International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Performance Evaluation of Different Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) Varieties to Various Fertilizer Rates under Late Sowing Irrigated Conditions in the Jammu Region
No full textA field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020 at the Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, to evaluate the effect of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) varieties, farmyard manure (FYM) application and different fertilizer levels on productivity and profitability under late sown irrigated conditions. The treatment consisted of four varieties viz., V1-RSPR 69, V2-Pusa Mustard 26, V3-RVM 2 and V4-NRCHB 101 in main plot; FYM @5 t ha-1 and no FYM in sub plot and three fertilizer levels in sub-sub plots i.e., F1-NPKS (60:30:15:20 kg ha-1), F2-NPKS (80:40:20:25 kg ha-1) and F3-NPKS (100:50:25:30), which were laid out in split-split plot design with three replications. Results indicated that variety RVM-2 recorded significantly higher growth, yield attributes and seed yield which were statistically at par with NRCHB 101. Application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 significantly improved growth and yield of mustard compared to no FYM. Similarly, fertilizer aapplication at 100:50:25:30 kg ha-1 (N:P2O5:K2O:S) resulted in significantly higher growth, yield attributes and seed yield and was statistically comparable with 80:40:20:25 kg ha-1. The combination of variety RVM-2, FYM@ 5t ha-1 and fertilizer dose of 80:40:20:25 kg ha-1 recorded the highest B: C, indicating its suitability for maximizing productivity and profitability of Indian mustard
Integrating Soil Morphology, Survey Data, and Classification for Effective Land Use Planning in Tropical Regions
No full textTropical soils are critical for supporting food production, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, but they face increasing threats from climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events exacerbate existing soil challenges, such as erosion, nutrient depletion, organic matter loss, and disrupted soil biodiversity. These changes significantly affect agricultural productivity, land use planning, and environmental conservation. To address these challenges, climate-smart soil management practices, including agroforestry, conservation tillage, organic amendments, and integrated water management, offer effective solutions to enhance soil resilience and productivity. Future research priorities include localized climate modeling, digital soil mapping, soil carbon monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and community-based solutions to support sustainable land use. Advancements in technology and multidisciplinary approaches are essential for understanding climate-soil interactions and developing adaptive strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of tropical soils
Response of Rice Varieties to Different Levels of Irrigation Under Aerobic Condition
No full textThe field experiment was conducted West Central Table Zone, Odisha during summer season of 2019 & 2020 to evaluate the effect of medium duration rice varieties with varying irrigation regimes under aerobic condition. The experiment was laid out in split plot design having four irrigation regimes (Irrigation at IW/CPE = 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) in main plot treatments and four varieties (Naveen, MTU-1010, CR Dhan-201 and CR Dhan-204) in subplot treatments. The result showed that higher grain yield was recorded at IW/CPE = 2.5 (4.07 t/ha) ,which was significantly superior to rest of other irrigation regimes except IW/CPE = 2.0 ( 3.90 t/ha) that was at par with IW/CPE = 2.5 .Whereas, in case of cultivars, higher grain yield was obtained with CR-Dhan 201( 3.54 t/ha) which was significantly to rest of other cultivars except Naveen (3.30t/ha) which was at par with CR-Dhan 201.The FWUE at IW/CPE 1.5 ( 40.71kg/ ha-cm) was recorded higher which was at par with other irrigation regimes except IW/CPE 2.5. The higer B: C ratio (1.74) was observed at IW/CPE 2.0 and at par with IW/CPE 2.5 (1.73) and significantly to rest other irrigation regimes. Whereas in cultivars, FWUE of 41.60kg/ ha-cm and B:C ratio (1.62) were observed with CR Dhan 201 but it was significantly to rest of other cultivars. It may be concluded that rice grown under aerobic culture, variety ‘CR Dhan 201’ was found optimum as it has resulted in highest growth of aerobic rice and realizing higher productivity besides enhancing economically profitability at irrigation regimes at IW/CPE 2.0 in West Central Table Land Zone of Odisha under aerobic condition
Effect of Weed Management Practices on Yield Attributes, Yield and Weed Density of Mungbean (Vigna radiate L.) in Vertisol of Chhattisgarh Plains
No full textA field experiment was conducted at Instructional cum Research Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi VisHand weedingavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.) during mansoon crop 2021 and 2022. The soil of experimental field was neutral in reaction, medium in organic carbon and low in available nitrogen, low in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications, consisted of T1-Imazethapyr 10 % SL (Dose-55 g a.i. ha-1), T2- Fluazifop-p-butyl 13.4% w w-1 (Dose-250 g a.i. ha-1), T3-Propaquizafop 2.5% w w-1 (weight per weight) + imazethapyr 3.75 % w w-1 ME (ready mix) (Dose-83.3g a.i. ha-1), T4- Acifluorfen-sodium 16.5% EC + clodinafop-propargyl 8% EC (ready mix) (Dose-210 g a.i. ha-1), T5- Fomesafen 11.1% w w-1 + fluazifop-p-butyl 11.1% w w-1 (ready mix) (Dose-440 g a.i. ha-1), T6-Hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS (Days after sowing) , T7- Weed free (Hand weeding at 20, 40 and 60 DAS) and T8- Unweeded check.
