Broad Bed Furrow Research Articles

Short‐Term Benefits of Tillage and Agronomic Biofortification for Soybean–Wheat Cropping in Central India

ABSTRACTIn a changing climate, conservation tillage and agronomic biofortification are essential for enhancing crop yield, nutritional security, carbon stocks, and soil quality. Consequently, a field study was conducted in central India to assess the short‐term (4 years) effects of crop establishment techniques (CETs) and agronomic biofortification methods (ABMs) on soil health indicators, grain yield, and quality in the soybean–wheat cropping system. The experiment followed a split‐plot design with two CETs in the main plots (permanent broad bed furrow, PBBF, and conventional tillage, CT) and eight ABMs, each with three replications. The results indicated that PBBF and ABMs (seed inoculation with the microbial strains MDSR 14 + MDSR 34, and soil and foliar application of Zn+Fe) improved soil carbon stock (by 49.6% and 52.4%), available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, available Zn (by 30.0%), and Fe (by 21.9%) after the fourth year of the study. Similarly, PBBF and microbial inoculation increased soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and β‐glucosidase), substrate‐induced respiration, and microbial biomass carbon content. As a result, a higher soybean equivalent yield (5.59% higher in PBBF and 14.2% higher with foliar spray of Zn+Fe) and seed quality attributes (crude protein yield, grain Zn, and Fe) were observed in PBBF and the foliar spray of Zn and Fe treatments compared to CT and control, respectively. Overall, adopting the short‐term PBBF system, microbial inoculation, and soil and foliar application of Zn and Fe improved rhizosphere biochemical properties, yield, and seed quality in the soybean–wheat system.

Spatial analysis and assessment of soil erosion in the southern Western Ghats region in India.

Soil erosion is expected to worsen in the future as a result of climate change, growing population demands, improper land use, and excessive exploitation of natural resources in India. Due to the growing population and changes in land use, it has become increasingly crucial to map and quantitatively assess soil for the purpose of sustainable agricultural usage and planning conservation efforts. The problem of soil erosion is mainly on steeper slopes with intense rainfall in parts of Western Ghats. The 20.17% of geographical area have been converted into wasteland due to soil erosion. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is a highly prevalent and effective technique utilized for estimating soil loss in order to facilitate the planning of erosion control measures. Despite the fact that RUSLE is accurately estimate sediment yields from gully erosion, it is an effective tool in estimating sheet and rill erosions losses from diverse land uses like agricultural to construction sites. The current study is mainly about combining the RUSLE model with GIS (Geographic Information System) to find out how much soil is being lost, particularly in Noyyal and Sanganur watersheds which is located in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. This analysis is based on the soil order, with a significant proportion of alfisols and inceptisols being considered. The obtained outcome is contrasted with the established soil loss tolerance threshold, leading to the identification of the areas with the highest susceptibility to erosion. Within the narrower and more inclined section of the watershed, yearly soil loss scales from 0 to 5455 tonnes/ha/year, with an average annual loss of soil of 2.44 tonnes/ha. The severe soil erosion of 100 to 5455 tonnes/ha/year is found along the steep and greater slope length. The generated soil map was classified into six categories: very slight, slight, moderate, high, severe, and very severe. These classifications, respectively, occupied 6.23%, 14.88%, 10.56%, 15.70%, 7.73%, and 6.63% of the basin area. Based on the results of cross-validation, the estimated result of the present study was found to be very high compared to past studies conducted 0 to 368.12 tonnes/ha/year especially in very severe erosion zones. But very slight to severe erosion zones nearly matched with same level of soil loss. To protect the soil in the study area from erosion, more specific actions should be taken. These include micro-catchment, broad bed furrows, up-and-down farming, soil amendment with coconut coir pith composition, streambank stabilization with vegetation, and micro-water harvesting with abandoned well recharge. These actions should be carried out over time to make sure to work.

