Browsing by Author "S. Rakesh"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

Active and Passive Carbon Fractions in Contrasting Cropping Systems, Tillage Practices, and Soil Types
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2023) S. Rakesh; Abhas Kumar Sinha; Deepranjan Sarkar; Dewali Roy; Divya Bodiga; Samaresh Sahoo; Prakash Kumar Jha; Pradeep Kumar Dubey; Amitava Rakshit
The rate of change in the relative amount of active and passive carbon (AC and PC) due to the land management practices (cropping systems combined with tillage) may vary with soil types depending on their level of chemical and/or physical protection from the decomposition but has rarely been directly measured. We have quantified the C storage potentiality of different soil types, namely old alluvial Inceptisol of Malda and recent alluvial Entisol of Coochbehar in West Bengal (subtropical eastern India) under the influence of different cropping systems (rice-maize: RM and rice-wheat: RW) and tillage practices (zero-tillage: ZT and conventional tillage: CT). The key objective was to demonstrate the short-term impact of conservation agriculture (CA) on soil C dynamics over the conventional practice. Research revealed that after short-term CA, total organic carbon (TOC), AC, PC, and total nitrogen (TN) showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement under the RM cropping system over the RW. The highest TOC content under the RM cropping system was recorded in the sites of Malda over the Coochbehar sites. The ZT significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the TOC in the upper layers (0–5 and 5–10 cm) and the CT showed improvements in the lower depths (10–20 cm). We observed some irregular variations in the interactions of the cropping system and tillage with respect to different sites. However, the ZT performed better in improving C fractions under RM and RW as compared to CT. The TOC and TN stocks were maximum in the lower depth which was evident in both soil types. The TOC linearly regressed on TN accounted for 94.2% variability (R2 = 0.942) of the C accumulation in soil and vice-versa. The PC was in a significant relationship with TN (R2 = 0.943), but AC was moderately regressed (R2 = 0.851). Lower stratification ratio values in Coochbehar soils (sandy loam in texture) indicated higher profile distribution of AC and PC in the soil profile; while in the Inceptisol, accumulation of the C fractions on the soil surface due to heavy texture resulted in the higher stratification values. The novelty of this study is that old alluvial Inceptisol showed a comparatively greater amount of AC and PC storage capability in comparison with the new alluvial Entisol. Conclusively, our study demonstrated that the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA practice/ZT) in cropping systems with higher C biomass input would significantly enhance the AC and PC fractions; however, the amount of storage is highly governed by the soil type and climatic factors. © 2023 by the authors.
Biopriming with Bacillus subtilis Enhanced the Sulphur Use Efficiency of Indian Mustard under Graded Levels of Sulphur Fertilization
(MDPI, 2023) Sonam Singh; Deepranjan Sarkar; S. Rakesh; Rajesh Kumar Singh; Amitava Rakshit
This study investigated the effect of bioinoculants (Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) as biopriming agents under varied sulphur (S) fertilizer levels (0, 20, 30, and 40 kg S ha−1) to enhance sulphur use efficiency (SUE) in Indian mustard. The experiment was conducted during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 winter seasons at the research farm of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (25°26′ N, 82°99′ E). A randomized block design was employed to assess the combined effect of biopriming and S fertilization on the partitioning of S in different parts of mustard plants, S uptake, SUE, and soil urease, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and arylsulphatase activity. Results showed that the application of S fertilizers along with biopriming significantly increased the S content, uptake, and SUE by plants and enzymes involved in the S mineralization process. Application of 40 kg S ha−1 + B. subtilis resulted in the highest S content in the root (0.12%), stover (0.30%), and seed (0.67%), and the highest total S uptake (2.97 g m−2 in the first year and 3.37 g m−2 in the second year), agronomic use efficiency (8.80 g g−1), apparent S recovery (22.37%), urease activity (156.68 µg NH4+ g−1 hr−1), dehydrogenase activity (42.80 µg TPF g−1 24 hr−1), and arylsulphatase activity (39.94 µg pNP g−1 hr−1). However, the highest alkaline phosphatase activity (129.17 µg pNP g−1 hr−1) was found in the treatment that received 40 kg S ha−1 + P. fluorescens. Further, the different indices of SUE revealed that the effect of biopriming was more prominent in apparent recovery efficiency than agronomic SUE and physiological SUE. Conclusively, the present study demonstrated that seed biopriming with B. subtilis along with S fertilization is more rewarding and can promote sustainable production of Indian mustard. © 2023 by the authors.
