Broad Bed And Furrow Research Articles

Optimization of Crop Establishment Methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer Levels on Growth and Economic Efficiency of Groundnut under Semi-Arid Region of Afghanistan

An experiment was conducted at the farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in cropping season of 2020 to investigate the Optimization of Crop Establishment methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer levels on Growth and Economic Efficiency of Groundnut under Semi-arid region of Afghanistan. The experimentation was conducted in split-plot design with 15 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. main-plot consisted of crop establishment methods, viz. ridge and furrow (RF), broad bed and furrow (BBF) and flatbed (FB), while the sub-plots comprised of phosphorus levels, viz. absolute control, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2O5/ ha. The results of the investigation revealed that the growth parameters in terms of plant height in and leave area were highest in BBF, followed by FB and minimum was in RF. Adoption of BBF recorded significantly higher gross return (238928 AFN/ha), net return (202728 AFN/ha) and net benefit cost of ratio (5.2) were in Broad Bed and Furrow, followed in ridged and furrow and the minimum was in flat bed method. It can be concluded, cultivating of groundnut with Broad Bed and Furrow with application of 60 kg P2O5/ha was found beneficial for reaching higher productivity and profitability under semi-arid region of Afghanistan.

Optimization of phosphorus levels for enhancing groundnut productivity under different land configuration in semi-arid ecologies of Afghanistan

The present investigation entitled “Optimization of phosphorus levels for groundnut under different land configuration in Afghanistan” was carried out at Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar Province, Afghanistan during spring season of 2020. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with 15 treatment combinations and three replications. The main-plot consised of land configurations, viz. ridge and furrow (RF), broad bed and furrow (BBF) and flatbed (FB), while the sub-plots comprised of phosphorus levels, viz. absolute control, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2 O5 / ha. The results revealed that the plant growth in terms of dry matter accumulation (above ground and below ground) and number of branches/plant were maximum in BBF, followed by FB and minimum in RF. Adoption of BBF also recorded significantly higher pod yield (2,987 kg/ha) and harvest index (31.0). With respect to P levels, application of 60 kg P2O5 /ha produced significantly higher pod yield (3,363 kg/ha), biological yield (13,157 kg/ha) than other P2 O5 levels. Therefore, growing of groundnut on BBF with application of 60 kg P2 O5 / ha was found beneficial for achieving higher production and productivity under Afghanistan conditions.

Efficient land configurations and nutrient management in Bt cotton (Gossypium herbaceum)

Field experiments were conducted during rainy (kharif) season, 2015 and 2016 to assess the impact of land configurations and nutrient management on Bt cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Professor JayashankarTelangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana. Treatments consisted of four land configurations, viz. flat bed sowing, ridge and furrow, broad bed and furrow (BBF) and BBF laid with poly mulch as main plots and five nutrient management treatments in sub plots, viz. farmer’s practice, 100% RDF-150:60:60 NPK kg/ha, 125% RDF, 100% RDF along with 25% N through farmyard manure and 100% RDF along with 25% N through pressmud laid out in triplicated strip plot design. Results revealed that yield attributes (bolls per plant and boll weight), seed cotton yield and field water use efficiency were significantly higher with BBF with poly mulch along with application of 100% RDF + 25% RDN through organics (pressmud or FYM) comparable to BBF laid with poly mulch and application of 125% RDF through inorganics. Soil moisture extraction by crop was higher from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depth in poly mulch + BBF over other land configurations.

Studies on Earliness of Bt Cotton Influenced by Moisture Conservation and Fertilizer Levels under Rainfed Condition

