Rainfed Agroecosystems Research Articles

No-till, crop residue management and winter wheat-based crop rotation strategies under rainfed environment

Rainfed agriculture is primarily limited by unstable low precipitation, poor soil fertility and monocropping, which are the main factors leading to decreased crop production. This long-term research was conducted under a rainfed agroecosystem from 2019 to 2023 on the sierozem soil of the Karshi steppe, Uzbekistan. Along with winter wheat (WW) which was the main crop covering 50% of each proposed cropping pattern, chickpea (CH), safflower (SA), flax (FL), barley (BA) and canola (CA) were evaluated to find the most suitable rotation systems under no-till (NT) i.e. NT1: WW–CH–WW–FL, NT2: CH–WW–SA–WW, NT3: WW–SA–WW–BA and NT4: SA–WW–CA–WW compared against continuous WW produced with conventional tillage (CT). Results showed that the integrated effect of NT x crop diversification x residue retention positively affected crop productivity; however, their impact were significantly higher under the NT2 treatment, but not with continuous WW under CT. The highest grain yield of WW in the 2020-2021 growing season was recorded under NT2 and NT4 treatments with values of 1.47 and 1.30 Mg ha-1, while the lowest index (1.02 Mg ha-1) was found at the CT treatment. The grain yield in the NT treatments increased with the improvement of soil chemical and physical parameters, i.e. NPK and humus content. When comparing NT2 to CT treatment at the project end, the total N, P, and K values at the 0–20 cm soil profile were 27.9%, 13.9%, and 33.9% higher, respectively. This study concluded that implementation of NT along with strategic selection of legumes incorporated into the cropping system and residue management can be prioritized as rehabilitation measures in rainfed croplands.

Quantitative evaluation of soil water balance under a ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting system in Chinese rainfed agroecosystem.

The ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting system (RFRH) is an advanced farmland management technology that plays a vital role in making full use of rainwater resources. However, it is not clear that RFRH affects crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) by regulating soil water storage (SWS). Therefore, the present study conducted a meta-analysis to make a large compilation of previous studies and indirectly quantify the impact of RFRH on crop yield and WUE by analysing the effect of RFRH on SWS. The results showed that RFRH improved crop yield and WUE by 26.71% and 25.86%, respectively, by increasing SWS by 3.93% compared to the traditional flat cultivation. RFRH had a significant effect on increasing crop yield and WUE and improving SWS. A low ridge-furrow ratio and ridge-furrow mulching were recommended to obtain positive effects on crop yield and WUE when potatoes are grown in areas with high precipitation (600-800 mm). Furthermore, when nitrogen fertilization is applied during the crop growth period, we also found that a medium nitrogen fertilizer rate is recommended to achieve a significant positive effect on crop yield and WUE. Importantly, a win-win analysis showed the proportions of various groups in the target zone (zone I) to determine the appropriate strategy for RFRH of crops. The present study provides a scientific reference for the future application of the RFRH. The study provides scientific recommendations on crop types, ridge-furrow configurations, plastic mulching patterns and nitrogen fertilizer rate for future RFRH applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tillage and mulching influence weed community dynamics and crop productivity of Sesbania alley–based food–fodder systems in rainfed agro-ecosystems

Context or problemCrop yield in rain-fed agro-ecosystems is limited by low soil moisture availability and weeds. Objective or research questionThis study aimed to answer the questions- 1. Do tillage practices, mulching and Sesbania alley-based food-fodder cropping system affect weed dynamics under rainfed agro-ecosystem? and 2. Is the productivity of a Sesbania alley-based rainfed food-fodder system affected by tillage practice, mulching or crop sequence? MethodsA four-year field experiment was conducted with Sesbania alley-based food-fodder systems (sorghum – chickpea; sorghum – barley; sorghum – mustard), and three tillage practices (conventional tillage; minimum tillage during rainy season - zero tillage during winter season; conventional tillage during rainy season - zero tillage during winter season) with and without mulch. ResultsDuring the study period, conservation agricultural techniques resulted in a shift in weed flora in all Sesbania alley-based cropping systems. Grass, broadleaf, and total weed densities declined by 8–9%, 35–38%, and 11–13%, respectively, across diverse cropping systems from 2014 to 15; however, sedge population increased (13–29% increase) during the same period. Mulching practices considerably reduced sedge density compared to the without-mulch treatment in all the tillage combinations. The lowest total weed biomass was recorded for minimum tillage during the rainy season and zero tillage + mulching treatment (17 g m–2) during the winter season. Weed species abundance and dominance were greater in 2014, while the diversity and evenness of weed species were higher in 2016, which indicates a weed shift. Sesbania hedgerow + (sorghum-mustard) with conventional tillage during the rainy season and zero tillage during the winter season without mulching had the highest weed diversity index and evenness than that of other treatment combinations. The Sesbania dry matter (DM) yield was significantly higher by 13% and 11% in minimum tillage during the rainy season and zero tillage during the winter season with mulching compared to conventional tillage without mulch in 2015–16 and 2016–17, respectively. However, tillage and mulching had a significant effect on the grain and straw yields of winter crops. All the tillage practices with Sesbania mulching recorded higher grain and straw yields for winter crops compared to the un-mulched treatments. ConclusionsThe innovative Sesbania alley-based rainfed food-fodder system, along with reduced tillage and mulching, improved productivity and altered weed dynamics. Implications or significanceThe knowledge gathered on weed dynamics may aid in determining weed management tactics under conservation agricultural practices. Double cropping is possible without compromising fodder needs by employing suitable tillage and mulching procedures, as well as Sesbania alley-based cropping systems.

