Proper orchard management is crucial for optimizing the productivity as well as quality of large cardamom. This study was conducted in Marsyangdi, Dudhpokhari, and Dordi rural municipalities, which were purposively selected to assess the cardamom orchard management practices by the rural farmers of Lamjung district, Nepal. Data were collected through household survey using semi-structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII). Altogether 60 respondents were selected with a purposive random sampling method. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using STATA software. The results showed that the majority of the respondents were from Janajati ethnicity (95%), middle-age group i.e. 30-50 age (48.33%) and male (75%). Furthermore, most of them belonged to medium-sized family (73.33%) and were earning most of their income from agriculture (85%). Results of the study revealed the variation in the scale of adoption of different management practices among the sampling household. Most of the households practiced weeding (98.33%), pruning (51.6%) and applied farmyard manure (81.67%) while the least of them have irrigation facilities in their cardamom field (25%). Mulching was practiced by 30% and Bordeaux mixture was applied by 13.33%. The highest incidence of the borer pest and leaf blight disease was observed by the respondents. The chi-square test revealed that the factors such as age, gender and education level were significantly associated with the adoption of field management practices. Lack of inputs, irrigation facilities and greater infestation of diseases and pests were found to be the major problems for cardamom production. It is recommended that improving access to irrigation facilities, use of certified planting material, use of an appropriate dose of fertilizer, and proper diseases and pest management practices must be prioritized in the study area.

Punjab contributes significantly to India’s seed potato supply, yet its potato productivityremains below expectations. Poor nutrient management, particularly phosphorus, is a key factor inthis underperformance. This study, conducted over two years in Ludhiana and Jalandhar, utilizeda split-plot design to test three organic treatments (farmyard manure, biofertilizer, control) and fivephosphorus fertilizer levels (46.9, 62.5, 93.8, 125, 0 kg ha-1 P2O5). Farmyard manure (FYM) significantlyincreased plant height, LAI, and tuber and haulm weights at 45 and 75 days after sowing (DAS)compared to other organic treatments. FYM consistently outperformed tuber yield compared to othertreatments in both locations and years. Phosphorus application at 125 kg ha-1 P2O5 enhanced tuberyield by up to 24% compared to unfertilized plots, with improvements in plant growth attributes.The highest tuber yields were achieved with FYM (50 t ha-1) and phosphorus levels up to 125 kgha-1 P2O5)., underscoring the effectiveness of these strategies in optimizing seed potato production.

ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotations are dominant food production systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India. However, indiscriminate use of inputs poses a threat to the long-term sustainability of these systems. Organic agriculture offers a viable alternative for enhancing productivity while conserving resources. Hence, a field experiment (2021 and 2022) investigated the sixteen-year impact of different organic nutrient management regimes on plant growth, N-accumulation, yields, and economic returns of organic basmati rice production. The strip plot design comprised two rice-based cropping systems: basmati rice-wheat-green gram (CS1) and basmati rice-wheat-sesbania (CS2) and seven organic nutrient management practices: T1, no manure application; T2, farmyard manure (FYM); T3, vermicompost (VC); T4, FYM+crop residue (CR); T5, VC+CR; T6, FYM+CR+ biofertilisers (BF); and T7, VC+CR+BF. Results showed significant effects of both the cropping systems and the nutrient practices. CS2 recorded higher plant growth, N-accumulation, grain yield, and economic return than CS1. Integrated use of organic sources improved dry matter production by 22–25% over sole applications. N-accumulation peaked in T6 at 25 DAT and T7 at 55 DAT, with increases of 20.8% and 46.7%, respectively, relative to T1. Grain and straw yields increased by 74–80% and 46–50% in T6 and T7 compared to T1. Gross returns were also 68–74% higher with integrated treatments. The cropping system with sesbania green manure combined with integrated organic amendments (T6 and T7) was shown to be the most effective and sustainable long-term approach for producing higher yields and ensuring financial security of the rice-wheat agro-ecosystem.

