Moisture Conservation Practices Research Articles

Professional networks and access to extension as drivers of sustainable agricultural practices among Ghanaian oil palm farmers

Increasing agricultural productivity through the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) offers a credible pathway to addressing food insecurity while preserving vital ecosystem resources, as such, factors that drive farmers' decisions to adopt these SAPs need examination. Most extant studies, on the adoption of SAPs, however, tend to place emphasis on socioeconomic incentives, giving little attention to the role of professional networks and institutional factors especially on oil palm which has strong links to deforestation and reduction in tree cover despite the numerous economic benefits. Using cross-sectional data from six oil palm producing regions in Ghana, this study analyses the role of producer membership, links with institutions such as NGOs, and extension access in the adoption of improved seeds, fertilizers, pest management practices, soil and moisture conservation practices, and legume cover crops among oil palm farmers in Ghana. The study employs a multivariate probit model to examine the probability of adopting SAPs and a poisson regression to model the intensity of SAPs adopted. The study also uses the instrumental variable approach to circumvent the issue of endogeneity. Results indicate that these networks and institutions significantly affect farmers’ adoption of SAPs. The study also finds heterogeneous associations with the adoption decisions depending on the type of innovation. In particular, we show evidence that farmers’ link with formal institutions is negatively associated with the adoption of diverse input intensive technologies, whereas it is positively associated with the adoption of natural resource management technologies. However, we find a consistent positive association of membership of producer organization on the adoption of different SAPs except legume cover cropping. Though differing relationships, we find that extension access and membership of producer organization are significantly associated with the intensity of SAPs adoption. Taken together, our findings suggest an integrated approach by the actors in the promotion of SAPs.

Effect of Sowing Dates and Seed Priming on Agrometeorological Indices and Soil Moisture Regimes of Chickpea in North Central Plateau Zone NCPZ of Odisha

Background: field experiment entitled “Effect of sowing dates and seed priming on agrometeorological indices and soil moisture regimes of Chickpea in NCPZ of Odisha” was conducted at RRTTS, Keonjhar, Odisha, during the Rabi season for two consecutive years i.e., 2021-22 and 2022-23. Method: The field experiment was laid out in factorial RBD design with three replications and two factors. There were 3 dates of sowing in Factor A (D1-25 November, D2-5 December, D3- 15 December) and 5 moisture conservation practices in Factor B (M1- Control, M2- Seed priming with water for 8 hours, M3- Osmopriming (Seed priming with CaCl2 solution @0.5% for 8 hours), M4- Straw mulch@ 5t/ha and M5- Straw mulch@ 5t/ha +Seed priming with CaCl2 solution @0.5% for 8 hours). Seed priming controls the hydration of seeds that helps in the pre germinative metabolic activity of the seeds. So even if the soil has less moisture that will not affect the uniform and proper germination of the seeds. All together there were 15 treatment combinations. The test crop variety taken was JAKI-9218. Among the three dates of sowing, D2 (5th Dec) sowing recorded the tallest plants (41.47 cm). but were recorded in D1 (25 Nov) sowing. Early sowing on 25th November recorded the maximum number of primary and secondary branches and required a greater number of days to 50% flowering (41.8 days) and days to physiological maturity (101.1 days). Results: Among the moisture conservation practices, M5 (Straw mulch@ 5 t/ha+Seed priming with CaCl2 solution @ 0.5% for 8 hours) recorded the tallest plants, maximum number of primary and secondary branches, maximum number of days taken to 50% flowering (40.7 days) and days taken to physiological maturity (100.1 days), maximum number of pods per plant (44) and number of seeds per pod (3.62), grain yield (1812 kg/ha) and straw yield (218 kg/ha). This treatment recorded the minimum consumptive use of water (203.5 mm) and rate of moisture use (1.36 mm/day) but the moisture use efficiency was maximum (12.34 kg/ha-mm). Treatment M5 recorded the maximum growing degree days (2182°C day), heliothermal unit (15077°C day hrs), photothermal unit (22595°C day hrs) and heat use efficiency (0.94 kg/ha/°C) to reach maturity. Chickpea when combined with suitable date of sowing and moisture conservation practices for proper utilization of carry-over residual soil moisture in the rice fallows gives higher yield.

