Indo-Gangetic Plains Of India Research Articles

Field performance of ten clones and two sizes of planting stock of Populus deltoides on the Indo-gangetic plains of India

A study was conducted from 1996 to 2001 on well drained sandy loam soils in the central plain region of Punjab to determine the effect of initial size of planting stock and clones of poplar (Populus deltoides) on their height, diameter and volume growth. Two categories of planting stock viz. large size (height >4.7 m and collar diameter >4.2 cm) and small size (height 2.5–4.3 m and collar diameter 2.5–4.0 cm) of ten poplar clones were used for the experiment using a completely randomized design with single tree plots and ten replications. The large sized stock attained significantly greater diameter and volume growth at all ages than those of small size, whereas, the superiority of the former in plant height was only up to 3 years of age. The respective differences for diameter and volume between the stock sizes decreased from 11.7 and 27.96% at 3 years to 4.9 and 11.42% at 5 years of age. Significant differences were observed among clones for all the growth parameters. Clones G-48, 3167, WSL-31 and WSL-38 exhibited the highest growth.

Role of Management Practices on Control of Isoproturon-resistant Littleseed Canarygrass (Phalaris Minor) in India

Littleseed canarygrass is a major weed of winter-season crops, although it is most dominant in wheat-growing regions in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Resistance in this species to photosystem II–inhibiting herbicide isoproturon was first recorded in 1992, and has since spread to several Indian states covering more than a million ha. Genetic studies and resistance characterization from multiple locations indicate independent evolution of resistance due to continuous use of isoproturon and monoculture rice–wheat-cropping system. Isoproturon-resistant biotypes were found cross-resistant to diclofop, but not to chlortoluron, which has the same mode of action as isoproturon. The isoproturon-resistance mechanism is metabolic degradation, mediated by P-450 monooxygenase enzymes. This type of resistance could become serious and lead to the evolution of multiple resistances to herbicides of different modes of action. Adoption of fenoxaprop-P, clodinafop, and sulfosulfuron in i...

An increased understanding of soil organic carbon stocks and changes in non-temperate areas: National and global implications

National and sub-national scale estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and changes can provide information land degradation risk, C sequestration possibilities and the potential sustainability of proposed land management plans. Under a GEF co-financed project, ‘The GEFSOC Modelling System’ was used to determine SOC stocks and projected stock change rates for four case study areas; The Brazilian Amazon, The Indo-Gangetic Plains of India, Kenya and Jordan. Each case study represented soil and vegetation types, climates and land management systems that are under represented globally, in terms of an understanding of land use and land management systems and the effects these systems have on SOC stocks. The stocks and stock change rates produced were based on detailed geo-referenced datasets of soils, climate, land use and management information. These datasets are unique as they bring together national and regional scale data on the main variables determining SOC, for four contrasting non-temperate eco-regions. They are also unique, as they include information on land management practices used in subsistence agriculture in tropical and arid areas. Implications of a greater understanding of SOC stocks and stock change rates in non-temperate areas are considered. Relevance to national land use plans are explored for each of the four case studies, in terms of sustainability, land degradation and greenhouse gas mitigation potential. Ways in which such information will aid the case study countries in fulfilling obligations under the United Nations Conventions on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Land Degradation are also considered. The need for more detailed land management data to improve SOC stock estimates in non-temperate areas is discussed.

Effect of tillage practices on Tilletia indica Mitra (Karnal bunt disease of wheat) in a rice–wheat rotation of the Indo-Gangetic Plains

A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of tillage systems on the incidence of Tilletia indica (Karnal bunt) in a rice–wheat system that is the most popular and prevalent crop rotation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. A total of 906 samples, were drawn from the farmers’ fields during the month of April during the 3 years study period. The samples collected were 365, 171, and 370 from the zero tillage (ZT), furrow irrigated raise bed system (FIRBS), and conventional till (CT) sown fields, respectively. The disease incidence, incidence index and percent-infected samples were calculated and statistically analyzed. Results showed that ZT fields had the lowest mean incidence of Karnal bunt, i.e. 9.00% infected samples in comparison to 18.10% and 16.20% under FIRBS and CT, respectively. Similarly, the average infection in infected samples was equal in FIRBS and CT, but the samples from ZT were statistically lower. KB incidence index showed a similar trend. ZT has shown a reduced incidence of KB in comparison to the raised bed (FIRBS) and CT systems. If ZT is followed for a period of a few years, it may help in reducing the effective soil inoculum and reducing the disease incidence over time.

