Indo-Gangetic Plains Of India Research Articles

Farmers’ perspectives as determinants for adoption of conservation agriculture practices in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Understanding the farmer's perspective has traditionally been critical to influencing the adoption and out-scaling of CA-based climate-resilient practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the biophysical, socio-economic, and technical constraints in the adoption of CA by farmers in the Western- and Eastern-IGP, i.e., Karnal, Haryana, and Samastipur, Bihar, respectively. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 50 households practicing CA in Western- and Eastern-IGP. Smallholder farmers (<2 ha of landholding) in Karnal are 10% and Samastipur 66%. About 46% and 8% of households test soil periodically in Karnal and Samastipur, respectively. Results of PCA suggest economic profitability and soil health as core components from the farmer's motivational perspective in Karnal and Samastipur, respectively. Promotion and scaling up of CA technologies should be targeted per site-specific requirements, emphasizing biophysical resource availability, socio-economic constraints, and future impacts of such technology.

Biopolymeric superabsorbent hydrogels enhance crop and water productivity of soybean–wheat system in Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Environmental crises, declining factor productivity, and shrinking natural resource is a threat to global agricultural sustainability. The task is much more daunting in the Indo-Gangetic northern plains of India, where depletion of the underground water table and erratic rains due to the changing climate pose a major challenge to agriculture. To address these challenges a field investigation was carried out during 2016–2018 to test the efficacy of biopolymeric superabsorbent hydrogels namely Pusa Hydrogel (P-hydrogel: a semi-synthetic cellulose derivative-based product) and kaolin derivative of Pusa Hydrogel (K-hydrogel: semi-synthetic cellulose derivative) to assess their effect on crop and water productivity, soil moisture, root dynamics, and economics of soybean (Glycine max L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system under three irrigation regimes namely full irrigation, limited irrigation and rainfed. The results revealed that the full irrigation along with P-hydrogel led to enhanced grain yield, biomass yield, and water productivity (WP) of soybean (1.61–10.5%, 2.2–9.5%, and 2.15–21.8%, respectively) and wheat (11.1–18.3%, 12–54% and 11.1–13.1%, respectively) over control plots. Likewise, under water stressed plots of rainfed conditions with P-hydrogel exhibited 52.7 and 20.6% higher system yields (in terms of wheat equivalent yield) over control and other combinations during the respective study years. Whereas the magnitude of increase in system yield under limited irrigation with P-hydrogel was ~ 15.1% and under full irrigation with P-hydrogel was 8.0–19.4%. Plots treated with P-hydrogel retained 3.0–5.0% higher soil moisture compared to no-hydrogel plots, while K-hydrogel treated plots held the lower moisture (4.0–6.0%) than the control. In terms of profitability, full irrigation along with P-hydrogel plots registered 12.97% higher economic returns over control. The results suggested that P-hydrogel (2.5 kg ha−1) reduces runoff water loss in full irrigation applied plots and retained more water, where loss of water is more thus reduces number of irrigations. Hence P-hydrogel with irrigation water is a viable option for sustainable production of soybean-wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India and other similar eco-regions of the world.

Weed management in direct-seeded rice under a long-term conservation agriculture-based rice rice (Oriza sativa)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) system

Weeds that occur in repeated flushes pose major challenges to direct-seeded rice (DSR). Zero till (ZT) DSRwith crop residue influences weed interference considerably and can be substitutive to resource-intensive puddledtransplanted rice (PTR). Field experiments were conducted at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute during2018–19 involving conservation agriculture (CA)-based DSRs and weed control/herbicides treatments to appraiseweed interference and productivity under an eight-year old CA-based rice-wheat system (RWS). All DSRs encountered more weeds than PTR. A double ZT system without residue [~ZTDSR-ZT wheat (ZTW); C1] had highest density and dry weight of grassy weeds, but a triple ZT system without residue [~ZTDSR-ZTW-ZT mungbean (ZTMB);C4] had highest density and dry weight of broad-leaved and sedge weeds. However, a triple ZT system with threecrops residue [~ZTDSR + mungbean residue-ZTW + rice residue-ZTMB + wheat residue; C5)] could reduce weedinterference significantly and led to 9.3% and 21.8% higher rice yield than C1 and C4, respectively. The applicationof pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 0.025 kg/ha pre-emergence followed by (fb) cyhalofop-butyl 0.100 kg/ha at 20 days aftersowing (DAS), fb bispyribac-Na 0.025 kg/ha at 25 DAS (W4) led to significant reduction in grassy, broad-leaved andsedge weeds densities by 92.5, 96.6 and 67.7%, respectively. The triple ZT system with rice, wheat and mungbeanresidues (C5) combined with application of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl fb cyhalofop-butyl fb bispyribac-Na (W4) gavealmost similar rice yield with PTR (C6). This may be recommended for adoption in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) ofIndia and in similar agro-ecologies of the tropics/sub-tropics.

