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The agricultural industry is vital to the country’s economy and significantly affects climate change. Environmental concerns have raised the demand to investigate traditional farming practices and to adopt sustainable practices for increasing agricultural output by bringing innovative and sustainable technologies to improve farm production and to ensure the minimization of plant protection products (PPP) that emit harmful emissions to increase sustainability outputs. The untailored use of these PPPs is extremely detrimental to the environment; therefore, products that might improve the yield but are also environmentally friendly must be used. Sustainable agriculture is crucial for achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat, which are possible through climate-resilient technologies. Therefore, it is important to incorporate sustainable technologies in this domain. This study aimed to understand the use of sustainable technologies to increase the agricultural sector and ensure sustainability.
Key words: Agriculture, climate change, climate-resilient technology, intellectual property rights, plant protection.
Zubair Ahmed Khan and Shireen Singh*
University School of Law & Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, 110 078, India.
E-mail: shireensingh17@gmail.com
This paper investigates farmers’ intentions toward adopting organic farming practices and the associated challenges they encounter. Through a combination of surveys, interviews, and field observations, the study reveals a notable interest among farmers in transitioning to organic farming but identifies significant barriers that prevent this shift. Key challenges include limited availability and high costs of organic inputs, inadequate technical support, and financial constraints. The findings highlight the urgent need for policy interventions to address these issues effectively. Recommendations for policymakers include improving access to affordable organic inputs, expanding educational and technical support programs, and implementing financial assistance schemes to alleviate initial investment burdens. By addressing these challenges, policymakers can facilitate a smoother transition to organic farming, supporting farmers in their pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices and contributing to the overall resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Key words: Organic farming, farmer’s intention towards organic farming, organic inputs, conversion period, organic, challenges to organic farming.
Vaneeta Aggarwal
Department of Management Studies, University of Madras, Chennai – 600 005, India.
Reforestation and afforestation initiatives are vital tools for mitigating climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon in long-lived wood biomass. This study focuses on the carbon sequestration potential of six-year-old Populus deltoids Bartr. Marsh. plantations in Bihar, India. Morphometric measurements revealed significant variations among clones, with clone G-48 exhibiting superior growth characteristics, including height (14.2 m), diameter at breast height (17.51 cm), and crown width (4.83 m). Biomass estimation indicated that G-48 produced the highest biomass (60.69 kg tree-1). Carbon stock analysis revealed G-48’s dominance, with the highest total carbon stock (0.287 q tree-1) and above-ground biomass (0.246 q tree-1). Carbon sequestration assessments showed G-48’s remarkable potential, with the highest CO2 mitigation (129.79 Mg ha-1) and carbon storage from coal substitution (1.83 Mg ha-1). Soil organic carbon (SOC) analysis indicated significant improvements, with G-48 exhibiting the highest SOC levels. The study underscores the importance of clone selection and responsible forest management in maximizing carbon sequestration benefits. These findings contribute to the understanding of poplar plantation dynamics and emphasize the potential of afforestation initiatives in combating climate change.
Key words: Afforestation, biomass, carbon sequestration, populus, SOC dynamics.
Mudiyam Dhanunjaya Reddy1*, D.K. Das2, Santosh Kumar Singh1 and Jidan Ali Mallick1
1Department of Soil Science, 2Department of Forestry,
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur)- 848 125, Bihar, India.
Email: dhanur145@gmail.com
This study examines the long-term effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil sulphur (S) dynamics and fractionation in rice-based cropping systems on calcareous soils, addressing critical gaps in understanding S distribution and availability. The findings reveal that prolonged fertilization significantly influences S content across various soil depths, with the most pronounced increases in available S occurring at 30-45 cm, particularly in plots treated with compost. Compost amendments were especially effective in enhancing S availability, promoting greater S accumulation compared to inorganic fertilizers alone. The fractionation analysis highlighted that fertilization strategies and cropping systems affected different S fractions, with organically bound sulphur being the dominant form. Total S content increased substantially with the application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers, with compost at 5 t ha-1 showing the greatest impact. The study also demonstrated that S concentrations increased with soil depth, influenced primarily by organic inputs such as compost. These results emphasize the crucial role of organic inputs, particularly compost, in improving S availability and its distribution within the soil profile, which is essential for optimizing nutrient management in rice-based cropping systems. The research underscores the importance of adopting long-term fertilization strategies that combine organic and inorganic inputs to enhance soil health, sustain crop productivity, and ensure the efficient cycling of essential nutrients like sulphur. By providing insights into the interplay between fertilization practices and sulphur dynamics, the study offers valuable guidance for sustainable agricultural management in ricebased systems, particularly in calcareous soils, where the use of compost can significantly boost available S levels and improve overall soil fertility.
Key words: Compost, cropping systems, sulphur, Integrated Plant Nutrient System, organics.
S.D.R. Vajra Hyndavi1*, S.N. Suman1, Santosh Kumar Singh1, Sanjay Kumar1 and Sunita Kumari Meena2
1Department of Soil Science, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar) – 848 125, India.
2Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar) – 848 125, India.
Email: hyndavi222@gmail.com
The study aimed to assess “Impact of inorganic fertilizers, vermicompost, FYM and biofertilizers on quality and soil profile of Amaranthus tristis L.” The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The treatment combinations were T0: Control, T1: 100% RDF (60:30:20 kg NPK ha-1) + FYM 5 t ha-1, T2: 100% RDF + Vermicompost 4 t ha-1, T3: 100% RDF + Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + PSB + Azotobacter, T4: 75% RDF + FYM 5 t ha-1, T5: 75% RDF + Vermicompost 4 t ha-1, T6: 75% RDF + Vermicompost 2 t ha-1 + PSB + Azotobacter, T7: 75% RDF instant mixture with incubated vermicompost 1 t ha-1 (2 g biofertilizer kg-1 vermicompost for 15 days) and T8: 100% RDF instant mixture with incubated vermicompost 1 t ha-1 (2 g biofertilizer kg-1 vermicompost for 15 days). Among the treatments, the highest ascorbic acid content (74.17 mg 100 g-1) and crude fibre (0.91%) content was exhibited by the treatments T7 and T4, respectively. Additionally, treatment T8 recorded the highest protein (2.34 g 100 g-1), calcium (9.86%), iron (23.4 mg 100 g-1), and zinc (2.64 mg 100 g-1) content. Soil parameters viz., soil pH, organic matter and available nitrogen were maximum in T3 with values 5.39, 0.93% and 269 kg ha-1, respectively, however, available phosphorus and available potassium were maximum in T6 with values 37 kg ha-1 and 140 kg ha-1, respectively.
Key words: Fertilizers, integrated, leafy amaranthus, nitrogen, vermicompost
Sandeep Indurthi1*, Ira Sarma2, Sailen Gogoi2, Boishali Kalita2, Sangita Das2 and Samiron Dutta2
1Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141001, Punjab, India 2Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, 785 013, Assam, India.
Email: sandeepindurthi87@gmail.com
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2021-22 at the Agronomy Research Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur. The significantly maximum bacteria (65.95×106 CFU/g), fungi (26.01×104 CFU/g) and actinomycetes (38.18×105 CFU/g) counts were recorded under the treatment of 100% Recommended Dose of Nutrients (RDN) using 1/3 FYM, 1/3 vermicompost, and 1/3 neem seed cake, compared to other treatments. The maximum protein content (10.33%) was recorded with the application of 100% Recommended Dose of Nutrients (RDN) over the other treatments. Under bio-stimulants maximum protein content (10.24%) was obtained under the Panchagavya applied at 5% as a foliar spray at 60 and 75 days after sowing (DAS) + Jeevamrut applied at 500 liters per hectare at sowing and at 10% as a foliar spray at 30 DAS, which was 5.45, 2.70 and 2.4 per cent higher over control, panchagavya 5% as a foliar spray at 60 and 75 DAS and jeevamrut at 500 liters per hectare at sowing and at 10% as a foliar spray at 30 DAS, respectively. Application of 100% RDN and Panchagavya applied at 5% as a foliar spray at 60 and 75 days after sowing + Jeevamrut applied at 500 liters per hectare at sowing and at 10% as a foliar spray at 30 DAS, recorded significantly higher microbial population, protein content, protein yield and economically beneficial.
Key words: Bacteria, fungi, jeevamrut, panchagavya, protein, wheat.
Rajesh Choudhary1*, Roshan Choudhary2, S.K. Sharma3 and Ashok Kumar Samota4
1Department of Agronomy, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner- 334 006, Rajasthan, India.
2Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner- 303 329, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
3Human Resource Management, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi -110 012, India.
4Department of Agronomy, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur- 313 001, Rajasthan, India.
An experiment was carried out over two consecutive Rabi seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19 to investigate the impact of biofertilizers and varying levels of sulphur on periodic changes in soil biological properties and yield of mulched Groundnut in Alfisols. The study was conducted in Red ferrogenous lateritic (Alfisols) soil at the College of Agriculture, Dapoli Dist. Ratnagiri (M.S.), India. The experiment included 16 treatments with different levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30, 45 kg ha-1) and biofertilizers such as Rhizobium, phosphorous solubilizing bacteria, and sulphur oxidizing microorganisms, in addition to a control without biofertilizer, along with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers. Enzyme activities and biological properties were monitored periodically. The results indicated that the application of sulphur oxidizing microorganisms at 5 l ha-1 in 200 l of water through drenching, and sulphur at 45 kg ha-1, significantly increased groundnut yield and enhanced soil biological properties, specifically bacterial population and nitrate reductase activity, except for fungi and actinomycetes. In conclusion, the study suggests that the addition of sulphur at 45 kg ha-1 and sulphur oxidizing microorganisms at 5 l ha-1 in 200 l of water through drenching can lead to significant yield increments and improvements in soil biological properties.
Keywords: Groundnut yield, Biological properties, Biofertilizers, Sulphur, Alfisols etc.
