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Research Interests: Chemistry, Animal Science, Agronomy, Phosphorus, Straw, and 4 moreNitrogen, Zinc, Potassium, and Nutrient
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An inter-organizational certificate course i.e. Certified Farm Advisor (CFA) in Organic Farming was jointly organized by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad and ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming... more
An inter-organizational certificate course i.e. Certified Farm Advisor (CFA) in Organic Farming was jointly organized by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad and ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut during 2019. The objective of this certificate course was to create a cadre of “Certified Farm Advisors†in appropriate technologies of organic farming and enable them to deliver effective “Technical Advisory Services†and thereby solving the field level problems faced by the organic farmers/entrepreneurs/startups or other related stakeholders. A 15 days CFA module II was organized at ICAR- Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut in two batches with 50 trainees from 15 different states and union territories. In the present study, the learning, knowledge and skill levels of the participants were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis showed that, gender, service experience and serving region significantly affected the learning ability of trainees. There was significant improvement in the knowledge and skill of trainees in various aspects of organic farming, viz. organic standards, certification and marketing network (study area A); technology package (study area B) and general knowledge (study area C). Based on the training effectiveness scores (TES), maximum improvement was observed with general knowledge of organic farming with 103.73% improvement. However, study area A and B exhibited 45.41% and 34.88% improvement, respectively. Further, the success of this inter-organizational training programme could serve as a model for streamlining HRD programmes on organic farming in the country.
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Conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices have been promoted and recouped, as they hold the potential to enhance farm profits besides a consistent improvement in soil properties. The CA-based crop establishment practices (CEP) along... more
Conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices have been promoted and recouped, as they hold the potential to enhance farm profits besides a consistent improvement in soil properties. The CA-based crop establishment practices (CEP) along with adequate fertilizer inputs in the diversified maize-chickpea rotation (MCR) could be a profitable choice to sustain the crop production of Indo-Gangetic plains in the posterity. Therefore, a seven years' field experiment consisting of three CEP viz., zero till flatbed (ZTFB), permanent beds (PNB), conventional system (CT) along with the three nutrient management practices; nutrient expert assisted: site-specific nutrient management (NE®), recommended fertilization (RDF), and farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP), was carried out from 2013–2020 in a sandy loam soil of the north-western Indo-Gangetic plains. Seven years’ mean maize grain yield under the ZTFB (4.34 Mg ha-1) and PNB (4.37 Mg ha-1) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the CT (3...
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Conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices have been promoted and recouped, as they hold the potential to enhance farm profits besides a consistent improvement in soil properties. A 7 years' field experiment consisting of three... more
Conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices have been promoted and recouped, as they hold the potential to enhance farm profits besides a consistent improvement in soil properties. A 7 years' field experiment consisting of three crop establishment practices viz., zero-till flatbed (ZTFB), permanent beds (PNB), conventional system (CT) along with the three-nutrient management; nutrient expert-based application (NE), recommended fertilization (RDF), and farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP), was carried out from 2013 to 2020. The CA-based practices (ZTFB/PNB) produced 13.9–17.6% greater maize grain-equivalent yield (MGEY) compared to the CT, while NE and RDF had 10.7–20% greater MGEY than the FFP. PNB and ZTFB gave 28.8% and 24% additional net returns than CT, while NE and RDF had 22.8% and 17.4% greater returns, respectively over FFP. PNB and ZTFB had 2.3–4.1% (0.0–0.20 m soil layers) lower bulk density than the CT. Furthermore, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased by 8–19% (0...
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Forage legumes are contributing in sustainable crop production apart from nutritional security to the livestock. Forage legumes are crucial for the nutritional security for mankind as they are integral component for increased availability... more
Forage legumes are contributing in sustainable crop production apart from nutritional security to the livestock. Forage legumes are crucial for the nutritional security for mankind as they are integral component for increased availability of animal protein and product which has higher biological value compared to plant proteins. The inclusion of forage legumes in crop production systems is more useful as these can not only provide food and feed to animals but also improves soil productivity and act as soil-conserving components of agricultural and agroforestry systems. Production system as a whole and tremendous deficit of forage nutritious resources demand in particular to give some importance to the forage crops especially leguminous forages. Therefore, critical assessment is necessary for determining the direction and magnitude of change in agricultural management practice with inclusions of forage legume. Forage legumes have good capacity as a feed to promote sufficient quantiti...
