Farming Systems Research Research Articles

Influence of Urea Foliar Nutrition and Leaf Harvesting Intensity on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculta (L.) Walp.

A field experiment was undertaken at Farming Systems Research Station (FSRS), Sadanandapuram, Kollam district, Kerala Agricultural University in summer 2022 for studying the effect of growth, yield attributes and yield of cowpea through foliar application of 2% urea and intensity of leaf harvesting. Experimental treatments comprised of 4 levels of foliar nutrition management (2% urea spray at vegetative stage (f1), 2% urea spray at flowering stage (f2), 2% urea spray at vegetative stage and flowering stage (f3), water spray control (f4) and 3 levels of leaf harvest (20% leaf harvest (l1), 40% leaf harvest (l2), and no leaf harvest (l3). Among the foliar nutrition management treatments, f3 showed significantly the taller plants (91.97 cm), more number of branches (15.13), leaves (34.76), leaf area/ plant (884.29 cm2), leaf area index (1.96) dry matter production (42.39 g) and chlorophyll content (3.544 mg/g) and were comparable with f1. The nodule parameters such as nodule number (37.44) and effective number of nodules (32.11) were the highest in treatment f3 and was on par with f1. Further, days to 50 per cent flowering (53.65 days), pod length (17.27 cm), 100 seed weight (12.40 g), pod number (24.58), foliage yield (1484.57 kg ha-1), grain yield (925.85 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (2722.70 kg ha-1) were the highest in treatment f3 and was on par with f1 except for pod weight (21.19 g). Among the leaf harvest intensity, treatment l3 recorded the taller plants (92.45 cm), leaf area per plant (902.71cm2) leaf area index (2.01), less days to 50% flowering (47.60 days) and haulm yield (2754.85 kg ha-1). It was on par with l1 pertaining to plant height. The number of branches (15.03), dry matter production per plant (40.78g), pod weight/plant (19.43 g), pod number/plant (23.59) and grain yield (925.85 kg ha-1) were the highest in treatment l1.

Genetic diversity in pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica) genotypes for fruit yield and quality traits under eastern plateau and hill region

The experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–2023 at ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand focused on assessing the genetic diversity for fruit yield and quality parameters among 46 unique pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) genotypes. The data collected underwent thorough statistical analyses, encompassing genetic variability, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation coefficients, path analysis, exploration of genetic divergence and biochemical characterization. The ANOVA results revealed significant variations across the selected genotypes in terms of fruit yield and quality traits. Key attributes, such as the number of fruits/plant, harvest frequency, pulp seed ratio and total phenol content, displayed significant positive correlations with total fruit yield. The noteworthy was the positive direct effect of pulp weight on total fruit yield indicated by a coefficient of 0.99. Further, this study identified total fruit yield as the primary contributor to the observed genetic diversity. Cluster analysis results in to the grouping of 46 genotypes into 12 distinct clusters based on D2 values. The study highlighted significant variability among pointed gourd genotypes, suggesting ample opportunities for selection-based improvement. Selection based on characteristics such as the number of fruits per plant, pulp weight and pulp seed ratio is expected to enhance yield potential. Identified genotypes, such as Swarna Alaukik, HAP-79, HAP-70 (for yield-related attributes) and HAP-106 (for quality traits), emerged as promising which hold potential for future breeding initiatives and are recommended for cultivation in the eastern plateau and hill region for augmenting yield potential. Cluster III and cluster XII offer diverse genetics for breeding. Crossing these clusters can create new high-yield cultivars. This strategic cultivation aims to enhance the nutritional well-being of the local population in that area.

