Optimization of phosphoric fertilizers for cultivation of potato under high phosphorus soils of Eastern Indo-Gangetic plains of Bihar

Phosphorus (P) is an important element that is applied in the form of di-ammonium phosphate or single super phosphate in potatoes. An experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Potato Research Station, Patna, Bihar during Rabi, 2017-18 and 2018-19 to evaluate invariably use of phosphorus fertilizers in potato crop. The use of phosphorus is often applied at higher rate than its uptake from the soil. Therefore, experiment was undertaken with the objective to optimize and utilize soil phosphorus more efficiently. Potato variety Kufri Khyati was planted in three replications with eight different treatments of fertilizer phosphorus. Data on tuber yield (t/ha) and tuber number (lacs/ha) was recorded. The maximum tubers were recorded at 20% of recommended dose of phosphorus i.e. 5.14 lacs/ha followed by 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (4.56 lacs/ha). The tuber yield was maximum at 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (33.53 t/ha) followed by 50% recommended dose of phosphorus (31.35 t/ha), which was at par with the yield obtained at 20% (30.29 t/ha) to 40% (29.98 t/ha) of recommended dose of phosphorus. The recorded results showed that the omission of phosphorus does not have any significant reduction in the yield as compare to tuber numbers. Therefore it may be recommended that in high P soils, the maintenance dose of 20 % of recommended dose of P is sufficient to harvest economic yield.

Combined effect of rock phosphate with single super phosphate on yield and phosphorus use efficiency under maize-groundnut cropping sequence in Alfisols of Odisha

Aim: The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of combined application of rock phosphate with water soluble phosphorus fertilizers on its efficiency in relation to soil and crop production. Methodology: Rock phosphate and single super phosphate were used as supplemental source of phosphorus and applied in variable combinations at graded doses, with maize and groundnut as test crop. Lime was applied in combination with 100% SSP to analyse its effect. The composite surface (0-15 cm) soil samples were collected at critical growth stages of maize and groundnut and further analyzed for different physical and physico-chemical characteristics. The plant samples were collected from each treatment at harvest stage for nutrient analyses. Results: Application of rock Phosphate increased the available phosphorus in soil. The combined treatment significantly influenced the yield attributes and nutrient uptake of both maize and groundnut crops. Among the combination, equal proportion of soluble single super phosphate and insoluble rock phosphate source of P outreached the other combination ratios. The highest agronomic phosphorus use efficiency and relative agronomic efficiency of the cropping sequence was obtained with the combined treatment of Single super phosphate along with lime. Interpretation: Combination of rock phosphate which has been reported to be farmer’s pocket friendly along with single super phosphate under acid soil conditions holds the potential to produce better results as compared to use of lone conventional water soluble phosphatic fertilizer like single super phosphate.

EFFECT OF VARIOUS CONCENTRATIONS OF ROOTING HORMONES ON MULTIPLICATION OF BUTTON WOOD TREE (CONOCARPUS ERECTUS L.)

The present investigation entitled “Effect of IBA and NAA on vegetative propagation of button wood tree (Conocarpus erectus L.)” was carried out during 2019 - 2020 at Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, College of horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Y.S.R Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. Semi hard wood stem cuttings of Conocarpus erectus were treated with 1000, 2000, 3000 ppm IBA and NAA solutions by quick dip method. Cuttings were then subjected to rooting in a media consisting of sandy soil, farm yard manure, single super phosphate in a ratio of 2:1:1 mixture in black polythene bags. Among all the treatments, number of sprouted cuttings, length of sprout per cutting, diameter of sprout per cutting, number of leaves per cutting, percentage of rooted cutting, number of primary roots per cutting, number of secondary roots per cutting, length of roots per cutting, number of plants transplanted and number of plants established were higher in IBA 3000 ppm.

