Evaluation of Silicon Nutrition on Yield, Growth Attributes and Available Nutrient Status of Paddy in Coastal Zone of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted in the central farm, Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, Coastal Zone OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during kharif 2020 using cv-Lalat variety of Rice. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. In this experiment BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) slag was used as a source of silica for application to rice crop. 200, 300 and 400 kg SiO2/ha was applied in combination with 50% STD (Soil Test Dose) and 75% STD to assess the efficacy of Silica with reduction in fertilizer dose by 50% and 25%. It was shown that increase in number of effective tillers (7.8) per plant and length of the panicle (25.8 cm), but no significant increase was marked in case of 1000 grain weight (gm.) over control. In case of grain yield, straw yield and harvest index, 100% STD (T4) registered maximum (36.9q/ha) grain yield which was 29.4% more than that of control. Of course, grain yield in case of T9 i.e., 75% STD+300 kg SiO2/ha was at par 36.2q/ha indicated efficacy of silica application by reducing fertilizer dose. Harvest index was not affected by Si treatments. However, maximum HI (0.478) was observed in T9. Available N, P, K and S status in post-harvest soil was increased due to application of silica along with fertilizer over control indicated better availability of nutrients which plays a vital role in increasing production and productivity of rice. The study revealed that the DTPA extractable Fe and Mn content decreased, and Cu and Zn content increased with increased application of silica. Though 100% STD (T4) was found to be very effective as compared to other treatments but 75% STD + 300kgSiO2/ha was also equally effective so far as yield, growth attributing characters, available nutrient status of paddy.

Available Nutrient Status of Soil as Influenced by Combined Application of Humic Acid and Inorganic Nitrogen

A field experiment was carried out to study the influence of different levels of humic acid (10, 20, 30 kg ha-1) and inorganic N fertilizer viz., 100 % of recommended dose and 75 % of recommended dose on chemical properties of soil under direct sown rice at Agricultural college farm, Bapatla during 2019. The experiment was laid out in RBD with ten treatments replicated thrice with BPT-5204 variety of rice as test crop. Soil samples collected at tillering, panicle initiation and harvest stages of crop were analyzed for chemical properties like available N, P2O5, K2O, Sulphur and cationic micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu). Results indicated that increased availability of N, P2O5, K2O, Sulphur and cationic micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) were observed with the treatment T6 involving 100% RDN and HA @ 30 kg ha-1.

GIS based Soil Nutrient Assessment of Available Macro and Micronutrients in Tommaladahalli Microwatershed of Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka, India

An investigation was undertaken in Tommaladahalli (566.13 ha) micro-watershed of Tarikere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka to assess available nutrient status in the surface soils. About 118 surface soil samples were collected grid wise by using cadastral map at 250 m grid interval and were analyzed for their fertility status using standard procedures. Soil fertility maps were prepared by means of interpolation method called Krigging. The results revealed that the pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon were ranged from 5.37 to 9.06, 0.065 to 0.466 dS m-1 and 0.33 to 1.62 per cent respectively. The available N, P2O5, K2O were ranged from 175.6 to 545.6 kg ha-1, 11.8 to 61.1 kg ha-1 and 122.7 to 491.4 kg ha-1, respectively. The available nitrogen and phosphorus were low to medium, where as potassium content was medium to high in the entire study area. Micronutrients viz. zinc, iron and boron were sufficient and were ranged from 0.34 to 1.17 mg kg-1, 2.03 to 21.86 mg kg-1 and 0.30 to 0.89 mg kg-1 respectively.

Residual Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nodulation, Yield, Quality and Available Nutrient Status in Soil after Harvest of Greengram

A field study was carried out during rabi seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19 after harvest of rice to reveal the residual effect of integrated nutrient management on nodulation, yield, quality and available nutrient status in soil after harvest of greengram at Instructional Farm of College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. The maximum number of root nodules/plant at 30 DAS and 45 DAS in greengram (5.86, 6.19 and 12.49 and 12.94in 2017 and 2018 respectively) were recorded in the subplot treatment of 75% RDF+ rhizobium + PSB and lowest values were obtained in 75% RDF treatment. Similarly in main plot, residual effect of 50% RDF+50% RDN through FYM showed significantly higher number of root nodules/plant during both the years of study which remained at par with 75 % RDF+ Green manuring. Lowest values were obtained from only RDF treatment. Residual effect of 50 % RDF+50 % RDN through FYM showed significantly higher protein % (24.2 and 24) and protein yield (194.3 and 196.2) during both the years of study which remained at par with 75 % RDF+ Green manuring treatment. Residual effect of 75 % RDF+ Green manuring treatment recorded higher increase in soil organic carbon (4.87 g/kg), available N(225.7 kg/ha), Available P (26.2 kg/ha) and available K (296.0 kg/ha) than all other treatment combinations. The residual treatment 50% RDF+25% RDN through FYM recorded the lowest values of soil nutrient status after harvest of greengram. Similarly the sub plot treatment receiving 75% RDF+ Rhizobium+ PSB recorded significantly higher soil organic carbon (4.67 g/kg), available N(217.1 kg/ha), Available P (22.8 kg/ha) and available K (291.8 kg/ha) than 100% RDF and 75% RDF.

Assessment of Soil Fertility Status in a Cereal Based Cropping System at Outer Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh

Soil fertility management plays a key role in sustaining different production systems. Present investigation aimed at determining available nutrient status in cultivated soils under maize-wheat and paddy-wheat cropping sequences in outer Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. Based on the standard GPS based soil sampling methodology, composite surface soil samples (0-15 cm) from 38 and 15 representative sites were collected from soils under maize-wheat and paddy-wheat cropping sequences, respectively. Six to eight cores of surface soils were collected from croplands to make one composite sample in 2016 & 2017. Out of 38 (maize-wheat) sites, 24 and 14 sites represent the cultivated Entisols and Inceptisols. Similarly, under paddy-wheat, 8 and 7 sites represent Entisols and Inceptisols. The results of the investigation revealed that soils were medium in available N & K, low in available P & S, high in available Ca & Mg, sufficient in available Cu, Fe & Mn and deficient to sufficient in available Zn and B. Inceptisols had higher value of all the nutrients as compared to Entisols. The available nutrient status viz., N, P, S, Zn and B were deficient to the extent of 26, 42, 57, 40 and 42 per cent, respectively. The overall evaluation of the study area revealed very high variation on the fertility status.