International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Heat Stress Physiology in C4 Crop Plants: Molecular Mechanisms, Omics Approaches and Strategies for Enhanced Thermotolerance
No full textRising global temperatures pose unprecedented challenges to agricultural productivity, with C4 crops including maize, sorghum, sugarcane, and pearl millet facing increasing heat stress despite their evolutionary adaptation to warm environments. This comprehensive review synthesizes current understanding of heat stress physiology in C4 plants, examining molecular mechanisms, omics approaches, and strategies for enhanced thermotolerance. Heat stress disrupts critical cellular processes including C4 photosynthesis, membrane stability, and protein homeostasis, with temperatures exceeding 35-40°C causing significant yield losses. C4 plants employ sophisticated defense mechanisms involving heat shock proteins (HSPs) and transcription factors (HSFs) that maintain protein quality. Key molecular components include Rubisco activase variants sustaining photosynthetic carbon fixation, photosystem II stability factors preventing photo inhibition, and antioxidant systems managing reactive oxygen species. Compatible solutes such as proline and glycine betaine provide osmotic adjustment, while membrane lipid remodeling maintains structural integrity. Recent omics technologies have revolutionized understanding of heat tolerance, revealing complex gene regulatory networks governing thermotolerance. Genomics studies identify quantitative trait loci associated with heat tolerance, while transcriptomics reveals coordinated gene expression changes. Proteomics and metabolomics uncover post-translational modifications and metabolic adjustments critical for survival under heat stress. Breeding programs increasingly incorporate molecular tools including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and gene editing to accelerate development of heat-tolerant varieties. Integration of multi-omics data with advanced phenotyping enables precision breeding for climate resilience. Climate projections indicate continued warming will challenge C4 crop productivity, making enhanced thermotolerance essential for food security through coordinated research combining fundamental mechanistic studies with applied breeding programs
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management with Nitrogen and Plant Growth Regulators on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth and Yield
No full textWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major staple crop and a cornerstone of global food security, yet its productivity is increasingly constrained by rising population demand, climatic variability, and soil nutrient depletion. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which combines inorganic fertilisers with organic amendments and biofertilizers, offers a sustainable pathway to enhance yield, nutrient-use efficiency, and soil health. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at Sanjeev Agrawal Global Educational University, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen levels (50–130% RDN) and foliar application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the growth and yield performance of wheat. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications. Growth parameters (plant population, height, tiller number, dry matter accumulation) and yield attributes (spike density, spike length, grains per spike, test weight), along with grain, straw, and biological yields, were recorded. The findings revealed that higher nitrogen doses in combination with PGRs significantly enhanced both vegetative and reproductive traits. The treatment with 130% RDN + PGR produced the highest grain yield (41.2 q/ha) and biological yield (85.2 q/ha), representing increases of 80.7% and 56.9%, respectively, over the control. Improvements were also observed in straw yield, spike density, and grains per spike under INM treatments. Overall, the study demonstrates that INM, particularly when integrated with plant growth regulators, is a scientifically robust, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable strategy for improving wheat productivity and resilience under subtropical conditions
Deciphering Genetic Diversity and Scaling Exalted Genotypes of Soybean Using PCA
No full textSoybean (Glycine max) is a nutritionally rich legume valued for its high protein and oil content, soil-enriching nitrogen fixation, and diverse food and feed uses. Its narrow genetic base necessitates studies on genetic diversity to enhance breeding efficiency and adaptability. Techniques like principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis are crucial for classifying genotypes, identifying superior lines, and improving yield potential. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity among 44 advanced soybean genotypes using Tocher’s clustering, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) during the Kharif season 2024 at JNKVV, Jabalpur. Tocher’s method grouped the genotypes into seven distinct clusters, with Cluster III showing the highest intra-cluster divergence and the maximum inter-cluster distance recorded between Cluster VI and Cluster III. PCA revealed that the first three principal components accounted for 76.58% of total variance, with PC1 alone contributing 51.26%, heavily influenced by key yield traits such as seed yield per plant, number of pods and seeds per plant, and biological yield. Genotypes 146, 154, 151, and 109 emerged as superior candidates for yield improvement based on high PC1 scores
