Organic Nutrient Sources Research Articles

Integrated Nutrient management for optimal plant health and crop yield

In the pursuit of sustainable agriculture and optimal crop yields, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) has emerged as a comprehensive strategy that integrates organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. This article explores the principles and components of INM, emphasizing its role in fostering plant health, enhancing nutrient use efficiency, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of soil and ecosystems. The key components of INM include the judicious use of organic fertilizers, precision application of inorganic fertilizers, crop rotation, and the integration of beneficial microbial inoculants. The benefits of INM encompass improved nutrient use efficiency, sustainable soil health, environmental sustainability, and enhanced resilience to climate variability. As global agriculture faces the challenges of feeding a growing population while minimizing environmental impact, the adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management stands out as a pivotal strategy for achieving a harmonious balance between productivity and sustainability in modern farming.

Nutrient management technologies of millets for increasing productivity and nutritional security

Millets are important source of food and livelihood in arid and semi-arid ecologies and covers a significant area in these regions due to their strong abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, particularly their capacity to withstand dry conditions. Since, the grains of these crops have better nutritional qualities compared to other cereals, therefore, to ensure nutritional security in the vulnerable regions, millets can be good option to be included as staple food. The continuous application of high analysis chemical fertilizers without organic manures resulted in reduced water holding capacity, emergence of multi-nutrient deficiencies and consequently lower crop yields. Thus, for long-term ecological and economic sustainability in rainfed millet systems, there is a need to enhance soil organic carbon and nutrient buffering capacity of soil by integrated nutrient management through increasing the use of organic sources such as farmyard manures, biocompost, biofertilizers and legumes inclusion in cropping systems. Efficient nutrient management approaches are among key strategies to realize higher yields in rainfed regions. The systematic information is lacking on nutrient management in different millets, particularly on precision nutrient management. Use of cost effective and locally available organic nutrient sources and biofertilizers in combination with chemical fertilizers, not only enhances yield and soil fertility but also improves grain quality.

Isolation and Screening of Agriculturally Important Bacteria (PGPR) from Organic Sources of Nutrient (Panchgavya, Jeevamrit and Farm Yard Manure) for Future Use

Agriculture is an essential component to maintain the human health but due to sudden increase in population the demand has increased and to meet the requirement the use of chemical fertilizer has also increase. The continuous use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides degrade the quality and fertility of soil and also reduce the yield of various crops. The organic sources such as panchgavya, jeevamrit and Farm Yard Manure consists load of beneficial microorganisms that promote the plant growth, yield and promote natural resources. The present study was carried out by isolating the bacteria from organic sources (panchgavya, jeevamrit and FYM) because minute amount of bacterial culture is suffient to prepare large one according to need and can be stored for longer time as compare to organic input. The samples of panchgavya, jeevamrit and FYM were collected from different location of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 32 bacterial isolates from panchgavya, 43 from jeevamrit and 59 from FYM were isolated and screened for multiple plant growth promoting traits. Only 4 bacterial isolates from panchgavya, 2 from jeevamrit and 2 from FYM were preferred on the basis of maximum plant growth promoting traits like P-solubilization, Nitrogen fixer, Siderophore production, HCN production, IAA production and Antifungal activity. From the selected bacterial isolates 67.78% were P- solubilizers, 60.37% were Nitrogen fixer, 62.37% were Siderophore producer, 34.29% HCN producer, 45.88% IAA producer and 78.22% show antagonism against Pythium graminicolum and 74.81% show antagonism against Collectotrichum capsici. Hence these bacterial isolates have potential to act as biofertilizer for environment friendly sustainable agriculture systems and alternative to harmful chemicals.

An evaluation of nitrogen indicators for soil health in long‐term agricultural experiments

AbstractVarious soil health indicators that measure a chemically defined fraction of nitrogen (N) or a process related to N cycling have been proposed to quantify the potential to supply N to crops, a key soil function. We evaluated five N indicators (total soil N, autoclavable citrate extractable N, water‐extractable organic N, potentially mineralizable N, and N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase activity) at 124 sites with long‐term experiments across North America evaluating a variety of managements. We found that 59%–81% of the variation in N indicators was among sites, with indicator values decreasing with temperature and increasing with precipitation and clay content. The N indicators increased from 6%–39% in response to decreasing tillage, cover cropping, retaining residue, and applying organic sources of nutrients. Overall, increasing the quantity of organic inputs, whether from increased residue retention, cover cropping, or rotations with higher biomass, resulted in higher values of the N indicators. Although N indicators responded to management in similar ways, the analysis cost and availability of testing laboratories is highly variable. Further, given the strong relationships of the N indicators with carbon (C) indicators, measuring soil organic C along with 24‐h potential C mineralization could be used as a proxy for N supply instead of measuring potentially mineralizable N or any other N indicator directly.

