International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Germination Dynamics of Crateva adansonii D.C. and Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) Buce: Key Forest Trees of Burkina Faso
No full textCrateva adansonii D.C. (Capparaceae) and Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) Buce (Rubiaceae) are two African tree species widely known as multipurpose species for rural populations. Unfortunately, these species are threatened in their natural stands by inappropriate management practices. In addition, their germination capacities are poor in their natural stands Our hypothesis is that the seeds of both species are capable of germination under certain conditions of temperature, light and germination medium. This work aims to study the germination capacity of these species under different conditions. Germination tests were carried out in the laboratory and in the field. 400 seeds of C. adansonii were used in five treatments and 960 seeds of S. latifolius in six treatments. Blotting papers and soil were used as media. Seeds were germinated under different temperature and light conditions over a period of 30 days. A seed was germinated when part of the embryo appeared. The maximum germination rate was obtained after 28 days for C. adansonii and 22 days for S. latifolius. The results show that the best germination rates of C. adansonii (85%) and S. latifolius (82%) are obtained when the seeds are exposed to white light for 12 hours, alternating with 12 hours of darkness. For generative propagation of these plants, it is recommended to germinate the seeds under optimal conditions and then to plant them instead of sowing them in the field
Seasonal Incidence of Shoot and Fruit Borer [Earias vittella (Fab.)] on Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)] in Relation to Abiotic Factors
No full textThe present investigation was carried out during kharif season 2023 at Agricultural Research Farm of RBS College Bichpuri, Agra (Uttar Pradesh). During the investigation, it has been revealed that the infestation of the shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Fab.) on okra during the kharif season commenced from shoots 31th SMW (3.20%) and fruit borer 35th SMW (3.20%). The infestation ranged from shoot (3.20 - 29.70%) and fruit borer (3.20 - 36.42%), with the peak occurring in the 36th (29.70) and 39th (36.42) SMW and continuing until harvesting. The percentage of shoot and fruit borer infestation has a positive significant correlation with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, evening relative humidity and wind velocity. However, morning relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine hour has a negative significant correlation during kharif season 2023
Integrated Management Modules for Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in Tuberose
No full textAims: Identification of effective Integrated Nematode Management for managing Meloidogyne incognita in tuberose.
Methodology: The In vitro experiment was conducted in nematode lab and field study experiment performed in sick field of Field No. 10, Botanical Garden, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The experiment was conducted in tuberose cv. Prajwal under drip as well as surface irrigated conditions with the spacing of 30 X 20 cm following randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatment modules and replicated thrice as mentioned below.
Results: The in vitro studies revealed that Acorus calamus and Swietenia mahogany culture filtrates showed spectacular ovicidal and juvenile mortality effects against Meloidogyne incognita, with 100% juvenile mortality and more than 93% egg hatching inhibition after 72 hours. Biocontrol agents among them, Purpureocillium lilacinum, recorded the highest percentage of ovicidal (91.35%) and juvenile mortality (95.67%). Among the management modules, the highest yield attributes such as early emergence of spike (100 days), spike length (78.30 cm), number of florets per spike (48.00) and flower yield (66.82g) was recorded in the module of bulb treatment with P. fluorescens @ 10g/kg bulbs + soil application of Carbofuran @ 1kg a.i./ha+ post plant application of P. fluorescens @ 2.5 kg/ha mixed with FYM @ 1 t/ha, while the lowest nematode population in soil (145.00) and root (52.33), least gall index (1.66) was recorded in the management module consisting of bulb treatment with carbosulfan 25 ST at 3 per cent concentration + soil application of Carbofuran @ 1kg a.i./ha+ post plant application of P. lilacinum @ 2.5 kg/ha mixed with FYM @ 1 t/ha under field conditions.
