PONE-D-21-17504

The Combination of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Influence the Soil Fertility, Weed Growth and Productivity of Monsoon Rice

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Hossain,

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Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

The MS falls under the aim and scope of the Journal. It is well written, but needs few clearification as : Please add most significant achievements in abstrct part; Add few latest references on INM effect on Soil microbial functions. Please mention the SOC build up and its effect on soil fertility etc. Once again check statistical analysis.

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Partly

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Review for the MS (PONE-D-21-17504)

Authors have attempted a good job in laying out the experiment and presenting it in this current manuscript in terms of design, methodology, data collection, analysis and interpretation. However, the following parts needs to be considered before this paper can be further processed for publication.

Abstract

The abstract seems very weak and needs modification in writing in terms of aim and purpose, methodology, key results and a concrete conclusion from this current study. Besides following observation are placed for necessary corrections.

L 27: Replace ‘commercial’ with ‘food grain’

L30: Rephrase ‘two consecutive two-monsoon seasons’

L 39-40: Rewrite ‘Thus, the integration of nutrient and weed management practices in rice farming might be an effective way to achieve economic sustainability and efficient rice cultivation in eastern India.’ for ease in understanding.

Introduction

-This section is to be modified in line with the title of the manuscript. It should start with the role of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility initially, and then weed growth and productivity of monsoon rice.

-Please do mention the novelty of this work and scope of the study how it is improving the current state of knowledge on the role of INM on monsoon rice.

-Please incorporate the following reference in L73 and L74 which defines carbon accumulation and soil quality respectively in terms of INM:

Padbhushan, R., Rakshit, R., Das, A. and Sharma, R.P. (2015). Assessment of long-term organic matter amendments effect on some sensitive indicators of carbon under subtropical climatic condition. The Bioscan, Vol.10: 1237-1240

Rakshit, R., Das, A., Padbhushan, R., Sharma, R.P., Sushant. and Kumar, S. (2018). Assessment of soil quality and identification of parameters influencing system yield under long term fertilizer trial. Journal of the Indian society of Soil Science, Vol. 66(2): 166-171.

Material and methods

-The percentage of nutrients in BSM needs to be placed for better understanding.

Result

-Why CGR is measured only on 60-90 DAT, not in other growth stages?

-What does the error bars indicate in Figure 1 & 2?

-L202-203: Please clarify the statement ‘N-concentrated organic green manures (BSM and neem cake)’

-Cite the appropriate table no. in the result section.

Discussion

L309-311- How it relates with Line 193-195 and hence discussion should be in accordance with the weeds in your study.

L314- Again, brief the role of brassica residue on the weeds observed in your study.

L321-323- Rephrase the sentence “Straw containing……..organic manures” for better understanding and clarity for the readers.

L333-336- How gradual mineralization of organic manures in expected in anaerobic condition? Please explain here with suitable reference.

L374-376- C:N ratio really matters when we are talking of mineralization, it is the primary factor that governs mineralization. So, check the statement and rephrase it accordingly.

Discussion section is loaded with number of known facts which are well established. Even, its all about the role of organics in soil system, so explain the facts as per the data available in the manuscript, not with any parameters which are not taken into consideration.

References

Double check the references and add the necessary ones in suitable place.

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Reviewer #1: No

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The Combination of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Influence the Weed Growth, Productivity and Soil Fertility of Monsoon Rice

PONE-D-21-17504R1

Dear Dr. Hossain,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Mohan Lal Dotaniya, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: