Jul 2026· Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture· Vol 21, pp. 224-236· 0 citations
Abstract
Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is a crop with high nutraceutical properties with potential health benefits in comparison to other commonly consumed cereals. Uttarakhand is a leading state in production of finger millet in Himalayan region, but poor production is not able to offer economic revenue to the farmers. Use of inorganic fertilizer to increase production is not safe for environment as well as for human beings. So the use of biofertilizer is one of the eco-friendly approaches to increase productivity. Total 9 accessions and 10 bacterial strains were screened. Three bacterial strains (BS-58, BS-27, and Y-19) were finally selected to assess their effects on plant growth, antoxidant enzyme activity, nutrient use efficiency, yield and grain nutrient content of finger millet under field experiment. Among different treatments, T-1(BS-27) exhibited a maximum plant height (9.96%) followed by T-5 (BS-58+Y-19; 7.39 %) and T-2 (BS-58) exhibited a maximum increase in seed yield (35.99%) closely followed by T-5 (BS-58+Y-19; 34.48%). A significant increase (250.41%, 45.16% and 45.16%) in soil nutrients (NPK) and their uptake (2.19%, 0.22% and 0.58%) was recorded in different treatments. Protein, Ca and Fe content of the grain was also increased by 55.49 %, 23.40% and 19.35% respectively over control. These bacterial strains were able to increase nutrient use efficiency of the finger millet crop. The study revealed that the biopriming of finger millet seeds with PGPB alone and in combination found as potential agents to enhance the physiological traits of finger millet for obtaining higher yield and nutrient quality
Although nutrient management plays a crucial role in determining the productivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), comparative information on the effectiveness of organic and inorganic nutrient sources under local conditions is still scarce. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024, Rabi season at Khairahani, Chitwan, to evaluate the effects of different nutrient sources on growth, yield, and profitability of barley var. Mustangey Jau. Using a randomized complete block design with five treatments-controls, chemical fertilizer NPK, poultry manure, farmyard manure, and vermicompost-each replicated four times, significant differences were observed in plant height, leaf area index, effective tillers, and grain yield. NPK fertilizer produced the highest plant height (94.80 cm), leaf area index (0.18), effective tillers (6.52), and grain yield (1.69 t/ha), followed by poultry manure and vermicompost. Organic sources improved growth over the control but yielded less than NPK. Economic analysis showed NPK achieved the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio (2.19), followed by poultry manure (1.34). Therefore, the application of recommended NPK fertilizer is suggested for maximizing barley yield and profitability, while poultry manure can be considered as a suitable organic alternative for improving productivity compared with other organic sources.
A. Gaire, Anugya Dawadi, Sulochana Aryal· Journal of Plant Resources· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during winter seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Research Farm, RVSKVV College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M.P.) to study the effect of organic sources of nutrients on growth, yield and quality of wheat. The treatment receiving VC 5 t/ha + Jeewamrit 500 lit./ha + Panchagavya 15 lit./ha + FYM 10t/ha resulted in maximum growth parameters (plant height 88.77 cm, leaves 60.60 /plant, grains 40.22 /earhead, length of earhead 11.91 cm, weight of earhead 2.40 g and 1000-seed weight 41-05 g), grain yield (41.82 q/ha), straw yield (61.70 q/ha), harvest index (40.40 %), starch content (73.33 %) and protein content (14.22 %). The second best treatment was F10 = VC 5 t/ha + Panchagavya 15 lit./ha + FYM 10 t/ha, closely followed by Jeewamrit 500 lit./ha + VC 5 t/ha + FYM 10 t/ha and then Jeewamrit 500 lit./ha + Panchagavya 15 lit./ha + FYM 10 t/ha. All the parameters were decreased significantly under treatments receiving single or two organic sources of nutrients.
P. Bagri, S. Bhadauria, Vikash Singh et al.· Progressive Agriculture· 0 citations
Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important cereal crops, and improving its productivity while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers has become a major goal of sustainable agriculture. The potential role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biofertilizer evolved as appropriate substitute to neutralize adverse environmental impacts wielded by manmade agrochemical.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis, individually and in combination, on the growth and yield of maize compared with conventional NPK fertilization.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the 2025 growing season at the Field Crops Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Samarra, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Six treatments were evaluated: Untreated control (T1), Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2), Bacillus subtilis (T3), combined inoculation (P. fluorescens + B. subtilis) (T4), combined inoculation with NPK fertilizer (T5), and NPK fertilizer (20:20:20) only (T6). Vegetative growth and yield-related traits were recorded and statistically analyzed.
Results: Inoculation of plants with PGPR bacteria resulted in a significant improvement in both vegetative growth and yield compared to the untreated control group. Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2) exhibited the highest vegetative growth rate, recording the highest plant height (148.00 cm), leaf area (365.00 cm²), leaf area index (2.63), and number of grains per spike (688 grains) compared control group recorded (92.33 cm), (10.67 plant⁻¹), (151.73 cm²), (0.70) respectively. Bacillus subtilis (T3), achieved the highest productivity, producing the largest number of spikes per plant (2.67 spikes) and the highest spike weight (283.50 g) compared control group recorded (2.00) and (161.60 g).
