Sandy Clay Loam Research Articles

Properties of Soils of Medak District in Telangana State, India

For the management of soil and plant growth the physicochemical study of parameters are crucial.The objective of this study is to do the physical and chemical analysis of soil samples collected from agricultural fields of Medak district and to provide information to the farmers. Soil samples collected from twenty mandals at three samples per mandal from 0-15 cm depth. Soil parameters like soil texture, pH, EC, organic carbon available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and Sulphur tested and recorded. Results shows texture varies from sandy clay loam to sandy loam. pH shows slightly acidic, neutral to slightly alkaline. Electric conductivity remains within the safe limits. The organic carbon recorded maximum low to medium in content, low in nitrogen content, medium to high range in phosphorous, potassium. The available sulphur recorded deficient to sufficient values. The findings suggest that farmers should adopt appropriate soil management techniques, such as crop rotation and conservation tillage which will add to maintain the soil physical characteristics to ensure the sustainability of agricultural practices and the long-term health of the soil.

Effect of Different Management Practices on Yield Attributes and Productivity of Wheat + Mustard Intercropping System

The present investigation entitled “Effect of natural farming, organic farming, integrated crop management and conventional management practices on yield attributes and productivity of Wheat + Mustard intercropping system” was conducted under All India Network Programme on Organic Farming (AI-NPOF) during rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24 at Instructional Research farm, Krishi Nagar Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P). The soil of experiment was sandy clay loam, neutral in reaction (pH 6.7), low in organic carbon (0.62 %), medium in available nitrogen (281.43 kg ha-1), medium in available phosphorus (20.35 kg ha-1) and high in available potassium (272.12 kg ha-1). The experiment was carried out in a Randomized block design with six treatments and four replications. The treatment comprises of T1- Control (No addition of any input except labour for operations including weeding), T2- Complete Natural Farming Practices (1. Beejamrit + Ghanjeevamrit + Jeevamrit 2. Crop residue mulching 3. Intercropping 4. Whapasa), T3- Organic Management Practices (AI-NPOF package) (75 % RDN through organic sources + two foliar spray of 10 % cow urine and vermiwash at 30 and 50 DAS), T4-ICM (50 % nutrient through organic and 50 % nutrient through inorganic sources + natural/organic pesticides for pest management), T5-ICM (50 % nutrient through organic and 50 % nutrient through inorganic + need based pesticides) and T6-Conventional Management Practices (RDN 120:60:40 Kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O ha-1). The result of the experiment revealed that conventional management practices i.e. RDN @120:60:40 Kg ha-1 of N: P2O5: K2O proved to be best for wheat + mustard intercropping system in terms of yield attributes and yield and this was followed by integrated crop management i.e. 50 % RDN through organic and 50 % RDN through inorganic sources and pest management with need based pesticides. Higher wheat equivalent yield was recorded under conventional management practices.

Maintaining Silage Corn Production Under Sodic Irrigation Water Conditions in a Semi-Arid Environment

