Crop modeling is a powerful tool for predicting yield and water productivity. The aim of the study was to calibrate and validate the AquaCrop model for tomato under staged deficit drip irrigation in Ethiopia. The AquaCrop model was calibrated and validated by using the observed data of canopy cover, biomass, dry yield, and soil water content. The results showed that the model was accurate in predicting canopy cover, biomass, and dry yield under different water levels. The overall performance in simulating canopy cover of AquaCrop, biomass, and soil water content showed a good match between measured and simulated data. The calibration results indicated good performance on canopy cover with 0.96 ≤ r ≤ 1.00, 2.9% ≤ RMSE ≤ 8.0%, 7.5% ≤ CV (RMSE) ≤ 21.1%, 0.91 ≤ EF ≤ 0.99, and 0.98 ≤ d ≤ 1.00. On biomass, the model calibration values were 0.99 ≤ r ≤ 1.00, 0.3 t/ha ≤ RMSE ≤ 0.8 t/ha, 8.3% ≤ CV (RMSE) ≤ 25.2%, 0.92 ≤ EF ≤ 0.99, and 0.98 ≤ d ≤ 1.00. Soil water content displayed poor performance on calibration, with performance values of 0.54 ≤ r ≤ 0.82, 3.6 mm ≤ RMSE ≤ 24.4 mm, 1.30% ≤ CV (RMSE) ≤ 9.00%, −4.18 ≤ EF ≤ 0.00, and 0.66 ≤ d ≤ 0.81. The validation results demonstrated that the model performed well on canopy cover with 0.96 ≤ r ≤ 1.00, 3.1% ≤ RMSE ≤ 7.7%, 8.2% ≤ CV (RMSE) ≤ 20.8%, EF ≥ 0.91, and d ≥ 0.9. The model validation correctly predicted biomass with r ≥ 0.98, 0.3 t/ha ≤ RMSE ≤ 0.7 t/ha, 8.9% ≤ CV (RMSE) ≤ 21.8%, EF ≥ 0.94, and d ≥ 0.98. The model validation poorly performed in forecasting soil water content, 0.20 ≤ r ≤ 0.80, 10.2 t/ha ≤ RMSE ≤ 24.0 t/ha, 3.5% ≤ CV (RMSE) ≤ 9.0%, −22.76 ≤ EF ≤ 0.63, and 0.40 ≤ d ≤ 0.87. The AquaCrop model is easy to use, requires less input data, and has high simulation accuracy, making it a useful tool for predicting crop yields and water productivity under staged deficit irrigation in areas with limited data.

The simplest strategy to boost cowpea production is to have an optimum fertilizer level and spacing. The study was performed to assess the effect of variable row spacing and phosphorus (P) levels on the growth and yield of cowpeas. The experiment was carried out using a split-plot design with three planting geometry as the main plot (15 cm × 30 cm, 30 cm × 30 cm, and 45 cm × 30 cm) and three P levels as subplots (20, 40, and 60 kg/ha), each replicated three times. The result demonstrated that P had a significant effect on the number of pods per plant at 100 days after sowing (DAS), pod length at 85 and 100 DAS, and yield of fresh pods. However, P did not significantly impact plant height or number of pods per plant at 70 and 85 DAS. The highest fresh pod yield (1.05 t/ha) and pod length at 85 and 100 DAS (20.33 and 21.16 cm, respectively) were observed at 60 kg/ha P level. Similarly, the highest number of pods per plant at 100 DAS (8.3) was recorded at a P level of 40 kg/ha, which was comparable to that obtained at a P level of 60 kg/ha (8.1). Also, the spacing showed a nonsignificant effect on any of the studied parameters, except for the number of branches per plant at 30 DAS. The 45 cm × 30 cm spacing resulted in the highest number of branches per plant at this stage (2.4).

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious fruit pest in South Asia; however, studies of their oviposition behavior on different host fruits in Sri Lanka are insufficient. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the oviposition preference and host susceptibility of B. dorsalis on four commercial mango varieties (Karutha kolumban (Kc), Willard (Wld), Vellai kolumban (Vc), and Betti amba (Ba)) under controlled laboratory conditions. The comparative preference and host susceptibility of B. dorsalis to four mango varieties were tested by a series of choice and no-choice experiments. The preference for the oviposition was evaluated by observations, and the host susceptibility was investigated by incubating the above-tested fruits separately until the pupation and the emergence of adults. The gravid females of B. dorsalis showed a significantly different host preference and susceptibility among the four mango varieties tested. Among four mango varieties, “Kc” showed a significantly high oviposition preference and pupae and adult emergence of B. dorsalis. Study findings are useful to design control measures for B. dorsalis to prevent their damage to the commercial mango varieties in Sri Lanka.