Impact of phosphorus and sulphur nutrients as sole and in combination from organic sources and integration of organic and inorganic source on groundnut quality

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of phosphorus and sulphur nutrients as sole and in combination from organic and integration of organic and inorganic sources on groundnut quality. Two studies were conducted to select best phosphorus and sulphur sources by using farmyard manure, poultry manure (PM), vermicompost and sewage sludge. There were six treatments in study one and two, including inorganic source of single super phosphate (SSP) and no phosphorus (control) in trial one and no sulphur (control) in trial two. They were replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Among them the selected best source poultry manure was combined with chemical fertilizer (CF) single super phosphate to supply phosphorus and sulphur by having six treatments (Control, 100%PM, 75%PM + 25%CF, 50%PM + 50%CF, 25%PM + 75% CF, 100% CF) and were replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The oil and protein content of kernels were increased as a result of phosphorus and sulphur. Poultry manure as a sole source of phosphorus and sulphur exhibited the highest oil and protein content. 25% poultry manure with 75% chemical fertilizer as a combination exhibited the highest oil content (45.20%) and 75% poultry manure with 25% chemical fertilizer as a combination resulted in the highest protein content (12.50%) of kernels.

Efficacy of Inorganic Phosphorus and Farmyard Manure on Production and Quality of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Organic and inorganic fertilizers improve soil fertility and give both macro and micronutrients to the soil for better growth of agricultural crops. Therefore, current study was designed to find out the efficacy of inorganic phosphorus (P) alone and in combination farmyard manure (FYM) applied in various doses on production and quality aspects of garlic. A field experiment was organized in a randomized complete block design, replicated thrice using different rates of P in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) and farmyard manure (FYM). Seven different treatments of various levels of P, either using inorganic phosphorus from SSP alone or in combination with organic phosphorus from FYM, i.e. T0 = control; T1 = 50 kg P.ha-1 (SSP); T2 = 70 kg P.ha-1 (SSP); T3 = 90 kg P.ha-1 (SSP); T4 = 25 kg P.ha-1 (SSP) + 25 kg P.ha-1 (FYM); T5 = 35 kg P.ha-1 (SSP) + 35 kg P.ha-1 (FYM); T6 = 45 kg P.ha-1 (SSP) + 45 kg P.ha-1 (FYM)] were applied to the soil. All the growth, yield and quality parameters recorded showed significant response when P was applied in combination of inorganic and organic sources as compared with control and inorganic P alone. A combined treatment of 45 kg P.ha-1 (SSP) + 45 kg P.ha-1 (FYM) gave comparatively better results in terms of plant height (66.87 cm), fresh leaf weight (2.70 g), leaf area plant-1 (83.83 cm2), relative leaf chlorophyll content (11.90), weight of bulb plant-1 (42.66 g), diameter of bulb (4.50 cm), number of cloves bulb-1 (8.50), bulb yield (4382.96 kg ha-1) and vitamin C content (6.43 mg 100 g-1). Thus, it was concluded from this study that a combined treatment of 45 kg P.ha-1 (SSP) + 45 kg P.ha-1 (FYM) should be applied for quality production of garlic under rainfed conditions of Rawalakot.

Relative efficiency of different sources of sulphur on yield and soil nutrient status in kharif rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was carried out in order to study the relative efficacy of different sources of sulphur in kharif rice (Cv. Swarna Sub 1) under mid-central table land zone of Odisha. It was carried out in RBD with 10 treatments and 3 replications. Four different sources of sulphur (Single Super Phosphate, Calcium Sulphate, Elemental S0 and Navaratna as (20-20-0-13) were used with two methods of application as basal & top dressing to rice crop during Kharif season. The treatment details consists as T1 = Control (No Sulphur), T2 = Basal application (B.A) of 30 kg S ha-1 through Calcium Sulphate (CaSO4), T3 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 through Elemental S ( ES ) , T4 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 (through SSP) , T5 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 (through 20-20-0-13) , T6 = Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 as basal and top dressing through CaSO4, T7= Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 as Basal application & top dressing through ES , T8 = Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 through SSP each at Basal application & top dressing, T9 = Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 as Basal application and top dressing through (20-20-0-13) & T10 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 through CaSO4 and SSP @1:1 ratio . Significantly highest pooled mean grain yield (5.41 t ha-1) and straw yield of (5.62 t ha-1) were recorded with T7, whereas the lowest values were recorded with (control) T1 (4.1 t ha-1 & 4.31 t ha-1 respectively). Among different sources of sulphur, the grain yield of rice varied significantly and it followed the trend as Elemental Sulphur (ES) > CaSO4 > SSP > (20-20-0-13). Spilt application of sulphur fertilizer showed a beneficial effect on S uptake and translocation of micronutrients like Fe, Mn, and Zn. The sulphur economic yield efficiency ratio also inversely varied with S applications.

