An Asian Journal of Soil Science

Ajeet Kumar ¹, Diwakar Paswan ²

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Madhopur, West Champaran (Bihar), IN
2 Regional Research Station (R.R.S.), Agwanpur, Saharsa (Bihar), IN

Abstract

Among legumes, pea (Pisum sativum L.) is the second most important legume, which is widely used both in human nutrition and as fodder. Currently, pre-sowing inoculation of pea seeds is a promising treatment and is one of agronomic solutions for sustainable agriculture. As per the objective of the research, to determine the effects of Rhizobium inoculation and different levels of nitrogen on the yield potential and growth attributes of pea, the research was conducted in Split Plot Design with 3 replications, at Research farm of RRS, Agwanpur, Saharsa. Nitrogen application had significant effect on the plant height, number of branches, ischolar_main and shoot dry weight, number of nodules, seed yield, biomass yield, harvest index, number of pods, as well as crude protein rate of seeds in both years. Plant height, number of pods, harvest index, number of nodules, crude protein rate and ischolar_main dry weight were higher with application of 20 kg N ha^-1 while seed yield, shoot dry weight and number of branches were higher with application of 60 kg N ha^-1, in the 2 seasons. The lowest values related to these parameters were obtained from the control treatment. Inoculation treatment had also significant effect on the all parameters investigated in both the years. The highest values regarding these parameters were obtained from inoculated plants, whereas the lowest values were obtained from the un-inoculated plants. Interactions of nitrogen and inoculation had significant effects on the all parameters investigated, except for number of nodules in 2009- 2010 and crude protein rate of seeds in both years. The highest seed yield was obtained under treatment 20 kg N ha^-1+ inoculation with 1654.3 and 1625.0 kg ha^-1 in 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively.

Keywords

Pea, Rhizobium, Nitrogen, Nodulation, Yield.

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Ajeet Kumar ¹, Diwakar Paswan ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Agwanpur, Saharsa (Bihar), IN

Abstract

Among legumes, pea (Pisum sativum L.) is the second most important grain legume, which is widely used in human nutrition. The yield potential of cultivars is one of the major factors that determine the use of vegetable pea. Currently, pre-sowing inoculation of pea seeds is a promising treatment and is one of agronomic solutions for sustainable agriculture development. The research was based on the precise field experiment, conducted in three replicates and carried out in the experimental field. The examined inoculants were applied during sowing. The presented results of the studies on the symbiotic nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilizers by leguminous plants indicate that the productivity of pea was positively affected by the application of microbial inoculants. The supplementation of live inoculums of Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in the rhizosphere of pea can significantly enhanced the biomass accumulation and yield (27 - 55 %) as compared to uninoculated control. The degree of influence was found to be dependent on variety and preference of genotypes for biofertilizer. A steady increase in ischolar_main, shoot and leaf biomass accumulation from seedling stage to flowering was evidenced in all the three variety. The shredding of leaf biomass was highest irrespective of varieties followed by shoot biomass at pod formation stage, thereafter up to senescence the leaf and shoot biomass was static. A preference to PSB for arkel and rhizobium plus free N fixers for Azad P₁ and Azad P₃ in terms of accumulation of partitioned biomass were noticed which suggested the use of low cost biofertilizers for higher productivity in pea.

Keywords

Biofertilizers, Pea Varieties, Biomass, Yield.

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Diwakar Paswan ¹, Anjana Arun ¹, Ajeet Kumar ¹, C. S. Choudhary ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Agwanpur, Saharsa (Bihar), IN

Abstract

Maximum N uptake in wheat crop was obtained with successive increase in level of fertilizer, plant population and organic manure application. The maximum N-uptake of 137.64 kg/ha was recorded at harvest with the application of highest does of nitrogen i.e., 180 kg/ha. Application of higher level of fertilizer and organic manure and higher plant population increase the P uptake. The maximum phosphorus uptake of 17.19 kg/ha were recorded at harvest with the application of 75 kg phosphorus/ha. The same way K uptake was also observed to increase with increase in level of fertilizer, plant population and organic manure application.

Keywords

NPK Uptake, Growth Stages, Wheat, Yield.

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Ajeet Kumar ¹, C. S. Choudhary ¹, Diwakar Paswan ¹, Brijesh Kumar ², Anjana Arun ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Agwanpur, Saharsa (Bihar), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Mandan Bharti Agriculture College, Agwanpur, Saharsa (Bihar), IN

Abstract

Phosphorus is the second important key element after nitrogen as a nutrient in terms of quantitative plant requirement. Although phosphorus is abundant in soils (organic and inorganic forms), its availability is restricted as it occurs mostly in insoluble forms. The phosphorus content in soil is about 0.05 per cent (w/w) but only 0.1 per cent of the total phosphorus is available to plant because of poor solubility and its fixation in every type of soil. An adequate supply of phosphorus during early phase of plant development is important for laying down the primordia of plant parts. It plays significant role in ischolar_main ramification, thereby imparting vitality to plant. It also helps in seed formation and in early maturation of crops. Poor availability or deficiency of phosphorus markedly reduces plant size and growth. Phosphorus accounts about 0.2 - 0.8 per cent of the plant dry weight. To satisfy crop requirements, phosphorus is usually added to soil as chemical fertilizer, however, synthesis of chemical fertilizer is highly energy intensive processes, and has long term impacts on the environment in terms of eutrophication, soil fertility depletion, carbon footprint. Moreover, plants use only a small amount of phosphorus, because about 80-90 per cent of added phosphorus is precipitated by metal-cation complexes, and rapidly fixed in soils. Such environmental concerns have led to the search for sustainable way of phosphorus nutrition of crops. In this regards phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms have been seen as best eco-friendly means for phosphorus nutrition of crop. Although, several bacterial (Pseudomonas and Bacilli) and fungal strains (Aspergillus and Penicillium) have been identified as PSM. Their performance under in situ conditions is not reliable and therefore, needs to be improved by using co-inoculation techniques. This review focuses on the diversity of PSM, mechanism of P solubilization, role of various phosphatase, impact of various factors on solubilization, the present and future scenario of their use and potential for application of this knowledge in managing a sustainable agricultural system.

Keywords

Soil Phosphorus, PSM, Solubilization, Biodiversity, Biofertilizers, Siderophores, TCP, Organic Acids.

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Ajeet Kumar ¹, Diwakar Paswan ¹, C. S. Choudhary ¹, Brijesh Kumar ¹, Anjana Arun ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Research Station, Agwanpur, Saharsa (Bihar), IN

Abstract

The paper attempts to explore research findings focusing on the climate change impact on organic agriculture and its impact on climate change through scientific literature review. This review reveals that climate change and agriculture are closely linked and interdependent. Compared to conventional agriculture, organic agriculture is reported to be more efficient and effective both in reducing GHGs (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) emission mainly due to the less use of chemical fertilizers and fossil fuel. Organic agriculture also reported to be climate change resilience farming systems as it promotes the proper management of soil, water and biodiversity by acting as a good options for adaptation to climate change. But, due to lack of proper research, the contribution of organic agriculture for climate change adaptation and mitigation is yet to be known. It is argued that organic agriculture positively contributes to offset negative impacts of climate change, but there is inadequate systematic data to substantiate this fact.

Keywords

Adaptation, Climate Change, Greenhouse Gases Mitigation, Organic Agriculture.

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