International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Assessment of Post-Harvest Soil Macro and Micronutrient Content Under Nutrient Omission Conditions
No full textA field experiment was carried out at the Main Maize Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Godhra, Gujarat during two successive kharif seasons in 2022 and 2023 to evaluate the impact of nutrient omission on the nutrient status of soil after harvest of maize. Evaluating soil fertility is essential for ensuring adequate and balanced fertilization for high crop productivity. A nutrient omission trial helps identify the most limiting nutrients for crop growth. If a particular nutrient is excluded while all others are supplied at appropriate levels and the plants exhibit poor growth, the omitted nutrient is considered a limiting factor. On the other hand, if a nutrient is omitted but plant growth remains healthy, then that nutrient is not a limiting factor for crop production. The study was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and included fourteen different nutrient omission treatments: control (T1), 160 kg N ha-1 (T2), 20 kg P2O5 kg ha-1 (T3), N160P20 kg ha-1 (RDF) (T4), N160P20K60kg ha-1 (T5), N160P20S20 kg ha-1 (T6), N160P20Zn5 kg ha-1 (T7), N160P20Fe10kg ha-1(T8), N160P20K60S20 kg ha-1(T9), N160P20K60Zn5kg ha-1(T10), N160P20K60Fe10 kg ha-1 (T11), N160P20K60S20Zn5kg ha-1 (T12), N160P20K60S20Fe10kg ha-1 (T13) and N160P20K60S20Zn5Fe10 kg ha-1 (T14). The maize hybrid GAWMH 2 was cultivated for both kharif seasons to assess treatment effects. The organic carbon, soil EC, pH, DTPA-Mn and Cu did not exhibit significant influence by different nutrient omission treatments during both years 2022 and 2023. Among the different treatments studied, significantly higher available nitrogen (239 and 245 kg ha-1), phosphorus (51.84 and 53.50 kg ha-1), potassium (252 and 254 kg ha-1) and sulphur (10.59 and 10.70 mg kg-1) in soil after harvesting of maize was observed under the application of T14 (N160P20K60S20Zn5Fe10 kg ha-1) treatment during both the year. While, lower content (195, 193, 42.41, 41.16, 217, 213 kg ha-1, 8.55 and 8.30 mg kg-1) was observed with control treatment (T1) during 2022 and 2023. Throughout both years of the study, there was a noticeable improvement in the soil’s available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compared to the initial levels. In 2022, nitrogen levels increased by 14.90%, followed by a 17.78% rise in 2023. Phosphorus availability also improved, showing a 12.69% increase in 2022 and 16.30% in 2023. Likewise, available potassium rose by 7.23% in 2022 and 8.06% in 2023 relative to the initial soil nutrient content. Nutrient omission treatments did not significantly affect the available zinc and iron contents in the soil after maize harvest in 2022. However, in 2023, available zinc and iron were significantly higher in treatment T14 while the lowest zinc and iron content observed in the control treatment (T1)
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield of Black Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L. indica)
No full textA field experiment was conduct at Himalayan University farm, Jollang, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, during the kharif season of 2024-25 with treatments 8 replicated three in Randomized Block Design, to determine the effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield of Black Aromatic Rice. The study recorded significance difference among treatments in terms of Grain yield, Straw yield and Harvest index of plant. The result revealed that the treatment T4 (100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 3tha-1) was found to be best Treatment for obtaining maximum Grain yield, Straw yield and Harvest index
Influence of Organic and Natural Farming Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon and Enzymatic Activity in Arecanut and Black Pepper Cropping System
No full textSoil microbial biomass carbon, an essential component of soil organic matter, serves as an indicator of microbial activity and can influence soil fertility and overall agroecosystem productivity. The conventional farming practices employed in the cultivation of these crops have raised concerns related to environmental sustainability, soil health and long-term productivity. The present investigation was carried out with an objective to study the impact of organic farming and natural farming practices on soil microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activities in arecanut-black pepper cropping system at Horticulture Research and Extension Center, Sirsi. The treatments included (1) Integrated nutrient management practices (INM), (2) Organic farming practices, (3) Natural farming practices, (4) Chemical farming practices. The details of the four treatments imposed in arecanut and black pepper are T1: INM (100:40:140 g N/P/K per palm per year + 25 ton of Farm yard manure (FYM) + 5-6 ton of vermicompost + biofertilizers was applied as recommended by the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot). T2: Organic farming (25 ton of FYM + 5-6 ton of vermicompost + biofertilizers were applied), T3: Natural farming (Ganajeevamrutha 400 kg/acre in split doses during the pre-monsoon (200 kg/acre) and post-monsoon (200 kg/acre) period. Jeevamrutha was sprinkled on soil (200 