International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Combined Effects of Vermicompost Tea and Effective Microorganisms on the Tillering of Two Rice Varieties in Kakanitchoé, Southern Benin
No full textAims: To assess the combined effects of vermicompost tea (VCT) and effective microorganisms (EM) on the tillering of two rice varieties, IR841 and Sahel 108, in order to determine their agronomic value in sustainable rice production systems.
Study Design: Split-plot design with two factors (rice varieties and VCT+EM combinations).
Place and Duration of Study: SAIN School Farm, Kakanitchoé, during the 2024 cropping season.
Methodology: The experiment included two rice varieties (IR841 and Sahel 108) and eight treatments of VCT+EM combinations, each replicated three times. Agronomic parameters measured included plant height, leaf number, tiller number, panicle number, and panicle length. Tillering dynamics were monitored weekly from the second to the seventh week after transplanting.
Results: Combined application of VCT and EM significantly improved growth and yield components in both rice varieties (P<0.0001). IR841 achieved the highest plant heights, especially with 10 ml and 15 ml of VCT+EM. Sahel 108 showed superior leaf production and tillering, peaking at 250.93 ± 12.70 leaves and 63.66 ± 2.74 tillers per hill at 20 ml. The highest panicle number (38.60 ± 2.47) was recorded in Sahel 108 at 15 ml, while IR841 had longer panicles. Tillering initiated in the second week after transplanting, peaked in the fifth week, slightly declined, and showed a second peak in the seventh week.
Conclusion: The combined use of VCT and EM enhances rice growth and tillering, with varietal differences in response patterns. These biostimulants hold promise for sustainable rice production, and further research should optimize formulations according to variety type
Exploring the Potential of Foliar Nano Zinc Oxide Application on Wheat Cultivation in Zinc Deficient Inceptisol
No full textNanoparticles exhibit size-associated properties that are significantly different from regular sized-materials. These particles can be synthesized by physical, chemical, and biological processes. Due to their small size, NPs have a much larger surface area compared to their unprocessed counterparts, which gives them a wide range of potential applications in the field of agriculture. A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2024-25 at Post Graduate Instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Pune to study the effect of foliar application of nano zinc oxide on growth, yield and quality of wheat in Inceptisol. The foliar application of nano ZnO @300, 600, 900 and 1200 ppm was compared with the foliar spray of 1200 ppm EDTA Zn at 45 and 65 days after sowing. The recommended fertilizer dose was common to all treatments except absolute control treatment. The size, surface structure and topology of zinc oxide nanoparticles were disclosed by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). A randomized block design (RBD) with analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to assess treatment effects on all studied characteristics. The findings of the present investigation revealed that the chlorophyll content (15.63 mg g-1 at 50 DAS and 23.29 mg g-1 at 70 DAS fresh leaf tissue weight) and leaf zinc concentration (14.15 mg kg-1 at 50 DAS and 17.21 mg kg-1 at 70 DAS) were significantly higher for the application of GRDF + foliar spray of 1200 ppm nano-ZnO. The application of GRDF + foliar spray of 1200 ppm nano-ZnO recorded significantly higher plant height (91.10 cm), number of tillers per square meter (263.67), number of grains per spikelet (42.9), grain yield (43.53 q ha-1) and straw yield (60.15 q ha-1) over other treatments. The balanced nutrient supply with nano zinc oxide provided essential nutrients throughout different growth stages of wheat offering an initial nutrient boost and ensuring a sustained release of nutrients throughout the growing season. This improved the total chlorophyll content, increased leaf zinc concentration, contributed to higher plant height, higher number of tillers per square meter and higher number of grains per spikelet. The foliar sprays of nano zinc oxide significantly enhanced growth and yield of wheat, along with improving soil nutrient status and nutrient uptake, indicating their potential as sustainable alternatives over conventional micronutrient fertilizers in zinc deficient Inceptisol
The Effectiveness of Foliar Nano Zinc Oxide Application on Nutrient Uptake and Quality of Wheat in Zinc Deficient Inceptisol
No full textNanoparticles represent a class of materials whose properties are profoundly influenced by their ultra-small dimensions. Unlike their bulk counterparts, these particles exhibit enhanced reactivity, surface energy and mobility due to their exceptionally high surface area to volume ratio. They can be synthesized through a variety of approaches, ranging from mechanical and chemical techniques to biologically mediated processes. In agriculture, such nanoscale innovations offer promising avenues for improving nutrient delivery and soil health, thereby contributing to more sustainable and efficient farming systems. A field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2024–25 at the Post Graduate Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Pune to study the effect of foliar application of nano zinc oxide on growth, yield and quality of wheat cultivated in Inceptisol. Treatments included foliar sprays of nano-ZnO at concentrations of 300, 600, 900 and 1200 ppm, alongside a comparative treatment of EDTA-Zn at 1200 ppm, applied at 45 and 65 days after sowing. All treatments received the general recommended dose of fertilizers except for absolute control. The results revealed that the application of GRDF combined with 1200 ppm nano-ZnO foliar spray led to the highest uptake of macronutrients viz. nitrogen (160.37 kg ha-1), phosphorus (38.51 kg ha-1), and potassium (177.03 kg ha-1) as well as micronutrients including iron (1245 g ha-1), manganese (751 g ha-1), copper (50.07 g ha-1), and zinc (554 g ha-1). This treatment also significantly improved protein content (12.90 %) in grain and test weight (41.40 g) compared to other treatments. Overall, foliar application of nano-ZnO notably enhanced nutrient uptake, grain quality and soil nutrient status, while boosting wheat yield. These findings emphasized the potential of nano zinc oxide as a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional micronutrient fertilizers, particularly in zinc-deficient Inceptisol
Influence of Sodium Potassium Niobate (Na0.5K0.5NbO3) Nanoparticle on Yield and Yield Attributes of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris)
