Silt Clay Loam Soil Research Articles

Calculating the Total Costs of the Tractor and the Chisel Plow under Variable Speeds and Depth of Tillage

Factorial experiments were conducted in a silt clay loam soil with a randomized complete block design with three replications for each treatment. This study aimed to calculate machinery unit costs and some indicators during primary tillage, under variable tractor speeds of 1.8, 3.5 and 5.7 km.h-1 and depth of plowing 20, 30 and 40 cm. A higher speed of 5.7 km.h-1 is associated with higher practical productivity of 0.9696 ha.h-1; specific productivity of tillage 4309 m.h-1; a volume of soil disturbed 2884 m3. h-1. The best fixed, management, total tractor, total plow and total machinery unit costs were 2.27, 0.80, 9.02,1.01 and 10.04 $.ha-1 respectively. Additionally, lower fuel consumption was 8.56 l.ha-1, and the actual time for plowing one hectare was 1.02 h. The depth of tillage 20 cm recorded a higher productivity of 0.6412 ha.h-1, the specific productivity of tillage was 2849 m.h-1, less fuel consumption of 7.74 l.ha-1, less actual time of plowing one hectare of 1.95 hThe least fixed, variable, management, total tractor, total plow and total machinery unit costs were 4.32, 4.71, 0.89, 9.94,1.94 and 11.89 $.ha-1 respectively. All interactions among the treatments were significant. The experiment concluded that the plowing depth has a greater effect than speed on all operating costs of the tractor and chisel plow and performance indicators. The correlations among the indicators studied were direct (positive) and inverse (negative) significantly and were also non-significant.

Investigation on Field Performance of Plowing and Harvesting Potatoes in Southern Baghdad

This field experiment, was conducted to investigate a comparison of two methods for harvesting potatoes: mechanical and handy when using moldboard and chisel plow for primary tillage and three different distances for planting tubers in the rows 15, 25, and 35 cm in silt clay loam soil south of Baghdad. The factorial experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications using L.S.D. 5 % and 1 %. Mechanical harvest recorded the best valid potato tubers at 88.78 %, marketable yield of 31.74 ton. ha-1, efficiency lifted 95.68 %, tubers damage index 28.41, speeding up the harvesting process and reducing time and effort. Handy harvest gave the least damage to potato tubers, 6.02 %, and unlifted potato tubers, 4.32 %. However, this method requires effort and more specialized labor, whether from men or young women, and leaded to delays in the harvesting process. Regarding planting distance of 15 cm between one tuber and another gave the highest total productivity, 46.92 ton. ha-1 and the greatest number of plants, but most of the tubers were small in size. A planting distance 25 cm produced good quality in size of potatoes with yield of 36.19 ton. ha-1, 90.99 % best valid tubers, 5.43 % least total damage tubers, 3.57 % least unlifted potato, 96.42 % best efficiency lifting, and least tuber damage index 22.39. Most interaction among the treatments was significant. The most influential factor in the experiment traits was the planting distances of potatoes in the rows. The shape of the potatoes was Spheroid. Mechanical potato harvesting saves effort saves effort, time, harvest speed, reduce the labors and increasing efficiency.

سطارة جديدة لزراعة البسلة على مصاطب

Until now, the traditional method for planting pea seeds in Egypt is manual because of the scarcity of planting machines. Therefore, this study aims to provide and evaluate a new seed drill for planting pea seeds on a raised bed in silt-clay loam soil. This seed drill consists of the frame, seeds hopper, seed metering device, transmission system, and covering unit. Laboratory tests on pea seeds were conducted to determine the seeds’ physical and mechanical properties. Field trials were carried out under the following parameters; four forward speeds (‎‎0.79, 0.98, 1.28, and 1.64 m s–1), ‎three disc cell capacities (1, 2, and ‎‎3 seeds per cell), two different cells shapes (circular, and a rectangle with semicircle end), and three distances between rows (‎7.5, 10, and 15 cm) to assess the performance of the seed drill on fuel consumption, specific energy, slip ratio, seeds damaged‎, germination ratio, plants number per hill, longitudinal scattering, and pea pods yield. The results revealed that the optimum performance of the seed drill was achieved at a forward speed ranging from 0.79 to 0.98 m s–1, using a disc cell capacity of ‎‎2 seeds, a circular cell shape, and a distance between rows of 10 cm.

