<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: The availability of macro and micronutrients added to the soil are affected by soil environmental factors leading to various losses. When a similar amount of fertilizer is applied through foliar application, its use efficiency is increased many folds.&nbsp;In the sandy loam soil, foliar applied fertilizers are up to 20 times more effective as compared to soil applied fertilizers. Water soluble fertilizer of 19:19:19 grade N: P: K is totally water soluble and present in crystalline powder form. It can be applied to the crop by fertigation or through foliar spraying. Instant uptake of nutrients by the plants resulting in significant and quick improvement in crop growth. Humic acid when applied to field converted into readily available humic substances which directly or indirectly effect the plant growth. Foliar application of nutrients along with soil application of nutrients increase the yield and to improve the quality of cereal crops .Keeping the aforesaid facts in consideration, the present investigation was carried out to study effect of NPK water soluble fertilizer on growth, yield and yield attributes and nutrient uptake of ragi. Methods: The present investigation was carried out during January &ndash; May 2018 at farmers field, kamarajapuram village, Katpadi Taluk, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The experiments were laid out in RBD (Randomized Block Design), Ragi [Elusine coracana (L.) Gaertn], CO-14 variety were taken into study. The experimental soil was sandy loam, 10 treatments with replicated thrice. The soil and plant sample was collected periodically proceed with standard analytical and statistical method followed. Result: Our investigations the soil and foliar feeding of nutrients along with water soluble fertilizer and humic acid combined treatment T10 (Soil application of 50% RDN + foliar spray of 50% RDN and 100% P and K through water soluble fertilizer [on 20 and 40 DAT] + foliar spray of humic acid 0.1% [on 20 and 40 DAT]) was significantly superior in performance with respect to growth, yield attributes, quality and nutrient uptake by ragi. It can be recommended to farmers to achieve more benefit from finger millet.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of NPK Water-soluble Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Finger Millet</div>

<div>Background: Cowpea is a leguminous crop of indeterminate growth habit and continues to produce flowers throughout its life cycle. In order to realize the genetic yield potential of cowpea, nutrient requirements of later formed flushes also needs to be met. Hence the present study was formulated to assess the effect of foliar application of water-soluble macro nutrient fertilizers viz., NPK 19:19:19 and potassium nitrate and micronutrient fertilizers viz. zinc sulphate and solubor for yield maximization in bush vegetable cowpea. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, during Rabi 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments in three replications. The treatments comprised of recommended dose of conventional fertilizers (RDF) NPK 20:30:10 kg ha-1 as control and RDF + foliar application of water-soluble fertilizers 19:19:19 (0.5%) and potassium nitrate (0.5%) with zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) in twelve different combinations. 
 
Result: Results revealed that compared to RDF alone, RDF + foliar application of water-soluble macro and micro nutrient fertilizers at 45 DAS significantly improved the dry matter production, number of pods per plant and pod weight and recorded a yield enhancement of 22 to 55 per cent. Among the treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS recorded the highest dry matter production per plant (39.51 g), pods per plant (30.88 no.), pod yield (7410 kg ha-1), net return (82651 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.26). The treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) at 45 DAS; RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%), zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS; and RDF + foliar application of potassium nitrate (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS also recorded comparable number of pods per plant, green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio. Considering the highest green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio, RDF + foliar application of NPK 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS could be recommended for yield maximization in bush type vegetable cowpea.</div>

Foliar Nutrition with Water Soluble Macro and Micro Nutrient Fertilizers for Yield Maximization in Bush Vegetable Cowpea

<div>Background: Foliar application or foliar nutrition is a technique of feeding plants by applying liquid fertilizer directly to their leaves. Water soluble fertilizers have been introduced exclusively for foliar feeding and fertilization. There is very little information about the foliar application of water soluble fertilizers. There is need for more research in this field. Therefore, foliar nutrition is being recognized as an important method of fertilization in modern agriculture. The current study aimed to study the effect of foliar application of water soluble fertilizers on growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted during rabi 2017-18, 11 different treatments were laid out in a randomized block design on clay loam soil. In the field, the data was collected and analyzed and the final result was concluded.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The experiment revealed that the growth attributes such as plant height (60.28 cm), number of primary branches (5.22), number of secondary branches (22.93) and dry matter accumulation (241.61 g) were maximum with 75% RDF + foliar application of 2% DAP + 2% Urea + 2% WSF at 60 and 80 DAS (T10) and minimum in control (T1) at harvest stage. Further, seed yield (24.26 q ha-1), stover yield (31.38 q ha-1) and biological yield (55.65 q ha-1) was maximum with 75% RDF + foliar application of 2% DAP + 2% Urea + 2% WSF at 60 and 80 DAS (T10) and minimum in control (T1).</div>

