Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
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Characterization of Heavy Metal and Physico-chemical Profiling of Sewage Water Soil in Jaipur District, Rajasthan, India
No full textJaipur is the capital state of Rajasthan. During the year 2021, District Jaipur of 3 blocks (Chomu, Sanganer, and Shahpura) in 9 villages [Keshav Nagar (V1), Morija (V2), Nindola (V3), Goner (V4), Shrikishanpura (V5), Durgapura (V6), Shivpuri (V7), Manoharpur (V8), Nwalpura (V9)] were selected for estimation of physico-chemical properties and Heavy metal contamination in severage channels. A total of 9 samples were collected from 9 villages sewerage channels. This study aimed to analyze the physico-chemical properties of agricultural soil and irrigation water in three blocks of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The findings revealed significant variations in the physico-chemical properties of the agricultural soil and water in Chomu, Sanganer, and Shahpura. Standard methods were employed to assess the physico-chemical characteristics of soil samples contaminated with sewerage effluents in these regions, which exhibited considerable diversity. The pH levels of the soil samples were predominantly slightly acidic and alkaline ranging from 6.22 to 7.31. Electrical conductivity values varied between 0.41 to 0.62 mmhos/cm. The percentages of organic matter and organic carbon in the soil samples ranged from 0.17% to 0.25% and 0.29% to 0.43%, respectively. Additionally, the analysis included heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu). The soil samples were found to contain elevated levels of heavy metals, surpassing the permissible limits. The discharge of sewerage effluent into the environment, primarily originating from the textile industry, house, etc. constitutes are major source of pollution that can adversely impact the local flora and fauna. Therefore, it is imperative to implement effluent treatment measures before their release into the environment
Effect of Cumulative Amendment of Soil with Fly Ash in Combination with Other Nutrients on Change in Grain Yield, Crude Protein, NPN and True Protein Contents of Rice
No full textAn experiment was planned and conducted at Instructional Farm (IF), Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar in the years 2022 and 2023 during the Kharif seasons to study the effect of the cumulative addition of nine varieties of nutrients on the yield and protein contents of two varieties of rice namely Gayatri and Vandana. The applied fly ash (FA) was alkaline in nature whereas the soil was acidic. The grain yield of the Kharif crop in 2022 (Gayatri) varied from the lowest of 31.56 qha-1 to the highest of 37.21 qha-1. It varied from the lowest of 38.66 qha-1 to the highest of 43.82 qha-1 in 2023. The crude protein content varied from the lowest of 7.97% to the highest of 9.16% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 7.31% to the highest of 8.39% in 2023. The non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content varied from the lowest of 7.97% to the highest of 9.16% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 7.31% to the highest of 8.39% in 2023. The true protein content varied from the lowest of 6.90% to the highest of 7.97% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 6.12% to the highest of 7.50% in 2023. It was observed that the grain yield, crude protein, non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and true protein content decreased by the application of FA over control (only NPK fertilizer). The crude protein content decreased in all the treatments in 2023 over its 2022 counterpart whereas NPN increased by the cumulative addition of nutrients. This resulted in higher values of true protein content in the grains in the year 2023. Grain yield increased in all the treatments in 2023 over the previous year resulting in higher yield of true protein content. Hence more amount of protein rich grains per hectare can be obtained by the cumulative addition of nutrients in spite of varietal difference of the grains
Comparative Evaluation of Calcium Sources and their Mode of Use on Apple Production in Acidic Soil under High Density Plantation System
