Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil and Plant Nutrients and Yields of Pearl Millet and Wheat under Semi-arid Inceptisols in India

A study was conducted to assess fertilizer effect on pearl millet–wheat yield and plant-soil nutrients with the following treatments: T₁, control; T₂, 100% nitrogen (N); T₃, 100% nitrogen and phosphorus (NP); T₄, 100% nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); T₅, 100% NPK + zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) at 25 kg ha^?1; T₆, 100% NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) at 10 t ha^?1; T₇, 100% NPK+ verimcompost (VC) at 2.5 tha^?1; T₈, 100% NPK + sulfur (S) at 25 kg ha^?1; T₉, FYM at 10 t ha^?1; T₁₀, VC at 2.5 t ha^?1; T₁₁, 100% NPK + FYM at 10 t ha^?1 + 25 kg S ha^?1 + ZnSO₄ at 25 kg ha^?1; and T₁₂, 150% NPK treatments. Treatments differed significantly in influencing soil-plant nutrients and grain and straw yields of both crops. Grain yield had significant correlation with soil-plant N, P, K, S, and zinc (Zn) nutrients. The study indicated superiority of T₁₁ for attaining maximum pearl millet grain yield (2885 kg ha^?1) and straw yield (7185 kg ha^?1); amounts of N (48.9 kg ha^?1), P (8.8 kg ha^?1), K (26.3 kg ha^?1), S (20.6 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.09 kg ha^?1) taken up; and amounts of soil N (187.7 kg ha^?1), P (13.7 kg ha^?1), K (242.5 kg ha^?1), S (10.1 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.70 kg ha^?1). It was superior for wheat with grain yield (5215 kg ha^?1) and straw yield (7220 kg ha^?1); amounts of N (120.7 kg ha^?1), P (13.8 kg ha^?1), K (30 kg ha^?1), S (14.6 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.18 kg ha^?1) taken up; and maintaining soil N (185.7 kg ha^?1), P (14.5 kg ha^?1), K (250.5 kg ha^?1), S (10.6 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.73 kg ha^?1). Based on the study, 100% NPK + FYM at 10 tha^?1 + Zn at 25 kg ha^?1 + S at 25 kg ha^?1 could be recommended for attaining maximum returns of pearl millet–wheat under semi-arid Inceptisols.     

Effect of Micronutrient-Based Integrated Use of Nutrients on Crop Productivity,Nutrient Uptake,and Soil Fertility in Greengram and Fingermillet Sequence Under Semi-arid Tropical Conditions

To identify the best combinations of micronutrient-based fertilization treatments in terms of crop yield and nutrient uptake, three field experiments with greengram?fingermillet as the test sequence with 12 treatments on micronutrient-based fertilization [with recommended nitrogen (N)?phosphorus (P)?potassium (K) fertilizer] were conducted during 2005 to 2007 in a semi-arid Alfisol at Bangalore. The effects of treatments on available soil and plant uptake of nutrients [N, P, K, sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo)] and yield of crops were assessed based on standard analysis of variance procedure. Using the relationships of yield with soil and plant nutrient variables, regression models of yield through soil and plant variables were calibrated and effects of variables on crop yields were assessed. The models gave high and significant yield predictability in the range of 0.87 to 0.98 through different variables. The model of plant uptake through soil nutrients indicated that soil S, Fe, and Zn had significant positive effects, whereas soil N, K, B, and Mo had negative effects on plant nutrient status in greengram. Similarly, soil P, Mn, and Zn had significant positive effects, whereas soil N, K, and Fe had negative effects on plant uptake of nutrients in fingermillet. Based on a relative efficiency index (REI) criteria, T2 for plant uptake and T12 for maintaining soil nutrients were found to be superior in greengram, whereas T2 for plant uptake and T8 for maintaining soil nutrients were found to be superior in fingermillet over years based on REI. The combined REI over soil and plant nutrients for both crops indicated that application of T8 for greengram and T2 for fingermillet could be prescribed for attaining maximum plant uptake of nutrients and productivity of crops in sequence, apart from maintaining maximum soil fertility of nutrients under semi-arid Alfisols.     

