Vermicompost and Vermiwash Minimized the Influence of Salinity Stress on Growth Parameters in Potato Plants

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth major crop worldwide after cereals. Some producers use irrigation water with high salinity, which consequently decreases the agronomic yield and potato quality. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost and vermiwash on plant growth and tuber yield and characteristic traits in Solanum tuberosum L. plants and tubers subjected to salinity stress. A surface response experimental design with three replicates using a central point and 15 treatments was used with vermicompost at 300, 580, and 860 g plant^?1; vermiwash at 5, 10, and 15 ml plant^?1; and salinity stress with 15, 20, and 25 mM of NaCl levels. Plant physiological measurements included plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), and plant fresh and plant dry weight (g). Six months after planting, measurements on tuber fresh weight, pH, electric conductivity, and °Brix were carried out. The addition of vermicompost and vermiwash minimized the influence of salinity stress on growth parameters and tuber characteristics in potato plants. Vermicompost (580 g plant^?1) plus vermiwash (15 ml plant^?1) induced a greater plant height and stem diameter. Plants amended with vermicompost (860 g plant^?1), vermiwash (15 ml plant^?1), and salinity stress (15 mM) had higher pH values, whereas electrical conductivity value in potato tubers decreased.     

Growth and Fruit Chemical Characteristics of Blackberry (Rubus Fruticosus) Cultivated with Vermicompost,Glomus Mosseae and Phosphate Rock

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost (V) and phosphate rock (PR) on blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe (AMF). Plant growth parameters, total phenol compounds and total flavonoids were evaluated on leaves. Anthocyanin contents, soluble solids (SS), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and SS/TA ratio was evaluated in blackberries fruits. Blackberry plants were obtained from cuttings from field plants, which were distributed in soil according to a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. Treatments were vermicompost (10?g plant^?1), phosphate rock (1?g plant^?1), Glomus mosseae (AMF), (1?g plant^?1), PR + AMF, V + PR, V +AMF, V + PR+ AMF and control without any amended. Plant height and stem diameter were measured five months after treatments, while total phenols and total flavonoids in leaves were evaluated eight months later. Anthocyanins, SS, pH, and TA were determined in blackberry fruits ten months after. Plant height was not statistically affected (p≤0.05), although total phenol compounds were higher (21.1?mg g^?1 dry plant) in the V+PR+AMF treatment, whereas the V + AMF treatment produced more dry plant total flavonoids (1.4?mg g^?1), compared with control plants. Blackberries produced with the vermicompost treatment had more anthocyanins (9.54?mg g^?1) than control plants. Soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were not statistically (p≤0.05) affected by any treatment.     

Bioorganic Nutrient Source Effect on Growth,Biomass, and Quality of Natural Sweetener Plant Stevia and Soil Fertility in the Western Himalayas

The effects of bioorganic nutrients on stevia were studied during 2011 and 2012 at Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India. Bioorganic nutrient sources were evaluated in fourteen treatment combinations. Results showed that number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area plant^?1, and fresh and dry leaf biomass plant^?1 were significantly greater with the application of farmyard manure (FYM) 15 Mg ha^?1 + vermicompost (VC) 5 Mg ha^?1 + stevia seedlings treated with phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and azotobacter as compared to the control but plant height and the number of branches were not significantly affected by various treatments. This superior combination also resulted in considerably greater amounts of phosphorus (P) in stem (1.18 percent) and potassium (K) in leaf (2.39 percent). Stevia plants supplied with VC 7.5 Mg ha^?1 + stevia seedlings treated with PSB and azotobacter recorded greater stevioside (7.2 percent) and total steviol glycoside (8.4 percent). Application of organic manures in combination with biofertilizers enhanced soil organic carbon and available nutrient status of soil as compared to control.     

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.     

Zinc Uptake by Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) as Affected by Zn Application Rate,Zeolite, and Vermicompost

Zinc deficiency in calcareous soils is a serious problem, which may be ameliorated by the application of some soil amendments. A completely randomized factorial experiment was done to investigate the effect of zeolite, vermicompost, zeolite + vermicompost, and Zn application to a calcareous soil on Zn availability, dry weight of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and Zn concen-tration in spinach. Results indicated that zeolite had no effect on soil Zn availability, dry weight, and Zn concentration in spinach. Vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (1.33 g pot^?1) and decreased Zn concentration in spinach (16 mg kg^?1). Application of zeolite + vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (by 2.8 times) and Zn uptake in spinach and it also decreased Zn concentration in spinach less than vermicompost. Zinc application increased Zn concentration in spinach (up to 496 mg kg^?1), but did not affect dry weight except in soils treated with zeolite + vermicompost. Generally, application of zeolite + vermicompost is recommended instead of separate zeolite or vermicompost application for improvement of soil Zn fertility and Zn uptake by spinach.     

