Effect of vam fungi and applied phosphorus through stcr precision model on growth, yield and nutrient dynamics in maize in acid alfisol

The Inoculation of three VAM cultures viz. local culture (Glomus mosseae), VAM culture from IARI, New Delhi (Glomus mosseae) and a culture from The Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi (Glomus Intraradices) alone or with increasing applied phosphorus levels from 25 to 75% of recommended P2OS based on soil test crop response (STCR) precision model improved the plant height, shoot and root dry matter accumulation, root length and root weight density as well as yield attributes of ralnfed maize in an acid alflsol of NW Himalayas. It was revealed that sole application of any of 3 VAM fungi did not have pronounced effect on phenologlcal stages though combined application of VAM cultures with increasing P levels from 25 to 75% of recommended P2O5 reduced the days to various phenologlcal stages, it was reported that sole application of these 3 VAM cultures improved the maize grain yield by 17.10 to 25.36% over control. Increase in P levels from 25 to 75% of recommended P2O5 besides VAM inoculation resulted in consistent and significant Improvement In grain, stover and biological yield of maize. 75% of recommended P2O5 alongwith VAM cultures achieved the goal of targeted yield (40 q ha"1) of maize, thus, saving the applied P to the tune of about 25% without Impairing the soil fertility in the present stud

Scaling-up of toria (Brassica campestris) productivity using diverse agro-techniques in eastern Himalayan region

Field experimentation on toria (Brassica campestris L.) was carried out with the major objective of utilizing the fallow land after rainy season by following suitable management practices in the region. Results revealed that under conventional tillage, roots were 39.1% longer and 36.8% heavier biomass, contrarily no tillage had 6% more soil organic carbon. The seed yield improved by 44.8% with minimum tillage over no tillage. Crop sown on 15 October obtained 16.9-47.6% additional seed yield over before and after sown crops, but line sowing evidenced 22.1% higher seed yield than the broadcasting. Planting geometry with 30x15 cm noticed 3.1-32.9% more seed yield. Nitrogen application at 75 kg/ha had 5.3-47% improvement of seed yield, whereas nitrogen use efficiency was highest with 50 kg/ha. Phosphorus application at 50 kg/ha added 61.5% more yield, whereas phosphorus-use efficiency was highest at 25 kg/ha. Twice irrigation at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) noticed 40.5% extra seed yield, contrary water-use efficiency was highest with single irrigation at 30 DAS over no irrigation. Hand weeding twice at 25 and 50 DAS supplemented the seed yield by 52.6% with 55.7% weed control efficiency over no weeding. Adoption of better package of practices in newer area under existing cropping system will play a key role in future yield improvement. Therefore, as per the resource availability feasible technologies may harness higher seed yield of toria in eastern Himalayas

Productivity, competition behaviour and weed dynamics of various row proportions of maize (Zea mays)-legumes intercropping in Arunachal Pradesh

Intercropping is the simultaneous cultivation of more than one crop species on the same piece of land and is regulated as the practical application of basic ecological principles such as diversity, competition and facilitation. Farmers of the region sow many crops in a piece of land, without following any row proportion geometrics and hence crop productivity is considerably low. A research was carried out to assess the feasibility of raising intercrops in association with maize (Zea mays L.) at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Basar during 2010 and 2011. The results indicated that biomass accumulation was the highest with 1:1 than in the 1:5 row proportions. Leaf area index of maize with intercrop was the highest with 1:5 row proportions. The maize grain yield was obtained relatively higher with solitary maize followed by 1:2 of maize-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Maize equivalent yield was 55.5% higher with 1:5 of maize-groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) over the solitary maize, consequently, production efficiency was remarkably improved by 48.9% with 1:5 of maize-groundnut. Land equivalent ratio, area time equivalent ratio and monetory advantage index were favourable for the intercropping implying their intrinsic advantage over solitary planting. Weed density and dry biomass were lower with 1:5 row proportions which resulted in higher weed smothering efficiency

Influence of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Applied Phosphorus on Root Colonization in Wheat and Plant Nutrient Dynamics in a Phosphorus-Deficient Acid Alfisol of Western Himalayas

