Organic Nutrient Sources Research Articles

Manipulation of fatty acid profile and nutritional quality of Chlorella vulgaris by supplementing with citrus peel fatty acid

Microalgae could be an excellent resource of functional and essential fatty acids. To achieve viable microalgal biomass production, mass cultivation of microalgae is required; however, the high cost of nutrients is the obstacle. An inexpensive and nutritious material is required to feed Chlorella vulgaris in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. Citrus peel waste with a valuable nutritional quality could be one of the promising and inexpensive candidates. In this study, the fatty acid extract from different citrus peels was used as the organic nutrient source for the cultivation of Chlorella. The proximate composition of bitter orange, sweet orange, grapefruit, and mandarin peels were determined, and their nutritional quality was evaluated. Total fatty acids from the citrus peel were prepared by acidic methanol hydrolysis and hexane extraction. Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to analyze the fatty acid composition and nutrient composition. Fatty acids from the citrus peels were added to the Chlorella culture medium to study their influences on biomass, lipid production, fatty acid profile, and nutritional quality of Chlorella. The most predominant citrus peel fatty acids were linoleic, palmitic, oleic, linolenic, and stearic acids. The citrus peels contain polyunsaturated, saturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids. The most unsaturated fatty acids were omega-6, omega-3, omega-9, and omega-7. The citrus peel had acceptable atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, omega-6/omega-3, peroxidizability, hypocholesterolemic, and nutritive value indices. The major fatty acids of Chlorella were palmitic, linoleic, oleic, alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic, 4,7,10,13-hexadecatetraenoic, palmitoleic, 7,10-hexadecadienoic, 7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic, lauric and 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acids. Chlorella contains polyunsaturated, saturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids. The most unsaturated fatty acids contain omega-6, omega-3, omega-9, and omega-7. Chlorella had acceptable atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, omega-6/omega-3, hypocholesterolemic, peroxidizability, and nutritive value indices. Supplementation of Chlorella with citrus peels fatty acid increases total biomass, lipid content, and nutritional quality of Chlorella. The present research shows that citrus peels have good nutritional quality and could be used for the inexpensive cultivation of Chlorella biomass with potential utility for food application.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Yield Attributes and Yield of Maize in Aerobic Rice- Zero Till Maize Cropping System Under Sandy Clay Loam Soils in Southern Telangana Agro-Climatic Zone

Continuous growing of rice –rice mono-cropping over the years and excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers alone has led to decrease in soil fertility and productivity. Rice–maize double cropping is gaining popularity in many Asian countries including India. fertilizer need of a crop in a system is strongly influenced by the preceding crops and the amount of fertilizers applied to them. Cropping with two nutrient intensive cereals like rice-maize would remove a substantial quantity of plant nutrients from soil during continued agriculture round the year, envisaging the need for adoption of efficient nutrient management practices for sustained soil health and improving system productivity. A field experimentt was carried out to study the residual effect of organic nutrient sources and inorganic fertilizer levels on yield attributes and yield of zero till maize. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four organic sources of nutrients applied to preceding rice as main plots viz: M1: Neem leaf manure @ 6 t ha-1; M2: Vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1; M3: Goat manure @ 5 t ha-1; M4: Microbial consortia [seed treatment @ 4 g kg-1 + soil application @ 4 kg ha-1] and four subplots with graded doses of fertilizers viz: S1: Control; S2: 50% RDF; S3: 75% RDF and S4: 100% RDF (180:60:60). The study revealed that various organic nutrient sources and graded fertilizer doses exerted a remarkable effect on plant height, LAI, dry matter production and Days to 50% silking which resulted in significantly higher grain, stover yield and harvest index of zero till maize.

