Browsing by Author "Subhash Babu"

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Co-Implementation of Tillage, Precision Nitrogen, and Water Management Enhances Water Productivity, Economic Returns, and Energy-Use Efficiency of Direct-Seeded Rice
(MDPI, 2022) Vijay Pratap; Anchal Dass; Shiva Dhar; Subhash Babu; Vinod Kumar Singh; Raj Singh; Prameela Krishnan; Susama Sudhishri; Arti Bhatia; Sarvendra Kumar; Anil Kumar Choudhary; Renu Singh; Pramod Kumar; Susheel Kumar Sarkar; Sunil Kumar Verma; Kavita Kumari; Aye Aye San
The sustainability of conventional rice (Oryza sativa L.) production systems is often questioned due to the over-mining of groundwater and environmental degradation. This has led to the development of cost-effective, resource-efficient, and environmentally clean rice production systems by optimizing water and nitrogen (N) use. Hence, a 2-year field study (2019 and 2020) was conducted at the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to assess the effect of precision N and water management strategies on growth, land, and water productivity, as well as energy-use efficiency in scented direct-seeded rice (DSR). Two crop establishment methods, conventional-till DSR (CT-DSR) and zero-till DSR (ZT-DSR) along with three irrigation scenarios (assured irrigation (irrigation after 72 h of the drying of surface water), irrigation at 20% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM), and 40% DASM+Si (80 kg ha−1)) were assigned to the main plots; three N management options, a 100% recommended dose of N (RDN): 150 kg ha−1; Nutrient Expert® (NE®)+leaf color chart (LCC) and NE®+soil plant analysis development (SPAD) meter-based N management were allocated to sub-plots in a three-time replicated split-plot design. The CT-DSR produced 1.4, 11.8, and 89.4, and 2.4, 18.8, and 152.8% more grain yields, net returns, and net energy in 2019 and 2020, respectively, over ZT-DSR. However, ZT-DSR recorded 8.3 and 10.7% higher water productivity (WP) than CT-DSR. Assured irrigation resulted in 10.6, 16.1 16.9, and 8.1 and 12.3, 21.8 20.6, and 6.7% higher grain yields, net returns, net energy, and WP in 2019 and 2020, respectively, over irrigation at 20% DASM. Further, NE®+SPAD meter-based N management saved 27.1% N and recorded 9.6, 18.3, 16.8, and 8.3, and 8.8, 21.7, 19.9, and 10.7% greater grain yields, net returns, net energy, and WP over RDN in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Thus, the study suggested that the NE®+SPAD-based N application is beneficial over RDN for productivity, resource-use efficiency, and N-saving (~32 kg ha−1) both in CA-based and conventionally cultivated DSR. This study also suggests irrigating DSR after 72 h of the drying of surface water; however, under obviously limited water supplies, irrigation can be delayed until 20% DASM, thus saving two irrigations, which can be diverted to additional DSR areas. © 2022 by the authors.
Conservation tillage and nutrient management effects on productivity and soil carbon sequestration under double cropping of rice in north eastern region of India
(Elsevier B.V., 2019) Gulab Singh Yadav; Rattan Lal; Ram Swaroop Meena; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; S.N. Bhowmik; Mrinmoy Datta; Jayanta Layak; Poulami Saha
The rice (Oryza sativa)–rice system (RRS) is the most important agricultural production system, and it provides staple food, income, employment, and livelihoods to millions of farmers in the Indian sub- continent, especially in the eastern and north eastern region (NER) of India. However, soil degradation, due to loss of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools, is declining the productivity of RRS and threatening the region's food security. Intensive tillage along with improper residues and nutrient management practices are among the reasons of the loss of soil C and N pools and decline in rice productivity. Therefore, a 3-year (2013-15) field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage, residues and nutrient management practices on productivity, soil C and N sequestration in RRS at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Research Complex for the North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region, Lembucherra (52 m, above sea level), Tripura, India. The experiment consisted of five combinations of tillage [conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and no-till (NT)], residue [30% rice residue incorporation (RI) and/or residue retention (RR)] and nutrient management practices [inorganic, organic (FYM-farmyard manure, GLM-green leaf manuring) and biofertilizers] in wet (WR) and dry season rice (DR). Results revealed that RT along with improved plant nutrient management (IPNM) comprising 25% N (20 kg N) through GLM + 60 kg N, 9 kg phosphorus (P), 17 kg potassium (K), 2 kg Boron (B) and 5 kg zinc (Zn) ha−1 through fertilizer + cellulose decomposition microorganism and RR in WR produced significantly