Regulation of nitrogen balance and yield on greenhouse eggplant under biochar addition in Mollisol

Maintaining nitrogen (N) balance and inhibiting N leaching loss in the soil-crop system is crucial to maintaining yield and reducing the environmental pollution. This study investigated the effects of soil NO₃⁻-N content and accumulation, eggplant yield, N leaching and balance response to biochar addition, including regular fertilisation and irrigation (W + F), biochar addition with regular fertilisation and irrigation (W + F + B), and biochar addition with 20% fertilisation and irrigation reduction (0.8W + 0.8F + B) treatments. Compared with W + F, W + F + B and 0.8W + 0.8F + B increased soil NO₃⁻-N content in 0–40 cm and soil NO₃⁻-N accumulation in 0–20 cm, and raised harvest index, N surplus and balance. Simultaneously, 0.8W + 0.8F + B compared to W + F enhanced N use efficiency and N partial factor productivity, conversely, it decreased N dry matter production efficiency, N surplus and balance. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that the effect of NO₃⁻-N leaching lasted in 60 cm under biochar addition in the first year, and lasted in 20 cm without biochar application in the next year. Altogether, biochar addition with 20% fertilisation and irrigation reduction is the most suitable management strategy to decrease N surplus and leaching, and maintain eggplant N uptake in a two-year cycle system on greenhouse vegetables in Mollisols.

Effect of Cl- and Na+ ratios in nutrient solutions on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) yield in a hydroponic system

Intensive tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in coastal areas of Sinaloa is exposed to significant amounts of Cl and Na deposited by sea breezes and irrigation water, which affects the yield of this vegetable. The aim of this study was to evaluate three percentage ratios of Cl-/anions (25/100, 50/100 and 75/100) and three percentage ratios of Na+/cations (25/100, 50/100 and 75/100) in the nutrient solution on mineral composition, dry matter production and yield of tomato. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 32 factorial arrangement and four replications. Analysis of variance and mean comparisons were performed (Tukey, P ≤ 0.05). Cl and Na concentrations in tomato leaves, stems and fruits increased significantly with increasing ratios of Cl-/anions and Na+/cations in the nutrient solution. The 75/100 Cl-/anions ratio reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the Ca concentration in leaves, while the 75/100 Na+/cations ratio decreased (P ≤ 0.05) K concentrations in leaves and stems. Both ratios reduced aerial dry biomass (48 and 25.8 %, respectively) and tomato yield (50.8 and 45.7 %, respectively). The results indicate that tomato plants grown with the 75/100 percentage ratio of Cl-/anions or the 75/100 percentage ratio of Na+/ cations absorb excessive amounts of Cl or Na, which causes ionic imbalance (especially of K+ and Ca2+) and affects dry matter production and yield.

Soil moisture balance and its application to yield monitoring of rainfed paddy at Raipur

The study presents a technique for computing soil moisture balance of paddy crop based on 10 years data from 1977-1988 except 1984 and 1987, from agro-meteorological observatory, Raipur Values of different components of the moisture balance have been determined and discussed. The stress values have been used to estimate possible yield reduction by devising an yield index. The study revealed that water demand of the plant is largest between tillering and reproductive stages. Dry matter production appears directly related to the consumptive water use. A significant association is observed between the yield index and the actual rice yield.

Effect of Irrigation and N-fertigation Levels on Broccoli Performance in a Polynet House

The purpose of this study is to see how the microclimate of the polynet house, irrigation, and fertigation levels affect broccoli output. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design within bounds beneath a polynet house with 320 m2 floor area covered with 50% perforated green colour net. Plant height, dry matter production yield, and its attributes were found to be maximum in drip irrigation (1.0Epan) + 125 % N at all growth stages, as per effect of scheduled irrigation and fertigation levels on crop biometric performance. Drip irrigation (1.0Epan) + 125% N resulted in a high higher yield (22.02 t ha-1); while treatments drip irrigation (1.5 Epan) + 75% N resulted as in lowest yield (18.02 t ha-1).The treatment drip irrigation (1.0Epan) + 125% N had a maximum NPK uptake. Polynet house covered with 50% perforation of green colour is suitable for realizing favorable microclimate for broccoli cultivation. Drip irrigation scheduled at 1.0 E pan with 125%N in the poly net house is recommended for broccoli production in central Telanganaagro-climatic conditions as it maintained high yield and water use efficiency.

Effect of organic fortified zinc on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata (L). Wilczek) in typic chromustert

Zinc is a crucial micronutrient for crop growth and enzymatic regulations. The present study was formulated to reveal the effect of organic fortified Zn composite on growth and yield parameters of green gram in Typic chromustert at Vellakulam village, Kalligudi block, Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. A total of eight treatments with three replications were designed to grow in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The treatments consisted of recommend dose fertilizers (25:50:25 Kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O) + various sources organics applied such as vermicompost (1:5), poultry manure (1:5), biochar (1:5), FYM (1:10) incubated with ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University micronutrient mixture enriched with FYM (1:10) for 30 days. Among the treatments, application of RDF (25:50:25 Kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O) + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 incubated with 125 kg Vermicompost (1:5) recorded maximum plant height (64 cm), leaf area index (LAI) (3.11), dry matter production (16.33 g plant-1), pods plant-1 (28.46), grains pod-1 (13.5), test weight (3.48 g), seed yield (950 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (1520 kg ha-1) followed by biochar and TNAU MNM shown on par results with each other. The lowest yield parameters were spotted in absolute control. A considerable increase in yield (25 %) was detected when the crop was supplemented with organically fortified Zinc than the commercial ZnSO4. The study concluded that the application of biofortified Zn will deliver higher growth and yield in green gram.

