Long-term effect of nitrogen substitution (25 to 50%) through different organics, viz., FYM (farm yard ma-nure), GM (green manure) and WS (wheat straw) on crop yield, nutrition and physico-chemical properties of soil was studied under rice-wheat system. The data of long term experiment revealed that maximum grain yield of 46.83 qha-1 in wheat was obtained when 100% RDF applied through mineral fertilizers after 50% N of RDF being substituted with FYM in rice. Grain yield of wheat declined under control and sub-optimal fertilizer inputs (50% or 75% recommended fertilizer NPK), whereas positive yield increment was observed under treatments receiving organic supplements. The analysis of soil samples showed that soil pH reduced from initial value of 7.40 to 7.22, organic carbon build-up from 0.46% to 0.76%, available N from 194.00 to 225.95 kgha-1 available P2O5 from 23.60 to 49.54 kgha-1 and available K2O from 155.00 to 189.95 kgha-1 However, available Sulphur and DTPA-Zn increased from 7.74 to 14.41 kg ha-1 and 0.75 to 1.37 mg kg-1 respectively due to long-term (29 years) integrated nutrient management practices under rice-wheat system in alluvial soil. In conclusion, substitution of 50% and 25% N of RDF to rice through organics either FYM / Green manure / Wheat straw significantly increased the crop yield and nutrient uptake of wheat as well as build up the organic carbon, available N, P2O5, K2O, Sulphur, DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn of post harvest soil after 29 years of the experiment.

Intensive conventional tillage practice has deteriorated soil quality and decreased potassium (K) availability in soil under maize-based growing areas in eastern India. Consequently, maize productivity has declined over the years demonstrating the need for sustainable alternatives. A field study was carried out in 2018 in the eighth year of an on-going long-term experiment initiated in the year 2011 to understand the impact of different tillage practices in maize-based cropping systems on soil properties and K dynamics in Inceptisols of eastern India. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three levels of tillage practice as main plots: zero tillage, permanent raised bed and conventional tillage and in subplots as three different cropping systems viz. maize-maize, maize-wheat, and maize-chickpea. The result showed that under tillage practices, soil parameters were improved in zero tillage over the permanent raised bed and conventional tillage and among cropping systems, maize-chickpea had more nutrient availability in compared with maize-maize and maize-wheat. Soil organic carbon was built up by 10.2% in zero tillage over the initial soil measured at the time of the start of the experiment. The maximum content of water-soluble K, exchangeable K, and nonexchangeable K were recorded in zero tillage and maize-chickpea as compared to other tillage practices and cropping systems. Among Q/I parameters, potential buffering capacity (PBC^K) was maximum and activity ratio (AR^K) and labile K (K_L) were minimum under zero tillage and maize-chickpea cropping system than the other tillage practices and cropping systems. Therefore, zero tillage and maize-chickpea could be better practices over the other tillage practices and cropping systems for improving soil quality and K availability in soil.

Soil microbial communities play a foundational role in maintaining soil fertility, regulating nutrient cycling, enhancing plant productivity, and promoting ecosystem resilience. Among them, fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes are key biological indicators of soil health, each contributing uniquely to organic matter decomposition, nutrient mobilization, and pathogen suppression. Tillage practices, particularly the intensity and frequency of soil disturbance, have a profound influence on the abundance, diversity, and functionality of these microbial groups. This review synthesizes current findings on how conventional tillage (CT) and conservation tillage (CTi)—including no-tillage (NT) and reduced tillage (RT)—affect soil microbial communities, with an emphasis on fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes. Evidence from global meta-analyses reveals that conservation tillage significantly enhances microbial biomass, especially in the biologically active topsoil layers (0–20 cm), with fungal and bacterial biomass increasing by 31% and 11%, respectively. NT systems foster fungal dominance, increase the fungal-to-bacterial ratio (F:B), and support the survival of sensitive groups like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), while also promoting copiotrophic bacteria such as Proteobacteria. Actinomycetes, though resilient to moderate disturbance, thrive best under NT and residue-retained conditions. The review also highlights the influence of environmental modulators—such as soil texture, moisture, pH, and organic carbon—on microbial responses to tillage. Despite substantial progress, knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding actinomycetes’ functional roles under different tillage regimes. Future research should prioritize long-term, multi-location studies and the use of advanced molecular tools to unravel microbial pathways and resilience mechanisms. Conservation tillage emerges as a biologically favorable strategy to support microbial health and soil sustainability.

