Nasir Rahim

Bio: Nasir Rahim is an academic researcher from University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tillage & Diammonium phosphate. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 12 publications receiving 219 citations. Previous affiliations of Nasir Rahim include University of Kashmir.

Effect of Rhizobium inoculation and NP fertilization on growth, yield and nodulation of soybean (Glycine max L.) in the sub-humid hilly region of Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract: This research experiment was conducted to examine the effect of Rhizobiuminoculation (RI) and P fertilization (P) on nodulation, growth and yield characteristics of soybean grown in the presence of starter N fertilizer (N). Treatments included: i) 02 levels of RI (RI0, RI1), ii) 02 levels of P (P0, P1 that is, P2O5 @ 90 kg ha-1) iii) 03 levels of N (N0, N1 and N2 that is, N at of 25 and 50 kg N ha-1) iv) 03 replication. Results of the experiment revealed that total number of nodules increased from 73 in the un-inoculated control to 125 and 95 following the application of RI and P representing 70 and 30% increase over control. N supply did not affect the number of nodules; however, combination of RI and P with 25 kg N ha-1 (RI1P1N1) produced the highest number of nodules (152). RI, P, N and their combinations increased shoot and root biomass. Seed yield in the control was 767 kg ha-1 that significantly increased to 1081, 907 and 940 kg ha-1 following the application of RI, P and N demonstrating a 41, 18 and 23% increase over control. The highest seed yield of 1208 kg ha-1 was recorded in the combine treatment of RI1P1N1 indicating 57% increase over control. Relative increase in dry matter yield due to RI, P and N was 63, 46 and 49%. Seed protein content in different treatments ranged between 33 - 40% while oil content ranged between 13 - 18%. Application of RI, P and their combinations increased protein content by 6 - 22% while increase in oil content was 12 - 35%. Concentrations of N and P in plants and their uptake was significantly increased and relative increase in N uptake due to RI, P and K was 77, 21 and 31% , respectively, while the corresponding increase in P uptake was 79, 92 and 56%. It was found that the efficiency of RI and P fertilization increased substantially with the application of 25 kg N ha-1 but the efficiency decreased when N supply increased from 25 kg N ha-1 to 50 kg N ha-1. The results demonstrate the potential benefits of using Rhizobium inoculation and P fertilization with reduced level of N as starter fertilizer in order to achieve plant-growth promotion, increased nodulation and seed yield of soybean. Key words: Glycine max L., nodulation, N fertilization, P application, soybean,Rhizobium inoculation, soybean.

Influence of integrated phosphorus supply and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on growth, nodulation, yield and nutrient uptake in Phaseolus vulgaris

Abstract: To guarantee a sufficient phosphorus supply for plants, a rapid and permanent mobilization of phosphorus from the labile phosphorus fractions is necessary, because phosphorus concentrations in soil solution are generally low. Several plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have shown potential to enhance phosphorus solublization and nodulation of legumes when co-inoculated with Rhizobium . This investigation was undertaken to assess the feasibility and compatibility of two mineral phosphorus fertilizers; diammonium phosphate (DAP), triple super phosphate (TSP), poultry manure (PM) and two PGPR strains on the growth, nodulation, yield, nutrient uptake and protein content of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) under deficient phosphorus supply. Integrated application of mineral phosphorus (P), PM and PGPR significantly increased shoot height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and leaf chlorophyll content by 67, 160, 51 and 106%, respectively, while increase in root length, root fresh weight and root dry weight was 79, 161, and 187%, respectively, over unfertilized control without PGPR application. Integrated use of different P sources and PGPR also increased number of nodules per plant, nodule fresh weight and nodule dry weight by 158, 107 and 168% over the control. Treatment with PGPR significantly increased number of pods per plant and grain yield by 224 and 96%, respectively over the control. Co-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp. strain MN-S and Agrobacterium sp. strain Ca-18 demonstrated two-fold increase in the proportion of nitrogen (N) and P uptake as well as protein content of the common bean grain was increases by 48%. Therefore, application of PGPR with low P fertilizer rates and PM could be a viable supplementary strategy for maximum benefits in terms of cost of production and sustaining productivity. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L., plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), nodulation, yield, phosphorus deficiency, protein.

Soybean Yield and Chemical Composition in Response to Phosphorus–Potassium Nutrition in Kashmir