Resource Use Efficiency and Economics of Summer Greengram as Influenced by Land Configuration and Irrigation Regimes in North-western Part of India

Background: Pulses form a crucial protein component of the human diet and among the pulses, greengram is third most important pulse crop in India. Water is a critical input for sustained crop production and is becoming limited day by day. Hence, the need of the hour is to evaluate effective resource conservation practices, such as land configurations and scientific scheduling of irrigation to achieve higher productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency. The aim of the study was to identify most resource efficient and economical land configuration, irrigation regimes for summer greengram under sandy loam soils of northwestern India. Methods: The experiment was conducted during the summer of 2022 on Student’s farm, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab to investigate the performance of summer greengram as influenced by land configuration and irrigation regimes. The experiment was carried out in a strip plot design consisting of 12 treatment combinations and three replications. The treatment included three land configurations viz, (L1: Flatbed, L2: Ridge and furrow and L3: Broad bed furrow) and four different irrigation regimes [Irrigating at critical growth stages (I1), 0.60 IW/CPE (I2), 0.75 IW/CPE (I3) and 0.90 IW/CPE (I4)]. Result: Among three land configurations tried, L3 recorded significantly higher water productivity, NUE and net return. Similarly, I1 recorded significantly higher water productivity whereas I4 recorded significantly higher NUE and net return. Among the treatment combinations, I1L3 recorded significantly higher water productivity (0.262 kg m-3) whereas I3L3 recorded significantly higher NUE (25.16 kg seed kg nutrient-1) and net income (₹ 72,848 ha-1) as compared to other treatment combinations. Hence, I1L3 and I4L3 can be recommended to farmers for growing summer greengram under sandy loam soil conditions in water scare regions and assured irrigation situation, respectively.

Effect of Land Configuration on Different Crop Based Chickpea Sequences in Dryland Area of Central India

The present investigation makes an attempt to study the effect of land configuration on yield, water use efficiency and economics for cropping sequences in dryland area of Central India. Different cropping sequences soybean-chickpea, maize-chickpea and greengram-chickpea were adopted under different sets of land configurations such as Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB), Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) and Flat System as Farmer’s Practices (FP). Various yield attributes such as plant height, dry matter per plant, branches/plant, pods/cob per plant, seeds/cob per plant, 100 seed weight, seed and stover yield along with Seed Equivalent Yield (SEY), gross and net return, Benefit Cost ratio, Rain Water Use Efficiency (RWUE) were evaluated in this study. In case of SEY, for soybean-chickpea, maximum SEY was observed in FIRB (3197 kg ha-1), followed by BBF (3131 kg ha-1) and FP (2870 kg ha-1). Similarly for maize-chickpea, highest SEY was detected in FIRB (3601 kg ha-1), followed by BBF (3485 kg ha-1) and FP (3241 kg ha-1). A similar trend was obtained for greengram-chickpea where FIRB expressed highest value of SEY (2121 kg ha-1) followed by BBF (2065 kg ha-1) and FP (1805 kg ha-1). The analysis of yield attributes along with economics clearly suggested that for all combinations of crop sequences, FIRB yielded better results over BBF and FP. The results obtained through this study clearly advocates the fact that sowing of rabi crops on such land configurations (FIRB and BBF) amplifies the crop yield due to the presence of residual moisture which ultimately leads to enhanced farm income.

Effect of crop diversification and sowing technique on productivity, economics, water productivity and soil properties of wheat (Triticum aestivum)-based cropping systems

Conventionally intensive tillage and sowing practices, and existing cereal crop-based system has been declining soil fertility resulting in poor grain yield and quality. In order to enhance system-based productivity and it becomes necessary to diversify cereal crop through legume-based cropping system with conservation technology-based tillage and crop sowing method. Hence, a study was carried out during 2018–2022 under Farmer First Project (FFP) at Morena district in Madhya Pradesh (Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh) to collate the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-based four cropping systems with rainy (kharif) season crops i.e. pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], greengram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] and clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] and two crop sowing methods, viz. conventionally tilled and permanent broad-bed furrow irrigation were used. Significantly greater improvements were recorded in grain yield of wheat-based cropping systems, net returns, wheat equivalent yield, system protein production, water productivity, net energy gains, energy productivity and soil physico-chemical properties, while saving cultivation cost, total water- use and energy input under permanent broad bed-furrow over conventional tillage and sowing method. Likewise, system-based wheat equivalent yield, system protein productivity, additional net returns, net energy gains, energy productivity and parameters of soil physico-chemical properties were significantly enhanced with pigeonpea-wheat as compared to pearl millet-wheat cropping system. The results of experiment had suggested that cropping system of wheat based can be made more productive and remunerative with the inclusion of legume crops in rainy season and sowing of crop with permanent broad-bed furrow irrigation method.

