Crop Establishment Methods Research Articles

Effect of Site Specific N Management and Different Crop Establishment Methods on Tillering Ability and Dry Matter Accumulation in Rice

Effect of Site Specific N Management and Different Crop Establishment Methods on Tillering Ability and Dry Matter Accumulation in Rice

Effect of Crop Establishment Methods and Nano Urea Compared to Urea on Quality and Nutrient Uptake in Rice Crop (Oryza sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season 2022 and 2023 at Agronomy research farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, (India). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with thrice replications. Taking three crop establishment methods Direct Seeded Rice, System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Transplanted Rice in main plot and seven nitrogen levels control, 100 % RDN through conventional Urea, 100 % RDN through Nano Urea, 80 % RDN through conventional Urea + 20 % RDN through Nano Urea, 60 % RDN through conventional Urea + 40 % through Nano Urea, 40 % RDN through conventional Urea + 60 % through Nano Urea and 20 % RDN through conventional Urea + 80 % through Nano Urea in sub plot. Results showed that significantly higher NPK content, NPK uptake protein content and protein yield was recorded in application of 60 % RDN through conventional Urea + 40 % through Nano Urea which was at par with 40 % RDN through conventional Urea + 60 % RDN through Nano Urea significantly superior over rest of the treatment during both the years of investigations.

Effect of Crop Establishment Methods and Precision Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Rice under Rice-wheat System

Rice-wheat system is the major contributor in food security of India. The significance of the system is well addressed by time to time but, excessive use of resources, stagnation in yield, environment deterioration including erosion and nutrient mining are the greater challenge it possess. To address the issue a study was carried out at Banaras Hindu University's Agricultural Research Farm in Varanasi during the Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively. The experiment plotted in a split plot statistical design with three replications and four crop establishment methods: CE1: Conventional till rice (puddled transplanted)-Conventional till wheat, CE2: Conventional till direct seeded rice (DSR)-Conventional till wheat, CE3: Conventional till DSR-Zero-till wheat (rice residue retained), and CE4: Zero-till DSR-Zero-till wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) crop establishment method among the main plot treatments and Rice-Wheat Crop Manager (RWCM)-based nutrient recommendation among the sub plot treatments. CE4 treatment among main plot and N3 among nutrient management practices produced higher values of plant height and number of tillers at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing and at harvest, as well as yield attributes i.e. maximum number of panicles m2 and grains per panicle, than the other treatments. The same treatments also resulted in increased rice grain yield. There was approximately 12 % higher grain yield under CE4 over CE1 and 8 % higher grain yield in N3 over N1 was recorded. These results might be due to better nutrient availability, better organic carbon which leads to improved microbial activity, and better moisture availability under these treatments. It may be concluded that conservation agriculture-based crop establishment i.e. CE4: Zero-till DSR-Zero-till wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) and RWCM-based nutrient application, may be favourable for improved growth, yield attributes and yield in the rice crop under the region of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The interaction of fungicides and nitrogen dose under two crop establishment methods influences the severity of brown spot disease in rice

Brown spot (BS) disease poses a significant threat to rice cultivation globally, impacting millions of hectares annually. Research indicates that the severity of BS is closely linked to abiotic stresses and crop nutrition. A field experiment was conducted using transplanted (TP) and direct-seeded-rice (DSR) crop establishment methods to optimize the effective fungicide and nitrogen dose. The split-plot design was applied to study the effect of two factors (N-dose and fungicides) varying at different levels under two different crop establishment methods (TP and DSR) for two consecutive Kharif seasons (2021 and 2022). The BS severity was measured as the percent disease index (PDI), and the results of two seasons were pooled. The results indicated that all three factors significantly (p = 0.05) influenced the PDI and grain yield. The PDI under different fungicides was higher in DSR (30.20–88.90) than in TP rice (21.64–70.00). Similarly, increased N-dose altered the PDI negatively (p = 0.05) in both TP (32.16–46.12) and DSR (44.35–59.09) methods. The results indicated Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG (T7) at 125% recommended dose of nitrogen as the best combination, as it recorded the lowest PDI of 21.6 and 30.2 in the TP and DSR, respectively. Similarly, all three factors interacted significantly (p = 0.05) and affected the final grain yield. Overall, the BS is more severe in DSR, and a higher dose of N reduces the BS severity in both TP and DSR. Therefore, N fertilizer management, especially in the DSR, is essential, along with a fungicide, for effective management of the brown spot disease.

