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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi

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20235
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Subject: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × Start date: 2023 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Isolation, Screening of Lignocellulose Decomposer and Its Impact on Crop Residue Decomposition, Soil Properties and Yield of Crops
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Shinde Reshma Bhausaheb; D.K. Shahi
    In India, the top ten crops generating about 686 Mt of residues are estimated to hold the potential to supply 5.6 Mt of NPK nutrients to the soil. When left on the field, crop residues decompose into different organic substances through the action of various soil microbes over time. The isolation of native fast-degrading microbes from areas and their inoculation can potentially enhance crop residues' decomposition speed and nutrient release process. Considering this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to study the isolation and screening of lignocellulose decomposer and its impact on crop residue decomposition, soil properties, and yield of crops at the research farm of ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, FSRCHPR, Ranchi, India. Fifteen strains of fungi and six bacteria were isolated as pure colonies from various sources, out of which seven isolated microbial cultures (IMC) were identified as lignocellulose decomposers. IMC 18 and IMC 4 had shown higher enzyme activities for decomposing cellulose and lignin and were identified as Trichoderma viridi and Aspergillus niger. The efficiency of these strains was tested through on-field trials to establish them as potential lignocellulose decomposers. The field experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two factors, consisting of three crop residues [paddy (C1), black gram (C2), and ragi straw (C3)] and five microbial inoculation treatments [control (T1), A. niger (T2), T. viridi (T3), A. niger + (1%) nitrogen application (T4) and T. viridi + (1%) nitrogen application (T5)] for each crop residue. In total, there were fifteen treatment combinations with two replications each. The decomposition and nutrient release patterns of all three crop residues were studied using litter bag techniques. Among the three types of crop residues, black gram straw exhibited the highest decomposition rate, followed by paddy straw and ragi straw. In treatment T5, where microbial inoculation was applied, over 90% of black gram straw decomposed within six months of field placement, while for paddy and ragi straw, this occurred within eight and nine months, respectively. Contrastingly, in the control treatment (T1) without microbial inoculation, over 90% decomposition of black gram straw occurred in eight months, while for paddy and ragi straw, it took ten and eleven months, respectively. The highest decomposition t99 period of 23.25 months was observed for ragi straw in the control treatment, while the shortest t99 period of 10.55 months was noted for black gram straw in treatment T5. In treatments with microbial inoculation, decomposition rates were 8.5-25% higher compared to the control. The sequence of straw decomposition rates in the microbial treatments followed the order: control < T2 < T3 < T4 < T5. Furthermore, the release rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were higher in the microbial-inoculated treatments compared to those without inoculation. N, P, and K release rates followed the order K > P > N. The application of crop residues led to an increase in available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the soil. Treatment C1, involving paddy straw application at 5.0 t ha-1, exhibited the highest available N (264.0 kg ha-1) and P (34.0 kg ha-1). In contrast, treatment C3, with ragi straw at the same rate, showed the highest available K (337.3 kg ha-1). Among microbial treatments, the inoculation of Trichoderma culture with nitrogen supplementation (T5) resulted in a significant rise in available NPK (267.34, 35.99, and 340.73 kg ha-1, respectively) in the soil. Applying crop residues (paddy or ragi straw at 5.0 t ha-1) enhanced the yield of field pea, moong bean, and maize cropping systems by 5-12%. In microbial-inoculated treatments, notably higher grain yields were observed for field pea (4.21-11.7%), moong bean (4.35-11.6%), and maize (4.91-10.39%) compared to