Indian Journal of Plant and Soil

 Recent studies on Rice focus on improving biomass partitioning and increasing photosynthetic efficiency by suppressing photo respiration and reduction of maintenance respiration in traditional C-3 rice cultivars, and inducting C-4 mechanism in new cultivars as means to maximize rice productivity where water and nutrients are not limiting. To target and achieve the set productivity in today’s cultivars one should understand the relations among climate, water. nutrients and soil factors.The productivity is quantitatively determined by (1) number of panicles, (2) spikelet fertility/sterility (3) number of grains per  panicle and (4) grain weight. The limits of productivity in situations posing different constraints and ways of approaching nearer to the targets are discussed. 

 Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) ranks first among the world’s cereals production with the productivity of 3039 kg ha-1 whereas India is the second largest producer of wheat (93.90 MT) next only to the China (120.60 MT). In India, wheat covers the largest area under its cultivation (29.80 m ha), which is about 13.53 % of the world wheat area (217 m ha) [1]. About 40% of the total food grain reserve of the country is contributed by this crop. Wheat is a good supplement for nutritional requirement of human body as it contains 8-15 % protein, 60-68% starch, 1.5-2.0% fat, 2-2.5% cellulose and 1.5-2% minerals [2]. “Green Revolution” in India, took place in 1960s, has increased dramatically wheat yield by introducing high yielding varieties and using huge amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, in recent years the grain production have stagnated or even declined for both rice and wheat crops [3]. One of the major constraints in boosting up the wheat production is the deleterious effect on soil health. Long time studies being carried out at several locations in India and abroad indicated that application of imbalance chemical fertilizers have deleterious effect on soil health leading to unsustainable yields. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve nutrient supply system in an integrated manner. Integrated nutrient management could help in meeting the goals of balanced fertilization. The research findings on various aspects of the integrated nutrient management (INM) on wheat are reviewed. 

 Bihar is the third most populous state in India with majority of its population depending on agriculture. Thus, agriculture yet forms the backbone of development. An average Indian still spends almost half of his/her total expenditure on food and roughly half of India’s work force is still engaged in agriculture for its livelihood. Being both a source of livelihood and food security for a vast majority of low income, poor and vulnerable sections of society, its performance assumes greater significance in view of the proposed National Food Security Bill and the ongoing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. The experience from BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) indicates that a one percent growth in agriculture is at least two to three times more effective in reducing poverty than the same growth emanating from nonagriculture sectors. Thus with proper thrust on technologies, institutional direction, farm level support services, all delivery mechanisms, improved farm infrastructure including rural connectivity, Bihar could be developed as a granary of India. It can also be developed as the major hub of fruits, vegetables, and fisheries for both national and global markets. The entire economic growth processes in Bihar depends on the dynamics of agriculture. There are successful experiments in different parts of the country, which if adopted, can provide an answer to various problems which Bihar is facing in its race to higher productivity levels. Bihar can then surely catch up with the present productivity levels of rice and wheat in Punjab and other cherished goals in maize, pulses, oilseeds, horticulture and livestock production in the next few year Plans. The paper tries to prove that if agriculture is developed systematically then agriculture can be one of the major profit earning sectors for Bihar.

 Pomegranate is important horticultural crop of semi-arid and arid conditions. There is great scope for increasing per hector productivity by selecting proper soils. The soil suitability studies, for pomegranate can be worked out with the help of multi criteria and GIS application. As per fuzzy classification different GIS based thematic maps for different characters of soil qualities can be developed and by aggregating data of different thematic maps, soil suitability can be worked out. The shallow soils with less clay content can be preferred by this crop. High organic matter with low CaCO3 (<156 g kg-1) is best suited soil situation for pomegranate. As this crop is best suited for shallow soils, low fertility status can be managed with high organic carbon content (up to 10 mg kg-1) and well managed fertilizer / fertigation schedule. The optimum DRIS norms for soil depicted in the paper were specific for cv. Bhagwa (hasta bhahar), which is grown in Western Maharashtra region. It is also concluded that the DRIS or CND norms for pomegranate should be developed for specific conditions.  

