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A field experiment was conducted to evaluate agrometeorological parameters associated with seed yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) varieties in an organic production system. During the study, significant variation was recorded in crop phenophases, growth, yield attributes, and seed yield of mustard. Varieties NRCHB-101 and Pusa Mustard-25 have taken significantly minimum days to commence flowering (46–48 days) and attaining physiological maturity (89–90 days). Variety RGN-48 being at par with RH-406 and RGN-229, recorded significantly higher plant height, while RGN-229 recorded the significantly highest biomass accumulation at all the growth stages. Varieties RH-406, Pusa Bold, and DRMRIJ-31 recorded significantly higher seeds per siliqua (16.2–16.5), whereas significantly higher test weight was recorded in Pusa Bold (6.3 g) and DRMRIJ-31 (6.0 g). In seed yield, variety RH-406 (1.97 t/ha) and DRMRIJ-31 (1.42 t/ha) were found significantly highest and lowest, respectively. A significant positive correlations of mustard seed yield was noticed with biomass accumulation at 30 DAS (r=441**), 60 DAS (r=0.614**), 90 DAS (r=0.620**) and biological yield at harvest (r=0.496**). Contrary to test weight, seeds per siliqua had shown a positive effect (r=0.266*) on the seed yield of the mustard. Seed yield of mustard was also influenced by some agrometeorological indices with correlation coefficients (r) of mean minimum temperature at flowering and physiological maturity and mean maximum temperature at physiological maturity were -0.207*, -0.249*, and -0.241*, respectively. Net solar radiation and cumulative temperature difference at physiological maturity also had significant and positive effects on the seed yield of mustard.

Increased awareness of environmental degradation and growing concern of human health has attracted worldwide attention towards organic farming. A field experiment was carried out during kharif of 2013–2014 to identify suitable maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars having high yield potential under organic production system. Twelve released cultivars of maize varied in duration and nitrogen requirement were evaluated. Results revealed that late maturing cultivars PMH-1 and PMH-3 being at par to each other recorded the significantly higher values of growth parameters like plant height, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index; and yield attributes in terms of cobs plant, cob length, cob girth, grain rows/cob, grains/row and test weight, whereas the extra early cultivars like Vivek QPM-9 being at par with Vivek Hybrid-9 registered the lowest values of growth and yield attributes. The late maturing cultivars like PMH-1, PMH-3, Seed tech-2324 and Bio-9681 produced significantly higher grain yield (>5.0 t/ha) and biological yield (>12.5 t/ha). Cultivars PMH-4 among medium maturity group produced comparable yield with late cultivars. Grain yield across the varied duration cultivars had a significant positive correlation with cob length, grains/row and N uptake. As per their maturity class, the extra early and early cultivars commence silking (

A field investigation was carried out at ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram during 2013-15 to devise the best nutrient management strategy in basmati (Oryza sativa L.)– wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori and Paol) cropping system. Investigation used six nutrient management practices, viz. 100% organic; 75% organic + innovative practices; 50% organic + 50% inorganic; 75% organic + 25% inorganic; state recommendation and 100% inorganic. Grain yield and nutrient uptake of basmati rice and wheat were found at par under organic (100% organic and 75% organic + innovative practices) and integrated nutrient management practices (50% organic + 50% inorganic and 75% organic + 25% inorganic), however it was significantly higher compared to 100% inorganic nutrient management. Organic nutrient management, i.e.100% organic and 75% organic + innovative practices resulted in 42.4 and 37.7% higher grain yield in case of basmati rice and 29.3 and 39.7% higher yield in case of wheat, respectively over 100% inorganic; besides being superior in terms of soil available N, P, K and organic carbon. Additional net returns to the tune of ` 53.2 × 103/ha and ` 59.7 × 103/ha from basmati rice-wheat cropping system was recorded under 100% organic and 75% organic + innovative practices, respectively over 100% inorganic. Nutrient management through 75% organic + innovative practices in basmati rice-wheat cropping system resulted in ` 6.5 × 103/ha additional returns over 100% organic nutrient management and it also scored highest in terms of nitrogen use efficiency of both basmati rice (48.5 kg/kg N) and wheat (38.1 kg/kg N). A significantly higher residual soil fertility in terms of available N, P, K and organic carbon in soil as compared to 100% inorganic nutrient management was also observed.

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of potassium and zinc fertilizer on status and content of potassium and zinc fractions and their effect on crop yield, nutrient uptake and nutrient availability in the soil. Significant increase in grain yield, straw yield, K uptake, and different K fractions in the soil (exchangeable K, water soluble K, Morgan’s extractable K, lattice K and total K in the soil) were recorded with increase in K levels from 0 to 60 kg K/ha. Zinc fertilization in wheat also significantly increased crop yield and Zn uptake but interaction between K and Zn was not found to be significant in respect of yield, uptake, and various K and Zn fractions. Water-soluble K showed significant and positive correlation with exchangeable K (r= 0.928), Morgan’s extractable K (r= 0.983) and lattice K (r= 0.969), indicating rapid equilibrium establishment between these forms. Step wise regression analysis using different pools of K revealed the importance of water soluble K and lattice K influencing crop yield, K uptake by wheat. Similarly, application of 9 kg Zn/ha increased the Zn fractions present in soil and correlation data indicated that these fractions are in a state of dynamic equilibrium with each other. In the present study, DTPA-Zn accounted for 65% and 70% of the variation in grain yield and Zn uptake by wheat, indicating that DTPA-Zn was efficient in providing Zn nutrition to wheat.