The weeds of the experimental site was dominated with grasses like Echinochloacolona, Dinebraretroflexa, broad leaves like Parthenium hysterophorus, Celosia argentea, sedge like Cyperus sps. and other weeds. Results revealed that all the yield attributes and yield was highest in fomesafen 11.1% w w-1 + fluazifop-p-butyl 11.1% w w-1 (ready mix) (Dose-440 g a.i. ha-1) (T5) which was at par with propaquizafop 2.5% w w-1 + imazethapyr 3.75 % w w-1 ME (ready mix) (Dose-83.3g a.i. ha-1)(T3) and acifluorfen-sodium 16.5% EC + clodinafop-propargyl 8% EC (ready mix) (Dose-210 g a.i. ha-1)(T4). Similar ways, weed density was also significantly reduced in these treatments to others. However, higher WCE (Weed control efficiency) was noticed in this treatment than unweeded check
Impact of Application of Biofertilizers and Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) Bacteria on the Soil Properties under Rabi Sorghum Cultivation
No full textAim: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of application of biofertilizers and Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) bacteria on the soil properties.
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with seven treatments that are allocated randomly and replicated thrice.
Place and Duration of Study: Rabi, 2023-24 at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla.
Methodology: The treatments were T1 - Control (100 % RDF - 100 : 60 : 40 NPK kg ha-1), T2 - T1 + Soil application of Biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and Potassium Releasing Bacteria each @ 1250 ml ha-1), T3 - T2 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1, T4 - T2 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application, T5 - 75 % RDF (75: 45: 30 NPK kg ha-1) + Soil application of Biofertilizers (Azospirillum, PSB and KRB each @ 1250 ml ha-1), T6 - T5 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1, T7 - T5 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application.
Results: The data on soil pH, EC and OC as influenced by application of Biofertilizers and Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) bacteria after harvest of sorghum crop was found to be non-significant. Sorghum crop grown on the treatment T3 (T2 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1) showed higher soil available N (265 kg ha-1), P2O5 (81.4 kg ha-1) and K2O (490 kg ha-1) status after harvest of the crop. The treatment T4 (T2 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application) showed higher Nitrogen (Grain - 59.7, Stover - 39.2 and Total - 98.9 kg ha-1) Phosphorus (Grain - 16.9, Stover - 10.3 and Total - 27.2 kg ha-1) and Potassium (Grain - 26.7, Stover - 60.5 and Total - 87.1 kg ha-1) uptakes by sorghum at harvest.
