Agricultural Research Research Articles

The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research cropland common experiment at Northern Plains.

Cropland agriculture in the northern Great Plains is challenged by variable weather, agricultural intensification, and competing use for energy development. Innovative cropland practices that address these challenges are needed to ensure regional agriculture can sustainably meet future food, fuel, and fiber demand. In response to this need, the Northern Plains Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network site established a cropland experiment in 2019 that contrasts prevailing and alternative practices at plot and field scales over a proposed 30-year time frame. The experimental site is located on the Area IV Soil Conservation Districts Cooperative Research Farm near Mandan, ND. Cropping practices for the first 6 years of the experiment were developed with input from stakeholders and include a 3-year crop rotation of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean (Glycine max L.) with cover crops (alternative practice) and without (prevailing practice). The prevailing practice also involves the removal of crop residue, while a second alternative practice of perennial forages is included in the plot-scale experiment. Biophysical measurements are made at both spatial scales at frequencies aligned with approved methods for each agronomic and environmental metric. Findings from the first 6 years of the experiment will help identify tradeoffs associated with cover crop use and residue removal in dryland cropping systems. In the future, the experiment will adopt a knowledge co-production approach whereby researchers and stakeholders will work collaboratively to identify problems, implement research, and interpret results.

Future of durum wheat research and breeding: Insights from early career researchers.

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) is globally cultivated for pasta, couscous, and bulgur production. With the changing climate and growing world population, the need to significantly increase durum production to meet the anticipated demand is paramount. This review summarizes recent advancements in durum research, encompassing the exploitation of existing and novel genetic diversity, exploration of potential new diversity sources, breeding for climate-resilient varieties, enhancements in production and management practices, and the utilization of modern technologies in breeding and cultivar development. In comparison to bread wheat (T. aestivum), the durum wheat community and production area are considerably smaller, often comprising many small-family farmers, notably in African and Asian countries. Public breeding programs such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) play a pivotal role in providing new and adapted cultivars for these small-scale growers. We spotlight the contributions of these and others in this review. Additionally, we offer our recommendations on key areas for the durum research community to explore in addressing the challenges posed by climate change while striving to enhance durum production and sustainability. As part of the Wheat Initiative, the Expert Working Group on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding recognizes the significance of collaborative efforts in advancing toward a shared objective. We hope the insights presented in this review stimulate future research and deliberations on the trajectory for durum wheat genomics and breeding.

Long‐Term Agricultural Research Community Invites Annual Meeting Submissions

Long‐Term Agricultural Research Community Invites Annual Meeting Submissions

Controlling of Pest using Image Processing and Machine Learning Methods

In addition to giving humans food, agriculture is a major source of resources for every nation's economy. Pests and insects cause damage to crops, making them extremely risky for the crop's overall growth. In the world of agriculture, early tormentor identification may provide significant challenges. Using insecticides is the greatest way to control the tormentor infection. On the other hand, overuse of pesticides is detrimental to animals, plants, and even the general population's automatic method of early insect detection. Digital image processing techniques are widely used in agricultural research and offer great perspectives, especially in the field of plant protection, which leads to crop management. This study discusses a novel approach to pest monitoring through early detection. Using a photography camera, one may create nonheritable images of pest-ridden leaves. An automated system that can identify the type of pests on crops in addition to examining the crops to detect infestations of tormentors is required. Support Vector Machine (SVM) is utilized for the categorization of images with and without pests, while the YOLO algorithmic method is used for tormentor detection. Key Words: Image Processing, Pesticides, Machine Learning, Agriculture, Plants, YOLO.