l/acre) at 15-day intervals) and T4: Chemical farming (100:40:140 g N/P/K per palm per year was applied as recommended by the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot). Pre-incubation of soil samples was done to restore the normal biological activities. A known quantity of soil was moistened to field capacity (60% of MWHC) and incubated at 37 ± 2 0C in a BOD incubator, three days for dehydrogenise and 7 days for phosphatase.Data obtained during the investigation was subjected for a factorial RCBD. By taking nutrient management practices and soil depth as factors. Statistical analysis was performed at a 5 % level of significance using OPSTAT software. The study reveals that the higher microbial biomass carbon (270.20 mg kg-1), microbial biomass nitrogen (28.42 mg kg-1), dehydrogenase (18.55 ug TPF g-1 24 hr-1) and acid phosphatase (19.22 ug PNP g-1 h-1) activity was recorded at the surface soil (0-20cm) of organic farming practice followed by natural farming practice as compared to integrated nutrient management practice and chemical farming practice. The study also reveals that natural farming and organic farming practices contribute positively to soil health by enhancing the soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activities. So, it can be concluded that both organic and natural framing practices contribute to sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil health, which is essential for long-term crop productivity and ecosystem resilience
Studies on Genetic Variability for Yield and Its Attributes in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.)
No full textThe present investigation was carried out at the Horticulture Research Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University, Kanpur (U.P.), to evaluate 20 genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for the nature and magnitude of associations among different characters with fruit yield per plant (kg). The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed that the mean sum of squares due to genotypes was highly significant for all the traits studied, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. All the genotypes exhibited considerable variation across the characters under observation. Among the genotypes, \u27Kashi Aman\u27 recorded the highest fruit yield per plot (53.17 kg) and per plant (6.12 kg), while the lowest fruit yield per plot (10.16 kg) and per plant (1.41 kg) was observed in \u27Kashi Vishesh\u27. In genetic studies, the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV) were highest for plant height (28.82% and 28.94%, respectively), indicating ample scope for improvement through selection. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients revealed that fruit yield per plant showed significant and positive associations with plant height (0.309* and 0.302*), days to 50% flowering (0.381* and 0.366*), number of flowers per cluster (0.342* and 0.336*), and fruit yield per plot (0.991** and 0.961**). Path coefficient analysis indicated that the maximum positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant was exerted by plant height (0.2743 & 0.0464), number of flowers per cluster (0.0533), number of fruits per plant (0.0382 & 0.0388), fruit weight (0.2021 g), acidity (0.2907 & 0.1146 mg/100g), ascorbic acid (0.3098 mg/100g), total soluble solids (0.2999 & 0.095 °Brix), lycopene content (0.0248 mg/100g), peroxidase activity (0.0019 & 0.0124), and fruit yield per plot (0.9878 & 0.9304) at genotypic and phenotypic levels, respectively. These findings suggest that plant height, number of flowers per cluster, and fruit yield per plot are key traits that may be used as selection criteria to improve tomato yield
Study on Genetic Variability for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)
No full textThe present study was conducted to estimate the extent of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. The experimental material comprising of 40 linseed genotypes were evaluated at Experimental Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Latur during Rabi-2023. The material was sown in Randomized block design with two replications with the spacing of 30 cm x 5 cm. Observations were recorded for ten characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seed per capsule, 1000 seed weight (g), harvest index (%), oil content (%) and seed yield per plant (g). Analysis of variance showed substantial amount of genetic variability had been found for all the characters, which was indicated by significant differences among and between treatments. The magnitude of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation was found to be high for the number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, harvest index and seed yield per plant. The highest broad sense heritability values were certainly found for all ten characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were associated with characters days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, 1000 seed weight, harvest index and seed yield per plant which indicated that heritability is most likely due to additive gene effects and simple phenotypic selection may be effective
Effect of Nano Urea Application and Mineral Nutrition on Vegetative, Flowering and Yield of French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.)
