​Nodulation, Yield Attributes and Yield of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.)] Influenced by Different Level of Potassium Humate and Fertility Levels

Background: Optimum crop growth and yield is result of interlinking of several factors. In semi- tropical soil in central plateau and hills zone are deficit in organic carbon and NPK content; therefore inadequate fertilization may leads to pure quality and also lower crop productive capacity of soil. For the maintenance of sustainable and productive production, maintaining soil health is a critical factor. Under low fertility levels, mungbean gives low seed yield. Potassium humate, nitrogen and phosphorus (RDF) application may be increase yield of mungbean in this zone. Method: A field experiment was conducted to study, “Nodulation, yield attributes and yield of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.)] influenced by different level of potassium humate and fertility. The experiment was carried out in factorial randomized block design with three replications and sixteen treatment combination. Result: Result showed that total number of root nodules, effective nodules, fresh and dry weight of root nodules, leghaemoglobin, nodule index, no. of pods/plant, no. of seeds/pod, test weight, seed and straw yield were observed significantly higher with application of potassium humate @ 4.5 kg/ha. Among different fertility level, the application of 100% RDF significantly increased the total number of root nodules and effective nodules, fresh and dry weight of root nodules, leghaemoglobin, nodule index, no. of pods/plant, no. of seeds/pod and test weight, seed and straw yield. With combined application of potassium humate @ 3.0 kg/ha + 75% RDF significantly higher no. effective nodules, dry weight of root nodules and seed yield were observed, as well as saving of 25% RDF and 1.5 kg potassium humate were also observed.

Performance of double grained rice cultivar under different plant spacing

Plant spacing ensures uniform and optimum plant population and facilitates sufficient natural resources for crop growth which, in turns influences the crop yield positively. An investigation was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, during July to December 2017 to study the influence of plant spacing on the yield of double grained rice cultivar. The study comprised five spacing viz. 25 cm × 15 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 15 cm, 20 cm × 10 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm and two rice cultivars viz. a double grained rice cultivar and BRRI dhan49 and a double grained rice cultivar. It was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The double grained rice cultivar produced taller plant (155.65 cm), longer panicle (23.93 cm), higher 1000-grain weight (25.96) and higher straw yield (6.90 t ha-1), though the higher grain yield (3.68 t ha-1) was found in the test cultivar (BRRI dhan49). Planting at 20 cm × 15 cm produced the highest grain yield (3.70 t ha-1) which was at par with 25 cm × 15 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm and 20 cm × 10 cm while planting at 15 cm × 15 cm produced the lowest grain yield (3.13 t ha-1). The interaction of the double grained rice cultivar with all spacing combinations produced taller plants than the spacing combinations with BRRI dhan49. The higher grain yield (3.52 t ha-1) was found in the double grained rice cultivar with 20 cm × 10 cm spacing which was at par with the spacing of 20 cm × 15 cm and 25 cm × 15 cm, respectively; although BRRI dhan49 always produced the higher yield. The lowest grain yield (3.08 t ha-1) was recorded at the double grained rice cultivar with 25 cm × 10 cm spacing, however, the same treatment produced the highest biological yield (11.23 t ha-1) due to the highest straw yield (8.15 t ha-1). Hence, the spacing 20 cm × 15 cm might be recommended for the higher grain yield in the double grained rice cultivar Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(3): 273-279, December 2021

Impact of vermicompost based nitrogen management and plant spacing on the performance of short duration transplant Aus rice (cv. Parija)

