Response of Chickpea Cultivars to Application of Boron in Boron‐Deficient Calcareous Soils

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of four boron (B) doses (control, 0 kg B ha^?1; B₁, 1 kg B ha^?1; B₂, 3 kg B ha^?1; and B₃, 6 kg B ha^?1) in soils deficient in available B (0.19 mg B kg^?1) and lime (CaCO₃) content (20.7%) on yield and some yield components of five chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes, namely Akçin‐91, Population, Gökçe, ?zmir‐92, and Menemen‐92 in central Anatolian Turkey in the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. Plant height, pods per plant, grain yield, protein content, protein yield, thousand seed weight, and leaf B concentration were measured. Grain yields in all genotypes (except for Gökçe) were significantly increased by 1 kg ha^?1 B application. Application of 1 kg ha^?1 B increased the yield by an average of 5%. Genotypes studied showed significant variations with respect to their responses to additional B. Akçin‐91 gave the highest grain yield (1704.8 kg ha^?1) at 3 kg B ha^?1, whereas Population, ?zmir‐92, and Menemen‐92 yielded best (1468.2 kg ha^?1, 1483.0 kg ha^?1, and 1484.7 kg ha^?1, respectively) at 1 kg B ha^?1. Interestingly, Gökçe reached to the highest level of grain yield (1827.1 kg ha^?1) at the control. Gökçe was a B deficiency B tolerance genotype. The other genotypes appeared to have high sensitivity to B deficiency. This study showed that B deficiency could result in significant yield losses in chickpea under the experimental conditions tested. Thus, B contents of soils for the cultivation of chickpea should be analyzed in advance to avoid yield losses.     

Evaluation of growth indices and quantitative traits of safflower under organic farming and conventional agriculture

Application of organic fertilizers in sustainable agriculture systems improves yield sustainability of field crop production. The current research has been formed to investigate the effects of various levels of vermicompost (zero, 3, 6 and 9 t ha^?1) in combination with foliar spraying of potassium humate (0, 1, 2 and 3 mL L^?1) on spring safflower, in Iran during 2012–2013. In addition, inorganic fertilization has been considered as conventional agriculture (CA). In the current experiment, growth indices, seed yield, yield components and flower yield were evaluated. The results showed that the maximum leaf area index, total dry weight and crop growth rate have been determined at 9 t ha^?1 vermicompost and 3 mL L^?1 K-humate while the maximum netto assimilation rate has existed in CA at the emergence of flower buds. Likewise, the results indicated that vermicompost leads to a significant increase in seed yield, flower yield and yield components except 1000 seed weight. Flower yield, head number per plant and seed number per head were affected by K-humate concentrations and increased significantly from 1 to 3 mL L^?1. It should be mentioned that 9 t ha^?1 vermicompost and 3 mL L^?1 K-humate produced the highest seed and flower yield.     

Optimizing seed crops of common bent (Agrostis capillaris) by sowing rate

Abstract

As part of a project to stimulate Norwegian seed production of common bent (syn. browntop, US: colonial bentgrass, Agrostis capillaris L. syn. A.tenuis Sibth.) field trials comparing sowing rates of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 or 10 kg ha^?1 were conducted at Landvik, south-east Norway, (58°N) from 1989 to 1994. Three trials were laid out of the forage cultivar ‘Leikvin’ and three trials of the lawn cultivar ‘Nor’, each trial being harvested for three consecutive years. While the average per cent ground cover in spring increased from 87% at 2.5 kg ha^?1 to 94–96% at 7.5 kg ha^?1, seed yields decreased with increasing sowing rate in both cultivars. On average for all harvests, quadrupling the sowing rate from 2.5 to 10 kg ha^?1 reduced seed yield by 9% in ‘Leikvin’ and 15% in ‘Nor’, the stronger effect probably being associated with a greater competition between tillers in the lawn cultivar. Seed yield reductions with increasing sowing rate showed no relationship with crop age, but were less accentuated for crops undersown in spring wheat in a dry year than for crops established without cover crop in years with ample rainfall in early summer. Increasing sowing rates reduced plant height and panicle number in ‘Nor’, but had no effect on seed weight or germination in any of the cultivars. It is concluded that seed crops of common bent should be established with a sowing rate of 2–5 kg ha^?1, with the lowest rate in lawn cultivars, under ideal seedbed conditions and when seed crops are sown without cover crop.     

