Browsing by Author "Pravin Kumar Upadhyay"

Now showing 1 - 14 of 14

Allelopathic effect of cocklebur extract on the fertility status of soil in transplanted rice by controlling weed
(Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2016) Ekta Kumari; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Avijit Sen; Priyankar Raha; Javvadi Padmavathi; Mona Nagargade; Vishal Tyagi
Nutrient status plays a sine quo non role in maintaining the fertility of any soil. All the soil and plant indices are directly or indirectly related to it. In this experiment the use of xanthium is taken as key indicator for not just control over the prominent weeds of rice but this reduction of weed intensity thereby increase the nutrient reserves in the soil. In rice, weed control at early stage is imperative for realizing desired level of productivity. Here extraction from cocklebur is taken as a weed management tool to find out the effect of varying rates of Xanthium strumarium extract through different solvents(petroleum ether, methanol and water extract @1000mg L-1, 2000mg L-1 and 3000mg L-1 each respectively) on dry weight of weed, nutrient content and removal by rice plant. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with twelve treatments replicated thrice on variety HUR 3022 including butachlor, pretilachlor and control. The nutrient availability was measured in terms of its content of the varied treatments and its uptake of nutrient in soil and plant at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting and at harvest. The application of petroleum ether extract @ 3000 mg L-1 of X. strumarium was found to having higher nutrient status in rice with lower status in weed ultimately controlling the most relative weed of rice i.e. Echinocloa spp. having the nutrient reserves in the soil as well as crop plant.
Conservation agriculture: Perspectives on soil and environmental management in indo-gangetic plains of South Asia
(Springer Singapore, 2019) Rakesh Kumar; Kirti Saurabh; Narendra Kumawat; J.S. Mishra; Hansraj Hans; Bal Krishna; Ram Swaroop Meena; Bal Krishna Jha; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; K.K. Hazra
Bread and rice basket of South Asia is feeding ~20% of the global population. The agricultural production system in South Asia is predominated by exhaustive cereal production system including rice, wheat, and maize. Thus, it greatly affects the livelihood and nutritional security of the rural and urban poor. Recently, cereal productivity had slowed down or stagnated. Present expansion rate in terms of yield of rice and wheat is ~2-3 times higher than in 1966-1994. During 1980s, the peak of "Green Revolution" in the agricultural production system helps in the reduction of rural and urban poverty by making food more affordable. During the 1990s, growth in yields slows down because of technological stagnation resulting in high food prices. Slow growth in yields mainly inflated on wheat and rice by ~1%. Therefore, agriculture in South Asia is presently in front of a major challenge of resource fatigue and declining crop productivity. In addition to that, a huge gap exists in yields mainly due to yield gap management, ranging from 14-47, 18-70, and 36-77% in wheat, rice, and maize, respectively. Crop residues are considered a vital natural resource for protecting and sustaining soil and crop productivity. Application of crop residues is useful for maintaining or enhancing soil organic matter (SOM). This chapter presents the perspectives on soil and environment through principles of conservation agriculture (CA) for sustainable cereal production system in Indo-Gangetic belts of South Asia. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019.
Effect of cultivars and weed management practices on weeds, productivity and profitability in zero-till direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa)
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2019) Animesh Singh; Yashwant Singh; Raghavendra Singh; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Rakesh Kumar; Rajiv Kumar Singh
A field study was carried out during the two consecutive kharif seasons of 2012 and 2013 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to evaluate the effect of cultivars and weed management practices on weed dynamics, yield attributes, yields and economics in zero-till direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). The dominant weed flora were Echinocloa colona, Echinocloa crus-galli, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus iria, Caesulia auxillaries and Eclipta alba. Among rice cultivars, Arize-6129 had minimum weed density (425.9 and 480.1/m) and dry weight (76.7 and 86.4 g/m 2 ), and maximum of grain yield (4.29 and 4.12 t/ha) during both the years, respectively. Among the weed management practices, application of bispyribac sodium + azimsulfuron (25 g +35 g/ha) + 0.25% NIS (post-emergence) at 15-20 DAS proved to be most effective in minimizing the weed density, weed dry weight and increased rice grain yield (4.33 and 4.16 t/ha, respectively). Arize-6129 produced maximum net returns (`40402 and 37804/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.61 and 1.51) and economic efficiency (`316 and 298/ha day), respectively during both the years. Among weed management practices, application of bispyribac sodium + azimsulfuron (25 g +35 g/ha) + NIS (0.25%) was the most economical and efficient. © 2019 Indian Council of Agricultural Research. All Rights Reserved.