the control. Among microbial treatments, T5 demonstrated significantly higher grain yields (10.39-11.7%) and straw yields (7.37-19.67%) across all three crops. The present study illustrated that inoculation of Trichoderma and Aspergillus spp. culture, along with nitrogen supplementation, can be a practical approach for in situ residue management, leading to the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms that hasten the degradation process of crop residues. Adding crop residues (paddy or ragi straw @ 5.0 t ha-1) not only increased the yield of field pea, moong bean, and maize cropping system but also improved the other soil fertility parameters such as organic carbon, available NPK, DTPA-Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn content, soil microbial count and soil enzyme activity like dehydrogenase and FDA. These factors are necessary to achieve sustainable production and minimize soil nutrient depletion. The application of crop residues and inoculation of Trichoderma spp. or Aspergillus spp. and nitrogen supplementation has the potential of this environment-friendly technology for in situ straw management and nutrient sources in the low input cropping system.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFICACY OF ZINC (Zn) AND SULPHUR (S) CONTAINING FERTILIZER ON PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF WHEAT GROWN UNDER ACID SOIL OF JHARKHAND
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Pooja Bharti; B. K. Agarwal
    A field experiment entitled “Efficacy of Zinc (Zn) and Sulphur (S) containing fertilizer on productivity and profitability of wheat grown under acid soil of Jharkhand” was conducted during Rabi 2021-22 at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand with an objective to compare the performance of different sources of zinc and sulphur containing fertilizer on yield attributes, yield, economics of the wheat crop along with the translocation study of zinc and sulphur in different plant parts and their nutrient uptake. In addition, soil samples were analysed for changes in chemical properties of soil viz. soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available N, available P, available K, available Zn and available S content. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design (RBD) replicated thrice with seven treatments. The treatments were T1- 100% NPK (120: 60: 40), T2- 100% NPK + 1.5 kg Zn through Zinc Sulphate, T3- 100% NPK + 2.5 kg Zn through Zinc Sulphate, T4- 100% NPK + 5.0 kg Zn through Zinc Sulphate, T5- 100% NPK + 1.5 kg Zn through Techno-Z, T6- 100% NPK + 2.5 kg Zn through Techno-Z and T7- 100% NPK + 5.0 kg Zn through Techno-Z. The results revealed that maximum growth and yield attributes viz. no. of spikes/m2 (358.86), no. of grains/spike (48.39), 1000 grain weight (41.93 g), ear head length (11.55 cm) and ear head weight (4.53 g) were recorded at peak with treatment T7. Whereas, the treatment T3, T4 and T6 showed statistically at par results with T7 in case of all yield attributing characters. It was also observed that the highest grain yield (48.20 q ha-1 ), straw yield (73.42 q ha-1 ) and harvest index (39.64 %) was achieved with the treatment T7 and the treatment T3, T4 and T6 showed statistically at par results. However, the highest B:C ratio i.e., 2.32 was found with the treatment T4 whereas in case of T7 it was only 2.04. This was only because of the higher cost of Techno-Z in comparison to that of Zinc Sulphate. As far the study of Zn translocation was concerned, the data disclosed that the highest Zn content was in lower leaf as compared to that of middle leaf and upper leaf respectively. Whereas, among all the treatments, the highest Zn content was reported in treatment T7 in case of lower leaf. It had 48.38% and 55.90% higher Zn content as compared to middle leaf and lower leaf respectively. This implied the moderately immobile nature of Zn in plant system. In case of lower leaf and middle leaf the maximum Zn concentration was reported with the treatment T7 and in case of upper leaf the peak was found with the treatment T4. However, the highest Zn concentration in grains (46.5 mg kg-1 ), straw (62.9 mg kg-1 ) and husk (20.00 mg kg-1 ) was reported with the treatment T4. In case of sulphur, results showed that maximum S content was found in the lower leaf in comparison to middle leaf and upper leaf respectively. It was due to the immobile nature of S in plant parts. Whereas, among all the treatments, the highest S concentration