Investigating the dynamics of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) in rainfed agroecosystems: an in-depth analysis of yield gap and strategic exploration for enhanced production

IntroductionAddressing the global demand for rice production necessitates innovative approaches to enhance upland rice yield in rainfed agroecosystems, considering the challenges posed by increasing population, limited land fertility, low productivity, and water availability.MethodsIn this study, our study investigated the impact of biochar and organic fertilizer on ten promising rice lines (G1 – G10) and two control (G11 – G12) cultivars under rainfed conditions. The experimental design used a split-plot design with four soil amendments as main plots, namely control, organic fertilizer, biochar, and biochar + organic fertilizer and 12 rice genotypes as subplot.ResultsThe absolute attainable yield gaps, differentiating organic and control (GAP1), biochar + organic and control (GAP2), and biochar and control (GAP3), ranged from 1.5 to 3.7 or increased of 91–580%, 0.8 to 3.5 (72–560%), and 0.6 to 2.58 tons/ha (58–472%), respectively. Notably, G2 + organic exhibited the highest positive absolute yield gap, ranging from 1.1 to 5.38 tons/ha, based on the yield gap matrix. Furthermore, genotype main effect plus genotype-environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis identified G2 as the most promising rice line, displaying superior yield performance for cultivation in biochar and organic amended soils.DiscussionThese findings provide valuable insights for farmers, governments, and stakeholders, offering a roadmap to optimize rainfed areas for rice production, serving as practical guidance to enhance overall rice productivity in rainfed agroecosystems.

Performance of little millet (Panicum flexuosum) based cropping system for rainfed agro ecosystems: A path to sustainable crop diversification

An experiment was conducted during 2019, 2020 and 2021 at Centre of Excellence in Millets, (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), Athiyandal, Tiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu. to study the performance of little millet (Panicum flexuosum Retz.) based cropping system for rainfed agro ecosystems for north-eastern part of Tamil Nadu. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) comprised of 9 treatments, viz. T1, Little millet + Redgram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] (4:1)-Moth bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal]; T2, Little millet + Redgram (4:1)-Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]; T3, Little millet + Redgram (4:1)-Horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.]; T4, Little millet + Redgram (6:2)-Moth bean; T5, Little millet + Redgram (6:2)-Blackgram; T6, Little millet + Redgram (6:2)-Horsegram; T7, Little millet + Redgram (8:2)- Mothbean; T8, Little millet + Redgram (8:2)-Blackgram; T9, Little millet + Redgram (8:2)- Horsegram, with three replications. The good quality seeds of little millet (CO 4), redgram (Paiyur 2), horsegram (Paiyur 2), blackgram (VBN 3) and mothbean [TMV (Mb) 1] were used. The result shows that the higher yield for little millet and intercropped redgram was recorded in T9 (985 and 362 kg/ha) followed by T7 (853 and 356 kg/ha) and T8 (834 and 337 kg/ ha). The 8:2 row ratio exhibited the highest little millet equivalent yield when compared to 6:2 and 4:1 row ratio. The highest economic return and benefit cost (B:C) ratio was observed in T9 with gross return of ₹60,962/ha, net returns of ₹35,362/ha and B:C ratio (2.38). This was followed by T7 which had gross returns of ₹51,314/ha, net returns of ₹25,989/ha and B:C ratio (2.10).

