Recommended Dose Of Nitrogen Research Articles

Nutrient Management with Nitrogen Based Formulations for Enhancing Growth and Yield in Fodder Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Fertilizers play a vital role in agricultural practices by boosting crop yield. Among various nutrient application methods, foliar application is one of the cost - effective method which allow rapid and efficient nutrient absorption through the stomata or cuticle, and subsequently into the cells. Applying nutrients through foliage offers several benefits, such as rapid nutrient absorption by plant tissues, improved transport to developing plant parts, elimination of leaching and fixation losses, regulated nutrient uptake by crops and enhanced nutrient utilization. Timely foliar application of nano fertilizers enhances crop output while reducing environmental risks. The current study aimed to evaluate the different concentrations of nano urea on growth and yield of fodder sorghum. The study was conducted at Instructional Farm, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during December 2023- February 2024. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments, replicated thrice. The treatments were T1:75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + nano urea (0.2%); T2:75% RDN+ nano urea (0.4%); T3:75% RDN + nano urea (0.6%);T4:100% RDN + nano urea (0.2%); T5:100% RDN + nano urea (0.4%); T6:100% RDN + nano urea (0.6%); T7:75% RDN + urea spray (2%); T8:100% RDN + urea spray (2%); T9: nano urea alone (0.2%); T10: nano urea alone (0.4%); T11: nano urea alone (0.6%); T12: KAU POP and T13: Control (without nitrogen). Both nano urea and urea spray were applied at 20 DAS and 40 DAS. Soil application of nitrogen was applied in three splits - 50% as basal, 25% at 20 DAS and 25% at 40 DAS. Full P and K were applied as basal. The study revealed that combined application of RDN along with nano urea 0.4% proved its superiority by registering higher growth and yield attributes such as plant height, stem girth, leaf: stem ratio, green fodder yield and dry fodder yield.

Optimizing rice (Oryza sativa) growth, productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake with coated urea and organic manure in the new alluvial zone of West Bengal

A two-year field experiment was carried out at experimental farm of BCKV, Nadia, West Bengal during kharif seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 to study the effect of combined application of coated urea and organic manure on performance of rice. The experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design with four replications and treatment comprised 5 treatment combinations, such as T1 , control plot (without N); T2 , 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through neem-coated urea (NCU); T3 , 75% RDN through NCU + 25% RDN through FYM (farm yard manure); T4, 100% RDN through polymer sulphur coated urea (PSCU); T5, 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM. The results showed that 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM re- sulted in maximum growth attributes, viz. plant height (110.8 cm), maximum number of effective tillers per square meter (416/m2 ), highest dry-matter accumulation (DMA) (740 g/m2 ), leaf area index (LAI) (4.47) and crop growth rate (CGR) (6.56 g/m2 /day), highest yield components like panicle length (23.5 cm), panicle weight (9.95 g), num- ber of filled grains/panicle (113), test-weight (21.3 g) and maximum grain yield (4.79 t/ha) and straw yield (5.53 t/ ha). Similarly, maximum amount of total nutrient uptake by crop (99.7, 40.1 and 208 kg/ha NPK), protein yield (418 kg/ha), gross returns (` 71.8 × 103 /ha), net return (` 52 × 103 /ha) and B: C ratio (2.73) were noticed under T5 treat- ment. Therefore, it is advisable to implement a comprehensive nutrient management strategy T5 (75% RDN through PSCU + 25% RDN through FYM) in rice cultivation. This approach enhances growth, yield, nutrient absorption, and quality, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Effect of Nano Urea on Growth, Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Irrigated Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In the rabi season of 2021-22, the investigation was conducted at Bihar Agricultural University Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar), to study the effects of nano urea on growth attributes, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Randomized block design (RBD) with thirteen treatments in three replications was used. Treatments involved different levels of nitrogen i.e- 0, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) along with 5% urea solution and nano-urea applied at tillering and jointing stages. The results showed that 100% and 75% RDN with two sprays of nano urea significantly improved the yield attributes like plant height, Leaf area Index (LAI), test weight, dry matter accumulation and yield. This study gave the highest grain yield of 4573 kg h-1 for RDN + two spray of urea (5%) and 4492 kg h-1 from RDN + two spray of nano urea. The present study has also shown that application of 75% RDN with nano urea resulted in the highest NUE of 10.20 kg kg-1. This means that nano-urea can be used with conventional urea without an adverse effect on high productivity of wheat.