Influence of Soil and Fertilizer Nutrients on Sustainability of Rainfed Finger Millet Yield and Soil Fertility in Semi-arid Alfisols

Productivity of rainfed finger millet in semiarid tropical Alfisols is predominantly constrained by erratic rainfall, limited soil moisture, low soil fertility, and less fertilizer use by the poor farmers. In order to identify the efficient nutrient use treatment for ensuring higher yield, higher sustainability, and improved soil fertility, long term field experiments were conducted during 1984 to 2008 in a permanent site under rainfed semi-arid tropical Alfisol at Bangalore in Southern India. The experiment had two blocks—Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and Maize Residue (MR) with 5 fertilizer treatments, namely: control, FYM at 10 t ha^?1, FYM at 10 t ha^?1 + 50% NPK [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)], FYM at 10 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK (50 kg N + 50 kg P + 25 kg K ha^?1) and 100% NPK in FYM block; and control, MR at 5 t ha^?1, MR at 5 t ha^?1 + 50% NPK, MR at 5 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK and 100% NPK in MR block. The treatments differed significantly from each other at p < 0.01 level of probability in influencing finger millet grain yield, soil N, P, and K in different years. Application of FYM at 10 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK gave a significantly higher yield ranging from 1821 to 4552 kg ha^?1 with a mean of 3167 kg ha^?1 and variation of 22.7%, while application of maize residue at 5 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK gave a yield of 593 to 4591 kg ha^?1 with a mean of 2518 kg ha^?1 and variation of 39.3% over years. In FYM block, FYM at 10 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK gave a significantly higher organic carbon (0.45%), available N (204 kg ha^?1), available P (68.6 kg ha^?1), and available K (107 kg ha^?1) over years. In maize residue block, application of MR at 5 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK gave a significantly higher organic carbon (0.39%), available soil N (190 kg ha^?1), available soil P (47.5 kg ha^?1), and available soil K (86 kg ha^?1). The regression model (1) of yield as a function of seasonal rainfall, organic carbon, and soil P and K nutrients gave a predictability in the range of 0.19 under FYM at 10 t ha^?1 to 0.51 under 100% NPK in FYM block compared to 0.30 under 100% NPK to 0.67 under MR at 5 t ha^?1 application in MR block. The regression model (2) of yield as a function of seasonal rainfall, soil N, P, and K nutrients gave a predictability in the range of 0.11 under FYM at 10 t ha^?1 to 0.52 under 100% NPK in FYM block compared to 0.18 under MR at 5 t ha^?1 + 50% NPK to 0.60 under MR at 5 t ha^?1 application in MR block. An assessment of yield sustainability under different crop seasonal rainfall situations indicated that FYM at 10 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK was efficient in FYM block with a maximum Sustainability Yield Index (SYI) of 41.4% in <500 mm, 64.7% in 500–750 mm, 60.2% in 750–1000 mm and 60.4% in 1000–1250 mm rainfall, while MR at 5 t ha^?1 + 100% NPK was efficient with SYI of 29.6% in <500 mm, 50.2% in 500–750 mm, 40.6% in 750–1000 mm, and 39.7% in 1000–1250 mm rainfall in semi-arid Alfisols. Thus, the results obtained from these long term studies incurring huge expenditure provide very good conjunctive nutrient use options with good conformity for different rainfall situations of rainfed semiarid tropical Alfisol soils for ensuring higher finger millet yield, maintaining higher SYI, and maintaining improved soil fertility.     

Soil Testing as a Tool for On-Farm Fertility Management: Experience from the Semi-arid Zone of India

Rainfed agriculture in the dry regions is affected by water shortages. Our earlier research showed that the deficiencies not only of major nutrients but also those of sulfur (S) and micronutrients are holding back the potential of agricultural production systems. The objectives of this article are to discuss the efficacy of soil testing to diagnose nutrient deficiencies using 28,270 diverse soil samples collected from farmers' fields in the semi-arid tropical (SAT) regions of India and to confirm the efficacy of the soil test-based balanced nutrient management in enhancing productivity of a range of crops in on-farm farmer participatory trials under rainfed conditions. Results of a large numbers of on-farm trials demonstrated that soil testing is indeed an effective tool for on-farm fertility management, a prerequisite for sustainably enhancing the productivity in rainfed areas in the SAT regions of India. The need to strengthen the soil-testing infrastructure in the country is emphasized.     