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi symbiosis confers benefits directly to the host plant's growth and yield through acquisition of phosphorus and other macro- and micronutrients, especially from phosphorus (P)–deficient acidic soils. The inoculation of three VAM cultures [viz., local culture (Glomus mosseae), VAM culture from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (Glomus mosseae), and a culture from the Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi (Glomus intraradices)] along with P fertilization in wheat in a P-deficient acidic alfisol improved the root colonization by 16–24% while grain and straw yields increased by 12.6–15.7% and 13.4–15.4%, respectively, over the control. Uptake of nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) was also improved with VAM inoculation over control, but the magnitude of uptake was significantly greater only in the cases of P, Fe, Zn, and Cu. Inoculation of wheat with three VAM cultures in combination with increasing inorganic P application from 50% to 75% of the recommended P2O5 dose to wheat through the targeted yield concept following the soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model resulted in consistent and significant improvement in grain and straw yield, macronutrient (NPK) uptake, and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) uptake in wheat though root colonization did not improve at P2O5 doses beyond 50% of the recommended dose. The VAM cultures alone or in combination with increasing P levels from 50% to 75% P2O5 dose resulted in reduction of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) contents in P-deficient acidic soil over the control and initial fertility status, although micronutrient contents were relatively greater in VAM-supplied plots alone or in combination with 50% to 75% P2O5 dose over sole application of 100% P2O5 dose, thereby indicating the positive role of VAM in nutrient mobilization and nutrient dynamics in the soil–plant system. There was significant improvement in available N and P status in soil with VAM inoculation coupled with increasing P levels upto 75% P2O5 dose, although the greatest P buildup was obtained with sole application of 100% P2O5 dose. The TERI VAM culture (Glomus intraradices) showed its superiority over the other two cultures (Glomus mosseae) in terms of crop yield and nutrient uptake in wheat though the differences were nonsignificant among the VAM cultures alone or at each P level. Overall, it was inferred that use of VA-mycorrhizal fungi is beneficial under low soil P or in low input (nutrient)–intensive agroecosystems

Low-frequency dielectric processes in deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystals

A low-frequency dielectric relaxation mode in deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (DHFLC) has been observed at the interface of strongly rubbed substrates and DHFLC material which may find applications in low power consumption FLC devices. The surface-induced dielectric relaxation process at the interface of DHFLC and substrate is called the partially unwound helical mode (p-UHM) due to the unwinding of the helical structure at this interface. After investigation of the material under various parameters such as temperature, variation of the amplitude of probing ac voltage and dc bias voltage, the relaxation frequency of p-UHM is found to be shifted towards Goldstone mode and merged with it. The relaxation frequency of Goldstone mode is found to decrease, whereas the relaxation frequency of p-UHM process increases with the increase in temperature of DHFLC. Finally, both the modes merge and the resultant relaxation frequency is found to be lower than Goldstone mode in SmC* phase. It seems that phason mode and partial helical unwinding mode are coupled together due to dipole moment that is resulting in a new relaxation frequency. p-UHM process is significant for low-power displays and non-displays applications like a part of sensor where weak electric signal is required to be realized without pre-amplification

Crop establishment methods and Zn nutrition in Bt-cotton: Direct effects on system productivity, economic-efficiency and water-productivity in Bt-cotton-wheat cropping system and their residual effects on yield and Zn biofortification in wheat

