Differences In Crop Yield Research Articles

Drought monitoring of forest vegetation using MODIS-based normalized difference drought index in Hungary

In this paper, several spectral indices based on spectral reflectance data from the Terra satellite’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) sensor were evaluated in terms of their practical applicability for quantifying drought intensity and its geographical effects to support the drought monitoring applications. A total number of 358 MODIS 8-day composite images for the period between 2000 and 2014 were acquired and processed for the analysis; the frequency of drought phenomenon was increased during this time period. Vegetation indices, water indices, and combinations of both, which were called drought indices, were used. To validate the results, regression analyses were performed and Pearson’s r values were calculated. The Palfai Drought Index (PAI) and the average annual yields of different crops were used as reference data. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Difference Vegetation Index (DVI), the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), the Difference Water Index (DWI), the Difference Drought Index (DDI), and the Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI) were found to be significant in quantifying drought intensity. Anomalies relative to the average of the period between 2000 and 2014 were calculated and standardized using the standard deviation, enabling the identification of above-average, drought-stricken areas. The results of this study can be used to create a cost-effective, near real-time and currently missing national drought monitoring system with high temporal resolution to detect regional climate changes, and to assess forest damage probability through changes in the chlorophyll and water content of forest vegetation.

An Assessment of the Sustainability of Agricultural Systems in Golestan Province, Iran

Sustainable agriculture is a holistic approach to produce food, fiber, feed and fuel in a way that does not damage the environment and also must meet the needs of the present and future population of the world, while considering agro-ecosystem health, social and economic equity and profitability. Therefore, the sustainable agriculture cannot be isolated from the concept of sustainable development in any country or region. The current survey was conducted in order to study the sustainability of agricultural systems in Golestan Province in the north of Iran during the period of 2002-2011. The required data were obtained from formal statistical database. The total numerical value of sustainability was calculated for individual years using 21 different indexes. Because of the diverse nature of the selected indexes and their wide range, they were normalized to facilitate their comparison. The results show that the agricultural sustainability has been increased significantly over the studied period. The lowest value of sustainability was observed in the first year of the studied period (i.e., 2002) but the highest value was calculated for 2009 and thereafter the sustainability of agro-ecosystem has decreased slightly. The improvement of sustainability could be attributed to the application of less chemical inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, higher water and nitrogen use efficiencies, higher yield of different crops, especially dry land crops and the higher cultivation area of nitrogen fixing species.

Impact Assessment of GIS Based Land Resource Inventory Towards Optimizing Agricultural Land Use Plan in Dandakaranya and Easternghats Physiographic Confluence of India

GIS based land resource inventory (LRI) with fine resolution imagery is considered as most authentic tool for soil resource mapping. Soil resource mapping using the concept of soil series in a smaller scale limits its wide application and also its impact assessment for crop suitability is controversial. In this study, we attempted to develop LRI at large scale (1:10,000 scale) at block level land use planning (LUP) in Dandakaranya and Easternghats physiographic confluence of India. The concept of land management unit was introduced in this endeavour. The impact assessment of LRI based LUP was exercised to develop efficient crop planning with best possible management practices. The study area comprised six landforms with slope gradient ranging from very gentle (1–3%) to steep slopes (15–25%). The very gently sloping young alluvial plains occupied maximum areas (19.95% of TGA). The single cropped (paddy) land appears to dominate the land use systems (40.0% of TGA). Thirty three landscape ecological units were resulted by GIS-overlay. Eighteen soils mapping units were generated. The area was broadly under two soil orders (Inceptisols and Alfisols); three great group (Haplaquepts, Rhodustalfs and Endoaquepts) and ten soil series. Crop suitability based impact assessment of LRI based LUP revealed that average yield of different crops increased by 39.2 and 14.5% in Kharif (rainy season) and Rabi (winter) seasons respectively and annual net returns by 83.4% for the cropping system, compared to traditional practices. Productivity and net returns can be increased several folds if customized recommended practices are adopted by the farmers. Informations generated from the study emphasized the potentiality of LRI towards optimizing LUP and exhibited an ample scope to use the methodology as a tool to assess in other physiographic regions in India and abroad.

