Biochars provide several agricultural and environmental benefits, such as soil health improvement, better crop growth and yield, carbon sequestration, decreasing greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, and regulation of nutrient dynamics. This review highlights the role of biochar in transforming the soil’s physiochemical and biological properties, and their impact on improving seed germination and seedling growth, altering crop physiological attributes, enhancing crop resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses, improving crop productivity, curtailing GHGs, and controlling nutrient leaching losses. However, the type of feedstock used, pyrolysis temperature, application rate and method, soil type and crop species largely influence the biochar performance under different environmental conditions. Application of biochars at low rates help to promote seed germination and seedling growth. Biochar modified the abiotic and microbial processes in the rhizosphere and increased nutrient mineralization and enhanced the nutrient availability for plant uptake. Hence, biochar enhanced the plant resistance against diseases, reduced the availability of heavy metals and improved the plant resilience against environmental stressors. By providing a comprehensive analysis about the variable impacts of biochars on soil physicochemical properties, plant growth, development and productivity and mitigating environmental problems, this review is quite valuable for developing an efficient soil and crop specific biochar with desired functionalities. It could be helpful in improving crop productivity, ensuring food security and better management of environment. Furthermore, this review identifies the knowledge gaps and suggests future outlooks for the commercialization of biochar applications on large-scale.
This study investigated the impact of ginger-derived phyto-protease enzyme on growth performance, immunity, gut health and nutrient digestibility in broilers. A total of 360 day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments with six replicates each: a control group (T1) and groups supplemented with 50 g/ton (T2), 100 g/ton (T3) and 150 g/ton (T4) of the enzyme. Over a 35-day period, birds were provided with free access to feed and water under controlled conditions. The highest feed intake was observed in T3 during the second week, while T4 showed the lowest intake overall. Body weight gain was significantly highest in T4, demonstrating enhanced growth performance. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lowest in T4, indicating improved feed efficiency. Carcase quality analysis revealed higher dressing percentages and organ weights (bursa, spleen and thymus) in T4 compared to the control. Gut pH levels were significantly lower in T3 and T4 across different segments of the gastrointestinal tract, enhancing nutrient absorption. Antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus were significantly higher in T4 on days 21 and 35, indicating improved immunity. Histomorphological analysis of the intestines showed increased villus height and width in T4, with reduced crypt depth, further supporting enhanced nutrient absorption. These findings suggest that the highest inclusion rate of ginger-derived phyto-protease enzyme (150 g/ton) optimally enhances growth performance, immunity, gut health and nutrient digestibility in broilers. This study highlights the potential benefits of incorporating ginger-derived phyto-protease in poultry diets to improve overall health and performance.
Meloidogyne graminicola, which is commonly referred to as the rice root-knot nematode (RKN), represents a substantial and prevalent challenge in Southeast Asia.This nematode species is recognized as one of the foremost biotic constraints in the region, making it a prominent and recurring issue for agriculture and crop management.This study investigated the response of fourteen different wheat plant varieties to root knot nematode and their impact on plant growth parameters.Impact of morphological plant characters on galling population and egg mass index was assessed.Results revealed that Ujala-16 yielded best crop stands with plant height (92.79 cm), root weight (0.94 g), tillering capacity (12.4), grain count per spike (49.7), grain weight (42.0 g), and grain yield per pot (9.3g).Ujala-16 and Faisalabad-86 had minimum galls per pot and egg mass index of 1.6:1.2 and 1.9:1.8,respectively.Mexipak-65 had maximum 9.4 galls per pot.There were significant variations observed among the varieties, indicating varying levels of resistance or susceptibility to nematode infestation.Ujala-16 and Sehar-06 demonstrated resistance (R) having maximum RGS (Root gall Severity) of 2.2 and 3.1 with minimum RI (Resistance Index) of 34.6 and 32.5, respectively.Faisalabad-85, Zardana-80, Morocco, and Mexipak-65 displayed moderate resistance (MR) while six varieties exhibited intermediate (IM) responses.Inqlab-91 and Iqbal-2000 were found susceptible (S) with maximum RI of 72.4 and 77.6, respectively.Significant negative correlations were found between nematode infestation and plant growth parameters.Plant height exhibited maximum impact of 59.09 and 45.24 % on galling index and egg mass index, respectively.The findings provide valuable insights for selecting resistant varieties and implementing nematode management strategies.Understanding the response of plant varieties to root knot nematodes is crucial for effective nematode control and ensuring optimal crop yield.
W heat is a staple food all over the world.It is grown in almost all environments in Asia and East Africa.Different varieties have been developed to achieve maximum growth and yield of wheat (Majeed et al., 2015).It contains about more than 70% of starch, 10% protein, 4% fat, and provides 370 Kcal (100 g -1 ).It is consumed by various processing methods (Peter et al., 2014).Wheat flour adds 72% of Pa-Abstract | Deep tillage, is performing tillage operations below 20 cm depth, has countless benefits in rainfed areas but the recent problem in the deep tillage is the loss of nutrients.Various techniques have been studied for declining the loss of nutrients.Therefore, this research was carried out in the University Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan to find the effect of raised seed bed dimensions and integrated nutrient management on the yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar (Pirsabak 2015) under deep tillage in silt clay loam (Pedocals) soil during 2019.The levels of planting technique factor were; 0 m high raised seed bed (P1), 10 cm high raised seed bed (P2) and 20 cm high raised seed bed (P3).Compost from domestic residues (C2), a combination of urea with compost (C3), and urea (C4) were compared with control, no N-fertilizer (C1) in integrated nutrient management factor.The result showed that the treatments had a significant effect on the plant height, spike m -2 , grains spike -1 , grain yield, biological yield, and harvest index.The highest plant height (0.44 m) and spike m -2 (88) were found in the combination of P3 with C2.The highest grain yield (3298 kg ha -1 ) was recorded in the combination of P2 and C3.The highest biological yield (9144 kg ha -1 ) was found in P1 with C3.Though the highest grains spike -1 (89), thousand-grain weight (45 g) and harvest index (39.91%)were calculated in the combination of P1 and C4.Almost all the parameters gave the lowest recorded value in the combination of P1 with C1.The research concluded that the combination of compost with urea and raised seed bed are the better option for enhancing the wheat yield under deep tillage.
Field studies were conducted over two years with the objectives to improve soil fertility and minimize the use of commercial fertilizer.It was comprised of three tillage practices included minimum (MT), conventional (CT) and deep (DT) and twelve nitrogen sources treatments including farm yard manure (FYM) (10 or 20 tons ha -1 ), soybean residue (SR) (10 tons ha -1 ) in sole and/or in conjugation with half of inorganic nitrogen (UN) as urea (60 or 120 kg ha -1 ), a control and sole full doses of inorganic N. Low soil fertility and yield was observed for deep tillage than minimum or conventional tillage.Minimum tillage improved soil fertility in term of mineral N as well crop productivity and uptake of N (11%) compared to DT. FYM (20 tones ha -1 ) and UN (60 kg ha -1 ) application improved soil fertility, crop productivity, and grain protein.Mixed application of FYM and urea increased total N uptake by plants and yield efficiency in term of harvest index was better for SR+UN treatment.Value cost ratio was higher for sole FYM, whereas relative increase in income was higher for FYM+UN.Thus using a mixture of FYM and UN under minimum tillage might be an optimum agronomic practice for improved productivity, soil fertility and economical disposition of waste material.Further studies are suggested to quantify the form of N uptake by plants for better and sustainable N management practices in cereal base (wheat-maize) cropping system.
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