Impact of Nanoscale Zinc Oxide Particle on the Growth, Yield and Soil Properties under Agency Area of Andhra Pradesh

Field experiment was carried out on silt clay loam soils at Regional Agricultural Research station, Chintapalle, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh during 2018-2020 to study the yield of response of rainfed groundnut with different levels of Nano particulate zinc oxide application along with NPK Fertilizers. The experiment consisting of eight treatments, three replications with RDF design. Results of nano particulate zinc oxide on pod yield showed that (24.36 Q/ha) in the RDF+ nano scale zinc oxide level @ 200 ppm at 25 and 45 DAS was increased over to that of normal recommended dose of N,P,K fertilizers (100% RDF) which recorded pod yield of 17.14 Q/ha only. Application of ZnSO4 through soil along with RDF showed good results (17.24 Q/ha) than RDF + Foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 2g/lit at 25 and 45 DAS (20.66 Q/ha). Application of micronutrient (ZnO) had helped in further increase in grain yields at both levels of ZnO (150% and 200% ZnO at 25 and 45 DAS). Among different treatments, significantly higher yield (24.36 Q/ha) was recorded with application of RDF + Foliar application of ZnO @ 200 ppm at 25 and 45 DAS than the only with RDF (17.4 Q/ha). With respect to method of application of ZnSO4 through soil and foliar application ZnSo4 @ 2g/lit at 25 and 45 DAS was found to be higher both levels of RDF (Pod yield of 14.6 Q/ha at RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 and 17.24 Q/ha at RDF+ foliar application of ZnSO4@ 2g/lit at 25 and 45 DAS). With respect to other plant characteristics, comparatively more plant height (43.53 cm) at RDF + foliar application of ZnO @ 200 ppm at 25 and 45 DAS. Regarding yield attributes significantly higher test weight (30.9 g) were recorded at RDF + 200 ppm ZnO at 25 and 45 DAS. Post –harvest soil sample analysis showed highest availability of nutrients in respect of soil, the results revealed that there was no significance difference among the treatments regarding Avail. N, Available K and pH. The lowest Phosphorus (17.20 kg ha-1) was recorded with RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 200 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS and highest (24.46 kg ha-1) was recorded in T9 (RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 100 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS). 
 An investigation was initiated at Department of Soil science, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Chintapalle to examine the effects of nano zinc oxide on Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) growth, yield and Zn content in Leaves, stem and roots. A field experiment consisted of nine treatments comprised of T1: control, T2: RDF, T3: RDF+ Soil application ZnSO4@ 50 Kg/ha, T4: RDF+ Foliar application ZnSO4 2 g/L at 25 & 45DAS, T5: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 150 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T6: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 200 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T7: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 400 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T8: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 50 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS, T9: RDF+ Foliar application of nanoscale ZnO 100 ppm at 25 & 45 DAS.

Modelling maize yield, soil nitrogen balance and organic carbon changes under long-term fertilization in Northeast China