Influence of Organic Nutrients and Bioinoculants on Growth and Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under Semi-arid Conditions of Rajasthan

Background: Pearl millet is also called as the “Powerhouse of Nutrition” as it consists of most of the important nutrients in good quantity and quality which are required for maintaining healthy life. Indiscriminate use of high analysis chemical fertilizers results in the environment pollution which is detrimental to the sustainability; there is an urgent need for adoption of farming practice which ensures sustainability, good soil, human and environmental health. Method: A field experiment was taken for three consecutive years during kharif season of 2018 to 2020 at Agronomy Research Farm, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan to study the impact of various sources of organic nutrients and bioinoculants on growth and productivity of pearl millet. The treatments were comprised of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and microbial biofertilizer consortia (consisting of Azotobactor, Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) commercially branded as Biomix, which were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Result: All the treatments including farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost with and without Biomix had significant effect on soil properties, growth andyield parameters and yield of pearl millet. The pooled data clearly showed that recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) recorded significantly higher grain (3494 kg/ha) and stover (8612 kg/ha) yields of pearl millet and found at par with treatments T6: 100% RDN through FYM + Biomix; T7: 75% RDN through FYM + Biomix; T8: 100% RDN through vermicompost + Biomixand T9: 75% RDN through vermicompost + Biomixover rest of the treatments. With respect to economics T6 (100% RDN through FYM + Biomix) recorded highest net returns of Rs. 75602 and B:C ratio (4.14) followed by treatment T7 (75% RDN through FYM + Biomix). Continuous application of organic manures with biofertilizers had also significant improvement on soil OC (0.39%), phosphorus (54 kg/ha), potash (310 kg/ha), Zn (0.92 ppm) and Fe (6.92 ppm) over initial soil status.

Influence of Differential Substitution of Nutrients through Organics on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of Green Gram (Vigna radiata) in Irrigated Sub-tropical Region of J and K

Background: Green gram is the important pulse crop of India and grown under extensive agroclimatic condition in India for its versatile uses. Moreover, extreme and inappropriate use of inorganic nutrients deteriorated the soil quality by reducing the soil microbial population and also declined the quality of crops. Now a days, majority of population living in urban and rural area had demand for safe and healthy food for which inclusive food production technology needs to be developed with priority on quality enhancement and yield stability. In fact, it is not possible for farmers to directly shift from inorganic source of nutrients to organics in their crop production as it may lead to decrease in crop yields in the initial years. This may be possible due to substitution of organic sources of nutrients in place of inorganics to fulfil the crop nutrient requirement for accomplishing higher and stable crop yield of better quality with upgradation in soil health. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the influence of differential substitution of nutrients through organics on growth, yield and nutrient content of green gram (Vigna radiata) in irrigated sub-tropical region of J and K. Methods: The experiment was conducted for two consecutive years in field during summer 2016 and 2017 at research farm of division of Agronomy located at latitude and longitude of 32°40' N and 73°64' E at Skuast-Jammu. Experiment was laid out with 16 treatments and three replications. Green gram variety “SML-668” was grown as per their respective recommended packages of cultivation except for the nutrient-N and its organic sources which were applied as per the treatments. Nutrient content of green gram was worked out in the laboratory following standard procedures. Result: The pooled result of the two-year study of green gram concluded that significantly highest growth parameters and yield of green gram were recorded with treatment 100% recommended dose of fertilizer whereas significantly lowest value of all these parameters were recorded with treatment 100% NPK through FYM. Numerically highest value of NPK content in seed and stover of green gram after two-year experiment was recorded with treatment 100% NPK through FYM whereas highest gross returns, net returns and b:c ratio were recorded with treatment 100% recommended dose of fertilizer when compared with other treatments.

Economic Analysis of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Production as Influenced by Different Organic Nutrient Sources under Mid Hill Condition of Himachal Pradesh

A field investigation was conducted during the Kharif of 2016 at the Department of Vegetable Science, UHF, Nauni, Solan to explore the economic analysis of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production as influenced by organic nutrient sources. The experiment was designed in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) Factorial with three replications comprising 10 different treatments. The study indicated that vermicompost @ 7 t/ha + Jeevamrut (Drenching @ 5% + Foliar spray @ 3%) highly affected yield and yield attributing traits of bell pepper and documented higher fruit weight (59.33 g), no. of fruits/plant (29.13), fruit yield/plot (24.73 kg), and fruit yield/ha (366.42 q) along with the highest gross income (₹ 916,050.00/ha) and net return (₹ 713,795.00/ha) whereas the greatest B: C ratio (5.43) was attained with no organic manure + Jeevamrut (Drenching @ 5% + Foliar spray @ 3%). As a result, from an economic standpoint, Jeevamrut (Drenching @ 5% + Foliar spray @ 3%) application and Vermicompost @ 7 t/ha in combination with Jeevamrut (Drenching @ 5% + Foliar spray @ 3%) application for high yield may be suggested for commercial production.

