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ThesisItem Open Access Development of microbial consortium for enhancing french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) productivity(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-11) Yadav, Saroj Kumar; Raverkar, K.P.An investigation to develop the microbial consortium for enhancing French bean productivity was carried out in the Central Analytical Laboratory, Department of Soil Science, Glass house (Department of Plant Pathology) in the College of Agriculture and Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during the years 2015-2018. Total fifty rhizobial isolates were isolated from the various soils of N-W Himalayan region of Uttarakhand out of which thirty-six were authenticated as French bean rhizobia employing the plant infection technique. Rhizobial isolates were Gram –ve rod and showed various PGP traits and enzymatic activities too. Two rhizobial isolates viz; RK19-2 and RB2-2 possessed all the tested plant growth promoting traits (IAA, GA, ammonia, HCN production and P-solubilization). Great diversity of French bean rhizobial isolates was observed in carbon source utilization in N-W Himalayan region. Out of 36, ten potential multi-trait rhizobial isolates were selected, based on various plant growth parameters which performed better or at par with that of reference strain MTCC 10096, for evaluating their efficiency at varying N-levels. Inoculation with multi-trait rhizobial isolates across the N-levels significantly improved various plant growth and physiological parameters, nutrient accumulation, amount of N2-fixed, quality of produce; and yield of French bean over uninoculated control. All the parameters, except nodulation, improved linearly with increased N-level giving highest at 100 kg N ha-1. Higher levels of nitrogen significantly reduced nodule number and nodule biomass linearly over lower levels. Rhizobial isolate RK3-1 produced highest nodule number at 0 kg N ha-1. RL21, RB8-2 and RA8 at 60 kg N ha-1 produced significantly higher and at par dry shoot biomass than that of MTCC x 100 kg N ha-1 . Highest amount of total N2-fixed was registered due to inoculation with RK3-1 at 100 kg N ha-1. PGPR1 (NAG-K3) with R1 (RD20-3) and R2 (RK3-1); and with R1 (RD20-3) were compatible to grow together in media whereas PGPR2 (CRC-J2) was not compatible with R2 (RK3-1). Inoculation of PGPR isolates namely NAG-K3 and CRC-J2 produced highest plant growth and physiological parameters. Inoculation of French bean with Rhizobium and PGPR, either alone or in combination significantly improved plant growth, physiological parameters, roots acid phosphatise activity, grain yield, amount of N2-fixed and produce quality over uninoculated control. Inoculation of PGPR1 (NAG-K3) along with R1 (RD20-3) and R2 (RK3-1) showed synergistic effect on different plant growth and physiological parameters, grain yield; and quality of produce whereas inoculation of PGPR2 (CRC-J2) with R1 (RD20-3) showed synergistic effect while with R2 (RK3-1) inhibitory effect was noticed. Highest grain yield was produced due to PGPR1 (NAG-K3) along with R1 (RD20-3) and R2 (RK3-1) at 100 kg N ha-1 followed by at 50 kg ha-1. From this investigation it was deduced that consortium comprising PGPR isolate NAG-K3 with rhizobial isolate RD20-3 and RK3-1; and PGPR isolate CRC-J2 with rhizobial isolate RD20-3 has the potential to increase the yield of French bean as well as to fix greater amounts of elemental nitrogen. Further studies are warranted to concretize the findings under field conditions.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of establishment methods and irrigation scheduling on physical properties of a sandy loam soil, growth, development and yields of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and their simulation study using Ceres-Rice model(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-11) Prabhakar, Manikant; Kushwaha, H.S.Field experiments were conducted in a sandy loam soil with rice crop cv. Pant Dhan-12 during two kharif seasons of 2016 and 2017, at N. E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (29o N latitude, 79.30o E longitude and 243.84 meters above the mean sea level), in tarai region of Uttarakhand, to study the effect sowing dates, establishment methods and irrigation schedules on physical properties of soil, growth, development and yields of rice. The results thus obtained were compared with the simulated values using CERES-Rice model. Evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE) of rice crop cv. Pant Dhan-12 were also determined using a battery