Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Weed Management in Mulberry (Morus spp.) for Sustained Cocoon Production

K. Pramod — 2026-03-27

Background: Sericulture depends on high-quality mulberry leaves, but weed infestation significantly reduces yield by competing for resources and harboring pests. Effective weed management is crucial to improve leaf production and raw silk yield.

Aims: To comprehensively synthesize current knowledge on weed management in mulberry ecosystems, evaluating the efficacy, economics and ecological impacts of various control strategies to sustain high-quality leaf yield and cocoon production.

Study Design: Comprehensive Literature Review.

Methodology: This review systematically aggregates and analyzes peer-reviewed literature from scientific databases including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar. The search strategy employed keywords related to weed management in mulberry, sericulture and Bombyx mori. Studies published between 1970 and 2024 were considered, with emphasis on recent research. Data regarding weed flora composition, crop-weed competition dynamics and the efficacy of various weed control measures (cultural, mechanical, chemical and biological) were extracted, analyzed and synthesized. The review specifically focused on the cascading effects of these management practices on mulberry leaf yield, leaf biochemical quality and the subsequent physiological performance and cocoon traits of the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.).

Results: Weed competition in mulberry cultivation causes severe leaf yield losses ranging from 30% to 50% and significantly deteriorates leaf nutritional quality, directly translating to inferior silkworm growth and reduced raw silk productivity. While traditional manual weeding is effective, labor scarcity and rising costs threaten its viability. Chemical herbicides offer efficient early-stage control but pose severe toxicity risks to silkworms if applied after 30 days of pruning. Integrated Weed Management (IWM), combining mulching, cover cropping, judicious herbicide application and mechanical weeding, emerges as the most sustainable approach. Emerging innovations like AI-enabled robotic weeders offer precision control with minimal environmental footprint.

Conclusion: Adopting region-specific, climate-resilient Integrated Weed Management (IWM) protocols is imperative for sustaining mulberry leaf quality, ensuring silkworm health and maximizing the profitability of the sericulture industry.

Synergistic Impacts of Seaweed Extracts and Humic Acid Granules on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Crop Productivity: A Review

R. Durgadevi — 2026-03-30

Seaweed extract and humic acid granules are increasingly recognized as effective biostimulants that help with sustainable soil management and improve crop productivity. Seaweed extract often made from brown macroalgae like Ascophyllum nodosum, Sargassum species and Kappaphycus alvarezii provides bioactive compounds, including phytohormones, polysaccharides, amino acids, and micronutrients. These compounds promote root development, boost stress tolerance, and stimulate important metabolic processes. Humic acid granules improve soil fertility by enhancing soil structure, increasing cation exchange capacity, retaining nutrients better, and supporting beneficial microbial activity. Together, these amendments create synergistic effects that enhance soil properties, such as organic carbon content, moisture retention, and aggregate stability. Their combined use has been proven to increase nutrient uptake, boost chlorophyll synthesis, improve photosynthesis, and strengthen plants’ resistance to abiotic stresses. These advantages lead to higher crop yields by about 15 to 30%, better produce quality, and more efficient use of inputs in field and horticultural crops. The environmental benefits include reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting long-term soil health. Economically, using seaweed and humic acid granules offers better benefit-to-cost ratios and encourages the adoption of regenerative and climate-smart farming practices. This review summarizes current scientific evidence on the mechanisms, interactions, and agronomic benefits of these natural amendments, showcasing their importance in sustainable agriculture.

Harnessing Jasmonic Acid for Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture: A Comprehensive Review

Amarapalli Geetha — 2026-04-06

Phytohormones, pivotal regulators of plant growth and development, are increasingly recognized for their multifaceted roles in enhancing crop resilience against environmental stresses. Jasmonic acid (JA) and allied jasmonates have moved from being regarded chiefly as wound hormones to being understood as central coordinators of plant defence, development, metabolic reprogramming and environmental adaptation. This repositioning is highly relevant to sustainable agriculture and horticulture because crop production now requires lower external inputs, improved stress resilience, tighter postharvest management and better quality retention across complex supply chains. This review synthesises current knowledge on JA biosynthesis, perception and signalling, with emphasis on how the COI1-JAZ-MYC regulatory module integrates cues from pathogens, herbivores, nutrient status, light and temperature. Particular attention is given to the dual agronomic identity of jasmonates: endogenous signals that can be tuned through breeding and biotechnology, and exogenous elicitors that can be applied before harvest or after harvest to prime resistance and improve quality. The evidence shows that jasmonates can strengthen tolerance to insect attack, necrotrophic pathogens, drought, salinity, temperature extremes and nutrient deficiency, while also reshaping specialised metabolism, fruit ripening, colour development, aroma formation and shelf life. However, these benefits are conditional. Dose, timing, crop genotype, developmental stage, formulation and environmental context determine whether JA promotes productive resilience or imposes unacceptable growth penalties. The review therefore, evaluates both promise and constraint, highlighting horticultural and postharvest systems where implementation is already relatively mature and field-scale row cropping systems where translation remains more variable. The paper concludes that the most realistic pathway for harnessing JA lies not in constitutively amplifying defence, but in deploying precisely timed, context-aware jasmonate interventions integrated with breeding, microbiome management, protected cultivation and reduced-input crop protection.