Impact of Inorganic, Organic and Biological Sources of Nutrients on Growth and Yield of Rice in an Inceptisol Soil of Tamil Nadu (Navarai Season)

A field experiment was carried out during the Navarai season (2022) using rice variety ADT - 37 to assess the impact of inorganic, organic, and biological sources of nutrients on the growth and yield of rice in an Inceptisol soil of Tamil Nadu. The experimental soil was clay loam in texture and had a pH-8.10, EC-0.7 dSm-1, and available NPK of 186.20, 23.30, and 192.25 kg ha-1, respectively. The experiment comprised of nine treatments viz., T1 – Control, T2 - 100% RDF, T3 - 125% RDF , T4 - 100% RDF + Press mud @ 10 t ha-1 + 2% Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria, T5 – 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 6 t ha-1 + 2% Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria, T6 – 100% RDF + Coirpith Compost @ 6 t ha-1 + 2% Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria, T7 – 125% RDF + Press mud @ 10 t ha-1 + 2% Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria, T8 – 125% RDF + Vermicompost @ 6 t ha-1 + 2% Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria, T9 – 125% RDF + Coirpith Compost @ 6 t ha-1 + 2% Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria. The results of the experiment revealed that application of 125% RDF + Vermicompost @ 6 t ha-1 + 2% Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria (T8) recorded higher values in growth and yield parameters viz., plant height (106.8 cm), Number of productive tillers hill-1 (14.5), Leaf area index (8.02), chlorophyll content (1.285 mg g-1) Number of panicles m-2 (585), Number of grains panicle-1 (227) Dry matter production (5720 kg ha-1), Grain yield (6293 kg ha-1) and Straw yield (8943 kg ha-1).

​Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Growth, Yield Attributes and Nutrient Uptake of Soybean in Vertisols of Rajasthan

Background: Soybean [Glycie max (L.) Merril] is a very important oil seed and protein rich crop. It has the specific character to fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodule bacteria in symbiotic relationship. A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2019 at ARS farm, College of Agriculture, Ummedganj, Kota (Rajasthan). To find out the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on growth, yield attributes and nutrient uptake of soybean in Vertisols of Rajasthan. The soil of the experimental field comes under Vertisols with clay loam texture having low to medium fertility status and good porosity. Methods: The experiment consisted of 10 treatments viz. T0- Control (Absolute), T1- RDF (20-40-40), T2- 75% RDF + FYM (2.0 t ha-1), T3- 50% RDF + FYM (4.0 t ha-1), T4- 75% RDF + FYM (2.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium, T5- 50% RDF + FYM (4.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium, T6- 75% RDF + Vermicompost (1.0 t ha-1), T7- 50% RDF + Vermicompost (2.0 t ha-1), T8- 75% RDF + Vermicompost (1.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium, T9- 50% RDF + Vermicompost (2.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design and was replicated thrice. Result: Among the nutrient management treatment, application of 75% RDF + Vermicompost (1.0 t ha-1) + Rhizobium (T8) resulted into maximum plant height (58.70 cm), branches plant-1 (5.60), chlorophyll content (2.84 mg g-1), total nodules per plant (47.40), effective nodules (31.59) and dry weight (84.20 mg), pods plant-1 (41.90), seeds pod-1 (3.47), grain yield (1380 kg ha-1), haulm yield (1885 kg ha-1), biological yield (3325 kg ha-1), protein (42.25%) and oil content (19.92%), N, P, K content and their uptake, with maximum gross return (53042.71 Rs ha-1), net return (28980.71 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.20) in soybean crop.

