International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Effects of Months of Coppicing on Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) Chupons’ Flowering and Yield in Edo State, Nigeria
No full textRehabilitation through coppicing and chupon regeneration has been reported to improve cocoa yield. However, appropriate month for this operation is grossly scarce in literature. Therefore, investigation was carried out between 2017 and 2019 to evaluate effect of coppicing at different months on cocoa (Theobroma cacao L) chupons’ flowering and yield performance in Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Uhonmora, Edo State. Months of coppicing considered as treatments were December 2017 to November 2018. The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on number of flowers, number of cherelles, number of pods, fresh pod weight, fresh bean weight and dry bean weight of the chupons. Data were analyzed with ANOVA at P = .05. This study revealed that old cocoa trees coppiced in the month of April were the most vigorous and showed earlier and steadier yield attributes than other treatments, coming into full flowering, cherelles and pods formation at 4, 9 and 14 months after coppicing, respectively. The old cocoa coppiced in April produced 8, 18, 27, 30 and 45 pods per tree (8999, 20189, 29631, 33331 and 50363 pods per hectare of coppiced cacao) after 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 months, respectively. Also, it was observed that old cacao coppiced in the months of April and January produced the highest fresh pod weight, fresh bean weight and dry bean weight. April is therefore recommended as the appropriate month to coppice old cocoa plantation for yield performance of cocoa trees in Uhonmora, Edo-State, Nigeria
Two-Year Evaluation of Ecofriendly Weed Management Practices and their Influence on Soil Chemical Properties and Yield in Organic Tomato
No full textA two-year field experiment (2022-2024), conducted under an RBD with nine treatments, evaluated eco-friendly weed management practices at PJTAU Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The study assessed their effects on soil properties, apart from weed suppression, and crop yield. The soil pH (7.54–8.13 in 2022–2023 and 7.77–8.16 in 2023–2024) and electrical conductivity (0.58–0.63 dS m-1) remained statistically unaffected across treatments, indicating stable soil reaction and salinity under organic management. However, cation exchange capacity (CEC) showed significant variation, with rice straw mulch and hoeing treatments recording the highest values. Yield data revealed that among organic-compatible options, poly mulch with intra-row hand weeding (21.34 and 18.07 t ha⁻¹) and rice straw mulch with hand weeding (19.04 and 16.57 t ha⁻¹) were most effective, while the unweeded control resulted in the lowest yields (2.17 and 2.48 t ha⁻¹). The findings highlight the potential of mulching-based weed management as a sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides, contributing to soil health maintenance and enhanced productivity in organic tomato.
 
Effects of Nano DAP on Growth and Yield of Tea (Camellia assamica sub-sp. lasiocalyx (Planch. MS))
No full textA study was conducted to investigate the growth and yield parameters of tea after application of Nano DAP on tea plants during the time frame of February, 2024 to December, 2024. The experiment was done on TV 23 clone of mature tea plants in experimental garden for plantation crops, AAU-Jorhat. The layout was in RBD with four replications and five treatments. Nano DAP was found effective towards the growth of tea plants. The growth and yield attributes of tea plants increased with application of Nano DAP. The growth and yield parameters were recorded significantly higher in treatments T2 (Recommended doses of N, P2O5, K2O +3 sprays of Nano DAP @ 3ml/l) and T3 (Recommended dose of N and K2O + 75% recommended dose of P2O5 + 3 foliar sprays of Nano DAP @ 3 ml/l) over treatment T1 (Recommended doses of N, P2O5 and K2O). The study revealed that the application of three sprays of Nano DAP @ 3ml/l with recommended dose of fertilizers performed similar with reduction of 25 per cent of basal dose of recommended phosphate and recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium along with three sprays of Nano DAP in tea plants. This approach can be a potential and economically feasible method to increase yield of tea plants and to promote the sustainable development of the tea industry
Effect of Sulphur and Boron Application on Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Urdbean (Vigna mungo) Crop and its Residual Effect on Succeeding Toria (Brassica campestris L. var. toria)
No full textAims: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different doses of sulphur and boron application on yield and nutrient uptake of urdbean crop and its residual effect on succeeding toria crop.
Study Design: Randomised Block Design.
Place and Duration of Study: Field Experiment was conducted at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, during Kharif and Rabi Season of 2021-22 and Lab analysis was done at Department of Soil Science, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand.
Methodology: There were 6 treatments and 4 replications of each treatment. Treatments included control (with neither boron nor sulphur application), 2 levels of boron (1 and 2 kg B ha-1) and 3 levels of sulphur (20, 40 and 60 kg S ha-1). Basal doses of abovementioned boron and sulphur levels were applied only to Urdbean crop and its residual effect was seen in succeeding Toria crop.
