Minimising Agrochemicals Dependency Through Native Fermented Concoctions: Integrated Nutrient Management Practice for Broccoli Production

Effect of long-term nutrient management practices on soil health and paddy yield of rice-rice-fallow cropping system in tropic humid climate

Biogas slurry (BGS) is an anaerobic digested organic material that can be used as an organic fertiliser. As cow urine (CU) is rich in plant nutrients, it may be used as diluting agent in biogas production to enhance the fertiliser quality of BGS. To explore the potency of CU on the fertiliser quality of BGS, four experimental trials were constructed by mixing cow dung (CD) and CU in varying proportion designated as T0 (50% CD + 50% Water) as control, T1 (50% CD + 50% CU), T2 (40% CD + 60% CU), T3 (30% CD + 70% CU) for biogas production. The quality of BGS was evaluated by studying its biochemical and microbial properties. The enzymatic activities revealed that all the CU amended samples showed better activities than control and were increased with the increase in CU. Compared to the control, the increase in urease, protease and phosphatase activities were 11.6% to 64.6%, 4.6% to 29.6% and 22.1% to 50.0%, respectively while cellulase activities were decreased from 25.9% to 3.1%. Most of the bacterial populations also increased in CU amended samples; total bacteria (TB) 20% to 60%, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) 33% to 67% and nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) 0% to 33%. Phytohormone, indole acetic acid (IAA) content and glycemic index (GI) were also increased with increase in CU (IAA- 23.5% to 59.5% and GI- 6.2% to 100.5%). With respect to all parameters analysed, CU amended samples can be considered superior to the control one except for their cellulase activities. Thus, utilization of cow urine improves the quality of BGS as organic fertiliser. This finding will help in reducing environmental pollution by utilizing hazardous cow urine as well as improving fertiliser quality of biogas slurry for agronomic use.

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to study the effect of different riceestablishment methods and nutrient management on yield, economics and soil properties in rice (Oryza sativa L.)– groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. Six treatment combinations, comprising of 2 rice-establishment methods, viz. direct-seeded rice (DSR) and transplanted rice (TPR) and 3 levels of nutrient-management practices, viz. inorganic-100% soil test-based fertilizers (STBF), organic-dhaincha [Sesbania aculeata (Wild.) Pers.] green manuring +1/3rd soil test-based nitrogen (STBN) through vermicompost @2 t/ha + 1/3rd STBN through neem oil-cake @ 0.87 t/ha and integrated nutrient management (INM), viz. green-manuring + 50% STBN (inorganic @ 50.0 kg N/ha) + 100% P2 O5 + 100% K2 O, in rice during kharif were allotted to the main-plots. Three nutrient-management practices to groundnut during rabi, viz. 75% STBF, 100% STBF and 75% STBN (inorganic) + 25% STBN through FYM @ 1.63 t/ha + 0.2 lime requirement @ 0.38 t lime/ha + biofertilizers (Rhizobium + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria) + 100% P2 O5 + 100% K2 O, were allotted to the sub-plots. Transplanting of rice (TPR) increased the yield parameters of rice, resulting in 3.3% higher grain yield (5.65 t/ha) than direct seeding of rice. The INM improved the yield parameters of rice, resulting in 13.3 and 15.2% increase in grain yield over sole inorganic and organic practice, respectively. Carryover effect of the DSR on succeeding groundnut crop improved the yield attributes and resulted in 15.8% higher pod yield (2.49 t/ha) than the groundnut crop grown after TPR. Residual effect of organic nutrient management in rice crop enhanced the yield parameters of succeeding groundnut, resulting in 4.2 and 16.5% higher pod yield than the groundnut grown after INM and inorganic practice in rice, respectively. The INM practice in groundnut increased its yield parameters, resulting in 11.4 and 18.1% higher pod yield over 100% and 75% STBF, respectively. The DSR enhanced the system yield (12.51 t REY/ha) of rice-groundnut cropping system by 6.8% over TPR. The INM practice in rice crop enhanced system yield by 12.6 and 4.2% over inorganic and organic practice, respectively. Similarly, INM to groundnut crop resulted in 7.4 and 11.2% higher system yield than 100% and 75% STBF, respectively. The DSR, INM practice in rice and INM practice in groundnut crop fetched higher gross returns (`240.4 ×103 /ha, 245.5 ×103 /ha and 247.0 ×103 /ha), net returns (`97.2 ×103 /ha, 108.9 ×103 /ha and 92.7 ×103 /ha), benefit: cost ratio (1.71, 1.80 and 1.62) and system profitability (`207.9, 298.5 and 254.1/ha/day). Organic management under DSR and INM in groundnut improved the physico-chemical and biological properties of soil.

