Table Land Research Articles

Performance Evaluation of Stress Tolerant Rice Variety Swarna Shreya under Front Line Demonstration in Bolangir District, Odisha

Rice is the major crop of Odisha with a total coverage of 41 lakh ha which is about 65% of the total cultivable area of the state. Area under rice crop in Bolangir district is 218.97 thousand ha. Bolangir District is located under Western Central Table Land Agro climatic Zone characterized by hot and sub humid climate. About 168.91 thousand ha rice is under rainfed condition. Drought is a major abiotic stress that adversely affects the rice growth, mostly in the rainfed ecosystem that ultimately affects the biomass production and yield. Front line demonstrations have been conducted in NICRA adopted village- Odiapali, Block- Bolangir in the Kharif season of the year 2022 and 2023. The percentage increase in yield is 13.63 and 14.61 and net return is Rs 42,200/- and Rs 43,444/- per ha as compared to farmer’s practice variety Swarna’ performance respectively for the year 2022 and 2023.

Effect of Different Sources and Levels of Sulphur in Sesame on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Fertility in Acid Alfisols of Odisha, India

Aims: To examine the impact of different sources and levels of Sulphur on yield and oil content of sesame in acid Alfisols of Dhenkanal district of Odisha. Study Design: Randomized Block Design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: During 2018 and 2019, this experiment was carried out at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology's Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, which is located in Mahisapat, Dhenkanal district, Mid Central Table Land Zone, Odisha. Methodology: The treatments were T1- STBFR (S control), T2- STBFR + 30 kg ha-1 S from Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate, T3- STBFR + 40 kg ha-1 S from Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate, T4- STBFR + 30 kg ha-1 S from Gypsum, T5- STBFR + 40 kg ha-1 S from Gypsum, T6- STBFR + 30 kg ha-1 S from SSP, T7- STBFR + 40 kg ha-1 S from SSP. Results: Among seven treatments, T7 (STBFR along with 40 kg ha-1 S from SSP) was superior among all the sources and doses w.r.t. yield components and yield. The quality parameters like oil content under different sulphur fertilization was found to be maximum with STBFR along with 40 kg ha-1 S from SSP. Highest total nutrient uptake in terms of N, P, K and S of 55, 26, 37 and 5 kg/ha was recorded with the same treatment. Conclusion: Sulphur fertilization (T7) in the acid Alfisols of Odisha exhibited improved yield, oil content and nutrient uptake in sesame.

Effect of nutrient management practices on growth, yield and economics of cotton crop in west central table land zone at Bargarh district of Odisha

Effect of nutrient management practices on growth, yield and economics of cotton crop in west central table land zone at Bargarh district of Odisha

Productivity and energy-efficiency indices for diversified rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping systems in West Central Table Land Zone of Odisha

A long-term field experiment was conducted at Chiplima, Odisha, under irrigated medium land condition during 2006–07 to 2012–13, to evaluate the production potential and economics of 10 rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based crop ping systems. Rice–maize (Zea mays L.)–cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and rice–groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)–bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] cropping systems recorded significantly higher average rice equivalent yield (19.55 and 18.57 t/ha, respectively) than the other systems evaluated, the relative production efficiency being 85.8 and 76.5% over the rice–groundnut system. Rice-based 3-cropping systems hav ing groundnut as winter (rabi) crop had higher land-use efficiency (83%). Rice–maize–cowpea recorded the high est irrigation water-use efficiency (230 kg REY/ha), whereas rice–groundnut–bottle gourd recorded the highest ap parent nutrient use efficiency (60.8 kg REY/kg NPK applied). Rice–maize–cowpea also recorded the highest en ergy-use efficiency (5.89), energy-output efficiency (1,240 MJ/ha/day) and energy productivity (0.34 kg REY/MJ). Rice–maize–cowpea had the highest employment generation efficiency (124.7%), followed by rice–groundnut bottle gourd (120.5%) and rice–groundnut–cowpea (120.0%). Rice–maize–cowpea gave the highest net returns of 135,087/ha, followed by rice–groundnut–bottle gourd system ( 111,777/ha). Rice–maize–cowpea system showed the highest system profitability ( 370/ha/day) and crop profitability ( 500/ha/day). This system also gave the highest benefit: cost ratio (2.56), with highest relative production efficiency (85.8%) and relative economic effi ciency (168.5%) compared to rice–groundnut system.

