Low Crop Research Articles

ANALYZING THE CAUSES OF WATER SHORTAGE, LOW CROP YIELD, AND FOOD CRISIS IN PAKISTAN: A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS (1991-2019)

Pakistan has been facing problem of low crop yield, food shortage, and high prices of food items, and it has to import food items for billions of dollars every year to meet domestic needs. The literature shows a sufficient gap to investigate the causes of low crop yield. This motivates the authors to investigate the causes of water shortage, low crop yields, and high prices of agriculture inputs, using 28 years of data spanning from 1991 to 2019. The selected variables include crop yield as the dependent variable and water availability, precipitation, seed, fertilizer, and pesticides as independent variables. Various statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, Correlation matrix, ADF test, ARDL Model, Bound test, and Error Correction model were employed to determine the relationship between variables. The findings reveal that all independent variables except precipitation have a positive association with crop yield. The comparison of the results of ARDL and ECM Models shows that the variables water, seed, fertilizer, and pesticides have a significant and positive relationship with crop yield in the short run rather than in the long run. In light of these findings, the study suggests that the Government of Pakistan should build water storage, ensure the availability of agriculture inputs at subsided prices, and introduce modern agriculture technologies to enhance crop yield to ensure food security and save billions of dollars being spent on the import of food items every year.

Why no-till system sequesters more carbon and is more resilient and productive with contrasting fertilization regimes in a highly weathered soil?

Land management systems that comprise the principles of conservation agriculture (CA) can lead to soil organic carbon (SOC) gains over time. Nonetheless, how fertilization regimes interfere with their performance in highly weathered soils is still uncertain. This study presents results on SOC storage, crop yield, and soil resilience from a long-term experiment in southern Brazil (Ponta Grossa – Paraná State) 26 years after its establishment in 1989 combining a gradient of soil disturbance through diverse soil management strategies with contrasting fertilization regimes. We hypothesized that preserving soil structure rebuilt over time through no-till system plays a significant role in SOC persistence and the fertilization regime can impact land management performance on soil resilience and crop yield. The experimental design was laid out as a split plot through completely randomized blocks. The main plots comprised the treatments related to soil management systems: 1) conventional plow-based tillage – CT; 2) minimum tillage (Chiselling replacing plowing) – MT; 3) no-till with one chisel plowing every three years – NTch; and 4) continuous no-till system – NTS. The sub-plots comprised full crop fertilization (FCF) for all crops and low crop fertilization (LCF) by suppressing K and P fertilization and maintaining N in broadcast application. SOC stocks significantly improved as the soil disturbance diminished, resulting in higher soil resilience indexes for NTS and NTch. Differences in SOC stocks between the contrasting treatments NTS and CT were higher under low fertilization, resulting in C and N sequestration rates of 1.14 and 0.14 Mg ha−1 year−1 under LCF compared to 0.77 and 0.08 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in FCF at the 0–100 cm layer. Such higher differences were induced by overall higher SOC stocks of CT when under FCF and higher SOC stocks in subsoil depths promoted by NTS when under LCF. High fertilization treatments produced cumulative yields 1.5 times higher for soybeans and 2.5 times higher for corn throughout the 26 years of the experiment. Labile C fractions extracted by hot water (HWEOC) and K-permanganate (POXC) were systematically increased as the disturbance diminished. Gains in labile fractions were promoted in deeper layers in lower disturbance treatments (NTch and NTS). We conclude that combining conservation agriculture principles ultimately defined the potential for SOC sequestration. The high soil resilience under the NTS in this research indicates a considerable potential to reverse the soil degradation and decline of the SOC and labile fractions by conversion to intensive NTS (high and diversified annual C input) associated with absence of soil disturbance.

