Bookofabstracts RDNMSSA2022

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Title : Book of Abstracts, National Seminar on "Recent Developments in

Nutrient Management Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: The Indian
Context
Book · June 2022
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Title : Book of Abstracts, National Seminar on “Recent Developments in
Nutrient Management Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: The Indian Context
June, 2022
Edited by : Kasturikasen Beura

Anshuman Kohli
Amit Kumar Pradhan
Anupam Das
Rajiv Rakshit
Shweta Shambhavi
Nintu Mandal
Mahendra Singh
Yanendra Kumar Singh
Nilanjan Chattopadhyaya
Guidance : Dr. Arun Kumar, Vice Chancellor, BAU, Sabour,

Bhagalpur, Bihar.
Declaration : Opinions in this publication are those of respective

authors and not necessarily that of organizers. This
publication cannot be reproduced, stored, retrieved
or distributed mechanically, photographically,
electronically or otherwise, in part or full, without
the written consent of the Publisher.
Published by : Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-

813210
University website: www.bausabour.ac.in
Cover Designed by : Mr. Brajesh Kumar Tiwari, Media Centre, BAU,

Sabour
ISBN. : 9789394490949
Copyright 2022, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour

All Rights Reserved
From the Desk of the Organizing Secretary
Dear delegates
Warm Greetings!!!
On behalf of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar

Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, I cordially welcome you to the
National seminar on "Recent Developments in Nutrient Management Strategies
for Sustainable Agriculture: The Indian Context".
Soil is an important natural resource which forms the basis of life on earth and
sustains most living organisms being the ultimate source of their nutrition and
energy. Effective soil management is important to sustain crop productivity,
environmental sustainability and human health. With an increasing demand for
agricultural production in view of the burgeoning global population, several
approaches have been strategized for economic and efcient fertilizer use in
agriculture. Determination of crop nutrient requirements and assessment of soil
properties are key points for creating a suitable nutrient management plan to
achieve sustainable crop production.
This seminar with ve diversied themes, is a great platform to bring various
researchers, students, policy makers, stakeholders, and farmers under one roof
to discuss the practical aspects of development and/or application of fertilizers
and amendments for enhanced plant nutrition with a parallel objective of
sustainable soil health management for holistic development of the agricultural
scenario in this part of the world.
We are trying our best to ensure that your time and stay at Sabour, Bhagalpur
during the seminar be one of the most memorable one and you go back rich with
information.
I thank each and every one of you who have contributed towards the success of
the seminar and wishing all the very best for your future endeavours.
Best wishes!
Kasturikasen Beura
Organizing Secretary,
National Seminar on RDNMSSA-2022
Book of Abstracts, National Seminar on RDNMSSA-2022
Contents
Technical Session I
Strategizing the use of Chemical fertilizers for sustainable food production
1. Nitrogen Dynamics in rice-wheat under long term fertilizer management 3
Ajay Sharma, G S Dheri and Sat Pal Saini
2. Impact of long term INM on Phosphorus Use Efficiency indices under
Rice-Wheat cropping system 3-4
Bipin Bihari, Shweta Shambhavi, Jajati Mandal,
Sanjay Kumar and Yanendra Kumar Singh
3. Effect of high dose of nitrogen and plant growth regulators on grain
yield of irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) 4-5
Seema, S.K. Choudhary, S.R. Choudhury and S. Nahakpam
4. Phosphorus management in vegetable-based farming system 5
Shirin Akhtar, KasturikasenBeura, Surabhi Sangam,
Deepak Maurya, Vijay Kumar Singh
5. Factors Affecting Farmers Decision on Fertilizer Usage in Maize
Production in Bihar 5-6
Meera Kumari, Anita Kumari, Chandan Kumar Panda,
Shoji Lal Bairwa and Rajesh Kumar
6. Effects of optimizing dose and split application of potassium on growth
and yield behaviour in rice (Oryza sativa L.) 6-7
S. K. Choudhary, Arun Kumar, Amit Kumar Pradhan, Seema,
Kasturi kasen Beuraand Rajesh Kumar
7. Biochemical Changes in Rice (Oryza sativa. L.) in exposure to
Excess Nitrogen and Penoxsulam 2.67% OD Stress 7
Rehan Reza and Pritam Ganguly
8. Fertilizer Adoption Behaviour of Smallholder Maize (Zea mays) Farmers 7-8
Chandan Kumar Panda1, Sailabala Dei, R. P. Sharma,
Peddabudi Bhuvan Sagar, Suborna Roy Choudhury,
Anil Paswan, Meera Kumari and Satyendra
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur i

9. Phosphorus availability as affected by N fertigation in hither to rainfed
rice-based cropping systems under fertigation 8
Suman Lata, Priyanka Kumari, S. K Gupta, Shweta Shambhavi,
Y K Singh, Mainak Ghosh and Anshuman Kohli
10. Zeolites Minerals : Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency 9
Kushal Sachanand, Archana Verma
11. Integrated Phosphorus Management in relation to dominant
Cropping System in India 9-10
Meeta Kumari, Arvind Kumar Singh, Jaya bharti and Pallavi Bharti
12. Nutrient Management in Exotic Vegetables 10-11
Sangeeta Kumari, S.N. Das, N.Y. Azmi, Rajesh Kumar,
Randhir Kumar and Ranjit Kumar
13. Nutrient Management Practices in bearing orchard of Litchi 11
Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sanjay Sahay and Kumari Rashmi
14. Biotech KISAN Transform Adoption Behavior in Nutrient Management
of Banana (Musa Spp.) 11-12
Seema Kumari, Chandan Kumar Panda, R K Sohane, H. Mir,
Reeta Singh, Anita Kumari, Nityanand and Vinod Kumar
15. Performance of summer green gram in response to combined soil
and foliar application of nutrients 12-13
Suchismita Mohapatra
16. Enhanced nutrient use efficiency for climate smart agriculture 13
Deepak Kumar Chaudhary
17. Rescheduling the Sources and Time of Zn and Fe Application
Enhances the Yield and Their Utilization in Edible Parts of Wheat Grains 13-14
Bholanath Saha, D. K. Verma, Md. Shamim, Vinay Kumar,
Shweta Shambhavi and V. B. Jha
18. Efficient Phosphorus Management Strategies for Greengram Under
Rainfed Agro ecosystem 14-15
Sumit Sow and Shivani Ranjan
19. Effect of weed management on yield and nutrient uptake of chickpea 15
Birendra Kumar, Sanju Kumari, Lingutla Sirisha and Yogesh Datt
20. Effect of soil application of different levels of boron on growth and
productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in lateritic soils of West Bengal 16
Mamta Sahu, M. C. Kundu and Mohammed Nisab C. P
ii Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

21. Direct Effect of Sulphur Application on Plant Growth and Yield of kharif
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in lateritic soils of West Bengal 16
C. P. Mohammed Nisab, G.K. Ghosh and Mamta Sahu
22. Physico-Chemical characterization in soils of Samastipur, Bihar 17
Jawed Akhtar
23. Split application of Potassium in rice for sustainable crop production 17-18
Monika Niranjan, Sunil Kumar, Kasturikasen Beura,
Chandani Rani, Priya Kumari
24. Effect of different cropping systems on various plant nutrients with depths 18
Vivek Kumar, Munmun Majhi, Sanjay Kumar Singh,
Mani Mesha Nand, Kumar Chiranjeeb
25. Economic Efficiency of Nutrient Use in Production of Katarni
Rice in Bhagalpur 19
Ramnath K. Ray, Mukesh K. Wadhwani, M Rahman,
Puja Sinha and Nitu Kumari
26. Phosphorus nutrient management for sustainable Agriculture 20
Sushma Kumari, Binod Kumar Vimal, Ragini Kumari, Chandni Rani
27. Effect of zinc application methods and irrigation scheduling on
transplanted summer rice in lateritic soil 20-21
Rahul Kumar Gupta and Kalipada Pramanik
28. Delineation of Secondary and Micronutrients in Soils of Different
Blocks of Hamirpur District (U.P.) 21
Diksha Shukla, Prinsu Singh, Rahul Prajapati, Kshitij Tiwari,
Anil Kumar and Arvind K. Shukla
29. Delineation of Secondary and Micronutrients in Soils of Different
Blocks of District, Jhansi (U.P.) 22
Prinsu Singh, Diksha Shukla, Rahul Prajapati, Kshitij Tiwari,
Anil Kumar and Arvind K. Shukla
30. Effect of Mode of Micronutrients Application on Micronutrient
Availability in Sandy Loam Soil 22-23
Archana Verma, Uday Pratap Shahi, Suman Lata and Satdev
31. Sustainability Issues in Rice-Wheat Cropping System 23
Abhishek Kumar Gandhi, Saloni Kumari and Ankur Kumar Rai
32. Optimizing Timing of Potassium Application in Productivity
Enhancement of Rice 23-24
Kumar Ashish, Ayush Singh and Rishu Kumar
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur iii

33. Influence of Nutrient Management on the Variability of Fertile Soils 24-25
Naveen Kumar, Yogesh Dutt, Anuj, Ravinder Kumar, Jaipal
and Naseeb Choudhary
34. Assessment Trial of Different Cropping System in Sahabad
Region of Bihar 25
Rama Kant Singh, R. K. Jalaj, Ratan Kumar and H.P. Sharma
Technical Session II
Microbe-mediated and biotechnological approaches for efficient
nutrient management
35. PGPR activity of native Rhizobiumsps on nodular properties, leaf
chlorophyll content and P uptake in redgram grown in Alfisols,
Inceptisols and Vertisols of sub-tropical India 29
Debadatta Sethi and Sushanta Kumar Pattanayak
36. Genotypic response of garlic to different fertilizer levels for yield
and quality production 30
Sangeeta Shree, Manisha Kumari, Vijay Kumar Singh
and Rajeev Padbhushan
37. Response of Rhizobium sp. and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB)
on nodulation, growth and yield of chickpea in alluvial soil 30-31
Mahendra Singh, Amit Kumar Pradhan, Rajiv Rakshit,
Kasturikasen Beura and Archana Verma
38. Influence of Vermicompost and Inorganic fertilizer on Dynamics of
Potassium under Kharif Onion 31-32
Priyanka Kumari, Arun Kumar Jha and Gopal Kumar
39. Effect of combined use of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on
yield and phosphorus concentration in tomato crop 32
Ragini Kumari, Bipin Kumar, Rajkishore Kumar, B. K. Vimal,
Y. K. Singh, Anshuman Kohli and A. K. Jha
40. Carbon and nitrogen pools in Calcareous soil is influenced by activated
and inoculated trash after sugarcane ratooning 33
Rajendra Bairwa, C. K. Jha, S.K. Thakur, Mamta and Satdev
41. Molecular screening of rice genotypes for low soil phosphorus tolerance
using Pup1 QTL linked PCR-based markers 33-34
Sweta Sinha, Saurav Kumar, Mankesh Kumar, Satyendra,
Sareeta Nahakpam and Suresh Prasad Singh
iv Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur
42. Responses of Specific Enzymatic Activities within Soil Aggregates to a
34-year Permanent Plot Experiment 34
Pallavi Bharti and Rajiv Rakshit
43. Co-inoculation of PGPRs Bacillus aryabhattai and Enterobacter
cloacae in conjugation with ZnO-NP affecting Phosphorus in soil,
plant and various forms. 35
Mehjabeen, M. Singh and Ghanshyam
44. Effect of rock phosphate enriched vermicompost on phosphorus content
in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and its effect on rhizospheric soil 35-36
Mukta Rani, Priyankar Raha and Arun Kumar Jha
45. Modelling of Carbon Saturation in Different Pools of Organic
Carbon in Soil 36-37
Anupam Das, Biswapati Mandal, Muneshwar Singh, Samrat Ghosh,
Paramita Deb, Sanjay Kumar, Sushant, Suborna Roy Choudhury
and Rajiv Rakshit
46. Impact of Integrated application of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB)
and Nano Phosphorus Application upon Different Phosphorus Fractions
in Wheat Rhizosphere 37
Debjit Chakraborty, Mahendra Singh, Nintu Mandal,
Tushar Ranjan and Ankesh Kumar Chanchal
47. Carbon nanomaterial induced changes in soil microbial resistance and
resilience against heat stress 38
Shagufta Yasmeen, Rajiv Rakshit and Nintu Mandal
48. Long-term effect of nutrient management on soil organic carbon pools
under a double rice cropping system in an inceptisol of subtropical India 38-39
Samayita Basu
49. Effect of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and Blue Green Algae on
Phosphorus Nutrition in Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.) 39-40
Sunil Kumar and Smita Sinha
50. Biofertilizer: A Promising Tool for Enhancing Efficiency of Phosphorus 40
Ritwik Sahoo and Dinabandhu Samanta
51. Effective utilization of Phosphatic fertilizer enriched with Organic Manure
and Bioinoculants for Sustainable Agriculture 40-41
Mamata, Sarita Choudhary, Parkash Chand Gurjar and
Narendra Kumar Bhinda
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur v

52. Potential Use of Microbial Phosphorous Solubilization in
Sustainable Agriculture 41-42
Chandni Rani, Nilanjan Chattopadhyaya, Archana Verma,
Sushma Kumari and Monika Niranjan
53. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (MT509803)- a potential plant
growth promoting rhizobacteria 42
Jaya Prajapati and Janardan Yadav
54. Important Biofertilizer Technologies for improving Phosphorus
Phyto availability for Sustainable Crop Production 42-43
Sarita Choudhary, Shiveshwar Pratap Singh,
Mamata and Parkash Chand Gurjar1
55. Role of Bio-Fertilizers in Enhancing Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity 43
Abhishek Singh Yadav Abhishek Tiwari and Ravindra Sachan
56. Biofertilizer technology for boosting nutrient availability in numerous plants 44
Alka Jyoti Sharma, Mainak Ghosh, Nintu Mandal, Rayapati Karthik
57. Long-term use of organics along with balanced fertilization maintains better 45
soil physical environment and yield sustainability under rice-rice system
Soumyadeep Ghosh, Mitali Mandal and Anindita Jana
58. Vermicompost as a Soil Supplement for Sustainable Agriculture 45-46
Preeti Kumari, Arun Kr. Jha, Sushma Kumari and Monika Niranjan
59. Management of Algal weed for enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency and
Productivity in Makhana 46
Ruby Saha, Anil Kumar, P. K. Yadav,
Tapan Gorai, Paras Nath and Sangeeta Shree
60. Revisiting the Nutrient Composition of Composts Prepared with
Prevailing Practices in Bhagalpur 47
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Anshuman Kohli and Rajeev Ranjan Yadav
61. Land Uses Impact on Biological Properties of Soil Under Perennial
Cropping Systems 47-48
Mona Kumari, Ragini Kumari, Y. K. Singh,
Rajeev Padbhushan and Rajkishore Kumar
62. Application of Biofertilizers Can Reduce 40% RDF without Compromising
the Yield and Quality of Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) 48
Vivek Kumar, Manoj Kundu, Hidayatullah Mir and Sanjay Sahay
63. Biofertilizer for Crop Production and Soil Fertility 49
Saloni Kumari and Abhishek Kumar Gandhi
vi Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

64. Efficiency of Biofertilizers in Increasing the Production Potential
of Cereals and Pulses 49-50
Ayush Singh, Kumar Ashish and Rishu Kumar
65. Biofertilizer Technologies for Enhancing Nutrient Availability in
Various Crops 50
Priyanka Kumari and Furquan Alam
Technical Session III

Optimum utilization of indigenous natural resources
66. Impact of resource conservation technologies of biological properties of
phosphorus under rice-based cropping system 53
Shweta Shambhavi, Rajiv Rakshit, Sanjay Kumar,
Y. K. Singh and Bipin Bihari
67. Influence of different ratio of cattle dung and plant residues in substrate
on nutrient content of vermicompost 53-54
Arun Kumar Jha
68. Impact of 11-years old poplar plantation on available soil phosphorus in
calcareous soil of Bihar 54-55
Atul Kumar, D. K. Das, Santosh Kumar Singh, Vijay Kumar,
Shweta Shambhavi, Shriman Patel, Gopal Kumar, Rajiv Rakshit
and Wajid Hasan
69. Performance of different tillage methods under maize-based cropping
system on productivity, economics and soil health 55-56
Sanjay Kumar, Swaraj Kumar Dutta, Mainak Ghosh, Sushant,
Sunil Kumar and Shweta Shambhavi
70. Soil Health Improvement and Charcoal Rot Disease Management
through Mushroom Waste Amendment and Trichoderma 56-57
Abhijeet Ghatak, Aditya Sinha and J.N. Srivastava
71. Can DigitalAgriculture Help in Fertilizer Use Minimization for
Smallholders in India? 57
Aditya Sinha, Arindam Nag, R.P Sharma and Anil Paswan
72. Adaptation of zero tillage technique to reduce greenhouse gas emission
in Rice-Wheat cropping system 58
Suborna Roy Choudhury, Anupam Das, Seema,
Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, Chandan Kumar Panda and Pritam Ganguly
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur vii

73. Impact of long-term conservation strategies on forms of potassium
under Maize based cropping system 59
Gopal Kumar, Priyanka Kumari, Atul Kumar, Kumar Harsh,
Ragini Kumari and Rajeev Padbhusan
74. Feasible use of Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) plant
in agriculture 59-60
Sankar Chandra Paul, Suman Lata, Amit Kumar Pradhan, Sunil Kumar,
Ruma Bharti, Ajeet Kumar, Arun Kumar Jha, Subrat Keshori
Behera and Kasturikasen Beura
75. Soil carbon dynamics in forest and agricultural land 60
Munmun Majhi, Vivek Kumar and Manimesh Anand
76. Organic Nutrient Management Practices for Enhancing Leaf
Production of Magahi Pan 61
Shivnath Das, Prabhat Kumar, Ajit Kumar Pandey, Ranjeet Kumar,
Sangeeta Kumari, N.Y. Azmi, Randhir Kumar and S.B. Singh
77. Influence of long- term integrated nutrient management on productivity
and soil properties in rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat (Triticum aestivium)
cropping system in Bihar 61-62
Sushant, Sanjay Kumar, Anupam Das, R.P. Sharma and S.K. Pathak
78. Effect of Biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers on productivity, soil
properties and nitrogen use efficiency under wheat-rice cropping system 62-63
Birendra Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Chandrasekhar Azad
79. Integrated Nitrogen Management in Growth and Yield of Chilli
(Capsicum annum L.) Under Red and Lateritic Soils of Odisha 63
Bitish Kumar Nayak, Abhijit Pradhan and Saikat Ranjan Das
80. Crop residue management for sustainable crop production 64
Asheesh Chaurasiya, Swaraj Kumar Dutta, Garima Singh,
Prithvi Raj, Ravikesh Kumar Pal, Alka Jyoti Sharma, Ajeet Chaurasiya
81. Effect of fertilizer doses, liming and manuring on yield, phosphorus uptake
and phosphorus sorption in a red soil from Jharkhand 65
Ranabir Chakraborty, V.K. Sharma, Prabhakar Mahapatra,
D. K. Shahi, Saptaparnee Dey
82. Long term effect of different tillage practices and cropping systems on
forms of sulphur in soil 65-66
Kirti Kumari, Shweta Shambhavi, Jajati Mandal,
Bipin Bihari, Sanjay Kumar
83. Soil Moisture Conservation Techniques for Nutrient Management in
Indian Farming context 66-67
Krishna Kumar Sudhansu
viii Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur
84. Integrated Nutrient Management Approaches in Fruit Production 67
Ankur Kumar Rai, Kumar Harsh, Ankit Kumar Pandey,
Roopendra Kumar and Suman Kumari
85. Impacts of Different Land Use Land Cover Types on Different Soil Nitrogen
and Carbon Characteristics and the Carbon Sequestration in Soil 67-68
Sagardeep Sinha, Ganesh Chandra Banik, Subhadeep Mondal,
Shovik Deb and Nandini Roy
86. Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Nitrogen
Transformation in an acid Inceptisol 68-69
Anindita Jana, Mitali Mandal and Soumyadeep Ghosh
87. Importance of Potassium in Abiotic Stress Resistance 69
Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Amit Kumar Pandey, Ashutosh Singh
88. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) for Sustaining Rice Productivity
and Reducing Environmental Impact 70
Anand Kumar, Dinkar, Ravi Ranjan Kumar,
Rakesh Deo Ranjan, Satyendra, Mankesh Kumar,
S.P. Singh, Sanjay Kumar and Tushar Ranjan
89. Integrated nutrient management in fruit orchards in the subtropics 70-71
Kumar Harsh, Manoj Kundu, Sanjay Sahay,
Gopal Kumar and Atul Kumar
90. Can Biochar play an Effective role in Enhancing the Availability
of Phosphorus in Soils? 71
Aditya Raj, Umesh Singh, Anshuman Kohli and Mainak Ghosh
91. Role of organics and biofertilizers in citrus orchards 72
Shreya Verma, Sanjay Sahay and Rashmi Sahay
92. Organics in Leafy Vegetables Production 72-73
Kunal Anand, Ajay Bhardwaj, Kumar Harsh,
Surabhi Sangam and Chandni
93. How to Achieve Lost Phosphorus: Some Approaches 73
Ruma Bharti, S.C. Paul, Suman Lata, Rajani Kumari and Ajeet Kumar
94. Recycling of Phosphorus from Waste Materials 74
Gaurav Kumar Yadav, Rajni Prabha Rani, Mamta Kumari, J. Prasad,
Y. K. Singh, B. K. Vimal, Ragini Kumari and Rajkishore Kumar
95. Effect of INM on Yield Attributing Characters of Makhana (Euryale Ferox
Salisb.) under Ex-Situ Conditions and Improvement in Soil Quality 74-75
P. K. Yadav, Anil Kumar, Tapan Gorai, Paras Nath, Ruby Saha,
Rajkishore Kumar, G.L. Choudhary and S.P. Viswakarma
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur ix

96. Integrated Nutrient Management in Rice-Wheat Cropping System 75-76

Rishu Kumar, Kumar Ashish and Ayush Singh
Technical Session IV
Towards Smart nutrient management
97. Effect of foliar application of zinc on Biofortified rice (Oryza sativa L.) 79
Birendra Kumar, Suresh Prasad Singh and Sunil Kumar
98. Seed priming based Iron management in Lentil 79-80
Amit Kumar Pradhan, Rahul Raj, Kasturikasen Beura,
Mahendra Singh and Sunil Kumar
99. Interpolation Technique based Mapping of Available Phosphorus of
Bhagalpur District, Bihar, India 80
B. K. Vimal and Sunil Kumar
100. Managing soil physical conditions towards improved phosphorus
availability in soils 81
Anshuman Kohli, Aditya Raj, Kasturikasen Beura and Y K Singh
101. Changes in morpho-physiological attributes possibly induced phosphorous
deficiency in rice genotypes grown under drought stress 81-82
Sareeta Nahakpam, Sweta Sinha, Mankesh Kumar,
Ravi Kesari, Rafat Sultana, S P Singh, R D Ranjan
102. Assessment and Validation of Grid Sampling for Adopted CRA
Village in Banka District based on Geostatistical Modelling 82-83
Rajkishore Kumar, B. K. Vimal, Y. K. Singh, Ragini Kumari,
Sanjay Mandal, Muneshwar Prasad, R.N. Singh, R.K. Sohane
and Arun Kumar
103. Measuring Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Wheat Crop Production in
Bhopal District of Madhya Pradesh using Slacks-based Data
Envelopment Analysis 83
Manoj Kumar, K P Singh, Neha Kushwaha and Satish Kumar Singh
104. Sensor guided balanced nitrogen fertilization for sustainable production
and environmental gain 83-84
Mainak Ghosh
105. Synthesis, Characterization and Controlled Release Behaviour of novel
Fe containing Nanoclay Polymer Composites (FeNCPC) in a
Typic Haplustepts 84
Nintu Mandal, Satdev, Mahendra Singh, Amit Kumar Pradhan,
Mainak Ghosh
x Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur
106. Biosynthesis, characterization and Controlled Release Pattern of Novel

Iron Nanoparticle (Fe-NPs) in a Typic Hapluestepts 85
Satdev, Nintu Mandal, Mahendra Singh, Amit Kumar Pradhan,
Mainak Ghosh, Souvik Sadhu
107. Possibilities and Pragmatism of Phosphorous Fertilizer Technology 85-86
Pallavi Bharti, B.K Agarwal and Meeta Kumari
108. Precision farming as a tool to Enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency for
Climate Smart Agriculture 86
Sunil Kumar and Sushanta Sarkar
109. Farm-scale mapping of soil phosphorus and potassium fractions
using spatial interpolation 87
Tapan Gorai and Nayan Ahmed
110. Application of bio-inoculants influences plant growth and survival
of litchi seedling. 88
Abha Kumari , Ruby Rani, H. Mir, Mahendra Singh, Feza Ahmad,
Sanjay Sahay, Wasim Siddiqui, Bishun Deo Prasad and Rajiv Rakshit
111. Soils Nutrients Variability of Tea Growing Soils under Young Alluvial
Plain through Digital Agriculture 89
Mamta Kumari, Rajkishore Kumar, Y. K. Singh,
B. K. Vimal and Ragini Kumari
112. Novel Organo-mineral Fertilizers Enhancing Phosphorous uptake
by plants 90
Nisha Kumari
113. Increasing Productivity and Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emission of
Rice-Wheat Cropping System Using Nutrient Expert 90-91
Shivani Ranjan and Sumit Sow
114. Seed Priming and Foliar Application of Phosphatic Fertilizers : An
Option to Increase Phosphorus Use Efficiency 91
Rajani Kumari, Kasturikasen Beura and Amit Kumar Pradhan
115. Nutrient Management through Nanotechnological Intervention 92
Souvik Sadhu and Satdev
116. Radio-Isotope Technique used in Soil Fertility and Plant
Nutrient Management 92-93
Abhishek Tiwari, R.K. Pathak and Ravindra Sachan
117. Effect of novel engineered biochar composites in retention of phosphorus
in an Inceptisol 93
Saptaparnee Dey, T. J. Purakayastha, Ranabir Chakraborty
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur xi

118. Partitioning of Potassium in root, shoot and leaf at different growth

stages of rice in Calcareous soil of North Bihar 94
Mani Mesha Nand, Shiveshwar Pratap Singh, Anand Kumar,
Vivek Kumar and Munmun Majhi
119. Effect of STCR based nutrient management on soil phosphorus availability 95
Shailja Kumari, Ragini Kumari, Anshuman Kohli,
Rajeev Padbhushan and Rajkishore Kumar
120. Emerging role of Potassium in defending against low-temperature Stress 95-96
Ashutosh Singh, Amit Kumar Pandey, Prem Chand Kumar
and Akhilesh Kumar Singh
121. Selenium in soil-plant-animal column 96-97
Amit Kumar Pandey, Ashutosh Singh and S.P. Vishwakarma
122. Influence of nitrogen levels and seed rate on photosynthesis,
CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll content on growth and productivity
of dual-purpose wheat cultivars 97-98
Rakesh D. Ranjan, Anand Kumar, Sudhir Kumar,
Awadhesh K. Pal, Birender Kumar and Sunil Kumar
123. Geostatistical Modelling based Variability of Fe Fractionations
Under Different Land Use system in Lower Gangetic Plains of Bihar 98-99
Rajni Prabha Rani, Gaurav Kumar Yadav, Mamta Kumari,
Y. K. Singh, B. K. Vimal, Ragini Kumari and Rajkishore Kumar
124. Nutrient Expert@ Based Fertilizer Recommendation and their Impact 99
on Wheat Productivity and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Indo-Gangetic
Plan of Bihar
Ajeet Kumar, Anshuman Kohli, YK Singh, SC Paul,
and Ruma Bharti
125. Nano Fertilizers: A Need for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 100
Furquan Alam, Dev Kumar, Saurabh Kumar, Saloni Kumari
and Priyanka Kumari
126. Soil Salinity under Climate Change and Future Crop for
Saline Environment 100-101
Tajendra Krishna, Saurav Kumar, Rishu Kumar, Kumar Ashish
and Ayush Kumar
127. Impact of Heavy Metals Toxicity on Physiological Response of
Plant System 101
Satish Kumar, Alok Kumar and Sardar Sunil Singh
xii Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Technical Session I
Strategizing the use of Chemical fertilizers
for sustainable food production
2 Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Nitrogen Dynamics in Rice-Wheat under Long-Term Fertilizer Management

Ajay Sharma*, G S Dheri1 and Sat Pal Saini1
*,1Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: ajaysharma-soil@pau.edu
Nitrogen (N) is the most important mineral nutrient affecting the growth and yield of crops; and its
adequate supply in the soil in forms which roots can take up is essential for high yields. The efficient
use of fertilizer N for crop production depends on the several transformations that fertilizer N may
undergo. The present study was conducted to assess the in-season N dynamics in an Inceptisols
under long-term fertilizer management in rice-wheat cropping system, since 1999, in progress at Research
fields, Department of Soil Science, PAU, Ludhiana. A field experiment [Rice (Kharif, 2018) and Wheat
(Rabi, 2018-19)] was conducted in a fixed layout. The treatments comprised combination of chemical
fertilizers (100%NPK and 150%NPK) and organic manures (100%NPK+FYM, 100%NPK+GM and
100%NPK+SI) along with unfertilized control laid out in randomized complete block design with three
replications. Soil samples were collected at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after transplanting/sowing and at
harvest of rice and wheat, respectively and analysed for available N, NH4+-N, NO3--N and total N. Plant
samples were also collected at corresponding time period and their N content, uptake and biomass
were assesed. Application of 100%NPK+FYM had significantly higher contents of different N forms
during growth of both rice and wheat compared to rest of the treatments. In comparison to 100% NPK,
combined usage of 100% NPK and FYM boosted soil available N and total N by 20 and 22%, respectively,
after rice harvest. During wheat harvest, similar treatments increased available and total nitrogen by
29 and 23%, respectively.Gradual decrease in N forms was observed till crop harvest. The grain and
straw yield, content and total uptake of N by rice and wheat increased significantly under the integrated
fertilizer management. Integrated nutrient management practice has been found to be viable proposition
in enhancing amounts of available N forms and achieving higher rice-wheat productivity.
Keywords: Long-term, Nitrogen, Rice, Wheat, Yield
Impact of long-term Integrtaed Nutrient Management (INM) on Phosphorus

Use Efficiency indices under Rice-Wheat cropping system
Bipin Bihari1, Shweta Shambhavi1, Jajati Mandal1, Sanjay Kumar1 and Yanendra Kumar Singh*
*,1Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: yanendrakumar@yahoo.com
Integrated Nutrient Management has potential to ensure the sustained availability of nutrients as well
as enhancing nutrient use efficiency in the soils. Organic sources of plant nutrients offer twin benefits
of increase in organic matter content and improvement in physical and chemical properties of soil
besides supplying nutrients to the crops. In addition, organic manures help in improving the use
efficiency of inorganic fertilizers.A modest initiative has been undertaken to assess the various nutrient
use efficiencies for Pin rice-wheat under different INM treatments involving substitution of N
byFarmyrad manure (FYM), wheat straw (WS) and Green manure (GM) along with levels of
recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) and Farmers’ Practice (FP)after 34th cropping cycle.The results
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur 3

revealed that the overall AE, PE, APE, PFP, IUE, ARE and PNB of P for wheat crop was comparatively
lower than that of rice crop which reflects that the residual effect of applied organic manures and
fertilizers was more than the direct effect. Partial Nutrient Balance (PNB) of crops for both the crops
was near to 1 in INM plots which indicates that the yields and fertility status of soil is being sustained
with P. Overall, results indicated that the long-term application of organic materials modified surface
soil properties, optimize soil P status and maximize the recycling of P from crop residues and organic
and mineral fertilizers. Long-term experiments established the significance of INM in improving PUE
(Phosphorus Use Eficiency) under different cropping systems and soil types. Further the addition of
FYM, WS and GM in the soil increases the available P by mineralization or by solubilizing the native
P reserve.
Keywords : Integrated Nutrient Management, PUE, Organic Manures, Rice-wheat Cropping System,
Partial Nutrient Balance
Effect of High Dose of Nitrogen and Plant Growth Regulators on Grain

Yield of Irrigated Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Seema*,1, S.K. Choudhary2, S.R. Choudhury3 and S. Nahakpam4
1,2,3
*, Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour–813210, Bhagalpur, Bihar
4
Department of Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour–813210,
Bhagalpur, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: seemaprjpt.1@gmail.com
Nitrogen is an essential element for both crop development and crop biomass. It promotes shoot
elongation, tillering and regeneration after defoliation and governs to a significant degree, the utilization
of phosphorous, potassium and other elements in the plant. The application of nitrogen fertilizer at the
right rate and time is vital for the enhancement of crop productivity and soil fertility. High levels of N
supply results in higher protein content, but increased efficiency of utilization is realized when the
concentration in the kernels increases and grain yield remains stable. However, increased fertilizer
especially nitrogen for obtaining higher yield has led to another problem of lodging in wheat under
irrigated conditions. Lodging resulted in reduced wheat yield as well as lowered the quality of the final
product and an increase in disease severity is the other detrimental effect of lodging. It has been
estimated that losses may occur around 8.3% of the total wheat production due to lodging. Keeping
all this a trial was conducted to maximize the wheat productivity by optimizing the doses of nitrogen
fertilizer. The experiment was conducted at the research farm of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
during the rabi season of 2020-21. The experiment was carried on with nine treatments consisted of
different nitrogen levels and growth regulators namely Chlormequat chloride and Tebuconazole applied
@ 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. Variety DBW 187 (Kkaran Vandana) was used under this experiment.
From the experimental data it was observed that maximum grain yield was produced when crop was
fertilized with 150 % of N/ha with growth regulator at first node and boot leaf stage (45.69 qt. /ha)
which was at par with the 125% of N with growth regulator at first node and boot leaf stage (45.13 qt./
ha), 100% of N with growth regulator at first node and boot leaf stage (44.04 qt/ha). Reduced plant

height was observed when plant growth regulators (Chloromequat chloride and Tebuconazole) were
applied at first node and boot leaf stage of the crop.
Phosphorus Management in Vegetable-based Farming System

