Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Different Crops at Charlands in Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted at the farmer’s fields of three Charlands in Bangladesh during November 2019 to July 2020 for establishing new technologies for enhancement of productivity through innovative soil management practices. The experiments were established in a randomized complete block design using six treatments and three replications. Treatments of the experiments were T1 = FP (Farmers’ Practice) (Control), T2 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Vermicompost (3t/ha), T3 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Quick Compost (3t/ha), T4 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Standard Organic Fertilizers (3t/ha), T5 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Poultry Manure (3t/ha) and T6 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Biochar (3t/ha). The soil status in all selected Charlands were very low to optimum. Results of the experiment showed that application of organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers produced significant (p<0.05) variation in growth and yield parameters of the crops. The findings from the study showed that different organic fertilizers showed better performance compared to Farmer’s practice. The statistically maximum fruit yield (41.35t/ha) of pumpkin, grain yield (3.24t/ha) of millet and tuber yield (43.69t/ha) of sweet potato was recorded in biochar treated T6 treatment compared to other treatments. Besides, the statistically highest fresh fruit yield (29.50t/ha) of snake gourd, fresh fruit yield (20.80t/ha) of okra and yield (74.16t/ha) of Indian spinach were recorded in poultry manure treated T5 treatment compared to other treatments. Comparatively higher growth and yield of different crops were obtained from poultry manure along with inorganic fertilizers which was followed by biochar and quick compost application. It is recommended to the farmers to use organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers.

The Origin of Eight Trigrams: Explaining the Mechanism of Soil Response to Temperature Change

The Eight Trigrams has held a high position in the Eastern culture, but its origin of has been a mystery for thousands of years, thus it has not yet entered the scientific system. This research reveals the possible origin of the Eight Trigrams and the purpose of drawing the hexagrams. Research has shown that due to changes in the solar radiation there exist annual and diurnal soil temperature variable zones (STVZs). The heat conducts and interactions between the double-layer also form two different statuses of warming and cooling. In this paper the hydrometeorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity and earth-air pressure were monitored or calculated in the STVZs. If the anural/diurnal STVZ is divided into three levels, and we associate soil cooling processes (Yin) with “--” and warming processes (Yang) with “—”. It is not hard to find that the distribution of soil status in soil profile at different times and locations clearly reflects the soil response to temperature change and reveals movement mechanism of earth-air and water. Furthermore, this model can be seen to be the source of the Eight Trigrams in the Yi-jing. The double-layer structure of the soil constitutes the foundation of the double trigrams. The Yin and Yang processes both form the primary driving force for phreatic water moves upward. Fu Xi invented the method of hou-qi, in which the monitoring of earth-air pressure in the closed system and applying Yin-Yang to draw Eight Trigrams and analysis of spatiotemporal status changes in the soil, which was then used to enact a calendar used as a guide to time for farming usage. The Yin-Yang and Eight Trigrams perfectly explain the response of earth-air to solar terms and mechanisms of water vertical cycle on daily/yearly timescales.

Diversity, trait preferences, management and utilization of yams landraces (Dioscorea species): an orphan crop in DR Congo

BackgroundYam ( Dioscorea spp .) is cultivated in many villages of DR Congo as a means to sustain food security and alleviate poverty. However, the extent of the existing diversity has not been studied in details thus, considered as an orphan.MethodologyA survey covering 540 farmers in 54 villages was conducted in six major yam growing territories covering three provinces in DR Congo to investigate the diversity, management and utilization of yam landraces using pre-elaborate questionnaires.ResultsSubject to synonymy, a total of 67 landraces clones from five different species were recorded. Farmers’ challenges limiting yam production were poor tuber qualities (69%), harvest pest attack (7%), difficulty in harvesting (6%), poor soil status (6%). The overall diversity was moderate among the recorded yam germplasm maintained at the household level (1.32) and variability exist in diversity amongst the territories and provinces. Farmers’ in territories of Tshopo and Mongala provinces maintained higher level of germplasm diversity (2.79 and 2.77) compared to the farmers in territories of Bas-Uélé (1.67). Some yam landraces had limited abundance and distribution due to loss of production interest in many villages attributable to poisons contained hence, resulting in possible extinction. Farmers’ most preferred seed source for cultivation were backyard (43%) and exchange with neighboring farmers (31%) with the objective of meeting food security and generating income. In villages where yam production is expanding, farmers are relying on landraces with good tuber qualities and high yield even though they are late maturing.ConclusionThis study revealed the knowledge of yam genetic diversity, constraints to production and farmers’ preferences criteria as a guide for collection and conservation of yam genetic resources for yam improvement intervention.

