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ThesisItem Open Access INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT STUDIES IN ONION(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-12) NEGI, MANISHA; SHARMA, J CABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Integrated nutrient management studies in onion” was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during rabi season of 2017-18 and 2018-19. Different combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients were tried in the form of nine treatments viz. T1 (Absolute control), T2 (RD of FYM + NPK), T3 (5 % Jeevamrut), T4 (RD of FYM + NPK through FYM), T5 (RD of FYM + 5 % Jeevamrut), T6 (VC + RD of NPK through FYM), T7 (VC + 5 % Jeevamrut), T8 (50 % FYM + 50 % VC + RD of NPK through FYM) and T9 (50 % FYM + 50 % VC + 5 % Jeevamrut) in a plot of 2.25 × 1.20 m2 dimension. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with three replications involving a spacing of 15 × 10 cm. The seedlings of onion cv. Nasik Red were planted on 27th November during 2017 and 1st November during 2018. The results revealed significantly highest post harvest fertility status of macronutrients (NPK) (386, 156.6 and 384.1 kg ha-1, respectively) and their uptake (122.5, 16.7 and 67.4 kg ha-1, respectively) was recorded under recommended INM practice i.e. 125 N: 75 P: 60 K kg ha-1 + FYM @ 250 q ha-1 (T2). The close scrutiny of purely organic module T6 (VC - equivalent to N content of recommended FYM + RD of NPK through FYM on N equivalent basis) showed it next best in values with respect to available NPK and their uptake. Similarly, significantly highest bulb and biological yield (295.5 and 441.9 q ha-1, respectively) and yield contributing component i.e. bulb size (19 cm²) as well as net income (4,74,812 ` ha-1) with a relatively higher B:C ratio (4.1:1) was recorded under recommended INM practice (T2). It was closely followed by purely organic module T4 (RD of FYM + RD of NPK through FYM on N equivalent basis) with regards to bulb and biological yield, yield contributing component, net income and B:C ratio. The plots fertilized with RD of FYM + RD of NPK through FYM on N equivalent basis has recorded only 13.6 per cent less bulb yield in comparison with recommended INM practice (T2). Therefore, the purely organic modules T4 (RD of FYM + RD of NPK through FYM on N equivalent basis) and T6 (VC - equivalent to N content of recommended FYM + RD of NPK through FYM on N equivalent basis) with on farm production of VC can be suggested for organic cultivation of onion.ThesisItem Open Access EF F ECT OF NITROGENOU S F ERTIL IZERS ON ORG ANIC MATTER F RACTION S AND SOIL QUALITY UN DER APPL E cv. Van ce De lic iou s(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) THAKUR, ONKAR; SHARMA, UADAYABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Effect of nitrogenous fertilizers on organic matter fractions and soil quality under apple cv. Vance Delicious” was conducted at Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Bajaura, Seobag (HP) during 2018-2019. There were 14 treatments comprising of different fertilizers and their combinations, replicated thrice in a Randomised Block Design under field conditions. Treatment details were as follows: T1 (control), T2 (urea), T3 (calcium nitrate), T4 (calcium cyanamide), T5 (urea + liming in October)), T6 (urea + liming in March), T7 (12:32:16 + urea), T8 (12:32:16 + calcium nitrate), T9 (12:32:16 + calcium cyanamide), T10 (15:15:15 + urea), T11 (15:15:15 + calcium nitrate), T12 (15:15:15 + calcium cyanamide), T13 (50% urea through soil application + 50% through foliar application and T14 calcium nitrate + urea + liming. Different nitrogenous fertilizers were applied on N equivalence basis as perthe standard recommendations. Soil sampling after two years of continuous application was done at two depths viz., 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. The lowest value for bulk density for 0-15 cm depth was recorded in T14 (1.01 g cm-3), while that for the 15-30 depth cm was found under thesame treatment i.e. T14 (1.09 g cm-3). The maximum particle density for 0-15 cm depth (2.64 g cm-3) and porosity (61.25%) were also recorded with T14 comprising of the application of calcium nitrate + urea + liming. The soil pH for 0-15 cm depth was recorded minimum with the application of T8, whereas, for 15-30 cm depth it was recorded minimum with T10. The highest organic carbon for the upper depth was recorded under treatment T7 (15.93 g kg-1), while for the 15-30 cm depth the highest organic carbon content was recorded under treatment T8 (14.40 g kg-1). The maximum labile carbon content for the 0-15 cm