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Excess use of hazardous agrochemicals and inorganic fertilizers resulted negative impact on environmental outcomes and degraded soil function, biological diversity, and ecosystem services. A 15-year long-term (2004–05 to 2017–18) field... more
Excess use of hazardous agrochemicals and inorganic fertilizers resulted negative impact on environmental outcomes and degraded soil function, biological diversity, and ecosystem services. A 15-year long-term (2004–05 to 2017–18) field experiment was conducted to improve the ecosystem services with soil quality restoration and stabilization of yield through agronomic manipulation in the rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system under Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Three crop management practices (i) organic crop management, (ii) inorganic crop management, and (iii) integrated crop management were evaluated at four locations (i) Jabalpur, (ii) Ludhiana, (iii) Pantnagar, and (iv) Modipuram in a factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice at each location. Among the spatial variation, the highest soil quality indicators like soil microbial biomass carbon (0.52 mg g−1), fungal (46.2 CFU × 104 CFU), bacterial (54.2 CFU × 106 CFU), and actinomycetes viable cells (23.0 ...
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Background Diversification, intensification, new water and integrated nutrient management methods of rice-based cropping systems are being advocated as an alternative to the water-intensive nature of conventional rice cultivation in... more
Background Diversification, intensification, new water and integrated nutrient management methods of rice-based cropping systems are being advocated as an alternative to the water-intensive nature of conventional rice cultivation in north-western India to address the issues of decline in the productivity, energy and nutritional scarcity and deteriorating soil fertility. Hence, the development of eco-friendly cropping systems with efficient nutrient management is essential for sustainable productivity. Material and methods The experiment was conducted with four cropping systems viz. direct-seeded basmati rice (DSBR)-wheat-fallow, DSBR-wheat-greengram, DSBR-cabbage-greengram and DSBR-cabbage-onion, being assigned to vertical strips; and 4 nutrient management strategies (MNS), viz. control, 100% RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers), 50% RDF + 25% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen) through leaf compost + biofertilizers and 50% RDF + 25% RDN through vermicompost + biofertilizers assigne...
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The formation of aggregates plays a key role in shaping soil microenvironment, which in turn influences microbial community structure and organic carbon (C) dynamics in soil. Carbon in large macro-aggregates (>2 mm), small... more
The formation of aggregates plays a key role in shaping soil microenvironment, which in turn influences microbial community structure and organic carbon (C) dynamics in soil. Carbon in large macro-aggregates (>2 mm), small macro-aggregates (0.25–2 mm), and free organic matter (>0.053 mm) was significantly positively correlated with C, lignin, and polyphenols. Carbon in micro-aggregates and fine particles (
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The field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (2014–2016) in split-plot design to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management and crop diversification through inclusion of legume and vegetable crops in direct... more
The field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (2014–2016) in split-plot design to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management and crop diversification through inclusion of legume and vegetable crops in direct seeded basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)–based cropping systems (DSRB) on nutrient availability for crop uptake. The study involved four cropping systems (CS) in main plots (DSBR‒wheat‒fallow (CS1), DSBR‒wheat‒greengram (CS2), DSBR‒cabbage‒greengram (CS3) and DSBR‒cabbage‒onion (CS4) and four nutrient management strategies under subplots (unfertilized (NS0), 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (NS1), 50% RDF + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through leaf compost (LC) + biofertilizer (NS2), 50% RDF + 25% RDN through vermicompost (VC) + biofertilizer (NS3)). The results revealed that diversification of rice–wheat system with legume (greengram) or vegetable (cabbage and onion) crops and integrated nutrient management strategies had positive...
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Sustaining agricultural systems dominated by small and vulnerable resource-poor farms that are subject to climatic aberrations is a major challenge for most Asian countries. In this context, the role of agriculture requires immediate... more
Sustaining agricultural systems dominated by small and vulnerable resource-poor farms that are subject to climatic aberrations is a major challenge for most Asian countries. In this context, the role of agriculture requires immediate attention in northwestern India where marginal farmers with less than a meagre 1 hectare of land represent about 67% of the population. Research based on prototype farms is being promoted in the redesign of current farming practices to help give these farmers sustainable livelihoods. We hypothesize that integrating innovative cropping systems into smallholder marginal farms could help to achieve these objectives. The study presented here describes a modelling approach for the ex-ante assessment of the current farming practices of marginal households in terms of economic, environmental, and nutritional indicators in comparison with those of experimental research farms in order to delineate an alternative scope of flexibility to optimize farming practices...