A field experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Station, Nanded (M.S.) India during kharif season of 2019 and 2020 to study effect of moisture conservation practices and fertilizer levels on earliness of Bt cotton under rainfed condition. The trial was conducted with Bt cotton hybrid NHH 44 (BG II) in split plot design and was replicated thrice. Four moisture conservation treatments (M1- flat bed, M2- opening of furrow at 60 DAS, M3- application of superabsorbent @ 12.5 kg ha-1 and M4- broad bed and furrow) were evaluated in main plot along with four NPK levels (F1- 80:40:40 kg ha-1, F2 - 100:50:50 kg ha-1, F3 -120:60:60 kg ha-1 and F4 - 140:70:70 kg ha-1) in sub plot. The broad bed and furrow (BBF) practice of moisture conservation was found to have significantly higher seed cotton yield (1369 kg ha-1) and per cent share to the total seed cotton yield was 58.58 per cent in first picking over control. However, opening of furrow recorded more seed cotton yield (1125 kg ha-1) and its share to total yield was 47.97 per cent at second picking. Seed cotton yield in second picking was significantly increased in moisture conservation practices. The BBF was found to have earliness with respect to various indices (Bartlett’s index, combined picking and day index, fraction of first picking index, mean maturity date index and production rate index) followed by other moisture conservation practices over flat bed.
 Fertilizer levels didn’t affect seed cotton yield in first picking. Higher fertilizer levels of F3 and F4 being significant over lower levels for seed cotton yield in second picking; showed delayed crop maturity based on various earliness indices.

Enhancement of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Productivity through Sowing Methods and Seed Rates in Telangana State

Background: With the unparalleled growth in area and production, soybean has established itself as a leading oilseed crop of India. The crop is mainly grown under rainfed conditions, and the distribution of rainfall plays an important role in yield realization. The changed landform management with broad-bed furrow seed drill is gaining popularity as the system helps in in situ moisture conservation and draining out excess rainwater. A field experiment was conducted at Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur. The yield advantage by adoption of broad-bed and furrow (BBF) method over flat bed was 7.06%. Seed rate of 50 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher mean seed yield of 2804 kg ha-1 over 75, 38, 20 kg ha-1. The total benefit from adoption of BBF method recorded net returns of ₹ 53,233 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 2.58 over flatbed planting. Seed rate of 50 kg seed ha-1 recorded the highest net returns and B:C ratio this was followed by 75 kg ha-1 seed rate. Methods: A field experiment was conducted for three years (2017-19) at Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, situated at an altitude of 286.3 m above mean sea level at 18°49’41" N latitude and 78°56’ 45" E longitude. Indeterminate variety of soybean ASB 22 was selected. The experimental plots (6m × 6m= 36m2) were laid out with split plot design with three replications. Main plot treatments were methods of planting: M1- Flat bed, M2- Broad bed and Furrow, and sub plot treatments were : seed rates; S1- 75 kg ha-1 (30 × 10 cm), S2- 50 kg ha-1 (30 × 15 cm), S3- 38 kg ha-1 (30 × 20 cm), S4- 20 kg ha-1 (30 × 30 cm). Result: The grain yields, water productivity, harvest index and economics of soybeans under BBF method of planting (in-situ water conservation) and flatbed practices were studied. BBF method increased seasonal soil water storage by 5.37%, 5.78% and 6.20% respectively compared with flatbed planting for 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Seed rate of 50 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher mean seed yield of 2804 kg ha-1 over 75, 38, 20 kg ha-1. The yield advantage by adopting seed rate of 50 kg ha-1 was 16.08%, 56.02% and 67.6% over 75, 38 and 20 kg ha-1 respectively. The total benefit from adoption of BBF method recorded net returns of ₹ 53,233 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 2.58 over flatbed planting. Seed rate of 50 kg ha-1 recorded the highest net returns and B:C ratio this was followed by 75 kg ha-1. Broad bed and furrow method of planting and optimum seed rate in soybean will enhance the soybean productivity.

Integrated Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Sowing Methods on Weed Dynamics and System Productivity of Maize–Cowpea Sequence on Vertisols

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of sowing methods and deficit irrigation on weed dynamics, yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) of the maize–cowpea system during the summer and monsoon seasons, respectively. The field experiment was carried out for two years (2015 and 2016) using a split design with three replicates under irrigated (maize) and rainfed (cowpea) conditions on vertisols of a semi-arid region. Treatments included three sowing methods [i.e., broad bed and furrow (BBF), corrugated furrow (CF) and ridges and furrow (RF)] and four irrigation levels [i.e., irrigation once in 10 days (I10D), irrigation at 40% (I40), at 50% (I50) and at 60% (I60) depletion]. The results indicated that, regardless of weed flora (monocots, dicots and sedges), the RF method produced higher weed density (2.09–2.98 No. m−2) compared to CF (2.00–2.80 No. m−2) and BBF (1.85–2.64 No. m−2) in maize at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). The RF method with irrigation at I40 and I50 recorded significantly higher weed density, followed by the CF and BBF method. A similar trend was also observed with dry weight of weeds (monocot; 24.19%, dicot; 25.52%, and sedges; 29.80%) in maize at 30 and 60 DAS. Higher weed density and dry weight of weeds in the RF method with I40 was due to higher soil moisture availability and higher nutrient uptake due to larger lateral wetting of the soil and greater water use (29.27%). However, the BBF method favoured the growth of weeds (9.33–16.60%) in cowpea at 55 DAS and coped under rain-fed situation over CF and RF. The CF with moderate depletion (I50) method produced significantly higher maize equivalent yield (MEY) of cowpea (10,000 kg ha−1) with considerable reduction in the total water usage (19.33%). Therefore, under a water scarcity situation, growers can practice CF and I50 for higher yield and WUE of maize–cowpea sequence cropping.

