Background: Weeds are the key pest, which reduce crop productivity. Direct-seeded rice is very prone to early-stage weed infestation during initial crop development. Cultural and mechanical methods are difficult due to unavailability of labour and poor work efficiency. Hence, use of herbicides is an effective method for timely weed control. However, the efficacy of agrochemicals depends on the efficiency of spraying equipment. Conventional knapsack sprayers are used most often to spray herbicides but they are highly time-consuming, labour intensive and labour drudgery practices. Hence, the current experiment was aimed to study the efficiency of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on weed management.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during summer, 2022 to evaluate the efficacy of UAV-based herbicide application in direct-seeded rice. The study comprised of five weed management treatments such as pre emergence application of pretilachlor with safener and pyrazosulfuron through both UAV and knapsack sprayer and unweeded check as control. The experimental plot was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. 
 
Result: The experimental findings showed that the application of pre-emergence pretilachlor significantly reduced the density and dry weight of grasses, sedges and broad leaved weeds in knapsack application. Moreover, it was found on par with UAV application of same herbicide without any phytotoxicity to rice seedlings. From the experiment, the application of pre-emergence pretilachlor through UAV is found to be more effective for timely weed control during early stages in direct-seeded rice, which reduce the labour intensity and drudgery than knapsack application.

UAV-based Herbicide Application for Efficient Weed Management in Direct-seeded Rice

Background: Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is the third most important pulse crop of Myanmar. The country was the largest exporter of pigeon pea in south and south-east Asia, accounting for 90 per cent of the overall global export volume. This study focuses to figure out the trend and direction of pigeon pea export from Myanmar.&nbsp; 
Methods: This work is based on secondary data and export figures for 10 years were gathered from the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Map. Markov chain model was adopted as an analytical tool to study the direction of pigeon pea trade and a compound annual growth rate was employed to investigate the trend in Myanmar&rsquo;s pigeon pea export for 10 years.&nbsp; 
Result: The growth rate of pigeon pea export registered a negative CAGR but was not statistically significant at 5 per cent level of significance. Markov chain analysis of pigeon pea export from Myanmar showed that besides India, Singapore was further a reliable market as revealed through retention probabilities (0.96 and 0.60, correspondingly), while China, UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries were highly unstable markets for Myanmar pigeon pea.

Direction of Pigeon Pea Exports from Myanmar- An Application of Markov Chain Model

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: A well-managed manure is a valuable resource in providing nutrients for crop production. Farmers usually follow manual manure application practices which involves lot of drudgery and physical stress to pulverize as well as to apply in field. Also traditional practices results in a reduced field capacity along with higher cost of application. So there is a need to create a medium between the farmers and manure application practices by introducing manure pulverizers and applicators. Hence a study was undertaken to analyze the economic impact of a tractor powered manure pulverizer cum applicator over traditional practices. 
 
Methods: A manure pulverizer cum applicator helps in managing the manure by simultaneous pulverization and application in the field as basal application. On the other hand traditional practices involve manual dumping, clearing of lumps and spreading them in the field which require more than 3 labours to cover an acre in a day. Cost incurred with both manual and mechanical practices were calculated in terms of rupees per hour and rupees per hectare of operation. 
 
Result: The actual field capacity and efficiency of manure pulverizer cum applicator was observed to be 0.311 ha h-1 and 86.5% at a forward speed of 2.0 km/h-1. The cost of manure pulverizer cum applicator alone was Rs. 64,000. Cost of operation of manure pulverizer cum applicator as an attachment to tractor was found to be 1943.5 Rs ha-1. Cost of manual manure application followed by manure pulverization was noted as 4662.2 Rs ha-1. Saving in cost of operation was more than Rs. 2700 with tractor operated manure pulverizer cum applicator over manual application practices. The benefit-cost ratio of the developed machine was 1.4:1.</div>

Economic Analysis of Tractor Powered Manure Pulverizer cum Applicator over Traditional Manure Application Practices

<div>Background: Time of pre-emergence herbicide application is an important factor that decides the efficiency of herbicide. If the pre-emergence herbicide is not applied at appropriate time, it may cause ineffective weed control or toxicity to crops. With this background, a field experiment was conducted at TNAU, Madurai to optimize the time of pre-emergence herbicides namely pendimethalin and oxyfluorfen application for effective weed management in irrigated blackgram.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replication. Treatments were application of pendimethalin at 0.75 kg ha-1 and oxyfluorfen at 0.2 kg ha-1 on 1, 2, 3, 4 days after sowing, weed free check and unweeded check.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results of the study revealed that oxyfluorfen gave maximum weed control efficiency as compared to pendimethalin, but toxicity to the crop was observed when oxyfluorfen was sprayed after 2 days of sowing. Yield and economics were achieved higher with application of 0.75 kg ha-1 of pendimethalin at 2 DAS, which was on par with application of 0.2 kg ha-1 of oxyfluorfen at 1 DAS due to lesser toxicity. Application of 0.75 kg ha-1 of pendimethalin and 0.2 kg ha-1 of oxyfluorfen didn&rsquo;t leave any herbicide residue after harvest. Hence, application of 0.75 kg ha-1 of pendimethalin at 2 DAS and 0.2 kg ha-1 of oxyfluorfen at 1 DAS can be recommended for effective weed management in irrigated balckgram.</div>

