International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Improving Fruit Quality and Yield in Daisy Mandarin Cultivar by Foliar Application of Manganese and Iron
No full textIn a study at Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab, evaluated the effects of foliar-applied manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) on the Daisy mandarin cultivar. Manganese sulphate (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%) and ferrous sulphate (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%) were applied individually and in combination, using a Randomized Block Design with sixteen treatments, four replications, and sixty-four treatment combinations. The combination of 0.3% MnSO₄ + 0.2% FeSO₄ significantly improved fruit length (138.0 mm), juice content (39.18%), vitamin C (39.97 mg/100g), and fruit firmness (14.9 kg/cm²) compared to the control. The highest TSS (12.75 °Brix) was observed with 0.2% MnSO₄, however, 0.3% MnSO₄ + 0.3% FeSO₄ maximized fruit weight (156.87 g), fruit number (480.5), and yield (75.37 kg/plant)
Effect of Organic Sources of Nutrients on Productivity and Economics of Rainfed Cotton in Vertisols under Semi-arid Conditions
No full textA field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various organic sources of nutrients on productivity and economics of rainfed cotton in Vertisols. The experiment was initiated during 2019-20 and the present study was conducted during kharif 2022-23 and 2023-24 at Research field of AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra. The various organic sources of nutrients used were gliricidia green leaves, FYM and vermicompost. The nine treatments, which included three replications and different combinations of organic nutrient sources were evaluated in randomized block design. The findings after 5th cycle revealed that the integrated application of 50% N through FYM/ vermicompost + 50% N through gliricidia resulted in significantly higher increase in seed cotton and stalk yield. Higher monetary returns were observed with 100% RDF, however conjunctive use of FYM / vermicompost + gliricidia resulted in comparable monetary returns thereby signifying their application in economics of cotton cultivation. These studies suggest that it is beneficial to use conjoint application of FYM/ vermicompost and gliricidia green manure as it improves cotton yield with higher economic returns under semi-arid rainfed conditions
Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture Dynamics: Applications in Agriculture, Hydrology and Climate Studies
No full textSoil moisture is a critical state variable within the Earth\u27s system, fundamentally governing the exchange of water and energy between the land surface and the atmosphere. Its dynamics directly influence agricultural productivity, hydrological processes, and climate patterns across multiple scales. This comprehensive review examines the evolution, principles, and applications of remote sensing technologies for monitoring soil moisture. We provide a detailed analysis of the primary remote sensing methodologies, including optical, thermal infrared, and microwave techniques, elucidating their physical bases, operational characteristics, and respective advantages and limitations. The significant contributions of key satellite missions, such as the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS), Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), and Sentinel-1 missions, are evaluated in the context of advancing global soil moisture monitoring capabilities. The paper explores the transformative impact of remotely sensed soil moisture data across three principal domains. In agriculture, these data facilitate precision irrigation, enhance crop yield forecasting, and support robust drought monitoring and early warning systems. In hydrology, the applications extend to improved flood forecasting, quantitative assessment of groundwater recharge, and more effective watershed management. For climate studies, soil moisture data are crucial for understanding land-atmosphere interactions, validating and improving climate models, and conducting long-term environmental monitoring. Despite significant technological progress, persistent challenges remain, particularly the trade-off between spatial and temporal resolution and the confounding effects of vegetation and surface roughness. The integration of advanced machine learning algorithms with multi-sensor data fusion techniques is highlighted as a promising pathway to overcome these limitations. Future directions, including next-generation satellite missions, the deployment of CubeSat constellations, and the synergy with Internet of Things (IoT) systems, are expected to further revolutionize the field, providing unprecedented insights into terrestrial water dynamics and supporting global efforts toward sustainable resource management
Effect of Biochar Application on Soil Fertility and SOC Dynamics in Maize-based Vertisol Systems of Akola Region, Maharashtra, India
No full textIn many countries, after harvesting, farmers choose to burn crop residues in their fields as waste material. As a result, burning of crop residues like cotton stalks, maize stalks, rice husk, etc., releases a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change, which causes air pollution. The primary objective of this research was to practically demonstrate the conversion of biomass into biochar and to explore its application as a valuable substance with an aim to discuss the impact of biochar application on soil properties and SOC stock at harvest of maize grown on Vertisols. The field trial was carried out in 2020-21 (Kharif) at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, India. The experiment was conducted by using a Randomised Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments comprised of control, different rates of nitrogen and their combinations with 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1 biochar and three replications. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. Based on the results obtained from analysis, the physical and chemical properties of soil such as water holding capacity (55.35%), organic carbon (6.48 g kg-1), available nitrogen (249.33 kg ha-1), phosphorus (21.63 kg ha-1) and potassium (358 kg ha-1) after harvest of maize were found to be significantly higher by applying 125 % RDN + 5 t ha-1 of Biochar, while, the bulk density, electrical conductivity and soil pH were found to be non-significant by various treatments. Increasing the doses of biochar resulted in a slight increase in the availability of Zn, Cu, Fe & Mn, but the differences among the treatments were found to be statistically non-significant. The higher the quantity of biochar applied, the greater the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock was recorded. Based on the current study, it can be concluded that, application of 100% RDN + 5 t ha-1 Biochar improves the available nutrient status and physical-chemical properties of soil after the harvest of maize. Additionally, a favourable impact on the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock is also noted
