Dual purpose summer legumes and zinc fertilization for improving productivity and zinc utilization in aromatic hybrid rice (Oryza sativa)
Indian Journal of Agronomy, Oct 9, 2001
Field experiments were conducted during 2007–08 at New Delhi, to study the effect of dual purpose... more Field experiments were conducted during 2007–08 at New Delhi, to study the effect of dual purpose summer legumes and zinc (Zn) fertilization on productivity and Zn-use efficiency of aromatic hybrid rice cv ‘Pusa Rice Hybrid 10’ (‘PRH 10’). The experiment was carried out in split plot design with 3 treatments of legume residue in main plots and seven treatments of Zn fertilization in sub-plots. The tallest plant height, number of tillers/m2, dry matter accumulation/hill, leaf area index (LAI), yield attributes and grain yield of aromatic hybrid rice was recorded with incorporation of cowpea residue followed by mungbean residue. Zinc fertilization in aromatic hybrid rice increased growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and straw yields. Application of 2% ZEU (ZnSO4.7H2O) was found to be the best in terms of all the yield attributes, grain yield of aromatic hybrid rice, 2% ZEU (ZnO) was found very close to it. In respect to Zn concentrations in grain and straw of aromatic hybrid rice, 2% ZEU (ZnSO4.7H2O) recorded higher Zn concentrations in grain as well as in straw of aromatic hybrid rice. The highest agronomic efficiency (AE) was obtained with the application of 2% ZEU (ZnSO4.7H2O). Physiological efficiency (PE) and Zn harvest index (ZnHI) of applied Zn were also significantly influenced due to dual purpose summer legumes and various Zn fertilization treatments applied in aromatic hybrid rice. Cooking quality parameters were significantly improved by legume residue incorporation and with the application of ZEU. The highest net returns and B:C ratios of the legume-rice sequence were recorded with the legume residue incorporation and with the application of ZEU in the aromatic hybrid rice. Thus, growing of cowpea or mungbean as dual purpose summer legumes along with Zn fertilization as 2% ZEU either with ZnSO4.7H2O or ZnO to aromatic hybrid rice led to higher productivity, cooking quality and Zn-use efficiency in aromatic hybrid rice and higher net returns of this sequence.
The conventional non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) is neither economical nor sustainable in IGP.... more The conventional non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) is neither economical nor sustainable in IGP. Therefore, an on-farm study was carried out at the farmer’s field in Karnal district of Haryana to find out alternative by diversified crops having legume (summer mungbean) with the best tillage and residue management practices. The intensification through conservation agriculture (CA)-based crop management within the RW system (CTR–ZTWMb and DSR– ZTWMb) and beyond with diversification by maize (ZTMWMb and ZTMMuMb) gave statistically on par yield to conventional non-basmati rice (CTRW). Compared to CTRW, total water use was reduced by 0.8 and 14.8% in CTR– ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb, respectively. The total water use was significantly reduced by 53.9 to 60.8% with maize and soybean (ZTMWMb, ZTMMuMb, and ZTSWMb) over DSR–ZTWMb and CTRW. The net returns increased by ₹3.7–6.5 × 103/ha in CTR–ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb over the CTRW. In diversified systems, net returns increased by ₹10–16.5 × 103/ha with...
Residue retention and nitrogen management of preceding crops influences the productivity, profitability and environmental footprints of summer mungbean in maize-based cropping systems under conservation agriculture
Co-implementation of precision nutrient management in long-term conservation agriculture-based systems: A step towards sustainable energy-water-food nexus
Microbiome for sustainable agriculture: a review with special reference to the corn production system
Archives of Microbiology, 2021
Microbial diversity formed by ages of evolution in soils plays an important role in sustainabilit... more Microbial diversity formed by ages of evolution in soils plays an important role in sustainability of crop production by enriching soil and alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses. This diversity is as an essential part of the agro-ecosystems, which is being pushed to edges by pumping agrochemicals and constant soil disturbances. Consequently, efficiency of cropping system has been decreasing, aggravated further by the increased incidence of abiotic stresses due to changes in climatic patterns. Thus, the sustainability of agriculture is at stake. Understanding the microbiota inhabiting phyllosphere, endosphere, spermosphere, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere, and its utilization could be a sustainable crop production strategy. This review explores the available information on diversity of beneficial microbes in agricultural ecosystem and synthesizes their commercial uses in agriculture. Microbiota in agro-ecosystem works by nutrient acquisition, enhancing nutrient availability, water uptake, and amelioration of abiotic and abiotic stresses. External application of such beneficial microbiota or microbial consortia helps in boosting plant growth and provides resistance to drought, salinity, heavy metal, high-temperature and radiation stress in various crop plants. These have been instrumental in enhancing tolerance to diseases, insect pest and nematodes in various cropping system. However, studies on the microbiome in revolutionary production systems like conservation agriculture and protected cultivation, which use lesser agrochemicals, are limited and if exploited can provide valuable input in sustainable agriculture production.