Evaluation of Crop Establishment Methods and Nano Urea Versus Conventional Urea on Growth Indices in Rice Crop (Oryza sativa L.)

The present study aimed to evaluate Crop Establishment Methods and Nano Urea Versus Conventional Urea on Growth Indices in Rice Crop (Oryza sativa L.). Method of crop establishment influences the performance of rice through its effect on growth and development. Although, system of rice intensification has been reported to be the best establishment method. In traditional fertilizers, there is a huge loss of fertilizers by various manners like drift, leaching, runoff, microbial degradation, hydrolysis and photolysis. Bio accessibility of nutrients to plant is much lower relative to the rate of conventional fertilizers applied. The experiment was conducted during two consecutive seasons of Kharif 2022 and 2023 at the Agronomy Research Farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (U.P.), India. The nitrogen level had significantly affected on crop growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate at all the stages of crop growth during both the years of investigations. The maximum Net assimilation rate at 30-60 and 60-90 DAS/DAT and crop growth rate, relative growth rate at 30-60, 60-90 and 90 to harvest DAS/DAT was recorded under 60% RDN through conventional Urea + 40% RDN through Nano Urea which was at par with 40% RDN through conventional Urea + 60% RDN through Nano Urea treatment, while significant over rest of the treatment during both the years of investigations.

Effect of Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Management Practices on Productivity and Bioenergetics of Rice

Background: SRI and aerobic rice are one of the techniques of growing rice under water scarcity areas where meeting water requirement is becoming a global threat. Weeds are another threat to yield of rice irrespective of different establishment methods. Until checked, it can decline rice yield and quality up to more than 70%. SRI and aerobic rice have different densities of weeds and integrated weed management can be applied to suppress the weeds. Considering the current scenario, research was conducted to investigate growth, yield and bioenergetics of rice under different establishment methods and weed management. Methods: The experiment entitled “Effect of crop establishment methods and weed management practices on productivity and bioenergetics of rice” was carried out in split plot design with main plots, viz., M1- aerobic rice (AR) and M2- system of rice intensification (SRI) and five subplots W1- pre-emergence (pendimethalin @1 kg a.i ha-1) fb post-emergence (bispyribac-sodium @20g a.i ha-1) (PE+POE), W2- pre-emergence (pendimethalin @1 kg a.i ha-1) fb cono weeding at 15, 30, and 45 DAT/ DAS (PE+CW), W3- weed free (WF), W4- weedy check (WC), W5- stale seedbed followed by post-emergence herbicide (bispyribac-sodium 10% SC 20 g a.i ha-1) (SSB+POE) in split plot design with three replications taking the variety ‘Pusa Basmati-1121’ as a test crop. Result: Among the establishment methods, SRI recorded significantly higher growth attributes like plant height and dry matter production and yield attributes like number of panicles per hill, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, test weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index. Among the weed management treatments, WF recorded significantly higher growth attributes like plant height, number of tillers per hill, dry matter production and yield attributes like number of panicles per hill, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, test weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index that was followed by treatment PE+CW. Maximum net return and B:C ratio was observed in the treatment combinations M2W2- SRI + (PE+CW). The maximum total energy input was found in the treatment combination M1W1- AR+ (PE+POE) and the maximum total energy output was found in the treatment combination M2W3- SRI + WF. The energy intensiveness was observed to be maximum in the treatment combination M1W4- AR + WC and the maximum energy efficiency index was observed in the treatment combination M2W3- SRI+WF.

Seedbed management, transplanting methods and irrigation regimes influence the growth, productivity and economics of summer rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi (winter) seasons of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 at the Central Research Farm under Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India, to study the effects of planting techniques, irrigation regimes, and nursery bed management on the growth, yield, nutrient dynamics, water productivity, and economics of summer rice (cv. Shatabdi) production. The experiment was performed in a strip-split plot design with twelve treatment combinations, which were replicated three times. The design consisted of two types of transplanted rice establishment methods (viz., puddled transplanted rice (PTR) and nonpuddled transplanted rice (NPTR)) allocated to the main plot, three irrigation regimes (three-day intervals; six-day intervals; nine-day intervals) allocated to the subplot, and two nursery bed management practices (conventional seedbed and improved seedbed) allocated to the subplot. Higher growth attributes, such as plant height, tiller count, biomass, and LAI, were found under nonpuddled conditions at the time of harvesting. Similarly, a three-day irrigation interval and improved seedlings led to better growth traits. The yield attributes and yield varied nonsignificantly among the crop establishment methods. However, the lowest irrigation intervals accounted for 53.78% and 43.02% greater grain yield than did the nine-day intervals in two consecutive years, respectively, and produced statistically similar yields with six-day intervals. The percentage of seedlings transplanted from improved seedbeds was 4.01 and 4.13% greater than that from conventional seedlings. A similar trend was observed for both input and irrigation water productivity, except that the nine-day irrigation interval resulted in significantly greater water productivity than did the other intervals. The treatment consisted of nonpuddled transplanted rice along with six six-day irrigation intervals and improved seedbed management, resulting in the highest net return and benefit:cost ratio due to the low production cost. Thus, it can be concluded that transplanting seedlings into nonpuddled soil from an improved seedbed with intermittent irrigation might be the most judicious and recommended in terms of productivity as well as profitability for summer rice production.

