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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted during 2008-09 and 2009-10 post-rainy seasons at Navsari, Gujarat to evaluate the effects of land configuration, fertilizers and farm yard manure (FYM) application on productivity, water use efficiency, nutrient uptake, soil fertility status and the economics of green gram ( Vigna radiata L.) cultivation. The raised bed method of planting was found superior as was evident from significant increase in growth and yield attributes, grain (0.93 t/ha) and stover yield (2.27 t/ha), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake, net returns ( 37.6 × 103/ha) and B:C ratio (3.9) and decrease in plant mortality percent. Application of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (20 kg/ha) and phosphorus (40 kg P2O5/ha) recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes, grain and stover yield, IWUE, NPK uptake, available NPK in the soil, net returns and B:C ratio over the application of 75% of recommended dose of N and P. Similarly, the application of FYM at 5t/ha recorded statistically higher growth and yield attributes, grain and stover yield, IWUE, NPK uptake, available NPK in the soil after harvest, net returns and B:C ratio and decrease in plant mortality percent over no FYM application.Not Availabl

Can agroecological transition of intensive cereal system of Indo-Gangetic plains deliver sustainable and nutritious food?

As of Jan. 18, 2023 this article is listed as a pre-print and as such has not been peer reviewed.Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) of South Asia have supported bulk of human and bovine population in the region since ages, and a spectacular progress has been made here on food production. However, this cereal-system-dominated region still suffers with challenges of malnourishment, declining total factor productivity and natural resource degradation with potential threats of climate change. Addressing these challenges would require a transition towards agroecological cropping systems. A study was, therefore, conducted on crop diversification and sustainable intensification options using agro-ecological approaches such as Conservation Agriculture (CA) to ensure food and nutritional security while sustaining the natural resources. On 2 years mean basis, CA-based cropping system management scenarios (mean of Sc2-Sc7) using diversified rotations; increased the system yield by 15.4%, net return by 28.7%, protein yield by 29.7%while using 53.0% less irrigation water compared to conventional tillage (CT)-based rice-wheat system (Sc1). Maize-mustard-mungbean on permanent beds (Sc4) recorded the highest productivity (+40.7%), profitability (+60.1%), and saved 81.8% of irrigation water compared to Sc1 (11.8 Mg ha-1; 2190 USD ha-1; 2514 mm ha-1). It was closely followed by Sc5 (32.3, 57.4, 413.8, 75.5%) i.e. maize-wheat-mungbean on permanent beds. In terms of nutritional value, Sc5 was more balanced than other scenarios, and produced 43.8, 27.5 and 259.8% higher protein, carbohydrate and fat yields, respectively, compared to Sc1 (0.93, 8.55 and 0.14 Mg ha-1). Scenario 5 was able to meet the nutrient demand of 19, 23 and 32 more persons ha-1 year-1 with respect to protein, carbohydrate and fat demand, respectively, compared to Sc1 (44, 86 and 13 persons ha-1 year-1).However, the highest protein and fat yield and their adult equivalents was associated with Sc6 (soybean based) and Sc4 (maize based), respectively. Soybean based system (Sc6) was economically more efficient with respect to nutrients than other systems. Mungbean integration improved the system productivity by 17.2 % and profitability by 32.1%, while improving the irrigation water productivity by three times compared to CT-based systems. In western IGP, CA-based maize-wheat-mungbean system was the most productive, profitable and nutritionally rich and efficient system compared to other systems. Therefore, CA- based crop diversification is an option to ensure quality and nutritious food for the dwelling communities in the region

Scalable diversification options delivers sustainable and nutritious food in Indo-Gangetic plains

Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) of South Asia have supported bulk of human and bovine population in the region since ages, and a spectacular progress has been made in food production. However, malnutrition, diminishing total factor productivity, and natural resource degradation continue to plague this cereal-dominated region, which is also vulnerable to climate change. Addressing these challenges would require a transition towards diversifying cereal rotations with agroecological cropping systems. A study was, therefore, conducted at the experimental farm of ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal on crop diversification and sustainable intensification options using agro-ecological approaches such as Conservation Agriculture (CA) and diversified cropping systems to ensure food and nutritional security while sustaining the natural resources. On 2 years mean basis, CA-based cropping system management scenarios (mean of Sc2–Sc7) using diversified crop rotations; increased the system yield by 15.4%, net return by 28.7%, protein yield by 29.7%, while using 53.0% less irrigation water compared to conventional tillage (CT)-based rice–wheat system (Sc1). Maize-mustard-mungbean on permanent beds (PBs) (Sc4) recorded the highest productivity (+ 40.7%), profitability (+ 60.1%), and saved 81.8% irrigation water compared to Sc1 (11.8 Mg ha−1; 2190 USD ha−1; 2514 mm ha−1). Similarly, Sc5 (maize-wheat-mungbean on PBs) improved productivity (+ 32.2%), profitability (+ 57.4%) and saved irrigation water (75.5%) compared to Sc1. In terms of nutritional value, Sc5 was more balanced than other scenarios, and produced 43.8, 27.5 and 259.8% higher protein, carbohydrate and fat yields, respectively, compared to Sc1 (0.93, 8.55 and 0.14 Mg ha−1). Scenario 5 was able to meet the nutrient demand of 19, 23 and 32 additional persons ha−1 year−1 with respect to protein, carbohydrate and fat, respectively, compared to Sc1. The highest protein water productivity (~ 0.31 kg protein m−3 water) was recorded with CA-based soybean-wheat-mungbean (Sc6) system followed by maize-mustard-mungbean on PBs (Sc4) system (~ 0.29 kg protein m−3) and lowest under Sc1. Integration of short duration legume (mungbean) improved the system productivity by 17.2% and profitability by 32.1%, while triple gains in irrigation water productivity compared to CT-based systems. In western IGP, maize-wheat-mungbean on PBs was found most productive, profitable and nutritionally rich and efficient system compared to other systems. Therefore, diversification of water intensive cereal rotations with inclusion of legumes and CA-based management optimization can be potential option to ensure nutritious food for the dwelling communities and sustainability of natural resources in the region

Energy and economic efficiency of climate-smart agriculture practices in a rice–wheat cropping system of India

Intensive tillage operations, indiscriminate use of irrigation water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides and crop biomass burning have made the conventional rice–wheat (RW) system highly energy-intensive and inefficient. In the recent past, portfolios of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAP) have been promoted as a potential alternative to improve the energy efficiency in conventional RW system. Therefore, to evaluate the energy input–output relation, energy flow and economic efficiency in various combinations of crop management options, a 3-year (2014–2017) on-farm study was conducted at Karnal, India. Various portfolio of management practices; Sc1-Business as usual (BAU) or Conventional tillage (CT) without residue, Sc2-CT with residue, Sc3-Reduce tillage (RT) with residue + recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), Sc4-RT/Zero tillage (ZT) with residue + RDF, Sc5-ZT with residue + RDF + GreenSeeker + Tensiometer, Sc6-Sc5 + Nutrient expert were investigated. Present study results revealed that net energy, energy use efficiency and energy productivity were 11–18, 31–51 and 29–53% higher under CSAP (mean of Sc4, Sc5 and Sc6) in RW system than Sc1, respectively. However, renewable and non-renewable energy inputs were 14 and 33% higher in Sc1 compared to CSAP (4028 and 49,547 MJ ha−1), respectively, it showed that BAU practices mostly dependents on non-renewable energy sources whereas CSAP dependents on renewable energy sources. Similarly, the adoption of CSAP improved the biomass yield, net farm income and economic efficiency by 6–9, 18–23 and 42–58%, respectively compared to Sc1. Overall, the adoption of CSAP could be a viable alternative for improving energy use efficiency, farm profitability and eco-efficiency in the RW system

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Not AvailableThe investigations on Nectar secretion rhythms and nectar energetics of Trifolium alexandrinum flowers were carried at Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2012 and 2013. A T. alexandrinum flower produced a mean dry nectar sugars (DNS) of 1.95 mg and its amount in 2013 was higher (2.168 mg/flower) than 2012 (1.734 mg). Physiologically mature flower (fully opened) produced maximum amount of DNS (2.453 mg) followed by half (1.900) and just opened flowers (1.500 mg). The maximum DNS (2.027 mg) was produced at 1300 h followed by at 1000 and 1600 h (1.926 and 1.900 mg, respectively) which were at par with each other. The fully opened flowers produced maximum DNS at all the observed time intervals of 1000, 1300 and 1600 h (2.468, 2.446 and 2.444 mg/flower, respectively) followed by half opened flowers in the afternoon hours of 1300 and 1600 h (1.947 and 1.921 mg, respectively) while it was lower in the morning hours at 1.832 mgNot Availabl