Effects of Biozyme (Ascophyllum nodosum) Biostimulant on Growth and Development of Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) Merill]

Field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Biozyme^TM on soybean. Application of Biozyme granule and crop-plus spray with half of recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) showed significant effects on all the growth and yield parameters of soybean. The greatest value for the number of trifoliate leaves (29.95 leaves plant^?1), leaf area (1818.21 cm2 plant^?1), leaf area index (5.946), total chlorophyll content (1.995 mg g^?1 leaf fresh mass), number of nodules (35.086 plants^?1), fresh and dry weight of nodules (0.664 and 0.1592 g plants^?1), dry weight of root (8.564 g plants^?1), pods plant^?1 (69.0), seeds pods^?1 (3.25), straw yield (3.122 t ha^?1), biological yield (6.349 t ha^?1), and grain yield (3.277 t ha^?1) was observed with Biozyme crop-plus spray at 500 mL ha^?1 plus half of recommended NPK and were significantly greater than control values. Biozyme crop-plus spray at 500 mL ha^?1 plus half of recommended NPK performed better compared to other treatments.     

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.     

Influence of Biofertilizers and Phosphate Sources on the Phosphorus Uptake of Lettuce and Chemical Forms of Phosphorus in Soil

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of two levels of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Pseudomonas fluorescens) (with and without inoculation), two levels of vermicompost (0 and 1% w/w), and four phosphate (P) sources (control, rock phosphate powder (RP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and triple super phosphate (SP) at 25 mg P kg^?1 level). Co-application of PGPR and RP in non-vermicompost treatments significantly increased shoot fresh weight, shoot dry matter yield, shoot P uptake, soil Ca₂-P concentration, but it significantly decreased soil Ca₈-P and Ca₁₀-P concentrations. The maximum shoot P uptake was obtained in combined application of RP with vermicompost which had no significant difference with the co-application of SP with vermicompost in bacterial and non-bacterial treatments. There was a negative correlation coefficient between shoot P concentration and chemical forms of phosphorus. It may be concluded that application of biofertilizers changed the chemical forms of inorganic phosphorus and increased P uptake by plant.     

Effects of vermicompost and vermiwash biofertilizers on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum) plant

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate the effect of vermicompost and vermiwash biofertilizers on the traits of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum) plant, a field experiment of a randomized complete block design with 8 treatments and 3 replications was conducted. The treatments consisted of control without fertilizer, vermicompost at 5, 10, and 15 tons per hectare, vermiwash spraying with 3,000, 6,000, and 12,000 ppm, and a combined application of 10 tons of vermicompost with 6,000 ppm vermiwash. In this research, traits of crop growth rate (CGR), pod length, pod width, grain yield, chlorophyll a and b, essential oil percentage, and essential oil yield were evaluated. The results revealed that the use of vermicompost biofertilizer increased the measured quantitative traits more than that of the vermiwash. The most and the least effects on all traits, except for the length of the pod, were 15 and 5 tons vermicompost per hectare, respectively. The treatment of 10 tons of vermicompost with 6,000 ppm vermiwash did not show significant differences in 10 and 15 tons vermicompost per hectare in most traits. It was observed that the application of vermicompost fertilizer leads to weaker results than the vermiwash fertilizer. With the increase of vermiwash concentration, the effect of this fertilizer on the measured traits reduced; however, in most traits, the results of the application of 3,000 and 6,000 ppm vermiwash had a statistically significant effect on the treatment with 5 tons of vermicompost per hectare. Overall, this experiment showed that all the evaluated traits in this study have a positive reaction to the application of vermicompost and vermiwash biofertilizers. Also, the response of the fenugreek plant to the vermicompost is much greater than the vermiwash fertilizer.     

