Nutrient Management Effects on Wine Grape Tissue Nutrient Content

With limited research supporting local nutrient management decisions in North Carolina grape (Vitis vinifera) production, field studies (2015–17) were conducted to evaluate late season foliar nitrogen (N) application on leaf and petiole N concentration and yeast assimilable N (YAN) in the fruit. Foliar urea (1% v/v) was applied at different rates and application times beginning pre-and post-veraison. Compared to soil applied N, late season foliar N substantially enhanced petiole N and grape YAN. Smaller split N applications were generally more effective in increasing YAN than single larger N rates. These data demonstrate the value of assessing plant N content at full bloom with petiole N analysis or remote sensing to guide foliar N management decisions. Additional field studies (2008–11) were conducted to evaluate pre-bud soil applied phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) effects on petiole P and K nutrient status. Fertilizer P and K were initially broadcast applied (0–896 kg P2O5 ha−1; 0–672 kg K2O ha−1) prior to bud-break in 2008–09 and petiole P and K at full bloom soil test P and K were monitored for three to four years after application. Soil test and petiole P and K were significantly increased with increasing P and K rates, which subsequently declined to near unfertilized levels over the sampling time depending on site and P and K rate applied. These data demonstrate the value of annually monitoring petiole P and K levels to accurately assess plant P and K status to better inform nutrient management decisions.

UF/IFAS Standardized Nutrient Recommendations for Vegetable Crop Production in Florida

This publication presents the fertilization recommendations for vegetable crops based on soil tests performed by the UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (ESTL). It contains the basic information from which ESTL soil test reports and fertilization recommendations are generated. The audiences for this information include commercial and small farmers, crop advisers and consultants, state and local agencies, fertilizer industry, and any interested individuals interested in sustainable nutrient and environmental management. Major revision by Rao Mylavarapu, George Hochmuth, and Guodong Liu; 12 pp. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv002

Testing tyres of mobile forest machines in the soil testing canal

The article focuses on the research of tyre rolling resistances in the soil test channel environment. The specific monitored tyre was a Mitas TS05 10.0/75-15.3 10PR diagonal tyre with an arrow tread. The measurement itself was divided into two stages. In the first stage, measurements of rolling resistance were performed on a solid concrete base of the laboratory in order to determine the internal component of rolling resistance of the tyre. In the second stage, rolling resistances were monitored on forest soil deposited in the main body of the soil channel. The mentioned measurements of rolling resistance can be considered key for further evaluation of traction and energy properties of tyres. Despite some complications which occurred during the measurement, the results obtained indicate the conclusions reached by other researchers in the field. The main conclusion of this research is to confirm the justification of using the correct or optimal level of inflation pressures of tyres of mobile energy means depending on the properties of the surfaces on which they move in order to reduce not only their energy intensity but also greater environmental acceptability.

Extrapolation of post-harvest soil test values in barnyard millet-based cropping sequence through multivariate analysis

The soil test value is based on the soil test-based fertilizer prescription/ recommendation equation. Each crop harvesting after the next crop is necessary to analyze the soil. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an alternative technique to predict postharvest soil tests after the harvest of every crop. For that a study was conducted in mixed black calcareous soils at Tamil Nadu agricultural University, Coimbatore to develop the post-harvest prediction equations for available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in barnyard millet cropping sequence based on a multiple regression model by considering post-harvest soil test value as the dependent variable and initial available nutrients, fertilizer doses and crop yield or crop nutrient uptake as an independent variables. The developed model was validated by computing R2 value, RMSE (root means square error), RE (relative error), and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) and the developed model was found to be valid. Using the validated model, post-harvest soil test values were predicted. A fertilizer recommendation was made for blackgram based on predicted post-harvest soil test values in the barnyard millet-blackgram cropping sequence. The predicted soil test values were compared with actual soil test values and it revealed that the developed model is fairly accurate and best-fitted with more precision. The predicted post-harvest soil test values of barnyard millet could be used in order to prescribe fertilizer for desired yield targets for subsequent crops.

Response of growth, yield and quality of small onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum don.) to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University-Water Soluble Fertilizers (TNAU-WSF)

