Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Biochar 2.0 in Climate-Smart Agriculture: A Critical Review of Designer Biochars, Soil Microbiome Responses, Nutrient-Use Efficiency and Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation

K. G. Rosin — 2026-09-18

Biochar has moved from a broadly promoted soil amendment to a material that is deliberately engineered for defined agronomic and climatic functions. This transition, described here as a shift towards designer biochars, raises questions that the earlier literature was not designed to answer: whether tailoring feedstock, pyrolysis conditions and post-synthesis modification produces reproducible gains in nutrient-use efficiency, whether the accompanying soil microbiome changes are functionally meaningful or largely descriptive, and whether greenhouse-gas benefits observed in short experiments persist under field management and withstand carbon-accounting scrutiny. This critical narrative review examines the evidence linking biochar properties to soil microbial responses, nutrient retention and transformation, and the mitigation of nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide in agricultural soils. Literature was identified through structured searching of open scholarly indexes, agricultural and intergovernmental repositories, and citation tracking, with every retained source verified against an authoritative bibliographic record. The synthesis indicates that the strongest and most reproducible effects are pedoclimatic rather than material-specific: responses concentrate in acidic, coarse-textured, nutrient-depleted and tropical soils, whereas temperate fertile systems frequently show negligible agronomic gain. Microbiome studies consistently report compositional turnover with little change in alpha diversity, and the functional interpretation of these shifts rests heavily on marker-gene abundance rather than demonstrated process rates. Nitrous oxide suppression is well supported in aggregate but varies by a factor of five across syntheses, and recent field work shows that freshly applied high-rate biochar can increase emissions. Methane outcomes in flooded systems depend on water management and application history. Carbon permanence remains contested because the principal proxies used for crediting are informative about carbonisation rather than about in-soil residence under field weathering. Confidence is highest for liming, cation retention and short-term nitrogen conservation, and lowest for long-term net climate benefit at landscape scale. Priorities include multi-year factorial field trials that pair engineered materials with process-level measurement, standardised reporting of biochar properties, and accounting frameworks calibrated on weathered rather than freshly produced material.

Biofertilizers for Sustainable Production of Grass Crops in Sub-Saharan Africa: Mechanisms, Agronomic Responses, Constraints, and Pathways to Adoption

John Orango — 2026-10-06

Sub-Saharan African grass-crop production is constrained by declining soil fertility, variable nutrient availability, drought and heat stress, high input costs, and limited access to mineral fertilisers. This review evaluates the mechanisms, agronomic responses, constraints, and adoption pathways of biofertilisers in major grass crops across sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence published mainly between 2020 and 2026 was synthesised for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilising microorganisms, cyanobacteria, and microbial consortia. Across the reviewed evidence, maize had the strongest and most consistent response base, including reported improvements in yield, nutrient acquisition, root development, and stress resilience, whereas evidence for sorghum, pearl millet, rice, wheat, and forage grasses remained comparatively fragmented. Biofertiliser performance was strongly context-dependent and varied with soil properties, crop genotype, native microbial communities, inoculant quality, fertiliser regime, water availability, and season. The evidence therefore supports the use of microbial inoculants as targeted components of integrated soil fertility management rather than as universal substitutes for mineral fertilisers. Major constraints to wider adoption include inconsistent field efficacy, inadequate quality control, limited shelf life, restricted local production, and insufficient economic evidence. Future work should emphasise locally adapted strains, multi-location and multi-season field testing, co-inoculation strategies, nutrient-use efficiency, long-term soil-health effects, and economic performance under realistic farming conditions.

Effect of Organic Sources of Nutrients on Soil Properties under Elephant Foot Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) Cultivation

N. K. Jadav — 2026-09-14

A two-year field experiment was conducted during the 2022 and 2023 kharif seasons at Rajendrapur Farm, College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Waghai, The Dangs, Gujarat, India, to evaluate the effects of solid and liquid organic nutrient sources on soil properties under elephant foot yam cultivation. The experiment followed a 4 × 4 factorial randomised block design with three replications. Solid-organic treatments were S0, control; S1, 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through mahua cake; S2, 100% RDN through vermicompost; and S3, 100% RDN through farmyard manure (FYM). Liquid treatments were L0, no spray; L1, Jeevamrut at 2%; L2, NOVEL Organic Liquid Nutrient at 2%; and L3, Gliricidia leaf extract at 2%. In the pooled analysis, FYM produced the highest soil pH (6.71) and organic carbon (0.94%), with the organic carbon value statistically comparable with that under mahua cake. Mahua cake produced the numerically highest available N (350.91 kg ha-1), P (55.63 kg ha-1), K (271.81 kg ha-1), bacteria (44.47 × 10^5 CFU g-1 soil), fungi (30.35 × 10^5 CFU g-1 soil), and actinomycetes (19.47 × 10^5 CFU g-1 soil); these values were statistically comparable with FYM. Liquid-organic treatments and solid × liquid interactions did not significantly affect the measured post-harvest soil properties. Under the conditions of this two-season experiment, soil-applied mahua cake and FYM produced the most favourable soil fertility and culture-based microbial responses among the tested solid nutrient sources, whereas the tested liquid sprays did not measurably alter the post-harvest soil indicators.