<div>Effect of Foliar Application of Water Soluble Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)</div>

Field experiments were conducted at Pulses and Oilseeds Research Station, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal during pre kharif, kharif and rabi seasons of 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the effect of water soluble fertilizer spray on growth and yield of greengram, blackgram, lathyrus, lentil and chickpea. Pulses are mostly grown by the farmers without any fertilizer application, as positive effect of supplying legume plants with supplementary nitrogen was found to have beneficial effect on enhancing growth and increasing seed yield. Five sets of &nbsp;experiments were laid out in a split plot design with three &nbsp;replications viz. two levels of basal fertilizer application &nbsp;(F0 - No basal dose of fertilizer, F1 - Basal dose of fertilizer application @ 20, 40, 40 kg N, P2O5, K2O &nbsp;ha-1.) as factor A in main plot and seven levels of foliar spray of water soluble fertilizers at pre flowering stage &nbsp;(no spray, 0.5% NPK(19-19-19), 1% NPK(19-19-19) , 2% NPK(19-19-19), 3% NPK(19-19-19), 2% DAP, 2% Urea) as factor B in sub plot. Significantly higher seed yield of pulses were recorded with application of 2% urea spray over basal dose of fertilizer application The lowest seed yield was recorded with no basal fertilizer and spray. Without basal dose of fertilizer application, 3% NPK (19-19-19) spray recorded highest seed yield. Under basal dose of fertilizer application, the results showed a gradual increase in yield with the increase in concentration of NPK (19-19-19) fertilizer spray up to 2%, Among the fertilizer spray treatments irrespective of basal dose of fertilizer application, urea spray was significantly better than all other treatments.

Effect of foliar spray of water soluble fertilizer at pre flowering&nbsp;stage on yield of pulses

<div>Background: Water stress may alter the seed chemical composition and cause changes in the concentrations of non reducing soluble sugars in seeds and germination performance of chickpea. We evaluated the effect of water stress during chickpea seed development on seed (i) accumulation of non-reducing soluble sugars, and (ii) vigour and germination. 
 
Methods: Three chickpea cultivars (Desi-K, Saina-K and ICCV-K) were subjected to two water regimes (water stress- withholding irrigation after flowering and non-stressed- irrigation at 3-day intervals throughout the crop growth) in a completely randomized design with three replications. Seed size, viability, sugars content, solute leakage, germination percentage and mean germination time were determined from seeds harvested at physiological maturity. 
 
Result: Water stress increased the raffinose seed content of Saina-K and Desi-K, decreased the raffinose seed content in ICCV-K, but had no effect on sucrose and stachyose content. Electrical conductivity (EC) increased with water stress in all cultivars, but the increase was greater in ICCV-K (57%) compared to Desi-K (18%) and Saina-K (12%). Non-stressed seeds had larger seed size, higher seed viability and germination percentage and lower EC and mean germination time than stressed seeds. Clearly, sufficient water at seed development stage is crucial for productivity of subsequent crops as it affects seed quality. However, we recommend further studies using a wide range of water stress treatments and chickpea cultivars with different seed size, seed color and seed coat texture.</div>

Water Stress Affected Seed Accumulation of Non-reducing Soluble Sugars and Germination Performance of Three Chickpea Cultivars

