Harsharn Singh Grewal
University of Western Sydney
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Publication
Featured researches published by Harsharn Singh Grewal.
Bioelectromagnetics | 2011
Harsharn Singh Grewal; Basant Maheshwari
The effects of magnetic treatment of irrigation water and snow pea (Pisum sativum L var. macrocarpon) and Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) seeds on the emergence, early growth and nutrient contents of seedlings were investigated under glasshouse conditions. The treatments included (i) magnetic treatment of irrigation water (MTW), (ii) magnetic treatment of seeds (MTS), (iii) magnetic treatment of irrigation water and seeds (MTWS) and (iv) no magnetic treatment of irrigation water or seeds as control treatment. A magnetic treatment device with two permanent magnets (magnetic induction: 3.5-136 mT) was used for the above treatments. Seeds were sown in washed sand and seedlings were harvested at 20 days. The results showed that MTW led to a significant (P < 0.05) increase in emergence rate index (ERI; 42% for snow pea and 51% for chickpea), shoot dry weight (25% for snow pea and 20% for chickpea) and contents of N, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, Zn, Fe and Mn in both seedling varieties compared to control seedlings. Likewise, there were significant increases in ERI (33% for snow peas and 37% for chickpea), shoot dry weight (11% for snow pea and 4% for chickpea) and some nutrients of snow pea and chickpea seedlings with MTS in comparison with the controls. The results of this study suggest that both MTW and MTS have the potential to improve the early seedling growth and nutrient contents of seedlings.
Journal of Plant Nutrition | 2003
Harsharn Singh Grewal; Rex Williams
Abstract Soil acidity is one of the limiting factors affecting the production and sustainability of pastures and crops in many parts of the world. An on‐farm experiment was conducted in Australia to investigate the cultivar variation in alfalfa (lucerne) (Medicago sativa L.) with respect to soil acidity and response to applied lime. The experimental site was a brown sandy clay loam with a soil pH of 4.8 (1:5 calcium chloride). Ten cultivars (Hunter River, Hunterfield, Sceptre, Aurora, Genesis, Aquarius, Venus, PL90, PL55, and breeding line Y8804) were tested at two levels of lime (0 and 2 t ha−1). Lime application significantly increased the root growth, nodulation, leaf retention, leaf to stem ratio, herbage yield, and crude protein content of alfalfa. Liming had a significant effect on elemental composition of alfalfa shoots. Aluminum (Al) concentration was reduced from 93 mg kg−1 DM in nil lime treatment to 45 mg kg−1 DM in +lime treatment. Similarly, manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) shoot concentrations were reduced from 74 mg kg−1 DM and 92 mg kg−1 DM to 59 mg kg−1 DM and 76 mg kg−1 DM, respectively. Liming significantly improved the calcium (Ca) concentration of shoots, while there was a little effect on phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of alfalfa shoots. Cultivars had differential response to lime application. Response to lime application was greater in Y8804 and Aurora alfalfa where yield increased by 32% and 31%, while yield increase was 11–22% in other cultivars. Cultivars also differed significantly in root growth, nodulation, leaf drop, leaf to stem ratio, crude protein content, and elemental composition of shoots. Cultivars with better performance in no liming treatment had comparatively lower shoot Al, Mn, and Fe concentrations compared with other cultivars.
Plant and Soil | 2000
James Stangoulis; Harsharn Singh Grewal; R.W. Bell; Robin D. Graham
Boron (B) efficiency of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and mustard (B. juncea) genotypes was determined on a low B soil at Mt. Compass, South Australia. B efficiency was observed in oilseed rape genotypes, Zhongyou 821, Dunkeld and Zheyou 2, and in mustard genotypes Pusa Bold and CSIRO 6. Genotypes grown in the field were also grown under glass-house conditions, in pots filled with pre-washed sand extracted from the Mt. Compass field site. Two B treatments, one B adequate (0.25 mg B kg−1 soil) and one B deficient (imposed by omission) were used to indicate whether vegetative response to B could predict final yield response and provide a more convenient selection criterion for identifying B-efficient germplasm. Vegetative response of 35 d old (D35) genotypes grown in pot culture closely reflected field response, indicating the expression of B efficiency traits in early growth, and its potential use in selection.
