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ThesisItem Embargo Impact of variable quality organic matter and nitrogen levels on rice wheat productivity, nutrient availability and soil carbon accretion(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Raagjeet Kaur; Dr. M.S. MaviIn recent years, the intensification of the irrigated rice wheat (R W) system has led to the generation of substantial quantities of crop residues, particularly rice straw. On farm rice straw burning is the most widespread method to manage the surplus crop residue among the Indian farmers due to time constraints for wheat sowing, insufficient farm mechanization and low acceptability of paddy straw as fodder. This practice contributes to environmental pollution, health concerns, and loss of nutrients. To tackle these issues, there is an urgent need for the adoption of appropriate Rice Residue Management Practices (RRMPs). In addition, excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in rice wheat system has resulted in environmental issues like soil and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil health degradation. To address these problems, adoption of integrated nutrient management could be an option. Therefore, a long term field experiment (8 years) was conducted to understand how different RRMPs and N fertilizer rates interact to influence R W productivity and soil functions. The treatments consisted of five RRMPs comprising of rice straw removal (RR), rice straw incorporation at the rate 6 t ha 1 (RI), Rice straw burning (RB), Rice straw biochar applied at 2 t ha 1 (RBC1) and 4 t ha 1 (RBC2) in the main plot and five N levels i.e. N0 (0 kg N ha 1), N1 (60 kg N ha 1), N2 (90 kg N ha 1), N3 (120 kg N ha 1) and N4 (150 kg N ha 1) in the sub plots. Results showed that RI, RBC1 and RBC2 plots significantly increased mean wheat and rice grain yield by 4 11%, compared with the RR plots at different rates of N fertilization. The RI, RBC1 and RBC2 plots receiving N2 level of fertilization showed statistically comparable or even higher mean wheat & rice grain yield, in comparison with RR plots receiving N3 level of N fertilizer. Among all RRMPs, RBC2 recorded the maximum wheat & rice productivity, emphasising its potential as an effective agricultural amendment for maximizing crop performance. The RI, RBC1 and RBC2 plots significantly enhanced the nutrient availability in the soil profile, particularly the N forms, ensuring a consistent nutrient supply to the plants. Biochar and straw incorporation positively impacted the physical properties of the soil by reducing bulk density, increasing water holding capacity, and promoting the formation of aggregates and subsequently carbon (C) stabilization within aggregates as well as enhanced the microbial activity in the soil. Greater soil organic C, total C stocks and lesser C dioxide emissions in the biochar amended plots compared with other RRMPs indicates that it can be successfully used for C accretion under R W system. Key findings emphasized the superiority of biochar application and residue incorporation over the conventional practices, even at lower N rates. The outcomes suggested that biochar and residue incorporation offered a viable pathway for achieving both crop productivity and soil health in a resource efficient and environmentally sustainable manner.ThesisItem Restricted Effect of sowing dates, bed planting and deficit irrigation on field water balance and productivity of wheat(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Gurpartap Singh; Dr K. B. SinghA field experiment entitled “Effect of sowing dates, bed planting and deficit irrigation on field water balance and productivity of wheat” was conducted at the Research farm, Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the rabi2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three sowing dates (D1-November 5th, D2-November 15th and D3-November 25th) in the main plot and flat planting (FP) with 100% (I1) recommended irrigation, along with combination of three planting methods (37.5 cm wide bed (BP1), 75 cm wide bed (BP2) and 112.5 cm wide bed (BP3) and three irrigation levels (80 (I2), 60 (I3) and 40% (I4)of recommended irrigation) in sub plots, using three replications. During both the seasons, wheat crop in D1 recorded significantly higher emergence count, plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, straw yield and crop water productivity followed by D2 and D3. Wheat planting on 75 cm wide bed along with 80% of recommended irrigation (BP2I2) recorded highest plant parameters, grain and straw yield during both the seasons, which was at par with FPI1, BP1I2 and BP3I2during first season while it was at par with FPI1 and BP1I2 only during second