Comparing the economic performance of poplar-based alley cropping systems with arable farming in Brandenburg under varying site conditions and policy scenarios

Agroforestry can address multiple environmental challenges across the agricultural sector, for example biodiversity loss and soil degradation. However, agroforestry uptake remains low in Germany. Since economic considerations are important for farmer uptake, this paper compares the economic performance of conventional arable farming with silvoarable alley cropping in Brandenburg. Using a modelling approach, the net present value (NPV) is calculated to assess the competitiveness of alley cropping with poplar compared to arable farming under different scenarios. These scenarios cover a range of crops, rotation schedules, alley widths, woodchip prices, and yield levels. Additionally, policy measures that can compensate for potential economic losses associated with transitioning to agroforestry are considered. Results show that short rotation alley cropping had higher NPVs than medium rotation alley cropping, mainly due to cash-flow characteristics. Short rotation alley cropping can be competitive at high woodchip prices without policy support, while at low or average prices alley cropping needs subsidies to be competitive. Medium rotation systems at all price levels were not competitive unless policy support was provided. Current policy payments were unable to make silvoarable alley cropping competitive except at high woodchip prices. When subsidies increase, alley cropping can be competitive even at low or average woodchip prices and over a range of site conditions. Besides policy support, economic performance was strongly influenced by woodchip prices, relative yield potential of poplar and arable crops, and site conditions.

Effect of coffee husk biochar and inorganic NP fertilizer on soil properties, growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) on acidic soil of southwest Ethiopia

Soil acidity and low soil fertility due to nutrient leaching coupled with low inorganic fertilizer usage is a major cause of low crop yields across Southwest Ethiopia. Recently, biochar potential to improve soil fertility has gained significant attention but there are limited studies on the use of biochar in combination with inorganic fertilizers. A field experiment was, therefore, conducted to investigate the effect of combined application of biochar and inorganic NP nutrient on soil physicochemical properties, growth and yield of potato in Andiracha district, Southwestern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The treatment consisted of four levels of biochar rates (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t ha−1) and four fertilizer rates of (0, 75,100 and 125% of recommended N P rates). Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.3 Software. Analysis of variance showed that combined application of biochar and inorganic NP fertilizer had highly significant (p < 0.01) effect on days to flowering, stem number, plant height, total leaf area, total dry biomass, marketable tuber number per hill and harvest index and significant (p < 0.05) effect on marketable tuber weight and total tuber weight ha−1. Combined application of 7.5 ton ha−1 biochar with 165 kg N and 60 kg P ha−1 resulted highest tuber yield (42.64 t ha−1), that increased yield by 28.99% compared with recommended NP fertilizer alone (165 kg N ha−1 and 60 kg P ha−1), and by 76.6% compared to the control. The increase was mainly attributed to the improvement in soil physico-chemical properties especially soil pH, CEC, organic matter, total N and available P which is a reflection of increase in soil fertility. Consequently, it was determined that the best course of action for potato production in the area was to apply 7.5 tons of biochar ha−1 together with 165 kg N and 60 kg P ha−1. Therefore, the study recommends adoption of low cost biochar production techniques and capacity building to ensure satisfactory knowledge of biochar use and its adoption by potato growers for soil fertility management and enhanced crop productivity.

Biomass, productivity and monetary efficiency of various cropping systems in the Almora district of the Indian Himalaya

ABSTRACT Uttarakhand hills are blessed with mesmerizing beauty but low crop productivity because of which the farmers are diverting from agriculture. A research investigation was conducted in Dantola village, Almora District, Uttarakhand, India, to understand the dynamics and performance of hill agro-ecosystems by estimating biomass, productivity and monetary efficiency of the existing cropping systems. Total five systems were selected which consist of six monocrops, three mixed crops, two agri-silviculture systems, one agri-horticulture system and silvi-hortipasture system. System-wise, higher biomass was observed in agri-silviculture system with an average value of 134.3 tonnes/ha. Farmyard manure was found to be the major source of nutrients supply to the crops. The monetary efficiency of various cropping systems revealed that the total returns were highest in the agri-horticulture system (USD 8805.76/ha) followed by horsegram+sorghum (USD 1620.49/ha) and urdbean (USD 1448.65/ha). When the net benefit from various cropping systems was analysed, maximum net returns were observed in agri-horticulture (USD 5867.57 lakh/ha), followed by horsegram+sorghum (mixed cropping) and urdbean. Overall, agri-silviculture systems provided higher biomass while legumes, agri-horticulture system and silvi-hortipasture systems were found to be the most efficient in terms of production and monetary efficiency and therefore can be recommended to the farming communities.