Assessment of Seed Source Variability in Fruit Characteristics, Seed Traits, and Germination of Diospyros lotus Linn. in Jammu Sub-tropics

Rupali Sharma — 2026-09-15

Diospyros lotus Linn. is a multipurpose tree species widely used as a rootstock for Japanese persimmon, but its propagation is constrained by poor and erratic seed germination. The present study assessed variability among three seed sources—Kishtwar (T₁), Bhaderwah (T₂), and Poonch (T₃)—in fruit characteristics, seed traits, and germination performance under controlled laboratory conditions. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomised design with three replications. The evaluated parameters were number of seeds per fruit, average fruit size, 100-seed weight, germination percentage, fresh fruit weight, and dry fruit weight. Seed source significantly influenced average fruit size, 100-seed weight, germination percentage, fresh fruit weight, and dry fruit weight, whereas the number of seeds per fruit did not differ significantly among sources. Poonch recorded the highest average fruit size (1.62 cm), 100-seed weight (13.83 g), germination percentage (74.33%), fresh fruit weight (2.47 g), and dry fruit weight (1.73 g). Kishtwar recorded the lowest values for these traits. Under the conditions of this study, the Poonch seed source showed the most favourable overall combination of fruit, seed, and germination characteristics. These findings support its selection as a candidate source for subsequent nursery-based propagation evaluation of D. lotus while indicating the value of seed-source screening for obtaining more consistent planting material.

Evaluation of Different Nutrient Management Practices for Enhancing Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Surendra Sagar — 2026-09-15

The present investigation entitled Evaluation of Different Nutrient Management Practices for Enhancing Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was conducted at the Vikrant Agriculture Research & Development Centre, Sakatpura, Vikrant University, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) during the Rabi season of 2025–26. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and comprised the following treatments: T₁ = Control, (No fertiliser application) + Beejamrit (seed treatment) + Jeevamrit (soil application), T₂ = 100% RDF through inorganic fertilisers + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit, T₃ = 100% Nitrogen through FYM + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit, T₄ = 100% Nitrogen through Vermicompost + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit, T₅ = 50% RDF + 50% Nitrogen through FYM + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit, T₆ = 50% RDF + 50% Nitrogen through Vermicompost + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit, T₇ = 75% RDF + 25% Nitrogen through FYM + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit and T₈ = 75% RDF + 25% Nitrogen through Vermicompost + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit. The results of the study revealed that Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) significantly improved the growth, yield, and economic performance of the crop. Among all treatments, T₈ recorded the best overall performance with the highest plant height (64.3 cm), branches per plant (8.5), dry matter accumulation (25.7 g plant⁻¹), pods per plant (75.4), seeds per pod (2.9), 100-seed weight (25.7 g), seed yield (18.98 q ha⁻¹), biological yield (48.7 q ha⁻¹), and harvest index (43.3%). However, the highest B:C ratio was obtained in T₈ (2.9). Therefore, while T₈ is recommended for maximising growth and yield, T₇ is the most profitable option for farmers under the given experimental conditions.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Combinations on Flowering, Yield Attributes and Fruit Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under 75% Shade-Net Conditions

Sachin Kumar — 2026-09-17

Tomato productivity under protected cultivation depends greatly on balanced nutrient management, as intensive growth and fruit production require an adequate and sustained supply of essential nutrients. Integrating organic manures with inorganic fertilisers may improve nutrient availability and crop performance while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers. However, information on the comparative effects of different organic and inorganic fertiliser combinations on tomato flowering and yield under 75% shade-net conditions remains limited. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 at the Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Bhagwant University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertiliser combinations on flowering, yield attributes and fruit yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under shade-net conditions. The experiment was conducted under a 75% green shade net using tomato cv. ‘Swarna Sampada’ and was laid out in a randomised block design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised 100% recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF; 180:100:100 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha⁻¹) and combinations of 75%, 50% and 25% RDF with vermicompost, farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure. The results revealed considerable variation among nutrient combinations in growth, flowering, fruiting and yield characteristics. Among the nutrient combinations evaluated, 50% RDF + 50% poultry manure (T₉) recorded the highest tomato fruit yields of 576.67 and 601.11 q ha⁻¹ during 2024–25 and 2025–26, respectively. This treatment also showed superior performance for several important yield attributes, including the number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight, together with earlier flowering and fruit picking. T₈ recorded the maximum plant height at harvest and remained among the superior treatments for major yield attributes. The findings indicated that partial substitution of inorganic fertiliser with organic nutrient sources, particularly poultry manure, improved tomato productivity under shade-net conditions. Overall, 50% RDF + 50% poultry manure (T₉) was the most promising treatment under the experimental conditions.

