Agriculture in India is a complex and vast sector with a significant number of stakeholders. Agriculture accounts for around 20 per cent of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it a substantial contributor to the country's economy (GDP). Around 62 per cent of India's population depends on it for survival. Even with the estimated food grain production of around 316 mt, the majority of farmers live trapped in poverty, debt, and hunger. To address the current situation researchers, believe that judicious mix of advanced technologies in the areas of quality seed, fertilizer management, crop production methodologies for agricultural as well as horticultural crops, marketing, etc. should be followed. Under this context, this book entitled "Scientific Farming Practices for Soil and Crop Improvement" comprises of 5 chapters under the major topics Agronomic Practices for Crop Growth and Yield, Advancements in Soil Health Management, Crop Protection Strategies to Mitigate Pest and Disease in Crop Plants, Impact of Microbes on Food and Agriculture and Innovations in Horticultural Technologies & Breeding for Crop Improvement. This book is a compendium authored by reputed scientists from various organizations and the scientific findings highlighted by the authors could enhance the soil and plant health, and thereby enhancing the sustainability and livelihood of the farmers with ensured food and nutritional security. We hope that the findings will inspire the readers, help researchers and planners in shaping the future of farming. Further, this book will also cater the pressing needs of the researchers, Scholars in the field of Farm science.
Dr. R. Singaravel M.Sc. (Ag.), Ph.D. Post Doc. (Aus.), Professor of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University Graduated during 1988, completed M.Sc. (Ag.) during 1990 and Ph.D. in Soil science and Agrl. Chemistry during 1999 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He completed his Post Doc. at Murdoch University, Australia during 2010 under Endeavour Research Fellowship awarded by Govt. of Australia. He has been recipient of Indian Society of Soil Science, ICAR award for the best Ph.D. thesis during 1999. He has operated several Research Project funded by UGC, Department of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, National Medicinal Plants Board, and other Private Agencies. Visited countries like USA, Australia, China, Paris, Sri Lanka, Tahiland and Dubai for the presentation of research papers in Conferences at International level. He has published about 86 research papers in National and International Journals. He has participated and presented 115 papers in National and International Conferences. He has guided 8 Post-graduate and four Ph.D. scholars. He has authored six books and five research manual. He has delivered several invited Lectures and acted as Chairperson in many conferences. He is member in several Professional bodies like Indian Society of Soil Science, Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research, etc. He has been examiner for evaluating PG and Ph.D. thesis from other Universities. He served as Joint Controller of Examinations and Director of Distance Education at Annamalai University. At present he is serving as Registrar of Annamalai University.
Dr. P. Sivasakthivelan is currently serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Microbiology at the Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University. He has a teaching experience of 16 years handing UG, PG, and Doctoral Degree Programmes in Agricultural Microbiology. He has been recipient of 4 gold medal for his outstanding academic performance at University level. He has organized about 12 Conferences and workshops at National and International level. He has presented papers in 23 International and 64 National Conferences and delivered 30 invited lectures. To his credit, he has 2 International and 1 Indian patent along with 75 research publications in reputed peer-reviewed international journals with the Google Scholar Citation of 619, h - index of 14 and i10 - Index of 18. He is member in various Academic bodies. He is an elected member of Associate Fellow of Society for Nature and Applied Sciences –AFSNAS and Fellow Bose Science Society – FBSS by Tamil Nadu Scientific Research Organisation (TNSRO) and recipient of the Young Scientist Award instituted by the Indian Association of Applied Microbiology (IAAM).
Dr. K. Arivukkarasu is presently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy, and also serving as Associating Scientist at the Centre for Natural Farming and Sustainable Agriculture (CNFSA) at the Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu. He has completed his Under-graduation, Post graduation and Doctorate in Agronomy from Annamalai University. He has also qualified for National Eligibility Test conducted by ICAR-ASRB. He is having more than 18 years of Teaching and Research experience, handling courses for UG and PG students. Currently, he is serving as Co Principal Investigator for the research projects funded under RUSA and Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST), and consultancy projects sponsored by industries. He has authored one book, many book chapters and published more than 25 research papers in journals. He has also participated and presented research papers in various seminars, symposium, and conferences. He is a lifetime member in various professional bodies.
Dr. M. Seenivasan has been awarded Ph.D. Degree by Annamalai University in the year 2012. He got the B.Sc. degree in Mathematics from St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai. He did his M.Sc. (Applied Mathematics) from Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. He is currently working as an Associate Professor/Deputy Director – DDE, Department of Mathematics, Annamalai University. He has 21 years of teaching and 19 years of research experience. He has published more than 100 research articles in reputed international journals, such as Scopus, Science Direct and Springer. He has guided 25 M.Phil. scholars. At present, he has already guided six and guiding three Ph.D. Research scholars. He is one of the editorial members of more than 20 international journals. He has organized 13 international conferences in abroad and 9 international conferences within India. He has received six best paper awards. He has acted as Invited speaker/Keynote Speaker in more than 30 International Conferences. He has acted as Editor in many International Conference Proceedings. He has visited Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Dubai, Sri Lanka and USA.
