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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
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ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF CALCIPRILL AND MAGPRILL AS A LIMING MATERIAL ON MAIZE CROP IN RED AND LATERITIC SOIL OF RANCHI(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2019) Yadav, Suryanshu; Kumar, Shashi BhushanMaize is one of the most important crops of the world and contributes to food security in most of the developing countries. In India, maize is emerging as third most important crop after rice and wheat. It is grown throughout the year in India. It accounts for 9 per cent of the total food grain production in the country. Productivity of maize has increased at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 2.9 per cent from 1.9 MT/hectare in 2010-11 to 2.5MT/hectare in 2016-17. It is utmost important to maintain the soil pH for proper growth and to increase productivity of maize in acidic soils. Hence, liming is the best method which is currently used worldwide Keeping in view these facts, a field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications in Maize at an experimental site of the Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand during Kharif season of 2017 in acidic soil of Ranchi with objective to observe acidity pattern of soil after liming and its periodic estimation at an interval of 30 days. The liming materials used in the experiment were Calciprill, Magprill and Dolomite. Treatments for Maize were T1: Calciprill + 100% NPK, T2: Calciprill + 75% NPK, T3: Magprill + 100% NPK, T4: Magprill + 75% NPK, T5: Dolomite + 100% NPK, T6: Dolomite + 75% NPK, T7: 100% NPK and T8: 75% NPK. (RDF of Maize - 120:60:40) Results showed that the soil pH of the plots treated with Magprill + 100% NPK were most effective in increasing the soil pH at 30 days of liming followed by Calciprill and Dolomite. Further, it was observed that pH got continuously increased during the 60 days interval in all the plots, where liming materials were used and followed the same trend. All the three liming materials effectively increased the exchangeable calcium as they all contain calcium but trend differed. This may be due to different percentage of calcium content, solubility, weathering and moisture content in soil during liming. Plots treated with Calciprill showed maximum value of Calcium followed by Magprill and Dolomite. Similarly, all the three liming materials effectively increased exchangeable magnesium in soil and found maximum in Magprill (3.68), as all of them contained magnesium. The highest magnesium content was shown in Magprill followed by Dolomite and Calciprill respectively. The grain yield was more in all the limed plots as compared to control, this is because of calcium content as calcium promotes root development and growth of plant as it is involved in root elongation and cell division. Liming materials were effective in increasing grain yield in the order of Magprill > Calciprill > Dolomite, this may be due to their different chemical composition. Magprill showed more grain yield due presence of magnesium as it plays an important role in the synthesis of chlorophyll and it regulates the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorous from the soil and plays an important role in the production of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins. Liming materials were characterized and found that the pH of Magprill (9.12) was highest among other liming materials and followed by Calciprill (9.10) and dolomite (9.02) respectively. Highest calcium content was found in Calciprill (34.44%) followed by Magprill (24.40) and Dolomite (21.96). Similarly highest magnesium content was found in Dolomite (13.01%) followed by Magprill (11.52%) and Calciprill (1.54%) respectively. The solubility of the different liming materials were also analyzed with the help of centrifuge at 12000 rpm and found Magprill more soluble (42.67%) followed by Calciprill (42.33%) and Dolomite (29.17%) respectively.ThesisItem Open Access GPS ENABLED STUDY ON MICRO AND SECONDARY NUTRIENT STATUS IN INTENSIVELY VEGETABLES GROWING AREAS OF RANCHI DISTRICT(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2018) Kumar, Prem Ranjan; Kumar, ArvindTo study the impact of micro and secondary nutrients in soil, water, plant and human continuum, 116 soil, 29 water and 63 plant samples were collected from Kanke, Burmu Ratu, Mander, Ormanji, Angara, Piska Nagri and Tamar blocks of Ranchi district. [Lat. N 23o01.838’ – N 23o32.529’, Long . E 85o05.580’ – E 85o43.155’, Alt. 231 – 716 (Meter)]. Soil of Ranchi district was acidic in nature and found 78% soil < 5.5 pH. Organic carbon status (5.0-7.5 g kg-1) were found medium in 52% soil samples. DTPA extractable Fe, Cu and Mn were observed more than its critical limit 4.5. 