Screening and Evaluation of Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (l.) Taub] Genotypes for Growth and Yield Attributes in Southern Coastal Tracts of Tamil Nadu, India

V. M. Priyadarshini — 2026-09-18

Background: Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) is a multipurpose, drought-tolerant legume valued for its vegetable, feed and industrial uses, particularly for guar gum production. Considerable variability exists among cluster bean germplasm for growth, yield and quality traits. Evaluating this variability under specific agro-climatic conditions is essential for identifying well-adapted genotypes and selecting promising parental material for crop improvement programmes.

Aim: To screen and evaluate diverse cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) genotypes for growth, yield and yield-attributing traits under the agro-climatic conditions of the southern coastal tracts of Tamil Nadu and to identify superior, well-adapted genotypes suitable for cultivation in the region.

Study Design: Randomised Block Design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from January to April 2022 in a field at Poothurai village, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, to evaluate and screen cluster bean germplasm.

Methodology: A total of 102 genotypes (including Pusa Navbahar, a check variety) procured from various regions of the country were utilised. Observations were recorded for growth attributes (plant height; number of branches per plant; days to maturity), flowering and pod characters (days to 50% flowering; number of clusters per plant; number of pods per cluster; pod length; pod girth), yield parameters (pod weight; number of pods per plant; total pod yield per plant), seed characters (number of seeds per pod; hundred-seed weight; total seed yield per plant) and physiological components (guar gum; protein and fibre) on five randomly selected plants.

Results: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean performance revealed significant differences among the genotypes studied. Genotypes performing better than the population mean and the check variety (Pusa Navbahar) for the observed parameters were identified. Pusa Navbahar was superior to most genotypes for the observed attributes.

Conclusion: The better-performing genotypes may be considered as parental material when designing crop improvement programmes.

Combined Effects of Nitrogen and Zinc Applications on Nutrient Use Efficiency, Grain Quality and Biofortification in Rice

Win Htay Oo — 2026-09-19

A pot experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with four replications to determine the optimal Nitrogen (N) and Zinc (Zn) levels for maximizing nutrient uptake, recovery efficiency, agronomic use efficiency, milling quality, and grain Zn concentration in rice. The main plots comprised four N rates based on Department of Agriculture (DOA) guidelines (102 kg N ha⁻¹, 27 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, and 117 kg K₂O ha⁻¹): 0% (N0), 75% (76.5 kg N ha⁻¹, N75), 100% (102 kg N ha⁻¹, N100), and 125% (127.5 kg N ha⁻¹, N125). The subplots included three Zn treatments: 0 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (Zn0), 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹ applied basally to the soil (Zn20), and 40 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (20 kg Zn ha⁻¹ basal + 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹ split into two foliar sprays at the heading and grain-filling stages, Zn40). The results showed that N uptake peaked under N125 (1.23 g pot⁻¹), whereas Zn uptake was highest under Zn40 (0.08 g pot⁻¹). The combined treatment (N125Zn40) demonstrated strong synergistic effects, yielding the highest nutrient uptake, Zn recovery efficiency, and agronomic N use efficiency. However, N100Zn40 gave the highest NRE, whereas N125Zn20 provided the highest AZnUE. Regarding milling quality, N125Zn20 produced the highest milling recovery (68.28%), and N125Zn40 produced the highest head rice recovery (63.75%), along with the lowest broken rice percentage (6.04%). Zn concentrations under N125Zn40 were 48.75 mg kg⁻¹ in brown rice and 46.05 mg kg⁻¹ in white rice, whereas N100Zn40 obtained the highest Zn content in bran (177.02 mg kg^-1), and N75Zn40 provided 189.39 mg kg^-1 in husk. Overall, combining 125% of the recommended N rate with both basal and foliar Zn applications (N125Zn40) is the most effective strategy to enhance nutrient efficiency, grain Zn biofortification, and post-harvest milling quality in rice.

Effect of Zero Tillage, Bio Priming and Foliar Nutrition on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil and Uptake of Nutrients by Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) in Semi-arid Bundelkhand

Arushi Chandel — 2026-09-24

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2024-25 and 2025-26 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline (pH 7.6), low in organic carbon and deficient in available nitrogen and phosphorus, and medium in potassium. The experiment was laid out in a strip-strip plot design with three replications and 20 treatments comprising two tillage practices (zero tillage and conventional tillage), two seed bio-priming methods (no seed bio-priming and seed bio-priming), and five foliar nutrition practices (no spray, 2% urea spray, 2% DAP spray, 1% KCL spray and 0.5% NPK spray at pre-flowering). Results indicated that soil bulk density, particle density, porosity, organic carbon, and available soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were not significantly influenced by the treatments; however, numerically higher values were consistently observed under zero tillage, seed bio-priming and 0.5% NPK spray at pre-flowering. Total uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by plants was significantly enhanced under zero tillage, seed bio-priming and 0.5% foliar spray of NPK at the pre-flowering stage. The uptake was at par with 2% foliar spray of urea at the pre-flowering stage. The study demonstrates that the combined use of zero tillage, seed bio-priming and foliar nutrition improves nutrient uptake while maintaining soil physico-chemical properties under lentil cultivation in the Bundelkhand region.