Abstract. Arable soils are generally characterised by a low soil organic carbon (SOC) content, with negative consequences for soil health, crop yield and global climate. Thus, over the past decades, there has been a focus on how agricultural management practices, such as organic resource amendments, can increase the amount of SOC. To sustainably increase SOC stocks, a portion of the organic resources added to the soil has to be stabilised in persistent fractions such as mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC). However, there is a lack of research on the magnitude of changes in MAOC in tropical agroecosystems in response to organic resource amendments. Here, we show for four long-term field trials in Kenya that the addition of large amounts of organic resources (farmyard manure or Tithonia diversifolia biomass at 4 t C ha1 yr−1 for 16 to 19 years) to maize monocropping systems had variable effects on topsoil MAOC stocks (0–15 cm depth), and no significant effect on subsoil MAOC stocks (15–50 cm depth) compared to a control treatment. The addition of mineral N fertiliser did not affect MAOC stocks at any site. Using the distinct stable carbon isotopic signature (δ13C) of the maize crop (C4) and the Tithonia amendments (C3), we calculated that the portion of topsoil MAOC originating from Tithonia biomass was larger in the sandy (25 %–40 %) compared to the clayey soils (0.5 %–12 %), while the portion of total added Tithonia biomass that was stabilised over a time period of 16–19 years was below 7 % across all sites, or a SOC stabilisation rate of 0.8–27 g C m−2 yr−1. Using these results, we conclude that while in sandy soils the stabilisation of added OC contributed substantially to limiting SOC losses upon cultivation, this was not the case for clayey soils. These differences were due to the much lower SOC stocks in the sandy soils, compared to the clayey soils. Our results underline the challenges associated with improving soil health in sub-Saharan Africa and stress the need for more research to reliably assess if and how organic resource amendments can be stabilised over decadal time scales in highly weathered tropical soils.

This study compared resource-use efficiency and economic performance of sugarcane cultivation under natural and conventional farming systems in Belagavi district, Karnataka, during 2023–24. Data were collected from 120 sugarcane growers using a multi-stage purposive random sampling method, with equal representation from both systems. A Cobb–Douglas production function, along with Marginal Value Product (MVP) and Economic Efficiency (EE) measures, was used to analyse input–output relationships. Results revealed comparable productivity across systems but significant differences in input use. Setts were overused, while farmyard manure and biofertilisers were underutilised. Economic performance can be improved through rational input adjustments, supported by targeted extension services for sustainable sugarcane farming and improved long-term farm-level decision-making efficiency.

This study investigated the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth performance, economic yield and berberine content of Tinospora cordifolia L. (Giloy). The combined application of farmyard manure (5 t ha −1 ) and vermicompost (2.5 t ha −1 ) resulted in significant improvements in all growth and yield parameters compared with the unfertilized control. Between 30 and 180 days after the start of the experiment (DASE), plants receiving this treatment consistently exhibited the highest shoot growth, leaf production, and berberine accumulation. The combination farmyard manure (5 t ha −1 ) and vermicompost (2.5 t ha −1 ) increased the number of leaves (64.1%), fresh (167.6%) and dry (157.4%) leaf weight, stem length (38.3%), fresh (172.2%) and dry (233.3%) stem weight, as well as total fresh (166.5%) and dry yield (427.7%) by sevral‐fold, relative to the control. Berberine concentration in both leaves and stems was also significantly increase. These results demonstrate that integrating farmyard manure with vermicompost not only improves growth and yield but also enhances the pharmaceutical quality of T. cordifolia , supporting its adoption as a sustainable cultivation practice.

Abstract With the increase of organic agriculture throughout Europe, there is also an increase of stockless organic farms. On mixed farms, growth of perennial legume-grass mixtures as well as farmyard manure are important contributors to soil fertility and play a key role for nutrient management. On stockless farms, such crops have no direct economic use and their cultivation is therefore questionable, which poses challenges for maintaining nutrient balance and soil fertility. Disentangling physical, chemical, and biological long-term impacts on soil fertility and consequently on crop yield and quality requires long-term research. In 2017, a long-term field experiment was established in Hesse, Germany, in which three stockless organic farm types differing in crop rotation, each combined with three different fertilization treatments, are compared to a traditional mixed farm type with three livestock density levels. The results of the first crop rotation show that the Mixed Farm type achieved more synchronized nutrient input and output with increasing livestock density. Stockless farm types showed deficits, especially in P and K balances, unless compensated by organic fertilizers from external sources. The application of compost and grass-clover silage prepared from on site fertility-building leys resulted in significant increases in soil organic carbon. Significant correlations between soil organic carbon and crop yields in stockless farm types using compost emphasize the importance of soil organic carbon content for productivity in organic farming systems. In contrast, at least in this first rotation, treatments with lower organic matter inputs benefited from high site fertility and showed no yield declines.

