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M. Sc. Dissertations

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2009 - 200942010 - 201631
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Subject: Soil Science × Start date: 2009 ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 35
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Phosphate fractions and nutrients uptake by wheat as influenced by long-term P fertilization
    (2009) Saha, Bholanath; Tek Chand
    A long-term field experiment on pearl millet-wheat cropping sequence initiated in rabi in 1968 using split plot design was selected for present investigation entitled “Phosphate fractions and nutrients uptake by wheat as influenced by long-term P fertilization”. There were eleven treatment combinations related to sources (rock phosphate, nitrophosphate, SSP, DAP and UAP) and levels of P (60 and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1), including one control which were in main plots and three modes of P application were in sub-plots. Continuous application of different phosphatic fertilizers increased Olsen’s available P in soil. The maximum increase of available P was found with DAP (18.0 ppm) and minimum with RP (6.7 ppm). The available P content of the soil in control decreased from its original level 6.6 ppm to 2.7 ppm. Inorganic P fractions revealed that Ca-P was the dominant fraction (78.7%) followed by Al-P (10.1%), Fe-P (7.9%) and saloid-P (3.3%). Increasing levels of P application increased significantly saloid-P, Al-P, Fe-P and Ca-P over lower levels of P application. Irrespective of sources, levels or modes P application, grain yield of wheat increased significantly over control as well as of rock phosphate application. Increasing levels of P (60 to 120 kg P2O5 ha-1) increased the yield of wheat significantly. Cumulative mode of P application was found to be the best for grain and straw yield followed by direct and residual modes. All the water soluble phosphatic fertilizers were found superior over insoluble sources in terms of nutrients uptake by wheat. With increasing levels of P from 60 to 120 kg P2O5 ha-1, uptake of N, P, K and Mn increased significantly, whereas, the uptake of Fe, Zn and Cu decreased significantly. Saloid-P, Al-P and Fe-P fractions were highly inter-related and they all were significantly correlated with Olsen’s available P in soil. Olsen’s P, saloid-P and Al-P were positively and significantly correlated with grain yield (r = 0.829** to 0.894**), straw yield (r = 0.833** to 0.890**), P concentration in grain (r = 0.666* to 0.749*), and total P uptake (r = 0.860** to 0.928**) by wheat.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact of chelating agents and bioinoculants on phytoextraction of Pb and Hg by Indian mustard
    (CCSHAU, 2009) Manoj Kumar Pal; Panwar, B.S.
    Laboratory and screen house studies were carried out to evaluate the effect of chelating agent (EDTA @ 2 mmol kg-1 in 5 split doses), FYM, vermicompost and microbial inoculants (Azotobacter and Pseudomonas) on the phytoextractability of Indian mustard from Pb (200 g g-1) and Hg (40 g g-1) enriched soil. Fractionation studies of Pb and Hg were also carried out in post harvest soil samples to investigate the contribution of different fractions on the Pb and Hg accumulation by the Indian mustard. Screen house studies showed that FYM and vermicompost led to higher biomass production as compared to unamended soil. The bioinoculants also contributed in augmentation of biomass production but not significantly. The EDTA led to significant decrease in biomass as compared to FYM and vermicompost. The Pb and Hg concentration increased significantly in Brassica juncea with the application of EDTA. The application of FYM and vermicompost also increased concentration of Pb and Hg. The seed treatment with bioinoculants was helpful in increasing concentration but was not much effective. The highest concentration of Pb and Hg was recorded in EDTA treatment. The concentration of Hg was higher in root as compared to shoot. Among all the treatment combinations, EDTA and bioinoculants treatment combination led to higher uptake of Pb and Hg. The FYM and vermicompost also increased uptake of Pb and Hg but it was very less as compared to EDTA. Fractionation studies of post harvest soil samples showed that application of EDTA led to shift in the distribution of Pb and Hg from more resistant to more soluble forms. Application of FYM and vermicompost in combination with bioinoculants led to increase in organic matter bound fraction. The bacterial count studies showed that application of FYM and vermicompost in Pb and Hg enriched soil increased counts of Azotobacter and Pseudomonas. Also the application of EDTA helped in increasing bacterial counts. The bacterial counts also increased with increasing time. The results suggested that EDTA combined with bioinoculants is good in increasing uptake of Pb and Hg and also FYM and vermicompost were helpful in phytoaccumulation of these metals, however, there is a strong need for further investigation in this aspect.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Adsorption and desorption of heavy metals in soil varying in organic carbon