Enhancing the food production for the growing world population has needed application of highly sustainable and efficient inputs to produce more food per unit of land. Hence, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has produced Water soluble fertilizers (WSF) in its maiden attempt and it is necessary to optimize on different crops. Small onion is one of the most important vegetables in the Indian diet and it has high demand but low productivity. To enhance crop productivity and quality of small onions, the application of TNAU-WSF was taken up. A field experiment was laid out in a Randomized block design (RBD) incorporating 8 treatments comprising of application of RDF at100% NPK as TNAU WSF, soil test based application of 75%, 100%, 125% NPK ha-1 as TNAU-WSF with soil application of sulphur (S) and foliar spray of TNAU Liquid multi micronutrient (LMM) and without S and TNAU LMM and absolute control. Each treatment was replicated thrice with onion (CO 4). Soil test based application of 125% NPK ha-1 as TNAU-WSF with sulphur (S) and TNAU LMM recorded significantly higher in plant height (54.01 cm), the number of leaves per bulb (8.56), leaf greenness (67.5 SPAD), root length (5.42 cm), polar bulb diameter (4.38 cm), equatorial bulb diameter (2.72 cm) fresh bulb weight (74.21 g), bulb yield (1751 t ha-1) and quality attributes like total soluble solids (TSS) (14.78 °Brix), ascorbic acid content (15.34 mg 100 g-1), pyruvic acid content (2.27 µmol g-1). However, soil test based application of 100% NPK ha-1 as TNAU-WSF was found to be an ideal rate to attain the economic target yield of the onion crop.

Effect of soil and crop management practices on sodicity stress alleviation and rice productivity under water scarce condition

The prominent issue faced by the farmers of Cauvery Delta regionin Tamil Nadu particularly Tiruchirapalli District is the lack of timely release of water for rice nursery preparation and transplanting. Hence wet seeding of rice is recommended for timely cultivation. On the other hand, sodic nature of the soil warrants rice cultivation only. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to study the different soil and crop management practices on alleviating sodicity stress and improving rice (variety ADT 3) productivity under water-scarce conditions. The experiment was laid in a split plot design with six mainplots,including rice wet seeding, daincha (Sesbania aculeata) application as green manure, anti-oxidant microbial consortia (AOMC) spray and four sub-plots with graded levels of NPK based on soil test values with three replication. Results showed that the daincha incorporation @ 6.25 t/ha followed by rice wet seeding + AOMC spray @1.5 % with 125 % soil test based NPK had significantly increased thechlorophyll content, SPAD values, proline content and grain and straw yields which remained on par with daincha incorporation @ 6.25 t/ha followed by rice wet seeding + AOMC spray @1.5 % with 100 % soil test based NPK.Significantly lower ESP at 5% level and higher phosphatase activity in soil was also recorded by daincha incorporation @ 6.25 t/ha followed by rice wet seeding + AOMC spray @1.5 % with 125 % and 100 % soil test based NPK. Gross return, net return and B:C ratio were also higher in the plot, which received daincha incorporation @6.25 t/ha followed by rice wet seeding + AOMC spray @1.5 % with 100 % soil test based NPK. The present study reveals that the inclusion of ectophytic microbial population spray in rice plants and the management practices helps the crop to tolerate the sodicity stress under water-scarce condition by maintaining required physiological functions like proline synthesis and enzyme activities etc which need to be further explored at the genotypic level.

A Study on Knowledge and Utilization of Soil Health Card by Small and Marginal Farmers in Nalanda District of Bihar

Soil health and fertility is the basis for sustainable profitability of the farmers.Hence, there is a need for balanced use of fertilizers, keeping this government of India introduced Soil Health Card Scheme across India. On 5th December 2015 the ministry of agriculture introduced the soil health card (SHC) scheme.Some farmers complained that the soil test values are not representative of their fields and they also complained that the field staff are not collected soil samples in their presence.In this background an attempt was made to study the impact on socio-economic conditions of the small and marginal farmers.Total of 120 respondents was selected in Ekangarsarai block, Nalanda district, Bihar by purposive sampling method. The data was collected from them and analyzed using MS-excel.Given the short duration of the scheme, knowledge levels are good. At the same time participation of farmers in meetings, exposure visits are not high. Awareness campaigns need to be organized on content of SHCs, use of recommended practices, reduction in fertilizer use and costs and increase in profitability.

Analisis Kapasitas Struktur Dinding Squat Wall (Studi Kasus Underpass Pompa Sentiong Jakarta)

There is a potential overflow of a river during rain, resulting in water levels raised beyond normal water levels in the Sentiong Underpass Area, Jakarta in which is one of the strategic locations in Central Jakarta. To guarantee and maximize water flow in the Sentiong Underpass area, a water discharge regulatory system was created to be the form of underground wall structures equipped with pump houses. This wall structure is made of reinforced concrete structures underground at ± 3 m depth. This research aims to evaluate and analyze the underground wall capacity with reference to principles designed by SNI 2847-2013 and SNI 1727-2013. Analysis of data used based on field data including soil test parameters and vehicle traffic. Structural analysis which used is Computer Program (STAADPro), then based on the data obtained from the results of analysis and evaluation can be determined magnitude of displacement and dimensions of the reinforcement. The wall structure in Sentiong Area, Jakarta was planned to use K-300 concrete as high as 3m underground, 40 cm of wall thickness, bottom floor thickness 40 cm, and upper floor thickness 20 cm. The total length of this underground wall structure was planned 32 m. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that displacement and capacity structure qualified safely with design steel reinforcement diameters of D13 mm and D16 mm.