Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
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Determination of Growth Performance and Instability of Chickpea in India
No full textChickpeas (Cicer arietinum) are a type of legume widely consumed around the world. They are rich in protein, fiber, complex carbohydrate, iron, folate (vitamin B9), magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. They are a nutritious, versatile food that fits well into many diets. The demand for chickpea in the market is expanding gradually. So, this study focused on the growth performance and instability analysis of chickpeas for the period 2005 to 2024.The secondary data like area, production and productivity were collected from publications like APEDA, Agricultural statistics at a glance and Indias stat. This study indicated that the area, production and productivity has increasing trend over the entire period. The evaluated CII (Coppock instability Index) revealed that the area had the lowest instability whereas production and productivity had the highest instability. Henceforth, government should stand firm with farmers providing support and resources to ensure a bountiful harvest and a prosperous future
Growth, Productivity, Available Nitrogen, Available Phosphors, Available Potassium, Available Sulphur Influenced by Different Plant Spacing and Nitrogen Levels of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Bathinda Districts of Punjab, India
No full textA field experiment was conducted during (Kharif) seasons of 2023 at the Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab, to effect of different plant spacing and nitrogen levels on growth, productivity and available NPK of maize. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications, under three plant spacings of 45 cm x 15 cm, 55 cm x 20 cm, and 65 cm x 25 cm were included in the treatment plan, along with four nitrogen levels: control (75% of RDN (31.5 kg N/ha), 100% of RDN (42 kg N/ha), and 125% of RDN (52.5 kg N/ha). At every stage of the crop\u27s growth, the leaf area index (LAI) with 125% of RDN was the highest and much better than that with 75% and 100% of RDN. Throughout the crop\u27s growth stages, the spacing of 55 cm x 20 cm generated the least amount of dry matter. At a 45 cm X 15 cm spacing, the highest grain weight of 30.33 g was attained, which was comparable to the remaining plant spacing. At 55 cm X 20 cm, the lowest grain yield (52.76 q/ha-1) was observed. With respect to nitrogen, highest harvest index (34.74%) was associated with application of 75% of RDN which was significantly superior over 100% of RDN With respect to plant spacing significantly highest harvest index (36.64%) was recorded at 45 cm X 15 cm and lowest harvest index (31.98%) was recorded with 65 cm X 25 cm and it was on par with 55 X 20 cm (33.24 %). With regard to plant spacing, higher soil available nitrogen and phosphorous was recorded at spacing of 65 cm X 25 cm, higher available potassium at spacing of 45 cm X 15 cm
Soil Fertility Status of Selected Panchayats in Deeh Block of Raebareli District in Uttar Pradesh, India
No full textThe present investigation aimed to assess soil fertility across twenty-five villages within group gram panchayats in the Deeh block of Raebareli district, Uttar Pradesh. The study focused on analyzing nutrients status using the nutrient index approach, while also identifying correlations among various soil parameters.
The soil fertility assessment in Deeh block, Raebareli, revealed significant variability in pH (5.47–8.46), organic carbon (0.02–1.12%) and available nitrogen (70.25–716.26 kgha-1), indicating moderate soil health. Phosphorus availability was high (mean 77.31 kgha-1), whereas potassium was low (mean 103.48 kgha-1), suggesting nutrient imbalances. Micronutrient deficiencies were noted, particularly for zinc (0.016-2.17 ppm), while copper was sufficient (0.14-2.98) in majority of soils in the study villages. The nutrient index classified nitrogen as medium (1.79), phosphorus as high (2.73), and organic carbon (1.67), potassium (1.19) and Zn (1.46) as low, highlighting the need for targeted soil management. Soil pH showed a significant positive correlation with EC but a strong negative correlation with Fe, indicating reduced iron availability in alkaline soils. Organic carbon had a strong positive correlation with N and P, supporting nutrient retention. Fe had significant negative correlations with pH, EC and K, emphasizing its reduced availability in alkaline, saline, and potassium-rich soils. The study concludes that site-specific soil fertility management and regular soil testing are essential for maintaining soil health and enhancing crop productivity
The Effect of a Combination of N, P, K and Biochar-Silica Fertilizers On CEC, C-organic, N, P, K Content of Plant and Yield of Rice on Inceptisols Jatinangor, Indonesia
No full textInceptisols have enormous potential for cultivating lowland rice because of their wide distribution in Indonesia, but low fertility is one of the problems with Inceptisols. The experiment aims to determine the effect of a combination of N, P, K, and biochar-silica fertilizers on CEC, C-organic, N, P, K content of plant, and rice yields and to obtain a treatment combination that gives the best lowland rice yields on Inceptisols. The experiment was carried out from August to November 2024 using experimental plots as experimental units and arranged in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) consisting of 10 treatments and three replications, namely 3 treatments with a combination dose of 0% N, P, K and biochar-silica, 3 treatment with a dose of 50% N, P, K and biochar-silica, 3 treatments with a dose of 100% N, P, K and biochar-silica, and 1 control treatment. The experimental results showed that the combination of N, P, K, and biochar-silica fertilizers could influence CEC, organic C, P, K element content in plants, and rice yield, but did not have a significant effect on plant N content. Treatment N, P, K (175 kg ha-1 Urea, 25 kg ha-1 SP-36, and 25 kg ha-1 KCl) and dose of biochar (2.5 ton ha-1) + silica 320 kg ha-1 is the treatment with the best dose in increasing the yield of harvested dry grain (GKP) for lowland rice, namely 3.37 kg plot-1