Farming systems research in Nepal: Concepts, design, and methodology for enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability

Farming Systems Research (FSR) plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and livelihoods in Nepal. This article provides a comprehensive review of FSR in Nepal, focusing on concepts, design, and methodology for optimizing farming systems. Integrated farming systems have emerged as a key strategy for small and marginal farmers to improve livelihood security and meet household needs for nutrition and income. By integrating various components such as crops, livestock, and agroforestry, farmers can enhance resource use efficiency, diversify income sources, and improve resilience to climate change impacts. FSR in Nepal combines scientific research, community engagement, and local knowledge to enhance agricultural sustainability and improve livelihoods for small-scale farmers. Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) plays a crucial role in developing a national research agenda and allocating resources to address the diverse technological needs of farmers. By integrating diverse perspectives, utilizing innovative technologies, and engaging stakeholders, FSR addresses agricultural system complexities and contributes to food security, environmental sustainability, and rural development.

Microclimatic study under wheat, mustard and chickpea crops in western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh

The present study to quantify the variations in microclimate under wheat, mustard and chickpea crops was conducted at ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut (U.P.), India. Air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration below and above the canopies of wheat, mustard and chickpea were recorded at hourly interval from 07:30 to 17:30 hours at different heights (0.5 m, 1.0 m and 2.0 m) from the ground. CO2 probes like GMP-343, (Diffusion aspiration) was used to record data of CO2 concentration and HPM-75 probes was used to capture the observation of air temperature and relative humidity. Results revealed that diurnal air temperature was continuously increasing from morning to afternoon hrs and highest air temperature was recorded at 13:30 hrs (afternoon). Thereafter, air temperature decreased and reached to the lowest at 17:30 hrs irrespective of crops and height from the ground. Analysis of diurnal air temperature variations at different height clearly showed that tall statured crop such as wheat and mustard reached higher air temperature regime early (13.30 hrs) compared to short statured crop like chickpea at 15.30 hrs. Highest relative humidity was observed at 07.30 hrs and lowest relative humidity was recorded either at 13:30 hrs or at 15:30 hrs. As per study maximum CO2 concentration was found at 07:30 hrs morning and minimum at 15:30 hrs. The lowest concentration of CO2 (624 ppm) was recorded from the chickpea field and highest from the mustard field (630 ppm) at the same point of observation during vegetative phase of crops.

Contradictions between commercializing seeds, empowering smallholders farmers, and promoting biodiversity in Ghana: Seed policy within a historical framework

This article critically examines the agricultural development agenda of promoting commercialization and sustainable intensification and contrasts this with farmers’ own priorities, with case studies drawn from the maize and cocoa sectors in Ghana. The study investigates the relationship between agricultural development paradigms, seed breeding strategies, and the commercialization of agriculture from the 1950s to present. It returns to the debates of farming systems research, the appropriation of the agricultural varieties of farmers within the South by Northern agribusiness, and Paul Richards’ framework of an Indigenous African agricultural revolution rooted in the experimental traditions of farmers to establish a critical framework for examining the commodification of seeds. It focuses on the contradictions between maintaining biodiversity, fashioning high-yielding proprietary seeds, and promoting farmer participation that became manifest in the framework of farming systems research. It argues that commercial pressures have prioritized yields and the protection of proprietary varieties over biodiversity in policy frameworks. This contrast with farmers’ own concerns with adapting varieties to the conditions on their farms through their own experimentation, and maintaining a diversity of changing genetic materials including those drawn from certified varieties. This enables farmers to hedge against risk, disease, and pest attacks, while selecting varietal materials that optimize yields in the particular agroecological conditions of their farms. Although social participation is still upheld as an important value in liberal market agrarian policies, there has been a significant transformation in its usage. It no longer denotes farmer participation in the design of and experimentation with technology, but participation in the consumption of the agricultural products of agribusiness or in the agricultural technology treadmill. This contribution examines the implication of smallholder agricultural commercialization for biodiversity and for the dynamism and vitality of local farming systems.

