Response of wheat cultivars to foliar potassium fertilization under irrigated saline environment

A field experiment with split-split plot design (SSPD) was conducted to study the response of two winter wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) cultivars (viz. salt tolerant cultivar KRL-1-4 and salt non-tolerant cultivar HD-2894) under saline irrigation regimes with and without foliar potassium fertilization on growth and grain yield of wheat during rabi 2011-12 and 2012-13. Potassium in the ratio of K+: Na+ (1: 10) was applied as foliar application during the heading stage of the crop. Results showed that the grain yield of KRL-1-4 and HD-2894 cultivars with foliar potassium fertilization at the heading stage increased by 6.5 to 22% and 3 to 15% during rabi 2011-2012, respectively under different saline irrigation regimes as compared to the control. Moreover, the results of rabi 2012-13 showed an increase in grain yield ranging from 4.5 to 20% for KRL-1-4 as compared to the control. Statistical analysis of grain yield parameter showed that the foliar potassium application in both varieties resulted in significant yield difference at 0.05 probability level as compared to the non-foliar application. Overall, it was observed that the foliar potassium fertilization increased the grain yield of both wheat cultivars, while the salt tolerant cultivar performed better than the salt non-tolerant cultivar under irrigated saline regimes

Sensor-based precision nutrient and irrigation management enhances the physiological performance, water productivity, and yield of soybean under system of crop intensification

Sensor-based decision tools provide a quick assessment of nutritional and physiological health status of crop, thereby enhancing the crop productivity. Therefore, a 2-year field study was undertaken with precision nutrient and irrigation management under system of crop intensification (SCI) to understand the applicability of sensor-based decision tools in improving the physiological performance, water productivity, and seed yield of soybean crop. The experiment consisted of three irrigation regimes [I1: standard flood irrigation at 50% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM) (FI), I2: sprinkler irrigation at 80% ETC (crop evapo-transpiration) (Spr 80% ETC), and I3: sprinkler irrigation at 60% ETC (Spr 60% ETC)] assigned in main plots, with five precision nutrient management (PNM) practices{PNM1-[SCI protocol], PNM2-[RDF, recommended dose of fertilizer: basal dose incorporated (50% N, full dose of P and K)], PNM3-[RDF: basal dose point placement (BDP) (50% N, full dose of P and K)], PNM4-[75% RDF: BDP (50% N, full dose of P and K)] and PNM5-[50% RDF: BDP (50% N, full P and K)]} assigned in sub-plots using a split-plot design with three replications. The remaining 50% N was top-dressed through SPAD assistance for all the PNM practices. Results showed that the adoption of Spr 80% ETC resulted in an increment of 25.6%, 17.6%, 35.4%, and 17.5% in net-photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), respectively, over FI. Among PNM plots, adoption of PNM3 resulted in a significant (p=0.05) improvement in photosynthetic characters like Pn (15.69 µ mol CO2 m−2 s−1), Tr (7.03 m mol H2O m−2 s−1), Gs (0.175 µmol CO2 mol−1 year−1), and Ci (271.7 mol H2O m2 s−1). Enhancement in SPAD (27% and 30%) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (42% and 52%) values were observed with nitrogen (N) top dressing through SPAD-guided nutrient management, helped enhance crop growth indices, coupled with better dry matter partitioning and interception of sunlight. Canopy temperature depression (CTD) in soybean reduced by 3.09–4.66°C due to adoption of sprinkler irrigation. Likewise, Spr 60% ETc recorded highest irrigation water productivity (1.08 kg ha−1 m−3). However, economic water productivity (27.5 INR ha−1 m−3) and water-use efficiency (7.6 kg ha−1 mm−1 day−1) of soybean got enhanced under Spr 80% ETc over conventional cultivation. Multiple correlation and PCA showed a positive correlation between physiological, growth, and yield parameters of soybean. Concurrently, the adoption of Spr 80% ETC with PNM3 recorded significantly higher grain yield (2.63 t ha−1) and biological yield (8.37 t ha−1) over other combinations. Thus, the performance of SCI protocols under sprinkler irrigation was found to be superior over conventional practices. Hence, integrating SCI with sensor-based precision nutrient and irrigation management could be a viable option for enhancing the crop productivity and enhance the resource-use efficiency in soybean under similar agro-ecological regions