Compost and Nitrogen Management Influence Productivity of Spring Maize (Zea mays L.) under Deep and Conventional Tillage Systems in Semi-arid Regions

On-farm research was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and compost (C) on yield and yield components of spring maize (Zea mays L.) under conventional and deep tillage system (T) at the research farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, during spring 2013. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement, using three replications. Three compost levels (0, 1, and 2 t ha^?1) and two tillage systems (conventional and deep tillage) were allotted to the main plot, whereas N levels (60, 90, 120, and 150 kg N ha^?1) were allotted to subplots in the form of urea. Nitrogen and compost levels had significantly affected all the parameters. Plots treated with 150 kg N ha^?1 increased ear length (31 cm), grains ear^?1 (413), thousand-grain weight (240.2 g), grain yield (3097 kg ha^?1), straw yield (9294 kg ha^?1), harvest index (24.7 percent), and shelling percentage (81.7 percent). Compost applied at 2 t ha^?1 increased ear length (32 cm), grains ear^?1 (430), thousand-grain weight (242.3 g), grain yield (2974 kg ha^?1), straw yield (8984 kg ha^?1), harvest index (24.6 percent), and shelling percentage (83.2 percent). Tillage system had significant effect on all parameters except ear length and harvest index. Deep tillage system produced more grains ear^?1 (365), thousand-grain weight (233.3 g), grain yield (2630 kg ha^?1), straw yield (8549 kg ha^?1), and shelling percentage (79.6 percent). It was concluded from the results that application of 120 kg N ha^?1 + 2 C t ha^?1 under a deep tillage system could improve spring maize yield and yield-contributing traits under semi-arid conditions.     

Effect of biochar and phosphorus fertilizer application on soil fertility: soil physical and chemical properties

This study evaluated the effect of biochar and phosphorus fertilizer application on selected soil physical and chemical properties in two contrasting soil types: Rhodic Ferralsols (clay) in Thohoyandou and Leptic Cambisols (loamy sand) in Nelspruit, South Africa. Field experiments were conducted in summer and winter. Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of four biochar levels (0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha^?1) and two phosphorus fertilizer levels (0 and 90 kg ha^?1) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Chickpea was the test crop. Soil bulk density, aggregate stability, porosity, total C, total N, C:N ratio, K and Mg were determined. Biochar (10 t ha^?1) and phosphorus increased bulk density and decreased porosity at 0–5 and 15–20 cm soil depth on a loamy sand soil in both seasons. The interaction between biochar and phosphorus increased total C and total N on a clay soil in the summer sowing. However, in the loamy sand soil, biochar (10 t ha^?1) increased total C, C:N ratio, K and Mg in the summer sowing. The effect of biochar was more evident in the loamy sand soil than the clay soil suggesting that the influence of biochar may be soil-specific.     

Evaluation of yield and some physiological changes in corn and sorghum under irrigation regimes and application of barley residue,zeolite and superabsorbent polymer

In order to investigate the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll, relative water content (RWC) and forage yield of corn and sorghum under various irrigation regimes and combination treatments of barley residue, zeolite and superabsorbent polymer, an experiment was conducted over 2 years in Kerman, Iran. A randomized complete block design arranged in a factorial split was used with three replications. Two irrigation regimes of normal and drought stress based on 70 and 140 mm cumulative pan evaporation, respectively, and two plant species (corn and sorghum) as factorial combinations were compared in the main plots. Five treatments, (1) 10 t ha^?1 zeolite + 4.5 t ha^?1 residue, (2) 60 kg ha^?1 superabsorbent + 4.5 t ha^?1 residue, (3) 5 t ha^?1 zeolite + 30 kg ha^?1 superabsorbent + 4.5 t ha^?1 residue, (4) 4.5 t ha^?1 residue and (5) – control, were compared in subplots. In both plants, forage yield, potential quantum yield (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents decreased significantly under drought stress. Chlorophyll a content, SPAD index and Fv/Fm were higher in corn than in sorghum, but RWC was higher in sorghum. Corn produced higher forage yield (62.8 t ha^?1) than sorghum (49.3 t ha^?1). The application of 10 t ha^?1 zeolite with 4.5 t ha^?1 residue increased most traits more than any of the other treatments, but the superabsorbent had no significant effect on the studied traits.     

