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ThesisItem Open Access Development and evaluation of agriculturally important microorganisms (AIMs) consortia for improved production of lentil (Lens culinaris M.) and soil health(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-08) Serawat, Minakshi; Pareek, NavneetAn investigation to develop and evaluate the Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (AIMs) consortia for improved production of Lentil (Lens culinaris M.) and soil health was carried out in the Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture and Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during the years 2019-20 and 2021-22. Out of 5 isolates 03 of Rhizobium i.e. LR-35-01, LA-17 and LB-11 and 02 of PGPRs i.e. KB-133 and LK-791 were selected, screened and found compatible to each other. All selected isolated were characterized for various biochemical, PGP traits and enzymatic activities. All the five isolates produced IAA and siderophore and also found to positive for phosphorus solubilization. Only Rhizobium isolates were positive for zinc solubilization and two isolates i.e. LB-11 and KB-133 were HCN producers. Molecular characterization and identification of all five selected isolated were also performed. Liquid and carrier based consortia formulation of selected isolated were prepared. Viable counts of liquid consortium inoculation KB-133+LR-35-01 recorded higher population compared with Talc based consortium up to six months storage at room temperature. The efficiency of all five Rhizobium and PGPRs as alone and their six consortia were also compared in field for lentil (variety PL-8) during Rabi 2019-20 and Rabi 2021-22. The experimental soil was sandy loam with neutral pH, normal EC having 0.62 and 0.68% organic carbon, 157.33 and 159.24 kg ha-1 available N, 19.10 and 20.84 kg ha-1 available P, 210 and 220 kg ha-1 available K, 0.59 and 0.74 ppm available Zn during both years 2019-20 and 2021-22, respectively. Treatments comprising 5 alone and 6 consortia inoculants with one uninoculated control, RDF (20 kg N ha-1+ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1+20 kg K2O ha-1), RDF-N @ 20 kg N ha-1 and RDF-P @ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 were laid out in randomized block design in 3 replications. Inoculation of different Rhizobium and PGPRs alone improved nodulation, various plant and root growth parameters, grain and straw yield, nutrient accumulation as well as soil properties and economics (B:C ratio) compared to uninoculated control during the years 2019-20 and 2021-22. Among individual inoculations, LA-17 produced highest nodule number, nodule dry weight, plant height, root length, plant dry weight, root dry biomass, root volume, grain yield, straw yield, nutrients content and uptake in grain and straw (N, P and Zn) as well as available nutrients in soil (N, P and Zn), organic carbon and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, acid and alkaline phosphates) during both the years. Further over all consortia inoculation also enhanced plant and root growth parameters, nodulation, yield attributes, yields, nutrient accumulation, nutrients availability and enzymes in soil and B:C ratio over their mono inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPRs during both the years. Consortium inoculation of KB-133+LA-17 produced maximum nodule number at 45 and 60 DAS and nodule dry weight at 60 DAS which was also slightly higher over RDF during both the years. Consortium inoculation KB-133+LA-17 also showed maximum plant dry weight at 60 DAS and at harvest, root dry biomass and root volume at 60 DAS, highest number of pods per plant, grain yield and straw yield as well as various nutrients (N, P and Zn) content and uptake by lentil and soil health parameters which was higher over the individual inoculation of KB-133, LA-17 and RDF during both years. The productivity of lentil in terms of B:C ratio was recorded highest in the consortium inoculation KB-133+LA-17 with Rs. 52684 and 66964 ha-1 net returns and B:C ratio 2.36 and 2.81 during the year 2019-20 and 2021-22, respectively followed by KB- 133+LR-35-01, LK-791+LB-11, LK-791+LA-17, KB-133+LB-11 and LK-791+LR-35-01 which was higher over RDF and other individual inoculation treatments. However, KB-133+LA-17 gave significantly higher B:C ratio over RDF. Thus, the present study provides a strong basis for the recommendation of consortia inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPRs which performed well in improving nodulation, plant growth and yield of lentil and reduces excessive usage of fertilizers and thus, restores soil fertility and maintains soil and environmental quality.ThesisItem Open Access Long term effect of different crop rotations on soil health and different carbon pools in a Mollisol(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145, 2022-09) Basta Ram; Singh, A.P.Field experiments were conducted during the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 in E2 block of Norman E. Borlogue Crop Research Center of GovindBallabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand on the long term effect of different crop rotations on soil health and different carbon pools in a Mollisol. The objective was to study the effect of different approaches to crop rotations on soil health and to investigate the impact of different crop rotations on soil health. The experiment was laid out in randomized block designs with three replications and eleven treatments i.e. T1 (Rice - Wheat - fallow), T2 (Rice - Veg. pea - summer rice), T3 (Maize - Wheat - Cowpea), T4 (Rice - Wheat - Sesbania), T5 (Maize - Toria - Urd), T6 (Rice - Yellow Sarson - Grain Cowpea), T7 (Multi Cut Sorghum - Barseem + Oat - Maize + Cowpea), T8 (H. Napier + Fodder cowpea - Barseem - Fodder cowpea), T9 (Basmati rice - Potato - Maize Cob), T10 (Maize - Broccoli -Okra) and T11 (fallow). Green manure (Sesbania) was used in crop rotation, cut and incorporated intothe soil each year during the kharifseason only and its residual effect on the crop was seen. The inclusion of legume crops was done between the different crop rotations. After the harvest of crops, the data for grain and fodder yield was recorded for respective plots. The soil samples (0-20cm) were collected in June 2021 and June 2022 for the fourth and fifth-year crop rotation study respectively. The experiment results revealed that better soil health and carbon pools of soil were observed with the sesbania and legume-based crop rotations during the fourth (2020) and fifth (2021)year crop rotations as compared to the cereals crop rotations and fallow land. Per cent achievement of physical chemical and biological properties were also recorded relatively higher under green manure and legume-based crop rotations during the fourth (2020) and fifth (2021) year crop rotations as compared to the fallow land. The incorporation of sesbania and legume crops in crop rotation did not have any remarkable influence on soil texture, particle density, pH and EC. Soil physical(Bulk density, water holding capacity and porosity) chemical properties (OC, NPK, Ca2+ Mg2+ Sulfur and zinc) and biological properties (Microbial counts, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activity), carbon status (Total organic carbon,organic carbon storage, KMnO4oxidizable carbon and organic matter), carbon pools (active and passive) and soil health indices (Structure stability index, soil health index, biochemical index and carbon management index) improved under the sesbania and legume-based crop rotations as compared to the uncultivated land in fourth(2020) and fifth(2021) year crop rotations.A correlation and scoring technique was adopted to identify the relationship between different soil properties and soil health determination respectively. The high category soil health index was identified with legume and sesbania-based crop rotations under fourth(2020) and fifth(2021) year crop rotations. Thus, the present study provides a strong basis for the recommendation of sesbania and legume-based crop rotation which helps conserve soil health, soil fertilityand environmental quality.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of varying levels of boron and sulphur on yields and nutrient uptake of linseed and sunflower grown in a mollisol(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-12) Bungla, Prerna; Pachauri, S.P.The laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted in the micro-nutrient Laboratory and net house of Department of soil science, College of agriculture, GBPUAT, Pantnagar in the year of 2018-2019 to study the leaching behavior of B and S in the presence of either nutrient in soils of varying textures. In pot culture experiment, the effect of B and S application on yields, nutrient concentration and uptake of B and S by linseed and a residual crop of sunflower. Two soils of different textures i.e. sandy loam and clay loam were collected from different depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 45-60 and 60-90 cm) in NBCRC, Pantnagar. These soil samples were packed depth-wise in plastic pipes of 1 inch diameter and 110 cm length. All columns were packed with slightly moist soil at natural bulk density. The lower most pipe was covered with a perforated polythene sheet tied with tight rubber band. Boron and S sources were added as borax and ammonium sulphate (2 mg B kg-1 and 60 mg S kg-1) to the uppermost layer of soil. Soil columns were subjected to 6 cm irrigation at specified time intervals. Boron and sulphur were analyzed in the percolated water samples every 24 h until leaching stopped. Relatively higher amounts of B were lost from the sandy loam soil than clay loam soil and S application delayed the leaching loss of B in sandy loam soil. The kinetics of B and S losses in both the soil could be satisfactorily accounted by a first order kinetics. Pot culture experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized design with combinations of six levels of boron (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg B kg-1 soil and 2 foliar sprays of 0.2% borax at 30 and 45 