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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access LONG TERM EFFECT OF FYM AND FERTILITY LEVELS ON PROPERTIES OF LOAMY SAND SOIL (Typic Ustochrept) AS WELL AS YIELD AND QUALITY OF CROPS IN A PEARLMILLET-MUSTARD-COWPEA (FODDER) CROPPING SEQUENCE(AAU, Anand, 2002) PATEL, JITENDRAKUMAR ADITBHAI; PATEL, B. K.The physico-chemical and biological properties of soil and yield, quality and nutrient content and uptake by different crops as affected by FYM (0 and 10 t ha-1) and fertility levels [no fertilizer (FL1), 50% (FL2), 100% (FL3) and 150%o (FL4) of the recommended NP] in a pearlmillet-mustard-cowpea (fodder) sequence were evaluated during 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 from a long term experiment being conducted since 1994 at the Micronutrient Project (ICAR), G.A.U.. Anand. Soil samples at different depths of profile (0-15 cm) (D1), 15-30 cm (D2), 30-45 cm (D3), 45-60 cm (D4), 60-75 cm (D5) and 75-90 cm (D6) were collected in 2000 summer after harvest of cowpea (fodder). EFFECT OF FYM Application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 to kharif pearlmillet had decreased bulk density and increased water holding capacity of soil. Its supplementation also improved availability of total N, P, K, S, Mn and Zn due to increase in organic carbon content of soil in the upper horizon (upto 30 cm). The DTPAextractable Fe in soil at 15-30 cm depth was in a deficient range (<5 mg kg-1). The total microbial biomass carbon and microbial population were improved by about 43, and 8.8 per cent, respectively. The overall increase in seed, straw and total yield of pealmillet was about 42 per cent due to FYM application. The total uptake of all the nutrients was higher under FYM than no FYM. The oil and protein contents of pearlmillet seeds were increased by 6.2 and 12.6 per cent, due to FYM addition, respectively. The increase in seed and straw yields of mustard was to the extent of 16.2 and 6.6 per cent due to FYM over no FYM, respectively. The nitrogen content of mustard seed and straw and S and Mn contents of see4 were significantly improved, while Fe, Zn, Cu contents were lower in seed and straw under FYM than no FYM. The uptake of N, P, K and Fe by seed and straw and thereby total uptake was higher under FYM than no FYM. Similarly, S pptake by seed and total uptake, Mn uptake by straw and total uptake as well as Zn uptake by mustard seed were higher under FYM applied to preceding crop of pearlmillet. The protein (10.1%) and oil (6.6%) contents as well as oil yield (26%) potential were significantly improved due to FYM application. The improvement in fodder yield of cowpea under FYM supplementation was due to increase in'green and dry weight as well as chlorophyll contents. The increase in yield resulted in increase N, K and S contents and uptake by cowpea fodder, while P content and uptake were decreased due to FYM application over no FYM. Among micronutrients, Fe and Cu contents were lower in fodder but their uptake was higher with FYM than no FYM. The protein content of cowpea fodder was increased by 49.8 per cent due to FYM application. EFFECT OF FERTILITY LEVELS The water holding capacity and electrical conductivity of soil were improved due to fertility levels. The available nutrients, especially P was increased, while trends for K, S and Cu were not consistent. Interestingly FL3 (100% recommended) fertility level at 15-30 cm depth gave DTPA Fe < 5 mg kg"', while Zn availability was the maximum. The total microbial biomass carbon content increased upto FL3 and decreased significantly thereafter. The yield attributes in general showed increasing trend with the increasing fertility levels, wherein seed yield of pearlmillet and fodder yield of cowpea were the maximum under FL3, while straw and total yield of pearlmillet and yield of all kinds of mustard were maximum under 150 per cent of the recommended dose of NP. The oil content of pearlmillet and mustard seeds was the maximum at the highest fertility (FL4) level. Similarly protein content of pearlmillet seed and cowpea (fodder) was maximum under FL4 and that of mustard seed under FL3. The uptake of N, P and K by pearlmillet was the highest at the highest fertility level. The S uptake by pearlmillet was the highest at FL4 but in mustard and cowpea it was the highest at FL3. Among different micronutrients, Zn removal was the highest at FL4 in all the three crops, while Fe removal was the highest at the same fertility level under pealmillet only. In case of mustard and cowpea, FL2 and FL3 gave maximum total Fe uptake, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access YIELD AND QUALITY OF CABBAGE {BRASSICA OLERACEA L.VfiiR. CAPITATA) AS INFLUENCED BY INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND ITS RESIDUAL EFFECT ON SUCCEEDING BAJRA(AAU, Anand, 2000) PATEL, Z. N.; PATEL, J. C.An experiment was conducted with a view to know the effects of INM on cabbage-bajra sequence at fixed site for a period of two consecutive years (1998 and 1999) at Horticulture Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand under middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditions.ThesisItem Open Access POSSIBILITY OF UTILIZING PHOSPHOGYPSUM IN AGRICULTURE AS A SOURCE OF SULPHUR(AAU, Anand, 2001) PRABHUDESAI, SHRIKANT S.; KALYANASUNDARAM, N. K.The rapid growth of industries in states like Gujarat has also brought in the need for proper disposal/management of the industrial, effluent byproduct. The byproducts such as phospiiogypsum can sei-ve as a source