Potential of Residual Sulfur and Zinc Nutrition in Improving Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) Disease Tolerance of Lentil (Lens culunaris L.)

Lentil (Lens culunaris L.) is one of the major sources of protein and the second most important legume crop of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in India. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) is one of the important fungal diseases of lentil that affects the entire plant and causes great reduction in yield and quality of seed. Mineral nutrition, especially with sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn), plays a great role in powdery mildew management. A research trial was conducted from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011 at ICAR Research Complex of Eastern Region, Patna, India, to ascertain the role of residual sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) in powdery mildew management in lentil under a rice–lentil cropping system. A field experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. Four levels of S and Zn were tested. Sulfur and Zn were applied directly to rice crop as basal application and the residual response of lentil was ascertained in the rice–lentil cropping system. Powdery mildew disease index was prepared and it was noticed that plots treated with 40 kg sulfur + 5 kg Zn had less powdery mildew disease index (5.5%). Significantly greater disease index (15.5%) was documented in the fields where both the nutrients were not applied. Maximum lentil seed yield (1147 kg ha^?1) was recorded with 30 kg residual S, whereas minimum seed yield (1015 Kg ha^?1) was noticed with no application of S in the previous crop in the cropping system.     

Direct and Residual Effect of Sulphur Fertilization on Yield,Uptake and Use Efficiency in Indian Mustard and Succeeding Rice Crop

A field experiment was conducted on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) with five levels of sulfur (S), 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 kg S ha^?1 in sub-tropical Inceptisol of Jammu, North India. The residual effect of S on rice crop was evaluated. The seed and stover yield of mustard increased in the linear order up to 60 kg S ha^?1 but significant yield increase was obtained up to 30 S kg ha^?1 which was 21.4 percent higher in comparison to the yield obtained in control. The uptake of S at maturity was significantly affected with all the levels of S application. The seed S uptake increased significantly up to 30 kg S ha^?1 and stover 45 kg S ha^?1. The residual effect of S was convincing in enhancing the rice yield to the tune of 5.3% over control, but was statistically non-significant. The S uptake was also favourably influenced by the residual S which was evidenced through increased S use efficiency. Agronomic and physiological efficiency as well as S recovery were all greatly influenced by direct and residual effect of S. Apparent S recovery was higher at 30 kg S ha^?1 in mustard (12.06%).     

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.     

Changes in essential oil accumulation of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) in response to phosphate biological and chemical fertilizer

A field experiment was carried out with a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2014. Triple super phosphate (0, 3.75, 7.5, 11.25 and 15 g m^?2) was applied in main plots and phosphate bio-fertilizer (seed inoculation and topdressing) was allocated to sub plots. Results indicated that application of plants with phosphorus (P) bio-fertilizer as topdressing increased plant height and the number of the lateral branches under low levels of chemical P fertilizer, while plants from seed inoculated with P bio-fertilizer had more of those traits under high levels of chemical P fertilizer. Maximum leaf and flower dry weights were found under the lowest level of chemical P fertilizer. Moldavian balm plant demonstrated highly responsiveness to biological fertilizers in terms of increase in essential oil (EO) percentage and yield. It can be concluded that the effects of bio-fertilizer as seed inoculation is more during the early vegetative growth of plants. Thus, plants from seeds inoculated with P bio-fertilizer treatment had more biomass and EO percentage under high levels of chemical P fertilizer.     

