Horizon e-Publishing Group (HePG): E-Journals
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APSIM-based insights for enhancing rice productivity and climate change adaptation in the north-eastern hilly regions of India
No full textRising temperatures and increasing extreme climate events are expected to significantly affect crop yields, including rice production in India. Understanding the responses of different rice genotypes to these climate changes is critical for climate-resilient agriculture. This study assessed the performance of two rice varieties, Shahsarang and Mendri, under varying Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels, nutrient management practices and projected climate scenarios. The Shahsarang variety, under baseline conditions, achieved a mean grain yield of 4930 kg/ha in high SOC soils when nursery was sown in early May, while medium and low SOC soils produced 4644 kg/ha and 4212 kg/ha, respectively. By the mid-century (2050), intermediate emission scenarios projected yield reductions of 3 %, 9 % and 12 % for low, medium and high SOC soils, respectively, relative to the respective baselines. In contrast, the Mendri variety demonstrated a yield advantage of 417-1318 kg/ha in high SOC soils under mid- and late-century scenarios. Additionally, following Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) using FYM resulted in increased SOC compared to conventional farmers’ practices. In the present study, C1 (low SOC) soil, the impact of 33-year continuous rice monocropping revealed that applying FYM @ 10 t/ha led to SOC accumulation under 75 % RDN in Shahsarang. While in the Mendri variety, three treatments exhibited positive trends ranging from 0.86 to 2.36 %. However, soils with high carbon content showed limited response to additional inputs. Hence, our study suggests the importance of evaluating genotype-specific responses and soil interactions to develop climate-resilient rice production strategies
Optimizing flowering time in floriculture: Strategies for year-round production
No full textThe ornamental flower industry gradually shifts from conventional cultivation to extended cropping seasons and off-season production to meet market demands. Altering flowering time is highly desirable to ensure high-quality yields at targeted occasions such as festivities and weddings, thereby balancing trade by preventing market oversupply. Flower production is influenced by genetic makeup and a sequence of growth and developmental events. Recent studies highlight the role of specific genes in regulating flowering time and plant vigor, directly impacting yield quality. Key environmental factors such as vernalization, temperature and photoperiod are crucial in determining elite germplasm. While photoperiod control is well-studied in cereals and other crops, research in floriculture remains limited. Growth regulators assist in moderating plant growth, development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, either inducing flowering as a survival mechanism or delaying it under adverse conditions. These responses depend on stimulus intensity, plant developmental stage and cultivar characteristics. Understanding the regulation of flowering provides critical insights into optimizing harvest timing, minimizing market glut and enhancing produce value under varying environmental challenges
Response of indigenous low-cost smart fertigation system on yield and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
No full textThe precise application of nutrients and water in groundnuts ensures optimal plant growth, enhances yield and quality and minimizes resource wastage. This approach promotes sustainable farming by enhancing nutrient use efficiency and conserving water. Field experiments were conducted in two locations to evaluate the effectiveness of automated drip irrigation and a low-cost smart drip fertigation system on groundnut growth, yield and quality. The study was conducted at two locations: (i) a farmer\u27s field in Kanjipatti village, Kalaiyarkoil block, Sivagangai district during the rabi 2023 season and (ii) the central farm at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai district, during summer 2024 in Tamil Nadu. Field trials were conducted using a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of three drip irrigation methods, namely, conventional drip irrigation (M1), time-based automated drip irrigation (M2) and sensor-based automated drip irrigation (M3), whereas five drip fertigation treatments, viz., fertigation of 75 % RDF (F1), fertigation of 100 % RDF (F2), STCR based drip fertigation (F3), Sensor-based fertigation at 75 % NPK Level (F4) and Sensor based fertigation at 100 % NPK Level (F5) were imposed in the subplot. Significantly higher yield attributes, yield and quality parameters were recorded in the treatment with sensor-based automated drip irrigation combined with sensor-based fertigation at 100 % NPK Level (M3F5). Implementing sensor-based automated drip fertigation to groundnut cultivation enhanced yield and reduced water and fertilizer inputs while improving groundnut quality
Optimising weed control in sesame: insights into herbicide performance and crop productivity
No full textSesamum indicum L., a crucial oilseed crop in tropical and subtropical regions, is highly susceptible to weed competition during its early growth stages, leading to significant yield losses. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various pre-emergence (PE) and early post-emergence (EPoE) herbicides in weed management under rainfed conditions. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 using a randomised complete block design with thirteen treatments. Results indicated that the PE application of pendimethalin 30 % EC at 0.75 kg ha-1 effectively reduced weed density and dry weight, achieving a weed control efficiency of 73.5 % without phytotoxic effects on the crop. While metribuzin and diuron exhibited high weed control, their severe phytotoxicity rendered them unsuitable. Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS demonstrated superior weed suppression but was less practical due to labour intensity. Pendimethalin-treated plots recorded significantly higher leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake, leading to improved yield attributes. Seed yield losses were minimised by 74.6 % compared to the weedy check, with pendimethalin providing a high benefit-cost ratio of 2.92. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative relationship between weed biomass and crop yield, highlighting the role of effective weed control in nutrient management. These findings underscore the potential of pendimethalin as a sustainable and economical herbicide for optimising sesame productivity
Enhancing production, profitability and soil health with nano urea fertilization in late transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.)