Background: Cardiac tumors are an exceedingly rare phenomena. Papillary fibroelastomas are the se... more Background: Cardiac tumors are an exceedingly rare phenomena. Papillary fibroelastomas are the second most common benign cardiac tumors. Despite their propensity to cause embolic strokes and acute coronary syndrome, a major consideration is also that of symptomatic peripheral artery disease as a presentation. Case: A 77 year-old female with history of a prior transient ischemic attack and hypertension presented to the hospital with severe pain within her right great toe after undergoing partial amputation a couple of weeks prior. On physical exam, she was found to have absent pulses within the popliteal and right femoral arteries. In anticipation for further surgical intervention, pre-operative cardiac evaluation was performed with a transthoracic echocardiogram that showed an ejection fraction of 75%, no regional wall motion abnormalities, and a well defined, mobile mass within the left ventricle measuring 18x14mm. Decision-Making: Further cardiovascular evaluation was obtained, with transesophageal echocardiogram confirming the finding of a 18x12mm pedunculated mass attached to the septal wall of the left ventricle. Right lower extremity angiography revealed total occlusion of the proximal segments of the right anterior tibial and peroneal arteries, as well as a total occlusion within the distal segment of the posterior tibial artery. Due to the finding of a cardiac mass causing peripheral embolization, the decision for surgical resection was reached. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of papillary fibroelastoma of the left ventricle. The patient tolerated the procedure well and made a successful recovery. This case highlights the importance of a complete cardiac evaluation for patients presenting with peripheral vascular disease without known risk factors. Furthermore, it reinforces the importance of the echocardiogram to identify or exclude cardiac tumors as a potential cause of peripheral embolic phenomena
Dynamics and temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon mineralization under medium-term conservation agriculture as affected by residue and nitrogen management options
Soil and Tillage Research, 2019
Abstract In the scenario of global climate change, the enhancement and stabilization of soil orga... more Abstract In the scenario of global climate change, the enhancement and stabilization of soil organic carbon holds prime importance. In this context, conservation agriculture (CA) based practices i.e., diversified cropping systems and permanent bed (PB) holds great potential. In this article, we have compared the dynamics of soil organic carbon under mustard and wheat based systems [MMuMb, maize-mustard-mungbean and MWMb, maize-wheat-mungbean)] planted on PB, with and without residue (PB + R and PB - R) along with four nitrogen (N) management options [Un-fertilized, N through prilled urea (PU), N through sulphur coated urea (SCU), and N through neem coated urea (NCU)]. After 5-years of experimentation, to assess the medium-term impact of full CA (PB + R) in comparison to partial CA (PB-R) on SOC dynamics under mustard and wheat based systems with diverse N sources, we had conducted an incubation study at three temperature levels (27, 32 and 37 °C) in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haplustept) of north-western Indo- Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India. Wheat-based cropping system (MWMb) resulted in higher values of less labile, non-labile as well as total SOC, as compared with mustard-based system (MMuMb). On the other hand, MMuMb registered higher amount of very labile and labile SOC, with enhanced decay rate. The cumulative C mineralization (Ct) was 11–17% higher under MMuMb compared with MWMb, from all the soil depths at 27 °C. Retention of crop residue in PB increased total SOC by 11.5 to 19.5% compared with PB-R, across the soil depths. The Ct were significantly higher under full CA plots with lower decay rate (Kc), as compared to plots under partial CA. Application of N fertilizers registered a significant hike in total SOC compared to un-fertilized control plots. At the same time, the coated N sources i.e., SCU and NCU failed to cause any significant improvements in total SOC as compared with uncoated PU plots. On the other hand, coated urea treated plots registered significantly higher C mineralization compared with uncoated PU plots. Between the two coated urea products, the NCU application registered significantly higher C mineralization compared with SCU across the sampling events and temperature regimes from all the soils layers. Cropping system or residue addition/removal did not affect temperature sensitivity of SOC mineralisation. At the same time, addition of N-fertilizers, irrespective of sources lowered the Q10 compared with no-N fertilization.
Under the present scenario of resource degradation, shortage of water & labour, growing productio... more Under the present scenario of resource degradation, shortage of water & labour, growing production cost, falling water tables as well as farm profitability and climate-change; the sustainability of traditional rice-wheat (RW) system became a major challenge in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Therefore, to address these issues in India's, northwestern IGP, RW system need to be diversified with conservation agriculture (CA) based profitable and sustainable systems. Full CA based crop production technologies may furnish more yield, reduce water need and enhance farm profitability, without hampering the sustainability of natural resources. So in an established on-going long term study (since 2012), we assessed the medium term-impact of four different nitrogen management practices [Unfertilized, N through Prilled urea (PU), N through Sulphur coated urea (SCU) and N through Neem coated urea (NCU)] in residue retained permanent bed (PB + R) vs. residue removed permanent bed (PB-R) plots under maizemustard-mungbean (MMuMb) and maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb) crop rotations. Results showed that, the maize, wheat and mustard yields were statistically similar in first year of study irrespective of residue retention or removal, whereas during subsequent years, yields of maize, wheat and mustard were significantly (P < 0.05) higher by 10.1-16.7%, 9.3-23.6% and 13.6-21.9% under residue retained plots (full CA) than residue removed plots (partial CA), respectively. However, the mungbean yield was significantly (P < 0.05) greater by 12.4-24.3% in residue retained plots right from first year onwards. In permanent bed plots, residue retention reduced the water requirement by 50-55 ha-mm, and improved water productivity by 9.4-27.6%, 17.7-30.4%, 21.7-42.6% and 33-57.2% in maize, wheat, mustard and mungbean, respectively compared to no residue plots. Economic profit for MMuMb (from 2nd year onward) and MWMb rotations (in all the 5-years) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher by 220-464 and 165-474 US$/ha/year, respectively in residue retained plots compared to residue removed plots. Among N management practices, application of neem and sulphur coated urea significantly improved the individual crops yield, water productivity and system profitability compared to un-fertilized both under residue retained and removed plots. However, across the cropping systems the effectiveness of different N sources varied with residue management, as the annual increment in system productivity of SCU treated and residue retained plots under MMuMb system was about thrice than the residue removed plots. Whereas, in MWMb system the annual increment in system productivity was double in NCU treated and residue retained plots as compared to residue removed plots. Effectiveness of PU was not increased with residue retention in maize and mustard, whereas in wheat both the coated and uncoated urea application increased the annual yield by manifolds. Findings of this study support differential opportunity of residue management and suggest that a combination of full CA-based MMuMb/MWMb system with use of proper N sources [like slow release coated fertilizers (NCU/SCU)] could augment the system productivity, resource-use efficiency, farm profitability, while sustaining the natural resources in Western IGP in India and other similar agro-ecologies.
