Soil Crop Research Articles

Ameliorating potential effects of natural biological formulations and biostimulants on plant health and quality attributes in coriander-fenugreek intercropped strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

The present study documented the effect of bio-organics in legume intercropped strawberry cv. Camarosa during the years 2022 and 2023. Bio-organic fertilizer inputs included were Jeevamrit (JV), Ghan-Jeevamrit (GJ) and Azolla. Coriander-Strawberry-Fenugreek as intercropping system was adopted. The treatments comprised were T1: GJ at 100 g/m2 + JV at 10% +Azolla at 200 g/plant, T2: GJ at 150 g/m2 + JV at 10% +Azolla at 200 g/plant, T3: GJ at 100 g/m2 + JV at 20% +Azolla at 200 g/plant, T4: GJ at 150 g/m2 + JV at 20% +Azolla at 200 g/plant, T5: GJ at 100 g/m2 + JV at 10% +Azolla at 250 g/plant, T6: GJ at 150 g/m2 + JV at 10% +Azolla at 250 g/plant, T7: GJ at 100 g/m2 + JV at 20% +Azolla at 250 g/plant, T8: GJ at 150 g/m2 + JV at 20% +Azolla at 250 g/plant, T9: GJ at 150 g/m2 + JV at 20% as per SPNF, T10: Farmyard manure (100% N basis) and T11: Recommended dose of N: P:K (80:40:40 kg/ha) as control. Application of bio-stimulants at 50 g/plant and AM fungi @ 20 g/ plant was applied uniformly in treatments T1–T8. One month after transplanting, T3 showed positive influence on vegetative growth traits of strawberry plantlets. Minimum number of days taken to flower, maximum duration of flowering (142) and number of flowers (51) were also recorded. This treatment application also observed maximum fruit yield (677.93 g/ plant) and yield efficiency (7.91 g/cm2 of leaf area) compared to all other bio-organic combinations applied. Post harvest soil chemical indicators were also significantly influenced except pH and electrical conductivity compared to FYM (100% N equivalence) and Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) of NPK (80:40:40 kg/ha). Microbial biomass in terms of total bacteria, soil fungi, actinobacterial count, phosphorous solubilizing bacteria, AM spore population, Azotobacter count and Soil enzymatic activity of phosphatase and dehydrogenases showed a steady rise after application of GJ @ 100 g/m2 + JV @ 20% + Azolla @ 200 g/plant. In addition, overall increase of the yield of coriander and fenugreek compared to FYM (100% N equivalence) and RDF of NPK (80:40:40 kg/ha) was recorded. The positive influence both on leaf and fruit NPK contents were also recorded when plantlets were supplemented with GJ @100 g/m2 + JV@ 20% + Azolla @ 200 g/plant. This study inferred that application of bio-organic inputs sources which can boost up cropping behavior, post harvest soil indicators, native microbial properties and enzymatic activity in rhizosphere, and thus can have the potential to improve crop resilience and soil productivity on sustainable basis.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Crop Yield and Soil Fertility: A Comprehensive Review

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Crop Yield and Soil Fertility: A Comprehensive Review

Rice yield predictions using remote sensing and machine learning algorithms: A review

Crop yield prediction is becoming increasingly crucial due to global food security concerns, as highlighted by recent reports from the World Health Organization. Accurate early predictions can mitigate famine risks by estimating food supply, which is essential for 820 million people facing hunger globally. Rice is the primary staple food consumed worldwide; therefore, global rice yield and rice area are monitored using emerging technologies such as remote sensing (RS) and machine learning (ML). These technologies provide valuable tools for enhancing rice yield predictions. RS includes critical information on crop health, soil conditions and weather patterns. In contrast, ML algorithms analyze these datasets to identify patterns and relationships that affect yield. Integrating these technologies offers promising improvements in yield forecasting accuracy, with applications showing successful yield predictions 1-3 months before harvest. Various ML techniques, including Random Forest, Support Vector Machines and deep learning models such as LSTM (Long-Short Term Memory), have been employed, often in combination with RS data. However, these models face challenges, such as data quality, managing high-dimensional RS data and accounting for spatial and temporal variability. Despite these challenges, integrating RS and ML has significant potential for advancing precision agriculture and achieving sustainable food production. This study explores the advancements, practical applications and challenges associated with using RS and ML for rice yield prediction, emphasizing the importance of these technologies in addressing global food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Predictive Farming: Harnessing Data and AI for Smarter, Sustainable Agriculture

