Jul 2026· Indian Journal of Animal Research· 0 citations· 27 references
Abstract
Background: Bioinoculants and biostimulants are gaining importance as sustainable approaches for improving fodder productivity and nutritive quality in forage crops. Their integration with organic nutrient sources may enhance nutrient availability, plant growth and forage quality. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of bioinoculants and biostimulants on fodder yield, proximate composition and fibre fractions of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Agronomy Research Farm of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute in a randomized block design with six treatments and six replications. Result: Among the treatments, PGPR + 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through FYM + three foliar sprays of Panchagavya recorded the highest green fodder yields of 57.0 and 58.5 t ha-1 and dry fodder yields of 7.6 and 8.1 t ha-1 during 2023-24 and 2024-25, respectively, over the absolute control. The treatment also significantly improved dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and total ash contents while reducing acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin contents. The findings indicated that integrated application of PGPR, FYM and Panchagavya is an effective and sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving fodder productivity and nutritive quality of berseem under organic production conditions.
The increasing demand for livestock-derived products and the growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural production necessitate the development of efficient organic nutrient management strategies for fodder-based cropping systems.
A two-year field experiment was conducted at the ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, located in the Trans-Gangetic Plains of India, to evaluate the integrated effects of farmyard manure (FYM), plant biostimulants (
Panchagavya
and seaweed extract), and bioinoculants on the growth, yield, chlorophyll content, and energy fractions of fodder maize (
Zea mays
L.) and berseem (
Trifolium alexandrinum
L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six treatments and six replications.
Among the treatments, T
3
(PGPR + 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through FYM + three foliar sprays of
Panchagavya
) consistently produced the highest growth, fodder yield, chlorophyll concentration, and energy fractions in both crops during the two experimental years. In fodder maize, T
3
recorded the maximum green fodder yield (32.4–34.7 t ha
-
¹) and dry fodder yield (7.4–8.1 t ha
-
¹). Similarly, in berseem, T
3
produced the highest total green fodder yield (57.0–58.5 t ha
-
¹) and dry fodder yield (7.6–8.1 t ha
-
¹), over the absolute control. Total chlorophyll content reached 2.39–2.43 mg g
-
¹ in maize and 2.29–2.32 mg g
-
¹ in berseem under T
3
, accompanied by significant improvements in digestible energy, metabolizable energy, digestible feed energy, and net energy. The PGPR + 75% RDN through FYM + seaweed extract treatment (T
4
) also produced significant improvements over the absolute control and ranked among the best-performing treatments across most measured parameters, demonstrating the potential of seaweed extract as an effective biostimulant in integrated nutrient management.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that integrating PGPR with 75% RDN through FYM and
Panchagavya
was the most effective strategy for enhancing fodder productivity, nutritive quality, and energy value, while the PGPR + 75% RDN through FYM + seaweed extract treatment also provided substantial benefits and represents a promising alternative biostimulant-based approach for sustainable maize–berseem fodder production systems.
Vrushabh Vijay Fiskey, Kamsali Sukeswara Achari, Shreyas Bagrecha et al.· Frontiers in Agronomy· 0 citations
Aims: This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of applied biostimulants on the growth, yield, quality, and economic performance of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Desi.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan), during 2025-26.
Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with two factors: commercial biostimulants (control, humic acid @ 3%, fulvic acid @ 3%, and salicylic acid @ 50 mg/L) and traditional biostimulants (control, moringa leaf extract @ 3%, vermiwash @ 3%, and cow urine [1:10]). The 16 treatment combinations were replicated three times, and the observed data were analysed using OPSTAT.
Results: Significant differences were observed among the treatments. Among the treatment combinations, humic acid @ 3% and moringa leaf extract @ 3% (T1×M1) recorded the maximum plant height (35.5 cm at 45 DAS and 51.6 cm at harvest), root-shoot ratio (1.15 cm at 45 DAS and 1.20 cm at harvest), average leaf area (218.48 cm2 at 45 DAS), leaf area index (3.36 at 45 DAS), number of leaves per plant (8.4 at 30 DAS and 12.61 at 45 DAS), chlorophyll a content (2 mg/g at 30 DAS and 2.2 mg/g at 45 DAS), chlorophyll b content (1.17 mg/g at 30 DAS and 1.33 mg/g at 45 DAS), total chlorophyll content (3.23 mg/g at 30 DAS and 3.24 mg/g at 45 DAS), maximum root diameter (5 cm at 45 DAS and 5.7 cm at harvest), average root weight (123 g at 45 DAS and 130 g at harvest), yield per plot (5.2 kg), yield per hectare (433 q/ha), TSS content in roots (4.24 ºBrix at 45 DAS and 4.4 ºBrix at harvest), vitamin C (27.9 mg/day at 45 DAS and 31.6 mg/day at harvest), total phenolic content (2.16 mg GAE/g at 45 DAS and 2.51 mg GAE/g at harvest), beta-carotene (4.12 mg at 45 DAS and 4.16 mg at harvest), and the highest B:C ratio of 3.16.
Conclusion: The results of our research indicated that the application of humic acid @ 3% and moringa leaf extract @ 3% (T1×M1) increased the growth, yield, and quality of radish. However, these findings are indicative and require further experimentation across seasons and locations before broader recommendations can be made.