Silicon-The Most Underappreciated Element in Vegetable Production: A Comprehensive Review

Priti K. Mote — 2026-04-08

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust yet remains conspicuously absent from mainstream fertiliser programmes and nutrient management guidelines for vegetable crops. Although Si does not satisfy the classical criteria of essentiality for higher plants, an extensive and rapidly growing body of literature confirms that its supply confers remarkable benefits on plant growth, stress tolerance, disease resistance and produce quality. Vegetable crops represent a diverse and nutritionally indispensable component of global food systems, yet they are among the plant categories most frequently neglected especially when Si is considered during nutrition, partly because many vegetable species are classified as low Si accumulators. This review synthesises current knowledge on the geochemistry of Si in soils, the molecular biology of Si uptake and transport, and the multifaceted agronomic roles of Si specifically in vegetable production systems. Evidence from controlled experiments and field studies demonstrates that Si supplementation enhances vegetative growth, alleviates drought, salinity, heavy metal, and temperature stresses, suppresses soil-borne and foliar diseases, deters insect herbivory, and improves post-harvest shelf life and nutritional quality of vegetable produce. The review further examines the range of Si fertiliser sources and application modalities suitable for vegetable production, and situates Si management within broader frameworks of sustainable and low-input horticulture. Critical gaps in understanding — including the scarcity of field-scale trials for specific vegetable species, the absence of calibrated soil and tissue Si tests for horticultural crops, and limited mechanistic insight for dicotyledonous vegetables — are identified and discussed. The evidence collectively argues that Si deserves recognition not merely as a non-essential beneficial element but as a practically indispensable component of modern vegetable nutrition management.

The Hidden Microbial and Mycorrhizal Workforce: Shaping Crop Resilience, Nutrient Dynamics and Agroecosystem Sustainability

Chittimothu Suresh Babu — 2026-04-20

The soil beneath agricultural fields harbours an extraordinary diversity of microbial life that constitutes a largely invisible yet profoundly influential workforce governing agroecosystem functioning. Bacteria, archaea, fungi, and their complex mycorrhizal networks collectively mediate nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, plant hormone production, pathogen suppression, and stress alleviation—processes that underpin crop productivity and long-term ecological sustainability. Despite decades of investigation, our understanding of how these communities are assembled, how they interact, and how agricultural management practices modulate their composition and function remains incomplete. This review synthesises current knowledge on the structural and functional dimensions of the soil microbiome and mycorrhizal networks in agricultural contexts, with particular emphasis on mechanisms by which these biological agents enhance crop resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, mediate critical nutrient transformations, and contribute to the sustainability of agroecosystems. Key findings highlight that mycorrhizal fungi—especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi—extend plant root architecture, facilitate phosphorus and micronutrient acquisition, and strengthen plant defences through systemic signalling pathways. Rhizobacteria possessing plant growth-promoting traits, including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilisation, phytohormone production, and ACC deaminase activity, substantially improve crop performance under stress conditions. The emerging consensus indicates that agricultural intensification, agrochemical dependency, and tillage disruption critically impair microbial diversity and network complexity, with cascading consequences for ecosystem services. Conversely, organic farming, reduced tillage, and targeted bioinoculant applications demonstrably restore and enhance microbial community richness and functionality. The integration of microbiome science into precision agriculture and sustainable crop management strategies thus represents a compelling frontier for twenty-first-century food systems. Future research must address the challenges of translating microbiome knowledge into reliable field-scale interventions whilst accounting for edaphic variability and climate change pressures.

