Search

Cereal crops have been the backbone of national agriculture for decades, as they are major staple food crops. Crop nutrients major sources are organic, inorganic and bio-fertilizers. Supplementation of beneficial microbes with organic and inorganic fertilizers is a feasible technology to improve wheat productivity. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of organic sources (OS) and inorganic N fertilizer (Urea) along with the application of bio-aab (beneficial microbes) on the wheat crop at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan, during 2020-2021. Two separate experiments were conducted (with and without bio-aab) in Randomized Complete Block Design each consisted of 10 treatments. Bio-aab treatments are T1: Poultry manure (PM) + 80 kg N + bioabb, T2: PM + 120 kg N + bio-aab, T3: PM + 160 kg N + bio-aab, T4: Farm yard manure (FYM) + 80 kg N + bioabb, T5: FYM + 120 kg N + bio-aab, T6: FYM + 160 kg N + bioaab, T7: Maize residues (MR) + 80 kg N + bioabb, T8: MR + 120 kg N + bio-aab, T9: MR + 160 kg N + bio-aab, T10: Control), same treatments followed for without bio-aab. OS have applied accordingly to the plots one month before sowing, bio-aab solution (60 litres ha-1) was applied with first irrigation to one experiment before sowing to encourage microbial action necessary for manure decomposition, while half N was applied at sowing time and half after seven days of sowing with first irrigation. Statistical analysis was done combined over bio-aab. The principle beneficial microorganisms (BM) in bio-aab contain photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeast. These BM produced useful substances such as amino acids, nucleic acids, lactic acid, bioactive substances, hormones, enzymes and sugars. All these substances promote active cell and root division, plant growth, productivity, suppress harmful microorganisms, and enhance the decomposition of organic matter. Results showed that integrated use of PM and N (120 or 160 kg ha-1) along with the application of bio-aab significantly (P=0.05) improved tillers m-2 (12%), grains spike-1 (15%), biological yield (31%) and grain yield (39%) as compared to control plots. Results of the bio-aab treated plots were found (8%) superior yield than without bio-aab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromite mining activities in Balochistan are causing serious heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils. Due to high adsorption capacity of biochar, its amendment in heavy metal-contaminated soils is known for reducing soil toxicity to crops. This pot-based study investigated influences of wood-derived biochar and farmyard manure-derived (cow dung-derived) biochar as mixtures with air-dried poultry manure on the growth and concentration of heavy metals in edible tissues of tomato and lettuce. These biochars were separately mixed with poultry manure as 1:1 ratio on air-dry weight bases. Soil was contaminated with chromite mine tailing debris at 2% amendment rate (980 g soil + 20 g debris). Biochar-poultry manure mixtures were applied in soil at 10% and 20% amendment rates (respectively, 900 g soil + 100 g mixture and 800 g soil and 200 g mixture of poultry manure and biochar in 1:1 mixture ratio). After harvest of tomato, lettuce was grown in the same soil. As compared to control, amendments of biochar-poultry manure mixtures had a significantly positive influence on growth of both crops. There was ~ 254.49% - 871.9% (~3.5 - 9 fold) increase in aboveground biomass of tomato and 25.67% - 94.59% increase in aboveground plant biomass of lettuce. These fertilizers also increased significantly water use efficiency by ~3.5 - 12.5 times (364.8% - 1166.6%) of tomato plants (as only tomato plants were analyzed for WUE). Furthermore, these amendments reduced concentration of heavy metals in plants of both crops. As compared to contaminated control treatment, amendment of biochar-poultry manure mixtures increased the concentration of soluble mineral phosphorus by 288% - 914% in soil. Our study suggests that amendment of wood-derived biochar and cow manure-derived biochar as mixtures with poultry manure, significantly improved growth of both crops and increased concentration of bioavailable phosphorus in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to investigate management strategies for rehabilitation of soil quality and crops productivity on eroded agricultural land. The research was conducted with three cropping patterns viz wheat after maize, lentil after maize and wheat-lentil intercrop after maize in main plots and four fertilizer treatments viz the control, farmer's practice (FP) (N:P2O5 @ 60:45 and 15:30 kg ha-1 for cereals and lentils), recommended dose (RD) (N:P2O5:K2O @ 120:90:60 and 30:60:0 kg ha-1 for cereal and lentils) and integrated nutrient management (INM) (N:P2O5:K2O + FYM @ 60:90:60 kg + 20 t ha-1 for cereals and 7:30:0 kg + 20 tons ha-1 for lentils) were applied in sub-plots (20 m2) of an RCB design. In INM, significant (p<0.05) improvement in wheat and lentil yield (by 9 and 13%, respectively) was noted over the RD whilst both showed statistically similar crude protein