residue + NPK. Aggregate-associated and mineral-associated SOC of aggregates were enhanced in presence of mineral nutrients (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the nutrients addition in presence or absence of crop residue return under short-term field experiment is considered as a promising and sustainable clay soil management approach for enhancing carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change.

The spatiotemporal stability of plant diversity is disconnected from biomass stability in response to human activities in a South American temperate grassland

Human activities alter biomass, nutrient availability, and species dominance in grasslands, impacting their richness, composition, and biomass production. Stability (invariability in time or space) can inform the predictability of plant communities in response to human activities. However, this measure has been simplistically analyzed for temporal (interannual) changes in live biomass, disregarding their spatial stability and the temporal stability of other plant community attributes. Moreover, the simultaneous analysis of temporal and spatial stabilities of plant communities has been scarcely assessed. Here, we test how biomass removal and nutrient addition simultaneously modify the temporal and spatial stabilities of plant richness (α diversity), composition dissimilarity (β diversity), aboveground live biomass, and the role of plant species dominance in the stability responses. We conducted a factorial experiment of biomass removal (grazing, mowing, or intact -no removal-) and nutrient addition (unfertilized or fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in a temperate grassland of Argentina, South America. We replicated the experiment in 6 blocks over 10 years to estimate the temporal and spatial stabilities of the plant community. The spatiotemporal stability of plant richness and composition dissimilarity decreased in the intact grassland, while the temporal stability of live biomass increased, compared to the grazed and mowed grasslands. Nutrient addition reduced the spatiotemporal stability of live biomass and the spatial stability of plant richness. The stability of species richness as well as that of composition dissimilarity was negatively associated with plant dominance, while the live biomass stability was not. Our results suggest that simplifying the effect of biomass removal and nutrient addition on grassland stability is not feasible, as plant diversity stability responses are not surrogates for biomass stability. The contrasting spatiotemporal stability responses of plant diversity and biomass represent a step forward in predicting human activities' impact over time and across space in temperate grasslands.

Nutrient Addition Enhances the Temperature Sensitivity of Soil Carbon Decomposition Across Forest Ecosystems.

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) depositions have been shown to alter nutrient availability in terrestrial ecosystems and thus largely influence soil carbon cycling processes. However, the general pattern of nutrient-induced changes in the temperature response of soil carbon decomposition is unknown. Yet, understanding this pattern is crucial in terms of its effect on soil carbon-climate feedback. Here, we report that N and P additions significantly increase the temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon decomposition (Q10) by sampling soils from 36 sites across China's forests. We found that N, P, and their co-addition (NP) significantly increased the Q10 by 11.3%, 11.5%, and 23.9%, respectively. The enhancement effect of nutrient addition on Q10 was more evident in soils from warm regions than in those from cold regions. Moreover, we found that nutrient-induced changes in substrate availability and initial substrate and nutrient availability mainly regulated nutrient addition effects. Our findings highlight that N and P deposition enhances the temperature response of soil carbon decomposition, suggesting that N and P deposition should be incorporated into Earth system models to improve the projections of soil carbon feedback to climate change.

Unraveling the impact of global change on glomalin and implications for soil carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a potential byproduct of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and a major contributor to the passive soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. Despite its crucial role in SOC storage, we know little about the response of GRSP to anthropogenic global change factors (GCFs). Here, using 530 observations from 107 primary studies, we conducted a global meta-analysis to unravel the effects of multiple GCFs (climate change, plant invasion (PI), wildfire, urbanization, land-use change (LUC), and nutrient addition (nitrogen; N, phosphorus; P, and potassium; K) on two functional GRSP fractions (easily extractable- (EE-) and total- (T-) GRSPs) in terrestrial ecosystems. We found that elevated carbon-dioxide increased T-GRSP by 28%, combined NP addition by 39.9%, and NPK addition by 29.5%. Climate warming and alone N addition increased EE-GRSP solely by 2.4% and 13.6%, respectively, but did not influence T-GRSP. However, urbanization and drought decreased T-GRSP by 26% and 15%, respectively. The LUC from natural ecosystems to cropland decreased T-GRSP by 40%, while afforestation in croplands increased it by 32%. Other GCFs (PI, wildfire, and P) had non-significant effects on GRSP probably because of (i) minor changes in AMF activity and (ii) the counterbalancing of effects by opposite processes. GCF impacts were robust when applied at higher intensities for medium-to-long durations (3–10＋ years) in humid conditions and clay-rich soils. The sandy soils experienced greater T-GRSP losses during LUC. Increases in T-GRSP were positively correlated with AMF-root colonization, soil mean-weight diameter, and SOC content. Further, our structure equation model confirmed that GCFs directly influence SOC by altering AMF-GRSP production and indirectly affecting soil aggregate formation and protection, suggesting that optimizing GRSP production can enhance SOC sequestration.