Soil-vegetation relationships in Mediterranean forests after fire

Background Wildfires are one of the major environmental concerns in Mediterranean ecosystems. Thus, many studies have addressed wildfire impacts on soil and vegetation in Mediterranean forests, but the linkages between these ecosystem compartments after fire are not well understood. The aim of this work is to analyze soil-vegetation relationships in Mediterranean burned forests as well as the consistency of these relationships among forests with different environmental conditions, at different times after fire, and among vegetation with different functional traits. Results Our results indicate that study site conditions play an important role in mediating soil-vegetation relationships. Likewise, we found that the nature of soil-vegetation relationships may vary over time as fire effects are less dominant in both ecosystem compartments. Despite this, we detected several common soil-vegetation relationships among study sites and times after fire. For instance, our results revealed that available P content and stoichiometry (C:P and N:P) were closely linked to vegetation growth, and particularly to the growth of trees. We found that enzymatic activities and microbial biomass were inversely related to vegetation growth rates, whereas the specific activities of soil enzymes were higher in the areas with more vegetation height and cover. Likewise, our results suggest that resprouters may influence soil properties more than seeders, the growth of seeders being more dependent on soil status. Conclusions We provide pioneer insights into how vegetation is influenced by soil, and vice-versa, in Mediterranean burned areas. Our results reflect variability in soil-vegetation relationships among study sites and time after fire, but consistent patterns between soil properties and vegetation were also detected. Our research is highly relevant to advance in forest science and could be useful to achieve efficient post-fire management.

Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Response to Applied Potassium on Two Contrasting Soil Types (Vertisols and Cambisols) in The Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Background: A field experiment was conducted at Basonawerana district, Amhara regional state on two major soil types for three consecutive years to determine the effect of application of potassium fertilizer on yield and yield components of wheat and to verify the soil fertility and fertilizer recommendation Atlas of the study site. Six levels potassium were applied (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 kg K ha-1). At each potassium levels, a balanced nutrient of 92 kg N, 30 kg P, 30 kg S, 2 kg Zn, 0.5 kg Cu and 0.5 kg B ha-1 were applied. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with tree replications. Result: The analysis of variance showed that all the measured parameters were Significant influenced by year, soil type and the interaction of year x soil type. The highest grain yield, which was observed from cambisols during the first year was increased grain yield by 176.7 % (3954 kg ha-1) compared with the lowest yield observed from vertisols during the third year. Similar trend was also observed in straw yield and harvest index. On the other hand, all the measured parameters was non-significant influenced by K rate, interaction of K rate x soil type and year x K rate x soil types. Numerically, the highest yield (3878.9 kg ha-1) was observed from the highest K rate. However, the trend was not consistent. Conclusion: application of different rates of potassium fertilizer brings any significant growth and yield response on two soil types of the study sites. So, application of this fertilizer is not recommended for the crop with such high K soil status.

Input Saving Technology Package of True Seed of Shallot (TSS) Production in Indonesia

True seed of shallot (TSS) can be an alternative source of shallot seeds. But the use of TSS in Indonesia is still limited because not many people produce TSS because of high input production. This research aimed to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of input saving TSS production technology packages. The research was carried out in Ciwidey district, Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia from June to October 2016. The research consisted of two factors arranged in a split plot with a randomized block design and eight replications. The main plot was technology packages, namely farmer, recommendation and input saving. The subplot was harvest time, which were 80, 90, and 100 weeks after planting. The observed variables were yield component and yield, soil status, climate data, and farming data. The technical data were analyzed by ANOVA test and continued using the Duncan test at a 95% confidence level. Farming data was analyzed by RC ratio. The results showed that input saving package did not meet seed standards with an RC ratio of 1.07. Savings input on TSS production in Indonesia were only possible by choosing the right location and planting time and must be followed by climate prediction.

Effect of Conservation Tillage on Yield and Economics of Fodder Crops

In order to find out the efficacy of conservation tillage on yield and economics of fodder crops over conventional tillage in new alluvial zone of West Bengal, a field experiment was conducted at Central Research Farm, Gayeshpur, West Bengal, India during summer season of 2016 and 2017 comprising 3 tillage practices (T1: zero tillage, T2: minimum tillage, T3: conventional tillage) in main plot and 4 fodder crops (C1: maize, C2: sorghum, C3: rice bean, C4: cowpea) in subplot and replicated thrice in a split plot design. Mean data confirmed the superiority of conservation tillage over conventional tillage in improving soil status and thereby, crop performance. Cereal crop maize when grown under zero tillage produced highest green forage yield (42.33 t/ha), dry matter yield (7.84 t/ha). However, regarding crude protein yield, cowpea showed superiority over others specially when grown under zero tillage condition (1.071 t/ha). Mean data also stated that legume crops under conservation tillage remained economically more viable than cereal crops. Specifically, cultivation of cowpea under zero tillage condition was economically most profitable (B:C of 2.21) and therefore can be recommended in this region.