An unusual fluvial to tidal transition in the mesoarchean Moodies Group, South Africa: A response to high tidal range and active tectonics

The Moodies Group in the Dycedale Syncline, Barberton Greenstone Belt consists of a 100–130 m-thick upward-fining succession that exhibits a transition from fluvial to tide-modified sedimentation. A basal, 10–30 m-thick conglomerate–sandstone interval of alluvial origin is overlain by stacked upward-fining, decimeter- to meter-scale cycles within which three facies are recognized: 1) conglomerate lag; 2) cross-bedded sandstone; and 3) interlaminated sandstone–siltstone and mudstone. Within the cycles, the abundance of mudstone drapes increases upwards. Structureless conglomerates and cross-beds lacking mudstone drapes record braided-alluvial processes. In contrast, cross-beds with mudstone drapes and interlaminated sandstone–siltstone and mudstone are products of flows modified by various tidal beats. Sand and/or silt transport took place during the ebb and flood stages and mudstone accumulated during slack water phases. Alternating thick–thin laminations reflect dominant and subordinate, twice-daily tides. Thicker groupings of foresets and thicker intervals of vertically stacked sandstone–siltstone and mudstone laminations are interpreted as spring tide deposits whereas thinner groupings of foresets and thinner laminations record neap tides. Desiccated mudstone drapes on foresets indicate that bedforms rarely were locally exposed during some portion of the tidal cycle. Abundant exposure structures in the interlaminated sandstone–siltstone and mudstone facies indicate that the cycles are upward shoaling. The stacked upward-fining cycles are attributed to alternating subaerial exposure and fluvial influx followed by marine inundation, probably related to absolute sea level fluctuations. Lack of high-order vegetation on the Archean landscape promoted rapid lateral migration or avulsion of tidally influenced fluvial channels. The association of facies within the 100–130 m-thick upward-fining succession is comparable to Holocene and ancient paleovalley fills characterized by basal alluvial gradational upwards into estuarine facies. However, in the absence of vegetation, the land–ocean interface in the Archean probably consisted of laterally extensive fan or braid deltas rather than point sources of sediment characteristic of most modern rivers. The abrupt up-section change from syntectonic, high-energy, alluvial–fluvial flash flood deposits to tide-influenced sedimentation implies a proximal source that provided sediment to a shoreline influenced by strong tidal action. Possible Holocene analogues are orogenic settings such as the Canterbury Plains of New Zealand, the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India and strike-slip settings such as the Gulf of Aqaba but all three examples lack a direct transition to tidally influenced sedimentation.

Sustainable Maximization of Yield in Rice-Wheat System of Cropping Through Application of Phosphocompost

Abstract Rice-wheat is the most important cropping system followed in Indo-Gangetic plains of India to provide food to millions of people not only in India but also to neighboring countries. So, maximization of yield of this system is of utmost importance. Findings of experiments to be extended to farmers and the success of their adoption depend on efficiency of the extension process. But if experiments are conducted in farmers' fields with active participation of the farmers, then it gets a new dimension and its results become readily acceptable by the farmers. As such, the experiments in farmers' fields, if possible, are always preferred. Experiments in farmers' fields in five different locations representing three different agro-climatic situations were conducted to examine the efficacy of phosphocompost plus inorganic fertilizer and recommended dose of fertilizer (for Rice-N:P:K: 80:60:40, and for wheat-N:P:K: 100:60:40) to maximize yield of the rice-wheat system against farmers' practices. Three year...

Enhancement of field water use efficiency in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India

