<div>Background: Legumes are one of the major sources of dietary proteins for the people of India and is an inevitable component of vegetarians&rsquo; diet. Among them cowpea pods and seeds are rich source of protein and accrue delicacy in cuisines. Adequate amounts of fertilizers applied through most effective and economic means can raise productivity and profitability of cowpea cultivation. Hence the present study was formulated with an objective to study the effect of water-soluble macro and micro nutrient fertilizers on nodulation, quality and nutrient uptake of vegetable cowpea.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram during the period from 12 November 2020 to 31 January 2021. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments in 3 replications. The treatments comprised of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) as control and RDF + foliar application of NPK 19:19:19 (0.5%) or potassium nitrate (0.5%) alone or in combination with ZnSO4 (0.05 %) and solubor (0.025%).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Foliar nutrition of micro and macro nutrients had significant effect on nodulation, quality and nutrient uptake. Foliar nutrition of 19:19:19 resulted in the production of higher number of nodules than KNO3. Among the treatments, RDF (20:30: 10 kg NPK ha-1) +&nbsp; foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5% ) + solubor (0.025% ) at 45 DAS resulted in higher number of nodules and nodule fresh weight per plant, however higher number of effective nodules was recorded in RDF + foliar nutrition of 19:19:19 (0.5%) alone at 45 DAS.&nbsp; The highest uptake of N, P and K by the crop was also recorded in RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) + solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS. Zinc uptake was the highest in RDF + foliar application of KNO3 (0.5%) 45 and 60 DAS and B uptake was the highest in RDF + foliar application of KNO3 (0.5%) + solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS. The highest crude protein content was recorded in RDF + foliar nutrition of 19:19:19 (0.5%) + ZnSO4 (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS fb 19:19:19 (0.5%) at 60 DAS. The treatment, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) + solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS resulted in the highest number of pods and green pod yield per plant in bush type vegetable cowpea.</div>

Nodule Parameters, Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Vegetable Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata (L.) Verdcourt] as Influenced by Foliar Application of Macro and Micro-nutrients

Background: Plant nutrient deficiency is the major challenge in agriculture results in lower crop yield and quality. This may lower the farmer&rsquo;s income by reducing marketable value. In other hand, eating nutrient dense vegetables is the most cost effective strategy to combat malnutrition. The efficiency of inorganic micronutrients applied into soils is low as they become easily fixed to soil particles. Hence, exogenous application of nutrients is an effective option to enhance plant nutrient use efficiency.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study was conducted at SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu during 2022-2023 to alleviate nutrient insufficiency challenges in bhendi variety Senora by using Randomized block design with seven different treatments viz., T1- Control, T2- Nutrient consortia 1 (N + K + B + Fe+ Mn + Zn @ 1% ), T3- Nutrient consortia 2 (N + K + Fe+ Cu + B @ 1%), T4- Nutrient consortia 3 (N + K + Mg + B + Fe + Zn @ 1%), T5- Nutrient consortia 4 (T2 + NAA + SA@ 1%), T6- Nutrient consortia 5 (T3 + NAA + SA @ 1%), T7- Nutrient consortia 6 (T4 + NAA + SA @ 1%), sprayed at 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Various physiological, biochemical, yield and quality parameters were measured to evaluate the effects of Nutrient consortia. The results of field experiment strongly improved that the eight biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b ratio, chlorophyll stability index, leaf soluble protein, lipid peroxidation by melondialdehyde and proline content. The yield and quality traits such as number of fruits per plant, total fruit yield, total phenolics and total antioxidants activity were significantly increased through application of Nutrient consortia 6 followed by Nutrient consortia 4. So this can be used as yield and quality enhancer formulation of bhendi crops.

Foliar Nutrient Application with Macro and Micro Nutrients Alters Yield and Total Antioxidative Capacity of Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus)

<div>Background: The purpose of this study is to determine various topographic features as well as the characteristics of micro and macro nutrients in soil samples in the Onattukara wetland paddy fields&rsquo; special agricultural zone. Using the Global Positioning System, the particular locations of several soils sampling areas located in different Onattukara blocks were found (GPS). The macro (N, P, K) and micro (zinc, iron, copper, manganese) nutrients in soil samples taken from various places in the paddy fields region were studied. 
 
Methods: The Onattukara special agricultural wetland zone in this field investigation during 2017-2018, GPS technique method was used to locating 16 soil samples were collected. Laboratory methods used for chemical analysis of soil. 
 