soil depth was found under the application of treatment T13 with a value of 0.44 g kg-1, whereas, for the 15-30 cm soil depth the maximum labile carbon content was observed under the application of treatment T3 (0.32 g kg-1). Maximum N (386.77 kg ha-1) and P (88.11 kg ha-1) were observed under T6, while K was maximum (538.35 kg ha-1) was under T14. The highest total microbial count for 0-15 cm soil depth and 15-30 cm soil depth was recorded with the application of same treatment i.e. T14with the values of 139.75 × 105 cfu g-1 soil and 128.41 × 105 cfu g-1 soil, respectively. The highest value of microbial biomass carbon for the 0-15 cm and for 15-30 cm were also observed maximum under the same treatment i.e. T6 with values of 801.85 µg g-1 soil and 674.99 µg g-1 soil, respectively. The highest value of dehydrogenase enzyme activity for the 0-15 cm soil depth was observed under the T6 (58.40 µg TPF g-1 soil 24 hr-1), whereas, for the 15-30 cm soil depth the highest value of dehydrogenase enzyme activity was observed under T12 (47.67 µg TPF g-1 soil 24 hr-1). The light fraction organic matter (399.35 g C kg-1) and particulate organic matter (49.03 g kg-1) were recorded maximum under treatment T6 for the 0-15 cm soil depth. The fruit yield was found to be maximum (75.32 kg tree-1) was obtained with the treatment T14. The soil quality index was also recorded highest with the application of treatment T6 having a value of 4.260.ThesisItem Open Access INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT UNDER CAULIFLOWER-TOMATO CROPPING SEQUENCE IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-10) MOGTA, ANKUSH; SHARMA, J CABSTRACT Investigation entitled “Integrated nutrient management under cauliflower-tomato cropping sequence in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted on cauliflower var. PSB K–1 and tomato var. Solan Lalima at the Experimental Farm of Dept. of SSWM, UHF Nauni during 2016–17 and 2017–18 with 11 treatment combinations replicated thrice in Randomized Block Design. The eleven treatments were as follows: T1 (Absolute control), T2 (0% NPK + 100% FYM), T3 (0% NPK + 100% VC), T4 (100% N + 100% FYM), T5 (100% NP + 100% FYM), T6 (100% NPK + 100% FYM), T7 (100% NPK + 100% VC), T8 (100% NPK + 50% FYM + 50% VC), T9 (50% NPK + 100% FYM + 50% recommended N through FYM & VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis), T10 (75% NPK + 100% FYM + 25% recommended N through FYM & VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis), T11 (125% NPK + 100% FYM). Application of 75% NPK + 100% FYM + 25% recommended N through FYM & VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis significantly increased most of the available nutrient contents in soil under both cauliflower and tomato crops. Treatment T9 recorded significantly higher values for soil porosity, organic carbon, DTPA-Fe, soil microbial biomass carbon and microbial activity. Maximum of the growth, yield and quality parameters in both the crops were recorded significantly highest under T10 and it registered 97.9 and 11.9 per cent higher curd yield over absolute control and recommended practice (T6), respectively, in cauliflower, whereas, in case of tomato, this treatment recorded 149.0 and 9.9 per cent higher fruit yield over absolute control and T6, respectively. Different nutrient management treatments influenced plant nutrient contents to a varying degree in both cauliflower and tomato crops. Nutrient contents in cauliflower, in general, were in order of curd > leaf > shoot > root. In case of tomato, leaf and fruit nutrient content were found to be higher as compared to its shoot and root nutrient contents. Significantly highest N (197.8 kg ha-1) and K (167.4 kg ha-1) uptake, NUE (46.3%), AE (57.0 kg kg-1), P harvest index (50.7%) and net returns (Rs. 4.43 lakhs ha-1) were recorded under T10 in cauliflower. Treatment T10 was accorded with significantly highest N (141.9 kg ha-1), P (30.6 kg ha-1) and K (185.0 kg ha-1) uptake, NUE (33.6%), AE (115.4 kg kg-1) and net returns (Rs. 6.37 lakhs ha-1) in tomato. Hence, it is concluded that 75% NPK + 100% FYM + 25% recommended N through FYM & VC on 50:50 N-equivalence basis may be adopted as cost effective nutrient module for cauliflower-tomato cropping sequence to achieve higher crop production on sustainable basis.