Studies on Growth,Yield and Quality of Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea L.Var Italica Plenck) as Influenced by Boron and Molybdenum

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.var italica Plenck) is an important winter season exotic vegetable from the Brassicaceae family as well as heavy feeder of plant nutrients. Plant nutrition is one of the prime considerations for getting higher yield of any crop. Mineral fertilizer improves growth and yield of broccoli due to the role of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on the meristematic activity. Boron and molybdenum are essential micronutrients required for normal plant growth and development. Plants differ widely in their requirements, but the ranges of deficiency and toxicity are narrow. Boron and molybdenum deficiencies are very common in Cole crops. Deficiency causes many anatomical, physiological, and biological changes. The deficiency of boron and molybdenum has threatened the ever increasing areas of broccoli. The effected heads become irregular in shape, smaller in size and bitter in taste which adversely affects the market demand of the crop. No systematic work so far has been done in production technology of sprouting broccoli in relation to response of nutrients in the gangetic plains of West Bengal. The present investigation was attempted to find out the growth, yield, and quality of broccoli on the aspects of minor mineral (boron and molybdenum) nutrition. The experiments were conducted at the Horticultural Research Station of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mondouri, Nadia, West Bengal, during 2010–12 with four levels of boron (0, 15, 18, and 21 kg ha^?1) and molybdenum (0, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 kg ha^?1). Design of the experiment was a Factorial Randomized Block Design. Biometric observations were recorded from the selected plant from each plot and each replication of both the years. It was concluded from the results that under favorable agro-climatic conditions, the application of 18 kg borax and 1.8 kg ammonium molybdate ha^?1 was found beneficial for growth, yield, and quality of broccoli.     

砂姜黑土区花生优质高产的氮钙硫施肥模型研究

为优化砂姜黑土区花生优质高产的施肥方案,本试验以豫花22为试验材料,在大田条件下,采用三因素二次饱和D-最优设计方法,研究氮肥、钙肥与硫肥配施对豫南砂姜黑土花生产量和品质的影响。结果表明,氮肥、钙肥和硫肥对花生产量和品质有显著影响,产量效应方程中中等偏上的氮肥和较高的钙肥存在显著的交互效应,品质效应方程中中等偏上的钙肥和中等偏下的硫肥存在显著的交互效应。比较偏回归系数发现,氮肥对产量的影响最大,其次是钙肥,硫肥对产量的影响最小,对籽仁品质影响依次表现为氮肥>硫肥>钙肥。单因素效应分析表明,本试验条件下的花生产量和品质与氮肥、钙肥、硫肥的用量呈“抛物线”型变化。模型模拟分析表明,花生优质高产的氮、钙、硫施用量组合为104.08~111.81、234.36~282.21、25.15~40.88 kg·hm^-2;在经济效益最大时(36 682.82 元·hm^-2),氮、钙、硫最佳施用量组合为107.62、243.15、22.91 kg·hm^-2,配施比为1∶2.26∶0.21。综上,本研究构建的模型较好地模拟了氮、钙、硫肥与花生产量和品质的关系;同时发现氮钙硫肥互作能够影响花生产量和品质,但花生获得最高产量和最佳品质的氮钙硫配施组合存在差异。本研究结果为豫南砂姜黑土区的合理施肥提供了理论依据。     

Towards sustainable production of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) through integrated use of vermicompost and cowpea green manuring with synthetic nitrogen fertilization

A field experiment with peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) was conducted in a sandy loam (Typic ustifluvent) soil during 2007 and 2008 at Lucknow, India. Ten treatments consisting of control (no synthetic or organic nitrogen fertilization), synthetic nitrogen fertilization (SN) 75, 150 and 225 kg ha^?1 alone, vermicompost (VC) 3 t + 37.5 kg SN ha^?1, VC 6 t + 75 kg SN ha^?1 and VC 9 t + 112.5 kg SN ha^?1 and intercropping of one, two and three rows of cowpea for green manuring in combination with 50, 100 and 150 kg SN ha^?1, respectively, were evaluated in a randomized block design. Integrated use of VC 9 t with 112.5 kg SN ha^?1 produced maximum essential oil (94.3 kg ha^?1), increased the herb and essential oil yields by 104 and 89%, respectively, over control and reduced SN use by 50%, without affecting the quality of essential oil. Application of VC and intercropping of cowpea for green manuring significantly improved the organic carbon, available N, P and K content in soil over SN alone. To get sustainable production of peppermint, application of VC 9 t ha^?1 along with 112.5 kg N ha^?1 through synthetic fertilizer is recommended for light textured sandy loam soils.     