Modelling soil water balance and root water uptake in cotton grown under different soil conservation practices in the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Although soil conservation practices are being promoted as better environmental protection technologies than traditional farmers’ practice, limited information is available on how these practices affect soil water balance and root water uptake. The root water uptake (RWU) patterns of cotton grown under soil conservation practices and soil water balance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fieldsunder a cotton-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system were analyzed using the Hydrus-2D model. The treatments were: conventional tillage (CT), zero tillage (ZT), permanent narrow beds (PNB), permanent broad beds (PBB), ZT with residue (ZT+R), PNB with residue (PNB+R) and PBB with residue (PBB+R). Results in the third year of the cotton crop indicated that the surface (0–15cm layer) field saturated hydraulic conductivity in both PNB and PBB plots were similar and were significantly higher than in the ZT plots. Computed potential transpiration rates (Trp) under CT were lower than in other treatments, due to less radiation interception and lower Leaf Area Index (LAI). Both PNB and PBB plots had higher Trp and crop yields than CT plots, which were further improved by residue retention. Predicted soil water content (SWC) patterns during the simulation periods of third and fourth years showed strong correlation (R2=0.88, n=105, P<0.001, the root mean square error (RMSE)=0.025, and the average relative error (AVE)=7.5% for the third year and R2=0.81, n=105, P<0.001, RMSE=0.021, and AVE=9% for the fourth year) with the actual field measured SWCs. Cumulative RWU (mm) were in the order: ZT (143

