<div>Background: Cereal based cropping systems are predominantly followed in south Asia because of higher productivity and profitability and ensuring food security. Rice is grown once a year in rotation mainly with wheat. Continuous cultivation of rice results in the formation of a hard pan below the ploughing layer, which may act as a barrier to normal root growth of the subsequent wheat crop. Consequently, soil bulk density is increased and hydraulic conductivity is reduced thus leading to non-conducive soil physical characteristics for the subsequent wheat crop. To reduce these ill effects, FYM is used as organic source. But live stock population is not increasing in the ratio as it is required to meet the FYM demand. Organic source requirement cannot meet through use of FYM in rice-wheat system, which is vital for food security point of view. There is need of alternate cost effective source of FYM which could enhance the soil health as well as productivity of rice-wheat system. The present study aimed to see the efficacy of growing green manure crop (Sesbania aculeata) as an alternative of FYM in the rice-wheat rotation. 
 
Methods: In this experiment conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 in on-going long term permanent manorial trial since 1984 at research farm (Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India), twelve treatments were taken under RBD in four replications. Observations and analysis were carried out by following the standard procedures. 
 
Result: The present investigation showed that combination of inorganic fertilizer and Sesbania aculeata helped in increasing yield as well as improving soil health. Sesbania aculeata can be used as a viable and cost effective alternative through partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers to enhance the soil health and productivity of rice-wheat system.</div>

<div>Sesbania aculeata a Cost Effective Alternative to Enhance the Soil Health and Productivity of Rice-Wheat System</div>

<div>Background: The present investigation is an attempt to study the effect of different harvesting and threshing methods on germination and seedling vigour of dhaincha. The use of a combine harvester to harvest dhaincha will be an effective alternative method that has not been widely tried. However, work on different methods of harvesting and threshing of dhaincha is limited. Hence, a study was conducted to evaluate the impact of various harvesting and threshing methods on germination and seedling vigour of dhaincha. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The dhaincha crop was harvested and threshed using four different methods viz., manual harvesting and manual threshing, manual harvesting and threshing by tractor treading, manual harvesting and mechanical threshing&nbsp;and harvesting and threshing by combine harvester. The resultant seeds were tested for mechanical damage and germination potential. The experiment was laid in completely randomized block design. Germination was tested by roll towel method using 100 seeds in four replications. Germination percentage, root and shoot length were measured in seven days after sowing from ten randomly selected seedlings in each replication. For the estimation of dry matter production, ten seedlings were selected at random and kept in a hot air oven maintained at 85oC for 24 hours after measuring their root and shoot length and vigour index was calculated. Mechanical damage to seeds was observed by ferric chloride test. Seed recovery per cent was calculated based on the 100 kgs of dhaincha seeds were cleaned and graded treatment wise using cleaner cum grader and the seeds retained on the bottom sieve were weighed and expressed as per cent of total quantity of seed. 
 
Result: The results revealed that the significant difference was found among the different harvesting and threshing methods. The seeds harvested and threshed by manual method recorded 85 per cent germination followed by seeds harvested manually and threshed by mechanical threshing (84 per cent) and seeds harvested manually and threshed by tractor treading (80.5 per cent). The lowest germination of 80.0 per cent was recorded by combine harvesting. From this study, it could be inferred that combine harvester is a modern method for harvesting of dhaincha that saves time and labour when compared to all other methods.</div>

Harvesting and Threshing Methods on Seed Quality of&nbsp;Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field experiment was conducted at Central Farm Unit situated in Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam during Rabi 2011-12 to evaluate the effect of spacing (120&times;30cm, 120&times;20 cm, 90&times;30 cm and 90&times;20 cm) and fertilizer levels (12.5:25:12.5, 18.75:37.5:18.75, 25:50:25, 31.25:62.5:31.25 kg N, P2O5, K2O/ha and control) on yield attributes of Dhaincha. The results revealed that spacing adopted with 120&times;30 cm significantly recorded higher number of pods/plant (53.7), pod length (19.94 cm), number of seeds/pod (28.52) and seed yield (585 kg/ha) of Dhaincha. In respect of different fertilizer levels, application NPK @ 31.25:62.5:31.25 kg/ha perceived higher yield attributes (number of pods/plant (48.8), pod length (17.98), number of seeds/ pod (29.28) and seed yield (609 kg/ha). Combination of spacing (120&times;30 cm) with fertilizer levels of 31.25:62.5:31.25 kg/ha significantly recorded higher seed yield of 705 kg/ha.</div>

Effect of spacing and fertilizer level on yield attributes of Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

A field study was conducted to evaluate the topping and nutrient management techniques on dhaincha during rabi 2011-12. Experiment was laid out in split-plot design by assigning topping practices (45, 60, 75 DAS and without topping) in main plots and nutrient sources (NPK, NPS, NKS, NPKS and without nutrients) in sub plots. The treatments were replicated thrice. The results revealed that topping on 45 DAS has registered more number of branches (10.2), dry matter production (6934 kg ha-1) at harvest stage. With fertilizer application of NPK and Sulphur significantly recorded the higher number of pods plant-1 (51.30), number of seeds plant-1 (28.90), test grain weight (19.90 g) and seed yield (599 kg ha-1) which was comparable with application of NPK alone. On the basis of economics, application of NPK recorded higher net return and B: C ratio followed by application of NPKS which was comparable with each other when topping was done on 45 DAS.