Ridge-furrow planting patterns with film mulching improve water use efficiency by enhancing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere and endophyte of summer maize

In a rainfed agroecosystem with limited water resources, the symbiotic interactions between crop-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may have a significant impact on field productivity and water absorption and utilization. However, the interaction between AMF characteristics of root endophyte and rhizosphere soil and water use patterns of summer maize has not been studied under ridge-furrow with film mulching planting patterns (RFPM) in dry farmland. Based on a field experiment, we aimed to reveal the effects of different RFPM planting patterns (i.e., ridge/furrow ratio of 40:70 cm (RF40:70), ridge/furrow ratio of 55:55 cm (RF55:55), and ridge/furrow ratio of 70:40 cm (RF70:40)) on the root water use patterns of summer maize, the distribution characteristics of AMF in root endophyte and rhizosphere soil, and their interaction relationship by using the water isotope (δD and δ18O) tracer technique, the high-throughput sequencing technology, MixSIAR model, and the structural equation models. As a result, compared to flat planting without mulching (FP), RF40:70, RF55:55, and RF70:40 significantly increased grain yield by 29.74%, 35.24%, and 45.53%, and water use efficiency by 23.13%, 35.99%, and 50.25%, across the two growing seasons, respectively (P < 0.05). The root characteristic parameters of summer maize decreased with the increase in soil depth, and were mainly distributed in the shallow layer (0–20 cm) and middle layer (20–60 cm). Compared with FP, the distribution ratio of root surface area density, root length density, and root dry weight density in shallow soil layer was significantly increased by 5.03%, 7.46%, and 9.70% averaging the different RFPM treatments, respectively (P<0.05). Besides, compared to FP, the AMF abundance and diversity in rhizosphere soil and root endogenous averaged RFPM treatments increased by 32.32% and 29.66% and 5.88% and 28.43% respectively, in which the abundance and diversity gradually increased with the increase of the ratio of ridge-furrow. The PLS-PM results found that the larger ridge-furrow ratio could significantly increase the yield and WUE of summer maize mainly by increasing the root surface area density, root length density, and the abundance and diversity of AMF in the root endophyte and rhizosphere soil, which increased the water use of the middle and deep layer soils. In summary, the large ridge-furrow ratio can significantly increase the yield and WUE of summer maize by extending the hyphal network of maize root symbiotic AMF, which increases the water uptake of middle and deep layer soil.

Straw strip mulch improves soil moisture similar to plastic film mulch but with a higher net income

Soil surface mulch is an important measure for conserving more moisture and increasing yield in rainfed agroecosystems. Straw strip mulch (SM) is a new mulching technique for clean production, but the regulation mechanisms of SM on soil moisture and potato yield formation is lack of systematic understanding yet. Therefore, a five-year (2018–2022) consecutive field trial on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was conducted in the semiarid rainfed region of Northwest China, using three treatments: full-field black plastic film mulch (PM), SM with 42% of the field area mulched using whole corn stalks, and no mulch as the control (NM). Relative to NM, on average across five growing seasons of potato, SM increased (P < 0.05) the soil moisture in 0–200 cm depth by 6.6%, fresh tuber yield ha−1 by 15.0%, dry tuber yield ha−1 by 23.6%, weight per tuber by 13.3%, net income by 26.3% (8268 ¥ ha−1), and output / input ratio by 10.5%, biomass by 16.5%, water use efficiency 28.5%, but reduced the total water consumption (ET) throughout the potato growth period by 12.9 mm. SM had a similar (P > 0.05) soil moisture in 0–200 cm depth, the total ET, the dry tuber yield and WUE as PM but with a 10.7% (2455 ¥ ha−1) higher net income. Mulching practices not only increased the soil moisture at different growth stages, but also regulated its utilization. Compared with NM, the maximum increase of soil moisture in SM and PM occurred at tuber formation stage. SM and PM decreased water consumptions in early period (sowing to tuber formation) and late period (tuber bulking to maturity), as well as their ratios to total ET, but increased them in middle period (tuber formation to tuber bulking). The increased weight per tuber was the primary yield component that leads to the increased yield in SM and PM. It was concluded that mulching practices improve soil moisture by inhibiting evaporation, increase transpiration ratio to ET, reduce water consumption of early period and its ratio to total ET while increasing them of middle period, resulting in significant increases in biomass and weight per tuber, which were the main mechanisms for yield increases in SM and PM compared to NM. SM is suitable to be popularized in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem for potato production as an alternative to PM.