 Effects of organic manure and different types of microbial biofertilizers were studied on growth and yield of Mustard (Brassica juncea). The experiment was conducted during Rabi season 2014-15 at the research field of Patanjali Bio Research Institute, Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The mustard cultivar Pusa 27 (EJ-17) was used in the study. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four treatments and three replications along with one control. Different morphological parameters were taken and mean of observed value recorded. Tallest plant of size 48.4 inches was found on 65 Days After Sowing (DAS) for Treatment T3 (Carbon 24%, Nitrogen 2.25 %, Phosphorus 2.75%, Potassium 1.775 %, Calcium 3%, Magnesium 0.45%, Sulphur 0.4%, Iron 0.6%, Zinc 0.35%, Manganese 0.09%, at the rate of 101 Kg acre-1, Humic acid 4.0% at the rate of 12.7 Kg acre-1 , Amino acids 0.3% at the rate of 12.7 Kg acre-1, Lignite, Dolomite, Calcium carbonate, Trichoderma Sp., Pseudomonas Sp., Azotobactor Sp. at the rate of 760 ml acre-1) and the shortest plant oh height 39.6 inches in control. Maximum number of flower 27 in T3, whereas minimum number of flower 15.6 in control. The result showed that application of microbial biofertilizers significantly increased the total grain yield. The maximum grain yield 10.33 quintal acre- 1 was recorded in treatment T3 in comparison to 6.33 quintal acre-1 for control.   

 Tea yield, in simple terms is the weight of all shoots plucked in a unit area in unit time. Shoot generations and their weight, therefore, determine the productivity of tea. The relations between shoot generation, shoot weight and yield are quantified in this paper to enable to understand and appreciate the significance of plucking interval style and standard in planning tea harvesting systems.

  The present investigation entitled was carried out to “Studies on Rhizosphere hybridization and nutrient dynamics in sweet orange growing soils was carried out during 2013-14 at department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,VNMKV, Parbhani. The Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from three religious trees such as Ficusreligiosa (Pimpal), icusbenghalensis (Banyan tree / wad) and Ficus racemosa (Umber tree). The soil samples were collected from 15-20 cm depth of root zone and used for pot culture experiment. The seedlings of sweet orange were planted in pots filled with rhizosphere soils collected from 3 icus species. Pot culture experiment was carried out with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were T 1 (Control Vertisol soil), T2 (Inceptisol soil), T 3 (Soil under Ficus religiosa tree), T4 Soil under Ficus benghalensis tree), T5 (Soil under Ficus racemosa tree), T6 (Ficus religiosa + Inceptisol), T7 (Ficus benghalensis + Inceptisol), T8 (Ficus racemosa + Inceptisol), T9 (Soil from sweet orange orchard). Results indicated the positive effect of rhizosphere hybridization on sweet orange seedlings growth parameters viz., number of leaves, height of seedling and stem diameter. It was noticed that all growth parameters were improved significantly in rhizosphere soils of Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis and Ficus racemosa tree species and its hybridized soils over control, normal soil and soil from sweet orange orchard. The improvement in growth attributed to the improvement in physical properties, favorable pH, macro and micro-nutrient availability due to rhizosphere soil and its mixing with normal sweet orange garden soil.  

 Field experiment was conducted during 2009-10 to 2011-12 (3 years) at Instructional Dairy Farm, G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, forage yield and forage quality of berseem. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments i.e. T1 – Absolute Control, T2 – Recommended dose of fertilers (RDF), 30:60:40 kg N:P;K kg/ha, T3 – FYM @ 5t/ha, T4 – FYM @ 10t/ha, T5 – T2 + T3, T6 – T2 + T4, T7 – T2 + S + Mo + B, T8 – T3 + S + Mo + B, T9 – T4 + S + Mo + B, T10 – T2 + T3 + S + Mo + B and T11 – T2 + T4 + S + Mo + B was planted during Rabi season 2009-10 to 2011-12 under Randomized Block Design with three replications. The experimental results indicated that application of 10t/ ha FYM along with sulphur, boron and molybdenum had higher plant height, leaf:shoot ratio, green and dry forage yield and also crude protein production of berseem than application of both treatment either 100% RDF (inorganic source) or RDF+FYM @ 5t/ha +S+Mo+B. Therefore, it is recommended that the berseem should be fertilized with 10t/ha FYM+30 kg sulphur+4 kg boron+1kg molybdenum /ha in place of chemical fertilizer for higher productivity and quality of berseem herbage. 