Conclusion: According to the findings integrated management module reduced the nematode population compared to individual management methods
Integrated Nutrient Management in Potato-baby Corn Cropping Sequence and Its Impact on Soil Quality and Yield
No full textThe present study aimed to evaluate the integrated nutrient management in potato-baby corn cropping sequence and its impact on soil quality and yield. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi and summer seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. The experiment included sixteen treatments incorporating various nutrient combinations, such as 100% of the recommended dose (RD) of nitrogen (N) and different proportions of RD N supplemented with organic sources like farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure, vermicompost, and enriched compost. Implemented in a randomized block design with three replications, the soil at the experimental site had a sandy loam texture, an acidic pH of 5.57, medium organic carbon content (0.75%), and moderate availability of N (292 kg/ha), P₂O₅ (25.80 kg/ha), and K₂O (272.18 kg/ha). The total rainfall recorded during the cropping sequence was 2336.40 mm in 2016–17 and 2107.10 mm in 2017–18, with temperatures ranging from 8.0°C to 35.1°C during both years. The results revealed that the treatment T₆ (50% RD N + 25% N through FYM + 25% N through vermicompost) achieved the highest growth and yield attributes for both potato and baby corn. In the case of potato, this treatment recorded the highest tuber yield over two years (27.77 t/ha). Similarly, for baby corn, T₆ resulted in the highest cob yield with husk (23.09 t/ha in 2016–17 and 24.83 t/ha in 2017–18). The integrated nutrient management (INM) practices implemented in the study significantly enhanced the soil quality of the experimental site. Among the treatments, T₆ (50% RD N + 25% N through FYM + 25% N through vermicompost) proved most effective in improving both the physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil. Post-cropping, this treatment recorded higher organic carbon content (0.98% in 2016–17 and 1.02% in 2017–18), indicating improved soil organic matter and enhanced microbial activity. Moreover, the availability of essential nutrients—nitrogen (391.33 and 423.33 kg/ha), phosphorus (28.88 and 29.50 kg/ha), and potassium (336.55 and 347.90 kg/ha)—increased noticeably under T₆, suggesting better nutrient retention and soil fertility. The improvement in soil microbial biomass carbon further highlights the positive impact of INM on biological soil health, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and productivity of the potato-baby corn cropping sequence. Economically, T6 emerged as the most profitable practice, generating a net return of Rs 6,38,200.00 per hectare and a benefit-cost ratio (B:C) of 4.82 in the potato-baby corn cropping sequence. These findings establish the superiority of the 50% RD N + 25% N through FYM + 25% N through vermicompost (T6) treatment in enhancing crop growth, soil health, economic yield, and overall system productivity in this cropping sequence
Impact of Micronutrients Foliar Application on the Growth Traits of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)
No full textAn investigation was conducted during two successive winter season of 2018-19 and 2019-20 at the Agricultural Research farm of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, involving sixteen different treatments. These treatments included T1 (Control), T2 (Ammonium Molybdate (Mo) @ 0.20%), T3 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.30%), T4 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.40%), T5 (Boron @ 0.060%), T6 (Boron @ 0.080%), T7 (Boron @ 0.1%), T8 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.20% + Boron @ 0.060%), T9 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.20% + Boron @ 0.080%), T10 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.20% + Boron @ 0.1%), T11 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.30% + Boron @ 0.060%), T12 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.30% + Boron @ 0.080%), T13 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.30% + Boron @ 0.1%), T14 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.40% + Boron @ 0.060%), T15 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.40% + Boron @ 0.080%), and T16 (Ammonium Molybdate @ 0.40% + Boron @ 0.1%). These treatments were replicated three times using a Randomized Block Design. A recommended basal dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (160:80:120 kg ha-1) was applied using urea, single super phosphate (SSP), and muriate of potash (MOP), respectively, during both years of the experiment. Nitrogen was administered 50% as a basal dose and the remainder at 40 days after transplanting (DAT). The total rainfall during the crop growth period was 29.4 mm in 2018-19 and 93.9 mm in 2019-20. The Snowball-16 variety of cauliflower served as the test crop. Chelated zinc at a concentration of 0.5 g l-1 was applied to all treatments, while boron and molybdenum were applied according to the specific treatment. Other crop management practices were followed as per local recommendations. Results revealed that, the tallest plants, the most leaves per plant, and the highest crop growth rate (CGR) in cauliflower were significantly better with the application of (T16) Ammonium Molybdate at 0.40% combined with boron at 0.1%. This outcome was statistically similar to (T13) Ammonium Molybdate at 0.30% plus boron at 0.1% and (T10) Ammonium Molybdate at 0.20% with boron at 0.1%, surpassing other treatments in both years and in the combined analysis. Future research should focus on optimizing micronutrient spray formulations, application techniques, and cauliflower timing
Fungi Responsible for Storage Rot of Carrot (Daucus carota L.)