higher grain yield (5.15 Mg ha−1) as compared to other treatments. However, the DR transplanted under CT + integrated nutrient management (INM) comprising 25% N through FYM and 75% N and remaining P and K (after deducting quantity supplied by FYM) through inorganic fertilizer + RI produced more grain (5.1–5.3 Mg ha−1), straw (7.0–7.2 Mg ha−1), root (1.3–1.4 Mg ha−1) and total biomass (13.4–13.9 Mg ha−1) yield than that of the farmers’ practice (FP) and other treatment combinations, across the years. The highest system productivity of RRS was recorded under T3 (RT + IPNM + RR in WR and CT + INM + RI in DR). Therefore, the highest biomass, C, and N were also recycled in the system through the same treatment combinations. Soil under T3 had a lower bulk density (ρb), the highest soil organic carbon (SOC)/N concentration, pool, accumulation, sequestration, C retention efficiency, soil microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase activities than other treatments. A total amount of 1.30 Mg C ha−1 was accumulated under soils of T3 with the rate of SOC sequestration of 427.9 kg ha−1 yr−1 under RRS. Thus, adopting RRS under RT/NT with INM/IPNM and effective residue recycling is recommended for enhancing the system productivity, C and N sequestration in paddy soils of the NER of India. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd
Conservation tillage and organic nutrients management improve soil properties, productivity, and economics of a maize-vegetable pea system in the Eastern Himalayas
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2021) Raghavendra Singh; Subhash Babu; Ravi Kant Avasthe; Ram Swaroop Meena; Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Kamal Prasad Mohapatra; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Amit Kumar; Chandu Singh
Soil quality restoration and sustainable crop production in the rainfed ecosystem of the Indian Himalayas can be achieved through effective conservation tillage and organic management. Hence, a six-year (2013 to 2019) study was conducted to quantify the effect of tillage and organic nutrient management on soil properties, productivity, and profitability of the maize-vegetable pea (Pisum sativum) system. Three tillage practices [conventional (CT), reduced (RT), and no-till (NT)] and four organic nutrients management practices [(ONM)-farmyard manure @ 8 Mg ha−1 farmers practice (ONM1), 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through manures (ONM2), 75% RDN through manures + maize/vegetable pea stover in either of the crops (ONM3), and 50% RDN through manures + maize/vegetable pea stover in either of the crops (ONM4)] were tested. The results indicated that the NT had higher soil organic carbon (SOC, 16.49 g kg−1), available N (354.5 kg ha−1), and lesser bulk density (1.31 Mg m−3) and penetration resistance (1.85 MPa) in comparison with that of CT at 0–10 cm depth. The system productivity under NT was 9.6% higher than that obtained under CT. The ONM3 had higher SOC content, plant-available N, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) than ONM1. The integration of RT-ONM2 enhanced SMBC, DHA, maize, and vegetable pea yield by 27.2%, 35.7%, 38.0%, and 60.3%, respectively, over CT-ONM1. Thus, the study suggested that the adoption of effective conservation tillage with adequate organic nutrient management has the potential to advance the soil properties and productivity of maize-vegetable pea system in the Himalayan Region. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, nutrient acquisition and economics of blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) in an inceptisol of eastern Uttar Pradesh
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2018) Manoj Chaudhary; Surendra Singh; Subhash Babu; Mahendra Prasad
A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 to find out the suitable integrated nutrient management (INM) package for successful blackgram production in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The results indicates that significantly higher grain (959 kg ha -1 ), stover (2479 kg ha -1 ) and biological (3438 kg ha -1 ) yields and harvest index (27.9%) of blackgram were recorded with the application of soil test based NPK+10 t FYM ha -1 + Rhizobium + 30kg S ha -1 + 1kg Mo ha -1 over rest of the treatments. With regards to economics, soil test based application of NPK + 10t FYM ha -1 + Rhizobium + 30kg S ha -1 + 1kg Mo ha -1 resulted in highest gross returns (44,580 ha -1 ), net returns (26,519 ha -1 ) and benefit: cost ratio (2.27) over other nutritional treatments. Similarly, integration of FYM, NPKSMo with Rhizobium significantly enhances the nitrogen (3.98% and1.55%), phosphorus (0.53% and 0.27%), potassium (2.52% and 3.53%), sulphur (0.39% and 0.31%), and molybdenum (4.25 mg kg -1 and 3.59 mg kg -1 ) contents in grain and stover of blackgram over control, respectively. © 2018, Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved.
