Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Not a member yet
620 research outputs found
Sort by
Influence of Natural Farming Practices in Different Crops at West Central Table Land Zone of Odisha
No full textA field experiment was conducted in the farmers field to study the effect of natural farming practice on different crops under the west central table land zone of Odisha. Under this experiment the Farmers practice (FP) was taken as application of soil test-based fertilizer where as recommended practice was taken as natural farming practice (NFP). From the above experiment it is concluded that the application of NFP significantly increase the crop yield in Brinjal, Toria, Ragi but non-significant in Cowpea, Field pea and pumpkin over FP where as in average net return significantly increases over all the crops except Field pea. The highest yield was shown in Pumpkin (158 q/ha) followed by other crops. The cost of cultivation was more in cowpea (Rs. 62,740) followed by pumpkin (Rs. 61,350), Brinjal (Rs. 55,396), Field pea (Rs. 43,044), Toria (Rs. 31,734) and Ragi (Rs. 28754). Irrespective of the crops the gross income of the Pumpkin was more (Rs. 88750/-) followed by brinjal (Rs. 69404), Cowpea (Rs. 34372), Toria (Rs. 19,130), Ragi (Rs. 10906) and Field pea (Rs. 5188)
Assessment of Soil Respiration in Response to Decomposition of Different Crop Residues
No full textC: Nratio of crop residues is the key factor dictating the decomposition of crop residues and soil respiration. Crop residue incorporation is one of the best residue management options, which not only enhances soil health, but also reduces environmental pollution.
Aim: To investigate the effects of various crop residues viz., paddy, sunflower, cotton and red gram on soil respiration.
Study Design: Completely Randomized Design.
Place and duration of study: Study was conducted for 120 days at soil science laboratory during the year 2023-24, School of Agriculture, SR university, Warangal.
Methodology: An incubation study was conducted after pre-incubation. Soil respiration was measured by alkali trap method, at different days after incubation.
Results: The results indicated that incorporating crop residues significantly increased soil respiration rates, with the highest CO₂ emissions observed in treatments with both residues and nitrogen. Among the treatments, soil with paddy residue and nitrogen showed the highest respiration rate, demonstrating the synergistic effect of residue incorporation and nitrogen addition in enhancing organic matter decomposition. The lowest soil respiration was recorded in soil alone (control) treatment throughout the incubation period.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the incorporation of crop residues, especially when combined with nitrogen, significantly enhances soil respiration. The research provides critical insights for developing strategies that promote sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the need for residue retention and appropriate nutrient management to maximize soil productivity while minimizing environmental impacts
Assessing Impact of Soil Physical and Chemical Properties on Erodibility Status in Ukpom Abak River Catchment of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
No full textThe study was conducted in Ukpom Abak River Catchment of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to examine the impact of soil physical properties and organic matter on erodibility status of the soils. Data for the study were collected using the systematic belt transects and the random sampling technique. Quadrats of 5m X 120m dimensions were established with twenty-four (24) quadrats of 5m by 5m. Thereafter 20 quadrats were randomly selected. Soil samples were collected from each steam order at a depth of 0-20 cm and were taken to the laboratory for analysis of some soil physical properties and organic matter content. Pearson’s product correlation, stepwise multiple regression and ANOVA were the analytical tool employed for data analysis. The results revealed that soils of Ukpom Abak drainage basin are basically sandy. The soil is moderately acidic (pH: 5.73) with relative medium mean value of organic matter of 1.36% (critical limits: low: ˂ 1%, medium:1 – 2 % and high: ˃ 2 %) while the bulk density (1.45 g/cm3) is optimal indicating less compaction. Ukpom Abak drainage basin has low erodibility status (0.0109). There was a positive correlation between organic matter and K-factor (r = 0.942, p<0.05); positive associations between sand (r = 0.081, p>0.05), silt (r = 0.158, p>0.05), particle density (r = 0.336, p>0.05), porosity (r = 0.361, p>0.05), hydraulic conductivity (r = 0.207, p>0.05), water aggregate stability (r = 0.005, p>0.05) and K-factor, while negative association exist between clay content (r = -0.246, p>0.05), bulk density (r = -0.308, p>0.05), soil moisture (r = -0.258, p>0.05) and K-factor
Integrated Nutrient Management Effects on Yield and Profitability of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) in the North-Western Himalayas
No full textAim: A field experiment was piloted to evaluate the agronomic efficiency and economic viability of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) under varying nutrient management systems, to identify sustainable practices for improving productivity and profitability in the region’s farming systems.
Study Design: The experiment was performed using randomized block design.
Place and Duration of Study: Current study was conducted at the experimental farm of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh (India) during kharif season of 2024.
Methodology: Different combined/sole nutrient sources were alienated into nine treatments which were replicated thrice.