Deficit Irrigation-Based Improvement in Growth and Yield of Quinoa in the Northwestern Arid Region in China

Given the current global water scarcity issues, which particularly affect arid regions such as northwestern China, it is crucial to find crop planting patterns that result in efficient water resource utilization. Quinoa, as a drought-resistant and highly nutritious crop, has garnered significant attention from agricultural researchers in recent years. From 2019 to 2020, a series of experimental studies were conducted under non-mulching drip irrigation conditions to investigate the growth adaptability and the response to different irrigation levels of quinoa in an arid region in northwestern China. A comparative analysis of quinoa’s dry matter accumulation, yield, thousand-grain weight, harvest index, and water use efficiency under varying irrigation levels revealed that increasing irrigation significantly enhanced quinoa’s dry matter accumulation and yield. By optimizing the irrigation strategies, we found that the water-saving practice of initiating moderate irrigation in the sensitive water-demanding stages (flowering and fruiting) of quinoa increased the yield. The experiment results showed that, in 2020, the optimal irrigation amount was 3675 m3·ha−1 during a 14-day irrigation cycle, meeting quinoa’s growth requirements while improving water resource utilization efficiency. This study not only provides a scientific basis for the efficient cultivation of quinoa in the arid regions of northwestern China, but also offers new insights into and technical support for agricultural water resource management in the region, contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture in arid areas.

Zinc uptake in rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under the influence of microbial consortia (Pusa decomposer) mediatedin situ rice straw management options

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 at research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of various crop establishment methods and microbial consortia (Pusa decomposer) mediated in situ rice straw management options on zinc (Zn) concentration and uptake in rice (Oryza sativa L.) (cv. Pusa Basmati 1509) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (cv. HD 2967). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design (SPD) with 3 replications having 2 main plot (main factor) treatments, viz. aerobic rice (AR); and conventional transplanted (CT) rice in wet season; and 7 sub- plot (sub-factor) treatments, viz. Clean cultivation (removal of paddy straw); Paddy straw incorporation (PSI); Paddy straw mulching (PSM); PSI + Pusa decomposer (PD); PSM + PD; PSI + urea @20 kg/ha; and PSI + PD + urea @10 kg/ha in dry season. Findings showed that, in rice the zinc concentration (18.51 and 20.30 mg/kg in grain; 57.02 and 57.81 mg/kg in straw) and uptake (78.38 and 89.81 g/ha in grain; 427.1 and 434.6 g/ha in straw) were significantly superior in CT rice than AR in main plots during both the years of experiments. However, sub-plot treatments were non-significant in the zinc concentration and uptake. In wheat, among in situ rice straw management options (sub- plots), paddy straw incorporation + Pusa decomposer + Urea @10 kg/ha treatment significantly resulted in higher Zn concentration (38.08 and 39.03 mg/kg in grain; 28.24 and 29.01 mg/kg in straw) and uptake (185.0 and 191.9 g/ha in grain; 234.2 and 242.6 g/ha in straw) compared to other treatments and control (clean cultivation). The principal component analysis revealed that Zn uptake positively correlated with straw and grain yields in rice and wheat. Thus, the same treatment was found to be a better option for higher Zn concentration and uptake in the rice-wheat cropping system.

Influence of row spacing and organic nutrient management practices on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of chia (Salvia hispanica)

The field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Vishweshwaraiah Canal Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, to study the consequences of row spacing and organic nutrient management practices on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized complete block design (Factorial-RCBD), with 12 treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of 2 spacings (45 cm × 15 cm and 60 cm × 15 cm) and 6 organic nutrient management practices [application of 75 and 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) equivalent compost along with the application of Jeevamrutha at sowing and 30 days after sowing (DAS)]. The pooled mean results of 2-years revealed that row spacing and organic nutrient management practices significantly influenced the performance of chia. Plant height, number of branches/plant, total dry matter production, and yield variables such as spike number and spike length were all significantly greater in 60 cm × 15 cm spacing with the application of 100% RDN equivalent compost + application of Jeevamrutha at sowing and 30 DAS. The same treatment also recorded significantly higher nutrient uptake (66.35, 12.91, and 52.27, NPK kg/ha, respectively). Whereas, significantly higher seed yield (1015.47 kg/ha) and leaf area index (1.72) were gained with 45 cm × 15 cm + 100% RDN equivalent compost + application of Jeevamrutha at sowing and 30 DAS.