Result: Nitrogen and phosphorus availability were found to be poor in almost all soil samples, whereas potassium availability was found to be medium. In almost all soil samples, the presence of micronutrients (zinc, copper and iron) was found to be critical. The data shows that soils are lacking in N, P and K, necessitating the addition of additional fertilizer and manures to make them acceptable for cultivation and promote healthy growth.</div>

Assessment of Macro and Micro Nutrients of Soil in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Fields in Onattukara Wetlands Regions, Kerala

<div>Background: Cowpea is a leguminous crop of indeterminate growth habit and continues to produce flowers throughout its life cycle. In order to realize the genetic yield potential of cowpea, nutrient requirements of later formed flushes also needs to be met. Hence the present study was formulated to assess the effect of foliar application of water-soluble macro nutrient fertilizers viz., NPK 19:19:19 and potassium nitrate and micronutrient fertilizers viz. zinc sulphate and solubor for yield maximization in bush vegetable cowpea. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, during Rabi 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments in three replications. The treatments comprised of recommended dose of conventional fertilizers (RDF) NPK 20:30:10 kg ha-1 as control and RDF + foliar application of water-soluble fertilizers 19:19:19 (0.5%) and potassium nitrate (0.5%) with zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) in twelve different combinations. 
 
Result: Results revealed that compared to RDF alone, RDF + foliar application of water-soluble macro and micro nutrient fertilizers at 45 DAS significantly improved the dry matter production, number of pods per plant and pod weight and recorded a yield enhancement of 22 to 55 per cent. Among the treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS recorded the highest dry matter production per plant (39.51 g), pods per plant (30.88 no.), pod yield (7410 kg ha-1), net return (82651 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.26). The treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) at 45 DAS; RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%), zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS; and RDF + foliar application of potassium nitrate (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS also recorded comparable number of pods per plant, green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio. Considering the highest green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio, RDF + foliar application of NPK 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS could be recommended for yield maximization in bush type vegetable cowpea.</div>

Foliar Nutrition with Water Soluble Macro and Micro Nutrient Fertilizers for Yield Maximization in Bush Vegetable Cowpea

<div>Background: A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive Rabi (winter) seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India to assess the impact of wheat varieties and integrated nutrient management practices on nutrient content and uptake and soil nutrient status. The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture, low in organic carbon (0.24%), available nitrogen (159 kg/ha) and Zn (0.41 mg/kg), medium in available phosphorus (38.90 kg/ha) and high in available potash (287 kg/ha). 
 
Methods: Experiment was laid out in a Factorial RBD with three replications, consist of four wheat varieties viz. GW 273, GW 322, GW 451 and GW 496 and six integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz. control, 100% RDF, 100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB, 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB, 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + ZnSO4 and 50% RDF + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter + PSB + ZnSO4.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The pooled results indicated that uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by grain and straw, grain yield and straw yield were found higher with wheat variety GW 451 as compared to other wheat varieties. Nutrient content in grain and straw was not significantly affected by different wheat varieties. Among nutrient management practices, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content, uptake, grain yield and straw of wheat were significantly higher under application of 100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB. Further, result revealed that different wheat varieties did not bring any significant variation in available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and organic carbon content in soil. Moreover, highest available nitrogen and phosphorus in soil was recorded with the application of 100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB. However, significantly higher organic carbon and zinc content in soil was observed under 50% RDF + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter + PSB +ZnSO4.</div>

Effect of Wheat Varieties and Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Nutrient Content, Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status

<div style="text-align:justify">Background:&nbsp;Symbiotic association with different microbes is an integral and ecologically vital component of legumes. Most previous studies focused on sole application of microbial agents, with limited studies investigating the effects of co-inoculation of different microbial agents under different tillage practices on soil properties. The current study aimed to assess the effect of tillage practice and seed treatment with different biofertilizers inoculations on the soil chemical properties and nodulation under faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crop.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two tillage system viz., T1: Conventional tillage (CT), T2: Zero tillage (ZT) and eight biofertilizer inoculation combinations of Rhizobium spp., phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) replicated three times during rabi 2019-20. 
 
