About Me |
---|
Dr. Sagar Maitra (b 29-08-1969) is a Ph.D. in Agronomy, having about 22years of experience in multifaceted fields of agriculture and allied activities including research as well as extension of farming technology. He has 55 publications of research articles and more than 100 popular articles. He played a significant role in dissemination of improved farming technology with the help of print and electronic media. He edited a monthly farm magazine (in Bengali language) for about six years. Besides, he has a good command on electronic media as he worked as a Sr. Producer of a farm based program in a satellite TV channel for more that 15 years. He also produced several video documentaries on farming which were widely accepted among the farmers. Moreover, he attended different training programs of farmers and technocrats as a resource person |
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Impact of Integrated
nutrient management and other agronomic management on growth and productivity
of finger millet have been studied.Application of both levels of urea that is
30 and 60 kg per ha enhanced dry matter accumulation and grain yield of finger
millet over unfertilized control. Amongst other nutrient application
treatments, application of elementary S also increased grain yield and straw
yields. Seed inoculation with Azospirillum alone or in combination with 30 kg
n/ha increased grain yield and straw yields.The reduction of grain yield was
significant with unweeded treatment than hand weeding for two times.
Millets are recently recognized as ‘nutri-cereals’ due to their superiority in terms
of dietary value to other cereals. India has the heritage to grow different kinds of millets
since the ancient time. Different small millets have unique quality to combat with the
extreme climatic conditions which are more relevant as adaptation option in the present
scenario of issues related to global warming and climate change. The production
sustainability is must considering the growing population of the world and it is a major
concern in developing countries with more population. The small millets can play important
role in this regard as these are ecologically sound, belong to C4 group of plants, tolerant to
different adverse climatic conditions including drought and can produce a moderate yield
for food and nutritional sustainability. Amongst different small millets, the importance
brown-top millet has recognized recently as it has huge potential to make faring in resourcepoor and fragile ecological conditions and thus can ensure economic and nutritional security
as well as production sustainability of smallholders. But it is astonishing that sufficient
research has not been carried out and information is not available and ample scope is
there for future research to exploit the potential of the crop. An attempt has been made to
gather information on brown-top millet on the basis of experimental results as well as
available literature.
The experiment was conducted during 2015-16 at farmers’ field of Binuria (23 o
40’N and 87 o39’E) village of Birbhum, West Bengal, under the red and lateritic belt. The
experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eight treatments and three
replications for assessing the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and
yield of summer rice. The plot size was 5 x 4 m and the treatment combinations were : T1
: Control, T2 : 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN)+75% poultry manure, T3 : 50%
RDN+50% poultry manure, T4 : 75% RDN+25% poultry manure, T5 : 100% RDN, T6 : 25%
RDN+75% farm yard manure (FYM), T7 : 50% RDN+50% FYM and T8 : 75% RDN+25%
FYM. The rice variety IR-36 showed positive influence on integrated nutrient management
and resulted in significantly greater values of growth and yield attributes and yield of
summer rice. The recommended dose of nutrients was 120 : 60 : 60 kg/ha of N : P2O5 : K2O
of summer rice, respectively. The treatments with 75% RDN+25% poultry manure (T4) and
75% RDN+25% FYM (T8) recorded better performance compared to other treatments.
The field experiment was carried out at Research Farm, Bagusala, M.S. Swaminathan School of
Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management during summer, 2018. The soil was
sandy loam in texture, slightly acidic in reaction ( pH 6.8 ) and low in available N (158.83 kg /ha) and P2
O5
(10.82 kg /ha) and medium in available K2
O (147.67 kg/ha). The randomized complete block design was
adopted with three replications for testing 8 treatments. They were consisted of 100% recommended dose
of fertilizer ( DF) @ 120-60-60 kg of N-P2
O5
-K2
O /ha), 100% RDF + bio fertilizer consortia (Azotobactor +
Azosporillum + phosphobacter) @15 kg/ha, 50 % recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through farm yard
manure (FYM) + 50 % RDF + bio fertilizer consortia (BFC) @15 kg/ha, 50 % RDN through vermi compost
(VC) + 50% RDF + BFC @15 kg/ha, 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through FYM, 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through
VC, 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through FYM + BFC @15 kg/ha and 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through VC +
BFC @15 kg/ha. The yield attributes such as number of cobs/plant, cob length, cob girth and cob weight
along with green cob and forage yield were remarkably influenced by integrated nutrient management
treatments. Application of 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN (VC) + BFC @15 kg/ha recorded the highest yield
attributes and green cob (12.01 t/ha) and fodder (` 16.52 t/ha) yield. It was followed by 100 % RDF + BFC
@15 kg/ha producing the green cob and forage yield of 11.67 and 16.17 t/ha, respectively. The maximum
net return (Rs. 164206/ ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.92) was obtained with integration of 100 % RFD (120-
60-60 kg of N, P2
O5
and K2
O /ha) and BFC (Azotobactobacter + Azosporillum + posphobacter) @15 kg/ha.
Maize (Zea mays L.), the queen of cereals, is planted with wide spacing and so it offers the scope
of intercropping. Considering the benefits of cereal-legume association, an experiment on maizelegume intercropping system was conducted during summer season of 2018 at Bagusala Farm of M. S.
Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Gajapati
district, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and the treatments
were comprised of ten cropping systems, namely, T1
: sole maize, T2
: sole green gram (Vigna radiata L.),
T3
: sole groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), T4
: sole black gram (Vigna mungo L.), T5
: maize + greengram
(2:1), T6
: maize + groundnut (2:1), T7
: maize + blackgram (2:1), T8
: maize + greengram (2:2), T9
: maize +
groundnut (2:2) and T10 maize +black gram (2:2). Paired row sowing of hybrid maize was done with a
spacing of 80 cm/30 cm × 25 cm in sole maize. Pure stand of legumes i.e. green gram, groundnut and
black gram were sown with 30 cm × 10 cm spacing. As per the treatments, single and double row of
intercrops were taken in between two pairs of maize. The result indicated that intercropped legumes
improved the yield components of maize and offered some bonus yield. The maximum maize grain yield
(5669 kgha-1) was noted with sole maize, however, maize equivalent yield of 7609kg ha-1 was recorded
with maize + groundnut (2:2) and it was followed by maize + black gram with 2:2 ratio (6902 kg ha-1).
In expression of the competition functions, maize + groundnut (2:2) recorded the highest values of area
time equivalent ratio (1.70), relative yield total (1.47) and monetary advantage (` 42002 kg ha-1). The
intercropping combination of maize + groundnut (2:2) recorded the highest net return (` 47954 ha-1), with
a benefit-cost ratio of 1.00, but by the treatment maize + black gram with 2:2 ratio registered greater B:C
ratio (1.11) with net return of ` 45499 ha-1.
In India finger millet is mostly cultivated in resource poor soils of tropics and sub-tropics. Synchronizing
nutrient supply with crop demand is essential to maximize yield and fertilizer use efficiency. It has been
found that incorporation of N fertilizer during seeding stage increased yield as compared to broadcasting
of fertilizer. The continuous application of inorganic N fertilizer reduced the soil organic carbon level. The
foliar application of 2% urea produced higher grain and straw yield. Application of fertilizer P @ 125%
recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) with recommended N, K and FYM in different fertility soils
recorded higher grain and straw yield. Nutrient management for targeting production and sustainability,
integrated nutrient management (INM) will be the most suitable option. Application of 100% NPK along
with FYM @ 10 t ha-1 recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield and enriched the soil organic
carbon. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) alone or in a combination with chemical fertilizers
contributed to higher amounts of carbon inputs and build up a higher soil organic carbon pool in rain fed
groundnut–finger millet rotation in alfisol of semi-arid region. Cropping system approach either sequential
or intercropping with legume was found beneficial. Treating seeds with Azospirillum brasilense (N fixing
bacterium) and Aspergillus awamori (P Solubilizing fungus) @ 25 g kg-1 seed of finger millet found to be
beneficial. Soil test crop response (STCR) need to be considered for supplying nutrients more precisely
with a target yield output. In the present paper, the available literature on different options of nutrients
application to finger millet for sustainable productivity is reviewed.
A field experiment was carried out in sandy loam soil at Experimental Farm, Bagusala, M.S.
Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management during
summer in 2018. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three
replications and 8 treatments comprised of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer RFD (120-60-60 kg NP2O5-K2O/ha), 100% RFD + bio fertilizer consortia (Azotobactor + Azosporillum + phosphobacter) @15
kg/ha, 50% recommended N through farm yard manure(FYM) + 50% RDF + bio fertilizer consortia @15
kg/ha, 50% recommended N through vermicompost (VC)+ 50% RFD + bio fertilizer consortia@15kg/ha,
75% RFD +25% recommended N through FYM, 75% RFD + 25% recommended N through VC, 75%
RFD + 25% recommended N through FYM + bio fertilizer consortia@15 kg/ha and 75% RFD + 25%
recommended N through VC + biofertilizer consortia @15kg/ha. The soil was acidic in reaction (6.8)
with available N, P2O5 and K2O of 158.83, 10.82 and 147.67 kg/ha, respectively. The crop growth
parameters like plant height, number of leaves/plant and leaf area index and yield attributes such as
number of cobs/plant, cob length, cob girth and cob weight and green cob and forage yield were
markedly influenced by integrated nutrient management treatments. Application of 75% RFD + 25%
RDN (VC) + BFC @15 kg/ha recorded the highest crop growth, yield attributes and green cob (12.01
t/ha) and green fodder (16.52 t/ha) yield. It was followed by100% RFD + biofertlizer consortia producing
the green cob (11.67 t /ha) and forage green forage (16.17 t/ha). The conjugated application of 100%
RFD (120-60-60 kg N, P2O5 and K2O /ha) and biofertilizer consortia (Azotobactor + Azosporillum+
posphobacter) @15 kg/ha registered the highest net return (Rs164206/ ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.92).
Exploring rate of global population led to fast depletion of natural resources. It
has become primary importance in India like horse gram, khesari, rice bean, tepary bean,
moth bean, adzuki bean, winged bean and jack bean diversify the current agricultural
systems in order to achieve food security. About 45 legume crops have been reported to be
taken as food source by around 550 tribal societies in India. Different underutilized legumes
are cultivated. These underutilized legumes make an important contribution in the diet of
the rural habitats particularly during adverse conditions like dry season, drought and
famine. Most of the known underutilized legumes contain adequate quantities of essential
amino acids, protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), essential minerals, vitamins
and dietary fibers compared to other legumes, along with presence of some beneficial
bioactive substances. Exploring underutilized legumes as a source of feed, food and
pharmaceutically important compounds to provide primary data which can be applied to
overcome malnutrition-associated complications and can be able in sustaining pulse needs
in India.
A field experiment was carried out at the Bagusala Farm, of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture,
Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha during the kharif season of
2018. Four traditional rice varieties namely, V1
, Red rice (kondo dano), V2
, Manipuri black rice, V3
, Balami
and V4
, Dudheshwar were taken into consideration and the treatments were laid out in Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The traditional rice variety Dudheshwar got
highest values of growth attributing characteristics, yield attributes and yield of rice. The highest grain
yield (6560.25 kg ha-1) and straw yield (10632 kg ha-1) were achieved by treatment V4
-Dudheshwar. In
terms of net return and benefit: cost ratio, the variety Manipuri black rice is resulted in higher profitability
as compared to other traditional rice varieties.
Moisture stress is a limiting factor to achieve potential yield of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under
limited water resources and mulching is one of the suitable measures to mitigate the problem. Further,
pre-sowing soaking of seeds with chemicals can facilitate growth, physiological and metabolic activities
and thus enhance crop productivity. An experiment was conducted at Bagusala Farm of MS Swaminathan
School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi (23o
39’ N
latitude, 87o
42’ E longitude) during summer season of 2018 to study the effect of mulching and pre-sowing
seed treatment with agro chemicals on growth and productivity of summer sesame. The experimental
soil was sandy loam in texture with a pH of 6.1, 0.73% organic carbon and 230, 32.1 and 346 kg ha-1 of
available N, P and K, respectively. The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design (SPD), with two
factors, namely, mulching (main plot) and seed soaking with agro-chemicals (sub-plot). In main plot
three treatments of mulching were taken, namely, M0
, no mulching, M1
, paddy straw mulching and M2
,
plastic mulching, however, four seed soaking treatments, viz., P1
, water soaked, P2
, 200 ppm potassium
chloride (KCL), P3
, 400 ppm potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2
PO4
) and P4
, 400 ppm disodium
hydrogen phosphate (Na2
HPO4
) were considered in sub-plot. Thus 12 treatments combinations were
replicated thrice in 4m × 3m plots. Sesame variety ‘Gauri’ performed well with plastic mulching as it
recorded significantly better growth and higher yield than paddy straw mulching and no mulching.
Among seed soaking treatments, it was noted that pre-sowing seed soaking with either of 400 ppm of
Na2
HPO4
or 400 ppm of KH2
PO4 exhibited superiority to other treatments to obtain higher productivity.
Moreover, plastic mulching and seed soaking with either of Na2
HPO4
or KH2
PO4 combination resulted
in higher net return and benefit: cost ratio.
Intercropping of Sunflower with Groundnut and Blackgram in different cropping patterns showing
effects on yield attributes in sole crops and intercrops. In view of this a experiment was conducted
during summer season (February to June) of 2018 at Bagusala Farm (23o
39’ N latitude, 87o
42’ E longitude)
of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Paralakhemundi. Effect of intercropping summer sunflower with legumes on yield attributes and
productivity. 9 treatments of sole, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 ratios of sunflower1
crop with groundnut2
and blackgram3
were tested in RCBD design with three replications. The experiment revealed that superior performance
in expression of yield attributes like significantly increased the yield attributes like Number of pods/
capitulum per plant, Number of seeds per pods/capitulum, Number of seeds per plant, Seed weight per
plant (g), 1000 seeds weight (g), Seed yield (kg/ha), Biological yield (kg/ha). It may be concluded that
to obtain higher productivity of crops which are having higher productivity during summer season in
sandy loam soils.
A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2018 at Bagusala Farm, of M.S. Swaminathan
School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha
to study the effect of integrated nutrient management in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) on
yield attributes, productivity and nutrient uptake under south Odisha conditions. The experiment was
laid out in randomized complete block design with ten treatments and replicated thrice. The treatment
combinations are T1
, control,T2
, FYM @ 4 t ha-1, T3 FYM @ 8 t ha-1, T4
, 100% RDF (40:20:20 - N: P2
O5
: K2
O kg
ha-1), T5
, 50% RDF + 4 t FYM, T6
, 75% RDF + 2 t FYM, T7
, FYM 4 t ha-1+ Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1, T8
, FYM 8 t
ha-1 + Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1, T9
, 50% RDF + 4 t FYM + Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1, T10, 75% RDF + 2 t FYM +
Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1. Application of 100% RDF resulted in the highest yield components like number
of effective tillers m-2, number of grains ear head-1, number of fingers ear head-1, test weight and length
of fingers which remained statistically at par with the application of chemical fertilizers along with the
FYM and Azospirillum (T10). The highest grain yield, straw yield and biological yield were achieved from
the treatment with 100% RDF which was followed by application of 75% RDF + 2 t FYM + Azospirillum
(T10) and 75% RDF + 2 t FYM (T6
). However, the lowest values yield attributes and yields were recorded
in control (no nutrients). Total nutrient (NPK) uptake by finger millet differed and it was found that
application of 100% RDF recorded significantly higher nutrient uptake than other treatments. The lowest
uptake of N, P and K was recorded in absolute control treatment.
Crop geometry is an important factor to achieve higher production by better utilization of resources and
in turn higher production of photosynthates. The ideal crop geometry can assure healthy and uniform
stand in the main field and ensure higher productivity. Proper age of seedlings has a tremendous influence
on the tiller production, grain formation and other yield contributing characteristics. In view of the
above, a field experiment was conducted during kharif season (June to October) of 2018 at Bagusala Farm
(23o
39’ N latitude, 87o
42’ E longitude) of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University
of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha to find out the effect of crop geometry and
age of seedlings on yield attributing characters, yield and nutrient uptake of finger millet (cv. Vakula)
in sandy loam soil. The experiment revealed that transplanting of 20 days old seedlings at 25 cm x 25
cm spacing registered superior performance in expression of yield attributes like effective tillers m-2,
number of grain ear head-1, number of fingers ear head-1, test weight and length of the fingers; grain and
straw yield and nutrient uptake. It may be concluded that to obtain higher productivity of finger millet
during kharif season in sandy loam soils of south Odisha, 20 days old seedlings may be transplanted
with a spacing of 25 cm × 25 cm.
Intercropping, an age old agricultural practice of cultivating two or more crops in the same space at the
same time is generally adopted for more production by utilizing available growth resources. Choice of
crops is very important to reap a better harvest from intercropping. The selection of a suitable intercropping
system is sort of complicated issue as the success of intercropping depends much on the interactions
between the component crop species, proper management practices and favorable environmental
conditions. Intercropping has a huge potential and multiple advantages. The advantages are like efficient
utilization of resources, enhancement of soil fertility by including legumes as component in mixture and
soil conservation through covering the greater ground cover. Moreover, intercropping reduces attack of
insect pest, checks the incidence of diseases and restricts weed population and thus minimizes the use
of protection plant chemicals. This article addresses an overall view with a focus on prime advantages
supported by evidences from the literature based on earlier research.
The red and lateritic zone (RLZ) of Eastern India comprises of south-west part of West Bengal, a
part of Odisha and Jahrkhand grimly a low position in respect of yield levels compared to many
other parts of India. Soil of this area is poor in inherent fertility status with low to medium available
nutrients of phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Most of the lands are located on higher elevation
and erosion hazards and gully formation are very common. Monsoon rainfall is erratic or unevenly
distributed in this region and, thus partial or even total failure of rainfed crops is very common. The
major parts of this zone are rainfed, rice-fallow based mono-cropped and cropping intensity of the
region is between 125-130%. This region of India is home of millions of resource-challenged small
and marginal farmers having poor food and nutritional vis-Ã -vis economic security. To alleviate this
grim situation of drought prone RLZ of Eastern India, intensification of Rice-fallow by inclusion of
suitable crops was one the major challenges due to several bio-physical constraints. In this context,
being the climate resilient and drought tolerant crops, millets may be the best choice for the ricebased crop sequence, any fallow and marginal land, agro-forestry system or even for popularizing
any millet-based crop sequence for escalating the level of livelihood of the small and marginal
farmers of the dry tract of RLZ. The objective is to develop a model using implementing milletbased cropping system to address food and nutritional security for the regions like RLZ of eastern
India. Available research data on millet production feasibility in the region was used. A
multidisciplinary approach was used for value-addition and small-scale agri-industry. In this present
paper, we conceptualized the current status, prospects and research strategies for augmenting the
millet production system to improve the food and nutritional security across drought prone and red
laterite region of Eastern India. We believe that same model can be applied elsewhere in the world
with agro-climatic conditions like RLZ.
A field experiment was carried out at the Instructional farm, Jaguli, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya
(State Agricultural University), Mohanpur, Nadia (W.B.) to study the effect of irrigation and mulching
on growth, productivity and water use efficiency of safflower based intercropping system during two
consecutive winter season of 2010-11 and 2011-12. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design,
replicated thrice, having 3 irrigation treatments in the main plots viz. I1
- rainfed , I2
- Irrigation at 0.5 IW:
CPE ratio, I3
- irrigation at 0.75 IW : CPE ratio and 2 cropping system in sub-plots viz., C1
- Sole lentil,
C5
- Safflower-lentil grown as 3:2 ratio, respectively and 2 sub-sub plot treatments viz. M0
- No mulching,
M1
- Straw mulching. Levels of irrigation, cropping systems and mulching significantly influenced the
yield attributing characters and yield of lentil. Among all the levels of irrigation I3 i.e. irrigation at IW: CPE
of 0.75 recorded highest values of all yield attributes of lentil. Safflower inter cropped with lentil i.e., C2
showed better result than sole lentil i.e. C1
and straw mulching recorded better result over no mulching.
Levels of irrigation significantly influenced the seed yield of lentil. The maximum seed yield (756.87 kg
ha-1) was recorded under irrigation at IW: CPE of 0.75followed byirrigation at IW: CPE of 0.50 75 (706.12
kg ha-1) and the lowest seed yield (667.50 kg ha-1) was recorded under rainfed treatment. The seed yield
of sole lentil was 855.83 kg ha-1 while safflower intercropped with lentil was 564.50 kg ha-1. Different
levels of irrigation, cropping systems and mulching did not show any significant influence on the protein
content of lentil. The highest protein content (26.79%) was recorded under irrigation at IW: CPE of 0.75.
Restoration of soil fertility of arable land is a great challenge in the developing and populous countries
like India. The country witnessed the benefits Green Revolution Technologies (GRTs) in boosting of
grain yield and the after effect of GRTs during past few decades in terms of deterioration of soil fertility
and land degradation, loss of soil flora and fauna, genetic erosion, ecological unbalance, yield plateauing
and associated insecurity in livelihood of the farmers. Now maintenance of soil fertility and sustainability
of agriculture production are of important concerns. Green manuring can play an important role in this
regard as it showed versatile impacts like improvement of soil physico-chemical and biological
properties and fertility, nutrient supply to succeeding crops, checking erosion and plant protection. The
previous research activities on various aspects of green manures were reviewed here in favour of
evergreen agriculture for the future.
An experiment was conducted at Bagusala farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Paralakhemundi, Gajapati, Odisha to determine the effect of four phosphorus levels on three cowpea genotypes and
interaction of these two factors. The result obtained from the analysed data indicated that cowpea genotypes differed
significantly in growth characters studied such as height of the plant, number of leaves and number of branches. In
case of yield components and yield, the genotypes differed significantly in respect of number of pods/plant, length of
pod(cm), average pod weight(g), average number of seeds per pod, seed weight per pod(g), pod yield (kg/ha), seed
yield (kg/ha). The application of phosphorus equally influenced the growth and yield components as well as yield of
cowpea. The interaction effect between genotypes and phosphorus levels showed that the genotype Baramasi(V3)gave
the highest pod yield (5199kg/ha) of cowpea with the application of60 kg P2O5 /ha (T4).
Maize (Zea mays L.), the queen of cereals, is planted with wide spacing and so it offers the scope of
intercropping. Considering the benefits of cereal-legume association, an experiment on maize-legume intercropping
system was conducted during summer season of 2018 at Bagusala Farm of M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture,
Centurion University of Technology and Management, Gajapati district, Odisha under typical sub-humid and subtropical climatic conditions. The treatments were comprised of ten cropping systems namely, T1: sole maize (Zea mays
L.), T2: sole greengram (Vignaradiata L.), T3: sole groundnut (Arachishypogeae L.), T4: sole blackgram (Vignamungo
L.), T5: Maize with greengram (2:1), T6: Maize with groundnut (2:1), T7: Maize with blackgram (2:1), T8: Maize with
greengram (2:2), T9: Maize with groundnut (2:2) and maize with blackgram (2:2). Paired row sowing of hybrid maize
was done with a spacing of 30 cm × 25 cm / 80 cm in sole maize. Pure stand of legume i.e. green gram, groundnut and
black gram were sown with 30 cm × 10 cm spacing. As per the treatments, single and double row of intercrops were taken
in between two pairs of maize. The observations recorded from the experiment clearly showed that the growth and
productivity of maize was influenced by the treatments. However, in additive series of intercropping treatments, legumes
produced considerable yield. The competition functions like land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding co-efficient
(RCC), aggressivity (A) and competitive ratio (CR) prominently indicated the benefits of maize-legume intercropping
system under south Odisha conditions.
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Crop modeling as
degree advance tool in agriculture may be a complicated development that’s
rough to be used as a results, it provided a comprehensive narration of an
objective condition, it’s a robust tool to provide a clear, useful
illustration as an area of reality, that captures the essential components
and mechanisms of that system and even further hard, once the fashionable
systems restricted in management problems associated with environmental
ecology.1 The DSS web is totally computerized that permits the users to
incorporate all technical information contained in crop growth models with
economic concerns and environmental impact evaluations those are presently
offered. DSSAT2 is also a rattling example of a management tool that allowed
individual farmers to match the biological demand of a crop to the physical
characteristics of the land to induce given objectives within the
agricultural analysis sector, modeling may be a novel discipline and basic
information on the applying of those models in analysis isn’t just on the
market. Modeling is that the use of equations or sets of equations to
represent the behaviour of a system in growth and development of agricultural
crops and in purpose of truth. Hence, crop models are computerized programmes
that mimic the enlargement and development of crops as per governmental
departments of various counties, as reported first widely in 2007. Model
simulates or imitates the behaviour of a true crop by foreseeing and
predicting the economic yield from its components, like leaves, roots, stems
and grains. Thus, a crop growth simulation model predicts the last word state
of crop production or biomass yield and additionally to its content
quantitative data associated with major processes that concerned within the
growth and development of the crop.
The Earth’s natural resources are finite, whereas the amount of people that the land ought
to support continues to grow quickly. This creates a significant downside for agricultural
production and productivity ought to be hyperbolic to satisfy quickly growing demands
whereas natural resources ought to be protected. New agricultural analysis is needed to
supply knowledge to the farmers, policy and various decision makers on their accomplish
property agriculture over the widely diverged variations in climate around the world. The
deployment of crop models throughout this direction in analysis is being impressed, at
present time. A model can be a schematic illustration of the conception of a system or
associate act of mimicry or a set of equations that represents the behaviour of a system.
Thus, a model is defined as “an illustration of degree object, system or set up in some
sort apart from that of the entity itselfâ€. Its purpose is usually to assist in explaining,
understanding or up performance of a system.
Waterlogged and subsequent soil salinization are the two major causes of degradation of irrigated
agricultural lands making it unfit for crop cultivation. Surface drainage is inefficient to combat the
problem adequately. Subsurface drainage technology is an effective control measure for both. However,
this technology is to some expensive and has an associated problem of safe disposal of the drainage
effluents. Bio-drainage is considered by some as an effective alternative, in which water and salt tolerant
plant species are grown to remove the salt solutions from saline and waterlogged lands in an eco-friendly
and economical manner. Bio-drainage has now been portrayed as a land reclamation option, confirmation
of salt uptake from saline lands having established plantation needs to be carried out.
Agricultural production can only be sustained on a long term basis if the land, water and forests on which it
is based are not degraded further. Improvements in water resources management are essential to raise
agricultural productivity and reduce land degradation and water pollution. Salinization, alkalization and
water logging should be addressed by a more careful approach to drainage and the regulation of water
quantities through efficient use of irrigation water, which require that water be applied to growing crops at
appropriate times and in adequate. The integrated management of water resources could only be possible
through adoption of efficient and optimum use of irrigation water, which could only be ensured
by judicious and economic use of irrigation potential whatsoever created to increase crop production.
The integrated water resources management also includes the concept of rainwater management that has
got an immense important on the way to develop the rainfed farming system. It has got relevancy
particularly in installing small-scale irrigation system based on farmers’ participatory approach for
sustainable crop production for maintaining sustainable growth and development of agriculture. Modern
irrigation techniques like sprinkler and drip should be promoted when water is scarce and the topographic
and soil conditions do not permit efficient irrigation by conventional methods. Promotions of such water
saving devices should be an objective of the national water policy. Water resource management is a
integrated and multidisciplinary activity, managing irrigation water that needs agronomy and crop
husbandry, efficient methods and system of irrigation needs soils scientists and engineers. More than 98%
of the irrigated lands are under the coverage of surface irrigation where more than 50% of water as
considered as wastages wherein effective minimization of wastage of water used for irrigation and
application of right quantity of water at right time will be the key to successful management of this crucial
resource. So question of judicious management of water is pertinent while prioritizing researchable issues
became of national importance.
The efficient nutrient management is essential to achieve crop yield sustainability. Integration of all
possible sources of nutrients can only fulfill the requirement of crops and wherein yield sustainability
can be ascertained. Organic manures can play in important role in this direction. But these manures are
bulky in nature and low in nutrient content, hence the substitution is highly required. Green manure,
another possible option of providing nutrients to crops from organic sources, but it has got some
limitations as it is practiced in mainly rice crop that requires a period of about 45-60 days from seeding
to decomposition with proper temperature and optimum moisture conditions after incorporation. The
viable option left behind that is brown manuring as a tool for integrated nutrient management. Brown
manuring is capable of supplying all nutrients to the crops which is also considered beneficial for weed
management as well as improving soil properties.
