• Authors:
    • Pawar, A. D.
    • Bhoge, R. S.
  • Source: Annals of Plant Physiology
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The effects of organic and inorganic farming practices on the performance of sorghum were studied in Rahuri, Maharashtra, India, during the rabi season of 2007-08. The treatments consisted of: (T1) farmyard manure (FYM; 10 t/ha); (T2) dhaincha [ Sesbania aculeata] green manure at 10 t/ha; (T3) 75% of the recommended NPK fertilizer rates (RFR) + 3 t FYM/ha + Azospirillum + PSB [phosphate solubilizing bacteria]; (T4) 100% RFR (100:50:50 kg NPK/ha); (T5) farmers' practice (10 kg N + 3 t FYM/ha); and (T6) soyabean-rabi sorghum rotation. T1, T2 and T3 induced early flowering, whereas T4 delayed flowering. T3 resulted in the highest 100-seed weight (35.80 g), grain yield (29.24 quintal/ha), fodder yield (53.14 quintal/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (2.17). The results indicated that the amount of inorganic fertilizers can be reduced by 25% using organic fertilizers as substitutes. [1.0 quintal=100.0 kg].
  • Authors:
    • Prasad, Y. E.
    • Prasad, V. R.
  • Source: Mysore Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 43
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The present investigation is aimed at studying the relative economics of soybean based cropping systems against cotton mono crop in Gottipadu village of Prattipadu mandal in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Regression analysis of soybean. Bengalgram revealed that, all the variables contributed positively but non-significant except plant protection chemicals. Regression analysis of soybean+redgram (inter crop) cropping system revealed that area and plant protection chemicals made positive and significant contribution and machine labour made negative and significant contribution towards the gross returns. Regression analysis of soybean-jowar cropping system revealed that plant protection chemicals made a significant and positive contribution whereas fertilisers made a significant and negative contribution towards gross returns. Regression analysis of cotton revealed that area, seed, manual labour and machine labour made a significant and positive contribution towards the gross returns.
  • Authors:
    • Feltran, J. C.
    • De Castro, C. M.
    • De Almeida, D. L.
    • Valle, Teresa L.
    • Duarte Ribeiro, R. De L.
    • Pries Devide, A. C.
  • Source: Bragantia
  • Volume: 68
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Organic systems were evaluated for cassava root production directed to human comsumption in natura, at Seropedica-RJ. Treatments consisted of: cassava ('IAC 576-70') in single cropping and its intercropping with corn ('Eldorado'), cowpea ('Maua') or corn plus cowpea. The organic management was standardized and the experimental area was submitted to artificial irrigation during the period of stay of maize in the system. "Green" (immature) corn ears were harvested at the "point" required for fresh marketing and the shoot placed on the ground. The cowpea was included to function as green manure being Cut at flowering with residues left on the soil Surface. Corn and cowpea were sown between cassava rows, in an alternate design, following the first weeding of the main crop (cassava). The cultivar IAC 576-70 showed suitability with respect to organic management, yielding approximatelu 31 Mg ha(-1) of marketable roots. No significant differences were detected between cassava single cropping and any of the intercropping tested systems. Thus, corn crop has considerable potential for additional income to the growers. Yield of 'Eldorado' corn averaged 18.125 ears ha(-1) correspponding to 5,1 Mg ha-1. Residues coming from cowpea cutting brought about an input close to 12 Mg ha(-1), which meant an expressive contribution in nutrient elements, especially nitrogen (about 44 kg N ha(-1)). The legume crop, in addition, completely covered cassava inter-rows demonstrating its potential for controlling erosion and weeds. The triple intercropping becomes advantageous considering that corn harvesting would justify irrigation and that inclusion of cowpea meant benefitial effects to the system and did not interfere on cassava yield.
  • Authors:
    • Deshmukh, R. G.
    • Rathod, V. J.
    • Pawar, M. D.
  • Source: Journal of Soils and Crops
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: To study the cropping sequences adopted by farmers in selected area, and study the economics of different cropping sequences, the resource productivity and use efficiency in different cropping sequences this study was undertaken in the three districts of Western Vidarbha viz., Buldhana, Washim and Akola. The study was based on secondary data. The required data were collected from Agricultural Price Scheme (APC) located in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Statistics, Dr. PDKV, Akola. Out of 220 farmers covered by APC scheme in the three districts of Western Vidharbha, the farmers who grew kharif as well as rabi crops in season were purposively selected for study. In all 101 farmers were selected. Cropping pattern followed in the study. In all 101 farmers were selected. Cropping pattern followed in the study area was diversified in nature, cotton, jowar and mung crops dominated the cropping pattern. Other crops like tur, udid, soybean were also grown on selected holdings. Gram and wheat crop occupied 18.12 and 2.89 per cent of gross cropped area. Net return of Cost "C" were observed the highest in cotton-fallow i.e. Rs. 5684.34 followed by Cotton+tur-Fallow Rs. 4052.22 and Soybean-Fallow Rs. 3570.55. The regression analysis indicated that variables viz., area under crop, machine labour, nitrogen were found to be positive and significant. Bullock labour in case of Jowar-Fallow i.e. -1.33* was negative and significant thereby indicating the use of these inputs decrease the values of gross output. The marginal value product (MVP) to factor cost ratio indicate optimum resources use efficiency of a particular input. The ratio of MVP to factor cost for area under crop was found to be greater than unity which inferred that this resource was underutilized in all cropping sequences.
