• Authors:
    • Deka, S.
    • Kattarkandi, B.
    • Singh, S.
    • Choudhary, R.
  • Source: Current Advances in Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Global warming poses a potential threat to agricultural production and productivity. Maize ( Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereals of the world and provides more human food than any other cereal. The study reported in this paper, uses field experiments and simulation models to understand the impact of changing climate on growth and yield of maize plant. In field environment, growth and yield of maize was greatly affected by temperature changes associated with sowing dates. Yield was reduced in late sown crops due to the harmful effect of chilling temperature. Application of irrigation had positive effect on crop growth. Biomass and grain yield as well as other yield attributes were higher in irrigated treatments than the rainfed one. InfoCrop model satisfactorily simulated crop phenology, leaf area index, dry matter production and yield of maize in Delhi. Impact assessment of maize yield to temperature rise showed reduction in yield in both Delhi and Patna with atmospheric temperature rise during the kharif season with percentage reduction was similar in both locations. In rabi crop, future temperature increase initially showed a positive response up to 2degreesC. Climate change is projected to reduce kharif maize yield in India, however, projected increase in rainfall may be beneficial in some locations during rabi season.
  • Authors:
    • Animesh, S.
  • Source: APANews
  • Issue: 37
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The cultivation of vegetables under Dendrocalamus asper plantation in Jharkhand, India, is briefly described. The five-year old plantation was intercropped with potatoes, tomatoes, ginger and pea. The yield of potatoes, ginger and tomatoes decreased when cultivated in a bamboo plantation as compared to the data from the monoculture plantation. The performances of pea and ginger were found satisfactory.
  • Authors:
    • Manorama, K.
    • Lal, S.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Agronomy
  • Volume: 55
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Field trials were conducted on sandy clay loam soils of the Nilgiris during summer seasons of 2003 to 2005 to study the intercropping possibilities of French beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L), maize ( Zea mays L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L) with potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) in three population proportions (75:25, 75:50 and 50:50) under rainfed conditions. The results indicated that potato+French bean at 75:50 population recorded significantly higher potato equivalent yield, (PEY) (27.1 t/ha), land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.28) and net returns (Rs 69,090) over sole potato. Intercropping of potato with wheat and maize resulted in significant decrease in PEY over sole potato. Potato is more competitive than other crops as evident from Relative Crowding Coefficient (RCC) values. However, at 50:50 ratios, French bean and maize are more competitive. Potato+maize (75:50 and 50:50) was found soil exhaustive while potato+French bean is soil restorative system.
  • Authors:
    • Singh, K.
    • Nandita, G.
  • Source: Proceedings of the 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Congress Symposium 4: Greenhouse gases from soils
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Management strategies in agroecosystems may influence C balance in soil through variation in C input to soil and also by causing variation in C output from soil. In a two year study we evaluated the effect of application of soil inputs with varying resource quality viz: high quality (C:N 16; HQR), low quality (C:N 82; LQR) and mixed quality (HQR +LQR; MQR) inputs having equivalent amount of N, on the soil CO 2 flux, % C build-up, soil C balance and crop productivity in a tropical dryland rice-barley-summer fallow agroecosystem. Addition of LQR singly resulted in high probability of C retention capacity compared to other treatments, however lower levels of soil C build-up, and crop productivity was observed. On the other hand, although in HQR treatment the C balance approached almost unity, the C build-up and crop productivity was comparable to that of the LQR treatment. Combining the two inputs resulted in significant build-up of soil C and enhancement of crop productivity and also indicated high C sequestration capacity. It is concluded that for sequestration of C, the resource quality of the input i.e., the form of C, labile or recalcitrant, is more important than the absolute amount of C added to the soil through exogenous inputs.
  • Authors:
    • Rao, K.
    • Nedunchezhiyan, M.
    • Satapathy, B.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 80
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted during 2006-08 in Alfisols under rainfed conditions to investigate the productivity potential, biological efficiency and economics of sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.)-based strip intercropping systems. Among the crops tested, sweet potato as a sole crop recorded higher yield (13 367 kg/ha) than other crops. Among strip intercropping, sweet potato tuber yield was higher (8 538 kg/ha) in sweet potato+pigeonpea. In sweet potato+pigeonpea intercropping increase in number of tubers/plant (3.1), tuber length (12.6 cm), mean tuber diameter (8.9 cm) and tuber yield/plant (213 g) were noticed than sole sweet potato. All the strip intercropping systems showed superiority over sole crops in terms of sweet potato tuber equivalent yield. However, sweet potato+pigeonpea intercropping system recorded significantly higher tuber equivalent yield (13 534 kg/ha) than other intercropping systems. Strip intercropping system of sweet potato+pigeonpea resulted in higher LER (1.31), the product of relative crowding co-efficient (K=3.52) and benefit:cost ratio (3.24).
  • Authors:
    • Nandita, G.
    • Pratibha, S.
  • Source: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
  • Volume: 137
  • Issue: 3/4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Total biological productivity and soil microbial biomass are important characteristics to describe sustainable agroecosystems. We investigated the impact of herbicide, alone or in combination with soil amendments, on crop and weed productivity and microbial biomass in a rice ( Oryza sativa)-barley ( Hordeum vulgare)-summer fallow rotation in a tropical rainfed agroecosystem. Total net productivity (TNP) of crops was greater with herbicide (Butachlor)+chemical fertilizer (NPK), herbicide+farmyard animal manure, and herbicide+green manure ( Sesbania aculeata) than with herbicide+crop residue ( Triticum aestivum straw), herbicide only, and the control without amendment. Weed TNP was highest in the control, lowest in herbicide only, and intermediate in combined herbicide and amendment treatments except herbicide+crop residue. The sum of crop TNP and weed TNP was highest in herbicide+green manure and lowest in herbicide only. Microbial biomass C and N were greater with herbicide and amendment treatments than with herbicide only. Microbial biomass showed distinct temporal variation. Yearly plant input to soil had strong correlation with microbial biomass in the control and herbicide only treatments. In these agroecosystems, combining organic soil amendments with herbicide application could help sustain soil fertility and maintain higher total biological productivity.
  • Authors:
    • Prakash, H.
    • Dabbas, M.
    • Singh, R.
    • Singh, D.
  • Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The study was carried out during 1997-98 to 2003-04 under Diversified Agricultural Support Project-a-World Bank Funded Project of Uttar Pradesh. The objective of this study was to increase the income and improve the cash flow system of small-marginal farmers, residing in the vicinity of town and urban. The pilot area was selected at Kaimganj in Farrukhabad district, having sandy loam to loam soils and maximum area cover with plantation crops viz., mango, ber and guava. Five to seven year old mango fields were selected for two tier cropping system. The alleys of mango tree intercropped with important vegetable crops like potato, brinjal, pumpkin, vegetable pea, garlic and onion, because the local market is available for the disposal of these vegetable crops. Generally, farmers planted Dashari mango at the distance of 8*8 m in rows. The associated crop of potato planted at the distance of 50 cm apart on 12 ridges between two rows of mango and adjusted 75% plant stand. Onion planted in 40 rows at 15 cm apart in the interspaces of two rows of mango and 75% plant stand was adjusted. Three rows of pumpkin were planted between two rows of mango at 200*50*75 cm apart and adjusted 75% plant population. Vegetable pea planted in 20 rows at 30 cm apart between two rows of mango and plant stand was adjusted 75%. Brinjal planted at 60 cm apart in 10 rows between two rows of mango and adjusted 72% plant population in interspaces of mango. The 75% plant stand of garlic was adjusted with plantation of 40 rows at 15 cm apart between two rows of mango. Potato, brinjal, green fruits of pumpkin, green pods of vegetable pea, garlic and onion yield 225, 218, 278, 92, 73, and 255 q/ha, respectively. The mango based cropping systems have maintained cash flow system and improved the economic status of farming community. The standards of living of small and marginal farm families scaled up and created eco-friendly environment.