Carbon mineralization rates and kinetics of surface-applied and incorporated rice and maize residues in entisol and inceptisol soil types
(MDPI, 2021) S. Rakesh; Deepranjan Sarkar; Abhas Kumar Sinha; Shikha; Prabir Mukhopadhyay; Subhan Danish; Shah Fahad; Rahul Datta
Mineralization of carbon (C) is a burning issue that is regulated by soil attributes. It has direct impacts on crop productivity and quantification of organic residues addition in soil. For better understanding and achievement of potential tillage benefits, a comprehensive scientific understanding of C mineralization is very important. Therefore, a laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the C mineralization rates and kinetics of crop residues (rice and maize) when applied on the surface (as zero-tillage, ZT) and incorporation (as conventional tillage, CT) in four different soil types (S1 and S2 of Entisol; S3 and S4 of Inceptisols) of West Bengal state, India. Results showed that after 7 days of incubation, there was a rapid phase of decrease in CO2-C. It continued up to day 14 followed by a sluggish nature of CO2 emission up to day-42, and after that almost levelling off in all subsequent periods up to the end of 126 days of incubation. It was evident from the kinetic models that C mineralization from the residues followed the exponential model: C = C0 (1 − e−kt ). Similar rate constant (k) values were recorded in both placement methods, but the rate of maximum potential mineralizable (C0k) residue C was higher under residue incorporation treatments for both rice and maize residue. However, the rice and maize residues showed almost similar amounts of C mineralized over time when applied on the surface. The future prediction analysis using the equation C = C0 X e−kt suggested that the residues incorporated into the soil release a maximum C irrespective of residue type. We conclude that the residues when incorporated into the soil significantly increase the C footprints through maximum C mineralization; leaving the crop residues on the soil surface reduces the C footprints which helps in achieving sustainability from an environmental perspective. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Does the accretion of carbon fractions and their stratification vary widely with soil orders? A case-study of an Alfisol and an Entisol of sub-tropical eastern India
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2022) S. Rakesh; Abhas Kumar Sinha; Ravinder Juttu; Deepranjan Sarkar; Kamalakar Jogula; Sharan Bhoopal Reddy; Bairi Raju; Subhan Danish; Rahul Datta
Comparison of the carbon (C) stocks among different soil orders allows us to explore the role of various soil characteristics in long-term C storage and their vulnerabilities. This study quantified and compared the accumulation rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions (in 0–60 cm soil profile) in an Alfisol of Malda (25°27′33.9″N, 88°19′10.2″E) and an Entisol of Cooch Behar (26°09′62.7″N, 89°53′51.7″E) districts of West Bengal, India. We noticed a greater level of SOC (0–60 cm depth) in the Alfisol than the Entisol as the former soils were clayey in nature (fine textured) which provided the maximum stabilization of SOC compared to the Entisol (sandy textured). However, the storage of C fractions showed some peculiar results. The concentration of mineral-associated carbon (Min-C) was more or less similar in both the soil orders, but its stock was maximum in the Alfisol. While in the Entisol, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POX-C) and particulate organic matter carbon (POM-C) stocks recorded maximum among all the studied depths. A positive relation of SOC fractions and stocks with clay (r2 = >0.500 in the Alfisol; r2 = >0.700 in the Entisol) indicated the importance of finer fractions in profile storage of C. Min-C contributed to SOC of about 75%–85% followed by POM-C (3.27%–17.87%) and POX-C (2.57%–4.22%). Higher stratification of SOC and POX-C and POM-C fractions was observed in Entisol; while in Alfisol, stratification of Min-C was greater. Overall, this research demonstrated that the Alfisol has a greater potential in stabilizing Min-C than the Entisol with POM-C and POX-C and the distribution of these fractions varied as per its stabilization. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving Water Storage through Effective Soil Organic Matter Management Strategies under Dryland Farming in India
