Maximizing land productivity by diversified cropping systems with different nitrogen fertilizer types

Six field experiments were conducted in Giza Agricultural Research Station, Egypt during 2010, 2011 and 2012 growing seasons to study the effect of two types of N fertilizers (urea and urea form as slow-release (UF)) on intercropping cowpea with sunflower and intercropping wheat with pea. A split plot design with three replications was used. The results indicated that insignificant effect of cropping systems was found for sunflower and significant effect was found for cowpea yield. Significant effect of N fertilizers was found on sunflower and insignificant effect was found for cowpea yield. Furthermore, insignificant effect of interaction of cropping systems and N fertilizers was found for sunflower and significant effect was found for cowpea yield. With respect to wheat and pea intercropping, both crops were significantly affected by intercropping system. Significant effect of N fertilizers was found on wheat and insignificant effect was found for pea yield. Both wheat and pea were significantly affected by the interaction of cropping system and N fertilizers. Yield advantage was achieved because land equivalent ratio exceeded 1.00. Dominance analysis proved that leguminous crop is dominated component. Thus, the studied intercropping systems could be recommended to farmers due to its beneficial returns.

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Effect of conservation agriculture on grain yield and income of maize under maize based cropping system in far western Nepal

Agricultural Science and Technology ◽

10.15547/10.15547/ast.2018.04.060 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 320-332

Author(s):

H.K. Prasai ◽

S.K. Sah ◽

A.K. Gautam ◽

A.P. Regmi

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Research Field ◽

Research Station ◽

Net Benefit ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Hybrid Maize

Abstract. The adoption of Conservation agriculture (CA) contributes to sustainable production and its advantages include lower inputs and stable yields. This study was conducted in the research field of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bhagetada, Dipayal, Doti during 2014 and 2015 to identify the effect of CA on grain yield and income of maize in Maize based cropping system. Both conservation and conventional agricultural (ConvA) practices were evaluated on two maize based cropping systems namely maize-wheat-mungbean (M-W-MB) and maize-lentil-mungbean (M-L-MB). For this purpose two maize varieties namely Raj Kumar and Arun-2 were used. The average productivity of maize under M-L-MB cropping system was 1.6% higher (5.75 t/ha) than M-W-MB cropping system (5.66 t/ha). The average grain yield of maize under CA was 16.7% higher (6.15 t/ha) than ConvA (5.27 t/ha). Rajkumar produced 43% higher average grain yield (6.73 t/ha) than Arun-2 variety (4.69 t/ha). The average net benefit was slightly higher (US$ 597.33/ha) under M-L-MB cropping system than M-W-MB cropping system (US$ 573.89/ha). Similarly, the average net benefit from CA was 102% higher (US$ 783.67/ha) than ConvA (US$ 386.79/ha). Rajkumar variety gave 127% higher average net benefit (US$ 813.49/ha) than Arun-2 (US$ 357.81/ha). The average benefit - cost (B:C) ratio of M-L-MB cropping system was slightly higher (1.72) than the average B:C ratio of M-W-MB cropping system (1.70). The average B:C ratio of CA was 42% higher (2.01) than ConvA (1.41). The average B:C ratio of Rajkumar variety was found 33% higher (1.95) than Arun-2 (1.46). The higher grain yield, net profit and B:C ratio were found in CA practices under M-L-MB cropping system and Rajkumar variety. This study suggests that hybrid maize planting and the adoption of M-L-MB cropping system should be used to increase grain yield and economic performance under CA practices.

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Isotopic evidence reveals persistent microbial residues in soil

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-14108 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kirsten Hofmockel ◽

Sheryl Bell ◽

Chris Kasanke

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Research ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Bulk Soil ◽

