Organic Nutrient Sources Research Articles

Effect of Establishment Method and Organic Nutrient Management Practices on Yield and Quality of Finger Millet

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons in 2020 and 2021 at Agronomy Main Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar to study the effect of establishment method and organic nutrient management on yield and quality parameters of finger millet. (Variety Arjuna). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of 2 methods of crop establishment viz. conventional method of line transplanting (20 cm x 10 cm) and system of finger millet intensification (25 cm X 25 cm ) in the main plot with the application of 4 organic nutrient sources viz. FYM @ 100% RDN, FYM @ 50% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50% RDN (basal), FYM @ 50% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50% RDN (top dressing) and FYM @ 25% RDN (basal) + toria oil cake @ 25% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (topdressing) allotted to sub plot in finger millet during Kharif season. SFMI method of establishment resulted in superior grain yield (2051 kg ha-1), straw yield (2901 kg ha-1), harvest index (41.42%) and quality parameters of finger millet grains viz. protein (7.56%), crude fibre (3.6 g 100-1), vitamin E (0.14 mg 100 g-1), Ca (344.1 mg 100g-1), Mg (164.3 mg 100 g-1), Fe (4.86 mg 100g-1), Zn (3.71 mg 100g-1) content than line transplanting. The grain yield (2092 kg ha-1), straw yield (2889 kg ha-1) , harvest index (42.00 %) and quality parameters of finger millet grains viz. protein (7.91%), crude fibre (3.9 g 100g-1), vitamin E (0.16 mg 100 g-1), Ca (346.7 mg 100g-1), Mg (176.4 mg 100 g-1), Fe (4.94 mg 100g-1), Zn (3.98 mg100g-1) content was higher with the application of FYM @ 50% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (top dressing) in finger millet and was statistically similar with the application of FYM @ 25% RDN (basal) + toria oil cake @ 25% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (top dressing). The benefit-cost ratio was higher in SFMI and with the application of FYM @ 50% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (top dressing) to finger millet. The interaction of establishment methods with organic nutrient management was significant please add the result of this part.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Fibre Yield of Sisal (Agave sisalana) in North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh, India

Sisal (Agave sisalana) historically an important crop grown in marginally degraded soils in north coastal zone of Andhra Pradesh. The leaf fiber from sisal is used for multiple purposes. The semi- perennial xerophytic sisal crop is significantly responding to nutrient management practices in rainfed soils. Pooled results of the field experiment conducted during 2020-21 to 2021-22 at Agricultural Research station, Amadalavalasa, Andhra Pradesh under All India Network Project on Jute and Allied Fibres revealed that, the growth and fibre yield parameters are responding positively to nutrient management practices. Combined application of 90: 30: 60 kg NPK ha-1 + vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 increased number of leaves / plant by 50.4% as compared to control. Same treatment combination influenced the leaf length and width to the tune of 26% and 14% respectively compared to control. Among the treatments imposed in the experiment, the higher green leaf (49.2%) and dry fibre yield (49.4%) was recorded with 90: 30: 60 kg NPK ha-1 + vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 over control. The effect of integrated application of nutrients to sisal was reflected in higher soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status compared to only NPK application and control treatments. Overall the sisal crop growth, green leaf yield, dry fibre yield and post-harvest soil fertility status was significantly higher with conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients compared to inorganic NPK alone. Hence, the integrated nutrient management proved to be highly rewarding in marginal, nutrient depleted and degraded soils, particularly in rainfed, semi-perennial crops like sisal.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Approach on Growth, Yield, and Economics of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var botrytis)