Effect of Cattle Manure and Sulfur on Yield and Oil Composition of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo var. Styriaca) Inoculated with Thiobacillus thiooxidans in Calcareous Soil

The effect of cattle manure and sulfur fertilizer on seed yield and oil composition of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo var. Styriaca) under inoculated with Thiobacillus thiooxidans was investigated in a factorial study based on a randomized complete block design. Experimental factors consisted of cattle manure (M) (M₀: 0, M₁: 10; and M₂: 20 t ha^?1), sulfur (S) (S₀: 0, S₁: 250; and S₂: 500 kg ha^?1) and T. thiooxidans (B): inoculated (B₁) and non-inoculated (B₀). Results demonstrated that the application of T. thiooxidans, cattle manure, and S fertilizer decreased the soil pH. The largest number of seed per fruit (367), highest fruit yield (70.57 t ha^?1), seed iron (Fe) content (16.26 mg 100 g^?1), and seed yield (111 kg ha^?1) was obtained when 20 t ha^?1 manure was applied in combination with 500 kg ha^?1 S inoculated with T. thiooxidans. In this condition, the content of S, Fe, phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) in plant shoots was increased by 44.8%, 22.58%, 33.89%, and 10.38%, respectively, compared to the control. Moreover, the highest content of seed protein was observed in 10 t ha^?1 manure and 500 kg ha^?1 S fertilizer inoculated with T. thiooxidans. When 250 kg ha^?1 S fertilizer was applied, 20 t ha^?1 manure decreased seed P content sharply. At the rate of 500 kg ha^?1 S fertilizer, the highest content of seed P was obtained from 20 t ha^?1 manure. Totally, 20 t ha^?1 cattle manure, along with 500 kg ha^?1 S fertilizer as well as T. thiooxidans inoculation, improved oil and seed yield of medicinal pumpkin.     

Response of Wheat Cultivars to Nitrogen and Sulfur for Crop Yield,Nitrogen Use Efficiency,and Protein Quality in the Semiarid Region

ABSTRACT

The effects of nitrogen (N at 0, 100 and 180 kg N ha-1) and sulfur (S at 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg S ha-1) on crop yield, nutrient uptake, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and amino acid composition of two bread wheat cultivars, ‘Shehan’ and ‘Enkoy,’ grown in Andisols and Cambisols in randomized blocks with three replications were evaluated. Both cultivars responded significantly (P < 0.05) to N and S applications and S application with N improved the NUE by 28%. The yield increase for the two cultivars by N and S application ranged between 0.8 to 2.4 Mg ha^?1. The N concentration increased significantly from N0 to N2 in both cultivars. Sulfur fertilization increased the concentration of cysteine and methionine by 27% and 14%, respectively, as compared to N alone. The grain yield, NUE, N, and S uptake, and the S-amino acid concentration of ‘Enkoy’ were significantly higher than ‘Shehan’ cultivar.     

皖南沿江平原不同年限烟-稻轮作土壤团聚体组成与烤烟产质量的关系

在安徽省皖南池州和宣城主要植烟区开展试验,研究了皖南沿江平原区典型水稻土在烟–稻轮作下团聚体组成变化与烤烟产质量的关系。试验共选择9个轮作年限田块,其中池州4个,分别为烟–稻轮作0(即种植单季稻)、2、4、9 a,宣城5个,分别为烟-稻轮作1、3、5、8、12 a。结果表明:池州地区烟–稻轮作土壤2～5 mm团聚体含量随轮作年限增加呈现先增加后降低的趋势;宣城地区烟-稻轮作1 a时土壤2～5 mm团聚体含量显著高于其他轮作年限土壤,且此级团聚体所占比例与轮作年限之间显著负相关。综合池州、宣城两地,随着轮作年限的增加,烤烟产量降低,但池州地区烟叶随着轮作年限的增加,中、上部叶中氯含量呈现下降趋势,上部叶中钾/氯比呈增加趋势;宣城地区其他轮作年限烟叶中、上部叶中糖/碱比均高于轮作1 a烟叶,且轮作5～8 a内适合优质烤烟生产(变化稳定)。同时,池州地区上部烟叶刺激性和干燥感评分随着轮作年限的增加呈现下降趋势;宣城地区上部叶香气特性评分随着轮作年限增加而增高。池州和宣城两地土壤2～5 mm团聚体含量与烤烟产量呈现显著正相关关系,且产量均受土壤2～5 mm团聚体pH的显著影响。池州地区土壤中2...     