CHICKPEA RESPONSE TO TILLAGE SYSTEM AND PHOSPHORUS MANAGEMENT UNDER DRYLAND CONDITIONS

A field study was conducted at the Research Farm of NWFP, Agricultural University, Pakistan. Chickpea (Cicer aeritinum L.) cultivar, ‘Hassan-2000’, was sown as a winter crop under conventional tillage (CT) or no-tillage (NT) dryland systems in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement using four replications. Three levels of phosphorus (P; 0, 80 and 120 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) were broadcast applied at the time of last plowing and were thoroughly mixed in subplot size of 1.8 × 5 m. About 20% less weed biomass and 2% higher grain yield was recorded under CT than in NT. Plots supplied with P₂O₅ had higher value of the all the parameters under study except number of plant m^?2 when compared with control (no P applied). However, the grain yield response to P beyond 80 kg ha^?1 was not positive. CT + 80 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1 was identified as the optimum level for maximum chickpea production under the existing dryland condition where application of herbicides in NT is not possible. Further experiments to study the optimization of P in chickpea production under dryland conditions are required.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lotus ornithopodioides</Emphasis> L. a potential annual pasture legume species for Mediterranean dryland farming systems

Twenty-three populations of Lotus ornithopodioides L., collected from different regions of the Mediterranean basin, were investigated for their ecological and agronomic traits in Western Australia. Great variability was found between and within populations for flowering time, forage and seed yield. Flowering time ranged between 75 and 120 days, dry matter production from 2.8 to 4.3 t ha^?1 and seed yield from 284 to 684 kg ha^?1. Other important traits such as non-shattering pods and hard seed were taken into account during the selection to assure an easy seed harvesting and legume persistence in the targeted environments. The high level of hard seed recorded in early winter, associated to the low seedling regeneration, indicates that L. ornithopodioides is best suited to ley cropping systems. Elite lines of L. ornithopodioides characterized by early flowering time, high seed yield and non-shattering pods were selected. Two of them, LOR02.1 and LOR03.2, showed dry matter higher than 4.0 t ha^?1 and seed yield around 700 kg ha^?1 resulting the lines with most potential for Mediterranean farming systems. The results encourage the exploitation of L. ornithopodioides germplasm to develop a new annual self-reseeding legume resource for Mediterranean farming systems for both forage production and crop rotation uses.     

Biochar and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer effects on maize (Zea mays L.) nitrogen use and yield in moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major nitrogen consuming crop, as nitrogen is considered as an important determinant of its grain yield. Though inorganic fertilizer is widely recommended, the problem of high cost and inaccessibility limit its usage by resource poor farmers. Biochar application provides a new technology for both soil fertility and crop productivity improvement. With limited research on the suitability of biochar for soil improvement practices in Ghana, our objective was to determine the synergistic effect of biochar and inorganic fertilizer on the nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency, and yield of maize. Field experiment was conducted in Ghana, KNUST, in the major and minor raining seasons. Biochar was applied at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha^?1 and fertilizer N applied at 0, 45, and 90?kg ha^?1. The results showed significantly (p??1 supplemented with 45?kg N ha^?1 increased N uptake by 200%, and grain yield by 213% and 160% relative to the control in the minor and major rainy seasons, respectively. The greater yield of maize recorded on biochar-amended soils was attributed to the improved N uptake and nitrogen use efficiency. In conclusion, our finding suggests that the application of combined biochar and inorganic N fertilizer is not only ecologically prudent, but economically viable and a practicable alternative to current farmers’ practice of cultivating maize in Ghana.     

RESPONSE OF ALFALFA SEED YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS TO PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZING SYSTEMS AND SEEDING RATE AT SEMI-SALINE SOIL CONDITIONS

To study the effects of phosphorus (P) fertilizer (cow manure, phosphorus solublizing bacteria) and sowing density on seed production of alfalfa, an experiment was laid out in a three-replicated split-split plot design with four phosphorus fertilizer rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha^?1) in main plots, three phosphorus-solublizing bacteria (9, 41strains, and no bacteria) in sub-plots and three sowing densities (2, 6 and 10 kg ha^?1) in sub-sub plots. The highest seed yield resulted from 60 and 90 kg P ha^?1. Application of bacteria strain 41 was more efficient than bacteria strain 9 in seed yield and 1000-seed weight. Seed yield at 6 seed kg ha^?1 treatment was higher than 10 kg ha^?1, although there was no significant difference between them. Based on the results of this experiment the triple application of P60, B41 and SD6 could be recommended as the best treatment for seed production of alfalfa (Cultivar ‘Nikshahri’) under the semi-saline condition.     