The integrated nutrient management approach addresses the issues arising from the irrational use of chemical fertilizers such as soil quality degradation, and the unsustainability of productivity and profitability. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the integrated nutrient management approach on the growth, yield, and economics of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var botrytis cv. Khumal Jyapu), through a field experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and seven treatments- 50% NPK + 6.90 Mt ha-1 vermicompost, 75% NPK + 3.45 Mt ha-1 vermicompost, 50% NPK + 3.75 Mt ha-1 poultry manure, 75% NPK + 1.88 Mt ha-1 poultry manure, 50% NPK + 20.80 Mt ha-1 farmyard manure, 75% NPK + 10.40 Mt ha-1 farmyard manure and 100% recommended NPK, 200:120:80 kg NPK ha-1 as the control. Among the tested treatments, organic and inorganic nutrient sources, in combination, recorded a significant influence on growth and yield-attributing characters as compared to sole inorganic treatment. 50% NPK + 6.9 Mt ha-1 vermicompost recorded highest height (63.33 cm), earliest harvest (73.67 days), largest curd diameter (16.83 cm), highest curd weight (680.53 g), biomass (1384.79 g), curd yield (25.2 Mt ha-1), gross margin (NRs.10,08,000 ha-1), net return (NRs. 6,91,944 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.19). Desirable growth parameters, higher yield, cost-effectiveness, and profitability from 50% NPK + 6.90 Mt ha-1 vermicompost show that the use of vermicompost is economically viable. Results also show that farmers can reduce chemical fertilizer costs by up to 50% using vermicompost without affecting profitability.

Pengaruh Penambahan Limbah Kulit Udang Terhadap Kualitas Kompos Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit untuk Memperbaiki Sifat Tanah di Majene

Oil palm empty fruit bunches are palm oil industry waste that has not been processed and utilized optimally. Utilizing palm oil industrial waste as compost material can reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment. Compost as a source of organic matter and nutrients that can improve properties and restore soil function, so that plant nutrients are complete. The addition of shrimp shell waste can improve the quality of oil palm empty fruit bunches compost, namely the availability of macro and micro nutrients in the compost. The purpose of this study was to analyze effect of composting empty palm oil bunches with the addition of shrimp shell waste on the soil in Majene. The results of the analysis of primary macronutrients such as pH, C-Organic, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and C/N Ratio in the soil after the addition of composted oil palm empty fruit bunches and shrimp shell waste increased. Meanwhile, secondary macro nutrients such as Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur and micro nutrients such as Aluminum, iron and Manganese did not increase after the addition of composted empty fruit bunches of oil palm and shrimp shell waste.

Productivity, quality, and land use efficiency of cereal-legume forages under monocropping and intercropping systems with integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources

Production of nutritious fodder for livestock remains a challenge especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Cereal–legume intercropping with integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources could be a viable option for achieving higher fodder tonnage in aforesaid ecologies. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the impact of cereal-legume intercropping and integrated nutrient management on productivity, forage quality, and land use efficiency (LUE). The experiment was conducted in a split plot design where four planting ratios as monocropped maize (SM), monocropped cowpea (SC), maize intercropped with cowpea in 1:1 (1M:1C), and 2:1 (2M:1C) row ratio were allotted in the main plot and five nutrient management practices as absolute control (NM0), 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + Zn (NM1), 125%RDF + Zn (NM2), (75%RDF + Zn + farm yard manure (FYM) + plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (NM3) and 100%RDF + Zn + FYM (NM4) were allotted in subplot. Monocropped maize fertilized with 75%RDF + Zn + PGPR + FYM and 100%RDF + Zn + FYM produced significantly maximum dry matter yield (DMY) (138.3 and 135.7 q ha−1, respectively) which statistically at par with maize intercropped with cowpea in 2M:1C ratio under 75%RDF + Zn + PGPR + FYM (127.6 q ha−1). Maize and cowpea intercropped in 1M:1C ratio fertilized with 75%RDF + Zn + PGPR + FYM or 100%RDF + Zn + FYM gave highest crude protein, ether extract, and ash yield, digestibility and energy, and lowest fiber fractions. The intercropped treatments showed higher LUE with 8–12% yield advantage over monocropping. Therefore, intercropping of maize and cowpea in 1M:1C ratio with application of 75%RDF + Zn + PGPR + FYM or 100%RDF + Zn + FYM could be recommended to enhance the productivity, forage quality, and LUE in semiarid conditions of North-Western India.

