House Pot Research Articles

Molecular characterization and validation of zinc solubilization potential of bacteria isolated from onion (Allium cepa L.) rhizosphere

Zinc (Zn) is essential for optimal plant growth and nutrition, while zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) enhance plant accessibility to zinc by converting its insoluble forms into usable ones. The primary objective of this research was to isolate and identify Zn-solubilizing strains from the onion rhizosphere and evaluate their ability to solubilize different insoluble Zn compounds, including ZnO, ZnCO3, and Zn3(PO4)2. Of the nineteen bacterial isolates retrieved, fifteen demonstrated the ability to solubilize inorganic Zn compounds based on plate assay techniques. The Zn-solubilizing bacterial strains, selected for their qualitative properties, underwent quantitative testing in broth culture using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FE-SEM-EDS). Seven bacterial isolates with a high capacity to solubilize Zn were identified based on 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequence analysis. These isolates were affiliated with Pantoea eucrina, Pantoea dispersa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus velezensis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Notably, this study is the first to report the potential of Pantoea eucrina as a ZSB. The strain Pantoea eucrina ZSC9 exhibited the maximum Zn solubilization index (8.85) and the highest soluble Zn content (624 mg L−1) among the three insoluble Zn compounds, with ZnO being the most effectively solubilized on the 10th day of incubation in ZnO-enriched basal medium. All bacterial isolates were more effective at solubilizing ZnO than ZnCO3 and Zn3(PO4)2, and this solubilization led to a significant drop in the pH of the broth. Pantoea eucrina ZSC9 showed the maximum pH reduction (3.82) in a ZnO-supplemented medium, indicating a negative correlation between broth pH and Zn solubilization. Seven selected ZSB strains were assessed for their potential to enhance onion growth under pot house conditions. The results showed that inoculating onion seedlings with these ZSB strains significantly improved their growth. Among the strains tested, ZSC9, ZSC10, and ZSC17 were the most effective, enhancing growth attributes such as plant height, bulb diameter, fresh and dry weight of bulbs, Zn uptake by the plant, and overall bulb yield compared to other strains. These findings suggest that these ZSB isolates have great potential as biofertilizers to enhance plant growth and development.

Chitosan nanofertilizer to strengthen sink strength and provide resistance against PFSR (post flowering stalk rot) disease in maize

We herein report a significant increase in sink strength and disease resistance in maize crop using copper-salicylic acid co-encapsulated chitosan nanofertilizer in seed treatment and foliar application. These chitosan nanofertilizer (0.01–0.16%) exhibited significant antifungal activity against post-flowering stalk rot (PFSR) in pot house [45.2–73.5% (mycelia growth) and 40.0–79.6% (spore germination)]. In field conditions, chitosan nanofertilizer (0.01–0.16%) effectively controlled the PFSR disease with PEDC (percentage efficacy of disease control) values of 68.6–93.8%. The results are evident with the significant improvement in defence enzyme activities namely phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, 4.9 fold increase) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO, 2.3 fold increase). Crop growth parameters namely plant height, ear height, cob weight, test weight, grain yield/plot and biomass were also significantly improved. The grain yield increased by 1.8 fold proving that up-regulated source activity is coupled with elevated sink strength. Overall, we claim that the developed chitosan nanofertilizer serves both as a fertilizer as well as a pesticide. The developed fertilizer has agricultural importance and could be tested for its potential use in other crops.

Effects of Selected Crops on Germination and Growth of Bidens pilosa and other Weeds