0.2, 2.0 mg kg-1 respectively in 100% soil samples, while Zn availability was found 1.72% < 0.5 mg kg-1, 35% in between 0.5 to 1.0 mg kg-1 and 65% > 1.0 mg kg-1. It was found that 78% soil samples of study area were found low in 0.1 M salicylic acid extractable Boron. Among all three secondary nutrients (Ca, Mg and S), Sulphur status in soil is at alarming stage with 77.59% soil under low (<10.0 mg kg-1) category, where as 22.41% soil in medium category (10.0-20.0 mg kg-1). Calcium and magnesium status was also found in low to medium status. Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni) and Cobalt (Co) content in soil of Ranchi district were found 1.52, 2.22 and 1.46 mg kg-1 (mean value) respectively. Borewell water observed low in pH (5.95) as well as low in EC (0.365 dS m-1). Mean Iron (Fe) content in river water was found higher 0.225 mg L-1 than that of Mn (0.061 mg L-1), Cu (0.095 mg L-1) and Zn (0.046 mg L-1), while B content was found 0.323 mg L-1 and is safe for irrigation purpose (<1.0 mg L-1). Calcium (6.40 mg L-1) and Magnesium (2.20 mg L-1) content in well water were found higher than others sources of water. Calculated Mg ratio Ca also found <1.0 in all water resources indicates its suitability for irrigation. As per maximum recommended concentration of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb in irrigation water found suitable for irrigation purpose (Siddiqui, 1995). Nickel and Cobalt content in water were found slightly in higher range to its permissible limits. Interestingly among analyzed edible part of plants S, Ca, Mg, B, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni and Co content were found maximum in mustard (Brassica juncea) than other crops. As per maximum permissible concentration of heavy metals in different food material given by (Sastry, 2000), most of the analyzed heavy metal were found below the permissible limit in edible part of crops. On the basis of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn analysis mean value in edible part of vegetables and spices, It was calculated that if farmers of study areas intake 200 g fresh mixed vegetable and spices in their diet per day, that not fulfill the requirement as per prescribed for a healthy human.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS, SULPHUR AND BRADYRHIZOBIUM ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SOYBEAN(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2018) Kumari, Sonal; Shahi, D.K.A field experiment was conducted at experimental farm of BAU with Soybean (var. JS-335) as a test crop during the Kharif season (June to October, 2016) to study the combined application of Phosphorus and Sulphur along with Bradyrhizobium on yield and quality of soybean. The experiment was laid down with 18 treatment combinations with two levels of inoculation (I0 and I1), three levels of phosphorus (40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1) and three levels of sulphur (0, 15 and 30 kg ha-1) in split-split plot design with three replications. The soil of the experimental site was sandy clay loam in texture having good drainage and fairly moisture retention capacity with acidic pH (5.2), EC (0.08dS m- 1), low in organic carbon (2.6 g kg-1),CEC (8.5 cmol (p+) kg-1), total nitrogen (0.157 %) and available nitrogen (181.5 kg ha-1), medium in available phosphorus (23.9 kg ha-1) and available sulphur (17.0 ppm) was above the critical range. Microbial population in initial soil was 29.33×10 4 Propagules g-1, 22×10 6 CFU g-1, 8.9×10 6 CFU g-1 for fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes, respectively. The results revealed that different levels of phosphorus and sulphur along with microbial inoculation significantly influenced the nodulation parameters and yield attribute such as number of nodules (33.05), fresh weight of nodule (0.69 g), dry weight of nodule (0.31 g) and number of pods per plant (43.27) were recorded maximum