Optimized fertilization is an effective strategy for improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency and maintaining high crop yield, but its long-term impacts on soil organic carbon (C) and inorganic N dynamics remain unclear. The objectives of this study were to 1) explore the economic optimum N rate and evaluate the DSSAT CERES-Maize model using the measurements from three 3-year maize (Zea mays L.) field experiments, in Gongzhuling and Yushu County, Northeast China, and 2) assess the long-term impacts of farmers' N rate (N250), optimum N rate (N180) and organic-inorganic combined N rate (MN180) on maize yields, soil N and C changes from 1985 to 2020. Results showed that similar maize yields of 8000–11,000 kg ha−1 were achieved under the average economic optimum N rate of 170 kg N ha−1 relative to N250 in both counties. Good agreements were observed between the simulated and measured maize yield, above-ground biomass, N uptake and soil nitrate (NO3−-N). Long-term simulation confirmed that N180 and MN180 can achieve the same yield as N250 in both counties. The lowest annual soil inorganic N balance, NO3−-N leaching, and nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) emissions were achieved under MN180, followed by N180 in both sites. Higher NO3−-N leaching was found in sandy clay loam soil than silt clay loam and clay loam soils. Average soil organic C (SOC, 0–0.2 m) increased from 1.3 to 2.4% in Gongzhuling and from 2.2 to 2.4% in Yushu under MN180 during the 35-year period, but it showed declining trends under N180 and N250. We concluded that the economic optimum N rate could be an option to replace current farmers’ N rate for the continuous maize. Substitution of inorganic fertilizer by 20–30% manure under the optimum N rate showed advantage on maintaining high yield, reducing soil inorganic N losses as well as increasing SOC stock for sustainable agriculture.

Effect of biochar on soil properties and infiltration in a light salinized soil: Experiments and simulations

AbstractThe sustainable development of agriculture in Xinjiang Province, China has been threatened by soil salinization. Biochar can be an effective amendment to improve salt‐affected soils. An appropriate amount of biochar application and incorporation depth are key factors for amending performance. However, few studies have investigated the effects of differing biochar application amounts on saline soil properties, including soil water infiltration, using a combination of experiments and simulations. In this study, acidulated biochar was applied at rates of 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 t ha−1 to a farmland topsoil to investigate the impacts of biochar on Xinjiang saline soil's physical and chemical properties and infiltration characteristics. The soil's physical and chemical properties that were investigated included soil pH, soil organic carbon content, soil salt content, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil water retention curves, and infiltration characteristics including cumulative infiltration (CI) and wetting front (Zf). HYDRUS‐1D was applied to predict soil water movement under different biochar incorporation depths. Results showed that the rate of change of soil pH, soil organic carbon content, soil salt content and Ks were −0.009, 0.102 g kg−1, 0.045 g kg−1 and 0.035 cm day−1, respectively, per ton of biochar applied. Soil water retention curves showed that biochar enhanced soil water retention capacity and available soil water content (AWC) in the silt clay loam soil. The Philip model was a good (R2 > 0.80) fit to soil water infiltration and indicated that biochar amendment promoted infiltration rates. The van Genuchten model was good for describing soil hydraulic parameters (R2 > 0.99) and could be used for HYDRUS‐1D simulations (R2 > 0.99, RRMSE <6.8% and NSE >0.98). The optimum biochar application amount for the light salinised soil in Xinjiang was recommended as 25 t ha−1 incorporated to 30 cm depth based on the AWC, soil salt content and incorporation depths. The study provides a reference for future field experiment design.Highlights Effects of biochar on salt‐affected soil studied using a combination of experiments and simulations. Acidulated biochar amendment of saline soils can reduce pH and increase SOC. Biochar incorporation depth was considered to affect soil water infiltration. The biochar application amount at 25 t ha−1 incorporated to 30 cm depth was recommended

Manufacture and Testing an Automatic Sprinkler Riser in the Fixed Sprinkler Irrigation System Using Smart Irrigation and its Impact on the Performance of the System and Zea Maize Yield

