Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
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Cation-anion Balance in Soils and Plants: Mechanisms, Interactions, and Implications in Soil Fertility Management
No full textCation-anion balance plays a pivotal role in determining soil health, nutrient availability, and plant physiological function. Imbalances in ionic composition can significantly affect soil fertility, microbial activity, nutrient uptake, and crop productivity. The review paper aims to investigate how the balance between cations and anions in soils and plants influences nutrient availability, soil fertility, and overall crop productivity, and to understand the physiological and chemical m mechanisms regulating this balance for improved nutrient management and sustainable agricultural practices. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding the dynamics of cation-anion equilibrium in soils and plants, highlights the key mechanisms maintaining ionic balance, and explores factors influencing nutrient interactions. Ion exchange is the primary mechanism by which soils maintain cation-anion balance and is considered the most important chemical reaction on earth after photosynthesis.s The implications of imbalance on plant growth, soil structure, and environmental health are discussed alongside strategies for monitoring and maintaining optimal ionic ratios for sustainable agricultural productivity
Integrated Nutrient Management for Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) cv. Attappadi Local
No full textA field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kasaragod, Kerala, from October 2024–March 2025, to study the response of traditional finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) to different levels of nutrients. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two factors replicated thrice. The objectives of the study were to evaluate biometric parameters and standardize integrated nutrient management practices for a traditional finger millet variety. Factor A consisted of two levels of farmyard manure (A1 - FYM @ 2.5 t ha⁻¹ and A2 - FYM @ 5 t ha⁻¹), and Factor B consisted of four nutrient levels: B1 - NPK @ 45:22.5:22.5 kg ha⁻¹ (Kerala Agricultural University Package of Practice, POP), B2 - Soil Test Based Fertilizer Recommendation (SBFR) NPK @ 32:6:16 kg ha⁻¹, B3 - NPK @ 60:30:30 kg ha⁻¹, and B4 - Farmer’s practice (FYM alone or no NPK).
Results indicated significant differences among treatments for all growth characteristics. The SBFR treatment (B2 - NPK @ 32:6:16 kg ha⁻¹) produced the highest values for plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, dry matter production and grain yield. The study concluded that traditional finger millet responds positively to integrated nutrient management compared to the farmer’s practice of applying FYM alone. However, increasing nutrient levels beyond the SBFR recommendation did not result in higher yields, likely due to nutrient imbalance in the soil or the limited yield potential of the traditional variety.
Implications: These findings suggest that adopting soil test–based fertilizer recommendations can improve growth and yield efficiency in traditional finger millet, promoting sustainable nutrient management and optimizing input use for smallholder farmers.
 
Soil Characterization, Classification and Land Use Planning for Netrang Taluka in Bharuch District, Gujarat, India
No full textA detailed soil survey was conducted at a 1:10000 scale using remote sensing data and field surveys to delineate landforms, characterize the soils and develop a land use plan for Netrang taluka, Bharuch district, Gujarat. Five representative pedons covering major landforms—gently sloping plateau, undulating dissected plateau, older flood plain and hilly terrain— were characterized for morphological, physical and chemical properties. Soil depth varied widely, from shallow (22 cm) in hilly terrain to very deep (150 cm) in floodplain areas. Textures ranged from clay loam to clay, with water-holding capacity between AMC 3.2–12.5%. Saturated hydraulic conductivity showed moderate variation (12.6–26.6 cm hr⁻¹). Soil reaction ranged from slightly acidic to moderately alkaline. Organic carbon was low to medium (0.02–0.76%), while CEC was moderate to high (38.24–58.97 cmol(p⁺) kg⁻¹). Taxonomic classification placed most profiles under fine-textured Typic Haplustepts (Inceptisols), while shallow hilly soils were classified as Typic Ustorthents (Entisols). Key constraints affecting land suitability are depth, drainage and erosion in the block. Soil-site suitability assessments indicated high to moderate suitability for existing crops like soybean and pigeonpea, while alternative crops such as finger millet, chickpea and black gram showed better adaptability. Sugarcane, cotton, and banana were moderately to marginally suitable due to depth and drainage limitations. A land use plan was developed recommending soil conservation, organic matter enhancement, micronutrient management and diversified cropping for sustainable agricultural productivity.
