Effect of substrate,nutrition and growth regulator on productivity and mineral composition of leaf and pseudobulb of Cymbidium hybrid “Baltic Glacier Mint Ice”

The study evaluates the effect of various potting media, nutrition, and growth regulators on production and nutrient composition of leaf and pseudobulb of Cymbidium hybrid “Baltic Glacier Mint Ice” grown in greenhouses. The results confirmed a positive influence of growth and nutrition on flower yield of Cymbidium, with shredded tree bark+ coconut husk + brick bits giving the best flowering. A nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) dose of 200:200:200 mg l^?1 with benzyl adenine (BA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) at 50 mg l^?1 was found best for growth while an NPK dose of 200:100:100 mg l^?1 with BA and GA₃ at 50 mg l^?1 was suitable flower production of Cymbidium hybrid. Application of an NPK dose of 300:200:300 mg l^?1 with BA and GA₃ at 500 mg l^?1 was found to be best for enhancing flowering frequency. Plants of the Cymbidium hybrid with the best flowering characteristics mostly contained significantly higher concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in leaves and pseudobulbs (which acts as reservoir of nutrients).     

Iron and/or acid foliar spray versus soil application of Fe-EDDHA for prevention of iron deficiency in Valencia orange grown on a calcareous soil

A two-year experiment was conducted in an iron(Fe)-deficient orchard with calcareous soil to find out an alternate method for soil application of Fe ethylenediamine-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) (Fe-EDDHA) in orange trees. Foliar sprays of Fe-EDDHA (5 g l^?1, pH = 7.8), sulfuric acid (pH = 3), citric acid (5 g l^?1, pH = 2.4), Fe (II) sulfate solutions (250, 500, and 750 mg Fe l^?1) with their initial pH (6.5, 6.35, and 6.12) and reduced ones to pH of 3 were compared with soil applied (75 g tree^?1) Fe-EDDHA and a control test. Although optimum chlorophyll content, leaf Fe concentration, fruit quantitative and qualitative attributes were resulted from soil application of Fe-EDDHA, repeated sprays of Fe-EDDHA or acidified Fe solutions created suitable results. Acidification of Fe solutions made them more effective in alleviation of leaf Fe concentration and Fe chlorosis, probably due to remobilization of inactive Fe within the plant and prevention of Fe oxidation and precipitation in foliar solutions.     

Determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic properties at different applied tensions and water qualities

Irrigation with low-quality water may change soil hydraulic properties due to excessive electrical conductivity (EC_w) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR_w). Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of water quality (EC_w of 0.5–20 dS m^?1 and SAR_w of 0.5–40 mol^0.5 l^?0.5) on the hydraulic properties of a sandy clay loam soil (containing ～421 g gravel kg^?1 soil) at applied tensions of 0–0.2 m. The mean unsaturated hydraulic conductivity [K(ψ)], sorptive number (α) and sorptivity coefficient (S) varied with change in EC_w and SAR_w as quadratic or power equations, whereas macroscopic capillary length, λ, varied as quadratic or logarithmic equations. The maximum value of K(ψ) was obtained with a EC_w/SAR_w of 10 dS m^?1/20 mol^0.5 l^?0.5 at tensions of 0.2 and 0.15 m, and with 10 dS m^?1/10 mol^0.5 l^?0.5 at other tensions. Changes in K(ψ) due to the application of EC_w and SAR_w decreased as applied tension increased. Analysis indicated that 13.7 and 86.3% of water flow corresponded to soil pore diameters <1.5 and >1.5 μm, respectively, confirming that macropores are dominant in the studied soil. The findings indicated that use of saline waters with an EC of <10 dS m^?1 can improve soil hydraulic properties in such soils. Irrigation waters with SAR_w < 20 mol^0.5 l^?0.5 may not adversely affect hydraulic attributes at early time; although higher SAR_w may negatively affect them.     