Result: Zero tillage and biofertilizer inoculations significantly increased organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus content of the soil. The number of nodules/plant, nodules fresh and dry weight/plant were recorded significantly higher in ZT as compared to CT and in seed treatment with Rhizobium spp. + PSB + VAM over other inoculations except Rhizobium spp. + VAM. The content of DTPA (Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate)-extractable Fe and Mn in soil was significantly enhanced by seed treatment with biofertilizer.</div>

​Zero Tillage in Combination with Seed Treatment by Different Biofertilizers Increased Soil Organic Carbon, Macro and Micro-nutrients Status and Nodulation under Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

<div>Background: Farmers are facing the challenges to providing adequate availability of feed and fodders to livestock during dry period (lean period) which poses a major threat in livestock productivity. This study delineates, pelleting of feed and fodder helps to meet out the fodder requirement during lean period consequently improving the livestock productivity. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted at Forage Pelleting Unit, Department of Forage Crops in Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from March 2020 to June 2022 to identify the best suitable dry fodder crops for quality pellets production. The laboratory experiment was conducted and laid out in completely randomized block design with 11 treatments and three replications. The treatment consists of D1: Rice straw, D2: Maize stover, D3: Maize husk, D4: Sorghum straw, D5: Ragi straw, D6: Pearl millet stover, D7: Wheat straw, D8: Groundnut haulms, D9: Groundnut shells, D10: Sugarcane tops, D11: Blackgram husk were selected and produced into individual dry fodders pellets. Then, the selected dry fodders were harvested with the help of fodder harvester cum chaffer. The chaffed material was then dried using a solar drier at 70&deg;C for one day to attaining the ideal moisture of 12%. Then, dried materials were grinded by fodder pulverizer and then grinding material was conveyed through conditioning with passing the steam at 60 to 70&deg;C. Then, the conditioning material was passes through a pelletizer with 6 mm die diameter. 
 
Result: The observation on macro minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and micro minerals (cobalt, zinc, manganese) were analyzed by using an Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Emission Spectroscopy. The unpelleted and pelleted dry fodders showed a significant variation in the major and minor nutrients. In this regards, the calcium content recorded higher in groundnut haulms (D8) with 1.027 per cent and whereas ragi straw (D5) were recorded higher magnesium and potassium contents with 0.433 per cent and 2.178 per cent respectively. The minor nutrients like cobalt, manganese and zinc contents varied significantly due to pelleting process. From this study, rice straw (D1) recorded higher cobalt content with 0.378 per cent and whereas, ragi straw (D5) recorded higher zinc content (16.45 per cent) and while, manganese contents were registered higher in pearl millet straw (D6) with 54.88 per cent.</div>

The Nutrient Dynamics of Major and Minor Nutrients on Pelleted and Unpelleted Dry Fodders

The present investigation reports diversity in contents of &nbsp;cell wall components, nutrients and anti-nutrients in flours of lupin genotypes belonging to 3 species viz. Lupinus albus, Lupinus luteus and Lupinus angustifolius. Lupin genotypes exhibited 96.17&plusmn;0.24-98.36&plusmn;0.16% dry matter, 8.33&plusmn;0.18-30.94&plusmn;1.8 g hundred seed weight, 27&plusmn;1.41-36&plusmn;1.0% neutral detergent fibre, 22.25&plusmn;0.92-29.65&plusmn;1.48% acid detergent fibre, 0.85&plusmn;0.21-3.4&plusmn;0.71% lignins, 21.05&plusmn;2.33-26.90&plusmn;0.85% cellulose, 4.15&plusmn;1.2-10.75&plusmn;0.49% hemi-cellulose, 7.0&plusmn;0.1-10.1&plusmn;0.42% oil, 15.87&plusmn;0.88-30.1&plusmn;2.52% proteins, 9.02&plusmn;0.24-21.69&plusmn;1.33 mg/g sucrose and 29.70&plusmn;1.43-55.49&plusmn;2.25 mg/g starch. The contents of different anti-nutrients were in the range of 0.29&plusmn;0.04-0.52&plusmn;0.07 mg/g phytic acid, 0.85&plusmn;0.17-2.75&plusmn;0.06 mg/g saponins, 0.61&plusmn;0.10-1.34&plusmn;0.05 mg/g tannins, 1.80&plusmn;0.07-3.64&plusmn;0.13 mg/g total phenols and 85.63&plusmn;2.06-182.9&plusmn;17.6 mg/g amylase inhibitor activity. Lectins were absent in all lupin genotypes as well as in chickpea check &lsquo;GPF-2&rsquo;. Carotenoids isochromic red and yellow fractions in lupin genotypes were 0.21&plusmn;0.06-2.22&plusmn;0.31 and 0.71&plusmn;0.15-9.35&plusmn;1.98 mg/g, respectively. The activities of lipoxygenases (LOX) varied from 3.6&plusmn;0.85-10.95&plusmn;1.63 units/g for LOX-I and 3.1&plusmn;0.71-9.8&plusmn;0.1 units/g for LOX-II isozymes. All the lupin genotypes exhibited higher dry matter, acid detergent fibre, cellulose, oil, sucrose, phytic acid content and lower LOX-I and II activities as compared to chickpea check variety &lsquo;GPF-2&rsquo; at 5% level of significance. White lupins, Kiev Mutant and Andromeda were found to be better in nutritional quality as compared to chickpea check and other lupin genotypes studied. 
&nbsp;