A field experiment was carried out with the aim of designing and manufacturing an automatic sprinkler riser for fixed sprinkler irrigation system and evaluated its impact on the system performance and the growth and production of Zea maize at Al-Raad Research Station located in the Akerkov area, 1 km north of the highway (Baghdad - Anbar) in silt clay loam soil for the agricultural season of 2021. Riser type included a regular straw, and a self-propelled riser with an inner tube, and a self-propelled riser with an external tube, and operating pressure included 1, 1.5 and 2 bar. Were used in this experiment., sprinkler discharge, sprinkler service area, plant height and plant yield. Were studied in this research Nested deign with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, were used the least significant difference was used under the probability level of 0.05 (LSD0.05) for comparison in the averages of the coefficients of the experiment, the results showed the following an automatic sprinkler riser with the outer tube was significantly superior in obtaining the highest the highest moisture content of 37.29% and the highest value of the sprinkler service area amounted to 247.98 m2 and the highest yield of the crop was 6.38 tons.ha-1, while the self-propelled riser with inner tube outperformed in obtaining the highest value of plant height amounted to 189.67 cm, and it was noted that there was no significant difference between the risers used in the value of sprinkler discharge .The superiority of the operating pressure of 2 bar in obtaining the highest value of the highest value of the moisture content was 37.97, and the highest value of the sprinkler discharge was 33.07 liters. Min-1 and the highest value of the sprinkler service area was 367.71 m2, the highest plant height was 190.11 cm and the highest yield of the crop was 6.46 ton. ha-1 compared with other pressure. The interaction between the self-propelled riser with inner tube and the operating pressure of 2 bar was superior to obtaining the highest moisture content of 38.13%, and the highest discharge of the sprinkler was 33.40 liters.min-1 while the bilateral interaction between the self-propelled riser with an external tube and the operating pressure of 2 bar exceeded the highest value of the highest value of the sprinkler service area amounted to 377.69 m2, the highest height of the plant was 194.67 cm, and the highest yield of the crop was 6.89 ton. ha-1. The success of using the locally designed and manufactured an automatic sprinkler "self-rising" riser according to the plant's height and used in the fixed sprinkler irrigation system to irrigate the maize crop.

Response of broadleaf and grass cover crop species to soil residues of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA)

AbstractGlyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the United States; however, concern is escalating about increasing residues of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in soil. There is a lack of scientific literature examining the response of cover crops to soil residues of glyphosate or AMPA. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of glyphosate or AMPA residues in silty clay loam soil on emergence, growth, and biomass of cover crops, including cereal rye, crimson clover, field pea, hairy vetch, and winter wheat, as well as their germination in a 0.07% (0.7 g L–1) solution of AMPA or glyphosate. Greenhouse studies were conducted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to determine the dose response of broadleaf and grass cover crops to soil-applied glyphosate or AMPA. The results indicated that soil treated with glyphosate or AMPA up to 105 mg ae kg–1 of soil had no effect on the emergence, growth, above-ground biomass, and root biomass of any of the cover crop species tested. To evaluate the impact of AMPA or glyphosate on the seed germination of cover crop species, seeds were soaked in Petri plates filled with a 0.7 g L–1 solution of AMPA or glyphosate. There was no effect of AMPA on seed germination of any of the cover crop species tested. Seed germination of crimson clover and field pea in a 0.7 g L–1 solution of glyphosate was comparable to the nontreated control; however, the germination of cereal rye, hairy vetch, and winter wheat was reduced by 48%, 75%, and 66%, respectively, compared to the nontreated control. The results suggested that glyphosate or AMPA up to 105 mg ae kg–1 in silt clay loam soil is unlikely to cause any negative effect on the evaluated cover crop species.

Use of a nitrification inhibitor reduces nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from compacted grassland with different soil textures and climatic conditions

Grassland accounts for 70 % of the global agricultural area. Grassland amended with N fertiliser, although increasing productivity, encourages the emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Soil compaction can result in impeded water movement and the development of anaerobic conditions that favour N2O production and emissions from denitrification. Soil compaction has become more prevalent in grassland with the use of increasingly heavy machinery and the extension of seasonal animal grazing periods, especially when soil moisture is high; close to field capacity. The effect of a nitrification inhibitor - dicyandiamide (DCD) on emissions of N2O from grassland moderately compacted from animal trampling or a tractor were investigated at two experimental field sites in the UK; a silt clay loam soil in a wet climate (SRUC) and a sandy loam in a drier climate (HAU). Compaction treatments repeated annually over three years (2011–2013) gave an overall increase in soil bulk density for the tractor compaction and animal trampling at both sites but to different degrees related to soil texture. Cumulative N2O emissions from tractor compaction for both SRUC and HAU were significantly greater than from the uncompacted control over the three years, with changing climate, soil texture and soil pH influencing the magnitude of N2O emissions. The use of DCD decreased cumulative N2O emissions at both sites, with the reduction greatest under tractor compaction, especially for the drier, sandier soil with the greater porosity. DCD appeared to decrease soil nitrate (NO3−) concentrations and decreased potential NO3− losses from leaching and run-off. Extrapolating from these data, the presence of moderate compaction, as identified in grasslands in England and Wales, could result in an estimated annual increase in N2O emissions of between 0.10 and 0.78 Mt of N2O, but these emissions could be reduced by up to 16 % and 51 % through the use of DCD, depending on compaction depth and soil texture. Although no yield increases were seen from the use of the DCD at both sites, N2O emissions were reduced.