Predictive Farming: Harnessing Data and AI for Smarter, Sustainable Agriculture leverages advanced technologies to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. This research focuses on developing a predictive farming system powered by machine learning models to optimize crop management and yield prediction. The project integrates a web-based interface using Flask- based backend for machine learning model deployment. The system analyzes agricultural data to provide insights on crop health, soil conditions, and optimal farming practices. The results demonstrate improved decision-making capabilities for farmers, leading to better resource utilization and increased crop yields. Keywords : Smart Farming, Machine Learning, Crop Management, Flask, Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Technology

Soil organic carbon and related properties under conservation agriculture and contrasting conventional fields in Northern Malawi

Conservation agriculture (CA) is widely promoted as an agroecology-based approach for soil conservation. Several studies have focused on effects of CA on crop yields and soil moisture dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa, with limited focus on effects of CA on soil organic carbon (SOC) and associated fractions. We collected representative soil samples from 30 paired farms under CA and conventional tillage in Mzimba district, north of Malawi to determine effects of tillage and soil depth on soil physico-chemical properties, total SOC, and organic carbon fractions. Undisturbed soil cores were collected for bulk density measurements. Different SOC pools were determined using the soil fractionation method, while soil physico-chemical analyses were conducted using standard laboratory methods on disturbed soil samples. Soil organic carbon content ranged from 0.4-1.8% in CA plots. This was significantly larger than SOC contents of 0.4-1.5% measured under conventional tilled plots. Tillage type and soil depth had significant interaction effects on SOC. For example, larger contents of SOC were measured at depths of 0-10 cm compared to 10-30 cm under CA plots. Soil depth had significant effects on most soil properties compared to tillage. Examples include Heavy Particulate Organic Matter-Carbon (POM-C) fraction, Mineral Associated Organic Matter-Carbon (MAOM-C), nitrogen in MAOM fraction and nitrogen in the Light POM fractions. These were larger in the 0-10 cm soil depth than in the 10-30 cm soil depth. In contrast, tillage type only had significant effects on the Heavy POM-C and MAOM-C fractions, which were larger under CA than conventional tilled plots. Conservation agriculture showed capacity to improve total SOC and its associated fractions, a finding relevant towards understanding effects of land management on carbon storage. However, challenges of competing residue use as feed, mulch, and fuel continue to impede mulching under CA systems. Longer term studies and use of alternative mulching options could be employed to recognise noticeable changes in other SOC beneficial pools in fields under CA.

Effects of agricultural plastic films on crop growth and soil health in tobacco fields: A comparative study