Novel oil-associated bacteria in Arctic seawater exposed to different nutrient biostimulation regimes.

The Arctic Ocean is an oligotrophic ecosystem facing escalating threats of oil spills as ship traffic increases owing to climate change-induced sea ice retreat. Biostimulation is an oil spill mitigation strategy that involves introducing bioavailable nutrients to enhance crude oil biodegradation by endemic oil-degrading microbes. For bioremediation to offer a viable response for future oil spill mitigation in extreme Arctic conditions, a better understanding of the effects of nutrient addition on Arctic marine microorganisms is needed. Controlled experiments tracking microbial populations revealed a significant decline in community diversity along with changes in microbial community composition. Notably, differential abundance analysis highlighted the significant enrichment of the unexpected genera Lacinutrix, Halarcobacter and Candidatus Pseudothioglobus. These groups are not normally associated with hydrocarbon biodegradation, despite closer inspection of genomes from closely related isolates confirming the potential for hydrocarbon metabolism. Co-occurrence analysis further revealed significant associations between these genera and well-known hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, suggesting potential synergistic interactions during oil biodegradation. While these findings broaden our understanding of how biostimulation promotes enrichment of endemic hydrocarbon-degrading genera, further research is needed to fully assess the suitability of nutrient addition as a stand-alone oil spill mitigation strategy in this sensitive and remote polar marine ecosystem.

Marine organisms transported by seabirds may contribute significantly to Arctic charr diet in coastal High-Arctic lakes

The rich marine resources along the western coast of Spitsbergen (Svalbard) have given rise to colonies of breeding seabirds, which likely represent an important vector of nutrient transport from marine to terrestrial environments. These seabirds may also supply additional nutrients to lakes via their droppings, while bathing and/or when being attacked by other birds during flight to their nest sites. To study the importance of such droppings in the diet of freshwater fish, we sampled Arctic charr by gillnetting during a three-week period in the oligotrophic Lake Arresjøen in northwestern Svalbard. Marine fish and invertebrates made up more than 12% of the dry weight of the stomach contents of Arctic charr larger than 24 cm captured in the littoral zone. This suggests that the seabird transport of marine organisms contributes directly to the diet of Arctic charr in coastal High-Arctic lakes, but this contribution may also give a higher load of mercury and polychlorinated compounds.

Biogenic Sulfide-Mediated Iron Reduction at Low pH

Acid mine drainage (AMD) pollutes natural waters, but some impacted systems show natural attenuation. We sought to identify the biogeochemical mechanisms responsible for the natural attenuation of AMD. We hypothesized that biogenic sulfide-mediated iron reduction is one mechanism and tested this in an experimental model system. We found sulfate reduction occurred under acidic conditions and identified a suite of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) belonging to the groups Desulfotomaculum, Desulfobacter, Desulfovibrio, and Desulfobulbus. Iron reduction was not detected in microcosms when iron-reducing bacteria or SRB were selectively inhibited. SRB also did not reduce iron enzymatically. Rather, the biogenic sulfide produced by SRB was found to be responsible for the reduction of iron at low pH. Addition of organic substrates and nutrients stimulated iron reduction and increased the pH. X-ray diffraction and an electron microprobe analysis revealed that the polycrystalline, black precipitate from SRB bioactive samples exhibited a greater diversity of iron chalcogenide minerals with reduced iron oxidation states, and minerals incorporating multiple metals compared to abiotic controls. The implication of this study is that iron reduction mediated by biogenic sulfide may be more significant than previously thought in acidic environments. This study not only describes an additional mechanism by which SRB attenuate AMD, which has practical implications for AMD-impacted sites, but also provides a link between the biogeochemical cycling of iron and sulfur.

