NA

To investigate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate-solubilizing bacterium on physiological properties in lentils under irrigation conditions, a factory trial based on a Randomized Complete Block Design was conducted in two years (2018 and 2019) with three replications at Urmia University. The treatments included the combined and individual application of biofertilizers {Funneliformis mosseae (mycorrhizal fungi), Pseudomonas putida P13 (phosphate-solubilizing bacterium), F. mosseae + P.putida, control in which no biofertilizer was applied} under rainfed condition and once supplementary irrigation. The contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and glycine betaine increased by an average of 9.80, 29.36 and 15.31% under rainfed conditions. In dual colonized plants with F. mosseae + P. putida, the contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and glycine betaine were substantially reduced. The enzyme activity of catalase, glutathione reductase and the content of glutathione were reduced under rainfed plants. Plants inoculated with F. mosseae + P. putida had higher enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence than plants inoculated with either the fungal or bacterial inoculum. As compared to control, biofertilizer application improved leaf phosphorus, soluble sugars, and forge yield by an average of 24.13, 19.38, and 25.20 % under irrigated conditions and 9.09, 11.08, and 7.68 % under rainfed conditions. Under supplemental irrigation, plants treated with F. mosseae + P. putida demonstrated the greatest increases in leaf phosphorus (by 31.03 %), soluble sugars (by 30.25 %), and forge yield (by 32.09 %). The integrated application of biofertilizers in rainfed conditions can enhance lentil growth and forage yield via enhancing antioxidant activities function, which can be desirable for sustainable agriculture.

An experiment was conducted to standardize the humic acid coating for Mono ammonium Phosphate (MAP) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP). The levels of humic acid coating were 5, 10, 15 and 20 per cent. The design of the experiment was completely randomized design replicated thrice. The nutrient P release from the humic acid coated fertilizers was recorded at 6 hours intervals up to 72 hours. The Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy characterization of MAP coated with 5% HA and MAP coated with 10% HA revealed the presence of functional groups such as alkenes, alcohols, aromatics, amine salts (primary and secondary) as well as halogens (free and coupled). The results revealed that a higher rate of P release was observed due to the application of MAP coated with 5 per cent and 10 per cent humic acid had a greater rate of P release whereas higher levels of humic acid coatings (15 per cent and 20 per cent) recorded a lesser rate of P release.

Intercropping has multifaceted benefits such as yield enhancement, more efficient use of resource, resource conservation, soil health improvement, crop diversification and superior ecosystem services and agricultural sustainability. Maize (Zea mays L.), the queen of cereals, is planted with wide row spacing and so it offers the scope of intercropping. Considering the benefits of cereal-legume association, an experiment on maize-legume intercropping system was conducted during summer season of 2018 at Bagusala Farm Centurion University of Technology and Management, Gajapati district, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and the treatments were comprised of ten cropping systems. Paired row sowing of hybrid maize was done with a spacing of 80 cm/30 cm × 25 cm in sole maize. Pure stand of legumes, i.e., green gram, groundnut and black gram were sown with 30 cm × 10 cm spacing. As per the treatments, legumes were sown in between two pairs of maize. The data revealed that sole maize produced taller plants than intercropped maize in sole of the treatments. Similarly, more dry matter accumulation was noted with sole maize compared to intercropped maize, but from a unit area maize + groundnut (2:2) produced significantly more dry matter than pure stand of maize. Sole maize yielded more than intercropped maize, however, extra yield obtained in intercropping black gram and groundnut (2:2) was quite satisfactory that indicated advantage of intercropping system.

The field experiment was conducted to study of land configuration and plant spacing on Indian bean Dolichos lablab (Papadi) under south Gujarat condition. The experiment was laid out in split plot design, total twelve treatments of land configuration, intra row and row spacing with three replication. All the growth characters yield attributes, yield as well as nutrient uptake not affected by different land configuration and intra row spacing. While, 30 cm row spacing recorded significantly higher plant population, plant height as well as yield attributes and yield of Indian bean viz., seed index, seed yield, stover yield and harvest index. While, number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation, days to 50 % percent flowering, number of pod per plant, number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plant were recorded higher with the treatment 60 cm row spacing. Crude protein content and nutrient content of crop not affected by different treatments. While seed and stover yield was significantly higher with 30 cm row spacing and remain at par with 45 cm row spacing. The percentage of seed yield increased with 30 cm row spacing was 24.28 and 59.52 as compare to 45 cm and 60 cm row spacing, respectively. The highest economic net returns of ` 100553/ha with benefit cost ratio of 3.40 were realized when Indian bean crop sown at 30 cm row spacing.

An experiment was carried out during zaid season of 2020 at Crop Research Farm, NAI, SHUATS, Prayagraj (India) to the effect of plant geometry on the economics of sweet corn varieties in Prayagraj climatic condition. The experiment consisted of 9 treatments which includes three varieties of sweet corn (Sugar-75, Sweet Glory and Hybrid Indam-Suruchi) used with three different spacing (45 cm × 15 cm, 50 cm × 15 cm and 55 cm × 15 cm). The result revealed that, treatment 55 cm × 15 cm + Sugar -75 recorded maximum plant height (112.63 cm), no. of cobs/plant (1.17), cob yield (10.06 t/ha) and B:C ratio (2.07), whereas maximum stover yield was recorded with treatment 50 × 15 + Sugar -75 (2.85 t/ha) and net return (INR 90.56 × 103/ha).

Nettle fibre production in Europe began in the 19th century and during the First and Second World Wars nettle fibre was promoted as a substitute for cotton. In the 1940s, about 500 ha of nettle fibres were cultivated in Germany and Austria and used for textile production. However, processing facilities for nettle fibres were destroyed during the Second World War and other cost-effective fibres became more readily available. At present, acceptable methods and technology for large scale processing of nettle fibre do not exist. However, a recent survey on processing method for flax and hemp fibres suggests that same might be adapted for processing of nettle fibres. Nettle fibre extracted from the bark of the plant is subject to retting process/ analogous process. Fibre can be blended with other natural or synthetic fibres for making blended yarns with requisite blend ratios to developed fabric, which can be used for developing fashion apparel/ garments, handicrafts products, home textile and technical textile. Fibre properties could be further enhanced by suitable chemical treatment. Nettle fabrics in pure or in blends exhibit good oil sorption properties.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of Lime, Minjingu Rock Phosphate (MRP) and inorganic NPK fertilizer on maize productivity, profitability and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) based on grain yield (PUEY) and economic returns (PUEE). The study was carried out for two rain seasons in Kenya and the treatments were Lime, MRP, NPK, Lime + MRP, Lime + NPK, and a control. The highest height (185 cm) was recorded in MRP treated plots whereas the lowest values were observed in control (162 cm) and Lime (166 cm). The lowermost yield of 2.2 t ha-1 was attained from the non-amended plots. The value increased by 4.0, 2.9, 1.8, 1.7 and 0.8 t ha-1 in MRP, NPK, Lime + MRP, Lime + NPK and Lime treatments. The use of MRP proved to be the most lucrative with a disposable income of US$ 2122ha-1. PUEY was such that Lime + NPK (95 kg of maize grain yield for every kg of p supplied) < Lime + MRP (116) < NPK (125) < control (139) < MRP (170) < Lime (188) whereas PUEE was lowest in plots treated with Lime + NPK (38 $ kg-1) and Lime + MRP (46 $ kg-1), and highest in Lime (75 $ kg-1) and MRP (68 $ kg-1) plots. The results from the study indicate that MRP amendment is essential in optimizing not only maize productivity and economic returns but also phosphorus efficacy.