In recent years, the impact of microplastics on soil microorganisms and crop growth has gained significant attention. However, the effects of agricultural plastic films on crop growth and soil health in tobacco fields are not clear. In our study, we conducted field experiments to investigate the effects of six types of agricultural film treatments on soil fertility, soil microbial community, and plant growth. Compositions of study treatments were as follows: T1: farmhouse film; T2: photodegradation film; T3: black film (6 μm); T4: black film (8 μm); T5: transparent film (6 μm); T6: transparent film (8 μm). Our results showed that photodegradable film treatment was beneficial for promoting crop growth and root development. The fresh stem biomass, dry root biomass, and dry stem biomass were significantly increased by 14.58 %, 68.70 %, and 18.27 %, respectively, under the T2 treatment, when compared to the T1 treatment. In addition, our results showed that photodegradation film treatment maintained soil pH value, compared with other agricultural film treatments. The application of photodegradation film treatment offered advantageous effects in the preservation of soil moisture and temperature. In addition, the diversity of soil microorganisms improved with photodegradable film. Compared to T1 treatment, the number of OTUs of bacteria and fungi improved by 1.94–7.64 % and 7.39–30.08 % under other treatments, respectively. Furthermore, our study showed that pH emerged as the paramount environmental determinant. The number of subnetworks treated with photodegradable film significantly increased, indicating a more complex and stable functional diversity of soil microbial communities. Additionally, compared to bacteria, fungal communities exhibited greater adaptability and stability. The results of this study support the view that photodegradable film can be employed, as it can to enhance crop yield, improve soil quality, maintain a favorable ecological environment, and mitigate the adverse environmental impact of microplastics.

Changes in phosphorus due to pyrolysis and in the soil-plant system amended with sewage sludge biochar compared to conventional P fertilizers: A global meta-analysis.

Phosphorus (P) plays an essential role for plant growth, but conventional P sources used in agriculture are finite and non-renewable. As a result, there is a growing need to explore alternative P sources such as sewage sludge (SS)-a P-rich solid waste and valuable renewable resource that is often mismanaged globally. Pyrolysis is a promising technique for managing SS. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the pyrolysis effect on P concentration and fractions in SS using 381 paired observations from 77 peer-reviewed articles. Moreover, we assessed the impacts of SS biochar amendments on soil P pools and crop productivity, as well as the experimental factors influencing its efficacy. Our results indicate that pyrolysis significantly affects P solubility in SS biochar (SSB), reducing water-extractable P and slowing its release, while increasing P availability in NaOH and HCl extracts. Pyrolysis also leads to significant increase in apatite P (AP) by 188%, inorganic P (IP) by 107%, total P (TP) by 69%, non-apatite P (NAIP) by 33.9%, while reducing organic P (OP) by 65.2% compared to the original SS. Higher pyrolysis temperatures enhance the conversion of NAIP to AP. Biochar application increased soil available P content by an average of 324%, with the most significant effects at higher application rates (>20tha-1) and in medium to fine-textured soils. Crop productivity improved by 50.5% with biochar application compared to non-fertilized controls, especially for maize and wheat. Overall, SSB application results in crop productivity similar to fertilized controls. Thus, SSB shows promise as a slow-release P fertilizer, offering long-term benefits for both crop productivity and soil health.

Integrated Crop Production Management

Abstract: Integrated Crop Production and Management is an innovative and sustainable approach that combines a variety of farming practices to optimize crop yield, soil health, and environmental sustainability. The approach integrates strategies such as crop rotation, organic fertilization, pest and weed management, water conservation, and soil fertility enhancement into a comprehensive farming system. ICPM would minimize dependency on chemical inputs, promote soil structure, and enhance biodiversity while improving crop tolerance to climatic variability and pests. This paper explores the principles and methodologies behind ICPM, bringing to light how it can promote agricultural productivity and ecological balance at the same time. The paper highlights the potential of IPM, conservation tillage, and agroforestry in promoting farm resilience while reducing environmental degradation. Case studies and field experiments demonstrate the effects of ICPM on crop yield, soil health, and profitability of the farm. The adoption of modern and traditional practices in ICPM not only addresses the immediate needs of crop production but also contributes to long-term sustainability. This research will demonstrate how ICPM can be a viable solution to current challenges in agriculture, such as climate change, food security, and resource depletion, and offer farmers a pathway to more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

EFFECT OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE ON WATER CONSUMPTION OF BARLEY AND MUNGBEAN IN GYPSIFEROUS DESERT SOIL