of RCC made 36 lysimeters during both years. The field experiment was laid out in split–split plot design replicated thrice comprising 24 treatment combinations, viz., four sowing/transplanting dates assigned in main plots viz. D1 : 26th May, D2 : 10th June, D3 : 25th June and D4 : 10th July, two establishment methods viz. M1 : Direct seeded rice (DSR) and M2 : puddled transplanted rice (PTR) kept in sub plots, three irrigation schedules viz. I1 : Irrigation at 1 day after disappearance of ponded water (1DADPW), I2 : Irrigation at 3 DADPW and I3 : Irrigation at 5 DADPW assigned in sub-sub plots. Results showed that bulk density was significantly higher (1.72 and 1.71 Mg m-3) in 0-15 cm soil depth in PTR plot at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and was 1.76 and 1.75 Mg m-3 at the time of crop harvest during 2016 and 2017, respectively. Highest saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of soil was found at 30 DAS in 15-30 cm soil depth with DSR (24.11 cm day-1) during 2016. Infiltration rate (IR) of soil reduced to 25.39 mm h-1 with PTR at harvest during 2016. Significantly higher values of soil strength were recorded at the time harvesting of rice crop with PTR (4.25 kg cm-2) at surface soil during 2016. These results clearly indicated that IR and Ks were maximum in DSR plots compared with PTR plots. Plant height was found significantly highest at physiological maturity with D2 (111.75 cm), M2 (107. 23 cm) and I2 (109.03 cm) in comparison with the other sowing dates, establishment methods and irrigation schedules, respectively, during 2017. Maximum number of tillers were obtained with D2 (77.80) M2 (75.82) and I2 (79.76 meter-1 row length) at physiological maturity during 2017. Leaf area index was found to be significantly higher under treatments D2 (3.69), M2 (3.51) and I2 (3.60) at physiological maturity of rice crop during 2017. The interaction effect of date of sowing and irrigation schedules was significant on days taken to physiological maturity and maximum days were attained at D2 (125) in combination with I1 and I2 during 2016. Number of panicle m-2, panicle length (cm) and 1000 grain weight (g) were significantly influenced by dates of sowing, establishment methods and irrigation schedules and maximum panicles were counted in D2 (278.75), M2 (266.39) and I2 (265.96). Similarly, maximum panicle length was obtained in D2 (31), M2 (29.56) and I2 (30.13) during 2017. Also 1000-grain weight was maximum in the same treatment combinations.. Interaction effect between sowing dates and irrigation schedules was found also significant with respect to number of panicle m-2 during 2016 and panicle length during both the years. There was significant difference in grain, straw and biological yields as affected by sowing dates, establishment methods and irrigation schedules and maximum grain yield was obtained with D2 (51.51), M2 (49.78) and I2 (52.61 q ha-1) treatments. Maximum value was harvest index found with D3 (0.390), M2 (0.394) and I2 (0.397) during 2017. ET and WUE of rice crop cv. Pant Dhan-12 as determined through lysimeters during both the years under puddled conditions showed that WUE was maximum (5.96 and 5.39 kg-ha-mm-1) with D2 and I2 , respectively during 2017 and maximum using ET was also maximum (1206 and 1224 mm) with D1 and I1, respectively during 2016. Simulation of growth, development and yields using DSSAT v4.7 (CERES-Rice) is very précised as percent RMSE values for all these parameters remained under 10%. It can be concluded from this study that soil moistures regimes in rice crop sown on different dates had less effect on studied soil physical properties. Puddling in rice crop significantly increased bulk density and penetration resistance while decreased infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity that lead to better water retention on the soil surface and ultimately reduced number of irrigations. Therefore, in a sandy loam soil, practising puddling modifies soil physical properties favourably for better rice yields. Further, simulation of growth, development and yields of rice using DSSAT v4.7 (CERES-Rice) will be very important and beneficial tool for decision making in regards to crop and soil management in regions for estimating rice yields where facilities for conducting field experiments are not available.