Plant and Soil | 1999
Harsharn Singh Grewal; Robin D. Graham
The residual effects of Zn supplied (+Zn: 1 mg kg−1 soil, -Zn: no Zn added) in subsoil to four oilseed rape genotypes (Zhongyou 821, Xinza 2 and Narendra: Brassica napus type, and CSIRO-1: Brassica juncea type) were studied on the following wheat in a glasshouse experiment in pots (100 cm long, 10.5 cm diameter). The topsoil (upper 20 cm soil in pots) was supplied with Zn (0.5 mg kg−1 soil) in all treatments whereas Zn (1 mg Zn kg−1 dry soil) was either supplied or omitted from the subsoil at time of sowing of oilseed rape genotypes. Oilseed rape plants were harvested at maturity and wheat (variety Songlen) was grown to evaluate the residual effects of subsoil Zn and oilseed rape genotypes. Subsoil residual Zn significantly improved the root growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yield of wheat. Wheat grain Zn concentration was 4 times higher in +Zn subsoil residual than under -Zn subsoil residual. Oilseed rape genotypes did not vary in their residual effect on grain and straw yield of wheat, but reflected a differential effect on Zn concentration and Zn content of wheat grain. Zinc uptake per wheat plant (grain + shoot + root Zn uptake) was about 4 times higher in +Zn subsoil residual than -Zn subsoil residual. Out of total Zn uptake per plant, 77%, 15% and 8% of Zn was loaded in wheat grains, shoots and roots respectively in +Zn subsoil residual. However in -Zn subsoil residual, distribution of Zn in grains, shoots and roots was 55%, 29% and 16% respectively. Zinc loading in grains of wheat was significantly higher in wheat grown after Narendra and Xinza 2 compared with wheat grown after Zhongyou 821 (Zn-inefficient genotype). These results indicate that subsoil residual Zn and Zn-efficient genotypes of oilseed rape have the potential to increase the Zn loading in wheat grains.
Journal of Plant Nutrition | 1998
Harsharn Singh Grewal; Robin D. Graham; James Stangoulis
Abstract The interaction effect of applied zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on early vegetative growth and uptake of Zn and B by two oilseed rape (canola) (Brassica napus L.) genotypes was investigated in a sand culture experiment under controlled environmental conditions. Two genotypes (Yickadee and Dunkeld) were grown at three Zn levels (0.05, 0.25, and 2.0 mg kg‐1 soil) and two B levels (0.05 mg kg‐1 soil and 0.5 mg kg‐1 soil). Dunkeld produced significantly higher shoot and root dry matter than Yickadee at low Zn and low B supply indicating the superiority of Dunkeld over Yickadee for tolerance to both low Zn and low B supply. Chlorophyll content of fresh leaf tissue was increased significantly by an increase in Zn and B supply. Zinc deficiency enhanced B concentration in younger and older leaves. Boron concentration was higher in older leaves than in the younger leaves irrespective of B deficiency and sufficiency indicating immobility of B in two oilseed rape genotypes tested. Zinc concentration was higher in...
Journal of Plant Nutrition | 2000
Harsharn Singh Grewal; Rex Williams
Abstract The interactive effect of applied zinc (Zn) and soil moisture on early vegetative growth of three alfalfa (lucerne) (Medicago sativa L.) varieties was investigated in a sand‐culture pot experiment to test whether there is link between Zn nutrition and soil moisture stress or excessive moisture tolerance in alfalfa plants. Three varieties (Sceptre, Pioneer L 69, and Hunterfield) with differential Zn efficiency (ability of a variety to grow and yield well in a Zn deficient soil is called a Zn‐efficient variety) were grown at two Zn levels (low Zn supply: 0.05 mg Zn kg‐1 of soil, adequate Zn supply: 2.0 mg Zn kg‐1 of soil) and three levels of soil moisture (soil moisture stress: 3% soil moisture on soil dry weight basis; adequate soil moisture: 12% soil moisture on soil dry weight basis; excessive soil moisture: 18% soil moisture on soil dry weight basis) in a Zn deficient (DTPA Zn: 0.06 mg kg‐1 soil) siliceous sand. Zinc treatments were applied at planting, while soil moisture treatments were applied three weeks after planting and continued for two weeks. Plants were grown in pots under controlled temperature conditions (20°C, 12 h day length; 15°C, 12 h night cycle) in a glasshouse. Plants grown at low Zn supply developed Zn deficiency symptoms, and there was a severe solute leakage from the leaves of Zn‐deficient plants. Adequate Zn supply significantly enhanced the leaf area, leaf to stem ratio, biomass production of shoots, and roots, succulence of plants and Zn concentration in leaves. At low Zn supply, soil moisture stress and excessive moisture treatments significantly depressed the shoot dry matter, leaf area and leaf to stem ratio of alfalfa plants, while there was little impact of soil moisture treatments when supplied Zn concentration was high. The detrimental effects of soil moisture stress and excessive soil moisture under low Zn supply were less pronounced in Sceptre, a Zn‐efficient alfalfa variety compared with Hunterfield, a Zn‐inefficient variety. Results suggest that the ability of alfalfa plants to cope with water stress and excessive soil moisture during early vegetative stage was enhanced with adequate Zn nutrition.
