Direct Sowing Research Articles

Effect of Land Configuration and Rainfall on Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. under Saline Irrigation

Field experiment was conducted in Eastern Block Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to evaluate the effect of land configuration and rainfall on growth and yield of pearl millet under saline water irrigation in summer, 2024. The study was carried out in split plot design with three main plots (flatbed (M1), ridges and furrows (M2) and raised bed paired row planting (M3)) along with four subplot treatments (direct sowing (S1), 10 Day Old Seedlings (DOS) (S2), 15 DOS (modified dapog) (S3) and 20 DOS (S4)) which was replicated thrice. Water availability is a critical factor in influencing the length of the growing period while water quality significantly influences crop growth and yield. Consequently, rainfall received during the growing period affects plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), effective tillers and yield. The cumulative rainfall received 208 mm in 22 days and with 10 rainy days during the crop growth period. Rainfall between 40 to 60 Days After Sowing/Planting (DAS/P) corresponded with Crop Growth Rate (CGR). Among main plot treatments, ridges and furrows (M2) recorded higher plant height (173 cm) and effective tillers (2.6) at harvest. Grain and stover yields (t ha-1) were also higher in ridges and furrows (M2) (3.31 and 6.12, respectively) which was statistically on par with raised bed paired row planting (M3) (3.31 and 6.12, respectively).

Evaluation of Soil Tillage and Direct Sowing Systems for Sustainable Production in Tokat Kazova in Terms of Sowing Quality

Evaluation of Soil Tillage and Direct Sowing Systems for Sustainable Production in Tokat Kazova in Terms of Sowing Quality

Effect of sowing methods, spacings, and fertilizer levels on quantitative and qualitative traits and economics of brown top millet (Brachiaria ramosa L.) under different cropping seasons

A field study was conducted during the Summer, Kharif, and Rabi seasons of 2023-2024 to evaluate brown top millet under two sowing methods (direct sowing and transplantation), three spacing configurations (20 x 10, 30 x 10 and 45 x 10 cm), and three fertilizer doses (75% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (45:20:15 kg ha-1), 100% RDF (60:30:20 kg ha-1), and 125% RDF (75:40:25 kg ha-1)). The study was designed as a factorial randomized complete block design assessing growth, yield, thiamine content, and economics. The results indicated that the summer season was more favorable for growth than the Kharif and Rabi seasons. Direct sown crops (E1) exhibited significantly higher growth attributes, yield, and economics than transplanted crops (E2). The spacing configuration of 45 x 10 cm (S3) recorded significantly superior growth and yield parameters compared to 20 x 10 cm (S1). Applying 125% RDF (N3) resulted in significantly enhanced growth, yield, quality, and economic return compared to 75% RDF. Among the interactions, the combination of direct sown with narrow spacing and 125% RDF (E1 x S1 x N3) led to significantly higher growth parameters. In comparison, the combination of direct sowing with wider spacing and 125% RDF (E1 x S3 x N3) resulted in higher grain yields (2005, 1759, 1548 kg ha-1) and benefit-cost ratios (2.64, 2.58, and 2.58) across the same seasons. However, the differences in grain yield among the treatment combinations were statistically non-significant. These findings provide a valuable foundation for future research and agricultural practices aimed at maximizing the potential of brown top millet.

Direct Seeding of wheat Using Happy Seeder in Paddy Residue Conditions in Madhya Pradesh, India

Trials were conducted on direct sowing of wheat variety GW-322 through happy seeder in combine harvested rice fields in district Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh, during two successive year’s viz. 2015-16 and 2016-17. The control treatment was conventional field preparation after combine harvesting of rice followed by sowing of wheat by seed cum fertilizer drill. District Narsinghpur lies in Central Narmada valley region of India. The average annual rainfall of the district is 1136 mm [1] (Yadav et.al. 2021). Soils of the district come under the vertisol category. Results showed that crop yield and net return under the direct sowing of wheat through happy seeder was higher than that obtained under the conventional method. Direct sowing through happy seeder fetched an average crop yield of 47.45 q/ha whereas under the conventional method it was 43.10 q/ha. The net return under direct sowing through happy seeder was Rs. 59025/- per ha whereas it was only Rs. 48850/- per ha under the conventional method. Happy seeder is an innovative technology and is being widely adopted to reduce stubble problem and conserve soil and environment. The results showed that the direct sowing of wheat through happy seeder performed better than conventional field preparation followed by sowing through conventional seed cum fertilizer drill in combine harvested rice fields.