DAS) and six levels of sulphur (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 mg S kg-1 soil) with three replications. Linseed (cv. Neelum) and a residual crop of sunflower (cv. Shresta) were taken as test crops and all the treatments were basally applied to linseed only. Two foliar sprays of 0.2% borax were done in sunflower crop at 30 and 45 DAS. The highest total dry matter (6.45 g pot-1), seed yield (2.30 g pot-1), stover yield (4.16 g pot-1), S concentration, B uptake and S uptake was observed under a treatment combination receiving 2 mg B and 60 mg S kg-1 soil. The highest B concentration in seeds and stover of linseed was observed under a treatment combination receiving foliar spray of B and 60 mg S kg-1 soil. The highest total dry matter (48.81 g pot-1), seed yield (13.69 g pot-1) and stover yield of sunflower (35.12 g pot-1) was recorded under a treatment combination receiving 2 mg B and 60 mg S kg-1 soil applied to linseed crop. The highest B concentration in seeds and stover and highest concentration of S in stover of sunflower was noted under a treatment combination receiving foliar spray of B in sunflower and 60 mg S kg-1 soil applied to linseed crop. The highest B uptake of sunflower was recorded under a treatment combination receiving two foliar sprays of 0.2% borax and 60 mg S kg-1 soil applied to linseed crop. The highest S uptake by sunflower was observed under a treatment combination receiving 2 mg B and 40 mg S kg-1 soil applied to linseed crop.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on mesoporous nanosilica and reduced graphene oxide as anocomposites of iron and zinc and their effects on growth, yield of crops and soil quality in mollisols of sub Himalayan region(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-08) Durgude, Shubham Anil; Shri RamSynthesis of nanocomposites, characterization and pot culture studies were conducted for evaluate of mesoporous nano silica (mNs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based nanocomposites of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) with rice and wheat crops in zinc deficient alluvial soils belonging to the mollisols of sub-Himalayan region. This greenhouse experiment includes fifteen treatments consisted T1:Absolute control, T2: Control / NPK – Zn, - Fe (no zinc & iron applied), T3:NPK + ZnSO4 ( 20 Kg/ha) + FeSO4 (5 kg/ ha) Basal (Silica/Graphene applied in maximum quantity), T4: NPK + 10 ppm Zn (mNs) + 1 ppm Fe (mNs) Foliar, T5:NPK + 20 ppm Zn (mNs) + 3 ppm Fe (mNs) Foliar, T6: NPK + 30 ppm Zn (mNs) + 5 ppm Fe (mNs) Foliar, T7:NPK + 1 ppm Zn (mNs) + 0.5 ppm Fe (mNs) Soil application, T8:NPK + 2 ppm Zn (mNs) + 1 ppm Fe (mNs) Soil application, T9:NPK + 5 ppm Zn (mNs) + 2 ppm Fe (mNs) Soil application, T10: NPK + 10 ppm Zn (rGO) + 1 ppm Fe (rGO) Foliar, T11:NPK + 20 ppm Zn (rGO) + 3 ppm Fe (GO) Foliar, T12:NPK + 30 ppm Zn (rGO) + 5 ppm Fe (rGO) Foliar, T13:NPK + 1 ppm Zn (rGO) + 0.5 ppm Fe (rGO) Soil application, T14:NPK + 2 ppm Zn (rGO) + 1 ppm Fe (rGO) Soil application and T15:NPK + 5 ppm Zn (rGO) + 2 ppm Fe (GO) soil application in completely randomized block design (CRD) with three replications. Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites conducted in Nanotechnology unit, College of Basic Science and Humanities, G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (Maharashtra) respectively. The characterization revealed successful synthesis of wanted nanocomposites through physico-chemical dimensions with average particles size ranging between 30-80 nm. Seed germination study showed that different exposure levels of nano iron and zinc recorded remarkable increase in seed germination and vigour in rice and wheat. Application of mesoporous nano silica and reduced graphene oxide i.e. @30 ppm Zn + 5 ppm Fe showed better results as compared to all treatments. The column study revealed the slow release properties of prepared nanocomposites as compared to conventional fertilizers (iron sulphate and zinc sulphate). The mesoporous nanosilica based nanocomposites showed comparatively extended (slow) release pattern during 100 consecutive days of application as compared to conventional fertilizers of iron and zinc. In greenhouse studies, growth parameters, yield contributing characteristics, yields and nutrients uptake by rice and wheat crops were significantly higher with iron and zinc application as foliar through mesoporous nanosilica @ 30 ppm zinc and 5 ppm of iron over conventional fertilization. Application of @ 30 ppm zinc and 5 ppm through mesoporous nanosilica as foliar application recorded 53% increase rice yield and 20% increase wheat yield as compared to conventional fertilizer application of ZnSO4 and FeSO4. Significant increase in soil available zinc was observed with application of iron and zinc nanoparticles through mNs @ 5 ppm of zinc and 2 ppm of iron as basal application. Soil microbial population viz. bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were significantly higher with application of iron and zinc nanoparticles through mNs @ 5 ppm of zinc and 2 ppm of