Impacts of Climate Change on Crop Yields in South Gonder Zone, Ethiopia

Agriculture is the most susceptible sector to climate change related hazards. This is due to the fact that climate change affects the two most important direct agricultural production inputs and these are precipitation and temperature. The impacts of climate change on crop production and coping mechanism differ from place to place which is situated in different agro-ecological zones. Therefore, this study analyzed the impacts of climate change on crop yields in three purposively selected woreda’s of south Gonder Zone. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. In this paper, climate data were taken from Bahir Dar Meteorological Agency (BDMA) while crop yield data were obtained from South Gonder Zone Agricultural Development Office (SGZADO). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and Microsoft Excel in order to evaluate the impact of climate change on the yields of different crops in South Gonder Zone, Ethiopia. Multiple regression, trend analysis and correlation analytical techniques were used to anlyze the data. The result showed that the annual total rainfall and mean annual temperature have been increased by an average of 126.52mm (p<0.01) and 0.531°C (P<0.01) per year respectively for Addis Zemen Station. This confirms the occurrence of global warming at Addis Zemen station. An increasing trend of crop yield data for rice, teff and maize were observed from 2003-2012 for Addis Zemen station while an increasing trend of crop yield data for teff, wheat, barley, maize, bean and pea have been observed from 2003-2012 for Mekane Eyesus stations. The result obtained from the analysis carried out indicated that the impact of rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature have been statistically insignificant except rainfall against teff, minimum temperature for teff and chickpea crops and maximum temperature for wheat, barley and pea cereal crops at 95% and 99% probability level whereas the impact of climate on the yield of rice, maize,sorghum, bean and cowpea have been statistically insignificant. Efforts should be made to increase the cultivation of crops on which the impacts of climate on their yield is insignificant.

Prácticas agrícolas sostenibles que incrementan los rendimientos de diferentes cultivos en Sancti Spíritus, Cuba

Esta investigación tuvo como escenario 4 agroecosistemas de la Provincia de Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. Se estudió la respuesta productiva de diferentes cultivos de hortalizas y granos a la cobertura muerta dispuesta sobre el suelo y al empleo de biofertilizantes en condiciones experimentales de campo y en diferentes tipos de suelo. Dentro de las hortalizas se evaluó la cebolla (Allium cepa L.) y el tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.); para ambas se utilizó diferentes tipos de cobertura muerta sobre el suelo. Con los granos, se empleó Fitomas-E y Biobras 16 en el cultivo del frijol () y microrganismos eficientes en maíz (Zea mays L.). El diseño experimental para los 4 experimentos fue de bloques al azar. En todos el rendimiento de los cultivos fue superior en las variantes tratadas en relación con el control. Cuando se usó cobertura muerta en cebolla y tomate, el mayor rendimiento se obtuvo con el tratamiento con restos de cosecha de arroz: 14,08 y 31,25 t.ha-1, respectivamente. En el cultivo del frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) la mejor combinación fue la aplicación conjunta de Fitomas E y Biobras 16, con un rendimiento de 2,23 t.ha-1. La producción de maíz fue superior en más del 50% cuando se usó microorganismos eficientes en correspondencia con la variante control. Las prácticas agrícolas evaluadas contribuyeron a mejorar la respuesta productiva en todos los cultivos donde fueron aplicadas.

Bacillus sonorensis, a Novel Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterium in Improving Growth, Nutrition and Yield of Chilly (Capsicum annuum L.)