The field experiment was carried out during 2021-2022 in the Lower Al-Jazeera region at Anbar - Iraq. The study aimed to find the effect of conservation tillage and coverage practice on water use and consumption of crops in gypsum desert soil in two seasons using two cover crops (Barley and Mung bean). The experiment was carried out on abandoned land, so the covering (straw) was added when planting barley, and then the barley residual was kept when planting Mung bean. Non-inversion tillage was used by the digger plow. Randomly four treatments, tillage covering T.C, tillage no-covering T.NC, no-tillage covering NT.C, and no-tillage no-covering NT.NC was distributed on 12 experimental units by using RCBD design. Irrigation under sprinkler system. Results showed a significant effect of the T treatments on water consumption (ETa) in the winter season in the Mid-stage, with a difference of 16% from the NT, and for the C treatments in the Div-tage, with a difference of 37.6% from the NC. In the Inti-stage of the summer season, the T and C treatments used significantly less water by 18% and 13% compared to the NT and NC treatments, respectively. While in consumption ETa, showed a significant difference for T treatments by 6% less than NT in the Inti-stage and for C treatments in the Dev-stage by 13 % less than NC. The interference treatments T.C least and NT.NC higher used and consumed.

Long-term cropping system effects on soil organic matter fractions and enzyme activities in a cool oceanic climate

Information about soil organic matter fraction and enzyme activity responses to agricultural management may help guide decisions that sustain crop productivity and soil health. We measured carbon and nitrogen in bulk soil, mineral-associated organic matter, particulate organic matter, water-extractable organic matter, and the potential activity of β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminadase, acid phosphomonoesterase and arylsulfatase in three cropping systems after: 1) 21-years of conventional- or no-tillage silage corn monoculture (0-20-cm); and 2) six years of nitrogen fertilization with or without nitrification inhibitors and 3) nine years of 100 or 200% the recommended broadcast or fertigation nitrogen rate in two distinct mature highbush blueberry systems (0-15-cm). Soil organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, particulate organic nitrogen, water-extractable nitrogen and arylsulfatase activity were 17%, 38%, 50%, 25% and 68% greater, respectively, with no-tillage than conventional tillage. Particulate organic carbon accumulated with two decades of no-tillage, which increased soil organic carbon without altering mineral-associated organic carbon. Nitrification inhibitors did not impact any soil organic matter fraction or enzyme activity after six years in a mature highbush blueberry system. Broadcasted nitrogen led to higher soil organic carbon than fertigation, but excessive application (200% vs 100% rate) depleted soil organic carbon, accumulated reactive nitrogen and reduced potential activity of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminadase, acid phosphomonoesterase and arylsulfatase after nine years in a mature highbush blueberry system. Excessive nitrogen may deplete organic carbon and cause reactive nitrogen accumulation in soil of mature highbush blueberry systems. Intensive agricultural management has trade-offs for carbon and nitrogen cycling that should be balanced with sustainable crop production.

Crop rotation increases Tibetan barley yield and soil quality on the Tibetan Plateau.

Tibetan barley (Hordeum vulgare) accounts for over 70% of the total food production in the Tibetan Plateau. However, continuous cropping of Tibetan barley causes soil degradation, reduces soil quality and causes yield decline. Here we explore the benefits of crop rotation with wheat and rape to improve crop yield and soil quality. We conducted 39 field experiments on the Tibetan Plateau, comparing short-term (≤5 years), 5-10 years and long-term (≥10 years) continuous cropping with rotation of Tibetan barley with wheat or rape. Results showed that Tibetan barley-wheat and Tibetan barley-rape rotations increased yields by 17% and 12%, respectively, while improving the soil quality index by 11% and 21%, compared with long-term continuous cropping. Both Tibetan barley rotations with wheat and rape improved soil quality and consequently yield, mainly by increasing soil microbial biomass nitrogen and microbial biomass carbon and decreasing pH. By contrast, long-term continuous cropping led to decreased soil organic matter, lower microbial biomass nitrogen and increased pH, contributing to yield decline. The benefits of rotations on crop yield and soil quality increased over time. Implementing crop rotation with wheat or rape thus offers a sustainable agricultural strategy for improving food security on the Tibetan Plateau.

