Crop Output Research Articles

A conceptual framework for the contextualization of crop model applications and outputs in participatory research

Contextualization of generic scientific knowledge to context-specific farmer knowledge is a necessary step in farmers’ innovation process, and it can be achieved using crop and farm models. This work explores the possibility to simulate a large number of scenarios based on farmers’ descriptions of their environment and practices in order to contextualize the discussion for each participating farmer. It presents a novel framework consisting of six actions divided in three phases, namely, phase I—reaching out to the farmers’ world: (i) project initialization; (ii) determination of the agronomical question anchored in farmers’ context; (iii) characterization of the environment, the management options, and the indicators to describe the system under consideration; phase II—within researchers’ world: (iv) crop model parametrization; (v) translation of model outputs into farmer-proposed indicators; and phase III—back to farmers’ world: (vi) exploration of contextualized management options with farmers. Two communication tools are created during the process, one containing the results of simulations to feed the discussions and a second one to create a record of it. The usefulness of the framework is exemplified with the exploration of soil fertility management with manure and compost applications for sorghum production in the smallholder context of Sudano-Sahelian Burkina Faso. The application of the framework with 15 farmers provided evidence of farmers’ and agronomists’ understanding of options to improve cropping system performance with better organic amendment management. This approach allowed farmers to identify and relate to the scenarios simulated, but highlighted interrogations on how to adapt the crop model outputs to particular situations. Though applied on issues related to tactical change at field level, the framework offers the opportunity to explore broader issues with farmers, such as farm reconfiguration.

Mutual Relations Between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Ralstonia solanacearum in Potato Brown Rot Disease

Abstract Potato brown rot disease can devastate potato production. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) are known to boost crop output. This study examines the interaction between AMFs and Ralstonia solanacearum, focusing on their effects on tuber yield and brown rot incidence. AMF increased the tuber yield by 68% (P = 0.03) in sandy soil and 30% (P = 0.047) in clay soil, along with an increase in HCO₃⁻ in sandy soil by 56% (P = 0.001) and a 24% increase in clay soil (P = 0.002). A 12% decrease in soil organic matter from 1.37 to 1.20% (P = 0.044) was recorded in sandy soil. AMF increased the pathogen populations in the rhizosphere from 3.2 to 7.8 (log CFU/g, P = 0.02) in sandy soil without a significant increase in Area Under the Disease Progression Curve. The pathogen decreased AMF colonization by 47% in sandy soil and 48% in clay soil, as well as sporulation by 63% in sandy and 57% in clay soils respectively (P < 0.05 for all). It decreased the densities of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from 6.19 up to 5.39 (P = 0.001) in sandy soil and from 6.04 to 5.16 (P = 0.008) in clay soil. Additionally, the pathogen decreased the silicate-solubilizing bacteria from 6.94 to 5.32 (P < 0.001) in sandy and from 6.82 up to 6.17 (P = 0.04) in clay soils respectively. In conclusion, while AMF significantly increased potato yield, it is not recommended for soils infested with R. solanacearum due to the potential increase in disease risk. Graphical Abstract

Optimizing Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) for Enhanced Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Under Irrigated Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2021-22 at the Agronomy Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. This study attempts to examine how Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) affects chickpea growth, yield and productivity. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is a sustainable farming method that improves soil fertility, crop output, and quality by combining biofertilizers, organic and inorganic fertilisers, and other nutrient sources. In addition to providing the necessary plant nutrients, the use of vermicompost as an organic source and biofertilizers such as Rhizobium and PSB (Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria) as living sources in conjunction with inorganic fertilisers has improved the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil and contributed to environmental and soil sustainability. The treatments were as follows: T1: control, T2: 100% RDF (18:48:0 kg ha⁻¹), T3: 100% vermicompost (3.00 t ha⁻¹), T4: 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost (0.75 t ha⁻¹), T5: 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost (1.5 t ha⁻¹), T6: 25% RDF + 75% vermicompost (2.25 t ha⁻¹), T7: 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost (0.75 t ha⁻¹) + biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB), T8: 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost (1.5 t ha⁻¹) + biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB), and T9: 25% RDF + 75% vermicompost (2.25 t ha⁻¹) + biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB). The results indicated that the application of 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost (0.75 t ha⁻¹) combined with biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB) yielded the highest growth attributes, such as plant height (37.5 cm and 77.5 cm at 60 and 120 DAS, respectively) and dry matter accumulation (2.6 g/plant and 21.7 g/plant at 60 and 120 DAS, respectively). This treatment also showed the highest yield attributes, including the number of branches per plant (7.4), number of pods per branch (53.8), number of seeds per pod (2.0), and test weight (14.8 g). The highest grain yield, biological yield, straw yield, gross return and B:C ratio were recorded under the 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost (0.75 t ha⁻¹) + biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB) treatment, followed by the 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost (0.75 t ha⁻¹) and 100% RDF (18:48:0 kg ha⁻¹) treatments. The control treatment produced the lowest grain yield (1395 kg ha⁻¹). The maximum harvest index (45%) was observed in the treatment with 100% vermicompost (3.00 t ha⁻¹). The study highlights that the treatment of 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost (0.75 t ha⁻¹) combined with biofertilizers significantly improved growth attributes and yield components of chickpea. This finding underscores the role of INM in sustainable intensification of chickpea production. (*RDF; Recommended Dose of Fertilizer, *PSB; Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria.).