The performance of three cowpea genotypes (SB-2, Rawati, Baramasi) with four levels of phosphorus (0,
20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5/ha) was studied at Bagusala farm of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture,
Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Gajapati, Odisha. The
treatments were laid using Factorial Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice with the individual
plot size of 12m2
. The result obtained from the analysis data indicated that cowpea genotypes are
significantly different. Plant growth parameters study included such as plant height, number of leaves per
plant, number of branches per plant and days to first flowering. Yield parameters such as number of
pods/plot and 100-seed weight (g) and both of green pod yield (kg/plot) and seed yield (kg/plot) were
recorded. Results showed significant response to the application of phosphorus which equally influenced
the growth and yield components as well as yield of cowpea. Baramasi genotype gave early flowering
followed by SB-2 and Rawati. The effect of genotypes and phosphorus levels showed that the genotype
Baramasi gave the maximum (5.22 kg) pod yield/plot in terms of pod yield/ha (4355 kg). Further,
Baramasi genotype produced highest seed yield/plot (1.15 kg/plot) in terms of hectare (965 kg) and
minimum was noted with the genotype Rawati (0.97 kg/plot). In case of 100-seed weight, Baramasi
registered the highest response with the application of 60 kg P2O5/ha. Thus based on these findings,
application of 60 kg P2O5/ha can be recommended for better cowpea growth and yield. Similarly,
genotype Baramasi can be recommended for better yield for Gajapati district of south Odisha.
India is the largest importer of vegetable oils in the world. Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of
the important oilseeds of India. There is enough scope for improvement of productivity of oilseeds
through adoption of scientific technologies and the crop responds well to added nutrients. Considering
the importance of phosphorus among nutrients, a field experiment was carried out at the Bagusala
Farm (23Ëš
39ʹ N latitude and 87˚
42ʹ E longitude) of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion
University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha on medium land with good
irrigation and drainage facilities. The soil was a typical brown forest soil and sandy loam in texture
having moderate water holding capacity. The percentage of sand, silt and clay were 71.5, 16.2 and 12.3,
respectively. The experimental soil was with 0.73% organic carbon, 230 kg N ha-1, 32.1kg P2
O5
ha-1 and
346 kg K2
O ha-1. The treatments were comprised of seven levels of phosphorus namely, P0
: control (no
P2
O5
), P1
: P2
O5
@ 20 kg ha-1, P2
: P2
O5
@ 40 kg ha-1, P3
: P2
O5
@ 60 kg ha-1, P4
: P2
O5
@ 80 kg ha-1, P5
: P2
O5
@ 100
kg ha-1 and P6
: P2
O5
@ 120 kg ha-1,allotted randomly in 4 replications. The variety of groundnut was K6.
The experimental results revealed that the treatment P5
(P2
O5
@ 100 kg ha-1) recorded the maximum plant
height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and crop growth rate. The highest pod, kernel, haulm
and biological yields and harvest index were noted by P5 (P2
O5
@ 100 kg ha-1). The higher doses of P2
O5
application enhanced N, P and K content of kernel and haulm and crude protein content of kernel and
established their superiority to control.
A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2018 at Bagusala farm, M. S. Swaminathan School of
Agriculture under Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha.
The experimental soil was sandy loamy texture with pH 6.5, OC (0.41), and low in available N (73.4 kg
ha-1), high in available P (30.2 kg ha-1) and medium in available K (152.4 kg ha-1). This experiment was
laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with nine treatments comprising of T1: transplanting
of 15 days old seedling at 20 cm × 20 cm, T2: transplanting of 15 days old seedling at 25 cm × 25 cm, T3:
transplanting of 15 days old seedling at 30 cm × 30 cm, T4: transplanting of 20 days old seedling at 20
cm × 20 cm, T5: transplanting of 20 days old seedling at 25 cm × 25 cm, T6: transplanting of 20 days old
seedling at 30 cm × 30 cm, T7: transplanting of 25 days old seedling at 20 cm × 20cm, T8: transplanting
of 25 days old seedling at 25 cm × 25 cm and T9: transplanting of 25 days old seedling at 30 cm × 30 cm.
The treatments were replicated thrice with Vakula variety at seed rate of 5 kg ha-1. The results of the field
experiment showed that finger millet performed well in sandy loam soils of South Odisha at a spacing
of 25 cm × 25 cm with 20 days old seedlings in terms of growth and productivity, but these agronomic
management did not influence the quality parameters.
During recent time small millets have been re-evaluated as nutri-cereals. The grains of small millets are
used as nutritious food and straw as palatable forage for livestock. Moreover, these crops enrich agrodiversity, check erosion in arid regions, sequester carbon and assure food and nutritional security to
smallholders in drylands. But productivity of small millets is less compared to other cereals. Like other
small millets, little millet (Panicum sumatrens L.) is also rich in nutrients, possesses other qualities and as
a short duration crop it fits to different cropping systems. Sufficient research work has not been carried
out on agronomic management targeting higher productivity. An initiative has been taken to gather
information from available literature on improved agronomic management of little millet and presented
in the article. Further, the article highlighted the future scope of research on the crop.
Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.), a high-value cut flower of the family Asteraceae is used as fresh and dry
flower, aesthetic decoration, making of bouquet with high demand in the domestic as well as export
market. In topical and sub-tropical environment it is grown under protected cultivation. An experiment
was conducted to evaluate the performance of six cultivars of gerbera, viz., Stanza, Dana ellene, Intense,
Dune, White House and Artist for growth, productivity and floral quality under forced ventilated
polyhouse with fan-pad cooling system and micro-climate managed by internet of things (IoT). The
present investigation was carried out during 2018-2019 at the Protected Cultivation Unit of M.S.
Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was placed in Randomized Block Design and replicated four
times. Among the cultivarsconsidered, there was significant difference interms of vegetative growth,
floral characteristics and yield. The maximum plant height (45 cm) was found with Stanza and the
cultivar White House recorded the highest number of leaves (30.3) during 100 days after planting. But the
cultivar Dana ellene showed its superiority in terms of floral characters like stalk length (62.3 cm), basal
girth of the stalk of flower (0.70 cm) and flower diameter (12.8 cm) with more yield.
An experiment was conducted at instructional farm Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya during kharif
season, 2017 to find out a suitable chemical weed management practice in transplanted rice. The
experiment was laid out in randomized block design having 12 treatments replicated thrice. The
treatments were T1: Weedy check, T2: Weed free, T3: Bispyribac sodium 10% SC @ 20 g a.i ha-1 at
14 DAT, T4: Bispyribac sodium 10% SC @ 30 g a.i ha-1 at 14 DAT, T5: Butachlor 1.5 kg a.i ha-1 at 3
DAT, T6: Pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 at 3 DAT, T7: Pretilachlor 0.60 kg a.i ha-1 at 3 DAT + 2,4-D
sodium salt 0.50 kg a.i ha-1 at 30 DAT, T8: Butachlor 1.5 kg a.i ha-1 at 3 DAT + 2,4-D sodium salt
0.50 kg a.i ha-1 at 30 DAT, T9: Metsulfuron methyl 20% WP @ 8 g a.i ha-1 at 14 DAT, T10:
Pretilachlor 0.60 kg a.i ha-1 at 3 DAT + Almix @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 at 21 DAT, T11: Butachlor 1.5 kg a.i.
ha-1 at 3 DAT + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC @ 20 g a.i ha-1 at 21 DAT and T12: Almix @ 20 g a.i ha1 at 21 DAT. The rice variety used in the experiment was MTU 1075. It was observed that different
herbicides treatments influenced weed control efficiency, weed index and yield components in
transplanted rice. The highest number of filled grains (113.12 panicle-1
), 1000 grain weight (22.90
g), grain yield (5.07 t ha-1
) and straw yield (7.15 t ha-1
) of rice was recorded with weed free (T2)
treatment being at par with T11, T4, T3 and T10. In mustard, plots under weed free i.e. T2 treatment in
rice performed the best in terms of every yield attribute viz. number of siliqua (77.00 plant-1
),
number of seeds (20.41siliqua-1
), 1000 seed weight (3.14 g) as well as seed yield (1067.46 kg ha-1
)
and stover yield (2157.40 kg ha-1
) being statistically at par with the plots under treatment T11 & plots
under treatment T4. It can be concluded that the treatment comprising combination of preemergence & post-emergence herbicide like T11 i.e. Butachlor 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 at 3 DAT + Bispyribac
sodium 10% SC @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 at 21 DAT or application of higher dose of efficient & highly
effective post-emergent herbicide molecule like T4 i.e. Bispyribac sodium 10% SC @ 30 g a.i ha-1
at 14 DAT can be opted for sufficient control of weeds in transplanted kharif paddy in terai zone of
West Bengal to maximize the economic return.
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is one of the important cereals of arid and semi-arid regions of Asia
and Africa. Sorghum is a multipurpose cereal, mainly used as food, feed and forage. In India, it is
cultivated under resource-poor conditions with inferior management as rainfed crop in drylands. In the
present scenario of climate change, agricultural production faces different hindrances leading to crop
failure. Intercropping of sorghum with legumes and other crops is advantageous because of more
productivity, efficient use of available resources, conservation and improvement of resources and thus
beneficial for agricultural sustainability. In the study, information was gathered based on available
literature on potential and advantages of sorghum-based intercropping for agricultural sustainability.
A field trial was performed during summer season of 2019 at M.S. Swaminathan School of
Agriculture, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design
with eight treatments which are replicated thrice. Treatments are 100% RDN (T1), 75%
RDN+25% N through vermicompost (T2), 75% RDN+25% N through FYM (T3), 50% RDN+50%
N through vermicompost (T4), 50% RDN+50 % N through FYM (T5), 50% RDN+25% N
through vermicompost+25% N through FYM (T6), 25% RDN+25% N through
vermicompost+50% N through FYM (T7) and Control (T8). The rice variety used in the trial was
RNR 15048. The integrated nutrient management (INM) expressed significantly better results on
growth, yield, nutrient content and economics of summer rice. The treatments with 75% RDN
along with 25% vermicompost (T2) and 75% RDN along with 25% FYM (T3) recorded enhanced
growth, nutrient content and productivity which were at par with 100% RDN and the lowest
results are found with control (no fertilizer).
A field experiment was conducted at Campus Farm of M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture,
Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha during summer season
of 2019. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with combination of
six fertility levels viz. 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (80:60:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha), 100%
RDF + Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha, 100% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30 kg/ha, 125% RDF, 125%
RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha, 125% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30kg/ha and two cytokinin
levels viz. no cytokinin and cytokinin 50 ppm comprising of twelve treatments in three replications. The
experimental results revealed that among the nutrient management treatments, the highest capitulum
diameter (15.02 cm), number of seeds/capitulam (894.5), head diameter (15.02 cm), test weight (44.33
g), seed yield (2.43 t/ha) and stalk yield (3.58 t/ha) were obtained when the crop was fertilized with
125% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30kg/ha. The foliar spray of 50 ppm cytokinin resulted in
increase in head diameter (14.44 cm), number of seeds/capitulam (890.0), test weight (43.06 g), seed
yield (2.36 t/ha) and stalk yield (3.353 t/ha) and harvest index (41.25%) over no application of cytokinin.
It is concluded that interaction effect of 125% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30 kg/ha along with
50 ppm cytokinin positively increased the seed yield (2.77 t/ha). It is re
Finger millets ((Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is one of the important small millets cultivated in India
under subsistence farming in drylands. Though it is low demanding crop energy involvement is there
in profitable raising of finger millet. Increase in energy use in agriculture production at a faster rate in
India because of mechanization and enhancing chemical usage. To study the energy use in finger millet
cultivation, a field trail was conducted at Bagusala Farm of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture,
Centurion University of Technology Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was laid out
in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and ten treatments. The treatment
comprises of T1: control, T2: FYM @ 4 t ha-1,T3: FYM @ 8 t ha-1, T4: 100% RDF (40:20:20 kg ha-1 of N: P2
O5
:
K2
O), T5: 50% RDF + 4 t FYM, T6, 75% RDF + 2 t FYM, T7: FYM 4 t ha-1 + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1, T8: FYM
8 t ha-1 + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1, T9: 50% RDF + 4 t FYM + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1 and T10: 75% RDF
+ 2 t FYM + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1. The results revealed that all the energy parameters except energy
productivity were significantly influenced by different treatments. The highest maximum energy input,
gross energy output, net energy and energy intensity in term of economics were recorded maximum
with application of 100% RDF and maximum energy use efficiency and energy productivity was noticed
with application of FYM 8 t ha-1 + Azospirillum.
A field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Farm, Bagusala, M.S. Swaminathan School
of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha during
summer season, 2018-19. The soil of experimental field was sandy clay loam in texture, slightly acidic
in reaction (pH 6.4) low in available nitrogen (208 kg/ha) and high in both phosphorus (139 kg/ha) and
potassium (390 kg/ha). The field experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications and
12 treatments combination. The treatments were comprised of three water regimes assigned in main plot
(Continuous ponding, continuous soil saturation and saturation after hair crack) and four transplanting
dates in sub plots (Transplanting on 23rd and 31st January, 6th and 13th February). The experimental results
revealed that irrigation treatments failed to exhibit significant effect on growth parameters like plant
height, tillers/clump, LAI, dry matter production and CGR until the peak crop growing period up to 60
DAT excepting plant height at 60 DAT. Crop growth parameters except LAI were significantly influenced
by irrigation regimes at harvest. Irrigation regimes had the remarkably effect of grain yield and WUE but
it had no significant effect on straw yield. Irrigation with continuous ponding produced the highest grain
yield (4.57 t/ha) which was at par with continuous soil saturation (4.30 t/ha). The WUE was significantly
increased with saturation after hair (49.62 kg/ha/cm). Dates of transplanting significantly reflected all the
crop growth parameters throughout the crop growing period. Transplanting on 23rd January significantly
recorded the highest grain yield (4.72 t/ha) and maximum straw yield was obtained in 31st January (7.99 t/
ha) being at par with 23rd January (7.63 t/ha). Significantly the highest WUE was obtained in transplanting
date of 23rd January (47.09 kg/ha/cm).
Since ancient period, different small millets are in use as food and animal feed. But during last few decades,
fine cereals and their value-added products were promoted in India and millets were neglected. Recently,
small millets are recognized as nutri-cereals due to their nutritional values. These crops are ecologically
sound, can enrich agro-diversity, check erosion in arid regions, sequester carbon and assure food and
nutritional security to smallholders in drylands. But productivity of small millets is less compared to
other cereals. Like other small millets, foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is also rich in nutrients and as a short
duration crop it fits to different cropping systems. Sufficient research work has not been carried out on
agronomic management targeting higher productivity. An initiative has been taken to gather information
from available literature on improved agronomic management of foxtail millet
The scope for enhancement of productivity under irrigated conditions is limited
because of over-exploitation of available resources, but there is ample opportunity for
boosting yield in drylands by adopting suitable crops and cropping systems. The agricultural
sustainability in drylands is comparatively hard to achieve due to different constraints
like poor soil fertility, lack of irrigation facilities and moisture stress, small holdings and
less investment in agriculture. Choice of ecologically sound crops as millets and adoption
of intercropping systems are two of suitable options for maximization of productivity in
drylands. Millets are ancient nutri-cereals which can play a crucial role in food as well as
nutritional security of the country and can assure agricultural sustainability in drylands
under intercropping system. The combination of cereal and legume in intercropping is
mostly preferred by the farmers in subsistence farming targeting livelihood security.
Experiments carried out on intercropping of some small millets in India and abroad clearly
indicated numerous benefits like enhancement of crops productivity, greater resource use
efficiency, check in run-off of water and soil conservation in erosion prone areas, prevention
of loss of soil nutrients, improvement of soil health, insurance against crop failure under
aberrant weather conditions, higher monetary return and benefit-cost ratio. But the
performance of all small millets is not tested under intercropping under different regions.
There is still insufficiency in research on small millets based intercropping system which
can create further scope for agricultural sustainability of drylands.
Rice is the staple food of one-third of world population and the productivity needs
to increase to feed the growing population with efficient water management practices and
water saving technologies. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted in South
Odisha during summer of 2018-19 which was laid out in split-plot design with three
replications. The treatments were comprised of three water regimes in main plot viz.,
continuous ponding, continuous soil saturation and saturation after hair crack and four
transplanting dates in sub plots, namely, transplanting on January 23 and 31, February
6 and 13. The continuous ponding recorded the maximum yield attributes like panicle
length (20.04 cm), 1000 grain weight (23.46g), filled grains/panicle (73.90) along with
grain yield (4.57 t/ha), net return (Rs. 50228/ha) and B:C ratio (1.07). Transplanting of
rice on 23rd January resulted in increase in number of effective tillers (8.29), 1000 grain
weight (23.46 g), filled grains/panicle (72.54), grain yield (4.72 t/ha), net return (Rs. 54385/
ha) and B:C ratio (1.19) over other dates of transplanting. The study clearly revealed that
continuous ponding and saturation exerted higher productivity when transplanted on
January 23 under South Odisha conditions.
Rice is the staple food crop of India and for sustainable production of rice integrated
nutrient management is advised. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted during
summer season of 2019-20 at Bagusala Farm (23o
39’N latitude and 87o42’E longitude) of
M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Gajapati, Odisha under sandy clay loam soil
conditions. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replication
and eight treatments. The treatments were 100% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen),
75% RDN+25% N through vermicompost, 75% RDN+25% N through FYM (farmyard
manure), 50% RDN+50% N through vermicompost, 50% RDN+50% N through FYM, 50%
RDN+25%N through vermicompost+25% N through FYM, 25% RDN+ 25% N through
vermicompost + 50% N through FYM, control (no fertilizer).The rice variety RNR 15048
was used. The treatments with 75% RDN along with 25% vermicompost recorded better
results in terms of yield attributes, namely, number of panicle/m2 (213.3), panicle length
(24.5 cm), number of spikelets/ panicle (140.7), number of filled grain/ panicle (123.3)
and grain and straw yields (5.18 t/ha and 7.31 t/ha respectively).The uptake of nitrogen
(N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)by rice was more (85.6, 28.1 and 128.7 kg/ha
respectively) with 75% RDN+25% N through vermicompost and the treatment also showed
maximum value of N (255.0 kg/ha), P (16.7 kg/ha) and K (144.0 kg/ha) in postharvest
soil. From the present study it may be recommended that integrated nutrient management
in summer rice in south Odisha involving application of 75% RDN with 25% N through
vermicompost can be opted for improving productivity and sustainability.
Genotypes and phosphorus levels of other legume crops were also studied and included in the review. It
has been seen that plant height of cowpea increased with application of 40 kg P2O5/ha and 90kg P2O5/ha.
40 kg P2O5/ha and 80 kg P2O5/ha recorded significant increased on number of branches per plant.
Number of leaves per plant, dry matter accumulation and days to first flowering is enhanced by 90kg
P2O5/ha, 60 kg P2O5/ha and 40 kg P2O5/ha respectively. However cowpea different yield attributes are
influenced by 75 kg P2O5/ha, 60 kg P2O5/ha, 50 kg P2O5/ha, 60 kg P2O5/ha, 70 kg P2O5/ha, 80 kg P2O5/ha
and 30 kg P2O5/ha with substantial increase in the growth of different parameters respectively. Hence,
application of phosphorus equally influences the growth and yield components of cowpea genotypes.
Water shortage is a very common problem in the world as well as in India. Agriculture accounts for a
considerable quantity of water in the form of irrigation. With continuous growth of the population, per
capita availability of water is declining. Further, faulty agricultural practices are responsible for pollution
of freshwater. The present irrigation system practiced in most of the developing countries is inefficient in
terms of inferior water use efficiency and less water productivity. The target demand of food and
agricultural commodities can be fulfilled by adopting latest and improved agro-techniques including
efficient irrigation management. Technological development caused in agriculture can cope up with the
future requirement of farm output with limited water. Hence, there is urgent need for adoption of smart
irrigation technologies for food security. The paper focused on present context of water shortage and
possible technologies of smart irrigation for agricultural sustainability.
Small millets comes under a group of coarse cereals that are considered as staple food for the tribal
people in Asia and Africa, where cultivation of major crops like rice, wheat, maize fails to produce
substantial yield. Small millets are valued for their nutritional properties as well as due to their high
resistance to abiotic stresses and ability to grow with minimum nutrient input. Minor millets can grow
anywhere without exploiting much of the natural resources which in turn leads to sustainable agriculture
and environment friendly farming. Small millets are rich source of carbohydrates, dietary fibres, fats,
proteins, vitamins essential minerals and trace elements, essential amino acids, anti-oxidants and hence
can be regarded as functional foods. Despite its excellent nutritional property and ease of cultivation
method, very less scientific research have been done till date on minor millets. They are always being
neglected and thus referred as “orphan cereals” by scientists.The presence of phenolic compounds,
soluble fibers and starch–lipid–protein interactions in minor millets attribute to theirhypoglycemic
properties. These neglected crops can assure both health and food security issues due to their therapeutic
properties as well as their capability to resist severe weather conditions.
The experiment was carried out during summer season at Agriculture Research Farm, Bagusala,
M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Paralakhemundi, Odisha in 2018-19. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture,
acidic in reaction with low in available nitrogen and high in both phosphorus and potassium.
The twelve treatments with combination of irrigation regime and dates of transplanting were
tested in split-plot design with three replications. In main plot, the treatments were consisted of
three irrigation regimes namely continuous ponding, continuous soil saturation and saturation
after hair crack. Four different transplanting dates such as 23rd and 31st January and 6th and
13th February were assigned in sub plots. The experiment results revealed that all the energy
parameters like gross energy output, net energy, energy productivity, energy use efficiency and
energy intensity in term of economics were significantly influenced by irrigation regimes, dates
of transplanting and their interaction effect. The highest value of energy input, gross energy
output and net energy were noticed with continuous ponding while energy use efficiency and
energy productivity were recorded under saturation after hair crack. The energy intensity in term
of economics was enhanced on continuous soil saturation. Transplanting of rice on 31st January
produced maximum all energetic parameters over other dates of transplanting.
Finger millets ((Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is one of the important small millets cultivated in India
under subsistence farming in drylands. Though it is low demanding crop energy involvement is there
in profitable raising of finger millet. Increase in energy use in agriculture production at a faster rate in
India because of mechanization and enhancing chemical usage. To study the energy use in finger millet
cultivation, a field trail was conducted at Bagusala Farm of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture,
Centurion University of Technology Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was laid out
in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and ten treatments. The treatment
comprises of T1: control, T2: FYM @ 4 t ha-1,T3: FYM @ 8 t ha-1, T4: 100% RDF (40:20:20 kg ha-1 of N: P2
O5
:
K2
O), T5: 50% RDF + 4 t FYM, T6, 75% RDF + 2 t FYM, T7: FYM 4 t ha-1 + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1, T8: FYM
8 t ha-1 + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1, T9: 50% RDF + 4 t FYM + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1 and T10: 75% RDF
+ 2 t FYM + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha-1. The results revealed that all the energy parameters except energy
productivity were significantly influenced by different treatments. The highest maximum energy input,
gross energy output, net energy and energy intensity in term of economics were recorded maximum
with application of 100% RDF and maximum energy use efficiency and energy productivity was noticed
with application of FYM 8 t ha-1 + Azospirillum.
A field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Farm, Bagusala, M.S. Swaminathan School
of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha during
summer season, 2018-19. The soil of experimental field was sandy clay loam in texture, slightly acidic
in reaction (pH 6.4) low in available nitrogen (208 kg/ha) and high in both phosphorus (139 kg/ha) and
potassium (390 kg/ha). The field experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications and
12 treatments combination. The treatments were comprised of three water regimes assigned in main plot
(Continuous ponding, continuous soil saturation and saturation after hair crack) and four transplanting
dates in sub plots (Transplanting on 23rd and 31st January, 6th and 13th February). The experimental results
revealed that irrigation treatments failed to exhibit significant effect on growth parameters like plant
height, tillers/clump, LAI, dry matter production and CGR until the peak crop growing period up to 60
DAT excepting plant height at 60 DAT. Crop growth parameters except LAI were significantly influenced
by irrigation regimes at harvest. Irrigation regimes had the remarkably effect of grain yield and WUE but
it had no significant effect on straw yield. Irrigation with continuous ponding produced the highest grain
yield (4.57 t/ha) which was at par with continuous soil saturation (4.30 t/ha). The WUE was significantly
increased with saturation after hair (49.62 kg/ha/cm). Dates of transplanting significantly reflected all the
crop growth parameters throughout the crop growing period. Transplanting on 23rd January significantly
recorded the highest grain yield (4.72 t/ha) and maximum straw yield was obtained in 31st January (7.99 t/
ha) being at par with 23rd January (7.63 t/ha). Significantly the highest WUE was obtained in transplanting
date of 23rd January (47.09 kg/ha/cm).
Since ancient period, different small millets are in use as food and animal feed. But during last few decades,
fine cereals and their value-added products were promoted in India and millets were neglected. Recently,
small millets are recognized as nutri-cereals due to their nutritional values. These crops are ecologically
sound, can enrich agro-diversity, check erosion in arid regions, sequester carbon and assure food and
nutritional security to smallholders in drylands. But productivity of small millets is less compared to
other cereals. Like other small millets, foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is also rich in nutrients and as a short
duration crop it fits to different cropping systems. Sufficient research work has not been carried out on
agronomic management targeting higher productivity. An initiative has been taken to gather information
from available literature on improved agronomic management of foxtail millet and presented in the
article. Further, the article highlighted the future scope of research on the crop.
The scope for enhancement of productivity under irrigated conditions is limited
because of over-exploitation of available resources, but there is ample opportunity for
boosting yield in drylands by adopting suitable crops and cropping systems. The agricultural
sustainability in drylands is comparatively hard to achieve due to different constraints
like poor soil fertility, lack of irrigation facilities and moisture stress, small holdings and
less investment in agriculture. Choice of ecologically sound crops as millets and adoption
of intercropping systems are two of suitable options for maximization of productivity in
drylands. Millets are ancient nutri-cereals which can play a crucial role in food as well as
nutritional security of the country and can assure agricultural sustainability in drylands
under intercropping system. The combination of cereal and legume in intercropping is
mostly preferred by the farmers in subsistence farming targeting livelihood security.
Experiments carried out on intercropping of some small millets in India and abroad clearly
indicated numerous benefits like enhancement of crops productivity, greater resource use
efficiency, check in run-off of water and soil conservation in erosion prone areas, prevention
of loss of soil nutrients, improvement of soil health, insurance against crop failure under
aberrant weather conditions, higher monetary return and benefit-cost ratio. But the
performance of all small millets is not tested under intercropping under different regions.
There is still insufficiency in research on small millets based intercropping system which
can create further scope for agricultural sustainability of drylands.
Rice is the staple food of one-third of world population and the productivity needs
to increase to feed the growing population with efficient water management practices and
water saving technologies. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted in South
Odisha during summer of 2018-19 which was laid out in split-plot design with three
replications. The treatments were comprised of three water regimes in main plot viz.,
continuous ponding, continuous soil saturation and saturation after hair crack and four
transplanting dates in sub plots, namely, transplanting on January 23 and 31, February
6 and 13. The continuous ponding recorded the maximum yield attributes like panicle
length (20.04 cm), 1000 grain weight (23.46g), filled grains/panicle (73.90) along with
grain yield (4.57 t/ha), net return (Rs. 50228/ha) and B:C ratio (1.07). Transplanting of
rice on 23rd January resulted in increase in number of effective tillers (8.29), 1000 grain
weight (23.46 g), filled grains/panicle (72.54), grain yield (4.72 t/ha), net return (Rs. 54385/
ha) and B:C ratio (1.19) over other dates of transplanting. The study clearly revealed that
continuous ponding and saturation exerted higher productivity when transplanted on
January 23 under South Odisha conditions.
