Effects of Different Biochars on Wheat Growth Parameters, Yield and Soil Fertility Status in a Silty Clay Loam Soil

The conversion of organic wastes into biochar via the pyrolysis technique could be used to produce soil amendments useful as a source of plant nutrients. In this study, we investigated the effects of fruit peels and milk tea waste-derived biochars on wheat growth, yield, root traits, soil enzyme activities and nutrient status. Eight amendment treatments were tested: no amendment (CK), chemical fertilizer (CF), banana peel biochar 1% (BB1 + CF), banana peel biochar 2% (BB2 + CF), orange peel biochar 1% (OB1 + CF), orange peel biochar 2% (OB2 + CF), milk tea waste biochar 1% (TB1 + CF) and milk tea waste biochar 2% (TB2 + CF). The results indicated that chlorophyll values, plant height, grain yield, dry weight of shoot and root were significantly (p < 0.05) increased for the TB2 + CF treatment as compared to other treatments. Similarly, higher contents of nutrients in grains, shoots and roots were observed for TB2 + CF: N (61.3, 23.3 and 7.6 g kg−1), P (9.2, 10.4 and 8.3 g kg−1) and K (9.1, 34.8 and 4.4 g kg−1). Compared to CK, the total root length (41.1%), surface area (56.5%), root volume (54.2%) and diameter (78.4%) were the greatest for TB2 + CF, followed by BB2 + CF, OB2 + CF, TB1 + CF, BB1 + CF, OB1 + CF and CF, respectively. However, BB + CF and OB + CF treatments increased β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase, but not urease activity, as compared to the TB + CF amendment, while all enzyme activity decreased with the increased biochar levels. We concluded that the conversion of fruit peels and milk tea waste into biochar products contribute the benefits of environmental and economic issues, and should be tested as soil amendments combined with chemical fertilizers for the improvement of wheat growth and grain yield as well as soil fertility status under field conditions.

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Role of Organic Amendments to Enhance Soil Fertility Status and Wheat Growth in Salt Affected Soil

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.17582/journal.pjar/2020/33.2.228.233 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Noor-us Sabah ◽

Mukkram Ali Tahir ◽

Ghulam Sarwar ◽

Sher Muhammad

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Wheat Growth ◽

Salt Affected Soil ◽

Fertility Status ◽

Soil Fertility Status

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Effects of Soil Fertility Status and Its Management on Productivity of Rice in Flood Plains of Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition ◽

10.9734/ajsspn/2020/v6i230086 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 51-59

Author(s):

A. T. Gani ◽

A. Ali ◽

P. I. Agber ◽

S. O. I. Abagyeh

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Block Design ◽

Flood Plain ◽

Potassium Oxide ◽

Dressing Method ◽

Flood Plains ◽

Fertility Status ◽

Standard Procedures ◽

Soil Fertility Status

An experiment was carried out to determine the soil fertility status and productivity of rice on flood plain soils at different locations in Wukari LGA of Taraba State in the southern guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of five locations (Gidan-Idi, Gindin-Dorowa, Tsokundi, Rafin-Kada and Nwuko) that was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The field was cleared, ploughed and harrowed, and marked into plots of 5 m x 5 m with an alley of 1 m between replications and 0.5 m between plots. Rice seeds (faro 44 (sipi 6920233)) were sown by dibbling at 25 cm×20 cm intra row. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied (at 3 to 4 weeks after planting as urea at the rate of 120 kgN ha-1) by top dressing method. Phosphorus fertilizer was also applied at 5 to 8 weeks after planting in split doses at the rate of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 as single super phosphate and Potassium oxide fertilizer was applied 10 to 12 weeks after planting at 40 kg K2O ha-1 by top dressing method. Soil and plant data were collected and analyzed using standard procedures. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and means separated using F-LSD test. Significant (P≤0.05) differences in plant height and grain yield were observed during 2016 and 2017. Rafin-Kada recorded the highest grain yield of 8.36 tons/ha while Nwuko recorded lowest grain yield of 7.43 tons/ha in 2016. Gidan-Idi recorded the highest grain yield of 8.33 tons/ha while Gindin-Dorowa recorded lowest grain yield of 7.41 tons/ha in 2017.