Effects of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin and the plant growth regulator gibberellic acid on yield-scale nitrous oxide emission in maize fields under hot climatic conditions

Nitrification inhibitors are widely used in agriculture to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and increase crop yield. However, no concrete information on their mitigation of N2O emission is available under soil and environmental conditions as in Pakistan. A field experiment was established using a silt clay loam soil from Peshawar, Pakistan, to study the effect of urea applied in combination with a nitrification inhibitor, nitrapyrin (2-chloro-6-tri-chloromethyl pyridine), and/or a plant growth regulator, gibberellic acid (GA3), on N2O emission and the nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency of maize. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five treatments in four replicates: control with no N (CK), urea (200 kg N ha–1) alone, urea in combination with nitrapyrin (700 g ha–1), urea in combination with GA3 (60 g ha–1), and urea in combination with nitrapyrin and GA3. The N2O emission, yield, N response efficiency, and total N uptake were measured during the experimental period. The treatment with urea and nitrapyrin reduced total N2O emission by 39%–43% and decreased yield-scaled N2O emission by 47%–52%, relative to the treatment with urea alone. The maize plant biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake increased significantly by 23%, 17%, and 15%, respectively, in the treatment with urea and nitrapyrin, relative to the treatment with urea alone, which was possibly due to N saving, lower N loss, and increased N uptake in the form of ammonium; they were further enhanced in the treatment with urea, nitrapyrin, and GA3 by 27%, 36%, and 25%, respectively, probably because of the stimulating effect of GA3 on plant growth and development and the reduction in biotic and abiotic stresses. These results suggest that applying urea in combination with nitrapyrin and GA3 has the potential to mitigate N2O emission, improve N response efficiency, and increase maize yield.

The Effect of Biochar and Nitrogen Inhibitor on Ammonia and Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Wheat Productivity

A field experiment was conducted study the effect of biochar and a nitrification inhibitor (nitrapyrin) on NH3 and N2O emissions from a silt clay loam soil near Peshawar, Pakistan. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with eight treatments in three replicates: (no urea), urea (150 kg N ha−1), B (6 t ha−1), B (12 t ha−1), urea + B6, urea + B12, urea + B6 + NI (700 g ha−1), and urea + B12 + NI. Application of urea with two levels of biochar reduced total NH3 by 18–29% and N2O emissions by 25–22%, respectively, relative to the treatment with urea alone. Nitrous oxide emission was significantly lower (51%) in the nitrapyrin treatment than in the urea-alone treatment (P < 0.05), but there was no effect on NH3 emission. The wheat plant biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake increased significantly by 10–21%, 05–15%, and by 11–25%, respectively, in the treatments with urea and biochar, relative to the treatment with urea alone. Additionally, nitrapyrin further enhanced biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake by 33%, 19%, and 46%, respectively, relative to the treatment with urea alone. The results indicate that application of urea with biochar or in combination with nitrapyrin has the potential to mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions, which are important to increase nitrogen use efficiency and wheat productivity.