Research Station ◽

Geochemical Reactions ◽

Silty Loam ◽

Selective Preservation ◽

Microbial Residues

Microbial derivatives and necromass are dominant sources of soil organic matter (SOM), yet the specific microbiological and geochemical reactions leading to the persistence of microbial compounds in SOM remains to be discovered. Identification of the microbial taxa and classes of microbial-derived compounds that are selectively preserved may enhance our ability to manage SOM, particularly in agroecosystems. We examined how perennial and annual biofuel cropping systems influence the production and selective preservation of microbial residues. Our experiment was replicated on a sandy and a silty loam to test the relative importance of microbial (biotic) and mineral (abiotic) filters on necromass accumulation and persistence. Using a 13C-labeling incubation experiment, we tested the effects of cropping system and soil texture on the production and persistence of microbial-derived residues. Soils were collected from sandy loams at the Kellogg Biological Station (MI, USA) and silty loams at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station (WI, USA). These soils were amended with 13C-labeled glucose, which was rapidly incorporated into microbial biomass. After 2 months, ~50% of the added 13C remained in the bulk soil. Approximately 30% of the 13C remaining in the bulk soil was recovered in the lipid, protein, and metabolite pools. Lipids contained the most 13C (16%) and the contribution was similar in both soils. Both soils had similar protein pools, but protein from the sandy loam was significantly more enriched than protein from the silty loam. The pool of metabolites was small, but highly enriched, suggesting substantial recycling over the 2-month incubation. The majority (40%) of the whole soil 13C persisted in the SOM even after repeat extractions. The remaining ~30% of the whole soil 13C was recovered in a complex of remaining unknown debris that separates from the soil at the solvent interphase with the protein but could not be solubilized. We provide novel evidence of the carbon pools that contribute to persistent microbial residues in soil. Our results suggest that metabolites may be more important than was previously recognized. Ongoing work is identifying the labeled metabolites and characterizing the chemistry of the highly enriched protein residue fraction.

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Yield And Economics of Sesame Based Cropping System In North Coastal Zone of Andhra Prades

Current Agriculture Research Journal ◽

10.12944/carj.8.2.10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 146-151

Author(s):

B. Rajendra Kumar ◽

S. Govinda Rao ◽

P Kondababu

Keyword(s):

Green Manure ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Cost Ratio ◽

Research Station ◽

Net Income ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Available N ◽

Benefit Cost Ratio

A field experiment was conducted during 2011 rabi and 2012 kharif at Agricultural Research Station, Yellamanchili. In the first year of experimentation rabi 2011-12, sole crop sesamum was sown in bulk as base crop or main crop to study sesame based cropping system with other sequential crops greengram, groundnut, cowpea, ragi, fodder cowpea and sunhemp, sunhemp fodder sown during kharif . Average yield of sesamum sown during rabi was 380 kg/ha. During kharif 2012 all the crops were sown on 12-06-2012, the yields realized by different crops were converted into sesamum equivalent yield. The prevailing sesame- horsegram sequence cropping system is not at all remunerative to the farmers and hence introduction of new crops in the cropping system with, Maize, Ragi, ID crops and with other cropping systems were tried when there is deficit in rain fall for maximum profitability. The initial soil sample analysis revealed a pH of 6.7, Electrical Conductivity dsm-1 of 0.17, Organic Carbon % of 0.51in the experimental site. Available N was 247 kg/ha, P2O5 29 and available K2O was 262 kg/ha. The results revealed that the cost of cultivation, gross income, net income and the BC ratio was highest for T7 (Sesame-maize). The same is the case with rabi season also, where in the net income and the benefit cost ratio was Rs.50329 and 4.35, respectively. In the cropping sequence, highest BC ratio was recorded with T7- Sesame- maize - sunhemp (Green manure) 3.91 with sesamum and maize crop only, Green manure crop (Sunhemp) is an added advantage crop to improve soil fertility. The other highest recorded B C ratio was with Sesamum-ragi and Sesamum- cowpea based cropping system with 2.92 and 2.83.

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Biofortification of Zn and Fe in Chickpea through Agronomic Intervention in Medium Black Soils of Karnataka

Legume Research - An International Journal ◽

10.18805/lr-4341 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pandit S. Rathod ◽

D.H. Patil ◽

S.B. Bellad ◽

Rachappa V. Haveri

Keyword(s):

Seed Treatment ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Research Station ◽