Effect of organic nitrogen sources and biofertilizers on production potential and energy budgeting of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping systems
(Indian Society of Agronomy, 2013) S.K. Yadav; Subhash Babu; Y. Singh; G.S. Yadav; Kalyan Singh; Raghavendra Singh; Harvir Singh
A field experiment was conducted during 2005-06 and 2006-07 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to find out the effect of organic nitrogen sources and biofertilizers on system productivity and energy budgeting of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping system. Rice-potato [Solanum tubersoum (L.)]-onion [Allium cepa (L.)] system recorded significantly higher production efficiency (97.5 kg/ha/day), land-utilization efficiency (91.4%), economic efficiency (738/ha/day), energy input (61.08×103MJ/ha) and energy output (187.09×103MJ/ha). The lowest (39.4 × 103MJ/ ha) energy intensiveness was recorded in rice-table pea (Pisum sativum var. hortense)-cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cropping system. However, the organic nutrition with biofertilizers (Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria) had the highest rice-equivalent grain yield (35.3 t/ha), production efficiency (96.7kg/ha/ day), land utilization efficiency (89.8%), economic efficiency (803 ha/day) and energy-use efficiency (3.15) of system, followed by organic nitrogen sources alone (3.0). Recommended dose of N @100% through organic nitrogen sources alone was the next best treatment resulting in higher productivity and system efficiency. Rice-potato-onion cropping system was found most productive, profitable and energy efficient with application of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen through organic sources along with biofertilizers. © 2013, Indian Society of Agronomy. All rights reserved.
Effect of organic nitrogen sources on yield, nutrient uptake and soil health under rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping sequence
(2013) S.K. Yadav; Yogeshwar Singh; M.K. Yadav; Subhash Babu; Kalyan Singh
A two year of field experimentation was carried out at Varanasi from 2005-07 to study the effect of organic nitrogen sources on yield, nutrient uptake and soil health under rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping sequence. The soil was sandy clay loam in the texture with pH 7.4, moderately fertile, being low in organic carbon (0.50%), available nitrogen (185.5 kg/ha). The experiment on rice based cropping sequences with 3 organic N nutrition treatments was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Seven rice based cropping sequences [rice-potato-onion; rice-green pea-onion; rice-potatocowpea (green pod); rice-green pea-cowpea (green pod); rice-rajmash (green pod)-onion; rice-rajmash (green pod)-cowpea (green pod) and rice-maize (green cob)-cowpea (vegetable)] were assigned to main plots and three treatments comprising nitrogen application (control; organic manure; organic manure + bio-fertilizer) were allocated to sub plots. The system productivity was the highest (355.73 q/ha) with rice-potato-onion cropping sequence under investigation. Among the manurial treatment, organic nitrogen nutrition with biofertilizers had the highest rice grain equivalent yield (353.08 q/ha) and net monetary return (292 454). The application of organic manure alone or along with biofertilizers inoculation significantly improved the N, P, K and S uptake by cropping sequence over control. However maximum improvement in soil health related to soil organic carbon, available nutrient status, soil micro-organism population were observed in organic nitrogen sources alone or along with biofertilizers.
