A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Research Farm during winter (rabi) season 2021–22 to evaluate the effect of multi-nutrient carrier ...polyhalite and its combinations with variable doses of MOP on growth parameters, yield, and productivity of wheat. The application of 100% K (polyhalite), i.e. T8 resulted in significantly higher growth and yield parameters of wheat, viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation, tillers numbers, crop growth rate, leaf area index, grain yield (5.87 tonnes/ha). A 7.5% increase in grain yield was observed with the application of T8 over T11. So, a balanced and prolonged supply of available nutrients with polyhalite to crop in a sustained manner can be maintained.
Environmental pollution, resource dwindling, and soil degradation questioned the sustainability of contemporary agricultural production systems. Organic farming is advocated as a sustainable solution ...for ensuring food security without compromising environmental sustainability. However, poor farm productivity quizzed the sustainability of organic production systems. Hence, a field study was carried out in the Sikkim region of the Indian Himalayas to assess the efficacy of conservation-effective tilling and diversified cropping on system productivity, profitability, environmental quality, and soil nutrient balance in organic farming. Three tillage systems, namely, (i) conventional tillage (CT), (ii) reduced tillage (RT), and (iii) zero tillage (ZT), and four maize based diversified cropping systems (maize–black gram–toria, maize–black gram–buckwheat, maize–rajmash–toria, and maize–rajmash–buckwheat) were tested using a three times replicated split-plot design. The ZT system recorded 13.5 and 3.5% higher system productivity over CT and RT, respectively. Of the four diversified cropping systems, the maize–rajmash–buckwheat system recorded the maximum system productivity (13.99 Mg ha
−1
) and net returns (3,141 US$ ha
−1
) followed by the maize–black gram–buckwheat system. Among the tillage practices, ZT recorded the significantly high eco-efficiency index (EEI; 1.55 US$ per kg CO
2
-eq emission) and the lowest greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI; 0.15 kg CO
2
-eq per kg production). Of the diversified cropping systems, the maize-rajmash-buckwheat registered the lowest GHGI (0.14 CO
2
-eq per kg production) and the highest EEI (1.47 US$ per kg CO
2
-eq emission). Concerning soil nutrient balance, after three cropping cycles, the soil under ZT recorded significantly higher available N (340.0 kg ha
−1
), P (16.6 kg ha
−1
), and K (337.3 kg ha
−1
) over the CT system at 0–10 cm soil depth. Similarly, the soil under the maize–black gram–buckwheat system had the maximum bio-available NPK. Thus, the study suggests that the cultivation of the maize–black gram/rajmash–buckwheat systems under ZT and/or RT would increase farm productivity, profitability, and soil fertility with minimum GHGI in organic farming under the Eastern Himalayan region of India.
Increasing complexity in crop nutrient requirement in intensive crop production systems needs alternate multi-nutrient sources. Polyhalite (POLY-4) which contains 14% K2O along withcalcium (17% CaO), ...magnesium (6% MgO), and sulfur (19% S) can be a possible recourse in this regard. In maize-wheat systems, it was evaluated for productivity, profitability, nutrient usage, and nutrient use efficiency under Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) zones for consecutive two years (2018-19 and 2019-20). The results revealed that 150% K through POLY-4 produced the maximum maize grain yield under the Trans Indo-Gangetic plains (TGP). The maize grain yield increased by 20.8% and 26.2% under 100% K (POLY-4) and 150% K (POLY-4) over No–K, respectively. But statistically, 100% K (POLY-4) stands similar with both 150% K (POLY-4) and 150% K through muriate of potash (MOP) and equivalent. The trends were noticed under upper Indo-Gangetic plain zones (UGP) also. Similarly, the maximum wheat grain yield (6.12 and 6.29 t/ha under TGP and UGP, respectively) was obtained under 150% K (POLY-4), and remained statistically at par with 100% K (POLY-4), but significantly higher than 150% K (MOP). Under both agro-ecologies i.e. TGP and UGP, the highest system productivity was obtained with recommended N, P, and 150% K application through POLY-4. The added return over NPK remained highest with 150% K (POLY-4) for both maize and wheat. However, higher partial factor productivity for N and S, agronomic, physiological, and translocation efficiencies were noticed under 150% K (POLY-4), and remained at par with 100% K (POLY-4). Increased system yield, added returns, partial factor productivity, agronomic, physiological, and translocation efficiencies under 100% K through POLY-4 (along with recommended N and P) proved its effectiveness as multi-nutrient source for the maize-wheat system under TGP and UGP.