(CRC Press, 2024) C. Srinivasarao; S. Rakesh; G.Ranjith Kumar; M. Jagadesh; K.C. Nataraj; R. Manasa; S. Kundu; S. Malleswari; K.V. Rao; J.V.N.S. Prasad; R.S. Meena; G. Venkatesh; P.C. Abhilash; J. Somasundaram; R. Lal
With the rise in global population, food demand is increasing particularly in densely populated South Asia. In India, rainfed area covers about 55% of the net sown area (139.42 million ha) and about 61% of the farmers are cultivating crops under the rainfed region. Almost 80% of small and marginal farmers of the country depend on the rainfed farming for their livelihoods. Rainfall is the main source of water in drylands. Coping with the extreme variability in rainfall, high-intensity storms, and high frequency of dry spells are the key challenges in rainfed agriculture as it is complex, highly diverse, and risk prone. Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a critical role in soil plant water relationships and contributes to drought mitigation. Increasing SOC by 1% may increase the available water holding capacity (AWHC) by 2 to >5%. Soil organic matter content (SOM) is also vital to soil processes like nutrient dynamics, water interactions, and for maintaining the biological and physical health of soil. The low level of SOC content in rainfed drylands is due to rapid decomposition of added organic matter, loss of carbon through soil erosion and use of inappropriate crop management practices. Thus, improving SOC in drylands contributes to productivity enhancement and stability due to higher available water retention during mid-season droughts while improving other soil productivity factors. Therefore, intensive implementation of site-specific available C enrichment technologies in different agro-ecosystems can maintain the overall productivity functions of soil even under adverse conditions. Thus, the present chapter aims to cover the SOC status of rainfed drylands, drought management with improving SOC technologies along with various national programs which address to improve SOC content and stocks in agroecosystems of India. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Rattan Lal; individual chapters, the contributors.
Reliable (secure, trusted, and privacy preserved) cross-blockchain ecosystems for developing and non-developing countries
(IGI Global, 2022) Shubham Kumar Keshri; Achintya Singhal; Abhishek Kumar; K. Vengatesan; S. Rakesh
The chapter suggests an iterative social system in which individuals and totals use a development, watch its arranged and unintended outcomes, and after that, build new improvements. Blockchain development has the potential to construct productivity, capability, straight imposition, and disintermediation in shared worth or information exchange. This chapter proposes how the blockchain will be implemented in developing and non-developing countries. These countries can use the blockchain for financial services, transportation, healthcare, e-marketplace, etc. And what is the risk and danger of using blockchain in non-developed countries? © 2023, IGI Global. All rights reserved.
Reliable (Secure, Trusted, and Privacy Preserved) CrossBlockchain Ecosystems for Developing and NonDeveloping Countries
(IGI Global, 2020) Shubham Kumar Keshri; Achintya Singhal; Abhishek Kumar; K. Vengatesan; S. Rakesh
The chapter suggests an iterative social system in which individuals and totals use a development, watch its arranged and unintended outcomes, and after that, build new improvements. Blockchain development has the potential to construct productivity, capability, straight imposition, and disintermediation in shared worth or information exchange. This chapter proposes how the blockchain will be implemented in developing and non-developing countries. These countries can use the blockchain for financial services, transportation, healthcare, e-marketplace, etc. And what is the risk and danger of using blockchain in non-developed countries? © 2021, IGI Global.
