Agriculture, Soil science & chemistry

A field experiment was conducted to study the different sources of silicon (Si) on plant growth and yield. The experiment was laid in randomized complete design (RCBD) with four treatments and four replications. The experiment results revealed that There was an increase in plant height and the number of tillers plant-1 with the application of different sources of Si over RDF (T1). At harvest RHB @ 4 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher plant height (106.05±1.23 cm) and the number of tillers hill-1 (15.25±2.75). Yield attributes like number of panicles hill-1 (13.23±0.49), Panicle length 23.43±0.29 cm), test weight (23.55±0.05 g), straw (7.15±0.59 t ha-1), grain (3.60±0.16 t ha-1) and total biomass yield (10. 75±1.01 t ha-1) was recorded in treatment receiving SA @ 4 mL L-1 (T3). Whereas, higher Si content and uptake in both straw and grain was significantly higher in the recorded in the with the application of the RHB @ 4 t ha-1. Thus, combined application of external Si sources and...

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effects of biochars and their feedstocks on growth and yield attributing parameter of Indian mustard grown in red soil of eastern Uttar Pradesh in the net house of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural chemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during Rabi season of 2015-16. This experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with twenty treatment combinations consisting of three levels of different types of biochars and its feedstocks i.e. 0, 2.25 g kg and 4.5 g kg of soil(corresponding to 5 t ha and 10 t ha respectively) along with 50 percent RDF and four levels of fertilizers 0 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent and 100 percent of recommended dose (100 per cent RDF means 45:30:20:20 mg kg corresponding to 90: 60: 40: 40: kg ha of N, P2O5, K2O & S, respectively in case of mustard) replicated thrice. Growth parameters were recorded at various phonological stages i.e., 30 DAS followed by 60, 90 DAS and at harves...

Understanding the spatial and temporal variations of soil moisture is crucial for the land surface processes and their management. The soil moisture content in the surface layers of the soil is an important parameter for many applications in hydrology, horticulture, geotechnical, agriculture and meteorology. Hence accurate estimation of spatial and temporal variation in soil moisture content is important. Recently, remote sensing techniques have been used to estimate soil moisture. Estimation of soil moisture by remote sensing techniques provides only surface layer information and is unable to observe the entire soil column. On the other hand field measurement provide valuable information regarding both surface and subsurface soil moisture, but are insufficient to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture at larger scale. Therefore, remote sensing methods have an edge over field methods in terms of spatial and temporal scale. This paper presents a comprehens...

In the current paper, we reviewed the use of nanotechnology based products and its application in agriculture. Growing realization that conventional farming technologies would neither be able to increase productivity any further nor restore ecosystems damaged by existing technologies has paved the pathway to application of nanotechnology in agriculture. Nanotechnology has many applications in all stages of production, processing, storing, packaging and transport of agricultural products. This technology will revolutionize agriculture and food industry by innovation new techniques such as Precision farming techniques, controlled release of agrochemicals and site targeted delivery of various macromolecules needed for improved plant disease and pest resistance, efficient nutrient utilization and enhanced plant growth. Processes such as nano encapsulation show the benefit of more efficient use and safer handling of pesticides with less exposure to the environment that guarantees eco protection.