Influence of Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC) as an Organic Fertilizer on Nutrient,Growth, Yield,and Essential Oil Composition of German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita L.)

To investigate the effect of Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC) as an organic fertilizer on German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) nutrient, growth, yield, essential oil and osmolytes a greenhouse experiment was conducted through a randomized complete design in six replications. A mixture of sandy loam soil with 5, 10 and 15% volume rates of spent mushroom compost was used as the partial substrate for German chamomile pot culture. Finding of results revealed that usage of SMC in the growing media increased significantly plant growth, flower yield, essential macro nutrient uptake, sodium concentration, proline and soluble sugars content as well as essential oil percentages in compared to control. Comparison between the treatments indicated that addition of 10% SMC to the plant soil substrate cause to higher growth and addition of higher rates of SMC (10% and 15%) led to better yield. The obtained results showed that absorption of K and Na enhanced significantly by increasing of SMC percentage in growing media but there was no significant difference in N and P uptake in SMC treatments. The results of GC and GC-MS analysis presented that the main compositions of essential oil extracted from German chamomile flowers accounted for 83.99–99.84% of total essential oil in SMC treatments. Regarding important role of SMC on the essential oil yield, we can consider SMC could be a suitable substitute for chemical fertilizers as environmentally friendly material in cultivation medicinal plant German chamomile.     

三七根际链霉菌Streptomyces sp. YNUCC0233木聚糖酶性质研究

从三七根际分离到一株产木聚糖酶链霉菌Streptomycessp.YNUCC0233。该菌所产生的木聚糖酶的最适反应温度为67℃,最适pH为6.0,在pH5.0~9.0和60℃以下时相对稳定。Ba2+和K+对该木聚糖酶有较强的促进作用,Hg2+、Cu2+、Mn2+、Co2+、Ni2+和EDTA对该酶有较强的抑制作用。对Streptomycessp.YNUCC023316SrDNA的1105bp片段的序列分析结果表明,Streptomycessp.YNUCC0233的16SrDNA片段与GenBank中所有已注册的链霉菌分类单位均不同。     

Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Biomass Production for Biofuel and the Effects of Soil Types and Nitrogen Fertilization

This research aimed to determine the optimum nitrogen fertilization rate on three soils for producing biomass sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor cultivar M81E) and corn (Zea mays cultivar P33N58) grain yield and to compare their responses. The research was conducted in Missouri in rotations with soybean, cotton, and corn. Seven rates of nitrogen (N) were applied. Sweet sorghum dry biomass varied between 11 and 27.5 Mg ha^?1) depending on year, soil type, and N rate. Nitrogen fertilization on the silt and sandy loam soils had no effect (P > 0.05) on sweet sorghum yield grown after cotton and soybean. However, yield increased in the clay soil. Corn grain yielded from 1.3 to 12.9 Mg ha^?1, and 179 to 224 kg N ha^?1 was required for maximum yield. Increasing biomass yield required N application on clay but not on silt loam and sandy loam in rotations with soybean or cotton.     