Earthworms are sustained in a 116-year rye monoculture with ploughing by provision of soil organic carbon from farmyard manure

Aerobic rice systems require efficient nutrient and weed management to sustain productivity, yet complex nitrogen dynamics and severe weed competition often reduce growth and yield. Scientific evidence on the combined effects of integrated nitrogen sources and weed management strategies in aerobic rice remains limited. A two-year split-plot field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2023 and 2024 to investigate the effect of integrated nitrogen and weed management practices on crop growth, soil microbial attributes, and weed density in aerobic rice. The experiment comprised of four levels of nutrient management treatments in main plot, (N1 - 100% STBNR (Soil Test Based Nitrogen Recommendation), N2 - 75% STBNR + 25% nitrogen supplied through FYM (Farm Yard Manure), N3 - 75% STBNR + Soil application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum, and N4 - 75% STBNR + 25% nitrogen supplied through FYM + soil application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum) and four sub plot treatments comprised of Pendimethalin (1 kg/ha) applied one day after sowing followed by bispyribac-sodium at 25 DAS; a stale seedbed (15 DBS) followed by brown manuring plus bispyribac-sodium (25 g/ha) at 25 DAS; a stale seedbed (15 DBS) followed by one hand weeding at 25 DAS; and a weedy check replicated thrice. The results revealed significant interaction between nitrogen and weed management across the pooled years. The treatment, combining 75% STBNR + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter and Azospirillum with SSB fb 1 HW at 25 DAS, recorded the tallest plants (74.2 cm) and the highest LAI (4.19), statistically at par with the same under SSB fb BM. This treatment also exhibited a notably higher bacterial population and microbial biomass, indicating improved soil biology and nutrient availability. The lowest weed density was observed in 75% STBNR +25% nitrogen through FYM with SSB fb BM (7.15 no./m²), which was at par with 75% STBNR +Azotobacter and Azospirillum with SSB fb BM. Plant height, and LAI showed significant positive correlations with bacterial population and microbial biomass carbon and negative correlations with total weed density and weed biomass, whereas weed indices strong positive relationships with weed density and biomass.

Reducing nitrogenous chemical fertilizers (CF) by partially substituting CF with farmyard manure (FYM) can increase the effectiveness of CF and improve environmental conditions by enhancing soil quality. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different rates of FYM (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t ha –1 , designated as FYM 0 , FYM 10 , FYM 20, FYM 30 , and FYM 40 , respectively) combined with various levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended dose, designated as N 0 , N 50 , N 75 , and N 100 , respectively) on the growth and yield of winter rapeseed in northwest Iran. Increasing the application of FYM and nitrogen improved the greenness index, plant height, and days to maturity. Plants grown with FYM 40 and FYM 30 had the highest number of lateral branches. Application of FYM above 20 t ha –1 significantly increased growth characteristics and economic yield. However, there was no significant difference between N 75 and N 100 . Application of high fertilizer levels of reduced silique length. The highest number of siliques was recorded under FYM 40 + N 75 (178) and FYM 40 + N 100 (175). The highest grain yield was observed with FYM 40 + N 75 (1,221 kg ha –1 ). The highest oil content was recorded with FYM 20 + N 100 (44%). The results showed that FYM above 10 t ha –1 , combined with 75% of the recommended nitrogen dose, provide acceptable rapeseed performance. Replacing 25% of CF with FYM 20 can increase rapeseed yield.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is well recognised as one of the most significant oilseed crops cultivated worldwide, known for its high quality. A good crop of sunflowers can be grown in areas with rainfall of 300-500 mm. Sunflowers possess the potential to mitigate the prevailing shortage of edible oil due to their significant role in emergency crop management strategies. The current study aims to assess the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) with organic manure of farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure and inorganic fertilisers on the yield of sunflower. A field experiment was conducted with 10 treatments, viz. 3 types of organic sources, viz. FYM, poultry manure and vermicompost, inorganic nutrients and growth regulators in the spring season 2022– 2023 at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design. After analysis, the data clearly showed significant differences among treatments in sunflower yield. Among the entire treatments, Maximum capitulum diameter (22.7 cm) was recorded with 50% N through vermicompost + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate, respectively, @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 DAS. The Permanent Manurial Experiment at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, was established to evaluate the effects of continuous application of organic and mineral fertilisers on crop yield and soil quality. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) comprising seven treatments, each replicated three times. The application of 50% N through vermicompost + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate, respectively, @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) is thus recommended for sunflower cultivation in sandy loamy soils, considering the yield of sunflower (Gahlot & Singh, 2023). The results indicated that the integrated application of 100% NPK with farmyard manure (FYM) at 12.5 t ha⁻¹ (INM) significantly increased sunflower seed yield to 1,879 kg ha⁻¹ and straw yield to 3,916 kg ha⁻¹ compared to the control. Maximum seed yield (2156.67 kg ha-1) was recorded in 50% N through vermicompost + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate respectively @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 DAS which was at par with 50% N through poultry manure + seed dressing and foliar application of sodium molybdate @ 0.2% at 40 and 60 DAS and 50% N through FYM + seed dressing and foliar application of manganese sulphate respectively @ 1.0% and 0.5% at 40 and 60 DAS with 2076.67 and 2056.67 kg ha-1 respectively. The study concludes that it is expected to offer an environmentally sustainable, scientifically sound, and economically feasible approach.

