Background: This study examines the impact of water stress on sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata) growth and yields in loamy sand soil, Ilorin. It aims to elucidate the relationship between water stress and crop performance while identifying optimal water requirements for enhancing sweet corn development in this soil type. 
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Methods:&nbsp;The study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates, featuring four crop-environmental water demand (CEWD) treatments: 100%, 75%, 50%&nbsp; and 25% CEWD. Water application rates (90 litres per plot every 2 days) were calculated using 12 years of meteorological data (2011-2022) for Ilorin, based on FAO crop water needs and daily evapotranspiration. Sweet corn seeds (Ex-IITA) were planted at 75 cm by 25 cm spacing. Key parameters measured included plant height, leaf count, leaf area index, biomass, days to 50% flowering, grain count&nbsp; and yield. Statistical analysis was conducted using Genstat 17th&nbsp;edition.&nbsp; 
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Result: Increased soil moisture significantly impacted plant development, with notable variations in growth rates across the four treatments. Sweet corn grain yield followed the order: 75% &gt; 100% &gt; 50% &gt; 25% CEWD. No significant differences were found in flowering dates or leaf count. Mean plant height ranged from 0.627 m to 0.975 m, correlating with water application rates. The 75% CEWD treatment resulted in the highest total dry matter content and leaf area index, explaining its superior yield. The 75% CEWD level is optimal for sweet corn cultivation in Ilorin, loamy sand soil, Nigeria, promoting sustainable agriculture. 
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Evaluating Water Requirements and Stress Effects on Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata) Cultivated on Loamy Sand Soil

Background: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), is a leguminous crop which is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics between 40&deg;N and 40&deg;S latitudes. It is valued for its high-oil edible seeds and as such it is the fourth most important source of edible oil and third most important source of vegetable protein in the world. Groundnut is not only an important oilseed crop of India but also an important agricultural export commodity. Cultivation of groundnut is an alternate occupation to fishing by the fisherman in the coastal sands. Farmers are cultivating groundnut after groundnut for the past two decades resulting in low income from the crop. Based on their demand a field experiment is planned to identify alternate crops which are remunerative to this tract 
 
Methods: Field experiment entitled &ldquo;Identification of suitable alternate Rabi crops for coastal sands of Nellore district&rdquo; was carried out for two consecutive years during rabi, 2017-18 and 2018-19 on farmer&rsquo;s field at Srigowripuram, Vidavalur Mandal, SPSR Nellore district. 
 
Result: The mean performance revealed that all the crops produced less groundnut equivalent yields than groundnut crop. Groundnut pod equivalent yield was reduced by 4.60%, 71.25%, 90.14% and 55.78% in water melon, musk melon, onion and potato crops respectively. In terms of groundnut pod equivalent yield no crop is found superior to existing groundnut crop. With regard to alternate crops, the maximum groundnut pod equivalent yield (4941.50 kg ha-1) was noticed in water melon crop followed by muskmelon (1489.50 kg ha-1). Though higher gross and net returns were realized for groundnut (284955, 200695 Rs ha-1) B:C ratio was found to be maximum for water melon (3.48) due to low cost of cultivation Hence, water melon crop can be promoted as a remunerative crop alternate groundnut in coastal sands of Nellore district. Whereas, onion crop was found to be least in monitory returns crop with lower productivity in costal sands of Nellore district.

Identification of Suitable Alternate Rabi Crops for Coastal Sands of Nellore District

Background: Understanding how land use affects the stability of soil aggregates and soil organic carbon associated with water stable aggregates in soils within the coastal plain sands is crucial for sustainable management. This study examines how agriculture and road construction influence these factors in two locations of Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria. 
 
Methods: The study was a 2 * 5 factorial experiment; denoting two locations (Umudike and Umuahia) and five land use practices which include Road Construction, Fallow, Grazing, Cultivation and Forest in a randomized complete block design. Soil sampling utilized the Transect method at a depth of 0 - 15 cm. Laboratory analysis on aggregate indices and pertinent soil characteristics were carried out. 
 
