• Authors:
    • Palaniswami, C.
    • Dhanapal, R.
    • Subramanian, P.
    • Gupta, A.
    • Maheswarappa, H. P.
  • Source: Indian Coconut Journal
  • Volume: 53
  • Issue: 11
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Studies were conducted during 1993-99 in India to evaluate the influence of agro-techniques on the productivity of coconut under coastal sandy soils. Agro-techniques include moisture conservation practices using husk/coir pith for growing different intercrops, alley cropping of glyciridia, green manuring with glyciridia loppings, basin management with leguminous crops, direct utilization of coconut wastes for soil moisture conservation measures, vermicomposting of coconut plantation wastes and recycling, and microirrigation. Mulching with coconut leaves combined with irrigation treatments recorded significantly higher yield compared to irrigation without mulching.
  • Authors:
    • Thankamani, C. K.
    • Ashokan, P. K.
  • Source: Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: An investigation on effect of different drip irrigation levels on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and dry matter partitioning of bush pepper grown in coconut garden was carried out Six drip irrigation schedules were compared with daily pot irrigation at the rate of 10 l per plant (control). The treatment consists seven, drip irrigation 2 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 4 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 8 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 12 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 16 liters per day (October-May), drip irrigation 16 liters per day (October-March) and control. Among the treatments highest yield was recorded by the treatment drip irrigation 8 liters per day (October-May). The total yield and dry matter production was lesser at lower levels of drip irrigation. Dry weight of stem, leaves and total dry matter production were higher for the treatments drip 8, 12,16 l/plant from October-May compared to pot irrigation. Uptake of nutrients were significantly influenced by drip irrigation levels and maximum uptake was recorded by the treatment drip irrigation 8 l/day followed by the treatment 161 drip (October-May).
  • Authors:
    • Abraham, T.
    • Thenua, O. V. S.
    • Sharma, U. C.
  • Source: INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
  • Volume: 81
  • Issue: 8
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The performance of sole Indian mustard, sole chickpea, and chickpea + Indian mustard (4:1) intercropping as affected by irrigation (irrigation at the pre-flowering stage, pod formation stage, or pre-flowering stage and pod formation stage of chickpea) and NPS rate (20:40:10 or 40:60:20 kg/ha, or the recommended 20:60:20 kg/ha) was studied in Bulandshar, Uttar Pradesh, India, during the rabi seasons of 2005-06 and 2006-07. In 2005-06, chickpea + Indian mustard exhibited greater dry matter accumulation than the other cropping systems; in 2005-06, the variation among the cropping systems was not significant. Irrigation twice on the first year and irrigation once on the second year resulted in greater dry matter accumulation. Among the fertilizer treatments, the recommended NPS rates registered the greatest dry matter accumulation. Sole Indian mustard exhibited the greatest N, P and S extraction. Irrigation at the pod filling stage and irrigation at the pre-flowering and pod formation stages resulted in the greatest N, P and S uptake. The sole Indian mustard had a higher yield than the intercropped Indian mustard. In general, irrigation at the pod filling stage enhanced the yield by 12% compared to the other irrigation regimes. The recommended fertilizer rates also gave the highest seed yield. The highest chickpea equivalent yields were obtained with intercropping, irrigation twice, and application of the recommended fertilizer rates. Chickpea + Indian mustard intercropping recorded the highest net return and cost:benefit ratio.
  • Authors:
    • Mehla, R. S.
    • Punia, M.
    • Ladha, J. K.
    • Khurana, M. L.
    • Chandna, P.
    • Gupta, R.
