Percentage Of Pore Space Research Articles

Assessment of Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil from Different Blocks of Sahibganj District, Jharkhand, India

An evaluation of physico-chemical properties of 27 soil samples from 3 different blocks ie., Sahibganj, Borio and Taljhari of Sahibganj district (Jharkhand) in different depths (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) was carried out during of 2022-2023. The present investigation was objectified as determination of soil Physico-chemical properties to analyse the soil fertility status with finding out the deficiency and toxicity of different soil nutrients. Soil samples were analyzed using standard laboratory techniques and statistical analysis. The treatments in them study were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design. The bulk density of the soils varied from 1.13 to 1.53 Mg m-3, while the particle density ranged from 2.24 to 2.69 Mg m-3. The percentage of pore space was between 36.88 and 49.55% and water holding capacity was between 31.11 and 44.71%. Soil pH varied from 6.28 to 7.90 which was neutral to slightly saline with soil EC ranged 0.02-0.64 dS m-1 that would significantly affect crop production. In the case of the organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content of research area was found to be low to medium while the range of Potassium was sufficient ranging from 176.34 to 271.77 kg ha1. In these areas recommended fertilizer doses should be applied as per soil test crop response to prevent yield losses due to deficiency of nutrients.

Eco-Friendly Synthesis, TEM and Magnetic Properties of Co-Er Nano-Ferrites

Synthesis of Cobalt-Erbium nano-ferrites with formulation CoErxFe2-xO4 (x = 0, 0.005, 0.010, 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, and 0.030) using technique of citrate-gel auto-combustion was done. Characterization of prepared powders was done using XRD, EDAX, FESEM, TEM, AFM, and FTIR spectroscopy, VSM: magnetic properties, respectively. XRD Rietveld Analysis, SEM, TEM, and EDAX analysis studied spectral, structural, and magnetic properties. XRD pattern of CEF nanoparticles confirms single-phase cubic spinal structure. The structural variables are given by lattice constant (a), lattice volume (v), the average crystallite size (D) and X-ray density (dx), bulk density (d), porosity (p), percentage of pore space (P%), surface area (s), strain(ε), dislocation density (δ), along with ionic radii, bond length and hoping length were calculated. SEM and TEM results reveal the homogeneous nature of particles accompanied by clusters having no impurity pickup. TEM analysis gives information about the particle size of nanocrystalline ferrite, while EDAX analysis confirms elemental composition. The emergence of two arch-shaped frequency bands (ν_1 and〖 ν〗_2) that represent vibrations at the tetrahedral site (A) and octahedral site(B) was indicated by spectra of FTIR. The XRD Rietveld analysis confirms crystallite size lying between 20.84 nm-14.40 nm, while SEM analysis indicates the formation of agglomerates and TEM analysis indicates particle size ranging between 24nm-16 nm. The XRD Rietveld analysis confirms crystallite size lying between 20.84nm-14.40nm, while SEM analysis indicates the formation of agglomerates and TEM analysis indicates particle size ranging between 24 nm - 16 nm. The magnetization measurements indicated that increasing Er3+ content in cobalt ferrites decreases magnetization from 60emu/g to 42emu/g while coercivity decreases (18990) as compared to CoFe2O4 (18998) in cobalt ferrites with doping. The present study investigates the effect of different compositions of Er3+ replaced for Fe on structural and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrites.

Tillage-induced compaction: Effects on physical properties of agricultural loamy soils

Soil compaction due to agricultural tillage practices is a global concern and has profound implications on soil conservation and management with consequent effects on soil productivity. To assess the influence of tillage induced compaction on physical properties, we carried out a comparative study in agricultural loamy soils under tillage and no till manipulation by determining physical properties. Soil texture was determined using Bouyous method while the core method was used for soil bulk density and porosity. The soil water retention curve and infiltration rate was measured using pressure plate apparatus and double ring infiltrometer, respectively. The results shows that tilled (1.68 to 1.77 g/cm3) was more prone to compaction than non tilled soils (1.42 to 1.56 g/cm3) and consequently the porosity was also affected with the tilled soil having relatively less percentage of pore space. The mean infiltration rate was 1.25 and 2.75 mm/min for tilled and non-tilled areas, respectively. The lower rate in tilled soil was attributable to compaction which reduces the pore spaces with restriction of air and water movement. Similarly lower soil water content at field capacity and increased permanent wilting in tilled soils was also attributable to reduction of the pores associated with compaction. Key words: Compaction, infiltration, physical properties, tillage, loamy soils.

