International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Optimizing Sowing Windows and Irrigation Schedules to Enhance Growth and Productivity of Potato Crop
No full textPotato is the world’s fourth most important staple food crop with significant role in global food and nutritional security. The field study was carried out at research farm of Department of Agronomy, CSK HPKV, Palampur. The present field investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of various sowing windows (10th December, 2020; 30th December, 2020; and 10th January, 2021) and irrigation schedules (2, 3, 4 and 5 irrigations) on potato growth and productivity. The study was conducted in a randomized block design with factorial arrangement, 12 treatments and 3 replications. The results of the investigation revealed that higher plant height, number of leaves, shoots, tubers per plant, average tuber weight and tuber yield were recorded for the 10th December sown crop whereas irrigation schedule consisting of 5 irrigations resulted in the higher plant height, number of leaves, shoots, tubers per plant, average tuber weight and tuber yield for potato crop. However, 10th January sown crop and 2 or 3 irrigation-based schedules resulted in the lowest plant height, number of leaves, shoots, tubers per plant, average tuber weight and tuber yield for the potato crop. Therefore, it can be recommended that sowing the crop on 10th December and following a 5- irrigation based schedule can result in enhanced growth and tuber yield for the potato crop
Farmers’ Knowledge of Soil Testing: A Multi-Context Analysis Across Different Irrigation Systems
No full textThe present study was carried out during 2022-23 in the districts of Mandya, Chikkaballapura, and Tumakuru in Karnataka to assess farmers’ knowledge of soil testing across different farming situations. Additionally, the study aimed to examine the relationship between farmers’ profile characteristics and their knowledge of soil testing, as well as the extent to which these characteristics contribute to that knowledge. A total of sixty soil-tested farmers from each district were personally interviewed using a pre-tested interview schedule. The results showed that a large majority of farmers (76.10%) possessed medium to high knowledge about soil testing. Correlation analysis indicated that, a majority of profile characteristics showed significant associations with knowledge levels across all irrigation types. Furthermore, all 19 profile characteristics collectively accounted for 68.40%, 71.10%, and 66.90% of the variation in knowledge levels under assured, protected, and rainfed conditions, respectively. These findings suggest the need for targeted extension programs to enhance soil testing awareness, especially in rainfed regions
Distance Gradient Effects of Coal Mining on Tree Composition and Forest Structure of Pasan Range of Katghora Forest Division, Chhattisgarh, India
No full textThis study investigates the impact of mining-related disturbances on forest structure and biodiversity in tropical dry deciduous forests within the Katghora Forest Division of Chhattisgarh, India. Vegetation sampling was carried out across four zones situated at increasing distances from a coal mining site to assess variations in species composition, diversity, and structural attributes. Sixty species and 3,007 individual trees were recorded and analyzed using ecological indices, including the Shannon-Wiener Index, Simpson\u27s Dominance and Diversity Indices, Pielou\u27s Evenness, and Margalef\u27s Richness Index. Results revealed a gradient in forest conditions. Zone I (nearest to the mining site) showed the highest species richness but the lowest basal area, suggesting early successional stages with high disturbance. In contrast, Zone IV (farthest from the mine) exhibited higher basal area, evenness, and diversity, indicative of a more mature and stable forest. One-way ANOVA confirmed significant differences in ecological parameters across zones. The findings highlight the adverse effects of mining on forest ecosystems and underscore the need for restoration and conservation efforts to maintain ecological resilience in disturbed landscapes
A Review of Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics under Regenerative Agricultural Practices
No full textRegenerative agriculture represents a holistic approach to restoring degraded soils and enhancing soil carbon sequestration through ecologically informed land management practices. Unlike conventional systems that often degrade soil over time, regenerative practices aim to increase soil carbon, improve water cycles, and support ecosystem services. The philosophy centres on continuous improvement and resilience, integrating ecological design with production efficiency. Soil organic carbon dynamics under regenerative agricultural practices. Scientific evidence on the principles, mechanisms, practices, and outcomes associated with regenerative systems emphasises their role in enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) across diverse agroecological zones. Key practices, including conservation tillage, cover cropping, organic amendments, diversified crop rotations, agroforestry, and managed grazing, have demonstrated the capacity to improve SOC through physical protection within soil aggregates, chemical stabilisation via mineral associations, and biological stabilisation through microbial processing. Long-term trials and meta-analyses indicate that regenerative practices can sequester carbon at rates ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, with notable co-benefits such as improved water retention, enhanced biodiversity, and increased nutrient efficiency. Empirical case studies from semi-arid, humid, and tropical regions confirm that site-specific adaptation of regenerative techniques can yield positive outcomes for both productivity and ecological resilience. Despite these benefits, challenges persist, including high initial labour