Assessment of Integrated Application of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources for Soil Quality and Economics of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Production

ABSTRACT Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a popular warm season vegetable used for salads and grown throughout the world under tropical and subtropical conditions. The use of synthetic fertilizers for cucumber production over an extended time period can improve the productivity but consecutively deteriorates soil health. Therefore, with the hypothesis that for an extensive evaluation of different nutrient sources, its influence on the soil health and economics of a crop needs to be quantified critically; a comprehensive study was carried out on cucumber cv. K-75 in a randomized block design with three replications during kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019. The experiment comprised nine treatments of different nutrient sources including organic manures alone and in conjugation with the inorganic fertilizers. Application of RDF + FYM @ 100 q ha−1 (T2) produced 50.22% higher yield over control i.e. T1 and registered the highest available soil NPK content (303.5, 122.3, and 407.9 kg ha−1, respectively) as well as B:C ratio (4.0). From the present investigation, it can be concluded that RDF + FYM @ 100 q ha−1 can be recommended to farmers for maintaining soil fertility and obtaining higher yields. It could be a cost-effective nutrient management module on a sustainable basis.

Litter decomposition dynamics of Taxus contorta Griff. in western Himalayan region

Litterfall is the essential source of organic matter and soil nutrients. The quality and quantity of litter production affect the carbon and nutrient fluxes in forest ecosystems. This study aims to determine the litter decomposition rate and macronutrients (N. P, K, Ca and Mg) in Taxus contorta Griff forests. The results showed that the maximum weight loss due to decomposition was recorded from June to October, and decay constant (K) was 0.534 during two years of study. Decomposition was significantly affected by climatic variables and positively correlated with temperature, rainfall, number of rainy days and relative humidity. The decomposing needles showed a continuous increase in nitrogen (0.97-1.27%) and phosphorus (0.11-0.13%) concentration and a gradual decrease in potassium (0.35-0.31%), calcium (0.93-0.45%) and magnesium (0.21-0.16%). Total nutrient return (37.33 kg ha-1) from the decomposing litter were observed in the order of Ca (15.09) > N (12.13) > K (5.73) > Mg (2.87) > P (1.50) through the input from different litter components, which were found in the order of needles > twigs > bark > miscellaneous litter > reproductive litter. Maximum nutrient return (15.82 kg ha-1) was observed through needle litter and was recorded as N (6.49), P (0.85), K (2.84), Ca (4.39) and Mg (1.24). Out of the total nutrients returned through needle litter, an annual release of 67% and accumulation of 33% nutrients over the forest floor of Taxus contorta was recorded.

Effect of organic sources of nutrients on soil fertility and yield of rainfed cotton (Gossypiumspp.) in Vertisols

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2020 at research field of AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vid¬¬¬¬yapeeth, Akola, (Maharashtra) to study the effect of organic sources of nutrients on soil fertility and yield of rainfed cotton(Gossypiumspp.) in Vertisols. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and nine treatments. The results revealed that, there was a reduction in bulk density, pH and electrical conductivity and an increase in hydraulic conductivity and organic carbon content with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through gliricidia green leaves. This treatment also resulted in significantly higher available N (193.2 kg ha-1) and K (331.1 kg ha-1) content whereas available P (15.98 kg ha-1) content was higher with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through vermicompost. Improvement in the seed and stalk yield of cotton was observed with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through gliricidia green leaves. Seed and stalk yield was increased by 8.9% and 7.7% with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through gliricidia green leaves as compared to inorganic treatment, respectively. The minimum seed (540.9 kg ha-1) and stalk (997.2 kg ha-1) yield were recorded with application of 12 t FYM ha-1.

Effect of Nutrient Management Interventions on Nutrient Uptake of Rice-zero Till Ragi under Coastal Lands