The Zayandeh-Rud watershed of Iran has had water scarcity for decades, giving rise to pressures toward limiting water allocation for the agriculture sector. Marginal waters can be an alternative source for irrigated agriculture in water-scarce regions if adequately managed. One of the critical hazards for sustainable agriculture and the environment is the accumulated salinity–sodicity problem as a consequence of irrigating with unconventional waters. Applying additional water beyond the crop water requirement, known as leaching application, has been suggested as a solution to this problem. A physical model was built to investigate the effects of the severe sodicity and salinity conditions of irrigation water by creating 250 mm diameter soil columns (27 columns) filled with sandy clay loam soil. The severity of the irrigation water’s sodicity (sodium adsorption ratios (SAR): 5.27, 16.56, and 28.57) and its interactions with various leaching fractions (0%, 15%, and 30%) on critical soil chemical characteristics and corn yield were studied. Implementing a 30% leaching fraction reduced the SAR and salinity in the soil’s first layer (0–10 cm) when irrigating with saline–hyper-sodic water (SAR = 28.57 and ECiw = 9 dS/m). However, an elevated level of sodicity accumulation in the soil profile was observed, emphasizing the importance of adding calcium and magnesium amendments during the irrigation season. A noticeable increase in the efficiency of leaching applications in reducing accumulated salts and the sodicity level in the corn rootzone was detected with higher levels of irrigation water sodicity. The reduction in the accumulated salinity and sodium in the first soil layer due to implementing a 30% leaching fraction resulted in a 223.3% increase in the total biomass of silage corn. Applying a 30% leaching fraction also increased the corn biomass by 58% and 114.56% when irrigating with waters with 5.57 and 16.56 SAR values. The effectiveness of a 15% leaching fraction for enhancing the soil and crop conditions was significantly lower than that of the 30% leaching fraction. Nevertheless, in case of unavailability of sufficient water supply for irrigation purposes, applying a 15% leaching fraction could mitigate the consequences of sodic water irrigation. The results demonstrate that in the absence of the proper calcium amendments, the implementation of leaching management could still be effective in enhancing corn production under sodic water irrigation conditions.

Deciphering Pyroxasulfone Dynamics in Punjab Soils: Insights into Adsorption, Desorption, and Leaching Behavior

ABSTRACT Adsorption-desorption and leaching studies are crucial for understanding herbicide environmental fate and transport, enabling informed decisions regarding their application and risk of groundwater contamination. Batch equilibration technique was used to study the adsorption of pyroxasulfone. Data fitted well to Freundlich (R2 > 0.992) and Langmuir model (R2 > 0.994) suggesting that pyroxasulfone adsorption occurs on both homogeneous and heterogeneous soil sites, involving a combination of monolayer and multilayer adsorption. Adsorption was higher in clay loam soil followed by sandy loam and loamy sand. Thermodynamic parameters revealed that adsorption was spontaneous but became less favourable as temperature increased. Desorption data fitted well into the Freundlich model. A low hysteresis coefficient value indicated greater adsorption and slower desorption of pyroxasulfone. Irrespective of soil type and herbicide application rate, pyroxasulfone leached up to a depth of 0-30 cm and was below detectable limit (<0.01 µg mL-1) in leachates. Pyroxasulfone has highest leachability in loamy sand followed by sandy loam and clay loam. Low leaching potential of pyroxasulfone suggested a reduced groundwater contamination risk, but slow desorption and bound residues indicate soil persistence, potentially leading to phytotoxicity in subsequent crops. Long-term studies across diverse conditions are essential for effective risk management and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. Adsorption-desorption and leaching studies are crucial for understanding herbicide environmental fate and transport, enabling informed decisions regarding their application and risk of groundwater contamination. Batch equilibration technique was used to study the adsorption of pyroxasulfone. Data fitted well to Freundlich (R2 > 0.992) and Langmuir model (R2 > 0.994) suggesting that pyroxasulfone adsorption occurs on both homogeneous and heterogeneous soil sites, involving a combination of monolayer and multilayer adsorption. Adsorption was higher in clay loam soil followed by sandy loam and loamy sand. Thermodynamic parameters revealed that adsorption was spontaneous but became less favourable as temperature increased. Desorption data fitted well into the Freundlich model. A low hysteresis coefficient value indicated greater adsorption and slower desorption of pyroxasulfone. Irrespective of soil type and herbicide application rate, pyroxasulfone leached up to a depth of 0-30 cm and was below detectable limit (<0.01 µg mL-1) in leachates. Pyroxasulfone has highest leachability in loamy sand followed by sandy loam and clay loam. Low leaching potential of pyroxasulfone suggested a reduced groundwater contamination risk, but slow desorption and bound residues indicate soil persistence, potentially leading to phytotoxicity in subsequent crops. Long-term studies across diverse conditions are essential for effective risk management and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

Pilot-scale phosphorus recovery from mobile toilet wastewater in Bangkok, Thailand

