Vijay Pooniya

ENRICHMENT OF BASMATI RICE GRAIN AND STRAW WITH ZINC AND NITROGEN THROUGH FERTI-FORTIFICATION AND SUMMER GREEN MANURING UNDER INDO-GANGETIC PLAINS OF INDIA

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a well-identified problem in cereals, resulting in decreased crop yields and nutritional quality. Approximately half of the worlds population suffers from Zn deficiency. Cereal crops play an important role in satisfying daily calorie intake in developing world, but they are inherently very low in grain-Zn concentrations, particularly when grown under Zn-deficient soils. Therefore, it is essential to increase the Zn concentration in cereal grains particularly in basmati rice. Application of Zn fertilizers or Zn-enriched [nitrogen (N)- phosphorus (P)- potassium (K)] fertilizers (ferti-fortification) offers a rapid solution for increasing Zn concentration in grain and straw. The present study was therefore undertaken to study nutrient concentrations in grain and straw, their uptake and use-efficiencies as influenced by summer green manuring (SGM) and Zn fertilization. Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years during summer and rainy (Kharif) seasons (April–November) of 2008 and 2009; indicated that SGM and Zn fertilization had significant effects on concentrations and uptake of N, K, sulfur (S), Zn, manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in basmati rice grain and straw. Amongst the SGM and Zn fertilization treatments, Sesbania aculeata green manuring (GM) and 2.0% Zn-enriched urea (ZEU) as zinc sulfate (ZnSO4.H2O) recorded the highest N, K, S, Mn, Cu, and Fe concentrations, and their uptake in grain and straw as well as total (grain + straw) of basmati rice compared to rest of the SGM crops and Zn fertilization treatments. In regards to Zn concentration, foliar spray of 0.2% (ZnSO4.H2O) recorded the highest values of Zn concentration in grain and straw viz. 24.1, 24.1 and 177.7, and 179.2 mg kg−1 DM during 2008 and 2009, respectively. Whereas, 2.0% ZEU as ZnSO4.H2O recorded the highest total Zn uptake viz. 3081.6 and 3089.0 g ha−1 in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The estimated values viz. partial factor productivity (PFP) and crop recovery efficiency (CRE) of applied N were the highest with Sesbania aculeata GM and 2.0% ZEU as ZnSO4.H2O treatments. But, the highest physiological efficiency (PE) of applied N was obtained after summer fallow and control (only N) viz. 25.7, 20.1 and 27.1, and 21.9 kg grain kg−1 of N absorbed in 2008 and 2009. All the Zn-use indices were also influenced significantly due to SGM crops and Zn fertilization treatments except ZnHI of basmati rice. Agronomic efficiency (AE) of applied Zn to rice crop was significantly higher with mungbean (Vigna radiata) GM and ZnO slurry Zn fertilization treatment, however, 0.2% foliar spray of ZnSO4.H2O recorded the highest Zn crop recovery efficiency (Zn CRE) viz. 57.6 and 61.6%, respectively. Overall, application of Zn fertilizer (ferti-fortification) to basmati rice through ZEU and foliar spray of 0.2% (ZnSO4.H2O) increased Zn concentration in grain and straw, resulting in greater bio-availability of grain Zn. Therefore, this would be a very important and useful strategy in solving the Zn deficiency related problems in Indo-Gangetic plains of India.

