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Not AvailableFor technical, environmental, political, social and economic reasons, the agricultural sciences have had little to offer small, resource-poor farmers. Farmer participatory research has emerged in response to this situation as a viable solution to the problem of developing appropriate technology. Farmer participatory researchers view the lack of interaction between researchers and farmers as one of the principal weaknesses in the methods earlier developed. To correct this deficiency, proponents of this approach suggest working in collaboration with farmers to identify their most urgent agricultural problems and to develop appropriate technologies at the farm level. As a result, researchers learn about an array of interrelated matters at the farm level that need to be considered in the development or adaptation of technologies. This process involves tapping into the farmers' own agricultural knowledge. In the process, researchers come to appreciate and respect the small farmers. The challenge for development workers, researchers, and farmers is to design and use research methodologies that ensure the development and adoption of improved agricultural technologies to create sustainable agricultural production that benefits resource-poor farmers.International Rice Research Institut

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Not AvailableThe selection of suitable tree species for high biomass and bioenergy production in salt-affected soils depends upon the tolerance of the species to salinity and sodicity, suitability to local agro-climate and purpose of plantation. Agroforestry systems may provide part of the answer to a challenge for sustainability on how to conserve forest ecosystems and farmland biodiversity as well as the services that they provide while simultaneously enhancing food production for an increasing population under the salt stress environment.Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of a large number of tree species in saline and sodic conditions in India. This paper presented the contribution of agroforestry systems as a potential option for (1) restoring of salt-affected soils, (2) mitigating climate change, (3) enhancing the fertility status of soil, (4) producing biomass and bioenergy and (5) providing social and economic well-being of the people.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSodicity and salinity are the major abiotic stresses in arid and semiarid regions of the country. In India there are about 6.73 million ha of salt-affected soils, out of which 2.8 million are sodic in nature and primarily occurring in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains.Selection of suitable crops and cropping system during and after reclamation is very important. During initial years of reclamation, salt-tolerant varieties of selected crops like rice, barley, wheat and mustard should be grown and gradually shifted to the non-salt-tolerant and high-value crops to get higher income.The studies conducted at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, and its Regional Research Station, Lucknow, proved that through the selection of suitable crops and cropping systems along with recommended management practices during and after reclamation of sodic soils, their productivity can be enhanced.with the application of reduced dose of gypsum (25 % GR), salt-tolerant varieties of rice should be replaced with high-yielding varieties after 4 years and of wheat after 3 years. If the gypsum is applied at 50 % GR, salt-tolerant variety of rice should be replaced with high-yielding varieties after 3 years and wheat after 2 years or diversify the rice–wheat cropping system with highly remunerative medicinal and aromatic crops like sweet basil in kharif and Matricaria in rabi to enhance the productivity potential of reclaimed sodic soils and to save the natural resources. In this chapter, an attempt is made to highlight the reclamation methodology of sodic soils and harnessing their productivity through management of crops and cropping systems during and after reclamation.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA long-term field study was initiated during 1995 at Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Lucknow (26°47′58′′ N and 80°46′24′′ E) to analyze the effect of agroforestry systems on amelioration of alkali soils. Three agroforestry systems (pastoral, silvipastoral and silvicultural) were compared with the control where no agroforestry system was introduced. Tree-based silvicultural and silvipastoral systems were characterized by tree species Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica along with grass species Leptochloa fusca, Panicum maximum, Trifolium alexandrium and Chloris gayana. Growth of ten-year-old Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica planted in combination with grasses was significantly higher over the silviculture system with the same species. Tree biomass yields of P. juliflora (77.20 t⋅ha-1) and A. nilotica (63.20 t⋅ha-1) planted under silvipastoral system were significantly higher than the sole plantation of (64.50 t⋅ha-1 and 52.75 t⋅ha-1). Fodder yield under the pastoral system was significantly higher than the silvipastoral system during initial years but it was at par with that of silvipastoral systems after eight years of plantation. The microbial biomass carbon in the soils of silvipastoral systems was significantly higher than in soils under sole plantation of trees and control systems. The Prosopis-based silvipastoral system proved more effective in reducing soil pH, displacing Na+ from the exchange complex, increasing organic carbon and available N, P and K. Improvement in soil physical properties such as bulk density, porosity, soil moisture and infiltration rate was higher in the Prosopis-based silvipastoral system than in the silviculture system or control. On the basis of biomass production and improvement in soil health due to tree + grass systems, silvipastoral agroforestry system could be adopted for sustainable reclamation highly alkali soils.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTo sustain the production of food and fuel, each portion of land need to be best utilized corresponding to ecology and land use capabilities. Harnessing the productivity potential of sal affected soils through the plantation of multipurpose tree species has the potential to put them under use of bioass and bioenergy production and also to improve the productivity of degraded lands. Besides providing biomass in terms of fuel, fodder, timber, afforestation will also lead to the bioamelioration of salt affected soils.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSalt tolerant rice variety CSR 13 gave 75.5% and 116.0% higher grain yield over traditional variety Bejhari with 120 and 150kg N/ha, respectively. Similarily salt tolerant variety of wheat KRL 19 gave 13% higher grain yield over KRL 1-4 with 150kg N/ha.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh during 2001-2002 to 2003-04 on a fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic, sodic soil having high pH, low electrical conductivity, high exchangeable sodium percentage and very low water permeability to find out the combined effect of reduced dose gypsum and salt tolerant varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) on productivity of rice – wheat cropping system in sodic soil. This study revealed that application of gypsum @ 25% gypsum requirement (G.R.) and growing of salt tolerant varieties of rice (CSR 13) and wheat (KRL19) significantly increased the yield attributes and yields of these crops in the system over control treatment as well as 15% G.R. So much so it was at par with 50% G.R. with non salt tolerant varieties. The magnitude of combined effect of reduced dose of gypsum and salt tolerant varieties was reflected in terms 17 and 8.2% increase in grain yield over their counterpart varieties. Significant interaction between gypsum and salt tolerant varieties on grain yield indicated that gypsum @ 25%G.R. with sodicity tolerant varieties in rice-wheat cropping system could save about 43% of the total initial expenditure for the reclamation of sodic soils over the recommended dose of gypsum (50% G.R.) with traditional sensitive varieties. Thus, for low cost effective technology, using salt tolerant varieties of rice (CSR 13) and wheat (KRL 19) in conjunction with reduced dose of gypsum (25% G.R.) proved highly and sustainable technology for resource scarce situations in sodic soils.U.P.Council of Agricultural Researc