S.C. Jadhav1*, V.G. Salvi2, M.C. Kasture2 and S.S. More2
BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune- 411 058, India.
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidhyapeeth,
Dapoli- 415 712, (Dist.- Rarnagiri), Maharashtra, India.
Email: sagarjadhav2441@gmail.com
The effect of different multiplex yield enhancers was studied on the growth and yield parameters of potatoes which worked variably at different stages of the crop. The treatment T10 [RDF+Annapurna (240 kg ac-1)+Samruddhi (50 kg ac-1) +Zinc high (10 kg ac-1)+Navjeevan G (10 kg ac-1)] which includes a recommended dosage of fertilizer, organic manures, essential nutrients, and biostimulants has shown a positive effect in increasing the plant height (36.00, 48.33, and 46.67 cm), number of branches per plant (5.89, 7.56, and 10.22), number of leaves per plant (65.78, 82.78 and 98.44) at 30, 60 and 90 DAP, respectively and numbers of tubers per plant. The treatment T15 [RDF+Foliar spray (Mahapal+samras+sambrama+Bio jodi)] has recorded the highest yield per plant and hectare (0.54 kg and 17.86 t, respectively) because of the foliar application at the reproductive phase. Whereas the treatment included with Biojodi have recorded the lowest pest and disease incidence. As potatoes are a nutrient-exhaustive crop, combining organic and inorganic sources of nutrient management would be helpful over chemical fertilizers.
Key words: Organic fertilizer, multiplex yield enhancer, potato, nutrient management, tuber yield.
G.P. Shetty1, A. Meghana1*, C.G. Sangeetha2, Mahesh G. Shetty1, H.G. Niranjan1 and M. Narayanaswamy1
1Multiplex Group of Companies, Bengaluru- 560 086, Karnataka, India.
2College of Horticulture, UHS, Bengaluru- 560 065, Karnataka, India.
Email: mb@multiplexgroup.com
Linz-Donawitz (LD) steel slag, a byproduct of steel industry produced in huge amount is a rich source of plant essential and beneficial mineral nutrients. This study aims to evaluate the impact of LD slag (ranging from 0.5-1.0 t ha-1) given with and without 80 per cent recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (RDF) on yield and physico-chemical and biological characteristics of soil under wheat, rice, maize, brinjal, tomato, amaranthus and mustard. The application of LD slag without RDF reduced the soil quality and crop growth and yield significantly. However, in comparison to control, the LD slag applied along with 80 per cent RDF significantly increased soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, urease and phosphatase activities across majority of crops. The total microbial count (TMC) was reduced in the soil under all crops except wheat and maize under the slag alone treatment. The slag application with 80 per cent RDF enhanced plant biomass and yield of maize and brinjal, but increased biomass and fruit yield alone in mustard and tomato, respectively. The study evidenced that the application of LD slag is useful in improving soil physical and biological status, and improves the crop growth and yield, selectively, even with less NPK fertilizer application.
Key words: Linz-Donawitz (LD) steel slag, growth, yield, soil biological activity, cereal, vegetable, oilseed.
Bhupinder Singh*, Veena Pandey, Sneha Kumari, Kalidindi Usha, Chandan Kumar Gupta and Anas Khan
Division of Environment Science, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110 012, India
Email: bhupindersinghiari@yahoo.com
Steel slag, a waste from steel manufacturing, cannot be directly used in agriculture despite its nutritional characteristics. The present research deciphered the response of sulfur enriched steel slag (16-20% S) on cauliflower, cabbage and capsicum. The performance of steel slag based sulfur fertilizer (SSSF) at 30, 45 and 60 kg S ha-1 with 100 and 50% NPK fertilizer application was evaluated in terms of growth, yield and quality attributes i.e., total antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, phenolic content, and pigment system (anthocyanin, lycopene, â carotene, total carotenoid and chlorophyll content). The application of SSSF caused a significant increase (~25%) in economic yield. An increase in physiological and nutritional attributes including antioxidants was also evidenced with the supplementation of the SSSF. The study showed that steel slag based fertilizers can be applied to complement the conventional chemical fertilizers without causing any soil toxicity and phyto-toxicity. In fact, SSSF application helped to save costs (up to 50%) towards NPK chemical fertilizers without any negative impact on the economic yield and nutritional quality of cabbage, cauliflower and capsicum. The study does not reveal any negative effect of steel slag based fertilizer on soil characteristics. Thus, it supports the possibility that an enriched-amended steel slag can be used as source of mineral nutrients in agriculture.
Key words: Steel slag, sulfur fertilizer, brassicacae, economic yield, antioxidant capacity, oxidation stress.
Sandeep Kumar Dhatwalia1, Mast Ram Dhiman1, Priya Chandra2, Usha Kalidindi2, Chander Parkash1 and Bhupinder Singh2*
1Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Katarain- 175 129, (Dist.- Kullu), India.
2Division of Environment Science, Nuclear Research Laboratory, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110 012, India.
Email: bhupindersinghiari@yahoo.com