A screen house pot study was done at Uganda National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge in Uganda during September-December 2021. Profiled metabolites from 5-donor plants; Mucuna pruriens, L. (Mc), Cymbopogon nardus L. (C), Desmodium uncinatum Jacq. DC. (D), (Zea mays, L. (Mz) and New Rice for Africa 1 (NERICA 1) were Terpenoids and Phenols. NERICA 1 (R) is a cross of Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima. C produced 10 terpenoids + 1 ester, R and D each released 6 Terpenoids + 3 Phenols. Mc produced 2 Terpenoids + 4 Phenols and 5 Terpenoids + 4 Phenols were profiled from Mz. Completely randomised block design were adopted with 3 replicates and eight combinations of 3 leaf+stem+root powders namely; Mc+D+C, Mz+Mc+C, RDC, Mc+D+C, Mz+R+Mc, Mz+D+Mc, R+Mc+C and Mz+R+C, mixed with 1.5 kg soil (15, 30 and 45 %, w/w). Controls had no powders. Mixtures were placed in plastic pots and 20 seeds of Biden pilosa L. were sown in each pot. Every 2 days, 200 ml of water was applied to all treatments for 60 days. Mz+Mc controlled B. pilosa and volunteer weeds relative to R+C and C+D. Weed germination and biomass reduced with increased powder doses. Volunteer monocot weeds were more inhibited than dicots. High potential exists for functional allelopathy using allelochemicals in the donor plants to develop bio-herbicides.

Nanobiostimulant action of trigolic formulated zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-T NPs) on rice seeds by triggering antioxidant defense network and plant growth specific transcription factors

Under a changing climate, nanotechnological interventions for climate resilience in crops are critical to maintaining food security. Prior research has documented the affirmative response of nano zinc sulfide (nZnS) on physiological traits of fungal-infested rice seeds. Here, we propose an application of trigolic formulated zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-T NPs) on rice seeds as nanobiostimulant to improve physiological parameters by triggering antioxidative defense system, whose mechanism was investigated at transcriptional level by differential expression of genes in germinated seedlings. Nanopriming of healthy rice seeds with ZnS-T NPs (50 μg/ml), considerably intensified the seed vitality factors, including germination percentage, seedling length, dry weight and overall vigor index. Differential activation of antioxidant enzymes, viz. SOD (35.47%), APX (33.80%) and CAT (45.94%), in ZnS-T NPs treated seedlings reduced the probability of redox imbalance and promoted the vitality of rice seedlings. In gene expression profiling by reverse transcription quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR), the notable up-regulation of target antioxidant genes (CuZn SOD, APX and CAT) and plant growth specific genes (CKX and GRF) in ZnS-T NPs treated rice seedlings substantiates their molecular role in stimulating both antioxidant defenses and plant growth mechanisms. The improved physiological quality parameters of ZnS-T NPs treated rice seeds under pot house conditions corresponded well with in vitro findings, which validated the beneficial boosted impact of ZnS-T NPs on rice seed development. Inclusively, the study on ZnS-T NPs offers fresh perspectives into biochemical and molecular reactions of rice, potentially positioning them as nanobiostimulant capable of eliciting broad-spectrum immune and growth-enhancing responses.

Management of Fusarium wilt of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) using Bacillus subtilus and Bacillus cereus

Fusarium wilt of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsumura & Nakai] is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON), is the most severe soil-borne disease under the prevailing conditions of Punjab. Present study was carried out during 2018–19 and 2019–20 at the pot house and research farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab to evaluate the antagonistic activity of 15 isolates of Bacillus spp. against FON. These isolates were screened by using dual culture assay and among them, Bacillus subtilus (B1) and Bacillus cereus (B3) showed maximum inhibition percentage i.e. 57.00 and 58.22, respectively. Similarly, these isolates (B1 and B3) showed maximum activity of chitinase (2.31 and 2.16 unit/ml) and glucanase (1.72 and 1.79 unit/ml). Further, Talc-based bio- formulations of B1 and B3 isolates were evaluated in pot house and research farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. Amongst all the treatments, Bacillus subtilis (B1) and Bacillus cereus (B3) as seed + soil @15 g treatment showed maximum inhibition of FON. Therefore, based on our findings, Bacillus subtilis (B1) and Bacillus cereus (B3) used as seed + soil treatment was able to effectively manage the fusarium wilt in watermelon under pothouse and field conditions.