Influence of plant growth regulators on fruit drop, fruit retention and fruit yield of mango (Mangifera indica l.) cv. Amrapali under west central table land zone of Odisha

Farmers in the western region of Odisha are grappling with issues related to low fruit set, fruit drop, and erratic yield in mango cultivation. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) play a pivotal role in addressing fruit drop at different developmental stages by modulating the nutritional and hormonal status of the plant. This study aims to investigate the impact of specific PGRs on fruit drop, fruit retention, and overall yield of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Amrapali in the West Central Table Land zone of Odisha. The experimental setup was implemented at the research plot of the College of Horticulture, Chiplima, Sambalpur, following a randomized block design with ten treatments, each replicated three times. The treatments involved various concentrations of three PGRs: NAA, GA3, and 2,4-D, applied during the pea and marble stages of fruit growth. The outcomes indicated that the application of 30 ppm GA3 significantly mitigated fruit drop, with comparable efficacy observed for 30 ppm 2,4-D. GA3 positively influenced fruit retention, particularly Treatment T7 (30 ppm GA3), exhibiting the highest retention percentages at 30, 60, and 90 days post-spraying. Furthermore, GA3 at 30 ppm resulted in the maximum average fruit weight and volume. The highest number of harvested fruits per plant and maximum yield per plant were recorded in Treatment T7. These findings underscore the potential of GA3 in alleviating fruit drop, enhancing fruit retention, and improving overall yield in mango cultivation, specifically for the Amrapali variety in the West Central Table Land Zone of Odisha.

Foliar application of Boron and Molybdenum in cauliflower under west central table land zone of Odisha

Foliar application of Boron and Molybdenum in cauliflower under west central table land zone of Odisha

Phosphorus management and suitability of rice cultivar on system yield augmentation under rice-fallow area of Mid-Central Table Land Zone of Odisha

A field experiment was carried out during 2018-19 and 2019-20 to study the effect of phosphorus doses and rice varieties on system efficiency in rice-green gram cropping system under Mid-Central Table Land Zone of Odisha. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three replications. Four main plots viz., P1: P100 of soil test dose (STD)to rice and no P to green gram, P2: P100 of STD to both the crops separately, P3 : P50 of STD to rice &P100 of STD to green gram, P4: P100 of STD of both the crops applied to rice only, were allotted to the main plots and three rice varieties viz., V1 - Mandakini, V2 - Lalat and V3 - Pratikhya to the sub plots. Application of P100 of STD to both the crops separately (P2)resulted in the highest pooled system yield of 6.87 tha-1 however amongst rice cultivars highest system yield of 6.51 t ha-1 was recorded with treatment where green gram was sown after rice cultivar "Mandakini". Similarly, thesame system P-management practice (P2) and the sowing window of rice cultivars (Mandakini) recorded the highest system nutrient uptake, gross and net returns and B: C ratio. But the available soil nutrient status was the maximum with P1 where P100 of STD as basal was applied to riceand green gram was sown after rice cv. 'Mandakini'. However, the available P of the system in the post harvest soil was estimated higher in treatment P2.

Profile Distribution of Available Boron and Secondary Micro Nutrients in Rice-Groundnut Growing Soils of Jajpur District, Odisha, India