  • Authors:
    • Singh, I.
    • Singh, P.
    • Yadav, D.
    • Yadav, R.
    • Singh, S.
  • Source: Experimental Agriculture
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted for the three consecutive cropping seasons of 2003-05, 2004-06 and 2005-07 at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India, to explore the feasibility of planting sugarcane in autumn as a relay intercrop in standing rice. The cropping systems evaluated were: (i) rice-potato-spring sugarcane; (ii) rice+autumn sugarcane (planted as a relay intercrop in every sixth row devoid (skipped) of transplanted rice)+potato after rice; (iii) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted without preparatory tillage)+potato; and (iv) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted with preparatory tillage)+potato. In each case, sugarcane was planted in rows 90 cm apart. Rice was transplanted in rows at 20-cm row spacing when followed by potato or sugarcane, but at 18-cm row spacing when intended for sugarcane planting as a relay intercrop in late September. The germination (60.4%) of cane buds, tillers (323 000 ha -1) and number (149 000 ha -1), length (225 cm), girth (2.44 cm) and weight (747 g) of millable canes were markedly better when autumn sugarcane was planted with rice as a relay intercrop in comparison to other cropping systems. Similarly, this cropping system produced the maximum cane (111.4 t ha -1) and sugar (13.2 t ha -1) along with sugarcane equivalent yield (216.4 t ha -1). In turn, relay intercropping system with maximum cane production efficiency of 420 kg ha -1day -1 fetched the highest economic returns (Rs. 258 ha -1day -1) and benefit:cost ratio (1.5). Compared with the rice-potato-spring sugarcane cropping system, the relay intercrop of autumn sugarcane in standing rice produced 35.4% more cane and 38.3% more sugar with 24.1% higher returns besides 79.1% energy saving. This practice will not only benefit cane growers and sugar mill owners in tropical and sub-tropical India, but also in other parts of the world where rice and sugarcane are extensively cultivated.
  • Authors:
    • Mohd, M.
    • Tahir, S.
  • Source: Agricultural and Biological Research
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The experiment on intercropping of potato with turnip, radish, rutabaga and kale was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Sub-Station SKUAST-K Kargil during 2006-2007 to study the agronomic and economic productivity as well as advantages of intercropping as compared to sole crops. The potato equivalent yield was found to be significantly higher when potato was intercropped with Kale (279 q/ha.) while as potato equivalent yields of all other intercrop combinations was considerably lower compared to sole potato crop (248 q/ha.). Economic analysis of sole and intercrop association indicated that potato in combination with Kale gave higher economic returns (Rs. 191500) than other intercrop combinations and sole crops.
  • Authors:
    • Jajoo, S. B.
    • Kambale, P. G.
    • Atal, G. R.
  • Source: Green Farming OR Soil & Water Conservation Engineering
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: A study was conducted to suggest optimal resources allocation i.e. land and water using linear programming model for Amravati district in Maharashtra State. Considering the land capability classification, availability of water in different seasons, crop water requirements, food requirements of the district, affinity towards the crops and investment capacity of peoples, crop plan was developed to maximize the net return. In existing crop plan during kharif season major area is under cotton (32.41%) followed by soybean (20.19%) whereas in proposed optimal crop plan without capital constraints major area was allocated under soybean (30%), cotton (10%) and jowar (10%) of cultivable area. In rabi major area in existing crop plan is under gram (5.2%) whereas in proposed plan area is allocated to wheat (30%) followed by gram (27%). In existing crop plan gross investment and net return were Rs. 9,268 and Rs. 4,906 per ha where as in proposed plan Rs. 16,057 and Rs. 9,642 per ha. Thus increases net return by Rs. 4,362 by increasing gross investment of Rs. 6,415 per ha.