Lysimetric and eddy covariance techniques are commonly used to directly estimate actual crop evapotranspiration ($E{T}_a$). However, these technologies are costly, laborious, and require skills which make in situ ET estimation difficult, particularly in developing countries. With this in mind, an attempt was made to determine $E{T}_a$ and stagewise crop coefficient (K_c) values of transplanted puddled rice using a modified non-weighing paddy lysimeter. The results were compared to indirect methods, viz., FAO Penman–Monteith and pan evaporation. Daily $E{T}_a$ ranged from 1.9 to 8.2 mmday⁻¹, with a mean of 4.02 ± 1.35 mmday⁻¹, and their comparison showed that the FAO Penman–Monteith equation performed well for the coefficient of determination (R² of 0.63), root mean squared error (RMSE = 0.80), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE = 13.6 %), and was highly correlated with $E{T}_a$ throughout the crop season. However, the pan evaporation approach was underestimated (R² of 0.24; RMSE = 0.98; MAPE = 22.13%) due to a consistent pan coefficient value (0.71), vegetation role and measurement errors. In addition, actual K_c values were obtained as 1.13 ± 0.13, 1.27 ± 0.2, 1.23 ± 0.16, and 0.93 ± 0.18 for the initial, crop development, mid-season, and end-season stages, respectively. These estimated crop coefficient values were higher than FAO K_c values. Statistical analysis results revealed that the overall stagewise-derived average K_c values were in line with FAO values, but different from the derived pan K_c values, although found insignificant at a 5% significance level. In addition, water productivity and agro-meteorological indices were derived to evaluate the cultivar performance in this experiment. Therefore, such a methodology may be used in the absence of weighing lysimeter-derived K_c values. The derived regional K_c values can be applied to improve irrigation scheduling under similar agro-climatic conditions.

Lentil (Lens culunaris L.) is one of the major sources of protein and the second most important legume crop of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in India. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe trifolii) is one of the important fungal diseases of lentil that affects the entire plant and causes great reduction in yield and quality of seed. Mineral nutrition, especially with sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn), plays a great role in powdery mildew management. A research trial was conducted from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011 at ICAR Research Complex of Eastern Region, Patna, India, to ascertain the role of residual sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) in powdery mildew management in lentil under a rice–lentil cropping system. A field experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. Four levels of S and Zn were tested. Sulfur and Zn were applied directly to rice crop as basal application and the residual response of lentil was ascertained in the rice–lentil cropping system. Powdery mildew disease index was prepared and it was noticed that plots treated with 40 kg sulfur + 5 kg Zn had less powdery mildew disease index (5.5%). Significantly greater disease index (15.5%) was documented in the fields where both the nutrients were not applied. Maximum lentil seed yield (1147 kg ha⁻¹) was recorded with 30 kg residual S, whereas minimum seed yield (1015 Kg ha⁻¹) was noticed with no application of S in the previous crop in the cropping system.

Cereals are synonyms of Indian food production, obviously due to its lion share (~ 90 %) in total Indian food basket. Since time immemorial, fate of Indian agriculture heavily depends upon the success of cereals production. Agriculture glory of India must be strengthened all the way through achieving self sufficiency in food production first; secondly by improving our agriculture image at global arena, by get redden off from net importer to net exporter, obviously through strong presence in global agriculture market. We are marching in the right direction; cereals are the leaders in the food commodity export especially rice The Basmati Rice. Since, as of now, Indian share in the world trade is meagre (~1.0%), there are needs to scale up to the tune of 6% in very quick succession. No doubt, Cereals and coarse cereals should be a front leader in this endeavourer. Since a lot more has to be done; we have to have adhered on do more policy. This article discuss at length on past glory, present status and future prospect of the great Indian food basket famously known as The Cereals.

Crop diversification experiment was undertaken with faba bean, a potential vegetable legume crops for rainfed as well as irrigated ecosystem and performs well over wide range of soils and agro-climatic conditions. Experimentation was done with five cropping systems under the partial rainfed and fully irrigated conditions. The highest rice equivalent yield of 25.01 t/ha was recorded under irrigated conditions with cropping system rice-faba bean + maize (cob)-green gram cropping system; however, the lowest yield of 16.29t/ha was recorded with rice-faba bean + lentil-green gram, under partial rainfed condition. Overall maximum land productivity of Rs. 2.0/ha was for the rice-faba bean + maize (cob)-green gram cropping system under the irrigated conditions with system's water productivity 1.42–1.79 kg/m³. The maximum net return of Rs.1.28/ha was for rice-faba bean-green gram under the irrigated ecosystem. The benefit-cost ratio in such diversification was ranged from 1.53–2.99. The crop diversification with faba bean not only improved the system productivity but also strengthen the sustainability of the soil.