Rice is the staple food crop of India and for sustainable production of rice integrated
nutrient management is advised. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted during
summer season of 2019-20 at Bagusala Farm (23o
39’N latitude and 87o42’E longitude) of
M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Gajapati, Odisha under sandy clay loam soil
conditions. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replication
and eight treatments. The treatments were 100% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen),
75% RDN+25% N through vermicompost, 75% RDN+25% N through FYM (farmyard
manure), 50% RDN+50% N through vermicompost, 50% RDN+50% N through FYM, 50%
RDN+25%N through vermicompost+25% N through FYM, 25% RDN+ 25% N through
vermicompost + 50% N through FYM, control (no fertilizer).The rice variety RNR 15048
was used. The treatments with 75% RDN along with 25% vermicompost recorded better
results in terms of yield attributes, namely, number of panicle/m2 (213.3), panicle length
(24.5 cm), number of spikelets/ panicle (140.7), number of filled grain/ panicle (123.3)
and grain and straw yields (5.18 t/ha and 7.31 t/ha respectively).The uptake of nitrogen
(N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)by rice was more (85.6, 28.1 and 128.7 kg/ha
respectively) with 75% RDN+25% N through vermicompost and the treatment also showed
maximum value of N (255.0 kg/ha), P (16.7 kg/ha) and K (144.0 kg/ha) in postharvest
soil. From the present study it may be recommended that integrated nutrient management
in summer rice in south Odisha involving application of 75% RDN with 25% N through
vermicompost can be opted for improving productivity and sustainability.
Intercropping is gaining popularity in developing countries as a viable strategy for diversifying cropping systems
to ease food insecurity, given that arable land is shrinking, and demand for food crops is increasing due to rapid
population growth. A field experiment was conducted in 2015 and 2016, to examine the biological and economic
viability of two intercropping systems (potato-dolichos and potato-bean planted in two potatoes to legume
population density ratios: 1.1:2 and 1: 2.4) and their corresponding pure stands. Intercropping systems were also
evaluated based on five competition indices: relative crowding coefficient (K), aggressivity (A), competitive ratio
(CR), intercropping advantage (IA) and actual yield loss (AYL). Although biological feasibility revealed that
intercropping decreased the yield of intercrops compared with respective monocultures; the economic assessment of different cropping systems indicated that intercropping resulted in a higher remuneration (gross and net
income) than pure stands. Intercropping potato with a high population of legume (in 1: 2.4 patterns), resulted in
not only higher system productivity but also potato equivalent yield compared to 1.1:2. Intercropping proved to
be advantageous with AYL decreasing with increasing proportion of the legumes, whereas IA increased as the
population of legumes increased. With regard to competition between the intercrops, the potato was more
aggressive (A of potato was positive, and its CR > 1) in all cropping systems, and it dominated over legume (that
had negative A values and CR < 1). Aggressivity and dominance capacity was higher in 1: 2.4 than 1.1:2 series.
These results suggest that potato-legume intercropping may provide viable intensification options, especially for
smallholder farmers.
A field trial was carried outat Bagusala Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Odisha during summer season of 2019-20 in sandy clay loam soil study the energetics of integrated
nutrient management (INM) of summer rice. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design
and replicated thrice. There were eight treatments, namely, 100% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen),
75 % RDN+25% N through vermin compost, 75% RDN+25% N through FYM (farmyard manure), 50%
RDN+50%N through vermin compost, 50% RDN + 50%N through FYM, 50% RDN+25%N through vermin
compost + 25% N through FYM, 25% RDN+ 25% N through vermin compost + 50%N through FYM,
control (no fertilizer).The rice variety RNR 15048 was used. The treatments with 75% RDN along with
25% vermin compost recorded better results in terms of energy indices like energy output, energy
productivity and net energy of(167.16 GJ ha-1
), (569.69Kg GJ-1
)and (145.29 GJ ha-1
). The practice of use of
75% RDN along with 25% vermin compost has recorded highest energy output (167.16 (GJ ha-1
), energy
productivity (569.69Kg GJ-1
).
The greatest challenge of the twenty first century in many developing countries is to maximize the
production of basic necessities namely food, fodder, fuel and fiber to fulfill the needs of the increasing
human and animal population. The availability of land for agriculture is shrinking day by day and it is
converting for non-agricultural purposes. Under this situation, one of the important strategies to increase
agricultural output is development of high intensity cropping systems by adopting intercropping. Inter
cropping systems found to have more advantages than sole cropping as related to income and soil health
and other environmental factors. Further, cereal-legume combination of intercropping mostly shows
advantages in terms of more productivity, utilization of available resources and soil health improvement.
Maize is widely spaced crop and chosen as cereal component to accommodate legumes in a better
manner in the space between maize rows. The article focuses on enhancement of productivity of crops
and advantages of maize-legume intercropping system.
Intercropping, also known as multi-cropping or poly culture, is an age-old agricultural practice that
involves the growing of diversified crop species in close proximity such that they coexist temporally for a
portion of their life cycle. Growing of different plant species together enhances biological diversity and
thus ensures greater ecological service, which is important in creation of suitable environment for
successful organic agriculture. Further, legume crops in association in intercropping system benefit nonlegumes by sharing nutrients, enabling soil biological activities and higher use of available resources. The
adoption of Green Revolution Technologies (GRTs) resulted in degradation of natural resources with
yield decline or stagnation of major crops. During recent time, organic agriculture has emerged as an
economically viable option of farming because of growing demand of the organic products worldwide.
In addition to that, organic agriculture has enough potential to assure agricultural sustainability. Under
these circumstances, intercropping can play a vital role in organic agriculture for sustainable farm output
and the article has focused on beneficial aspects of intercropping system in befitting organic agriculture
Intensive agriculture enhanced agricultural productivity to a large extent by using high energy inputs, improved
seeds and cultivars, assured irrigation and mechanization. After some decades, the ill effects of mentioned
technologies were pronounced on agro-ecosystem and these created hindrances in achieving agricultural
sustainability. During the end part of the previous century, the thought of agricultural sustainability became an
important concern. Organic agriculture was also started to flourish during the same period with some promises
of ecofriendly concept as well as Ecosystem Services (ES). Greater Ecosystem Service (ES) is related to
agricultural sustainability and thus organic agriculture has a huge potential to ensure agricultural sustainability
by mitigating adverse impacts of intensive agriculture on agroecosystem. The article focuses on scope and
positive effects of organic agriculture on ES vis-à-vis sustainable agriculture.
Wheat is one of the world’s most commonly consumed cereal grains. During abiotic
stresses, the physiological and biochemical alterations in the cells reduce growth and development
of plants that ultimately decrease the yield of wheat. Therefore, novel approaches are needed for
sustainable wheat production under the changing climate to ensure food and nutritional security of
the ever-increasing population of the world. There are two ways to alleviate the adverse effects of
abiotic stresses in sustainable wheat production. These are (i) development of abiotic stress tolerant
wheat cultivars by molecular breeding, speed breeding, genetic engineering, and/or gene editing
approaches such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas toolkit,
and (ii) application of improved agronomic, nano-based agricultural technology, and other climatesmart agricultural technologies. The development of stress-tolerant wheat cultivars by mobilizing
global biodiversity and using molecular breeding, speed breeding, genetic engineering, and/or
gene editing approaches such as CRISPR-Cas toolkit is considered the most promising ways for
sustainable wheat production in the changing climate in major wheat-growing regions of the world.
This comprehensive review updates the adverse effects of major abiotic stresses and discusses
the potentials of some novel approaches such as molecular breeding, biotechnology and geneticengineering, speed breeding, nanotechnology, and improved agronomic practices for sustainable
wheat production in the changing climate.
An edited book
An authored book written with A. Zaman
An edited book
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An abundance of
metabolomics information on the plant pressure reactions has been collected,
and countless metabolic pathways are proposed in different abiotic stress.
There are moderately any metabolites and pathways that have been tentatively
demonstrated to work in abiotic stress resilience. A profile of metabolites
doesn’t predict whether there is any related metabolic pathway that can be
upregulated or downregulated since both regulation responses can prompt the
amassing of a metabolite. They may be illuminated by contrasting the
information about metabolomics. And those can be derived from either
transcriptomic or proteomic or both investigations or exercises of explicit
proteins. Quality of metabolite administration of glucosinolate blend and essential
digestion under sulfur-and nitrogen-restricted conditions was likewise
finished by applying incorporated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome
information. This 2methodology is demonstrated to be helpful in explaining
the guideline of the pathway. Furthermore, the guidelines of the information
about the omics pathway in different abiotic stresses have been summarized.
The examinations utilizing proteomics along with secret omics and
metabolomics are moderately uncommon in the reaction field of plant pressure.
A portion of the varieties communicated as alterations cytogenetically and
phenotypically in plants was recovered from the culture by callus tissue.
Cell culture and tissue culture conditions can be limited or boosted by the
degree of somaclonal varieties. Throughout the years, numerous varieties as
changes in the genomes of plants have been normally advanced.
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Rice holds
key importance in food and nutritional security across the globe. Nutrient
management involving rice has been a matter of interest for a long time owing
to the unique production environment of rice. In this research, an artificial
neural network-based prediction model was developed to understand the role of
individual nutrients (N, P, K, Zn, and S) on different plant parameters
(plant height, tiller number, dry matter production, leaf area index, grain
yield, and straw yield) of rice. A feed-forward neural network with
back-propagation training was developed using the neural network (nnet)
toolbox available in Matlab. For the training of the model, data obtained
from two consecutive crop seasons over two years (a total of four crops of
rice) were used. Nutrients interact with each other, and the resulting effect
is an outcome of such interaction; hence, understanding the role of
individual nutrients under field conditions becomes difficult. In the present
study, an attempt was made to understand the role of individual nutrients in
achieving crop growth and yield using an artificial neural network-based
prediction model. The model predicts that growth parameters such as plant
height, tiller number, and leaf area index often achieve their maximum
performance at below the maximum applied dose, while the maximum yield in
most cases is achieved at 100% N, P, K, Zn, and S dose. In addition, the
present study attempted to understand the impact of individual nutrients on
both plant growth and yield in order to optimize nutrient recommendation and
nutrient management, thereby minimizing environmental pollution and wastage
of nutrients.
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Organic agriculture
is found to be superior than conventional farming on account
of increased human labour employment, lower cost of cultivation, higher
profits,
better input use efficiency and reduced risk leading to increased income,
enhanced
self reliance and livelihood security of the farmers and maintaining soil
health and
environment. Indian agriculture for long remained sustainable only because
of the
low external input factors. Zero budget farming appears to be superior to
both
conventional farming and organic farming since it solves the problem of
labour
shortage and marketing which are perennial problem in agriculture.
Conventional
agriculture based on concept of fertilizing the crop which is organic
agriculture, it
is for ‘fertilizing the soil’ in regular addition wherein organic
fertilizer improves
the soil health and quality. The loss of nutrient in organic manure is less
due to its
slow release. Furthermore, organic standard restricts the use of off-farm
organic
fertilizer as it may contain pollutants wherein it is always better to use
on farm
inputs to make success of organic agriculture.
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The production of
edible oilseed in India is not enough to fulfill the domestic need. The spurt
in the production in recent years has rendered possible due to improvement in
oilseed productivity and strategies adopted by the government order
Technology Mission on Oilseeds. In this connection, a special project on
‘Frontline Demonstration (FLD) on Oilseeds’ was started in 1988-89 in order
to demonstrate the production potential through the latest technologies
vis-à-vis local practices. In Sundarbans region of West Bengal, India
groundnut has been introduced recently. Farmers of this region generally grow
groundnut during summer season as rainfed crop with suboptimal input levels
and lack of scientific production technology, resulting in poor productivity.
To eradicate the constraints FLD on groundnut was conducted by Ramkrishna
Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) with the financial and technological
assistance by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi from
1992-93. The KVK conducted FLDs on groundnut from 1992-93 to 1998-99 in
different Sundarbans Blocks, viz., Jaynagar-I, Jaynagar-II, Mathurapur-I and
Mathurapur-II. Each demonstration was of 0.1 ha and crop period was ranged
between January to May. From the data technology gap, extension gap and
technology index were calculated."
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The production of
edible oilseed in India is not enough to fulfill the domestic need. The spurt
in the production in recent years has rendered possible due to improvement in
oilseed productivity and strategies adopted by the government order
Technology Mission on Oilseeds. In this connection, a special project on
‘Frontline Demonstration (FLD) on Oilseeds’ was started in 1988-89 in order
to demonstrate the production potential through the latest technologies
vis-à-vis local practices. In Sundarbans region of West Bengal, India
groundnut has been introduced recently. Farmers of this region generally grow
groundnut during summer season as rainfed crop with suboptimal input levels
and lack of scientific production technology, resulting in poor productivity.
To eradicate the constraints FLD on groundnut was conducted by Ramkrishna
Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) with the financial and technological
assistance by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi from
1992-93. The KVK conducted FLDs on groundnut from 1992-93 to 1998-99 in
different Sundarbans Blocks, viz., Jaynagar-I, Jaynagar-II, Mathurapur-I and
Mathurapur-II. Each demonstration was of 0.1 ha and crop period was ranged
between January to May. From the data technology gap, extension gap and
technology index were calculated."
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India is one of the
agricultural based Nations with more than two third of the
population is directly or indirectly involved in agricultural sector.
Before 1960, in
India only traditional agriculture was followed without intervention of synthetic
and chemical fertilizers and pesticides. There was threatening to food
security to
fulfill the hunger of the population and frequent climatic aberrations
during late
1960s. The Government of India had entered into the path of so called green
Revolution. Therewas increase in production and productivity at that time
and our
country wasable to satisfy partly the food security. After three or four
decades,
production and productivity reduced drasticallywith abnormal input costs
and the
farming sector turned to be unfavorable occupation to all concerned.Soil
degradation, high pest-disease-weed infestation, more water consumption and
nonjudicious use of inputs, unfavorable priceand with several natural and
manmade
issues, the farming turned to be unworthy for farmers.Under these
circumstances,
there was a need to search the potential of organic farming in our country
as the
practice was emerging in several countries all over theworld for the last
two
decades. India also started its journey towards organic farming to meet
domestic
and export need of organic produce during end of last century. In this
article, study
is done about present status, scope and future potential of organic farming
in India
in global perspective.
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A field experiment
conducted during the monsoon season of 1994 and 1995 showed that sole
groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) higher dry-matter yield, leaf-area index
and crop-growth rate at early growth stages; but sole groundnut,
fingermillet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] +
pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] and fingermillet + groundnut
intercropping recorded higher values of the above growth attributes at later
stages. Sole fingermillet produced more ears/m2 but fingermillet +
pigeonpea intercropping recorded more fingers/ear than other cropping
systems. Among the legumes, pigeonpea recorded greater number of pods/plant,
whereas greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) produced higher number of
seeds/pod and groundnut had the highest test weight. Sole groundnut produced
the highest pod and chaff yields. Fingermillet + groundnut, fingermillet +
pigeonpea and sole fingermillet also gave higher yield than other cropping
systems. Application 60 kg N, 30 kg P2O6 and 30 kg K2O/ha recorded more
dry-matter yield, leaf-area index and crop-growth rate. It helped in
increasing fingers/ear, pods/plant and seeds or kernels/pod over the low
fertility levels and resulted in higher yield of all the crops under sole and
intercropping systems. Sole groundnut at high fertility level gave the
highest yield.
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Results of field
experiment conducted at Instructional Farm of R.K. Ashram Krichi Vigyan
Kendra, Nimpith, West Bengal during winter season of 1996-98 indicated that
intercropping greengram (Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek), onion (Allium cepa L.),
groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), beet (Beta vulgaris L) and chilli (Capsicum
annuum L.) in uniform row and paired row planting of upland cotton (Gossypium
hirsutum L.) increased land used efficiency and gave higher total
productivity compared to pure cropping of rainfed cotton on Entisols of
coastal saline region of Sundarbans, West Bengal. Irrespective of planting
pattern of cotton and row ratio of intercrops, groundnut and greengram were
found better for higher cotton equivalent yield and monetary advantage than
other intercropping systems.
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A field experiment
was conducted during the winter season of 1996-97 and 1997-98, in
Hazaribagh, Bihar, India. The treatments consisted of 5 sole stands
each of chickpea cv. BR 77, linseed cv. T 397, barley cv.
BR 32, safflower cv. BYL 652, toria cv. BR 32, and intercrop
association of chickpea with linseed, barley, safflower or toria in row
ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1. Chickpea, linseed, barley and toria were sown in
rows 25 cm apart, whereas safflower at 45 cm apart under both sole and
intercropped stands. Intercropping of chickpea and safflower in 1:1
row ratio proved most efficient system resulting in maximum chickpea
equivalent yield (12.76 q/ha), gross (RS 10?846) and net
monetary returns (Rs 5346), and benefit:cost ratio (1.97). The same
treatment also accounted for higher land equivalent ratio (1.12), area-time
equivalent ratio (0.96), monetary advantage (Rs 1162/ha) and maximum product
of crowding coefficient (K 1.84) with modest competition coefficient
(0.31:0.68), which proved the most efficient. Chickpea sown with barley in
1:2 row proportion proved to be inefficient intercropping system with minimum
chickpea equivalent yield (9.48 q/ha) and net monetary returns (Rs 2758/ha).
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An experiment was
conducted at the Regional Research Sub-Station, Sekhampur, Birbhum, West
Bengal, during the rainy season of 1994 and 1995 to study the effect of
nitrogen and phosphorus at different plant densities on grain yield and N, P
and K uptake by ‘WR 5’ finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.)
Gaertn.]. Grain and straw yields were significantly increased by increasing
the dose of nitrogen and phosphorus. The combined application of nitrogen and
phosphorus did not show any significant effect on grain yield of finger
millet, although the application of N along with @ 60 kg/ha gave higher
yield, it was at par with grain yield recorded by single application of N @
60 kg/ha. The wider spacing of 25 cm x 10 cm had significant effect on grain yield
with or without nitrogen or phosphorus compared with closer spacing of 25 cm
x 8 cm or 25 cm x 6 cm. However, combined application of N and P at different
spacing levels did not show any significant results on straw yield. Uptake of
N, P and K by grain and straw was also significantly increased with the
increase in N and P. The higher dose of nitrogen @ 60 kg/ha at wider spacing
of 25 cm x 10 cm increased NPK content in grain and straw than the same dose
at closer spacing of 25 cm x 6 cm of finger millet.
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Cotton cv. LRA
5166 seedlings were grown in winter (1996-98) on clay loam soil at spacings
of 45 × 30, 45 × 45, 60 × 30 or 60 × 45 cm and given 4 different NPK rates.
Seed cotton yield was 1108, 1392, 1436 and 1502 kg/ha for the 3 spacings as
listed. Yield was highest at the highest fertilizer rate of 100:25.8:41.5 kg
NPK/ha. Data on growth and yield components are tabulated.
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An experiment was
conducted during winter season of 1994-95 in humid sub-tropical region of
West Bengal to study the effect of irrigation and sulfer fertilization on
productivity of Indian mustard Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson. The
irrigation influenced number of pods/plant, number of seeds/siliqua, 1000
seed weight and seed yield significantly. Two irrigations at flowering and
grain formation stages gave the heighest seed yield. Irrigation did not
influence oil content significantly. Consumptive use of water and water use
efficiency increased with increasing irrigation levels. Sulfer enhanced yield
attributes and seed production significantly. The sulfer increase consumptive
use of water and water use efficiency upto a certain limit. The oil content
of seeds was also increased with additive application of sulfer.
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A field experiment
was conducted on silty loam soil during summer season of 1988, 1989 and 1990
to study the effect of irrigation and potassium application on groundnut
(Arachis hypogaea L.). The highest pod and haulm yields were recorded with
irrigation at 0.80 atmospheric tension. The consumptive use of water
increased with increasing frequency of irrigation. Maximum consumptive use of
water was recorded with application of irrigation at 0.30 atmospheric
tension. Application of nitrogen at flowering stage showed the highest value
of water use efficiency. Nutrient uptake was the highest with application of
irrigation at 0.80 atmospheric tension followed by 0.30 and 0.55 atmospheric
tensions. A dose of 60 kg K2O/ha was statistically at par with 30 kg K2O/ha
and these treatments were significantly superior to no-K2O application in
enhancing pod yield. But 60 kg K2O/ha resulted in higher haulm yield than 0
and 30 kg K2O/ha. Increasing application of K2O increased consumptive use of
water, water use efficiency, total N and K uptake, whereas total P uptake was
maximum with 30 kg K2O/hectare.
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A field experiment
was conducted on finger millet (Eleusine coracana) during kharif season of
1994 and 1995 in lateritic soil of Birbhum, West Bengal with tree levels of
nitrogen and phosphate at different plant populations. The wider spacing of
25 cm X 10 cm produced significantly higher drymatter, leaf area index, crop
growth rate, leaf area duration and number of earheads pe square m, number of
fingers per ear, weight of fingers per ear and 1000-grain weight. The grain
yield was also higher by 28.7 and 20.3 per cent in wider spacing with 4.0
lakh plant population per ha over medium and closer spacing of 25cm X 8 cm
and 25cm X 6 cm, respectively. Grain and straw yields were increased with the
increase in nitrogen and phosphorus level. N60 P60 producing significantly
maximum growth and yield attributes and higher grain and straw yield,
followed n60P30 and N60 treatments. There had been a significant correlation
between the plant height, dry matter accumulation per square metre, number of
earheads per square metre, number of fingers per ear, grain weight per ear
and 1000-grain weight with grain yield.
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A field experiment
was conducted at District Seed Farm, Kalyani, Bidhan Chandra Krishi
Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal during the summer season of 1996 to study the
growth and productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Treatments comprised
of 3 dates of sowing (1st February, 15th February and 1st March) and 4 levels
of irrigation [namely, irrigation at branching, flowering and capsule
development (B+F+C stage); branching and flowering stage (B+F); branching and
capsule development stage (B+C); branching stage(B)]. Results showed that
sowing at 15th February performed better in influencing plant height,
drymatter, number of branches/ plant, yield attributes and seed yield.
Maximum consumptive use and CUE were noted with 1st March and 15th February
sowing respectively. Among irrigation levels, 3 irrigations (B+F+C) gave
highest consumptive use.
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In field trials in
1994 and 1995 on low fertility Typic Ultisols during the kharif season, 5
cultivars of Eleusine coracana were compared at N rates of 0, 30 and 60
kg/ha.
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An experiment
conducted on blackgram showed that with increase in sulfur levels (0-20
kg/ha), the dry weight/plant increased which was significant at 60 DAS.
However, the plant height, primary branches/ plant and number of pods/ plant
did not show significant result though the readings at 20 kg S/ha were higher
than control (S0). In plant height, sulfur application by placement method
was found significant at 40 DAS. At 60 DAS, the placement method (M2) was
found to be superior than broadcast (M1) for dry weight /plant, number of
primary branches/ plant and in number of pods/ plant. In test weight, the
sulfur levels were significant, indicating that various levels increased the
test weight of blackgram. The placement method was marginally superior to broadcast,
which was non-significant. The yield of grains progressively increased with
increased levels of sulfur. The placement method gave more yield than
broadcast. In grain yield, both the sulfur levels and methods were found
significant.
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A pot experiment was
conducted at Research Complex, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya. Kalyani
during rainy seasons of 1989 and 1990 to study the effect of different levels
of N and K application and soil moisture tension on growth, nutrient uptake
and water use efficiency (WUE) of rice bean (Vigna umbellata). The treatments
were comprising of two N levels (0 and 20 kg/ha) and two K levels (0 and 40
kg/ha) and five soil moisture tensions (0-0.33 atm, 0.33-0.50 atm, 0.33-1.00
atm, 0.33-2.00 atm and 0.33-4.00 atm). Dry weight and leaf area of were
significantly enhanced by N and K. The moisture stress decreased growth
parameters. Application of N and K increased uptake of NPK by rice bean.
Though moisture stress increased NPK content in plants but uptake of these
nutrients were decreased significantly. Both N and K application increased
WUE significantly. Maximum WUE was noted with soil moisture rension at
0.33-1.00 atm (5.27g/L) whereas the minimum was at 0.33-4.00 (4.55g/L).
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The field experiment
was conducted during summer season of 2018 at the Bagusala Farm of MS
Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and
Management, Gajapathi district, Paralakhemundi, Odisha (84.18’N longitude and
18.80’ E latitude). The mean minimum and maximum temperatures were 210C and
310C respectively. The soil at the experimental site is sandy loam in
texture. The soil is slightly acidic in reaction (6.2), normal in electrical
conductivity, low in organic carbon (0.41%), available nitrogen is 76.2
kg/ha, with 21.3 kg/ha of available phosphorus and 126.2 kg/ha of available
potassium. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design
with 12-treatment combinations in 3 replications. The first factor was
comprised of three levels of sprayings: S1= no spraying; S2= single spraying
at 25 days after sowing (DAS) i.e. at vegetative stage; S3= double spraying,
one at 25 DAS (vegetative stage) another at reproductive stage 50 DAS at full
flowering and the second factor was four phosphorous levels, that is 20 kg
P2O5 / ha; 40 kg P2O5 / ha; 60 kg P2O5 / ha and 80 kg P2O5 / ha. Seeds are
sown at a depth of about 3 cm as per layout plan at a row to row distance of
30 cm and 10 cm distance amongst plants was maintained in row. Prior to
sowing after final land preparation and layout, the fertilizers were supplied
as FYM @ 10 t/ha and N and K2O were applied @ 20 Kg/ha each in the form of
urea and MOP, respectively. Phosphatic fertilizers as per treatments were applied
in the form of SSP in accordance with treatments. Irrespective of phosphorous
application the double spray of antitranspirant gave highest plant height
(27.5 cm), Dry matter accumulation (297.67 cm), Leaf area index (1.61) and
grain yield of (865.6 kg/ha) The application of phosphorous@80 kg/ha had
shown maximum number of pods per plant (15.96), highest stover yield of
(2059.76 kg/ha) along with maximum test weight (2.50 g) and harvest index
(29.63). The double spray of anti transpirant along with 80 kg/ha had got
highest net return and B: C ratio of 1.23.
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Increasing
productivity of maize while decreasing production costs and maintaining soil
health are emerging challenges for the rice–maize system in South Asia. A
range of integrated nutrient and weed management practices were tested in
winter maize for their effects on yield, profitability, and soil health. The
nutrient management treatments were a partial substitution of nitrogen with
bulky (Farmyard manure; vermicompost) and concentrated organic manures
(Brassicaceous seed meal, BSM; neem cake), whereas weed management
practices compared chemical controls only versus an integrated approach. The
N supplementation through BSM diminished the weed growth by reducing weed N
uptake, and enhanced the maize crop uptake of nutrients. As compared to the sole
chemical approach, atrazine-applied pre-emergence followed by hoeing reduced
weed density by 58 and 67% in years 1 and 2, respectively. The N
supplementation through BSM resulted in the maximum yield of maize grain
(6.13 and 6.50 t ha?1 in year 1 and year 2, respectively) and this
treatment increased yield in year 2 compared to N application through
synthetic fertilizer. Hoeing in conjugation with herbicide enhanced the maize
grain yield by 9% over herbicide alone. The maximum net return and economic
efficiency were achieved with the application of BSM for N supplementation,
together with the integrated weed management practice.
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Cucumber (Cucumis
sativus L.) is a very common and important crop cultivated in worldwide and
often raw or eaten vegetable without cooking. It has been growing as a food
or medicinal since ancient time in India. The seed of cucumber used for
extraction of oil which is excellent for brain and body. Cucumber contains
around 96% of water, which is good for summer season. Ployhouse cucumber
cultivation is very famous in many countries of the world. Sandy loam soil
containing high organic matter with good drainage facility and having
electric conductivity less than 2 dS/m and range of pH from 6.5-7.5 are
considered ideal for cultivation of cucumber. Moderately warm climate is
requiring for better growth. The plants are large in size, hairy leaves,
triangular shape and yellow coloured flower. Cucumber is an excellent source
of molybdenum, vitamin and potassium and also used to cure of skin problems,
kidney, heart problem and used as alkalizer. Protected cultivation of
cucumber ensures higher productivity and superior quality than open
cultivation.