With a view to enhancing water use efficiency on farmers' fields in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), a research project was taken up with the involvement of the farmers through the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) technique. Based on PRA and field observations of different cultural practices, gaps between the existing and appropriate water management technologies were established. Suitable interventions were made to fill the gaps and to enhance water use efficiency at field level. The interventions included laser leveling, renovation of watercourses, determination of optimal sowing dates for wheat using CropWat software, use of irrischeduler, a device developed for irrigation scheduling, as well as demonstrations and training to farmers. The rice–wheat cropping system occupies 9.69 million ha in the IGP, with wheat production of 37.8 million t at an average productivity of 3.9 t ha−1. The proposed interventions indicate possibilities of enhancing wheat yield by at least 25%, making it 47.25 million t in the whole IGP and can also help in saving of a minimum of 30.0% (1.45 million ha-m) of irrigation water. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. En vue d'ameliorer l'efficacite de l'utilisation de l'eau au niveau de la parcelle dans la Plaine Indo-Gangetique (IGP), un projet de recherche est entrepris avec la participation des fermiers dans le cadre du programme d'Estimation Rurale Participative (PRA). Base sur PRA et sur des observations faites dans le champ aux differentes pratiques d'agriculture, on a constate des lacunes entre la technologie existante de la gestion d'eau et celle de la gestion appropriee. Des interventions adequates ont ete faites pour combler ces lacunes au niveau de la parcelle, et ameliorer l'efficacite de l'utilisation de l'eau. Les interventions comprennent le nivellement guide par laser, la renovation des cours d'eau, la determination des dates optimales de semer pour le ble en utilisant le logiciel CropWat, l'utilisation du dispositif “Irrischeduler” (programme d'irrigation)—developpe pour l'horaire de l'irrigation, et des demonstrations faites et de la formation pour les fermiers. Le systeme de culture de riz–ble occupe une superficie de 9.69 millions d'ha dans l'IGP, la production du ble etant 37.8 millions de tonnes avec une productivite moyenne de 3.9 t ha−1. Ces interventions presentent la possibilite d'ameliorer le rendement du ble avec 25% au moins, ramenant ainsi le chiffre total a 47.25 millions de tonnes dans toute la Plaine Indo-Gangetique, et elles permettent aussi de realiser une economie minimum de 30.0% (1.45 millions d'ha m) de l'eau d'irrigation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of tillage on growth, yield and nutrient uptake in wheat after rice in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

A 3-year field study was conducted during 1998/99–2000/01 on the effect of tillage on crop growth, yield and nutrient use in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown after different methods of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeding. Treatments comprised three methods of rice seeding, viz. direct seeding (unpuddled), manual transplanting and mechanical transplanting by self-propelled rice transplanter as main plots and three tillage levels in wheat (conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), zero tillage (ZT)) as subplots. Results indicated that tillage significantly decreased soil bulk density (1·59 Mg/m3) over the zero tillage system (1·69 Mg/m3). Greater root density in terms of root dry weight (7·50 Mg/20 cm row length) was recorded in CT and the lowest root dry weight (5·80 Mg/20 cm row length) was obtained in ZT during 2000/01. Significantly higher dry matter accumulation (254 g/m row) and leaf area index of wheat (3·04) were consistently recorded under direct seeding of rice, which was statistically different from the other methods of seeding adopted in the preceding rice crop. CT resulted in significantly higher dry matter (253 g/m row) and leaf area index of wheat (3·02) than RT and ZT respectively, during 2000/01. The highest mean yield of wheat (6·02 Mg/ha) was obtained in direct seeding of rice, followed by mechanical and manual transplanting. Among different tillage levels, CT recorded the highest mean yield of wheat (5·90 Mg/ha) followed by RT (5·82 Mg/ha) and ZT (5·40 Mg/ha). The yield reduction was in the order of 11·28 and 6·31% under ZT and RT, respectively. Soil chemical analysis showed that available soil N, P and K contents were affected significantly due to seeding method and tillage after each cycle of rice–wheat sequence. Significantly greater available soil N, P and K were recorded under direct seeding of rice followed by manual and mechanical transplanting. CT recorded significantly lower values of available soil N and higher values of soil P and K whereas ZT recorded higher values of available soil N and lower values of available soil P and K during the 3 years of study.

Erratum to “Improving nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies through inclusion of forage cowpea in the rice–wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India”

Erratum to “Improving nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies through inclusion of forage cowpea in the rice–wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India”

Alternative crop production strategies for rice-wheat cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Field experiments were carried out in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India during 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 with the objective to identify alternative crop sequences that are more productive as well as remunerative than the rice–wheat cropping system. The results indicated that the highest mean sunflower seed yield was obtained in the soybean–sunflower rotation followed by the rice–sunflower rotation and the lowest in the maize–mustard–sunflower crop rotation. Similarly, the sesbania–toria–sunflower rotation had the highest biological yield followed by the soybean–sunflower and urd–toria–sunflower rotations. The mean highest harvest index was found in the cowpea–toria–sunflower rotation (35.1%) followed by the urd–toria–sunflower (33.2%) and rice–sunflower (32.7%) rotations. A significantly high oil content in sunflower seeds was observed in both the soybean–sunflower and sesbania–toria–sunflower rotations that was similar to that in the urd–toria–sunflower and cowpea–toria–sunflower rotations. The maize–potato–sunflower, maize–mustard–sunflower, cowpea–toria– sunflower and rice–sunflower rotations had significantly higher sunflower seed yield equivalents (201, 17, 15 and 4% higher, respectively) than the rice–wheat rotation. Similarly, the maize–potato–sunflower rotation produced the highest net income followed by cowpea–toria–sunflower, rice–sunflower and maize–mustard–sunflower, that was 351, 37, 14 and 4%, respectively, higher than the net income of the rice–wheat rotation. The benefit : cost ratio was also observed to be significantly highest in the maize–potato–sunflower rotation (1.60). After 3 years of field experimentation, soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were observed to be highest in the urd–toria–sunflower, soybean–sunflower, cowpea–toria–sunflower and soybean–sunflower rotations, respectively. The mean value of total available nutrients was greater in soybean–sunflower than rice–wheat rotation.It can be concluded that the cowpea–toria–sunflower, soybean–sunflower and rice–sunflower crop rotations may be preferred for greater sustainability over the rice–wheat system not only in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India but also in the whole of Asia, and these findings may be a very useful reference for future research on Australian crop diversification.

