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In direct seeded rice, weeds are the major problems limiting the crop productivity. Sesbania with direct seeded rice (DSR) as well as seeding rates of rice affects the weed density by smothering effect and therefore, it can be a better weed management practice. Two year on farm trials were conducted at the Kusma, Boarijore Block and Bhaluka, Sundarpahadi block of Godda from 2020 and 2021 to assess the effect of weed management on yields and economics in DSR. The results revealed that significantly the lowest density of grasses, broad leaved weeds (BLWs), sedges, total weed density, total weed dry weight and the highest weed control efficiency were recorded with the treatment of DSR + Sesbania over DSR (pre-sowing irrigation followed by tillage and rice seeding) followed by first post-sowing irrigation at 15 DAS and the farmer’s practice. Weed management practice, DSR + Sesbania was found significantly higher grain yield, gross returns, net returns, B: C ratio, production efficiency and economic efficiency over to followed by first post sowing irrigation at 15 DAS and farmer’s practice. While the farmer’s practice was recorded higher weed index and lowest weed control efficiency. Thus, on the basis present study it is concluded that weed management practice i.e. DSR + Sesbania could be a better option to reduced the weed infestation as well as improves the productivity of DSR in rainfed agro-ecosystem of Jharkhand.

A field experiment entitled studies on weed management and phosphorus fertilization in clusterbean was conducted consecutively during kharif 2015 and 2016 at Instructional Farm (Agronomy), Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur. The test crop (Clusterbean) was growing with eight weed management treatment in main plots [pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 as Pre emergence (PE), pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 as PE + hand weeding (HW) 30 DAS, pendimethalin + imazethapyr 0.8 kg ha-1 PE, pendimethalin + imazethapyr 0.8 kg ha-1 PE + HW 30 DAS, imazethapyr + imazamox 0.05 kg ha-1 at 15 DAS, imazethapyr + imazamox 0.05 kg ha-1 at 15 DAS + HW 30 DAS, HW at 15 & 30 DAS and weedy check] and four phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1) levels in sub plots. Among different weed control treatments, hand weeding at 15 & 30 DAS, pre-emergence pendimethalin + imazethapyr (RM) 0.8 kg ha-1 PE + HW 30 DAS and post-emergence imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 0.05 kg ha-1 15 DAS+HW 30 DAS were most effective in respect of reducing weed density, weed biomass, nutrient removal by weed and to promote yield and quality of clusterbean as compared to rest of other weed control treatments. Highest seed yield (1126 kg ha-1) and halum yield of clusterbean were observed in hand weeding at 15 & 30 DAS but maximum net return (Rs. 48125/-) was recorded in pendimethalin + imazethapyr (RM) 0.8 kg ha-1 PE + HW 30 DAS followed by imazethapyr + imazamox (RM) 0.05 kg ha-1 and two hand weeding at 15 & 30 DAS. Further, they were also found responsible for highest uptake of N, P and K by clusterbean crop and lowest uptake of these plant nutrients by weed plants. Application of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded significantly higher clusterbean yield and uptake of N, P and K by clusterbean crop and lowest uptake by weed plant sover rest of the treatments during both years of experimentation.