Bioremediation of Heavy Metal-contaminated Soils Using Microorganisms: A Comprehensive Review

Shivani Chauhan — 2026-04-21

Heavy metal (HM) contamination of soils has become a critical environmental issue due to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and intensified agricultural activities. These metals are persistent, non-biodegradable, and toxic, posing serious risks to plant growth, soil health, and human well-being through the food chain. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals disrupt plant physiological processes, induce oxidative stress, and alter soil microbial community structure, thereby reducing soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Conventional remediation techniques, including physical and chemical methods, are often costly, time-consuming, and environmentally unsustainable.

Microbial bioremediation has emerged as an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative for the detoxification of heavy metal-contaminated soils. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the sources and impacts of heavy metals and critically examines microbial mechanisms such as biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and detoxification. The role of plant-microbe interactions, particularly in the rhizosphere, is also highlighted in enhancing remediation efficiency. Furthermore, recent advances, including the application of microbial consortia and genetically engineered microorganisms, are discussed along with their associated challenges. The review also identifies key research gaps and future directions, emphasizing the need for field-scale validation and integrated approaches to improve the efficiency and applicability of microbial bioremediation strategies.

Influence of Soil Fertility and Leaf Nutrients on Cocoon Yield of Antheraea mylitta Drury Ecoraces: A Model System to Strengthen the Livelihoods of Tribal Rearers

Priyanka Priyadarshini Nayak — 2026-04-02

Soil macronutrients and micronutrients influence leaf biochemical composition, which subsequently affects larval survival, growth, silk gland development, and essential cocoon characteristics such as cocoon weight, shell ratio, and filament length. This study highlights on how soil fertility and leaf nutrient status regulate cocoon yield and quality in Antheraea mylitta ecoraces of Odisha and suggests a model system to strengthen the livelihood of tribal rearers worldwide. The ecological and socio-economic importance of tropical tasar sericulture is initially outlined emphasizing the diversity of seven local ecoraces and their strong dependence on primary host plants Terminalia arjuna, T. tomentosa and Shorea robusta. The study incorporates knowledge regarding soil-leaf-larva interactions, nutritional absorption methods, and essential leaf-quality characteristics (protein, carbohydrates, moisture, tannins, texture) that influence rearing efficacy. Challenges caused by deteriorated soils, climatic changes, dependence on forests, widespread diseases, and traditional management practices are also examined. Ultimately, significant research gaps were identified and recommendations were proposed, including an integrated, multi-scale strategy that encompasses soil-plant diagnostics, leaf tissue analysis, enrichment of host plants and ecoraces, organic and site-specific nutrient management, as well as socio-economic interventions. Emphasizing soil and leaf nutrition is suggested as a rational approach to improve cocoon yield and quality, strengthen the livelihoods of tribal rearers, and promote conservation-focused tasar sericulture and as a model system to explore broader questions and mechanisms.

Copper Sulfate Nanoparticle Mediated Alleviation of Salinity Induced Yield Losses in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Rahul Anand — 2026-03-18

Salinity stress is one of the most severe abiotic constraints limiting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production globally, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Based upon preliminary trials, this study investigated the potential of nano-copper sulfate (nano-CuSO₄, 10 ppm) application in alleviating the detrimental effects of salt stress (100 mM NaCl) in the salinity-susceptible tomato variety Pant Tomato-3 (PT-3). A completely randomized design (CRD) experiment with three replications was conducted under polyhouse conditions. Four treatments were imposed, namely, control (C), salinity stress (S, 100 mM NaCl), nano-CuSO₄ treatment (N, 10 ppm) and nano-CuSO₄ treatment under salinity stress (T, 100 mM NaCl + 10 ppm nano-CuSO₄). Key growth and yield-related parameters like number of leaves per plant, number of trusses per plant, number of flowers per truss and number of fruits per plant were recorded at plant maturity. Results demonstrated that 100 mM NaCl significantly reduced all measured parameters compared to the control, confirming the salinity-susceptible nature of Pant T-3. Nano-CuSO₄ only treatment (N) marginally enhanced growth and yield attributes relative to the control. Nano-CuSO₄ application under salinity (T) improved the number of trusses per plant by 46 % and fruits per plant by 29% over the salinity-only treatment (S). These findings suggest that nano-CuSO₄ application at 10 ppm holds promise as a cost-effective strategy to improve tomato performance under moderate salinity stress conditions.