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of long term application of fertilizer and crop residues on soil properties and crop yield under rice–wheat system in a mollisol(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-04) Negi, Jyoti; Singh, Ajeet PratapThe present experiment “Effect of long term application of fertilizer and crop residues on soil properties and crop yield under rice-wheat system in a Mollisol” was carried out during kharif – rabi season of 2015-16 at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. The experiment was laid in RBD and replicated four times with twelve treatments. The soil pH and EC ranged from 7.25 to 7.63, 0.27 to 0.33 dSm-1, respectively. Experimental findings indicated that application of chemical fertilizer with organic residues non-significantly influenced soil pH and EC. The content of organic carbon, available N, P, K, S and available micronutrient cations Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu improved significantly over the control. The content of organic carbon, N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe ranged from 0.56 to 1.14%, 221.37 to 327.61 Kg ha-1, 14.04 to 26.46 Kg ha-1, 112.63 to 133.72 Kg ha-1, 16.88 to 30.42 mg kg-1, 0.57 to 2.95 mg kg-1, 1.97 to 5.41 mg kg-1, 4.64 to 7.75 mg kg-1 and 20.56 to 34.83 mg kg-1, respectively. The partial replacement of N through FYM, wheat straw and mung straw caused significant improvement in soil properties and crop yield. The grain yield of rice and wheat in the year 2015-2016 ranged from 2552.7 to 5700.7, 1850.0 to 4315.7 Kg ha-1, respectively. The partial replacement of N through FYM, wheat straw and mung straw caused significant improvement in soil properties and crop yield. The treatment where 50 per cent N was applied through FYM, 25 per cent through FYM, where 50 per cent N was applied through mung straw and 50 per cent through wheat straw were found best among all the treatments and improves soil properties, nutrient content as well as yield. The Farmyard manure and green gram straw were observed to be the best organic sources of N for substitution of chemical N, with respect to soil fertility and grain yield. It is concluded from this study that continuous use of crop residues in partial replacement of fertilizer significantly improved the soil properties, nutrient status of the soil and crop yield.ThesisItem Open Access Periodic release of micronutrients and other ions from different organic amendments(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-05) Dey, Ahana; Srivastava, P.C.A laboratory incubation study was conducted both in quartz sand and soil at Department of Soil Science, G.B.P.U.A.&T., Pantnagar to study the periodic release pattern of micronutrients and other ions from different organic amendments. Treatments consisted of Farmyard manure (FYM), Mushroom compost, Poultry manure, Vermicompost, Biogas slurry and Biochar each applied @ 15 t/ha along with control, in a two factorial completely randomized design with two replications. The experiment was carried out at room temp for 120 days. The present investigation revealed that application of organic amendments in soil did not show any significant effect on pH over control after the incubation period except vermicompost, which slightly increased soil pH. Irrespective of the type, all organic amendments increased electrical conductivity due to release of nutrient ions during their mineralization. Organic C level of soil improved due to addition of organic amendments. More or less periodic release of all the micronutrients and other ions in quartz sand was initially low till one month but increased afterwards. The release pattern from organic amendments mainly depended on their initial reaction and also on the ease of their decomposition. The release of all ions except- Ca, Mg and Cu mainly depended on their total content in organic amendments. The per cent release of nutrients from different organic amendments applied to quartz sand revealed that biochar could be a good source of Zn, Fe and Mn while, the poultry manure would be a good source of Cu, B, Mg and S. For P and K, FYM might serve as a promising source. For soil application, poultry manure was proved as a good source of Zn, Cu, Mn, B, P and K nutrients while, mushroom compost released more Ca and Mg. The farmyard manure and vermicompost were a plentiful source of S and Fe, respectively but in case of Fe none of the amendments in soil registered higher release over control.ThesisItem Open Access Soil test crop response based fertilizer prescription for marigold urd cropping system grown on mollisol of Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-07) Tripathi, Varun; Srivastava, AjayaField experiments were conducted during the year 2013-14and 2014-15 in an Aquic Hapludoll at D7 block of Norman E. Borlogue Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (290 N