Background: Soil acidification is a key abiotic factor that hinders plant growth and diminishes agricultural output on a worldwide scale. The purpose of this experiment was to look at how carrot growth, yield and quality on acidic terrace soil were affected by organic amendments (OA) and mineral fertilization with or without potassium (K). 
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Methods: A field experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Organic amendments and K levels are: control (Co), recommended fertilizer (RF) excluding potassium (RF-K), RF, RF+25% excess K, RF- K+ Poultry manure (PM) (5 t ha-1), RF + PM (5 t ha-1), RF- K+ household compost (HC) (5 t ha-1), RF + HC (5 t ha-1). Statistix 10 version was used to analyze the variance (ANOVA) of growth and yield parameters of carrots. 
&nbsp; 
Result:&nbsp;Carrot yield and plant vegetative growth were negatively impacted by untreated acidic soil. OA with K enrich RF enhanced vegetative growth, biomass yield, carrot yield, nutrient contents, &acirc; Carotene, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and total sugar content of carrot of acidic terrace soil carrot plants, indicating its alleviating effects on carrot production in acidic soil. The exclusive use of chemical fertilizer did not have a noticeable impact on the yield and quality of acidic stressed carrots. Among the amending substances, T8&nbsp;[RF + HC 5 t ha-1] showed significant enhancement in the fertility indices of acidic-stressed terrace soil and resulted in increased growth, yield and profitability of carrots. Incorporating OA and K-enrich RF to terrace soil has preserved a ranking of T8&nbsp;&gt; T4&nbsp;&gt; T6&nbsp;in terms of their potential to improve productivity. These results suggested that RF and K-enrich RF fertilization might mitigate the antagonistic impact of soil acidity on carrot yield by adjusting soil fertility and creating a favorable environment in acidic terrace soils.

Potassium and Organic Matter Increased Carrot Production in Acidic Terrace Soil

<div>Background: To determine the effectiveness of controlled slow-dissolving NPK fertilizers with NPK 19-16-18 to improve soil nutrients on rice (Oryza sativa L.).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was on saline-affected acid sulfate soil in Hau Giang province, Viet Nam, in the Winter-Spring rice crop 2018-2019. The experiment consisted of 2 treatments, corresponding to 2 formulas and 2 types of fertilizers, including new generation fertilizer application with the formula 50N-40P205 -30K20 kg/ha; and conventional fertilizers of 126N-88 P205-23K20. Each formula with 3 replications and each repetition is 1,000 m2. 
 
Result: The NPK-CFR fertilizers and urea humate help improve proper soil nutrients and total micro-organisms. In which; (i) when compared to the farmer&rsquo;s control field, the rice growth and yield were comparable and did not differ significantly (5.68 tons/ha in the farmer&rsquo;s control field and 5.85 tons/ha in the experimental field). (ii) However, when compared to the farmer&rsquo;s field, the amount of fertilizer in the experimental field is reduced by more than 50%. Besides, the economic efficiency of NPK-CFR and Urea humate is higher than in farmers&rsquo; fields, from 1 to 8.6%. The total profit is higher than farmers&rsquo; fields. The NPK-CFR fertilizers and urea humate can be used to replace traditional fertilizers.</div>

Improving Soil Properties and Rice Yield on Saline-affected Acid Sulfate Soil by Controlled-release Fertilizer

Background: Soil pH is determined using a variety of methods. The key differences among them are the electrolytes and soil-to-suspension ratios. However, an optimal procedure tailored to a particular soil is required. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effects of electrolytes and soil-to-suspension ratios on soil pH and to optimise pH measurement methods for acidic-coarsely textured soil.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Varied standard electrolytes (water, 0.01 M CaCl2 and 1 M KCl) and soil-to-suspension ratios (1:1, 1:2.5 and 1:5 w/v) were used to measure the pH of thirty samples of acidic-coarsest textured soil.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Soil pH values were observed in the following order: water &gt; 0.01 M CaCl2&nbsp; &gt; 1 M KCI. Higher soil pHs were a result of higher suspension volumes. The most optimal pH measurement method for an acidic-coarsely textured soil was obtained from the 1:2.5 soil-to-suspension ratio of 1 M KCl, which held the highest R2 (0.850), as well as the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) (0.010), indicating the most precise method. An alternative method suitable for a cost-saving laboratory was the 1:1 soil-to-suspension ratio of 0.01 M CaCl2, which owned R2 of 0.766 and RMSE of 0.013, as its pH measurement was similar to those under the most optimal method.&nbsp;