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The extended
increment of the total populace, combined with the contracting territory of
cultivable land needed to fulfill future requirement of foods, is creating
enormous pressure on limited agrarian assets. As an option in contrast to
customary cultivating strategies, crops can be developed in protected
conditions, for example, in greenhouses. These are normally more beneficial
and use assets more effectively than traditional cultivating and are
presently accepting a lot of consideration particularly in metropolitan and
perimetropolitan regions. However, creation of congenial environmental
conditions inside protected structures irrespective to outside atmospheric
condition is difficult and needs different approaches. In this chapter, the
techniques of control of different abiotic factors like light, temperature,
humidity, and CO2 affecting crops cultivated under greenhouse condition have
been addressed. It also includes information related to use of sensors to
control the climatic factors.
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Protected cultivation
of high-value cut flower is catching up in India. Among different cut flowers
grown under protected cultivation, gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) is important
because of its flower colour, long vase-life and market demand. In tropical
and subtropical climate, gerbera is grown in greenhouses to produce
quality flower. To obtain satisfactory yield and superior quality of flowers,
standard package of practices should be followed. In the chapter, suitable
technologies of gerbera cultivation in greenhouse including post-harvest care
have been described.
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Hydroponics
technology is possibly the most intensive and a versatile method of growing
crops production at present as it allows optimum utilization of nutrient
solution, water and space, as well as a better control of climate and plant
protection factors. Hydroponic technology can be an efficient mean for food
production from extreme environmental ecosystems such as deserts, mountainous
regions, or arctic communities. Furthermore, hydroponics production increases
the quality of crops and its productivity, which results in higher
competitiveness and economic income. Several types of hydroponics systems can
be used to grow the crops. Commercially Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) has
been used across a globe for successful production of the leafy as well as
other exotic vegetables cultivation. Hydroponic systems use mineral nutrient
solutions to feed the plants in water of using several non-soil growing
media. Despite of having few disadvantages, Hydroponics technology provides
variety of benefits when compared with conventional farming methods.
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Protected cultivation
of high value cut-flowers has become attractive because of more income from
unit area. Orchids are attractive flowers with greater diversity and
commercial importance. Among different orchids, Dendrobiums can be grown
under different climatic conditions even in open ventilated greenhouses in
tropics and subtropics. For production of quality flowers of Dendrobium,
suitable package of practices should be adopted which includes choice of
cultivars, providing congenial environment, media preparation, planting and
establishment, care of crops and harvest and post-harvest technologies. The
chapter focuses on suitable technologies for production of quality flowers of
Dendrobium in greenhouses.
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Greenhouse is a type
of enclosed structure roofed with glass or plastic, where generally different
high value crops are grown throughout the year by controlling the climatic
parameters. The abiotic factors, such as temperature, soil moisture, relative
humidity, light intensity and son can be controlled to create a micro climate
suitable to the crops irrespective of seasonal variability. As compared with
outdoor cultivation, pests and diseases, other abiotic and biotic stress can
be avoided by growing the crops inside the polyhouse. The greenhouse system
as consists of the elements like supporting structure, covering material,
cooling and heating system, shading and light-supplementary system, CO2
enrichment system, humidity regulators, cultural facilities, fertigation and
automatic control system, there is need for proper maintenance for
uninterrupted production. The chapter focuses on management of greenhouse
during different seasons.
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The yield and quality
of crops depends on various biotic, abiotic and management related
parameters. In conventional agriculture the farmers relied on their
experiences. Due to human perception often there is uncontrolled use of
resources and inputs resulting in not only natural resources wastage and
environmental pollution but also financial loss of farmers. Precision
agriculture uses technology such GPS, sensors, Internet of Things, robotics,
drones, machine learning al decision support systems etc. to optimize the use
of natural resources and farm inputs for a specified yield and quality of
crops. The future of precision farming is moving towards extensive use of
machine learning techniques and image analysis. However, the major
constraints are loss of job, data security, lack of motivation, training and
so on.
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Sustainability and
climate change are the two major challenges to the agricultural production
system. The trade-off between them is essential for higher profitability. The
energy assessment is essential for judging the sustainability and
vulnerability of a production system. Besides, nutrient management and weed
management are equally imperative to sustainability. Thus, the present study
was executed to assess the energy balance, key energy indicators and
profitability of rice–maize–green gram system under different nutrient and
weed management practices. Application of Brassicaceous seed meal
(BSM) along with mineral fertilizer attributed the highest rice (5.62 t ha?1)
and maize (6.48 t ha?1) yield which was 11.6%, 8.3% and 3.7% in maize and
10.0%, 6.2% and 8.7% in rice for the conjoint application with vermicompost,
farmyard manure (FYM) and neem cake, respectively. Moreover, BSM recorded the
highest net energy gain, energy use efficiency and energy efficiency ratio
and the lowest specific energy in all the crops. Application of pre-emergence
herbicides followed by hoeing was found to be best in all respects including
yield, profitability, energy use efficiency, energy effectiveness, etc. The
appropriate combination of integrated nutrient management with BSM and
pre-emergence herbicide application followed by hoeing provided an additional
advantage not only in terms of yield but also an efficient use of energy,
profitability and environmental safety. BSM and neem cake could be the alternative
organic manure in the integrated nutrient-cum-weed management module and they
could be able to compensate the paucity of FYM and vermicompost in the
country.
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The trace element
selenium (Se) is a crucial element for many living organisms, including soil
microorganisms, plants and animals, including humans. Generally, in Nature Se
is taken up in the living cells of microorganisms, plants, animals and humans
in several inorganic forms such as selenate, selenite, elemental Se and
selenide. These forms are converted to organic forms by biological process,
mostly as the two selenoamino acids selenocysteine (SeCys) and
selenomethionine (SeMet). The biological systems of plants, animals and
humans can fix these amino acids into Se-containing proteins by a modest
replacement of methionine with SeMet. While the form SeCys is usually present
in the active site of enzymes, which is essential for catalytic activity. Within
human cells, organic forms of Se are significant for the accurate functioning
of the immune and reproductive systems, the thyroid and the brain, and to
enzyme activity within cells. Humans ingest Se through plant and animal foods
rich in the element. The concentration of Se in foodstuffs depends on the
presence of available forms of Se in soils and its uptake and accumulation by
plants and herbivorous animals. Therefore, improving the availability of Se
to plants is, therefore, a potential pathway to overcoming human Se
deficiencies. Among these prospective pathways, the Se-biofortification of
plants has already been established as a pioneering approach for producing
Se-enriched agricultural products. To achieve this desirable aim of
Se-biofortification, molecular breeding and genetic engineering in
combination with novel agronomic and edaphic management approaches should be
combined. This current review summarizes the roles, responses, prospects and
mechanisms of Se in human nutrition. It also elaborates how biofortification
is a plausible approach to resolving Se-deficiency in humans and other
animals.
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A pot experiment was
conducted at Research Complex, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya. Kalyani
during pre-kharif seasons of 1989 and 1990 to study the effect of different
levels of N and K application and soil moisture tension on growth, nutrient
uptake and water use efficiency (WUE) of jute (Corchorus olitorious L.).
Plant height, stem diameter, dry weight and leaf area of jute were
significantly influenced by N and K. The moisture stress decreased growth
parameters. Application of N and K increased uptake of NPK by jute plants.
Soil moisture stress increased NPK content of plants but decreased uptake of
these nutrients significantly. Both N and K application increased WUE
significantly. Maximum WYE was noted with soil moisture rension at 0.33-1.00
atm (4.35g/litre) and minimum at the moisture stress of 0.33-4.00 at.
(2.75g/litre).
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Intercropping
provides enough scope to include two or more crops simultaneously in same
piece of land targeting higher productivity from unit area. Maize, a cereal
crop of versatile use, as planted in wide rows offers the opportunity for
adoption of intercropping. The intercropping system with maize and legume is
beneficial in mul-tifaceted aspects. The success of maize-legume
intercropping system largely depends on choice of crops and their maturity,
density, and time of planting. Advantage of maize-legume combination of
intercropping system is pronounced in the form of higher yield and greater
utilization of available resources, benefits in weeds, pests and disease
management, fixation of biological nitrogen by legumes and transfer of N to
associated maize, insurance against crop failure to small holders, and
control of erosion by covering a large extent of ground area. Though
maize-legume intercrop-ping system exhibits limitations like less scope of
farm mechanization, dependence on more human workforce, and chance of
achieving less productivity from maize, the system implies more advantages
for small holders in developing countries where human workforce is not a
constraint. The chapter has focused on beneficial impacts of maize-legume
intercropping system.
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Environmental and
economic issues have increased the necessity to know better understand the
role and fate of nitrogen (N) in crop production systems. Nitrogen is the
nutrient most often deficient for crop production in India, and its use can
result in substantial economic return for farmers. Losses of nitrogen from
the soil and plant system not only reduce soil fertility and plant yield but
can also create adverse impacts on the environment. Nitrogen fertilizer
useful to crops is partially lost through different mechanisms, including
ammonia volatilization, de-nitrification, and leaching. These losses may
cause environmental problems like polluting the atmosphere, aquatic systems,
and groundwater. However, losses can be reduced a considerable extent by
various techniques. Research has been conducted in whole world to minimalize
nitrogen fertilizer losses. This paper reviews this information on nitrogen
fertilizer losses, indicating management practices for minimizing these
losses from the soil?water system.
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In the middle of
twentieth century AD, the most important challenge in India was production of
enough to meet the demand of its vast population. To manage the situation,
Green revolution was initiated in the mid-sixties of the previous century
which helped to become self-sufficient in production of food grains. The
prolonged and over usage of chemicals during previous decades resulted in
human and soil health hazards along with degradation of natural resources and
environmental pollution. The country witnessed the deterioration of soil
fertility and land degradation, loss of soil flora and fauna, genetic
erosion, ecological unbalance, yield plateauing and associated insecurity in
livelihood of the farmers. Now creation of environment friendly agriculture
and sustainability of agriculture production are of important concerns to the
scientists and policy makers. In this regard, organic agriculture may be
considered as one of the best possible ways to achieve agricultural
sustainability as it assures exclusion of all chemical and synthetic inputs,
maintains biological cycles and ecosystem services. In this chapter the
impact of organic agriculture has been studied towards achieving agricultural
sustainability for the future
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Rice is the most
important food crop, providing one in three people on earth with a daily
diet. The production of rice in India is a significant food safety factor.
Rice has been very important for successful nutrient management since along
with high levels of rice production. Blanket usage of the fertiliser
contributes to over fertiliser or to an insufficient nutrient balance for
their soils, as well as adverse environmental effects such as nutrient mining
or surface and groundwater contamination due to variable indigenous nutrient
supply in the different areas. Identification of proper nutrient management
practise is the foremost need to improve the production of rice and increase
farm profitability in case of rice farmers. The review shows different
approaches of nutrient management for production sustainability of rice.
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Intensive agriculture
is based on the use of high-energy inputs and quality planting materials with
assured irrigation, but it has failed to assure agricultural sustainability
because of creation of ecological imbalance and degradation of natural
resources. On the other hand, intercropping systems, also known as mixed
cropping or polyculture, a traditional farming practice with diversified crop
cultivation, uses comparatively low inputs and improves the quality of the
agro-ecosystem. Intensification of crops can be done spatially and temporally
by the adoption of the intercropping system targeting future need.
Intercropping ensures multiple benefits like enhancement of yield,
environmental security, production sustainability and greater ecosystem services.
In intercropping, two or more crop species are grown concurrently as they
coexist for a significant part of the crop cycle and interact among
themselves and agro-ecosystems. Legumes as component crops in the
intercropping system play versatile roles like biological N fixation and soil
quality improvement, additional yield output including protein yield, and
creation of functional diversity. But growing two or more crops together
requires additional care and management for the creation of less competition
among the crop species and efficient utilization of natural resources.
Research evidence showed beneficial impacts of a properly managed
intercropping system in terms of resource utilization and combined yield of
crops grown with low-input use. The review highlights the principles and
management of an intercropping system and its benefits and usefulness as a
low-input agriculture for food and environmental security.
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Leguminous crops are
known for their unique nitrogen fixing ability. Legumes introduced into a
cropping system can not only add to the fertility of the soil by their
nitrogen fixing ability but also gives additional benefit of soil organic
matter improvement, nutrient recycling, improving soil porosity and soil
structure etc. Moreover, as pulses are protein rich, hence, it gives dietary
diversity and help in improving the human health. As legumes are usually of
short duration, they fit well into the cropping systems, providing
flexibility in crop planning. They can also improve the economy of the
farmers to a great extent. As cereal-cereal cropping systems have been found
to be unsustainable, hence legume can be considered as a suitable alternative
in those cropping systems
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In modern days, rapid
urbanisation, climatic abnormalities, water scarcity and quality degradation
vis-à-vis the increasing demand for food to feed the growing population
necessitate a more efficient agriculture production system. In this context,
farming with zeolites, hydrated naturally occurring aluminosilicates found in
sedimentary rocks, which are ubiquitous and environment friendly, has
attracted attention in the recent past owing to multidisciplinary benefits
accrued from them in agricultural activities. The use of these minerals as
soil ameliorants facilitates the improvement of soil’s physical and chemical
properties as well as alleviates heavy metal toxicity. Additionally, natural
and surface-modified zeolites have selectivity for major essential nutrients,
including ammonium (NH4+), phosphate (PO42?), nitrate (NO3?), potassium (K+)
and sulphate (SO42?), in their unique porous structure that reduces nutrient
leaching. The slow-release nature of zeolites is also beneficial to avail
nutrients optimally throughout crop growth. These unique characteristics of
zeolites improve the fertilizer and water use efficiency and, subsequently,
diminish environmental pollution by reducing nitrate leaching and the
emissions of nitrous oxides and ammonia. The aforesaid characteristics
significantly improve the growth, productivity and quality of versatile
crops, along with maximising resource use efficiency. This literature review
highlights the findings of previous studies as well as the prospects of zeolite
application for achieving sustenance in agriculture without negotiating the
output
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Nitrogen (N) is a
paramount macronutrient for plant growth, development and production. This
study was carried out to determine the effect of N fertilizer at different
rates on maize crop yield, N content and N use efficiency (NUE) in Rongo
sub-county (Kambija and Koderobara sites), Western Kenya. The treatments were
N (CAN) at four levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1). In Kambija, maize yield
at 50 kg N ha-1 (4.34 t ha-1) was 62% higher than the control while in
Koderobara, the highest yield (3.41 t ha-1) was recorded at 50 kg N ha-1 and
it was 74% higher than in the control. The highest N content of 21 and 20 g
kg-1 werenoted at heading growth stage in Kambija and Koderobara,
respectively. Generally, partial factor productivity (PFP), partial nitrogen
balance (PNB), agronomic N efficiency (N-AE), and nitrogen fertilizer recover
(NFR) decreased with increasing N application across the sites. The yields
exhibited strong relationship with N uptake in the plant tissues especially
at harvest, with coefficient of determination ranging between 0.72 and 0.92.
The study therefore has showed that application of N at 50 kg N ha-1 was the
most viable hence such information needs to be disseminated to farmers
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Intercropping
provides ample scope to incorporate at least two or more crops at a time in
same piece of land aiming at higher productivity from unit land area through
optimized utilization of available resources. Selection of crops, planting
geometry and optimum stand and crop maturity are important factors
influencing success of intercropping system. Upland cotton, being a
moderately long duration and widely spaced crop and having moderate growth
rate during early stage, offers suitability for adoption of intercropping.
Previous research indicates that under cotton-based intercropping system
there is efficient use of resources resulting in not only high productivity
from unit area but also in high profitability. The current review article
highlights the advantages of cotton-based intercropping system based on
previous research findings.
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Maize is a staple
cereal after wheat and rice. It is an important source of carbohydrate,
protein, iron, vitamin B and minerals for many poor people in the world. In
developing countries maize is a major source of income in resource-poor
farmers. As maize is used both as silage and as crop residue and the grains
of maize are usually used for food, starch and oil extraction industrially,
the demand for maize is rising day by day. Therefore, it is imperative for
improvement of maize to meet the increasing demand. This book entitled
"Maize - Production and Use" highlights the importance of maize and
the improved management approaches for improving the productivity of maize in
the era of changing climate
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Innovative
cultivation practices are desired to transform of cropping system which will
result in stretching agro-input resources manifolds to increase agricultural
productivity both in quality and quantity. Plastic mulch is one of the most
useful indirect agricultural inputs which modify the microclimate of crops.
The use of polyethylene mulch in agriculture has gained a steep increase in
the last couple of decades all over the world. This increase of use may be
because polyethylene mulch increases soil temperature, crop yield, soil
nutrient use efficiency, and chemical composition of fruits and vegetables
and reduces weed growth, soil moisture loss, and pests and diseases. Many
scientists and researchers have been conducted studies to understand the effects
of plastic mulch on agriculture and horticultural crops in different parts of
the World. Therefore, an attempted has been made in this chapter to compile
all the scattered information related to polyethylene mulch in single place
to assist researchers and extension personnel working in this area.
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Millets have been
re-recognized during recent times as nutri-cereals because of their
nutritional qualities. Among different small millets, finger millet (Eleusine
coracana L. Gaertn) is having enough importance in India in terms of acreage
and production. The crop responds well to added nutrients to enhance yield
and integration of different sources of nutrients is considered as the best
option for sustainable production. Considering the above fact, an experiment
was conducted in south Odisha conditions at Bagusala Farm of Centurion
University of Technology and Management to study the effect of biofertilizer
Azospirillum and graded levels of chemical fertilizer on growth and yield of
finger millet. The results of above research clearly indicated that application
of 100% RDF was beneficial for increasing growth parameters like plant
height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index of
finger millet. Grain and straw yield of finger millet were also increased by
application of 100% RDF. The impact of biofertilizer application was not
observed on growth and productivity
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Phytohormones (PHs)
play central roles in improving the survival ability of plants to various
abiotic stresses. The major PHs are auxins, abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins
(GAs), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ET), cytokinin
(CK), and brassinosteroids (BRs), and nitric oxide (NO), polyamines (PA), and
plant peptide are also considered as PHs. Besides them, newly identified PHs
are strigolactones (SLs) and karrikins (KARs). Among them, SLs have been
categorized as novel carotenoid-derived PHs, although they were primarily
recognized as host-derived stimulating substances for germination of
parasitic weeds under the genera Striga and Orobanche. Lately,
SLs were established as host detection and hyphal-branching signals for
arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. In plants, they control numerous
developing processes which lead plants to acclimatize to survive various
abiotic stresses, particularly heat, drought, cold, salinity and
waterlogging. In the last decade, the detection of SLs provides a novel
prospect to reconnoitre PHs regulation of plant for advance and adaptation to
ecological restrictions. Recent investigations also recognized novel examples
of PHs cross talk contributing in the adaptation of inclusive rejoinders in
plants. In this chapter, we have discussed the biosynthesis, signalling,
governing, and physiochemical roles of SLs in numerous abiotic stress
conditions. Therefore, it is revealed that the comprehensive thoughtful
of SLs will be a significant issue for overwhelming the difficulties of crop
damage as a consequence of hostile environments.
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The seed yield loss
of sesame due to weeds is estimated to be 35 to 70%. To avoid the losses,
timely weed control is required. It has been observed that two hand weedings
or hand weeding plus hoeing at 20 and 30 DAS gives higher yield and weed
control efficiency. Use of pre-emergence herbicides Pendimethalin at 0.75 to
1.25 kg ai ha-1 or Alachlor at 1.5 to 2.0 kg ai ha-1 or Oxyflorafen 0.15 to
0.25 kg ai ha-1 found to give higher weed control efficiency and seed yield
of sesame and economical. Application of these preemergence herbicides along
with post emergence herbicides Imazythpyr or Quizolfop-ethyl found to give
better weed control and increase in yield of sesame.
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The yield loss due to
weeds in finger millet has been reported to vary from 34 to 61% and for
realising higher yields, weed control at proper time is required. As hand
weeding is costly and unavailability of labour for weeding operation, the use
of herbicide will be an alternative method of weed control. It has been
reported that application of pre emergence herbicides like, 2, 4- D @ 0.75 or
1.0 kg a.i ha-1, Oxadiargyl @ 80 g a.i ha-1, Isoproturon @ 0.375 kg a.i ha-1,
and Nitrofen @ 0.5 kg a.i ha-1 and post emergence herbicides Chlorimuron
ethyl @ 5 or 10 g a.i ha-1, and Ethoxysulfuron @ 12 g a.i ha-1 found to give
better weed control and yield of finger millet. In this paper, review on
available literature on weed management in finger millet and presented.
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A field experiment
was conducted in sandy clay loam soil at Campus Farm, M.S. Swaminathan School
of Agriculture, R. Sitapur, CUTM, Paralakhemundi to study the fertilizer use
efficiency of nano NPK and straight fertilizers with and without organic
sources on baby corn (Zea mays L.) during winter of 2018- 19. The experiment
was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications and
12 treatments. The treatments comprise of nano NPK, straight fertilizers and
organics (vermicompost and azotobacter) applied as alone and combinations.
The baby corn and green forage yield was significantly influenced by use of
nutrient management treatments. Application of 125 % recommended fertilizer
dose (RFD) as straight fertilizer through urea, single super phosphate and
muriate of potash registered the maximum gross return (Rs. 412498.00/ha), net
return (Rs.266528.00/ha) and B:C ratio (2.83). It was followed by application
of 100 % RFD (SF) and 75% RFD (SF) + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen through
vermicompost + Azotobacter. Amongst 12 treatment variables, the least
performance was exhibited under control for all the parameters. Amongst
different nutrients management treatments, the maximum partial factor
productivity, agronomic efficiency and apparent nutrient recovery was
recorded by application of nano NPK alone while nutrient use efficiency was
the highest in 75 recommended fertilizer dose (Nano NPK) + 50 % (SF).
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Barnyard millet
(Echinochloa frumentacea L.) is an important minor millet crop due its
nutritional quality and adaptability to wide range of climatic conditions.
Moreover, the crop has a considerable range of tolerance to drought and high
temperature which enhanced during the present scenario of climate change
which imposed more relevance of cultivation of eco-friendly and climate smart
crops. During last few decades small millets gained their importance due to
relook into their nutritional quality and wider adaptability in adverse
climatic conditions. Barnyard millet has enough potential to sustain under
the change climatic scenario as well as to produce nutritional gains under
resource poor soils. Considering the importance of the crop, an initiative
has been taken to draw out the agronomic management practices for barnyard
millet for sustaining productivity in fragile ecological conditions vis-à-vis
production of nutritional grains for food security in drylands.
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Different
civilizations witnessed use of various plants for medicinal and therapeutic
uses, food additives and preservatives; and these are commonly known as
medicinal and aromatic plants. These are also commonly known as herbs and
spices and in use since ancient time as folk medicine and food preservatives.
They contain many biologically active compounds and essential oils (EOs)
which have medicinal and therapeutic values. During recent time, there is the
rising attention of consumers in materials of natural origin by replacing
unsafe synthetic additives has caused enhanced use of aromatic plants and
their derivatives. As ingredients of aromatherapy, EOs extracted from
medicinal and aromatic plants are fetching high demand because of gradual
increase of market size. The present chapter enumerates the various health
benefits of some important plants highlighting their medicinal and
aroma-therapeutic importance.
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Soybean is called a
“wonder crop” and “golden bean” due to its high protein and fat. Soybean is
native to Asia that is currently grown worldwide. The foliage is very
palatable to cattle and has a high nutritive value and good digestibility.
Soybean forage is much valued in wildlife management as it is also palatable
to deer. Similar to most legumes, soybean forage tends to be high in protein
and low in fiber making. Soybean green fodder yielded about 200-110 q/ha
under good management practices. Soybean forage is rich in crude protein
(18.2-20.3%) and with low in fiber.
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The eastern
sub-Himalayan plain of India is a popular potato growing belt in which vast
scope exists to introduce processing grade cultivars. The selection and
introduction of a better quality processing grade cultivar in this region may
pave the way for the processing industries. Keeping these in the backdrop,
this study was conducted at Instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi
Viswavidyalaya (UBKV), Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India under
eastern sub-Himalayan plains during winter seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18 in
which seven processing type potato cultivars (Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri
Chipsona-3, Kufri Chipsona-4, Kufri Frysona, Kufri Himsona, Kufri Surya and
Kufri Chandramukhi) were evaluated in terms of different quality parameters
pre-requisite for chips processing viz., dry matter content, specific
gravity, starch content, chips colour score, crispiness and hardness of chips
through randomised complete block design (RCBD). The study revealed wide
variation in all quality parameters amongst the cultivars. Cultivar ‘Kufri
Frysona’ showed the highest specific gravity (1.121) as well as dry matter
content (23.35%) followed by ‘Kufri Chipsona-3’. The cultivar ‘Kufri Frysona’
showed the highest starch content (28.52%) too. Chips prepared from ‘Kufri
Chipsona-1’ were recorded to be crispier with a relatively lower value of
deformation before the first break and less hardness value. All processing
type potato cultivar reflected the chips colour score <3 (evaluated, based
on 1–10 scale, 10 being the darkest and least desirable) though ‘Kufri
Frysona’ had the lowest chips colour score (1.50) signifying its superiority
for the region. ‘Kufri Frysona’ cultivation could be recommended in this
agro-climatic region particularly for chips manufacturing potato industries.
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Phytohormones are
small molecules that regulate growth and development of plants in addition to
responding to various changes in the environment. Modification, synthesis,
distribution and/or signal transduction of phytohormones coordinate with
growth and developmental processes inclusive of stress tolerance to support
the survival of plants. Gibberellin (GA), one of the most important classes
of plant growth-promoting hormone against abiotic stress, is reported to play
an important role. Levels of GA and its signalling pathway influence on plant
growth restriction of plants under different stress conditions like
temperature, osmotic stress, and salinity. Increased GA biosynthesis and
signal transduction promote growth in plants to combat against shading and
submergence. It has been reported that GA signalling is also related to
tolerance of different types of abiotic stresses. The regulation at the
transcriptional level of GA metabolism is important in the regulation of the
GA pathway, but there is enough evidence that depicts the interrelationship
of the GA signalling molecule DELLA with others, and it indicates that GA
signalling crosstalks with different hormonal signalling pathways to react to
various abiotic stresses. The chapter focusses on the evidence for the
importance of GA as a plant growth regulator and the regulation of the signal
transduction pathway of GA when exposed to abiotic stress. The GA signalling
mechanisms for regulation of stress tolerance are also discussed.
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Micronutrient
malnutrition is a global health issue and needs immediate attention. Over two
billion people across the globe suffer from micronutrient malnutrition. The
widespread zinc (Zn) deficiency in soils, poor zinc intake by humans in their
diet, low bioavailability, and health consequences has led the research
community to think of an economic as well as sustainable strategy for the
alleviation of zinc deficiency. Strategies like fortification and diet
supplements, though effective, are not economical and most people in
low-income countries cannot afford them, and they are the most vulnerable to
Zn deficiency. In this regard, the biofortification of staple food crops with
Zn has been considered a useful strategy. An agronomic biofortification approach
that uses crop fertilization with Zn-based fertilizers at the appropriate
time to ensure grain Zn enrichment has been found to be cost-effective, easy
to practice, and efficient. Genetic biofortification, though time-consuming,
is also highly effective. Moreover, a Zn-rich genotype once developed can
also be used for many years without any recurring cost. Hence, both agronomic
and genetic biofortification can be a very useful tool in alleviating Zn
deficiency.
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To fulfill the demand
of increased population it is very essential to enhance crop productivity
with precise inputs. Non-judicious application of inorganic fertilizers and
other agrochemicals is degrading soil health, creating environmental
pollution and also contributing to climate change. Nowadays, people became
more aware towards health risks and demand for quality foods with less
chemical residues is increasing as there is a progression of demand for
organic products. But it is very difficult to produce adequate quantity of
organic foods for the raised population in the developing countries as per
standard organic practices. That’s why judicious use of inorganic
fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers is required to supply
nutrients to crops. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as
Rhizobium inoculation in groundnut (a major oilseed crop) can boost crop
growth and enhance yield in a sustainable manner. Further, Rhizobium has
multifaceted advantages in crop nutrient uptake and soil quality improvement.
