Jul 2026· International Journal of Plant & Soil Science· 0 citations
Abstract
Fertiliser source can influence crop growth and soil properties, but comparative information for pea cultivation under the mid-hill agro-climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh remains limited. A field experiment was conducted at Panjiala Village, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India, during the rabi season from December 2025 to March 2026 to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilisers on soil health and the growth performance of pea (Pisum sativum L.) cv. PB-89. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with three treatments and three replications: T₁ (vermicompost applied at 5 t ha⁻¹, equivalent to 3.0 kg per gross plot), T₂ (seaweed-fortified granules applied at 416.7 kg ha⁻¹, equivalent to 250 g per gross plot), and T₃ (unfertilised control). The fertilisers were thoroughly incorporated into the soil before sowing, and observations were recorded from the net plot area (2.4 m × 1.8 m). Soil samples collected before sowing and after harvest were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, available phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, soil texture, and soil colour. Plant height and number of leaves were recorded at weekly intervals from December to March. The organic treatment produced the greatest plant height (76.0 ± 8.25 cm) and number of leaves (79.0 ± 8.40) and increased soil organic carbon from 0.80% before sowing to 1.10% after harvest. In contrast, the inorganic treatment recorded the highest available phosphorus (32.8 kg ha⁻¹) and potassium (385.6 kg ha⁻¹) after harvest. Soil pH remained slightly to moderately acidic, while EC remained within the normal range under all treatments. These results suggest that vermicompost was more effective in improving vegetative growth and soil organic carbon, whereas seaweed-fortified granules enhanced the availability of phosphorus and potassium under the agro-climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh.
gA field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2024-25 and 2025-26 at the Student Instructional Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India to evaluate the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on soil physico-chemical properties and soil fertility under Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications comprising ten nutrient management treatments involving different combinations of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and Azotobacter. Soil samples collected after harvest were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. Integrated application of organic manures, biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers significantly improved soil health over the control. The treatment comprising 50% RDF + PSB + 2.0 t ha-1 vermicompost + 5.0 t ha-1 FYM (T10) recorded the lowest bulk density (1.24 Mg m-3), particle density (2.34 Mg m-3), soil pH (7.47) and electrical conductivity (0.32 dS m-1), while exhibiting the highest total porosity (46.02%), water holding capacity (39.51%), cation exchange capacity (14.15 Cmol(p⁺) kg-1), organic carbon (0.451%), exchangeable calcium (3.40 Cmol(p⁺) kg-1) and magnesium (1.00 Cmol(p⁺) kg-1) in T10. However, the highest available nitrogen (198.83 kg ha-1) was recorded under 100% RDF (T2), whereas the maximum available phosphorus (24.08 kg ha-1), potassium (228.42 kg ha-1) and sulphur (9.75 kg ha-1) were observed under 75% RDF + PSB + 1.0 t ha-1 vermicompost + 2.5 t ha-1 FYM (T6). The study demonstrates that integrated nutrient management effectively enhances soil physical and chemical properties while improving nutrient availability, thereby contributing to sustainable mustard production.
Mayank Kumar, Anil Kumar Singh, Rohit Jaiswal et al.· Genetics and Molecular Resea...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 at the Experimental Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India, to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilisers, organic manures, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), and Azotobacter on the growth, yield, and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) comprising twelve treatments with three replications. The treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure, ZnSO₄, and Azotobacter. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved plant height, leaf area index, tiller density, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, and economic returns compared with the control. Among the treatments, 75% RDF + 1.25 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost + 20 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ + 5 kg Azotobacter ha⁻¹ (T₁₁) recorded the highest grain yield of 4856.40 kg ha⁻¹ and 4912.00 kg ha⁻¹ during 2024–25 and 2025–26, respectively. The same treatment also produced the highest net returns of ₹70,493 ha⁻¹ and ₹72,546 ha⁻¹ during the respective years. These findings indicate that the integrated application of 75% RDF, vermicompost, ZnSO₄, and Azotobacter can effectively enhance wheat productivity and profitability while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers under the agro-climatic conditions of Punjab, India.
Prabhjot Kaur, H. Meena· Journal of Applied Life Scie...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26 at the AICRP on Dryland Agriculture Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, to evaluate the influence of organic manures and inorganic Fertilizers on the physico-chemical properties of Vertisols under chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivation. The experiment comprised nine treatments involving different levels of inorganic Fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM), crop residues and their combinations, arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The integrated application of FYM (6 t ha⁻¹) with N₂₀P₁₃ (T₆) significantly improved soil quality compared with the sole inorganic Fertilizer treatments and the control. This treatment recorded the highest soil organic carbon (0.79%), available nitrogen (318 kg ha⁻¹), available phosphorus (16.2 kg ha⁻¹), available potassium (730 kg ha⁻¹) and available sulphur (19.3 mg kg⁻¹). Organic manure treatments also reduced soil bulk density and enhanced water-holding capacity while maintaining soil pH and electrical conductivity within acceptable limits. Furthermore, integrated nutrient management increased the availability of DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) and improved chickpea growth and productivity. The results indicate that combining organic manures with inorganic Fertilizers improved soil physico-chemical properties, nutrient availability and soil fertility under the experimental conditions. Integrated nutrient management may therefore be an effective strategy for maintaining soil health and improving crop productivity in Vertisols.
