Comparative effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield, soilproperties, and economics of wheat under rice-wheat cropping system

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of various organic nutrient sources on wheat production, soil properties and economics of wheat crop at Kurukshetra, Haryana, during the rabi season of 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with a total of eight treatments based on different organic nutrients sources. Experimental results demonstrated that yield contributing parameters such as the number of effective tillers, grains per spike, test weight and spike length were significantly higher in T7 (RDF) followed by in T2 (FYM @ 15 t/ha), T1 (Vermicompost @7.5 t/ha) and other cow-based nutrient sources. Significantly higher net returns (₹ 31508 /ha) and Benefitcost ratio (1.39) were documented in T7 followed by in T1 and T2, respectively. Application of different organic formulations significantly improved microbial count (total bacterial, total fungi, azotobacter, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacterial count) in the soil rhizosphere over the inorganic source of nutrients. Due to stimulation of soil microbial activity by the application of various organic nutrient sources significantly improved the available NPK status of the soil and biological activity in the soil. Among various organic treatments, the highest available nitrogen and phosphorous were recorded under vermicompost applied plots whereas, the highest available potassium was recorded in Farm Yard Manure (FYM) treated plots. Hence, organic sources can be a suitable alternative over inorganic nutrient sources to sustain crop yield and productivity of the soil over a longer period of time

Comparative effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield, soil properties, and economics of wheat under rice-wheat cropping system

685-694A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of various organic nutrient sources on wheat production, soil properties and economics of wheat crop at Kurukshetra, Haryana, during the rabi season of 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with a total of eight treatments based on different organic nutrients sources. Experimental results demonstrated that yield contributing parameters such as the number of effective tillers, grains per spike, test weight and spike length were significantly higher in T7 (RDF) followed by in T2 (FYM @ 15 t/ha), T1 (Vermicompost @7.5 t/ha) and other cow-based nutrient sources. Significantly higher net returns (₹ 31508 /ha) and Benefitcost ratio (1.39) were documented in T7 followed by in T1 and T2, respectively. Application of different organic formulations significantly improved microbial count (total bacterial, total fungi, azotobacter, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacterial count) in the soil rhizosphere over the inorganic source of nutrients. Due to stimulation of soil microbial activity by the application of various organic nutrient sources significantly improved the available NPK status of the soil and biological activity in the soil. Among various organic treatments, the highest available nitrogen and phosphorous were recorded under vermicompost applied plots whereas, the highest available potassium was recorded in Farm Yard Manure (FYM) treated plots. Hence, organic sources can be a suitable alternative over inorganic nutrient sources to sustain crop yield and productivity of the soil over a longer period of time

Integrated Nutrient Management Improves the Productivity and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Lens culinaris Medik.

Enhancing nutrient use efficiencies (NUEs) is an important factor in achieving the long-term sustainability of a production system. Our two-year experiment was aimed at accessing the NUEs of the integration of macro- and micronutrient fertilization responses of three lentil (Lens culinaris) cultivars. Three cultivars were planted in the main plots, and ten nutrient combinations were used in the sub-plots: N1, control; N2, 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (20:40—N:P2O5); N3, vermicompost (VC) at 2 t ha−1; N4, 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) + VC at 1 t ha−1; N5, RDF + 0.5% ZnSO4; N6, RDF + 0.5% FeSO4; N7, RDF + 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4; N8, 50% RDN + 100% RDP + VC at 1 t ha−1 + 0.5% ZnSO4; N9, 50% RDN + 100% RDP + VC at 1 t ha−1 + 0.5% FeSO4; and N10, 50% RDN + 100% RDP + VC at 1 t ha−1 + 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4. The results show that the cultivar HM-1 (1.59–1.61 Mg ha−1) recorded a significantly higher seed yield than cultivars Sapna (1.31–1.33 Mg ha−1) and Garima (both 1.30 Mg ha−1), while the cultivar Sapna had significantly more stover yield (1.86–1.90 Mg ha−1) than cultivar HM-1 (1.68–1.73 Mg ha−1). Cultivar HM-1 was more efficient in terms of partial factor productivity for N (77.5–78.5 kg kg−1), P (48.2–48.7 kg kg−1), K (143.6–145.5 kg kg−1), Zn (1336–1352 kg kg−1), and Fe (417–421 kg kg−1) than Sapna and Garima. Application of 50% N + 100% P + VC at 1.0 t ha−1 + 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4 resulted in higher seed yield (1.63–1.65 Mg ha−1) and agronomic efficiency for N (26.3–28.8 kg kg−1), P (12.42–13.63 kg kg−1), and K (52.3–57.4 kg kg−1) over other tested practices in both years. Hence, it could be concluded that considering the integrated nutrient management paradigm including 10 kg N ha−1 coupled with 40 kg P2O5 ha−1 through synthetic fertilizers, vermicomposting 1.0 t ha−1 as an organic source and foliar spray of 0.5% each of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 (N10) produced a 56.8% higher seed yield than the control, in addition to improving nutrient dynamics and NUEs for N, P, K, Zn, and Fe. Therefore, integrated fertilization coupled with cultivar selection could help to achieve the long-term food and nutritional sustainability targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Integrated Nutrient Management Improves the Productivity and Nutrient Use Efficiency of <i>Lens culinaris</i> Medik.