Conclusion: Sorghum crop grown on the treatment T3 (T2 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1) showed higher soil available N, P2O5 and K2O status after harvest of the crop. The treatment T4 (T2 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application) showed higher Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium uptakes by sorghum at harvest
In vitro Assessment of Bio-agents and their Culture Filtrate for Sustainable Management of Rhizoctonia solani
No full textRice is a vital cereal crop that forms the staple diet for more than half of the global population. It plays a critical role in food security and nutrition, particularly in Asia, where countries such as China, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh lead the way in cultivation and consumption but severely affected by Rhizoctonia solani causing heavy yield loss. This study investigated the in vitro efficacy of several bio-agents and their culture filtrates in suppressing the mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani. In the first experiment, direct applications of Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis significantly reduced fungal radial growth, with T. harzianum (68.37% inhibition) and T. viride (59.18% inhibition) showing the most potent antagonistic activity compared to the untreated control. In the second experiment, culture filtrates from various bio-agents (Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis) were evaluated. Results revealed that T4 and T9 produced the highest percent inhibition on the seventh day (82.95% and 78.18%, respectively), while other treatments showed moderate to low efficacy (13.37–59.45% inhibition). Statistical analysis (CD and SE) confirmed the significance of these differences among treatments in both experiments. The collective results indicate that both living bio-agents and their culture filtrates, particularly those derived from effective strains such as Trichoderma spp., offer strong potential for the biological control of R. solani, contributing to sustainable plant disease management strategies
Fractionation and Availability of Calcium and Boron in Lateritic Soils of Kerala, India
No full textThis study investigated the fractionation patterns of calcium and boron in lateritic soils across four agro-ecological units of Kerala to assess their availability in relation to soil properties. The laboratory-based fractionation study with sequential extraction procedures was conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, between 2023 and 2024. Forty soil samples from four lateritic agro-ecological units (AEU 8, 9, 10, and 11) of Kerala were analyzed. Calcium was fractionated using Mokwunye and Melsted (1972) method into water-soluble, exchangeable, organic complexed, acid soluble, and mineral-bound forms. Boron was fractionated following Datta et al. (2002) into readily soluble, specifically adsorbed, oxide-bound, organically bound, and residual forms. Correlation analysis was performed between fractions and soil properties. Calcium fractions ranged from 3.57 to 11.33 mg kg⁻¹ for water-soluble, 298.71 to 1895.43 mg kg⁻¹ for exchangeable, 18.59 to 268.53 mg kg⁻¹ for organic complexed, 68.74 to 195.98 mg kg⁻¹ for acid soluble, and 89.64 to 635.01 mg kg⁻¹ for mineral calcium. Total calcium varied from 348.33 to 3425.44 mg kg⁻¹ across AEUs. The contribution of calcium fractions followed the order: Ex. Ca > Min-Ca > Ac-s. Ca > Or-c Ca > WS. Ca. Boron fractions ranged from 0.41 to 1.86 mg kg⁻¹ for readily soluble, 0.12 to 1.83 mg kg⁻¹ for specifically adsorbed, 0.05 to 0.59 mg kg⁻¹ for oxide-bound, 0.41 to 2.87 mg kg⁻¹ for organically bound, and 44.42 to 90.23 mg kg⁻¹ for residual boron. Residual boron constituted the largest pool (54.98-60.08 mg kg⁻¹ across AEUs). All calcium fractions showed highly significant positive intercorrelations (P < .001). Available boron fractions (RS-B, SA-B, OX-B, OR-B) exhibited strong negative correlations with soil pH (r = -0.78 to -0.97, P < .001) and positive correlations with available iron (r = 0.72 to 0.91, P < .001) and exchangeable aluminum (r = 0.74 to 0.92, P < .001). A distinct antagonistic relationship was observed between calcium and available boron fractions, with exchangeable calcium showing the strongest negative correlation with all available boron forms (r = -0.60 to -0.76, P < .001). Conversely, residual boron and total boron exhibited highly significant positive correlations with all calcium fractions (r = 0.52 to 0.83, P < .001). The dominance of exchangeable and mineral-bound calcium fractions indicates moderate calcium availability in Kerala lateritic soils. The predominance of residual boron fraction with strong pH-dependent availability suggests potential risk of boron deficiency under acidic conditions typical of lateritic soils. The strong negative correlations between calcium and available boron fractions reveal significant Ca-B antagonism, necessitating balanced fertilization strategies including integrated organic matter management and split application of amendments. Soil pH, organic carbon, clay content, and exchangeable aluminum emerge as key factors governing calcium and boron fractionation patterns. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing AEU-specific nutrient management recommendations for lateritic soils of Kerala
Sustainable Intensification of Rice through Integrated Use of Organic Amendments, Biofertilizers, and Chemical Fertilizers in the Lower Gangetic Alluvial Zone
No full textAims: To evaluate the influence of various nutrient management approaches involving organic amendments, biofertilizer, and chemical fertilizers on soil health and plant health of rice under the lower Gangetic alluvial zone of West Bengal.
Study Design: A Randomized Block Design (RBD) was employed with six treatments and four replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Farm, University of Calcutta, Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal during the Rabi season of 2024–25. Laboratory studies were undertaken in the Department of Agricultural chemistry and soil science and Department of Agronomy, University of Calcutta, Kolkata-700019.