Multiple cutting increases forage productivity and enhances legume pasture stability in a rainfed agroecosystem

Appropriate harvesting management is essential for sustainable forage production and improving nutritional quality. In this study, four forage crops, including Medicago sativa (Ms), Vicia sativa (Vs), Avena sativa (As), and Sorghum Sudangrass (Ss) were evaluated under two harvesting modes, i.e. single harvest and multiple cuttings. Results showed that multiple cuttings increased the forage yield of Ms., As, and Ss by 82 %–114 %, 7.5 %–51 %, and 21 %–150 % compared to the single harvest. The acid and neutral detergent fiber concentration decreased, while crude protein contents increased with multiple cuttings. Also, multiple cuttings increased the ether extract content of Ms. and Ss and reduced the ash content by 9.42 % to 33.04 % from 2015 to 2016. The variation range of legume forages' annual yield was 18.66 %–33.04 %, while that of gramineous forages was 9.42 %–25.98 %. The relative feeding value (RFV) of Ms. was higher than that of other forages under multiple cuttings. In general, multiple cuttings decreased the SOC content, but the effect was insignificant for the two leguminous forages. Correlations analysis showed a significant positive relationship of RFV and CP with precipitation while a negative relationship of ADF and NDF with temperature. Moreover, results of yield stability, contribution rate, and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) analysis showed that the response of legume crops to multiple cutting was superior to that of gramineous crops. Overall, the cultivation of leguminous forage under multiple cuttings can provide a basis for the development of pastoral agriculture production and animal husbandry in arid regions of China.

Tillage practices and mulching affect system productivity, profitability and energy use in Sesbania alley based food - fodder systems under rainfed agro-ecosystems of semi-arid tropics

Context or problemThe low soil moisture availability in post rainy season is a major constraint for double cropping in rainfed agro-ecosystems. There are also trade-offs for use of crop residue as fodder and mulching material. Objective or research questionThe objective of the study to assess the crop productivity, profitability, forage quality and energy use in Sesbania alley based food-fodder systems. We hypothesized that soil tillage practices with Sesbania mulching would increase the system productivity, profitability and forage quality in rainfed agro-ecosystems. MethodsA four-years field experiment was conducted with Sesbania alley based food-fodder systems and three tillage practices with and without mulch. ResultsThe study revealed that Sesbania + (sorghum-mustard) and Sesbania + (sorghum-barley) cropping systems being at par, recorded significantly higher system productivity (59.4 t ha–1 and 58.7 t ha–1 respectively) and economic returns (US$ 504 ha–1) compared to Sesbania + (sorghum-chickpea) system (52.3 t ha–1). All the tillage practices, viz., conventional tillage in both the season (64.1 t ha−1); minimum tillage in rainy followed by zero tillage in winter season (63.5 t ha−1); and conventional tillage in rainy followed by zero tillage in winter season (60.1 t ha−1) with Sesbania mulching (SM), being at par, recorded significantly higher system productivity than their respective treatments without mulching. Sesbania mulching with all the above three tillage systems recorded 14.5%, 12.6% and 5.9% more net returns over their respective tillage practices without mulch, respectively. Among cropping systems, Sesbania + (sorghum-barley) was found most energy efficient which is at par with Sesbania + (sorghum-barley) but 28.2% higher over Sesbania + (sorghum-chickpea). The crude protein content of sorghum was 5–8% higher in Sesbania + (sorghum – chickpea) in comparison to other two cropping systems. ConclusionsOverall, innovative Sesbania alley based rainfed food-fodder system under reduced tillage and mulching improved system productivity, profitability, forage quality and energy use. Implications or significanceThe double cropping can be possible without compromising fodder needs if farmers used proper tillage and mulching practice in Sesbania alley based cropping systems.

Elucidating the interactive impact of tillage, residue retention and system intensification on pearl millet yield stability and biofortification under rainfed agro-ecosystems.