Influence of topping and nutrient management practices on growth&nbsp;and seed yield of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

Background: Increasing demand for leguminous green manure crop daincha seed is being noticed throughout the country mainly to restore the soil fertility. For maximizing seed production of newly released daincha variety, an optimum plant density per unit area and fertilizer application are an important management tool. The study was conducted to optimize the plant spacing and fertilizer dose for achieving higher seed yield of daincha variety TRY 1.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted during Summer and Kharif 2023 to study the effect of different spacing and fertilizer doses on growth, yield and economics of new daincha variety TRY1. The treatments consisted of five different spacing (S1-75&times;30 cm, S2-60&times;30 cm, S3-75&times;45cm, S4-60&times;45 cm and S5-90&times;30 cm) in main plots and three fertilizer levels (F1-12.5:25:12.5 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1, F2-18.75:37.5:18.75 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1, F3-25:50:25 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1 and control) in sub plots were tested. The treatments were replicated thrice in split plot design. 
 
Result: Growing of daincha variety TRY 1 at 60&times;45 cm spacing produced significantly taller plants (223 cm), more number of branches per plant (15.9) and dry matter production (1766 kg ha-1), yield parameters viz., higher mean number of pods per plant (114), pod length (22.4 cm) and seeds per pod (36.7), seed yield (567 kg ha-1), mean net returns (Rs.24512 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.36) than other spacing. Application of 25:50:25 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1 recorded significantly mean taller plants (217 cm), more number of branches per plant (19.3), dry matter production (1831 kg ha-1), nodules/plant (40.7), more number of pods /plant (121), pod length (23.7 cm) and seeds per pod (37.8), seed yield (572 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs.23369 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.20) over other fertilizer doses. Thus, the optimum spacing of 60&times;45 cm and fertilizer dose of 25: 50:25 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1 could be recommended for getting higher growth, yield parameters, seed yield, net returns and benefit cost ratio of newly released daincha variety TRY 1.

Enhancing Seed Yield of Daincha (Sesbania aculeata L.) New Variety TRY1 Through Optimum Spacing and Nutrient Management

<div>Background: Sesbania aculeata leaf are rich in nutrients which makes it a potential ingredient in fish feed preparation. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) process of leaf enhanced nutrient content and reduced antinutritional factors. This experiment was conducted to optimize inclusion of raw and fermented S. aculeata leaf meal (RSLM and FSLM) in the diet of Labeo rohita at fingerling stage at different level. 
 
Methods: Nine isonitrogenous (30% CP) diet for rohu fingerlings were prepared using RSLM and FSLM. SSF of the leaf meals were carried out using Bacillus subtilis. Feeding trail was conducted for 60 days at RSLM inclusion level of 10, 20, 30 and 40% (T1, T2, T3, T4) and FSLM (T5, T6, T7, T8) in triplicate treatments with 0% inclusion as control (C). 
 
Result: The fish fed with FSLM based diet had higher weight gain (%), SGR (%) and lower FCR when compared to RSLM and Control. S. aculeata can be incorporated in rohu fingerling&rsquo;s diet upto 20% RSLM and 40% FSLM level without any adverse effect on the growth of the fish.</div>

​Comparative Evaluation of Dietary Raw and Solid-state Fermented Sesbania Leaf Meal in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

<div>Background: Sesbania species are widely used in different agricultural systems providing green manure, forage, firewood, pulp, food, landscape decoration, control of soil erosion and soil improvement. The biomass yield and yield contributing descriptors of Sesbania depend on different physiological traits.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University to find out the morphological and physiological variability among four Sesbania genotypes. Sesbania species, viz. S. bispinosa, S. cannabina, S. sesban and S. rostrata, were used as experimental materials. Seeds were sown in 2.5 m &times; 2.0 m plots to maintain 200 plants m-2 following randomized complete block design with three replications. Seed length and width, 1000-seed weight, germination percentage, vigour index, seedling length and biomass yield parameters were recorded. Different growth data were recorded and physiological descriptors were calculated at every 10 days intervals up to 60 days after sowing (DAS).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that the highest value of plant height, number of leaflets pair leaf-1, leaf length and biomass yield were found in S. bispinosa and the lowest in S. sesban at 60 DAS. Sesbania sesban produced higher biomass and studied growth descriptors up to 20 DAS and thereafter declined, however, other three species produced higher biomass and studied growth descriptors from 30 to 60 DAS.</div>

