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Phosphorus optimization is essential to maximize seed-size potato productivity and reduce the occurrence of over-sized and under-sized tubers. A field experiment was conducted for two years at the two locations in Punjab, India to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic phosphorus management on seed potato productivity. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three organic (farmyard manure, biofertilizer, and control) treatments in main plots and five fertilizer phosphorus (0, 46.9, 62.5, 93.8, and 125 kg/ha P2O5) treatments in subplots. The application of farmyard manure (50 t/ha) resulted in a significant increase in growth and yield attributes, tuber yield, seed size (3.5–4.5 cm) tuber number, and economic returns. The percentage increase in seed size tuber number and tuber yield with farmyard manure over the control was 36.6% and 29.3%, respectively. Among the fertilizer phosphorus levels, the highest growth attributes, tuber yield, seed size tuber number and economic returns were obtained with a 125 kg/ha. The application of 125 kg/ha fertilizer phosphorus resulted in a 36.3% and 23.0% (mean) increase in seed size tuber number and tuber yield compared to the unfertilized phosphorus (0 kg/ha). No significant organic sources x fertilizer phosphorus levels interaction effects were found on any of the traits evaluated at both locations. The result of this study indicates that P management can play an important role in increasing seed size and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amelioration of salt affected soils aims to reduce exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), improve crop growth and yield. A field study was conducted with soybean-mustard cropping system for four consecutive years (2016–2019) to study the effect of soil amendments on crop yield, nutrient use efficiency and soil properties in degraded vertisol of North Western India. Treatments consist of various combinations of gypsum, farm yard manure (FYM) and crop residue (CR) with recommended fertilizer doses (RNPK), were laid in random block design with three replications. Application of gypsum alone and combined with organic amendments, showed pronounced decrease in ESP, slight reduction in pH, increased bioavailability of nutrients, as reflected by higher nutrient uptake and crop yields. Grain yield improvement in soybean (37–41%) and mustard (58–63%) was recorded in plots receiving RNPK + Gypsum + CR + FYM, RNPK + Gypsum + CR or FYM over only chemical fertilizer treatments. Combined application of gypsum with organic amendments increased N, P, K and S uptake by 75, 76, 84 and 114%, respectively over RNPK alone in soybean-mustard system. Highest values of apparent recovery efficiency and agronomic efficiency of N, P, K, S was registered under RNPK + Gypsum and RNPK + Gypsum + CR/FYM. Highest physiological and internal efficiency of nutrients was registered under RNPK and decreased with amendment application. This study revealed the combined use of FYM (10 t ha−1), CR (3 and 1.5 t ha−1), gypsum (2.5 t ha−1) with fertilizers as a sustainable technology for reclaiming soil sodicity, improving nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity under soybean-mustard system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoption of a high analysis synthetic fertilizer-based modern agricultural system has aggravated problems of micronutrient deficiencies like boron (B). Elevating organic carbon (OC) content in soil is assumed to be effective to deal with such constraints. This study conducted for two seasons aimed to evaluate interactive effect of farm yard manure (FYM) and B on yield of cauliflower and residual soil B status in inherently B deficient acidic Entisol. The field experiment was laid down in randomized block design with thirteen treatment combinations of FYM and B. According to the results FYM and soil borax application significantly influenced curd diameter (CD), curd yield, curd B uptake, residual soil B content, and soil OC content over control and single-dose foliar spray. FYM at 20 t ha−1 with borax at 5 kg ha−1 turned out as the best treatment combination in terms of curd yield (24.19 t ha−1), apparent boron recovery (ABR) (10.01%), and boron use efficiency (BUE) (3448 kg kg−1). Hot water was found more efficient over hot CaCl2 to extract soil B. The results suggest the feasibility of using organic manure with B fertilizer to improve soil properties and cauliflower productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield performance of Basmati varieties bred for unconventional areas were assessed under integrated nutrient management. A two-year study conducted in split plot design involving two varieties and three fertility levels in main plots and three bio-inoculants to sub plots. Variety HUBR 10-9 exhibited increased mean yield (18.8%) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) over HUBR 2-1. Integration of 75% recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (RDF) with 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) applied as farmyard manure (FYM) registered highest yield and NUE. Combined application of blue green algae (BGA) and Azospirillum improved yields and NUE than their alone application. Findings suggest that HUBR 10-9 be grown with integration of 75% RDF, 25% RDN as FYM along with BGA and Azospirillum to enhance growth, yield, and NUE. More studies required in potential areas under diverse conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study on the long-term effect of fertilizers, farmyard manure and lime on changes in soil properties and wheat productivity was carried out at Himchal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (India). The soil was acidic in reaction and classified taxonomically as Typic Hapludalf. Soil samples, collected from two depths viz., 0–0.15 m and 0.15–0.30 m after the harvesting of wheat (2015–2016) were analyzed for different soil properties. Regular use of optimal dose of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure influenced bulk density, porosity, water holding capacity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, mean weight diameter, pH, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, DTPA extractable iron, zinc, copper and manganese, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen and dehydrogenase