An investigation was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University to inspect the effect of vermicompost based nitrogen management and plant spacing on the yield performance of short duration transplant Aus rice (cv. Parija). The study comprised three spacing viz. 20 cm × 20 cm, 20 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 10 cm, and five nitrogen management viz. no nitrogen, 75 kg N ha-1, 55 kg N ha-1 + vermicompost @1.25 t ha-1, 35 kg N ha-1 + vermicompost @2.5 t ha-1 and vermicompost @5 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. At harvest, both the spacing of 20 cm × 20 cm and 20 cm × 15 cm produced the tallest plants, the highest number of total tillers hill-1 and effective tillers hill-1. The highest grain yield (3.59 t ha-1) was recorded in 20 cm × 15 cm spacing which was at par with the grain yield (3.52 t ha-1) in 20 cm × 10 cm spacing. The 20 cm × 10 cm spacing also produced the highest straw yield (4.88 t ha-1) and biological yield (8.40 t ha-1). The lowest grain, straw and biological yields were recorded at the wider spacing of 20 cm × 20 cm. In contrast, the highest grain yield (3.79 t ha-1), straw yield (4.99 t ha-1) and biological yield (8.79 t ha-1) were found in 75 kg N ha-1 which was as good as the yields of 55 kg N ha-1 N+ vermicompost @1.25 t ha-1. The highest number of total tillers hill-1 (14.11) and effective tillers hill-1 (12.67) were found in the interaction effect of 20 cm × 20 cm spacing with 75 kg N ha-1. The interaction between 20 cm × 15 cm and 55 kg N ha-1 N+ vermicompost @1.25 t ha-1 gave the highest grain yield (4.58 t ha-1), straw yield (5.71 t ha-1) and biological yield (10.29 t ha-1). The lowest grain yield (2.03 t ha-1), straw yield (3.49 t ha-1) and biological yield (5.52 t ha-1) were found in the interaction between 20 cm × 20 cm and no nitrogen. Therefore, usage of 20 cm × 15 cm spacing fertilized with 55 kg N ha-1 + vermicompost @1.25 t ha-1 appeared as the promising practice of transplant Aus rice cv. (Parija) cultivation.

Effect of the fortilizer nitrophoska on sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. parasitized by witchweed (Striga Hermonthica Del Benth)

Effect of the fortilizer nitrophoska on sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. parasitized by witchweed (Striga Hermonthica Del Benth) Nitrophoska (NPK), a compound fertilizer, showed significant effects in stimulating yield components of Sorghum bicolor L. cultivar Tabat and in depressing the parasitism of Striga hermonthica Del. Benth. Over all treatments nitrophoska at N3 (54 kg N/F) gave 160, 105,121 and 120% increases in yield components over the control for head weight, plant height, 1000 grain weight and straw yield/ m2 of sorghum. Nitrophoska scored 83% and 80% decrease in striga dry shoot weight / m2 and striga density / m2, respectively less than the control at N1 (18 kg N/F). To maximize the yield components of sorghum, higher levels of nitrophoska (N2. N3) were recommended to be used; while lower levels of nitrophoska (N1) were recommended to combat the menace of striga in fields of sorghum

Production and Profitability of Hybrid Rice Is Influenced by Different Nutrient Management Practices

The government of Nepal has recommended blanket fertilizer application for rice cultivation, which results in lower nutrient use efficiency (NUE) particularly under rainfed conditions. With the aim of finding an appropriate nutrient management practices concerning rice production and profitability, a field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2017 and 2018 at Kavrepalanchowk and Dang district of Nepal. Altogether, five treatments comprising various nutrient management practices viz. Nutrient Expert Model (NE), use of Leaf Color Chart (LCC), Government Recommended Fertilizer Dose (GON), Farm Yard Manure (FYM), and Farmers’ Field Practice (FFP), were laid out in RCBD with four replications in farmers’ fields. The analysis of variance showed significant difference between treatments for test weight and grain yield in Kavrepalanchowk whereas all traits except number of effective tillers were significant in Dang. The significantly higher grain yield and harvest index were obtained in NE, followed by LCC; and the overall straw yield was highest in LCC, followed by NE in both the locations. Also, yield gap analysis suggested the NE had 44.44% and 23.97% increase in yield as compared to FPP in Kavrepalanchowk and Dang, respectively. The combined analysis with Best Linear Unbiased Estimator revealed the interaction of nutrient management and location significantly effects the straw yield and harvest index across both the locations. The estimated mean straw yield and harvest index were 10.93 t/ha and 34.98%, respectively. Both correlation study and biplot of principal component analysis signaled grain yield had positive correlation with all other traits. Furthermore, the net revenue was maximum for NE, followed by LCC in both the locations. The benefit: cost ratio was highest for NE which was 1.55 in Kavrepalanchowk and 2.61 in Dang. On the basis of these findings, NE and LCC can be effectively used as nutrient management practice by the farmers to obtain maximum production and profitability in Rice.

Enrichment of Zinc and Iron Micronutrients in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) through Biofortification

Biofortification of pulse crops with Zn and Fe is a viable approach to combat their widespread deficiencies in humans. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a widely consumed edible crop possessing a high level of Zn and Fe micronutrients. Thus, the present study was conducted to examine the influence of foliar application of Zn and Fe on productivity, concentration, uptake and the economics of lentil cultivation (LL 931). For this, different treatment combinations of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) and FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%), along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), were applied to the lentil. The results of study reported that the combined foliar application of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at pre-flowering (S1) and pod formation (S2) stages was most effective in enhancing grain and straw yield, Zn and Fe concentration, and uptake. However, the outcome of this treatment was statistically on par with the results obtained under the treatment ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage. A single spray of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage enhanced the grain and straw yield up to 39.6% and 51.8%, respectively. Similarly, Zn and Fe concentrations showed enhancement in grain (10.9% and 20.4%, respectively) and straw (27.5% and 27.6% respectively) of the lentil. The increase in Zn and Fe uptake by grain was 54.8% and 68.0%, respectively, whereas uptake by straw was 93.6% and 93.7%, respectively. Also the benefit:cost was the highest (1.96) with application of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage. Conclusively, the combined use of ZnSO4·7H2O (0.5%) + FeSO4·7H2O (0.5%) at S1 stage can contribute significantly towards yield, Zn and Fe concentration, as well as uptake and the economic returns of lentil to remediate the Zn and Fe deficiency.

Response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity and nutrient uptake to nitrogen and boron fertilization in Typic Ustifluvents soil

Nitrogen and boron are necessary for the metabolic activities of rice for its growth. With this perspective, a field experiment was conducted in farmer’s field during 2020 at Kuttalam, Mayladuthurai district, Tamilnadu in sandy clay loam(Padugai Series – TypicUstifluvents) to predict the response of rice (Oryza sativa) to different levels of nitrogen(N) and boron (B) application. The treatments consisted of Factor A- Nitrogen levels, 0, 75, 150, 225 kg ha-1 and Factor B- Boron levels 0, 1.5, 3.0 kg ha-1. Fifteen treatments were conducted in a Factorial randomised block (FRBD) design with three replications. The test crop was rice with a variety ADT 46. Concerning nitrogen alone, the highest grain (5344 kg ha-1) and straw yield was recorded in N3(225 kg ha-1). Among the boron levels tested, the highest grain (4695 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6509 kg ha-1) was registered in B1 (1.5 kg ha-1) in rice. The highest total nutrient uptake viz., N(88.2 kg ha-1), P(30.5 kg ha-1), K(105.0 kg ha-1) and B(172mg kg-1) were recorded in N3B1. Among the N alone, the highest total nutrient uptake viz., N(78.1kg ha-1, P(26.3kg ha-1), K (95.8 kg ha-1) and B(156.6 mg kg-1) in N3. Concerning B alone, the highest nutrient uptake viz., N(60.5, kg ha-1) , P(17.8kg ha-1) K(74.9 kg ha-1) and B(112.1mg kg-1) were registered in B1 over other B levels. The highest grain (5631 kg ha-1) was recorded in N3B1 (225 kg N ha-1 and 1.5kg B ha-1) than other interactions. The study concluded that applying nitrogen and boron is required to achieve the maximum yield of rice in sandy clay loam soil.