Optimum application levels of nitrogen and zinc for maize (Zea Mays L.) production at Abaji, Federal capital territory, Nigeria

Efficient utilization of Nutrient will help boost crop yield in the face of rapidly increasing population and food insecurity. This study evaluates the effects of varying nitrogen and zinc rates on growth and yield of maize in Abaji, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Four Nitrogen levels (0 kg N/ha, 40 kg N/ha, 80 kg N/ha and 120 kg N/ha) were evaluate with two Zinc levels (0 kg Zn/ha and 2 kg Zn/ha). The experimental factors were combined with a Factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Nitrogen was applied as Urea while Zn was applied with Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4). Phosphorous was applied with Single Super Phosphate (SSP) at the rate of 60 kg P2O5/ha and potassium was supplied with Muriate of Potash (MOP) at 60 kg K2O/ha. Result shows that Nitrogen application rate of 80 kg N/ha gave the optimum yield in the study area and was recommended for adoption along with other sustainable soil nutrient management practices.

Influence of Phosphorus on Initial Growth and Production of Fresh Biomass of Legumes

Aims: To evaluate whether the initial growth and production of green biomass of the legume species Crotalaria juncea L. and Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. are influenced by phosphate fertilizer. Study Design: A completely randomized design was used in a scheme 05 treatments x 02 cultures, with 3 replications, totaling 30 vessels in the experiment. Place and Duration of Study: Forest nursery the Federal University of Campina Grande, campus of Patos-PB, between April 2018 and May 2018. Methodology: The treatments consisted of two legumes (C. juncea and C. ensiformis) and five doses of phosphorus (00-50-100-150-200 mg kg-1 of P2O5) through single super phosphate. Fortnightly measurements of height and diameter were performed for 60 days. Fresh biomass of the shot and root was obtained at the end of the evaluations. Results: There is a higher growth in height for individuals of C. ensiformis when cultivated in doses of 150 mg kg-1, with an average of 30.68 cm. For C. juncea, the treatments were similar. For the stem diameter, there was significant interaction (p <0.05) only for C. juncea, in which, unlike the results obtained for height, this variable grew linearly with increased phosphorus doses. Regardeless of the P doses fresh biomass production of C. ensiformis was higher than to C. juncea. Already in function on the levels of P there is an influence of nutrient only for C. ensiformis, with higher total biomass production and when cultivated with 100 mg kg-1 of P2O5. Conclusion: Regardless of the cultivated species phosphorus influences the initial growth and production of fresh biomass. In general, it is recommended to cultivate the legumes studied with doses of 100 mg kg-1 of P2O5 through single super phosphate for a higher production of total fresh biomass.

Effect of Udaipur Rock Phosphate, Single Super Phosphate and Their Combinations on Yield and Total Nutrient Uptake by a Groundnut-Maize Cropping System on the Acid Alfisols of Odisha State, India

To find out the effect of low grade Udaipur rock phosphate on yield and nutrient dynamic in groundnut- maize cropping system, a field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications and eight treatments consisting of Udaipur rock phosphate (URP), single super phosphate (SSP) alone or in combinations with different ratios including phosphorus control from 2013-14 to 2015. The soil has a loam texture, a pH of 5.18, low available nitrogen and medium phosphorus and potassium. The highest maize equivalent yield of 6293 kg ha-1 and relative agronomic efficiency (RAE) of 159% was recorded in SSP+ lime (0.2LR) treatment followed by URP+SSP (1:1). Combined application of SSP+ lime recorded higher P, Ca, Mg and S uptake by groundnut-maize cropping system. When the crops received URP+SSP mixture in 1:1 ratio, the RAE values were increased above the standard SSP treatment (T3) being 102% for groundnut, 105% for maize and 103% for groundnut-maize cropping system. The yield in URP+SSP mixture (1:1) was higher than for the SSP treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Thus, combined application of URP+SSP mixture (1:1) can safely be recommended in acid soils for short duration crops like maize and groundnut as against the more costly water soluble SSP fertilizer.