Effect of Nitrogen Application Timing on Yield Components,Fodder, Grain,and Oil Yields of Brassica Cultivars

The dual-purpose use of Brassica cultivars means cutting or grazing the crop as fodder and then letting it to re-grow and produce grain with little or no yield penalty. A field experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement with three replications. Three Brassica cultivars, three nitrogen application timing, and cutting treatments were included in the experiment. The findings indicated that Brassica cultivar Abasin-95 produced higher fresh and dry fodder yields, seeds pod^?1, seed, biological, and oil yields. However, NIFA Raya resulted in a higher number of pods and branches plant^?1. Likewise, fresh and dry fodder yields were higher with nitrogen (N) application all at sowing. Nitrogen applied in two splits resulted in a higher number of pods plant^?1 and grain yield. Cutting suppressed all parameters except 1000 grain weight. Uncut plots produced significantly higher branches plant^?1, pods plant^?1, seeds pod^?1, seed, biological, and oil yields than cut plots.     

Glucosinolate profiles in the seeds,leaves and roots of rocket salad (Eruca sativa Mill.) and anti-oxidative activities of intact plant powder and purified 4-methoxyglucobrassicin

Abstract

Six desulfo-glucosinolates (DS-GSLs), DS-glucoraphanin, DS-4-(β-d-glucopyranosyldisulfanyl)butyl GSL, DS-glucoerucin, DS-glucobrassicin, DS-dimeric 4-mercaptobutyl GSL and DS-4-methoxyglucobrassicin, were isolated from rocket salad (Eruca sativa Mill.) By using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by their retention times on HPLC and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) techniques. Total GSL contents were 125, 11 and 22 µmol g^?1 dry weight (DW) in seeds, leaves and roots, respectively. Two DS-GSLs, namely DS-glucoraphanin and DS-glucoerucin, were the major GSLs in seeds and roots, while DS-glucoraphanin, DS-glucoerucin and DS-dimeric 4-mercaptobutyl GSL were the predominant GSLs in leaves (> 1 µmol g^?1 DW or > 10% of the total GSL content). In addition, the anti-oxidant activity (n = 3) of intact leaf and root powders, whole DS-GSL eluates and purified DS-4-methoxyglucobrassicin were measured using the XYZ-dish method. DS-4-methoxyglucobrassicin showed the greatest anti-oxidant activity value (3.8 unit g^?1 DW), and the value for whole DS-GSL eluates (1.6) was higher than that of intact leaves (1.5) and roots (0.87).     

Integrated Nutrient Management Affects Fruit Yield of Sapota (Achras zapota L.) and Nutrient Availability in a Vertisol

ABSTRACT

We studied the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) combinations on supplement of plant nutrient for quantitative and qualitative fruit production in sapota. Thus, 17 combinations of INM practices were evaluated on fruit yield of sapota and nutrient availability in a Vertisol of Chambal region, India. The results demonstrated that almost all treatment combinations comprised of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), i.e. 1,000:500:500 g NPK plant^?1 with application of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients had a significant effect on the fruit yield of sapota, soil microbial biomass, NPK content of leaf, fruit and soil over control (T₁). Among different treatments, application of 2/3rd part of RDF + 50 kg FYM + 250 g Azospirillum + 250 g Azotobacter plant^?1 (T₁₁) significantly enhanced the number of fruits plant^?1 (327.88), yield plant^?1 (29.03 kg) and yield ha^?1 (4.52 t). However, the soil microbial count of fungi (8.89 cfu g^?1 soil), bacteria (11.19 cfu g^?1 soil) and actinomycetes (5.60 cfu g^?1 soil) at fruit harvest was higher under the 2/3 of RDF +10 kg vermicompost + 250 g Azospirillum + 250 g Azotobacter plant^?1 (T₁₅). The leaf nitrogen content (N, 2.03%) was higher in T_15, while phosphorus (P, 0.28%) and potassium (K, 1.80%) content were higher in T₁₁. It is evident that treatment T₁₁ increased fruit yield by 32% in Sapota cv. Kalipatti compared to control. Therefore, combined application of nutrient sources proved not only beneficial for enhancing fruit yield of sapota but also sustaining soil health in Chambal region of south-eastern Rajasthan.     