Background: Linseed or flax is popularly called &ldquo;Tissi&rdquo; in Assam. The crop is considered as an oilseed crop in the state where some parts people used the raw seeds in their various cuisines. The crop has tremendously grown for a variety of purposes; food, fibre and medicine worldwide. The area under linseed has been decreasing day by day due to its low productivity. Enhancement of the crop yield can be achieved either by increasing the cropping area under this crop or by using improved agronomic intervention. Basically, the present investigation was designed to increase the crop yield by means of application of water-soluble fertilizers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: During the rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24 at the Experimental Farm Unit, Zonal Research Station, Shillongani, Nagaon, Assam, an experiment was conducted to enhance the yield potentiality of utera linseed. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and comprised of eight treatment combinations of water- soluble fertilizers, viz., F1:&nbsp; 19:19:19 @ 1.0%, F2:&nbsp; 13:0:45 @1.0%, F3: Urea @2%, F4: ZnSO4&nbsp;@0.5%, F5: 19:19:19 @1.0% + ZnSO4&nbsp;@0.5%, F6: 13:0:45 @1.0% + ZnSO4@0.5%, F7:&nbsp; Urea 2% + ZnSO4@0.5% and F8: Control (Water spray). 
 
Result: Consecutive two years of Experimentation revealed that foliar spraying of 2% urea and 0.5% zinc sulphate separately one at vegetative stage and another at capsule development stage significantly improved the utera linseed productivity and profitability, yielding higher grain yield (520.5 kg/ha) and net returns (Rs. 20230/ha). Crop growth rate and relative growth rate were shown significant variation. The study affirmed the suitability of foliage application of water-soluble fertilizers for obtaining higher grain yield of linseed under utera ecology. 
&nbsp;

Effectiveness of Water-soluble Fertilizers Sprays on Productivity and Profitability of Utera Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) in Assam

<div style="text-align: justify;">This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of halt irrigation and bio fertilizer on plant yield, seed nutrients content, relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll index (SPAD) of Goli genotype of red bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), based on split plot design with three replications during two years of 2014-2015 at Arak, Iran. Halt irrigation was in main plots by four levels of control (full irrigation), halt irrigation in vegetative stage, at flowering stage and pod filling stage and four bio fertilizer were in sub plots, including: control (no bacteria), Phosphorus Solublizing bacteria (PSB), potassium solublizing bacteria (KSB) and concurrent use both of PSB and KSB. Analysis of variance showed that no significant effect of years but the effect of halt irrigation treatments was significant on plant yield, N, P, K and Zn percentage of seed, relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll index (SPAD). Halt irrigation reduced plant yield by 67.81% in comparison to full irrigation during flowering stage. In the study, physiological characteristics such as RWC, N, P, K and Zn contents were also reduced significantly with halt irrigation at flowering stage than its effects on other stages of the crop. Also other characteristics was significantly reduced in this study with halt irrigation that this reduction in flowering stage was more than other stages.&nbsp;</div>

Role of potassium solublizing bacteria on nutrients uptake in red bean&nbsp;(Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Goli) under water deficit condition&nbsp;

Background: Generally, finger millet is grown in steepy and sloppy areas where nutrient losses are more due to application of them in soil. Hence to assess the response of finger millet to foliar spray to water soluble fertilizers the experiment has been undertaken. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The agronomic field experiment was conducted at Shiroli Farm, Regional Sugarcane and Jaggery research Station, Kolhapur and Agronomy Section, RCSM College of Agriculture, Kolhapur during summer season of 2023 year to study the growth and yield of summer finger millet (Eleusine coracana) as affected by foliar application of water-soluble fertilizers in a randomized block design with ten treatments replicated thrice viz. absolute control (water spray) at 45 and 60 DAS (T1), RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1) (T2), 50% RDF fb 1% foliar spray of 19:19:19 at 45 and 60 DAS (T3), 50% RDF fb 2% foliar spray of 19:19:19 at 45 and 60 DAS (T4), 75% RDF fb 1% foliar spray of 19:19:19 at 45 and 60 DAS (T5), 75% RDF&nbsp; fb 2% foliar spray of 19:19:19 at 45 and 60 DAS (T6), 50% RDF fb 1% foliar spray of KNO3&nbsp;at 45 and 60 DAS (T7), 50% RDF fb 2% foliar spray of KNO3 at 45 and 60 DAS (T8), 75% RDF fb 1% foliar spray of KNO3&nbsp;at 45 and 60 DAS (T9) and 75% RDF fb 2% foliar spray of KNO3&nbsp;at 45 and 60 DAS (T10). 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results revealed that among the various treatments, treatment RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1) recorded the highest values for growth, yield parameters and yield of summer finger millet while among the different foliar sprays the application of 75% RDF (45:23:23 NPK kg ha-1) fb 2% foliar spray of 19:19:19 at tillering (45 DAS) and flowering (60 DAS) stage recorded the highest values for growth, yield parameters and yield of summer finger millet. The lowest values were observed with the treatment absolute control (water spray) at tillering (45 DAS) and flowering (60 DAS) stage. The cost of cultivation was highest for the treatment 75% RDF (45:23:23 NPK kg ha-1) fb 2% foliar spray of KNO3&nbsp;at tillering (45 DAS) and flowering (60 DAS) stage (T10) (Rs. 58645 ha-1) and the highest B:C ratio was noted in the treatment RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1) (T2) (Rs.130036 ha-1, Rs. 74760 ha-1&nbsp;and 2.35).