Plant Growth and Sugars Content of Agave americana L. Cultivated with Vermicompost and Rock Phosphate and Inoculated with Penicillium sp. and Glomus fasciculatum

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vermicompost, rock phosphate, Glomus fasciculatum (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi), and Penicillium sp. (phosphate solubilizing fungi) on growth; mycorrhization percent; fructan, sucrose, glucose, and fructose contents in leaves and stem of Agave americana L. Experiments were done according to an orthogonal experimental design L₈ with four variables at two levels: vermicompost (0 or 10 g per plant), rock phosphate (0 or 1 g per plant), G. fasciculatum (0 or 1 × 10⁶ spores per plant), and Penicillium sp. (0 or 1 × 10⁹ spores per plant). Vermicompost affected stem dry weight; the fructan, glucose, and fructose in stem; and mycorrhization percent in roots. Rock phosphate and Penicillium sp. increased the mycorrhization percent. Co-inoculation of Penicillium sp. and G. fasciculatum increased A. americana plant growth. The results obtained suggested a synergistic interaction between the arbuscular mycorrhizic fungi and the phosphate solubilizing fungi.     

Influences of Cadmium and Zinc Interaction and Humic Acid on Metal Accumulation in Ceratophyllum Demersum

Interactions between Zn and Cd on the accumulation of these metals in coontail, Ceratophyllum demersum were studied at different metal concentrations. Plants were grown in nutrient solution containing Cd (0.05–0.25 mg l^?1) and Zn (0.5–5 mgl^?1). High concentrations of Zn caused a significant decrease in Cd accumulation. In general, adding Cd solution decreased Zn accumulation in C. demersum except at the lowest concentration of Zn in which the Zn accumulation was similar to that without Cd. C. demersum could accumulate high concentrations of both Cd and Zn. The influence of humic acid (HA) on Cd and Zn accumulation was also studied. HA had a significant effect on Zn accumulation in plants. 2 mg l^?1 of HA reduced Zn accumulation at 1 mg l^?1 level (from 2,167 to 803 mg kg^?1). Cd uptake by plant tissue, toxicity symptoms and accumulation at 0.25 and 0.5 mg l^?1, were reduced (from 515 to 154 mg kg^?1 and from 816 to 305 mg kg^?1, respectively) by addition of 2 mg l^?1 of HA. Cd uptake reached a maximum on day 9 of treatment, while that of Zn was observed on day 15. Long-term accumulation study revealed that HA reduced toxicity and accumulation of heavy metals.     

Predicting potassium fertilizer requirement using exchange isotherm approach in relation to soil characteristics

Determining potassium (K) fertilizer requirement using sorption isotherms is considered more accurate than conventional soil K tests. A total of 59 surface soil samples were used to establish K exchange isotherm. To evaluate K requirement sorption test, a glasshouse experiment using perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, cv. Roper) was carried out on 10 soil samples. The experiment was laid out as a completely randomized design with four replications and four K levels (K₀, K₂₀, K₄₀, K₈₀). Concentrations of K in solution established by adding K in the pots estimated from the sorption curve ranged from 20 to 80 mg K l^?1 including check treatment (no K). Dry matter yield of ryegrass in most soils approached maximum as adjusted K levels were increased to 20 mg K l^?1. The amounts of K required to bring the soils to 20 mg l^?1 in soil solution varied among soils and ranged from 99 to 399 mg kg^?1, on average 205 mg kg^?1 soil. It was found that a useful regression model for the prediction of standard K requirement (K₂₀) included the combination of plant available K extracted by NH₄OAc (Av-K) and clay content: K₂₀ = ?41 ? 0.63 Av-K + 9.0 Clay (R² = 0.61, p < 0.001, n = 59).     

Toxicity of Lead to Freshwater Invertebrates (Water fleas; Daphnia magna and Cyclop sp) in Fish Ponds in a Tropical Floodplain