Evaluation of food and fodder based cropping systems for sustaining productivity, resource use efficiency and profitability in western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during 2015–16 to 2018–19 at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Uttar Pradesh to assess the potential yield (PY), sustainability and resource use efficiency (RUE) of 7 cropping systems (CS), viz. maize + blackgram–pea–sorghum; cluster beanwheat-teosinte; stylo-berseem-maize + cowpea; clitoria-mustard–greengram; rice–chickpea–okra; rice–wheat and sugarcane–wheat system. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 3 replications. Among the different cropping systems, rice (Oryza sativa L.)–chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)–okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) was found to be most superior in terms of wheat equivalent yield (WEY) (19.77 t/ha/year) and sustainable yield index (SYI=0.894). The highest land use efficiency (LUE) was recorded with cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–teosinte (Zea spp.) cropping system (95.16%) with 347 days of ground cover. Production efficiency was registered maximum with maize (Zea mays L.) + blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]–pea (Pisum sativum L.)–sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] system (66.91 kg/ha/ day), followed by rice–chickpea–okra system (62.25 kg/ha/day). Nevertheless, the highest net return (` 300.8×103 / year) was realized with rice–chickpea–okra system. Total soil organic carbon (SOC) content was highest (1.34%) under stylo-berseem- maize + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cropping system in comparison to other cropping systems. Thus, it can be concluded that rice–chickpea–okra system proved more productive, remunerative (` 824/ha/day) and sustainable cropping system than the existing sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)–wheat/ rice–wheat cropping system in the western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Diversity, Abundance, and Foraging Behaviour of Insect Pollinators in Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) under Hot and Subhumid Conditions

Insect pollinators and flowering plants have a long‐standing, coevolutionary, mutualistic relationship. One such example is the litchi tree (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), a fruit crop that relies on insect pollination. Litchi flowers are hermaphroditic, but they cannot self‐pollinate due to self‐sterility, unlike self‐pollinating plants. Therefore, insect pollinators are crucial to successful fruit development. To understand the pollinator’s foraging behaviour and diversity associated with litchi under hot and subhumid conditions, the present study was conducted on the Shahi variety of litchi at the ICAR‐Research Complex for Eastern Region, Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau, Ranchi (Jharkhand), India. During the flowering period, a total of 19 species of insect pollinators from the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera were observed visiting litchi inflorescences. Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata were the most dominant pollinator species. Each species displayed distinct characteristics in terms of abundance and diversity. Varied foraging speeds (stay times) were also noted, with A. dorsata (6.94 s) being the fastest and Musca domestica (2.88 s) being the slowest. Pollinator activity was highest in the eastern direction, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Apis florea had the highest foraging rate (visitation rate) (14.02 flowers visited per minute), followed by Apis mellifera, while Episyrphus taeniops​ had the lowest. Apis species were identified as the most abundant and frequent visitors in litchi orchards.

Response of Combined Application of Nutrient Levels with Microbial Strains on Crop Growth, Nodulation and Yield of Soybean

The study focused to investigate the ‘Response of combined application of nutrient levels with microbial strains on crop growth, nodulation and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.)’ at All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Integrated Farming System Research at College of Agriculture, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India during kharif, 2019-20. The research was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with 8 treatments, viz. Control with 75% RDF (T1), Control with 100% RDF (T2), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment (T3), 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment (T4), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as foliar application at 30 and 45 DAS (T5), 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as foliar application at 30 and 45 DAS (T6), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains at 30 and 45 DAS (T7) and 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains at 30 and 45 DAS (T8). The seed yield of soybean increased to the tune of 14.26 and 19.72 per cent with application of 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains at 30 and 45 DAS compared to control. Among all the treatments, crop growth and yield (1139 kg/ha) were observed highest with 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains at 30 and 45 DAS.

Profitability and factors affecting production of pond fish culture under NATP project in Tangail district of Bangladesh

Profitability and input use efficiency of pond fish culture was studied at farming systems Research and Development (FSRD) site, Atia, Tangail from July 2019 to June 2020. The average pond fish production was recorded at 2808 kg/ha/year with the highest yield from the medium farms (2940 kg/ha/year) and lowest yield from marginal farms (2624 kg/ha/year). The highest gross return (Tk 352,800/ha) was found with medium farmers followed by small farmers (Tk 343,200/ha). The benefit cost ratio was also recorded higher (2.08) in marginal and small farms. Considering the aggregate production function for all groups of farmers, it was found that inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, feed and human labour were statistically significant in explaining the variation in pond fish output but the results varied with different farm categories. Since there was positive correlation between input use and production of fish, it is probable that an increase in application of inputs could increase production further.

