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Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour established on 5th August, 2010 is a basic and strategic institution supporting more than 500 researchers and educationist towards imparting education at graduate and post graduate level, conducting basic, strategic, applied and adaptive research activities, ensuring effective transfer of technologies and capacity building of farmers and extension personnel. The university has 6 colleges (5 Agriculture and 1 Horticulture) and 12 research stations spread in 3 agro-ecological zones of Bihar. The University also has 21 KVKS established in 20 of the 25 districts falling under the jurisdiction of the University. The degree programmes of the university and its colleges have been accredited by ICAR in 2015-16. The university is also an ISO 9000:2008 certified organisation with International standard operating protocols for maintaining highest standards in teaching, research, extension and training.VisionThe Bihar Agricultural University was established with the objective of improving quality of life of people of state especially famers constituting more than two third of the population. Having set ultimate goal of benefitting society at large, the university intends to achieve it by imparting word-class need based agricultural education, research, extension and public service.
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ThesisItem Open Access Soil Resources Mapping of Sabour Block of Bhagalpur District, Bihar(Department of Soil Science (Agril. Chemistry), BAU, Sabour, 2020) Bagoria, Neeraj; Vimal, B. K.The present study entitled “Soil Resources Mapping of Sabour block of Bhagalpur district, Bihar” represented the soil fertility status and Land Capability Classification. Soil profiles viz. P1, P2, P3 and P4 predominantly were taxonomically observed in three orders namely, Entisols, Inceptisols and Vertisols under investigation and varied from sandy loam in Diara land to clay in Tal land. However, textural class as clay loam was found in agricultural land followed by silt loam under horticultural land. In context of soil fertility, the soil pH of the study area ranged from 6.5 to 8.53 (mean value of 7.52) and 90 per cent of the soil samples categorized under neutral range. The electrical conductivity (EC) varied from 0.10 to 0.160 dSm-1 which comes under almost non saline in nature. The calcium carbonate content in soil ranged from non- calcareous (0.5-1.0 %) to calcareous (>10 %). The range of organic carbon was observed medium (2.05), available nitrogen was low (1.09), available phosphorus was medium (2.11) and available potassium was high (2.70). However, The DTPA Iron content of the study area was very high and sufficient in Copper and Manganese content. But, Zinc deficiency was observed in all Panchayats. In this context, the availability of Copper, Iron, Manganese and Zinc were seen to be decreased with growing pH values. In context of land capability class, the study was placed under class IIIw in Tal and Diara lands which are assessed under flood and water logging during monsoon. However, agricultural land and horticultural lands put under class III followed by class IV. The present investigation helped how to trace out the actual agricultural land out of the total geographical area under RS-GIS domain that dealt the actual mapping for soil fertility status up to block and panchayat level which may be helpful for the management of agricultural land under cereals, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables crops. In view of analyzed facts, maps over soil fertility status may be also helpful towards refinement of the supply chain of the nitrogenous fertilizers.ThesisItem Open Access Synthesis, characterization and efficacy of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) in rice and wheat rhizosphere(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2022) Satdev; Mandal, NintuIron (Fe) deficiency is appearing gradually in soils where high yielding crop varieties are cultivated in intensive cereal-cereal cropping system. FeSO4.7H2O reported to have very low fertilizer use efficiency (1-5%) owing to interaction with soil components and its higher solubility. There is need for developing intelligent Fe fertilizers or intelligent nutrient delivery system. Nanotechnology based nano Fe fertilizer seems to be promising over conventional formulation due to its higher aspect ratio coupled with increased chemical reactivity. However, studies about nano Fe fertilizer synthesis and their impact on soil plant system are rare. Hence, keeping in this thing into consideration a research work was undertaken entitled “Synthesis, characterization and efficacy of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) in rice and wheat rhizosphere” with the objectives of (i) Synthesis (chemical, biological and nanocomposite) and characterization of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) (ii) To evaluate the efficacy of Fe-NPs under laboratory condition (iii) To evaluate the efficacy of Fe nanoparticles in rice and wheat rhizosphere under pot experiment. This study included synthesis and characterization of three novel Fe fertilizers i.e., chemically and biologically synthesized of nano Fe and iron loaded nanoclay polymer composites (Fe-NCPC). Fe were contained 5.05%, 0.97% and 4.47% in Fe-NPs (Chem.), Fe-NPs (Bio.) Fe-NCPC, respectively. Chemical and biological synthesized nano Fe shown spherical morphology with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). While Fe-NCPC under SEM illustrated the exfoliated type structure. Average particles size of chemically and biologically synthesized nano Fe using dynamic light scattering (DLS) was measured as 35.4 nm and 25.5 nm, respectively. Functional group characteristics of chemical synthesized nano Fe