Characterization of Soil Pores Through X-Ray Computed Microtomography and Carbon Mineralization Under Contrasting Tillage and Land Configurations in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Contrasting tillage and land configuration have important roles in porosity and pore size distribution (PSD), which in turn affects the carbon mineralization in soil. Information on the effects of these treatments on PSD and subsequent carbon mineralization is very limited. Hence, an attempt was made to evaluate the long-term impact of soil tillage and land configurations on the distribution of soil pores and its relationship with soil carbon mineralization under a maize (Zea mays)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) rotation. There were five treatments, that is, conventional tillage, (CT); permanent broad bed, (PBB); PBB + residue (R); zero tillage, (ZT); and ZT + R. Soil pores were quantified by X-ray computed tomography (μ-CT). The conversion of CT to ZT and PBB with or without residue retention (+R) resulted in the reduction of pores &amp;gt;60 μm diameter and was mostly due to a reduction in the number of larger size macro-pores (&amp;gt;110 μm). This resulted in restricted drainage. However, under these practices, pores with larger diameters (60–110 μm) facilitated soil aeration. The total organic carbon (TOC) was 15–48% and 17–47% higher under PBB, PBB + R, ZT, and ZT + R than that under CT in the 0–5 and 5–15 cm layers. The highest MWD (1.01 mm) was in the plots under PBB + R, and the lowest was in the CT plots, and all residue-retained plots (ZT + R and PBB + R) had a higher MWD than residue removal plots (ZT and PBB). Relative to CT, soil C mineralization rates in 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depths were 63 and 55% higher in the alternate tillage practices, respectively, and the highest value occurred in PPB + R treatments. Increased labile C concentrations were indicative of greater mineralization and were correlated with pores &amp;gt;60 μm, particularly in the size range 110–500 μm and TOC concentrations of 0–15 cm soil layer. Thus, the transition to alternate tillage from the conventional tillage enhanced soil organic carbon concentration (16–47.5%), improved soil structure, reduced the diameter of pores up to &amp;gt;60 μm, and facilitated C mineralization by altering the pore size distribution of soil under a maize-wheat system in the IGP.

Impact of Rice Residue Management Practices on Environment, Productivity and Economics of Wheat: A Review

Rice-Wheat (RW) is a major cropping system followed in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. This cropping system popularised with mechanisation of both mentioned crops. Increase in mechanisation, particularly use of combined harvesting enables harvesting of rice in a very short span of time but it leaves behind a large amount of crop residue. Ex-situ residue management of this voluminous residue is not feasible and economical to the farmer. Burning of rice residue is a common practise in India to manage the rice residue because of its low economic use, which causes serious air pollution and nutrient losses. Sustainability of RW system is at risk due to soil degradation and poor residue management practices. Proper in-situ residue management is of utmost importance as crop residue contains significant amount of nutrients and it can improve soil physical, chemical and biological health because of huge amount of organic carbon added to the soil. Various soil properties, wheat productivity, economics and the environment are highly influenced by the rice residue management practices adopted. In this review, the authors have discussed impact of different rice residue management practices and wheat sowing methods on wheat productivity, economics, soil properties and the environment.

An Analysis of Crop Diversification and Factor Affecting the Diversification in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

This study analyzed trends in crop diversification and factors affecting crop diversification in the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) of India. Time series data on various parameters were collected from secondary sources for 25 years (1969 to 2017). Crop diversification and entropy index were estimated to assess the crop diversification scenario, and also multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the factors affecting crop diversification in the IGP of India. The result showed diversification indices at the state level indicated a declining trend in diversification among different crops and food grain and non-food grain crops during 2005-06 to 2015-16. Farm size and distance from the market had negatively influenced the crop diversification and entropy index, whereas an increase in irrigation intensity, net income and family workers engaged in agriculture had a positive influence and significantly contributed towards crop diversification.