Effect of soil nutrient management on soil weed seed bank dynamics across a soil fertility gradient in smallholder farms, Eastern Zimbabwe

Weed seed banks are latent biotic stress contributors to low crop production among smallholder farms. The objective of this study was to investigate effect of repeated soil nutrient amendments on weed seed bank dynamics in eastern Zimbabwe. Soil samples were taken from three farms with low, medium and high soil organic carbon (SOC) along the catena. Sampled treatments included varying combinations of compound D (7%N, 14%P, 7% K) fertiliser, cattle manure and lime. Weeds that emerged per plot were counted by species and data was tested for normality before running a linear mixed-effects model and Restricted Maximum Likelihood. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to establish the relationship between seasons, SOC, soil nutrient amendment, and emerged weeds. Significant (p &amp;lt; .05) species richness (Margalef index), and Shannon Weiner index were recorded in the medium (6.4g kg-1soil), high (8 g kg-1 soil) and low (&amp;lt; 3.9 g kg-1soil) SOC. Weed species emergence was significantly (p &amp;lt; .05) influenced by the level of SOC along the catena positions, representing results from the source. Emergency and abundance of weeds such as Richardia scabra, was associated with low SOC acidic sandy soils from the upper catena. However, application of nutrients (NPK+lime treatment) reduced weed species counts from 1.96±0.12 to 1.4±0.12. Cattle manure and NPK+CM treatments recorded significantly higher weed emergence, and weed biomass; compared to the control. Clearly, cattle manure treatments significantly increase the soil weed seed bank; thus, weeding intensity is likely to increase in cattle manure treated fields.

Assessing the Influence of Planting Dates on Sustainable Maize Production under Drought Stress Conditions

Water is one of the most precious resources and is essential to agricultural output; the biggest user of water is the agricultural sector. Several societal sectors are impacted by the problem of climate change, including agriculture, water resources, and irrigation water demand. A key element in determining sustainable crop production potential is choosing the right cultivars at the right time of year to plant. The dates on which maize is sown are greatly impacted by high summer temperatures and low spring temperatures. Water stress and the timing of sowing can have a significant impact on maize crop yield and water use efficiency. As a result, figuring out the ideal irrigation volume and sowing dates depending on local conditions is essential. A split plot layout was used to create a randomized complete block design for an experiment with five sowing dates (A, B, C, D, and E) and six hybrids (KWS3376, Xinyu 65, KWS9384, Huamei No. 1, Xinyu 102, and Heyu 187). All sowing dates and hybrids had a significant impact on the yield and yield-contributing features (leaf length, ear diameter, grain number per spike, grain breadth, hundred-grain weight, etc.) of maize crops according to the data analysis. A higher grain yield with yield features, such as ear length, number of grains per ear, and hundred-grain weight, was obtained with early-season sowing. Delayed seeding resulted in a lower crop yield. The seasonally delayed seeding of maize reduces yield and yield characteristics. Xinyu 65 produced the highest yield and yield component values of any hybrid. For improved yield and yield traits in the examined area, the study recommended planting maize hybrid Xinyu 65 early in the growing season.

Causes and Consequences of Land Degradation in Ethiopia: A Review

The term &amp;quot;land degradation&amp;quot; refers to the deterioration of the land&amp;apos;s quality and that of its surrounding components due to either natural or artificial factors. The most frequent cause of land deterioration in Ethiopia is water-induced soil erosion. Due to decreased agricultural soil fertility, land degradation has a detrimental effect on Ethiopia&amp;apos;s economy as well as agricultural production. It is now a significant issue impacting all aspect of Ethiopians&amp;apos; social, political, and economic lives. It is one of the main obstacles to the nation&amp;apos;s agricultural growth and food security. Rapid population growth, significant soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, insufficient vegetative cover, uneven crop production on steep slopes, erosive rainfall patterns, a lack of fallowing, and inadequate conservation measures are the main drivers of land degradation in Ethiopia&amp;apos;s highlands. The consequences of land degradation include the loss of fertile soil, which reduces the amount of land that can be used for agriculture. The state of family food security is negatively impacted by land degradation, which also directly lowers livelihoods in rural areas and has catastrophic effects on Ethiopia&amp;apos;s sociocultural context and ecological setting. Lower crop yields are the direct result of soil degradation, and agricultural households experience increased rates of poverty as a result.

Crop Monitoring System Using IOT

Currently, the low agricultural output is causing farmers to suffer. Low crop growth is primarily caused by knowledge of soil fertility and crop selection, even though proper crop selection is the primary booster key for enhancing agricultural yield by doing soil analysis and taking metrological elements into consideration. Farmers with limited experience in conventional farming are finding it difficult to make wise crop selection choices in the current environment. The low soil fertility is caused by the same crop being chosen for each seasonal cycle. The goal of this research is to use IoT devices to create an accurate and efficient system. Compared to the outdated manual laboratory testing procedures, which are subject to human errors, such a system is predictable. A crop's proper selection is mostly important in the agricultural field. As a contribution, we offer Smart Crop Selection (SCS), an IOT-based approach that is based on soil and metrological factor data. These variables include soil moisture content, temperature, and precipitation. Because these issues are not given as much care as they should, existing IoT-based systems are less efficient than our proposed model. Real-time sensory data is transmitted to Firebase cloud for analysis in the suggested model

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Impact on Soil and Agriculture: Evidence from Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Ghana

The gold mining industry in Ghana has made a substantial contribution to the country's economic growth by generating diverse employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, in mining communities. This has the potential to mitigate poverty and improve the quality of life for individuals and households in rural areas, where climate change is having a disproportionate impact on small-scale farmers. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that this sector has also resulted in detrimental environmental impacts. A total 150 key informants in Upper Denkyira East Municipality, comprising representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission, the Mineral Commission, and other stakeholders, were interviewed using standardize questionnaire to ascertain the impact of mining on the soil, agriculture and the environment. The study also employed inductively coupled plasma to assess the concentration of heavy metals in soils at a small-scale mining site. The soil analyses indicated high concentrations of heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic, nickel, zinc, and iron. The Weighted Average Index, which was used to assess the impact of mining, revealed that communities face challenges such as deforestation, low crop yields, water pollution, land tenure issues, and a high cost of living. The study's analyses of measures to address small scale mining challenges revealed that alternative livelihood, law enforcement, training and support, and access to mining concessions were perceived as suitable for addressing artisanal and small scale mining. The study concluded that stricter mining regulations, promoting sustainable mining practices, and providing comprehensive training to miners on environmental protection and land reclamation can help mitigate the negative impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining. Additionally, supporting alternative means of livelihood for mining communities, such as agriculture or eco-tourism, can reduce reliance on mining and promote sustainable development.

An insight into the weeds of dark waters for animal health and wealth

Today’s world be it man or animal, there is scarcity of good food and nutrition with many health issues. The animal world especially is not fodder secure with over 500 million animals to feed in our country alone. The process of deforestation and concretisation of the land, reduced farming land, low farming affinity, crop losses and low harvests due to demineralisation of the land can be attributed as the cause for this. At this juncture the search for alternate fodder sources have led our way to the “SEA VEGGIES” MISNOMERED as Sea weeds. These form nearly 70% of the earth’s plant treasure wherein only 1 % of it has been utilised as of now. Seaweeds have nearly 63 minerals, protein to a max. Of 60%, apart from all vitamins (except vit-D), Omega 3 fatty acids, flavinoidds and caretonoids. Apart from being good sources of food, they have industrial usage in the form of Algin, Alginic acid and Carragenan. Used as fertilizers and soil binders, in waste water treatment, in cosmetics and medicines. Our ancient wisdom has given an insight into the usage of seaweeds to feed and treat the animals. Our work embarks upon the prospect of the use of seaweeds in the health and nutrition of animals and found to be the best alternative yet to be tapped.