Interactive effect of ambient and elevated levels of tropospheric ozone, nutrition and PGPR on growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

An experiment was conducted during 2020 and 2021 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the interactive effect of nutrient and PGPR (Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) on growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer aeritinum L.) cv. Pusa 3043 under ambient and elevated levels of ozone in FAOE (Free air ozone enrichment). A loss of 15–16% in dry matter production was observed under elevated ozone (EO3) when compared to ambient ozone (AO3) conditions. Seed treatment with PGPR was found to compensate for this loss as an increase in seed yield 18–19% was observed over untreated seeds. In terms of seed yield, the PGPR treatments with 75% nitrogen showed significant improvement compared to the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) application. A yield increase of 12% and 14% was observed with PGPR like RPAN8 (Anabena laxa) and An-Rh (Anabena torulosa with Mesorhizobium ciceri) (chickpea rhizobium) respectively, suggesting an advantage of an–Rh over RPAN8 under EO3. A combination of both PGPRs outperformed the individual PGPR, showing a 19% yield increase over RDF. This proves the potential of seed treatment with PGPR (RPAN8 and An-Rh) in ameliorating tropospheric ozone-induced stress in chickpea plants.

Performance of basmati rice (Oryza sativa) under variable irrigation and nitrogen management

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons (kharif) of 2021 and 2022 at research farm of ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of irrigation regimes and integrated use of prilled urea and nano-urea as a source of N, on productivity and profitability of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was conducted in a three-time replicated split-plot design (SPD) comprised of 3 irrigation regimes, viz. irrigation at 1, 3 and 6 days after disappearance of surface water (DADSW) assigned to main-plots and 4 N-management variants including; 100% RDN (recommended dose of N, 120 kg/ha); 75% RDN + 4% nano-urea (NU) 2 sprays (75% RDN + 2 NU); 50% RDN + 2 NU; and no-N (control) in sub-plots. Irrigating basmati rice 1 DADSW exhibited the highest panicle weight (2.67–3.09 g) and number of grains/panicle (115.9, 109.8), across the years, respectively that were significantly higher than 3 and 6 DADSW. The most delayed irrigation at 6 DADSW caused significant reduction in grain yield, the magnitude of reduction was 13–19% over irrigation at 3 DADSW and substantially by 23–28% over 1 DADSW. Fertilizing rice crop with 100% RDN and 75% RDN + 2 NU resulted in statistically similar yield attributes and grain yield; however, both were, significantly superior to 50% RDN + 2 NU and no-N. Net returns, benefit cost (B:C) ratio and monetary efficiency were significantly higher when crop was irrigated 1 DADSW than 3 and 6 DADSW. The N-management options followed the trend as RDN>75% RDN + 2 NU ˃50% RDN > no-N for all studied economic parameters.

Assessing genetic diversity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) genotypes cultivated under protected condition

Present study was carried out during 2018–19 and 2019–20 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate 16 quantitative and qualitative traits of 36 genotypes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and to examine the genetic variability and character association between yield and its component traits. This investigation involved correlation and genetic divergence analyses to gain insights into the relationships among the various traits. The variance analysis revealed notable variations among genotypes, indicating a substantial level of genetic diversity among them. Among the genotypes, 178 and 115 were found promising for both yield and quality traits. Genotype no. 178 was found superior for fruit weight and yield. The principal component analysis indicated that the first 3 components i.e. component 1 (equatorial diameter, average fruit weight and fruit weight uniformity); component 2 (number of locule and equatorial/polar index); and component 3 (number of fruit and number of fruit/cluster) collectively accounted for 81.48% of the variability. The yield exhibited significant positive correlation with average fruit weight (g), pericarp thickness (cm), polar diameter of fruit (cm), equatorial diameter of fruits (cm) and average fruit weight after each harvest (kg).