Effects of Soil Moisture Conservation and Nutrient Management on Soil Water Content and WUE of Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in Eastern Ethiopia

Water and nutrients are the most constraining factors in sorghum production in semiarids of eastern Ethiopia. Combining soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practices may reduce these limitations. The study was carried out to explore the effects of combining soil moisture preservation and integrated nutrient management practices on soil water content and water-use efficiency (WUE) of grain sorghum. A split plot experiment was conducted at Babile and Erer districts amid the 2017 cropping season. Main plots were assigned to soil moisture conservation practices (flatbed and tied ridge) and the sub-plots were assigned to six nutrient combinations of 0N0P kg + t FYM; 46N10P kg + t FYM ha-1; 0N0P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1; 23N5P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1; 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1. Treatments were randomized in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The sorghum variety 'Teshale' was used as a test crop. The results uncovered that both biomass and grain water-use efficiencies considerably improved with tied ridges coordinates with NP and FYM than other treatments. Tied ridges combined with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1 were way better than those of tied edges. The tied edges with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 (M5) as compared to unfertilized flatbeds, had brought about approximately 110 and 99% increment in biomass WUE and around 114 and 124% increment in grain WUE at Babile and Erer areas, respectively. Essentially, soil water content was higher for tied ridges amended with FYM and integrated NP and FYM as compared to other treatments. We, hence, concluded that combining moisture conservation impacts with the integrated nutrient amendment would improve soil water content and water-use efficiency of grain sorghum in eastern Ethiopia.

Impact of Vermi-compost and Hydrogel (Pusa) on Soil Dynamics, Nutrient Uptake & Water Productivity of Wheat Crop

A field experiment was conducted during winter (Rabi) season of 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the Crop Research Centre of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India to study the Impact of different irrigation levels and moisture conservation practices on wheat crop. Three irrigation levels were three viz., I1 (at CRI stage), I2 (at CRI, Booting and Milking) and I3 (at CRI, Late tillering, Late jointing, Flowering and Milking stage) and moisture conservation practices (Application of pusa hydrogel @ 5 kg/ha, Vermi-compost @ 1t/ha, pusa hydrogel @ 5 kg/ha + Vermicompost @ 1t/ha and no application) were tested in split plot design (SPD) with three replications. Results revealed that the highest total nitrogen (105.22 and 97.48 kg/ha), phosphorus (23.05 and 20.94 kg/ha) and potassium (141.96 and 138.41 kg/ha) uptake was recorded with five irrigations followed by three irrigations during first and second years, respectively. Besides, this treatment also gave highest nutrient uptake by crop along with maintaining the soil fertility and moisture status. Thus, in wheat application of 5 kg pusa hydrogel+1t Vermi-compost/ha with five irrigations seems to more effective in the sandy loam soils of North Western Plain Zones of Western Uttar Pradesh.

Understanding the Knowledge Level of Farmers towards Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies in Agro-climatic Zones of Tamil Nadu, India