iron as basal application. Dehydrogenase activity got severely reduced with application of nanoparticles of iron and zinc @ 5 ppm of zinc and 2 ppm of iron though reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as basal application. The quality of rice and wheat grains found increased positively in terms of test weight, total protein in rice and gluten in wheat with application of nanoparticles of iron and zinc @ 30 ppm zinc and 5 ppm through mesoporous nano silica (mNs) via foliar mode. The macronutrient viz. NPK use efficiency along with fertilizer use efficiency of iron and zinc nanofertilizers found significantly increased with application of nanoparticles of iron and zinc @ 30 ppm zinc and 5 ppm through mesoporous nano silica (mNs) as foliar when compared with conventional fertilizer application. Thus use of nanomaterials for making nanocomposites of iron and zinc are helpful to increase crop productivity along with grain and soil quality.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of nutrient sources on soil carbon pools, soil properties and yield of wheat-urdbean under poplar based agroforestry system(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-06) Ghosh, Sukanya; Paul, JaiField experiment was conducted during rabi and kharif seasons of 2017-19 at Experimental site of Agroforestry Research Centre (old site) near Horticulture Research Centre, Patharchatta of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design comprising of nine nutrient treatments (chemical fertilizers and its substitution with organics) to study their effects on soil properties under an established poplar agroforestry system with wheat- urd bean cropping sequence. Observed results showed that treatment where application of 50% of recommended dose of N-fertilizers was substituted by FYM+VC gave highest grain yield of wheat (41.6 quintal ha-1) and urdbean (6.86 quintal ha-1) which was significantly higher than all other fertilizer treatments. Due to continuous cropping no perceptible change in pH was observed. Availability of nutrients was found lower in deeper soil layers (15-60 cm) than in surface layer (0-15 cm). The bulk density displayed a growing pattern in respective treatments, with a rise in soil depth (0–30 cm). With integrated nutrient management program, soil physical properties were enhanced. The status of Walkley black carbon showed a growing trend over the years. In control, it was 5.13 g C kg-1, whereas combined use of NPK fertilizers and FYM+VC in 50:50 ratio increased it by 23.5 and 33.2% over T1. With 100 per cent (NPK+FYM+VC) application, the highest concentrations of various carbon pools were found, whereas the control plot displayed the lowest amounts. Regardless of depths, the optimal application of NPK:FYM+VC in 50:50 on N basis demonstrated a higher concentration of organic carbon pools in the soil relative to both controls taken in the study. All the treatments showed higher accumulation of soil organic carbon fractions in surface soil as compared to sub-surface soil. Growing crops without fertilization reduced the percentages of organic carbon fractions. Active and passive soil organic carbon fractions were at peak with joint application of NPK and FYM at all depths of the soil. Active pool (Cfrac1 and Cfrac2) of soil organic carbon contributed more to total carbon in comparison to contribution of passive pool (Cfrac3 and Cfrac4). The results revealed that incorporation of FYM @ 6 t ha-1 with VC @ 2 t ha-1 and NPK has observed significantly higher soil microbial biomass carbon, TOC stock, C-sequestration and C-sequestration rate than any other management practices. Carbon management index values for different nutrient application schemes were observed and found to be good with INM practices. Carbon budget was significantly positive by use on integrated nutrient application in the two year period rather than only chemical or no fertilization. Maximum increase of 54.6% and 73.5% in dehydrogenase and beta-glucosidase, respectively was recorded in the treatment where 50% of RDF was substituted through FYM+VC after wheat harvest. Also its residual effect on enzymes after urdbean harvest was maximum and increased over open control by 62.3% and 86.1%. Therefore, from this experiment it is concluded that application of NPK in conjunction with FYM and VC could be a sustainable management practice to sustain soil fertility, sequester more carbon and maintain/improve soil health vis-a-vis enhanced production of wheat- urdbean cropping sequence under poplar stands in Mollisols.ThesisItem Open Access Characterization of biochars prepared from different plant wastes and their use as source of micronutrients(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-02) Labanya, Rini; Srivastava, P.C.Six biochars were prepared from three different plant biomasses at two incineration temperature. They were characterized in the laboratory. A pot experiment was also conducted in the net house of Department of Soil Science, G.B.P.U.A.