Rejuvenating potato growth and yield in challenging semiarid and saline sandy Cholistan: harnessing PGPB-coated N and P application strategies

BackgroundPotato serves as a major non-cereal food crop and income source for small-scale growers in Punjab, Pakistan. Unfortunately, improper fertilization practices have led to low crop yields, worsened by challenging environmental conditions and poor groundwater quality in the Cholistan region. To address this, we conducted an experiment to assess the impact of two fertilizer application approaches on potato cv. Barna using plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) coated biofertilizers. The first approach, termed conventional fertilizer application (CFA), involved four split applications of PGPB-coated fertilizers at a rate of 100:75 kg acre–1 (N and P). The second, modified fertilizer application (MFA), employed nine split applications at a rate of 80:40 kg acre–1.ResultsThe MFA approach significantly improved various plant attributes compared to the CFA. This included increased plant height (28%), stem number (45%), leaf count (46%), leaf area index (36%), leaf thickness (three-folds), chlorophyll content (53%), quantum yield of photosystem II (45%), photosynthetically active radiations (56%), electrochromic shift (5.6%), proton flux (24.6%), proton conductivity (71%), linear electron flow (72%), photosynthetic rate (35%), water use efficiency (76%), and substomatal CO2 (two-folds), and lowered non-photochemical quenching (56%), non-regulatory energy dissipation (33%), transpiration rate (59%), and stomatal conductance (70%). Additionally, the MFA approach resulted in higher tuber production per plant (21%), average tuber weight (21.9%), tuber diameter (24.5%), total tuber yield (29.1%), marketable yield (22.7%), seed-grade yield (9%), specific gravity (9.6%), and soluble solids (7.1%). It also reduced undesirable factors like goli and downgrade yields by 57.6% and 98.8%, respectively. Furthermore, plants under the MFA approach exhibited enhanced nitrogen (27.8%) and phosphorus uptake (40.6%), with improved N (26.1%) and P uptake efficiency (43.7%) compared to the CFA approach.ConclusionThe use of PGPB-coated N and P fertilizers with a higher number of splits at a lower rate significantly boosts potato production in the alkaline sandy soils of Cholistan.

Sterile sentinels and MinION sequencing capture active soil microbial communities that differentiate crop rotations

BackgroundSoil microbial communities are difficult to measure and critical to soil processes. The bulk soil microbiome is highly diverse and spatially heterogeneous, which can make it difficult to detect and monitor the responses of microbial communities to differences or changes in management, such as different crop rotations in agricultural research. Sampling a subset of actively growing microbes should promote monitoring how soil microbial communities respond to management by reducing the variation contributed by high microbial spatial and temporal heterogeneity and less active microbes. We tested an in-growth bag method using sterilized soil in root-excluding mesh, “sterile sentinels,” for the capacity to differentiate between crop rotations. We assessed the utility of different incubation times and compared colonized sentinels to concurrently sampled bulk soils for the statistical power to differentiate microbial community composition in low and high diversity crop rotations. We paired this method with Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing to assess sterile sentinels as a standardized, fast turn-around monitoring method.ResultsCompared to bulk soil, sentinels provided greater statistical power to distinguish between crop rotations for bacterial communities and equivalent power for fungal communities. The incubation time did not affect the statistical power to detect treatment differences in community composition, although longer incubation time increased total biomass. Bulk and sentinel soil samples contained shared and unique microbial taxa that were differentially abundant between crop rotations.ConclusionsOverall, compared to bulk soils, the sentinels captured taxa with copiotrophic or ruderal traits, and plant-associated taxa. The sentinels show promise as a sensitive, scalable method to monitor soil microbial communities and provide information complementary to traditional soil sampling.