No full textIntroduction: Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is mainly cultivated for its edible taproot, as a fresh or cooked vegetable. It is an excellent source of vitamin A, fiber and bioactive compounds such as β-carotene, which offer several health benefits, the root vegetable with the highest economic value (and the most consumed worldwide.
However, it is subject to fungal attack during storage, resulting in numerous losses. This study aims at identifying the fungi responsible for symptoms on carrots during storage.
Location and Duration of Study: Côte d\u27Ivoire, March to June 2022.
Methodology: Samples of apparently healthy carrots marketed in three municipalities of Abidjan were collected and stored at room temperature (around 25°C). The phytosanitary condition of these stored carrots was assessed, and the fungi associated with symptoms were isolated on PDA medium and identified. A pathogenicity test was subsequently carried out with these different fungi.
Results: Black and white rot and grey soft rot were the symptoms identified after storage. Grey rot was the most recurrent symptom, with a prevalence of 40.46%. From symptomatic carrots, 11 fungi in 5 genera were isolated. These included Aspergillus, Botrytis, Colletotrichum, Geotrichum and Rhizopus. Pathogenicity test revealed that Botrytis sp. causing white rot and Rhizopus sp. causing black rot are pathogenic to carrots in storage.
Conclusion: This study enables us to envisage methods for controlling these post-harvest carrot fungi.
Recommendations: This study enables us to envisage methods for controlling the fungi responsible for losses on carrots during storage
Genetic Diversity Assessment of Soybean Genotypes Using D² and Principal Component Analysis for Breeding Advancements
No full textSoybean (Glycine max L. Merrill), major leguminous crop rich in protein and oil, plays a critical role in human nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Genetic diversity analysis is vibrant to identify better parents for developing high-yielding cultivars with improved agronomic traits. The present investigation was undertaken during Kharif 2024 at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Morena, RVSKVV, Gwalior, M.P., India to evaluate genetic divergence among 60 elite soybean genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with two replications, and observations were recorded on 13 quantitative traits. Mahalanobis’ D² statistic and Tocher’s clustering method were employed to estimate genetic divergence, while Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify main contributors of traits to create variability. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 14 distinct clusters, with maximum intra-cluster distance observed in Cluster IV (139.66) while highest inter-cluster divergence (D² = 456.59) between Clusters XIII and VIII, suggesting potential for creating superior recombinants through hybridization. Cluster VIII displayed the highest mean seed yield per plant (19.56 g), along with higher values for numbers of pods per plant and seeds per plant, and harvest index. PCA revealed five principal components with eigenvalues >1.0, collectively accounting for 77.39% of the total variation. Genotypes like JS-21-17, Cat492A, NRC-142, and AUKS-21-5 were identified as promising based on high PC scores and desirable agronomic traits. The study emphasizes the utility of multivariate analysis in identifying genetically diverse and agronomically superior soybean genotypes. These genotypes hold significant promise as parental lines in future breeding programmes aimed to enhance yield potential, stress tolerance, and overall productivity in soybean
Comparative Effect of Sunn Hemp with Farmyard Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer Levels on Growth of Cotton in Titanium-mined Reconstituted Soils in Kwale County, Kenya
No full textCotton growth performance in Kenya have declined over the years, with Kwale County being one of the areas that were once suitable for cotton farming experiencing serious setbacks with soil loss and reduced arable land due to enhanced mining activities. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of combining sunn hemp with farm yard manure and inorganic fertilizers to enhance cotton growth in titanium-mined and reconstituted soils of Kwale County. Field trials were conducted in May–August 2022 and September–December 2023 at Base Titanium Mining company, Kwale County, on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Ten treatments with variation in mixtures of sunn hemp, farmyard manure (7.5 or 15.0 tons/ha) and NPK fertilizer (100 or 200 kg/ha), were applied in four site conditions: undisturbed soil, topsoil-covered mined land, reconstituted soil without topsoil and reconstituted soil with topsoil. Data collected included: Soil analysis and cotton growth parameters such as plant height, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, number of fruiting branches, length of the longest fruiting branches, number of nodes on the longest fruiting branch, internodal length, leaf chlorophyll content and canopy temperature. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SAS statistical package (SAS, Version 10). Significant means at the F-test were ranked using Turkey\u27s test at a 5% significance level. Results indicated that cotton with 200 kg NPK with sunn hemp significantly enhanced cotton chlorophyll content by (32.7%), leaf numbers (78.6%) and plant height (41.5%) compared to control. These findings indicate the possibility of utilizing organic-inorganic input mixtures in reclaiming mined land and improving cotton development, though additional long-term studies are recommended for large-scale application and validation
Impact of Different Potassium Levels on the Physicochemical Characteristics and Nutrient Content of Soil Cultivated with Safflower in Vertisols
No full textThe present field experiment was undertaken at department field of soil science and agricultural chemistry, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani to assess the “Effect of Various Levels of Potassium on K-Adsorption and Release Behaviour under Safflower in Vertisol” during Rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24. Ten different treatments combinations were used in the experiment which includes different potassium rates and recommended dose of fertilizer and control replicated there in RBD (Randomized Block Design). The results emerged out indicated that the Bulk density, particle density, porosity, pH, EC and CaCO3 was found non-significant at flowering and after harvest of safflower. Significantly higher value, of available N, P2O5, K, sulphur and DTPA Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu was recorded at flowering and after harvest of safflower in treatment receiving 100% RDF + 90 Kg K2O ha-1 at par with the 100% RDF + 75 Kg K2O ha-1, 100% RDF + 60 Kg K2O ha-1 and 100% RDF + 50 Kg K2O ha-1 as soil is deficient in Zn and Fe. The alone results indicated that the potassium supplying capacity of soil is not only depend on available K in Vertisol but it’s depend on the K fixation and release behaviour at added K in soil. The optimum K release and cost benefit ratio was recorded at application of RDF (60:40:00 Kg N and P2O5) + 50 kg K2O ha-1. This clearly indicated the application of 50 Kg K2O with RDF (60:40:00 Kg N and P2O5) was found beneficial than alone RDF for safflower in Vertisol
Impact of Biostimulants on Yield and Yield Attributing Characteristic of Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.)
No full textIn recent years, interest in the cultivation and consumption of capsicum has significantly increased, driving research toward identifying the most favorable conditions for its growth and productivity. Biostimulants are materials or microorganisms used in agriculture to boost a plant’s nutrient uptake, enhance its tolerance to abiotic stress, and improve overall crop performance. They are broadly categorized into groups such as humic and fulvic acids, protein hydrolysates, nitrogen-based substances, seaweed extracts, plant-based compounds, chitosan and other biopolymers, inorganic materials, and beneficial microbes like fungi and bacteria. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of biostimulants on the yield and yield-attributing traits of capsicum. A total of twelve treatments, including an absolute control, were tested using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications. The research was carried out under polyhouse conditions at the Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, during the Rabi seasons of 2022–23 and 2023–24, utilising the PSM-1 variety as the test material. The results revealed significant differences among treatments for all recorded parameters, including days to first flowering, fruit maturity, number of fruits per plant, fruit size, average fruit weight, and total yield. The treatment T3 (RDF + Seaweed extract @ 2.5 ml/L) emerged as the most effective, recording the earliest flowering (41.75 days), highest number of fruits per plant (22.50), maximum fruit length (9.55 cm), fruit diameter (7.96 cm), average fruit weight (95.74 g), and highest total yield (399.05 q/ha). Comparatively, treatments involving 87.5% RDF alone or with biostimulants showed moderate improvements but were generally less effective than those with 100% RDF. Thus, the integrated application of biostimulants with full RDF, particularly seaweed extract, is recommended for optimizing capsicum productivity and quality in protected cultivation systems