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Influence of two dimensions of climate change i.e., elevated temperature (eTemp) and elevated CO2 (eCO2) on toxicity of insecticides against Spodoptera litura Fab. on peanut using CO2 Temperature Gradient Chambers (CTGC) facility was investigated. The insecticides viz., diamides (flubendiamide), avermectins (emamectin benzoate), organophosphates (quinalphos), spinosyns (spinosad) and synthetic pyrethroids (deltamethrin) were tested for their efficacy and persistence toxicity (PT) at eTemp and eCO2. The twelve set conditions comprising of reference (28 ± 0.5 °C; 380 ppm), eTemp (29, 30, 31, 32, 34 ± 0.5 oC with 380 ppm CO2), eCO2 (28 ± 0.5 oC; 550 ppm) and eTemp+eCO2 (29, 30, 31, 32, 34 ± 0.5 oc with 550 ppm CO2) were maintained in CTGC. Interactive effects of eCO2 and eTemp caused the higher LC50 values of spinosad and deltamethrin with negative temperature coefficients and showed the ‘reduction of toxicity’. Lower LC50 values and positive temperature coefficients for flubendiamide (6.67), emamectin benzoate (7.38) and quinalphos (3.04) were recorded, indicating the ‘higher toxicity’ at interactive eCO2 and eTemp. The order in PT of insecticides was deltamethrin

Background: Poor soil fertility is a yield limiting factor in cotton production for realizing higher seed cotton yield. Chemical fertilizers are an important input to get higher crop productivity, but over reliance on chemical fertilizers is associated with declines in some soil properties and crop yields over time and causes serious problems, such as soil degradation. Therefore, an integrated use of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures is a sustainable approach for efficient nutrient usage which enhances efficiency of the chemical fertilizers while reducing nutrient losses. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti under dryland situation to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic nutrients on crop yield, quality and soil fertility status in rainfed Bt cotton. Different crop residues viz., sunflower, pulse haulm, sorghum and cotton residues were collected and composted using TNAU biomineralizer and applied to the experimental trial. Result: It was observed that the application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (120:60:60 N:P:K kg/ha) along with vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha registered the higher seed cotton yield (1600 kg/ha), dry matter production (2444 kg/ha, net income (Rs.11168 ha-1), B:C ratio (1.40) and rain water use efficiency (2.02 kg ha-1 mm) and also increased the plant nutrient uptake. Integrated application of organic and inorganic plant nutrients increased the soil available nutrients in the deep clay soil and sustain the productivity of seed cotton yield in semiarid region of southern district.

A field experiment was conducted in the rainfed Inceptisol soils of Rakh Dhiansar in Kandi areas of Western Himalayas of South Kashmir and Kumaon from 2001 to 2005. The main focus of the present study was to quantify the impact of conjunctive nutrient management practices on soil quality parameters, to identify the key indicators of soil quality using data redundancy technique and to compute integrated soil quality indices (SQIs) and relative soil quality indices (RSQIs) as influenced by the conjunctive nutrient management treatments in hill and mountainous Inceptisol soils in Northern India under maize-wheat system. Out of the total 10 treatments, five treatments viz., T1: control, T2: FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 20 kg N ha−1, T3: FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 30 kg N ha−1, T4: FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 40 kg N ha−1 and T5: green manuring with sunhemp + 20 kg N ha−1 were selected for the soil quality assessment studies. The nutrient management treatments significantly influenced the SQIs which varied between 3.69 to 5.66 across the management treatments, while the RSQIs varied between 0.63 to 0.96. Of all the nutrient management treatments, the application of FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 40 kg N ha−1 maintained significantly highest SQI of 5.66, which was at par with the application of FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 30 kg N ha−1 and green manuring with sunhemp + 20 kg N ha−1 both of which maintained SQI of 5.40. Irrespective of their statistical significance, the relative order of performance of the nutrient management treatments in maintaining the soil quality indices was: T4: FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 40 kg N ha−1 (5.66) > T5: Green manuring with sunhemp + 20 kg N ha−1 (5.44) > T3: FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 30 kg N ha−1 (5.40) > T2: FYM @ 10 t ha−1 + 20 kg N ha−1 (5.16) > T1: control (3.69). The percent contributions of each of these key indicators towards SQIs were also computed. It was observed that almost all the key indicators contributed more or less equally towards the SQIs except available N and available Fe, which contributed to a minimum extent of 2.27% and 1.90%, respectively. The percent contribution of the other key indicators was as follows: organic carbon (13.8%), available P (13.4%), available K (14.5%), available Zn (12.6%), microbial biomass carbon (13.7%), bulk density (15.2%) and mean weight diameter (11.6%).

Rainfed areas are subjected to climate change through extreme weather events, decrease of water availability and decrease in agricultural productivity. The problem to be addressed is the limited access to and exchange of, information and knowledge related to agriculture and food security at local, national, and regional levels. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) act as a crucial player in technology assessment, refinement and demonstration. Technology adoption to be successful depends on successful technology assessment, refinement and demonstration. Hence, the role of KVKs is of paramount importance in the above processes. KVK Rangareddy district of Telangana state (South India) is attached to the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad. The study was conducted in three KVK adopting villages’ of Pudur mandal, Rangareddy district, Telangana state. The objectives of the study are to assess the extent of adoption of KVK technologies, factors affecting and constraints in adoption; to assess the impact of KVK technologies in terms of improved productivity in crops, livestock, income levels of farm women; and to assess the gain in knowledge levels. A sample of 40 farmers each from adopting and non-adopting categories in the same villages was selected for data collection, thus, making a total sample of 240 farmers. The data was collected using a pre-tested interview schedule from the farmers. Focus group discussion and interviews were conducted to elicit data. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (correlation, multiple linear regression and adoption indices). Final data was averaged from the three villages both for adopting and non-adopting category of farmers and presented. More than 60% adoption was recorded for production technology and stem borer management in maize; spacing and fertilizer management in cotton; and demonstration of perennial fodder hybrid Bajra Napier CO-4 etc. T-test scores showed significant higher mean values for adopters over non-adopters except in the case of the variable age. Adopters had better knowledge and adoption rates over non-adopters. Productivity of farmers increased between 33-57% with KVK technologies. Income levels of farm women increased three to four times based on the enterprise after adoption. Farmers’ adoption of technologies requires more concerted efforts in establishing mechanisms and traits including readiness of availability, ease of use, low cost, low labor requirement and time requirements of different technologies and their components. The adoption results of KVK technologies/interventions in case of non adopting category of farmers were found to be meager.

The intermittent dry spells during growing season of winter or sali rice, cultivated in NBPZ of Assam located in the foothills of Eastern Himalayan region, is a major weather risk causing widespread damage to the crop. Herein, variability of rainfall in Lakhimpur district situated in NBPZ was studied. A significant decreasing trend of annual and seasonal rainfall was observed. Significant decrease in monsoon rainfall and increase in monthly rainfall variability clearly explains the recent rainfall fluctuations with increasing frequency of intermittent dry spells and flash floods. A participatory evaluation trial was conducted in Chamua village of Lakhimpur district having different land situations to identify climate resilient technologies to cope with seasonal drought in sali rice. High-yielding short-duration varieties, viz., Dishang, Luit, Lachit and Kolong, and medium-duration varieties, viz., Basundhara, Mohan, Mulagabhoru and TTB-404 performed consistently better than the long-duration HYV or the traditional varieties under upland and medium land situations, respectively. Though the effect of dry spells on long-duration varieties cultivated on low lands was least, yield of these varieties reduced up to 43.07% when sowing was delayed beyond 23rd of June. Performance of the delayed sown varieties was further declined, when exposed to dry spells at later growth stages. However, adverse impact of dry spells can be managed effectively by replacing farmers’ varieties with short and medium-duration high-yielding varieties in upland and medium lands, respectively, and manipulating sowing time of long-duration varieties for low lands.

Achieving sustainable crop productivity and maintenance of concurrent soil organic carbon (SOC) at desired levels in cereal-based cropping systems in relatively, poorly fertile Vertisols in semi-arid rainfed ecosystem is challenging task for dryland researchers. Different soil fertilization practices can contribute to carbon (C) sequestration, which requires a detailed knowledge of SOC dynamics in soil profile (0–1.0 m). We conducted a field experiment for 6 years to study the effect of applying mineral fertilizers and organic amendments (FYM, compost, green leaf and crop residue) on profile SOC stocks, C sequestration, SOC sequestration rate, C buildup rate and sustainable yield index (SYI) of maize and blackgram crops in dry semi-arid Vertisols of western India. The study encompasses different nutrient management viz., 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) of NP, 25 kg ha−1 N (FYM) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1, 25 kg ha−1 N (Compost) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1, 25 kg ha−1 N (Crop residue) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1, 15 kg ha−1 N (FYM) + 10 kg N (Crop Residue) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1, 15 kg ha−1 N (FYM) + 10 kg N (Compost) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1, 15 kg ha−1 N (FYM) + 10 kg N (Green Leaf) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1, 100% recommended N (urea) without P and unfertilized control. Randomized Complete Block design was used wherein all the treatments were replicated thrice. Application of 15 kg ha−1 N (FYM) + 10 kg N (Crop Residue) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1 significantly improved the SOC concentration of the soil profile (0–1.0 m) than unfertilized control and treatments receiving solely mineral fertilizers. Highest SOC profile stock, C sequestration with concomitant C buildup was obtained with 15 kg ha−1 N (FYM) + 10 kg N (Crop Residue) + 25 kg N (Urea) + 30 kg P ha−1. A positive correlation is observed between total C input and profile mean SOC content (R2 = 0.74), profile C stock (R2 = 0.76), C sequestration (R2 = 0.76), C sequestration rate (R2 = 0.76) at P values

For construction of farm pond, the important factor is its location. Normally farmers dug out the farm ponds without considering technical aspects. At All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, demonstrations of site-specific farm ponds based on catchment area were planned and conducted. Based on runoff from the catchment area, the storage in the farm pond was assessed and the relationship was developed. Here, the results of the relationship of catchment, storage and command during the years 2014–2015 to 2016–2017 are presented. During 2016–2017, the runoff causing rainfall in the catchment area of 5 ha of farm pond was 301.3 mm which helps in accumulation of 2014.8 m3 runoff in the farm pond. Therefore, the catchment–storage–command relationship for the season can be given as, from 5 ha catchment, 2014.8 m3 water was stored in the farm pond which can irrigate (command) about 4.0 ha area. Moreover, the available water in the farm ponds was utilized for giving protective irrigations to different crops including vegetables. It was observed that due to utilization of stored farm pond water for protective irrigation, the yield of soybean during Kharif, chickpea during Rabi and vegetables during winter-summer had been increased.

Multi-model ensemble of Maximum (Tmax) and Minimum (Tmin) temperature data of four Representative Concentration Pathways viz., RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0 and RCP 8.5 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models were generated for ten major groundnut growing locations of the India to predict the number of generations of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) using Growing Degree Days approach during three future climate viz., Near (NF), Distant (DF) and Very Distant (VDF) periods and were compared over 1976–2005 baseline period (BL). Projections indicate significant increase in Tmax (0.7–4.7 °C) and Tmin (0.7–5.1 °C) in NF, DF and VDF periods under the four RCP scenarios at the ten groundnut growing locations. Higher percent increase of the number of generations of S. litura was predicted to occur in VDF (6–38%) over baseline, followed by DF (5–22%) and NF (4–9%) periods with reduction of generation time (5–26%) across the four RCP scenarios. Reduction of crop duration was higher (12–22 days) in long duration groundnut than in medium and short duration groundnut. Decrease in crop duration was higher in VDF (12.1–20.8 days) than DF (8.26–13.15 days) and NF (4.46–6.15 days) climate change periods under RCP 8.5 scenario. Increase in number of generations of S. litura was predicted even with altered crop duration of groundnut. Among locations, more number of generations of S. litura with reduced generation time are likely at Vridhachalam and Tirupathi locations. Geographical location (74–77%) and climate period (15–19%), together explained over 90 percent of the total variation in the number of generations and generation time of S. litura. These findings suggest that the incidence of S. litura on groundnut could be higher in future.

Weather and climate play a key role in agricultural production. In recent past, the increased frequency of extreme climatic events has caused enormous damage to agriculture subsectors particularly in the Indian subcontinent. The Government of India through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) has initiated documentation of climate resilient agricultural technologies for each district in the country. These documents titled as “District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACP)” were developed to cope with weather aberrations and minimize their impact on agricultural sector. So far, the DACPs have been prepared for 623 out of 651 targeted districts in the country and are made available to different stakeholders for implementation. Implementation of DACPs during 2014–2016 with extensive planning and collective actions among stakeholders showed positive results in off-setting of sowing area reduction under deficient monsoon rainfall in India. Weather forecasting at subdistrict level with effective linkages with India Meteorological Department and ICAR/SAUs for developing farm level climate advisories is critical for further strengthening implementation process. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Bonn, Germany, 2015 based on in-session workshop recommendation, have proposed agriculture contingency plans along early-warning-systems toward coping climate change impacts. Further, these experiences of India helped the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to develop a contingency template considering the vulnerability of each country. Thus, agriculture contingency plan is evolving as a future strategy to manage aberrant weather situations for ensuring food security and livelihoods in different parts of the world.

Vertisol soils of central India are heavy in texture, with high clay content and low organic matter. These soils are prone to degradation and the soil loss is due to poor management practices including excessive tillage. Based on a long-term study conducted for improving the quality of these soils, it was found that management practice such as low tillage (LT) + 4 t ha−1 compost + herbicide (Hb) recorded significantly higher organic carbon (OC) (6.22 g kg−1) and available N (188.5 kg ha−1) compared to conventional tillage (CT) + recommended fertilizer (RF) + off-season tillage (OT) + hand weeding (HW) (OC: 4.71 g kg−1, available nitrogen (N) (159.3 kg ha−1). Among the physical soil quality parameters, mean weight diameter (MWD) was significantly higher under LT + 4 t ha−1 straw + Hb (0.59 mm). The practice of LT + 4 t ha−1 straw + HW recorded significantly higher microbial biomass carbon (MBC) (388.8 μg g−1). The order of key indicators and their contribution towards soil quality was as follows: O...

A long-term experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of integrated use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil quality and its relation to finger millet yield under two predominant crop rotations viz., groundnut–finger millet and finger millet monocropping in hot moist semiarid rainfed Alfisol soils in South India. Two experiments were laid out separately for each cropping system in a randomized complete block design with five treatments individually with FYM and maize residue-based combinations viz., Control (T1), FYM @ 10t ha −1 or Maize residue (MR) @ 5t ha −1 (T2), farm yard manure (FYM) @ 10t ha −1 or Maize residue (MR) @ 5t ha −1 + 50% RDF (Recommended Fertiliser Dose) N, P2O5 & K2O (T3), FYM @ 10t ha −1 or Maize residue (MR) @ 5t ha −1 + 100% RDF N,P2O5 & K2O (T4), Recommended N, P2O5 & K2O (T5). Thus, four sets of nutrient management systems were evaluated. The results showed that farm yard manure or maize residue application in combination with recommended dose of fer...

Weather aberrations impact agriculture and allied sectors in one or other parts of the India round the year. Seasonal droughts and extreme weather events in 21st century have caused alarming losses not only in agricultural production but also horticulture, livestock, poultry and fisheries. ICAR-CRIDA, SAUs and DAC, MoA, GoI, prepared more than 580 district level agriculture plans within formation on contingency measures for sustaining higher agriculture production and to cope with extreme events. Real-time contingency planning (RTCP) is being conceptualized and implemented at micro level in farmers’ fields in this country. RTCP implementation during delayed onset of monsoon, seasonal droughts and floods resulted in better crop performance, higher agricultural production, better incomes and overall stability in house-hold livelihoods. In this paper, the real-contingency measures to cope with extreme events for management of horticultural crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries are proposed. Further, the preparedness for RTCP implementation with policy initiatives is also suggested.

Organic agriculture is gaining prominence world over, and about 57.8 Mha were organically managed in 2016. Agriculture can contribute to mitigate climate change by (a) reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and (b) by carbon sequestration in the soil. The potential of organic agriculture for both these effects is reported to be high. In organic production systems, the nitrogen input to soils and hence the nitrous oxide emissions are low. Application of organic inputs such as animal manure, compost and green manures increases soil carbon levels substantially. Many field experiments worldwide show that organic fertilization compared to mineral fertilization results in higher soil organic carbon and thus sequesters large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere to the soil. Furthermore, soils in organic agriculture capture and store more water than soils of conventional agriculture. Soils under organic agriculture are also less prone to erosion. Hence, organic agriculture production is reported to be more adaptive than conventional agriculture to extreme weather conditions such as drought and flooding.

The soils in the hot semi-arid tropical (SAT) regions generally have low organic matter and nutrient reserves. Soil-management problems in these soils primarily occur because of poor physical conditions and inadequate drainage through excess runoff, finally resulting in poor crop growth. Hence, the present investigation was conducted to study the long-term impact of conjunctive nutrient use treatments on soil quality indicators and soil quality indices under three cropping systems: (i) sole soybean, (ii) soybean + maize, and (iii) sole maize cropping systems at the Indore Centre of the All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) using Navjot and JS-335 as cultivars of maize and soybean, respectively. In 2005, the soil quality assessment study under this experiment was undertaken after 8 years of experimentation. Soil quality assessment was done by identifying the key indicators using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear scoring technique (LST). Soil quality indices (S...

