Net Returns Research Articles

Efficacy of Plant Growth Regulators on Different Yield Parameters of Cucumber cv. Malini under Shade Net Conditions

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of different plant growth regulators on yield of cucumber cv. Malini under shade net conditions. The experiment was carried out with 10 treatments GA3 at 75 ppm, 150 ppm and 250 ppm, Ethrel at 100 ppm, 200 ppm and 300 ppm, Salicylic acid at 75 ppm, 150 ppm and 250 ppm and control (water spray) in 3 replications. The yield parameters like number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit length etc. were significantly influenced by plant growth regulators. Among all yield parameters superior values for maximum days taken for final harvest (86.49 days), maximum fruit weight (248.00 g) were recorded in treatment GA3 at 250 ppm, treatment GA3 at 75 ppm was recorded with the highest values for number of fruits per vine (9.46) and fruit diameter (4.56cm) and GA3 at 150 ppm recorded with highest values for fruit length (21.33 cm) as compared to other treatments. Among all treatments, treatment with GA3@ 75 ppm showed positive effect in terms of gross returns and over all net returns.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Apple Production in Jumla District, Nepal: Status, Economics, Marketing and Challenges

Apple production is a vital sector of agriculture in Nepal, significantly impacting local livelihoods and the regional economy. This study, conducted in Jumla District, Nepal, from January to July 2022, aims to comprehensively assess apple production, including its existing conditions, economic implications, marketing and challenges. The research hypothesizes that while apple production in Jumla District contributes significantly to the local economy, it faces challenges related to pest and disease management, marketing, and adoption of modern practices. Using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), descriptive statistics were computed based on data collected from a sample of 80 respondents selected through simple random sampling. The result revealed that agriculture constituted the primary source of income for 73.75% of the population, with an average landholding size of 0.3428 ha and an apple-growing land area of 0.3164 ha. Income from apple production, along with vegetables and fruits, was a major income source. The average annual sales of apple production were 7.291 t/ha. Labor costs accounted for 45.67% of the total cost of apple production, with an average total production cost of NPR 238,097.2 and average gross returns of NPR 485,500. Apple productivity was 9.71 t/ha, demonstrating its economic viability with net returns of NPR 247,402.80 per ha and benefit cost ratio of 2.039. However, the study found that farm produce only sufficed for 6-9 months, with pest and disease incidence and marketing issues as major challenges. Interventions should address pest and disease management, marketing strategies, and modern practices adoption to enhance sustainable and profitable apple production in Jumla. Efforts to extend farm produce sufficiency should also be explored, highlighting apple production's potential and the need for targeted support to overcome challenges and foster sector development.

Effect of Different Integrative Weed Management Tactics on Paddy (Oryza sativa L.) during kharif in terai Region of West Bengal

Background: Now a days chemical control measures alone develops resistance in different weed species. Integrative weed management techniques are more effective and sustainable than chemical management. Based on these facts, a field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2019 and 2020 at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya to investigate the impact of integrative weed management treatments on growth attributes, yield attributes, yield, weed indices and economics of paddy. Methods: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four replications. In each replication, five integrated weed management treatments were done namely, pretilachlor + paddy weeder (P1), pyrazosulfuron followed by metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron ethyl (P2), bispyribac sodium + paddy weeder (P3), completely no weed (P4) and No treatment (P5). Result: Among the chemical and integrative weed control options, bispyribac sodium + paddy weeder i.e., treatment P3 showed significantly better results than others in case of all the growth attributes and yield attributes except 1000-grain weight. Significantly higher grain yield than all other treatments were recorded in treatment P4 i.e., complete weed free (6.68 t ha-1) followed by treatment P3 i.e., bispyribac sodium + paddy weeder (6.54 t ha-1). Among all the treatments, weed indices like weed control index (80.17, 72.30 and 82.51% at 30, 45 and 60 DAT, respectively) and weed control efficiency (76.48, 79.01 and 80.79% at 30, 45 and 60 DAT, respectively) showed highest results on all the dates whereas weed persistence index at 90 DAT (0.91) and weed index (2.10%) were calculated lowest in treatment P3 i.e., bispyribac sodium + paddy weeder after treatment P4 i.e., completely no weed treatment. This study also indicated rice treated with P4 i.e., weed free showed highest gross return (₹116700 ha-1) and rice treated with P3 i.e., bispyribac sodium at 15 DAT + paddy weeder at 30 DAT showed highest net return (₹59269 ha-1) and benefit:cost (2.07).

Influence of Zinc and Boron on Growth and Yield of Rice

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The treatments consist of three levels of zinc and three levels of boron and one control was used. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments each replicated thrice. The results showed that growth parameters viz., plant height (116.77 cm), number of tillers per hill (31.13), dry weight (106.07 g/hill) and yield attributes viz., number of effective tillers per hill (9.53), number of filled grains per panicle (129.33), test weight (15.87 g), grain yield (5.57 t/ha) straw yield (8.77 t/ha) and harvest index (38.44 %) were recorded significantly higher with the application of zinc 15 kg/ha along with boron 6 kg/ha. Maximum gross returns (155166.77 INR/ha), Net returns (102889.22 INR/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.97) were also recorded in treatment-9.

Impact of CFLD Pulses on Blackgram Productivity and Profitability in Farmers’ Field of Gariyaband District

Background: Among the pulses grown in the kharif season, blackgram occupies 8654 ha area in the Gariyaband district. But because of improper cultivation practices, blackgram yield is quite low (430 kg/ha). Thus Cluster Frontline Demonstrations were planned and carried out to disseminate latest package of practices to the farmers inorder to boost blackgram production and productivity. Methods: 50 cluster frontline demonstrations were conducted during kharif season of 2020-21 and 2021-22 in farmer’s field at Mauhabhatta and Kamepur villages of Gariyaband district, Chhattisgarh State. The demonstrations were carried out in 20 ha area to show the higher production potentiality of the technique using improved variety Indira Urd-1. Result: The results revealed that improved seed of Indira Urd-1 treated with Rhizobium +PSB and recommended plant protection cover, recorded average yield of 6.82 q/ha as compared to 4.35 q/ha in control plot. The demonstrated technology gave higher net returns and B:C ratio of 28087 Rs/ha and 3.02 in comparison to control (16245 Rs/ha, 1.67). The average extension gap, technology gap and technology index recorded were 2.47q/ha, 5.18 q/ha and 43.16% respectively. The results indicate that adoption of improved production technologies minimized the yield gap and provided higher economic returns to the farming community.

Exploring Microeconomic Dynamics and Challenges in Vegetable-Based Farming System

Horticulture based farming could be one of the potential sources to increase the income of farmers and employment generation in agrarian agriculture, as well as meeting the demand for healthy foods with changing consumption habit of the growing population. Therefore, during 2020-21, present study was conducted in Nagaon district of Assam with a sample size of 100 farmers using multistage random sampling where pretested schedule was used by PRA and interview method to examine the status, income, employment, and problems associated with horticulture-based farming system. Arecanut and coconut are found to be the common crops grown by all the selected farmers and the highest net return of Rs.298480 per ha from Vegetables+ Livestock component+ Spices +Coconut/Arecanut farming system out of the 6 selected farming systems. The labour employment was highest in Rice +Vegetables +Toria +Fishery+ Coconut/Arecanut farming system. In order to prioritize the problem, Pareto analysis is done and it has been found that animal menace and pest and disease are the major production problems causing (› 80 %) out of total 10 production problems. Marketing problems like processing, assembling and storage facility are major problems causing (› 80 % problems) among the sample farmers. To deal with the problems these farmers should be given proper training on management of animal and pest menace, proper storage facilities and post-harvest management. This may be the best strategy to address the yield loss occurs due to spoilage.

Enhancement of Yield, Nitrogen use Efficiency, Production Economics of Fodder Oat through Selection of Appropriate Genotype and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application

Growing fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) genotype with high yielding potential with adequate nitrogen could enhance the fodder yield and quality to bridge the gap between demand and supply of green fodder. Therefore, an experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of different genotypes and nitrogen levels on yield, nitrogen use efficiency, production economics, and agro-meteorological parameters of fodder oat at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar. Six oat genotypes, viz., Kent, JO-07-28, OS-403, OS-6, HFO-904 and HFO-906, were sown with 40, 80 and 120 kg of nitrogen per hectare. The experiment was set up using a split-plot design, with three replications of the genotypes in the main plots and N levels in sub-plots. Results revealed that genotype JO-07-28 was significantly superior to Kent (check) with respect to green fodder yield whereas both were comparable to each other with respect to dry matter yield, crude protein content and yield. Kent showed maximum N, P and K uptake and heat use efficiency, helio-thermal and photo-thermal unit efficiency. However, genotype JO-07-28 yielded the highest net returns (Rs. 27421/ha), B:C ratio (1.85), and economic efficiency (Rs. 271/ha/day). Among other nitrogen levels, application of 120 kg N/ha recorded the maximum yields of green fodder (371 q/ha) and dry matter (91 q/ha), crude protein content and yield, N uptake, net returns (Rs. 23096/ha), B:C ratio (1.71) and economic efficiency (Rs. 231/ha/day) and heat use efficiency (7.60), helio-thermal and photo-thermal unit efficiency which were statistically equivalent to 80 kg N/ha. Genotype JO-07-28 and HFO-904 were the most N efficient genotype in terms of partial factor productivity of N fertilizer and nitrogen utilization efficiency, respectively. Enhancement in level of N application reduced the nitrogen use efficiency.

Risk-averse corporate investment behavior and the effectiveness of quantitative easing

This paper analyzes how risk-averse investment behavior in a liquidity trap can render quantitative easing ineffective under certain circumstances. For risk-averse firms that could lever either a risky investment project or a riskless alternative, I show that the real interest rate responsiveness of a relative net investment return causes both the interest-rate sensitivity of investment and the slope of the aggregate demand (AD) curve to bifurcate. Except for the scenario of sufficiently low investment return and high real interest rates, investment is positively related to real interest rates and the AD curve is downward sloping; under the circumstances, quantitative easing backfires but laissez faire helps stimulate investment instead.

Studies on Chemical Weed Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.)

An investigation was carried out at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kalaburagi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during kharif 2021-22 entitled studies on chemical weed management practices on growth and yield of blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.)]. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications. Among all the treatments, hand weeing at 25-30 DAS, recorded significantly lower weed density, higher weed control efficiency that favoured higher growth and yield parameters. Whereas, among the chemical weed management practices, application of sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% EC @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 at 20-25 DAS as post emergent recorded significantly lower weed population (2.71/0.25 m2), lower weed dry weight (1.53/0.25 m2) and higher weed control efficiency (90.31 %) compared to other chemical weed management treatments. The treatment sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% EC @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 at 20-25 DAS as post emergent also recorded significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height (40.18 CM), number of branches (9.18), and dry matter production at harvest (23.50 g plant-1) and yield components viz., number of pods plant-1 (46.69 ), number of seeds pod-1 (7.89), 100 seed weight (4.7 g), seed yield (1059 kg ha-1) compared to other treatments. Significantly higher net returns (Rs.48,406) were recorded in hand weeding at 25-30 DAS and intercultivation at 45 DAS, which was on par with application of sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% EC @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 at 20-25 DAS (Rs.45,066 ha-1). The higher benefit cost ratio was recorded with application of sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% EC @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 at 20-25 DAS (3.08) followed by hand weeding at 25-30 DAS and intercultivation at 45 DAS.

Enhancing Productivity of Rajma (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by Managing Soil Acidity and Organic Nutrient Management under Arunachal Hill Conditions

A study was conducted at farmers’ field of Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh to test the effect of organic sources of soil nutrient management with Lime for soil acidity management and for yield improvement of Rajma (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) variety Chitra. The experiment was conducted by following 3 treatments: T1: (Lime @ 350 kg/ ha+ FYM @ 4 t/ha + Neem cake @300 kg/ha+ vermicompost @ 4 t/ha + Azospirillum 10kg/ha, T2: FYM @ 4 t/ha + Neem cake @ 300 kg/ha + vermicompost @ 4 t/ha + Azospirillum 10 kg/ha. T3: (Farmers’ Practice) -FYM + N: P2O5: K2O: 40:20:15 kg/ha (imbalance doses of fertilizers) with 5 replications following randomized block design during 2021-22. From the results it is revealed that T1: (Lime @ 350 kg/ ha+ FYM @ 4 t/ha + Neem cake @300 kg/ha+ vermicompost @ 4 t/ha + Azospirillum 10kg/ha, had showed significantly higher seed yield (10.2 q/ha), gross return (Rs 1,53,000/), net return (Rs 106,824) and B:C ratio (2.31), followed by T2 (FYM @ 4 t/ha + Neem cake @ 300 kg/ha + vermicompost @ 4 t/ha + Azospirillum 10 kg/ha), seed yield 9.3 q yield, Rs. 1,39,500/ gross return, Rs 95,620 net return and 2.17 B:C ratio. While, lowest yield and B:C ratio was recorded (7.1 q/ha, B: C ratio 1.84) with T3 (Farmer’s practice). Moreover, improved soil nutrient status was achieved in T1 followed by T2 and T3.

Effect of Nitrogen on the Performance of Finger Millet in Eastern Ghat High Land Zone of Odisha, India

An experiment was conducted to find out performance of finger millet varieties to different levels of nitrogen under rainfed condition in kharif season of 2019 to 2021 at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station (OUAT), Semiliguda, Koraput, Odisha, India. Four varieties of finger millet (Kalua, OEB- 602, Bhairabi and Arjun) and three different nitrogen levels (40, 60 and 80 kg/ha) along with 30 kg/ha each of phosphorus and potassium were laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The varieties were taken in the main plots and different nitrogen levels were assigned to the sub plots. The results revealed that highest number of tillers (6.1/hill), fingers (8.3/ear head), finger length (8.8 cm) along with maximum grain yield (2491 kg/ha), net return (Rs. 39464 per ha) and B: C ratio (1.94) were obtained with finger millet variety Arjun followed by Bhairabi. The application of 80 kg N/ha gave highest number of tillers (5.7/hill), fingers (7.7/ear head), finger length (8.4 cm) and grain yield (2399 kg/ha) with highest net return (Rs. 36237 per ha) and B: C ratio (1.86). From the present investigation, it can be concluded that finger millet variety Arjun can be grown with application of 80 kg N/ha along with 30 kg/ha each of phosphorus and potassium for maximum yield and economic return.

Crop–livestock-integrated farming system: a strategy to achieve synergy between agricultural production, nutritional security, and environmental sustainability

IntroductionClimate change, nutritional security, land shrinkage, and an increasing human population are the most concerning factors in agriculture, which are further complicated by deteriorating soil health. Among several ways to address these issues, the most prominent and cost-effective means is to adopt an integrated farming system (IFS). Integrating farming systems with livestock enables a way to increase economic yield per unit area per unit of time for farmers in small and marginal categories. This system effectively utilizes the waste materials by recycling them via linking appropriate components, thereby minimizing the pollution caused to the environment. Further integrating livestock components with crops and the production of eggs, meat, and milk leads to nutritional security and stable farmer's income generation. So, there is a dire need to develop an eco-friendly, ecologically safe, and economically profitable IFS model.MethodsAn experiment was conducted to develop a crop–livestock-based integrated farming system model for the benefit of irrigated upland farmers in the semi-arid tropics for increasing productivity, farm income, employment generation, and food and nutritional security through efficient utilization of resources in the farming system.Results and discussionThe IFS model has components, viz., crop (0.85 ha) + horticulture (0.10 ha) + 2 cattles along with 2 calves in dairy (50 m2) + 12 female goats and 1 male goat (50 m2) + 150 numbers of poultry birds (50 m2) + vermicompost (50 m2) + kitchen garden (0.02 ha) + boundary planting + supporting activities (0.01 ha) in a one-hectare area. The model recorded a higher total MEY (162.31 t), gross return (689,773), net return (317,765), and employment generation (475 mandays). Further negative emissions of −15,118 CO2-e (kg) greenhouse gases were recorded under this model. The study conclusively reveals that integration of crop, horticulture, dairy, goat, poultry, vermicompost production, kitchen garden, and boundary planting models increases the net returns, B:C ratio, employment generation, nutritional security, and livelihoods of small and marginal farmers.

Growth, Yield Attributes, Yield and Economics of Mustard (Brassica Juncea L.) as Affected by Different Varieties and Spacing

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Narayan Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Gopal Narayan Singh University, Jamuhar, Sasaram, Rohtas, (Bihar) during the Rabi season of 2022-2023 to access the effect of different varieties and spacing on growth and yield of mustard. Treatment consisted of three varieties RH- 404, DRMR-1165-40 and NRCM-101 and three spacing viz. 30×10 cm, 40×10 cm and 50×10 cm. Present Experiment was conducted under randomized block design with three replications. The result of experiment showed that growth viz, plant height and dry weight and yield attributes viz., number of seeds/siliqua, biological yield (Kg/ha) and economics viz., cost of cultivation (Rs/ha), gross return (Rs/ha), net return (Rs/ha) and B:C ratio and yield were significantly affected due to different varieties and spacing. The maximum plant height (165.72 cm), dry weight (35.32 g/plant), number of seeds/siliqua (15.97), gross return (124623.3 Rs/ha), net return (74004.5 Rs/ha) and B:C ratio of (1.48) was found in treatment combination of NRCM-101 + 40 cm × 10 cm. However treatment combination of DRMR-1165-40 + 30 cm × 10 cm recorded maximum biological yield (6665.37 kg/ha).

Growth, yield and economics of fodder grasses at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

To study the growth, yield and economics of fodder grasses at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, experiment was established in July 2022 with three treatments and five replications. In this study planted three fodder grasses viz., Pennisetum purpurmum × Pennisetum typhoides (Hybrid napier), Brachiaria mutica (Para grass) and Stylosanthes hamata (Stylo). Results indicated that the maximum height was found in T1: Hybrid Napier 186.60 cm followed by T2: Para grass 132 cm and minimum in T3: Stylo 57 cm. The plant population was maximum found in T3: Stylo 16 followed by T1: Hybrid Napier and T2: Para grass 4 whereas number of tillers or branches per meter square found maximum in T3: Stylo 159.80 followed by T1: Hybrid Napier 158.60 and minimum in T2: Para grass 120. The green fodder yield and dry fodder yield was maximum found in T1: Hybrid Napier 860.16 and 266.65 qha-1 followed by T2: Para grass 438.77 and 122.86 qha-1 and minimum in T3: Stylo 194.65 and 36.98 qha-1 respectively. The maximum net return was found in T1: Hybrid Napier Rs. 75,660 followed by T3: Stylo Rs. 62.505 and minimum in T2: Para grass Rs. 61,605. The maximum B:C ratio was found in T1: Hybrid Napier 2.86 followed by T3: Stylo Rs. 2.61 and minimum in T2: Para grass Rs. 2.29.

Direct and spillover effects of short‐ and long‐term land pricing drivers: Evidence from Italian districts, 1992−2019

AbstractThe global economic and food crisis has increased the demand for land and rekindled the interest in farmland market investments worldwide. This study explores the Italian farmland market, investigating its main influencing factors from 1992 to 2019 using a spatial econometric framework. Traditional land characteristics and location‐specific agricultural factors, as well as non‐agricultural factors, are assessed. The average level of farmland prices and their growth are analyzed by modeling the potential types of spatial interactions, and the results are corroborated by considering different configurations of spatial weight matrices. The results show that farmland markets are influenced by land's current net returns as well as by its potential alternative uses. Therefore, factors considered external to the agricultural dimension, such as population pressure, climate change, and speculative expectations, increasingly shape farmland prices.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Carbon Footprint, and Grain Yields of Rice-Based Cropping Systems in Eastern China

A multiple cropping system is beneficial for utilizing natural resources, while increasing the grain production and economic outputs. However, its impact on greenhouse gas emissions is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of rice-based cropping systems on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, the carbon footprint (CF), grain yields, and net economic returns in eastern China. Four treatments were applied: rice–fallow (as a control), rice–milk vetch, rice–wheat, and rice–rapeseed. Methane and N2O emissions were measured every 7 days via static chamber and gas chromatography methods from the 2019 rice season to the 2021 non-rice season. The CF was calculated based on the life cycle assessment. The results showed that multiple cropping systems significantly increased the annual grain yield by 1.2–6.4 t ha−1 and the annual CH4 and N2O emissions by 38–101 kg CH4-C ha−1 and 0.58–1.06 kg N2O-N ha−1, respectively. The average annual net returns for rice–wheat and rice–rapeseed were 131–150% greater than those for rice–milk vetch and rice–fallow. The annual CFs increased in the following order: rice–wheat (19.2 t CO2-eq ha−1) > rice–rapeseed (16.6 t CO2-eq ha−1) > rice–milk vetch (13.9 t CO2-eq ha−1) > rice–fallow (11.5 t CO2-eq ha−1). The CH4 emissions contributed to the largest share of the CF (60.4–68.8%), followed by agricultural inputs (27.2–33.7%) and N2O emissions (2.9–5.9%). Moreover, nitrogen fertilizer accounted for 65.6–72.4% of the indirect greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural inputs. No significant difference in the CF per unit grain yield was observed between the four rice-based cropping systems. The CF per net return of rice–wheat and rice–rapeseed significantly decreased by 37–50% relative to that of rice–fallow and rice–milk vetch. These findings suggest the potential to optimize rice-based cropping systems for environmental sustainability and grain security.

Sustainable intensification of climate-resilient maize–chickpea system in semi-arid tropics through assessing factor productivity

Global trends show that the rapid increase in maize production is associated more with the expansion of maize growing areas than with rapid increases in yield. This is possible through achieving possible higher productivity through maize production practices intensification to meet the sustainable production. Therefore, a field experiment on “Ecological intensification of climate-resilient maize–chickpea cropping system” was conducted during consecutive three years from 2017–2018 to 2019–2020 at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. Results of three years pooled data revealed that ecological intensification (EI) treatment which comprises of all best management practices resulted in higher grain yield (7560 kg/ha) and stover yield compared to farmers’ practice (FP) and all other treatments which were deficit in one or other crop management practices. Similarly, in the succeeding winter season, significantly higher chickpea yield (797 kg/ha) was recorded in EI. Further EI practice recorded significant amount of soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and iron after completion of third cycle of experimentation (0.60%, 235.3 kg/ha,21.0 kg/ha,363.2 kg/ha,0.52 ppm and 5.2 ppm respectively). Soil enzymatic activity was also improved in EI practice over the years and improvement in each year was significant. Lower input energy use was in FP (17,855.2 MJ/ha). Whereas total output energy produced was the highest in EI practice (220,590 MJ ha−1) and lower output energy was recorded in EI–integrated nutrient management (INM) (149,255 MJ/ha). Lower energy productivity was noticed in EI-INM. Lower specific energy was recorded in FP and was followed by EI practice. Whereas higher specific energy was noticed is EI–INM. Each individual year and pooled data showed that EI practice recorded higher net return and benefit–cost ratio. The lower net returns were obtained in EI-integrated weed management (Rs. 51354.7/ha), EI-recommended irrigation management (Rs. 56,015.3/ha), integrated pest management (Rs. 59,569.7/ha) and farmers’ practice (Rs. 67,357.7/ha) which were on par with others.

Influence of Protected Cultivation Structures on Vegetable Crops

Protected farming is a new technology that is being utilized to grow high-value crops like flowers, vegetables, and other perishable commodities. In contemporary agriculture, protected structures offered an enormous chance for greater productivity and production. Protected cultivation, which is the most effective way to deal with climatic variation provide favourable environment for crop growth thereby achieving greater yield and high-quality produce. Protected cultivation structures such as polyhouses, low tunnels, shadow shade net houses, and green houses are frequently used for crop cultivation. Further, the vegetables grown under these structures possess better quality, decreased pesticide residue and higher yields than the ones grown under open-field conditions. As compared to open field cultivation, the reduction in irrigation water requirement was 35.6 % for shadow hall, 35.2 % for polyhouse and 25.5 % shade net house cultivation. Shadow hall is most suited for the cultivation of vegetables as depicted by higher growth and yield parameters, followed by polyhouse, shade net house. Thus, in terms of enhancing agricultural production, soil fertility, profitability, and sustainability, among other aspects, protected structures-based farming is more beneficial than open field conditions. The analysis of the evaluation showed that compared to open environments, the gross and net returns under protected structures (protective cultivation) were much greater.

Optimality and water conservation under non-system and system tank commands of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract Indian agriculture relies on irrigation. India's net irrigated area has tripled in 60 years, although tank-irrigated regions suffered a large decline. This study examines the potential for improving tank irrigation performance through linear programming by developing individual optimal plans for two different tank irrigation systems (non-system and system tank) in the Chittoor and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. The optimal plans under non-system tanks allocated less land under paddy while improving groundnut areas to optimally reorganize resources among head, middle, and tail ends. Net returns were maximized to ₹ 2.63, ₹ 2.52, and ₹ 1.92 lakhs. The system tank optimal plans advised less water-intensive crops like pulses and sesame over sugarcane with maximized net returns of ₹ 5.35, ₹ 2.61, and ₹ 1.71 lakhs. Both physical (kg/m3) and economic water productivity (₹/m3) were highest among optimal crop mix under non-system and system tank command farms. Participatory water management, adoption of less water-intensive crops, and promotion of pressurized technologies were highly recommended in the study area and similar agro-climatic conditions

An Investigation into the Impacts of Preparatory Tillage and Nutrient Management on Barley Yield and Economic Viability in the Context of Water Stress Conditions

A number of field tests were carried out at the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology's Soil Conservation and Water Management Farm in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, during the successive rabi seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22. The gangatic alluvial soil in the study area had a pH of 7.6, which was indicative of its light texture and moderate soil fertility. The study included three different treatments that included preparatory tillage techniques: T1 treatment was one cross plowing with a cultivator; T2 treatment was one disc harrow plowing followed by another cross plowing with a cultivator; and T3 treatment was one disc harrow plowing plus one rotavator pass. The experiment also looked into three different nutrient management strategies: N1, which involved applying 100% of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF)—60 kg of N, 30 kg of P2O5, and 30 kg of K2O—through chemical fertilizers; N2, which involved applying 75% of the RDF through chemical fertilizers along with 25% of Farm Yard Manure (FYM); and N3, which applied 50% of the RDF through chemical fertilizers along with 50% of FYM. In addition to applying 50% RDF through chemical fertilizers combined with 50% FYM, the results of the two-year experiment showed that planting barley crops in plots that received one disc harrow plowing and one rotavator pass yielded the maximum values across growth factors, yield attributes (such as grain yield q ha-1, straw yield q ha-1, biological yield q/ha, as well as harvest index), net return, gross return, and the barley benefit-to-cost ratio. This was noted in both years in a consistent manner. The next best results were seen with preparatory tillage, which involved using a cultivator to plough a single cross and applying chemical fertilizers to achieve 100% RDF (N1: 60 kg N ha-1 + 30 kg P2O5ha-1 + 30 kg K2Oha-1).