Sukamal Sarkar

Management practices of macronutrients for potato for smallholder farming system at alluvial soil (Entisols) of India

ABSTRACT In the present study, seven fertilizer treatments [T1, 50% NPK; T2, 100% NPK (Recommended dose of fertilizer, 200–65.4–124.5 kg N-P-K ha−1); T3, 150% NPK; T4, 100% PK; T5, 100% NK; T6, 100% NP and T7, control (zero NPK)] with four replications were assessed in the new alluvial soil zone (Entisols) of West Bengal, India. The objectives of the study were to generate information on potato productivity, profitability, indigenous nutrient supply and net gain/loss of NPK in post-harvest soil. Plants grown under higher NPK supply resulted in higher tuber yield and there were significant (p ≤ 0.05) reductions in total yield with nutrient omissions. Nutrient−limited yields were 19.78, 2.83 and 1.77 t ha−1 for N, P and K, considering total tuber yield (28.24 t ha−1) obtained under 100% NPK as targeted yield. Indigenous nutrient supply of N, P and K were estimated at 24.1, 22.34 and 110.22 kg ha−1, respectively that indicates higher K−supplying capacity of experimental soil as compared to N and P. Net income (US

Boron fertilization effects in processing grade potato on an Inceptisol of West Bengal, India

1349 ha−1 year−1) and B:C ratio (1.91) was highest with 100% NPK, and further addition of NPK (150%) resulted in decrease on net return (US

Herbicide ready-mixes effects on weed control efficacy, non-target and residual toxicities, productivity and profitability in sugarcane–green gram cropping system

1193 ha−1 year−1) and B:C ratio (1.73).

Zinc Fertilization in Potato: A Physiological and Bio-chemical Study

ABSTRACT A 2-year field trial was conducted in processing grade potato cv. Kufri Chipsona-3. The treatments comprised recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (200:150:150 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha−1) with or without boron (B) application (soil and foliar). The results revealed that B fertilization significantly increased tuber number and yield. Three sprays of 0.1% boric acid (at 40, 50 and 60 days after planting) produced the maximum number and yield of tubers and enhanced B uptake in potato tuber, haulm as well as in total plant accounting 85.8, 182.0 and 169.8% more than control, respectively. The same treatment came up with greatest net return and benefit: cost ratio. B fertilization exerted significant influence on available N and B status of post-harvest soil, while the effect was non-significant on available P and K. Results suggest that right dose and method of B application is vital for optimizing tuber yield and B-use efficiency for processing grade potato.

Water use efficiency of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under intermittent ponding and different intensity of puddling

ABSTRACT Weeds pose a major challenge at the initial stages of sugarcane and when uncontrolled cause high yield losses. This study was undertaken to define a better and cost-effective weed management strategy. We compared ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium (hereafter referred to as trifloxysulfuron) ready-mixes with single applications of trifloxysulfuron, atrazine and 2,4-D for efficacy, non-target and residual toxicities, yield and profitability in a sugarcane–green gram rotation. Results showed that a density of 100 weeds m−2 could reduce sugarcane yield by 18.4 t ha−1. The ready-mix ametryn + trifloxysulfuron (1097.3 + 27.8) g a.i. ha−1 applied 15 days after planting (DAP) caused reductions in weed density by 88.2%, 90.9%, and 90.3%, and weed biomass by 68.0%, 53.8%, and 56.2% compared to unweeded control at 30, 60, and 90 DAP, respectively. Consequently, the sugarcane yield, system productivity, and net returns were increased by 92.1%, 43.5%, and 1515%, respectively due to this ready-mix. It increased system productivity by 23%, 17.2%, and 22.7% compared to trifloxysulfuron, atrazine, and 2,4-D treatments, respectively. This ready-mix may be recommended in sugarcane. This would reduce weed seed bank and herbicide application cost by 50%, and prevent/delay weed shift and resistance.