Plant growth promoting rhizomicroorganisms (PGPR) play an important role in improving plant growth, nutrition and yield of different crops. Chilly is one of the major commercial crops of India with large export potential. The first experiment was conducted with 10 PGPR to investigate their effects on growth and yield of chilly. Although most of the plant parameters studied were statistically not significant, 2 PGPR viz. Paenibacillus polymyxa and Pantoea dispersa showed agronomic improvement in plant growth as compared to control and other treatments. The second experiment was conducted with these 2 PGPR plus 8 more PGPR in order to select the best PGPR for inoculating chilly. Inoculation significantly improved the growth, nutrition and fruit yield as compared to uninoculated control. Considering plant dry biomass and fruit yield, Methylobacterium radiotolerans proved to be the best PGPR. Further screening with M. radiotolerans plus 2 more PGPR viz. Bacillus sonorensis and Paenibacillus elgii on 2 common varieties of chilly resulted in enhanced plant dry biomass, nutrition and fruit yield. The results clearly brought out that B. sonorensis is the most promising PGPR inoculant for chilly. The plant growth promoting traits revealed that B. sonorensis is a P-solubilizer and able to produce indole acetic acid, siderophore, chitinase, hydrogen cyanide and good in biofilm formation.

Impact of climate changes on existing crop-livestock farming systems

The state of Western Australia is a major producer and exporter of crops and livestock. Mixed farming systems are typical agricultural enterprises in the Western Australian wheatbelt where climate drives the productivity and profitability of these farms and therefore the effects of likely climate change on their performance need to be understood. Here the effects of climate change projected at 2030 were evaluated compared to a baseline period (1980–1999) on mixed farming systems at paddock, enterprise and whole farm scales using the coupled APSIM and GRAZPLAN biophysical simulation models. The yield of different crops, livestock production and gross margins were assessed under current and projected climates using current farming technology and management practices. Representative mixed-farm systems were selected along a climate transect. Modelling analysis suggests that current production levels and gross margins of mixed farm systems in Western Australia will not be sustained in 2030 climate conditions except in areas of moderately high-rainfall. Whole farm gross margin declined at all site×potential climate scenarios between 1% and 22% except in moderately high rainfall where gross margin increased by up to 4% under a ‘hot and moderate change in rainfall’ climate. Projected crop yields declined for most of the crop×site×potential climate combinations, with greatest declines under a hot and dry climate (at driest margin of transect) in which wheat, barley, canola, and lupin yield declined up to 16%, 15%, 21%, and 27%, respectively. Increase in yield was predicted for wheat and barley at some of the site×potential climate s. Wheat yield increased only under moderately high rainfall region by 6% while barley increased by 1%. Simulated cropping gross margin was also shown to decline by between >1% and 23%, except for the moderately high-rainfall site where cropping gross margins were projected to increase by up to 3%. Changes in simulated livestock production were smaller and less variable than for crop production. The change in weight of livestock sold across sites×potential climate combinations ranged between −3% and +3%. Livestock gross margin varied between −11% and +6%. Modelling results indicated a greater fertilisation effect of the elevated CO2 on pasture production than on crop yield and biomass particularly in drier sites. But however, this could not offset negative impact of climate change under hot potential climates. The main negative environmental impacts from the projected climate change were declines in annual net primary production (ANPP), ground cover and water use efficiency mostly at drier sites. Whole farm N2O emission declined significantly for the majority of site×potential climate combinations, while smaller decreases in ruminant CH4 emission were predicted. In 2030, returns from livestock enterprises are predicted to be smaller, but less variable than from cropping and with increasing probability of success in drier regions. Reduced variability in financial return is important from the perspective of whole farm risk management. Shifts in enterprise mix in dryland mixed-farming systems towards increased livestock may be a helpful strategy in adapting to climate change and managing the associated financial risks.