Enhancing nutrient use efficiencies (NUEs) is an important factor in achieving the long-term sustainability of a production system. Our two-year experiment was aimed at accessing the NUEs of the integration of macro- and micronutrient fertilization responses of three lentil (Lens culinaris) cultivars. Three cultivars were planted in the main plots, and ten nutrient combinations were used in the sub-plots: N1, control; N2, 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (20:40—N:P2O5); N3, vermicompost (VC) at 2 t ha−1; N4, 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) + VC at 1 t ha−1; N5, RDF + 0.5% ZnSO4; N6, RDF + 0.5% FeSO4; N7, RDF + 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4; N8, 50% RDN + 100% RDP + VC at 1 t ha−1 + 0.5% ZnSO4; N9, 50% RDN + 100% RDP + VC at 1 t ha−1 + 0.5% FeSO4; and N10, 50% RDN + 100% RDP + VC at 1 t ha−1 + 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4. The results show that the cultivar HM-1 (1.59–1.61 Mg ha−1) recorded a significantly higher seed yield than cultivars Sapna (1.31–1.33 Mg ha−1) and Garima (both 1.30 Mg ha−1), while the cultivar Sapna had significantly more stover yield (1.86–1.90 Mg ha−1) than cultivar HM-1 (1.68–1.73 Mg ha−1). Cultivar HM-1 was more efficient in terms of partial factor productivity for N (77.5–78.5 kg kg−1), P (48.2–48.7 kg kg−1), K (143.6–145.5 kg kg−1), Zn (1336–1352 kg kg−1), and Fe (417–421 kg kg−1) than Sapna and Garima. Application of 50% N + 100% P + VC at 1.0 t ha−1 + 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4 resulted in higher seed yield (1.63–1.65 Mg ha−1) and agronomic efficiency for N (26.3–28.8 kg kg−1), P (12.42–13.63 kg kg−1), and K (52.3–57.4 kg kg−1) over other tested practices in both years. Hence, it could be concluded that considering the integrated nutrient management paradigm including 10 kg N ha−1 coupled with 40 kg P2O5 ha−1 through synthetic fertilizers, vermicomposting 1.0 t ha−1 as an organic source and foliar spray of 0.5% each of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 (N10) produced a 56.8% higher seed yield than the control, in addition to improving nutrient dynamics and NUEs for N, P, K, Zn, and Fe. Therefore, integrated fertilization coupled with cultivar selection could help to achieve the long-term food and nutritional sustainability targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Native rhizobacteria suppresses spot blotch disease, improves growth and yield of wheat under salt–affected soils

The simultaneous occurrence of biotic and abiotic stresses affects the performance of the crops in salt–affected agroecologies. The plant–microbe interaction with effective rhizobacteria can effectively manage these stresses. This study characterized the biocontrol, plant growth promotion, and responsiveness of rhizobacteria in wheat under salt-affected soils. Out of the 184 rhizobacteria isolates, the 20 isolates showed 41–72% growth inhibition of fungal phytopathogens of seedling blight of wheat (Fusarium sp), head blight of wheat (Fusarium oxysporum), onion molds (Penicillium sp and Aspergillus sp), root rot of wheat (Rhizoctonia solani), ear rot of corn (Aspergillus sp.) and spot blotch of wheat (Bipolaris sorokininana). The potent three rhizobacterial isolates identified as close neighbours of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain TA124, B. subtilis strain SB67 and B. subtilis strain BJ171 caused 65.5–71.1% growth inhibition of B. sorokiniana. The extracellular organic acid, siderophore, and chitinase enzymes played a significant role in rhizobacterial performance for fungal growth inhibition; and P and Zn solubilization in growth media. The foliar spray of bioformulation aids 15–20% reduction in the B. sorokiniana disease severity. The rhizobacterial responsiveness to the dual inoculation through seed treatment and foliar spray was 12.6–51, 15.8–46.3, and 13.2–148.1% for grain yield, P uptake, and disease suppression, respectively. The changes caused by rhizobacterial bioformulation in soil (Olsen's–P and microbial biomass carbon) and plant (proline, malondialdehyde, peroxidase, and Na+/K+ratio) explained 85% variability in the yield, P nutrition, and disease severity. Therefore, native rhizobacteria with biocontrol and plant growth-promoting capabilities can be an effective option for managing multiple stresses of crops in salt–affected agroecologies