Acute toxicity of Pb to the water flea; (Daphnia sp) and Copepod, (Cyclop sp) both important component of zooplankton diet of fish was determined by static assay. A positive relationship between percentage mortality and exposure concentration was found in all tests. Mean 24-h LC50, 48-h LC50 and 96-h LC50 values were 2.51?±?0.0.04 mg l^?1, 1.88?±?0.06 mg l^?1 and 1.65?±?0.19 mg l^?1 for Daphnia spp and 3.11?±?0.03 mg l^?1, 2.97?±?0.05 mg l^?1 and 2.61?±?0.09 mg l^?1 for Cyclop spp, respectively. For all tested species did the LC50 values decrease with time; the decrease was more marked for Daphnia spp. Observed symptoms include spiral movement followed by change of body colour to white and rapid disintegration of the skin. The Daphnia spp. appear to be more sensitive to Pb poison than Cyclop spp. The results showed that concentrations of Lead (Pb) in excess of 0.19 mg l^?1 and 0.30 mg l^?1 can be potentially harmful to Daphnia magna and Cyclop spp respectively.     

Response of Mycorrhiza,Organic Sources,Secondary and Micro Nutrients on Soil Microbial Activities and Yield Performance of Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta L.) in Alfisols

Response of the integrated use of mycorrhiza, inorganic and organic manures on microbial variables and yield performance of colocasia (Colocasia esculenta L.) was studied in an acid Alfisol. Significantly highest mean cormel yield (14.13 t ha^?1) was recorded due to application of super optimal doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). Integrated application of lime + farmyard manure (FYM) + ½ NPK + zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) has recorded the highest dehydrogenase activity (2.048 µg TPF hr^?1 g^?1) and Fluorescein Diacetate Hydrolysis assay (1.855 µg g^?1 hr^?1). The highest acid and alkaline phosphatase activities (77.67 and 51.18 µg PNP g^?1 h^?1, respectively) were observed due to Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) inoculation in combination with lime + FYM + ½ NPK. Dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities had a highly significant relationship with cormel yield and the biochemical constituents of colocasia. The study emphasized the conjunctive use of balanced inorganic fertilizers and organic manures to enhance the enzymatic activities and to realize higher crop yields of colocasia in acid Alfisols.     

Vermicomposting leachate as liquid fertilizer for the cultivation of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.)

In vermicomposting, the main product is the worm casts, but a leachate is generated that contains large amounts of plant nutrients. This leachate is normally diluted to avoid plant damage. We investigated how dilution of vermicompost leachate combined with different concentrations of nitrogen (N) - phosphorus (P) - potassium (K) triple 17 fertilizer, and polyoxyethylene tridecyl alcohol as dispersant and polyethylene nonylphenol as adherent to increase efficiency of fertilizer uptake, affected sugarcane plant development. The vermicomposting leachate with pH 7.8 and electrolytic conductivity 2.6 dS m^?1, contained 834 mg potassium (K) l^?1, 247 mg nitrate (NO₃^?) l^?1 and 168 mg phosphate (PO₄^3?) l^?1, was free of pathogens and resulted in a 65% germination index. Vermicompost leachate did not inhibit sugarcane growth and mixed with 170 g l^?1 NPK triple 17 fertilizer resulted in the best plant development. No dispersant or adherent was required to improve plant height and stem development.     

Effects of Some Organic Nitrogen Sources and Antibiotics on Callus Growth of Indica Rice Cultivars

A factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replicates was conducted to evaluate effects of sixteen different mixtures of organic nitrogen sources and antibiotics which were supplemented to an Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4 mg L^?1 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 0.4 mg L^?1 benzyl-aminopurine (BAP), 30 g L^?1 sucrose, 8 g L^?1 Agar-agar on fresh weight and dry weight (assessed after three days of drying at 70°C) of calli and in vitro callogenesis from scutellum of four indigenous Iranian Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, including ‘Hashemi’, ‘Gerdeh’, ‘Hasani’, and ‘Gharib’. It was found that proline at 2.8 g L^?1 is the most effective source of organic nitrogen in enhancing growth, whereas asparagine at 0.75 g L^?1 inhibited the calli growth. Hygromycin at 50 mg L^?1, with slight differences between the cultivars, could effectively stunt the growth of untransformed calli. Mixture of cefotaxime (250 mg L^?1) and vancomycin (250 mg L^?1) did not have any significant effects on calli growth, although this treatment was slightly phytotoxic.     