Improving grain quality and nitrogen use efficiency of cereal-based cropping systems on vertisols in semi-arid tropics

ContextSemi-arid tropics is facing serious issues of malnutrition in population owing to poor quality of food grain production. Malnutrition is directly linked to lower grain protein and zinc yield due to inappropriate land and water, and nutrient management practices, which also resulted into reduced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in cereals. ObjectiveThe objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of land and water and nutrient management on grain protein and zinc yield, and NUE of cereal-based cropping systems on vertisols soils in semi-arid tropics. MethodsThe study was carried out at Hyderabad in India during 2014–15 and 2015–16 and involved three cropping systems (two rotation systems: sorghum-chickpea and maize-groundnut; and one intercropping: pearl millet + pigeonpea), two land and water management i.e. flatbed and broad bed furrows and four nutrient management-N1: Control (no fertilizer), N2: 100% recommended application of macronutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) through chemical fertilizer, N3: N2 + 100% recommended application of secondary nutrient (sulphur) and micronutrient (zinc and boron) through chemical fertilizer, and N4 (integrated nutrient): 50% of N2 + 50% nitrogen in cereals or phosphorus in legumes through organic fertilizer as vermicompost. ResultsIn sorghum-chickpea rotation system, the treatment interaction broad bed furrows with 100% recommended application of macronutrient, secondary nutrient and micronutrient recorded significantly higher grain zinc yield in both the years, while grain protein yield was significantly higher in second year. The grain protein and zinc yield in sorghum-chickpea rotation system, and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency in pearl millet+pigeonpea intercropping system was significantly higher in broad bed furrows than flatbed. The agronomic NUE of broad bed furrows was higher by 61% in 2014–15 and 65% in 2015–16 over flatbed. Among the nutrient management treatments, grain protein and zinc yield, and agronomic NUE were significantly higher in combined application of macronutrient, secondary nutrient, and micronutrients through chemical fertilizer i.e. N3 followed by N4, N2 and N1. ConclusionThe broad bed furrows and application of macronutrient, secondary nutrient and micronutrient could be an effective integrated land and water and nutrient management approach to improve grain quality and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of cereal-based cropping systems in semi-arid tropics. ImplicationsThis study contributed to develop integrated land and water and nutrient management as an innovative agronomic management practice for cereal-based cropping systems, which needs to scale-up through Government agricultural policies to overcome the issue of malnutrition in population living in semi-arid tropics.

Effect of Dry Land Technologies on Water Use and Yield of Millet Crops

Preserving soil moisture is an important means to maintain the necessary water for agricultural production and also to minimize the irrigation needs of the crops. This is especially important in areas where rainwater for irrigation is scarce or decreasing due to climate change or other causes. A field trial was conducted with the Ragi crop to study the increase in infiltration rate and moisture content under subsoil and to estimate the yield and water use efficiency of the millet crop at Agricultural Engineering College & Research Institute, Kumulur. A non-replicated trial with the treatments of deep tillage with a chisel plow, coir pith application in subsoil, random tie ridging, broad bed, and furrows, straw mulching, and vetiver bunding was conducted. The average raise of moisture content, higher range (8%) was observed in the treatment of coir pith application (T2), and followed by 6% raise in deep tillage, random tied ridging broad bed furrows and straw mulching. The maximum infiltration was found to be in deep tillage (4.7 cm/hr), followed by straw mulching in the range of 4.5 cm/hr. The higher yield 1121 kg/ha and WUE 5.20 kg/ha mm was obtained in treatment T2 (coir pith application) followed by treatment T3 (random tied ridging) as 1067 kg/ha & WUE of 4.95 kg/ha mm

Effects of tillage practices and planting techniques on crop yield and soil properties in northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia

Vertisols are crucial for improving and sustaining food production in Ethiopia. However, due to conventional tillage and waterlogging, the great potential of Vertisols in the study area has been underutilized. Different tillage practices combined with planting techniques play a significant positive role in improving crop yield in high-rainfall areas. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage practices and planting techniques on the productivity of sesame and sorghum in Metema experimental site, in northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted with three replications and six treatments described as: permanent raised bed with minimum tillage (PRB + MT), permanent raised bed with minimum tillage, and mulch (PRB + MT + M), broad bed furrow (BBF), flatbed with minimum tillage and mulch (Flat + MT + M), flatbed with minimum tillage (Flat + MT) and control. The results indicated that the soil moisture content was significantly higher in control (40.77–43.56 %) and flatbeds compared with BBF (39.30–40.39 %) and PRB + MT + M treatments. The bulk density of the soil and organic carbon levels showed significant variations between treatments. The highest bulk density was observed in the control (1.29 Mg m−3) than in PRB + MT (1.12 Mg m−3). In this regard, the highest seed yield of sesame (1138.52 kg ha−1) and grain yield of sorghum (5456.90 kg ha−1) were obtained from BBF and PRB + MT + M respectively. Inversely, the lowest seed yield of sesame (778.77 kg ha−1) and grain yield of sorghum (4052.7 kg ha−1) were obtained from the control plot. Therefore, to improve the productivity of sesame and sorghum, the preparation of BBF and PRB + MT + M should be taken into account.