No full textTagetes patula L. is one of the most popular and commercial loose flower crops of Jammu, India. Popularly known as the city of temples, the Jammu region witnesses a huge demand for marigold flowers for garland making, offerings in temples and other decorative purposes during various festive occasions. As a result, the production of flowers in Jammu alone cannot meet the ever-increasing demand, and flowers worth lakhs need to be procured from neighbouring states. This study was conducted with the aim of exploring and elucidating the potential impact of different concentrations of nano-urea on vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting, and yield. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha during the years 2022-2023&2023-24. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Block Design with three replication and fifteen treatments viz., T1 =100% RDF (Control i.e. 200 kg N, 100 kg P2O5 and 100 kg K2O/ha);T2 = 100% RDF + 1ml/l nano urea foliar application;T3 =100% RDF + 1.5 ml/l nano urea foliar application;T4 =100% RDF + 2 ml/l nano urea soil application;T5 = 100% RDF + 4 ml/l nano urea soil application;T6 = 75% RDF;T7=75% RDF + 1ml/l nano urea foliar application;T8 = 75% RDF + 1.5 ml/l nano urea foliar application;T9 = 75% RDF + 2 ml/l nano urea soil application;T10 = 75% RDF + 4 ml/l nano urea soil application;T11 = 50 % RDF;T12 = 50 % RDF + 1 ml/l nano urea foliar application;T13 = 50 % RDF + 1.5ml/l nano urea foliar application;T14 = 50 % RDF + 2 ml/l nano urea soil application;T15 = 50 % RDF + 4 ml/l nano urea soil application. The results revealed that the data revealed that maximum plant height (84.36 cm), plant spread (65.34 cm), number of laterals (20.40) and Chlorophyll content (48.38) with the application of 100% RDF + 1.5ml/L nano urea foliar application. The pooled data furthermore, revealed the maximum number of flowers per plant (148.06), flower diameter (5.93 cm), flowering duration (56.22 days), weight of flower (5.01 g), flower yield per plant (0.74 kg), the cost: benefit ratio during the year 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 (4.98 and 5.77, respectively) were recorded maximum in the treatment combination of 75% RDF + 1.5ml/L nano urea foliar application
Endospore-producing Endophytes: Structural Adaptations, Functional Roles, and Their Significance in Plant Growth and Stress Management
No full textThe primary genera of endospore-producing endophytes are Bacillus and Clostridium, both known for their robust survival strategies and diverse metabolic capabilities. Endospore-forming endophytic bacteria, particularly members of the genus Bacillus, are gaining increasing recognition for their multifaceted roles in sustainable agriculture. These microorganisms are capable of colonizing internal plant tissues and forming highly resistant endospores that ensure their survival under harsh environmental conditions. This review highlights the structural and functional aspects of bacterial endospores, including their formation, layers, and resistance mechanisms. Furthermore, it explores the significance of endophytic Bacillus spp. as plant growth-promoting agents through nutrient solubilization, phytohormone production, and disease suppression. The ability of these bacteria to alleviate biotic stresses through antimicrobial metabolites and systemic resistance, as well as their contribution to abiotic stress tolerance via antioxidant enzyme activation and ion homeostasis, is discussed in detail. The unique combination of persistence, adaptability, and beneficial plant interactions makes endospore-forming Bacillus spp. highly valuable for modern agricultural applications, especially under changing climatic conditions
Effect of Combination of Insecticides against Maize Stem Borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)