Influence of Planting and Irrigation Levels as Physical Methods on Maize Root Morphological Traits, Grain Yield and Water Productivity in Semi-Arid Region

Assessing the impact of planting methods and irrigation levels is needed to determine the effects on maize root morphological traits, grain yield, and water productivity in semi-arid regions. A study was initiated on maize (Zea mays L.) from 2015 to 2016, including three planting methods [i.e. broad bed and furrow (BBF), shallow and narrow furrow (SNF) and deep and wider furrow (DWF)] and four irrigation levels [i.e. irrigation once in ten days (I10D), irrigation at 40% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM, I40), irrigation at 50% DASM (I50) and irrigation at 60% DASM (I60)] arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Results reveal that the DWF method has increased root length, root volume, root surface area and root dry weight compared to SNF and BBF (p < 0.05). DWF and SNF resulted in higher grain yield than BBF, although the DWF grain yield was non-significant with SNF but resulted in 22.40% higher irrigation application. Irrigation at I50 had a significant effect on root length, root surface area, and grain yield, regardless of planting methods. Therefore, where irrigation has been a costly and limited farm input, the practice of SNF and deficit irrigation (I50) could be a viable option for greater water saving and higher grain yields of maize.

Evaluation of DSSAT model to predict sorghum yields under Conservation Agriculture in the Pandamatenga vertisols of Northern Botswana

This study was conducted at Pandamatenga of Chobe District in northern Botswana. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model in the prediction of sorghum yields under Conservation Agriculture (CA) technologies. A field experiment was conducted at the Pandamatenga Agricultural Research station during the 2015-2017 growing seasons. A randomized complete block design was used for the on-station field experimentation. The design had trial plots with four treatments, namely No Tillage (NT), No Tillage + Mulch (NT+M), Minimum Tillage (MT), and Broad Bed and Furrow (BBF), with four replicates rotated between sorghum cowpea. Sorghum grain yield results were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS version 9.2). Analysis of variance and means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% confidence level. The DSSAT model was evaluated using the experimental data and weather data for the growing periods. The model was further used to test these CA technologies in terms of sorghum grain yield in the future. The DSSAT crop model provided reasonable predictions of sorghum grain yield under NT, MT, NT+M, and BBF on vertisols of Pandamatenga. The model furthermore predicted that sustained NT+M practice by smallholder rainfed farmers in Pandamatenga would increase sorghum grain yield production in the future.

Relationship between nutrient and soil loss with respect to land configuration and mulches in ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Change in topography and retention of indigenously available biomass as mulch conserves the resources at the site. In high rainfall areas and hilly tract, soil and nutrient loss has paramount importance as these resources directly contribute to the crop yield. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is sensitive to soil and nutrient losses. The present study was conducted during 2011–12 and 2012–13 with three land configurations, viz. broad bed and furrow (BBF), ridge and furrow (R&F) and flatbed (FB) in main plots and four mulches, viz. Imperata cylendrica (IC), pine needle (PN), paddy straw followed by weed biomass (PS) along with no mulch (NM) in sub-plots and replicated thrice in ginger. The adoption of BBF considerably lowered the soil loss by 74.2% resulting in restoration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to the tune of 49.7%, 59.3% and 69.1%, respectively, over FB plots. Similarly, placement of PN significantly reduced the soil loss by 92% and saved a considerable amount of N (49.9%), P (49.4%) and K (58.2%) over NM. In the hilly area, leftover crop residues, abundant weed biomass and ample tree leaf litter fall are not utilized commercially; these materials along with alteration in topography can be potentially utilized for the restoration of soil and nutrient for sustainable ginger production.

