Nutrient Dynamics: Effect on Cropping Behavior,Nutrient Profile and Quality Attributes of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Under Rainfed Agroclimatic Conditions

The study was carried out between 2008 and 2010 on 8-year-old pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) trees cultivar ‘Kandhari Kabuli.’ The potential efficiency of bio-organics used along with chemical fertilizers on cropping behavior, quality attributes, nutrient availability, physico-chemical, and biological properties of soil were investigated. Bioorganic nutrient sources, namely, vermicompost (VC), biofertilizers (BF), farm yard manure (FYM), and green manure (GM), along with chemical fertilizers was evaluated in 13 different treatment combinations. Conjoint treatment application of VC at 20 kg tree^?1, BF at 80 g tree^?1, FYM at 20 kg tree^?1, GM as sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) along with 75% of the recommended dose of nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (N–P–K) chemical fertilizers significantly resulted in maximum fruit set (52.03%) and fruit yield (34.02 kg tree^?1). All of the fruit quality characteristics were also improved significantly when compared to nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (N–P–K) chemical fertilizers. This superior combination also enhanced physical-chemical and biological properties of the rhizosphere soil. Microbial biomass of in terms of Pseudomonas, total culturable soil fungi, Azotobacter chroococcum, actinobacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi improved 385.57, 60.26, 134.19, 168.02, and 39.87%, respectively, over control. This combination also resulted in considerable greater concentration of leaf macro-and micronutrients: N (2.63%), P (0.25%), K (1.57%), iron (Fe; 197.87 mg kg^?1), copper (Cu; 14.65 mg kg^?1), zinc (Zn; 59.36 mg kg^?1), and manganese (Mn; 200.45 mg kg^?1).     

Field Application Strategies for the Inoculant Biofertilizer Biogro Supplementing Fertilizer Nitrogen Application in Rice Production

Biofertilizer research for rice in Vietnam has focused on the isolation and selection of strains that can fix nitrogen, solubilize inorganic phosphates, stimulate plant growth, and breakdown soil organic matter. This paper assesses the consistent positive effect of BioGro on grain yield and agronomic parameters, including the rates and times for its application, the need for continued inoculation of crops grown in the same site, varietal differences, and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) combinations on the effectiveness of BioGro. The commercial biofertilizer, BioGro, consists of four strains, one formerly considered as nitrogen fixing, Pseudomonas fluorescens, a soil yeast strain, Candida tropicalis is P-solubilizing, and two other bacilli, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis, potentially breaking down cellulose, protein, and starch. All four strains contribute to plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) effect as shown by enhanced root growth. BioGro can be produced in local factories providing there is technical backup in the supply of starter culture and quality control of the final product.     

LEAF-MACRONUTRIENT STATUS AND FRUIT YIELD OF BIOFERTILIZED YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PLANTS

Biofertilizers instead of synthetic chemicals are known to improve plant growth through the supply of plant nutrients and they may help sustaining environmental health and soil productivity. An experiment was carried out to evaluate fruit yield and macronutrient foliar contents of yellow passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis) as a function of biofertilizers and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) fertilizing in Brazil (2005–2007). The experimental design was randomized in blocks with treatments, which were distributed in a factorial arrangement (3 × 2) referring to biofertilizer application [without biofertilizer, simple biofertilizer and enriched biofertilizer] and mineral fertilizing with NPK (fertilized and non-fertilized), with three replications of nine plants. Nutritional status of yellow passion fruit is affected by biofertilizer. Simple biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of phosphorus, calcium and sulfur, while enriched biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and sulfur. Both biofertilizers stimulated fruit yield, with results above Brazilian average.     

Biochar particle size and Rhizobia strains effect on the uptake and efficiency of nitrogen in lentils

Abstract

Biochar has attained significant attention as a beneficial soil amendment amongst growers and researchers. However, the impact of particle size of biochar is yet to be investigated. Here in the present study, we studied three particle sizes (<2?mm, 2–5?mm, and >5?mm) of biochar and two rhizobia strains (Rhizobium leguminoserum (RL) and Rhizogold (RG)) for their effect on the uptake and efficiency of nitrogen (N) in lentils. The two years experiment followed a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement replicated three times. The data revealed that grain N, straw N, N uptake, N recovery efficiency (NRE), and N agronomic efficiency (NAE) were maximum with biochar smallest size (<2?mm). However, the N physiological efficiency, number of branches and plant height decreased with reduced particle size. Furthermore, the smallest particle size showed more number of pod plant^?1. Biofertilizer strain (RL and RG) significantly increased the straw N but not the grain N. Both strains showed increased NRE and NAE, however, the RL demonstrated 7% more grain N than the RG. Both strains (RL and RG) demonstrated 16% and 20% increase in number of branches plant^?1, 62% and 48% in plant height and 2% and 5% in root length, respectively. The RL strain improved the number of branches plant^?1 at the lowest (<2?mm) and medium size (2–5?mm) particles size but both RL and RG strains demonstrated increased plant height under the maximum particle size. These results indicated that a mere increase in surface area with decreasing biochar particle size may not serve for enhancing biofertilizer strains performance since reducing particle size may immobilize the starter N applied. However, reducing particle size effect on N cycling into soil plant system was favorable.     