Effect of irrigation schedule and herbicides application on growth and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in semi-arid environment
(Indian Society of Agronomy, 2022) K. Lakra; Ram Pyare; Puneet Kumar Singh; Sunil Kumar Verma; Rajiv Kumar Singh; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Vishal Tyagi
A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2017–18 and 2018–19 at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to study the influence of irrigation scheduling and weed-management practices on growth and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 4 irrigation scheduling in main plot and 8 weed-management practices in subplots. Results revealed that, application of 5 irrigations at crown root initiation (CRI) + jointing + boot-ing+ flowering + milking stage resulted in the maximum plant height (79.9 cm at harvest), crop dry-matter accumulation (385.1 g/running m at harvest), number of leaves [230/running m at 80 days after sowing (DAS)], leaf area index (2.60 at 60 DAS), crop growth rate (4.09 g/m2 /day between 40-80 DAS), relative growth rate (2.66 g/g/day between 40-80 DAS), net assimilation rate (0.59 g/cm2 /day between 40-80 DAS) and the biological yield (6,899 kg/ha) over irrigation at CRI and active tillering stage and irrigation at CRI + jointing + booting, and it was statisti-cally at par with irrigation at CRI + active tillering + booting + flowering stage. Among herbicidal treatments, significantly maximum value of crop-growth parameters and biological yield (7007 kg/ha) was recorded with the application of carfentrazone ethyl 20% + sulfosulfuron 25% WG @ 100 g a.i./ha at 35 days after sowing (DAS) followed by clodinafop-propargyl 15% + metsulfuron methyl 1% @ 400 g a.i./ha 35 DAS compared to the other herbicidal treatments. But hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS showed superiority to herbicidal treatments during both the years. © 2022, Indian Society of Agronomy. All rights reserved.
Effect of trichoderma and hydrogel on growth, yield and yield attributes of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa) under rainfed condition
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2019) Avijit Sen; Ram Kumar Singh; Deshraj Yadaw; Puja Kumari; V.K. Srivastava; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Ardith Sankar; Jyotipraksh Mishra; Ajoy Das; Najam Waris Zaidi; Manzoor Hussain Dar
A trial was conducted both in field and pot during the kharif season of 2015 at Banaras Hindu University, India to study the effect of hydrogel in combination with bio-agent on the performance of rice under rainfed condition. The field trial consisting of IR64 and DRR42 and Trichoderma and hydrogel making 10 treatments altogether was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) while in case of pot it was a factorial experiment. DRR42 + hydrogel (seed coating)+Trichoderma (seed treatment @ 12 g/kg) recorded higher yield (2.83 t ha -1 ) which was 43.76% higher than control but it remained at par with IR64. In the pot experiment hydrogel (seed coating)+Trichoderma (seed treatment) and hydrogel soil application registered higher RGR, CGR, root length, root weight. Survival of plants after imposition of drought at 60 days after sowing (DAS) was also found to be longer under the same treatments. © 2019 Indian Council of Agricultural Research. All Rights Reserved.
Effect of Zinc, Iron and Manganese Levels on Quality, Micro and Macro Nutrients Content of Rice and Their Relationship with Yield
(Taylor and Francis Inc., 2017) Ashok Kumar; Avijit Sen; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Ram Kumar Singh
A field trial comprising three levels of zinc (Zn) 0, 5 and 10 kg ha-1, three levels of iron (Fe) 0, 15 and 30 kg ha-1 and three levels of manganese (Mn) 0, 5 and 10 kg ha-1 was carried out during the rainy seasons of 200 8 and 2009 at Varanasi, to study their effects on macro and micro nutrients content, yields and quality of rice variety HUBR 2–1. The experiment was conducted in 33 partial confounding with two replications. Half doses of all the micronutrients were applied as basal and the rest half through foliar application at different intervals. Among the treatments, Zn at 10 kg ha-1, iron at 15 kg ha-1 and Mn at 5 kg ha-1 recorded the maximum yield of rice. A similar trend was observed in all the quality parameters of rice. Individually Zn, Fe and Mn registered, respectively, 12.05, 8.60 and 4.46% more yield than the control. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.