of sulphur or calcium if heavy metal contaminants and toxic substances, if any, are kept low through pretreatments. Since 37 per cent of Gujarat soils are deficient in S, such S containing byproducts can meet the large requirement in the state. Looking in to the need to recycle such byproducts in a safe and effective way as soil amendments, the present investigation was undertaken to study three phosphogypsum byproducts of dye industry as axsource of S to crops. A field experiment was conducted on S deficient loamy sand soil (21 kg S ha-1) belonging to Typic ustochrept during kharif and rabi seasons of the years 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The fodder sorghum (var. GFSIH-1) during kharif and mustard (var. Varuna) in rabi seasons were grown as test crops. There were seventeen treatments (4 sources x 2 S levels x 2 periods alongwith one control) replicated three times in a randomized block design. Three phosphogypsum byproducts having concentration of heavy metals as Cd (ND), Cr (10-20 ppm), Ni (10 ppm) and Pb (10 ppm) alongwith the mineral gypsum containing Cd (ND), Cr (20 ppm), Ni (10 ppm) and Pb (10 ppm) were used as sources of sulphur in the experiment to supply 20 kg and 40 kg S ha-1. During the first year of experimentation the sulphur was applied to sixteen treatments for fodder sorghum crop. While, during second year, the fresh application of sulphur was done only in the eight treatments for fodder sorglium crop. The mustard crop was grown on residual effect of sulphur during both the years. Application of 40 kg S ha-1 gave significantly higher yield of both the crops than 20 kg S ha-1 and the control, the latter two treatments being at par in their effect irrespective of sources of S. The yield increase due to 40 kg S ha-1 was distinctly evident in the direct and cumulative effects of S treatments on the first and second sorghum crops and in their first residual effects on-the first and second mustard crops respectively. The second and the third residual effects of S treatments applied to the first crop of sorghum did not show any significant impact on the crop yield even at 40 kg S ha-1 level. There was no adverse effect on account of application of the three phosphogypsum byproducts on plant growth and yield of crops and yields were comparable with mineral gypsum treatments. The effect of treatments on the content and uptake of the nutrients such as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu was studied. The S content of sorghum plant, mustard seed and mustard stover increased significantly over the control due to the direct and cumulative effects as well as their residual effects of application of 40 kg S ha-1 whereas the N content of sorghum plant increased due to the direct and cumulative effects of sulphur application at both the levels over control. In general, the application of 40 kg S ha-1 increased the metalic micronutrients content in the plant and it was conspicuous in (he direct and cumulative effects of S treatments and in their first residual effects. The three phosphogypsum byproducts did not increase micronutrient contents in plant more than that of mineral gypsum. The sulphur treatments significantly increased macro- and micronutrient uptake by plants as compared to the control in all the crops. The higher level of S application recorded significantly higher uptake of nutrients than the lower dose. All die sulphur sources were at par with each other in terms of nutrient uptake by crops In general, the Cr, Ni and Pb contents in the plants did not increase significantly due to,the different sulphur treatments in comparison to the control. The Cd was below the detectable limit. However, in accordance with the yield increase due to the S treatments, there was corresponding increase in the uptake of the heavy metals also. The Cr and Ni uptake by the first and second sorghum crops and in addition Pb uptake in the second sorghum crop were significantly increased due to the direct and cumulative effects of 40 kg S ha-1 respectively. The first residual effect of direct and cumulative effect of 40 kg S ha-1 treatments significantly increased Ni uptake in the first mustard crop and Pb uptake in the second mustard crop respectively. There were no significant differences in the uptake of heavy metals by plants due to the application of three phosphogypsum byproducts in comparison to mineral gypsum. No significant differences were observed in pH, EC, OC, available N, P, K and Mg content in soil after harvest of each crop due to different treatments. The Ca and S availability increased in the soil after harvest of first and second sorghum crops due to the direct and cumulative effect of 40 S ha-1 treatments irrespective of the source. Available metalic micronutrients did not vary in their contents in soil due to the 40 kg S ha-1 treatment except increase in Mn after the first sorghum crop, Fe after second sorghum crop,- Cu and Mn after the first mustard crop. Different sources of S were at par in their effect on the available micronutrient contents in soil. The direct and cumulative effects as well as their residual effects of the various treatments did not change the Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb availability in soil alter harvest of each crop. Thus the results of the present investigation indicated that the pretreated phosphogypsum byproducts containing low amounts of heavy metals can be safely used as a source of sulphur in S deficient soils for increasing crop yield.ThesisItem Open Access LONG-TERM EFFECT OF ORGANICS AND FERTILIZERS ON PROPERTIES OF Typic Ustochrept SOIL UNDER BIDI TOBACCO (Nicotiana tabacum L.)