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The present study was undertaken to assess the soil fertility status os soils under sugarcane-ratoon-wheat cropping system. Soil samples were collected from farmers fields at three depths viz., 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm and analysed for various soil properties. Results revealed that soils were sandy clay loam to clay loam in texture, neutral in soil reaction and non saline in salt content. Mean values of CEC 15.96, 13.13 and 10.80 C mol (p+) kg-1, SOC 4.57, 3.93 and 2.95 g kg-1, available nitrogen 263.01, 209.90 and 173.73 kg ha-1, available phosphorus 15.37, 12.49 and 9.00 kg ha-1, available potassium 156.43, 118.16 and 102.11 kg ha-1, DTPA Zn 0.49, 0.35 and 0.21 mg kg-1, DTPA Fe 9.53, 7.71 and 5.28 mg kg-1, DTPA Mn 8.20, 6.80 and 5.20 mg kg-1 and DTPA Cu 0.99, 0.74 and 0.56 mg kg-1 were recorded at 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm, respectively. Soils under this cropping system were low in available nitrogen content and medium in available phosphorus and potassium content. Among DTPA extractable micronutrients soil were deficient in available zinc while sufficient in available iron, manganese and copper content.

The use of organic amendments is popular these days therefore we conducted a study on biochar in various North Indian region soils under pot culture to evaluate the changes in soil characteristics. Four types of soils taken for 75 days during Kharif and Rabi season were studied, out of which Soil-1 is slightly acidic while Soil-2 to Soil-4 are alkaline. The soil samples were collected thrice at the interval of 25 days using standard procedures and analyzed for various macronutrients (pH, EC, OC, N, P, and K) essential for plants in the laboratory. The change in status of available NPK in soils and other soil properties like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and organic carbon (OC) content due to inoculation of biochar was assessed. Results reveal that all treatments having biochar leads to an increase in the content of available N, P, and K together with OC. There recorded a slight elevation in EC initially at 25th DAI due to its inoculation. The pH during the initial period had reduced but later on rise as the number of DAI increased.

Aim: Present experiment was conducted to study the effect of crop establishment methods and weed management options on weed dynamics and performance of Basmati rice. Study Design: Split plot design. Place and Duration of Study: Iinvestigation was conducted during the kharif-season of 2019 and 2020 at Crop Research Center, S.V.P.University of Agriculture &Technology, Meerut (U.P.), India. Methodology: Mainfactors consist of the crop establishment methodsviz.(1) Conventional Puddled Transplanting, (2) Unpuddled Flat and (3) Furrow Irrigated Raised Beds, the sub factors consist of five weed management options viz., (1) Pretilachlor @ 0.75 Kg ha-1 PE fb Bispyribac sodium @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 POE at 20 DAT, (2) Almix 4 g a.i. ha-1 + Bispyribac sodium @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 POE at 20 DAT, (3) Bispyribac sodium @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 POE at 20 DAT, (4) Two hand weedings and (5) Weedy check. Results: Minimum total weed density was recorded under CPT (E1) followed by FIRB(E3) while itwas maximum under UPF(E2). Two hand-weedings effectively reduced total weed density. In herbicides, application of pretilachlor @ 0.75 Kg ha-1fb Bispyribac sodium @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 (W1) was found most effective in reducingtotal weed density.Higher yield and yield attributes were found under CPT which was significantly higher than the UPF and at par with FIRB. Amongweed management practices highest yield and yield attributes were obtained with pretilachlor @ 0.75 Kg ha-1fb Bispyribac sodium @ 20 g a.i. ha-1.Lowest yield and yield attributes were obtained in weedy check. Conclusion: Puddled transplantation in rice might be the best option to get higher yield and for weed control, application of Pretilachlor @ 0.75 Kg ha-1 PE fb Bispyribac sodium @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 POE at 20 DAT may be done to get higher yield.

A study was conducted in the Meerut district of western Uttar Pradesh to evaluate the Soil characterization of sugarcane- ratoon- wheat cropping system. The soil samples were analyzed for various parameters in the laboratory. The status of available NPK in soils and other soil properties like pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and organic carbon (OC) content were assessed. Results reveal that the soils of the study area were sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction and non-saline in nature. Nutrient status regarding available nitrogen is low in surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) soil while phosphorous and potassium low to medium in ranged at surface and subsurface also show that the availability of nutrient is decline gradually with increasing soil depth. A positively significant correlation of N, P, and K with organic carbon content was found.