Physical properties and organic carbon in no-tilled agricultural systems in silty Pampas soils of Argentina

Context Under continuous long-term no-till farming, many silty soils develop platey and massive compacted structures in topsoil, ascribed to low crop diversification and intense agricultural traffic. Aims We hypothesise that agricultural scenarios of greater diversification and cropping intensity should increase carbon (C) inputs and total and particulate organic C, resulting in the disappearance of these platey and massive compacted structures and soil compaction. Methods The hypothesis was tested in 55 selected production fields (lots or macro-plots of trials with a cultivated area greater than 15 ha) and five non-cultivated sites across the Rolling Pampas of Argentina. The whole area was covered by fine, illitic, thermal, silty loams (Typic Argiudolls, US Soil Taxonomy; Typic Phaeozems, FAO Soil Map). Based on estimations of the crop intensity index (CII; proportion of days in the year with active crop growth) and recent agricultural history of crop sequences, sampled fields were grouped into five categories: soybean (Glycine max) monoculture (CII &lt; 0.45; mean CII = 0.39); low intensity cropping sequence (CII = 0.45–0.60; mean CII = 0.50); high intensity cropping sequence (CII = 0.60–0.80; mean CII = 0.66); pastures for hay bale production (CII = 1.0); and quasi-pristine situations (areas with non-implanted and non-grazed grass vegetation or with negligible stocking rate, CII = 1.0). Key results Total C inputs to soil varied within ~1400–7800 kg C ha−1 year−1 and were significantly and positively related to crop intensity index (P &lt; 0.0001, r = 0.83). The highest (P &lt; 0.05) soil organic C levels were observed in the first 0.05 m of soil and quasi-pristine conditions (even higher than under pasture), and the lowest (P &lt; 0.05) under soybean monoculture. In the 0.05–0.20 m soil layer, quasi-pristine conditions had significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher soil organic C levels; the other situations did not differ. Soil organic C and particulate organic C levels (0–0.05 m layer) were related to both CII and annual C input. Platey structures and clods &gt;0.1 m (0–0.2 m layer) were negatively related to CII (r = −0.59 and −0.45, respectively; P &lt; 0.0001) and C inputs from crops (r = −0.60 and −0.29, respectively; P &lt; 0.01). Nevertheless, this did not result in soil compaction alleviation, as shown by soil bulk density, maximum penetration resistance and water infiltration variations. About 92% of the samples with soil bulk density above the threshold (1.35 Mg m−3), and about 32% of the total records, presented levels of maximum penetration resistance, aeration porosity and/or water infiltration beyond the values suggested as critical. Conclusions Although soil organic C in topsoil varied as hypothesised, the studied soil physical properties did not. This partially rejects our hypothesis. Implications This study underscores the intricate interplay between crop intensity, SOC enhancement, soil structure improvement and the persistent challenge of subsoil compaction.

Farmers participatory evaluation of bread wheat varieties through seed producer cooperatives: evidence from Ethiopia

The limited engagement of farmers and their community agents in the process of variety development and evaluation is one of the main factors for lower rates of variety adoption, which resulted in lower crop productivity. Participatory bread wheat variety evaluation was jointly conducted by breeders, members of seed producer cooperative (SPC) and local experts with the objectives to identify farmers’ selection criteria, to assess farmers’ preferred varieties and to increase the SPC’s variety portfolios. Twelve released bread wheat varieties were evaluated during 2019 cropping season at Sekela district of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Pair-wise ranking was used to identify farmers’ selection criteria and direct matrix ranking to prioritize those selected criteria. Varieties were planted in two sets with and without lime application. Grain yield, followed by earliness, disease tolerance, and tillering capacity, was identified the first preferred criterion by farmers. The mean values showed that higher yield was recorded with the lime application compared to no lime application. Lemu (6.4 t/ha), Alidoro (6.3 t/ha), Dambal (6.3 t/ha), Obora (6.1 t/ha) and Liben (6.1 t/ha) had greater yield with lime application. The t-test results indicated that significant difference between with and without liming for the number of tillers per plant, spike length per plant, plant height, 1000 seed weight, and hectoliter weight, but non-significant difference for grain yield. The selected varieties should be included in the production plan of the cooperatives for large scale production to increase the variety portfolios and to address the demand of the farming community.

