Fundamental and Applied Agriculture

Improving Crop Productivity, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Economics of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Using Phosphate and Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria

K M Prakhyath — 2024-09-30

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is a vital medicinal and aromatic plant, widely recognized for its industrial applications. However, sustainable cultivation of chamomile faces challenges due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, which can negatively impact soil health and the environment. There is a growing need to explore alternative agricultural practices that enhance nutrient use efficiency while minimizing environmental harm. Field experiments were conducted from 2022 to 2024 at the CSIR-CIMAP Research Centre in Bengaluru to evaluate the effects of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) and Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) on the performance and nutrient use efficiency of chamomile. Various treatment combinations of Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF: 100 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, and 40 kg K2O ha-1) with PSB and KSB were tested, including co-inoculation and sole applications, to determine their impact on plant growth, yield and economic returns. Co-inoculating PSB and KSB with 100% RDF significantly increased plant height (48.09 cm) and branch count (15.43), outperforming RDF alone and other treatments. Sole applications of PSB or KSB with 100% RDF were comparable to 75% RDF combinations. The highest agronomic use efficiency (27.28%) and microbial response (37.49%) were achieved with 100% RDF+PSB+KSB, leading to a 137.49% yield increase. The highest concentrations of key compounds, α-bisabolol oxide B and α-bisabolol, were observed with 75% RDF+PSB+KSB. α-bisabolol peaked in the RDF-alone treatment. The 100% RDF+PSB+KSB treatment achieved the highest net monetary returns (US$ 5110 ha-1) and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 2.41, similar to 75% RDF+PSB+KSB. Overall, 75% RDF with PSB and KSB significantly enhances chamomile performance, increases soil bacterial populations, boosts nutrient mineralization, reduces chemical fertilizer use, and minimizes environmental impact. This approach offers a promising pathway for sustainable chamomile cultivation, leading to higher yields, improved economic returns, and reduced environmental impact.

Enhancing Transplant Aman Rice Productivity through NPK Fertilizer Split Application Scheduling Under Zero Till Non-Puddled Condition

Rubayat Islam — 2024-09-30

This experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to evaluate the varietal response of split application of NPK fertilizer application schedule on transplant aman rice under zero till non-puddled condition. The experiment comprised three rice varieties viz. Bashiraj (local), BRRI dhan49 (inbred), Dhanigold (hybrid); and seven NPK fertilizer application schedules. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of variety, NPK fertilizer split application schedule and their interaction showed significant variation on the yield attributes and yield of aman rice. In interaction, the highest number of effective tillers hill^-1(11.66), total spikelets panicle^-1(164.00), grains panicle^-1 (151.22), 1000-grain weight (38.70 g), grain yield (5.67 t ha^-1) and harvest index (60.36%) were obtained from hybrid variety Dhanigold when fertilized following 3-splits of N [1/3 at 14 days after transplanting (DAT) + 1/3 at maximum tillering (MT)+ 1/3 at panicle initiation (PI)] and P (1/3 as basal + 1/3 at MT + 1/3 at PI), and single split of K as basal (full dose). Same treatment combination also provides the highest yield of BRRI dhan49, but the local Bashiraj gave the highest yield at recommended practice where only N was top-dressed at 3 splits. Based on this result, it may be concluded that for better productivity hybrid Dhanigold and inbred BRRI dhan49 might be fertilized with 3-splits of N (1/3 at 14 DAT + 1/3 at MT + 1/3 at PI) and P (1/3 as basal + 1/3 at MT + 1/3 at PI) and full dose of K as basal during aman season under zero till non-puddled condition. On the other hand, for local variety Bashiraj 3-spilts of N either [½ as basal + ¼ at active tillering (AT) + ¼ at PI] or N (1/3 at 7 DAT + 1/3 at MT + 1/3 at PI) and P, K as single split (full dose) as basal appeared as the best application schedule.