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of integrated nutrition along with application of micronutrient and biofertilizers on productivity and profitability of french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at the ICARRC for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, during rabi 2013–15. Treatment consisted of four nutrition levels, viz. control, 100% RDF (80-60-30-20 kg NPKS/ha), 100% RDN (RDN:80 kg/ha through 16 t/ha of FYM), 75% RDF + 25% RDN and 100% RDF + 25% RDN in main-plot and five levels of biofertilizers + micronutrient, viz. control, PGPR (Rhizobimum + Bacillus + Pseudomonas), PGPR + 5 kg Zn/ha, PGPR + 1.5 kg Mo/ha and PGPR + 5 kg Zn + 1.5 kg Mo/ha in sub-plot. Experiment was laid out in split-plot design and replicated thrice. Significantly higher seed yield (1630 kg/ha) was recorded with application of 100% RDF + 25% RDN, which was 30% higher over 100% RDN. Maximum net returns (₹ 21399/ha), B:C ratio (1.31), production efficiency (15.8 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (₹ 305/ha/day) were noted with 100% RDF + 25% RDN. Maximum grain yield (1551 kg/ha) had recorded with PGPR +5 kg Zn ha+1.5 kg Mo/ha. Maximum net returns (₹ 29941/ha), B:C ratio (1.30), production efficiency (15.1 kg/ ha/day) and economic efficiency (₹ 210/ha/day) were also noted with PGPR+5 kg Zn ha + 1.5 kg Mo/ha. Thus, to achieve the higher productivity and profitability, french bean could be grown with 100% RDF+25% RDN through organic manures (FYM) and seed inoculation with PGPRs + micronutrient in foot hill condition of Eastern Himalayas.

Background: Farmers are facing many constraints related with pigeonpea cultivation therefore proper resources management and scientific practices can increase the production and productivity of pigeonpea. Drip and mulching can be a way to achieve the goal of more crop per drop. Methods: The field experiments were conducted during kharif season of year 2016-17 and 2017-18. The study area is located (23°16'48'' N-latitude, 77°21'36'' E-longitude) in Madhya Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in vertisols with twenty seven treatment combinations consisting of three mulching, three discharge rate (2 lph-D1, 4 lph-D2 and 8 lph-D3) and three irrigation levels viz. 60% CPE (I1), 80% CPE (I2) and 100% CPE (I3). Well treated bold seeds of pigeonpea (TJT-501) were dibbed in soil on ridge-furrow land configuration. Result: The plant height was maximum in 2 lph (175.78 cm), I2 (176.10 cm) and number of branches, number of pods per plant, seeds per pod also followed the same trend. Maximum yield was registered with D1 (16.48 q/ha) followed by D2 (14.91 q/ha) and D3 (14.46 q/ha). Irrigation level I2 (16.01 q/ha) registered 13.77% higher seed yield than I1 (14.07 q/ha). In case of discharge rate, B:C decreased as rate increased. Among irrigation level treatments, lowest value (1.26) of B:C recorded with 60% CPE whereas highest B:C (1.56) was registered with 80% CPE, which is at par with 100% CPE (1.52). It can be concluded that pigeonpea cultivation is not economical with mulch and 100% supply of irrigation during kharif. It is viable to supply irrigation as per CPE only at branching, flowering and pod development stages.

In intensive agriculture, integrated plant nutrient management takes care of both crop nutritional needs as well as soil fertility considerations leading to increased crop yields through judicious consumption of inorganic nutrients in cropping systems. There is an urgent need to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers and in turn increase application of microbes along with organic manures, which are known to improve the physicochemical properties of the soil and supply of nutrients in an available form to plants. Therefore, integrated use of microbes for nutrient and disease management, along with organic manures and inorganic fertilizers simultaneously has been suggested as the most effective method to maintain a healthy and sustainable soil, while increasing crop productivity. Inoculation with these methods was found to increase crop yields by ~10–15% under farm conditions. In many situations, this association also leaves substantial amounts of residual nitrogen fixation for subsequent cropping systems. Use of biofertilizers requires special skills and therefore farmers need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills of using various biofertilizers in order to promote sustainability. Hence, this chapter enlightens the reader on the effect of different microbes [Rhizobium, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)] alone as well as in combinations with organic and inorganic additives on crop productivity and soil health.

Interestingly more than 50% of the world’s area is rainfed and approximately 80% of maize is cultivated under rainfed condition where selection of cultivar and management of nitrogen have major impact on production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth, phenology, yield and quality parameters of maize as influenced by variety and nitrogen scheduling under rainfed condition. For this, a field experiment having two factors was laid out in a factorial randomised block design and replicated three times. The first factor was variety, i.e., V1 (JM 216) and V2 (JM 218), and the second was six nitrogen scheduling, i.e., N1 to N6, in which nitrogen splitting was done based on 30-years of average rainfall data. Variety JM 218 and N5 [40 kg N as basal followed by (fb) 2 splits of 40 kg N and 38.8 kg N at 30 and 52 days after sowing (DAS) and 1% N foliar spray at 40 DAS] nitrogen scheduling were found promising under rainfed situation because it recorded maximum value of growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield and quality parameters (protein, mineral and dickson quality index). Thus, it can be inferred that JM 218 and N5 nitrogen schedule would be a better choice than alternative options.

