8 research outputs found
Impact of Various Cropping Systems on the Status and Distribution of Selected Micronutrients in Subtropical Region of Himachal Pradesh, India
No full textGlobally, the majority of farmers use various cropping systems. In order to increase the production of food grains, the adaptation of these cropping systems necessitates intensive cultivation, which eventually calls for a greater quantity of macronutrients as well as micronutrients. The availability of micronutrients is greatly influenced by cropping practices, their distribution by profile and chemical pools, and their accessibility to plants. Many crops can reach beneath the soil layers and access the micronutrients with their deep roots, which they require to grow. The present study was conducted to quantify the impact of different cropping systems on DTPA extractable micronutrients viz., Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn over time. Soil samples were collected from the surface layer (0-15 cm) of four cropping systems i.e., cereal-cereal (CC), cereal-oilseed (CO), vegetable-vegetable (VV), and fodder-fodder (FF). The micronutrient cations were found highest under the VV cropping system when compared with all four cropping systems. The results illustrate that availability of micronutrients is affected by the presence of high organic carbon content and favourable soil reaction. 
Long-term Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Chemical and Microbial Properties of Soil under Rice (Oryza sativa L.)-Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) System in an Acid Alfisol
No full textAims: The aim of the investigation was to see the long-term effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on chemical and microbiological properties of soil after 17 cycles of a rice-wheat cropping system.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in an on-going long-term fertilizer experiment initiated during 1991 at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Methodology: The experiment comprised of 8 treatment combinations viz., N, P and K fertilizer application as individual component and use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with different organic sources i.e. farm yard manure (FYM), wheat straw (WS), and green manure (GM) with Sesbania aculeata to substitute 25 or 50% N through organics.
Results: The highest grain yield was 43.37 q ha-1 in treatment receiving 50% NPK + 50% N through FYM and lowest of 26.70 q ha-1 under control. The highest increase of organic carbon of about 55.2 per cent over control was observed under treatment receiving 50% N substituted through FYM during summer every year. Similarly, the highest soil microbial biomass carbon (248.50 mg kg-1), microbial biomass nitrogen (38.25 mg kg-1) and respiratory activities (153 mg kg-1) was observed in the same treatment. Total nitrogen was highest (928 mg kg-1) under 50% NPK + 50% N through green manure in summer followed by 100% NPK in winter.
Conclusion: Application of 50% N through organics plus 50% NPK through chemical fertilizers was better than other treatments in improving chemical and microbiological properties of soil and in sustaining the crop yields
Effect of a four-decade long application of fertilizers, farmyard manure and lime, on forms of soil acidity and their relationship with yield of wheat and maize in an acid Alfisol
No full textSpatial Heterogeneity of Soil Micronutrients in Shivalik Foothill Zone of Himachal Pradesh: A Cross-Site Investigation of Soil Fertility
No full textAgricultural soils are subjected to constant management practices which influences their nutrient status. Further, micronutrients play a crucial role in determining optimal crop growth and yield for majority of the commercial crop roster. Keeping this under consideration, an investigation was carried out for micronutrient status of soils of Indora block of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Ninety-nine representative soil samples (0-20cm) were collected from the farms primarily growing cauliflower in 400m2 area (minimum). The profile samples were analyzed for DTPA micronutrients by method Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) which was found to be sufficient in Cu and Fe. However, for DTPA-extractable Zn and Mn it varies from 1.12 to 4.30 and 2.04 to 7.20 mg kg-1. These findings emphasize the importance of soil testing and site-specific nutrient management to address potential deficiencies, optimization of crop productivity in the region and promote policy making protocols for the local farming community
Effect of Continuous Application of Fertilizers, Farmyard Manure and Lime on Soil Fertility and Productivity of the Maize-Wheat System in an Acid Alfisol
No full textSynergistic Effect of Nitrogen Substitution through Vermicompost on Productivity and Quality of Cauliflower in Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh, India
No full textAims: To evaluate impact of substituting inorganic nitrogen source with vermicompost, alone and in association with Azotobacter, on the growth, yield and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.).
Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD).
Place and Duration of Study: Experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh during the Rabi season.
Methodology: The layout of the experiment was Randomized Block Design (RBD) comprising 11 treatments replicated thrice.
Results: The experimental data were statistically analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique at a 5% level of significance. The treatment involving 100% replacement of the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through vermicompost combined with Azotobacter recorded the highest plant height (51.36 cm), leaf count (23.68), curd diameter (15.13 cm), curd weight (906.23 g) and curd yield (268.37 q ha⁻¹). This subsitutional approach significantly improved curd quality with higher crude protein (24.17%), TSS (7.21°B) and enhanced total macro and micronutrient content. Vermicompost enriched soil properties and nutrient availability, while Azotobacter enhanced nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the complete substitution of RDN with vermicompost in addition to Azotobacter sustains yield and quality and promotes soil health, offering a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers in cauliflower cultivation
Concept and Assessment Methodology of Soil Quality: A Review
No full textSoil analysis is commonly used to gauge its quality and suitability for diverse purposes from local to national evaluations. However, the complexity of soils, their site-specific traits, past land use impacts, and balancing ecosystem benefits pose significant challenges in identifying relevant parameters and interpreting measurements. This manuscript comprehensively reviews and examines the concept and assessment methodologies of soil quality. It is evaluated to learn about the effects of management practices on soil function. Sustainability of agriculture system is inwardly linked to maintenance of soil quality. Therefore, soil quality assessment is of paramount importance to know the appropriate management practices to be adopted for sustainable crop production. By just measuring yield of crop, quality of water or any other, soil quality cannot be judged. As we know, soil have different properties (chemical, physical and biological), that interact in a precipitously manner to give, soil its capacity to perform or function. Thus, soil capacity can be surmised from measuring changes in its properties or of ecosystem’ sattributes and cannot be measured directly. Assessment of Soil quality composed of three key steps (1) Selection, measurement and minimization of the set of relevant soil attributes. (2) Quantification of the selected soil attributes through direct measurement and assigning an appropriate Score. (3) Integration among the scored attributes to construct the final index, by providing criteria for defining the weight of each attribute or group of attributes. Soil quality assessment will allow interpreter to identify the attributes which are most significant, quantify the relative contribution of soil properties and subsequently assess the overall quality of soils. The review study aims to inspire researchers by integrating a detailed information on soil quality assessment and promoting the sustainable practices in preservation and enhancement of soil quality