activity of soil significantly. Highest grain yield of wheat (30.34 q ha−1) was recorded at 100% NPK + FYM which was at par with 100% NPK + lime (27.89 q ha−1). However, imbalanced use of nutrients affected different soil properties and productivity adversely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of integrated nutrient management, cultivation method, and variety on root and shoot growth, grain yield and its components of lowland rice under alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation were evaluated. Treatments included were three varieties (Pathumthani 1, RD57, and RD41), three cultivation methods [dry direct seeding, wet direct seeding, and transplanting], and three nutrient combinations [100% NPK (160 kg ha−1), 50% NPK (80 kg ha−1) + 50% FYM (5 t ha−1), and 100% FYM (10 t ha−1)] under AWD. Root dry matter of RD41 and RD57 was reduced by 12-25% at the 100% NPK and 100% FYM compared with the 50% NPK + 50% FYM. Panicle number, panicle length, and 1000-grain weight were higher at the 50% NPK + 50% FYM. Application of the 50% NPK + 50% FYM could be a feasible option under AWD irrigation; however, benefits may vary with varieties and cultivation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparative efficacy of organic sources on cropping behavior, nutrient dynamics, physico-chemical and biological properties of soil and fruit quality under rain-fed agroecosystem on “Silver King” nectarines was investigated. Bio-organic nutrients, namely vermi-compost (VC), biofertilizer (BF), farmyard manure (FYM), compost (comp), vermiwash (VW) and cow urine (CU) were evaluated in 11 different treatment combinations. The treatment application of VC at 25 kg tree−1, BF at 40 g tree−1, FYM at 30 kg tree−1, comp at 15 kg tree−1, VW1:10and CU1:10significantly improved plant growth and fruit quality characteristics of nectarine trees. This superior combination also enhanced physico-chemical and biological properties of the rhizosphere soil when compared to control as conventional chemical fertilizer application nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers. Different treatments of bio-organic sources changed pH of the soil to neutral. Available macronutrient contents of soil (viz.N, P, and K) increased by 57.8%, 27.7%, and 16.4%, respectively. Microbial biomass of soil fungi, total bacteria, actinobacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improved 66.0%, 73.8%, 133.3% and 350.0%, respectively, over control. Considerably, a higher amount of leaf macronutrients, N (3.53%), P (0.23%), and K (3.2%), was also recorded over control. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Present investigation evaluates the effect of organic fertilization (OF), integrated nutrient management (INM) practice, and recommended dose of chemical fertilization (CF) on changes in soil organic phosphorus (P) and its fractions under rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. The 4-year experiment (2009–2013), under split-plot design, showed that OF did not increase the total P or total organic P content of soil under either of the test crops. However, OF maintained the higher level of labile organic P and moderately labile organic P in soil under wheat the moderately stable organic P and highly stable organic P was highest in paddy soil under CF practices (11.34 and 7.77 μg g−1, respectively) followed by wheat. The P concentration in organically grown rice or wheat grain was increased significantly compared with their CF counterparts. The productivity economics for rice and wheat crops showed INM fertilization to be more economical than OF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was designed in order to optimize integrated plant nutrient supply (IPNS) through balanced fertilization of organic, inorganic and microbial inoculants in strawberry cv. Chandler. The potential efficiency of bio-organics used along with chemical fertilizers on cropping behaviour, physical-chemical and biological properties of rhizosphere soil, fruit yield, quality attributes and leaf nutrient content was investigated. The significant improvement in physico-chemical properties of the soil and nutrient uptake was recorded. The uninoculated control received farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic nitrogen (N) recorded the highest cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil organic carbon (OC) content. Highest available N and phosphorus (P) of soil were recorded in vermicompost and inorganic N applied in two and one split, respectively. The concentration of micronutrients cations viz., iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) in soil was higher in treatment received vermicompost and inorganic N in two splits. The integration of bio-organic nutrient supplements also significantly enriched the microbial status of the rhizosphere soil, leaf nutrient concentration and maintained soil health and productivity on long term basis for sustainable fruit production. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Carbon sequestration potential (CSP) and sustainability of gardenpea-french bean cropping system was assessed with farmyard manure (FYM) application vis-à-vis mineral fertilization as recommended NPK (NPK) and integrated nutrient management practices (INM) after six years’ cropping in Indian Himalayas. Application of 20 tons FYM ha−1provided highest CSP (0.527 Mg C ha−1year−1) in soil and sustainability index. With the help of quadratic equations, it was estimated that maximum profit (optimum yield) and turn over of invested money could be achieved with application of 20.0 and 15.6 t FYM ha−1, respectively. Application of 5.9 and 8.9 tons FYM ha−1would substitute NPK and INM, respectively. Pod number plant−1was the most important yield-contributing attribute as found from principal component analysis. Pod yield could be modelled through multiple linear equation with help of yield attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of four different proportions of farmyard manure (FYM) in a soil based mix and three different pot volumes on growth of tomato, eggplant and chili peppers in paper pots were studied. Recycled newspaper (density 50 g m−2) was used to prepare pots of volume 45, 82, and 126 cm3. Potting mixes made up of FYM, sand and soil with the FYM proportion ranging from 20% to 80% in equal proportion of sand and top soil were used. Seedling height