Evaluation of Stable, and Adaptable Wheat Genotypes under Late Sown (Heat Stress) and Drought under Late Sown (Heat-Drought) Conditions

Shivalal Nyaupane — 2024-09-30

Heat stress and drought are the major problems for wheat production. Heat stress and drought causes a significant yield reduction of wheat in Nepal. To evaluate the stability, and adaptability of wheat genotypes, a field experiment was conducted using 20 elite wheat genotypes at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa Campus, Nepal in an alpha lattice design with two replication. AMMI model revealed that environment had a significant effect on grain yield of wheat and explained 55.22% of the total variation in grain yield. Which-Won-Where model showed that NL 1404 and NL 1386 were the most stable genotypes across late sown and drought under late sown conditions whereas, NL 1368 and Bhirkuti were specifically adapted genotypes under late sown and drought under late sown conditions, respectively. Thus, these genotypes can be used for yield improvement wheat under combined heat-drought conditions.

Effects of Plastic Mulches on Growth, Yield and Quality of Baby Carrot Germplasm

Mst. Fatema Tuz- Zahura — 2024-09-30

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is an important biennial root vegetable crop in Bangladesh. But baby carrot having the higher nutritional status is a new crop of Bangladesh. Different germplasm of baby carrot have strong interaction with plastic mulches for growth, yield and quality. The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of the Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from the period of October 2023 to February 2024 to study the effects of plastic mulches on growth, yield and quality of baby carrot germplasm. The experiment consisted of five-baby carrot germplasm namely G1 (PI L1408), G2 (Nantes 5), G3 (261650), G4 (PI 1408) and G5 (Upper cut) and five plastic mulches viz., T0 (control), T1 (black), T2 (silver), T3 (blue) and T4 (red). The two-factor experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Significant variations were observed due to interaction between germplasm and plastic mulches on all the growth, yield and quality parameters studied. At harvest, maximum root length (29.07 cm) was obtained from PI L1408 with black plastic mulch, maximum root diameter (4.19 cm), root weight (174.45 g), yield (27.06 t/ha) and marketable yield (26.81 t/ha) were obtained from Nantes 5 with black plastic mulch, maximum branched root (11.60%) was recorded from PI 262650 with control and maximum leaf weight (65.63 g) was found from Nantes 5 with blue plastic mulch. On the contrary, minimum root length (15.74 cm) was recorded from Upper cut with red plastic mulch, minimum root diameter (2.06 cm), root weight (40.43 g), yield (12.36 t/ha) and marketable yield (12.25 t/ha) were obtained from PI 1408 with control and maximum leaf weight (24.07 g) from PI 1408 with blue plastic mulch treatment. Therefore, interaction between Nantes 5 with black plastic mulch was found to be better in respect of growth, yield and quality of baby carrot.

Medicinal Plants as a Potential Strategy to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Concentration Under Egyptian Conditions

Ibrahim Eldesouki Arafat — 2024-09-30

The earth’s climate is changing because of the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas contributing to recent climate change. The study was carried out in 2019 and 2020 on six-year-old trees of moringa (M. oleifera) and pecan (C. illinoinensis) in two governorates of Egypt (Al-Dakahlia and El-Bihera) to investigate the potential effect of M. oleifera and C. illinoinensis trees on reducing greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide. The results indicate that growth performance [plant height (m), diameter (m), volume (m3), and biomass (kg/tree)]; carbon content (kg/tree), and carbon dioxide sequestration/tree (kg/tree) of M. oleifera was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to C. illinoinensis. Similarly, the maximum sequestration of CO2 was recorded (97.60 and 111.70 Kg/tree) for M. oleifera in 2019 and 2020, respectively. M. oleifera was the dominant tree in growth, carbon stock, and carbon sequestration than the other species (C. illinoensis). Therefore, M. oleifera can be recommended as a potential crop to mitigate global warming.

Soil Carbon Sequestration and Nutrient Status of Rice-Based Cropping Systems: A Case Study from Mymensingh District in Bangladesh