&T., Pantnagar to study the effect of different biochar addition and micronutrients + S doses on dry matter yield, nutrient concentration, nutrient uptake by hybrid Maize (Zea mays L., cv. NMH-589) and soil properties after maize harvest (60 d). Treatments imposed were six different biochars (0.5 t/ha) along with a control (no biochar addition) and four graded levels of different micronutrients+ S (equivalent to 0, 50, 75 and 100 percent) in an asymmetrical factorial completely randomized design with three replications. The present study revealed that biochars were highly carbonaceous residues and the properties of biochars change with the nature of source and also with the increase in the incineration temperature. The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B in the biochars were found to be significantly increased with the increase in the incineration temperature from 300 to 450 °C. The adsorption kinetics of micronutrients and S on biochars conformed best to the pseudo-first order kinetics. The concentration dependent adsorption-desorption studies of biochars revealed that they followed Freundlich isotherm model. An increase in incineration temperature significantly increased the adsorbed amount of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B onto biochars but decreased the percent desorption of these micronutrients. The interaction effect of biochar source and incubation temperature had varying effects on adsorption and percent desorption of micronutrients and S. Pot experiment revealed that with application of wheat biochar (W300) and 75 percent of micronutrients+ S doses the highest dry matter yield was obtained. The Zn and Fe uptakes were found to be significantly influenced by the biochar addition, different micronutrients+ S doses and interaction effect of these two variables. Application of 50%, 75% and 100% micronutrients+ S doses significantly increased Mn and B uptake of maize. The interaction effect of biochar addition and application of different micronutrients+ S doses failed to significantly influence Cu, Mn, B and S uptake of maize crop. After the harvest of maize, higher soil pH and EC were recorded under biochar addition and different micronutrients + S doses. The soil organic C showed a significant but minor increase only under the application of the W300 biochar. The highest DTPA extractable Fe, Mn content and 0.15% CaCl2 extractable S content were recorded in treatment combination receiving P300 biochar with application of 100 % micronutrients+ S dose. Thus, biochar can be considered as a good source and carrier of micronutrients and S to improve maize biomass yield and the soil quality.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of long term integrated nutrient management in soybean-wheat cropping system on mollisol of Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-05) Awasthi, Shalini Dwivedi; Srivastava, AjayaA study on the impact of Long Term integrated nutrient management in soybean- wheat cropping system on Mollisol of Uttarakhand was done. For that a field experiment was conducted at Norman E Borlauge Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during 2014-17.Combined application of chemical fertilizers along with farm yard manure NPK 100% RDF + 5 ton FYM increased soil pH, EC in soil of soybean and wheat crop during three years while significant increased was observed for organic carbon content, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in soil of soybean and wheat crop during all three years. Among STCR Targeted yield inorganic and organic mode, STCR Targeted yield 2 organic mode + 5 ton FYM ha-1 significantly increased organic carbon content, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium in soil of soybean and wheat crop during three years. Combined application of chemical fertilizers along with organic manure farm yard manure NPK 100% RDF + 5 ton FYM ha-1 significantly increased plant height, number of nodules, number of pods, number of effective tillers, number of ears per plant , grain weight in soybean and wheat crop during all three years. Among STCR Targeted yield inorganic and organic mode, STCR Targeted yield 2 organic mode + 5 ton FYM ha-1 also significantly increased plant height, number of nodules, number of pods, number of effective tillers, number of ears per plant , grain weight in soybean and wheat crop during three years. The highest grain yield, straw yield and biological yield in soybean and wheat crop was obtained by the combined application of chemical fertilizers along with organic manure farm yard manure during three years. The maximum grain yield varied from 29, 30.40, 32.53 q ha-1 in soybean crop and 53.33, 54.53 56.57 q ha-1 in wheat crop was obtained by NPK 100% RDF + 5 ton FYM ha-1 during three years 2014- 17.The highest straw yield varied from 36.54, 38.30, 40.99 q ha-1 in soybean crop and 74.67, 76.35, 79.19 q ha-1 in wheat crop was obtained by NPK 100% RDF + 5 ton FYM ha-1 during three years 2014-17. Among STCR Targeted yield inorganic and organic mode, STCR Targeted yield 2 organic mode + 5 ton FYM ha-1 significantly increased grain and straw