Rainfed Inceptisol soils, despite their agricultural potential, pose serious problems, including soil erosion, low fertility, nutrient imbalance, and low soil organic matter, and ultimately lead to poor soil quality. To address these constraints, two long-term experiments were initiated to study conservation agricultural practices, comprising conventional and low tillage as well as conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients in Inceptisol soils of Agra center of the All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA). The first experiment included tillage and nutrient-management practices, whereas the second studied only conjunctive nutrient-management practices. Both used pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Linn) as test crop. These experiments were adopted for soil quality assessment studies at 4 and 8 years after their completion, respectively, at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad, India. Soil quality assessment was don...

Based on experiments conducted during 1988–2009 on rainfed pearl millet/sorghum with 9 treatments in Vertisols, an efficient treatment for sustainable productivity is identified. Twenty kg of nitrogen (N) from farmyard manure (FYM) + 20 kg N (urea) + 10 kg phosphorus (P) ha−1 in pearl millet and 40 kg N (urea) + 20 kg P + 25 kg zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) ha−1 in sorghum gave maximum yield and rainwater-use efficiency, whereas 20 kg N (FYM) + 20 kg (urea) + 10 kg P ha−1 in pearl millet and 40 kg (urea) + 20 kg P ha−1 in sorghum and gave maximum soil N, P, and potassium (K) over years. The regression model of 20 kg N (crop residue) + 20 kg N (urea) + 10 kg P ha−1 gave maximum R2 for predicting sorghum equivalent yield separately through precipitation and soil variables, whereas 20 kg N (FYM) + 20 kg N (urea) + 10 kg P ha−1 gave maximum R2 under combined model of both variables. Treatment of 20 kg N (FYM) + 20 kg N (urea) + 10 kg P ha−1 was superior for attaining maximum sorghum equivalent yield of 1062 kg ha−1, n...

Currently, natural resources, land (soil, air, water) and biologicals (biodiversity) are in a state of serious decline. The factor productivity of monetary and non-monetary inputs is impaired both in the irrigated agricultural regions and in the dryland ecologies. Groundwater tables are lowering at 1 m per annum in most areas. There is little recharge of the free aquifer. The soil health is also in a state of decline, where only major nutrients (NPK) were applied to obtain high yields in the green revolution areas; today apparent from NPK, the deficiencies of Zn, Fe, S, Cu and Mo, amongst others, are showing up. The groundwaters are becoming toxic due to increased salinity, alkalinity and the contamination due to arsenic, fluorides, chlorides and in some cases uranium. The content of CO2 in our atmosphere has almost doubled (since the industrial revolution about a century ago), which is leading to global warming; 1–1.5°C rise in ambient environmental temperature is already evident. The circulation of monsoon is setting new normals. It is in a state of flux. The occurrence of unseasonal rains, droughts and floods, soil erosion and loss of soil organic matter has increased with rise in temperature, thus seriously impairing soil health and its quality for producing sustainable yields.

Long-term effects of the different combinations of nutrient-management treatments were studied on crop yields of sorghum + cowpea in rotation with cotton + black gram. The effects of rainfall, soil temperature, and evaporation on the status of soil fertility and productivity of crops were also modeled and evaluated using a multivariate regression technique. The study was conducted on a permanent experimental site of rain-fed semi-arid Vertisol at the All-India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture, Kovilpatti Centre, India, during 1995 to 2007 using 13 combinations of nutrient-management treatments. Application of 20 kg nitrogen (N) (urea) + 20 kg N [farmyard manure (FYM)] + 20 kg phosphorus (P) ha−1 gave the greatest mean grain yield (2146 kg ha−1) of sorghum and the fourth greatest mean yield (76 kg ha−1) of cowpea under sorghum + cowpea system. The same treatment maintained the greatest mean yield of cotton (546 kg ha−1) and black gram (236 kg ha−1) under a cotton + cowpea system. When so...