was reported in treatment T7 in all plant parts. When compared to that of lower leaf the percentage decrease in sulphur content in case of middle leaf and upper leaf was 48.06% and 55.81% respectively for treatment T7. The highest concentration of sulphur in grain (0.193%), straw (0.114%), husk (0.061%) was recorded with the treatment T7. For grains, T7 showed 16.64% higher values than that of treatment T4. In case of soil, maximum reduction in pH in post- harvest soil was 0.09 and it was common for 5 treatments (T1, T3, T4, T6 and T7) and least reduction in pH was 0.02 for T5 treatment. There was hardly any change in the EC values in case of post-harvest soil due to application of different sources of Zn and S containing fertilizers. Whereas, organic carbon content decreased in the post- harvest soil and maximum reduction was 0.25 for treatment T4 and least reduction was 0.08 which was common for 3 treatments (T1, T3 and T7). The Nitrogen (N) content varied from 242.00 to 267.70 kg ha-1 and 231.50 to 263.50 kg ha-1 for pre-sowing and post- harvest soil respectively. Highest Available N (267.70 kg ha-1 ) was found with the treatment T4 at both the stages. The peak of phosphorus (P) content (32.72 kg ha-1 ) in soil at pre- sowing stage was noted down with treatment T6 and at post- harvest stage with the treatment T3 (31.88 kg ha-1 ). In case of potassium (K), the maximum concentration at both the stages was found with treatment T4. For, zinc the highest content at pre-sowing stage (0.72 mg kg-1 ) and post-harvest stage (1.04 mg kg-1 ) in soil was observed with treatment T4. Similar trend was reported in case of sulphur, the maximum concentration at both pre- sowing (9.72 mg kg-1 ) and post harvest soil (9.57 mg kg-1 ) was found with that of treatment T4.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    IMPACT OF CROP RESIDUE INCORPORATION IN COMBINATION WITH INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON SOIL PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF LINSEED
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) KHUSHBOO JYOTSNA BAXLA; Sasihi Bhusan Kumar
    A field experiment entitled ‘Impact of crop residue incorporation in combination with inorganic fertilizer on soil productivity and profitability of linseed’ was conducted during Rabi 2021-22, at Research Farm of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Ranchi, Jharkhand from the project ‘Recycling of crop waste’ which was conducted since 2016-17 at present location. The experiment consists of 8 treatments and 3 replications in a Randomized Block Design (RBD). Plot size was 18 m2 with 30 cm row spacing. The selected treatments were T1- Control, T2- Crop residue, T3- 50% NPK + Crop residue, T4- 75% NPK + Crop residue, T5- 100% NPK + Crop residue, T6- 50% NPK, T7- 75% NPK, T8- 100% NPK. 50%, 75% and 100% NPK was met by application of Urea, SSP & MOP. The crop grown was linseed (Divya variety), Seed rate was 25 kg ha-1, maturity of crop is 128-130 days. Its average yield is 15 q ha-1. Surface soil (0-15 cm) samples were collected at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest. Soil sample were air dried under aerated shade condition and analyzed for soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available N, available P and available K. The influence of crop residue on crop yield and yield attributing characters was recorded at harvest and economics of linseed was calculated. The results revealed that different treatments of NPK with crop residue incorporation and only NPK application (50%, 75% & 100%) did not show any significant effect on soil reaction and electrical conductivity. Organic carbon (4.56 g kg-1), available nitrogen (225.21 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (42.92 kg ha-1) and available potassium (198.81 kg ha-1) content of soil after harvest of linseed crop recorded significantly higher in the treatment (T5) where 100 per cent NPK along with crop residue was applied. It might be due to incorporation of crop residue in the plots. Those treatments (mainly T2, T3, T4 and T5) where crop residue was applied, soil nutrient status increased throughout from 30 DAS up to harvest stage whereas trend was found reverse, means decreasing trend in case of RDF treated plots. The texture of soil was calculated and falls in sandy clay loam texture while matched from soil textural triangle diagram. The bulk density of soil was significant in T2, T3, T4. This might be due to returning the crop residue in soil. The effect of crop residue incorporation direct or in the combination with RDF in soil was found non-significant in particle density, porosity and water holding capacity. The Highest productivity was recorded in the treatment T5- 100% NPK + Crop residue. Grain Yield of linseed was recorded maximum 17.78 q ha-1 in the treatment T5 and least 6.21 q ha-1 in the control treatment (T1). The effect of crop residue incorporation on grain and straw yield and other yield attributes were also observed and found that plant population was higher in treatment T5 with 100% NPK + CR. Similarly, the number of primary branches (5.34), secondary branches (19.72), capsule/plant (27.54), seed/capsule (6.85) and 1000 grain weight (7.18 g) were observed significantly higher in the treatment T5 having 100% NPK + CR. The harvest index of crop residue incorporated treatment T5 was 33.32% with grain yield (17.78 q ha-1), straw yield was (35.57 q ha-1), and 32.25% harvest index was recorded with grain yield (16.07 q ha-1) and straw yield (35.48 q ha-1) was recorded in treatment T3 where only 50% RDF was provided along with crop residue. Net return and B:C ratio of T5 and T3 was (80697 ₹ ha-1, 56432 ₹ ha-1) and (2.3, 2.2) respectively. On the basis of one year of experimentation, it may be concluded that application of 50% NPK with crop residue produce higher grain yield, net return and B:C ratio which was at par with 100% NPK with crop residue incorporation. Thus, it was found most suitable combination for obtaining higher net return and benefit cost ratio making it economically feasible for farmers of Jharkhand. It reduces 50 % of the RDF of fertilizer cost with better outcome of yield.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF ZINC APPLICATION ON RICE IN RED AND LATERITIC SOIL
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Juhi Tiwari; Arvind Kumar
    The present investigation “Effect of Zinc application on Rice in red and lateritic soil” was carried out on the ongoing Experiment which started in 2018 at Research Farm (Sub zone IVth of ACZ VIIth, Hill and plateau region) of Soil Science department with collaboration of AICRP-MSPE and State plan BAU, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Experiment was designed in Factorial RBD with three phasing of Zn application (P1: only 1st Year, P2: After one year gap, P3: In each year) and four Zn application levels with one absolute control. Zinc was applied in Rice crop and wheat was grown on residual soil level of Zn. Rice crop variety IR 64 drt 1(DRR Dhan 42) was taken as test crop in year 2021-22 curricular research programme. Grain yield of rice significantly increased due to Zn application levels and also due to the phasing impact of Zn. Percent increased in rice grain yield was observed lowered 7.19% only at P1 (where Zn was applied once three year back) followed by P2 and P3 phasing of Zn application. Rice grain yield was observed 29.28 q/ha at 2.5 kg/ha Zn application. Yield of rice increased with increasing levels of Zn application and found 18.04% higher to control at 10.0 kg/ha Zn application level. Straw yield also followed similar trend of rice grain yield and found maximum 76.71 q/ha at 10.0 kg/ha Zn application level (21.91% higher to control yield 62.89 q/ha). Zinc content of rice grain was significantly affected due to Zn levels, Phasing, Interaction between Zn X P and also with control VS others. Lower Zn content 23.65 mg/kg was observed in rice grain at Zn application level 2.5 kg/ha and higher 26.25 mg/kg ha, which was 16.09% higher to the control (22.65 mg/kg). Zinc content in straw yield was observed at 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg/ha Zn application and was found statistically at par, while higher Zn content 83.33 mg/kg was found at Zn application done in each year. DTPA extractable Zn was found about more than 40% higher to control (1.46 mg/kg) treatment. Similar trend of Zn content in phasing also was observed and percent increase to control followed trend as (P1 < P2 < P3). Zinc content was observed in upper leaf (23.90 - 27.91 mg/kg), Middle leaf (25.86 - 28.12 mg/ha), lower leaf (26.38-29.76 mg/kg), stem (73.83-80.55 mg/kg) and in rice root 90.5 - 94.73 mg/ha respectively at 2.5 and 10.0 kg/ha Zn application. Total Zn uptake (Yield + Straw) was found higher 404.66 and 442.28 g/ha respectively at 10.0 kg/ha Zn application level and at Zn application in each year. DTPA extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Cd was found non statistically non-significant due to application of Zn in soil and also phasing impact, While DTPA extractable Zn was significantly affected and found lower 1.35 mg kg-1 at Zn1xP1 treatment and maximum 2.51 mg kg-1 at Zn4xP3 treatment. Soil properties like pH and OC (g/kg) was statistically found none significant and similarly available N, K and P did not affected due to Zn application and Phasing impact in soil.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    IMPACT OF LONG TERM FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON DIFFERENT FORMS OF SULPHUR IN AN ALFISOL
