International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Preserving Seed Quality in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.): The Role of Seed Coating and Storage Temperature
No full textSeed coating is one of the effective seed invigoration techniques used to enhance different quality parameters of seeds under ambient and stress conditions. In the present investigation we studied the effect of seed coating of different chemicals in freshly harvested chilli seeds over a storage period of nine months in two different storage temperature i.e., room temperature and cold storage (≤ 5oC). Freshly harvested chilli seeds subjected to coating with ZnSO4(1%), KNO3(3%), Na2HPO4 (1%), Pseudomonas fluorescence (2%) and carbendazim (0.2%) along with control. After the seed treatments they were dried under shade to regain the original weight, packed in 300-gauge air tight polythene bag and stored separately in two storage temperatures. Observations were recorded on germination (%), speed of germination, root length, shoot length, seedling length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index I and II. The experiment was conducted in CRD with three replications. Results revealed that all the treated seeds retained satisfactory seed quality parameters when stored in cold storage compared to room temperature. Under room temperature storage, only seeds coated with KNO₃ and Carbendazim achieved germination rates above 60%. Among these, KNO₃-coated seeds recorded the highest germination (68.50%), speed of germination (11.89), vigour index-I (760.11), and vigour index-II (1231.80). In cold storage conditions, KNO₃-coated seeds again exhibited maximum germination (87.50%), vigour index-I (1087.58), and vigour index-II (1485.50), while seeds coated with Carbendazim showed the highest speed of germination (27.61). Thus, integrating appropriate seed coatings, especially with nutrients and fungicides, along with cold storage, is essential for improving germination and vigor and maintaining the viability, during storage
Comparative Soil Suitability Assessment of Mysuru and Coimbatore for Organic Cultivation of Red Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)
No full textRed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is widely recognised for its exceptional nutritional quality, rich phytochemical profile, and strong adaptability to semi-arid and arid climates. Its resilience to drought, capacity to thrive in marginal soils, and gluten-free nature make it a promising cereal crop for organic farming systems, particularly in the context of climate variability and growing consumer demand for health-oriented foods. This study undertook a comparative assessment of soil fertility and suitability for organic cultivation of red sorghum in two prominent agricultural regions of southern India: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and Mysuru, Karnataka. Sampling was conducted during the pre-sowing period to capture baseline soil fertility status before the addition of organic inputs. Soil samples from certified organic farms in both regions were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon content, macronutrients (N, P, K), secondary nutrients (Ca, Mg, S), and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B). Organic Carbon (OC) content was determined by the Walkley–Black wet oxidation method. Available nitrogen (N) was estimated using the alkaline KMnO₄ distillation method. Comparative analysis between Coimbatore and Mysuru soils was conducted to identify significant differences in fertility parameters, with independent samples t-tests applied at p < 0.05. The results revealed that Coimbatore soils exhibited a near-neutral pH (6.91), higher organic carbon (0.76%), and elevated levels of both macro- and micronutrients compared to Mysuru soils (pH 6.65, organic carbon 0.51%). Notably, Coimbatore recorded greater nitrogen (252 vs. 213 kg/ha), phosphorus (38.4 vs. 27.3 kg/ha), potassium (307 vs. 225 kg/ha), and iron (4.65 vs. 3.94 ppm) levels. Although both regions demonstrate suitability for organic sorghum cultivation, the relatively lower nutrient profile in Mysuru suggests a need for targeted organic amendments to optimise productivity and sustainability. This research highlights the importance of region-specific soil fertility evaluation to support informed decision-making in organic crop planning
