Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Not a member yet
620 research outputs found
Sort by
Effect of Zinc Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Irrigated Condition
No full textAn experimental study investigated the effects of zinc fertilization on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth, yield, and protein content through agronomic biofortification under irrigated conditions during the rabi seasons of 2024 Conducted at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The experiment employed a split-plot design with four main treatments (M1-M4) and three zinc treatments (S1-S3). The results showed that 75% RDF (M3) significantly enhanced growth attributes, including plant height (48.03 cm), dry matter production (2360.10 kg ha⁻¹), and leaf area index (0.80). Zinc treatment S3 - Chelated ZnSO4 as soil @ 20 kg ha-1 as basal+ ZnO as foliar application at 30 and 60 DAS produced the highest yields, with grain yield reaching 961.20 kg ha⁻¹ and stover yield at 2306.80 kg ha⁻¹. Enhanced nutrient absorption and effective biomass distribution played a significant role in boosting overall productivity and economic returns. The adoption of integrated zinc fertilization techniques not only improved chickpea yield but also contributed to superior nutritional quality. This approach highlights the potential of combining various zinc application methods to optimize growth, enhance nutrient content, and maximize profitability in chickpea cultivation
Conjugation Effect of Zinc and Iron on Quality of Crops and Soil Fertility in Foxtail Millet-Chickpea Sequential Cropping System
No full textThe present investigation is undertaken to study the “effect of nutrient management approaches in conjugation with zinc and iron on quality of soil and crops in foxtail millet-chickpea sequential cropping system”. Field experiments were conducted during 2017-18 and 2018-19 at Krishi Vigyana Kendra Farm, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur to study the nutrient management approaches in conjugation with zinc and iron on the quality of soil and crops in foxtail millet-chickpea sequential cropping system involving individual Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM targeted yield of 15 and 20 kg ha-1 and in combination with ZnSO4.7H2O and FeSO47H2O each @ 10 & 20 kg ha-1. The application of nutrients through SSNM approach for targeted yield of 20 q ha-1 + ZnSO47H2O and FeSO47H2O each @ 20 kg ha-1 for foxtail millet and its residual effect on chickpea was registered significantly higher test weight, protein content and protein yield (5.11 g, 12.63% and 256.33 kg ha-1 respectively) and for chickpea (4.83 g, 12.20% and 230.93 kg ha-1, respectively) as compared to all other treatments except SSNM approach for targeted yield of 20 q ha-1 + ZnSO47H2O and FeSO47H2O each @ 10 kg ha-1, SSNM approach for targeted yield of 15 q ha-1 + ZnSO47H2O and FeSO47H2O each @ 20 kg ha-1 and SSNM approach for targeted yield of 15 q ha-1 + ZnSO47H2O and FeSO47H2O each @ 10 kg ha-1. Application of nutrients through SSNM approach for targeted yield of 20 q ha-1 along with ZnSO47H2O and FeSO47H2O each @ 20 kg ha-1 for foxtail millet and its residual effect on chickpea was registered significantly higher available S, Zn and Fe (23.54 kg ha-1, 0.67 and 4.15 mg kg-1, respectively) where available N, P2O5, and K2O (271.46, 50.65 and 367.54 kg ha-1) were noticed significantly higher with SSNM approach for targeted yield of 20 q ha-1 and it was on par with SSNM approach for targeted yield of 20 q ha-1 + ZnSO47H2O and FeSO47H2O each @ 10 kg ha-1 and there was no significant difference in organic carbon of soil after harvest of the second crop in foxtail millet-chickpea sequence cropping system
Influence of Mulching and Fertigation on Morphological and Quality Attributes of Strawberry
No full textThe study used Randomized Block Design, which is a type of experimental design that helps investigate the effects of few factors simultaneously. The treatments comprising different mulches and fertigation viz. four types of mulching (black polythene, white polythene and 5 cm thick rice husk mulch) and three levels of fertigation (50%, 75% and 100% RDF through fertigation) and control. Among the various levels of fertigation and different types of mulches,maximum plant height, plant spread, plant weight (fresh and dry),fruit length, fruit width,fresh and dry fruit weight, maximum TSS, TSS/acid ratio, total sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, ascorbic acid content, juice content and anthocyanin content was recorded in treatment Black polythene +100% RDF through fertigation. This aligns with the well-established understanding that both mulches and fertigation are critical factors in regulating the morphology and quality parameters of strawberry
Biofortification of Vegetable Crops: A Mechanism to Optimize a Hidden Hunger