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FIRE ON MINERALIZATION OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-08) VISHVAMITERA, SAKSHI; SHARMA, UDAYABSTRACT The investigation entitled “Effect of fire on mineralization of soil organic matter” was carried out at five sites located at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, during the year 2018-2019, with an aim to determine the effect of fire on nitrogen mineralization, organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon. The comparison of four land uses (viz. Forests, grasslands, scrubland and unburnt chir pine) was made with respect to the studied parameters. A controlled fire was made in all the land uses in March, 2018. Soil samples (0 to 5 cm, 5 -10 cm and 10-15 cm depths)from a plot size of 50m × 50m for each land use at each site, were collected at monthly intervals upto March, 2019. The soils of the area had bulk density varying from 1.11- 1.16 Mg m-3 and pH varying from 5.89-6.13. The available N, P and K varied from 170.2-180.2, 23.9-29.5 and 271.7-321.5 kg ha-1, respectively. The ammonical- N content of 0-5 cm depth in forest soils was higher (105.11 mg kg-1) which increased upto August and thereafter declined. The content also decreased with depth. The nitrate-N of 0-5 cm depth was maximum (65.64 mg kg-1) in the forest land use compared to the minimum in unburnt chir pine site (49.78 mg kg1 ). The nitrate-N content varied with land use in the order Forest > Grassland > Scrubland > Unburnt chir pine site. The net mineralization in the 0-5 cm depth was maximum (30.9 mg kg-1) in forest landuse. The maximum rate of mineralization (0.09 mg N kg-1day-1) was in sub-surface layers of forest and for surface layers of grassland, after the fire. Organic carbon was in the order: grasslands (1.30 per cent) > unburnt site (1.29 per cent > scrubland (1.22 per cent) > forest (1.16 per cent). The soil microbial biomass carbon also varied from 155.5172.9 μg g-1 soil in forest, 131.3-147.1 μg g-1 soil in grassland, 130.4-145.1 μg g-1 soil in scrubland and 174.2-186.4 μg g-1 soil in non- fire site. In general the forest fires haThesisItem Open Access INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT UNDER GINGER-CAULIFLOWER CROPPING SEQUENCE IN NORTH-WESTERN HIMALAYAS(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-10) KAKAR, RIDHAM; SHARMA, J CABSTRACT Investigation entitled “Integrated nutrient management under ginger-cauliflower cropping sequence in North-Western Himalayas” was conducted during 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2018-19 at the Experimental Farm of Dept. of SSWM, UHF Nauni, Solan. ‘Himgiri’ variety of ginger and cauliflower var. ‘PSB K–1’ were used with 14 treatment combinations replicated thrice in Randomized Block Design. The fourteen treatments were as follows: T1 (Absolute control), T2 (100% RDF and FYM + grass mulch), T3 (100% RDF and FYM + pine mulch), T4 (75% RDF + 25% N through FYM on equivalent basis + grass mulch), T5 (75% RDF + 25% N through FYM on equivalent basis + pine mulch), T6 (75% RDF + 25% N through VC on equivalent basis + grass mulch), T7 (75% RDF + 25% N through VC on equivalent basis + pine mulch), T8 (50% RDF + 50% N through FYM on equivalent basis + grass mulch), T9 (50% RDF + 50% N through FYM on equivalent basis + pine mulch), T10 (50% RDF + 50% N through VC on equivalent basis + grass mulch), T11 (50% RDF + 50% N through VC on equivalent basis + pine mulch), T12 (50% RDF + 25% N through FYM on equivalent basis and 25% N through VC on equivalent basis + grass mulch), T13 (50% RDF + 25% N through FYM on equivalent basis and 25% N through VC on equivalent basis + pine mulch) and T14 (100% NPK through FYM + No mulch). Amongst mulches grass mulch recorded, higher moisture contents than pine mulch and unmulched control in both the crops. In ginger, pine mulch was more effective in lowering the maximum temperature, while in cauliflower; grass mulch was more favorable. Application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers and FYM (T2 and T3) was found to be most effective in increasing soil nutrient status, while application of 100 per cent NPK through FYM (T14) was found to be superior with respect to improving SOC, soil physical and microbiological properties. Application of 75% RDF + 25% N on equivalent basis through VC (T6 and T7) recorded superior growth and quality characteristics in both the crops. In ginger, treatment T7 (75% RDF + 25% N through VC on equivalent basis + pine mulch) registered 80.2 and 7.0 per cent higher rhizome yield over absolute control and RDF, respectively, while, in cauliflower, treatment T6 (75% RDF + 25% N through VC on equivalent basis + grass mulch) recorded 51.5 and 6.5 per cent higher curd yield over absolute control and RDF, respectively. Different nutrient management treatments influenced plant nutrient contents to a varying degree in both the crops. In ginger, NUE (48.6%), AE (64.6 kg kg-1), NHI (70.8%), KHI (72.1%) and HI (71.4%) were highest under T7. Treatment T6 registered higher NUE (49.5%), AE (62.2 kg kg-1), PHI (56.6%), KHI (51.6%) and HI (48.9%) in cauliflower. Highest net returns in ginger (Rs. 6.21 lakhs ha-1) and cauliflower (Rs. 3.57 lakhs ha-1) were obtained with application of 75% RDF + 25% N on equivalent basis thorough FYM. Hence, it can be concluded that dose of 75% RDF + 25% recommended N through FYM and VC along with organic mulching could be recommended to the farmers as a cost effective nutrient module for getting higher yields of superior quality under ginger-cauliflower cropping sequence on sustainable basis and for improving soil health on a long term basis.