Nasir Rahim - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Nasir Rahim

Sustainability, 2021

An improved understanding of the effect of conservation tillage on soil physicochemical quality i... more An improved understanding of the effect of conservation tillage on soil physicochemical quality indicators is obligatory to manage and conserve soil in a climate change scenario. Tillage strategies change soil physicochemical characteristics, consequently modifying crop yields. Conservation tillage is generally used to improve the soil physicochemical characteristics globally. However, the impact of conservation tillage on different soil depths under wheat cultivation is not well documented. A 3-year study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCDB). The objective of this research was to specifically study soil physicochemical indicators (soil bulk density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, water content, temperature, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, C:N ratio, pH) and (crop yield) in conventional tillage (CT), straw incorporation into the conventionally tilled soil (CTS), no-tillage (NT), and stubble-retention to the no-tilled soil (NTS) measures under wheat mono...

Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in... more Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in forming fractures in reservoir rocks. As part of a regional geomechanical analysis of the Duvernay resource play, several Duvernay cores were analyzed in detail, including the identification of different types of natural and induced fractures. The observed natural fractures include uncategorized natural fractures and polished slip faces (PSF) with rare presence of cleavage. Coring-induced fractures included petal and petal-centreline fractures and bed parallel parting (BPP). Comparison of the presence of the different fracture fabrics with mechanical and mineralogical properties of the rock revealed strong correlations between rock properties and fracture types. Such correlations may be efficiently implemented for characterization of fracture fabrics in the rock using wireline logs or seismic surveys. The observed natural and induced fractures in the cores have also been utilized to revisit and verify the concept of rock brittleness. The analyses show that, as a result of high clay content and overpressuring, the conventional mineralogical and mechanical brittleness indices do not adequately describe the variability of the Duvernay Formation stratigraphic units. Alternative indices developed for this study (i.e., plane-strain Young’s modulus and clay-based brittleness index) seem to be able to represent the mechanical behaviour of rock much more precisely. This study suggests that using natural and induced fracture fabrics observed on image logs and in cores, along with mineralogical and mechanical rock properties, is a more practical approach to assist with identifying sweet spots in unconventional plays.

Proceedings of the 3rd Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, 2015

Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in... more Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in forming fractures in reservoir rocks. As part of a regional geomechanical analysis of the Duvernay resource play, several Duvernay cores were analyzed in detail, including the identification of different types of natural and induced fractures. The observed natural fractures include uncategorized natural fractures and polished slip faces (PSF) with rare presence of cleavage. Coring-induced fractures included petal and petal-centreline fractures and bed parallel parting (BPP). Comparison of the presence of the different fracture fabrics with mechanical and mineralogical properties of the rock revealed strong correlations between rock properties and fracture types. Such correlations may be efficiently implemented for characterization of fracture fabrics in the rock using wireline logs or seismic surveys. The observed natural and induced fractures in the cores have also been utilized to revisit and verify the concept of rock brittleness. The analyses show that, as a result of high clay content and overpressuring, the conventional mineralogical and mechanical brittleness indices do not adequately describe the variability of the Duvernay Formation stratigraphic units. Alternative indices developed for this study (i.e., plane-strain Young’s modulus and clay-based brittleness index) seem to be able to represent the mechanical behaviour of rock much more precisely. This study suggests that using natural and induced fracture fabrics observed on image logs and in cores, along with mineralogical and mechanical rock properties, is a more practical approach to assist with identifying sweet spots in unconventional plays.