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A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2014–15 and 2015–16 at New Delhi, to evaluate the effects of cropping systems and nutrient sources on yield attributes, yields and economics of wheat [Triticum aestivum... more
A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2014–15 and 2015–16 at New Delhi, to evaluate the effects of cropping systems and nutrient sources on yield attributes, yields and economics of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol]. Of the tested cropping systems, direct-seeded basmati rice (DSBR) (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat-mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] system exhibited the highest values of yield attributes, viz. effective tillers, grains/spike and 1, 000-seed weight which led to the highest grain yield (4.44 t/ha) and wheat equivalent yield (WEY) (11.7 t/ha). Among the nutrient sources, application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through vermicompost (VC) + bio-fertilizer resulted in the highest yield attributes, grain (4.76 t/ha) and straw (6.86 t/ha) yields and gross returns (105.07 × 103/ha) followed by 50% RDF + 25% RDN through leaf compost (LC) + bio-fertilizer. A strong positive cor...
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With the increasing world’s population, higher demand for sustainable food production so as to meet the requirement. It has increased tremendously due to excessive use of agrochemicals. Since, the imbalanced application of agrochemicals... more
With the increasing world’s population, higher demand for sustainable food production so as to meet the requirement. It has increased tremendously due to excessive use of agrochemicals. Since, the imbalanced application of agrochemicals in agricultural field leads to soil and environmental degradation. Nowadays, the scientific community has shifted their focus on alternative eco-friendly management approach. The plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and mycorrhizae has huge potential to substitute agrochemicals. These efficient eco-friendly microbes have different plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities; hence PGPR and mycorrhizae are gaining importance for restoring soil sustainability and agricultural productivity. Application of these efficient microbes in the soil–plant–environment system will be suitable strategies for improving the soil and crop productivity.
A field experiment was conducted during rainy (July-November) seasons of 2013 and 2014 at New Delhi to evaluate the effects of varieties and zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield attributes, yields and economics of basmati/aromatic rice (Oryza... more
A field experiment was conducted during rainy (July-November) seasons of 2013 and 2014 at New Delhi to evaluate the effects of varieties and zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield attributes, yields and economics of basmati/aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.). Among the varieties, ‘Pusa Rice Hybrid 10’ had the highest yield attributes, viz. drymatter accumulation (DMA), panicle length and their weight, and grain weight (g)/panicle leading to the highest grain yield (5.67 t/ha), benefit: cost ratio (2.04). ‘Pusa Rice Hybrid 10’ led to a significant increase in grain yield which was 17.1, 21.2, 30.0, 39.3 and 88.4% higher than those of ‘Pusa Sugandh 5’, ‘Pusa Basmati 1509’, ‘Pusa Basmati 1121’, ‘Pusa Basmati 1401’ and ‘Pusa Basmati 1460’, respectively. ‘Pusa Basmati 1509’ rice showed the highest fertility percentage (87.6), 1, 000-grain weight (27.7 g) and the lowest chaffy grains/panicle, followed by ‘Pusa Basmati 1121’ and ‘Pusa Sugandh 5’. Among the Zn fertilization practices, 1.25 kg Zn (Zn...
The increasing demand for crop production, given worldwide increases in the human population, puts pressure on moving natural resources towards sustainable development. This creates a big challenge for the upcoming generation. If... more
The increasing demand for crop production, given worldwide increases in the human population, puts pressure on moving natural resources towards sustainable development. This creates a big challenge for the upcoming generation. If improvement is not successful, there exists the unfortunate consequence that global food production may soon become insufficient to feed all of the world’s people. It is therefore essential that agricultural productivity be significantly increased in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. Plant-beneficiary rhizobacteria (PBR) naturally activate microorganisms found in the soil. Because they are inexpensive, effective, and environmentally friendly, PBR are gaining importance for use in crop production by restoring the soil’s natural fertility and protecting it against drought and soil diseases, thereby stimulating plant growth. PBR decrease the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and artificial growth regulators; the intensive use of ...
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ABSTRACT To achieve higher system productivity and better soil health under rice‒based cropping systems, this study was conducted to ascertain the best agricultural and nutrient management strategies. The study involved four cropping... more
ABSTRACT To achieve higher system productivity and better soil health under rice‒based cropping systems, this study was conducted to ascertain the best agricultural and nutrient management strategies. The study involved four cropping systems (CS) comprising direct seeded basmati rice (DSBR)‒wheat (CS1), DSBR‒wheat‒greengram (CS2), DSBR‒cabbage‒greengram (CS3) and DSBR‒cabbage‒onion (CS4) under different nutrient management strategies (NMS) comprising of control (NS0), 100% recommended dose of N, P and K fertilizers (RDF-NPK) (NS1), 50% RDF + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through leaf compost (LC) + biofertilizer (NS2), 50% RDF + 25% RDN through vermicompost (VC) + biofertilizer (NS3) and was carried out for two consecutive years. At the end of study, soil carbon fractions, bulk density and water stable aggregates were significantly (p < 0.05) higher under integrated NMS as compared to control and RDF alone. Soil biological parameters such as dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and microbial biomass carbon increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all three seasons (rainy, winter and summer) under integrated NMS (NS2 and NS3) plots, as compared to NS0 and NS1. Inclusion of greengram in rice–based cropping systems and combined use of inorganic and organic nutrient sources resulted in positive influence on soil health parameters and sustaining system productivity.
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Green manuring is an arable-farming practice in which undecomposed green material is incorporated (in situ/harvested elsewhere) into soil in order to increase productivity of subsequent crops. Green manure crop is to be turned into the... more
Green manuring is an arable-farming practice in which undecomposed green material is incorporated (in situ/harvested elsewhere) into soil in order to increase productivity of subsequent crops. Green manure crop is to be turned into the soil at the point of flowering, i.e., about 7–8 weeks from sowing in most crops. The continuous use of green manures enhances the organic matter content and also supplements the nutrient pool of the soil which ultimately improves the soil physical, chemical and biological properties and also suppresses the weeds. It provides nutrient-rich organic matter for the soil microorganisms which easily converts organically bound nutrients in plant residues to easily available nutrient form to the crop. The portion of green manure nitrogen available to a succeeding crop is usually about 40–60% of the total amount contained in the legume and large amounts of legume N retained in soil mostly in organic forms. However, beneficial effects of green manure on succeeding crops depend largely on residue quantity and quality, soil type, soil fertility, soil acidity, biological activity, soil moisture, and temperature.
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The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design comprising eighteen treatment combinations of three levels of N (0, 10 and 20 kg ha-1), three levels of S (0, 10 and 20 kg ha-1) and two levels of biofertilizer (seed... more
The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design comprising eighteen treatment combinations of three levels of N (0, 10 and 20 kg ha-1), three levels of S (0, 10 and 20 kg ha-1) and two levels of biofertilizer (seed bio-priming and without Rhizobium) which were replicated three times. The results indicated that plot with the application of N and S @ 20 kg ha-1 gave significantly (p less than 0.05) higher seed yield (~ 32 and 21%) and stover yield (~ 16 and 18%) as compared to control plot, respectively. Bio-primed observed significantly (p less than 0.05) higher seed yield (~ 996 kg ha-1) and stover yield (~ 1829 kg ha-1) as compared to un-inoculated treatments. Meanwhile, plot with the application of N and S @ 20 kg ha-1 + bio-priming @ 25 g kg-1 seeds on loamy sand soil resulted the increased the seed yield ~ 32, 21 and 7%, respectively and nutrients availability besides organic carbon (5, 2 and 2.3%), available N (5, 4.5 and 4.6%), P2O5 (7.5, 2 and 0.5%), and S ...
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Conservation agriculture (CA) is the integrated management of the available natural resources such as soil, water, flora, and fauna with partial outside inputs which increases the efficiency of natural resource use. It provides... more
Conservation agriculture (CA) is the integrated management of the available natural resources such as soil, water, flora, and fauna with partial outside inputs which increases the efficiency of natural resource use. It provides sustainability in farming production through maintaining the quality of natural resources by stable or semi-stable organic cover to soil. Zero or minimum tillage or no-till (NT) and minimum disturbance of soil along with varying rotation of crops are a must for future prospects. CA is an integrated approach to agriculture cultivation that helps enhance food security, allay poverty, conserve biological diversity, and preserve ecosystem services. CA practices are also helpful in making farming systems more resilient to recent climatic changes. CA can comprise wide-ranging practices such as management of forage and farm animals, fallows improvement, combined cultivation of agricultural crops and trees as agroforestry, management of watershed, and management of areas which are reserved for village and community people. In this chapter, climate change predictions for Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) will be discussed. Then the potential of CA as a source to alleviate and acclimatize to climate change will be examined for climatically affected environments.