A Scale to Measure the Perception of Graduates towards Student READY Programme

A scale was developed to measure the perception of graduates towards Student READY Programme (SRP). The Likert’s summated rating scale was followed in the construction of scale. Based on the review of literature and discussion with the expert’s, 49 statements were enlisted. The relevancy rating were sent to 160 scientists and extension specialists working in research institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural University (SAU) for critical evaluation of statements on a 5 point continuum. Out of 160 judges 66 responded within a period of one month. Based on their judgment 40 statements were isolated in the first stage of screening by finding the relevancy weightage scores. Statements having relevancy weightage of more than 0.70, relevancy percentage of more than 70 per cent and mean relevancy score of more than 3.70 were considered for final selection. By this process, 32 statements were isolated in the first stage of screening, which were suitably modified and rewritten wherever applicable. Eight statements were added as per the comments of experts. Thus finally 40 statements were selected for item analysis. In item analysis the selected statements were administered to 80 agriculture graduates of non-sample area of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Finally a total of 28 statements were selected for the study based on ‘t’ values (> 1.75) resulted from the item analysis and were included in the final scale. The ‘r’ value of the scale was found to be 0.922, which was highly significant at one per cent level indicating the high reliability of the scale. Hence, the scale developed was found to be reliable and valid. The instrument developed to measure the perception of graduates towards Student READY Programme (SRP) can be used by the researchers.

Phenotypic Characterization of Citron Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) Genotypes for Bioenergy Production

Citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) is an important climate smart crop, characterized by high oil content in the seeds and it is a popular fruit in southern Africa. To determine best performing genotypes eight phenotypic traits were assessed to identify cultivars with potential for biodiesel production. A field experiment was conducted at Sebele Agricultural Research Station, in Southern Botswana, during 2019 to 2020 cropping season. Four (4) melon genotypes were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times and eight (8) characters were assessed. Except seed oil content (26.6%) there was significant (P < 0.05) difference among all the traits, an indication of higher genetic diversity in the selected citron watermelon. SC1-Sesoswane, exhibited highest seed yield (1540 kg/ha) and oil yield (435.03 kg/ha) while MMB-280-Lerotse recorded lowest seed yield and oil yield of 548.1 kg/ha and 144 kg/ha respectively. There was a significant correlation of (0.9) between oil yield (kg/ha), number of fruits produced, and seed yield (kg/ha), an indication that increasing the seed yield will positively increase the amount of oil produced. This study revealed the potential bioenergy production of the four cultivars. However, SC1-Sesoswane appears a more promising alternative cultivar for feedstock for biodiesel production.

Influence of transplanting date and integrated weed management in system of rice intensification of aromatic black rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons (kharif) of 2019 and 2020 at the research farm of School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Nagaland to study the effect of transplanting date and weed management practices on productivity and profitability of aromatic black rice (Oryza sativa L.) under system of rice intensification. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design (SPD) with 3 transplanting dates (D1, 15th June; D2, 30th June; and D3, 15th July) in main plot and 5 weed managements practices [W1, Weedy check; W2, Conoweeding at 20 and 40 DAT (days after transplanting); W3, Pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha (PE) fb hand weeding (HW) at 40 DAT; W4, Pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha (PE) fb conoweeder at 40 DAT; and W5, Pretilachlor at 0.75 kg/ha (PE) fb bispyribac-sodium @ 25 g/ha (PoE)] in sub-plot, replicated thrice. Results showed that the most abundant weed flora observed in the experimental field were Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth, Cyperus esculentus (L.), Cyperus iria (L.), Rhynchospora colorata (L.) H.Pfeiff., Ludwigia linifolia Poir, Mimosa pudica (L.), Mimosa diplotricha Sauvalle, Scoparia dulcis (L.) and Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth. Transplanting on 15th June recorded highest growth and yield of black rice. The improvement in the grain yield was about 39% under 15th June over 15th July transplanting date. Among weed management practices, pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha at 3 DAT fb HW at 40 DAT recorded minimum density of weeds resulting in higher growth attributes and yield of black rice. Economic analysis showed that highest benefit cost (B:C) ratio was obtained when black rice was transplanted on 15th June along with application of pretilachlor @0.75 kg/ha at 3 DAT fb bispyribac-sodium @25 g/ha at 20 DAT and demonstrated to be the best treatment for profitable production of black rice under system of rice intensification.