  • Authors:
    • Curi, N.
    • de Oliveira, G. C.
    • Severiano, E. da C.
    • Dias, M. de S.,Jr.
  • Source: Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: With the expansion of the sugar/alcohol sector, the native vegetation was removed from soils with few limitations as well as with great risks for intensive cultivation and the areas incorporated in the production process. Therefore, the adoption of management systems that maintain the soil structure may be a key for the maintenance of the quality and sustainability of sugarcane production systems. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the use potential for sugarcane and structural quality of a Dystrophic Haplic Cambisol (CXvbd) (Inceptisol) and Dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol (LVAd) (Oxisol), in the county of Goianesia, Goias State. The soils of each area were classified for their use capacity. Disturbed soil samples were collected at depths corresponding to the surface and subsurface diagnostic horizons, for chemical and physical-hydric characterization. Undisturbed samples were collected (from the layers 0-0.05, 0.1-0.15 and 0.3-0.4 m) to determine soil porosity, water retention curves, the least limiting water range and preconsolidation pressure. The evaluation of soils by the land use capacity system indicated that CXvbd belongs to class IVe and LVAd to IIIs. Results of the analysis of the chemical and physical-hydric attributes of the CXvbd indicated that a continuous sugar-cane cultivation, despite the classification as IVe in the use potential system, was due to the adoption of agricultural terraces, aside from the fact that the degrees of soil revolving was lower and of soil cover higher, when sugarcane was harvested green The water availability for plants was highest for CXvbd, which tends to be advantageous for crops. In the study conditions, the LVAd was most susceptible to compaction, which requires limitations of machinery traffic.
  • Authors:
    • Khating, L. E.
    • Shirale, S. T.
  • Source: Annals of Plant Physiology
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted on clay soil (Typic Haplusterts) of MAU, Parbhani during 2002-03 to study the effect of application of organic, inorganic and organic combined with inorganic nutrient sources on yield of various cropping systems, NPK uptake and balance in soil. Recommended dose of fertilizers and combined application of glyricidia @1.5 t ha -1+25% RDF increased grain yield and N, P, K uptake. The highest total grain yield (2335 kg ha -1) was recorded by RDF fallowed by glyricidia @1.5 t ha -1+25% RDF (2213 kg ha -1) and it was at par with each other. The cropping systems sorghum+pigeonpea recorded highest yield (2438 kg ha -1). The maximum N, P and K uptake (142.16, 23.92 and 63.71 kg ha -1 respectively) was recorded with the soybean+pigeonpea cropping system. There, was more buildup of available N, P and K in soil with soybean+pigeonpea cropping system with FYM followed by glyricidia.
  • Authors:
    • Venkateswarlu, B.
    • Vittal, K. P. R.
    • Srinivasarao, C.
    • Kundu, S.
    • Wani, S. P.
    • Sahrawat, K. L.
    • Marimuthu, S.
  • Source: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
  • Volume: 40
  • Issue: 15/16
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Soil carbon (C) pool plays a crucial role in the soil's quality, availability of plant nutrients, environmental functions, and global C cycle. Drylands generally have poor fertility and little organic matter and hence are candidates for C sequestration. Carbon storage in the soil profile not only improves fertility but also abates global warming. Several soils, production, and management factors influence C sequestration, and it is important to identify production and management factors that enhance C sequestrations in dryland soils. The objective of the present study was to examine C stocks at 21 sites under ongoing rainfed production systems and management regimes over the last 25 years on dominant soil types, covering a range of climatic conditions in India. Organic C stocks in the soil profiles across the country showed wide variations and followed the order Vertisols > Inceptisols > Alfisols > Aridisols. Inorganic C and total C stocks were larger in Vertisols than in other soil types. Soil organic C stocks decreased with depth in the profile, whereas inorganic C stocks increased with depth. Among the production systems, soybean-, maize-, and groundnut-based systems showed greater organic C stocks than other production systems. However, the greatest contribution of organic C to total C stock was under upland rice system. Organic C stocks in the surface layer of the soils increased with rainfall (r=0.59*), whereas inorganic C stocks in soils were found in the regions with less than 550 mm annual rainfall. Cation exchange capacity had better correlation with organic C stocks than clay content in soils. Results suggest that Indian dryland soils are low in organic C but have potential to sequester. Further potential of tropical soils to sequester more C in soil could be harnessed by identifying appropriate production systems and management practices for sustainable development and improved livelihoods in the tropics.