Effect of Sulfur and Boron Nutrition on Yield and Quality of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Grown in an Acid Soil

Soybean (Glycine max L.), being a leguminous oilseed crop, requires relatively higher amount of sulfur (S) and boron (B) for optimum yield and quality. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of S and B application on growth, yield, and quality of soybean, and to find out their optimum doses for the best crop performance in acidic soils of northeast India. The treatments comprised four levels of S (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg/ha) and four levels of B (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg/ha) in factorial combination. In general, application of S and B, either alone or in combination, significantly increased the growth, yield, and quality of soybean. When applied alone, S resulted in best yield (1767 kg/ha) at S₄₀, which was 21.2% higher than the yield at control (1458 kg/ha), while B produced maximum yield (1578 kg/ha) at B_1.5 (8.23% higher than control). Interestingly, 57.4% yield improvement over control was recorded with combined application of S₄₀ and B_1.5, which shows their synergistic effect on crop performance. Similarly, with concurrent application of S₄₀ and B_1.5, a 28% increase in protein and 33% increase in oil content of soybean were recorded relative to control. In general, S₄₀ + B_1.5 also resulted in the highest nutrient nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium sulfur, and boron (NPKSB) uptake by soybean. Based on these results, we recommend the conjunctive use of 40 kg S and 1.5 kg B/ha for the best yield and quality of soybean on acidic soils of northeast India and other regions with similar soils.     

Nutritional Alleviation of Zinc-Induced Iron Deficiency in Indian Mustard and the Effects on Zinc Phytoremediation

ABSTRACT

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern) is a promising species for the phytoextraction of zinc (Zn), but the effectiveness of this plant can be limited by iron (Fe) deficiency under Zn-contaminated conditions. Our objectives were to determine the effects of root-applied Fe and Zn on plant growth, accumulation of Zn in plant tissues, and development of nutrient deficiencies for B. juncea. In the experiment, B. juncea was supplied 6 levels of iron ethylenediamine dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (Fe-EDDHA; 0.625 to 10.0 mg L^?1) and two levels of Zn (2.0 and 4.0 mg L^?1) for 3 weeks in a solution-culture experiment. Nutrient solution pH decreased with decreasing supply of Fe and increasing supply of Zn in solution, indicating that B. juncea may be an Fe-efficient plant. If plants were supplied 2.0 mg Zn L^?1, plant growth was stimulated by increases in Fe supply, but plant growth was not influenced by Fe treatments if plants were supplied 4.0 mg Zn L^?1. Zinc concentration in roots and shoots was suppressed by increasing levels of Fe in solution. Leaf concentrations of Cu, Mn, and P were suppressed also as Fe supply in solutions increased. Iron additions to the nutrient solution were not effective at increasing the Zn-accumulation potential of B. juncea unless plants were supplied the higher level of Zn in solution culture. Even under these conditions, Fe additions were effective only if supplied at low levels in solution culture (1.25 mg Fe L^?1). Results suggest that Fe fertility has limited potential for enhancing Zn phytoextraction by B. juncea, even if plants suffer a suppression in growth from Fe deficiency.     

Modeling of Interactive Effects of Rainfall,Evaporation, Soil Temperature,and Soil Fertility for Sustainable Productivity of Sorghum + Cowpea and Cotton + Black Gram Intercrops under Rotation Trials in a Rain-Fed Semi-arid Vertisol