SUMMARYLong-term field experiments were conducted at Agra, Solapur and Hisar from 2000 to 2008 to identify efficient tillage and nutrient management practices and to develop predictive models that would describe the relationship between crop yields and monthly rainfall for rainfed pearl millet grown on arid and semi-arid Inceptisol, Vertisol and Aridisol soils. Nine treatments comprising a factorial combination of three tillage practices, viz., conventional tillage (CT), low tillage + interculture (LT1) and low tillage + herbicide (LT2) and three fertilizer treatments viz., 100% N from an organic source (F1), 50% organic N + 50% inorganic N (F2) and 100% inorganic N (F3) were tested in a split-plot design at the three locations. Studies revealed that tillage and fertilizer treatments, and their interactions, significantly influenced pearl millet grain yields at the three locations. Prediction models describing the relation between grain yield and monthly rainfall indicated that rainfall occurring in June, July and August at Agra; June and July at Solapur; and June and August at Hisar significantly influenced pearl millet grain yield attained by different treatments. The R2 values of the model ranged from 0.64 to 0.81 at Agra; 0.63 to 0.92 at Solapur, and 0.75 to 0.89 at Hisar. When averaged over all the treatment combinations, mean pearl millet grain yields varied from 1590 to 1744 kg ha−1 at Agra; 1424 to 1786 kg ha−1 at Solapur; and 1675 to 1766 kg ha−1 at Hisar while their corresponding sustainability yield indice (SYI) varied from 35.4 to 42.2%, 19.9 to 45.6% and 64.1 to 68.3%, respectively. At Agra (Inceptisol), CTF3 resulted in significantly higher mean net returns (Rs 11 439 ha−1), benefit-cost ratio (2.33), rainwater use efficiency (RWUE) (3.52 kg ha−1 mm−1) and the second best SYI (39.9%). At Solapur (Vertisol), the LT1F3 resulted in significantly higher net returns (Rs 12 818 ha−1), benefit-cost ratio (3.52), RWUE (3.89 kg ha−1 mm−1) and the fourth best SYI (42.6%). At Hisar (Aridisol), the LT1F3 treatment gave higher net returns (Rs 3866 ha−1), benefit-cost ratio (1.26), RWUE (5.05 kg ha−1 mm−1) and the fourth best SYI (67.8%). These treatment combinations can be recommended for their respective locations to achieve maximum RWUE, productivity and profitability.

Rainfed semi-arid tropical Vertisols of the Indian subcontinent encounter many problems on account of the physical, chemical, and biological soil qualities and consequently have poor crop yields. To ensure sustainable crop production, there is a need to improve and periodically assess the quality of these soils by adopting suitable soil and nutrient-management practices on a long-term basis. Hence, soil quality assessment studies were conducted at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India, by adopting an ongoing long-term experiment from Akola Centre (Maharashtra) of All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) for the rainfed Vertisol. This long-term experiment was initiated in 1987 with six soil and nutrient management treatments: T1, control; T2, 50 kg nitrogen (N) + 25 kg phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) ha−1; T3, 25 kg N ha−1 through leuceana; T4, 25 kg N ha−1 through farmyard manure (FYM); T5, 25 kg N + 25 kg P2O5 + 25 kg N ha−1 through FYM; and ...

The present study was conducted at Kovilpatti Centre of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) to assess the impact of conjunctive nutrient management practices on soil quality parameters, to identify the key indicators of soil quality, to compute the soil quality indices (SQIs) and to identify the best conjunctive nutrient management practices from the view point of soil quality improvement in sorghum + cowpea intercropping (C1), sorghum sole cropping (C2) and cowpea sole cropping (C3) systems. The treatments were comprised of T1: control, T2: 100% N (inorganic), T3: 25 kg N (compost), T4: 15 kg N (compost) + 20 kg N (inorganic) and T5: 15 kg N (green leaf) + 20 kg N (inorganic). The results of the present study clearly indicated that the conjunctive nutrient treatments significantly influenced organic carbon (OC), available phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) contents of soil in all the three systems; the potassium (K) and manganese (Mn) were significantly influenced in the C2 and C3 cropping systems. The dehydrogenase activity (DHA) was significantly highest under T3 in sole sorghum system with highest value of 1.41 μg TPF ha−1 g−1 of soil, which was on par with T4. The microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was significantly influenced by sole cowpea and sole sorghum systems, with highest values of 125.1 and 114.0 μg g−1 of soil under T3, respectively. However, the labile carbon (LC) content was significantly influenced in all the three cropping systems, with the highest LC content of 338.3 (T3), 285.2 (T3) μg g−1 and 339.64 (T4) of soil under sorghum + cowpea, sole sorghum and sole cowpea systems, respectively. The mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD) was significantly influenced by the treatments in the sole sorghum system with the highest value of 0.50 mm with the T5 treatment. When all the cropping systems were viewed together, the final set of key soil quality indicators for these Vertisol soils emerged were: EC, OC, available P, available S, available Zn, LC, MBC and BD. From the view point of RSQI, the order of superiority of the conjunctive nutrient management treatments was: T3: 25 kg N (compost) (0.95)=T4: 15 kg N (compost) + 20 kg N (inorganic) (0.95) > T5: 15 kg N (green leaf) + 20 kg N (inorganic) (0.84) > T2: 100% N (inorganic) (0.73) > T1: control (0.55).

