Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield,economics, and energetics of pepper and soil properties in naturally ventilated polyhouse

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2009 and 2010 at Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Hawalbagh, Almora, Uttarakhand, under the mid-hills of north-western Himalaya, to study the effect of farmyard manure and fertilizers on fruit yield, economics, energetics of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and on soil chemical properties. The highest level of farmyard manure (20 t ha^?1) along with 125% of recommended NPK (125, 27.5, and 52.1 kg N, P and K ha^?1) resulted in significantly higher fruit yield (33.9 t ha^?1) over other combinations. Both farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased fruits/plant, average fruit weight, plant height, fruit length, and fruit diameter. The maximum net returns (4520 $ ha^?1) was achieved at 20 t of FYM along with 125% of recommended NPK. Energy ratio of 1.29 and 1.13 was the highest under 20 t FYM ha^?1 and 125% of recommended NPK, respectively. Available nutrients (N, P, and K) improved the status of the soil significantly due to 20 t ha^?1 of FYM and 125% of recommended NPK over other treatments.     

Integrated Fertilizer Management: Influence on Soil Nitrogen,Available Phosphorus,Potassium, Nutrient Uptake and Maize Yield

A field experiment was conducted on an Alfisol (kandic paleustalf) in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria, for two seasons to assess the influence of inorganic and organic fertilizers on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), nutrient uptake and maize yield. The treatments consisted of three rates of organic fertilizer 0, 5 and 10 t ha^?1 in the form of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer (20:10:10) applied at 0 and 120 kg ha^?1. Maize (Zea mays) was used as the test crop. The results showed that the combined application of 10 t ha^?1 poultry manure and 120 kg ha^?1 NPK fertilizer enhanced the uptake of N, P and K better than other treatment combinations. Application of 10 t ha^?1 poultry manure alone gave the highest grain yield, which was 67.02% higher than the control in the first season. Complementary application of 5 t ha^?1 poultry manure with 120 kg ha^?1 NPK 20–10-10 was recommended for grain yield.     

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on Growth,Yield, and Juice Quality and Residual Effects on Ratoon Crops of Sugarcane

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were carried out for three consecutive years (2003–2006) at Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute farm soil on plant (first crop after planting) and subsequent two ratoon crops of sugarcane. The main objectives of the study were to assess the direct and residual effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth, yield, and juice quality of plant and ratoon crops. The plant crop consisted of four treatments. After harvesting of plant crop to evaluate the residual effects on ratoon crop the plots were subdivided except the control plot. Thus, there were seven treatments in the ratoon crop. Application of recommended fertilizer [nitrogen (N₁₅₀), phosphorus (P₅₂), potassium (K₉₀), sulfur (S₃₅), and zinc (Zn₃) kg ha^{? 1}] singly or 25% less of it either with press mud or farmyard manure (FYM) at 15 t ha^{? 1} produced statistically identical yield ranged from 67.5 to 69.0 t ha^{? 1} in plant crop. In the ratoon experiment when the recommended fertilizer was applied alone or 25% less of its either with press mud or FYM at 15 or even 7.5 t ha^{? 1} again produced better yield; it ranged from 64.8 to 69.2 in first ratoon and 68.2 to 76.5 t ha^{? 1} in second ratoon crops. Results showed that N, P, K, and S content in leaf progressively decreased in ratoon crops over plant crop. Juice quality parameters viz. brix, pol, and purity % remained unchanged both in plant and ratoon crops. Furthermore, organic carbon (C), available N, P, K, and S were higher in post harvest soils that received inorganic fertilizer in combination with organic manure than control and inorganic fertilizer treated soil. It may be concluded that the application of 25% less of recommended fertilizer (N₁₁₂, P₄₀, K₆₈, S₂₆, and Zn_2.2.5 kg ha^{? 1}) either with press mud or FYM at 15 t ha^{? 1} was adequate for optimum yield of plant crop. Results also suggest that additional N (50% extra dosage) keeping all other fertilizers at the same level like plant crop i.e. N₁₆₈, P₄₀, K₆₈, S₂₆, and Zn_2.25 kg ha^{? 1} either with press mud or FYM at 7.5 t ha^{? 1} may be recommended for subsequent ratoon crops to obtain good yield without deterioration in soil fertility.     