Productivity and profitability of sesame (Sesamum indicum)- chickpea (Cicer arietinum) organic cropping system as influenced by nutrition and planting geometry

An experiment was conducted during 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the research farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab to optimize organic nutrition and planting geometry for improved productivity and profitability of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)-chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) organic cropping system. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design (SPD) with three organic nutrition management practices in main plots, viz. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) to supply recommended doses of nitrogen (RDN) i.e. 52.5 kg/ha for sesame and 15 kg/ha for chickpea; Application of FYM to supply RDN + natural farming concoctions (NFCs) i.e. beejamrit, ghanjeevamrit and jeevamrit; and Control i.e. without application of FYM and NFCs. In sub-plots, four planting geometries were evaluated for sesame (30 cm × 15 cm, 45 cm × 10 cm, 60 cm × 10 cm, and paired rows) and chickpea (30 cm × 10 cm, 45 cm × 7 cm, 60 cm × 7 cm, and bed planting). Application of FYM significantly improved growth, yield attributes and seed yield of sesame and chickpea compared to the control, whereas the addition of NFCs along with FYM did not further enhance these parameters significantly during both the years. Paired row sowing followed by (fb) bed formation led to notably higher seed yield in sesame, while chickpea sown at 30 cm × 10 cm spacing achieved the highest seed yield, statistically equivalent to sowing at 45 cm × 7 cm and bed planting. The most productive system, recorded a sesame equivalent yield of 18.1 q/ha, net returns of ₹1,06,224/ha, and a benefit cost (B:C) ratio of 1.51, achieved through paired row sowing of sesame and bed planting of chickpea. Conclusively, the optimized organic nutrition and planting geometry significantly enhanced the productivity and profitability of the sesame-chickpea cropping system, with paired row sowing and bed planting emerging as the most effective strategies.

Efficacy of Nano Urea on Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Irrigated Maize under Temperate Ecology

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif-2022 season at the Agronomy Research Field, FOA, SKUAST-Kashmir, to investigate the efficacy of nano-urea in improving nitrogen-use efficiency in irrigated maize. Ten treatments were evaluated viz., T1: Control, T2: Recommended dose of Nitrogen (RDN) as basal (prilled urea), T3: 75% RDN + 1 spray nano-urea at 2 ml L-1 (60 DAS), T4: 75% RDN + 1 spray at 4 ml L-1 (60 DAS), T5: 50% RDN + 2 sprays at 2 ml L-1 (30 and 60 DAS), T6: 50% RDN + 2 sprays at 4 ml L-1 (30 and 60 DAS), T7: 25% RDN + 2 sprays at 6 ml L-1 (30 and 60 DAS), T8: 25% RDN + 2 sprays at 8 ml L-1 (30 and 60 DAS), T9: 25% RDN + 1 spray at 6 ml L-1 (60 DAS), T10: 25% RDN + 1 spray at 8 ml L-1 (60 DAS). The experiment was carried out following a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that treatment T6 (50% RDN as basal + 2 sprays at 30 and 60 DAS at 4 ml L-1 of nano-urea) exhibited superior performance compared to the recommended nitrogen dose (T2) and other treatments in enhancing nutri-ent-use efficiency. Notably, treatment T6 demonstrated the highest nitrogen uptake in grain (101.92 kg ha-1) as well as stover (67.41 kg ha-1), surpassing all other treatments. Additionally, agronomic efficiency was significantly higher in T8, while physiological efficiency peaked in T6. Yield attributes and overall yield showed consistent improvements in treatments receiving nano-urea. Furthermore, treatments utilizing nano-urea demonstrated higher net returns and benefit-cost ratios, with T6 particularly standing out. These findings underscore the potential of foliar application of nano-urea to halve the recommended dose of prilled urea, thereby enhancing nitrogen uptake, nutrient-use efficiency, yield, and economic returns, while promoting sustainability in agriculture.