The objective of this study is to enhance the capacity of struvite-phosphate forming reactor utilized in the production of phosphorus fertilizer from wastewater collected from mobile toilets, characterized by phosphorus (P) concentrations of 5.0 ± 1.1 g/l. The experimental procedure comprised three sequential phases: the first phase involved the precipitation of struvite-phosphate using the forming reactor; the second phase focused on pelletizing the P product with sugar milling wastes as filler; and the third phase involved assessing the bioavailability of P in agricultural soils. Experimental design entails batch experiments with the operational variables including the Mg:P molar ratio and pH. Results from nine experiments (3 × 3) indicate that (1) the percentage of phosphorus recovery ranged from 1.9 to 65.2, with a peak observed at high pH values, (2) optimal phosphorus recovery is attained at Mg:P ratio of 1.25 and pH of 9 during precipitation, and (3) the EDS analysis confirms the presence of major elements with phosphorus constituting the predominant component at 13.1%weight. Moreover, P leaching in soil predominantly occurred after the 7th day among the various soil types with the 90-days dissolution efficiency in soil of 97.7 ± 0.6, 86.9 ± 4.1, and 88.0 ± 3.0 for sandy loam, silt loam, and clay loam, respectively. These findings underscore the viability of achieving substantial phosphorus recovery through the utilization of a struvite-phosphate forming reactor via chemical precipitation, with additional evidence suggesting effective leaching of pellets in sandy loam soil, thereby highlighting its potential for widespread implementation in both phosphorus recovery and struvite fertilizer production on a large scale.

Mineral, Vitamin and Phytonutrients Content in Different Andean Potato Varieties Reintroduced in the North West Region, Argentina (NOA).

The mineral content, vitamin C, and chlorogenic acid were determined in 44 genotypes of Andean potatoes reintroduced in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina. This initiative aims to promote biodiversity and support local producers by determining the nutritional and functional properties of these genotypes. The genotypes from a collection in the Germplasm Bank of INTA Balcarce, were planted in sandy clay loam soils and harvested manually. The tubers obtained showed significant variability in size, even within the same genotype. The maximum yield was 0.60kg/plant, with the CL 621 genotype having the highest yield. Genotype CL836 stands up for its high content of Mg, Ca, and Zn (190.3 ± 10.5; 112.2 ± 1.9; 1.29 ± 0.12mg/100g dw, respectively); CL 790 for its Mn content (2.09 ± 0.048mg/100g dw), and CL 516 and CCS 1349 are rich in Zn and Ca (2.23 ± 0.08 and 123.11 ± 6.88mg/100g dw) respectively. The highest contents of Vitamin C and chlorogenic acid corresponded to the CCS1385 and CL 631 genotypes (17.62 ± 0.11; 91.64 ± 1.82mg/100g dw) respectively. According to the correlation analysis, the highest content of antioxidants was in small tubers. This information will allow promoting the cultivation of genotypes that contribute to the nutritional security of the local population.

Soil Texture Mediates the Toxicity of ZnO and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles to Microbial Activity

The widespread use of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in industrial and household products has raised concerns about their potential soil contamination and its ecological consequences. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on the microbial activity and biochemical properties of differently textured soils. A mesocosm experiment was conducted using three soil types–clay loam (CL), sandy clay loam (SCL), and sandy loam (SL) amended with farmyard manure (FYM), ZnONPs and/or FeONPs. The results revealed significant differences in microbial colony-forming units (CFUs) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the order of SL &gt; SCL &gt; CL. Compared with those from the unfertilized control, the CO2 emissions from the FYM increased by 112%, 184% and 221% for CL, SCL and SL, respectively. The addition of ZnONPs and FeONPs notably increased the microbial biomass Zn/Fe, which reflected their consumption by the soil microbes. As a result, microbial CFUs were considerably reduced, which led to a 24%, 8% and 12% reduction in cumulative CO2 emissions after the addition of ZnONPs to the CL, SCL and SL soils, respectively. The respective decrements in the case of FeONPs were 19%, 2% and 12%. The temporal dynamics of CO2 emissions revealed that the CO2 emissions from CL with or without FYM/NPs did not differ much during the first few days and later became pronounced with time. Almost all the studied chemical characteristics of the soils were not strongly affected by the ZnONPs/FeONPs, except EC, which decreased with the addition of these nanomaterials to the manure-amended soils. Principal component analysis revealed that the ZnONPs and FeONPs are negatively corelated with microbial CFUs, and CO2 emission, with ZnONPs being more toxic to soil microbes than FeONPs, though their toxicity is strongly influenced by soil texture. Hence, these findings suggest that while both these NPs have the potential to impair microbial activity, their effects are mediated by soil texture.