Potential of Manure and Urea Fertilizer on Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity and Soil Quality in the Northern Highlands of Tanzania

Many agricultural fields are no longer sustainable due to inadequate replenishment of soil nutrients through organic and inorganic inputs, particularly in smallholder farming systems. As a result, achieving potential crop yields in these systems has proven to be difficult. Field trials were conducted in two long rainy growing seasons in 2021 and 2023 to assess the effects of urea fertilizer and cattle manure as sources of nitrogen (N) on (i) maize crop yields and (ii) soil chemical properties at two sites (Kwa Sadala and Mungushi) located in Hai district, northern Tanzania. The trials employed a randomized complete block design with three replicates, including eight treatments. The treatments were: 0 fertilizer (control), 25, 50, 75 kg N ha−1 (sole urea), 12.5 kg N (urea) + 12.5 kg N (cattle manure), 25 kg N (urea) + 25 kg N (cattle manure), and 50 and 75 kg N (sole cattle manure). Results show that the highest application rate of urea (75 kg N ha−1) produced the highest grain yields of 4.21 and 4.09 t ha−1 in the 2021 season and 4.32 and 4.04 t ha−1 in the 2023 season at Kwa Sadala and Mungushi, respectively. The application of cattle manure at the highest rates increased the soil pH by 3.15 and 2.26% at Kwa Sadala and Mungushi, respectively. Similarly, soil total N, OC, available/extractable P, and exchangeable K increased by 100%, 56.3%, 52.36%, and 19.67%, respectively, at Kwa Sadala and by 16.67%, 18.13%, 20.95%, and 6.76%, respectively, at Mungushi. The use of urea alone at the higher rates or in combination with cattle manure at 50% each resulted in the highest net benefit (NB) in all sites. The findings from this study suggest that a comprehensive approach to managing soil nutrients, such as combining inorganic and organic inputs, may improve crop yields while maintaining soil health.

A flagella-dependent Burkholderia jumbo phage controls rice seedling rot and steers Burkholderia glumae toward reduced virulence in rice seedlings.

Bacteriophages (phages) are being investigated as potential biocontrol agents for the suppression of bacterial diseases in cultivated crops. Jumbo bacteriophages, which possess genomic DNA larger than 200 kbp, generally have a broader host range than other phages and therefore would be useful as biocontrol agents against a wide range of bacterial strains. Thus, the characterization of novel jumbo phages specific for agricultural pathogens would be of importance for the development of phage biocontrol strategies. Herein, we demonstrate that phage S13 requires Burkholderia glumae flagella for its attachment and infection and that loss of B. glumae flagella prevents S13 cellular lysis. As flagella is a known virulence factor, loss of flagella results in a surviving population of B. glumae with reduced virulence. Further experimentation demonstrates that phage S13 can protect rice plants from B. glumae-sponsored destruction in a rice seedling model of infection.IMPORTANCEBacterial plant pathogens threaten many major food crops and inflict large agricultural losses worldwide. B. glumae is a bacterial plant pathogen that causes diseases such as rot, wilt, and blight in several food major crops including rice, tomato, hot pepper, and eggplant. B. glumae infects rice during all developmental stages, causing diseases such as rice seedling rot and bacterial panicle blight (BPB). The B. glumae incidence of rice plant infection is predicted to increase with warming global temperatures, and several different control strategies targeting B. glumae are being explored. These include chemical and antibiotic soil amendment, microbiome manipulation, and the use of partially resistant rice cultivars. However, despite rice growth amelioration, the treatment options for B. glumae plant infections remain limited to cultural practices. Alternatively, phage biocontrol represents a promising new method for eliminating B. glumae from crop soils and improving rice yields.