Result: Soil texture differed between Umudike (sandy loam) and Umuahia (loamy sand). Umudike soil showed higher water-stable aggregates (WSA), lower CR (clay ratio: 7.19), DR (dispersion ratio: 0.36) clay dispersion index (CDI: 0.41), higher ASC (aggregated silt plus clay: 14.24 g/kg) and aggregated soil organic carbon (ASOC). Both locations are classified as erodible (DR &gt; 15%). The main effect of land use revealed that forest, grazing and fallow enhanced aggregate stability and ASOC compared to cultivation and road construction.&nbsp; The combined effect of location and land use on soil aggregates displayed variability of response, emphasizing the influence of particle size distribution, SOC status including management on aggregate indices. Correlation analysis supported this claim. Therefore, tailored conservation strategies are vital for enhancing structure and ASOC while asphalting with proper drainage is crucial to prevent land degradation. 
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Impact of Agriculture and Road Construction on Soil Aggregates in Two Locations of Coastal Plain Sand, Southeastern Nigeria

<div>Background: Impaction of colons is a major cause of deaths in equines; therefore the objective of the current study was to perform the detailed ultrasonographic examination of equids suffering from abdominal discomfort and to identify which measurable parameters were important in reaching a diagnosis of small intestinal abnormality and determining treatment options.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this study twenty five equids (age 10-13 years) with history of cessation of defecation ranging from 2-4 days were subjected to sonography.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The impaction of left ventral colon in all animals was imaged as hyperechoic intraluminal structure casting a strong acoustic shadow with loss of normal sacculations, edema, increase in wall thickness and absence of peristaltic activity. Findings giving an indication of sand colic were the flattening of left ventral colon wall against the ventral body wall with loss of normal sacculations, peristaltic activity, presence of small pinpoint hyperechoic structures on the mucosal surface seen casting small acoustic shadows and reverberation artifacts in different directions were highly suggestive of sand impaction. In all animals the loops of small intestine were observed in transverse as well as longitudinal sections as hypermotile distended with fluidy ingesta and hyperechoic feed particles swirling inside that fluidly ingesta. The presence of dilated multiple loops of intestine in a single scanning area was a consistent feature of left ventral colon impaction. Hence detailed ultrasonographic examination was useful to delineate normal and abnormal conditions and to distinguish between true and false colic which provided an important diagnostic lead in management of affections of left ventral colon.</div>

Sonographic Evaluation of Coprostatic Impaction with Sand and Ingesta in Draft Equids

<div>Background: Maize is one of the best cereal crop as it is also known as &ldquo;Queen of cereals&rdquo; by giving good taste, having more hybrid varieties, good production and price also. But to make maize best cereal well fertile and neutral soil is important. In the several previous years tthere was good soil, plant and environment relationship but due to passing the time soil health was deteriorated by using the more amount of inorganic fertilizers (beyond the limit). The insect pest attack was also increased due to uses of more amount of fertilizers. Soil becomes topic in nature and most of the inorganic chemical leached down and mixed with the water table. 
 
Material: The two year field experiment was conducted at experimental farm at Lovely Professional University Phagwara Punjab during the kharif season 2019- 2020 to study the influence of integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on physio-chemical properties of soil and yield of kharif maize in coarse loamy Typic Haplustept soil with 8 treatments treatments T1- Control, T2 - RDF (125:60:30) kg ha-1, T3- RDF +10 ton farmyard manure ha-1, T4- 75% RDF + 10 ton farm yard manure ha-1+ Vermicompost @2 ton/ha, T5-75% RDF +10 ton farmyard manure ha-1, T6- 50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1, T7-50% RDF +15 ton of farmyard manure +azotobacter ha-1, T8-25 % RDF + azotobacter + vermicompost@ 2 ton ha-1 in RBD design with 3 replications. 
 