The article described the role of PGPR as well as Rhizobium in growth and
productivity of groundnut towards production sustainability
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Green gram (Vigna
radiata L.) is one of the important pulses grown in different seasons in
India. For satisfactory yield, nutrients management is essential in green
gram. As a legume species it can fix nitrogen biologically and so nitrogen
demand is less compared to other macronutrients. Phosphorus (P) is a crucial
element in the production and metabolism of pulses and it is also a
significant limiting nutrient in most of the Indian soils. In all soil types,
phosphorus deficiency is typically the main factor in the seed yield of pulse
crops. Phosphorus promotes early root development, improves rhizobia activity
enhancing root nodules for biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Phosphorus is
the integral element of ATP, the plant energy unit. Another important
microelement is sulphur which takes part in protein synthesis. Further,
sulphur is an essential constituent of cystine, cysteine, and methionine. To
obtain greater yield and quality of green gram, fertilization of P and S is
crucial. This article gives an information on the effect of phosphorus and
sulphur on various growth and yield attributes and productivity of green
gram.
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Population growth is
the increase in the number of individuals in a population. Growth of the
human population globally is about 83 million annually and it is anticipated
that the population is going to reach 7.774 billion in 2020. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has anticipated that food and
environmental security will be a big challenge, due to the extreme events of
abiotic stress under the changing climate. On the other hand, genetic
improvement of crops through conventional breeding is a slow and difficult
process, causes high heterozygosity, prolongs juvenile periods, and is also
inconsistent. Besides conventional development of crop species to attain the
food and nutritional security of the increasing population, next-generation
new biotechnological tools (NBTs), namely genetic engineering (GE), may be a
useful tool for the sustainability of crop production under the changing
climate. Scientists revealed that NBTs/GE may be useful for the induction of
desired agronomic and breeding traits through the inclusion of responsible
genes into the genome. NBTs/GE has been practiced for more than three decades
through direct transformation methods (biolistic) and indirect methods
(Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation) as primary strategies for
the introduction of heterologous DNA into plants. All genetically modified
crops generally use one of these methods, since NBTs/GE methods are able to
maintain a high stability of the major traits of the clone. Breeding of
genetically modified plants through the introduction of desirable agronomic
and quality traits by utilizing NBTs/GE has been found to be apposite for
many crops. The present chapter will discuss the concept, methods, and
mechanism of NBTs/GE for improvement of crop species against abiotic stresses
for meeting the food and nutritional security of the increasing population.
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Maize (Zea
mays L.) is the third most important cereal after rice and wheat. As a
C4 plant in the family Poaceae, maize can be grown under a wide range of
agroecological conditions. Earlier evidence showed that as a result of wide
intraspecific genetic variation, it is moderately sensitive to saline stress.
Soil salinity is a serious threat worldwide, particularly in coastal- and
arid–saline ecosystems of the world. According to the biphasic model of
salinity-induced growth reduction, osmotic stress during the first phase and
ion toxicity during the second phase are responsible for reduced growth in
most of the cereals, but in the first phase in maize, ion toxicity, and the
accompanying growth to the excessive Na+ accumulation in the leaves. An
understanding of the physiological, biochemical, genetic, and molecular
mechanisms of maize against salinity stress is desirable to alleviate the
hostile effect of salinity stress on maize. Conventional breeding approaches
have been found to be less effective for improving maize tolerance to
salinity stress. Numerous studies have revealed that enhancement of
osmoprotectants in plant cells, particularly glycine betaine (GB), has been
found to be most effective for the osmotic adjustment of plants during
salinity stress. The chapter aims to highlight the role of osmoprotectant GB
against salt-induced oxidative stress in maize.
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Nitrogen management
is vital for economic and environmental sustainability. Asynchrony of
fertilizer application with crop demand along various nitrogen losses in
Eastern India leads to low fertilizer efficiency in Kharif rice. At
the same time, direct-sowing is gaining popularity due to water and labor
scarcity. In an experiment between 2017–2018 in West Bengal, India, the main
plots represented establishment methods: conventional transplanting, TPR;
direct-seeded rice, DSR; and drum seeded rice, DRR; while subplots
represented nitrogen management options: farmer’s practice (FP), the
state-recommended (SR), nutrient expert-based (NE), Green seeker-based (GS)
and LCC-based (LCC) in a split-plot design with three repetitions. Plant
growth, productivity, and profitability were evaluated. All indicators of
growth or production were affected by establishment methods and by
N-management options. The yield enhancement of TPR and DSR over DRR was 21.1
and 16.8%, respectively, while it was enhanced by 19.21, 14.71, 6.49, and
2.52% by GS, NE, LCC, and SR, respectively, over FP. The highest net return
and return per rupee invested were recorded with DSR, while both GS and NE
had better economics. The results suggest that the combination of DSR establishment
with GS or NE requires further studies to find climate-smart management
techniques in Kharif rice.
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A growing worldwide
population, urbanization and industrialization are expanding the pace of
transformation of arable land into no-man’s land. Providing food to an
ever-expanding populace is perhaps the greatest test that agriculturalists
and plant researchers are now facing. Ecological anxieties make this
circumstance much graver. In spite of the enlistment of a few resilience
components, touchy plants regularly neglect to make due under natural limits.
New mechanical methodologies are basic. Customary rearing techniques have a
restricted potential to improve plant genomes against ecological pressure. As
of late, hereditary building has contributed hugely to the advancement of
hereditarily altered assortments of various harvests, for example, cotton, maize,
rice, canola and soybean. The distinguishing proof of pressure responsive
qualities and their resulting introgression or overexpression inside delicate
yield species is presently being broadly done by plant researchers. The
design of significant resilience pathways, similar to cell reinforcement
chemicals, osmolyte amassing, layer limited transporters for effective
compartmentation of harmful particles and aggregation of fundamental
components and opposition against irritations or microorganisms is
additionally a territory that has been seriously investigated. In this
chapter, the role of microbial biotechnology for mitigation of heat
stress in plants are discussed.
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An abundance of
metabolomics information on the plant stress reactions has been collected and
countless metabolic pathways are proposed to be directed in different abiotic
stresses. Be that as it may, there are fewer evidences that metabolites and
pathways tentatively demonstrated to work in abiotic stress resilience. A
profile of metabolites doesn’t predict precisely whether there is any related
metabolic pathway which can be upregulated or downregulated since both the
responses can prompt the buildup of a metabolite. Those may be illuminated by
contrasting the information on the metabolomics that can be derived from
either transcriptomic or proteomic or both investigation and exercises of
explicit proteins. Quality to metabolite administrative systems of
glucosinolate blend and essential digestion under sulfur-and
nitrogen-restricted conditions were likewise finished up. Furthermore, the
guidelines of the information on the omics pathway in different abiotic
stresses have been summerized. The examinations utilizing proteomics along
with secretomics and metabolomics are moderately uncommon in the reaction
field of plant stress. A portion of the varieties communicated as alterations
of cytogenetical and phenotypical in plants was recovered from the culture by
callus tissue. Cell culture and tissue culture conditions can limit or boost
the degree of somaclonal varieties. Throughout the years, numerous varieties
as changes in the genomes of plants have been normally advanced.
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Population across the
globe are increasing at an alarming rate. UN Population Division currently
(2020) expects that the world population is now 7.8 billion, which will be
reached 10.9 billion (the median line) at the end of the twenty-first
century. To meet the food demand of increasing population cereal equivalent
food demand needs to be increased by about 10,094 million tons by the year
2030 and 14,886 million tons in 2050. At the same time, climate change will
impact on agricultural productivity, as a result of the extreme events of
abiotic stresses. For example, on an average, about 50% yield losses of
several crops are occurred mostly due to high temperature (20%), low
temperature (7%), salinity (10%), drought (9%) and other abiotic stresses
(4%). Other earlier studies, estimated that a large enhancement of biomass
and grain yield loss (83% on average) of wheat was observed when salinity was
combined with drought stress. Global wheat production is estimated to fall by
6% for each °C temperature increase further and will be become more variable
over space and time. To alleviate the antagonistic effect of abiotic
stresses, generally, plants take numerous adaptive mechanisms. Among them,
several phytohormones play an important role in abiotic stress tolerance in
plants. The chapter discussed the role of phytohormones, particularly
biosynthesis, transport and signalling mechanisms of jasmonates and
salicylates during abiotic stress tolerance in plants.
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Precision nutrient
management is the most advanced agronomic strategy for improving crop yields
and managing soil and environmental quality. Considering the above, a field
experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Farm, Baghasala of
Centurion University of Technology and Management during the rabi season of
2020-21 to find out the impact of nitrogen management options on growth and
productivity of maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was consisted of eight
treatments, viz., T1 : control, T2 : 150% RDN, T3 : 125% RDN, T4 : 100% RDN,
T5 : 75% RDN, T6 : 50% RDN, T7 : LCC (25 Kg/ha N @basal, 45 Kg/ha N at 21
DAS, 45 Kg/ha N @ LCC
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Finger millet
(Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is one of the tropical crops having potential
to produce considerable quantity of nutritious food grains under suboptimal
resource and management conditions. During recent years, researches on crop
improvement result in development of improved cultivars producing higher
yield and respond well to applied nutrients. However, there is a need for
evaluation of the varietal performance for nutrient response under given
agroclimatic conditions. Considering the above, an experiment was conducted
at Bagusala Farm, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha
during rabi season of 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in a split plot
design (SPD) comprising of main plot treatments (three varieties, namely,
Arjuna, KMR 204 and VL Mandua 352) and subplot treatments (four nutrient
levels, control, 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 100% RDF and 150%
RDF) with a total treatment combination of 12. The recommended dose of
fertilizer was 40:20:20 kg N:P2O5 : K2O /ha. The results indicated that the
variety Arjuna expressed significantly greater values in terms of yield
attributes and grain, straw and biological yields. More quantity of nutrients
(N, P and K) uptake was also noticed with the variety Arjuna. Application of
150% RDF recorded significantly superior yield attributes, grain, straw and
biological yields and uptake of primary nutrients than other nutrient doses.
The study revealed that for obtaining higher yield of finger millet and
nutrient recovery, the variety Arjuna may be cultivated with a nutrient dose
of 150% RDF in low fertile soil conditions of South Odisha.
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The intercropping
system involves two or more crops coexist for some period of their cycles and
ensure multifaceted benefits. As maize is a widely spaced crop, it offers
enough scope for adoption of intercropping and legumes are known as good
companions in intercropping. Considering the facts, an experiment was carried
out at Bagusala Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management on
intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) with legumes, namely, groundnut (Arachis
hypogaea L.) and green gram (Vigna radiata L.). Paired row maize was sown
during first week of January 2020 and in between two pairs of maize rows,
one, two and three rows of groundnut and green gram seeds were sown. The
results revealed that the grain and straw yields of maize were not influenced
significantly by intercropping system. However, total biomass yield was
differed among the treatments and maize + groundnut (2 : 3) produced maximum
biomass yield and it was closely followed by maize + groundnut (2 : 2) and
maize + green gram (2 : 3). The land equivalent ratio (LER) clearly showed
advantages of intercropping and maximum LER was obtained with maize +
groundnut (2 : 1) and it was followed by maize + green gram (2 : 3). But
maximum area time equivalent ratio (ATER) was noted with maize + groundnut (2
: 3). Aggressivity values indicated that maize was more aggressive compared
to legumes. Maize equivalent yield (MEY) was maximum with maize + groundnut
(2 : 3) and it was followed by maize + groundnut (2 : 2). The results suggest
that intercropping of maize + groundnut either in 2 : 2 or 2 : 3 proportions
can be adopted under south Odisha conditions for greater productivity than
pure stand of maize.
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Soil-centric
approaches mainly focus on management of soil for the improvement of soil
organic carbon (SOC) which plays a major role in sustaining the soil
fertility vis-a-vis productivity. This kind of approach is the need of the
hour particularly in the tropics and sub-tropics where the soil having very
low amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) even less than 0.5% only. The main
pillars of soil-centric approach are conservation agriculture, no-tillage
system, using cover crops and mulching. All these can play very crucial roles
in increasing the SOC when applied for long-term basis. Changing climatic
scenario has great influence on soil formation as well as soil fertility.
Such as elevated CO2 level in the soil as well as raise in the soil
temperature largely manipulate the soil micro-biome and availability of
nutrients to the plants. Thus, under this situation, the importance of
adopting soil-centric approaches is massive to maintain the sustainability in
the agricultural production system. Carbon sequestration is very important
aspect under soil-centric approach. This is crucial to mitigate climate
change as well as improving the soil as a whole. Both the above ground and
below ground carbon sequestration are very much crucial to maintain the carbon-cycle
and reducing the adverse impact of climate change caused by elevated
CO2 level in the atmosphere. Soil-centric approach ensures the lockdown
of carbon in belowground condition more than other soil management
approaches. In this chapter, efforts have been made to elaborate the concepts
of soil-centric approaches and their importance under changing climatic
scenario.
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Rice is the lifeline
for more than half of the world population, and in India, in view of its huge
demand in the country, farmers adopt a rice–rice cropping system where the
irrigation facility is available. As rice is a nutrient-exhausting crop,
sustainable productivity of rice–rice cropping system greatly depends on
appropriate nutrient management in accordance with the inherent soil
fertility. The application of an ample dose of fertilizer is the key factor
for maintaining sustainable rice yields and nutrient balance of the soil.
Considering the above facts, an experiment was conducted on nutrient
management in a rice–rice cropping system at the university farm of
Visva-Bharati, situated in a sub-tropical climate under the red and lateritic
belt of the western part of West Bengal, India, during two consecutive years
(2014–2016). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block
Design with 12 treatments and three replications, with different rates of
N:P:K:Zn:S application in both of the growing seasons,
namely, kharif and Boro. The recommended (ample) dose of
nutrients was 80:40:40:25:20 and 120:60:60:25:20 kg ha?1 of
N:P2O5:K2O:Zn:S in the Kharif and Boro season,
respectively. A high yielding variety, named MTU 7029, and a hybrid, Arize
6444 GOLD, were taken in the Kharif and Boro seasons,
respectively. The results clearly indicated that the application of a
recommended dose of nutrients showed its superiority over the control (no
fertilizer application) in the expression of growth characters, yield
attributes, yields, and nutrient uptake of Kharif as well
as Boro rice. Out of the all treatments, the best result was found
in the treatment where the ample dose of nutrients was applied, resulting in
maximum grain yield in both the Kharif (5.6 t ha?1)
and Boro (6.6 t ha?1) season. The corresponding yield attributes
for the same treatment in the Kharif (panicles m?2: 247.9; grains
panicle?1: 132.0; spikelets panicle?1: 149.6; test weight: 23.8 g; and
panicle length: 30.6 cm) and Boro (panicles m?2: 281.6; grains
panicle?1: 142.7; spikelets panicle?1: 157.2; test weight: 24.8 g; and
panicle length: 32.8 cm) season explained the maximum yield in this
treatment. Further, a reduction or omission of individual nutrients adversely
impacted on the above traits and resulted in a negative balance of the
respective nutrients. The study concluded that the application of a recommended
dose of nutrients was essential for proper nutrient balance and sustainable
yields in the rice–rice cropping system.
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The experiment was
conducted during 2020 to evaluate the relative efficiency of the application
of herbicides combined with inter cultivation practices for their influence
on the growth and productivity of sunflower. Herbicides like pendimethalin,
oxyfluorfen, sodium aciflurfen, clodinafop propargyl with intercultivation at
different days after sowing and unweeding as control. Pendimethalin @ 0.75
kg/ha at 1 DAS followed by Sodium aciflurofen + Clodinafop propargyl @ 125
g/ha at 21 DAS proved to be better in terms of effective weed control,
improved crop growth characters, and productivity of sunflower. The
performance of Oxyfluorfen @100 g/ha at 1 DAS fb Sodium aciflurofen +
Clodinafop propargyl @150 g/ha at 21 DAS was on par with Pendimethalin @ 0.75
kg/ha at 1 DAS followed by Sodium aciflurofen + Clodinafop propargyl @ 125
g/ha at 21 DAS with regard to growth, yield attributes and seed yield.
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Growth and
productivity of pearl millet are majorly governed by climate and adopted
field management practices viz. nutrient, water, weed, etc. Weeds are
undesirable plants both spatially and temporally which grow in close
association with the crop competing for light, moisture, spaces, and
nutrients. Studies indicated that the losses due to weeds were higher
compared to other crop pests, thus posing a serious threat to national food
security. In this context, adopting the right and efficient method of weed
control is essential to achieve the yield potential of the crop. The manual
hand weeding method of weed management, although efficient, is extremely
strenuous and time-consuming. Moreover, the unavailability of labor is
another serious drawback of this method. Besides, cultural, mechanical, and
biological methods to do not ensure complete weed removal at critical stages
of the crop-weed competition, especially during bad weather conditions.
Hence, chemical control is the only efficient alternative left. However,
selection of crop dosage, crop stage, and variety through proper
understanding of mode and mechanism of action of herbicide determine its
efficiency. This review mainly focuses in providing a clear understanding of
the right dose and crop stage for scheduling different herbicides solely or
integrated with other methods targeting efficient weed management in pearl
millet
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Agriculture in
Bangladesh is subsistence-oriented, with traditional management practices
still widespread. More recently, new management options have been introduced
which have led to substantial improvements in national food and nutrition
security as well as a decline in rural poverty. Globally, Bangladesh is the
second largest consumer per capita of rice (about 200 kg year?1).
Between 77% and 80% of the country’s arable land is used for rice-based crop
production. Depending on local edaphic and hydrologic conditions, rice may be
grown over three key cropping periods: aman (grown in the wet
season and rainfed from monsoon rains); boro (grown in winter and
fully irrigated); and aus (grown in spring largely using pre-monsoon
rainfall). To meet the increasing food and nutrition demands of Bangladesh’s
increasing population, farmers apply high doses of agrochemicals (e.g.
fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides) without realizing the deleterious
effect overapplication has in terms of depleting soil organic matter,
increasing both macro- and micro-nutrient insufficiencies, increasing
water-logging and/or poor drainage, and increases in soil salinity and
acidity. In addition, intensive rice cultivation under irrigation is the
greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions from cropland. In 2014, global
greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation were 192 megatons. To mitigate
the adverse effects on soil health of traditional intensive crop management,
and also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food grain production,
conservation agriculture has been proposed as a key tool to sustainably
maintain or increase agricultural productivity and profitability while
preserving or enhancing natural resources and the environment. Conservation
agriculture is based on three principle strategies: minimal disturbance of
soil; maintaining soil cover through the retention of crop residues and/or
cover crops; and the use of crop rotations. This chapter explores how, in
Bangladesh, conservation agriculture improves soil physical, biochemical and
biological health, leading to improved cropping system productivity while
minimizing environmental damage. We also examine key challenges and potential
solutions to promote the wider expansion of conservation agriculture
practices in the intensive rice-based cropping systems of South Asia, in
particular in Bangladesh.
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Plants face to
different changes in environmental conditions that keep on challenging its
normal growth and acclimatization. Cereal crops play a key role in supplying
food and energy to growing population and these crops are bare to substantial
environmental changes causing inferior growth and performance. To overcome
the abiotic stresses experienced by plants, several differential molecular
and physiological responses were evolved that make the plants to mitigate
climatic aberrations. Latest technological developments in genetic
engineering as well as molecular breeding register a significant role in
developing crop varieties and hybrids those are tolerant to environmental
aberrations. Several Transgenes and their Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) were
invented and incorporated into crops for superior performances against
abiotic factors in cereals like wheat and rice.
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The global population
is projected to increase to between 8.9 billion (b) and 10.6 b by 2050, from
a population of 7.7 b in 2019. To meet the increasing food demand of this
growing population, an additional 59–110% more food will need to be produced
by 2050. Therefore, improved agricultural management practices must be used
by farmers to improve productivity. The next-generation practices including
high-yielding crop cultivars require higher inputs, while lack of knowledge
about how to correctly use these crop inputs has resulted in their imbalanced
use which has contributed to ecological imbalances and deteriorating land
productivity. Additionally, traditional rice cultivation in Eastern and South
Asia results in the formation of a layer of low soil permeability in the
plant root zone which increases soil compaction and reduces hydraulic
conductivity, macroporosity, and the proportion of water-stable aggregates in
the soil, all of which adversely affect the productivity of the crop
following rice. Declining soil fertility and environmental pollution as
consequences of traditional crop cultivation are already well reported across
Asia. In contrast, conservation agriculture (CA) practices have the potential
to maintain or improve the productivity and profitability of rice-based
cropping systems, by managing the natural resource base (i.e. soil, water,
energy) in an ecologically and environmentally sustainable manner. CA is
based on the following three key principles: (1) minimal soil disturbance,
(2) maintenance of permanent residues or crop cover, and (3) diversification
of crops within rotational sequences and/or plant associations. This chapter
highlights the concepts and prospects of CA as an emerging and
climate-resilient agricultural technology for food and environmental security
in Asia in the modern era of changing climate.
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Plants face to
different changes in environmental conditions that keep on challenging its
normal growth and acclimatization. Cereal crops play a key role in supplying
food and energy to growing population and these crops are bare to substantial
environmental changes causing inferior growth and performance. To overcome
the abiotic stresses experienced by plants, several differential molecular
and physiological responses were evolved that make the plants to mitigate
climatic aberrations. Latest technological developments in genetic
engineering as well as molecular breeding register a significant role in
developing crop varieties and hybrids those are tolerant to environmental
aberrations. Several Transgenes and their Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) were
invented and incorporated into crops for superior performances against
abiotic factors in cereals like wheat and rice.
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Conservation
agriculture (CA) based practices are gaining popularity in smallholder
farming systems recently because they ensure soil quality and soil health,
and they also reduce the total cultivation costs. However, weeds are a major
hinderance to achieving the desired yield of crops in cereal-based cropping
systems under CA-based practices. Proper weed management is a big challenge
for crop growers to reduce the labor demand and cost of production.
Considering these burning issues, a field study was done with a CA-based
rice–wheat–mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cropping pattern in two
consecutive years (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). The study aimed to understand
the types and distribution of weeds in non-puddled rice fields and also in
strip-planted wheat fields in sandy loam textured soil with low organic
matter (0.87%) content. Furthermore, we also tried to discover the most
economic and effective ways to manage weeds in both cereals of the cropping
pattern. The performance of two herbicides—pendimethalin (as pre-emergence)
and carfentrazone–ethyl + isoproturon (as post-emergence)—for strip-planted
wheat and three herbicides—two pre-emergence herbicides pretilachlor and
pyrazosulfuron–ethyl as well as one post-emergence herbicide, bispyribac–sodium—for
non-puddled rainy season rice were evaluated, where the ‘weedy check’ and
‘weed free’ treatments were considered as a control. In a two-year field
experiment, eight weed species in the strip-planted wheat field during the
first year and fourteen species in the second year were identified. Among
them, three grasses such as Cynodon dactylon (L.)
Pers., Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. and Echinochloa
colona (L.) Link and one broadleaf weed Physalis heterophylla (L.)
Nees, were found to the dominant in both years. During the first season, the
dominant weed species in strip-planted wheat was Physalis
heterophylla (L.); Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop was
dominant in the second year. In a non-puddled field of rainy season rice,
eleven weed species were found in the first year and twelve species were
found in the second year. Among the weed species, four types of grasses
(Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Leptochloa chinensis (L.)
Nees, Echinochloa colona (L.) Link and Leersia
hexandra (Sw.), one sedge (Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl) and
four broadleaf weed species (Ludwigia decurrens (Walter), Jussiaea
repens (L.), Enhydra fluctuans (Lour) and Alternanthera
sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC.) were found the common in both years. The
most dominant weed in non-puddled rainy season rice was Leptochloa
chinensis (L.) for the first year and Alternanthera sessilis (L.)
for the second year. The study revealed that the sequential application of
pendimethalin as pre-emergence treatment followed by carfentrazone–ethyl +
isoproturon as post-emergence treatment were most effective and economically
viable for weed control in strip-till wheat because they achieved the highest
grain and straw yields. For weed management in non-puddled rainy season rice,
the herbicide pyrazosulfuron–ethyl applied as pre-emergence treatment and
bispyribac–sodium as the post-emergence application were found to be the most
effective combination to obtain a desirable yield.
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Nutrient management
is critical for rice farming because the crop is grown under diverse
conditions, and in most cases, the existing nutrient management practices
fail to achieve an attainable yield target. During recent years site specific
nutrient management gained importance for a target yield with maximum
nutrient use efficiency. Sufficient research work has not been carried out in
this direction so far in the rice–rice–pulse (black gram) sequential cropping
system under the red and lateritic belt of West Bengal, India. A
multi-locational field experiment was conducted from July 2013 to June 2015
at three different locations, namely, Guskara (Burdwan district) and Benuriya
(Birbhum district) villages in farmers’ fields and at the university farm of
Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India. The performance of nutrients
was tested by providing ample doses of N, P, K, S, and Zn compared to the
omission of these nutrients. The growth parameters, such as crop biomass
production, leaf area index, and number of tillers, and yield attributes and
yield were influenced by nutrient management treatments. Application of 100%
of N, P, K, S, and Zn resulted in its superiority to other nutrient
management options studied, and a similar trend was also noted with the
treatment in the expression of nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and nutrient
response (NR). The available N, P, K, S, and Zn contents in soil increased
steadily due to the increase in fertilizer application. The study concluded
that optimization of NPK in the rice–rice–pulse cropping system on target
yield along with need-based S and Zn application was beneficial for higher
productivity.
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Drought and salinity
are the major environmental abiotic stresses that negatively impact crop
development and yield. To improve yields under abiotic stress conditions,
drought- and salinity-tolerant crops are key to support world crop production
and mitigate the demand of the growing world population. Nevertheless, plant
responses to abiotic stresses are highly complex and controlled by networks
of genetic and ecological factors that are the main targets of crop breeding
programs. Several genomics strategies are employed to improve crop
productivity under abiotic stress conditions, but traditional techniques are
not sufficient to prevent stress-related losses in productivity. Within the
last decade, modern genomics studies have advanced our capabilities of
improving crop genetics, especially those traits relevant to abiotic stress
management. This review provided updated and comprehensive knowledge
concerning all possible combinations of advanced genomics tools and the gene
regulatory network of reactive oxygen species homeostasis for the appropriate
planning of future breeding programs, which will assist sustainable crop
production under salinity and drought conditions.
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Rice, the predominant
food crop in India, is being grown traditionally with improper plant nutrient
management mostly under the flooded situation. Recent advancement in research
on crop science focuses on water-saving rice technologies for maximization in
crop and water productivity under the backdrop of a shrinking water resource
base for ensuring environmental and agricultural sustainability. Under this
situation, an experiment was conducted in two consecutive years in a
split-plot design keeping rice cultivation methodologies, viz., aerobic
culture, System of Rice Intensification (SRI), and conventional flooded
culture in main plots and integrated plant nutrient management (INM)
treatments in sub-plots. The experiment was aimed at understanding the effects
of different rice production systems and INM on nutrient content, uptake, and
use efficiency. The change in soil quality parameters was also studied to
understand the impact of crop establishment methods (CEM) and INM options.
Significant reduction (p ? 0.05) in nutrient uptake and use efficiency
was observed under aerobic culture compared to SRI and flooded method,
although aerobic culture showed the highest physiological nitrogen use
efficiency. Post-harvest available Fe status was significantly lower in
aerobic rice (mean 10.39 ppm) compared to other crop establishment
technologies; however, Zn status was higher in aerobic rice over the flooded
situation. Although available potassium was not affected due to rice
cultivation methods, available nitrogen and phosphorus status were influenced
remarkably. Soil microbial quality was improved in aerobic rice in comparison
to flooded rice. SRI proved to be the most efficient rice establishment
method for enhancement in nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and enrichment of
soil chemical and microbiological quality. Irrespective of crop culture,
integrated plant nutrition in rice improved the nutrient uptake, use
efficiency, and soil quality parameters. The study revealed that, under the
alluvial soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of Eastern India, SRI can be
considered as a water-saving rice production method. The method can also
improve nutrient uptake, efficiency, and soil quality parameters if proper
INM is adopted.
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This study was
conducted to examine the effects of Lime, Minjingu Rock Phosphate (MRP) and
inorganic NPK fertilizer on maize productivity, profitability and phosphorus
use efficiency (PUE) based on grain yield (PUEY) and economic returns (PUEE).