and dry weight were measured at the end of the seedling stage. The best combination of potting mix and pot volume for the large scale production of seedlings was identified using non-dominated sorting technique. Paper pots of volume 82 cm3filled with a mix of 80% FYM and rest 20% with equal proportions of sand and top soil were found to be the best option for the large scale production of paper pot seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study was designed to assess the effect of organic materials, i.e., farm yard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and sugar cane filter cake (FC) along with mineral nitrogen on yield and soil organic fertility. Our results indicated that among sole nitrogen (N) sources, highest grain yield was recorded from poultry manure. In the case of integrated N sources, maximum grain yield was obtained from 25% poultry manure + 75% mineral N source. Grain ear−1 and 1000 grain weight was highest with the application of poultry manure among sole N sources. Highest grain ear−1 and 1000 grain weight was observed from 25% poultry manure + 75% mineral N source. Application of poultry manure as sole N sources resulted maximum increase in soil total N and organic matter when compared with other sole N sources. Among N sources applied in different proportion, maximum total soil N was recorded from 25% poultry manure + 75% mineral N. We concluded from these experiments that integrated application of N sources in different proportion greatly improves the N economy and enhance crop productivity in low N soils. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effects of months of the year and nitrogen (N) sources on salad rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.) yield, quality, and nitrate accumulation was investigated during the years 2002 and 2003. In both years, seeds were sown on the first day of April, May, June, July, August and September. Three different nitrogen sources were used: farmyard (cattle) manure (100 tonnes·ha-1), calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2]-15.5% N (150 kg N·ha-1) and ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4)]-21% N (150 kg N·ha-1). Yield, leaf color, dry matter, vitamin C and total glucosinolate content and nitrate accumulation was assessed. Growing months affected all the assessed parameters significantly both years, with the exception of hue angle in 2003, whereas nitrogen source only influenced yield and nitrate accumulation in 2003. In both years the highest yield was obtained in April, but vitamin C and total glucosinolate contents were higher during summer months, and leaves were slightly darker colored. Chemical fertilizers increased the yield compared to farmyard manure; however, they also increased nitrate accumulation slightly, without any significant difference between them. Nitrate accumulation never exceeded 300 mg kg-1 fresh weight (FW), which is well below the acceptable daily intake of 3.7 mg nitrate per kg-1 bodyweight set by European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of the combined use of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of sorghum and on soil chemical properties in a semi-arid area in northeastern Ethiopia. Twelve treatments comprising factorial combinations of four levels of farmyard manure (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha -1 ) and three levels of inorganic fertilizers (0%, 50%, and 100% of the recommended rate) were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications over a period of six years. The results revealed significant improvements in the growth and yield of sorghum due to the main and interaction effects of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer application. The combined application of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers increased post-anthesis dry-matter production by 147%–390% and grain yield by 14%–36%. The main effects of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers increased stover yield by 8%–21% and 14%–21%, respectively. Farmyard manure application increased total nitrogen (N) uptake by 21%–36%, grain protein yield by 8%–11%, and grain protein concentration by 20%–29%. Application of farmyard manure along with 50% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate resulted in a grain yield equivalent to, or greater than that for 100% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate, thus effecting a 50% savings of inorganic N and phosphorus (P) fertilizer. Application of 5, 10, and 15 t farmyard manure ha -1 along with 100% of the recommended fertilizer rate and 5, 10, and 15 t farmyard manure ha -1 along with 50% of the recommended fertilizer rate can be recommended for farmers who can and cannot afford to buy inorganic fertilizers, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 4-year field experiment was conducted from 1999 to 2002 to study coordination of soil phosphorus (P) supply with rice (Orzya sativa L.) leaf photosynthesis. Dynamics of soil Olsen P and photosynthetic rate of rice plants were compared among different nutrient treatments. Possible mechanisms were tested by contrasting and analyzing the effectiveness of nutrient treatments on phosphorus absorption, root morphology and root surface phosphatase activity (RSPA). Treatments were four nutrient regimes: (i) control (CK), (ii) exclusively chemical fertilizers (CF), (iii) integration of farmyard manure (FYM) with chemical fertilizers (CM), and (iv) combined application of chemical fertilizers and wheat straw (CS). Results indicated that the combined application of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure could markedly increase soil Olsen-P at the middle-latter growth stage and the extent to which soil Olsen-P was related with leaf photosynthesis was greatest after booting of rice (R2 = 0.9083, P < 0.01). The integration of inorganic with organic nutrient source, especially FYM also increased RSPA and improved root morphology at the middle-latter growth stage. This ultimately resulted in a greater proportion of phosphorus taken up by rice plant and higher photosynthetic rate during the filling stage, compared to exclusively chemical fertilizers. As a result, the grain yield for the integrated nutrient treatments with FYM significantly increased compared to the exclusively chemical fertilization treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]