Meta-Analysis Approach to Measure the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Crop Performance, Microbial Activity, and Carbon Stocks in Indian Soils

Cereal crop production gains under conventional agricultural systems in India have been declining in recent years because of inadequate management practices, creating a considerable concern. These activities were shown to deplete soil organic matter stocks, resulting in a decrease in microbial activity and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Moreover, even with minimal use of organic sources in cultivated land, soil carbon status deteriorated, particularly in subtropical climates. Integrated nutrient management (INM), a modified farming method, has the potential to effectively utilize organic and inorganic resources, to improve the quality of soils and crops, and making farming more economically viable and sustainable. The aim of this study was to use meta-analysis to quantify the effects of INM on crop production, soil carbon, and microbial activity in Indian soils. During the years 1989–2018, data from various research studies in India, mainly on nutrient management in rice and wheat crops, were collected. Meta-Win 2.1 software was used to analyze the results, and significance was determined at p < 0.05. The results showed that the yield of rice and wheat was 1.4 and 4.9% more in INM than that in 100% NPK (N: nitrogen, P: phosphorous, and K: potassium), and that respective yields were comparatively higher in loamy soils (2.8%) and clayey soils (1.0%). The INM treatment increased SOC and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), resulting in improved overall soil quality. The SOC stock was increased by 23.8% in rice, 15.1% in wheat, 25.3% in loamy soils, and 14.4% in clayey soils in INM over 100% NPK. Microbial quotient (MQ) data showed significant trends between different management systems in both soil types, for example, INM > 100% NPK > No NPK. Due to more soil cracking and reduced aggregate stability in the rice field (greater short-term soil structural changes), the SOC stock loss in rice was higher than that in wheat. The CO2 equivalent emissions were 7.9 Mg ha−1 higher in no NPK (control) than in 100% NPK, and 16.4 Mg ha−1 higher in control than in INM. In other words, INM increased soil carbon sequestration by 2.3 Mg ha−1 as compared to using 100% NPK. Overall, the findings of this study show that INM could be a viable farming system mode in India for improving crop production, increasing soil carbon sequestration, and improving microbial activity while remaining economically and environmentally sustainable.

Soil Type as One of the Major Contributing Factors for Top Ten Agri-Producing States of India

A heterogeneous mixture of small rock particles/debris and organic materials/humus is called soil. It is usually produced over the surface of the earth and helps in the sustenance of autotrophic life in plant. India is an agriculture based country in which West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka are considered as the top ten stated for their higher agricultural productivity. For higher agricultural productivity, knowledge of soil type, composition, texture, fertility, etc. is highly essential. However, no review article is presently summarising whether the soil type contributes as one of the major factors for the above top ten ranked agri-producing states of India. Here we review and found that the soil type could be one of the major reasons why the above states topped the list in agricultural attributes to India. As per India classification, both urvara (fertile) and usara (sterile) soils are found in the country. Majority of Indian soils harboring the agriculture of the above states are alluvial soil (43%), red soil (18.5%), black/regur soil (15%) and the rest are arid/desert soil, laterite soil, saline soil, peaty/marshy soil, forest soil and sub-mountain soil that harbors the agriculture in India in general and in the above states in particular. Therefore, the soil type present in the above states is one of the most contributing factors for the higher agriculture productivity in India.

​Micronutrients: Role in Plants, their Spatial Deficiency and Management in Indian Soils: A Review

Soil fertility and plant nutrition, both are governed by criteria of essentiality (Arnon and Stout in 1939 and further modified by Arnon in 1954). Earlier there were 16 essential elements and now it is 17. Researchers, policymakers and farmers mostly concerned themselves for the primary nutrients i.e. NPK to manage the crops and it further aggravate the deficiency of micronutrients which is now major concern for all because it is affecting human and animal nutrition along with plants. This deficiency is concerns not only the plant nutrition but has far reaching implication in form of nutritional insecurity among the livestock and marginal section of population. Thus it is important to study the importance of the micronutrients to take care these challenges and the management of micronutrients in crop production is based on their spatial distribution. Therefore, an attempt has been made to summarize importance of micronutrients for crop production according to their spatial distribution in India.

Poor Competitiveness of Bradyrhizobium in Pigeon Pea Root Colonization in Indian Soils

Plant symbiosis with N 2 -fixing bacteria is key to sustainable, low-input agriculture. While there are ongoing projects aiming to increase yield of cereals using plant genetics and host-microbiota interaction engineering, the biggest potential lies in legume plants.

Boron in crop production from soil to plant system: A review

The deficiency of boron is spreading rapidly in Indian soils. Boron deficiency in crops is more widespread than deficiency of any other essential micronutrient. However, imbalanced or excess use of boron fertilizers found to impose negative impact on crops due to very narrow range of boron deficiency and toxicity in soil and plants which increases production cost also. Therefore, optimized boron fertilizer supply in boron deficient soils is important in order to attain normal crop growth, yield and high-quality produce. It this review the role of boron in crop production, its deficiency in crop plants has been discussed.