Effect of Nano-urea on Growth, Productivity and Economics of Transplanted Rice

A field experiment was conducted during July to November of 2021 to assess the effect of nano-urea on growth and productivity of rice at ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design consisting eight treatments viz., Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through urea (T1), 50% of RDN (urea)+two foliar sprays of nano-urea @ 0.2% at Active tillering (AT) and Panicle initiation (PI) stages (T2), 75% of RDN+two foliar sprays of nano-urea @ 0.2% at AT and PI (T3), 50% of RDN+two foliar sprays of nano-urea @ 0.4% at (AT and PI) (T4), 75% of RDN+two foliar sprays of nano-urea @ 0.4% at AT and PI (T5), 25% of RDN+Four foliar sprays of nano-urea @ 0.2% at 20,33,50 and 65 DAT (T6), 25% of RDN+Four foliar sprays of nano-urea @ 0.4% 20,33,50 and 65 DAT (T7) and control (no fertilizer application) (T8). Results showed that foliar spray of nano-urea resulted in higher plant height (120.1 cm), tillers number m-2 (265) and dry matter accumulation (741.9 kg ha-1). Yield attributes viz., panicle number m-2, number of grains panicle-1, number of filled grains panicle-1 were significantly influenced by the application of nano-urea. The highest grain yield (5.39 t ha-1) and straw yield (6.73 t ha-1) was recorded with the application of 75% of RDN+two foliar sprays of nano-urea @ 0.4% at AT and PI stages. The application of nano-urea resulted in saving of nitrogen (urea) to an extent of 25%.

Influence of Liquid Nano Urea Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Summer Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under South Gujarat Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during summer season for two consecutive years (2022-2023) at Navsari, Gujarat to study the effect of liquid Nano urea fertilizer on summer rice (Oryza sativa L.) under South Gujarat conditions. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatments comprising T1: 100 % RDN (Recommended dose of nitrogen) through urea (120 kg N ha-1), T2: 75 % RDN + Seedling root dip in Nano urea at transplanting (TP) (4 ml L-1), T3: 50 % RDN + Seedling root dip in Nano urea at TP (4 ml L-1), T4: 25 % RDN + Seedling root dip in Nano urea at TP (4 ml L-1), T5: 75 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering stage (4 ml L-1), T6: 50 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering stag (4 ml L-1), T7: 25 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering stage (4 ml L-1), T8: 75 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1), T9: 50 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1), T10: 25 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1), T11: Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1) and T12: Seedling root dip in Nano urea at TP + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1). Application of 75 % RDN + Spray of Nano urea at tillering and panicle initiation stage (4 ml L-1) obtain significantly higher growth attributes viz., periodical plant height, number of tillers plant-1, dry matter accumulation plant-1, chlorophyll content and growth indices including leaf area index (LAI) at 60 and 90 DAS, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) during 30-60 DAS, 60-90 DAS, and 90 DAS-Harvest. Similarly, significantly higher grain yield was produced under treatment T8 (4435 kg ha-1) which was 3.24% higher than 100% RDN through conventional urea.

Optimizing agricultural sustainability: enriched organic formulations for growth, yield, and soil quality in a multi-crop system.

Utilizing agricultural and industrial wastes, potent reservoirs of nutrients, for nourishing the soil and crops through composting embodies a sustainable approach to waste management and organic agriculture. To investigate this, a 2-year field experiment was conducted at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, focusing on a pigeon pea-vegetable mustard-okra cropping system. Seven nutrient sources were tested, including a control (T1), 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through farmyard manure (T2), 100% RDN through improved rice residue compost (T3), 100% RDN through a paddy husk ash (PHA)-based formulation (T4), 75% RDN through PHA-based formulation (T5), 100% RDN through a potato peel compost (PPC)-based formulation (T6), and 75% RDN through PPC-based formulation (T7). Employing a randomized block design with three replications, the results revealed that treatment T4 exhibited the significantly highest seed (1.89 ± 0.09 and 1.97 ± 0.12 t ha-1) and stover (7.83 ± 0.41 and 8.03 ± 0.58 t ha-1) yield of pigeon pea, leaf yield (81.57 ± 4.69 and 82.97 ± 4.17 t ha-1) of vegetable mustard, and fruit (13.54 ± 0.82 and 13.78 ± 0.81 t ha-1) and stover (21.64 ± 1.31 and 22.03 ± 1.30 t ha-1) yield of okra during both study years compared to the control (T1). Treatment T4 was on par with T2 and T6 for seed and stover yield in pigeon pea, as well as okra, and leaf yield in vegetable mustard over both years. Moreover, T4 demonstrated notable increase of 124.1% and 158.2% in NH4-N and NO3-N levels in the soil, respectively, over the control. The enhanced status of available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the soil, coupled with increased soil organic carbon (0.41%), total bacteria population (21.1%), fungi (37.2%), actinomycetes (44.6%), and microbial biomass carbon (28.5%), further emphasized the positive impact of T4 compared to the control. Treatments T2 and T6 exhibited comparable outcomes to T4 concerning changes in available N, P, soil organic carbon, total bacteria population, fungi, actinomycetes, and microbial biomass carbon. In conclusion, treatments T4 and T6 emerge as viable sources of organic fertilizer, particularly in regions confronting farmyard manure shortages. These formulations offer substantial advantages, including enhanced yield, soil quality improvement, and efficient fertilizer utilization, thus contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices.