Application of molybdenum fertilizer enhanced quality and production of alfalfa in northern China under non-irrigated conditions

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micro-mineral nutrient for plant growth and development. As an important legume forage, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is frequently planted in marginal lands of northern China where water scarcity and infertile soil are limiting factors for alfalfa production. Mo plays an important role in nitrogen (N) metabolism in general and N fixation in legume species in particular. To evaluate the role of Mo fertilizer in alfalfa quality and production in semi-arid areas of northern China, we conducted a three-year field experiment in Inner Mongolia from 2012 to 2014. Mo fertilizer at the doses of 0, 150 g hm^?2, 300 g hm^?2yr^?1 was applied consecutively across the three years. Application of Mo at 300 g hm^?2yr^?1 significantly increased dry yield of alfalfa in 2014. Crude protein (CP) content of alfalfa without application of Mo exhibited a decline trend from 2012 to 2014. Application of Mo significantly enhanced total CP in 2012 and 2014, and delayed the reduction in total CP across the three years. In contrast to CP, Mo fertilizer had no significant effects on neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content. In addition, we found that nitrate reductase activity of alfalfa was increased by Mo fertilizer, which may account for the enhanced CP content in alfalfa. These findings highlight that application of Mo fertilizer can be an effective way to improve alfalfa production and quality in semi-arid areas in northern China.     

Effect of zeolite and saline water application on saturated hydraulic conductivity and infiltration in different soil textures

The effects of zeolite application (0, 4, 8 and16 g kg^?1) and saline water (0.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 dS m^?1) on saturated hydraulic conductivity (K _s) and sorptivity (S) in different soils were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Results showed that K _s was increased at salinity levels of 0.5‐1.5 dS m^?1 in clay loam and loam with 8 and 4 g zeolite kg^?1 soil, respectively, and at salinity levels of 3.0–5.0 dS m^?1 with 16 g zeolite kg^?1 soil. K _s was decreased by using low and high salinity levels in sandy loam with application of 8 and 16 g zeolite kg^?1, respectively. In clay loam, salinity levels of 0.5–3.0 dS m^?1 with application of 16 g kg^?1 zeolite and 5.0 dS m^?1 with application of 8 g zeolite kg^?1 soil resulted in the lowest values of S. In loam, all salinity levels with application of 16 g zeolite kg^?1 soil increased S compared with other zeolite application rates. In sandy loam, only a salinity level of 0.5 dS m^?1 with application of 4 g zeolite kg^?1 soil increased S. Other zeolite applications decreased S, whereas increasing the zeolite application to 16 g kg^?1 soil resulted in the lowest value of S.     

Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil microbial activity and soil organic carbon build-up under rice in west coast of India

The effect of medium-term (5 years) application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients (as mineral or inorganic fertilizers) on soil organic carbon (SOC), SOC stock, carbon (C) build-up rate, microbial and enzyme activities in flooded rice soils was tested in west coast of India. Compared to the application of vermicompost, glyricidia (Glyricidia maculate) (fresh) and eupatorium (Chromolaena adenophorum) (fresh) and dhaincha (Sesbania rostrata) (fresh), the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and combined application of paddy straw (dry) and water hyacinth (PsWh) (fresh) improved the SOC content significantly (p < 0.05). The lowest (p < 0.05) SOC content (0.81%) was observed in untreated control. The highest (p < 0.05) SOC stock (23.7 Mg C ha^?1) was observed in FYM-treated plots followed by recommended dose of mineral fertilizer (RDF) (23.2 Mg C ha^?1) and it was lowest (16.5 Mg C ha^?1) in untreated control. Soil microbial biomass carbon (C_mb) (246 µg g^?1 soil) and C_mb/SOC (1.92%) were highest (p < 0.05) in FYM-treated plot. The highest (p < 0.05) value of metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was recorded under RDF (19.7 µg CO₂-C g^?1 C_mb h^?1) and untreated control (19.6 µg CO₂-C g^?1 C_mb h^?1). Application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients impacted soil enzyme activities significantly (p < 0.05) with FYM causing highest dehydrogenase (20.5 µg TPF g^?1 day^?1), phosphatase (659 µg PNP g^?1 h^?1) and urease (0.29 µg urea g^?1 h^?1) activities. Application of organic source of nutrients especially FYM improved the microbial and enzyme activities in flooded and transplanted rice soils. Although the grain yield was higher with the application of RDF, but the use of FYM as an organic agricultural practice is more useful when efforts are intended to conserve more SOC and improved microbial activity.     