Background: The excessive usage of chemical fertilizers and the negligence on soil health regarding the conservation and use of organic sources of nutrients have not only caused the exhaustion of soil nutrient reserves but also resulted in soil health problems which is not conducive to achieving consistent increase in agricultural production. The beneficial influence of organic matter on the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil is well known, the full appreciation of the same remains which is unfortunately ignored in modern agriculture. The regular recycling of organic wastes in the soil is the most efficient method of maintaining optimum nutrient reserves of soil and nutrient uptake by the plant. The Present Study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient status of soil under integrated usage of organic and inorganic sources. Methods: A field experiment entitled “Nutrient Management Interventions in Rice-Ragi Sequence” was conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 on sandy loam soil of the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. The seven treatments consisted of T1: 100% RDF (100-60-40 kg N-P-K ha-1); T2: 100% RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1; T3: 125% RDF+Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1; T4: 75% RDF + Poultrymanure @ 0.82 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 50 kg ha-1; T5: 75% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1; T6:50% RDF + Poultrymanure @ 1.6 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 and T7: 50% RDF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1. The experiment was laidout in randomized block design with seven treatments and replicated thrice during kharif rice and in rabi each kharif treatment was subdivided into four sub treatments (S1: Nofertilizer, S2: 100% RDF, S3:75% RDF and S4:50% RDF) and hence, The split plot design was adopted in rabi. Total No.of plots per each replication in the rabi was 28 (7x4=28). Result: Nutrient content and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc have increased significantly with the fertility levels and organics. 50% RDF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 recorded the highest nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc contents and uptakes in grain and straw of rice. In no till rabi ragi, N, P, K, Zn and calcium content and uptake in grain and straw were found to be significantly superior with 100% RDF (S2) to the rest of the treatments in both the years and in pooled data.

Coffee pulp compost A viable organic source of nutrients for Soil and Crops

Coffee pulp compost A viable organic source of nutrients for Soil and Crops

Influence of Organic Nutrient Sources on Yield and Economics of Vegetable Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) Variety – MDU1

Cluster bean is one of the important industrial legume crop, favoured semi-arid and arid farmers by its drought tolerance and nitrogen fixation capacity. A investigation was carried out to study the impact of various organic nutrient sources on the yield and economics of the vegetable cluster bean. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and three replications at wetland farms, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during Kharif season, 2018. The yield parameters were recorded after each picking from five tagged plants and averaged for statistical analysis. The yield of vegetable cluster bean from the net plot area at each picking was noted. The harvest index, gross returns, net returns and the benefit-cost ratio was calculated for each of the treatment. Significantly higher pod length, pod weight, yield, harvest index and gross returns (11.6 cm, 2.4 g, 11084 kg/ha, 2.4, Rs. 1,66,254/ha, respectively) were recorded under recommended dose of fertilizer (50:50:40-N:P:K) in addition to the foliar spray of TNAU pulse wonder. However, all these parameters were statistically on par with treatments such as organic farmer’s practice and 25 t/ha of Farm yard manure (FYM) along with a foliar spray of 3% Panchagavya. But economics net returns and benefit-cost ratio were higher with humic acid @ 6 l/ha along with banana pseudostem sap @ 2% followed by Humic acid @ 6 l/ha along with Panchagavya @ 3% and organic farmers practice. Considering the safer environment, human health and economic feasibility the farmer’s practice of applying FYM @ 10 t/ha in addition with Jeevamruth @ 500l/ha and foliar spray of Panchagavya @ 3% is found to provide higher yields and profits in vegetable cluster bean.

Composted Sewage Sludge Application Reduces Mineral Fertilization Requirements and Improves Soil Fertility in Sugarcane Seedling Nurseries

Sugarcane demands large amounts of nutrients to reach a high level of productivity. Nutrients are generally supplied by mineral fertilizers, but their high costs and negative environmental impacts have generated interest in greater use of organic nutrient sources such as composted sewage sludge (CSS). In this study, we evaluated changes in soil chemical properties after the application of CSS or CSS/mineral fertilizer (MF) combinations to soil containing sugarcane seedlings under nursery conditions. Treatments included: T1: conventional mineral fertilization (MF) without application of CSS, T2: 100% of the recommended MF (06–30–24); T3: application of 2.5 Mg−1 CSS; T4: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS, T5: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS, T6: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T7: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T8: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 50% MF, T9: 2.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T10: 5.0 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF, T11: 7.5 Mg−1 CSS and 100% MF. Soil chemical properties were evaluated from the soil surface (0.0–0.25 m) and subsurface (0.25–0.50 m) horizons. The results showed that the increase in CSS application did not affect soil organic matter content at either depth, while Zn concentrations increased in the soil subsurface horizon. The application of CSS at 5.0 Mg ha−1 with or without 50% MF resulted in the highest pH values, sum of bases, cation-exchange capacity, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn in surface horizons. The use of CSS as an organic fertilizer in sugarcane nurseries improves soil fertility, reduces mineral fertilizer requirements, and, thus, facilitates the sustainable disposal of sewage sludge.

