Background: Understanding the complex relationship between soil characteristics and crop production is crucial for sustainable agriculture practices. Soil physicochemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM) and nutrient content (e.g., NPK) significantly influence crop yield. Additionally, the application of straw mulch can impact soil moisture retention, there by affecting crop growth and productivity. Intercropping system offers potential advantages in terms of water use efficiency (WUE) and productivity compared to monoculture system. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted using a randomised block design (RBD) with three replications. The study included six treatments with different cropping system: T1 = Monoculture soybean(planting size 30&times;10 cm), T2 =&nbsp; Monoculture maize (planting size 45&times;15 cm),T3 = Maize + soybean (2:2) line sown,T4 = Maize intercropping with soybean (2:2) + wheat straw (5 tha-1), T5 = Maize intercropping with soybean (2:2) + maize straw (5 tha-1), T6 = Maize intercropping with soybean (2:2) + mustard straw (5 tha-1). 
 
Result: Water use efficiency (WUE) varied among treatments, with the highest WUE (9.44) observed in application of maize straw mulch 5t ha-1, indicating 42.57% increases compared to monoculture maize and 42.17% increases compared to monoculture soybean cultivation. Similarly, superior grain yield (19.30 q ha-1), pod yield (16.29 q ha-1), intercrop yield (35.59 q ha-1), maximum maize equivalent yield (54.33 q ha-1) when comparing the results with and without straw mulch applied to maize and soybean crops. Maize and soybean intercropping system demonstrated superior land utilization efficiency (LER:1.04 to 1.24) and productivity metrics.

Maximizing Water Use Efficiency (WUE), Land Utilization Efficiency (LUE) and Competitive Indices of Maize and Soybean Crops Through Intercropping Pattern with Straw Mulching

<div>Background: Delineation of high yielding stable lentil genotypes (G) with least environmental (E) influence is a challenging issue. In the present study, an attempt has been made to unravel the magnitude of the effect of GEI for appraising the stable lentil genotypes through deploying HA-GGE biplot along with linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and other stability indices.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present experiment was conducted with 30 promising lentil genotypes grown at four different locations of West Bengal during two consecutive years for recording grain yield. Subsequently, G &times;&nbsp;E interaction was deciphered integrating HA-GGE and REML/BLUP method.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Genotypes appraisal detected presence of adequate genetic variability and significant G &times; E interaction. Integration of GGE biplot along with REML/BLUP precisely delineated G30 (IC 521442); G9 (BM 5); G11 (IC 560212) and G8 (Moitree) as stable and desirable lentil genotypes with coherent response across the locations over the years.</div>

Delineation of Stable High Yielding Lentil Genotypes Through HA-GGE and REML/BLUP Method for Gangetic Alluvial Zone of India

Background: Reducing stocking densities may play a key role in minimizing difficulties such as physiological welfare when reducing or ending antimicrobials in poultry diets. As the demand for poultry and associated products increases, one of the major concerns centers on the question of whether stocking density influences welfare responses that are characteristic of physiological welfare. This study investigated the effect of stocking density on selected blood physiological variables along with plasma biochemistry variables and enzymes activities of broilers fed antibiotic-free diets grown to 3 kg. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: A total of 888 1-d-old Ross &acute; Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 24 pens based on stocking density treatments assignment. The treatments consisted of 4 densities (29, 33, 39 and 42 kg/m2) with six replicates. Treatments were blocked within the room to account for any variations in room conditions. Treatment assignments were randomized within each block. Used litter bedding was obtained from commercial farms to mimic commercial conditions and litter microflora. Birds were provided a three phase-feeding program (Starter: 0-14 d, Grower: 15-28 d and Finisher: 29-42 d) antibiotic-free diets. Feed and water provided ad libitum. Blood samples were collected from the brachial wing vein of 3 males and 3 females&rsquo; birds per pen on d 28 and 42 and analyzed immediately for blood physiological variables. Blood plasma samples were analyzed for T3, T4, corticosterone, biochemical variables and enzyme activities. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The only effect of stocking density was observed on partial pressure of CO2&nbsp;(pCO2) and uric acid which were within physiological ranges for this species. However, blood glucose and plasma corticosterone concentrations were not affected by stocking density, suggesting no signs of physiological stress. Stocking densities up to 42 kg/m2&nbsp;with proper environmental management may be suitable for both poultry integrators and contract growers to enhance broilers production efficiency without compromising the welfare of broilers grown to 3 kg body weight.

