<div>Background: Long-term and stable livestock productivity could be possible only through a year-round supply of quality green fodder and it is essential for the sustainability of dairy farms. The year-round supply of quality green fodder is challenging to livestock farmers; however, it is possible by adopting perennial grass-legume intercropping systems.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment with eight treatments consisting of two perennial grasses (Napier- bajra hybrid grass and guinea grass) alone or in combination with three fodder legumes (Lucerne, Hedge Lucerne and Sesbania) was conducted for 3 years (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19) in a sandy loam soil at the Agricultural Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad. The treatments were replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Perennial grasses were raised in paired row method (row to row 120cm and plant to plant 60 cm. The legume intercrops were grown with their respective spacing within 120 cm row. Sesbania inter crop was allowed to grow for 6 months and later trimmed to a height of 1 meter in the establishment year. Growth parameters were measured only for grasses at each harvesting and green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields were recorded for both grasses and legumes at each cut and accumulated annually (total 6 cuts/year) for statistical analyses.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results indicated that among the grasses, Napier-bajra hybrid recorded significantly higher green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields; in case of leguminous inter crops, Sesbania recorded highest green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields followed by Hedge Lucerne. About total productivity of the system, Napier-bajra hybrid + Sesbania (2:1) cropping system recorded highest green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields. Highest net returns and B:C ratio was also noted with Napier bajra hybrid +Sesbania (2:1) cropping system and proved to be the best perennial fodder system for year-round supply fodder to the livestock.</div>

Evaluation of Perennial Grass-legume Cropping Systems for Year-round Supply of Fodder for Dairy Farms

<div>Background: Intercropping is wildly practiced in oil palm plantation in Thailand for a long time. However, there are few studies connected to oil palm intercropping. This study evaluated the effects of perennial intercrops on the agronomic and yield traits of oil palm. 
 
Methods: The observation used a completely randomized design with eight treatments including oil palm monocropping, oil palm intercropped with Intsia palembanica, Hopea odorata, Swietenia macrophylla, Ternstroemia wallichiana, Azardirachta excelsa, Magnolia champaca and Mesua ferrea. The height and stem perimeter of intercrops were recorded as were the plant height and diameter, number of male and female inflorescences and sex ratio of the oil palms. Those parameters were observed in October 2019, February and June 2020. 
 
Result: Oil palm intercropped with A. excelsa produced the highest number of female inflorescences and oil palm intercropped with M. champaca produced the highest sex ratio in October 2019 and February 2020, however, the differences of those parameters were not found in June 2020. There were no significant differences in the diameter, height, the number of male inflorescences throughout the observation. Among the 7 intercrops, M. champaca and A. excelsa produced the highest growth rate of plant height and stem perimeter, respectively. In conclusion, oil palm can be intercropped with perennial plants. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of intercropping in oil palm.</div>

<div>Effects of Perennial Intercrops on Oil Palm Agronomic and Yield Traits</div>

Background: Perennial crops including rubber and Thanh Tra grapefruit are highly effective land use that has occupied a large area (nearly 11,000 ha) in Thua Thien Hue province, Central Vietnam. Analyzing land suitability in agricultural production is one of the important tools for determining the effective use of land resources and sustainable development. This study aims to evaluate the land suitability of perennial crops in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province, Central Vietnam. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in different communes in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province, Central Vietnam from 2022 to 2023 by collecting secondary and primary data together with soil samples from 45 profiles for analysis and finally application of the fuzzy multi-criteria analysis process (FAHP) tool and geographic information system method (GIS) to evaluate the land suitability. 
 
Result: The results indicated that economic criteria played the most important role with weights from 0.068 to 0.343, followed by the social criteria (weights from 0.014 to 0.147) and the environmental criteria (weights from 0.011 to 0.051). With land suitability evaluation, the very high suitability area of rubber and Thanh Tra grapefruit (S1) was 3,144.14 ha and 3,742.29 ha respectively. The FAHP and GIS integrated method is a useful method to assess land suitability for land use of perennial crops based on appropriate assessment of FAO land use requirements.