Organic carbon and silt determining subcritical water repellency and field capacity of soils in arid and semi-arid region

Soil water repellency (SWR) is frequently observed in different types of land use and climates. Since SWR potentially enhances the difficulty of water infiltration in soil, the phenomenon can severely impact the water use of plants in arid regions. Therefore, understanding the origin of SWR is crucial in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigated the fundamental and hydrological properties of soils in three arid ecosystems (desert, farmland, and forest). Analysis was done to determine any potential links between these properties, vegetation cover, and the severity of SWR. It was found that SWR was positively correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC), silt content, and field capacity of soil, where the SWR was in subcritical SWR range. The linear correlation and hierarchical clustering analysis confirmed that the SOC and silt content was the critical factor affecting the occurrence and persistence of SWR. The major source of organic carbon and nutrients to the soil was vegetation, which also had an impact on the distribution of soil carbon. The most striking observation was that the silt content was strongly correlated with both field capacity (r = 0.817, p = 0.001) and SWR (r = 0.710, p = 0.010), which can be attributed to the SOC on silt. In arid and semi-arid regions, the specific surface area of silt was relatively larger than that of sand. Meanwhile, compared to the clay in soil, the proportion of silt was much higher. The results imply that silt could significantly affect the soil hydrological properties and that silt content could serve as a new proxy for predicting water repellency in arid and semi-arid regions.

Date of Planting, Spacing and Integrated Nutrient Management Practices Improves Soil Microbial Populations and Soil Fertility Status Under Rice -Arhar Cropping System in Acidic Soils of Eastern India

ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a nutrient-exhausting crop, sustainable productivity of rice based cropping system can be achieved through appropriate nutrient management and crop diversification through incorporation of pulse into this system. Considering the above facts, a field experiment on rice-arhar system was conducted for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) during kharif seasons at the Agronomy research Farm of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar having sub-humid climate with two date of planting, three nutrient management and three row spacing. Soil physico-chemical properties like N, soil organic carbon (SOC) was found higher with earlier planting, soil-test-based fertilizer Recommendation (STBFR) + Farmyard Manure (FYM) in rice and 30 cm row spacing in arhar. The system nutrient uptake of 219.76 kg N ha−1, 38.25 kg P ha−1 and 197.29 kg K ha−1 and microbial activities in terms of dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (241.9 mg TPF g−1 soil 24 hr−1), alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) (376.7 mg p-nitrophenol kg−1 soil 1 h−1), microbial biomass Carbon (MBC) (260.3 μg g−1 of dry soil), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) (93.7 μg N g−1 soil) was registered with earlier planting, STBFR + FYM in rice and 30 cm row spacing in arhar. Higher positive N and K balance over initial (actual balance) in rice-arhar cropping system was observed in the treatment fertilized with both organic and inorganic sources of nutrients.

Influence of integrated nutrient management on the physiology of Chinnar ‘a local land race’ of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is the staple cereal crop of India as well as Tamil Nadu. Consumers tend to prefer local cultivars and landraces of rice which have region-specific importance. Chinnar is such a local landrace of rice that is preferred by the consumers of Madurai because of its nutritional quality. Like other cultivars, Chinnar responds to added nutrients for enhancement of growth. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is one of the suitable options in crop and soil health management where inorganic and organic sources of nutrients are used. This study was carried out during 2022 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai to evaluate the influence of INM on the growth of the Chinnar landrace of rice. Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with respect to inorganic nutrient sources viz., fertilizers (Urea, SSP and MOP) @ 50% and the remaining with organic manures through poultry manure, goat manure, farm yard manure, enriched farm yard manure and vermicompost were applied as per nitrogen equivalent basis. Results revealed higher leaf area index, chlorophyll content of Chinnar at various stages of growth phase. Thus, from the study, it is concluded that INM can be preferred to obtain higher growth attributes of Chinnar rice in Madurai conditions of Tamil Nadu.

Integrated nutrient management with cow urine foliar application in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The combination of inorganic fertilizers (100% RDF) with foliar application of 100% concentration of cow urine as organic source of nutrients enhanced growth and yield parameters of wheat. Hence, cow urine application with variable RDF levels could be an effective combination as integrated nutrient management tool for enhancing yields of field crops.

