Geospatial Variability Analysis of Fluoride Quantification in Underground Aquifers of Central Parts of Haryana State, India

The elevated levels of fluoride in underground water enhance the prevalence of the fluorosis epidemic in Haryana state. To assess the groundwater geospatial variability of fluoride at different depths in central parts of Haryana, the present study has been explored. The samples at eight sites were collected in triplicate at 3 depth levels viz. a) < 10 m below ground level (bgl), b) 10-40 m bgl, and c) > 40 m bgl. Fluoride levels have been determined by the SPADANS-zirconyl oxychloride method using UV-VIS spectrophotometer (Systronics-118). The fluoride concentration varies from 0.19 mg/L to 2.87 mg/L. More than 38 percent of samples exceed the standard prescribed limit of 1.0 mg/L fluoride in drinking water. Fluoride contamination increases in post-monsoon samples with maximum concentration at 40 bgl depth. Due to geological factors (fluoride-bearing minerals in basement rocks) and human-induced (brick-kiln industries, phosphatic fertilizers) factors, a high concentration of fluoride in groundwater is observed. Sustainable defluoridation techniques and a good diet (calcium & vitamin c enriched) can control the adverse effects of fluorosis.

Bioavailability and toxicity of nanoscale/bulk rare earth oxides in soil: Physiological and ultrastructural alterations in Eisenia fetida

The accumulation of rare earth oxides (REOs) in soils is linked with application of nanoscale phosphatic fertilizers, but their effects on earthworm species are poorly understood. We investigated the impacts...

Fixation of soluble forms of fertilizer phosphorus in salt affected soils of Ramanathapuram and Trichy districts and acid soil of Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu

Soluble phosphorus (P) applied through phosphatic fertilizers is quickly converted into low soluble P compounds in soil. For evaluating fixation ability of P fertilizers laboratory incubation experiments were conducted with saline, sodic and acid soils. Phosphatic fertilizers selected were single super phosphate (SSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), monopotassium phosphate (MPP) and 19:19:19 N, P2O5, K2O % (All-19). Fixation of P was computed based on the amount of P recovered after addition of P in the soil in increasing levels. At a typical P addition at 16 kg ha-1 the results were compared in all soils. In saline soil, high fixation of P occurred when DAP (12.18 kg ha-1) and MPP (11.28 kg ha-1) were applied. In sodic soil, high fixation of P resulted when SSP (7.10 kg ha-1) was applied. In acid soil, high fixation of P occurred when All -19 (12.64 kg ha-1), MAP (12.40 kg ha-1), SSP (12.22 kg ha-1), and DAP (11.74 kg ha-1) were applied. With all forms of phosphatic fertilizers fixation of added P occurred to the extent of 57.9 to 79.0 per cent in acid soil, 55.0 to 70.5 per cent in saline soil and 25.5 to 44.4 per cent in sodic soil. In saline soil availability of P might be higher for SSP and All-19 compared to ammonium/ potassium phosphate fertilizers. On the other hand, MPP, MAP and All-19 may be preferably applied in sodic/ acid soils alternative to SSP or DAP for realizing higher P release in soils from added fertilizers for the benefit of crop utilization.

Effect of Phytase Enzyme and Phosphatic Fertilizers on Available Phosphorus in an Alfisol

An experiment involving sixteen treatments with four levels of phytase (0, 240, 480, 720 IU) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 25, 50, 100 kg ha-1) was carried out during kharif 2017 to assess the availability of phosphorus at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days (DAI) after incubation. There was an increase in soil available phosphorus up to 45th days of incubation either with the application of phytase or P and it reduced after 60 days of incubation. Significantly higher (12.98 kg ha-1) available phosphorus was observed with the application of phytase @ 720 IU (16.14 kg ha-1) and phosphatic fertilizer @ 100 kg ha-1within 24 hours of incubation over initial available P (5.20 kg ha-1). Application of 480 IU phytase resulted in significantly higher available P (51.98 kg ha-1) which was at par with 720 IU (50.45 kg ha-1). However, combined application of either 480 or 720 IU phytase along with either 50 or 100 kg P ha-1 through single super phosphate (SSP) had in statistically at par results for available phosphorus. Higher cumulative available phosphorus was recorded with the application of phytase @ 720 IU along with 100 kg P ha-1 through SSP (247.23 kg ha-1) throughout the incubation period. Further phosphorus release potential indicated that application of phytase @ 720 IU along with 100 kg P ha-1 through SSP mobilized 0.65 kg ha-1 day-1 phosphorus.

ANALYSIS OF SUPP LY LOGISTICS OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL FARMS IN THE ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS

The aim of the work was to assess the supplying process of production means in private farms with diversified area and profile production (mixed production – cattle breeding and cereal cultivation, and one-way production – cereal cultivation). Mineral fertilizers were bought by all surveyed farmers, the most – NPK fertilizers, the least – phosphatic fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers and plant protection products were bought most often twice a year and stored up to 7 days (mainly larger farms, regardless of the production profile). Lime fertilizers were purchased most often once a year, especially farms specialized in crop production.