Effect of INM on biochemical and postharvest parameters of guava (Psidium guajava) cv. Hisar Surkha

An experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) season of 2018–19 and 2019–20 at the research farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana to study the effects of organic amendments and biofertilizers on biochemical and post-harvest parameters of guava fruits (Psidium guajava L. cv. Hisar Surkha). The experiment consisted of 19 treatments in different combinations and levels of RDF with vermicompost, farmyard manure, and biofertlizers were applied. The results revealed that almost all treatments with combined application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients significantly influenced the biochemical and post-harvest parameters of guava fruits over control of which treatments T16 (RDF 100% + Farmyard manure + Azotobacter + PSB) and T17 (RDF 100 % + Vermicompost + Azotobacter + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria) proved most effective. All treatments had a significant impact on the total soluble solids, acidity, vitamin C, pectin and sugar content of fruit over the course of two years of experimentation. Shelf-life of fruits also increased with integrated use of 100% RDF with vermicompost and biofertilizers. Physiological loss in weight was minimum (9.73 and 18.34%; 9.61 and 18.46% after 4 and 8 days of harvesting) and shelf-life increased (4.74 and 6.85 days) in harvested fruit in T17 during rainy and winter season, respectively. The overall quality of the fruit was higher throughout the winter than during the rainy season. Hence, a portion of chemical fertilizers can be reduced in fertilization of guava plants through the integrated application of different organic amendments with improvement in different quality parameters.

Knowledge of Farmers towards Improved Cultivation Practices of Ginger in Serchhip District of Mizoram

The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of farmers towards improved ginger cultivation practices in Serchhip District of Mizoram in the year 2021-2022. Data collection was done on 120 respondents selected randomly. A pre-tested interview schedule was used for collection of data. The collected data was tabulated, analyzed and interpreted with the help of appropriate statistical tools to draw out meaningful results. It was revealed through the study that the majority 50.83 per cent of the respondents were middle aged, 68.33 per cent male, 74.17 per cent married. It was also found that 58.33 per cent of the respondents were marginal farmers based on the size of their land holding with medium level of annual income. Majority of the respondents had medium level of sources of information, scientific orientation, risk orientation, mass media and extension contact. The level of knowledge regarding various improved practices for ginger cultivation was medium. Majority of the respondents had, full knowledge about soil type, varieties, time of planting, chemical fertilizers and harvesting. Also, majority of the respondents had partial knowledge about seed treatment, spacing, organic sources of nutrients, diseases and pests, control measures of pests and diseases and weeding. Annual income, sources of information utilized, scientific orientation, risk orientation, mass media exposure and extension contact had positive and significant correlation with the knowledge of the farmers towards improved cultivation practices of ginger.

Influence of Nutrition on Growth and Yield of G4 Mulberry Variety (Morus alba L.) and Bio-assay of Multivoltine Silkworm, Pure Mysore in Southern dry Zone of Karnataka, India

The experiment was carried out during 2019-20 at P-2 Pure Mysore Multivoltine Basic Seed Farm (BSF), National Silkworm Seed Organisation, Nagenahalli, Karnataka to know the effect of nutrient management on the growth and yield of G4 mulberry variety and its subsequent bioassay of multivoltine silkworm, Pure Mysore. The mulberry garden (three years old) with G4 variety planted in paired row system was used for the experiment with seven treatments and three replications. The growth parameters (average of 5 crops) viz., plant height, number of branches per plant, lowest number of leaf in 100g weight, weight of individual leaf, weight of 100 fresh leaf, leaf yield per plant and leaf yield per ha-1were significantly highest (134.6 cm, 14.0, 24.0, 4.18g, 384g, 800g and 55.55 Mt) with the application of 100 % RDF, poshan spray and application of vermicompost at5 t/ha/year. The results of the bio-assay (average of five rearings) also showed the superiority forweight of 10 full grown larvae (27.2 gm), single cocoon weight (1.27g), single shell weight (0.18g), shell ratio (14.25%), ERR (95.00%) pupation (92.00%), number of cocoons/kg (787) and yield per 100 dfls (52.10 kg) in the treatment having 100 % RDF, poshan spray and application of vermicompost of at5 t/ha than other treatments. Combined application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients increased the productivity of the mulberry in G4 variety and subsequently better performance of Pure Mysore multivoltine seed cocoon parameters.