Impact of profile water status on nitrogen use pattern of dry land barley under varying nitrogen levels

Aims: More than 54% of soils in West Bengal are Zinc (Zn) deficient and therefore, Zn−fertilization is assumed to play a key role not only for increasing potato yield but also for combating wide spread deficiency of micronutrients (mainly Zn) in many potato growing areas of the state. Original Research Article Banerjee et al.; IJPSS, 16(2): 1-13, 2017; Article no.IJPSS.33844 2 Place and Duration of Study: A two-year field experiment was conducted during winter 2013-14 and 2014-15 at to assess the advantages of Zn nutrition in potato cv. Kufri Jyoti under alluvial soil (Entisols) of West Bengal, India Methodology: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) having five treatments and four replications The potato was fertilized with five zinc levels (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 kg Zn ha) through zinc sulphate heptahydrate i.e. ZnSO4, 7H2O (commercial grade Multi-Zn contained 21% Zn) at the time of planting. A uniform dose of NPK at 200:150:150 kg ha RDF was applied in all the plots in the form of urea (46% N), single super phosphate (16% P2O5), and muriate of potash (60% K2O). Results: Application Zn fertilizer at 4.5 kg ha recorded significantly higher germination %, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation (DMA) and number of tubers hill. Total number and yield of tuber ha were also changed significantly (P≤ .05) with the levels of Znfertilization. Quality parameters like total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity, ascorbic acid, starch and amount of total sugar contents of fresh potato tuber as well as organoleptic quality of chips (colour) also influenced significantly (P≤ .05) with varied levels of Zn fertilization. Conclusion: Results suggest that application of 4.5 kg Zn ha in combination with recommended dose fertilizer (RDF) of NPK (i.e. 200:150:150 kg ha) is vital for optimizing yield components, yield and quality of potato (cv. Kufri Jyoti) in trans-Gangetic plains of West Bengal, India.

Impact of nitrogen nutrition on productivity and nutrient use efficiency of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) In an inceptisol of west Bengal, India

Abstract To increase the water use efficiency (WUE) of rice, two sets of experiments were carried out from 1997 – 1999. Experiment one: Irrigation period of rice was divided into three stages: early (S1, 10 – 35 days after transplanting, [DAT]); middle (S2, 36 – 60 DAT) and late (S3, 61 – 85 DAT). Intermittent ponding (IP) was imposed at single, two stages or the entire growing period. Continuous ponding (CP) in all three stages was taken as control. Though the highest grain yield (6.71 mg ha−1) was obtained under control, this regime was responsible for the lowest WUE. In contrast, IP in all stages was responsible for maximum WUE with minimum yield level. Imposition of IP in S1 resulted in higher (0.529 kg m−3) WUE along with insignificant reduction in yield over control. Experiment two: Three puddling practices were: (i) High intensity puddling (HIP); (ii) Moderate intensity puddling (MIP); and (iii) Low intensity puddling (LIP). On average, HIP resulted in the lowest value (6.5 mm d−1) of percolation rate. Both grain yield (6.93 mg ha−1) and WUE (0.597 kg m−3) attained highest value under HIP. A decrease in puddling intensity under MIP and LIP lowered the yield by 2.97 and 17.75% respectively. In the case of WUE, the reduction was 16.27 and 54.66%.

Differential physiological response in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) upon exposure to nutrient omissions

A field trial was carried out during 1993–94 and 1994–95 winter seasons on Udic Ustochrept to evaluate the performance of dryland barley under varying profile moisture status and nitrogen levels. Three levels of initial moisture status of the root zone profile were: wet (100% field capacity), moderately wet (50% field capacity) and dry (rainfed) as the main treatment. The sub treatments were 0, 40, 60 and 80 kg N ha−1. During 15 to 60 days after sowing (DAS) availability of soil nitrogen and its uptake by the crop attained the highest values under wet regime. However, at 105 and 130 DAS dry moisture regime resulted in maximum values of both available soil nitrogen and plant nitrogen contents. In the same tune biomass production attained the higher values under wet regime as compared to the dry regime during 15 to 60 DAS and the trend was reverse at 105 DAS. Grain yield attained the highest value under dry regime followed by wet and moderately wet regimes. Irrespective of the profile moisture status both p...