Influence of Different Fertigation Levels and Nano-Nutrients on Growth, Yield and Quality of Onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. Bhima Super under Dryland Conditions

S. R. Tharani Tharan — 2026-09-24

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a major foreign-exchange-earning horticultural crop in India. However, its shallow root system and high NPK requirement make conventional soil-based fertilisation inefficient, particularly under water-scarce dryland conditions. Water-smart approaches such as fertigation enable precise, need-based nutrient delivery through drip irrigation, minimising nutrient losses, while nano-fertilisers such as Nano DAP can enhance nutrient-use efficiency through targeted foliar uptake. A field experiment was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, to evaluate the combined effects of seven fertigation levels (F₁–F₇, based on 125:75:125 kg NPK/ha) and two levels of foliar Nano DAP (2 mL and 4 mL at 30 and 60 DAP) on the growth, yield, quality and economics of onion cv. Bhima Super during the kharif season, using a Factorial Randomized Block Design with 14 treatment combinations. The treatment combination F₄N₂—80% RDF applied through fertigation combined with a foliar spray of 4 mL Nano DAP—significantly outperformed the other treatments, recording the highest bulb yield (34.0 t/ha), the highest proportion of A-grade bulbs and TSS, high dry matter content, improved nutrient uptake and fertiliser-use efficiency, and the highest interaction-level benefit:cost ratio (4.61), while using 20% less recommended fertiliser than the full-RDF treatments. These findings indicate that water-smart fertigation integrated with foliar nano-nutrient application can reduce fertiliser inputs without compromising productivity, offering a resource-efficient and economically viable nutrient-management strategy for onion cultivation under the conditions of the northern dry zone of Karnataka.

Effect of Sowing Dates and Varieties on Growth and Seed Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Amit Vashishth — 2026-09-25

Wheat productivity is strongly influenced by sowing time and varietal suitability because these factors determine crop exposure to favourable environmental conditions during vegetative and reproductive development. Delayed sowing may expose wheat to higher temperatures during flowering and grain filling, resulting in shortened crop duration and reduced yield potential. Therefore, identifying suitable combinations of sowing dates and wheat varieties is important for improving productivity under specific agro-climatic conditions. The study evaluated the effects of sowing date and variety on the growth, yield attributes, grain yield, and economic performance of wheat under the agro-climatic conditions of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, during the rabi season of 2025–26. A factorial randomised block design with three replications was used to assess three sowing dates (15 November, 30 November, and 15 December) and three varieties (GW 513, HI 1634, and JW 3465). Plant population at 15 days after sowing was not significantly affected by sowing date; however, the study indicated significant varietal and sowing date × variety interaction effects. However, growth parameters, including plant height, tiller number, and dry matter accumulation, were generally superior with sowing on 15 November. JW 3465 also showed the strongest performance among the evaluated varieties. Yield attributes followed a similar pattern, with timely sowing and JW 3465 recording comparatively greater panicle length, grains per panicle, and test weight. The highest grain yield (59.4 q ha⁻¹) was recorded for the 15 November × JW 3465 combination, whereas the lowest yield (46.9 q ha⁻¹) occurred with 15 December × GW 513. The manuscript’s economic analysis likewise identified the 15 November × JW 3465 treatment as the most favourable combination. Overall, the findings indicate that timely sowing with JW 3465 provided the best growth and grain-yield response among the treatments evaluated under the experimental conditions.

Precision Nutrient Management for Improving Productivity, Nutrient Efficiency and Soil Fertility in Transplanted Rice

Anil Kumar Keerthi — 2026-09-26

Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) can improve the synchronisation of nutrient supply with crop requirements in transplanted rice. A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2023 at the Agricultural Research Station, Mugad, Dharwad, Karnataka, to compare the Recommended Package of Practices (RPP), Soil Test Crop Response (STCR), Rice Crop Manager (RCM), Nutrient Expert (NE) and an absolute control across two rice varieties in a split-plot design with three replications. Growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yield, nutrient uptake, nutrient-use efficiencies, post-harvest soil properties and economic returns were assessed. Among the nutrient-management treatments, RCM (111.05:31.05:39.00 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha⁻¹ + 5 t FYM ha⁻¹) produced the highest grain yield (51.33 q ha⁻¹) and straw yield (71.25 q ha⁻¹), together with strong performance for major growth and yield attributes. RCM also recorded the highest total nitrogen and potassium uptake and the highest economic returns among the evaluated treatments. Post-harvest soil properties showed comparatively modest treatment effects, while SSNM treatments maintained available nutrient status under the conditions of the experiment. Grain yield was strongly and positively associated with plant nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, plant height, nutrient-use-efficiency indices, and panicle and tiller number. The findings indicate that field-specific nutrient recommendations, particularly RCM-based management, can improve productivity and nutrient utilisation in transplanted rice. Multi-season and multi-location validation is required before broader conclusions on long-term soil-fertility effects are drawn.