 
Soil Suitability for Coffee Cultivation in Non-traditional Areas of Panama-Herrera Province
No full textThe objective of this research was to determine the suitability of soils for coffee cultivation in the province of Herrera, Republic of Panama. Planting robusta coffee is gaining greater interest among Panamanian farmers as an alternative for soil conservation. On 19 farms in the province of Herrera, samples were taken (0-20 cm) to determine their properties and initiate a sustainable fertilization program that contributes to improving productivity. Digital maps were created using the Q-GIS v.3.32.1 program. The soils of the province of Herrera presented a high percentage of aluminum saturation, with low porosity problems, pH acid, low levels of organic matter and phosphorus, and low in potassium. Low average calcium content and medium magnesium content. A negative and statistically significant correlation was found between organic matter and % Al saturation, Ca and Mg, indicating that the organic matter was still in the process of mineralization. According to the principal component analysis, the soils of Las Minas district are highly influenced by the percentage of Al saturation, Mn, Cu and organic matter. The soils of Los Pozos district by pH, CEC, Ca and Mg. The results of this characterization study and the maps prepared for each soil property are expected to contribute to decision makers, technicians, scientists and producers having a baseline knowledge of the productive coffee soils in the province of Herrera and to allow the development of plans to achieve sustainable coffee production
Effect of Different Level of Nano Urea on Yield, Quality and Shelf life of Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa) cv. Winter Dawn under Prayagraj Agro Climatic Condition, India
No full textNano fertilizers are the modern day concept of fertilizers and possess several benefits over conventional fertilizers. In very small quantity nano fertilizers have significant impact on the growth of crop. The present study consisted of 11 treatments utilising various combinations of conventional urea and nano urea, administered at varied doses and concentrations, with each treatment replicated three times in a Randomised Block Design. The main objective of the experiment was to assess the impact of varying concentrations of nano urea on the yield and quality characteristics along with shelf life of Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa) cv. Winter Dawn. Treatment T7 [100% PK + 60% RDN + 0.8% Nano urea (8 ml/l)] was found best with [15.69 (2022-23), 16.23 (2023-24) and 15.96 (Pooled)] number of fruits per plant, [168.57 (2022-23), 177.28 (2023-24) and 172.92 (Pooled)] g yield per plant, [55.07 (2022-23), 57.92 (2023-24) and 56.49 (Pooled)] q/ha yield per hectare, ) [11.21 (2022-23), 11.54 (2023-24) and 11.38 (Pooled)] °Brix TSS, [0.60 (2022-23), 0.49 (2023-24) and 0.55 (Pooled)] % titrable acidity, [55.14 (2022-23), 56.86 (2023-24) and 56.00 (Pooled)] mg/100g ascorbic acid, [5.80 (2022-23), 6.00 (2023-24) and 5.90 (Pooled)] % total sugar, [4.17 (2022-23), 4.26 (2023-24) and 4.22 (Pooled)] % reducing sugar, [1.54 (2022-23), 1.65 (2023-24) and 1.60 (Pooled)] % non-reducing sugar and [4.34 (2022-23), 4.38 (2023-24) and 4.36 (Pooled)] days shelf life
Evaluation of Boron Levels for Improving the Growth and Yield of Wheat Crop (Triticum aestivum L.)
No full textThe experiment comprising of six levels of boron, i.e., 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg ha-1 was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of boron on growth and yield of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)] cv. HUW 234. The treatments were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that plant height, tillers plant-1, ear length (cm), fertile spikelets ear-1, grains ear head-1 and 1000 seed weight, were increased significantly up to 2.0 kg ha-1boron. Maximum plant height was recorded with T4 (2.0 kg B ha-1) and was at par with T5 (2.5 kg B ha-1). T4 and T5 were significantly superior over lower doses and control. Thus, effect of boron was significant for all the growth and yield attributing parameters
The Effect of using Organic and Minerals Fertilizers on Some Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Sandy Soil & Quality Productivity of Lupine (Lupinus termis L.) Yield
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of compost and biochar amendment as improvement in physical - chemical properties of sandy Loam soil and, So, maintaining the sustainability of (Lupinus termis L.) growing systems, a field experiment was carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2021/ 2022 and 2022/ 2023 respectively, at the Ismailia Agriculture Research Station Agriculture Research center (ARC) – Egypt, (30o 35’ 41.9" N latitude 32o 16’ 45.8" E longitude .the super effect of compost and biochar amendment with different rates of mineral nitrogen on some chemical and physical properties and productivity of Lupine (Lupinus termis L.) under sandy Loam soil , the study design was a split block design in improving some physical and chemical properties of sandy Loam soil. Results showed that the available macronutrients N, P and K all Comparisons Test of Compost and Biochar for Mineral are significantly different from one another, while, all Comparisons Test of Rates of N and all treatments are no significant pairwise differences among the means, the impact of different rates of Mineral, compost and biochar treatment on soil pH by rates of N (0,20,40and 60 kg/fed), the results explained that no significant different between all treatments. But ,OM results showed that, compost or biochar compost were slightly increase organic matter content as compare with control and (CEC), results obtained that compost or biochar compost were slightly increase in CEC, this results due to decompose and release