Shirin Akhtar*, Kasturikasen Beura1, Surabhi Sangam1, Deepak Maurya1, Vijay Kumar Singh1
*,1
Department of Horticulture (Vegetable and Floriculture), Bihar Agricultural College, Bihar
Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur – 813210, Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: shirin.0410@gmail.com
Vegetable farming is an intensive production system requiring high inputs resulting in high yield.
Vegetables have high P demand throughout their life cycle and growers usually apply high fertilizers.
The phosphorus application rate often exceeds the uptake by several folds, which is quite higher than
cereal crops. The application of P fertilizer in vegetables is often not based on actual nutritional
requirements and this results in residual P accumulation in soil and lower phosphorus use efficiency
(PUE). Besides, there is possibility of P losses to the environment leading to eutrophication of water
bodies. Soil Olsen-P is an importantindex to indicate the soil P supply capacity and evaluate therisk of
soil P losses to the surrounding environment. Application of P during the critical growth stage of the
various vegetables usually lead to efficient and higher P uptake by the plants. Soil amendment
through biochar may increase the C:P ratio of soil, thus increasing available P in the soil and increase
P uptake by plants. Root growth and architecture may be improved by aerated irrigation and that may
improve P uptake from soil. P uptake depends on the vegetable species and soil type also, therefore
crop rotation using certain vegetables may lead to utilization of accumulated P. PUE of vegetables may
be enhanced by fertilizer-soil matching. In calcareous soil amajor proportion of total P is unavailableto
vegetables due to the rapid fixation ofP. Liquid phosphate fertilizer had significantly greater availability,
mobility and solubility incalcareous soil and may significantly enhance P absorption by plantsin
comparison to granularphosphate fertilizer.
Keywords: P uptake, PUE, Vegetables
Factors Affecting Farmers Decision on Fertilizer Usage in Maize

Production in Bihar
Meera Kumari*,1, Anita Kumari2, Chandan Kumar Panda3, Shoji Lal Bairwa4
and Rajesh Kumar5
1,4
Department of Agricultural Economics, 2SMS, KVK, Sabour,
3
Department of Extension Education, 5Department of Agronomy
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur – 813 210
*Corresponding author Email ID: meera.bausabour@gmail.com
Farmers’ usage of fertilizers affected by their socio-economic factors like age, education, financial
condition and migration is a key household characteristic that significantly affects the amount of
fertilizer use by male-headed households in Bihar. Study mainly focused on the factors that influenced

the farmer’s decision on fertilizer use and its implications on income of 180 farmers of two districts of
Bihar i.e Bhagalpur and Khagaria. The level of fertilizers use, especially overuse and farming practices
in the districts have had a great impact on the production of maize in Bihar. Sixty percent farmers in the
study area were unaware of recommended rates of fertilizer dose. They apply fertilizer as per their
observation in crop field and fellow farmer’s advice. Heavy subsidies for specific fertilizer versus
other nutrients and a lack of adequate knowledge about fertilizer management, lead to unbalanced
fertilization usage. Average use efficiency of nitrogen in Bihar was about 50–60% in maize crop. The
average cost of maize cultivation per hectare was Rs. 35013.36/ha, Inputs like seed and fertilizers
accounted more than 25% of the total cost followed by irrigation cost to the total cost of cultivation
of maize. In respect to recommended rate of fertilizers usage, not a single farmer in study area was
applied recommended rate of fertilizers and other input needed for production practices. Inappropriate
and imbalanced nutrient not only reduces nutrient use efficiency and profitability but also increases
environmental risks associated with the loss of unused nutrients.
Keywords: Farmers, Fertilizers, Maize, Socio-economic factors, Cost of cultivation, Bihar
Effects of Optimizing Dose and Split Application of Potassium on Growth and

Yield Behaviour in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
S. K. Choudhary*,1, Arun Kumar2, Amit Kumar Pradhan3, Seema1, Kasturikasen Beura3
and Rajesh Kumar1
1
Department of Agronomy,Bihar Agricultural College, BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
2
Director planning, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar|
3
Department of Soil Science and Agri. Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural College, BAU, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID – saurabhkkv2885@gmail.com
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important cereal crop in India, and during 2020-21 it was cultivated
in 43.90 million ha area with production of 116.42 million tonnes and productivity of 2,455 kg ha-l (DES,
2018-19) rice crop by virtue of its potentiality is emerging as an important field crop under the Bihar
state, is cultivated on an area of approximately 3.09 million ha with a total production of 6.95million
tonnes and productivity of 2245kg ha-l (DES, 2018-19). High yields are needed for food security and
sustainability in many of the subsistence farming systems in Asia and since the area under rice is
almost stagnating, there is little scope for horizontal expansion. Therefore, development of rice agronomy
is pre-requisite. Many factors are responsible for increasing growth, yield and quality of rice. Proper
and balanced application of fertilizers is one of the most important factors contributing towards higher
grain quality and productivity. Potassium plays a critical role in improving growth, yield and quality of
rice under sub-tropical conditions. It imparts tolerance to stresses such as temperature, drought and
to the incidence of diseases. As the soil of Bihar are dominated by illitic type of clay minerals which
affects the availability of K by fixing it in the interlayers and wedge sides of soil clays and remains
unavailable to growing plants that affects the soil productivity in general and depletes the essential
nutrients in particular. Split application and different doses of potassium according to the demand of
a growing crop is the best agricultural technique. Different doses and split application of potassium

during the growth period has proven to be beneficial in rice as compared to single basal application.
The different doses and split application of potassium in proper propositions as per crop demand is an
effective tool. Thus, the present study was carried out to elucidate the effects of different doses and
split application of potassium on the growth and yield of potassium.
Keywords: Potassium, split application, rice, productivity
Biochemical Changes in Rice (Oryza Sativa. L.) in Exposure to

Excess Nitrogen and Penoxsulam 2.67% OD Stress
Rehan Reza1 and Pritam Ganguly*
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: pritam0410@gmail.com
The goal of this study was to determine the biochemical changes that occurred in the rice field as a
result of excess nitrogen (at 120, 150, and 180 kg N ha-1 at three splits) and penoxsulam (2.67 percent
OD was applied @ 1000 and 2000 ml ha-1) herbicide stress and thereby examining best possible
treatment combination. At four different phenological stages of rice, plant characteristics such as
chlorophyll (a, b, and total), total phenolic content, DPPH scavenging activity, and total N, P, K, Fe,
and Zn were measured. pH, EC, OC, available N, P, K, Fe, and Zn, as well as essential soil enzymes,
were all determined.The addition of incremental N and penoxsulam significantly increased the amount
of available N, P, K, Fe, and Zn in the soil. All enzymatic activities (DHA, FDA, acid & alkaline
phosphatase) were shown to be elevated at increasing dosages of N. When given at twice the
recommended amount, penoxsulam, unlike N, caused a significant decline in the similar value. The
addition of nitrogen had a positive impact on chlorophyll growth, whereas penoxsulam had a significant
negative impact. Herbicide use increased all of the characteristics examined in grain when compared to
untreated grain. In terms of production, low input cost, and preserving critical soil enzymatic activity,
as well as nutrient availability, applying 125 percent of the recommended nitrogen dose combined with
the approved dose of penoxsulam 2.67 percent OD is the best feasible treatment combination in rice.
Keywords: Nitrogen, Penoxsulam, enzymatic activity, Rice
Fertilizer Adoption Behaviour of Smallholder Maize (Zea mays) Farmers

Chandan Kumar Panda*1, Sailabala Dei2, RP Sharma1, Peddabudi Bhuvan Sagar1,
Suborna Roy Choudhury3, Anil Paswan1, Meera Kumari4 and Satyendra5
*1
Department of Extension Education,2Directorate of Research, 3Department of Agronomy,
4
Department of Agricultural Economics, 5 Department of PBG
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur – 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID:dr.ckpanda@gmail.com
Smallholder farmers are backbone of global food security. In India eighty per cent farmers belong to
small and marginal categories. Small operational holdings are the main source of income of smallholder
farmers. Globally maize is one of the important cereals and it has varied used as major food grain and

also as industrial usage. Maize is grown during Pre-Kharif, Kharif and Rabiseasons in Bihar. However,
in terms of acreage, production and productivity, Rabi season maize is widely cultivated. Fertilizer use
is crucial for raising and sustaining the maize production and farmers also use major nutrients (N-P-K)
adequately for its cultivation. Hence it became imperative to study the fertilizer usage behaviour of
farmers.
In the present study fertilizer adoption behaviour of 160 maize farmers has been assessed in Bihar. It
is noted that fertilizer adoption behaviour of maize farmers is governed by their age, education,
farming experience, farm size, credit availability, market price of maize, crop seasons and membership
of farmer’s association/group. The result of the truncated analysis showed that farming experience,
extent of contact with Agri-input dealers, credit availability influenced in fertilizer use intensity/
adoption behaviour of the farmers. It is evident from the study that thefarmers use more fertilizers than
recommended dose which implicates that recommended dose of fertilizer for maize crop may be
revalidated.
Keywords: Farmers, Fertilizers, Adoption Behaviour, Maize
Phosphorus Availability as Affected by N Fertigation in Hitherto Rainfed Rice-

Based Cropping Systems under Fertigation
Suman Lata*, Priyanka Kumari1, S. K Gupta2, Shweta Shambhavi1, Y K Singh1,
Mainak Ghosh2 and Anshuman Kohli2*
1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar
2
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: suman.lata272@gmail.com
Phosphorous is an important nutrient recognized for the root development of plants especially at the
early stage. It plays a critical role in energy transfer, respiration and photosynthesis. In rainfed
conditions, where water availability is restricted for the post rice crops, nitrogen application through
fertigation increases the growth of plant tops & roots and concurrently increases their foraging
activity of phosphorous.Nitrogen addition significantly affects the plant metabolism which may change
the ability of a unit area of root surface to absorb phosphorous. Under the drought stress situation,
the availability and uptake of both nitrogen and phosphorous gets reduced. However, the availability
of phosphorous improves the tolerance level under such situation. Before rice crop establishment as
well as after harvesting of rice, fertigation regimes and rice based cropping systems were found to
significantly affect the available phosphorus content in the top soil.Before rice crop establishment,
the mean available phosphorus content in surface soil was significantly lower under the highest
fertigation regime (W3). Similarly, the P availability was highest under rice-lentil cropping system. Its
availability reduces in subsurface soil due to its low mobility. The availability of phosphorous was
significantly different across cropping systems before establishment of rice crop but after harvesting
of rice, the availability of phosphorus under various fertigation regimes and cropping systems had
become similar.
Key words: Fertigation, Cropping systems; Available N; Soil Fertility

Zeolites Minerals : Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency

Kushal Sachan*1and Archana Verma2
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, CSAUA&T, Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh – 208002, India
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU Sabour, Bhagalpur,
Bihar India, 813210.
*Corresponding author Email ID: kushalsachan95@gmail.com
Zeolites are aluminosilicate minerals discovered and named by A.A.F. Cronstedt, a Swedish mineralogist
in 1756. In the current scenario, agricultural area and production are rapidly dwindling, necessitating
the usage of natural, non-toxic materials such as natural zeolite. Because of its structure and
characteristics, it can be utilized as a slow-releasing carrier of pesticides and fertilizers. Natural zeolite
helps to improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. As a result, zeolites may play
an important role in agricultural input management in order to increase productivity, profitability, and
sustainability. Fertilizer use in developing countries has shown a steady increase over the last few
decades, and the use and manufacture of N fertilizers contribute to about 60 percent of the total
release of reactive N. The ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching can be reduced or prevented by
the use of zeolite carrier material applications that have N in their framework and act as slow/controlled-
release fertilizers. These materials will reduce ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching and at the
same time increase crop yield. Zeolites are also known for their WHC and they are the most suitable
fertilizers to prolong moisture levels in severe drought-like conditions. In addition to macronutrients,
micronutrients can also be introduced intozeolites, which can supplement nutrient-deficient soils.
Thus, zeolites along with increasing yield can also increase the nutrient and water use efficiency of
drylands. Over the years, there has been a growing interest in and recognition ofzeoliteused in
agriculture because of public concerns about the quality and sustainability of soil resources under
intensive production systems. Zeolites find a large number of potential applications in agriculture,
particularly in soil management. They can be used as either carrier of nutrients or medium to free
nutrients to promote nutrient use efficiency. They are effective as soil ameliorants and in remediation
of heavy metal contaminated soils.
Keywords : Zeolites, Nutrient use Efficiency, Soil Resource
Integrated Phosphorus Management in Relation to Dominant

Cropping System in India
Meeta Kumari*1, Arvind Kumar Singh1, Jaya bharti1and Pallavi Bharti2
*,1
Department of Agronomy, BAU, Kanke, Ranchi
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Kanke, Ranchi
*Corresponding author Email ID: meetakri20@gmail.com
Phosphorus deficiency in Indian soils is widespread and crop responses to its application are highly
profitable. Phosphorus is a primary nutrient and the deficiency of which causes severe decrease in

crop yield. Phosphorus (P) management strategies differ accordingto type of dominant cations present
in soil. In acidic soils, the soil P content showed increased pattern due to flooding. Also, P availability
is positively correlated with soil organic matter and hence fertilizing the soil with organic supplements
like cow dung plays a vital role to maintain the Soil phosphorus pool. Therefore, a combination of
organic supplement with phosphatic fertilizer is sustainable to increase the availability of P, Phosphate
solubilizing bacteria (PSB) used as seed inoculant. A legume crop in a cereal-legume cropping system
to boost the P availability. When applying P fertilizers in a cropping system, when a component crop
is adequately fertilized with P, the succeeding crop can be sustained on the residual P. Rockphosphate
is the basic raw material of the phosphatic fertilizers and most of it is imported as the indigenous raw
material is of poor quality. To increase the efficiency of P fertilizer it should be applied as a right source
and in right amounts in right time. Therefore, applying P fertilizers before planting results in efficient
P utilization, especially on high P-fixing soils. Use of microorganisms that could solubilize P such as
phosphate-solubilising microorganisms, arbuscular-mychorrizal symbioses are option for integrated
P management which increases the B:C ratio of the whole system. Therefore, an approach towards
management of Phosphorus in soil must be holistic which includes analytical as well as proper
agronomic practices at the right time and right cropping system to counter the problem of Phosphorus
deficiency and escalate the yield potential of crops.
Keywords: Microorganisms, Organic matter, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Rock phosphate,

Sustainable
Nutrient Management in Exotic Vegetables

Sangeeta Kumari*, S.N. Das1, N.Y. Azmi1, Rajesh Kumar1, Randhir Kumar1 and Ranjit Kumar1
*,1
Agricultural Research Institute, Lohiyanagar, Patna
*Corresponding author Email ID: sangeeta6b@gmail.com
Nutrient management is critical in order to increase or maintain crop yields on a single piece of
agricultural land. To meet crop needs throughout growing season, soil fertility must be consistently
high. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the three main macronutrients that are
conventionally supplied by inorganic fertilizers. Secondary nutrients viz calcium (Ca), magnesium
(Mg) and sulphur (S) are considered secondary macronutrients or secondary nutrients because they
are required in amounts smaller than typically needed N, P or K. Micronutrients are essential for plant
growth that are used in relatively small amounts by crops. Boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron
(Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and chlorine (Cl) will only make up a small proportion
of a plant however a deficiency in any of these elements has the potential to cause a decrease in crop
quality or yield. In contrast their excess availability may cause toxicity. Exotic Vegetable cultivation is
a profitable venture and has become source of livelihood to the farmers and contributing significantly
to food security in country. Globalization has brought many opportunities and changes in developing
country like India. One of the major changes is in the food habits and taste for exotic vegetables.
Exoticvegetables are rich in important nutrients and vitamins. Their consumption in sufficient quantities
provides taste and palatability, increases appetite and provides fair amounts of fibres. Not only this,
they contain high density of carbohydrates and proteins that eliminate the chances of cardiovascular
and bone related problems. Proper plant nutrition is essential for successful production of these
vegetable crops. Every nutrient has its own character and is therefore involved in different metabolic
processes of plant life.
Keywords: Exotic vegetables, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, profitable venture
Nutrient Management Practice in Bearing Orchard of Litchi

Ankit Kumar Pandey1, Sanjay Sahay*,1 and Kumari Rashmi2
1
Department of Horticulture (Fruits & Fruit Technology),
2
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics,
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210 (Bihar)
*Corresponding author Email ID: sanjaysahay38@gmail.com
Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a wonderful fruit that people enjoy because of its distinctive flavour
and scarlet peel. Litchi fruit production is influenced by a variety of factors, including good orchard
management, nutrition, irrigation, canopy architecture, and so on, but orchard returns are directly
proportional to the yield and quality of the fruit harvest. Existing litchi cultivars in India have a greater
or lesser tendency to alternating bear, which is a key issue for production sustainability and market
regulation. On and off bearing of trees has a direct impact on the income of litchi growers, and this
problem is getting worse as the climate changes. The management strategies used for bearing trees
differ significantly from those used for non-bearing trees, particularly in terms of plant nutrition. The
fundamental goal of bearing tree management is to increase the tree reserve level in preparation for
flowering and fruiting. Plant nutrients are applied in the right amount, at the right time, and in the right
way to enable plants absorb them efficiently with minimal losses, which covers the entire topic of
nutrient management. The major goal of nutrient management is to regulate nutrient levels in trees
within a certain range and to maintain a balance between tree growth and fruiting. Micronutrients
such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, and copper, in addition to the major requirements of N, P, and
K, which contribute to abundant vegetative development and flower initiation, play a vital role in
blooming and fruiting. For soil application, agriculture grade micronutrients should be used, while
fine/ analytical grade micronutrients should be used for foliar feeding.
Keywords: Nutrient, Litchi, Growth, Flowering, Fruiting
Biotech KISAN Transform Adoption Behavior in Nutrient Management

of Banana (Musa Spp.)
Seema Kumari1*, Chandan Kumar Panda2, R K Sohane3, H. Mir4,Reeta Singh1,
Anita Kumari1, Nityanand1&Vinod Kumar1
1
Senior Scientist & Head, KVK, Jalalgarh, Purnea
2
Dept. of Extension Education, 3 Director Extension Education,
4
Dept. of Horticulture, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur – 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: entoseema@yahoo.co.in
Banana (Musa sp.) is one of the important crops in India. Its varietal range, nutritional value and taste,
round the year availability make it favourable to all section of the people. In Bihar Banana is grown
35067 ha land with 1527845.52 MT productions. In Bihar, banana growing regions are old Vaishali
region and new North-Eastern (Kosi) region, both of the regions is endowed with congenial climatic
conditions favourable for its cultivation. It is important source of income for all categories of farmers.
Different varieties of banana viz. Dwarf Cavendish, Alpon, Chinia, Chini Champa, Malbhog, Muthia,
Kothia , Gauria are grown in the state. The scope of increasing the productivity of banana in Bihar is
enough as compare to some other states viz. Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra.During survey it
has been observed that farmers of Bihar were applying over dose of phosphatic and nitrogenous
fertiliser and there was lack of neem cake application. Farmers were not adopting proper methods of
fertilizer application. The improper nutrient applications adversely affected the number of fingers,
length of fingers, girth of fingers and weight of the fingers and ultimately yield of the banana crop.
Considering the gap in potential yield and actual yield in farmers field, the intervention was administered
for recommended nutritional management in banana through Biotech KISAN hub project. A total of 50
acres area spread across five districts of Bihar viz. Araria, Aurangabad, Katihar, Khagaria and Purnea
was demonstrated through Biotech KISAN Hub project. Through the project farmers were support
with tissue culture banana(G-9) along with Manure&Fertilizers Plant Protection chemical &weedicide,
Polyprolin bag and also mulching Materials. The inputs along with farmers training and scientists’
regular immersion in the project lead to change in the adoption behavior of Nutrient Management in
banana cultivation among the farmers. The income of the farmers had changed and they got Rs.
1,82,879 net profit in per acre areas with B:C ratio 2.691.
Keywords: Banana, Farmers, Biotech, Nutrient Management, Net Profit.
Performance of Summer Greengram in Response to Combined Soil and

Foliar Application of Nutrients
S. Mohapatra*,1, G.K. Ghosh2 and G.H. Santra1
*,1
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
2
PalliSikshaBhavan, Viswabharati, Shantiniketan, West Bengal
*Corresponding author Email ID: suchi4567@gmail.com
Foliar application of fertilizers can be used for quick and efficient utilization of nutrients. For a sustainable
approach of nutrient management, foliar application can be used along with the soil application of
fertilizers to enhance yield and quality of crops. With this context, a field experiment was conducted
with green gram (CV: NVL-516) in an acidic soil of the Research Farm of Institute of Agricultural
Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar with an objective to study the impact of combined
soil and foliar application of nutrients on yield of summer green gram in Odisha. The experiment was
laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and eight treatments consisting of T1:
absolute control, T2: NPK, T3: NPKS, T4: NPKS + Urea @ 2 %, T5: NPKS + MOP @ 2 %,T6: NPKS +
DAP @ 2 %, T7: NPKS + KNO3@ 1%, T8: NPKS + N: P: K:: 19:19:19 @ 2 %. All water-soluble fertilizers
were given as foliar spray at two crop growth stages (30 and 45 DAS). The highest yield (1582 kg ha-
1
) was recorded in treatment where KNO3@ 1% was applied as foliar spray along with the recommended
dose of NPKS and was at par with treatments T5(1574 kg ha-1). The protein content was found highest

in treatment T5(22.5%) followed by T7(22.1%), T8(22.1%) and T4(21.5%) and were significantly higher
than the other treatments.
Keywords: Green gram, Foliar fertilization, Protein content, Yield
Enhanced Nutrient use Efficiency for climate smart Agriculture

Deepak Kumar Chaudhary*
Department of Horticulture (Vegetable and Floriculture), Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: dksmile13.ds@gmail.com
Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is anidea of great significance in the evaluation of crop production
systems. It is greatly impact by fertilizer management as well as by soil- and plant-water management.
The goal of nutrient usage is to improve overall performance. of cropping systems by providing
economically optimum nourishment to the crop while minimizing nutrient losses from the field. NUE
addresses some but not all aspects of that performance. Therefore, system optimization goals
necessarily include overall productivity as well as NUE. Nutrient use efficiency can be expressed in
several ways: Four agronomic indices commonly used to describe nutrient use efficiency are: Partial
factor productivity, Agronomic efficiency, Apparent recovery efficiency and Physiological efficiency
(Baligar et al., 2015).The most appropriate expression of The question being inquired on the space -
time scale of concern for which valid data are available, influenced NUE. In this paper we suggest
techniques to increase nutrient use efficiency:-Fertigation,Nano-technology,Nutrient briquettes,Seed
priming, Use of nutrients, Use of amendments, Water management. Global temporal trends in NUE
vary by region. For N, P and K, partial nutrient balance (ratio of nutrients removed by crop harvest to
fertilizer nutrients applied) and partial factor productivity (crop production per unit of nutrient applied)
for Africa, North America, Europe, and the EU are trending upwards, while in Latin America, India, and
China they are trending downwards. Numerous management and environmental factors, including
plant water status, interact to influence NUE. In a similar way, plant nutrient status can markedly
influence water use efficiency.
Keywords: Four agronomic indices, Techniques to increase nutrient use efficiency
Rescheduling the Sources and Time of Zn and Fe Application Enhances the

Yield and Their Utilization in Edible Parts of Wheat Grains
Bholanath Saha*,1, D. K. Verma1, Md Shamim1, Vinay Kumar2,
Shweta Shambhavi3and V. B. Jha1
1
Dr. Kalam Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Arrabari, Kishanganj
2
Jute Research Station, Bihar Agricultural University, Katihar
3
Dept. of Soil Science, Bihar Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: bnsaha1@gmail.com
Nearly 50% of the cultivated soils in India are low in plant available Zn, these soils are under intensive
cultivation of wheat and rice with no or little application of Zn fertilizers, while in Bihar, on an average,
about 36% of cultivated soils are deficient in plant available Zn. Consequent upon our previous study
on possible depletion in Fe content in cereal grains due to established Zn-Fe antagonism, we
hypothesized to enrich both these important nutritional element in wheat grains through agronomic
biofortification of Zn and Fe. The seeds of three wheat varieties namely BRW 3708, HD 2967 and HD
3086 with same genetic make-up were collected from the gene bank maintained by All India Coordinated
Research project on Wheat of Indian Council of Agricultural Research at Bihar Agricultural University,
Bhagalpur, India. Highest grain yield was recorded with the treatment T3 i.e. soil plus foliar spray
(twice) of ZnSO4.7H2O along with foliar spray of FeSO4 twice followed by the application of ZNCPC
along with Fe-EDTA and nano ZnO spray along with Fe-EDTA. On an average, grain yield of the
tested wheat cultivars varied from 31.15 g/pot to 36.92 g/pot with a mean value of 35.22 g/pot. Highest
grain yield of 35.66 g/pot was recorded with the treatment T3 while the lowest grain yield of 34.08 g/pot
was recorded in T0 irrespective of the cultivars tested (Table 1). Application of Zn as basal (5 kg Zn ha-
1
) with two foliar spray @ 0.5 % ZnSO4.7H2O showed a significant increase of grain yield than other Zn
application protocols tested as well as no Zn treatment.On an average, Zn concentration in wheat
grains varied from 27.43 to 54.23 mg kg-1 with a mean value of 42.38 mg kg-1 upon different modes of
application of Zn and Fe. Results revealed that Fe concentration in wheat grains also varied widely
among the tested wheat cultivars. The highest native Fe concentration of 33.40 mg/kg was recorded
in the cultivar HD2967 while the lowest Fe concentration of 24.63 mg/kg was recorded in the cultivar
HD3086. Results also showed that there was an increase in available Zn content of soil in the treatment
where Zn was applied either in the form of ZnSO4.7H2O or ZNCPC.Results also revealed that the Fe
concentration in wheat grains also enhanced significantly upon application of Fe containing fertilizers
and such increase of Fe concentration was found highest with the application of Fe-EDTA as compared
to FeSO4.
Keywords: Zinc, Iron, NCPC, biofortification, Wheat
Efficient Phosphorus Management Strategies for Greengram under

Rainfed Agro-ecosystem
Sumit Sow* and Shivani Ranjan1
*,1
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University,
Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: sumitsow19@gmail.com
Phosphorus plays a key role in various physiological processes like root growth and dry matter
production, nodulation and in metabolic activities especially in protein synthesis. When phosphatic
fertilizersare added to soil in the form of available P2O5, it gets fixed in the soil and become unavailable
for plant growth. The role of microorganisms including PSB (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) and AM
(Arbuscular Mycorrhizae) is to solubilize and mobilizes inorganic phosphate in soil and making them
available to plants. Greengram (Vigna radiata L.) is grown by the farmers of dryland ecologies,
specifically in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. Greengram is
a short duration crop which is well suited for double cropping in rainfed agroecosystem and allows
sowing of oilseed crops viz. mustard and rapeseed on residual soil moisture. Pulses grownby small
and marginal farmers leads to low production as well as productivity. This is due to the fact that
farmerscould not pay needed attention due to high cost of modern agro-inputs. Hence, there exists a

huge gap between the demand and supply of the pulses in India. To mitigate this problem, there is
need for establishment of efficient phosphorus management for greengram under rainfed condition.
Phosphorus application at 75% RDP (30 kg ha-1) along with mung bean seed inoculation with bio-
fertilizers (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and PSB) on narrow beds along with farm yard manure can
be recommended under rainfed agroecosystem for optimum grain yield and to economize phosphorus
dose by 25%. Moreover, inoculation ofPSB like Pseudomonas striatawas found equivalent to
application ofsingle super phosphate in order tosupply 50 kg P2O5ha-1. Therefore, integrated
usedifferent microorganisms combinedwith phosphatic fertilizers canbe a sustainable strategy for
fetching betteryield of greengram and enriching soil fertility.
Keywords: Agroecosystem, Greengram, PSB, Soil fertility
Effect of Weed Management on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Chickpea

Birendra Kumar*,1, Sanju Kumari1, Lingutla Sirisha1 and Yogesh Datt1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: agrobacbr76@rediffmail.com
A field experiment was conducted to study the comparative performance of different pre and post
emergence herbicides on yield and nutrient uptake by weeds and chickpea. The treatments consist of
thirteen weed management practices at BAU farm, Sabour in Randomized Block Design replicated
thrice during Rabi season of 2020-21. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam having pH 7.51,
organic carbon 0.51%, Low in available Nitrogen (219.88 kg/ha), Phosphorus (35.46 kg P2O5/ha),
Potassium (149.8 kg K2O/ha). Among several weed control treatments highest grain yield (1.80 tha-1)
was found in weed free. Under different herbicides administered treatment, topramezone @ 25 g a.i. ha-
1
generated significantly higher yield (grain) which was on par to topramezone @ 20 g a.i. ha -1,
pendimethalin @ 1000 g a.i. ha-1 fb 1 HW and oxyfluorfen @ 100 g a.i. ha-1 fb 1 HW. The improved grain
yield in these treatments is due to lower weed density and higher WCE, as well as better yield
attributes. Nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) by chickpea was influenced
significantly by Pendimethalin @ 1000 g a.i. ha-1 fb 1 HW, oxyfluorfen @ 100 g a.i. ha-1 fb 1 HW,
topramezone @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 and topramezone @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 uptake was on par with weed free which
was statistically superior over other treatment. Such findings may be attributed to successful weed
control by various weed control treatments, which results in lower weed density and provides optimal
conditions for plant growth and production, resulting in higher nutrient uptake. Nutrient uptake by
different weeds flora enhanced as weed population increased. Weed free had least depletion of
nutrient by soil while, highest nutrients uptakewas noticed in weedy check. Pendimethalin @ 1000 g
a.i. ha-1 fb 1 HW, oxyfluorfen @ 100 g a.i. ha-1 fb 1 HW, topramezone @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 and topramezone
@ 20 g a.i. ha-1depleted next to weed free. It was mainly because weed free treatment reduces weed
density and crop weed competition, resulting in less nutrients losses by weeds.
Keywords: Chickpea, Oxyfluorfen, Pendimethalin, Topramezone, Weeds

Effect of Soil Application of Different Levels of Boron on Growth and

Productivity of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) in Lateritic Soils of West Bengal
Mamta Sahu*,1, M. C. Kundu1 and Mohammed Nisab C. P1
*,1
Department of S68oil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture),
Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan -731236, Birbhum, West Bengal, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: mamtasahu807@gmail.com
A field trial was conducted to study the impact of soil application of different levels of boron (B)at
different growth stages in improving the growth and productivityof rice (MTU1010) during the Kharif
season of 2020 and 2021 in the lateritic soils of West Bengal. Different levels of boron (0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg
ha-1) weresoil-appliedat the transplanting, tillering, booting, and heading stages as complete and in
split dosesalong withthe recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF). The split application of boron at
different growth stages improved the number of grains per panicle, test weight, grain yield, and
harvest index. Soil application of B @ 1.0 kgha-1both at 30 days after transplanting (DAT) and at 45
DAT produced significantly higher grain and straw yieldthan other treatments. The lowest grain yield
and straw yield were recordedin control, where no B was applied.
Keywords: Boron, Rice, Growth, Productivity, Lateritic soil
Direct Effect of Sulphur Application on Plant Growth and Yield of Kharif Rice
(Oryza sativa L.) in Lateritic Soils of West Bengal
C. P. Mohammed Nisab*, G.K Ghosh1 and Mamta Sahu1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture),
Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan -731236, Birbhum, West Bengal, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: mohdnisabcp@gmail.com
A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of sulphurfertilization on growth and yield of rice
during the kharif season of 2020 and 2021 in the lateritic soils of West Bengal. The present study
consist of four levels sulphurviz,S0: without Sulphur (control), S1: 20 kg ha–1, S2: 30 kg ha–1 and S3: 40
kg ha–1as soil application along with RDF at the time of transplanting.The results obtained fromthe
study showed that growth and yield of rice were significantly influenced by sulphur application.
Pooled data showed that the S2@30 kg ha–1recorded the tallest plant (127 cm) at harvest and maximum
tillers hill–1(14.2).S2@30 kg ha–1 also recorded the greater results on effective tillers hill–1 (13.16),
panicle length (26.84 cm), filled grains panicle–1 (139.46), 1000-grain weight (27.85 g), weight of grain,
straw and biological yield at harvest while without sulphur treatment(S0) obtained the lower results on
the above. The present findings recommended that soil application of 30 kg S ha–1at the time the time
of transplanting would be optimum level for getting the higher production of MTU 1010 rice in lateritic
soils of West Bengal.
Keywords: Lateritic, Sulphur, Rice, Test weight.