Effect of Sowing Date and Post-Emergence Herbicide Application on Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major Rabi crop around the world, including India. After rice, it is India's second-most important food grain crop, accounting for about half of all calories and protein. To improve wheat growth and output, it is crucial to seed at the right time and use effective weed control techniques. An Experiment was conducted at Pilikothi Farm of T. D. P. G. College, Jaunpur, U.P. during the Rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Experiment was laid out in split plot design replicated thrice with three sowing dates i.e. 15 November, 30 November and 15 December as main plot treatment and six weed management practices i.e. weedy check, weed free, 2, 4 DEE @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha., Carfentrazone @ 0.025 kg a.i./ha., Metsulfuron methyl @ 0.004 kg a.i./ha., Arylex 20.85% + Florasulam @ 20% as sub plot treatment. Soil of the experimental field was sandy clay loam. Fertilizer dose of 150:60:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per hectare were applied. The results of the two years experiment clearly indicate that plant height, number of tillers, and leaf area index values were recorded high under sowing on November 15th as compared to other dates of sowing, while Arylex 20.85% + Florasulam @ 20% recorded higher growth over the rest of the herbicide treatments, but the weed-free plot recorded the highest values of the aforementioned growth parameters. Based on the findings, it is possible to infer that planting wheat on time (15th November) with Arylex 20.85% + Florasulam 20% herbicide for weed control may result in increased crop growth in the agro-climatic conditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Characterization, classification and assessment of soil degradation caused by mining activities in the farmland of College of Education, Minna

This study aimed to characterize and classify soils, as well as evaluate the impact mining activities on soil degradation within the College of Education, Minna farm land. A free survey method of an area covering 60-hectare was conducted. Three soil units were identified, two in the upland mapping unit (UL1, UL2) and one in the dissecting valley (DV3). Three pedons were excavated, one from each of the identified soil units. The pedons were described and soil samples from each genetic horizon were collected for laboratory analysis. In addition, six composite soil samples at three different distances away from two mining sites were collected for soil heavy metals determination. Morphological properties revealed that the soils are generally gravel at the surface with texture ranging between sandy loam and sandy clay loam in the subsoil. The presence of a textural horizon (Bt) is common in all the soil units. Buried stone line was identified in UL2 an indication of a lithologic discontinuity. Soil reaction revealed a slightly acid to near neutral pH in the soils. Soil organic matter, Available P and Total nitrogen are rated medium. CEC and the exchangeable bases are low in the soils. Base saturation is generally moderate to high (46 % to 70 %). Low nutrient content in the soils may be attributed to the low activity clay, uptake by plant and little or no addition from fertilizer application. The values of EC, ESP and SAR indicate soils without salinity/sodocity problem. Heavy metals in the soils are generally low according to the limit set by WHO, with the exception of Cd (1.5-5.4 mgkg-1). The soils could therefore, be referred to as Cd polluted. The farm land soils were classified as Alfisols according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy System and correlates with Lixisols in the WRB system.