Long-term effects of the different combinations of nutrient-management treatments were studied on crop yields of sorghum + cowpea in rotation with cotton + black gram. The effects of rainfall, soil temperature, and evaporation on the status of soil fertility and productivity of crops were also modeled and evaluated using a multivariate regression technique. The study was conducted on a permanent experimental site of rain-fed semi-arid Vertisol at the All-India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture, Kovilpatti Centre, India, during 1995 to 2007 using 13 combinations of nutrient-management treatments. Application of 20 kg nitrogen (N) (urea) + 20 kg N [farmyard manure (FYM)] + 20 kg phosphorus (P) ha^?1 gave the greatest mean grain yield (2146 kg ha^?1) of sorghum and the fourth greatest mean yield (76 kg ha^?1) of cowpea under sorghum + cowpea system. The same treatment maintained the greatest mean yield of cotton (546 kg ha^?1) and black gram (236 kg ha^?1) under a cotton + cowpea system. When soil fertility was monitored, this treatment maintained the greatest mean soil organic carbon (4.4 g kg^?1), available soil P (10.9 kg ha^?1), and available soil potassium (K) (411 kg ha^?1), and the second greatest level of mean available soil N (135 kg ha^?1) after the 13-year study. The treatments differed significantly from each other in influencing soil organic carbon (C); available soil N, P, and K; and yield of crops attained under sorghum + cowpea and cotton + black gram rotations. Soil temperature at different soil depths at 07:20 h and rainfall had a significant influence on the status of soil organic C. Based on the prediction models developed between long-term yield and soil fertility variables, 20 kg N (urea) + 20 kg N (FYM) + 20 kg P ha^?1 could be prescribed for sorghum + cowpea, and 20 kg N (urea) + 20 kg N (FYM) could be prescribed for cotton + black gram. These combinations of treatments would provide a sustainable yield in the range of 1681 to 2146 kg ha^?1 of sorghum, 74 to 76 kg ha^?1 of cowpea, 486 to 546 kg ha^?1 of cotton, and 180 to 236 kg ha^?1 of black gram over the years. Beside assuring greater yields, these soil and nutrient management options would also help in maintaining maximum soil organic C of 3.8 to 4.4 g kg^?1 soil, available N of 126 to 135 kg ha^?1, available soil P of 8.9 to 10.9 kg ha^?1, and available soil K of 392 to 411 kg ha^?1 over the years. These prediction models for crop yields and fertility status can help us to understand the quantitative relationships between crop yields and nutrients status in soil. Because black gram is unsustainable, as an alternative, sorghum + cowpea could be rotated with cotton for attaining maximum productivity, assuring sustainability, and maintaining soil fertility on rain-fed semi-arid Vertisol soils.     

Effects of Conjunctive Use of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Soil Quality Indicators and Soil Quality Index in Sole Maize,Maize + Soybean,and Sole Soybean Cropping Systems in Hot Semi-arid Tropical Vertisol

The soils in the hot semi-arid tropical (SAT) regions generally have low organic matter and nutrient reserves. Soil-management problems in these soils primarily occur because of poor physical conditions and inadequate drainage through excess runoff, finally resulting in poor crop growth. Hence, the present investigation was conducted to study the long-term impact of conjunctive nutrient use treatments on soil quality indicators and soil quality indices under three cropping systems: (i) sole soybean, (ii) soybean + maize, and (iii) sole maize cropping systems at the Indore Centre of the All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) using Navjot and JS-335 as cultivars of maize and soybean, respectively. In 2005, the soil quality assessment study under this experiment was undertaken after 8 years of experimentation. Soil quality assessment was done by identifying the key indicators using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear scoring technique (LST). Soil quality indices (SQI) and relative soil quality indices (RSQI) were also computed. Results revealed that most of the soil quality parameters were significantly influenced by the conjunctive nutrient management treatments. The common key indicators that emerged in all the treatments were pH, organic carbon (OC), exchangeable magnesium (Mg), available zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and boron (B). The soil quality indices across the management treatments under sole maize system varied from 1.70 to 2.40 and application of 20 kg nitrogen (N) (compost) + 20 kg N through urea as top dressing emerged as a one of the most superior treatments with SQI value of 2.40. The soil quality indices in maize + soybean system varied from 1.12 to 1.47 and application of 20 kg N (compost) + 20 kg N through urea + azotobacter at 2 kg ha^?1 proved to be significant with the greatest SQI value of 1.47. In the case of the sole soybean system, the SQI varied from 1.21 to 1.61. After considering all the systems together, the average best performance SQI score (ABP-SQI score) was computed, which varied from 1.14 to 1.56. The greatest value was recorded in the treatment with 20 kg N (compost) + 20 kg N (gliricidia) + 10 kg N (urea). The quantitative relationship developed in this study between mean soybean and maize yields (Y) and RSQI values (X), irrespective of the management treatments, could be quite useful to predict the yield quantitatively with respect to a given change in key indicators for these rainfed Vertisols.     

