Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

The present study was conducted to enhance the zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentration in cowpea (V. unguiculata L.) var. Rituraj using physiological approach. Cowpea was grown in soil-pot culture subjected to soil application at presowing and foliar application of Zn, Fe and their combination at different time period of plant growth during the growing season February to April 2016 at Lucknow University campus. In soil application, the rate of ZnSO₄.7H₂O and FeSO₄.7H₂O application was 10 mg kg-1 soil each and foliar application was done at 0.5% of Zn and Fe at 35, 45 and 55 days of plant growth after sowing. The concentration of photosynthetic pigments, specific activities of catalase, peroxidase and carbonic anhydrase in leaves and tissue Zn and Fe concentrations in single treatment 17.41% & 68.90% and in combined treatment 26.92% & 8.83% respectively in seeds were significantly increased as compared to control.  Zinc translocation from flag leaves to seed and its accumulation was more significant in the combined treatment of Zn and Fe foliar application at 35 days after sowing

Aims: To determine the influence of fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweet corn grown under Bukidnon, Philippines condition.

Place and Duration of Study: Research Station of IPB-UPLB, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines on February 2016 to May 2016.

Methodology: Soil samples were taken from the site for initial characterization. Six treatments were employed; T₁- no fertilizer,T₂- Recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (RRIF) based on soil analysis of the experimental area (70 – 50 – 0 N, P₂O₅, K₂O kg ha^-1), T₃- 2 tons ha-¹ Vermicompost, T₄- ½ RRIF (35 – 25 – 0 N, P₂O₅, K₂O kg ha^-1) + 1 ton ha^-1 Vermicompost, T₅- ½ RRIF (35 – 25 – 0 N, P₂O₅, K₂O kg ha^-1) + 2 tons ha^-1 Vermicompost and T₆- RRIF (70 – 50 – 0 N, P₂O₅, K₂O kg ha^-1) + 1 ton Vermicompost. Harvesting proceeded at 70 days after sowing (DAS).

Results: The application of Full RRIF + 1 ton Vermicompost ha^-1 significantly influenced the plant height of sweet corn at 20 DAS. Soil’s negative logarithm of hydrogen ions present or pH was greatly affected by the application of inorganic fertilizer alone. Moreover, the application of ½ RRIF + 2 tons of Vermicompost ha^-1 caused significant effects towards the organic matter content (%) of the soil at harvest. On the other hand, the yield of sweet corn measured by the number of ears expressed in per hectare basis shows to be highly affected by the application of Full RRIF along with 1 ton Vermicompost ha^-1.

Conclusion: The combined application of the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer and Vermicompost are possible ways that may be undertaken in order to yield sweet corn in higher portion under Bukidnon condition as well as maintaining the quality of the soil of Bukidnon, Philippines.

Soil fertilization is one of the major way to sustain crop production. In the present paper, fertilization trials were carried out on Andosols developed on trachyte in the upper part of the Bambouto Mountains with trachyte powder, human urine, and reserved water from cooked beans. The first group of top soil samples was treated with trachyte powder at different rates, activated with water and incubated during nine months. The second group was treated with human urine, the third group was treated with reserved water from cooked beans, the fourth group was treated with the mixture on the two fluids, the fifth group was treated with rock powder at 25% activated with human urine, the sixth group was treated with rock powder at 25% activated with reserved water from cooked beans, the seventh group was treated with 25% of rock powder activated with the mixture of the two fluids, and incubated during three months. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in 3 replicates. The different treatments enhanced Forestier and Kamprath indicators. Human urine and reserved water from cooked beans improved the content of available phosphorus in the treated soils, but generated at the same time soil salinization at a grade ranging between low and midium. Those fluids highly enriched soils with exchangeable basic cations, particularly potassium and sodium, generating an unbalanced cationic ratio. Trachyte powder is the substrate and the two fluids the cover fertilizers. The most appropriate formulation suitable to ensure a sustainable fertilization of those Andosols is the mixture of the three different treatments.

Aims: A field experiment has been carried out under the sandy soil conditions. Its aim was to evaluate the effect of some plant growth regulators (PGRs) foliar sprayed along with the fertilization by Fe and/or Zn on the lintel (Lens culinaris Medikus) yield and quality.

Study Design: A complete randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: Winter seasons of 2016/2017 – 2017/2018 at the Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, (30° 35' 30" N 32° 14' 50" E elevation 3 m), Agricultural Research Center (ARC) - Egypt.  

Methodology: The PGRs foliar sprayed included the recommended doses of gibberellic acid (GA₃, 100 ppm), salicylic acid (SA, 100 ppm), K-humate (6000 ppm) and K-silicate (K₂SiO₃, 200). The Fe (60 ppm) and/or Zn (100 ppm) were applied as EDTA chelated. Lintel grains were inoculated by efficient strained Rhizobium leguminosarum then sowed. Foliar spray of the different treatments was carried out 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing.

Results: The effect of Zn treatments on the estimated yield components and growth parameters was more pronounced than Fe except for the plant height and the number of branches/plant. The Fe and Zn foliar spray significantly increased the lentil seed yield by 20.8% and 28.8%, respectively, compared with control. All treatments significantly increased the protein (%) and N (g/kg) in seeds compared with the control. The humate combined with the Fe or Zn (Fe + H and Zn + H) showed the most significant increase in the Fe in the seeds (by 54.89 and 100.16%, respectively). The combination between the silicate with Fe (Fe + Si) increased the Zn content in seeds more than the silicate with Zn (Zn + Si).

Conclusion: The seed yield (kg/ha) has significantly increased compared to the control in the order: Zn + GA₃ > Zn + Si > Zn + H > Fe + GA₃ > Fe + H > Fe + Si > Zn (Cont.) > Fe (Cont.) > Fe + SA > Zn + SA. Lentil may be a Zn-demanding plant and to less extent a Fe-demanding one. Their foliar application along the humate and silicate may be preferred over the GA₃ for environmental aspects. 

Aim: The aim of investigation was to evaluate the influence of organic fertilizer on soil, leaf nutrient content, growth and yield of Physic nut in Makurdi, North Central, Nigeria.

Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated trice.

Place and Duration of the Study: Field experiment was carried out at Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria during 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons.

Methodology: The trial consisted of four treatments: organic fertilizer (Nomau®) at rate of 0, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 t ha^-1. Soil samples were collected from the plough layer (0 – 20 cm) at the beginning of the experiment as composite. After harvest of the first and second cropping seasons, soil composite samples were collected on the basis of treatments for routine chemical analysis. The Nomau® manure was incorporated into the soil two weeks before planting physic nut. Parameters measured at three weeks intervals number of primary branches, plant height and leaf area and yield at the end of cropping season.

Results: Organic fertilizer is an important contribution of organic matter that improves the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. The soil at the experimental site had soil pH which was adequate for producing most crops in the tropics, low in organic matter, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium, potassium and Magnesium. It increased SOM, N, P, Mg, K, Na and CEC. Its application significantly increased number of primary branches, plant height, leaf area, leaf N, P and K concentrations of physic nut and yield relative to control.

Conclusion: The findings from the experiment shows that maximum production of physic nut and soil sustainability can be achieved from treatment 1.00 t ha^-1 if properly managed in Markudi, Nigeria.