Effect of seed treatment on seed borne fungi of rice

Farmers of our country are not aware about seed treatment for controlling seed borne fungi. Seeds of 3 rice varieties viz. BR11, BRRI dhan30 and BRRI dhan33 were collected from farmers houses of Gopalpur, Tangail. Three seed treating fungicides viz. vitavax 200 vitavax 200 (0.25%), thiovit (0.25%) and cupravit (0.25%) were used. Collected seed samples were tested by dry inspection and blotter method. The highest and the lowest germination were recorded in seed samples of BRRI dhan30 (90%) and BRRI dhan33 (75%). After seed treatment the highest and the lowest germination were recorded in seed samples of BRRIdhan30, BRRI dhan33 (100) treated by vitavax 200 (0.25%) and BR11 (80%) in control. Seed health test by blotter method revealed seed borne fungi belonging to six genera viz. Bipolarisoryzae (2.5 to 8.53%), Alternariapadwickii (5.3 to 13.35%), Fusariummoniliforme (11.66 to 21.67%), Fusariumoxysporum (1.25 to 4.35%), Curvularialunata (1.95 to 7.5%) and Aspergillusspp (1.75 to 6.54%) were encountered. Bur after seed treatment remarkable improvement viz. Bipolarisoryzae (0.15 to 3.75%), Alternariapadwickii (0.0 to 3.0%), Fusariummoniliforme (2.16 to 5.83%), Fusariumoxysporum (0.0 to 3.0%), Curvulariaunata (0.0 to 2.56%) and Aspergillusspp (0.0 to 1.5%) were encountered. Vitavax 200 was found most effective against the seed borne pathogens of rice. Nowadays, many botanical extracts such as neem, nishinda, garlic, alamonda and biological agent such as Trichoderma also using as seed treating agent and resulted significant higher germination and plant stand, less disease incidence and higher yield of different crops. So, the farmers should treat their seed before sowing in their field and through this technique they will be more benefited.Progressive Agriculture 27 (1): 48-56, 2016

Impact of organic fertilizers on radionuclide migration in gray forest soils

In field and laboratory studies on gray forest soils of the experimental field of the Institute of Agroecology and Environmental management of NAAS for eight years (2004–2011 years) we studied the effect of new domestic organic fertilizers Vitalyst, Oasis, Dobrodiy on grain quality and yield of different crops including corn. The use of organic fertilizers increases the yield of grain corn by 13.2–37.9%, and improves the quality of crops, protein content in grain corn increases by 0.97–1.20%. During the application of organic fertilizers hydrolytic acidity of soil, humus content and heavy metals were on the level of control, it positively influenced the content of amphoteric bases Ca2+ and Mg2+, increasing the content of mobile forms of phosphorus and potassium and helping transform soluble phosphorus and potassium in mobile forms. The use of organic fertilizers increases the yield of grain corn by 13.2–37.9% and improves product quality of crops, protein content in grain corn rose to 0.97–1.20%. The content of mobile forms of phosphorus and potassium in the soil does not decrease with increasing productivity, and even slightly increased. It has been practically proven environmental and economic feasibility of new organic fertilizers Vitalyst, Oasis, Dobrodiy. The use of organic fertilizers reduces the transfer of radionuclides in the production of crops. The content of mobile forms of phosphorus and potassium in the soil were higher, even with an increase in yield, biota functioned more actively, soil phytotoxicity decreased. We have proven environmental and economic feasibility of new organic fertilizers Vitalyst, Oasis, Dobrodiy

Productivity enhancement in shifting cultivated lands through biofertilizer and micro-dosing of NPK in Eastern Himalayan Region

Field experiments were conducted in the jhum/shifting cultivated lands of Chandel (Lambong village), Churachandpur (Henkot village), Tamenglong (Noney village) and Ukhrul (Ramva village) districts of Manipur during kharif seasons of 2013 and 2014. The first experiment was done by taking four crops (rice, maize, groundnut and soybean)with two treatment combinations i. e. improved jhum management practices (seed biopriming with Azotobacter+PSB and micro-dosing of NPK and traditional jhum practices (without application of any plant nutrient). The second experiment consisted of diversified cropping systems (sole cropping of rice, maize, soybean and groundnut and strip intercropping of rice+soybean, rice+groundnut, maize+soybean and maize+groundnut) under improved jhum management practices compared with traditional jhum practices. The results showed that improved jhum management practices recorded better growth and produced higher yield of different crops as compared to those of traditional jhum practices. Among the sole and strip cropping systems, maximum rice equivalent yield was recorded in sole groundnut (6.99 t/ha) followed by maize+groundnut (4.82 t/ha), rice+groundnut (4.64 t/ha) and sole soybean (3.64 t/ha) with the improved jhum management. Sole groundnut with improved jhum management also recorded maximum gross returns ($ 1526.67/ha), net returns ($ 1116.67/ha), returns per rupee invested ($ 3.72) and crop profitability ($ 10.90/ha/day). Incorporating legumes in cropping systems also considerably improved the fertility status of the jhum lands.