yield in soybean and wheat crop during three years 2014-17. Combined application of chemical fertilizers and organic manure NPK 100% RDF + 5 ton FYM ha-1 significantly increased NPK content and uptake by soybean and wheat crop during three years. Among STCR Targeted yield inorganic and organic mode, STCR Targeted yield 2 organic mode + 5 ton FYM ha-1 significantly increased NPK content and uptake by soybean and wheat crop during three years. As a result of improved physical, chemical properties of soil and also improved growth parameters, productivity of soybean and wheat crops in soybean- wheat cropping system due to combined application of chemical fertilizers along with organic manure FYM during three years. From the present investigation it can be elucidated that the combined use of chemical fertilizer along with FYM for three years of soybean -wheat cropping system is a sustainable nutrient management practices because of improved physico- chemical properties of soil and productivity of both crops and also helps to obtained the targeted yield in soybean and wheat crops in soybean – wheat cropping system during three years.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of Rhizobium and PGPR inoculation in mungbean on productivity and soil properties in mungbean-wheat sequence(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-08) Neha; Ramesh ChandraA field experiment was conducted to study the performance of Rhizobium and PGPR inoculation in mungbean on productivity and soil properties in mungbean-wheat sequence during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Laboratory study was carried out in the Department of Soil Science and the field experiment at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G.B.P.U.A&T, Pantnagar. The five treatments in mungbean consisting of inoculation with Rhizobium and PGPR, alone and in combination, N as RDF and an uninoculated control were randomized in main plots and three N levels (50, 75 and 100% of RDF) in succeeding wheat in sub plots in three replications. The soil was Sandy loam of neutral pH and low in available N, high in available P and medium in available K. The test crop variety of mungbean was Pant mung-5 and wheat PBW-550. Inoculation of different biofertilizer treatments in mungbean and N as RDF increased the mean nodule number, nodule dry weight and plant dry weight of both the years significantly over the uninoculated control. These treatments also significantly increased the leaf chlorophyll content of mungbean ranging from 1.9 to 11.3% at 60 DAS over the uninoculated control during 2018-19. Different treatments in mungbean recorded significantly higher mean grain yield from 2.5 to 11.7% and numerically more straw yield from 3.7 to 12.1% over the uninoculated control. Inoculation also increased the N and P content and its uptake by grain and straw in comparison to the uninoculated control. Mineral N and available N, P, K in soil at harvesting due to different treatments was 3.5 to 25.8%, 3.5 to 18.8%, 9.4 to 57.2% and 2.9 to 18.7% significantly more over the uninoculated control. Different treatments in mungbean also significantly increased the organic C, microbial biomass C, activities of enzymes dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases and respiration rate in soil. Irrespective of N levels, the different treatments in preceding mungbean significantly increased the mean plant dry weight and plant height of wheat of both the years over the uninoculated control at different intervals. The effect of different treatments in preceding mungbean showed the numerical increases in mean grain of 3.1 to 9.7% and straw yield of 2.2 to 9.4% of succeeding wheat over the uninoculated control. Different inoculation treatments also influenced the various yield attributes of wheat viz. effective tillers, mean spike length, grain weight per spike significantly and total tillers, number of spikelets per spike and thousand grain weight numerically. These treatments also significantly increased N, P and K uptake by wheat grain and straw. The treatments in mungbean significantly affected the mineral, ammonical and nitrate N in soil at different intervals. All the inoculation treatments applied in mungbean also recorded higher organic C and available N, P and K in soil at different intervals. A significant variation in mean microbial biomass C and activities of dehydrogenase and acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases in soil were also noticed at different intervals suggesting their residual impact on soil health. Increasing levels of N significantly increased the wheat grain and straw yields, mineral, ammonical and nitrate N, available N, P and K, microbial biomass C and activities of dehydrogenase and acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases in soil at different intervals. The maximum net returns of Rs.1,46,071 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 2.74 were noted with combined inoculation of Rhizobium + PGPR. However, among the N levels, the highest net returns of Rs.1,48,603 