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.

Physiological Responses of Stress Tolerant Rice Varieties across Different Cropping Systems under Rainfed Stress

Rice, sustaining half of the world's population, is traditionally cultivated through transplanting, particularly in Asia. However, challenges like excessive water use, labour demands, and environmental stresses like drought prompt the search for alternatives. Our study evaluates the impact of various crop establishment methods (CEs) – conventional puddled transplanting, direct drill seeding on flatbeds (DSR), and direct seeding on raised beds (FIRB) – on five stress-tolerant rice varieties (V): DRR 42, DRR 44, Sukha Dhan 5, Sukha Dhan 6, and Sarjoo 52. The key physiological parameters like Relative Water Content, Membrane Stability Index, and Chlorophyll content were analysed across different CE and V combinations. Notably, FIRB consistently surpasses other methods, suggesting its potential in bolstering stress tolerance and yield. Among the five varieties, Sukha Dhan 5 (V3) displays the highest RWC, Sarjoo 52 (V5) in MSI, and DRR 44 (V2) demonstrates superior chlorophyll content. These varieties underscore their pivotal role in maintaining plant water status, facilitating robust photosynthesis, and enhancing stress resilience, thereby ensuring stable yields. Our findings underscore FIRB's promise in curbing water waste and mitigating drawbacks associated with conventional transplanting practices.

Assessment of Biochemical Parameters and Yield Performance in Rice under Different Crop Establishment Methods

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), a staple food for half of the global population, is cultivated using various methods, with transplanting being conventional in many Asian countries. However, challenges such as high-water consumption, labour intensiveness, and environmental degradation have prompted the exploration of alternative methods. In this study, we assessed the impact of various crop establishment methods (CE) i.e. conventional puddled transplanting, direct drill seeding on flatbed (DSR), and direct seeding on raised beds (FIRB) on five stress-tolerant rice varieties (V) i.e. DRR 42, DRR 44, Sukha Dhan 5, Sukha Dhan 6 and Sarjoo 52 by analysing biochemical parameters i.e. total sugar content, starch content, MDA content, SOD content and yield outcomes. Our findings reveal significant variations in biochemical parameters and yield across different CE and V combinations. Notably, FIRB consistently outperformed other CEs, indicating its potential for enhancing stress tolerance and yield. Similarly, DRR 44 exhibited superior performance across most growth stages. Our study highlights the potential advantages of FIRB method in mitigating water wastage and addressing the limitations of conventional transplanting practices.

Interactions of Microbial Inoculations with Fertilization Options and Crop Establishment Methods on Modulation of Soil Microbial Properties and Productivity of Rice

A field investigation was undertaken to assess the interactive effects of different crop establishment methods (CEMs) and microbial formulations in field conditions. The two year experiment was carried out in kharif season (June to October) of both 2013–14 and 2014–15 at Research Farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi India. The CEMs studied consist of puddled transplanted rice (PTR), system of rice intensification (SRI) and aerobic rice system (ARS); while microbial formulations consist of Anabaena sp. (CR1)+Providencia sp. (PR3) consortium (MC1) and Anabaena–Pseudomonas biofilm formulation (MC2). The microbial inoculation was applied with 75% recommended dose of nutrients (RDN) (90 kg nitrogen ha-1 and 19.35 kg phosphorus ha-1) and compared with 100% RDN. Soil microbiological properties showed significantly higher values in SRI in the first year; while in the second year, SRI and PTR remained on par and superior to ARS. Among the combinations of nutrient supplements, application of Anabaena–Pseudomonas biofilm formulation (MC2) with 75% RDN was superior in terms of all microbiological attributes studied [acetylene reduction activity (ARA), soil chlorophyll, soil dehydrogenase activity, microbial biomass carbon and alkaline phosphatase activity]. Application of microbial inoculation led to an increase in milled rice yield from 230 to 240 kg ha-1. Among the different combinations of CEMs and inputs investigated the application of 75% RDN+MC2+zinc (Zn) (soil applied 5 kg Zn ha-1 through zinc sulphate heptahydrate) in SRI can be a judicious option to maximize rice yield and soil health.