Effects of Electrolytes and Soil-to-suspension Ratios on pH in Acidic-coarse Textured Soil

<div>The light texture coastal saline soils are well known for the deficiency of both macro and micronutrients especially zinc, boron, iron and manganese, etc. The zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) plays an important role in improving the growth, yield and quality of sesame. A field experiment was conducted to find out the influence of organics and micronutrients fertilization on the soil properties and yield of sesame in coastal saline soil. The experiment was carried out in a farmer&rsquo;s field at Ponnanthittu coastal village, near Chidambaram Taluk, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. The Physico- chemical properties and nutrient status of initial soil were: pH- 8.43, EC- 4.25 dS m-1, organic carbon- 2.30 g kg-1 and DTPA Zn &ndash; 0.70 mg kg-1 and Mn- 0.96 mg kg-1, respectively. &nbsp;The treatments included were T1 -Control (Recommended dose of NPK), T2 &ndash;125% NPK + Composted coirpith (CCP) @ 12.5 t ha-1, T3 -T2 + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 soil application (SA), T4 -T2 + MnSO4 @ 5 kg ha-1 (SA), T5 -T2 + (ZnSO4 + MnSO4) SA, T6 -T2 + ZnSO4 &nbsp;@ 0.5 % foliar application (FA),T7 -T2 + MnSO4 (FA), T8 -T2 + (ZnSO4 + MnSO4 )FA, T9 -T2 + ZnSO4 &nbsp;(SA) + ZnSO4 (FA), T10-T2 + MnSO4 &nbsp;(SA) + MnSO4 (FA) and T11-T2 + (ZnSO4 &nbsp;+ MnSO4 ) SA + (ZnSO4 + MnSO4 )FA. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications, using sesame variety TMV 7. The results of the study indicated that the combined application of 125 per cent NPK + composted coirpith (CCP) @ 12.5 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + MnSO4 @ 5 kg ha-1 through soil application along with foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + MnSO4 twice at 0.5 per cent significantly increased the soil nutrient availability, microbial population, enzyme activity and yield of sesame in coastal sandy soil. This treatment recorded the highest sesame seed yield of 815 kg ha-1 and stalk yield of 1805 kg ha-1 as compared 100% recommended NPK alone 421 and 944 kg ha-1 of seed and stalk yield, respectively.</div>

<div>Influence of Organic Manures and Micronutrients Fertilization on the Soil Properties and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Coastal Saline Soil</div>

Background: Coffee plants in Sumbermanjing Wetan are commonly cultivated on dry lands that rely solely on rainfall as the source of water input that eventually makes them susceptible to climate change. The deficiency of organic material and water availability for these plants poses a significant challenge for coffee farmers in Sumbermanjing Wetan. Therefore, a research was conducted to investigate the addition of various organic matter through biopore infiltration holes in coffee plantations with the following objectives: i) to analyze the impact of applying organic matter on the distribution of soil pores and ii) to examine the effect of organic matter application on soil moisture content. 
 
Methods: The research was carried out in the Smallholder Coffee Plantation of Argotirto Village, Sumbermanjing Wetan District, Malang Regency. A randomized block design was implemented with five treatment groups, which included the control (P1), two biopore holes + manure (P2), two biopore holes + compost (P3), two biopore holes + green manure (P4) and surface-applied manure (P5), each repeated three times. The observed variables included the percentage of soil organic matter, pore distribution, available water capacity and soil moisture content. 
 
Result: The findings indicated that addition of organic matter in biopore infiltration holes enhanced soil organic material content, where treatment P4 (two biopore holes + green manure) exhibiting the highest soil organic material values in the first and third months after the application. The application of organic matter increased soil porosity in all treatments, where treatment P4 (two biopore holes + green manure) showing the highest available water capacity. This suggests that the utilization of organic matter can improve soil aggregation, thus increasing porosity and available water capacity. Consistently, soil water content at a depth of 40-60 cm tended to increase in the third month following biopore infiltration holes application, indicating that the addition of organic matter through biopore infiltration holes can enhance soil moisture at subsoil.