The Integrated Approach for Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients to Enhance Performance of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) under Sub-Humid Climatic Conditions

To overcome the limitations of soil fertility and provide high crop output, soil fertility management, including the sensible use of mixes of organic and inorganic fertilizers, is a realistic approach. The strategy of integrated nutrient usage was used since there was a decrease in soil characteristics and crop productivity as a result of the overuse of chemical fertilizers. The present study was designed in 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 at the high-tech unit, Department of Horticulture, Udaipur to investigate the integrated use of FYM and inorganic fertilizers along with silicon on the development and output parameters of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.). The field experiment was carried out with fourteen treatments as a soil application under randomized block design. The results revealed that treatment T14 (50% recommended dose of nitrogen by FYM + 50% recommended dose of fertilizers + 100 kg Silicon/ha) showed maximum plant height at harvest (65.73 cm), number of leaves per plant (24.27), leaf area index (11.83), chlorophyll content at 50 days after transplanting (1.99 mg/g), stalk length (8.23 cm) and stem girth (7.41 cm), minimum number of days to curd initiation after transplanting (66.37), minimum number of days required for marketable curd maturity after transplanting (89.17), maximum plant weight (1154.74 g), diameter of curd (15.75 cm), curd yield (277.53 q/ha) and dry weight of curd (91.41 g) as compared to control. In the end, the results showed that the growth and yield of cauliflower were better when silicon, manure, and chemical fertilizers were used together.

Yield and Nutrient Budgeting as Influenced by Organic Sources of Nutrients and Weed Management in Rice-Potato-Frenchbean Cropping System

Yield and Nutrient Budgeting as Influenced by Organic Sources of Nutrients and Weed Management in Rice-Potato-Frenchbean Cropping System

Microbes-mediated integrated nutrient management for improved rhizo-modulation, pigeonpea productivity, and soil bio-fertility in a semi-arid agro-ecology

Excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers and ignorance to organic and microbial inputs under intensive cropping systems are the basic components of contemporary agriculture, which evolves several sustainability issues, such as degraded soil health and sub-optimal crop productivity. This scenario urges for integrated nutrient management approaches, such as microbes-mediated integrated plant nutrition for curtailing the high doses as chemical fertilizers. Rationally, experiment has been conducted in pigeonpea at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, with the aim of identifying the appropriate nutrient management technique involving microbial and organic nutrient sources for improved rhizo-modulation, crop productivity, and soil bio-fertility. The randomized block-designed experiment consisted nine treatments viz. Control, Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), RDF+ Microbial inoculants (MI), Vermicompost (VC), Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Leaf Compost (LC), VC + MI, FYM + MI, and LC + MI. Rhizobium spp., Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., and Frateuria aurantia were used as seed-inoculating microbes. The results indicated the significant response of integration following the trend VC + MI > FYM + MI > LC + MI > RDF + MI for various plant shoot-root growth attributes and soil microbial and enzymatic properties. FYM + MI significantly improved the water-stable aggregates (22%), mean weight diameter (1.13 mm), and geometric mean diameter (0.93 mm), soil organic carbon (SOC), SOC stock, and SOC sequestration. The chemical properties viz. available N, P, and K were significantly improved with VC + MI. The study summarizes that FYM + MI could result in better soil physico-chemical and biological properties and shoot-root development; however; VC + MI could improve available nutrients in the soil and may enhance the growth of pigeonpea more effectively. The outcomes of the study are postulated as a viable and alternative solution for excessive chemical fertilizer-based nutrient management and would also promote the microbial consortia and organic manures-based agro-industries. This would add to the goal of sustainable agricultural development by producing quality crop produce, maintaining agro-biodiversity and making the soils fertile and healthy that would be a “gift to the society.”

Effect of Microbial Enriched Arecahusk Compost on Growth and Yield Attributes of Maize in Typic Rhodustalf of Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka

ABSTRACT Currently, the majority of arecahusk waste is disposed of through combustion, leading to the loss of a potential source of organic matter and nutrient source. The value of arecanut waste as an organic material has not been fully realized so far. With this in view, an experiment was designed for arecanut husk composting at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Bhavikere, during the kharif season and followed by a sequential cropping system consisting of maize followed by green gram in two consecutive years (2020–21 and 2021–22). The design includes 10 replicated treatments thrice in a fully randomized complete block design. Results indicated that application of 75% RDN with 25% RDN as Arecahusk Compost (AHC) and entire quantity of recommended dose of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) as AHC (based on N equivalent) increased the growth parameters like plant height (235.89, 265.63 cm), number of leaves (14.57, 16.61), and drymatter (394.67,428.22 g plant−1) over control which received 100% RDN and recommended dose of FYM (7.5 t/ha). Similar results were recorded for the yield attributes like cob length (20.88, 24.03 cm), cob girth (18.51, 19.86 cm), number of grains per row (37.79, 40.40), number of kernels per cob (597.14 and 608.67), root length (21.90 23.40 cm), root biomass (14.33, 15.61 q ha−1), grain yield (93.60, 95.67 q ha−1) and stover yield (110.66, 116.15 q ha−1) in both years. Growth and yield attributes were significantly correlated with grain and stover yields of maize (0.96*** to 1.00***). It was recorded 14.89% grain yield increase over control.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Source of Nutrients on Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Teak (Tectona grandis) Based Agroforestry System