with application of phosphorus @ 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 having statistical equivalence of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 except fresh and dry weight of nodules per plant. Grain yield of soybean remarkably increased with increasing doses of phosphorus and recorded maximum of 23.91 and 27.13 q ha-1 grain and straw yield, respectively with 80 kg P2O5 ha-1. Application of 30 kg S ha-1 was found equally effective with application of 15 kg S ha-1 in respect to number of nodules, fresh weight, dry weight of nodule, number of pods per plant, grain yield and recorded maximum value of 31.38, 0.67 g and 0.30 g, 43.21 and 23.62 q ha-1, respectively with application of 30 kg S ha-1. Microbial inoculation significantly increased the number of nodules (33.77), fresh weight (0.69 g), dry weight of nodule (0.30 g), grain yield (23.36 q ha-1) and straw yield (26.43 q ha-1). Application of increasing levels of both phosphorus and sulphur along with microbial inoculation resulted in a significant increase in total nutrient uptake (N, P and S). Application of 80 kg P2O5 ha-1observed the highest total uptake of N, P and S of 185.66, 16.34 and 15.43 kg ha-1, respectively which was statistical equivalence with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 in respect of total P uptake while, with application of 30 kg S ha-1 total N, P and S uptake were 183.36, 16.09 and 15.43 kg ha-1, respectively. Microbial inoculation recorded highest total N, P and S uptake of 180.97, 15.98 and 15.10 kg ha-1, respectively. Application of phosphorus and sulphur significantly enhanced the oil content in soya grain and highest oil content of 19.48 % and 19.44 % with 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 30 kg S ha-1, correspondingly and having statistical equivalence with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 15 kg S ha-1. Nutrient status in soil after crop harvesting were appreciably improved due to phosphorus treatments and significant results were found in available nitrogen (221.39 kg ha-1) and phosphorus (30.9 kg ha-1) with 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 while, it was comparable with application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 in respect to available nitrogen. Soybean variety JS-335 gave the highest yield as well as net returns to the tune of ` 41955.77 ha-1 with B : C ratio of 1.68 when it was fertilized with phosphorus @ 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 and sulphur @ 30 kg S ha-1 along with microbial inoculation.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOIL AND PLANT SAMPLES UNDER INTENSIVE CROPPED AREA OF SAHIBGANJ BLOCK (JHARKHAND)(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2018) Tiu, Shubham Priya; Kumar, ArvindSahibganj district has been characterized under Sub Zone IV of Agro climatic Zone VII known as Eastern Plateau Hill Region. District comprises 9 blocks in which Sahibganj block has special identity, politically as well as religiously due to geographical situation of block near the bank of Holy Ganga River. GPS based 32 soils and 15 edible parts of plant samples were collected from farmer’s field all around the Sahibganj block from Lat. N 24014´58.7´´– N 25019´32.9´´, Long. E 870 30´43.5´´- E 870 37´19.1´´ and Alt. 5-28 msl. Soil reaction was found neutral to some extend in saline pH range and varied from 7.40 to 8.56. In different land situation, pH variation noticed in narrow range (7.40-8.46 in upland situation and higher pH 8.30-8.50 in badi land). About 56% soil samples showed pH range 7.0-8.0 and rest 44% having more than 8.0 pH value. Electrical conductivity of soil found in the range of 0.21 to 1.01 dS m-1. Upland soil showed 0.41 dS m-1 EC, while in badi land EC was found higher 0.74 dS m-1. Organic carbon content was found higher in badi land 11.94 g kg-1 followed by medium land 10.72 g kg-1 . As per availability of sand, silt and clay per cent in soil samples showed sandy loam texture class. WHC of soil increasing with decreasing slope and found 33.87% in upland soil and 38.32% in badi land soil. Zinc content in soil ranged from 0.16 to 2.80 mg kg-1 with mean value 0.80 mg kg-1. Zinc availability was lower (0.44 mg kg-1) in upland soil as compared to others land situation. In the study areas 47% soil were found deficient in Zn (critical limit 0.5 mg kg-1), while 44% soils were