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Not AvailableLand degradation due to water erosion is a major impediment for optimum land productivity in West Bengal (WB). Sustainable development of the state needs appropriate land-use planning taking into account the heterogeneity in soil and land resources. In this study, the maximum permissible soil loss rates (T values) were computed for 115 mapping units of WB by integrating the most sensitive soil indicators such as infiltration rate, bulk density, water stable aggregates, organic carbon and fertility status to assess soil quality governing soil resistibility to erosion. For each mapping unit, indicator soil attribute values were quantitatively expressed in the 0 to 1 scale and an aggregate score was computed from the attribute scores and the corresponding weights. The results suggested a wide difference in the T values among the regions and mapping units, with values ranging from 2.5 to 12.5 Mg ha–1 yr–1. In the state as a whole, about 88% of the area has ‘T’ value of 12.5 Mg ha–1 yr–1. The relatively plain lands in the Indo-Gangetic plain, coastal and delta plain and the Bengal basin have a higher soil loss tolerance of about 4.0 Mg ha–1 yr–1 than the hilly and undulating regions in the Eastern Himalaya and Eastern plateau regions. The information generated will serve as a useful guide for devising differential conservation and resource use plans on the basis of soil resource potential.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe state of Odisha is severely affected by water erosion induced land degradation due to its hilly and undulating terrain and unsustainable land management practices. Ensuring sustainable development of the state needs appropriate land use plan taking into account the heterogeneity in soil and land resources. In this study, the maximum permissible soil loss rates (‘T’ value) were computed for 159 mapping units of Odisha by integrating most sensitive soil indicators such as infiltration rate, bulk density, water stable aggregate, organic carbon and fertility status to assess soil quality governing soil resistibility to erosion. For each mapping unit, indicator soil attribute values were quantitatively expressed in 0 to 1 scale and an aggregate score was computed from the attribute scores and the corresponding weights. The results suggested a wide difference in the ‘T’ value among the regions and mapping units, with values varying from 2.5 to 12.5 Mg ha-1 yr-1. About 45% of total area of the state has a ‘T’ value of 10 Mg ha-1 yr-1 and 32% having ‘T’ value of 7.5 Mg ha-1 yr-1. In general, the southern, northern and western regions of the state have a lower ‘T’ values than the coastal plains and delta region. Major chunk of area under Eastern Ghats, Garhjat hills, Dandakaranya and Mahanadi basin has ‘T’ < 10.0 Mg ha-1 yr-1 and can’t afford to lose more than 7.5 Mg ha-1 yr-1 of soil. The information generated shall serve as a useful guide for devising differential conservation and resource use plans on the basis of soil resource potential.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to develop management alternatives for wheat cultivars (salt-tolerant and salt non-tolerant) cultivated under irrigated saline environment (groundwater, 4, 8 and 12 dSm–1) and foliar potassium fertigation. The grain yield of wheat cultivars decreased with the increase in salinity levels of irrigation water. The foliar potassium fertigation during the heading stage of wheat cultivars ameliorated the adverse effect of salinity and resulted in the increase in grain yield. In this study, empirical equations for wheat yield known as production function have been developed. The production functions were developed keeping grain yield parameter as output, besides the many input parameters pertaining to quantity and quality of the irrigation water, quantity of potassium applied as foliar spray and rainfall depth during the crop growth period. The production function with higher coefficient of determination (R2) may be used to predict grain yield of both salt-tolerant and salt non-tolerant cultivars under different saline irrigation regimes, rainfall and irrigation water depths, besides the dose of potassium sulphate (K2SO4) for foliar spray. The production function which gave the highest R2 value (i.e. 0.82 for KRL-1-4 and 0.97 for HD 2894 wheat cultivars) could be used for foliar spray under different salinity regimes with high expectation of grain yield. The predicted grain yield and estimated quantity of potassium under different salinity levels of irrigation water may prove useful to different stakeholders for enhancing the wheat yield in high saline water areas. The stakeholders can predict the grain yield under similar circumstances as explained in this experiment and estimate the appropriate potassium doses to be applied for enhancing the wheat yield.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableConservation agriculture (CA) involving minimum mechanical soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with crop residue mulch and diversified crop rotation, plays a crucial role in sustainable crop production. A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during rabi seasons (November–April) of 2018–19 and 2019–20 in wheat involving maize-wheat-mungbean system to assess the effects of CA on crop productivity, nutrient uptake and profitability. Results showed that CA-based practices with residue retention resulted in higher yield as well as economic benefits when compared to conventional tillage (CT). Wheat yield parameters in CA were greater than in CT. The CA-based practices improved wheat grain and straw yield to the tune of 7.2–27.1% and 5.7–20.6%, respectively compared to CT practice. The CA-based practices with residue retention with 100% N registered 9.7% higher cost of cultivation, but resulted in 24.3–35.1% higher net returns than CT. Among CA-based practices, the plots under permanent broad bed with residue with 100% N (PBB+R+100N) resulted in ~27% higher wheat grain yield compared to CT. The PBB+R+100N plots also had considerably greater nutrient uptake and net returns than CT plots. The CA practice involving PBB+R+100N was found to be more productive, remunerative and could potentially boost up the wheat productivity and profitability under maize-wheat-mungbean system in north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted from 2007-10 at CSWCRTI-RC Sunabeda,Distt. Koraput, Orissa with an objective to access the conservation potential of different Multitier cropping systems and their effect on soil nutrient avialablity. The experiment comprise of treatments such as boundary plantation of forest tree Gliricidia sepium, square plantation of two fruit trees Papaya and Drumstick and four intercrop combinations [Ginger + Pigeonpea (8:2), Runner bean + Pigeonpea (8:2), Ragi + Pigeonpea (6:2) and Ragi broadcasting (as farmers' practice)] on 2 sloping land. Results indicated a significant decrease of 50 (on average basis) both in runoff and soil loss in all the treatments in comparison to control. The comparative study shows Ginger cultivation with Pigeonpea had ameliorative effect to the soil by increase in the pH and available nitrogen of the soil. Among different crop combinations maximum percent increase in nutrients availability was found in Ginger + Pigeonpea (8:2) treatment in all the models to the tune of 12.23 for phosphorus and 17-59 for potassium.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableConservation agriculture (CA) involving minimum mechanical soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with crop residue mulch and diversified crop rotation, plays a crucial role in sustainable crop production. A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during rabi seasons (November–April) of 2018–19 and 2019–20 in wheat involving maize-wheat-mungbean system to assess the effects of CA on crop productivity, nutrient uptake and profitability. Results showed that CA-based practices with residue retention resulted in higher yield as well as economic benefits when compared to conventional tillage (CT). Wheat yield parameters in CA were greater than in CT. The CAbased practices improved wheat grain and straw yield to the tune of 7.2–27.1% and 5.7–20.6%, respectively compared to CT practice. The CA-based practices with residue retention with 100% N registered 9.7% higher cost of cultivation, but resulted in 24.3–35.1% higher net returns than CT. Among CA-based practices, the plots under permanent broad bed with residue with 100% N (PBB+R+100N) resulted in ~27% higher wheat grain yield compared to CT. The PBB+R+100N plots also had considerably greater nutrient uptake and net returns than CT plots. The CA practice involving PBB+R+100N was found to be more productive, remunerative and could potentially boost up the wheat productivity and profitability under maize-wheatmungbean system in north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2016 at Central Rainfed Upland Rice Research Station (CRURRS), Hazaribagh, Jharkhand to evaluate the effect of planting methods, irrigation scheduling and soil adjuvant on growth, productivity and nutrient content of aerobic rice. The experiment was laid-out in a split-plot design keeping 8-combinations of 4-irrigation schedules, viz., I1 : Irrigation at 0.9 IW/CPE ratio, I2 : irrigation at 1.2 IW/CPE ratio, I3 : Irrigation at 1.5 IW/CPE ratio and I4 : Un-irrigated (rainfed) and 2-soil adjuvants (A1: soil adjuvant applied and A2: No-soil adjuvant) in the main-plots and 2-planting methods P1 : Conventional dry seeding at 20 cm row spacing and P2 : Spot-sowing (dibbling of 4-seeds per hill at 20 × 15 cm) in the sub-plots, thus there were a total of 16 treatment combinations. Scheduling irrigation at 1.5 IW/ CPE ratio recorded highest plant height (95.4 cm), DMA (1053 g m–2) and LAI (3.44); similarly grain yield increased by 37.3% over rainfed crop, 23% over crop irrigated at 0.9 IW/CPE ratio and 13.5% over 1.2IW/CPE ratio. Effect of irrigation scheduling was found non-significant on nutrient concentration except P concentration in grain and straw. Crop irrigated at IW/CPE ratio 1.5 exhibited significantly higher P-concentration in grain and straw, over irrigation at IW/CPE ratio 0.9 and rainfed crop. Application of soil adjuvant (APSA 80TM) didn't bring significant changes in any of the studied parameters. Between the two planting methods, spot-sowing resulted in higher growth and improved grain yield by about 7% over conventional method of sowing, however, effect on nutrient content remained non-significant.Not Availabl