Nutritional Requirements and Fermentation Condition for Acetic Acid Production From Agricultural Fruit Waste

AbstractStudies on agricultural fruit waste fermentation for acetic acid production have focused on understanding its nutrient requirements. The present systematic literature review aimed to assess the potential and additional nutrients necessary for optimised acetic acid production from fruit waste. Fermentation conditions and techniques employed for the alcoholic and acetous fermentation stages were also evaluated to establish their significant effects on acetic acid yield.

The phagotrophic growth of algae on bacteria and its potential for wastewater and waste sludge treatment

Algae exhibit diverse growth strategies, including phototrophy, osmotrophy, and phagotrophy. While phototrophic and osmotrophic growths have been extensively studied, phagotrophic growth remains relatively unexplored. This research delves into the phagotrophic growth of Ochromonas danica on bacteria, evaluating its potential for wastewater and waste sludge treatment. The study reveals that O. danica was able to grow on bacteria without light or additional nutrients, achieving a doubling time of 3.5–3.9 hours and converting 41–45 % of bacterial organic matter into algal biomass. The resultant O. danica cells were lipid-rich, containing 35–46 % lipids by dry weight. The efficiency of O. danica in treating waste sludge was highlighted, achieving a 43 % reduction in organic matter within 36 hours, outperforming conventional aerobic digestion. The study also highlights the potential of O. danica in wastewater treatment. An approach was developed to reclaim organic matter from wastewater through a two-stage process, in which bacteria were first grown on wastewater organic matter and then the grown bacteria were fed to O. danica for growth. Results show that a total of 78.2 % of the initial wastewater organic matter was removed through this approach and 27.3 % of the removed organic matter was converted into lipid-rich algal biomass. The findings underscore the potential of phagotrophic growth for waste treatment and lipid production. The simplicity of the phagotrophic process, independent of light or complex nutrient supplementation, positions it as a promising strategy for industrial applications in waste sludge and wastewater treatment.

Wood- and Manure-Derived Biochars Reduce Antibiotic Residues and Shift Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Microbial Communities in Manure Applied Forage–Soil Systems

The increasing use of antibiotics in livestock poses environmental risks, leading to contamination of agricultural soils and propagation of microbial antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). This study examined the impacts of wood- and manure-derived biochar (BC) on antibiotic residues, ARGs, and microbial communities in sandy loam and clay loam soils amended with manure in Cynodon dactylon pastures. We hypothesized that BC amendments would influence the degradation of antibiotics and the structure of microbial communities based on their physicochemical properties and soil types. Our results demonstrated that wood BC reduced the concentrations of tetracycline and sulfonamides, particularly in sandy loam soil, due to its larger surface area and hydrophobic properties. In contrast, manure BC provided additional nutrients and supported atmospheric nitrogen-fixing microbial groups, especially in clay loam soil, while exhibiting variable efficiency in reducing antibiotic residues due to its lower surface area and higher ash content. These findings underscore the differential impacts of each BC type, emphasizing the need for tailored BC applications based on soil type to effectively mitigate antibiotic contamination and promote sustainable agricultural practices. In conclusion, wood BC was more effective in enhancing soil health by reducing antibiotic residues and improving microbial diversity, particularly in sandy loam soils, while manure BC was beneficial for nutrient cycling in clay loam soils.

Evaluation of Some Pollen Substitutes on Productivity of Honey bee Colonies (Apis cerana F.)