Influence of direct and staggered sowing of pelleted onion (Allium cepa) seeds on various seed yield parameters under Asian mid-hill conditions

The experiment was conducted during 2021–22 and 2022–23 at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to study the impact of precision planting (using pelleted seeds) and sowing dates on the numerous attributes of the onion (Allium cepa L.) variety Palam Lohit. The study was carried out with the objective to determine whether direct seed sowing would lead to successful seed production in onion under mid-hill conditions (which is not the conventional practice). Also, the staggered sowing dates would help to determine the best sowing time for higher seed production. The experiment was laid in randomized block design (Factorial) (F-RBD) with 3 replications having 19 treatments, including 3 pelleting treatments, viz. P1 (wood ash); P2 (ZnSO4 + wood ash); and P3 (H3BO3 + wood ash); 6 sowing dates, viz. D1 (15th September); D2 (1st October); D3 (15th October); D4 (1st November); D5 (15th November); and D6 (1st December); and Da (traditional bulb planting as control). The study revealed that seed pelleting with ZnSO4 + wood ash and early sowing (15th September) gave best results in terms of emergence (%), plant height, number of seeds/umbel and number of seeds/plant, seed yield and 1000-seed weight. The direct sowing treatments produced seeds in one year as opposed to two years using the conventional bulb planting method, which is traditionally being used in the Asian mid-hills.

Reintroduction by transplanting seedlings from natural regeneration: an alternative for ecological restoration?

Collecting and transplanting wild seedlings and mature plants have been used in restoration projects to reduce costs and increase conservation of local genetic material. We review the published literature on restoration projects that used transplanted seedlings and mature plants for ecological restoration. Searching the Web of Science platform using five keywords for articles published in 1945–2023 resulted in 621 articles, with only 51 (9%) of them relevant to the topic. We categorized these 51 publications by ecosystem type, the number and growth forms of species, plant survival rate, as well as the time and cost of transplantation. Forests and wetlands were the most researched ecosystems, and most articles studied tropical forests and the southeastern region of Brazil. Nearly half of the studies (44%) used trees for transplantation, and 73% focused on only one species. In wetlands, mainly aquatic herbs were transplanted (38%). Survival was highest in wetlands (lakes) and lowest in temperate and tropical forests, regardless of the number of species or growth forms. Only three articles (7%) included costs or the time frame of the process of transplantation or monitoring. Despite having few published studies, this practice has high potential for the ecological restoration of tropical and temperate forests. Seedlings and adult plants from natural regeneration can be transplanted to complement or even replace conventional methods of planting nursery seedlings and direct sowing.

Assessing the Efficiency and Economic Feasibility of Mustard Cultivation Using a Happy Seeder