No full textApples grown in Kashmir province are extremely prone to deterioration, particularly in post-harvest storage. Calcium is amongst the vital mineral element deceiving apple fruit quality, predominantly in acid soils deficit in available calcium. Calcium in sufficient quantity helps to retain apple fruit firmness and reduces the occurrence of physiological disorders, it also plays essential role to improve yield and quality of produce. Modes of calcium application and its different doses on two apple varieties was tested to improve yield and quality at Ambri Apple Research Centre, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, India. The direct application of calcium to apple as spray is most effective method for escalating fruit calcium content and quality. Among sources and their mode of application calcium nitrate foliar application performed better than foliar application of calcium chloride in improving fruit quality and yield of Golden Delicious than Red Chief Camspur, whereas soil application of calcium nitrate showed least response to improve fruit quality and yield in both varieties under acidic soil atmosphere. Physiological loss in weight at 30 days and 60 days after harvesting was lower in foliar applied calcium than soil calcium application. The significant variation in total sugar content and TSS of apple fruits were observed in different calcium sources and their mode of application. Calcium nitrate foliar spray performed better than calcium chloride foliar spray in improving fruit quality. Our study did not find any adversity of dosage in plants whether applied to soil or directly to plant and we did observe better yields and quality at higher calcium doses. Among varieties Golden Delicious performed better than Red Chief Camspur. Results of research evidenced that preharvest calcium sprays increase yield, improved fruit quality and reduced its deterioration in post-harvest storage
Impact of Nutrient Management Practices in Cassava on the Growth and Yield of Red Gram in an Additive Series Intercropping System in the Southern Laterites of Kerala
No full textCassava-legume intercropping is widely promoted by virtue of the ecological, nutritional and productive benefits and the choice of the intercrop is crucial in realizing the potentials envisaged. The performance of red gram (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) as an intercrop in cassava was evaluated in randomized block design at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University in three replications with different nutrient management practices in the main crop as treatments. Potassium efficient cassava variety Sree Pavithra was tested with varying levels of N, P and K. The treatments included T1 (100 % recommended dose of fertilizers), T2 (100 % RD N and P + 50 % K), T3 (100 % RD N and P + 25 % K), T4 (100 % RD N and P + 0 % K), T5 (50 % RDF), T6 (50 % RDF + PGPR Mix 1), T7 (50 % RD N and P + 25 % K), T8 (50 % RD N and P + 25 % K + PGPR Mix 1), T9 (50 % RD N and P + 0 % K), T10 (50 % RD N and P + 0 % K + PGPR Mix 1) and control (no fertilizer application). Cassava growth and yield was found to be superior in the treatments involving the consortium biofertilizer PGPR Mix 1 and was the highest in 50 % RD N and P + 0 % K + PGPR Mix 1 liquid application. The performance of red gram as an intercrop was found to be influenced by the canopy growth in cassava and yields were 80-89 per cent less than in sole cropping. The land equivalent ratio was more than one in PGPR included treatments alone indicating that intercropping was not advantageous in other treatments
Effect of FYM and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Soil Properties of Red Alfisol
No full textThe soil multi-nutrient deficiency is not only a problem for soil quality, but also for crop productivity. In problematic soils, in particular acid soils, where low nutrient availability is a concern for general soil use, organic fertilizers are important. The importance of FYM is not limited to their role as accessibility, cost-effectiveness, soil nutrient reservoirs, moisture and ameliorating soil properties that determine soil fertility and productivity status. A pot experiment was conducted on wheat crop at Banaras Hindu University, India, to investigate the effect of FYM and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soil properties of red Alfisol. The results revealed that maximum number of tiller pot-1 (17.0), plant height (78.0 cm), grain yield (27.4 g pot-1), straw yield (9.98 g pot-1), biological yield (67.5 g pot-1), harvest index (40.6%), were recorded in 1.5RF+FYM1applied pots. The correlation study revealed a significant positive correlation of soil organic carbon with biological yield, and soil available N, P and K. The integration of FYM along with 1.5 times RF significantly enhanced wheat productivity, quality, and soil nutrient availability, indicating the potential of this integrated approach for restoring soil fertility in degraded soils to sustainable crop production in red Alfisol
Impacts of Acacia Biochar and Irrigation Scheme on Teff Production for Dry Season in Highland of Ethiopia