was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR) peak at 669 to 472 cm-1 correspond to Fe-O stretching and vibrational adsorption, at 1630 cm-1 correspond to C=O, 2920 cm-1 asymmetric stretching of C-H and at 3220 to 3440 cm-1 was assigned to O-H stretching vibration. Functional group of biosynthesized nano Fe was at 472 cm-1 for indicate Fe oxide (Fe-O), 1630 cm-1 for carbonyl group, 1300 to 1000 cm-1 for C-O stretching might be due to covalent linkage of ether or ether groups to NPs, 3200 cm-1 to 3600 cm-1 for the organic functional group i.e. hydroxyl or –NH groups. Similarly, in Fe-NCPC shifting of -CONH2 bands from 1690 cm-1 to 1636.09 cm-1 confirmed the interactions between clay surface and polymer. X-ray diffraction of Nano Fe carries illustrated that mixed phases of Fe were present such as Hematite, Magnetite, Meghemite and Pyrite in Fe-Chem. and Fe-Bio nano Fe and Fe-NCPC. Under laboratory incubation experiment in Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents maximum DTPA-Fe (37.17 mg kg-1 and 36.55 mg kg-1) was recorded at 60 days after incubation in Fe-NCPC. Fe-NCPC was found to be most efficient Fe fertilizer in terms of controlled release pattern at the end of incubation as compared to FeSO4.7H2O followed by biological synthesized nano Fe and chemical synthesized nano Fe. Nano Fe fertilizers i.e., chemical and biological synthesized nano Fe nano and Fe-NCPC (at three levels doses of Fe 25%, 50% and 100%) along with nano synthesized (chemical and biological) Fe foliar application (40 ppm) were further investigated in comparison with 100% RDFe through FeSO4.7H2O and control in a pot culture experiment under Rice (Rajendra Mansuri) crop. RDFe 100% through nano carriers (Biosynthesized and Chemical synthesized nano Fe) and Fe-NCPC recorded significantly higher DTPA Fe content in Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents as compared to FeSO4.7H2O. While RDFe 25% through nano Fe-NCPC, Fe-NPs (Bio.) and Fe-NPs (Chem.) maintained statistically at par DTPA-Fe content as comparison to FeSO4.7H2O 100%. Synthesized nano Fe carriers significantly contributed in Fe pools in Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. Fe-NCPC as well as nano Fe carriers (Bio-chemical synthesized) significantly increased acid phosphatase (APA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALPA) activity as well as urease activity in post-harvest soils Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. Fe-NCPC 100%, Fe-NPs (Bio.) 100% and Fe-NPs (Chem.) 100% increased grain yield (12.98% & 4.25%), (10.88% & 3.14%) and (9.54% and 2.59%) of rice under Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents compared to FeSO4.7H2O. RDFe 100%, 50% and 25% through nano Fe carriers recorded significantly higher Fe content in rice grain under Typic Haplustepts while 100% and 50% Fe through Fe-NCPC, Fe-NPs (Bio.) and NPs (Chem.) observed significantly higher Fe concentration in rice grain under Typic Ustifluvents as compare to FeSO4.7H2O. RDFe of 100% through nano Fe carriers i.e. Fe-NCPC, Fe-NPs (Bio.) and Fe-NPs (Chem.) recorded significantly enhanced Fe uptake by rice as compared to FeSO4.7H2O in post-harvest Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. Nano Fe carriers 25% RDFe recorded statistically at par variation as compared to FeSO4.7H2O. Maximum Apparent recovery of Fe (39.16% & 31.19%) and Agronomy Efficiency (1.30 g g-1 & 1.28 g g-1) were recorded under foliar application of Fe-NPs (Bio.) (40 ppm) followed by Fe-NPs (Chem.) (40 ppm) over FeSO4.7H2O under Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. RDFe 25% through Fe-NCPC 25% was significantly higher ARFe (13.20% & 7.88%) and Agronomy efficiency while 25% RDFe through biological and chemical synthesis Fe-NPs were statistically at par as compared to FeSO4.7H2O. Chemically and biologically synthesized nano Fe fertilizer at foliar spray was also proven to be effective in increasing grain and straw yield as well as enhanced the nutrient content plant acquisition. Synthesized nanoscale Fe carrier i.e. Fe-NPs (Chem.), Fe-NPs (Bio.) and Fe-NCPC application of at three different levels 100%, 50% and 25% as well as foliar application (40 ppm) of chemical and biological synthesized nano Fe carriers were further investigated as compared to 100% RDFe through FeSO4.7H2O and control in a pot culture experiment under wheat (HD 2967) crop in Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. Recommend dose of Fe 100% through nano carriers recorded significantly higher DTPA Fe content in Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. While RDFe 25% through nano Fe-NCPC, biological and chemical synthesized nano Fe carriers maintained statistically at par DTPA-Fe content as comparison to FeSO4.7H2O. Synthesized nano Fe carriers significantly contributed in Fe pools in Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. Fe-NCPC as well as nano Fe carriers (Bio-chemical synthesized) significantly increased acid phosphatase (APA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALPA) activity in post-harvest soils Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents. Fe-NCPC 100%, Fe-NPs (Bio.) 100% and Fe-NPs (Chem.) 100% recorded more grain yield of wheat (6.47% & 6.60), (4.84% & 5.21%) and (4.49% & 4.52%) in Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents compared to FeSO4.7H2O, respectively. Soil (RDFe 100%, 50% and 25%) and foliar (40 ppm) application of nano Fe carriers recorded significantly higher Fe content and total Fe uptake by wheat crop under Typic Haplustepts while RDFe 100% and 50% through nano Fe carriers recorded significantly higher Fe content in grain as well as total Fe uptake by wheat as compared to FeSO4.7H2O under Typic Ustifluvents. Nano Fe carriers 25% RDFe were recorded statistically at par as compared to FeSO4.7H2O. Post-harvest Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustifluvents soil, maximum Apparent Recovery of Fe (53.00% & 29.38%) and Agronomy Efficiency (1.30 g g-1 & 1.60 g g-1) were recorded under foliar application of Fe-NPs (Bio.) (40 ppm) followed by Fe-NPs (Chem.) (40 ppm) recorded ARFe (48.93% & 26.37%) and AE (1.23 g g-1 & 1.38 g g-1) over FeSO4.7H2O. RDFe 25% through Fe-NCPC 25% was significantly higher ARFe (13.83% & 7.92%) and AE (0.42 g g-1 & 0.40 g g-1) while 25% RDFe through biologically and chemically synthesized Fe-NPs recorded statistically at par variation as compared to FeSO4.7H2O. Chemically and biologically synthesized nano Fe carriers at foliar spray was also proven to be effective in increasing straw, grain yield and plant nutrition. However, Nano Fe carriers need to be evaluated in long-term cropping system under field experiments in diverse soil types and evaluation of nano Fe sources in terms of benefit: cost ratio and wide scale adaptability is requiredThesisItem Open Access Effect of organic management practices on the fractions of nitrogen and microbial activity in soil under onion-cauliflower-pea cropping system(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2022) Lata, Suman; Paul, Sankar ChandraIn the direction of improvement of soil health and its sustainability, the application of organic sources along with biofertilizers can be the most promising way to improve the nutrient status in soil and also helpful to increase the crop productivity. Cropping systems have also several advantages like increases production, effective pest, disease and weed control and improved soil health. So, in the view of soil health and environmental sustainability, fulfillment of nitrogen requirement to the crops through the organic sources can potentially play the most vital role in plant’s overall development, maintaing soil fertility and ultimately the yield of crops. Keeping all the points in the mind a field experiment with organic based treatments was laid out in a randomized block design at Bihar Agricultural College farm, Sabour in 2018 with nine treatments and three replications. The different treatments consisted of: T1- Control (no fertilization),T2 – RDF ( Recommended dose of fertilizer), T3- 100% RDN substituted through FYM, T4- 75% RDN (FYM) + 25% RDN (Vermicompost), T5- 75% RDN (FYM) +25% RDN (Vermicompost)+ Azotobacter, T6- 75% RDN (FYM) +25% RDN (Vermicompost) +Azotobacter + PSB, T7- 75% RDN (FYM) +25% RDN (Vermicompost)+ Azotobacter +PSB +1 Spray of Panchagawya (45 days after sowing or transplanting), T8- 75% RDN (FYM) +25% RDN (Vermicompost)+ 2 Spray of Panchagawya ( 30 and 45 days after sowing), T9- 1/3 RDN (FYM) +1/3 RDN (Vermicompost) + 1/3 RND (Neem cake). Present studies were conducted under this experiment in 8th (Pea), 9th (Onion) and 10th (Cauliflower) cropping season using surface and subsurface soil samples to understand the effect of organic sources on soil physico-chemical, microbial properties and different fractions of organic nitrogen. In this experiment, a significantly lower value of pH was found after the harvest of pea and onion in surface soil. Significantly higher value of organic carbon was found in soil samples from both the depths after harvest of crops in order of onion> cauliflower> pea. Available form of N, P, K, total N and micronutrients in soil were found to be significantly higher in treatment T7 (75% RDN replaced by FYM, 25% RDN replaced by vermicompost along with azotobacter, PSB, one foliar spray of panchagawya) in both surface and subsurface of soil than the chemical treatments. Ammonical N content was found highest after harvest of cauliflower followed by pea, onion but in case of nitrate N, its content was found in order of onion>pea>cauliflower due to environmental effect. The content and uptake of macronutrients and micronutrients and crop yield were found significantly higher in treatment T7 (75% RDN replaced by FYM, 25% RDN replaced by vermicompost along with azotobacter, PSB, one foliar spray of panchagawya). The availability of different fractions of organic nitrogen were found in order of Hydrolysable unknown N> Amino acid N> Hydrolysable ammonium N> Non-hydrolysable N> Amino sugar N in both organic and inorganic treatments after harvest of each crops but its amount in crops was found in order of onion> cauliflower> pea. Microbial population and its activity including dehydrogenase activity, acid alkaline phosphatase activity and urease activity resulted in significantly higher values under treatment T7 in both depths of soil after the harvest of each crops. Similarly, MBC and MBN were related to organic matter content for their proliferation and observed significantly higher in treatment T7 and found at par with T6 (all inputs as in T7 except foliar spray of panchagawya) and T5 (all inputs as in T6 excluding PSB). A laboratory incubation study was also conducted to see the release pattern and kinetics of ammonical, nitrate and mineralizable-N under organic, inorganic and non-treated soil upto 120 days. The result showed that the release of ammonical N was found maximum at 60th day but nitrate and mineralizable N release was recorded highest at 75th day of incubation. Under inorganic treated soil, the maximum release of nitrate, ammonical, mineralizable N was observed around 15-30 days after incubation. The mineralization rate constant, potential nitrogen release and absolute rate constant was high in treatment F6 (75% RDN replaced by FYM +25% RDN replaced by vermicompost along with azotobacter and PSB) which leads to the longer duration of availability of available N in organic treated soil. Correlation analysis among different fractions of N along with important soil properties and microbial activities showed that the different fractions of nitrogen were significantly and positively correlated with each other and with various soil properties and determinants of microbial