Soybean is the predominant crop of Marathwada Region covering 15 lakh hectare area in kharif season. Though its potential yield reported to be very high but the farmers of the region particularly under rainfed condition is not getting higher yield due to various reasons. Accordingly, a field experiment was conducted on medium black soils during 2014 to 2018 for evaluation of various in-situ rainwater conservation practices for reducing runoff and soil loss as well as to enhance the moisture availability to cope with dryspell conditions. The various in-situ rainwater conservation practices includes opening of furrow after every 4 rows,dead furrow, tied ridging, conservation furrow, BBF and flatbed and were evaluated for its performance to enhance the productivity of rainfed soybean through soil moisture conservation. BBF recorded significantly higher crop productivity as compared to other treatments and found to be at par with opening of furrow after every 4 rows. The net returns and BC ratio were also found higher under BBF treatment. The rainwater use efficiency under BBF was found to be 2.78 as compared to 177 under flatbed treatment (farmers practice). The runoff and soil loss were also found less (46% and 53%, respectively) under BBF treatment as compared to flatbed treatment. Study concluded that BBF sowing technique for soybean was most suitable for enhancing production potential and soil moisture.

Available labour in the agricultural farm has been decreasing over the years. Mechanization of agriculture is an essential input in modern agriculture. It enhances productivity besides reducing human drudgery and cost of cultivation. Mechanization also helps in improving utilization efficiency. A field experiment was conducted on medium black soils in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state during 2016 to 2018 with respect to evaluation mechanization practices coupled with various in-situ rainwater conservation practices for rainfed soybean. The treatments of complete mechanization, partial mechanization and traditional methods of cultivation were evaluated for rainfed soybean (MAUS-162) along with sub plot treatments of broad bed and furrow (BBF), ridges & furrow and flatbed. Complete mechanization in soybean resulted in higher seed yield, Gross Monitory Returns (GMR), Net Monitory Returns (NMR), Benefit Cost ratio (B: C ratio) and Rain Water Use Efficiency (RWUE). In-situ moisture conservation practices viz. BBF and ridges & furrow method of sowing recorded highest seed yield, GMR, NMR, B: C ratio and RWUE as compared to traditional method of cultivation. Complete mechanization along with BBF method of sowing soybean is found to be significantly superior over all treatment combinations with respect to seed yield, NMR, B: C ratio, RWUE. The highest energy output-input ratio (10.2) was observed in complete mechanization with BBF method of sowing.

Sheep farming is the strength of South India where chevon is preferred species for meat, but in some of the areas of Telangana, its farming has been discontinued due to forage unavailability. Rural masses are already suffering from food and nutritional deficiencies. In order to improve nutrient availability of poor households in rural areas of Vikarabad district, Telangana, low input technology sheep farming coupled with improved forage production has been introduced under farmers FIRST project for supplementing the earnings of poor farmer. Deccani and Nellore sheep breeds each five ewes and one doe were given to geo-tagged, pre-trained six small farmers from Gangupalle village (17.30° N, 77.98° E), Pudur Mandal, Vikarabad District, Telangana, India for rearing. For comparison, the performance of 14 non-descript goats were also monitored. The nutritional status pre-and post-intervention was assessed and as per the revenue generated from selling of sheep, 70% of money were allocated for egg, chicken and chevon purchases for family consumption. On adult unit basis, diet was deficient in energy as well as protein and it had too low energy levels to meet their Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) requirements. After the intervention, the energy deficiency in diet was reduced to meet out BMR requirement in all categories of people in the family. The diet chart revealed that females and children were more deficient in diet than males in an ideal family of six people. After the intervention, the diet was excess in protein to the tune of 14.27, 3.73 and 63.02% in the male, female and children, respectively. The study revealed significant higher production performances of indigenous sheep (76.4% better body weight) over the non-descript goat has a better support system to livelihood and nutritional security in the dryland region.

