Sulphur-coated urea as a source of sulphur and an enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer for spring wheat

Use of high analysis fertilizers such as diammonium phosphate in place of ordinary superphosphate and urea in place of ammonium sulphate over years, sulphur application to crop fields has considerably decreased, which has led to widespread sulphur deficiency in Indian soils. Hence, considering this into account a field study for two years was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate sulphur-coated urea (SCU) as a source of sulphur (S) and an enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer. Prilled urea (PU) coated with 4 to 5% S significantly increased wheat grain yield to the tune of 9.58 to 11.21% and nitrogen 19.06 to 23.94% and sulphur uptake 21.76 to 29.29% over prilled urea alone by wheat. However, net return and benefit: cost ratio was the highest and significant at 5% S coating onto PU. Five % SCU supplied 50% of the sulphur needs of the wheat crop and enhanced nitrogen recovery efficiency by 60% and is therefore recommended as sulphur as well as enhanced efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer for wheat in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. This is an important finding considering the environmental safety by increased nitrogen recovery and also productivity in present scenario

Interactive Effect of Phosphorus Fertilization and Rhizobial Inoculation on Symbiotic and Growth Potential of Selected Chickpea Cultivars

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rhizobia and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) on nodulation and plant growth-promotion (PGP) traits of chickpea cultivars under field conditions at IARI, New Delhi and ICRISAT, Patancheru during the Rabi season of 2014-15. Two chickpea cultivars, JAKI 9218 and Shubhra, were used in common by both the institutes, while the third cultivar varied; IARI used PUSA 372, whereas ICRISAT used JG11, popular variety of the respective locations. The seeds were subjected to four treatments, including T1 = positive control (only DAP); T2 = only rhizobia; T3 = rhizobia and DAP; and T4 = absolute control (no rhizobia and DAP). Manual planting was done in split plot design with three replications. Observations, including nodule number, nodule weight, shoot weight, root weight, pod weight, pod number, grain yield, stover yield, N and P uptake from shoots were recorded. Seed inoculation with rhizobia (T2 and T3) significantly enhanced nodulation and growth over un-inoculated controls (T1 and T4) at both IARI and ICRISAT locations. Among T2 and T3, nodule weight observed was more in T3 than T2 at both IARI and ICRISAT locations, except in case of one cultivar (Subhra) at ICRISAT where T2 was significantly higher than T3.Among the cultivars, Subhra was found to be more compatible to rhizobial strains used in this study than the other two cultivars at both the locations. At crop maturity stage, data were collected only at ICRISAT location due to hostile weather conditions at IARI. At ICRISAT, T3 recorded significantly higher shoot weight (up to 25%), pod weight (up to 37%), pod number (up to 16%), grain yield (up to 25%), stover yield (up to 8%) and P uptake (up to 10%) over T4, the absolute control. It can be concluded that rhizobial strains in combination with DAP supports not only nodulation potential of chickpea but also its PGP traits

Post-emergence herbicides efficacy for weed managment in kharif maize

Not AvailableThe escalating labour prices have significantly increased the production cost of kharif maize in India. To addressthis, a field experiment was conducted (2017) to evaluate the efficacy of post-emergence herbicide in kharif maize(Zea mays L.) at ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. The tank-mix post-emergenceherbicide application, viz. tembotrione (120 g/ha) or topramezone (25.2 g/ha) at 15 DAS with 75% atrazine (750 g/ha) or as a sequential application at 25 DAS after pre-emergence (PE) 75% atrazine gave significant weed control inkharif maize by reducing density and dry weight. Significantly higher weed-control efficiency, weed-control index,herbicide efficiency index and lower weed persistence index were found in weed-free check, which was at par withPE atrazine (1000 g/ha) followed by hand weeding at 25 DAS and the post-emergence herbicide application oftembotrione (120 g/ha) /topramezone (25.2 g/ha) as tank-mix with 75% atrazine dose as early post-emergence at 15DAS or as the sequential application of these combinations. Significantly lowest weed index was observed in thesequential application of tembotrione/topramezone at 25 DAS after 75% atrazine dose as PE while the highest weedindex (49.3) with alone halosulfuron application. It was concluded that the application of post-emergence herbicide,viz. tembotrione (120 g/ha) /topramezone (25.2 g/ha) as tank-mix at 15 DAS with 75% dose of atrazine (750 g/ha)or as a sequential application at 25 DAS after 75% atrazine as PE found promising for better weed control and grainyield in kharif maize.Not Availabl

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

Precision nutrient and conservation agriculture practices for enhancing productivity, profitability, nutrient-use efficiencies and soil nutrient status of maize (Zea mays) hybrids

A field experiment was conducted at New Delhi during kharif season to study the effect of precision nutrient and conservation agriculture practices for enhancing productivity, profitability, nutrient-use efficiencies and soil nutrient status of maize (Zea mays L) hybrids. Using nutrient expert system based site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) practices higher dose of K and N while lower dose of P were estimated for hybrid maize over recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). Data of the previous crop, target yield, residue management and soil nutrient status were entered in the nutrient expert system. The significant interaction of SSNM and hybrids showed that hybrid PMH 3 along with site specific nutrient management (SSNM) produced significantly higher grain yield under conservation agriculture. The SSNM practice gave 14.7% higher grain yield (5 491 kg/ha) over RDF (4 182 kg/ha). Significantly higher gross return, net return (Rupees 41 137) and B:C ratio (1.57) was obtained with SSNM and the net returns of the maize were improved by rupees 7 856/ha by SSNM over RDF. Amongst genotypes, PMH 3 produced significantly higher gross, net return and B:C ratio over HQPM 1, however, it remained at par with PMH 1, S 6217 and CMH 08-292. Significantly higher partial factor productivity of applied N, P and K was obtained with 50% RDF while it remained at par for applied P by SSNM. Significantly highest agronomic efficiency of applied N and P was obtained with SSNM while for applied K it was significantly highest with 50% RDF. Initially before crop sowing, significantly highest organic carbon in soil was in 100% RDF plots. However, significantly higher organic carbon build up was obtained with SSNM which remained at par with 100% RDF, after crop harvest. In SSNM plots, significantly higher ammonical nitrogen and potassium was observed after maize harvest