Aims: Although farmers experience various technical, technological, production, labor-related and marketing constraints to carry out agricultural activities, climate change acts as the root cause of several other constraints. Climate change consequences drastically reduce agricultural yield by affecting critical changes of crop growth and questions food and nutritional security; additionally it also imposes economic loss to the country. Hence, to ensure food and nutritional security for the growing population and to ensure sustainable income for the farming community, a farmer has to tackle the consequences of climate change by adoption of CSA technologies Farmer’s knowledge level towards any technology, determine its rate of adoption. Hence, this study aims to assess the knowledge level of farmers towards CSA technologies in Agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu.
 Study design: Ex-post facto research design was employed in the study.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in seven agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu viz., Villupuram district of North Eastern Zone, Namakkal district of North Western Zone, Coimbatore district of Western Zone, Tiruvarur district of Cauvery Delta Zone, Ramanthapuram district of Southern Zone, Kanyakumari district of High Rainfall Zone and the Nilgiris district of the Hilly Zone of Tamil Nadu during 2022-2023.
 Methodology: From each of Agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu, the vulnerable districts or the districts with NICRA project have been identified and the CSA technologies adopted by the farmers were documented. Thirty farmers who adopts CSA technologies from each agro-climatic zone were selected and interviewed personally to assess their knowledge level towards those technologies in a five point continuum ranging from ‘No knowledge’ (1), ‘Minimal knowledge’ (2), ‘Basic knowledge’ (3), ‘Adequate knowledge’ (4) and ‘Superior knowledge’ (5) respectively. The gathered responses were subjected to percentage analysis.
 Findings: The findings revealed that Villupuram, Coimbatore and Tiruvarur farmers had superior knowledge on precision based nutrient management, Namakkal farmers had superior knowledge on use of additives and supplements in livestock feed, Ramanathapuram farmers had superior knowledge on utilization of weather based agro-advisory services, Kanyakumari farmers had superior knowledge on adoption of moisture conservation practices and Nilgiris farmers had superior knowledge on adoption of improved seed varieties and use of biofertilizers.
 Conclusion: Villupuram, Coimbatore and Tiruvarur farmers had superior knowledge on precision based nutrient management; Namakkal farmers had superior knowledge on use of additives and supplements in livestock feed; Ramanathapuram farmers had superior knowledge on utilization of weather based agro-advisory services; Kanyakumari farmers had superior knowledge on adoption of moisture conservation practices and, The Nilgiris farmers had superior knowledge on adoption of improved seed varieties and use of biofertilizers. Thus, it can be concluded that farmers had superior knowledge on CSA technologies based on their perceived climatic change consequences and their accessibility to location specific technologies.

Future Outlook of Dryland Crop Production Systems in the Semi-Arid High Plains Amid Climate Change

Dryland agriculture or dry farming is a type of crop production that relies on stored soil moisture and occasional rainfall without providing supplemental irrigation. Dryland agriculture is a predominant crop production system in the semi-arid High Plains of the United States where water resources are scarce, drought is frequent, and grain yields are low. Producers are struggling to balance their pest management needs with soil moisture conservation practices such as no or reduced tillage, as well as loss of efficacy for some herbicide chemistries. The predicted increase in dryland farming acreage due to increasing underground water resource limitations and climate change, it is prudent to understand major pest issues in dryland agriculture to develop research-lead solutions.

Water management and irrigation for bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) growth and development in the Papua New Guinea Highlands

Water is crucial for nutrient intake, transportation, temperature regulation, and photosynthesis in bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) growth and development. Water scarcity, caused by climate variability and particularly during prolonged dry periods, has proved to be an obstacle to cultivating bulb onions in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Highlands. Farmers have a limited grasp of the interdependence of soil, water, and plants. They have traditionally depended on precipitation, and water from streams and rivers, to irrigate their bulb onion crops. The main method for providing irrigation support is manual irrigation, with agricultural organisations assisting with basic irrigation technologies. Despite farmers and organisations efforts to improve irrigation practices, the prolonged dry season still raises labour demands for bulb onion farms. Farmers’ lack of knowledge about irrigation technology and soil water conservation contributes to this issue. Moreover, the lack of irrigation suppliers worsens the issue of limited soil water in onion farms. This paper gives an overview of onion production in PNG, focusing on irrigation practices and constraints in the Highlands region. It aims to stress irrigation’s importance in crop growth and explore PNG’s irrigation methods and soil moisture conservation practices. There is a need for a sustainable irrigation and soil water conservation system that is easy to use and incorporates crop water requirements. This system is vital for watering onions and conserving soil moisture, promoting their growth and yield. In this context, the use of mulch and irrigation systems can preserve and enhance soil moisture during prolonged dry phases.

Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices on, Yield Attributes, Yield and Quality of Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern&Coss

A field experiment was carried out during two consecutive years (2016-17 and 2017-18) at Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyala, Chitrakoot, Satna,(M.P.). Indiato evaluate the effect of moisture conservation practices on growth, yield attributes and yield of mustard under rainfed condition. Treatment consisted four moisture conservation practices i.e. no irrigation, life saving irrigation, straw mulch (Paddy straw @ 4t/ha) and kaolin 5 % spray. Result revealed that on pooled basis the tallest plant of 195 cm was recorded under life saving irrigation but number of branches (6.82) and dry weight per plant (39.8 cm) were significantly maximum in straw mulch treatment. The yield attributes such as siliqua per plant (298.5), seeds/siliqua (15.9), siliqua length (3.97 cm), seed weight per plant (17.06 g) and 1000- seed weight (5.57 g) were significantly superior under straw mulch followed by life saving irrigation. Significantly highest seed yield (2558 kg/ha), oil content (42.0 %) and protein content (20.5%) were obtained under straw mulch treatment while numerical enhancement was observed in life saving irrigation and kaolin 5% spray over no irrigation.

Productivity and Profitability of Sesame / Green Gram / Urdbean – Mustard Based Cropping Systems under Moisture Conservation Practices

A field experiments was conducted on sandy loam soil during 2016 -17 and 2017 -18 at M.G. chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna (M.P.) to find out the most productive and profitable mustard based cropping system under different moisture conservation practices. Treatment consisted three cropping systems viz. Sesame –mustard, green gram-mustard and urdbean –mustard and four moisture conservation practices (no irrigation, life saving irrigation, straw mulch @4 t/ha and kaolin 5% spray). Results revealed that on pooled basis of two years mulching @4 t/ha produced significantly higher grain yield of sesame (512 kg/ha), green gram (1023 kg/ha) urdbean (2349 kg/ha) and mustard (2558kg/ha) than no irrigation while numerical enhancement were recorded under life saving irrigation and kaolin 5 % spray treatment in seed yield of sesame, green gram, urdbean and mustard crop. The maximum mustard equivalent grain yield of 3759 kg/ha, system production efficiency of 33.52 kg/ha/day and system profitability of 339.00 Rs/ha/day was recorded under green gram – mustard system. Among the moisture conservation practices, straw mulch treatment had highest mustard equivalent grain yield of 4021 kg/ha, production efficiency of 35.83 kg/ha/day and system profitability (35.83 Rs/ha/day). The gross returns (Rs 182764/ha), net returns (Rs 139644/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.24) were maximized under green gram- mustard system x straw mulch @4 t/ha treatment on pooled basis.

Potential of Moisture Conservation Practices to Improve Soil Properties and Nutrient Status of Robusta Coffee Plant

Soil moisture conservation practices (SMCPs) have been adopted in Uganda to adapt to the effects of climate variability. However, limited information exists on how conservation measures influence the physico-chemical properties of soil and coffee leaf nutrient concentrations. Thus, we determined the effects of selected SMCPs on the soil physio-chemical properties and leaf nutrient concentrations in Robusta coffee in a randomized incomplete block design, replicated three times, in Kituza, Uganda. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm depths, and analyzed in the laboratory following standard procedures for selected physio-chemical properties. Coffee leaf samples were picked from each treatment (open sun coffee (COSS), coffee cover crop, Desmodium intortum (CCS), coffee mulch, Miscanthidium violoceum (CMS), and coffee A. coriaria (ACS)). Bulk density was significantly (p < 0.001) the highest under ACS (1.61 gcm−3) and lowest under CCS (1.29 gcm−3), and it significantly (p < 0.001) increased with depth. The soil organic matter was higher than the optimum range of 1–3% at the 0–20 cm depth across different SMCPs, but within the optimum range at the 20–40 cm depth. Leaf nitrogen was significantly the highest under ACS (3.19%) and lowest under COSS (2.30%). Overall, the findings suggest that SMCPs improve the soil physio-chemical attributes and leaf nutrients for sustainable coffee productivity. However, ACS improved the leaf plant nutrition better compared to other SMCPs.