Physico-Chemical Characterization in Soils of Samastipur, Bihar

Jawed Akhtar*
Palli Siksha Bhavana, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati
*Corresponding author Email ID: hijawed.akhtar@gmail.com
An experiment was conducted in the department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Palli
Siksha Bhavana, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati on the 100 soil samples collected from the 8
villages of 5 blocks of Samastipur district in Bihar viz. Pusa, Tajpur, Kalyanpur, Warisnagar and Main
Block. Soil physico-chemical properties viz. pH, EC, OC and Soil texture have been observed with the
respective standard procedures. Macronutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium alongwith
micronutrients like Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper and Boron have been analyzed and correlations
between soil physico-chemical properties have also been found. It was found that the pH was in
alkaline range mainly due to the basic parent material from which the soils were developed whereas
most of the EC were in lower side and OC was found to be equal in almost all three ranges as farmers
mostly used FYM for crop cultivation. Nitrogen was found deficient in all the soil samples due to the
fact that volatilization takes place at higher temperature, whereas Phosphorus and Potassium was
mostly medium to higher in range. The micronutrients except Manganese were in mostly medium to
higher in range due to higher amount of clay present alongwith good quantity of Organic matter which
can hold large amount of nutrientswhereas in Manganese was lower to medium in range.
Keywords: Samastipur, Macronutrients, Phosphorus,
Split Application of Potassium in Rice for Sustainable Crop Production

Monika Niranjan*, Sunil Kumar1, Kasturika Sen Beura1, Chandani Rani1 and Priya Kumari1
*,1
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID:-monikaniranjan138@gmail.com
Rice crop requires an optimal level of potassium for higher yield and hence to increase the productivity
potassium management plays a key role. There is a traditional practice of applying the full dose of
potassium basally in paddy crop and very little information is availableabout the influence of split
application of K on crop growth, yield and its availability in soil. Many scientistshave noticed that rice
crop have need of potassium throughout the growth duration but with varying intensity, for example,
during germination and seedling stage the demand for K is less as compared to peak vegetative
growth stage and flowering. But in case of basal application thatmay not be available to the plants in
optimum quantity at the critical growth stages due to leaching losses, competition between
microorganisms, plants and K fixation in the clay minerals further reduces the availability of potassium.
Considering these points, to increase its efficacy field experiments were conducted in different
agroclimatic regions of world and result have shown that time of application of K is very importantin
order to realize maximum benefit from K application. In a study split application of K (half at transplanting
+ half at active tillering stage), gave a yield advantage compared with a single application at

transplanting. Similarly, at Raipur in vertisol, the splits application of 40 kg K2O ha-1 half at basal and
half at panicle initiation increased the grain yield. The on-farm multi location trial in six districts of
Pakistan showed that the split application of 62.5 kg ha-1 as 1/2 at basal and remaining 1/2 at 25 DAT
increased yield (4.73 t ha-1).The increased grain yield of rice was attributed to the continuous supply
of K during the crop growth period. In conclusion,the split application was found to be superior to the
single basal dose of potassium fertilizer and has positive impact on crop growth and economic
productivity.
Keywords: Basal dose, K fixation, Leaching, Potassium, Split application
Effect of Different Cropping Systems on Various Plant Nutrients with Depths

Vivek kumar1*, Munmun Majhi2, Sanjay Kumar Singh3, Mani Mesha Nand4,
Kumar Chiranjeeb5
*,1
Laboratory Technician, Department of Agronomy, RPCAU, Pusa, 2-P.hD Scholar, Department of
Soil Science, Viswa Bharti, Shantiniketan, 3-Department of Soil Science, TCA, Dholi, 4-Department of
Soil Science, RPCAU, Pusa, 5-P.h.D Scholar, Department of Soil Science, CSK, HPKV, Palampur
*Corresponding author Email ID: vkmoon2015@gmail.com
A trial was carried out at the research farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarpur, a
campus of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. In the farm, the different
kinds of cropping patterns have been practiced at the same piece of land for the last five years or more.
Each crop was grown with normal irrigation practice and recommended doses of fertilizer application,
i.e, without any stress condition. Available nitrogen varied from 120.13 to 300.11kg ha-1. The highest
amount of available nitrogen (300.11 kg ha-1) recorded under pigeon pea cropping system might be
due to deposition of plant biomass and biological nitrogen fixation. The maximum soil available
potassium (272.83 kg ha-1) was also reported in pigeon pea cropping system, whereas minimum in rice-
wheat cropping (95.82 kg ha-1). Variations in Olsen’s available phosphorus status in soil ranged from
12.59 to 18.77 kg ha-1 and it followed the order: pigeon pea> rice-wheat> onion-garlic> mustard–
moongbean> maize-maize> turmeric-moongbean> rice-potato> tuber-moongbean> fallow land. Mn
concentration was minimum in fallow lands than in other systems where cultivation was not performed.
It varies from 1.97 ppm to 6.66 ppm in surface soil. The available Cu concentration varied from 0.71ppm
to 2.28ppm and 0.60 ppm to 1.97ppm under different cropping systems in both soil depths. Wide
variability in zinc concentration under surface soil (0-15cm) was recorded under different cropping
systems. The build-up of DTPA-extractable zinc was recorded to be the highest in turmeric-moongbean
followed by onion-garlic systems. Other cropping systems contained below 1ppm. Fe varies from
2.86ppm to 7.91ppm in surface.

Economic Efficiency of Nutrient Use in Production of Katarni

Rice in Bhagalpur
Ramnath K. Ray*, Mukesh K. Wadhwani1, M Rahman1, Puja Sinha1 and Nitu Kumari1
*,1
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour, Bhagalpur - 813 210, India.
*Corresponding author Email ID: ramnathkumarray@gmail.com
“Katarni Rice” is the most prevalent and ceremonial fine rice of Bihar. It is famous for its aromatic
flavour, taste, palatability and chura (beaten rice) making qualities. It is being produced in selected
blocks namely Jagdishpur& Sultanganj in Bhagalpur; Amarpur, Rajaun& Barahat in Banka and Tarapur
& Asharganj in Munger district. The unique aroma in the Katarni grain comes only when it is grown
in these blocks. It has recently been given Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. katarni rice is facing the
threat of extinctiondespite its uniqueness. There has been significant decrease in the area of katarni
rice since 1991–92, mainly due to inefficient nutrient & water management, poor yield and adoption of
other high yielding rice varieties by the farmers. In view the above and other techno-economic
constraints this study was undertaken to investigateinto techno-economic constraints in its production.
The study is based on primary data (2017-18) collected from a sample of 90 growers selected randomly
from the Jagadishpur block of Bhagalpur district. The sample consisted of 15 marginal (less than 1.0 ha
land), 40 small (1.0 – 2.0 ha land) and 35 medium/large (more than 2.0 ha land) farmers. The economic
analysis was conducted using Cost Concept of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP),
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, GoI while the constraints were analysed using
GarrettsRanking Technique. The economic efficiency was estimated with the help of Cob-Douglas
production function considering value of produce as dependent and of the nutrients as independent
factor. It was found that on overall basis all categories of farmers was using less nitrogen (41.37
percent) than the recommended dose whereas phosphorus and potash was used 22.24 and 37.60
percent more as compared to recommended dose. This imbalance use of nutrient directly affected the
yield. The yield gap on marginal farms was 27.55 percentranging from 15.77 to 27.55 percent among
three categories of farms. The cost of nutrient above estimated as 22.82 percent (Rs 20713 per ha) of
the total material cost incurred in cultivation of Katarni rice on selected farms. Among constraints,
availability of DAP was reported by majority of the farmers (62.27 Garrett Score)followed by Urea
(55.73 GS) and Murate of Potash (41.53 GS). The availability of irrigation water was also found to be an
important constraint in cultivation of katarni rice. The study suggests that to protect this precious
rice variety from extinction and safeguard interest of various stakeholders associated with this crop, the
farmers in general and katarni growers in particular need to be trained on scientific cultivation of this
crop with supply of quality seed. The katarni growers are also required to be organised to form
Producers’ Association to ensure better price of their produce.
Keywords : Garrett Ranking Technique, Nutrients Use Efficiency, Cobb Douglas, Techno-Economics
Constraint

Phosphorus Nutrient Management for Sustainable Agriculture

Sushma Kumari*, Binod Kumar Vimal1, Ragini Kumari1 and Chandni Rani1
*,1
Sabour, Bhagalpur, 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: sushmaswati111@gmail.com
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient used by the plants for their physiological and biochemical
functions. Major function of phosphorus is transformation and storage of energy. Phosphate rock is
the major source of organic phosphate fertilizer but it is becoming limited in both developing and
developed countries. The resources of phosphate rock need to be conserved. Continuous change in
climate creates new challenges in the management of nutrients including phosphorus, which affects
directly to the overall production of crops. And these changes results in fluctuation of temperature,
pH, drought and increased Co2 concentration influenced the availability, acquisition, and translocation
of phosphorus. Translocation and uptake of phosphorus reduces due to both rise and fall in temperature.
Higher soil pH affects phosphorus concentration and decreases the rate of plant phosphorus uptake
while Low soil pH decreases the activity of soil microorganisms, the rate of transpiration, and utilization
and uptake of phosphorus. Concentration of CO2increases, phosphorus uptake by the plants decreases.
Increased temperature decreases decomposition rate of organic matter and phosphorus release, leading
to enhanced accumulation of unavailable phosphorus in the soil. After all these above information it
comes to know that we should recycle and use phosphorus very efficiently. Phosphorus management
strategies are required to secure the phosphorus supply to ensure long-term protection of soil fertility,
avoid environmental impacts such as eutrophication and water pollution, so that agriculture remains
sustainable and ensuring sustainable food production.
Keywords: Climate change, Phosphorus Nutrient Management, Sustainable Agriculture
Effect of Zinc Application Methods and Irrigation Scheduling on

Transplanted Summer Rice in Lateritic Soil
Rahul Kumar Gupta* and Kalipada Pramanik1
*,1
Department of Agronomy, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture),
Visva-Bharati Sriniketan – 731236, West Bengal, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: rahul1210082@gmail.com
“Rice is life” like “water is life” is an appropriate saying for South East Asia as this crop plays a vital
role in world food security and livelihood for a million of rural households. Rice needs lots of water.
Therefore, appropriate irrigation scheduling is very much important in irrigated rice crop, particularly
during summer season due to intense hot climate. Zinc is essential micronutrient for plants, animals,
and human beings. Therefore, its deficiency is a well-known problem in animals, human beings, and
crops universal. In human Zn deficiency rank is third after iron and vitamin A deficiency. Zn deficiency
is widely spread in rice soils of India, and has negative impact of national food production.In this back
ground, a field experiment was conducted during 2020-21 in summer season where transplanted rice

(cv: MTU 1010) was taken as test crop. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, treatments
consist of fourirrigation regimes i.e. I1: Irrigation of 5.0 cm, when water level falls below 5.0 cm from soil
surface in the perforated PVC water tube, I2: Irrigation of 5 cm at one day after disappearance of
ponded water, I3: Irrigation of 5 cm at three days after disappearance of ponded water and I4: Irrigation
of 5 cm at hair crack stage of the soil in main plotswhereas five agronomic biofortification of zinci.e.
control (Zn0), soil application ofZnSO4@25 kg ha-1 (Zn1), foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.5%(Zn2),
seed priming of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%(Zn3) and nursery root dipping with 0.5% ZnSO4 (Zn4).The result
showed that irrigation of 5 cm at one day after disappearance of ponded water(I2) recorded higher
yield components and grain yield over irrigation of 5.0 cm, when water level falls below 5.0 cm from soil
surface in the perforated PVC water tube (I1) however at par with irrigation of 5 cm at three days after
disappearance of ponded water(I3), and irrigation of 5 cm at hair crack stage of the soil (I4). On the
other hand, ZnSO4 application as soil @ 25 kgha-1 (Zn1), foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% (Zn2), seed
priming of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% (Zn3), and as nursery root dipping of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% (Zn4) recorded significantly
higher yield components and grain yield over control (Zn0). Zinc application through seed priming @
0.3% (Zn3) and nursery root dipping of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% (Zn4) recorded maximum yield components and
grain and grain yield overother zinc treatments.
Keywords: Foliar, Priming, Irrigation scheduling, Root Dripping, Transplanted rice, Zinc sulphate
Delineation of Secondary and Micronutrients in Soils of Different

Blocks of Hamirpur District (U.P.)
Diksha Shukla1, Prinsu Singh1, Rahul Prajapati1, Kshitij Tiwari1, Anil Kumar1
and Arvind K. Shukla2*
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Chandra Shekar Azad University of
Agriculture and Technology Kanpur-208 002, UP India
2*
Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal-462 038, MP India
*Corresponding author Email ID: arvind.shukla@icar.gov.in
Hamirpur district located at Bundelkhand region, have seven blocks and having different soil conditions.
The soils of the district were normal to moderate alkaline in reaction (pH 5.69-9.11). The highest mean
value was recorded in soils from block Moudaha with a value 9.11pH whilethelowest mean value of
5.69pH wasrecorded from block of Muskara.Total number of soil sample collected from the district
Hamirpur were 320 in 2018-19.All the samples were analysed in the laboratory for the analysis of
sulphur, Zn, Mn, Cu & Fe in the soils and also analyse O.C. per cent and EC. The results revealed that
soils were low in soluble salt concentration with EC valueranging from 0.06-0.46 dSm-1. The O.C.
percent of the soils ranged from 0.01 to 1.60 percent with anoverall mean valueof 0.47percent. The
secondary nutrient in soil e.g. sulphur ranged from 2.87-61.78 mgkg-1whereas Zincranged From0.17-
2.56mgkg-1, Iron in soilsamples rangedfrom 1.62 to 31.14 mgkg-1while Copper in the soil ranged from
0.17-3.05 mgkg-1whereas Manganese ranged from 1.37-32.53 mgkg-1and Boron rangedfrom 0.04-3.16
mgkg-1.
Key Words: Boron, Copper, Iron, Sulphur, Zinc

Delineation of Secondary and Micronutrients in Soils of Different Blocks

of District, Jhansi (U.P.)
Prinsu Singh1, Diksha Shukla1, Rahul Prajapati1, Kshitij Tiwari1, Anil Kumar1
and Arvind K. Shukla2*
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Chandra Shekar Azad University of
Agriculture and Technology Kanpur-208 002, UP India
2*
Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal-462 038, MP India
*Corresponding author Email ID: arvind.shukla@icar.gov.in
Jhansi district situated at Bundelkhand region its have eight blocks having different soil conditions.
The soils of the district Jhansi were normal to moderate alkaline in reaction. Themean value of pH was
7.78. The highest mean value of pH (10.20) was recorded in soils from block Chirgaon while the lowest
mean valueof pH (6.16) was also recorded from block of Chirgaon. Total number of soil sample
collected from district Jhansi were 511 in 2019-20. All the samples were analysed in the laboratory for
the analysis of S, Zn, Mn, Cu & Fe in the soil and also analyse OCper cent and EC. The results revealed
that soil were low in soluble salt concentration with EC value rangingfrom 0.02-0.46 dSm-1. The OC per
cent of the soil samples ranged from 0.007-1.43 per cent with an overall mean value of 0.53 per cent.
The secondary nutrient in soil like sulphur ranged from 0.12-80.25 mgkg-1whereas in micronutrients;
Zinc ranged from 0.04-3.06mgkg-1, Iron in soil samples ranged from 3.18 to 31.79mgkg-1while Copper in
the soil ranged from 0.15-3.48mgkg-1whereas Manganese ranged from 2.11-33.20mgkg-1and Boron
ranged from 0.02-7.32mgkg-1.
Keywords: Boron, Copper, Iron, Sulphur, Zinc
Effect of Mode of Micronutrients Application on Micronutrient

Availability in Sandy Loam Soil
Archana Verma*,1, Uday Pratap Shahi2, Suman Lata1 and Satdev1
*,1
Ph.D. Deptt. Of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SVPUA&T, Meerut, Pin: 250110
Corresponding author Email ID: varchana976@gmail.com
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season 2018 to evaluate the effect of mode of
micronutrients application on micronutrient availabilityin sandy loam soil. The soil of the experimental
field was well drained, sandy loam in texture, neutral to alkaline in reaction (pH 7.60), low in available
nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium with an electrical conductivity
0.21 dSm-1. Nine treatments consisting of micronutrients (Zn, Fe and B) viz T1 [Control (NPK)], T2
(ZnSO4@ 25 kg/h), T3 (Fe SO4@ 40 kg/ha), T4 (Borax@ 10 kg/ha), T5 (ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax), T6 (foliar
spray ZnSO4@0.5%), T7 (foliar spray FeSO4 @1%), T8 (foliar spray Borax@0.2%), T9 (foliar spray
ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax) were tested in randomized block design with three replications. NPK was
commonly applied in all the plots. The data on growth, yield and its contributing traits were calculated
on plot area basis (12.6 m2), whereas content and uptake of nutrients alongwith available N, P, K, Zn,

B and Fe was recorded as per the standard procedure. It has been found that soil and foliar application
of ZnSO4+FeSO4+ Borax along with the recommended dose of NPK improved organic carbon of soil.
The combined soil application of ZnSO4+ FeSO4+ Borax i.e., T5 proved to be better for maintaining the
micronutrient status of soil. Therefore, the combined application of various micronutrients should be
taken into consideration.
Keywords: sandy loam, alkaline, foliar spray, micronutrients
Sustainability Issues in Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Abhishek Kumar Gandhi*,1, Saloni Kumari1 and Ankur Kumar Rai2
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry
2
Department of Horticulture (Fruit and Fruit Technology)
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: abhishekgandhi993995@gmail.com
The South Asian rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is labor-intensive, water-intensive, capital-
intensive, and energy-intensive, and has become less viable as these resources have become scarce.
This might be exacerbated by deteriorating soil structure, falling subsurface water, and lower land and
water productivity, all of which pose a challenge to the region’s ability to develop sustainable and
lucrative RWCS. A paradigm shift is necessary to improve the profits, production, and long-term
viability of this sequence. For this goal, scientists advocated a variety of resource-conserving
technologies (RCTs), including zero tillage, laser levelling, irrigation based on soil matric potential,
bed planting, direct sowing, rice mechanical transplanting, and crop diversification. These technologies
are site-specific, hence soil texture and agro-climatic factors must be addressed when choosing an
RCT for a certain region. A single approach/RCT may not be sufficient to address the looming problem
of producing more food grains with limited water and land. As a result, an integrated strategy is
required. However, before implementing any strategy, several RWCS-related concerns must be
identified, examined, and handled holistically. In this review, an attempt was made to highlight various
issues that have arisen as a result of the region’s intensive rice–wheat cropping sequence, which
must be considered when framing and implementing any integrated approach/project such as
conservation agriculture to improve the region’s RWCS productions, profits, and sustainability.
Keywords: RCT, RWCS, soil conservation, sustainability.
Optimizing Timing of Potassium Application in Productivity

Enhancement of Rice
Kumar Ashish*, Ayush Singh1 and Rishu Kumar1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID – kumarashish415@gmail.com
Potassium is the most prevalent plant nutrient in soils among the major plant nutrients. Due to
variances in parent material origin, mineralogical make-up, and variation in easily available and non-

exchangeable K reserves, Indian soils vary greatly in their K status, and how the soils are predicted to
behave becomes the most essential aspect in terms of K nutrition. When it comes to crop plants, there
are a few things to consider. The use of K is indicated by the insignificant response up to a particular
range level of K application. K was introduced to help it satisfy its unmet K hunger. When the level of
K reaches a certain point, the effective response to K application kicks in supplies the soil’s K needs.
The timing of fertiliser application can have a big impact on crop response. Under modern intensive
agriculture, the current practise of applying a basal dose of K has not considerably increased rice
output, particularly in Vertisol. Several studies in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura have found
that splits have a positive impact. K application Rice reaction to administered K on a Vertisol at Raipur
revealed that 40 kg K2O ha-1 was applied in two splits. Rice grain yield was dramatically boosted at the
basal and panicle initiation stages. Potassium is applied at a rate of 50% at the time of transplanting.
In Malanad, where light textured soils and high rainfall conditions exist, planting 50 percent at panicle
initiation with N is recommended are very common. Potassium can thus be applied in 1-3 split
applications, depending on soil K buffering qualities, crop establishment strategy and the usefulness
of K in lowering pest and disease incidence in the local area. Experiments in Cauvery delta regions
(Vertisols) with fertiliser K rate, time, and method of application revealed that applying K fertilisers one
week before N topdressing increased rice yields and N recovery efficiency on clay soils (290.0 kg ha-
1 NH4OAc - K) with high K+ and NH4 + fixation potential. In both the kharif and rabi seasons, basal
skipping of K2O and applying the complete amount of K2O with two equal splits resulted in greater
rice growth, grain, and straw yields. In soils with a middling K status, basal skipping of K and
administering K in two equal splits resulted in the highest N and K uptake in grain and straw yields. In
high-K soils, application of 120:38:38 kg N, P2O5, and K2O in SRI rice resulted in basal skipping of
K2O and application of the entire K2O in three equal splits at early tillering, active tillering, and panicle
initiation stages, resulting in higher grain and straw yields in both the kharif and rabi seasons.
Keywords : Potassium status, K response, K hunger, K nutrition in rice, split application of K
Influence of Nutrient Management on the Variability of Fertile Soils

Naveen Kumar*,1, Yogesh Dutt2, Anuj3, Ravinder Kumar3, Jaipal4 and Naseeb Choudhary5
*,1
Department of Soil Science, BAU, Sabour, 2Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour
3
Department of Plant Pathology, SKRAU, Bikaner
4
Department of Extension Education, ANDUAT, Ayodhya
5
Department of Agricultural Economics, CCS HAU, Hisar
*Corresponding author Email ID: nb09469@gmail.com
An improved understanding of variability in fertile soil and farmers’ resource use strategies is required
for targeting soil fertility improving technologies for different niches within farms. Variability is driven
by soil-forming factors, such as, underlying geology and position on the landscape, jointly termed the
‘soilscape’. Differences in the wealth status of the farmers contribute significantly to the variability of
fertilizer use, as the richer farmers purchase and use larger amounts of mineral fertilizers. Smallholder
farms consist of multiple plots managed differently in terms of allocation of crops, fertilizers, and
labour resources; making within farm soil fertility gradients caused by management strategies a

common feature. Both organic and mineral fertilizer resources are preferentially allocated to the part of
the farm used for growing the main food security crop, often close to the homestead, whilst plots
further away are neglected. Such management decisions culminate in the creation of gradients of
decreasing soil fertility with distance from the homestead. The underlying reasons for targeting
nutrient resources to few fields are not fully understood, but important factors include farm size,
distance of different plots from the homestead, restricted availability of fertilizers and manures,
availability and efficiency of labour use, risk of theft, and the need to reduce the risk associated with
erratic rainfall. Availability of organic and mineral nutrient resources, their management under spatially
variable soil fertility conditions has consequences on the soil resource base, cropping patterns and
crop yields on smallholder farms. Understanding the spatial and temporal resource use strategies by
farmers is necessary as a foundation for designing relevant and sustainable interventions to improve
resource use efficiency at the farm level. Few studies have also been undertaken to assess the effects
of resource endowment on farmers’ decisions in terms of allocation of different cropping activities to
different plots.
Keywords: Soil fertility gradients; Resource allocation; Farmer decision making; Nutrient
use efficiencies.
Assessment Trial of Different Cropping System in Sahabad Region of Bihar

Rama Kant Singh*, R. K. Jalaj1, Ratan Kumar1 and H.P. Sharma1
*,1
Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bikramganj, Rohtas
Bihar Agricultural University Sabour, Bhagalpur
*Corresponding author Email ID: rksbau555@gmail.com
Rice-wheat cropping system is dominat in southern part of Bihar. Long duration paddy varieties are
generally grown in this part with assured irrigation from canal system. The productivity of rice is
highest in Sahabad region of south Bihar comprising of Ara, Buxar, Rohtas and Kaimur districts. An
assessment trial has been conducted for different cropping system by KVK Rohtas. Rice-wheat-green
gram and rice-lentil-green gram cropping system was compared with existing practices during year
2021-22. The trial was conducted in 5 blocks covering 120 different locations with 250-acre area.
Economic analysis and energy evaluation were evaluated for these cropping system change. The
benefit cost ratio of rice-wheat-green gram and rice-lentil-green gram system were increased by 25.38
% and 32.27 % respectively as compared to existing cropping system (rice-wheat cropping system).
Rice-lentil-green gram cropping system has least energy input as compared to others. The environmental
load ratio decreased by 14.21 to 47.35 % when rice-wheat-green gram or rice –lentil-green gram
cropping system changed from rice-wheat. The energy sustainability indexes increased by 24.26 to
72.19% in both trials. Rice-wheat had a much lower grain yield 51.24 % as compared to both cropping
systems. Grain yield of rice-wheat-green gram and rice-lentil-green gram were at par. The results
suggest that rice-lentil-green gram is more suitable cropping system for Sahabad region of Bihar.
Keywords: cropping system, energy input, benefit cost ratio, economic analysis

Technical Session II
Microbe-mediated and biotechnological approaches
for efficient nutrient management

PGPR Activity of Native Rhizobium sp. on Nodular Properties, Leaf

Chlorophyll Content and P Uptake in Redgram grown in Alfisols,
Inceptisols and Vertisols of Sub-tropical India
Debadatta Sethi*,1 and Sushanta Kumar Pattanayak2
*,1
OUAT: Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, G. Udayagiri,
Kandhamal, Odisha, 762100, India
2
OUAT: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture,
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751003, India
*
Corresponding author Email ID: debadattaouat@gmail.com
Rhizobium sp.isa potent micro-organism for fixing atmospheric Na”N into root nodule and also utilized
as PGPR. In this work, the native strains of Rhizobium sp. were isolated and identified for biological
nitrogen fixation (BNF) and found that these native strains were able to solubilize P in laboratory
condition, during characterization. Hence we have tried to utilize these isolated in three different sites
of red gram growing areas of Odisha in four different conditions viz; control, -NPK, -P, -N and +NPK.
The soil orders of three sites are Alfisols, Inceptisols and Vertisolsand the used strains CHRS-7, RAB-
1 and RAN- were isolated from Alfisols, Inceptisols and Vertisols, respectively. The total number of
nodules plant-1 was highest in the treatment where native strain was inoculated without N followed by
without NPK, with NPK and without P. The number of effective nodule, effective nodule (%),
leghaemoglobin content and nodular weight were highest in the treatment where native strain inoculate
without N followed by with NPK, without NPK and without P. Similar trendwas observed in non-
native strains but the values were lower than the native strain inoculated treatments. The chlorophyll-
a, chlorophyll-b and chlorophyll a:b of red gram leaf was highest in native strain inoculated treatments
with NPK followed by without P, without N and without NPK. Similar trend was also observed in the
non-native strains but numerical values were significantly lower than native strain. The seed yield, P
concentration and uptake varied between 1025 and 1689 kg ha-1, 0.35 and 0.61%, 6 and 11 kg ha-1,
respectively. The siliqua yield, P concentration and uptake were varied between 70 and 89 kg ha-1, 0.11
and 0.16%, 3.2 and 4.6 kg ha-1. The highestvalues were recorded in the treatment where native strain
of Rhizobium sp.was inoculated with NPK followed by -P, -N and -NPK. Similar trendwas observed in
all the isolates in all the sites. The P uptake by red gram plant varied between 11.3 and 18.6 kg ha 1.
Keywords: Native Strains, Red gram, Rhizobium, Siliqua, Soil orders

Genotypic response of garlic to different fertilizer levels for yield

and quality production
Sangeeta Shree1*, Manisha Kumari1, Vijay Kumar Singh3 and Rajeev Padbhushan4
123
*Department of Horticulture (Veg. and Flori.), BAC, Sabour
4
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAC, Sabour Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour - 813 210, Bhagalpur
*Corresponding author Email ID: sangeeetashreee@gmail.com
Garlic (Allium sativumL.) is considered as one of the most important bulb vegetable in Amaryllidaceae
family. Garlic enjoys almost universal cultivation for its valuable bulb used as food additive for both
its flavour and medicinal effects. Productivity of garlic in India is comparatively low as compared to
world. So, due attention is required for improvement of the plant growth and yield with the application
of balanced and optimum dose of different fertilizers. Nutrient needs of a crop is dependent on its
physiological requirements and yield potentials, thus, balance fertilizer is the basis of more production.
Use of high yielding cultivar is the most important consideration for boosting production of any crop.
The production of garlic can be greatly increased by identifying suitable genotypes responsive to
optimum dose of fertilizers. Keeping these facts under consideration, experiment was conducted to
study the genotypic response of garlic to different fertilizer levels. The treatment consisted of three
fertilizer levels, F1-(N100:P80:K80), F2-(N120:P90:K90), F3(N140:P100:K100). There were five different garlic
genotypes under study, viz., BRG-13, BRG-14, BRG-1, G-1 and G- in the experiment. Thus total numbers
of treatment combinations were 15. The design of experiment was Split Plot Design and there were
three replications. The genotype BRG-13 grown under the fertility level F2 performed significantly
superior with respect to important growth attributes and the yield and yield attributing traits. The
genotype BRG14 was the next best performer with respect to growth yield and quality in comparison
with the rest of the genotypes under study. The growth, yield and economic potential of garlic
increased in response to the combined application of 120 kg N + 90 kg P + 90 kg K ha-1 with a benefit
cost ratio of 4.51 on the treatment, (F2-NPK-120:90:90+ BRG-13). It could thus be concluded that
application of 120 kg N + 90 kg P + 90 kg K ha-1 for cultivation of BRG13 was optimum and economical
to attain maximum productivity of the garlic.
Keywords: Garlic, Fertilizers, Growth, Yield, Genotypes
Response of RhizobiumSp. and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB)on

Nodulation, Growth and Yield of Chickpea in Alluvial Soil
Mahendra Singh*, Amit Kumar Pradhan1, Rajiv Rakshit1, Kasturikasen Beura1
and ArchanaVerma
*,1
Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour-813210, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: m.singh30648@gmail.com
Research work was initiated at Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural
University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar. The research involved isolation, characterization and evaluation

of Rhizobium sp. and PSB. Rhizobium bangladeshense strain BAUMS5 andBacillus aryabhattaistrain
BAUMS6 was identified with 16S rRNA sequencing. The formulations have been developed and
evaluated in pot as well as in field conditions. The nodule number, nodule fresh weight (mg plant-1)
and nodule dry weight (mg plant-1) was recorded maximum under the inoculation of developed liquid
Rhizobium bangladeshenseformulation and also produced 16.76 q ha- 1 grain yield which was
significantly higher than control treatment in pot experiment. Further, the results of pot experiment
were validated through two years (2018-19 and 2019-20) field experiment, which revealed that the seed
co-inoculation with Rhizobium bangladeshense strain BAUMS5@5 ml kg -1 seed + Bacillus
aryabhattai strain BAUMS6@25 g kg-1 seed75%N + 100%P significantly increased the nitrogen
availability (kg ha-1 ) when compared with control treatment and numerically higher with the application
of Rhizobium bangladeshense strain BAUMS5(Solid) @25 g kg-1 seed + Bacillus aryabhattai strain
BAUMS6@ 25 g kg-1 seed +75%NP. The similar trends were obtained with phosphorus and potassium
availability in soil. The co-inoculation with Rhizobium bangladeshense strain BAUMS5 and Bacillus
aryabhattai strain BAUMS6 also gave maximum uptake of NPK by chickpea grain and straw. Similarly,
when it was compared with co-inoculation of solid preparations and found that the grain yield of
chickpea was higher by 13.06% when compared with the application of solid Rhizobium
bangladeshense strain BAUMS5 @25 g kg-1 seed and Bacillus aryabhattai strain BAUMS61@ 25 g
kg1 seed.
Keywords: Bacillus, Rhizobium,Chickpea, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
Influence of Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizer on Dynamics of

Potassium under Kharif Onion
Priyanka Kumari*, Arun Kumar Jha1, Gopal Kumar1
*,1
Sabour-813210, Bhagalpur (Bihar, India)
*Corresponding author Email ID: priyankakumari101037@gmail.com
Of all essential plant nutrient, potassium(K) is third most likely, after nitrogen and phosphorus to limit
plant productivity. Production and productivity of onion is very sensitive to potassium nutrition.
Thus, it has become essential to replenish the reserve of potassium which are removed or lost from the
soil. The effect of organic and inorganic sources of potassium alone or in combination on K+ dynamics
and its influence on productivity of kharif onion is required to be studied to increase area and
production of the onion crop in the state. To achieve the work under this direction, one field experiment
was conducted in split plot design with 15 treatments and 3 replications at Bihar Agricultural College
Farm of BAU, Sabour, and Bhagalpur.Three planting methods (T1: Flat bed, T2: Raised bed and T3:
Ridge bed) and five nutritional modules (C1: Control, C2: 100% KFert., C3: 100%KVC,C4: 50% KFert. + 50%
KVC and C5: 75% KFert. + 25% KVC) where allocated in main and sub-plots respectively. Different forms
like Water soluble K+(WSK), Exchangeable K+(EK) and Non-exchangeable K+ (NEK) increased up to
35 days stage of plant growth and decreased than after. However, highest amount of water-soluble K+
(22.05 mg kg-1), exchangeable K+ (82.23 mg kg-1) and Non-exchangeable K+ (822.75 mg kg-1) were

recorded with C4 treatments. It might be due to combined application of vermicompost with inorganic
source of potassium fertilizer.During decomposition of vermicompost, it releases organic acid and this
acid reacts with the clay minerals which leads to reduction in potassium fixation resulting increase the
K. The total K+ (TK)content was not influenced by organic and inorganic source of potassium at
different days after transplanting.
Key words: Potassium, Vermicompost, Fertilizer, Kharif Onion
Effect of Combined Use of Mineral Fertilizers and Organic Manures on Yield

and Phosphorus Concentration in Tomato Crop
Ragini Kumari*, Bipin Kumar1, Rajkishore Kumar1, B. K. Vimal1, Y. K. Singh1,
Anshuman Kohli1 and A. K. Jha1
1*
Sabour, Bhagalpur
*Corresponding author Email ID: drrkbaus@yahoo.in
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is one of the leading vegetable crops in world and also in
India. It is the rich source of ascorbic acid, sugar, calcium, and vitamins, making them an important
ingredient of the human diet. Tomato yield and quality can be improved by applying organic manures
alongwith mineral fertilizers. Use of recommended inorganic fertilizers with certain organics, such as
farmyard manure and presssmud compost can reduce the harmful impacts of chemical farming on soil,
environment and human health. Phosphorus is one of the important essential macronutrients supplied
through chemical fertilizers and organic manures required for improving soil and crop health. Keeping
this in view, a field experiment was carried out to understand the effect of combined use of mineral
fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM) and pressmud compost on availability of phosphorus (P) in
tomato crop at Bihar Agricultural University’s Vegetable Research Farm in Sabour, Bhagalpur. This
study was done using split plot design with two main plots (farmyard manure and pressmud compost)
and five subplot levels of treatment (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 MT ha-1 organic manure alongwith 100% NPK)
replicated thrice. Result showed that the concentration of P in leaf andfruit was highest in the treatment
supplied with full dose of inorganic fertilizer (100% NPK) and 20 MT ha-1 organic manure from both
sources and was at par with the treatment supplied with full dose of NPK and 15 MT ha-1organicmanure.
The use of graded dose of organic manures in soil resulted into considerable increase in P content in
tomato plants due to microflora activation. The amount of soil available P improved significantly as
the dose of organics was increased alongwith 100% NPK. Study also showed that the pressmud
compost treated plot had marginally greater available P than the farmyard manure treated plot. Overall,
this can be concluded that combined use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manure can improve the
tomato yield and soil quality.
Keywords: Tomato, Farmyard manure, Pressmud compost, Organic manure