Sustainable Soil and Crop Management Practices to Boost the Crop Productivity and Soil Properties

Reducing poverty and attaining zero hunger and adequate nourishment are critical concerns confronting agronomic planners globally. Enhancing various agronomic methods, which significantly impact crop growth and output, is urgently required to achieve this objective. Soil deterioration has transpired globally due to soil pollution, eroding, salinity, and acidity. The intense farming practices devoid of sustainable practices have resulted in deteriorating soil quality, destruction of land, and significant environmental issues. Future initiatives to feed the expanding population should focus on enhancing agricultural output within sustainable ecosystems. Creative measures are essential in this context since conventional policies are insufficient to address these difficulties. The work proposed Sustainable Soil and Crop Management Practices (SS-CMP) to boost Crop Productivity (CP) and Soil Properties (SP). This includes Nutritional Management (NM), Location-Specific Nutrient Management (LSNM), Comprehensive Nutrition Management (CNM), Comprehensive Fertility Management (CFM) for soil, Comprehensive Soil-Crop Governance (CSCG), Sustainable Water Use (SWU), Agricultural Conservation (AC), Sustainable Soil Management (SSM), vertical cultivation, combined CMP, breeding methods, and additional methodologies amalgamated with scientific and behavioral modifications. Minimizing the use of substances, including herbicides and pesticides, and enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural supply use might reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) and safeguard biodiversity. SS-CMP offers potential benefits for humanity and the World, and its success relies on the collaboration of both rich and developing countries to pursue a shared vision of producing more food with less ecological impact.

A Review on Plant Monitoring System using ESP8266

Every nation has engaged in agriculture for a very long time. The science and skill of growing plants is called agriculture. The main factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization was agriculture. Agriculture has always been done by hand. Since the world is moving toward new technology and applications, it is imperative that agriculture follow suit. However, there are currently obstacles in agriculture as a result of rural-to-urban migration. Therefore, we have suggested an IOT and smart agriculture solution to address this issue. Agriculture, which is considered a science and a skill of plant cultivation, has been practiced throughout history in every nation. Technology is evolving in today’s world, and agriculture must likewise keep up with the times. A key component of smart agriculture is IoT. Sensors from the Internet of Things (IoT) are utilized to supply the data that is required for agricultural areas. Using wireless sensor networks to monitor agriculture and gather data from multiple sensors placed at different locations and transmitted over wireless protocols is the primary function of the Internet of Things. Node MCU powers smart agriculture through the use of IoT systems. The increasing demand for effective water management in agriculture in recent years has drawn a lot of attention to smart farming systems. Water use, crop output, and sustainability have all increased as a result of the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies with farming systems, which has created new opportunities for real-time monitoring and control. The farming system uses the PIR (Passive Infrared Sensor) to identify the presence of animals nearby. Determining the soil’s water content is mostly dependent on the soil and moisture sensor. By keeping an eye on the outside temperature, the temperature sensor offers important information about the surrounding environment. IoTbased smart agriculture is a cutting-edge method of farming that makes use of technology to maximize agricultural productivity. Manual labor and antiquated methods, which were frequently labor-intensive and ineffective, were key components of the conventional agricultural approach.

Exploring root system architecture and its importance in solanaceous vegetables: A review

The root system architecture (RSA) in solanaceous vegetables has become an exciting area of research, uncovering complex networks essential for plant development, nutrient absorption, and resistance. This review delves into the comprehensive scope of research surrounding roots, shedding light on their dynamic nature and implications for agricultural practices. The Solanaceae family comprises of various vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants, each with distinct root systems. Innovative methodologies have uncovered the complex and adaptive nature of these root systems. Roots of solanaceous vegetables have plasticity, reflecting their capacity to adjust to soil conditions, nutrient availability, and stressors. From the taproot structures in potatoes to the fibrous nature of tomato roots, this review synthesizes findings to elucidate the mechanisms behind root development and responses to environmental stimuli. Furthermore, the symbiotic associations between solanaceous crop roots and soil microorganisms have attracted significant interest. Understanding the intricate interactions between root exudates, microbial communities, and nutrient cycling opens avenues for sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the role of root architecture in fostering beneficial soil ecosystems. The implications of many research studies on RSA extend beyond academic interest and play a role in improving crop productivity. Understanding root system architecture enables breeders and agronomists to create cultivars with superior root characteristics, hence enhancing crop output, water-use efficiency, and resilience to abiotic challenges. Nonetheless, certain gaps persist, requiring additional investigation. A deeper investigation into the molecular mechanisms governing root development in solanaceous vegetables, particularly under changing climate scenarios is important for future research.

Maximizing Cereal Yields in South Asia: The Impact of Agricultural Inputs

Food security is a top priority of developing countries. Most of these countries are highly populated and face issues of low agricultural productivity and food poverty. In these nations, being self-sufficient in food supplies is a highly desired objective. This study aimed to determine the comparative impact of different inputs on the production of cereals in South Asia. The data used for the study is taken from the World Development Indicators (WDI), which spans the years 1990 to 2021. Owing to the nature of the data, the panel data model was used for analysis. All three-panel model techniques of pooled OLS, fixed effect, and random effects are employed for analysis. Nonetheless, fertilizer consumption, agricultural machinery in the form of tractors, and annual freshwater withdrawal are found to have a positive and significant impact on the output of cereal crops in the sample countries according to a large number of the model results. However, the results for the labor force and land are significant and inversely related to those for cereal crop production in the sample countries, which may be due to the predominance of capital-intensive agriculture. The results of this study will assist South Asian nations in addressing concerns about food supply and self-sufficiency more effectively. A lot of research has looked at how inputs affect agricultural productivity at the national or subnational level. In this study, the effects of several closely related agricultural inputs on "cereal production for entire South Asia" were examined. By changing investment, policy, market behavior, and overall agricultural productivity, the study will have a major economic impact on economies.

How multi-species pollination boosts strawberry yield, quality, and nutritional value

A diverse assemblage of insect visitors can provide functional complementarity within plant pollination due to differences in characteristics such as their physical traits, visitation rate and foraging time of day or year. In a horticultural context, greater functional complementarity may play a crucial role in enhancing fruit yield and quality by improving pollination. We tested whether the identity of the crop pollinators (bumblebee Bombus terrestris and hoverfly Eupeodes corollae) independently and additively influenced commercial strawberry yield, quality, and nutritional parameters such as vitamin C and sugar concentration. Fragaria x ananassa “Malling Champion” plants received pollination treatments of either a) “control”: self-pollination where pollinators were excluded, b) “bee”: bumblebee Bombus terrestris, c) “hoverfly”: Eupeodes corollae, d) “combined”: both B. terrestris and E. corollae. Hoverflies and bumblebees exhibited distinct visitation patterns throughout the day, establishing a functional complementary relationship that enhances pollination success and crop output as well as vitamin C concentrations. Strawberries from plants receiving pollination by bumblebees, or bumblebees and hoverflies combined, had higher yields of higher marketable quality. They also had measurably higher vitamin C content than strawberries from plants pollinated by hoverflies alone, or the control (self-pollinating) plants. This study advances our understanding of niche complementarity and its impact on fruit yield and quality. By elucidating the behavioural and temporal dynamics of pollinators, we provide valuable insights for optimizing pollination strategies in agricultural contexts. Our findings highlight the significance of behavioural factors, such as handling time and number of visits, in determining fruit quality.

Cucurbit Crops Acquired Silencing: Virus-Induced Post-Transcriptional Silencing Is Transmitted Across the Graft Union

Plant grafting is one of the oldest agricultural technologies, capable of improving biotic and abiotic stress resistance, regulating plant growth, and increasing crop output and quality. Recent analytical technology has revealed that massive numbers of RNAs can move via the phloem to regulate the gene expression in the scion. However, there are currently no high-throughput methods for validating the role of these long-distance RNAs in grafting, which limits the development of rootstock resources. In this study, methodologies were developed for infection of TRSV vectors in germinating melon seeds. Efficient infection was achieved in Védrantais with completely white first-true leaves and above. Grafting was performed after the gene silencing phenotype appeared in the rootstock, resulting in gene silencing of cucurbit crops as the scion. Furthermore, different RNA viral vectors were utilized to demonstrate that the transfer of viral vectors across the graft union induced gene silencing of the scion. The approach established in this study can provide a valuable research tool for future transfer RNA function studies and rootstock breeding.

The contribution of the Gaza Envelope Region to Israel’s food security

BackgroundArmed conflicts can severely impact food security by displacing farmers, destroying farms and agricultural infrastructure, disrupting supply chains, and limiting governance control over highly volatile food markets. In this study, we aim to gain an initial understanding of the impact of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War on local food production in Israel.MethodsThis study examined the challenges of food production in the Gaza Envelope region, a border area in Israel that has been profoundly affected by the recent conflict. The analysis focused on the allocation of land to specific agricultural crops and sectors, along with the nutritional output of these edible crops. The nutritional output was standardized based on the dietary needs of the Israeli population, considering population size and demographic factors. These methods aimed to understand the effects of conflict on crop diversity, the risks posed to specific crops, and the implications for nutritional security.ResultsWe found that the Gaza Envelope region is crucial for the propagation of several key crops, notably cherry tomatoes, radishes, and sweet potatoes. We identified 16 crops whose local production is particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to the conflict, including radishes and potatoes. The nutritional output of the edible crops from the Gaza Envelope region is extensive, producing over 50% of the annual caloric requirements of the Israeli population. Beyond the caloric contribution, the produce from the region is nutrient-dense, supplying more than 100% of the annual Dietary Reference Intakes for the Israeli population of 12 vital nutrients, which include dietary fiber, six vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, and five minerals including potassium and iron. These findings suggest that the Israel-Hamas War is having detrimental ramifications on local food production in Israel.ConclusionsThe ongoing conflict highlights the critical need for data informed agricultural support and policy adjustments to protect food production in conflict-affected areas. Up-to-date and accurate land use data are essential to assess the initial impact of any disaster swiftly and reliably on these zones. This approach will enable more effective responses to safeguard food security under crisis conditions.

Paddy Disease Detection through Vision Transformers

Abstract Rice has an indispensable role as part of global food production. Despite being a staple food, Brunei Darussalam struggles with attaining self-sufficiency in rice, relying heavily on imports to meet consumption demands. With an inverse relationship between available resources and global population, there needs to be a focus on ‘doing more with less’ to increase crop output. Paddy diseases inflict volatility in both crop quality and yield. Timely diagnosis of paddy is imperative for reducing losses. Traditional diagnosis methods are both time-consuming and unreliable, urging the need for a faster, more efficient approach. The main objective of the study is to determine the viability and performance of transformer-based models trained on publicly available datasets in paddy disease classification. A comparative study is performed on applying fine-tuning to various Convolutional Neural Networks and Transformer models. The models are evaluated on a dataset of Bruneian diseased paddy. To meet the principles of ethical AI, attention maps are explored to improve the trustworthiness and robustness of the model. Results indicate that the transformer-based models outperformed the CNN models, indicating that transformers have potential in improving existing works in paddy disease detection. Preliminary feedback revealed attention maps increased overall trust in the system’s predictions.