Assessing the Impacts of Coal Mining on Soil Quality in Kogi East, Nigeria

This study investigates the effects of coal mining on soil physical and chemical properties in Kogi East, Nigeria, focusing on two mined sites (Ika-Ogboyaga and Okaba) and one unmined control site (Abache). Soil samples were collected from 32 plots across mined areas and 16 plots in the unmined site using a 200m x 200m belt transect method. Samples were analyzed for particle size, bulk density, soil pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations, and heavy metal concentrations using standard laboratory methods. Results show minimal differences in soil texture (sandy clay loam) across all sites, with slightly higher bulk density in mined areas (1.89±0.2g/cm3, 1.87±0.6 g/cm3), indicating soil compaction from mining activities. Chemical properties, including pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity, showed minor variations, while heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb) were within safe limits across all sites. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (F-value=0.00449; F-crit=3.1907; P-value=0.995511) showed no significant differences in most soil properties between mined and unmined areas, suggesting limited impact of coal mining on soil quality in the region. To improve soil health and sustainability the study recommended mitigating soil compaction, implementing vegetation rehabilitation with native species, conducting continuous soil monitoring, raising community awareness, and promoting sustainable mining practices.

Simulation of Rice Performance under Alkaline Soil Pedon Using CERES-Rice Model

A multi-location field experiment was conducted on crop establishment methods of rice under different soil texture. Field experiments in Indian Punjab were conducted on three soil textures including sandy loam, sandy clay loam, and clay loam soils. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with nine treatment combinations of direct-seeded rice (DSR) and transplanted flooded rice (TFR), along with different irrigation strategies. The results of multi locations field study were used for CERES-Rice model calibration and validation. Simulation study was performed in a soil pedon near Ferozpur, Punjab to evaluate the performance of rice establishment methods under alkaline soil enlivenment. The CERES-Rice model showed satisfactory accuracy in simulating grain yield, biomass, and evapotranspiration (ET), with low RMSE values, indicating minimal residual variation. Other evaluation indices such as Nash-Sutcliffe Modelling Efficiency (ME), R² values demonstrated strong correlation between observed and simulated data. The index of agreement (d) values, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76, indicated good reliability of the model. These results confirmed the model's predictive capability and effectiveness under varying climatic conditions, supporting improved crop management. The simulated grain yield of TFR in neutral soil (Pedon 1) was 5.7 t ha⁻¹ and reduced to 5.0 t ha⁻¹ for direct seeded rice. In contrast, alkaline soil (Pedon 2) had lower yields (4.9 t ha⁻¹ for TFR) and crop failure for DSR, reflecting poor nutrient dynamics and water retention. The water use efficiency for TFR in alkaline soil was slightly reduced, highlighting challenges in such soils.

Analisis Erodibilitas Tanah untuk Budidaya Talas Beneng Berkelanjutan berdasarkan Elevasi

Taro Beneng holds significant potential to enhance food security and economic value, particularly in the Banten region. This study aimed to analyze soil erodibility values across Taro Beneng cultivation areas in Talaga Warna, Juhut, and Kaduengang villages to support sustainable land management and optimize crop yields. Conducted in 2024, the research employed a survey method with soil erodibility analysis based on the Wischmeier and Smith (1978) formula, considering parameters such as soil texture, structure, organic matter, and permeability. Thirty soil samples were collected across three elevation zones to capture variability, and the erodibility (K) values were calculated using Microsoft Excel, with spatial mapping conducted via ArcGIS. Results indicate that organic matter content increases with elevation due to climatic factors influencing decomposition rates. Soil texture ranges from sandy clay loam in Talaga Warna and Juhut to loamy sand in Kaduengang, reflecting the geographical diversity of the Mount Karang region. Soil structure varies from granular to coarse, with differing permeability levels contributing to varied erodibility risks. The highest soil erodibility values were recorded in Talaga Warna and Juhut (K = 0.49), indicating high erosion susceptibility, while Kaduengang exhibited the lowest value (K = 0.36), suggesting more stable soil conditions. These findings highlight the spatial variability of soil erosion risks in Taro Beneng fields, offering insights to guide targeted soil conservation practices. By addressing areas with higher erosion risks, this study provides practical recommendations for sustainable land management to support Taro Beneng cultivation and ensure long-term soil health in the region.