Conclusion: The use of PGPR, and especially Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis as potential biofertilisation agents is a promising sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisation that can enhance maize growth and production, while decreasing dependence on mineral fertilisers.
Waser saad Khalaf, Ahmed waleed Abdulrahman· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Chromium (Cr) contamination, a major form of heavy metal (HM) pollution, poses serious risks to plant growth, crop productivity, and food quality. This study investigates the effects of Cr(VI) on cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) by growing plants in soils amended with increasing Cr(VI) concentrations (0.1-0.4 g/kg). Plant morphological traits, yield performance, nutrient composition, and Cr(VI) accumulation patterns were assessed in controlled pot experiments. Results showed a dose-dependent decline in growth parameters such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and number of leaves. Yield traits including tuber number, diameter, fresh weight and total yield also declined significantly with higher Cr(VI) levels. Nutritional analysis revealed a sharp reduction in tuber starch content (from 494.66 ± 54.6 µg/g in control to 242.33 ± 30.7 µg/g at 0.4 g/kg Cr). Leaf carbohydrate levels initially increased at 3 months after planting (MAP) but declined at 6 and 9 MAP under continued Cr(VI) stress. Cr(VI) exposure also reduced uptake of key micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn) and macronutrients (P, Ca). Notably, tender leaves accumulated more Cr(VI) than mature leaves, while tuber Cr(VI) levels increased with soil Cr(VI) concentrations, suggesting tissue-specific accumulation and detoxification mechanisms. These findings underline cassava's potential for phyto-remediation and raise concerns for food safety in Cr (VI) contaminated environments.
B. Devi, N. Bhattacharyya, M. Chutia· Journal of Environmental Sci...· 0 citations
Wheat productivity is constrained by declining soil fertility and low nutrient-use efficiency resulting from the continuous dependence on chemical fertilizers. Integrated Nutrient Management, through the judicious integration of organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources, offers a sustainable approach to enhance crop growth, yield, soil health, and long-term productivity; however, its effectiveness in combination with nano-fertilizers requires further evaluation. Therefore, a field experiment was planned during the Rabi season of 2024-25 and 2025-26, at the research farm of Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana. The experiment was laid out in a two-factorial randomized block design with three replications. Factor A comprised two wheat varieties (WH 1270 and DBW 222), while Factor B consisted of eight nutrient management treatments involving RDF, vermicompost (2 t/ha), foliar nano urea (1250 mL/ha), foliar nano DAP (1250 mL/ha), and Azotobacter applied alone or in combination. The pooled data revealed that the variety DBW 222 showed significantly higher plant height (94.34 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (65.77), DMA/meter row length (224.82 g), LAI (5.56), spike length (9.84 cm), grains/spikes (48.31), effective tillers/m2 (300.80), test weight (40.27 g), grain yield (5042 kg/ha) and straw yield (6651 kg/ha) over variety WH 1270. Among various nutrient combinations, maximum plant height (104.65 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (70.51), DMA/meter row length (251.73 g), LAI (6.18), spike length (10.88 cm), grains/spikes (51.37), effective tillers/m2 (322.57), test weight (42.21 g), grain yield (5642 kg/ha) and straw yield (7439 kg/ha) was recorded with treatment T3 (100% RDF with vermicompost @ 2t/ha) which was found at par with T5 and T4. These treatments were found superior over T2, T6, T8 and T7. The least were found in T1
Sanjeev Kumar, I.S. Singh· Research on Crops· 0 citations
Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple crop in semi-arid Nigeria, but its productivity is constrained by poor soil fertility. While inorganic NPK fertilizers can boost yields, their long-term use may degrade soil health. Organic alternatives like Gliricidia sepium remain underutilized despite their potential to improve soil quality. A field experiment was conducted at the Dryland Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, during the 2025 cropping season. The treatments comprised: T₁ (NPK 15 g plant⁻¹), T₂ (Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer 100 g plant⁻¹), T₃ (50 g Gliricidia + 7.5 g NPK plant⁻¹), and T₄ (control). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on growth parameters, yield components, and post-harvest soil physicochemical properties. Analysis of variance was used to test treatment effects at p<0.05. Fertilizer application significantly (p<0.05) influenced millet growth at later stages. Plants treated with Gliricidia (T₂ and T₃) were significantly taller at 9 and 12 weeks after planting and produced more tillers than the NPK-only and control treatments. Although not statistically significant (p<0.05), the sole Gliricidia treatment (T₂) gave the highest grain yield (1.05 t ha⁻¹), representing a 48% increase over the control (0.71 t ha⁻¹). Post-harvest soil analysis showed that Gliricidia-amended plots had significantly higher pH (6.40) compared to the NPK-only plots (6.31). Available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were significantly higher in the NPK treatment, while total nitrogen remained unaffected across treatments. Gliricidia-based organic fertilizer effectively enhances millet growth and shows strong potential for improving grain yield while buffering soil pH against acidification. It is recommended as a sustainable nutrient management option for smallholder farmers in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.
S.B. Shamaki, G.A. Abubakar, M.B. Oyun et al.· Journal of Agriculture and E...· 0 citations