<div>Optimizing the Application Time of Pre-emergence Herbicide Pendimethalin and Oxyfluorfen Application for Effective Weed Management in Irrigated Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) and Its Residue Persistence</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background:&nbsp;The objectives of this study were to estimate the effects of direct additive and dominance on litter traits and to predict the reproduction of un-tested crossbred sows between Danish Yorkshire (Y) and Danish Landrace (L) pigs in Vietnam.&nbsp; 
 
Methods:&nbsp;Litter traits data were obtained between 2014 and 2017 in Binh Thang and Khang Minh An breeding farms, with 671 litters of crossbred sows crossed from 1,308 litters of purebred Yorkshire and Landrace sows.&nbsp; 
 
Result:&nbsp;In F1 sows, heterosis was manifested in all traits with 6.7-6.4% for TNB; 5.4-6.2% for NBA; 4.4-4.8% for NW and 5.7-6.0% for AWW traits. Additionally, direct dominance was the most positive effect on litter traits in crossbred sows. In rotational crossbred sows of L (YL) and L (LY), while the value of litter traits remarkably decreased in comparison with F1 groups, it was a noticeably higher than that of the purebred sows by 1.4-3.0%. In un-tested crossbred groups of Y (YL) and Y (LY), predicted values for litter traits were equal in tested crossbred groups of L (YL) and L (LY) and lower than F1 crossbred sows.</div>

Effects of Direct Additive and Direct Dominance on Litter Traits in Crossbred Sows between Danish Yorkshire and Danish Landrace Pigs in Vietnam

<div>Background: Weeds are the major biotic constraint to reduce the rice productivity in direct wet seeded rice. Weed infestation and competition are severe in direct wet seeded rice as compared to transplanted rice, because of the simultaneous growth of both crops and weeds. The yield loss due to weeds varies from 40 to 100 per cent in direct seeded rice. Use of herbicides either singly or in combination with manual or mechanical weeding in puddled direct seeded rice has been highlighted by several workers. Use of alternative herbicides with wide spectrum control of the weeds in direct seeded puddled rice is the need of the present time. The present study aimed to evaluate different weed management practices in direct wet seeded rice under sodic soil. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during Samba season (Rabi) 2016-17. to evaluate the weed management practices in direct wet seeded rice under sodic soil. The treatments comprised of different combination of weed management practices viz., pre emergence, early post emergence herbicides, mechanical weeding and hand weeding twice were tested. Total weed density and weed dry weight, weed control efficiency, yield parameters and yield of rice were recorded.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among the different weed management practices, the lowest total weed density, total weed dry weight and higher WCE, yield attributes, grain and straw yields were registered under application of PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl 25 g/ha fb EPOE bispyribac sodium 25 g/ha. This was followed by application of PE pretilachlor 0.75 kg/ha fb EPOE bispyribac sodium 25 g/ha.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Direct Wet Seeded Rice under Different Weed Management Practices</div>

<div>Background: Weeds are the major threat to direct seeded rice and a single strategy of weed control may not be effective for season-long weed control. Intending to accomplish the long-term and sustainable weed management of direct seeded rice, the integration approach of weed management strategies seems a better alternative. The current field study was aimed to evaluate the impact of integration of different weed control methods on direct seeded rice under irrigated ecosystem on weed growth and rice yield.</div>

<div> 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatments during 2017 at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. The twelve treatments included the combination of cultural, mechanical, physical and chemical weed management methods.</div>

<div> 
Result: Combination of stale seedbed technique integrated with pre-emergence application of pendimethalin with mechanical weeding at 25 DAS followed by 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS, Sesbania (line sowing) fb application of pendimethalin (PE) fb 1 mechanical weeding at 25 DAS fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS, stale seedbed with application of pendimethalin (PE) with Sesbania brown manuring supplemented with mechanical weeding (25 DAS) fb hand weeding at 45 DAS, mulching with wheat straw mulch along with post-emergence application of penoxsulam (20 DAS) fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS and application of pendimethalin (PE) fb penoxsulum (PoE) at 20 DAS fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS with a row spacing of 25 cm found to be similar in the suppression of weed population and weed density at 40 and 60 DAS and crop yields (4.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.0 and 4.2 t/ha, respectively) were on par with weed free plot i.e. 4.4t/ha. Application of pendimethalin (PE) fb penoxsulum (PoE) at 20 DAS fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS with row spacing of 25cm recorded 93.7%, 90.6% and 4.5% weed control efficiency, weed control index and weed index respectively, which was similar with above integrated weed management treatments. A negative correlation of the weed density and dry matter with the yield of rice was recorded.</div>

