Background: Studies across various regions reveal that declining crop yields and profits are not just caused by environmental damage and stress. Deficiencies in essential nutrients, both major and minor, also play a significant role. This is why integrating organic and inorganic source of nutrients is critical for ensuring food security and self-sufficiency for maize. Methods: Field experiment was carried out to examine the integrated use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on maize growth and yield components at wetland farm, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu during the 2018-19 to 2019-20 with 15 treatment combination under Split plot design with 3 replications. Main plot consist of five treatments of organic sources of nutrients i.e. M1 (Fish pond silt from desi poultry dropping fed pond @ 5 t/ha and vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), M2 (Fish pond silt from duck dropping fed pond @ 5 t/ha and vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), M3 (Fish pond silt from turkey dropping fed pond @ 5 t/ha and vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), M4 (FYM @ 12.5 t/ha), M5 (No manure application) and three sub plot treatments consist of inorganic sources i.e. S1 (100% recommended dose of NPK), S2 (75% recommended dose of NPK) and S3 (No fertilizer application). Result: The results revealed that the highest grain yield (8293 kg ha-1) and stover yield (11974 ha-1) was obtained with the application of fish pond silt from duck dropping fed pond @ 5 t/ha and vermicompost @ 5 t/ha along with 100% recommended dose of NPK (M2S1) which was 116% and 132% higher to lowest grain yield (3845 kg ha-1) and stover yield (5160 kg ha-1) obtained in control (M5S3).

Background: Plant nutrient deficiency is the major challenge in agriculture results in lower crop yield and quality. This may lower the farmer’s income by reducing marketable value. In other hand, eating nutrient dense vegetables is the most cost effective strategy to combat malnutrition. The efficiency of inorganic micronutrients applied into soils is low as they become easily fixed to soil particles. Hence, exogenous application of nutrients is an effective option to enhance plant nutrient use efficiency. Methods: This study was conducted at SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu during 2022-2023 to alleviate nutrient insufficiency challenges in bhendi variety Senora by using Randomized block design with seven different treatments viz., T1- Control, T2- Nutrient consortia 1 (N + K + B + Fe+ Mn + Zn @ 1% ), T3- Nutrient consortia 2 (N + K + Fe+ Cu + B @ 1%), T4- Nutrient consortia 3 (N + K + Mg + B + Fe + Zn @ 1%), T5- Nutrient consortia 4 (T2 + NAA + SA@ 1%), T6- Nutrient consortia 5 (T3 + NAA + SA @ 1%), T7- Nutrient consortia 6 (T4 + NAA + SA @ 1%), sprayed at 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing. Result: Various physiological, biochemical, yield and quality parameters were measured to evaluate the effects of Nutrient consortia. The results of field experiment strongly improved that the eight biochemical parameters viz., chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b ratio, chlorophyll stability index, leaf soluble protein, lipid peroxidation by melondialdehyde and proline content. The yield and quality traits such as number of fruits per plant, total fruit yield, total phenolics and total antioxidants activity were significantly increased through application of Nutrient consortia 6 followed by Nutrient consortia 4. So this can be used as yield and quality enhancer formulation of bhendi crops.

Background: Heat stress is one of the major environmental stresses limiting rice productivity. Selecting heat-tolerant rice cultivars and implementing proper nutrient management techniques could result in a high and consistent yield. Methods: Field experiments were conducted at the Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, during the summer (2020 and 2021) to study the response of different rice varieties to elevated temperatures (2 to 3oC) during the flowering to maturity stage, with different N and K levels under aerobic conditions. The experimental treatments comprised of V1F0 - Vaishak + 60 kg N and 30 kg K2O (control), V1F1 - Vaishak + 60 kg N and 30 kg K2O under stress, V1F2 - Vaishak + 90 kg N and 45 kg K2O under stress, V1F3 - Vaishak + 120 kg N and 60 kg K2O under stress, V2F0 - Aiswarya + 60 kg N and 30 kg K2O (control), V2F1- Aiswarya + 60 kg N and 30 kg K2O under stress, V2F2- Aiswarya+90 kg N and 45 kg K2O under stress, V2F3- Aiswarya+120 kg N and 60 kg K2O under stress. These were laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Result: The study revealed that the highest yield (2909 and 2456 kg/ha) and nutrient uptake were observed with application of 120 kg N and 60 kg K2O from Vaishak. The treatments V1F3 and V2F3 showed higher NPK uptake than the recommended fertilizer dose in both seasons.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) productivity is often constrained by inefficient nutrient management and improper sowing practices, particularly under low-input production systems. Imbalanced macro- and micronutrient supply combined with uneven plant establishment reduces nutrient-use efficiency and yield potential. Therefore, integrating precise sowing techniques with balanced fertilisation strategies is essential for improving productivity, seed quality, and nutrient-use efficiency in sesame. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of three sowing methods (broadcasting, dibbling, transplanting) and three nutrient levels (100%, 75% and 50% RDF), along with a 0.2% MnSO₄ foliar spray, on nutrient uptake, growth, and yield performance of sesame. A field experiment was conducted using ten treatment combinations in a randomised block design during the summer and kharif seasons of 2025. Results demonstrated the advantage of dibbling over broadcasting and transplanting, particularly when combined with 100% RDF and 0.2% MnSO₄ foliar application (T₄). This treatment recorded the highest nitrogen (27.69 kg/ha), phosphorus (9.37 kg/ha), and potassium (17.62 kg/ha) uptake at harvest, along with superior capsule number (76.86/plant), seed number (72.17/capsule), and test weight (3.07 g). Consequently, T₄ achieved the maximum seed yield (1096 kg/ha) and harvest index (0.31). Enhanced nutrient uptake under dibbling was primarily attributed to improved root-soil contact, uniform plant spacing, and the catalytic role of Mn in boosting photosynthetic and metabolic processes. These results highlight the importance of combining optimal fertiliser doses with precise sowing techniques to improve nutrient-use efficiency and productivity of sesame. This integrated approach offers a robust strategy for improving sesame yields in nutrient-deficient and smallholder farming systems.

Efficient irrigation management is essential for enhancing maize productivity under water-limited conditions, particularly in semi-arid regions where resource constraints and suboptimal agronomic practices restrict yield potential. In view of the above, a field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025-26 at the SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, to evaluate the influence of row spacing and emitter discharge rate under subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) on the growth and yield performance of hybrid maize. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications, comprising eight treatments involving combinations of row spacing (30, 45, and 60 cm) and emitter discharge rates (2 and 4 LPH) under SDI, along with surface drip irrigation and conventional irrigation. The results revealed significant variation among treatments. Invariably, treatment 45/75 cm spacing with 2 LPH under SDI (T2) consistently registered higher leaf area index, stem girth and dry matter production, which translated into enhanced yield attributes such as cob length, cob girth, cob weight and kernel number. Consequently, T2 produced the highest grain yield (7256 kg/ha) and stover yield (12797 kg/ha). This is followed closely by the treatment 45/75 cm crop row spacing with 4 LPH under SDI (T5). The improved performance under these treatments can be attributed to optimal plant geometry coupled with efficient and continuous moisture and nutrient supply to the root zone, resulting in better physiological activity and assimilate partitioning. Overall, the study highlights that subsurface drip irrigation with 45/75 cm row spacing and 2 LPH emitter discharge is an effective strategy for maximizing growth and yield of hybrid maize under water-scarce conditions.

India is demand for vegetable oils is escalating rapidly, yet domestic production struggles to keep pace. Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), most important oilseed crops pre-dominantly growing, often exhibits low yield due to inadequate nutrient management. A field trial was conducted during late rabi season (2024-2025) at SRMCAS, Baburayanpettai, Tamil Nadu, India. The study was investigated a randomized block design with ten treatments combining varying levels of 100% RDF along with gypsum @ 50% basal and 50% at 25, 35 and 45 DAS and 75% RDF along with gypsum @ 50% basal and 50% at 25, 35 and 45 DAS. The groundnut variety GG 7 was used. Growth and yield parameters were measured at 25, 50 and 75 days after sowing and at harvest. The study revealed that the combined application of 100% RDF along with gypsum @ 50% basal and 50% at 45 DAS and 75% RDF along with gypsum @ 50% basal and 50% at 45 DAS significantly increased plant height, DMP, LAI, total chlorophyll index, number of root nodules, number of flowers, pegs, pods per plant and kernels per pod. This treatment was also recorded higher pod yield (2100 and 2031 kg/ha) and haulm yield (5097 and 4952 kg/ha). The study of groundnut crop analysis gives a clear understanding of the nutrient accumulation at different stages of growth of groundnut and this can be utilized for fertilizer supply during critical stages and timely gypsum application ensures the adequate calcium and sulphur availability at peg formation and pod development stage cause micro acidification of soils which slightly lower down the pH of soil and rises the nutrient availability.