Effect of Organic and Liquid Manures on Productivity and Profitability of Blackgram

Background: Blackgram being important crop among pulse is gaining popularity and thus requiring suitable crop production practices especially under organic farming. In this context, this study was proposed with the objective to investigate the optimal nutrient management practices in organic blackgram by utilizing various organic nutrient sources. Methods: Field experiments were conducted at two different locations in spilt plot design. The treatments consisted of 4 levels of organic manure viz., Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @ 12.5 t ha-1, Vermicompost (VC) @ 2.5 t ha-1, Enriched FYM (EFYM) @ 750 kg ha-1 and Enriched VC (EVC) @ 1 t ha-1 as main plot treatments and five levels of foliar spray of liquid manure viz., two foliar sprays of Panchagavya @ 3% and Fermented egg extract (FEE), Fermented fish extract (FFE), Farmers effective microorganisms (FEM), Jeevamruth each @ 5%. Result: Results revealed that application of EFYM and VC, produced higher yield parameters and grain yield, respectively under main plot organic manure addition at site-I and II. Among the sub plots liquid manure treatments Panchagavya spray has produced higher grain yield along with the yield parameters at both the sites. Among the organic manures higher economic returns were obtained with the application of EFYM at both the sites while among the liquid manures better returns were obtained with the application of Panchagavya at site-I and Panchagavya or FEM spray at site-II.

Performance of moringa (Moringa oleifera) and soil health under organic nutrition

A field trial was conducted during 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2019–20 at the Main Horticultural Research and Extension Centre, Bagalkot under Northern Dry Zone-3 of the Agroclimatic zones of Karnataka with an intention to study the response of moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) crop to different organic sources of nutrients. There were five nutrition treatments, viz. T1, 100% RDN through FYM; T2, 100% RDN through vermicompost; T3, 100% RDN through neem cake; T4, 1/3 RDN through FYM+1/3 RDN through vermicompost+1/3 RDN through neem cake and; T5, 50: 125: 30 kg NPK+20 tonnes FYM/ha (RDF) and replicated four times. The treatment T4 recorded significantly higher green pod yield (87.99 q/ha) which was on par with RDF (83.83 q/ha) and T3 (82.66 q/ha). However, most of the growth (except height) and yield contributing parameters, in all the organic treatments, were on par with RDF.Application of organic manures helped in improving available nutrients status, including micronutrients in soil. Among the different organic manures, the effect of FYM and VC in increasing the population of rhizosphere microorganisms was more than other treatments. Net return was found more in T4 (`124446/ha) followed by T3 (`118179/ha) and RDF (`114079/ha). It was found that organic manure applied in equal proportion (T4) and 100% substitution of N through neem cake (T3) was found better in getting higher yield and returns.

Impact of Organic Nutrient Sources on Growth and Yield of Rice Varieties (Oryza sativa L.) and Yield Validation Using SPSS Model

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P) to determine the “Impact of organic nutrient sources on growth and yield of rice varities (Oryza sativa L.) and Yield Validation Using SPSS Model”. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design comparising of 9 treatment which include 3 varieties RNR-15048,BPT-5204 AND NDR-359, 4 organic manures, Vermicompost 10(t/ha) and Panchagavya 6%+ Vermicompost 5(t/ha)+ Panchagavya 3%. Whose effect is observed in varieties rice. The treatmentsconsisted of organic nutrient sources and rice varities. [Panchagavya 6%+ Vermicompost 10t/ha, Panchagavya 3%+Vermicompost 5t/ha] and the rice varities [RNR-15048, BPT- 5204, NDR-359]. Whose effect is observed in paddy. The results observed that the treatment with application of NDR-359 + vermicompost 5t/ha + panchagavya 3% recorded higher plant height, number of tillers/hill, plant dry weight(g), CGR,RGR and yield parameter number of panicles/hill, number of grains/panicles, number of grains, test weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. Treatment 9 has shown 44.62% increase over predicted yield whereas there was 28.89% increase in treatment 8 over predicted yield through SPSS model. From the basis of one year experimentation, it is concluded that Panchagavya 3% + Vermicompost 5(t/ha) was found more productive for the variety NDR-359.