This study examined the effects of different pollen substitutes on the performance of honey bee colonies in Assam, India. Natural Corbicula pollen (CPF) and six artificial diets were compared with a sugar syrup control for 15 days. CPF consistently outperformed other treatments in all parameters. Regarding the honey area, the CPF reached 22.63 cm2 and 22.65 cm2 in 2021 and 2022, respectively, while in the control group it was 15.61 cm2 and 15.72 cm2, respectively. CPF also had the highest pollen area (15.59 cm² and 15.68 cm²) and brood area (20.19 cm² and 20.35 cm²) in both years. Colony strength was maximized in the CPF (7.55 and 7.59 for frames 2021 and 2022). Among artificial foods, OUAT-PS (soy flour, honey, yeast, multivitamin) generally performed best, with no significant difference from CPF in colony strength. All pollen substitutes stimulated honey production and brood development with foods rich in proteins, vitamins and amino acids, and significantly improved colony performance compared to controls. These results can help beekeepers select appropriate additional nutrients in times of pollen shortage.

INFLUENCE OF MINERAL NUTRITION ON THE SOIL HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF COCONUT PALMS (Cocos nucifera L.) IN TROPICAL LAND USE SYSTEMS

Perennial plantation crops, such as coconut trees require the systematic addition of nutrients for sustained growth and productivity. This study aimed to understand plant and soil nutrient dynamics, root health and soil biological properties upon addition of specific nutrients in tropical land use systems. Field experiments in randomised block design were conducted in Agro-Ecological Unit-3 (AEU-3) and Agro-Ecological Unit-9 (AEU-9) from 2014 to 2020. Treatments were T1 (site-specific nutrient management practices (SSNM), T2 (SSNM without sodium chloride); T3 (SSNM without gypsum); T4 (SSNM along with the 50 g microbial formulation Kera Probio); T5 (Farming practice without any amendments or nutrients). Root health parameters, cumulative nut yield and nutrient dynamics in soil and leaf samples were estimated at the beginning and the end of the study. Systematic provision of all the essential nutrients resulted in significant increase content of N (1.39%), P (0.164%), K (1.71%), Ca (0.406%) and Mg (0.175%) in index leaves of coconut trees in sandy soils. Foliar nutrient levels of coconut trees grown in laterite soils were 1.21% N, 0.142% P, 1.27% K, 0.504% Ca and 0.146% Mg. In AEU-3, treatment that received all amendments and nutrients showed highest organic carbon content at the three depths as 6.79 g kg-1soil, 5.39 g kg-1 soil and 3.82 g kg-1, soil, respectively. In AEU-3, 61% increase in yield was observed, while in AEU-9,40% increase was recorded. Application of gypsum resulted in downward displacement of K and Mg indicating that gypsum is required for the amelioration of sub soil acidity in sandy soils. However, the displacement effect was less pronounced in laterite soils and beneficial effect of gypsum was evident with the enhancement of exchangeable Ca. Hence sandy soils require application of inputs as per T3 (T1 without gypsum), with external organic inputs and palm residues whereas in laterite soils application of treatments as per T1 is required with in situ palm residue recycling. Key words: coconut, leaf nutrients, sandy soil, laterite soil, root health, dehydrogenase.

Silicon isotopes reveal the impact of fjordic processes on the transport of reactive silicon from glaciers to coastal regions

Accelerated mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet leads to retreating glaciers and enhanced freshwater runoff to adjacent coastal regions, potentially providing additional essential nutrients, such as silicon, to downstream primary producers. However, the role of fjordic sediments in modulating the supply of silicon from glacial environments to marine ecosystems remains poorly constrained, particularly for the quantification of silicon fluxes from the sediments into overlying waters in high-latitude fjordic systems. In this study, we use the concentration and stable isotopic composition of dissolved silicon in pore waters and core-top waters, and amorphous silica phases (such as glacially-derived amorphous silica) in sediments and suspended particulate matter, collected from two fjords in the southwest Greenland margin to address this knowledge gap. We combine downcore observations with core incubations and isotope mass balance approaches to assess the benthic flux of dissolved silicon and deconvolve potential contributors to this flux during early diagenesis. Our results suggest that molecular diffusion only accounts for a portion of benthic dissolved silicon transport. Relative to surrounding continental shelves and highly-productive open ocean waters, the estimated benthic dissolved silicon flux at our sites is smaller in magnitude, supporting the role of fjords as a ‘trap’ for reactive silicon in high-latitude systems.