Reducing the incidence of Fall Army Worm (FAW) in irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) through intercropping systems

Pest management strategies involving intercropping systems are being developed in different research stations. However, findings on location specific management are very limited. In order to address these problems and enhance maize productivity by identifying location specific strategies, field experiments were conducted at the Department of Millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during kharif, 2020 and rabi, 2020-21 to reduce the incidence of FAW in irrigated maize through different intercropping systems in sandy clay loam soil. The experiments consisted of 5 treatments viz., T1- Maize + Tephrosia, T2- Maize + Fenugreek, T3- Maize + Coriander, T4- Maize + Marigold and T5- Maize alone and these were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. On the border of experimental field, a row of Bajra Napier Hybrid grass was planted to study the influence on FAW. The results of experiments revealed that the T4- Maize + Marigold treatment was superior in reducing the incidence of FAW in irrigated maize among the different intercropping systems owing to the occurrence of natural enemies and repelling nature of marigold which recorded higher maize equivalent yield of 6089 kg ha-1 with a B:C ratio of 1.84. This system of intercropping should be adopted by the farming community to reduce the incidence of FAW in maize as it is an eco friendly approach, which sustains the productivity of maize.

Enhancing soil arsenic immobilization with organic and inorganic amendments: insights from sorption-desorption study.

The retention and mobility of arsenic (As) in soil depend on various physical and chemical factors. The knowledge of the sorption-desorption chemistry of As in soil is necessary for predicting the fate and behavior of As in soil environments. Therefore, this study assessed different organic (sugarcane bagasse and vermicompost) and inorganic amendments (steel slag and fly ash) for their impact on sorption-desorption of As in texturally different contaminated soils (of sandy clay (SC) and sandy clay loam (SCL) texture) to understand the effect of amendments on As retention and mobility. The results showed that the sorption data fitted well with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. The As sorption capacity was significantly enhanced with the application of all amendments. At 30°C, the adsorption maxima (qmax) of SC soils enhanced to a greater extent following the order: steel slag (278mgkg-1) > sugarcane bagasse (264mgkg-1) > vermicompost (246mgkg-1) > fly ash (242mgkg-1). Whereas, in SCL, the order of qmax was steel slag (145mgkg-1) > sugarcane bagasse (132mgkg-1) > fly ash (120mgkg-1) > vermicompost (118mgkg-1). Desorption index (DI) was invariably to > 1 at both temperatures with the application of amendments indicating hysteretic desorption of As. The free energy change (ΔG°) was negative in all treatments and soils (indicating a favorable sorption process) with positive entropy change (ΔS°) values. The study recommends steel slag as the most effective amendment for enhancing As (V) retention in contaminated soils, due to its higher sorption capacity compared to other amendments like sugarcane bagasse, vermicompost, and fly ash. The amendments generally improved As sorption in both soils, reducing As mobility and potentially limiting its environmental spread.

Potassium Management in Custard Apple Agri-Horticulture: Enhancing Potassium Availability and Plant Uptake Through Quantity/Intensity Relationships

ABSTRACT The study examines the impact of potassium management on the sustainability of custard apple agri-horticulture, focusing on the Quantity/Intensity relationship which is crucial for soil fertility and potassium availability to plants. A long-term field experiment with a custard apple-based agri system was started in the wet season of 2009 with seven different intercrops and one custard apple mono-crop at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, within the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka. The soil, classified as Typic Kandiustalf, was analyzed for its physical and chemical properties, revealing a sandy clay loam texture with low organic carbon and moderate levels of available potassium. The study found that custard apple yields were highest when grown alone, particularly with finger millet and chili intercrops, and lowest with foxtail millet. Soil analysis showed minor differences in particle size and bulk density, with variations linked to crop type and depth. Chemical analysis indicated that custard apple affects cation exchange capacity, especially when combined with field bean, enhancing soil nutrients. Surface soils had more water-soluble and exchangeable potassium with cowpea, and more non-exchangeable potassium with finger millet. Potassium decreased with depth, except for lattice and total potassium. The results Q/I relationship of K showed that CRe 0K values ranged from 16 to 32 × 10−3 (mol litre−1)1/2 whereas, PBCK ranged from 10.4 to 14.1 (cmol kg−1)/(mol L−1)1/2. Studies indicate that for custard apple farms, especially in rainfed zones, legume intercropping with frequent potassium application is advantageous to maintain the sustainable long-term yield of custard apple.