activity. Regression analysis suggested that the availability of nitrogen was highly influenced by dehydrogenase, organic carbon, CEC, hydrolysable unknown N and hydrolysable ammonium N, but the yield of different crops can be explained by the available N, P, K, ammonical N and hydrolysable unknown N under linear regression. It appears that the application of 75% RDN (FYM) + 25% RDN vermicompost + azotobacter+ PSB+ one spray of panchagawya (T7) improved the status of N fractions and other physico-chemical properties in soil by improving microbial activities compared to the chemical treated soil. With respect to sustainability, the T6 treatment where only panchagawya was not sprayed was closely comparable with treatment T7. Hence, this organic practice can be helpful in sustaining soil health and crop productivity with respect to nitrogen availability along with other physical, chemical and biological properties of soils under investigation.ThesisItem Open Access Dynamics of micronutrient cations in soil as influenced by long-term integrated nutrient management under rice-wheat cropping system in Typic Haplustept(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2022) Bihari, Bipin; Singh, Yanendra KumarRice-wheat is one of the most predominant cropping systems in India and covers an area approximately, 10.5m ha. Now, this cropping system is showing signs of stagnation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India due to continuous cropping of this high nutrient exhaustive cereal-cereal based crop sequence, increased use of inorganic fertilizers in an unbalanced manner has created problem of multiple nutrient deficiencies, particularly micronutrients, diminishing soil fertility and sustainable crop yield. Cationic micronutrients are essential elements required by plants in very small quantities for their optimum growth and development. Deficiency of these elements in plants results firstly in decreasing plant resistance to harmful environmental factors, followed by declining yield and quality. Keeping in view the importance and very meagre information available, the present investigation was undertaken on the ongoing long-term experiment entitled “Permanent plot experiment on integrated nutrient supply system in cereal based crop sequence” initiated during 1984 at experimental farm of BAC, Sabour, with the hypothesis that the long-term balanced use of chemical fertilizers along with manure (INM) would maintain/improve the micronutrient chemical pools in soil and support the sustained rice-wheat production in subtropical zone of Bihar. The soil is Typic Haplustept (US Soil Taxonomy, Soil Survey Staff 2003) and clay loam in texture with general initial properties: pH 7.40, organic carbon 4.6 g kg-1, available N 194 kg ha-1, available P2O5 23.6 kg ha-1 and available K2O 155 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four replications and consisted of the following twelve treatments as : T1 -Control; T2 – 50 % RDF to both rice and wheat; T3 – 50 % RDF to rice and 100 % RDF to wheat; T4 – 75 % RDF to both rice and wheat; T5 - 100% RDF to both rice and wheat, T6 – 50 % RDF+ 50 % N through FYM to rice and 100 % RDF to wheat; T7 – 75 % RDF + 25 % N through FYM to rice and 75 % RDF to wheat; T8 – 50 % RDF + 50% N through wheat straw to rice and 100 % RDF to wheat; T9 – 75 % RDF + 25 % N through WS to rice and 75 % RDF to wheat; T10 – 50 % RDF + 50 % N through GLM to rice and 100 % RDF to wheat; T11 – 75 % RDF + 25 % N through GLM to rice and 75 % RDF to wheat; T12 - Farmer’s fertilizers practice. Surface soil samples taken after the harvest of wheat (rabi, 2019-20) were analysed for pools of micronutrient cations (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) and chemical indicies of soil quality using standard analytical methods. The productivity of rice (kharif, 2019) and wheat (rabi, 2019-20) was recorded and nutrients’ uptakes were worked out. It is evident from the results that all the fractions of iron, manganese, zinc and copper studied were affected significantly by the continuous application of chemical fertilizers and organic nutrient sources as well as cropping for the last thirty-four years. All the fractions were highest in the plots where application of 100 per cent RDF to wheat crop and 50 per cent N substituted through FYM along with 50 per cent NPK through fertilizer to rice (T6). The relative contribution of Fe-I, Fe-II, Fe-III, Fe-IV and Fe-V towards total Fe (Fe-VI) was 0.2-0.3, 0.32-0.38, 2.16-2.58, 9.73-10.80 and 86.41-87.29 per cent, respectively, while that of Mn-I, Mn-II, Mn-III, Mn-IV and Mn-V towards total Mn (Mn-VI) was 0.28-0.46, 0.64-0.74, 3.36-3.95, 7.44-9.64 and 85.32- 87.94 per cent, respectively. Further, the contribution of Zn-I, Zn-II, Zn-III, Zn-IV, Zn-V and Zn-VI towards total Zn (Zn-VII) was 0.59-0.78, 1.64-2.44, 4.37-5.43, 5.80-6.35, 7.57-12.82 and 73.13-79.41 per cent, respectively and that of Cu-I, Cu-II, Cu-III, Cu-IV and Cu-V towards total Cu (Cu-VI) was 1.08-1.54, 2.57-3.95, 8.60-13.87, 9.14-15.08 and 67.09-78.26 per cent, respectively. Highest grain yield as well as straw produce of rice and wheat was observed in T6 followed by T10 and T8. The nutrients’ uptake by both rice and wheat crops followed almost similar trend as that of their yields. In general, 100 per cent RDF to wheat crop with 50 per cent N substituted through FYM along with 50 per cent NPK through fertilizer to rice (T6) resulted in highest uptake values by both the crops than rest of the treatments while a minimum uptake was observed in control plots for both the crops. Continuous application of chemical fertilizers along with organic sources of nutrients in all 50 per cent organics substituted plots caused reduction in the pH over initial value of 7.40. There was significant increase in the value of organic carbon in all the organic substituted plot over initial value as well