Enhancing phosphorus availability,soil organic carbon,maize productivity and farm profitability through biochar and organic–inorganic fertilizers in an irrigated maize agroecosystem under semi‐arid climate

Biochar amendments offer promising potential to improve soil fertility, soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yields; however, a limited research has explored these benefits of biochar in the arid and semi‐arid regions. This two‐year field study investigated the effects of Acacia tree biomass‐derived biochar, applied at 0 and 10 t ha^?1 rates with farmyard manure (FYM) or poultry manure (PM) and mineral phosphorus (P) fertilizer combinations (100 kg P ha^‐1), on maize (Zea mays L.) productivity, P use efficiency (PUE) and farm profitability. The application of biochar with organic–inorganic P fertilizers significantly increased soil P and SOC contents than the sole organic or inorganic P fertilizers. Addition of biochar and PM as 100% P source resulted in the highest soil P (104% increase over control) and SOC contents (203% higher than control). However, maize productivity and PUE were significantly higher under balanced P fertilizer (50% organic + 50% mineral fertilizer) with biochar and the increase was 110%, 94% and 170% than 100%‐FYM, 100%‐PM and 100% mineral fertilizer, respectively. Maize productivity and yield correlated significantly positively with soil P and SOC contents These positive effects were possibly due to the ability of biochar to improve soil properties, P availability from organic–inorganic fertilizers and SOC which resulted in higher PUE and maize productivity. Despite the significant positive relationship of PUE with net economic returns, biochar incorporation with PM and mineral fertilizer combination was economically profitable, whereas FYM along biochar was not profitable due to short duration of the field experiments.     

Integrated use of organic and inorganic inputs in wheat-fodder maize cropping sequence to improve crop yields and soil properties

A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two organics, farmyard manure and vermicompost, each at three rates (0, 5, 10 t ha^?1 and 0, 1, 2 t ha^?1, respectively), along with two levels of mineral fertilizer (75% and 100% of recommended dose), on crops yields and soil properties under a wheat–fodder maize cropping sequence. Individual addition of organics at a higher level increased yields of wheat and subsequent maize. Soil microbial biomass carbon was enhanced as both a direct and residual effect with the addition of farmyard manure followed by vermicompost and fertilizer treatments, and also by combined addition of manure with either vermicompost or mineral fertilizer. Farmyard manure increased the availability of soil macro- and micronutrients, whereas vermicompost influenced only the availability of micronutrients at wheat harvest. A residual effect of farmyard manure and mineral fertilizers was found for available N. Meanwhile, the residual status of micronutrients in the soil was either maintained or significantly improved due to organic amendments (Mn and Zn with farmyard manure; Fe and Zn with vermicompost). Interaction of farmyard manure and vermicompost at a higher level benefited the next crop by increasing the yield of fodder maize and improving the availability of P and metals in soil.     

Effect of nutrient management and straw mulching on crop yield,uptake and soil fertility in rapeseed (Brassica campestris)–greengram (Vigna radiata)–rice (Oryza sativa) cropping system under Gangetic plains of India

An experiment was conducted at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India during 2001–2003 to study the effect of levels of fertility and straw mulch on a rapeseed (Brassica campestris var yellow sarson)–greengram (Vigna radiata)–rice (Oryza sativa) cropping system under a rainfed upland ecosystem. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design having 14 treatment combinations of organic and inorganic nutrients along with straw mulch in three replicates. The results revealed that conjunctive use of organic and inorganic nutrients as well as paddy straw mulch resulted higher yield in both rapeseed and greengram, and the residual effects of different levels of fertilization and mulching also gave rise to higher grain yield in the succeeding rice crop. The uptake of nutrients, by the cropping system as a whole, to the tune of 204.29 and 183.00 kg ha^?1 of N, 72.84 and 74.07 kg ha^?1 of P and 179.95 and 175.41 kg ha^?1 of K took place, with the treatment receiving 10 t ha^?1 of farmyard manure (FYM) applied (to rapeseed) along with 50% recommended dose (RD) of NPK to all the crops in the sequence in two consecutive years, respectively. The same treatment resulted in a higher percentage of porosity vis-à-vis lower bulk density. Soil physico-chemical properties were superior in mulch-treated plots compared with no mulch treatment. Application of organic and inorganic nutrients along with proper moisture conservation practices can enhance the yields maintaining a good soil health.     

