Indian Journal of Plant and Soil

Approaching theoretical limits of productivity  of a crop in a given situation requires knowledge about  theoretical maximum productivity possible  for the phyto-climatic  potential of  the region, a function of  ideal climatic conditions with unlimited supply of nutrients. However ideal conditions  never exist; climatic variations and soil heterogeneity imposes a correction factor  and the productivity varies widely from zone to zone. Agro climatic  potential  takes into account variations in temperature, rain and irrigation water use efficiency  and, sunshine hours through the growing season  to arrive at productivity that could be achieved when other management factors are not limiting it. (Ranganathan, 2014). In any situation, there are two facets of limiting forces to look into before deciding the target. (1) The maximum productivity achievable with the climate – temperature, sunshine hours and rainfall and its distribution is called climate limiting threshold productivity under rain fed conditions. Of these, only water availability is manageable and it is known as the threshold limit with irrigation potential of the area.  (2)  The threshold productivity from nutrients available through natural recycling process with or without recycling the organic residues at harvest. Only the economic end product for which the crop is grown, should be taken away from the field. The threshold productivity depends on soil’s  physical, chemical and physicochemical properties of soil, particularly soil structure stabilized by humus compounds which play important role in water storage, retention  and release of nutrients for the growth of plants. This part is looked after by recycling of all crop residues other than the economic end product, addition of organic matter and  raising green crops and plough them in situ before planting or as inter crops in  tree gardens.  These are  referred as soil factors limiting thresh hold  potential.  (3) The target is fixed  between the above two limits depending on nutrients availability and   other factors  like labor availability, logistic factors for handling higher volume of  the  product and demands  in the market. Discussions are restricted only to the role of water and   nutrients to achieve a set target in productivity in this paper  Keywords: Threshold, Maximum and  limits of productivity

An experiment was conducted to study the comparative effect of organic fertilizer, Bio-fertilizer, bio-promoters and mixed fertilizers on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschusesculentus). The experiment consisted of four treatments along with one control. The soil was treated one week before sowing. The treatments were laid in a completely randomized design with two replications. Plant growth was assessed for morphological trait such as seeds germination, plant height, fresh root weight, root branches and fruit yield. The application of different treatments had significant effects on all the parameters assessed. The application of T1 gave better germination of seeds (62.34%). T3 gave plants with the greatest plant height (167 cm); T2 gave the better root branches (38) whereas T2 and T3 gave maximum root fresh weight (36.43 gm and 36.5 gm respectively). The application of T2 gave maximum fruit yield (15.7Kg). The overall performance on highest yield was observed for T2 followed by T1. The data obtained from these treatments were significantly higher than the data obtained from the control. It was, therefore, concluded that the use of organic manure in the production of vegetables like okra should be encouraged.

Keywords: Okra; Organic Fertilizer; Bio-Fertilizer; Chemical Fertilizer; Environment; Growth and Yield. 

Patanjali Bio Research Institute is a Biotechnology agriculture research enterprise unit involved in farmer based indigenous knowledge of local farmers. Five different bio fertilizers viz; Humic granules, Humic Liquid, Jiavic Khad, Zyme-G, and Sujeeva, were tested for their efficacy on bottle gourd, bitter gourd, and maize. In this admiration field experiments were performed during summer season at Patanjali Food and Herbal Park, Padartha Village Haridwar to assess the efficacy of above mentioned bio-fertilizers. Three different crops were chosen for testing the bio-fertilizers where every treatment has shown a varied effect. Highest yield of 21.22Kg was obtained for maize after treatment with Sujeeva (T5), while highest yield of 297.08Kg was obtained for Bitter gourd after application of (T5) Sujeeva and for Bottle Gourd the highest yield obtained was 196.19Kg. Among all the fertlizers under test Sujeeva have shown highest positive effect in case of all three crops put to test, although all treatments have shown positive effect on the yield but highest effect on yield was observed for T5 Sujeeva.  

Keywords: Humic-G;  Fulvic Acid; Amino Acid; Jaivic Khad;  Bio-fertilizer.  

Good productivity is conferred by good physical conditions defined in terms of texture, porosity, bulk densities little above that of water to reduce erosion by moving water, good aggregation, good infiltration rates and good drainage. Soil physical, chemical and  physio-chemical conditions determine root proliferation and their activities for nutrient and water uptake and, soil aeration and bioactivity for sustainable productivity . The factors which influence  uptake of nutrients and water are discussed with special reference  to quantification of rooting depth and water stored in soils against gravity which is used for   overall growth after the cessation of rain/irrigation till next rains /irrigation.

Keywords: Root Distribution; Factors Affecting; Mathematical Model.