Effect of Stocking Density on Selected Blood Physiological, Biochemical and Enzymatical Variables of Broilers Grown to 3 kg under Antibiotic-free Conditions

Background: Stocking densities could have a significant impact on birds when reducing or eliminating antimicrobials (antibiotic-free; ABF) in poultry diets. This study investigated the effects of stocking densities on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers fed antibiotic-free diets grown to 3 kg. 
 
Methods: A total of 888 1-d-old Ross &times; Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 24 pens. The treatments were four stocking densities including 29, 33, 39 and 42 kg of BW/m2; each treatment was represented by six replicates. Treatments were blocked within the room to account for any variations in room conditions. Treatment assignments were randomized within each block. Used bedding was obtained from commercial farms to simulate commercial conditions and litter microflora. Birds were fed antibiotic-free (ABF) diets and provided a three phase-feeding program (Starter: 0-14 d, Grower: 15-28 d and Finisher: 29-42 d). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Birds and feed were weighed on 1, 14, 28 and 42 d of age to measure growth performance. On d 43, 10 (5 males and 5 females) birds from each pen were processed to determine weights and yields. 
 
Result: The BW and BW gain, live weight, carcass weights and carcass yield percentage were not affected by stocking density. Also, mortality was not affected by stocking density. However, FI and FCR for the starter period were significantly elevated (P&lt;0.001 and P&lt;0.001, respectively) at lower stocking densities, but were not different for the remainder of the growout. In conclusion, stocking densities evaluated from 29 to 42 kg/m2 with appropriate environmental management has a negligible effect on overall production and processing yield in ABF broilers.

Effect of Stocking Density on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers Grown to 3 Kg under Antibiotic Free Diets1,2

<div>Background: During rabi / summer irrigation water is a scarce resource, but crop needs more water due to non-rainy season and warmer climate. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during rabi / summer season of 2016-17 to study the effect of irrigation water regimes on water use efficiency (WUE) of groundnut genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This field study comprised of four main plots as water regimes viz. I1: (control) seven irrigations at 15 days interval from sowing to 105 DAS, I2: Stress at pegging stage; withdrawal of one irrigation between 45 - 60 DAS, I3: Stress at pegging and pod filling stage; withdrawal of two irrigations between 45-75 DAS, I4: Stress at pegging, pod filling and kernel development stage; withdrawal of four irrigations from 45-105 DAS and four genotypes as sub plots viz. G1: Dh-86, G2: Dh-101, G3: K-9 and G4: G2-52. Treatments were replicated thrice and laid out in split plot design.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among the water regime, I2 recorded significantly higher WUE (6.2 kg ha-1 mm-1) followed by I1 (control; 5.5 kg ha-1 mm-1). Water regime I2 also recorded significantly higher pod yield and haulm yield (2,857 kg ha-1 4,648 kg ha-1, respectively) along with other yield attributes, but was found at par with control (I1). This study showed that WUE as well as yield of rabi / summer groundnut can be enhanced if crop was exposed only to mild stress by skipping an irrigation at pegging stage out of total seven irrigations. Among the genotypes, Dh-86 with 2,375 kg ha-1 of pod yield performed significantly better over others like Dh-101 (2,215 kg ha-1), K-9 (2,048 kg ha-1) and G2-52 (1,880kg ha-1) suggesting differential response to moisture stress, thus choice of moisture stress tolerant genotypes is equally important to enhance WUE. Interaction between irrigation regime and genotypes showed that Dh-86 (G1) with I2 irrigation regime recorded significantly higher WUE (6.9 kg ha-1 mm-1), pod yield (3,168 kg ha-1) and net return (Rs. 95,655 ha-1) and was found at par with full irrigation regime (I1).&nbsp;</div>

<div>Effect of Moisture Regimes on Water use Efficiency of Rabi / Summer Groundnut Genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka</div>