content. Compared to the control, INM significantly (p<0.05) improved the wheat and lentil yield by 128 and 87%, respectively, and the crude protein by 17%. Yield improved by 13% for wheat in intercrop over the wheat after maize and by 46% for lentil after maize over the lentil in intercrop. The INM treatment showed 94% higher OM, 10% reduced bulk density (ρb) and 12, 20 and 48% higher porosity (ƒ), saturation (ω) and available water (θ), respectively over the fertilizer control, whilst amongst cropping patterns, lentil after maize effect was significantly (p<0.01) superior over the wheat after maize and wheat+lentil intercrop after maize for improving soil properties. Significant correlation existed between bulk density and yield (r²=0.96 and 0.91) and soil OM and yield (r²=0.84 and 0.75) for wheat and lentils, respectively, as well as among soil properties (OM and bulk density and bulk density and available water content in soil, r2=0.84 and 0.92, respectively). The study concluded that plant nutrition under eroded conditions should be based on INM where half of the recommended N and recommended P and K fertilizers should be applied in combination with legume crop inclusion in cropping patterns for eroded soil yield and fertility restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research trial at farmer's field was conducted to study the production competition of hybrid (CS-200, cv) and local variety (Azam cv.) under the same application of fertilizer treatment and dozes during summer 2015. The field experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements having two maize varieties in main pot and six levels of fertilizer treatments in sub pots repeated four times. Fertilizers treatments were made from the application of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P2O5) and farmyard manure (FYM) which was collected from cattle barnyard. A total of six fertilizer treatments were used viz T1 = control (no application of inputs), T2 = 130 kg N ha-1, T3 = 130 kg N ha-1 + 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 T4 = FYM @ 20000 kg ha-1, T5 = 130 kg N ha-1 + 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 + FYM @ 20000 kg ha-1 and T6 = 65 kg N ha-1 + 45 kg P2O5 ha-1 + FYM @ 20000 kg ha-1. The results indicated that both maize varieties (hybrid and local) showed different responses to different fertilizer treatments application but combined used of farm yard manure, N and P2O5 in (T5) and (T6) significantly increased yield and yield traits of Hybrid CS-200 and Azam variety than rest of the fertilizers treatments. The significantly maximum plant height of Azam cv. (260 cm) and hybrid (247cm) were recorded in treatment T5 (N- P2O5@ 130-90 kg per hectare + 20 ton per hectare FYM) followed by T6 (50-45) kg N, P2O5 ha-1 + FYM @ 20000 kg ha-1. The Azam plants were taller than hybrid. The treatment (T5) significantly yielded more grain (6806 kg ha- 1) and (5106 Kg ha-1) from hybrid (CS-200) and a local maize Azam cultivar, respectively. Similarly, stover yield of hybrid (10378 Kg ha-1) and Azam (7708 Kg ha-1) were more in T5 than the other treatments. So, it is concluded that the combined application of farmyard manure and balanced inorganic fertilizer (Nitrogen + Phosphorus) gave significant yield production in terms of grain and biological yield in clay soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during wheat crop season 2015-16 to test different nutrient inputs for their effect on wheat yield and soil fertility status under different tillage practices. Randomized Complete Block Split Plot Design with three replications was used for the study where nutrient inputs were allotted to sub-plots whilst tillage practices were studied in main plots. Nutrient input consisted of Farmer's fertilizer practice (FP; N:P2O5:K2O=60:45:00 kg ha-1), Recommended dose (RD; N:P2O5:K2O=120:90:60 kg ha-1), Farmyard manure (FYM) alone at the rate of 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1 and the integration of 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1 FYM with 75, 50 and 25% of the RD, respectively. Tillage practice included shallow tillage (ST; 0-20 cm) and deep tillage (DT; 0-40 cm). The FYM alone resulted in increased soil NPK, organic matter (OM) and the electrical conductivity (EC) but failed to improve the yield significantly. However, the RD, along with improving these parameters, also increased the yield significantly over the FP. Amongst all treatments, the 5 t ha-1 FYM and 75% NPK of the RD (INM5:75) stood superior with respect to yield as well as soil fertility status. However, efficacy was negative under deep tillage compared to shallow tillage for all treatments since yield as well as harvest Index (HI), mineral nutrients and OM content in soil were significantly lower and pH and EC higher under deep tillage. Results suggested that, unless otherwise necessary, deep tillage in alkaline calcareous soil should be avoided, preventing lime resurfacing from depth and keeping the applied amendments concentrated in surface layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the effect of shallow tillage (ST, cultivator 0-20cm) and