Anisha, Dipayan Sarkar, M. Bundela et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
Plant biostimulants represent a promising alternative for improving production efficiency and fruit quality; however, limited information is available regarding their application to sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss.). This study evaluated the effects of formulation and dose of two foliar biostimulants on sweet granadilla fruit development and quality under Andean conditions. Crop+Plus and Kelan Complex were applied at 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mL·L⁻¹ in a randomised complete block design with split plots. Ten fruits were selected from each experimental unit, and their polar and equatorial diameters were measured at 0, 24, and 50 days after the first application. Total soluble solids, individual fruit weight, and weight-based estimated yield were determined at harvest. Greater polar and equatorial diameters were observed when Crop+Plus was applied, with significant effects of time and their interaction. At 50 days, Crop+Plus at 2.0 mL·L⁻¹ produced the largest polar and equatorial diameters, reaching 7.70 and 7.43 cm, respectively. Total soluble solids were affected by formulation and dose, whereas fruit weight was mainly influenced by dose. The most favourable results were obtained with Crop+Plus at 2.0 mL·L⁻¹, which produced 20.90 °Brix, a mean fruit weight of 120.0 g, and an estimated yield of 6,720 kg·ha⁻¹. In conclusion, Crop+Plus exerted the most consistent effects on fruit growth and quality, and 2.0 mL·L⁻¹ was the most promising concentration within the range evaluated.
Angy Carpio-Rugel, J. Morgan, Grimaneza Moreno-Aldaz· Saastal· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Dr. BRC Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mandor, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of biofertilisers and growth-promoting microorganisms on growth, yield, and profitability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, var. GM-4) under the mungbean–wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers and seed inoculation, soil application, or combined seed and soil application of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). The results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, biological yield, and economic returns were significantly influenced by the treatments. The greatest numerical plant heights at 30 DAS (46.8 cm) and 45 DAS (55.9 cm) were recorded under T₁₀, while T₅ recorded comparable values of 45.8 and 55.3 cm, respectively. The highest numbers of pods per plant (39.6) and seeds per pod (13.5), dry matter production (3.50 t ha⁻¹), and test weight (48.1 g) were observed under T₅, whereas the highest numerical chlorophyll content (4.00 mg g⁻¹) was recorded under T₁₀. The highest grain yield (pooled: 1458 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹98,855 ha⁻¹) were recorded with 100% RDF (T₅), whereas 75% RDF combined with seed and soil application of Rhizobium + PSB (T₁₀) produced a pooled grain yield of 1400 kg ha⁻¹ and a B:C ratio of 4.41, remaining statistically at par with T₅. Thus, integrated use of biofertilisers with 75% RDF can reduce fertiliser requirement without significant yield loss and improve profitability.
A. Verma, M. Mehriya, Ashish Vishnawat· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Exclusive focus on primary nutrients has reduced the availability of micronutrients to plants, posing a serious threat to nutritional security. Integrated nutrient management (INM) represents a sustainable strategy to improve soil micronutrient availability and crop yield. A study was carried out during kharif (summer) 2022 at the research farm of the Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur to evaluate the influence of INM on maize productivity along with micronutrient concentration in the soil. The experiment comprised of nine treatments with NPK at graded doses (100, 75, and 50%), FYM (7, 10 t ha-1), vermicompost (3.5, 5 t ha-1), and biofertilizers (Azotobacter + Bacillus), replicated thrice under a randomised block design. Maize variety Kanchan (K-25) was opted as the test crop. The experimental soil was acidic (pH 5.63) with silty clay loam soil texture and adequate available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu). Soil samples were analysed for DTPA-extractable micronutrients and energy indices, while grain and stover samples were analysed for micronutrient concentration and total uptake. The synergistic application of 75% NPK along with 5 t vermicompost ha-1 (T7) and biofertilizers recorded the highest grain and stover yields, improved soil micronutrient availability, and enhanced micronutrient concentration and uptake in maize. Considering the energy indices, energy use efficiency was highest under treatment T9 (50% NPK + 5 t VC t ha-1 + biofertilizers) while other indices were highest under treatment T7. Overall, INM proved effective in improving maize productivity, soil micronutrient status and energy efficiency, highlighting its potential for sustainable crop production.
Mansi Bahman· Indian Journal of Ecology· 0 citations
A field study was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024 and 2025 at the Genetic and Plant Breeding Farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) comprising ten treatments with three replications. The treatments included various combinations of conventional fertilizers, nano-fertilizers and microbial inoculants applied to the crop, as: control (no N and P but only K) (T1 ); recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) @ 120- 60-40 kg NPK ha-1 (T2 ), 75% RD of N and P + nano urea and nano DAP @ 2ml l-1 of water, respectively (T3 ); 75% RD of N and P + nano urea and nano DAP @ 4ml l-1 of water, respectively (T4 ); 75% RD of N and P + nano urea and nano DAP @ 6ml l-1 of water, respectively (T5 ); 75% RD of N and P + urea and DAP @ 2%, respectively (T6 ); T3 + soil application of Azospirillum @ 2 kg ha-1 and Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) @ 2kg ha1 (T7 ); T4 + soil application of Azospirillum @ 2 kg ha-1 and PSB @ 2kg ha-1 (T8 ); T5 + soil application of Azospirillum @ 2 kg ha-1 and PSB @ 2kg ha-1 (T9 ); T6 + soil application of Azospirillum @ 2 kg ha-1 and PSB @ 2kg ha-1(T10). The investigation recorded that the soil organic carbon content, soil available nutrient content, dehydrogenase enzymatic activity and soil microbial population was improved with the application of 75% RD of N and P + nano urea and nano DAP @ 6ml l-1 of water, respectively + soil application of Azospirillum @ 2 kg ha-1 and PSB @ 2kg ha-1 (T9 ).
P. Devi, S. Singh, Mahendra Singh et al.· Ecology, environment & conse...· 0 citations