Soil C fractions and N dynamics and N 2 O emissions from different tillage and diversified croppi... more Soil C fractions and N dynamics and N 2 O emissions from different tillage and diversified cropping systems were analysed. • The mass equivalent SOC stock and mineral-N fractions increased dramatically in CA practices. • Greater N 2 O fluxes occurred in CT than CA based systems. • The higher SOC and mineral-N, with lower N 2 O fluxes were found in MWMb and MCS than in MMS cropping system.
In recent years, water resources have decreased and water saving has become an important issue in... more In recent years, water resources have decreased and water saving has become an important issue in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of South Asia. Maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb), is an alternate to traditional rice-wheat cropping system, can mitigate the effects of the frequency, intensity, and duration of rainfall due to climate change on food security in the semi arid-region of north-western IGP. The objective of this research was to determine the productivity, water-use efficiency (WUE) and incident radiation conversation efficiency (IRCE) of MWMb cropping system under 3 tillage practices [zero tillage (ZT), permanent beds (PB) and conventional tillage (CT) and 4 nutrient management strategies [Control (unfertilized), farmers' fertilizer practice (FFP), recommended dose of fertilizers (Ad-hoc) and a site specific nutrient management (SSNM" using the Nutrient Expert ® decision support tool). Results of multiyear trial showed that among tillage practices, ZT and PB practices reduced the system irrigation water requirement by 140-200 mm ha -1 and 200-300 mm ha -1 respectively, compared to CT system, resulting an enhanced grain yield by 5.7-24.6%, biomass yield by 4.6-20.8%, WUE by 18.4-39.0%, and IRCE by 9.9-34.4%, respectively. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvement in system WUE, grain and biomass yield, and IRCE (by 30.6-59.9, 38.3-80.5, 34.3-64.7 and 13.5-48.5%, respectively) was observed in SSNM compared to the unfertilized plots. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) interactions between tillage practices and nutrient management strategies was measured with respect to water-use, WUE, grain and biomass yield, and IRCE of MWMb system. Combinations of ZT/PB practices + SSNM/Ad-hoc nutrient management strategies registered significantly (P < 0.05) higher system WUE and IRCE, grain and biomass yield compared to CT + unfertilized/FFP. Results of present study showed that SSNM/Ad-hoc based nutrient application coupled with CA-based tillage practices in MWMb system has complementarity to attain higher system productivity, WUE and IRCE compared to the use of these crop management practices in isolation.
The maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb) cropping system is being advocated as an alternative to the tradi... more The maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb) cropping system is being advocated as an alternative to the traditional rice-based cropping systems of north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) to address the issues of energy and nutritional scarcity, residue burning, decline in biomass productivity and water tables. In semi-arid regions, the climate-change-induced variability in rainfall and temperature may have an impact on phenological responses of cereals and pulses which in turn would affect biomass production, economic yield and energy and water-use efficiency (WUE) of the crops. Henceforth, quantification of bioequivalent yields, energy requirement, economics and WUE of MWMb system is essentially required owing to have better understanding of this cropping system. Following a 4-year study was conducted under different tillage and nutrient management. ZT and PB plots had significantly higher pooled average (17.2e20.3%) biomass productivity, (34.4e39.8%) net returns and (49.8e66.2%) biomass water-use efficiency with lesser (8.5e16.1%) water-use than the CT plots. Significantly higher pooled bioenergetic yields (21.7e35.2%), net returns (31.4e37.8%) and biomass water-use efficiency (30.1e35.2%) was observed in SSNM/Ad-hoc plots compared with FFP plots. The total pooled energy input in ZT/PB and SSNM/Ad-hoc plots was significant (P < 0.05) higher than CT and FFP plots, respectively, with greater net energy output, energy productivity and energy efficiency. The interactions between tillage and nutrient management practices on pooled input energy and energy productivity of MWMb system was significant (P < 0.05). Thus, adoption of conservation tillage (ZT/PB) practices with improved nutrient management (SSNM/Ad-hoc) could be a viable option for achieving higher biomass productivity, water and energy-use efficiency and profitability in MWMb system.
Background: The in-vitro nutrient digestibility and fermentation mimicking gastrointestinal proce... more Background: The in-vitro nutrient digestibility and fermentation mimicking gastrointestinal process of pigs is a convenient method for rapid and cheaper measurement of degradation of feed ingredients. In the present study silage based diets containing varying levels of crude fibre were subjected to in vitro digestibility evaluation using pig faecal inoculum to determine the best crude fibre level for feeding pigs. Methods: Eight diets were prepared namely, B1, B2, V1, V2, V3, M1, M2 and M3 having 6.28, 8.43, 8.03, 10.0, 11.96, 8.17, 10.31 and 12.06 per cent crude fibre (on dry matter basis) respectively, where diets B1 and B2 were basal diets, V1, V2 and V3 contained vegetable waste silage; M1, M2 and M3 contained maize silage -as additional fibre source. An in-vitro study was carried out to investigate the nutrient digestibility of diets involving enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation using pig faecal inoculum. Result: The in-vitro total tract digestibility (IVTTD) of dry matter (D...
Hydro and aeroponic technique for rapid drought tolerance screening in maize (Zea mays)
Indian Journal of Agronomy, Oct 9, 2001
Present study was carried out under field and controlled conditions at New Delhi during 2015 and ... more Present study was carried out under field and controlled conditions at New Delhi during 2015 and 2016 to standardize a new rapid screening technique to identify drought tolerant maize (Zea mays L.)genotypes. The genotypes have shown variable wilting symptoms and recovery during the stress and while reverting back to hydroponic, respectively. Only the tolerant genotypes, viz. hybrid ‘PMH 4’ and inbreds ‘DQL633-1-1’, ‘DQL 790 PG-2-4’, ‘CM 125’, ‘CM 140’, and ‘LM 14’ have shown less wilting and much faster recovery compared to susceptible ones viz., ‘IMH 1415’, ‘CML 327’, ‘CML 207’, ‘CML 176’, ‘CML 266’, and ‘CML 556(W)’. The new rapid method could able to identify and verified the drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes very effectively at seedling stage and therefore it can be utilized in breeding programme for preliminary identification of drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes.
Agricultural Science Digest – A Research Journal, Aug 1, 2023
Background: Proximate analysis of fodder crop helps us to design a balanced ration for the livest... more Background: Proximate analysis of fodder crop helps us to design a balanced ration for the livestock. Oat is major fodder crop in North India during the Rabi season. Chinese cabbage can be a potential fodder crop for increasing the quantity as well as nutrient content of the available fodder during the season. The present study was conducted at NDRI research farm for assessing the yield, economics as well as the proximate analysis content advantage in oats and Chinese cabbage intercropping. Methods: A field trial was conducted during rabi season, 2020 at research farm of NDRI, Karnal. It consisted of seven treatments (Oats sole + RDF, Chinese Cabbage sole + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF + FYM+ PGPR). Result: LER of intercropping was observed highest in the "Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR" which was significantly higher than the other treatments. Yield of various quality parameters like crude protein, ether extract, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose for oats and Chinese cabbage solely were obtained in their sole treatment (Sole Oats+ RDF, Sole Chinese cabbage +RDF respectively) but the total yield of CP was recorded highest in the Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR" and the total yield of remaining quality parameters were reported maximum in the "Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR." Gross returns (` 72022/ha), net returns (` 50593/ha) were again reported maximum in the "Oats + Chinese Cabbage
This study evaluated the impact of contrasting tillage and nitrogen management options on the gro... more This study evaluated the impact of contrasting tillage and nitrogen management options on the growth, yield attributes, and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in a conservation agriculture (CA)-based maize-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system. The field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020 and 2021 at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design with three tillage practices [conventional tillage with residue (CT), zero tillage with residue (ZT) and permanent beds with residue (PB)] as main plot treatments and in sub-plots five nitrogen management options [Control (without N fertilization), recommended dose of N @150 kg N/ha, Green Seeker-GS based application of split applied N, N applied as basal through urea super granules-USG + GS based application and 100% basal application of slow release fertilizer (SRF) @150 kg N/ha] with three replications. Results showed that bot...
Long-term (13 years) impact of organic and conventional farming on soil physical properties was e... more Long-term (13 years) impact of organic and conventional farming on soil physical properties was evaluated under a rice (Oryza sativa L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system in a sandy clay loam soil at New Delhi. The treatments included unfertilized control (T1), conventionally managed (T2) and five organic treatments (T3: FYM @ 10 t/ha to rice and wheat, T4: SGM for rice and LGLM for wheat, T5: SGM + BGA for rice and LGLM + Azotobacter for wheat, T6: SGM + FYM for rice and LGLM + FYM for wheat, and T7: SGM + FYM + BGA for rice and LGLM + FYM + Azotobacter for wheat). The application of organic amendments had positive influence on soil physical properties such as saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP), plant-available water capacity (PAWC), water holding capacity (WHC), distribution of aggregate size fractions, bulk density (Db), and porosity in the 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil layer. A favourable effect of organic amendment...
A set of 100 inbred lines comprising of 50 normal and 50 quality protein maize (QPM) were analyze... more A set of 100 inbred lines comprising of 50 normal and 50 quality protein maize (QPM) were analyzed for carotenoidscomposition such as total carotenoids, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin. Seven QPM {HKI-3-4-8-6, HKI34(1+2)-1, HKI 164-4(1-3), NP-06-07R-76-8, NP-06-07R-80-6, LQPM-42 and LQPM-40} and 9 normal lines {DML-288, DML-2, DML-112, DML-309, DML-45, BAJIM-08-27, BAJIM-13-1, HKI 1105 and HKI 1155} were found to possess significantly higher carotenoids as compared to the check (DMRQPM 103). Kernel colour intensity and totalcarotenoid contents showed highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.491**), whereas no significant correlationwas observed between kernel colour and β-carotene (r = 0.014). Based on the carotenoids studied, a set of 16 lines{HKI-3-4-8-6, HKI 34(1+2)-1, HKI 164-4(1-3), NP-06-07R-76-8, NP-06-07R-80-6, LQPM-42, LQPM-40, DML-288, DML-2, DML-112, DML-309, DML-45, BAJIM-08-27, BAJIM-13-1, HKI 1105 and HKI 1155} was identified as promising lines which c...
Dual purpose summer legumes and zinc fertilization for improving productivity and zinc utilization in aromatic hybrid rice (Oryza sativa)
Indian Journal of Agronomy, Oct 9, 2001
Field experiments were conducted during 2007–08 at New Delhi, to study the effect of dual purpose... more Field experiments were conducted during 2007–08 at New Delhi, to study the effect of dual purpose summer legumes and zinc (Zn) fertilization on productivity and Zn-use efficiency of aromatic hybrid rice cv ‘Pusa Rice Hybrid 10’ (‘PRH 10’). The experiment was carried out in split plot design with 3 treatments of legume residue in main plots and seven treatments of Zn fertilization in sub-plots. The tallest plant height, number of tillers/m2, dry matter accumulation/hill, leaf area index (LAI), yield attributes and grain yield of aromatic hybrid rice was recorded with incorporation of cowpea residue followed by mungbean residue. Zinc fertilization in aromatic hybrid rice increased growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and straw yields. Application of 2% ZEU (ZnSO4.7H2O) was found to be the best in terms of all the yield attributes, grain yield of aromatic hybrid rice, 2% ZEU (ZnO) was found very close to it. In respect to Zn concentrations in grain and straw of aromatic hybrid rice, 2% ZEU (ZnSO4.7H2O) recorded higher Zn concentrations in grain as well as in straw of aromatic hybrid rice. The highest agronomic efficiency (AE) was obtained with the application of 2% ZEU (ZnSO4.7H2O). Physiological efficiency (PE) and Zn harvest index (ZnHI) of applied Zn were also significantly influenced due to dual purpose summer legumes and various Zn fertilization treatments applied in aromatic hybrid rice. Cooking quality parameters were significantly improved by legume residue incorporation and with the application of ZEU. The highest net returns and B:C ratios of the legume-rice sequence were recorded with the legume residue incorporation and with the application of ZEU in the aromatic hybrid rice. Thus, growing of cowpea or mungbean as dual purpose summer legumes along with Zn fertilization as 2% ZEU either with ZnSO4.7H2O or ZnO to aromatic hybrid rice led to higher productivity, cooking quality and Zn-use efficiency in aromatic hybrid rice and higher net returns of this sequence.
The conventional non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) is neither economical nor sustainable in IGP.... more The conventional non-basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) is neither economical nor sustainable in IGP. Therefore, an on-farm study was carried out at the farmer’s field in Karnal district of Haryana to find out alternative by diversified crops having legume (summer mungbean) with the best tillage and residue management practices. The intensification through conservation agriculture (CA)-based crop management within the RW system (CTR–ZTWMb and DSR– ZTWMb) and beyond with diversification by maize (ZTMWMb and ZTMMuMb) gave statistically on par yield to conventional non-basmati rice (CTRW). Compared to CTRW, total water use was reduced by 0.8 and 14.8% in CTR– ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb, respectively. The total water use was significantly reduced by 53.9 to 60.8% with maize and soybean (ZTMWMb, ZTMMuMb, and ZTSWMb) over DSR–ZTWMb and CTRW. The net returns increased by ₹3.7–6.5 × 103/ha in CTR–ZTWMb and DSR–ZTWMb over the CTRW. In diversified systems, net returns increased by ₹10–16.5 × 103/ha with...
Residue retention and nitrogen management of preceding crops influences the productivity, profitability and environmental footprints of summer mungbean in maize-based cropping systems under conservation agriculture
Co-implementation of precision nutrient management in long-term conservation agriculture-based systems: A step towards sustainable energy-water-food nexus
Microbiome for sustainable agriculture: a review with special reference to the corn production system
Archives of Microbiology, 2021
Microbial diversity formed by ages of evolution in soils plays an important role in sustainabilit... more Microbial diversity formed by ages of evolution in soils plays an important role in sustainability of crop production by enriching soil and alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses. This diversity is as an essential part of the agro-ecosystems, which is being pushed to edges by pumping agrochemicals and constant soil disturbances. Consequently, efficiency of cropping system has been decreasing, aggravated further by the increased incidence of abiotic stresses due to changes in climatic patterns. Thus, the sustainability of agriculture is at stake. Understanding the microbiota inhabiting phyllosphere, endosphere, spermosphere, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere, and its utilization could be a sustainable crop production strategy. This review explores the available information on diversity of beneficial microbes in agricultural ecosystem and synthesizes their commercial uses in agriculture. Microbiota in agro-ecosystem works by nutrient acquisition, enhancing nutrient availability, water uptake, and amelioration of abiotic and abiotic stresses. External application of such beneficial microbiota or microbial consortia helps in boosting plant growth and provides resistance to drought, salinity, heavy metal, high-temperature and radiation stress in various crop plants. These have been instrumental in enhancing tolerance to diseases, insect pest and nematodes in various cropping system. However, studies on the microbiome in revolutionary production systems like conservation agriculture and protected cultivation, which use lesser agrochemicals, are limited and if exploited can provide valuable input in sustainable agriculture production.
Background: Cardiac tumors are an exceedingly rare phenomena. Papillary fibroelastomas are the se... more Background: Cardiac tumors are an exceedingly rare phenomena. Papillary fibroelastomas are the second most common benign cardiac tumors. Despite their propensity to cause embolic strokes and acute coronary syndrome, a major consideration is also that of symptomatic peripheral artery disease as a presentation. Case: A 77 year-old female with history of a prior transient ischemic attack and hypertension presented to the hospital with severe pain within her right great toe after undergoing partial amputation a couple of weeks prior. On physical exam, she was found to have absent pulses within the popliteal and right femoral arteries. In anticipation for further surgical intervention, pre-operative cardiac evaluation was performed with a transthoracic echocardiogram that showed an ejection fraction of 75%, no regional wall motion abnormalities, and a well defined, mobile mass within the left ventricle measuring 18x14mm. Decision-Making: Further cardiovascular evaluation was obtained, with transesophageal echocardiogram confirming the finding of a 18x12mm pedunculated mass attached to the septal wall of the left ventricle. Right lower extremity angiography revealed total occlusion of the proximal segments of the right anterior tibial and peroneal arteries, as well as a total occlusion within the distal segment of the posterior tibial artery. Due to the finding of a cardiac mass causing peripheral embolization, the decision for surgical resection was reached. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of papillary fibroelastoma of the left ventricle. The patient tolerated the procedure well and made a successful recovery. This case highlights the importance of a complete cardiac evaluation for patients presenting with peripheral vascular disease without known risk factors. Furthermore, it reinforces the importance of the echocardiogram to identify or exclude cardiac tumors as a potential cause of peripheral embolic phenomena
Dynamics and temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon mineralization under medium-term conservation agriculture as affected by residue and nitrogen management options
Soil and Tillage Research, 2019
Abstract In the scenario of global climate change, the enhancement and stabilization of soil orga... more Abstract In the scenario of global climate change, the enhancement and stabilization of soil organic carbon holds prime importance. In this context, conservation agriculture (CA) based practices i.e., diversified cropping systems and permanent bed (PB) holds great potential. In this article, we have compared the dynamics of soil organic carbon under mustard and wheat based systems [MMuMb, maize-mustard-mungbean and MWMb, maize-wheat-mungbean)] planted on PB, with and without residue (PB + R and PB - R) along with four nitrogen (N) management options [Un-fertilized, N through prilled urea (PU), N through sulphur coated urea (SCU), and N through neem coated urea (NCU)]. After 5-years of experimentation, to assess the medium-term impact of full CA (PB + R) in comparison to partial CA (PB-R) on SOC dynamics under mustard and wheat based systems with diverse N sources, we had conducted an incubation study at three temperature levels (27, 32 and 37 °C) in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haplustept) of north-western Indo- Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India. Wheat-based cropping system (MWMb) resulted in higher values of less labile, non-labile as well as total SOC, as compared with mustard-based system (MMuMb). On the other hand, MMuMb registered higher amount of very labile and labile SOC, with enhanced decay rate. The cumulative C mineralization (Ct) was 11–17% higher under MMuMb compared with MWMb, from all the soil depths at 27 °C. Retention of crop residue in PB increased total SOC by 11.5 to 19.5% compared with PB-R, across the soil depths. The Ct were significantly higher under full CA plots with lower decay rate (Kc), as compared to plots under partial CA. Application of N fertilizers registered a significant hike in total SOC compared to un-fertilized control plots. At the same time, the coated N sources i.e., SCU and NCU failed to cause any significant improvements in total SOC as compared with uncoated PU plots. On the other hand, coated urea treated plots registered significantly higher C mineralization compared with uncoated PU plots. Between the two coated urea products, the NCU application registered significantly higher C mineralization compared with SCU across the sampling events and temperature regimes from all the soils layers. Cropping system or residue addition/removal did not affect temperature sensitivity of SOC mineralisation. At the same time, addition of N-fertilizers, irrespective of sources lowered the Q10 compared with no-N fertilization.
Under the present scenario of resource degradation, shortage of water & labour, growing productio... more Under the present scenario of resource degradation, shortage of water & labour, growing production cost, falling water tables as well as farm profitability and climate-change; the sustainability of traditional rice-wheat (RW) system became a major challenge in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Therefore, to address these issues in India's, northwestern IGP, RW system need to be diversified with conservation agriculture (CA) based profitable and sustainable systems. Full CA based crop production technologies may furnish more yield, reduce water need and enhance farm profitability, without hampering the sustainability of natural resources. So in an established on-going long term study (since 2012), we assessed the medium term-impact of four different nitrogen management practices [Unfertilized, N through Prilled urea (PU), N through Sulphur coated urea (SCU) and N through Neem coated urea (NCU)] in residue retained permanent bed (PB + R) vs. residue removed permanent bed (PB-R) plots under maizemustard-mungbean (MMuMb) and maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb) crop rotations. Results showed that, the maize, wheat and mustard yields were statistically similar in first year of study irrespective of residue retention or removal, whereas during subsequent years, yields of maize, wheat and mustard were significantly (P < 0.05) higher by 10.1-16.7%, 9.3-23.6% and 13.6-21.9% under residue retained plots (full CA) than residue removed plots (partial CA), respectively. However, the mungbean yield was significantly (P < 0.05) greater by 12.4-24.3% in residue retained plots right from first year onwards. In permanent bed plots, residue retention reduced the water requirement by 50-55 ha-mm, and improved water productivity by 9.4-27.6%, 17.7-30.4%, 21.7-42.6% and 33-57.2% in maize, wheat, mustard and mungbean, respectively compared to no residue plots. Economic profit for MMuMb (from 2nd year onward) and MWMb rotations (in all the 5-years) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher by 220-464 and 165-474 US$/ha/year, respectively in residue retained plots compared to residue removed plots. Among N management practices, application of neem and sulphur coated urea significantly improved the individual crops yield, water productivity and system profitability compared to un-fertilized both under residue retained and removed plots. However, across the cropping systems the effectiveness of different N sources varied with residue management, as the annual increment in system productivity of SCU treated and residue retained plots under MMuMb system was about thrice than the residue removed plots. Whereas, in MWMb system the annual increment in system productivity was double in NCU treated and residue retained plots as compared to residue removed plots. Effectiveness of PU was not increased with residue retention in maize and mustard, whereas in wheat both the coated and uncoated urea application increased the annual yield by manifolds. Findings of this study support differential opportunity of residue management and suggest that a combination of full CA-based MMuMb/MWMb system with use of proper N sources [like slow release coated fertilizers (NCU/SCU)] could augment the system productivity, resource-use efficiency, farm profitability, while sustaining the natural resources in Western IGP in India and other similar agro-ecologies.