Performance of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars under Nutrient Management Practices in Eastern Plateau and Hills Zone of India

Aim: To study the effect of rice cultivars and nutrient management practices on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nitrogen uptake and comparative economics. Study Design: Three varieties and four nutrient management are treated in split plot design with plot size of 4m × 3m. The treatments comprised of three varieties, V1: CR Dhan – 206, V2: CR Dhan 210 and V3: CR Dhan 602 were laid out in main plot and four nutrient management comprised of N1: 100% Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through fertilizer, N2: 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through FYM, N3: 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through azolla and N4: 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through azolla are tested in subplot with replicate thrice. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment conducted at Chatabar farm, Faculty of agricultural sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during kharif season, 2022. Results: The experimental result from this experiment indicated that CR Dhan 206 cultivate with 100% RDN through fertilizer produced maximum plant height, number of filled grain per panicle, panicle length, yield (grain and straw), harvest index, nitrogen uptake by grain and straw, net return and return per rupees investment. Conclusion: Cultivation of CR Dhan 206 with 100% RDN (80-kg/ha) produced highest grain yield, net return and return per rupees investment.

Nitrogen Management in Kharif Pearlmillet

An experiment was conducted during kharifseason of the years 2021 to 2023 (Three years) at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar having loamy sand soil to study the Nitrogen management in kharif pearlmillet. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated four times with seven treatments. On three years pooled results application of 80 kg N/ha being at par with 75% RDN as chemical fertilizer in addition with 25% RDN through castor cake or vermicompost or FYM recorded significantly higher plant height at 60 DAS, at harvest, length of earhead over rest of treatments. Further, it also significantly increased seed yield (1631 kg/ha) and stover yield (3754 kg/ha). Maximum net realization and benifit : cost ratio (BCR) were registered with application of 80 kg N/ha as chemical fertilizer followed by 75 % RDN as chemical fertilizer + 25 % RDN through castor cake in pooled results. Higher yield and net realization can be secured with the application of either 100% RDN (Recommended Dose of Nitrogen) i.e. 80 kg/ha through chemical fertilizer + 25 % RDN through castor cake or vermicompost (20 kg N/ha) in addtion to recommend dose of phosphourus 40 kg/ha as basal under North Gujarat Agro climatic conditions.

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield, Soil, and Plant Nutrient Status in Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) cv. Phule Mosambi

ABSTRACT Impact of integrated nutrient management on plant and soil nutrient status in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) cv. Phule Mosambi was investigated for two consecutive years i.e. 2019 and 2020 at the Horticultural Research Farm, College of Horticulture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) comprised of 11 treatments replicated thrice. Significantly higher yield was recorded with T11 [50% Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN) + 20 kg farmyard manure (FYM)/tree +25% nitrogen (N) from Castor Cake + 10 ml Bio NPK Consortium + Micronutrient foliar spray (1% Grade IV)] (17.35 and 17.01 t/ha) which was at par with T10 (15.92 and 15.56 a t/ha) during 2019 and 2020, respectively. Amongst the treatments, T11 had increased the nutrient contents of soil as well as in plant and recorded maximum available nitrogen (N), available potassium (K), soil boron (B) content, plant nitrogen (N) content, plant iron (Fe) content, plant copper (Cu) content and plant boron (B) content in both the years whereas available phosphorous (P) was found higher in treatment T7 in both the years. Treatment T8 recorded highest soil copper (Cu) content in both the years. As far as plant zinc (Zn) content is concerned, it was found higher in treatment T9 in both the years.