不同治理措施对侵蚀红壤区生物量及生产力的影响

以长汀县花岗岩强度侵蚀区采用的全坡面播草和多树种混交两种治理措施为研究对象,以未采取恢复措施的严重侵蚀地(对照1)及当地植被保留较好的风水林(对照2)为对照,探讨了这两种措施对群落植被的生物量和生产力的恢复效果.结果表明,全坡面播草和多树种混交群落的马尾松平均木生物量分别为23.03和23.13kg,均显著高于对照1(6.02 kg),均显著低于对照2(582.87 kg).全坡面播草群落的生产力较低,为5.30 t/(hm~2·a),恢复度为0.40,群落生物量为26.20 t/hm~2,恢复度为0.10.多树种混交群落生产力较高,为9.19 t/(hm~2·a),恢复度为0.78,群落生物量为36.98 t/hm~2,恢复度为0.16.二者的生物量和生产力的恢复程度差异较大,体现了不同措施的恢复效果.     

利用黑土层厚度评价东北黑土区土壤生产力——以鹤北小流域为例

东北黑土区是中国重要的粮食生产基地,自开垦以来,土壤生产力退化严重。探索简易可行的黑土生产力评价方法,可为合理利用和保护黑土资源提供科学依据。以位于典型黑土区北端的鹤北小流域为例,基于黑土厚度和土壤理化性质的野外调查,构建了用黑土层厚度评价土壤生产力的方法。结果表明,黑土层厚度与土壤生产力水平间呈对数关系,当黑土厚度小于40-50 cm时,随着厚度增加,土壤生产力增加明显;当黑土厚度大于40-50 cm时,随厚度增加土壤生产力增加速度减缓。多年大豆单产及当地土地分等定级的双重验证表明用黑土层厚度评价土壤生产力简易可行,能够揭示土壤生产力的空间分异。研究区耕作方式对土壤生产力影响显著:同一地块内从坡顶到坡脚生产力呈增加趋势,但在等高种植情况下,地块土壤生产力差异较小,顺坡或与等高线交叉情况下,地块土壤生产力差异较大。     

Integrated Plant Genetic and Balanced Nutrient Management Enhances Crop and Water Productivity of Rainfed Production Systems in Rajasthan,India

Analysis of soils from 421 farmers’ fields in eastern districts of Rajasthan, India, revealed widespread deficiencies of sulfur (S; 43 to 87% fields deficient), boron (B; 25 to 100%), and zinc (Zn; 0 to 94%) in addition to phosphorus (P; 10 to 73%) and soil organic carbon (1 to 84%). An integrated approach of application of deficient S, B, and Zn along with N and P to high-yielding crop cultivars increased yield over farmers’ practice of N and P application to local cultivars by 92 to 204% in maize, 115 to 167% in pearl millet, and 150% in groundnut. Benefit-to-cost ratio of the integrated strategy varied from 3.33 to 8.03 in maize, 2.92 to 3.40 in pearl millet, and 1.15 in groundnut. The integrated approach effectively utilized scarce water in food production and increased rainwater-use efficiency at 67 to 145 kg mm^?1 ha^?1 from 21 to 50 kg mm^?1 ha^?1 under farmers’ practice.     

半干旱退化山区坡地改造工程对土壤理化性质的影响

在野外调查分析的基础上,测定了不同整地方式山杏、山桃灌木林地的土壤容重、土壤有机质和速效养分。结果表明,通过人工坡地改造工程,山坡地土壤有机质和氮素有明显的提高,在林木根系活动层40—60 cm土壤有机质、氮素增量高于其它处理,土壤速效磷增幅较小;土壤速效钾有少量增加。     

Widespread Deficiencies of Sulfur,Boron, and Zinc in Indian Semi-Arid Tropical Soils: On-Farm Crop Responses