Rural Transportation and its Impact on the Output and Income Generated from Cashew Production in Selected Rural Settlements in Kwara State, Nigeria

Rural transportation plays a crucial role in agricultural production and livelihood of farmers in developing countries. Information on its impact on cashew’s outputs and income is not clearly documented in the literature. Consequently, this study identified the types of roads and transport modes of cashew farmers, assessed the transport services patronized by cashew farmers, examined the annual outputs and income from cashew; and assessed the impact of transport on both in Kwara South Senatorial District Kwara State, Nigeria. Data used were obtained from 1,373 farmers systematically selected from thirty-six rural settlements in the study area. Responses were analysed using principal component analysis, regression analysis and correlation analysis. Results showed that tarred roads connected only about 44.4% of the settlements in the area. About 56.4% of respondents rated the transport services as good. Significant relationships were found between cashew output and; road condition (b = −0.151, p = 0.000) and; transport services (b = −0.097, p = 0.000), while, income from cashew was directly and significantly correlated with transport mode (r = 0.059, p < 0.05), road condition (r = −0.153, p < 0.05) and, transport services (r = −0.096, p < 0.05). The study concluded that variations in transport facilities only accounted for some level of spatial variations in both cashew’s output and income in the study area and, recommended improvements of transport facilities to enhance increase in farmers’ crop output and income to achieve improved rural livelihood.

Fabrication of Remotely Controllable Robotic Weed-Ejector Vehicle

Weed is an unwanted plant in an agriculture field that keeps the crop plants deprived of sunlight, fertilisers and water. If not removed, weed reduces the crop output to a larger extent i.e., endangering the farmer's interests. There are three main reasons for leaving weed to grow in fields and substantial loss of crop output 1) non-availability of agricultural labour, 2) fear of snake bites and 3) higher amounts of time required for weed injection. As of there are no successful ROVs (Remotely operating vehicles) to get to the weed and capable of pulling off the weed without the farmer physically entering into the agricultural fields. The Proposed model reduces farmers getting exposed to snake bites during weed ejection and reduces the time and labour requirement for weed ejection. The project involves the study of different mechanisms required for weed pull-off from the agricultural fields and remote-control systems, modelling of components, fabrication of components, assembly and testing of the Remotely Controllable Robotic Weed-Ejector Vehicle.

Assessment of Yield and Economics under High Density Planting System in Cotton in Kachchh District of Gujarat, India

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) possesses a position of major fiber and cash crop, which plays vital role to sustain national economy. It provides the basic raw material (cotton fiber) to cotton textile industry. Gujarat contributes substantially to the national cotton area (24%) and productions (37%). A field experiment was carried out during the kharif seasons from 2017-18 to 2019-20 at farmers' fields through ICAR-CAZRI Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kachchh-II to evaluate the impact of frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on cotton productivity and profitability. During the experiment period, a total of 30 FLDs on high density planting system (HDPS) in cotton with the high-yielding variety GTHH-49 were demonstrated in a 12-hectare area across 6 villages in the Bhuj, and Nakhatrana talukas of Kachchh district. The improved variety GTHH-49 with a full package of practices was demonstrated in the plots, while existing technology was treated as the local check. Based on three years of data, the improved practice (IP) resulted in an average seed yield of 2868 kg ha-1, which was an increase of 13.35% compared to the local check yield of 2530 kg ha-1. The demonstrated technology showed an average extension gap, technology gap, and technology index of 338.33 kg ha-1, 631.67 kg ha-1, and 18.05%, respectively. The economic analysis of the demonstrations revealed the viability of the improved technology, with a net return of 101670.3 Rs. ha-1 and a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 3.24, compared to 84964.67 Rs. ha-1 and a BCR of 3.02 for local check. A wide range of extension and technology gaps had a detrimental influence on crop output and net returns in general. The results revealed that the adoption of the high-yielding variety with a full package of practices significantly increased cotton productivity and reduced both extension and technology gaps.