Effect of organic nutrient sources on yield, nutrient uptake and soil biological properties of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping sequence
(2013) S.K. Yadav; Subhash Babu; Yogeshwar Singh; M.K. Yadav; G.S. Yadav; Suresh Pal; Raghavendra Singh; Kalyan Singh
A field experiment was carried out at Varanasi for two years (2005-2007) to study the effect of organic nutrient sources on yield, nutrient uptake and soil properties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping sequence. Seven rice-based cropping sequences viz. rice-potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)-onion (Allium cepa L); rice-green pea (Pisum sativum var. hortense)-onion; rice-potato-cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis); rice-green pea-cowpea; rice-rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)-onion; rice-rajmash-cowpea and rice-maize (Zea mays L.)-cowpea were assigned to main plots and three treatments of nitrogen application viz. control; organic manure; organic manure + biofertilizer were allotted to sub plots. Highest rice equivalent yield (35.57 t/ha), monetary net returns (268.7×103/ha), production efficiency (96.81 and 98.11 kg/ha/day) and irrigation efficiency (504.8 and 511.6 kg/ha-cm) were found under rice-potato-onion cropping sequence. Among the organic treatments, the highest rice equivalent yield (35.3 t/ha), production efficiency (95.7 and 97.8 kg/ha/day), irrigation efficiency (515.7 and 527.4 kg/ha-cm) and soil biological indictors like dehydrogenase activities, urease activities, soil microbial biomass carbon and soil microbial biomass nitrogen were obtained under organic nutrient management combined with biofertilizers.
Energy budget and carbon footprint in a no-till and mulch based rice–mustard cropping system
(Elsevier Ltd, 2018) Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Rattan Lal; Subhash Babu; Ram Swaroop Meena; Poulami Saha; Raghavendra Singh; Mrinmoy Datta
The increase in emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) due to anthropogenic perturbation in both the agricultural and natural eco-systems are degrading the environmental quality. Conventional tillage (CT) and residue burning/removal exacerbates the land degradation and GHG emission, and the impacts are much more in the upland ecosystem than valley lands. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the energy budget, and carbon footprint (CF) of no-till (NT) and mulches under the upland rice (Oryza sativa)–mustard (Brassica campestris var. toria) cropping system over CT based system to develop a clean production technology for improving the environmental quality and conservingnatural resources. The novelty of the study is that integrated effect of NT, diverse mulches and cropping system effect has been considered together as a conservation measure for sustainable and clean agricultural practice over those of CT based technologies. The experiment comprised of two tillage systems as the main-plot and four mulch types as the sub-plot treatments under a split-plot design. Two tillage systems included: 1. CT-RI: CT with 100% residue incorporation (RI), and 2. NT-RR: NT with 100% residue retention (RR). Four mulch types included: 1. rice straw mulch (SM), 2. green manure (GM) - Gliricidia sp. (a leguminous shrub) mulch, 3. brown manuring (BM) mulch [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) grown as an intercrop and killed with a spray of 2, 4-D, 40 days after sowing (DAS)] and 4. no mulch (NM) control. The adoption of NT-RR significantly (p = 0.05) reduced the energy use (16,727 MJ/ha) and the cost of production (INR 54,271/ha, 1 US$ = 64.46 INR) compared with those under CT-RI (27,630 MJ/ha and INR 76,903/ha, respectively). Thus, NT-RR also increased the energy use efficiency (EUE), energy productivity (EP), net returns, and reduced CF of the system compared with those under CT-RI. Use of different mulches also increased the energy use efficiency, system productivity, and net returnscompared with those under NM. The total CO2-e emission (CF) was higher under CT-RI (2307 kg CO2-e/ha) as compared to those under NT-RR (2013 kg CO2-e/ha). The savings of fossil fuel from less number of tillage operations and also low emissions associated with energy consumed in manufacture, transport, repair and use of machines contributed to the lowest GWP under NT-RR. Thus, the study supports and recommended that the NT-RR with BM is an environmentally safe and clean production technology for enhancing the energy use efficiency, reducing the CF and cost of production of direct-seeded upland rice-mustard cropping system in India and similar agro-eco-regions elsewhere in the rice based cropping system in the world. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd
Energy budgeting for designing sustainable and environmentally clean/safer cropping systems for rainfed rice fallow lands in India
(Elsevier Ltd, 2017) Gulab Singh Yadav; Rattan Lal; Ram Swaroop Meena; Mrinmoy Datta; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; Jayanta Layek; Poulami Saha
Efficient utilization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) fallow (∼11.6 million hectares) systems can accelerate the growth of Indian agriculture. But, bringing more area under cultivation is an energy-demanding process and a source of gaseous emissions in the era of climate change. Hence, development of environmentally sustainable cropping systems require for efficient use of rice-fallow lands for sustainable productivity. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the objective to identify sustainable and environmentally safer cropping systems with low global worming potential (GWP) and low energy requirement for rice fallow land of India. Seven diverse crops (e.g., toria (Brassica campestris var. toria), lentil (Lens culinaris), field pea (Pisum arvense), garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), green gram (Vigna radiata), black gram (Vigna mungo) and maize (Zea mays)) were introduced in rice-fallow system by adopting no-till (NT) production technology to develop sustainable and environmentally cleaner production systems in a subtropical climate of Tripura, India. All these rice-based cropping systems were evaluated on the basis of the energy requirements and system productivity. Results indicated that rice had the highest energy input followed by that for maize and the least for lentil. System productivity regarding equivalent rice yield was the highest in rice–garden pea system. The relative amount of energy input in all cropping systems involved 44–54% for chemical fertilizers, 13–17% for land preparation, 12–15% for diesel and 11–14% for labor. Total energy input of 28,656 MJ per hectare (MJ/ha) was the highest for rice–maize and the lowest of 22,486 MJ/ha for rice–lentil systems. The highest system productivity and the highest energy productivity were obtained for the rice–garden pea system. The GWP was lower for legume-based than that for cereal and oilseed-based cropping systems. The lowest GWP of 7.97 Mg CO2e/ha per yr was observed for the rice-lentil cropping system and the highest GWP of 8.39 Mg CO2e/ha per yr for the rice-maize cropping system. The rice-vegetable pea and rice-lentil cropping systems also had low greenhouse gas emission intensity. The rice–pea and rice–lentil cropping systems are recommended for the region because of their low energy requirement, high energy and system productivity and low GWP. These systems are suited for the efficient utilization of rice fallow lands of eastern India to sustain productivity while adapting and mitigating the climate change. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd
Impact of no-till and mulching on soil carbon sequestration under rice (Oryza sativa L.)-rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. var. rapeseed) cropping system in hilly agro-ecosystem of the Eastern Himalayas, India
(Elsevier B.V., 2019) Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Rattan Lal; Subhash Babu; Mrinmoy Datta; Ram Swaroop Meena; Somanagouda B. Patil; Raghavendra Singh
Decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) and low biomass production in sloping uplands are of growing concern for sustainable agriculture worldwide. This concern is in general in the Eastern Himalayan regions (EHR) of India in particular. A field experiment was conducted with the objectives to generate additional biomass and sequester more C in coarse-textured sloping lands. This experiment is done for four consecutive years in the EHR, India. The rice (Oryza sativa L.)–rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. var. rapeseed) cropping system was practiced during the first two years (2012-13 to 2013-14) and rice–rapeseed–cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) system during the two following years (2014-15 to 2015-16) of the study under different tillage and mulch systems. The tillage system included: 1) CT-RI: conventional tillage (CT) with 100% residue incorporation (RI) and 2) NT-RR: no-till (NT) with 100% residue retention (RR). The mulches included 1) rice straw mulch (SM), 2) Gliricidia sp. mulch (GM), 3) brown manuring mulch (BM)–cowpea grown as intercrop with rice up to 40 days after sowing (DAS), killed with 2,4-D and 4) no mulch (NM). The cowpea, as a cover crop was introduced during 2014 and 2015 as pre-rainy season crop before the sowing of rice to generate additional biomass in the system. The four year total above ground biomass yield of rice and rapeseed didn't vary significantly between CT-RI (31.93 and 17.40 Mg ha −1 ) and NT-RR (31.86 and 17.46 Mg ha −1 ), respectively. However, the total above ground