Sufficiency ranges for lemon balm and nutrient removals in aboveground phytomass

A set of fertilizer experiments were conducted during three growing seasons with the aim of establishing sufficiency ranges and crop nutrient removals for Melissa officinalis L. Critical nutrient concentrations were determined by the Cate–Nelson method or by removing 10% of extreme high and low values, respectively if a positive response to a given nutrient was recorded or not. Sufficiency ranges for macro, micronutrients, and SPAD-readings were set as: 27.0–40.0 g N kg^?1; 0.8–2.7 g P kg^?1 (May–August); 1.5–3.8 g P kg^?1 (September–November); 10.0–25.0 g K kg^?1 (May–August); 18.0–32.0 g K kg^?1 (September–November); 5.0–25.0 g Ca kg^?1; 3.5–8.5 g Mg kg^?1; 18–125 mg B kg^?1; 5–25 mg Cu kg^?1; 75–500 mg Fe kg^?1; 20–300 mg Zn kg^?1; 30–250 g Mn kg^?1; 30–45 SPAD-units. These results will allow laboratories to use plant analysis as an important tool in improving the fertilizer recommendations for this species.     

Changes in Tomato Fruit Quality and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities under Deficit Irrigation and Fertilizer Application in a Solar Greenhouse in Northwest China

The interaction between water availability in the soil and fertilizer application rates often strongly affects crop growth. In the current study, the quality of fresh fruit and antioxidant enzymes of tomato crops (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) were investigated under different irrigation (low water content [W_l]: 50 ~ 60% field moisture capacity (FMC); moderate [W_m]: 70 ~ 80% FMC; and high [W_h]: 90 ~ 100% FMC) and fertilizer conditions (deficit fertilizer [F_l]: 195 kg ha^?1 nitrogen (N) + 47 kg ha^?1 phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) and moderate [F_m]: 278 kg ha^?1 N + 67 kg ha^?1 P₂O₅) in a solar greenhouse. The results showed that the quality of fresh fruits and the antioxidant enzyme activities in the leaves and fruits were related to the water content in the soil. Deficit irrigation improved the fruit quality and 50 ~ 60% FMC combined with fertilizer application rates of 195 kg ha^?1 N + 47 kg ha^?1 P₂O₅ is recommended for tomato crop cultivation under greenhouse conditions.     

COMPARISON AMONG BOLTZMANN AND CUBIC POLYNOMIAL MODELS FOR ESTIMATION OF COMPOSITIONAL NUTRIENT DIAGNOSIS STANDARDS: OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA L. CASE

Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis technique involves a yield target for discriminating between high- and low-yield subpopulations when developing norms. Traditionally, this yield value is estimated by finding the inflection point of the cumulative variance ratio function versus yield relationship through a third-order equation. However, yield targets frequently lie outside of the experimental yield range. A comparison among traditional (unrestricted) and restricted cubic model, and restricted and unrestricted Boltzmann equations was performed using a database (n = 360) of fresh matter yield and nutrient concentrations in one–year old cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica L. The unrestricted Boltzmann equation resulted to have the best goodness-of-fit. The yield target was 27.01 kg plant^?1 associated to the unrestricted Boltzmann equation for phosphorus cumulative variance ratio function versus yield relationship. Proposed nutrient optimum concentrations are: 11.4 g kg^?1 for nitrogen (N), 3.4 g kg^?1 for phosphorus (P), 42.3 g kg^?1 for potassium (K), 42.5 g kg^?1 for calcium (Ca), and 16.2 g kg^?1 for magnesium (Mg).     