A field experiment was conducted at Udaipur for two consecutive rabi seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13 with aim to rationalize the water use and enhance the productivity of fenugreek through use of appropriate IW-CPE ratio and fertilizer level. Results show that IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 registered significantly higher pooled seed yield (1833 kg ha-1) to an extent of 45.48, 27.50 and 11.90% and pooled haulm yield (5111 kg ha-1) to a level of 41.42, 23.72 and 10.26% over lower IW-CPE ratios 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. However, pooled seed and haulm yield were statistically at par between IW-CPE ratios of 1.0 and 1.2. IW-CPE of 1.0 also recorded significantly higher pooled consumptive use (211.91 mm ha-1) over lower IW-CPE ratios. Water use efficiency (WUE) under IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 (8.63 kg grain mm-1 ha-1) was indifferent to IW-CPE ratio of 1.2 however; these treatment registered significantly lower pooled WUE values than various lower IW-CPE ratios. IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 also registered significantly higher pooled dry matter plant-1 at 40 and 80 days (1.40 and 11.97 g, respectively) and at harvest (17.07 g) over different lower IW-CPE ratios. IW-CPE ratio of 1.0 fetched significantly higher pooled net return (Rs 58442 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.53) over lower IW-CPE ratios but variations were indifferent with IW-CPE ratio of 1.2. Among fertility levels, 40 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 registered significantly higher pooled yield (seed: 1721 kg ha-1 and haulm: 4777 ha-1), consumptive use (173.59 mm ha-1), WUE (10.40 kg grain mm-1 ha-1), dry matter plant-1 at 40 days (1.34 g), 80 days (11.67 g) and at harvest (16.39 g), net return (Rs 54176 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.33) but variations were indifferent with 60 kg N + 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 in pooled seed and haulm yield, consumptive use, WUE, dry matter plant-1 at 40 and 80 days and harvest and net return.&nbsp;

Water use, yield and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under varying IW-CPE ratios and fertilizer levels in South West Rajasthan

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field experiment was conducted at Irrigation Water Management Research Centre (IWMRC) Belavatgi, Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district under Vertisols during rabi 2013-15 to study the effect of irrigation and hydrogel application on chickpea varieties in Malaprabha Command area. Irrigation effects were non significant, &nbsp;however irrigation scheduled at 0.4 IW/CPE + 2.5 kg ha-1 hydrogel recorded higher grain yield (2136 kg ha-1) as compared to irrigation scheduled at 0.6 IW/CPE (2087 kg ha-1) and 0.4 IW/CPE (2025 kg ha-1). It also recorded significantly higher WUE (13.34 kg/ha mm) over 0.6 IW/CPE (8.15 kg/ha mm). Among the varieties &lsquo;JG-11&rsquo; recorded significantly higher grain yields (2309 kg ha-1) over other varieties, however they did not affect the WUE. Interaction effect of irrigation levels and varieties was significant for grain yield and WUE. &lsquo;A-1&rsquo;, &lsquo;JG-11&rsquo; and &lsquo;JAKI-9218&rsquo; varieties with 2.5 kg ha-1 hydrogel recorded significantly higher WUE and were on par. &lsquo;JG-11&rsquo; variety with 0.6 IW/CPE recorded higher gross returns (Rs. 92660/ha), net returns (Rs. 69800/ha) and B:C ratio (3.05).</div>

Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties to irrigation and hydrogel application in Vertisols&nbsp;

<div>The effect of plastic mulch on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivation under low head drip irrigation systems was studied at ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, PFDC, Bhopal during 2018-19. Drip irrigation system was operated by placing water tank at a total water deliver height of 3 m and varied heads to 2.5 m and 2.0 m to find out the value of coefficient of uniformity under these heads. The experimental treatments consisted in five levels by varying irrigation methods: Flood irrigation, irrigation with drip laid on raised beds, irrigation with drip laid on raised beds covered with black mulch, irrigation with drip laid on raised beds covered with silver mulch and irrigation with drip laid on raised beds covered with white mulch. Growth and yield parameters of chickpea viz., plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, plant dry matter (g/plant), effective nodule per plant and nodules dry weight (mg/plant), number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield (kg/ha) and harvest index were highest under silver plastic mulch laid on raised beds, irrigated with drip as compared to black plastic mulch and white plastic mulch treatments. Lowest growth and yield parameters were recorded in the flood irrigated treatment. Water Use Efficiency was highest under silver plastic mulch (17.21kg/ha mm) and lowest under flood irrigated condition (3.74 kg/ha mm). Net returns were higher in the treatment under the silver mulch (Rs/ha 77939) and followed by black mulch (Rs/ha 67179) with lowest net returns in the flood irrigated condition (Rs/ha 32690).</div>