No full textIndia is one of the largest producers and consumers of rice in the world. In India, besides climatic factors, deterioration of soil fertility has been widely reported to be the major cause for stagnating rice productivity. Nano fertilizers possess a high surface area, excellent activity, improved catalytic surface, faster chemical reaction, rapid dispersibility and stronger water adsorption efficiency, which can be used for enhancing rice yield. An experiment was conducted to find the effect of urea and nano urea levels in rice at Binjhagiri, Chhatabar of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, SOADU, Bhubaneswar (Odisha) during kharif, 2022, which was replicated thrice with Randomized Block Design. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, high in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The experimental results revealed that 100% conventional N through urea + two foliar sprays of 0.4% nano urea resulted in significantly higher growth parameters, namely plant height (100.1 cm) at maturity, tillers/hill (14.4 no.) and LAI (5.00) at 60 days after transplanting (DAT) than other treatments. Similarly, the treatment with 100% conventional N through urea + two foliar spray of 0.4% nano urea gives significantly higher yield attributes resulting in maximum grain yield of 4164 kg/ha which was 38.25% higher over 100% conventional N through urea + water spray treatment and highest nutrient uptake (80.9, 18.6, 97.7 kg/ha N, P, K) as well as net return of ? 42018/ha
Impact of planting patterns and weed control treatments on weed dynamics, growth and yield of transplanted rice under unpuddled and puddled conditions
No full textRice cultivation faces a major biotic challenge from weeds, which compete aggressively with the crop, hampering its growth and yield potential. Puddling operations in transplanted rice helps to supress weeds. However, the physico-chemical properties of soil are deteriorated with this practice. A field study was conducted for two years in Punjab, India during the kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024 to evaluate the weed dynamics, growth and yield of unpuddled transplanted rice under varying planting patterns and weed control treatments. The research was carried out in split plot design comprising of four planting patterns viz. two rows/ridge, two rows/ridge and one in furrow, flat (unpuddled), flat (puddled) in main plots and four weed control treatments, viz. pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha-1 as pre-em. fb bispyribac sodium 10 SC at 25 g/ha as post-em., pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha-1 as pre-em. fb penoxsulam 240 SC at 24 g ha-1 as post-em., pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha-1 as pre-em. fb fenoxaprop 6.7 EC at 67 g ha-1 as post-em. and unweeded (control) in sub-plots, with four replicates. The findings revealed that transplanting two rows per ridge and one in furrow significantly increased the paddy yield, with significant reduction in weed density and biomass in comparison to other planting patterns. Meanwhile, yields from flat unpuddled and flat puddled transplanting were found to be statistically similar. Among weed control treatments, the application of pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha-1 as pre-em. fb bispyribac 10 SC at 25 g ha-1 as post-em. effectively suppressed the population and biomass of weeds including grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds, as compared to all other weed control treatments
Agroforestry - An elixir for soil health management and carbon sequestration
No full textIntensive agricultural practices have resulted in in significant soil degradation, nutrient imbalances and the decline of vital ecosystem services, thereby necessitating the adoption of i sustainable land-use strategies. Agroforestry, an integrated land management system that combined with crops and livestock, played a key role in restoring soil health and increasing carbon sequestration. This review discussed the mechanisms through which agroforestry improved soil nutrient cycling, enhanced the accumulation of organic matter and strengthened soil structure, thereby reducing erosion and improving water retention. The roles of tree litter decomposition, deep-rooted species and microbial interactions in increasing soil fertility and biodiversity were also highlighted. Furthermore, the review examined agroforestry’s potential for carbon sequestration, with estimates indicating that such systems could sequester 0.29 to 15.2 Mg C ha-1 year-1. Above Ground Biomass (AGB) accumulation and Below Ground Biomass, (BGB) root inputs contributed significantly to long-term soil carbon stabilization. Agroforestry also aided in greenhouse gas mitigation by enhancing nitrogen use efficiency, facilitating methane oxidation and regulating CO₂ flux. Various agroforestry models, including silvopastoral systems, alley cropping were explored for their applications in both degraded and saline soils. Additionally, the review addressed challenges such as economic and policy barriers, the need for secure land tenure and advancements in carbon monitoring technologies. This findings underscored the necessity for stronger policy support, financial incentives and large-scale adoption of agroforestry to enhance soil health, mitigate climate change and promote sustainable agriculture
Relative abundance and population dynamics of chilli thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thripidae:Thysanoptera) and its correlation with weather parameters