Nano Urea-mediated Improvement in Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Maize

U. Triveni — 2026-03-21

In recent years, the advancement of nanotechnology in agriculture has opened new avenues for enhancing nutrient delivery and uptake efficiency. The foliar application of nano urea presents a promising alternative to conventional urea, especially under conditions where soil-based nitrogen applications are inefficient or environmentally unsustainable. A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2023, at ANGRAU-Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram, to assess the impact of nano urea on growth, yield, economics and nutrient uptake of maize and also to explore the possibility of reducing the conventional nitrogen fertiliser dose. This study was conducted with nine treatments in a Randomised Block Design with three replications. Pre-harvest (Plant height, days to reproductive stage) and post-harvest (Cob length, cob girth, test weight, grain yield and stover yield) observations were recorded. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in nitrogen, organic carbon, medium in phosphorus and potassium. The experimental results revealed that T₉:100% Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN) through urea in three splits (33% basal+ 33 % Knee-high (KH)+ 33% at Tasselling (TS) + nano urea sprays at KH and TS resulted in higher growth and yield attributes, grain yield, stover yield and plant nutrient uptake. However, it remained on par with T₃:100% RDN through urea in three splits (33% basal+ 33 % KH+ 33% at TS), T₆:75% RDN (33% basal+ 33% KH+33% at TS) + nano urea sprays at KH and TS and T₇:75% RDN (66% basal+ 17% KH+17% at TS) + nano urea sprays at KH and TS. Economic parameters, viz., gross returns, net returns and BCR, also did not vary significantly among T₉, T₃, T₆ and T₇. Hence, 75% RDN + nano urea foliar sprays at KH and TS stages can be recommended to increase the yield, economic returns and nutrient uptake with an additional saving of conventional urea fertilisers.

Geospatial Assessment and Mapping of Soil Nutrient Status for Sustainable Agricultural Planning in Mizoram, India

Pratibha Thakuria Das — 2026-03-24

Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) promotes sustainable farming by tailoring fertilizer use to local soil variability, improving yield while reducing environmental damage. Soil testing plays a key role by providing data for precise nutrient management based on spatial differences in soil properties. This study evaluates the soil fertility status of Mizoram, India—a state situated within the North Eastern Hill (NEH) region encompassing a total geographical area of approximately 21,081 sq. km—to support Soil Health Management (SHM) under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).Integrating GIS and GPS technologies, 20,991 soil samples from 273 villages were analysed to generate thematic maps of pH, organic carbon (OC), and primary macronutrients (N, P, K) via Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation. The results show that 97.49% of the state’s area is acidic (pH<6.5), with 62.64% slightly acidic and 34.85% moderately acidic. Macronutrient levels are predominantly in the "medium" range, covering 91.21% for Nitrogen, 90.71% for Phosphorus, and 93.05% for Potassium, while 54.75% of the area maintains medium OC levels. These findings necessitate site-specific management, specifically the application of lime to mitigate widespread acidity and balanced NPK fertilization to optimize regional crop productivity. This high-resolution spatial database provides a critical decision-support tool for sustainable agricultural planning and nutrient management across Mizoram.

Biogas Slurry and Organo-Mineral Integration: Drivers of Arylsulfatase, Urease and FDA Enzyme Stimulation in Soil

Ritu Nagdev — 2026-03-28

Sustaining productivity in intensive rice–wheat system requires strategies that enhance soil biological functioning alongside nutrient supply. A two-year field experiment (2022-2024) was held at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, to evaluate the impact of integrated application of biogas slurry (BGS) and recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) on soil enzymatic activities. Under randomised block design (RBD) investigation, six treatments, each containing different amounts of nitrogen doses supplied through BGS and RDF. Soil samples collected at the reproductive stage of wheat were analyzed for arylsulfatase, urease and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolase activities using standard procedures. Results indicated significant enhancement of all enzymes under integrated and sole BGS treatments compared to control and sole RDF. Arylsulfatase activity ranged from 35.31 to 73.98 µg PNP g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in 2023 and 37.75 to 81.92 µg PNP g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in 2024. Urease activity varied from 103.45 to 178.83 µg NH₄⁺-N g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in 2023 and 119.18 to 204.76 µg NH₄⁺-N g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in 2024. FDA activity ranged from 39.31 to 77.98 µg g⁻¹ soil h⁻¹ in 2023 and 43.75 to 87.92 µg g⁻¹ soil h⁻¹ in 2024. Enzymatic activities followed the trend: 100% BGS > 75% BGS + 25% RDF ≈ 50% BGS + 50% RDF > 25% BGS + 75% RDF > 100% RDF > control. Higher values in the second year suggest cumulative effects of organic amendments. The findings demonstrate that substituting mineral nitrogen with biogas slurry enhances soil enzymatic activity, nutrient mineralization and overall soil health, supporting sustainable intensification of rice–wheat cropping system.

Chemical Analysis of Soils to Evaluate the Soil Fertility Status of Semi-arid Region of Three Taluks of Tumakuru District, Karnataka, India

C. T. Harshitha — 2026-03-30

A study was conducted to assess the fertility status of surface soils from three representative taluks (Gubbi, Madhugiri and Sira) based on their agro-climatic zones. The study aimed to evaluate physico-chemical properties, nutrient index, and relationships among key soil parameters using descriptive statistics, a nutrient index, and correlation analysis. A total of 34 surface soil samples (0-30 cm depth) were collected from fields of farmers, studied for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe. Soil pH varied between 4.7 and 8.9 (mean = 7.3), EC ranged from 0.01 to 0.72 dS m⁻¹ (mean = 0.21 dS m⁻¹), and OC was between 0.35 and 1.18%; thus, most soils were classified as non‑saline, neutral to slightly alkaline, with low to medium organic matter content. Nutrient Index (NI) values showed medium fertility (NI 1.8), while N, P, K, Ca, and Mg had low fertility; S, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe reflected high NI values, indicating generally adequate secondary and micronutrient status. Results of correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship among several soil properties, particularly between base cations and micronutrients. The results demonstrate that deficiencies in macronutrients are the major constraints limiting crop production in these semi-arid soils, pointing to a need for balanced fertilization and enhanced organic matter management as important components of sustainable crop production systems.

An Analysis of Grape Growers' Attitudes towards Integrated Nutrient Management Practices in Chickaballapura District of Karnataka State, India

K. M. Chethan Kumar — 2026-03-31

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is a holistic approach to maintaining soil fertility and optimizing plant nutrient supply for sustained crop productivity. By integrating various sources of nutrients—including organic inputs (farmyard manure, poultry manure, crop residues, green manures etc) alongside balanced use of inorganic fertilizers. The study examines the attitude of grape growers towards Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) practices in Chickaballapura district of Karnataka, India. An ex-post facto research design was adopted, and data were collected from 120 grape growers selected from two taluks using structured interviews. The analysis was carried out using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and zero-order correlation. The findings revealed that a majority of growers (40.83%) had a favourable attitude towards INM practices, while 32.50 per cent and 26.67 per cent exhibited less favourable and more favourable attitudes, respectively. Variables such as age, education, farming experience, risk orientation, mass media participation, and extension participation showed significant association with attitude, whereas knowledge, economic orientation, innovativeness, and extension contact exhibited highly significant relationships. The study concludes that strengthening knowledge dissemination, extension contact, and farmer training programmes can significantly enhance favourable attitudes towards INM. Promoting practical awareness through extension systems and media can accelerate the adoption of sustainable nutrient management practices in grape cultivation.

Integrated Use of Organic and Inorganic Nutrients Influences on Yield, Soil Fertility and Economics of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Ankita — 2026-04-04

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) requires balanced nutrient management for high yield and quality, and organic inputs like FYM, liquid formulations (beejamrit, jeevamrit), and biofertilizers improve soil health, nutrient availability, and microbial activity. Their combined use enhances soil structure, fertility, and sustainable crop productivity. The experiment was conducted during June to September month in 2023 at the Experimental Farm of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, H.P. to study the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on the yield, soil fertility and economics of okra. The experiment was laid out in split plot design having twelve treatment combinations comprising four nutrient management practices and three varieties and treatments were composed of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. The results revealed that minimum soil pH (6.98) and maximum organic carbon of soil (0.73%) were obtained in the nutrient management practice N₂ [FYM (100 q ha^-1) + Azotobacter @ 20 g kg^-1 of seed + Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria @ 20 g kg^-1of seed]. The maximum soil electrical conductivity (0.203 dSm^-1), available nitrogen (241.73 kg ha^-1), available phosphorus (22.04 kg ha^-1) and available potassium (166.82 kg ha^-1) were obtained in N₃ [Recommended dose of fertilizers (78N:50P:54K kg ha^-1) + FYM (100 q ha^-1)]. There was no significant effect of soil pH, electrical conductivity (dSm^-1) and organic carbon (%) on varieties, however Kashi Lalima recorded maximum available nitrogen (235.71 kg ha^-1), available phosphorus (19.32 kg ha^-1) and available potassium (163.52 kg ha^-1). Highest gross income (₹ 3,09,200 ha^-1), net income (₹ 2,28,860 ha^-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.84) were obtained in N₄ [50 % RDF + Jeevamrit + Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria] and Punjab-8 recorded highest gross income (₹ 2,72,180 ha^-1), net income (₹ 1,92,797 ha^-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.41). Hence, it may be concluded that the integrated application of organic fertilizers along with inorganic sources of nutrients enhanced the available soil nutrients, nutrient uptake and okra production.