Assessment of impacts of climate change on rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plains

In this paper, the climate change scenarios of A2 and B2 for 2070-2100 time scale (denoted as 2080) for several key locations of India and its impact on rice and wheat crops based on regional climate model (PRECIS) were described. The PRECIS projects an increase in temperature over most parts of India especially in the IGP (Indo-Gangetic Plains), the region that presently experiences relatively low temperatures. Extreme high temperature episodes and rainfall intensity days are projected to become more frequent and the monsoon rainfall is also projected to increase. Rabi (mid Nov-March) season is likely to experience higher increase in temperature which could impact and hence become threat to the crops which really require low temperature for their growth. Climatic variability is also projected to increase in both A2 and B2 scenarios. All these projected changes are likely to reduce the wheat and rice yields in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. It is likely that there will be more number of years with low yields occurs towards the end of the century. Such yield reductions in rice and wheat crops due to climate change are mediated through reduction in crop duration, grain number and grain filling duration. The yield loss will be more in A2 scenario compared to B2. These quantitative estimates still have uncertainties associated with them, largely due to uncertainties in climate change projections, future technology growth, availability of inputs such as water for irrigation, changes in crop management and genotype. These projections nevertheless provide a direction of likely change in crop productivity in future climate change scenarios.

Crop calendar optimization for climate change adaptation in rice-based multiple cropping systems of India and Bangladesh

Adjusting crop calendars may present an effective adaptation measure to avoid crop yield loss and reduce water use in a changing climate. In order to better understand potentials and limitations of adjusting crop calendars for climate change adaptation of tropical multi-cropping systems with short fallow periods, we used a regionally calibrated Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) agronomic model to estimate annual caloric yield and blue water requirement (BWR) of irrigated double-rice and rice-wheat cropping systems in India and Bangladesh. We adjusted crop calendars by (a) single-objective optimization to maximize annual caloric yield and (b) multi-objective optimization to minimize BWR under current and future climate scenarios, focusing on climatic drivers of optimal growing seasons. While the short time intervals between harvest of kharif crops and (trans-)planting of rabi crops limit the space for planting date shift in the study area, our results indicate that crop calendar adjustment has great potential to reverse yield loss induced by temperature rise and decrease BWR by utilizing monsoon precipitation. The study indicates a trend towards earlier planting of rabi wheat to mitigate heat stress during the reproductive stage. Moreover, earlier planting of kharif rice can help to utilize monsoon precipitation, avoid cold stress of kharif rice during anthesis, and allow for early wheat sowing during the historic period. By the 2080s, the increase of heat stress in summer and the decrease of cold stress in winter seems to allow more flexibility for late rice in kharif season, but a conflict between later planting for yield improvement and earlier planting for blue water saving is expected in kharif rice on the Indo-Gangetic plain of India and Bangladesh. Therefore, the trade-off between yield improvement and irrigation water use needs to be carefully considered to promote adaptive adjustment of crop calendars under climate change.

Environmentally sound alternative cropping systems for rice–wheat systems in North West India

Continuous cultivation of rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India is showing declining factor productivity coupled with many environmental problems. Diversifying the RWCS is one of the environmental friendly options for sustaining food production. Four crop rotations involving maize and sorghum in summer, wheat/potato/mustard in winter followed by short duration mung bean in late spring were studied to identify the most productive and economic combination from 2017 to 2020. Ranking of treatments by Tukey’s test of significance indicated that the maize-potato-wheat (16.49 t ha−1 year−1) combination was best in terms of system productivity calculated in terms of wheat equivalent yield (WEY). Maize-wheat-mung bean crop sequence was most profitable by having higher land use efficiency (LUE = 87.67%) and net return (NR = 1577.1 $ ha−1). The gross margin comparison revealed that maize-based crop sequences earned higher gross returns (23.17%), net return (93.66%), and B:C ratio (23.7%) than sorghum-based crop sequences. Soil health parameters were improved under the maize-mustard-mung bean system, which increased the organic carbon content by 28.65%, available N by 34.91% with saving of 47.67% in irrigation water. Adoption of alternate cropping sequences instead of rice–wheat, in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India, could be more sustainable, profitable, and environment friendly.