Mustard, scientifically known as Brassica juncea, is a vital oilseed crop sown during the Rabi season in various agricultural regions. This crop not only contributes significantly to the edible oil supply but also plays a crucial role in the agricultural economy, providing farmers with essential income and employment opportunities. However, one of the major challenges faced by farmers in mustard cultivation is the tillage process, which is both time-consuming and labor-intensive. Conventional tillage methods often require extensive land preparation, leading to increased labor costs and decreased efficiency. In light of these challenges, this study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the Happy Seeder technology, a modern innovation designed to facilitate direct sowing in the standing stubble of previous crops. This research focused on the mustard variety Pusa-27 and was executed over two consecutive Rabi seasons, specifically from 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was implemented by KVK Rohtas, utilizing both long-term experimental plots and 20 different farmers’ fields to ensure a comprehensive assessment across various agricultural settings. To analyze the impact of the two different sowing methods, two groups of plots were established at each site: one group employed the conventional tillage method (T1), while the other group utilized the Happy Seeder technique (T2). The experimental design followed a randomized block format, consisting of 21 replications for each treatment to ensure robust and reliable data collection. The results of the study revealed that the Happy Seeder sowing method significantly enhanced the productivity of mustard. The average yield recorded for the Happy Seeder group was an impressive 16.25 quintals per hectare, markedly higher than the 12.70 quintals per hectare achieved with conventional tillage. This increase in yield not only highlights the effectiveness of the Happy Seeder technology but also suggests that it can potentially help meet the growing demand for oilseeds. In addition to higher yields, the Happy Seeder method also resulted in reduced input costs, primarily due to lower labor requirements associated with its use. The reduced need for extensive tillage and the ability to sow directly into the stubble allow farmers to save on labor costs and time, making the farming process more efficient. Moreover, the implementation of the Happy Seeder method was associated with significant improvements in soil health. The study indicated enhancements in both the physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil, which are crucial for sustainable agricultural practices. Improved soil health not only contributes to better crop yields but also promotes long-term fertility, allowing farmers to sustain their agricultural productivity over time. This result is in conformity to Jat et al. 2009. In conclusion, the findings of this study strongly advocate for the adoption of the Happy Seeder sowing method in mustard cultivation. The notable improvements in productivity, reduction in input costs, and enhancement of soil health suggest that this innovative technique can play a pivotal role in transforming mustard farming into a more sustainable and profitable venture. By embracing such modern agricultural practices, farmers can significantly contribute to food security while also improving their economic viability.

Screening of Rice Genotypes for Submergence Stress Tolerance

The experiment was conducted at Department of Rice, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of submergence on growth of various genotypes of paddy. The genotypes viz., AC1303, AC42088, AC38575, SABITA, NAVEEN, SWARNA Sub1, BLACK GORA, BAJKANI, SWARNA, PARUAT, PAU9, BRAHMANNAKHI, MAHULATA, BVD109, IET-18720, IET-18727 and IC-516009 lines were used for submergence screening. The seeds should be pre-heated at 50°C for 2-3 days for breaking the seed dormancy before sowing. The seeds were directly sown inside the tanks using wet-bed direct sowing method. Each genotype was sown in 2 rows (min.) with 3 replications with a row to row spacing of 20 cm and plant to plant spacing of 15 cm. Germinated seedlings were allowed to grown normally till 20–25 days without submergence stress. The observations like plant height (before and after submergence), Number of plants survived (before and after submergence), survival percentage and total starch content were recorded. The genotypes IET-18727, PAU9 and AC38575 had better survival percentage (80.0 to 86.7%) with higher starch content (6.3 to 6.9 mg g-1) under submerged stress conditions. The genotypes of BVD109 and SWARNA registered lesser survival percentage (26.7% and 26.3%) with starch content of 2.1 mg g-1 among the rice genotypes.

Crop Establishment, Residue Retention and Nutrient Management Influence the Phenology-mediated Greenhouse Gases Emission in an Intensive Rice-wheat System