On-farm studies were conducted during 2002–2004 to determine fertility status, including sulfur (S) and micronutrients, and crop response to fertilization on farmers' fields in the semi-arid zone of India. Nine hundred-twenty four soil samples taken from farmers' fields, spread in the three districts of Andhra Pradesh (India), were analyzed for soil chemical fertility parameters. Results showed that samples were low in organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and low to moderate in extractable phosphorus (P), but adequate in available potassium (K). Analyses of soil samples for extractable S and micronutrients was most revealing and showed that 73–95% of the farmers' fields were deficient in S, 70–100% in boron (B), and 62–94% in zinc (Zn). On-farm trials conducted during three seasons (2002–2004) showed significant yield responses of maize, castor, groundnut, and mung bean to the applications of S, B, and Zn. The yield responses were larger when S, Zn, and B were applied along with N and P. Applications of S, B and Zn also significantly increased the uptake of N, P, K, S, B, and Zn in the crop biomass. Results show widespread deficiencies of S, B, and Zn under dryland agricultural conditions; results also show that the nutrient deficiencies can be diagnosed by soil testing. It was concluded that the drylands in the semi-arid regions of India were not only thirsty (water shortage), but also hungry (nutrient deficiencies).     

半干旱黄土丘陵区坡耕地径流损失对土地生产力影响研究

采用表土人工堆积小区试验方法 ,研究了半干旱黄土丘陵区西吉县的坡耕地径流损失对土地生产力的影响。结果表明 ,干旱、半干旱黄土丘陵区由径流损失造成的坡耕地土地生产力下降不可忽视 ,坡耕地平均每年每损失 1mm径流会导致供试作物春小麦减产 9.7% ,马铃薯减产 5 .0 % ,春小麦产量受径流损失的影响是马铃薯的 2倍 ;不同坡度坡耕地春小麦每年因径流损失减产 41.7%～ 6 4.0 % ,马铃薯减产2 1.5 %～ 33.0 % ,每年由此所造成的粮食减产分别是坡耕地和农业用地粮食总产量的 73 .3%和 16 .3 %。     

Effects of Boron and Lime on Productivity of Garden Pea under Acidic Soils in Northwestern Himalayas

An experiment comprising seven treatments was conducted to study the effect of boron and lime integrated with organic manures and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers on garden pea productivity. Seed yield along with growth parameters were significantly influenced by combined use of farmyard manure and NPK fertilizers either alone or in combination with boron and lime. Treatment combination of 20 t farmyard manure / ha + 100% NPK + borax (T₄) resulted in 37% increase in seed yield over recommended practice of 20 t farmyard manure / ha + 100% NPK (T₃). In addition, recommended practice supplemented with granubor (T₅) and lime (T₆) also significantly surpassed T₃ with respective increase of 14 and 10% in seed yield. Similarly, maximum nutrient was observed in T₄. Hence, application of boron along with farmyard manure and NPK fertilizers could be the best option to maximize pea productivity in acidic soils under humid subtemperate climate.     

陕北中部丘陵区土壤肥力现状及提高土地生产力的途径

调查分析了延安宝塔区和安塞县7个乡镇近三年来的粮食生产,肥料投入以及各土地类型的土壤肥力状况,表明:投入的化肥中,氮肥以低浓度养分的碳铵为主,平均占肥料总量的38.3%,从施入土壤的N、P、K养分来看,K比例很小,结构不合理。土壤肥力总体水平低,且不同土地类型差异大;由于各乡镇自然和经济状况的差异,土地投入量不同,从而导致粮食产量相差悬殊,并且年际波动大。提高土地生产力的有效途径是培肥土壤和大力推广农作物高产栽培技术。     

Soil test-based nutrient balancing improved crop productivity and rural livelihoods: case study from rainfed semi-arid tropics in Andhra Pradesh,India