  • Authors:
    • Garcia-Oliva, F.
    • Prat, C.
    • Medina-Orozco, L.
    • Mendoza, M. E.
    • Bravo-Espinosa, M.
    • Lopez-Granados, E.
  • Source: Land Degradation & Development
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue: 6
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: In the Transmexican Volcanic Belt a traditional fallow system is practiced, called "ano y vez" (AV), which does not benefit soil conservation due to its low level of nutrient recycling and because soil protection is poor during the cultivation year. The objective of the present work was to measure runoff and soil and nutrient losses during three annual cycles (2002-2004) in Central Mexico under AV rotation and two alternative systems: improved traditional (IT) and traditional organic (TO). Soil losses in the three systems were moderate (
  • Authors:
    • Changade, N. M.
    • Khodke, U. M.
    • Chavan, M. L.
  • Source: International Journal of Agricultural Engineering
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Historical weather data can be used to develop and modify the management practices to increase the production with the conjunctive use of rain and irrigation water as per the water needs of the crop. Regional scale crop and water resource planning needs determination of reference crop evapotranspiration (eto), probability distribution of rainfall and ETo, and estimates of magnitude and duration of water deficit and surplus which can promote crop production in both irrigated and dryland areas. Daily weather data of 16 years (from 1984 to 2001) for five locations i.e., Aurangabad, Beed, Nanded, Parbhani and Osmanabad of Marathwada region was used to determine reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo). The rainfall and ETo data were analysed to ascertain their fit to various probability distributions. The goodness of fit was determined by chi 2 tests. The developed crop coefficients were used to estimate crop water requirements of 8 major crops of the region. Effective rainfall was used to determine the weeks at which the rainfall exceed or fall deficit of crop water requirement. The study indicated that normal distribution gave the closest fit to the weekly rainfall and ETo data. The seasonal water requirement of cotton, groundnut, sugarcane and banana is higher at Parbhani whereas that of kharif sorghum, rabi sorghum, wheat and soybean is higher at Osmanabad than other places in the region, the effective rainfall meets the water need of kharif sorghum and soybean. The rainfall values during the critical growth stages of rabi (sorghum and wheat) and summer crops (groundnut, banana and sugarcane) are deficit than their water requirement in the respective weeks and hence require irrigation during those periods. Among the row crops, wheat and groundnut can only be grown under irrigation. Annual excess rainfall for various crops ranges between 561-749 mm for kharif sorghum, 124-195 mm for rabi sorghum, 0-15 mm for wheat, 624-808 mm for soybean, 633-786 mm for cotton, 453-609 mm for sugarcane and 526-703 mm for banana. If the excess rains are effectively harvested, the irrigation potential could be raised in the region.
  • Authors:
    • Joshi, O. P.
    • Billore, S. D.
    • Dupare, B. U.
    • Verma, S. K.
  • Source: Soybean Research
  • Volume: 7
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: A study was conducted to visualize the impact of soybean cultivation in the "Soya State", Madhya Pradesh. The data were collected using well-designed interview schedule containing relevant questions on how soybean has affected farmers lifestyle as well as overall farming scenario? Majority of the respondents perceived soybean cultivation as a major driving force for their socio-economic development. A steady increase in the farmers' inclination to grow soybean was observed during the last five decades, while, decreasing their area in traditionally grown crops like sorghum, pigeon pea, groundnut, cotton and black gram. During soybean introduction many changes in the overall farming scenario of Madhya Pradesh have occurred. The change was recorded in the land holding pattern of farmers which revealed that small and marginal farmers have further reduced their land holdings while larger farmers have not only managed their holdings but also added newer areas to their total farm size. The cost of cultivation as well as rates fetched by the soybean showed an upward trend with passage of time during these five decades. An inverse relationship between the labour availability and wages was also observed. The gathered opinion from farmers brought out that fertilizer consumption and insect-load appeared to have increased with time. It seems that in spite the irrigation facilities have increased during these 50 years, particularly that of canal, tube wells and ponds, soybean by and large, remained to be a rainfed crop. However, the farmers have shifted from bullock drawn implements to tractor drawn implements. This led to limiting number of animals with farmers, thereby progressive reduction in the use of manures. Subsequent to the introduction of soybean, the socio-economic status of the farmers has improved.