An Asian Journal of Soil Science

R. S. Masram ¹, A. A. Patil ¹, B. Y. Shewale ¹, S. R. Kadam ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Rahuri, Ahmednagar (M.S.), IN

Abstract

The Bt cotton is one of the outcome of gene revolution undertaken for production of cotton. Growing Bt cotton is proved as profitable as compare to non-Bt cotton which resulted in increase the area under cultivation of Bt cotton in Maharashtra as well as in India. The field experiment on effect of fertilizer levels on soil nutrient status at different growth stages and yield of Bt and non-Bt cotton was conducted at Cotton Improvement Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during May to September, 2008. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications and two main treatments i.e., hybrid Bt RCH-2 and Non-Bt RCH-2 and nine sub treatments with different fertilizer doses i.e., F₁ - No recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF), F₂-50 % RDF, F₃ - 75 % RDF, F₄ - 100 % RDF, F₅-125 % RDF, F₆ - 150 % RDF, F₇ - 100 % RDF + 2 % DAP spray, F₈ -100 % RDF + 1 % MgSO₄ and F₉ -100 % RDF + 1 % KNO₃ . The common RDF for Bt as well as non-Bt was 100 N, 50 P₂O₅ and 50 K₂O kg ha^-1. The results revealed that the Non-Bt hybrid at 100 % NPK recorded maximum content of available nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and iron in soil as compared to Bt hybrid but except phosphorus which was more in Bt than non-Bt Non-Bt hybrid recorded maximum soil available nitrogen and potassium content in F₉ (100 % RDF + 1 % KNO₃ treatment at boll development stage as compared to Bt hybrid. However, magnesium and iron were maximum in F₈ (100 % RDF + 1 % MgSO₄ treatment in non-Bt as compared to Bt hybrid and phosphorus content was maximum in F7 (100 % RDF + 2 % DAP) treatment in Bt as compared to non-Bt hybrid at boll development stage. The application of 100 % RDF + 1 % MgSO₄ spray recorded highest yield of Bt and non-Bt cotton hybrids.

Keywords

Bt and Non-Bt Cotton, Yield, Soil Nutrient Status, Growth Stages, Fertilizer Levels.

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A. G. Durgude ¹, S. R. Kadam ¹, A. L. Pharande ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar (M.S.), IN

Abstract

An investigation was carried out for three years (2010 to 2012) on Typic Ustorthent to study the response of hybrid maize to different soil and foliar application of iron and zinc on Entisol. The treatments comprised of foliar and soil application of iron and zinc sources of EDTA and sulphate form at two critical growth stages of maize crop. The availability of DTPA-Fe and Zn was increased in soil after harvest of crop due to soil application of respective source of Fe and Zn, however, it was not increased in foliar application. The total uptake of Fe and Mn was significantly higher in treatment T₁₂ (GRDF + soil application of FeSO₄ + ZnSO₄ @ 5 kg ha^-1 each at two stages i.e. 7536 and 1222 g ha^-1 Fe and Mn, respectively. The total uptake of Zn was also significantly higher in treatment T₁₂ (852 g ha^-1) followed by T₁₁ (836 g ha^-1) and T₁₀ (821 g ha^-1). The highest maize grain yield (79.4 q ha^-1) was significantly increased in the treatment of T₁₂ followed by T₁₁ treatment, where Fe and Zn sources were added in soil as a sulphate and chelated form, respectively.

Keywords

Soil and Foliar Application of Fe, Zn, Macro and Micronutrient Uptake, Yield of Maize, Entisol.

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A. G. Durgude ¹, S. R. Kadam ¹, A. L. Pharande ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar (M.S.), IN

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken for three year (2010-2012) at Micronutrient Research Farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri to study the effect of soil and foliar application of FeSO₄ and ZnSO₄ on yield of Bt Cotton. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with eight treatment combinations and three replications. The treatments were different soil and foliar application of FeSO₄ and ZnSO₄ at different stages. The three years pooled data revealed that, the DTPA-Fe and Zn in soil was significantly increased (6.60 and 0.77 ppm, respectively) in treatment of T₅ (RD as per STCR equation + soil application of FeSO₄ @ 25 + ZnSO₄ @ 20 kg ha^-1). The concentration of Fe and Zn in cotton leaves significantly higher in T₅ treatment at flowering and boll development stage and per cent plant affected with reddening was noticed low in T₅ treatment. The cotton yield was significantly increased in treatment of T₅ (40.96 q ha^-1) and highest gross and net monetary returns were also recorded in treatment of T₅ (Rs. 166297/- and Rs. 96037/-, respectively). The B:C ratio was also highest in treatment of T₅ (2.37).

Keywords

Soil and Foliar Application of Fe and Zn, DTPA-Fe and Zn in Soil, Uptake, Yield of Bt Cotton.

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A. A. Patil ¹, B. Y. Shewale ¹, S. R. Kadam ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Rahuri, Ahmednagar (M.S.), IN

Abstract

Climate change has emerged a major challenge not only for sustainable agriculture but also for human settlement. Climate change including global warming with its adverse impact on the life on the earth is now global issue and becoming severe day by day. The increase in CO₂ concentration results in climate change which is directly or indirectly attributed to human activities that changes the composition of global atmosphere adversely. Scientific models and observations over the past 1000 years provide evidences that global warming is due to anthropogenic increase in green house gas (GHG's)including that of CO₂. The increased atmospheric concentration of CO₂ may influence soil temperature, pattern of precipitation and evaporation and resultant changes in the physiochemical and biological properties of soil. Thus, there has emphasis to reduce this concentration through the process known as carbon sequestration. A considerable part of the depleted Soil Organic Carbon pool can be restored through conversion of marginal lands into restorative land uses, adoption of conservation tillage with cover crops and crop residue mulch, nutrient cycling including the use of compost and manure and other systems of sustainable management of soil and water resources.

Keywords

Soil Quality, Carbon Sequestration, Climate Change, Soil Organic Carbon.

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S. R. Kadam ¹, V. M. Amrutsagar ¹, S. R. Patil ¹, I. R. Bagwan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar (M.S.), IN

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2005 to study the effect of organic nitrogen sources and Fulvic acid spray on soybean in relation to growth and yield contributing characters. Among different organic sources poultry manure showed better quality compost. The application of 100% nitrogen through poultry manure+spray of Fulvic acid significantly increased the plant height, number of leaves (30 and 60 DAS), grain and straw yield.

Keywords

Fulvic Acid, Soybean, Organic Nitrogen Sources.

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