    (CCSHAU, 2009) Kamini; Balwan Singh
    A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the adsorption and desorption of heavy metals in soils varying in levels of organic carbon. Four metals Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb were chosen which are most effective in critical concentrations for plant growth. Soil samples were collected from different plots from on going long term field experiment on, “Effect of FYM and fertilizer nitrogen application in pearl millet – wheat cropping sequence” at soil Research Farm, CCS HAU, Hisar since 1967, receiving different levels of FYM. Collected soil samples from all the plots were analyzed for their organic carbon content. From these 10 samples with graded levels of organic carbon were chosen for the present study. The levels of organic carbon of these samples were: 0.3%, 0.45%, 0.93%, 1.23%, 1.5%, 1.65%, 1.8% 1.92%, 2.19% and 2.28%.Equilibration time was determined by taking soil sample having about 2% organic carbon level and treating it with 50 μg/cm3 concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb) in 0.005MCaCl2 electrolyte solution and shaking it up to 24 hours. A constant adsorption was achieved after 4 hours of shaking time for all metals. Hence 4 hours shaking time was adopted for further adsorption studies Adsorption percentage and distribution coefficient increased with increase in organic carbon levels in soil. Adsorption percentage and distribution coefficient were maximum for Pb followed by Cd, Ni, and Cr. A linear relation between metal adsorbed and levels of organic carbon in soil (R2 value for all 4 metals ranged from 0.8170 to 0.9876) was found for all the metals up to the concentrations taken in this study. Adsorption percentage and distribution coefficient of all metals decreased with increase in metal concentration at all organic carbon levels. Freundlich constants K and n increased with increase in organic carbon contents of soils. Langmuir constants; adsorption maxima (B) and bonding energy (D) also increased with increase in levels of organic carbon in soil. The highest value of B was observed for Ni followed by Pb, Cd and Cr. The highest value of D among metals was observed for Cr followed by Cd, Pb and Ni. The adsorption data were fitted very well to the Freundlich equations than to Langmuir equation and gave highly significant R2 values ranging from 0.9759 to 0.9990 for Freundlich equation. The desorption of adsorbed metals by 0.005M CaCl2 electrolyte solution was low at lowest concentration of metals but increased with increasing concentration of metals in soils. Desorption (per cent of adsorbed) decreased with increase in organic carbon levels in soil at all concentrations. The order of desorption (%), (of adsorbed) was Pb < Cr < Ni < Cd. Desorption of all metals as least in the soil with highest organic carbon level.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Characterization of ground water quality of Siwani and Tosham blocks of Bhiwani district of Haryana
    (CCSHAU, 2009) Kamlesh Kumar; Kaushik, R.D.
    The Present investigation for characterization of ground water quality and its effect on soil properties in respective blocks, was undertaken. Two hundred and five (205) and one hundred seventy three (173) ground water samples were collected from randomly selected tube-wells of Siwani and Tosham blocks, respectively. The Soil samples were collected from sites of different quality ground water used of Siwani and Tosham blocks and were analyzed for their physico-chemical properties. The pH, EC, SAR and RSC in ground waters varied from 7.8-9.1, 0.26-17.62 dS m-1, 0.06-28.45 (mM L-1)1/2 and nil-11.43 me L-1, respectively in Siwani Block and from 7.50-9.10, 0.29-17.53 dS m-1, 0.32-45.74(mM L-1)1/2 and nil-5.56 me L-1 respectively in Tosham Block. Dominant cation was sodium followed by magnesium and calcium. Likewise, in the case of anions, chloride was the dominant anion followed by sulphate, bicarbonate and carbonate upto EC 3 dSm-1 and after EC class 3-6 dS m-1 and above the trend was Cl- > SO4-2 >HCO3- >CO3-2 type water in Siwani block. In Tosham block dominant cation was sodium followed by magnesium and calcium. Likewise, in the case of anions, chloride was the dominant anion followed by sulphate, bicarbonate and carbonate.As per Manchanda (1976) classification 17, 21, 21, 10, and 31 percent waters of Siwani block were classified under good, marginal, saline, sodic, and saline-sodic categories respectively. As per AICRP (1989) classification 17%, water samples were found under good category, 21% marginally saline, 21% saline, 31% high SAR saline, 1.0% marginally alkali, 1%, alkali and 8% water samples were classified as highly alkali waters. Similarly, in Tosham block 26%, 22%, 13%, 8% and 31% waters of Tosham block were classified under good, marginal, saline, sodic, and saline-sodic categories respectively. As per AICRP (1989) classification 27%, water samples were found under good category, 23% marginally saline, 13% saline, 31% high SAR saline, 3% marginally alkali, 1%, alkali and 2% water samples were classified as highly alkali waters. The marginal water could be used without appreciable harmful effect on crop and soil. But its long term use depends on type of soil, rainfall and crops to be grown. The problematic water required special management practices depending upon the soil type, crop and climatic factors. The use of poor quality water resulted salt accumulation both in surface (0-15 cm) and sub surface (15-30 cm) layers. Mostly highest ECe and SARe were observed in the surface layer (0-15 cm) of soil.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nitrogen mineralization in neem cake amended soil and its uptake by wheat