Eurasian Soil Science, Apr 1, 2021

Abstract Land use type affects the soil organic carbon (SOC) which is an important indicator of s... more Abstract Land use type affects the soil organic carbon (SOC) which is an important indicator of soil quality. Current study was aimed to investigate land use type and seasonal impact on soil properties, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen under three land use types i.e. cropland (CL), grassland (GL) and forestland (FL) of a sub-temperate highland of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Soil samples were taken from the depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths in summer, winter, autumn, and spring. Cropland was more alkaline (7.13) than grassland (7.0) and forestland (6.64) indicating higher pH values of about 2–7%. Similarly, soil bulk density was higher in cropland than in grassland and forestland. Particle-size distribution among land use type showed that grassland and forestland had 9–16% less and 10–20% higher clay contents than cropland. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) content were inversely proportional to soil depth, mainly concentrated in surface soil and were higher in forestland than grassland and cropland. Most of the soil organic carbon and total nitrogen was associated with macroaggregates (Ma) in 0–15 cm and with microaggregates (Mi) in 15–30 cm soil layers, whereas silt + clay fraction had least SOC and TN contents irrespective of land use and soil depth. Bulk density and soil particle-size distribution didn’t change during the year. However, soil pH, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen significantly varied between seasons. The present study indicated that soil properties were greatly influenced by the land use type than by seasons. Therefore, the study reinforces the need for developing and devising suitable soil management practices for croplands. Incorporation of organic inputs and retaining the land cover with natural vegetation, or mulching should be promoted in the area.

Soil Science Society of America Journal, Feb 1, 2013

Frontiers in Microbiology, Mar 17, 2015

Land

The potential interactions of rhizobium bacteria in enhancing nodulation, nitrogen (N) fixation f... more The potential interactions of rhizobium bacteria in enhancing nodulation, nitrogen (N) fixation for boosting N availability, and the yield of black gram under a temperate environment continue to remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of black gram cultivars, their yield comparisons, and shoot–grain–soil N dynamics in a prevalently rainfed farming system. Two black gram cultivars, NARC Mash-I and NARC Mash-II, were subjected to rhizobia inoculation combined with different N doses (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 kg ha−1). The response variables included root nodulation, agronomic yield attributes, grain yield, shoot–grain and soil N dynamics, and biological productivity. Black gram cultivar NARC Mash-II showed the maximum nodule formation (41 per plant), while each nodule obtained 0.69 g weight in response to RI combined with 25 kg N ha−1. Additionally, this combination showed the highest pods per plant and thousand grain weight, which maximized the g...

African Journal of Biotechnology, 2009

International Journal of Phytopathology

Bacterial spot of tomato is a major constraint to tomato production in tropical, subtropical, and... more Bacterial spot of tomato is a major constraint to tomato production in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates, leading to significant crop losses. The current study aimed to manage the highly devastating disease bacterial spot of tomato, caused by Xanthomonas perforans, using green silver nanoparticles based on Berberis vulgaris plant extract. Disease parameters, namely disease prevalence and disease incidence, were calculated from tomato growing areas of district Poonch, AJK, to document the current status of bacterial spot disease on local tomato cultivars. The associated pathogenic strains were purified, and virulence study was conducted on healthy tomato seedlings followed by characterization using morphological, biochemical, and molecular analysis. B. vulgaris plant extract was used for the preparation of green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and three different concentrations were prepared (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%). For texture and molecular composition study, characterizati...

International Journal of Phytopathology

Phytophthora infestans causing late blight is one of the most devastating tomato and potato disea... more Phytophthora infestans causing late blight is one of the most devastating tomato and potato disease that caused considerable yield losses globally including Pakistan. Due to repeated and injudicious synthetic fungicides applications for the control of late blight of potato, the fungicide resistance in P. infestans led to persistence and surveillance late blight of potato. The study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Garlic (Allium sativum), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Mint (Mentha) at 10%, 20% and 30% concentration as bio-fungicides against late blight of potato. In-vitro effect of plant extracts of A. sativum, A. indica, C. longa and Mentha were evaluated on percent inhibition and radial growth of pathogen. A. sativum and A. indica at 30% concentration was found more effective in minimizing the mycelial growth of P. infestans with inhibition of 58.4% and 43.9% respectively as compared to control. In the greenhouse trial, overall potato late blight ...

Agronomy Journal, 2012

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has increasing nutritional, commercial, and economical value, an... more 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...

Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 2015

The objective of this study was to quantify changes in soybean seed quality characteristics in re... more The objective of this study was to quantify changes in soybean seed quality characteristics in response to indigenous Bradyrhizobium inoculation and N fertilization applied under field conditions during the years 2009 and 2010. Seven indigenous Bradyrhizobium isolates were isolated from the different locations under the foothills of great Himalayas Rawalakot Kashmir, Pakistan. The field isolates were compared to a reference strain (exotic) TAL102, three N fertilizer rates and to an un‐inoculated control. The seed oil content, fatty acid composition, seed N, P and K concentration and seed N, P and K uptake were quantified. Bradyrhizobium inoculation and N fertilization significantly increased oil content compared to the un‐inoculated control. The seed oil content varied between 16.2 and 21.5 %, highest in the seeds treated with indigenous Bradyrhizobium strains NR22, NR25 and NR35, and mainly composed of linoleic acid (47 %), and oleic acid (24 %). Inoculation and N fertilization bot...

International Agrophysics, 2021

International Journal of Plant Production, 2016

The use of efficient and effective nodulating Bradyrhizobia strains considered as anecologically ... more The use of efficient and effective nodulating Bradyrhizobia strains considered as anecologically and environmentally sound management strategy for soybean production. A 2-yr(2009 and 2010) field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of seven indigenousBradyrhizobium strains, one exotic TAL-102 and three N fertilizer rates, i.e., 25, 50 and 100kg N ha-1 on the productivity and N2 fixation of rainfed soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grownin the Himalayan region of Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. Theexperiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications.Bradyrhizobium inoculation accelerated plant growth by increasing shoot length (26-47%), rootlength (45-73%) and shoot dry weight (58-104%). Seed yield in the control was 861 kg ha-1 thatsignificantly increased to 1450–2072 kg ha-1 with Bradyrhizobium strains. Seed yields underindigenous NR20 and NR22 strains was 24 and 28% higher than that recorded from the exoticTAL-102. Num...

Frontiers in Microbiology, 2015

Applied Sciences

The influence of tillage and nitrogen fertilization methods on soil quality attributes and crop a... more The influence of tillage and nitrogen fertilization methods on soil quality attributes and crop agronomic characteristics has been studied broadly under different agroclimatic conditions. Nevertheless, the interactive effect of tillage and fertilization approaches on soil properties on different soil depths and yield is rarely addressed, particularly on the Loess Plateau belt, and requires more exploration. Thus, this research was conducted in order to evaluate the interactive impact of tillage and nitrogen fertilization methods on soil properties and wheat productivity. The treatments included conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) with different fertilization approaches (no fertilization: CK, chemical nitrogen fertilizer: N, organic fertilizer: M, combined application of nitrogen fertilizer and organic fertilizer: NM) and were explored in a split plot arrangement under a randomized complete block design replicated thrice on soil properties (SWC, SOC, TN, TP, NO3−-N, NH4+-N, an...

Scientific Reports

As one of the important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) has attracted much attention globally... more As one of the important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) has attracted much attention globally under climate change context. Agricultural practices are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, scarcity of literature is available on the effects of different tillage measures on soil N2O emission under spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ecosystem in the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau. The main objective of the experimental study was to explore the influence of conservation tillage techniques on soil physicochemical properties, nitrous oxide emission and yield in the Northern semi-arid Dingxi region of China. Four treatments viz., conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT), straw mulch with conventional tillage (TS) and stubble-return with no-till (NTS) were evaluated under randomized complete block design with three replications. Our results depicted that compared with conventional tillage, bulk density and water content of topsoil was increased and soil pH ...

This study was conducted to examine the variability of soybean nodulation and growth in relation ... more This study was conducted to examine the variability of soybean nodulation and growth in relation to elevation and soil properties across the slopping uplands of the Himalayan region of Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan in order to find efficient native N2 fixing bacteria adapted to local soil and climatic characteristics. Soils from twenty two different sites with variable altitude were collected and analyzed for different physico-chemical characteristics including the quantitative estimation of rhizobium population through most probable number (MPN) technique. Soybean cultivar William-82 was grown in these soils under greenhouse condition for determining the nodulation potential (number and mass) and plant growth characteristics. Morphology of the nodules were observed through optical and transmission electron microscopy. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Biplot graph were used to jointly interpret the relationship between variables and soils (treatments). Soil ...