latitude and 79029’ E longitude). To fulfill the objectives of the present investigation two experiments were conducted in the year 2013-14 and 2014-15. The first experiment was conducted as per the technical programme and Methodology of STCR and second experiment was conducted in the randomized block design to study the effect of balanced fertilization on growth, quality and yield of Marigold and Urd. In first phase fodder Sorghum (var. Pant Chari-7) was taken as an exhaust crop and in second phase i.e. next season test crop Marigold (var. Pusa Narangi) and Urd (pant Urd-31) was grown by dividing each strip in 24 plots having 21 treatments and 3 controlled plots. Response to selected combinations of three levels of FYM (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1), four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1), four levels of Phosphorus (0, 30, 60 and 90 kgP2O5 ha-1) and four levels of potassium (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg K2O ha-1) for Marigold and three levels of FYM (0, 5 and 10 t/ha), four levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg/ha), four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40, 60kg/ha), four levels of potassium (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg K2O/ha) for Urd at different fertility levels was studied. Second experiment was conducted on randomized block design to study the effect of nutrient management on grain yield and fertilizer economics of Marigold-Urd cropping system. Organic carbon, Alkaline KMnO4-N, Olsen’s-P and NH4OAc-K values ranged between 0.22-0.75 percent, 112-178 kg/ha, 12.20-20.02kg/ha and 100.2-178.85 kg/ha respectively, after soil fertility gradient, while after harvest of marigold (before sowing of Urd) these ranged between 0.16-1.20 percent, 75.26-263.42 kg/ha, 10.60-67.03kg/ha, 60.48- 227.13 kg/ha respectively. The total flower yield ranged from and flower yield ranged from The nutrient requirement for production of one quintal flower yield was 1.06, 0.34 and 1.32kg for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively. While for Urd it was 3.18 kg for nitrogen, 0.63 for phosphorus and 2.54 for potassium respectively. Contribution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from soil for marigold was 26.23, 54.03 and 42.02 and for Urd it was 38.15, 72.61 and 36.51 for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively. Contribution from fertilizer with FYM for marigold was 98.35, 40.25 and 168.68 and for Urd 187.65, 15.88 and 96.08 for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively. Percent contribution of nutrient from fertilizer without FYM for marigold was 83.25, 38.96 and 168.91respectively. Contribution of nutrient from FYM for marigold was 46.81, 61.30 and 128.4 % and similarly contribution of nutrient from FYM for Urd was 78.34,17.05 and 38.21 respectively. Fertilizer adjustment equations for targeted yield of Marigold and Urd were developed with and without FYM with the help of basic data. Coefficient of multiple regression (R2) was found to be highly significant (0.54**) in case of Urd and in case of marigold it was found to be (0.473**) between grain yield, soil test values, added fertilizers, and interaction between added soil and fertilizers. Verification trials was conducted to test the validity of fertilizer adjustment equations and fertilizer application based on targeted yield approach was found to be superior over general recommended dose (GRD). Among different methods, organic C, Mehlich-1 P and neutral normal ammonium acetate-K can be taken as indices for determining N, P and K in Mollisol of Uttarakhand. Treatment T10 and T6 was found to be as balanced fertilizer treatments in terms of growth, yield and quality of Urd. Treatment T9 and T5was found to be as balanced fertilizer treatments in terms of yield of marigold. Findings from present study can successfully be utilized for the larger parts of Tarai region of Uttarakhand as effective guide for efficient and balanced fertilizer recommendation.ThesisItem Open Access Isolation, characterization and evaluation of multi-trait mesorhizobium isolates for improving chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) productivity and soil health in mollisols of Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-07) Yadav, Pushpa; Ramesh ChandraThe study was undertaken for isolation and characterization of the Mesorhizobium isolates from diverse soils, their characterization and evaluation for enhancing nodulation, plant growth, yield, nutrient uptake in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and soil properties. Out