Azolla (Azolla pinnata R. Br.) is an aquatic fern that supplies potassium (K) and other plant nutrients with their use and organic matter after decomposition in the soil to improve soil quality. Alluvial soils are deficient in available K due to intensive cropping systems, the use of high-yield varieties (HYVs), and improper fertilizer application. With high demand for K fertilizers and complete dependence on imports in India have affected its availability and cost. Azolla can be an alternative option for a source of K nutrients. Keeping this fact in view, the present study was formulated to understand the effect of K applied through Azolla and inorganic K fertilizer on the growth, yield, and storability of onion (Allium cepa L.). An incubation study was carried out to examine the K dynamics as influenced by levels and sources of K. Results showed that the use of Azolla along with mineral K fertilizer (NPK_1/2 + K_1/2 through mulching of Azolla and NP+ K_1/2 through green manuring (GM) of Azolla + K_1/2 through mulching of Azolla) has increased the water-soluble K (WS-K) and available K (Av-K) from 0 to 35 days of incubation (DI) and further decreased thereafter up to 105 DI. Azolla-based K application showed the availability of more K in the soil throughout the incubation period as compared to inorganic sources alone. The highest exchangeable K (Ex-K) was recorded in soil treated with Azolla similar to WS-K and Av-K. A field experiment was also conducted on the onion crop at the Bihar Agricultural College research farm, Sabour. The findings suggest that the maximum bulb weight (32.8 g bulb⁻¹) and bulb yield (12.5 t ha⁻¹) were recorded in the treatment NPK+ K_1/2 through mulching of Azolla in two splits increased by 33% and 43%, respectively. Treatments applied with the full dose of recommended inorganic K alone resulted in 14% less bulb yield than the treatment combined with the full dose of recommended mineral K through inorganic fertilizer and half dose of recommended K supplied through Azolla mulching. The results also indicated that Azolla-based K application resulted in higher nutrient uptake, soil available nutrient status, and better storability in onion than conventional mineral K fertilization. Overall, the study concludes that Azolla may maintain K availability by increasing the amount of Ex-K and ensuring constant availability of the nutrient during the entire growth period.

Annadrava shoola is one of the diseases of the alimentary canal in which there is colic occurs after digestion, during digestion or at any time and Patient feels relief after vomiting. It can be said gastric ulcer on the basis of its signs and symptoms. Gastric ulcers are most commonly located on the lesser curvature, whereas duodenal ulcers are most common at the duodenal bulb. The ulcer is round to oval with a smooth base. Acute ulcers have regular borders, while chronic ulcers have elevated borders with inflammation. An ulcer extends beyond the muscularis mucosa. Ayurveda encourages lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind and the environment. In this paper, a case study on Annadrava shoola has been explained. A female patient of 42 years of age came to the Kayachikitsa OPD (OPD REG.no-6836) Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patna-03 having complain of pain and burning sensation in abdomen for 5 months as well as irregular bowel evacuation (>3episode) in the last 3 months. The nature of pain was gradual on onset and burning type and exaggerated after meal. On the basis of history of the patient and endoscopy report, he was diagnosed as gastric ulcer and pan gastritis. We have done the Shamana Chikitsa for the patient. In Shamana Chikitsa was done with combinations of Sutashekhar Ras, Tab Aciloss and Shatavari Churna for one month. Endoscopy was repeated after one and half months of treatment. Report showed only that the treatment cured the Annadrava shoola (gastric ulcer) of the patient. So, there is hope in Ayurveda for the treatment of Annadrava shoola.

Ayurveda is one of the most traditional healing systems in India. “To maintain the health and to cure diseased one” is the main aim of Ayurveda. Human beings are prone to diseases due to change in dietary habits, busy lifestyle, Dincharya, Ritucharya etc. A lot of various diseases have been described in the context of Annavaha Srotas but the diseases predominantly disturbing are Annadravashoola and Parinamashoola. GIT diseases are most commonly found due to altered food habits these days. Peptic ulcer is one of them. It is a type of acid gastritis in which ulceration occurs in the wall of stomach which is due to excessive amount of HCL. Maharishi Susruta first time described different types of Shoola in Uttara-tantra and a special chapter related to Shoola is first time described by Madhava Nidana. He categorized Shoola into 8 types, excluding it there are other 2 types namely “Annadravashoola and Parinamashoola. Annadravashoola having the characteristic features of pain before and during digestion and relives after vomiting, burning sensation in the epigastrium, belching etc. and Parinamashoola which occurs after the digestion of food. Annadravashoola and Parinamashoola collectively can be called as Peptic ulcer disease because of their similarity in symptoms.