Greening rice-fallow areas: integrating pulses and oilseeds for sustainable cropping in eastern India
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025) Rakesh Pradeep Kumar; Anup Das; S. K. Mondal; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Bhagwati Prasad Bhatt; Janki Sharan Mishra; Anil Kumar Singh; Jaipal Singh Choudhary; Sanjeev Kumar; Prem Kumar Sundaram; Ashish Kumar Biswas; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Rajiv Kumar Singh; Puspa Parameswari; Dhiraj Kumar Singh; Santosh Muthu Suresh Kumar; Akram Ahmad; Kirti Saurabh; Kumari Shubha; Ajay Vinod Kumar; Manibhushan; Pawan Jeet; Ved Prakash; Bal Krishna Jha; Sushant Kumar Naik; S. S. Mali; Surendra Kumar Ahirwal; Vinod Kumar Singh; Devendra Mandal; Manoj Kumar Roy; Arbind K. Choudhary; Sudhir Kumar S. Rajpoot; Suresh Kumar Chaudhari
Rice-fallow areas, widespread in rainfed rice-growing regions of South Asia, remain uncultivated during the post-rainy (winter) season due to multiple challenges, including inadequate irrigation infrastructure, cultivation of long-duration rice varieties, and soil moisture imbalances. South Asia has approximately 22.3 million hectares of rice-fallow land, with India contributing the largest share (88.3%). Eastern Indian states, which account for 82% of India’s rice-fallow area, presents significant opportunities for cropping intensification. However, several constraints—such as biotic (pest and disease), abiotic stresses (temperature extremes, drought, etc.), rapid soil moisture depletion, and disturbances from free-grazing livestock-hinder efforts to cultivate a second crop, perpetuating poverty among the small and marginal farmers. Introducing stress-tolerant rabi crops, particularly pulses (chickpea, lentil, lathyrus, field pea) and oilseeds (mustard, toria, safflower, linseed), offers a promising solution to enhance system productivity and improve the farmers’ livelihoods. Policymakers have recently increased the public investment in rice-fallows intensification, yet fragmented and ad-hoc initiatives often fail to deliver sustainable outcomes due to complex and multidimensional challenges involved. This study critically examines the key issues affecting rice-fallow lands and provides strategic recommendations to convert these underutilized areas into the productive cropping systems during winter and spring. Additionally, it reviews Central and State Government programs related to rice-fallow management, emphasizing the need for research to align with ongoing policy initiatives for maximum impact. The findings of this study offers a valuable insights for the policymakers, planners, and stakeholders, highlighting the potential of pulses and oilseeds to enhance the food security, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural production systems in the region. © © 2025 Kumar, Das, Mondal, Upadhyay, Bhatt, Mishra, Singh, Choudhary, Kumar, Sundaram, Biswas, Rathore, Singh, Parameswari, Singh, Kumar, Ahmad, Saurabh, Shubha, Kumar, Manibhushan, Jeet, Prakash, Jha, Naik, Mali, Kumar, Ahirwal, Singh, Mandal, Roy, Choudhary, Rajpoot and Chaudhari.
Performance of baby corn (Zea mays) under different fertility levels and planting methods and its residual effect on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
(Indian Society of Agronomy, 2015) Marwan Manea; Avijit Sen; Ashok Kumar; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Yashwant Singh; Vinod Kumar Srivastava; Ram Kumar Singh
A field trial was conducted at Varanasi during 2010–11 and 2011–12, to study the effect of fertility levels and planting methods on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of baby corn (Zea mays L.) and its residual biomass incorporation effect on sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The experiment was carried out in a spiltplot design with 4 replications. The main plots were allocated with fertility levels F0 (no fertilizer as control), F1 (75, 19.64, 37.35, 20 and 5), F2 (150, 39.28, 74.71, 40 and 10) and F3 (225, 46.76, 112.06, 60 and 15) kg/ha of N, P, K, S and Zn and sub-plots with combinations of 2 planting methods (flat bed and raised bed) and 2 varieties viz; (‘Pro-Agro 4212’ and ‘Sweet Corn Sugar 75’). Application of 225, 46.76, 112.06, 60 and 15 kg/ha of N, P, K, S and Zn fertility level significantly increased plant growth, yield, yield attributes and nutrient removal over rest of the treatments. Overall, this particular fertility level registered 55.0% more yield (without husk) than control. Among the sub-plot treatments raised bed planting recorded the highest plant height, leaf-area Index, dry-matter production, nutrient removal and registered 12.5% more baby corn yield (without husk) than flat bed, while ‘Pro-Agro 4212’ also recorded the same and registered 18.8% more baby corn yield (without husk) than Sweet Corn ‘Sugar 75’. Further, 225, 46.76, 112.06, 60 and 15 kg/ha fertility levels applied to previous crop increased the sorghum grain yield by (33.3%) over the control. © 2015 Indian Society of Agronomy. All rights reserved.