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Source of Nutrients on Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Teak (Tectona grandis) Based Agroforestry System

Plant Growth Analysis of Basmati Rice (Oryza sativa L.) as Affected by Application of Different Organic Nutrient Sources Under System of Rice Intensification

Field experiments were conducted for four consecutive Kharif season of 2017-2020 at Organic Farming Research Centre, Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Chatha, located at 320 66' North latitude and 740 79' East longitude with an altitude of 356 meters above mean sea level in the Shiwalik foothills of North-Western Himalayas. The mean annual rainfall of the experimental site is 1198.2mm of which 70-75% rainfall is received from June to September. The soil of the experimental site was sandy clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, medium in organic carbon, available phosphorus and potassium but low in available nitrogen. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The experiment consisted of 05 (five) organic nutrients sources treatments with two crop establishment methods. The results showed that there were maximum plant growth characters of organic Basmati 370 like plant height, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, root length, number of roots, root volume, biological yield etc after using vermicompost @ 3.0 t ha-1 followed by FYM @ 8 t ha-1 under SRI method. In addition, SRI method was found to be effective in reducing pest and disease incidence, shortening crop rotations and improving plant conditions. It was found from the study that among the various treatments of organic nutrient sources, the highest (132.13 q/ha) biological yield of basmati 370 was recorded with the application of vermicompost @ 3t/ha which was statistically at par the application of FYM @ 8t/ha (130.20q/ha) respectively under SRI method.

Effect of Conjoint Application of Inorganic and Organic Nutrient Sources on Yield and Economics of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Background: French bean is an important legume vegetable crop. Due to its low ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, excess amount of nitrogenous fertilizers are required by this crop as compared to other legumes. Overwhelming application of inorganic inputs has severely impacted environment and soil. So, there is a need to reduce inorganic inputs by adding organic nutrient sources. Methods: A three-year field experiment was laid comprising of eight treatment combinations and was replicated thrice during Kharif season of 2018, 2019 and 2020. Seeds of French bean cv. Green Wonder were sown at a spacing of 45 × 15 cm in each plot of size 3.0 m × 1.8 m. Recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK 50:100:50 kg ha-1) was followed as per different treatment details. Result: Application of 75 per cent NPK through inorganic and 25 per cent N through vermicompost resulted in minimum days to first pod harvest (61.89 days), maximum pod width (7.67 mm), number of pods per plant (30.96), plant height (51.29 cm), average pod weight (5.70 g), marketable pod yield (130.53 q ha-1) and highest benefit cost ratio (2.18) along with maximum net returns (Rs. 313061.43 ha-1).

Eco-friendly cucumber production approach under protected cultivation

A study was conducted at Hi-Tech Unit, Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan College of Agriculture,MPUAT, Udaipur to evaluate the effect of different nutrient sources in cucumber under Naturally VentilatedPolyhouse. The present study comprises eight treatment combinations with four replications undercompletely randomized design. From the study, it was found that maximum vine length (388.33 cm),minimum days to first harvest (36.00) and maximum fruit weight (120.39 g) were recorded with theapplication of 75 per cent organic + 25 per cent inorganic fertilizers and total yield per vine (3468.83 g) wasfound with the application of 50 per cent organic + 50 per cent inorganic fertilizers. The overall resultssuggest that application of different combinations of organic and inorganic nutrient sources at optimumlevel proved to be effective in growth, flowering, yield and quality of cucumber.