Evaluation of Chilli Hybrids for Growth, Yield and Quality Traits in Agro-Climatic Conditions of Andhra Pradesh, India
No full textChilli (Capsicum annum L.) is one of the most prominent vegetable and spice crop with high demand in India because of its pungency, colour, flavour and agreeable taste as well as nutritional value. Chilli holds a special place among other vegetables in Indian and worldwide cuisine. To meet the demand, there is a need to study the performance of F1 hybrids with higher yields. Keeping this in view, the performance of eleven chilli hybrids was studied for growth, yield and quality characters using Randomized Block Design with three replications in vertisols of Andhra Pradesh. The standard recommended package of practices and need-based plant protection measures was followed for raising the crop. The observations on plant height (cm), total number of branches per plant, plant spread (N-S and E-W) (cm) and days to 50% flowering, the fruit characteristics like number of fruits per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm) and average fruit weight (g) and the yield and quality parameters ascorbic acid, oleoresin, capsanthin, Cy, Cr was recorded. All the hybrids showed significant differences for all the characters studied. Based on the overall performance of various hybrids under study, the hybrids LCH-111, KHPH-229, NCH-1754, ARCH-228 recorded maximum yield with medium pungency and colour value under the Agro-climatic conditions of Andhra Pradesh
Short-term Effects of Organic Manure and Microbial Biofertilizer Doses on Soil Properties under Cluster Bean Cultivation in Southern Odisha, India
No full textAims: To evaluate the impact of different doses of organic amendments (FYM and vermicompost), with or without Rhizobium inoculation, on soil physical and chemical properties during clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) cultivation.
Design of Study: A field-based factorial randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted during the summer of 2025 at the Postgraduate Research Farm, Ranadevi, M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India.
Methodology: Nine treatments involved combinations of FYM and vermicompost at 100% and 150% recommended levels, with and without Rhizobium inoculation. Soil samples were collected at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) from the 0–15 cm depth. Physical (bulk density, texture) and chemical (pH, SOC, and available N, P, K) properties were analyzed using standard procedures.
Results: All organic treatments reduced soil bulk density, with 150% vermicompost + Rhizobium showing the lowest values (1.22 g/cm³ at 90 DAS). The texture remained sandy loam, with minor improvements in silt and clay fractions. pH was moderated most effectively by combined organic + Rhizobium treatments, maintaining near-neutral values. SOC increased across all treatments, with 100% FYM showing the highest (0.88% at 90 DAS). Available N, P, and K also improved significantly, with 150% vermicompost + Rhizobium consistently showing superior nutrient levels, especially for phosphorus (25.44 mg/kg) and potassium (206.08 mg/kg) at 90 DAS
Improving Growth and Yield of Green Gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] with Optimum Sowing Time and Bio Input Applications
No full textA field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of sowing windows and nutrient management over two consecutive Summer seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) at the Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University. The treatments consisted of four sowing windows for greengram D1: 1st Sowing (8th March and 14th March), D2: 2nd Sowing (15th March and 21st March), D3: 3rd Sowing (22nd March and 28th March), D4: 4th Sowing (29th March and 4th April) in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively and five nutrient management practices N1: 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (15, 40, 20 kg NPK ha-1), N2: 70% RDF+ 15% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through Poultry manure + Consortia of biofertilizers @ 10 ml kg-1 seeds, N3: 70% RDF+ 15% RDN through Poultry manure + Panchagavya @ 30 ml L-1 (2-spray), N4: 70% RDF+ 15% RDN through Poultry manure + Seaweed extract @ 2 ml L-1 (2-spray), N5: 70% RDF+15% RDN through Poultry manure + Consortia of biofertilizers @ 10 ml kg-1 seeds + Panchagavya @ 30 ml L-1 & Seaweed extract @ 2 ml L-1 both as tank mix (2-spray) thereby making twenty treatment combinations were tested in split plot design with three replications. Results revealed that the crop sown on March 8 and March 14 over two consecutive years yielded higher plant height (41.3 and 42.4 cm at harvest), number of primary branches plant-1 (5.60 and 5.74 at harvest), absolute growth rate (AGR) (g day-1), crop growth rate (CGR) (g m-2 land area day-1), relative growth rate (RGR) (g g-1 day-1), net assimilation rate (NAR) (g m-2 day-1) and grain yield (982 and 998 kg ha-1). Furthermore, under nutrient management application of 70% RDF+15% RDN through Poultry manure + Consortia of biofertilizers @ 10 ml kg-1 seed + Panchagavya @ 30 ml L-1 & Seaweed extract @ 2 ml L-1 both as tank mix (2-spray) exhibited significantly higher in growth parameters such as plant height (40.0 and 41.2 cm at harvest), number of primary branches plant-1 (5.60 and 5.78 at harvest), CGR (g m-2 land area day-1), RGR (g g-1 day-1) and grain yield (940 and 959 kg ha-1). This research contributes valuable insights in optimizing sowing windows and nutrient management for enhanced growth and productivity of greengram (Vigna radiata L.)
