Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume:15 Issue: 7, Dec 2013

The aim of this study was investigation of the factors affecting the primary choice of consumers in food purchasing in Mashhad city by applying cross section data of 201 households in 2012. In this study, 56, 30, and 14% of the consumers chose healthiness of food, price of food, and taste of food, respectively, as the primary preference in food purchase. Results of applying multinomial logit model illustrated that older respondents and females were more careful for health than young respondents and males. Also, results indicated that the households with high income and high educational levels were more likely to choose healthy foods. Moreover, respondents who had knowledge of food health were more likely to select healthiness of foods. In addition, comparison of the findings of this study with similar studies indicates that results are analogous. Based on the results of this study, some recommendations are provided for policy makers and food producers.

The existing studies of threshing process of combine harvesters adopt the assumption of constant mass, which is contradictory to the phenomenon of separation of grains and short stalks in actual threshing process. Therefore, the characteristics of threshing and separation are not accurately described. Aiming at this problem, this study established the tangential-longitudinal threshing and separation test-bed with tangential-flow device, auxiliary feed beater, and longitudinal-flow device of tangential-longitudinal-flow combine harvester and conducted experiments and analysis of rice threshing with feed rates of 5, 6, and 7 kg s-1. The results showed that the changes in rates of material flow along the arc-length of concave in tangential-flow device and longitudinal-flow device were equal to the changes in rates of material density with time. In the process of variable-mass and constant-mass rice threshing, when the feeding rates were 5, 6, and 7 kg s-1 in the test-bed, the flow rates from the tangential-flow device were 4.07, 5.01, and 5.95 kg s-1, respectively. The average power consumption of the tangential-flow drum in variable mass threshing process was higher than that in the constant mass threshing process by 2.16, 2.73, and 3.09kW, respectively. The flow rate at the outlet of the longitudinal-flow device was 3.34, 4.04, and 4.72 kg s-1, respectively. The average power consumption rate of the longitudinal-flow drum in variable mass threshing process was lower than that in the constant mass threshing process by 7.32, 10.44, and 12.17kW, respectively. The results of material flow rate and power consumption would offer the basis for the design of longitudinal-tangential flow threshing and separation device.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term reduced tillage on yield and weeds of spring barley. Treatments consisted of three tillage systems including: (a) conventional tillage (CT), (b) reduced tillage (RT), and (c) herbicide tillage (HT) as the main plot, and two cultivars of spring barley (Tocada and Rastik) as subplots. The results showed that the yield of both cultivars was the highest in CT and the lowest in HT and RT tillage systems. Yield reductions in both HT and RT tillage systems were due to lower spikes per m2 and 1,000 grain weight. Weeds numbers and dry weight were more in HT and RT than CT tillage.

Effects of various fertilizers such as farmyard manure (FM), urea, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR, including the genera Azotobacter and Azospirillium) were checked on yield, fatty acids, protein, and oil contents of sunflower. A two-year field experiment was conducted in a semi-arid region in Iran in 2007 and 2008. The experiment was a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, with five fertilizer treatments as the main plots and two PGPR treatments as sub plots. Results demonstrated that the integrated fertilizers significantly increased the leaf area index, plant height, grain production, biomass, oil yield, and protein content in comparison with organic or chemical fertilizers. The maximum and minimum oil contents were obtained by applying 100% farmyard manure (F1) and 50% FM + 50% chemical (F3), respectively; however, opposite results were observed for protein content. When higher FM rates were used with PGPR, the saturated fatty acids (palmetic and stearic acids) declined significantly, while unsaturated ones (linoleic and oleic acids) were increased. The highest contents of linoleic acid (52.6%) and oleic acid (39.8%) were observed in F3 and F1 treatments, respectively. Bacterial inoculation also increased the leaf area index, plant height, biomass, grain and oil yields, oil and protein contents up to 12, 3.7, 7.8, 10, 6.5, 5.6 and 5%, respectively.