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, U.P. during kharif (July –October), 2019 in randomised block design with three replications. The study comprised of ten different statistical treatments for weed management practices in transplanted rice and various observations were recorded during the crop growth period. The results indicated that the application of Pretilachlor (750 g a.i/ha) at 3 DAT + Penoxsulam (22 g a.i/ha) at 20 DAT significantly reduced the weed population and dry weight over weedy check. The highest plant height, number of tillers (m-2), dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, panicle length, filled grains, unfilled grains, higher protein content, 1000-grain weight and grain yield (38.80 q ha-1), were recorded with the application of Pretilachlor (750 g a.i/ha) at 3 DAT + Penoxsulam (22 g a.i/ha) at 20 DAT, which established itssuperiority over rest of the herbicidal treatments. Among weed management treatments, Pretilachlor (750 g a.i/ha) at 3 DAT + Penoxsulam (22 g a.i/ha) at 20 DAT (T8) found excellent to control weed population and increase growth parameter, yield attributes and crop productivity.

The investigation entitled “Study of relationship between compaction level (bulk density) and chemical properties of different textured soil” was carried out using various research materials and analytical techniques during 2017-18 at department laboratory of Soil Science at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, UP, India. Results of study reveals that levels of compaction does not affects pH and EC significantly however soil OC was affected significantly. More impact was found in organic carbon as compare to pH and EC. Effect of compaction on amount of OC in different textured soil indicates that more organic carbon was found in sandy clay loam soil followed by sandy loam and minimum in loamy sand at same degree of compaction. A strong negative correlation of bulk density with pH (r = - 0.912, -0.943 and -0.943) EC (r = - 0.988, -0.991 and -0.992) and OC% (r = - 0.993, -0.985 and -0.989) for loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively was observed. The available macro nutrients (N, P and K) of soil decreased significantly with an increase in the level of compaction. A strong negative correlation of bulk density with available N (r = - 0.993, -0.995 and -0.992), available P (r = -0.985, -0.983 and -0.980) and available K (r = -0.925, -0.979 and -0.984) for loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively was found. Unlike available macro nutrient, the micro nutrient of soil also decreased with an increase in the level of compaction. A strong negative correlation between bulk density and available micronutrients Zinc r = - 0.925, -0.944 and -0.929 and Iron r = -0.981, -0.974 and -0.931 for loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively was also recorded.

Most of the developing & densely populated countries struggle with the major challenge of meeting food & nutritional requirements for the exponentially rising population. Apart from feeding huge population, our country also faces the issue of land fragmentation which limits the scope of farm automation & mechanization that plays a key role in cost reduction, optimization of input resources and obtaining higher yields. Therefore, to improve the land use efficiency and obtain higher returns, we are left with the option to intensify crop cultivation during a given cropping season. Chickpea and Mustard are the major rabi season crops which differ in their growth habits and can be grown synergistically with each other in intercropping system. Cultivation of these energy rich crops in rainfed areas is one of the major constraints in achieving their yield potential. Numerous researchers cover the theory and mechanisms of yield stability in intercropping. Willey (1979a) clearly and evidently proposed that intercropping gives higher yields in a given season and greater stability of yields in different seasons compared with sole cropping. However, a little work has been done on chickpea+mustard intercropping system and information related to their comparative performance and sustainability along with beneficial effect of varying levels of inorganic and organic nutrients is lacking, which might be helpful in adopting this intercropping system under resource constraint areas. Keeping the foregoing facts, an investigation was undertaken on “Population Compatibility and Nutrient Management Strategies in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) +Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Intercropping Systems” at “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology”, Meerut (U.P.) during rabi season 2017-18, to optimize planting geometry and devise effective nutrient management strategies. The proposed investigation aims at realizing self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseed production through bridging-up technological gaps. The experimental soil was sandy loam in texture with low available nitrogen (219.3 kg ha-1), medium in available phosphorus (16.9 kg ha-1) & potassium (245.3 kg ha-1). Twenty treatments consisting of combinations of 04 intercropping systems viz., Chickpea+mustard in 3:1 and 4:1 row ratio and both in additive and replacement series and 05 nutrient management options viz., recommended dose (RD) to chickpea and mustard both (N1), N1 + biofertilizers (N2), N2 +FYM (N3), N1 but mustard with 150% RD (N4) and N4 with biofertilizers (N5) along with sole stand of component crops tested in RBD with 3 replications. Recommended doses were 100 kg DAP +20kg S ha-1 for chickpea and 120 kg N +40 kg P2O5+20 kg S for mustard. Nutrient application to mustard was made as per plant population against sole cropping. Chickpea seeds were inoculated with Rhizobium and mustard with Azotobacter with soil application PSB. The results revealed that chickpea performed individually better in sole stands than intercropping systems. With an exception to plant height, all other growth parameters of chickpea viz., number of branches plant-1, dry matter accumulation, number of nodules plant-1, dry weight of nodules, grain & straw yield were maximum in sole chickpea cropping. A reverse trend was however noted in mustard except for plant height. Nutrient management options had significant effect on performance of component crops being best in chickpea with incorporation of FYM + RDF to component crops along with chickpea inoculation with Rhizobium & mustard inoculation with Azotobacter + soil application of Phosphorous solubilising bacteria.

The application of NPK for crop production is not quite enough for higher and quality crop production as well as soil health so balance fertilization with combination of macro and micronutrients application is much important. Selection of suitable nutrient sources, quantity, method and time of application are equally important to get higher yield with maintaining soil quality and environment. Considering this point, a field experiment was conducted following the 4R Nutrient Stewardship to evaluate the effect of different sources of micronutrients (Zn, Mn and B) fertilizers and their mode of application along with NPK on wheat crop during rabi season of 2017–18 and 2018–19 at the Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. The maximum dry matter accumulation at each sampling interval was found with RDF + soil application of Zn HEDP+ MnSO4+ Colemanite with the highest grain (4.25 t ha-1), straw (5.89 t ha-1) and biological yield (10.14 t ha-1), followed by RDF + foliar application of Zn HEDP + EDTA Mn + DOT. The application of RDF + foliar application of Zn HEDP + EDTA Mn + DOT resulted in a highest harvest index (HI) 42.18. Organic carbon, essential factor for soil conservation was also maximum with application of RDF + soil application of Zn HEDP + MnSO4 + Colemanite during both years while. The foliar application of any single micronutrient with RDF improved the parameters considerably over RDF.

A field experiment was conducted on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during Rabi season of 2005-06 at Crop Research Center of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut. The experiment was aimed to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen scheduling and LCC based nitrogen scheduling in wheat. The experiment comprised of ten treatments was laid out in Randomized Block Design, with three replications. The major treatments were, control (where no nitrogen was applied ), 50 % N in basal+25 % N at CRI + 25 % at tillering stage, 25 % N in basal + 25 % N at CRI + 25 % N at tillering + 25 % N at jointing stage, 37.5 % N in basal + 25 % at CRI + 37.5 % N at tillering stage, 50 % N at CRI + 50 % N at tillering stage, 50 % N at CRI + 25 % N at tillering + 25 % N at jointing stage, 50 N in basal + 25% N at tillering + 25% N at jointing stage, 25% N in basal + 37.5% N at CRI + 37.5 % N at tillering, 25% N in basal + 50% N at CRI + 25% N at tillering stage, and nitrogen applied on LCC (Leaf colour chart) based. In different nitrogen scheduling treatments, LCC based nitrogen scheduling treatment was found most efficient than recommended and other nitrogen scheduling treatments in terms of increased wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Application of 25% N in basal + 50% N at CRI + 25% N at tillering stage was also found superior than other treatments, increased these parameters, but it was inferior to the LCC based nitrogen scheduling treatment. AE N and RE N also improved due to LCC based nitrogen application. LCC based nitrogen scheduling practice also reduces the over application of nitrogen which can be susceptible to different losses including leaching, ammonium volatilization and runoff.

Surface and subsurface soil samples of Muzaffarnagar district were collected to characterize their chemical properties and accordingly to develop optimum land use plan to realize maximum agricultural productivity. The pH value of study area varied from 6.02 to 8.39 and 6.35 to 8.50 for surface and sub surface, respectively, electrical conductivity from 0.069 to 0.390 and 0.073 to 1.10 dSm-1, organic matter content 7.241 to 15.221 and 3.695 to 10.179 g kg-1, available nitrogen (N) 131.53 to 348.97 and 99.32 to 217.44 kg ha-1, Phosphorus (P) 15.67 to 52.61 and 11.17 to 45.40 P2O5 kg ha-1, potassium (K) 79.16 to 436.8 and 47.04 to 399.84 K2O kg ha-1for surface (0-15 cm ) and subsurface soil (15-30 cm). Cationic micronutrients Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn varied from 1.636 to 6.164, 1.024 to 4.282, 0.672 to 5.802 and 0.332 to 2.652, and 113.13 to 11.232, 10.33 to 79.326, 10.272 to 38.572 and 29.578 to 77.882 mg kg-1 in surface (0 -15 cm) and subsurface soil (15-30 cm) respectively. As per soil nutrient index (SNI), the soils of study area were found in low fertility category for nitrogen and medium with respect to phosphorus and potassium. A positive and significant correlation of NPK and micronutrients was found with organic matter content while significant and negative correlations exist between micronutrients and soil pH. Key word: Soil fertility, organic matter, NPK, micronutrients, surface soil, soil nutrient index.