Accelerated energy use, negative environmental outcomes, and poor economic returns questioned the sustainability of contemporary agricultural production systems globally. The task is much more ...daunting in the northwestern part of India where the over exploitation of natural resources is a major concern for sustainable agricultural planning. An integrated farming system (IFS) encompasses various enterprises such as crops, dairy, poultry, and fisheries can offer a myriad of benefits in terms of enhanced farm productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. Hence, the study hypothesized that the complementary interaction between the different enterprises would improve food production and reduce negative environmental outcomes. Therefore, production potential and environmental sustainability in terms of energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and eco-efficiency of nine IFS models, namely, crop enterprise (M2); crop + dairy (M3); crop + dairy + fishery (M4); crop + dairy + fishery + poultry (M5); crop + dairy + fishery + poultry + duckery (M6); crop + dairy + fishery + poultry + duckery + apiary (M7); crop + dairy + fishery + poultry + duckery + apiary + boundary plantation (M8); crop + dairy + fishery + poultry + duckery + apiary + boundary plantation + biogas unit (M9); crop + dairy + fishery + poultry + duckery + apiary + boundary plantation + biogas unit + vermicompost (M10), were compared with the rice–wheat system (M1; the existing system). All the IFS models were tested between 2018 and 2021. The results revealed that the highest food production (61.5 Mg ha
−1
) was recorded under M10 followed by M9 (59.9 Mg ha
−1
). Concerning environmental sustainability, the combination of crop + dairy + fishery + poultry + duckery + apiary + boundary plantation + biogas unit + vermicompost (M10) recorded considerably higher energy output (517.6 × 10
3
MJ ha
−1
), net energy gain (488.5 × 10
3
MJ ha
−1
), energy ratio (17.8), and energy profitability (16.8 MJ MJ
−1
) followed by M9. Furthermore, the M10 had the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity (0.164 kg CO
2
eq per kg food production). However, M9 had the highest eco-efficiency index (44.1 INR per kg GHG emission) followed by M10. Hence, an appropriate combination of diversified and complementary enterprises in a form of IFS model is a productive and environmentally robust approach for sustainable food production in the northwestern part of India.
The agrarian communities of South Asia are dominated by small and marginal farmers (<2.0 ha operational holdings) and are confronted with manifold challenges of lower productivity, income, and ...resource degradation. For optimized and efficient resource use, a shift from business as usual towards green economy is imperative. Therefore, a study to address these challenges, through integrating diverse crops and allied enterprises under an integrated farming system (IFS) model was carried out. We hypothesized that a standardized IFS model with appropriate location-specific modules will have higher system output, income, and lesser environmental footprints. Vegetable cultivation (VC), protected vegetable cultivation (PVC), field crops (FC), mushroom production (MP), and beekeeping (BK) were evaluated under the IFS model, with objectives to optimize the coherent use of available farm resources with enhancing system productivity and profitability. Among the FC module, the system productivity increased from 21–247% of different cropping systems, over the predominant rice–wheat system (RWS). The integration of different components, viz., VP + PVC + FC + AHS + MP + BK + VC in M10 resulted in achieving the maximum water productivity (6.72 kg/m3), energy productivity (1.50 kg/MJ), net return (9446 USD/ha), employment opportunities (792 man-days), sustainable livelihood index (70.2%), and nutrient cycling (138.12, 67.9, and 381.6 kg/ha of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively). These findings can be a scientific basis for the optimization and sustainable management of natural resources under different modules of IFS for the less-endowed small and marginal farmers.
French bean (
Phaseolus vulgaris
L.) cultivation faces multipronged challenges of low farm productivity, poor economic returns, and soil health deterioration in the hilly ecosystem of India. Hence, ...the development of a cost-effective and soil-supportive French bean cultivation technology is highly warranted. Thus, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive seasons in the Sikkim region of the Indian Himalayas to assess the impact of different organic nutrient sources on the production potential, profitability, and soil health of French bean. Eight organic nutrient management practices,
viz.
, farmers' practice, 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through FYM, 100% RDN through mixed compost (MC), 100% RDN through vermicompost (VC), 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through MC, 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through VC, 50% RDN through MC + 50% RDN through VC, and 33% RDN through FYM + 33% RDN through MC + 33% RDN through VC, were assigned in a three times replicated randomized complete block design. The results revealed that the supply of 33% RDN through FYM + 33% RDN through MC + 33% RDN through VC 33% recorded the highest pod yield (8.30 and 8.00 Mg ha
−1
) and net returns (1,831 and 1,718 US$ ha
−1
). Furthermore, the supply of 33% RDN through FYM + 33% RDN through MC + 33% RDN through VC 33% also had a positive impact on soil health. It was shown that an equal supply of RDN through FYM + MC + VC increases soil pH by 8.35%, SOC by 5.45%, available N by 6.32%, available P by 16%, available K by 9.92%, and micronutrients by 5–7% over farmers' practice. Thus, the supply of RDN through the integration of FYM + MC + VC in equal proportion is an economically robust and soil-supportive nutrients management practice for organic French bean production in the hilly ecosystem of North East India.
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 H
2
O m
−2
s
−1
), transpiration rate (7.8 mmol H
2
O m
−2
s
−1
), and net photosynthetic rate (398 mol CO
2
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.