Soil C fractions and N dynamics and N 2 O emissions from different tillage and diversified croppi... more Soil C fractions and N dynamics and N 2 O emissions from different tillage and diversified cropping systems were analysed. • The mass equivalent SOC stock and mineral-N fractions increased dramatically in CA practices. • Greater N 2 O fluxes occurred in CT than CA based systems. • The higher SOC and mineral-N, with lower N 2 O fluxes were found in MWMb and MCS than in MMS cropping system.
In recent years, water resources have decreased and water saving has become an important issue in... more In recent years, water resources have decreased and water saving has become an important issue in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of South Asia. Maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb), is an alternate to traditional rice-wheat cropping system, can mitigate the effects of the frequency, intensity, and duration of rainfall due to climate change on food security in the semi arid-region of north-western IGP. The objective of this research was to determine the productivity, water-use efficiency (WUE) and incident radiation conversation efficiency (IRCE) of MWMb cropping system under 3 tillage practices [zero tillage (ZT), permanent beds (PB) and conventional tillage (CT) and 4 nutrient management strategies [Control (unfertilized), farmers' fertilizer practice (FFP), recommended dose of fertilizers (Ad-hoc) and a site specific nutrient management (SSNM" using the Nutrient Expert ® decision support tool). Results of multiyear trial showed that among tillage practices, ZT and PB practices reduced the system irrigation water requirement by 140-200 mm ha -1 and 200-300 mm ha -1 respectively, compared to CT system, resulting an enhanced grain yield by 5.7-24.6%, biomass yield by 4.6-20.8%, WUE by 18.4-39.0%, and IRCE by 9.9-34.4%, respectively. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvement in system WUE, grain and biomass yield, and IRCE (by 30.6-59.9, 38.3-80.5, 34.3-64.7 and 13.5-48.5%, respectively) was observed in SSNM compared to the unfertilized plots. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) interactions between tillage practices and nutrient management strategies was measured with respect to water-use, WUE, grain and biomass yield, and IRCE of MWMb system. Combinations of ZT/PB practices + SSNM/Ad-hoc nutrient management strategies registered significantly (P < 0.05) higher system WUE and IRCE, grain and biomass yield compared to CT + unfertilized/FFP. Results of present study showed that SSNM/Ad-hoc based nutrient application coupled with CA-based tillage practices in MWMb system has complementarity to attain higher system productivity, WUE and IRCE compared to the use of these crop management practices in isolation.
The maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb) cropping system is being advocated as an alternative to the tradi... more The maize-wheat-mungbean (MWMb) cropping system is being advocated as an alternative to the traditional rice-based cropping systems of north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) to address the issues of energy and nutritional scarcity, residue burning, decline in biomass productivity and water tables. In semi-arid regions, the climate-change-induced variability in rainfall and temperature may have an impact on phenological responses of cereals and pulses which in turn would affect biomass production, economic yield and energy and water-use efficiency (WUE) of the crops. Henceforth, quantification of bioequivalent yields, energy requirement, economics and WUE of MWMb system is essentially required owing to have better understanding of this cropping system. Following a 4-year study was conducted under different tillage and nutrient management. ZT and PB plots had significantly higher pooled average (17.2e20.3%) biomass productivity, (34.4e39.8%) net returns and (49.8e66.2%) biomass water-use efficiency with lesser (8.5e16.1%) water-use than the CT plots. Significantly higher pooled bioenergetic yields (21.7e35.2%), net returns (31.4e37.8%) and biomass water-use efficiency (30.1e35.2%) was observed in SSNM/Ad-hoc plots compared with FFP plots. The total pooled energy input in ZT/PB and SSNM/Ad-hoc plots was significant (P < 0.05) higher than CT and FFP plots, respectively, with greater net energy output, energy productivity and energy efficiency. The interactions between tillage and nutrient management practices on pooled input energy and energy productivity of MWMb system was significant (P < 0.05). Thus, adoption of conservation tillage (ZT/PB) practices with improved nutrient management (SSNM/Ad-hoc) could be a viable option for achieving higher biomass productivity, water and energy-use efficiency and profitability in MWMb system.
Background: The in-vitro nutrient digestibility and fermentation mimicking gastrointestinal proce... more Background: The in-vitro nutrient digestibility and fermentation mimicking gastrointestinal process of pigs is a convenient method for rapid and cheaper measurement of degradation of feed ingredients. In the present study silage based diets containing varying levels of crude fibre were subjected to in vitro digestibility evaluation using pig faecal inoculum to determine the best crude fibre level for feeding pigs. Methods: Eight diets were prepared namely, B1, B2, V1, V2, V3, M1, M2 and M3 having 6.28, 8.43, 8.03, 10.0, 11.96, 8.17, 10.31 and 12.06 per cent crude fibre (on dry matter basis) respectively, where diets B1 and B2 were basal diets, V1, V2 and V3 contained vegetable waste silage; M1, M2 and M3 contained maize silage -as additional fibre source. An in-vitro study was carried out to investigate the nutrient digestibility of diets involving enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation using pig faecal inoculum. Result: The in-vitro total tract digestibility (IVTTD) of dry matter (D...
