The objective of this investigation is to examine the economic impact of Soil Health Card (SHC) adoption on chickpea cultivation in Ludhiana district, Punjab. Using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and regression analysis, the study compared the economic outcomes of SHC holders and non-holders. The PSM results showed a significant overlap in the common support zone, ensuring a robust comparison between the two groups. Regression analysis revealed that age had a significant negative effect on SHC adoption (β1= -0.0550), while access to extension services had a significant positive influence (β4= 0.5979). Education level was marginally significant (β3= 0.2026), suggesting slightly higher adoption among more educated farmers. The income inequality analysis showed a lower Gini coefficient for SHC holders (0.31) compared to non-holders (0.38), indicating reduced income disparities. SHC holders also experienced cost savings of 33% in fertilizer expenses and 20% in other agrochemical expenses. The findings highlight the substantial benefits of SHC adoption, supporting policy initiatives to expand the program to enhance soil fertility and farmer profitability.

Weeds are one of the most problematic factors for chickpea cultivation due to their negative effects on yield reduction in Iran. In the present investigation, new PRE-herbicide (flumioxazin) with different rates as IBS (incorporated before sowing), PRE, and Early-post with previously used herbicides were compared for controlling weeds and subsequently increasing in grain yield of chickpea. Results showed that PRE flumioxazin at rates 50, 75, and 100 g ai ha-1, oxyflourfen and flumioxazin + pyridate reduced total dry weed biomass 79 to 83.2%. These reductions (total dry weed biomass) were 59 to 73% by application of PRE flumioxazin at 50, 75 and 100 g ai ha-1, oxyfluorfen, flumioxazin + pyridate and pyridate in Kurdistan and 70 to 74.5% in Hamedan by application of IBS and PRE flumioxazin at 50, 75 and 100 g ai ha-1, oxyfluorfen, flumioxazin + pyridate. The grain yield of chickpea was greatest [Kermanshah (1489.5 kg ha-1), Hamedan (312 kg ha-1), and Kurdistan (2015 kg ha-1)] in PRE flumioxazin at 50 g ai ha-1 application after hand weeding. According to the results, PRE flumioxazin at 50 g ai ha-1 is the most suitable treatment to control broadleaf weeds and increase yield in autumn-sown chickpea.

The present study was carried out to assess the inorganic phosphorus (P)- dynamics under the rhizosphere of 10 weed species belonging to 8 different families. A fractionation study revealed that sol-P and Ca2-P were highest in M. denticulata L. and C. rotundus L. with 67.25 mg kg-1 and 48.37 mg kg-1, respectively (p<0.05) which could be attributed to high alkaline phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere. Out of the selected weed species, labile-P: nonlabile- P content was highest in M. denticulata L. (0.42) which is 38% higher than C. arvensis L. In terms of biomass and leaf P (%) C. didymus (L.) Sm. recoreded highest but, interestingly M. denticulata L. though had a higher sol-P but failed to translocate P-to the above and below-ground parts. Hence, M. denticulata L. being legume was an excellent mobilizer of non-labile P and can improve the available P for the subsequent crop.

The rapid pace of climate change is adversely affecting crop yields, both quantitatively and qualitatively, with staple cereals requiring high inputs, posing ecological, economic, and nutritional risks. This shift contributes to a global concern known as ‘hidden hunger’, where micronutrient malnutrition has severe health repercussions, particularly in developing nations. The important nutrient deficiencies like zinc (Zn) in major food crops, posing a significant public health threat. In this context, pulse crops emerge as a promising solution within low-input farming systems, known for their suitability and nutritional richness. These crops can play a pivotal role in climate-resilient food systems. This review deals with the untapped potential of pulses as a crucial component in low-input food-production systems, emphasizing the need for zinc biofortification in pulses to sustain human nutrition.

In the present study, a field experiment was conducted over two years to evaluate the efficacy and economic performance of imidazolinones. The combined application of imidazolinones with pendimethalin exhibited enhanced effectiveness in controlling the weed populations compared to their individual application. PRE application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr (Ready mix) at 1500 g ha-1, followed by one hoeing at 3-4 leaf stage, proved highly effective in suppressing the dominant weed flora and recorded higher growth parameters and significantly increased the seed yield of fenugreek. Moreover, it emerged as a profitable alternative to the current recommendation of weed control in fenugreek, which involves two hoeing sessions at 25 and 45 days after sowing (DAS).