Impact of Dose and Time of Nitrogen Application on Phenological Stages and Leaf Development of Spring Maize (Zea mays L.) under Northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Kailash Chand Verma — 2026-04-07

Spring maize in the Northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains is high-yielding and nutrient-demanding, especially for nitrogen. Proper split nitrogen application at key growth stages enhances leaf growth, biomass, and productivity while improving nitrogen use efficiency. A field experiment was conducted during spring seasons of 2013 and 2014 at Regional Research Station, Uchani, Karnal of CCS Haryana Agricultural University. The treatments consisted of four nitrogen doses (N₁-150, N₂-165, N₃-180, N₄-195 kg ha^-1) and four different time of nitrogen application viz., S₁- 50% + 25% + 25% (sowing + 8 leafed stage + tassel initiation stage), S₂- 25% + 25% + 25% + 25% (sowing + 4 leafed stage + 8 leafed stage + silking), S₃- 20% + 30% + 40% + 10% (sowing + 6 leafed stage + flowering + grain formation) and S₄- 20% + 30% + 40% + 10% (2 leafed stage + 6 leafed stage + tassel initiation stage+ grain formation) allocated in main and sub plots, respectively. The results revealed that maximum days to four (24.75 and 25.83 days) and eight leafed stage (50.55 and 51.84 days) were recorded with N₁, whereas higher nitrogen doses (N₃ and N₄) recorded minimum days. Among times of nitrogen application, the crop took maximum number of days to four (25.00 and 26.08 days) and eight leafed stage (48.98 and 50.92 days) under S₄ which was at par with S₃but significantly more than S₁and S₂. Higher dose of nitrogen (N₄) significantly increased days to flowering (68.30 and 70.68 days), silking (73.46 and 74.45 days), grain formation (81.56 and 83.89 days) and maturity (109.89 and 113.08 days), remain at par with N₃. Treatment of S₃ was recorded maximum duration for these stages which was at par with S₄. Growth parameters were also influenced by nitrogen doses. The highest number of leaves plant^-1 (14.08 and 13.87), leaf area (5809.18 and 5316.92 cm² plant^-1) and LAI (4.84 and 4.43) were observed under N₄ and it was statistically similar with N₃. The treatment of S₂ recorded higher leaf area (6042.9 and 5394.61 cm² plant^-1) and LAI (5.04 and 4.50) which was at par with S₁.

Optimization of Crop Establishment Techniques and Moisture Conservation Practices for Enhancing Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Durgesh Kumar — 2026-04-07

Chickpea is a major pulse crop, especially in India, valued for its nutritional benefits and role in improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, its productivity is constrained by moisture stress and poor agronomic practices, particularly in rainfed regions. Improved crop establishment methods and moisture conservation practices like ridge/BBF systems and mulching can enhance water use efficiency and increase yield. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at the Student Instructional Farm, Brahmanand Post Graduate College, Rath (U.P.) to evaluate the effect of crop establishment techniques and moisture conservation practices on chickpea under rainfed conditions of the Bundelkhand region. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. On the basis of data results reveled that among treatments, T₇ [broad bed furrow (BBF) of 105 cm with three rows along with straw mulch] recorded superior growth in terms of nodules (23.8 plant^-¹), plant dry weight (25.4 g plant^-¹) and branches (16.5 plant^-¹), while T₂ (ridge sowing) produced the tallest plants (59.6 cm). In yield parameters, T₂ registered the highest grain yield (51.67 q ha^-¹) and harvest index (49.11%), whereas T₇ achieved maximum stover (60.83 q ha^-¹) and biological yield (110.28 q ha^-¹). The lowest performance was observed under T₃ (skipping one row). The enhanced productivity under ridge and BBF systems with mulching was mainly due to improved soil moisture conservation, aeration and nutrient use efficiency.