The impact of management practices (i.e. crop establishment, tillage, residue addition etc.) on the global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) in rice-wheat cropping system accounting the economic viability is sparsely documented. A field experiment was established in 2020 to gain insight crop phonology mediated greenhouse gas emission into GWP, GHGI and economic viability on crop seasonal scale over three cycles (2020, 2021 and 2022) of rice-wheat rotations under subtropical climatic condition. Treatments were three planting techniques viz., System of rice intensification (SRI) followed by conventional wheat without residues (SRI-CW), Puddle Transplanted rice (TPR) followed by CW with 30% rice residue incorporation (TPR-CWRi) and zero-till direct sowing of rice (ZT-DSR) followed by ZT wheat with 30% rice residue retention (ZTDSR-ZTWRr) and four different nutrient management practices viz., 100% NPK (as per recommended dose) through mineral fertiliser (100% NPKi), 75% NPK through mineral fertiliser with 25% N trough organics (75% NPKi + 25%NOrg.), 50% NPK through mineral fertiliser with 50% N trough organics (50% NPKi + 50% NOrg.) was followed in both rice and wheat crop and 100% NPK through mineral fertiliser (100% NPKi) along with mung bean (Vigna radiata) green manure in rice and 100% NPK through mineral fertiliser in wheat (100% NPKi + GM). All treatments were established in a split-plot design and repeated three times; where three planting techniques were arranged in main plots and four different nutrient management practices were arranged in sub-plots. The highest system productivity was obtained under ZTDSR-ZTWRr treatment. Moreover, this system reduced the CH4 and N2O emission by 62.7 and 48% respectively over TPR-CWRi, hence, the Global Warming Potential (GWP), as well as gaseous intensity (GHGI), were reduced by 2.0-2.18 and 2.13-2.20 times, respectively than the traditional technique of cultivation. Green manure behaves differently by increasing the system productivity by 4.27% was and reducing the GHGI 4.56% over 100% NPKi. Thus, ZTDSR-ZTWRr along with 100% NPKi and green manuring in rice could be an economically viable opportunity for maintaining future yield standard of the system with lower emission scenario.

К ТЕХНОЛОГИИ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ ЯРОВОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ НА ЧЕРНОЗЕМЕ ОБЫКНОВЕННОМ В КРАСНОЯРСКОЙ ЛЕСОСТЕПИ

The purpose of research is to develop an effective technology based on assessing the impact of reducing energy costs for soil cultivation with an increase in the use of chemicals (fertilizers and herbicides) on the productivity of different varieties of wheat. Based on the results of many years of research at the laboratory of varietal agricultural technologies of the Krasnoyarsk Research Institute of Agriculture, an assessment was made of the effect of surface tillage using the BDM-6 “Rubin” disc harrow and milling, without main treatment, on the yield of 4 varieties of spring wheat in comparison with traditional technology based on moldboard plowing (control ). The harvest was formed under harsh weather conditions, which limited productivity to 0.6–3.6 t/ha. The energy coefficient with minimal processing using ammonium nitrate was 4.8 and with direct sowing without the use of mineral fertilizers it was 4.4. This circumstance necessitates the need to expand methods of soil preparation for sowing, especially after the use of minimal tillage. As an experiment, the surface of the soil was milled with FBN 1.1 for high-quality sowing using a disc seeder SN-16. Treatment with a milling cutter was carried out after the scattering of ammonium nitrate. In general, resource-saving technologies (sowing after disking and sowing without main tillage before milling) reduced production costs by 11–13 %, and fuel consumption decreased by 42–43 % compared to technology based on plowing. Carrying out pre-sowing treatment with a milling cutter guarantees complete cleansing of the soil from early weed shoots; control is carried out using a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). Differences in yield levels between tillage options are insignificant; NSR05 was 0.4 t/ha. And the influence of mineral fertilizers, well mixed with the soil in the surface layer using a milling cutter, has increased sharply.

Sowing Performance of the Seeder Drill for the 2BYG-220 Type Combined Rapeseed Planter under Vibration Conditions

The direct sowing of rapeseed requires shallow tillage for stubble removal, which can cause significant vibrations that impact the seed metering device, thereby affecting the quality of seeding. This study focuses on a double-row hole-wheel-type seed metering device on the 2BYG-220 type combined rapeseed planter. Initially, vibrations experienced by the seed drill during field operations were measured and analyzed, revealing that the vibration frequencies during field operations predominantly ranged between 0 and 25 Hz. Consequently, an eccentric wheel–return-spring-type vibration seed metering test rig was designed, manufactured, and set up. By swapping out the eccentric wheel on the test rig, the amplitude was mainly concentrated within 3 mm. The test results indicate that amplitude had a minimal impact on the performance of the double-row hole-wheel-type rapeseed seed metering device, whereas vibration frequency had a more significant effect. When the vibration frequency was between 0 and 10 Hz, the seed metering device maintained a stable output between 7.6 and 8.2 g/min, with minimal impact from vibrations: the coefficient of variation for seeding uniformity ranged between 35.81% and 44.58%, indicating stability and good uniformity. However, when the vibration frequency ranged from 10 to 24 Hz, the output of the seed metering device decreased rapidly and exhibited a linear relationship with frequency changes, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.92376. The coefficient of variation for seeding uniformity increased rapidly and also showed a linear relationship with frequency changes, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.87973. Vibrations with frequencies greater than 10 Hz had a considerable impact on the performance of the seed metering device.