Impact of Cropping Systems on Soil Organic Carbon Levels and Enzyme Activity

Monocropping makes agriculture more susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. Resilient agriculture systems that can buffer crops against various agricultural vulnerabilities is the need of the hour. In this context, a study was conducted to assess the impact of various rice based cropping systems on soil health.
 Aims: To study the effect of different rice based cropping systems on soil enzyme activity and organic carbon.
 Study Design: Randomized block design, Replications – 3.
 Place and Duration of Study: Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS) of Kerala Agricultural University located at Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, during kharif, rabi and summer seasons of 2019-2020.
 Methodology: The experiment consists of eleven cropping systems (T1 : rice - fallow - fallow, T2 : rice - rice - fallow, T3 : rice - daincha - cowpea, T4 : (rice + daincha) - rice - green gram, T5 : rice - cassava - amaranthus, T6 : rice - cassava - cowpea, T7 : rice - para grass - fodder cowpea, T8 : rice - fodder cowpea - fodder maize, T9 : rice - okra - culinary melon, T10 : rice - okra - yard long bean and T11 : rice - rice – amaranthus).
 Results: Soil organic carbon and enzyme activities were found highest in the cropping system (rice+daincha) – rice – green gram during kharif. During rabi, soil organic carbon and activity of urease and acid phosphatase were highest in rice- daincha- cowpea while dehydrogenase activity was highest in rice- fodder cowpea – fodder maize. During summer, rice- okra – yard long bean, rice- cassava- amaranthus and rice- cassava – cowpea recorded the highest urease, acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity, respectively. The organic carbon was highest for the sequence rice – okra –culinary melon. The soil organic carbon and enzyme activities were least in rice- fallow-fallow cropping sequence during all the three cropping seasons.
 Conclusion: Brown manuring, use of leguminous crops and cover crops in the crop sequence instead of leaving the land fallow and addition of organic sources of nutrition increase the soil organic carbon and enzymatic activity of microbes. The increase in soil organic carbon and activity of enzymes in soil owing to crop rotation of rice with arable crops relies on the crop species which are cultivated.

Growth and Yield of Grain Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata sub sp. cylindrica) in Response to Foliar Nutrition and Graded Levels of Phosphorus and Potassium

Aim: To assess the growth and yield of grain cowpea in response to varied doses of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) supplemented with foliar application of nano diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium salt of active phosphorus (PSAP).
 Study Design: The field experiment was a factorial experiment, laid out in randomised block design with two levels of P, three levels of K and two sources of foliar nutrition, compared against a control, with three replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Integrated Farming System Research Station, Karamana, Nedumcaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, during the period from December 2022 to February 2023.
 Methods: The study utilized PGCP-6 cowpea variety and adopted fertilizer recommendations as per KAU POP (Package of Practices Recommendations of the Kerala Agricultural University). The entire dose of FYM, P and K and half dose of nitrogen (N) were applied as basal dose. The remaining half dose of N was applied at 15 days after sowing (DAS). Additionally, foliar application of nano DAP and PSAP (each @ 0.4 %) was done at 20 DAS and 40 DAS.
 Results: The results of the study revealed that the treatment combination, p2k1f2 and p2k1f1 had comparable leaf area per plant and leaf area index (LAI) (at 60 DAS). The highest seed yield (1642 kg ha-1) was recorded with p2k1f2. Higher dose of P and K along with foliar application of nano DAP (0.4 % at 20 DAS and 40 DAS) had significant effect on the total DMP and haulm yield.
 Conclusion: Combined application full dose of N, half dose of P, full dose of K and foliar application of PSAP (0.4 %) at 20 DAS and 40 DAS could be recommended as the best treatment combination for yield enhancement in grain cowpea.