Methodology: The rice variety MTU 1153 was transplanted at uniform spacing and managed according to standard agronomic practices. Organic manures and biofertilizers were incorporated into the soil before transplanting. The full dose of phosphorus and potassium along with half of the nitrogen was applied as basal, while the remaining nitrogen was top-dressed at 45 days after transplanting. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–15 cm and analyzed for soil physico-chemical parameters using standard analytical procedures during various growth stages of rice. Observations on growth attributes of rice were recorded at 30, 60 days after transplanting, and at harvest. Yield and yield attributes were measured from the net plot area and expressed in quintals per hectare. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a five percent level of significance.
Results: Integrated treatments significantly enhanced soil CEC and OC, with T6 (organic amendments +Bio fertilizer+ 100% RDF) recording the highest values. Available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were consistently higher in integrated nutrient treatments compared to sole chemical fertilizers, reflecting improved nutrient retention and slow mineralization from organic sources. Significant variations (p < 0.05) were observed among treatments for growth and yield parameters. The highest plant height (107 cm), Crop growth rate (24.76 g m⁻² day-1), and dry matter accumulation (1266.74 g m⁻²) were recorded at harvest under integrated nutrient management which involved organic amendments, biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer (T5 and T6). Grain yield increased significantly from 3.20 t ha⁻¹ in control to 5.36 t ha⁻¹ in the treatment(T6), while straw yield rose from 5.37 t ha⁻¹ to 7.24 t ha⁻¹. ANOVA confirmed treatment effects were significant (p < 0.05) for all major growth and yield traits.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of INM as a sustainable strategy for intensive rice cultivation in Gangetic alluvial soils. Although short-term effects on soil physico-chemical properties were observed, substantial improvements require repeated application over multiple seasons
Rapid UV Spectrophotometric Method for Piperine Quantification: Evaluating Genotypic and Developmental Stage Effects in Blackpepper (Piper nigrum L.)
No full textThis study presents the development and validation of a rapid, cost-effective UV spectrophotometric method for the quantitative determination of piperine in Piper nigrum L. Three genotypes Panniyur 1, Panniyur 2, and Uthirankotta were studied at two critical stages of development (immature and mature green berries) to understand the genotypic and developmental effects on piperine accumulation. The method was highly specific and accurate and thus can be used as an effective substitute for high cost and time-consuming extraction methods for large-scale screenings. Results showed significant genotypic variation, where Panniyur 2 had the highest piperine content of 6.562 percent w/w at maturity, followed by Panniyur 1 and Uthirankotta, respectively. Piperine rises significantly from immature to mature stage in all three genotypes, which ascertains the importance of a correct harvest period to get a good yield of alkaloids. These results therefore establish that Panniyur 2 is a better genotype with regard to piperine production, and the mature green stage is the ideal period for harvest to obtain maximum bioactive principal contents. A validated UV spectrophotometric method described here will be an effective tool in quality control and breeding programs to improve the piperine yield in black pepper cultivation
Effect of Biochar Derived from Different Crop Residues on Soil Water Retention
No full textThe water retention capacity of Sierra Leone soils is low due to low organic matter content and the dominance of highly weathered low activity clay minerals such as kaolinite and iron and aluminum sequioxides. It is therefore essential to seek efforts to improve water retention capacity of soils in order to improve crop growth and yield. This research was carried out to study the water retention properties of biochar derived from different crop residues and their influence on soil water retention. The study was conducted at the Njala University Quality Control Laboratory, Njala Campus in Southern Siera Leone (Latitude 8oN and Longitude 12oW). Six biochar types from six crop residues (rice straw, rice husk, groundnut, maize stover, pigeon pea and cowpea) were studied. For each biochar, 10g was saturated with water by capillary action and suspended to allow drainage of excess water. The amount of water retained by biochar was determined by drying in oven to constant weight. The water retention capacity of each soil-biochar mixture was determined in a similar manner; where, 10g of a fine sandy loam soil was mixed with biochar at different rates (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8g/10g soil). The study revealed that the water retention capacities of the different biochar types depended on the biomass type. However, the retention capacity of different biochar types was not clearly reflected on their soil-biochar mixtures. For example, biochar derived from Maize stover which had lower water retention capacity than Rice straw biochar showed higher soil water retention than Rice Straw biochar in the biochar-soil mixture. This showed that water retention capacity of pure biochar is not a direct measure of its capacity to improve soil water retention. However, this requires further investigations. The study also revealed that water retention capacity of biochar-soil mixtures increased with increasing biochar application levels. However, signgificant effects were observed with higher application rates. Fractionation of biochar did not produce any regular pattern in water retention