Climate change and its impact on major crops in Gujarat

The projected climatic data (2071 to 2100) as downscaled by PRECIS model for different stations (Anand, Vadodara, Junagadh, Bhavanagar, Bhuj, Rajkot and Kesod) of Gujarat were analysed for climate change impact study on different crops. Results indicated that the annual rainfall during projected period would be 15 to 101 per cent higher than the base line rainfall (1961-90). Maximumtemperature would increase by 2.8 to 7.7 0C, while minimum temperature would increase by 3.8 to 5.2 0C in different parts of Gujarat. The impact of climate change on different crops (wheat, maize, pearl millet, paddy and groundnut) of Gujarat was studied using InfoCrop and DSSAT models. The results indicated that climate change will adversely affect the yields of different crops. The maximum yield reduction (-61 %) is projected in wheat and lowest in pearl millet (-&lt;8%). Maize during kharif season would be more affected (-47 %) than the rabi season (-10 %). Similarly pearl millet in summer season will be least affected (-8%) than kharif season (-14 %).

Drought Monitoring With Spectral Indices Calculated From Modis Satellite Images In Hungary

Abstract In this study a new remote sensing drought index called Difference Drought Index (DDI) was introduced. DDI was calculated from the Terra satellite’s MODIS sensor surface reflectance data using visible red, near-infrared and short-wave-infrared spectral bands. To characterize the biophysical state of vegetation, vegetation and water indices were used from which drought indices can be derived. The following spectral indices were examined: Difference Vegetation Index (DVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Difference Water Index (DWI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Difference Drought Index (DDI) and Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI). Regression analysis with the Pálfai Drought Index (PaDi) and average annual yield of different crops has proven that the Difference Drought Index is applicable in quantifying drought intensity. However, after comparison with reference data NDWI performed better than the other indices examined in this study. It was also confirmed that the water indices are more sensitive to changes in drought conditions than the vegetation ones. In the future we are planning to monitor drought during growing season using high temporal resolution MODIS data products.

Large-Scale Hydrological Modeling and Decision-Making for Agricultural Water Consumption and Allocation in the Main Stem Tarim River, China

A large-scale hydrological model (MIKE HYDRO) was established for the purpose of sustainable agricultural water management in the main stem Tarim River, located in northwest China. In this arid region, agricultural water consumption and allocation management are crucial to address the conflicts among irrigation water users from upstream to downstream. The results of model calibration indicated a close correlation between simulated and observed values. Scenarios with the change on irrigation strategies and land use distributions were investigated. Irrigation scenarios revealed that the available irrigation water has significant and varying effects on the yields of different crops. Irrigation water saving could reach up to 40% in the water-saving irrigation scenario. Land use scenarios illustrated that an increase of farmland area in the lower reach gravely aggravated the water deficit, while a decrease of farmland in the upper reaches resulted in considerable benefits for all sub-catchments. A substitution of crops was also investigated, which demonstrated the potential for saving considerable amounts of irrigation water in upper and middle reaches. Overall, the results of this study provide a scientific basis for decision-making on agricultural water consumption and allocation in the study area.