Attributes of broad bed furrow planter as perceived by the soybean

Attributes of broad bed furrow planter as perceived by the soybean

Economic Impact of Wheat Sowing Through Zero Tillage Technique against Broadcasting under Hot Sub-humid (Moist) Eco-Region Uttar Pradesh, India

Aims: The production of cost of wheat is higher in farmers practice than the zero tillage sown of wheat due to non-adoption of recommended resource conservation technology, high-yielding varieties and advanced technologies by the farming community in the eastern plains of Uttar Pradesh. To replace this anomalous, we conducted 204 front-line demonstrations (FLDs) at farmers' fields in various adopted villages by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Deoria.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malhana, Deoria, under the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, UP. A total of 90, 12 and 50 FLDs were conducted under raised bed sowing with three varieties of pigeon pea ( Narendra Arhar 1, Pusa Bahar and Narendra Arhar 2) from 2014-15 to 2018-19 respectively.
 Methodology: Prior findings were examined to identify any gaps and to enlist everyone's assistance in disseminating such a technology of global relevance. In the eight years from 2011–12 to 2018–19, a total of 204 FLDs were carried out at the 230 farmer’s fields in the 32 villages where wheat was sown by zero tillage
 Result: Rice-wheat cropping systems are the most often used agricultural method in Uttar Pradesh, India's hot, sub-humid (wet) eco-region. It provides farmers and agricultural labourers with a source of subsistence and revenue and is a crucial aspect of the region's infrastructure for food safety. In order to attain sustainable yield, it is always thought necessary to employ other alternatives of conserving essential inputs by adopting resources conservative techniques (RCT), such as zero tillage and broad bed furrow (BBF). According to the economic analysis of the data presented in the current study, zero tillage wheat farming is the most cost-effective and appealing alternative for the agricultural community of eastern Uttar Pradesh. When compared to the broadcasting method, the zero tillage technique yielded a higher return and a lower cost of cultivation per acre. Finally, the use of this strategy raises farmers' net returns, improves their social standing, living conditions, livelihood, and ultimately reduces poverty in the farming community.
 Conclusions: The new approach lowers production costs while producing equivalent wheat yields to other methods, which leads to higher net returns. Farmers in the area have begun to appreciate the technology's reduced tillage costs. Rice-wheat is the prevalent farming system practiced by the majority of farmers in the region. In the future, the prospect of extending the method to sow wheat after other crops should be investigated.

Developing climate change agro-adaptation strategies through field experiments and simulation analyses for sustainable sorghum production in semi-arid tropics of India

Change in rainfall pattern with longer dry period depletes soil water content (SWC) and incorrect sowing time adversely affects rainfed sorghum production in Semi-Arid Tropics (SATs). The present study was conducted to develop agricultural water management strategies for improving SWC and to evaluate sowing time as climate change agro-adaptations for sorghum production in SATs. The field experiments on two land-water management (flatbed, broad bed furrows (BBF)) and four nutrient management (application of macro-and micronutrients through combination of chemical and organic fertilizers) were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, India. The average SWC in ‘BBF’ was higher over ‘flatbed’ by 0.90 cm and 1.06 cm in 0–30 cm soil depth, 0.67 cm and 1.02 cm in 30–60 cm depth, 0.51 cm and 0.84 cm in 60–90 cm depth and, 0.34 cm and 0.67 cm in 90–120 cm during 2014 and 2015, respectively. The SWC in BBF was higher over flatbed by 7.28% throughout 0–120 cm soil depth during longest dry period of 26 days in the year 2014. The simulation analyses using DSSAT Version 4.6 for Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 with RCP 4.5 stated that postponing the normal sowing time (30 June) to 10 July resulted in lower grain yield reduction i.e. 14.75% in 2030 and 19.37% in 2050 as compared to base period (1988–2007) yield with normal sowing in Parbhani location of India. The BBF combined with macro-and micronutrients application through chemical fertilizer and postponing sowing time was found the effective climate change agro-adaptation strategies for improving sorghum production in SATs. This study indicates the need for desired policy orientation by the government to promote integrated land-water-nutrient management as the effective agro-adaptations to climate change in SATs.