Influence of Mechanization Levels and Energy Dynamics on Production Potential of Soybean under Rainfed Condition

Available labour in the agricultural farm has been decreasing over the years. Mechanization of agriculture is an essential input in modern agriculture. It enhances productivity besides reducing human drudgery and cost of cultivation. Mechanization also helps in improving utilization efficiency. A field experiment was conducted on medium black soils in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state during 2016 to 2018 with respect to evaluation mechanization practices coupled with various in-situ rainwater conservation practices for rainfed soybean. The treatments of complete mechanization, partial mechanization and traditional methods of cultivation were evaluated for rainfed soybean (MAUS-162) along with sub plot treatments of broad bed and furrow (BBF), ridges & furrow and flatbed. Complete mechanization in soybean resulted in higher seed yield, Gross Monitory Returns (GMR), Net Monitory Returns (NMR), Benefit Cost ratio (B: C ratio) and Rain Water Use Efficiency (RWUE). In-situ moisture conservation practices viz. BBF and ridges & furrow method of sowing recorded highest seed yield, GMR, NMR, B: C ratio and RWUE as compared to traditional method of cultivation. Complete mechanization along with BBF method of sowing soybean is found to be significantly superior over all treatment combinations with respect to seed yield, NMR, B: C ratio, RWUE. The highest energy output-input ratio (10.2) was observed in complete mechanization with BBF method of sowing.

Weed suppression, nutrient leaching, water use and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) under different land configurations and mulches

Alteration in micro-topography and mulching are important agronomic practices to conserve the resources in situ. Turmeric is sensitive to weed infestation and soil loss. Studies were conducted during 2011–12 and 2012–13 in a silt loam soil to evaluate the weed suppression, nutrient leaching, water use and yield of turmeric under varying land configurations [broad bed and furrow (BBF), ridge and furrow (RF), and flat bed (FB)] and mulch materials [paddy straw followed by weed biomass (PS), thatch grass (Imperata cylendrica; IC), pine needle (PN) and no mulch (NM)]. Results revealed reduced weed density, dry biomass and superior weed suppression with BBF and either of mulch. Weed suppression followed the trend from higher to lower with PN > IC > PS > NM. The soil and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) losses under BBF and PN mulch were the lowest, indicating better conservation of the soils. Besides, the rhizome yield, water use efficiency, economic and energy parameters were improved by following higher to lower with BBF > RF > FB and PN > IC > PS > NM. Land configuration and mulch suppress the weed growth, reduce the soil and nutrient losses, leading to higher rhizome yield, enhanced water use, superior economics and improves energy values.

Soil organic carbon, carbon sequestration, soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and soil enzymatic activity as influenced by conservation agriculture in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) + soybean (Gycine max) intercropping system

Field experiments were conducted during the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 at MARS, Dharwad, Karnataka to study the influence of conservation agriculture (CA) practices on soil health in a pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp]+ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] intercropping system. The experiment consisted of 6 tillage systems [CT1: No tillage with broad bed and furrow (BBF) and crop residue retained on the surface, CT2: Reduced tillage with BBF and incorporation of crop residue, CT3: No tillage with flatbed and crop residue retained on the surface, CT4: reduced tillage with flatbed and incorporation of crop residue, CT5: Conventional tillage with incorporation of crop residue and CT6: Conventional tillage without crop residue]. The experiment was laid out in strip block design and replicated thrice. The CA treatments significantly improves soil health. The pooled data revealed that, all the CA systems i.e. CT1, CT2, CT3 and CT4 recorded significantly higher soil organic carbon at 0-15 cm depth (0.62, 0.64, 0.60 ad 0.62%, respectively) and 15-30 cm depth (0.56, 0.56, 0.54 and 0.55 %, respectively), higher soil carbon sequestration (15.1, 15.4, 14.6 and 14.7 t/ha, respectively) over conventional till systems. However, soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were significantly higher in all the CA systems. While, significantly higher soil urease activity (11.76, 11.86, 11.10 and 11.44 μg NH4-N/g/day), dehydrogenase activity (32.29, 32.29, 31.14 and 31.55 μg TPF/g/day) and total phosphatase activity (173.21, 174.55, 170.09 and 173.21 μg PNP/g/hr) were recorded in CT1, CT2, CT3 and CT4 over CT5 and CT6.