Impact of Front-Line Demonstrations of Azotobacter in Wheat in Karji Village, District of Kaimur, Bihar, India
No full textWheat is the world\u27s most widely cultivated food crop after rice, and it is utilised in various forms by more than a billion people in the world, being a staple food for a large population, contributing about 20% of humans\u27 daily dietary calories and protein intake. Front Line Demonstration is one of the most powerful tools for the transfer of technology. The study aims to impact of front-line demonstrations of azotobacter in wheat. The effect of foliar application by Azotobacter regarding biofertilizer on the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) was studied in Karji village, Chainpur Block, District Kaimur, during the rabi season of 2023-24. The field trial consisted foliar spray of Azotobacter at the booting stage under Front Line Demonstration. Results showed that plant height, number of tillers/plant, number of spikes/ plant, spike length, no. of grains/spike, grain yield (kg/ha) and straw yield (kg/ha) were significantly higher in plants with RDF along with foliar application of Azotobacter at the booting stage. The interaction effect of foliar application of Azotobacter with the recommended dose of fertilisers was a good combination to enhance nitrogen content in the plant. However, the maximum grain yield was recorded with the application of Azotobacter followed byfarmers\u27 practice. The soil fertility status of organic carbon was recorded in the initial soil, 0.39% after the post-harvest wheat demo plot was 0.42% and the local check plot 0.40.% maximum organic carbon recorded in post harvestpost-harvest demo plot, which was 7% and 5% increased over initial soil and local check after post harvestpost-harvest wheat. The highest gross return (Rs. 84,964/ha) and net return (Rs.. 43,764/ha) were obtained from RDF with foliar application of Azotobacter. It can be concluded that millions of farmers in developing countries require adequate resources to boost crop productivity and soil fertility. To keep soil fertility and productivity at a sustainable level for a long period of time, the concept of reducing chemical fertilisers and seed treatment, inoculation and foliar application of biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB, etc.) must be implemented
Quantifying the Correlation between Seed Moisture Content and Seed Weight Across Diverse Crop Varieties: A Comprehensive Analysis
No full textSeeds, possessing inherent hygroscopic characteristics, undergo the processes of moisture absorption and desorption until a point of equilibrium moisture content (EMC) is reached, wherein the moisture levels in the seeds align with those in the surrounding environment. To investigate the intricate relationship between seed moisture content and weight, a comprehensive study spanning 10 months was conducted, employing diverse crop seeds (Paddy, Maize, Soybean, Groundnut, Redgram and Greengram). Notably, variations in equilibrium moisture content (EMC) were identified, with cereals and pulses exhibiting higher EMC than oilseeds. Robust positive correlations (0.71 to 0.88) between seed moisture and weight were established, underscoring the economic implications of drying losses. Economic losses were quantified, revealing substantial financial impacts in all crops. For instance, paddy seeds stored at 20% moisture experienced drying losses of 15.83%, translating to an economic loss of ₹579.39. Similar patterns were observed in maize, redgram, greengram, soybean, and groundnut, emphasizing the critical role of seed moisture considerations in storage management and the substantial economic losses incurred across diverse crops
Marker-Assisted Selection in Horticulture: A Comparative Review Across Vegetables, Fruits and Flower Crops
No full textMarker-assisted selection (MAS) has become one of the most reliable and efficient tools in plant breeding for improving complex traits such as disease resistance, fruit quality, shelf-life, and pigment expression, especially in horticultural crops including vegetables, fruits, and flowers. This review focuses on three representative crops - tomato, papaya, and marigold - to understand how MAS has been practically applied at different scales. Tomato exemplifies advanced MAS pipelines, with successful pyramiding of resistance genes such as Ty-2, Ty-3, Ph-3, and I2. Papaya, despite fewer genomic resources, has benefitted from early selection for sex type and