    (CCSHAU, 2010) Saha, Sushanta; Dahiya, Daljit Singh
    The effect of different proportions of neem cake on urea hydrolysis and N-transformation in soils was studied in the laboratory. The findings of the study revealed that the amount of unhydrolysed urea decreased with the increase of incubation period from 3 h to 24 h sampling in all the soils. However, at a particular incubation period the hydrolysis of urea decreased markedly with increasing proportions of neem cake treated with the soil. The content of NH4 +-N increased upto 1st day of incubation in soils containing treatments from control to 50% N supplied through neem cake and decreased with further increase in incubation period. Similarly, the soil amended with 75% N through neem cake the NH4 +-N increased upto 7 days of incubation and decreased thereafter. On the other hand, the increase in NH4 +-N content was found upto 28 days in soil amended with only neem cake and then decreased with the further increase in incubation periods. The amount of NO3 --N increased with increasing incubation period in all the soils. The NO3 --N content decreased significantly at each incubation period as the proportions of N through neem cake increases from 25% to 100% as compared to soil treated with 100% N through urea. To study the effect of different levels of N and neem cake on yield and uptake of nutrients by wheat a screen-house experiment was conducted. The results revealed that mean dry matter yield of wheat increased significantly with increasing levels of N upto 60 mg kg-1 over control in the presence of neem cake when it was applied at both 20 days before sowing and at the time of sowing. The dry matter yield of wheat also enhanced significantly with the increasing doses of neem cake upto 0.125% when applied at 20 days before sowing and 0.250% when applied at the time of sowing and then decreased as the doses of neem cake increased to 0.500%. The uptake of N, P and K increased significantly with increasing levels of neem cake upto 0.125% and 0.250%, respectively, when applied at 20 and 0 days before sowing. The mean uptake of Zn, Cu and Mn by wheat increased with increasing levels of N in the presence of neem cake upto 60 mg kg-1 over control when neem cake was applied at both 0 and 20 days before sowing. Mean uptake of Fe increased upto 40 mg kg-1 N when neem cake was applied at 20 days before sowing and upto 60 mg kg-1 when applied at 0 days before sowing. The mean uptake of Zn and Cu also increased with increasing levels of neem cake upto 0.125% and 0.250%, respectively, when applied at 20 and 0 days before sowing. Similarly, mean uptake of Fe increased with increasing levels of neem cake upto 0.125% in both the cases of neem cake application. However, the mean uptake of Mn by wheat decreased with increasing levels of neem cake at both 20 and 0 days before sowing. Available N, P and organic carbon content of post harvest soil samples increased with the increasing levels of nitrogen and neem cake. The post-harvest available K content decreased with the application of N but increased with the application of neem cake.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Long-term effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on soil organic carbon and nitrogen fractions in rice-wheat system
    (CCSHAU, 2011) Kaur, Jasritu; J.P. Singh
    Thirteen years of continuous cropping without any fertilization or with inadequate supply of nutrients in imbalanced manner led to loss of total organic carbon over its initial level in soil. The per cent increase in soil organic carbon was 49.0, 39.2, and 13.7 % over mineral fertilizer treatment (N150P75K75Zn25) in pressmud, farmyard manure and green manure amended treatments, respectively. The content of all four organic carbon fractions increased significantly over control by use of combined application of organic manures with inorganic fertilizers. The pressmud, farmyard manure and green manure amended treatments accumulated significantly higher organic carbon fractions than burnt rice husk and N150P75K75Zn25 treatments. On an average, the heavy fraction carbon constituted the major portion (about 80.7%) of the total soil organic carbon. Continuous rice-wheat cultivation for 13 years without any fertilization was unable to maintain total soil nitrogen level to its original level and