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The experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of silicon (Si) and phosphorus (P) application on crop productivity, grain quality, water-use efficiency (WUE), and soil enzyme activity in aerobic rice (AR) at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Four levels each of Si (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg Si ha–1) and P (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg P2O5 ha–1) were tested in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) replicated thrice. The growth, yield and quality of AR were enhanced with increasing Si and P application rates and a similar trend was observed for WUE and soil enzyme activity. The highest grain yield of AR was recorded with 120 kg Si and 90 kg P2O5 ha–1 followed by 80 kg Si and 60 kg P2O5 ha–1 and the lowest in control. The grain, straw yield and water productivity increased by 10–40%, 5–30%, and 10.2–39%, respectively in different treatments over control. Though, all studied parameters showed increment with increasing dose of Si and P; however 60 kg P2O5 and 80 kg Si ha–1 were statistically superior to their other respective doses. In conclusion, supplementation of Si and P fertilizers substantially increased the AR productivity in Trans-Gangetic plains of India (Figure 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted during rabi / winter (November-March) seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13 at research farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate the root growth and performance of wheat, chickpea and potato grown in different soybean-based cropping systems with 5 nutrient management practices. The results revealed that root growth in terms of root length, root volume and root dry weight of wheat and chickpea were observed significantly maximum where 50% RDN was substituted with FYM along with 50% RDF. Whereas, all the root parameters of potato were higher with the fertilization of 100% RDF. All the yield parameters and yields of wheat in soybean-wheat-fallow and soybean-wheat-mungbean cropping system did not differ significantly. All the yield parameters viz., effective tillers m-2, length of spike-1, grains spike and 1000-grain weight as well grain and stover yields of wheat were highest with the application of 100% RDF during both the years. Similarly, the maximum values of yield attributes and tuber and haulms yields of potato were recorded with the 100% RDF during both the years. However, no significant variation among all sources of nutrient was noticed during 2011-12 and among 100% RDF and substitution of 50% RDN through FYM during 2012-13 in both the crops. Whereas, significantly maximum yield contributing parameters and grain and stover yields of chickpea were found in the treatment receiving 50% RDF+50% RDN through FYM followed by 25% RDF+50% RDN through FYM+ biofertilizers during both the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]