Effects of Different Irrigation Levels and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), Photosynthesis Activator,Traditional Fertilizer on Yield and Growth Parameters of Dry Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) in Arid Climatic Conditions

A field experiment has been conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation water and AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) biofertilizer, photosynthesis activator and traditional fertilizer dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on yield and growth parameters in Nevsehir Province of Turkey in 2015. The experiment has been carried out using three replications in a split plot design with three different irrigation types as main plots and AMF biofertilizer (ERS), photosynthesis activator (Multigreen-Mg), traditional fertilization (TF-Control), ERS + Mg, ERS + TF and TF + Mg applied as subplots. The number of pods per plant, the length of pods, the number of grains per pod, the weight of grains per plant, the yield of grains, 1000 seed weight, the number of grains per plant, protein yield, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi rate have been evaluated as yield and growth criteria in the study. In the experiment, as well as the treatment x irrigation interaction, the plant height, pod number per plant, pod lenght, grain number per pod, grain weight per plant, grain yield, 1000 seed weight, grain number per plant, protein rate/grain, protein yield, root weight and AMF colonization parameters, were the other studied properties that were found to be significant. The results obtained were 877.6 mm for I₁₀₀ irrigation treatment, 512.2 mm for I₅₀ irrigation treatment and 40.19 mm water for I₃₀ irrigation treatment. Regarding the growth parameters of dry bean, the highest PH was in ERS + Mg (67.66 cm), the lowest PH was in ERS (54.33 cm); In I₅₀, the highest Plant Height (PH) was in ERS + Mg (65.66 cm), the lowest PH was in TF-Control (53.00 cm); and in I₃₀, the highest PH was in TF-Control (50.66 cm), and the lowest PH was again in ERS + Mg (44.33 cm). For protein yield (PY) value, ERS + Mg, ERS + TF, TF + Mg have been placed in the same group, in I₁₀₀ and I₅₀ irrigation treatment. The highest value was ERS + TF (34.90 kg da^?1) in I₁₀₀, The lowest value was TF-control (19.90 kg da^?1) in I₃₀ irrigation treatment. In terms of mycorrhiza colonization ratio, ERS has been ranked first in all irrigation treatments, while the highest mycorrhiza colonization has been observed in I₃₀ irrigation treatment (26.30%). ERS was followed by ERS + Mg (23.33%). As expected, the lowest mycorrhiza colonization ratio in all irrigation treatments have been observed in TF-control treatment, while the highest mycorrhiza colonization ratio has been respectively observed in I₃₀ and I₅₀ irrigation topics. The highest root weight (RW) in I₁₀₀ irrigation treatment was observed in ERS (15.06 g plant^?1) and it was observed in ERS (19.05 g plant^?1; 26.30 g plant^?1) in I₅₀ and I₃₀ irrigation treatments. The lowest RW in all irrigation treatments has been observed in TF + Mg (4.43 g plant^?1, 6.40 g plant^?1, 10.26 g plant^?1), respectively.     

Effect of PGPR,Phosphate sources and vermicompost on growth and nutrients uptake by lettuce in a calcareous soil

In order to study the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), vermicompost and phosphate sources on the growth and nutrients uptake by lettuce, a greenhouse experiments was conducted. Treatments consisted of PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens) (with and without inoculation), vermicompost (0 and 1% w/w) and phosphate sources (control, rock phosphate (RP), tricalcium phosphate and triple super phosphate (TSP) at 25 mg P kg^?1 level). Biological fertilizers, RP and TSP significantly increased shoot dry matter (SDM) and some measured nutrients uptake. Co-application of PGPR and RP, in non-vermicompost treatments significantly increased SDM, shoot nitrogen, phosphorus (P), potassium, zinc and manganese uptake rates. Shoot P uptake had no significant difference between TSP and RP treatments. Co-application of PGPR, vermicompost and TSP significantly decreased SDM, which may be due to the P toxic levels in the plant aerial parts and/or the inhibition of the bacterial activities in the rhizosphere soil.     

Nitrogen Levels Influence Biomass,Elemental Accumulations,and Pigment Concentrations in Spinach