Impact of Rock Phosphate based-PROM (Phosphorus Rich Organic Manure) on Enzyme Activities and Nutrient Availability in Calcareous Soil under Soybean Cultivation
No full textA field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Pune during kharif 2023. The object of this experiment was to study comparative efficiency of phosphorus application through phosphorus rich organic manure (PROM), single super phosphate and diammonium phosphate (DAP) for soybean on enzyme activities and nutrient availability in highly calcareous soil. This experiment consisted of two organic sources (PROM and vermicompost) and two inorganic sources of phosphorus (SSP and DAP) along with their levels @ 50, 75 and 100 % imposed for soybean in highly calcareous soil. The treatments comprised T1 - absolute control, T2 - RDF (50:75:45 kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O), T3 - 50% P2O5 through PROM, T4 - 75% P2O5 through PROM, T5 - 100% P2O5 through PROM, T6 - 100% P2O5 through DAP + FYM @12.5 t ha-1, T7 - 100% P2O5 through SSP + FYM @12.5 t ha-1 and T8 - 100% P2O5 through vermicompost replicated thrice in randomized block design imposed to soybean in highly calcareous soil.
Results on post harvest fertility status of highly calcareous soils were concluded that incorporation of PROM and vermicompost for the replacement of 100 % P2O5 found superior for build up available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Further, incorporation of 100 % P2O5 through PROM reported 75.48%, 122.07 %, 169.95 % and 104.09 % increase in DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu over absolute control respectively. The data on enzyme activities in highly calcareous soil revealed that incorporation of P2O5 either through organic and inorganic sources recorded higher urease (30.93 and 29.22 µg NH4+-N g-1 soil hr-1), acid (6.07 and 6.74 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1) and alkaline phosphatase (11.34 and 10.34 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1) and dehydrogenase (14.30 and 10.40 µg TPF g-1 soil 24 hr-1) activity at 50 % flowering of soybean than that assayed at harvest of soybean. It is inferred that incorporation of PROM or vermicompost for the substitution of either 75 or 100 % P2O5 reported significantly higher activities of enzymes in calcareous soil than that of inorganic fertilizers (SSP and DAP) or recommended dose of fertilizer or absolute control
Spatial Variability of Soil Chemical Properties within a KVK Farm of Budgam in Lesser Himalayas
No full textAssessing the spatial variability of soil chemical properties is essential for optimizing crop productivity and ensuring sustainable land management. This study evaluated the spatial distribution of key soil fertility indicators at KVK Farm, Budgam, in the Lesser Himalayas. A total of 21 soil samples were collected from a 0–30 cm depth across different land uses and analyzed for organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Results revealed moderate variability for OC, N and K, while P showed high variability (>50%). Spatial variability maps generated using geostatistical techniques and GIS tools indicated that land use significantly influences soil fertility. All the studied soil properties (OC, N, K, P) exhibited patchy distribution, with excess accumulation in some areas and deficiencies in others. These findings highlight the need for site-specific nutrient management to optimize fertilizer use and enhance soil fertility. Precision agriculture approaches can improve resource utilization and promote sustainable agricultural practices in similar agroecosystems
Effect of Various Seed Rates and Row Spacings on Yield Response of Spring Wheat
No full textSeed rate and row spacing play a vital role for establishing optimum plant densities which is a pre-requisite for increasing grain yield. A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from November 2022 to March 2023 to evaluate the yield response of wheat to different seed rates and row spacings. The study utilized wheat variety BARI Gom-33 as the planting material. The experiment comprised two factors, Factor A: seed rate such as (i) 100 kg ha-1 (ii) 120 kg ha-1 (iii) 140 kg ha-1 (iv) 160 kg ha-1 (v) 180 kg ha-1; Factor B: row spacing such as (i) Continuous sowing in 20 cm apart line (ii) Continuous sowing in 15 cm apart line (iii) Continuous sowing in 10 cm apart line. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results clearly indicated that seed rate, row spacing and their interaction exerted significant effect on yield contributing characters and yield of wheat. It was observed that the highest grain yield (3.06 t ha-1) was obtained with seed rate 160 kg ha-1. It was the outcome of the highest plant height, number of spikes m-2, number of spikelets spike-1, number of grains spikelets-1, number of grains spike-1 and 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and biological yield. Row spacing had significant effect on yield contributing characters and yield of wheat such as plant height, number of spikes m-2, number of spikelets spike-1, number of grains spikeletes-1, number of grains spike-1, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and except 1000-grain weight and harvest index. 15 cm row spacing produced highest plant height, number of spikes m-2, which consequently produced the highest grain yield (2.81 t ha-1) and the lowest yield (2.50 t ha-1) was found in 10 cm. The highest grain yield (3.33 t ha-1) was obtained from 160 kg ha-1 seed rate with 15 cm row spacing. Therefore, it can be concluded that BARI Gom-33 should be cultivated at 160 kg ha-1 seed rate with 15 cm row spacing for obtaining higher yield
