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Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) is a versatile crop that holds a high level of protein and fatty acid-rich oil. It plays a vital role in global exchange and the demand for soybean is increasing globally owing to its multiple uses, especially for de-oiled cakes. Therefore, improving the soybean crop productivity helps to acquire additional revenue for the nation. This review highlights the significant role of macro and micro-nutrients in soybean crop. Using different components of crop nutrient inputs like inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers in an integrated manner paves the way for proper utilization of applied nutrients by soybean leading to higher yield. Additionally, it offers soil fertility enhancement by creating positive effects on soil profile compared to the use of synthetic fertilizers alone. The article also discusses the role of different kinds of nutrient inputs in soybean and offers insights into integrated nutrient management practices that can be used to promote sustainable soybean production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out on pea cv. Punjab-89 in a Randomized block design with three replications. The experiment consists of thirteen treatments of different organic manures, biofertlizers and inorganic nutrients. The effects of organic manures (enriched compost, spent mushroom compost and farmyard manure), biofertilizers (rhizobium and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) and inorganic nutrients and their combinations were studied on growth, yield, quality traits, soil and microbial properties. An integrated nutrient use of organic manures, biofertilizers and inorganic nutrients significantly improved the growth, yield, quality traits, soil and microbial properties. The results revealed maximum plant height (140.41 cm), number of primary branches (4.82), pod length (10.29 cm), pod width (1.26 cm), pod weight (6.63 g), number of grains per pod (8.65) and shelling percentage (41.72%) was recorded under T6 i.e., RDF (90%) + SMC (10%) + FYM + RZB + PSB. Maximum protein content (21.52%) and TSS (16.420B) was observed in T1 i.e., Recommended Package of Fertilization and T9 i.e., RDF (60%) + SMC (40%) + FYM + RZB + PSB. Soil and microbial properties were also improved with the application of different organic manures, biofertlizers and inorganic nutrients. The outcome of our study suggested that organic manures, biofertlizers in conjunction with inorganic nutrients improved the soil fertility and microbial properties with higher economics and net returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the effects of kinetin (KIN) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) applied as seed treatment or sprayed on leaves of salinity stressed plants. Five -week old maize (Zea mays L. cv. 'DK 647 F1') plants were grown in pots containing peat and perlite in 1:1 (v/v) mixture. Different treatments used were: 1) control (nutrient solution alone), 2) salt stress [100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)], 3) 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM kinetin (KIN), 4) 100 mM NaCl and 2 mM KIN, 5) 100 mM NaCl and 1 mM indole acetic acid (IAA), 6) 100 mM NaCl and 2 mM IAA, 7) 100 mM NaCl and 25 mg L-1 KIN and 8) 100 mM NaCl and 25 mg L-1 IAA. In treatments 7 and 8 application was to the seeds, for treatments 3-6 it was applied to foliage. The seeds were soaked in KIN or IAA solution for 12 h. Salt stress reduced the total dry matter, chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC), but increased proline accumulation, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD; EC. 1.11.1.7), catalase (CAT; EC. 1.11.1.6) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; 1.10.3.1) and electrolyte leakage. Both foliar applications of KIN and IAA treatments overcame to variable extents the adverse effects of NaCl stress on the above mentioned physiological parameters. However, seed treatments with KIN or IAA did not improve salinity tolerance in maize plants. Furthermore, foliar application or seed treatments with KIN and IAA reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the salt stressed-plants. Salt stress lowered some macronutrient concentrations [calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) in leaves and roots, phosphorus (P) in roots] but foliar application of both KIN and IAA increased Ca in both leaves and roots and P in leaves. Foliar application of IAA increased K concentrations in leaves of the salt-stressed plants. Foliar application of KIN and IAA, especially at 2 mM concentration, counteracted some of the adverse effects of NaCl salinity by causing the accumulation of proline and essential inorganic nutrients as well as by maintaining membrane permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]