Modern concepts of agricultural research : Ripples and options for conservation agriculture and resource use efficiency

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India witnessed self sufficiency in food production by shifting from the traditional organic to chemical-industrial agriculture in the second half of the past century. The production levels plateaud and several challenges of soil- health, crop production and environment have become critical in the new millennium. This need paradigm shifts in agricultural practices and research priorities. Systems Rice intensification conserves water, but it is difficult to practice. Organic farming is eco-friendly but, organic source of nutrients are not sufficient to meet the nutrient re- quirement of crops and the yield reduction is substantial. It has little scope for farmers to export the produce to de- veloped countries after meeting the standards of trade and cumbersome procedures. The integrated supply of nu- trients is potential to sustain the crop yields and restore the soil-health. The transgenic crops opened new vistas in agricultural production. But, such genetically modified crops are frequently unstable and inactivated. They lose the newly acquired traits due to gene silencing. The cell and tissue culture techniques may substitute the traditional crops for the production of food like starch, protein and fats in fermentation tanks. The nanotechnology is likely to revolutionize the agricultural production system. Nutrition with desired elements and flavor stored in the capsules burst open in the stomach and deliver the nutrients in quantities needed by the organ. Similarly, they release the toxins in the stomach of the harmful insects of crop plants. Nano-sensors will alert the farmers before the occur- rence of the pest, disease or nutrient deficiency and damage to the crops. The resource conservation technologies for anaerobic crops after the harvest of aerobic rice save expenses and time for land preparation. This will facili- tate early sowing of the crops after the harvest of rice on the carry over soil moisture or a shallow irrigation. The use of heavy machinery for sowing may compact the soil in the long run. The residue on the soil surface add or- ganic matter but, it is also likely that it may hinder proper seedling growth. The rice stubbles may harbour the harm- ful pests and disease inoculums, refuge the rats and invite the snake problem.