Micronutrient malnutrition and suboptimal yields pose significant challenges in rainfed cropping systems worldwide. To address these issues, the implementation of climate-smart management strategies such as conservation agriculture (CA) and system intensification of millet cropping systems is crucial. In this study, we investigated the effects of different system intensification options, residue management, and contrasting tillage practices on pearl millet yield stability, biofortification, and the fatty acid profile of the pearl millet. ZT systems with intercropping of legumes (cluster bean, cowpea, and chickpea) significantly increased productivity (7-12.5%), micronutrient biofortification [Fe (12.5%), Zn (4.9-12.2%), Mn (3.1-6.7%), and Cu (8.3-16.7%)], protein content (2.2-9.9%), oil content (1.3%), and fatty acid profile of pearl millet grains compared to conventional tillage (CT)-based systems with sole cropping. The interactive effect of tillage, residue retention, and system intensification analyzed using GGE statistical analysis revealed that the best combination for achieving stable yields and micronutrient fortification was residue retention in both (wet and dry) seasons coupled with a ZT pearl millet + cowpea-mustard (both with and without barley intercropping) system. In conclusion, ZT combined with residue recycling and legume intercropping can be recommended as an effective approach to achieve stable yield levels and enhance the biofortification of pearl millet in rainfed agroecosystems of South Asia.

Metagenomics reveals the abundance and accumulation trend of antibiotic resistance gene profile under long-term no tillage in a rainfed agroecosystem.

Widespread soil resistance can seriously endanger sustainable food production and soil health. Conservation tillage is a promising practice for improving soil structure and health. However, the impact of long-term no-tillage on the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in agricultural soils remains unexplored. Based on the long-term (>11 yr) tillage experimental fields that include both conservation tillage practices [no tillage (ZT)] and conventional tillage practices [plough tillage (PT)], we investigated the accumulation trend of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in farmland soils under long-term no-tillage conditions. We aimed to provide a scientific basis for formulating agricultural production strategies to promote ecological environment safety and human health. In comparison to PT, ZT led to a considerable reduction in the relative abundance of both antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic target gene families in the soil. Furthermore, the abundance of all ARGs were considerably lower in the ZT soil. The classification of drug resistance showed that ZT substantially decreased the relative abundance of Ethambutol (59.97%), β-lactams (44.87%), Fosfomycin (35.82%), Sulfonamides (34.64%), Polymyxins (33.67%), MLSB (32.78%), Chloramphenicol (28.57%), Multi-drug resistance (26.22%), Efflux pump (23.46%), Aminoglycosides (16.79%), Trimethoprim (13.21%), Isoniazid (11.34%), Fluoroquinolone (6.21%) resistance genes, compared to PT soil. In addition, the abundance of the bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes decreased considerably. The Mantel test indicated that long-term ZT practices substantially increased the abundance of beneficial microbial flora and inhibited the enrichment of ARGs in soil by improving soil microbial diversity, metabolic activity, increasing SOC, TN, and available Zn, and decreasing pH. Overall, long-term no-tillage practices inhibit the accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes in farmland soil, which is a promising agricultural management measure to reduce the accumulation risk of soil ARGs.

Species, Cultivar and Seasonal Effects on Nodulation and Nitrogen Utilization of Spring Mediterranean Grain Legumes

Information on nitrogen economy of grain legumes during seed filling is critical for their sustainable cultivation in rainfed agroecosystems, but a comparable assessment of different legumes under the same growth conditions is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine species, cultivar and seasonal effects on nodulation and nitrogen accumulation, remobilization, and utilization. Five grain legumes [common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), red pea (Lathyrus cicera L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and field pea (Pisum sativum L.)], each represented by two cultivars, were grown for two years in a semiarid Mediterranean environment. There were considerable environmentally induced differences among species in nodulation, with chickpea maintaining a sufficient number of nodules (16 nodules plant‒1) and nodule dry weight (57 mg plant‒1) even in the drier year (2015). Pre-podding nitrogen accumulation varied among species, particularly in the wetter year (2014). Nitrogen translocation from vegetative parts to seeds was correlated with pre-podding nitrogen accumulation (r = 0.99, P < 0.01 in 2014 and r = 0.98, P < 0.01 in 2015). Interspecific differences in nitrogen translocation efficiency were enlarged under drought, with red pea exhibiting the highest (84%) and lentil the lowest value (72%). Chickpea produced the highest seed nitrogen accumulation in both years and had the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency (21 kg seeds per kg N) the drier year. Nitrogen utilization efficiency was positively correlated with nitrogen harvest index and negatively with nitrogen concentration in vegetative parts at maturity. Most trait differences were less evident within species than between species. Overall, chickpea was found to outperform other legumes in semiarid Mediterranean conditions in terms of nitrogen accumulation in seeds and nitrogen utilization efficiency.