​Effect of Integrated Weed Management on Weed and Yield of Direct Seeded Rice

<div>Background: Manures (FYM, vermicompost, edible oil cakes etc.) are important resources which provide nutrients that could reduce bagged fertilizer costs and improves the crop growth and performance. A well-managed manure is a valuable resource in providing nutrients for crop production. As manure dries, nutrients not only get concentrated on a weight basis, but also on a volume basis due to structural changes. Compared to fresh manure, it is easier to handle and transport because of decreased volume and weight. Hence, it is necessary to pulverize the manure when it is applied to the land. 
 
Methods: Various research works previously carried out on manure pulverizers and applicators have been considered in the study to come up with an idea of developing a tractor powered manure pulverizer cum applicator. Studies concluded the importance of manure pulverization, effect of wind, angle of repose and coefficient of friction in the designing and development of manure dispensing equipment. 
 
Result: Manure pulverizer integrated with tractor PTO along with an applicator was designed and developed. The machine consists of KAU manure pulverizer, feed chute, blower, frame and hitch, gearbox and extension shaft. Power to the gearbox was drawn from the tractor PTO. Dried manure was continuously fed through the feeding chute and rotating blade helps in pulverizing the manure until it achieves a size smaller than the sieve. The pulverized manure reaches the blower unit by means of a chute and gets discharged through the flexible pipes. Maximum field capacity was noted at a traveling speed of 3.0 km h-1. A larger application rate of 1387.1 kg ha-1 for cow dung, 1624.4 kg ha-1 for goat faecal pellets and 1618.6 kg ha-1 for neem cake was noted at an engine rpm of 2500, forward speed of 2 km h-1 with a field capacity of 0.31 ha h-1.</div>

Manure Pulverizers and Applicators: A Review

<div>Background: Foliar application or foliar nutrition is a technique of feeding plants by applying liquid fertilizer directly to their leaves. Water soluble fertilizers have been introduced exclusively for foliar feeding and fertilization. There is very little information about the foliar application of water soluble fertilizers. There is need for more research in this field. Therefore, foliar nutrition is being recognized as an important method of fertilization in modern agriculture. The current study aimed to study the effect of foliar application of water soluble fertilizers on growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted during rabi 2017-18, 11 different treatments were laid out in a randomized block design on clay loam soil. In the field, the data was collected and analyzed and the final result was concluded.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The experiment revealed that the growth attributes such as plant height (60.28 cm), number of primary branches (5.22), number of secondary branches (22.93) and dry matter accumulation (241.61 g) were maximum with 75% RDF + foliar application of 2% DAP + 2% Urea + 2% WSF at 60 and 80 DAS (T10) and minimum in control (T1) at harvest stage. Further, seed yield (24.26 q ha-1), stover yield (31.38 q ha-1) and biological yield (55.65 q ha-1) was maximum with 75% RDF + foliar application of 2% DAP + 2% Urea + 2% WSF at 60 and 80 DAS (T10) and minimum in control (T1).</div>

<div>Effect of Foliar Application of Water Soluble Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Panchagavya is an organic formulation made from cow goods. The usage of fermented organic formulation with supportive beneficial microorganisms as foliar nourishment has come into the picture of modern agriculture for giving raise to good quality of non-residue protected food.&nbsp; 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted from June to October 2020 at Farmer&rsquo;s field to study the Influence of Inorganic nutrients on Panchagavya on growth attributes of direct seeded Rice (BPT 5204). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial randomized block design in which factor A consists of Inorganic nutrients and Factor B consists of Panchagavya at different doses and time of applications. Factor A consists of viz., A1 100% RDF, A2 75% RDF and A3 50% RDF and Factor B consists of B1 No spraying, B2 Panchagavya 3% Spraying at 15, 30 and 45 DAS, B3 Panchagavya 3% Spraying at 10, 20, 30 and 45 DAS, B4 Panchagavya 4% Spraying at 15, 30 and 45 DAS B5 Panchagavya 4% Spraying at 10, 20, 30 and 45 DAS.&nbsp; 
Result: The results of the study revealed that the application of 100% Inorganic nutrients along with the foliar application of Panchagavya @ 4% at 4 times spraying showed the highest plant height, Number of effective tillers and leaf area index.</div>