noticed in between 0.5-1.0 mg kg-1. Its need immediate attention for its poorer management in soil. Emerging deficiency of Copper in Sahibganj block was also noticed. Mean content of Fe was found lower in badi land 10.27 mg kg-1 followed by 21.83 and 22.47 mg kg-1, respectively in up and medium land situation of Sahibganj block. Emerging deficiency of Fe was also found (6% soil having < 10 mg kg-1 Fe content) in study areas. Content of Mn was found in the range of 3.42 to 17.88 mg kg-1, lower mean content 5.50 mg kg-1 was found in badi land situation, while higher 13.61 mg kg-1 observed in upland soil. About 6% of the analyzed soil was found below 5.0 mg kg-1 and rest 94% having more than 5.0 mg kg-1 Mn content in soil. Content of Pb, Ni and Co was varied respectively in ranged from 0.44 to 2.66 (Mean 1.69 mg kg-1), 0.04 to 2.36 (Mean 0.54 mg kg-1) and 0.01 to 1.92 (Mean 0.61 mg kg-1). Content of Pb , Ni and Co are highly safe in respect to considering safe limit. Variations of Pb, Ni and Co content in soil were found in narrow range. Significant and negative correlation were found in between pH x Fe (-0.348*), pH x Mn (-0.730*), While significant positive correlation were found in between pH x Co (0.378*), EC x Pb (0.441**), OC x Fe (-0.378*), OC x Mn (-0.586**), OC x Co (0.418*), clay x Pb (0.604**) and Clay x Ni (0.451 **) in soil samples. Mean content of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Co were found 7.87, 0.62, 28.43, 7.51, 0.56, 2.43 and 1.15 mg kg-1 respectively in edible part of plants that were collected from farmer’s field of Sahibganj block. Mean moisture content was notice 86.63, 70.06, and 52.84 % , respectively in plant family group Solanaceae, Brassicaceae and others (including poaceae, fabaceae and apiaceae). Content of Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni and Co in edible part of Brassicaceae family was observed 12.09, 36.35, 10.76, 0.85, 4.86 and 1.20 mg kg-1, respectively. All these elements were found higher than that of others two groups of plants. While Cu content found higher in solanaceae family (0.79 mg kg-1) followed by a group of poaceae, fabaceae, apiaceae (0.66 mg kg-1) and brassicaceae (0.43 mg kg-1). Translocation factor for all the elements were found maximum in Brassicaceae family than others group of plant family. HRI was more than 1.0 for Ni in broccoli, mustard and pea. While Mn, Pb and Ni only noticed > 1.0 HRI in mustard. The interpretation of experimental data of farmers field, reflected the real scenario of malnutrition in study areas and it was clearly indicated that if a farmer include 300g fresh edible part of plant per day in their diet, even then it does not fulfill the recommended nutrition requirement. A wider gap in recommended and supplement amount of Zn (76.40-84.26%), Cu (87.33-93.66%) and Fe (14.70-43.13 %) and Mn (0.00-55.00%) was found in dietary allowance per day for children, male and female residing in rural areas in Sahibganj block.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON LEAF BLIGHT OF PIGEONPEA CAUSED BY Alternaria spp. AND ITS MANAGEMENT(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6, 2017) Rani, Nidhika; Shahi, D.K.Pigeonpea was earlier badly affected by wilt in Jharkhand and Alternaria leaf blight was considered minor one but in course of time the disease is assuming proportions in some pockets of Jharkhand. The present investigation was carried out with the study included survey, symptomatology, isolation and purification of fungus, pathogenicity test, morphological studies, evaluation of fungicides, bioagents, plant extract, integrated management and varietal screening against Alternaria leaf blight of pigeonpea. The systematic investigation revealed that Alternaria leaf blight was found to be infected with Alternaria spp. at all eleven locations surveyed and maximum disease incidence was recorded in research farm of R.A.C Kanke. It ranged from (0-30%). The pathogen was isolated from infected samples and identified as Alternaria alternata showing grey-brown appressed to velvety sometimes with a cottony centre, size of conidia was 38.02 x 7.12 μ with 2-4 transverse septa and 0-2 longitudinal septa and Alternaria tenuissima showed olivaceous to dark green, cottony to velvety, size of conidia was 76.5 x 6.12 μ with 2-6 transverse septa and 0-3 longitudinal septa. Out of six different fungicides tested in vitro, Tilt (Propiconazole) at all concentrations completely inhibited (100%) the mycelial growth against Alternaria spp.In biocontrol studies, rate of mycoparasitism was faster in Trichoderma viride (Pusa isolates) against Alternaria spp. followed by Trichoderma harzianum 1(Delhi isolates). Among all the botanicals evaluated against Alternaria spp. in vitro, Garlic clove extract at 10% was found most effective in reducing the mycelial growth followed by onion and Neem. Seed treatment and two foliar sprays of Propiconazole @ (0.1%) effectively controlled the disease incidence which recorded 13.33 per cent disease severity followed by SAAF @ (0.2%) which recorded 14.33 per cent disease severity. Field evaluation of bio-agents, seed treatment and two foliar sprays of Trichoderma harzianum 1 showed minimum disease intensity of 14.33 per cent followed by Trichoderma viride. In case of field evaluation of botanicals application of Garlic (clove) extract at 10% showed minimum disease intensity of 11.66 per cent followed by onion bulb extracts. The effort has also been made to integrate the plant products and bio-agents as ecofriendly component along with fungicides for the effective management of the disease. Seed treatment with SAAF @ 2g/kg of seed plus two foliar sprays with Tilt @ 0.1 per cent was found to be most efficacious treatment showing minimum disease intensity (10.66%) of Alternaria leaf blight disease and increasing grain yield of 1535.33 kg/ha. The yield attributing traits like Plant population (91.00), Plant height (182.8 cm), No. of primary branches/ plant (18.26), No. of secondary branches/ plant (27.76), No. of Pods/ Plant (184.66), No. of Seed/ pod (4.30), 100 seed weight (11.27 gm) and grain yield (1432.56) were significantly superior in case of propiconazole (0.1%) treatment plot followed by SAAF.ThesisItem Open Access LONG TERM EFFECT OF NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON SOIL QUALITY PARAMETERS UNDER MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2017) VERMA, SHIKHA; Mahapatra, P.An investigation was undertaken on Permanent Manurial Trial (PMT) initiated during 1956 at BAU, Kanke, Ranchi to evaluate the long term effect of nutrient management practices on soil quality parameters, development of soil quality index (SQI) and sustainability of the system in an acid soil under maize-wheat cropping system. The experiment consisted of fourteen treatments replicated thrice in a randomized block design, out of which eight treatments were selected for the present study. The selected treatments were T1-N0P0K0 (control), T2-100%N, T3-100%NP, T4- 100%NPK, T5-100%NPK+Lime, T6-FYM alone, T7-NPK+FYM (INM) and T8-Lime+N. Surface soil samples were collected after the harvest of maize during 2015-16. Soil samples were divided into two parts, one air dried and another set stored under refrigeration for estimating soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC). Soil quality parameters analyzed under this study were bulk density, soil texture, soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, labile carbon, total nitrogen (N), available nitrogen, available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), available sulphur (S), exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), hot water soluble boron (HWS-B), DTPA extractable micronutrients viz., Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), microbial count (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and potential mineralisable nitrogen (PMN). System productivity in terms of MEY (maize equivalent yield in kg ha-1) followed the following order: Lime+ NPK (7843) >INM (6673) > FYM (5449) > Lime+N (4091) > NPK (3487) > NP (2768) > Control (1295) > N (623). Sustainable yield index (SYI) of the system varied from -0.03 to 0.43. Highest sustainable yield index (SYI) of the system 0.43 for 100%NPK + lime treatment followed by integrated use of organics & chemical fertilizers (0.36) followed by application of FYM alone (0.28) and least and negative SYI values were recorded in application of N alone (-0.03). The data pertaining to soil quality parameters was statistically analyzed for their level of significance using RBD. Bulk density varied from (1.31-1.53 Mg m-3), pH (4.2- 6.3), EC (0.05-0.11 dSm-1), organic carbon (5.4-11.0 g kg-1), labile carbon (627.5-948.7 ppm), total N (821.7-1117.5 ppm), available N (163.8-193.3kg ha-1), available P (5.6-661.4 kg ha-1), available K (112.4-203.0 kg ha-1), available S (12.2-64.4 ppm), exchangeable Ca (1.6-7.0 meq 100g-1), exchangeable Mg (0.5-3.6 meq 100g-1), DTPA-Fe( 11.75-28.89 ppm), DTPA Cu (0.34-0.61 ppm), DTPA-Mn (4.47-12.44 ppm), DTPA-Zn (0.50-2.56 ppm), hot water soluble B (0.51-1.44 ppm), SMBC (228.7-363.7 ppm), DHA ( 6.67-18.33 μg TPF formed day-1 g-1 soil), PMN (55.6-78.6 ppm), bacterial count (10.1-18.3 x106 cell g-1 soil), fungal population (10.0-13.1x103 propagules g-1 soil) and actinomycetes population (8.6- 12.2 x106 cell g-1 soil). Among the soil quality parameters, bulk density and available nitrogen showed no significant difference and therefore dropped for further statistical analysis. The 21 parameters which showed significant difference among the treatments were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) using the SPSS software to identify the minimum dataset. Principal components which received eigen values> 1 and explained at least 5% of the variation in the data and variables which received the highest factor loading were considered as the best representative indicator for computation of soil quality index. Values of soil quality parameters were transformed into unit less score (between 0 to1) using linear transformation. The most sensitive indicators in descending order of importance as revealed by principal components (PC) were as follows: soil pH> soil organic carbon> exchangeable magnesium> hot water soluble boron> available S. Soil Quality Index (SQI) was calculated using weightage from the respective principal components and varied from 0.46 (100%N) to 0.89 (FYM), whereas, the treatments with chemical fertilizers alone or integrated use of chemical fertilizers along with Lime/FYM was in between the two. Based on the results of the present investigation it can be concluded that soil pH, organic carbon, exchangeable magnesium, HWS-B and available S may be used for characterizing the soil status under intensively cultivated acid soils. Mean percentage contribution from different parameters towards SQI was soil pH (53.8%) followed by soil organic carbon (23.7%), exchangeable magnesium (10.5%), hot water soluble boron (7.8%) and available sulphur (4.2%) The higher SQI values and sustainable yield index in treatments receiving lime/FYM along with NPK fertilizers suggest that these nutrient management options are good to maintain better soil quality, system productivity and sustainability.ThesisItem Open Access AN ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT RATE AND TIME OF NITROGEN APPLICATION ON MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM IN RELATION TO GREEN HOUSE GASES EMISSION(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2017) Kumari, Neha; Kumar, RakeshA field experiment was conducted at the research farm of soil science department of Ranchi Agriculture College, B.A.U. during the year 2015-16 to study the effect of rate and time of nitrogen application on nitrogen use-efficiency, economics, soil properties and GHGs emission under maize-wheat cropping system in an acid soil. The experiment was carried out on a sandy loam soil having initial soil pH 5.4, organic carbon 4.3 g kg-1, available nitrogen 251.0 kg ha-1(medium in range), available phosphorous 45.69 kg ha-1(high in range), and available potassium 133.28 kg ha-1 (medium in range) comprising 12 treatments and 3 replications in a Randomized Block design. Nitrogen rates were arranged with four levels including (N1:0, N2 : 80 N3 : 160 and N4 : 240 kg N ha-1) which was applied at different time (S1 : 1/3 after germination+ 1/3 at V4 stage + 1/3 V10 stage), (S2 : 1/3 after germination + 1/3 in V4 stage + 1/3 V10 stage may it be varied on leaf colour chart (LCC) ), (S3: ½ after germination + ½ in V10 stage) in case of maize. However in case of wheat N rates was (N1 : 0, N2 : 50, N3 : 100 & N4 : 150 kg N ha-1) consisting different time schedule (S1: 1/3 after germination + 1/3 in crown root initiation stage (CRI) + 1/3 in PI), (S2 : 1/3 after germination+ 1/3 in CRI + 1/3 in PI as per LCC), (S3 : ½ after germination + ½ in CRI stage). It was observed that maize grain yield, straw yield and other character (nutrient content, uptake and B:C ratio) where significantly affected by different rates of N. While phosphorous uptake was significantly affected by nitrogen rate x timing but potassium uptake significantly affected by