A field experiment was conducted at New Delhi (India) during kharif and rabi seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 to assess the performance of 2 crop establishment methods (CEMs) of Bt-cotton [Direct sowing and transplanting] and 5 zinc (Zn) levels [0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 kg Zn/ha through zinc sulphate hepta hydrate (ZSHH) and 0.5% ZnSO4 (ZSHH) foliar spray at 60 and 90 days after planting] applied to Bt-cotton on the system productivity, production–efficiency, economic–efficiency and water–productivity of Bt-cotton–wheat cropping system; as well as their residual effects on succeeding wheat in a Bt-cotton–wheat cropping system (CWCS) in a semi–arid Indo–Gangetic Plains Region (IGPR). In succeeding wheat, the residual effects of Zn levels applied to cotton were also compared with direct effect of Zn applied to wheat by replacing the foliar Zn spray treatment of cotton with Zn @ 5 kg/ha in wheat. The results revealed that direct and residual effects of cotton CEMs were non–significant on yield attributes and yield of wheat. However, the residual effects of Zn @ 5 and 7.5 kg/ha were significant on yield attributes and yield of wheat. Direct effect of Zn @ 5 kg/ha applied in wheat was at par with residual effects of 5 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha applied to cotton. In general, wheat grain yield was enhanced by 12.6, 12.3 and 12.9% during 2013–14, and 9.9, 8.1 and 8.3% during 2014–15 over control due to direct and residual effect of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha, respectively. Similarly on wheat straw yield. The influence of cotton CEMs on CWCS system productivity was non–significant. However, direct and residual effects of Zn levels induced a marked variation in CWCS system productivity as well as residual Zn fertility. Successive increase in Zn levels from 0 to 5 kg/ha in cotton resulted in significant increase in system productivity; thereafter, application of Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha revealed a non–significant influence. On an average, CWCS system productivity enhanced by 7.7% due to direct effect of 5 kg Zn/ha applied to wheat, and by 4.8, 10 and 9.9% due to residual effect of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 kg Zn/ ha over control. With successive increase in Zn–levels to cotton, a significant Zn–enrichment of wheat grain and straw was also observed. Cotton CEMs exhibited a significant influence on Zn content and uptake in wheat straw but with non-significant influence on wheat grains. Again, cotton CEMs exhibited a non–significant influence on system production–efficiency (PE), economic–efficiency (EE) and profitability. On the other hand, successive increase in Zn levels to cotton resulted in perceptible increase in system PE and EE up to 5 kg Zn/ha. Foliar Zn spray to cotton and direct Zn application to wheat also exhibited significant increase in system PE and EE over control, but, this treatment was at par with direct and residual effects of 5 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha. There was a significant influence of CEMs and Zn levels on water–use–efficiency (WUE) and water–productivity (WP) in CWCS. Residual effects of 5 and 7.5 kg Zn/ ha applied to cotton resulted in significantly higher net returns (NR) and benefit: cost ratio (BCR). Direct effect of 5 kg Zn/ha to wheat also exhibited higher NR and BCR in CWCS over control and residual effect of 2.5 kg Zn/ha. Overall, successive increase in Zn–levels led to significant enhancement in system productivity, PE, EE and water productivity up to 5 kg Zn/ha. The residual effects of 5 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha applied to Bt-cotton exhibited a significant influence on productivity, profitability and Zn biofortification of succeeding wheat which also remained at par with direct application of 5 kg Zn/ha applied to wheat in a Bt-cotton–wheat cropping system in a semi–arid IGPR

Influence of organic nutrient sources and moisture management on productivity, biofortification and soil health in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) + clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonaloba) intercropping system of semi-arid India

A field experimentation was carried out at New Delhi, India for three years (2010-12) under rainfed semi-arid conditions to assess the effect of three organic nutrient sources and two moisture management practices on productivity, biofortification and soil health under pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonaloba (L.) Taub] intercropping system (PCIS). In current study, the pearl millet grain yield under sole pearl millet was at par with PCIS while its stover yield reduced by 5%. Under PCIS, inclusion of clusterbean led to significant reduction in clusterbean yield compared to its sole stand, however, PCIS system productivity was more over their sole crop stands, indicating that additive series of PCIS may bring more net economic gains over their sole stands in semi-arid ecology of India. The coarse cereal-legume interactions under PCIS have also led to improved protein content in pearl millet (11.2%) over its sole stand (10.7%). Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiency is a common feature in semi-arid India and the crops grown as well. Study revealed that Zn and Fe content in pearl millet were increased by 6.5 and 1.6%, respectively, by the inclusion of clusterbean in PCIS. Plant growth, yield attributes and yield of pearl millet and clusterbean crops showed an improvement under flat sowing + organic mulching (FS+OM) over ridge and furrow sowing (RFS) but the differences were non-significant. Among organic nutrient sources, leaf compost (LC) @ 10 t/ha and FYM @ 10 t/ha produced significantly more system productivity in terms of pearl millet-equivalent-yield (PEY) than 100% RDF and control. Protein content both in pearl millet and clusterbean, and Zn and Fe biofortification in pearl millet grains was higher under FYM treated plots closely followed by LC, and leaf + cowdung mixture compost. Application of organics especially FYM @ 10 t/ha also resulted in improved soil health in terms of bulk density, soil organic carbon and NPK status after three years experimentation