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Field experiments were conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons (July–October) of 2013 and 2014 at IARI, New Delhi to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) fertilization on growth, milling, biochemical and cooking quality parameters of aromatic... more
Field experiments were conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons (July–October) of 2013 and 2014 at IARI, New Delhi to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) fertilization on growth, milling, biochemical and cooking quality parameters of aromatic rice varieties. The results showed that leaf area index, crop growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilate rate varied among different tested varieties of rice. Among varieties, the highest milling and head rice recovery was reported in ‘Pusa Sugandh 5’. From the cooking quality parameters point of view ‘Pusa Basmati 1121’ and ‘Pusa Basmati 1509’ were found better than other tested varieties. ‘Pusa Basmati 1401’ and ‘Pusa Basmati 1509’ were found superior with respect to amylose and protein content in white rice kernel. Soil + foliar application of Zn through Zn-EDTA and ZnSO4·7H2O resulted in better growth, milling, biochemical and cooking quality parameters than soil application alone. Moreover, Zn-EDTA was found better in improving quality parameters compared to ZnSO4·7H2O. Cultivar ‘Pusa Basmati 1509’ with soil application of 1.25 kg Zn ha−1 (EDTA) + 0.5 % foliar spray at maximum tillering and panicle initiation stages recorded the highest Zn concentration in white rice kernel and straw.
Research Interests: Plant Biology and Biology
ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield potentiality and quality of promising wheat varieties during winter seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 at the research farm of the Indian... more
ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield potentiality and quality of promising wheat varieties during winter seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Among genotypes, HD 2967 genotype proved as best in realizing the highest grain yield (4.89 Mg ha−1), net returns and benefit–cost ratio besides increased protein (13.4%) and wet gluten (29.4%) content in grain. Highest grain Zn concentration and recovery efficiency (RE) recorded in HD 2851 and HD 2687, respectively. HD 2932 registered lowest grain hardiness index (GHI) followed by PBW 343, indicating their better bread-making quality. With respect to Zn fertilization, application of 1.25 kg Zn Zn–ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (Zn–EDTA) + 0.5% foliar spray at maximum tillering and booting stages resulted in the highest yields, grain Zn concentration and RE followed by 2.5 kg Zn (ZnSO4·7H2O) + 0.5% foliar spray at both stages. These treatments are also superior most with respect to grain quality parameters such as protein, wet gluten and starch content. From profitability viewpoint, 2.5 kg Zn (ZnSO4·7H2O) + 0.5% two foliar sprays were most remunerative with maximum net returns and benefit–cost ratio.
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Abstract Modern agricultural systems are energy and carbon intensive. Reducing the carbon footprint and increasing energy use efficiency are two important sustainability issues of the modern agriculture. Realizing the implications of... more
Abstract Modern agricultural systems are energy and carbon intensive. Reducing the carbon footprint and increasing energy use efficiency are two important sustainability issues of the modern agriculture. Realizing the implications of energy and carbon use, the present study was conducted to compare pearl millet–mustard production system in conventional and conservation agriculture practices. The results showed that zero tillage with 4 t ha −1 crop residue increased grain yield of pearl millet and mustard by 22.3 and 24.5% respectively in comparison to conventional tillage without residue which ultimately helped to maintain higher net returns (1270 US$ ha −1 ). Mulching of crop residue consumed considerable energy and carbon. It comprised 72.3–87.1% of the total energy consumption. Thick residue cover (4 t ha −1 ) noticed significantly higher energy output and energy intensiveness in both conventional and zero tillage whereas energy-use efficiency (11.5), net energy return (201,977 MJ ha −1 ) and energy productivity (0.32 kg MJ −1 ) was highest under no-residue cover. Carbon foot print value was increased with intensity of residue cover and found least under no-residue treatment. Therefore, crop residue should be judiciously used in arid and semi-arid region where livestock mainly depends on it for their fodder requirement.