Book Reviews

Growth, yield, and chemical composition responses of two faba bean cultivars due to foliar application of 28-homobrassinolide (HBR) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) were studied in two field experiments conducted at the Experimental Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University at Giza, Egypt, during 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. The application of 0.10 mg l^?1 EBR improved the growth characters and yield of the two cultivars over the control. Treatment with 0.05 mg l^?1 EBR and 0.50 mg l^?1 HBR stimulated plant growth and productivity but less effectively than treatment with 0.10 mg l^?1 EBR. This increment was more pronounced in Sakha 1 cultivar as compared with Giza 40 cultivar. Application of 0.10 mg l^?1 EBR gave, along with a 28% rise in productivity of Sakha 1 cultivar and 21.8% rise in productivity of Giza 40 cultivar, a better quality of yield with regard to an enhancement in the concentration of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, protein, and total carbohydrates. These considerable effects of EBR and HBR on plant development and yield promotion, together with the environmentally safe aspects of these compounds, would mark a major development in the field of plant growth regulators, and would minimize the risks associated with agrochemicals by reducing environmental contamination.     

Selenium in lemon balm plants: Productivity,phytotoxicity and drought alleviation

Since studies on the effects of selenium (Se) supplementation in water-stressed plants have mainly focused on cereal crops, the specific reports regarding Se-mediated adaptation to drought stress in medicinal vegetables are scant. Thus, we investigated the responses of Melissa officinalis to Se supplementation. Selenium contents were increased in leaves and grains by supplemental Se. Selenium foliar application at 1 mg l^?1 could be useful to increase the vegetative and reproductive growth of Se-enriched plants under well-watered conditions but at 20 mg l^?1 led to toxicity and caused damage to shoots. Drought stress significantly inhibited plant growth by chlorophyll degradation and reduced net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate. Although Se at 1 mg l^?1 could increase biomass production under well-watered conditions in addition to the stimulation of antioxidant system under water stress, it could not ameliorate the negative effect of drought on productivity.     

Crop production impacts on soil phosphorus removal and soil test levels

An 8-year field study documented the impact of tillage, crop rotations, and crop residue management on agronomic and soil parameters at Brookings, South Dakota. The greatest annual proportion of above-ground biomass phosphorus (P) removed was from the grain (78–87% of total) although crop residue removed some P as well. Greater above-ground total biomass P (grain P + crop residue P) was removed from corn than from soybean and spring wheat crops mainly due to the greater corn grain biomass harvested. Cumulative above-ground biomass P removal was greatest for the corn-soybean rotation (214 kg P ha^?1), while it was lowest for the soybean-wheat rotation (157 kg P ha^?1). Tillage treatments within crop rotation or residue management treatments did not influence annual or cumulative P removal rates. Olsen extractable soil orthophosphate-P levels declined consistently through time from a mean of 40 µg g^?1 (2004) to 26 µg g^?1 (2011). Biomass P removal was calculated to be 15.7 ha^?1 yr^?1 to decrease Olsen extractable soil orthophosphate-P levels by 1 µg g^?1 yr^?1 over 8 years of the study.     

Symbiotic parameters,growth, nutrient accumulation,productivity and profitability as influenced by integrated nutrient management in lentil (Lens culinaris)

Field experiments evaluated the effects of integrated nutrient management on symbiotic parameters, growth, nutrient accumulation, productivity and profitability of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). Application of recommended dose of nutrients (RDN, 12.5 kg N ha^?1 + 40 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) + 25 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1 + seed inoculation with biofertilizers [Rhizobium + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) + plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)] + 1.0 g ammonium molybdate kg^?1 seed recorded the highest number & dry weight of nodules, leghaemoglobin content, root & shoot dry weight, plant height, number of pods plant^?1 and 100-seed weight. The next best treatment was RDN + seed inoculation with biofertilizers + 1.0 g ammonium molybdate kg^?1 seed. On the basis of mean of three-year data, the treatment of RDN + 25 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1 + seed inoculation with biofertilizers + 1.0 g ammonium molybdate kg^?1 seed proved the best in realizing the highest grain yield (34.0%), gross returns (34.0%) and net returns (54.8% higher over control). Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the grains and straw were significantly improved where RDN was applied in combination with seed inoculation, basal application of ZnSO₄ and seed treatment with 1 g ammonium molybdate than their single applications.