nitrogen timing only. Statistically application of N @ 160 kg ha-1in three split on the basis of LCC and N @ 240 kg ha-1 in three split which attributed 71.75 & 76.11 q ha-1 grain yield, respectively, which was at par. Reduction in system yield was highest in N omission plots (87%) and the lowest with application of 160 kg N ha-1. GHGs were estimated by using Cool Farm Tool (CFT), an empirical model, and the result showed that the application of higher dose of N application emitted more total GHGs (11163 kg CO2 eq ha-1 in maize & 7108 kg CO2 eq ha-1 in wheat respectively. Similar trend followed by emission of N2O and CO2. There was no emission of methane gas. However, total emission per tonne of produce (grain yield) was the highest in nitrogen omitted plot could be attributed towards low yield. A breakdown of various emission sources shows that the major emission sources at farm level is the production and use of synthetic fertilizer. The nutrient uptake & NUE were positively and significantly affected by rates rather than time. Maximum nitrogen use - efficiency of maize, wheat and MEY was obtained with lower dose of N application i.e. 68, 69 and 68 kg kg-1 respectively and minimum was obtained at higher dose 51, 50 & 50 kg kg-1 respectively. The highest grain yield (45.92 q ha-1) of wheat was found in 150 kg N ha-1(N4) and Concentration of N in wheat grain and straw was affected significantly by different rates but not significantly affected by nitrogen timing and as per interaction of N rate and timing. Total nitrogen uptake was maximum under N rate 150 kg ha-1. Correlation studied among different parameters in maize and wheat found that yield was highly significantly and positively correlated with GHGs emission (0.843**and 0.897**, respectively) while it is highly negatively correlated with Available P (-0.780** to maize and -0.740** to wheat) and Available K (-0.939** to maize and -0.651** to wheat) at p ≤ 0.05. B:C ratio was calculated and it significantly varied among N rates and timing of application. 150 kg N ha-1(N4) recorded higher B:C ratio 1.44 which was statistically at par with 100 kg N ha-1 (N3) 1.28 in case of wheat while B:C ratio of maize was 1.96 in both cases i.e. N4 and N3. It may be concluded that the application of 160 kg and 100kg N ha-1 in three splits for maize and wheat crop is optimum considering the yield, B:C ratio, GHGs and post-harvest nutrient status of soil.ThesisItem Open Access SOIL BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT AS AFFECTED BY RESIDUE INCORPORATION(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2013) Kumari, Nirmala; Gupta, N.C.Continuous cropping without application of adequate quantity of nutrients in balanced doses or without addition of organics leads to loss of soil productivity. For restoration of soil productivity there is an urgent need to look forward to other options of plant nutrient supply besides the use of chemical fertilizers. Continuous recycling of crop residues with chemical fertilizers restores the organic matter content. Precise information on the long term effect of recycling of crop residues along with chemical fertilizers on an acid loam soil under climatic condition of Ranchi is needed for enhancing the nutrient availability of soil. Field experiment conducted during 2012-2013 revealed that in situ incorporation of crop residues significantly increased the grain and straw yield of groundnut and wheat grown in sequence. The highest crop yield and nutrient uptake were recorded in the plot receiving 100% NPK + crop residue. Incorporation of crop residue enhance the available nutrients status of soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activity and thus helped to sustain soil health with increased crop productivity. Continuous incorporation of crop residue @ 5 ton/ha along with recommended dose of fertilizer recorded higher grain yield of both the crop as well as favourable condition for soil properties. It is conducted that (i) It significant increased organic carbon content, microbial, microbial population. (ii) In situ incorporation of crop residues significantly increased the crop yield and nutrient uptake as well as improved the soil physical, chemical and biological environment.ThesisItem Open Access YIELD AND QUALITY OF VEGETABLE CROPS GROWN IN ACID SOIL AS AFFECTED BY POTASSIUM APPLICATION(Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 