Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Modules on yield, yield attributes and profitability of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.)] in Western Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) modules on indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in Western U.P., variety Pusa Vijay at Crop Research Centre (CRC), Main Campus, Modipuram Meerut, during Rabi season, 2020-21. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam texture, alkaline in nature with pH, low in organic carbon (0.42%) and available nitrogen (181.60 kg/ha), available phosphors (16.50 kg/ha), available potassium (230.47 kg/ha) and available sulphur (7.38 kg/ha). Ten treatments of different nutrient management practices consisting T1 Control, T2 100% RDN (120 kg. N/ha), T3 75% RDN, T4 75% RDN + 25% through Vermicompost (VC), T5 75% RDN + 25% through Poultry Manure (PM), T6 75% RDN + 25% through Press Mud Compost (PMC), T7 75% RDN + 25% through [ VC , PM (1:1) ], T8 75% RDN + 25% through [VC, PMC (1:1) ], T9 75% RDN + 25% through [PM , PMC (1:1)], T10 75% RDN + 25% through [VC , PM, PMC (1:1:1)] were tested in randomized block design with three replications. The experimental results revealed that yield attributes (siliqua length, siliqua plant-1, seeds siliqua-1 and test weight), grain and stover yield (q ha-1). The increment in seed yield with application of 75% RDN + 25% through [VC, PM, PMC (1:1:1)] was 130.98 % over control. The maximum gross return and net return were recorded with the application of 75% RDN + 25% through [VC, PM, PMC (1:1:1)], however B:C ratio was lower than the use of RDF only but in application of vermicompost, press mud compost and poultry manure enhance soil fertility which improve the productivity and productivity of mustard.

Anaerobic Co-digestion of Press mud and Molasses-based Distillery Wastewater for Enhanced Biogas Production

With goals in determining the effect of diluting the distillery wastewater (DWW) and of varying the amount of DWW and press mud (PM), anaerobic co-digestion study was carried out at mesophilic condition in a 2-L Erlenmeyer flask, with a working volume of 800 mL for Batch 1 and 1500 mL for Batch 2 experiments. For Batch 1, two different ratios of DWW and tap water, with 2:3 and 3:2, were used to assess the effect of dilution on the methane yield, where same volumetric amount of PM was added. For Batch 2, following ratio of PM and DWW were used: a) 1:0, b) 1:1, c) 1:1, d) 2:1, and e) 1:2. All samples had the same amount of inoculum, except that Batch 1 samples had bagasse. The parameters that were assessed after 42 days of digestion were: pH, COD, BOD, TSS, VS, Cu, Ca, Mg, Mn, TOC, TN, and methane yield. For the effect of dilution, a significant difference in the methane yield between samples with higher and lower dilution ratio was seen, and in the first batch, the optimal dilution ratio of DWW and H2O, with 3:2 gave higher methane yield of 78.23% (v/v). Meanwhile, optimal volumetric ratio of DWW and PM from the Batch 2 experiments, with value of 1:2, gave the highest methane yield of 79.43% (v/v).

Mitigation of Cadmium Induced Oxidative Stress by Using Organic Amendments to Improve the Growth and Yield of Mash Beans [Vigna mungo (L.)]