Farmer’s Knowledge on Weed Management, Soil Fertility and Moisture Conservation Practices on Rice Production, A Case Study of Mbarali District in Tanzania

This study was intended to investigate farmer’s knowledge on weed management, soil fertility and moisture conservation in rice production. A field survey was conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 in Mbarali District involving 90 rice growers, whereby structured questionnaire was used cropping seasons 2020-21. The collected data were analysed to determine distribution of respondents per variables using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16. Mean separation in each variable was done using independent sample t-test at p≤0.05 level of significance to determine whether there was statistically significance different between each agronomic practice and productivity. The results revealed that weeds and soil fertility were big problems on rice productivity in Mbarali. The majority (98.9%) of interviewees reported to have challenges of weed infestation and all (100%) responding inadequate soil fertility constrains rice productivity, which forced them to use inorganic fertilizer for better yield. Farmers (43.3%) interviewed reported to have applied herbicides to control weed and majority (56.7%) of interviewees’ practised hand weeding as measures to manage weed infestation. Three practices which are application of inorganic fertilizer (100%) incorporating crop residues (90%) and application of organic manure (6.7%) were determined as being practised by farmers that facilitate the improvement of soil nutrients and conservation of water. Furthermore three types of seeds were identified as being used by farmers; Certified (6.7%), Quality declared seed (QDS) (36.7%) and Farmer saved seed (FSS) (56.7%). Furthermore, the results indicated significantly higher yield of famers use certified seeds (2.83 t/ha, P≤0.041), (23.67 t/ha, P≤0.001) and (3.52t/ha P≤0.001) for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 production seasons respectively. How to Cite: Mkoka Hamza Juma, Kallunde P. Sibuga, Newton L. Kilasi, 2023. "Farmer’s Knowledge on Weed Management, Soil Fertility and Moisture Conservation Practices on Rice Production, A Case Study of Mbarali District in Tanzania." Journal of Agriculture and Crops, vol. 9, pp. 233-239.

Performance of anjan tree (Hardwickia binata)-based silvopasture systems under moisture-conservation practices in semi-arid conditions

A field experiment was conducted during 2013–2018 on 5-year-old anjan (Hardwickia binata Roxb.)-based silvopasture system at the ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The treatment consisted of establishment of 3 grasses in association with H. binata with 3 moisture-conservation practices. Establishment of guria grass [Chrysopogon fulvus (Spreng.) Chiov.] in association with H. binata resulted in significantly higher dry pasture yield (6.40 t/ha) than guinea grass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs; syn. Panicum maximum Jacq.] (6.02 t/ha) and found statistically at par with buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) (6.39 t/ha). Among the moisture-conservation practices, construction of staggered trenches recorded significantly higher green top feed (2.04 t/ha), dry top feed (1.21 t/ha) and firewood (1.40 t/ha) of H. binata than without moisture-conservation practices (1.64, 0.83 and 0.89 t/ha) and bund (1.89, 1.04 and 1.31 t/ha) respectively. Construction of bund across the slope recorded significantly higher moisture content at 0–15 cm (8.71%) and 15–30 cm (9.78%) soil depth as compared to without moisture-conservation practices. However, at 30–60 cm soil depth, moisture content was significantly increased (9.63%) in trenches than the control plots. Available nutrients (N 239.5 and 225.1, P 8.53 and 8.22 and K 221.3 and 212.1 kg/ha) and organic carbon (0.60% and 0.57%) increased significantly where bund and trenches were constructed than no moisture-conservation practice respectively. In term of monetary returns, Chrysopogon fulvus showed the maximum net returns (`35,485/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.53), followed by Cenchrus ciliaris (`33,853/ha and 1.51 respectively) and Megathyrsus maximus (`32,107/ha and 1.49 respectively) utilized in grazing mode by goats and sheep at the rate of 2 adult cattle unit. Sustainable yield index of staggered trenches and bund were higher (0.79 and 0.76) than without moisture-conservation practice (0.67) which showed that yields obtained under moisture-conservation practices were more stable over the years than no moisture-conservation practices.