Field performance of sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by crop establishment methods and integrated fertilizer application

Field performance of sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by crop establishment methods and integrated fertilizer application

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.

Physiological and Biochemical Basis of Variation in Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under CA-based Crop Establishment Methods and Nutrient Management in R-W Cropping System

Background: Crop establishment methods and nutrient management practices treatments were continuously practiced in the same plots since 2011-12 as a part of long-term experiment. A field study was conducted during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 i.e. during 9th and 10th year of study to investigate the effects of CE methods and nutrient management on growth, physiological, biochemical, yield attributes and yield of rice crop. Methods: Field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, laid out in split plot design replicated thrice with four crop establishment (CE) methods viz., CT (puddled transplanted) rice-CT wheat (CE1),CTDSR rice-CT wheat (CE2), CTDSR- ZT wheat (rice residue retention) (CE3), ZT rice-ZT wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) (CE4) in main plots and three nutrient management (NM) practices viz., FP (164 kg N, 50 kg P2O5, 32 kg K2O and 4 kg Zn ha-1) (N1), RFD (150 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, 60 kg K2O and 5 kg Zn ha-1) (N2) and SSNM- RWCM recommendation (N3). The rice variety used was ‘Sarju-52’ in the present study. Result: The recorded data revealed that ZT rice–ZT wheat (CE4) recorded significantly higher plant height, tillers hill-1, leaf area, RWC, total chlorophyll content and protein content as compared to other CE methods. Among NM practices, SSNM-RWCM (N3) recorded significantly higher plant height, tillers hill-1, leaf area and protein content, whereas, RWC and total chlorophyll content did not differ significantly over farmer’s practice and recommended fertilizer dose. Improved growth and physio-chemical attributes in ZT rice-ZT wheat (CE4) and SSNM-RWCM (N3) resulted in significantly higher panicles hill-1, fertility percentage and number of filled grains panicle-1 over other CE methods and NM practices. Panicle length, spikelets panicle-1 and test weight showed non-significant differences. Grain yield, straw yield and biological yield were significantly higher in ZT rice-ZT wheat (CE4) among CE methods and SSNM-RWCM (N3) among NM practices. The harvest index showed non-significant differences for CE methods and NM practices both.

Dynamics of soil penetration resistance, moisture depletion pattern and crop productivity determined by mechanized cultivation and lifesaving irrigation in zero till blackgram

Rice fallow black gram is grown under the residual moisture situation as a relay crop in heavy texture montmorillonite clay soil under zero till condition. Since the crop is raised during post monsoon season, the crop often experiences terminal stress due to limited water availability and no rainfall. Surface irrigation in montmorillonite clay soil is determent to pulse crop as inundation causes wilting. Therefore, zero tilled rice fallow black gram has to be supplemented with micro irrigation at flowering stage (35 days after sowing) to alleviate moisture stress and to increase the productivity as well. Hence micro farm pond in a corner of one ha field was created to harvest the rain water during monsoon season and the same was utilized to supplement the crop with lifesaving irrigation through mobile sprinkler at flowering stage for the crop grown under conservation agriculture. Soil cracking is also the common phenomena of montmorillonite clay soil where evaporations losses would be more through crack surfaces. The present study was therefore conducted to study the changes in the soil physical properties, crop establishment and productivity in conjunction with mechanized sowing and harvest and supplemental mobile sprinkler irrigation. Sowing of black gram by broadcasting 10 days prior to the manual harvest of rice, manual drawn single row seed drill after the machine harvest of rice and sowing by broadcasting at 4 days prior to machine harvest of rice was experimented separately and in combination with lifesaving irrigation. Results indicated that the number of wheel passes and lifesaving irrigation had a very strong impact on soil penetration resistance and soil moisture. Combined harvester followed by no till seed drill increased the soil penetration resistance in all the layers (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–15 cm). Two passes of wheel increased the mean soil penetration resistance from 407 KPa to 502 KPa. The soil penetration resistance (0–5 cm) at harvest shown that black gram sown by manual broadcasting 10 days prior to manual harvest of paddy supplemented with life irrigation on 30 DAS reduced the soil penetration resistance from 690 Kpa to 500 Kpa, 740 Kpa to 600 Kpa and 760 Kpa to 620 Kpa respectively at 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–15 cm layer. In general, moisture depletion rate was rapid in the surface layer of 0–5 cm as compared to other layers of 5–10 cm and 10–15 cm up to 30 DAS (Flowering stage). The moisture content and the soil penetration resistance had an inverse relationship. The soil penetration resistance also had an inverse relationship with the root length in which the root length lowers as the soil penetration resistance increases. The soil crack measured at 60 DAS was deeper with no till seed drill (width of 3.94 cm and depth of 13.67 cm) which was mainly due to surface layer compaction. The relative water content, specific leaf weight and chlorophyll content were significantly improved through the supplemental irrigation given on 30 DAS irrespective of crop establishment methods. The results further indicated that compaction of ploughed layer in the moist soil due to combined harvester and no till seed drill had a negative impact on yield (457 kg ha−1), which was improved by 19.03 per cent due to increased soil moisture with supplemental irrigation. The mean yield increase across different treatments due to supplemental lifesaving irrigation through mobile sprinkler was 20.4 per cent.