Influence of weed management practices on direct-seeded rice grown under rainfed and irrigated agroecosystems

Rice seedlings and weeds emerge concurrently in direct-seeded rice (DSR) production systems, while there is no flooding water to inhibit weed germination, emergence and development at crop emergence. Because of this, weeds are considered the biggest living barrier in DSR and significantly reduce yield. The purpose of the research was to devise an approach for management of weeds in the direct-seeded rice crop cultivated under various agroecosystems, while optimizing growth and production utilizing herbicides or herbicidal combinations. The impacts of several weed management techniques were assessed to determine the most efficient and cost-effective approach of managing weeds in DSR at the CoA, JNKVV, Jabalpur (MP) during 2019 rainy season under spilt plot design with 2 main plot treatments viz., rainfed agroecosystem, irrigated agroecosystem and 8 sub-plot treatments, i.e. different herbicide treatments with hand weeding and weedy check. Further growth parameters as well as yield attributes were documented. Conventional statistical techniques were used to evaluate the data. Bispyribac sodium at the dose of 25 g/ha efficiently controlled both narrow and broad leaved weeds under agroecosystems. Highest growth as well as yield parameters were recorded for irrigated agroecosystems compared to rainfed agroecosystems. The treatment with bispyribac sodium at the dose of 25 g/ha produced the greatest values for growth and yield indices as well as the maximum yield (3.68 t/ha), with the exception of manual weeding.

An optimal combination of sowing date and cultivar could mitigate the impact of simultaneous heat and drought on rainfed wheat in arid regions

Drought and heat stress are the most important limiting factors for crop production. Simultaneous impacts of drought and heat stress during crop’s sensitive growth phases could be more harmful than their individual impacts. Accordingly, we investigated several management practices including 4 sowing dates, 3 cultivars in combination with 4 initial soil water contents to investigate the simultaneous impact of drought and heat stress on rainfed wheat grain yield in different climates (57 locations) across Iran from 1980 to 2016. A modified version of the wheat module of the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) modelling framework was adopted. Historical temporal trends showed that grain yield has increased by + 10 kg ha-1 y-1 in cold regions and decreased by 14.5 kg ha-1 y-1 in mild and hot regions since 1980 for Azar-2 (as common cultivar). Long-term simulations indicated that grain yields of 3.3 t ha-1 could be obtained in rainfed agro-ecosystems under only-drought growth conditions. By adding the impact of heat stress, however, average grain yield further declined to 2.9 t ha-1 indicating a reduction of 0.4 t ha-1 owing to heat stress per se for the common cultivar. The results also showed that the long-term impact of drought and heat stress could be diminished with an optimal combination of sowing date, cultivar, and initial soil water depending upon climate classes. A combination of an early-maturity cultivar (“Azar-2”) with early sowing date (07-Oct) was recognized as the best management practice for cold and mild regions while the interaction of a mid-maturity cultivar (MMC), and an intermediate sowing date (20-Oct) was the best management practice for hot climates.

Pulse-based cropping systems for soil health restoration, resources conservation, and nutritional and environmental security in rainfed agroecosystems.

Pulses are an important source of energy and protein, essential amino acids, dietary fibers, minerals, and vitamins, and play a significant role in addressing global nutritional security. The global pulse area, production, and average productivity increased from 1961 to 2020 (60 years). Pulses are usually grown under rainfed, highly unstable, and complex production environments, with substantial variability in soil and environmental factors, high year-to-year output variability, and variation in soil moisture. Since the last six decades, there is not much satisfactory improvement in the yield of pulses because of their cultivation in harsh environments, coupled with their continuous ignorance of the farmers and governments in policy planning. As a result, the global food supplies through pulses remained negligible and amounted to merely ~1.0% of the total food supply and 1.2% of the vegan food system. In this situation, protein-rich food is still a question raised at the global level to make a malnutrition-free world. Pulses are a vital component of agricultural biological diversity, essential for tackling climate change, and serve as an energy diet for vegetarians. Pulses can mitigate climate change by reducing the dependence on synthetic fertilizers that artificially introduce nitrogen (N) into the soil. The high demand and manufacture of chemical fertilizers emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), and their overuse can harm the environment. In addition, the increasing demand for the vegetal protein under most global agroecosystems has to be met with under a stressed rainfed situation. The rainfed agroecosystem is a shelter for poor people from a significant part of the globe, such as Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Nearly, 83% [over 1,260 million hectares (ha)] of cultivated land comes under rainfed agriculture, contributing significantly to global food security by supplying over 60% of the food. In rainfed areas, the limitation of natural resources with the shrinking land, continuous nutrient mining, soil fertility depletion, declining productivity factor, constantly depleting water availability, decreasing soil carbon (C) stock, augmented weed menace, ecological instability, and reduced system productivity are creating a more challenging situation. Pulses, being crops of marginal and semi-marginal soils of arid and semi-arid climates, require less input for cultivation, such as water, nutrients, tillage, labor, and energy. Furthermore, accommodation of the area for the cultivation of pulses reduces the groundwater exploitation, C and N footprints, agrochemical application in the cropping systems, and ill effects of climate change due to their inherent capacity to withstand harsh soil to exhibit phytoremediation properties and to stand well under stressed environmental condition. This article focuses on the role of pulses in ecological services, human wellbeing, soil, environmental health, and economic security for advanced sustainability. Therefore, this study will enhance the understanding of productivity improvement in a system-based approach in a rainfed agroecosystem through the involvement of pulses. Furthermore, the present study highlighted significant research findings and policy support in the direction of exploring the real yield potential of pulses. It will provide a road map to producers, researchers, policymakers, and government planners working on pulses to promote them in rainfed agroecosystems to achieve the United Nations (UN's) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ameliorating C and N balance without loss of productivity by applying mulching measures in rainfed areas