Improvement of Soil Pore Distribution and Soil Moisture Content using Organic Matter Addition Technology

Background: Nutrient availability is impaired by soil acidity limiting its accessibility to plants especially phosphorus get immobilized by Fe3+&nbsp;and Al3+&nbsp;in acid soil, thereby, resulting in poor growth, seed development and yield. Liming is an imperative soil management practices to keep in check the soil acidity-induced fertility constraints, along with integrated use of fertilizers and organic fertilizers. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experiment consist of four soil amendments levels [SA0&nbsp;(control), SA1&nbsp;(5% LR), SA2&nbsp;(PSB) and SA3&nbsp;(5% LR+PSB)] and four phosphorus levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5&nbsp;ha-1) laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Lime (CaCO3) was applied in furrows 10 days prior to sowing and seed was treated with PSB a day before sowing. Phosphorus levels and the recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium were applied as basal. 
&nbsp; 
Result: SA3 (5% LR+PSB) significantly increased the seed yield by 29.9% and stover yield by 35.7% over control. Among P levels application of 60 kg P2O5&nbsp;ha-1&nbsp;significantly increased the seed and stover yield and was found highest over preceding P levels but was found at par with P40; application of 40 kg P2O5&nbsp;ha-1&nbsp;increased the seed yield by 44.9% and stover yield by 55.9% over control. Interaction effect of soil amendments and phosphorus was significant on seed and stover yieldand nutrient uptake. Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) decreased with increase in phosphorus levels while P uptake efficiency (PUPE), fertilizer P uptake efficiency (FPUPE), fertilizer P utilization efficiency (FPUTE) and fertilizer P use efficiency (FPUE) were highest at P40. 
&nbsp; 
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Nutrient Composition, Uptake, Yield and Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Black Gram as Influenced by Soil Amendments and Phosphorus in Acidic Soil of Nagaland

Background: In soils of the humid tropics, acidity is a major natural threat. To know the forms and distribution of soil acidity on surface and sub-surface soil depths in different landforms and land uses, a study was conducted in the Elamdesam block, Idukki district, Kerala. 
 
Methods: Soil samples from 28 profiles across various landforms and land uses were analysed for water extractable acidity, KCl extractable H and Al and BaCl2&nbsp;acidity. Six profiles from uplands and lowlands from different land uses were taken and aluminium saturation was determined. 
 
Result: Soils are extremely acidic to moderately and strongly acidic. KCl exchangeable H ranged from 0.17 to 2.45 at the surface and up to 3.19 meq/100 g in the subsoil. KCl exchangeable Al ranged from 0.22 to 0.96 at the surface and up to 1.73 meq/100 g in the subsoil. BaCl2&nbsp;acidity ranged from 1.65 to 23.27 at the surface and up to 26.60 meq/100 g in the subsoil. KCl exchangeable (H+Al) ranged from 0.66 to 2.89 at the surface and 0.07 to 3.55 meq/100 g in the subsoil. Al saturation ranged from 13.80 to 43.52 at the surface and up to 70.92 per cent in the subsoil. Soils of uplands had more exch. H, exch. Al, exch. (H+Al) and BaCl2&nbsp;acidity than lowlands. Among land uses, rubber plantation has more exch. H, exch. Al, exch. (H+Al) and BaCl2&nbsp;acidity and aluminium saturation. To ameliorate soil acidity effectively, the application of burnt lime to the soil surface and gypsum to the subsoil has been recommended as part of sustainable land management practice. 
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Forms and Distribution of Soil Acidity in at Surface and Sub-surface Soils under Different Landforms and Land Uses, Tropical Humid Region, India

<div>Background: Considering global warming and climate changes, grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is becoming advantageous and popular with its characteristics such as resistance to biotic stresses. The objective of the present study was to determine the variations in fatty acid and organic acid content in induced grass pea populations.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Forty-one grass pea genotypes that include forty mutant genotypes and one released variety (G&uuml;rb&uuml;z 2001) were investigated in term of fatty acids using the GC-MS device and organic acids using UPLC-MS/MS device. 
 