Tracking Gross Primary Productivity Using Satellite Solar Induced Fluorescence: Insights Across Agricultural Ecosystems of India

AbstractAccurately estimating gross primary productivity (GPP) in heterogeneous cropping systems from satellite data poses a challenge. In this study, for the first time, we examined how satellite solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) tracks GPP in India's diverse cropping system. A significant correlation (r = 0.70–0.90, p ≤ 0.05) at 0.0833° spatial resolution is observed between 8daily and monthly FLUXCOM GPP and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment‐2 (GOME‐2) SIF. Compared to GOME‐2 SIF the finer resolution, TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) SIF showed greater potential (r = 0.80–0.95, p ≤ 0.05) in estimating GPP and crop productivity, except for Southern and Northeastern parts of India. These regions of India have heterogeneous cropland and low crop area fraction as identified from normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), near‐infrared reflectance of vegetation and local moran's index map of NDVI. This heterogeneity leads to differences in the timing of growth stages across the annual cycle, such that the SIF signal is characterized by low seasonal variability across the cycle, leading to low correlation between GPP and SIF. Further, in addition to physiological control the intra‐annual variability of GPP‐SIF relationship (GPP/SIF ratio) is influenced by temperature, radiation, and moisture availability during peak/late growing seasons. However, in the early growing season, it primarily relies on soil moisture. Our findings should help improve GPP estimation using SIF across the agricultural ecosystems of India.

CRISHI :A Crop Recommendation System

Abstract: The Crop Recommendation System proposes a mixed model to suggest crops for Indian states, considering various factors such as soil pH, moisture, NPK levels, crop data, and temperature. This suggestion model is constructed as a sample model incorporating supervised machine learning algorithms. The technology- based agricultural crop identifier model aims to enhance farmers crop yield by identifying appropriate crops based on their parameters. The efficacy of the recommendation model lies in its ability to recommend the right crop for specific conditions, which in turn contributes to addressing agricultural and farming challenges and boosting the Indian economy by maximizing crop production. The system also includes a grading process to identify crop quality and signalling the presence of low and high-quality crops. The utilization of a set of classifiers facilitates improved decision-making through multiple classifiers. The assessment process includes a request for decisionmaking to determine the outcomes of the classifiers

DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Summer cover crop and temporary legume-cereal intercrop effects on soil microbial indicators, soil water and cash crop yields in a semi-arid environment

ContextFew studies have investigated summer cover crops as a replacement for bare fallow in semi-arid temperate regions, and summer cover crop impacts on soil biological function, water balances and subsequent winter crop yields in these regions remain largely unknown. ObjectiveThe 4-year field study aimed to determine the consequences of replacing a summer fallow with a summer growing cover crop on soil function, water balances and subsequent winter cash crop yields in a semi-arid region (486 mm mean annual rainfall) of the Australian southern cropping zone. MethodsA canola (Brassica napus)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation with summer fallow was compared to the same rotation with either i) a single species (buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum L.) summer cover crop; ii) a four-species mixed brassica + cereal summer cover crop or iii) a cropping sequence with a temporary legume intercrop in the wheat phase of the rotation. Cover crop biomass production, soil water to a depth of 90 cm at cash crop sowing, crop yields and soil functional indices were quantified. ResultsCover crops produced 500–700 kg biomass ha−1 in the 2020 and 2021 seasons and 1000–2400 kg biomass ha−1 in 2022. The four-species mixed cover crop significantly lowered soil water (around 30 mm; P < 0.05) at the time of sowing the cash crop compared to the control and resulted in 15% reduction (P = 0.12) in canola seed yield in 2020, but no significant effect of cover crops of soil water and mineral N at sowing, or cash crop yields, were observed in subsequent seasons. In 2021 the temporary vetch intercrop produced > 1000 kg ha−1 biomass over 9 weeks, and led to a (non-significant) 10% wheat yield reduction. There was no significant effect of cover crop or temporary intercrop treatments on soil functions in the 2020 or 2021 seasons, but activities of several soil enzymes (leucine aminopeptidase, arylsulfatase and B-glucosidase; P < 0.05) and water-soluble carbon (P = 0.059) were significantly higher in the summer cover crop plots compared to control and intercrop plots in March 2022 following termination of the cover crops. These changes coincided with a significant increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity in the four-species cover crop plots in March 2022 compared to control plots. ImplicationsThe study did not provide any compelling evidence for benefits of summer cover crops over fallow in the short term (3–4 years). The relatively low cover crop biomass production over the 4-year study suggests summer cover crops are unlikely to substantially improve soil carbon levels in temperate, semi-arid cropping systems.