Carbon and Nitrogen Pools in Calcareous Soil is Influenced by Activated and

Inoculated Trash after Sugarcane Ratooning
Rajendra Bairwa*,1, C. K. Jha*, S.K. Thakur*, Mamta2, Satdev3
*,1Soil Science, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar
3
Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar
2
Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
Pusa, New Delhi
*
Corresponding author Email ID: rkchironjsoil@gmail.com
Studying the effect of sugarcane trash mulching methods in Calcareous soil to mitigate trash burning
and cut atmospheric pollution. A field research was formulated for sugarcane (Saccharumspp. Hybrid
complex) plant -ratoon system incalcareous soil at Crop Research Centre, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar, to see
the effect of various trashmanagement techniques viz., sugarcane trash incorporation and trash
mulching treatments activated withurea, FYM, vermicompost, and trash mulching treatments inoculated
with Trichoderma / Azotobacter +PSB along with control plot. RDF (170 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg
K2O ha-1) applied in all thetreatments. Soil carbon and nitrogen pools were significantly higher in
activated and inoculated trash after harvest of ratoon crop. CMI (125.34 % in trash inoculated with
Trichoderma viride) and NMI (109.22 % in trash inoculated with Trichoderma viride) were improved
in trash mulching treatments (activated and inoculated) and trash incorporation after two year as
compared to control.
Keywords: Mulching, Trichoderma, Carbon pools, Carbon management index, Trash

incorporation
Molecular Screening of Rice Genotypes for Low Soil Phosphorus Tolerance

using Pup1QTL Linked PCR-based Markers
Sweta Sinha*,1, Saurav Kumar1, Mankesh Kumar2, Satyendra2, Sareeta Nahakpam3
and Suresh Prasad Singh2
*,1
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar (813210), India
2
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Bihar Agricultural University,
3
Department of Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Bihar Agricultural University,
*Corresponding author Email ID: swetabaumbge@gmail.com
Rice is the staple food of over half the world’s population. However, the production of rice is hindered
by diminishing soil health by exhaustive use of fertilizers. The majority of soils in the rice-producing
areas are phosphorus deficient due to high phosphorus fixing capacity. Thus, limits access of plants
to phosphorus even if it is present in the soil. Therefore, the development of rice varieties with high
yield and sustain under low phosphorus conditions has become essential due to the scarcity of rock
phosphate, increasing phosphorus deficiency in the soil and high cost of phosphatic fertilizers. In
rice, the genetic variation for phosphorus use is reported and the study of this variation leads to the
identification of several genetic loci that influence phosphorus use efficiency. The availability of
molecular markers linked to Pup1QTL has accelerated the marker-assisted development of phosphorus
efficient rice varieties. In the present study, a set of 140 rice genotypes was screened for phosphorus
tolerance using available tightly linked molecular markers. The PCR based molecular markers,Pup-1
K46 and Pup-1 K29 were used to select the tolerant genotypes for phosphorus. The genotypes
identified in the study can be used as potential donors in marker assisted breeding programmes for
improving phosphorus tolerance in rice.
Keywords: Phosphorus, Pup1, Rice, Soil
Responses of Specific Enzymatic Activities within Soil Aggregates to a

34-Year Permanent Plot Experiment
Pallavi Bharti1 and Rajiv Rakshit2*
1
Sabour- 813 210, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
2
Present address: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Kanke,
Ranchi- 834 006, Jharkhand, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: rajivssaciari@gmail.com
The microbial composition within the various soil aggregate size fractions determines the potential for
the enzyme synthesis and production and thus any change in the microbial community due to the
addition of organic residues under integrated fertilizer management schedule should have a wide
impact on the level of soil enzyme activities. Keeping this hypothesis in view, a long term (rice-wheat)
experiment was targeted at Bihar Agricultural College (BAC), Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India with the
objectiveto quantify the specific enzymatic activities in association with different soil aggregate-size
fractions.We studied the distribution of specific soil enzymes, microbial biomass and soil organic
carbon across three aggregate classes (>2000 µm, 2000-250 µm and < 250 µm) from rice-wheat cropping
system.After wet aggregation, soil samples were analyzed for soil enzymes such as acid phosphatase
(AcP), alkaline phosphatase activity (AlkP), dehydrogenase (DHA), fluorescein diacetate hydrolyzing
capacity (FDA), and urease activity (UR). Furthermore, aggregates were specifically examined for
microbial biomass carbon and soil organic carbon to calculate specific enzyme activities.Application
of inorganic fertilizer with wheat straw over 34 years of application improves microbial carbon to the
tune of 51.79 to 52.82% when compared with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF); whereas
farm yard manure as an amendment improves soil organic carbon to the tune of 8.95 to 12.78% over
100% RDF.Across all the aggregates, application of green leaf manures increases the specific AcP,
AlkP and UR activities per unit OC by 41-63%, 61-80% and 13.88-21.66% respectively over 100% RDF.
The specific FDA activity per unit MBC follows the order: small macroaggregates> large
macroaggregates>microaggregates. Correlation study showed that specific enzyme activity per unit
OC was positively correlated with MBC of the soils across the entire aggregate size fraction.
Keywords: Aggregation, INM, Long-term, Rice-wheat, Soil Enzymes

Co-Inoculation of PGPRs Bacillus aryabhattai and Enterobacter cloacae

in Conjugation with ZnO-NP Affecting Phosphorus in Soil, Plant and
Various Forms
Mehjabeen*,1, M. Singh1 and Ghanshyam1
Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: mehajbeen556@gmail.com
A series of experiments consisting in-vitro lab analyses followed by field trials to establish a viable
PGPR biofertilizer catering to the needs of maize crop were conducted. For that, an array of 10 bacterial
strains (8 strains isolated from agricultural research farm, BAU, Sabour from root nodules of pea,
pigeon-pea, chickpea, lathyrus and rhizospheric soil of maize and 2 check strains procured from
Biofertilizer lab, BAU, Sabour) were characterized and evaluated to check the desirable characteristics
for the biofertilizer and PGPR activities. Isolates showing highest PGPR activities as per various in-
vitro studies were selected for field trials. Both of the strains Bacillus aryabhattai and Enterobacter
cloacae were found to be efficient phosphate-solubilizer qualitatively as well as quantitatively along
with growth at all durations of incubations. Field trials also confirmed that they promoted the maize
growth in the best possible way out of all the isolates. Plots treated with B. aryabhattai and E.
cloacaewith nano-zinc were observed to have higher phosphorus availability in soil with all the forms
of Phosphorus. The treatment caused maximum increase in available P (20.53 kg/ha), acidic (18.40 µg
PNP/g/h) and alkaline phosphatase activity (23.92 µg PNP/g/h). The same was responsible for maximum
amount of all fractions of phosphorus over rest of the treatments i.e., Soluble-P (34.98 ppm), Al-P
(42.38 ppm), Fe1-P (43.82 ppm), Ca-P (96.91 ppm), Fe1-P (38.12 ppm) and Residual-P (119.29 ppm)in
post-harvest soil. Phosphorus content and uptake was also enhanced in Maize plants with increase in
P content (0.4372, 0.3852%) in grain as well as straw. Grain and total Uptake of P (23.92, 34.22 kg/ha)
was also improved significantly in specified treatment. Hence, the isolates can be mass cultured
furthered to help increase the maize production in a sustainable manner.
Keywords: PGPR, phytohormones, Siderophores, P solubilisation
Effect of Rock Phosphate Enriched Vermicomposton Phosphorus Content in

Tomato (SolanumlycopersicumL.) and Its Effect on Rhizospheric Soil
Mukta Rani*,1, Priyankar Raha1 and Arun Kumar Jha2
1
Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, India
2
Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour-813 210, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: ranimukta28@gmail.com
Organic farming aims at providing quality food along with sustainability ofsoil. Apot experiment was
carried out at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of Institute of Agricultural

Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in clay loam (Inceptisol) soil during rabiseason, 2018-
2019with tomato cv. KashiVisheshusing farm yard manure (FYM) and rock phosphate enriched
vermicompost (VC). The experiment comprised of eleven treatments viz. T1 (control), T2 (FYM @ 4.5 g
kg-1 soil), T3 (FYM @ 9.0 g kg-1 soil), T4 (FYM @ 13.5 g kg-1 soil), T5 (VC @ 4.5 g kg-1 soil), T6 (VC @ 9.0
g kg-1 soil), T7 (VC @ 13.5 g kg-1 soil), T8 (50 percent N and recommended dose of P & K through
fertilizer + 50 per cent N through FYM), T9 (50 per cent N and recommended dose of P & K through
fertilizer + 50 per cent N through VC), T10 (50 per cent N and recommended dose of P & K through
fertilizer + 25 per cent N through FYM + 25 per cent N through VC) and T11 (N, P & K from commercial
fertilizer).Urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP) were used as commercial
fertilizers.Experiment finding showed significant phosphorus content and uptake by tomato crop at 30
and 45 days after transplanting (DAT) in T9 and T10 (integrated system). The residual availability of
phosphorus (P) in soil at 30 and 45 DAT was also significantly high in T9 and T10. While,T5 (VC @ 4.5
g kg-1 soil) and T7 (VC @ 13.5 g kg-1 soil) showed improvement in soil available P after harvest of crop.
Alkaline phosphatase activity in soil was highest in T7 (VC @ 13.5 g kg-1 soil) at 30 (254.3 µg PNP g-1
soil h-1), 45 (262.7 µg PNP g-1 soil h-1) and 170 DAT (261.0 µg PNP g-1 soil h-1).The study indicated that
the application of rock phosphate enriched vermicompostresulted in enhanced uptake of P by plantand
the performance of vermicompostin respect of the release and availability of P in soil amended @ 4.5
g kg-1 soil was comparatively better.
Keywords: Rock-phosphate enriched VC, Inceptisol, P uptake, Phosphatase activity, Tomato
Modeling Carbon Saturation in Different Pools of Organic Carbon in Soil

Anupam Das1,2,*, Biswapati Mandal2, Muneshwar Singh3, ,Paramita Deb2, SamratGhosh2,
Sanjay Kumar4, Sushant4, Suborna Roy Choudhury4, Rajiv Rakshit1
1
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210, India
2
Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya,
Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal-741252, India
3
ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal – 462038
Madhya Pradesh, India
4
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: anusoil22@gmail.com
The nature of behaviour of soils towards addition of carbon (C) and the resultant relationshipbetween
the carbon (TOC) stock and level of carbon (C) saturation in soils over a period still lies with the
empirical carbon pools. The estimation of soil carbon saturation with measurable soil carbon pools
still unaccounted. This study tried to elucidate the behavior of the above relationship for the nine
cropping systems, five soil orders and nine agro-ecological zones which was the representative of
Indian subcontinent. The present study was conducted with nine long-term fertility experiments
under All India Coordinated Research Project on Long-term Fertility Experiment. Results revealed that
the linear relationship between whole TOC concentration and fractions ofsoil organic carbon (SOC)
concentration indicates the lack of C saturation behavior, whereas fractions exhibiting either an

asymptotic or an exponential relationship are influenced by C saturation. This mathematical relationship
explicitly links the theory of C saturation to measurable C pools as a function of whole TOC
concentration. All the results indicated that the saturation phenomenon of soil depends not only on
the amount of clay+silt as proposed by earlier worker Six et al. (2002) and Hassink et al. (1997), but also
its niche, type and quantity of C inputs, climatic conditions etc. Results of the study also help us to
assess vulnerability of the saturated pools (very labile, labile) and the growth of non-labile one for a
net long-term sequestration of C in soils under different agro-climatic zones with different soil types
and cropping systems with varying niches.
Keywords: Soil organic Carbon, Carbon Saturation, Total organic carbon, Long-term experiment
Impact of Integrated Application of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) and

Nano Phosphorus Application upon Different Phosphorus Fractions in
Wheat Rhizosphere
Debjit Chakraborty*,1, Mahendra Singh1, Nintu Mandal1, Tushar Ranjan2 and
Ankesh Kumar Chanchal1
1
Sabour-813210, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
2
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour-813210, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID id: debjitc434@gmail.com
Phosphorus (P) ranks as the second most essential nutrient subsequent to nitrogen and plays an
imperative role in almost all biochemical processes occurring in the living system. P has different
pools in soils; both the inorganic and organic ones. Inorganic pools include aluminum bound P (Al-
P), iron bound P (Fe-P), calcium bound P (Ca-P) and residual P (Res-P). Among the organic pools there
are labile, moderately labile and non-labile pools of phosphorus. A pot experiment was conducted in
wheat rhizosphere inRabi season taking wheat variety HD-2967 as experimental crop variety in a
completely randomized design (CRD) showed that the integrated application of 50% RDP (Fertilizer)
+25% P (Nano P) soil application + PSB @0.335 µl kg-1 soil (Pseudomonas sp.(D2) +Pseudomonas
putida (D3) and 100% P (organic source)+PSB @0.335 µl kg-1 soil (Pseudomonas sp.(D2) +Pseudomonas
putida (D3) both were found to be statistically at par so for fractionation of inorganic phosphorus is
concerned but significantly increased different inorganic phosphorus fractions in comparison with
100% RDF (120:60:40), 100% RDP (Nano P) soil application and control while it was 100% P (organic
source)+PSB @0.335 µl kg-1 soil (Pseudomonas sp. (D2) +Pseudomonas putida (D3) which obtained
significantly better result in terms of organic phosphorus fractionation. Thus, the integrated treatment
of different phosphate solubilizing bacteria and nano phosphorus application can be a potent resource
in the context of sustainable phosphorus management.
Keywords: Biochemical, Organic and inorganic phosphorus fraction, Nano phosphorus.

Carbon Nanomaterial Induced Changes in Soil Microbial Resistance and

Resilience Against Heat Stress
Shagufta Yasmeen*,1, Rajiv Rakshit1 and Nintu Mandal1
*,1
Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: shagufi96@gmail.com
Agriculture is a critical aspect of the economy in developing countries. Global agricultural systems are
encountering challenges as a result of constantly rising population and climate change,so there is a
need to improve and optimise production in a sustainable manner. Ecosystem stability is an important
corollary of sustainability. Over time, the structure and function of a healthy ecosystem should remain
relatively stable, even in the face of disturbance. Soil microbial communities are thought to be at the
heart of all ecosystems, and their responses to perturbation are crucial in light of global change. There
has recently been a lot of buzz about using carbon nanotubes in crops for agricultural purposes due
to their improved physicochemical and thermal properties. The impact of multiwalled carbon nanotubes
(MWCNTs) on biological activity of soils will provide us with insight into how these materials alter
ecosystem function because fluctuations in the activity of soil microorganisms which has a direct or
indirect role in nutrient cycling is considered as a sensitive indicator of soil response to any stress.
Keeping this hypothesis in view, an incubation experiment of 90 days was conducted with varied
levels of MWCNT’s (0, 50, 100, 250 and 500 ppm) to evaluate its impact on soil enzymes. Further,
resistance and resilience of those biological parameters were calculated by providing heat stress.
Results from experiment showed the reduction of enzymatic activity after exposure to heat stress (7-
22 % in dehydrogenase activity, 4-27 % in acid phosphates activity, 7-33 % in alkaline phosphatase
and 10-26 % in FDA). Resistance indices were enhanced for all the studied enzymes; whereas there
was no recovery of soil enzymatic activities after 90 days of incubation.
Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, heat stress, resistance, resilience, soil enzyme, sustainability
Long-Term Effect of Nutrient Management on Soil Organic Carbon Pools

under a Double Rice Cropping System in an Inceptisol of Subtropical India
Samayita Basu
**Department of Agricultural Chemistryand Soil Science, BCKV, Mohanpur
*Corresponding author Email ID: samayitabasujhilik@gmail.com
Soil organic carbon is the key attribute of soil health and most widely used soil quality indicator,
whichimproves soil structure, aeration, water drainage and retention, and reduces the risk of soil
erosion and nutrient leaching. We hypothesized that long term imposition of different nutrient
management practices could bring significant changes in the content of SOC. This study aims to
quantify the distribution pattern of SOC pools with an objective to analysedepth wise variationand
correlation ofSOC pools with different soil properties. The soil samples were collected from Maruteru,

Andhra Pradeshat three depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm) from nine different treatments viz.,
1.Control2.50%RDF, 3.50%RDF+50%GM, 4. 50%RDF+50%FYM 5. 50%RDF+25%GM+25%FYM 6.
100%FYM 7. 100%RDF+FYM 8. 100%N and 9. 100%RDF.The samples were processed and analysed
using standard methods (Jackson, 1973; Walkley and Black,1934 method as described by Chan et al.,
2001 and Mandal et al., 2008). Results showed that the soils were clay loam texture, acidic to slightly
acidic in reaction (pH 5.57 to 6.21). The oxidizable organic carbon varied from 4.2 to 14.5 g kg-1following
a decreasing trend with depth. Control treatment contributed to higher SIC and LC. Treatment 5
(RDF+GM+FYM) helped to conserve higher amount of SOC in both AP and PP (17.71 and 24.28 %
higher than control, respectively), irrespective of soil depths. However, RDF + FYM treatment caused
greater accumulation of carbon in recalcitrant pool (NLC + LLC) over others indicating that FYM-C is
more resistant to microbial attack. Application of GM showed higher accumulation of LC. The content
of VLC, LC LLC and NLC were significantly high in surface soil (0-15 cm) and decreased along depth,
irrespective of treatments tested. All these carbon pools except SIC and NLC had significant positive
correlation with oxidizable organic carbon of the soil.
Keywords: Rice, soil organic carbon, Inceptisol, FYM
Effect of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and Blue Green Algae on

Phosphorus Nutrition in Hybrid Rice (Oryzasativa L.)”
Sunil Kumar*,1 and Smita Sinha1
1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: sunilsoilbau@gmail.com
A pot experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2020 in Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour,
Bhagalpur. The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of PSB and BGA application in soil on the
yield and nutrient uptake inhybrid rice along with changes in phosphorous fractions, physico-chemical
& microbial propertiesof post-harvest soil. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized
design with three replications. The treatments consisted of: T1:Control, T2:100% RDF, T3:75% RDF, T4:
100% RDF + PSB1 @ 750ml/ha,T5: 75% RDF + PSB1 @ 750ml/ha, T6: 100% RDF + BGA @ 10 kg/ha, T7:
75% RDF + BGA @ 10kg/ha, T8: 100% RDF + PSB1 @ 750ml/ha+ BGA @ 10kg/ha, T9: 75% RDF + PSB1
@ 750ml/ha+ BGA @ 10kg/ha, T10: 100% RDF + PSB2 @ 750 ml/ha, T11: 75% RDF + PSB2 @ 750 ml/ha,
T12: 100% RDF + PSB2 @ 750 ml/ha + BGA @ 10kg/ha and T13: 75% RDF + PSB2 @ 750 ml/ha + BGA
@ 10kg/ha. The results revealed thatthe grain and straw yield of hybrid rice and nutrient uptake
increased significantly when supplied with 100% RDF + PSB1 @ 750ml ha-1 + BGA @ 10kg ha-1(T8) as
compared to 100% RDF (T2). The apparent P recovery (%) was recorded highest under the treatment
T9 (75% RDF + PSB1 @ 750ml ha-1 + BGA @ 10kg ha-1). Among the P fractions, soluble P augmented
significantly but other fractions i.e.Fe/Al-P, Ca-P, Residual-P and total-P did not change statistically
due to application of PSB and BGA. Population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetesincreased
significantly upto15 CFU×107 g-1, 10 CFU×105 g-1 and 20.33 CFU×104 g-1 oven dry soil respectively,
whereas, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phoshphatase activity varied significantly and recorded
maximum values of 143.83 (µg TPF g-1 soil day-1), 12.63 and 29.64 (µg PNP g-1 soil hr1) under the
treatment T8 (100% RDF + PSB1 @ 750ml ha-1 + BGA @ 10kg ha-1). Combined application of PSB and

BGA along with 100 % RDF in the treatment T8enhanced the N, P, K, S, B and Zn content in soil
significantly and a build up was observed as compared to 100 % RDF with per cent increase of 21 %
(N), 20% (P2O5), 10% (K2O), 23% (S), 14% (B) and 13% (Zn).It can be concluded that, among the
treatments, T8: 100% RDF + PSB1 @ 750ml ha-1 + BGA @ 10kg ha-1 significantly influenced P nutrition
in hybrid rice and sustain soil health in the modern intensive agriculture.
Keywords: Phosphorus, PSB, BGA, hybrid rice, soil enzymatic activity
Biofertilizer : A Promising Tool for Enhancing Efficiency of Phosphorus

Ritwik Sahoo*,1 and Dinabandhu Samanta2
1
M.Sc. (Ag.) Scholar, Department of Plant Pathology, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India-813210.
2
M.Sc. (Ag.) Scholar, Department of Horticulture(Fruit and Fruit Technology), Bihar Agricultural
University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India- 813210.
*Corresponding author Email ID: ritwik98best@gmail.com
Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important macronutrientwhich is responsible for proper functioning
of the plantin every aspect of plant growth & development. Plants acquire Phosphorus as Phosphate
anion from soil. The mobility of Phosphorus in soil is very less.The low use efficiency of this element
(10-15%) also challenges the yield potential of the crops. Phosphorus (P) is present in soil in form of
organic and inorganic compounds – such as precipitated form as mono or ortho phosphate or is
absorbed by Fe or Al oxides through ligand exchange, among which most of them are inactive and
unavailable to the plants. Therefore, application of phosphatic fertilizers is important to reduce the
deficiency of Phosphorus. But farmers face difficulties to afford Phosphatic fertilizers due to its high
cost. Phosphate Solubilizing Microbes (PSM) as a biofertilizer, is capable of hydrolyzing organic and
inorganic insoluble compounds of phosphorus to soluble phosphorus form by lowering the soil pH
through microbial organic acid productionand mineralization of organic phosphorous by acid phosphate,
which is easily assimilated in plants. It provides an economically and ecofriendly sound approach to
overcome phosphorus deficiency. PSM is an important component in sustainable soil management
system, increasing crop production without imposing health and environmental hazards.Hence,
mechanism of enhancing efficiency of phosphorus by biofertilizers should be highlighted for
sustainable development in Agriculture.
Keywords: Ecofriendly approach, Mineralization, Phosphorus, PSM, Solubilization
Effective Utilization of Phosphatic Fertilizer Enriched with Organic

Manure and Bioinoculantsfor Sustainable Agriculture
Mamata1*, SaritaChoudhary1, Parkash Chand Gurjar1 and Narendra Kumar Bhinda1
1
Ph.D Research Scholar, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan
*
Corresponding author Email ID: mamta442255@gmail.com
Phosphorus (P) is essentially required for biological growth and development.Its significance is
apparent in several physiological and biochemical plant activities like photosynthesis, transformation

of sugar to starch and transportation of genetic traits.Rock phosphate (RP), a naturally occurring
mineral source of insoluble phosphate is much less expensive than soluble phosphatic fertilizers.Low
bioavailability of P in soil from the applied phosphatic fertilizers due to fixation/precipitation is
considered the most critical factor in limiting optimum crop yields. Thus availability of alternate and
cheap P resources is imperative for sustainable crop production and is a dire need of the hour. Rock
phosphate (RP) is a cheap source of P but cannot be used directly as a soil amendment because of its
very poor water solubility (0.1%). However, the bioavailability of RP-P can be enhanced bycomplexing
it with compost or through the use of specific bioinoculants. A series of experiments were conducted
to assess the effectiveness of various approaches to solubilize RP-P and the impact of bioavailable
RP-P on growth and yield of wheat under wire house and field conditions. The most extensively
applied approach has been the use of specific microorganisms capable of solubilizing insoluble form
of P, commonly called as phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSB). Different species as;
Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Enterobacter spp. possess the ability to bring insoluble soil phosphates
into soluble forms by secreting acids such as formic, acetic, propionic, lactic, glucolic, fumaric and
succinic. These acids lower the pH which increases the dissolution of RP. Numerous studies have
documented the solubilization of insoluble mineral phosphates by PSB thereby promoting growth
and yield of different crops. The continuous addition of enriched phosphocompost increased soil
microbial biomass C and the activity of enzymes compared to application of chemical fertilizer.
Keywords : Bioinoculants, Phosphorus, PSB, Rock phosphate, Wheat
Potential Use of Microbial Phosphorous Solubilization in Sustainable

Agriculture
Chandni Rani1*, Nilanjan Chattopadhyaya1, Archana Verma1, Sushma Kumari1,
Monika Niranjan1
1
Sabour, Bhagalpur,813210, India
*Corresponding author Email ID :- Chandni221296@gmail.com
Phosphorous (P) is one of the essential elements needed for plant growth & development and forms
upto 0.2% of the plant dry weight.On an average, the P content of soil is about 0.05% (W/W) and only
0.1% of this part is available plant phosphorous for use. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate
management strategies that can improve phosphorous fertilization efficiency.By inoculating Seeds/
Crops with PSM (Phophorous Solubilizing Micro organism) is a promising strategy to improve P
availability in soil.Due to better understanding of recent research developments in PSM functional
diversity, Colonising ability, mode of actions and judicious application can facilitatetheir steady use
for sustainable agriculture. A large number of microbes including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes &
algae has P solubilising and mineralizing ability.Some of the soil bacteria that helps to mobilize feebly
available phosphorous includes Pseudomonas spp., Agrobacterium spp., &Bacillus circulans. Other
bacterial strains including Azotobacter, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Thiobacillus etc.
Approximately 20% of actinomycetes could solubilize P, including those in the genera Actinomyces,

Micromonospora, and Streptomyces (Referencs?). The principal mechanism of solubilization of mineral
phosphate by phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is the release of low molecular weight organic
acids such as Formic, lactic, Glycolic, and Succinic acids and Acidic Phosphatases like phytase
synthesized by soil microorganisms in soil. So, the use PSM will promote sustainable agriculture and
this technology is ready for commercial exploitation in different regions worldwide.
Keywords: Phosphorus, Phosphate Solubilizing Microbes, Phosphate solubilization,

Mineralization, Soil microbes.
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (MT509803)- APotential Plant Growth

Promoting Rhizobacteria
Jaya Prajapati and*,1 Janardan Yadav1
1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
*Corresponding author Email ID: jaya.prajapati20@gmail.com
An indigenous rhizobacteriaAcinetobacterc alcoaceticus (MT509803) isolated from chickpea

(Cicerarietinum L.) crop grown at Vindhyas forest organic soil, Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh (India).
The bacterium was gram-negative, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer negative and positive for indole test.
The morphology of the bacterium was creamily undulate with viscid consistency. The bacterium
experimented for multiple plant growth-promoting qualities under in-vitro studies. The isolate solubilized
inorganic phosphorous in Pikovskaya medium and potassium solubilization in Aleksandrov medium.
Additionally, the bacterium was capable of solubilizing insoluble zinc compounds like zinc oxide, zinc
phosphate and zinc carbonate in Bunt Rovira agar medium with a halo zone of 23 mm, 20 mm and 21
mm, respectively. The bacterium was found positive for hydrolytic enzymes amylase, cellulase and
catalase productions, as well as indole acetic acid (IAA) production (56.7 µg ml-1) measured by
spectrophotometer.The antibiotics resistance profiling showed complete resistance to cefepime. The
physiological optimization of bacterium showed optimum growth up to a salt concentration of 6 %,
temperature 32 degrees centigrade and pH of 8.5. The isolates exhibited efficient potential to solubilize
phosphorous and potassium along with highly deficient micronutrient Zn. Additionally, the bacterium
possesses multiple plant growth-promoting qualities.Hence, this isolate might be a potential bio-
inoculum for plant growth productions under nutrient-deficient soil.
Keywords: Rhizobacteria, Chickpea, Cefepime
Important Bio-fertilizer Technologies for Improving Phosphorus

Phyto-availability for Sustainable Crop Production
Sarita Choudhary1*, Shiveshwar Pratap Singh2, Mamata3 and Parkash Chand Gurjar1
1
Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan
2
Dr. RajendraParasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: jsarita658@gmail.com
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth and yield. Currently phosphorus fixation in soil
is a major problem throughout the world as available phosphorus in soil highly reactive with cationic
elements to form complex compounds. Rock phosphate is one of the cheapest fertiliser and most
abundant; however, its direct application in soils is not much effective for the availability of phosphorus
to plant growth due to its low reactivity. Further, phosphorus is present as a fixed or complex form in
soils, which is unavailable for plants. Phosphate solubilising microbes (PSMs) have potential to
solubilise the complex form of phosphate in the available form of phosphorus to plants. PSMs have
different mechanisms for solubilisation of phosphate by producing various acids and enzymes. Other
mechanisms of phosphate solubilisation and mineralisation follow chelation and immobilised cell
technology. The current need to develop genetically modified PSM as efficient PSMs strains for
sustainable agricultural production is also discussed in the present review. The PSMs is known as
effective biofertiliser for enhancing the plant growth, yield and nutrient content in crops as well as
improve the soil fertility under sustainable agriculture. The main aim of this review was to elaborate
the phosphate solubilising activities and their consequences for sustainable agriculture. Most
phosphorus in soil (up to 95–99%) is fixed into the soil as an insoluble complex compound that makes
it unavailable to fulfil P for plant nutrition. As results, only a few poorly soluble phosphorus of soil are
considered as highly stable forms with limited availability to plants. P constitute only 5% or even less
of the total amount available for plants and others approximate 95% P fixed into soils. In general,
tropical and subtropical soils are the mostly acidic type with extremely deficient in phosphorus
content.
Keywords: Phosphate solubilising microbes, Phosphorus, Sustainable agriculture
Role of Bio-Fertilizers in Enhancing Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity

Abhishek Singh Yadav1* Abhishek Tiwari1 and Ravindra Sachan1*
1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of
Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) – 208002
*Corresponding author Email ID: singhyadava555@gmail.com
Plants nutrients are essential for the production of crops and healthy food for the world’s ever-
increasing population. Soil management strategies today are mainly dependent on inorganic chemical-
based fertilizers, which cause a serious threat to human health and the environment. Bio-fertilizer has
been identified as an alternative for increasing soil fertility and crop production in sustainable farming.
The exploitation of beneficial microbes as bio-fertilizers has become of paramount importance in
agricultural sector due to their potential role in food safety and sustainable crop production. Bio-
fertilizer can be an important component of integrated nutrients management. Microorganisms that
are commonly used as bio-fertilizer components include; nitrogen fixers (N-fixer), potassium and
phosphorus solubilizers, growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), endo and ecto mycorrhizal fungi,
cyanobacteria and other useful microscopic organisms. The use of bio-fertilizers leads to improved
nutrients and water uptake, plant growth and plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic factors. These
potential biological fertilizers would play a key role in productivity and sustainability of soil and also
in protecting the environment as eco-friendly and cost-effective inputs for the farmers.
Key Words: Bio-fertilizer, Crop production, Microorganism, Nutrients and Soil fertility

Biofertilizer Technology for Boosting Nutrient Availability in Numerous Plants

Alka Jyoti Sharma*,1, Mainak Ghosh1, Nintu Mandal2, Rayapati Karthik3
1
2
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
3
Department of Agronomy, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: alkajyotisharma22@gmail.com
Researchers have discovereda large ability for the use of PGPB (Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria) as
biofertilizer for growing a number of plants in a wide spectrum of environmental and climatic conditions.
Bacteria consisting of Bacillus megaterium, Bradyrhizobium, Bacillus polymyxa, Rhizobium and
Sinorhizobium are taken into consideration for enhancingcropproductivity and imparting sustainability
to it. Mixed inoculant comprise microbial consortia in preference to single microbial strain that facilitate
combined biofertilization impact and assist plants to promote better uptake of nutrients.Scientists
have found a blended impact of co-inoculant containing Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and
rhizobacteria for the improved growth of the leguminous plant recently.Nano-biofertilizer is the blended
use of nano generation and biofertilizer for the efficient and enhanced productiveness of plants.
Nanoencapsulation is the coating of biofertilizer at a nanoscale with the assist of a nanomatrial. This
is a flexible technology which allows enhanced shelf lifestyles, offers controlled release of PGPR
additionally permit controlled diffusion via way of means of biofertilizer. Nanomaterials are used for
the nanoencapsulation of the nutrients and natural compounds consisting of zeolite, polymers and
chitosan that facilitate the gradual and controlled bioavailability of nutrients to plants.Recently a
brand new development made withinside the synthesis of biofertilizers via way of means of the use of
Biofilms. The foremost goal for the improvement of biofilm biofertilizer is to triumph over the troubles
of biotic and abiotic additives of soil and to make the indigenous microbial populace extra resistive
towards pathogens and inhibitors. Biofilm biofertilizer offer resistance towards heavy metal, drought,
pressure, pH, temperature and attack of pathogen.These newly rising strategies consisting of
nanobiofertilizer and biofilm biofertilizer allow the plants to grow to be extra resistant towards
environmental inhibitors and pathogenic additives.
Keywords: Biofertilizers, Biofilms, Nano-biofertilizer, Nano-encapsulation

Long-term use of organics along with balanced fertilization maintains better soil
physical environment and yield sustainability under rice-rice system
Soumyadeep Ghosh1*, Mitali Mandal2 and Anindita Jana3
1
*Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, BCKV
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar
3
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, UBKV
*Corresponding author Email ID: iamsdghosh@gmail.com
Modifications of the soil physical environment in terms of physical parameters are the important
indicators of soil and crop management. Long-term application of organics in combination with chemical
fertilizers is a possible management alternative for restoring the degraded soil physical quality and
crop productivity as such. Therefore, present investigation was carried out upon utilization of a long-
term fertilizer experiment established in 2005-06 in an acidic sandy loam soil under AICRP-LTFE,
Bhubaneswar. Soil samples from 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths of post-rabi 2018-19 season were
collected after harvesting of Lalat (IR-2071). The experiment was systematically initiated with
quadruplicated 6 treatments in a randomized block design. The treatments were 100%N,
100%NP,100%NPK, 150%NPK, 100%NPK+FYM, and absolute control. Bulk density was significantly
reduced with manure application corresponding to maximum SOC content. Clay content were
significantly lower in surface soil (0-15cm) compared to sub-surface soil. The application of manure
improved the soil porosity and the maximum water holding capacity of soil (MWHC). Incorporation of
FYM along with mineral fertilizer increased saturated hydraulic conductivity (HC), percent water
stable aggregate (WSA), macroaggregates and all the aggregate indices like mean weight diameter
(MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), aggregate ratio (AR) and aggregate stability (AS) in
comparison to unfertilized control and chemical fertilization. Combined use of NPK and FYM improved
the soil nutrient status as well as crop productivity. Multiple regression equation predicted that bulk
density, maximum water holding capacity and aggregation were the most important contributor in
determining the crop yield. Application of sufficient organics along with fertilizers is effective strategy
to maintain soil physical quality as well as yield sustainability.
Keywords: INM, LTFE, Hydraulic conductivity, Mean weight diameter, Clay content
Vermicompost as a Soil Supplement for Sustainable Agriculture