Utilisation of Compost-derived Humic Acid on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

A. K. Anshida — 2026-09-26

Humic acid (HA) is an important fraction of humic substances and plays a significant role in promoting plant growth and productivity. A pot culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of compost-derived HA on the growth, root characteristics and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). HA extracted from aerobic compost, farmyard manure, vermicompost and coir pith compost was applied as a foliar spray at 0.5 and 1.0% at 30 and 45 days after sowing. Nine treatments were arranged in a completely randomised design with three replications. Foliar HA application produced significant treatment effects on leaf area, leaf area index, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, root volume, root citric and malic acid contents, fruit yield and dry matter production. Farmyard-manure-derived HA at 1.0% produced 78 fruits per plant, a leaf area of 421.80 cm², a leaf area index of 6.858, a root volume of 95 cm³, the highest fruit yield of 2.34 kg plant⁻¹ and the maximum dry matter production of 4980.61 kg ha⁻¹. The highest fruit length (26.20 cm) occurred with aerobic-compost-derived HA at 0.5%, while the highest root citric acid content (12.96%) occurred with aerobic-compost-derived HA at 1.0%. Overall, okra responses varied with HA source and concentration under the conditions of this pot experiment, indicating that the agronomic effects of compost-derived HA were treatment dependent.

Effect of Soil Types and Urea on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under Greenhouse Conditions

Huda M. Elgali — 2026-09-28

The study was carried out in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan, Elobeid, Sudan. It aimed to evaluate the effects of soil type and urea application on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under greenhouse conditions. Three soil types were investigated: sand (S), sandy clay (Gardud) (G), and clay (C). Urea was applied at a rate of 207 kg/ha (1N), while an unfertilised treatment (0N) served as the control. The factorial experiment consisted of six treatment combinations (S0N, S1N, G0N, G1N, C0N, and C1N), which were arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The parameters assessed included soil moisture content (MC%), soil bulk density (g/cm³), soil porosity (%), infiltration rate, plant height (cm), leaf area (dm²), stem diameter (cm), number of leaves per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield (kg/plant), and fruit yield (ton/ha). The results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among the treatments for most characteristics studied. Urea fertiliser produced the highest growth and yield and was associated with enhanced soil properties compared with the other treatments. Gardud soil with 207 kg/ha urea (G1N) produced the highest values for plant height (255 cm), number of leaves per plant (38), leaf area (35.25 dcm²), stem diameter (1.08 cm), and fruit yield (166.30 ton/ha), whereas the lowest corresponding values (175.39 cm, 27, 20.5 dcm², 0.63 cm, and 83.30 ton/ha, respectively) were recorded in sandy soil without fertiliser (S0N). Based on these results, Gardud soil with urea at 207 kg/ha is recommended for achieving high cucumber growth and yield under the tested greenhouse conditions.

Effect of Long-term Application of Sewage Water on Soil Properties of Different District of Haryana in Indo-Gangetic Plain

Sushil — 2026-09-29

The use of sewage water for irrigation has been shown to improve the chemical properties and fertility status of soils. Sewage water provides essential nutrients for plant growth; however, it also contains heavy metals that may become toxic to health if their concentrations exceed permissible limits. To monitor this situation, a survey was conducted to assess the long-term impacts of sewage water irrigation on soil nutrient status and heavy metal concentrations. Soil samples were collected from fields irrigated with sewage water and non-sewage water at various sites in Karnal, Panipat and Hisar districts of Haryana, where these water sources are directly used for crop irrigation. Samples were taken from three soil depths (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) to assess changes in soil chemical properties due to sewage irrigation. Samples from nearby fields irrigated with non-sewage water served as controls. The highest soil EC (0.83 dSm^-1) was observed in soil irrigated with sewage water in Hisar district after the harvest of pearl millet, whereas the highest pH and OC values, 8.39 and 0.85%, respectively, were recorded in soil from Karnal district after the harvest of wheat. The highest CaCO₃ content (0.96%) was observed in soils irrigated with sewage water in Hisar after the wheat crop. Nitrogen (182 kg/ha) and phosphorus (26.14 kg/ha) contents were highest in soils irrigated with sewage water in Karnal during the wheat crop, whereas potassium (321 kg/ha) was highest in Panipat soils during the rice crop. The maximum cation exchange capacity (CEC) (19.95 cmol(p⁺)/kg) was observed in soils irrigated with sewage water. Exchangeable cations, Ca² (6.10 cmol(p⁺)/kg), Mg² (9.30 cmol(p⁺)/kg), Na (3.70 cmol(p⁺)/kg) and K (1.32 cmol(p⁺)/kg), were also higher in soils irrigated with sewage water. Exchangeable CO ² ions were not detected in the surface soil but were present in the subsurface layers of sewage-water-irrigated soil, irrespective of location and crop. Among the exchangeable anions, HCO (2.85 cmol(p⁺)/kg), Cl (3.28 cmol(p⁺)/kg) and SO ² (1.92 cmol(p⁺)/kg) reached their maximum values in sewage-irrigated soils.