Impact of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources on Yield Attributes and Yield of Maize-Mustard Cropping System

Soil quality deterioration, especially in intensive cropping system has become a serious problem for crop productivity. Consequently, strategies for sustainable crop production and soil health are urgently required. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the impact of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on yield attributes and yield of maize-mustard cropping system during two consecutive kharif and rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design assigning eight treatments of organic and inorganic nutrient sources comprising of (T1) RDF (120:60:40 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1), (T2) RDF + Zn, (T3) RDF + S, (T4) RDF + Zn + S, (T5) RDF + VC (5 t ha-1), (T6) RDF + VC (10 t ha-1), (T7) RDF + FYM (5 t ha-1) and (T8) RDF + FYM (10 t ha-1) and were replicated thrice. The results reported that the higher yield attributes and yield of maize viz., number of cobs plant-1, number of seeds cob-1, cob length, seed yield, stover yield and biological yield and for mustard viz., siliquae plant-1, number of seeds siliquae-1, length of siliquae, seed yield, stover yield and biological yield were recorded with application of RDF + VC (10 t ha-1) which was statistically at par with RDF + FYM (10 t ha-1). However, seed index/test weight and harvest index of maize-mustard cropping was failed to show any significant effect due to above treatments.

Response of wheat to combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus along with compost

To achieve food security and increase crop productivity in a sustainable way, keeping soil fertile and balanced fertilization is vital. Soil fertility declining and unbalanced fertilization is one of the bottlenecks to sustainable agricultural production. To overcome these problems, a field experiment was investigated, with the aim of exploring the potential of organic and inorganic nutrient sources with their optimal application and integration for sustainable wheat production. The experiment was conducted in a factorial approach with three replications, where one factor was the level of the NP (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) fertilizer and the other compost, set in a randomized complete block design. Four levels of the N:P fertilizer (control, 27.6%:18.4%, 41.4%:32.2% and 55.2%:46%) were combined with three levels of compost (0, 3 ton/ha and 6 ton/ha), giving 12 treatments combination. From the data collected and analyzed, integrated application of the NP fertilizer and compost significantly increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus but had no effect on soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Application of 6 ton/ha compost was higher with plant height, spike length, number of seeds per spike, 1000 seeds weight, and biological yield. The sole application of the NP (55.2%:46%) produced (6.19 ton/ha) grain yield whereas combined application of the NP (55.2%:46%) along with the compost (6 ton/ha) produced the higher grain yield (8.16 ton/ha). This clearly revealed that application of 75% recommended inorganic NP fertilizers combined with compost resulted in increased wheat yield by 27.45% over sole application of inorganic fertilizer indicated that the integrated approach could enable to save up to 25% of commercial fertilizers and increase the yield of wheat.

Responsible plant nutrition: A new paradigm to support food system transformation

The coming 10–20 years will be most critical for making the transition to a global food system in which mineral nutrients in agriculture must be managed in a more holistic manner. Fertilizers play a particular role in that because they are among the key drivers for securing global food security and improving human nutrition through increased crop yields and nutritional quality. A new paradigm for responsible plant nutrition follows a food systems and circular economy approach to achieve multiple socioeconomic, environmental and health objectives. Achieving that requires utilizing all available organic and inorganic nutrient sources with high efficiency, tailored to the specific features of food systems and agroecosystems in different world regions. Critical actions include: (i) sustainability-driven nutrient roadmaps, (ii) digital crop nutrition solutions, (iii) nutritious crops, (iv) nutrient recovery and recycling, (v) climate-smart fertilizers, and (vi) accelerated innovation. The outcome of this transformation will be a new societal plant nutrition optimum rather than a purely economic optimum. New partnerships and sustainability-focused business models will create added value for all actors in the nutrient chain and benefit farmers as well as consumers. Research needs to become more problem-driven and merge excellent science with entrepreneurial innovation approaches in order to develop robust solutions faster and at larger scale. Evidence-based policies should focus on creating and supporting the necessary nutrient stewardship roadmaps, including realistic national targets, progressive regulation and incentives that support technology and business innovation.