Optimizing soil properties, water use efficiency, and crop yield through biochar and organic manure integration in organic soil.

Speedy decomposition of organic manure and efficient utilization of rice husk waste are two critical challenges for sustainable environment and soil health management. However, understanding the synergistic effects of rice husk biochar (B) and organic manure (OM) on soil properties and crop growth in subtropical conditions remains unclear. A field study was conducted to investigate the impact of sole and combined application of rice husk biochar (0tha-1, 3tha-1), farmyard manure (FYM), and vermicompost (VC) on soil aggregation, aggregate-associated carbon, water use efficiency (WUE), economic benefits, and yield of radish crop in sandy clay loam organic soil. Biochar application enhanced the macroaggregate stability and aggregate associated C contents. Soil moisture, infiltration rate (IR) and WUE were significantly improved by 9.2%, 20.8% and 13.6%, respectively, with addition of biochar, which might be related to improved aggregate-associated carbon and water retention in the soil. Similarly, improved soil properties, WUE were noticed in the treatment receiving combination of FYM+VC over the control. 16% and 30.9% higher radish yield was observed with biochar and FYM+VC amended treatments compared without B0 and manure OM0, respectively. The integrated use of biochar (3tha-1) and OM (FYM+VC) resulted in highest economic benefits of net return (₹ 138,325ha-1) and B:C (1:5) ratio and least in control plots. These results indicate that adding biochar in organic management practices considerably improved the soil properties, WUE which resulted in increased organic radish production.

Influence of location-specific nutrient management and plant stand on the growth, productivity, and nutrient uptake of irrigated rabi maize (Zea mays L.)

Cereals are essential for global food security and serve as a primary source of dietary energy for 60% of the world's population. Maize, among the prominent cereals, stands out as a highly adaptable crop with versatility across diverse agro-climatic zones, fulfilling demands for food, feed, and fodder worldwide. While progressive farmers often adhere to conventional fertilizer recommendations set by authorities, this practice can sometimes result in suboptimal productivity with a negative impact soil health over time. In this context, the Nutrient Expert (NE) can be considered an efficient decision support system for field-specific recommendations for precision nutrient management in maize. Plant density is a vital agronomic trait determining the grain yield of maize. Considering these, a field study was conducted for two consecutive years at the Post Graduate Research Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India (18.8° N latitude, 84.8° E longitude) during the rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24. the present research was conducted by adopting a split-plot design which comprised three main plot treatments with different levels of plant population (P1: 66666 plants/ha; P2: 83333 plants/ha; P3: 111111 plants/ha) and four sub-plot treatments consisting of nutrient management treatments (T1: 100 % RDF, T2: Nutrient Expert-based recommendation (NE) for a target yield of 6 t/ha, T3: NE for a target yield of 8 t/ha and T4: NE for a target yield of 10 t/ha). The experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture with slightly acidic pH and low in available nitrogen and organic carbon, and medium in phosphorous and potassium. The results of the experiment revealed a significant difference among the growth parameters, yield attributing characters, yield and nutrient uptake of maize concerning plant population and nutrient levels. The study concluded that applying primary nutrients through NE @ 10 t/ha along with a plant population of 1,11,111 plants/ha could be chosen as the most suitable agronomic practice for improving growth and productivity in irrigated rabi maize under Odisha conditions.