The study was carried out for two rain seasons in Kenya and the treatments
were Lime, MRP, NPK, Lime + MRP, Lime + NPK, and a control. The highest
height (185 cm) was recorded in MRP treated plots whereas the lowest values
were observed in control (162 cm) and Lime (166 cm). The lowermost yield of
2.2 t ha-1 was attained from the non-amended plots. The value increased by
4.0, 2.9, 1.8, 1.7 and 0.8 t ha-1 in MRP, NPK, Lime + MRP, Lime + NPK and
Lime treatments. The use of MRP proved to be the most lucrative with a
disposable income of US$ 2122ha-1. PUEY was such that Lime + NPK (95 kg of
maize grain yield for every kg of p supplied) < Lime + MRP (116) < NPK
(125) < control (139) < MRP (170) < Lime (188) whereas PUEE was
lowest in plots treated with Lime + NPK (38 $ kg-1) and Lime + MRP (46 $
kg-1), and highest in Lime (75 $ kg-1) and MRP (68 $ kg-1) plots. The results
from the study indicate that MRP amendment is essential in optimizing not
only maize productivity and economic returns but also phosphorus efficacy.
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Intercropping has
multifaceted benefits such as yield enhancement, more efficient use of
resource, resource conservation, soil health improvement, crop
diversification and superior ecosystem services and agricultural
sustainability. Maize (Zea mays L.), the queen of cereals, is planted with
wide row spacing and so it offers the scope of intercropping. Considering the
benefits of cereal-legume association, an experiment on maize-legume
intercropping system was conducted during summer season of 2018 at Bagusala
Farm Centurion University of Technology and Management, Gajapati district,
Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and
the treatments were comprised of ten cropping systems. Paired row sowing of
hybrid maize was done with a spacing of 80 cm/30 cm × 25 cm in sole maize.
Pure stand of legumes, i.e., green gram, groundnut and black gram were sown
with 30 cm × 10 cm spacing. As per the treatments, legumes were sown in
between two pairs of maize. The data revealed that sole maize produced taller
plants than intercropped maize in sole of the treatments. Similarly, more dry
matter accumulation was noted with sole maize compared to intercropped maize,
but from a unit area maize + groundnut (2:2) produced significantly more dry
matter than pure stand of maize. Sole maize yielded more than intercropped
maize, however, extra yield obtained in intercropping black gram and
groundnut (2:2) was quite satisfactory that indicated advantage of
intercropping system.
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Throughout history,
more than 5538 crop species have been used as food for human beings, whereas
only 12 crop species share the major percentage of food security globally.
Among these crop species, three kinds of cereal, such as rice, wheat and
maize share >50% of calories across the globe. Besides these, more than
1000 neglected and underutilized crop species (NUFCs) across the world have
been estimated as upcoming survival crop species as these crop species are
enriched in nutrients and have wider adaptability to various stresses in the
modern era of climate change. Although their importance and potentiality have
been still unknown to various stakeholders. Recently, these NUFCs crops have
received appreciation due to their prospective role for the sustainability of
crop production through alleviating agricultural risk. Researchers also
recognized that the extensive utilization of underutilized minor crops to
reform time-based and dimensional heterogeneity into uniform farming systems
will expand the pliability to both biotic and environmental stresses. The
utilization of biotechnological approaches such as genotyping by sequencing
and arrays and pan-genomics tools are important tactics for evaluating the
secreted prospects of the NUFCs. The application of these genomic approaches
has been already proved to improve the productivity of numerous
climate-resilient NUFCs including sweet potato, cassava, yam, coconut,
sorghum, groundnut, cowpea, common bean, chickpea, cacao, etc. Unlocking the
real potentials of the NUFCs by employing advanced breeding technologies is
imperative for global food and nutritional security and also for attaining
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This chapter highlights the prospects of
NUFCs as genetic resources for fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition for
the food security of the increasing population. This chapter also discusses
the important roles of NUFCs in advancing defensible agricultural improvement
beyond the Green Revolution in the changing environment.
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The abiotic stresses
such as unfavorable temperature, drought, flood, salinity, and heavy metal
stress are considered as major factors causing a huge impression on crop
growth and productivity. The abiotic stresses can reduce as much as 50% of
benefits for some important crops in the world through altering the
physiological, morphological, biochemical, and molecular process of plants.
Therefore, escape, avoidance, and tolerance mechanisms are very important for
plants to survive against abiotic stresses. Crop wild relatives (CWRs) are
considered as wild plant species of the same genus (mostly with the same gene
pool) of a crop, which play a vital role in the development of crop species
for various hostile environments. The gene pool CWRs wild relatives is
considered in the choice of crops for today, which is simply a selection from
vast. The CWRs helped a lot in the domestication of selected species of
present day’s crops and played a vital role in feeding the human
civilization. Under the present scenario of climate change, CWRs have got a
vital dimension in crop improvement for combatting the adverse effects of
climatic threats. Therefore, CWRs became more useful in molecular breeding
for the sustainability of crop production in the modern era of climate
change. In the chapter, we have been discussed on the wild relatives of
plants as sources for the development of abiotic stress tolerance in
plants.
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Both as of late
actualized genomic approaches and old-style microbiology strategies keep on
building up the study of plant-microorganism collaborations. These
examinations of plant microbiome have benefitted from sweeping natural on one
hand and reductionist automated exposures on the other. The age of immense
confine assortments, what’s more, the examination of built microbial
gatherings in the mix with plant hereditary resources, will allow us to fill
this hole and to coordinate reductionist, theory-driven assessments in
logically complex natural settings up to handle tests. These advances can
change our appreciation of plant-creature joint efforts in nature and in
cultivating and will contribute essentially to the accompanying green
transformation. Plant reaction to natural pressure or boosts habitually
happens quickly, now and then inside seconds to minutes, by setting off
biochemical pathways that can be estimated in this short period of time. Such
quick and explicit changes in planta can be trying to recognize and measure.
Other ecological boosts trigger more extensive reaction designs causing
auxiliary changes in planta coming about in, for instance, differential asset
allotment. Such pressure reactions can be checked at the quality level by considering
the plant’s transcriptome as evaluated by quality articulation. Following
record, interpretation of quality items into useful or nonuseful proteins
happens, delivering what is alluded to all things considered as the plant’s
proteome. Nonetheless, the guideline of most natural cooperation in the plant
framework happens at the metabolite level. Metabolites unmistakably assume a
significant part in the elicitation of plant reaction to the earth and can go
about as go-between, signal atoms, guard metabolites, or controllers of
certain phone capacities.
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Extreme events of
abiotic stress conditions such as high temperatures, prolonged drought,
salinity, metal toxicity, intense rains, flooding, frost, and low
temperatures affect the productivity of crops as well as significantly affect
plants and soil microorganisms. The composite and active connections between
microorganisms and plant roots during abiotic stress disturb not only the
plants but also the physical, chemical, and structural properties of soil.
While several studies have found that numerous species of microorganisms,
particularly rhizospheric microorganisms generate diverse mechanisms to
enhance both plants and their survival ability against abiotic stresses.
Among the microorganisms, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)
and Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) were found to be the most
important species that enhance plant to mitigate the adverse events of
abiotic stress through the production of exopolysaccharides, cytokinins,
antioxidants, and enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase
and also the formation of biofilm. Besides theses production of organic
compounds, dual symbiotic systems of PGPR and AMF (endophytic rhizospheric
bacteria and symbiotic fungi) also stimulate to alleviate the adverse effect
of abiotic stress in plants. The current book chapter discusses the role of
soil microorganisms in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses and also
highlights the current scenario, future perspectives, and challenges to use
for the sustainability of crop production under the future extreme events of
climate change.
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Throughout history,
more than 5538 crop species have been used as food for human beings, whereas
only 12 crop species share the major percentage of food security globally.
Among these crop species, three kinds of cereal, such as rice, wheat and
maize share >50% of calories across the globe. Besides these, more than
1000 neglected and underutilized crop species (NUFCs) across the world have
been estimated as upcoming survival crop species as these crop species are
enriched in nutrients and have wider adaptability to various stresses in the
modern era of climate change. Although their importance and potentiality have
been still unknown to various stakeholders. Recently, these NUFCs crops have
received appreciation due to their prospective role for the sustainability of
crop production through alleviating agricultural risk. Researchers also
recognized that the extensive utilization of underutilized minor crops to
reform time-based and dimensional heterogeneity into uniform farming systems
will expand the pliability to both biotic and environmental stresses. The
utilization of biotechnological approaches such as genotyping by sequencing
and arrays and pan-genomics tools are important tactics for evaluating the
secreted prospects of the NUFCs. The application of these genomic approaches
has been already proved to improve the productivity of numerous
climate-resilient NUFCs including sweet potato, cassava, yam, coconut,
sorghum, groundnut, cowpea, common bean, chickpea, cacao, etc. Unlocking the
real potentials of the NUFCs by employing advanced breeding technologies is
imperative for global food and nutritional security and also for attaining
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This chapter highlights the prospects of
NUFCs as genetic resources for fighting poverty, hunger and malnutrition for
the food security of the increasing population. This chapter also discusses
the important roles of NUFCs in advancing defensible agricultural improvement
beyond the Green Revolution in the changing environment.
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Climate change
implies some alterations in the natural system and as a result, both the
human being and natural system face challenges. The cumulative effect of all
abnormalities in climatic parameters causes hindrances to plants also.
Perhaps the best test within recent memory as transformative biologists is to
foresee how to plant populaces will react to future climatic conditions
forced by environmental change. Both hypothetical and trial proof show that,
in light of natural change, populaces may move to more good territories,
alter their phenotype through versatility, or adjust to the new ecological
conditions from standing hereditary variety. In the event that atmosphere
zone limits move as quickly as anticipated by even traditionalist environmental
change models, numerous species probably won’t have the option to follow
their climatic optima. Thus, microevolution through normal choice is required
to be significant for species to continue in their present distributional
extents. The negative impact of climatic variation is prominent on the plants
and human civilization is, directly and indirectly, dependent on plant
kingdom. The climatic aberration adversely effects on crop growth processes
and thus agricultural productivity is altered which may appear as a menace to
food security. As per some anticipated reports, agricultural production is
viewed as the most imperiled movement antagonistically influenced by climate
changes. In this regard, focus can be given to adaptation options for
agricultural sustainability and food security.
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The underground water
and water storage reservoirs are rapidly depleting due to nominal recharging
by the rainfalls making water a scarce resource for irrigation resulting in
poor crop growth and production. Irrigation water application should focus on
the proficient use of each drop of water. Water productivity (WP) in
agriculture can be improved through crop diversification, proper land and
water management techniques. Considering this, a field investigation was
carried out during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 to study the crop response of rice
(Oryza sativa L.) + okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) system to land
configurations and irrigation regimes. Three raised-sunken beds (RSB) having
width (m) ratios of 1:3, 2:3, 3:3 and two irrigation schedules viz.
continuous standing water (CSW) of 5 ± 2 cm depth and alternate wetting and
drying (AWD) at 3 ± 1 days interval for rice in sunken bed were tested. Rice
yield was more (4.36 and 4.89 Mg ha?1) under CSW irrigation than AWD
irrespective of raised bed width. The highest okra yield was noted by 14.09
and 15.43 Mg ha?1 with AWD in 1:3 RSB systems, whereas the lowest yield
was recorded in CSW 1:3 RSB systems. Rice equivalent yield (REY) was found as
the maximum in AWD than CSW irrespective of raised and sunken bed
configurations. The AWD in 3:3 RSB systems exhibited the highest WP of 1.02
and 1.01 kg m?3 during the first and second year of study, respectively.
Wider RSB system of land configuration ratio of 3:3 saved about 40–45% of
irrigation water. Such information will help in the planning of an innovative
intercropping system of summer rice + okra in the field by changing the land
configuration to the raised bed and sunken bed with the AWD irrigation
system.
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Both rice and wheat
in the “rice-wheat cropping systems” (RWCS) of South Asia and China feed more
than 3.1 billion people. It is the most productive and vital agricultural
systems worldwide to meet the food safety of the growing population. Although
the RWCS have great concern for food security, however, one of the foremost
complications in the systems is that soils are puddled with repeated tillage
by the traditional way for transplanting rice seedlings which lead to
alteration in soil physical and chemical properties. Besides these, repeated
tillages for puddling create a hard plow pan layer at the root zone of the
rice plant that creates poor infiltration and waterlogging for the next dry
season crop particularly wheat. Farmers in the systems generally use
excessive synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for getting higher yield for
both rice and wheat. As a result, repeated tillage and also imbalance
application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides increase the production
cost as well as influence greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Since the systems
have several hostile effects on the environment due to traditional farming,
it is already confirmed that the systems are the key source of food
production for more than 3.1 billion people in the countries of South and
Southeast Asia. Therefore, it will not be a wise decision to replace the
system from the regions. In the meantime, researchers have recommended
numerous advanced technologies in the RWCS for sustainable rice and wheat
production. The chapter discusses cost-effective and ecological-friendly
technologies for RWCS of South Asia for food and environmental security.
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Crop nutrient
management is always a tough task for farmers as most recommendations made
for crops are not actually based on all the given localities. Proper and
balanced nutrients help in good absorption and translocation of nutrients
consequently facilitating proper growth and development of plant along with
maintaining the soil health. In view of the above facts, the present
experiment was executed at the Research Area of Farm of Agronomy, College of
Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat to find out the
effects of balanced and combined practices of nutrient managements on fennel
crop. The research was laid out in Randomized Block Design comprising of
twelve combinations of Integrated Nutrient Management treatments and three
replications. The results revealed that the application of 100 % RDF
(Recommended Dose of Fertilizer) with Azospirillum sp.+ Phosphate S. Bacteria
+ Vermi-compost @ 2 t ha-1 significantly increased the nutrient uptake of
seed (N-42.71, P-8.12, K-13.77 kg-1 ) and stover (N-28.49,P- 9.18, K-16.10
kg-1 ) as compared to the remaining treatments whereas the application of 50%
RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + Vermi-compost@2t ha-1 maintained the highest soil
micro-organism status after harvest of fennel crop against the control check.
The experiment concluded that the combined use of fertilizers along with
other sources like bio-fertilizer, composts and other organic sources of
nutrients not only enhances the quality of the produce but also conserves the
soil health maintaining a higher population of soil micro- organism.
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Facing cold stress is
amajor constraint in seedling production during the winter season as, most
particularly in recent times due to uncertain climatic conditions, no
sustainable technology has been reported that could be easily adopted by
farmers withlimited resources. Therefore, field experiments were carried out
during winter 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 at the Central Research Farm of Bidhan
Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India to study the growth,
survival potential, yield and nutritional and biochemical properties
of boro rice seedlings as influenced by two seedbed management
practices viz. conventional seedbed (farmers’ practice) and improved seedbed
(polythene protected with micronutrient supplementation). The major objective
was to lower the nurserybed duration without compromising seedlings’ health
and to studythe economic viability during the winter season. The experiment
was laid out in ten experimental units and deployed anindependent-sample
t-test to compare the performance of the seedlings. The microclimatic changes
were also itemized from both seedbeds. The seeds sownunder improved nursery
conditions resulted in better seedling emergence (~90%) and survival
percentage (~85%) as compared to the conventional seedbed (~70% and 65%).
Growth attributes in terms of plant height, biomass accumulation, root
characteristics, tiller count, and growth rate were observed to be better
from the polythene-protected nursery bed. Theimproved nursery bed accounted
for 20% higher seedling count at the time of transplantation over the
conventional bed. The microclimatic situation under a polythene covering was
also favorable for germination and seedling growth. Maximum nutrient (N, P,
and K) concentrations, as well as chlorophyll content, wererecorded from
improved seedlings. Results suggested that the improved seedbed management
was apotential alternative toearly embolden seedling production during the
winter to avoid climatic abnormalities. Most importantly, improved seedbeds
ensured a comprehensive route from germination to healthy seedling production
without any failure in thesmalltime window, which involvedless input as well
as cost involvement. This technique could diffusethe problem oflate sowing
conditions in the rice–rice cropping system.
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Nanomaterials (NMs)
are emerging novel tools for preserving quality, enhancing shelf life, and
ensuring food safety. Owing to the distinctive physicochemical characters,
engineered NMs under varying sizes and dimensions have great potentials for
application in the manufacturing, packaging, processing, and safety of
quality agrifood. The promise of various kinds of novel NMs that are useful
for food industries has opened a possibility of a new revolution in
agroprocessing industries in both the emerging and advanced nations. The
rapid advancement of nanoscience has provided a great impact on material
science that has allowed researchers to understand every aspect of molecular
complexity and its functions in life sciences. The reduced size of NMs that
increase the surface area is useful in the specific target of different
organs, and biodegradable nanospheres are helpful in the transport of
bioactive molecules across the cellular barriers. However, nanotechnology
creates a great revolution in several sections including agriculture and food
industry and also reduces environmental pollution, while the toxicity of some
NMs in the food industry poses a great concern to researchers for their
greater application. However, most of the developed countries have regulatory
control acts but developing countries do not have them yet. Therefore, for
the safe use of NMs and also to minimize the health and environmental risks
in both the developed and developing countries, it is indispensable to
recognize the toxicity-constructed, toxicodynamic, and toxicokinetic features
of NMs, which should carefully be emphasized at the home and industrial
levels. The current study highlights the updates of the NMs to safeguard the
quality and nutritional safety of foods at home and also at the industrial
level.
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It is predicted that
the population across the globe is approaching to 9.5 billion by the year
2050. Therefore, sustainable food and nutritional safety are the foremost
encounters of the 21st century. Human activities are largely responsible for
rising the ecological complications such as increasing climate change
consequences decline the food and nutritional security and consequently
mounting the food values. In the current era, global warming as a consequence
of the changing climate has turn out to be the extreme fears of agricultural
systems, which leads to global food and nutritional security. Since
agriculture is amongst the greatly thoughtful systems prejudiced due to the
change in ecological condition. These consequences are going to be more serious
in countries with agro-based economic and traditional agricultural practices.
Therefore to reach the target aims for the eradication of starvation and
poverty by the year 2050, and also reducing the GHGs emission, climate-smart
agricultural technologies are essential in traditional farmings. This chapter
advocates next-generation climate-smart agricultural technologies in
traditional farmings for the sustainability of crop production and also
deliberates the correlation between climate change and agriculture.
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Osmoprotectants are
established as essential biomolecules that play significant roles in plants
to overcome the stresses of various harsh environments such as temperature
variability, drought, salinity, heavy metals, pesticide toxicity, and
nutrients deficiency. These compounds beneficial effects in plant cells
through various physiological responses such as protection and stabilization
of proteins, improving membrane integrity, harmonizing enzyme and antioxidant
activities, and adjustment of the osmotic potential. Chemically, they are
neutral molecules that include polyols, amino acids, sugars, betaines, and so
on. To meet the demand of food and nutritional security of the growing
population under the extreme events of abiotic stress due to the changing
climate, protection of plants from various abiotic stresses are needed. This
target may be accomplished by the exogenous application of various
osmoprotectants and/or molecular breeding of plants for the development of
abiotic stress-tolerant crop varieties. This chapter discusses biosynthesis,
function-specific category, transporters and signaling, foliar application,
and omics methodologies of various osmoprotectants for sustainable crop
production in the changing climate.
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Sewage sludge is an
unavoidable byproduct of the wastewater treatment course. Rising population,
and growing urbanization contributes to a sizeable quantity of sewage sludge
production. Disposal of such a huge amount of waste requires environmentally
safe and economically viable options. Though the applications of sludge to
the agricultural field can help recycling in nutrients and organic matter,
the heavy metal in sewage sludge, various toxic substances and pathogens
often make it unfit for direct agricultural application without any
treatment. Moreover, the sewage sludge is very bulky and hence the cost of
transport and/or subsequent processing/treatment becomes difficult.
Dewatering of sewage sludge can help in reducing sludge volume, facilitates easy
transport, increases the calorific value and can decrease leachate output in
the landfill site. The strong interaction between solids and water in sewage
sludge makes it difficult to remove water. Conditioning of sludge by physical
and chemical methods has been successful improvement of the dewaterability of
sludge, however, these practices are limited by high cost, high energy
requirement, and use of non-green chemicals. Bioleaching, a bio-acidification
strategy widely discussed for heavy metal decontamination, is operative in
improvement of the dewaterability of sludge and gives many benefits over
other methods. In the present chapter, the process of bioleaching, its
process and mechanism and role in improving the dewaterability of sludge have
been discussed.
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Agricultural
sustainability is of foremost importance for maintaining high food
production. Irresponsible resource use not only negatively affects
agroecology, but also reduces the economic profitability of the production
system. Among different resources, soil is one of the most vital resources of
agriculture. Soil fertility is the key to achieve high crop productivity.
Maintaining soil fertility and soil health requires conscious management
effort to avoid excessive nutrient loss, sustain organic carbon content, and
minimize soil contamination. Though the use of chemical fertilizers have
successfully improved crop production, its integration with organic manures
and other bioinoculants helps in improving nutrient use efficiency, improves
soil health and to some extent ameliorates some of the constraints associated
with excessive fertilizer application. In addition to nutrient
supplementation, bioinoculants have other beneficial effects such as plant
growth-promoting activity, nutrient mobilization and solubilization, soil
decontamination and/or detoxification, etc. During the present time, high
energy based chemical inputs also caused havoc to agriculture because of the
ill effects of global warming and climate change. Under the consequences of
climate change, the use of bioinputs may be considered as a suitable
mitigation option. Bioinoculants, as a concept, is not something new to
agricultural science, however; it is one of the areas where consistent
innovations have been made. Understanding the role of bioinoculants, the
scope of their use, and analysing their performance in various environments
are key to the successful adaptation of this technology in agriculture.
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Sewage and sludge
constitute liquid and solid fractions of the city sewerage system. The raw
sewage usually consists of water carrying various solids partly in solution
and partly in suspension. Sewage is a rich source of plant nutrients and in
addition, contains suspended solids in the form of solid organic matter.
Sewage has been used in agriculture from the beginning of civilization but
due to less industrialization in the past, the contamination of sewage with
heavy metals and other toxic materials is limited. But rapid
industrialization resulted in building up of toxic substances like heavy
metals and pathogens in sewage and further accompanied with population
expansion made its disposal to be a major global concern. Direct landfilling
of sludge along with heavy metal pollutes the soil and water consequently.
Hence, adoption of right nutrient recovery technology based on feasibility
after analysing the pros and cons of the technology is need of the hour for
safe management of sewage and subsequent usage in agriculture. The chapter
mentioned different nutrient recovery technologies available in a systematic
manner characterizing the technologies under three steps of nutrient recovery
and thus provided a complete overview of processes involved their advantages
and limitations; thereby widening the scope of nutrient recovery from sewage
and sludge for future research and adoption.
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Continuous
mono-cropping of rice has resulted in decline or stagnation of yield output
due to the occurrence of multiple nutrient deficiencies and worsening of soil
physicochemical properties accompanying increased pressure of insect pests
and diseases. The basic concept of integrated nutrient management (INM) is
maintenance or adjustment of soil fertility and supply of plant nutrients to
an optimum level for sustaining the desired crop productivity through
optimisation of benefits from all possible sources of plant nutrients in an
integrated way. Augmenting a rice-based cropping system with pulses is a
prevalent and indigenous cropping system under rainfed conditions.
Considering the above facts, experiments were conducted to evaluate the
impacts of integrated nutrient management on productivity of aromatic
rice–greengram cropping system and nutrient balance of the post-harvest soil
for agricultural sustainability under rainfed conditions in two consecutive
years (2017–2018 and 2018–2019) with six main plots and three subplots. The
experimental findings revealed that the treatment comprised of 50%
recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) through chemicals + 50% recommended dose
of nitrogen (RDN) through farmyard manure (FYM) increased the plant height, tillers,
dry matter accumulation, leaf area and leaf area duration, and yield
parameters in short grain aromatic rice. Similarly, preceding application of
50% RDF + 50% RDN through FYM to rice and further application 75% RDF +
Rhizobium+ phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to greengram increased the
growth characteristics and yield parameters—such as pods/plant, seeds/pod,
grain yield, stover yield, and harvest index—in greengram. It was concluded
that the treatment consisting of 50% RDF (chemical fertiliser) + 50% RDN
(FYM) to rice and 75% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB to greengram increased the
productivity of the rice–greengram cropping system. Furthermore, the adoption
of INM has positively impacted post-harvest soil nutrient balance.
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In agriculture, the
exceptional significance of micronutrient is unavoidable, as plant relies
primarily on micronutrient. Although required in small amounts of
micronutrients, viz., B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, they have a prominent role to play
in improving yield potentials under stressed conditions. There is a large
number of elements in nature out of which 16 are important for the proper
growth and development of crop plants. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Potash, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur are called macro- or major
nutrients and required in comparatively large amounts. Iron, Copper, Zinc,
Boron, Molybdenum, Manganese, and Chloride are the micro- or minor nutrients
required in smaller quantities for the vegetative and reproductive growth of
crop plants. C, H, and O contribute 85–90% of the total plant content. N
gives dark green color to crop plants and it increases the vegetative growth
of crop plants. It is most important for the preparation of starch in leaves
and the production of amino acids. P is the constituent of certain nucleic
acids, phosphatides, chromosomes, and co-enzymes. P works as a catalyst in
about 60 enzymatic systems of the plants and regulates the water in plants
and reduces the negative effects of salts in the plants. Ca is the important
constituent of the plant cell wall and it promotes early root growth and
development. In consideration of the important role micronutrients have in
promoting and maintaining human health, more research is needed to determine
the advantages of using the optimum level of micronutrients instead of their
critical level as an indicator with regard to yield, quality, and enrichment
objectives for the future.
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As sessile organisms,
plants are constantly exposed to diverse environmental conditions. Abiotic
stresses can be considered as the most severe adverse conditions that plants
may face. Among them drought stress is responsible for great amounts of lost
in production and this scenario is expected to be more frequent as we are
facing global temperature changes. Drought is responsible for major losses in
productivity, mainly due to drastic alterations in plant physiology and
biochemistry. Plants have demonstrated extensive physiological, biochemical,
cellular, and molecular adaptation to drought stress, thus enabling them to
survive. Under stress condition plants accumulate numerous phytohormones
(PHs) and osmolytes, which have an important role to survive against abiotic
stresses. Among PHs, brassinosteroids (BRs) play a vital role in response to
plants to survive against abiotic stresses including drought. BRs are a group
of plant phytohormones that have emerged as a crucial regulator in plant
growth, development, and stress response by coordinating numerous
physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes. BRs also control a wide
range of physiological and developmental processes by coupling with other
phytohormones such as auxin, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid and other plant
signaling pathways. The chapter aims to highlight the concept, emerging
roles, physiological, biochemical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of BRs
under drought-induced oxidative stress in plants.
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Major abiotic
stresses such as heat, drought, salinity, heavy metal, light, pesticide, and
cold are considered the great threat for the food and environmental security
of the increasing population. During abiotic stresses, reactive oxygen
species (ROS) is produced in the plants’ cell that leads to inhabit
physio-biochemical process of affected plants, which ultimately hampers the
usual growth and development of plants. To avert the abiotic stresses–induced
oxidative stress by hindering the production of harmful ROS (i.e., hydroxyl
ions, superoxide ions, hydrogen peroxide, and other free radicals), tolerant
plants generally enhance/accumulate various growth regulators (i.e.,
jasmonates, salicylates, brassinosteroids (BRs), nitric oxide, hydrogen
sulfide, polyamines, glycine-betaine, oligosaccharides, strigolactones (SLs),
melatonin, karrikins, sugars, serotonin, turgorins, system in myo-inositol,
etc.) in plant cells. Among them, proline, glycine-betaine, polyamines, and
sugars (i.e., mannitol, sorbitol, galactinol, trehalose, etc.) are known as
osmolytes that have significant role for plant adaptation against abiotic
stresses. Earlier studies revealed that during abiotic stresses several
phytohormones (i.e., abscisic acid (ABA), BRs, cytokinins, ethylene,
jasmonates, salicylic acid and SLs, melatonin, karrikins, etc.) encourage to
enhance the accumulation of osmolytes in plant cells. Several genes involved
signaling pathway also play an important role for the biosynthesis of these
growth regulators for enhancing survival ability against abiotic
stresses–induced oxidative stress in transgenic plants. As both osmolytes and
plant hormones have been known to play most important roles during adverse
ecological condition; therefore, it is crucial to understand the regulatory
mechanisms of phytohormone-mediation for the accumulation of osmolytes in
plants during abiotic stress. The chapter deliberated the fundamental
mechanisms of growth regulators for abiotic-induced oxidative stress
tolerance in plants.