Production potential and competitive ability of wheat (Triticum aestivum) + indian mustard (Brassica juncea) intercropping under varying row ratio, farmyard manure and fertilizer level of middle gangetic plain of India
(Indian Society of Agronomy, 2016) Rajesh Kumar Singh; Umendra Singh; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay
A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2010–11 and 2011–12 at the research farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the production potential and competitive ability of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori & Paol.] + Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] intercropping under different row ratios and fertility levels of Middle Gangetic Plains of India. Among the row proportions, 8:1 row proportion recorded significantly higher yield parameters (grains/ spike, spikelets/spike, 1,000-grain weight and yield as well as straw yield in wheat, and number of siliqua/plant and seeds/siliqua of Indian mustard). However, seed and stover yields of Indian mustard was higher in 6:2 row ratio which was at par with 8:2 and 10:2 raw ratios. Significantly higher land-equivalent ratio, aggressivity index and economics were registered with row ratio of 8:1 over 10:2, 8:2, and 6:2. An application of 15% or 30% N through farmyard manure (FYM) + 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) significantly enhanced yield attributes and yield of wheat and Indian mustard. However, benefit: cost ratio was higher with application 15 % N FYM + 100% RDF. © 2017, Indian Society of Agronomy. All rights reserved.
Scientific validation of indigenous organic formulation-panchagavya for sustaining rice productivity and residual effect in rice-lentil system under hot semi-arid eco-region of middle indo-gangetic plains
(National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR), 2019) Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Avijit Sen; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Bipin Kumar; Ram Kumar Singh; Saroj Kumar Prasad; Ardith Sankar
Combined application of organic source of nutrient and inorganic fertilizers increases nutrient synchrony and reduces losses leading to sustainable productivity. With this concept in mind a field trial was conducted at Varanasi, India during 2013–14 and 2014–15, to evaluate and validate the efficiency and efficacy of panchagavya (blend of five cow products i.e. dung, ghee, curd, urine and milk) in combination with recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) on rice yield, soil microbial population, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), soil enzymatic activity and their residual effects on lentil. Application of panchagavya (D4-seedling root dip + one spray at 30 days after transplanting-DAT @ 6% + application through irrigation water at 60 DAT) produced higher productive tillers/m2, number of filled spikelets/panicle, leaf area index (LAI), grain yield, soil bacterial and fungal population, SMBC and dehydrogenase activity. Application of 100% RDF significantly increased grain yield (5935 kg/ha) but 120% RDF recorded the highest straw yield (8283 kg/ha) and biological yield. Residual effect of panchagavya at D4 level resulted in higher (19.1% over control) seed yield of lentil. However, conjunctive use of 100% RDF and D4 ensured maximum net return (1194.9 $/ha).Therefore, use of indigenous product i.e. panchagavya in combination with fertilizer can be inferred to improve soil health, ascertain high productivity, profitability and sustainability in rice-lentil production, while preserving natural resource base under hot semi-arid eco-region of middle Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). © 2019, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR). All rights reserved.
