Yield limitation and widespread sulphur (S) deficiency in pearl-millet-nurturing dryland soils has emerged as a serious threat to crop productivity and quality. Among diverse pathways to tackle moisture and nutrient stress in rainfed ecologies, conservation agriculture (CA) and foliar nutrition have the greatest potential due to their economic and environmentally friendly nature. Therefore, to understand ammonium thiosulphate (ATS)-mediated foliar S nutrition effects on yield, protein content, mineral biofortification, and sulphur economy of rainfed pearl millet under diverse crop establishment systems, a field study was undertaken. The results highlighted that pearl millet grain and protein yield was significantly higher under no-tillage +3 t/ha crop residue mulching (NTCRM) as compared to no-tillage without mulch (NoTill) and conventional tillage (ConvTill), whereas the stover yield under NTCRM and ConvTill remained at par. Likewise, grain and stover yield in foliar S application using ATS 10 mL/L_twice was 19.5% and 13.2% greater over no S application. The sulphur management strategy of foliar-applied ATS 10 mL/L_twice resulted in significant improvement in grain protein content, protein yield, micronutrient fortification, and net returns (₹ 54.6 × 1000) over the control. Overall, ATS-mediated foliar S nutrition can be an alternate pathway to S management in pearl millet for yield enhancement, micronutrient biofortification and grain protein content increase under ConvTill, as well as under the new NTCRM systems.

Intercropping offers greater scope to introduce new crops. Cultivation of crops with diverse root architecture and different durations enhances the productivity of scarce resources like land and water. This study aimed to determine the effect of intercrop competition and irrigation regimes on yield, competition, land usage, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and fatty acids of chia. The field experiment was conducted in semi-arid India during 2020–2022 with full (I₁₀₀) and deficit irrigation (I₅₀) and six intercrops. Results demonstrated that chia + fenugreek intercropping in I₅₀ improved the crops’ competitiveness, land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.77), land use efficiency (142.5%), and the IWUE of chia (23.2%). Notably, a chia + radish/spinach system in I₅₀ reduced the seed yield (42.6–45.0%) of chia over I₁₀₀ monocropping. A chia + fenugreek system in I₅₀ resulted in a higher seed yield (196.2 kg ha⁻¹) than chia monocropping in I₁₀₀. Further, chia + fenugreek intercropping resulted in higher omega-3 content (56.68%) under I₁₀₀. Therefore, a chia + fenugreek system under I₁₀₀ may be suggested over monocropping for better yield and oil quality. However, during water scarcity situations, growers can adopt a chia + fenugreek system under I₅₀ which can give a similar chia equivalent yield and a higher LER and IWUE compared to chia monocropping under I₁₀₀.

In a world grappling with the dual challenge of feeding a burgeoning global population and safeguarding the environment, nutrient management in agricultural systems has emerged as a critical area of research and innovation. Cropping system-based nutrient management plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by optimizing nutrient utilization, enhancing crop productivity, and minimizing environmental impacts. In this context, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in cropping system-based nutrient management strategies. It highlights the integration of various techniques, including precision agriculture, cover cropping, crop rotation, site-specific nutrient management and digital technologies, to improve nutrient use efficiency and mitigate nutrient-related challenges. Through an in-depth analysis of current research, this study emphasizes the importance of tailored nutrient management approaches that consider soil conditions, crop requirements, and environmental sustainability. It also emphasizes the urgent need for further research and widespread adoption of these strategies to ensure food security and environmental preservation. This paper presents a meticulous scientometric analysis spanning the past two decades (2003-2023) to comprehensively examine recent advances in cropping systems-based nutrient management. Drawing upon an extensive body of scientific literature, our analysis unveils key trends, influential research, and emerging areas of interest within this field. We identified a paradigm shift towards precision agriculture, integrated nutrient management, and sustainable farming practices as dominant themes. We found that Indian scientists from IARI are publishing many research papers on the given topic. The Indian Journal of Agronomy and Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences are leading publishers for articles on nutrient management and cropping systems. Long-term carbon sequestration, organic manure and nutrient use efficiency are trending topics of research, while soil carbon sequestration and analysis of soil carbon pools under different cropping systems are emerging topics of research. By synthesizing the collective wisdom of the past two decades, the current study informs the strategic allocation of resources and the formulation of research priorities, thereby catalysing innovative solutions to the complex challenges at the intersection of food security and environmental sustainability.

This article presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of studies conducted on pearl millet–based cropping systems and soil health from 2000 to 2023, utilizing the Scopus database. Pearl millet, a significant cereal crop globally, is known for its resilience in arid and semi–arid conditions. The cultivation of pearl millet spans over 30 million hectares worldwide, with India contributing significantly to its acreage. The study examines the impact of pearl millet production in rainfed and arid regions on soil health under conservation agriculture (CA) practices. The bibliometric analysis employs rigorous methodologies, including Bradford’s Law, fractionalized articles, and thematic mapping. It reveals the evolution of scientific output, citation patterns, and collaborative networks. Findings indicate a steady growth in scientific production related to pearl millet research, with a notable surge in recent years. The average citations per year exhibit fluctuating trends, emphasizing the need for continued exploration. We found that there is limited research in the area of pearl millet–based cropping system in relation with soil health. Brazil, USA and India are the top three countries conducting research on this area. CA under degraded soils with pearl millet is still unexplored area of research. It also found that in last one decade (2011–2022), scientists are working in this area has been increased as per number of documents published as citations received during this period on the given topic. Pearl millet-based cropping systems, integrated with CA practices such as zero tillage, residue incorporation, and deficit irrigation, offer a sustainable and climate-resilient solution for addressing soil salinity challenges while enhancing soil health, water use efficiency, and nutritional security in arid and semi-arid regions. The study concludes by identifying research gaps, emphasizing the need for further investigations into the advantages of pearl millet–based cropping systems, their impact on soil health, and the development of production systems for degraded soils. Despite limitations related to the temporal scope, database constraints, and language bias, the study contributes valuable insights into the dynamic field of pearl millet research, guiding future endeavours and fostering collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.