Studies on Irrigation Scheduling, Moisture Conservation Practices and Nutrient Management on Performance of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive Rabi seasons 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Students’ Instructional Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The field experiment allocated three irrigation scheduling namely: I1: two irrigations at CRI (crown root initiation) and Jointing stage, I2: three irrigations at CRI, Jointing and Booting stage and I3: Four irrigations at CRI, Tillering, Booting and Milking stage, two moisture conservation practices viz: M0: without mulching and M1: Organic mulch at the rate of 10 t ha-1 + Kaolin 6% spray and three nutrient management practices viz: N1: 100% Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (150:60:40 kg ha-1 NPK), N2: 85% RDF + Farm yard manure (FYM) @ 5.0 t ha-1 and N3: 75% RDF + FYM @ 10.0 t ha-1. The field experiment was laid out in double split plot design with three replications. On pooled basis of two years experimentation the results indicated that, four irrigations at CRI, Tillering, Booting and Milking stage recorded significantly highest value of crop growth rate (CGR) (13.15 and 19.28 g m-2 day-1 at 30-60 and 60-90 days after sowing (DAS), respectively), grain yield (4381.60 kg ha-1) and consumptive use of water (457.39 mm) while, significantly highest water use efficiency (11.97 kg ha-1 mm) was received under two irrigations at CRI and Jointing stage over the rest of irrigation schedules. In respect of moisture conservation practices, organic mulch @ 10 t ha-1 + Kaolin 6% spray recorded significantly water use efficiency (11.41 kg ha-1 mm) compared to without mulching treatment while, highest consumptive use of water (380.72 mm) was recorded under without mulching. Integration of 85% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 recorded significantly maximum water use efficiency (10.99 kg ha-1 mm) compared to other treatments while, highest consumptive use of water (381.41 mm) was recorded under the treatment of 100% RDF.

Moisture Conservations Options for Boosting System Productivity under Pearl Millet: Cluster Bean Strip Intercropping

The present investigation was carried out to study the Moisture conservations options for boosting system productivity under Pearl millet: Cluster bean strip intercropping under aberrant weather situations of south-western Haryana. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising nine treatments replicated thrice. Pearl millet: Cluster bean strip cropping (6:3) under deep summer ploughing recorded maximum land equivalent ratio (1.37) and pearl millet equivalent yield (29.30 q/ha) over conventional and straw mulching practices. While, the highest gross return Rs. 50134, net return Rs. 21749 and B:C (1.77) also recorded under Pearl millet: Cluster bean strip cropping (6:3) under deep summer ploughing (30 cm depth) over other treatments. Pearl millet: Cluster bean strip cropping (with raw ratio 6:3) under deep summer ploughing (30 cm depth) moisture conservation practice significantly improvement of system productivity, land equivalent ratio and pearl millet equivalent yield of pearl millet + Cluster bean strip cropping system.

Intercropping of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus) as influenced by moisture conservation practice in rice fallow