Influence of land configuration on rain water use efficiency, yield and economics of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in maize-cowpea sequence cropping under rainfed condition of Northern Transitional Zone

The main aim of land configurations is in situ conservation of soil moisture by increasing the opportunity time for augmented water use efficiency and drain out excess water. The field study was conducted for two years under rainfed conditions of Dharwad on residual soil moisture and fertility. Cowpea produced higher grain yield (13.4 q ha-1), haulm yield (25.6 q ha-1) and harvest index (34.4 %) with Broad Bed and Furrow (BBF) method of planting. Similarly, BBF method resulted in higher soil moisture content (32.09 % at 40 DAS) and rain water use efficiency (RWUE) of 5.96 kg ha-mm-1. The RWUE had a significant and highly positive correlation with soil moisture at 40 and 55 DAS (with r value of r=0.94** and r=0.96**, respectively). BBF method of planting also registered higher gross return (Rs.42725 ha-1), net return (¹ 27515 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (2.82). Cowpea can be grown successfully after summer maize on existing BBF configuration for higher yield and rain water use efficiency.

Soil organic carbon, carbon sequestration, soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and soil enzymatic activity as influenced by conservation agriculture in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) + soybean (Glycine max) intercropping system

Field experiment was conducted during the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 at MARS, Dharwad, Karnataka to study the influence of conservation agriculture (CA) practices on soil health in a pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] + soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] intercropping system.The experiment consisted of 6 tillage systems [CT1: No tillage with broad bed and furrow (BBF) and crop residue retained on the surface, CT2: Reduced tillage with BBF and incorporation of crop residue, CT3: No tillage with flatbed and crop residue retained on the surface, CT4: Reduced tillage with flatbed and incorporation of crop residue, CT5: Conventional tillage with incorporation of crop residue and CT6: Conventional tillage without crop residue. The experiment was laid out in strip block design and replicated thrice. The CA treatments significantly improved soil health. The pooled data revealed that, all the CA systems i.e. CT1, CT2, CT3 and CT4 recorded significantly higher soil organic carbon at 0-15 cm depth (0.62, 0.64, 0.60 a d 0.62%, respectively) and 15-30 cm depth (0.56, 0.56, 0.54 and 0.55%, respectively), higher soil carbon sequestration (15.1, 15.4, 14.6 and 14.7 tonnes/ha, respectively) over conventional till systems. However, soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were significantly higher in all the CA systems. While, significantly higher soil urease activity (11.76, 11.86, 11.10 and 11.44 μg NH4-N/g/day), dehydrogenase activity (32.29, 32.29, 31.14 and 31.55 μg TPF/g/day) and total phosphatase activity (173.21, 174.55, 170.09 and 173.21 μg PNP/g/hr) were recorded in CT1, CT2, CT3 and CT4 over CT5 and CT6.

Response of Land Configuration and Mulches on Maize–Frenchbean–Toria Cropping System

Alteration in soil‐topography and placement of mulches could play an important role in in situ conservation of resources. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity, water use, and weed smothering in the rainfed maize (Zea mays L.)–frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)–toria (Brassica campestris L.) cropping system. Results revealed that the yield improvement under broad bed and furrow (BBF) was noticed up to 33.7% in maize grain, 35.3% in frenchbean green pod, and 28.2% in toria seeds followed by ridges and furrow (R&F) over flat bed (FB). Placement of mulch improved the crop yield by 14.2, 14.4 and 12.4%, respectively than without mulch plots. The FB plots recorded with profuse growth of weeds and obtained highest weed dry biomass. Weed smothering efficiency (WSE) improved by 43.6 to 65.1% in BBF and 54.4 to 72.8% with mulch over FB and without mulch, respectively. Maize and frenchbean under FB plots utilized 43.1 and 14.2% more rain water than the R&F, whereas, R&F plots in toria utilized 12% more than FB plots. The BBF improved the water‐use efficiency (WUE) by 77.9, 40.6, and 37.2% respectively in maize, frenchbean, and toria over FB plots. Placement of mulch utilized the rain water to the tune of 10.4 to 36.1% higher, but WUE was considerably improved by 7.8 and 21.2%, respectively with frenchbean and toria under without mulch plots. Permanent beds along with crop residues as mulch can be utilized as promising resource conserving sustainable production technology in Southeast Asia.Core Ideas Land configuration and mulches improved the crop productivity. Highest weed smothering obtained under broad bed and furrow with mulch. Water‐use efficiency improved under broad bed and furrow along with mulch.