Physico-chemical Characterization of Biochar from Different Biomass Materials

Aim: To conduct the physico-chemical analysis of biochar derived from various organic residues, an examination of the physical characteristics including bulk density, water retention capacity, and the chemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, total organic carbon, as well as the concentration of macro and micro nutrients were evaluated.
 Study Design: Experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with 7 treatments and 3 replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: The investigation was conducted at Integrated Farming System Research, Karamana, Kerala Agricultural University during 2021-2023.
 Methods: Organic residues from different sources were converted into biochar utilizing a double barrel Biochar Kiln, and subsequently, the biochars were analyzed in a Soil and Plant Analysis laboratory to determine their physical and chemical properties.
 Result: Physio-chemical properties of biochar vary significantly with the choice of feedstock material. Banana pseudostem biochar reported the lowest bulk density (0.21 Mg m-3) and highest water holding capacity (327.74%). All the biochar produced were alkaline in nature, and they contained high cation exchange capacity ranging between 9.34 to 14.10cmol (+) kg-1. Macro and micro nutrient contents were comparatively higher in Limnocharis flava biochar and Banana pseudostem biochar.
 Conclusion: Organic residues can be successfully converted to biochar and results obtained show the suitability of application of produced biochar as a soil amendment.

Nutrient Efficient and Productive Cropping Systems for Northern Telangana Zone, India

The field experiment was carried out during 2018-19 at AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur in vertisols of Northern Telangana Zone, Telangana state, India. The experiment was performed with twelve cropping systems as treatments in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The twelve combinations of cropping systems tested during kharif (June-October) and rabi (November – March) were rice-rice (check), maize-soybean(2:4)-tomato, maize-soybean (2:4) - rice, sunflower-chickpea (2:4), maize - chickpea, Bt cotton-soybean (1:2) on broadbed–sesame-groundnut(2:4), Bt cotton - sesame -blackgram (2:4), soybean-wheat, soybean-sunflower -chickpea (2:4), turmeric-sesame, turmeric-soybean (1:2) on flat bed-bajra and turmeric-soybean (1:2) on broadbed-sesame - blackgram (2:4).Cropping system turmeric-soybean(1:2 ) (on BBF) sesame – blackgram (2:4) recorded productivity in terms of rice equivalent yield of 23413kg ha-1 and production efficiency of 75.53Kg ha-1 day-1followed by sole turmeric-sesame (22597 kg REY ha-1 ) and 72.89Kg ha-1 day-1 and Bt.cotton+soybean (1:2) (on BBF) sesame+groundnut (2:4) (22568kg ha-1) and 75.23 Kg ha-1 day-1 over existing rice-rice (14395 kg REY ha-1 ) and 56.45Kg ha-1 day-1. Higher nutrient uptake was recorded with maize+soybean (2:4)–tomato system with 361.73 kg N ha-1, 114.43 kg P ha-1 and 318.89 kg K ha-1. Hence under nutrient stressed environment and low input management system maize+soybean (2:4) –tomato, can be recommended in comparision to existing rice-rice cropping system in irrigated situations for vertisols of Telangana.

Response of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus Strains on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Soybean

The current study aimed to investigate the Response of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains on growth attributes and uptake of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.) at All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Integrated Farming System Research at College of Agriculture, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India during kharif, 2019 & 20. The study was carried out in randomized block design (RBD) with 8 treatments, viz. Control with 75% RDF (T1), Control with 100% RDF (T2), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment (T3), 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment (T4), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as foliar application at 30 and 45 DAS (T5), 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as foliar application at 30 and 45 DAS (T6), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains at 30 and 45 DAS (T7) and 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains as seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains at 30 and 45 DAS (T8). Among all the treatments, growth parameters, NPK uptake by grain and straw and total uptake by crop were observed highest with 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus as seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus at 30 and 45 DAS.