Energy Use Efficiency of late Sown Short Duration Rice Varieties Under Different Nitrogen Management Practices

One of the major causes of low nitrogen use efficiency in rice is the application of fertilizer nitrogen (N) more than crop requirement at times when it is not required by plant during late sown conditions. This experiment was conducted at Rajendranagar farm of ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad during kharif2021. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Main plots consisted of three short duration rice varieties DRR Dhan-44, MTU 1010, MTU 1156 and four nitrogen management practices (sub-plots) recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) @ 120 kg N ha-1, Silicon coated urea (SCU) @ 90 kg ha-1, Leaf Colour Chart based N application (LCC)@105 kg N ha-1, Soil test crop response based N application (STCR) @ 114.5 kg N ha-1. Among the varieties highest energy input (13.22 GJ ha-1) was recorded in DRR Dhan-44 but energy output (172.6 GJ ha-1) and energy use efficiency (10.26 GJ ha-1) were recorded in MTU 1156. Among the N management practices highest energy input (13.94 GJ ha-1) was recorded in RDN@ 120 kg N ha-1 and energy use efficiency (10.38 GJ ha-1) was recorded with Leaf colour chart based N application@105 kg Nha-1

Effect of Planting Density and Nitrogen Levels on the Yield Attributing Characters of Fodder Maize (Shalimar Fodder Maize-1)

Maize (Zea mays L.) is widely known as a ready-made fodder crop. Maize is the third major cereal crop in the world, and in India, it ranks third. Maize has been an important cereal crop owing to its highest production potential and wider adaptability to varied agroclimatic conditions, hence being called the ‘Queen of Cereals’. The production potential of forage maize can be altered with changes in agronomic practices. The present study was undertaken with the objective of improving the yield attributes and quality traits of forage maize (Shalimar Fodder Maize-1). The experiment consisted of two factors, viz., three planting densities (viz., D1= 30cm x 10cm, D2= 40cm x 10cm, and D3= 50cm x 10cm) as main plots and five nitrogen levels (viz., N1= Control, N2= 75% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen), N3= 100% RDN, N4= 125% RDN, and N5= 150% RDN) as subplot treatments with three replications, laid out in split plot design (SPD). The parameters such as yield attributes, and quality parameters were significantly higher when plants were grown at a density of 30 cm x 10 cm with a nitrogen level of 150 % RDN.

Influence of row spacing and organic nutrient management practices on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of chia (Salvia hispanica)

The field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Vishweshwaraiah Canal Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, to study the consequences of row spacing and organic nutrient management practices on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized complete block design (Factorial-RCBD), with 12 treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of 2 spacings (45 cm × 15 cm and 60 cm × 15 cm) and 6 organic nutrient management practices [application of 75 and 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) equivalent compost along with the application of Jeevamrutha at sowing and 30 days after sowing (DAS)]. The pooled mean results of 2-years revealed that row spacing and organic nutrient management practices significantly influenced the performance of chia. Plant height, number of branches/plant, total dry matter production, and yield variables such as spike number and spike length were all significantly greater in 60 cm × 15 cm spacing with the application of 100% RDN equivalent compost + application of Jeevamrutha at sowing and 30 DAS. The same treatment also recorded significantly higher nutrient uptake (66.35, 12.91, and 52.27, NPK kg/ha, respectively). Whereas, significantly higher seed yield (1015.47 kg/ha) and leaf area index (1.72) were gained with 45 cm × 15 cm + 100% RDN equivalent compost + application of Jeevamrutha at sowing and 30 DAS.

Effect of Intercropping with Cowpea and Maize with Organic Manure Application on the Physiological Parameters

Intercropping involves cultivating two or more crops simultaneously in the same field, optimizing the use of land, water, light, and nutrients for higher yields compared to sole cropping. Organic manures, such as farmyard manure, poultry manure, oilseed cake, vermicompost, and bio-slurry, play a vital role in enhancing soil health by providing essential nutrients and supporting microbial populations. In contrast, excessive use of inorganic fertilizers can lead to environmental degradation. Present study explores the synergistic effects of intercropping and organic manure application on the physiological parameters of maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Agricultural practices like intercropping optimize resource utilization and enhance overall productivity, especially in regions with limited water resources like Mizoram, India. These practices exhibit positive responds when combined with organic manure on soil health and yield attributes on crops. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments replicated thrice. The result indicate that plants treated with Maize + Cowpea (2:1) + 50% of RDN (Recommended doses of Nitrogen) through Farm Yard Manure + 50% of RDN through Poultry Manure + Lime (200 kg ha-1), resulted in significantly maximum physiological parameters of the crops.