Effect of Different Levels of NPK and Sulphur on Productivity and Profitability of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Ompal Singh — 2026-09-29

A two-year field experiment was undertaken at the Agronomy Research Farm of Shri Khushal Das University, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, to evaluate mustard production under graded nitrogen and sulphur supply and to determine the economic viability of the crop. The experiment included twenty-five treatment combinations formed from five nitrogen levels, viz., 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg N/ha in the main plots, and five sulphur levels, viz., 0, 25, 35, 45, and 55 kg S/ha in the subplots, arranged in an FRBD with three replications. Across both years, nitrogen treatment N3 (120 kg N/ha) and sulphur treatment S4 (55 kg S/ha) significantly affected mustard growth, yield attributes, and yield. For the growth parameters, viz., plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, and primary and secondary branches, as well as for yield attributes and yield, the highest responses were observed with N3 (120 kg N/ha) and S4 (55 kg S/ha), followed by N2 (80 kg N/ha) and S3 (45 kg S/ha). N3 (120 kg N/ha) and S4 (55 kg S/ha) also produced the maximum gross return, net return, and B:C ratio. Lower gross return, net return, and B:C ratio were obtained with S0 (0 kg S/ha), while the minimum net return and B:C ratio occurred with N0 (0 kg N/ha) and S0 (0 kg S/ha).

Fertigation and Irrigation Scheduling in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse: Effects on Growth, Yield, Quality and Nutrient Use Efficiency

M. Deviprasad — 2026-10-06

Background: Tomato production under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions requires precise management of irrigation and nutrient supply to achieve high productivity while improving water and nutrient use efficiency. Drip irrigation scheduled according to crop evapotranspiration and fertigation can enhance the delivery of water and nutrients to the active root zone. However, the optimum combination of irrigation and fertigation levels for indeterminate tomato hybrids under such protected conditions remains insufficiently standardised

Aims: To determine the optimum drip irrigation regime and fertigation level, and their interaction, for maximising the growth, yield, fruit quality and nutrient use efficiency of hybrid tomato grown under a naturally ventilated polyhouse.

Study Design: Factorial randomised complete block design (FRCBD) with nine treatment combinations with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: College of Horticulture, Bagalkot, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India, during 2025-26 under a naturally ventilated polyhouse.

Methodology: The indeterminate F₁ hybrid tomato 'Hamsa' was raised on raised beds at 90 x 60 cm spacing under drip irrigation. Three irrigation regimes based on crop evapotranspiration, I₁ (60% ETc), I₂ (80% ETc) and I₃ (100% ETc), were combined factorially with three fertigation levels, F₁ (80% RDF), F₂ (100% RDF) and F₃ (120% RDF; RDF = 300:300:300 kg ha^-1 NPK), giving nine treatment combinations replicated three times. Data on growth, flowering, yield, fruit quality, post-harvest soil nutrient status, nutrient and water use efficiencies were recorded and analysed statistically.

Results: Irrigation and fertigation levels and their interaction significantly influenced plant height at 60 days after transplanting (DAT), yield attributes and fruit quality. The treatment combination I₃F₃ (100% ETc + 120% RDF) recorded the tallest plants (139.67 cm), the highest number of fruits per plant (45.56), the heaviest fruit (122.06 g) and the highest fruit yield (126.35 t ha^-1), which was about 63% higher than the lowest-yielding combination I₁F₁ (77.67 t ha^-1). Fruit firmness and pericarp thickness were also greatest under I₃F₃ (3.14 kg cm^-2 and 9.93 mm), whereas total soluble solids showed an inverse trend, being highest under I₁F₁ (4.87 degrees Brix). Water use efficiency was highest under I₁F₃ (282.33 kg ha^-1mm^-1).

Conclusion: Drip irrigation at 100% ETc combined with fertigation at 120% RDF is recommended as the most productive and remunerative schedule for tomato under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions, whereas restricted irrigation with a higher fertigation dose (I₁F₃) offers a more resource-efficient alternative wherever water is the limiting input.

Effect of Soil and Foliar Nutrient Application on Post-Harvest Soil Nutrient Status and Economic Performance of Soybean under Vertisols

Barkha Kumari Verma — 2026-10-07

Soybean production under Vertisol conditions requires nutrient-management practices that support both residual soil fertility and economic performance. A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2022 at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Ummedganj, Kota, Rajasthan, to evaluate soil and foliar nutrient application effects on post-harvest soil nutrient status and soybean economics. The experiment was arranged in a randomised block design with three replications and ten treatments. Treatments combined the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) with foliar applications of urea, DAP, NPK (18:18:18), Fe and Zn at 35 and 60 days after sowing. The combined application of RDF + 2% NPK (18:18:18) + 0.5% Fe + 0.5% Zn produced the highest post-harvest available nitrogen (283.79 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (29.70 kg ha⁻¹), potassium (419.55 kg ha⁻¹), iron (4.43 ppm) and zinc (0.65 ppm). Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available sulphur, manganese and copper were not significantly affected by the nutrient treatments. The same combined treatment recorded the highest net return (₹56,221 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (2.01), while the control recorded ₹26,994 ha⁻¹ and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.24. These findings indicate that combined soil and foliar nutrient application can improve post-harvest nutrient availability and economic performance of soybean under the Vertisol conditions evaluated.