Farmland mulching is applied widely as a soil management practice, especially in rainfed areas with scarce water resources. However, it is not clear how continuous mulch application might affect the carbon and nitrogen budget in rainfed agroecosystems. Therefore, we evaluated the impacts of different mulching measures (SM: flat planting pattern with full straw mulching; RM: ridge–furrow construction with half plastic film mulching; PM: flat planting pattern with full plastic film mulching; BM: flat planting pattern with full biodegradable film mulching; and NM: conventional tillage without mulching) on the maize yield, net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB), net global warming potential (NGWP), greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), and N surplus or deficiency. The results showed that compared with NM, the maize yield decreased significantly by 10.0% under SM, whereas the mulching treatments (RM, PM, and BM) significantly increased the maize yield by 15.1–24.4% (P < 0.05). SM, RM, and PM significantly increased CO2 emissions (24.8–38.2%), N2O emissions (21.1–47.1%), and NGWP (20.8–45.5%), but reduced NECB. By contrast, BM increased NECB and significantly reduced GHGI (P < 0.05). Regardless of the mulching method applied, the N balance indicated an N surplus. Each mulching treatment (SM, RM, PM, and BM) increased the harvested N removal (47.9–179.9 kg N ha–1) and decreased the N leaching loss (8.8–35.9 kg N ha–1). RM, PM, and BM inhibited the ammonia volatilization rate, whereas SM promoted it. PM and BM achieved a lower N surplus. In conclusion, biodegradable film mulching (BM) can significantly reduce GHGI and the risk of N losses while also ensuring high crop yields, and thus it can be used as a high-yield and sustainable production method in rainfed areas.

CASE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN COMBINATION OF NPK FERTILIZER AND UREA FERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH OF CORN (ZEA MAYS) PLANTS IN CIREBON REGENCY

The purpose of this study was to determine the best composition of the use of NPK fertilizer and urea fertilizer in the growth and yield of maize in Cirebon Regency. The research was conducted on a rainfed agro-ecosystem owned by farmers in Cirebon Regency, from January to March 2022. The production technology was carried out by Perfect Soil Processing (PSP) with a spacing of 75 cm x 40cm, 2 plants/hole. The study was arranged using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replications and 10 combinations of fertilizer doses as treatment. Fertilization was carried out 2 (two) times at the age of 10 days after planting with a dose of 30% Urea and 30% NPK, as well as all SP-36 and KCl, then at 35 DAP with a dose of 70% Urea and 70% NPK. To see the effectiveness of alternative NPK fertilizers, several treatments were combined and some were not with a single fertilizer (Urea). Fertilization is done by tugal about 5 cm next to the plant hole. The conclusion obtained from the results of the field study is that the application of a combination of alternative NPK fertilizers with Urea has better effectiveness than the single application of NPK. However, it had no significant effect on the components of plant height growth.