In this experiment, a total of 128 Hy-line W36 hens at 63 weeks of age were used. The hens were put at random into 4 treatment groups (4 replicates and 32 hens per treatment) and were fed four different diets: three diets with different levels of Spirulina (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) and one control group based on wheat and soybean meal. All birds were housed in commercial cages, had ad libitum access to water, and were fed 100 g bird-1 per day. Egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, yolk index, Haugh unit, shell thickness, shell weight, specific gravity, egg yolk cholesterol, and yolk color were compared with the control group. Egg yolk color was measured by the BASF Ovo-color fan. Our results indicated that these traits did not show any significant changes with the Spirulina addition (P> 0.05), while a significant increase in egg yolk color was observed in the treatments that received the Spirulina (P< 0.0001). Yolk color scores of the control group and different levels of Spirulina (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) were 1.5, 10.5, 11.4 and 11.6 in BASF color fan, respectively. There were not significant differences between the treatments with 2.0 and 2.5% of Spirulina. In conclusion, this study can suggest use of 2.0~2.5% of Spirulina in diet to produce an aesthetically pleasing yolk color.

Ultrafiltration (UF) was used for decolorization of an industrial Iranian date syrup. Experimental results were obtained by using two different concentrations of the date syrup (40 and 50 °Brix) and two different membrane pore sizes (15-20 and 30-50 kDa molecular weight cut-off values) under different trans-membrane pressures (TMP: 40, 70, 110 and 150 psi). The membrane with a pore size of 15-20 kDa resulted in average decolorization of 56% and turbidity reduction of 90%. Increasing TMP from 40 to 150 psi led to the decolorization and turbidity reduction of 48 and 82%, respectively. When the concentration of date syrup was increased from 40 to 50 °Brix, the levels of decolorization and turbidity reductions reached 47 and 78%, respectively. Reduction in the turbidity of date syrup was correlated with increases in the lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*), while the redness (a*) was decreased. Changes in the fructose and glucose levels due to the UF operation were much less than those of color and turbidity.

Interaction of menthol with polyethylene terephthalate bottles during storage time was tested at three different temperatures. Menthol is a mint flavor agent added to yogurt drinks in Iran and is considered as a factor affecting consumer acceptance. Absorption of menthol to packaging material could cause a loss of quality in the final product due to diminished flavor intensity. Tests were done on the effects of environmental conditions (storage for three months at temperatures of 4, 25, and 45°C) on flavor stability of yogurt drink samples. Absorbed flavor was extracted from PET bottles after the specified time periods and quantified using gas chromatography coupled with FID detector. Then, the diffusion coefficient of menthol into PET bottles (Dp) was determined using concentrations of absorbed menthol. Results showed different absorption levels under various conditions. After 90 days, the absorption quantities at 4, 25, and 45°C were 38.21, 186.66 and 700.50 ng g-1 of PET bottle, respectively. It was concluded that amounts of menthol absorption into PET bottles increased with storage time and higher temperature. Elevation of storage temperature resulted in significant increase in diffusion coefficient of menthol in PET bottle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of the empirical (large scale) and fundamental (small scale) rheological tests to differentiate between wheat flours of different harvest years. In order to provide flours affected by different climatic conditions, harvest years 2004 and 2005 characterized by high temperatures and large amounts of rainfall were chosen. Moreover, a control wheat flour sample was also tested. In order to simulate the baking process, both rheological measurements at constant low temperatures (30°C) and those that involved heating (30-100°C) were employed. Empirical and fundamental rheological parameters related to gluten strength were in great accordance and the flour strength decreased in the following order: control wheat flour> wheat flour of 2005> wheat flour of 2004. However, parameters related to starch pasting, such as peak viscosity, expressed different order when measured in suspension (Amylograph, Falling number) and dough (Mixolab, Rheometer) due to different amounts of available water.