Journal of Plant Nutrition | 2002
Harsharn Singh Grewal; Rex Williams
An on-farm field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of potassium (K) application on nodulation, leaf to stem ratio, herbage yield, leaf drop, and disease severity of common leaf spot disease (caused by fungus Pseudopeziza medicaginis) in dryland alfalfa (cv. Genesis) (Medicago sativa L). The soil of the experiment site was dark greyish clay with a pH of 7.3 (1 : 5 Calcium chloride). Topsoil (0–15 cm) had 1.03 meq 100 g−1 K and subsoil (15–30 cm) had 0.88 meq 100 g−1 K (Ammonium Acetate extracted K). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 6 rates of K supply (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 kg K ha−1). The source of K was potassium chloride. Potassium application has a significant beneficial impact on nodulation, herbage yield, and leaf to stem ratio of alfalfa plants. There were also significant reductions in leaf drop and common leaf spot disease severity of alfalfa with K application. The adequate K rates for reducing the common leaf spot disease severity and leaf drop were observed to be 75 kg K ha−1 and 71 kg K ha−1 respectively, while the adequate K rate for nodulation and herbage yield was comparatively lower (61 kg K ha−1). These results suggest that common leaf spot disease severity, nodulation, and leaf drop have an association with K nutrition of alfalfa. These associations may have widespread implications in managing the growth, herbage yield, and potential nitrogen contributions of alfalfa rotations in low K soils.
Plant and Soil | 2001
Harsharn Singh Grewal
Zinc deficiency is an important limiting factor in sustainable crop production and is a factor often overlooked in determining the benefits and overall success of alfalfa pastures in rotations. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc and alfalfa cultivars on nodulation, herbage yield, leaf drop and disease severity (Phytophthora root rot disease and common leaf spot disease) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Ten cultivars of alfalfa (Hunter River, Hunterfield, Sceptre Aurora, Genesis, Aquarius, Venus (Y8622), PL69, P5929 and PL34HQ) were tested at two levels of zinc (+Zn: 4 kg ha−1, -Zn: no zinc added) on a Zn-deficient soil (DTPA zinc of top 0–15 cm soil was 0.4 mg kg−1 soil, while 15–30 cm subsoil Zn was 0.1 mg kg−1 soil) under field conditions. Zinc application significantly increased number and dry weight of nodules, herbage yield and leaf to stem ratio of alfalfa plants. There was a significant reduction in leaf drop, and occurrence of Phytophthora root rot (caused by fungus Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis) and common leaf spot (caused by fungus Pseudopeziza medicaginis) diseases with Zn application. Alfalfa cultivars had a differential response to low Zn. Hunter River and Hunterfield were the most affected by omitting zinc application, while Sceptre, PL34HQ and Aquarius were comparatively less affected. The present study suggest that Zn nutrition effects nodulation, leaf drop, disease occurrence and production potential of alfalfa. The alfalfa cultivars have differential ability to low Zn supply. Growing of Zn-efficient cultivars and adequate Zn nutrition may also improve the N2-fixation by alfalfa on low-Zn soils.Zinc deficiency is an important limiting factor in sustainable crop production and is a factor often overlooked in determining the benefits and overall success of alfalfa pastures in rotations. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc and alfalfa cultivars on nodulation, herbage yield, leaf drop and disease severity (Phytophthora root rot disease and common leaf spot disease) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Ten cultivars of alfalfa (Hunter River, Hunterfield, Sceptre Aurora, Genesis, Aquarius, Venus (Y8622), PL69, P5929 and PL34HQ) were tested at two levels of zinc (+Zn: 4 kg ha−1, -Zn: no zinc added) on a Zn-deficient soil (DTPA zinc of top 0–15 cm soil was 0.4 mg kg−1 soil, while 15–30 cm subsoil Zn was 0.1 mg kg−1 soil) under field conditions. Zinc application significantly increased number and dry weight of nodules, herbage yield and leaf to stem ratio of alfalfa plants. There was a significant reduction in leaf drop, and occurrence of Phytophthora root rot (caused by fungus Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis) and common leaf spot (caused by fungus Pseudopeziza medicaginis) diseases with Zn application. Alfalfa cultivars had a differential response to low Zn. Hunter River and Hunterfield were the most affected by omitting zinc application, while Sceptre, PL34HQ and Aquarius were comparatively less affected. The present study suggest that Zn nutrition effects nodulation, leaf drop, disease occurrence and production potential of alfalfa. The alfalfa cultivars have differential ability to low Zn supply. Growing of Zn-efficient cultivars and adequate Zn nutrition may also improve the N2-fixation by alfalfa on low-Zn soils.