A field trial was conducted to assess the performance of blackgram cultivars to row spacings and molybdenum doses at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh), under rainfed conditions during kharif season of 2011. The treatments comprised of three varieties viz., Indra urd-1, RU-03-16 and RU-03-52; two row spacings viz., 30x10 cm and 45 x 10 cm and three treatments of molybdenum viz., control, 4 g/kg seed and 4 g/kg seed + two spray of urea @ 2%. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Results revealed that all the growth and yield attibutes such as number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, seeds/plant, seed yield (781 kg/ha), biological yield (2736 kg/ha) and harvest index (29.71%) noticed significantly higher under cultivar Indra urd-1. Similarly, maximum production efficiency (9.52 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rs. 218.82/ha/day) and gross returns (Rs. 32,335/ha) were also recorded in Indra urd-1 as compared to rest of the cultivars. Further results showed that all the growth and yield attributes viz., number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, seeds/plant, seed yield (778 kg/ha), biological yield (2653 kg/ha) and harvest index (29.10%) recorded significantly higher in row spacing of 30 x 10 cm as compared to 45 x 10 cm. Maximum production efficiency (9.49 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rs. 216.44/ha/day) and gross returns (Rs. 32,107/ha) were also recorded in 30 x 10 cm. Application of molybdenum @ 4 g/kg seed along with 2% urea spray twice gave highest seed yield (810 kg/ha), biological yield (2698 kg/ha) and harvest index (29.25%) over control and seed treatment with molybdenum @ 4 g/kg. Similarly, application of molybdenum + 2% urea spray twice gave maximum production efficiency (9.88 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rs. 226.49/ha/day) and gross returns (Rs. 33,293/ha).

Field experiment was conducted on baby corn (Zea mays L.) in sandy loam soil during the pre-kharif season of 2012 and 2013 at Varanasi to assess the effect of balanced fertilization (NPKS and Zn) on productivity, quality, energetics and soil health of baby corn. Results revealed that application of 125% RDF (187.5, 93.75, 75.0 kg NPK/ha) produced significantly higher yields of total baby cob yield with husk (9.55 tonnes/ha) and total baby corn yield without husk (2.15 tonnes/ha). Similarly, the higher nutrients (NPKS) and protein content in baby corn and green husk were recorded with application of 125% RDF. Among different levels of S and Zn, application of 50 kg S and 10 kg Zn/ha produced significantly higher yields of total baby cob with husk (9.38 and 9.24 tonnes/ha) and total baby corn without husk (2.15 and 2.10 tonnes/ha), respectively. Further, the crop fertilized with 50 kg S and 10 kg Zn/ha increased the nutrients (NPKSZn) and protein contents in babycorn and green husk but it was noted being on a par with application of 25 kg S and 5 kg Zn/ha. In terms of energetics, the higher values of energy inputs (20.71 x 103 MJ/ha), energy returns (226.98 x 103 MJ/ha), net energy returns (205.98 x 103 MJ/ha), energy use efficiency (10.80), energy productivity (0.454/kg/MJ), human profitability (65.20), energy productivity (9.80), energy intensiveness (0.354 MJ/Rupees), energy output efficiency (3.78 x 103 MJ/ha/day) and energy intensity in economic terms (3.82 MJ/Rupees) were recorded with application of 125% RDF and the lowest with 100% RDF. Similarly, application of 50 kg S and 10 kg Zn/ha gave the highest values of energy inputs (18.33 and 17.91 x 103 MJ/ha), energy returns (223.12 and 219.69 x 103 MJ/ha), net energy returns (203.31and 200.09 x 103 MJ/ha), energy use efficiency (11.25 and 11.19), energy productivity (0.473 and 0.471 kg/MJ), energy intensiveness (0.330 and 0.328 MJ/Rupees), energy output efficiency (3.72 and 3.66 x 103 MJ/ha/day), energy intensity in economic terms (3.71 and 3.67 MJ/Rupees), human energy profitability (64.09 and 63.11) and energy profitability (10.25 and 10.19), respectively as compared to its preceding doses. The highest actual loss of S and Zn were recorded with application of 125% RDF, 50 kg S and 10 kg Zn/ha whereas, the maximum positive balance of S and Zn were associated with 50 kg S and 10 kg Zn/ha, respectively.