Influence of Rainfall Intensity on the Stability of Unsaturated Soil Slope: Case Study of R523 Road in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The purpose of this paper was to analyze the impact of extreme rainfall on the recurrence of slope instability using the Thulamela Municipality roads (R523) as a case study. To this end, the historical rainfall data of the area of study were analyzed between 1988 and 2018. The results show that a significant increase in rainfall is usually experienced in the summer months of December and January. Following this, the factor of safety (FoS) of slopes of silt clay, clay, and clay loam soils were estimated using the SLIDE simulator (Numerical software “Finite Element Method (FEM)”) under sunny to rainy conditions of the area. A complementary model, FLACSlope (Numerical software “Finite Difference Method (FDM)”), was utilized to simulate FoS and pore water pressure in sunny and rainy conditions of the area. Simulation results show that extreme rainfall has the ability to reduce the shear strength and resistance of the soil slope material. This may explain the recurrent landslides noted in the area. Finally, the water pore pressure has been simulated to increase with the increased water table, which generally pushes the soil particles apart and reduces the stress between the particles resulting in soil slope failure. Extreme rainfall alters the phase of the material solid in a manner that may require further research for a better understanding.

Effects of biochar amendment on greenhouse gas emission in two paddy soils with different textures

To study the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission with biochar amendment in two or more soils with different textures, an incubation experiment was carried out with two paddy soils (developed from granite-weathered red soil (S1) and from quaternary red clay (S2)) with different textures in flooding condition. The soils were subjected to the following three biochar (derived from wheat straw) treatments: 0%, 1% and 2% of soil weight, represented by CK, LC and HC, respectively. The incubation lasted for 180 d. Biochar significantly increased CO2 emission by 5.8–9.9% in S1. Biochar can combine with soil particles and provide a suitable habitat for soil microbes in S1, which increased organic C decomposition. However, biochar had no effect on CO2 emission in S2, which was due to soil aggregate formation with biochar amendment. Furthermore, biochar addition considerably reduced CH4 emission by 19.8–28.2% and 31.7–37.1% in comparison with those in CK in S1 and S2. Increased soil pH and decreased soil NH4+–N contributed to the reduction in CH4 emission. However, due to soluble C and N within biochar, N2O emissions with biochar amendment were significantly increased by 22.8–27.5% and 36.5–42.8% compared with those in CK in S1 and S2, which mainly occurred in the first 5 d. The increase in N2O emission with biochar amendment in S2 was higher than that in S1, which can be attributed to improved soil aeration with biochar application in silt clay loam soil. The net greenhouse gas emission (NGHGE, CO2-equivalents), based on the global warming potential of which for a given time horizon (e.g., 100 years), was used to assess the climatic impacts. Due to C sequestration of biochar, biochar amendment significantly decreased the NGHGE by 5123–10,250% and 5480–10,958% in S1 and S2. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of biochar in paddy field.

Soil Chemical Properties as Influenced by Long Term Manuring and Nitrogen Fertilization in Bangladesh

Organic fertilizers are enriched in plant nutrients which may enhance the soil chemical properties. However, studies on the effect of long term fertilization on soil chemical attributes is yet lacking in Bangladesh. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to assess the changes of soil chemical properties as influenced by long term manuring and nitrogen fertilizer in silt clay loam soil under rice-wheat cropping system. The experimental plot received different organic materials for the last 26 years (1988-2014). Five types of organic materials treatments such as control (no manure), cowdung, compost, green manure and rice straw were applied at the rate of 0, 25, 25, 7.5 and 1.5 t ha-1, respectively in a yearly sequence. Three levels of nitrogen viz. 0, 75 and 100 kg ha-1 for rice and 0, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 for wheat were applied in this study. Long term application of different organic materials positively increased soil organic carbon and total N, P, S and decreased pH and K, Ca and Mg availability. Increase in soil organic carbon was found maximum under green manure and lowest in rice straw applied soil. The green manure contributed to the maximum accumulation of soil nitrogen. N dose of 80 kg ha-1 was found effective in increasing availability of soil nutrients.