Humic acid effects on wind erosion control in sandy clay loam and clay loam soils: A wind tunnel study

Humic acid effects on wind erosion control in sandy clay loam and clay loam soils: A wind tunnel study

Effect of Zero Tillage Practices on the Economic Performance of Potato

Potato is an important winter rotation and vegetable crop which provides a stable income for small holders in order to increase the knowledge and profits of farmers through the adoption of zero-tillage potato with rice straw mulch will promote climate-smart agriculture in addition to reduce environmental pollution caused by straw burning. More importantly, the use of rice straw for mulching puts nutrients back in the soil and reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases associated with the conventional practice of straw burning. Mulch provides an important habitat for natural enemies, which are vital for pest population regulation. An experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the Research Farm, ICAR-Central Potato Research Station RS, Gwalior (M.P.). The experiment consisted of 7 treatments viz.; Farmer’s practice (T1), CIP Technique (T2), Regional AICRIP/INSTITUTE recommendation/hoeing (T3), Flat-bed planting (T4), Flat-bed planting &amp; mulching (T5), Flat-bed planting &amp; ridging (T6) and Flat-bed planting, ridging and mulching (T7) with 3 replications. The soil of experimental field was a sandy clay loam with uniform topography. The result showed that CIP Technique (T2) followed by Flat-bed planting, ridging and mulching (T7) were registered superior values of growth parameters (number of stems per plant and root length), yield attributes (number of tubers grade-wise and grade-wise tuber yield) as well as economics (gross monetary return) of potato in both years as well as pooled over rest of the treatments. In case of B:C ratio; Flat-bed planting, ridging and mulching (T7) followed by CIP Technique (T2) observed significantly economical (1.65 and 1.50; respectively) over rest of the treatments in pooled analysis.

Conservation agricultural practices promoted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization and glomalin content on sandy clay loam of southern India.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are essential in agriculture and are often inter-linked with glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) production which supports binding of aggregates, enhanced SOC and biological attributes. However, conservation agricultural practices in agroecosystem may have significant impact on AMF diversity, GRSP and soil quality-related parameters (SQRPs). This current experiment was implemented to gauge AMF conization percentage (AMF-CP), GSRP and significant changes on critical SQRPs, and to investigate the linkages between AMF-CP, GRSP and SQRPs as influenced by synergistic tillage and weed management in CA. Contrasting tillage practices (Main plots) included the T 1 :Conventional tillage with cotton- Conventional tillage with maize-fallow i.e., No Sesbania rostrata (Farmers' practice), T 2 :Conventional tillage with cotton- Zero tillage with maize- Zero tillage with Sesbania rostrata and T 3 : Zero tillage with cotton+Sesbania rostrata residues- Zero tillage with maize+Cotton residues- Zero tillage with Sesbania rostrata+Maize stubbles. Weed management tactics (Sub plots) were W 1 : Chemical weed control, W 2 : Herbicide rotation, W 3 : Integrated weed management and W 4 : Single hand-weeded control. The roots and soil samples were collected at 60 DAS of maize. Analysis of examined parameters was done duly following standard protocols. The observed results indicated that 22.50 % of AMF-CP, 16.50 % of EE-GRSP and 12.08 % of T-GRSP was significantly higher in conservation tillage compared to T 1 (Farmers practice). SQRPs followed similar trend in the case of tillage. Significantly higher SMBC and β-galactosidase (β-GaA) was exhibited by W4 and W3. A highly significant positive correlation of AMF-CP and T-GRSP pool with SOC (r=0.951∗∗ and 0.756∗∗), SMBC (r=0.872∗∗ and r=0.761∗∗), β-GaA (r=0.916∗∗ and r=0.832∗∗) and WSA1-2mm (r=0.888∗∗ and 0.882∗∗), respectively was also observed. Generally, AMF-CP and GRSP, and SQRPs correlated positively and significantly. The following parameters; T-GRSP, SOC, WSA1-2mm, SMBC and β-GaA were selected as potential indicators to gauge the soil quality based on calculated principal component analysis (PCA). In general, the examined parameters in the study are highly supported by zero-till+crop residues, and can be considered indicators for monitoring agroecosystem.