India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world accounting for about 29 per cent of the world area and 19 per cent of the world’s production. In order to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, the projected requirement by the year 2025 is estimated at 27.5 MT. To meet this requirement, the productivity needs to be enhanced to 1000 kg/ha, and an additional area of about 3-4 Mha has to be brought under pulses besides reducing post-harvest losses. This uphill task has to be accomplished under more severe production constraints, especially abiotic stresses, abrupt climatic changes, emergence of new species/ strains of insect-pests and diseases, and in-creasing deficiency of secondary and micronutrients in the soil. This requires a two-pronged proactive strategy, i.e. improving per unit productivity and reducing cost of production. The yield levels of pulses have remained low and stagnant, also area and total production. Among the pulses pigeon pea is second most important grain-legumes and major constraints in pigeon pea production is mostly grown in grown on marginal lands under rainfed agriculture and without nutrient management, hence are prone to abiotic stresses. Therefore, it is essential for higher production and productivity of pigeon pea, use of high yielding varieties which suitable for intercrop as well as sole cropping system with best nutrient management practices.

A field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture (RVSKVV), Indore during kharif 2013 to study the effect of different sources of plant nutrients on productivity, profitability nutrient uptake and soil fertility of soybean in relation to eight nutrient management treatments (T1: RDF- recommended dose of fertilizer (N:P:K:S @ 30:60:30:30 kg/ha), T2: RDF + Rhizobium + PSB (20 g/kg seed), T3: RDF + 50 kg ZnSO4/ha + Rhizobium + PSB, T4: RDF + 1 g (NH4)2MoO4/kg seed + Rhizobium + PSB, T5: RDF + 5 kg Borax/ha + Rhizobium + PSB, T6: RDF + 10 kg FeSO4/ha + Rhizobium + PSB, T7: RDF + 25 kg MnSO4/ha + Rhizobium + PSB and T8: RDF + FYM 5 t/ha + Rhizobium + PSB.). Highest seed yield (844 kg/ha) was obtained under T4, which was at par with T8. The maximum gross returns (`36,376/ha), net returns (`20,132/ha), B:C ratio (2.24), production efficiency (7.47 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (`178.16/ha) was also recorded under T4 treatment. Significantly higher nutrient uptake (52.50 and 22.79 kg N, 3.28 and 6.0 kg P, 17.84 and 24.79 kg K, 85.83 and 382.55 g Fe, 67.50 and 313.02 g Mn and 0.27 and 3.96 g Mo/ha by seed and stover, respectively) were obtained under T4. However, the highest uptake of Zn (41.39 and 40.55 g/ha by seed and stover, respectively) was recorded in T3 followed by T8. While the significantly higher uptake of B by seed and stover (24.17 and 40.80 g/ha) was recorded with the application of RDF + 5 kg Borax/ha + Rhizobium + PSB. Application of RDF + FYM 5 t/ha + Rhizobium + PSB (T8) significantly enhanced the available organic carbon (0.40%), N (174.0 kg/ha) and P2O5 (18.67 kg/ha) which was at par with T4. Higher Fe content in soil (4.81 mg/kg soil) was noted with T6, while maximum Mn (2.0 mg/kg soil) was found under T7. Maximum Zn content (0.56 mg/kg soil) was found with the application of T3, whereas, the maximum Mo content (0.048 mg/kg soil) was recorded in T4.

Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS), one of the prominent agricultural production systems, at an area of ~26 M ha is confined to the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs) in South Asia and China. Crop residues obtained from field crops are essential sources of nutrition and organic carbon (40% of total dry biomass constituted by C) for the next crops, and hence they not only increase the agricultural productivity but also are responsible for the better quality of soil, water, and air. Perhaps the most important challenge facing exhaustive RWCS in all regions of the world is effective management of post-harvest crop residues. Disposal of wheat residue is easy as it can be used to feed animals. However, due to the presence of high silica content, rice residue is usually burned. Residue burning is the main method of disposal in areas under combined harvesting in the IGPs of eastern India as it reduces cost. However, burning of crop residue (CR) is not eco-friendly as it results in fast degradation of soil organic matter and nutrients and increased CO2 emission creating intense air pollution as well as global warming. Therefore, exploitation of CR is a crucial element for a sustainable production system, and it has generated much interest in the recent years by reducing the consequence of residue burning and increasing the soil organic matter (SOM) and the nutrient-supplying capacity. CR retention infield can be considered a key element in promoting soil health with increased physical, chemical, and biological properties. In RWCS, residue management can be done by (1) wheat residue retention in rice and its residual effect in succeeding wheat crop, (2) rice straw retention in wheat and its residual impact in following rice, and (3) wheat straw retention in rice and rice straw retention in wheat (cumulative effect). All these crop residue management systems depend on a systematic understanding of the factors that control residue decomposition and their careful application. Significant factors, such as tillage/CR management, influence soil microbial activity and biomass, bulk density, soil moisture content, porosity, soil structure stability, and nutrient-supplying capacity of the soil. Thus, the variations in soil properties consequently bring change in soil C and N dynamics and have an impact on plants’ nutrient uptake capacity.

Across the world today, loss of the health of the soil is a key constraint causing reduced soil productivity and fertility, and also influencing crop yield, all major threats to food security. Intensive use of land by farmers, without undertaking appropriate nutrient management practices, results in the removal of more nutrients from the soil, which is connected to the decline in the productivity of crops. Plants need various nutrients in different ratios for their growth and development. The plants obtain these essential nutrients from soil, water, and air. Some of these nutrients are required in large amounts, whereas others are necessary in only small quantities for vegetative and reproductive growth of crop plants. As per recent speculation, reduced yield is mainly associated with reduction in the appropriate supply of nitrogen (N) by the soil, although total available N remains unaffected. In rice, silicon-solubilizing microorganisms have been noticed recently as more important for their role in the solubilization and mobilization of silicate minerals, rendering K (potassium) silicate and making potassium and silicon easily available to crop plants. Major causes of zinc deficiency in India are intensifying cultivation, unbalanced supply of nutrients, generally without zinc (Zn), and the predominance of lands with low organic matter content, calcareous nature, and high pH. Alternately, numerous microorganisms, especially those allied with roots, may increase the growth and productivity of plants. In the recent few years the use of Zn-solubilizing bacteria (ZSBs) as bio-fertilizers has acquired momentum, and bacteria are significant in improving soil nutrient content and sustaining crop production. ZSBs have been proven to have great ability to enhance Zn availability in the rhizosphere and to improve Zn supply to crop plants. Many genetically modified strains (GMSs) may be able to mobilize/solubilize more plant nutrients from the root zone. Development of GMSs with improved solubilization/mobilization of nutrients through genetic engineering and DNA technology is necessary to maintain an environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture production system. Plant breeding strategies also appear to be a more reliable and cost-effective technique to enhance Zn content in plants. This chapter is mainly focused on silicon and zinc microorganisms, their role in the uptake mechanisms and solubilization activities in plants relative to nutrient dynamics, and the potential to apply this knowledge in managing a sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture system.

