Search

Flower drop, senescence of flowers and inadequate pod filling pose significant challenges in soybean cultivation as rapid nutrient extraction from leaves during the reproductive stage accelerates leaf aging. The present study assessed the effect of foliar application of agrochemicals on growth, productivity, quality and biochemical traits of soybean at two locations during kharif (rainy) season of 2021 and 2022. The experiment comprised of ten treatments of foliar application of agrochemicals [absolute control, water spray, potassium nitrate (KNO3) 1.5%, NPK (19:19:19) 1.5%, boron 0.3%, ammonium molybdate (AM) 0.5%, thiourea 750 parts per million (ppm), urea 2.0%, muriate of potash (MOP) 0.5% and salicylic acid (SA) 100 ppm] at flower and pod initiation stages along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Results revealed that foliar application of boron 0.3%, urea 2.0% and MOP 0.5% at Ludhiana and MOP 0.5%, potassium nitrate 1.5% and urea 2.0% at Ballowal Saunkhri increased growth (plant height and dry matter accumulation), yield attributes (number of pods plant−1, number of filled pods plant−1 and 100-seed weight) and seed yield. These agrochemicals showed positive effects on the biochemical parameters with increased levels of proline and total phenol content as well as improvements in total soluble sugars, starch and protein content. The findings suggest that foliar application of agrochemicals (boron 0.3%, urea 2.0%, MOP 0.5% and potassium nitrate 1.5%) along with RDF can improve soybean growth and seed yield by mitigating the nutrient stress at reproductive stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional tillage over the long term in more intensive-cropping systems is not sustainable as it enhances soil degradation, soil moisture loss, soil erosion, and cost of cultivation and disturbs beneficial micro-organisms. Retaining crop residues as mulch has been recognized as a desirable management practice for conserving soil moisture and lowering soil temperature, which ultimately helps in improving seed emergence. However, no-tillage or reduced tillage with crop residue produced better or non-significant differences in the growth and yield attributes and crop yield than that obtained under conventional tillage. However, zero or reduced tillage combined with crop residue improves biological nitrogen fixation, nitrogenase activity, symbiotic parameters and the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Continuous adoption of conservation tillage will have a positive effect on soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties and may also be better for the sustainability of crop production. The novelty of the study is that it examines the integrated effect of conservation tillage and residue retention through mulching on the crop emergence, symbiosis and quality of soybean along with growth, productivity, and profitability of soybean, nutrient uptake by the crop and soil properties together as sustainable agricultural technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out during kharif season of 2022 and 2023 at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)-Regional Research Station (RRS), Ballowal Saunkhri (SBS Nagar) with the objective to find out the impact of foliar spray of agrochemicals on biophysical parameters, PAR interception and heat use efficiency of rainfed mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) under variable sowing dates. Timely sown crop (second fortnight of July) resulted in higher leaf area index, chlorophyll index, PAR interception and heat use efficiency (HUE) as compared to late sowing (first fortnight of August). Significantly higher seed yield, stover yield and biological yields were obtained in timely sowing during both the years of study. Foliar spray of KNO3 @ 1.5% recorded significantly higher leaf area index, chlorophyll index, PAR interception, heat use efficiency (HUE) and helio-thermal use efficiency (HTUE) but it was statistically similar with foliar spray of N:P:K (20:20:20) @ 1.5%. Foliar spray of KNO3 @ 1.5% and N:P:K (20:20:20) @ 1.5% gave statistically similar seed, stover and biological yields and significantly better than other treatments. There was an increase of 33.3% in seed yield with foliar spray of KNO3 @ 1.5% and increase of 29.1% with foliar spraying of N:P:K (20:20:20) @ 1.5%, when compared with control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of sole applications of biofertilizers and phosphorus as well as their integrated use in lentil. The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of phosphorus (0, 15, 20 and 25 kg P2O5 ha−1) and biofertilizer inoculation treatments [uninoculated control, Mesorhizobium, Mesorhizobium + RB-1 (Pseudomonas argentinensis) and Mesorhizobium + RB-2 (Bacillus aryabhattai)] on nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and residual nutrient status of soil after the harvest of chickpea. Mesorhizobium + RB-1 recorded the highest uptake of nitrogen (73.7, 59.0 and 132.7 kg ha−1 in grain, straw and total, respectively), phosphorus (8.29, 11.34 and 19.63 kg ha−1 in grain, straw and total) and potassium (23.48, 43.36 and 66.84 kg ha−1 in grain, straw and total) as well as partial factor productivity (113.1 kg grain kg−1 P2O5). Application of 25 kg P2O5 ha−1 recorded the highest phosphorus concentration (0.39% in grain and 0.26% in straw), phosphorus uptake (8.35, 12.32 and 20.67 kg ha−1 in grain, straw and total, respectively) and phosphorus status in soil after crop harvest (18.7 and 16.7 kg P ha−1 in 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers, respectively). Partial factor productivity was recorded the highest with the application of 15 kg P2O5 ha−1 (132.2 kg grain kg−1 P2O5). It can be concluded that dual applications of biofertilizers [Mesorhizobium + RB-1 (Pseudomonas argentinensis)] and 25 kg P2O5 ha−1 improve nutrient uptake by the crop and build up of nutrients in the soil after the harvest of the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses. Biofertilizers, a low cost input, help in increasing the crop productivity by way of biological nitrogen fixation, increased availability or uptake of nutrients through solubilization or increased stimulation of plant growth through the synthesis of growth promoting substances such as indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins, auxins, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and siderophore production. Furthermore, biofertilizer inoculation helps to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. These are environmentally friendly and play a significant role in boosting the pulse crop production. In this review paper, literature regarding different types of biofertilizers and their effect on different pulse crops has been studied. The effect of application of biofertilizer inoculation on biological nitrogen fixation, growth, symbiotic traits, productivity, quality, soil fertility, residual effect and economic benefit has been reviewed and summarized under different headings. Application of biofertilizers increases the plant growth, symbiotic traits (nodule number, nodule weight) and grain yield over no inoculation in different pulse crops without producing any adverse effect on the environment. Moreover, seed inoculation with biofertilizers provides economic benefits over without inoculation. Furthermore, single or dual inoculations of biofertilzers improve the nutrient status of soil and ultimately increase the nutrient uptake by crop along with improvement in protein content. Seed inoculation with biofertilizers also increases organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium and microbial count in the soil after the crop harvest over un-inoculated control. The nitrogen amounts fixed as a result of inoculation leave a net positive N balance in the soil. Thereby, biofertilizers inoculation helps in achieving higher profits while maintaining the agricultural sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted at five locations in Punjab, India to study the effect of foliar application of urea (nitrogen) on the symbiotic parameters, growth, yield, quality, and monetary parameters of chickpea under irrigated conditions. The experiment consisted of foliar application of 2% urea at flowering stage, pod formation stage, at both the stages (flowering + pod formation), and control (no application) treatment. Application of 2% urea at flowering and pod formation stages recorded the highest number of nodules, dry weight of nodules, plant height and yield parameters. Improvement in these parameters led to significantly higher chickpea yield, by a margin of 26.0, 39.7, 14.1, 12.6 and 22.4 per cent as compared to control at Ludhiana (2017-18), Ludhiana (2018-19), Bathinda, Ballowal Saunkhri and Faridkot, respectively. On the basis of pooled mean of all the trials, foliar application of urea at both stages (flowering as well as pod formation) improved the grain yield by 19.3% over control, protein content by 12.7% and net monetary returns by 30.4% as compared to control treatment. It can be concluded that foliar application of 2% urea at flowering as well as pod formation stages should be done in chickpea under irrigated conditions for obtaining higher grain yield and net returns along with improved protein content, which can help in the fulfillment of protein requirement of the vegetarian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