Assessing vegetation indices and productivity across nitrogen gradients: a comparative study under transplanted and direct-seeded rice

Nitrogen responses vary under diverse agronomic management practices, influencing vegetation indices (VIs) and productivity across different ecological conditions. However, the proper quantification of these responses under various crop establishment methods with varied nitrogen levels is rarely studied. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of varying nitrogen levels on VIs, growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, and economic aspects of transplanted rice (TR) and direct-seeded rice (DSR). The experiment was conducted in the randomized block design consisted seven N levels, which included 0% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) or no nitrogen (N0), 33.33% RDN (N1), 66.66% RDN (N2), 100% RDN (N3), 133.33% RDN (N4), 166.66% RDN (N5) and 200% RDN (N6), and replicated thrice. The plots with higher N levels demonstrated increased values of VIs and treatment N3 (120 kg N ha−1), N4 (160 kg N ha−1), N5 (200 kg N ha−1), and N6 (240 kg N ha−1) showed no statistically significant differences in NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index), RVI (ratio vegetation index), NDRE (normalized difference red edge), and GNDVI (green normalized difference vegetation index) values across the various growth stages of rice. The application of treatment N4 resulted in the highest number of panicles m−2 (348.2 in TR, 376.8 in DSR), filled grains panicle−1 (74.55 in TR, 62.43 in DSR), and a 1,000-grain weight of 26.92 g in TR and 26.76 g in DSR. The maximum yield (4.89 t ha−1) was obtained in transplanted rice at treatment N4 and, 8.15% yield reduction was noted in DSR for the same treatment, which was statistically equivalent to N3, but significantly superior to other N levels. Conversely, in DSR with RDN (120 kg N ha−1), the cost–benefit ratio surpassed that of TR by 16.96%, signifying DSR’s adaptability for more profitable rice cultivation in the region. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing nitrogen management practices for TR and DSR, thereby enhancing rice crop performance and economic returns.

Effect of Different Crop Establishment Methods and Organic Sources of Nutrients on Finger Millet in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha, India

Organic agriculture appears to be a way to maintain desired crop production in future. In terms of nutrients, organic farming practices vary with the availability of local resources of manures and its quantity needs to be identified to meet the nutritional needs of finger millet. So, a field experiment was conducted at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Sub-Station (OUAT), Malkangiri, Odisha during rainy season of 2019-2021 to find out the effect of organic nutrient sources on yield and economics of finger millet under different establishment methods. Three crop establishment methods (line sowing, transplanting and broadcasting) and six different organic sources of nutrients (FYM @ 5 t ha-1, VC @ 2 t ha-1, FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + VC @ 1 t ha-1, Compost prepared by Waste decomposer @ 5 t ha-1, FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1 and Gliricidia leaf manure @ 2.5 t ha-1) were laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The recorded data revealed that significantly highest number of tillers (2.55 hill-1), fingers (5.52 ear head-1), finger length (6.53 cm) along with highest yield (1259 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 14709 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.48) were obtained with transplanted condition. Growth and yield attributes of finger millet was significantly varied by application of different organic sources of nutrients and it was observed that application of FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + VC @ 1 t ha-1 recorded highest number of tillers (2.52 hill-1), fingers (5.76 ear head-1), finger length (6.72 cm) and grain yield (1327 kg ha-1) followed by application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1and both were statistically at par in respect to all above parameters. But, highest net return (Rs. 18923 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.65) was obtained with the application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1. So, transplanting of finger millet with the application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1 should be recommended for the studied region as organic nutrient management.