No full textMalnutrition, or “hidden hunger,” affects nearly 2 billion people globally, posing serious challenges to public health, development, and economic growth. Unlike hunger caused by caloric deficiency, hidden hunger results from a lack of essential micronutrients. Bio fortification a strategy involving the breeding of nutrient-rich crop varieties offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and long-term solution. By enhancing levels of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A in staple crops, bio fortification plays a vital role in improving nutritional security, particularly among rural populations in developing countries. Crop bio fortification, achieved through agronomic practices, conventional breeding and genetic engineering, is a promising approach to addressing hidden hunger. Among various strategies, bio fortification in vegetable crops stands out as the most sustainable and widely acceptable. Vegetables are vital to human nutrition, being rich sources of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Enhancing their nutrient content offers an effective and long-term solution to improve dietary quality and combat micronutrient deficiencies globally. This review highlights the current status of hidden hunger and explores various biofortification strategies to combat micronutrient deficiencies. It also discusses the potential of biofortification in reducing antinutritional factors in vegetables, thereby enhancing their nutritional value and promoting better health outcomes
Endophytic Microbiome and Soil Conditioners are among the Pillars Supporting Rice Productivity in Salt-affected Environments
No full textA comprehensive field investigation was undertaken in clay-rich soil at the Sahl El-Hossynia Agricultural Research Station situated in the EL-Sharkia Governorate of Egypt. In the summer season of the year 2022, the rice cultivar Oryza sativa L. Giza 178 was systematically cultivated was grown using three replications of every treatment in a randomized split plot design, to assess the efficacy of endophytic growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) as main plots in conjunction with various soil conditioners as sub main plots aimed at enhancing soil chemical properties and biological activity, which would ultimately affect rice productivity and mineral nutrient content. The findings showed that, in contrast to the control treatment, organic matter (OM) significantly increased while pH and EC values significantly decreased when PGPR inoculation was coupled with specific soil conditioners. The pH and EC values dramatically dropped of 22.4 and 3.29%, respectively, as compared to the control, while the amount of organic matter increased of 3.48% when compost and potassium silicate were added in addition to inoculation. There were notable positive effects on the available N, K, and Na, along with the total level of microbial activity from bacteria in the soil. In comparison to the control and other treatments, PGPR inoculation in conjunction with compost + potassium silicate yielded a significant enhancement in the productivity of 32.1% and 31.9% for straw and grains rice, respectively. While nutrient contents N, K, and Na were increased overcontrol of 48.2,107.1 and 62.8 for straw, corresponding for grains of 42.4, 1o8.7 and 110%, respectively. In conclusion, PGPR inoculation in the presence of soil conditioner especially compost and biochar combination with potassium silicate, improved the saline soil properties, and nutrients uptake that reflected on the yield components
Effect of Pelletized Biofertilizer Consortia on Rooting, Growth and Economic Viability in Mulberry (Morus indica L.)
No full textAims: To evaluate the effect of pelletized biofertilizer formulations on quantitative traits and economic feasibility of mulberry (Morus indica L. cv. V1) cuttings under pot culture conditions.
Study Design: Factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ten treatment combinations.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, India, between February and May 2024.
Methodology: The study involved ten treatments consisting of combinations of Orgafol, NAA, and microbial inoculants (Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria, and VAM), incorporated into pellet form and applied at planting time. Data were collected at intervals up to 75 days after planting. Observations recorded included rooting percentage, survival rate, root length, shoot length, number of leaves, and leaf area. Economic evaluation of pellet production was also conducted.
Results: Significant variations were observed among treatments. Treatment T9 recorded the highest rooting percentage (79.75%) and survival rate (91.60%), followed by T10. Root and shoot lengths were maximum in T9 (38.99 cm and 50.08 cm, respectively), along with the highest number of leaves (13.42) and leaf area (160.82 cm²) at 75 days. The control (T1) consistently showed the lowest performance across all traits. Economic analysis indicated that each pellet costs ₹0.128 to produce and sells at ₹0.60, yielding a net daily profit of ₹516.84 at a production scale of 2000 pellets/day. The Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio was 1.8, reflecting high profitability and feasibility of the technology.
