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Not AvailableNano particles are finding their way into the environment through deliberate and accidental actions, ecotoxicological properties and the risks of these nano particles have yet not been fully characterized. In this present investigation, experiments were carried out to know the effect of Cu oxide-nano particles (< 50 nm) on germination and growth of seeds of soybean and chickpea. In both the crops, germination was not checked up to 2,000 ppm Cu (applied through Cu oxide-nano particles), but the root growth was prevented above 500 ppm Cu. With increasing concentration of NPs, the elongation of the roots was severely inhibited as compared to that in control. In many cases root necrosis was occurred. Massive adsorption of Cu oxide-nano particles into the root system was responsible for the toxicity. A parallel experiment was also carried out to know the effect of copper sulphate solution on seed germination, above 200 ppm Cu, it restricted the germination of seeds, because of high salinity.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableFertilizers are one of the costly inputs in agriculture and development of nutrient efficient fertilizers is need of the hour. Keeping in view of the above, slow release coated urea fertilizers are developed and the N loss from different coated urea fertilizers in a Vertisol was studied in comparison with normal urea. The coated fertilizers used were neem, 4% pine oleoresin (POR), 35% nano-rock phosphate and 2% nano-ZnO coated urea. In later two cases nanoparticles were loaded over 4% POR coated urea during preparation. Application of coated urea fertilizers such as neem coated urea and pine oleoresin coated urea in a Vertisol reduced the ammonia volatilization by 27.5% and 41.1%, respectively. Similarly, reduction of NO3-N leaching due to application of neem, resin, nano-rock phosphate and nano-ZnO coated urea were 18.3%, 28.0%, 25.7% and 35.1%, respectively. The reduction of N volatilization and leaching losses imparted by coated urea fertilizers could be a viable N source for crops. However field level validation experiments have to be carried out to assess the efficacy of these coated fertilizers in enhancing crop yield and nutrient use efficiency.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe objectives of current investigation are to assess soil quality and sustainable management of soils for enhancing crop productivity in the tribal districts (Jhabua, Alirajpur and Dhar) of central India. Field trials were conducted in ten farmers’ fields for two years. Soybean-wheat system was adopted in six farmers’ fields and maize-wheat system in four farmers’ fields. Treatments were integrated plant nutrient supply (IPNS); soil test based nutrient management (STNM); recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) and farmers’ practices (FP). Initial and post experiment soil samples were collected and analyzed. Soil quality changes were also studied. IPNS and STNM practices improved crop yield, farm income and soil quality compared to RDF and FP. Low organic carbon and deficiency of N, S and P are the major soil constraints in the region. Therefore, IPNS and STNM could be practiced to enhance crop productivity, farm income and to maintain soil health in the region.Not Availabl

Pigeon Pea Biochar as a Soil Amendment to Repress Copper Mobility in Soil and Its Uptake by Spinach

A pot crop experiment was conducted to study the effect of biochar on Cu mobility in a soil-plant system. Pigeon pea biochar was prepared by slow pyrolysis at 300 °C. The experiment had three levels of Cu (0, 250, and 500 mg Cu kg-1 soil) and three levels of biochar (0, 2.5, and 5 g kg-1 soil), using spinach as the test crop. The dry matter yield of edible spinach leaf decreased by 16.7% and 27.9% at 250 and 500 mg Cu kg-1 soil concentration, respectively. The soil organic carbon (SOC) increased by 27.08% and 45.83% at 2.5 and 5 g kg-1 soil application of biochar, respectively. Cu mobility in soil was significantly reduced as a result of biochar application, as evident from the reduction in DTPA extractable Cu in soil, the transfer coefficient value (soil to plant), and the Cu concentration in the leaf and root. The increases in SOC and pH in the biochar amended soil affect copper dynamics because they control adsorption and precipitation on solid phase. Cu has higher affinity towards SOC and makes stable complexes, thereby decreasing the Cu mobility in soil. Adsorption and precipitation of heavy metals to solid phases and also increasing the negatively charged functional group due to increase in soil pH resulted in reduction of Cu mobility in soil