No full textTeff (Eragrostis tef) is one of the essential cereal crops grown mainly in rainy season and barely grown in dry season, but has the lowest yield compared to other cereal crops such as wheat and barley in Ethiopia. High prices and scarcity of fertilizers challenge farmers in teff production. Nitisols in tropical Ethiopia have a characteristic of low fertility and high acidity causing low crop productivity, which require application of organic amendment to bring chemical and physical soil properties at levels to achieve a good crop productivity, which could contribute to food security and sustainable agriculture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different application rates of acacia biochar (ACB) under two different irrigation schemes on soil nitrogen and water dynamics and teff production. Biochar application rates were 0, 5, and 20 t ha–1 (0ACB, 5ACB, and 20ACB, respectively) and irrigation schemes were 75% and 100% of water requirement (I1 and I2, respectively) by teff according to farmers’ practice. Soil pH with 20ACB at 10 cm soil depth was significantly increased in the beginning of growing season. ACB application and irrigation schemes did not significantly affect soil NH4+-N and NO3--N at both 10 and 30 cm depths throughout growing season. Soil water content limited by dry growing season in this experiment may be critical and underrated for effective amelioration of soil acidity and plant nutrient improvement by biochar application. Under both irrigation schemes, 20ABC-I1 and 20ABC-I2 presented higher teff dry biomass (22-23% and 21-30%, respectively) and plant height (9.4-9.8% and 13.2-14.7%, respectively) than those with 0ACB and 5ACB, respectively, however only under I2 irrigation scheme it was significant. This study showed that the combination of different irrigation schemes combined with biochar application had somewhat positive impacts on teff biomass production. However, limited amount of water supplied from irrigation particularly during dry season may mask such effects of biochar on crop growth by limiting interaction of biochar with soil particles compared to wet season. This combination should contribute and stimulate crop production and efficiency of water usage. However, particularly in highland of Ethiopia, to avoid grain loss by rainfall, it is recommended to start growing period early with sowing in December for dry season. Further studies with long-term biochar application and different window of sowing time are necessary for better understanding of such practices
Efficacy of Foliar Application of Micronutrients on Bio-chemical Attributes of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda
No full textTo assess the efficacy of foliar application of micronutrients, i.e. Zinc as a Zinc Sulphate, Copper as Copper Sulphate and Boron as Boric acid on biochemical attributes of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda fruits during 2019-20, a field experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Farm- II of the Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Science and Technology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India on 12-year-old guava plants. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Using a digital hand refractometer, biochemical parameters such as total soluble solids were estimated at room temperature. The ascorbic acid, total sugars, reducing sugars, and non-reducing sugars content in the fruit sample were analyzed, the gathered data were statistically analyzed in accordance with Gomez\u27s (1984) methodology. The foliar application of zinc sulphate@ 0.4% showed better quality of fruits in terms of TSS (11.780 Brix), Acidity (0.4%), Total Sugars (6.34%), sugar acid ratio (15.91) while the application of Boric acid@ 0.4% resulted in maximum value of ascorbic acid (173.373mg/100g) pulp and pectin (1.650) respectively
Effect of Different Temperatures on Reactions of Potassium Adsorption and Availability in Saline Soils within Nineveh Governorate, Iraq
No full textThermodynamic criteria were used to evaluate the adsorption and release of potassium in saline soils. The study was conducted on three sites that differ in salt content in Nineveh Governorate - Iraq, and each site is divided into two depths (surface and subsurface). The study was conducted at three temperatures (278, 298, 318 Kelvin). The results of the study showed that there was an increase in the amount of potassium adsorbed and the percentage of adsorption with an increase in the amount of potassium added in all the studied soil samples. For the ability of the soil to the adsorption, the results showed a sudden increase in the adsorption of potassium at the application of the high levels (1 and 2 mmolL-1) of potassium in all the studied soils. Also, the highest value of the ionic activity of potassium (ARk) was (14.05 × 10-3 molL-1/2), at a temperature of 298 K in the subsurface soil layer of the first site, while the lowest one was (1.61 × 10-3 molL-1/2), in