<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: Legumes play an important role in improving soil quality and nutrition in humans. Soybean is one of the legumes which are rich in protein and oil content. Nutrients deficiency in soybean plant could affect the growth of the plants and might lead to loss in its yield. The developments in modern technologies such as computer vision and deep learning are being leveraged in identifying nutrient deficiencies in soybean plants. 
 
Methods: Convolutional neural network with six feature extraction blocks and one classification block is developed to identify macro nutrient deficiency in soybean plants. Images are first collected, pre-processed and labeled. They are then split into training images and testing images in the ratio of 80:20. The proposed convolutional neural network model is trained over training images and the final trained model is tested with testing images. 
 
Result: In detecting the deficiency of macro nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soybean plants, the testing results of the proposed convolutional neural network architecture achieved an accuracy of 97.43%. Accuracy comparison against existing models such as VGG16, ResNet50 and MobileNetV3 demonstrate that the proposed model effectively identifies nutrient deficiencies in soybean plants. Thus, the proposed system is designed to support farmers in making timely decisions and to contribute to food security by leveraging deep learning techniques.</div>

Smart Detection of Macro Nutrient Deficiency in Soybean Plant using Convolutional Neural Network

<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

Background: Foliar application of macro and micronutrients plays a vital role in improving plant growth and physiological processes, especially in rainfed conditions where nutrient availability is limited. Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a staple crop, requires an adequate supply of essential nutrients for optimal growth and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of foliar application of macro and micronutrients on the growth and physiological traits of rice grown under rainfed conditions. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Research was carried out at the Student&rsquo;s instructional farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, India, during the Kharif season usingrandomized block design with nine treatments and three replications on the rice variety Sahbhagi Dhan. Treatments included foliar application of KCl (0.5%, 1.0%), MgSO4&nbsp;(1.0%, 2.0%), boric acid (0.3%, 0.6%) and salicylic acid (0.25%, 0.5%), applied twice during the vegetative and grain filling stages. Data were recorded on growth parameters such as plant height, number of tillers plant-1&nbsp;and dry weight plant-1, as well as physiological traits including relative water content, chlorophyll, proline, catalase and peroxidase content at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Study showed that foliar application of macro and micronutrients significantly influenced the growth and physiological traits of rice. Among the treatments, 1.0% MgSO4&nbsp;led to the most notable improvements. Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of foliar nutrients application for several traits at the 5% probability level. The findings suggest that foliar nutrient application enhances rice yield by supporting plant metabolic processes and enzyme activation, ultimately improving vegetative growth and productivity. 
&nbsp;

Impact of Foliar Application of Macro and Micro Nutrients on Growth and Physiological Traits of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grown under Rainfed Condition

<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

Background: Organic fertilizers (leonardite and vermicompost) applied to soil have a positive impact on plant nutrient uptake and productivity. Understanding the effects of different organic fertilizer application rates on the legume chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a crucial aspect of crop production that should not be overlooked. 
 
Methods: The research was carried out in a farmer&rsquo;s field in the Artuklu district of Mardin during two growing seasons (2022-2023 and 2023-2024). Vermicompost was used at VC1:150, VC2:200, VC3:250 and VC4:300 kg da-1, while Leonardite was used at L1:50, L2:100, L3:200 and L4:400 kg da-1. Examined how various techniques used for chickpea affected its nutrient content and yield. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the significance of year, application and year*application interaction. 
 
Result: The analyses indicated that year and application significantly affected most parameters, while the year*application interaction was generally not significant. Nutrient contents in chickpea plants varied as follows: total nitrogen (N) 2.98-3.61%, phosphorus (P) 3010-3833 mg kg-1, potassium (K) 6625-7086 mg kg-1, copper (Cu) 6.13-10.07 mg kg-1, manganese (Mn) 21.8-24.1 mg kg-1, iron (Fe) 51.7-70.1 mg kg-1&nbsp;and zinc (Zn) 30.9-38.6 mg kg-1. Grain yield ranged from 148.3 to 183.7 kg da-1, with annual means of 156.0 and 170.0 kg da-1, respectively. The lowest yield was observed in the control, whereas the highest yield was achieved with 400 kg da-1&nbsp;leonardite application.

Effects of Different Organic Fertilizer Compositions (Leonardite and Vermicompost) on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Yield and Macro-Micro Nutrient Content

<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>