Bread and rice basket of South Asia is feeding ~20% of the global population. The agricultural production system in South Asia is predominated by exhaustive cereal production system including rice, wheat, and maize. Thus, it greatly affects the livelihood and nutritional security of the rural and urban poor. Recently, cereal productivity had slowed down or stagnated. Present expansion rate in terms of yield of rice and wheat is ~2–3 times higher than in 1966–1994. During 1980s, the peak of “Green Revolution” in the agricultural production system helps in the reduction of rural and urban poverty by making food more affordable. During the 1990s, growth in yields slows down because of technological stagnation resulting in high food prices. Slow growth in yields mainly inflated on wheat and rice by ~1%. Therefore, agriculture in South Asia is presently in front of a major challenge of resource fatigue and declining crop productivity. In addition to that, a huge gap exists in yields mainly due to yield gap management, ranging from 14–47, 18–70, and 36–77% in wheat, rice, and maize, respectively. Crop residues are considered a vital natural resource for protecting and sustaining soil and crop productivity. Application of crop residues is useful for maintaining or enhancing soil organic matter (SOM). This chapter presents the perspectives on soil and environment through principles of conservation agriculture (CA) for sustainable cereal production system in Indo-Gangetic belts of South Asia.

The field experiments were conducted during kharif2013, 2014 and 2015 at Research Farm of Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Jhabua to study the effect of nutrient management practices on yields, nutrient content and economics of the soybean grown under rainfed condition of Jhabuahill. The experiment laid out in randomized block design with nine nutrient levels viz., T1-control, T2- vermicompost (5t/ha), T3-FYM (10 t/ha), T4-Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF=20 N: 30 P2O5: 20 K2O kg/ha), T5-50% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB, T6- 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost, T7-50% RDF + 25% vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB, T8- Rhizobium culture + PSB and T9- 50% vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB. Results revealed that application of application of 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost(T6) gave significantly highest seed yield (22.62 q/ha), straw yield (23.86 q/ha), biological yield (46.48), gross return (Rs. 69,230/ha), net return (Rs. 49,571/ha), production efficiency (20.56 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (450.64 Rs./ha/day) as compared to control. Whereas maximum B:C ratio (3.84) was recorded in 100% RDF followed by vermicompost @ 5 t/ha. Similarly, higher nutrient content (N, P and K) in seed as well as straw and their uptake were recorded under 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost. The highest protein content (41.99%) and protein yield (94,864 kg/ha) was also observed with the application of 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost. Hence, application of 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost better for obtain higher yields, economics and nutrient content and their uptake of soybean under rainfed condition of Jhabuahill of Madhya Pradesh

The aim of present investigation was to study the effect of foliar application of gibberellic acid (Progibb 40% WSG) spraying at 4-5 leaves stage of the maize crop. Two field experiments were conducted during kharif 2014 and rabi 2014-15 at Research Farm, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Jhabua. Seven treatments (T = 20, T 30, T 40, T 50 T 60 gibberellic acid g/ha, Tricontanol 1 2= 3= 4 = 5= 0.1%= 250 ml/ha and control) were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Results showed that variation in different doses of gibberellic acid had significant effect on growth character (plant height and silking) and yield attributes (no. of cobs/plant, cob length, no. of grains/cob and cob weight/cob); grain yield and stover yield of maize in both the seasons. Higher values of plant height (197.33 and 205.5 cm) and silking (53.67 and 54.67) was recorded with the spraying of gibberellic acid @ 60 g/ha in both the seasons, respectively. Similarly the higher yield attributes viz., no. of cobs/plant (1.48 and 1.49), cob length (17.40 and 17.78 cm), no. of grains/cob (443.33 and 456.67) and cob weight/cob (93.2 and 97.32) were recorded with the application of gibberellic acid @ 50 g/ha in both the seasons, respectively. Application of gibberellic acid @ 50 g/ha produced highest grain yield (3522 and 4277 kg/ha) and stover yield (51.05 and 5413 kg/ha) which was statistically at par with doses of 40 g/ha, 60 g/ha and tricontanol 0.1% @ 250 ml. The maximum gross return (Rs. 56,347 and 65,854), net return (37,722 and 47,229), B: C ratio (3.03 and 3.54), production efficiency (32.49 and 37.19 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (339.84 and 410.69 Rs./ha/day) recorded with gibberellic acid @ 50 g/ha. Enhancing of production, productivity and profitability of maize under Jhabua Hill of Madhya Pradesh gibberellic acid applied @ 50 g/ha at 4-5 leaf stage of crop.