Management of seed borne inoculum of Xanthomonas cucurbiate causing bacterial leaf spot of pumpkin and bottle gourd

Bacterial leal spot is a common and destructive disease of cucurbits. Recent research revealed the seed borne nature of Xanthomonas cucurbitae. In this study, seeds wrapped in muslin cloth were dipped in various treatments involving hot water and chemicals. Hot water treatment of seeds at 55°C for both pumpkin and bottle gourd isolates resulted in minimum (28.73 and 23.33%, respectively) seedling infection. In vitro evaluation of fungicides and antibiotic (streptocycline) by using paper disc method revealed that Bordeaux mixture and copper oxychloride to be most effective against pumpkin and bottle gourd, respectively. Under chemical seed dip treatments, the minimum number of infected seedlings were recorded with streptocycline (37.64%) and copper oxychloride (40.80%) for pumpkin and bottlegourd, respectively. For both the isolates, maximum seed germination was recorded in seeds treated for 720 minutes (98.20 and 98.60%, respectively). A combination of streptocycline and copper oxychloride as seed treatment for three hours gave best results for both the isolates (16.33% and 15.67%, respectively). Under pot house conditions, combining streptocycline (100 ppm) and copper oxychloride (3000 ppm) as a seed dip treatment for three hours was found to be the most effective. The recorded minimum disease severity was 18.00 and 22.00%, respectively.

Ameliorative Effect of Different Amendments on Nutrients Availability in Sodic Soils

A pot house experiment was conducted at the Net House, Regional Research Station, AAU, Anand during rabi season of 2018-19 on Wheat (GW-496) as a indicator crop. Total four amendments i.e. A0(control), A1(Gypsum @ 50% GR), A2(Vermi-compost @ 4.0 t ha-1) and A3 (sulphur @ 50 kg ha-1) and six soils type (S1 to S6) were selected under Factorial CRD. Pot study results indicated that the soil amendments significantly decreased the pH, EC and ESP of sodic soils. The order of decrease in pH of sodic soils from 8.75 to 7.89 by application of amendments remained as: vermin-compost > sulphur > gypsum. The EC of sodic soils significantly decreased due to application of vermin-compost and gypsum by 20.48% and 10.84%, respectively over control. The application of vermin-compost, gypsum and sulphur significantly lowered down Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) from 18.45 to 12.44, 13.00 and 13.57, respectively, and the effect of gypsum was found at par with sulphur in decreasing soil ESP. Application of vermin-compost (4.0 t ha-1) significantly influenced CEC (28.28 Cmol (P+) kg-1) over control (no amendment). Irrespective of amendments, soil S5 recorded the highest pH (8.39), EC (0.92 dSm-1), ESP (16.48) and the lowest was in soil S6 (pH 7.99, EC 0.64 dSm-1). The interaction of soil x amendment treatments showed significant effects on pH, EC and ESP of sodic soils. The application of amendments showed significant effect on available nutrients in soil after harvest of wheat and the highest OC (0.73%), available P2O5 (65.71 kg ha-1), available K2O (207.1 kg ha-1) content in soil was recorded when vermin-compost applied at 4.0 t ha-1 followed by sulphur at 50 kg ha-1 and gypsum at 50% GR but available S (16.33 mg kg-1) was recorded the highest due to sulphur application at 50 kg ha-1 followed by gypsum and vermi-compost.

Role of Mutant Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism on Growth of Brassica juncea (L.) cv RH 30.

Phosphorus is the second major plant nutrient and the availability of this element to plants is a major challenge due to conversion to insoluble form by chemical reactions with metal cations depending upon the soil pH. Total of sixty eight isolates of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from rhizosphere of mustard grown in different region of Haryana was studied. The isolates were mutagenised by giving treatment of Nitrosoguanidine (50ug/ml). Three PSB strains (15M, 22M and 25M) and six mutants (15M2, 15M6, 22M28, 22M29, 25M11 and 25M30) were evaluated for their establishment in the rhizosphere, their effect on biomass production in mustard (Brassica juncea). Total bacterial count in rhizosphere increased after 30 and 40days of sowing while decrease in growth was observed at 60days of sowing. The phosphate solubilizing bacterial count in the rhizosphere varied from 1 to 24, 2 to 20 and 1 to 11 at 30, 45 and 60days after sowing. Phosphate uptake also increased upto 11-21% which shows thatmutants had significant effect on increase in plant dry biomass and P-uptake under pot house conditions.