resulted in decrease at 8 mg N kg-1 year-1. Likewise, all the N fractions recorded a significant decrease over their initial levels in the soil. The increase in total N content with the application of farmyard manure, pressmud and green manure plus inorganic fertilizer treatments over mineral fertilizer only treatment (N150P75K75Zn25) was 23.1, 34.4 and 7.0%, respectively. All the four hydrolysable N fractions and non-hydrolysable N registered significant increase due to inorganic fertilizers or organic amended treatments over their respective initial status. On an average, amino acid-N, amino sugar-N, ammonia-N and hydrolyzable unknown-N constituted about 27.4, 10.2, 28.2 and 34.2 per cent of the total hydrolysable-N after wheat harvest, respectively. Balanced application of nutrients (N150P75K75Zn25) increased the grain yield of rice significantly as compared to control or inadequate supply of nutrients to rice. Application of FYM along with fertilizers increased rice grain yield by 5.0 q ha-1 over that obtained with mineral fertilizer only treatment (N150P75K75Zn25). The grain yield of rice did not differ significantly among press mud, green manure, burnt rice husk and mineral fertilizer only treatments (N150P75K75Zn25). Application of N75P37.5K37.5Zn25 in green manured plot produced rice grain yield similar to that obtained with N150P75K75Zn25 treatment indicating a saving of approximately 50% of inorganic fertilizers with Sesbania green manuring. The residual effect of FYM, press mud and green manure on the grain yield of succeeding wheat crop was positive but significant effect was observed only for FYM treatment. Among the organic manures treatments, the highest uptake of macro-and micronutrients by rice crop was observed with FYM, followed by green manure and press mud treatments.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Status and distribution of potassium and sulphur in north-eastern region of Haryana
    (CCSHAU, 2011) Mondal, Koustav; Ramkala
    For the investigation of status of potassium and sulphur in north-eastern region of Haryana, 264 surface soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected at an interval of 2-3 km. from Ambala (86), Yamunanagar (102) and Panchkula (76) districts using GPS. Eight soil profile samples from each of Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula districtsat depth from 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, and 60-90cm. were also collected to study the distribution of potassium and sulphur. Available potassium of surface soil samples ranged from 44 (Kashroli villege) to 867 (Kalu mazra village) kg/ha with a mean value of 148 kg/ha in Ambala district. In panchkula district it ranged from 44 (Mattawala village) to 865 (Ramgarh village) kg/ha with a mean value of 138 kg/ha where as in Yamunanagar district potassium content varied from 62 (Bhallo mazra village) to 441 (Bamboli village) kg/ha with a mean value of 147 kg/ha. Maximum potassium deficient samples were observed at Panchkula district that is 60.5 % followed by Yamunanagar and Ambala 36.3 and 30.2 % respectively. In case of Ambala and Yamunanagar districts maximum percent soil samples were in medium that is 62.8 and 52 % respectively. Nutrient index value for potassium was found 1.77, 1.76 and 1.47 in Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula districts respectively. Available sulphur ranged from 4 to 39 (Devinagar village) mg/kg soil with a mean value of 15.4 mg/kg soil in Ambala district. In Panchkula district it ranged from 1.9 (Pota village) to 39.4 (Ramgrh village) mg/kg soil with a mean value of 13.6 mg/kg soil where as in Yamunanagar district sulphur content varied from 3.8 (Shakhon majra village) to 41.3 (Pritnagar village) mg/kg soil with a mean value of 20 mg/kg soil. Maximum percent sulphur deficiency was found in Panchkula that is 38.2 % whereas in case of Ambala and Yamunanagar district percent deficiency of sulphur was found to be 30.2 and 11.8 % respectively. Nutrient index value for sulphur was found 2.29, 1.95 and 1.80 in Yamunanagar, Ambala and Panchkula respectivelyThe distribution of different forms of potassium i.e. water soluble, exchangeable, non- exchangeable and total K varied from 7 to 42 mg/kg, 23 to 198 mg/kg, 111 to 749 mg/kg and 1.24 % to 2.13 % respectively. Organic carbon and CEC showed positive correlation with all the forms of K and which were found to be positively correlated with each other. The distribution of different forms of sulphur i.e. available, organic, non-sulphate inorganic and total sulphur content varied from 1.9 to 35 mg/kg, 31.3 to 74.5 mg/kg , 43.5 to 92.5 mg/kg and 179.4 to 186.3 mg/kg respectively in the north-eastern region of Haryana.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Response and enrichment of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) genotypes with respect to zinc and iron application
    (CCSHAU, 2011) Deb Roy, Partha; Narwal, Ramphal