An investigation was conducted to examine the distribution of available Boron secondary micro nutrients and the relationships between boron with soil properties and other nutrients in the rice-groundnut growing soils of Jajpur district, Odisha. The clay content increased downward without following any definite trend. Soil pH of surface horizons was acidic and increased downward to neutral range. EC ranged between 0.02 dSm-1 to 0.13 dSm-1. The soil organic carbon ranged from 0.17% to 0.63% with decreasing trend towards sub surface horizon. The exchangeable Ca, Mg and S content varied from 3.68 mg kg-1 to 6.76 mg kg-1, 0.82 cmole (p+) kg‑1 to 6.24 cmole (p+) kg-1 and 0.62 mg kg-1 to 14.19 mg kg-1 respectively. Ca and Mg increased with increasing depth, whereas S showed the reverse trend. The DTPA- Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B content of pedon soil ranged from 60.68 mg kg-1 to 312.08 mg kg-1, 6.48 mg kg-1 to 36.76 mg kg-1, 0.62 mg kg-1 to 4.15 mg kg-1, 0.42 mg kg-1 to 1.15 mg kg-1 and 0.05 mg kg-1 to 1.01 mg kg-1 respectively Fe, Mn and Zn increased from surface to sub surface but Cu and B showed the reverse trend. The availability of Boron is positively correlated with organic carbon, Exch. Mg, Fe, and Cu. Negatively correlated with pH, Exch. Ca, S, Mn, and Zn. Pedon soils were deficient with B, S, Zn and rich in Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu. Fe was in toxic level in table land zone of sukinda. The available B was found to be deficient throughout the district in up and medium land except in subsurface layers of low land. The availability of B is positively correlated with organic carbon, Exch. Mg, Fe and Cu factors but negatively correlated with pH, Exch. Ca, S, Mn, and Zn. In an agricultural district like Jajpur the key element B for rice-groundnut crop sequence should be applied to soil and leaf of rice, groundnut, and other crops grown in the district.

Arsenic Health Impacts to the People in Bangladesh

In a period from 1995 to 2000, we had collected and analyzed 33,092 hand tube well water samples from four different/principal geomorphological regions (Hill tract, Table Land, Flood Plain, and Deltaic reason) i.e., from all 64 districts of Bangladesh and found arsenic in 60 districts that were above the WHO recommended value in drinking water (10 μg/L) and 50 districts that were above the maximum permissible limit, 50 μg/L. In our study for 6 years in Bangladesh, the survey for identification of arsenical patients was conducted by our group with a medical team in 261 villages of 80 police stations under 33 districts out of 50 where contamination of groundwater with arsenic is above 50 μg/L. We could not identify people suffering from arsenical skin lesions who drunk water below 100 μg/L of arsenic. During this survey, arsenic patients were identified in 222 villages of 69 police stations under 31 out of 33 districts. The number of people we examined including children was 18840, and 3725 people were identified with arsenical skin lesions. We had registered 1885 males, 1542 females, and 298 children out of the total 3725 patients, having arsenical dermal lesions, such as: melanosis, leucomelanosis, keratosis, hyperkeratosis, dorsal, non-petting oedema, gangrene, cancer, etc. If children are included, then 19.77% (n=3725) have arsenical dermal lesions, and for separately adults and children, these are 24.52% and 6.13%, respectively. Buccal mucus membrane melanosis (MMM) on tongue, gums, lips, etc. was also found. Rough dry skin often with palpable nodules (spotted keratosis) on dorsal of hand, feet, and legs are the symptoms seen in severe cases.

Improvement on Growth, Yield, Economics and Soil Fertility Status of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) Under Integrated Nutrient Management

An On-farm Trial (OFT) was conducted during rabi season of 2016–17 at farmers’ field in Ragudiapada village of Angul district in Odisha, India using randomized block design with ten replications to study the improvement on growth, yield, economics and soil fertility status of blackgram under integrated nutrient management. The results indicated that 75% STBFR+FYM @ 2.0 t ha-1 incubated with PSB @ 5 kg ha-1+seed inoculation of Rhizobium culture @ 20 g kg-1 of seed+sodium molybdate @ 0.3 g kg-1 of seed recorded significantly higher plant height(43.52 cm),branches plant-1 (4.85), nodules plant-1 (22.75), pods plant-1 (21.2), seeds pod-1 (6.19), grain yield (6.45 q ha-1) and harvest index (37.2%). The same treatment fetched higher gross return of ` 32787 ha-1 with a benefit– cost ratio of 1.67 and additional net return of ` 4861 ha-1 as compared STBF. With regards to soil fertility after crop harvest, the same treatment resulted in the highest soil available nitrogen (220.8 kg ha-1), phosphorus (12.07 kg ha-1) and potassium (193.05 kg ha-1) which was 14.3, 11.8,9.7% higher over the initial soil status, respectively. Thus, 75% STBFR+FYM @ 2.0 t ha-1incubated with PSB @ 5 kg ha-1+seed inoculation of Rhizobium culture @ 20g kg-1 of seed+sodium molybdate @ 0.3 g kg-1 of seed is the proven technology which is effective for higher crop growth, yield, profitability and soil fertility status of blackgram under mid central table land zone of Odisha.