Sowing Dates and Varieties Mediated Changes in Growth and Phenology of Chickpea in Norther Telangana Zone
No full textPresent field experiment was conducted during spring (November, 2022-May, 2023) at college farm, agricultural college Jagtial, Telangana to find optimum sowing window of chickpea and efficient varieties under different dates of sowing to northern Telangana zone. Chickpea, a cool season crop grown in India during spring, growth and phenology of the crop were highly affected by climatic conditions. Hence, optimum weather conditions at all growth stages were required by crop, which could be acquired by timely sowing. Experiment was laid out in split plot design with six dates of sowing (1stNovember to 15thJanuary at 15 days interval) in main plots and three varieties (JG-14, NBeG-3, NBeG-47) in sub plots replicated thrice. Results revealed that LAI (0.54,1.22,1.23,1.05) and CGR (0.31,1.80,11.05,0.94) of chickpea was highest with crop sown on 1st November at branching, flowering, pod formation and maturity stages respectively and lowest with 15th January sowing (LAI-0.25,0.98,1.05,0.92 and CGR-0.19,1.02,4.76,0.21). While among varieties NBeG-3 performed best with highest LAI and CGR at different stages compared to other varieties. Days to different phenophases i.e., days to branching initiation, first flower initiation, first pod initiation and physiological maturity was maximum with early sowing (1st November) and minimum with late sowing (15th January). Hence, early sown crop experienced favourable weather conditions and took higher number of days to maturity, while late sown crop was matured early due to unfavourable weather conditions declining crop overall biomass
Potassium Fertilization Improves Growth, Yield, and Quality of Kinnow Mandarin under North Western Zone of India
No full textPotassium is known for enhancing crop productivity, due to its active involvement in maintaining cation-anion balance, osmoregulation, photosynthesis, cytoplasmic pH regulation, proteins and starch synthesis, enzyme activation in plant system. Despite the recognized importance of potassium in citrus production, region-specific dose optimization for Kinnow mandarin in Punjab’s semi-arid soils remains largely unexplored, remained the main reason for poor fruit quality and yield due to adoption of sub-optimal levels of potassium application in kinnow. The present study was conducted to optimize potassium fertilizer dose in Kinnow mandarin for better fruit quality and production in Semi-arid zone of Punjab, India. The experiment was conducted during the year 2022 to 2024 using randomized block design with three replications, consisted of seven treatments of K2O fertilizer (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 kg/plant) applied in the month of December-January besides the recommended doses of fertilizers. The pooled data of 3 years revealed that fruit weight, size, juice content, soluble solids content, carotenoids and sugars content were improved substantially with K fertilizer than the control. Fruit weight, length and diameter increased by 13.4, 21.6 and 24.1%, respectively in the plants applied with 0.6 kg K2O plant-1 over the control, whereas higher dose of K2O application enhanced granulation that resulted in lower recovery of juice content. The plants applied with lower K levels produced fruits of smaller size, thin peel and poor consumers’ acceptability. Correlation studies indicated that fruit size, weight and peel thickness were directly related with leaf and soil K content. These findings provide the region-specific recommendation for optimal potassium fertilization in Kinnow mandarin, supporting improved fruit yield, quality, and farmer profitability in Punjab’s semi-arid region
Effect of Integrated Nitrogen Management on Growth, Yield and Quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
No full textField experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of integrated nitrogen management on growth, yield, and quality of wheat. There were highly significant differences among the treatments for the entire parameters investigated. The plant height varied between 77.19 cm to 105.27 cm, with highest values under 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) using urea. Leaf area index (LAI) was maximum in those treatments that were a combination of inorganic fertilizers with biofertilizers, i.e., (4.92), followed by T7, T2, and T14. Crop growth rate (CGR) was highest in (10.17 g/m²/day), statistically equivalent with T9. Yield traits, 1000-seed weight, straw yield, and grain yield, were also maximum under (42.10 g, 7588.33 kg/ha, and 4943.34 kg/ha, respectively), followed very closely by T9 and T13. As a contrast, protein yield (735.26 kg/ha) and protein content (12.89%) were better in T9 (100% RDN via urea + Azotobacter), wherein the biofertilizer synergistic effect was exhibited. From the results, it is evident that although sole urea application pushed the yield to a maximum, use in conjunction with biofertilizers improved grain quality and efficiency in nitrogen utilization. Therefore, integrated nitrogen management is a sustainable approach to enhance the productivity and nutritional value of wheat