Showing papers by "Raktim Pal published in 2003"

Influence of integrated plant nutrient supply system on soil quality restoration in a red and laterite soil: Einfluss integrierter pflanzennährstoff versorgung auf die wiederherstellun der bodenqualität von rotem und laterit boden

Abstract: Unsuitable agricultural practices together with adverse environmental conditions have led to degradation of soil in many red and laterite zones of West Bengal, India. One method of recovering degraded soils in these regions is to add organic matter in order to improve soil characteristics, thereby enhancing biogeochemical nutrient cycles. The effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer amendments is often studied shortly after addition of a single dose to the soil, but less is known about the long-term effects of amendments. We conducted a study to determine the effects of the long-term addition of organic and inorganic fertilizer amendments either alone or in combination on soil physico-chemical and microbiological properties. Surface soil samples were taken from an experimental field site of the Regional Research Station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Birbhum district, West Bengal, India in December 2000 after 2 years of experiment. Organic supplements (decomposed cow manure and vermicompost) eit...

Effect of municipal solid waste compost on seed germination of rice, wheat and cucumber

Abstract: Water extracts of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) were applied to seed of three crops v - v rice ( Oryza sativa, L.), wheat ( Triticum aestivum, L.) and cucumber ( Cucumis sativa, L.). Severe suppression of germination index (GI), root length (RL) and shoot length (SL) were observed with the seeds treated with 1 v : v 7.5 MSWC v : v water extracts. A significant positive relationship was observed between the above mentioned parameters and organic carbon, nitrogen and optical density. A significant negative relationship between the above parameters and the contents of ammonia and heavy metals was also found. When comparing the three different seeds, wheat was most sensitive, followed by rice and then cucumber in terms of germination index, germination (%), root and shoot growth.

Influence of storage environment, 8- HQC and sucrose on post harvest quality of ‘First Red’ cut rose

Abstract: Cut roses cv. First Red were stored at ambient conditions (20 ± 50C, 40–70% relative humidity) and in cool chamber (15 ± 2°C, 90–95% relative humidity) in holding solutions containing distilled water, HQC and sucrose + HQC for a period of 4 days. Angle of neck bending was significantly reduced in high humidity storage with increased flower diameter and marketability. The high humidity cool chamber also showed better retention of petal anthocyanin with low respiration and ethylene evolution by the whole stalk. The senescence of flowers was rapid at ambient with high rate of ion leakage from petals and high respiration rates at ambient. Addition of sucrose and HQC in holding solution further helped in maintaining the overall quality of cut flowers in high humidity storage condition.