Inclusion of legume and integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources can improve the productivity and qualitative traits of oats straw

Production of high tonnage of nutritive fodder/feed for livestock’s remains a challenge in arid and semi-arid ecologies. Identification of some alternate sources of feed/fodder such as oats straw may provide an option to bridge the gap existed between demand and supply of dry crop residues. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers to boost the food/fodder production leads to losses of nutrients from agro-ecosystem causing global climate variability. Nutrient management tailored with integrated use of organic and inorganic sources may be a viable option to improve forage yield and quality. Therefore, to circumvent the aforesaid challenges, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of different legume diversified cropping systems and integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on productivity and quality of oats straw. The findings revealed that inclusion of legume (cowpea) in the rotation and integrated application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients via 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)+Zn + plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)+residual farm yard manure (R-FYM) and 100%RDF + Zn + R-FYM significantly increased the productivity and primary fodder quality traits {Crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and total ash yield)} which eventually aids in the fulfillment of qualitative fodder deficit. Further, with inclusion of legume in the rotation and co-application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients significant reduction in fiber fractions such as {neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and hemi-cellulose (HC)} and their associated protein fractions were observed. The cultivation of oats after legume with integrated nutrient management also improved nutritive/energy indices. Overall, cultivation of oats after legume and integrated nutrient management embedded with chemical fertilizers, organic manure and (PGPR) can be a sustainable strategy to improve the productivity and qualitative traits pf oat straw under semi-arid condition of India.

Weed Dynamics and Productivity of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as Influenced by Organic Sources of Nutrients and Weed Management

Background: Balancing productivity, profitability and environmental health is a key challenge for maintaining agricultural sustainability. The use of locally available agro-inputs in agriculture by avoiding or minimizing the use of synthetically compounded agro-chemicals appears to be one of the probable options to sustain the agricultural productivity. Widespread use of herbicides has resulted in purported environmental and health problems as well as residual toxicity issues in succeeding crops. At present, the awareness on safe food is increasing. So, keeping this point in view the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of organic sources of nutrients and weed management on growth, yield and weed flora of Frenchbean. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2016 and 2017. The present investigation was laid out in split plot design with six sources of nutrients in main plot and four weed management treatments in sub plots. Result: Application of treatment T5 recorded significantly higher growth parameters, yield attributes, fresh pod yield, net returns and B:C ratio of French bean which was statistically at par with T3 and T2. Amongst the weed management treatments, treatment W1 resulted in significantly lowest species wise and total weed density and biomass, highest weed control efficiency, lowest weed index, highest growth, yield attributes and fresh pod yield of French bean which was statistically at par with W2 and W0. However, the highest net returns and B:C ratio were obtained in weed free plots.

Studies on Soil Physico-chemical Properties in Rice Based Cropping Systems of Long Term Fertilizer Experiments

Soil samples collected from All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Programme from three different locations initiated in 1989-90 viz. Maruter(Andhra Pradesh-Rice Rice cropping system), Titabar (Assam-Rice Rice cropping system) and Mandya-(Karnataka- Rice Cowpea cropping system); with 8 treatments involving combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients and three replications laid under Randomized Block Design, were collected, processed and analyzed for different soil physicochemical properties viz. pH, EC, OC and CEC properties to study the effect of varied fertilization practices in the long run which help in assessing the soil health status. Results showed that over 30 years of continuous experimentation the soils physico-chemical properties did not vary significantly among different treatments except organic carbon content. It ranged from 0.52-0.63%, 0.22-0.31% and 0.26-0.40% in Maruteru, Titabar and Mandya respectively. The results clearly brought out that monocropping over 30 years without any manures and fertilizers completely resulted in the depletion of nutrients. Inclusion of the pulse crop (cowpea) improved the soil fertility status especially in organic carbon