deep tillage (DT, moldboard plough 0-40cm) and different organic and inorganic fertilizers application to wheat crop on organic matter, micro-nutrient status and physical properties of soil at the NDF Farm, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during 2015-16. The study was planned in RCB split plot design with fertilizers; control (Farmer's practices, FP, 60-45 N-P2O5 kg ha-1), NPK recommended dose (RD, 120:90:60 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1), 5, 10,15 and 20 t FYM alone (FYM5,10,15,20) and 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1 FYM in combination with 75, 50 and 25% of the recommended NPK (INM5:75, 10:50, 15:25) in sub plot (5 * 3 m2) and tillage practices (TP) in main plots. Tillage practices effect on micronutrient status was significant, however, variations in physical properties were negligible. The Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn contents were 23, 11, 38 and 33% higher in ST than DT soil, respectively. Significantly higher OM in ST than DT soil is supporting these results where in their respective regression showed r2 values of 0.4, 0.22, 0.22 and 0.24 in ST and 0.24, 0.12, 0.55 and 0.33 in DT soil. The INM5:75,10:50, 15:25 recorded significantly higher Zn (60-83%), Cu (49-55%) and Fe (55-72%) over the farmers practice and only second after sole FYM 20 t ha-1 whilst the maximum Mn (115-145%) were observed in these treatments. The FYM5,10,15,20 reduced the BD significantly (p<0.01) by 7-12% and increased the porosity by 9-14%, saturation water by 9-20% and available water by 19-29%. However the INM5:75,10:50, 15:25, closely followed the FYM5,10,15,20 with reduction in BD by 9-11% and increased in porosity by 11-13%, saturation water by 14-17% and available water by 25-30%. All interactions remained non-significant. These results concluded that integrated nutrient management improved the soil OM, micro-nutrients content and physical properties of soil. The deep tillage in poorly fertile soils negatively affect micro-nutrients status. Positive influence of DT on physical properties and micronutrients status as well, seems to have been superseded by high OM content in ST soil due to amendments incorporation with relatively small volume of soil than DT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficiency of Phosphorus (P) is a serious concern for agricultural productivity in more than 90% of Pakistan's soils. In addition to P deficiency, high pH level and soil carbonate contents further limit the utilization of P by plants. This research was conducted during wheat cropping season of year 2010 and 2011 and it consisted of determination of the residual effect of six treatments (T0 = control without rock phosphate & farmyard manure, T1= rock phosphate @150 kg P2O5 per hectare, T2 = FYM @5 tons per hectare, T3 = RP @100 kg P2O5 per hectare+ FYM @5 tons per hectare, E0 = without effective microbes and E1= EM-Biozote @ 50 l ha-1) on yield parametrs of wheat crop planted after the harvest of rice. All yield parameters significantly increased by the treatments consisting of RP (100 kg) with FYM (5 t ha-1) and EM @ 50 l ha-1, which also enhanced the nutrient uptake of the crop. It can be concluded that accurate use of cheaper rock phosphate, farm yard manure and effective microbes proved as an alternative of costly fertilizers and sustaining the agricultural productivity. Residual effect of rock phosphate with additional use of farmyard manure with effective microorganisms would be a promising strategy for enhancing P use efficiency and productivity of wheat crop in eco friendly way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment with two factors i.e. wheat varieties and fertilizers treatments was carried out to investigate the integrated effect of organic, inorganic fertilizers and beneficial microbes (BM) on wheat during 200S-09 and 2009-10 using randomized complete block design with four replications. Wheat varieties were Uqab (V1) and Fakhar-e-Sarhad (V2) and fertilizer treatments were control (T1), full dose of N (120 kg N ha-1) from urea (T2), half (60 kg N ha-1) of recommended N (T3), 1/2 N from urea + 1/2 N from FYM (T4), 1/2 Nfrom urea + 1/2 N from PM (T5), 1/2 N from urea + 1/2 from (FYM+PM) (T6), 1/2 N from urea + BM (T7), 1/2 N from urea + 1/2 N from FYM + BM (Ts), 1/2 N from urea + 1/2 N from PM + BM (T9), and 1/2 N from urea + 1/2 N from FYM + PM + BM (T10). Beneficial microbes comprised of lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, yeasts, fermenting fungi and actinomycetes applied at the rate of 25-liter ha-1 in two-splits, half with 1st irrigation and half with 3rd irrigation. Significant (P⩽0.05) effect of fertilizer treatments on all the parameters was noted; maximum number of tillers (345 m-2), plant height (91.6 cm), leaf area (23.6 cm2) were recorded in treatments receiving 1/2 Nfrom urea + 1/2 N from FYM + BM while the highest days to emergence (12) were recorded in control treatment. Comparing the relevant treatments with and without BM, an increasing trend was noted in all the parameters with the application of BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]