Smart Irrigation for Sustainable Agriculture: A Crop-Specific and Soil-Responsive Approach
No full textThis study presents a crop-specific and soil-responsive automated irrigation technology developed for more efficient water use in agricultural practices. The irrigation system includes a capacitive soil moisture sensor, an Arduino Nano microcontroller, an AC water pump, with relay switch, and an LCD display that carefully manages irrigation based on real-time soil condition and crop stage growth. The controller programming includes crop-specific irrigation thresholds during the crop growth stage for rice, wheat, maize, tomato, and potato, while respecting soil type preferences. The system operates like a closed-loop control system with various schedules for irrigation based on real-time soil moisture, therefore conserving about 30–50% of water compared to fixed-schedule irrigation. Findings demonstrate more efficient water allocation, assisted in leftover water that could cause over-irrigation and under-irrigation practices, and conserved water associated with reduction in labour costs. It operates across multiple crops and soil types, demonstrating practical scalable use. By amalgamating automation with Internet of Things (IoT) technology while confirming water application according to stage-specific crop evapotranspiration data, it also enables sustainable agricultural practices, resource-efficient management, and climate-resilient agricultural practices
Effect of Finger Millet Residue Management on Equivalent Yield, Profitability, Plant Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Dynamics in Succeeding Legume Crops
No full textFinger Millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is an excellent source of calcium, iron, dietary fibre, and methionine, an essential amino acid typically deficient in rice and wheat. In addition to its grain, finger millet produces a nutrient-dense straw that serves as both valuable livestock fodder and a potential source of soil organic carbon. The present study was designed and conducted to assess the impact of finger millet residue management with ANGRAU decomposer on the yield, profitability and nutrient uptake of subsequent legume crops under upland conditions. A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2024-25 at the Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India, to assess the impact of finger millet residue management practices on subsequent legume crops. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments include finger millet residue incorporation (M1), finger millet residue incorporation + ANGRAU decomposer (M2) and no residue incorporation (M3); the subplot treatments include the legume crops viz., sunhemp, horsegram, groundnut, blackgram and greengram. The data were statistically analysed using ANOVA. Treatment means were compared using the F-test at a 5% significance level, and critical differences were calculated wherever significant. The experimental results revealed that finger millet residue incorporation + ANGRAU decomposer (M2) resulted in significantly higher finger millet equivalent yield (FMEY)(2075 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs.151,286.00 ha-1), BCR (2.13), plant nutrient uptake and soil available nutrients (N2-243.2 kg ha-1, P2O5- 32.9 kg ha-1, K2O-330.8 kg ha-1). Among the legume crops, the groundnut crop resulted in higher FMEY (3333 kg ha-1), Net returns (Rs.91844 ha-1), BCR (2.57) and kernel nutrient uptake as compared to other legume crops. Among different treatment combinations, groundnut in combination with finger millet residue incorporation coupled with ANGRAU decomposer, resulted in significantly higher finger millet equivalent yield (3646 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs.1,03,819.00 ha-1), plant nutrient uptake and soil available nutrients; however, it remained on par with groundnut with finger millet residue incorporation. With the adoption of finger millet residue management along with ANGRAU decomposer, the finger millet-groundnut cropping system will become a viable cropping system for upland ecosystems
Integrated Use of Organic Manures and Sulphur for Improving Soil Fertility, Yield and Economics of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under Semi-Arid Conditions
No full textA field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2024-25 at Agricultural Research Farm, Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan) to evaluate the effect of organic manures and sulphur on growth, yield, soil fertility, and economics of crop production. The treatments included combinations of vermicompost (2.5 t ha⁻¹), farmyard manure (10 t ha⁻¹),), and sulphur (0, 10, and 20 kg ha⁻¹). Results revealed that the application of vermicompost (2.5 t ha⁻¹) + sulphur (20 kg ha⁻¹) (T8) significantly improved plant height (119.36 cm), number of capsules per plant (69.52), seeds per capsule (60.68), test weight (3.25 g), and grain yield (885.36 kg ha⁻¹). This treatment also resulted in enhanced soil organic carbon (0.48%), available N (164.36 kg ha⁻¹), P (16.85 kg ha⁻¹), K (199.32 kg ha⁻¹), and S (12.36 kg ha⁻¹), along with reduced bulk density (1.31 Mg m⁻³). Economically, T8 recorded the highest net return (₹44,409 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (2.12). The study concludes that the integrated use of vermicompost and sulphur is a viable strategy for improving crop productivity, soil health, and farm profitability under sustainable agricultural practices
Interactive Effects of Calcium Chloride and Borax Foliar Sprays on the Biochemical Quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.)