Assessment of Land Suitability in Perennial Crops using FAHP and GIS in Central Vietnam

Background: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a grass species known for its dark green color, fine texture and rapid germination in cool seasons. Its resilience to hot, dryand cold weather conditions makes it suitable for both warm and cool climates. Its high resistance to wear stress makes it an ideal plant for sports fields. The use of chemical fertilizers leads to the accumulation of toxic elements in the soil, reducing productivity and polluting water sources. In contrast, organic or biofertilizers improve soil structure, increase water retention capacityand enhance the effective use of plant nutrients. This results in high yields while ensuring environmentally friendly agricultural practices that protect human and animal health. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this study, perennial ryegrass was treated with six different types of fertilizers (liquid seaweed fertilizer, microbial liquid organic fertilizer, organic liquid vermicompost, chicken manure, bat guanoand fertilizer with 32 micro trace elements) at four different fertilizer doses (2%, 4%, 6% and 8%). A control group with no fertilizer application was also included. The study investigated the effects of fertilizers on the plant&rsquo;s chlorophyll-a (mg/g), chlorophyll-b (mg/g), total chlorophyll (mg/g), chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoid (mg/g), proline (&micro;mol/mL), MDA (Lipid peroxidation activity) (nmol/g), APX (Ascorbate Peroxidase) (EU/ml) and Catalase (EU/ml) levels. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results showed that chlorophyll a content ranged from 3.68 to 0.35, chlorophyll b from 2.07 to 0.22 and total chlorophyll from 5.75 to 0.56, while the chlorophyll a/b ratio was between 2.65 and 1.46. Carotenoid content ranged from 1.01 to 0.14and ascorbate peroxidase activity was measured between 29.02 and 0.67. Catalase activity varied from 175.80 to 11.54, proline content from 48.05 to 1.15 and lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels ranged from 1.50 to 0.36. These results demonstrate that different treatments have significant and wide-ranging effects on the physiological and biochemical parameters of plants.

&nbsp;

Effects of Different Fertilizer Types on Pigment Content and Some Stress Molecules in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

<div style="text-align: justify;">Agroforestry is land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials are deliberately used on equivalent land management units as crops and/or animals. Its systems combine tree growing with the assembly of different crops or animals. Hence, developing positive ecological and economic interactions between components, agroforestry systems aim to produce a variety of environmental, economic and social advantages to farming communities. It plays a major role in soil conservation and global climate change mitigation particularly due to its tree component. Trees control soil degradation through their roots and accumulate greenhouse emission (GHG) in their biomass. What is more, it conjointly helps in global climate change adaptation. It&rsquo;s a long-time undeniable fact that despite our gift effort at global climate change mitigation (GHG reduction), there is an additional pressing ought to address the impact of global climate change (adaptation). Peoples ought to be acutely aware regarding the scope and advantages of agroforestry and that they ought to participate in the implementation and development of agroforestry within the country. Thus, this paper reviews different analysis findings on the opportunities and challenges for scaling up agroforestry practices. Therefore, the agroforestry system is economically and ecologically sound practices with an improvement of overall farm productivity, soil enrichment through litterfall, maintaining environmental services like international global climate change mitigation (carbon sequestration), phytoremediation, watershed protection and biodiversity conservation.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Opportunities and Challenges of Scaling up Agroforestry Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review</div>

Background: Cassia auriculata, L., is an imperative medicinal and traditional neutral colour leaf hair dye yielding in India. This is a multipurpose and indigenous, perennial leguminous shrub and widely used as traditional medicine to cure diabetics by the rural peoples. Tanner&rsquo;s cassia is also used as neutral henna and its yields natural golden blonde colouring to hair through the dried leaf powder. Young buds are used for yellow colour dye extraction by textile industries. Screening of high tolerance and best performing genotypes is highly essential in this imperative woody legume shrub to rehabilitate the mass erosion prone gullied and ravine lands for productive purpose of the wasteland and degraded lands. 
 
Methods: Thirty different accessions of Cassia auriculata were assembled and numbered from CA-1 to CA-30 from arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan (India). The experimental trial was conducted at ICAR-IISWC, Research Centre, Kota-Rajasthan, India during 2019-2022. After evaluation, CA-4 genotype was selected as an elite genotype. The elite genotype was used for high density plantation development with resource conservation for green cover development in non-arable ravine lands.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Genetic variation studies of Cassia auriculata indicated that considerable and significant variability, abundant morphometric variations in assembled genotype progenies. Further, genetic divergence analysis was also revealed that nine clusters segregated from 30 genotypes. Thirty genotypes were grouped into nine clusters according overall performance with geographical identity. Finally, C. auriculata (CA-4) genotype was identified and selected as an elite genotype based on its overall superiority in terms of plant growth, higher green biomass, leaf litter biomass, more number branching behaviour and plant coppicing ability which are directly relevant and imperative in soil erosion control, resource conservation and potential rehabilitation effect in resource poor dry regions of non-arable lands.