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Not AvailableA total of 178 rice genotypes from various station and national trials were evaluated for resistance against brown planthopper (BPH) under natural infestation condition during kharif 2011 at CCS HAU, Rice Research Station, Kaul, Kaithal. The results revealed that only 5 genotypes viz., CN 1724-9-4-5, MAUB-181, ACC-451 and IR 79584-38-2-1-9 were resistant, 28 were moderately resistant, 102 moderately susceptible and the rest were susceptible (43) to brown planthopperNot Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted during summer 2013 on Instructional Farm of Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, to evaluate the effect of micro-nutrients and bio-fertilisers on morpho-physiological parameters and productivity of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) variety GJG-31. Combined application of Rhizobium, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), zinc sulphate and molybdenum was associated with the maximization of morphophysiological parameters i.e., number of leaves per plant, number of branches, plant height (cm), root length (cm), germination percentage, crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and chlorophyll content (SPAD); yield attributing characters like number of pods plant-1, shelling per cent (%) and 100- kernel weight; pod yield; haulm yield; oil content; and harvest index of groundnut.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe continuous growing of rice has led to a deterioration in soil quality, resulting in a serious threat to agricultural sustainability in the high rainfall zone of south Gujarat, India. Therefore, crop diversification with a wider choice in the production of crop varieties is being promoted to restore the soil quality. A field experiment was conducted in Navsari, India during 2003–2007 on a Vertisol to evaluate the productivity, sustainability, resource-use efficiency and economics of 10 rice-based cropping systems. The results showed that system productivity for rice–fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)–okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was highest (25.73 t ha71), followed by rice–onion (Allium cepa)–cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.) (24.15 t ha71); and the lowest system productivity was observed with the rice–wheat (Triticum aestivum)–fallow system (7.85 t ha71). The sustainable yield index (0.97), production efficiency (102.94 kg ha71 day71) and field water use efficiency (15.98 kg ha71 mm71) were maximum with the rice–fenugreek– okra system. Similarly, net return (96,286 Rs ha71), net return per rupee invested (2.83 Rs), monetary production efficiency (385.14 Rs ha71 day71) and water use efficiency (59.80 Rs ha71 mm71) were maximum with the rice–fenugreek–okra cropping sequence. There were significant effects of various cropping sequences on available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon content in the soil. Overall, the rice–fenugreek–okra system was found to be the most productive, sustainable, resource-use efficient and remunerative cropping system, followed by the rice–onion–cowpea system.Not Availabl

Soil organic carbon changes after seven years of conservation agriculture in a rice–wheat system of the eastern Indo‐Gangetic Plains

Sequestration of soil organic carbon (SOC) is an important strategy to improve soil quality and to mitigate climate change. To investigate changes in SOC under conservation agriculture (CA), we measured SOC concentrations after seven years of rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotations in the eastern Indo‐Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India under various combinations of tillage and crop establishment methods. The six treatments were as follows: conventional till transplanted rice followed by conventional till wheat (CTR‐CTW), CTR followed by zero‐till wheat (CTR‐ZTW), ZT direct‐seeded rice followed by CTW (ZTDSR‐CTW), ZTDSR followed by ZT wheat both on permanent raised beds with residue (PBDSR‐PBW+R), and ZTDSR followed by ZTW both with (ZTDSR‐ZTW+R) and without residues (ZTDSR‐ZTW). We hypothesized that CA systems (i.e. ZT with residue retention) would sequester more carbon (C) than CT. After seven years, ZTDSR‐ZTW+R and PBDSR‐PBW+R increased SOC at 0–0.6 m depth by 4.7 and 3.0 t C/ha, respectively, whereas the CTR‐CTW system resulted in a decrease in SOC of 0.9 t C/ha. Over the same soil depth, ZT without residue retention (ZTDSR‐ZTW) only increased SOC by 1.1 t C/ha. There was no increase in SOC where ZT in either rice or wheat was followed by CT in the next crop (i.e. CTR‐ZTW and ZTDSR‐CTW), most likely because the benefit of ZT is lost when followed by tillage. Tillage and crop establishment methods had no significant effect on the SOC stock below the 0.15‐m soil layer. Over the seven years, the total carbon input from above‐ground residues was ca. 14.5 t/ha in ZTDSR‐ZTW+R and PBDSR‐PBW+R, almost sixfold greater than in the other systems. Our findings suggest that the increased biomass production achieved through a combination of ZT and partial residue retention offers an opportunity to increase SOC whilst allowing residues to be used for other purposes