Impact of mulching and nutrients on soil water balance and actual evapotranspiration of irrigated winter cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

An optimal nutrient prescription along with favorable water management through mulching is key to high horticultural productivity, efficient water use, and minimizing soil nutrient loss. A field experiment was conducted in the Balindi Research Complex, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India, to evaluate the impact of mulching and balanced fertilization on actual evapotranspiration (ETa), crop coefficients (Kc), yield and yield attributes of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. Green Express) during the winter seasons of 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 in the cabbage-fallow upland system under surface irrigated conditions. The experiment was laid out in a factorial strip plot design where no mulch (M1), live mulch [M2, Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)], and paddy straw mulch (M3) were in strips with cabbage. Each treatment contained nutrient levels of 75% (N1), 100% (N2), and 125% (N3) of the recommended dose of an NPK fertilizer (RDF) with 200 N:100 P2O5:100 K2O. Higher soil water conservation under M3 incited 60% and 46% lower profile water change than M1 and M2 treatments, respectively. Paddy straw mulch produced 10.1% and 22.3% more yield and achieved 29.5% and 15.1% higher water productivity (WP) as compared to M1 and M2, respectively. Treatment N3 produced the highest yield and the least partial factor productivity of fertilizer (PFPf) compared to N2 and N1 treatments. Maximum ETa loss was from the M1N3 treatment (226.30 mm) and the highest yield (25,695 kg ha−1), yield attributes, and WP (120.1 kg ha−1 mm−1) were obtained from the M3N3 combination. The average estimated Kc values were 0.5 for initial, 1.0 for crop development, and 1.2 for mid-season, and 0.6 for maturity stages. The results suggest that the application of straw mulch with 125% RDF of chemical fertilizer under surface irrigated conditions improved cabbage yield, water productivity and soil fertility, however, living mulch achieved a higher economic return to the Indo-Gangetic alluvial clay loam Inceptisol of India.

Influence of Different Nutrient Management Practices and Cropping Systems on Organic Carbon Pools in Typic Ustochrept Soil of Indo-Gangetic Plains in India

Influence of Different Nutrient Management Practices and Cropping Systems on Organic Carbon Pools in Typic Ustochrept Soil of Indo-Gangetic Plains in India

Novel resource conservation technologies for increasing the production and productivity of rice-wheat cropping system in Indo-Gangetic plains of India

The rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is the predominant cropping system, covering about 13.5 million hectares area in South Asia, out of which 10.3 million hectares is in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India. Rice and wheat crops are the main staple food for the people of the country and considered as the backbone for food grain security. Contributing 70 per cent to total cereal production in India due to its wider adoption, it has depleted soil organic carbon status, ground water, decreased soil fertility and has overall reduced factor productivity. Efforts to sustain higher productivity with focused approach on reversing the trend in natural resource degradation by adopting resource conservation technologies (RCTs) like direct seeded rice (DSR), system of rice intensification (SRI), aerobic rice, brown manuring, crop residue incorporation, furrow irrigated raised bed system (FIRBS), zero tillage (ZT) and leaf colour chart (LCC) that not only improved the production and productivity but also maintained the soil health. The RCTs helped in soil and water conservation, weed control and nutrient supplementation with brown manuring, reduction in seepage, deep drainage losses and water saving (10-30%) with AWD, reduced global warming potential of rice-wheat system by 41 per cent as compared to conventional system under DSR-ZT wheat. Apart from this, new emerging technologies like system of wheat intensification (SWI), LCC application for nitrogen management, bed transplanting in rice followed by laser levelling in wheat with zero tillage wheat with incorporation of rice residues over conventional transplanting also showed promising results. Thus, adoption of RCTs led to sustainable improvement in RWCS by improving soil health, nutrient and water use efficiency with higher sustained yields along with reduction in cost of cultivation and also helped to minimize environmental pollution.

Crop yields and soil organic matter pools in zero-till direct-seeded rice-based cropping systems as influenced by fertigation levels in the Indo-Gangetic plains in India