of total 59 isolates, 22 were confirmed to be Mesorhizobium based on cultural and plant infection test. Among these, 8 solubilized phosphate, 9 indicated production of IAA, 8 production of GA, 6 HCN and 5 siderophores and 5 ACC deaminase activity in in vitro conditions. Functional diversity of 10 selected isolates through utilization of different carbohydrates and molecular diversity through phylogenetic relationship based on 16S rDNA through RFLP revealed their diversity at varying level of Jaccard’s similarity coefficient. The symbiotic efficiency of the 10 multi-trait mesorhizobial isolates was compared in chickpea under field experiment during Rabi 2016-17. The experimental soil was sandy loam of pH 6.90 and EC 0.24 dS m-1 having 0.67% organic C and 180.2, 20.1 and 261.4 kg ha-1 available N, P and K, respectively. Treatments consisting seed inoculation with 10 mesorhizobial isolates with uninoculated and RDF (20 kg N ha-1 + 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) controls were laid out randomized block design in 3 replications. The test crop variety was PG-186. Inoculation of Mesorhizobium isolates improved the nodule number ranging from 27.0 to 66.2% at 40 DAS, 22.1 to 46.3% at 60 DAS and 30.3 to 73.7% at 80 DAS, nodule dry weight from 10.4 to 28.8% at 40 DAS, 12.8 to 26.4% at 60 DAS and 18.7 to 36.5% at 80 DAS and plant dry weight from 27.1 to 40.7% at 40 DAS, 59.7 to 92.9% at 60 DAS and 20.5 to 61.1% at 80 DAS over the uninoculated control. Inoculation with different isolates also enhanced leghaemoglobin content in nodule and chlorophyll content in leaves. All isolates, except CR-11 and CR-21, produced significantly more grain yield of 17.4 to 34.4% and numerically higher straw yield of 21.4 to 38.5% over the uninoculated control. Inoculated isolates also increased the nitrogen content in nodule and N and P uptake by plants at different intervals in comparison to the uninoculated control. The Mesorhizobium isolates increased the grain and straw N uptake from 22.0 to 69.7% and 19.4 to 72.4% and P uptake from 20.2 to 46.5% and 39.3 to 69.5% over uninoculated control, respectively. Organic C and available N, P in soil at harvesting was 14.8 to 25.0%, 40.6 to 57.0% and 14.5 to 25.2% significantly more following inoculation with different isolates. Different isolates also significantly increased the microbial biomass C, by16.4 to 47.1% and microbial biomass N, by 27.1 to 112.4% over the control. They also enhanced the dehydrogenase and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in soil suggesting their favourable impact on soil health. Isolates CR-53, CR-3 and CR-40 were found superior to others in improving the nodulation, productivityand nutrient uptake in chickpea and soil health in Mollisol.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of urea embedded nano silica in rice–wheat cropping system on normal alluvial and acidic hill soils(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-05) Singh, Kharag; Shri RamLaboratory and pot culture studies were conducted for evaluation of mesoporous nano silica (mNS) loaded with urea in Rice–Wheat cropping system on normal alluvial and acidic hill soils. This pot culture trial includes nine treatments consisted T1-control, ,T2-N30P60K40, T3-N60P60K40, T4- N90P60K40, T5-N120P60K40, T6-N30(mNS)P60K40, T7-N60(mNS)P60K40, T8-N90(mNS)P60K40 and T9-N120(mNS)P60K40 in completely randomized block design (CRD) with three replications. Laboratory study synthesis and characterization of mNS was conducted in Bio-Nanotechnology unit, and pot culture experiment in poly house of college of Agriculture, G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. In this study, magnetized distilled water (MDW) with various physicochemical characteristics have been used to enhance the urea loading efficiency into mNS as compared to distilled water (DW). The mNS was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). We compared the effects on seed germination of wheat with magnetized and normal distilled water, by using as treatments viz. mNS, urea embedded mNS, and ordinary urea under laboratory conditions. Comparing to mNS in DW, remarkable increase in root (4-fold) and shoot (1.85-fold) lengths were observed with mNS in MDW. The root and shoot length in case of urea embedded mNS in MDW were 2.05 and 1.77 times greater than mNS with distilled water, respectively. The seed germination and root and shoot length increased significantly with the exposure to 0.5% (w/v) mNS in magnetized water (mNS-MDW) and urea embedded mNS in magnetized water (mNSU-MDW) in comparison to normal distilled water (DW). In