 Relative bioefficacy of clothianidin 0.5%G @ 30, 40, 50, 60, and 80g a.i. ha-1, carbofuran 3%G @1000g a.i. ha-1, and thiamethoxam 25 WDG @ 25g a.i. ha-1 were evaluated against sucking pests (whitefly and aphid) and their natural enemies in okra at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia, West Bengal for two consecutive seasons of 2011 (rabi) and 2012 (pre-kharif). Among these, clothianidin @ 60g to 80g a.i. ha-1 against whitefly and aphid was found superior over other doses of clothianidin, carbofuran and thiamethoxam. With regard to the fruit yield, clothianidin @60g a.i. ha-1 was found statistically superior over others. Also the granular formulation of clothianidin didn’t exhibit any adverse harmful effect on predatory natural enemies in okra ecosystem. 

 A greenhouse pot culture experiment was conducted at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (India) to evaluate the effect of various levels of phosphorus (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg P kg-1 soil) on growth attributing character (shoot dry weight, root length) and phosphorus content in shoot and their uptake, % root infection and available phosphorus of four maize cultivars viz Pragati (V1), HQPM (V2), MRM-3845 (V3) and Kuwari (V4). The shoot dry weight, root length, phosphorus content and their uptake by shoot and available phosphorus at different interval of the maize crop were significantly increased by increasing levels of phosphorus. Whereas % root infection of mycorrhiza decreases with increasing levels of phosphorus. The mycorrhizal colonization of roots generally increased up to middle of the growing season among all the cultivars with maximum colonization at the third harvest (84 DAS). Varieties showed significant difference for shoot dry weight/plant, root length, phosphorus content and uptake in shoot. Overall, it is concluded that variety “Pragati” performed better as compared to other varieties like HQPM,MRM-3845  and Kuwari. 

 An experiment was conducted to study the effect of modified radiation climatic conditions on soil heat flux in wheat cv PBW-226sown on 21st November 1996 below 8 years old Eucalyptus tereticonis planted in a Nelder wheel design for providing different microclimatic conditions to the intercropped wheat. The angle between the two adjacent rows was 240. The area per tree was 30m2. Total number of trees was 105. Net plot size of one treatment was 248m2. Diurnal soil heat was measured in T1 (00-240), T2 (1200-1440), T3 (2400-2640) and control plot simultaneously at tillering, flag leaf emergence, ear head emergence and maturity. Soil heat flux varied diurnally and was highest in control at all stages of crop except noon in some cases. Fluctuating soil heat flux was observed below trees.

 Investigation into the role of Ca2+ on amelioration of physiological disorder caused by higher Fe2+ in soil (pH5.6), was carried out with rice varieties viz., Mahsuri (iron resistant) and Bahadur (iron susceptible). Root-dip treatment (RDT) for 24h with CaCl2 increased [Ca2+] in roots commensuration with [CaCl2] from 100-1000ppm. The soil pH values increased (acidity decreased) along with advancement of crop growth. Overall, 400ppm added FeSO4.7H2O in soil reduced total chlorophyll content (up-to 46%) in leaf as compared to natural soil (200ppm Fe2+), and the CaCl2 RDT reversed (ï‚»17- 45%) the negative effects of iron on total chlorophyll at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting (DAT). Similarly, leaf area was reduced (ï‚»1-16%) by the 400ppm added iron in soil, and CaCl2 RDT recovered (ï‚»12-23%) of it in comparison to the plants on natural soil. High density (HD) grains (ï‚»12-23%) and yield (15-37%) were also reduced by plants  grown in higher iron condition, and CaCl2 RDT could increase HD grains (ï‚»32-33%) and grain yield (ï‚»39- 2%) in both rice varieties. In spite of susceptibility of Bahadur to iron, it responded well to CaCl2 RDT in amelioration of iron disarray. The membrane damage by Fe2+ and modulation of it by Ca2+ have been discussed as the features of plants under higher iron condition. 

 The organic farming in real sense envisages a comprehensive management approach to improve the health of underlying productivity of the soil. India is bestowed with lot of potential to produce all varieties of organic products due to its various agro-climatic regions. The study is work out in collaboration with Sarveshwar Group, Jammu and is related to organic farming for product paddy. A simple random technique was adopted for the selection of samples. 59 respondents from village Agar chak, 19 from Baspur and 4 from Rangpur Nai basti of R. S. Pura were selected purposively so as to constitute a total sample of 82 farmers. It has found from the study that 63.4 per cent of the respondents are willing to spare their land for two years to get involved in the organic farming and rest are not interested which shows there is a scope for organic farming in the study area. Also 59.5 per cent of the respondents are ready to go for the training on organic farming whereas 17.1 per cent are of the opinion that they will think before opting for the training. This shows farmers are willing to go for the organic farming and moreover if the compensation and the training programs are provided timely that will help a lot as per the opinion of the respondents.