Productivity and profitability improvement of fodder maize under combined application of indigenously prepared panchagavya with organic and inorganic sources of nutrient

Irrational use of chemical fertilizers creates harmful effects on soil health and thus, led to a drop in crop productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains region (IGPR) of India. Organic nutrient sources such as Panchagavya and PGPR can be used to replace some proportion of chemical fertilizers to sustain productivity and soil health in the IGPR belt. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of integrated use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and bio-fertilizers such as Panchagavya and PGPR on the productivity and economic feasibility of different maize cultivars. Results indicated that the J-1006 cultivar showed significantly higher fodder yield, nutrient use efficiencies and profitability than P-3396 and African Tall during both years. Though, nutrient content and accumulation were statistically at par with J-1006 and P-3396, but superior over African Tall. Among nutrient management, the maize fertilized with 75% RDF + PGPR +Panchagavya spray showed significantly higher fodder yield, nutrient content, accumulation, nutrient use efficiencies and net returns compared to control and 100% RDF. Overall, the growing of maize cv. J-1006 with the application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray can be recommended to enhance fodder productivity, nutrient accumulation and profitability in the IGPR belt of India.

Evaluation of Integrated Application of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources on Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Evaluation of Integrated Application of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources on Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Effect of Organic Source of Nutrients on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties, Growth and Yield of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Organic source of nutrient has effect on soil physico-chemical properties, growth and yield of cabbage. To determine the effect of organic source of nutrients on soil physio-chemical properties, growth and yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Field experiment was conducted on acidic sandy loam soil of Horticulture farm at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, from 5th December 2020 to 26th March 2021.The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Special NPK granules, Carbon based, Vermicompost, Obifert, Neem seed cake, Poultry manure, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Mustard oil seed cake and Goat manure were used as treatments along with control. Application of poultry manure significantly increased plant height (22.33 cm) with least number of unfolded leaves (7.33), highest head diameter (106.40 cm) and head yield (45.51 t/ha) of cabbage. Bulk density was not statistically significantly influenced by the application of organic source of nutrients. Significantly higher available Phosphorous content in soil was found with the application of mustard oil seed cake (118.58 kg/ha) and available Potassium content was higher with the application of Goat manure (206.69 kg/ha). Nitrogen content of cabbage head (3.25%) and cabbage root (1.43%) was significantly higher with the application of Poultry manure. Mustard oil seed cake obtained highest Nitrogen harvest index (94.46%) and Nitrogen recovery percentage (66.47%). The yield efficiency (228.13kg head/kg N) was highest with the application of poultry manure. To attain highest yield of cabbage with higher Nutrient use efficiency and enhanced physico-chemical properties of soil, application of Poultry manure might be optimum for acidic sandy loam soil of Chitwan.

Choice of varieties and organic-inorganic nutrient integrations in rainfed buckwheat can affect the performance of succeeding green gram grown on residual fertility

ABSTRACT Rainfed farming is a low-input agricultural practice that is vulnerable to environmental fluctuations. In this study, we tested a resilient low input cropping system of buckwheat and green gram under different integrated nutrient management schedules. Specifically, we investigated the effects of three buckwheat varieties and four nutrient management schedules on buckwheat and green gram grown yields on residual fertility. Our findings suggest that 50% organic substitution resulted in the highest buckwheat yield, while the highest yield of green gram was achieved with 100% and 50% organic nutrient substitution. The Shimla B-1 variety of buckwheat showed the highest yield, while the low-yielding VL Ugal-7 variety resulted in the highest yield of succeeding green gram. Despite the poor green gram yield obtained after the highest-yielding buckwheat variety, the Shimla B-1 variety resulted in the highest system yield which was 24.6% higher than the VL Ugal-7 due to higher income obtained from buckwheat. It was also found that integrating vermicompost and Azotobacter as a source of organic nutrients with inorganic schedules can maintain a positive nutrient balance in the system. Overall, this study highlights the potential of a resilient buckwheat-green gram cropping system for low-input rainfed farming situations, with implications for sustainable agriculture.