and material costs, limited access to organic inputs, insufficient extension support, and potential short-term yield declines during the transition phase. These constraints underscore the need for integrated policies, farmer-centric research, knowledge-sharing platforms, and financial incentives to facilitate the transition toward regenerative farming. The use of direct carbon measurement methods, remote sensing technologies, and modelling tools such as Century, RothC, and COMET-Farm further supports the quantification and validation of SOC gains. Widespread adoption of regenerative practices, underpinned by robust empirical data and institutional support, is critical to restoring soil carbon sinks, enhancing agroecosystem services, and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability under climate variability. The integration of scientific knowledge with policy support, extension services, and market incentives is essential to scale regenerative models. Accelerating their adoption can significantly contribute to carbon neutrality goals, sustainable agriculture, and food security under increasingly variable climatic conditions
GPS-GIS Based Assessment of Soil Micronutrients of Agriculture College Farm, Pune, India
No full textPresent soil survey in College of Agriculture, Pune (Maharashtra) India was carried out during 2024 by using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS). was undertaken with 160 geo-referenced soil samples collected by randomized method. Out of 160 soil samples, 127 samples from Agronomy Farm and 33 samples were collected from Modi Baugh and Pathology Farm by using standard soil sampling procedure and were analysed for chemical properties at College of Agriculture, Pune with an objective to study assess the soil nutrient status, delineate soil fertility maps of College of Agriculture farm, Pune. The pH and EC of soils of Agronomy Farm was found in between 7.63 to 8.96 (mean 8.11) and 0.20 to 0.78 dS m-1 with mean 0.41 dS m-1 respectively. The organic carbon and calcium carbonate content of the Agronomy Farm was ranged from 0.10 to 0.73 per cent with mean 0.39 per cent and 10.25 to 27.5 per cent with mean 18.53 per cent respectively. The DTPA extractable micronutrients viz., iron, manganese, zinc and copper in soils ranged from 3.02 to 10.26 mg kg-1 (mean 4.71 mg kg-1), 3.61 to 11.47 mg kg-1(mean 7.06 mg kg-1), 0.66 to 3.58 mg kg-1 (mean 1.92 mg kg-1), 1.65 to 3.98 mg kg-1 (mean 3.00 mg kg-1) respectively.
The soils of Modi Baugh and Pathology Farm showed pH and EC between from 7.52 to 8.45 with mean 7.85, and 0.21 to 0.64 dS m-1 with mean 0.45 dS m-1 respectively. The organic carbon content and calcium carbonate ranged from 0.17 to 0.62 per cent with mean 0.32 and 8.5 to 25.5 per cent with mean 14.1 per cent respectively. The DTPA extractable micronutrients viz, iron, manganese, zinc and copper present in soil ranged from 2.08 to 6.94 mg kg-1 (mean 4.51 mg kg-1), 3.25 to 10.28 mg kg-1 (mean 8.10 mg kg-1), 0.55 to 3.98 mg kg-1 (mean 2.15 mg kg-1), 2.25 to 3.91 mg kg-1 (mean 2.98 mg kg-1) respectively.
Based on the GPS locations of samples and soil test results, soil fertility maps of College of Agriculture Farm, Pune were prepared by using Arc-GIS 10.8.2 for soil pH, EC, OC, CaCO3 and DTPA extractable micronutrients i.e Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu
Growth, Yield and Quality Response of Application of Bio-Stimulants in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
No full textRadish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a root crop grown because of its edible fleshy roots. In the context of sustainable agriculture, reducing chemical fertilizer use and integrating bio-stimulants can provide an environmentally sound approach to improve crop performance. The experiment was carried out to find the effect of bio-stimulants and chemical fertilizers on the development, production, and nutritional value of radish. A field experiment was carried out during Rabi 2023–24 at DAV University, Jalandhar, to find out the impact of bio stimulants on the growth, yield, and quality of radish. In these study, two varieties (Punjab Safed Mooli-2 and Mino Early) and ten treatments comprising the recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK), Azotobacter, and seaweed extract were included. The experiment was done in a factorial randomized block design having three replications. The results showed that the combination of NPK + Azotobacter + seaweed extract (T5) significantly improved the plant height, length of leaves, width of leaves, length of root, diameter of root, root weight, root yield, TSS, and ascorbic acid content. The variety Punjab Safed Mooli-2 showed better performance compared to Mino Early. Thus, integrated use of bio stimulants proved effective in enhancing radish growth, yield and quality
Effects of Spacing Between Stone-Rows on the Chemical and Biological Fertility of Lixisoils in Eastern Burkina Faso
No full textThis study assessed the effects of stone-rows spacing on soil fertility and the potential for a fertility gradient to occur in a farming setting. The study was conducted in a rural area of Sampieri, eastern Burkina Faso, within a Sudano-Sahelian environment on Lixisols with a medium slope of up to 5%. The experimental design included three plots, each with a different stone-rows spacing: 15.5 m (P1), 18.5 m (P2) and 22 m (P3). Soil samples were taken at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm, with interval ranging from 0 to 15 m from the rows. Soil organic carbon(C), total nitrogen (N), pH and soil microbiological activity were measured. The study showed that C, N, P and pH levels improved more on plots P2 and P1 than on plot P3. Although differences were noted for microbiology, they were not statistically significant. A correlation was found and most soil fertility parameters. However, no soil fertility gradient was evident as a function of slope when moving away from the first stone-rows line. It can be concluded that the optimal spacing between stone-rows is 18.5 m and that it is difficult to deduce a fertility gradient within this interval. However, further research is needed for validation and confirmation of these findings
