SUMMARYThe area under hybrid maize cultivation is increasing rapidly across South Asia. However, information regarding the proper nutrient management for modern stay-green maize hybrids in India is not adequate resulting in low productivity. Existing nutrient management practices are not able to capture the momentum change in the scenario of soil nutrient supply capacity and plant nutrient demand for achieving higher yield target. The present study aims at establishing the site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) package for an inceptisol (West Bengal, India). Soil indigenous nutrient supply capacity and nutrient use efficiency was also evaluated by using the nutrient omission plot technique. The experiment was laid out in strip-plot design, assigning three maize hybrids (P 3522, P 3396 and Rajkumar) in the vertical strip and nine fertilizer treatments [50% RDF/Recommended dose of fertilizer, 75% RDF, 100% RDF (200-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha−1), 125% RDF, 150% RDF, 100% PK, 100% NK, 100% NP and control (zero-NPK)] in the horizontal strip, with three replications. Results of the experiment revealed that the differences among cultivars were generally non-significant. The maize hybrids showed greater yield response to fertilization with N (4.14 Mg ha−1) during winter, followed by K (2.54 Mg ha−1) and P (1.58 Mg ha−1). Indigenous nutrient supply was estimated 107.2, 37.6 and 107.7 kg ha−1 for N, P and K, respectively. Both average agronomic efficiency (AE) and recovery efficiency (RE) were increased with 50% RDF and it decreased with further increase in NPK levels up to 150% RDF. The average internal efficiency (IE) was higher with 50% RDF closely followed by the treatment with absence of N. As grain yields and gross return over fertilizer (GRF) under 75 to 150% NPK treatments were similar, nutrient doses of 150 kg N, 45 kg P2O5 and 45 kg K2O ha−1 were recommended as optimum for maize hybrids.
A field experiment was carried out at the Central Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India to study the effects of integrated nutrient management on the nutrient accumulation (dry weight recoveries) in brinjal and plant nutrient status of the post- harvest soil of brinjal under Nadia conditions. The results revealed that the treatment consisting of 75% RDF (RDF i.e. N:P:K:: 125:100:50) + Azospirillum + phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) + Borax @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest oxidizable organic carbon (8.049 g kg-1), total nitrogen (1.05 g kg-1) , available nitrogen (212.67g kg-1), available phosphorus (76.20g kg-1) and available potassium (177.59 g kg-1) in the post harvest soils of brinjal. On the other hand, 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 recorded the highest available iron (26.14 kg ha-1) and the treatment consisting of 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + ZnSOâ‚„ @ 25 kg ha-1 recorded the highest soil available zinc (7.62 kg ha-1) while 75% RDF + Azo + PSB + Borax @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest available Boron content (0.78 kg ha-1) of the post harvest soil of Brinjal. Highest brinjal yield (14.96 t ha-1) was supported by the treatment consisting of 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + Boron @ 10 Kg ha-1. Meager information was available regarding the performance of integrated application of organics and micronutrient on brinjal in the experimental location. The present study may enlighten this unexplored section of nutrient management in brinjal.
The present study was set up to investigate the effect of irrigation with naturally arsenic (As)-contaminated water and addition of organic amendments on the As accumulation in frequently consumed vegetables in India (pumpkin, radish and cabbage). An arsenic-stricken village (Ghentugachi, Chakdah Block, Nadia, West Bengal, India; 23°02'N, 88°34'E, 9.75 m a.s.l.) was selected. Pot studies were conducted with the selected vegetables in contaminated soils collected from the selected village. Arsenic-contaminated water (spiked with varying concentrations of As III and As V ) was used to irrigate the pots. Use of irrigation water contaminated with arsenic (both As III and As V ) reduced the germination and inhibited photosynthetic pigmentation. As III contamination remained more harmful. The worst situation was encountered with As III contamination at 0.5 mg/L of irrigation water while As V contamination below 0.2 mg/L of irrigation water remained safe. Field experiments with the selected vegetables were undertaken in the arsenic-stricken village where irrigation water (0.32 ± 0.12 mg/L) and soil (total As 18.15 ± 2.12 mg/kg) were contaminated with arsenic, to characterize the arsenic contamination of the vegetables, to assess the risk of dietary exposure and to study the effect of organic amendments on such contaminations. Vegetable roots accumulated more As than other parts and the accumulation increased with age. Pond (surface) water emerged as safer source for irrigation than shallow tube well water. Organic amendments reduced arsenic contamination significantly and vermicompost was the most efficient in this regard. All the vegetables showed risk (> 100% provisional tolerable weekly intake) of dietary exposure to arsenic.
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