Assessment of Irrigation Water Quality in the Experimental Farm of Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India

V. Arunkumar — 2026-04-13

Assessment of irrigation water quality is essential for sustainable agricultural production, particularly in regions where water resources are limited. The present study was carried out to evaluate the irrigation water quality of the experimental farm of the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Vazhavachanur, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. Water samples were collected from different blocks and analysed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and anions (HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS).To assess irrigation water quality, various indices were computed, including Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Potential Salinity (PS), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Kelley’s Ratio (KR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Permeability Index (PI), and Magnesium Ratio (MR), based on established methods. The results indicated that the pH ranged from 7.01 to 7.75, reflecting a neutral to mildly alkaline nature, while EC ranged from 1.40 to 1.60 dS m⁻¹, classifying the water as moderately saline. Computed irrigation water quality indices such as soluble sodium percentage (SSP), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium ratio, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI) and magnesium ratio (MR) were also evaluated. The SSP (17.46–32.55%) and SAR (0.99–2.10) values indicated low sodium hazard, while negative RSC values (-16.36 to -7.20 mg L⁻¹) suggested the dominance of calcium and magnesium over carbonate and bicarbonate ions. The sodium ratio values were less than unity, indicating no risk of sodium accumulation. Based on EC, SAR and RSC classification, all water samples were categorised under good quality for irrigation. However, potential salinity values indicated moderate salinity risk, necessitating proper management practices. The irrigation water in the study area is suitable for agricultural use with appropriate soil and water management strategies such as leaching, adequate drainage and cultivation of salt-tolerant crops to ensure long-term soil health and productivity.

Geospatial Estimation of Sequestered Carbon in Soils and Vegetation of Some Forest Reserves in South-West Nigeria

H. U. Nkwocha — 2026-04-16

Carbon sequestration is essential for improvement of soil health and climate change mitigation. However, unsustainable land use and forest exploitation have negatively influenced carbon stability in tropical ecosystems. This study was conducted to quantify carbon stocks in soils and the vegetations of Omo Forest Reserve (OFR) and Gambari Forest Reserve (GFR), in Southwestern Nigeria, using geospatial tools. Two soil orders (Alfisol and Inceptisol) and three land use types were examined through detailed soil profile characterisation and classification under USDA Soil Taxonomy, WRB, and Local Series systems. Soil carbon was estimated using Batjes’ method, while vegetation biomass and carbon were derived from NDVI and biomas-carbon conversion factors. A higher soil carbon was obtained in OFR (1065.77 g C/m²) than GFR (842.44 g C/m²). Also, substantially greater vegetation biomass and carbon were found in OFR (215.37 Mg/ha and 107.69 Mg/ha) compared to GFR (22.16 Mg/ha and 11.08 Mg/ha). Although differences across soil types and horizons were not statistically significant, bulk density and horizon thickness enhanced carbon sequestration in the sub-surface horizons with Omo Forest Reserve having better carbon sequestration due to high healthy vegetation cover. This finding underscores the urgent need for policies that curb anthropogenic pressures, strengthen forest conservation, and integrate carbon accounting into sustainable land management strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Biostimulation of Crude Oil Polluted Soil Using Plantain Trunk Liquid Extract: An Assessment Using Maize Growth Bioassay

R. Opuogulaya — 2026-04-18

Crude oil contamination poses a severe threat to soil health and agricultural productivity. This study investigated the potential of liquid extract from plantain (Musa paradisiaca) trunk as a low-cost, eco-friendly biostimulant for mitigating crude oil toxicity in soil. The extract was obtained by squeezing freshly cut plantain trunk and sieving the filtrate. Soil was artificially contaminated with 2% w/w crude oil (130g per 6.5 kg soil) and divided into two groups: contaminated soil treated with 30cl of plantain trunk liquid applied every 3 days for 7 applications (B) and contaminated untreated (C) with an additional uncontaminated soil as control (A). After treatment, maize (Zea mays) seeds were planted in each soil sample and growth parameters (coleoptile and plumule emergence days, and seedling height at 15, 18, and 21 days) were monitored for 21 days. The results showed no germination occurred in the untreated contaminated soil, demonstrating the acute toxicity of crude oil. Seeds in the treated soil exhibited delayed germination (11–13 days) and measurable seedling growth, reaching mean heights of 7.0 ± 0.28 cm (Day 15), 13.45 ± 1.06 cm (Day 18), and 19.15 ± 0.35 cm (Day 21). The uncontaminated control showed faster germination (8–11 days) and superior growth (mean heights up to 22.9 ± 0.42 cm on Day 21). These results have demonstrated that plantain trunk liquid extract effectively reduced crude oil toxicity, enabling seed germination and seedling establishment while none occurred in the untreated soil. The observed improvement is attributed to biostimulation through provision of readily available nutrients, enhanced soil moisture and promotion of indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading microbial activity. This study provides preliminary evidence that supports the use of abundant agro-waste as a sustainable, low-cost amendment for bioremediation of crude oil polluted soils. Further investigation is recommended to quantify total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) reduction, characterize plantain trunk liquid’s chemical composition, assess microbial shifts and optimize application rates for large scale application.

Response of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) to Different Plant Growth Regulators under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, India

Sonu Pandey — 2026-04-20

Okra is one of the important vegetable crops of India and Chhattisgarh. Okra is an annual vegetable crop. It grows quickly, tall and bears maximum number of fruits, which contributes to the maximum yield per unit area. The field experiment was carried out at Agriculture Research Farm, School of Agriculture Science, Technology and Research, Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh) India during kharif season of the years 2018-19. The plant growth regulators have great potential for plant growth improvement but the major constant in the use of plant growth regulators on okra is limited information about most suitable PGR and its appropriate quantity, stage of application, crop specificity and seasons. The treatments T₁ and T₂ were differ non-significantly, however, significantly minimum plant height was observed (28.41 cm) in T₉ (Plain water). The treatments T₂ and T₄ were differ non-significantly. While, significantly lowest number of leaves per plant was 9.93 recorded in T₉ (Plain water). The highest number of branches per plant recorded in 4.40 in T₄ (IAA - 200ppm) followed by 4.27 in T₃ (IAA - 100 ppm), 3.97 in T₂(GA3 - 50 ppm) and 3.19 in T₁(GA3 - 25 ppm). Whereas, significantly minimum number of branches per plant observed 2.67 in T₉ (Plain water). Application of IAA increases number of branches per plant in present investigation. Among the treatments with the application of IAA – 200 ppm (T4) recorded significantly minimum days to first flowering of 34.67 days followed by 34.93 days in T₃ (IAA - 100 ppm), 35.47 days in T₆ (Triacontanol - 2000 ppm) and 36.13 days in T₇(Salisylic Acid - 1.0 μM). The treatments T₃, T₄, T₆ and T₇ were differ non-significantly. It was observed that the significantly highest yield of 214.09 q/ha was recorded in T₄ (IAA - 200 ppm) followed by 201.85 q/ha in T₃ (IAA - 100 ppm), 187.23 q/ha in T₂ (GA3 - 50 ppm) and 174.50 q/ha in T₁ (GA3 – 25 ppm). The treatments T₂, T₃ and T₄were differ non-significantly.

Zero Tillage with Residue Retention Enhances Macroaggregate Formation and Aggregate Stability in a Rice-Based Conservation Agriculture System under Differential Weed Management Options

T. Ram Prakash — 2026-04-25

Conservation agriculture, characterized by minimal soil disturbance, residue retention, and crop diversification, plays a vital role in improving soil health and sustainability in intensive cropping systems. However, limited information exists on the combined effects of conservation tillage and weed management on soil aggregation in rice-based systems. A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2014-2019 under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Weed Management, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, to study the effect of conservation tillage and weed management options on soil aggregation in a rice–maize–Sesbania conservation agriculture system. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Five tillage treatments were assigned to main plots and three weed management treatments, viz., chemical weed management, integrated weed management (IWM), and unweeded control, to subplots. Soil aggregate size distribution, water-stable aggregate fractions, geometric mean diameter (GMD) and mean weight diameter (MWD) were determined before sowing and after harvest of the rice crop. Zero tillage with residue retention (T₅: ZT+R–ZT+R) recorded the highest proportion of large macroaggregates (>4.75 mm: 34.7%; 4.75–2.00 mm: 19.2%), maximum water-stable large macroaggregates (WsLMac: 53.9%), and superior GMD (1.113 mm) and MWD (2.244 mm). Conventional tillage treatments recorded dominance of smaller, less stable aggregate fractions, indicating structural deterioration due to intensive tillage and puddling. Weed management practices did not significantly influence any aggregate parameter, and the tillage × weed management interaction was non-significant. The results conclusively indicate that adoption of zero tillage with crop residue retention significantly improves soil macroaggregate stability in rice-based conservation agriculture systems of the semi-arid tropics.