A study on comparative efficacy and in vitro activity of fresh cow urine and cow dung for controlling Sclerotinia rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum of cucumber was carried out following mycelial growth inhibition test, treated and untreated sclerotia with these organic matters at different days of incubation. Results showed that cow urine suppressed more effectively the mycelial growth even after 5 days of incubation in comparison to cow dung. The highest inhibition 75.9% of mycelial growth was recorded in cow dung potato dextrose agar (CUPDA) after 3 days of incubation and least 22.7% was in cow dung potato dextrose agar (CUPDA) after same days of incubation. Mycelial growth from sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum was also influenced by PDA medium mixed with cow urine and cow dung. After 6 days of incubation in CUPDA mycelial growth was only 12.9 mm whereas in CDPDA and PDA the corresponding growth at the same time were 65.8 mm and 80.0 mm. Treated sclerotia of the selected fungus with cow urine had a very effective role on suppression of mycelial growth than that of untreated one. No mycelial growth was observed up to 4 days in treated sclerotia with cow urine. After 5 days only 0.9 mm mycelial growth was measured in treated sclerotia, while in case of untreated sclerotia the growth was 42.6 mm. Application of cow urine and cow dung on growing plants inoculated with the pathogen at different concentrations also proved their inhibitive effects.

ABSTRACTAssessment of nutrient management (NM) technologies for sustainable crop production requires a detailed understanding of the entire production system and how it affects quantity and quality of the yield, economic profitability, energy balance, environmental health, and soil quality. The influence of NM technologies on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenk) productivity and quality and effects on soil were determined. Fifteen NM technologies including a control (farmer’s production practice with 80N–15P kg·ha−1 of fertilizer); organics (vermicompost, cow manure, and mustard oil cake); inorganic fertilizer (recommended N–P–K at the rate of 150–33–63 kg ha−1 and 125% of recommended N–P–K [N–P–K^]); and their selected combinations were tested. Cow manure at 6.25 Mg·ha−1 + 125% of recommended N–P–K outperformed others with higher curd yield (11.4 Mg·ha−1), greater energy efficiency (net energy 39 GJ·ha−1; output–input energy ratio 2.77), higher economic return (benefit–cost ratio 8.7; marginal rate of return 25.3), and greater soil (2.65) and crop quality index (9.80). Organics used alone or in combinations were less productive, energetically less efficient, and less profitable compared to inorganic or integrated NM practices for growing broccoli under hot, humid, subtropical conditions.

Balh Valley in the northwestern Himalayas in India is well known for cultivation of high-value cash crops and vegetables. The Indo-German Agricultural Project executed four decades ago in the valley has been the driving force for agrarian development in the valley, but crops are still grown under nutrient-starved conditions, giving low productivity compared to national averages. To demonstrate and disseminate the integrated nutrient management (INM) technology in the irrigated ecosystem of Balh Valley, efforts were funded by the Indian Farmers' Fertilizers Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) to develop sustainable crop production systems under cash crops and vegetables following an appropriate technology transfer model by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sundernagar, India. For effective technology transfer, field demonstrations, method demonstrations, farmers' training camps, field days, and numerous field conventions were organized in addition to extending soil testing, literature supply, promotional seed and fertilizer input supply, and training of agro-cooperative society personnel who deal with seed and fertilizer input supply in the region. The greater extension gaps in tomato–blackgram and potato–Kharif onion crop sequences indicated need for effective technology transfer tools for high adoption of technology in these production systems in the valley. Potato–Kharif onion cropping system using INM technology resulted in greater system productivity in terms of blackgram equivalent yield (76.7q ha−1) and gross (3,06,920 ha−1) and net returns (2,22,295 ha−1), followed by tomato–blackgram and green pea–okra production systems, respectively, using an appropriate technology transfer model. The study also revealed improvement in available nitrogen (N)–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K) and organic carbon (C) pool of the soils besides crop productivity and profitability in field trials under INM practices over farmers' practiced plots. Knowledge before the study about soil testing, dose and time of application of organics, chemical fertilizers, and their integrated use ranged from 9 to 41%, whereas knowledge increases after the study ranged between 55 to 88%. The INM technology adoption rate after 1 year of project completion ranged between 66 to 70%, whereas soil testing was done by only 35% of farmers. Thus, INM technology adoption rate was greater following the appropriate technology transfer model based on critical analyses of fertilizer use, existing production systems, and appropriate interventions for technology transfer. This comprehensive study under the IFFCO-KVK Collaborative Project attempts to highlight that an effective technology transfer model can play a key role in adoption of INM technology for sustainable production systems in the developing world, especially for resource- and knowledge-poor farmers of collateral socioagroeconomic environments of developing nations.