    To understand the response and enrichment of seed and straw of green gram genotypes with Zn and Fe, a screen house experiment was conducted at CCS HAU, Hisar during the year 2010-11.The results of the study revealed that application of Zn and Fe increased all the yield attributes i.e. branches per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod and seed weight significantly over control. But recommended doses of soil plus foliar application of Zn and Fe was found better as compare to other methods of Zn application in increasing the yield attributes. Combined application of 5.5 kg Zn ha-1 plus 0.1% Zn as foliar increased the yield of straw by 56.4% and seed yield by 57%, which was highest as compare to rest of the treatment. Likewise, when Fe was applied @ 10 kg Fe ha-1 plus two foliar spray of 0.1% Fe, gave the maximum straw yield of 63.2 g pot-1. But, in green gram genotypes, highest seed yield (8.23 g pot-1) was observed where Fe was applied in soil @ 30 kg ha-1. The maximum Zn concentration in straw and seed (5.48 and 3.5 folds over control) was achieved when combined application of soil plus foliar was made. In case of iron a combined application of 10 kg Fe ha-1 plus foliar spray of 0.1% Fe gave the highest Fe content in straw and seed as 1.9 folds in straw and 1.3 folds in seed of green gram genotypes respectively. The uptake of Zn and Fe in all the green gram genotypes also increased significantly with externally applied increased level of zinc and iron. Soil plus foliar application of both Zn and Fe increased the seed crude protein content by 26.9 % and 26.5 % respectively over control. Green gram genotypes showed a considerable variation among their tolerance to Zn and Fe stress condition. Under Zn stress condition, Muskaan was the most tolerant while Basanti, Satya and MH 318 were found quite susceptible to zinc. Whereas in case of Fe stress condition, genotypes Asha, Basanti and MH 318 were found moderately tolerant and Satya, MH 421, MH 565 and Muskan were grouped as susceptible. Post harvest analysis of soil sample showed a significant increase in soil available Zn and Fe content when applied as basal in soil. In correlation analysis it was found that Zn and Fe content in seed and straw showed a positive and significant correlation with DTPA-extractable zinc and iron. Among yield attributes, seed and straw Zn content showed a significant and positive correlation with all the yield attributes except branches per plant. Likewise, straw iron concentration was also significantly and positively correlated with most of the yield attributes. On the contrary, Fe concentration in seed showed a significant and positive correlation only with seed weight.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Long term effect of sodic water irrigation, gypsum and FYM on soil properties and okra yield
    (CCSHAU, 2012) Monika; Sharma, S.K.
    A field study was conducted using the experimental unit of an ongoing long term experiment which has been in progress since 1994. The okra crop was irrigated with high RSC (11.5 me/L) sodic water having three levels of gypsum [(G0, G1 and G2) G0 control, G1=50% neutralization of RSC, G2=100% neutralization of RSC] as well as FYM [(F0, F1 and F2) (F0=Control, F1=10 tons/ha, F2=20 tons/ha)] in 2010-11 on a sandy loam Typic Ustochrept having 19.6 percent clay and 9.3 cmol kg-1 CEC in 0-30cm layer at the Vegetable Crops Research Farm of CCS HAU, Hisar. The days to 50% germination and days to appearance of 1st flower in 50% plants was hastened with the increased application of FYM and gypsum. The plant height, number of branches and number of fruits per plant and okra yield showed a significant increase with the application of FYM @ 10 (F1) and 20 (F2) tons ha-1 and gypsum @ 50% (G1) and 100% (G2) neutralization of RSC. The Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and Ca+Mg in okra plant were also significantly increased with the application of gypsum and FYM. The sodium concentration in okra plant showed the decreasing trend with the increase in application of FYM and gypsum. The increase in Na/K ratio of plant showed the declining trend with okra yield. The sodium concentration decreased but Ca+Mg concentration increased significantly both with gypsum and FYM. Adverse effect of residual alkalinity of irrigation water was quite prominent on physico-chemical and microbiological properties of soil. Infiltration rate as well as hydraulic conductivity were significantly increased with increase in gypsum level and decreased with increase in FYM level. But the bulk density decreased with FYM and gypsum. The pH and ESP of soil particularly in surface layer (0-15cm) which were very high under F0G0, lowered to normality with the use of FYM and gypsum as amendments. However, the CaCO3 and organic carbon concentration increased significantly with increasing levels of gypsum and FYM. The basal respiration ratio as well as microbial biomass carbon concentration showed a significant increase with the application of FYM and gypsum. The Alkaline phosphtase and dehydrogenease activity were also increased significantly with the increase in application of FYM and gypsum when compared with treatments without the use of FYM and gypsum as amendments.