• Authors:
    • Sharma, R. K.
    • Sharma, S. K.
    • Jain, P. M.
    • Laddha, K. C.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Dryland Agricultural Research and Development
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, India, during 1998 to 2004 to study the effect of compost, green leaf manure (subabul ( Leucaena leucocephala) loppings) and chemical fertilizer alone or in combination with organic residues on yield of maize and black gram cultivated in rotation in two blocks as well as in strip and change in soil properties under dryland conditions. Results revealed that application of 15 kg N through compost with 10 kg N through chemical fertilizer (urea) gave the highest yield of maize and subsequent yield in black gram in blocks as well in strips. The treatments where compost and green leaf of subabul were applied for supply of nitrogen along with chemical fertilizers were found at par in a maize block system. Organic carbon and available phosphorus content of the soil increased by the continuous application of compost and fresh green leaf of subabul and there was an indication of lowering of pH as well as electrical conductivity. The bulk density of soil decreased under treatments where compost and green leaf of subabul were used. Maximum infiltration rate of soil was observed with the application of green leaf of subabul along with 10 or 20 kg N through inorganic fertilizer in both block and strip systems.
  • Authors:
    • Bali, S. V.
    • Singh, B.
    • Lehria, S. K.
  • Source: Short Rotation Forestry for Industrial and Rural Development
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted at Rakh Dhiansar during Kharif 1995 and 1996 and Rabi 1995-96 and 1996-97 under dryland conditions of Jammu (J&K). The results based on growth, yield attributes and yield revealed that application of 15 t ha -1 of subabul leaves as basal+25% N recorded maize (var. Local) yield of 45.22 q ha -1, which was significantly higher than the recommended dose of fertilizers and it was at par with 15 t ha -1 of subabul leaves as basal only, yielding 45.06 q ha -1. The residual effect of green leaf manuring on wheat (var. PBW-175) revealed that growth, reproductive and yield attributing characters were also influenced positively. By using this material, 50-75% N can be saved by the small and marginal farmers of the dryland region.
  • Authors:
    • Varma, M.
    • Rawat, S.
  • Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: A performance evaluation of zero-till-ferti-seed drill with conventional and reduced tillage method by sowing of wheat ( Triticum aestivum) was conducted, and was compared with the conventional system in terms of economics and energy consumption. The Pantnagar zero-till ferti-seed drill was developed by the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttaranchal, India, and was made of mild steel angle iron 68.0*68.0*8 mm with square cross-section. Spacing between two furrow openers was 22.5 cm having 9 furrows. The treatments were: (T1) disc harrowing *2 + cultivation with planking *1 + planking *1 + seeding by seed-cum-ferti-drill; (T2) disc harrowing *1 + cultivating with planking *1 + planking *1 + seeding by seed-cum-ferti-drill; and (T3) zero-till-ferti-seed-drill. The initial moisture content and bulk density were maximum in T3. The field capacity of zero-till-ferti-seed-drill was found slightly higher than other treatments, but field efficiency was less due to presence of crop residue and no seedbed preparation. Fuel consumption in tillage and seeding system was very less i.e. 5.88 l/ha in T3 system in comparison to other treatments which indicates much saving of fuel in zero-till-ferti-seed-drill system. Wheat crop can be grown 10-15 days early that will result in timing sowing of wheat wheat crop and increases in yield. Another advantages of zero tillage is that it reduces cost of irrigation which was more economical in comparison to conventional method of sowing.
  • Authors:
    • Shivani
    • Mishra, S.
    • Singh, V.
    • Sanjeev, K.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 76
  • Issue: 9
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted in Bihar, India during the winter of 2002-04 to determine the effects of irrigation and tillage on the soil-water-plant relationship and productivity of maize cv. Deoki. The treatments included disc ploughing + 2 harrowing + planking (T1), 2 cultivator + planking (T2), rotavator (T3) and zero-till planter (T4), in combination with 3 irrigations during the pre-knee height of the crop (30 days after sowing (DAS)), knee height and silking stages (I1), I1 + irrigation during the milking stage (I2), irrigation during the pre-knee height, knee-height, tasseling, milking and grain filling stages (I3) and irrigation during the pre-knee height, knee height, tassel initiation, silking, milking and grain filling stages (I4). The physical properties of the soil of rotavator-tilled plots recorded higher bulk density (1.33 and 1.30 mg/m 3), soil strength (2.10 and 2.05 MPa), infiltration rate (0.420 and 0.432 cm/ha) and porosity (49.81 and 50.94%) during 2002-03 and 2003-04, respectively. Plant height (189.33 and 190.07 cm), leaf area index (2.673 and 2.728) dry matter accumulation (369.77 and 392.78 g) and relative leaf water content (94.61 and 93.36%) were highest with rotavator tilling during 2002-03 and 2003-04. Plants receiving 5-6 irrigations exhibited superior crop yield and yield attributes. Rotavator-tilled maize showed higher water expense efficiency compared to plants under different tillage systems. Rotavator tilled maize irrigated 5-6 times recorded the highest grain yield (5831 and 5960kg/ha) and net returns (Rs. 16 173 and Rs. 17 493) during 2002-03 and 2003-04, respectively.
  • Authors:
    • Sankar, G.
    • Vittal, K.
    • Chary, G.
    • Ramakrishna, Y.
    • Girija, A.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Dryland Agricultural Research and Development
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: The data of 48 field experiments conducted during 1999 to 2003 under on-station conditions for assessing the tillage requirements of 5 cereals (rice, wheat, maize, pearl millet and finger millet), 2 oilseeds (groundnut and soyabean) and one pulse crop (cluster bean) under different soil and climatic conditions at 13 centres of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture are presented. Based on the data generated from field experiments with conventional tillage, low tillage + hand weeding and low tillage + herbicide application, a detailed statistical assessment of superiority of tillage practices was conducted. Results indicated that conventional tillage was superior at Bangalore, Karnataka for finger millet under semiarid Alfisols; peal millet under semiarid Vertisols of Solapur, Maharashtra and arid Inceptisols of Agra, Uttar Pradesh; rice under moist subhumid Oxisols of Phulbani, Orissa and dry subhumid Inceptisols of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh; maize under dry subhumid Inceptisols of Rakh Dhiansar, Jammu and Kashmir; wheat under moist subhumid Inceptisols of Ballowal Saunkhri, Punjab; and soyabean under semiarid Vertisols of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Low tillage + herbicide application was found to be superior for rice under humid Oxisols of Ranchi, Jharkhand; maize under dry subhumid Inceptisols of Ballowal Saunkhri; soyabean under moist subhumid Vertisols of Rewa; and cluster bean under semiarid Aridisols of Dantiwada. LOw tillage + hand weeding was found to be superior for pearl millet under semiarid Aridisols of Hisar, Haryana and groundnut under semiarid Alfisols of Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Authors:
    • Girija,A.
    • Khan,I. A.
    • Ramakrishna,Y. S.
    • Chary,G. R.
    • Vittal,K. P. R.
    • Sankar,G. R. M.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Dryland Agricultural Research and Development
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: Sustainability indices of agricultural practices so far are developed independent of climatic effects. Especially under dry farming, the effect of rainfall is so overwhelming on the crop performance that this factor cannot be ignored while assessing for sustainability. In view of this, any sustainability index should be made independent of rainfall effect. Hence, a statistical measure of sustainability index 'eta', which is a function of estimate of error 'sigma' derived from a regression of yield through rainfall was developed. The 'eta' is a ratio between difference of mean and standard error (detrended for rainfall) to the maximum recorded yield during the period. Thus the limits of 'eta' are -1 to +1. The proposed procedure was utilized to arrive at sustainable practices from the data of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (India) field experiments conducted at both research station and on-farm from varying agroclimatic regions. The practices exceeding a sustainability yield index of 0.67 were considered as suitable for recommendation. The study indicated that barley, pearl millet, mustard, green gram, moth bean and cowpea had a moderate sustainability in arid conditions. Pearl millet at Akola (Maharashtra), pigeonpea and soybean at Indore (Madhya Pradesh) under wet semiarid conditions, and maize and horse gram at Arjia under dry semiarid conditions attained a moderate sustainability. Black gram, lentil and chickpea at Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), and lentil at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) also had moderate sustainability under dry subhumid conditions. A classification of superior genotypes of crops based on yield and sustainability and their variation under different climatic situations was made for cereals, pulses, oilseeds and vegetable and other crops. A grouping has also been made based on the variation of yield. Sustainability under different soils and climates and superior genotypes are identified. Some of the highly sustainable genotypes were Vandana of rice at Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh), RR-347-167 of rice at Ranchi, HUR-1095 of rice at Varanasi, BAU-2K-15 of linseed at Ranchi (Bihar), local variety of linseed at Rewa, AT-81 variety of sesame at Rajkot (Gujarat), HG-563 variety of cluster bean at Hisar (Haryana), S-1635 variety of mulberry at Bijapur (Karnataka) and SH-5 of sunn hemp at Hisar.
  • Authors:
    • Gill, M.
    • Sarlach, R.
  • Source: Environment and Ecology
  • Volume: 24
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: The kandi region comprising 0.5 m ha (about 9.5%) of Punjab, India, is characterized undulated topography, light soil texture, heavy run off and soil erosion losses, poor moisture retentivity and devoid of easily exploitable underground water sources, and is therefore highly dependent upon seasonal south-west monsoon (July-September). It is coupled with poor infrastructure of roads and marketing, illiteracy, heavy cattle and human population pressure and agriculture adopted as subsidiary occupation. About 25-40% of the monsoon rains is lost as run off. The soils are non-saline, organic carbon averages 0.24% in loamy sand and 0.30 or more in sandy loam soils. The corresponding values of moisture retention at 1/3 bar or field capacity range from 8.1 to 15.8% and at 15 bar (permanent wilting point) from 3.7 to 4.8% in 0-180 cm soil layer of loamy sand soil and 16.2 to 21.5% and 3.7 to 7.6% respectively in sandy loam soil. In situ soil moisture conservation with the minor leveling, bunding and installation of suitable water structure helped to increase the yield of wheat [ Triticum aestivum] + gram [ Vigna mungo] by 57% and pearl millet by 25%. In light soil, green manuring during kharif gave an edge of 0.5 q/ha over the fallow fields on account of more rain water conservation and addition of green matter in soil. Mulching in standing maize [ Zea maize] in kharif helped to conserve the moisture in seed zone (0-15 cm) layer and ensured germination of succeeding wheat crop. Using the stored water in ponds during rainy season and its use as light irrigation (5 cm) at the initial moisture stress or as life saving irrigation, resulted in the better establishment of crops and increased the yield by 669 kg/ha over the controlled un-irrigated plots. Amongst the various crops, management practices conserving the soil moisture during kharif season and taking winter season crop were found promising technologies. Raya grown as an inter-rowcrop at 2.0 to 2.5 meter interval gave 2.5 q/ha seed yield. Application of fertilizer under dry land conditions seemed to be a prerequisite. It improved the above-, and below-, ground biomass and helped extend the root system to exploit water from deeper layer of soils and enabled the crop sustain the drought better and resulted in 50-70% grain yield increases in combination with fertilizer application. Under such an approach, fertilizer schedule for wheat was established at 80-40-20; N-P 2O 5-K 2O kg/ha in medium to heavy soil; and 40-20-10; N-P 2O 5-K 2O kg/ha for wheat or wheat+gram for light soils while the fodder ( kharif) and raya required just about 50 kg. N/ha.
  • Authors:
    • Al-Kaisi, M.
  • Source: Integrated Crop Management
  • Volume: IC-496
  • Issue: 11
  • Year: 2006
  • Authors:
    • Prasad, J.
    • Challa, O.
    • Mandal, C.
    • Mandal, D. K.
  • Source: Agropedology
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: The present study used water use efficiency (WUE) as an indicator of land quality index (LQI), through a composite Water Use Efficiency (GMWUE), on the line of land evaluation index of Food and Agriculture Organization. The GMWUE is a multiplicative function of WUE of individual crop/cropping system raised within a micro agro-edaphic environment (AEE). A relative LQI scale has been developed considering LQI for the most productive land as 100 and accordingly the LQI of other land has been fixed. The experimental cropping systems were cotton (sole), sorghum-wheat, soyabean-wheat, sorghum-gram and soyabean-gram for two years under normal rainfall in typical shrink-swell soils of Nagpur district of Maharashtra, India. The soyabean-wheat system had highest water use (WU) of 586.8 to 755.9 mm followed by sorghum-wheat, soyabean-gram, sorghum-gram and sole cotton. The WUE was highest for sole cotton (4.8-11.5 kg ha -1 mm -1) followed by soyabean-gram (3.7-10.16 kg ha -1 mm -1). The LQI in terms of GMWUE was 100 for Vertic Haplustepts occurring in the lower piedmont plain whereas it was 51 for Typic Haplustepts and 48 for Typic Haplusterts representing the upper piedmont and valley plain, respectively.
  • Authors:
    • Kumar, P.
    • Yadav, S. K.
    • Kumar, M.
    • Rinwa, R . S.
  • Source: Haryana Journal of Horticultural Sciences
  • Volume: 35
  • Issue: 3/4
  • Year: 2006
  • Summary: An experiment was conducted during 2003-04 and 2004-05 to study the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by different cropping systems in semiarid tract of Haryana, India. The experiment comprised 7 cropping systems, viz., pearl millet-wheat, pearl millet-mustard, soyabean-wheat-cowpea, sorghum-wheat, pearl millet-potato-green gram, pearl millet-field pea-maize, and cotton-wheat. The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the crops varied among different cropping systems. The nutrient uptake was higher in high yielding cropping systems. The nutrients uptake was highest in pearl millet-potato-green gram cropping system.