Browsing by Author "Singh, Gopal Shankar"
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Publication Animal manures and plant residue-based amendments for sustainable rice-wheat production and soil fertility improvement in eastern Uttar Pradesh, North India(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Dubey, Pradeep Kumar; Singh, Ajeet; Chaurasia, Rajan; Pandey, Krishna Kumar; Bundela, Amit Kumar; Singh, Gopal Shankar; Abhilash, Purushothaman ChirakkuzhyilAgroecological interventions are imperative for boosting agricultural productivity and soil fertility while increasing profitability of subsistence farmers in low-income countries by replacing synthetic fertilizers. With this context, the present study was aimed to evaluate the impact of animal manures (sheep and poultry manure) and plant residue-based organic amendments (rice husk biochar and sugarcane pressmud) on soil quality, nutrient uptake and balance, yield, and sustainability of rice-wheat cropping in alluvial (rainfed) and red lateritic soil (dryland) of middle Gangetic plains (Narayanpur) and Vindhyan region (Rajgarh) of Mirzapur district in eastern UP. The field experiments were conducted for three years at the above two sites and amendments were done at a rate by replacing 30% standard recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF) for rice-wheat cropping system. Field trials were conducted with the 100% RDF as control, and 70% RDF with sheep manure, poultry manure, rice-husk biochar and sugarcane pressmud in a randomized block design. The organic amendments were done during the rice cultivation stage and the residual effect was observed during the subsequent wheat cultivation. Though soil organic carbon (SOC) was found to show significant (p ? 0.05) increase in biochar amended plots, animal manures followed by pressmud showed year wise increase in both SOC and microbial biomass carbon. In rainfed areas, plant growth and yield attributes for both rice and wheat were at par in amendments than control while in dryland, the 100% RDF showed better performance during the first year, after that amended plot showed better performance. All amendments resulted in higher benefit: cost ratio except biochar addition in Narayanpur, whereas in Rajgarh, the poultry manure resulted in significant improvement in benefit: cost ratio from second year onward. Our study advocates that validation of suitable amendment packages based on organic inputs are imperative for improving the yield, soil quality and nutrient balance of rice-wheat cropping system and thereby attaining the UN-SDGs at the village/local level. � 2022 Elsevier B.V.Publication Assessment of flood recession farming for livelihood provision, food security and environmental sustainability in the Ganga River Basin(Elsevier B.V., 2021) Singh, Rinku; Patel, Sanoj Kumar; Tiwari, Amit Kumar; Singh, Gopal ShankarPoverty, food insecurity and environmental degradation are the recurrent problems in the Ganga River Basin (GRB). The Ganga River enriches the fertility of floodplain through flooding every year. Farmers have been utilizing this fertility for growing crops by flood recession farming (FRF) since antiquity. In this practice, farmers use moisture and nutrient rich soil of the floodplains for growing crops after water levels recede and harvest them before flooding in the river. This ancient method of food production plays a pivotal role in human well-being and environmental conservation in the GRB. Using the data collected from the farmers living along the Ganga River in Varanasi, this study explores the potentials of FRF through the dimensions of livelihood provision, food security and environmental sustainability. Field visits, household surveys, and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data. Results indicated that various practices and methods of FRF system underpin not only the livelihood and food security of small and marginal farmers but also enrich the sustainability of the environment. Environmental sustainability was assessed in the context of agro-biodiversity conservation, water resource management, soil health maintenance, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The study concludes that the full potentials of flood recession farming can be assessed through a comprehensive research about the different aspects of FRF and mainstreaming this practice in policy-making for sustainable food production. � 2021 The AuthorsPublication Diversity and Distribution of Traditional Home Gardens Along Different Disturbances in a Dry Tropical Region, India(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022) Patel, Sanoj Kumar; Sharma, Anil; Singh, Rinku; Tiwari, Amit Kumar; Singh, Gopal ShankarHome gardening is an indigenous practice of cultivation that has effectively adapted to local ecological conditions over generations. This study examined the effects of disturbance and garden size on biodiversity to develop a better understanding of vegetation cover and its role in livelihood and provision of forest management in the Vindhyan highlands. Data were collected from 60 gardens which were classified into large (> 650 m2), medium (400�650 m2), and small (< 400 m2), based on size and disturbance gradients viz., high, medium, and low. A total of 133 species from 50 families were recorded, in which trees (47.4%) were dominant followed by shrubs (18%) and herbs (16.5%). With respect to disturbance, the highest number of tree species (39) were found at low disturbance (LD) followed by 33 species in medium disturbance (MD) and 32 species in high disturbhance (HD). The total mean richness of species was greater at LD (20.3 � 2.3) and lowest at HD (18.5 � 2.2). Tree density was significantly (P ? 