International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Rice Productivity, Nutrients Use Efficiencies and Water Productivity on a Biochar-amended Soil in a Typical Lowland Rice System in Benin
No full textThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil amendment with biochar sources (corn cobs (CC) and rice husks (RH) biochar) and irrigation regimes (alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF)) on rice productivity, nutrients use efficiencies and irrigation water productivity (IWP) of a lowland rice system in Benin during the 2022 and 2023 growing cycles. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with four replicates. The results reveal that the combined use of CC or RH biochar (15 tons/ha) with chemical fertilizers significantly improved paddy rice yields by 19% compared to control (no use of biochar and use of chemical fertilisers). The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation regime insignificantly improved paddy rice yields by 7% on average. The uptake of the three major nutrients (N, P and K) did not significantly vary with irrigation regime and biochar application. In the 2022 growing cycle, the combined use of CC or RH biochar and chemical fertilizers significantly reduced the apparent recovery rate by 42.07, 46.40 and 79.83%, and the agronomic N, P and K use efficiency by 39.91, 41.35 and 82.78%, respectively compared to control plots. In the 2023 growing cycle, the combined use of CC or RH biochar and chemical fertilizers increased apparent recovery rates by 29.09, 22.05 and 55.67% for N, P and K respectively, and their agronomic use efficiency by 40.36%. Soil amendment with CC or RH biochar significantly improved irrigation water productivity (IWP) by 18.5% on average compared to the control. AWD irrigation regime significantly improved IWP by 37% compared to the CF regime. Overall, the results of this study highlight the potential of: i) combining biochar amendment with the application of chemical fertilizers to significantly improve productivity and, ii) adopting the AWD irrigation regime without reducing yields in lowland rice systems in Benin
Effect of Micronutrient Application on Content and Uptake of Nutrients and Available Nutrient Status at Harvest of Green Gram Growing Iron and Zinc Deficient Soils of Renapur Tahsil, Latur
No full textThe present investigation entitled “Effect of micronutrient application in green gram growing iron and zinc deficient soils of Renapur Tahsil, Latur” during Kharif season of the year, 2022-2023 at A Field experiment was conducted at farmers field At. Post-Dawangaon Tq-Renapur Dist- Latur. The experiment was layout in RBD with three replications and a recommended variety of green gram BM 2003-2 as a test crop along with ten treatments. Significantly higher uptake of N, P, K, Fe and Zn was found in green gram with treatment T7 (application of RDF + 25 kg ha-1 FeSO4 + 25 kg ha-1 ZnSO4). Available soil nutrient status in post-soil samples after harvest was comparably found maximum than initial soil samples
Effect of Iron and Boron on Growth, Flowering and Corm Characters in Gladiolus cv. Malaviya Shatabdi
No full textA study was conducted to determine the optimal iron and boron dosage for enhancing growth, flowering and corm yield in gladiolus (Gladiolus spp. cv. Malaviya Shatabdi). The experiment took place at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, during 2023-24. The treatments included a control (distilled water) and varying concentrations of iron and boron, applied as foliar sprays at 3rd and 6th leaf stage. The results demonstrated that the combined application of 0.2% B + 0.4% Fe significantly improved plant growth, flowering and corm yield parameters. This treatment results in the highest sprouts count per hill (3.63), compared to the control (2.07). Additionally, plants treated with 0.2% B + 0.4% Fe exhibited the tallest plant height (55.21 cm), length of longest leaf (51.81 cm), days to spike emergence, days to opening of 1st and last floret, diameter of 1st and last floret, length of 1st and last floret, number of florets per spike, total flowering duration and spike length. Similarly, corm production was also significantly influenced by Fe and B applications. Maximum weight of cormel per hill (3.03 g), number of corms per hill (3.68) and maximum diameter of corm (40.26 mm) were recorded with 0.2% B + 0.4% Fe. whereas, the control yielded the lowest. These findings suggest that foliar application of 0.2% B + 0.4% Fe optimizes vegetative growth, floral attributes and corm yield in gladiolus cv. Malaviya Shatabdi
Exploration and Characterization of Native Rhizobacteria from Saline Soils of Brebes, Indonesia for Growth Promotion of Allium ascalonicum L.
No full textAims: The present study was design to investigated the potential of rhizosphere bacteria as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance shallot growth in salinity-affected soils. The focus objectives were to identify and characterized bacterial isolates capable of producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), solubilizing phosphate, and tolerating high salinity levels.
Study Design: The experiment was carried out in a survey method combined with purposive sampling.