Effect of Molybdenum on Leaf Chlorophyll and Biomass Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient for plant. It is plays an important key role in chlorophyll synthesis. The Experiment was conducted in Pot house at Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur during Kharif season 2014.The soil of experimental site belongs to Kheri-series and taxonomically comes under the order Vertisols, sub order Sterts, great group Haplusterts, sub group TypicHaplusterts. In all total 14 number of treatment combinations were tried under factorial randomized block design replicated thrice. The result revealed that variations in observation were found with treatment of Rhizobium inoculation. Seed treatment of Mo @ 0.5 g ammonium molybdate kg-1 seed (StM1) responded better, followed by soil application of Mo @ 1.0 kg Mo ha-1 soil (SaM1) as main effects. With higher dose of Mo as seed treatment (StM2) exerted significantly negative effect. Whereas higher dose of soil application of Mo (SaM2) was merginally higher over no application of Mo which was seemed to be the buffer action of soil to nulify adverse effect of the micronutrient.

Nano-sulfides of Fe and Mn Efficiently Augmented the Growth, Antioxidant Defense System, and Metal Assimilation in Rice Seedlings.

Physiological and biochemical mechanisms behind nanoparticle (NP)-induced seed germination by nanopriming with metal sulfide NPs are lacunae in the field of agriculture. Sonochemically synthesized aqua-dispersed ferrous sulfide NPs (FeS-NPs) and manganese sulfide NPs (MnS-NPs) were examined as nanopriming agents for physiological, pathological, and antioxidative defense parameters of rice in the present study. Under pot house conditions, in vivo nanopriming of rice seeds with FeS NPs and MnS-NPs at a concentration of 35 μg/mL for 8 h significantly improved the physiological parameters, viz., germination percentage, seed germination index, mean germination time, dry weight, and vigor index, and decreased the phytopathological parameters of nanoprimed rice seeds, viz., mortality, seed rot, and seedling blight. Stimulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD ≥ 28.16%), ascorbate peroxidase (APX ≥ 52.38%), and catalase (CAT ≥ 28.57%) enzymes in FeS-NP- and MnS-NP-nanoprimed seeds as compared to control (hydroprimed seeds) enhanced the fitness of rice seedlings. The augmented levels of Fe and Mn content in the shoots and roots of NP-treated seedlings as compared to hydroprimed seedlings confirmed the incorporation nanometals in rice seedlings as nanonutrients for effective plant growth. Inclusively, FeS-NPs and MnS-NPs were shown to be effective nanopriming agents for promoting the germination of naturally fungal infested rice seeds.

Preliminary symbiotic performance of indigenous soybean (Glycine max)-nodulating rhizobia from agricultural soils of Tanzania

Globally, the increase in human population continues to threaten the sustainability of agricultural systems. Despite the fast-growing population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the efforts in improving the productivity of crops, the increase in the yield of crops per unit area is still not promising. The productivity of crops is primarily constrained by inadequate levels of soil nutrients to support optimum crop growth and development. However, smallholder farmers occasionally use fertilizers, and the amount applied is usually small and does not meet plant requirements. This is due to the unaffordability of the cost of fertilizers, which is enough to suffice the crop requirement. Therefore, there is a need for alternative affordable and effective fertilization methods for sustainable intensification and improvement of the smallholder farming system's productivity. This study was designed to evaluate the symbiotic performance of indigenous soybean nodulating rhizobia in selected agricultural soils of Tanzania. In total, 217 rhizobia isolates were obtained from three agroecological zones, i.e., eastern, northern, and southern highlands. The isolates collected were screened for N2 fixing abilities under in vitro (nitrogen-free medium) and screen house conditions. The results showed varying capabilities of isolates in nitrogen-fixing both under in vitro and screen house conditions. Under in vitro experiment, 22% of soybean rhizobia isolates were identified to have a nitrogen-fixing capability on an N-free medium, with the highest N2-fixing diameter of 1.87 cm. In the screen house pot experiment, results showed that soybean rhizobia isolate significantly (P < 0.001) influenced different plant growth and yield components, where the average shoot dry weight ranged from 2.49 to 10.98 g, shoot length from 41 to 125.27 cm whilst the number of leaves per plant ranged from 20 to 66. Furthermore, rhizobia isolates significantly (P = 0.038) increased root dry weight from 0.574 to 2.17 g. In the case of symbiotic parameters per plant, the number of nodules was in the range of 0.33–22, nodules dry weight (0.001–0.137 g), shoot nitrogen (2.37–4.97%), total nitrogen (53.59–6.72 g), and fixed nitrogen (46.878–0.15 g) per plant. In addition, the results indicated that 51.39% of the tested bacterial isolates in this study were ranked as highly effective in symbiosis, suggesting that they are promising as potential alternative biofertilizers for soybean production in agricultural soils of Tanzania to increase productivity per unit area while reducing production cost.

An Ecological Approach to Control Pathogens of Lycopersicon esculentum L. by Slow Release of Mancozeb from Biopolymeric Conjugated Nanoparticles.

To control insects, weeds, and infections in crops, old-fashioned pesticide formulations (with massive quantities of heavy metals and a variety of chemicals) are used. By biological amplification via the food chain, many of these established pesticide formulations have accumulated in living systems and caused environmental pollution. To form a nanoparticulate matrix with a diameter ranging from 322.2 ± 0.9 to 403.7 ± 0.7 nm, mancozeb was embedded in chitosan-gum acacia (CSGA) biopolymers and loadings were confirmed via TEM and FTIR. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses were carried out as part of the investigation. Inhibition of Alternaria alternata by nanoparticles (NPs) with 1.0 mg/mL mancozeb (CSGA-1.0) was 85.2 ± 0.7 % at 0.5 ppm, whereas for Stemphylium lycopersici it was 62.1 ± 0.7% in the mycelium inhibition method. NPs demonstrated antimicrobial action in pot house environments. After ten hours, the mancozeb was liberated from the nanoformulations due to polymer matrix diffusion and relaxation, compared to 2 h for commercial mancozeb. Even while drug-loaded conjugated nanoparticles have equivalent antifungal activities, they have a lower release rate and, hence, reduced toxicology compared to commercial mancozeb. Therefore, this method can be employed to implement sustainable farming techniques in the future.

Interaction Effect of Phosphorus and Boron on Yield Components, Productivity Parameters and Quality Traits of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.)

A field trial was conducted on sandy loam soil having low status of organic carbon and accessible nitrogen, medium in accessible phosphorous and high in accessible potassium at pot house of department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of C.S.A.U.A&T, Kanpur (campus) under Indo-Gangetic Plain zone of Uttar Pradesh, amid Rabi season of 2021-22. The experiment comprised of 16 treatment combinations in Factorial randomized block design with three replications. Lentil variety Lentil Shekhar 2 (KLB-303) was grown with the recommended agronomic practices. On the premise of the comes about exuded from the present investigation, it might be concluded that application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1+ 2.5 kg Boron ha-1 significantly recorded maximum yield components viz. no. of pod plant -1 (71), Seed pod -1 (1.84) and Seed Index (3.23 g). Similarly, among the productivity parameters such as grain yield (15.67 q ha-1), straw yield (28.22 q ha-1), biological yield (43.89 q ha-1) and harvest index (35.70%) was also associated with the application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1+ 2.5 kg Boron ha-1. Among the quality traits maximum protein content (22.40%) and protein yield (351.00 kg ha-1) was also associated with the application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1+ 2.5 kg Boron ha-1. The present experiment clearly points out the significance of balanced use of Phosphorus and Boron nutrients in Lentil for improving the yield components, yield and quality of Lentil crop.