as over sole inorganic applied plots. Available NPK was also observed higher in all organic substituted plot with maximum in T6 plot while least control plot. There was significant increase in DTPA-Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in organic substituted plots over control and sole inorganics applied plots. All these micronutrients (DTPA extractable) were found to be in highest in plots treated with 100 per cent RDF to wheat crop and 50 per cent N substituted through FYM along with 50 per cent NPK through fertilizer to rice (T6) and minimum in T1 (control). All the fractions of micronutrients cations under studies were negatively correlated with pH and positively correlated with OC, CEC, crop yield and uptake. Correlation and step-wise regression indicated that Fe-III and Fe-VI, respectively was the most dominant fraction contributing towards DTPA-Fe, Mn-III was highly and significantly correlated with DTPA-Mn while, step-wise regression indicated that Mn-VI to be most dominant fraction contributing towards DTPA-Mn, DTPA-Zn showed highest positive correlation with Zn-IV, Cu-VI was the most dominant fraction contributing towards DTPA-Cu. Based on the experimental finding it can be concluded that integrated use of inorganics and organics with balanced fertilization for more than three decades in rice-wheat system resulted in significant improvement in the pools of all the micronutrient cations compared to control and sole inorganic plots and was noticeably higher in T6. Among all the pools of micronutrient cations, organically bound and weakly/specifically adsorbed forms were found to play major role in the nutrient supply and crop productivity and nutrients’ uptake. Integrated use of inorganics and organics with balanced fertilization improved the soil quality in a better way by correcting micro and secondary nutrients availabilities. Thus, FYM, wheat straw and green manure addition was found to have synergistic effect on improving the efficiency of optimal doses of NPK.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Nano zinc in maize (Zea mays) crop(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2022) Mehjabeen; GhanshyamAn experiment was conducted in Bihar Agricultural University involving isolation, characterization, identification and analysis of the plant growth promoting activities of 10 bacterial strains followed by a 2-year field trial of selected PGPR isolates on Maize crop involving evaluation of 2 PGPR strains along with ZnO-NP in Maize crop to study the impact of biofertilizer and nanofertilizer on growth and yield of Maize. Isolates M6- Bacillus aryabhattai and M9-Enterobacter cloacae strain BAU3 were found to be the most promising strains and were proved to be efficient PGPR strains. At different intervals i.e. 5, 10, 15, 20 days after inoculation strain M9 could fix nitrogen (13.50, 3.70, 3.86, 4.24 mg/l), solubilize phosphorus (13.50, 13.70, 13.86, 13.97 mg/l), potassium (3.30, 3.80, 4.29 mg/l) and could produce GA with excellent pH reduction and cell growth (OD). Strain M6 was also able to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphorus (10.06, 9.40, 13.20, 13.79 mg/l), potassium (2.90, 3.50, 3.77 mg/l) and could produce IAA significantly and higher than other strains with good reduction in pH and cell growth. Foliar spray and seed treatment of isolates Bacillus aryabhattai strain M6 (Accession No. MN533949), Enterobacter cloacae strain M9 BAU3 (Accession No. MK033472) and spray of nano-zinc increased plant height at 75 DAS (95.71 cm), chlorophyll content at 75 DAS (83.14), LAI at 75 DAS (1.89), FW at harvesting (70.87 g/plant), DW at harvesting (21.37 g/plant) of shoot and FW at harvesting (17.42 g/plant), DW at harvesting (3.01 g/plant) of roots. PGPR inoculation and ZnO-NP was also responsible to increase Seed index (29.35g), cob weight (0.2505 kg), No. of cobs/plant (4.34) and yield (54.67 q/ha). The same treatment combination increased available N (212.05 kg/ha), P (20.53 kg/ha), K (160.25 kg/ha), Zn (1.34 ppm), Fe (37.81 ppm), Mn (26.25 ppm), Cu (3.20 ppm) in post-harvest soil along with the uptake of nutrients in grains as well as total plant. Different forms of Phosphorus and Zinc also increased in this particular treatment along with the biological properties of soil under the influence of the combination of 2 PGPR isolates and ZnO-NP.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative study of Phosphorus Dynamics under Tomato and Maize Rhizosphere(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2021) Rani, Pooja; Chattopadhayaya, N.Phosphorus (P) is the major nutrient which is a part of ATP nucleic acid, phospholipids and requires for the several enzymatic reactions Phosphatic fertilizers applied for correction of its deficiency undergoes through the process of fixation depending on soil reaction. P use efficiency generally ranges between 15-20 %. Technological interventions in efficient management of P is required. The phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are cost effective and environment friendly and can easily solubilize phosphorus by the process of solubilization. Nanoformulations of fertilizers are promising owing to its higher aspect ratio and targeted delivery system. Against this background present investigation was undertaken entitled “Comparative study of Phosphorus Dynamics under Tomato and Maize Rhizosphere”. Purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize efficient P solubilizers, its evaluation in tomato and maize rhizosphere in combination with nanophosphorus in term of available P, its fractions and effect on biological parameters and P uptake. This study involves isolation and characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from tomato and maize rhizosphere. Total 16 isolates were isolated (8 from each crop rhizospheric soil) and their phosphate solubilizing