The promotion of safe and sustainable organic farming necessitates production and availability of quality organic inputs in adequate quantities. A field experiment was conducted in Kuttanad, Kerala during 2023-2024 in RCBD with seven treatments and replicated thrice to evaluate the effect of silt and silt fortified organic manures on soil chemical properties and enzymatic activities at different growth stages of cassava. The treatments included fortified poultry manure, fortified crop-residue composts (paddy straw, banana pseudostem, and water hyacinth), fortified farmyard manure, silt alone, and farmyard manure alone (control). At harvest, fortified poultry manure recorded the highest available nitrogen (265.33 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (52.90 kg ha⁻¹), and potassium (345.22 kg ha⁻¹), indicating superior enhancement of soil fertility. Fortified organic amendments significantly improved soil pH, organic carbon, and available N, P, and K compared to control and silt alone. Crop-residue composts also improved soil carbon status and potassium availability, whereas silt applied alone was comparatively less effective. Overall, the results demonstrate that silt-fortified organic manures, particularly poultry manure and crop-residue composts, are effective for improving soil chemical fertility and biological functioning as evidenced by increased dehydrogenase, urease, and phosphatase activities in cassava-based systems of Kuttanad.

It is an essential part of a balanced diet since, although having very few calories, it is a great source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and bioactive substances. The nutritional content of ethanolic and methanolic extracts varied significantly based on the extraction solvent, according to chemical analysis. Higher quantities of energy, carbohydrates, and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, were found in the ethanolic extract, suggesting that it was effective at removing specific minerals and macronutrients. potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin E were better removed by the methanolic extract. The amounts of protein and fat were found to be negligible and unaffected by the type of solvent. Mineral analysis also revealed solvent-specific extraction efficiency, with ethanol favouring the extraction of calcium and magnesium and methanol improving potassium recovery. When fruit quality was assessed using different nutrient management strategies, it was found that using vermicompost, farmyard manure, and biofertilizers together resulted in better fruits with higher levels of vitamin C, better colour, smoother texture, balanced moisture content, less bitterness, and higher phytochemical concentration. The current study sought to determine the impact of integrated nutrient management strategies on fruit quality as well as the nutritional makeup of fresh bitter gourd fruit extracts utilizing various solvents.