ABSTRACT

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) has one of the highest United States per capita consumption rates among leafy vegetable crops, and also ranks second for lutein and β-carotene carotenoid concentration. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) concentration on elemental and pigment accumulation in spinach. Two spinach cultivars (‘Melody’ and ‘Springer F1’) were greenhouse grown in nutrient solution culture under N treatments of 13, 26, 52, and 105 mg L^{? 1}. Leaf tissue biomass increased from 45.6 to 273.2 g plant^{? 1} and from 127.0 to 438.6 g plant^{? 1} as N increased from 13 to 105 mg L^{? 1} for ‘Springer F1’ and ‘Melody’, respectively. Leaf tissue N, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) responded to N treatments. Lutein accumulations, expressed on a fresh weight basis, responded quadratically to increasing N treatments for ‘Springer F1’. Maximum lutein values were 110 and 76 μ g g^{? 1} on a fresh weight basis, and maximum β-carotene values were 85 and 57 μ g g^{? 1} on a fresh weight basis for ‘Springer F1’ and ‘Melody’, respectively. Interestingly, N levels had a significant effect on carotenoid accumulation in both ‘Springer F1’ and ‘Melody’ when the pigments were expressed on a dry weight basis. Leaf tissue lutein increased from 0.59 to 1.06 mg g^{? 1} and from 0.59 to 0.90 mg g^{? 1} on a dry weight basis with increasing N treatments for ‘Springer F1’ and ‘Melody’, respectively. Reporting lutein and β-carotene on both a fresh and dry weight basis may be the most accurate way to express the carotenoid values of spinach.     

Specific Leaf Area and Specific Leaf Weight in Small Grain Crops Wheat,Rye, Barley,and Oats Differ at Various Growth Stages and NPK Source

Leaf thickness plays an important role in leaf and plant functioning and is related to species’ strategies of resource acquisition and use. Leaf thickness in small grains crops was measured as specific leaf area (SLA) (leaf area in cm² produced g^?1 leaf dry weight plant^?1) and specific leaf weight (SLW) (leaf dry weight in mg produced cm^?2 leaf area plant^?1). The four small grains crops (cool season C₃ cereals) studied were wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oats (Avena sativa L.). The null hypothesis tested was that SLA and SLW in small grain crops do not differ at different growth stages and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) source. Eight NPK sources used in the experiment were: S₁ = 20-20-20, S₂ = 20-27-5, S₃ = 7-22-8, S₄ = 10-10-10-20S, S₅ = 11-15-11, S₆ = 31-11-11, S₇ = 24-8-16, and S₈ = 19-6-12, and each was applied at the rate of 300 mg pot^?1 at the time of sowing to each crop species. The experiment was performed in completely randomized design with three repeats at the Green House of Dryland Agriculture Institute, West Texas A&M University, Texas, during winter 2009-10. Based on the results, it was observed that both SLA and SLW differed with change in crop species, growth stage and NPK source. Among the crop species, SLA was greater in oats > barley > rye > wheat at different growth stages; while SLW of wheat and rye > barley and oats. The differences in the SLW between wheat vs. rye; and between oats vs. barley at different growth stages were not significant (P ≤ 0.05). Among the NPK sources, application of S₇ (24: 8: 16) had higher SLA at 60 and 90 DAE (days after emergence). Application of S₆ (31: 11: 11) had higher SLW at 60 DAE due to the production of the lowest leaf area plant^?1, but the increase in SLW at 90 DAE with S₅ and S₄ was due to the higher leaf dry weight plant^?1produced. Leaf dry weight and leaf area plant^?1 were considered the two most important leaf characteristics that influenced SLA and SLW. On the average, SLA increased with passage of time i.e. 0.70 < 520 < 600 cm² g^?1 at 30, 60 and 90 DAE, respectively; but SLW on the other hand, was highest 3.5 at 60 DAE > 2.2 at 90 DAE > 1.5 mg cm^?2 at 30 DAE. The increase in leaf area plant^?1 and decline in the leaf dry weight plant^?1 increased SLA; in contrast, increase in leaf dry weight plant^?1 and reduction in leaf area plant^?1 increased SLW indicated reciprocal relationship between SLA and SLW in the crop species.     

Effects of NPK source on the dry matter partitioning in cool season C3-cereals (wheat,rye, barley,and oats) at various growth stages