The study was conducted on two mungbean varieties MH 1142 and MH 421 during Kharif 2023 to assess the effect of pod maturity on seed quality parameters of green gram (Vigna radiata) seeds. The results revealed that 42.88 g and 32.76 g test weight was observed in the MH 421 variety in the seeds extracted from mature and green (immature) pods respectively. In Variety MH 1142, the test weight was 40.51 g in seeds of matured pods and 20.83 in seeds of green pods. The germination of seeds extracted from mature pods was less (80.50%) than the seeds of green pods (88.00%) in MH 421 but germination of seeds extracted from matured pods was (88.00%) found at par with seeds of green pods (87.50%) in variety MH 1142. Seedling length was 38.93 cm and 31.67 cm in variety MH 421 while it was 40.03 and 33.60 cm in variety MH 1142 in seeds of matured pods and green (immature) pods respectively. Similarly, seedling dry weight was 0.241 mg and 0.172 mg in variety MH 421 and 0.223 mg and 0.122 mg in variety MH 1142 in seeds of mature pods and green pods respectively. It is concluded from the study that there is no difference in germination of seeds extracted from mature pods and green seeds, hence harvesting can be done when the plant bears the maximum number of mature pods.

The study was conducted to examine the effects of frontline demonstrations on chickpea using scientific production technology for sustainable productivity and profitability on 40-hectare area covering 80 farmer’s fields in the Kota, Bundi and Baran districts of Rajasthan. The average yield of chickpea in the frontline demonstration plots (IP) using integrated crop management technology was 2219 kg/ha, which was significantly higher than the average yield of 1827 kg/ha in the farmers’ practices (FP). The average chickpea yield was found higher (18.88%) in demonstration plots over farmer practices, with the implementation of improved production technologies. During the three years of study (2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21), the technological index (17.21%), extension gap (392 kg/ha), and average technological gap (461 kg/ ha) were found out. During the years of the study, frontline demonstration plots had the highest average net profit and B:C ratio (INR. 77,357/ha and 3.38), compared to farmer practice (INR. 64,081/ha and 3.24). Economic studies over one or three years showed that adopting improved package generated higher profits than traditional farmers practice.

Milling of pigeonpea is an essential process to improve culinary properties. Byproducts obtained from the milling have many bioactive components which can have significant favorable effects on human health. In commercial mills, pigeonpea dal recovery is about 70% against the potential dal recovery of 85%. As the seed coat is tightly attached to the cotyledons due to the presence of a gum layer in between. During abrasive dehusking, a commonly adopted method in commercial mills, about 15% of protein-rich peripheral cotyledons get mixed with seed coat. The milling byproduct thus obtained includes pulse proteins in the form of broken, powder of cotyledons, and phenol and antioxidant rich husk. The present study focuses on biochemical estimation of pigeonpea whole, dehusked splits (dal), milling byproduct, and fractions of milling byproduct. The husk and the broken fraction of milling byproduct (about 75% of the byproduct) are rich in phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, whereas the remaining cotyledon powder fraction is found to be rich in protein. These components were separated and analyzed for biochemical estimations. The results indicate that cotyledon powder separated from pigeonpea milling byproduct contains the highest protein (20.6%). Husk fraction of the byproduct is reported to have maximum total phenolic content (845.55 mg GAE/100g) and total antioxidant activity (59.68 m mole TE/100 g). Dehusked splits were observed to have the highest calorific value (386.17 kcal/100g). Till now, the milling byproduct is used as low-value cattle feed. Results of the biochemical studies reveal that protein, phenol and antioxidant-rich pigeonpea milling byproduct can be utilized for the development of value-added edible products and also find applications in therapeutic usage.

The present study was conducted to examine the growth performance and relative contribution of area and yield to the change in mungbean production in Rajasthan. Three districts, viz., Nagaur, Jodhpur, and Pali, which together contribute more than 50% of the total area under mungbean in Rajasthan, were selected for the study. Time series data were collected from 2000 01 to 2019-20 and to study the decadal performance, the entire period was bifurcated into two sub-periods: 2000-01 to 2009-10 (sub-period I) and 2010 11 to 2019-20 (sub-period II). The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), Cuddy Della Valle Index (CDVI), and Decomposition Analysis Model were employed for analysis. Results revealed that the growth rate was positive for area, production, and productivity of mungbean at the state and district levels. The instability index was found to be greater than 30 in most of the cases, which indicates the high variations in area, production, and productivity of mungbean during the reported period. The sub-period II witnessed a comparatively higher positive growth rate accompanied by a lower instability index than the sub-period I. The study further revealed that the area effect was greater than the yield effect in most of the cases, which indicates its greater share in the increase in mungbean production at state and sampled district levels. With the observed positive growth rate in area and its contribution to change in production, the state has scope to increase the area coverage under mungbean, as 55% of the districts in Rajasthan have less than 1% of the total area under cultivation.