Effect of Smashing Ridge Tillage Depth on Soil Water, Salinity, and Yield in Saline Cotton Fields in South Xinjiang, China

To explore the potential of smashing ridge tillage irrigation, it is necessary to investigate how smashing ridge tillage technology with mulched drip irrigation affects soil water, salinity, and cotton yield in saline fields. We conducted a two-year (2020–2021) field experiment to study the effects of different smashing ridge tillage depths on soil bulk density, moisture, salinity, dry matter production, yield, and its constituents (effective bolls, 100-bell weight). There were three smashing ridge tillage depths: A (20 cm), B (40 cm), and C (60 cm), with traditional tillage as the CT. The results showed that all of the smashing ridge tillage could reduce soil bulk density, improve the utilization and uptake of deep soil water during the rapid growth period, and reduce the soil salt content. Compared with the CT treatment, the average soil bulk density of the 0–60 cm soil layer in treatments A, B, and C in 2020 and 2021 decreased by 3.05%, 5.87%, 10.09%, and 1.65%, 4.48%, and 8.49%, respectively. The average soil water content in the 0–120 cm soil layer at the flowering and boll stage decreased by 3.68%, 6.28%, 9.04%, and 3.59%, 6.52%, and 9.98%, respectively; the soil salt content in the 0–120 cm soil layer at the boll opening stage decreased by 4.21%, 6.75%, 11.95%, and 5.47%, 24.25%, and 54.13%, respectively. Cotton dry matter production and yield tended to increase with an increasing depth of smash ridge tillage. Treatment C obtained the maximum dry matter production, seed cotton yield, effective bolls, and 100-boll weight. The dry matter production at the boll opening stage was significantly increased by 17.16% and 15.91%, and the yield was significantly increased by 65.24% and 84.14% in treatments C in 2020 and 2021, respectively, compared to CT. The smashing ridge tillage of 60 cm can optimize the structure of the soil tillage layer and also reduce soil salinity and increase yield, which is the suitable depth of smashing ridge tillage for saline cotton fields in the south of Xinjiang. The findings of the study can provide some theoretical basis and practical experience for the improvement of saline soils and sustainable agricultural development in South Xinjiang, China.

Effects of Nipping and Micronutrient Foliar Application on Dry Matter Production, Yield, Agronomic Efficiency and Nutrient Uptake of Short Duration Pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan L.) Co(Rg)- 7

Background The productivity of pulse crop is low due to cultivation on agriculturally marginal and sub marginal lands under poor management. So, it needs earnest attention in adaption of desirable production technologies to exploit the yield potential of the pulses and it can be possible by application of fertilizers, nipping and foliar application of nutrients.In this view, aresearch was conducted to studyyield maximization, agronomic efficiency and nutrient uptake pattern with nipping and nutrient management practices in irrigated pigeonpea.Methods Field experiment was conducted at farmer’s field, Palacode, Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District.The pigeonpea seeds were sown by adapting a spacing of 45 × 30 cm. Entire dose of N, P2O5 and K2O (25: 50: 25 kg)were applied basally and the foliar spraying of 0.5 per cent Micronutrient mixture was done as per treatment schedule on 30th& 45th days after sowing using Knapsack Sprayer with the spray fluid of 500 lit. ha-1.Results The results revealed that the application of T9 (125% RDF + Nipping + Micronutrient) recorded significantly higher dry matter production, yield and nutrient uptake.The least values were recorded under the treatment T1 (Control).

Response of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) to Varying Levels of Plant Density and Nitrogen

A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2019 at College Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana. The present study was conducted to know the effect of different planting densities and nitrogen levels on the growth and yield of Finger millet. The soil of experimental site was loamy sand type, slightly acidic in pH (6.43), non-saline in EC (0.15 dSm-1), low in organic carbon (0.42%), low in available N (201.6 kg ha-1), medium in available P (25.3 kg ha-1), low in available K (236.25 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept and replicated thrice with 12 treatments combinations consisting of four nitrogen levels (0 %, 50%, 100% and 150% RDN) and three levels of planting density (S1-solid rows × 15 cm, S2- 30 cm × 15 cm, S3- 25 cm × 15 cm). Results indicated that S1-solid rows × 15 cm recorded highest plant height, number of tillers m-2, dry matter production (g m-2) and S3- 25 cm × 15 cm recorded highest leaf area plant-1 and yield. Application of 150% RDN recorded highest plant growth parameters, grain yield and straw yield. However, it was on par with 100% RDN. It was concluded that planting density of 25 cm × 15 cm among spacings and 100% N among nitrogen levels proved to be a viable option for getting higher productivity and profit under rainfed conditions of central agro climatic zone of Telangana.