Soil organic carbon and labile and recalcitrant carbon fractions attributed by contrasting tillage and cropping systems in old and recent alluvial soils of subtropical eastern India
(Public Library of Science, 2021) S. Rakesh; Deepranjan Sarkar; Abhas Kumar Sinha; Subhan Danish; Prateek Madhab Bhattacharya; Prabir Mukhopadhyay; Saleh H. Salmen; Mohammad Javed Ansari; Rahul Datta
Conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification (CASI) technologies comprising zero-tillage with crop residue retention (>30%) on the soil surface, diversified cropping systems, and balanced nutrient management are recognized as operative and efficacious strategies to ensure food security in the parts of South Asia. The present investigation was a component of CASI technologies undertaken in the farmers’ field of Malda (old alluvial Inceptisol) Coochbehar (recent alluvial Entisol) district, West Bengal (subtropical eastern India). This study was conducted to evaluate the short-term impact of contrasting tillage (zero and conventional) and cropping systems (rice–wheat and rice–maize) on total organic carbon (TOC) and its fractions, viz., labile pool-1 (LP1), labile pool-2 (LP2) and recalcitrant carbon (RC) fractions after 4-year trial of conservation agriculture (CA) in the old and recent alluvial soils. Soil samples were collected from three depths (0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm), and thus, our study was focused on two factors, viz., cropping system and tillage. Results pointed that TOC along with LP1, LP2, and RC fractions under rice–maize (RM) cropping system were significantly (p<0.05) greater (15–35%) over rice–wheat (RW) system as a result of higher residue biomass addition. Zero-tillage (ZT) improved the C fractions by 10–20% over conventional tillage (CT) in all aspects. TOC and its fractions were observed to be greater under the ZT system in the topmost soil depths (0–5 and 5–10 cm), but the same system failed to improve these at 10–20 cm. Interestingly, the CT increased all the fractions at 10–20 cm depth due to the incorporation of crop residues. The concentration of TOC along with its fractions decreased with increasing soil depth was evident. Comparatively, all the C fractions, including TOC were maximum in soils from Malda sites as compared to Coochbehar sites because of a higher amount of residue biomass application, higher clay content, and greater background content of C in these soils. All the studied C fractions showed a significant correlation (r = >0.635; p<0.01) with TOC among all the soil depths in both the districts but the relationship with soil texture showed some interesting results. TOC fractions were significantly correlated (p<0.01) with clay particles indicating that its higher stabilization with clay in old alluvial Inceptisol (Malda); while in recent alluvial Entisol (Coochbehar), sand particle showed its strong relation with TOC fractions. Higher stratification ratio (SR) in the ZT system suggested that the concentration of TOC and its fractions are confined to the upper soil layers whereas in the case of CT, by and large, the distribution of these was comparatively high in subsequent soil depths due to residue incorporation effect. The concentration of C fractions in soils followed the order: TOC > RC > LP2 > LP1. The present investigation concluded that ZT under the RM system increases the turnover rates of C in both soil types but the amount of clay influences the stabilization/storage of C. © 2021 Rakesh S. 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.
Underutilized edible fruit species of the Indo-Gangetic Plains: a systematic review for food security and land degradation neutrality
(Turkiye Klinikleri, 2024) S. Dinesha; S. Rakesh; Deepranjan Sarkar; Prakash Kumar Jha; Raghupathi Balasani; Shikha; Saswat Kumar Kar; Vishal Seth; Amitava Rakshit; Rahul Datta; Sezai Ercişli
Many underutilized edible fruit species (UEFS) are found in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), which support food security (FS) for both indigenous people and other dependent communities. Unfortunately, there is little study and fragmented information available about these naturally edible products. The UEFS of the IGP was the subject of a systematic review utilizing the PRISMA protocol, which produced implications for FS and land degradation neutrality (LDN). This review aims to survey, summarize, and annotate the published information about the angiosperms native and naturalized UEFS of IGP to identify and make use of this species, particularly for the sustainable development of this region. A systematic review confirmed that 371 species of UEFS, of which 62 species were threatened and near threatened (TNT)-UEFS. Among the TNT-UEFS, 41 species were threatened, while 21 species were NT. The threatened species were further categorized as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in the IGP as vulnerable (21 species), endangered (16 species), and critically endangered (four species). This systematic review suggests integration of the native and naturalized UEFS in afforestation and reforestation programs to aid in various ecosystem services. Calamus inermis, Corypha taliera, Licuala peltata, and Saurauia punduana are examples of multipurpose species that require immediate sustainable conservation and cultivation initiatives to save them from extinction in the near future. Multipurpose species such as Aegle marmelos, Buchanania lanzan, Manilkara hexandra, Syzygium cuminii, Tamarindus indica are immensely constructive and climate-smart by surviving in harsh agroclimatic conditions and have great potential for establishment on marginal and wastelands throughout the IGP region. These resilient fruit species enhance biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes in addition to providing food for humans. It progressively advances India’s commitment to LDN, combating climate change, and achieving the UN-SDGs, which call for reducing hunger and raising FS by 2030. As a result, the study will offer baseline data for the next investigations and be helpful to policymakers in creating sustainable and scientific policies for the IGP. © TÜBİTAK.