Characteristics of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel polyphenols encapsulated with whey protein isolate and β-cyclodextrin by spray-drying

Pomegranate peel polyphenols (PPPs) are recognized as promising food additives due to their diverse bioactivities; however, their application is limited by poor stability. To address this critical issue, three types of PPPs microcapsules were prepared using β-cyclodextrin (CD), whey protein isolate (WPI), and a composite material of CD-WPI through ultrasound treatment (US). Results revealed that ultrasound treatment can enhance the PPPs-wall material interaction, as evidenced by MD simulations. The encapsulation efficiency of CD-WPI-PPPs was 93.73 %, which was significantly higher than that of CD-PPPs and WPI-PPPs (p < 0.05). The degradation rate constant of CD-WPI-PPPs was reduced by 95.83 %, and its t1/2 was extended by 23-fold compared to that of unencapsulated PPPs. Furthermore, CD-WPI-PPPs exhibited greater DPPH scavenging activity and inhibited polyphenol release during oral and gastric digestion while promoting release during intestinal digestion. These outcomes were attributed to enhanced integrity and interactions between PPPs and composite materials in the microcapsules formed through ultrasound treatment, as supported by SEM images and FT-IR spectra. Consequently, the application of US in the preparation of PPPs microcapsules presents a promising strategy for developing natural nutrient additives for food applications, thereby enhancing the functional properties of food products.

Precision management influences productivity and nutrients availability in dryland cropping system

AbstractPrecision management (PM) aims to reduce inputs while increasing land productivity and economical return and enhancing cropping system resiliency to climate change. This study evaluated how climate (precipitation) and management influenced yields and soil nutrients in a dryland agricultural system. We compared an “aspirational” (ASP) system (no‐till, 4‐year rotation of winter wheat [Triticum aestivum L.], corn [Zea mays L.], proso millet [Panicum miliaceum L.], and fallow/flex) to a traditional “business‐as‐usual” (BAU) system (reduced tillage, 2‐year rotation of winter wheat and fallow: W–F). Phases of each rotation were included yearly throughout the study period (2018–2022) with three replications. The ASP system incorporated PM by dividing each ASP field into three zones (high‐, medium‐, and low‐PM) according to prior yield and topography. Nitrogen was applied at high, medium, or low application rates within those zones. Under favorable precipitation, wheat, corn, and millet yields responded to PM treatments, with yields increasing proportional to N addition. Years with low in‐season precipitation had a significant reduction in wheat and corn yields (2020 and 2022) and complete millet yield failures (2020 and 2021). Low soil organic matter accumulation (0.1%–0.5%) and a reduction in soil macro‐ and micronutrient status suggested that soil nutrient additions are needed to prevent soil‐nutrient degradation. The ASP treatment added a third crop every 4 years and did so without significantly decreasing wheat yield following fallow. The ASP management shows promise as an alternative to BAU in the Great Plains dryland production region.

Toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial biomass as a resource for sustainable agriculture: A lettuce cultivation experiment

Cyanobacteria represent a promising resource for sustainable agriculture, as they have demonstrated the ability to restore soil fertility even after death and decay. However, several cyanobacteria can also release secondary metabolites, such as cyanotoxins, which may compromise the quality of agricultural products and pose a potential risk to human health. Depending on the concentration of exposure, few studies reported deleterious effects on plant species when irrigated with cylindrospermopsin (CYN) contaminated water, impairing plant growth and leading to food product contamination, while other studies show promoting effects on plant yield. To evaluate the potential of cyanobacterial biomass (cyanotoxin-containing or not) as a sustainable resource for soil amendment, biostimulants or fertilizers for lettuce cultivation, a study was carried out that consisted of the culture of lettuce plants under controlled conditions, in soil: (1) with no extra nutrient addition (control) and supplemented with 0.6 g of freeze-dried Raphidiopsis raciborskii biomass of (2) a non-CYN-producing strain, (3) a CYN-producing strain, and (4) the same CYN-producing strain pasteurized. Results showed no significant differences in photosystem II efficiency with the amendment addition. On the contrary, shoot fresh weight significantly increased in lettuce plants grown with the cyanobacterial biomass addition, especially in condition (3). In addition, there were significant differences in mineral concentrations in lettuce leaves after the cyanobacterial biomass addition, such as K, Na, Ca, P, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, and Co. CYN accumulation was detected under conditions (3) and (4), with concentrations observed in descending order from roots > soil > shoot. Nevertheless, the CYN concentration in edible tissues did not exceed the WHO-proposed tolerable daily intake of 0.03 μg/kg/day. These findings suggest that incorporating cyanobacterial biomass as a soil amendment, biostimulant or fertilizer for lettuce cultivation, even with trace amounts of CYN (1–40 μg/g), may enhance plant yield without leading to cyanotoxin accumulation in edible tissues above the WHO-recommended tolerable daily intake.