Characteristically boro rice is winter season, photo-insensitive, transplanted rice cultivated on supplemental irrigation, often under conditions, where farmers’ are not able to take any other rabi season crop. Butachlor, pretilachlor, bispyribac-sodium and anilofos are the most commonly used herbicides for control of weeds in boro rice. Weed competition is one of the prime yield limiting biotic constraints resulting in yield reduction to the tune of 28 to 45%. Echinochloa spp., Cynodon dactylon, Portulaca quadrifida and Cyperus spp. are the major weeds responsible for yield reduction in boro rice. However, continuous and indiscriminate use of herbicides for a longer period may result in buildup of problematic weeds and also development of herbicide resistance in weeds. It is therefore, necessary to review the performance of promising herbicides for chemical weed management to improve the production and productivity of boro rice under the climate change scenario.

In order to ensure self-sufficiency, the current pulses requirement in the country is estimated at 22.5 MT. Keeping in view the trends in population growth rate and that several other options besides pulses are now available for meeting protein requirements of the people due to change in food habits of masses, the pulse requirement in the country is projected at 32 MT by the year 2030 and 39 million tonnes by the year 2050. This necessitates an annual growth rate of 2.2% requiring a phenomenal shift in research, technology generation, its dissemination, and commercialization along with capacity building in frontier areas of research. In every five year interval productivity will have to be enhanced by an average of about 80 kg/ha over the previous one to achieve a final productivity rate of 950 kg/ha by the end of 2025 and 1335 kg/ha by the end of 2050. The above-stated projections have been made assuming that practically it will be feasible to increase about 4 million ha additional area under pulses. The current per capita availability is estimated at 41.6 g/capita/day which was quite low (31.8 g) in 2000. Cultivation of pulses on poor soils under rainfed conditions with minimum inputs and care subject these crops to severe yield losses not only due to edaphic, abiotic and socio-economic factors but also due to confounding effects of various biotic stresses. High influence of environmental factors and their interactions with genotype are the major production constraint in pulses which lead to a limited gain in terms of productivity in most of the pulses. Therefore, for increasing of production of pulses, intercropping systems found to more beneficial in comparison to sole cropping systems in respect to profitability and soil fertility.