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Not AvailableA field study to find out the suitable agro forestry systems in a highly alkali soil and their effect on improving the soil properties was initiated during 1995 at Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research station, Lucknow. The soil was poor in organic matter (0.08%) and available N (94kg ha-1) but high in available P (25kg ha-1) and K (237.44kg ha-1). The treatments include: T1, Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca) for 4 years followed by Gutton panic (Panicum maximum) grass (without amendments); T2, Vilayati babul (Prosopis juliflora) as sole tree crop; T3, Deshi babul (Acacia nilotica) as sole tree crop; T4, Vilayati babul (Prosopis juliflora) + Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca) for 4 years followed by berseem (Trifolium alexendrium) for 3 years (without amendments) and T5, Deshi babul (Acacia nilotica) + Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca) for 4 years followed by Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) for 3 years. After 84 months of planting all the growth parameters including survival percent, plant height, diameter at breast height (DBH), diameter at stump height (DSH) and lopped biomass of Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica grown in combination with inter crops of grasses were higher as compared to the sole plantation. Plant height was recorded to be 20 and14% higher in Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica respectively grown in combination with grasses than the sole plantation of these species. The pH, EC and organic carbon of the surface soil (0-15cm) with Prosopis juliflora in combination with Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca) for 4 years followed by Berseem (Trifolium alexendrium) for 3 years silvipastoral system has reduced to the level of 8.87. However, pH was > 9.0 in case of the remaining treatments. Vilayati Babool (Prosopis juliflora) + Berseem (Trifolium alexendrium) silvipastoral system gave highest net return (Rs. 15155ha-1 yr-1) followed by Gutton panic (Panicum maximum) as sole crop (Rs.7660 ha-1 yr-1) than the sole plantation of Prosopis juliflora (Rs.5610 ha-1 yr-1) and Acacia nilotica (Rs.3260 ha-1 yr-1) and appeared to be the most suitable and economically viable alternate land use system for alkali soils.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted during 2003-04 to 2005-06 at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Lucknow to find alternate options to the rice—wheat cropping system in partially reclaimed sodic soils. Four cropping systems, viz. rice—wheat (cereal-based), sorghum—berseem (fodder-based), sweet basil (tulsi)—matricaria (medicinal and aromatic crop-based) and chilli—garlic (spices-based) were evaluated in the light of sustainability, potentiality and profitability. Maximum rice equivalent yield (14.21 t ha⁻¹) was recorded with sweet basil-matricaria cropping system, whereas the highest production efficiency (61.25 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) was recorded with sweet basil—matricaria cropping system. Sorghum—berseem cropping system gave maximum (78.35%) land-use efficiency. Chilli—garlic cropping system recorded the highest water expense efficiency (150.72 kg ha⁻¹ cm) followed by sweet basil—matricaria, but the total amount of water used was more (125.65 cm) in the rice—wheat system. The water requirement of sorghum—berseem, sweet basil— matricaria and chilli—garlic cropping systems was 8.0, 19.8 and 31.8% respectively, less than the rice—wheat cropping system. Among the cropping systems evaluated, energy input (27.50 MJ ha⁻¹) and output (314.46 MJ ha⁻¹) were maximum in the rice—wheat system. Energy use efficiency was maximum (11.99) with sweet basil—matricaria followed by sorghum–berseem (11.91). Reclaiming effect of sweet basil— matricaria cropping system on soil properties was higher than the rest of the cropping systems. Sweet basil—matricaria cropping system gave the highest net return (Rs 50,222 ha⁻¹) and benefit: cost ratio (2.74).U.P.Council of Agricultural Researc

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