Effect on Organic Manure and Inorganic Fertilizers on Productivity Parameters and Quality Traits of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

A field trial was conducted on sandy loam soil having low status of organic carbon and accessible nitrogen, medium in accessible phosphorous and high in accessible potassium at pot house of department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of C.S.A.U.A&T, Kanpur (campus) under Indo-Gangetic Plain zone of Uttar Pradesh, amid Rabi season of 2021-22. The experiment comprised of 9 treatment combinations in randomized block design with three replications. Wheat variety K-1006 was grown with the recommended agronomic practices. Recommended dose of fertilizer (R.D.F.) i.e., NPK @ 120:60:40 ha-1 and FYM @ 10 ton ha-1 were applied. On the premise of the comes about exuded from the present investigation, it might be concluded that application of 100% RDF+FYM+ S20+ Zn5 (T9) significantly recorded maximum grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index viz. 57.65 q ha-1, 88.20 q ha-1, 145.85 q ha-1 and 39.52 % respectively. And among the quality traits maximum protein content 12.75 % and lysine content 3.10 % was recorded also associated with application of 100% RDF+FYM+ S20+ Zn5 (T9). The present investigation clearly points out the significance of balanced use of nutrients including FYM in wheat for improving the productivity and quality of wheat crop.

Co-Application of Biochar Compost and Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer Affects the Growth and Nitrogen Uptake by Lowland Rice in Northern Ghana

Inherent low soil fertility status limits productivity of rice in the lowland ecologies in Northern Ghana. Combining organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizers could help to maintain the fertility of lowland soils for rice production. A screen house pot experiment was carried out to investigate the combined effect of biochar compost and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the nitrogen uptake and agronomic performance of rice plants grown on an eutric gleysol lowland soil. Inorganic nitrogen fertilizer alone and its combinations with different types of biochar compost (based on the proportions of biochar and compost) were used as treatment. A control (unamended soil) was also included. The incorporation of biochar compost and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer improved the growth parameters and yield components of rice plants. The combination of biochar compost and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer was also found to improve nitrogen uptake in rice plants. This practice could be the most likely viable option for alleviating lowland soil fertility issues and increasing rice productivity in Northern Ghana.

EFFECT OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY WASTE WATER ON SEEDGERMINATION AND PLANT GROWTH OF MUSTARD

The assessment of the toxicity of textile waste water is of great concern as most of them exert toxic effects on plants, animals and microorganisms, when released in water stream and used for irrigation purpose on land. During the present investigation, seed germination of mustard was markedly affected by different concentration of waste water. Lower concentrations of wastewater(10%) were not inhibitory to seed germination, while germination rate was poor with 20, 50 and100% waste water concentration as compared to control and the seeds germination was slow at 3rdand 5th day with higher textile waste water. The effect of different levels of textile wastewater under pot house conditions have shown that lower concentrations (10 and 20%) of waste water were not inhibitory to plant growth when irrigated with after germination. However, plant growth was affected drastically at higher concentration of waste water when applied after germination, while with more than 20% waste water concentration, growth was suppressed in both after and regular germination throughout the experiment.

Effect of FYM and Inorganic Fertilizers on Nutrient Content, Uptake and Quality Traits of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Indo-Gangetic Plain of Uttar Pradesh

A field trial was conducted on sandy loam soil having low status of organic carbon and accessible nitrogen, medium in accessible phosphorous and high in accessible potassium at pot house of department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of C.S.A.U.A&T, Kanpur (campus) under Indo-Gangetic Plain zone of Uttar Pradesh, amid Rabi season of 2018-19. The experiment comprised of 5 treatment combinations in randomized block design with four replications consisted of T1: [Control], T2: [100% RDF], T3: [75% RDF + FYM at 6 t ha-1], T4: [50% RDF + FYM at 12 t ha-1], T5: [25% RDF + FYM at 18 t ha-1]. Wheat variety PBW-343 was grown with the recommended agronomic practices. On the premise of the comes about exuded from the present investigation, it might be concluded that application of 25% RDF + FYM at18 t ha-1 significantly recorded maximum nutrient content viz. N, P and K content in grain is 1.97%, 0.25% and 0.36% respectively and N,P, and K content in straw is 0.32%, 0.064% and 1.76% respectively. Maximum nutrient uptake viz. N, P and K uptake in grain is 86.58 %, 10.77% and 5.85% respectively and N, P, and K uptake in straw is 22.98%, 4.16% and 1.76 % respectively. Among the quality traits maximum protein content (11.78 %) was also associated with application of 25% RDF + FYM at 18 t ha-1. The present investigation clearly points out the significance of balanced use of nutrients including FYM in wheat for improving the nutrient content and uptake indices and quality of wheat crop.