Soil temperature,growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by wheat straw mulch

Maize crop is grown mostly in tropical/subtropical environments where drought adversely affects its production. A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four years (1999 – 2002) to study the effect of wheat straw mulch (0 and 6 t ha^?1) and planting methods (flat and channel) on maize sown on different dates. Maximum soil temperature without mulch ranged from 32.2 – 44.4°C in channel and 31.6 – 46.4°C in flat planting method. Mulching, however, lowered soil temperature by 0.8 – 7.0°C in channel and 0 – 9.8°C in flat planting. Mulching, on an average, improved leaf area index by 0.42, plant height by 14 cm, grain yield by 0.24 t ha^?1 and biomass by 1.57 t ha^?1, respectively. Mulching improved grain yield only in flat sowing. Interaction between sowing date and planting method was significant. Seasonal variation in biomass were significantly correlated (p = 0.05) with mean air temperature during 0 – 45 days after planting (DAP) (r = ?0.95), pan evaporation during 0 – 15 DAP (r = 0.79) and negative correlation with rainfall in entire cropping season (r = ?0.89), whereas biomass increase with mulch in different cropping seasons had negative relation (r = ?0.74) with amount of rain during 0 – 15 DAP.     

Yield and water use efficiency of hybrid Bt cotton as affected by methods of sowing and rates of nitrogen under surface drip irrigation

Field experiments were conducted for two years to find out the appropriate sowing configuration and rate of nitrogen (N) for sustained yield and improved water use efficiency of hybrid Bt cotton irrigated through surface drip irrigation. Drip irrigation under normal sowing, in which equal quantities of water and N were applied as check-basin irrigation, resulted in an increase of 389 and 155 kg ha^?1 in seed cotton yield compared with check-basin irrigation during the first and second year, respectively. Normal paired row sowing under a drip irrigation system, in which only 50% of irrigation water was applied compared with normal sowing, produced a yield similar to normal sowing under drip irrigation during both years, resulting in 22% higher water use efficiency. Dense paired row sowing under drip irrigation, in which only 75% irrigation water was applied compared with normal sowing, increased the mean seed cotton yield by 5% and water use efficiency by 19%. Decrease in the rate of nitrogen application (from 150 to 75 kg N ha^?1) caused a decline in seed cotton yield and water use efficiency under all the methods of sowing, but the reverse was true for agronomic efficiency of N.     

Productivity,profitability and sustainability of rain-fed chickpea under inorganic and biofertilization in foothills of north-west Himalayas

A 4-year (2008–2009 to 2011–2012) study was conducted on the effect of mineral phosphorus (P) + sulphur (S) and biofertilizers on rain-fed chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at the Punjab Agricultural University’s Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhri, India. The experiment comprised of five combinations of P and S, viz. control (P₀S₀), no P + 10 kg S ha^?1 (P₀S₁₀), 15 kg P + 10 kg S ha^?1 (P₁₅S₁₀), no P + 20 kg S ha^?1 (P₀S₂₀) and 30 kg P + 20 kg S ha^?1 (P₃₀S₂₀); and three seed inoculation levels, viz. control, Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), were laid out in randomized complete block design. Combined application of P + S resulted in improved growth, nodulation, yield attributes and yield. The increase in seed yield over control due to P + S ranged from 11.8% to 17.7%. Seed inoculation with Rhizobium recorded the highest growth, nodulation, yield attributes and yield of chickpea and was statistically at par with PSB and significantly better than no inoculation. Highest benefit/cost ratio (B:C, 2.19) was obtained in P₃₀S₂₀. In view of environmental pollution and high costs of chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers alone or in combination may help to achieve sustainable and ecological agricultural production.     

Intensification of dryland farming in Mali through mechanisation of sowing,fertiliser application and weeding

This study focuses on the role of mechanised sowing and weeding in combination with seed priming and fertiliser microdosing in Mali. Mechanised sowing and weeding were based on using a combined donkey-drawn planter/weeder and a motorised planter/weeder. The research methods included studies of seed delivery in manual and mechanised sowing, field experiments on different levels of mechanization/intensification, labour studies on mechanisation and an economic assessment of the different levels of intensification.

The average sorghum grain yield across three years increased by 352 kg ha^?1 (43.7% increase) by combining mechanisation with seed priming and microdosing of 0.2 g NPK 15-15-15 fertiliser per pocket compared to a control with manual sowing but without seed priming and microdosing. The labour demand (sowing and weeding) for manual, donkey-drawn and motorised operations was 184, 67 and 47 hours ha^?1, respectively.

