An Asian Journal of Soil Science

K. C. Patel ¹, K. P. Patel ², V. P. Ramani ², J. C. Patel ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
2 Micronutrient Project (ICAR), Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
3 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, B.A. College and Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

A pot house study was conducted on sewage irrigated Fluventic Ustochrepts soils of peri urban area of Vadodara to study the effect of Pb and FYM on spinach yield, Pb uptake and different forms of Pb after spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The soils were treated with six levels of Pb (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg Pb kg soil^-1) and two levels of FYM (0,1%). The results revealed that the significant reduction in yield of spinach was noticed at 80 mg Pb kg^-1 soil application. The uptake of nutrients viz., P, K, Fe and Zn decreased at higher Pb level. Amongst the different forms of Pb after spinach, the per cent reduction in Fe-Mn oxide bound Pb and increase in other forms was noticed in sewage irrigated soil. On the other hand, when the spinach was grown on sewage irrigated soil with the application of FYM, percentage of total Pb increased except that of residual Pb. The percentage of exchangeable Pb of total Pb decreased due to Pb addition; and the decrease was comparatively higher in the presence of FYM. The relative abundance of various fractions of Pb after spinach in sewage irrigated soils was in the order: Residual Pb>Fe-Mn oxides bound Pb>Organically bound Pb>Carbonate bound Pb>Exchangeable Pb. The spinach leaf yield negatively correlated with enrichment of carbonated bound Pb (r=-0.763**), organically bound Pb (r=-0.588**) and Fe-Mn oxide bound Pb (r=-0.425**) in the soil. The results indicate that the FYM addition modified the distribution of various Pb fractions leading to reduction in the availability of Pb. Therefore, FYM application could show beneficial effect to mitigate the adverse effect of Pb in the high Pb containing sewage irrigated soil.

Keywords

Sewage, FYM, Pb Fractions, Exchangeable, Fe-Mn Oxides.

Full Text

     

K. C. Patel ¹, K. P. Patel ², H. K. Kandoria ³, K. L. Jetani ⁴, V. P. Ramani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
2 Micronutrient Project (ICAR), Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
3 Dry Farming Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamkhambhaliya (Gujarat), IN
4 Fishery Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Okha (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Dry Land Agricultural Research Station, JAU, Jamkhambhaliya, Saurashtra for studying the effect of seaweed liquid fertilizer on yield and uptake of micronutrients by kharif Groundnut (cv. G.G.2) under rainfed condition. The groundnut (GG.2) grown on soils deficient in available Zn and Fe significantly responded higher pod yield and uptake of micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) and net realization (ICBR 1:3.28) to the spray of seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) @ 3.5 % at 15, 30 and 45 days after sowing.

Keywords

Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer, Groundnut, Yield, Micronutrients.

Full Text

     

P. V. Mehta ¹, V. P. Ramani ¹, K. P. Patel ¹, Y. C. Lakum ¹

Affiliations
1 Micronutrient Project (ICAR), Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

Importance of Zn in plant and crop production is well known. Role of Zn in animal and human health as mineral is also reported by several scientists. Simultaneously, deficiency of Zn is widely recognized in soils of India. Micronutrients are applied in the form of soil application, foliar spray or pre sowing seed treatment. Application of micronutrients through seed treatment nourishes crops at the critical early stages and helps in improving crop growth and is cheaper than foliar/soil application. Other seed treatments like biofertilizer, insecticide and fungicide are also being exploited by the farmers. All these seed treatments have their individual application methods and positive impact on higher and quality produce. There is a need to develop technology which includes all such seed treatments viz., nutrient supply, biofertilizer, insecticide, fungicide etc. in order to get multiple benefits economically. Gujarat Maize-6 variety was selected as the test crop. Seed treatment material included were zinc, bio-fertilizer (Azospirillum brasilense ABA-1 and Bacillus coagulense PGA -1), insecticide (Imidacloprid) and fungicide (Thiram). Pot study was carried out and maize was grown up to 60 days and dry matter yields were recorded. The treatment consisting of Zn, insecticide and biofertilizers (Azospirillum and PSB) as seed treatment gave consistent results in increasing shoot yield and was found significantly highest over control. It was at par with the treatment combination of biofertilizers (Azospirillum and PSB) as seed treatment and Zn through soil application. The results revealed that the combined application of Zn, biofertilizers and pesticides is possible to increase yield due to early nourishment through Zn and biofertilizers as well as insecticides. Thus, zinc application as seed treatment in combination with conventional seed treatments i.e. biofertilizer, insecticide and fungicide was found feasible. Among the different seed treatment combinations, Zn was found more compatible with biofertilizer and insecticide rather than fungicide. The Zn application as seed treatment found equally efficient to Zn supplementation through soil application in increasing growth and dry matter yield of maize, was economical besides reduction in chemical load.

Keywords

Zinc, Insecticides, Biofertilizers, Fungicides, Seed Treatment, Soil Application.

Full Text

     

Jayesh K. Parmar ¹, K. P. Patel ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agril. Chem. and Soil Science, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
2 Micronutrient Project (ICAR), Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

Keeping in view the possible contamination of ground water along the open canal carrying mix industrial effluents in Nawagam-Vatava region, a survey was carried out to assess the important soil properties, nutrient content and availability of heavy metals in soils irrigated with effluent waters flowing in khari cannel around area of Nawagam- Vatava region of Gujarat (India).

Keywords

Bioavailability Nutrients, Micronutrients, Metals.

Full Text