Preeti Kumari1*, Arun Kr. Jha1, Sushma Kumari1, Monika Niranjan1
1
Sabour, Bhagalpur, 813210, India
* Corresponding author Email ID: -preetivkscoa@gmail.com
Sustainability in agriculture is the need of time to feed ever increasing population of the globe. The
unchecked growth of the world’s population has increased the demand for crop productivityThe
intensive use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides in the agricultural field has globally destroyed soil

fertility. Chemical fertilization is one approach to increase crop output. However, the soil was destroyed
owing to injudicious usage of chemical input in agricultural systems. The goal of agricultural
sustainability can be reached by using organic plant nutrients on a large scale in the soil. However, it
is impossible to provide all of a crop’s nutritional needs by using organic manures. On farms, a
combination of organic and inorganic approaches to nutrientmanagement. To address these issues,
we must shift our focus to environmentally friendly alternatives such as vermicompost, which can not
only enhance crop growth and output while also suppressing diseases and pests in a sustainable
manner while also protecting human health and the environment. Vermicompost is a long-term source
of both micro- and macronutrients that are easily digested by plants. Different types of vermicompost
application along with inorganic fertilizers has been found to be an effective method for improving soil
fertility, increasing nutrient pools, and conserving water. INM enhances agricultural yields by 8-15
percent, according to a review of the literature.
Keywords: Sustainability, Vermicompost, Fertilization, INM, Nutrients.
Management of Algal weed for enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency and

Productivity in Makhana
Ruby Saha*,1, Anil Kumar1, P.K. Yadav1, Tapan Gorai1, Paras Nath1 and Sangeeta Shree2
1
Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Purnea, Bihar-854302
2
Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur
2
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour- 813 210, (Bhagalpur) India
*Corresponding author Email ID: ruby_58@rediffmail.com
Makhana is cultivated for its seeds in lowland ponds in India. Among different states of India, Bihar
alone accounts for more than 85 % of total production of Makhana. Bihar is a flood prone state;
majority of its wasteland under stagnant water ponds or swampy wastelands remains underutilized.
But now a day, these wastelands are getting utilized for the cultivation of Makhana and other Makhana
based cropping system. One common difficulty in cultivation of makhana in these water ponds or
inland water-area is growth of noxious aquatic weeds. Aquatic weeds especially algae posing serious
threats to water availability, productivity of crops, fishing and navigation. Algae are a serious problem
in makhana based cropping system, resulting in loss of yield and deterioration of water quality. While
algae produce oxygen during the day through photosynthesis, oxygen production ceases at night, as
algae continue to use oxygen at night, however, large populations of algae in a pond can deplete the
oxygen supply in the water overnight, causing a low-oxygen condition that can be harmful for
makhana crop or even fatal to fish and other aquatic life. Compounding this problem is that when large
populations of algae die, their decay can further deplete the water’s oxygen, impacting the health of
water ecosystem and impacting our environment too. It was therefore, felt necessary to take an
experiment for managing algal menace in makhana cultivation. Rice -Straw has been found promising
in controlling the growth of algal bloom in makhana growing plots and its application also resulted in
maintaining the water quality towards normal, maintaining the environmental health and sustaining
climate smart agriculture.
Keywords: Algae, Aquatic Ecosystem, Climate, Makhana, Water Quality

Revisiting the Nutrient Composition of Composts Prepared with Prevailing

Practices in Bhagalpur
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi*,1, Anshuman Kohli2 and Rajeev Ranjan Yadav3
*,1
Irrigation Research Station, Bikramganj, Rohtas
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur
3
Distt. Soil Testing Laboratory, Nawada
*Corresponding author Email ID: mkdwivedi.jnu@gmail.com
Soil fertility maintenance is very essential in achieving and maintaining high crop yields. Decline in
soil fertility is becoming increasingly critical to secure sustainable soil productivity. Compost prepared
from farm waste is an important input that contributes to soil fertility. Compost samples were collected
as prepared by the farmers through prevailing practices in 6 blocks of Bhagalpur namely Goradih,
Sanhaula, Kahalgaon, Rangra, Kharik and Naugachhia and were analysed for their nutrient status.
Among the selected blocks, some farmers of Rangra block have used bedding material of maize stalk
for composting. However, many farmers of the Rangra block wanted to use it for fodder. The C:Nratio
of composts prepared at Rangra block was minimum as compared to rest of the blocks.Farmers of
other blocks also used bedding materials, but the materials were not suitable for the same. The
objective of some of the farmers was to get rid of farm waste rather than using it for composting to take
benefit from it. The type of materials available for different farmers was different. Some of them were
very cautious about the nutrient value of the compost and wanted to replace chemical fertilisers with
it. However, they knew that using only compost in their farms could not supply the required amount
of nutrients to the crop but they were keen to make beneficial use of farm waste in the form of compost.
The farmers’ composts in selected blocks of Bhagalpur were not free from chemical fertilizers, plastics,
metals, glasses and dry cells. Care must be taken to avoid any contamination from heavy metals,
plastics etc.
Keywords: Bedding material, Chemical fertilizer, C:N ratio, Compost, Nutrient value,
Land Uses Impact on Biological Properties of Soil Under

Perennial Cropping Systems
Mona Kumari*,1, Ragini Kumari1, Y. K. Singh1, Rajeev Padbhushan1 and Rajkishore Kumar1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: monajha95070@gmail.com
Agricultural land uses have a significant impact on soil biological featuresthrough different cropping
systems and soil management practices. Modern agricultural operations frequently necessitate
extensive management and land use change, which can lead to deterioration in soil quality. Hence,
there is a need to identify the significant changes in soil biological properties under different perennial
cropping systems. We evaluated the effects on various soil biological characteristics under four
perennial cropping systems(mango, litchi, kinnow and guava orchards) in inceptisols of Bihar. Various

perennial cropping systems were found to have significant impact on soil microbial biomass carbon
(SMBC) and the activities of various soil enzymessuch as dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, acid
and alkaline phosphatase. Based on various soil biological attributes within their respective agro-
ecosystem, mango system appeared to be the most sustainable one. SMBC and alkaline phosphatase
activity were identified as the most sensitive biological parameters within these cropping systems.
These biological parameters can be used to determine the state of biological quality of the respective
land use systems.
Keywords : Enzymatic activities,Land use change,Perennial cropping system,Soil microbial biomass

carbon, Soil quality
Application of Biofertilizers Can Reduce 40% RDF without Compromising the

Yield and Quality of Cape Gooseberry (Physalis Peruviana L.)
Vivek Kumar*, Manoj Kundu1, Hidayatullah Mir1 and Sanjay Sahay1
*,1
Department of Horticulture (Fruit & Fruit Technology), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar, India- 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: vivek.raj456@gmail.com
Bihar’s climate is ideal for the growth and development of cape gooseberry. The crop’s production in
the state, however, is still underrated (only 400–500 g plant-1 compared to 700–900 g plant-1 in leading
cape gooseberry-producing countries). Even though chemical fertilisers may increase crop output,
their regular, excessive, and unbalanced usage can cause health and environmental problems, as well
as depletion of the physico-chemical qualities of soil. Hence, an experiment was conducted to replace
mineral fertilizers with biofertilizer in cape gooseberry. All biofertilizer treatments boosted the vegetative
and physiological growth of the cape gooseberry. The maximum yield plant-1 was found in 90% RDF
+ Azotobacter, PSB, and KSB @ 10 g plant-1 each treatment, with par value in the nutrient module
comprising 60% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB, and KSB @ 10g plant-1 each. TSS: Acid ratio (21.08),
carotenoid (49.25 g 100 g-1 FW), flavonoid (50.16 g g-1 FW), phenol (5.83 mg Gallic acid equiv. g-1 FW)
and antioxidant capacity (22.54 mol. Trolox equiv. 100 g-1 FW) were all significantly improved in the
integrated treatment of 60% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB, and KSB application @ 10 g plant-1 each. The
pH, EC, organic carbon content, and available phosphorous of cape gooseberry field were not differ
significantly among the treatments. While available soil N and K decreased marginally in 60% RDF +
Azotobacter, PSB, and KSB @ 10 g plant-1 each treatment as NPK doses were reduced by 40% in this
treatment combination. However, in all the nutrient modules, microbial population including bacteria,
fungus, and actinomycetes were improved greatly as compared to control and initial reading as well.
Hence, it can be concluded that integrated nutrient module including aoolication of Azotobacter, PSB,
and KSB @ 10 g plant-1 each can reduce the RDF of NPK by 40% without compromising the yield and
quality of cape gooseberry. Further, this treatment module of 60% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB, and KSB
application @ 10 g plant-1 each is the optimum treatment combination for improving soil health and
quality in a long-term.
Keywords: Biofertilizers, Cape Gooseberry, Azotobacter, PSB, KSB

Biofertilizer for Crop Production and Soil Fertility

Saloni Kumari* and Abhishek Kumar Gandhi1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry
*Corresponding author Email ID: salonikumari1096@gmail.com
Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used in modern agriculture with the goal of increasing global
food production. Excessive use of fertilizers, while necessary as a nutritional supplement for plants
deteriorates the soil quality and soil health. The growing interest and government support in organic
agriculture has brought a boom in the biofertilizer industry; however, the growing demand and time
bound production of microbes-based biofertilizer has raised concern over their quality control.
Researchers have discovered that “bio fertilizer” is a fantastic alternative to chemical fertilizers that
offer nutrients via nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and plant growth by synthesis of
growth stimulating essence. It can be proven as a boon to sustain our agricultural production and to
meet the demand of increasing population for agricultural-based products while conserving and
sustaining the natural resources for future generation. Based on relevant literature and research work
conducted by multiple researchers, the study examines these constantly available and environmentally
friendly nutrients, varieties, and their potential for crop development.
Keywords: Pesticides, fertilizers, nutrition, bio fertilizer, alternative, environment
Efficiency of Biofertilizers in Increasing the Production Potential

of Cereals and Pulses
Ayush Singh*, Kumar Ashish1 and Rishu Kumar1
*,1
Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry
Bihar Agricultural University Sabour, Bhagalpur
*Corresponding author Email ID: ayushsinghraja38@gmail.com
Biofertilizers are the products that contain cells of different microbes which are agriculturally beneficial.
Biofertilizers have been used as a highly efficient alternative to chemical fertilizers due to their
environment-friendly, easy to apply, nontoxic, and low-cost properties. In the biofertilizer
technology, Rhizobium-legume is most common and widely used in different countries. Biofertilizers
are helpful in nutrient uptake as their main function in soil is to either fix a nutrient on soil surface that
is subjected to greater loss, or to solubilize a nutrient that is not available to plants because of fixation
on the soil surface. The biofertilizers can be applied to seeds, plant surface or to soil. Biofertilizers are
helpful in nutrient uptake as their main function in soil is to either fix a nutrient on soil surface that is
subjected to greater loss, or to solubilize a nutrient that is not available to plants because of fixation
on the soil surface. Biofertilizers have a very high potential for N fixation. It has been estimated that 40-
250 kg N/ha/year is fixed by different legume crops by the microbial activity of Rhizobium. Apart from
their role in nutrient transformation, they also secrete several growth hormones and vitamins, which
enhance the seed germination and growth. Biofertilizers are cost effective and environmentally friendly

technique and serves as a good supplement to chemical fertilizers. Thus, it can be concluded that
biofertilizers are intended to improve the nutrient uptake and their use efficiency without application
of extra doses of inorganic chemicals. The potential biofertilizers plays an important role in maintaining
the productivity and sustainability of soil systems and in turn helps in increasing the production
potential of crops. It serves as a Farmer friendly, eco friendly and cost-effective input that can be
easily used in the farms in a wide range of crops. Thus, it can be concluded from the above reviews
that biofertilizers serves as a multitude of benefits.
Keywords: Biofertilizer, production potential, cereals, pulses
Biofertilizer Technologies for Enhancing Nutrient Availability in Various Crops

Priyanka Kumari*and Furquan Alam1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: priyankaborn2lead@gmail.com
Modern intensive agriculture practices face numerous Challenges that poses major threats to global
food security. To meet the population food demand injudicious use of agrochemicals has resulted in
environment pollution leading to public health hazard. Due to this agriculture soils are continuously
losing their physical, chemical and biological health. Biofertilizers are biological products containing
living microorganisms that, when applied to the soil and plants surfaces make available the essential
nutrients. biofertilizers preparation containing living cells or latent cells of efficient strains of
microorganisms that help crop plants uptake of nutrients by their interactions in the rhizosphere when
applied through seed or soil. Biofertilizers accelerate the particular microbial process which make
available the nutrients to the plants. plant growth promoting, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, potassium
mobilizing bacteria has enormous ability to solve these problems and enhance the productivity
according to food demand and protect from the pressure of hazard on humans, plants, soil and
environment. various steps involved for the production of solid based or liquid-based bio fertilisers it
includes inoculum preparation, addition of cell protectants like glycerol, lactose, starch, career material
and packaging etc. Recent developments of biofertilizer Formulation include entrapment or
microencapsulation, nano mobilisation of microbial bioinoculants. Thus, biofertilizers in different
crop systems for sustainable agriculture enhance the soil Fertility and crop productivity.
Keywords: Biofertilizer, microorganism, sustainable, fertility.

Technical Session III
Optimum utilization of indigenous natural resources

Impact of Resource Conservation Technologies on Biological Properties of

Phosphorus under Rice-Based Cropping System
Shweta Shambhavi*, Rajiv Rakshit1, Sanjay Kumar2, Y. K. Singh1 and Bipin Bihari1*
1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour
2
Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: shambhavibau@mail.com
Agriculture faces significant challenges to meet the need offood production without increasing the
area undercultivation. Due to continuous intense tilling, soil organic carbon (SOC) is being lost,
which is a key indicator of soil health and quality, thus soil health is deteriorating continuously. A
number of studies have been reported that SOC benefits soil by lowering bulk density, increasing
nutrient availability, increasing cation exchange capacity (CEC) and improving water holding capacity,
by virtue of which microbial population and enzymatic activity increases which make soil healthier.
Research was undertaken on the ongoing experiment on “Resource conservation technologies for
stabilizing yield under different cropping system” initiated in the year 2011 and study was conducted
from the soil samples collected after Kharif 2017. There are three cropping systems namely: Rice-
Wheat (C1), Rice- Maize (C2) and Rice- Lentil (C3) and three tillage systems namely: Zero Tillage (T1)
Permanent Raised Bed (T2) and Conventional Tillage (T3). The results revealed that soil pH (7.33), soil
organic carbon (5.80 g kg-1), available P (36.93 kg/ha), Total P (231.59 mg/kg), Microbial biomass P (19
mg/kg soil), population of bacteria (55×106 CFU g dry soil), fungi (29.67×104 CFU g dry soil),
actinomycetes (42.33 × 104 CFU g dry soil) and enzymatic activities such as dehydrogenase (24.33
µgTPF/hr/g soil), alkaline (199.73 µg PNP released/g soil/hr) and acid phosphatase (94.30 µg PNP
released/g soil/hr) were significantly higher under zero tillage in rice lentil cropping system as compared
to conventional tillage in non-legume based cropping systems. All these parameters were higher
under legume base cropping system as compared to non-legume-based cropping system because of
low C: N ratio, minimum/zero tillage compared to intensive. Zero tillage and rice-lentil system improved
soil fertility status without deteriorating the soil quality and it is economical for farmers.
Keywords: conservation agriculture, rice system, soil biological pools, soil enzymes
Influence of Different Ratio of Cattle Dung and Plant Residues in Substrate

on Nutrient Content of Vermicompost
Arun Kumar Jha*
Sabour, Bhagalpur
*Corresponding author Email ID: jhaak_ss@rediffmail.com
Vermicompost is one of the important organic sources of plant nutrients. Quality of vermicompost
depends on nutritional status of substrate, enrichment materialsand bio-inoculants. Nutrient contents
of weeds and plant residues used for vermicomposting are varying very greatly. As vermicompost

has also been brought under fertilizer control orderso only those weeds and plant residues can be
used for vermicomposting which maintains quality of the produce as per FCO. Thus, there is a need to
examine the effect different ratio of cattle dung and plant residue on population of worms and nutritional
status of vermicompost. In the view of above facts, three experiments were conducted at Vermicompost
Production Unit of Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur during the year 2019-20 and 2020-21.
In the first experiment, water hyacinth and cattle dung was used in different ratio, however in the
second experiment, cattle dung slurry was sprayed onchopped rice straw in different way. In third
experiment, Parthanium and cattle dung was used in different ratio. Worms were introduced in every
heap and complete procedure of vermicomposting was adopted. Effect of treatments on population of
worms after 90 days of introduction in heap and N,P and K content of vermicompost was studied. Use
of cattle dung alone as a substrate for vermicomposting was found to be the best treatment in all the
experiments to increase population of worms. Worm population increased from 35.6 to 37.3 percent
within 90 days when only cattle dung was used as a substrate. On the basis of worm’s multiplication,
it was found that not more than 40% water hyacinth or paddy straw orparthenium should be mixed
with cattle dung to produce vermicompost. Mixing water hyacinth and parthenium in cattle dung in
the ratio of 2:3 increased nitrogen content of vermicompost by 26.6 and 17.8 percent respectively over
the N content of vermicompost prepared only by cattle dung. However, N content of vermicompost
produced by mixture of cattle dung and paddy straw in the ratio of 3:2 decreased by 17.8% compared
to that in vermicompost produced only by cattle dung. Mixing water hyacinth and parthenium in cattle
dung in the ratio of 2:3 increased phosphorus content of vermicompost by 17.2 and 6.5 percent
respectively over the P content of vermicompost produced by cattle dung alone, however, substitution
of 40% cattle dung by paddy straw decreased phosphorus content of vermicompost by 5.0 percent.
Potassium content of vermicompost increased by 16.4, 16.9 and 17.4 percent respectively when 40%
of cattle dung used as substrate was substituted by water hyacinth, parthanium and paddy straw
respectively.
Keywords: Vermicompost, Nutrient content, Water hyacinth, Parthenium, Paddy straw.
Impact of 11-Years old Poplar Plantation on Available Soil Phosphorus in

Calcareous Soil of Bihar
Atul Kumar*,1, D.K. Das2, Santosh Kumar Singh2, Vijay Kumar3, Shweta Shambhavi1, Shriman
Patel1, Kumar Harsh4 and Gopal Kumar1, Rajiv Rakshit1 and Wajid Hasan5
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210,Bihar
2
Department of Soil Science, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa- 848125, Bihar
3
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Saran, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa- 848125, Bihar
4
Department of Horticulture (Fruits and fruit technology),
5
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jehanabad, BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210,Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: atulsinha0008@gmail.com
Poplar trees are becoming extremely important as fast growing species due to the increasing need for
wood and decreasing productivity of the lands. The investigation was carried out in 11-years old

poplar (Poplulus deltoids Bartr.) plantation established at KVK, Birouli, Samastipur (Bihar) to find the
effect of six promising clones (PP-5, Uday, L- 52, L -49, G-48 and L-188) along with control plots on
available soil phosphorus. Initially, the soil had available P2O5 of 19.05 and 13.28 kg ha-1 in surface and
sub-surface soils, respectively. After 11-years of plantation available P2O5 ranged from 17.90 (L-188) to
34.45 kg ha-1 (L-52) in surface soil and from 12.23 (L-188) to 21.15 kg ha-1 (L-52) in sub-surface soil.
Thus, available P2O5 content increased by 16.0 to 44.7% and by 6.3 to 37.2% at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm
soil depths, respectively, under different clones compared to the initial available P2O5 values (before
plantation). Irrespective of poplar clones, surface soils have more available soil P2O5 than sub-surface
soil. Hence, L-52 emerged as the best among the tested clones for growing and promotion under
calcareous soil of Bihar.
Keywords: Agro-forestry, phosphorus, poplar, clones.
Performance of Different Tillage Methods under Maize Based Cropping

System on Productivity, Economics and Soil Health
Sanjay Kumar*,1, Swaraj Kumar Dutta1, Mainak Ghosh1, Sushant1, Sunil Kumar2
and Shweta Shambhavi2
*,1
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
2
Department of Soil Science, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: skbau1612@gmail.com
Conservation agriculture (CA) is nothing but a concept that thrives on resource management as well
as sustainable crop production. It conserves the environment by utilizing scientific knowledge and
improves the production and productivity of the soil as well as crop. Introduction of all modern
technologies through CA system enhance soil quality and ecological integrity of soil (4). The CA
system works under the three key principles of namely, crop residue management, minimum tillage
practices and crop rotation. The principle follow leads to intense impact on the soil organic content in
soil that is essential for microorganism as well as for nutrient availability for plant system as well as
transformation and distribution of nutrient in soil. It was studied that ZT itself causes enrichment of
soil with continuous pores volume between the subsurface and the surface which leads to create a
rapid passage for movement of soluble nutrients in to deeper under the soil profile comparison to soil
which is continuously tilled (3). Maize is the third most important grain crop (after rice and wheat) in
India with respect to area and productivity. Maize mainly as a kharif season crop but from past few
years rabi maize has gained significant place in total maize production in India. Among cereals, maize
in India is one that grows in diverse agro climatic conditions having wider adaptability in soil and
under different cropping system. The threat of global warming is increasing day by day. Its impact on
agriculture is still not established but the indications suggest the increased frequency of heat waves
heavy erratic patterns of monsoon with prolonged period of draught. Both the staple crops viz. Rice
and Wheat are under the yield fatigue conditions in the recent pasts, which has resulted in a steep
decrease in total factor productivity. In view of this Maize-Wheat, Maize-Maize, Maize-Chickpea and
Maize-mustard system are becoming popular in Indo Gangetic plains due to the gradual decrease in

water table and extended rice transplanting period leading to heat stress in wheat. The present study
was conducted to evaluate the performance of different tillage methods under different maize
based cropping systems with an aim to comprehend the most stable and profitable and sustainable
system.
After six year of experiment it was concluded that Yield under zero tillage (ZT) significantly
increased over time. Yield under ZT and permanent bed (PB) were at par but significantly higher over
conventional tillage (CT).The difference in the system maize equivalent yield (MEY) was mainly due
to higher rabi MEY as compared to kharif MEY. Maize – maize cropping system produced the highest
MEY followed by Soybean – maize > Maize - wheat. System with rabi maize achieved the maximum
yield increase over time followed by wheat > chickpea > mustard.Maize – mustard recorded the least
MEY among the cropping systems. ZT produced 11% higher system MEY over CT while Maize –
maize CS produced 44% higher MEY over Maize - wheat. The cost of production (COP) was 9% lower
while net returns were 37% higher in ZT over CT.Maize – maize CS required 22% higher COP but gave
67% higher net returns over Maize – wheat CS.The benefit cost (BC) ratio as compared to maize-wheat
cropping system was 18% , 11% and 8% higher in maize-maize, maize-chickpea and soybean-maize
cropping system, respectively.The effect of different establishment methods on organic carbon content
was found non-significant whereas due to cropping system, it was found that maize-chickpea cropping
system recorded significantly highest organic carbon content than other cropping system. Available
N, P2O5 and K2O found significantly higher in ZT as compare to CT. Among different cropping
systems, there was a significant rise in the Available N, P2O5 and K2O levels with maize-chickpea
cropping system.
Keywords: Conservation agriculture, permanent bed, Maize-Wheat
Soil Health Improvement and Charcoal Rot Disease Management through

Mushroom Waste Amendment and Trichoderma
Abhijeet Ghatak*,1, Aditya Sinha2 and JN Srivastava1
*,1
Plant Pathology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour – 813 210
2
Extension Education, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour – 813 210
*
Corresponding author Email ID: ghatak11@gmail.com
One of the current global issues is waste management, which is also vivid in the agricultural system.
For example, after mushroom harvesting, the used mushroom compost bags (mushroom waste–MW)
are commonly thrown in heaps, causing pollution in the environs. To dispose of this agri–waste, the
current work was developed to improve soil health using MW, which assists in inhibiting charcoal rot
disease. The disease management is taken up by incorporating a beneficial fungus, Trichoderma
asperellum. The field experiment was carried out to understand the soil’s physical and chemical
deviation and the potential of MW on the survival of Macrophomina phaseolina (the pathogen of
charcoal rot), and to examine the impact of MW on the development of charcoal rot in chickpea. We
recorded total carbon 36% and total nitrogen 4% in major nutrients. Similarly, total phosphorus and

potassium were 0.03% and 0.23%. In the context of pathogen propagules development, the M.
phaseolina population in the rhizosphere of chickpea in the treatments of Trichoderma–primed seeds
was estimated to be the smallest (1.2–2.3 103 cfu). Likewise, the percentage of charcoal rot in the
Trichoderma–primed plots ranged from 1.1 to 3.9%. Moreover, the plots treated with MW and
Trichoderma–primed seeds yielded 28.4–36.3% more than the control plots. The ultimate contribution
of T. asperellum was to induce the nodulation as indicated in this study; the plots treated with
Trichoderma and MW rendered 43 nodules in each plant, whereas the control yielded only 29 nodules
in a plant. Overall, the investigation shows that MW amendment improves soil health and suppresses
chickpea charcoal rot. This could be attributed to helpful microorganisms increasing their rhizospheric
activity. These findings contribute to our understanding of charcoal rot epidemics and their effective
control using MW and a biopesticide, Trichoderma, and also the use of agri-waste for soil health
improvement.
Keywords : Macrophomina, Mushroom waste, Soil health, Trichoderma
Can Digital Agriculture Help in Fertilizer Use Minimization for

Small holders in India?
Aditya Sinha*,1, Arindam Nag2, R.P Sharma3 and Anil Paswan4
*,1,3,4
Department of Extension Education, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur)
PIN: 813210, Bihar, India
2
Department of Extension Education, Dr Kalam Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour (Bhagalpur), Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: inc.aditya@gmail.com
The world has shifted rapidly toward digital farming practices in the current decade with the massive
use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in agriculture. It is generally believed that
the ICT-based innovative farming interventions popularly known as Farming 4.0 can help minimize the
farmers’ efforts without compromising on the production and productivity of the crop and the farm
land, respectively. Furthermore, the optimization of resources using precision farming practices could
also help prevent wastage of fertilizer, leading to better income growth for the farmers. In addition to
it, there has been a rapid growth in input management technology leading to better irrigation and
fertigation systems. Also, important information gathered through Geographic Information Systems
(GPS), autonomous vehicles, drones and various sensors have made farming efficient and progressive
in the current times. The present paper deals with the new digital initiatives in agriculture that could be
instrumental in resource-use efficiency, particularly the minimization of fertilizers in the context of
smallholders in India.
Keywords: Digital Agriculture, ICTs, Fertilizers, Resource-use, Cost-minimization, Small holders

Adaptation of Zero Tillage Technique to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission in

Rice-Wheat Cropping System
Suborna Roy Choudhury*,1, Anupam Das2, Seema1, Sanjev Kumar Gupta1,
Chandan Kumar Panda3, Pritam Ganguly2
*,1
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210, India
2
Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210, India
3
Department of Extension Education, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: subornabau@gmail.com
A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour during
2017-18 to assess the impact of crop establishment and nitrogen management practices on productivity,
profitability and green house gas emission in direct seeded rice. The experiment was conducted in
split plot design with two Crop Establishment Methods viz. zero tilled DSR and conventional DSR as
main plot and with four nitrogen Management Practices viz. 100% nitrogen through neem coated urea,
SPAD based nitrogen management, 75% through urea +25% nitrogen through vermicompost and ¼
Nitrogen as basal and rest 3 in equal splits at 20, 40, 60 DAS as sub plot replicated thrice. The highest
yield (44.6 q ha-1), Net return (46440 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.4) were recorded from zero tilled plots.
Further, conventional tillage management practices were imparted highest CO2 flux followed by SRI
and DSR emitted lowest CO2. Zero tillage with residue retention emitted lowest CO2 (1018 kg ha-1)
whereas, conventional tillage with 30% residue incorporation contributed highest CO2 emission (2294
kg ha-1). Substitution of half of the inorganic nitrogen (50% N of RDF) through organic manure (i.e.
vermicompost) emitted highest CO2 than the full inorganic nitrogen application. Conventional tillage
(puddle rice) recorded highest CH4 emission (795.31 kg ha-1) followed by SRI (628 kg ha-1) and DSR
(297 kg ha-1). CH4 emission had significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the fertilizer management practices.
CH4 emission flux increased with increasing amount of organic manure added to the soil. Residue
incorporation was further enhanced the CH4 emission.Highest nitrous oxide (N2O) emission took
place during wheat season as compared to the rice crop season. DSR followed by zero till wheat with
30% residue retention augmented N2O emission by ~24% over transplanted rice followed by
conventional wheat system. A synergistic effect of green manuring was found to combat N2O emission.
Tillage and fertilization had significant interaction effect on N2O emission in both the crop. Zero tillage
with 30% residue retention coupled with 50% N substitution through organics attributed lowest N2O
emission. Therefore, zero tilled method of crop establishment with split application of nitrogenous
fertilizer could be an economic viable, productive and environmentally safe method for direct seeded
rice cultivation.
Keywords: Direct seeded rice, Greenhouse gasses, Nitrogen management, Rice-Wheat cropping
system, Zero tillage

Impact of long-term conservation strategies on forms of potassium under

Maize based cropping system
Gopal Kumar*,1, Priyanka Kumari1, Atul Kumar1, Kumar Harsh2, Ragini Kumari*
and Rajeev Padbhusan1
*,1
2
Department of Horticulture (Fruits and fruit technology), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: raginikumari76@gmail.com
Maize, along with rice and wheat, is one of the world’s most significant cereal crops, providing food
and fodder for rural populations. India, on the other hand, has lower maize production than the rest of
the globe. This is owing to the fact that more than three-quarters of India’s entire maize planted land
is under traditional and rainfed farming, which is a gamble of south-west monsoon. Intensive tillage
operations degrade soil quality and provide a significant obstacle to a sustainable agriculture
production system. This necessitates the need for conservation agricultural practices to restore and
maintain the soil quality. Several studies have found that different tillage techniques and cropping
systems influence the release pattern of different forms of K, but little is known about K dynamics in
maize-based cropping, which is one of the most important nutrient-mining crop sequences in eastern
India. The occurrence of K in soil is mainly in four different forms such as water soluble K, exchangeable
K, non-exchangeable K and structural or mineral K which remain in equilibrium to each other. The
different tillage practices such as Zero tillage, Permanent raised bed and Conventional tillage considered
along with Maize- Maize, Maize-wheat and Maize- Chickpea cropping system. In result it was observed
that in comparison to other tillage techniques and cropping systems, zero tillage and maize-chickpea
had the highest level of water-soluble K, exchangeable K, and non-exchangeable K. Zero tillage and
maize-chickpea were revealed to be the better crop establishment method and cropping sequence for
boosting forms of K supply among tillage methods and cropping systems.
Keywords- Conservation agriculture, Forms of potassium, Maize based cropping
Feasible use of Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) Plant in Agriculture

Sankar Chandra Paul*,1, Suman Lata1, Amit Kumar Pradhan1, Sunil Kumar1, Ruma Bharti1,
Ajeet Kumar1, Arun Kumar Jha1, Subrat Keshori Behera2, Kasturikasen Beura1
*,1
Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar, India – 813 210
2
Department of Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Application, Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India – 813 210
* Corresponding author Email ID: scpaul64@rediffmail.com
Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) is commonly found everywhere like near resident, road,
drainage, irrigation canal, field boundaries etc. Infestation by P. hysterophorus degrades natural
ecosystems causing various environmental problems. The germination and growth of indigenous

plants are inhibited by its allelopathic effect. It decreases seed germination and subsequent growth as
well as yield in many crops. Thus, present investigation was carried out to evaluate its nutrient status,
allelopathic effect on the germination as well as growth of crops like paddy and maize and for production
of vermicomposting with quality concern. Different concentrations of Parthenium leaf, root and
whole plant (0, 25, 50,100, 150 g L-1) extract on dry and fresh basis were used to evaluate seed
germination and plant growth of paddy and maize. Results showed that nutrients concentration were
high in leaves compare to roots and N, P, K, S contents were 1.11%, 0.38%, 4.89% and 1.14% respectively
in leaf. The germination of paddy seeds and its subsequent growth upto 10 days were highly affected
by the dry and raw extract of Parthenium leaf than the maize crop at higher concentration. No harmful
effect was found under fresh root extract. These extracts have least but significant influence on the
germination of seed and growth on maize crop. Prepared vermicompost using Parthenium weed
plants was rich in macronutrients content specially potassium and sulphur with higher recovery
percentage of more than 80%. Therefore, destructive weed, Parthenium plant can be utilized in
enhancing agriculture production system considering its lower concentration and in the form of
making nutrient rich vermicompost.
Keywords: Parthenium, nutrient content, seed germination and growth, vermicompost
Soil carbon dynamics in forest and agricultural land

Munmun Majhi1*, Vivek Kumar2, Manimeshanand2
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Viswabharti University,
Sriniketan, West Bengal, India, 736165
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur,
Bihar, India, 843121
*Corresponding author Email ID: munmunubkv15@gmail.com
Study of soil organic carbon (C) along with microbial dynamics is a matter of importance as it plays
major role in sustaining productivity. Microbial activities controls soil C and nutrient dynamics.The
soil C pool and the cycling get changed due to alteration of land use system. This study tries to find
out the C dynamics of forest and agricultural ecosystem. The soil samples were collected from Rasomoti
and Sonapur forest range, along with from the agricultural fields of the neighbouring areas. The forest
is situated in the Terairegion of the southern foothill of eastern Himalaya.Soil basic parameters like pH,
effective cation exchange capacity, texture, and bulk density were measured. Soil C pools like total C,
inorganic C and soil total organic C were estimated. Also, microbial biomass C was studied. Result
indicated that forest soils had higher total C (13.6 g kg-1) as well as organic C (14.1 g kg-1) than arable
soils. This may be due to higher organic matter input in forest soils. Microbial biomass C (43.28 µg g-
1
) was found higher in forest soils. Higher C as food and energy source for soil microorganisms was
the possible reason. However, microbial quotient was found higher in agricultural soils. It indicated
that quantitatively arable soils had lower C but that C was in more labile and available condition. This
might be due to less aggregation of soils under tillage condition.
Keywords: Homo and heterogeneous plantation, Forest soil, C stock, C pools, Agricultural soils.