The primary aim of the present study was to identify bacterial isolates with yield-enhancing potential for application as biofertilisers in the cultivation of sweet potato. Therefore, endophytic and rhizospheric strains were isolated from sweet potato plantations in Hungary to identify bacterial strains with plant growth-promoting and antifungal potential. In total, seven Bacillus licheniformis strains were identified and subjected to detailed ecophysiological investigations. Experiments have been conducted to investigate the tolerance of selected strains to different limiting factors such as pH, temperature, and water activity, which affect survivability in various agricultural environments. The majority of tested B. licheniformis strains exhibited plant growth-promoting potential (e.g., production of indole-3-acetic acid up to 40.42 μg mL−1, production of ammonia up to 0.87 mg mL−1, phosphorus solubilising activity, siderophore production), with two strains (SZMC 27713 and SZMC 27715) demonstrating inhibitory activity (ranging between 7% and 38%) against plant pathogenic fungi prevalent in sweet potato cultivation. Furthermore, strain SZMC 27715 induced accelerated germination and a significantly higher germination rate in tomato seeds compared to the control. In a field study, it was observed that strain SZMC 27715 had a potent yield enhancing effect in sweet potato, where a significant yield per plant increase was observed in all treatments (1.13, 1.09 and 1.40 kg) compared to the control plants (0.92 kg). The highest yield per plant was observed when the cuttings were soaked combined with two additional foliar treatments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful utilisation of the B. licheniformis strain as a biofertiliser for yield enhancement in sweet potato cultivation. Based on our results, strain SZMC 27715 has potential for application as a biofertiliser in sweet potato cultivation either as a standalone option or in a microbial consortium.

Whiteflies greatly contribute to low yields and quality in tomato production. Continuous use of synthetic pesticides leads to whiteflies developing resistance to these pesticides. This research aimed at promoting the use of rabbit urine as a biopesticide against whiteflies in tomato production. Although rabbit urine is been used as a biopesticide against different pests, the best concentration to control whiteflies in tomato production is unknown. Six treatments compared in the two experiments of this study included: 2 L rabbit urine : 9 L water; 2 L rabbit urine : 6 L water; 2 L rabbit urine : 3 L water; 2 L rabbit urine : 0 L water; 0 L rabbit urine : 2 L water, and 20 mL Duduthrin 1.75EC : 20 L water. The first experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with six treatments and four blocks to investigate the effects of rabbit urine on the control of whitefly eggs, nymphs, and adults. The second experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of rabbit urine on the bioactivity of adult whiteflies. Results indicated that plots treated with rabbit urine foliar spray registered reduced populations of whitefly eggs, nymphs, and adults, and lower LT50 values of repelling and killing compared to the negative control (0 L rabbit urine : 2 L water). However, a high ratio of rabbit urine caused significant scorching to tomato leaves. A solution of 2 L rabbit urine : 6 L water optimally controls whiteflies without scorching the plant foliage. Rabbit urine has both repelling and killing effects on whiteflies. In the future, further research can be conducted to investigate the effect of rabbit urine on populations of other important insect pests of tomato.

Soil degradation due to acidity is a serious problem in western Ethiopia, which would lower soil productivity and crop production. Implementing integrated soil fertility management is the most efficient approach for enhancing agronomic efficacy and boosting crop output while addressing the issue of soil acidity. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of combined coffee husk biochar (CHB), soil test-based value lime (STV), and inorganic-fertilizer (NPSB-fertilizer) rates on the optimum yield of garlic in Gimbi district, western Ethiopia. The field experiment was conducted during the 2022 cropping season on two sites. The experiment comprised 14 treatments laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Application of integrated biochar, lime, and inorganic-fertilizer rates showed a highly significant impact (p <0.01) on the yield and yield components of garlic. The treatment unit with T11 ha−1 had the significantly highest total fresh biomass yield (TFBY) per plant for both Farm-1 (65.9 g) and Farm-2 (75.3 g). Bulb yield fresh weight per plant (BWp) was highest in treatments of T4 and T8 ha−1 in Farm-1 (27.7–28.1 g) and in treatments of T4 and T11 ha−1, in Farm-2 (31.4–31.6 g). Marketable bulb yield (MBY) was significantly highest in treatments; T4, T7, T8, and T11 ha−1 in Farm-1 (8.5–9.3 tons ha−1) and Farm-2 (10.1–10.5 tons ha−1). Therefore, by combining, the application of 10 tons of biochar (CHB) + 75% of lime (STV) + 75% of inorganic-fertilizer (NPSB-fertilizer) ha−1 in strongly acid soil, and 7.5 tons of CHB + 50% of STV + 50% of NPSB-fertilizer ha−1 rates in very strongly acid soil are recommended for garlic production in Gimbi district, western Ethiopia, and similar areas. In order to draw firm conclusions, future research on more sites is necessary because this study was logically limited to two sites.