Results: The application of N60P30K20 + FYM @ 5 t/ha + Azospirillum (T7) resulted in the highest plant height (115.7 cm) and effective tillers/m2 (169) which remained statistically at par with T6, having highest ear weight and thousand grain weight. The maximum total yield (grain + straw) (55.25 q/ha) was also achieved under T7. Similar treatment performed best in terms of net return (76.26 ₹thousand/ha), in contrast the highest B:C ratio (2.12) was originated in T6. Regression analysis revealed effective tillers/m² and plant height had a significant positive impact on grain and straw yield and net returns responded strongly to yield irrespective of cultivation cost.
Conclusion: Among the tested treatments, T7 and T6 offered the best balance between agronomic performance and economic returns, making both sustainable option for finger millet cultivation in the North-Western Himalayas vis-á-vis to farmers wellbeing
Effect of PROM and Nano Urea on Growth and Yield of Pearl Millet
No full textPROM is the alternate source of the phosphatic fertilizers. It is well documented that during composting process of organic waste a variety of organic acids are released. The interaction of organic acids released during composting results in P solubilization from RP for plant uptake. The present study aimed to determine the effect of PROM and nano urea on growth and yield of pearlmillet. A field experiment was conducted during kharif-rabi, 2022-23 and 2023-24 at the Agronomy Instruction Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India. The study comprised fifteen treatment combinations involving five levels PROM and three treatments of nano urea, tested in a randomized block design with factorial concept in three replications. Bartlett’s test was applied to examine the homogeneity of variance due to error. The variance obtained due to season x treatment components were tested against joint estimate of error variance with the objective to find out whether season x treatment interaction. The pooled results indicated that application of 200% RDP through PROM recorded significantly higher growth, yield attributes and yield parameters viz., plant height at 45 DAS and at harvest, effective tillers per plant, earhead length, grain and straw yields of pearlmillet. Nano urea spray did not exert any significant on plant height, number of effective tillers per plant and earhead length of peralmillet, but the application of 100% RDN through neem coated urea (N1) gave significantly the highest plant height at 45 and at harvest and earhead length of pearlmillet. The interaction effect of PROM and nano urea did not exert any significant effect on plant height at 45 DAS and at harvest, number of effective tillers per plant and earhead length of pearlmillet.The effectiveness of nano urea is lower compared to full nitrogen application through neem-coated urea. Thus, for maximizing pearlmillet yield, higher doses of PROM coupled with adequate nitrogen via NCU are recommended
Soil Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Quality of Worowo (Senecio biafrae) in Soils Treated with Neem-Enriched Cow Dung/Sawdust Compost
No full textAims: This study examined the dynamics of soil nutrients and nutritional quality of worowo (Senecio biafrae) using cow dung/sawdust compost enriched with neem meal.
Study Design: The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).
Place and Duration of Study: The study site was the Teaching and Research Farm of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, between March and October, in years 2020 and 2021.
Methodology: In two seasons, 20 cm worowo vines were planted in 8m2 beds, with six treatments replicated four times. NPK 15-15-15 at 60 kg N/ha was contrasted with CDSNM (60 g N/kg) applied at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t/ha. The organic treatments were applied at two weeks before planting, and NPK applied two weeks after planting. Soil’s attributes and nutritional contents of worowo were measured at 180 days after planting in the two seasons. Soil and vegetable sample were collected, prepared, and taken to the laboratory for analysis.
Results: Soil’s attributes were enhanced by the addition of CDSNM. The SOM, N, P and K quantities in the first season were 15.5 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, 15.5 mg/kg and 0.5 cmol/kg, which increased to 19.5 g/kg, 2.7 g/kg, 24.4 mg/kg and 1.3 cmol/kg respectively, in the second season. Worowo’s quality improved by the addition of the organic source. Vines produced by CDSNM applied at 40 t/ha had higher Crude-fibre (CF), protein, moisture, ash, and mineral contents than NPK and the other treatments, at both seasons. The CF contents were in the order: 40 t/ha-12.00±0.59> NPK-11.20±0.59> 30 t/ha-11.00±0.59> 20 t/ha-10.62±0.59>Control-10.50±0.59> 10 t/ha-10.45±0.59, which followed the same order at the second season.