efficiency were analysed. The best two isolates each from tomato and maize were molecularly identified with the help of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The identified spp. were Aceinotobacter spp. strain BAU_P1 (Accession number: GQ289378) and Paenibacillus spp. strain BAU_P2 (Accession number: MH261004) from tomato and maize rhizosphere respectively. These isolates of PSB solubilizes considerable amount of Ca3(PO4)2 from tomato ranging from (52.59 to 63.93 µg/15 mg insoluble P). From maize the amount of solubilized Ca3(PO4)2 ranges from (68.14 to 74.41 µg/15 mg insoluble P) and IAA and GA production by tomato isolates were 14.93 μg ml-1 and 39.71 μg ml-1 respectively. Whereas IAA and GA production by maize isolates were 21.03 μg ml-1 and 57.69 μg ml-1 respectively. Nano phosphorus were synthesized and characterized in the laboratory and used as foliar application. Foliar spray of nanophosphorus penetrates and enters directly to the plant parts via stomata, cuticle, trichomes and other epidermal structures. Then after they were applied to the pot experiment with tomato and maize crop respectively. Total eight treatments and three replications each were applied in pot experiment with tomato and maize crop at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, and Bhagalpur. The experimental finding reveals that the application of treatment T7 {100 % RDF (NK) + 75 % RDF P + 25 % foliar application of nano P + PSB} in both the crops showed the maximum dehydrogenase activity (23.03 μg TPF g-1 soil h-1), acid phosphatase activity (15.63 μg TPF g-1 soil h-1) and alkaline phosphatase activity (29.94 μg TPF g-1 soil h-1) respectively in tomato and dehydrogenase activity (46.34 μg TPF g-1 soil h-1) acid phosphatase activity (18.04 μg TPF g-1 soil h-1) and alkaline phosphatase activity (34.07 μg TPF g-1 soil h-1) for maize. Phosphorus dynamics in terms of fractions for both the root rhizosphere were analysed. In tomato, labile P fraction were maximum (7.29 mg kg-1) in T7 (100 % RDF (NK) + 75 % RDF P + 25 % foliar application of nano P + PSB), while Al-P (73.23 mg kg-1) and Fe-P (86.81 mg kg-1) was higher (106.28 mg kg-1) in T5 {100 % RDF (NK) + 50 % RDF P +PSB}. However, Ca-P (106.28 mg kg-1) was found maximum in T2{100 % RDF}. However, the value of labile P (7.89 mg kg-1) and Al-P (78.85 mg kg-1) in maize rhizosphere was higher in T7 {100 % RDF (NK) + 75 % RDF P+ 25 % foliar application of nano P + PSB}, and Fe-P (87.82 mg kg-1) in T5{100 % RDF (NK) + 50% RDF P +PSB} and Ca-P (110.34 mg kg-1) in T2{100 % RDF} respectively. Phosphate buffering capacity were analysed for tomato and maize crop respectively. The buffering capacity of rhizospheric soil of tomato (31.66 ml g-1) and maize (37.07 ml g-1) were found maximum in T7 {100 % RDF (NK) + 75 % RDF P + 25 % foliar application of nano P + PSB}. Combined application of PSB along with nano phosphorus as foliar application enhance the P solubilization in the soil and enriched the microfloral diversity in the vicinity of tomato and maize rhizosphere. Integrated management option of P (100 % RDF (NK) + 75 % RDF P + 25 % foliar application of nano P + PSB) need to be evaluated in long-term cropping system for benefit: cost ration and wide scale farmers adaptability.ThesisItem Open Access Herbicide-Microbial Interaction in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2021) Patel, Shriman Kumar; Chattopadhyaya, N.The present investigation entitled “Herbicide-Microbial Interaction in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was carried out during kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020 on a sandy loam soil of Bihar Agricultural College farm, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar with four objectives: (1) To study the effect of various doses of herbicides on microbial population, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities at different days of interval under laboratory incubation experiment, (2) To study the effect of pre and post emergence herbicide on microbial population, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities at different days interval in rice field, (3) To study the effect of herbicide on chemical properties of soil and (4) To study the effect of herbicide on weed and yield attributes and yield of rice crop. The soil of the experimental field moderately well drained fine loamy one occurring on level to nearly recent alluvial plain loamy, surface slightly eroded having pH-7.8, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium. Incubation experiment was conducted under factorial completely randomized design with five treatments T1 (pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 % WP 15 g a.i. ha-1), T2 (pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 % WP 30 g a.i. ha-1), T3 (carfentrazone ethyl 40 % DF 25 g a.i ha-1), T4 (carfentrazone ethyl 40 % DF 50 g a.i ha-1), T5 (Control) and four replication.Whereas, in case of field experiment, conducted under factorial randomized design (FRBD) with six treatment T1 (pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 % WP 15 g a.i. ha-1), T2 (pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 % WP 30 g a.i. ha-1), T3 (carfentrazone ethyl 40 % DF 25 g a.i ha-1), T4 (carfentrazone ethyl 40 % DF 50 g a.i ha-1), T5 (weed free) and T6 (weedy) and four replications. The experimental results revealed that the application of herbicidal treatments made on effect of microbiological properties (microbial population, microbiol biomass carbon and enzyme activity) and chemical properties under incubation experiment as well as rice filed experiment differ significantly among different herbicidal treatments. Under incubation experiment, the application of herbicidal treatments declined microbial population, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity except for urease activity at 7 days after