Impact of Land Configuration and Nutrients Levels on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Oilseed Crops: A Review

Crops are sown using a variety of land configuration techniques, which have major benefits for the correct growth of oilseed crops as well as for the effective use of water and the management of soil erosion. Different land configurations like flat bed, line sowing, and broad bed furrow play an important part in reducing problems with plants and soil like spacing, water need, and nutrient retention. Land layout factors like slope and elevation may also have an impact. Nutrient concentrations like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are necessary for a plant to grow and develop. While insufficient nutrient levels might limit development and lower production, sufficient nutrient levels can increase crop yield and quality. Other than macro nutrients sulphur element is also one of the major nutrients for the better production of oilseed crops. The majority of crops typically flourish on marginal, poor soils with unbalanced nutrient applications. Nitrogen is one of many nutrients that is essential for all crops. One of the most crucial elements needed to increase agricultural yield and profitability in semi-arid climates is nitrogen management.

Impact of frontline demonstrations of Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) on yield and economics of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) under Rainfed conditions of Northern Telangana Zone, India

The present study was conducted at farmers fields of Adilabad district, Telangana state, India during June- October of 2018-19 to 2020-21 (for 3 seasons) to appraise the effect of Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) technology on soybean yield as well as economics. In this study, BBF planting technology was compared with the farmer’s practice (Bullock drawn seed drill). In comparison to the conventional method, the sowing of soybean with BBF method found to be superior in seed yield and average soybean productivity with BBF planter was 2090 kg ha-1, with a yield increase of 11.60 per cent over conventional method of sowing (1873 kg ha-1). Similarly, the economics of soybean were found to be highest with BBF method in terms of gross returns (Rs. 75860 ha-1) and net returns (Rs. 47512 ha-1) with a B:C ratio of 2.66:1 compared to conventional method which generated the gross returns of Rs. 68096 ha-1 and net returns of Rs. 37964 ha-1 with a B:C ratio of 2.26:1.

Determination of Growth-Stage-Specific Crop Coefficients (Kc) for Drip Irrigated Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Different Land Configurations

Determination of the actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc) during the crop growth is important for precise irrigation scheduling, sustainable development and environmentally sound water management. Development of a crop coefficient (Kc) can enhance ETc estimations in relation to specific crop phenological development. An experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh to determine growth stage specific Kc of wheat (GW-366) using drip irrigation under different land configurations (L1: broad bed furrow and L2: flat land) at different irrigation levels (I1: 1.0 ETc and I2: 0.8 ETc). Soil moisture sensors were utilized to estimate Actual crop evapotranspiration. Results revealed that adjusted FAO Kc predicts higher value than sensor-based Kc values under both land configurations. Broad bed furrow (BBF) land configuration observed lower Kc values compared to flat land configuration at all growth stages of wheat. Sensor based Kc-ini, Kc-dev, Kc-mid and Kc-end values of BBF observed 0.21 (7.26%), 0.59 (13.78%), 1.00 (7.27%) and 0.29 (9.48%) and 0.20 (8.43%), 0.55 (13.04%), 0.91 (8.18%) and 0.26 (9.48%) lower than flat land configuration. Overestimated adjusted FAO-Kc values caused a loss 106.18 mm and 89.43 mm precious water for wheat under BBF and flat land respectively.