Enhancing the Keeping Quality and Vase Life of Cut Roses (Rosa hybrida L) Using Chitosan and Bio Holding Solution

Sujeeta Kushwaha — 2026-10-10

Cut roses have a short postharvest life, making preservation of water relations, visual quality and vase longevity important. The present study evaluated chitosan-based bio-holding solutions for maintaining the postharvest quality and extending the vase life of cut rose (Rosa hybrida L.). The experiment was conducted during 2024–25 at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping Laboratory, College of Horticulture and Research Station, Sankra-Patan, Durg, Chhattisgarh. Ten treatments (T₀–T₉) comprising distilled water and chitosan combined with different bio-based components were evaluated under a completely randomised design. Significant differences were observed among the treatments for transpiration loss of water, physiological loss in flower weight, solution uptake, time to first petal drop, flower discolouration and vase life. Treatment T₇, comprising chitosan at 4.76% with Azadirachta extract at 2.5%, recorded the lowest transpiration loss (3.28 g/f), lowest physiological loss in flower weight (2.52 g), highest solution uptake (31.82 g/f), lowest flower discolouration score (1.24) and longest vase life (12.40 days). The maximum period before first petal drop (9.20 days) was recorded with T₆, consisting of chitosan at 4.76% and Ocimum extract at 5%. In comparison, distilled water produced a vase life of 5.20 days and a solution uptake of 18.28 g/f. Under the conditions of this experiment, chitosan combined with selected botanical extracts improved several postharvest quality attributes of cut roses, with T₇ showing the most favourable overall response.

Optimizing Fertigation Levels for Enhanced Growth, Yield, Earliness and Soil Nutrient Dynamics in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] cv. Arka Nikita

Kushal V. Gowda K. — 2026-10-13

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is an economically important vegetable crop, but conventional flood irrigation with blanket fertilizer application restricts nutrient-use efficiency to 40-60%. Such practices also accelerate nutrient leaching, soil degradation and environmental pollution. Fertigation with water-soluble fertilizers (WSF) can improve efficiency by matching nutrient supply to crop demand, yet region-specific dosage recommendations and their effects on soil nutrient dynamics remain poorly documented. This study evaluated fertigation levels for growth, earliness, yield and soil nutrient dynamics in okra cv. Arka Nikita. Field experiments were conducted during late kharif 2025 and summer 2026 at the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka, on moderately alkaline soil with low available nitrogen, high phosphorus and medium potassium, in a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications. Treatments comprised conventional soil application at 100% of the recommended dose (RDF; 125:75:63 kg NPK/ha), WSF fertigation at 60, 80, 100 and 120% RDF, conventional-source fertigation treatments, farmers' practice and an absolute control. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon and available N, P₂O₅and K₂O were determined before planting and after harvest using standard methods, and changes from baseline were calculated. Growth, earliness and yield data were pooled across seasons and analysed statistically. Fertigation with WSF at 120% RDF (T₅) produced the tallest plants (203.44 cm) and heaviest fruits (10.68 g). Fertigation at 100% RDF (T₄) recorded the earliest 50% flowering (34.42 days), earliest fruit initiation (37.42 days) and most fruits per plant (43.55) with a 20% lower dose than T₅. The absolute control showed the poorest performance across the measured parameters. Post-harvest soil N, P and K declined under T₄ and T₅ relative to pre-planting levels (N by 2.4–8.9%, P by 10.3–15.6%, K by 1.5–4.6%), reflecting crop uptake, while pH, EC and organic carbon were unaffected. Fertigation with WSF at 100% RDF is recommended for okra under semi-arid conditions, combining earliness, yield and resource efficiency without impairing soil fertility.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Yield and Quality Parameter of Guava (Psidium guajava L.)