0.05) higher at LD (293.75 � 16.1 individual ha�1) as compared to MD (221 � 11.5 individual ha�1) and HD (210 � 10.3 individual ha�1). However, the results for shrubs and herbs density were considerably different, where shrubs density was highest at HD (70 � 6.9 individual per 1,000 m2) and lowest at LD (62.5 � 5.8 individual per 1,000 m2), while the maximum density of herbs was recorded at MD (466.25 � 29.8 individual per 100 m2) and minimum at LD (370 � 21.4 individual per 100 m2). The summed dominance ratio indicated frequent use of garden plants in bio-fencing, vegetables, ornamental, and ethnomedicine. Diversity (P < 0.01) and species richness (P < 0.05) showed a significant positive correlation with garden size. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the first component (PC1) accounted for 28.6% of variance, whereas the second explained 21.9% of variance in both disturbance and garden size with a cumulative variance of 50.5%. These components depicted the positive association with HD (14.34), SDiv (13.91), TCD (12.47), and HDiv (12.09). We concluded that the diversity of home gardens changed with disturbance, which crucially served as a refuge for native tree species in a degraded landscape. This pattern highlighted the importance of home gardens for plant biodiversity conservation and local livelihood, which must be a viable option for regeneration of deforested dry tropics, while also reducing the burden on dry tropical forest regions. Copyright � 2022 Patel, Sharma, Singh, Tiwari and Singh.Publication Double transplantation as a climate resilient and sustainable resource management strategy for rice production in eastern Uttar Pradesh, north India(Academic Press, 2023) Dubey, Pradeep Kumar; Chaurasia, Rajan; Pandey, Krishna Kumar; Bundela, Amit Kumar; Singh, Ajeet; Singh, Gopal Shankar; Mall, Rajesh Kumar; Abhilash, Purushothaman Chirakkuzhyil-Enhancing the productivity of rainfed crops, especially rice, while coping with climate adversities and saving critical natural resources is essential for ensuring the food and nutrition security of a growing population. With this context, the present study was undertaken to validate promising farm innovation and adaptation practices used by small-medium landholding farmers for rice cultivation in eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP), north India, as well as to examine the sustainability of innovative practices for large-scale adoption. For this, a 3-year study comprising extensive field surveys and experiments was undertaken to compare single transplantation (ST) and double transplantation (DT) in rice along with organic addition (farm-yard manure, FYM) on crop growth, yield, climate resilience, soil quality, and overall sustainability i.e., social (women involvements and labour productivity), environmental (water productivity and nutrient use efficiency), and economic (benefit:cost ratio) dimensions of sustainability. Field experiments were conducted in triplicate using two local rice varieties (MotiNP-360 and Sampurna Kaveri) in two agroclimatic zones, namely the middle Gangetic plains and the Vindhyan zone, in the Mirzapur district of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The DT practices of rice with and without farm yard manure (FYM) (replacing at a dose of 25% NPK) were evaluated over conventional methods of rice cultivation (i.e., ST, as control) and analysis was done periodically. The DT practice improved growth (p < 0.05), percent fertile tiller and grain (p < 0.05), and rice yield (15�20% higher than ST), while also improving soil quality, yield indices, water and labour productivity, and the benefit-cost ratio. The DT practice also resulted in early maturity (10�15 days earlier than ST), created more labour days for women, decreased lodging and pest/disease incidence, as well as a subsequent reduction in the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and associated environmental costs. Importantly, the residual effects of FYM application significantly improved (p < 0.05) the grain yield in subsequent years of cropping. Optimizing DT cultivation practices, preferably with FYM input for various agro-climatic regions, is essential for large-scale sustainable rice production under changing climatic conditions. � 2022 Elsevier LtdPublication Perceptions of impacts and management of invasive alien plants: a case study from Mirzapur, India(Frontiers Media SA, 2023) Kumar, Sudhanshu; Meena, Renu; Tiwari, Amit Kumar; Singh, Rinku; Patel, Sanoj Kumar; Singh, Gopal ShankarInvasive alien plants (IAPs) have become a serious threat to biodiversity, agriculture and socio-economic development. Several aspects, including the ecological and economic impacts of IAPs have been explored in the recent past, however, perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) have not been well studied. IAPs affect the lives of local people both positively (providing ES) and negatively (providing EDS). IAPs in this region have not been studied through the aspects of ES and EDS that integrate the views and perceptions of local communities. Keeping in view this research gap, the present study was conducted in the Mirzapur district (Uttar Pradesh, India) where IAPs are widely distributed. In five sites covering a rural to urban gradient with increasing distance from forest, we randomly selected 100 respondents�20 from each of the five sites for the survey. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect respondents� perceptions on ES and EDS supplied by IAPs in their local habitats. The questionnaire was designed to obtain data on awareness and knowledge, perceptions of ES and EDS, attitudes toward management, and socio-demographic information. Results indicated that 95% of respondents were familiar with at least one of the 12 IAPs identified as being important in the region. Ipomea carnea and Stylosanthes hamata were the most and least frequently cited plants, respectively. Medical use and reduction in soil fertility were most perceived as ES and EDS, respectively. The value of Spearman�s rank correlation coefficient (Spearman�s ? = 0.487, p > 0.05) indicates a non-significant correlation between ranks of ES and EDS cited by respondents. Older and less educated people were more aware of the impacts of IAPs. Uprooting was the most commonly used management practice to control the invasion of plant species. People�s attitudes toward the management of IAPs seem to indicate that they prefer to eradicate species that have direct harmful effects on human health and biodiversity. This study provides inputs for incorporating people�s perceptions into the control and management of IAPs in the forest region. Copyright � 2023 Kumar, Meena, Tiwari, Singh, Patel and Singh.Publication Perceptions of the impacts of invasive alien plants in the riparian zone of the Ganga River: Insights from Varanasi, India(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2022) Singh, Rinku; Tiwari, Amit Kumar; Singh, Gopal ShankarRiparian zones are among the most threatened habitats due to invasive species. Traditionally, studies on invasive alien plants (IAPs) of riparian zones have focused on their ecological implications. Studies assessing the impacts of IAPs on ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) through people's perceptions are lacking in this habitat. This study was conducted in the riparian zone of the Ganga River in Varanasi, India. We used a questionnaire-based survey to assess people's perceptions of IAPs and their potential to provide ES and EDS. Results indicated that residents were aware of IAPs and perceived these both positively (providing ES) and negatively (providing EDS). Soil stabilization and loss of native plant diversity were the most commonly perceived ES and EDS respectively. Socio-demographic variables such as age and education shape people's perceptions of IAPs. Younger and educated respondents were more likely to perceive IAPs negatively. Respondents most commonly used fire as a practice to manage IAPs. They placed Parthenium hysterophorus L. as the highest priority based on its impacts and management needs. This study highlights the need to incorporate public perceptions into the policy, planning, and management of IAPs, particularly in the riparian zone. � 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Publication Socio-ecological Challenges and Adaptation Strategies of Farmers Towards Changing Climate in Vindhyan highlands, India(Springer, 2023) Patel, Sanoj Kumar; Sharma, Anil; Barla, Anil; Tiwari, Amit Kumar; Singh, Rinku; Kumar, Sudhanshu; Singh, Gopal ShankarThe Indian agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change which adversely affects crop production and livelihood of farmers. The effect is more intensified in Vindhyan highlands, where prolong drought and high rate of poverty exist in depredation environment. In this context, present study conducted to explore farmers� perception, attitude about climate change and adaptive capabilities. We undertook an interview schedules survey through structured questionnaire in Duddhi block of Sonbhadra district. A total of 400 households were selected in which 347 (86.75%) male and 53 (13.25%) female respondents have participated. The perception of farmers on climate change is presented in SI (severity index) which varies from 36% to 68.63%. The statement �rainy season decreases� ranked first with SI (68.63%) followed by �temperature increases� SI (66.06%). This investigation identified 17 types of adaptive practices which are frequently performed in the Vindhyan highlands. Based on the WAI (Weighted Average Index) score, crop diversification (2.0), cultivation of drought-adapted crop varieties (1.99), changing plantation calendar (1.95) were the most adopted practices. Multiple regression analysis between the socio-economic status of farmers and the adaptation practices, recorded a significant positive relationship with age (P < 0.01), family size (P < 0.05), education (P < 0.01), caste categories (P < 0.05) and livestock ownership (P < 0.01) of farmer. This study will be helpful in developing drought resilience farming practices for sustaining the livelihood of farmers and inform policy making. � 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.Publication Variation in Species Composition, Structural Diversity, and Regeneration Along Disturbances in Tropical Dry Forest of Northern India(National Science Museum od Korea, 2023) Sharma, Anil; Patel, Sanoj Kumar; Singh, Gopal ShankarUnderstanding disturbances is crucial for preventing forest degradation and resolving vegetation loss which remain to be a major concern. The present study was to evaluate the vegetation dynamics of different disturbed forest stands, based on cumulative disturbance index score in Vindhyan highlands, India. Our findings demonstrated that the mean tree density was greater in least disturbed (56.24�1.44 ha�1) than in highly disturbed (53.28�2.67 ha�1) and moderately disturbed (50.27�0.94 ha�1) forest stands. Shannon, Simpson, Evenness, Margalef, and ?-diversity indices differed significantly amongst the three disturbed stands. The regeneration potential of tree species was found to be good (35.08%), fair (16.42%), and poor to no regeneration (48.5%) across the three stands, in which Diospyros melanoxylon, Syzygium heyneanum, and Holarrhena antidysenterica were shown to have strong regeneration capacity. Principal component analysis revealed that the first component (pc1) explained 45.3% variance, while the second component (pc2) elucidated 20.1% variance in both disturbances and life-form wise distribution with a cumulative score of 65.4%. Our findings would be helpful to understand how different disturbance�regeneration combinations influence the successful regeneration of tree seedlings as well as how variations in compositional diversity will impact the vegetation dynamics and restoration of plant community in dry tropics. � 2022 National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA)