Influence of boron fertilization on cauliflower productivity, nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status in an acid Alfisol in Northwestern Himalaya

ABSTRACTModern agriculture over the years has resulted in depletion of boron (B) from soil which has been emerged as a serious obstacle for sustainable agriculture. We studied the availability of B in soil and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) productivity under different levels of B fertilization. A field experiment was conducted during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, at experimental farm of Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur on silt-clay loam soil (acid Alfisol) under mid hill wet temperate condition. Different levels of B for the study included 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 30 kg B ha−1 along with recommended dose (RD) of NPK and farmyard manure (FYM, 20 t ha−1). The application of B influenced biological yield significantly up to 5 kg ha−1. Highest curd yield in 2013–2014 (11.03 t ha−1) and 2014–2015 (12.93 t ha−1) was recorded in 1.5 and 0.75 kg ha−1 B along with NPK + FYM, respectively. At higher rates of boron i.e. 10, 20 and 30 kg ha−1, due to toxic effects, a reduction in curd yield was recorded in both years. Maximum mean uptake of N, P and K by leaves and curd was recorded with the application of boron at 1.5 kg ha−1, whereas mean B uptake was highest when boron was applied at 2.5 kg ha−1. The highest mean value (1.79 mg kg−1) of soil available boron was recorded with 30 kg B ha−1. Application of boron at 2.4 kg ha−1 was worked out as optimum dose for cauliflower.

EVALUATION USE OF BACILLUS MUCILAGINOSUS AS BIOFERTILIZER INTERFERE WITH GLOMUS MOSSEAE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CORN

The current study was aimed to isolate and diagnosis Bacillus mucilaginosus and evaluate its use as biofertilizer alone or interfere with Glomus mosseae on growth and yield of corn (Zea mays L.) Randomized completely block design was used at the Field of College of Agriculture- University of Baghdad Al-Jadriya in silt clay loam soil. The biofertilizer was used alone or as combination that added with or without 50 Kg P ha­¹ of rock phosphate and with or without 120 Kg K ha­¹ while, 250 Kg N ha­¹ was added as urea (46%N) to all treatments. Results showed the superiority of bacterial or fungal biofertilizer on enhancing all growth traits of corn and the addition of B . mucilaginosus together with Glomus mosseae resulted superiority for plant height , dry weight of vegetative part , grain yield and biological yield with the values 229.4 cm , 180.7 gm .plant­¹,12.17 tons ha­¹ and 19.59 tons ha­¹ respectively. As well as treatment gave significant increase equal the increase in the yield due to addition of completely recommended mineral fertilizer which was 12.14 tons ha-1 .

Germination response of Amaranthus caudatus L. to soil types and environmental conditions

Little attention is being paid to Amaranthus caudatus in the Eastern Cape Province and other parts of South Africa as a vegetable that has huge potentials in bridging nutritional gap between the rich and the poor. This work investigated germination response of the plant to environmental conditions and variation in its germination characteristics at various depths in different soil types with the intent of complementing limited data available on the general agronomy of the species. At the end of the study, the highest germination was recorded at 25 °C and under continuous dark conditions, although the seeds germinated well under a wide range of temperatures and other photoperiods. The species germinated under all seeding depths considered, though late emergence was observed at depths below 2 cm. In addition, a significant (P &lt; 0.05) interaction in pattern of germination was observed in three out of the five soil types tested, whereas the control (unfractionated) soil showed a highly significant (P &lt; 0.01) interaction with the silt clay loam and loam soil. This overlapping interaction further confirmed that the plant has wide surviving capabilities in various soils and environmental conditions, hence, for optimum seedling emergence, it is recommended that A. caudatus be planted in a loamy soil maintained at 25 °C in a continuous dark environment.

The Effect of Some Primary Tillage Equipment on Performance Efficiency Under Two Level of Soil Moisture Content and Different Machinery Unit Speeds