Hydro and aeroponic technique for rapid drought tolerance screening in maize (Zea mays)
Indian Journal of Agronomy, Oct 9, 2001
Present study was carried out under field and controlled conditions at New Delhi during 2015 and ... more Present study was carried out under field and controlled conditions at New Delhi during 2015 and 2016 to standardize a new rapid screening technique to identify drought tolerant maize (Zea mays L.)genotypes. The genotypes have shown variable wilting symptoms and recovery during the stress and while reverting back to hydroponic, respectively. Only the tolerant genotypes, viz. hybrid ‘PMH 4’ and inbreds ‘DQL633-1-1’, ‘DQL 790 PG-2-4’, ‘CM 125’, ‘CM 140’, and ‘LM 14’ have shown less wilting and much faster recovery compared to susceptible ones viz., ‘IMH 1415’, ‘CML 327’, ‘CML 207’, ‘CML 176’, ‘CML 266’, and ‘CML 556(W)’. The new rapid method could able to identify and verified the drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes very effectively at seedling stage and therefore it can be utilized in breeding programme for preliminary identification of drought tolerant and susceptible genotypes.
Agricultural Science Digest – A Research Journal, Aug 1, 2023
Background: Proximate analysis of fodder crop helps us to design a balanced ration for the livest... more Background: Proximate analysis of fodder crop helps us to design a balanced ration for the livestock. Oat is major fodder crop in North India during the Rabi season. Chinese cabbage can be a potential fodder crop for increasing the quantity as well as nutrient content of the available fodder during the season. The present study was conducted at NDRI research farm for assessing the yield, economics as well as the proximate analysis content advantage in oats and Chinese cabbage intercropping. Methods: A field trial was conducted during rabi season, 2020 at research farm of NDRI, Karnal. It consisted of seven treatments (Oats sole + RDF, Chinese Cabbage sole + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF + FYM+ PGPR). Result: LER of intercropping was observed highest in the "Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR" which was significantly higher than the other treatments. Yield of various quality parameters like crude protein, ether extract, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose for oats and Chinese cabbage solely were obtained in their sole treatment (Sole Oats+ RDF, Sole Chinese cabbage +RDF respectively) but the total yield of CP was recorded highest in the Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR" and the total yield of remaining quality parameters were reported maximum in the "Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR." Gross returns (` 72022/ha), net returns (` 50593/ha) were again reported maximum in the "Oats + Chinese Cabbage
This study evaluated the impact of contrasting tillage and nitrogen management options on the gro... more This study evaluated the impact of contrasting tillage and nitrogen management options on the growth, yield attributes, and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in a conservation agriculture (CA)-based maize-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system. The field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020 and 2021 at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design with three tillage practices [conventional tillage with residue (CT), zero tillage with residue (ZT) and permanent beds with residue (PB)] as main plot treatments and in sub-plots five nitrogen management options [Control (without N fertilization), recommended dose of N @150 kg N/ha, Green Seeker-GS based application of split applied N, N applied as basal through urea super granules-USG + GS based application and 100% basal application of slow release fertilizer (SRF) @150 kg N/ha] with three replications. Results showed that bot...
Long-term (13 years) impact of organic and conventional farming on soil physical properties was e... more Long-term (13 years) impact of organic and conventional farming on soil physical properties was evaluated under a rice (Oryza sativa L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system in a sandy clay loam soil at New Delhi. The treatments included unfertilized control (T1), conventionally managed (T2) and five organic treatments (T3: FYM @ 10 t/ha to rice and wheat, T4: SGM for rice and LGLM for wheat, T5: SGM + BGA for rice and LGLM + Azotobacter for wheat, T6: SGM + FYM for rice and LGLM + FYM for wheat, and T7: SGM + FYM + BGA for rice and LGLM + FYM + Azotobacter for wheat). The application of organic amendments had positive influence on soil physical properties such as saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP), plant-available water capacity (PAWC), water holding capacity (WHC), distribution of aggregate size fractions, bulk density (Db), and porosity in the 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil layer. A favourable effect of organic amendment...
A set of 100 inbred lines comprising of 50 normal and 50 quality protein maize (QPM) were analyze... more A set of 100 inbred lines comprising of 50 normal and 50 quality protein maize (QPM) were analyzed for carotenoidscomposition such as total carotenoids, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin. Seven QPM {HKI-3-4-8-6, HKI34(1+2)-1, HKI 164-4(1-3), NP-06-07R-76-8, NP-06-07R-80-6, LQPM-42 and LQPM-40} and 9 normal lines {DML-288, DML-2, DML-112, DML-309, DML-45, BAJIM-08-27, BAJIM-13-1, HKI 1105 and HKI 1155} were found to possess significantly higher carotenoids as compared to the check (DMRQPM 103). Kernel colour intensity and totalcarotenoid contents showed highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.491**), whereas no significant correlationwas observed between kernel colour and β-carotene (r = 0.014). Based on the carotenoids studied, a set of 16 lines{HKI-3-4-8-6, HKI 34(1+2)-1, HKI 164-4(1-3), NP-06-07R-76-8, NP-06-07R-80-6, LQPM-42, LQPM-40, DML-288, DML-2, DML-112, DML-309, DML-45, BAJIM-08-27, BAJIM-13-1, HKI 1105 and HKI 1155} was identified as promising lines which c...
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