A Simple and Farmer-Friendly Decision Support System for Enhancing Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture:Tool Development, Testing and Validation

In the semi-arid tropics (SAT) farmers practice calendar- based irrigation scheduling, which generally results in over irrigation and poor water use efficiency. The lack of a simple decision tool to decide timing and quantity of water to be applied is a bottleneck. An Excel-based decision support system termed Water Impact Calculator (WIC) is developed using data collected at the ICRISAT, which were validated at three pilot sites on farmers' fields in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Telangana. Field studies were conducted under two land-form treatments (broad bed and furrow (BBF) and flat fields); and irrigation water was applied following two different methods (drip and flood). The data collected at micro-watershed at the ICRISAT and three other sites showed that WIC could be used under wide range of soil and rainfall conditions. WIC simulated soil moisture was comparable with the observed moisture data, which forms the basis of irrigation scheduling. The WIC-based water balance at these experimental sites showed that number and amount of irrigation could be reduced by 30-40% using WIC-based irrigation scheduling without compromising the crop yield. The WIC could be a potential tool for water resources planning and efficient management at the field and watershed scale in the SAT.

Quality of malt barley genotypes as influenced by integrated nutrient management andin situmoisture conservation practices

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 in farmers’ field at model watershed, Neeralkatti village, Dharwad district of Karnataka to study the quality of malt barley genotypes as influenced by integrated nutrient management and in situ moisture conservation practices in rainfed condition. The treatments comprised two main plots as land management practices viz., L1: Broad bed and furrow (BBF) and L2: Farmers’ practice (flat bed); two genotypes viz., G1: DWRB-73 and G2: BH-902 as sub-plots and sub-sub plots consisted of five integrated nutrient management practices viz., N1: RDF (50: 25: 0 N: P2O5: K2O kg/ha+7 t/ha FYM), N2: 75% N through urea+25% N2 through FYM and recommended P through inorganic, N3: 50% N through urea+50% N through FYM and recommended P through inorganic, N4: 75% N through urea+25% N through vermicompost and recommended P through inorganic and N5: 50% N through urea+50% N through vermicompost and recommended P through inorganic. Significantly higher protein content (10.4%), protein yield (220.4 kg/ha), higher malt recovery (88.5%), higher malt yield (1879 kg/ha) and higher reducing sugar content were observed from grains harvested with genotype DWRB-73 grown on broad bed and furrow along with application of RDF (50: 25: 0 N: P2O5: K2O kg/ha+7 t/ha FYM) compared to rest of the treatments. However, genotype DWRB-73 raised on flat bed with the application of RDF (50: 25: 0 N: P2O5: K2O kg/ha+7 t/ha FYM) recorded significantly higher total free phenol content (2.98 mg/g) compared to rest of the treatments.

Effect of land shaping on soil properties and crop yield in tsunami inundated coastal soils of Southern Andaman Island

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami severely damaged the coastal ecosystems of the Indian islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Restoring coastal ecosystems and degraded soils of these islands is essential to provisioning of numerous ecosystem services for the native islanders and ecological functions and services of these hotspots of biodiversity. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the impact of bunding and broad bed and furrow (BBF) systems in restoring the productivity of tsunami inundated coastal areas of southern Andaman. Bunding of agricultural land leached out the salts by impounding of rainwater with significant reduction in electrical conductivity (ECe), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), and exchangeable ions (e.g., Na+, Ca2++Mg2+, Cl− and SO42−). The BBF system installed in the low lying waterlogged areas improved the drainage of the beds, harvested rain water (4476m3ha−1), prevented entry of tidal and runoff water into the furrow, and reduced the overall salinity. In addition, microbial biomass carbon was significantly improved (193–210mgkg−1soil). Whereas the low lying areas were inundated during the 20 to 45th standard meteorological week by 25 to 85cm of water, soils under BBF systems were adequately drained and had moisture content between field capacity and the saturation level. The depth of submergence (R2=0.798) and soil salinity (R2=−0.787) were correlated with the rainfall amount. Consequently, the BBF systems enabled a higher cropping intensity (218%), increased fish production (2.32Mgha−1) and water productivity (47.36Rsm−3) and enhanced employment generation (213 man days). These land forming interventions must be up scaled to tsunami-affected, low lying areas of Andaman and elsewhere in southeastern Asia.