Long-Term Effect of Crop Establishment Methods and Tillage Practices on Soil Physical Properties in Rice-Wheat System

ABSTRACT Rice-wheat system, the most prevalent cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plain, nowadays poses a threat to its sustainability owing to deterioration of soil physical parameters, disposal of rice straw and declining yield trends. The present study was aimed to identify the best option of crop establishment, tillage and rice straw retention in rice-wheat system after long-term (2010–2020). The field experiment was conducted on typic Ustochrept sandy clay loam soil. Treatments comprised direct seeded rice with zero tillage (DSRZT), direct seeded rice with conventional tillage (DSRCT), direct seeded rice with reduced tillage (DSRRT) and puddled transplanted rice (PTR) in rice as main plots; and conventionally tilled without rice residue (CTW), zero tilled without residue (ZTW) and zero tilled wheat with residue retention (ZTW+R) in wheat as sub plots. The results revealed that physical parameters like bulk density and soil penetration resistance decreased while, plant available water content, infiltration and hydraulic conductivity of the soil increased significantly in DSRZT, DSRRT and ZTW+R compared to PTR and CTW. Amount of organic carbon enhanced from .42% to .55% and .34% to .39% in both 0–15 and 15–30 cm soil layers, respectively, in DSRZT compared to PTR. Aggregation status also improved in ZT-based treatments in contrast to PTR and CTW treatments. However, the average grain yield of rice was higher by 2.15–19.4% in PTR compared to DSR treatments while; ZTW+R had an advantage of 4.98% and 7.75% in contrast to CTW and ZTW, respectively, in terms of average wheat yield.

Physiological parameters and nutrient uptake in unpuddled machine transplanted rice (Oryza sativa) in combination with alternative wetting and drying

A field study was carried out during rabi (winter) seasons of 2018–19 and 2019–20 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu to study the effect of four different crop establishment methods, viz. manual transplanting; transplanting of rice seedling in puddled soil using machine; transplanting of rice seedling in non-puddled soil using machine; and direct sowing combined with four different irrigation treatments, viz. farmers practice; irrigation following the development of a hairline crack; irrigation when water level descents 5 cm; and 10 cm below soil surface on physiology of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Experiment was conducted in a strip plot design replicated thrice. The study revealed that nutrient uptake and physiological parameters were found to be maximum with seedlings of rice crop transplanted in non-puddled soil using machine combined with irrigation following the development of a hairline crack. Seedlings of rice crop transplanted in non-puddled soil using machine combined with irrigation once the water level descends to 5 cm beneath the soil surface, had a significant positive influence on rice yield during both the years. It also recorded higher photosynthetic rate and improved physiological parameters, and yield even with minimum use of water. So, it may be recommended as the best alternate method of rice cultivation compared to conventional method where the rainfall is deficit.

Nutrient Balance and Soil Fertility of Rainfed Maize-Wheat Cropping System Under Different Seed Priming, Tillage and Nutrient Management Practices

ABSTRACT Crop productivity, soil quality and fertility have been degraded due to intensive conventional tillage and poor crop management practices. Conservation tillage along with proper crop establishment methods (including seed priming, integrated nutrient management) helps in sustaining the productivity of crops, especially under rainfed conditions. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of seed priming, tillage and nutrient management practices on nutrient balance; chemical and microbial properties of soil; and productivity of maize-wheat cropping system in rainfed conditions. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three factors (tillage, seed priming and nutrient management) and control as independent treatment for general comparison of results. The findings showed that chemical and microbial properties of soil were enhanced under zero tillage+ mulch as compared to other tillage practices. However, crop productivity was higher in conventional tillage+ mulch (70.28 q/ha (maize), 35.27 q/ha (wheat)). Under nutrient management practices, integrated nutrient management proved to be better as compared to recommended dose of fertilizers. Highest production efficiency (32.8 kg ha−1 day−1) was found under CT+M,Hydro,Int. Nutrient balance (N, P, K) was found higher in treatments with integrated nutrient management.