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Zucchini (Cucurbita
pepo L.) is one of the members of Cucurbitaceae family. It also regarded as a
highly polymorphic vegetable. Indian climatic condition has unique advantage
of commercial cultivation ofexotic vegetables. Zucchini can be grown round
the year adopting different protected cultivation techniques such as drip
irrigation, plastic mulch, poly house and shadenet house. Protected
cultivation methods provide protective measures for successful production of
off-season summer squash for early market around the year. Information of
accurate amount of water required to raise the crop round the year using
different protected cultivation methods are inadequate. Therefore study
conducted to estimate the irrigation water requirement of Zucchini crop under
different protected cultivation methods. Crop water requirement was estimated
using the FAO-56 PenmanMonteith equation considering the 3 years locally
recorded weather parameters. The Zucchini crop grown in open field requires
32 per cent more irrigation water in comparison to the crop grown in field
covered with plastic mulch. Study also reports Zucchini crop requires up to
30 per cent less irrigation water to grow in polyho use in comparison to
shadenet house conditions.
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In the regular
habitat, a mix of abiotic and biotic stresses frequently besieges plants at
the same time. It is basic to see how the different reaction pathways to
these anxieties communicate with each other inside the plants and where the
purposes of crosstalk happen which change the reactions starting with one
pathway then onto the next. Abscisic corrosive (ABA) is a significant
phytohormone directing pressure reactions, and it communicates with the
jasmonic corrosive (JA) and salicylic corrosive (SA) flagging pathways to
channel assets into alleviating the impacts of abiotic stresses, as opposed
to protecting against microbes. The sign transduction in these pathways is
regularly done through GTP-restricting proteins, which include a huge
gathering of proteins that are fluctuated in structures and capacities.
Decoding the consolidated activities of these distinctive flagging pathways
in plants would enormously improve the capacity of growers to create food
crops that can flourish in decaying natural conditions under environmental
change and that can keep up or even increment crop yield. Since plants are
stationary, they should react to and persevere through a wide assortment of
ecological and biotic worries in the field. Both abiotic and biotic burdens
cause significant yield misfortunes to crops. Rearing capacity to bear a
solitary pressure (for example dry spell, saltiness, microorganism, and so
forth.) or a solitary pressure type (for example abiotic or biotic) might be
dangerous on the grounds that plants react interestingly to various or
synchronous burdens, and expanding resilience to one might be detrimental to
another. In this chapter, we highlight the major role of phytohormones for
heat stress tolerance in plants.
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Mulching materials in
crop production plays a pivotal role in minimizing the weed menace,
decreasing dispersion of soil particles by rain drops and containing soil
erosion, balance of soil temperature and soil moisture conservation. Mulching
materials of organic origin are found to be major stakeholders in more
moisture retention in the root zone depth and improved soil physical
properties, nutrients supply and enhanced growth, yield and quality of crop
and up on decomposition adds organic matter to the soil. Vegetable production
is an enterprise demands huge inputs like irrigation water, fertilizers,
plant protection chemicals and intercultural operations. Likewise, the
establishment of seedlings in the field is a tedious work in scanty rainfall
regions which is considered as a dwindling natural resource. In view of
advantages by mulching particularly in insulation of soil temperature and
moisture conservation in hot arid and semi-arid areas, the practices of
mulching in crop production is recommended to reduce the cost of cultivation
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Recent plant
physiological studies focused on resource allocation and signalling between
plant organs and long-distance phloem transport of tiny molecules of produced
assimilates in plants. A series of recent researches allow us to learn how
phloem mobile macromolecules can play essential roles in regulating the
development of plant organs. Phloem tissue mainly consists of complex live
cells containing the sieve tube parts and their surrounding cells and
translocate photosynthetic assimilates from old leaves to young tissues.
Intensive research has revealed that the vascular tissues of the plants
transport different genetic product types, and some transportation has the
molecular basis of long-range communication. Vascular plant systems
experience unique changes to the cell walls which are extremely specialized
in water and nutrient transport. The experimental alteration of the
source-sink balance increases the understanding of the linkages between
sources and sinks. A holistic perspective of sources and sinks, including the
molecular mechanisms behind their connections need to be created to bring
about an improvement in crop growth and output. The transport of sugars from
source-to-sink is one of the major factors of plant development and it
depends on the efficient and controlled distribution of sugars throughout the
plant organs. However, sugar transfer by phloem may have a significant impact
on the environment that changes the interaction between the source and the
sink relationship.
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Precision nutrient
management is an important aspect of agriculture that accurately defines key
factors for productivity improvement, sustainability, profitability and
climate change. Improved grain production but do not improve the efficiency
of certain nutritious foods. Assessment of plant nutrient needs much very
effective for plant growth and development at different stage of crops which
help to supply nutrient from different sources and a measure of the
reliability of their availability. Inexpensive and nutrient decision tools
are gaining popularity. Precision nutrient management designed to maximize
long-term performance, particularly aimed increase crop production and profit
with judicious use and proper nutrient balance and minimizing impacts on
wildlife and the environment. The systematic implementation of good practices
in a site-specific management system provides a good opportunity to build a
sound and sustainable agricultural system. Resource management right time,
right method and right place are the best practice. Various technologies are
available to make decisions making tools related to nutrient management.
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Plant nutrient
management by organic input includes application of different organic
manures, namely, bulky organic manures and concentrates and biofertilizers.
Undoubtedly, these inputs are having low analytical value, but they are
ecofriendly and improve soil health. The non-judicious application of huge
quantity of chemical fertilizers resulted in declining soil health as well as
environmental pollution. Hence, there is an urgent need for integration of
all available resources of plant nutrients for enhancement of soil fertility
and productivity. In integrated nutrient management, organic sources of plant
nutrients play a significant role. Further, organic farming is catching up in
the country where organic inputs are the only sources of nutrients. An
attempt has been taken here to highlight the importance of organic inputs in
sustaining agricultural productivity.
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Cultivation of pulses
fit well to various cropping system and show climateresileince.,Pulses
are low external input demanding, can fix atmospheric nitrogen biologically
and improve soil health. Among different pulses, green gram (Vigna radiata
L.) is considered as an important crop in India. The crop responds to
exogenous application of phosphorus and sulphur. Considering the above, a
field trial was conducted to find the influence of phosphorus and sulphur on
growth and productivity of green gram during rabi season of 2019-20 at
Bagusala farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management. A
split-plot design was considered for the experiment with three replication.
The treatments were consisted of four levels of phosphorus (no application, 20,
40 and 60 kg P2O5 /ha) in the main plot and three sulphur levels (15, 30 and
45 kg S/ha) in sub plot. The findings revealed that application at 60 kg P2O5
/ha being statistically at par with 40 kg/ha P2O5 registered more growth
parameters and yield attributes than the lower levels. The seed yield (1079.6
kg/ha) and stover yield (2025.1 kg/ha) were also noted with the application
of 60 kg P2O5 /ha and it remaind statistically at par with 40 kg P2O5 /ha.
However, 30 kg S/ha being statistically at par with 45 kg S/ha resulted in
superior growth attributes, yield parameters and seed (979.2 kg/ha) and
stover yield (1871.8 kg/ha) to lower levels. Further, the combination of 60
kg P2O5 /ha and 30 kg S/ha produced significantly more grain yield (1211.3
kg/ha) than other treatment combinations. The study concludes that rabi green
gram can be grown with 60 kg P2O5 and 30 kg S/ha for a better productivity.
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Soil health
management is a prime concern to ensure agricultural sustainability.
Dwindling soil fertility as well as declining soil health is one of the great
challenges of the present time to feed the world population. Injudicious use
of chemical fertilizers may negatively affect soil health. Further, chemical
fertilizer production is associated with release of greenhouse gases to
atmosphere and thus, pollutes the environment. In the present context of
climate change and global warming, legumes can be considered for mitigation
of ill effects of climate change and improving soil health. Legumes are
versatile crops, having a huge potential to produce protein-rich grains, fix
nitrogen biologically and enrich beneficial microbes in soil. Some legumes
are capable to solubilize the unavailable phosphate by exudating organic
acids from their roots. Legumes can facilitate rebuilding of soil organic
matter and restrict pests and pathogens when incorporated in crop rotation.
Besides, legumes are known for weed suppression and check erosion as cover
crops. As green and brown manures, legumes add a sizeable quantity of biomass
and nutrients to the soil. In cropping system, legumes fit well because of
wider diversity and adaptability. The multifaceted benefits of legumes are
prominent either in multiple cropping or intercropping, and thus, can be
considered as an inevitable choice for soil health management in the journey
towards sustainable agriculture.
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In Kenya, potato
production is done mainly by smallholder farmers as a key food and cash crop.
About 83% of the country’s crop production is mainly in highland areas with
an altitude of between 1,200 and 3,000 m above sea level. The country’s
average potato yield ranges from 8 to 15 t ha?1, 2 to 3 times below the
achievable yield of 40 t ha?1. The production is mainly limited by
unavailability of certified seeds, increased pests, diseases, decreased soil
fertility and erratic rainfall. The current work reviews the current status
of potato production in Kenya with emphasis on its importance, ecological
requirements and constraints.
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Sugar beet (Beta
vulgaris L.) is an agricultural crop with a high sucrose content in the root.
Its specific properties make it an essential crop for the sugar processing
industry—the response of sugar beet cv. ‘Sonja’ to different rates of animal
manure and foliar application of micronutrients was explored. Animal manure
was applied at six rates, whereas micronutrients (Fe, Zn, B, and Mn) were
foliar applied at five levels and no micronutrients (control). The evaluated
traits included gross sugar percentage, Na, K, and N contents of tubers,
alkalinity, sugar extraction coefficient, root yield, pure sugar percentage,
and molasses. The results showed that the maximum gross sugar of 18.59% and
pure sugar of 16.22% were obtained in plots treated with 40 t ha-1 manure
that was subjected to the foliar application of B. Also, foliar application
of micronutrients (Mn, Zn, and B) under 40 t ha-1 manure by reducing the
amount of Na and amino-N content of the sugar beet roots improved the
quantitative and qualitative characteristics. The application of manure
enhanced root yield, white sugar yield, and sugar yield by 31, 35, and 38%,
respectively, compared to the no-manure treatment. The highest root yield of
63.96 t ha-1, white sugar yield of 11.24 t ha-1 and sugar yield of 9.28 t
ha-1 was obtained from Mn application. The results revealed that the foliar
application of micronutrients accompanied by animal manure application could
maintain soil fertility and improve the quantitative and qualitative traits
of sugar beet.
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Water deficit stress
and poor soil fertility in arid and semi-arid regions are the most important
factors limiting the growth and yield of cotton plants. A factorial
experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in a research
farm in the Ardabil (Moghan), Iran, in the 2019-2020 crop year with three
replications. Experimental treatments included moisture levels at three
levels (40, 60, and 80% of field capacity) and fertilizer application at four
levels (vermicompost, cattle manure, chemical fertilizers (urea and triple
superphosphate), and control). The results showed that the content of
photosynthetic pigments decreased significantly with delay in irrigation. At
the same time, the highest amounts of proline, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen
peroxide were observed in irrigation conditions of 40% moisture of field
capacity. Application of organic and chemical fertilizers compared to the
control showed a significant effect on increasing the chlorophyll a,
chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. The relative water
content, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and oil percentage increased by 32,
24, 23, and 26% in optimal irrigation conditions and 28, 21, 15, and 20% in
moderate stress conditions and 23, 16, 14, and 19, respectively, in severe
stress conditions due to vermicompost application compared to treatment
without fertilizer. Due to vermicompost application in irrigation conditions,
maximum grain yield (2558.33 kg ha1), fiber yield (1117.04 kg ha-1), oil
yield (651.81 kg ha-1), and oil percentage (25.48%) were obtained, with 80%
of field capacity obtained. Based on the results of this study, it can be
concluded that in conditions of low irrigation, the application of organic
fertilizers is more effective in improving the quantitative and qualitative
characteristics of cotton. It is better to increase the yield of agricultural
products from vermicompost and cattle manure instead of chemical fertilizers,
to be used to reduce environmental pollution and their production costs to
achieve a sustainable agricultural
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A field trial was
conducted on the lateritic sandy loam soils of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India,
during 2017-2020 to access the efficacy of different drip irrigation levels
with and without plastic mulch on growth and yield of cashew (Anacardium
occidentale L.). Three levels of irrigation water applied through the drip,
ring basin irrigation method combined with plastic mulch experimented with
three replications on cashew plants. Reference evapotranspiration was
estimated using the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith approach. The cashew crop water
requirement was calculated using reference evapotranspiration data and crop
co-efficient for different crop growth stages. The irrigation water was
applied at 60%, 80%, and 100% of the crop water requirement. Irrigation intervals
were at 2 and 5 days respectively in drip and ring basin irrigation
treatments. The water requirement of the Cashew crop varies between 15.4 L
(1.2 mm) per day per plant in the winter season and 39.1 L (3.1 mm) per day
per plant in the summer season for 100% water requirement treatment at the
peak growth stage. Among the different irrigation levels tested, application
of 100 % volume of water through drip irrigation with plastic mulch at (VDM)
recorded maximum height (4.22 m), girth (56.55 cm), canopy (4.95 m), number
of Primary branches (3.67), secondary branches (13.67) and yield (1.23 t
ha-1) comparing to all other treatments.
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The yield enhancement
in ginger, an important spice cum medicinal crop, can be obtained by
scientific water management strategies. For maximizing the water productivity
with reduced losses drip irrigation can be adopted along with plastic
mulching. Considering the above, a field study was conducted during 2020-2021
at the Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Odisha,
India under drip irrigation with plastic mulch targeting precise
quantification of irrigation water requirement for ginger. There were eight
treatments with different irrigation levels and plastic mulch considered in
the study and laid out in randomized block design with three replications.
Irrigation water requirement of the crop was determined using the FAO-56
Penman-Monteith model. Greater plant height (108.2 No.), number of tillers
(13.2 No.), number of leaves (108.2 No.), number of rhizomes (10.5 No.),
length of rhizomes (7.9 cm) and weight of rhizomes (433.3 g) and yield of
ginger (32 t/ha) were found with the 100% irrigation water requirement along
with the plastic mulch. The above results were followed by the results of the
treatment irrigating with 80% of crop water requirement using drip irrigation
along with plastic mulch. The study revealed that 80% of estimated irrigation
water applied (267.4 mm) using drip and plastic mulch could be recommended to
obtain higher productivity of ginger.
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It is well
established that two basic and essential physiological processes are plant
photosynthesis and respiration, whereas the vital function of the antioxidant
system in reacting to abiotic factors is still a focal point for
physiological stress investigation. Several studies indicate that combating
heavy metal balancing toxicity involves complex processes at the level of
genetic, biochemical, physiological, cellular, tissue, and entire plants,
which may manifest in terms of improved crop productivity. Heavy metals have
detrimental effects on the production and metabolism of plants.
Photosynthesis is very prone to heavy metal toxicity, and heavy metals are
affected by both in vivo and in vitro photosynthetic CO2 fixation. Most
of the elements studied are photosystem (PS) II inhibitory, and in isolated
chloroplasts, PS I is less responsive. The oxidizing side of PS II tends to
be a typical site of action. Photophosphorylation of enzyme activity is also
potential inhibition sites. Multiple effects of these metals tend to be due
to inhibition in vivo. Stomatal closure, accompanied by chloroplastic shifts,
is the immediate result. Exposure to long-term results in decreased leaf
formation, decreased photosynthetic pigments, structure of chloroplast, and
decreased CO2 assimilation enzyme activities. Like other metabolic
processes, cell respiration is catalyzed by several enzymes that involve
metals as cofactors, while enzyme activity is inhibited by higher
concentrations of these metals and other non-essential metals. Dissimilation
process enzymes are less affected by higher heavy metal doses than energy
fixation and carbon assimilation pathway enzymes.
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Weed management has
become the most important and inevitable aspect of crop management for
achieving a higher rice yield. Nowadays, chemical herbicide application has
become a popular practice for managing weeds in different rice cultures.
However, herbicide application can have qualitative and quantitative impacts
on soil microorganisms and soil enzymes, particularly in the case of new
herbicide molecules and their indiscriminate use for a longer period.
Further, different rice establishment methods also play a significant role in
soil microbial population dynamics as well as soil biological properties.
Keeping these in view, a field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Main
Research Farm, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), India,
during the kharif season of 2016 and 2017, on the impact of crop
establishment methods and weed management practices on soil microbial and
enzymatic status. The field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design
with three replications with four crop establishment methods in the main
plot, viz., M1, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR); M2, Wet Seeded Rice (WSR);
M3,Unpuddled Transplanted Rice (NPTR); M4, Puddled Transplanted Rice (PTR),
and six weed management practices in the sub-plot, viz., W1, Weedy check; W2,
Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% (pre-emergence (PE)) 0.660 kg
ha?1 + Hand weeding (HW) at 30 days after sowing/transplanting (days
after sowing/transplanting (DAS/T)); W3, Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% +
Pretilachlor 6% (PE) 0.495 kg ha?1 + HW at 30 DAS/T; W4, Bensulfuron
methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% (PE) 0.495 kg ha?1 + Bispyribac-Sodium
(post-emergence(POE)) 0.025 kg ha?1 at 15 DAS/T; W5, Cono weeding (CW)
at 15 DAS/T + hand weeding 30 DAS/T, and W6, Brown manuring/Green manuring.
The initial decline in the microbial population was observed due to herbicide
application in NPTR and PTR up to 7 DAS/T and then it increased up to 28
DAS/T. There was a reduction in soil microbial and enzymatic status after the
application of herbicides Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% (PE) and
Bispyribac-Sodium (POE) that again followed an upward graph with crop age.
Significant variation in enzymatic activity and the microbial count was also
observed among treatments involving crop establishment methods. The study
revealed that improved microbial population and enzyme activity were noted in
unpuddled transplanted rice under organic weed management due to favorable
conditions, and chemical weed control initially affected microbial population
and activities.
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Considering nutrient
delivery and micronutrient use efficiency problems, mesoporous nanosilica
(mNs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based iron and zinc nanocomposites
were formulated. Prepared nanocomposites were characterized for FTIR
spectroscopy, XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, and AAS to examine surface functional
groups, morphology, and structural composition. XRD spectrum confirmation
with SAED image of nanosilica and graphene oxide nanocomposites confirms the
polycrystalline and crystalline nature with 30–70-nm crystal size. The SEM
revealed that the modified surface of mesoporous nanosilica and reduced
graphene oxide are well-distributed clusters and are composed of targeted
micronutrients. The impact of nano Fe and Zn foliar application was evaluated
on rice grain fortification, productivity, and micronutrient use efficiency.
The iron and zinc uptake at 60 days after sowing (DAT) and at harvest was
significantly increased with foliar application of mNs and rGO-based Zn at
30?ppm?+?Fe at 5?ppm nanocomposites as well as led to nutrient fortification
by increasing grain uptake and content, with the application of 30?ppm zinc
and 5?ppm iron through mNs resulted in an improvement of the rice grain yield
by 53% over conventional fertilization. Besides significant increment in
grain yield, foliar application of mNs and rGO-based nanocomposites (Zn at
30?ppm?+?Fe at 5?ppm) increased the Zn and Fe use efficiency by 527 and 380%,
respectively, over conventional micronutrient fertilization (ZnSO4 and
FeSO4).
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Millets are coarse
cereals with a heritage of consumption since early human civilizations from
the Neolithic age. Millets exhibit diversity in grain size, structure and
threshing characteristics. India is the largest producer of millets in the
world. India, Nigeria and China together account for 55% of global millet
production. Millet contains all essential nutrients like carbohydrates,
dietary fibres, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and is comparatively
nutritious to fine cereals like wheat, barley, rice and maize.
Industrialization and urbanization have already changed the food consumption
pattern and in future the transformation to value-added and energy-rich food
will further intensify, leading to tremendous challenges to agriculture. Food
and nutritional security will add another dimension to the global food supply
system. Furthermore, millets are considered as functional food and
consumption of millets among health-conscious people has recently increased.
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The growth and
development of plants are affected by the adverse effect of environmental
stresses including drought, salinity, high temperature, and toxic metal
accumulation. Under environmental stresses, cell oxidative damage of plants
generally occurs as a consequence of the overproduction of reactive oxygen
species (ROS). While tolerant plants could survive against abiotic
stress-induced oxidative stress by following various physiological
mechanisms. Among various physiological processes, glutathione (GSH), a
non-enzymatic antioxidant, is one of the key metabolites which plays a
significant role in protecting the plant cells from oxidative stress. GSH
directly or indirectly involves in detoxifying the ROS in plants’ cells.
Besides these roles, GSH also plays role in detoxification of methylglyoxal,
formation of phytochelatins, interacts with plant hormones, other signaling
molecules and its redox state triggers signal transduction, and also acts as
a cofactor in several biochemical reactions. Therefore, GSH is measured as a
versatile redox molecule and a perfect metabolite to have an involvement in
plant growth and development, under both stress and normal conditions. The
current chapter overviewed the earlier studies on the biosynthesis and physiological
mechanisms of GSH during heat and drought-induced oxidative stress in plants.
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This study aimed to
evaluate the effect of Farm Yard Manure (FYM), mineral fertilizers (nitrogen
and phosphorus), and their combination on the production of Gadam sorghum in
a Kenya Semi-arid region of Makueni and Machakos counties. The first
experiment evaluated the response of sorghum to N and P application at four
levels (0, 25, 50, 75 kg ha-1) whereas the second evaluated the response of
sorghum to the combined application of FYM (0, 5, and 10 tons ha-1) and N and
P fertilizer (0 and 50 kg ha-1). Nitrogen application enhanced sorghum yields
more than phosphorus addition. Combining N at 75 kg ha-1 and P at 50 kg ha-1
gave the highest sorghum grain yield in Kampi ya Mawe which was 135% higher
than the control. In Katumani, combining 50 kg ha-1 N and 25 kg ha-1 P gave
the highest mean grain yield, which was 68.3% more than the untreated
control. In the follow-up experiment (Kampi ya Mawe), combining FYM with NP
fertilizer (50 kg ha-1 N & P and 10 t ha-1 FYM) gave the highest yield;
13.7% more than the control. At Katumani, however, combining FYM at 10 t ha-1
and 50 kg of N and P resulted in insignificant differences in grain yield
compared to the untreated control. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was optimal
at 50 kg ha-1 N and declined at 75 kg N ha-1. Similarly, phosphorus use
efficiency (PUE) was highest at 50 kg P ha-1. Based on the results, it’s
evident that the integration of organic and inorganic nutrient sources
enhances sorghum yield.
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Lead (Pb) has
phytotoxic and toxic effects on plants and animals. Leafy vegetables
accumulate this element resulting in enrichment along the food chain. Silicon
has beneficial effects in enhancing plants’ tolerance to biotic and abiotic
stresses including heavy metals such as Pb. The study was carried out under
greenhouse and field conditions aiming at determining the effects of silicon
on transfer, mobility, and uptake of lead by leafy vegetables (spinach, kale,
and amaranths). The greenhouse experiment was carried out as a split-plot
arranged in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The vegetable species were
allocated to the main plots whereas the treatments (Pb, Pb+Si, Si, and
Control) were assigned to the subplots. The field experiment was sited in polluted
soils, and treatment included control and Si, applied to spinach, kale, and
amaranths. Data was collected on Pb concentrations in roots, stems, and
leaves, transfer factor, mobility index, and uptake of lead by leafy
vegetables. Lead concentration was highest in roots, intermediate in stems,
and least in leaves. Silicon application reduced concentration, transfer
factor, mobility, and uptake of lead by 20, 40, 15, and 24%, respectively.
The lead transfer factor and translocation index was less than one. Pearson
correlation coefficient indicated a strong positive correlation between lead
concentrations in soils and plant tissues of leafy vegetables. Application of
silicon on polluted soils reduced transfer and mobility of lead in edible
tissues of leafy vegetables. The study recommends silicon application to
reduce the concentration of lead on vegetable tissues, however, it recommends
against vegetable production for human consumption on polluted soils
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Gerbera is one of the
important high values cut flower crops and occupied an important place among
the elite top ten cut flowers in the international market. There are more
than 300 cultivars available throughout the world for commercial production.
To find out the best performing cultivars for South Odisha conditions, 10
gerbera hybrids, viz., Stanza, Dana ellen, Intense, Dune, White house,
Artist, Ankur, Silvester, Pre-intenzz and Sunway were evaluated in the
present study in a randomized block design. The experimental findings
revealed that the highest plant height was recorded with Dune (49.3cm), and
the maximum number of leaves/plant were registered by Dana ellen (36).
However, the maximum number of suckers were found with Intense (3.4). Moreover,
the earlier flower bud emergence was observed in Ankur (76.3 days) and the
maximum flower diameter was registered by Ankur, whereas the maximum stalk
length (64.3cm), stalk diameter (67.3mm), disc diameter (3cm), yield (16.7)
and vase life (8.3 days) were found in Dana ellen. The hybrid Dana ellen
performed better in most of the quality parameters and yield when compared to
other gerbera cultivars. Henceforth, it can be concluded that Dana ellen,
Intense, Artist and Silvester might be considered as suitable hybrids in
southern Odisha conditions under protected environment.
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India, a leading
fruit producing country, ranks first in banana cultivation. The crop is
highly water demanding and that appears as a limitation in several areas.
However, micro-irrigation has the potential to address the issue. Moreover,
mulching with black plastic sheet further facilitates efficient water use.
The combined application of micro-irrigation and black plastic mulch is
potentially important for enhancing water use efficiency and crop
productivity. Based on the above facts, a field trial was conducted to
evaluate the performance of micro-irrigation levels and black plastic mulch
on the performance of banana yield in the sub humid climatic condition in
lateritic belt during 2019–2020. Modified penman-Montieth equation was used
to estimate the crop water requirement considering the recorded local
climatic data. Water requirement of banana under drip and plastic mulch may
vary with non-mulched banana. Therefore, the dual crop coefficient approach
has been used to estimate the crop coefficients (K) of banana under drip with
black plastic mulch and without mulch conditions. The total water requirement
of banana was estimated to be 1089 mm and 919 mm under non-mulched and black
plastic mulched banana, respectively. To determine the optimum quantity of
irrigation water requirement of banana, eight treatments were considered
consisting of four irrigation levels, namely, 1.0 volume with drip (VD), 0.8
VD, 0.6 VD and 0.4 VD in combination with black plastic mulch and non-mulch.
The results revealed that 0.8 VD along with black plastic mulch recorded
better crop growth and yield parameters with higher yield in comparison to
other treatments. Further, the treatment also resulted in maximum benefit
cost ratio of 4.97.
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India is a leading
producer of oilseeds and importer of vegetable oil in the world. To ensure
self-sufficiency in oilseeds production, the country needs to enhance
production and productivity through adoption of improved technologies. Among
different edible oilseeds, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) grows well during
different seasons under various cropping systems and the productivity can be
increased by efficient nutrient management and plant stand. Based on the
above facts, a field trial was conducted during summer season of 2021 at
Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Odisha by adopting split plot design comprising of three main factors as
spacing (30 cmx 15 cm, 40 cmx 15 cm and 50 cmx 15 cm) and four
sub factors as nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha). The branches/plant
(4.2), capsules/plant (31.8), number of seeds/capsule (38.1), and 1000-seed
weight (2.60g) were more with wider spacing of 50 x 15 cm and it was closely
followed by 40 cm x 15 cm and, both the treatments were significantly
superior to a closer spacing of 30 cm x 15 cm. However, the maximum seed,
stover and biological yields of sesame were realized with a spacing of 40 cm
x 15 cm (481, 2261 and 2742 kg/ha) and it was because of optimum spacing with
the treatment. Among different nitrogen levels, 90 kg N/ha resulted in
superior performance in expression of various growth and yield attributes and
seed (525 kg/ha), stover (2372 kg/ha) and biological yields (2898 kg/ha) than
other levels. The interaction effect indicated that a spacing of 40 cm x 15
cm along with 90 kg N/ha resulted in seed (619 kg/ha), stover (2756 kg/ha)
and biological yields (3375 kg/ha) of sesame. The experiment concluded that
to obtain higher growth and productivity of sesame, the spacing of 40 cm x 15
cm can be adopted along with 90 kg N/ha.