Toxicity Assessment and Control of Early Blight and Stem Rot of Solanum tuberosum L. by Mancozeb-Loaded Chitosan-Gum Acacia Nanocomposites.

Biopolymers such as chitosan and gum acacia are used for nanotechnological applications due to their biosafety and ecofriendly nature. The commercial fungicide mancozeb (M) was loaded into chitosan–gum acacia (CSGA) polymers to form nanocomposite (NC) CSGA-M (mancozeb-loaded) measuring 363.6 nm via the ionic gelation and polyelectrolyte complexation method. The physico-chemical study of nano CSGA-M was accomplished using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Nano CSGA-M-1.0 (containing 1.0 mg/mL mancozeb) at 1.5 ppm demonstrated a maximum inhibition (83.8 ± 0.7%) against Alternaria solani, while Sclerotinia sclerotiorum exhibited a 100% inhibition at 1.0 and 1.5 ppm through the mycelium inhibition method. Commercial mancozeb showed an inhibition of 84.6 ± 0% and 100%, respectively, for both fungi. In pot house conditions, NCs were found to exhibit good antimicrobial activity. Disease control efficiency (DCE, in %) in pathogen-treated plants for CSGA-M-1.0 was 64.6 ± 5.0 and 60.2 ± 1.4% against early blight and stem rot diseases, respectively. NCs showed lower cytotoxicity than commercial mancozeb at the given concentration. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo antifungal efficacy for nano CSGA-M was found to be quite comparable but less toxic than mancozeb to Vero cell lines; thus, in the future, this formulation may be used for sustainable agriculture.

Effect of Drought Condition on the Peduncle Mobilization and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Drought is the major abiotic stress world widely thwart the crops growth and development year by year. Every growth stage of wheat from vegetative to reproductive stages effect by the water scarcity. Keeping in the view present investigation was planned with four wheat genotype viz., AKAW-3717, C-306, DHTW-60 and KUNDAN with three replicas at the pot house of IAHM Jat college, Rohtak with complete randomized design. Drought application showed statistical significant reduction in crop phenological attributes, relative water content, peduncle reserve mobilization, biomass plant-1 (g), grain weight spike-1 (g), grain yield plant-1 (g) and Test Weight (g). Genotype DHTW-60 was found minimum in yield forfeit under both irrigated and non-irrigated condition. Therefore, it can be utilised for further study and cultivation in water scarcity areas.

Study on Correlations for Morpho-Physio Traits of Six Wheat Cultivars

Current research was conducted to analyze the coefficient and distribution of direct and indirect influence of yield components and earliness characteristics in wheat genotypes. Both experiments were carried out at the Pot House of the (NIA Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam) (Latitude: 25.433. Longitude: 68.533), the experiment was established as a randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were six varieties of wheat, namely IBWSN1010, IBWSN 1025, TD1, ESW9525 Chakwal86 and Khirman, which were used to study the correlation coefficient between morphological and physiological traits. The study was based on fifteen (15) morphologically and physiologically traits that were observed. The analysis of variance showed significant differences between the characteristics of the varieties. The ESW9525 showed better performance for all morphological and physiological traits. The correlation and the coefficient analysis showed that the days to maturity and the days to growth predicted significant positive predictions related to the height of the plant (cm) and the length of the ear. Days to 75% heading and days to 75% maturity showed negative and positive effects for osmotic potential, relative water content in% and total chlorophyll content in%. Plant height (cm) had negative and positive and significant with tiller plant-1. Therefore, in our research trial, variety ESW9525 may be favorable for hybridization in order to produce a promising and drought tolerant wheat cultivar