Studies on Sugarcane Wilt Caused by Fusarium sacchari under Sub-tropical India
No full textWilt disease of sugarcane is a complex and serious disease known to cause significant loss. In India, Sugarcane wilt disease was recorded almost 100 years ago and is one of the major fungal diseases affecting sugarcane production and productivity. First reported from Bihar in 1906 by Butler and detailed studies were made few years later in 1913 by Butler and Khan. The present study includes genotypes/varieties evaluation against wilt disease (Fusarium sacchari) of sugarcane in sub-tropical region of India. Total 35 genotypes, maintained at ICAR-IISR, Lucknow and were tested against wilt of sugarcane. Out of 35 genotypes, 25 genotypes were rated as resistant (R) genotypes to wilt disease and 10 genotypes were rated as susceptible (S) against wilt disease of sugarcane. The genotypes rated susceptible can be exploited as susceptible check for screening against wilt of sugarcane whereas genotypes rated resistant against sugarcane wilt disease can be exploited for development of wilt resistant variety of sugarcane. The aim of the study is to help the researcher to get an idea about the impact and importance of wilt disease in sugarcane
A Comparative Study on the Effect of Phosphorus on Soil Properties, Cowpea and African Yam Beans in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
No full textA study was conducted to investigate effect of phosphorus on soil properties, cowpea and African yam beans grown in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The site selection was a flat land of 20 m X 17 m for the cultivation of cowpea and African yam beans. The bed measured 4 m in length and 1.8 m in width was raised. Spacing between plots was 1 m and plant spacing was 40 cm × 60 cm. Phosphorus was applied at the rates of 0 kg, 45 kg, 65 kg, and 85 kg. Pha-1. The experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in 3 replicates. The plots measures 21 m in length and 17 m in width having a total of 38 m × 38 m being 76 m. Soil samples were collected before and after the experiment. Also plant data were taken, Plant height was measured and taken randomly every fortnight. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p = 0.05 %. Results showed that soils in the study area were predominantly sand. Before planting, sand was 90.70 %, while silt and clay percentages were 3.20 % and 6.10 % respectively. The low organic matter content, 2.00 % could be due to the effect of soil erosion, leaching and bush burning predominant in the study area. At 40 kg. P ha1 of phosphorus rate, the highest significant stem girth (1.4 cm) was found in white cowpea, while the lowest significant stem girth (0.6 cm) was found in African Yam Bean. It was concluded that African yam beans showed excellent vegetative growth but have a longer duration of maturity. Triple super phosphate application at 40 kg. P ha-1 recorded the best yield in white cowpea
Agro-economic Evaluation of Lime and Tithonia diversifolia Biomass for Reducing Empty Pods in Groundnut on Acidic Ferralsols of Kenge, DRC
No full textThis study investigated the effects of lime and Tithonia diversifolia leaf biomass on the reduction of empty pods in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown on acidic sandy soils in the grassland savanna of Kenge, Democratic Republic of Congo. A 2 × 3 factorial split-plot design with three replicates was used. Factor 1 consisted of two groundnut varieties (Local and G17), and factor 2 included soil amendments: lime, T. diversifolia leaves, and an untreated control. The experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agronomic and Environmental Sciences, University of Kwango (4°50’10.4’’ S, 17°01’23.8’’ E; 532 m a.s.l.).
Results showed significant differences among treatments for dry pod yield, number of empty pods, 1000-seed weight, and dry seed yield. Dry pod yields were 4.0 t·ha⁻¹ with lime, 3.8 t·ha⁻¹ in the control, and 3.6 t·ha⁻¹ with Tithonia amendment (LSD₀.₀₅ = 0.66 t·ha⁻¹, P = 0.01, CV = 15.7%). Dry seed yields ranged from 2.4 t·ha⁻¹ to 2.5 t·ha⁻¹, with 2.5 t·ha⁻¹ for lime, and 2.4 t·ha⁻¹ for both control and Tithonia (LSD₀.₀₅ = 0.67 t·ha⁻¹, P = 0.05, CV = 23.9%). Empty pod formation averaged 5 pods per plant in the control, 0.5 with lime, and 3 with Tithonia (LSD₀.₀₅ = 0.33, P = 0.01, CV = 0.78).
Economic analysis based on the marginal rate of return (MRR) and cost–benefit ratio (CBR) confirmed the advantage of lime application, with MRR values of 2.31 for the Local variety and 0.61 for G17, both exceeding the conventional adoption threshold of 0.5. Likewise, the cost–benefit ratio was most favorable for agricultural lime application in the Local variety, with a CBR equal to or greater than 1, demonstrating its economic viability. These findings clearly indicate that lime application not only reduces empty pod formation and increases groundnut yield but also provides a profitable return on investment, thereby supporting its recommendation for farmers cultivating groundnuts on acidic sandy soils