A field experiment was conducted in the experiment fields of the college of agriculture - University of Baghdad – Abu Ghraib , 2016 in a silt clay loam soil , to Evaluate the effect of some primary tillage equipment and two of levels of soil moisture content in some of performance efficiency indicator for different forward speed , ArmaTrac 845e and ITM 285 New tractor with moldboard and chisel and sweep plow as a machinery unit have been used in this study .&#x0D; Two levels of soil Moisture content include (18 – 20 % ) and (14 – 16%) represented main plot , three types of plow ( moldboard , chisel and sweep) represent sub plot , five machinery speeds included ( 1.5 , 2.53 , 3.75 , 5.3 and 6.71 km.hr-1 ) represent sub plot , Slippage percentage (%) , fuel consumption (L.hr-1) , drawbar pull (KN) , Field capacity (he.hr-1) are have beenbeen measured in this study . And the results have been analyzed by using the order of the spilt - spilt - plot with randomize complete block design with three replicates and tested by the way averages less significant difference and the level of probability of 0.05 .&#x0D; The results show that : the soil moisture content ( 14 – 16 % ) has got a less value of slippage percentage % , fuel consumption L.hr-1 , drawbar pull Kn and higher field capacity ha.hr-1 , and sweep plow has got a less value of slippage percentage , fuel consumption and drawbar pull , and the chisel plow has got a higher field capacity , and when the tractor speed is increased it leads to aincrease in the slippage and fuel consumption and drawbar pull and field capacity will be anincrease .

Crucifer-legume cover crop mixtures provide effective sulphate catch crop and sulphur green manure services

Crucifers grown as cover crops are known to reduce sulphate leaching (S catch-crop service) and release large amounts of mineral sulphate for the subsequent cash crop once incorporated into the soil (S green-manure service). Crucifer-legume cover crop mixtures are effective to obtain high nitrogen related services, but few data exist on their performances for S-related services. Our study aimed to assess performances of a wide variety of bispecific crucifer-legume mixtures designed to provide soil S catch-crop and S green-manure services. A two-year field experiment was conducted at two sites near Toulouse, France (silt clay loam soil) and Orleans, France (sandy loam soil) in which cultivars from eight crucifer species and nine legume species were tested as sole and bispecific cover crops. Crucifer-legume mixtures and crucifer sole cover crops provided the same level of S catch-crop service (12 kg S ha−1), significantly higher than that of legume sole cover crops (4 kg S ha−1). Similarly, crucifer-legume mixtures provided almost the same level of S green-manure service (5.5 kg S ha−1) as crucifer sole cover crops (6.5 kg S ha−1). Our results demonstrate the compatibility and complementarity of certain crucifer and legume species when grown together to provide S and N catch-crop and green-manure services. For a same cover crop species no strong cultivar effect has been highlighted in our growing conditions.

OF EFFECT OF SOME SOIL TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON TILLAGE APPEARANCE AND SOME TECHNICAL INDICATORS MACHINARY UNITS

The experiment was conducted on a farm of the College of Agriculture - University of Baghdad for the year 2015 in silt-clay loam soil in order to evaluate the effect of tillage equipment on tillage appearance and some the technical indicators. The tractor" ITM– 285"with tillage systems implements tow factors included, three primary tillage implements included: Moldboard plow, Chisel plow and sweep plow and three pulverization implement included :disc harrow, spring spike tooth harrow and rotary harrow studying the effect of these factors on: Number of clods &gt; 10cm , number of clods &lt; 5cm, disturbed soil volume ,and total porosity in this reseach . Treatment were Laid out using split –plot with randomized complete block design in three replicates. The results showed that sweep plow superior in obtained less number of clods &gt; 10cm/m2 which was 12.7 clod/m2, less number of clods &gt; 5cm/ m2 which was 21.28 clod/m2 and highest soil porosity which was 57.11% compared with chisel plow and moldboard plow , chisel plow showed the superior in getting higher disturbed soil volume which was 663.3m3/ hr compared with other plows. Rotary harrow obtained less number of clods &gt; 5cm/m2 which was 25.06 clod / m2, less soil porosity which was 54.78% compared with disc harrow and spring spike tooth harrow. Spring Spike tooth Harrow obtained highest disturbed soil volume which was 1021.4 m3/ hr. The interference between sweep plow with rotary harrow got less number of clods &gt; 5cm/m2 which was 16.83 clod/m2, mean while chisel plow with spring spike tooth harrow got highest disturbed soil volume which was1027.8 m3/ hr, while sweep plow with spring spike tooth harrow was superior to obtain highest soil porosity which was 58.67 %.