Organic Nutrient Management Practices for Enhancing Leaf

Production of Magahi Pan
Shivnath Das*, Prabhat Kumar1, Ajit Kumar Pandey1, Ranjeet Kumar1, Sangeeta Kumari1,
N.Y. Azmi1, Randhir Kumar1 and S.B. Singh1
*,1
Betelvine Research Centre, Islampur, Nalanda (ARI, Patna)
(Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur)
Corresponding author Email ID: shivnath.das@rediffmail.com
Magahi pan (Piper betleL.) is a predominant cultivar of Betelvine in South Bihar with acreage of 439
ha. Excess use of chemical fertilizers deteriorates the keeping quality of green leaves (economic part of
the betelvine crop) by aggravating foliage disease. Therefore, organic nutrient management (ONM)
practices play an important role towards enhancement of crop productivityand nutrient balance in the
soil. Therefore, an experiment entitled “Organic Nutrient Management Practices for Enhancing Leaf
Production of Magahi Pan” was carried out at Betelvine Research Centre, Islampur (Nalanda) under
AICRP on MAP &Betel vine projectfor three consecutive yearsduring 2016-17 to 2018-19. Results
obtained from the pooled analysis of data after 3 years experimentation suggested that application of
FYM 10 t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + mustard oil cake @ 1 t ha-1 was at par with the application
of 200:100:100 NPK/ha (100% RDF) which yielded 94.14 leaves vine-1and B:C ratio of 2.08 in case of
Magahi Pan. Improvement in soil properties were more in organically applied plotsas compared to that
of inorganic treatment. All organic nutrient management (ONM) treatments were showed slight
improvement in soil health from their initial value.Application of FYM 10 t ha-1 + vermicompost 5 t ha-
1
+ mustardoil cake- 1 t ha-1 in Magahi pan showed at par result in respect of the other organic
treatment havingmaximum value of organic carbon and available in soil.Thus, itcould be concluded
that application of FYM @10 t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + mustard cake @ 1 t ha-1 was suitable
for obtaining higher marketable leaves (86.09 vine-1) with B:C ratio 1.84 from Magahi Pan cultivation
with improvement of soil health in Agroclimatic zone of III B of Bihar.
Keywords: Betelvine,FYM, Magahi Pan, ONM, Vermicompost
Influence of Long-term Integrated Nutrient Management on Productivity and

Soil Properties in Rice (Oryza sativa)-Wheat (Triticum aestivium) Cropping
System in Bihar
Sushant1*, Sanjay Kumar1, Anupam Das2, R.P. Sharma1 and S.K. Pathak1
*,1
2
*Corresponding author Email ID: sushantsaxena11@gmail.com
A permanent plot experiment on integrated nutrient supply system with twelve treatments replicated
four times in rice-wheat cropping system was conducted during 1984-85 to 2019-20 at Sabour in sandy
clay loam soil. Initially, the soil had pH 7.4 and organic carbon 0.46 %. After 36 years, the application

of 50% N through FYM + 50% NPK through inorganic fertilizers in rice and 100% recommended dose
in wheat as inorganic fertilizers resulted in significantly higher rice equivalent yield (11.07 t/ha) with
net returns (Rs. 96942/ha) and recorded 16.71 % higher system productivity over the treatment received
100 % dose of inorganic fertilizers both in rice and wheat. The second-best treatment was50% N
through green manuring+50% NPK through inorganic fertilizers in rice and 100% NPK in wheat gave
higher rice equivalent yield (10.54 t/ha) with net returns (Rs. 89620 /ha).The treatment50% N through
FYM + 50% NPK in rice and 100% NPK in wheat and 50% N through green manuring + 50% NPK in
rice and 100% NPK in wheatalso increased organic carbon (7.90 and 7.77 g/kg), available N (236.8 and
235.2 kg/ha), P2O5 (55.7 and 54.7 kg/ha), K2O (177.8 and 171.0 kg/ha), S (11.9 and 11.3kg/ha), Zn (1.66
and 1.48 mg/kg), Cu (3.86 and 3.64 mg/kg), Fe (43.4 and 41.3 mg/kg) and Mn (40.2 and 38.6 mg/kg),
sustained soil pH (7.26 and 7.27) and electrical conductivity (EC) (0.29 and 0.32 dS/m) and lowered
bulk density (1.41 and 1.39 g/cm3). In the treatment receiving 100% NPK through inorganic fertilizers
in both rice and wheat crops, the rice equivalent yield was 9.49 t/ha which was 292.6 % high over
control (without application of any fertilizer). Maximum beneficial micro-organisms, viz. bacteria, fungi
and actinomycetes were recorded with the integrated nutrient management practices. Negative trend
of net returns was noticed with control plots.
Keywords: Rice-wheat, INM, soil properties, crop productivity
Effect of Biofertilizers and Inorganic Fertilizerson Productivity, Soil Properties

and Nitrogen Use EfficiencyUnder Wheat-Rice Cropping System
Birendra Kumar1*, Sunil Kumar2 and Chandrasekhar Azad3
1*
2
Department of SSAC, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
3
Department of Plant Pathology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
A field experiment was conducted at BCKV, Kalyani (West Bengal) on medium loam soil under upland
situation to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility and productivity in
wheat-rice cropping system. The experiment was laid out in Split-Split Plot design with twenty four
treatments having three replications. The treatments comprised of organic source in Main plot viz. No
FYM and FYM (10 t ha-1 Farm yard manure), Sub plot treatments consist of no Fertilizers (NPK), 75%
NPK and 100% NPK whereas Sub-sub plot treatments comprised of No biofertilizers, Azotobacter,
PSB and Azotobacter+PSB. Whereas, in Kharif season, direct seeded rice was sown and crop get
only 100% RDF in all treatments. Experimental findings revealed that soil properties viz. (physical,
chemical and biological) %organic carbon, %porosity, Bacterial, Azotobacter, PSB populations improved
and lower pH, bulk density and EC with application of 10 t ha-1 FYM, 100 % RDF and combined
inoculation of Azotobacter and PSB. Nitrogen use efficiency also increased by application of
Biofertilizers. However, the effect of 100% RDF was statistically at par with 75% RDF. But the higher
values of these parameters under FYM at 10 t ha-1 and combination of Azotobacter and PSB were
statistically superior to the values obtained under without manuring and no inoculation or inoculation

of Azotobactor and PSB alone. Application of 10 t ha-1 FYM, 100% RDF and combined inoculation of
biofertilizers recorded 13.96, 43.18 and 10.74 % higher wheat equivalent yield over treatments of
without FYM, 0% RDF and no inoculation of biofertilizers in wheat-rice cropping system. It may be
concluded that the application of 10 t FYM ha-1 anddual inoculation of Azotobacter and PSB along
with 75 % RDF maximized productivity, sustain of soil health and can reduce the use of inorganic
fertilizers to the extent of 25% in wheat-rice cropping system.
Keywords: Azotobacter, Biofertilizers, INM, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, PSB
Integrated Nitrogen Management in Growth and Yield of Chilli

(Capsicum annum L.) Under Red andLateriticSoils of Odisha
Bitish Kumar Nayak1*, Abhijit Pradhan2and Saikat Ranjan Das1
*,1
VBU, Sriniketan, West Bengal, 731236
2
The Neotia University (TNU), South 24 Parganas, West Bengal – 743363
*Corresponding author Email ID: bitishkumar003@gmail.com
The experimental study was conducted in research plots of Central Horticultural Research
Station (CHES) during Rabi season 2018-2019 on Integrated Nitrogen Management (INM) in chilli
under lateritic soils of Odisha. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD)
comprising of eight treatments like T1-control (no nitrogen), T2- 100% of N through RDF, T3- 50% of
N through RDF +50% of N through Farm Yard Manure (FYM), T4- 25% of N through RDF + 75% of N
through FYM, T5- 50%(NPK) + 50% (Vermicompost), T6- 25%(NPK) +75%(VC), T7- 100%N(FYM),
T8- 100%N (VC) with three replications and Seedling treatment were done with Bavistin and Chloro
dust were applied @ 50 kg ha-1 against treatment. It was observed that the substitution of nitrogen
through vermicompost to the extent of 50% and remaining 50% as urea proved to be considered as the
best treatment amongst different combinations of organic sources with urea (RDF). The highest yield
of chilli i.e., both pod yield (14511.4 kg ha-1) and stover yield (901.05 kg ha-1) and plant growth such as
plant height, flowering, fruiting, fruit length, fruit girth was observed in T5 due to combination of 50%
of N as urea and 50% of N as vermicompost. Integrated use of organic manures along with chemical
fertilizers not only produced highest and sustainable crop yields but also enhanced plant growth due
to quick mineralization and easy availability.
Keywords: Vermicompost, Nitrogen, Urea, Chilli, Growth

Crop Residue Management for Sustainable Crop Production

Asheesh Chaurasiya*1, Swaraj Kumar Dutta2, Garima Singh3, Prithvi Raj3,
Ravikesh Kumar Pal3, AlkaJyoti Sharma3 and Ajeet Chaurasiya4
*1
Research Associate, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sabour, Bhagalpur
2
Assistant Professor cum Junior Scientist, DKAC, Kishanganj
3
Ph. D. Scholar, Department of Agronomy,
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar)
4
M.Sc. Agro-meteorology, ANDUA&T, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (UP)
*Corresponding author Email ID: asheeshagro@gmail.com
Presently, crop residue burning is very common among the farmers which are creating some visible
and some invisible threats for agriculture as well as health point of view. It is well known that the
agricultural industry plays a major role in the overall economic growth of the India. After taken
economical part from crops remaining part of crop is called as crop residue or agriculture waste. India
is the second largest agro based economy with year-round crop cultivation, generates a large amount
of agricultural waste and crop residues which is the largest agricultural harvest. In the absence of
adequate sustainable management practices, approximately 92% seems a very small number of metric
tons of crop waste in every year in India, causing excessive particulate matter emissions and air
pollution. India being an agriculture dominant country produces more than 500 million tons of crop
residues annually and a large portion of these unused crop residues are burnt in the fields primarily to
clear the left-over straw and stubbles after the harvest. The burning of crop residues causes large
losses (up to 80%) of N 25% of P, 21% of K and 4-60% of S. Burning of crop residue is a crime under
Section 188 of the IPC and under the pollution Control Act of 1981. According to ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (MNRE), India generates on an average 500 Million tons of crop residue per year.
Plant biomass is mainly comprised cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin with smaller amounts pectin,
protein extractives, sugars and nitrogenous material, chlorophyll and inorganic waste. Compared to
cellulose and hemicellulose, lignin provides the structural support and it is almost impermeable.
Lignin resist fermentation as it is very resistant to chemical and biological decomposition. The non-
food based portion of crops such as the stalks, straw and husk are categorized under the ligno-
cellulosic biomass. The major agricultural crops grown in the India such as rice, wheat, maize and
sugarcane, respectively, account for most of the lingo-cellulosic biomass. Ligno-cellulosic biomass
composed of hemicellulose, and lignin, are increasingly recognized as a valuable commodity, due to
its abundant raw material for the production of biofuel.
So, crop residues burning causes lots of losses including organic carbon and microbial
population and ultimately threating our sustainable crop production. But now a day several substitute
residue management options are available to farmers for the gainful management of crop residues are
livestock feed, mushroom cultivation, incorporation, surface retention am char and baling and removing
the straw. By adopting these residue management practices, we could avoid residue burning and can
save sustainability of soil and environment.
Keywords: Crop Residue, Residue burning, Sustainability

Effect Of Fertilizer Doses, Liming and Manuring on Yield, Phosphorus Uptake

and Phosphorus Sorption in a Red Soil from Jharkhand
Ranabir Chakraborty*1, V.K. Sharma1, Prabhakar Mahapatra2, D. K. Shahi2 and Saptaparnee Dey1
*,1
Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Ranchi, Jharkhand
*Corresponding author Email ID: ranabir003@gmail.com
In redsoils, phosphorus (P) fixation by sesquioxides is a major challenge to establish commercially

viable crop cultivation. The sorption and precipitation by the acidic soil matrix reducesthe P availability
to plants.Soil samples were collected after the harvest of wheat to explore the influence of different
long-term nutrient management strategies on P sorption behavior from a long-term experiment in Birsa
Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand that is going on since 1972with a soybean-wheat cropping
system. Soils were equilibrated with different levels (5-60 ppm)of P and data was fitted to Langmuir
and Freundlich isotherm. The soils from the adsorption run were allowed to desorbin a P-free medium
and data was fitted to Freundlich isotherm. For P uptake,ground grain samples were digested with di-
acid mixture and P content was estimated by vanadomolybdate yellow colour method. P adsorption
substantially reduced as the P dose was increased from 50 to 150 percent.The treatment NPK+FYM
and 100% N had the lowest and greatest levels of adsorption, respectively.The Langmuir bonding
strength coefficient was significantly reduced by NPK+FYM and NPK+Lime.The treatment 100% N
had the largest Langmuir adsorption maxima, followed by control.On the other hand, NPK+FYM had
the highest desorption, while control and 100% N had the lowest. The yield and P uptake were highest
in NPK + FYM and NPK + Lime treatments.To conclude, in these soils, NPK + FYM and NPK + Lime
treatments could provide win-win conditions in increasing P desorption, P uptake, and yield
simultaneously.
Keywords: Redsoil, Phosphorus, desorption, Phosphorus uptake, Langmuir, Freundlich,

adsorption maxima
Long-term Effect of Different Tillage Practices and Cropping Systems

on Forms of Sulphur in Soil
Kirti Kumari1*, Shweta Shambhavi1, Jajati Mandal1, Bipin Bihari1 and Sanjay Kumar2
*,1
Bhagalpur- 813210, Bihar
2
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur- 813210, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: kirtichaudhary702@gmail.com
Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems are currently being practiced on a wide range of soil types
because of the possibility to increase productivity and soil health.Zero tillage is one of the important
components of CA system which helps to achieve the goal ofsustainability.Among all the essential
nutrients, Sulphur as a secondary macronutrient is required for optimum growth, metabolism and

developmentof plants. A research work was carried out on the on-going experiment of CA entitled
“Resource conservation technology for stabilizing yield under different cropping system” at the BAC
farm, Sabour in the year 2019 in Split Plot Design having three establishment methods of maize in the
main plotsi.e, Zero tillage, Permanent raised bed and conventional tillage and six cropping systems
(Maize+Soybean-Wheat, Maize-Wheat, Maize-Maize, Maize-Mustard, Maize-Chick Pea and Soybean-
Maize) in sub-plots.Experimental data of this study showed that soil pH, OC, available N,P,K,S and
total Nitrogen were improved with continuous zero tillage under different cropping system. It was also
observed that all the forms of S were higher under zero tillage andin soybean-maize cropping system
except adsorbed form of S. Across all the treatment combinations, Available S, Water soluble Sulphur
(WSS), Heat soluble Sulphur (HSS), Adsorbed Sulphur (AdS) and Organic Sulphur (OC) was found to
be 3.99, 3.57, 11.38, 3.67 and 64.06 % respectively of the total Sulphur. Maize yield and uptake was
found to be positive and significantly correlated with different forms of S except adsorbed S.
Keywords: Conservation Agriculture, Maize yield,Soil tillage, Sulphur
Soil Moisture Conservation Techniques for Nutrient Management in

Indian Farming context
Krishna Kumar Sudhansu*
Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: sudhansu680@gmail.com
Soil moisture is a major factor for soil nutrient status as it enhances the crop productivity. The soil
moisture helps plant to carry out their basic physiological and metabolic processes, including nutrient
absorption from soil. It dissolves salts and nutrient compounds and control their transport processes
in soil. Water supply influences the plant directly through the transpiration stream and structural
water requirements, and indirectly through its influence on the proportions of nutrients in the soil
solution. Water is also important for various activities of the soil microorganisms leading to
decomposition of organic matter and fixation as well as release of soil nutrients. The three mechanisms
for nutrient movement are mass flow, diffusion and root interception which is dependent on the
moisture content in the soil. With rise in moisture content of the soil, the soluble phosphate per unit
weight of soil increases approximately proportionally and the quantities of potassium, calcium and
magnesium generally increases, but total nitrate changes very little under field conditions. Soil NO3- N
increased as soil water-filled pore space (WFPS) increased from 0 to 80 cm3 cm”3. At soil moisture
levels greater than 80 cm3 cm”3, NO3-N concentration declined rapidly and NH4-N concentration
increased, likely due to anaerobic conditions existing at higher WFPS levels.Adequate supply of
moisture in general is known to influence positively on the growth and dry matter production of crop
directly as well as indirectly by increasing the availability and utilization of nutrient and increase the
nutrient uptake of N, P and K. Among the moisture conservation practices i.e. use of FYM,
differentmulches and dry weed biomass mulch will record highest uptake of N, P and K mainly due to
increased availability of soil moisture and nutrients in root zone which will help to improve the nutrient

content. Moisture conservation practices by mulching increases the NPK uptake because of slow
decomposition and increases nutrient availability due to mineralization.
Keyword: Soil moisture, Nutrient, Conservation techniques
Integrated Nutrient Management Approaches in Fruit Production

Ankur Kumar Rai*, Kumar Harsh1, Ankit Kumar Pandey1,
Roopendra Kumar and Suman Kumari1
*,1
Department of Horticulture (Fruit & Fruit Technology)
*Corresponding author Email ID: ankurhorti@gmail.com
The continued use or excess supply of inorganic fertilisers as a source of nutrient in an unbalanced
proportion is a concern, resulting in economic inefficiencies, environmental damage and in certain
cases, danger to plants and humans who consume them. Increased horticulture produce yield, on the
other hand, pulls enormous amounts of vital nutrients from the soil. Continuous crop production,
without effective management, depletes soil nutrient supplies. Another major problem is the long-term
viability of soil productivity, as land has been aggressively depleted in order to produce larger yields.
Cumulative depletion reduces output, yield, and soil fertility over time, resulting in soil degradation.
Sustainable agriculture is a novel approach of farming that aims to integrate environmentally friendly
agricultural practises while maintaining the long-term ecological balance of the soil ecosystem. The
judicious use of organic and inorganic inputs is being investigated as an alternate source of fertiliser
for crops.
Keywords: INM, organics, Sustainable agriculture, inorganic fertilisers, ecosystem.
Impacts of Different Land Use Land Cover Types on Different Soil Nitrogen
and Carbon Characteristics and the Carbon Sequestration in Soil
Sagardeep Sinha*, Ganesh Chandra Banik1, Subhadeep Mondal1,Shovik Deb1 and Nandini Roy1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
Pundibari, Coochbehar-736165
*Corresponding author Email ID: sgrdpsnh@gmail.com
Landuse land cover plays a vital role for maintaining the carbon and nitrogen balance in the ecosystem.
The landuse landcover (LULC) type is important factor for controlling soil organic matter levels by
affecting the quantity and quality of litter input (both below and above ground), litter decomposition
rates and stabilization of organic matter.The research work was conducted at the Pundibari campus of
Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya. The study area is having a coverage of about 300 acres of land
and it hosts four kinds of land uses- croplands, grasslands, plantation lands and human interfered
lands. The work has been carried out with 85 number of total soil samples from the different LULC
types at 0-20 cm depth.The estimation of several forms of carbon and nitrogen viz, total organic

carbon, different carbon pools, available nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen,
carbon stock, nitrogen stock, C:N ratio, etc. indicated that there were variations in these forms under
different LULC types.Significant variations were found for ammoniacal nitrogen, organic carbon in
different LULCs. Both ammonical and nitrate nitrogen were found to follow the order- grasslands >
croplands > plantation lands > human interfered lands. The C:N ratio was observed highest in human
interfered lands followed by plantation lands, grasslands and croplands. Both the carbon stock and
the nitrogen stock were highest in grassland soils and lowest in the human interfered land soils. The
lability index is highest in human interfered land soils followed by the soils of cropland, plantation
land and grassland. The recalcitrant index is highest in the soils of grassland, followed by plantation
land, cropland and human interfered land. Both these indicate that the more stable fractions are found
in grassland soils which denotes more carbon sequestration.
Keywords: LULC, carbon, nitrogen, C:N ratio, carbon sequestration.
Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Nitrogen

Transformation in an acid Inceptisol
Anindita Jana1*, Mitali Mandal2 and Soumyadeep Ghosh3
1*
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, UBKV,
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, OUAT,
Bhubaneswar, 3Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science,
Faculty of Agriculture, BCKV
*Corresponding author Email ID: anindita123.jana@gmail.com
Optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization practice enables the crop ecologyto reduce environmental risks and
improve N supplying capacity of soil. Apart from sole chemical fertilization strategy,techniques that
advocate incorporation of biological fertilizers along with chemical and organic fertilizer are required
to be followed. Comprehensive study indicating the influence of integrated nutrient management on
soil nitrogen transformation with special focus on potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) in acid
soil of hot humid tropical Odisha is scarce. Therefore, an established long-term field experiment was
utilized for present investigation, while black gram cultivated during the summer season of 2019 as 25th
crop in sequence was used as test crop.Ten different treatments are: control, STD + FYM, STD + VC,
STD + F + BFs, STD + VC + BFs, STD + F + L + BFs, STD + VC + L + BFs, STD (100 % NPK), BFs alone
and 50 % STD + BFs. Rhizobium was seed inoculated @ 50 g kg-1 seedand PSB was applied to soil @
4 kg ha-1. Soil test dose of N-P-K-S was 30-13-30-30 kg ha-1 supplied through Navaratna (20-20-0-13),
urea and MOP while FYM and vermicompost were applied as 5 and 2.5 t ha-1 respectively. Integration
of inorganics with organics, biofertilizers and lime helped to increase the total soil N, total hydrolysable-
N (THN) (amino acid-N, ammonia-N, amino sugar-N, hydrolysable unknown-N) and non-hydrolysable-
N (NHN)significantly.Of the total hydrolysable-N fraction in soil, ammonia-N constituted 25.4%,
amino acid-N 38%, amino sugar-N 6.6%, and hydrolysable unknown-N 30%. A trend towards increasing
potentially mineralizable N (N0) by adoption of INM package of practices was observed. INM practice

increased total yield up to 133% over unfertilized treatment whereas, lime inclusion held significant
variation in total crop productivity by adding extra 42% yield. N uptake by crop, maintenance of soil
acidity at lower level (higher pH), higher available nutrients and higher organic carbon status in post-
harvest soil were significantly influenced by INM practices.
Keywords: INM, Nitrogen forms, FYM, Vermicompost, black gram
Importance of Potassium in Abiotic Stress Resistance

Akhilesh Kumar Singh1*, Amit Kumar Pandey1 and Ashutosh Singh1
*,1Veer Kunwar Singh College of Agriculture, Dumraon
Mandan Bharti Agriculture College, Agwanpur, Saharsa
*Corresponding author Email ID: akhileshsingh19@gmail.com
The major limitation for plant growth and crop production in arid and semi-arid regions is soil water
availability. Plants that are continuously exposed to drought stress can form ROS, which leads to leaf
damage and, ultimately, decreases crop yield. During drought stress, root growth and the rates of
K diffusion in the soil towards the roots were both restricted, thus limiting K acquisition? The resulting
lower K concentrations can further depress the plant resistance to drought stress, as well as K
absorption. Maintaining adequate plant K is, therefore, critical for plant drought resistance.The
maintenance of a favorable water status is critical for plant survival under drought stress. Osmotic
adjustment is a major trait that is associated with maintaining high cellular turgor potential and water
retention in response to drought stress. Many studies have shown that osmotic adjustment of leaves
is positively correlated with drought tolerance in various plant species. As one of the most prominent
inorganic osmotic in plants, K plays a key role in formation of the osmotic adjustment ability, even
under drought conditions. Cell turgor recovery in osmotically-generated stress was regulated by
increasing K, Cl and Na uptake by root cells, which was partly mediated by voltage-gated K transporters
at the cellular plasma membrane. Furthermore, sufficient K induces solute accumulation, thus lowering
osmotic potential and helping to maintain plant cell turgor under osmotic stress. In summary, an
adequate K status may facilitate osmotic adjustment, which maintains higher turgor pressure, relative
water content and lower osmotic potential, thus improving the ability of plants to tolerate drought
stress. During drought stress, quick stomatal closure and internal moisture preservation are essential
for plant adaptation to drought conditions. K plays a crucial role in turgor regulation within the guard
cells during stomatal movement. Some studies also stated that K deficiency may induce stomatal
closure and inhibit photosynthetic rates in several crop plants. Conversely, many studies suggest
that K had no effect on stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates under well-watered conditions,
but K starvation could favor stomatal opening and promote transpiration, compared with K sufficiency
in several plants under drought stress. Furthermore, photosynthetic rate was decreased under drought
stress in K deficient plants. This discrepancy may be related to the plant species, experimental system
and environmental factors within the experimental field or interspecific differences.
Keywords: Potassium, abioticstress, ROS, Production

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) for Sustaining Rice Productivity and

Reducing Environmental Impact
Anand Kumar*1, Dinkar1, Ravi Ranjan Kumar2, Rakesh Deo Ranjan3, Satyendra1,
Mankesh Kumar1, S.P. Singh1, Sanjay Kumar1 and Tushar Ranjan2
*,1
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, 2Dept. of MBGE, 3Dept. of PPB
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar India-813 210
*Corresponding author Email ID: dranandpbgbausabour@gmail.com
The increasing rice demands of a growing human population and the need for an environmentally
friendly strategy for sustainable agricultural development require significant attention. Lowland rice
accounts for 14% of total global fertiliser consumption, a figure that is expected to rise as rice demand
rises. Non-judicious and imbalanced use of NPK fertiliser depletes the native soil nutrient store while
also causing environmental harm such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, acidification, and
eutrophication, all of which pose a severe threat to rice production sustainability. The components for
sustainable rice production includes organic manures viz., Farmyard manure (FYM), compost,
vermicompost, biogas slurry, poultry manure, crop residues etc. In biofertilizers it includes BGA,
azolla, phosphate solublizers, etc. Green manures & Green leaf manures viz., Dhaincha (Sesbania
aculeata), Sesbania rostrata, Sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea), Pongamia glabra; crop rotation with
legumes and use of chemical fertilizer like urea, single super phosphate, di-ammonium phosphate,
muriate of potash. Integrated application of organic manures and chemical fertilizers could be the best
option to overcome the adverse impacts associated with use of chemical fertilizer alone. Integrated
nutrient management (INM) is the judicious use of all possible nutrient sources to meet the plant
nutrient requirement at an optimum level to sustain the desired crop productivity with minimal impact
on environment. In INM, the immediate nutrient requirement of the crop is met through chemical
fertilizers. As a result, the rate and timing of chemical fertiliser application should be coordinated with
the crop’s current needs. The slow and long-term release of nutrients from organic sources, on the
other hand, aids in addressing the crop’s long-term needs. INM enhances rice crop yields by 8–150%
compared with conventional practices, increases water-use efficiency, and the economic returns to
farmers, while improving grain quality and soil health and sustainability.
Keywords: Biofertilizers, INM, Rice, Sustainability
Integrated Nutrient Management in Fruit Orchards in the Subtropics

Kumar Harsh¹*, Manoj Kundu1, Sanjay Sahay1, Gopal Kumar2, Atul Kumar2
*,1
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar- 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: kumarharsh12312@gmail.com
Mango and guava are two economically important fruit crops that provide long-term sustainability in
subtropical integrated farming. Despite this potential, they have been unable to have a significant

impact on the production scenario and markets due to a variety of factors, the most important of which
is the quantity and quality of production, which is primarily influenced by suboptimal nutrient
management strategies in production systems. Different types of nutritional problems, whether caused
by deficiency or excess, have an impact on both the number and quality of harvests. Long-term and
consistent application of one preferred nutrient source may cause its accumulation in soil, resulting in
higher concentration and build-up of nutrient that may interact with other nutrients, influencing
synergism or antagonism. As a result, this condition limits the rational application of nutrients in
production systems to ensure optimal use of external inputs while also addressing pollution concerns.
Large swaths of the country’s soils are deficient in macro and micronutrients to varying degrees,
creating serious worries about soil and human health issues that threaten the country’s sustainability
and livelihood possibilities. This underscores the importance of an integrated nutrient management
approach for crop sustainability in the region, particularly mango and guava production. Organic and
fertiliser sources that are locally available, culturally appropriate, and economically feasible must be
addressed in order to ensure a balanced supply of nutrients that affect soil and human health. In this
field of research, microbial relationships must be thoroughly investigated in order to achieve synergy.
The importance of a site-specific nitrogen management strategy for boosting these crops’ orchard
efficiency is stressed.
Keywords: Antagonism, INM, Sustainability, Synergy
Can Biochar Play an Effective Role in Enhancing the Availability

of Phosphorus in Soils?
Aditya Raj*, Umesh Singh1, Anshuman Kohli1 and Mainak Ghosh1
*,1
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: adityarajjo2811999@gmail.com
Phosphorus is a nutrient often limiting for primary production but can also be a pollutant, in the
environment. Recent studies show that biochar plays a crucial role in regulating soil physiochemical
properties and crop development. Biochar affects soil P cycling by altering P chemical forms, changing
soil P sorption and desorption capacities, and influencing microbial population size, enzymatic activities,
mycorrhizal associations and microbial production of metal chelating organic acids. The porous
structure, high specific surface area, and metal oxide and surface functional groups make biochar an
effective material for removing P from eutrophic water via ligand exchange, cation bridge and P
precipitation. Application of cattle manure biochar has reportedly reduced the loss of colloidal
phosphorus from the soil and enhanced the soil available phosphorus content. Addition of biochar
enhanced the yield of crops following the improvement of soil biological activities based P availability
and increased the P use efficiency.Thus the wide role of biochar in amelioration of physical, chemical
and biological properties influences the availability of P in the soil and reduces the frequent use of P
fertilizers in the soil. In this background, a pertinent point of discussion is – ‘Can biochar be a
promising novel material for managing phosphorus in the terrestrial environment?’
Keywords: Biochar, Phosphorus, Novel materials

Role of Organics and Bio-fertilizers in Citrus Orchards

Shreya Verma1* , Sanjay Sahay1 and Rashmi Sahay1
1
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: vermashreya0711@gmail.com
Citrus trees (Citrus spp.) are one of the world’s most popular fruits, yet they pose a serious threat to
human health and the environment due to the continued and excessive use of synthetic fertilizers. The
integrated fertilization system in citrus orchards improves crop productivity by supplying nutrients in
an environmentally responsible manner, creating healthy fruits,increasing plant resistance to biotic
stresses, increasing grower revenues, and preserving natural resources. Compost, Vermicompost,
Humic substances, Biochar, Farm manure, and microorganisms in biofertilizers increase the amount
and availability of essential elements toplants. There are various biofertilizers used for different
purposes according to the role of microorganisms, such asnitrogen-fixing microorganisms like
Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Rhizobium, and Frankia; phosphorus solubilizing microorganism such
as Pseudomonas and Bacillus; Phosphorous mobilizingas Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, and
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Organics and biofertilizers have a number of beneficial
effects, including increasing nutrient availability in soils, increasing tree productivity (20%-30%),
improving fruit quality, improving soil properties, stimulating microflora population in the rhizosphere,
reducing pathogenic organisms’ harmful effects,and improving plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic
stresses, particularly using both organic and biofertilizers play a critical role in environmental
conservation, they can compensate large amounts of in organic fertilizer, reducing the great amount of
inorganic fertilizer used indiscriminately in citrus orchards. Citrus orchards respond positively to a
combination of organics and biofertilizers combined with mineral fertilizers.
Keywords: Biochar, Biofertilizer, Rhizobacteria, Stress
Organics in Leafy Vegetables Production

Kunal Anand1, Ajay Bhardwaj*1, Kumar Harsh2, Surabhi Sangam1 and Chandni1
*,1
Department of Horticulture (Vegetable and Floriculture)
2
Department of Horticulture (Fruit & Fruit Technology)
*Corresponding author Email ID: anandgkp76@gmail.com
Organically grown foods taste better and contain a better balance of vitamins and minerals than
conventionally grown foods. Leafy vegetables place a vital role in daily diet of humans with high
nutritional values. Leafy vegetables are rich source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. They
contribute 80-100 g per day per person in daily diet which is 40% of the daily total vegetable consumption
per day per person. As leafy vegetables are of short duration and remunerative, farmers use huge

number of nitrogenous fertilizers for quick and luxurious growth which leads to poor quality and also
ends up in ground waters contamination. If these greens are cultivated totally with high dose of
chemical fertilizers, growth and yields are high but quality of the greens will be reduced drastically.
Growing of leafy vegetables under organic conditions not only improves the quality but also extends
the shelf life. The increased use of organic inputs in the production of leafy vegetable crops is-helpful
not only for human health but also for plant and soil health as it influences the plant growth by
enhancing root biomass; total root surface facilitates higher absorption of nutrients and increase in
yield by reducing consumption of natural sources of energy. The organics have proved that their
application has the potential to increase the biomass and productivity of crops.
Keywords: Vitamins, Minerals, Organic, Remunerative, Inorganic, Fertilisers, Biomass.
How to Achieve Lost Phosphorus: Some Approaches

Ruma Bharti*1, S.C. Paul1, Suman Lata1, Rajani Kumari1 and Ajeet Kumar1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: rumabharti2620@gmail.com
Phosphorus (P) is an essential element needed in all living organisms, and it is also a non-renewable
resource dependent exclusively on mined rock phosphates. An input of phosphorus is crucial for
food production since all plants need an adequate supply for successful growth. However, only about
20% of the phosphorus used in agriculture reaches the food we consume and rest is lost. Most of the
P is lost and those losses often cause serious environmental problems. The depletion of mineable P
reserves will turn into a global calamity unless we find large sources of renewable P for increasing its
efficiency. Utilizing new approaches to capture P from animal wastes with higher concentration makes
this a technically and economically viable option today. Various strategiesto capture the lost P in
animal waste are utilized so that the P can be used in agriculture to replace a significant fraction of
mined P. The first step in P capture is to ensure that the P is in a recoverable form. Thus, it begins with
the conversion of organic P into inorganic P. Then, we look at major approaches for removing inorganic
P from the water stream and that can be reused: precipitation as sparingly soluble P compounds,
adsorption, ion exchange and biological uptake. Precipitation of P from waste streams is a well-
developed method of P removal and adsorption is widely used to remove P from wastewater in treated
plants using different adsorbents. While in ion exchange, undesirable ions can be interchanged based
on ion affinity and is promising for P recovery and biologically P can be recovered by photosynthetic
microorganisms or P-selective protein. These approaches can be used to recover P along with other
nutrients which can replace one-third of the P requirements.
Keywords: Lost phosphorus recovery, precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, biological approach

Recycling of Phosphorus from Waste Materials

Gaurav Kumar Yadav*, Rajni Prabha Rani1, Mamta Kumari1, J. Prasad1, Y. K. Singh1, B. K.
Vimal1, Ragini Kumari1 and Rajkishore Kumar1
*,1
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: gky10225@gmail.com
Phosphorus (P) flow from deposits through agriculture to waterways leads to eutrophication and
depletion of P reserves. Therefore, P must be recycled. Low and unpredictable plant availability of P
in residues is considered to be a limiting factor for recycling. We identified the determinants for the
plant-availability of P in agrifood residues. We quantified P in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)
and in field soil fractions with different plant availabilities of P as a response to manure and sewage
sludge with a range of P capture and hygienization treatments. P was more available in manure and in
sludge, when it was captured biologically or with a moderate iron (Fe)/P, than in NPK. In this study, we
selected three anaerobic digestates [wastewater sludge, winery sludge, and bovine-slurry/energy
crops] and two animal effluents [bovine slurry and swine slurry] to test their P-release and P-fertilising
capacities via sequential chemical extraction. We characterized inorganic P species in seven waste
products (two biomass ashes, meat bone meal, fish sludge, catering waste and two food waste-based
digestate products) and two manure products (dairy and chicken manure) by Sequential chemical
fractionation. Swine manure compost contains a significant amount of phosphorus. In this study, the
characteristics of P compounds in SMC were investigated by chemical extractant.
Keywords: Phosphorus, Manure, Compost, Slurry
Effect of INM on Yield Attributing Characters of Makhana (Euryale Ferox

Salisb.) under Ex-Situ Conditions and Improvement in Soil Quality
P. K. Yadav1*, Anil Kumar2, Tapan Gorai3, Paras Nath4, Ruby Saha5, Rajkishore Kumar 6,
G.L. Choudhary 7 and S.P. Viswakarma 8
*,1, 3,5
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BPSAC, Purnea
2
Department of Horticulture, BPSAC, Purnea, 4Department of Entomology, BPSAC, Purnea
6
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAC, Sabour
7
Department of Agronomy, BPSAC, Purnea, 8Department of SSAC, IRS, Madhepura
*Corresponding author Email ID: pankajyadavsoil1@gmail.com
Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) is an important dry fruit produced from aquatic plant Euryale ferox.
In India, more than 85 percent of makhana production is contributed by Bihar state. Keeping this in
view, a field experiment was conducted at the Makhana Research Unit, BPSAC, Purnea, BAU, Sabour
over the two consecutive years of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. Before the start of the experiment, the
field was kept fallow from last five consecutive years, and test crop was Sabour Makhana-1. The

experiment was laid out with following treatments viz., T0- Control plot without manures and fertilizer,
T1 – RDF (75:45:30 N-P2O5-K2O), T2 – Vermicompost (25% N of RDN) + 75% N through Chemical
Fertilizer (CF) + rest P2O5-K2O as CF, T3 – Neem Cake (25% N of RDN) + 75 % N through Chemical
Fertilizer (CF) + rest P2O5-K2O as CF, T4 – Azolla @ 100g m2 + P2O5-K2O as CF, T5 – Vermicompost (50%
N of RDN) + 25% Neem Cake + 25 % Mustard Cake N of RDN) and design in RBD with replicated
thrice. The spacing of Makhana crop was transplanted at 1.25m x 1.25m in the 10m x10 m plots at the
month of March. Recommended doses of N, P and K (75:45:30) were applied to the test crop, and seed
and pop yields were recorded during both the years of experimentation. Makhana seed were harvested
after complete degradation of makhana leaves. The initial soil samples were collected from all plots
before transplanting and after harvesting of makhana crop. RDP and RDK were applied uniformly as
basal dose in each plots as well as organic treatments. Half of the N as urea was given as basal
application. Required half dose of nitrogen was applied as per treatment in two equal splits at different
growth stages. It could be concluded that there was significantly highest improvement in leaf size,
fruit diameter, no of seed/fruit, test weight and yield in the treatment T2 (Vermicompost (25% N of
RDN) + 75% N through Chemical Fertilizer (CF)+ rest P2O5-K2O as CF), and T5 shows at par with
various treatment towards leaf size in Makhana crops. The non-significant impact was observed on
pH and EC, and significant improvement of organic carbon content was found in T5 as compared to
control, and treatments T2, T3 and T4 were at par with rest of the treatments.
Keywords: Sabour Makhana-1, ex-situ conditions, soil quality.
Integrated Nutrient Management in Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Rishu Kumar*, Kumar Ashish1 and Ayush Singh1
*,1
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: kumarrishu606@gmail.com
Over years of intensive cultivation and imbalanced fertilizer use, the soils of the Indian subcontinent
have become deficient in several nutrients and are impoverished in organic matter. Recently, this
region has started emphasizing a shift from inorganic to organic farming to manage soil health.
However, owing to the steadily increasing demands for food by the overgrowing populations of this
region, a complete shift to an organic farming system is not possible. The rice–wheat cropping system
(RWCS) is in crisis because of falling or static yields. The nations of this region have already recognized
this problem and have modified farming systems toward integrated nutrient management (INM) practices.
The INM concept aims to design farming systems to ensure sustainability by improving soil health,
while securing food for the population by improving crop productivity. Therefore, this paper was
synthesized to quantify the impact and role of INM in improving crop productivity and sustainability
of the RWCS in the context of the Indian subcontinent through meta-analysis using 338 paired data
during the period of 1989–2016. The meta-analysis of the whole data for rice and wheat showed a
positive increase in the grain yield of both crops with the use of INM over inorganic fertilizers only

(IORA), organic fertilizers only (ORA), and control (no fertilizers; CO) treatments. The increase in
grain yield was significant at p < 0.05 for rice in INM over ORA and CO treatments. For wheat, the
increase in grain yield was significant at p < 0.05 in INM over IORA, ORA, and CO treatments. The
yield differences in the INM treatment over IORA were 0.05 and 0.13 Mg ha”1, respectively, in rice and
wheat crops. The percent yield increases in INM treatment over IORA, ORA, and CO treatments were
2.52, 29.2, and 90.9, respectively, in loamy soil and 0.60, 24.9, and 93.7, respectively, in clayey soil. The
net returns increased by 121% (INM vs. CO) in rice, and 9.34% (INM vs. IORA) and 127% (INM vs.
CO) in wheat crop. Use of integrated nutrient management had a positive effect on soil properties as
compared to other nutrient management options. Overall, the yield gain and maintenance of soil
health due to INM practices over other nutrient management practices in RWCS can be a viable
nutrient management option in the Indian subcontinent.
Keywords: integrated nutrient management, rice, wheat, net returns, soil health, sustainability

Technical Session IV
Towards Smart nutrient management


Effect of Foliar Application of Zinc on Biofortified Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Birendra Kumar1*, Suresh Prasad Singh2 and Sunil Kumar3
*1
2
Department of PBG, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
3
Department of SSAC, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
A field experiment was conducted to study the comparative performance of zinc in biofortified rice and
their effect on yield attributes, yield and zinc concentration of rice at BAU farm, Sabour in Randomized
Block Design replicated thrice during Kharif season of 2021-22. The variety used was Sabour Aaayush.
The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam having pH 7.7, organic carbon 0.53%, Low in
available Nitrogen (159.88 kg/ha), Phosphorus (26.94 kg P2O5/ha), Potassium (196.69 kg K2O/ha) and
initial soil Zn-1.0 mg/kg of soil. The recommended dose of fertilizers i.e. 100-40-20 kg N- P2O5- K2O/ha
was applied. In addition to these fertilizers 25 kg zinc sulphate was applied as basal and 0.5% zinc
sulphate used as foliar spray at pre flowering and milking stage of rice. The experimental results
revealed thatRDF (100:40:20)+25 kg/ha zinc sulphate as basal+0.5% zinc sulphate spray as foliar
application at pre flowering and milking stage was the best treatment and recorded significantly better
values for yield attributes(74.74 grains per panicles,270.33 panicles per m2,30.18 g test weight),higher
grain yield (4.96 t/ha) and higher concentration (30.9 and 91.8mg kg-1 grain and straw, respectively)
and uptake of Zn in grain (153.3 g ha-1) and in straw (455.2 g ha-1) of bio fortified rice than soil
application alone of Zn and most other treatments. The agronomic Zn bio fortification viewpoint,
foliar application is better and requires lesser amount of Zn fertilizers than their soil application.
Hence, this new innovative approach may be considered as one of the possible ways to overcome the
Zn malnutrition from the Bihar population whose major staple food is rice particularly poor family.
Keywords: Biofortification, Foliar spray, Rice, Zinc, Zinc Sulphate
Seed priming for Iron biofortification in Lentil

Amit Kumar Pradhan*, Rahul Raj1, Kasturikasen Beura1, Mahendra Singh1, Sunil Kumar1,
Gopal Kumar1, Sankar Chandra Paul1 and Subodh Kumar1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: amyth005@gmail.com
Despite being one of the most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust, Iron (Fe) is not readily bioavailable
due to various soil or physiological factors. Lentil is a designated candidate crop for Fe biofortification.
This research was formulated to study the effect of different Fe application methods on the Fe
bioavailability in Lentil grains. A pot experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design
where the test crop was Lentil (Variety–HUL-57). The experiment consisted of 8 treatments
(3 replications). The treatments were T1: Control (absolute); T2: RDF; T3: RDF + Fe (basal soil

application); T4: RDF + Fe (2 foliar sprays at 45DAS and 60DAS); T5: RDF + Fe (basal + foliar); T6:
RDF + FeSB (biopriming); T7: RDF + Fe (seed nutripriming); and T8: RDF + (biopriming + nutripriming).
The RDF for the crop was 20:40 (N:P2O5); Fe source was Fe-EDDHA; Fe solubilising microorganism,
Enterobacter cloacae strain BAU3 was used @ 5 mL/kg seed (1 x109 cfu mL-1). The seed nutripriming
dose was 1% (w/v); Soil application was done @10 kg/ha and 2 foliar sprays @ 1% (w/v) were done
for the experiment. Fe treatments had a significant effect on the DTPA-Fe was found to be statistically
significant under different Fe management strategies like biopriming and nutripriming in comparison
to control and RDF. Fe uptake in lentil seed was highest under the treatment T8 (biopriming +
nutripriming) and lowest values were found in T1 (absolute control). The values were statistically
significant although the T5 (basal + foliar) was at par with T8 (biopriming + nutripriming) but significantly
higher from T6 (biopriming) and T7 (nutripriming). Highest Fe-use efficiency was noted under the
seed priming approaches due to the minimum amount of input required. We could conclude that
combined basal and foliar application of Fe esp. in chelated form and use of seed priming strategies
have immense potential in enhancing the Fe bioavailability in grains from soil, seed or foliage.
Keywords: Iron, Lentil, biofortification, bioavailability
Interpolation Technique based Mapping of Available Phosphorus of

Bhagalpur District, Bihar, India
B. K. Vimal1 and Sunil Kumar*
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: sunilsoilbau@gmail.com
Phosphorus (P) is an essential element used by the plants in dissolved form of the soils for their
metabolic activities. Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency in plants include limited growth of root
system and dark purple colour of older leaves. These symptoms will appear when phosphorus
concentration in the leaves is below 0.2%. However, phosphorus deficiency in soils indirectly governed
the yield potential of the crops. In this context, the present study was carried out under National
Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) to map the available phosphorus of
Bhagalpur district through interpolation-kriging method.The results indicated that phosphorus was
very low near the Ganges andKosiriverstend to slightly alkaline range of soil pH. However, available
phosphorus was medium to high varied from 26 kgha-1 to 77 kgha-1in banana growing horticultural
lands of Narayanpur, Bihpur, Kharik, Naugachhiya, RangraChowk and Ismailpur blocks. Results also
revealed that status of the available phosphorus (P2O5) was medium (25-50 kgha-1) in intensive cropping
pattern of Diara and Tal lands. Research findings might be helpful to manage soil farming practices in
lower Gangetic plain of Bihar.
Key words: Interpolation, Mapping, Phosphorous, Soil fertility

Managing Soil Physical Conditions towards Improved Phosphorus

Availability in Soils
Anshuman Kohli1*, Aditya Raj1, Kasturikasen Beura1 and Y K Singh1
*,1
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, 813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: anshuman_kohli@hotmail.com
Phosphorus, as a major nutrient element is critical in the sense that it occurs in amounts not as high as
N and K and that its availability as a fraction of its total content in soils is also meager. Soil conditions
often make applied phosphorus unavailable to plants in large amounts. There, however, still exist
sufficient window for biological and physical amelioration of soils to improve phosphorus availability
and increase the use efficiency of applied fertilizer phosphorus. This paper discusses theoretically
various opportunities of managing soil physical conditions for improved phosphorus availability in
soils. Although texture is a parameter beyond management control, its influences on soil phosphorus
availability can be moderated by way of influencing the interactions of soil separates, tillage and crop
establishment practices, mulching, irrigation, residue management and adopting favourable cropping
systems. Phosphorus availability in soils can be improved substantially by proper management of soil
moisture availability, soil aggregation and texture, soil temperature, soil organic fraction, soil hydrologic
behavior and soil aeration.
Keywords: Phosphorus availability, soil physical conditions, cropping systems
Changes in Morpho-physiological Attributes Possibly Induced Phosphorous

Deficiency in Rice Genotypes Grown under Drought Stress
Sareeta Nahakpam*,1, Sweta Sinha2, Mankesh Kumar3, Ravi Kesari4, Rafat Sultana3,
S.P Singh3 and R.D. Ranjan1
*,1
Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
2
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
3
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
4
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Purnea
*Corresponding author Email ID: nichsareeta@gmail.com
Drought stress in rice generally showed reduction in leaf area, and leaf area duration (LAD) thus
reducing photosynthesis ability and lower production in biomass of the plants. Reduction in plant
height under drought stress with almost 40% was noticed in genotypes HS2, HS4 and HS6. In 45 days
of growth maximum leaf area was observed to be 21.52 and 20.54 in genotypes Sahbhagi Dhan and
Sabour Ardhjal whereas minimum leaf area of 9.63 was recorded in genotype Sabour Surbhit under
drought. In 60 days the same genotypes showed leaf area of 30.97 and 30.66 and 15.30 respectively. At
75 days of growth the leaf area decreased in all genotypes grown under drought. LAI reduced
significantly in the genotypes exposed to drought than the genotypes grown in open field. However,

BRR-0028, and Sahbhagi Dhan showed higher LAI of 2.9 to 5.18 at 60 days of growth under drought
than the open field. LAD of genotypes showed longer duration ranged from 30 to 58 days in the later
phase of growth in open field whereas drought stress revealed maximum LAD in the first phase of
growth with a range of 31 to 60 days. Chlorophyll content alterations of genotypes were varied under
drought stress at different days of stress exposure as well as number of leaf. Irrespective of the other
genotypes, Sahbhagi Dhan (42.0) and HS1 (41.7) had shown better capacity till 75 days of growth with
more stay green ability. Drought stress significantly increases superoxide anion production and
generation of H2O2 in genotypes thus increased the level of oxidative stress factors causing membrane
leakage and cellular damage. Henceforth, increased in the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) as
well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), in leaves were
also recorded. Interestingly, it was noted and correlated that genotypes with maximum chlorophyll
degradation along with generation of ROS under drought stress were stunted and had purplish leaf
tip, which could rather be a reflection of phosphorous deficiency. Taking these results together, it
could be stated that drought stress might be affecting nutrient level in the leaf and lower photosynthetic
activities leading to several attributes of inhibiting rice growth and production.
Keywords: Drought, Rice, LAD, ROS, SOD, Chlorophyll
Assessment and Validation of Grid Sampling for Adopted CRA Village in

Banka District based on Geostatistical Modelling
Rajkishore Kumar1*, B. K. Vimal1, Y.K. Singh1, Ragini Kumari1, Sanjay Mandal2, Muneshwar
Prasad2, R.N. Singh3, R.K. Sohane3 and Arun Kumar3
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210
2
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banka, Bihar
2
*Corresponding author Email ID: kishoreraj1333@gmail.com
Soil sampling and its analytical techniques are best method for fertilizer recommendation for farmers.
Although, 2.5 ha and 10 ha grid-based sampling distance for irrigated and non-irrigated soils was ideal
approach for prescriptive fertilizer recommendation for small and marginal farmers. However, there is
need to validate the grid based sampling intensity and its frequency distribution for better soil health
and its quality. Thereby, “Assessment and Validation of Grid Sampling for Adopted CRA Village in
Banka District based on Geostatistical Modelling “was planned in 2020-21. Total 184 soil samples were
collected for validation for grid-based sampling in the study areas. In this context, various geo-
statistical model like spherical, circular, Gaussian and exponential model were used and validated for
grid-based sampling intensity for different soil nutrients at 200, 250 and 300 m, respectively. Overall,
results shows that Gaussian model is best fitted model with lower MAE (0.06, 0.06 0.04) and highest R2
value (0.95, 0.96 and 0.98) for major nutrients like N, P, and K, respectively at 250 m grid-based
sampling. While, pH and EC offers positively and significant response towards circular model with
lower MAE (0.08, 0.04 and 0.05) and highest R2 value (0.97, 0.96 and 0.98) at 250 m grid-based sampling.
DTPA-micronutrients like Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were best fitted with Gaussian model at 200 m grid-based
sampling with lower MAE (0.04, 0.05, and 0.04) and highest R2 value (0.95, 0.97 and 0.96). Overall, we
concluded that grid based sampling intensity at 250 and 200 meter was ideal for major and micronutrients

fertilizer recommendation in farmer’s field. This technique offers valuable information for suitable
fertilizer recommendation to judge the fertility gradient through stoichiometric planning like cultural
practices, fertilizer management and best integrated nutrient management practices with suitable land
use planning as per climate change and it also aids to scientist, academia, local users, and farming
community for better utilization of land, and improve their socio-economic condition and bring
sustainability in agriculture.
Keywords: Grid based sampling, Frequency distribution, Geostatistical modelling
Measuring Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Wheat Crop Production in Bhopal

District of Madhya Pradesh using Slacks-based Data Envelopment Analysis
Manoj Kumar*, K P Singh1, Neha Kushwaha1 and Satish Kumar Singh1
*,1
ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal-462 038, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: manoj_iasri@yahoo.com
The objective of this paper was to estimate fertilizer use scenario along with efficiency in Bhopal
district of Madhya Pradesh. For this purpose, primary data from 43 farmers were collected from five
villages adopted in National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project. The average
area under wheat crop for each farmer with 95 % confidence interval were estimated to be (1.94 ± 0.84)
ha. All the farmers in sample were using nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizer whereas only 9%
farmers were using potash in wheat cultivation and very few farmers (2.32%) were using FYM. Slacks-
based data envelopment analysis was performed to evaluate fertilizer use efficiency of farmers and to
estimate excess amount of fertilizer used in wheat cultivation. Result showed that out of 43 farmers,
only 4 (9.30%) were efficient and having fertilizer use efficiency equals to 1. The average fertilizer use
efficiency were estimated to be 0.67. In addition, input excess and output shortfall were also determined
for each farmer considered in sample.
Keywords: Fertilizer use efficiency, wheat production, Slacks-based data envelopment analysis.
Sensor Guided Balanced Nitrogen Fertilization for Sustainable

Production and Environmental Gain
Mainak Ghosh*
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour 813210, Bhagalpur, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: mainakghosh999@gmail.com
Nitrogen is considered as the most important contributor of economic yield and quality of food grains.
The use of nitrogen fertilizer in Indian agriculture has grown rapidly in the last few decades but this
trend has negatively impacted soil health and productivity across the country.The imbalanced use of
nitrogen by farmers has resulted in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)andhighnitrogen losses
threatening the environment.So, for the sustainable development of agricultural system, better scientific
understanding of the nitrogen management in crops as well as improved technologies to increase

NUE aretobefocused. Many studies have shown that use of smart N management technologies
improve the NUE by synchronizing the fertilizer applicationratestothe actual crop demand.In these
smart technologies the distribution of N with precise amount and right time are probably the main
reasons for higher grain yield and partial factor productivity of N. These technologies include various
canopy sensors such as chlorophyll meter, green seeker, leaf colour chart, crop circle and many more
which are used to reduce the N loss and effectively increase the fertilizer NUE for sustainable crop
production. The transition in the current agricultural system into a sustainable agricultural system
with these resource–use efficient technologies can be economically profitable as well as environmentally
safe.
Keywords: Nitrogen, Nitrogen use efficiency, Resource use efficient technologies, Sustainable
agricultural system
Synthesis, Characterization and Controlled Release Behaviourof Novel Fe

Containing Nanoclay Polymer Composites (FENCPC) in A Typic hapluestepts
Nintu Mandal*1, Satdev1, Mahendra Singh1, Amit Kumar Pradhan1 and Mainak Ghosh2
*,1
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210
2
Department ofAgronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID:nintuiari@gmail.com
Iron (Fe) deficiency in soil is a widespread phenomenon globally, resulting lower Fe content in cereal
grains. Conventional fertilizers (FeSO4·7H2O) resulted in low recovery efficiency (1–5%). An innovative
fertilizer formulation was synthesized using nanoclay (having at least one dimension <100 nm), copolymer
(acrylic acid and acrylamide as monomers), N, N-Methylene biscarylamide (NNMBA) as a
crosslinkingagent and ammonium persulphate (APS) as initiator. Fe was added as FeSO4·7H2Oafter
polymerization reactions and collection of NCPC. The product was named Fe containing nanoclay
polymer composite (Fe NCPC) containing 4.47 % total Fe. Fractured morphology with exfoliated
surface texture of Fe NCPC was characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEX-
EDX results confirmed the Fe content (Weight %) was 4.85. The nanocomposite was evaluated in a
laboratory incubation experiment and the data showed that it acted as a controlled release Fe formulation.
Fe-NCPC was compared with FeSO4. 7H2O, Fe-EDDHA in laboratory incubation experiment in alluvial
soil (TypicHaplustepts). Release of Fe through different carriers followed the pattern Fe NCPC< Fe
EDDHA< FeSO4. 7H2O< Control soil. The Fe NCPC proved to be an innovative and promising fertilizer
formulation that needed to be evaluated in a pot as well as long-term field experiment for its benefit:
cost ratio and widespread adaptability.
Keywords: Fe-NCPC, Copolymer, SEM-EDX, Controlled release

Biosynthesis, characterization and Controlled Release Pattern of Novel Iron

Nanoparticle (Fe-NPs) in a Typic Hapluestepts
Satdev*1, Nintu Mandal1, MahendraSingh1, Amit Kumar Pradhan1,
Mainak Ghosh2, Souvik Sadhu1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural,
University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210
2
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: rokanasatdev241@gmail.com,
Fe deficiency in soil is a widespread phenomenon globally, resulting lower Fe content in cereal grains.
Conventional source of fertilizers (FeSO4·7H2O) resulted in low nutrient efficiency (1-5%). An innovative
fertilizer formulation was synthesized using bacteria culture (Entrobactor cloeae strain BAU3) along
with FeCl3 (ferric chloride anhydrous). The bacterial extracellular enzymes showed excellent
redoxproperties and they could act as an electron shuttle in the reduction the form of Fe into nanoscale.
The biosynthesized Fe-NPs contained 0.96% total Fe.Ironnanoparticles with an average diameter of
25.5 nm was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The clear cut spherical in morphology of
biosynthesis of Fe-NPs was characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM-EDX
results confirmed the Fe content (Weight %) was 3.56. The biosynthesis Fe-NPs was evaluated in
laboratory incubation experiment and the data illustrate that it acted as a control release manner of Fe
formulation. Biosynthesis Fe was compared with FeSO4.7H2O, Fe-EDDHAin laboratory incubation
experiment in alluvial soil (TypicHaplustepts).Release of Fe through different carriers followed the
pattern biosynthesis Fe NPs < Fe EDDHA< FeSO4. 7H2O< Control soil. The bio formulated Fe-NPs
proved to be an innovative and promising fertilizer formulation.
Keywords: Biosynthesis of Fe-NPs, SEM-EDX, Controlled release.
Possibilities and Pragmatism of Phosphorous Fertilizer Technology

Pallavi Bharti1*, B.K Agarwal1 and Meeta Kumari2
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Kanke, Ranchi
2
Department of Agronomy, BAU, Kanke, Ranchi
*Corresponding author Email ID: pallavibhartisbo@gmail.com
By 2050, the world’s population is forecast to exceed nine billion people, and global food demand is
expected to rise by 50%. In future, better natural resource management and agricultural development
will be required to attain higher crop productivity. Phosphorus (P), the second most abundant element
in plants, influence both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Scientists have been trying to figure out
what makes an agricultural system P efficient for decades. The main issue with P fertilisation is its
fixation in both acidic and alkaline soils. P in soil is a heterogeneous mixture of adsorbed, absorbed,
and mineral species, each with its own solubility spectrum; some relationships are reversible, while
others are not. The form in which a fertiliser is applied shows its impact on how the system responds
to it in the long run. Correspondingly, it is critical to innovatecommercial P fertilisers by altering their
present shape or methods conducive to improve P fertiliser usage efficiency. Slow releasers, fixation
blockers, physiological response inducers, and alternate P sources are some methods. By creating
fertilisers that progressively release P amidst the growing season, serendipity reduces the stronger P
bond formation, and these fertilisers can better match P availability to crop demand. Coatings, scaffolds,
organic matrices, and minerals with limited solubility make up the majority of the goods now in the
market or in development. Disparate carbon-based molecules with large negative charge when combined
with phosphate can prevent antagonistic polyvalent cations from fixation. Aiming to improve P cycling
and efficiency in agricultural systems, chemicals without P are used to stimulate natural biogeochemical
processes. For P release, inducers include oxide micro particles. Polyphosphates and phosphites are
two other alternatives. To evaluate whether these revolutionary P fertiliser methods are actually viable
and can enhance existing P management practises, field scale trials are required.
Keywords: Coatings, Fixation blockers, Scaffolds, Slow releasers and Physiological response inducers
Precision farming as a tool to Enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency for

Climate Smart Agriculture
Sunil Kumar1* and Sushanta Sarkar2
*,1
Assistant Professor-cum-Jr. Scientist, Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour,
Bhagalpur- 813210, Bihar, India
2
Technical Officer, GKMS Sabour,
Department of Agronomy, Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur- 813210, Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: sunilkumaragromet@gmail.com
Climate change has already drastic impact on agriculture and food production. In the present scenario
of rising temperature, changing patterns of rain, increasing occurrence of extreme climatic events such
as cyclone, drought and flood; the concept of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) originated in order to
make agriculture more resilient to climate change. Sustainably enhancing resource (water and nutrients)
efficiency, adaptation to and mitigation of climate change are three pillars of CSA. Nutrient use
efficiency (NUE) depends on the plant’s ability to take up nutrients efficiently from the soil, but also
depends on internal transport, storage and remobilization of nutrients. Climate smart management
strategies such as appropriate timing of nutrient application, using efficient irrigation practices,
converting to nitrogen-fixing plants as cover crops and crop rotation are also useful to enhance the
use efficiency of applied nutrients. Several methods, soil testing, plant tissue testing, spectral response,
fertilizer placement and timing and vegetative indexes (leaf area index, and NDVI) through drones,
handheld sensors, and satellite imagery were used as user-friendly and effectiveness towards NUE.
But not a single method was found sufficient to counter the nitrogen loss. Some methods were found
time consuming and unsynchronized with N uptake behaviour of particular crop. Use of precision
agriculture tools, such as Green Seeker, Holland Crop Circle, drone, and satellite imagery, were found
better compared to conventional methods such as soil testing, but these tools can only be used when
the crop is up and 70% of the applied nitrogen is used by the crops within 25–30 days after planting.
It was concluded that using two or more methods in combination may increase the NUE and this may
also be helpful for proper management of nitrogen in soil.
Keywords: Nutrient Use Efficiency, Sensors, Smart Agriculture

Farm-Scale Mapping of Soil Phosphorus and Potassium

Fractions using Spatial Interpolation
Tapan Gorai1* and Nayan Ahmed2
*,1
Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Purnea
(Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur), Bihar, India
2
Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: tapanbankura@rediffmail.com
Phosphorus and potassium are two major nutrients for agricultural productivity and sustainability.
The spatial variability mapping of soil phosphorus and potassium content were developed for ICAR-
IARI farm, New Delhi, India after collecting surface(0-0.15 m)soils through grid sampling technique in
assistance with global positioning system (GPS) device.Soil available P content (NaHCO3-P) and
phosphorus fractions such as NaOH extractable phosphorus (NaOH-P), citrate-bicarbonate extractable
phosphorus (CB-P), citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite extractable phosphorus (CBD-P) and HCl extractable
phosphorus (HCl-P) through sequential fractionation techniques and K fractions (available-K and
non-exchangeable-K)were estimated. Soil available P content was high with average value of 22.4 mg
kg-1 and varied from 1.4 to 113.6 mg kg-1. Non-occluded Fe- and Al-bound phosphorus (i.e. NaOH-P)
varied from 0.7 to 220.8 mg kg-1 with standard deviation (SD) of 24.5. The occluded phosphorus within
iron oxide and hydrous oxide (i.e. CBD-P) ranged from 14.9 to 65.8 mg kg-1 with SD of 8.5. Ca-bound
phosphorus (HCl-P) was limited between 67.3 to 385.4 mg kg-1with mean value of 214.7 mg kg-1.
Available K content was high with mean of 157.1 mg kg-1 and ranged from 43.9 to 839.3 mg kg-1.
Average non-exchangeable soil potassium content in the farm was high with mean value of 1077 mg
kg-1 and it ranged from 820 to 1921 mg kg-1. Available phosphorus i.e. NaHCO3 extractable P was
positively and significantly correlated with NaOH-P (r = 0.87) and CB-P (r = 0.44). Spatial modeling and
prediction map of phosphorus and potassium fractionsin the semiarid agricultural farmwere generated
using geo-statistical techniques. The map based fertilizer recommendation and other nutrient
management practices for major cropping systems are crucial for precision nutrient management and
sustainable agriculture.
Keywords: Ca–bound phosphorus, Non-occluded phosphorus, Occluded phosphorus, non-

exchangeable potassium, Geo-statistics, Spatial variability mapping

Application of Bio-Inoculants Influences Plant Growth and

Survival of Litchi Seedling
Abha Kumari1, Ruby Rani*1, H. Mir1, Mahendra Singh2, Feza Ahmad1, Sanjay Sahay1,
Wasim Siddiqui 3, Bishun Deo Prasad4 and Rajiv Rakshit2
*,1
Department of Horticulture (Fruit & Fruit Technology), BAU, Sabour
2
Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour
3
Department of Food Science & PHT, BAU, Sabour
4
Department of Biotechnology, DRPCAU, Pusa, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: rruby92@yahoo.co.in
Faster seedling growth is required for early evaluation of hybrids in litchi. But growth of litchi seedlings
are very poor and slow. Thus, an experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of bio-inoculants on
plant growth and survival of litchi seedlings during 2018-2019 in the Department of Horticulture (Fruit
and Fruit Technology), BAU, Sabour. The pot experiment was carried out with nine treatments
consisting bio inoculants i.e. G. mossae, Glomus coronatum, Gigasporadiscipin, Azospirillium spp.,
Trichoderma viridealone and in combinations including untreated control. Observations on different
parameters were noted at 2 month interval till one year. Positive influence of bio inoculant was noted
on plant growth, root growth, leaf biochemical parameters, soil nutrient status, microbial population in
seedling rhizosphere and survival of litchi seedlings. The maximum plant height (27.86 cm), plant
spread (24.88 cm) and stem diameter (5.87 mm) was noted under (Azospirillum spp. + G. mosseae)
which was statistically equal to (Azospirillum spp. + G. coronatum) followed by (G. mosseae) and
(Azospirillum spp. + G. decipiens). Glomus mosseaewas the most effective in increasing root growth
in terms of root length, root spread, fresh weight of roots, dry weight of root and root density of 23.33/
plantfollowed by (G. coronatum) and (G. decipiens). Treatment Azospirillum spp. + G. mosseae exhibited
the highest population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in seedling rhizosphere. All the species
of AM fungi exhibited higher root colonization than other treatments; however, G. mosseae with root
colonization of 90% on last day of observation was the most effective. Co-inoculation with AM fungi
and Azopirillum spp. were highly efficient in increasing the leaf nutrients and (Azospirillum spp. + G.
mosseae) was the most effective in this regard. Significant effect of treatments was observed on plant
survival right from 1stday of observation in litchi seedling till last day. Application of Azospirillum spp.
with AM fungi had better plant establishment on all the dates of observation with significantly
maximum survival of 68.33 % in treatment Azospirillum spp. + G. mosseae.
Keywords: Bio inoculant, Litchi, Nutrients, plant growth, survival

Soils Nutrients Variability of Tea Growing Soils under Young Alluvial Plain
through Digital Agriculture
Mamta Kumari*, Rajkishore Kumar1, Y. K. Singh1, B. K. Vimal1 and Ragini Kumari1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: mamta.kr05@gmail.com
Use of digital agriculture can pave the way of scientific learning of predictions or judgement without
any explicit programming. The study of soil properties through this tool can help researchers and
policymakers to predict the fertility status as well as to plan appropriately proper management practices
without any explicit programme through modelling. Keeping this in view, prediction modelling is
developed using different algorithms such as Circular model, Spherical model, Exponential model and
Gaussian model which is anintegral part of Semiverogram model and the governing factors of the
spatial distribution of available P with different soil properties using Random Forest model. The
present study also develops the prediction map after comparing the Random Forest model (RFM) with
best fitted model of geostatics through OK method. This model could accurately confirm for every soil
properties based on ME (Mean error), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Standardized Error
(MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSSE), respectively. The results revealed that RFM could be
widely usedfor predictions or judgement on soil properties due to ability to high nonlinear dimensional
relationships, resistance to “overfitting” and further ability to determine the relevance of the variables,
and ordinary krigging (OK) interpolation methodof unknown soil properties. Moreover, the exponential
model was best fitted model for prediction of available phosphorus with good accuracy level (RMSE
value H” one). RFM using different spectral and environmental data increased the prediction results
for all soil properties (R2 > 0.90) when compared to OK method. All RFM-based prediction maps of soil
available nutrients with medium range value showed towards lower side and deficient range in the
upper side of the study area. The Pearson’s correlation confirmed that available phosphorus was
significantly correlated with soil organic carbon (r=0.29) and iron (r=22) at p=0.05. Principal component
analysis (PAC) illustrated that soil available soil nutrients governed more loading factor in PC1 (37.6%)
and PC2 (18.5) components. Therefore, this study supportsthat a growing amount of sophisticated
data from remote sensing, particularly proximal sensing, allows agricultural planners to bridge the gap
between data and decisions, which ultimately leads to decision-making processes for nutrient’s
management in the soil.
Keywords: Remote sensing and GIS, soil organic carbon, Random Forest model, Semiverogram
model, Tea growing soils