Morphological characterization of indigenous potato (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most important non-grained food and vegetable crop lauded for its nutritional and health benefits. Identifying any new potato genotype primarily depends on its morphological traits, including vegetative, floral and tuber parameters. The present study was carried out during 2020–21 and 2021–22 at the research farm of ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, regional station, Modipuram, Uttar Pradesh and at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Kufri-Fagu unit, Himachal Pradesh (for floral traits) to evaluate the potato genotypes for vegetative and tuber traits. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Total of 64 indigenous potato genotypes were characterized for 51 morphological traits for distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS) test guidelines. For all traits, there was a high degree of variability between genotypes. Early maturing varieties are preferred owing to their suitability to fit into the potato-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)- paddy (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system. Most genotypes were either early or medium maturing based on foliage senescence. High variability was observed for tuber shape, i.e. genotypes bearing flattened, round, ovoid, oblong, long-oblong and reniform-shaped tubers were available. Tuber skin and flesh colour determining consumer preference depicted variability from whitish cream to dark purple-black skinned tubers. Novel genotypes bearing variegated tuber flesh with a niche market of specific consumer segments were noticed in genotypes Red flesh, Bareilly red, DRR Blue, Badami aloo and Kala aloo. Moreover, the results obtained from the present investigation indicated that the description of 64 indigenous potato genotypes based on notes can be used as a reference for the protection of new varieties under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Right Act (PPV&FRA) rules as well as a comparison against new candidate varieties.

Efficacy of sequential application of herbicide mixture for management of multiple herbicide resistant in Phalaris minor in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

The emergence of multiple herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor is a major threat to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. The present study was carried out during winter (rabi) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at research farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana for management of herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor Retz. in wheat using pre and post-emergence herbicide mixtures with different mode of action. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 15 treatments, replicated thrice. Sequential application of flumioxazin 125 g/ha with pendimethalin (tank mix) 1500 g/ha fb clodinafop + metribuzin 174 g/ha resulted in significantly lowest weed density, dry matter of P. minor and broad-leaf weeds, and it was statistically comparable to application of flumioxazin alone or as mixture with pendimethalin as pre-emergence; pyraxosulfone + pendimethalin 127.5 + 1500 g/ha fb PoE (post-emergence) application of either mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron 14.4 g/ha; sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron, pinoxaden + metsulfuron 50 + 4 g/ha, clodinafop + metribuzin 174 g/ha, respectively. Phytotoxicity of flumioxazin was observed on wheat after 2–3 days of 1st irrigation i.e. 25 DAS (days after sowing). Application of pyroxasulfone + pendimethalin pre fb PoE mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron resulted in significantly higher grain yield (5847 and 5369 kg/ha, during 2021 and 2022, respectively) as compared to other herbicides.

Effect of Organic Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Foxtail Millet

The field experiment was conducted during ZAID (Summer) season of 2023 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy. The treatments consisting of three different organic manures Viz., FYM- 8 t/ha, Vermicompost- 2.5 t/ha, Poultry manure- 1.3 t/ha and three different liquid Organic manures viz Vermiwash - 5%, Panchagavya - 3%, Jeevamrutha- 500 l/ha. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design 10 treatments each replicated thrice. Application of Vermicompost- 2.5 t/ha + Panchagavya - 3% (Treatment 5) recorded highest plant height (71.00 cm), maximum plant dry weight (5.54 g), maximum number of tillers/ hill (6.67), length of ears (8.67 cm), number of grains/ear (295.67), test weight (3.37 g), grain yield (1.40 t/ha), straw yield (2.73 t/ha) were recorded in treatment Maximum gross return (INR 78,200.00), net return (INR 53.002.00) and B:C ratio (2.10) were also recorded in same treatment.

Interactive Effect of Nitrogen, Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) on the Growth and yield Characteristics of Gobhi Sarson (Brassica napus L.)