Influence of Drought Applied at Different Growth Stages on Kernel Yield and Quality in Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Drought severely affects yield and its quality in different plants. In a field experiment, maize was exposed to drought stress at vegetative, silking, and kernel-filling growth stages to determine the drought-induced changes in kernel yield and quality traits. The experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Withholding water at the vegetative stage was very effective in increasing protein, total amino acids, total soluble sugars, glucose, and sucrose contents in maize kernels. In contrast, drought applied at the kernel-filling stage increased the total free amino acids, total phenolics, and activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in maize kernels. Drought at the vegetative stage improved the kernel quality while at the silking stage severely affected kernel yield in maize. Taken together, the results suggested that incidence of drought should be avoided at the silking stage to minimize kernel yield losses and decrease in kernel quality in maize.     

Comparing Application Methods for Boron Fertilizer on the Yield and Quality of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

The present study is based on the hypothesis that different methods of supplying boron (B) may have different effects on the yield and quality performance of tobacco crop. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different methods of B fertilization on the yield, quality, and leaf composition of flue-cured Virginia tobacco (cv. K-399) in 2007 at the Pakistan Tobacco Research Station, Mansehra. Three different methods (i.e., foliar spray, soil application, and root dipping at the rates of 0.25 kg ha^–1, 1 kg ha^–1, and 0.5 mg B L^–1, respectively) in the form of boric acid along with a control (where no B was applied) were used in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Results revealed that different methods of B application significantly affected tobacco yield, quality, and nutrient uptake compared to the control. Maximum leaf area of 707 cm², green leaf yield of 18553 kg ha^–1, cured leaf yield of 2314 kg ha^–1, grade index of 79%, nicotine content of 2.54%, and sugar content of 18.35% were noted in the treatment plot where B was applied as a foliar spray; however, in a few cases, there was no significant difference found among different methods of B application. Chloride and potassium contents were not significantly affected by any method of B fertilization. The B fertilization increased the concentration of this element in tobacco leaf, and a maximum concentration of B 48.55 mg kg^–1 was noted in the foliar spray treatment. Moreover, fertilizer-use efficiency for different methods of B application revealed that foliar spray is more efficient as compared to soil application and root-dipping methods. Nutrient ratios to B such as potassium (K) / B and chloride (Cl) / B considerably decreased in tobacco leaf with increases in the concentration of B in leaves. These ratios provided some indication of the interrelationship of B with these nutrients in tobacco plants. Results also revealed that K/B and Cl/B ratios closely correlated with the grade index of tobacco leaf, and good grades of tobacco were found to be at a K/B ratio of 682 and a Cl/B ratio of 148 under the experimental conditions. The overall results indicated that the B foliar spray at the rate of 0.25 kg ha^–1 significantly increased the yield, quality, and the nutrient uptake by the tobacco crop under the prevailing conditions and was more effective than other methods of B application.     

Plant Yield,Antioxidant Capacity and Essential Oil Quality of Satureja Mutica Supplied with Cattle Manure and Wheat Straw in Different Plant Densities

ABSTRACT

Satureja mutica is a medicinally important plant, which may be affected by organic fertilizers and cultivation methods. To investigate the effect of cattle manure (30 ton/ha) and wheat straw (10 ton/ha) as organic fertilizers and plant density (80000, 40000, and 26666 plan ha^?1), an experiment was carried out as split plot with three replications during 2017 and 2018 on plant yield, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), essential oil (EO) yield and composition of S. mutica in the rainfed condition. The results showed that the highest fresh weight yield (FWY) and dry weight yield (DWY) were observed in high plant density in second year. TPC in interaction of second year and cattle manure was higher than others. The greatest TFC was observed in plants supplied with interaction of second year and wheat straw. EO content and yield in plants treated with the interaction of second year and high plant density were higher compared to those in other plants. The GC/MS analysis showed that the main EO components were thymol, carvacrol, γ-terpinene and p-Cymene, representing different concentrations by using the organic fertilizers and plant densities. In summary, the use of cattle manure and high plant densities can result in higher plant production.     