Place and Duration of Study: Soil samples were collected from a coastal agricultural area in Brebes Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Laboratory analyses were conducted between August and December 2024 at the Microbiology Laboratory and the Integrated Research Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Jenderal Soedirman University, and Laboratory of the Agricultural Instrument Standardization Center, Bogor, Indonesia.
Methodology: Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from the root zone using purposive sampling and cultured on selective media. The selected isolates were then subjected to salinity tolerance testing, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophore production, and nitrogen fixation assays.
Results: The highest indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production was recorded in isolate KL1K2, while the greatest phosphate solubilization activity was exhibited by isolate KL3ASH1. Nitrogen fixation ability was observed in isolates KL1K2, KL4ASH3, K4K1, K4P1, K4RZ3, K4RZ6, K3RZ1, K3IS4, and KL3ASH1. Additionally, siderophore production was detected in isolates KL1K2, K3RZ1, K4RZ3, K4P1, and KL4ASH3.
Conclusion: Among all tested isolates, KL3ASH1 and K3IS4 met all selection criteria and exhibited stable nitrogenase activity. These strains are promising candidates for bio-inoculant development, particularly for improving crop productivity in saline soil environments
Study for Morphological Characteristics on Different Cultivars of Gladiolus Flower
No full textThe experiment was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh during the year 2023-2024 out to assess the performance of both indigenous and foreign gladiolus varieties under the climatic conditions of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with five replications in plot size of 1m x 1m. Healthy, disease-free corms from both Indian and exotic varieties were planted in November 2023. Results showed that cultivars Arka Lohit and Red Majesty showed 100% sprouting. Cultivar Arka Amar had maximum sprouts per hill than others. Cultivar White Prosperity topped in terms of plant height, scape width and internodal distance whereas, cultivar Gunjan (2.68) had maximum no. of corms while cultivar Suchitra has maximum corm weight. These findings show how different gladiolus varieties have unique physical traits, helping breeders and commercial growers choose the best ones for producing cut flowers
Impact of Organic Additives on Soil Organic Carbon and Enzyme Activities in Intensive Ginger Agro-ecosystems
No full textOrganic manure is a good source of nutrients, which enhances soil productivity, increases the soil organic carbon content, enhances the activities of soil microorganisms, and supplies major plant nutrients. Nutrient management is one of the key determinants of crop production. Variability in nutrient additions through fertilisers and organic manures appears to be an influencing factor on soil fertility status and ginger productivity. This study was conducted to assess different magnitudes of organic and inorganic nutrient inputs on soil carbon stock and soil enzyme activities. A survey-based study was conducted.The data obtained was subjected to one-way ANOVA using Excel software version of Windows MS Office -2007. In the Banavasi area of Uttara Kannada, Ginger farmers adopted different nutrient management practices in ginger cultivation were grouped into Local Farmers-1: High OM and High Fertilisers, Local Farmers-2: Low OM and Moderately High Fertilisers and Migrated Farmers: Very Low OM and Very High Fertilisers. Soil samples were collected at two sampling depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) in three groups of ginger farmers’ fields. The mean rainfall of this region is 2500 mm, with up to 103 rainy days in a year. Annually, this region has 25 hot days with temperatures more than 350 C and 124 warm days ranging 30-350 C and remains below 350 C during the rest of the year for about 214 days. The soil organic carbon content was higher in soils of Local Farmers-1 compared to Local Farmers-2: Low OM and Moderately High Fertilizers and Migrated Farmers: Very Low OM and Very High Fertilizers thus, the study revealed that application of organic manures in intensively managed ginger production systems helps to enhance soil carbon stocks and maintain soil biological activities
Effect of Planting Dates and Nitrogen Levels on Tuber Quality of Potato cv. Kufri Lima
No full textThe experiment was conducted at Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during winter season of 2020-21. The treatments comprising of three planting dates (25th September, 10th October and 25th October) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 75, 100 and 125% of RDN) were laid out in a randomized block design (factorial) with three replications.
Potato tuber quality parameters like dry matter of tubers and haulms, reducing, non-reducing and total sugar were recorded maximum under 10th October planting, whereas, ascorbic acid and specific gravity of tubers were found non-significant. While, among the different nitrogen levels, 125% of RDN application recorded significantly maximum values for reducing, non-reducing and total sugar, while ascorbic acid, dry matter content of tuber as well haulms increased with increase in nitrogen levels upto 100% of RDN. Specific gravity of tubers was found maximum where no nitrogen was applied.