season indicating 20% saving in irrigation water. At all irrigation levels BP2showed maximum yield followed by BP1 and BP3. Crop water productivity was also higher in BP2I2 and at par with FPI1, BP1I2 and BP3I2 during both seasons. Wheat sowing on 75 cm wide bed with normal date of sowing (November 5th) resulted in higher grain yield and water productivity compared to flat sowing.ThesisItem Restricted Response of soil and foliar applied zinc on wheat and its residual effect on moongbean(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Manjot Singh; Dr B. K. YadavMicronutrient deficiencies have rapidly emerged as a significant human health concern, particularly in developing nations. Zinc (Zn) is a basic ingredient and regulatory co-factor in enzymes and proteins involved in many metabolic activities. It is vital for both animals and plants. The experiment was conducted during the Rabi 2020-21 and Kharif 2021to study the response of soil and foliar applied zinc on wheat and its residual effect on moongbean. Soil and plant samples were analysed by standard methods. The present study results revealed that plant growth parameters such as plant height, spike length, test weight, grain and straw yield of wheat significantly differ among wheat cultivars and increased by spraying of 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O along with 1% urea at the time of booting + grain filling stages. Macronutrients (N, P, and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) content in wheat grains significantly varied among wheat cultivars. The macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu and Mn) content in wheat grain and straw was non- significant due to spraying of Zn fertilizer irrespective of the source, however, Zn content in grain and straw varied significantly due to spraying of Zn fertilizer irrespective of the source. The soil chemical properties (pH, EC and OC), macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu and Mn) showed nonsignificance and soil available Zn showed significance difference between two cultivars (PBW 725 and PBW 658), under different Zn treatments and time of spray. The residual effect of different Zn sources and time of application on soil chemical properties and available nutrients were also non-significant after succeeding moongbean crop. However, available Zn was significantly higher with applied Zn @ 5kg ha-1 in soil (T1). Similarly, the plant growth parameters and Zn content in succeeding moongbean was significantly higher with applied Zn @ 5kg ha-1 in soil (T1) as compared to other methods of Zn application. From the present study it is concluded that wheat variety PBW 725 showed the highest yield attributes, yield, Zn content and among all the Zn treatments, treatment T5 (2.5 kg Zn ha-1 applied in soil + 0.5% EDTA- Zn +1% urea - foliar spray) exhibited superior performance. Whereas, treatment T1 (5 kg Zn ha-1 -applied in soil) has the most beneficial residual effect on succeeding crops (moongbean) in terms of growth and yield.ThesisItem Restricted Effect of water quality and fertigation on yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) under drip irrigation(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Sharma, Avni; Dr. K. S. SekhonAn on-going experiment with cotton-onion cropping system was selected under to study the effect of different water qualities viz. canal water (CW), poor quality saline tube well water (TW) and alternate CW and TW (CW-TW) and three N fertigation levels [ 100% (N100), 120% (N120) and 140% (N140) of recommended dose of N (RDN)] under drip irrigation and with 120% RDN under conventional flood irrigation on bulb yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) at Jodhpur Farm of PAU Regional Research Station, Bathinda. The experiment was triplicated in randomized complete block design on a permanent layout in three strips of four rows keeping one drip lateral, having in-line emitter spacing of 30 cm and discharge rate 2.4 L hr-1. The onion plants were partitioned into leaves and bulb at 60 days after transplanting (DAT) and at final harvest stages and analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na and Cl elements. The plant height increased progressively till 90 DAT under drip irrigation (DI) and conventional irrigation (CI). At harvesting, CW gave significantly higher plant height than TW and CW-TW under DI which were superior than CI. Number of leaves per plant and dry matter (DM) accumulation in leaves and bulb in CW was at par with CW-TW. Dry matter accumulation (DM) in leaves and bulbs was recorded in the order- TW< CW-TW< CW. Under CI, DM accumulation with CW was at par with CW-TW. Onion bulb yield also decreased with increasing salinity. The highest