An economic analysis showed that the donkey-drawn planter/weeder is the appropriate mechanisation below six ha while above this land size it becomes increasingly interesting for the farmers to invest in a motorised planter. The use of mechanisation will result in earlier and uniform crop establishment, facilitate microdosing application, timelier weeding, higher yields, better economic return and reduced labour demand.     

Assessment of Environment-friendly Usage of Spent Wash and its Nutritional Potential for Sugarcane Production

Excessive and inappropriate use of fertilizers is a key factor of low sugarcane yield and degradation of soil. A two-year (2013–14 and 2014–15) field study was conducted to assess the impact of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on sugarcane at research farm of Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute, Jhang, Pakistan. Experiment was conducted under randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were used as control (no exogenous application), spent wash (160 t ha^?1), (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) NPK (168:112:112 kg ha^?1), spent wash (120 t ha^?1) + NPK (42:28:28 kg ha^?1), spent wash (80 t ha^?1) + NPK (84:56:56 kg ha^?1), spent wash (40 t ha^?1) + NPK (126:84:84 kg ha^?1), and spent wash (160 t ha^?1) + NPK (42:28:28 kg ha^?1). Application of spent wash @ 80 t ha^?1 + NPK @ 84:56:56 kg ha^?1 resulted maximum crop growth rate (11.35 g m^?2 d^?1), leaf area index (7.78), and net assimilation rate (2.53 g m^?2 d^?1). Maximum number of millable canes (14), weight per stripped cane (0.90 kg), stripped cane yield (117.60 t ha^?1) and unstripped cane yield (141.25 t ha^?1) were observed with spent wash @ 80 t ha^?1 + NPK @ 84:56:56 kg ha^?1, followed by sole fertilizer application @ 168:112:112 kg NPK ha^?1 and spent wash @160 t ha^?1 + NPK @ 42:28:28 kg ha^?1. Similar trend was observed regarding quality parameters. The maximum benefit–cost ratio (1.80) was achieved with integrated application of spent wash @ 80 t ha^?1 + NPK @ 84:56:56 kg ha^?1.     

Genotypic Differences in Dry Bean Yield and Yield Components as Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilization and Rhizobia

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important legume worldwide and nitrogen (N) is most yield limiting nutrients. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate response of 15 dry bean genotypes to nitrogen and rhizobial inoculation. The N and rhizobia treatments were (i) control (0 kg N ha^?1), (ii) seed inoculation with rhizobia strains, (iii) seed inoculation with rhizobia strains + 50 kg N ha^?1, and (iv) 120 kg N ha^?1. Straw yield, grain yield, and yield components were significantly influenced by N and rhizobial treatments. Grain yield, straw yield, number of pods m^?2, and grain harvest index were significantly influenced by year, nitrogen + rhizobium, and genotype treatments. Year × Nitrogen + rhizobium × genotype interactions were also significant for these traits. Hence, these traits varied among genotypes with the variation in year and nitrogen + rhizobium treatments. Inoculation with rhizobium alone did not produce maximum yield and fertilizer N is required in combination with inoculation. Based on grain yield efficiency index, genotypes were classified as efficient, moderately efficient, and inefficient in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). NUE defined as grain produced per unit N applied decreased with increasing N rate. Overall, NUE was 23.17 kg grain yield kg^?1 N applied at 50 kg N ha^?1 and 13.33 kg grain per kg N applied at 120 kg N ha^?1.     

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.     

Growth,yield and water use efficiency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum): response to biochar and phosphorus fertilizer application

Field experiments were conducted during summer (2013/2014) and winter (2014) in two different soil types to evaluate the effect of biochar and P fertilizer application on growth, yield, and water use efficiency of chickpea. Soil types include Rhodic Ferralsols (clay) in Thohoyandou and Leptic Cambisols (loamy sand) in Nelspruit, South Africa. Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of four biochar levels (0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha^?1) and two phosphorus fertilizer levels (0 and 90 kg ha^?1) arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Biochar application at 5 t ha^?1 significantly increased biomass, grain yield and water use efficiency of biomass production (WUE_b) in the clay soil compared to 10 and 20 t ha^?1. However, the increase was attributed to the addition of P fertilizer. Biochar application had no effect on yield components in the loamy sand soil, but P fertilizer addition increased number of seeds/pod in the loamy sand soil and number of pods/plant in the clay soil. Biochar and P fertilizer application on growth and yield of chickpea varied in soil types and seasons, as the effect was more prominent in the clay soil than the loamy sand soil during the summer sowing.     

