A field experiment was carried out during winter (rabi) season 2021-22 at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi to find out the effect of potassium management on yields, nutrient uptake and economics of Indian mustard. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture with pH of 7.1, organic carbon (0.53%), available nitrogen (208 kg/ ha), available phosphorus (13 kg/ ha) and available potassium (222 kg/ ha). There were eight treatments combinations of different doses, methods and time of potassium application i.e. No K = 0 kg K/ha; Basal 100% MOP (muriate of potash) = 33.2 kg K/ha; 100% MOP as basal = 33.2 kg K/ha; 2 Foliar sprays of KNO3 at branching and before flowering = 8.8 kg K/ha; 50% MOP as basal + 50% MOP as top dressing at branching = 33.2 kg K/ha; 50% MOP as basal + 2 foliar sprays of KNO3 at branching and before flowering = 25.4 kg K/ha; 75% MOP as basal + 25% MOP as top dressing at branching = 33.2 kg K/ha; 75% MOP as basal + one foliar spray of KNO3 at branching = 25.4 kg K/ha; 75% MOP as basal + one foliar spray of KNO3 at before flowering = 25.4 kg K/ha. Grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, NPK uptake was obtained significantly higher under the treatment, 75% MOP as basal + one foliar spray of KNO3 before flowering, over 50% MOP as basal + 2 foliar sprays of KNO3 at branching and before flowering, 50% MOP as basal + 50% MOP as top dressing at branching, 2 foliar spray of KNO3 at branching and before flowering, 100% MOP as basal and control. However, the treatment i.e. 75% MOP as basal + one foliar spray of KNO3 before flowering remained significantly at par with 75% MOP as basal + one foliar spray of KNO3 at branching and 75% MOP as basal + 25% MOP as top dressing at branching. Higher net return and benefit: cost ratio was observed in the treatment of 75% MOP as basal + one foliar spray of KNO3 before flowering was recorded which remained at par with most of the treatments except control, 100% MOP as basal), 2 foliar sprays of KNO3 at branching and before flowering, 50% MOP as basal + 50% MOP as top dressing at branching, and 50% MOP as basal + 2 foliar sprays of KNO3 at branching and before flowering.

Rice is an essential staple food that contributes significantly to global food security. Direct-seeded rice (DSR) offers advantages over traditional puddle-transplanted rice (PTR) in terms of water and labour savings. However, DSR faces significant weed management challenges that can affect yield. Herbicides have emerged as effective tools for weed management in DSR, with recommendations for using herbicide combinations and rotations to combat weed diversity and resistance. Field experiments was conducted in Varanasi (UP), India, to assess the effectiveness of post herbicides in weed management, yield attrubtes and yield in DSR. Nine treatments replicated thrice were tested using randomized complete block design (RBD). Based on the results of the current research, it can be infer that the post application of bispyribac sodium 20% + pyrazosulfuron 15% WDG with a non-ionic surfactant @ 52.50 gha-1, bispyribac sodium 20% + pyrazosulfuron 15% WDG with non-ionic surfactant @ 61.25 g ha-1 , and triafamone 20% + ethoxysulfuron 10% WG @ 66.5 gha-1 sprayed after 16 days after sowing (DAS) exhibited the most favorable growth parameters and grain yield.

An experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2021 and 2022 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bikaner-II (Lunkaransar), Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, with the treatment combination of three Row spacing (30x15 cm, 45x15 cm and 60x15 cm) and seven hybrids of pearl millet (HHB-67 improved, HHB-197, HHB-299, MPMH-17, HHB-273, HHB-226 and BHB-1602). Three replications were incorporated in the split plot design of the experiment. The pooled result reveled that yield attribute, yield, Net returns and B:C Ratio were recorded significantly higher in the wider spacing (60x15 cm) statistically showed maximum seed yield (24.08 q ha-1), Net Returns (36324 Rs ha-1) with B:C ratio (3.07) followed by 45x15 cm space sowing seed yield (22.51q ha-1), Net Returns (33856 Rs ha-1) with B:C ratio (2.93) and third sowing spacing (30x15 cm) seed yield (19.19 q ha-1), Net Returns (27086 Rs ha-1) with B:C ratio (2.55) respectively. Similarly, hybridMPMH-17 recorded significantly higher grain yield 25.02 q ha-1 followed by hybrid HHB-299 (23.95 q ha-1), HHB-273 (22.23q ha-1), HHB-197 (22.07q ha-1), HHB-67 imp (20.84q ha-1), HHB-226 (19.76q ha-1) and BHB-1602 (19.61q ha-1) respectively. The highest seed yield 26.59q ha-1and Net Returns (42462 Rs ha-1) was recorded in hybrid MPMH-17 on sowing at 45x15 cm, which was statistically at par with hybrid HHB-299 sowing at same spacing.

A field experiment was conducted during the (rabi) season 2018-19 and 2019-20 at student research farm of Khalsa College, Amritsar to find out the effect of soil and foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O on zero till wheat. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications and consisted of control (no Zn), soil application of 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50 kg/ha zinc sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO4.7H2O) and foliar application of 0.5% Zn as one spray at heading initiation (5% ear formation), one spray at 100% heading (complete ear formation) and two sprays at heading initiation and 100% heading with recommended dose of fertilizer. Soil application of 50 kg Zn/ha with two foliar sprays of zinc 0.5 % at heading initiation and 100% heading (T13) produced highest yield attributes and grain yield. The percent increase in grain yield was 33.1, 31.3 and 25.5 with T13, T10 and T7 over control (3.92 t/ha). Grain Zn content percent increase was 33.9, 32.3 and 30.8 with T13 (41.77 ppm) T10 (41.29 ppm) and T7 (40.80 ppm) over control (31.20 ppm). The concentration of N, P and K were recorded statistically identical in different zinc treatments. However, significant increase in N, P, K and Zn uptake was recorded and highest uptake was observed with treatment T13 soil application of 50 kg Zn/ha with two foliar sprays of zinc 0.5 % at heading initiation and 100% heading. T13 also gave higher net returns (68743 ₹/ha) than control (42448 ₹/ha).

A filed experiment was carried out in year 2019-20 and 2020-21 at Banda, Bundelkhand region to evaluate the performance of foliar nutrition on late sown chickpea crop during Rabi season. The laid out in Randomized block design consisting six treatments viz. Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), RDF + foliar spray of 1 % NPK at 30 days after seeding (DAS), RDF + foliar spray of 1 % NPK at 50 % Flowering stage, RDF + foliar spray of 1 % NPK at 30 days after seeding (DAS) and 50 % flowering stage, RDF + foliar spray of 2 % NPK at 30 days after seeding (DAS), and RDF + foliar spray of 2 % NPK at 30 days after seeding (DAS) and flowering stage and replicated 4 times. During both years chickpea crop was grown in 12 December. The experimental soil is clay loam and poor in soil fertility. Our study exhibited that foliar application of nutrient at both the stages ( both 1 and 2 %) had positive impact on growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea crop. Mean increase in yield by foliar application at both the stages with RDF (T4 and T6 ) treatment was 32, 10, 11 and 12 % than RDF alone (T1) or foliar application at single stage i.e. T2, T3 and T5, respectively. The economic efficiency was also better with T4 (1.50 )and T6 treatments (1.42) than RDF alone application (1.04). The soil properties will not influenced by the application of foliar nutrient. Overall, our study concluded that , the study found that applying a 1% NPK mixture at 30 days after sowing and during the flowering stage to late sown chickpea crop generates a 3.1 q/ha greater yield compared to applying RDF alone, regardless of the year.

The field experiment on intercropping maize with green or cowpea was conducted at the research farm, ICAR-IARI, Jharkhand during the wet (kharif) season of 2022. The experimental soil was sandy loam, acidic in reaction (pH 5.4) containing low organic carbon (0.29%), available nitrogen (128.4 kg/ha), available phosphorus (6.62 kg/ha) and available potassium (135.8 kg/ ha). Nine ‘Treatments’ viz., pure stands of maize, green gram and cowpea, and intercrop stands with green gram or cowpea at Additive stand (AS), Replacement stand-I (RS-I) and Replacement stand-II (RS-II) was laid out in a randomized complete block design in 5 replications. Different cropping system indices namely., Maize-equivalent yield (MEY), System productivity (kg/ha/day), System profitability (₹ /ha/day), Relative crowding coefficient (RCC), Area time equivalent ratio (ATER), Land equivalent coefficient (LEC), Energy efficiency (Ee) (MJ/ha), Energy productivity (Ep) (kg/MJ) and Monetary advantage index (MAI) were derived. All data on crops and soil status were subjected to standard analysis of variance (ANOVA). Treatment differences were compared at 5% level of significance (P<0.05) for deriving a logical inference of the study.

The field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Assam to evaluate the effect of organic supplements and inorganic nutrients levels on growth, productivity and quality of maize in acidic soil of upper Assam during kharif season of 2023. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications and consists 3 organic supplements (Control, FYM @ 10 t/ha and Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha) in main plots and 4 inorganic nutrients levels along with Lime @ 300 kg/ha (Control, 50 % RDF(NPK), 75% RDF(NPK) and 100% RDF(NPK)) in sub plots. Results indicate that among application of FYM @10 t/ha shows higher dry matter accumulation (1150.1g/m2) at 60 DAS, grain (4.47 t/ha), stover (8.18 t/ha) and biological yield (12.54 t/ha), N (1.48% and 0.89%), P (0.27% and 0.17%) and K (0.45% and 1.56%) concentration in grain and stover, respectively and higher crude protein content (9.27%). Regarding inorganic nutrients levels, Application of 100% RDF(NPK) proved best in in respect to dry matter accumulation (1145.1 g/m2) at 60 DAS, grain yield (4.43 t/ha), stover yield (8.17 t/ha), biological yield (12.6 t/ha) and the N (1.53% and 0.91%), P (0.29% and 0.19%), K (0.44% and 1.56%) concentration in grain and stover, respectively and crude protein content in grain (9.54%).

Crop residue management has emerged as a major challenge in recent years. No-till wheat sowing, which aims to either incorporate paddy residue or retain it in the field, is one of the best technological measures to address this challenge. Therefore, a farmer participatory on-farm trial was conducted during 2020-21 and 2021-22 at five locations in Rohtak to validate no-till wheat sowing for resource conservation, paddy residue management and its impact on wheat yield and profitability. The trial consisted of four different wheat establishment methods: conventional sowing, zero till drill sowing, happy seeder sowing and super seeder sowing. The field study revealed that no-till sowing resulted in 75-80% reduction in fuel consumption and 10 - 25% savings in water during first irrigation. Zero tillage and happy seeder methods showed 40-45% less weed flora incidence, especially of Phalaris minor. The grain yield was 5.3% higher under the super seeder than the conventional method, while zero till drill and happy seeder sowing were comparable to conventional sowing. However, the B:C ratio (3.5) was significantly higher under zero till drill sowing. Thus, the participatory on-farm trials demonstrate the potential benefits of no-till wheat sowing for sustainable crop production and better economics in district.

Tillage intensity, crop residue retention and nitrogen application can significantly impact the soil properties and crop productivity. We studied the effect of tillage (deep tillage [DT] vs. shallow tillage [ST]) in main plots and residue management viz. conventional tillage without residue (CT-R), conventional tillage with residue (CT+R), minimum tillage without residue (MT-R) and minimum tillage with residue (MT+R) in sub plots and fertilizer-N at 75, 100 and 125% N (viz. N75, N100 and N125) in sub-sub plots. Field treatments (2017/18-2018/19) were established in maize-wheat (Zea mays-Triticum aestivum) cropping system at two different locations in north-western India and were arranged in split-split plot design. The soil penetration resistance was significantly lower under deep tillage (3.4 to 3.7%) as compared to shallow tillage. CT+R recorded lowest penetration resistance as compared to other tillage and residue combinations but other soil properties like OC, available NPK, soil aggregation, infiltration rate did not differ significantly. The addition of crop residue both under minimum and conventional tillage significantly increased the soil microorganism count and dehydrogenase enzyme activity at both locations. CT-R recorded lowest microorganism count and dehydrogenase enzyme activity. The available soil nitrogen, microorganism count and dehydrogenase enzyme activity significantly increased with increasing nitrogen doses at both locations and were highest under 125% N level as compared to 75% and 100% levels. From soil health and sustainability point of view CT+R treatment with 100% recommended dose of nitrogen seemed beneficial.

An experiment was conducted in field during the rabi season of 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, CCS HAU, Hisar (Haryana), India. The design of the experimentation was split-plot and with three replications. Five fodder cutting management practices were in the main plot (i. No fodder cut, ii. fodder cutting at 50-60 DAS above 5 cm cutting height, iii. fodder cutting at 50-60 DAS above 10 cm cutting height, iv. Fodder cutting at 60-70 DAS above 5 cm cutting height, v. fodder cutting at 60-70 DAS above 10 cm cutting height) and four dual purpose barley varieties viz., BH 393, BH 946, RD 2552 and RD 2715 were placed under sub-plots. On mean basis of two years experiment, maximum plant height, tillers/m2 and GFY (green fodder yield) were recorded with fodder cutting at 60-70 DAS irrespective of their cutting heights. Maximum GFY of 81.87 q ha-1 was found in variety RD 2715. At grain harvest, maximum effective tillers/m2 (415.2), no. of grains per ear-head (48.11), grain yield (48.22 q ha-1) and straw yield (74.32 q ha-1) were recorded in fodder cut at 50-60 DAS above 10 cm height. Among the varieties, BH 946 exhibited maximum effective tillers m2 (416), test weight (45.51g), grain yield (52.53 q ha-1) and straw yield (76.23 q ha-1). Highest B:C was fetched with the grain production after taking fodder cut at 50-60 DAS above 10 cm height (2.36) and barley variety BH 946 (2.61) among the tested dual purpose barley varieties.