To study the response of sweet corn to varied fertilizer doses and planting geometry, a field experiment was conducted at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during kharif 2018.Four planting geometries (60 × 25 cm, 60 × 30 cm, 75 × 25 cm and 75 × 30 cm) were assigned to main plots, while three doses of NPK (120+60+40, 150+75+50 and 180+90+60 kg N+P2O5 +K2O/ha) were allocated to sub plots with in a splitplot design. The results revealed that the narrowest planting geometry, i.e., 60 × 25 cm, exhibited significantly higher husked cob yield (13325 kg/ha) and dehusked cob yield (10327 kg/ha) compared to the widest geometry of 75 × 30 cm, although it remained comparable with the other geometries. Planting geometry did not significantly affect the uptake of N, P and K. Notably, the 60 × 25 cm geometry resulted in significantly higher gross returns (Rs. 199875/ha), which were on par with the 60 × 30 cm geometry. Similarly, the net returns (Rs. 150176/ha) and BC ratio (3.02) were maximum under the 60 × 25 cm geometry, although differences were not significant. Regarding nutrient levels, the application of 180+90+60 kg N+P2O5 +K2O/ha resulted increase in husked cob yield (12687 kg/ha) and dehusked cob yield (10351 kg/ha), but the differences were not significant. However, crops fertilized with 180+90+60 kg N+P2O5 +K2O/ha exhibited significantly higher nutrient uptake. Gross returns, net returns and BC ratio did not significantly differ among different nutrient levels
The field experiment was carried out during the Rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23 at experimental block, School of Agricultural Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University (SAS-SGRRU), Pathribagh, Dehradun, Uttarakhand to study the effect of various nutrient management approaches on NPK content, NPK uptake and protein content in wheat. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three organic nutrient management treatments in main plots i.e., organic farming practices (vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + seed inoculation with Azotobacter and PSB + 2 sprays of vermiwash at 30 & 45 DAS); Natural farming practices (sieved cow dung @ 2.5 t ha-1 + seed treatment with Bijamrit + Jeevamrit @ 200 l ha-1); and absolute control. The sub-plots comprised 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), 75% RDF, 50% RDF and 25% RDF. The experiment had three replications. The results revealed that the integration of organic farming practices, natural farming practices and different doses of NPK fertilizers influenced all the quality parameters in wheat grain during both the years. Organic farming practices exhibited 15% and 12% increment in protein content during 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively, compared to the absolute control; and 12% and 8% increase over natural farming practices. However, 75% RDF secured 10% and 7% more protein over 100 % RDF, 13% and 11% over 50% RDF and 19% and 10% over 25% RDF during both the consecutive years, respectively. Furthermore, NPK content and uptake by grains and straw were found to be higher in organic farming practices and 75% RDF as compared to other treatments. Thus, adoption of organic farming practices coupled with application of 75% NPK is recommended for enhancing protein, nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content, thereby sustaining nutritional quality of wheat in the western Himalayan zones of Uttarakhand.
Characterization and Fertility capability classification was carried out on some soils in the rainforest zone of Edo state to assess the native fertility status of the soil. Different soil types were identified through rigid grid soil survey procedure that produced two mapping units in each of the site studied (Sites A and B). Each mapping unit was represented by a modal class profile, which was sunk, described, sampled and analyzed using standard laboratory methods. The results revealed that the entire study area had a sandy top soil (0 - 20cm) with sand fraction of particle size ranging from 660 to 960 gkg- ¹, silt ranged from 10 to 44 gkg- ¹ and clay had values ranging from 30 to 320 gkg- ¹. Soil pH ranged from very strongly acidic (4.86) to slightly acidic (6.38); nutrient reserve was equally low as expressed by the low potassium values (K <0.2 cmolkg-¹) which ranged from 0.01 to 0.29 cmolkg-¹; and low Organic Carbon values (1.30 to 23.13 gkg-¹). The mean values ranged from 787gkg-1- 886gkg-1 for sand, 15 gkg-1 - 26.8gkg-1for silt and 88gkg-1- 190gkg-1for clay. The result of Fertility capability classification (FCC) showed that mapping units 1A (site A) and 1B (site B) were classified as FCC unit SSa-n-Kem; mapping units 2A (site A) and 2B (site B) were classified as SLa-n-Kem. This indicates that the soils of the study area are quite fertile and application of soil amendments, such as Organic fertilizers would enhance cation exchange capacity; biochar application would help to prevent high leaching rate of nutrients prevalent in the area and improve the inherent soil fertility.
In the present study, undertaken in 2021-23 at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, fifteen guava orchards were selected based on variation in soils properties and guava crop dominance from five districts viz. Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukahetra, Karnal and Kaithal from North-East region of Haryana. Representative pedons were excavated and morphological features were examined systematically in situ in the field, and horizon wise samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for physico-chemical properties. Results indicated that soils of the study area were placed under three orders i.e., Inceptisols, Entisols, and Alfisols and taxonomically classified as coarse loamy, calcareous, Typic Ustorthents/Ustochrepts for recent alluvial plains, Typic Haplustepts, and Typic Natroustlf for old alluvial plains. Also, the results differentiated the soils into two land capability classes (II and III), three land suitability classes (S1, S2, and S3), and three land irrigability classes (S1, S2, and S3) due to soils, pedogenic processes, and topographic limitations. Thus, the results indicated that the variation in geomorphic units affects soil properties. The information generated in the study would be useful for effective management of the guava-growing soils in the study area, and further mapping of the suitable areas may pave the way for effective implementation of policy decisions for the development of a particular area for a specific purpose.
Capsicum annuum Linn. plants were raised in pots containing soil, treated with various concentrations of Cd and Pb for assessment of impact of heavy metals on growth, quality and yield parameters. In pot experiment, the graded doses of Cd and Pb exerted significant influence on the morphological characters like leaf area, number of branches and leaves, plant height, fruit yield, above ground biomass (AGB) and dry root weight. Highest dose combination of Cd40Pb200 exerted maximum adverse influences. The highest doses of Cd40 and Pb200 resulted in minimum leaf area (10.35cm2), number of branches (2.19), number of leaves (190.00), plant height (40.06cm), fruit yield/plant (343.2g/plant), AGB (16.39g) and dry root weight (1.39g/ plant). This high dose treatment combination also caused 49.15% reduction in fruit yield and 21.81% decrease in the above ground biomass. The lowest chlorophyll contents were found (1.706mg/g) in Cd40Pb200 combination as compared to 2.059mg/g in control. Ascorbic acid content in fruits was increased considerably with increase in levels of Cd and Pb which ranged between 113.19 to 120.31mg/100g. Mycorrhizal fungi inoculations for bio-remedified of toxic effect of Cd and Pb, resulted in lower build-up of these metals in soil and various plant parts of capsicum.