Summer green-manuring crops and zinc fertilization on productivity and economics of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of summer green-manuring crops and zinc (Zn) fertilization on the productivity and economics of Basmati rice. Sesbania aculeata summer green-manuring crop residue incorporation (SGMI) gave highest values of all the growth and yield attributes, grain and straw yield, viz. 3.58, 3.69 t ha−1 and 16.14, 16.25 t ha−1 of Basmati rice in 2008 and 2009. Among the Zn fertilization treatments, application of 2.0% Zn-enriched urea (ZEU) as ZnSO4 · H2O significantly influenced yield attributes and yield of Basmati rice during both years, and the increase in grain yield was 38.5 and 40.0% over absolute control (no N and no Zn) and 11.9 and 13.6% over control (only N) in both years of study. However, 2.0% ZEU (ZnO) was very close in terms of yield attributes and grain, straw yields of Basmati rice. As regards to the economics of Basmati rice, SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 · H2O) Zn fertilization treatments gave the highest gross (SGMI, 85,985 and 91,582 INR ha−1; 2.0% ZEU, 89,837 and 59,851 INR ha−1) and net (SGMI, 56,997 and 61,445 INR ha−1; 2.0% ZEU, 59,851 and 64,442 INR ha−1) returns, respectively, compared with incorporation of the remaining summer green manuring residue and Zn fertilization treatments in 2008 and 2009. A significantly higher benefit:cost ratio was recorded with SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 · H2O). Overall, Sesbania aculeata green manuring and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO4 · H2O) are excellent sources of N and Zn for improved productivity of Basmati rice.

Soil Factors Associated with Micronutrient Acquisition in Crops- Biofortification Perspective

The introduction of high-yielding varieties, intensive cultivation systems, micronutrient-free fertiliser application, non-addition of organic manures and imbalanced plant nutrition has led to multi-micronutrient deficiencies in soils in many parts of the globe. Importance of micronutrients can be realised from their incredible functions in plants that result in quality produce, as each essential micronutrients play some specific functions in plants. Availability of micronutrients to plants is regulated by various soil factors such as texture, soil reaction, organic matter, clay content, soil moisture, nutrient interactions in soil, microbial activity, redox potential and aeration, etc. Research has, however, clearly indicated a sharp increase in micronutrient uptake and yield of crops by alleviating soil conditions through proper management practices, liming and applying micronutrients directly in soil or as foliar application. Moreover, exploitation of soil microbes such as micronutrient solubilisers and AM fungi has proven as boon in micronutrient uptake and improving soil quality. Maintenance of optimum soil organic matter status and balanced fertilisation or soil test-based fertiliser application also lead to biofortified farm produce, eliminate micronutrient deficiency and improve soil and plant health.

Mitigating pulse productivity constraints through phosphorus fertilization-a review

Pulses occupy an important position in food and nutritional security in India. Food security has been a major area of concern for agricultural scientists and planners in India since long. India produces over 200 million tonnes of foodgrains every year with an increase of four folds since independence. Increased efforts to produce more food have resulted in tremendous shift in cropping systems towards cereal-cereal based systems. But, still India is far behind in pulses production. In order to harness higher yields, phosphorus nutrition plays an important role besides other crop management factors. Hence, it is imperative to understand the constraints in pulse production to realize higher productivity and maintain soil health. P is important plant nutrient alongwith other major nutrients in pulses. This becomes more important when most of the Indian soils are P deficient and the farmers do not care for P nutrition in pulses resulting in lower pulse production, and making dependent on pulse imports for feeding the huge population causing sizable drain of foreign exchange.

Response of Spring Wheat to Boron-Coated Urea and Its Effect on Nitrogen Use Efficiency

ABSTRACT A field study was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the response of spring wheat to boron applied as boron-coated urea (BCU) and the effect of boron (B) coating on the use efficiency of applied fertilizer urea nitrogen. The BCU (0.5% B) significantlyrecorded the highest increase in leaf area index (30.2%), spike length (12.5%), number of spikes (10.9%), filled grains (15.7%) and grain weight (16.3%) per spike in spring wheat than uncoated prilled urea (PU). Furthermore, the application of 0.5% BCU enhanced the grain and straw yields of spring wheat by 11% and 10.6% over uncoated PU. The BCU (0.5% B) also significantly increased the N concentration and N uptake both in wheat grain and straw. The BCU (0.5% B) recorded 24.8% higher recovery efficiency of applied nitrogen and an increase of 3.6 kg grain kg−1 N applied in agronomic efficiency compared to uncoated PU. The net returns (USD915.1 ha−1) and benefit:cost ratio (1.40) werealso the highest with 0.5% BCU, significantly higher than uncoated PU. Therefore, 0.5% boron coating onto PU is recommended for increased productivity and enhanced efficiency of applied fertilizer nitrogen for spring wheat in Indo-Gangetic plains of India.