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) PRIYA NIVA KUJUR; P. Mahapatra
    The present investigation entitled “Impact of long term fertilizer application on different forms of sulphur in an Alfisol” was undertaken during 2021-22 under the ongoing AICRP on LTFE since 1972 at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. The experiment consisted of ten treatments replicated thrice in a randomized block design i.e. T1:50% NPK, T2:100% NPK, T3: 150% NPK, T4: 100% NPK+ Hand weeding, T5: 100% NPK + Lime, T6: 100% NP, T7: 100% N, T8: 100% NPK + FYM, T9: 100% NPKS and T10: Control. Soybean-wheat is being followed since the year 1986. Soybean is grown as rainfed crop in kharif and wheat in rabi under irrigated conditions. Soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth after harvest of wheat (2022). Plant samples were collected for both the crops during 2021-22. The processed soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, organic carbon, available N, P and K, exchangeable Ca and Mg and different forms of sulphur viz., total, CaCl2, KH2PO4, Ca(H2PO4)2, water soluble and heat soluble sulphur in both surface and sub-surface soil. Both grain and straw samples for soybean and wheat were analyzed for sulphur content by following standard methods. The data pertaining to soil and plant was statistically analyzed to make out the least significant difference among the treatments. The variation for different forms of sulphur in soil showed following decreasing order of abundance in mg kg-1: Total S (200-345)>organic S (179-316)>Ca(H2PO4)2 S (20-43)>KH2PO4 S (17-25)>CaCl2 S (11-23)>adsorbed S (7-20)>heat soluble S (5-10)>water soluble S (3-8) for surface soil. While, Total S (243-507)>organic S (220-470)>Ca(H2PO4)2 S (14-94)>KH2PO4 S(24-58)>CaCl2 S (11-23)>adsorbed S (2-59)>heat soluble S (5-9)>water soluble S (2-5) for sub-surface soil. System productivity was expressed in terms of mean wheat equivalent yield (WEY in kg ha-1) which followed the following order: 100% NPK + FYM (8804)>150% NPK(8185)>100% NPK + lime (8136)>100% NPKS (8084)>100% NPK + HW (7402)>100% NPK(7314)>100% NP (5042)>50% NPK (4532)>100% N (1966)>control (1565). Analysis of soil for pH, EC, organic carbon, available N, P & K; Exchangeable Ca & Mg after harvest of wheat at the end of 50th cropping cycle, the range for pH was 4.2 to 6.1 and 4.8 to 6.2 in surface and sub-surface soil, respectively. Similarly, significant variations for other chemical parameters were observed. Correlation coefficient study between soil properties and sulphur pools reflected a strong significant relationship of pH and organic carbon with total S content of soil. There was strong relationship among different forms of sulphur in soil. Among sulphur pools, organic S, adsorbed S, CaCl2 and Ca(H2PO4)2 extractable S had significant correlation with total S in soil. Among the three extractants for S estimation, Ca(H2PO4)2 S extractable sulphur had maximum contribution to total sulphur. Total sulphur removal under soybean-wheat cropping system for production 2.0 tonnes of soybean and 4.7 tonnes of wheat grains in a year was 17.2 kg S ha-1. Apparent S recovery was around 11 per cent and the increase in grain yield due to application of sulphate source of phosphatic fertilizer i.e., SSP was around 17 kg per kg of S applied as compared to balanced application of NPK. Integrated use of balanced dose of NPK fertilizer along with FYM or lime resulted in 11 to 20 per cent increase in grain yield as compared to balanced dose while, use of balanced dose of NPK at super optimal level was in between. Significant relationship among the different forms of S in soil indicated the existence of equilibrium among themselves. Based on the results of present study, it may be advocated for use of SSP instead of DAP as it increases grain yield of crops by 10 per cent as well as maintains available S status of soil.