Impacts on Various Management Practices on Crops Yield and Soil Biology in Maize-Wheat Cropping System

Aims: Integrated approaches that consider the synergies and trade-offs among tillage, residue, and nitrogen management are essential for optimizing agricultural sustainability to highlight the complex interplay between agronomic, environmental, and biological factors. We intended to evaluate the impact of tillage, residue, and nitrogen management on crop growth and soil biological properties under a maize-wheat cropping system in an inceptisol. Study Design: Split-split plot design. Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-IARI research farm, New Delhi, since 2014. Methodology: We collected soil samples at the anthesis stage of wheat crop and silking stage of maize crop at 0-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm soil depth. Soil properties, namely soil organic carbon, dehydrogenase, acid, and alkaline phosphatase, soil microbial biomass carbon, soil microbial biomass phosphorus, and glomalin content by using standard procedures. Results: We observed that the soil organic carbon, enzyme activities, microbial biomass carbon and phosphorus, and glomalin content were significantly (P<0.05) higher under no-tillage and residue treatment at 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depth. Enzyme activity and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were significantly higher by application of 100 and 150% RDN, respectively, at 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depth. The effect of nitrogen treatment on biomass yield was significant (P<0.05) and found to be higher at 150% Recommended dose of Nitrogen (RDN). The biomass yield of maize was 15.3% and 44.5%, and wheat was 7.8% and 20.4%, significantly increased by applying 150% RDN over the 100% and 50% RDN respectively. Conclusion: Farmers can successfully adopt NT with 5 t ha-1 crop residue mulch with 150% RDN to attain better soil health and higher biomass yield under the maize-wheat cropping system.

Effect of Kharif Paddy Straw Management Options on Nitrogen Requirement to Rabi Paddy

A study conducted during the rabi season of 2020-21 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Polasa, Jagtial, under the auspices of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, yielded insightful findings. The investigation revealed that incorporating paddy straw with a C:N ratio of 71:1 led to the immobilization of soil mineral nitrogen. Specifically, during 7, 15, and 30 days after treatment (DAT), approximately 7.2, 9.3, and 7.03 kg ha-1 of available nitrogen respectively was immobilized without phosphorus, whereas with phosphorus addition, the figures rose to 10.94, 14.75, and 11.04 kg ha-1 during the same time frames. Notably, after harvest of rabi rice significantly higher soil available nitrogen levels were recorded under paddy straw incorporation with phosphorus (169.7 kg ha-1), followed by incorporation without phosphorus (161.2 kg ha-1), and paddy straw burning (151.9 kg ha-1). Moreover, the application of nitrogen at graded levels impacted soil available nitrogen. Based on these findings, it was recommended, to counteract the immobilization effect and maximize crop yield, it was advised to apply 15% excess of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), as basal application.

Performance of pit planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) under organic management

An experiment was conducted during 2011–12 and 2012–13 at Navsari, Gujarat to study the effect of different proportion of organics on productivity of pit planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under organic farming system. The experiment was laid out in ramdomized block design with 3 replications comprising 8 organic treatments and 1 inorganic treatment as control (250:125:125 kg NPK/ha). Significantly higher plant height (399.7 cm), millable canes (129.8 t/ha), cane height (298.2 cm), and single cane weight (1.54 kg) were recorded with 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through vermicompost and 50% RDN through castor cake. However, application of nitrogen through vermicompost (50% RDN) along with either castor cake or neem cake (50% RDN) were found equally effective and recorded significantly higher millable cane (129.8 and 128.2 t/ha respectively) and trash yield (23.2 and 22.7 t/ha respectively). In organic vs inorganic-(control) analysis, application of 100% RDF through inorganic fertilizers recorded significantly higher values of growth and yield parameters, and yield of sugarcane crop. Hence for producing higher and profitable cane yield of sugarcane, the crop should be fertilized with 100% RDF (250:125:125 NPK kg/ha) under south Gujarat conditions. Further, for organic production of sugarcane crop, application of 50% RDN through vermicompost and remaining 50% RDN either through castor cake or neem cake was found remunerative.