Advances in Integrated Nutrient Management Practices for Cereal Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Integrated Fertilizer Management (INM) is an agricultural practice that maximizes the use of all available fertilizer sources to maintain and improve soil fertility and crop yield. The major goal of INM is to create sustainable agricultural output through a balance of organic, inorganic, and biological nutrition sources. INM promotes soil health by recycling nutrients, using less chemical fertilizer, and combining organic manures, crop waste, biofertilizers, and mineral fertilizers. INM entails meeting crop nutrient requirements with a variety of nutrient sources, including organic manures (e.g., farmyard manure, compost), crop residues, biofertilizers (e.g., Rhizobium, Azotobacter), and chemical fertilizers. INM requires soil fertility management, crop rotation, green manuring, and balanced fertilizer application. INM focuses on increasing nutrient efficiency, maintaining soil organic matter, stimulating biological activity, and limiting environmental effect. INM helps farmers by improving soil health, increasing nutrient efficiency and crop yields, lowering environmental pollution, and maintaining economic sustainability. INM has aided many crops, including wheat, maize, barley, and rice. For wheat, INM improves grain yield, quality, and protein content. It improves maize biomass yield, nitrogen uptake, and soil fertility. It allows barley to grow quicker, produce larger grains, and withstand abiotic stress better. In rice, INM enhances tillering, grain quality, and yield. Finally, INM is a holistic method that integrates a variety of fertilizer sources to promote long-term crop production and soil health management, and it offers a feasible solution to the difficulties produced by traditional agricultural practices.

Commodity Zoning and Identification of Agricultural Practices Using an Agroecological Approach in Selur Village

Selur Village is an agrarian village where most residents rely on the agricultural sector as their primary source of livelihood. However, this sector faces challenges such as limited irrigation access, suboptimal land management, and the impacts of climate change. Agroecology offers an integrative solution combining ecological, social, and cultural aspects to enhance agricultural sustainability. This study aims to delineate superior commodity zoning through agroecological maps tailored to the biophysical potential of the area and to understand local farming practices based on agroecological principles. The research employs a mixed-method approach, with primary data obtained through interviews with 18 farmers, analyzed using Deductive Qualitative Analysis (DQA) to describe current farming practices, which were then interpreted about agroecological principles. Secondary data, including slope, elevation, air temperature, rainfall, and soil type, were spatially analyzed using QGIS to produce agroecological zone maps. Land suitability assessment was conducted using the matching method, aligning land characteristics with crop growth requirements. The results indicate that the majority of land in Selur village is suitable for perennial crops and forestry. Key commodities such as rice, maize, turmeric, and horticultural crops exhibit high compatibility with land conditions. The findings emphasize the application of agroecological principles, including crop diversification, soil conservation, and resource recycling, but highlight the need for further interventions. The study concludes by recommending strategies such as sustainable intensification, land rehabilitation, and enhanced market access to optimize agricultural productivity and resilience in Selur Village.

Land Configuration and Nutrient Management on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Green Gram under Sodic Soil