ha-1 and the B:C ratio of 2.75 was obtained with 100% fertilizer N under mungbean-wheat sequence.ThesisItem Open Access Soil test crop response studies for efficient nutrient management on brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) grown in a mollisol of Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-09) Bhatt, Pallavi; Singh, SobaranField experiments were conducted during the year 2017-18 and 2018-19 in a Aquic Hapludoll at D7 block of Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (290 N latitude and 79029’ E longitude), as per the technical programme of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test Crop Response Correlation. The experiments were conducted in three phases. In the first phase soil fertility gradient was created by dividing experimental field into three strips and applying graded doses of fertilizers (Strip I (no fertilizer), Strip II (100,100 and 100 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha) and Strip III (200, 200 and 200 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1) and growing of exhaust crop fodder Oats (Pant 612). In the second phase i.e. next season test crop Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) was grown in spring and kharif season by dividing each strip in 24 plots having 21 treatments and 3 controlled plots. Response of brinjal var Pant samrat was studied to selected combinations of three levels of FYM (0, 10 and 20 t/ha), four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1), four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four levels of potassium (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg K2O ha-1) at different fertility levels. In third phase, a verification trial was conducted during 2019 to validate the fertilizer adjustment equations generated by ten treatments and three replications, with combinations of inorganic, organic and growth regulator. The values of the organic carbon, Alkaline KMnO4 extractable N, Olsen’s P and neutral normal Ammonium Acetate extractable K in the experimental field ranged between 0.34 to 1.57 per cent, 100.35 to 200.70 kg ha-1 and 15.06 to 19.85 kg ha-1, 110.88 to 208.32 kg ha-1, respectively. The fruit yield of brinjal ranged from 70.83 to 300.82 q ha-1for spring brinjal and 110.25 to 302.01 q ha-1, for kharif brinjal. The total uptake of N, P and K ranged from 17.57 to 127.26, 2.02 to 37.77 and 9.55 to 63.00 kg ha-1, respectively by spring brinjal. However, for kharif brinjal the total uptake of N, P and K ranged from 15.06 to 159.76, 6.66 to 55.91 and 16.25 to 89.69 kg ha-1, respectively. Suitability of soil test methods was also evaluated by R2 value of multiple regression equation and concluded that Alkaline KMnO4-N, Olsen’s-P and NH4OAc-K methods are suitable for the determination of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively in Tarai region of Uttarakhand for brinjal crop. However, other methods were also found at par and may be recommended for use in soil testing laboratories. Basic data were generated with the help of soil test values, fertilizer doses, yield and nutrient values separately for both the seasons and then taking average for pooled basic data. The nutrient requirement for production of one quintal of brinjal was found to be 0.50 kg Nitrogen, 0.14 kg Phosphorus and 0.25 kg Potassium. Percent contribution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was 31.63, 29.61 and 13.82, respectively from soil, whereas it was 59.58, 94.60 and 81.10 percent respectively from FYM. Percent contribution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium without FYM was 39.86, 35.52 and 44.98 and with conjoint use of chemical fertilizer with FYM 50.41, 47.43 and 65.12 percent, respectively. Fertilizer adjustment equations developed for conjoint use of fertilizers with the help of pooled basic data are: FN= 1.00T- 0.63 SN-0.59 ON, F P2O5= 0.68T- 1.43SP- 3.17OP, F K2O = 0.47T- 0.26SK- 0.75OK. Maximum response to spring brinjal was obtained at 120 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O ha-1. While for kharif brinjal, maximum response was obtained at 180 kg N, 30 kg P2O5 and 90 kg K2O ha-1. The fruit yield of spring brinjal was significantly correlated with total uptake of nitrogen (0.636**), total uptake of phosphorus (0.696**) and total uptake of potassium (0.720**). However, for kharif brinjal fruit yield of brinjal significantly correlated total uptake of nitrogen (0.598**), total uptake of phosphorus (0.674**) and total uptake of potassium (0.659**). For the post harvest soil test values prediction equations were developed for available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and potassium. Verification trial was conducted to test the validity of fertilizer adjustment equations. Fertilizer application based on targeted yield approach was found to be significantly superior over general recommended dose (GRD). Findings from present investigation can be successfully utilized for Tarai region of Uttarakhand aseffective guide for efficient and balanced fertilizer recommendation for brinjal.