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF ORGANIC NUTRIENT SOURCES ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF POTATO AND TURMERIC(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-10) VERMA, ANJALI; SHARMA, UDAYABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Effect of organic nutrient sources on growth and production of potato and turmeric” was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, (HP) during 2016-17 and 2017-18, with the objective to develop an organic supply system for higher productivity of potato and turmeric on sustainable basis. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications comprising eight treatments viz. T1 to T7 (i.e. application of graded doses of organics ranging from 100% RD N to 40% RD N, through VC & PM on 50:50 N-equivalence basis) and control where only FYM was added (T8). Organic nutrient sources significantly influenced growth, yield and quality of the crops; nutrient contents insoil and plants, and the microbial properties of the soil after crop harvest. Treatment T4 in potato i.e. 70% RD N recorded 74.6 per cent increase in yield over control along with highest B.C ratio (2.03). Similarly in turmeric treatment T2 i.e. 90% RD N recorded 30.5 per cent increase in yield over control along with highest B.C ratio 4.92. The effect of organic nutrient sources on the soil properties was pronounced and the application of 100% RD N in both the crops, exhibited the maximum values for the available nutrient contents as well as the biological properties (microbial biomass carbon, enzymatic activity and microbial count). From the present investigation, it can be concluded that application of 70% RD N through VC & PM on 50:50 N-equivalence basis and 90% RD N through VC & PM on 50:50 Nequivalence basis in potato and turmeric, respectively, can be suggested as a cost effective nutrient module for getting higher yield and quality, besides enhanced soil quality. Use of organic sources through vermicompost and poultry manure on 50:50 N-equivalence basis not only produced highest and sustainable crop yields but also enhanced fertility status of soil, which ultimately reflects a healthy soil.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF MULCH ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND YIELD OF TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum L.)(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-02) BAJIA, RAJESH; AGRAWAL, GHANSHYAMABSTRACT The present study entitled “Effect of mulch on soil properties and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)” was conducted at the research farm of the Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Nauni, Solan during the years 2017 and 2018 with seven treatments viz. T1-BM, T2-SM, T3-TM, T4-MM, T5-GM, T6-PM and T7-NM with three replications in randomized block design with plot size of 4m×2m and spacing 90cm×30cm. Black mulch increased moisture (20.34 and 19.08%) at surface and (21.59 and 18.87 %) at subsurface depths as compared to no mulch in year 2017 and 2018, respectively. The transparent mulch increased maximum and minimum soil temperatures as compared to other treatments at both 15 cm and 30 cm soil depths. The porosity was found the highest (51.74 and 51.15 %) under grass mulch, which was attributed to higher organic carbon contents (20.35 and 18.35 g kg-1) and lower bulk density (1.27 and 1.29 Mg m-3) at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths, respectively. The plant available water was found significantly maximum (16.45 and 15.63 %) under grass mulch at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths, respectively. The availability of macro-nutrients (N, P and K) in soil was recorded significantly higher under the black polyethylene mulch. The highest plant height (172.2 cm), fruit per plant (28.33), fruit weight (62.2 g), fruit diameter (5.76 cm) and yield (63.6 t ha-1) were observed in T1-BM. The yield under black mulched treatment was 40.08 per cent higher than the control. The maximum water use efficiency (1.85 t ha-1 cm-1) was recorded under T1-BM which was 44.53 per cent higher as compared to no mulch treatment. The maximum net return per hectare 9.46 lakhs with higher B:C ratio (4.58) was found under T1-BM. The study has led to a conclusion that maximizing water use efficiency, yield and net economic returns of tomato in mid hill region of Himachal Pradesh, T1-BM i.e. black polyethylene mulch could be the best.