No full textThrips, particularly Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thripidae: Thysanoptera), are major sucking pests of chilli, with their populations varying throughout crop growth period depending on seasonal conditions. Field experiments were carried out during the rabi and kharif seasons of 2024 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to study the population dynamics of susceptible and resistant chilli plants about weather parameters. In the rabi season, thrips infestation began in the second week of January and continued till March 2024. The peak population was recorded during the flowering stage in the 6th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW), with 4.73 thrips per three leaves in the susceptible entry IC-537583 and 2.73 thrips in the resistant IC-344364 at 75 days after transplanting (DAT). The associated weather conditions included 32 °C maximum temperature, 22 °C minimum temperature, 84 % maximum relative humidity, 41 % minimum relative humidity, 5.0 km/h wind speed, no rainfall and 4.07 sunshine hours. The thrips population declined at crop maturity, with 3.53 thrips in IC-537583 and 1.87 thrips in IC-344364. During the kharif season, initial thrips populations were recorded at the 28th SMW, peaking at the 32nd SMW, with lower populations of 3.73 thrips in IC-537583 and 1.33 thrips in IC-344364, primarily due to heavy rainfall from July to September. Correlation analysis showed that thrips incidence was positively correlated with maximum temperature, sunshine hours and wind speed in the first season. In contrast, minimum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity (both maximum and minimum) had a negative correlation. In the second season, maximum and minimum temperatures, maximum relative humidity and sunshine hours positively influenced the thrips population, whereas minimum relative humidity and rainfall had a negative impact. Multiple regression analysis accounted for 73 % and 64 % variation in thrips population during rabi and 64 % and 48 % during kharif
Genetic diversity analysis of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) genotypes using molecular profiling techniques
No full textThis study investigated the genetic diversity and relationships among 33 fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) genotypes using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers to support germplasm management and breeding efforts. Fifteen SSR primers generated 37 alleles, averaging 2.47 alleles per primer, with Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) values ranging from 0.210 to 0.499 (mean 0.289), indicating moderate genetic diversity among the studied genotypes. Cluster analysis based on SSR marker data categorized the fennel genotypes into nine distinct clusters, reflecting significant genetic heterogeneity within the population and demonstrating the effectiveness of SSR markers in delineating genetic relationships. Four primers FV-6, FV-290063, FV-30919 and FV- 18902- were particularly valuable, producing unique banding patterns that accurately identified individual genotypes. The identified genetic clusters provide a scientific basis for selecting diverse parental lines for hybridization programs, while the distinctive SSR markers offer practical tools for accurate genotype identification and authentication. These findings hold significant implications for germplasm conservation, supporting the development of strategies to preserve genetic resources and enhance sustainable utilization of fennel diversity. By integrating molecular tools into fennel breeding approaches, this research contributes to developing superior cultivars with improved yield, quality and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. The moderate genetic diversity observed suggests both opportunities for improvement and the need for broadening the genetic base in breeding programs to ensure long-term genetic gain in this economically important aromatic and medicinal crop
Human-wildlife conflict in South Indian agriculture: Causes, impacts and mitigation strategies
No full textHuman-wildlife conflict is a persistent and widespread issue affecting rural areas in developed and developing nations and urban outskirts. These conflicts lead to significant financial losses, including reduced crop yields, property damage and adverse effects on farmers\u27 livelihoods. This study reviewed incidents, reports and research from the past 20 years, utilizing web-based search engines like Scopus and Google Scholar. The focus was on human-wildlife conflict in agriculture, particularly in South Indias’ biogeographic regions. This article explores the causes and consequences of these conflicts, analyzing farmers\u27 vulnerability and resilience and examining the mitigation strategies employed in the past and present. Tamil Nadu, a state in South India alone, witnessed 36 human fatalities caused by elephants and seven by gaurs, 2560 crop damages and 81 household property damages done by both animals between 2016 and 2017. Most studies on human-wildlife conflict in India are region-specific or focused on individual species, often neglecting agriculture. This study bridges that gap by examining South Indias’ agricultural sector and the harmful interactions between humans and wildlife, particularly their impact on farmers’ livelihoods. Additionally, the article reviews the efficacy and limitations of the strategies implemented to address the issue. The findings provide insights into the driving factors, consequences and potential mitigation strategies to reduce these conflicts. It emphasizes that the well-being of wildlife and the goals of agriculture are not inherently contradictory. Encouraging stakeholders to adopt sustainable, economical and wildlife-friendly solutions can foster peaceful coexistence. Addressing human and wildlife needs, this approach aims to reduce conflicts, secure farmer livelihoods and promote conservation efforts. The study explores potential strategies for mitigating human-wildlife conflicts while highlighting the importance of a sustainable, balanced approach that ensures the coexistence of wildlife conservation and agricultural activities