  • Source: Environmental Monitoring & Assessment
  • Volume: 178
  • Issue: 1-4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the intensively cultivated rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system (covers a 13.5-ha m area in South Asia) has led to the concentration of nitrates (NO(3)-N) in the groundwater (GW) in Haryana State of India. Six districts from the freshwater zone were selected to identify factors affecting NO(3)-N enrichment in GW. Water and soil samples were collected from 1,580 locations and analyzed for their chemical properties. About 3% (26,796, and 10,588 ha) of the area was estimated to be under moderately high (7.5-10 mg l (-aEuro parts per thousand 1)) and high (> 10 mg l (-aEuro parts per thousand 1)) risk categories, respectively. The results revealed that NO(3)-N was 10-50% higher during the pre-monsoon season than in the monsoon season. Nitrate-N decreased with the increase in aquifer depth (r (2) = 0.99). Spatial and proximity analyses using ArcGIS (9.2) revealed that (1) clay material in surface and sub-surface texture restricts N leaching, (2) piedmont and rolling plains act as an N sink, and (3) perennial rivers bring a dilution effect whereas seasonal rivers provide favorable conditions for NO(3) (-) enrichment. The study concludes that chemical N fertilizers applied in agro-ecosystems are not the sole factor determining the NO(3) in groundwater; rather, it is an integrated process governed by several other factors including physical and chemical properties of soils, proximity and type of river, and geomorphologic and geographical aspects. Therefore, future studies should adopt larger area (at least watershed scale) to understand the mechanistic pathways of NO(3) enrichment in groundwater and interactive role of the natural drainage system and surrounding physical features. In addition, the study also presents a conceptual framework to describe the process of nitrate formation and leaching in piedmont plains and its transportation to the mid-plain zone.
  • Authors:
    • Muthukrishnan, P.
    • Fanish, S. A.
  • Source: Madras Agricultural Journal
  • Volume: 98
  • Issue: 10/12
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during kharif 2008 and 2009 to study the effect of different fertigation levels and intercrops in intensive maize based intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with three replications. The experiment comprised of nine fertigation levels in main plot, viz M 1, Surface irrigation with soil application of 100% RDF; M 2, Drip irrigation with soil application of 100% RDF; M 3, Drip fertigation of 75% RDF; M 4, Drip fertigation of 100% RDF; M 5, Drip fertigation of 125% RDF; M 6, Drip fertigation of 150% RDF; M 7, Drip fertigation of 50% RDF (50% P and K as Water Soluble Fertilizer (WSF)); M8, Drip fertigation of 75% RDF (50% P and K as WSF); M 9, Drip fertigation of 100% RDF (50% P and K as WSF) and four intercrops in sub plot viz, S 1, Vegetable coriander; S 2, Radish; S 3, Beet root; S 4, Onion. Drip fertigation at 100 per cent RDF with 50 per cent P and K as WSF in maize+radish intercropping system recorded a higher gross income of Rs. 83438/ha whereas, higher net return and benefit cost ratio of Rs. 56858 and 3.24, respectively, were recorded by drip fertigation at 150 per cent RDF with radish as intercrop system.
  • Authors:
    • Manoharan, S.
    • Muthukrishnan, P.
    • Fanish, S. A.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Agricultural Research
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted during kharif 2008-2009 at Tamil Nadu agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of drip fertigation on growth, yield and economics of intensive maize based intercropping system. Drip fertigated maize with 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with 50 per cent P and K as water soluble fertilizer recorded significantly higher grain yield followed by 150 per cent RDF. Among the different intercropping systems, radish intercropped with maize registered higher maize grain equivalent yield of 11153 kg ha -1. Drip irrigation saved water upto 43 per cent, besides enhancing the water use efficiency. Higher net returns (Rs. 56858) and B:C ratio (3.24) were obtained under dripfertigation with 150 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer and radish as intercrop.
  • Authors:
    • Muthukrishnan, P.
    • Fanish, S. A.
    • Sekar, S. P.
  • Source: Crop Research (Hisar)
  • Volume: 42
  • Issue: 1/2/3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted during kharif 2008 and 2009 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of drip fertigation on growth, yield and economics in intensive maize based intercropping system. During kharif 2008, drip fertigated maize at 150% RDF recorded significantly higher grain yield of 7338 kg/ha. Whereas during kharif 2009, higher grain yield of 7464 kg/ha was recorded under drip fertigation of 100% RDF with 50% P and K as water soluble fertilizer (WSF). Among the different intercropping systems, radish intercropped with maize registered a higher maize grain equivalent yield (MEY) of 11153 kg/ha. Drip irrigation helped to save the water upto 43% compared to surface irrigation besides enhancing the water use efficiency. A higher net return (Rs. 56858) and B:C ratio (3.24) were obtained under drip fertigation of 150% RDF+radish as intercrop combination.
  • Authors:
    • Kumar, V.
    • Kumar, V.
    • Saharawat, Y. S.
    • Ladha, J. K.
    • Gathala, M. K.
    • Sharma, P. K.