Restoration of rainwater techniques and fertilizer split application methods on yield and total nutrient uptake of rainfed sorghum under vertisols (Typic haplusterts)

In rainfed situation soil erosion, low plant nutrients availability and soil moisture stress during cropping season are among the major limitations to high crop production and sustainable land management in a rainfed Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT) in India. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of land configuration practices and fertilizer split application methods under vertisols condition in Rabi sorghum. The results revealed that the in-situ soil moisture conservation practices viz., broad bed furrow registered the highest yield attributes, yield, soil fertility status and plant nutrient uptake in rainfed sorghum. Under vertisols rainfed condition soil moisture conservation methods viz., broad bed furrow recorded higher yield (1611 kg/ha), net income (Rs.6675/ha), BC ratio (1.37) and RWUE (4.49 kg/hamm). But in case of fertilizer treatments, the treatment applied with 20 kg N as urea + 20 kg P2O5 enriched with farm yard manure + 10 kg K2O/ha as basal application and top dressing as 20kg N as urea and 10kg K kg/ha registered higher yield attributes, grain yield (1734 kg/ha), stalk yield (4357 kg/ha), net income (Rs.10607), BC ratio (1.70) and RWUE (4.81 kg/hamm) and plant nutrient uptake viz., nitrogen uptake (67.82 kg/ha), phosphorus uptake (19.30 kg/ ha), potassium uptake (108.06 kg/ha) and zinc uptake (117.1), respectively.

Influence of Different Moisture Conservation Practices and Crop Sequence on Direct Seeded Rice based Cropping System in Rainfed Ecosystem of Assam, India

Background: Land configuration decides the effectiveness of crop management practices and major land configuration practice includes raised bed preparation, ridges and furrows, broad bed furrows etc. The farmers’ practice of sowing in flatbed without proper land configuration, leads to poor growth and development of crops. A large portion of crop residues is burnt by the farmers in the fields to clear the left-over straw and stubbles. Conservation agriculture involving crop residue management can give new direction for sustaining productivity. The development issue of rainfed agriculture assumes critical importance in India due to slow growth and its impact on livelihood security of rural poor in India. Changes in crop establishment method in rice have significant implications in performing farm operations like tillage, seedbed preparations, transplanting, weeding and other intercultural operations including water management. The current study aimed to study the BF methods as land configuration including crop residue management in rainfed eco system in direct seeded rice based cropping system. Methods: In the field experiment during 2016-17 and 2017-18, different size of bed of Broad bed Furrow (BBF) including Flatbed was made manually consisting four replication. After final land preparation the experimental field was divided into four blocks and each block was divided in to six main plots to allocate the six soil moisture conservation practices randomly, for growing summer (direct seeded ahu rice), kharif (green gram) crops. The main plots were again divided in to four sub-plots to allocate the rabi crops randomly following a split-plot design. Incorporation of crop residues was done in the plots as per treatments. Result: The investigation resulted better performance of both the size of BBF beds as compared to flatbed method in respect of yield attributes and yield of the crops studied. Among the BBF, 60-30 cm size bed showed better than the BBF 120-30 cm size beds. The residue incorporation plots were shown comparatively better result than no residue incorporation treatments. The present study will be a contribution to the study of BBF particularly in pulse crops due to heavy rainfall received during kharif season in Assam.

Performance of Groundnut under Broad Bed Furrow Method in Buldana District of Maharashtra

The Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) on groundnut were carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jalgaon Jamod, Buldana district of Maharashtra during the summer season of 2015-16 to 2016-17 in fields of 50 farmers at different villages of Buldana district. Farmers were randomly selected. The result of the present study showed that sowing irrigated groundnut crops on broad bed furrows in demo plots recorded higher yields than conventional farmers' farming practices. The average pod yield in the broad bed furrow seed drill sowing method was 23.79 q/ha. The technological gap range was found 1.26 q/ha to 3.17 q/ha. The technology index varied from 4.85 percent to 12.19 percent with an average of 8.52 percent over the study period, which showed the effectiveness of technological interventions. The average highest gross return of FLDs plots was Rs 57,548/- per hectare i.e. more than 26 percent higher compared to the conventional practices and average the benefit-cost ratio was 2.24. Groundnut productivity was considerably increased by conducting cluster frontline demonstration of better variety with intervention methods using proven technologies in farmers’ fields and improving the livelihood of the farming community.

