Crop diversity through residue incorporation is the most important method for sustaining soil health. A field study was conducted over five consecutive years (2012–2017) to see the impact of residue incorporartions in Inceptisol of eastern India. The main plot treatments had five cropping systems (CS), namely, fallow−rice−rice (FRR), jute−rice−wheat (JRW), jute−rice−baby corn (JRBc), jute−rice−vegetable pea (JRGp), jute−rice−mustard−mungbean/green gram (JRMMu), which cinsisted of four sub-plots with varied nutrient and crop residue management (NCRM) levels, namely crops with no residue +75% of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (F₁R₀), crops with the residue of the previous crops +75% RDF (F₁R₁), crops with no resiude +100% RDF (F₂R₀), and crops with residue +100% RDF (F₂R₁). The highest system productivity was obtained for JRBc (15.3 Mg·ha⁻¹), followed by JRGp (8.81 Mg·ha⁻¹) and JRMMu (7.61 Mg·ha⁻¹); however, the highest sustainability index was found with the JRGp cropping system (0.88), followed by JRMMu (0.82). Among the NCRMs, the highest productivity (8.78 Mg·ha⁻¹) and sustainability index (0.83) were recorded in F₂R₁. Five soil parameters, namely, bulk density, available K, urease activity, dehydrogenase activity, and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), were used in the minimum data-set (MDS) for the calculation of the soil quality index (SQI). The best attainment of SQI was found in the JRGp system (0.63), closely followed by the JRMMu (0.61) cropping system.

Finger millet, an important ‘Nutri-Cereal’ and climate-resilient crop, is cultivated as a marginal crop in calcareous soils. Calcareous soils have low organic carbon content, high pH levels, and poor structure. Such a situation leads to poor productivity of the crop. Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), which focuses on supplying optimum nutrients when a crop is needed, can ensure optimum production and improve the nutrient and energy use efficiency of crops. Moreover, developing an appropriate SSNM technique for this crop could offer new insights into nutrient management practices, particularly for calcareous soils. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021 in calcareous soil at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, India. The experiment consisted of 8 treatments, viz. control, nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P)/potassium (K)-omission, 75 %, 100 %, and 125 % recommended fertilizer dose (RFD), and 100 % recommended P and K + 30 kg ha⁻¹ N as basal + rest N as per GreenSeeker readings. From this study, it was observed that the GreenSeeker-based SSNM resulted in the maximum grain yield (2873 kg ha⁻¹), net output energy (96.3 GJ ha⁻¹), and agronomic efficiency of N (30.6 kg kg⁻¹), P (68.9 kg kg⁻¹), and K (68.9 kg kg⁻¹). The application of 125 % RFD resulted in ∼7 % lower yield than that under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management. Approximately 12 % greater energy use efficiency and 21–36 % greater nutrient use efficiency were recorded under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management than under 125 % RDF. The indigenous supplies of N, P, and K were found to be 14.31, 3.00, and 18.51 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Thus, 100 % of the recommended P and K + 30 kg ha⁻¹ N as basal + rest N according to GreenSeeker readings can improve the yield, nutrient use efficiency, and energy balance of finger millet in calcareous soils.

Field experiments were conducted during the wet season of 2012 and 2013 at farmer's field of village Binuria, Sriniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal, India with rice variety ‘Swarna’ (MTU 7029) to study the effect of bensulfuron-methyl + pretilachlor and other herbicides on growth of different weed species and productivity of transplanted rice. Twelve treatments in the experiment were assigned in a randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that rice was infested with three categories of weeds viz. grasses, broadleaved and sedges. Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum distichum among the grasses; Fimbristylis miliacea, among the sedges and Ludwigia parviflora and Commelina nudiflora among the broadleaved weeds were predominant throughout the cropping period. Bensulfuron-methyl 0.6%+ pretilachlor 6% at 60+600 g ha⁻¹applied at 3 DAT completely controlled the grasses, broadleaved and sedges at 30 and 60 DAT except Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum distichum. However, the density, as well as dry weight of both the species were significantly reduced. Metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron-ethyl (Almix) + azimsulfuron at 4+35 g ha⁻¹ at 15 DAT was also quite effective in controlling broad spectrum weeds. Lower values of weed density, total weed dry weight and higher values of herbicide efficiency index and yield of rice were registered with application of bensulfuron-methyl 0.6%+ pretilachlor 6% at 60 + 600 g ha⁻¹ at 3 DAT followed by metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron-ethyl (Almix) + azimsulfuron at 4+35 g ha⁻¹ at 15 DAT. Weed infestation resulted in grain yield reduction of rice to the tune of 40% Application of bensulfuron-methyl 0.6%+ pretilachlor 6% at 60+600 g ha⁻¹ at 3 DAT or metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron-ethyl (Almix) + azimsulfuron at 4 + 35 g ha⁻¹ at 15 DAT appeared to be the most promising for managing mixed weed flora and obtaining higher yield of transplanted rice in the lateritic belt of West Bengal, India.

Context: Despite so many efforts to control dengue, the disease has a huge impact on the health, well-being, and economy of the population. The key success to control dengue depends not only on services provided by health authorities but also on the awareness of the community about preventing practices and their health-seeking behavior. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the awareness regarding dengue and its determinants among urban adult population of Rohtak. Aims: To assess the awareness regarding dengue and its determinants among urban adult population of Rohtak. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods and Materials: Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured interview schedule from 210 participants which included information on the demographic profile of the subject, awareness about the symptoms, transmission, vector behavior in terms of biting time and breeding places, preventive measures and treatment of dengue fever, and responsibility of vector control. Cumulative awareness was calculated on the basis of correct answers provided. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical data were presented as a percentage. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to evaluate differences between groups for categorical variables. Results: The level of awareness was better among males (statistically significant). The difference in the level of awareness with respect to education, occupation, and the socioeconomic class was found highly statistically significant. Conclusions: Awareness regarding dengue and its preventive measures were specifically low in women; mostly housewives, in participants of the lower socioeconomic group, and those who were illiterate.