Genetic Divergence Studies among Indigenous Accessions of Cassia auriculata (L.) Roxb., through Screening and Utilization for Chambal Ravine Rehabilitation

<div>Carbon sequestration plays a significant part in alleviating climate change by changing over climatic carbon as plant biomass and soil organic carbon. Since trees can hold greater carbon in their biomass than other plant types, perennial plantations have a vital function in mitigating the adversities in climate. Coconut is a perennial palm with a life time of around 50-60 years has the capability to store carbon for a long time, especially in the stem. Due to the increased availability of space and solar radiation reaching the understorey, the carbon sequestration capacity of coconut plantations can be considerably increased. As a result, intercropping or agroforestry in coconut lands is important not only for food and economic security but also for carbon sequestration. On an average carbon sequestration potential of coconut trees range between 37 kg tree-1 yr-1 (dwarf variety) up to 56 kg tree-1yr-1 (tall variety). After 20 years of establishment, monoculture coconut land can be transformed into perennial mixed cropping or agroforestry system that can sequester more carbon.</div>

Carbon Sequestration Potential in Coconut based Cropping System: A Review

Sedges, resilient weeds from the Cyperaceae family, pose a significant threat to direct-seeded rice cultivation due to their perennial nature and robust propagules, which endure harsh conditions. Their emergence, growth and seed production during fallow periods contribute significantly to seed banks, making their management challenging compared to other weed types. Water levels in paddy fields dictate weed composition, favouring sedges and grasses under saturated conditions but shifting to grass weeds during cropping seasons, influenced by factors like soil conditions and rainfall. Managing sedges requires a multifaceted approach due to their perennial hydrophilic and pro-alkaline nature with extensive propagules. Sedges possessing strong root system with morphological similarities necessitate continuous weed control throughout the cropping season during the critical period ranging from 15 to 60 days after sowing for wet and dry direct-seeded rice. Effective weed management practices proved crucial for minimizing yield losses caused by infestation of Cyperus difformis, Fimbristylis miliacea and Schoenoplectus juncoides by many researchers. Various methods, including cultural practices like stale seedbeds, physical methods like summer tillage, biological approaches such as integrating poultry and chemical interventions like herbicide application, are utilized for sedge management in rice fields. Higher efficacy of ethoxysulfuron for management of majority of sedge weeds in rice has been reported by many workers. However, relying on a single strategy is insufficient to keep sedge populations below the threshold, necessitating a comprehensive and adaptable approach to weed control in rice cultivation.

Ecology and Management of Sedges in Direct-seeded Rice: A Review

Ensuring year-round provision of green fodder for a single adult cattle unit poses a significant challenge, especially in regions with distinct seasons. However, with careful planning and the use of a variety of forage crops including legumes, grains and perennial grasses, it is possible to maintain a consistent supply of green fodder. Factors such as cattle type, weight, activity levels and the nutritional quality of the fodder all influence the amount of green fodder required by adult cattle. Adequate green fodder intake is crucial for meeting their nutritional needs and maintaining optimal health and productivity. This underscores the importance of exploring sustainable strategies for year-round green fodder provision highlighting the vital role of forage crop diversity in meeting the dietary needs of adult cattle. The research experiment took place at the Research Farm of the Division of Agronomy, SKUAST- Jammu spanning two consecutive years from 2020-2021 to 2021-2022. The experimental layout consisted of eight treatments arranged in three staggered configurations during both kharif and rabi seasons alongside perennial fodders planted along the borders. The design employed a randomized block design (RBD) and was replicated three times. Significantly higher system productivity was recorded with Multicut Bajra + Cowpea - Berseem + Oats with Root slips of Napier planted in July. Multicut Sorghum + Cowpea - Lucerne + Oat with stem cuttings of Setaria planted in January recorded maximum land requirement for 1 ACU and 10 ACU&rsquo;s whereas minimum land requirement for 1 ACU and 10 ACU&rsquo;s was observed in Multicut Bajra + Maize - Berseem + Barley with root slips of Napier planted in July.

Adult Cattle Unit based Fodder Model for Supplementing Round the Year Green Fodder in Irrigated Subtropics of Jammu and Kashmir: A Review

<div>The world&rsquo;s problematic perennial weed Mikania micrantha hampers in crop production and causes enormous losses due to its interference. Management of M. micrantha by mechanical and chemical methods has not met with any reasonable success. So, it has become a target for classical biological control. Numerous natural indigenous plant species, fungi and insects were tried as bio-control agents for effective control of M. micrantha. However, along with bio-control, appropriate mechanical, chemical and cultural methods are required to be integrated for controlling it. Thus, integrated management approaches for control of M. micrantha should be evolved against this invasive weed in long run.</div>