Soil Health, Energy Budget, and Rice Productivity as Influenced by Cow Products Application With Fertilizers Under South Asian Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains Zone
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022) Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Avijit Sen; Yashwant Singh; Ram Kumar Singh; Saroj Kumar Prasad; Ardith Sankar; Vinod Kumar Singh; S.K. Dutta; Rakesh Kumar; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Kapila Shekhawat; Subhash Babu; Rajiv Kumar Singh; Bipin Kumar; Abir Dey; G.A. Rajanna; Ramesh Kulshekaran
The comprehensive use of organic, inorganic, and biological components of nutrient management in rice ecologies can potentially address the twin challenges of declining factor productivity and deteriorating soil health. A field study was thus conducted at Varanasi, India during the year 2013–14 and 2014–15 to assess the effect of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) along with cow product (blends of 5 cow by-products i.e., dung, ghee, curd, urine, and milk that is known as panchagavya) on soil health, energy budget, and rice productivity. The results revealed that the inclusion of panchagavya as seedling root dip + 6% spray at 30 days after transplanting (DAT) + an application with irrigation water (15 l ha−1) at 60 DAT (D4) along with 100% RDF (F3) noted significantly higher rice grain yield (6.34 t ha−1) and higher dehydrogenase activity. However, the soil bacterial and actinomycetes population, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), urease, and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly higher with D4 along with 120% RDF (F4). Carbon output (5,608 kg CO2 eq ha−1), energy use parameters viz. energy output (187,867 MJ ha−1), net energy returns (164,319 MJ ha−1), and energy intensity valuation (5.08 MJ (Figure presented.)) were significantly higher under F4. However, the energy ratio (8.68), energy productivity (0.292 kg MJ−1), and energy profitability (7.68) remained highest with 80% RDF (F2), while the highest carbohydrate equivalent yield (4,641 kg mha−1) was produced under F3. The combination of F3 with D4 resulted in the highest productivity, optimum energy balance, and maintaining soil quality. Therefore, a judicious combination of cow product (panchagavya) with RDF was found to improve the rice productivity, energy profitability, and soil quality under south Asian eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs). Copyright © 2022 Upadhyay, Sen, Singh, Singh, Prasad, Sankar, Singh, Dutta, Kumar, Rathore, Shekhawat, Babu, Singh, Kumar, Dey, Rajanna and Kulshekaran.
Soybean crop intensification for sustainable aboveground-underground plant–soil interactions
(Frontiers Media SA, 2023) Ramesh Kumar Singh; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Shiva Dhar; G.A. Rajanna; Vinod Kumar Singh; Rakesh Kumar; Rajiv Kumar Singh; Subhash Babu; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Kapila Shekhawat; Anchal Dass; Amit Kumar; Gaurendra Gupta; Gaurav Shukla; Sudhir Rajpoot; Ved Prakash; Bipin Kumar; Vinod Kumar Sharma; Sharmistha Barthakur
The major challenge of growing soybean, other than unfavorable weather and small farm size, is the non-availability of quality inputs at the right time. Furthermore, in soybean growing regions, crop productivity and soil environment have deteriorated due to the use of traditional varieties and conventional methods of production. Soybean crop intensification or system of crop intensification in soybean (SCI) is an agricultural production system that boosts soybean yields, improves the soil environment, and maximizes the efficiency of input utilization, although the contribution of SCI to crop productivity is not well understood as different genotypes of soybean exhibit different physiological responses. Therefore, a field study was conducted in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 using three crop establishment methods (SCI at a 45 cm × 45 cm row spacing, SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm, and a conventional method at 45 cm × 10 cm) assisted in vertical strips with four genotypes (Pusa 9,712, PS 1347, DS 12–13, and DS 12–5) using a strip-plot design with three replications. Compared with standard methods of cultivation, the adoption of SCI at 45 cm × 45 cm resulted in a significantly higher stomatal conductance (0.211 mol H2O m−2 s−1), transpiration rate (7.8 mmol H2O m−2 s−1), and net photosynthetic rate (398 mol CO2 m−2 s−1). The implementation of an SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm had significantly greater intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) (1,249 mol m−2 s−1) than the conventional method system, increasing crop yield from 9.6 to 13.3% and biomass yield from 8.2 to 10.7%. In addition, under an SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm, there were more nodules, significantly larger root volume and surface density, and increased NPK uptake compared with the other methods. Significantly greater soil dehydrogenase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, acetylene-reducing assay, total polysaccharides, microbial biomass carbon, and soil chlorophyll were found with SCI at 45 cm × 45 cm (13.63 g TPF g−1 soil hr.−1, 93.2 g p-nitro phenol g−1 soil hr.−1, 25.5 n moles ethylene g−1 soil hr.−1, 443.7 mg kg−1 soil, 216.5 mg kg−1 soil, and 0.43 mg g−1 soil, respectively). Therefore, the adoption of an SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm and/or 45 cm × 45 cm could provide the best environment for microbial activities and overall soil health, as well as the sustainable productivity of soybean aboveground. Copyright © 2023 Singh, Dhar, Upadhyay, Rajanna, Singh, Kumar, Singh, Babu, Rathore, Shekhawat, Dass, Kumar, Gupta, Shukla, Rajpoot, Prakash, Kumar, Sharma and Barthakur.
