scholarly journals Enhancing Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Productivity, Soil Health and Profitability through Conjoint use of Rhizobium and PGPR

Author(s):  
Neha . ◽  
Ramesh Chandra ◽  
Navneet Pareek ◽  
K.P. Raverkar

Background: Grain legumes are considered as an important group of food crops that can play a vital role to address national food and nutritional security and also tackle environmental challenges. They are known as the basis for an ecologically-sound, farmer-focused agricultural development effort and an important component of sustainable farming systems. Biofertilizers, being a cheap and environment friendly source of plant nutrients assume a special significance in supplying the plant nutrients under the present context of indiscriminate use and high costs of chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers could be a good alternative to supplement the chemical fertilizers. Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Pantnagar in Mollisols during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to study the performance of Rhizobium sp. and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation in mungbean on productivity, soil health and economics.Result: A pronounced effect of biofertilizers application in mungbean was observed on the root nodulation, yields, nutrient uptake and soil health. Co-inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPR significantly increased the nodule number, nodule dry weight, plant dry weight, grain yield, straw yield, N and P uptake in mungbean and improved soil health over the no inoculation. The study suggested that combined application of PGPR and Rhizobium sp. in mungbean is better than Rhizobium sp. alone in increasing crop yields, soil health and farmer’s profit.

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 59-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ramakrishnan ◽  
G. Bhuvaneswari

Biofertilizers have been used as sources to improve plant nutrients in sustainable agriculture. Biofertilizers are low cost, renewable sources of plant nutrients which supplement chemical fertilizers. Mycorrhizal fungi are a major component of agricultural natural resources and members of kingdom fungi. The term ‘mycorrhiza’ is derived from Greek word which means ‘fungus root’. Earthen pot experiments were carried out to study the inoculation effect of ArbuscularMycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomus mossease), Azospirillium brasilense and PSB on plant height, dry weight of root and shoot, per cent root colonization, spore number, P and N uptake. Experimental pots were filled with 4 kegs of sterilized soil and maintained in green house at 25-30 °C temperature. Single inoculation of AM fungi and combined inoculation of AM fungi with Azospirillium brasilense or PSB was found to be moderately increased in all the growth parameters. However triple inoculation of AM fungi,Azospirillium brasilense and PSB was found to have highest growth parameters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Budiyati Ichwan ◽  
Trias Novita ◽  
Eliyanti Eliyanti ◽  
Ella Masita

This study aims to examine the effect of PGPR in increasing the growth and yield of red chilies, and to find the type of PGPR that gives the best growth and yield in red chilies. The research was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Jambi University, 35 above sea level. The study used a randomized block design with one factor, namely various types of PGPR: without PGPR; PGPR1 (containing Trichoderma sp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., 11 essential macro and microelements, as well as natural amino acids); PGPR 2 (containing Pseudomonas fluorescent, Trichoderma sp., Aspergillus niger, Azobacter sp., Azospirilium sp., And Rhizobium sp.); PGPR 3 (containing Trichoderma sp., Pseudomonas sp., And Rhizobium sp.); and PGPR 4 (containing Azosbacteria sp, Aspergillus niger, and Trichoderma harzianum). Each treatment was repeated five times. The results showed that the application of PGPR was able to increase plant growth and yield of red chilies in the form of plant height (2.12% - 9.69%), the total number of branches (5.25% -54.96%), number of fruits (13,55% -51.40%) and fruit weight (54.19% -116.35%). The quality of crop yields has also improved with the application of PGPR. PGPR which contains Pseudomonas fluorescent, Trichoderma sp, Aspergillus niger, Azobacter sp, Azospirilium sp, and Rhizobium sp. is PGPR that provides the best growth and yield of red chilies


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2418
Author(s):  
Fatih Çığ ◽  
Ferit Sönmez ◽  
Muhammad Azhar Nadeem ◽  
Ayman El Sabagh

