Renu Publishers

Rice is one of the important cereal crops grown throughout the world. There are various factors like climate, soil, variety and management are influencing the growth and yields of rice. Selection of best performing cultivar, proper irrigation scheduling and nutrient management techniques can play a key role in improving the productivity of rice. To evaluate these constraints the data was taken from an experiment conducted for two years during kharif 2009 and 2010 at Water Technology Centre, College Farm, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and was used to calibrate and evaluate the DSSAT model for rice. In the experiment, there were three cultivars (Tellahamsa, IR 64 and MTU 1010), two crop establishment methods (Aerobic rice and transplanted rice) and five nitrogen levels (100,150, 200, 250 and 300 kg ha^-1) which were laid in split –split plot design. The inputs like soil data, weather data, crop data, genetic coefficients, irrigation scheduling and harvesting dates were given to the model for calibration and validation. The observed and model predicted yields were evaluated and the outcome revealed that the predicted values were statistically similar to the observed values with a mean RMSEn of 2.26 and 22.2 for crop establishment methods, 2.02 and 18.87 for cultivars and 4.43 and 16.01 for Nitrogen levels during the years of study. The sensitivity analysis when performed with 1^oC increase and decrease in temperature significantly affected the rice yield. The decrease in daily maximum and minimum temperatures of the region has increased the yield. However, the increase in temperature forecast a drastic reduction in the

grain yield of rice

The field experiment was carried out at Instructional Farm, The Neotia University, West Bengal to study the effect of sulphur fertilization and dates of sowing on the growth, yield attributes and yield of sunflower during two consecutive winters of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The soil of the experimental field was fine in texture and clayey in nature, having 213.6 kg/ha available N, 11.08 kg/ha available P, 234.08 kg/ha exchangeable K and 0.46 % organic carbon. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design,

replicated thrice, having four levels of Sulphur fertilization viz. S0, Control, S1, 20 kg S/ha, S₂, 40 kg S/ ha, S3, 60 kg S/ha, respectively considered as main-plot, while, 4 levels of date of sowing, viz., D1,sowing at 1st fortnight of November, D2, 2^_nd fortnight of November, D3, 1st fortnight of December and D4, 2nd fortnight of December, respectively were considered as sub-plot treatment of the experiment. The variety of sunflower was Divakar. The recommended dose of fertilizer was 80 kg N: 60 kg P₂O₅: 40 kg K₂O ha^-1. The results showed that application of 60 kg S ha-1,i.e., S3, recorded highest values of all the growth, yield attributes, seed yield (26.35 q ha^-1) and oil yield (11.38 q ha^-1) than all other treatments. D1 i.e., sowing at 1st fortnight of November recorded highest values of seed yield (25.94 q ha^-1), oil content (43.03 %) and oil yield (11.38 q ha^-1) of sunflower.

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of drip emitters and micro sprinklers under field conditions

for cultivating tomatoes, with a focus on improving irrigation efficiency and minimizing field losses. The

investigation involved assessing moisture distribution patterns for both micro-irrigation techniques. The

data on moisture content before and after irrigation were scrutinized, and soil moisture contour maps

for the longitudinal cross-section were created using the “Surfer” software. Results indicated that the

drip system displayed a uniformity coefficient of 89.25% at 1.2 kg/cm^₂, while the micro sprinkler system

exhibited uniformity coefficients of 89.80% and 88.50% at 25cm and 50cm heights from the ground,

respectively. The coefficient of manufacturing variation was low (0.048) in the drip irrigation system at

1.20 kg/cm². Regarding crop response, notable enhancements in growth parameters and tomato yield

were observed under micro sprinkler irrigation compared to both drip and control treatments. The

micro sprinkler treatment yielded the highest production at 54.3 t/ha, surpassing the drip (53.6 t/ha) and

control (40 t/ha) treatments. Drip irrigation demonstrated the highest water use efficiency (245 kg/ha/

mm), utilizing the least amount of water, including effective rainfall (350 mm). The benefit-cost (B-C) ratio

increased for the micro sprinkler treatment (3.56) compared to drip (3.37) and control (3.07) treatments,

indicating superior economic performance. In summary, the micro sprinkler treatment outperformed

the drip plots in terms of yield and cost-effectiveness, despite the drip treatment exhibiting higher water

use efficiency.

Occurrence of severe drought in northeastern Kenya has emerged as a critical threat to the giraffe

population in the region, exacerbating a multitude of pre-existing challenges. The primary concern stems

from the drying up of acacia trees, a crucial feed source for giraffes. As these trees wither due to the

prolonged drought, the giraffes are confronted with a diminishing feed supply, leading to malnutrition

and an alarming decline in their overall population. One immediate consequence of the drought is the

migration of giraffes to neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia in search of sustenance.

Unfortunately, the situation in these regions, particularly Somalia, has been aggravated by persistent

civil unrest since 1991. The ongoing conflict not only exacerbates the challenges faced by giraffes but also

poses additional threats to their survival. The violence and instability in these areas hinder conservation

efforts, making it more difficult to implement protective measures and conservation programs. Beyond

the drought and migration, giraffes in northeastern Kenya are grappling with a host of other issues.

Habitat loss, primarily driven by human activities such as deforestation and land development, further

diminishes the available living space for giraffes. The encroachment of agriculture, expanding settlements,

and infrastructure development contribute to the shrinking of their natural habitats.

Soil fertility decline and moisture deficits are major challenges facing crop production in semi-arid areas.