Cadmium (Cd) stress is a serious environmental hazard that has devastating impacts on plant growth and productivity. Moreover, the entrance of Cd into the human food chain by eating Cd-contaminated food also poses serious health issues. Organic amendments (OA) possess an excellent potential to reduce the adverse impacts of Cd stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the potential of different OA in improving the mash beans growth and yield grown under Cd-contaminated soil. The soil was spiked with different concentrations of Cd (0, 10 and 20 mg/kg) and subjected to different OA, i.e., control, cow manure (5%), sugarcane press mud (5%) and a combination of cow manure (2.5%) and sugarcane press mud (2.5%). Results indicated that Cd stress induced a significant reduction in growth and yield traits, leaf water status, photosynthetic pigments, protein accumulation and anti-oxidant activities. However, the application of OA appreciably reduced the Cd-induced toxic effects and caused a significant increase in growth and yield. The application of 5% sugarcane press mud remained the top performer and it increased the mash bean growth and yield through improved photosynthetic pigments, leaf water status (56%) and reduced Cd uptake (18%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production (38.52%), electrolyte leakage (EL) (42.13%) malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation (55.88%) and increased accumulation of soluble protein (60.15%) and free amino acids (54%) through improved activities of anti-oxidant enzymes. Therefore, these findings suggested that the application of sugarcane press mud enhanced the growth and yield through reduced Cd accumulation, enhanced photosynthetic pigments, leaf water status, protein and amino accumulation and reduced H2O2, EL and MDA accumulation through a stronger anti-oxidant defense system.

Bioethanol Production from Sugarcane Press-Mud: Assessment of the Fermentation Conditions to Reduce Fusel Alcohol

Within a biorefinery context, bioethanol is a promising platform molecule since it can be used as raw material to produce a wide spectrum of valuable industrial products such as H2 and light olefins. However, the presence of impurities limits the conversion of bioethanol in these products. Herein, we aimed to determine the proper pretreatment and fermentation conditions to yield bioethanol with a low content of impurities, such as 3-methyl-1-butanol, by using sugarcane press-mud as feedstock. To do so, a BoxBehnken methodology was employed to select proper pretreatment and fermentation conditions. Factors assessed were temperature, stirring, and pH during fermentation of hydrolysates coming from two different pretreatment methods named as hydrothermal and acid hydrolysis. Results showed that the fermentation temperature should be kept between 26–30 °C to assure at least 91 g/L ethanol. The fusel alcohol content would be reduced by 22% at 30 °C, pH = 4.5, and 200 rpm if sugarcane press-mud is pretreated under acid hydrolysis conditions (T = 130 °C, t = 1 h, 16 g HNO3/kg solid). Further studies should aim to integrate these conditions within a biorefinery concept to yield valuable products such as H2 and ethylene.

The effect of combination of sugarcane pressmud compost and potassium fertilizer on vegetative growth of corn in coastal sandy soil

Generally, coastal sandy soil has low water content and potassium nutrients. One way to fix this is by adding organic matter and potassium fertilizers. Sugarcane press mud compost as organic material acts as a slow-release fertilizer, it has an effect long enough to support plant growth. A pot experiment was carried out to test the probability of combining sugarcane press mud compost and potassium fertilizer to improve the vegetative growth of corn plants in coastal sandy soils. This research was arranged in a factorial completely randomized design. The first factor is the dosages of sugarcane press mud compost (0, 20, 25, 30, 35 tons per hectare). The second factor is the dosages of potassium fertilizer (0, 60, 90, and 120 kg K2O per hectare). After applying basal fertilizer (120 kg N per hectare and 90 kg P2O5 per hectare) and the treatment factor has been applied, the corn seed is planted and grown until vegetative growth or at flowering. The results showed that sugarcane press mud compost and potassium fertilizer interacted with the effect of shoots fresh and dry weight, fresh weight, and root dry weight. The combination treatment of 25 tons of sugarcane press mud compost per hectare and 90 kg K2O per hectare (B2P2) resulted in the highest fresh weight and dry weight of shoots. Meanwhile, the combination of 0 tons of sugarcane press mud compost per hectare and 120 kg K2O per hectare (B0P3) produced the highest fresh weight and plant roots' dry weight. The two treatments did not interact in influencing plant height and potassium content in the corn leaf tissue. Both the sugarcane press mud treatment (20, 25, 30 and 35 tons per hectare), and the application of potassium fertilizer (60 and 90 kg K2O per hectare) significantly increased plant height growth. The highest dosage of sugarcane press mud compost (35 tons per hectare) and potassium fertilizer (120 kg K2O per hectare) produces potassium content in plant leaf tissue