Effects of biofertilizer containing N-fixer, P and K solubilizers and AM fungi on maize growth: A greenhouse trial.

An in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the compatibility of indigenous plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with commonly used inorganic and organic sources of fertilizers in tea plantations. The nitrogenous, phosphatic and potash fertilizers used for this study were urea, rock phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. The organic sources of fertilizers neem cake, composted coir pith and vermicompost were also used. PGPRs such as nitrogen fixer; Azospirillum lipoferum, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB); Pseudomonas putida, Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB); Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas putida were used for compatibility study. Results were indicated that PGPRs preferred the coir pith and they proved their higher colony establishment in the formulation except Azospirillum spp. that preferred vermicompost for their establishment. The optimum dose of neem cake powder

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Not AvailableThe potential of two epigeic earthworms (Perionyx excavatus and Eisenia foetida) was studied for composting of crop residues (wheat straw and paddy straw) amended with farm yard manure. At the end of vermicomposting significant increase in total nitrogen (71 -150%), phosphorus (49 %–116%) and potassium (26.3–142%), along with decrease in organic carbon was recorded in different experimental vermibeds. Maximum total nitrogen as well as available phosphorous concentration was observed from vermibeds inoculated with E. foetida, whereas increased exchangeable potassium and reduction in organic carbon was shown in vermicompost produced by P. excavatus. Enhanced hydrolytic enzyme activities of CMCases (1.51 folds), Fpases (2.11 folds) and β-glucosidases (1.38 folds) were recorded in treatments vermicomposted with P. excavatus. Microbial activity parameters such as dehydrogenase, FDA hydrolase, alkaline phophatase, were also monitored during decomposition process and gradual increase was recorded in vermibeds up to 90 days of experimentation. The mean individual live weight, growth rate (mg wt. worm -1 day-1 ) of earthworm were higher for P. excavatus as compared to E. foetida. Overall, P. excavatus exhibited better growth and mineralization efficiency, which further support the suitability of the species for large scale vermiculture operations.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIntensive cultivation and introduction of input‐responsive high‐yielding varieties with application of major nutrients in rice–wheat rotation of Indo‐Gangetic plains (IGPs) lead to multiple nutrient deficiencies. A survey of Indian soils has shown that 40% are deficient in available zinc (Zn), 33% in sulfur (S), and 33% in boron (B). Studies have indicated that application of these nutrients with major nutrients can improve the crop productivity. Keeping the importance of aromatic rice in view, coated‐urea materials and their effects on rice yields, nitrogen (N), and Zn content in different parts and input economics are evaluated. Three field trials are conducted on aromatic rice to test boron‐coated urea (BCU), sulfur‐coated urea (SCU), and zinc‐coated urea (ZnCU) in 2013 and 2014. Results indicate that the highest yields are obtained with 0.5% BCU, 5.0% SCU, and 2.5% ZnCU as zinc sulfate heptahydrate. These treatments increase grain yield by 13%, 25%, and 17.9% over prilled urea (PU). Moreover, 0.5% BCU, 5% SCU, and 2.5% ZnCU register the highest N, S, and Zn contents in bran, husk, grain, and straw. Coated‐urea materials also improve use efficiencies and harvest index of N and Zn over PU. The findings of this study suggest that 0.5% boron, 5.0% sulfur, or 2.5% zinc‐coated urea show improvement in returns and benefit–cost ratio in aromatic rice of western IGPs.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableImmensely and unremitting rise in cost of fertilizers bound us to review the different management practices including utilizing crop residues and green manuring with some new findings, which can enhance soil fertility and lower the burden of high cost of cultivation. Approximately 500–550 million tonnes (Mt) crop residues are generated through different crops every year in the country. Traditionally crop residues have various uses such as animal feed, fodder, fuel, roof thatching, packaging and composting. It is estimated that one tone rice residues contains 6.1 kg nitrogen (N), 0.8 kg phosphorus (P), and 11.4 kg potassium (K). Nevertheless, a large part of the residual harvest being handle inappropriately, which fragile the world's food–production and contribute to undesirable bio–spheric changes. Such malpractices are common in developing countries, where only a small amount of residue are being recycled, while unacceptably large amounts are burned. Green manure crops are another important source for recycling of plant nutrients. Incorporation of one tonneSesbania aculeatagreen matter approximately accumulated 30.3 kg N, 7.0 kg P and 13.0 kg K ha–1. Generally farmers are unaware about systematic utilization of crop residues and green manure crops and their usefulness in maintaining soil nutrient balance and overall health, because of which either they keep out themselves from these practices or unable to perform appositely. In this article, efforts were made to quantify residue production by different crops as well as green manure crops, their nutrient compositions, decomposition mechanism of residues in soil and finally we explained the ways and means for crop residue management and green manuring practices for efficient nutrient recycling, supported with findings from our research.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAn investigation was undertaken to analyse the influence of microbial inoculants on growth and enzyme activities elicited, and soil microbiome of two varieties of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, which were grown under protected mode of cultivation. Rhizosphere soil sampling at 45 and 90 DAT (days after transplanting of cuttings) revealed up to four- to five-fold enhancement in the activity of defence-, and pathogenesis-related, and antioxidant enzymes, relative to the uninoculated control. Plant growth and soil microbial parameters, especially soil microbial biomass carbon and potential nitrification exhibited significant increases over control. Available soil nitrogen concentrations showed 40%–44% increment in inoculated treatments. Scanning electron microscopy of the root tissues revealed biofilm-like aggregates and individual short bits of cyanobacterial filaments. Analyses of DGGE profiles of archaeal and bacterial communities did not show temporal variations (between 45 and 90 DAT). However, distinct influences on the number and abundance of phylotypes due to microbial inoculants were recorded. The inoculants — Cyanobacterial consortium (BF1- 4) and Anabaena sp.–Trichoderma sp. biofilm (An-Tr) were particularly promising in terms of the plant and soil related parameters, and remained distinct in the DGGE profiles generated. The effect of Trichoderma viride–Azotobacter biofilm on soil bacterial and archaeal communities was unique and distinct as a separate cluster. This study highlights that microbial inoculants exert positive effects, which are specific even to the rhizosphere soil microbiome of chrysanthemum varieties tested. Such inoculants can serve as soil fertility enhancing options in protected floriculture.Not Availabl

Field-based Evaluation of Rice Genotypes for Enhanced Growth, Yield Attributes, Yield, and Grain Yield Efficiency Index in Irrigated Lowlands of the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Funding Information: This work was supported by the UKRI-GCRF South Asia Nitrogen Hub (SANH, NE/S009019/1). The authors thank the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, for providing a senior research fellowship for the entire duration of Ph.D. work to S.G.Peer reviewedPublisher PD