Evaluation of fertilizer doses under different planting methods of rice (Oryza sativa) in west central table land zone of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted during 2017–18 and 2018–19 at Chiplima, Sambalpur under West Central Table Land Zone of Odisha, to evaluate fertilizer doses under different planting methods in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The values of growth contributing characters like plant height, effective tillers/plant, and leaf-area index increased significantly under mechanical transplanting followed by system rice intensification (SRI) and drum seeding methods. The maximum grain yield, straw yield and benefit : cost (B: C) ratio were recorded with mechanical transplanting (6.5, 7.5 t/ha and 2.6) followed by SRI technique (6.3, 7.2 t/ha and 2.3) and were lowest with manual method of random transplanting (4.6, 5.3 t/ha and 1.8). Application of 120-60-60 kg N-P2O5 -K2 O/ha increased the panicle length (24.8 cm), filled grains/panicle (155), grain (8 t/ha) and straw (9.2 t/ha) yield and nutrient uptake by grain (113.3, 32.5 and 116.6 kg N, P and K/ha), being higher than the values obtained under soil test based fertilizer application, i.e. 100-50-40 kg N-P2 O5 -K2 O/ha.

Soil fertility appraisal of some selected villages in Kirmira block of Jharsuguda District under western-central table land agro-climatic zone of Odisha, India

A soil fertility status inventory work was carried out in some villages of Kirmira block of Jharsuguda district located in the Western Central Table Land Agro Climatic Zone of Odisha, India. Results showed that soil pH ranged between 4.3 and 6.4 and electrical conductivity of the entire study area remained below 1 dSm-1. Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) content ranged between 0.17 to 0.88%. Available nitrogen content in these soils was found to be varied between 84.0 to 398.0 kg ha-1. Available Bray’s phosphorus content varied from 0.75 to 67.10 kg ha-1. Available soil potassium content varied widely from 90 to 500 kg ha-1. CaCl2 extractable soil sulphur varied from 0.14 to 12.49 mg kg-1. DTPA extractable micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) varied from 32.62 to 192.20, 28.08 to 220.50, 0.48 to 2.86, and 0.56 2.38 mg kg-1 respectively. Hot water soluble boron content ranged from 0.13 to 0.88 mg kg-1. All the figures in the lower range were found in upland soils while the higher values for all the parameters were found in low land soils.

Management of sulphur for yield augmentation in rice (Oryza sativa) under rice fallow system

Sulphur (S) is ranked as 4th most essential nutrient after nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium which plays a vital role in crop production. Its uses have declined in recent years. S-deficiency in soils of Odisha has increased from 36% during 2008–09 to 44% in 2018–19. A field experiment was conducted at farmers’ field in Ankurda village, Goindia block of Dhenkanal district, for two years (2018–19 and 2019–20) in order to study the effect of different sources of sulphur in rice (Oryza sativa L.) (cv. Swarna Sub 1) under mid-central table land zone of Odisha. The experiment was conducted in RBD with 10 treatments and 3 replications. Four different sources of sulphur (SSP, calcium sulphate, elemental S0 and navaratna as (20-20-0-13) were used with two methods, viz. basal and top dressing to rice crop during rainy (kharif) season. A mixture source was formulated with (CaSO4 + SSP) @1:1 ratio which was applied as basal only. Among the sources of sulphur applied, highest biomass yield was recorded with spilt method of ES which followed the order as: ESo>mixture source>navaratna>SSP>gypsum. Due to S fertilization, the biomass yield increased by 16% over the control (T1). Spilt application of sulphur fertilizer exerted a beneficial effect on yield attributing character, higher grain and straw yield, nutrient uptake, sulphur use efficiency and sulphur harvest index, quality parameters and B:C ratio of Swarna Sub-1 in comparison to basal application of fertilizers during rainy (kharif) season.