Soil Properties and Yield of Groundnut associated with Herbicides, Plant Geometry, and Plastic Mulch

Experiments were conducted over 2 years during the dry season of 2002 (June–September) and wet season of 2002–2003 (December–March) at Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam, India, to study the influence of two colors of polyethylene film mulch (black and white polyethylene film mulch), herbicides (Fluchloralin at 1.0 kg/ha and no herbicide application), and three plant geometries [30×10 cm, 20×20 cm (two seeds/hill), and 20×15 cm] on soil properties, growth, and yield of groundnut. Results indicated that the soil physical properties such as rate of water loss/day was highest with white polyethylene film mulch, the hydraulic conductivity of the soil was significantly more with black polyethylene film mulch, and soil bulk density and percentage of pore space did not differ between the two colors of polyethylene films. The rate of water loss was highest with plots with no herbicide, whereas the hydraulic conductivity of the soil was more with herbicide‐applied treatments. However, the bulk density and pore space did not differ significantly. The plant geometry did not have any significant influence on any of the soil physical properties. With regard to soil microorganisms, the bacterial and fungal population was significantly higher in black polyethylene film mulch at all the three stages of observation, whereas no significant difference between the colors of polyethylene film mulch was observed for actinomycetes at all the stages of observations. Interestingly, no variation in the population of soil microflora was observed between the herbicide and no‐herbicide treatments. The soil‐available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), at harvest, was significantly higher with white polyethylene film mulch, whereas crop NPK uptake was higher with black polyethylene film mulch. The soil‐available NPK and crop uptake was higher with herbicide application. The evolution of carbon dioxide (CO2; soil respiration) was significantly influenced by polyethylene film mulch and herbicides, and the evolution of CO2 was altered by the plant geometry. The crop dry‐matter production, pegging percentage, pod setting ratio number of matured pods/plant, and pod yield were significantly higher under black polyethylene mulch. Herbicide application significantly improved the majority of the growth and yield attributes and significantly higher pod yield was obtained with herbicide application. However, most of the yield and growth attributes and pod yield were not significantly influenced by the different plant geometries studied.

Crop productivity and soil properties as affected by polyethylene film mulch and land configurations in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vridhachalam, India, during autumn 1999 and winter 2000 using groundnut to examine the effect of different colours of polyethylene film mulch on crop yield and soil properties. The results of the experiment conducted with different colours of polyethylene film mulch (black, transparent white and non-mulched control) and three land configurations (flat bed, ridges and furrows and broad bed and furrows) indicated that irrespective of the colours, polyethylene film mulch significantly increased the soil micro-organisms at all stages of observation during both seasons except for bacterial population, which was significantly higher under non-mulched control during the winter season. The soil physical properties such as rate of water loss/day, soil bulk density, percentage of pore space and hydraulic conductivity were also favourably influenced by the polyethylene film mulch. The data on soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), showed that effect of polyethylene film mulch was significant at 30 DAS and not during later stages during both the seasons. Similarly the evolution of carbon dioxide (CO2) (soil respiration) was also significantly improved by polyethylene film mulch. The effect of land configuration was not significant for most of the parameters observed except for bulk density and pore space during winter seasons. With regard to yield parameters and yield, in both the seasons, white polyethylene film mulch out yielded other treatments in terms of groundnut pod yield. However the performance of white polyethylene film mulch was comparable with black polyethylene film mulch during winter 2001 – 2002 seasons. Among the land configurations, the results of yield components and yield were in favour of flat bed during both the seasons of study.

Earthworm Castings as a Substrate Amendment for Chrysanthemum Production

Earthworm castings (vermicompost) were evaluated as a substrate amendment for chrysanthemum [Dendranthema ×grandiflora (Ramat.) Kitam.] `Miramar' production. Vermicompost produced from sheep, cattle, and horse manures were mixed at different ratios with 70 peatmoss: 30 perlite (v/v) to create 12 substrates. The 70 peatmoss: 30 perlite mix at 100% and Sunshine® Mix 1 were used as control substrates. The bulk density, percentage of pore space, and water holding capacity increased as vermicompost content increased while the percentage of air space decreased. At 100% vermicompost, water holding capacity and bulk density were greatest in vermicompost from sheep manure. Plants grown in mixtures of 50% vermicompost from sheep had a greater growth index at harvest, foliar area, number of flowers per pot, and dry weight and fewer days for flower development than plants grown in other substrates. Vermicompost from sheep manure added at 50% by volume was most effective as a substrate amendment for chrysanthemum production.

Influence of Clay and Silt on the Physical Properties of Major Soil Groups of Madurai District (Tamil Nadu)

Fortythree profile soil samples from two profiles of each five major soil groups, representing alluvial, black, red, latorite and colluvial soils were collected and analysed for mechanical fractions and physical properties. The physical properties like percentage of pore space, moisture equivalent, upper and lower plasticity, maximum water holding capacity and hygroscopic moisture at 99.8 per cant relative humidity were found to be influenced by both clay and sift while volume expansion on wetting and hygroscopic moisture at 50 per cent relative humidity by clay alone.