Optimizing the nitrogen fertilizer requirement for prerelease short duration rice cultures in North Eastern zone of Tamil Nadu

Field experiments were conducted for two years during 2017 and 2018 at Rice Research Station, Tirur to optimize nitrogen fertilizer requirement for pre-release rice cultures TM10085, TM 07335, TM 07030 along with the check variety CO51. The trial was conducted in split plot design with three replications and the main plot consisted of three pre-released rice cultures along with one check variety. The sub plot consisted of three fertilizers doses viz., 150-50-50 NPK kg/ha, 175-50- 50 NPK kg/ha and 125-50-50 NPK kg/ha. In this experiment, the rice culture TM10085, along with fertilizer application of 150-50-50 NPK kg/ha recorded the highest grain yield of 5505 kg/ha during 2018. This treatment also registered highest growth, yield attributes and benefit cost ratio in Tirur, Tiruvallur district of North Eastern Zone, Tamil Nadu.

A Methodology for Assessing Groundwater Pollution Hazard by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources: Application to the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain)

Groundwater pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources is a common environmental issue. In order to support risk analysis, hazard maps are used to classify land uses according to their potential of pollution. The aim of this study is to propose a new hazard index based on nitrogen input and its connection with nitrate concentration in groundwater. The effectiveness of the Nitrogen Input Hazard Index was tested in the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain), a highly polluted area, declared as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. Agricultural data at a plot scale were used to estimate the nitrogen fertilizer requirement of each crop, and the correlation between nitrogen input and nitrate concentration in groundwater was explored. The resulting hazard map allows us to delimit the most hazardous areas, which can be used to implement more accurate nitrate pollution control programs. The index was proven to successfully estimate nitrogen input influence over groundwater nitrate concentration, and to be able to create hazard maps. The criterion used to create categories was empirically based on nitrate concentration thresholds established by the EU Nitrate Directive. The Nitrogen Input Hazard Index may be a useful tool to support risk analyses of agricultural activities in vulnerable areas, where nitrate pollution could endanger human water supply.

The Advantages of Implementing Integrated Farming Systems For Integration of Goats and Ducks with Terubuk (Saccharum edule Harl)

This research was conducted to examine the advantages of the application of integrated farming systems between goats and ducks with terubuk in Sukabumi. The research is a case study from the farmers who adjust integrated farming systems then the data was analyzed descriptively qualitative. The result of the study show that the application of this integration between goats and ducks with terubuk has advantages in terms of cultivation, social and economic aspects. Based on the cultivation aspect, this system is efficient because of the continuous availability of feed. Furthermore, based on social aspect can minimize problems such as problem that arise due to presence of waste that cause pollution can be overcome because of the use of waste are more useful. Economic aspect of this system to be efficient because of an increase in income by reducing expenses for feed by 60% and reducing fertilizer requirement by 100%

INOCULATION WITH N2-FIXING PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA TO REDUCE NITROGEN FERTILIZER REQUIREMENT OF LETTUCE

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of three different mixtures of some N2-fixing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth, yield, element content and nitrate accumulation as well as the effect on the reduction of nitrogen fertilization of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The measurements were made in two separate experiments in 2015 between 6 June – 5 August (Experiment 1) and 2 July – 3 September (Experiment 2) under the field conditions. Butterhead form and heat tolerant summer cultivar ‘Luna’ was used as a plant material. Agrobacterium rubi RK-34, Pantoea agglomerans RK-79 and RK-92, Pseudomonas putida RK-142 and TV-42A, Bacillus megaterium TV-6D, TV-60D and TV-91C, Pseudomonas flourescens TV-11D and Paenibacillus polymyxa TV-12E were used as N2-fixing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. The treatments were 150 kg N/ha (available dose of AS) as ammonium sulphate (AS) [(NH4)2SO4), (21% N)] and three different mixtures of PGPR. Further, combined uses of decreasing doses of AS (50%, 75 kg ha–1AS and 75%, 112.5 kg ha–1 AS) and PGPR mixtures (M) such as M-1 + 75 AS, M-1 + 112.5 AS, M-2 + 75 AS, M-2 + 112.5 AS, M-3 + 75 AS and M-3 + 112.5 AS were used as additional treatments. All treatments increased the yield and the growth of lettuce according to the control. While inoculation with PGPR mixtures decreased the accumulation of heavy metals such as Cd, Ni, and Pb in lettuce, increased nutrient uptake of lettuce. It was determined that the nitrate accumulation of lettuce (cv. ‘Luna’) in PGPR mixtures were lower than the available dose of AS but higher than control. The yield in M-3 + 112.5 AS (48431 kg ha–1) was similar and in the same statistical group with the available dose of AS (48225 kg ha–1) in both experiments. Furthermore, according to the results of cost analyses, using 25% less of AS (112.5 kg ha–1) with M-3 will supply the same income instead of using AS (150 kg ha–1). It can be clearly said that the mixtures with some N2-fixing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), especially M-3 (P. putida RK-142 + P. flourescens TV-11D + B. megaterium TV-91C), have a great potential to decrease the nitrogen use (25%) for environmentally friendly crop production of lettuce.

Study the Impact of Integrated Farming System on Reducing Cost of Cultivation and Increasing Income of Farmers in Chatra District of Jharkhand

The study was conducted on purposively selected Mardanpur village of Chatra block in Chatra district where Sri. Danbhushan Lakra, Progressive farmer has developed a unique model of integrated farming system (IFS) in his 5 acres of the farm. He has designed the farm and segregated the land as per the crops and animal requirement. The IFS model comprised of field crops in 2 acres, vegetables in 1 acre, fruit plants in 0.5 acres, a pig farm in 0.25 acre, a dairy farm in 0.25 acre, Poultry in 0.25 acre, composite fish farming in 0.75 acres. Sri Danbhushan Lakra has adopted the best practices of farming under technological support of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chatra. The productivity and economic return of different enterprises and commodities were calculated and compared with previous productivity and economics. The result indicated that Sri. Danbhushan Lakra has got more than 80 per cent additional yield and profit on different enterprises, which are integrated into the farming system. He has reduced 60% external input like the feed of animal, chemical fertilizer requirement, overall he earns the annual net income Rs. 94430.75 that is 68.6% more as compared to his previous income. It happens due to the interrelation set of enterprises used so that the waste from one component became input for another part of the system, which reduced cost and increased productivity.