Effect of sowing date and planting method on yield and yield components of three varieties of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd)

The most important parameter for the adaptability a crop to different climates is the sowing date, as this has the greatest influence on the phonological characteristics of the plant. This study was conducted to determine the potential yield of different quinoa varieties sowed at various dates in hot and dry climates. The experiment was conducted as a split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications over two crop years, 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. The sowing date was considered as the main factor at four levels (October 21, October 31, November 10 and November 20), the sowing method (transplanting and seed sowing) as the sub-factor and the quinoa varieties (Gizal, Q26 and Titicaca) as the sub-sub-plot. The results showed that delays in sowing date reduced leaf area index (LAI), plant height, grain yield components, grain yield and biological yield of quinoa. The highest values for these traits were recorded for the first sowing date of October 21. Late transplanting was superior to direct seed sowing. Among the varieties studied, the Q26 variety was superior to the other two varieties in terms of growth, yield components and grain yield. The highest grain yield (2786 kg/ha) was recorded direct sowing on October 21 and the lowest (896 kg/ha) for under direct sowing on November 20 and 30, respectively. Overall, early autumn sowing was suitable for growing different quinoa varieties in the Khuzestan province due to the longer growing period and avoidance of heat stress at the end of the growing period. Transplanting did not have much advantage over early seed sowing, but was better than delayed seed sowing.

Studying Methods of No-till in the Garabagh Plain

The research results are presented and a comparative assessment of the methods of no-till soil cultivation in the Karabakh Plain is given. The advantages and disadvantages of moldboard tillage, direct sowing and the effect of hoeing a plowed or milled field on the loss of NPK per 1 ha as a result of erosion were studied. The author concludes that direct seeding is one way to reduce erosion. This must be used along with other soil erosion control methods.

The effect of cultivation technologies on weed infestation and productivity of peas

The current paper has presented the study results obtained in 2020–2023, in the stationary field trial of the FSBSI “KurskFARC”. The purpose of the study was to identify and evaluate the impact of technologies with different levels of soil tillage minimization on weed infestation, the formation of yield structure elements and pea productivity in the conditions of the CBR. There have been studied four pea cultivation technologies, such as traditional (plowing at 20–22 cm, main application of N15P40K40 + top dressing with N34); differentiated (chiseling by 20–22 cm + disking by 8–10 cm, main application N15P40K40 + top dressing with N34); minimal (discing up to 8 cm, main application N15P40K40 + top dressing with N34); direct sowing (no-tillage, main application N5P14K14 + pre-sowing N10P26K26 + top dressing with N34). There has been established the advantage of traditional technology in reducing weed infestation, and direct sowing in the formation of yield structure elements, indicators of grain quality and pea productivity. The traditional pea cultivation technology reduced the total number of weeds by 1.9–2.0 times and their dry weight by 1.2–1.8 times during the period critical for the growth and development of the crop, and by 2.1–2.5 and 1.3–2.0 times before harvesting. The highest indicators of plant density for harvesting, the mean number of grains per plant and unit area, and protein percentage in grain were identified with direct sowing, which made it possible to obtain the maximum pea productivity (2.31 t/ha) and protein yield with the harvest (460.6 kg/ha). The use of traditional, differentiated, and minimal technologies contributed to a reduction of plant density before harvesting by 5.4–9.3 %, the mean number of grains per 1 m2 by 4.2–22.6 % and per plant by 0.6–18. 6 %, protein percentage in grain by 0.25–0.90 %, which led to a productivity decrease by 4.3–10.8 %, protein yield per hectare by 5.3–12.6 %.