Background: Pulses, endowed with unique ability of nitrogen fixation constitute an important component of crop diversification and resource conservation in farming systems. Green gram [Vigna radiate], a drought resistant crop, is one of the thirteen food legumes grown in India and the third most important pulse crop after chickpea and pigeon pea It is a protein rich staple food which contains about 25 percent protein and plays a crucial role in enhancing soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. Sodic soils typically exhibit poor nutrient availability as essential cations are displaced by sodium ions. They significantly influence green gram productivity, posing challenges to its sustainability, with the potential for sodification extending into subsoil layers, impeding plant root development and requiring remedial action. Appropriate land configuration and nutrient management could mitigating the challenges posed by sodic soils for pulse crops. Understanding the effects of land configuration and nutrient management on its growth, yield andeconomic viability is vital for sustainable agriculture. Keeping this in view, the field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different land configuration and nutrient management for their impact on plant height, dry matter production, grain yield, haulm yield, net income andBenefit Cost ratio with nutrient uptake under sodic condition. Methods: The land configuration factor consists of the three treatments viz., flat bed, ridges and furrows and broad bed furrow system. The second factor nutrient management comprising of five treatments like 100% RDF + 1% DAP, 100% RDF + 1% MAP, 75% RDF + 2% MAP, 100% RDF + 1% MKP, 75% RDF + 2% MKP. The RDF for green gram was 25 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 + 25 kg K2O per hectare. Result: Higher plant height, dry matter production, grain and haulm yield, protein yield, economic and nutrient uptake was recorded in broad bed furrow over farmer’s practice of flatbed method. N 4 - 100% RDF + 1% MKP foliar spray twice at (plant height, dry matter production, grain and haulm yield, protein yield, economic and nutrient uptake ) were observed than farmer’s practice. Hence, Broad bed furrow and nutrient management practice of 100% RDF + 1% MKP has the potential to enhance the productivity green gram under sodic condition.

Effects of Liquid Organic Fertilizer on Soil Chemistry, Components and Yields of Maize West of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Aims: The aim of this study is to help increase crop yields and soil fertility. Location and Duration of Studies: The study took place in the western part of Burkina Faso. It is based on the use of a liquid organic fertilizer on corn producers' plots. These are soil fertility data and corn agronomic data over three successive campaigns (2021, 2022 and 2023). Methodology: A completely randomized block design with three replications comprising five (05) Treatments was set up. The fertilizers used were : NPK (15-15-15), urea (46%N) and liquid organic fertilizer. The liquid organic fertilizer was made using cowpea flour, neem leaves, sugar and animal waste (cow dung and urine). Soil samples were taken at six periods. The first sample was taken before sowing, followed by four more during cultivation and one just after harvesting. Measurements of height and diameter of the rod were taken on the 30th, 45th, 60th and 75th day after sowing. Results: Results showed that T1 recorded the best pH-water value (6.75) and total phosphorus (410.66 mg/kg). The T4 gave the highest levels of organic carbon (1.5%) and total nitrogen (1.44%). Concerning the cation exchange capacity (CEC), the highest content is obtained with T2 with a value of 10.23 cmol/kg. As for total potassium, the highest content is in T3, at 652.44 mg/kg. At the maturity, T2 has the highest average diameter at 16.35 mm. In terms of height, the absolute control present the tallest plants with an average value of 1.41m. The highest yields were obtained with T4 (1983.23 kg/ha), followed by T2 (1834.9 kg/ha), T1 (1723.43 kg/ha) and T3 (1557.12 kg/ha). Liquid organic fertilizer has been effective in producing grain yields at a rate of 40.58%. Conclusion: The liquid organic fertilizer applied alone has high carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium and CEC content compared with the control. It was also efficient in grain yield production with a rate of 40.58%. In fact, it is imperative to carry out a test in a paysan environment before popularizing it.

Diurnal Regulation of SOS Pathway and Sodium Excretion Underlying Salinity Tolerance of Vigna marina.

Vigna marina (Barm.) Merr. is adapted to tropical marine beaches and has an outstanding tolerance to salt stress. Given there are growing demands for cultivating crops in saline soil or with saline water, it is important to understand how halophytic species are adapted to the saline environments. Here we revealed by positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) that V. marina actively excretes sodium from the root during the light period but not the dark period. The following whole genome sequencing accompanied with forward genetic study identified a QTL region harbouring SOS1, encoding plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, which was associated with not only salt tolerance but also the ability of sodium excretion. We also found the QTL region contained a large structural rearrangement that suppressed recombination across ~14 Mbp, fixing multiple gene loci potentially involved in salt tolerance. RNA-seq and promoter analyses revealed SOS1 in V. marina was highly expressed even without salt stress and its promoter shared common cis-regulatory motifs with those exhibiting similar expression profiles. Interestingly, the cis-regulatory motifs seemed installed by a transposable element (TE) insertion. Though not identified by genetic analysis, the transcriptome data also revealed SOS2 transcription was under diurnal regulation, explaining the pattern of sodium excretion together with upregulated expression of SOS1. Altogether, the study elucidated one aspect of the strategy adopted by V. marina to adapt to marine beach, which is highly saline and transpiring.