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 (D
4
) along with 100% RDF (F
3
) 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 D
4
along with 120% RDF (F
4
). Carbon output (5,608 kg CO
2
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 x) were significantly higher under F
4
. However, the energy ratio (8.68), energy productivity (0.292 kg MJ
−1
), and energy profitability (7.68) remained highest with 80% RDF (F
2
), while the highest carbohydrate equivalent yield (4,641 kg mha
−1
) was produced under F
3
. The combination of F
3
with D
4
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).
Spirulina is a popular edible blue-green alga that has piqued the interest of aqua-feed formulations due to its high concentration of micronutrients, macronutrients, and antioxidants. To investigate ...the impacts of natural Spirulina as a feed additive on Stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) growth, feed utilization, hematology and serum biochemistry, gut morphology, as well as disease resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila, a 60-day feeding experiment was performed. The fish (N = 240), with an initial weight of 4.23 ± 0.50 g, were placed in 12 aquaria tanks (100 L/ tank) and fed twice daily until they were satisfied. Four different experimental diets: 0% (D0, control diet), 1% (D1), 3% (D2), and 5% (D3) natural Spirulina meal were used to feed the fish. This study found that Stinging catfish fed with a 5% Spirulina diet obtained notably higher (p < 0.05) specific growth rate, final weight, weight gain, and average daily weight gain than other supplemented regimens. Furthermore, as Spirulina inclusion in diets increased, feed utilization parameters such as feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio improved remarkably (p < 0.05). Red blood cell, white blood cell, lymphocytes, neutrophil, monocytes, basophil, hemoglobin, red cell distribution width-standard deviation, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were all substantially (p < 0.05) greater in 5% Spirulina diet-fed fish. The basal diet-fed fish had lower (p < 0.05) total protein, globulin, and albumin levels and higher glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels than those fed with other test diets. Compared to other fish groups, light microscopic examination of intestinal tissues revealed that fish fed 3% and 5% Spirulina had well-organized enterocytes, intact epithelial barrier, abundant goblet cells, and lacking luminal cell debris, as well as exhibited no signs of inflammation (edema). Spirulina diets significantly (p < 0.05) affected intestinal villi height and width, mucosa width, crypt depth, villi, and lumen area. Furthermore, a 5% Spirulina diet-fed fish demonstrated remarkably (p < 0.05) greater resistance (68.57%) to A. hydrophila during the bacterial challenge trial. Based on the findings, applying natural Spirulina powder at 5% in diets as a feed supplement could benefit H. fossilis nutrient utilization, growth performance, health status, as well as disease resistance.
•Replacing 5% Spirulina improved the growth performances and health status of Heteropneustes fossilis.•Fish fed 3% and 5% Spirulina had well-organized enterocytes, intact epithelial barrier, abundant goblet cells, and lacking luminal cell debris, as well as exhibited no signs of inflammation.•5% Spirulina diet-fed fish demonstrated remarkably (p < 0.05) greater resistance to A. hydrophila during the bacterial challenge trial.
Soil erosion is one of the major emerging threats to the Himalayan ecosystem. There is a dearth of diverse, cost-effective erosion control measures in the region. In the Himalayan region, where ...agriculture plays a pivotal role in local livelihoods and environmental stability, the management of soil erosion is of paramount importance. Hence, this study investigates the impact of biochar application on soil erosion and its related indices in the temperate Himalayas of India. This study employs a combination of physicochemical analysis and field experiments to assess the influence of biochar on soil erodibility. The research objectives include an examination of the influence of different temperature pyrolyzed biomasses and varying application rates on soil erodibility indices, viz., dispersion ratio (DR), percolation ratio (PR), clay ratio (CR), erosion ratio (ER), and mean weight diameter (MWD), considering two distinct fertilizer regimes. This study yielded quantitative results that shed light on the impact of various soil amendments and application rates on soil erodibility in the temperate Himalayas. Results showed that the mean values of the DR exhibited by amendment levels NB, AB400, AB600, RAC, DW400, DW600, and RDW were 0.37, 0.35, 0.51, 0.44, 0.51, 0.47, and 0.91, respectively. The mean values of DR for different amendment levels varied, with RDW exhibiting the highest erodibility at 0.91, while DW400 and DW600 demonstrated less soil disturbance, making them promising choices for soil erosion mitigation. Notably, the application of pyrolyzed weed residue improved soil erodibility, whereas AB600 resulted in increased soil erosion due to aggregate disintegration, as indicated by the MWD. Aquatic weed residues and apple wood chips applied without pyrolysis increased the soil erodibility, while pyrolyzed residues improved soil erodibility. The DR was 0.41 at the high application rate, 0.48 at the medium rate, and 0.61 at the low application rate. Among application rates, low rates (1 t ha−1) had the highest DR, followed by medium rates (2 t ha−1) and high rates (3 t ha−1). The no-fertilizer level exhibited higher DR (0.49) compared to the fertilized level (0.38). Results inferred that the application of AB400 °C at 3 t ha−1 can be adopted to minimize soil erosion and maintain ecological security in the temperate Himalayas.