The field experiment was conducted during kharif-2019, 2020 and 2021in RARS Warangal, located at 180 01.077 N latitude 790 36.197 E longitude and an altitude of 259 m above mean sea level to study the effect of different nutrient management practices on rice yield, nutrient uptake and soil properties in Telangana. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design with 5 treatments (T1 = Organic Farming, T2 = Chemical farming, T3 = Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), T4 = Control and T5 = Natural farming) replicated in four times. Rice (WGL-32100) was sown during third week of July, transplanted in third week of August and harvested at 135 days after sowing. The results indicated that, significantly higher grain yield (5357 kg ha-1) was recorded in INM over control (3632 kg ha-1), natural farming (3986 kg ha-1) and organic farming (4843 kg ha-1) but at par with chemical farming (5164 kg ha-1). Significantly higher straw yield (6428 kg ha-1) was recorded in INM over control (4326 kg ha-1), natural farming (5100 kg ha-1), organic farming (5668 kg ha-1) and chemical farming (5856 kg ha-1). Significantly higher nitrogen uptake (87.42 kg ha-1) was recorded in INM over control (56.58 kg ha-1), natural farming (67.58 kg ha-1) and organic farming (75.39 kg ha-1) but at par with chemical farming (81.46 kg ha-1). Significantly higher phosphorus uptake (27.34 kg ha-1) was recorded in INM over control (17.80 kg ha-1) and natural farming (19.76 kg ha-1) but at par with organic farming (25.52 kg ha-1) and chemical farming (25.86 kg ha-1). Significantly higher potassium uptake (96.66 kg ha-1) was recorded in INM over control (56.31 kg ha-1), natural farming (68.20 kg ha-1) and organic farming (81.27 kg ha-1) but at par with chemical farming (89.29 kg ha-1). The maximum increase in the OC, available N, P2O5 and K2O were noted in INM (6.9 g kg-1, 186, 45 and 296 kg ha-1, respectively). The lowest value of OC, available N, P2O5 and K2O were noted in control (4.1 g kg-1, 58, 18 and 201 kg ha-1, respectively).

ABSTRACTBottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] productivity may be increased using integrated nutrient management, which may improve physical and biological soil properties. A field experiment was conducted in India during the summer months of January to April in 2009 and 2010 to evaluate effects of integrated nutrient management on bottle gourd growth, yield, and profitability, and on the physical properties of the soil. Integrated nutrient management used the organic amendments neemcake, cow manure, vermicompost, and poultry manure with or without inorganic N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizer. Integrated nutrient management can provide sufficient nutrients to maximize bottle gourd productivity compared to the standard N-P-K fertilizer control. Integrated application of cow manure at 10 Mt·ha−1 + half the recommended rate of N-P-K fertilizer (N:P2O5:K2O; 25:30:25 kg.ha−1) was at least as good as the control (recommended rate of N-P-K fertilizer) since it had similar fruit yield, fruit length, fruit diameter, node producing the first female flower, days to first harvest, number of branches per plant, and water use efficiency. Average individual fruit weight, gross and net incomes, and benefit:cost ratio were highest for the recommended rate of N-P-K fertilizer followed by CM at 10 Mt·ha−1 + half the recommended N-P-K. Since excess fertilizer application can detrimentally affect soil health and the surrounding environment, use of integrated nutrient management can improve soil properties without providing a significant reduction in bottle gourd productivity.

Maintaining soil fertility is essential for sustaining the long-term productivity of arecanut gardens, particularly in multi-tier cropping systems involving black pepper.As a perennial crop, arecanut requires a continuous and balanced nutrient supply, making effective nutrient management crucial for ensuring soil health and crop performance.An experiment was conducted during 2022-2023 to study the effect of natural farming and integrated nutrient management practice on soil fertility status in arecanut with black pepper cropping system at Horticulture Research and Extension Center, Sirsi, Karnataka.The experiment was laid out in RCBD with four treatments: (1) Integrated nutrient management, (2) Organic farming practice, (3) Natural farming practice and (4) Chemical farming practice.The study revealed that, the soil organic carbon (1.09%) was observed highest under organic farming practice.Higher values of available primary and secondary nutrients were found in integrated nutrient management practice compared to other nutrient management practices.Similarly, the DTPA extractable micronutrient such as Fe and Mn content was recorded higher in organic farming practice.Whereas, Zn and Cu was higher in INM practice.Higher yield of arecanut and black pepper (3083.06 and 322.36 kg ha -1 , respectively) was recorded in INM treatment as compared to other treatments.It was observed from the present study that the soil fertility status of arecanut and black pepper was recorded higher in INM and organic farming practice compared to other nutrient management practice.Therefore, adopting sustainable nutrient management practices like organic farming and integrated nutrient management can play a crucial role in ensuring the long term productivity and health of arecanut and black pepper garden soils.