Sustainability, 2021

An improved understanding of the effect of conservation tillage on soil physicochemical quality i... more An improved understanding of the effect of conservation tillage on soil physicochemical quality indicators is obligatory to manage and conserve soil in a climate change scenario. Tillage strategies change soil physicochemical characteristics, consequently modifying crop yields. Conservation tillage is generally used to improve the soil physicochemical characteristics globally. However, the impact of conservation tillage on different soil depths under wheat cultivation is not well documented. A 3-year study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCDB). The objective of this research was to specifically study soil physicochemical indicators (soil bulk density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, water content, temperature, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, C:N ratio, pH) and (crop yield) in conventional tillage (CT), straw incorporation into the conventionally tilled soil (CTS), no-tillage (NT), and stubble-retention to the no-tilled soil (NTS) measures under wheat mono...

Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in... more Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in forming fractures in reservoir rocks. As part of a regional geomechanical analysis of the Duvernay resource play, several Duvernay cores were analyzed in detail, including the identification of different types of natural and induced fractures. The observed natural fractures include uncategorized natural fractures and polished slip faces (PSF) with rare presence of cleavage. Coring-induced fractures included petal and petal-centreline fractures and bed parallel parting (BPP). Comparison of the presence of the different fracture fabrics with mechanical and mineralogical properties of the rock revealed strong correlations between rock properties and fracture types. Such correlations may be efficiently implemented for characterization of fracture fabrics in the rock using wireline logs or seismic surveys. The observed natural and induced fractures in the cores have also been utilized to revisit and verify the concept of rock brittleness. The analyses show that, as a result of high clay content and overpressuring, the conventional mineralogical and mechanical brittleness indices do not adequately describe the variability of the Duvernay Formation stratigraphic units. Alternative indices developed for this study (i.e., plane-strain Young’s modulus and clay-based brittleness index) seem to be able to represent the mechanical behaviour of rock much more precisely. This study suggests that using natural and induced fracture fabrics observed on image logs and in cores, along with mineralogical and mechanical rock properties, is a more practical approach to assist with identifying sweet spots in unconventional plays.

Proceedings of the 3rd Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, 2015

Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in... more Mechanical rock properties, along with in situ stresses and pore pressure, play critical roles in forming fractures in reservoir rocks. As part of a regional geomechanical analysis of the Duvernay resource play, several Duvernay cores were analyzed in detail, including the identification of different types of natural and induced fractures. The observed natural fractures include uncategorized natural fractures and polished slip faces (PSF) with rare presence of cleavage. Coring-induced fractures included petal and petal-centreline fractures and bed parallel parting (BPP). Comparison of the presence of the different fracture fabrics with mechanical and mineralogical properties of the rock revealed strong correlations between rock properties and fracture types. Such correlations may be efficiently implemented for characterization of fracture fabrics in the rock using wireline logs or seismic surveys. The observed natural and induced fractures in the cores have also been utilized to revisit and verify the concept of rock brittleness. The analyses show that, as a result of high clay content and overpressuring, the conventional mineralogical and mechanical brittleness indices do not adequately describe the variability of the Duvernay Formation stratigraphic units. Alternative indices developed for this study (i.e., plane-strain Young’s modulus and clay-based brittleness index) seem to be able to represent the mechanical behaviour of rock much more precisely. This study suggests that using natural and induced fracture fabrics observed on image logs and in cores, along with mineralogical and mechanical rock properties, is a more practical approach to assist with identifying sweet spots in unconventional plays.