Results: Result analysis at p=0.05 revealed that Boron application at 1 kg ha-1 and 2 kg ha-1 causes significant, 11.58 % and 19.47 %, respective increase in urdbean grain yield and due to its residual effect toria oilseed grain yield also increases by 10.36 % and 10.90 % respectively in comparision to control. Similar, enhancements in grain yield (11.05 %, 20.00 % and 17.89%) and nutrient uptake were also noticed due to Sulphur application at 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 respectively to urdbean crop and residual effect of these sulphur levels also observed in yield and nutrient uptake of succeeding toria crop. On application of 2 kg B ha-1, B uptake increased by 44.71 % in grains of urdbean crop and by 36.97 % in grains succeeding toria crop and on increasing dose of S application to 60 kg ha-1, S uptake increased by 55.31 % in urdbean grains and by 52.63 % in grains of succeeding toria crop.
Conclusion: On increasing dose of B application to 2 kg per ha and S application to 60 kg ha-1 there is significant increase in yield and nutrient uptake of urdbean crop and positive residual effect of these doses can be seen in yield and nutrient uptake of succeeding toria crop. Since, there is no significant difference between 1 kg B ha-1 and 2 kg B ha-1 and also between 40 kg S ha-1 and 60 kg S ha-1, with respect to grain yield and nutrient uptake of Urd bean-Toria crops, application of B at 1 kg ha-1 and S at 40 kg ha-1 is advisable in this region
Synergistic Effects of Plant Population and Foliar Application of GA3 on Growth and Flowering Performance of Cocksflower
No full textAccurate optimization of plant population and foliar application doses of growth regulators like GA3 can play a crucial role in enhancing growth and flower dynamics of flowering plants under different climate scenarios. An experiment was conducted to investigate how different plant populations and foliar applications of GA3 at different concentrations influenced the vegetative growth performance and flowering performance of cocksflower. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications and consisted of two factors. Factor A: Three levels of plant population: P1: 12 plants plot-1 (160,000 plants ha-1), P2: 15 plants plot-1 (200,000 plants ha-1), P3: 18 plants plot-1 (240,000 plants ha-1) and Factor B: G0 = 0 ppm GA3, G1 = 50 ppm GA3, G2 = 100 ppm GA3, and G3 = 150 ppm GA3, respectively. Plant population and GA3 levels resulted significant variations for most of the parameters. P1G2 consistently showed superior growth across all stages. It recorded the tallest plants (33.16, 53.15, and 69.12 cm), the longest stems (13.28, 20.81, and 35.52 cm), and the longest spikes (9.18, 14.75, and 25.09 cm), highest spikelet numbers (2.46, 3.46, and 4.53 per spike), at 15, 30, and 45 DAT, respectively confirming its overall growth advantage. P1G2 produced the highest spikes per plant with 8.40, and this supported 100.80 spikes per plot and 1344000 spikes per hectare. The results demonstrated that optimum plant population and GA3 usage of 100 ppm by foliar application give better results for growth and flowering performance of cocksflower
Response of Different Panchagavya Levels on Yield Attributes of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.)
No full textThe field experiment on response of different panchgvaya levels on yield atributes of bitter guard (Momordica charantia L.) was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj from January to July, 2023. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications and eighteen treatment combination. The experiment consist of two factors. The factor one is hybrids as (TMBI-1309, TMBI-3346, VNR22) and factor second is different concentration of Panchagavya in which control (water spray), 1% spray of Panchagavya, 2% spray of Panchagavya, 3% spray of Panchagavya, 4% spray of Panchagavya and 5% spray of Panchagavya. TMBI-3346 was recorded significantly higher yield attributes of bitter gourd over other hybrids in parameters like fruit weight (99.91 g), fruit length (15.64 cm), number of fruits per plant (37.0), fruit yield per plant (3.73 kg) and fruit yield (331.42 q/ha). Among The different Panchagavya treatments, 5% spray of Panchagavya resulted in significantly better fruit weight (104.66 g), fruit length (15.92 cm), number of fruits per plant (37.2), fruit yield per plant (3.90 kg) and fruit yield (346.99 q/ha). The interaction effect of TMBI-3346 + 5% spray of panchagavya resulted in significantly higher yield parameters
Micronutrient Dynamics in Soil under Integrated Thermochemical Organic Fertilizer Pellet Application
No full textA soil incubation study was carried out in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, to assess dynamics of micronutrient release. Soil pots were filled with 5 kg air-dried, 2 mm sieved soil. The study was laid in Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments were, T1: Pellet formulation 1; T2: Pellet formulation 2; T3: Pellet formulation 3; T4: FYM+NPK (RDF as per POP) and T5: Control (Soil alone). The Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B content of soil were 10.14 mg kg-1, 8.59 mg kg-1, 1.90 mg kg-1, 2.50 mg kg-1 and 0.30 mg kg-1, respectively. Three distinct pellet formulations P1, P2 & P3 were used in study based on thermochemical organic fertilizer (TOF). Fe, Mn and Zn exhibited a gradual and progressive release pattern throughout the incubation period. Whereas Cu and B availability showed a decreasing trend from the 15th day onwards. Highest Fe, Mn and Zn availability were observed towards the end of the incubation study. While the Cu and B recorded highest on the initial 15th day of incubation. Hence it can conclude that TOF based pellets significantly impact the micronutrient availability in soil compared to the FYM based and control treatment
Dry Matter Accumulation and Biomass Partitioning of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as Influenced by Genotypes and Sulphur Levels
No full textGroundnut is an important oilseed crop and belongs to the family Fabaceae. However, the productivity of groundnut in India is less as compared to average productivity of the world. Variety is a key factor that affects the development, productivity, and quality of groundnut. The main cause of the low groundnut production is an unbalanced and insufficient usage of nutrients. Because groundnut is a legume-oilseed crop, it has a high phosphorus, calcium, and Sulphur demand. Therefore, this field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2023 at Crop Physiology Field Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four genotypes (G1-MH 4, G2-HNG 10, G3-HNG 69 and G4- GNH 804) in main plots and four sulphur levels (S1-Control, S2-20 kg S/ha, S3-40 kg S/ha and S4-60 kg S/ha) in sub-plots with three replications. The results revealed that among genotypes GNH 804 recorded significantly higher total dry matter accumulation and its partitioning into different plant parts at different growth stages in groundnut. This was followed by HNG 69. Among the sulphur levels, the 60 kg S/ha treatment recorded the highest dry matter accumulation, and this was closely followed by the sulphur level 40 kg S/ha. So, to obtain higher total dry matter accumulation and its partitioning, the genotype GNH 804 may be fertilized with 40 kg S/ha
Impact of Ant Infestation on Muga Silkworms: Insights from Farmer Observations
No full textThe present study investigates the incidence and infestation of ants, a ubiquitous predator in muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis Helfer) rearing. A survey was conducted during August 2021 to July 22 across Jorhat and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, involving 120 respondents from 8 villages. The findings revealed 100% of ant infestation during muga silkworm rearing, by Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricus) emerging as the most frequently observed and predacious species, particularly targeting the early larval instars. The respondents reported peak ant predation during the Aherua (June-July) crop cycle, with an estimated 1-25% crop loss. This study highlights the need for developing effective management strategies to mitigate the impact of ant predation on muga silk production
Comparative Analysis of Physical and Functional Properties of Colored Horse Gram Varieties (Macrotyloma uniflorum) and Its Flour
No full textPulses has important role in contributing to food and nutritional security and replenishing soil nutrients having a huge potential in addressing needs like future global food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability. Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a minor, under-exploited legume of tropics and subtropics grown under dry-land agriculture. The present study was conducted with the objective to maximize the utilization of horse gram and its flour physical and functional properties. Hundred grain weight and density (3.33 g,1.29 g/ml) were higher in cream colored variety and it was lighter, redder (less green), yellower (less blue) than brown and black colored varieties. Thickness of varieties varied significantly, highest being in brown (2.18 mm) colored variety. Hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity and percent germination (2.92 g/100 grains, 0.93, 3.83 ml/100 grains and 91.66 %) varied significantly with highest being in brown colored variety. Maximum amount of all the flours passed through 52 BSS standard sieve having 300 µ sieve opening. Loose bulk density was high in brown colored flour (0.41 g/ml) whereas tapped bulk density was high in cream colored flour (0.63 g/ml). Cream-colored horse gram flour was lighter (L* value being 78.72), redder (a* value being 5.78) and yellower (b* value being 16.84). There was significant difference in the functional properties of flour. The black colored flour had highest water absorption capacity (2.31 ml/g), oil absorption capacity (2.15 ml/g), swelling power (9.14 g/g), foaming capacity (36.23 %) and foaming stability (32.13 %) than other two flours. The wettability, flowability and cohesiveness of all three flours were good, fair and low respectively. Thus brown and black colored varieties had better physical and functional properties than cream-colored variety. The brown and black colored flour had highest loose bulk density whereas cream colored flour had highest tapped bulk density. Black colored flour had highest water and oil absorption capacity, swelling power, foaming capacity and foaming stability