Result: Heptadecanoic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and &alpha;-linolenic acid were determined as major fatty acid constituent in forty mutant genotypes. In saturated fatty acids, the highest values were determined as 403.24, 401.39 and 398.87 mg 100 g-1 (in GPM5, GPM20, GPM34), respectively. Compared the control cultivar, the maximum values of GPM21 (18.77%), GPM5 (18.68%) and GPM33 (18.12%) were higher in PUFA. And in the similar, the values of GPM19 (11.52%), GPM28 (10.54%) and GPM4 (5.62%) were lower obtained in PUFA. As the maximum values of succinic, lactic, oxalic, citric and tartaric acid were obtained in GPM9, GPM37 and GPM11, the lowest values were found in GPM4, GPM13 and GPM18, respectively. The values of fatty acids and organic acids, important criteria for animal feeding and human nutrition, will guide further breeding studies for the development of these 40 mutant genotypes.</div>

Diversity for Fatty Acid and Organic Acid Contents in Mutant Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Genotypes

Background: Soil organic carbon stocks (SOCs) play a critical role in supporting soil quality and ecosystem functions. Information on SOCs content in coastal lands is scanty and the types of clay minerals and soil fraction size that affect SOCs are still debated. We evaluated the SOCs content and identified the mineral type and soil fraction affecting the SOCs on coastal land.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Soil samples were collected from each layer of nine different soil profiles in three subdistricts: Seunuddon (SD), Lapang (LP) and Dewantara (DT) in Aceh Utara Regency of Indonesia. The soil profiles were taken from different distances (300, 900 and 1500 m from the shoreline-d.f.s).&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that SOCs possessed by each soil layer of coastal land in Aceh Utara varied between 0.64 to 43.45 MgC ha-1. The highest to lowest average total of SOCs content for the location is SD&gt;DT&gt;LP, while for the position, the distance to the shoreline is 900 m&gt;1500 m&gt;300 m. Clay minerals such as labradorite, smectite, vermiculite and chlorite positively increase the SOCs content. Very fine sand is a size of the soil fraction that affects the increase in the levels of SOCs in coastal land.

Soil Fractions Affect on Soil Organic Carbon Stock in the Coastal Land of Aceh Utara Regency, Indonesia

<div>Background: Maize is one of the best cereal crop as it is also known as &ldquo;Queen of cereals&rdquo; by giving good taste, having more hybrid varieties, good production and price also. But to make maize best cereal well fertile and neutral soil is important. In the several previous years tthere was good soil, plant and environment relationship but due to passing the time soil health was deteriorated by using the more amount of inorganic fertilizers (beyond the limit). The insect pest attack was also increased due to uses of more amount of fertilizers. Soil becomes topic in nature and most of the inorganic chemical leached down and mixed with the water table. 
 
Material: The two year field experiment was conducted at experimental farm at Lovely Professional University Phagwara Punjab during the kharif season 2019- 2020 to study the influence of integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on physio-chemical properties of soil and yield of kharif maize in coarse loamy Typic Haplustept soil with 8 treatments treatments T1- Control, T2 - RDF (125:60:30) kg ha-1, T3- RDF +10 ton farmyard manure ha-1, T4- 75% RDF + 10 ton farm yard manure ha-1+ Vermicompost @2 ton/ha, T5-75% RDF +10 ton farmyard manure ha-1, T6- 50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1, T7-50% RDF +15 ton of farmyard manure +azotobacter ha-1, T8-25 % RDF + azotobacter + vermicompost@ 2 ton ha-1 in RBD design with 3 replications. 
 
Result: The soil pH was found highest in T2 (RDF (125:60:30) kg ha-1) (7.8) whereas highest EC was found in T6 (50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1) (0.27 dsm-1). The highest bulk density found under T1 (Control) ( 2.02 gcm-3) and porosity was highest in T8 (25 % RDF + azotobacter + vermicompost@ 2 ton ha-1) (37.96%). In T6 (50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1), the highest amount of Nitrogen (412.3 kgh-1), phosphorus (67.77 kgh-1), potassium (884.3 kgh-1) and organic carbon (0.567%) was found. In terms of yield parameters, the grain yield (4223 kgh-1), straw yield (6266 kgh-1), harvest index (41.53%) and 1000- seed weight (366.86gms) was found highest in T6 ((50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1). There are significant difference in all the treatements with respect to the physio-chemical properties of soil and yield paramters of maize.</div>

Influence of Integrated Use of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers on Physio-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Kharif Maize in Coarse Loamy Typic Haplustept Soil