No full textA field experiment was carried out during the Kharif season 2024 at the Crop Research Farm (CRF), Department of Entomology, SHUATS, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate the effectiveness of various insecticidal treatments against Chilo partellus infestation in maize. The study was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) comprising eight treatments with three replications each: T1 (Neem Oil 1% + Imidacloprid 17.8% SL), T2 (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC + Azadirachtin 1500 ppm), T3 (Carbofuran 3G + Imidacloprid 17.8% SL), T4 (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL), T5 (Carbofuran 3G), T6 (Karanj Oil 3% + Imidacloprid 17.8% SL), T7 (Spinetoram 11.7% SC + Azadirachtin 1500 ppm), and an T8 untreated control. Observations on larval population after the first and second sprays indicated that all treatments significantly reduced Chilo partellus infestation compared to the control. Among them, T7 (Spinetoram 11.7% SC + Azadirachtin 1500 ppm) was the most effective, recording the lowest larval population (2.22 and 1.36), followed by T2 (Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC + Azadirachtin 1500 ppm), T6 (Karanj Oil 3%+ Imidacloprid 17.8% SL), and T1 (Neem Oil 1% + Imidacloprid 17.8% SL). The least effective treatment was T5 (Carbofuran 3G), with the highest larval counts (3.53 and 2.46) after both sprays. These findings highlight the superior efficacy of Spinetoram 11.7% SC + Azadirachtin 1500 ppm in managing Chilo partellus under field conditions
Soil-solution Interactions and Adsorption Mechanisms of Calcium and Boron in Agricultural Soils: A Comprehensive Review
No full textCalcium (Ca) and Boron (B) are essential nutrients whose interactions within the soil-solution play a fundamental role in determining their availability in agricultural systems. This review consolidates current understanding of Ca-B soil chemistry, emphasizing solution equilibria, adsorption processes, and their interactive influences. Calcium mainly exists as Ca²⁺ engaged in cation exchange, whereas boron shows pH-dependent speciation between H₃BO₃ and B(OH)₄⁻. Adsorption mechanisms differ fundamentally: calcium predominantly forms outer-sphere complexes on permanent charge sites, while boron primarily establishes inner-sphere complexes through ligand exchange process. Maximum boron adsorption occurs at pH 9-10, which contrasts with calcium behavior, where adsorption characteristics vary differently across pH levels. Clay mineralogy significantly influences ion retention: 2:1 phyllosilicate offers high cation exchange capacity (CEC) for calcium, while oxide minerals primarily function as adsorption sites for boron. Interactive effects include calcium-induced boron deficiency, which occurs through pH modification and competitive adsorption interactions between the ions. Recent spectroscopic advances have revealed molecular mechanisms such as the formation of CaB(OH)₄⁺ ion pairs, enhancing our understanding of boron retention and interactions in soil systems. Agricultural implications emphasize the importance of integrated nutrient management strategies that consider factors such as soil pH, texture, and organic matter to optimize nutrient availability and crop productivity. Critical research needs encompass developing multi-surface modeling approaches and investigating the impact of climate change on calcium- boron (Ca-B) dynamics to better predict and manage nutrient interactions under changing environmental conditions. This review employed a systematic literature synthesis approach, integrating findings from multiple databases and specialized journals to provide researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive resource for understanding Ca-B dynamics and developing improved nutrient management strategies
Influence of Paddy Straw Biochar in Combination with Organic Amendments on Growth Dynamics and Yield of Field Bean (Lablab purpureus L.)
No full textA pot culture experiment was conducted during 2022-2023 to determine the impact of different biochar doses combined with organic amendments on plant growth and yield. Biochar doses of 8, 10, and 12 t/ha were applied in combination with organic amendments such as farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), Ghanajeevamruth (GA) and their various combinations. The study reveals that the application of 12 t ha-1 of biochar along with farmyard manure and vermicompost (T17), significantly enhanced plant height (89.63 cm), number of branches (22.50), number of leaves (97) number of pods (20.25), pod weight (27.41 g), biomass yield (154.88 g) and projected pod yield (61.42 q ha-1) relative to control and other treatments. In contrast, specific leaf area and specific leaf weight did not differ significantly among treatments. SPAD chlorophyll values increased markedly during early flowering and reproductive phase (reaching 37.44). These results demonstrate that integrating biochar with farmyard manure and vermicompost offers a sustainable strategy to boost field bean productivity.