60% (6/10) with I BCR-ABL i SP like sp CGFs showed MRD positivity compared to 41.1% (23/56) of I BCR-ABL1 i SP pos sp B-ALLs. Summary of the diagnostic approach used to detect BCR-ABL1-like B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia associated chimeric gene fusions (BCR-ABL-like CGFs). I BCR-ABL1 i -like or Philadelphia chromosome-like B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma ( I BCR-ABL1 i SP like sp B-ALL) initially described based on gene expression profiles (GEP) is characterized by the presence of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) targetable chimeric gene fusions (CGF), the spectrum of which is yet to be fully elucidated. The higher frequency of MRD positivity compared to I BCR-ABL1 i SP pos sp group (60% vs. 41%) can be explained by the inclusion of TKIs in treatment of I BCR-ABL1 i SP pos sp cases. [Extracted from the article]

Biofertilizers are important for sustainability of agriculture and have the potential to reduce the environmental costs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers in modern intensive farming practices. Field experiments were conducted on two promising strains of P-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) viz. RB-1 (Pseudomonas argentinensis) and RB-2 (Bacillus aryabhattai) identified in the lab studies, in conjunction with N-fixing Mesorhizobium, for improving symbiotic efficiency, growth and productivity of irrigated desi chickpea. An experiment comprised of four biofertilizer seed inoculation treatments (uninoculated control, Mesorhizobium, Mesorhizobium + RB-1 and Mesorhizobium + RB-2), and four P levels (0, 15, 20 and 25 kg P2O5 ha−1) was conducted. Dual inoculation with Mesorhizobium + RB-1 and Mesorhizobium + RB-2 proved more effective in increasing nodulation in chickpea at lower dose of P of 15 and 20 kg ha−1 as compared with Mesorhizobium + 25 kg P ha−1. Chickpea with Mesorhizobium + RB-1 recorded similar leghaemoglobin content in nodules and chlorophyll content in leaves as achieved with Mesorhizobium + RB-2; however, both of these attributes improved significantly over Mesorhizobium alone. Improved plant growth with both Mesorhizobium and PSB resulted in significant grain yield increase up to 7% as compared with Mesorhizobium alone. Investing additional US $0.74 ha−1 on PSB to current growers' practice of single inoculation with Mesorhizobium resulted in additional net returns increase of US $53-71 ha−1. Therefore, biofertilizers that promote N-fixation and P-solubilization need to be adopted in conjunction with each other in chickpea to reduce chemical fertilizer usage and improve profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]