Morphological and Physiological Characterization of Sesbania genotypes

<div style="text-align: justify;">Deficient available phosphorus (P) in soils can majorly limit crop production. Furthermore, nodule formation in legumes is inhibited in P-deficient soil. Phosphate-solubilizing rhizobia are supposed to improve the plant P uptake even in insoluble P accumulated soil. We investigated the utilization of insoluble ferric phosphate, which is generally less available for agricultural crops, by Sesbania cannabina inoculated with phosphate-solubilizing rhizobia. Our evaluation of the P-solubilizing capacity showed that P was mineralized from ferric phosphate in inoculated rhizobia. In the soluble P treatment, nodule dry weight was significantly correlated with shoot dry weight and P content. Nodule dry weight and nitrogenase activity in S. cannabina supplied with ferric phosphate were significantly higher than those in the soluble P treatment. But, these increases were not necessarily effective on P status in the plants supplied with ferric phosphate.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">An evaluation of phosphorus uptake in Sesbania cannabina when ferric phosphate is applied in the presence of phosphate-solubilizing rhizobia</div>

<div>Background: Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) are seasonal and perishable nature. It undergoes substantial-quality changes immediately after harvest that may lead to loss of its freshness. Hence this experiment was aimed to process and preserve Agathi leaves by dehydration and study the influences of thermal processing and fermentation on its physicochemical and functional properties.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Agathi leaves were separted from stalks, cleaned, washed then subjected to thermal treatments such as boiling (20 min), simmering (10 min) and steaming (10 min) followed fermentation with Baker&rsquo;s yeast (3% w/w concentration, 20 hours incubation at pH 6.5, 30&deg;C temperature). The processed leaves were cabinet dried at 60&deg;C for 4-5 hours then powdered and stored in an airtight container. The physicochemical and functional properties of the Agathi leaf powders were determined by following standard methods.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The processed Agathi leaf powders contain 5.60-8.10% moisture, 35.12-45.90g/100g protein, 6.47-11.41g/100 g minerals and 7.74-9.75 g/100 g crude fibre. Bulk density, Water absorption capacity, Oil absorption capacity, Emulsifying activity and Foaming capacity of the leaf powders were ranged from 0.56 to 0.67g/mL, 2.69 to 3.95 g/g, 0.96 to 1.23 g/g, 48.26 to 67.73% and 23.06 to 51.83% respectively. Thermal and fermentation treatments have significantly changed/altered the physicochemical and functional properties of Agathi leaf powders. The findings suggest that Agahti leaf powder is rich in protein, minerals and crude fibre and showed good functional properties that could be used to develop functional food products.</div>

​Thermal Processing and Fermentation Improves the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Dehydrated Agathi Leaves (Sesbania grandiflora L.)

Background: The integration of green manuring and nitrogen fertilization is a sustainable approach to enhance soil fertility and improve crop quality. Specifically, in crops like Basmati rice, these practices are known to influence critical parameters such as protein content and the availability of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. This study aims to evaluate the effects of various green manuring crops and nitrogen application levels on both soil nutrient status and grain quality of Basmati rice. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experiment was conducted during the 2023 kharif season at the Agricultural Research Farm of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, using a split-plot design. Four main plots were used: M0&nbsp;(Control, no green manuring), M1&nbsp;(Sesbania aculeata), M2&nbsp;(Crotalaria juncea) and M3&nbsp;(Vigna unguiculata), along with four nitrogen levels as sub-plots: N1&nbsp;(0 kg ha-1), N2&nbsp;(15 kg ha-1), N3&nbsp;(30 kg ha-1) and N4&nbsp;(45 kg ha-1). Key parameters such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability in the soil, alongside protein, nitrogen content in the rice grains, were assessed to figure out the impact of these treatments. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The application of green manures, particularly in Sesbania aculeata (M1), resulted in significant improvements in both the protein content of Basmati rice grains and the availability of essential nutrients in the soil. The treatments involving Vigna unguiculata (M3) and Crotalaria juncea (M2) also had positive effects, through to a lesser degree. Among the nitrogen levels, the highest protein content and nutrient availability were observed at 45 kg ha-1&nbsp;nitrogen application followed by 30 kg ha-1&nbsp;(N3), 15 kg ha-1&nbsp;(N2), whereas the control treatment with 0 kg ha-1&nbsp;(N1), with no nutrient input, exhibited the lowest values. These findings underline the critical role of integrating green manuring and nitrogen fertilization to enhance both soil fertility and basmati rice quality. 
&nbsp;

Sesbania aculeata a Cost Effective Alternative to Enhance the Soil Health and Productivity of Rice-Wheat System

Harvesting and Threshing Methods on Seed Quality of Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

Effect of spacing and fertilizer level on yield attributes of Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

Influence of topping and nutrient management practices on growth and seed yield of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

Enhancing Seed Yield of Daincha (Sesbania aculeata L.) New Variety TRY1 Through Optimum Spacing and Nutrient Management

Comparative Evaluation of Dietary Raw and Solid-state Fermented Sesbania Leaf Meal in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Morphological and Physiological Characterization of Sesbania genotypes

An evaluation of phosphorus uptake in Sesbania cannabina when ferric phosphate is applied in the presence of phosphate-solubilizing rhizobia

Thermal Processing and Fermentation Improves the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Dehydrated Agathi Leaves (Sesbania grandiflora L.)

Synergistic Effects of Green Manuring and Nitrogen Fertilization on Soil Fertility and Grain Quality of Basmati Rice