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Not AvailableField experiments were conducted to study the effects of summer green-manuring crops and zinc (Zn) fertilization on the productivity and economics of Basmati rice. Sesbania aculeata summer green-manuring crop residue incorporation (SGMI) gave highest values of all the growth and yield attributes, grain and straw yield, viz. 3.58, 3.69 t ha71 and 16.14, 16.25 t ha71 of Basmati rice in 2008 and 2009. Among the Zn fertilization treatments, application of 2.0% Zn-enriched urea (ZEU) as ZnSO4 H2O significantly influenced yield attributes and yield of Basmati rice during both years, and the increase in grain yield was 38.5 and 40.0% over absolute control (no N and no Zn) and 11.9 and 13.6% over control (only N) in both years of study. However, 2.0% ZEU (ZnO) was very close in terms of yield attributes and grain, straw yields of Basmati rice. As regards to the economics of Basmati rice, SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 H2O) Zn fertilization treatments gave the highest gross (SGMI, 85,985 and 91,582 INR ha71; 2.0% ZEU, 89,837 and 59,851 INR ha71) and net (SGMI, 56,997 and 61,445 INR ha71; 2.0% ZEU, 59,851 and 64,442 INR ha71) returns, respectively, compared with incorporation of the remaining summer green manuring residue and Zn fertilization treatments in 2008 and 2009. A significantly higher benefit:cost ratio was recorded with SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 H2O). Overall, Sesbania aculeata green manuring and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 H2O) are excellent sources of N and Zn for improved productivity of Basmati rice.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableField experiments were conducted to study the effects of summer green-manuring crops and zinc (Zn) fertilization on the productivity and economics of Basmati rice. Sesbania aculeata summer green-manuring crop residue incorporation (SGMI) gave highest values of all the growth and yield attributes, grain and straw yield, viz. 3.58, 3.69 t ha−1 and 16.14, 16.25 t per ha of Basmati rice in 2008 and 2009. Among the Zn fertilization treatments, application of 2.0% Zn-enriched urea (ZEU) as ZnSO4 • H2O significantly influenced yield attributes and yield of Basmati rice during both years, and the increase in grain yield was 38.5 and 40.0% over absolute control (no N and no Zn) and 11.9 and 13.6% over control (only N) in both years of study. However, 2.0% ZEU (ZnO) was very close in terms of yield attributes and grain, straw yields of Basmati rice. As regards to the economics of Basmati rice, SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 • H2O) Zn fertilization treatments gave the highest gross (SGMI, 85,985 and 91,582 INR per ha; 2.0% ZEU, 89,837 and 59,851 INR per ha) and net (SGMI, 56,997 and 61,445 INR per ha; 2.0% ZEU, 59,851 and 64,442 INR per ha) returns, respectively, compared with incorporation of the remaining summer green manuring residue and Zn fertilization treatments in 2008 and 2009. A significantly higher benefit:cost ratio was recorded with SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 H2O). Overall, Sesbania aculeata green manuring and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 H2O) are excellent sources of N and Zn for improved productivity of Basmati rice.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableDeficiencies of micro (Zn, B) and secondary (S) nutrients are well-documented in soil as well as in cereal crops, leading to decreased crop yields and low nutritional quality of food. We evaluated the effects of coated urea on maize yield, N and Zn uptake, and input cost relationships. Field experiments were conducted on maize to test boron-coated (BCU), sulphur-coated (SCU) and zinc-coated urea (ZnCU) during 2013 and 2014. On the basis of 2 years’ average data, the highest grain yield was achieved with 0.5% BCU, 5% SCU and 2.5% ZnCU as zinc sulphate hepta hydrate. These treatments increased yields by 5.4, 12.8 and 9.9% over prilled urea (PU), respectively. Application of 0.5% BCU (supplying 1.4 kg B ha–1), 5% SCU (supplying 14.1 kg S ha–1) and 2.5% ZnCU (supplying 7.05 kg Zn ha–1) registered the highest N concentrations and uptake in grain and stover. Total N uptake (grain + stover) was increased by 7.6, 16.7 and 17.1% with BCU, SCU and ZnCU treatments over PU. As compared to PU, Zn concentration in maize grain was significantly higher and total Zn uptake (grain + stover) increased by 32.4% with 2.5% ZnCU. Coated urea materials also enhanced the partial factor productivity (PFPN), agronomic efficiency (AEN), recovery efficiency (REN) and harvest index (HIN) over those of PU. From the economic viewpoint this study suggests that coating of urea with 0.3% boron, 5% sulphur or 2% zinc gives maximum net returns and benefit-cost ratio. Our data indicate that coating of B, Zn and S onto urea increases maize yield, profitability and nitrogen use efficiency in the western Indo-Gangetic plains of India.Not Availabl