Nutrient dynamics,dehydrogenase activity,and response of the rice plant to fertilization sources in an acid lateritic soil

Abstract

Rice variety IR 36, grown under flooding, was studied in 1998 to determine the effects of fly ash, organic, and inorganic fertilizers on changes in pH and organic carbon, release of nutrients (NH₄ ⁺-N, Bray's P, and NH₄OAc K), and dehydrogenase activity in an acid lateritic soil at 15-day intervals. Application of fly ash at 10?t?ha^?1 alone did not improve the availability of NH₄ ⁺-N, or P, as well as the rice grain yield. Availability of NH₄ ⁺-N (35.3–36.9?mg?kg^?1), and P (12.3–14.6?mg?kg^?1) at 15 days after transplanting, and rice grain yields (48.0–51.7?g per pot) were similar under the various fertilization sources such as inorganic fertilizer alone, inorganic fertilizer?+?fly ash or inorganic fertilizer?+?green manure?+?fly ash. Mean dehydrogenase activity was the highest (8.47?µg triphenyl formazon g^?1 24?h^?1) under the mixed fertilization treatments with green manure. At the end of the cropping season (75 days after transplanting), pH, organic carbon, and dehydrogenase activity were higher under the mixed fertilization treatments involving green manure by 3, 15 and 154%, respectively, compared with the inorganic fertilizer alone.     

Study on the Effects of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield,Yield Components,and Nodulation State of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

To study the effects of organic and inorganic nitrogen (N) on yield and nodulation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cv. ILC 482, a spilt-plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted in 2008 at the experimental farm of the Agriculture Faculty, University of Mohaghegh, Ardabili. Experimental factors were inorganic N fertilizer at four levels (0, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha^?1) in the main plots that applied in the urea form, and two levels of inoculation with Rhizobium bacteria (with and without inoculation) as subplots. Nitrogen application and Rh. inoculation continued to have positive effects on yield and its attributes. The greatest plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, number of pods per plant, number of filled and unfilled pods per plant, number of grains per plant, grain yield, and biological yield were obtained from the greatest level of N fertilizer (100 kg urea ha^?1) and Rh. inoculation. Application of 75 and 100 kg ha^?1 urea showed no significant difference in these traits. Furthermore, the greatest rate of N usage (100 kg urea ha^?1) adversely inhibited nodulation of chickpea. Number and dry weight of nodules per plant decreased significantly with increasing N application rate. The lowest values of these traits recorded in application of 100 kg ha^?1 urea. Results indicated that application of suitable amounts of N fertilizer (i.e., between 50 and 75 kg urea ha^?1) as starter can be beneficial to improve nodulation, growth, and final yield of inoculated chickpea plants.     

Effects of Integrated Nutrient Management on Plant Crop and Successive First and Second Ratoon Crops of Sugarcane in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Experiments were carried out with the objectives to reduce the yield gap of plant and subsequent ratoon crops, evaluate juice quality, as well as soil properties. A 3-year field experiment was utilized to assess the use of organic materials and inorganic fertilizers on plant and subsequent ratoon crops. The organic materials included press mud, farmyard manure (FYM), and green manure (GM) of Sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea); the fertilizers were urea, triple superphosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MOP), gypsum, and zinc sulphate. Farm yard manure was applied at a rate of 15 t ha^?1 accompanied with a chemical fertilizer (N₁₇₈P₅₃K₅₄S₂₆Zn_2.6kg ha^?1), which produced yield of 108.4, 96.8, and 73.5 t ha^?1 in plant cane, first, and second ratoon crops, respectively. Cane yields in the first were recorded in plant cane first and second ratoon crops, respectively. Cane yields in the first and second ratoon crops were 89.3 and 67.8% of plant crop, respectively. Juice quality parameters viz., Brix, pol and purity percent progressively increased in ratoons crops as compared to corresponding plant cane. The organic carbon, total N, and available P, K, &; S contents of soils increased slightly due to incorporation of organic materials. The result of the study revealed that 25% reduction of inorganic fertilizer with FYM or press mud at 15 t ha^?1 in plant cane and addition of 50% more N with same amount of fertilizer suggested for plant cane showed better yield and improved juice quality in first and second ratoon crops of sugarcane.     