Brassica napus L., commonly known as Gobhi Sarson in India, is a vital oilseed crop contributing significantly to the agricultural economy. India stands as the fourth-largest producer of oilseeds, with mustard-rapeseed, including Brassica napus, constituting about 28.6% of the total oilseed production [1]. The experiment titled "Study on Foliar Application of Nitrogen, Zinc (Zn), and Iron (Fe) on the Growth and Yield Characteristics of Gobhi Sarson (Brassica napus L.)" was conducted at the research farm of Lovely Professional University, Punjab, during the Rabi season of 2023-24. A total of nine treatments with three replications were evaluated using a Randomized Block Design. The findings indicate that Treatment 9 (75%RDF + 1% Urea + 0.5% FeSO4 + 0.5% ZnSO4) demonstrated the highest plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area, primary and secondary branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, seeds per siliquae, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, and oil content. Treatment 5 (50%RDF + 1% Urea + 0.5% FeSO4 + 0.5% ZnSO4) also performed well across these parameters, albeit to a slightly lesser extent. (T9) recorded the highest seed yield (19.7 q ha-1), significantly outperforming all other treatments, with Treatment 5 being statistically comparable. Moreover, Treatment 9 exhibited the maximum oil content (41.2%), followed closely by Treatment 5 with oil content of 40.6%. Conversely, the control treatment (T1) yielded the lowest oil content. These results underscore the efficacy of foliar application of 75% RDF with 1% Urea, 0.5% FeSO4, and 0.5% ZnSO4 in enhancing the growth and yield characteristics of Gobhi Sarson, with Treatment 5 showing similar trends.

Discerning ideal blackgram (Vigna mungo) genotypes using multi-trait genotype ideotype distance index

Meticulous identification of ideal parental types with most of the improved traits is essential to develop superior varieties. The recently developed genotype-ideotype distance based selection index furnished an improved way in selection of ideal genotypes in plant breeding. The present experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2021 and 2022 at research farm of Agricultural College (Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University), Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh to identify potential blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] genotypes with majority of the improved traits. A total of 127 blackgram genotypes were analyzed by using Multi-trait Genotype Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) to select superior genotypes with improved traits. MGIDI provided selection differential and selection gain for all the traits with desired values. After varimax rotation, 10 traits were grouped under 4 factors, which cumulatively explained about 76.4% of total variance with eigen value more than 1. Out of 127 studied blackgram genotypes, MGID index identified 6 superior genotypes (GAVT 12, GAVT 7, TBG 106, VBG 13-003, GBG 12 and MBG 1046) at 5% selection intensity. Per cent contribution of factors towards the MGIDI values indicated that, the factor 3 which includes days to maturity, plant height and pod length contributed least and factor 1 which includes grain yield/plant, clusters/plant, pods/plant and seeds/pod contributed most. These selected genotypes with superior per se performance for multiple traits based on the MGIDI can be used as genitors in any hybridization programme to develop superior varieties in turn improving the blackgram productivity.

Unlocking the Secrets of Soil Health: Exploring the Influence of Natural and Synthetic Nutrients on Soil Organic Carbon and Active & Passive Carbon Pool in Vertisols

The experiment carried out in this field study was between 2022 and 2023 at the (AICRP) research farm in the outward-bound farm of the College of Agriculture, Indore. Indore is a small city in the western part of Madhya Pradesh, Central India, situated on the Malwa Plateau. An experiment was conducted with three replication by using different combination of N, P levels and crop residues in RBD design. Experiment field was medium to black soil with pH of 7.63 and medium in organic carbon 0.58%. The soil was low in available nitrogen (208.0 kg/ha) medium in available phosphorus (21.0 kg/ha) and high in potassium (585 kg/ha) and divided into gross plot size of 10 x 7.2 m2 and a net plot size of 9 x 6.4 m2, respectively. During crop harvest four different depths were used to gather the soil samples: 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm. All the collected samples are examined separated for soil organic carbon, active (highly labile, labile SOC), and passive (non-labile, less labile SOC) carbon pools. The finding showed that maximum soil organic carbon (%) was observed with the application of treatment T6 treatment (FYM 6 t ha-1 + N20 P13. Similar trend was found with active (very labile, labile) and passive carbon (less labile, non-labile) pools of soil.

Influence of Various Organic Manures on the Growth and Yield of Radish at Different Growth Stages (Raphanus sativus L.)

Influence of Various Organic Manures on the Growth and Yield of Radish at Different Growth Stages (Raphanus sativus L.)