No full textA field experiment was conducted during RABI 2024 at Karguanji Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (Utter Pradesh). The soil texture of experimental site was loamy sand, with a pH of 8.1, low organic carbon (0.58%), available Nitrogen (208.14 kg/ha), available Phosphorus (12.57 kg/ha), available potassium (232.14 kg/ha) and Ec (0.29 d Sm-1). The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with five treatments to evaluate the performance of sodium potassium niobate nanoparticles on Yield and yield attributes of sugar beet. The treatments consist moistened with deionized water (0.0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 ppm). The results reveled that plant height was recorded significantly higher 56.30 cm, maximum number of bulb diameter (13.02 cm), maximum number of leaf fresh weight (59.21 gm), maximum leaf dry weight (6.46 gm), maximum bulb fresh weight (130.00 gm), maximum bulb dry weight (11.03 gm) were recorded with the treatment of Sodium potassium niobate nanoparticles 200 ppm + 400 ppm as compared to other treatments
Smart Timing and Low Tunnel Covering: Enhancing Off-Season Cowpea Yield and Profitability in the Bara Tract of South Gujarat, India
No full textA field experiment was conducted during the spring (rabi) seasons of 2022–23 and 2023–24 at the Agricultural Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Tanchha, in a Split Plot Design with three replications, comprising two glazing (covering) materials i.e. UV-stabilized plastic film (50 µ), biodegradable plastic and with an open field (control) in the main plots and five sowing times from the third week of November to the third week of December in sub plots, using the cowpea variety AVCP-1. Results indicated that both glazing material and sowing time significantly influenced yield, while their interaction effects were have had non-significant effects. Biodegradable plastic low tunnels recorded the highest pooled (collective) yield (2.80 kg plot⁻¹), whereas the open field condition produced the lowest (1.85 kg plot⁻¹). Among sowing times, the fourth week of November resulted in the highest pooled (collective) yield (2.87 kg plot⁻¹) compared to the third week of December (1.99 kg plot⁻¹). Economic analysis revealed that the combination of biodegradable plastic low tunnel and sowing in the fourth week of November achieved the highest net income (₹ 2,94,501 ha⁻¹), while the lowest was recorded under the open field with the third week of December sowing (₹ 66,505 ha⁻¹). Hence, the strategic integration of microclimate modifying structures with optimally timed sowing is a proven approach to enhancing yield stability and profitability across diverse agro-climatic zones
Assessment of Genetic Variability and Trait Associations for Quantitative Characters in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
No full textChilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an herbaceous annual crop propagated by seeds, originating from Central and South America, including Mexico, Guatemala, and possibly Bulgaria. Genetic and environmental factors influence chilli variability, crucial for breeding programs. Heritability is essential for understanding trait expression and improving selection efficiency. Yield is a complex trait shaped by multiple contributing factors, and it requires a systematic breeding approach to effectively optimise selection indices. The study aimed to estimate genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for 15 quantitative traits. A field experiment was conducted during 2023-2024 at the School of Agricultural Sciences (SOAS), Malla Reddy University, Hyderabad, using 51 genotypes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in a Randomised Complete Block Design with two replications. Data were recorded for several traits, including plant height (cm), Number of primary and secondary branches, Days to first flowering and 50% flowering, Stem girth (mm), Fruit girth (mm) and length (cm), Number of green fruits per plant, Average green fruit weight (g), Days to first harvest, Number of seeds per fruit, 1000-seed weight (g), Ascorbic acid content (mg/100g). The analysis of variance and mean performance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all yield-contributing traits. Both the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) showed substantial variation across all traits, with PCV consistently higher than GCV. High GCV and PCV values were recorded for traits such as the number of secondary branches, ascorbic acid content, and fruit girth, whereas days to harvest exhibited low variability. Correlation analysis revealed that key traits influencing fruit yield include the number of green fruits per plant, fruit weight, branching, ascorbic acid, flowering time, and plant height. Path analysis indicated that the number of green fruits per plant and plant height are crucial traits for selection in yield improvement programs. A low residual effect of 0.11 suggests that the traits analysed sufficiently accounted for yield variation. Enhancing these traits collectively can significantly boost overall yield. These findings suggest strong potential for improving these traits through an effective selection program
Influence of Phosphorus and Sulphur on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
No full textThe present field experiment was conducted during Rabi season 2024–2025 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.), using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised different combinations of Phosphorus (20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) and Sulphur (10, 20 and 30 kg/ha) along with a control (NPK 20-60-20 kg/ha). The results revealed that the application of Phosphorus at 60 kg/ha with Sulphur at 30 kg/ha (T9) recorded significant improvement in growth parameters, viz., plant height (52.02 cm), number of branches per plant (26.33), number of nodules per plant (32.96), plant dry weight (24.20 g) and crop growth rate (24.09 g/m²/day). The same treatment also produced the maximum yield attributes such as number of pods per plant (33.49), seeds per pod (1.33), test weight (5.93 g), which ultimately resulted in the highest grain yield (2.44 t/ha) and straw yield (4.93 t/ha). Economic analysis indicated that treatment T9 also fetched the maximum gross return (₹1,51,430/ha), net return (₹1,03,816.02/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.18)
Synergistic Effect of Nitrogen Substitution through Vermicompost on Productivity and Quality of Cauliflower in Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh, India
No full textAims: To evaluate impact of substituting inorganic nitrogen source with vermicompost, alone and in association with Azotobacter, on the growth, yield and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.).
Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD).
Place and Duration of Study: Experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh during the Rabi season.
Methodology: The layout of the experiment was Randomized Block Design (RBD) comprising 11 treatments replicated thrice.
Results: The experimental data were statistically analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique at a 5% level of significance. The treatment involving 100% replacement of the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through vermicompost combined with Azotobacter recorded the highest plant height (51.36 cm), leaf count (23.68), curd diameter (15.13 cm), curd weight (906.23 g) and curd yield (268.37 q ha⁻¹). This subsitutional approach significantly improved curd quality with higher crude protein (24.17%), TSS (7.21°B) and enhanced total macro and micronutrient content. Vermicompost enriched soil properties and nutrient availability, while Azotobacter enhanced nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the complete substitution of RDN with vermicompost in addition to Azotobacter sustains yield and quality and promotes soil health, offering a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers in cauliflower cultivation
Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Quality of Onion
No full textThe steady depletion of native soil fertility and the occurrence of multiple nutrient deficiencies in onion fields have led to the identification of nutrient management as a key factor limiting sustainable onion production. An experiment was carried out to study the Influence of integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of onion at Horticulture Research Farm, College of Horticulture, AAU, Anand during the three consecutive years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and comprises twelve different integrated nutrient treatments along with control (RDF 75:60:50 NPK kg/ha) treatments and application of sulphur (20 kg and 40 kg/ha). Application of 50% RDN through VC+ 50% RDF + 40 kg S recorded maximum bulb equatorial diameters (6.13 cm), bulb weight (65.54 g) and bulb yield (42.83 t/ha) in pooled analysis. Whereas, maximum fibre content (5.66%) observed in application of 100% RDF (75:60:50 NPK kg/ha) + 40 kg S. While, TSS, phenol content, pyruvic acid and sulphur content in onion bulb were found non-significant in pooled data
Study of Radiation Levels in the Building Materials of a Historic Monument of Narnaul, Haryana, India
No full textNaturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) in building materials can elevate background gamma radiation and pose potential health risks. Establishing baseline radiation levels in historically significant areas is therefore important for both public health and heritage conservation. This study aimed to assess the activity concentration of radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K) and associated radiological hazards in two historical monuments located in Narnaul, Haryana, India—Jal Mahal and Chor Ghumbad and the survey initiated in April 2024.
Samples of building materials such as marble, soapstone, brick, and lime were collected from both sites. Each sample was dried, powdered, homogenized, and sealed prior to analysis. Gamma spectrometry using a NaI(Tl) detector was employed to measure activity concentrations, and radiological indices including radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (ADR), annual effective dose (AED), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), activity utilization index (AUI), gamma index (Iγ), and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) were calculated.The mean activity concentration of NORMs was 518.08 Bq/kg in Jal Mahal and 632.99 Bq/kg in Chor Ghumbad, both higher than the world average of 420 Bq/kg (UNSCEAR). The mean Raeq values were 130.78 Bq/kg and 149.87 Bq/kg for Jal Mahal and Chor Ghumbad, respectively, well below the recommended safety limit of 370 Bq/kg. Similarly, the mean ADR values (60.63 nGy/h and 69.57 nGy/h) were slightly above the global average of 59 nGy/h, while the AED, ELCR, and other indices remained below international safety thresholds.
In conclusion, although both monuments exhibit higher NORM activity concentrations than the global average, For some values the radiological risk indices confirm that the sites are not so hazardous. Continuous monitoring is recommended to ensure long-term safety and preservation of these cultural heritage structures