biomass yield of cowpea was more under NT-RR (10.75 Mg ha −1 ) when compared to that under CT-RI (9.79 Mg ha −1 ). The amount of total biomass (above + below ground) and C added into the soil was more under NT-RR than that under the CT-RI. After 4 cropping cycles, the NT-RR had higher SOC concentration, pool (29.9 vs. 29.1 Mg ha −1 ), sequestration rate (450 vs. 265 kg ha -1 yr −1 ) and C retention efficiency (7.7 vs. 4.6%) than those under the CT-RI at 0–30 cm depth. The mulched plots produced more crop biomass (both above and below ground), recycled more C in soils with a trend of relatively more SOC pool (29.7–29.8 vs. 29.0 Mg ha −1 ), sequestration rate (391–428 vs. 221 kg ha -1 yr −1 ) and C retention efficiency (6.64–6.94% vs. 4.66%) than those of NM treatment. These results were seen despite difference among the mulch treatments (SM, GM and BM) which were statistically non-significant after 4 cropping cycles. Inclusion of cowpea as cover crop during pre-rainy season in the system doubled the rate of C sequestration (478 kg C ha -1 yr −1 ). Therefore, the data supports the recommendation of cultivation of the rice–rapeseed system under NT-RR along with cowpea intercropping up to 40 DAS (BM) in rice. Besides this, the inclusion of pre-rainy season cowpea before rice could generate additional biomass and enhance SOC sequestration on upland and sloping hills in the EHR of India and in similar conditions elsewhere. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Post-emergence herbicides for effective weed management, enhanced wheat productivity, profitability and quality in north-western Himalayas: A ‘participatory-mode’ technology development and dissemination
(MDPI AG, 2021) Anil K. Choudhary; D.S. Yadav; Pankaj Sood; Shakuntla Rahi; Kalpana Arya; S.K. Thakur; Ramesh Lal; Subhash Kumar; Jagdev Sharma; Anchal Dass; Subhash Babu; R.S. Bana; D.S. Rana; Adarsh Kumar; Sudhir K. Rajpoot; Gaurendra Gupta; Anil Kumar; M.N. Harish; A.U. Noorzai; G.A. Rajanna; Mohammad Halim Khan; V.K. Dua; Raj Singh
‘Participatory-mode’ adaptive research was conducted in wheat in north-western Himalayas (NWH) during 2008–2014 to develop an improved chemical weed management (ICWM) technology. First of all, two years ‘on-farm experimentation’ was performed in a randomized block design at 10 locations in NWH using seven treatments (Clodinafop @ 60 g a.i./ha (Clod); Clod followed by 2,4-D (Na-salt) @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Clod-fb-D); Isoproturon 75 WP @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Iso); Iso + D; Sulfosulfuron 75% WG @ 25 g a.i./ha + Metsulfuron 5% WG @ 2 g a.i./ha (Sulf + Met); weed-free-check; and un-weeded-check). In this study, the post-emergence application of Sulf + Met reported the lowest weed-index and NPK depletion by weeds with higher weed control efficiency (86.4%), weed control index (81.1%) and herbicide efficiency index (2.62) over other herbicides. Sulf + Met exhibited significantly higher wheat productivity (3.57 t/ha), protein yield, net-returns and water-productivity, which was followed by Iso + D and Clod-fb-D, all of which remained statistically at par with each other. An impact assessment of intensive technology-transfer programme (2008–2014) revealed a higher technology adoption rate (71–98%) of ICWM leading to higher wheat productivity (~22%) and net income gains (2.8–26.4%) in NWH. Overall, Sulf + Met proved highly effective against mixed weed flora in wheat to boost wheat productivity, profitability, quality and water productivity in addition to a higher technology adoption rate and NIGs to transform rural livelihoods in NWH. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Precision nitrogen management strategies and high yielding genotypes for enhanced growth, yield, economics, and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2024) Vishal Tyagi; Mona Nagargade; Prabhu Govindasamy; Subhash Babu; Manoj Kumar Singh; Adarsh Kumar; Preeti Singh
Current agricultural production systems face challenges of poor economic returns, soil fatigue and negative environmental outcomes from excess use of nitrogenous fertilizers, especially in wheat production under middle gangetic plains. To overcome these challenges, the current study was conducted to optimize nitrogen management in different wheat genotypes with precision nitrogen management tools and approaches. The field experiment was laid out in split-plot design, with three genotypes assigned to the main plot and six nitrogen management practices to the sub-plot. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, with low levels of organic carbon and available nitrogen, and medium levels of available phosphorus and potassium. Results revealed that the HD-2967 genotype outperformed others in terms of growth, grain yield (4.7 and 4.81 t ha−1), gross return (1417.41 and 1505.48 US$ ha−1), net return (953.43 and 1019.76 US$ ha−1), and B-C ratio (2.04 and 2.08) in 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. Among the nitrogen management practices, application of 150 kg N ha−1 in three equal splits demonstrated improved crop growth, grain yield (4.7 and 4.81 t ha−1), and economic returns (gross return, 1500.40 and 1607.65 US$ ha−1, net return, 1025.40 and 1110.38 US$ ha−1 and B: C ratio, 2.17 and 2.23) in 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. However, it resulted in higher nitrogen losses. Green seeker guided N application significantly reduced apparent nitrogen losses compared to all other nitrogen applied treatments. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing wheat production by selecting appropriate genotypes and implementing precision nitrogen management techniques to enhance yield, profitability, and environmental sustainability. © 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Production potential, economics and soil fertility status of blackgram (Phaseolus mungo) as influenced by integrated nutrient supply system
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2019) Manoj Chaudhary; Surendra Singh; Subhash Babu; G.S. Yadav; S.K. Rai; Mahendra Prasad
A fixed plot field experiment was conducted during two consecutive years (2010-12) at Farm Research, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to find out the suitable integrated nutrient supply (INS) practice for improving the soil health, yield and profitability of blackgram in Eastern Indo Gangatic plain zone of India. The results indicated that significantly higher grain (948 and 971 kg ha-1), stover (2433 and 2525 kg ha-1), biological (3381and 3496 kg ha-1) yields of blackgram were observed with the application of soil test based NPK+10 t FYM ha-1 + Rhizobium + 30 kg S ha-1 + 1 kg Mo ha-1 over rest of the treatments.With regards to soil fertility after crop harvest, soil test based application of NPK + 10 t FYM ha-1 + Rhizobium + 30 kg S ha-1+ 1 kg Mo ha-1 resulted in the highest soil available N (223 and 228 kg ha 1), P (21.17 and 22 kg ha-1), K (244 and 247.60 kg ha-1), S (19 and 19.78 kg ha-1) and Mo (0.30 and 0.33 mg kg-1) over other INM treatments. Similarly, soil test based application of NPK + 10 t FYM ha-1 + Rhizobium + 30 kg S ha-1+ 1 kg Mo ha-1 recorded maximum gross returns (Rs.38584 and 50576 ha-1), net returns (Rs.20624.52 and 32415.09 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.15 and 2.78) over other nutritional treatments. Hence, study suggested that grower should follow soil test based application of NPK along with 10 t FYM ha-1 + Rhizobium + 30 kg S ha-1+ 1 kg Mo ha-1 for fetching higher profitability from black gram cultivation in Eastern part of Indo Gangatic plains. © 2019, Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved.
Profitability of high value crops with organic nitrogen sources under rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping sequence
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2014) S.K. Yadav; Subhash Babu; M.K. Yadav; Yogeshwar Singh; Kalyan Singh
A field experiment was conducted during 2005-06 and 2006-07 at Campus Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi to identify a suitable high value cropping sequence with organic nitrogen sources under rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping system. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Seven rice based cropping sequences, viz. rice-potato-onion; rice-green pea-onion; rice-potatocowpea (green pod); rice-green pea-cowpea; rice-rajmash (green pod)-onion; rice-rajmash-cowpea and rice-maize (green cob)-cowpea were assigned to main plots and three organic treatments (control; 100% RDN through organic manure along with biofertilizers and 100% RDN through organic manure alone) were allocated to sub plots. Among the cropping sequences, rice-potato-onion gave the highest rice grain equivalent yield (35.57 tonnes/ha), maximum net return (268 656/ha), profitability (738/ha/day) and labour employment generation (469 man days/ha/year). However rice yield and soil fertility status was not significantly affected by cropping sequences. Application of 100% recommended dose of through organic manure along with biofertilizers (Azotobacter and PSB) had the highest rice equivalent grain yield (35.31 tonnes/ha), production efficiency (96.74 kg/ha/day), net monetary return (292 454/ ha), profitability (803/ha/day) and labour employment generation (419 man days/ha/year). Inclusion of pulses in sequence with proved superior due to its viable favorable effect on soil fertility. Thus organic nitrogen nutrition with biofertilizers had the highest rice equivalent grain yield, production efficiency, net monetary return and profitability.
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.