Nowadays the land degradation, deteorating the soil health, is the major constraint, which led to the nutrient depletion and limited potential yield of crops toward the food security worldwide. To enhance the crop production, soil sustainability is one of the ideal and sustainable approaches to overcome depleting the soil fertility status and land degradation. The rhizospheric beneficial microorganisms (RBMs) may offers rate of plant growth, agronomically, pathogenically, and environmentally advantage for intensive agricultural production system. The nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria (NFR) fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, while phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms solubilize the insoluble phosphorus (P) in the soil, potassium-solubilizing rhizobacteria (KSR) mobilizes the stable potassium in field, and similarly other microorganisms mobilize nutrients in soil and make it easily available to the crop plants. These NFR include symbiotic N2-fixing forms, in leguminous plants, viz., Rhizobium, and obligate symbionts in nonleguminous plant comprising species Alcaligenes, Azomonas, Beijerinckia, Achromobacter, Acetobacter, Arthrobacter, and Bacillus spp.; however, P is the primary essential macronutrient for vegetative and reproductive development of the plants. The majority of phosphorus in most soil is insoluble form and cannot be used by crops. Some important species are Aspergillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Penicillium, etc., which secrete organic acids (products) that lower pH in their vicinity and help to bring the dissolution of fixed phosphates in soil. Additionally seed bio-priming can provide ~30 kg P2O5/ha. In soil system potassium (K) is associative to movement of water, nutrients, carbohydrates, and cellular and osmotic pressure in plant tissues. Supposing potassium is lacking or not provided in suitable amount, growth of the plants stunts and production reduces. Several bacterial species particularly rhizosphere-colonizing bacteria have been found, which solubilize insoluble inorganic phosphate like that tri-calcium phosphate (TCP), di-calcium phosphate (DCP), hydroxylapatite, and rock phosphate. It is already proved that application of Zn in the form of chemical fertilizer is inappropriate due to its unavailability to crop plants. In the recent past, rhizobacteria have exhibited terrific ability to improve zinc availability in root zone and enhance zinc in plants. In rice, silicate-solubilizing rhizobacteria (SSR) have gained importance in recent times because of their role in solubilization of silicate minerals, rendering potassium silicate (K2SiO3), and makes readily available potassium (K) and silicon (Si) for crop plants. Recent advancement in biotechnology and genetic engineering have provided new opportunity to find out the presence and abundance of particular microbes or to quantify the expression of target genes directly in soil or in rhizosphere with high levels of sensitivity. Genetically modified strains could be capable of solubilizing more available nutrient from the soil or rhizosphere. Development of genetically modified strains with enhanced mobilization by genetic engineering techniques and DNA technology is needed to maintain an eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture. This chapter focuses on diversifying of nutrient solubilizer/mobilizer microbes, mechanism of solubilization/mobilization, role of various enzymes/auxins/acids effect of various factors on nutrient solubilization, the present and future scenario of their utilization, and potential for application of this knowledge in managing a sustainable environmental ecosystem.

A field experiment was conducted at Varanasi during the two consecutive prekharif seasons of 2012 and 2013 to work out the optimum levels of NPKS and Zn application for maximizing the productivity and profitability of baby corn under irrigated ecosystem. Results revealed that root parameters, yield and economics of baby corn were influenced significantly by varying the fertility levels. Significantly highest baby cob (9.55 t/ha), baby corn (2.15 t/ha), green fodder yield (31.51 t/ha), gross returns (202.61 × 103 Rs./ha) and net returns (143.40 ×103 Rs./ha) were recorded with the application of 125% RDF. Further, application of 50 kg S/ha resulted in significantly higher baby cob (9.38 t/ha), baby corn (2.15 t/ha), green fodder yield (30.97 t/ha), net profit (142.07 × 103 Rs./ha) over control but it remained at par with application of 25 kg S/ha. Similarly, application of 10 kg Zn/ha gave the maximum baby cob (9.24 t/ha), baby corn (2.10 t/ha) and green fodder yield (30.49 t/ha) with a net profit (138.81×103 Rs./ha) over control but it remained at par with application of 25 kg S/ha. Hence, the application of 125% RDF and 50 kg S/ha along with 10 kg Zn/ha was found optimum to obtain the maximum productivity and profitability of baby corn under irrigated conditions of Varanasi.

A field experiment was conducted during the two consecutive pre-kharif seasons of 2012 and 2013 at Varanasi to study the effect of NPKS and Zn application on fodder yield, nutrient uptake and quality of baby corn (Zea mays L.). Results revealed that cob, corn and green and dry fodder yield, net profit, nutrient content (NPKSZn) and their uptake were recorded significantly higher with application of 125% RDF. Further, application of 50 kg S/ha resulted in significant increase in cob, corn, green fodder yield, net profit and nutrient content and uptake of baby corn over control but it remained at par with 25 kg S/ha. Similar trend was also observed with application of Zn levels. Increasing levels of sulphur and zinc progressively improved the fodder quality of baby corn viz., crude protein, ash, calcium content except crude fibre content which followed reverse trend. Hence, application of 125% RDF along with 50 kg S/ha and 10 kg Zn/ha was found optimum to obtain the higher green and dry fodder yield, net profit and quality of baby corn under irrigated condition of Varanasi.