Influence of phosphorus management on yield, nutrient uptake, post-harvest soil properties and economics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in acid Alfisols

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of phosphorus (P) on kharif rice(Oryza sativa L.) in rice-greengram cropping system in Mid-Central Table Land Zone of Odisha. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three replications. Four main plots viz., P1-100% soil test dose (STD) for P as basal to rice, P2- 100% STD for P to both the crops, P3-50 % STD for P to rice and 100% STD for P to greengram, P4 - No P to rice and 100% STD for P to both the crops was applied to greengram, were allotted to the main plots and three rice varieties viz., V1-Mandakini, V2-Lalat and V3- Pratikhya were considered in the sub plots. Application of 100% STD for P to both the crops (P2) resulted in the highest grain and straw yield of 3980 and 4715 kg/ha, respectively. Rice variety ‘Pratikshya’ produced the highest grain and straw yields of 3808 and 4399 kg/ha, respectively. Similarly, the same P management practice and rice cv. ‘Pratikshya’ recorded the highest chlorophyll content (3.54 mg/g of fresh leaf weight), nutrient uptake (N 68.9 kg/ha , P 27.2 kg/ha , K 88.2 kg/ha ) gross and net returns and B: C ratio (1.94). However, the post harvest soil nutrients status were maximum with P2 where rice cv. ‘Mandakini’ was taken.

Review: Table Lands: Food in Children’s Literature, by Kara K. Keeling and Scott T. Pollard

Review: <i>Table Lands: Food in Children’s Literature</i>, by Kara K. Keeling and Scott T. Pollard

Study on the Agricultural Land Transfer Embodied in Inter-Provincial Trade in China

The research on the land resources embodied in the inter-regional economic linkages is of great significance for the ecological compensation and sustainable use of the cultivated land. We constructed a model to estimate the agricultural land transfer embodied in inter-regional trade by using the agricultural land footprint model and the multi-regional input–output model. Taking China as an example, using a 2017 multi-regional input–output table and agricultural land and production data, we evaluated the agricultural land footprints embodied in the inter-provincial demand–supply chain in China and explored their characteristics, revealing the balance of income and expenditure that makes up the agricultural land footprint in each region. The results show that: (1) In 2017, China’s total agricultural land footprint was 557.63 million ha2. Developed areas such as Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu in the East generally had a greater footprint than the underdeveloped areas in the west. Provinces with more agricultural land do not necessarily have larger agricultural footprints. (2) The Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry, and Fishing industry and the Food, Beverages, and Tobacco industry were the main two sectors that contributed to the agricultural land footprint for each province, accounting for more than 60% of the total agricultural land footprint in China. (3) The embodied agricultural land transfer between regions showed two main directions on the whole: one was from north to south and the other from west to east, reflecting the transfer law of movement from the less developed regions to those that were more developed.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield, Economics and Post-harvest Soil Properties of Sweet Corn Grown under Mid-Central Table Land Zone of Odisha

Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), popularly known as sugar corn or pole corn is a specialty maize having high sugar content at milk or early dough stage. As the corn is considered as an exhaustive crop, requires more nutrient, so integrated nutrient management practices play an important role in sustaining productivity of sweet corn. A field experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 in order to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on sweet corn yield and post harvest soil properties. Different growth parameters like plant height (206 cm), cob length (28.5 cm), cob girth (16.43 cm), no of seed rows per cob (18.80), no of grains per row (47.55) and green cob wt. (335.43g) were found highest in integrated package where bio fertilizer consortia, B and Zn were applied along with STD fertilization (T6). Total harvested yield of sweet corn including stover (2.58 to 2.98 t ha-1) and kernel (1.33 to 2.37t ha-1) varied from 3.91 to 5.35 t ha-1 in different treatments and was observed highest in T6 (5.35 t ha-1). Harvest index (44.29%), B: C ratio (3.15) and 1000 kernel weight (198.90 g) was also recorded highest in treatment T6. The post- harvest soil properties were also recorded highest in T6 where bio fertilizer consortia, B and Zn were applied along with STD fertilization in the INM package.