more carboxyl and hydroxyl phenolic groups, the main Effect of mineral, compost and biochar obtained in physical and chemical properties soil, The extra influence prosity was in The effect of Mineral-N, the results obtained that, Biochar treatment is significantly affected, but all treatments, there are no significant pairwise differences among the means. the values of drainable pores (DP) and water holding pores (WHP) were higher value in compost > biochar than the other pores in compost, Biochar treatments and the effect of physical properties on slowly drainable pores (SD) and (FC)field capacity were are no significant pairwise differences among the means, the application of all amendments decreased soil HC (cmh-1) values when compared to the control. the results observation that compost>Biochar>minerals and The effect of Mineral-N was followed the pattern of N60> N40 > N20 > N0, as results showed that, all two means are significantly different from one another. obtained that, the value of bulk density is decreased by adding treatments compost > biochar > minerals treatment there are no significant, finally, results obtained the effect of compost, biochar on improving sandy loamy soil, more than, The effect of Mineral-N
Development of Vermiwash Production Technique: Evaluation of its Physicochemical Parameters and Effect on Overall Plant Growth
No full textSoil health is a critical component of sustainable agriculture. Agricultural soil faces numerous challenges, such as erosion, nutrient depletion and contamination. Intensive farming practices such as mechanization, overuse of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and short crop rotation have severely impacted soil quality in terms of decreased fertility, less water retention and loss of biodiversity. Vermiwash and vermicompost now emerge as effective solutions to restore soil health. Vermiwash is a liquid fertilizer derived from earthworm castings rich in bioavailable nutrients and growth hormones and pesticide potency. The present course of the investigation focused on developing the vermiwash production technique, evaluating its physicochemical parameters and its effect on overall plant growth. We have evaluated physicochemical parameters viz., mainly pH, EC, Total Organic Carbon, C: N Ratio, macronutrients, micronutrients and microbiota in the vermiwash and vermicompost. We found almost similar values reported in the literature except for EC and NO3. Significantly, our vermiwash has 1.47 of EC values, which was claimed as the most suitable range of EC for plant growth. Further, nitrate content was observed in our vermiwash, and such results were not published earlier. During the evaluation of our vermiwash for wheat growth, we noted 1.46 times higher plant crop growth as compare to standard soil. This study proposed a single unit for developing vermicompost and vermiwash, i.e., a mono-unit serving the dual purpose that could eventually be integrated into sustainable agriculture
Comparative Evaluation of China Aster Varieties in the Wayanad District of Kerala, India
No full textChina aster holds a selective position among the diverse array of commercial flower crops due to its beauty, elegance, varied forms and appealing colour ranges. The farmers lack awareness regarding the cultivation and market demand for China aster. China aster can be utilized to adorn interiors, create bouquets, and distinctive garlands, contributing to an overall aesthetics in landscape gardening. In order to increase the cultivation, the experiment was conducted during 2019-20, at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wayanad and the main aim of the study was to investigate the performance of various genotypes of china aster in Wayanad district. As per the observation number of flowers per plant and branches was the highest in the variety Arka Archana (78.10) (18.26). Arka Aadya showed minimum days of flowering (111.25 days) and the maximum days (142.54 days) was recorded in variety Arka Poorima. The yield was the highest in Arka Archana (170 q/ha) followed by Arka Aadya (130 q/ha) the variety
Investigation of Halo-tolerant Phosphate Solubilizing Microbes on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Saline Conditions
No full textPhosphorus deficiency is the most common problem in the salinity affected areas as the water soluble phosphate rapidly converts into insoluble and plant un-utilizable form. Among different remediation strategies of this problem, use of plant beneficial phosphate solubilizing microbes (PSMs) is cost effect and eco-friendly measure. Two most potent halo-tolerant PSMs i.e. one phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and one phosphate solubilizing fungi (PSF) were screened on Pikovskaya’s agar amended with 5% NaCl. Bacterial isolate Bacillus subtilis PSB-S showed positive ACC deaminase activity, potash mobilization, IAA production, siderophore activity and Cladosporium herbarum PSF-S found positive for potash mobilization and antagonistic potential against plant pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum on the basis of different in vitro plant growth promoting traits. Field experimental data suggested that application PSB+PSF in combination, along with 100% recommended dose of chemical phosphatic fertilizer (RDP) in wheat under saline stress conditions showed increase in root length (28.30%), shoot length (41.16%), no. of tillers/plant (14.96%), no. of spikes/plant (6.86%), available phosphorus (27.54%) kg/ha, phosphorus uptake (29.03%), seed weight/plant (15.50%), seed (10.52%) and straw yield (6.40%) over full RDP un-inoculated control. Therefore, it is evident from field experimental data that application of these halo-tolerant PSMs under salinity conditions significantly improved phosphorus bioavailabilty and could save 50% of chemical phosphatic chemical fertilizers without compromising yield