Improving nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies through inclusion of forage cowpea in the rice–wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

In high productivity zones of Indo-Gangetic Plains in south Asia, the rice–wheat system is stressed due to production fatigue as evidenced by declining soil organic matter content, low efficiency of fertilizer use and diminishing rates of factor productivity. We, therefore, conducted field experiments at Modipuram, India, to conserve soil organic carbon, improve N and P use efficiency, and increase yields of rice–wheat system through inclusion of forage cowpea during the summer before cultivating the rice–wheat system. Cowpea forage harvested at 50 days removed greater amounts of N and P through aboveground biomass than those recycled through belowground roots and nodules. The NO 3-N in soil profile below 45 cm depth after wheat harvest was greater under fallow during summer than under cowpea, suggesting that cowpea minimized NO 3-N leaching beyond 45 cm depth. Similarly, in the treatments receiving both 120 kg N and 26 kg P ha −1, NO 3-N in soil below 45 cm depth was lower compared to those receiving N or P alone. After three crop cycles, soil OC content in 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths was greater compared to initial OC in plots having cowpea. P applied at 26 kg ha −1 increased available P content over initial P content, and also over P content of soil under no P treatments. The available P content was, however, invariably low under summer cowpea plots as compared to that under no cowpea ones. With continuous rice–wheat cropping, the bulk density (BD) of soil increased over the initial BD at different profile-depths, more so at 30–45 cm depth in no cowpea plots, but inclusion of summer cowpea helped decreasing the BD in the surface (0–15 cm) and sub-surface (15–30 and 30–45 cm) soil layers. Summer cowpea grown on residual fertility after wheat harvest did not influence rice yield, but increased wheat grain yield ( P<0.05 during the terminal year), when both the crops received fertilizer N and P at recommended rates. Skipping of N or P or both, however, resulted in consistently low yield of these crops under summer cowpea treatments than those under no cowpea treatments, although the differences were not necessarily significant every year. The use efficiency of applied N and P fertilizers in rice and wheat, measured as agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery, was increased with the use of fertilizer N and P at recommended rates, and also with inclusion of summer cowpea.

Effect of double no-till and permanent raised beds on productivity, profitability and physical properties of soil in maize (Zea mays)wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under Indo-Gangetic plains of India

A field experiment was conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi on sandy loam soil dur- ing 2010 to 2012 to study the effect of tillage and crop establishment techniques, and residue management on maize ( Zea mays L.)wheat [ Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori &amp; Paol] cropping system. Results indicated that permanent beds with residue retention (PB+R) and fresh beds with crop residue incorporation (FB+R) were found comparable with respect to yield and yield attributes both in maize and wheat. FB+R recorded 25.0 and 8.3 % higher grain yield of maize and wheat, respectively compared to conventional tillflat (CTF). Likewise, PB+R gave 25.0 and 28.6% higher grain yield of maize and wheat, respectively over CT F. Further, PB+R gave 3.5% higher system productivity compared to FB+R. PB+R gave the highest net returns of maize (39.2 103 /ha), wheat (50.5 103 /ha) and the cropping system (89.7 103 /ha) followed by FB+R and zero till flat with residue retention (ZTF+R). At upper soil surface (010 cm), lowest bulk density and soil penetration resistance was ob- served in FB+R followed by PB+R. Among all the tillage, crop establishment, and residue management tech- niques, ZTF+R gave lowest yield and yield attributes, and recorded highest bulk density in upper soil surface.