Optimization of irrigation (ETc) and nitrogen levels under drip fertigation in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) using response surface methodology (RSM)

A comprehensive field investigation was conducted to enhance the productivity, profitability, and water use efficiency (WUE) of summer okra through the optimization of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer application. The study involved 3 irrigation levels – 0.75 Epan (pan evaporation) as I1, 1.00 Epan as I2, and 1.25 Epan as I3 – as the main plot factors, and 4 nitrogen concentrations – 75% recommended nitrogen dose (RDN) as N1, 100% RDN as N2, 125% RDN as N3, and 150% RDN as N4 – as the subplot variables. The results of the study revealed a significant influence of irrigation and nitrogen levels on various key parameters. Above-ground dry matter, yield, plant height, WUE, net returns, and benefit-to-cost ratio (B:C) exhibited an incremental trend with increasing irrigation and nitrogen levels, up to a certain threshold. Beyond this threshold, further increments in irrigation and nitrogen led to diminishing returns. The models developed for estimating crop yield, above-ground dry matter, plant height, WUE, net returns, and B:C demonstrated impressive accuracy, with high coefficients of determination (R2) and satisfactory precision. The optimized irrigation level (crop evapotranspiration, ETc) ranged from 418.39–441.23 mm. At the same time, the ideal nitrogen application rate was found to be in the range of 167.04–176.13 kg N/ha. These optimal conditions resulted in peak crop yield of 28 295 kg/ha, above-ground dry matter of 6 709.1 kg/ha, plant height of 66.3 cm, WUE of 5.26 kg/m3, B:C of 4.54, and net returns amounting to 441 133 INR/ha. In conclusion, the application of response surface methodology facilitated the identification of the impact of each factor on individual responses, as well as the determination of optimal conditions that simultaneously maximize multiple desirable outcomes. These findings hold significant promise for improving the cultivation of summer okra while optimizing resource use and economic returns.

Exploring the potential of enhanced organic formulations for boosting crop productivity, nutrient utilization efficiency, and profitability in baby corn-kabuli gram-vegetable cowpea cropping system

The preparation of enriched formulation by integrating of agricultural wastes such as paddy husk ash (PHA) and potato peel with organic fertilizer such as farmyard manure (FYM), compost can enrich the soil with essential plant nutrients, leading to higher yields in subsequent crops and potentially reducing the dependence on farmyard manure/compost alone. However, there is lack of adequate research findings regarding the impact of different formulations generated from agricultural waste on productivity, nutrient utilization efficiency and profitability of baby corn-kabuli gram-vegetable cowpea cropping system. Therefore, a two-year field experiment (2020–2022) was conducted ICAR-IARI, New Delhi with baby corn-kabuli gram-vegetable cowpea cropping system. Seven nutrient sources were tested in Randomized Block Design and replicate thrice.The results showed that treatment T4 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through PHA based formulation) had significant effect on crop yield grown in rotation, followed by treatment T6 (100% RDN through potato peel compost (PPC) based formulation) and T2 (100% RDN through FYM). The increase in yield was 75.0, 44.3 and 33.1% during first year and 72.6, 45.9 and 31.0% during second year, respectively, over control. Treatment T4 also significantly enhanced system uptake of N, P and K as well as system gross returns and net returns, resulting in 65.6, 84.9, 69.5, 50.7 and 55.2% higher returns during first year and 68.6, 80.5, 73.9, 50.0 and 54.2% higher returns during second year, respectively, over control. Furthermore, treatment T4 significantly improved agronomic nitrogen use efficiency and apparent recovery by 151.6 and 2.0% in baby corn, 74.2 and 1.5% in kabuli gram, 55.7 and 13.9% in veg cowpea over T7, respectively, averaged across two years of study. Based on these results, it is recommended to adopt (T4) 100% RDN through PHA based formulation, and (T6) 100% RDN through PPC based formulation in the area with a shortage of FYM but with the availability of rice husk ash or pototo peels for sustainable utilization of the agricultural wastes and improving the agricultural sustainability.