Comparative Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Wheat Productivity under Arid Region

ABSTRACT

Organic amendments in the soil perform better than synthetic fertilizers in regards to soil fertility and sustainable crop productivity. Experiments were conducted to compare the effects of organic and synthetic fertilizers on soil fertility and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity. Soil fertility and protein contents of wheat grains (13.2% and 13.3% during 2005–06 and 2006–07, respectively) were improved by organic amendments. However, synthetic fertilizer (at the rate of 150, 100, and 60 kg ha^?1 N, P₂O₅, and K₂O, respectively) applications resulted in the maximum grain yield (4.05 and 4.46 t ha^?1 during 2005–06 and 2006–07, respectively). The observed and simulated soil organic carbon (SOC) reasonably agreed during RothC model validation (R ² = 0.99). Economic analysis showed the maximum net profit and relative increase in income ($729 US ha^?1 and 309%, respectively) from inorganic treatment. Application of synthetic fertilizers increased grain yield and farm profit while organic manure enhanced grain quality. The RothC model had potential for determining the SOC in organic farming under arid environment.     

Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost and Farmyard Manure Application on Heavy‐Metal Uptake in Wheat

The risks related to municipal solid waste compost application in comparison to farmyard manure and mineral fertilizers on durum wheat were investigated on a short‐term experiment. Compost was applied at 40 t ha^?1 and 80 t ha^?1 with or without chemical fertilizers. Analogously, farmyard manure was applied at 40 t ha^?1. Both compost and farmyard manure improved plant growth and nutrient uptake. However, compost amendment showed more effectiveness, especially at 80 t ha^?1. Alternatively, this dose of compost involved an increase of plant copper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in plant tissues. Metal accumulation did not thwart the enhancement of wheat yield. Furthermore, grain translocation factor reached 1 only in the case of copper; however, it showed a significant decrease following compost application (ranged between 0.57 and 0.69). Bioconcentration factor showed a significant decrease with municipal solid waste compost supply, constituting an internal detoxification mechanism.     

Continuous Cropping,Fertilization, and Organic Manure Application Effects on Potassium in an Alfisol under Arid Conditions

Effects of continuous cropping and addition of organic manures (farmyard manure, FYM, and groundnut shells, GNS) along with inorganic fertilizers on nonexchangeable potassium (K) release kinetics in a K-deficient Alfisol were studied in a 20-year manurial experiment under arid conditions. There was a depletion in available K under continuous cropping without K input (control) as compared to other treatments such as 100% nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK), 50% NPK + 4 metric tons (MT) groundnut shells ha^?1, 50% NPK + 4 MT FYM ha^?1, and 100% organic (i.e., 5 MT FYM ha^?1). Over 20 years of cropping without K input, available K was reduced from 155 kg ha^?1 (in 1985) to 82 kg ha^?1 (in 2005), showing a negative balance of 73 kg ha^?1. Soil in control plots showed available K in the deficient range (<50 mg kg^?1), whereas four other fertilizer and manurial treatments were greater than the critical limit. Considerable improvements in nonexchangeable K-release parameters such as step K and cumulative K release were observed in manured plots over control. Parabolic diffusion and first-order kinetic equations explained K release from soils. Potassium-release rates were drastically reduced in control plots, and there were increased release rates with continuous addition of manures. Results suggest that soils with groundnut shells or FYM (4 MT ha^?1) along with 50% inorganic fertilizer additions could maintain greater K release rates after 20 years of cropping as compared to cropping without K input.     