PRSV resistance. MAS in floricultural crops like marigold is still emerging, yet efforts in SSR, AFLP, and RAPD marker development are promising. This paper compares marker systems, crop-specific examples, and challenges across these species, highlighting how MAS can transform horticultural breeding through integration with genomic tools.Despite these successes, a critical gap persists between marker discovery and their widespread use in breeding. As emphasized by Foolad & Panthee (2012), many trait-linked markers in tomato remain underutilized due to poor validation across genetic backgrounds and lack of polymorphism in breeding populations, underscoring the importance of developing robust, widely applicable markers for practical MAS deployment
Ethnomycological Survey of Edible Wild Mushrooms in the Sinfra Department (Ivory Coast)
No full textEdible wild mushrooms are non-timber forest products (NTFPs) of dietary, nutritional, economic, and medicinal importance. This study aims to highlight the importance of edible wild mushrooms with a view to promoting their use. To this end, an ethnomycological survey was conducted among 81 people in the localities of Ganoufla and Gonazofla in the department of Sinfra. The results of the survey identified 14 species belonging to six families, namely Psatyrellaceae, Lyophillaceae, Agaricaceae, Strophariaceae, Auriculariaceae, and Pluteaceae. The most commonly consumed species are Volvariella volvacea, Psathyrella tuberculata, and Termitomyces letestui, with respective proportions of 95.45%, 90.9%, and 70%. These three mushrooms have a fairly good shelf life, ranging from one to four days depending on their stage of development. They are most commonly used for food, with an estimated proportion of 70.60%. Taken together, these results show the importance of edible wild mushrooms in the daily lives of local populations
An Overview on Role of Micronutrients in Vegetable Production
No full textThe nutrients which are required in small quantities are called as micronutrients. Micronutrients are equally important as macronutrients for enhancing growth, yield and quality of plants. Micronutrients perform various functions, such as plant metabolism, nutrient regulation, chlorophyll synthesis, reproductive growth, flower retention, fruit and seed development. Micronutrients, which are essential for all higher plants, are iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and chlorine (Cl). Micronutrients like Cl, Cu, Fe and Mn are involved in various photosynthetic processes and Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn are associated with various enzymatic activities, Mo is specific for nitrate reductase only. This study investigated the characteristics of micronutrients, their roles in the growth and development of plants and crops as well as the prevalent micronutrient deficiencies found in vegetable crops. Additionally, the study emphasizes the impact of micronutrients on vegetable quality which includes improved nutritional value and bioactive compounds. Concerns regarding the sustainable and effective use of micronutrients, along with future research goals are analyzed, including practical implications and recommendations for micronutrient management systems. Taking this into consideration, the current review focuses on the role of micronutrients in improving the quality of vegetables, as well as the possible impact of further research on this topic
Temporal Variation in Micronutrient Content in Soil Amended with Thermochemical Organic Fertilizer Prepared from Different Reagent Combinations
No full textA laboratory incubation study was carried out in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, for 90 days to assess the dynamics of micronutrient release from Thermochemical Organic Fertilizer (TOF) prepared using different reagent combinations. Two kg air dried 2 mm sieved soil was taken in 3 kg container pots. The study was laid in Completely Randomized Design with 6 treatments and 3 replications. Treatments were, T1: FYM @20 t ha-1; T2:TOF prepared from 5% acetic acid and 10 % Calcium hydroxide [TA5CH10]; T3: TOF prepared from 5% acetic acid and 15 % Calcium hydroxide [TA5CH15]; T4: TOF prepared from 10% acetic acid and 10 % Calcium hydroxide [TA10CH10]; T5:Patented TOF and T6: Control (Soil alone). Fe, Mn Zn and B exhibited a gradual and progressive release pattern throughout the incubation period. Whereas Copper (Cu) availability showed a decreasing trend from the 30th day onwards. Hence it can concluded that TOF significantly improved the micronutrient availability in soil compared to the FYM based and control treatment