Nutritional Security ◽

Foliar Fertilization ◽

Pooled Data ◽

Net Returns ◽

Better Than ◽

Plot Design

Background: Bio-fortification, the process of integrating nutrients into food crops, provides a sustainable and economic way of increasing the density of micronutrients in important staple crops. Agronomic bio-fortification is the easiest, practicable and fastest way for bio-fortification of pulse grains with Fe, Zn, or other desirable micronutrients. Increasing micronutrient rich foods and improving dietary diversity will substantially reduce micronutrient disorders.Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the post rainy seasons of 2015, 2016 and 2017 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kalaburagi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur (Karnataka) to know the effect of soil and foliar fertilization of Zn and Fe on chickpea genotypes. Two genotypes (Annigeri 1 and JG 11) and six fertilization treatments (Control, 0.5% Zn, 0.1% Fe, Zn + Fe, seed treatment with 2 g Zn kg-1 seeds and soil application of Zn) were tested in medium black soils in split plot design with three replications.Result: The pooled data of three seasons indicated that the genotype JG 11, performed better than Annigeri 1 in terms of seed yield (1309 kgha-1), net returns (₹ 31634ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.52). On biofortification of Zn and Fe, foliar fertilization of Zn @ 0.5% + Fe @ 0.1% at flowering stage recorded significantly higher grain yield (1321 kgha-1), net returns (₹ 31179ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.44) over rest of the treatments. Further, foliar fertilization of Zn + Fe had significant influence on nutrient concentration (Zn and Fe) in chickpea grains. Thus, it could be concluded that combined biofortification of Zn + Fe to chickpea crop could be the viable agronomic intervention for getting higher productivity and nutritional security.

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Identification of Economically Viable Cropping Systems for Vertisols of Northern Telangana Zone

Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology ◽

10.9734/cjast/2020/v39i3431040 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 98-106

Author(s):

Firdoz Shahana ◽

M. Goverdhan ◽

S. Sridevi ◽

B. Joseph

Keyword(s):

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Cropping System ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Research Station ◽

Bt Cotton ◽

Black Gram ◽

Net Returns ◽

Lower Productivity ◽

Randomized Block Design

A field experiment was conducted during 2016-17 at AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur to diversify existing rice-rice cropping system with less water requiring crops under irrigated dry conditions for vertisols of Northern Telangana Zone. The experiment was laid out with twelve cropping systems as treatments in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The twelve combinations of cropping systems tested during kharif and rabi seasons were rice – rice (check), maize + soybean (2:4) – tomato, maize + soybean (2:4) - rice, maize - sunflower + chickpea (2:4), maize - chickpea, Bt cotton + soybean (1:2) on broadbed – sesame + groundnut (2:4), Bt cotton - sesame + blackgram (2:4), soybean – wheat, soybean – sunflower + chickpea (2:4), turmeric – sesame, turmeric + soybean (1:2) on flat bed – bajra and turmeric + soybean (1:2) on broadbed – sesame + blackgram (2:4). On system basis, significantly higher productivity in terms of rice equivalent yield (REY) of 23830 kg ha-1 was recorded with turmeric+soybean (1:2) BBF– sesame+blackgram (2:4) turmeric – sesame cropping sequence. However it was on par with turmeric – sesame and turmeric + soybean (1:2) on flat bed – bajra crop sequence with productivity of 23332 kg ha-1 and 21389 kg ha-1 respectively. Lower productivity was recorded with rice-rice cropping system (10725 kg ha-1). Significantly higher system net returns were recorded with Bt. cotton – sesame + black gram (2:4) on BBF (Rs222838 ha-1) closely followed by Bt Cotton + Soybean (1:2) (BBF) - Sesamum + Groundnut (2:4) (Rs221160 ha-1) and Maize+soybean (2:4)–tomato (Rs212909 ha-1). Lower system net returns were recorded in conventional rice-rice system (Rs88179 ha-1). Bt. cotton – sesame + black gram (2:4) and Bt Cotton + Soybean (1:2) (BBF)- Sesamum + Groundnut ((2:4) and Maize+soybean (2:4)–tomato were economically superior with REE of 152.71%, 150.81% and 141.45%. Rice- Rice cropping adopted by majority of farmers is less productive and economically inferior indicating wider scope of diversifying existing rice- rice cropping system with high productive, economically viable cropping systems in vertisols of Northern Telangana Zone.

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Validation of Target Yield based Fertilizer Prescription for Rabi Castor in Alfisol

International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry ◽

10.9734/irjpac/2020/v21i2330315 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 166-173

Author(s):

Kasthuri Rajamani ◽

A. Madhavi ◽

T. Srijaya ◽

P. Surendra Babu ◽

Pradip Dey

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Research Station ◽

Agricultural Research Station ◽

Target Yield ◽

Test Verification ◽

Absolute Control ◽

Inorganic And Organic

Field experiments were conducted from 2015-16 to 2017-18 on a Typic Rhodustalfs (Alfisol) soils of Telangana at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Nagarkurnool, Southern Telangana Zone, India to validate targeted yield based fertilizer prescription equations which developed for hybrid castor by adopting eight treatments viz., Blanket recommendation (100% RDF:80:40:30 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1), Blanket+5 t ha-1 of vermin-compost (VC), STCR-Target yield with NPK alone at 25q ha-1, STCR-Target yield with IPNS at 25q ha-1, STCR-Target yield with NPK alone at 30q ha-1, STCR-Target yield with IPNS at 30q ha-1, Farmer’s practice (40:20:0kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1) and Absolute control (without inorganic and organic fertilizers). The findings of these test verification trials clearly revealed that the percent achievement of the aimed yield target was within + 10 percent variation confirming the validity of the equations. Using STCR-NPK@25 and 30q ha-1 recorded significantly higher seed (20.74 and 22.30q ha-1) and stalk (24.63 and 26.36q ha-1) yield over blanket recommendation (19.40 and 23.13 q ha-1), while STCR-IPNS at 25 and 30 q ha-1recorde relatively higher seed (20.98 and 22.69q ha-1) and stalk (25.88 and 27.13q ha-1) yield over STCR-NPK alone treatments. The magnitude of built-up was higher with STCR-IPNS treatments as compared to STCR-NPK alone, blanket recommendations, farmer’s practice and absolute control.

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Effect of Irrigation System and Soil Conditioners on Growth and Essential Oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Cultivated in Egypt

10.20944/preprints202007.0748.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elsayed Omer ◽

Saber Hendawy ◽

Abdel Nasser ElGendy ◽

Alberto Mannu ◽

Giacomo L. Petretto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Irrigation System ◽

Water Saving ◽

Rosmarinus Officinalis ◽

Research Station ◽

Soil Conditioners ◽

Rosmarinus Officinalis L

A relevant improvement of the cultivar conditions of Rosmarinus officinalis L. in desert areas was achieved by a specific combination between irrigation system and soil conditioner. A drastic reduction of water employment was obtained without affect the quality of the plants, determined by monitoring growth parameters and essential oil characteristics. In particular, the effect of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems and different soil conditioners on growth parameters, yield, and essential oil constituents of rosemary plant was assessed. Field experiments at the Agricultural Research Station (Al-Adlya farm), SEKEM group Company, El-Sharkiya Governorate, Egypt, conducted over the two seasons revealed the effectiveness of the subsurface irrigation system in obtaining better performances, especially in terms of water saving. The combination of subsurface irrigation and the conditioner Hundz soil with bentonite showed the maximum mean values of growth characters compared with other soil amendments during both seasons. The possibility to employ a water-saving irrigation system as the subsurface one without any drawback in the resulting plants was also explored in terms of molecular composition. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil extracted from plants growth under different irrigation conditions revealed a comparable composition in both cases. The goodness of the most performing system was also confirmed by the comparable yield of the essential oil.

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Growth, yield, water use efficiency and competitive functions of intercropping system of maize (Zea mays L.) and mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) as influenced by irrigation

SAARC Journal of Agriculture ◽

10.3329/sja.v13i2.26571 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 94-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S Roy ◽

M Barman ◽

AM Puste ◽

SK Gunri ◽

K Jana

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Land Equivalent Ratio ◽

Sole Crop ◽

Maximum Value ◽

Main Plot ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Plot Design

Field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, Jaguli (Mohanpur), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India during two consecutive summer seasons of 2010-11, and 2011-12. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design having 4 levels of irrigation rainfed without mulch, rainfed with mulch, irrigation at IW (depth of irrigation water) / CPE (Cumulative pan evaporation) ratios of 0.5 and 0.75 in main-plot and 4 inter cropping systems, sole maize, sole mungbean, maize + mungbean (1:1 row ratio) and maize + mungbean (3:2 row ratio) considered as sub-plot treatments replicated thrice. Results revealed that application of irrigation and intercropping systems markedly influenced the growth, yield and yield components (number of cobs/plant, number of grains/cob in case of maize and number of pods/plant and number of seeds/pod in case of mungbean) where the maximum value of these components were recorded with the application of irrigation at IW/CPE ratio 0.75 in sole crop. Maize-mungbean in 3:2 row ratio yielded higher than that of 1:1 intercropping system which might be due to less light interception and more competition for water and nutrition between both the crops. CU of water increased with the increasing levels of irrigation and the maximum value (17.75 kg ha-1 mm- 1) of WUE (water use efficiency) was observed with irrigation at IW: CPE ratio 0.75 under intercropping system of maize : mungbean in 3:2 row ratio followed by IW: CPE ratio 0.50. Among the sole crop, maximum WUE was with IW/CPE ratio 0.75 might be due to more consumption of water corresponding to production potential of maize, while, it was more under rainfed with mulch in mungbean. The relative crowding coefficient (RCC) also revealed both the intercropping systems were advantageous and the land equivalent ratio (LER) increased with the level of irrigation.Thus, maize grown in association with mungbean (3:2 row ratio) were found to be more profitable (B:C ratio of 2.58) with higher monetary advantage as compared to sole crop of maize (B:C ratio of 1.98) with the application of irrigation at IW: CPE ratio of 0.75 in new alluvial zone of West Bengal.SAARC J. Agri., 13(2): 94-107 (2015)