Assessment of tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate in genetically modified cotton shoots

Destruction of the harvest of cotton stalks should be done after it. However, destruction by ploughing prevents continuing with direct sowing, which makes chemical management an ally in soil conservation. The objective was to identify the most effective dose of 2,4-D, associated with different herbicides and the timing of administration for the control of transgenic cotton shoots for tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate. The treatments consisted of the use of the herbicide 2,4-D, alone at doses of 670 and 1 340 g ha-1, and associated with the herbicides carfentrazone, flumiclorac, chlorimuron, flumioxazin and imazethapyr at three application times: 0 days after mechanical mowing (0 DAMM), 25 DAMM, and 0 DAMM + 25 DAMM. Regrowth evaluations were performed at 15, 30, and 45 days after the first and second applications, determining the dry biomass of the shoots. In terms of herbicide use time, the best results are obtained when they applied at 0 DAMM + 25 DAMM. Higher doses of 2,4-D (1 324 g ha-1) make it more efficient; in relation to herbicides, variations were perceived in their behavior depending on the time of evaluation, the application, and the dose of 2,4-D used. During the last measurement period, 45 days after application, 2,4-D+carfentrazone and 2,4-D+flumiclorac had the lowest dry shoot masses. The experiment was conducted in 2014. It was concluded that there is a lower rate of cotton regrowth when the application of the herbicides is repeated at 0 DAMM and 25 DAMM. The 1 324 g ha-1 dose of 2,4-D is more efficient. 2,4-D+carfentrazone and 2,4-D+flumiclorac promoted lower dry mass 45 days after administration of the treatments.

Comparison of Different Soil Tillage Methods for Sustainable Agriculture in the Transition Climate Zone in Terms of Seedbed Quality and Green Grass Yield of Triticale-Vetch Mixture

In the research conducted under the conditions of Tokat, silage triticale-vetch mixture-second crop silage corn rotation was applied. The study used four different tillage methods to compare the quality and product yield of the seedbed prepared for silage triticale-vetch mixture. Conventional tillage method (M1), conservation tillage method (M2), reduced tillage method (M3), and direct sowing (M4) methods were applied. Seedbed quality: It was evaluated regarding soil moisture content, bulk density, penetration resistance, degree of soil fragmentation, and surface roughness for depths of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm. The effect of soil tillage methods on porosity, surface roughness, and green grass yield were statistically insignificant. Although there were statistical differences between the methods regarding soil moisture content (MC), bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (PR), and mean weight diameter values (MWD), the values are within the limit values determined for plant growth. However, crop yield is the same between soil tillage methods. This result shows that alternative tillage methods are applicable when evaluated in sustainable agriculture, which does not create a statistically significant difference in crop yield compared to conventional tillage.

The Influence of Minimal Cultivation Techniques on Growth Rate of Robinia pseudacacia L. Seedlings

The seed provenance, the type of substrate and its properties, as well as the watering regime in the first years after sowing are among the most important characteristics affecting the production of containerized seedlings. The objective of this study was to analyse the growth of black locust (Robinia pseudacacia L.) seedlings on different types of substrate (six mineral and two organic) with different textures and pHs under three different regimes of available water content (no-limiting, medium drought, severe drought) over a period of five months (May–October 2023), using seeds from three sources located in the southeast, south, and west of Romania. The highest seedling emergence rate (73.7%) was obtained for the medium seeds with 18.492 g weight (1000 seed weighs) (Bucharest provenance). Direct sowing in the field and containerized seedlings both showed a trend of growing in height during unlimited water and of growing in diameter during low watering. The lowest survival rate of seedlings (86.7%) occurred in the mineral substrate in the case of rendzina with additional sand (pH 8.70), and for the organic substrate, the lowest survival rate (87.0%) occurred for the peat MKS 3 substrate (pH 4.54).