Genetic Variability, Diversity and Association Studies in Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]
No full textMung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is a nutritionally rich pulse crop valued for its protein content and soil fertility enhancing properties, yet its yield improvement remains constrained by complex genetic and environmental interactions. Although previous studies have examined variability or trait associations in mung bean, few have integrated multiple biometrical approaches to simultaneously quantify variability, correlations, path effects, and genetic diversity across a large set of genotypes. This study evaluated 60 genotypes sourced from NBPGR during Kharif 2024 in a randomized block design to quantify genetic variability, trait associations, and diversity for 11 agro-morphological traits. Substantial variation was observed, with seed yield per plant ranging from 3.29 g to 17.35 g and recording the highest coefficient of variation (12.50%). Days to 50% flowering exhibited the lowest variability, underscoring its stability across genotypes. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations of seed yield with pod yield per plant (r = 0.749**), test weight (r = 0.395**), and number of seeds per pod (r = 0.295**), while negative associations were noted with plant height and flowering time. Path analysis confirmed pod yield per plant as the most influential determinant of seed yield, exerting the highest direct effect (0.7653). Cluster analysis grouped genotypes into seven distinct clusters, with Cluster IV being the largest, and principal component analysis indicated that the first six components explained 81.5% of total variation. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of exploiting diverse and high-performing genotypes, particularly those combining early flowering with high pod yield, as parents in breeding programs aimed at yield improvement in mung bean
The Interaction between Nano Silica and Phosphorus, Applied Using Various Techniques in Calcareous Soil, Affects the Productivity of Wheat and Maize Crops
No full textCalcareous soils, abundant in calcium carbonate, are prevalent in most arid and semi-arid environments. When phosphorus fertilizer is applied to calcareous soils, a sequence of fixation processes occurs that progressively diminishes the fertilizer\u27s solubility and, ultimately, its accessibility to plants. This study aims to determine the effects of nano silica (derived from rice husk) and phosphorus at different rates, which are applied by various techniques to wheat and maize crop productivity, as well as the status of silicon and phosphorus in both crops under calcareous soil conditions. Therefore, we performed a field study at the El-Nubaryia Agricultural Research Station, the Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt, on studied crops. The split-split plot design was used; each treatment was replicated three times. The main plots had three nano silica rates: without nano-silica (NSi0), 2 mM SiO₂ (NSi1), and 4 mM SiO₂ (NSi2). The sub-main plots had four phosphorus rates for soil application: without P (P0), 8 (P1), 11 (P2), and 13 Kg P fed-1 (P3); for foliar application, the rates were 25 (P1), 50 (P2), and 100 mg P L-1 (P3). The sub-sub-main plots consisted of two application techniques: soil application (SA) and foliar application (FA) on the plant. The experimental treatments showed that, compared to the control, the yield components of wheat and maize crops (yield, straw or stover, and grain) increased significantly. This tendency was also observed in the overall silicon and phosphorus total content. The most effective treatment, found as NSi2P3 using the FA technique, yielded 3610 and 4449 Kg fed-1 for grain wheat and maize, respectively. Additionally, these treatments improved the chemical properties of calcareous soil by reducing the pH to 7.3 and the CaCO₃ content to 13.8% after wheat harvest, which enhanced the soil\u27s accessibility to phosphorus (P) and silicon (Si). Finally, we can conclude that the use of nano silica made from agricultural waste may help reduce expenses by decreasing the amount of phosphate fertilizers required in calcareous soil. Therefore, using nano silica with phosphate fertilizers as a foliar application on wheat and maize plants in calcareous soil increased crop productivity and phosphorus efficiency. Additionally, this study helps the environment by managing waste and reducing the use of chemicals in agriculture
Effect of Nitrogen, Organic Manures and Zinc Foliar Spray on Different Growth Parameters of Two-Row Barley (Hordeum distichon L.)
No full textA field experiment was conducted during the rabi season 2024–25 at the Agronomy Research Farm, R.S.M. (P.G.) College, Dhampur, Bijnor (U.P.), India to study the effect of nitrogen, organic manures and zinc foliar spray on growth of barley (Hordeum distichon L.). The trial was laid out in a randomized block design with seven treatments and thrice replications, including recommended dose of nitrogen, poultry manure, vermicompost, and zinc foliar spray in different combinations. The results indicated that the integrated application of 80% RDN + 20% N through poultry manure + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 30 DAS and flowering (T₅) significantly improved growth parameters (plant height, tillers, leaf area, plant fresh and dry weight), compared to control and sole inorganic treatments. The study concluded that integrating organic manures and foliar-applied zinc with reduced nitrogen fertilization (80% RDN + 20% N through poultry manure + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 30 DAS and flowering) enhances growth parameters of barley while promoting sustainable nutrient management