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India is a leading
producer of oilseeds and importer of vegetable oil in the world. To ensure
self-sufficiency in oilseeds production, the country needs to enhance
production and productivity through adoption of improved technologies. Among
different edible oilseeds, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) grows well during
different seasons under various cropping systems and the productivity can be
increased by efficient nutrient management and plant stand. Based on the
above facts, a field trial was conducted during summer season of 2021 at
Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Odisha by adopting split plot design comprising of three main factors as
spacing (30 cmx 15 cm, 40 cmx 15 cm and 50 cmx 15 cm) and four
sub factors as nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha). The branches/plant
(4.2), capsules/plant (31.8), number of seeds/capsule (38.1), and 1000-seed
weight (2.60g) were more with wider spacing of 50 x 15 cm and it was closely
followed by 40 cm x 15 cm and, both the treatments were significantly
superior to a closer spacing of 30 cm x 15 cm. However, the maximum seed,
stover and biological yields of sesame were realized with a spacing of 40 cm
x 15 cm (481, 2261 and 2742 kg/ha) and it was because of optimum spacing with
the treatment. Among different nitrogen levels, 90 kg N/ha resulted in
superior performance in expression of various growth and yield attributes and
seed (525 kg/ha), stover (2372 kg/ha) and biological yields (2898 kg/ha) than
other levels. The interaction effect indicated that a spacing of 40 cm x 15
cm along with 90 kg N/ha resulted in seed (619 kg/ha), stover (2756 kg/ha)
and biological yields (3375 kg/ha) of sesame. The experiment concluded that
to obtain higher growth and productivity of sesame, the spacing of 40 cm x 15
cm can be adopted along with 90 kg N/ha.
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Oilseed crops can be
cultivated widely in different agro-ecological conditions for the oil content
in their seeds. Among different oilseeds, sunflower, is a vital edible
oilseed that needs well-balanced nutrition for achieving enhanced oil quality
and productivity. Considering the above, a field experiment was conducted
during the rabi season of 2021-22 on sandy loam soil at
Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management to
investigate the effect of nutrients on growth yield and quality of sunflower
under southern Odisha conditions. The field experiment was carried out in
randomized block design with ten treatments, viz., T1 :
N100P100K100S100, T2: N0P100K100S100, T3: N100P0K100S100, T4: N100P100K0S100,
T5: N100P100K100S0, T6: N100P0K0S0, T7: N0P100K0S0, T8: N0P0K100S0, T9:
N0P0K0S100 and T10: Control. The findings revealed that the application
of 80, 60, 40, 25 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S (T1) registered superior performance
in terms of growth, yield and yield attributes as compared to the control
plot (T10). Interestingly, experimental results from treatment
T5 (N100P100K100S0) were statistically at par with the results of
Treatment T1 (N100P100K100S100) in enhancing growth and yield parameters
and seed yield of sunflower. The yield enhancement in the omission treatments
was in the order of NPKS>
S>K>PKS>P>N>NPS>NKS>NPK>Control. The research
findings clearly showed the importance of primary nutrients and sulphur on
the growth and productivity of sunflower.
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An
experiment on the response of maize (Zea mays) to different levels of
nitrogen and phosphorus was conducted during the summer season of 2021 at
Experimental Farm, M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion
University of Technology and Management, Odisha. The experiment was laid out
in a split-plot design comprising four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120, 180 kg
N/ha) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 40, 80 P2O5/ha)
with three replications. The maize hybrid sharp was sown on February 24th,
2021. The application of 180 kg N/ha registered significantly higher growth
(plant height and leaf area index) than other treatments. The grain and
stover yield and yield attributes in the former treatment were comparable
with 120 kg N/ha and significantly superior to other treatments. Application
of 80 kg P2O5/ha recorded significantly higher
growth and yield attributes, grain yield, and stover yield.
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Maize (Zea
mays L.), the queen of cereals, has versatile use as food, feed and
industrial purpose and the area under maize is increasing during recent
times. As a widely spaced crop, it offers inclusion of intercrops without
reducing the optimum plant stand. Intercropping legumes in maize is widely
practiced to herness the efficient use of resource and multiple advantages.
Based on the above facts, an experiment was conducted during summer season of
2021 on intercropping maize with legumes at Experimental Farm of Centurion
University of Technology and Management, Parlakhamundi, Odisha. The
experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) comprising of
nine treatments namely, T1: Maize sole, T2: Cowpea sole, T3: Cluster bean
sole, T4: Maize + Cowpea (2:1), T5: Maize + Cowpea (2:2), T6: Maize + Cowpea
(2:3), T7: Maize + Cluster bean (2:1), T8: Maize + Cluster bean (2:2) and T9:
Maize + Cluster bean (2:3). The results revealed that the yield attributes of
maize such as number of cobs/plant, number of rows/cob, number of seeds/row,
test weight and cob length and maize yield were not significantly influenced
among the treatments. In case of Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), the values
obtained in all the intercropped treatments were greater than unity which
clearly showed that intercropping was advantageous. However, the maximum LER
and Area Time Equivalent Ratio (ATER) were obtained from 2:3 row proportion
of maize + cluster bean and it was followed by maize + cowpea in 2:3 row
ratio. Product of Relative Crowding Coefficient (RCC) was found maximum in
the case of maize + cowpea (2:3). The competitive ratio depicts that those
legumes were more competitive over maize. The study indicated that
intercropping 2:3 row proportion of maize + vegetable legumes were
advantageous over pure stand of maize.
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An experiment was
conducted at Breeder Seed Production Centre (BSPC), Debiganj, Panchagarh,
during the rabi season of 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 to study the
response of nitrogen levels on the growth, yield, and quality of wide
yielding potato varieties in Tista Meander Floodplain Soil of Bangladesh.
There were five treatments comprising different levels of nitrogen such as T1
(100% RDN), T2 (125% RDN), T3 (150% RDN), T4 (175% RDN), and T5 (75% RDN).
Three newly released potato varieties such as BARI Alu 31 (Sagitta), BARI Alu
41 (5.183), and BARI Alu 45 (Steffi) were used in this experiment. The
experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with
three replications. The tuber yield and yield contributing characters were significantly
influenced by the application of nitrogen. The highest tuber yield (47.71
t/ha) was recorded in T3 (150% RDN) treatment, which was statistically
identical to T4 (175% RDN) treatments. In the case of variety, there were no
significant variations in the tuber yield of potato. On the other hand
significant variation was observed in different potato varieties for quality
attributes. Highest dry matter content, starch content, lowest number of
scab-infected tuber, and senescence% were found in BARI Alu41 (5.183), which
was followed by BARI Alu31 (Sagita). Nitrogen application in potato varieties
showed an insignificant influence on quality attributes. Combined effect
showed insignificant influences between varieties and nitrogen levels. BARI
Alu41 (5.183) was found superior over other varieties regarding quality
attributes. Treatment T3 (150% RDN) was found superior over other treatments
in terms of yield. The storage performance of potato tuber under T3 (150%
RDN) treatment was also found to be encouraging having the minimum weight
loss. Bari Alu41 (5.183) showed minimum weight loss among three varieties at
different days after storing.
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This paper highlights
the importance of sunflower, and its current status, giving the prospects of
improving its production through intercropping it with sunn hemp legume. The
review focuses on Tanzania, where smallholder farmers mainly produce
sunflower as a cash crop and a source of vegetable oil. The crop’s production
is threatened by decreased soil fertility, attack by pests and disease,
limited rainfall, and the high cost of inputs like fertilizers and chemicals.
This calls for adopting farming systems that can meet the increasing demand
for sunflowers. Intercropping sunflower with a legume such as sunn hemp is an
environmentally friendly technique for increasing and sustaining the
productivity of the farmland.
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Maize, an essential
food item in Kenya, is grown in soils characterized by low pH and low
plant-available phosphorus (P), particularly in the Western part of the
nation. Low available P and soil acidity are the fundamental causes of low
soil fertility in many cropped soils. Such farms are also characterized by
low soil nitrogen (N) and inadequate use of inputs such as mineral
fertilizers. Deficient use of agronomic inputs, especially phosphorus and
nitrogen, has not only led to low yields but also has resulted in poor
product quality in terms of nutritional content and yield, in addition to
soil fertility degradation. Enhanced use efficiency and access to nitrate
fertilizers and soil amendments such as MRP and lime will be most crucial to
improving growth, grain yield, nutritional quality, and economic returns,
thus reducing poverty and hunger as well as improving good health in the
country
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Any advance in
agricultural system that results in higher production should reduce the
negative environmental impact and augment the sustainability of the system.
During post green revolution era, indiscriminate use of agro chemicals
jeopardizes the entire environment and the overall ecological balance. Thus
climate on the earth changes hastily to a very alarming condition day by day.
So, the time has already come to reshape our present package of practices for
the agrarian area and bring in some alternative approaches that can save our
environment vis-à-vis food security. One such approach is the use of
biostimulants, like seaweed extracts. The bioactive substances extracted from
marine algae are used in agricultural and horticultural crops, and many beneficial
effects may be attained in terms of enhancement of yield and quality. With
these outlooks keeping in background many field experiments were conducted on
farm and on-station basis to assess the efficacy of these marine algal
products especially Kappaphycus and Gracilaria saps on various agricultural
and horticultural crops with special reference to crop yield and quality,
soil health management and environmental issues. Superior crop growth
vis-à-vis yield was recorded when seaweed extracts were used. System
efficiency was also increased with these seaweed saps. These saps can replace
25% of the chemical fertilizers without reducing any further yield of the
crops.
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Millets are coarse
cereals belonging to the family Poaceae, which is cultivated since the
ancient period of civilization. Among different millets, small or minor
millets are treated as neglected crops due to their low-yield potential
compared to major millets (sorghum and pearl millet) and fine cereals (rice,
wheat and maize). In spite of their versatile qualities, small millets
remained underutilized due to institutional promotion in favour of fine
cereals. Recently, these coarse cereals are re-evaluated as ‘nutri-cereals’
considering their composition and nutritional value. In the present
consequences of adverse impacts of climate change, the small millets also
attracted the attention of growers and policy-makers as they are less
demanding to external inputs, drought-tolerant and register a comparatively
lower carbon footprint than other cereals. These beneficial impacts ensured
the comeback of small millets after the institutional neglect for a few
decades in the developing countries. Considering the food and nutritional
security of the common people, small millets can be considered as suitable
staples. The emerging health consciousness and food demand for the future
pushed small millets to the forefront because of their ecological soundness
and mitigating ability to climate change. However, the successful harvest of
small millets warrants an integration of proven and climate-smart
technologies for the fulfilment of the future needs of the ever-growing
population. The chapter focused on all these aspects. Moreover, the research
scope mentioned in the chapter implies future directions for enhancing small
millet-based agriculture viable in diversifying food baskets and achieving
food and nutritional security in a hunger-free society.
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In crop plants, the
physiological basis of dry matter production is dependent on the source-sink
concept, where the source is the potential capacity for photosynthesis and
the sink is the potential capacity to utilize the photosynthetic products.
This review focuses on the current understanding of source-sink relationship
in plants, physiological processes involved in transferring photosynthates,
the mechanics involved in alternative scenarios and how this relationship
influences crop yield and quality of the produce. We represent the
constraints associated in coordination between photosynthesis and yield under
varying environmental conditions. We also highlight the possibility for
manipulating source- sink dynamics to boost yields, as well as the importance
of yield and nutritional quality resilience, which has implications for plant
breeding techniques. A clear-cut understanding of source-sink relationship
and developing well-modularized and highly mechanistic source-sink
interaction models that can predict yield for various crops under various
conditions, possess greater scope in improving overall agricultural
productivity.
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Leguminous crops are
known for their unique nitrogen fixing ability. Legumes introduced into a
cropping system can not only add to the fertility of the soil by their
nitrogen fixing ability but also gives additional benefit of soil organic
matter improvement, nutrient recycling, improving soil porosity and soil
structure etc. Moreover, as pulses are protein rich, hence, it gives dietary
diversity and help in improving the human health. As legumes are usually of
short duration, they fit well into the cropping systems, providing
flexibility in crop planning. They can also improve the economy of the
farmers to a great extent. As cereal-cereal cropping systems have been found
to be unsustainable, hence legume can be considered as a suitable alternative
in those cropping systems.
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The plants are
exposed seasonally and continuously to various environmental and biodiversity
stresses that inhibit and affect their life processes from seedling to
harvest stage. Several irregularities are seen in light intensity,
temperature, mineral and water availability, etc. These changes keep on
challenges the plant to grow and reproduce itself and produce several
environmental signals. To receive these signals, the plants themselves
develop a signaling network with several receptors such as phytohormones,
G-protein-coupled receptors, kinases, and hormone receptors. Signal
transduction produces a cellular response in plants which initiates the
physiological and developmental responses. This article reveals a keen and
in-depth analysis of several mechanisms and perceptions of signal
transduction during exposure to several kinds of abiotic stresses in plants,
along with a generic pathway of signaling in plants. Plant abiotic stress
often plays a pivotal role in causing losses through salinity, heat, cold,
drought, etc. To understand and overcome these problems through conventional
breeding, which was mainly dependent on genetic variations, several studies
are going on model plants such as Arabidopsis, rice, and Brachypodium; the
accessibility of sources for these genomes is in the processing stage in
wheat. On the other hand, the advancements in genome editing opened the doors
for scientists to incorporate the desired trait in a particular plant
species. The emerging developments in the secondgeneration genome editing
technologies like CRISPR/cas9 paved the path for plant biologists to develop
a trait more efficiently and rapidly, unlike conventional breeding methods.
This review plots the importance of signaling during abiotic stress and
transgene technology to prevail over abiotic stress in plants by ingesting
desired traits in a plant.
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In India use of HYV’s
and hybrids increased the uses of fertilizer application, which became an
important role to increase agricultural production and to feed the
ever-growing Indian population. Total fertilizer consumption increased by
5.6% in 2015-16 over 2014-15. The observed change in the use ratio of NPK
from 6.7:2.4:1 in 2014-15 to 7.5:3.0:1 in 2015-16. Around 50% of total
fertilizer consumption is used in rice and wheat production. There are many
reasons of fertilizer losses and low fertilizer use efficiency viz.
immobilization, leaching, volatilization, de-nitrification and soil fixation
etc. Nutrient use efficiency can be improved by adopting proper method of
fertilizer application with appropriate source, dose and time. There are some
modern concepts for fertilizer recommendation which should be site specific
and synchronous to crop need to prevent losses and increases FUE. Some modern
approaches of nutrient management are the uses of LCC, SPAD meter, green
seeker, DRIS, nutrient expert, STCR, aerial imagery and site maps and
nitrification inhibitors etc. These approaches can definitely reduce
fertilizer application rate, environmental pollution and input cost. These
are improved strategies for sustainable crop production.
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Several estimations
projected that the population across the globe is an approach to reach 9.6
billion by 2050, which will create great challenges particularly food
security under the situation of climate change; ultimately lead to influence
greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission as a result of intensive farming systems
with traditional technologies. Legumes are the third biggest family of plants
and play significant roles in food and environmental safety including: (1) as
a chief source of plant proteins for both human beings and animals, owing to
convert atmospheric nitrogen (N) via biological nitrogen fixation
(BNF); (2) legumes based production systems release a lower level of GHGs,
since legumes-based system need a reduced level of inorganic fertilizer,
particularly N-based fertilizer; and (3) legume-based cropping systems
increase soil health, through adding more soil organic matter, improve N and
phosphorus (P) availability for plants by several ways such as adding
N-containing biomass as well as discharging hydrogen gas during BNF, which
encourages to bacterial for the formation of more nodules’ in the rhizosphere
of legumes. An estimation revealed that legumes in rice (Oryza sativa)–bean
(Phaseolus spp.) and rice–vetch (Vicia spp.) cropping sequence
enhanced N in rice residues ranges from 1.87 to 1.93 g N kg?1 soil. The
current chapter emphasizes the roles of legumes in farming systems as a means
of N supplier for the sustainability of crop production under the changing climate.
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Maize an important
cereal is highly influenced by nitrogen application. Moreover, non-judicious
use of nitrogenous fertilizer is not only costly but also harmful to
agroecosystem. Considering the above facts, a field experiment was designed
at the Agriculture Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Odisha, India during summer of 2020–21 to find out the impact of nitrogen
management on growth and productivity of maize. The experiment was consisted
of eight treatments, namely, 150% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), 125%
RDN, 100% RDN, 75% RDN, 50% RDN, leaf colour chart (LCC) based application
and Control. The treatments were laid out in completely randomized block
design (CRBD) with three replications. The maize hybrid considered was
Bioseed 9544. The treatment with 150% RDN recorded superior results in terms
of yield attributes, viz., number of cobs per plant (1.7), length of the
cob (17.5 cm), weight of the cob (180.6 g), cob girth (48.6 mm), grain per
cob (356.6) and 100 seed weight (22.1 g). Also, the treatment showed better
results in terms of grain yield (7.95 t/ha), nutrient content in grain and
straw (1.61 and 0.51), nitrogen uptake and available nitrogen in post-harvest
soil. The treatment comprised of LCC based nitrogen application also resulted
in better performance in expression of all the parameters, but it was
statistically at par with 150% RDN and 125% RDN. The results clearly indicate
that nitrogen optimization in maize can be done by using precision tool (LCC)
to obtain optimum yield and nutrient uptake by the crop.
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Maize being the third
important cereal crop after rice and wheat in terms of area and production
plays an important role in food security. Like other cereal crops it utilizes
greater amount of nutrients from soil. Still the farmers are not getting
potential yield in summer maize. Foliar application of nutrients like
nitrogen and potassium can enhance the yield and profit of farmers as it can
accelerate the crop growth and help in partitioning of photosynthate in sink
having a linear relationship of these nutrients with net assimilation ratio.
Keeping in the view of the above points, this experiment was conducted at
Bagusala Research Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management,
Paralakhemundi, Odisha using Randomized Block Design comprising three
replications and nine treatments i.e., T1: Control, T2: Urea 0.5%, T3:
Urea 1%, T4: K2SO4 0.5%, T5: K2SO4 1%, T6: Urea 0.5% +
K2SO4 0.5%, T7: Urea 0.5% + K2SO4 1%, T8: Urea 1% -4
K2SO4 0.5% and Tg: Urea 1% + K2SO4 1%. All the foliar applications
were done at tasseling stage of the crop. Crop growth parameters (plant
height, dry matter accumulation/m2, leaf area index and stem girth), yield
parameters (number of cobs/plant, number of grains/cob, cob length, cob girth
and test weight) and yield (grain yield, stover yield and harvest index) were
recorded and economics (net return and benefit cost ratio) were calculated.
All the treatments significantly influenced the growth, yield parameters and
yield. Among the treatments, foliar application of Urea 1% - K2SO4 1%
performed the best achieving higher growth and grain yield (5.80 t/ha) and
obtaining the highest net return (Rs. 62,597/-) and benefit cost ratio
(1.37).
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The demand supply gap
between production of edible oilseeds and domestic need for edible oils
warrants increase in production of edible oilseeds in India. Hence, there is
a scope for adoption of appropriate cropping systems with improved agronomic
practices. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and groundnut (Arachis
hypogaea L.) are two important oilseeds that can be cultivated during
different cropping systems under limited resource conditions. Based on the
above, a field experiment on intercropping sesame + groundnut was conducted
at the Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and
Management, Odisha. Reduction of proportion of an individual crop species
reduced the productivity over their respective pure stands. Among
intercropping combinations, the treatment T5: sesame + groundnut (1:3)
produced more oil yield (594 kg/ha). The study clearly indicated that 50
percent or above population of groundnut recorded considerably higher oil
yield under the intercropping sesame + groundnut. The land equivalent ratio,
relative crowding coefficient and monetary advantage was advantageous with
the treatments T3: sesame + groundnut (1:1), T4: sesame + groundnut (1:2),
T5: sesame + groundnut (1:3), T7: sesame + groundnut (2:2), T8: sesame + groundnut
(2:3) and T: sesame + groundnut (3:3). The study concluded that sesame can be
intercropped in groundnut with a proportion of 50% or more of legumes
(groundnut) to achieve the benefits of intercropping during summer season in
south Odisha conditions.
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India imports edible
vegetable oil to fulfil the domestic requirement and there is a need for
enhancement of productivity of oilseeds in the country. Sesame (Sesamum
indicum L.), a short duration oilseed, grows well during different
seasons under various cropping systems. The average productivity of sesame in
India is low and that can be increased by efficient nutrient management.
Based on the above facts, a field trial was conducted during summer season of
2021 at Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and
Management, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design
comprising of four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90 kg P2O5/ha) and three
levels of sulphur (0, 20, 40 kg S/ha), with three replications. The sesame
variety YLM17 was sown on 25th February 2021. The results revealed that
the application of 60 kg P2O5/ha registered significantly more growth
attributes, namely, plant height (113.8 cm), dry matter accumulation (2899
g/m2) and leaf area index (1.46) than other treatments. Similarly, the
treatment being statistically at par with 90 kg P2O5/ha recorded superior
yield attributes over other treatments. The seed yield (770 kg/ha), stover
yield (2126 kg/ha), oil content (43.7%) and oil yield (336 kg/ha) of summer
sesame was more with 60 kg P2O5/ha, but it was statistically at par with 90
kg P2O5/ha. However, 40 kg S/ha registered significantly higher values of
growth and yield attributes, seed yield (673 kg/ha), stover yield (1779
kg/ha), oil content (41.5%) and oil yield (282 kg/ha) of sesame. The
experiment concludes that the summer sesame can be grown in south Odisha
conditions with the application of 60 kg phosphate and 40 kg sulphur per
hectare to obtain higher growth and productivity.
v <!--table {mso-displayed-decimal-separator:"."; mso-displayed-thousand-separator:",";} @page {margin:.75in .7in .75in .7in; mso-header-margin:.3in; mso-footer-margin:.3in; mso-page-orientation:landscape;} tr {mso-height-source:auto;} col {mso-width-source:auto;} br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;} td {padding-top:1px; padding-right:1px; padding-left:1px; mso-ignore:padding; color:black; font-size:11.0pt; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; text-decoration:none; font-family:Calibri, sans-serif; mso-font-charset:0; mso-number-format:General; text-align:general; vertical-align:bottom; border:none; mso-background-source:auto; mso-pattern:auto; mso-protection:locked visible; white-space:nowrap; mso-rotate:0;} --> During the recent time, small millets are re-evaluated as ‘nutri-cereals’ because of their nutritional quality. Among various small millets, finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is of prime importance due to its potential in terms of production and productivity. Though finger millet is a less nutrient demanding crop, improved varieties respond well to added nutrients. Nitrogen is the most limiting macro-nutrient that determines the crop productivity. However, soil application of nitrogen in the form of chemical fertilizer might be subjected to different losses. Foliar application of urea is a well-known strategy to abate acute deficiency at any crop growing stage. Recent developments in the field of nano-technology and release of IFFCO nano-urea enhance the scope of nitrogen supplementation with increased efficiency. To evaluate the comparative performance of foliar application of urea and nano-urea in finger millet, a field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2021–22 at Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in a randomized completely blocked design (RCBD) with 11 treatments, replicated thrice. The results revealed that the treatment consisting of 40 kg N/ha + 2 sprays of nano urea @ 4 ml/L applied at tillering and pre-flowering stage was superior to the rest of the treatments in terms of growth, yield parameters and yield of finger millet. However, 20 kg N/ha+2 sprays of nano urea @ 4ml/L recorded at par results with sole soil application of 40 kg N/ha. Therefore, it was concluded that application of 20kg N/ha+2 sprays of nano urea @ 4 ml/L could be an economical and sustainable strategy to optimize the use of nitrogen in finger millet in southern Odisha.
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Maize is one of the
important cereal crops in India as well as the world. The crop responds well
to added nutrients and the application of optimum nutrients is essential to
improve the productivity of maize. Hence, to find out the effect of different
macronutrients on maize, a field experiment was carried out nutrient omission
plot technique during the rabi season of 2021 at the Experimental Farm of M.
S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and
Management, Odisha (23o39’ N latitude and 87o42’ E longitude). The experiment
was designed in a completely randomized block design with eight treatments
and three replications. The treatments of the experiment were as follows T1:
N100P100K100 (Ample dose), T2: N0P100K100, T3: N100P0K100, T4:
N100P100K0, T5: N100P0K0, T6: N0P100K0, T7: N0P0K100 and T8:
N0P0K0 (Control). The seeds of maize hybrid ‘Suphala Seeds Sharp’ were
sown in a row x plant spacing of 60cm x 25cm. The results showed that the
impact of nutrient omission in maize was reflected on both the growth and
yield parameters of maize. The treatment N100P100K100 (T1) resulted in
highest plant height (204.3 cm), dry matter accumulation (1648 g/m2), leaf
area Index of (5.2), number of grains per cob (327) and highest grain yield
(6.4 t/ha) with maximum harvest index (42.03). The treatments consisting of
N100P0K100 (T2) and N100P100K0 (T3) were also statistically at par
with the previous treatment. Further, the treatments with omission of two or
more major nutrients, namely, T5: N100P0K0, T6: N0P100K0 and T7:
N0P0K100 were significantly inferior in expression of all growth and
yield attributes of maize to N100P100K100. The results concluded that
application of ample doses of three primary nutrients such as nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium were essential to achieve optimum growth and
productivity of maize.
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Globally, to meet the
increased food demand due to the rapidly expanding population, overuse of
nitrogen-based fertilizers is escalating. Unprecedented use of nitrogen
besides polluting the environment, it brings about amplified susceptibility
to biotic and abiotic stress. Maize is the predominant crop in rainfed
regions of Southern Odisha. Hence, there is a need to optimize the use of
nitrogen based fertilizers using nanotechnology. In this regard, the present
investigation was set out in randomized block design with 11 treatments and
three replications. The study revealed that adoption of 100% RDN + foliar
spray of nano-urea @ 4ml/L, twice at knee stage and tasseling stage was
superior in influencing morphology, yield attributes and yield of rabi maize.
However, since adoption of 75% RDN + foliar spray of nano urea @ 4ml/L at
knee stage and tasseling stage was significantly at par with 100% RDN this
might be a most appropriate managerial alternative to achieve sustainability.
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The present
experiment has been carried out at the research farm at Bagusala under M. S.
Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and
Management, Odisha during the year 2021 to find out the response of summer
Maize (Zea mays L.) to different doses of Nitrogen and Potassium. The
experiment was laid out with total number of nine treatments, viz. T1:80
kg N + 0 kg K /ha, T2:100 kg N + 0 kg K /ha, T3: 120 kg N + 0 kg K /ha,
T4 :80 kg N + 50 kg K /ha, T5: 100 kg N + 50 kg K /ha, T6 :120 kg N
+ 50 kg K /ha, T7 :80 kg N + 80 kg K /ha, T8:100 kg N + 80 kg K /ha and
T9:120 kg N + 80 kg K /ha. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Block
Design with three replications. The results revealed that highest plant
height (203 cm), number of leaves (19.8), more dry matter accumulation
(1638.5 g/m2) at harvest stage, higher leaf area index (5.4), grain yield
(6384 kg/ha), stover yield (8346 kg/ha), biological yield (14730 kg/ ha),
harvest index (43.2%) was obtained from treatment 120 kg N + 80 kg K /ha and
it was followed by 120 kg N + 50 kg K /ha, 100 kg N + 80 kg K /ha, 100 kg N +
50 kg K /ha, 8sss0 kg N + 80 kg K /ha at different growth stages. For
expression of growth parameters, yield attributes and yield application of
120 kg N + 80 kg K /ha (T9) proved its superiority over other treatments.