Influence of Green Manuring and Zinc Fertilization on Quality Parameters of Basmati Rice

The effects of summer green manuring crops and zinc (Zn) fertilization on quality of basmati rice during summer rainy seasons of 2008 and 2009 (kharif, April–November) were evaluated in field experiments at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Quality parameters of basmati rice (viz., physical, biochemical, and cooking quality parameters) increased significantly as a result of summer green manure crop residue incorporation over summer fallow treatment. Incorporation of Sesbania aculeata green manure crop residues led to significantly greater protein (8.44 percent mean of 2 years) and amylose content (25.78 percent mean of 2 years). Zinc fertilization using 2 percent Zn-enriched urea (ZEU) recorded the greatest values for these parameters and also for hulling (73.8 percent mean of 2 years) and milling (62.4 percent mean of 2 years). Zinc fertilization using 2 percent ZEU and incorporation of Sesbania aculeata green manure crop residues also recorded the greatest values for all quality parameters related to cooking quality such as length and breadth of grains before and after cooking. Soil microbiological parameters and yield showed significantly high positive correlations with quality parameters. The 2-year field study clearly demonstrated the benefits of summer green manure nitrogen (N) and Zn enrichment for improving the biochemical, physical, and cooking quality parameters of basmati rice.

Influence of summer legume residue recycling and varietal diversification on productivity, energetics, and nutrient dynamics in basmati rice–wheat cropping system of western Indo-Gangetic Plains

ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted on summer mungbean residue recycling (SMBRR) and basmati rice–wheat cropping system (BRWCS) at New Delhi, India. The SMBRR enhanced the system productivity and net returns by ∼19.1% and 22.1% compared to summer fallow (SF) with highest magnitude under genotypic sequence of P 2511/HD 2967. Two genotypes each in basmati rice (PB 1 and P 2511) and wheat (HD 2967 and HD 2733) responded well to SMBRR with respect to grain yield efficiency index (GYEI) ≥ 1.0. SMBRR also registered ∼13.5% higher microbial biomass carbon (MBC) than SF. Soil organic carbon (SOC) storage also increased by ∼6.8% in 0–30 cm soil layer. The rice–wheat–summer mungbean system produced significantly highest energy efficiency compared to the rice–wheat–summer fallow system with highest values under genotypic sequence of P 2511/HD 2967 as a result of better yield expression. Overall, SMBRR with suitable genotypic sequence improved the system productivity, profitability, and nutrient dynamics in BRWCS, which are vital for long-term sustainability of this system.

Response of wheat genotypes to zinc fertilization for improving productivity and quality

ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield potentiality and quality of promising wheat varieties during winter seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Among genotypes, HD 2967 genotype proved as best in realizing the highest grain yield (4.89 Mg ha−1), net returns and benefit–cost ratio besides increased protein (13.4%) and wet gluten (29.4%) content in grain. Highest grain Zn concentration and recovery efficiency (RE) recorded in HD 2851 and HD 2687, respectively. HD 2932 registered lowest grain hardiness index (GHI) followed by PBW 343, indicating their better bread-making quality. With respect to Zn fertilization, application of 1.25 kg Zn Zn–ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (Zn–EDTA) + 0.5% foliar spray at maximum tillering and booting stages resulted in the highest yields, grain Zn concentration and RE followed by 2.5 kg Zn (ZnSO4·7H2O) + 0.5% foliar spray at both stages. These treatments are also superior most with respect to grain quality parameters such as protein, wet gluten and starch content. From profitability viewpoint, 2.5 kg Zn (ZnSO4·7H2O) + 0.5% two foliar sprays were most remunerative with maximum net returns and benefit–cost ratio.