Conclusion: Pelletized biofertilizer formulations combining microbial inoculants and growth regulators significantly improve rooting, growth, and economic returns in mulberry propagation, making them a viable alternative for commercial nursery practices
Soil Vulnerability to Water Erosion in the Baobolong Watershed, Nioro du Rip, Senegal: A Soil Science and Principal Component Analysis Approach
No full textAgricultural sustainability has become a major challenge in West Africa due to soil degradation exacerbated by anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Water erosion causes considerable land loss on denuded soils and recently cleared slopes of the Nioro du Rip region in Senegal. This soil study conducted in the Baobolong watershed aims to characterise the physical and chemical properties of soils in relation to their sensitivity to water erosion. Several soil sampling missions were organised in the Nioro du Rip area, and five (5) transects were developed. For physicochemical analyses, the granulometric analysis, carried out using the Robinson method, combines sieving (sandy fraction) and decantation (silt, clay). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify correlations between variables and highlight the factors determining the organisation and spatial dynamics of soils. The results show a predominance of loamy textures, low organic matter content, variable saturation levels, and high to very high erodibility (K > 0.45). PCA highlights four structuring factors (F1, F2, F3 and F4 with values 46.7%, 25.1%, 9.4%, and 7.2%, respectively), including organic matter decomposition and acidification. These data underscore the risks to the sustainability of local agricultural systems. The variability of soil profiles in terms of depth and physico-chemical properties is influenced by the topography, which determines water and erosion dynamics. The soils derive from a uniform parent material, clayey sandstone
Genetic Diversity Assessment of Wheat Genotypes in Bundelkhand Region Using Principal Component Analysis
No full textTo study the principal component analysis in eighty two wheat genotype including with three check varieties namely HD1544, DBW110 and GW322 in Augmented block design at research farm, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, During Rabi season 2019-20. Principal component analysis is a procedure describes by Banfield (1978). PCA mostly performed on two types of data matrices viz., variance- covariance matrix and correlation matrix.The percent variance accounted for each principal component (PC) is expressed as the Eigen value divided by the sum of Eigen values.Out of fifteen, seven principal components accounted more than one eigen value viz., PC1 (2.69), PC2 (2.35), PC3 (1.76), PC4 (1.39), PC5 (1.22) and PC6 (1.14) with showed about 70.48 % variability within the traits observed for each genotype. Eigen value and percent of variance associated with every principal, slowly reduced and stopped at 7.63.The first (PC) which accounted maximum variability was more related to the traits viz., grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant and days to maturity so it must be considered. The second one (PC2) included the traits peduncle length, plant height and flag leaf length. The third principal component (PC3) accounted positive effects for 1000 grain weight, flag leaf width and grain yield per plant.The fourth principal component (PC4) was more related to the traits spike length, canopy temperature, 1000 grain weight and days to heading. The fifth principal component (PC5) accounted positive effects for chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, harvest index and spike length, whereas, the sixth principal component (PC6) were more related to flag leaf width, days to maturity, flag leaf length and biological yield per plant
The Effect of Flooding on Several Soil Nutrient Contents in Rice Fields in Lempake Village
No full textFlooding can damage agricultural land because it can carry and deposit mud, wood waste, gravel, rocks, and sand, causing damage and loss of topsoil. The purpose of this study was to determine the post-flood soil nutrient content in rice fields in Lempake Village, Samarinda City. This research was conducted from June to November 2024 in the rice fields of Lempake Village, and soil analysis was conducted at the Soil Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Mulawarman University. Soil samples were collected in the field using simple random sampling at 13 points before and 13 points after the flood. Soil chemical properties were analyzed using the disturbed soil composite method, including soil pH, total N and N-available analysis, total K analysis, and Cu-availability. Data analysis was conducted using a comparative descriptive method by comparing the results of soil sample analysis with the soil chemical analysis data assessment criteria set out in the soil analysis results assessment criteria of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia. The results of the study showed that flooding in rice fields can cause a decrease in soil pH (from 3.02 to 2.92), NO3- content (from 4.57 ppm to 1.52 ppm), NH4+ content (from 2.27 ppm to 1.09 ppm), available K content (from 59.17 ppm to 20.83 ppm) and Cu content (from 7.96 ppm to 6.66 ppm)
Impact of Soil Properties on Different Fractions of Iron (Fe) Under Saline Soil of Navsari District, Gujarat, India
No full textThis study investigates the distribution and interrelationship of iron (Fe) fractions in salt affected soils of Navsari District, Gujarat, during the summer 2023-24. A total of 60 soil samples were collected from two depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) across saline prone villages, including coastal high salinity zones. Samples were analysed for pH, Electrical Conductivity of saturation extract (ECe), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) and various Fe fractions viz., Fe- Mn-O-Fe, Org-Fe, CO3- Fe, Exch-Fe and WS-Fe. Soil pH ranged from neutral to strongly alkaline, with higher ECe observed in coastal region areas. The dominant Fe fractions followed the order under coastal region areas were: Fe- Mn-O-Fe > Org-Fe > CO3- Fe > Exch-Fe > WS-Fe. All the Fe fractions were lower in saline areas as compared to non-saline areas except CO3-Fe, which was higher under salinity. Correlation analysis revealed significant and depth-dependent relationship among soil properties and Fe fractions. Notably, pH was negatively correlated with ECe and Exch-Fe at the surface, while WS-Fe showed contrasting relationship with other Fe forms. These results highlight complex interactions influencing Fe availability in saline soils