Geogenic perspectives on potassium dynamics and plant uptake: insights from natural and submerged conditions across different soil types with machine learning predictions

Four different soil types including red, alluvial, calcareous, and black soils along with rice cultivated on them were collected from various parts of India and analyzed for potassium dynamics in the soil plant continuum. Soil potassium (K) dynamics were studied under submerged and non-submerged conditions, and potassium content was analyzed in rice roots, shoots, and grains, along with other soil properties. Red (S1: 5.9) and alluvial (S5: 5.16) soils were moderately acidic, while black (S8: 8.01) and calcareous (S7: 8.1) soils were alkaline. Black soil (S8) had the highest cation exchange capacity (CEC: 31.25 cmol (p+)/kg) and clay content (41.2%), while alluvial soil had the most organic carbon (S5: 1.74%). Submerged conditions enhanced potassium availability, with red soil showing the highest levels of water-soluble K (WsK), exchangeable K (ExK), and non-exchangeable K (NEK), particularly Step-K and constant rate K (CR-K) forms. Rice potassium content was highest in grains, followed by shoots and roots, with red soil containing the most available potassium. A strong correlation was found between soil potassium forms and rice plant potassium uptake. Sensitivity analysis indicated that WsK and ExK from non-submerged soil to be the most favorable forms for potassium uptake, especially in the rice roots and grains. Machine learning models, particularly Random Forest, accurately predicted potassium availability and uptake, highlighting their potential in optimizing soil fertility and advancing precision agriculture for better crop yields and soil health.

Integrating rainwater harvesting and organic soil amendment to enhance crop yield and soil nutrients in agroforestry

Abstract More than 90% of rainfed croplands in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are severely affected by highly intermittent rainfall and frequent drought limiting crop productivity in the region. Besides, 27.1% of the population in SSA are currently food insecure and this is likely to increase with the current rapid population growth in the region. Soil erosion and water scarcity remain to be the core problem affecting agricultural productivity of smallholder farming. In the current study, we analysed rainwater harvesting assisted small-scale agroforestry system in order to mitigate both soil erosion and water scarcity issues simultaneously. The system included in-situ rainwater harvesting, soil organic amendment (raw poultry litter, poultry litter biochar, wood ash) and an agroforestry system (AFS) containing maize, barley- Eucalyptus globulus all intercropped in a holistic approach. The effect was evaluated on selected soil parameters and crop yield in a field experiment on a completely randomized design. The treatments were poultry litter (PWAFS), poultry litter biochar (BWAFS) wood ash (AWAFS) with supplementary irrigation (WAFS) and agroforestry system AFS (control). The first three treatments contained poultry litter, poultry litter biochar and wood ash along with rainwater harvesting respectively while the fourth treatment contained only rainwater harvesting. Besides, a control plot-AFS was assigned with neither rainwater harvesting nor soil organic resources. The result indicated that BWAFS increased the pH by 19.4% followed by AWAFS and PWAFS (9%). Maximum and minimum SOM (2.26%, 1.21%) were observed under BWAFS and the control (AFS) respectively. BWAFS significantly increased Av.P by 78.1% while WAFS increased by 40% compared to the control. Similarly, BWAFS and PWAFS had significant effect on maize yield with increase by 74% and 36% respectively. The study concluded that integrating rainwater harvesting and soil amendment with agroforestry systems can enhance crop yield and soil nutrient levels. Therefore, such agricultural practices should be adopted by smallholder farmers in areas with limited water and nutrients levels.