Dry matter (DM) partitioning into root, leaf, stem, shoot dry weight plant^?1 response in four cool season C₃-cereals viz. wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oats (Avena sativa L.) was investigated at 30, 60 and 90 days after emergence (DAE) under eight nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) sources: S₁ = 20-20-20, S₂ = 20-27-5, S₃ = 7-22-8, S₄ = 10-10-10-20S, S₅ = 11-15-11, S₆ = 31-11-11, S₇ = 24-8-16, and S₈ = 19-6-12 in pot experiment at Dryland Agriculture Institute, West Texas A&;M University, Canyon, Texas, USA during winter 2009-10. A considerable variation in DM partitioning into various plant parts was observed in the four crop species at different growth stages and NPK source. At 30 DAE, 27% of the total DM per plant (TDMPP) was partitioned into roots and 73% into shoots (19% stems + 54% leaf). Only16 % of the TDMPP was partitioned into roots and 84% into shoots (18 % stem + 66 % leaf) at 60 DAE. At 90 DAE, 29% of TDMPP was partitioned into roots and 71 % into shoots (33 % stems + 38 % leaf) at 90 DAE. Percent DM partitioning into stems ranked first (33%) at 90 DAE > at 30 DAE (19%) > at 60 DAE (18 %). With advancement in crops age, DM partitioning into various crop parts increased. The root DM plant^?1 (RDMPP) increased from 11.5–722 mg plant^?1; stem DM plant^?1 (STDMPP) from 8.3–889.0 mg plant^?1; leaf DM plant^?1 (LDMPP) from 23.1–1031.0 mg plant^?1; shoot DM plant^?1 (SHDMPP) from 31.3–1921 mg plant^?1, and TDMPP increased from 42.9–2693.0 mg plant^?1 at 30 and 90 DAE, respectively. Because of the higher N contents in S₇ (24:8:16) and S₆ (31:11:11) reduced the DM partitioning into various plants parts as well as TDMPP at all three growth stages. The adverse effects of S₆ and S₇ on DM partitioning was more on oats > rye > wheat > barley. The S₄ with 10:10:10 (NPK) and :20S was not toxic at 30 DAE, but at 60 and 90 DAE it became toxic that adversely affected the DM partitioning as well as TDMPP probably may be due its high sulfur (20%) content which lacking in other NPK sources. The DM partitioning to various parts of barley and wheat was more than oats and rye at different growth stages (barley > wheat > rye > oats). Since the DM portioning values were determined on the average of five plants in pot experiment under organic soil at field capacity; in case of field experiments more research is needed on various crop species/varieties under different environmental conditions particularly under moisture stress condition.     

Impact of the use of biofertilizers on cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) crop under irrigated agro-ecosystem

High nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilizing, phytohormones producing isolates of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter and Pseudomonas were used as inoculants for cotton. Important cultures were selected on the basis of their effect on root/shoot length and chemotactic behaviour. Selected bioinoculants were earlier tested for their beneficial properties like nitrogen fixation (ARA), ammonia excretion, IAA production etc. These bio-inoculants were further tested for phosphate solubilization property. Various chosen strains were tested with Desi (HD 123) and American (H 1098) cotton under field conditions (as for wheat). Plant height and boll weight were determined at the time of harvesting whereas survival rate of inoculated bacteria was determined after 30, 80 and 130 days respectively. In the year 2000–01, on the basis of boll number and boll weight plant^?1 AVK 51 (36; 76.2?g plant^?1), HT 57 (27; 56.9?g plant^?1), AC18 (33; 61.5?g plant^?1), Ala 27 (36; 61.4?g plant^?1) and Pseudomonas (34; 71.3?g plant^?1) were identified as significant both for American and desi cotton varieties. Highest survival rate was observed with Mac 68 (33.4 × 10⁵) followed by HT54 (31.5 × 10⁵) after 30 days of sowing, which decreased after 80 days and remained constant up to 130 days. This trend was observed with all the cultures. Similar results were observed in 2001–02. 25?kg ha^?1 N saving was observed with A. chroococcum (AVK51) bioinoculant for cotton crop.     

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.     

Effects of nitrogen fertilization on development,flowering, and mineral nutrition of potted Costus productus Gleason ex Maas

Due to the lack of information on mineral nutrition of ornamental plants, especially tropical species, we aimed to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization on development, flowering, and mineral nutrition of potted Costus productus. Plants were cultivated along 1 year under protection in Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil, and submitted to five treatments that corresponded to increasing nitrogen doses (0.0, 1.2, 2.4, 3.6, and 4.8 g N plant^?1). Evaluated plant variables were potted development, height, dry matter of aerial part, number of inflorescences, and nutritional status. Analysis of variance and linear and polynomial regressions were performed for definition of the best adjustments according to the combination of significance and greater determination coefficient. The nitrogen fertilization positively influenced development, flowering, and mineral nutrition of potted C. productus plants, and the dose of 4.8 g N plant^?1 promoted best results