pot trial studies with crops, growth parameters, yield contributing characteristics, yields and nutrients uptake by rice and wheat were significantly higher with nitrogen application through urea embedded nano silica in comparison to N application through ordinary urea in normal alluvial and acidic hill soils. On the contrary, nitrogen application @ 120 kg ha-1through urea embedded nano silica showed poor performance as compared to lower doses of nitrogen @ 90 and 60 kg ha-1 through urea embedded nano silica in acidic soil. But lower doses of nitrogen @ 90 and 60 kg ha-1 through urea embedded nano silica resulted significantly higher growth parameter, yield attributes, yields and nutrients uptake by wheat crop as compared to same doses of nitrogen through ordinary urea in acidic soils. All treatments of urea embedded nano silica, showed significant increase available N, P and K in soils after rice and wheat harvest under both soil conditions. Slight decrease soil pH in normal alluvial soil and slightly increase in acidic hill soil was recorded after both crops harvest. The results indicated sustained release of nutrients from the urea embedded nano silica, which are preliminary indication but it opens the doors to use nanomaterials as an efficient nanofertilizer.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of compaction and irrigation schedules on physico-chemical properties of a sandy loam soil, growth and yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and their simulation using ceres-wheat model(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-07) Kala, Divyesh Chandra; Kushwaha, H.S.Field experiments were conducted at N. E. Borloug Crop Research Center of the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during two rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 in a sandy loam soil with wheat cv. UP-2565 under three compaction levels (C) viz. no compaction (C1), two passes of 500 kg RCC roller (C2) and four passes of roller (C3) ; three irrigation schedules (I) viz. irrigation at 30 % depletion from available soil moisture (ASM)- I1, irrigation at 40 % depletion from ASM- I2 and irrigation at 50 % depletion from ASM- I3 at three dates of sowing (D) viz. 5 November (D1), 20 November (D2) and 5 December (D3) with three replications. Results indicated that maximum plant height (cm) was obtained during 2015-16 with D1 (114.38), C2 (110.04) and I1 (108.58). Maximum leaf area index was also recorded with D1 (4.02), C2 (3.59) and I1 (3.46) during 2015-16. Shoot count m-2 were more with D1 (345.62), C2 (339.71) and I1 (329.37) during 2015-16 compared with data obtained during 2014-15. Grain weight per spike (g) was also highest with D3 (1.71), C2 (1.56) and I1 (1.48) during 2015-16. However, 1000 grain weight (g) was maximum with D3 (36.94) during 2015-16, C2 (35.64) and I2 (35.24) during 2014-15. Grain yield (q ha-1) was found higher during 2014-15 with D3 (48.30), C2 (47.07) and I1 (45.88) Harvest index (%) was found to be highest in D1 (41.80), C2 (38.51) and I3 (38.51) during 2015-16. Water use efficiency (q ha-1 mm-1) was maximum under D3 (21.36), C2 (20.99) and I3 (29.98) during 2015-16. Maximum days to seedling emergence were more with D3 (8.11) and C3 (7.69) during 2015-16 while maximum days to anthesis and physiological maturity were observed with D1 (91.49 and 135.39, respectively), C3 (90.12 and 131.85) and I1 (87.96 and 129.37, respectively) during 2014-15. Accumulated GDD at maturity (oC day) were more in D1 (1500.31), C3 (1514.83) and I2 (1472.16) during 2014-15. Accumulated PTU at maturity (oC day-hour) were also more with D1 (8942.46), C2 (9009.28) and I2 (8646.85) during 2014-15. Infiltration rate (mm h-1) was significantly highest only with C1 (26.20) at 45 days after sowing during 2014-15. Bulk density (Mg m-3) was also significantly highest with C3 (1.74), I2 and I3 (1.66) during 2015-16. Maximum penetration resistance of 2.78 kg cm-2 was observed C3, saturated hydraulic conductivity (cm day-1) was significantly higher with C1 (22.10) and I3 (21.75) at 45 DAS during 2015-16. Organic carbon (%) was recorded significantly highest with C2, C3 (0.76), I1 and I2 (0.76) during 2015-16. Alkaline KMnO4 hydrolyzed nitrogen (kg ha-1) was found significantly highest with D3 (231.61), C3 (221.64) and I3 (218.90) during 2015-16. Highest Olsen’s phosphorus (kg ha-1) was recorded significantly highest with D1 (17.07), C3 (17.19) and I1 (16.90) during 2015-16. 