Abstract: Published in Agron. J. 104:1476–1484 (2012) Posted online 3 Aug. 2012 doi:10.2134/agronj2011.0379 Copyright © 2012 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. S is an important oilseed crop and source of highquality protein for human consumption and fodder for animals and is also important in crop rotation systems. When grown in symbiotic association with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, soybean plants can fix up to 200 kg N ha–1 yr–1 (Smith and Hume, 1987). The composition of soybean, as well as the ease and geographical range of its agricultural production, makes it an inexpensive source of oil and protein used as food and animal feed. Soybean production and yield in any agricultural system is directly affected by several environmental factors. Among these, fertilization with N, P, K, and other essential nutrients can affect yield and many physiological processes that, in turn, influence grain yield and protein or oil concentration (Adeli et al., 2005). Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient that can limit normal plant growth if not provided by the soil or by appropriate quantities of fertilizer (Chaudhary et al., 2008). The role of P in legume development, root proliferation, nodulation, and biological N2 fixation is well recognized (Singh et al., 2005; Schulze et al., 2006). Phosphorus deficiency in legumes reduces leaf area; decreases the number of leaves, nodes, and branches; and slows down the relative leaf appearance rate (Chaudhary et al., 2008). Phosphorus-deficient plants exhibit a reduced carbohydrate supply to nodules and are usually restricted in nodule initiation, development, and growth and in nitrogenase activity (Schulze et al., 2006). Soybean response to P fertilization has been reported in different agroecological regions of the world (Borges and Mallarino, 2000; Buah et al., 2000; Haq and Mallarino, 2005; Fatima et al., 2007; Mabapa et al., 2010). Application of P to soybean has been noted to affect the functioning of the biological N2 fixation system, with an enhancement in the specific nitrogenase activity of the nodule (Sa and Israel, 1991). It has also been observed that soybean response to P is dependent on soil available P, and P application is not likely to increase seed yield at soil P concentrations above 12 mg kg–1 (Ferguson et al., 2006). Tsvetkova and Georgiev (2003) reported that P deficiency treatments in soybean decreased the whole-plant fresh and dry mass and the nodule weight, number, and functioning. Chiezey and Odunze (2009) conducted a field experiment with soybean by applying 0, 13.2, 26.4, and 39.6 kg P ha–1 in the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria and reported that P application increased the leaf area index, plant height, nodule dry weight, total dry matter, and grain yield. Soybean has been found to respond to K application at various rates under a number of management regimes under different agro-climatic situations (Kolar and Grewal, 1994; Premaratne and Oertli, 1994; Yin and Vyn, 2004; Haq and Mallarino, 2005). Soybean takes up and accumulates K throughout the growing season, thus a deficiency of K at any time during the growing season may reduce soybean yield (Kolar and Grewal, 1994). Furthermore, a typical soybean crop requires 73% more K in the harvested grain than maize (Zea mays L.) (Fernández et al., 2008). It has been shown that soybean acquires most of AbstrACt Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has increasing nutritional, commercial, and economical value, and P and K nutrition may be needed to increase yield and profit. A 2-yr (2008–2009) field experiment with rainfed soybean was conducted in the hilly region of the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), at Rawalakot, Pakistan. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of P–K fertilization on soybean root nodulation, seed yield, seed composition and N, P, and K uptake. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included three levels of P (60, 90, and 120 kg P2O5 ha –1), two levels of K (40 and 80 kg K2O ha –1), and a control, represented as P0, P60, P90, P120 and K0, K40, and K80, respectively. Results indicated that number of root nodules increased with P–K fertilization to 75 and 136 compared with 68 in the control. Yield responses to P–K fertilization occurred to all rates, and the highest yield was observed in the combined treatment of P120K40. Total N, P, and K uptake in the plant (shoot + seed) tended to follow yield responses, while seed protein was increased by 8 to 13% due to P and 11 to 19% due to K. Application of P or K alone or in combination significantly increased oil content. This study demonstrates that Pand K-deficient soils are likely to produce crops with low yields and low seed oil levels, and appropriate P–K management could be an effective approach to increase and sustain soybean production in the mountain ecosystems.

Agronomic Effectiveness and Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency of Rock Phosphate Applied to Winter Wheat

Abstract: Rock phosphate (RP) is an important natural source of P for plant nutrition, but the solubility and availability of P from RP is an issue in agricultural production systems. Integrated use of RP with various organic and inorganic byproducts has been reported to increase RP P use efficiency and stability of crop yields. A 2-yr (2010–2011 and 2011–2012) field experiment was conducted to examine the agronomic effectiveness and P utilization efficiency (PUE) of RP supplemented with wood ash, compost, and poultry manure with and without phosphate-solubilizing bacteria applied to rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the hilly region of Kashmir, Pakistan. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with factorial arrangement using three replications. Treatments included: control; RP; RP + wood ash (WA); RP + poultry manure (PM); RP + compost; control + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB); RP + PSB; RP + WA + PSB; RP + PM + PSB; and RP + compost + PSB. Results indicated that RP alone did not show significant effects on growth and PUE of wheat; however, the use of RP with PM and compost improved straw yield (21 and 22%), grain yield (52 and 50%), plant P uptake (73 and 84%), and PUE (95 and 103%) over the RP alone. Also RP + PM and RP + compost, when inoculated with PSB, resulted in a further increase in yield of 9 and 8%, P uptake of 28 and 29%, and PUE of 35 and 42%, respectively. These results demonstrate that use of PSB and organic amendments with RP could be a promising management strategy and viable technology to utilize both low-grade RP and organic materials efficiently for crop production and nutrient improvement in mountainous ecosystems.

Effects of Nutrient Antagonism and Synergism on Yield and Fertilizer Use Efficiency

Abstract: Interaction among plant nutrients can yield antagonistic or synergistic outcomes that influence nutrient use efficiency. To provide insight on this phenomenon, peer-reviewed articles were selected ...

Current Knowledge in Soybean Composition

Abstract: The soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is grown worldwide for its high protein and oil contents. Characterization of soybean seed components lends itself to understanding how soybean production can meet the needs of a growing world population. For this article, literature was reviewed and condensed to create a well-rounded picture of the current understanding of structural, functional, and nutritional properties of soybean components. Natural variation in soybean protein, lipid, and carbohydrate components, as well as the minor constituents phytic acid and isoflavones, are mentioned. Environment- or genetic-induced shifts in natural variation are described with respect to nutrition and functional improvements in soybean.