Long‐term fertilization impacts on corn yields and soil organic matter on a clay‐loam soil in Northeast China

A long‐term fertilization experiment with monoculture corn (Zea mays L.) was established in 1980 on a clay‐loam soil (Black Soil in Chinese Soil Classification and Typic Halpudoll in USDA Soil Taxonomy) at Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, China. The experiment aimed to study the sustainability of grain‐corn production on this soil type with eight different nitrogen (N)‐, phosphorus (P)‐, and potassium (K)–mineral fertilizer combinations and three levels (0, 30, and 60 Mg ha^–1 y^–1) of farmyard manure (FYM). On average, FYM additions produced higher grain yields (7.78 and 8.03 Mg ha^–1) compared to the FYM0 (no farmyard application) treatments (5.67 Mg ha^–1). The application of N fertilizer (solely or in various combinations with P and K) in the FYM0 treatment resulted in substantial grain‐yield increases compared to the FYM0 control treatment (3.56 Mg ha^–1). However, the use of NP or NK did not yield in any significant additional effect on the corn yield compared to the use of N alone. The treatments involving P, K, and PK fertilizers resulted in an average 24% increase in yield over the FYM0 control. Over all FYM treatments, the effect of fertilization on corn yield was NPK > NP = NK = N > PK = P > K = control. Farmyard‐manure additions for 25 y increased soil organic‐matter (SOM) content by 3.8 g kg^–1 (13.6%) in the FYM1 treatments and by 7.8 g kg^–1 (27.8%) in the FYM2 treatments, compared to a 3.2 g kg^–1 decrease (11.4%) in the FYM0 treatments. Overall, the results suggest that mineral fertilizers can maintain high yields, but a combination of mineral fertilizers plus farmyard manure are needed to enhance soil organic‐matter levels in this soil type.     

SUSTAINABLE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PACKAGE FOR COST-EFFECTIVE BIOENERGY BIOMASS PRODUCTION

Commercial fertilizer (particularly nitrogen) costs account for a substantial portion of the total production costs of cellulosic biomass and can be a major obstacle to biofuel production. In a series of greenhouse studies, we evaluated the feasibility of co-applying Gibberellins (GA) and reduced nitrogen (N) rates to produce a bioenergy crop less expensively. In a preliminary study, we determined the minimum combined application rates of GA and N required for efficient biomass (sweet sorghum, Sorghum bicolor) production. Co-application of 75 kg ha^?1 (one-half of the recommended N rate for sorghum) and a modest GA rate of 3 g ha^?1 optimized dry matter yield (DMY) and N and phosphorus (P) uptake efficiencies, resulting in a reduction of N and P leaching. Organic nutrient sources such as manures and biosolids can be substituted for commercial N fertilizers (and incidentally supply P) to further reduce the cost of nutrient supply for biomass production. Based on the results of the preliminary study, we conducted a second greenhouse study using sweet sorghum as a test bioenergy crop. We co-applied organic sources of N (manure and biosolids) at 75 and 150 kg PAN ha^?1 (representing 50 and 100% N rate respectively) with 3 g GA ha^?1. In each batch of experiment, the crop was grown for 8 wk on Immokalee fine sand of minimal native fertility. After harvest, sufficient water was applied to soil in each pot to yield ～1.5 L (～0.75 pore volume) of leachate, and analyzed for total N and soluble reactive P (SRP). The reduced (50%) N application rate, together with GA, optimized biomass production. Application of GA at 3 g ha^?1, and the organic sources of N at 50% of the recommended N rate, decreased nutrient cost of producing the bioenergy biomass by ～$375 ha^?1 (>90% of total nutrient cost), and could reduce offsite N and P losses from vulnerable soils.     

Short-term responses of soil nutrients and corn yield to tillage and organic amendment

Field experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Agricultural College of Shiraz University to evaluate the effects of cattle manure and nitrogen (N) fertilizers on soil properties such as soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic nitrogen (SON), soil electrical conductivity, soil pH and corn yield under two tillage systems. Treatments included tillage systems in two levels as conventional tillage and reduced tillage as subplots, cattle manure (0, 25 and 50 tons ha^?1) and N fertilizer (0, 125 and 250 kg N ha^?1) as sub-subplots. Results showed that SOC and SON were significantly affected by tillage system in both years of the experiment. SOC and SON were higher in reduced tillage compared to conventional tillage. Tillage system had no significant effect on grain yield, plant height and 1000 seed weight. Increased cattle manure rates at 25 and 50 tons ha^?1 increased grain yield by 27% and 38%, respectively, in 2010 and 25% and 25% in 2011. The results showed that application of cattle manure combined with N fertilizer might be an efficient management to increase soil productivity in southern Iran, in soils with poor organic content. Additionally, reduced tillage showed to be an efficient method to increase soil organic matter.     

Effect of Mycorrhiza,Organic Sources,Lime, Secondary and Micro-nutrients on Soil Microbial Activities and Yield Performance of Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) in Alfisols

Effect of integrated use of mycorrhiza, lime, inorganic fertilizers, and organic manures on microbial activities and yield performance of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) was studied for two consecutive kharif (rainy) seasons during 2013–14 and 2014–15 in an acid Alfisol. The experiment was laid out with 16 treatments consisting of graded doses of soil test–based nitrogen, phosphors, and potassium (NPK); lime; mycorrhiza; organic sources, that is, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and green manure; secondary magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) and micronutrients zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄ and borax). Significantly highest mean tuber yield (29.61 t ha^?1) was recorded due to integrated application of lime + FYM + NPK + ZnSO₄. Graded doses of NPK showed a mean yield response of 65%, 134%, and 191% due to addition of 50%, 100%, and 150% of NPK over control, respectively. Inoculation of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) combined with NPK and FYM recorded a mean tuber yield of 25.14 t ha^?1. Highest mean dry matter (18.85%) was recorded due to application of 150% NPK, whereas highest starch content on fresh weight basis was recorded due to integrated use of lime + FYM + NPK + MgSO₄ (11.11%). Application of 150% NPK has recorded highest dehydrogenase activity (2.018 µg TPF h^?1 g^?1) and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis assay (2.012 µg g^?1 h^?1). Fungal inoculation of VAM in combination with lime + FYM + NPK recorded highest acid and alkaline phosphatase activities (82.20 and 67.02 µg PNP g^?1 soil h^?1, respectively). Soil biological activities and phosphatase activities had highly significant relationship with tuber yield and biochemical constituents of yam bean. The study emphasized the conjunctive use of soil test–based inorganic fertilizers, lime, and organic manures to enhance the enzymatic activities and to realize higher crop yields of yam bean in acid Alfisols.     

EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS APPLICATION ON GRAIN YIELD,LEAF CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND SOME MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN SOYBEAN CULTIVARS

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic amendments on grain yield, leaf chlorophyll content, and some morphological characteristics of three soybean cultivars in Mazandaran province located at north of Iran in 2006. Chemical fertilizer (75 kg ha^?1 potassium sulfate and triple superphosphate), two levels of municipal solid waste, vermicompost and sewage sludge biosolid (20 and 40 Mg ha^?1) enriched with%50 chemical fertilizers needed by soil were applied to soybean cultivars (‘032’ and ‘033’ promising lines and ‘JK’ cultivar). The experiment was carried out in split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Some important plant characters such as grain yield, leaf chlorophyll content, number of branches, number of nodes on the main stem, length of internodes, stem diameter, first pod height and plant height were determined. Results showed that application of 40 Mg ha^?1 sewage sludge enriched with chemical fertilizers increased plant grain yield and stem diameter and application of 40 Mg ha^?1 vermicompost enriched with half chemical fertilizer increased the number of nodes on the main stem, significantly. The maximum length of internodes, first pod height and plant height were obtained when the 40 Mg ha^?1 sewage sludge and vermicompost enriched with half chemical fertilizer in ‘032’ line was used. Biomass, number of branches, stem diameter, number of nodes on the main stem of soybean cultivars had a positive and significant correlation with grain yield.     

Soil nutrient dynamics,growth and yield of green maize and vegetable cowpea with organic-based fertilization

The growth and yield performance of green maize (Zea mays), followed by a late-season vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), was assessed with two rates of three different types of organic-based fertilizers (OBFs) fortified with an inorganic nutrient source. There was also an inorganic fertilizer treatment of NPK 20–10–10 applied at 300 kg ha^?1 and a no-fertilizer control treatment. Maize growth was affected by fertilizer type and rate. Organic fertilizer, applied at 5 t ha^?1, 3 weeks before maize released enough nutrients to have comparable growth as inorganic fertilizer. Applying the OBF at 2.5 t ha^?1 was inadequate to give comparable growth. Application of fortified OBF with total nitrogen content higher than 2.4% N at 5.0 t ha^?1 gave maize grain yields comparable with NPK fertilizer. Cowpea yields following early-season maize were highest with DPW + NPK. They were significantly lower with 2.5 t ha^?1 of the OBFs. Application of the IAR&T-OBF (OBF made by Institute of Agricultural Research and Training) and decomposed poultry waste (DPW) + NPK at 5.0 t ha^?1 gave comparable seed yields significantly higher than OYO-OBF (OBF made by Oyo State Government of Nigeria). NPK fertilizer application supported early-season maize cultivation, but it was not adequate to support the following cowpea. OBF should have nitrogen content up to 2.4% and applied at 5.0 t ha^?1 to support an early-season maize cultivation with a late-season cowpea.     

WHEAT RESPONSE TO FARM YARD MANURE AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION UNDER MOISTURE STRESS CONDITIONS

Information on the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity is lacking under moisture stress conditions of Northwest Pakistan. The present experiment was designed to ascertain the combined effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer management on rainfed wheat. Four levels of farm yard manure, FYM, (0, 10, 20, and 30 Mg FYM ha^?1) and nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha^?1) were used. The experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan during crop season of 2003–04. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. Plant height, productive tillers m^?2, grains spike^?1, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index were significantly higher in plots which received 30 Mg FYM ha^?1. In the case of nitrogen (N) no distinctive differences between the effect of 90 and 120 kg ha^?1 was observed for most of the parameters. Nitrogen application at 90 kg ha^?1 had significantly higher; plant height, grains spike^?1, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index as compared with the lower levels, i.e., 0, 30, and 60 kg N ha^?1 but were at par with 120 N kg ha^?1. Significantly higher numbers of productive tillers m^?2, grains spike^?1, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were recorded with application of 30 Mg FYM ha^?1 + 90 kg N ha^?1. The present study suggested that application of 30 Mg FYM ha^?1 + 90 kg N ha^?1 are promising levels for higher production of wheat under moisture stress conditions. Further research work is needed to ascertain the effect of N above 90 kg ha^?1 under different moisture regimes.     

Cumulative Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Yield,Nutrients Uptake and Economics by Rice–Wheat Cropping System in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted for 2 years in sandy loam soil, to study the direct effect of organic manures i.e. sewage sludge (SS), vermicompost (VC) and sesbania (SB) and chemical fertilizers on rice (Oryza sativa) and their residual effect on wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in sequence in winter (Rabi) and summer (Kharif) season during 2015–2016 to 2016–2017 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Residual effect of organic sources of nutrients as SS, VC and SB were monitored up to fourth crop (II wheat) in sequence applied in conjunction with 75% recommended dose of fertilize (RDF). Among the nutrient sources, the maximum grain yield in I rice (4.89 t ha^?1), II rice (4.95 t ha^?1), was recorded in treatment T₃ (100% RDF with S, Zn, B) whereas in I wheat (4.68 t ha^?1) and II wheat (4.59 t ha^?1), it was recorded in T₄ (customized fertilizer). The maximum straw yield during all four crops was recorded in T₃ (100% RDF with S, Zn, B) in rice and T₄ (customized fertilizer) in wheat crop, which showed 25, 32, 23 and 28% increase over 100% RDF (T₂). Application of 100% RDF along with S, Zn, B and customized fertilizer increased the total uptake of N, P, K, S and B and also in net returns and B:C ratio followed by organic treatments.