(AAU, Anand, 2002) SINGH, GOPAL; PATEL, B. K.Since last 38 years a long term manurial experiment to study the effect of bulky manures and manurial combinations on soil productivity of Typic Ustochrept is in progress at the Bidi Tobacco Research Station, GAU, Anand. The treatments comprised of bulky manures (No organic manure (N), Green manuring (G), FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year (F1), FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 in alternate year (F2) and manurial combinations as recommended dose of N (180 kg ha-1) through castor cake (C4), ammonium sulphate (A4), equal amount from both the source (C2A2), recommended dose of NPK (180 + 90 + 135 kg ha-1, respectively) as A4P2K3 and 135 kg N ha-1 through ammonium sulphate along with recommended dose of P2O5 and K2O as A3P2K3. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES The bulk density was significantly decreased, while the water holding capacity was increased due to the application of organic manures over no organic manures. The green manuring and FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year were superior to others in the reduction of bulk density and increase in water holding capacity, respectively. Among manurial combinations A4P2K3 had profound effect over others in lowering the bulk density, while WHC was the highest under C4. The treatment combination F1 x A4P2K3 registered minimum BD. The bulk density and WHC increased with increase in the depth of soil profile. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES The pH was maintained near neutral due to green manuring and application of recommended dose of NPK. The interaction effect showed minimum pH under GM x A4 treatment combination. The EC and cation exchange capacity were increased significantly due to green manuring and application of FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year. Maximum organic carbon content was noted under treatment combination of G X A4P2K3. The total-N content was significantly the highest under FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depth. Among manurial combination FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 in alternate year registered the least total-N. It increased upto 30-60 cm depth of soil profile. The total-P content was the highest under green manuring followed by FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year. Among manurial combinations, A4P2K3 registered the highest value of total-P. However, the interaction effect showed that F1 x A4P2K3 showed the highest total-P, while N x A4 combination recorded the lowest total-P. The different fractions of P were improved by addition of bulky manures. Ca-P fraction contributed more than 50 per cent of total-P. All the fractions of P were increased due to A4P2K3 followed by A3P2K3. The non-exchangeable and total-K were maximum under Fi, while exchangeable-K was maximum under F2. Among manurial combinations, A4P2K3 recorded the highest concentrations of all the fractions at all the depths. The total-K increased with the increase in the depth of soil profile. The total-S content was the highest under FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every at all the depths. The highest total-S was registered under A4P2K3 treatment under manurial combinations. It increased upto 15-30 cm and thereafter decreased. The maximum concentration of available and total Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were noted under FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year followed by its application in the alternate year. Among manurial combinations, A4P2K3 showed the highest available and total micronutrient cations at all the depths, except Zn, which was maximum under A3P2K3 at all the depths. Depth-wise distribution showed that availability of Fe, Mn and Cu was maximum at 15-30 cm and for Zn it was at 0-15 cm. Total-Zn and Mn decreased with the depth of soil profile, while total-Cu was almost the same at all the depths. Cadmium was detected (0.81-1.20 mg kg-1) in plot receiving single superphosphate @ 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 year-1. BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES Total microbial biomass carbon was the highest in treatment involving green manuring every year followed by FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 every year. The interaction effect indicated maximum microbial activity in G x A4P2K3 combination. CORRELATION COEFFICIENT The highly significant negative correlation was found between crop yield and bulk density, while WHC showed positive relationship. Similarly, CEC, organic carbon, total-S and microbial biomass carbon also showed positive relationship with crop yield. From the above results it can be concluded that for maintaining the optimum physico-chemical and biological properties of Typic Ustochrept (Inceptisols) soil of middle Gujarat under tobacco crop either it should be green manured or FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 should be applied every year. Absence of organic manures (green manuring or FYM or Cake) and application of only nitrogen @ 180 kg N ha-1 is likely to deplete soil of micronutrients especially Zn. For monitoring of physico-chemical and biological properties of soil under bidi tobacco crop, samples should be drawn from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths, as significant association with crop yield and some of the properties was obtained at these depths.