Pomegranate tree possesses a vast ethnomedical history and represents a phytochemical reservoir of heuristic medicinal value. In the present study, total phenolics, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of pomegranate peel were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and disk-diffusion methods, respectively, and compared among the accessions. Methanolic extract gives higher total phenolics than the water extract. Six phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in pomegranate peel using the HPLC/ultraviolet method. The predominant compound was gallic acid, followed by ellagic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, and vanillic acid. Antioxidant activity expressed as IC50 varied among the cultivars and between solvents and was highly correlated with the total phenolics. All extracts were efficient against the five tested bacteria. Statistical analysis revealed three groups of accessions. The first group showed a high polyphenol compound that had both high antioxidant and antibacterial properties. These findings support the improvement and the selection for obtaining high products with well-defined functional properties.

The application of stepwise multivariate-linear regression models for determination of particleboard properties based on structural factors was studied. Poplar (Populus alba), Beech (Fagus orientaleis) and Hornbeam wood (Carpinus betulus) with dry density of 460, 630 and 790 kg/m3,respectively, were used as raw materials. Three levels of boards target density (520, 620 and 720 kg m-3) and urea formaldehyde (UF) resin (6, 7, and 8%) were compared. The variables were included in the regression equations of modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), shear strength, and thickness swell (TS) after 24 hours immersion based on the degree of importance. In order to obtain the optimum board density and resin content for each species, contour plots were drawn by Minitab 13 software. Regarding the results from contour plots, particleboards with density ranging from 520 to 620 kg m-3 and 6% resin had most of their mechanical properties within those required by the corresponding standards. Thickness swell values were higher than requirements. We suggest additional treatments such as using adequate amount of water resistant materials to improve TS after 24 hours immersion.

The effects of the plant growth promoter gibberellic acid (GA3) and plant growth retardant chlormequat chloride (CCC) on biomass and quality of Angelica dahurica var.formosana plants were investigated employing physiological and biochemical methods. Plants were sprayed with GA3 or CCC at rosette stage and coumarin content was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after harvest. Two coumarins in root were detected: isoimperatorin and imperatorin. The root content of imperatorin was not affected by application either GA3 or CCC, while isoimperatorin was increased to 127% after treatment with CCC (400 mg L-1). The lowest concentrations of GA3 (50 mg L-1) and CCC (400 mg L-1) increased root yield to 157 and 139%, respectively. We note here that GA3 and CCC might be used in improving the yield of A. dahurica var. formosanaandmaintaining the coumarin content.

Dendrobium chrysanthum (Orchidaceae) is highly valued in the ornamental industry and has important medicinal properties used in the preparation of herbal medicines in different parts of the world. However, this orchid species is getting depleted from its natural habitats due to unsystematic collections. Therefore, in the present study, an efficient mass propagation protocol through direct shoot bud formation from axenic nodal segments of D. chrysanthum has been developed. The synergistic action between thidiazuron (TDZ) and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) was applied to enhance proliferation and elongation of shoots from the nodal segments. The explants were inoculated in MS medium fortified with different plant growth regulators viz., 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D), BAP, and TDZ, separately and in combinations. The maximum frequency of explants forming buds (100%), highest number of shoots/explant (14.33±0.14), the bud forming capacity (BFC) index of 14.33, and the maximum length of shoots (1.97±0.04) were obtained in MS medium supplemented with 5 µM each of TDZ and BAP. Hundred percent rooting of regenerated shoots with an average number of 11.26 roots/shoot and having average root length of around 2.45 cm was obtained in MS medium fortified with 10 µM a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Sixty days after transfer to the greenhouse following in vitro acclimatization for 30 days, 79% survival was recorded. The protocol developed will not only help to alleviate the pressure on the natural population under stress, but will also help in meeting its demands in pharmaceutical and ornamental industries, and also form the basis for conservation.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mycorrhial fungus (Glomus mosseae) on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Zhongjiao 105) plants. Half of plants were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Cd was supplied in the form of cadmium chloride at 0.0, 0.1 and 0.5 mM through irrigation water in the soil. Mycorrhizal colonization was higher in the control than in cadmium-treated soil. Dry weights of root and shoot of mycorrhizal (M) plants were higher than non mycorrhizal (NM) ones in both control and cadmium treatments. Measurements of Cd concentration indicated that M plants immobilized more Cd in the root and partitioned less Cd to the shoots. Cd decreased the leaf chlorophyll content, total sugar and total protein contents, and the concentrations of phosphorous and magnesium. M plants had greater contents of chlorophyll, total sugar, total protein and P and Mg concentrations than NM plants. Moreover, increasing the Cd concentration caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves of pepper plants; however, M plants showed a lower MDA content than NM plants. Cd decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in leaves of NM and M plants, on the other hand, it increased the activity of peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves of NM and M plants. APX was stimulated more than POD in M plants versus NM plants, suggesting that APX is a major player in H2O2-scavenging in M plants. The study suggests that mycorrhization with G. mosseae can be a suitable way to induce Cd-stress resistance in pepper plants.