Effect of Cumulative Amendment of Soil with Fly Ash in Combination with Other Nutrients on Change in Grain Yield, Crude Protein, NPN and True Protein Contents of Rice

An experiment was planned and conducted at Instructional Farm (IF), Odisha University of Agriculture &amp; Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar in the years 2022 and 2023 during the Kharif seasons to study the effect of the cumulative addition of nine varieties of nutrients on the yield and protein contents of two varieties of rice namely Gayatri and Vandana. The applied fly ash (FA) was alkaline in nature whereas the soil was acidic. The grain yield of the Kharif crop in 2022 (Gayatri) varied from the lowest of 31.56 qha-1 to the highest of 37.21 qha-1. It varied from the lowest of 38.66 qha-1 to the highest of 43.82 qha-1 in 2023. The crude protein content varied from the lowest of 7.97% to the highest of 9.16% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 7.31% to the highest of 8.39% in 2023. The non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content varied from the lowest of 7.97% to the highest of 9.16% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 7.31% to the highest of 8.39% in 2023. The true protein content varied from the lowest of 6.90% to the highest of 7.97% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 6.12% to the highest of 7.50% in 2023. It was observed that the grain yield, crude protein, non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and true protein content decreased by the application of FA over control (only NPK fertilizer). The crude protein content decreased in all the treatments in 2023 over its 2022 counterpart whereas NPN increased by the cumulative addition of nutrients. This resulted in higher values of true protein content in the grains in the year 2023. Grain yield increased in all the treatments in 2023 over the previous year resulting in higher yield of true protein content. Hence more amount of protein rich grains per hectare can be obtained by the cumulative addition of nutrients in spite of varietal difference of the grains.

Formulation of Energy Bars by using Sunflower Seeds

The study discusses the popularity and nutritional benefits of snack foods, with a focus on granola bars as a versatile and nutrient-dense option. The importance of energy bars for athletes and individuals with busy lifestyles is highlighted. The study aims to develop a high-protein, high-energy nutritional bar using plant sources. Oats are emphasized for their rich nutrient profile, including carbohydrates, fiber, proteins and various bioactive compounds. Dates and almonds contribute additional nutrients and health benefits. Sunflower seeds are recognized for their therapeutic benefits, while honey is for its antibacterial and nutritional properties. The energy bars, including a basic version and two variations, were analyzed for various nutritional parameters. The moisture content exhibited slight increments, measuring from 6.83±0.01, to 7.03±0.01, while the ash content showed minimal differences at 0.05±0.01. Energy content increased from 380±0.032 to 410±0.026, and protein content ranged from 9.17±0.01 to 9.19±0.01. Fat composition showed marginal variations while the fiber content was measured at 6.67±0.01, 6.77±0.01 and 6.78±0.01 grams. Ascorbic acid concentrations increased from 0.7±0.015 to 0.81±0.0026, while thiamine and riboflavin concentrations showed slight fluctuations. Sensory evaluation revealed that T2 (30% honey) scored highest in various categories, including color (8.5±0.527), taste (8.6±0.516), texture (8.2±0.788), flavor (8.5±0.707), appearance (8.5±0.527) and overall acceptability (8.6±0.516). T2 emerged as the most preferred, followed by T1 (25% honey) and T3 (35% honey).