Agroecology Can Promote Climate Change Adaptation Outcomes Without Compromising Yield In Smallholder Systems

A critical question is whether agroecology can promote climate change mitigation and adaptation outcomes without compromising food security. We assessed the outcomes of smallholder agricultural systems and practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) against 35 mitigation, adaptation, and yield indicators by reviewing 50 articles with 77 cases of agroecological treatments relative to a baseline of conventional practices. Crop yields were higher for 63% of cases reporting yields. Crop diversity, income diversity, net income, reduced income variability, nutrient regulation, and reduced pest infestation, indicators of adaptative capacity, were associated with 70% or more of cases. Limited information on climate change mitigation, such as greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration impacts, was available. Overall, the evidence indicates that use of organic nutrient sources, diversifying systems with legumes and integrated pest management lead to climate change adaptation in multiple contexts. Landscape mosaics, biological control (e.g., enhancement of beneficial organisms) and field sanitation measures do not yet have sufficient evidence based on this review. Widespread adoption of agroecological practices and system transformations shows promise to contribute to climate change services and food security in LMICs. Gaps in adaptation and mitigation strategies and areas for policy and research interventions are finally discussed.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management for Growth, Yield and Post-harvest Quality of Tomato

The cultivated tomato Solanum lycopersicon L., a commercial annual crop that is grown all over the world for local consumption or export purpose. It belongs to the Solanaceae family and has diploid chromosome number (2n= 2X= 24). Application of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides is crucial for improving productivity per unit area, however excess usage more than that of a recommended dose can lead to issues including environmental contamination (air, water and soil pollution). According to a thorough study, farmers exposed to chemical insecticide spray for a period of 18 months experience impaired vision symptoms like eye stinging or burning (18.42%), dry sore throat (21.05%), blurred vision (23.68%), nose burning (28.9%), shortness of breath and excessive sweating (34.2%), and skin itching or redness (50.0%). The purpose of this brief review article is to explore the function of various organic and inorganic nutrient sources in tomato crop by analysing previous works and studies. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is an approach that boosts the agricultural production and safeguards the environment for future generations.

Nutrient Release Characteristic of Multinutrient Pellet for Organic Farming in Rice (Oryza sativa L) for Acid Sulphate Soils

Aim: To develop a multinutrient pellet for organic farming in rice and investigation on the nutrient release characteristics of pellet in acid sulphate soils of Kuttanad.
 Study Design: This experiment was conducted through completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 3 replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: The research was appraised at the Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture Vellayani, between July 2022 - September 2022.
 Methods: Pellets were prepared using organic nutrient sources permitted in NPOP and a 60 day laboratory incubation experiment was performed to evaluate the nutrient release pattern of pellets. Standard procedures were used to analyze the nutrient content in pellets and quantity of nutrients in soil samples drawn from incubation experiment.
 Results: Nutrient availability increased from the 15th to the 60th day, and the maximum was observed on 60thday. The soil pH, EC, dehydrogenase activity, and humic acid content increased throughout the incubation period, while organic carbon and fulvic acid content declined.
 Conclusion: The gross nutrient release was found to be the highest in pellet containing bloodmeal, rockphosphate and potassium sulphate.

Autochthonous production sustains food webs in large perialpine lakes, independent of trophic status: Evidence from amino acid stable isotopes