Fertigation in rice-based cropping systems is catching up the attention of farmers for producing high yield of crops and improved fertilizer use efficiency. As fertigation with different combinations of irrigation and nitrogen (N) levels can interact with depth of rooting system of different crops as well as soil tillage, this study was carried out in 2017 in the fourth year of on an on-going long-term experiment initiated in the summer (Kharif) season of 2014 to understand the effect of fertigation on soil organic carbon pools and yield in zero-till direct-seeded rice-based cropping systems. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three levels of fertigation as main plots: N @ 20 kg ha−1 in rice through fertigation followed by 200 mm irrigation in post rice crops (W1), N @ 40 kg ha−1, in rice through fertigation followed by 300 mm irrigation in post rice crops (W2), N @ 60 kg ha−1, in rice through fertigation followed by 400 mm irrigation in post rice crops (W3). The sub-plot treatments consisted of zero till direct seeded durum wheat, barley, chickpea, linseed, lentil and lathyrus crops after rice. The rice crop was also under zero till direct seeded cultivation system. The highest grain yield of rice was observed in the rice-lathyrus cropping system with treatment W3 where N was applied in three equal splits, first being basal application and the two subsequent applications through surface inline drip irrigation. Both in surface and sub-surface soil layers, soil carbon stock, carbon pools and aggregate associated carbon were found to be more in the legume based cropping systems and with W3 fertigation regime than in other cereal based cropping systems. The grain yield was found negatively and highly significantly correlated with less labile pool (r=-0.63**) whereas very labile pool was positively significantly correlated with labile (r = 0.89**), less labile (r = 0.53**) and non-labile (r = 0.91**) pools of carbon. Overall, fertigation levels influenced the crop yield and soil organic matter in zero-till direct-seeded rice-based cropping systems.

Assessment of agrobiodiversity in the intensive agriculture: a case study of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Assessment of agrobiodiversity in the intensive agriculture: a case study of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Energy efficiency and carbon footprints of rice-wheat system under long-term tillage and residue management practices in western Indo-Gangetic Plains in India

Conventional rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) in western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) is carbon and energy intensive. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate energy budgeting, carbon footprints (CF) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from RWCS under long-term tillage and residue management practices. Experiment consisted six treatment combination of tillage [conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and zero tillage (ZT)] and residue [with residue (+R) and without residue (–R)] namely (i) CT-R (conventional farmers’ practice), (ii) CT + R, (iii) RT-R, (iv) RT + R, (v) ZT-R and (vi) ZT + R. Energy consumption ranged from 51.87 GJ ha−1 (ZT-R) to 64.91 GJ ha−1 (CT + R) and irrigation water was major energy intensive input (41–44%) followed by chemical fertilizer (32–40%). Compared to CT-R, energy use efficiency (EUE) increased by 8.7–22.4%, CF lowered by 77.9–34.3%, and GHG emission lowered by 12.8–16.3% in different treatments. Residue addition enhanced the soil carbon accumulation in ZT + R (1213 kg C ha−1 yr−1) and RT + R (987 kg C ha−1 yr−1). Overall, switching from CT–R to ZT + R lowered energy consumption (19%), GHG emission (16%) and CF (78%), making it best-bet option for climate change mitigation and global warming related environmental protection in western IGP and similar agro–ecologies.

Farm typology for planning targeted farming systems interventions for smallholders in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Due to complexity of smallholder farms, many times technologies with great potential fail to achieve the desired impact in leveraging productivity and profitability of the farming community. In the Indo-Gangetic Plains there is an urgent need to understand the diversity of farm households, identifying the main drivers deciding their system thus, classifying them into homogenous groups. In the present study, the diversity of smallholder farms was assessed using crop, livestock and income related characteristics and associated farm mechanization. Using principal component analysis and cluster analysis for 252 farm households, 4 farm types were identified i.e. Type 1. Small Farm households with cereal-based cropping system and subsistence livestock (39%), Type 2. Small Farm households with diversified cropping system dominated by cereal and fodder crops with only cattle herd (9%), Type 3. Marginal Farm household with diversified cropping system dominated by cash crop and herd comprising of only cattle (39%), Type 4. Marginal Farm household with diversified cropping system dominated by cereal crops and herd dominated by small ruminants (12%). Based on the constraints identified for different components of farming systems, low-cost interventions were planned for each farm type. These interventions have resulted in 84.8–103.2 per cent increase in the income of the farm HH under study suggesting usefulness of typology-based intervention planning in increasing income of small farm holders.