Degraded non-cracking soils (locally known as Naga’a) are widespread in semi-arid regions of Sudan and are characterized by severe compaction, low organic matter, poor water retention, and limited crop productivity. Sustainable rehabilitation strategies for these soils remain underexplored. This study evaluated the potential of farmyard manure compost (FYM) as a soil amendment to improve physicochemical properties, soil water retention, and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) performance in degraded Naga’a soil. Aerobic composting of FYM was conducted for two months under controlled moisture and C/N ratio conditions, producing a mature compost with enhanced organic carbon, nitrogen, and water-holding capacity. A pot experiment was conducted using five rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha−1) of the produced compost alongside a mineral NPK treatment, assigned in a randomized complete block design. Compost application significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, saturation percentage, and water-holding capacity compared with the control and NPK treatments. The highest compost rate (20 t ha−1) improved soil water-holding capacity by approximately 20% and organic carbon by over 90% relative to the control. Sorghum dry matter production and plant nutrient uptake (N, P, K, and Ca) increased significantly with compost rate, while total seasonal irrigation water requirements declined. Water productivity improved progressively with compost addition, reaching a maximum increase of 60.5% at 20 t ha−1 compared to the control. Overall, FYM proved effective in restoring soil functional properties, enhancing water-use efficiency, and improving sorghum growth. The results highlight the valorization of FYM as a sustainable, low-cost strategy for rehabilitating degraded non-cracking soils in arid and semi-arid environments.

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif (May–November, 2016) at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India to assess the growth response and nutrient uptake of organic Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) as influenced by diversified nutrient sources under a long-term field experiment. This long-term organic farming of the Basmati rice-wheat cropping system experiment was initiated in the year of 2003 and continued till 2016 with the same layout and treatments. Sixteen treatments comprising combinations of farmyard manure (FYM), green manures (Sesbania green manure, SGM, and Leucaena green leaf manuring, LGLM), blue-green algae (BGA), and Azotobacter were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications. The combined application to both rice and wheat (T16: SGM+FYM+BGA to rice and LGLM+FYM+Azotobacter to wheat) significantly improved plant height (112.6 cm), tiller number (568.5 m-2), leaf area index (6.15), and dry matter accumulation (1350.3 g m-2 at 90 DAT). Application of T16 also recorded the highest uptake of N (125.3 kg ha-1), P (16.4 kg ha-1), and K (169.5 kg ha-1), along with Fe (4,873.8 g ha-1), Zn (1,902.3 g ha-1), Mn (1,455.9 g ha-1), and Cu (847.4 g ha-1). The results highlighted that the integrated application of organic inputs enhanced growth, yield attributes, and nutrient uptake in organic Basmati rice cultivation. Our findings underscore the sustainable cultivation of organic Basmati rice with the application of diversified organic nutrient sources.