Straw strip mulching in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem achieves carbon sequestration and emission reduction from winter wheat fields

Mulching practices improve soil hydrothermal conditions, which cause changes in soil respiration. Conventional straw mulching has low productivity in areas with relatively low temperatures. Meanwhile, the responses of soil respiration to mulching practices and the relationship between changes in environmental factors caused by mulching and carbon (C) components are not clear in dryland agroecosystem. In this study, we monitored seasonal changes in soil respiration flux and heterotrophic respiration flux of winter wheat fields under different mulching practices in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem of northern China. The fields were designed for the following three treatments: straw strip mulching (SSM), plastic film mulching (PFM), and non-mulching (CK). Compared to CK, SSM decreased cumulative soil respiration and heterotrophic respiration by 11.6% and 13.3%, whereas PFM increased these values by 12.8% and 8.5%, respectively. SSM significantly decreased soil temperature but increased soil water-filled pore space (WFPS), while PFM significantly increased soil WFPS without affecting soil temperature. Respiration flux was more highly correlated with soil temperature and air temperature than with WFPS and rainfall. SSM and PFM respectively increased by 5.7–9.1% and 10.8–35.5% for grain yield, by 8.1–45.6% and 16.2–69.5% for straw yield, by 8.6–28.6% and 15.1–36.4% for net primary production, and by 23.1–80.6% and 20.3–95.2% for net ecosystem production. Furthermore, mulching practices had a great potential of soil C sequestration and SSM significantly increased soil organic carbon. Changes in ecosystem C components were primarily driven by biomass, followed by soil temperature and air temperature rather than WFPS and rainfall. Based on the sustainability of agroecosystems, SSM increased grain yield of winter wheat while reduced carbon emissions, which showed great potential for C sequestration and may create an environmentally friendly C sink system in a semiarid rainfed agroecosystem of northern China.

Weed Management Practices on Crop Productivity and Economics in Dry-Direct Seeded Rice under Hill and Plateau Region of Eastern India

In direct seeded rice, weeds are the major problems limiting the crop productivity. Sesbania with direct seeded rice (DSR) as well as seeding rates of rice affects the weed density by smothering effect and therefore, it can be a better weed management practice. Two year on farm trials were conducted at the Kusma, Boarijore Block and Bhaluka, Sundarpahadi block of Godda from 2020 and 2021 to assess the effect of weed management on yields and economics in DSR. The results revealed that significantly the lowest density of grasses, broad leaved weeds (BLWs), sedges, total weed density, total weed dry weight and the highest weed control efficiency were recorded with the treatment of DSR + Sesbania over DSR (pre-sowing irrigation followed by tillage and rice seeding) followed by first post-sowing irrigation at 15 DAS and the farmer’s practice. Weed management practice, DSR + Sesbania was found significantly higher grain yield, gross returns, net returns, B: C ratio, production efficiency and economic efficiency over to followed by first post sowing irrigation at 15 DAS and farmer’s practice. While the farmer’s practice was recorded higher weed index and lowest weed control efficiency. Thus, on the basis present study it is concluded that weed management practice i.e. DSR + Sesbania could be a better option to reduced the weed infestation as well as improves the productivity of DSR in rainfed agro-ecosystem of Jharkhand.

Yield stability under different agronomic situations in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

The present investigation was carried out at Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar) during the rabi, 2017-18 with eighteen genotypes including three checks, in order to identify the high yielding stable linseed genotypes in three agronomic situations viz., Utera (sowing of the seed before harvesting of standing paddy crop in order to utilize moisture efficiently under rainfed agro-ecosystem), Rainfed, and Irrigated conditions. The mean squares due to genotypes and environments (linear) were highly significant for all the characters studied. The mean squares due to genotype x environment interactions (linear) were significant for days to days to 50 per cent flowering, oil content and seed yield per plant. The mean squares due to pooled deviations were significant for all the characters viz., flowering period, the number of primary branches per plant, the number of capsules per plant, the number of seeds per capsule, bud fly infestation, 1000-seeds weight, oil content and seed yield per plant. The highest yielding genotype, BRLS 111-3 and the lowest yielding genotype, BRLS 105-1 were found unstable. The genotype, BRLS 119 had reasonably high seed yield per plant (rank 2nd) and non-significant regression from deviation with regression coefficient at on par with one and identified as stable genotype having high seed yield. This genotype had also non- significant deviation from regression and regression coefficient at on par with one for the other characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to 50 per cent maturity, plant height, the number of primary branches per plant, the number of capsules per plant, bud blight infestation and 1000-seed weight. Hence, BRLS 119 was identified as a promising stable genotype which may be commercially grown after critical evaluation over locations. Keywords: Agronomic situations, Linseed and Stability &nbsp;