Plant and Soil | 1999
Harsharn Singh Grewal; Rex Williams
Response of 13 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genotypes to varied Zn supply (+Zn: 2 mg kg−1 soil, −Zn: no added Zn) was studied in a pot experiment under controlled environmental conditions. Plants were grown for four weeks in a Zn-deficient siliceous sandy soil. Plants grown at no added Zn showed typical Zn deficiency symptoms i.e. interveinal chlorosis of leaves, yellowish-white necrotic lesions on leaf blades, necrosis of leaf margins, smaller leaves and a marked reduction in growth. There was solute leakage from the leaves of Zn-deficient plants, while no solute leakage from Zn-sufficient plants. The ratios of P:Zn, Fe:Zn, Cu:Zn and Mn:Zn in Zn-deficient plants were extremely high compared with Zn-sufficient plants indicating disturbance of P:Zn, Fe:Zn, Cu:Zn and Mn:Zn balance within plant system by Zn deficiency. Genotypes differed markedly in Zn efficiency based on shoot dry matter production. Alfalfa genotypes also differed markedly in P:Zn ratio, Cu:Zn ratio and Fe:Zn ratio under —Zn treatment. The shoot dry weight, shoot:root ratio, chlorophyll content of fresh leaf tissue, solute leakage from the leaves, Zn uptake and distribution of Zn in shoots and roots were the most sensitive parameters of Zn efficiency. Zn-efficient genotypes had less solute leakage but higher shoot:root ratio and higher Zn uptake compared with Zn-inefficient genotypes. Under —Zn treatment, Zn-inefficient genotypes had less Zn partitioning to shoots (33–37%) and more Zn retained in roots (63–67%), while Zn-efficient genotypes had about equal proportions of Zn in roots (50%) and shoots (50%).
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research | 2010
Harsharn Singh Grewal
Abstract Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), a deep-rooted perennial legume forage, is a significant part of pastures, and is also grown in rotation with wheat to improve the yield and protein content of grains. Adequate supply of key nutrients is one of the important factors in higher productivity and sustainability of lucerne pastures. However, farmers mostly overlook the importance of nutrient management of established lucerne pastures, resulting in poor persistence, low productivity and weed invasion. The aim of this on-farm field study was to investigate the effects of the combined use of P, K, S and Zn and different sources of Zn on herbage yield, crude protein, nutrient composition, nitrogen fixation, weed invasion and persistence of an established (2 years old) stand of ‘Aurora’ lucerne pasture. A randomised block design was used to test ten fertiliser treatments. The combined use of P, K, S and Zn significantly (P<0.05) increased herbage yield (139% increase) over 2 years, nitrogen fixation, leaf-to-stem ratio, crude protein, nutrient composition (P, K, Ca, S, Zn concentrations), persistence and groundcover, and also led to significant weed suppression (weed biomass decreased from 53 to 69%). Of the three forms of zinc tested, zinc sulphate and zinc-coated single superphosphate proved superior to zinc oxide. The results suggest that nutrient management is essential for improved persistence, reduced weed invasion and higher sustainable productivity of established lucerne pastures, which is important for livestock production systems and overall profitability of farming systems.
Collaboration
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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
View shared research outputsMaharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology
View shared research outputsMaharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology
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