Nitrogen use efficiency is one of the sustainability criteria which get altered as a response to varied interventions like water conservation practices and source of nitrogen in rainfed agriculture. A two-year’ investigation was conducted to evaluate in-situ moisture conservation practices and different nitrogen sources for nitrogen uptake and NUE in rainfed sorghum on alfisols of the semi-arid region of India. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design replicated thrice. Main plot treatments were in-situ moisture conservation practices like conservation furrow (CF) and ridge and furrow (RF), while sub-plot treatments were different nitrogen sources like chemical fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC) and poultry manure(PM). Diverse agronomic indices viz., recovery efficiency, physiological efficiency, agronomic efficiency and partial factor productivity were derived to assess the NUE. The results demonstrated that CF and RF methods of in-situ moisture conservation exhibited equal response pertaining to N uptake, Soil N and nitrogen use efficiency. However, nitrogen uptake was higher through partial substitution of the recommended dose of nitrogen with PM (67.8 kg ha-1), FYM (63.8 kg ha-1) and VC (63.9 kg ha-1) along with synthetic fertilizers in integration. Soil fertility in the form of mineral N (NH4-N + NO3-N) was improved by combined use of chemical and organic sources of N. Higher crop recovery efficiency, physiological efficiency, agronomic efficiency and partial factor productivity were higher with inclusion of organic manures, especially in integrated manner. The experimental findings suggested that, in rainfed sorghum cultivation in semi-arid tropic of India, conjunctive use of 75% RDN through synthetic fertilizer and 25% RDN through PM or FYM or VC along with conservation furrow or ridge and furrow practice could be adopted for improved NUE.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is a climate-resilient and nutritious crop; however, imbalanced nutrient application and inadequate weed management can limit productivity. A field experiment conducted at Pusa Farm, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University , Samastipur, Bihar, during kharif 2024. The experiment conducted in a split plot design with two nutrient sources (N1: 100 % Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) via chemical fertilizer, N2: 75 % RDN + 25 % RDN via farmyard manure (FYM)) as main plot factor and four weed management practices (W₁: Butachlor at 1.0 kg ha-1 (Pre-emergence (PE)) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1 (Post-emergence (PoE)); W₂: Oxyfluorfen at 0.1 kg ha-1 (PE) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1, W3: Weedy check and W4: Weed free as sub-plot factor. Results showed that 100 % RDN increased plant height (101.79 cm), dry matter accumulation (897.8 g m-2) and no. of tillers (5.18 plant-1). Weed-free plots exhibited more tillers (5.76 plant-1) and accumulation (827.1 g m-2). The weed-free plots suppress weed by 75.4 %. In weed-free plots, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium consumption rose 19.4, 16.8 and 18.7 %, respectively. Application of oxyfluorfen (0.1 kg ha-1) fb 2,4-D (0.5 kg ha-1) resulted in highest net returns Rs. 88881 ha-1 with benefit-to-cost ratio (2.61). This 1 season study supports long-term experimentation, but it shows that 75 % RDN along with 25 % FYM and oxyfluorfen at 0.1 kg ha-1 (PE) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1 (PoE) can boost finger millet productivity and profitability.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of various biofertilizer-enriched potting media on the survival and growth performance of air-layered saplings of water apple (Syzygium samarangense L.) under tropical conditions. Mature shoots from 2-year old trees at the Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (KITS), Coimbatore, were air-layered using IBA at 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg L-1 concentrations, with sphagnum moss and cocopeat as rooting media during August to October, 2022. Successfully rooted layers were transplanted into 7 different potting mixtures consisting of soil, sand and farmyard manure (FYM) (1:1:1) either alone (control) or amended with various biofertilizers including Trichoderma viride, vermiwash (1 %), humic acid, Azospirillum brasilense, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM). The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) comprising 3 replications. Plant height, leaf number, shoot number, root parameters and survival percentage were observed at 30, 60 and 90 days after potting (DAP). Results revealed that potting media enriched with vermiwash - 1 % (T₃) significantly outperformed other treatments, showing the highest survival rate (100 %) and superior root attributes, including root length (21.80 cm), primary roots number (43.35), secondary roots number (89.17) and primary root diameter (3.50 mm) at 90 DAP. The study concludes that the integration of vermiwash with a soil, sand and FYM base enhances the survivability and root development of water apple air layers, offering a promising technique for efficient propagation under tropical nursery conditions.

Rice is a staple food crop for a large global population, providing energy and essential nutrients, but its productivity remains low in many regions. With the population expected to rise, sustainable nutrient management strategies like Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) are crucial to enhance yield and maintain soil fertility. The study aims to evaluate the effect of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) practices on yield and yield attributes of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The field experiment was conducted at the Main Experimental Station of Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Uttar Pradesh, India. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications using rice variety NDR-97. Treatments included different combinations of recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), biofertilizers (PSB, Azotobacter, BGA), and brown manuring. Results revealed that INM practices significantly improved yield-contributing characters such as the number of effective tillers m⁻², panicle length, number of grains per panicle⁻¹, and test weight compared to the control. The treatment comprising 100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha⁻¹ + PSB + Azotobacter + brown manuring (T10) recorded the highest values of yield attributes, grain yield, and straw yield, followed by T9. The improvement was attributed to balanced and sustained nutrient supply, enhanced nutrient use efficiency, and improved soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Overall, the integrated application of inorganic fertilisers with organic manures and biofertilizers proved superior to the sole application of chemical fertilisers for enhancing rice productivity and sustaining soil health.

Background: The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has led to soil degradation and declining soil health. To address this issue, integrating organic sources with chemical fertilizers could be a sustainable approach which helps to restore soil fertility while enhancing crop productivity. Methods: The research trial was conducted at Instructional Farm of Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, during the late Rabi season of 2024-25 with eleven different treatments. The treatment included various integrated nutrient management practices by combining vermicompost and farmyard manure with synthetic fertilizers. Result: The results revealed that higher plant height (108.4 cm), Dry matter production (4644 kg/ha), Grain yield (827 kg/ha) and haulm yield (2664 kg/ha) was obtained with the application of 75% RDF with 25% N equivalent of vermicompost. Higher net gain and added cost was recorded in the application of 100% RDF + FYM @12.5 t/ha conversely higher gross return and added return was observed in the application of 75% RDF with 25% N equivalent of vermicompost.