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF ORGANIC MANURES, PGPR AND MULCHES ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND GROWTH OF APRICOT (Prunus armeniaca L.) cv. NEW CASTLE(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-02) THAKUR, PRIYA; KUMAR, PRADEEPABSTRACT Present investigation entitled “Effect of organic manurs, PGPR and mulches on soil properties and growth of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cv. New Castle” was carried out in the Department of Soil Science & Water Management, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during 2017 and 2018 with an aim to evaluate the effect of different organic nutrient sources, PGPR and mulches on soil properties, leaf nutrient content, weed incidence and growth parameters of apricot. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications comprising nine treatments viz. T1 (Grass Mulch(GM)+RD FYM+RD NPK through FYM on N equivalence), T2 (GM+RD FYM+RD NPK through VC on N equivalence), T3 (GM+RD FYM+RD NPK through VC on N equivalence +PGPR), T4 (Black Polythene Mulch (BPM)+RD FYM+RD NPK through FYM on N equivalence), T5 (BPM+RD FYM+RD NPK through VC on N equivalence), T6 ((BPM+RD FYM+RD NPK through VC on N equivalence +PGPR), T7 (Mulch Mat) MM+RD FYM+RD NPK through FYM on N equivalence), T8 (MM+RD FYM+RD NPK through VC on N equivalence), T9 (MM+RD FYM+RD NPK through VC on N equivalence +PGPR). Results revealed that Mulch Mat treatments recorded highest soil moisture followed by Black Plastic Mulch and Grass Mulch. Mulches Mat increased the minimum soil temperature while Black plastic mulch recorded highest maximum temperature. Treatment T9 was found best with significantly maximum soil and leaf NPK content, microbiological properties and almost weeds free conditions in plant basin area. Plant growth parameters (annual shoot growth, tree height, trunk girth and tree spread) were also recorded higher under T9.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF ORGANIC NUTRIENT SOURCES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF FRENCH BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)(NAUNI,UHF, 2018) RANA, AKSHAY; SHARMA, UDAYABSTRACT The present study entitled, “Effect of organic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality ofn French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)” was carried out in the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water management at Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, during the year 2018. Ten treatment combinations arranged in a randomized block design comprising three bulky organic manures viz. Farm Yard Manure, Vermicompost and Poultry manure and two liquid organic inputs i.e. Panchgavya and Jeevamrut, replicated thrice. Maximum plant height (38.20 cm) , number of pods per plant (34.77) , pod length (11.93 cm), pod width (1.26 cm) , pod yield per plant (71.67g), pod yield per plot (2.88 kg) and pod weight (2.34 g) were observed under T4 comprising of 90% RDN + Panchgavya @5% + Jeevamrut @5%. Similarly, the maximum shoot N (2.40%), P (0.39 %), and K (3.21 %) were recorded under T4. Maximum root N (2.25%), P (0.31 %), and K (2.96 %) and maximum pod N (2.33%), P (0.33 %), and K (2.97 %) were also recorded under T4. The total uptake of NPK by the plant was significantly increased by the application of various organic inputs. The highest total NP and K uptake of 167.4 ,16.9 and 223.1 kg ha-1, respectively, were recorded with 90% RDN + Panchgavya @5% + Jeevamrut @5%), which were 25.4, 191.3 and 135.1 per cent higher as compared to the control. The highest organic carbon (2.31%), as well as available NPK and DTPA extractable cations (Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) registered a significant increase by the application of various organic inputs . The maximum total microbial count (146.76 x 105 cfu g-1) , microbial biomass-C (60.5 μg g-1 soil) were recorded under treatment T4 (90% RDN + Panchgavya @5% + Jeevamrut @5%). The soil enzymes were also significantly influenced by the application of various organic inputs. The highest Dehydrogenase (4.9 mg TPF h-1 g-1 soil), Phosphatase (30.0 μmole PNP h-1g-1 soil) and Urease (0.32 mg NH4 ⁺g-1 soil) were recorded in treatment T4 (90% RDN + Panchgavya @5% + Jeevamrut @5%).