Impact of long term conservation agriculture on soil quality under cereal based systems of North West India

Soil quality is of utmost essential for yield sustainability of intensive cereal based cropping system in North West Indo Gangetic plains of India. Hence, we evaluated long-term (10 years) effect of conservation agriculture (CA) practices on soil quality improvement under six different cropping scenarios (Sc), i.e. Sc1-represented by transplanted puddled rice (TPR) followed by conventional tilled broadcasted wheat (CT-wheat) with residue removal, Sc2-TPR rice followed by zero tillage (ZT) wheat and ZT-mung bean with partial residue retention, Sc3-direct seeded rice (DSR) followed by ZT-wheat and ZT-mung bean with full residue retention, Sc4-DSR is replaced by ZT-maize followed by ZT-wheat and ZT-mung bean, Sc5 and Sc6 were – Sc3 integrated with sub surface drip irrigation (SDI) and Sc4 + SDI, respectively. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 5, 5–15 and 15–30 cm soil depth from each scenario after harvesting of wheat in 2019. Results showed that, reduction in bulk density (BD), soil penetration resistance (SPR) and enhancement of water holding capacity and infiltration were associated with CA based scenarios (Sc3–Sc6). Scenario 3 recorded lowest BD of 1.39 and 1.58 g cm−3 at 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth, respectively. CA based Sc6 recorded highest infiltration rate (1.48 cm hr−1) and lowest was associated with Sc1 (0.5 cm hr−1). The enrichment of soil organic carbon (SOC) content, stock, available nitrogen and potassium was mainly confined to upper surface soil layer (0–5 cm). The SOC content and stock in CA based scenarios (average of Sc3 to Sc6) was 41–57 and 69–94% higher than Sc1 at 0–5 cm soil layer. Available nitrogen was increased by 23–50 and 64–98% and available potassium increased by 13–28 and 42–71% in 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth, respectively in CA based scenarios over Sc1. Similarly, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dehydrogenase (DHA) activity in top soil layer under CA based scenarios was increased by 177–195 and 67–107% over Sc1, respectively. The maximum SQI was registered with Sc6 (0.91) followed by Sc4 (0.89) and least was recorded in Sc1 (0.65) at 0–5 cm soil depth. Maize-wheat based cropping system recorded higher SQI over rice–wheat based cropping system. Sustainable yield index was strongly related with key soil quality indicators and also positively correlated with SQI. Thus our study suggests that CA based maize-wheat-mung bean cropping system should be recommended for better soil quality and yield sustainability in North West India.

Spatio-temporal analysis of land surface temperature for identification of heat wave risk and vulnerability hotspots in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Spatio-temporal analysis of land surface temperature for identification of heat wave risk and vulnerability hotspots in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Water Productivity of Sugarcane Influenced by Planting Techniques, Mulching and Irrigation Scheduling in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Water Productivity of Sugarcane Influenced by Planting Techniques, Mulching and Irrigation Scheduling in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Growth and Productivity of Oats (Avena sativa L.) as Influenced by Fly Ash and Phosphorous Levels in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Background: Dairy farming is one of the oldest and well established subsidiary occupation and most widely adopted by all over farming community of Punjab state. Every farmer, if wish to start any entrepreneurship along with agriculture-First Think upon Dairy Farming. The latest training, new techniques and research work help in making this business work better. There is a need for substantial increase in the current yield of green fodder to provide complete and good quality feed to the animals. The current study aimed to study the effect of fly ash and phosphorous on the growth and fodder and grain yields of dual purpose oats. Methods: Field experiments were conducted at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda to study the effect of different levels of fly ash and phosphorous on growth and productivity of oats during rabi seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20. The trial was laid out in split plot design with three levels of fly ash (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1) in main plot and four phosphorous levels (0, 10, 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) in sub plot, replicated thrice. Result: Fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 recorded highest plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, number of effective tillers/m row length, number of seeds/spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and biological yield than control and 5 t ha-1. The per cent increase of grain yield in fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 was 8.69 and 18.11 over 5 t fly ash ha-1 and control, respectively. Phosphorous @ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 resulted in higher growth characters, yield attributing characters and productivity of oats. Phosphorous @ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 (21.35 q ha-1) and 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 (20.87 q ha-1) treatments produced statistically similar grain yield of oats. Phosphorous @ 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded 20.29 and 23.05% higher grain yield than 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, respectively. Application of P2O5 @ 40 kg ha-1 along with application of fly ash @ 5 and 10 t ha-1 produced statistically similar fodder yield of oats. The highest grain yield (22.97 q ha-1) was recorded in plots treated with the application of P2O5 @ 40 kg ha-1 along with the application of fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 and it was statistically at par with 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 and application of fly ash @ 10 t ha-1. The highest grain yield (22.97 q ha-1) was recorded in plots applied with P2O5 @ 40 kg ha-1 along with fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 and it was statistically at par with 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 and fly ash @ 10 t ha-1.