Response of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus Strains on Yield and Quality of Soybean

At present due to continuous use of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers a deposits of these nutrient have increased in the soil of studied area, and Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus solubilize/mobilize P and K in the soil, thus, for increasing yield and quality of soybean, an experiment was planned with the aim to investigate the response of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains on yield and quality of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.] at All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Integrated Farming System Research at College of Agriculture, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India during kharif, 2019 & 20. The research was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with 8 treatments, viz. Control with 75% RDF (T1), Control with 100% RDF (T2), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsas seed treatment (T3), 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsas seed treatment (T4), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsas foliar application at 30 and 45 DAS (T5), 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsas foliar application at 30 and 45 DAS (T6), 75% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsas seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsat 30 and 45 DAS (T7) and 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsas seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsat 30 and 45 DAS (T8). The seed yield (1139 kg ha-1) of soybean increased to the tune of 14.26 and 19.72 per cent with application of 100% RDF with Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strainsas seed treatment + foliar application of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus mucilaginosus strains (T8) at 30 and 45 DAS compared to control (786 kg ha-1). Among all the treatments, yield attributes such as pods count plant-1 (29.66), seeds count pod-1 (3.36) and seed yield plant-1 (13.17) were observed highest with T8 at 30 and 45 DAS.

Increased Maize Yield in Response to Applied Phosphorus and Nitrogen in the Greenbelt Zone, in South Sudan

Aims: The study focused on assessing the impact of applying phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers on maize yield in the Greenbelt zone of South Sudan, where nutrient deficiencies often limit crop growth.
 Study Design: Field experiments involved a 4 x 4 x 4 factorial experiments in a randomized complete block design. The field experiment was conducted in Sakure and Nginda Payams in Nzara and Yambio Counties respectively, between August 2020 and January 2022.
 Methodology: The treatments involved Triple Super Phosphate (TSP, 0-46-0) applied at 20, 40 and 60 kg P ha -1 without N, Urea (46% N) applied at 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1 without P, combinations of each level of P with varying levels of N and an absolute control (P0N0). Maize variety was an open pollinated called NARD 1. Plot size was 16 m2, all maize plant above ground was harvested in a net plot (8.5 m2) after 120 days.
 Results: The average maize yield in response to applied fertilizer P and N in the three sites was 4.7 t ha-1 an increase of about 62 % over the control (2.9 t ha-1), and was statistically significantly at P = .05
 Conclusion: 20 kg P ha-1 and 120 kg N ha-1 rates were profitable and therefore were recommended as optimum application rates that can contribute to food security and economic progress in the area. However, more research is recommended to establish long-term fertilizer effects on maize performance, optimal application rates, and environmental considerations. The study stressed the need for diversified fertilizer research across seasons and emphasized community awareness about fertilizer benefits for sustainable maize production and farming system research.

Assessment of Crop-Water Requirement of Alfalfa Using FAO-CROPWAT Model-8.0

The current study was conducted at the Farming System Research Station, situated within the Department of Agronomy at the College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University in Junagadh, Gujarat, India. This research took place during the winter cycle (Rabi season) 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023. In this study, the CROPWAT crop irrigation schedule provides an overall Evapotranspiration (ETc) value of 549.6 millimeters as the optimal water requirement for achieving maximum crop production with sufficient water supply. The actual water use by the crop during its growth period amounted to 544.2 millimeters and total net irrigation applied was 507.9 millimeters, while the gross irrigation amounted to 725.6 millimeters. The irrigation efficiency was 100%. Comparing this approach to irrigation scheduling based on the Irrigation Water to Crop Potential Evapotranspiration (IW/CPE) ratio, using CROPWAT enabled the precise management of irrigation water. It ensured that the alfalfa crop received the appropriate amount of water according to its specific growth stage requirements. The CROPWAT model data indicates that there was no yield reduction, even with a 100% critical depletion of available soil moisture. Additionally, the seasonal yield response factor was calculated to be 0.80%. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of the irrigation strategy employed, resulting in optimal crop yields without yield losses due to critical soil moisture depletion.