Abstract Lakes are recipients of allochthonous organic matter and nutrients. However, the importance of these subsidies for food webs and how they vary with lake trophic status remains unclear, especially for large lakes. We assessed the source and fate of organic matter and nutrients in seven perialpine lakes across a gradient of trophic status. We measured carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of amino acids of lake‐residing Atlantic trout, Salmo trutta, to determine the source of primary production (i.e., how carbon is fixed in the ecosystem) and how it is transferred through food webs, respectively. Based on essential amino acid carbon fingerprinting, we estimated the probability of organic carbon originating from autochthonous (algal), allochthonous (terrestrial plant), and recycled (bacterial) sources. In addition, we used amino acid δ15N to track how this primary production is transferred to consumers in general, and by using different trophic amino acids (glutamic acid and alanine), identify the trophic pathways involving either metazoan or protozoans. We found a high likelihood of autochthonous origin of organic carbon (86 ± 9%) in trout that contrasted with allochthonous origins of particulate organic matter and some sediments. We showed that those estimates are good proxies of source reliance. Our results also highlighted the importance of bacterial origin of organic carbon in fish (12%). The likely autochthonous origin of this carbon was supported by trophic markers (Ala δ15N) that suggest the role of protists in transferring recycled organic carbon up the food web. While the sources of nitrogen sustaining food webs varied among lakes, we found a conserved carbon fingerprinting of fish. Overall, this suggests an uncoupling between the source of nutrients and organic carbon in large perialpine lakes. Across a wide range of trophic status (c. 2 orders of magnitude range of phosphorus concentration), several lines of evidence suggested that perialpine lake food webs shared a common reliance on autochthonous and bacterial production. Our study is the first to quantify the dependence on allochthonous organic carbon in lake food webs based on new amino acid stable isotope markers (carbon fingerprinting and Ala δ15N) and shows promise for estimating the source of carbon fixation in ecosystems. Our results support previous suggestions that terrestrial organic carbon is a relatively minor source for aquatic consumers despite contributing to the pool of organic matter, and more importantly, its contribution does not vary substantially with trophic status in perialpine lakes.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield Attributes, Productivity and Profitability of Direct Seeded Rice under Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield attributes, productivity and profitability of direct seed rice under Rainfed conditions during Kharif in 2019-20 at kuthulia farm, JNKVV, Rewa (M.P.). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. The results indicated that the treatment 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through compost + seed treated with Azotobacter @ 10 g kg-1 seed recorded significantly higher growth, yield attributes and productivity viz. plant height (74.90 cm), number of tillers m-2 (387.00), number of productive tillers m-2 (340.66), panicle length (23.57 cm) and weight (3.76 g), total grain per panicle-1 (82.33), 1000-grain weight (26.69 g), grain yield (3799 kg ha-1), straw yield (6438 kg ha-1) and harvest index (37.11%). The profitability viz. Gross returns (78608 Rs. ha-1), Net returns (65650 Rs. ha-1) and B:C (2.38) of rice was also higher in 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through compost + seed treated with Azotobacter @ 10 g kg-1 seed. The study concluded that combined use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients with biofertilizer enhanced crop growth, yield attributes, productivity and profitability of direct seeded rice.

Long-term impact of biofertilization on soil health and nutritional quality of organic basmati rice in a typic ustchrept soil of India

Healthy soils are the foundation for producing healthy food and creating a healthy environment. Therefore, we assessed the changes in the physical and chemical properties of soil, and their long-term impact on yield, quality, and nutritional status of rice grains in an organic basmati rice-based cropping system in a typic Ustchrept Soil of India. The experiment was laid out in a strip plot design with three replications. The vertical strips consisted of two rice-based cropping systems, namely, basmati rice-wheat-mung bean (RWM) and basmati rice-wheat-sesbania (RWS), whereas seven combinations of different organic materials and biofertilizers (BF) were assigned to horizontal strips, viz., control (no manure application), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), FYM + crop residues (CR), VC + CR, FYM + CR + BF, and VC + CR + BF. The results revealed that soil moisture content (SMC), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total N, and soil available P, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu were significantly higher under the RWS system than in RWM. The application of organic manures either alone or in conjunction with CR and BF significantly lowered the soil pH (∼3.0%), EC (43.1%–45.8%), and BD (3.3%–9.2%) as compared to the control. Water holding capacity (WHC), SMC, and SOC were increased by 5.7%–14.7%, 8.7%–49.3%, and 35.3%–76.5%, respectively under single or co-application of FYM/VC with CRs and BFs as compared to control. Similarly, sole or conjoint application of organic manures, CR, and BF significantly enhanced the soil available macro (N, P, and K) and micro (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu) nutrients over the control. Grain yield, protein content, N uptake, and cooking quality parameters were significantly higher under the RWS system than under RWM. However, the Zn concentration and its uptake by grains were significantly higher under the RWM system over RWS. The grain yield was significantly increased by 25.8%–49.2% under different organic nutrient management options over control. The single or conjoint application of FYM/VC with CR and BF increased the hulling, milling, head rice recovery, and protein concentration in grain by 9.4%–9.8%, 23.2%–28.4%, 22.7%–25.5%, and 9.6%–10.7%, respectively over control. The concentration of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu was significantly improved by 9.7%–11.3%, 45.5%–63.6%, 16.7%–20.8%, 66.9%–74.1%, 72.9%–81.9%, 87.1%–97.0%, and 48.9%–67.2%, respectively under co-application of FYM/VC with CR and BF compared to control. Thus, our results indicate that improved soil properties could significantly increase the physical and nutritional quality of basmati rice grain. Therefore, adopting basmati rice-based cropping systems with different organic nutrient sources can sustain soil health, end global hunger, produce nutritious food, and create a healthy environment.