Growth and Yield of Summer Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) as Affected by Foliar Application of Water-soluble Fertilizers

Background: Different beneficials of fermented milk products-containing Lactobacillus acidophilus to improve health status were investigated. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Fermented acidophilus milk samples were prepared with freeze dried Lb. acidophilus La-5 and 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/100 mL of water-soluble curcumin were added at the end of fermentation. Crude extracts (whey) of different fermented acidophilus milk formulates with curcumin were prepared and each extract was tested for its antibacterial activity, total phenolic content, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, anti-colonic cancer activity and fermentation profile (measured as lactic acid concentration). Further the sensory evaluation for each sample was conducted. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results showed that no effect of the addition of curcumin on the viability of Lb. acidophilus La-5 either fresh or after 20 days of cold storage. However, the higher the quantity of curcumin added, the higher the antibacterial activity. The highest antibacterial effect was against Staph. aureus NRRL B-314. The total phenolic content and the DPPH free radical scavenging activity increased with the increase in curcumin. The higher the proliferative inhibition was achieved at higher level of curcumin. The addition of curcumin to fermented acidophilus milk samples help increase the quality of the product with negative effect on the sensory evaluation at higher level of curcumin. Finally, supplementation of fermented acidophilus milk with curcumin has no effect on the lactic acid production in fermented acidophilus milk samples. Therefore, the synergistic effect of water-soluble curcumin and Lb. acidophilus could be recommended for enhancing the functional properties of acidophilus milk.

Antibacterial and Anti-colon Cancer Potentials of Fermented Acidophilus Milk Supplemented with Water Soluble Curcumin

A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2012-13 and 2013-14 on red sandy clay loam soil to study the effect of foliar application of water soluble fertilizers on chickpea. The experiment consisted of fifteen treatments which were replicated thrice in RCB Design. Results indicated that spray of water soluble fertilizer (19:19:19) at 1.5 % concentration at flowering and pod development stage along with basal application of fertilizers (13.5: 25: 25 kg N, P2O5, K2O) significantly increased growth attributes, yield and benefit cost ratio in chickpea cultivation. Further increase in spray concentration up to 2.0 % did not significantly improve the performance of chickpea.&nbsp;

Effect of NPK Water-soluble Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Finger Millet

Foliar Nutrition with Water Soluble Macro and Micro Nutrient Fertilizers for Yield Maximization in Bush Vegetable Cowpea

Effect of Foliar Application of Water Soluble Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Effect of foliar spray of water soluble fertilizer at pre flowering stage on yield of pulses

Water Stress Affected Seed Accumulation of Non-reducing Soluble Sugars and Germination Performance of Three Chickpea Cultivars

Effectiveness of Water-soluble Fertilizers Sprays on Productivity and Profitability of Utera Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) in Assam

Role of potassium solublizing bacteria on nutrients uptake in red bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Goli) under water deficit condition

Growth and Yield of Summer Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) as Affected by Foliar Application of Water-soluble Fertilizers

Antibacterial and Anti-colon Cancer Potentials of Fermented Acidophilus Milk Supplemented with Water Soluble Curcumin

Effect of foliar application of water soluble fertilizers on growth, yield and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)