Result: The soil pH was found highest in T2 (RDF (125:60:30) kg ha-1) (7.8) whereas highest EC was found in T6 (50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1) (0.27 dsm-1). The highest bulk density found under T1 (Control) ( 2.02 gcm-3) and porosity was highest in T8 (25 % RDF + azotobacter + vermicompost@ 2 ton ha-1) (37.96%). In T6 (50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1), the highest amount of Nitrogen (412.3 kgh-1), phosphorus (67.77 kgh-1), potassium (884.3 kgh-1) and organic carbon (0.567%) was found. In terms of yield parameters, the grain yield (4223 kgh-1), straw yield (6266 kgh-1), harvest index (41.53%) and 1000- seed weight (366.86gms) was found highest in T6 ((50% RDF +10 ton farm yard manure + vermicompost@2 ton ha-1 + azotobacter ha-1). There are significant difference in all the treatements with respect to the physio-chemical properties of soil and yield paramters of maize.</div>

Influence of Integrated Use of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers on Physio-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Kharif Maize in Coarse Loamy Typic Haplustept Soil

<div style="text-align:justify">The aims of this research were to investigate the effects of soil moisture on cassava growth and physiological processes and to determine the critical soil moisture contents. To fulifll the research objectives, cassava was grown under five levels of soil moisture, including 50, 40, 30 and 20% of soil available water holding capacity (AWHC) along with control (no irrigation). Physiological traits and plant growth parameters were measured. The results showed that cassava grown under 50% of AWHC exhibited the highest photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, predawn leaf water potential and chlorophyll activity. All physiological traits decreased significantly when the moisture content was less than 40 and 20% of AWHC in sandy clay loam and loamy sand soil, respectively. Predawn leaf water potential was used to determine the critical point of soil moisture. It was found that the critical soil moisture contents were 39.0 and 15.7% of AWHC in sandy clay loam and loamy sand soil, respectively.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Effect of Soil Moisture and Determination of Critical Soil Moisture Contents of Cassava</div>

<div>Background: Soil compaction adversely affects mechanical and water transmission characteristics, thus hampering crop growth and productivity. However, under coarse-textured soils, compaction to a certain extent is beneficial concerning restricting water transmission, increasing water retention and improving productivity. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of compaction and irrigation on soil physical characteristics and productivity of summer moongbean. 
 
Methods: A field study was conducted on summer moongbean for two years in loamy sand soil at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. The treatments comprised three compaction levels i.e. no roller pass (C0), one roller pass (C1) and three roller pass (C3) in main plots and in subplots three irrigation regimes (I0.4, I0.6 and I0.8) with three replicates. Observations included soil bulk density and infiltration rate; seed emergence count, growth traits, yield and yield attributes. 
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Result: Soil bulk density of 5-10 cm depth increased from 1.53 at C0 to 1.62 Mg m-3 at C3. However, infiltration rate of water in soil decreased to 38% with an increase in compaction level from C0 to C3. Seed emergence count was deleteriously affected with increasing compaction level but at 15 DAS, it increased by 33 and 42% at C1 and C3 levels under I0.8 regime as compared to I0.4. Plant height was also minimal at C3 irrespective of irrigation regimes. Compaction reduced the root length density in the surface layers but it increased in the sub-surface layers. Grain and straw yield increased by 15 and 13%, respectively in C1 over C3. An increase in irrigation regimes from I0.4 to I0.8, increased the mean straw and grain yield from 5.10 to 6.10 t ha-1 and 1.13 to 1.32 t ha-1 respectively. However, the irrigation water productivity decreased with an increase in irrigation frequency. These result suggest that compaction up to one roller pass with I0.8 irrigation regime can be beneficial for enhancing grain yield of summer moongbean in loamy sand soil.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Effect of Compaction and Irrigation Regimes on Soil Physical Characteristics, Emergence, Growth and Productivity of Summer Moongbean</div>