Soil water conservation, in combination with nutrient management, might be useful in agricultural land

restoration in tropical developing countries. This study aimed to examine the interactive effect of Zai pits

and conventional planting with soil amendment on restoring soil physico-chemical properties in semiarid

areas. The selected physico-chemical properties were soil pH, soil organic carbon, nitrogen content,

available phosphorus, aggregate stability, and soil moisture. A field experiment was carried out for three

consecutive cropping seasons SR20, SR21, and LR21. Two planting techniques (conventional and Zai pit)

and five soil amendment options (control, cattle manure, Tithonia diversifolia, 60 kg N ha⁻¹, cattle manure

+ 30 kg N ha^-1, Tithonia + 30 kg N ha^-1) were tested. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with

twelve treatments and three replications was used. Results revealed a significant increase in soil fertility

parameter pH (p<.001), TN (p=0.003), OC (p=0.014), and Av. P (p=0.004). A significant increase in aggregate

stability in Zai pits than in conventional planting was equally observed. Additionally, a significant increase

in volumetric water content was observed in Zai treatments as compared with conventional treatments at

a depth of 35 cm. The combination of soil amendments with Zai pits and conventional planting enhanced

soil nutrient availability meanwhile improving water retention. Application of soil amendment with Zai

pits and conventional planting is therefore recommended in semi-arid areas. Particularly, Zai pits would

be essential for moisture retention and infiltration of water in arid and semi-arid areas.

Research was conducted to design a single-flight horizontal screw conveyor metering mechanism for

disposed of vermicompost manure into the subsurface of soil. All the components of the screw conveyor

were constructed from locally available materials for the mixing of vermicompost manure properly

and delivered into the delivery pipe of size 70 mm through which it dropped into the furrow made by

the furrow opener of tractor drawn subsurface manure applicator already design in Farm Machinery

and Power Engineering Department of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar

Uttarakhand. The design was made by computing the hopper volume, shaft diameter, screw geometry,

and the discharge capacity of the conveyor respectively. Vermicompost spreading from one location

to another in the field is difficult task due to non-uniformly distribution of it into the field during the

broadcasting method. Hence a horizontal screw conveyor mechanism was designed which could mixed

the vermicompost properly and then disposed it in correct ratio So a screw flight of pitch 90 mm and a

thickness of screw of 3 mm was welded over the solid shaft. The length of the shaft was 1800 mm with

a pitch angle of 290. Three different screw flight outer diameters viz. 96, 106 and 116 mm were selected

and tested in the workshop for performance evaluation screw mechanism at four different moisture

contents namely.13,21, 31 and 43% respectively. For this purpose, a three-phase variable speed electric

motor was connected to the applicator by a telescopic universal joint shaft of length 916.6 mm inclined at

80 from the horizontal. The screw conveyor mechanism was rotated at different rotational speeds namely

14,21,28,35 and 42 rpm. Therefore, the result pertained that for handling of vermicompost manure at

a discharge rate of 10 t ha^-1 (recommended dose), the screw conveyor flight of outer diameter 116 mm,

vermicompost moisture of 43 % (d.b) and the tractor forward speed was normally maintained between

2.0 to 3.0 km h^-1 were recommended respective

The composting is one of the pre-eminent recycling technologies of biodegradable waste that produces

an augmented nutrient source of manure. Further, a carbon-rich product, the biochar, amended in

composting with agricultural wastes aids in nutrient enhancement of soil health and microbial taxa in soil.

This process is potentially a cost effective, eco-friendly technique that degrades the organic wastes and

transform to valuable manure which is used in soil application and thereby a soil nutrient enhancer. In

this study, initially the potential Biochar Amended Compost (BAC) was evaluated from various compost

treatments. The fungal species, Pleurotus ostreatus stimulated the lignin degradation of the organic wastes

which is used in all the treatments throughout compost progression. Among them, the wood biochar

compost (Compost bed A) treatment was characterised to be potentially best with nutrients during the

initial and final stages of composting followed by Coconut shell biochar compost (Compost bed B) and

rice husk biochar compost (Compost bed C). Moreover, the metagenomic study revealed the microbial

taxa of the treatment with wood biochar compost with a higher diversity of species in the final compost

which extracted the most promising strains of microbial communities that is responsible for the plant

growth, plant growth promoting hormones, anti pathogenitic, heavy metal resistance, lignin degradation,

degradation of aromatic compounds, biochemical functions (Photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, symbiosis,

denitrification etc.,) soil rhizosphere colonisers and other enzymes responsible for soil health and plant

growth. Thus, BAC is an appropriately valuable and cost effective approach for soil reclamation and

health. Besides, metagenomic study is a unique approach for the study of microbial strains which is the

most effective system of studying microbial community.

The impact of conservation tillage (CT) on soil health and its implications for achieving agricultural

sustainability are of paramount importance in modern agriculture. Conservation tillage practices, such

zero and reduced tillage, mulch tillage, ridge tillage, and contour tillage have gained significant attention

for their potential to enhance soil health while mitigating adverse environmental effects. CT technologies

are known to improve soil health in several ways. These practices reduce soil disturbance, preserving

soil structure and preventing erosion. By leaving crop residues on the field, CT enhances organic matter

content, fostering microbial activity and nutrient cycling. This, facilitates to enhance soil health and

productivity by improving soil physico-chemical and biological activities. The benefits of CT extend

beyond soil health to broader agricultural sustainability. Reduced soil erosion and improved moisture

retention contribute to enhanced resilience in the consequences of climate change. CT also reduces the

need for fuel and equipment, leading to cost savings for farmers and a reduction in greenhouse gas

emissions. The adoption of CT is a significant step toward a more sustainable and resilient agriculture

system in the face of global challenges. The present study investigates the influence of CT on soil health

for achieving agricultural sustainability.