Widespread multinutrient deficiencies in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) are among major factors for large gaps between farmers’ current crop yields and potential yields. In this study, we adopted a stratified soil sampling method to assess soil fertility-related constraints in farmers’ fields in eight districts of Andhra Pradesh in the semi-arid tropics of India. Most of the fields across all eight districts were critical in sulfur (61%–98% deficient fields); and up to six districts each in boron (83%–98% deficient fields), zinc (50–85% deficient fields), and soil organic carbon (55–97% deficient fields). Low soil organic carbon specifically indicates nitrogen deficiency. Phosphorus deficiency was critical in three districts (60–84%) while potassium in general was adequate. Soil test-based nutrient balancing through the application of sulfur, boron, and zinc in addition to farmers’ practice of adding only nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased crop productivity by 8%–102%. Benefit–cost ratio (1.60–28.5) proved favourable to scale-up balanced nutrition. Better post-harvest soil health and residual benefits of sulfur, boron, and zinc up to four succeeding seasons indicated sustainability of the practice. Results showed that balanced nutrition is a way forward for sustainably improving farm productivity and livelihoods.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区第一副区山坡农地土壤肥力与生产力状况分析

根据调查研究,分析了黄土丘陵第一副区山坡地土壤肥力与生产力状况及其影响因素,表明由于长期土壤侵蚀的影响,该区山坡地土壤的有机质、全氮和碱解氮含量低,虽然全磷和全钾含量相对较丰富,但其有效性不高,土壤水分条件差且多变,土壤肥力贫瘠.严重的水土流失、干旱和土壤肥力低下是导致该区山坡地生产力低下的主要因素,因此,采取水土保持耕作技术,控制水土流失和合理增加肥料投入是提高山坡地土壤肥力和生产力的重要途径.     

Spatial Distribution and Management Zones for Sulphur and Micronutrients in Shiwalik Himalayan Region of India

Agricultural land degradation due to nutrient deficiencies is a threat to agricultural sustainability. As nutrients availability is influenced by soil heterogeneity, climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities; hence, delineation of nutrient management zones (MZs) based on spatial variability could be an effective management option at regional scale. Thus, the present study was carried out to delineate MZs in the Shiwalik Himalayan region of India by capturing spatial variability of soil properties and secondary and micronutrients status because of the emerging nutrient deficiencies. For the study, a total of 2575 geo‐referenced representative surface (0–15 cm depth) soil samples were collected from the study region covering an area of 53,483 km². The soils were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, available sulphur (S) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B and Mo) concentrations. There was a wide variation in soil properties with coefficient of variation values of 14 (for pH) to 86% for available Mo. Geostatistical analysis revealed spherical, Gaussian, exponential, stable, circular and K‐Bessel best‐fit models for soil properties. Most of the soil properties were having moderate spatial dependence except soil pH and S (strong spatial dependence) and Zn (weak spatial dependence). About 49%, 10%, 2%, 13%, 11%, 12% and 8% area of the study region were found to be deficient (including acute and marginal deficiency) in S, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B and Mo, respectively. The principal component analysis and fuzzy c‐mean clustering were performed to develop the MZs. Four principal components with eigenvalues greater than 1 and accounting 65·4% of total variance were retained for further analysis. On the basis of fuzzy performance index and normalized classification entropy, four potential MZs were identified. Analysis of variance confirmed the heterogeneity in most of the studied soil properties among the MZs. The study indicated that the methodology of delineating MZs can be effectively used in site‐specific S and micronutrients management in the Shiwalik Himalayan region of India. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

安徽省油菜钾肥施用效果及土壤速效钾丰缺指标研究

2005—2009连续4个年度在安徽省冬油菜生产区布置油菜钾肥肥效试验73个,研究施用钾肥对油菜产量和经济效益的影响;并通过建立油菜籽粒相对产量和土壤速效钾含量的关系,确定土壤速效钾丰缺指标。结果表明,油菜施用钾肥具有明显的增产效果,施钾后油菜平均产量达2 558 kg/hm~2,比不施钾增产509 kg/hm~2,增产率为28.1%。施钾每公顷平均增收1 349元,67.1%的试验点产投比2.0,施钾收益显著。13.7%的试验点施钾后增产不增收。以相对产量60%、60%~75%、75%~90%、90%~95%和95%为标准,将土壤速效钾分为"严重缺乏"、"缺乏"、"轻度缺乏"、"适宜"和"丰富"5个等级,处于各等级的土壤面积的比例分别为2.7%、17.8%、65.8%、6.8%和6.8%,对应的丰缺指标分别为30、30~60、60~110、110~140和140 mg/kg。此研究建立的土壤速效钾丰缺指标可为安徽省冬油菜的钾肥管理提供依据。