Central Soil Salinity Research Institute

Spatial assessment of the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and soil salinity (ECe) at the field scale is essential for effective soil and crop management in salt-affected lands. In this study, a cost-effective, rapid, and non-invasive geophysical technique, electromagnetic induction technique (EMI), was employed to measure soil SAR, while the Electrical Conductivity Sampling Assessment and Prediction (ESAP) software was used for its prediction and quantification. The investigation was conducted over a 12-ha experimental field at Nain, Panipat, Haryana, India. EMI survey was carried through EM-38 instrument in horizontal and vertical modes on a 20 × 20 m grid. To calibrate EMI readings, 21 optimal sampling locations were identified, and soil samples were collected up to 90 cm depth at 15 cm intervals (0–15, 15–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm). Laboratory analyses of these samples included electrical conductivity of the saturated extract (ECe), saturation percentage (SP), moisture content (MC), cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺), anions (CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻), and SAR using standard wet chemistry procedures. Spatial variability of ECe, dominant cations and anions, and SAR was mapped using inverse distance squared (IDS) interpolation. Multiple linear regression (MLR) revealed that apparent conductivity (ECa) strongly correlated with measured SAR (R2- 0.81) and ECe (R2-0.86) in upper 0–15 cm soil layer. High correlations were also observed between ECa and Na⁺ (r = 0.79) and Cl⁻ (r = 0.72), indicating sodium chloride (NaCl) as the principal contributor to both SAR and ECe in the study area. A quantitative evaluation of the mean soil profile (0–90 cm) demonstrated that 28.07% of the field area exhibited SAR values below 50, 30.36% ranged between 50 and 100, 38% between 100 and 200, 3.51% between 200 and 300, and only 0.06% exceeded 300. Similarly, spatial analysis of soil salinity (ECe) indicated that 7.5% of the area had ECe < 4 dS m⁻¹, 8% ranged from 4 to 8 dS m⁻¹, 27.8% from 8 to 16 dS m⁻¹, 47.3% from 16 to 30 dS m⁻¹, while 9.4% exhibited highly saline conditions with ECe > 32 dS m⁻¹. Areas of high SAR coincided with high salinity (ECe), primarily due to elevated Na⁺ concentration. These findings demonstrate that the combined use of EMI and ESAP software provides an efficient approach for quantifying and mapping SAR and salinity, offering a reliable basis for rehabilitation and management of salt-affected soils according to their severity.

The present study was conducted during the year 2024–25 in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh to assess the fund utilization patterns among Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme beneficiaries. Data were collected from 160 beneficiaries through a structured personal interview schedule. The ex-post factor research design was applied for this study in which the researcher does not have direct control of independent variables because of their manifestation has occurred or because they are inherently not manipulable. The analysis revealed that 48.12 % of the beneficiaries utilized the funds for agricultural purposes, while 30.62 % used them for non-agricultural purposes. Additionally, 21.25 % of the respondents reported using the funds for both agricultural and non-agricultural purposes. Among those who utilized the funds for agricultural activities, 93.50 % used them specifically for purchasing fertilizers. For non-agricultural purposes, 85.71 % of the beneficiaries spent the funds on household expenses, followed by 51.02 % for miscellaneous purposes, 36.73 % for medical expenses and only 16.32 % for educational purposes. Notably, among those who used the funds for both purposes, 100 % spent on household needs and 94.11 % used the funds for fertilizers. Further statistical analysis showed that variables such as age, education and social participation were positively and significantly associated with fund utilization patterns at the 1 % level of probability. Landholding size was also positively correlated and significant at the 5 % level. However, variables such as occupation, availability of farm implements, housing pattern and annual income were found to be statistically non-significant.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a prominent tropical and subtropical fruit crop valued for its high nutritional content, economic returns, and adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions. However, its productivity and fruit quality are often challenged by irregular flowering, excessive fruit set, and off-season bearing, which lead to small fruit size, poor market value, and high management costs. Crop regulation in guava is a critical agronomic strategy aimed at synchronizing flowering and fruiting, improving fruit quality, and enhancing overall profitability. This review consolidates existing knowledge on the various crop regulation techniques employed in guava cultivation, including mechanical methods (pruning and deblossoming), chemical treatments (application of growth regulators such as NAA, ethrel, and urea), and cultural practices (water stress, root exposure, and nutritional management). Each method is discussed with respect to its physiological basis, effectiveness under different environmental conditions, and impact on flowering intensity, fruit set, yield, and quality attributes. The role of innovative approaches such as the use of bio-regulators and precision horticulture is also explored to address emerging challenges in climate resilient guava production. Comparative evaluation of crop regulation strategies across different seasons—particularly in tropical regions where guava tends to bear multiple crops—provides insights into season-specific recommendations. Emphasis is also placed on integrating crop regulation with canopy management and varietal selection for maximizing resource-use efficiency. The review identifies key research gaps, including the need for region-specific standardization of practices, development of environmentally safe chemical alternatives, and deeper understanding of the molecular and hormonal mechanisms governing floral induction and abscission. This article aims to serve as a comprehensive reference for researchers, extension workers, and growers seeking sustainable solutions to enhance guava productivity and fruit quality through effective crop regulation practices.

Evaluation of soil fertility consists of estimating the nutrient supplying power of soil. In this regard, a total of 4758 advisory soil samples were received directly from farmers or collected from the agriculturists’ countryside with geolocation data from all over Chiniot district for soil fertility evaluation. To categorize the soil of district Chiniot as normal, saline, saline-sodic, sodic and their ultimate solution, if any; the recommendations were also provided to the farmers in the light of soil samples analyzed reports. The results showed that 92.8% soil samples were found normal, while 4.89% saline, 1.11% saline-sodic and 1.15% sodic of the entire collected soil tester from tehsil Chiniot. However, 92.03% samples were surrounded by definite normal salts decisive limits, while 3.74% saline, 2.57% brackish-sodic and 1.63% sodic of whole assembled tester from tehsil Bhowana. Moreover, 93.73% samples were found normal, while 4.08% saline, 0.86% saline-sodic and 1.32% sodic of entire gathered trials from tehsil Lalian. Also, 50.3% of soil samples were found poor (i.e., &lt;0.86%) in OM, while 40.5% samples were medium (i.e., 0.87 - 1.29%) ranged OM and 9.1% samples had adequate (i.e., &gt; 1.29%) OM of the total collected soil samples from district Chiniot. However, 56.6% of soil samples were established poor in available P (i.e., &lt; 7.0 mg kg-1), while 39.6% samples were medium (i.e., 7.1 - 14.0 mg kg-1) ranged P and 3.8% samples had tolerable (i.e., &gt; 14.0 mg kg-1) soil P of the total collected samples under study. Moreover, 22.9% of soil samples were found poor (i.e., &lt; 80 mg kg-1) in available K, while 64.1% samples were intermediate (81-180 mg kg-1) ranged K and 12.8% samples had adequate (i.e., &gt;180 mg kg-1) soil K of the total collected samples. In squat, depending upon the soil analysis, farmers were guided for fertilizer recommendations according to climate suitability, crop/orchard/vegetable and water/rainfall conditions as being implemented right through the suitable conditions of the Punjab following guidelines of the Directorate of Soil Fertility, Thokar Niaz Baig Lahore.

Field experiments were carried out over four rabi seasons during 2019–20, 2020–2021, 2021–2022 and 2022– 2023 at Khar Land Research Station, Panvel, Maharashtra, India on coastal saline soil to examine the impact of various manures [no manure, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost] and mulches (no mulch, plastic mulch, and paddy straw) on soil salinity and the yield of brinjal under drip irrigation. Findings indicated a notable decrease in salinity (2.57 and 1.08 dS m–1) at 30 days of transplanting (DAT) and 60 days after transplanting of brinjal, respectively with the application of FYM @ 7.5 Mg ha–1 + vermicompost @ 2.5 Mg ha–1 under with plastic mulch over initial salinity (EC) of 6.13 dS m–1. The information additionally indicated that the combination of paddy straw mulch with FYM at 7.5 Mg ha–1 + vermicompost at 2.5 Mg ha–1 resulted in a notably higher fruit yield of brinjal (33.71 Mg ha–1) compared to the no manuring treatment (26.86 Mg ha–1). The paddy straw mulch (32.78 Mg ha–1) resulted in a significantly higher brinjal yield than no mulching (28.03 Mg ha–1). Additionally, it was noted that the combination of FYM @ 7.5 Mg ha–1 + vermicompost @ 2.5 Mg ha–1 with paddy straw mulch produced the highest yield (37.25 Mg ha–1), followed by the treatment receiving FYM @ 15 Mg ha–1 under paddy straw mulch (34.32 Mg ha–1). According to the benefit-cost ratio, the combination of paddy straw mulch with FYM at 7.5 Mg ha–1 and vermicompost at 2.5 Mg ha–1 exhibited the highest ratio (1.38) in coastal saline soils of Kankan, Maharashtra.