Biofertilizers: A sustainable strategy for enhancing physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil

A biofertilizer is a biologically derived substance that can enhance soil fertility. It is beneficial for enhancing soil fertility by introducing microorganisms that produce organic nutrients and perhaps decreasing plant illnesses. An extensive review was done to examine the efficacy of several biofertilizers in improving soil properties, including their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The secondary data and material for the article were gathered from a variety of sources, including government reports, published research papers, reports from various organizations, and pertinent websites that were examined and their conclusions presented. Although biofertilizers have proven to be a very sustainable method for improving soil quality and increasing crop output, there is a lack of extensive research on their effects on soil’s physical, chemical, and biological aspects. This study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of various biofertilizers and their effects. This investigation indicated that biofertilizers such as Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate solubilizers, and potassium solubilizers help to increase NPK content in the soil leading to an increase in the productivity of soil. Moreover, biofertilizers help to enhance soil physical properties (soil bulk density, soil moisture, soil temperature, and soil color), chemical properties (soil pH, soil nitrogen content, soil phosphorus content, soil potassium content, and soil organic carbon content), and chemical properties (population of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes). Overall, by overcoming the challenges with biofertilizers in agriculture, we can attain agricultural sustainability.

Unlocking Potential: The Role of Zinc Fortification Combating Hidden Hunger and Enhancing Nutritional Security

Micronutrient shortage is rapidly becoming apparent have drawn more attention in the cultivation of crops. The main causes of this deficit are the introduction of high-yielding varieties, an intensified cropping strategy, and advanced irrigation systems etc. A further aspect contributing to this issue is the increased use of high analysis chemical fertilizers instead of organic plant nutrition (composts, farmyard manure, etc.). Most countries have acute shortages of micronutrients due to the significant depletion of soil reserves caused by current agricultural production technologies. In order to increase both the quantity and quality of crops, micronutrients are crucial. Through the integration of agronomic, breeding and transgenic techniques, researchers seek to strengthen the zinc concentration in field crops, so improving their nutritional value and mitigating the risk of zinc deficiency in human diets. The availability and absorption of micronutrients in crops are improved by agronomic techniques such as foliar spraying, and soil fertilizer treatment including organic amendments. Meanwhile, biofortification of vegetable and fruit crops has also been achieved by transgenic and breeding strategies. In other hand, Rhizobacteria-based biofortification, Chelated Zn biofortification, nutri-priming are also important techniques in Zinc fortification programs to ensure food security and nutritional quality, bio-fortification of micronutrients in crops is vital. In addition, bio-fortification improved quality and crop output, reducing hidden hunger and demonstrating that it was a viable and economical approach. The present review addresses several aspects of zinc insufficiency in human populations, including public health and socioeconomic issues, bio-fortification and ferti-fortification studies, and future efforts to mitigate zinc deficiency in soil and the population at large.

Jivamrit as a Sustainable Approach: A Review of Natural Farming and Future Agriculture.

Green Revolution aims to boost food production and feed millions of Indians, but it also has negative effects on agriculture and society's health. Natural manures like cow dung and cow urine can counteract the adverse effects of inorganic fertilizer on soil along with improving physicochemical qualities, maintaining the soil quality, and increasing crop output. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) formulations like Jivamrit promote soil health and microbial activities and are an excellent source of macronutrients, other micronutrients needed for plant growth, plus adds beneficial microbes, nitrogen (N2), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and natural carbon (C). Further, conventional agricultural methods, like monocropping and heavy tillage, can damage soil bacteria which contributes to sustainable agriculture through nitrogen fixation, siderophore synthesis and nutrient absorption. A sustainable agricultural system is resource-efficient, socially and commercially competitive, ecologically sound, and supportive of society. Jivamrit, a natural organic manure, is gaining interest due to concerns about the sustainability of input-intensive agriculture systems. It promotes crop growth, quality, and yield, enhances soil pH, population, and activity of beneficial microorganisms, and helps with nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubili-zation, and easy decomposition. Long-term use of Jivamrit, may disrupt soil microbial balance, may leading to overpopulation of certain species. The current review on the Jivamrit emphasizes on the biological and chemical characterization and its significance to the agriculture.