Eurasian Soil Science, Apr 1, 2021

Abstract Land use type affects the soil organic carbon (SOC) which is an important indicator of s... more Abstract Land use type affects the soil organic carbon (SOC) which is an important indicator of soil quality. Current study was aimed to investigate land use type and seasonal impact on soil properties, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen under three land use types i.e. cropland (CL), grassland (GL) and forestland (FL) of a sub-temperate highland of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Soil samples were taken from the depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths in summer, winter, autumn, and spring. Cropland was more alkaline (7.13) than grassland (7.0) and forestland (6.64) indicating higher pH values of about 2–7%. Similarly, soil bulk density was higher in cropland than in grassland and forestland. Particle-size distribution among land use type showed that grassland and forestland had 9–16% less and 10–20% higher clay contents than cropland. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) content were inversely proportional to soil depth, mainly concentrated in surface soil and were higher in forestland than grassland and cropland. Most of the soil organic carbon and total nitrogen was associated with macroaggregates (Ma) in 0–15 cm and with microaggregates (Mi) in 15–30 cm soil layers, whereas silt + clay fraction had least SOC and TN contents irrespective of land use and soil depth. Bulk density and soil particle-size distribution didn’t change during the year. However, soil pH, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen significantly varied between seasons. The present study indicated that soil properties were greatly influenced by the land use type than by seasons. Therefore, the study reinforces the need for developing and devising suitable soil management practices for croplands. Incorporation of organic inputs and retaining the land cover with natural vegetation, or mulching should be promoted in the area.

Soil Science Society of America Journal, Feb 1, 2013

Frontiers in Microbiology, Mar 17, 2015

Land

The potential interactions of rhizobium bacteria in enhancing nodulation, nitrogen (N) fixation f... more The potential interactions of rhizobium bacteria in enhancing nodulation, nitrogen (N) fixation for boosting N availability, and the yield of black gram under a temperate environment continue to remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of black gram cultivars, their yield comparisons, and shoot–grain–soil N dynamics in a prevalently rainfed farming system. Two black gram cultivars, NARC Mash-I and NARC Mash-II, were subjected to rhizobia inoculation combined with different N doses (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 kg ha−1). The response variables included root nodulation, agronomic yield attributes, grain yield, shoot–grain and soil N dynamics, and biological productivity. Black gram cultivar NARC Mash-II showed the maximum nodule formation (41 per plant), while each nodule obtained 0.69 g weight in response to RI combined with 25 kg N ha−1. Additionally, this combination showed the highest pods per plant and thousand grain weight, which maximized the g...

African Journal of Biotechnology, 2009

International Journal of Phytopathology

Bacterial spot of tomato is a major constraint to tomato production in tropical, subtropical, and... more Bacterial spot of tomato is a major constraint to tomato production in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates, leading to significant crop losses. The current study aimed to manage the highly devastating disease bacterial spot of tomato, caused by Xanthomonas perforans, using green silver nanoparticles based on Berberis vulgaris plant extract. Disease parameters, namely disease prevalence and disease incidence, were calculated from tomato growing areas of district Poonch, AJK, to document the current status of bacterial spot disease on local tomato cultivars. The associated pathogenic strains were purified, and virulence study was conducted on healthy tomato seedlings followed by characterization using morphological, biochemical, and molecular analysis. B. vulgaris plant extract was used for the preparation of green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and three different concentrations were prepared (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%). For texture and molecular composition study, characterizati...

International Journal of Phytopathology

Phytophthora infestans causing late blight is one of the most devastating tomato and potato disea... more Phytophthora infestans causing late blight is one of the most devastating tomato and potato disease that caused considerable yield losses globally including Pakistan. Due to repeated and injudicious synthetic fungicides applications for the control of late blight of potato, the fungicide resistance in P. infestans led to persistence and surveillance late blight of potato. The study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Garlic (Allium sativum), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Mint (Mentha) at 10%, 20% and 30% concentration as bio-fungicides against late blight of potato. In-vitro effect of plant extracts of A. sativum, A. indica, C. longa and Mentha were evaluated on percent inhibition and radial growth of pathogen. A. sativum and A. indica at 30% concentration was found more effective in minimizing the mycelial growth of P. infestans with inhibition of 58.4% and 43.9% respectively as compared to control. In the greenhouse trial, overall potato late blight ...

Agronomy Journal, 2012

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has increasing nutritional, commercial, and economical value, an... more 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...

Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 2015

The objective of this study was to quantify changes in soybean seed quality characteristics in re... more The objective of this study was to quantify changes in soybean seed quality characteristics in response to indigenous Bradyrhizobium inoculation and N fertilization applied under field conditions during the years 2009 and 2010. Seven indigenous Bradyrhizobium isolates were isolated from the different locations under the foothills of great Himalayas Rawalakot Kashmir, Pakistan. The field isolates were compared to a reference strain (exotic) TAL102, three N fertilizer rates and to an un‐inoculated control. The seed oil content, fatty acid composition, seed N, P and K concentration and seed N, P and K uptake were quantified. Bradyrhizobium inoculation and N fertilization significantly increased oil content compared to the un‐inoculated control. The seed oil content varied between 16.2 and 21.5 %, highest in the seeds treated with indigenous Bradyrhizobium strains NR22, NR25 and NR35, and mainly composed of linoleic acid (47 %), and oleic acid (24 %). Inoculation and N fertilization bot...

International Agrophysics, 2021

International Journal of Plant Production, 2016

The use of efficient and effective nodulating Bradyrhizobia strains considered as anecologically ... more The use of efficient and effective nodulating Bradyrhizobia strains considered as anecologically and environmentally sound management strategy for soybean production. A 2-yr(2009 and 2010) field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of seven indigenousBradyrhizobium strains, one exotic TAL-102 and three N fertilizer rates, i.e., 25, 50 and 100kg N ha-1 on the productivity and N2 fixation of rainfed soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grownin the Himalayan region of Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. Theexperiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications.Bradyrhizobium inoculation accelerated plant growth by increasing shoot length (26-47%), rootlength (45-73%) and shoot dry weight (58-104%). Seed yield in the control was 861 kg ha-1 thatsignificantly increased to 1450–2072 kg ha-1 with Bradyrhizobium strains. Seed yields underindigenous NR20 and NR22 strains was 24 and 28% higher than that recorded from the exoticTAL-102. Num...

Frontiers in Microbiology, 2015

Applied Sciences

The influence of tillage and nitrogen fertilization methods on soil quality attributes and crop a... more The influence of tillage and nitrogen fertilization methods on soil quality attributes and crop agronomic characteristics has been studied broadly under different agroclimatic conditions. Nevertheless, the interactive effect of tillage and fertilization approaches on soil properties on different soil depths and yield is rarely addressed, particularly on the Loess Plateau belt, and requires more exploration. Thus, this research was conducted in order to evaluate the interactive impact of tillage and nitrogen fertilization methods on soil properties and wheat productivity. The treatments included conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) with different fertilization approaches (no fertilization: CK, chemical nitrogen fertilizer: N, organic fertilizer: M, combined application of nitrogen fertilizer and organic fertilizer: NM) and were explored in a split plot arrangement under a randomized complete block design replicated thrice on soil properties (SWC, SOC, TN, TP, NO3−-N, NH4+-N, an...

Scientific Reports

As one of the important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) has attracted much attention globally... more As one of the important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) has attracted much attention globally under climate change context. Agricultural practices are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, scarcity of literature is available on the effects of different tillage measures on soil N2O emission under spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ecosystem in the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau. The main objective of the experimental study was to explore the influence of conservation tillage techniques on soil physicochemical properties, nitrous oxide emission and yield in the Northern semi-arid Dingxi region of China. Four treatments viz., conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT), straw mulch with conventional tillage (TS) and stubble-return with no-till (NTS) were evaluated under randomized complete block design with three replications. Our results depicted that compared with conventional tillage, bulk density and water content of topsoil was increased and soil pH ...

This study was conducted to examine the variability of soybean nodulation and growth in relation ... more This study was conducted to examine the variability of soybean nodulation and growth in relation to elevation and soil properties across the slopping uplands of the Himalayan region of Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan in order to find efficient native N2 fixing bacteria adapted to local soil and climatic characteristics. Soils from twenty two different sites with variable altitude were collected and analyzed for different physico-chemical characteristics including the quantitative estimation of rhizobium population through most probable number (MPN) technique. Soybean cultivar William-82 was grown in these soils under greenhouse condition for determining the nodulation potential (number and mass) and plant growth characteristics. Morphology of the nodules were observed through optical and transmission electron microscopy. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Biplot graph were used to jointly interpret the relationship between variables and soils (treatments). Soil ...