Comparison of cell wall constituents, nutrients&nbsp;and anti-nutrients of lupin genotypes

<div>Background: The excessive usage of chemical fertilizers and the negligence on soil health regarding the conservation and use of organic sources of nutrients have not only caused the exhaustion of soil nutrient reserves but also resulted in soil health problems which is not conducive to achieving consistent increase in agricultural production. The beneficial influence of organic matter on the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil is well known, the full appreciation of the same remains which is unfortunately ignored in modern agriculture. The regular recycling of organic wastes in the soil is the most efficient method of maintaining optimum nutrient reserves of soil and nutrient uptake by the plant. The Present Study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient status of soil under integrated usage of organic and inorganic sources. 
 
Methods: A field experiment entitled &ldquo;Nutrient Management Interventions in Rice-Ragi Sequence&rdquo; was conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 on sandy loam soil of the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. The seven treatments consisted of T1: 100% RDF (100-60-40 kg N-P-K ha-1); T2: 100% RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1; T3: 125% RDF+Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1; T4: 75% RDF + Poultrymanure&nbsp; @ 0.82 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 50 kg ha-1; T5: 75% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1; T6:50% RDF + Poultrymanure @ 1.6 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 and T7: 50% RDF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1. The experiment was laidout in randomized block design with seven treatments and replicated thrice during kharif rice and in rabi each kharif treatment was subdivided into four sub treatments (S1: Nofertilizer, S2: 100% RDF, S3:75% RDF and S4:50% RDF) and hence, The split plot design was adopted in rabi. Total No.of plots per each replication in the rabi was 28 (7x4=28).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Nutrient content and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc have increased significantly with the fertility levels and organics. 50% RDF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 recorded the highest nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc contents and uptakes in grain and straw of rice. In no till rabi ragi, N, P, K, Zn and calcium content and uptake in grain and straw were found to be significantly superior with 100% RDF (S2) to the rest of the treatments in both the years and in pooled data.</div>

Effect of Nutrient Management Interventions on Nutrient Uptake of Rice-zero Till Ragi under Coastal Lands

<div>Background:&nbsp;Weeds are the major biological constraint in okra due to its slow initial growth and wider row spacing. Due to severe crop weed competition, weeds removed considerable amount of nutrients from the soil. Competition exists between the crop and weed for nutrients results in nutrient deficiencies in crop. Hence the present experiment is formulated to assess the effect of stale seedbed, mulching and mechanical weeding on nutrient availability, nutrient uptake by crop and weed in okra. 
 
Methods: Experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during Rabi 2020-21. Design adopted for the study was RBD with two factors. The first factor was seedbed preparation (S) and the second factor was weed management (W). Stale seedbed (S1) and normal seedbed (S2) were the two different seedbed preparation methods and dried banana leaf mulch @10 t ha-1 alone (W1), dried banana leaf mulch @10 t ha-1 fb wheel hoe weeding at 30 and 45 DAS (W2), dried banana leaf mulch @10 t ha-1 fb hand weeding at 30 and 45 DAS (W3), wheel hoe weeding at 15, 30 and 45 DAS (W4), hand weeding at 15, 30 and 45 DAS (W5) and weedy check (W6) were the six different weed management options tried. Soil samples were collected after the harvest of the crop to determine the nutrient availability. Weed samples at 30 and 60 DAS and plant samples at harvest were analyzed to determine the NPK content and respective uptake of nutrients were calculated by multiplying the nutrient content with DMP. 
 
Result: Stale seedbed significantly enhanced the dry matter production and nutrient uptake by okra at harvest and lowered the nutrient removal by weeds at 30 and 60 DAS. Compared to non-stale, stale seedbed recorded significantly higher fruit yield. Among the weed management, wheel hoe weeding at 15, 30 and 45 DAS, recorded the lowest total weed dry weight at 30 and 60 DAS and resulted in the highest NPK uptake by crop and fruit yield. Uncontrolled weed growth resulted in a loss of 81.33, 18.16 and 50.84 kg N:P:K ha-1&nbsp;at 30 DAS and 102.09, 57.90 and 55.31 kg N:P:K ha-1 at 60 DAS, respectively. Nutrient removal by weeds was the lowest in wheel hoe weeding at 15, 30 and 45 DAS and the highest in weedy check. It could be concluded that, wheel hoe weeding at 15, 30 and 45 DAS was the best option for the management of weeds, higher nutrient availability and uptake and yield in okra.</div>