Effect of soybean inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and wheat inoculation with Azotobacter on their productivity and N turnover in a Vertisol

A long-term field experiment was conducted for 8 years on a Vertisol in central India to assess quantitatively the direct and residual N effects of soybean inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and wheat inoculation with Azotobacter in a soybean–wheat rotation. After cultivation of soybean each year, its aerial residues were removed before growing wheat in the same plots using four N levels (120, 90, 60 and 30 kg ha^?1) and Azotobacter inoculation. Inoculation of soybean increased grain yield by 10.1% (180 kg ha^?1), but the increase in wheat yields with inoculation was only marginal (5.6%; 278 kg ha^?1). There was always a positive balance of soil N after soybean harvest; an average of +28 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 in control (nodulated by native rhizobia) plots compared with +41 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 in Rhizobium-inoculated plots. Residual and direct effects of Rhizobium and Azotobacter inoculants caused a fertilizer N credit of 30 kg ha^?1 in wheat. Application of fertilizers or microbial inoculation favoured the proliferation of rhizobia in crop rhizosphere due to better plant growth. Additional N uptake by inoculation was 14.9 kg N ha^?1 by soybean and 20.9 kg N ha^?1 by wheat crop, and a gain of +38.0 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 to the 0–15 cm soil layer was measured after harvest of wheat. So, total N contribution to crops and soil due to the inoculants was 73.8 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 after one soybean–wheat rotation. There was a total N benefit of 13.8 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 to the soil due to regular long-term use of microbial inoculants in soybean–wheat rotation.     

An alternative eco-friendly approach for sustainable crop production with the use of indigenous inputs under old alluvial soil zone of Burdwan,West Bengal,India

Experiments were conducted on mustard (Brassica campestris cv.B₉) in an old alluvial soil zone of Crop Research and Seed Multiplication Farm, Burdwan University, Burdwan, West Bengal, India, during the winter seasons of 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. The aim was to evaluate the use of vermicompost prepared from municipality waste and Eichhornia mixture and its efficacy on crop growth and yield. Different combined doses of vermicompost, dried cow dung and chemical fertilizer along with Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria compared to full recommended dose of chemical NPK fertilizer (100:50:50) were used to develop an alternative farming technology for sustainable crop production and conservation of natural resources. The variety B₉ gave a significantly higher seed yield and oil content along with other growth and yield-contributing factors as well as being the most economically viable option against treatment T4 (i.e. 75% NPK + vermicompost at 2.5 tons per hectare) among all the treatments applied for the experiment and was found to be superior to other treatments in old alluvial soil of Burdwan, India. In both the experimental years, seed yield and oil content were found to be the best for the treatment T4 and was better than using chemical fertilizer.     

Role of carrier-based biofertilizer in reclamation of saline soil and wheat growth

Two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Pseudomonas moraviensis and Bacillus cereus, were used as bioinoculants on wheat, applied alone and in combination. Ground maize straw and sugarcane husk were used as carriers. Experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) under axenic conditions in the greenhouse of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. Sodium chloride (NaCl) (150 mM) was applied with irrigated water after 7 and 14 days of seed germination. Measurements made 40 days after sowing (DAS) revealed that P. moraviensis and B. cereus have better survival efficiency (as evidenced by higher colony forming units (CFUs)) in the carriers. The substantial increase in CFU of both PGPR was also observed in the soil at 57 DAS. Coinoculation of PGPR with both the carrier materials significantly decreased electrical conductivity (EC) and Na⁺ content of soil over control. The N, P, K⁺, Ca⁺, and Mg⁺ contents were 30–40% higher in soil, and 30–45% higher in leaves. Coinoculation of PGPR with carriers significantly increased chlorophyll, protein, sugar, phytohormone contents, and antioxidant activities of leaves. The application of biofertilizers improved the yield of wheat by 15–25% over control. It is inferred that the carriers assisted PGPR for long-time survival, and the formulation was applicable in promoting crop production under salt stress.     

Enhancing micronutrient uptake and yield of wheat through bacterial PGPR consortia

A pot experiment was undertaken under net house conditions, with three rhizobacterial strains AW1 (Bacillus sp.), AW5 (Providencia sp.) and AW7 (Brevundimonas sp.), applied along with 2/3 recommended dose of nitrogen (N) and full dose of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers (N₉₀P₆₀K₆₀). An enhancement of 14–34% in plant biometric parameters and 28–60% in micronutrient content was recorded in treatments receiving the combination of AW1?+?AW5 strains, as compared to full dose of fertilizer application. The treatment involving inoculation with AW5?+?AW7 recorded highest values of % P and N, with a two-fold enhancement in phosphorus and 66.7% increase in N content, over full dose application of P and K fertilizers. A significant correlation was recorded between plant biomass, panicle weight, grain weight, N, P and iron (Fe) with acetylene reduction activity, indicating the significance of N fixation in overall crop productivity. Our study illustrates the multiple benefits of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation in integrated nutrient management and biofortification strategies for wheat crop.     

Impact of Biofertilizers on Mineral Status and Fruit Quality of Yellow Passion Fruit in Brazil

Biofertilizers, liquid cattle manure obtained from anaerobic processes, have emerged as an important component of the integrated nutrient supply system. Thus, an experiment was carried out from May 2002 to February 2004 to evaluate the fruit quality and macronutrient foliar contents of biofertilized yellow passion plants in Brazil. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement (2?×?5) referring to two biofertilizers [one simple and another enriched with macro- and micronutrients] and five doses of each biofertilizer (0.0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4 L plant^?1). Fruit quality and nutritional status of yellow passion fruit are affected by biofertilizer doses applied. Fruit length, width, pulp percentage, skin diameter, mass, soluble solids, and titratable acidity were improved with biofertilizer application. Simple biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of potassium, calcium, and sulfur, while enriched biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.