1N neutral NH4OAc extractable potassium (kg ha-1) was significantly highest with D3 (172.57), C3 (172.51) and I3 (169.32). Maximum simulated plant height (cm) was observed with D1C2I2 (115.12) during 2014-15. Maximum simulated LAI was recorded with D1C2I1 (3.85) during 2014-15. Maximum simulated days to emergence was recorded with D3C3 (10) during both the years. Maximum simulated days to anthesis (90) were observed with D1C3I1 treatment combination during 2015-16. Maximum simulated days to physiological maturity (126) were found with D1C2I1 during both the years of observations. Maximum simulated grain yield (53.46 q ha-1) was found under D1C2I1 treatment combination during 2015-16. Overall CERES model predicted all the growth & development parameters and yield of wheat very closely with the observed values except few variations. It is concluded from this study that sowing of wheat cv. UP-2565 on 5th December, two passes of RCC roller in a sandy loam soil and irrigation scheduling based on 30 % depletion from available soil moisture was found to give maximum wheat yield and favourable soil physical and chemical environment. In area where establishment of the field experiments, repeatedly, is a costly affair, CERES-Wheat model can be a better tool for simulating growth, development and yield parameters of wheat with overall better accuracy and also in selection of judicious combination of different management practices to quantify the change in yield potential at different levels of management and climatic variability to supplement the field studies in decision making.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of soil health under different land use systems in a mollisol(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2018-06) Pandey, Varsha; Gautam, PoonamThe present study was undertaken to assess the soil health under different land use systems in a Mollisol. The study area was located at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, which lies at 290 N latitude, 790 3’ E longitude and 243.84 m above the mean sea level altitude. The land use systems selected for study were rice–wheat–green gram, rice–pea(vegetable)-maize, rice potato –okra, rice–berseem + oat + mustard(fodder)-maize + cowpea(fodder), maize–wheat–cowpea, sorghum(fodder)-yellow sarson-black gram, guava + lemon, poplar + turmeric, eucalyptus + turmeric and fallow(uncultivated land). Soil samples were taken from 0-20cm depth and analyzed for their physical (soil colour, percent sand, percent silt, percent clay, bulk density, particle density, porosity and water holding capacity), chemical(soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, available sulphur, and available micronutrients) and biological (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, Azotobacter, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and enzymatic activity) properties under different land use systems. Results revealed that different soil properties varied significantly under different land use systems. Soil pH ranged from 7.38 to 7.49, electrical conductivity varied from 0.249 to 0.326 dSm-1, CEC varied from 22.21 to 36.51 C mol(p+) kg-1 soil, porosity ranged from 47.62 to 49.71 percent, bulk density ranged from 1.29 to 1.43 g cm-3, organic carbon varied from 0.54 to 1.52 percent, available N varied from 148.02 to 311.09 kg ha-1, available P ranged from 14.29 to 25.97 kg ha-1, available K varied from 153.66 to 259.62 kg ha-1, available S varied from 16.99 to 32.03 mg kg-1, available Zn varied from 0.77 to 2.16 mg kg-1, available Cu ranged from 3.83 to 5.89 mg kg-1, available Fe varied from 14.07 to 33.84 mg kg-1, available Mn varied from 5.93 to 7.89 mg kg-1 and total microbial count ranged from 1.64 to 4.80 × 108 cfu g-1soil under different systems. Further, a significant positive relationship between organic carbon and macronutrients, micronutrients, enzymes, total microbial count, water holding capacity and clay percent was also observed. However, bulk density and particle density were inversely correlated with organic carbon. Micronutrients in the soil were significantly and negatively correlated with the soil pH. Overall, the soil health index was found in the order eucalyptus + turmeric (83%) > poplar + turmeric (80%) > rice - potato – okra (77%) > rice – wheat – green gram (73%) = rice – berseem + oat + mustard(fodder)- maize + cowpea(fodder)(73%) > rice – pea (vegetable)- maize(70%) = maize – wheat – cowpea(70%) = sorghum ( fodder)- yellow sarson-black gram(70%) = guava + lemon(70%) > fallow(uncultivated land)(69%) under different land use systems. Therefore, among the different land use systems, agroforestry based systems i.e. eucalyptus + turmeric and poplar + turmeric were found superior with regards to soil health and soil fertility.