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Effect of Land Configuration and Weed Management on Performance of Urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Legume Research - An International Journal ◽

10.18805/lr-4241 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

P. Venkata Rao ◽

A. Subbarami Reddy ◽

M. V. Ramana

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Weed Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Vigna Mungo ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Research Station ◽

Marginal Lands ◽

Yield Attributes ◽

Plot Design

Background: Blackgram is an important crop among kharif pulses and is usually grown on marginal and sub-marginal lands without proper weed management under rainfed situation. Broad bed furrows had greater influence on plant growth over farmers practice. Weed management through mechanical or manual is normally tedious, labour consuming and costlier. Keeping this in view, the present study was envisaged to investigate integrated effect of land configuration and weed management regimes on productivity of urdbean. Methods: A field experiment was carried out during kharif seasons of 2016 and 2017 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur on effect of land configuration and weed management on performance of urdbean (Vigna mungo L.Hepper). The treatments included two land configurations i.e., flat bed and broad bed furrow method allotted as horizontal plots and four weed management practices i.e., weedy check, pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 PE, imazethapyr 10% SL @ 55 g ha-1 at 15-20 DAS and pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 PE fb imazethapyr 10% SL @ 55g ha-1 at 15-20 DAS allotted as vertical plots replicated four times in a strip plot design. The comparison of treatment means was made by critical difference (CD) at P less than 0.05 by using standard statistical procedures. Result: Based on the results, it can be concluded broad bed method of land configuration proved its superiority over flat bed method by producing 12.8 per cent higher grain yield besides empowering growth and yield attributes. Among the weed management practices, the highest grain yield (1280 kg ha-1) recorded with pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 PE fb imazethapyr 10% SL @ 55g ha-1 at 15-20 DAS along with maximum monetary returns and B:C can be recommended for urdbean.

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Planting pattern and phosphorus management in pigeonpea and mungbean intercropping system

Legume Research - An International Journal ◽

10.18805/lr-4018 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

G.K. Math ◽

M. Udikeri ◽

L.G. Jaggal ◽

Yamanura .

Keyword(s):

Seed Yield ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Research Station ◽

Planting Pattern ◽

Pooled Data ◽

Net Returns ◽

Main Plot ◽

System 1 ◽

Phosphorus Levels ◽

Plot Design

A field experiment was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad during rainy season of 2015 and 2016 to study the effect of planting pattern and phosphorus management on production and profitability of intercropping system of mungbean and pigeonpea. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications and eight treatments. Among them, four planting patterns [sole pigeonpea, mungbean + pigeonpea 1:3 (120 cm x 20 cm), mungbean + pigeonpea 1:2 (90 cm x 20 cm) and mungbean + pigeonpea 2:2 (90 cm x 20 cm)] were main plot treatments and two phosphorus levels (P2O5 @ 50 kg ha-1 and P2O5 @ 75 kg ha-1) were sub plot treatments. Based on pooled data the results revealed that, the significantly higher mungbean seed yield (424 kg ha-1) was recorded with application of 75 kg P2O5 as compared to 50 kg P2O5 ha-1. Whereas, in planting pattern, sole mungbean recorded significantly higher seed yield (757 kg ha-1) as compared to all other intercropping systems. Yield advantage indices and net returns were significantly higher in pigeonpea + mungbean (1:3) with 75 kg P2O5 ha-1 as compared to other treatments. This study indicated the need of fifty per cent higher dose of P2O5 for the pigeonpea and mungbean intercropping system (1:3) in northern transition zone of Karnataka.

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