Effect of tillage, residue management and crop establishment techniques on energetics, water use efficiency and economics in soybean (Glycine max)wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

In Indo-Gangetic plains of India, the returns from crop cultivation are shrinking gradually owing to escalation of input costs. Under such situation, conservation agriculture systems have gained importance to make farming prof- itable by cutting down the variable cost and enhancing resource-use efficiency. The studies were conducted dur- ing 2009-10 to 2010-11on energy relations and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) involving sequential tillage (i.e to skip the tillage either in kharif to soybean or in rabi to wheat) in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori and Paol) system in order to evaluate the performance under sequential tillage. The energy relations viz. input energy, output energy, net energy and energy use efficiency were statistically simi- lar in most of the cases except energy-use efficiency for both soybean and wheat due to different sequential tillage and crop establishment techniques. Residue management treatments significantly influenced the energy relations in both the crops. Wheat + soybean residue recorded highest gross energy (235.9 and 269.9 103 MJ/ha), while the reverse with net energy and energy use efficiency where the no residue (control) obtained 189.0 and 206.4 103 MJ/ha; 8.69 and 10.4 103 MJ/ha respectively during the year 2009-10 and 2010-11 in the soybean-wheat sys- tem. IWUE in wheat recorded significantly higher with bed system of crop establishment either adopting conven- tional tillage-bed (CT-Bed) (209.1 kg/ha-cm) or skipping CT-Bed with zero tillage-bed (ZT-Bed) (312.6 kg/ha-cm) in rabi season during the year 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively.

Effect of different components of SRI on yield, quality, nutrient accumulation and economics of rice (Oryza sativa) in tarai belt of northern India

A field experiment was conducted on a Typic Hapludoll soil in Indo-gangetic plains of India during the 2008 and 2009 rainy seasons to find out the effect of irrigation schedules and plant spacing on yield, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of two rice ( Oryza sativa L.) varieties under system of rice intensification (SRI) and compare the performance of SRI with conventional transplanting. Treatments under SRI included 12 combinations of 3 irriga- tion schedules, viz. irrigation at 1, 3 and 5 day(s) after disappearance of standing water (DADSW), 2 spacings (20 cm 20 cm, 25 cm 25 cm) and 2 varieties (Pant Dhan 4, Arize 6444), alongwith two control treatments of con- ventional cultivation of each variety. The experiment was set in a RBD with three replications. Irrigation at 1 and 3 DADSW increased uptake of N, P and K in grains, which enhanced grain protein content and milling percentage, and improved grain yield by 8.6 and 5.9% over 5 DADSW (5.82 t/ha), respectively. Net returns and B:C ratio were also better with irrigation at 1 and 3 DADSW. Wider spacing resulted in 4.2% higher yield with better grain quality and 10.8% higher net returns over closer spacing. Yield-wise and profit-wise, both the varieties were suit- able for cultivation under SRI. However, Arize 6444 recorded higher N uptake and protein content. The uptake of P and K was higher in grains of Pant Dhan 4 which showed higher milling percentage. Between two methods, SRI improved N, P and K uptake, milling percentage and protein content. Grain yield was 16.9% higher under SRI compared to conventional method (5.22 t/ha). Due to lower cost of production and higher yields, SRI fetched 56% higher net returns over conventional transplanting.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, quality, nutrient uptake and economics of mustard (Brassica juncea)

A field experiment was carried during winter season of 2005-06 and 2006-07 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, quality, economics and nutrient uptake of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj &amp; Cosson] in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. The plant height, total dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and seed and stover yields were recorded significantly higher when recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) i.e.120:17.6:16.6:40, N:P:K:S kg/ha was applied along with FYM 10t/ha, 25kg ZnS0 /ha and seed treatment with 4 Azotobacter. On an average, seed yield of mustard increased by 41.2 % over alone application of RDF. Applica- tion of either FYM or Zn or seed treatment along with RDF enhanced the mustard seed yield by 12.0, 11.5 and 13.0%, respectively over RDF alone. The inorganic fertilization had adverse effect on oil as well as glucosinolate contents and highest values were recorded at 50% RDF. Additional application of either of FYM or Zn further in- creased the oil and glucosinolate contents. Azotobacter seed treatment reduced the glucosinolate but improved the oil content. The highest values of N, P, K, S and Zn content and its uptake were recorded with combined appli- cation of RDF with FYM, Zn and Azotobacter.

Design of subsurface drainage disposal structures: assessment of storage capacity

Storage capacity-discharge relationships have been derived. These relationships can be used to predict the maximum storage capacity for the storage structures in subsurface drainage systems. Practical applications have been dealt with using field data representing situations in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. Though the relationships can be useful for designing either a sump or an evaporation pond, it is inferred that the relationships developed are most effective in calculating the storage capacity of an evaporation pond. Conversely, with some trial and error, the relationships can also be used to calculate the area which can be commanded by an evaporation pond of a given capacity.