total biomass at 60 DAT and bulb yield was obtained with CW which was at par with CW-TW. Among the fertigation levels, N140 recorded significantly higher DM which was at par with N120 biomass at 60 DAT. The increasing irrigation water salinity decreased N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S content whereas Na and Cl content increased in both plant parts. CW and TW under DI, registered the highest and the lowest macronutrient content in leaves and bulb at both the growth stages, whereas CW-TW held the intermediate values for the macronutrients. Highest fertigation of 140 % RDN under DI registered the maximum content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S at both the growth stages in both the plant parts. Increasing N dose decreased the Na and Cl content in leaves and bulbs at both the growth stages. CI recorded the significantly lower N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S content in both plant parts with CW, TW and CW-TW at 120 % RDN than DI at the same 120% RDN. Ascorbic acid varied significantly with water quality under CI. The maximum content was observed with CW which was at par with CW-TW. DI recorded significantly higher TSS with TW and CW-TW at 120 % RDN than CI. The infiltration rate, mean weight diameter and organic carbon content decreased but bulk density, EC1:2 and pH1:2 increased with increasing water salinity. Increasing salinity decreased available N and P and increased available K, Ca,Mg,Na,Cl in the both surface (0-15 cm) and sub surface (15-30 cm) soil layers. Increasing N doses increased K and Ca content in the soil whereas Na and Cl decreased. It is concluded that cyclic use of good quality canal water and poor quality saline tube well water (CW-TW) with 20% higher N than the recommended dose can be adopted for irrigation on the sandy loam soil for sustainable production of rabi onion with minimal adverse effect on soil health in semiarid conditions using drip in case of scarce good quality water scenario.ThesisItem Embargo Deficit micro-irrigation and mulching effects on system productivity, water use efficiency and water dynamics in maize-wheat cropping system(Punjab Agricultural University, 2024) Jaspreet Singh; Manmohanjit SinghMaize-wheat is the third most important cropping system after the rice-wheat and rice-rice in India. Maize-wheat crop rotation is mostly practiced under rainfed or limited available water conditions. Optimum use of limited available irrigation water using micro-irrigation and in-situ water management practices is utmost important keeping on view the changing climatic scenario. The present study entitled “Deficit micro-irrigation and mulching effects on system productivity, water use efficiency and water dynamics in maize-wheat cropping system” was conducted at Regional Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhri, SBS Nagar, Punjab, during 2021-22 and 2022-23. The field experiment comprised four irrigation levels (I0: Rainfed, I1: Irrigation to compensate 50% available water depletion (AWD), I2: Compensate 75% AWD, I3: Compensate 100% of AWD) and three levels of mulch (M0: no mulch, MR: residue mulch (7.5 ton/ha crop residues) and MP: Plastic mulch (Silver black coloured mulch sheet) replicated thrice in randomized block design. The significantly higher soil moisture content was observed under I3 irrigation level leading to better plant growth of maize and wheat during both years. The grain and straw yield of maize (42.64 and 67.18 q/ha) were significantly higher under I3 irrigation level as compared to I1 and I0, but it was statistically similar to I2 irrigation level. However, in case of wheat, the grain and straw yield under I3 (39.87 and 28.61 q/ha) were significantly higher than I2, I1 and I0. The system productivity (85.60 and 85.36 q/ha) obtained under I3 treatments was significantly higher as compared to I2, I1 and rainfed treatments during both years. The simulated soil profile moisture content using HYDRUS-1D model was comparable to observed values at different growth stages of the crops. It can be concluded that in case of maize the irrigation level I2 (compensating 75% of AWD) and in case of wheat I3 (compensate 100% of AWD) was suitable for obtaining higher crop yield with maximum water use efficiency under maize-wheat cropping system in limited water conditions.ThesisItem Restricted Optimizing the timing and levels of nitrogen application on growth and yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Dimple; Gill, Arsh Alam SinghNitrogen (N) plays a significant role in plant metabolic and physiological exertions. As a key factor in ensuring sustainable soil fertility and fruit productivity, N management is crucial for maintaining or increasing fruit productivity. Therefore, the present investigation, “Optimizing the timing and levels of nitrogen application on growth and yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)” was conducted during 2022-23 at Research Farm, Department of Soil Science, PAU, Ludhiana. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design that comprised two main plots, i.e. without and with farmyard manure (FYM) @ 25 t ha-1and thirteen subplots consisting of four different N levels: 0, 75, 113 and 150 kg N ha-1 applied in 2, 3, 4 and 5 split doses. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management (INM) plots, i.e. combined integration of N-fertilizer with FYM resulted in significantly higher growth and yield attributes of chilli with respect to N plots without FYM. Higher fruit yield was attained by the application of 113 kg N ha-1 in 4 split doses integrated with FYM and recorded 45.8 % significantly higher fruit yield than the recommended dose of fertilizer treatment, i.e. 75 kg N ha-1 applied in 2 split doses integrated with FYM due to a greater number of fruits plant-1. Within each N level, 4 split doses of N-fertilizer performed better than 3, 2 and 5 split doses in both without and with FYM plots. Only two split doses were not ensured the optimum supply of N at later growth stages. Therefore, 113 kg N ha-1 in 4 equal split doses integrated with FYM can be recommended to farmers for achieving maximum yield in chilli under Punjab conditions.ThesisItem Embargo Effect of residue management practices on soil moisture dynamics and performance of wheat(Punjab Agricultural University, 2023) Manmeet Singh; Gupta, NaveenThe present investigation entitled “Effect of residue management practices on soil moisture dynamics and performance of wheat” was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The experiment was implemented in kharif season 2021 after a uniform crop of rice-wheat in 2020-2021. Three crop establishment methods viz. Puddled transplanted rice (PTR), Direct seeded rice (DSR) and Conventional till maize (Maize) in main plots and four residue management scenarios viz. Strip tillage and residue retention using Smart Seeder (ST+R), Zero tillage and residue retention using Happy Seeder (ZT+R), Conventional tillage and Residue incorporation using Mitter Seeder/Super Seeder (CT+I) and Zero till and residue burning after rice and residue removal after maize (ZT-B/RR) in sub-plots were evaluated in a split-plot design with three replications. Recommended practices were used for managing weeds, pests and disease stresses in wheat crop. Results demonstrated that retention and incorporation of residues over burning/removal of residues and crop establishment after PTR and DSR over Maize increased the grain yield, total water productivity, biomass accumulation and nutrient uptake in wheat and decreased total water use. Use of ZT+R after PTR (5.38 t ha-1) led to the highest wheat grain yield, which was attributed to higher average grain weight. Volumetric water content (VWC %) decreased as ZT+R≈ST+R>CT+I>ZT-B/RR and PTR≈DSR>Maize at all depths with more prominent effect up to 30 cm. Evaluation of different machine learning models for estimation of total N, P and K concentration in wheat leaves from hyper-spectral data revealed that nitrogen and potassium concentration was best predicted using Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) model, whereas phosphorous was best predicted using Random Forest (RF) model. Optimum wavelengths for N and K estimation mostly belonged to NIR region whereas for P estimation, it belonged to SWIR region. Stereo-micrographs of aggregates showed slightly darker colour, larger size, more root and straw deposits under residue retention and incorporation than burning/removal.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of some new chemical and organic amendments in rice-wheat system under sodic water irrigation(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Harjot Kaur; O.P. ChoudharyPersistent and continuous use of sodic water for irrigation in south-western regions of Punjab has led to the development of sodicity in soils which severely impacts the physical, chemical and biological properties. The deteriorated soil health proves futile to plant growth causing yield losses and lower farm income. The problems caused by the irrigation-induced sodicity can be rectified by the amelioration of the soils using amendments. Gypsum has been popular among farmers as a source to ameliorate sodic water irrigated soils but the issue with its availability and quality has propelled the scientific community to explore the potential of some others resources such as yellow gypsum, a by-product of steel industry which can help sustain growth