Productivity, Nutrient Content and Uptake of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Influenced by Integration of Organic, Inorganic and Biofertilizers Nutrient Sources

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the Agricultural researchfarm of Rama University, Mandhana, Kanpur (U.P), to assess the response of integrated nutrient managementon yield and economics of wheat. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam with pH 7.5, 0.41%organic carbon, 0.13 dSm-1 electrical conductivity, having available nitrogen 227.6 kg ha-1, availablephosphorous 13.9 kg ha-1 and available potassium 173.9 kg ha-1. The experiment comprised 11 treatments,viz., T1-Control, T2-100% NPK (120:60:40 kg ha-1), T3-100% NPK+ Zn (5 kg ha-1), T4-100% NPK + Zn + S (25kg ha-1), T5-100% NPK + Zn + S + Azotobactor + PSB, T6-100% NPK + Zn + S + Vermicompost (5.0 t ha-1), T7-100% NPK + Zn + S + FYM (5.0 t ha-1), T8-100% NPK + Zn + S + Vermicompost (5.0 t ha-1) + Azotobactor +PSB, T9-100% NPK + Zn + S + FYM (5.0 t ha-1) + Azotobactor + PSB, T10-75% NPK + Zn + S + Vermicompost(10.0 t ha-1) + Azotobactor + PSB, T11-75% NPK + Zn + S + FYM (10.0 t ha-1) + Azotobactor + PSB. The experimentwas laid out in randomized block design, replicated thrice. The maximum grain yield (4.84 t ha-1), proteincontent (%), nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content and uptake were recorded in application of75% NPK + Zn + S + Vermicompost (10.0 t ha-1) + Azotobactor + PSB (T10) however organic carbon andavailable N, P2O5, K2O were found higher treatment T11 (75% NPK + Zn + S + FYM (10.0 t ha-1) + Azotobactor+ PSB) in during both the years.

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrition on Growth, Yield and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) cv. Sweet Charlie

A field experiment was carried out during 2021-2022 to see the effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources on growth, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Sweet Charlie with 7+1 treatments with different combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients (Vermicompost, FYM, and NPK) replicated thrice in Randomized Block Design. Observations were recorded for vegetative growth, fruit yield, and quality. In different combinations of (organic manure and inorganic manure) the treatment T7 (30%Vermicompost + 30% FYM + 40% NPK) recorded highest plant height, plant spread, number of leaves and flowers as compared to T0 (control + NPK). Plant treatment T7 (30%Vermicompost + 30% FYM + 40% NPK) registered earliest flowering and also highest number of flowers per plant. The maximum fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and yield were recorded with plants treated with T7 (30%Vermicompost + 30% FYM + 40% NPK) followed by T8 (20%Vermicompost + 20% FYM + 60% NPK) at 90 DAP. The maximum Benefit: Cost ratio (1: 3.42) was recorded in T7 (30%FYM + 30% Vermicompost + 40% NPK) than T8 (20%FYM + 20% Vermicompost + 60% NPK) Due to its high productivity, The highest yield and best quality fruit were recorded in the combination of T7 (30%FYM + 30% Vermicompost + 40% NPK).

Effects of forest management on mercury bioaccumulation and biomagnification along the river continuum

Forest management can alter the mobilization of mercury (Hg) into headwater streams and its conversion to methylmercury (MeHg), the form that bioaccumulates in aquatic biota and biomagnifies through food webs. As headwater streams are important sources of organic materials and nutrients to larger systems, this connectivity may also increase MeHg in downstream biota through direct or indirect effects of forestry on water quality or food web structure. In this study, we collected water, seston, food sources (biofilm, leaves, organic matter), five macroinvertebrate taxa and fish (slimy sculpin; Cottus cognata) at 6 sites representing different stream orders (1–5) within three river basins with different total disturbances from forestry (both harvesting and silviculture). Methylmercury levels were highest in water and some food sources from the basin with moderate disturbance (greater clearcutting but less silviculture). Water, leaves, stoneflies and fish increased in MeHg or total Hg along the river continuum in the least disturbed basin, and there were some dissipative effects of forest management on these spatial patterns. Trophic level (δ15N) was a significant predictor of MeHg (and total Hg in fish) within food webs across all 18 sites, and biomagnification slopes were significantly lower in the basin with moderate total disturbance but not different in the other two basins. The elevated MeHg in lower trophic levels but its reduced trophic transfer in the basin with moderate disturbance was likely due to greater inputs of sediments and of dissolved organic carbon that is more humic, as these factors are known to both increase transport of Hg to streams and its uptake in primary producers but to also decrease MeHg bioaccumulation in consumers. Overall, these results suggest that the type of disturbance from forestry affects MeHg bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in stream food webs and some longitudinal patterns along a river continuum.