Ranjana Vasunya, Bharat Singh, Divya Bhayal et al.· Journal of Experimental Agri...· 0 citations
The declining productivity of rice and deterioration of soil health associated with conventional rice cultivation necessitate the adoption of sustainable nutrient management strategies. Field experiments were conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the Students’ Instructional Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, to evaluate the effects of organic manure, inorganic fertilisers and bio-inoculants on the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment comprised 18 treatment combinations arranged in a randomised block design with 3 replications, involving different combinations of inorganic fertilisers, organic manures and biofertilisers. The results indicated that among the various growth parameters, the maximum plant height (99.15 cm and 99.85 cm), number of tillers (409.4 m-2 and 412.25 m-2), dry matter accumulation (760.48 g m-2 and 764.34 g m-2) and leaf area index (4.32 and 4.37) were recorded during 2021–22 and 2022–23, respectively, under treatment T17 (100 % NPK + 5 t ha-1 FYM + Azolla 300 kg ha-1 + S 30 kg ha-1 + Zn 5 kg ha-1). These findings highlight the synergistic effects of integrating organic and inorganic nutrient sources along with bio-inoculants. This integrated approach enhances crop performance, improves soil sustainability and ensures better economic returns, making it a promising strategy for modern rice farming systems.
Yadav Abhishek Singh, S. Sanjeev, S. Krashankant et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Declining soil fertility is a major constraint to sustainable crop production in sub-Saharan Africa, and sole reliance on inorganic fertilizers raises concerns about long-term soil health. This study evaluated the effects of maize cob biochar and NPK fertilizer, applied individually and in combination, on soil properties, growth, and yield of maize (
Zea mays
L.) in Akure, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments included control, biochar (1.5 and 3.0 t/ha), NPK fertilizer (100 and 200 kg/ha), and a combined application of 1.5 t/ha biochar with 100 kg/ha fertilizer. Growth parameters measured included plant height, leaf area index, internode length, and stem girth, while yield indices and post-harvest soil chemical properties were also assessed. Results showed that all treatments significantly improved maize performance compared to the control. Biochar alone produced the highest growth values and yield components, including cob weight (375.12 g), number of seeds per cob (707.80), and seed weight per cob (203.53 g), compared to the control (161.50 g, 104.73, and 37.49 g, respectively). The combined treatment also recorded high values (313.52 g, 670.50, and 169.94 g). Biochar improved soil properties, increasing organic carbon (0.89%) and organic matter (1.52%) relative to the control (0.69% and 0.19%), while fertilizer enhanced available phosphorus (5.39 cmol/kg). The study concludes that integrating maize cob biochar with inorganic fertilizer is an effective and sustainable strategy for improving soil fertility and maize productivity.
O. Nwafor, A. Johnson, Akinbuwa Olumakinde et al.· Advances in Bioscience and B...· 0 citations
Soil acidity is one of the most serious constraints limiting crop productivity in regions with high rainfall in Ethiopia. To address this issue, field experiments were conducted during the 2024 main cropping season in farmers’ fields in two distinct ecological locations. This study aimed to explore the response of soil chemical properties and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to organic and inorganic amendments of acidic soils in Jaldu district and Cheha district in central Ethiopia. Application rates of 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 t/ha vermicompost; 0, 2, 4, and 6 t/ha agricultural lime; and 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha NPS fertilizer were applied to acidic soils of the study areas. Soil chemical properties related to acidity were determined using standard laboratory procedures, which indicated low pH, available phosphorus (P), organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), total exchangeable bases, and cation exchange capacity, along with high exchangeable acid before planting. After harvesting, agricultural lime improved acidity-related soil conditions, including pH, organic C, available P, and total exchangeable bases, while reducing exchangeable acids in both districts. Vermicompost specifically improved soil organic C and total N in the soil of Jaldu district. The improvement in soil acidity due to liming was greater than that achieved by vermicompost or NPS fertilizer. Wheat yield increased in response to all rates of agricultural lime, vermicompost, and NPS-fertilizer applications. The highest yields of 5.71 t/ha and 4.62 t/ha were obtained with the application of 6 t/ha of agricultural lime in Cheha district and Jaldu district, respectively. The study demonstrated that sustainable agricultural practices soil amendment with agricultural inputs decreases soil acidity and improve wheat grain yields. Locational disparities in soil physical–chemical properties and wheat production with limited amendment options can limit the applicability of the findings from the selected study districts to wider regions. Therefore, investigations over diverse locations, seasons, and wheat varieties are needed to examine the effects on soil fertility and crop yield returns, and the economic viability of using diverse agricultural inputs.
A. Chimdi, Yunting Fang, Ang Wang et al.· Sustainability· 0 citations
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