A field experiment was conducted at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, during the rabi season of 2021- 2022 to evaluate a suitable linseed and lathyrus intercropping system (s) in rice fallow and to evaluate the effect of mulching with paddy straw on growth and yield of linseed and lathyrus intercropping system. The treatments were laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The experiment consisted of two factors, viz. mulching and cropping systems. There were two levels of mulching viz. no mulching (M0 ) and mulching @ 2 tons/ha (M1 ) of paddy straw and five levels of cropping systems viz. sole linseed (C1 ), sole lathyrus (C2 ) linseed: lathyrus 1:1 ratio (C3 ), linseed: lathyrus 2:1 ratio (C4 ) and linseed:lathyrus 3:1 ratio (C5 ). Mulching with paddy straw @ 2 tons per hectare resulted in a significant increase in the growth and yield attributing parameters of both linseed and lathyrus. Among the cropping systems, the highest growth and yield parameters of linseed were obtained from linseed: lathyrus 1:1 row ratio succeeded by 2:1 and 3:1. Linseed had shown better performance when intercropped with lathyrus as compared to sole crop. However, lathyrus could perform best under sole cropping compared to intercropping systems since linseed offered competition to lathyrus. The highest relative crowding coefficient and land equivalent ratio was obtained from linseed: lathyrus 1:1 ratio followed by 2:1 and 3:1. Linseed+lathyrus 1:1 row ratio also resulted in the highest linseed equivalent yield among all the intercropping systems.

Effect of different source of N and insitu Soil moisture conservation practices for the maximization of Maize yield and economic return

Effect of different source of N and insitu Soil moisture conservation practices for the maximization of Maize yield and economic return

Productivity and profitability of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) under varied crop geometry and soil moisture conservation practices

Rice, a vital staple food, plays a critical role in ensuring food and nutrition security for millions of people. Rice production faces various challenges from both biotic and abiotic stresses, with soil moisture stress being a significant limitation, especially in rainfed upland ecologies. While crop improvement strategies have made progress in addressing abiotic stressors, the complex and diverse nature of these challenges requires a combination of crop improvement and agronomic interventions to stabilize rice productivity and profitability. To explore these factors, an experiment was conducted during the Kharif (rainy) season of 2019 at the instructional farm of the College of Agriculture in Kerala. The aim was to investigate how cropping patterns and in-situ soil moisture conservation practices impact the growth and yield of upland rice. The research employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), incorporating two distinct crop configurations and strategies for conserving soil moisture. The findings showed that paired-row planting in conjunction with live cowpea mulching, hydrogel application, and coir pith compost was superior in terms of crop growth, as evidenced by elevated Leaf Area Index (LAI) at 4.81 and increased dry matter production at 5.5 t/ha. Furthermore, this approach resulted in higher grain yield (3.8 t/ha), straw yield (7.7 t/ha), improved moisture content (29.12% at 60 days after sowing and 18.49% at physiological maturity), and reduced proline content (0.26 µmol/g FW). The maximized net returns of 62887 Rs/ha. and a Benefit-to-Cost (B:C) ratio of 1.8 was recorded for upland rice.

Effect of irrigation regime, Pusa hydrogel and vermicompost on growth, productivity and soil-nutrient status in late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Crop Research Centre of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India to study the effect of Pusa hydrogel and vermicompost on crop productivity and soil nutrient status in late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Three irrigation levels, viz., I1 [at crown-root initiation (CRI) stage], I2 (at CRI, booting and milking) and I3 (at CRI, late tillering, late jointing, flowering and milking stage), and 4 moisture-conservation practices, viz. application of Pusa hydrogel @ 5 kg/ha, vermicompost @ 1 t/ha, Pusa hydrogel @ 5 kg/ha + vermicompost @ 1 t/ha and no application, were tested in split-plot design, with 3 replications. Results revealed that, the growth parameters, viz. of plant height (106.6 and 103.8 cm), tillers/m, dry-matter accumulation (184.5 and 195.0 g/m), leaf-area index (3.15 and 3.23) and harvest index, of wheat were significantly higher under 5 irrigation levels than 3 and 1, being the lowest under 1 irrigation during 2015–16 and 2016–17, respectively. The wheat received 5 irrigations outyielded wheat received 3 and 1 irrigations during the first and second years by 7.6, 68.8% and 8.1 and 69.4% respectively. Similarly, wheat grown with 3 and 5 irrigations recorded 5.98 and 5.84 q/ ha and 28.88 and 26.65 q/ha higher straw yield during 2015–16 and 2016–17 respectively. The highest available nitrogen (229.9 and 232.2 kg/ha) and potassium (177.2 and 179.1 kg/ha) were recorded with 5 irrigations, followed by 3 irrigations during the first and second years, respectively. The combined application of Pusa hydrogel @ 5 kg + vermicompost @ 1 t/ha over no application at harvesting resulted in 33.2 and 31.0% more dry-matter production/ m and 34.6 and 38.4% higher grain yield/ha, besides 231.0 and 233.3 kg N, 14.6 and 15.1 kg P and 175.5 and 177.8 kg K/ha with 0.494 and 0.512% organic carbon after harvesting during 2015–16 and 2016–17, respectively