Novel Organo-mineral Fertilizers Enhancing Phosphorous uptake by Plants

Nisha Kumari*
*Corresponding author Email ID: nkpsanvisri@gmail.com
Increasing fertilizer demands and diminishing mineral reserves from the soil warrants finding and
using sustainable alternatives for plant fertilization. Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs) based on
indigenous materials which are unutilized commercially are a possible option to meet the increasing
demands of plant nutrients without degrading the soil. Organo-mineral fertilizers is the combination of
animal manure with mineral fertilizer, this new concept helps in better plant fertilization, soil management
and animal waste management. The organic manures like sewage sludge, pig manure, poultry manure,
bone meal, etc. when combined with mineral fertilizers give rise to novel OMFs. When minerals and
organic materials combine, they produce a synergistic effect. Phosphorous is an important mineral
producing beneficial effects on plant health and growth. Inorganic phosphorous sources like rock
phosphate, single super phosphate, diammonium phosphate, etc. are readily combined with the organic
sources to form OMFs. Composting low grade rock phosphates and feldspar with agricultural and
non-agricultural wastes increases the solubility of phosphates depending upon the kind of organic
matter and the rate of decomposition. Not only organic manures are combined with mineral fertilizers
but also with phosphorous solubilizing micro-organisms ( Aspergillus niger, A.
awamoriTrichodermaviride), to enhance the mobilization of unavailable phosphorous to available
form and easy uptake by crops. So, it can be concluded that novel OMFs not only provides nutrition
to plants in a sustainable manner but also is cost effective and enhances soil health.
Keywords: Organo-mineral fertilizers, Phosphorous, Sustainable agriculture
Increasing Productivity and Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emission of

Rice-Wheat Cropping System Using Nutrient Expert
Shivani Ranjan* and Sumit Sow1
*,1
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University,
Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India
*Corresponding author Email ID: ranjanshivani54@gmail.com
The necessity of increasing food production to meet the demand of the ever-increasing population in
India requires balanced fertilizer application. The inherent fertility of many soils is low and in many
cases the nutrients are also exhausted due to intensive cropping systems without restitution of
nutrients in soil. At present, Indian soils are facing not only macronutrients deficiency but also
micronutrients deficiency is occurring frequently in different parts. So, it’s essential to develop some
basic and sustainable practice to maintain fertility status of soil for a long time without disturbing the
soil nutrient inherent capacity. Therefore, improving nutrient use efficiency in croplands provides the
opportunity to address the challenge of food and nutritional security, farmers’ livelihood and
environmental protection globally. Adoption of Nutrient Expert (NE) based fertilizer recommendation

practice in all rice and wheat acreage across the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India would translate
into 13.92 Mt more rice and wheat production with 1.44 Mt less N fertilizer use, and a reduction in
greenhouse gases (GHGs) of 5.34 Mt CO2 per year over farmers’ current practice. Moreover, NE-based
fertilizer management can lower global warming potential by about 2-3% in rice and 12-20% in wheat
over farmers’ practices. Thus, NE not only increases crop yield and net return but also reduce GHG
emissions.
Keywords: Crop yield, Global warming potential, Greenhouse gas, Nutrient Expert, Nutrient use
efficiency
Seed Priming and Foliar Application of Phosphatic Fertilizers: An Option to

Increase Phosphorus Use Efficiency
Rajani Kumari*1, Kasturikasen Beura1 and Amit Kumar Pradhan1
*,1
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
*Corresponding author Email ID: rajanikhg2015@gmail.com
Among all the 17 essential nutrient phosphorus is one of the most important essential macronutrients
and second most limiting after nitrogen in Indian soil. Plant roots mainly absorb phosphorus as
dihydrogen orthophosphate ion(H2PO4-) and mono-hydrogen orthophosphate (HPO42-) in under acidic
to neutral or alkaline environment respectively. As phosphorus ranks 11th most abundant in earth
crust and through its concentration in many rocks is very small. Phosphate rock (PR) deposits differing
in grades (P2O5 content) are non-renewable and inequitably distributed in different countries. Thus,
with the current level of phosphorus usage, PR resources could last for between 105 to 470 years.
Hence the global phosphorus-supply is finite and it is extremely important to find alternative ways to
use phosphorus in economical viable and sustainable manner such that proper phosphorus
management in plants is done in such a way to increase phyto availability and fewer fixations. P use
efficiency vary from 15-20% from crop to crop and place to place due to low mobility of phosphorus
in soil due to which a large amount of phosphorus is fixed in soil and less available to plants.
Alternative methods other than basal application like foliar application and seed priming is done to
reduce reliance on conventional method of fertilizer application.The conventional method of phosphatic
fertilizer application basal application which required a large amount of phosphatic fertilizer and leads
to more fixation in soil and ultimately phosphorus is less available to plant.Effect of hydropriming and
biopriming on seed germination of brinjal and tomato seed resulted in increased germination in
comparison to un-primed seed. While, combining seed dressing and foliar spray application of
phosphorus fertilizer gave similar crop growth and yield benefit to soil applications with great recovery
rates. The low recovery of soil phosphorus due to basal application of phosphatic fertilizer could be
corrected by foliar application and seed priming of phosphatic fertilizer.
Keywords: Biopriming, Foliar application, Phosphorus use efficiency, Phyto availability, Seed
priming

Nutrient Management through Nanotechnological Intervention

Souvik Sadhu* and Satdev1
*,1
Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210
*Corresponding author Email ID: souviksadhu486@gmail.com
In modern-day agriculture, the most concerning issue is to produce sufficient food with minimal cost
while maintaining the sustainability of the production system. Despite Green Revolution in the 1960s,
food production for the ever-growing global population may not be possible in upcoming years due
to stagnant crop productivity and deteriorating soil health. The existing nutrient sources due to their
very less use efficiency and other associated ill effects (eutrophication, soil pollution etc.) can no
longer be considered as economically viable and ecologically sustainable. In this scenario modification
of these fertilizers with advanced technology like Nanoscience can be a much better alternative.
Nanotechnology is emerging as a promising tool of nutrient management which can improve nutrient
uptake by plants and boost crop productivity without putting a financial burden onproducers and ill
effects on the environment. Nanoparticles due to their very minute size (1-100 nm), large surface area
to volume ratio, higher chemical reactivity, enhanced solubility and unique magnetic and optical
properties play a vital role as fertilizer carriers or in controlled release of nutrients and enhance the
nutrient use efficiency. Various nanoparticle-basedfertilizers like Nitrogen impregnated Nano zeolite,
Nano hydroxyapatite, ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles have been successfully utilized for improving the
yield as well as the quality of food products. Due to its high-efficiency nanoparticles are sometimes
reported to impose toxic effects above a certain threshold limit. So rigorous research should be
conducted for dose optimization of these nanoparticles. So the potential of Nanotechnology in nutrient
management is vast and it is needed to be tapped for sustainable crop production.
Keywords- Nanotechnology, Nutrient management, Nutrient use efficiency
Radio-Isotope Technique used in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrient Management

Abhishek Tiwari1*, R.K. Pathak1 and Ravindra Sachan1
*,1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of
Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) – 208002
*Corresponding author Email ID: abhishektiwari208002@gmail.com
Radioisotopes is a naturally or artificially produced radioactive isotope of an element that contain the
same number of protons but different number of neutrons. Fertilizers are very costly and their well-
organized use is of great significance to reduce the production price of farming products. Radioisotopes
are very valuable in speculating the quantity of nitrogen and phosphorus available in the soil.
Radioactive isotopes such as phosphorus-32 and nitrogen-15 have been labeled fertilizers and have
been used to study the uptake, retention and utilization of fertilizers. These isotopes provide a means
to determine about quantity of fertilizer taken and lost to the environment by the plant. Nitrogen-15 is
a rare stable isotope of nitrogen. It also helps in assessment of nitrogen fixed by plants from the

atmosphere under field conditions. IAEA develops and transfers techniques that use radioactive
isotopes for measuring the nutrient uptake from various fertilizer sources with an aim to achieve
higher and more stable grain yields by optimizing the uptake of nutrients from applied fertilizers. Only
small quantity of fertilizer applied to the soil is taken up by the crop. The rest either remains in the soil
or is lost through several procedures. Radioactive isotopes can be used as “tags” to monitor uptake
and use of important nutrients by plants from soil. The use of 6C14 is also able to estimate the rate of
decomposition of organic matter, measurements of mean residence time of organic matter and older
and younger fraction. 11Na24 and 19K42 are used to detect small amounts of minerals that control the
release of cations to plants. Artificial radioisotope Cesium-137 is used to estimate rate of soil erosion.
Radioisotopes, 4Be10, 13Al26 and 6C14 produced cosmogenically insitu in soil are used to monitoring
soil erosion.
Key Words: Fertility, Minerals, Nutrition, Radioisotope and Soil
Effect of Novel Engineered Biochar Composites in Retention of

Phosphorus in an Inceptisol
Saptaparnee Dey*, T. J. Purakayastha1 and Ranabir Chakraborty1
*,1
Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012
*Corresponding author Email ID: saptaparneede@gmail.com
Continuous application of phosphatic fertilizer results in leaching and runoff of phosphorus from
Inceptisol leading to eutrophication and deterioration of water quality. Biochar, prepared from crop
residue, could be one of the promising strategies in increasing P retention in Inceptisol. But natural
biochars with net negative surface charge, low anion exchange capacity, and lack of effective functional
groups cannot retain P effectively. So, in our study, we have tried to develop engineered rice straw
biochar with simultaneously higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) and anion exchange capacity
(AEC) and as AEC enhancing chemicals FeCl3-HCl and Fe(NO3)3 were used to treat rice straw biochar.
We hypothesized that this Fe salt will form surface oxyhydroxides (FeOOH) and improve P sorption.
In this regard, from a screening experiment, three engineered biochars O3-FeCl3-HCl (RBC-OCl), H2SO4-
HNO3-FeCl3-HCl (RBC-ACl), and NaOH-Fe(NO3)3 (RBC-OHFe) were selected and used for soil column-
based leaching-cum-retention study. Biochar was applied at 2.23 (D1) and 4.46 g kg-1 (D2) along with
fertilizer P @ 13.2 mg kg-1. Soil columns (sandy loam Inceptisol of Delhi) were leached with deionized
water and the concentration of P in leachate was examined for one month after fertilization. Results
revealed that RBC-OCl-D2, though it was at par with RBC-ACl-D2 in the first leaching event,
outperformed other combinations of biochar and dose in reducing P leaching and resulted in a 15%
increase in P retention capacity over RBC-W-D2. The increase in AEC of engineered biochars further
corroborated our findings. To conclude, Fe coated engineered biochars could be a win-win strategy in
increasing phosphorus retention and phosphatic fertilizer use efficiency in light-textured soil and
reducing the threat of environmental pollution through eutrophication.
Keywords: Engineered rice straw biochar; AEC; Phosphorus retention; Phosphorus leaching

Partitioning of Potassium in root, shoot and leaf at different growth stages of

rice in Calcareous soil of North Bihar
Mani Mesha Nand*1, Shiveshwar Pratap Singh1, Anand Kumar2, Vivek Kumar3
and Munmun Majhi4
*,1
Department of Soil Science, RPCAU, Pusa,
2
Subject Matter Specialist (SMS), KVK, Piprakothi, RPCAU, Pusa,
3
Laboratory Technician, Department of Agronomy, RPCAU, Pusa,
4
PhD Scholar, Viswa Bharti, Shantiniketan
*Corresponding author Email ID: manirpcau@gmail.com
Ignorance of balanced nutrition with potash is diminishing crop yield and mining the potassium (K)
from the soil. The knowledge on periodic uptake, accumulation and allocation of potassium to different
parts of a rice plant should receive urgent attention in order to implement K management practices for
sustainable rice production. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in calcareous soil (medium in
available K) in split-plot design with two rice varieties (Inbred and Hybrid) in main plot and six
combinations of potassium management [control, NP (-K); NP+K(100 % basal); NP+K(50% basal +
50% tillering); NP+K(50% basal + 50% panicle) and NP+K(50% basal + 25% tillering + 25% panicle)] in
sub-plot at Experimental Farm, RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, during kharif. Initial and post-harvest soils
(0-15 cm) were analyzed for physico-chemical properties, viz., pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic
carbon (OC) and different forms of potassium (available K, water soluble K, exchangeable K, non-
exchangeable K, lattice K and total K) and potassium content and uptake by different parts of rice
(root, shoot and leaves) were also analysed. The availability of K in the soil at different growth stages
of rice was found to improve with split applications of potassium over basal application. At tillering
stage, available K was highest in the plots receiving split applications of K i.e. 50% basal + 50%
tillering, while, at panicle and milking stage, available K was highest in plots with split application of
K i.e. 50% basal + 50% panicle. At maturity, it was highest in the plots with three split applications of
K (50% basal + 25% tillering + 25% panicle). Thus, it can be concluded that synchronization of split
applications of potassium (50% basal + 50% panicle or 50% basal + 25% tillering + 25% panicle) with
nitrogen can result in significantly higher yield of rice and K uptake compared to basal application.
Although, the K rates for fertilizer recommendation need to be revised to account for the negative K
balance in soil.
Keywords: K splitting, Potassium uptake, Rice, forms of K Effect of STCR-based Nutrient

Management on Soil Phosphorus Availability

Effect of STCR-based Nutrient Management on Soil Phosphorus Availability

Shailja Kumari1*, Ragini Kumari1, Anshuman Kohli1, Rajeev Padbhushan and Rajkishore Kumar1
*,1
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur), India
*Corresponding author Email ID: shailjakumari4@gmail.com
Blanket fertilizer recommendations do not ensure balanced use of fertilizers as they do not take into
account the spatial variation in soil fertility. Soil test crop response (STCR) based nutrient management
in combination with a specified target yield considering the native soil status is regarded as a soil and
fertilizer based precision farming strategy for obtaining a specified yield with balanced crop nutrient
demands. This study was conducted to study the effect of STCR based nutrient management on
availability of P in an alluvial soil for two rice based cropping systems. Soil samples were collected
before sowing and after harvesting of rice crop from experimental plots under randomised block
design (RBD) fertilized with general fertilizer recommendation (GFR), farmers’ practice and STCR
based recommended dose with and without Integrated Plant Nutrient System (IPNS) for low, medium
and high target yield. The results showed thatthe available P after harvest of rice differed significantly
under different treatments in both rice-wheat and rice-maize cropping systems. In rice-wheatsystem,
the grain yield ranged from 26.3 kg ha-1 to 48.9 kg ha-1. The farmers’ practiceas well as GFR improved
the available phosphorus over control and increased its content significantly by 17.1 and 23.0 per cent
respectively in the rice-wheat system and by 15.3 and 30.1 per cent respectively in rice maize system.
The available phosphorus content in STCR with IPNS for high target yield was statistically similar
with that inSTCR without IPNS for high target yield. The available P with STCR recommendation
forhigh target yield for IPNS was significantly improved by 51.2 and 58.8 per cent over GFR and
farmers’ practice, respectively in rice wheat system. However, rice-maize system, this improved by 38.7
and 56.4 per cent, respectively. Thus, the soil test based balanced fertilizer recommendations under
STCR-Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply (IPNS) may help in the maintenance and built up of soil
fertility by improving available P.
Keywords: Soil test crop response, Integrated Plant Nutrient System, fertilizer recommendation,
phosphorus availability
Emerging Role of Potassium in Defending Against Low-Temperature Stress

Ashutosh Singh1, Amit Kumar Pandey1, Prem Chand Kumar1 and Akhilesh Kumar Singh2*
1
*2Veer Kunwar Singh College of Agriculture, Dumraon
*Corresponding author Email ID: akhileshsingh19@gmail.com
Cold stress inhibits plant growth and development, which results in limited crop productivity. It
affects plants by directly inhibiting metabolic reactions and indirectly influencing cold-induced osmotic,
oxidative and other stresses. The effect of increasing K+ applications on yield and cold tolerance
studied showed that a high K+ concentration activated the plant’s antioxidant system and increased

levels of ginsenoside-related secondary metabolite transcripts, which are associated with cold
tolerance. Cold stress may destroy photosynthetic processes and reduce the effectiveness of
antioxidant enzymes, resulting in ROS accumulation. K improved plant survival under cold stress by
increasing antioxidant levels and reducing ROS production. Greater frost damage in K-deficient plants
is related to water deficiency from the chilling-induced inhibition of water uptake and freezing-induced
cellular dehydration. A significant negative correlation was found between frost damage and leaf K
concentration, and an adequate K supply can effectively increase frost resistance. Bogdevitch found
that oats that were supplied with sufficient K could survive late frost without obvious damage,
whereas much of the crop that was grown on K-deficient soil did not survive. This could be attributed
to a regulation of osmotic and water potential and a reduction of electrolyte leakage caused by cold
stress. High concentrations of K protected against freezing by lowering the freezing point of the
plant’s cell solution. Furthermore, an adapted cytosol K concentration is also essential for enzyme
activities that are involved in regulating frost resistance.
In brief, higher K tissue concentrations reduced chilling damage and increased cold resistance,
ultimately increasing yield production. Frost damage was inversely related to K concentration and
was significantly reduced by K fertilization.
Keywords: Potassium, ROS, frost resistance, oxidative stress, antioxidant system
Selenium in Soil-Plant-Animal Column

Amit Kumar Pandey*, Ashutosh Singh1 and S.P Vishwakarma2
*,1
2
IRS, Madhepura
*Corresponding author Email ID: amitpandeybau@gmail.com
The benefits of selenium for human and animal health are well-known. Selenium is an essential trace
elements that plays an important role in preventing selenium-dependent diseases that impact thyroid,
cardiovascular and fertility functions. In addition to its antioxidant benefits in humans and animals,
selenium has also been found to decrease the negative effects of soil pH on plant growth, to support
plants’ tolerance to environmental stressors and even, potentially, to increase plant protection. When
selenium is not available in the soil and the area surrounding the root system, it can be added to
nitrogen-rich fertilizers, allowing the plant to convert the selenium into more bioavailable forms that
can be easily consumed by humans and animals, bringing selenium and its benefits full-circle. Basic
source of selenium in nutrition of man and animals is soil. Problems resulting from low content of
selenium in human nutrition led to mapping selenium content in soils. Content of selenium in soils is
evaluated based on relationship to human physiological needs and physiological needs of livestock
and based on average content of selenium in soils of particular monitored regions. In China the
criterion for evaluation of content of selenium in soil was occurrence of endemic diseases caused by
deficiency of selenium– “Keshan disease” and “Kashin-Beck disease”. On the contrary, in areas with
contents of selenium in soil higher than 3 mgkg-1 the symptoms connected with over limit content of
selenium, the so-called selenosis occur. Content of selenium in soil is affected with structure and

intensity of parent material erosion and its structure, as well as with atmosphere, being the source of
selenium air pollutants of natural and anthropogenic origin. Natural source of emissions are selenium
volatilization in form of dimethyl-selenide from the soil, plants, fresh and sea water and volcanic
activity. Anthropogenic source of selenium is combustion of coal and metallurgic facilities. Another
anthropogenic source of selenium includes mineral fertilizers enriched with selenium, being used in
areas with low reserves of available selenium in soil. The climate affects the contents of selenium in
soil, too. The soils developing in humid and moderately humid tropical and subtropical conditions
contain higher amount of selenium soluble in water. Selenium in soil exists in several inorganic forms:
as elementary selenium, selenide, selenite, and selenite and in organic forms, for example as Se-met. In
cultivated soils selenite and selenite dominate. Dominating form of selenium in a soil, its mobility and
availability for plants are affected with soil reaction, aeration, hydrological regime and soil redox
potential. Based on development of these factors, individual forms of selenium in a soil undergo
transformations regulated with oxidation-reduction processes.
Keywords: Selenium, environmental stress, oxidation-reduction
Influence of Nitrogen Levels and Seed Rate on Photosynthesis, CO2

Assimilation, Chlorophyll Content on Growth and Productivity of
Dual-Purpose Wheat Cultivars
Rakesh D. Ranjan*1, Anand Kumar2, Sudhir Kumar2, Awadhesh K. Pal1,
Birender Kumar3 and Sunil Kumar4
*,1
Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
2
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
3
4
Department of Soil Science& Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
*Corresponding author Email ID: rakeshdeoranjan@gmail.com
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important crop of the world that can be grown for dual
purpose of seeds/grains as well as fodder sown on same land.Growing human population at alarming
rate has forced the decline in fallow land available for grazing leading to excessivepressure on fodder
production for livestock existence. Wheat may be a better option to mitigate the shortage of grains as
well asfodder. Many works have been carried out in this direction considering wheat but the production
has been a limitation. Among various agronomical methods, modifications of fertilizers concentrations
and seed rate are very crucial which affect yield. Nitrogen is one of major components of fertilizers
which plays crucial role in crop growth influencing major physiology including photosynthesis,
protein synthesis, nucleic acids synthesis etc. Seed rate is directly related to canopy expansion and
solar radiation interception, thereby strongly influencing the use of environmental resources by
changing relative importance of intra and interplant competition for light, water and nutrients during
crop development and there by affects wheat yield. A field study was carried out to determine the
influence of varying seed rates(100 kg and 150 kg ha-1) and nitrogen levels (zero, 120 and 150 kg ha-1)
applied to dual wheat cultivars i.e. VL 829 and 31ESWYT-123 during 2013-14. Data for various
physiological traits and yield parameters of the crops were collected and analyzed. 31ESWYT-123

registered higher magnitudes for chlorophyll content index, higher values for photosynthetic rate,
Quantum efficiency and Mesophyll efficiency and CO2 assimilation which indicated its physiological
superiority over VL 829. The study also revealed that the application of nitrogen at the rate of 150 kg/
ha (N2) and higher seed rates 150 kg/ha (S2)resulted insignificant increase in number of tillers, grain/
ear heads, 1000-grain weight and produced higher grains yield as well as green fodder yield than VL-
829. Briefly, each increment of nitrogen fertilizer and seed rates responded better physiological efficiency
leads to more growth, and productivity of cultivars productivity.
Key words: Dual purpose, Fodder, Nitrogen, Seed rate, Wheat.
Geostatistical Modelling Based Variability of Fe Fractionations under Different

Land Use system in Lower Gangetic Plains of Bihar
Rajni Prabha Rani*, Gaurav Kumar Yadav1, Mamta Kumari1, Y.K. Singh1, B.K. Vimal1,
Ragini Kumari1 and Rajkishore Kumar1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: rani.prabha004@gmail.com
Enrichment of soil micronutrients and their management is crucial for plant nutrition. This is more
relevant to acid to neutral soils for offering the Fe nutrients in young alluvial plain in soils of Bihar.
Keeping this view, present study was planned entitled on “Geostatistical Modelling based Variability
of Fe Fractionations Under Different Land Use system in Lower Gangetic Plains of Bihar. In this study,
prediction modelling like Circular model, Spherical model, Exponential model and Gaussian model were
used to validate the Semivariogrammodel for Fe under different land use developed by using different
algorithms. The present study also develops the prediction map after comparing the Random Forest
model (RFM) with best fitted model of geostatics through OK method. This model could accurately
confirm for every soil properties based on ME (Mean error), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean
Standardized Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSSE), respectively. The results revealed that
distribution of Total Fe was found in following sequence like forest land> horticultural land> grass
land> agricultural land> barren land, respectively. Whereas, distribution of residual Fe was found
varied in the following sequence like horticultural land>forest land> grass land> agricultural land>
barren land, respectively. The logistic regression was widely used for predictions or judgement on soil
properties due to ability to high nonlinear dimensional relationships, resistance to “overfitting” and
further ability to determine the relevance of the variables, and ordinary krigging (OK) interpolation
method of unknown soil properties. Moreover, the exponential model was best fitted model for prediction
of available Fe with good accuracy level. RFM using different spectral and environmental data increased
the prediction results for all soil properties (R2 > 0.90) when compared to OK method. Principal
component analysis (PAC) illustrated that soil available soil nutrients governed more loading factor in
PC1 (47.6%) and PC2 (38.5) components. The variability of Total Fe was varied from 12-64 percent
which was mainly controlled by three key soil parameters like soil acidity, clay content, CaCO3 content.
Thus, young alluvial plain specially governed the different land use systems which sign. Therefore,

this study supports that a growing amount of sophisticated data from remote sensing, particularly
proximal sensing, allows agricultural planners to bridge the gap between data and decisions, which
ultimately leads to decision-making processes for Fe nutrition in the soils.
Keywords: Fe-fractions, Land use, Random Forest model, Remote Sensing and GIS, Semivariogram
model
Nutrient Expert@ Based Fertilizer Recommendation and their Impact on Wheat

Productivity and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Indo-Gangetic Plan of Bihar
Ajeet Kumar1*, Anshuman Kohli1, Y K Singh1, S C Paul1 and Ruma Bharti1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: kajeet16@gmail.com
The current wheat production of India is about 108 million tons and the country has to produce 126 Mt
by 2025, demanding an average growth rate of 4.1 % per annum. It can be achieved by increasing
wheat sown area and higher wheat production but area expansion was ceased, whereas the yield in
India also has either declined or stagnated since long time. In Indo-gangetic plane, the excessive or
blanket fertilizer application in farmer’s fields is a common trend and this imbalanced use of fertilizers
leads lower fertilizer use efficiency and serious environmental issues. The Lower use efficiencies of
applied nutrients pose a major challenge for sustainable agriculture in this reason, as these lead to
excessive use of fertilisers, increasing production cost, lowering farm income, soil health deterioration
and potential environmental risks. The use efficiency of NPK are 30-40%, 15-20% and 40-50%
respectively, which are very low and need to be improved especially nitrogen. The recently developed
site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) tool, Nutrient Expert (NE) for Wheat, synthesized the
wheat on-farm research data into a simple delivery system that enables wheat farmers to rapidly
implement SSNM for their individual fields. It utilizes information provided by a farmer or a local expert
to suggest a meaningful yield goal for his location and formulates a fertilizer management strategy
required to attain the yield goal. With the SSNM approach, fertilizer nutrient is applied in an adequate
amount to meet the crop requirements and avoid yield loss due to a nutrient deficiency, ensuring
profitable farming, and managing soil health. These strategies increased crop yield, nutrient use
efficiency as well as net return as compared to state recommendation and farmers’ fertilization. It also
increase accumulation of NPK in plant (12-20% average) and gross return above fertilizer cost. The NE
based fertilizer application, avoid the wastage of fertilizer and so environmental footprints of chemical
fertilizers are reduced. As defined in our study where the right rate of NPK fertilizer was used through
SSNM, significantly higher yields, nutrient use efficiency and economic returns was obtained. Future
research must build on the present approach to develop a more practical way for achieving similar
benefits across large areas with the use of site-specific nutrient management and with minimum crop
monitoring
Keywords: SSNM, Nutrient Expert, nutrient use efficiency

Nano Fertilizers: A Need for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

Furquan Alam*, Dev Kumar1, Saurabh Kumar1, Saloni Kumari1 and Priyanka Kumari1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: fmjnvkne@gmail.com
Fertilizers play a vital role in maintaining soil fertility and improving crop productivity and quality. The
excessive use of chemical fertilizers leads to the loss of nutrients from agricultural fields via., leaching,
runoff and gaseous emissions that creates soil & environmental pollution. Nano fertilizers are defined
as nutrient carriers of nano dimension ranging from 30-40 nm capable of holding plenty of nutrient
ions. Therefore, Nano fertilizers formulations may possible alternatives to conventional fertilizers by
ensuring slow and control release of nutrients and increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE). These
fertilizer formulations are used to improve the crop growth and development due to its higher surface
area, greater absorbance, high reactivity and have the capacity to directly enter the cell through cell
wall pores. Different types of Nano-fertilizers can be produced by using different carrier materials e.g.,
zeolite, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, nitrogen, copper, zinc, silica,
carbon, and polymeric nanoparticles. The ultimate aim of synthesizing and utilizing of Nano fertilizers
is to improve the nutrients uptake and efficiency of nutrients usage while minimizing the loss of
nutrient in soil through volatilization runoff and leaching loss along with reducing the risk of nutrient
toxicity in soil. The Agricultural produces are essential to support and sustain life on Earth. So, for
sustainable development recent advances in Nano fertilizers may be explored to achieve precision
agriculture with soil health, nutrient management and ecological viability.
Keywords: Nano fertilizers, Sustainable Agriculture, NUE, Precision agriculture
Soil Salinity under Climate Change and Future Crop for Saline Environment
Tajendra Krishna*, Saurav Kumar1, Rishu Kumar1, Kumar Ashish1 and Ayush Kumar1
*,1
*Corresponding author Email ID: krishna.tajendra2@gmail.com
Soil Salinity becomes a problem when enough salts accumulate in the root zone to negatively affect
plant growth. Approximately 1 billion hectares of land throughout the world is affected by this problem.
There are 2 main types of salinity:- (a) Primary Salinity—naturally occurring salinity; and, (b) Secondary
Salinity – resulting from human activities. Drivers responsible for primary salinity are dry climates and
low precipitations when excessive salts are not flushed from the soil; high evaporation rate, which
adds salts to the ground surface; poor drainage or water logging when salts are not washed due to a
lack of water movement; sea-level rise when sea salts seep into lower lands; breezes in the coastal
areas that blow salty air masses to the nearby territories and seawater submergence followed by
evaporation and crystallization of salts. To overcome the problem of salinity, it is necessary to have
the correct information about its cause soil salinity is a concerning issue worldwide as it is increasingly
contributing to land degradation. Salinization due to anthropogenic actions (mainly, excessive use of
ground water, poor quality irrigation water) is decreasing the area under arable land suitable for

conventional food production. Halophytes (naturally salt tolerant plants) are seen as future crops for
farming of saline soil and water areas and also for restoration of these areas. Halophytes can be a
susbstitute to conventional crops, used as a source of food for humans (Quinoa: Distichilis palmeri)
and livestock (Atriplex sp.), crop for biofuel production (Salicornia bigelovii) and for
phytoremediation (Suaeda salsa) of saline areas. These plants possess special morphological,
physiological and anatomical features which enable them to adapt and be successfully cultivated
under saline environment and thus can be incorporated in future farming systems.
Keywords: Soil Salinity, Sustainable agriculture, Salt tolerant crops, Halophytes.
Impact of Heavy Metals Toxicity on Physiological Response of Plant System

Satish Kumar*1, Alok Kumar2 and Sardar Sunil Singh3
*,1
Dept. of Vegetable Science, NCOH, Noorsarai, Nalanda
2
Dept. Genetics, NCOH, Noorsarai, Nalanda
3
Dept.of Plant Breeding and Genetics, NCOH, Noorsarai, Nalanda
*Corresponding author Email ID: satishgsm19@gmail.com
Heavy metal toxicity causes serious threats to plants, human and animals due to long term persistence
in the environment. Heavy metal uptake depends on metals speciation, environment, temperature,
aeration, electrical conductivity, type of plant, root system, element availability, type of leaf (by foliar
uptake), soil and plant moisture content, pH of soil, and organic contents in soil. Heavy metals induce
alterations of biochemical pathways, and cellular level leading to severe damage to plants system.
Metal toxicity ( non essential heavy metal cadmium, chromium, mercury, Arsenic, lead etc.) in plants
posed several physiological response such as growth inhibition, seed germination inhibition, induced
chlorosis, wilting and plasmolysis of root cell, restricted leaf areas, low biomass production, impaired
water relation, reproductive variation ,chlorophyll variation ( by replacement of Mg element) ,
respiration, photosynthesis , nitrogen metabolism , changes in enzyme activities , formation of free
radicals etc. Cellular distortion and rupture, ill developed- xylem and phloem are the morphological
changes are observed in the root and stem due to metal uptake through root of plant. At genotoxicity
metal toxicity caused chromosomal abnormalities, impairment of cell division, cell cycle arrest, repression
of antioxidative enzymes and induction of micro micronuclei formation. The overproduction of ROS is
also considered the primary response of plants to heavy metal stress. Hence metal toxicity reduces the
production and productivity of crops
Keywords: Heavy metal toxicity, physiological response, Genotoxicity plants, yield.

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Title : Book of Abstracts, National Seminar on "Recent Developments in

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ii Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur iii

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur v

vi Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Technical Session III

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur vii

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96. Integrated Nutrient Management in Rice-Wheat Cropping System 75-76

106. Biosynthesis, characterization and Controlled Release Pattern of Novel

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur xi

118. Partitioning of Potassium in root, shoot and leaf at different growth

xii Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

2 Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Nitrogen Dynamics in Rice-Wheat under Long-Term Fertilizer Management

Keywords: Long-term, Nitrogen, Rice, Wheat, Yield

Impact of long-term Integrtaed Nutrient Management (INM) on Phosphorus

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur 3

Effect of High Dose of Nitrogen and Plant Growth Regulators on Grain

4 Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Phosphorus Management in Vegetable-based Farming System

Keywords: P uptake, PUE, Vegetables

Factors Affecting Farmers Decision on Fertilizer Usage in Maize

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur 5

Keywords: Farmers, Fertilizers, Maize, Socio-economic factors, Cost of cultivation, Bihar

Effects of Optimizing Dose and Split Application of Potassium on Growth and

6 Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Keywords: Potassium, split application, rice, productivity

Biochemical Changes in Rice (Oryza Sativa. L.) in Exposure to

Keywords: Nitrogen, Penoxsulam, enzymatic activity, Rice

Fertilizer Adoption Behaviour of Smallholder Maize (Zea mays) Farmers

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur 7

Keywords: Farmers, Fertilizers, Adoption Behaviour, Maize

Phosphorus Availability as Affected by N Fertigation in Hitherto Rainfed Rice-

8 Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur

Zeolites Minerals : Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency

Keywords : Zeolites, Nutrient use Efficiency, Soil Resource

Integrated Phosphorus Management in Relation to Dominant

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur 9

Keywords: Microorganisms, Organic matter, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Rock phosphate,

Nutrient Management in Exotic Vegetables

Keywords: Exotic vegetables, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, profitable venture

Nutrient Management Practice in Bearing Orchard of Litchi

Keywords: Nutrient, Litchi, Growth, Flowering, Fruiting

Biotech KISAN Transform Adoption Behavior in Nutrient Management

Keywords: Banana, Farmers, Biotech, Nutrient Management, Net Profit.

Performance of Summer Greengram in Response to Combined Soil and