Organopolymer Based Liming Materials for Alleviating Acidity in Acid Sulphate Soils of Kuttanad, India
No full textAcid sulphate soils of Kerala are characterized by extreme acidity and toxic concentrations of aluminium (Al³⁺) and iron (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺), which severely restrict crop growth and productivity. A laboratory incubation was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of organopolymer and silicate-based lime formulations in ameliorating soil acidity and reducing Al and Fe toxicity in acid sulphate soils. The lime formulation comprising of different lime sources (burnt lime, calcium carbonate, dolomite, and phosphogypsum) combined with organic polymers (fulvic acid, polymaleic acid, and polyfumaric acid) and silicate mixture were applied to acid sulphate soil incubated for 90 days under submerged condition. Changes in soil pH (water and CaCl₂), exchangeable acidity, and exchangeable H⁺ and Al³⁺ were determined at 15 day intervals up to 90 days. Results revealed a significant improvement in soil reaction across all lime formulation–treated soils compared to the control. Among the treatments, burnt lime + fulvic acid + silicate mixture (T1) recorded the highest pH in both water and CaCl₂ extracts, indicating rapid and sustained neutralization of acidity. This was further supported by a marked reduction in exchangeable acidity from 2.23 to 1.80 meq 100 g⁻¹, exchangeable Al³⁺ from 1.62 to 1.35 meq 100 g⁻¹, and exchangeable H⁺ from 0.62 to 0.29 meq 100 g⁻¹, accompanied by an increase in pH (H₂O) from 4.71 to 5.30 and pH (CaCl₂) from 4.36 to 4.97 between the 15th and 90th day of incubation, confirming the effective amelioration of both active and potential acidity. The synergistic effect of fulvic acid and silicate mixture enhanced lime reactivity through complexation, chelation, and hydroxyl ion release, facilitating prolonged pH stabilization
Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Management Practices Effect on Nutrient Content and Their Uptake in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Varanasi Region
No full textA field study was carried out during two consecutive Rabi seasons in 2018–19 and 2019–20 at the Agricultural Research Farm of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India to evaluate the effectiveness of various tillage techniques and herbicides on the nutrient utilization of wheat. The treatments included different crop establishment techniques, such as conventional, reduced, and zero tillage, which were assigned to the main plot, and various weed management techniques, such as Carfentrazone-ethyl 40 %DF @ 10 g a.i. /ha; Carfentrazone-ethyl 40% DF @ 20 g a.i. /ha; Carfentrazone-ethyl 40 % DF @ 30 g a.i./ha; Carfentrazone-ethyl 40% DF @ 40 g a.i. /ha; 2,4-D Amine salt @ 750 g a.i./ ha; Metsulfuron methyl 20% WP @4 g a.i. /ha; Metsulfuron methyl 20% WP @6 g a.i. /ha; and Hand Weeding at 25 & 45 DAS were assigned to the subplot, which remained constant for both the years under Split Plot Design which was replicated three times. The result reveals that total N (58.03 and 31.10 kg/ha), P( 11.75and 2.656 kg/ha ) and K(17.25 and 77.47 kg/ha) content of grain and straw, respectively in 2018-19 and N (61.41 and 31.60 kg/ha), P( 11.89and 2.849 kg/ha ) and K(17.48 and 77.89 kg/ha) content of grain and straw, respectively in 2019-20 , was significantly higher in carfentrazone-ethyl @ 30 g a.i. /ha after hand weeding at 25 & 45 DAS over rest other treatments but was at par with carfentrazone-ethyl @ 20 g a.i. /ha and metsulfuron methyl 20 % WP@ 8 g a.i. /ha. Also N (56.39 and 29.96 kg/ha), P(11.72 and 2.594 kg/ha) and K(16.75 and 76.71 kg/ha) uptake by the grain and wheat straw , respectively in 2018-19 and N (59.87and 30.41kg/ha), P(11.82 and 2.801kg/ha) and K (17.04 and 76.91 kg/ha) uptake by grain and straw, respectively in 2019-20 under metsulfuron methyl 20 % WP@ 8 g a.i. /ha was statistically at par with that of metsulfuron methyl 20%WP @ 6 g a.i. /ha. Wheat treated with carfentrazone-ethyl @ 30 g a.i. /ha produced higher grain protein yield (36.27 and 38.38 kg/ha) in 2018-19 and 2019-20 , respectively which was at par with carfentrazone-ethyl @ 20 g a.i. /ha and metsulfuron methyl 20 % WP@ 8 g a.i. /ha