The present study on the performance of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) under organic and integrated nutrient management practices was evaluated at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University from November 2021 to March 2022 in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six treatments in three replications. The treatments included T1: FYM; T2: Vermicompost; T3: Poultry manure; T4: FYM + Glyricidia leaves (2:1); T5: Vermicompost + Poultry manure (2:1) and T6: Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). Tomato plants were significantly taller with higher number of branches per plant, leaf area and root length under INM. Yield and yield parameters, viz., 50 percent flowering, number of fruits per plant (32.3) and average fruit weight (63.49 g) and fruit yield per plant (2215.0 g) were significantly superior under INM and were the lowest in the combination, vermicompost + poultry manure. Fruit quality in terms of sucrose (0.52 mg g-1), ascorbic acid (2.02 mg 100 g -1) and lycopene content (22.64 mg 100 g -1) and plant nutrient uptake were also the highest in INM. The treatment also realized the maximum returns and proved profitable in terms of B:C ratio (3.15). Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the integration of organic and inorganic sources, FYM + chemical fertilizers is the most profitable nutrient management strategy for tomato cultivation.

Identifying sustainable crop production systems that improve yield from existing farmland while improving resource use efficiency is critical to meet the growing demands of the increasing human population and diminishing natural resources. Considering the increasing cost associated with inorganic fertilizer, integrated nutrient management using both organic and inorganic sources is important. Therefore, optimizing nutrient management practices that increase yield, improve soil quality, build up soil organic carbon storage, and maintain energy balance can help achieve sustainability in farming systems. In this regard, different nutrient management practices under the rice–rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system were evaluated using five different criterions, namely, (i) crop yield response, (ii) soil quality, (iii) soil carbon stock, (iv) energy efficiency, and (v) profitability under lowland situations in the Goa state situated in the western coast of India. We tested six nutrient management treatments, namely, inorganic fertilizers, organic (farmyard manure), rice straw, and their combinations over three years from 2016 to 2019. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management improved soil carbon stock, microbial biomass carbon, and soil fertility more than the other treatments. The integrated use of farmyard manure and chemical fertilizer showed significantly higher crop yield (9.86 v/s 9.41 Mg ha−1), microbial biomass carbon (354 v/s 233.7 mg kg−1 soil), soil carbon stock (36.65 v/s 25.5 Mg C ha−1), energy efficiency (23.8 v/s 22.3), and net return (1776 v/s 1508 USD) than those associated with chemical fertilizer alone. We conclude that the application of chemical fertilizers/organic sources alone may not be sustainable for the rice–rice cropping system in the Goa state of India; the focus should be on integrated nutrient management systems.

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) plays a critical role in sustainable plant nutrition by harmonizing the use of organic, inorganic, and biological resources to enhance soil fertility and optimize crop productivity. As global agricultural systems face the twin challenges of increasing food demand and declining soil health, INM offers a holistic approach that balances nutrient supply with environmental stewardship. INM involves the judicious use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, composts, green manures, crop residues, and biofertilizers to meet plant nutrient requirements while improving soil structure, microbial activity, and long-term fertility. This integrated approach reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers, minimizes nutrient leaching and soil degradation, and promotes nutrient cycling within the soil-plant system. INM not only enhances nutrient use efficiency but also improves plant resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, resulting in healthier crops with better yields. Furthermore, the incorporation of organic and biological inputs fosters biodiversity in the soil, aiding in carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change. Research demonstrates that INM leads to sustained crop productivity and improved nutrient availability in soils with varying fertility levels. Therefore, INM is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems, maintaining soil fertility, and addressing the growing demand for food in an environmentally sound manner. Adoption of INM practices can also support economic gains for farmers by reducing input costs and enhancing soil health, contributing to global food security and environmental protection.