Limited availability of nutrients to crops is a major agricultural concern. Deteriorated soil health and poor fertility status decrease the bioavailability of essential nutrients to the plants. Consequently, organic soil amendment biochar is gaining attention due to its potential benefits. Rhizobacterial inoculation, are also documented as an effective technology for mobilization of immobile nutrients in soil. However, limited literature is available on combined use of rhizobacteria and biochar. Therefore, this study was carried out to examine the changes in the nutrient content of einkorn wheat and the change in some soil properties during the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with biochar. Four doses of biochar (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%) were applied with and without PGPR in the study. Biochar increased the growth criteria such as plant fresh weight (PFW), plant dry weight (PDW), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), number of tillers, germination rate (GR) and potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) elements. While PGPR application increased soil pH, dry and fresh weight of root, R/S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Ni contents, and it caused a decrease in PH, PFW, tillers, GR, P, Cu, and Zn values. Combined biochar applications and PGPR had a significant effect on the pH, RFW, R/S, P, Na, and Cu. In conclusion, the combination of biochar and PGPR applications has shown a positive effect in terms of soil properties, plant growth, and element contents of einkorn wheat.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yankun Sun ◽  
Jiaqi Xu ◽  
Xiangyang Miao ◽  
Xuesong Lin ◽  
Wanzhen Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractAs the global population continues to increase, global food production needs to double by 2050 to meet the demand. Given the current status of the not expansion of cultivated land area, agronomic seedlings are complete, well-formed and strong, which is the basis of high crop yields. The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of seed germination and seedling growth in response to silicon (from water-soluble Si fertilizer). The effects of Si on the maize germination, seedling growth, chlorophyll contents, osmoprotectant contents, antioxidant enzyme activities, non-enzymatic antioxidant contents and stomatal characteristics were studied by soaking Xianyu 335 in solutions of different concentrations of Si (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g·L−1). In this study, Si treatments significantly increased the seed germination and per-plant dry weight of seedlings (P < 0.05), and the optimal concentration was 15 g·L−1. As a result of the Si treatment of the seeds, the chlorophyll content, osmotic material accumulation and antioxidant defence system activity increased, reducing membrane system damage, reactive oxygen species contents, and stomatal aperture. The results suggested that 15 g·L−1 Si significantly stimulated seed germination and promoted the growth of maize seedlings, laying a solid foundation for subsequent maize growth.


Author(s):  
Hashmath Inayath Hussain ◽  
Naga Kasinadhuni ◽  
Tony Arioli

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of seaweed extract (SWE) made from the brown algae Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum on plants and soil. The application of SWE to soil growing tomato plants showed dual effects. SWE comprehensively improved tomato plant growth (flower clusters, flower number, fruit number, root length, root and shoot dry weight, SPAD) and increased plant productivity (yield and quality). Similarly, SWE application effected soil biology at the soil root zone by increasing total bacterial count and available soil nitrogen and impacting bacterial community diversity with an increase in certain bacterial families linked to soil health. A broader understanding of the effects of SWE on the plant-soil ecosystem may offer breakthrough approaches for sustainable food production.


2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 875-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
LH. Sipaúba-Tavares ◽  
AML. Pereira

Large-scale lab culture of Ankistrodesmus gracilis and Diaphanososma birgei were evaluated by studying the biology and biochemical composition of the species and production costs. Ankistrodesmus gracilis presented exponential growth until the 6th day, with approximately 144 x 10(4) cells.mL-1, followed by a sharp decrease to 90 x 10(4) cells.mL-1 (8th day). Algae cells tended to increase again from the 11th day and reached a maximum of 135 x 10(4) cells.mL-1 on the 17th day. D. birgei culture showed exponential growth until the 9th day with 140 x 10² individuals.L-1, and increased again as from the 12th day. Algae A. gracilis and zooplankton D. birgei contain 47 to 70% dry weight protein and over 5% dry weight carbohydrates. The most expensive items in the context of variable costs were labor and electricity. Data suggested that temperature, nutrients, light availability and culture management were determining factors on productivity. Results indicate that NPK (20-5-20) may be used directly as a good alternative for mass cultivation when low costs are taken into account, promoting adequate growth and nutritional value for cultured A. gracilis and D. birgei.


Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagadish Timsina

Meeting global demand of safe and healthy food for the ever-increasing population now and into the future is currently a crucial challenge. Increasing crop production by preserving environment and mitigating climate change should thus be the main goal of today’s agriculture. Conventional farming is characterized by use of high-yielding varieties, irrigation water, chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides to increase yields. However, due to either over- or misuse of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in many agro-ecosystems, such farming is often blamed for land degradation and environmental pollution and for adversely affecting the health of humans, plants, animals and aquatic ecosystems. Of all inputs required for increased agricultural production, nutrients are considered to be the most important ones. Organic farming, with use of organic sources of nutrients, is proposed as a sustainable strategy for producing safe, healthy and cheaper food and for restoring soil fertility and mitigating climate change. However, there are several myths and controversies surrounding the use of organic versus inorganic sources of nutrients. The objectives of this paper are: (i) to clarify some of the myths or misconceptions about organic versus inorganic sources of nutrients and (ii) to propose alternative solutions to increase on-farm biomass production for use as organic inputs for improving soil fertility and increasing crop yields. Common myths identified by this review include that organic materials/fertilizers can: (i) supply all required macro- and micro-nutrients for plants; (ii) improve physical, chemical and microbiological properties of soils; (iii) be applied universally on all soils; (iv) always produce quality products; (v) be cheaper and affordable; and (vi) build-up of large amount of soil organic matter. Other related myths are: “legumes can use entire amount of N2 fixed from atmosphere” and “bio-fertilizers increase nutrient content of soil.” Common myths regarding chemical fertilizers are that they: (i) are not easily available and affordable, (ii) degrade land, (iii) pollute environment and (iv) adversely affect health of humans, animals and agro-ecosystems. The review reveals that, except in some cases where higher yields (and higher profits) can be found from organic farming, their yields are generally 20–50% lower than that from conventional farming. The paper demonstrates that considering the current organic sources of nutrients in the developing countries, organic nutrients alone are not enough to increase crop yields to meet global food demand and that nutrients from inorganic and organic sources should preferably be applied at 75:25 ratio. The review identifies a new and alternative concept of Evergreen Agriculture (an extension of Agroforestry System), which has potential to supply organic nutrients in much higher amounts, improve on-farm soil fertility and meet nutrient demand of high-yielding crops, sequester carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, provide fodder for livestock and fuelwood for farmers and has potential to meet global food demand. Evergreen Agriculture has been widely adapted by tens of millions of farmers in several African countries and the review proposes for evaluation and scaling-up of such technology in Asian and Latin American countries too.


Author(s):  
Azembouh Roshinus Tsufac ◽  
Nyong Princely Awazi ◽  
Bernard Palmer Kfuban Yerima ◽  
Roger Kogge Enang

Soil fertility decline has pushed farmers across the world to resort to chemical fertilizers in order to improve soil fertility and enhance crop yields. In agroforestry systems, the application of chemical fertilizers is a call for concern considering that agroforestry systems are supposedly agro-ecological, environmentally friendly and sustainable systems. It was within this context that this study sought to assess the application of chemical fertilizers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems and its policy ramifications. Data was collected through a household survey of 300 cocoa farmers in Cameroon, and analyzed on SPSS 17.0 employing descriptive and analytical techniques. It was found that the most commonly used chemical fertilizers by cocoa farmers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems were NPK 20:10:10 (60%), NPK 15:20:15 (50%), and Urea (40%). It was also noticed that a majority of the cocoa farmers sampled used no chemical fertilizer (35%), very small quantity (15%), small quantity (20%), and moderate quantity (20%). With respect to frequency of use, most cocoa farmers never used chemical fertilizer (35%), used it rarely (30%), or used it occasionally (15%). However, some cocoa farmers used chemical fertilizers frequently (5%) and very frequently (5%) in their cocoa agroforests. Coefficients of correlation and regression showed the existence of a statistically significant (p<0.05) direct and inverse non-causal and causal relationship between different explanatory variables (income level, availability of chemical fertilizers, access to information, membership in farming group and access to extension services) and cocoa farmers’ use of chemical fertilizers; while farm size and number of farms had a statistically significant inverse relationship. Correlation and regression coefficients showed the existence of a statistically significant (p<0.05) direct non-causal and causal relationship between different levels of cocoa yields (very high cocoa yield, high cocoa yield, average cocoa yield, low cocoa yield, very low cocoa yield, no change in cocoa yields) and the application of chemical fertilizers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. On the basis of the study’s findings, it is recommended that measures be taken to limit the use of chemical fertilizers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems in order to enhance the sustainability of these systems.


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