Suitable mechanization for increasing soybean (Glycine max) production under aberrated climatic regime of Madhya Pradesh

As a result of climate change during the last decade, the normal rainfall pattern has been disturbed which resulted in frequent aberrations with extreme situation of sudden downpour or long dry spells resulting in severe stress on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop leading to yield reduction. The establishment of in situ rainwater management strategies is essential for minimizing risk of crop failure and stabilizing soybean production. Under such circumstances, KVK, Panna, introduced ridge and furrow equipment for the line sowing of soybean at KVK instructional farm during rainy (kharif) season 2014–17. The maximum yield was recorded in the plants sown in ridge and furrow technique (17.2 q/ha) followed by broad bed furrow technique and sweep seed drill (15.7 and 15.2q/ha, respectively) as compared to broadcasting methods of sowing (11.1 q/ha). The benefit:cost ratio was recorded as high as 1:2.9 under ridge and furrow technique of sowing followed by broad bed furrow technique and sweep seed drill (1:2.7) compared to broadcasting (1:2.0). The ridge and furrow equipment saved more soil moisture (13, 17, 20 and 23% respectively) at 5 days interval for 20 days through increased infiltration rate of rainfall and reduced runoff that lead to slow rate of soil erosion than broadcasting. The furrow allows drainage of excess water in case of heavy precipitation, while also allowing in situ moisture conservation during dry spells, thus mitigating the detrimental effects of excess and dry spell situation in soybean crop.

Impact of climatic abnormities and mitigating technologies on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) in central India

A study was carried out on changes in climate; area and productivity of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) over aperiod of three decades (1982–2016), and impact of climatic abnormalities and mitigation technologies on yield andeconomic benefits was seen. Long-term data on climate change showed that there is a trend of minimum and maximum temperature rise and a decrease in monthly total rainfall in summer and rainy season, while it increases in winter. Study also revealed the prominent disparity in area and productivity of pigeonpea of all agro-climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Chhattisgarh (CG). The absolute change (AC) and relative change (RC) in area of pigeonpea in MP and CG states increased by 34.66 thousand ha and 16.2% and increased productivity by 243.3 kg/ha and 65.4% compared with base years, respectively. Like-wise maximum AC in productivity was at Central Narmada Valley (CNV) and minimum at CG plains, while RC in productivity was maximum increased in Gird region and minimum in CG plains compared to base years. The crop sowing on bed with broad bed furrow (BBF) increased seed yield by 18.2% compared to flat land sowing method. The Fusarium wilt infestation was reduced with resistant cultivar along with seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum and BBF sowing impacting on yield by 26.2%, whereas increased by 20.7% with control of phytophthora blight resistant cultivar sowing on BBF after seed treatment with Trichoderma viride, compared with existing practices (EP). Similarly control of pod borer with the use of IPM technology enhanced seed yield by 42.2% compared with EP. Results showed that adoption of improved techniques for mitigation of climatic abnormalities gave higher productivity, net returns and B:C ratio compared to EP.

Effect of Different Land Configuration, Superabsorbent and Nutrient Management on Yield and Economics of Soybean (Glycine max L.) -Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) Cropping System

Background: Oilseed crops are sources of fats and oils, which are essential for human diet, comprising about 40% of the calories in the diet of the average person safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a major rabi oilseed crop in the country. Like soybean its productivity is also very low as compared to the global average. Horizontal expansion to augment the food production is limited and the alternative way is to move on vertical growth by enhancing the productivity of the area. Therefore, production technology and management practices should be developed keeping in view all the above point, for efficient use of costly inputs, beside reduction in production cost, for instance residual effect of manures and fertilizers applied and nitrogen fixed by legumes can considerably bring down the production cost. Methods: A field experiment was carried out to study the performance of soybean-safflower cropping sequence under different land configuration and nutrient management. Treatment consists of eighteen treatment combinations comprising three land configuration (L1- flat beds, L2- ridges and furrow and L3- Broad bed furrow) and three superabsorbent levels (S1- 0 kg ha-1, S2- 2.5 kg ha-1 and S3- 5.0 kg ha-1) in main plot, two nutrient levels i.e., N1- 30:60:30 NPK kg ha-1 + 5 t FYM ha-1 and N2- 30:60:30:30 NPKS kg ha-1 + 20 kg ZnSO4 + 5 t FYM ha-1 to soybean and N1- 40:20:0 NPK kg ha-1 and N2- 30:15:0 NPK kg ha-1 to safflower during kharif and rabi seasons, respectively as sub plot treatments were assigned in a split plot design with three replications. Result: Broad bed furrows planting method with the application of 30:60:30:30 NPKS kg ha-1 + 20 kg ZnSO4 + 5 t FYM ha-1 to soybean and 40:20:0 NPK kg ha-1 to safflower during kharif and rabi seasons, respectively recorded significantly higher yield and yield attributes as well as net monetary returns but the applications of superabsorbent reordered non-significant effect during both the year of study.