<div>Floods have threatened the agricultural productivity in Assam every year. Quality of soil, which is one of the important factors, that determines the production and income of farm, has been damaged by flood. Various study and secondary data reveal that deposition of sand due to flood has negative impact on farm productivity. This paper tries to investigate the impact of flood induced sand deposition and other factors on farm productivity in Dhemaji district, one of the mostly flood effected area of Assam. The study is based on primary survey which included 10 flood effected villages and &nbsp;276 agricultural plots for testing the quality of soil. After testing the soil quality, the paper attempts to establish the relationship between quality of soil and paddy productivity. To identify the factors affecting the productivity of the paddy and estimate the damage due to flood induced sand deposition, the study used regression models by taking productivity of paddy as dependent variable. The regression model is estimated using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. In order to ensure the validity of OLS results, this study also tested a Tobit model. Results of the paper revealed &nbsp; that sand deposition created huge damage to the paddy fields and poor agricultural outcomes from the degraded lands were forcing people to look for other livelihood and opportunities.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Determinants of Farm Productivity in Flood Prone area: A Study in Dhemaji District of Assam</div>

Field experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on direct seeded rice (DSR) with tillage systems and nitrogen (N) levels. The highest grain yield of DSR was recorded in zero tillage with wheat straw (ZTWS), which was statistically at par with zero tillage without wheat straw (ZTWOS). The application of 125 kg N/ha gave the maximum grain yield, which was at par with 100 kg N/ha. The ZTWS at 100 kg N/ha registered higher grain yield, which was at par with ZTWOS at 125 kg N/ha. However, the higher grain yield was recorded with the application of 125 kg N/ha under conventional tillage with wheat straw (CTWS) and with 150 kg N/ha in conventional tillage without wheat straw (CTWOS). Therefore, rice can be grown with ZTWS and ZTWOS with the application of 100 and 125 kg N/ha, respectively for higher productivity at low cost of cultivation by skipping the tillage operation at the time of sowing under the condition of loamy sand soils of Punjab.&nbsp;

Direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under tillage systems&nbsp;with wheat straw and nitrogen levels

An experiment was carried out on loamy sand soil of Bidi tobacco Research Station Farm, AAU, Anand to evaluate the effect of organic manures (farmyard manure, vermi-compost, poultry manure, neem cake and castor cake) on growth and green pod yield of cowpea during summer season of 2013-14 in randomized block design with four replication. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer 20-40-0 NPK kg ha-1recorded significantly higher green pod, stover yield and yield contributing characters viz., number of green pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1 over different organic sources; However, application of 2 t ha-1 vermicompost &nbsp;was at par with RDF. The plant population per meter row length at 25 DAS and at final picking and number of branches plant-1 and plant height at 30 DAS showed no significant difference between different treatments, but at 60 DAS and at final picking significantly higher plant height was observed due to &nbsp;use of RDF 20-40-0 NPK kg ha-1.&nbsp;

Evaluating Water Requirements and Stress Effects on Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata) Cultivated on Loamy Sand Soil

Identification of Suitable Alternate Rabi Crops for Coastal Sands of Nellore District

Impact of Agriculture and Road Construction on Soil Aggregates in Two Locations of Coastal Plain Sand, Southeastern Nigeria

Sonographic Evaluation of Coprostatic Impaction with Sand and Ingesta in Draft Equids

Influence of Integrated Use of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers on Physio-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Kharif Maize in Coarse Loamy Typic Haplustept Soil

Effect of Soil Moisture and Determination of Critical Soil Moisture Contents of Cassava

Effect of Compaction and Irrigation Regimes on Soil Physical Characteristics, Emergence, Growth and Productivity of Summer Moongbean

Determinants of Farm Productivity in Flood Prone area: A Study in Dhemaji District of Assam

Direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under tillage systems with wheat straw and nitrogen levels

Effect of organic manures on growth and yield of summer cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] under middle Gujarat conditions