Shivani Tiwari — 2026-10-15

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important fruit crop, but poor management of flowering, fruit development, fruit retention and fruit quality may restrict its production and economic benefits. The present investigation was undertaken during 2025–26 at the Experimental Farm of Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to study the influence of several plant growth regulators on flowering, yield and quality attributes of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications and nine treatments consisting of naphthalene acetic acid at 20 and 40 ppm, gibberellic acid at 50 and 100 ppm, CPPU at 5 and 10 ppm, salicylic acid at 100 and 200 ppm, and a water-spray control. Results showed considerable variation among treatments for flowering, fruit set, fruit retention, yield attributes and fruit quality. The application of gibberellic acid at 100 ppm recorded the highest number of flowers per shoot (7.30), fruit set (73.00 per cent), fruit retention (70.67 per cent), number of fruits per plant (100.00), average fruit weight (209.00 g), fruit yield (39.20 kg plant⁻¹ and 58.30 quintals ha⁻¹) and pulp-to-seed ratio (5.50), and also hastened flowering (31.33 days). Maximum total soluble solids (13.80 °Brix), ascorbic acid (287.43 mg 100 g⁻¹), total sugars (10.75 per cent), reducing sugars (6.25 per cent) and non-reducing sugars (4.50 per cent) were recorded in the same treatment. The minimum titratable acidity (0.25 per cent) was also recorded in this treatment. For several characteristics, the control treatment showed numerically lower values for the main yield and quality traits. The findings indicated that treatment with gibberellic acid at 100 ppm improved flowering, fruit development, yield and important qualitative characteristics of guava under the agro-climatic conditions of Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Effect of Irrigation Levels on Productivity and Profitability of Mungbean Cultivars (Vigna radiata L.)

Aishwarya Singh — 2026-10-16

A field experiment was conducted during the zaid season of 2025–26 at the Crop Research Farm, SAAST, C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur, to assess the effects of three irrigation levels (zero, one, and two irrigations) and three mungbean cultivars (Virat, Samrat, and SVM-98) on growth, yield attributes, productivity, and profitability. The experiment followed a factorial randomised block design with three replications. Cultivar and irrigation treatments influenced plant population, plant height, branching, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, yield attributes, and economic returns. SVM-98 recorded the highest plant population (18.17 plants/m²), plant height at harvest (56.67 cm), pods per plant (18.67), test weight (54.96 g), biological yield (4345.56 kg/ha), and harvest index (37.98%) among the cultivars. Two irrigations improved growth and biological yield relative to one or no irrigation, with biological yield reaching 4001.11 kg/ha at this irrigation level. The SVM-98 × two-irrigation combination produced the highest biological yield (4519.82 kg/ha) and harvest index (41.82%). Economic analysis showed that this treatment also generated the highest gross return (₹164,800/ha), net return (₹137,000/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (5.93). Under the conditions of this single-site, single-season experiment, this combination provided the highest observed agronomic and economic performance for mungbean cultivation at the study site.

Influence of Calcium Chloride and Salicylic Acid on Performance of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Kirti Srinivas — 2026-10-17

Aim: The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, during 2025-26 to study the effects of calcium chloride and salicylic acid on growth, yield and fruit quality of cucumber.

Methodology: The experiment consisted of two factors: the first was calcium chloride (C) with four levels, viz. control (C₀), CaCl₂ @ 0.2% (C₁), CaCl₂ @ 0.3% (C₂) and CaCl₂ @ 0.5% (C₃) and the second factor was salicylic acid (S) with four levels, viz. control (S₀), SA @ 0.5 mM (S₁), SA @ 1.0 mM (S₂) and SA @ 1.5 mM (S₃) resulting in 16 treatment combinations.

Results: The growth parameters measured in this study differed significantly among the treatment combinations. The greatest values for growth parameters, viz., maximum vine length of 148.42 cm at 60 days after sowing and 204.78 cm at harvesting, number of branches per plant of 7.10 at 60 DAS and 8.70 at harvest, minimum days required for appearance of first male flower of 34.97 days and minimum days required for appearance of first female flower of 39.93 days and a minimum sex ratio of 8.98 were observed in C₃S₃ (CaCl₂ @ 0.5% x Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM). For the yield parameters, viz., the maximum number of fruits per plant, 11.10, was observed in C₃ (CaCl₂ @0.5%) among the different levels of calcium chloride while among the different levels of salicylic acid, the maximum number of fruits per plant, 10.41, was observed in S₃ (Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM). The maximum fruit length of 24.78 cm was observed in C₃S₃ (CaCl₂ @ 0.5% x Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM). Among the different levels of calcium chloride, the maximum average fruit weight of 134.97 g was observed in C₃ (CaCl₂ @0.5%), while among the different levels of salicylic acid, the maximum average fruit weight of 132.26 g was observed in S₃ (Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM). The maximum fruit yield per plant of 1.76 kg and total yield of 156.44 q/ha were observed in C₃S₃ (CaCl₂ @ 0.5% x Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM). For fruit quality, viz., maximum TSS of 3.70 °Brix, ascorbic acid content of 9.97 mg/100 g pulp and moisture content of 99.01% were observed in C₃S₃ (CaCl₂ @ 0.5% x Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM). The maximum net return of 307058.3 Rs/ha and the maximum B:C ratio of 2.34 were recorded in C₃ x S₃ (CaCl₂ @ 0.5% x Salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM).

Conclusion: The present investigation indicates that the application of CaCl₂ @ 0.5% together with salicylic acid @ 1.5 mM enhanced cucumber growth, yield, fruit quality and economic returns.