Influence of cropping systems and organic amendments on productivity and soil health at mid altitude of North East India

Field experiments were conducted during 2006-07 to 2008-09 to assess the response of different cropping systems and organic amendments on productivity and soil health at mid altitude (950 m MSL) of Meghalaya. The treatments consisted of two rice based (rice (Oryza sativa L.) + soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] - rapeseed, rice + soybean - tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and two maize based (maize (Zea mays L.) + soybean - groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), maize + soybean- French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)) cropping systems and five organic amendments, viz. farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), local compost (LC), combined sources of nutrient (1/3 FYM +1/ 3 VC + 1/3 LC) and control (no manure) as sources of nutrient supply. Organic manures were applied on N-equivalent basis and phosphorus requirement was compensated through rock phosphate. The results revealed that the yield of different crops were maximum under combined sources of nutrient supply (CSN). Pooled (3 years) maize equivalent yield (MEY) was the highest under FYM followed by CSN and remained at par with each other. The pooled MEY under FYM and CSN were 171 % and 162 % higher than control, respectively. Among the cropping systems, maize + soybean - French bean recorded the highest MEY (28.78 t/ha). Total N, P and K uptake was maximum with CSN and remained similar with FYM. Maximum bulk density, soil organic carbon, soil microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase enzyme activity, available N and K in soil after three cropping cycles were also recorded under CSN. Maize + soybean - French bean cropping system along with FYM as source of nutrient supply was found to be cost effective with optimum productivity during transition to organic farming.

Comparison of antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content and yield of different crops grown in soil and aeroponic system

Comparison of antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content and yield of different crops grown in soil and aeroponic system

Impact of addition of biochar along with Bacillus sp. on growth and yield of French beans

Use of chemical fertilizers to enhance crop yield may lead to pollution, acidification or mineral depletion in soil. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are an alternative to chemical fertilizers as they contribute towards promotion of plant growth and yield of different crops. But if added with biochar, they result not only in enhancement of crop yields, but also help in preventing fertilizer run-off, leaching, retaining moisture and helping plants through periods of drought. To the best of our knowledge this is first report to study the effect of biochar along with a potential PGPR strain, Bacillus sp.A pot experiment was done with 6 different treatments viz. pure soil, soil+biochar, soil+Bacillus sp., soil+biochar+Bacillus sp., soil+biochar+commercial biofertilizer (Biozyme), and soil+chemical fertilizer (Di-ammonium phosphate, DAP), and the length and biomass of root and shoot, seed yield and nutrient uptake were measured in French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Generally, all treatments showed a significant increase in growth and yield as compared to plants grown in untreated soil. It was observed that addition of biochar to soil influenced the overall growth of plants positively but the inoculation with Bacillus sp. or Biozyme enhanced this effect further. The treatment, soil+biochar+Bacillus sp. also showed the highest number of phosphate solubilizing bacteria in the rhizosphere of plants and percent N content in shoots, whereas the highest P content was observed in soil+DAP, followed by soil+biochar+Bacillus sp. combination. Hence, it can be concluded that both biochar and the bioinoculant, Bacillus sp. are good treatments for sustainable agriculture.

Thiourea, a ROS Scavenger, Regulates Source-to-Sink Relationship to Enhance Crop Yield and Oil Content in Brassica juncea (L.)

In the present agricultural scenario, the major thrust is to increase crop productivity so as to ensure sustainability. In an earlier study, foliar application of thiourea (TU; a non physiological thiol based ROS scavenger) has been demonstrated to enhance the stress tolerance and yield of different crops under field condition. Towards this endeavor, present work deals with the effect of TU on photosynthetic efficiency and source-to-sink relationship of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) for understanding its mode of action. The application of TU increased the efficiency of both PSI and PSII photosystems and vegetative growth of plant. The comparative analysis of sucrose to starch ratio and expression level of sugar transporters confirmed the higher source and sink strength in response to TU treatment. The biochemical evidence in support of this was derived from higher activities of sucrose phosphate synthase and fructose-1,6-bis-phosphatase at source; and sucrose synthase and different classes of invertases at both source and sink. This indicated an overall increase in photoassimilate level at sink. An additional contribution through pod photosynthesis was confirmed through the analysis of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase enzyme activity and level of organic acids. The increased photoassimilate level was also co-ordinated with acetyl coA carboxylase mediated oil biosynthesis. All these changes were ultimately reflected in the form of 10 and 20% increase in total yield and oil content, respectively under TU treatment as compared to control. Additionally, no change was observed in oil composition of seeds derived from TU treated plants. The study thus signifies the co-ordinated regulation of key steps of photosynthesis and source-to-sink relationship through the external application of TU resulting in increased crop yield and oil content.