Agricultural sustainability plays an important role in improving air, water, soil, and the general environment around the world. The concept of sustainability depends primarily on economic, environmental, and social aspects. These aspects vary by region and type of crop grown, and the environment in which it is grown, so they usually work together to standardize agricultural sustainability. Mining has widespread effects on agriculture especially in the Hemgir block of Odisha, India, which has serious implications for agricultural sustainability, especially for small and marginal farmers. Current research involves designing a structural equation model (SEM) to assess the relationships between indicators that measure agricultural sustainability in the Hemgir block. Primary data were collected from 112 paddy farmers in Hemgir block to assess environmental, social, and economic interactions. The study found that there was a significant and positive correlation between environmental and economic indicators. One of the important things to learn from this study is to help stakeholders and the agricultural sector to understand the interrelationships between specific indicators. The government also needs to emphasize the environmental aspect and facilitate social and economic-focused handholding support.

This study investigated the effect of upland crop rotation on soil bacterial community in bulk soil and rice straw residues in the alluvial soils. Soil samples and rice straw residues in two crop rotation models including triple rice and rice-upland crops were collected for incubation under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Data were analyzed from Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis band patterns. The results showed that the composition and diversity of communities colonizing the rice straw residues differed from those inhabiting the bulk soil. The bacterial community composition and diversity were only moderately affected by rice straw residues in the bulk soil. Especially, this study indicated that the composition of the bacterial community associated with the bulk soil and rice straw residues was dynamic in two incubation conditions (aerobic or anaerobic) and the different crop rotation models. The findings of this study demonstrated that the bacterial diversity was not affected by the difference in continuous paddy rice cultivation compared to the upland crop rotation system.

Evaluating supplementary irrigation under rain-fed agriculture could help to determine the amount of water depth for water management and increasing productivity. Thus, this study was conducted at the Jimma and Gera to determine the effect of supplementary irrigation (SI) on carrot production. Eight treatments with three replications on a field plot of 9 m2 were used for conducting the experiment. Crop water requirement (ETc) was calculated from reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop coefficient (Kc) using CropWat 8.0 software. Yield and yield component data were collected from the field and analyzed using the statistical analysis system (SAS) software 9.0. The result revealed that root shoulder diameter, fresh biomass, and fresh root weight had significant (p <0.05) effects between the treatments, but there was no significant difference (p >0.05) between treatments on plant height and carrot root length at both locations. The highest and lowest plant heights were recorded at 75% SI and at a rain-fed treatment. A root shoulder diameters of 38.37 and 37.86 mm were recorded at Jimma and Gera, respectively, from the application of 75% and two SI at flowering and fruit setting treatment. The application of 75% SI gave the highest root length. A maximum fresh biomass of 3,038.6 kg/ha was obtained at 75% SI, and a minimum fresh biomass of 1,640.00 kg/ha was recorded from the rain-fed treatment at JARC. Application of 75% SI gave the maximum fresh biomass (2,388.9 kg/ha) at Gera, and a minimum fresh biomass of 1,277.8 kg/ha was recorded from rain fed. An application of 75% SI gave the highest fresh root weight of 7,430.6 kg/ha at JARC. In the study, the application of 75% SI gave the highest (6,388.9 kg/ha) fresh root weight, and the lowest was recorded at rain fed (3,883.3 kg/ha). Therefore, for optimum production, 75% SI was recommended for the production of carrots. The total net benefit from the production of carrots was in the range of 36,659–46,950 ETB per hectare at Jimma and from 24,828 up to 39,399 ETB per hectar at Gera. The maximum and minimum marginal return rate (MRR) at Jimma were 300.97%, which is at 75% SI and 43.69%, which is at 25% supplementary irrigation, respectively. At Gera, the maximum and minimum MRR were 490.95%, which were at 25% supplementary irrigation, and the minimum was 23.18%, which was at full supplementary irrigation. Therefore, to get an economic benefit, supplementing carrot crop at 75% irrigation was recommended for both Gera and JARC.