Chapter-1. Agronomic Practices for Crop Growth and Yield
1.1 Effect of Different Nutrients Sources and Legume Intercropping on Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Quality and Post Harvest Nutrient Status of Hybrid Sunflower .................... 1
1.2 Study of Cow Urine Based Derivatives Combination with RDF as Plant Growth and Yield on Paddy................................... 9
1.3 Augmenting Rice (Oryza sativa) Productivity using Water Hyacinth based Phosphocompost: An Alternative Low Cost Organic Source to Inorganic Phosphorus Fertilizers .................................................. 21
1.4 Evaluation of Fortified FYM and Fortified Rice Residue Compost on the Growth and Yield Attributes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.).................................................................. 35
1.5 Response of Weed Management Practices on Productivity of Irrigated Blackgram ............................................ 49
1.6 Efficiency of The Salt Tolerant Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Isolated From Rice Crop Under Saline Condition ................................................................. 55
1.7 Fertilizer Prescriptions for Rabi Rice Through Targeted Yield Model on Vertisols Soil........................................ 67
1.8 Analysis of Nutrient Efficiency Ratio in Maize – Pulse Intercropping System ........................................................... 73
1.9 Effect of Precision Silvicultural Packages on Energy Efficiency Parameters in Melia Dubia Plantation in Tamil Nadu .................................................................................. 79
Chapter 2. Advancements in Soil Health Management
2.1 Use of Organic Energy for Sustainable Soil Health Management in Bhendi .................................................................. 91
2.2 Soil Health Management Through Organic Energy Sources in Cotton ..........................................................................111
2.3 Influence of Polyhalite on Yield and Quality of Blackgram Cv. ADT 5 ..................................................................135
2.4 Effect of Biofortification of Zinc and Iron Through Fortified Organics on The Growth, Yield and Nutrients Uptake by Brinjal in Coastal Saline Soil....................................145
2.5 Effect of Organics, Boron and Silicon Nutrition on The Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake by Groundnut in Coastal Saline Soil.....................................................................161
2.6 Effect of Nano Zn and Fe Composite on The Soil Nutrient Availability in Coastal Soil ..........................................177
2.7 Soil Fertility Assessment and Mapping for Sustainable Soil Health Management Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques - A Case Study ..........................................................187
2.8 Effect of Different Levels of Zinc on Yield and Zinc Uptake of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) in a Zinc Deficient Soil ......................................................................205
Chapter 3. Crop Protection Strategies to Mitigate Pest and Disease in Crop Plants
3.1 Impact of Morpho Pathogenic Variability of Bipoloris oryzae Isolates Collected from Northern Districts of Tamil Nadu on Rice Brown Spot Disease Incidence .....................................217
3.2 Induction of Defence – Related Enzymes in Turmeric by Using Combined Application of Biological Fungal and Bacterial Agents (BCA) with AM Fungi Against Pythium Aphanidermatum.............................................................231
3.3 A Novel LDPE Degrading Ability of Priestia Megaterium S1 Strain Isolated from The Gut of Tenebrio Molitor L. ...........241
3.4. Evaluation of Certain Botanicals Against the Pulse Beetle, in Stored Blackgram .........................................................255
3.5 The Desert Locusts Manna ..........................................................267
3.6 Morphological Traits Associated with Resistance to Maruca Vitrata G. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Blackgram.....271
3.7 Bio-inoculant Efficacy of Trichoderma Asperellum Against Pythium Aphanidermatum Causes Rhizome Rot of Turmeric ..............................................................................281
3.8 Migratory Beekeeping: Multiple Honey Harvesting Strategy ......................................................................293
Chapter 4. Impact of Microbes on Food and Agriculture
4.1 Inhibitory Effect of Blackseed (Nigella sativa L.) Extract Against Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio cholerae .................303
4.2 Effect of Various Organic Acids on the Inhibition of Fresh Cut Vegetable Spoilage Bacteria by Agar Well Diffusion Method .................................................................309
4.3 Effect of Medium Components on Bacteriocin Production by Lactococcus lactis LABM1, Isolated from Milk .....................317
4.4 Antifungal Activity of Blackseed Extracts Against Certain Pathogenic Fungi ............................................................327
4.5 Efficacy Studies of Chitinolytic Bacterial Consortium Based Formulations in Combating Selected Fungal Diseases in Groundnut – An Innovative Approach ...............335
4.6 Screening of Potential Bacterial Frequencies from Municipal Waste Dumpsite in Chidambaram Urban Area Cuddalore District...............................................................343
4.7 Isolation and Identification of Microalgal Strains and Evaluation of Their Fatty Acid Profiles for Biodiesel Production ......................................................................................355
4.8 Development of Liquid Formulation of Azospirillum Bioinoculant Amended Cell Protectants ...................................365
Chapter 5. Innovations in Horticultural Technologies & Breeding for Crop Improvement
5.1 Response of ATP’ase and Antioxidant Enzymes of Bhendi (Abelmoschus Esculentus Moench.) Towards Salinity Stress ................................................................373
5.2 Influence of Plant Growth Regulators in Propagation of Fruit Crops ......................................................................................381
5.3 Response of Zinc and Boron Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Hybrid Chilli ...............................................................391
5.4 Effect of Conjoint Application of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Chemical Fertilizer as a Tool to Improve The Growth Parameters of Tuberose (Polianthus Tuberose L.)................................................401
5.5 Extension of Shelf Life in Bell Pepper and Tomato Using Natural Gums Edible Coatings .......................................413
5.6 Variability and Association Studies in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) for Grain Nutritional Traits Under Coastal Saline Condition..............................................................421
5.7 Formulation of Functional Seasoning and Topping for Extruded Millet Snack ..................................................................429
5.8 Variability and Association Analysis in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) ....................................................................447
5.9 Studies on the Effect of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria and VAM Inoculation on The Growth of Ocimum Sanctum..........459
5.10 Solar Dryers for Drying of Horticultural Produces .................467
5.11 Influence of Weather Condition on the Incidence of Purple Blotch of Small Onion......................................................473