Sabina Yeasmin — 2024-09-30

Carbon (C) sequestration in soil plays a crucial role in increasing soil quality through recommended management practices including applying organic amendments, following cropping patterns, fallow periods etc. This study aimed to assess the influence of rice-based cropping patterns on soil C and nutrient status in surface (0-15 cm) and sub-surface soil (15-30 cm). Soils of five rice-based cropping patterns [Boro (winter rice)-Fallow-Fallow, Boro-Fallow-Aman (monsoon rice), Boro-Fallow-Aman-Mustard, Boro-Aus (summer rice)-Aman, Vegetables-short Fallow-Aman] from farmers’ fields of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh were collected. Bulk soils were physically fractionated into particulate organic matter (POM: >53 µm) and mineral associated OM (MOM: < 53 µm) to assess the organic C (OC) distribution. Bulk soils were analyzed for soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil texture, nutrients (OC, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S)) contents. The results showed that all studied parameters varied significantly among the cropping patterns and soil depths. Surface soils contain higher amount of OC, N, P, K and S than sub-surface soils under all rice-based cropping patterns. Overall, relatively higher macronutrients (P, K, S) concentration was found in the cropping patterns with a greater number of crops compared to the patterns including fallow period. In contrast, OC and N were the highest in Boro-Fallow-Fallow field followed by Vegetables-short Fallow-Aman and the rest three patterns, which might correspond to less disturbance of soil. All the rice-based cropping patterns had noticeable proportion of MOM (presumably stable OC) than labile POM which indicates the capacity of paddy soils in sequestering OC in soils. However, this capacity can be influenced by the pattern and probably also by the management systems, e.g., tillage and nutrient managements. These findings revealed the necessity of paying more attention to the selection of cropping pattern and proper land/or crop management for higher C sequestration in arable soil.

Chitosan Enhances Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.) by Promoting Growth and Chlorophyll Content While Reducing Hydrogen Peroxide Levels

Abdul Kadir — 2024-09-30

Drought is one of the major constraints for maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation at the global level, as maize is sensitive to drought. To elucidate the impact of chitosan (CS) on improving drought tolerance in maize, the morphological and biochemical features of a drought-stressed maize variety (CAVARI 3696) at the germination and seedling stages were analyzed. The experiments performed at both stages were comprised of four different treatments in triplicate, viz., control (C), drought (D), drought with 50 ppm chitosan (D+50 CS) and 50 ppm chitosan only (50 CS). At the germination stage, drought stress significantly declined seed germination percentage and the growth and biomass of seedlings, while CS supplementation under drought enhanced germination and growth significantly. In the seedling stage, drought-stressed maize plants exhibited a significant reduction in chlorophyll contents (both Chl a and Chl b) but elevation in H2O2 buildup and lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Drought stress also enhanced proline accumulation and improved catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzyme activities in maize plants. However, chitosan raised chlorophyll levels and suppressed H2O2, MDA, and proline content in maize plants under drought stress. Moreover, CS supplementation reduced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes under drought. These results suggest that chitosan can be used to improve the growth performance of maize under drought through enhancement in defense responses against the buildup of reactive oxygen species and associated oxidative injury.

Effect of Pinching on Growth, Flowering, and Yield of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Calcutta Local

Ranjana Sedhai — 2024-09-30

The single factor field experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 5 treatments (T1-no pinching, T2-pinching at 10 DAT, T3-pinching at 20 DAT, T4-pinching at 30 DAT, and T5- pinching at 40 DAT) and four replications. Five plants were randomly selected from each treatment to record growth, flowering parameters, and yield of marigold. Among the treatments, T1 (no pinching) recorded the maximum plant height (89.05 cm), earliest bud initiation (29.75 days), the earliest appearance of the first flower (40.25 days), and minimum days to 50% flowering (50 days). Similarly, the maximum flower diameter (5.53 g), fresh weight (5.08 g), and dry weight of the flower (2.11 g) were also recorded with this treatment. Further, the highest number of primary branches per plant (19.25), secondary branches per plant (46.25), plant spread (59.20 cm), and the highest number of flowers (124.96), flower yield per plant (549.9 g), flower yield per plot (8.25 kg) and total flower yield (229.14 q/ha) were recorded at T5 (pinching at 40 DAT). Hence, it can be concluded that pinching at 40 DAT is the most effective practice for yield and number of flowers and no pinching can be recommended if early and large sized flowers are required.