Effect of Irrigation and Sowing Techniques on Weed Dynamics in Alfalfa under South Saurashtra Agro-Climatic Zone of Gujarat, India

A field trial was conducted during winter cycle of November to April 2022-23 at Farming system research station, College of Agriculture, JAU, Junagadh to study the effect of irrigation and sowing method on alfalfa. The treatments given were: I1: 0.6 IW/CPE, I2: 0.8 IW/CPE, I3: IW/CPE ratios and two sowing methods, M1: Line sowing and M2: Broadcast. The combination of treatments were tested in split plot design with three replications. The experimental field was heavily infested with mixed flora of sedge, grasses and broad-leaved weeds, viz. cypers rotundus L., Echinocoloa coloa L., Chinopodium album L., Chinopodium murale L., Digera arvensis L., Commelina benghalensis L., Cleome viscose L., Euphorbia spp. L. Results showed that the irrigation scheduling and sowing method had significant effect on the weed density and dry weight of weed during the study. Significantly higher weed density and dry weight of weed was obtained with broadcasting as compared to line sowing at 25 cm apart.

Unravelling the step-by-step process for farming system design to support agroecological transition

Given the huge challenges agriculture has to face, both in Northern and Southern countries, a radical change in farming practices towards agroecology is required. Most scientific literature on the design of new farming systems describes de novo approaches, which focus on disruption and novelty, without any concern for the way to move from the current system to the innovative one. In this study, we highlight, for the first time, the particular traits of what we will call the step-by-step design approach. In this aim, we disentangled 9 case studies of practice change in commercial or experimental farms through the lens of theoretical frameworks derived from three scientific fields: design sciences, farming system research, and change pathways analysis. From data collected in each case study, and collective interactions among the authors of this paper, we identified commonalities across cases, in the aim to produce guidelines for actors willing to engage, characterize or support such design processes in the future. We thus show that step-by-step design appears as (i) a situated design process fueled by action, (ii) structured by iterative loops diagnosis – exploration – implementation – assessment, fostered by learning, (iii) progressively shaping a desirable unknown, (iv) supported by specific tools, and (v) intertwining individual and collective dimensions. This approach is well adapted to manage the agroecological transition: by its temporality, by its capacity to overcome knowledge gaps through learning, by its contribution to farmers' empowerment, and by its capacity to tailor solutions to local specificities. By doing so, it allows the progressive implementation of profound systemic changes. Finally, this article provides benchmarks to encourage increased Research & Development investment in this type of approach, contributing to open innovation, to enhance the agroecological transition.

Performance of BARI-released gladiolus varieties under the climatic conditions of young Brahmaputra and Jamuna floodplain

The experiment was conducted in the farmers’ field at the Farming System Research and Development site (FSRD), Atia, Delduar, Tangail during the Rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20 to evaluate the performance of BARI released gladiolus varieties and popularize these varieties among the farmers of Tangail region. BARI developed three varieties of gladiolus, namely BARI Gladiolus-3, BARI Gladiolus-4, and BARI Gladiolus-5. Among the three varieties, BARI Gladiolus-4 performed the best in terms of the spike (191009 piece ha-1) and corm (254322 piece ha-1) production from the average of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Though BARI Gladiolus-4 performed the best in terms of yield, the maximum economic return was obtained from BARI Galdiolus-5 due to a higher spike in demand and market price compared to the other two varieties. The highest gross return (Tk.2406215 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 1402546 ha-1), as well as BCR (2.40), were also recorded in BARI Gladiolus-5 followed by BARI Gladiolus-4. The lowest gross return (Tk. 1837608 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 833939 ha-1) as well as BCR (1.83), were obtained from BARI Gladiolus-3. The farmers under the AEZ-8 areas can become economically benefitted by the production of BARI Gladiolus-5 and BARI Gladiolus-4. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2023, 48(1): 10-18