  • Source: Soil Science Society of America Journal
  • Volume: 75
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Rice-wheat (Oryza sativa L.-Triticum aestivum L.) rotation is the major production system in Asia, covering about 18 million ha. Conventional practice of growing rice (puddled transplanting) and wheat (conventional till, CT) deteriorate soil physical properties, and are input- and energy-intensive. Zero-tillage (ZT) along with drill-seeding have been promoted to overcome these problems. A 7-yr permanent plot study evaluated various tillage and crop establishment (CE) methods on soil physical properties with an aim to improve soil health and resource-use efficiency. Treatments included transplanting and direct-seeding of rice on flat and raised beds with or without tillage followed by wheat in CT and ZT soil. Bulk density (D(b)) of the 10- to 20-cm soil layer was highest under puddled treatments (1.74-1.77 Mg m(-3)) and lowest under ZT treatments (1.66-1.71 Mg m(-3)). Likewise, soil penetration resistance (SPR) was highest at the 20-cm depth in puddled treatments (3.46-3.72 MPa) and lowest in ZT treatments (2.51-2.82 MPa). Compared with conventional practice, on average, water-stable aggregates (WSAs) > 0.25 mm were 28% higher in ZT direct-seeding with positive time trend of 4.02% yr(-1). Infiltration was higher (0.29-0.40 cm h(-1)) in ZT treatments than puddled treatments (0.18 cm h(-1)). The least-limiting water range was about double in ZT direct-seeding than that of conventional practice. Gradual improvement in soil physical parameters in ZT system resulted in improvement in wheat yield and is expected to be superior in long-run on system (rice+wheat) basis. Further research is needed to understand mechanisms and requirements of two cereals with contrasting edaphic requirements in their new environment of ZT direct-seeding.
  • Authors:
    • Dadhwal, K. S.
    • Sharma, N. K.
    • Ghosh, B. N.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Soil Conservation
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Agricultural land use coupled with cropping system and integrated nutrient management (INM) can enhance crop yields, water productivity, improve soil health and income to the farmers. To test this hypothesis, four technologies namely rainfed; (i) maize+cowpea (1:2)-wheat, (ii) maizewheat+mustard (9:1), (iii) irrigated, paddy-wheat, paddy (System of rice intensification, SRI) - wheat and (iv) maize-potato-onion with INM to each crop rotations were experimented and demonstrated on farmer's fields in the agroclimatic zone of valley land of north-west Himalayas (Agro-ecological 14) in the districts of Dehradun (Uftarakhand) and Sirmour (Himachal pradesh) during 2007-09. Two years pooled data indicated that maize-potato-onion rotation rendered highest maize equivalent yield (18762 kg ha -1) among all the cropping system, followed by paddy wheat (10789 kg ha -1) and maize-wheat+mustard intercropping system (4826 kg ha -1). Of the two rainfed systems, maize-wheat+mustard gave slightly higher (1.5%) maize equivalent yield than maize- + cowpea-wheat sequence whereas under limited irrigation condition, maize-potato-onion exhibited significantly higher (73.9%) maize equivalent yield than paddy-wheat system. Results also revealed that on an average, yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and net return increased to the tune of 40.7, 44.7 and 89.9%, respectively on adoption of technology in the farmer's field over conventional farming irrespective of crop rotations. Water use in system of rice intensification (SRI) with INM technology was 80-90 mm less than fanners practice. On adoption of INM technology, the soil quality index (SQI) improved from 11.9 to 18.8% exhibiting highest in maize-potato-onion and lowest in paddy-wheat system. It is inferred that maize-potato-onion under limited irrigation treatment and maize-wheat+mustard under rainfed conditions are the best management options for maximizing water productivity, net return and soil quality.
  • Authors:
    • Gill, B. S.
    • Singh, D.
    • Singh, G.
    • Salaria, A.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Arecanut Spices and Medicinal Plants
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: This paper briefly discusses the agronomic requirements of onion-mint (Mentha arvensis, M. piperita, M. spicata and M. citrata [M. piperita var. citrata]) intercropping systems in India (mainly in semi-temperate regions of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar). Optimum cultivation conditions in terms of climate and soil type, field preparation, sowing rate and seed treatment, planting date and method, fertilizer application, irrigation, weed control (cultural and chemical methods) and harvesting are presented.