Land forming and tillage effects on soil properties and productivity of rainfed groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)–rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) cropping system in northeastern India

Soil erosion, low phosphorus fertility, and soil moisture stress during winter season are among major limitations to high crop production and sustainable land management in North Eastern Hill (NEH) region of India. Thus, a two years (2009–2011) field study was conducted on a terraced land (980m a.s.l.) to study the impact of land configuration, tillage and residue management on soil properties under rainfed groundnut–rapeseed cropping system. The treatments were: (i) farmers’ practice (FP) (flat bed – residue removal, 3–4 times ploughing); (ii) broad bed and furrow (BBF) with in situ residue incorporation; (iii) BBF with in situ residue+hedge leaves {white hoary pea, Tephrosia candida (Roxb.) DC} incorporation; (iv) BBF with in situ residue+hedge leaves mulching (no-till, NT); (v) raised bed (RB) with in situ residue incorporation; (vi) RB with in situ residue+hedge leaves incorporation; (vii) RB with in situ residue+hedge leaves mulching (NT). Soil profile moisture content was higher under residue retention/incorporation and altered land configuration than that under FP. Water infiltration rate (11.2mm/h) and hydraulic conductivity (6.98mm/h) in soil under RB with residue+hedge leaves mulching (NT) were significantly higher (P=0.05), than that under FP (7.65mm/h and 3.35mm/h) after two cropping cycles. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) was significantly higher under RB with residue+hedge leaves incorporation (381μg/g soil and 276μg/g soil) than that under FP. Dehydrogenase activity (DHA) was the highest in RB with residue+hedge leaves mulching (NT) (57.8μgTPF/g soil/24h). Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient content improved under residue management. RB with residue+hedge leaves mulching (NT) resulted in the maximum SOC stock, and it was 2.0Mg/ha and 2.7Mg/ha higher than that of the antecedent level and FP, respectively. The average groundnut equivalent yield (GEY) was significantly the highest in RB with residue+hedge leaves incorporation (2815kg/ha) followed by that under RB with residue incorporation (2747kg/ha). Water use efficiency (WUE) of rapeseed was the maximum in RB with residue+hedge leaves incorporation (4.64kg/ha – mm) and the minimum under FP (1.49kg/ha – mm). The BBF and RB land configurations along with residue and hedge leaves mulching under NT improved soil quality and was the most suitable for higher returns of groundnut–rapeseed system under rainfed mid-hills condition.

Productivity and water use efficiency of wheat(Triticum aestivum)under different resource conservation techniques and irrigation regimes

In India wheat is conventionally planted on flat-bed and irrigation is applied by flooding, which results in low water-use efficiency. Efficient use of irrigation water is a major researchable issue in most command areas for improving crop productivity. Resource conservation technologies aimed at improving productivity and water-use efficiency such as raised-bed planting have been found useful in wide row crops like maize, cotton, sunflower, sugarcane, etc. However, such information is not available for a relatively narrow row crop like wheat. A field experiment was conducted during 2002–04 at New Delhi on a sandy loam soil to evaluate the performance of wheat crop under resource conservation techniques (RCTs), viz. furrow-irrigated raised-bed (FIRB), broad-bed and furrow (BBF), raised-bed and sunken-bed (RBSB) and conventional flat-bed (FB) in main plots, and 4 irrigation regimes, viz. irrigation only at crown root initiation (CRI); irrigation at 0.9 and 1.2 IW/CPE (irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation) ratio and irrigations at six critical physiological growth stages in subplots. Wheat performed equally well under all the RCTs with respect to grain yield. The maximum grain yield was recorded under 1.2 IW/CPE ratio, which was at par with 6 irrigations at critical growth stages, but significantly higher than 0.9 IW/CPE and one irrigation at CRI. Bed planting techniques involving FIRB and BBF recorded significantly lower consumptive use (CU) of water than RBSB and FB. There was saving of 18.2 to 19.5% irrigation water by adopting FIRB compared to FB with flood irrigation. Water-use efficiency under FIRB and BBF was 8.3–22.8 and 4.9–24.8% higher respectively over the FB with flooding.