Selecting within local pomegranate accessions is the main method used to identify new cultivars. Total of 76 pomegranate accessions from Hatay, Turkey, were collected and their morpho-pomological and chemical characteristics were determined. The results showed that there was significant diversity among the accessions in terms of fruit quality parameters. Several accessions were notable for their various characteristics. For example, ‘Ekşi 5’, ‘Ekşiliknar’, ‘Kara Mehmet 1’, ‘Lifani 5’ and ‘Ekşi 3’ accessions could be used for extracted aril and juice as they had dark red arils and juice, good taste, and large arils. In addition, the sweet accessions ‘Tatlı 3’, ‘Tatlı 13’, and ‘Tatlı 16’ with soft seeds, rosy peel, and red aril colors were very promising for fresh consumption. Our study demonstrated that there was great morpho-pomological variability among the local pomegranates grown in eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, making them a valuable genetic source for incorporation into potential breeding programs, especially for different fruit quality characteristics.

In Tunisia, Kalâat El Andalous irrigated district is one of the most affected areas by salinization. The objective of this study was to predict the root zone salinity (over 10 years) in this area using the SaltMod simulation model for subsurface drainage system. SaltMod is based on water balance, salt balance model, and seasonal agronomic aspects. In the pilot area, irrigated vegetables crops such as tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), melon (Cucumis mela) andsquash (Cucurbuta maxima) occupy the field during summer and rainfed wheat during winter. The model predicted more or less similar values of electrical conductivity in the root zone. Highest value of electrical conductivity reached during the irrigation season was 7.7 dS m-1. Following the fall rains, there was a decrease of the soil salinity when the average minimum value of electrical conductivity was 3.1 dS m-1. The simulation also showed that decreasing the depth of the drain did not change significantly the root zone salinity. The depth of the drain could be reduced to 1.6 m without any damage to crops. There was a slight reduction in drainage flow when the depth of the drain changed from 1.8 m to 1.2 m. Decrease of the drain depth decreased water table level. There was no variation in root zone salinities due to change in drain spacing. The predicted drainage flows were related to the occurrence of irrigation and rainfall. In this study, calibration of SaltMod for water-salt balance parameters proved the validity of the model for the local conditions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of methods such as sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 26S (D1/D2) regions of ribosomal DNA, RFLP analysis of the ITS region and commercial biochemical test kit for the identification of the yeasts isolated during spontaneous fermentation of fresh crushed pineapple juice. The experiments were conducted in Thailand and Australia. The yeast isolates in Thailand were identified by sequencing the ITS and 26S (D1/D2) regions of ribosomal DNA and RFLP analysis of the ITS region. The yeast isolates in Australia were identified by sequencing analysis of the two DNA regions and commercial biochemical test kit. The identification results conducted in both countries were relatively similar. Mainly, the yeast isolates could be identified by the use of 26S rDNA in combination with ITS sequencing analysis. In Thailand, approximately 80% of the yeast isolates identified by sequencing analysis of the two regions gave similar identities and included Rhodotolula mucilaginosa, Issatchenkia orientalis, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, Pichia guilliermondii, Aureobasidium pullulans, Saccharomycodes ludwigii, Candida tropicalis, Pichia fermentans, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Candida stellata and Erythrobasidium hasegawianum.In Australia, 86% of the yeast isolates gave similar identifications by the sequencing analysis of the two regions and included P. guilliermondii, Pichia membranifaciens, P. fermentans, H. uvarum, H. opuntiae, I. orientalis, Candida sp., Yarrowia lipolytica, Tremella globispora, R. mucilaginosa and A. pullulans.