application. While, at 28 DAA significant increases in all herbicidal treatments as compared to control. Maximum increasement produced by the treatment T2 (pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 % WP 15 g a.i. ha-1) followed by T3 (carfentrazone ethyl 40 % DF 25 g a.i ha-1), over control, respectively. In case of field experiment, the application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl (pre-emergence T1 and T2) and carfentrazone ethyl (post emergence T3 and T4) produced effect on biological properties such as microbial population, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity such as dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase made a decline at 30 days after application but did not show any inhibitory effect on urease enzyme activity. Thereafter at 90 DAA, significant increase has been observed in all microbiological parameters like bacteria (19.97 to 37.56 %), actinomycetes (15.52 to 33.78), Fungi (15.74 to 27.35) as well as microbial biomass carbon status, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase and urease enzyme activities. At 145 DAA, further decline microbiological parameters was observed in all experimental plot. Application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl and carfentrazone ethyl did not show any significant effect on chemical properties of soil. The maximum growth parameters, yield attributes and yield (57.88 q ha-1) were recorded under the treatment T5 (weed free) followed by T2 (pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 % WP 30 g a.i. ha-1), T4 (carfentrazone ethyl 40 % DF 50 g a.i ha-1) respectively, over control. The application of T2 (pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10 % WP 30 g a.i. ha-1), significantly lower (37.75 No. m-2) weed density, weed dry weight (22.87 gm-2) and found statistically similar T4 (carfentrazone ethyl 40 % DF 50 g a.i ha-1) but significantly highest compared to T6 (weedy). Thus, it can be concluded that the application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl (pre emergence T1 and T2) and carfentrazone ethyl (post emergence T3 and T4) effect on biological properties such as microbial population, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities declined at 30 DAA but in case of urease enzyme activity no adverse effect was observed. Moreover, at 90 DAA significant increase under herbicidal treatment was observed as compared to hand weeding and untreated plot. Thereafter, there was no significant effect on chemical properties of soil was found. Overall, there was no long term adverse effect created on microbiological properties in transplanted rice grown soil.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on zinc solubilizing bacteria and its efficacy level under rice (Oryza sativa L.) rhizosphere(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2021) Chanchal, Ankesh Kumar; Singh, MahendraZinc is the micronutrient which is essential for the survival of not only for plant but also important for human population as means to overcome the widespread problem of malnutrition. The zinc solubilizing bacteria are the cost effective and environment friendly option for combated the problems by converting the unavailable form of zinc into available form by the process of solubilization. This study involving isolation, characterization of zinc solubilizing bacterial isolates including two checks for their ability of zinc solubilization. The isolated ZnSBs were molecularly identified with the help of 16S rRNA gene sequencing namely Peribacillus simplex strain BAU_A1 (Accession number: OK037153), Bacillus sp. strain BAU_A2 (Accession number: OK037154), Priestia megaterium strainBAU_A3 (Accession number: OK037165) and Bacillus subtilis strain BAU_A5 (Accession number: OK037166). These isolates effectively solubilized the considerable amount of zinc oxide (ZnO) ranging from 55.80 to 62.41 mg kg-1 and zinc phosphate Zn(PO4)2 ranging from 42.09 to 56.56 mg kg-1 and zinc carbonate (ZnCO3) 42.78 to 51.12 mg kg-1 under optimal laboratory conditions. All seven isolates were able to produced Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) ranging from 13.66 to 24.95 (µg ml−1) and Gibberellic Acid (GA) ranging from 9.66 to 18.50 (µgml-1). The efficiency of most potent bacteria (ZnSB1-Peribacillus simplex strain BAU_A1, ZnSB2-Bacillus sp. strain BAU_A2 and ZnSB3-Bacillus subtilis strain BAU_A5) also had been evaluated in the field condition with rice crop at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur. The experimental findings revealed that the application of treatment T5 (100 % RDF+ ZnSB2 @ 750 ml ha-1) showed the maximum dehydrogenase activity (56.81 µg TPF g-1 soil h-1), alkaline phosphatase activity (27.23 µg PNP g-1 soil h-1) and acid phosphatase activity (28.42 µg PNP g-1 soil h-1) at panicle initiation stage. The application of T4 (100 % RDF+ ZnSB1 @ 750 ml ha-1) produced highest water soluble and exchangeable fraction of zinc (0.65 mg kg -1) followed by treatment T5 (100 % RDF + ZnSB2 @ 750 ml ha-1). Although the highest organically bounded zinc (3.69 mg kg -1) was observed under control treatment and while lowest (2.33 mg kg -1) was recorded with T5 (100 % RDF + ZnSB2 @ 750 ml ha-1). Similarly, Mn-Oxide bounded zinc (0.1M NH2OH.HCl) was found to be statistically at par (p=0.05) with each other. Perhaps the application of treatment T6 (100 % RDF + ZnSB3 @ 750 ml ha-1) was having highest concentration (3.72 mg kg-1) among all treatments. The highest concentration of Crystalline Fe-oxide was found in soil which was treated with the treatment T3 (100 % RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4.7H2O) while the lowest concentration of 4.08 mg kg-1 was found with the treatment T2 (100 % RDF). The application of treatment T5 (100 % RDF+ ZnSB2 @ 750 ml ha-1) gave highest grain yield (4555.00 kg ha-1), zinc concentration