Long term effect of fertilizers and amendments on the properties of an acid Alfisol and uptake of primary nutrients and sulfur in maize-wheat rotation in North Western Himalayas

Abstract

Soil physico-chemical properties and NPKS uptake were studied in a long-term fertilizer experiment at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (India). All properties were significantly affected by long term application of fertilizers. Bulk density was the highest with 100% N application and the lowest with FYM application. Optimum pH was resulted in lime amended treatment. Organic carbon, CEC, Available N and K were highest in FYM amended treatment. Available P was highest in 150% NPK and that was at par with 100% NPK?+?FYM. All primary nutrients were decreasing with increasing depth. Application of 100% NPK?+?FYM recorded highest yield of maize and wheat, which was at par with 100% NPK?+?lime. Uptake of NPK and S followed the yield trend and resulted in the highest uptake of NPK and S in 100% NPK?+?FYM and the lowest in control.     

Correlation between morphological,chemical and RAPD markers for assessing genetic diversity in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Genetic diversity among 14 Withania accessions were studied using morphological, chemical, and RAPD (Rapid Amplification of Polymorphic DNA) markers. On the basis of morphological variation and maximum assimilation of chemical constituents, wild accessions were considered elite as compared to cultivated. The molecular study showed that a total of 12 DNA fragments were amplified with five random decamer primers 75% of which were polymorphic. Genetic similarity matrix based on the Dice index detected coefficients ranging from 0.556 to 0.941. These coefficients were used to construct a dendrogram using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). These accessions were clustered into two major groups; the first group included AGB-009, AGB-012, AGB-042, AGB-030, AGB-053, AGB-019, AGB-017, AGB-002, and AGB-003; the second included AGB-025, AGB-001, AGB-036, AGB-015, and AGB-055. The highest similarity among the Ashwagandha accessions was observed between AGB-009 and AGB-030, AGB-009 and AGB-012, AGB-042 and AGB-030, AGB-025 and AGB-001, AGB-036 and AGB-015, AGB-015 and AGB-055 and between AGB-015 and AGB-055. The most distant populations in the dendrogram were AGB-053 and AGB-055. The combination of morphological, chemical, and molecular markers assessment will be useful in studying the genetic diversity of Withania for identification, conservation, breeding, improvement activities, and in order to achieve elite type in terms of bioactive metabolites.     

Measurement of Morphometric Dimensions and Mechanical Properties of Rohu Fish for Design of Processing Machines

Indian major carps (IMC) viz. rohu, catla, and mrigal are the most important fresh water species. They are marketed locally without post-harvest processing and value addition because of the lack of suitable processing machines. The present study was undertaken to measure the morphometric and mechanical properties of rohu fish for the development of fish processing machinery, and the same can be adjusted for the other IMC. Twenty-five samples of rohu fish (Labeo rohita) were caught, with weight ranging from 290 to 2,100 g (harvestable size). The measured morphometric dimensions were the body depth (10.14 ± 1.63 cm), thickness (5.9 ± 0.85 cm), head length (9.35 ± 1.04 cm), standard length (37.54 ± 4.17 cm), total length (45.89 ± 5.68 cm), and fish backbone thickness (11.2 ± 4.91 mm). Mechanical properties including the angle of repose over steel surface (20°–22°) and plastic surface (18°–20°) were recorded. The maximum power consumption for slicing the fish lengthwise was recorded as 460 W. The measured morphometric and mechanical properties are useful in limiting the adjustments, design of conveyors, capacity, and power requirement of fish processing machines for rohu fish.     

Vertical Distribution of Sulfur Fractions in a Continuously Fertilized Acid Alfisol Under Maize​–Wheat Cropping System

Vertical distribution of sulfur fractions was studied in a long-term fertilizer experiment at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (India), comprising various combinations of fertilizer and amendments. Initially, available nitrogen (N) was high, and phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic carbon were optimum. Different forms, viz., available, water-soluble, heat-soluble, organic, and total sulfur were significantly affected by continuous cropping and decreased with depth. However at surface layer, 100% NPK(-S) resulted in 67%, 70%, 34%, 47%, and 48% reduction in these fractions, respectively, as compared to 100% NPK. Among all, organic sulfur was recorded highest. Hundred percent NPK + farmyard manure (at par with 100% NPK + lime) recorded highest maize and wheat yield. Hundred percent NPK(-S) recorded 39% and 44% reduction in grain yield of maize and wheat as compared to 100% NPK, respectively. Sulfur fractions were positively and significantly correlated with yield of maize?–wheat which shows the importance of sulfur fertilization.