The response of plants to drought stress depends on several factors including the plant developmental stage and the length and severity of the stress applied. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important pulse crop that is cultivated worldwide for human consumption. Understanding of the mechanisms responsible for its response to drought is, therefore, essential. An increasing number of reports show that withdrawal of water from plants growing in the controlled conditions is accompanied by changes in the expression of a number of genes. To our knowledge, regulation of gene expression in flower buds of P. vulgaris under stress conditions has not been reported. Our aim was to identify transcription sensitivity of CA7 and NCED genes under water deficit stress at vegetative and reproductive stages of different bean genotypes. Two experiments were carried out. Within each experiment, the groups of drought-stressed plants were subjected to water withholding, while the control plants were watered every other day. Stressed plants were re-irrigated when RWC reached 66±2 percent. Our study showed that CA7 and NCDE were genes differentially expressed in the studied genotypes under drought stress. The expression of these genes was strongly induced in response to drought stress in flower buds of the cultivar Jules and the line KS-21191. It seems that under stress conditions, these genes express more in the tolerant than the susceptible genotypes. Therefore, these two genes could probably be used to obtain plants relatively tolerant to water deficit stress, especially in the reproductive stage of plant growth.

The present investigation was carried out to isolate and characterize antagonistic bacteria against wilt causing fungal pathogen i.e. Fusarium oxysporum, from the rhizosphere of tomato. Fifty-six bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soil samples of healthy tomato fields, collected from different locations of Faridabad district, Haryana, India. Out of these, ten isolates were found to be antagonistic against the tested fungal pathogen i.e. Fusarium oxysporum, under in-vitro conditions. On the basis of percentage inhibition of radial growth of Fusarium oxysporum, isolate TNAM5 was found to be the most effective antagonistic rhizobacteria. Based on its morphological and biochemical properties along with 16s rRNA sequence analysis, it was identified as a Bacillus sp., with close nucleotide identity to Bacillus subtilis group. Average percentage inhibition given by this isolate was 47.77% and it was found to produce diffusible and volatile antifungal metabolites along with hydrogen cyanide and ammonia. Effect of physiological parameters on the growth and antagonistic behavior of the potential isolates was also examined. Optimal conditions for antagonistic activity were found to be 28ºC and pH 6.5, while the maximum growth was observed at 35ºC and pH 7.0. However, increase in salinity did not significantly affect (P> 0.05) the antagonistic behavior or growth of the isolates and they were found to withstand NaCl concentration up to 8.0% (w/v). The present study, hence, provides a potential biocontrol agent for Fusarium oxysporum, however, field studies of this isolate as soil inoculant in tomato are required in order to establish its actual performance.

The purpose of this research was to study the antimicrobial activities of the endophytic fungi from Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. The endophytic fungi were isolated from branches and leaves of Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers., and sixty nine isolates were obtained. All isolates were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The indicator organisms were 4 bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, two yeasts, namely, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, and 6 molds including Rhizopus spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Curvularia spp.,and Alternaria spp.. It was found that 28 and 16 isolates showed antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria, respectively. Also, 11 and 17 isolates showed antifungal activity against yeasts and hyaline non-septate hyphae, respectively. Besides, 13 and 65 isolates showed antifungal activity against hyaline septate and dematiaceous, respectively. There were 9 isolates that could inhibit bacteria, yeast, and molds. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the fungal morphology revealed that most of the endophytic fungi (25 isolates) were hyaline septate hyphae. Only 3 isolates were hyaline non-septate hyphae. Fusarium spp. and Acremonium spp. were the predominate species among the isolated endophytic fungi. These results indicated that some endophytic fungi isolated from Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. were potential sources of antimicrobial compounds against the tested bacteria, yeasts, and molds.

Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is an important disease of soybean throughout the world. To understand the spatial distribution of soybean charcoal rot incidence and M. phaseolina populations in Golestan Province, 172 soybean fields were surveyed for population density, in two successive years, and integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS). Each year, 60 fields were also surveyed for disease incidence. Propagule density was determined by assaying five 1-g subsamples of soil from each field using a size-selective sieving procedure. In the seasons of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, disease incidence ranged from 0 to 97% and 3 to 91% with the highest in Gorgan and Aliabad, respectively. Total mean of disease incidence were 21.01 and 35.84 percent in the province. In the two sampling years, Sclerotia were recovered from 73.33 and 93.57% of the total fields. The average population density per gram of soil ranged from 0.65 to 14.31 and 4.7 to 16.9, respectively, with the highest levels in Aliabad in both years. Charcoal rot incidence was positively correlated with soil populations of M. phaseolina (r= 0.61 and r= 0.47, P= 0.01). Geostatistical analyses of the survey data showed that the influence range of propagule density and disease incidence was between 8,000 to 14,000 m. In general, no significant correlation could be found between soil factors and sclerotia numbers. But, higher average air temperatures and decreased precipitation may have a significant effect on disease intensity.

This study was carried out to determine nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents of rangeland plants using spectral reflectance value. The measurements were made in 1 m2 area of different parts of a rangeland. A portable spectroradiometer capable of measuring the wavelength range of 325-1,075 nm of the electromagnetic spectrum was used to collect spectral data. Spectral measurements were made in a rangeland while nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of the plants were determined in a laboratory. Stepwise linear regression was used to select wavelengths to investigate relationships between laboratory analysis results and spectral data. According to the result, significant relationships existed between predicted and measured nutrients, with R2 values of 0.85, 0.43, and 0.84 for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively. While 11 wavelengths (R609,R647,R651,R654,R669,R675, R676,R680, R721,R727,R760) were used in the equation for estimating nitrogen level, 2 wavelengths (R675, R680) and fifteen wavelength (R410, R411, R417, R422, R460, R463, R468, R646, R651, R658, R669, R670, R674, R676, R682) were determined for phosphorus and potassium levels, respectively. The results indicated that the changes in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content affected reflectance values of the visible region of spectrum (especially in the red regions) and, therefore, spectral reflectance data could be used to estimate the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in rangeland plants.

Distribution and mobility of nine mineral elements (K, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, and Cr) in cultured Gentiana rigescens and its root zone soil were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. G. rigescens materials were planted under tea and white papaya trees in Yun County and Yongde of Lincang area in Yunnan Province of China. The results showed that G. rigescens and its soil were high in K, Ca, Fe, and Mg. The concentrations of Na and Mg in the soil were significantly lower than that in the plants. However, the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Se, and Cr were significantly higher in soils than that in the plant parts. G. rigescens roots showed high accumulation ratios for Na, Mg, and K, but low accumulation ratios for Fe, Cu, Se, especially for Cr. Transfer coefficients indicated G. rigescens might be a good accumulator for Ca.

Raphanus sativus L. (radish) plants were grown in waste water irrigated area of Dinapur, a suburban area in the north east of Varanasi, India. Soil and plant characteristics were compared between fertilized (farmyard manure (FYM), NPK, and FYM+N) and non-amended control treatments. Compared to the control, plants grown in FYM and FYM+N amended soil showed a decrease in concentrations of heavy metals by 14 to 32% and 14 to 17%, respectively, with corresponding yield increments of 60 and 49%. Plants grown under NPK amendment showed high availability of the heavy metals, which, consequently, induced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced photosynthetic rate, growth, and yield of the plants. Therefore, application of a particular dose of FYM alone and in combination with N at regular intervals may be recommended as a cheap technique for reducing the availability of heavy metals in metal contaminated fields.