During the rabi season of 2019-20, a field experiment was conducted at Jorhat, Assam to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on the efficiencies viz., agronomic efficiency (AE), nutrient use efficiency (NUE), physiological efficiency (PE) and apparent recovery efficiency (ARE) and the effects of varieties and INM on economics of rapeseed and mustard in rice fallows. The experiment used three mustard varieties viz., PM 26 (V1), PM 27 (V2) and NRCHB-101 (V3) along with one rapeseed variety viz.,TS-36 (V4) in the main plot and five INM practices viz., control (No N-P-K) (F1), 50% of the recommended dose (RD) of NPK + vermicompost (VC) @1t/ha (incubated with Azotobacter and PSB) applied at basal and 30 DAS (F2), VC @ 2t/ha (incubated with Azotobacter and PSB) (F3), FYM @ 2t/ha (incubated with Azotobacter and PSB) + quick lime @ 20 kg/ha + ash @ 2kg/ha applied at basal and 30 DAS (F4) and RD of NPK @ 40-35-15 kg/ha (F5) in the sub-plots and replicated thrice. The condition of the soil at the experimental site was found to be sandy loam in nature. Results showed the highest AE (kg/kg), NUE (kg/kg), PE (kg/kg) and ARE (%) in the INM treatment of FYM @ 2t/ha (incubated with Azotobacter and PSB) + quick lime @ 20 kg/ha + ash @ 2kg/ha applied at basal and 30 DAS (F4) and could be viable to the farming community. Economically, variety PM 27 (V2) produced the highest net returns of ₹40,965.11/ha with a B:C ratio of 2.34 followed by NRCHB 101(V3) which registered a net returns of ₹38644.91/ha and B:C ratio of 2.22. In INM practice, the highest B:C ratio of 2.74 was recorded in F5 with a net returns of ₹45,325.00/ha followed by F4 treatment producing a B:C ratio of 2.59 with net returns of ₹39,629.63/ha.

The cow is considered a divine animal in the Hindu culture. The milk, cow dung, urine of the cow is used for various purposes. The benefits of cow urine have been depicted in ancient Hindu texts, Vedas. The present study aimed at using cow urine as a plant growth enhancer and antimicrobial agent. The plants chosen for this study were Zea mays (maize), Triticum aestivum (wheat),Cymbopogon citratum (grass), Ocimum basilicum (tukmaria) and Trigonella foenum graecum (methi). The plants were grown for 30 days using different cow urine concentrations i.e 0%(control), 5%, 15%, 25%. The various parameters such as plant height, shoot, and root length, number of leaves, the mass of the root etc were observed. The antibacterial test using different cow urine concentrations i.e 0%(control), 5%, 15%, 25% was conducted on Escherichia coli using disc diffusion method. The fungus was screened and isolated from raw coconut and was grown on YPD media to obtain the mother culture. Using Slide culture technique, the fungi were identified as Aspergillus. The media was poisoned using different cow urine concentrations i.e 0%(control), 5%, 15%, 25% and the fungi culture was inoculated. GCMS analysis was conducted to identify the compounds present in the cow urine. Among the concentrations, 5% cow urine concentration showed maximum growth when compared to other concentrations whereas 25% concentration showed more antibacterial and antifungal activity when compared to others. In GCMS Analysis, 16 compounds have been identified, in which, 6 compounds were antifungal, 3 compounds were antibacterial, and 2 compounds as plant growth enhancers. This study concludes that cow urine can be used as a plant growth enhancer and it possesses antimicrobial characteristics.

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) demonstrations on pomegranate were conducted in 20 farmer fields in Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kalyandurg-operated mandals of Ananthapur district in Andhra Pradesh state during 2022-23 and 2023-24. The aim was to demonstrate the influence of INM practice on enhancing yield attributing features, yield and economics in farmer fields. According to the data, INM practice resulted in a larger number of flowers/plants, fruits/plant, fruit setting percentage, average fruit weight and yield/plant than farmer’s practice, who used chemical nutrient management alone. The demonstration of INM practice resulted in 11.56% and 10.52% higher fruit output than farmers' practices in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. The enhanced yield in INM practice can be attributed to more fruits per plant and heavier fruit weight. INM approaches also provided a greater economic advantage, and their adoption resulted in a better benefit-cost ratio (5.87) than farmers' use of inorganic nutrient management (5.40). From the findings It can be concluded that, under current circumstances, adopting INM practices in pomegranate cultivation could result in a higher economic benefit than farmers' practices, encouraging more farmers to adopt INM practices not only in pomegranate but also in other major fruit crops in Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh.