Rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is a dominant agricultural practice in the Indo-Gangetic plains, particularly in the North–Western states of India. The prevalent practice of open burning of rice residue, driven by the need for timely land preparation, poses severe environmental and health consequences, including nutrient loss, greenhouse gas emissions, high concentrations of particulate matter (PM), and disruption of the ecological cycle. This study focuses on implementing effective management practices in the RWCS through tillage-based crop establishment, residue retention, and incorporation methods. The objective is to improve crop yield and its attributes by enhancing soil health properties. A split-plot experimental design was practiced with four different treatments, zero-tillage with manual harvesting (ZT), Happy Seeder with combine harvester (HS), Happy Seeder with Mulcher and combine harvesting, and conventional tillage (CT). By evaluating soil nutrient content, including organic carbon (OC), N, P, and K, at a 0–10 cm depth, the study demonstrates the superiority of the mulcher with Happy Seeder (MHS), which significantly increased soil nutrient levels by 105, 59, 102, and 97%, respectively, compared to conventional tilled broadcasted wheat (CT). Furthermore, the MHS treatment exhibited the highest yield of 56.8 q ha⁻¹, outperforming the yield of 43.6 q ha⁻¹ recorded under conventional tilled broadcasted wheat. These findings underscore the critical role of surface residue retention with MHS in ensuring crop productivity and overall production sustainability of the RWCS in Haryana, India. Moreover, effective rice residue management holds long-term implications for agricultural resilience, farm economics, environmental conservation, and human health. It emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable practices, prioritizing research efforts, and advocating for policies that ensure the prolonged sustainability and productivity of the RWCS while safeguarding environmental well-being.

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at the research farm of the Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Agriculture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana to quantify the effect of different planting dates on the growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars. The experiment comprised 12 treatment combinations involving 4 date of sowing, viz. D1 , 8 October; D2 , 22 October; D3 , 5 November and D4 , 15 November as main plot treatment and viz. 3 varieties V1 , ‘Kufri Bahar’, V2 , ‘Kufri Pushkar’ and V3 , ‘Kufri Surya’, as sub-plot treatment in a split-plot design, replicated 4 times. The maximum tuber yield was recorded in D2 (21.9 tonnes/ha) as compared to the other sowing dates and the lowest in D4 (16.5 tonnes/ha). Among the varieties, ‘Kufri Pushkar’ had a significantly higher tuber yield (23.2 tonnes/ha) than ‘Kufri Bahar’ (18.0 tonnes/ha) and ‘Kufri Surya’ (16.6 tonnes/ha) during the crop season. Plant height, dry matter accumulation and biological yield were positively correlated with wind speed, rainfall and rainy days. The number of leaves/plant and leaf-area index (LAI) was significantly, negatively correlated with maximum and minimum temperatures, whereas it showed significant positive correlations with wind speed. Evening relative humidity was also positively correlated with LAI and tuber yield of potatoes. However, improved cultivars along with ideal planting windows at micro-level identification were the best way to mitigate the challenges posed by the climate in potatoes in near future.

Field experiments were carried out at research farm of Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCSHAU, Hisar during Rabi seasons of 2016-17 to quantify crop weather relationship and the effect of different planting dates on growth and yield of potato cultivars in a sub-tropical environment at Hisar. The experimental field was adjacent to Agro-meteorological observatory at 290 10' N latitude, 750 46' E longitude and altitude of 215.2 m. The main plots treatments consisted four date of sowing viz. D1- 8th Oct., D2-22th Oct., D3- 5th Nov. and D4- 23rd Nov. The sub-plots treatment consisted of three varieties (V1- Kufri Bahar, V2- Kufri Pushkar and V3- Kufri Surya). The forty eight treatment combinations were tested in split plot design with four replications. The results revealed that various growth and yield observations were recorded higher in second sown crop (22th Oct.) as followed by other planting dates. The maximum tuber yield were produced in D2 (20810.45 kg/ha) and it was least in D4 (14525.46 kg/ha). Among the varieties, Kufri Pushkar recorded highest tuber yield (21478.06 kg/ha) followed by Kufri Bahar (17432.26 kg/ha) and Kufri Surya (15378.11 kg/ha). In crop weather relationship, Tuber yield and plant height were significantly positively correlated with rainfall (0.80 and 0.92) and rainy days (0.50 and 0.53). Evening relative humidity was also positively correlated with LAI (0.59) and tuber yield (0.78) of potato. Vegetables production is considered to be particularly important in satisfying world food demand. Specific research therefore is needed in order to evaluate the effects of environmental factors that crop encounters during its growth period and its production.

Background: Cluster frontline demonstration (CFLD) with improved technology plays a vital role in enhancing the production potential of pulses as well as socio-economic level of farmers and it also proved that it improves soil heath through crop diversification by optimizing diversified microhabitats that benefit soil microbial community. Methods: KVK, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal (Haryana) conducted 220 demonstrations on chickpea variety HC-1 and HC-5 over an area of 80 ha during Rabi season 2017-18 to 2020-21. The demonstrated technology was improved variety HC-1 and HC-5, optimum seed rate and spacing, seed and soil treatment with bio-fungicide and application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module for the management of diseases and insects. Result: The result of the CFLDs showed that on an average yield of chickpea seed under improved technology, ranged from 11.41 q/ha to 20 q/ha which was 25.06 per cent more as compared to farmer practices. The study depicted, the mean technology gap of 9.01 q/ha, the mean extension gap of 3.70 q/ha and the mean technology index of 36.7 per cent. The study concluded that from one hectare a net income of Rs. 47565/- can be obtained, additional return of Rs. 10404/, effective gain of Rs. 8289 and B:C ratio obtained were 2.63 under incorporation of improved technology as compared to local check. By conducting CFLD of proven technologies, yield of crop could be enhanced to a great extent with ultimately increment in the income level of small and marginal farmers.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus pandemic: the Sars-Cov-2 virus (COVID-19) is a threat to the population’s health. A positive correlation has been observed between the spread of the virus and air pollution, which is one of the greatest challenges of our millennium. COVID-19 could have an air transmission and atmospheric particulate matter could create a suitable environment for transporting the virus at greater distances than those considered for close contact. Smog is formed when pollutants like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds that are released from automobiles, industries and burning of rice crop residues (parali) and fossil fuels interact with sunlight (WHO, 2016). In this context, COVID-19 could also have an airborne transmission and particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 which is Fine particulates of 2.5 micrometer or 10 micrometer less are also among the pollutants found in smog and haze) could act as a carrier through the aerosol, conveying the virus and increasing its spread. It prove a direct correlation between current high air pollution levels and incidence of COVID-19, high pollution levels might also increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. One of the most pressing and urgent problems is that polluted air can severely endanger human health and life. Individual residents who are affected by smog pollution can often do very little to prevent it, but they can apply adaptive and protective measures to reduce their risk. Elderly and people experiencing any cardiac or respiratory illness are more prone to harmful effects of smog (Sierra Vargas et al., 2012). These measures are minimal exposure to outdoor air but if exposure is inescapable than a facemask should be worn. Those people who are affected with cardio-vascular disease and its allied patients should increase the dosage of medication on their physician’s advice to prevent worsening of disease. Supplements and food containing antioxidants like omega 3 fatty acids when added to diet may help against oxidative stress caused by pollutants (Xing et al., 2016). Therefore, it is crucial to minimize the negative effects of smog by wearing mask and reduced the environmental pollution by adopting eco-friendly products.