Long-Term Effects of Different Tillage Systems and Their Impact on Soil Properties and Crop Yields

The scientific aim of this article is to elucidate the effects of various tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields; additionally, it seeks to highlight the significant potential of specific farming systems in enhancing soil organic carbon, thereby positively influencing CO2 emissions from soil. In the experimental station of Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas District, Lithuania (54°52′50″ N and 23°49′41″ E), a long-term field experiment has been established since 1999, and studies have been conducted since 2003. The soil of the experimental site is classified as Epieutric Endocalcaric Planosol (Endoclayic, Episiltic, Aric, Drainic, Endoraptic, Uterquic), according to the World Reference Base (WRB, 2022). Two primary factors were assessed. Factor A incorporated practices of straw removal versus straw chopping and spreading, while Factor B evaluated a spectrum of tillage techniques: conventional deep plowing and two no-tillage practices, one of which involved cover crops. The findings from this long-term study highlight a significant increase in SOC stocks across all treatments over the 20-year period. Notably, the no-tillage practices, coupled with the spreading of chopped straw, demonstrated the most substantial growth in SOC levels, particularly in the top 0–10 cm soil layer. This trend underscores the effectiveness of minimizing soil disturbance and incorporating organic matter in boosting SOC stocks. The different tillage systems influence CO2 emissions from soil. Initially, direct sowing into uncultivated land, both with and without cover crops, led to a notable reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional plowing. However, this effect was found to vary over the growth cycle of the plant, highlighting the dynamic interaction between tillage practices, soil properties, and environmental conditions. Collaborative research efforts that involve farmers, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders are crucial for the development of holistic, practical, scalable solutions that enhance the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable agriculture, providing insights for farmers, agronomists, and policymakers in their quest to promote environmentally sound and productive agricultural systems.

A Comparative Analysis of Levels of Drip Irrigation, Planting Methods and mulches on the Growth and Yield of Fennel

The present field experiment was conducted to study the effect of planting methods, mulches and drip irrigation scheduling on fennel during rabi season of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur. The field experiment was laid out in split plot design comprised of four levels of drip irrigation i.e. 1.0, 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 PEF (Pan Evaporation Fraction) in main plot, two planting methods (direct sowing and transplanting) in sub plot and three mulches (no mulch, straw mulch and plastic mulch) in sub-sub plot. The study found that drip irrigation level significantly influenced the final plant population, dry matter accumulation, and seed yield per plant. The drip irrigation scheduled at 1.0 PEF recorded significantly higher plant population, dry matter accumulation and seed yield per plant. Among planting method, Direct sowing led to a higher plant population, while transplanting resulted in increased dry matter accumulation and seed yield per plant. Further, application of straw mulch also improves dry matter accumulation and seed yield per plant compared to no mulch and plastic mulch.

Spicing up oak forest restoration: a preliminary report of the protective use of chili peppers in direct seeding of acorns

Direct sowing of acorns is a technique for oak forest restoration, however, high seed predation by mammals can occur and cost‐effective alternatives to protect acorns are therefore required. The present study evaluated the protection provided by chili peppers (Capsicum annuum and Capsicum pubescens) to acorns of Quercus germana, an endangered endemic oak tree of the cloud forests. Greenhouse and field experiments were established to evaluate the effect of chili peppers on acorn removal, germination, and seedling emergence. These processes were related to the prevalent microhabitat characteristics where the acorns were introduced, and the fauna that consumed chili peppers and acorns was identified using camera traps. In the greenhouse trial, more seedlings emerged from acorns covered by fruits of C. pubescens (65.71 ± 8.14) and C. annuum (57.14 ± 8.49%) compared to unprotected acorns (31.43 ± 7.96%). Contrary to expectation, acorn removal in the field was greater using C. pubescens than the unprotected acorns, particularly in microsites with lower tree cover and higher grass dominance. Acorn removal was similar among chili pepper treatments. These results are explained by the camera trap records, which showed bird species consuming Capsicum fruits, thus exposing the acorns to subsequent removal and/or consumption by rodents. The studied Capsicum fruits had no negative effect on acorn germination and seedling emergence under greenhouse conditions, and future practices could, therefore, involve the use of different techniques to prevent the discovery of chili peppers by birds; for example, using green chili peppers for camouflage, or hiding them under litter or herbaceous vegetation.