At the present time, incessant cereal-cereal cropping along with haphazard use of nutrients including micronutrients is posing menace to agricultural sustainability and environmental safety. Thus, the present investigation was conducted during kharif season 2013 on sandy loam soil of S.V.P.U.A & T Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) to evaluate sulphur and iron fertilization on performance and production potential vis-à-vis nutrient removal by using F test. The data on active growth and yield with their contributing trait were calculated on net plot area basis (18 m2). Moreover nutrient content in plant, qualities and available soil nutrient status were recorded as per the standard procedure. The experimental results revealed that plant height, number of branch per plant and dry weight at 30 and 60 DAS, number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, qualities and nutrient contents were affected significantly by different sulphur and Iron levels. Application of RDF along with sulphur 40 kg ha-1 and Fe 2.5 kg ha-1 gave the maximum grain yield (10.83 q ha-1) which increased by 83.56% over control, besides it also improved all growth attributes at 30 and 60 DAS and number of pods per plant. Furthermore, grain yield was positively related with number of branches, number of nodules at 60 DAS (42.46) and number of pods (45.90). The maximum total uptake of P, K, S and Fe by urdbean was recorded as 5.34 kg ha-1, 30.21 kg ha-1, 5.22 kg ha-1, 871.57 g ha-1 respectively by using RDF + Sulphur 40 + Fe 5.0 kg ha-1, whereas maximum total N uptake (60.03 kg ha-1) was noticed under RDF + Sulphur 40 + Fe 2.5 kg ha-1. It is a legume crop so it is tremendously eco-friendly and useful for sustainable agriculture and soil health.

To assess the soil health of Crop Research Centre of SVPUAT, Meerut soil samples from 0–15 cm depth were collected, processed and analyzed for various physical, chemical and biological properties viz., bulk density, infiltration rate, aggregate stability, pH, available P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and OC (%) during 2013–14. Study indicates that soils of study area are sandy clay and clay loam in texture with low to medium in health. Scoring function graph of the properties was developed for the rating of individual indicators, following the work of Andrews et al. (2004). Overall soil health was judged by averaging the rating of all studied indicators. The individual indicator rating for bulk density, infiltration rate, aggregate stability, pH, available P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and OC (%) were 85, 83, 83, 24, 97, 40, 90, 0, 77, 0 and 56, respectively for sandy clay soil and 97, 35, 76, 20, 97, 79, 45, 0, 63, 0 and 87, respectively for clay loam soil. For sandy clay soil out of 11indicators studied 6 (bulk density, infiltration rate, aggregate stability, available P, Zn and Fe) showed high score, 2 (available K and OC %) showed medium and rest of the 3 (pH, available Mn and Cu) scored low while for clay loam soil 5 indicators (bulk density, aggregate stability, available P, K, and OC) were found highly rated, 3 (infiltration rate, available Fe and Zn) medium and 3 (pH, available Mn, Cu) low. However, overall quality score of both the soil was medium and low (57 and 54 out of 100, respectively). Hence, on the basis of study, it can be concluded that soils of CRC are low to medium in health. However infiltration, pH and toxicity of Mn and Cu in soil invite special attention to manage the sustainable productivity.

A study entitled “Characterization of soil of CRC at SVPUAT, Meerut based on physical properties ”was carried out during 2013–14. Soil Samples collected from different depths viz 0–15, 15–30 cm were processed and analyzed for various physical properties. The overall quality of CRC soil appears to be poor to medium except certain parameters. Majority of soil samples were found moderately slow to moderate in hydraulic conductivity (0.48–1.8 and 1.8–6.24 cm/hr) and infiltration rate (0.5–2.0 and 2.0–6.5 cm/hr) which may be attributed to poor Organic Carbon, low porosity and high BD. Bulk density was negatively and significantly correlated with porosity (r=-0.92), IR (r=-0.67) and HC (r=-0.65) but positive non significant relationship was observed between BD and water stable aggregates. Significantly positive correlation of Porosity with IR(r=0.60) and HC (r=0.58) was found. Highly significant positive correlation r=0.99 was observed between IR and HC of CRC soil.