No full textThis study evaluated the impact of pre-harvest foliar applications of calcium chloride and borax alone and in combinations on critical biochemical parameters of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. L-49. Nine treatment groups included various concentrations of calcium chloride and borax, both individually and in combination, with untreated controls for comparison. Analysis focused on total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, and total sugar contents. Results demonstrated significant improvements in fruit biochemical quality with combined applications, particularly at higher concentrations. The combination of calcium chloride 0.2% with borax 0.1% significantly improved TSS, ascorbic acid, reducing, non-reducing, and total sugar contents, while also minimizing acidity. These improvements in fruit quality result from better nutrient uptake, stronger cell walls, and positive metabolic changes. These findings support the synergistic role of calcium and boron in improving not only yield but also the nutritional and organoleptic value of guava
Effects of Fertilizer and Soil Type on the Agro-Morphological Parameters of the Sorghum-Cowpea System in the Semi-Arid Zone of Burkina Faso
No full textDegradation of cultivated soils limits agricultural productivity and soil fertility. In Burkina Faso, the effect of soil type variability on cropping systems remains poorly documented, deserving further investigation. This study tests the effect of soil variability on sorghum-cowpea cropping system agronomic performance, with and without NPK fertilization. Two soil types (Lixisols and Cambisols) were tested at two fertilization levels (0 and 100% NPK) in a greenhouse using a split-plot design in vegetation pots. The agromorphological parameters of sorghum and cowpea were evaluated. Cambisols improve sorghum and cowpea agronomic performance more than Lixisols. Adding 100% NPK stimulates cowpea production (+40% and +15% above-ground and root biomass, respectively). In sole crop, Cambisols also improve sorghum above-ground biomass compared to Lixisols (+13% and +4%, respectively). Our results show that the recommended 100 kg.ha-1 of NPK mineral fertilizer dose is not conducive to good cowpea root biomass in our sorghum-cowpea intercropping systems, as it is probably too high compared to the starter dose for cowpea in Lixisols. Thus, Cambisols could be a more competitive choice to obtain superior agronomic performance in terms of yield and crop quality (sorghum-cowpea)
Rice Genetic Variation for Salt Tolerance among Recombinant Inbred Lines in Coastal Saline Soils
No full textAim: To assess phenotypic performance and to estimate genetic variability for salt tolerance in both seedling and reproductive stages of rice under coastal saline soils.
Study Design: Field experiment was carried out to evaluate Recombinant Inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross MCM 109/BRR 0119 for salt tolerance in Alpha-lattice design.
Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted at natural coastal saline soils of Acharya N. G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU)- Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Machilipatnam during Kharif, 2024.
Methodology: 150 RILs at F5 generation were studied at pH 8.4 and EC 7.2 dSm-1 and collected data on yield and salinity traits. Statistical analysis was performed using PBIB.test, GCV, PCV, heritability and GA as per cent of mean were drawn from variability package of R software.
Results: The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for 12 characters attributed there was significant differences among 150 RILs studied under salinity (P<0.01). The traits ear bearing tillers hill-1, salinity scoring at reproductive stage, shoot Na+/K+ ratio at harvesting stage and grain yield per plant (g) exhibited high estimates of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean suggesting additive gene action. While the traits plant survival (%), plant height (cm), panicle length (cm), number of filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility % and hundred grain weight (g) exhibited moderate PCV and GCV values with high heritability and genetic advance indicating substantial genetic variability for effective selection.
Conclusion: Selecting RILs based on variability traits results in development of salt tolerant high yielding varieties suitable for coastal saline soils
Soil Quality Assessment under Open-Cast Coal Mining in the Gayatri Coal Mines, Surajpur, Chhattisgarh, India
No full textOpen-cast coal extraction has rapidly expanded across central India, yet its influence on the fundamental properties of soils in many active mining belts remains poorly documented. The present investigation examines how continued mining activity has altered the chemical balance, nutrient availability, and general soil condition in the Gayatri Coalfield of Surajpur District, Chhattisgarh. Sixteen samples were taken from two depth intervals (15–30 cm and 30–50 cm) at varying distances from the mine and compared with soils from nearby agricultural land used as a control. Laboratory analysis of pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, major nutrients (N, P, K, S), and micronutrients (Zn, B, Fe, Mn, Cu) revealed clear patterns of disturbance. Soils close to the mining zone were distinctly more acidic, showed marked losses of organic carbon and nitrogen, and displayed irregular micronutrient levels, while the control soils maintained near-neutral pH and higher organic matter. Increased concentrations of iron and manganese near the mine point to metal release triggered by geological exposure and surface oxidation. These findings demonstrate that open-cast mining has substantially weakened soil fertility in the region and emphasize the need for restoration programmes that combine organic inputs, microbial activity enhancement, and sustained environmental monitoring