Rainfall Variability during El Nino, La Nina and Neutral Years Over Karnataka

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a recurring climate pattern involving changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The three phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) namely the neutral phase, El Niño and La Niña oscillations. El Niño refers to the above-average sea-surface temperatures that periodically develop across the east-central equatorial Pacific. It represents the warm phase of the ENSO cycle. La Niña refers to the periodic cooling of sea-surface temperatures across the east-central equatorial Pacific. The state of Karnataka is located on a table land in the angle where the Western and Eastern Ghat ranges converge into the Nilgiri hill complex. 41 year (1980-2020) average annual rainfall of Karnataka collected from the rain gauge station located under the farm universities of Karnataka and, SST and SOI data collected from NOAA were used to study the rainfall variability while ENSO events. The El Niño events will deviate the rainy winds towards eastern pacific region causing lesser rainfall on Indian sub-continent or draughts in some years, but when it comes to Karnataka El Niño events have given above average rainfall. There were 8 episodes of excess rainfall and 6 episodes of deficient rainfall during the 14 El Niño episodes, and 3 episodes of excess rainfall and 8 episodes of deficient rainfall during the 11 La Niña episodes. The remaining 16 episodes were neutral years, with 10 episodes having excessive rainfall and the remaining 6 having deficient rainfall. Hence the El Niño episodes is good when compared to La Niña episodes over Karnataka.

On-farm Evaluation of Balanced Fertilization in Rice-groundnut Cropping System for Productivity, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Profitability

Background: Increasing cost of fertilizers warrants the necessity of finding methods for increasing the use efficiency of nitrogen in a cropping system. Data from on-farm research on evaluation of use efficiency of applied nutrients using check plot or omission plot technique has been lacking. Methods: A researcher designed and farmer managed experiment was conducted in Angul district under Mid Central Table Land Zone of Odisha to study the on-farm crop response to plant nutrients by involving 12 farmers during 2015-16 and another 12 farmers during 2016-17 in rice (Oryza sativa L.)- groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cropping system with seven treatments, viz. control (no fertilizer application), recommended N alone (N-0-0-0), NP (N-P-0-0), NK (N-0-K-0), NPK (N-P-K-0), NPK+ZnSO4/CaSO4 (N-P-K- ZnSO4 in rice and N-P-K- CaSO4 in groundnut) and farmers’ practice (FP). Result: The highest system rice equivalent yield (REY) (12.63 t/ha) was recorded with the recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K @ 80, 17.5 and 33 kg/ha)+25 kg ZnSO4/ha to rice and recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K @ 40, 17.5 and 33 kg/ha)+250 kg CaSO4/ha to groundnut followed by recommended NPK alone to both the crops without ZnSO4/CaSO4 (12.18 t/ha). Partial factor productivity (PFP) of N in rice-groundnut system can be increased to 42% over sole N application through application of recommended quantity of NPK. The agronomic efficiency (AE) of N increased by 122, 87 and 186% in rice groundnut cropping system by applying recommended doses of N with P, K and PK over N alone, respectively. Application of recommended quantity of NPK+ZnSO4 to rice and NPK+CaSO4 to succeeding groundnut crop recorded highest system net return of Rs. 92690/ha followed by application of recommended NPK only to both the crops (Rs.89950/ha). Application of balanced fertilizer improved the status of organic carbon and available N, P and K at the end of the cropping season in both the years compared to control.

Table Lands: Food in Children's Literature. Children's Literature Association Series. Kara Keeling and Scott Pollard

<i>Table Lands: Food in Children's Literature</i>. Children's Literature Association Series. Kara Keeling and Scott Pollard