the same layer of the first site at a temperature of 278 K. The values of free energy of potassium, ΔGK, in the studied soils ranged from the highest value reached (-14.85×10-3 kJ) at a temperature of 278 K, to the lowest value, reached (-10.56×10-3 KJ) at a temperature of 298 K, in the subsurface soil layer of the first site. Regarding the values of entropy reaction, they ranged from the highest value of -53.43 Jmol-1 in the subsurface depth of the first site at a temperature of 278 K to the lowest value of -35.46 in the same layer of the first site at a temperature of 298 K. On the other hand, the enthalpy values of the studied soil samples were negative, which indicates that the reaction is of the exothermic type, where the highest negative value for enthalpy was -29.70 kJmol-1 at a temperature of 278 K in the subsurface soil layer of the first site and the lowest negative value, was -20.42 kJmol-1 in the same layer of the first site at a temperature of 298 K
Influence of Organic Nutrient on Growth Pattern, Flowering and Biochemical Profiling in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] Var. Kashi Ganga
No full textThe present investigation entitled Influence of Organic Nutrient on Growth Pattern, Flowering and Biochemical Profiling in Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)(Mol.)Standl.)Var. Kashi Ganga" was carried out with title at Organic Research Farm (ORF), Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Karguanji, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh during the Kharif-2022 with a view to identify the effects of different combinations of organic nutrition and its role in growth, yield and quality of Bottle gourd variety Kashi Ganga. The experiment was laid in Randomized block design with 8 treatments and 3 replications. Based on above experimental finding it may be concluded that the treatment T7 (33% Farmyard Manure + 33% Poultry Manure + 33% Vermicompost) was found to be best in the terms of morphological characters viz., Vine length (3.33m), number of branches (5.30), days to male flowering (34.76 days), days to female flowering (44.17 days) and days to first fruit picking (75.92 days) yield and quality of Bottle gourd. While the highest net return was found in the T7 and the highest B:C ratio was found in the same with 6.10
Biopolymer Urea Composite for Enhancing Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Coastal Sandy Soils of Kerala, India
No full textAim: To formulate biopolymer urea composites in pellet form and to test their efficacy on the release and leaching of nitrogen in northern coastal sandy soils of Kerala.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kasaragod, Kerala agricultural University, between May 2023 and March 2024.
Methodology: Pellets of biopolymer urea composites (BUCs) were formulated by mixing prilled urea with coconut shell charcoal (C1), gypsum (C2), rice husk biochar (C3), and zeolite (C4) as coating materials and potato starch (S1) and tapioca starch (S2) as binding materials. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Completely Randomised Design. Castor oil was uniformly sprayed on the composites after formulation. These composites were tested against urea for their nitrogen content and pH. Release behavior of nitrogen in soil and distilled water and leaching behavior in the soil were studied using CRD as the experimental design. The treatments were: T1: Urea, T2: BUC 1, T3: BUC 2, T4: BUC 3, T5: BUC 4, T6: BUC 5, T7: BUC 6, T8: BUC 7, T9: BUC 8 and T10: Control (Soil).
Results: Total nitrogen content was not significantly varied across different treatments, but the increase in pH was significant for the treatment, C4. Release of nitrogen in distilled water revealed marked differences among the treatments. Urea exhibited significantly elevated nitrogen release on first day compared to other treatments, whereas T9 and T4 initially showed substantially lower values, which gradually increased, reaching significantly higher levels by day 30. The soil incubation study demonstrated that urea exhibited significantly higher values of ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen release on the 7th day, reaching their maximum on 14th day and then decreased gradually till 30 days. All other treatments showed significantly lower release of ammonia into the soil, followed by a gradual increase, reaching a maximum at 90 days. Leaching of ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen was maximum for T1 on day 8. Significantly lower nitrate nitrogen leaching values were recorded by T9 towards the end of the experiment.
Conclusion: T9 showed initial release of nitrogen at significantly lower rates. Furthermore, it had a significantly higher pH compared to other treatments, rendering its suitability for acidic soil