On-Farm Participatory Technology Development Effects on Resource Conservation Technologies in Rainfed Upland Paddy in Himachal Pradesh,India

Rice is a major cereal crop in Himachal Pradesh, a Himalayan state of India, where paddy acreage is about 78,000 ha with a low average yield of 19.62 q ha^?1 due to rainfed upland farming. High seeding rates and poor resource-use efficiency of conventional fertilizer nitrogen (N) management practices in rainfed upland paddy have also been major production constraints in rainfed upland ecosystems. To validate and refine the production technology on seed rate and fertilizer N management, the Farm Science Centre, Sundernagar, India, conducted numerous on-farm trials (OFTs) during 2006–2010 under an on-farm participatory technology development approach to enhance resource use efficiency through these resource conservation technologies and boost the paddy productivity in the region. Results of two OFTs conducted during Kharif 2006 in the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh on different seed rates under different sowing methods on VL Dhan-221 and Sukaradhan-1 (HPR-1156) cultivars suitable for rainfed upland conditions revealed that the seed rate at 80 kg ha^?1 sown in rows 20 cm apart resulted in the greatest average paddy productivity to the tune of 25.6 q ha^?1 besides greater profitability, followed by a seed rate at 60 kg ha^?1 sown in rows 20 cm apart (25.2 q ha^?1), over the earlier State Agricultural University (SAU)–recommended practice, that is, seed rate at 100 kg ha^?1 in rows 20 cm apart. This refinement in the seed rate was accepted by the participating farmers of the region. The greatest average benefit/cost (B/C) ratio was observed in plots with seed rate at 60 kg ha^?1 sown in rows 20 cm apart. Based on these results and data compilation from other locations of the state, now the SAU has refined the seed rate from earlier recommendation of 100 kg ha^?1 to 60 kg ha^?1 in rows 20 cm apart as well as 80 kg ha^?1 through broadcast method under rainfed upland paddy in Himachal Pradesh. Results of two OFTs conducted during Kharif 2009 on integrated nutrient management in rainfed upland paddy revealed that farmyard manure (FYM) at 10 t ha^?1 + nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N, P, K) at 15:30:30 kg ha^?1 at sowing followed by 15 kg N ha^?1 15 days after sowing (DAS) and remaining the N [i.e., 30 kg N ha^?1] at tillering (45–50 DAS) resulted in the greatest grain yield of 29.85 and 31.67 q ha^?1 in VL Dhan-221 and HPR-1156, respectively, with respective greater yields of 35.99 and 36.51% over farmers’ practice, besides better profitability. To further standardize fertilizer N split doses and assess their effect on paddy productivity, another OFT was conducted during Kharif 2010 under rainfed upland paddy conditions in HPR-1156. The results revealed that NPK at 60:30:30 kg ha^?1 (whole of P and K as basal, 50% N at 15 DAS, 25% N each at 45–50 DAS and 70–75 DAS splits) resulted in better grain yield (34.3 q ha^?1) and net profitability (?29,786 ha^?1) over other treatments. Overall, it is concluded that these resource conservation technologies developed under the OFT participatory approach can enhance the rainfed upland paddy productivity and strongly show that there is dire need to split the N requirement of rainfed upland paddy in 2–3 splits to reduce the fertilizer N losses, enhance resource-use efficiency, and increase productivity and profitability in Himachal Pradesh, India.     

Response of Cotton and Wheat Cultivars to Soil-applied Boron in a Boron-deficient,Noncalcareous Typic Ustochrept

Field experiments were conducted to study the response of cotton genotypes (G. arboreum Bt cv. RCH 650 BGII; non-Bt cv. F 2228; G. herbaceum cv. FDK 124) and wheat and triticale genotypes (T. aestivum cv. PBW 622; T. durum cv. PDW 314; triticale cv. TL 2908) to direct and residual B application (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg B ha^?1 as borax) using a Typic Ustrochrept, neutral, noncalcareous, loamy sand and B-deficient soil. A significant response of 218 and 231 kg ha^?1 in seed cotton yield was recorded with an application of 1.0 kg B ha^?1 to cotton and 2.0 kg B ha^?1 to wheat. A significant response of 152 kg ha^?1 grain yield of wheat was observed with the application of 0.5 kg B ha^?1 to wheat, while no residual effect of B was observed when B was applied to cotton. On the basis of agronomic and B uptake efficiency, genotypes of cotton (RCH 650 BG II > FDK 124 > F 2228) and wheat (PDW 314> TL 2908> PBW 621) responded differentially to B application, thus indicating that yield of Bt cotton and durum wheat will be reduced more than the other cultivars under B deficiency.