in sodic soil environment. Organic amendments such as farm yard manure (FYM) has been studied extensively while others like rice straw compost, rice straw (RS) and biochar (BC) are presently getting attention in terms of their utility in restoring sodic soils. A pot experiment was conducted to collate the effect of application of inorganic (yellow; YG and grey gypsum; GG) and organic amendments (FYM, rice straw compost, RS and BC) on properties of soils (loamy sand; ls and sandy clay loam; scl) irrigated with sodic water and biomass yield of crops. Soils were irrigated with different levels of RSC of irrigation water i.e. RSC 0, 5, 7.5 and 10 meq L-1 . Organic amendments, FYM @ 15 t ha-1 , Rice straw compost @ 6 t ha-1 , RS 6 t ha-1 and BC @ 4 t ha-1 were applied once before sowing of wheat whereas gypsum (both types) @ 50%GR was applied on soil basis and later with each irrigation to neutralize sodicity of water. Individual effect of these amendments was studied through 56 treatment combinations in completely randomized design replicated three times. Results revealed decrease in biomass yield, photosynthetic activity, stomatal conductance and uptake of Ca, Mg and K on irrigation with sodic water in wheat and rice crop whereas uptake of Na and proline content increased. With regard to soil properties, irrigation with sodic water increased pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) (higher in scl), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) (higher in ls), and bulk density (BD) but decreased microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and mean weight diameter (MWD). Upon application of gypsum (both types), decrease in pH, SAR and ESP was observed along with significant improvement in biomass yield and other soil properties such as MBC and MWD. Among the organic amendments, BC reduced uptake of Na whereas rice straw compost and FYM gave promising results in restoration of soil properties and biomass yield in both the crops. Further, field studies need to be conducted to evaluate the restorative effect of yellow gypsum vis-à-vis grey (mined) gypsum and it combined application along with the organic amendments in soils receiving sodic water irrigation.ThesisItem Embargo Estimation of irrigation water requirement of wheat in rice-wheat system in Ludhiana district of Punjab using geo-spatial technologies(Punjab Agricultural University, 2022) Vullaganti, Niharika; Vashisht, B.B.One of the major global concerns is increasing population. With increase in the population, a proportional increase in food and water requirements is seen. To meet the increasing food requirements, the crop productivity should be increased with the limited resources available. Recent studies stated that there is a notable amount of water being lost in the form of excessive irrigation and ground water depletion. To tackle these problems and conserve water, improving water use efficiency is one of the best ways. Irrigation scheduling can play a crucial role in reducing wastage of water in agriculture. To schedule irrigation, evapotranspiration need to be estimated. This study aims to estimate evapotranspiration of wheat crop in Ludhiana district using geo spatial technologies. Evapotranspiration (ET) of the crop was estimated using satellite and meteorological data. Reference evapotranspiration was estimated with ETo calculator using climatic parameters like mean temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and wind speed as inputs to calculate reference evapotranspiration. Monthly evapotranspiration data obtained from satellite data was represented in ET maps generated using ArcGIS. The monthly ET maps were combined to form a seasonal evapotranspiration map. ET increased with the vegetative growth from November to February and decreased as the crop reached its maturity during March and April. Various factors like climatic parameters, crop and soil characteristics effect the evapotranspiration. Crop coefficient was estimated to represent the crop characteristics at a particular area at a particular period of time. It was calculated as the ratio of crop evapotranspiration and reference evapotranspiration. Crop coefficient were low during initial growth stages, increased during mid season and again decreased during later stages of crop growth. Irrigation water requirement of the crop was estimated by deducting the effective rainfall from evapotranspiration. Mapping of the crop coefficient, evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirement enabled to represent their spatial and temporal variation within the study area. This would help the farmers to easily identify the water requirement of the crop in their localities and irrigate the crop accordingly.