In order to study the effect of cropping sequences grown under different practices of nutrients management on soil quality, a long term experiment was conducted at research centre of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA), Targhadia, Rajkot falling under the jurisdiction of Junagadh Agricultural University. The experiment was conducted in a two-factor randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The cropping sequences followed were: Sesamum-cotton, Sesamum-sesamum, Sesamum-groundnut, Bajra-groundnut, Bajra-bajra, Bajra-cotton, Castor-cotton, Castorcastor, Castor-groundnut, Cotton-groundnut, Cotton-cotton, Groundnut-groundnut. The nutrient management practices were: i) control without fertilizer, ii) recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), iii) integrated nutrient management (INM) and iv) sole organic sources of nutrients. The results of the study indicated that the organic carbon was found to be medium (5.3 to 7.4 g kg−1) across the cropping sequences. The application of sole organic sources resulted in highest available N (197.9 kg ha−1) followed by INM treatments (182.3 kg ha−1). Available P was found highest under cotton–groundnut cropping sequence (24.72 kg ha−1). Cotton-cotton cropping sequence recorded significantly highest available K (449.1 kg ha−1) and also available Zn, Fe, Cu, B to the extent of 1.06, 25.0, 3.36, 0.52 μg g−1 respectively. Among the nutrient treatments, application of sole organic sources resulted in significantly highest amounts of available Zn, Fe, Mn and B. Significantly highest dehydrogenase activity was observed under sesamum-sesamum sequence, MBC under sesamum-cotton and labile carbon under castor-castor system. Application of sole organic sources of nutrients recorded significantly highest dehydrogenase activity (DHA), Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC) and labile carbon followed by INM treatments. The relative order of performance of the cropping sequences in terms of relative soil quality indices (RSQI), when averaged over nutrient management treatments was as follows: Cotton-cotton (1.00) >Cotton-groundnut (0.93) > Castor-castor (0.88) > Bajra-groundnut (0.86) > Sesamum-sesamum (0.8) > Bajra-cotton (0.68) > Groundnut-groundnut (0.68) > Sesamum-groundnut (0.66) > Sesamum-cotton (0.64) > Castor-cotton (0.64) > Castor-groundnut (0.6) > Bajra-bajra (0.56). But when averaged over cropping sequences, the order of superiority of the treatments in terms of RSQI was: sole organic (1.00) > INM (0.72) > RDF (0.47). The results of the present study will be highly useful for improving the soil quality by using suitable combinations of crop sequences and nutrient management.

Six field experiments were conducted on sunflower with treatments comprising of 4 dates of sowing (sown during different standard meteorological weeks viz., 28 (9-15 July), 30 (23-29 July), 32 (6-12 August) and 34 (21-26 August), 3 moisture conservation methods (ridge & furrow, skip row with furrow and flat bed) and 3 levels of fertilizer NP (40-20, 50-25 and 60-30 kg/ha) during kharif 1999 to 2004 at Solapur on semi-arid vertisols. Based on daily rainfall (RF), daily runoff (RO) and crop soil moisture stress index (MSI) were measured for each combination of date of sowing (DOS) and moisture conservation (MC) method in each season. Correlation analysis indicated a positive relation of seed yield with rainfall in all 4 DOS. The relation was relatively higher for flat bed in 1st DOS, ridge & furrow in 2nd DOS, skip row with furrow in 3rd and 4th DOS. It was negatively related with RO in 1st DOS, but positively related with the other 3 DOS. The relation was higher under ridge & furrow system in 1st DOS (negative) and 4th DOS (positive), while under flat bed in 2nd and 3rd DOS. Negative relation of MSI was found with yield under all the 12 combinations of DOS and MC indicating a higher relation under skip row with furrow in 1st, 2nd and 4th DOS, and flat bed in 3rd DOS. The relation between RF and RO was positive, while MSI had negative relation with both RF and RO. Regression models of seed yield through RF, RO, SMI, fertilizer N and P, along with fertilizer x MSI interaction were calibrated. The predictability ranged from 0.12 (ridge and furrow in 3rd DOS) to 0.91 (flat bed in 1st DOS). A ready reckon of optimal N and P doses at varying MSI levels (0.15 to 0.75) indicated that ridge and furrow method is efficient in 1st DOS with an optimal N and P ranging from 51 to 53 kg/ha and 26 to 27 kg/ha, respectively. Skip row with furrow method was efficient when crop was sown in any of the other DOS with an optimal N ranging from 38 to 66 kg/ha (2nd DOS), 44 to 73 kg/ha (3rd DOS) and 47 to 74 kg/ha (4th DOS). The optimal P ranged from 19 to 33 kg/ha (2nd DOS), 22 to 36 kg/ha (3rd DOS) and 24 to 37 kg/ha (4th DOS) for attaining maximum productivity of sunflower on semi-arid vertisols.