in rice grain (27.45 mg kg-1) zinc uptake by rice grain (0.13 mg kg-1), DTPA Zn (0.85 mg kg-1) and also produced maximum microbial population, respectively. However, this dataset originates from single season experiment, so more holistic approach is needed to draw a conclusion amongst these applied treatments on the basis of various field and climatic conditions.ThesisItem Open Access Optimizing Soil Moisture and PAR Utilization with Fertilizer Splitting for Rainfed Rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, 2021) Yadav, Ramjeet; Kohli, AnshumanThe present investigation entitled “Optimizing Soil Moisture and PAR Utilization with Fertilizer Splitting for Rainfed Rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was carried out during the kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018 on a sandy loam soil of Bihar Agricultural College farm, Sabour to derive inputs for rationalizing the use of K and N fertilizers by splitting and real time management respectively for making them more suitable for rainfed conditions. Nutrient and water management are important for diversifying and intensifying the rainfed rice based cropping systems. The experiment involved three K splitting schemes viz., K0(No K application), K40 (K applied as basal @ 40 kg K2O per ha) and K20+20 (K application as basal, and at panicle initiation stage @ 20 kg K2O per ha)in main plots, and five N splitting schemes in sub plots viz.,N0 (No N application), N50+50 (N application as basal and at active tillering, each @ 50 kg per ha) NSPAD (N application as basal each application @ 33.33 kg ha-1 and top dressing as guided by SPAD meter with critical SPAD value of 38, NGS (N application as basal @ 33.3 kg per ha and top dressing as guided by Green Seeker optical sensor) and N33+33+33 (N application as basal, at active tillering and at panicle initiation, each @ 33.3 kg per ha.). The recommended fixed time split N applications under rainfed conditions are not adequate to synchronize N supply with actual N demand due to variations in crop N demand. During 2017, NSPAD resulted in an additional N application of 33 kg ha-1 in 5 out of 9 cases. However during 2018 no plot under NSPAD received any extra N application. This could have possibly resulted because of greater uniformity among various plots due to cultivation of lentil crop in the preceding rabi season. It was generally observed that N- application time through 1st topdressing increased beyond active tillering stage by up to one week. However, the 2nd top dressing was still achieved by panicle initiation stage. Under rainfed conditions, real time N management can promote crop growth. Real time N management as in NSPAD and NGS resulted in reduced tiller mortality during the reproductive stage. Reduced tiller mortality is suggestive of optimized soil moisture and radiation utilization under real time N management. K application in two split doses stimulated tillering in rice crop. The tillers were significantly higher by 5.24 and 7.28 per cent with K application in two split doses over single basal application and no K application respectively and decreased the death of tillers during the reproductive stage of the crop. K application in two split doses also significantly increased the number of effective tillers by 5.30 and 7.64 per cent over single basal application and no K application respectively. This again suggests that split application of K results in better utilization of intercepted radiation and acquired water and nutrients by rainfed rice. NSPAD recorded significantly higher value of growth and yield attributes as compared to other N splitting schemes during both the years. NSPAD recorded significantly higher grain yield (3941 kg ha-1) in comparison to other N-splitting schemes. At active tillering stage the available nitrogen content in the 0-15 cm depth of soil was significantly lower in N0 in comparison to other N splitting schemes. Restricting nitrogen availability in the surface soil could be a potential tool under rainfed conditions to stimulate deeper root penetration in rice to tap subsurface water and nutrients. The increase in N uptake in NSPAD over fixed time N splitting regimes has proved that the rice crop requires lower N at the early stages, more N during its grand growth period (panicle initiation to flowering) and a comparatively lower N during the later stages of crop growth. Thus NSPAD promotes sufficient nitrogen application for increased nutrient uptake and yield in rainfed rice. K application in two split doses under rainfed conditions reduces the stress tolerance as compared to single basal application and no K application. Precise dose and real time N management as in NSPAD resulted in reduced stress tolerance indices. GreenSeeker optical sensor guided fertilizer N application at AT and PI stage in rainfed rice can lead to improved nitrogen use efficiency because of lower N fertilizer application rates than in fixed time N application. Under rainfed conditions, higher initial application of nitrogen as in N50+50 or in NSPAD resulted in greater photo synthetically active radiation interception in comparison to NGS and N33+33+33 during the early vegetative stage. However, towards the early reproductive stage, PAR interception in N50+50 became significantly lower than in N33+33+33, NSPAD and NGS. This again indicates that maintaining greater temporally staggered nutrient availability provides benefits in terms of PAR interception and utilization. Thus, it can be concluded that SPAD based N application is the best treatment in terms of growth, yield and nutrient uptake on account of N fertilizer splitting in rainfed conditions. This assumes greater significant considering that despite the uncertainty in soil moisture regime of the rainfed rice crop; optical sensor measurement can help in better management of fertilizer nitrogen.