The highest values for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake in haulms and tubers were registered with 10th October planting, whereas, nitrogen uptake in haulms, phosphorus uptake of tubers also found at par with 25th October planting. Among the nitrogen levels, maximum NPK uptake in haulms and tubers were recorded with 125% of RDN application, whereas, phosphorus and potassium uptake by haulms was increased significantly with increasing nitrogen levels upto 100% of RDN application. The leftover NPK in soil after harvest was noted maximum with earlier planting (25th September), while among the different nitrogen levels, leftover nitrogen in soil was increased with increasing levels of nitrogen upto 100% of RDN, while, phosphorus and potassium availability was recorded in reverse trends
Effect of Organic Farming on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Sugarcane under South Gujarat Condition
No full textThe experiment was conducted at Organic Farm, Aspee College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) during the rabi seasons of the years 2019–20 and 2020–21 The soil of the experimental field was clayey in texture, with electrical conductivity within the safe limit (0.46 dS/m). The soil was medium in organic carbon (0.67%) and slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.70), medium in available nitrogen (248.30 kg/ha) and P2O5 (43.0 kg/ha), high in available K2O (416.20 kg/ha), DTPA-extractable Fe (18.90 mg/kg), Mn (16.90 mg/kg), Cu (2.60 mg/kg), and DTPA-extractable Zn (1.48 mg/kg). The treatments, viz., (Factor A Spacing, S1: 90 cm; S2: 60-120-60 cm (paired row with green manuring). (Factor B Manure levels, M1: NADEP @ 100% RDN; M2: NADEP @ 75% RDN; M3: NADEP @ 50% RDN; and M4: NADEP @ 25% RDN + Sugarcane trash @10 t/ha + jeevamrut @ 2000 l/ha., were applied to the sugarcane crop in the rabi season and replicated three times in factorial randomized block design. Number of internodes and cane girth was not affected significantly by any of the treatments. However, total plant height and millable cane height as well as single cane weight were affected significantly by the treatment of compost only. Higher values of these parameters were observed in compost treatment M1, followed by M2, M3 and M4. Similar trend of treatments was observed in case of millable cane yield/ha. Significantly higher millable cane yield was observed in treatment M1during the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and in pooled analysis. However, this treatment was remained statistically at par with treatment M2 treatment.  
Impact of Biofertilizers and Phosphorus Application on Growth of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
No full textA field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2023–24 at FASAI, Rama University Agricultural Farm, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam, neutral in reaction (pH 7.40), low in organic carbon (0.45%), low in available nitrogen (163.02 kg ha⁻¹), medium in phosphorus (21.3 kg ha⁻¹), and low in potassium (130.6 kg ha⁻¹). The study comprised 10 treatment combinations: T1 (Control), T2 (Rhizobium + 15 kg P/ha), T3 (PSB + 15 kg P/ha), T4 (Rhizobium + PSB + 15 kg P/ha), T5 (Rhizobium + 30 kg P/ha), T6 (PSB + 30 kg P/ha), T7 (Rhizobium + PSB + 30 kg P/ha), T8 (Rhizobium + 45 kg P/ha), T9 (PSB + 45 kg P/ha), and T10 (Rhizobium + PSB + 45 kg P/ha), laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The chickpea variety KPG-59 (Uday) was sown manually using a kudal. Weather conditions during the crop season included a maximum temperature of 40.51°C, a minimum of 6.74°C, and total rainfall of 9.73 mm across 10 rainy days. Results indicated that while plant population did not differ significantly among treatments, plant height, dry matter accumulation, and branching were significantly enhanced with combined applications of Rhizobium, PSB, and 45 kg P/ha (T10). T10 also recorded the highest nodulation, biomass, and delayed flowering
Phenological Development and Shoot Growth of Calamansi (Citrus x microcarpa) Under Pruning and Waterlogging Conditions in a Tropical Agroforestry Context
No full textThis study investigated the shoot growth and phenological development of containerized grafted calamansi (Citrus × microcarpa) seedlings under three cultivation treatments: control, waterlogging, and pruning. Conducted in the Philippines, a tropical country where calamansi is a high-value fruit crop, the experiment aimed to evaluate how abiotic stress and canopy management influence plant development. Using the BBCH scale for standardized phenological monitoring, the plant growth parameters such as the height, shoot length, and number of leaves were measured biweekly over a 54-day observation period. Results showed that pruned seedlings significantly exhibited enhanced vegetative growth, while waterlogged seedlings progressed more rapidly to reproductive stages. Control plants followed a moderate developmental trajectory. Early flowering and fruiting under waterlogging appeared to be a stress-induced survival response, whereas pruning delayed phenological progression but promoted vigorous vegetative growth. These findings highlight the potential of pruning as a management tool for off-season calamansi production and underscore the detrimental long-term effects of waterlogging. Overall, the study demonstrates the importance of phenological monitoring in guiding orchard management practices to improve crop resilience and productivity in tropical agroforestry systems