Effect of Mulching on Chickpea under Low Head Drip Irrigation System

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field investigation was carried out in farmer&rsquo;s field at Pudhupalayam, TNAU, Coimbatore, during 2015, to improve the productivity of groundnut variety TMV 13 under drip and micro sprinkler fertigation system. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications comprising of 11 treatments. Results indicated that maximum pod yield (3495 kg ha-1), haulm yield (6452 kg ha-1), harvest index (0.351) and shelling per cent (73.95 per cent) were obtained with drip irrigation at 100% PE with fertigation at 100% RDF as WSF (T1). &nbsp;The water saving achieved under drip irrigation was 40.08% and 55.06% at 100% and 75% PE, respectively, whereas, under micro-sprinkler, it was 25.10% and 43.83% at 100% and 75% PE, respectively over surface irrigation. Higher WUE of 19.28 kg/ha-mm recorded under drip irrigation at 75% PE with fertigation at 100% RDF as WSF (T2) followed by drip irrigation at 100% PE with fertigation at 100% RDF as WSF (T1: 15.88 kg/ha-mm). Highest NUE (23.30 kg kg-1 NPK ha-1) was recorded in drip irrigation at 100% PE with fertigation at 100% RDF as WSF (T1). Drip irrigation at 100% PE with fertigation at 100% RDF as WSF (T1) recorded higher gross return (Rs. 254353 ha-1) and net return (Rs.134712 ha-1). Whereas, the benefit cost ratio was highest in micro sprinkler at 100% PE with fertigation at 100% RDF as WSF (T6: 2.41). The margin benefit cost ratio (MBCR) was recorded highest under micro sprinkler at 100% PE with fertigation at 100% RDF as WSF (T6: 2.53) as compared to all other treatments.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Improving productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under drip and micro sprinkler fertigation system</div>

<div>Background: The main challenge confronting both rainfed and irrigated agriculture is to improve water use efficiency (WUE) and sustainable water use for agriculture. A field experiment was conducted during early summer season of 2020 to study the effect of drip irrigation combined with organic mulching on soil moisture, growth, yield of tomato grown on alfisols at the college farm of College of Agricultural Engineering, Madakasira, Ananthapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design (CRBD) with seven treatments comprising of various organic mulches. The treatments were T1 - Sawdust + Irrigation based on daily crop water requirement, T2 - Ragi straw + Irrigation based on daily crop water requirement, T3 - Groundnut shells + Irrigation based on daily crop water requirement, T4 - Groundnut shells + Irrigation once in every two days, T5 - Saw dust + Irrigation once in every two days, T6 - Ragi straw + Irrigation once in every two days and T7 - Control (without mulch) + Irrigation based on daily crop water requirement. All the treatments were replicated thrice. The plot size of each treatment was 4m &times; 2.5m.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that throughout the crop growth period, T3 - Groundnut shells + Irrigation based on daily water requirement maintained soil higher moisture content to an extent of 132-146% as compared to control T7 (Control + Daily water requirement). The fruit yield obtained with T3 - Groundnut shells + Irrigation based on daily water requirement was significantly higher (8.8 t/ha) as compared to control T7 (Control + Daily water requirement) (7.6 t/ha). The highest water use efficiency (39.6 kg/ha/mm) was noted with T4 - Groundnut shells + Irrigation once in every two days), whereas T7 (Control + Daily water requirement) registered minimum WUE (16.3 kg/ha/mm). Weed dry matter and weed index was found to be higher (50% to 100%) in T7 (Control + Daily water requirement) throughout the crop growth period as compared to all the treatments applied with organic mulches. Our results indicated that T3 - (Groundnut shells + Irrigation based on daily crop water requirement) resulted in the highest plant height, number of fruits per plant and high water use efficiency as compared to without mulching. Further, under irrigation water constraints, groundnut shells mulch and drip irrigation once in two days was found to be effective in attaining higher WUE.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

Maximizing Water Use Efficiency (WUE), Land Utilization Efficiency (LUE) and Competitive Indices of Maize and Soybean Crops Through Intercropping Pattern with Straw Mulching

Delineation of Stable High Yielding Lentil Genotypes Through HA-GGE and REML/BLUP Method for Gangetic Alluvial Zone of India

Effect of Stocking Density on Selected Blood Physiological, Biochemical and Enzymatical Variables of Broilers Grown to 3 kg under Antibiotic-free Conditions

Effect of Stocking Density on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers Grown to 3 Kg under Antibiotic Free Diets^1,2

Effect of Moisture Regimes on Water use Efficiency of Rabi / Summer Groundnut Genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka

Water use, yield and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under varying IW-CPE ratios and fertilizer levels in South West Rajasthan

Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties to irrigation and hydrogel application in Vertisols

Effect of Mulching on Chickpea under Low Head Drip Irrigation System

Improving productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under drip and micro sprinkler fertigation system

Effect of Drip Irrigation Combined Organic Mulching on Water Productivity and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)