Nutrient Management with Nitrogen Based Formulations for Enhancing Growth and Yield in Fodder Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Fertilizers play a vital role in agricultural practices by boosting crop yield. Among various nutrient application methods, foliar application is one of the cost - effective method which allow rapid and efficient nutrient absorption through the stomata or cuticle, and subsequently into the cells. Applying nutrients through foliage offers several benefits, such as rapid nutrient absorption by plant tissues, improved transport to developing plant parts, elimination of leaching and fixation losses, regulated nutrient uptake by crops and enhanced nutrient utilization. Timely foliar application of nano fertilizers enhances crop output while reducing environmental risks. The current study aimed to evaluate the different concentrations of nano urea on growth and yield of fodder sorghum. The study was conducted at Instructional Farm, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during December 2023- February 2024. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments, replicated thrice. The treatments were T1:75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + nano urea (0.2%); T2:75% RDN+ nano urea (0.4%); T3:75% RDN + nano urea (0.6%);T4:100% RDN + nano urea (0.2%); T5:100% RDN + nano urea (0.4%); T6:100% RDN + nano urea (0.6%); T7:75% RDN + urea spray (2%); T8:100% RDN + urea spray (2%); T9: nano urea alone (0.2%); T10: nano urea alone (0.4%); T11: nano urea alone (0.6%); T12: KAU POP and T13: Control (without nitrogen). Both nano urea and urea spray were applied at 20 DAS and 40 DAS. Soil application of nitrogen was applied in three splits - 50% as basal, 25% at 20 DAS and 25% at 40 DAS. Full P and K were applied as basal. The study revealed that combined application of RDN along with nano urea 0.4% proved its superiority by registering higher growth and yield attributes such as plant height, stem girth, leaf: stem ratio, green fodder yield and dry fodder yield.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cv. MAHY 701 under Agroclimatic Conditions of Bhubaneswar

Exogenous application of plant growth regulators play a vital role on effectively enhancing plant growth along with crop output. In order to determine the effect of plant growth regulators and the ideal concentration of GA₃ and NAA for improved tomato growth and yield (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. MAHY-701 under Bhubaneswar condition, a field experiment was conducted in Rabi 2022 at Agricultural Research Station, Binjhagiri, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha "O" Anusandhan (Deemed to be) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha using plant growth regulators, namely GA₃ and NAA. The experimental design was randomized block design, which consisted of three replications and seven treatments. When compared to the control treatment, all growth, yield, and quality parameters were shown to be significantly better at various concentrations of GA₃ (30, 60, and 90 ppm) and NAA (25, 50, and 75 ppm). The findings of the investigation reinforce the claim that, as compared to the control, tomato growth and yield were considerably affected by both GA₃ and NAA. The results categorically demonstrated that the treatment where the plant was sprayed with GA₃ @ 90 ppm had the highest total soluble solids (4.33°Brix), acidity (0.42%), and shelf life (18.73), as well as the highest number of fruits per plant (42.90), fruit length (6.40cm), fruit diameter (6.80cm), weight of fruit (118.80g), yield per plot (31.70kg), yield per ha. (423.50qt), and other quality attributes. In conclusion, farmers may be suggested to apply GA₃ at 90 ppm and NAA at 50 ppm when raising tomatoes in Bhubaneswar Agroclimatic environments for MAHY-701.

Prioritisation of Specific Wheat Sowing Technologies Based on AnalyticHierarchy Process and Farmers’ Perceptions

Selection of an appropriate wheat-sowing technology in the combine harvested paddy fields is essential for the timely sowing of wheat after harvesting paddy. The importance of parameters that affect farmers' decisions in selection of wheat sowing technology (WST) in the combine harvested paddy fields is assessed in the present work by implementing an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique. AHP is the most comprehensive approach for making judgements with many criteria since it supports a hierarchical structure and quantitative and qualitative features. The suitability of four most commonly used wheat sowing technologies, namely, happy seeder (T1 ), super seeder (T2 ), smart seeder (T3 ) and roto seeder (T4 ), was assessed based on the importance given to six criteria, namely, ease of use (C1 ), machine capital cost (C2 ), fuel consumption (C3 ), machine field capacity (C4 ), crop yield (C5 ), and crop germination (C6 ). Based on farmers’ perceptions and using the analytical hierarchy process approach, criteria C5 was assigned a maximum criteria priority weights of 3.21 and 3.87 for selection of T1 and T2 , respectively; while criteria C6 was assigned a maximum criteria priority weights of 3.56 and 3.63 for selection of T3 and T4 , respectively. The results showed that farmers were less concerned with machine field capacity and more focused on crop output (yield) while selecting a wheat sowing technology. Besides crop yield, crop germination and ease of use were other important factors that farmers considered highly while prioritising and selecting a wheat sowing technology for a combine harvested paddy field.