Genetic diversity analysis in tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) germplasm lines

An experiment was conducted to examine the magnitude of genetic diversity and characters contributing to genetic diversity among 81 tossa jute genotypes. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean squared distances and ward’s method, the genotypes were grouped into ten distinct clusters. Analysis reveals that stick weight contributes maximum to the phenotypic diversity (65.52%) followed by green weight (13.64%) and fibre yield (10.10%). Among the clusters Cluster IX recorded highest mean fibre yield (19.91g) followed by Cluster VII (18.94g) and these clusters also recorded high mean values for plant height, basal diameter, green weight and stick weight. The highest inter- cluster distance was 186.80 (between clusters II and X) followed by 161.26 (between clusters IV and X), indicating the wide genetic diversity among these clusters. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in cluster II (20.34) and the lowest in cluster X (3.17). The average inter-cluster distances were higher than the average intra-cluster distances, which shows the presence of wide genetic diversity among the genotypes of different clusters than those of the same cluster. The first two principal components, whose Eigen values are greater than one, accounted for 74% of the total variation among the five characters. The information obtained from diversity analysis is useful in planning further breeding programme for tossa jute improvement

Influence of tillage practices and crop diversification on productivity and soil health in maize (Zea mays)/soybean (Glycine max) based cropping systems

A field experiment was conducted at New Delhi during 2010–12 to find-out the influence of tillage practices and cropping systems on crop productivity and soil health in maize (Zea mays L.)/soybean (Glycine max L.) based cropping systems. Results revealed that minimum tillage with crop residue mulch improved the yield of component crops by 5–22% as well as system productivity by 5.4–7.1% in current study. The effect of minimum tillage on crop yields was more pronounced among summer season crops followed by winter season crops. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and available NPK as well as S exhibited marked improvement due to minimum tillage over conventional tillage. Soil pH and soil physical properties revealed favourable effects of minimum tillage over initial status. On an average, maize/soybean grown after summer greengram observed about 10–12% increase in yield than grown after spring sunflower. Winter season wheat, coriander, fenugreek, vegetable pea and potato exhibited 10.4, 6.9, 3.8, 6 and 11% higher yield after soybean compared to their respective yields after maize. Yield of spring sunflower in soybean– vegetable pea–sunflower system was 18 and 11% higher than its yield in maize–potato–sunflower and maize– vegetable pea–sunflower systems, respectively. The productivity of soybean based cropping systems was higher than that of maize based systems. With intervention of vegetable pea and potato during winter and sunflower during spring; the productivity of maize/soybean–vegetable pea/potato–sunflower systems was enhanced by 128% over maize/soybean–wheat–greengram systems. Similarly, replacement of wheat with coriander in maize/soybean–wheat– greengram system also improved the system productivity markedly. Diversified soybean–fenugreek/wheat/coriander– greengram systems also led to a marked improvement in SOC over initial status. Intervention of legumes also improved the available N, while cropping systems without non–legumes showed a decline in available N over initial status

Improving Phosphorus Use through Co-inoculation of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria in Maize in an Acidic Alfisol

Performance of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi cultures and a phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) culture alone or in combination with or without 75% of the recommended P2O5 dose based on soil-test crop response model was examined in maize in a phosphorus (P)-deficient acidic Alfisol in a glasshouse pot experiment. Sole application of VAM besides co-inoculation with PSB (Pseudomonas striata) and inorganic P stimulated mycorrhizal root colonization. Sole application of PSB, VAMT (Glomus intraradices), and VAMI (Glomus mosseae) as well as co-inoculation of VAM with PSB significantly improved crop productivity besides grain protein content, thus indicating a synergistic interaction between VAM and PSB. Application of VAMT or VAMI + PSB + 75% P2O5 remained at par with sole application of 100% P2O5 dose with regard to productivity, nutrient uptake, and soil fertility status (particularly P), thus indicating economization of fertilizer P to the tune of about 25% without compromising crop productivity and soil fertility in an acidic Alfisol