Effects of Sowing Dates on Yield and Yield Components of Different Varieties of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Western Uttar Pradesh

An experiment was conducted during Rabi season (November-December) of 2018–19 to study the effect of three dates of sowing (26th November, 11th December and 25th December) on growth, yield attributes and yield of fivewheat varieties (HD-2967, HD-3086, WH-1105, PBW-343 and PBW-226) at Agricultural Research Farm of IFTM University, Moradabad (UP) India. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Design with two replications. Sowing was done at spacing of 22.5 cm in sandy loam soil. The observations were recorded on growth, flowering, maturity, yield and yield components. Analysis of variance showed the significant variations were observed for the characters viz. plant height, days to flowering, spikes per plant, days to maturity, grain yield, test weight, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index due to changing dates of sowing. However, varietal variations were recorded for plant height, days to flowering, spikes per plant, days to maturity and test weight. Wheat sown on 26th November recorded significant increase in plant height, tillers plant-1, spikes-1 plant, grain yield and straw yield over late sowing on 11th December and 25th December. There was no significant variation among varieties for yield and yield contributing traits such as grains spike-1, grain and straw yield. Significant interaction effects between dates of sowing and varieties were found for days to flowering which showed that the variety HD-2967 is as best wheat variety for early sown and PBW-226 for late sown conditions in order to obtain better returns.

Modelling the growth, development and yield of Triticum durum Desf under the changes of climatic conditions in north-eastern Europe

How agricultural ecosystems adapt to climate change is one of the most important issues facing agronomists at the turn of the century. Understanding agricultural ecosystem responses requires assessing the relative shift in climatic constraints on crop production at regional scales such as the temperate zone. In this work we propose an approach to modeling the growth, development and yield of Triticum durum Desf. under the climatic conditions of north-eastern Poland. The model implements 13 non-measurable parameters, including climate conditions, agronomic factors, physiological processes, biophysical parameters, yield components and biological yield (latent variables), which are described by 33 measurable predictors as well as grain and straw yield (manifest variables). The agronomic factors latent variable was correlated with nitrogen fertilization and sowing density, and biological yield was correlated with grain yield and straw yield. An analysis of the model parameters revealed that a one unit increase in agronomic factors increased biological yield by 0.575. In turn, biological yield was most effectively determined by climate conditions (score of 60–62) and biophysical parameters (score of 60–67) in the 2nd node detectable stage and at the end of heading. The modeled configuration of latent and manifest variables was responsible for less than 70% of potential biological yield, which indicates that the growth and development of durum wheat in north-eastern Europe can be further optimized to achieve high and stable yields. The proposed model accounts for local climate conditions and physiological processes in plants, and it can be implemented to optimize agronomic practices in the cultivation of durum wheat and, consequently, to expand the area under T. durum to regions with a temperate climate.

Quantifying Cereal Productivity on Sandy Soil in Response to Some Soil-Improving Cropping Systems

Little information is available on the effect of soil-improving cropping systems (SICS) on crop productivity on low fertility sandy soils although they are increasingly being used in agriculture in many regions of the world due to the growing demand for food. The study aimed at quantifying the effect of four soil-improving cropping systems applied on sandy soil on cereal productivity (yield of grain and straw and plant height) in a 4-year field experiment conducted in Poland with spring cereal crops: oat (2017), wheat (2018), wheat (2019), and oat (2020). The experiment included the control (C) and the following SICS: liming (L), leguminous catch crops for green manure (LU), farmyard manure (M), and farmyard manure + liming + leguminous catch crops for green manure together (M + L + LU). To quantify the effect of the SICS, classic statistics and the Bland–Altman method were used. It was shown that all yield trait components significantly increased in the last study year (2020) under SICS with M and M + L + LU. All yield trait components were significantly lower in the dry years (2018–2019) than in the wet years (2017 and 2020). The relatively large rainfall quantity in May during intensive growth at shooting and the scarce precipitation during later growth in the dry year 2019 resulted in a significantly greater straw yield compared to the other dry year 2018. The values of Bland–Altman bias (mean difference between the particular SICS and the control) varied (in kg m−2) from −0.002 for LU in 2019 to 0.128 for M and 0.132 for M + L + LU in 2020. The highest limits of agreement (LoA) were in general noted for all yield trait components (the least even yield) in the most productive SICS including M and M + L + LU in the wet year 2020. The Bland–Altman ratio (BAR) values indicate that quantification of the effects of all soil-improving practices was most uncertain in the dry year 2018 for the grain yield and in the wet year 2020 for the straw yield and much less uncertain for the plant height in all SICS and study years. The results of this study provide helpful information about the effect of the SICS on the different yield trait components depending on the period of their application and weather conditions prevailing during the growing season.