Conclusion: The organic-N-enriched compost positively impacted the soil and nutritional quality (CF in particular), of worowo vegetables. Application of 40 t/ha of CDSNM could therefore be adopted for optimal production of more nutritious worowo vines
Land Use Based Soil Site Suitability Assessment for Cereal and Oilseed Crops in Bada Micro Watershed (4D4F2j05) of Haveri District, Karnataka, India
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the soil site suitability of forest, barren, agricultural and horticultural land use systems within the Bada micro watershed of Haveri district, located in the Northern Transition Zone (Zone 8) of Karnataka. A base map (1:7,920 scale) integrated with satellite imagery was used to identify and excavate eight soil profiles, two from each land use system. Morphological features were recorded and horizon wise samples were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The suitability of these land use systems for major cereal (paddy, maize, sorghum) and oilseed (groundnut, soybean, sunflower) crops was subsequently evaluated using the limitation method. This assessment considered factors such as oxygen availability to roots, nutrient availability, rooting conditions, soil toxicity and erosion as primary criteria. Crop suitability maps were generated using ArcGIS software. The findings revealed that across forest, agricultural and horticultural land use systems, crop suitability ranged from highly suitable (S1) to marginally suitable (S3). Specifically, 33.17% of the total area was classified as highly suitable (S1) for the cultivation of the sorghum crop. In contrast, 52.25% of the area was classified as marginally suitable (S3) for paddy cultivation, while 1.36% of the area was determined to be marginally suitable (S3) for the production of maize, sorghum, soybean and sunflower. These findings establish a fundamental understanding of soil constraints, providing critical insights that inform the selection of suitable crops specifically adapted to the study region
Humic Acid-induced Changes in Soluble Cadmium and Associated Chemical Properties of Entisols and Inceptisols
No full textAims: The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of soluble Cd and selected chemical properties after the application of humic acid in Inceptisols and Entisols.
Study Design: The experiment used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 2 factors. The first factor was the soil sample (Entisols and Inceptisols), while the second factor was the rate of humic acid application, consisting of 0 g kg-1 (control); 10 g kg-1; and 20 g kg-1.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was located in Soil Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu. Inceptisols were collected from Seginim, Air Nipis District, South Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province and Entisols were sampled from Muara Bangka Hulu District, Bengkulu Province. Each treatment combination was repeated three times.
Methodology: Three hundred g of soil was treated with 100 mg kg-1 Cd and placed in a 500 ml plastic glass. Humic acid was added according to the treatment and mixed homogeneously. The sample was maintained at field capacity moisture content by adding distilled water every day. Medium pH was monitored every week.
Results: Results showed that the application of humic acid to the rate of 20 g kg-1 did not significantly reduce the solubility of Cd. Nonetheless, humic acid at the same rate increased soil pH by 23%, organic-C by 32% and CEC by 45% compared with the control. Entisols had higher soil pH and organic-C but lower CEC than Inceptisols. The concentration of soluble Cd was not significantly different between the two soil samples.
Conclusion: The findings indicates that while humic acid improves vital soil chemical properties, its effectiveness in immobilizing Cd may be dependent on application rate and soil types. Further optimization of humic acid formulations and management practices is necessary to improve Cd-contaminated soils
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Fe Nanoparticles Using Neem (Azadirachta indica L.) Leaves
No full textA laboratory study for synthesis and characterization of iron nanoparticles was conducted at laboratory of Department of Nanotechnology and Centre for advanced Research in Plant Tissue Culture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The Fe nanoparticle synthesized by green method and subsequently characterized for size (Dynamic Light Scattering), functional group (FTIR) and absorbance spectra (UV-VIS Spectrophotometer). The hydrodynamic average diameter was 22.02 nm, Polydispersity index (Pdi) of 0.248 and Kilo count per second (Kcps) of 228.6 for Fe nanoparticles. The FTIR showed 3219.06 cm−1, 1637.15 cm-1 confirmed presence of Fe nanoparticles. The UV-Visible spectra of the green synthesized Fe nanoparticles found an absorption peak at 256 nm. The FeCl3.6H2O and the neem leaf extract reacted, the color of the reaction mixture quickly changed from yellow to a dark brown color
Standardization of Potting Media Composition for Pot Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)
No full textThis experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different potting media compositions on growth and flowering of pot mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. Syn. Dendranthema grandiflora) cv. Sadhbhavana. Potting media compositions were comprised of five media viz. soil, vermicompost, cocopeat, perlite and vermiculite in different proportions (v/v). The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated thrice with five pots per treatment. The results revealed that media comprising cocopeat + vermicompost (2:1 v/v) recorded maximum plant height, number of primary and secondary branches per plant and plant spread. Significantly earliest bud appearance (85.95 days), colour break stage (96.13 days) and 50% flowering (105.00 days) with longest blooming period (60.13 days) and highest number of flowers per plant (146.13) were also recorded in the same media composition. Maximum flower diameter was recorded in media composition cocopeat + vermicompost (2:1v/v) which was statistically at par with vermiculite + vermicompost (2:1 v/v). Results of this study indicate that certain chemical and physical properties of potting media changed with the change in composition and using cocopeat + vermicompost 2:1 v/v as media is best for production of pot mum cv. Sadhbhavana with good growth and flowering attributes