不同施肥处理对梁平柚产量、品质和土壤肥力的影响

通过连续3 a (2014—2017年)的田间试验,以10 a生梁平柚为研究对象,研究不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(CF)、50%化肥+50%有机肥(CF+OF)和单施有机肥(OF)下梁平柚产量、品质和土壤肥力的影响。结果表明,在不同施肥处理中,CF+OF、OF和CF的单果重均无显著性差异(P>0.05),但CF+OF的柚子单株果实数最高,柚子产量分别高出OF、CF和CK 8.2%、31.2%和11.82%;CF+OF处理中,柚子果实中的果汁含量、总糖、游离氨基酸和维生素C比CK分别提高20.40%、18.95%、64.34%和27.06%,而柚子果皮厚度、种子数和总酸度显著降低,品质改善;施肥显著提高土壤微生物生物量碳氮,在不同施肥处理中,微生物生物量碳氮比介于7.39～13.89,且差异显著(P<0.05)。CF+OF处理中,柚子成熟期土壤可培养细菌、真菌、放线菌数量显著高于或相似于单施化肥,说明化肥和有机肥配施能促进微生物生长繁殖,协调土壤养分供应,改善柚子营养。虽然不同施肥处理对土壤pH无显著影响(P>0.05),但是与CK相比,OF和CF+OF处理有机质和速效钾...     

Growth and acquisition of Na,K and Ca in some elite sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (Lam.) L.] genotypes under salinity stress

Soil salinity is a concern in the wake of climate change challenges due to rising sea levels and coastal salinity in Papua New Guinea. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in Split Plot design, with five elite sweet potato genotypes (main-plot factors) and three levels of sodium chlroide (NaCl) concentrations (sub-plot factors) replicated six times. The vine cuttings of genotype RAB 45 showed very low mortality percentage (33%) at 600 mM NaCl concentration. At salinity level of 200 mM NaCl, aerial dry biomass of the genotypes was inversely but significantly (r = –0.40; p < 0.05) related to the accumulation of sodium (Na⁺) in the tissues. The Na⁺ accumulation in the tissues was antagonistic to the potassium (K⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺) ions. Among the sweetpotato genotypes, Na⁺/K⁺ ratio decreased in the following order: RAB 45> KAV 11 > Northern Star > DOY 2 > L 46, which was more or less corroborated with the trend in the aerial dry matter.     

Effect of combined nitrogen and sulphur fertilization on yield and qualitative parameters of Camelina sativa [L.] Crtz. (false flax)

Abstract

Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crtz., false flax) is described as a species requiring fewer inputs than other oilseed crops thus making it an interesting alternative in sustainable cropping systems. As information on the combined effects of nitrogen and sulphur on camelina yield and quality parameters is meagre, a pot fertilization experiment was carried out with nitrogen applied as NH₄NO₃ at three increasing rates equivalent to a range from 63 up to 127 kg ha^?1. These treatments were combined with sulphur additions applied as (NH₄)₂SO₄ to achieve a soil sulphate content of 25 or 45 mg kg^?1, respectively (equivalent to 75 and 135 kg S ha^?1). The medium and high nitrogen rates combined with the low sulphur fertilization level increased the number of branches per plant compared with the lowest nitrogen fertilization at the same sulphur rate. Camelina seed yield increased with increasing nitrogen doses at the same low sulphur level, whereas straw yield increased only at the highest rate of nitrogen. Thousand-seed mass increased at the highest nitrogen dose and with the low sulphur application rate. In addition, the increase in nitrogen fertilization reduced seed oil content from 39.8% to 37.1%. A highly negative correlation was observed between oil and protein content of seeds. Nitrogen fertilization increased total oil yield and total protein yield. Differences in crop parameters between the sulphur treatments were not significant statistically, although the higher sulphur treatment tended to increase seed yield as well as oil and protein content compared with the low sulphur treatment. Thus, the combined application of N and S as mineral fertilizers is only recommended when growing camelina on sulphur-deficient soils if the aim is to achieve both high oil and protein production.     

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

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