Impact of Irrigation Scheduling, Moisture Conservation Practices and Nutrient Management on Performance of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive Rabi seasons 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Students’ Instructional Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, situated at 125.9 meter altitude, 26.491220 North latitude, 80.3070120 East longitude, to study “Impact of irrigation scheduling, moisture conservation practices and nutrient management on performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)”. The experiment consisted three irrigation scheduling viz: I1: two irrigations at CRI and Jointing stage, I2: three irrigations at CRI, Jointing and Booting stage and I3: Four irrigations at CRI, Tillering, Booting and Milking stage, two moisture conservation practices viz: M0: without mulching and M1: Organic mulch @ 10 t ha-1 + Kaolin 6% spray and three nutrient management practices viz: N1: 100% RDF (150:60:40 kg ha-1 NPK), N2: 85% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 and N3: 75% RDF + FYM @ 10.0 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in double split plot design with three replications. On pooled basis of two years experimentation the results indicated that, four irrigations at CRI, Tillering, Booting and Milking stage (I3) recorded highest value of grain yield (4381.60 kg ha-1), straw yield (6651.15 kg ha-1) and harvest index (39.70 %) with profitability in terms of net return (Rs. 83908.79 ha-1), under moisture conservation practices, organic mulch @ 10 t ha-1 + Kaolin 6% spray (M1) recorded significantly highest grain yield (4230.40 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6578.57 kg ha-1). Among the nutrient management treatments, 85% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 (N2) also recorded maximum grain yield (4117.60 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6338.71 kg ha-1) and net return (Rs. 77770.83 ha-1) compared to other treatments.

Effect of in situ soil moisture conservation practices on maize and its crop residue incorporation on yield and economics of succeeding transplanted rice Var. ADT 46

Crop residue incorporation is a key component of sustainable cropping systems. It reduces the adverse effects of residue burning and enhances soil fertility. Effective usage of crop residue in the field and proper management are required. With this background, a field experiment was conducted during 2020 – 21 in the maize-rice cropping sequence at Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu to find out the residual effect of different mulching practices adopted in preceding maize crop and maize stubble incorporation on the growth, yield and economics of transplanted rice Var. ADT 46. The field experiment was conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. In factor I, soil moisture conservation in preceding maize crop viz., mulching of sugarcane trash, water hyacinth, hydrogel and control were allotted. In factor II, different levels of maize crop stubble incorporation on rice viz., 0, 33, 66 and 100% were provided. Water hyacinth mulched plot (M3) to the preceding crop registered significantly (þ <0.05) higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns of succeeding rice. The lower values were observed in unmulched (M1) plot. With respect to maize crop stubble incorporation on rice crop, the incorporation of 66% (SI3) of maize stubble registered higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns. In the interaction effects, mulching with water hyacinth to preceding maize + maize crop stubble incorporation at 66% in rice crop (M3SI3) recorded significantly (þ <0.05) higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns than other treatments. The lowest values were recorded with an unmulched + 100% crop residue incorporated (M1SI4) plot. Mulching the preceding maize crop with water hyacinth at a rate of 12 t ha-1 and incorporating 66% maize stubble into the transplanted rice (M3SI3) had a remarkable yield advantage and financial rewards.