Development of Regenerative Tea Cultivation Models through Dual Approach of Soil and Plant Health Management towards Crop Sustainability, Soil Quality Development, Pesticide Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation: A Case Study from Lakhipara Tea Estate,

Climate change is a reality and its impact on the tea plantations is apparent in the rise of pest intensity, higher agrochemical use, inconsistent crop yields, declining grand growth period, increased abiotic stress and various other challenges; that threaten long-term sustainability of the Indian tea sector. The urgency to adopt sustainable practices is increasing by the day but to gain time bound results a comprehensive focus encompassing soil and plant health development will be crucial. To deal with climate challenge head-on, the Indian tea industry is making changes at various levels of operations. The sustainable tea initiative at Lakhipara tea estate, was one such attempt by the Goodricke Group Limited in their Dooars tea growing region of West Bengal. The program was initiated in 2014 with an aim to reduce pesticide use, improve soil quality, and produce quality teas while sustaining crop yields, improving renewable energy use and lowering the carbon footprint. Adoption of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology and taking the essence from ‘Trophobiosis Theory’ of French Scientist F. Chaboussou, the program focused on management of soil and plant health. Three years evaluation of crop yields in respect of the budgeted crop, revealed on an average an excess of 78 kg/ha/year in the project area. In rest of the garden area a contrasting crop loss of 118 kg was recorded per ha during the same period. The higher crop performance positively correlated with the higher nutrient use efficiency which was 17.7 percent higher in the project area (NUENPK : 8.86) as compared to the general garden area (NUENPK : 7.53), which reflected the impact of plant health management towards enhanced nutrient uptake, assimilation and utilization. Assessment of pesticide usage, revealed up to 77% decrease in usage in the project area during 2014-16, as compared to the pre- project year. Comparison with pesticide usage of the Dooars tea growing region during this same period, indicated a 62% lower Crop Pesticide Pollution Index (CPPI) in the project area. The finding indicated a 52 to 77% reduction in the accumulated toxicity potential of the applied pesticides in the project area; thereby accrediting safer tea development under this program, when adjudged in terms of pesticide residue. Assessment of soil quality revealed an overall eight percent increment in Soil Fertility Index (FI) value, with significant improvement in soil microbial activity potential (MAP) values i.e., by almost four times. The finding pointed towards the favourable impact of soil health management primarily through Novcom composting towards enhancement of soil microbial interactions. Post three years of experimentation the overall Soil Quality Iindex (SQI) value increased by 6% in the project area. The finding corroborated a concurrent 6.72% increase in the soil organic carbon stock during the same period. Reduction in use of non- renewable inputs viz. chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the project area was indicated by approximately 40 percent enhancement in energy use efficiency and energy productivity post the assessment period. Carbon assessment in terms of kg CO2 equivalents/ kg made tea (using ACFA version 1.0) indicated approx. 65 to 70 % lower footprint in the project area, primarily due to 20 to 30 % reduction in chemical fertilizers and 60 to 70 % reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides. The results indicated that while integrated soil management is the pre-requisite criteria towards rejuvenation of soil health and for restoration of the habitat for predators, it does not play a direct role in reducing the pest pressure and simultaneously the requirement of pesticides. Physiologically activated plants/ bushes on the other hand; due to their higher nutrient assimilation capacity and efficient protein synthesis are always lesser susceptible to pest attack. Hence, focus on activation of plant physiology can reduce the plant- pest interaction leading to a natural reduction in the requirement for pesticides vis-à-vis the pesticide usage.