2013) Sinha, Nishant Kumar; Kumar, RakeshVegetables play an important role in human nutrition and health particularly as a source of vitamin C, niacin, phenol, pyridoxine and dietary fiber as it is consumed in high proportion. Potassium which is the source of plant nutrition having major contribution in increasing yield and enhances many quality compound related to human health such as phenol, vitamin C, carbohydrate, total soluble solids (TSS) and other mineral elements in fruits and vegetables. Potassium exists in several forms in the soil, viz. mineral K (90 to 98 % of total K), nonexchangeable, exchangeable and dissolved or solution K which contents varied considerably depending on the nature of the parent material, mineralogical make up, particle size distribution, degree of weathering and topographical features of the area. Keeping in view the present investigation entitled “Yield and quality of vegetable crops grown in acid soil as affected by potassium application” was undertaken at 3 different locations of Ranchi. Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), brinjal (Solanum melongena) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) were grown in the month of march 2012 to march 2013 and harvested in different time as per crops and their maturity level. The yield data was recorded and fruit samples were taken for further investigation in lab. The experiment was planned with 7 treatments viz. 4 levels of K (0, 100, 150 & 200 % of recommended dose) and two mode of application with 3 replication in R.B.D. The maximum yield of bottle gourd (18.8 t ha-1) and cauliflower (30.4 t ha-1) was recorded with the application of 150 % K where as the maximum yield of brinjal (84.9 t ha-1), tomato (17.8 t ha-1) and cabbage (76.2 t ha-1) was observed with the application of 200% K in two splits. Increase of yield might be due to the duration of crops and demand of K nutrient. Yield was obtained at higher level of K instead of recommended dose of potassium. In general, this can be attributed to increased potential pressure (ΨP) in fruit tissues due to higher K+ ion which led to higher assimilates transfer from source to sink (Lester et al. 2006). Minimum yield was noted in the plot where potassium was omitted in all crops. Similar results were found by Singh et al. (2010). Under quality parameters, different bio-chemical properties were studied in lab. The results revealed that K markedly improved the quantity of carbohydrate, reducing and nonreducing sugar, phenol, TSS and vitamin C. Highest content of carbohydrate (6.71 % in brinjal), phenol (208.91 mg 100 g-1 in cauliflower), TSS (7.2 0Brix in cauliflower) and ascorbic acid (57.14 mg 100 g-1 in cabbage) was recorded in treatment receiving 200 % K in 2 splits. However in bottle gourd TSS content decreased with the increasing level of K irrespective of mode of application. In tomato lycopene and acidity content also increased with the increasing level of K application with the highest value (5.47 mg 100g-1, 0.49 % respectively) observed under 200 % K as basal application. Nandlal et al. (1998) also observed similar results. The different forms of K also indicated the variation in potassium status in soil. Maximum value of water soluble K (26.5 kg ha-1) and non-exchangeable K (988.3 kg ha-1) was observed with the application of 200 % K in two splits while maximum value of exchangeable K (161.6 kg ha-1) was recorded in treatment receiving 200 % as basal application in soil due to ionic equilibrium. Forms of potassium viz. constant rate, lattice and total K did not show significant variation with increased potassium application. Similar results were also observed by Hariprakasarao and Subramanian (1995). However step K increased with higher potassium application. Maximum value of step K (1774 kg ha-1) was recorded with 200 % K as basal application. Post harvest status of pH, OC, N, P and S in soil remained unaffected with higher potassium application. As the result showed, application of 200 % K in 2 splits was significantly better in terms of yield and bio-chemical properties. This also markedly increased the different forms of K content in soil. However in most of the cases it remained at par with 150 % K application. Thus it can be concluded that application of K not only enhanced the yield and bio-chemical properties of vegetables but improved the K status of soil also.