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Soil Fertility Mapping of Different VDCs of Sunsari District, Nepal Using GIS

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v6i2.20424 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 142-151

Author(s):

Nabin Rawal ◽

Keshav Kumar Acharya ◽

Chet Raj Bam ◽

Kamal Acharya

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Hot Water ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Silty Clay ◽

Clay Loam ◽

Fertility Status ◽

The Mean ◽

Soil Fertility Status

Soil fertility degradation has become a major problem for agricultural management in Nepal. A detailed soil fertility status of different VDCs of Sunsari district was investigated during 2015 and soil related crop production constraints were identified for proper utilization of agricultural land. Total 131 numbers of geo-referenced (GPS based) composite surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected from eleven Village Development Committees of Sunsari District. The sample points were recorded with a differential global position system and mapped using Geographic Information System (GIS). Soils were analyzed for mechanical composition, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients like Boron, Zinc, Copper and Iron. About 38.9% soils were found to be silty clay loam, 20.6% were silty clay, 19.1% were clay loam and 21.4% were of other textural classes. Most of the soils were acidic and only few were neutral and slightly alkaline in nature. Soil Organic matter varies from 3.57% to 0.28% with a mean value of 1.53 %. The mean total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium was found to be 0.08%, 44.37 kg/ha and 128.04 kg/ha respectively. The mean hot water extractable Boron, DTPA extractable Copper, Zinc and Iron was found to be 0.14, 0.06, 0.15 and 10.71 mg/kg respectively. Thematic maps were prepared for each soil parameters using ArcGis10.1 software and ordinary Kriging interpolation was used in order to predict values for not sampled locations. The fertility maps provide the readymade source of information about soil fertility status and serve as the decision making tool for successful raising and development of crops. It can be concluded from the above study that GPS and GIS based soil fertility maps helps farmers, scientists, planners and students in providing soil test based fertilizer recommendation for intensive and sustainable site specific crop production.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(2): 142-151

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Effects of long term use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil fertility and productivity under paddy- sesame cropping system

Bangladesh Journal of Botany ◽

10.3329/bjb.v49i3.49988 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 585-591

Author(s):

Ashok Kumar Gaddi ◽

MA Basavanneppa ◽

Prabhuling Tevari

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Cropping System ◽

Soil Test ◽

Inorganic Fertilizers ◽

Fertility Status ◽

Soil Fertility Status ◽

Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers ◽

Equivalent Yield

A field study was conducted to analyze the effect of long term use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on productivity and soil fertility under paddy-sesame cropping system. Application of 100% NPK + secondary and micro-nutrients based on soil test (T7) showed significantly higher mean grain yield of paddy (4735 kg/ha) and sesame (460 kg/ha) and rice equivalent yield (5348 kg/ha) followed by application of 50% NPK + 50% N as Farmyard manure (FYM) + inorganic source of micronutrients as per soil test (T1). Whereas, application of 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through FYM + bio-fertilizers for N + Recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) through rock phosphate + phosphorus solubalizing bacteria (PSB) showed significantly least mean grain yield of paddy (3209 kg/ha) and sesame (314 kg/ha) and rice equivalent yield (3628 kg/ha). Further, among organic treatments (T2 to T6), higher mean grain yield of paddy (3834 kg/ha), sesame (326 kg/ha) and rice equivalent yield (4269 kg/ha) as compared to other treatments was recorded following the application of one third of RDN through FYM + one third of RDN through vermicompost + one third of RDN through neem cake + bio-fertilizers containing N and P carriers (T6). Whereas, higher nutrient status with respect to major and micronutrients and the improved soil fertility status was recorded in organic treatment plots. The application of nutrients through organic sources would improve the soil fertility status under paddy-sesame cropping system.

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