Regulation in Plant Stress Tolerance by a Potential Plant Growth Regulator, 5-Aminolevulinic Acid

Exogenous application of different plant growth regulators is a well-recognized strategy to alleviate stress-induced adverse effects on different crop plants by regulating a variety of physiobiochemical processes such as photosynthesis, chlorophyll biosynthesis, nutrient uptake, antioxidant metabolism, and protein synthesis, which are directly or indirectly involved in the mechanism of stress tolerance. Of various environmental factors, salinity, drought, and extreme temperature (low or high) considerably diminish plant growth and yield by modulating endogenous levels as well as signaling pathways of plant hormones. Of various plant hormones/regulators, a potential plant growth regulator, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), is known to be effective in counteracting the injurious effects of various abiotic stresses in plants. Until now the mechanisms behind ALA regulation of growth under stress have not been fully elucidated. It is also not yet clear how far growth and yield in different crops can be promoted by exogenous application of ALA and whether this ALA-induced growth and yield promotion is cost-effective. Thus, in this review we discuss at length the effects of ALA in regulating growth and development in plants under a variety of abiotic stress conditions, including salinity, drought, and temperature stress. Furthermore, advances in the functional and regulatory interactions of this plant growth regulator with plant stress tolerance, as well as the effective mode of exogenous application of ALA in inducing stress tolerance in plants are also comprehensively discussed in this review. In the future, overaccumulation of ALA in plants through manipulation of gene(s) could enhance plant stress tolerance. Thus, genetic manipulation of plants with the goal of attaining increased synthesis/accumulation of ALA and hence improved stress tolerance under stress conditions is an important area for research.

Deployment of Noval Technologies for The Management of White Grubs in Lower Hills of NW Himalyan Region

White grubs, a group of destructive insect pests of polyphagous nature, cause severe damage to crop plants in hill ecosystem. The grubs with subterranean habitat feed extensively on the roots and the adults defoliate the plants. A two pronged strategies involving an efficient, light weight, eco-friendly, low cost, light based insect trap for capturing the adults and a novel entomo-pathogen, Bacillus cereus strain WGPSB-2 for the management of grubs were developed. Large scale deployment of the above technologies were done on community basis in 5 locations including 4 villages and one experimental farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Three years experimentations revealed drastic reduction in beetle population to the tune of 75.8% in low, altitude villages. A significant reduction of the grub population was recorded from 74.11% to 85.17% in three years across the different villages. As a result of reduction in grub population, per cent increase in yield of different crops was recorded from 39.0% to 59.2% in different villages and experimental farm of low hills. The technology is thus, capable of managing white grubs at different altitudes of hills in general and North Western Himalayas in particular.

On-farm validation of nutrients response in different locations of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh

On-farm trials (OFTs) and verification trials (VTs)/frontline demonstrations (FLDs) were conducted in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to assess the performance of crops with recommended fertilizer application based on soil test values for predominant crops grown under different farming situations. During 2005–06 to 2009–10, a total of 1 492 different trials were conducted in different farming situations. The OFTs and VTs were conducted in a participatory mode incorporating the farmers’ perceptions. The results obtained from the large-scale trials conducted across the states revealed that substantial increase in yield of grain and oilseed crops was obtained by application of fertilizers as recommended which supplied balanced nutrition over the yield obtained with farmers’ practice of imbalanced fertilization. The yield was further enhanced when fertilizer was applied based on soil test values. The present study will help to obtain the achievable yields of different crops as the trials were conducted under on-farm conditions with farmers’ management systems.