System of wheat intensification (SWI): Effects on lodging resistance, photosynthetic efficiency, soil biomes, and water productivity
(Public Library of Science, 2024) Ramesh Kumar Singh; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Shiva Dhar; G.A. Rajanna; Vinod Kumar Singh; Rakesh Kumar; Rajiv Kumar Singh; Kapila Shekhawat; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Anchal Dass; Amit Kumar; Gaurendra Gupta; Sudhir Rajpoot; Ved Prakash; Sayantika Sarkar; Navin Kumar Sharma; Satyam Rawat; Satendra Singh
Intense cultivation with narrow row spacing in wheat, a common practice in the Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia, renders the crop more susceptible to lodging during physiological maturity. This susceptibility, compounded by the use of traditional crop cultivars, has led to a substantial decline in overall crop productivity. In response to these challenges, a two-year field study on the system of wheat intensification (SWI) was conducted. The study involved three different cultivation methods in horizontal plots and four wheat genotypes in vertical plots, organized in a strip plot design. Our results exhibited that adoption of SWI at 20 cm × 20 cm resulted in significantly higher intercellular CO2 concentration (5.9-6.3%), transpiration rate (13.2-15.8%), stomatal conductance (55-59%), net photosynthetic rate (126- 160%), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception (1.6-25.2%) over the existing conventional method (plant geometry 22.5 cm × continuous plant to plant spacing) of wheat cultivation. The lodging resistance capacity of both the lower and upper 3rd nodes was significantly higher in the SWI compared to other cultivation methods. Among different genotypes, HD 2967 demonstrated the highest recorded value for lodging resistance capacity, followed by HD 2851, HD 3086, and HD 2894. In addition, adoption of the SWI at 20 cm × 20 cm enhanced crop grain yield by 36.9-41.6%, and biological yield by 27.5-29.8%. Significantly higher soil dehydrogenase activity (12.06 μg TPF g-1 soil hr-1), arylsulfatase activity (82.8 μg p-nitro phenol g-1 soil hr-1), alkaline phosphatase activity (3.11 n moles ethylene g-1 soil hr-1), total polysaccharides, soil microbial biomass carbon, and soil chlorophyll content were also noted under SWI over conventional method of the production. Further, increased root volumes, surface root density and higher NPK uptake were recorded under SWI at 20×20 cm in comparison to rest of the treatments. Among the tested wheat genotypes, HD-2967 and HD-3086 had demonstrated notable increases in grain and biological yields, as well as improvements in the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and chlorophyll content. Therefore, adoption of SWI at 20 cm ×20 cm (square planting) with cultivars HD 2967 might be the best strategy for enhancing crop productivity and resource-use efficiency under the similar wheat growing conditions of India and similar agro-ecotypes of the globe. © 2024 Singh et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
The multifaceted role of zeolites in modern agriculture and environmental management
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2025) Sayantika Sarkar; Pravin Kumar Upadhyay; Tarik Mitran; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Rajiv Kumar Singh; Kapila A. Shekhawat; Subhash N.Sudhakara Babu; Sudhir Kumar Rajput; Manojit Chowdhury; Anjali Patel; Aman Singh; Vinod Kumar Singh
With global food security central to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), a growing population and shrinking resources are intensifying pressure on agriculture. To sustain productivity amidst declining soil fertility, biodiversity loss, increasing pest and disease incidences, and environmental degradation, agricultural science must refine technologies and adopt a sustainable approach that balances innovation with responsible resource use. Additionally, agriculture significantly contributes to climate change, accounting for a notable share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Zeolites, a group of versatile crystalline aluminosilicates, offer a promising solution to these challenges. Their properties as ion exchangers, water absorbers, and slow-release nitrogenous fertilizers can enhance agricultural sustainability. Zeolites can improve nitrogen use efficiency, enhance soil structure, and mitigate saline soil conditions by retaining nutrients and water and releasing them slowly to plants. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and improves resource use efficiency. However, the widespread use of zeolites in agriculture requires careful consideration. Mapping zeolite deposits is essential for sustainable extraction and use. Potential risks such as toxic surfactant leaching must be evaluated to prevent environmental contamination. Comprehensive field experiments are necessary to understand the long-term effects of zeolite application on soil health, microorganisms, and fauna in the rhizosphere. In conclusion, zeolites hold significant promise in promoting sustainable agricultural practices by improving soil health, enhancing nutrient use efficiency, and mitigating environmental impacts. Rigorous research is needed to ensure their safety and efficacy, integrating zeolites into agricultural systems for sustainable productivity and to address the challenges of traditional intensive farming. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.