Efficacy of Different Concentration of Calcium Chloride on Post- Harvest Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Sabnam Subedi — 2024-09-30

Postharvest loss in tomatoes is significantly high after harvest, due to several factors. The study on the effect of different concentrations of calcium chloride on shelf life and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at the time of storage was done at the Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Tarahara, Sunsari, during the period from February to March 2023. Tomato (Srijana variety) fruit with stem stalk was harvested at breaker stage and dipped either in distilled water as a control or in different concentrations of calcium chloride (CaCl2) (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3%) for 15 minutes. The fruits were then air-dried and stored at ambient temperatures. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and seven treatments at the ambient temperature of 20±1 oC and an RH of 60±2 %. The shelf life and physicochemical characteristics of tomato fruit were studied at a 2-day interval during storage. The parameters recorded were physiological loss in weight (PLW), juice content (JC), total soluble solids (TSS), acidity (A), and pH in everyday intervals up to 16 days. The data was analyzed using R software, and a significant difference was calculated at a 1% significance level. Among the different treatments used in the laboratory, CaCl2 at 3% concentration was found to be the most effective in reducing the physiological loss in weight (12.65%), highest acidity (0.72%), lowest pH (4.27), lowest TSS (5.13 °Brix), and highest juice recovery (22.64%). It was observed that tomatoes treated with calcium chloride had an extended shelf life and quality for 16 days compared to those left untreated (control).

Weed Response to Different Tank-Mix Herbicide Combinations and its Impact on Winter Rice Performance in Zero Till Non-Puddled Condition

A K M Mominul Islam — 2024-09-30

Tank-mixture of two or more chemical groups of either pre- or post-emergence herbicide might play a vital role to manage weeds of a diversified community more effectively than their single or sequential application. Although some proprietary herbicides are available in the market, their number is very limited. The aim of this research was to evaluate the weed response to different tank-mix pre- or post- emergence herbicide combinations and its impact on winter rice performance in zero-till non puddled transplanted condition. Twenty-one treatments were used in each experiment (either pre- or post-emergence herbicide). Treatments comprised six pre-emergence herbicides with their 13 tank-mix combinations (at a ratio of 1:1), one proprietary pre-emergence herbicide and a season-long weedy plot as control. Similar treatments combination was also considered for post-emergence herbicide. Both the experiments were conducted under RCB design with three replications. Sole application of Triafamone pre-emergence herbicide performed as the best in terms of weed control efficiency (%) and yield increase over control (%) followed by Triafamone + Pretilachlor and Triafamone + Pendimethalin. In case of tank-mix post-emergence herbicide Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl+ Penoxsulam performed as the best in terms of weed control efficiency (%) and yield increase over control (%) followed by sole application of post-emergence Penoxsulam. Tank-mixture of Triafamone + Pretilachlor or Triafamone + Pendimethalin pre-emergence herbicide or Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl+ Penoxsulam post-emergence herbicide at a ratio of 1:1 might be the perfect alternative to sole or sequential application of herbicide for effective weed control and to obtain higher rice yield.

Enhancing Productivity of Aromatic Winter Rice Through Boron Management

Alok Kumar Mahato — 2024-09-30

Boron (B) is one of the most important micronutrients for plants which play vital role in various metabolic process. Boron deficiency in rice has been widely reported in many rice growing regions of the world including Bangladesh. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh during the period from November 2022 to May 2023 to study the effect of different levels of B on aromatic Boro (winter rice) rice (cv. BRRI dhan50. The experiment comprised ten treatments viz. control (0 kg B ha^-1), 2.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal), 4.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal), 6.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal), 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal)+ 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT), 2.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 2.0 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT), 3.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 3.0 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT), 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 0.5 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT) + 0.5 kg B ha^-1 (foliar application at flag leaf stage), 2.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT) + 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (foliar application at flag leaf stage) and 3.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 1.5 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT) + 1.5 kg B ha^-1 (foliar application at flag leaf stage). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The yield contributing characters and yield were significantly influenced by different levels of B. The highest number of total tillers hill^-1(14.65), effective tillers hill^-1 (12.75) and grains panicle^-1(106.66) were obtained from 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 0.5 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT) + 0.5 kg B ha^-1 (foliar application at flag leaf stage). The highest grain (5.38 t ha^-1) and straw (6.27 t ha^-1 ) yields were also obtained from the same treatment which was at par with the treatment 2.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (soil application at 30 DAT) + 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (foliar application at flag leaf stage) whereas the lowest values were found in control. Results indicated that 1.0 kg B ha^-1 (basal) + 0.5 kg B ha-1 (soil application at 30 DAT) + 0.5 kg B ha^-1 (foliar application at flag leaf stage) appears as the promising practice in terms of grain yield of aromatic Boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan50).