A three-year field experiment was carried out to assess the efficacy of various tillage and residue management practices, as well as weed management approaches, in a rice–wheat–green gram rotation. The treatments included: conventional till transplanted rice–conventional till wheat–fallow (T₁); conventional till transplanted rice–zero-till wheat–zero-till green gram (T₂); conventional till direct-seeded rice—conventional-till wheat—zero-till green gram (T₃); zero-till direct-seeded rice—zero-till wheat—zero-till green gram (T₄); zero-till direct-seeded rice + residue zero-till wheat + residue zero-till green gram (T₅). In weed management, three treatments are as follows: recommended herbicides (W₁); integrated weed management (W₂); and unweeded (W₃). The integrated weed management treatment had the lowest weed biomass, which was 44.3, 45.3, and 33.7% lower than the treatment W₃ at 30 and 60 days after sowing and harvest, respectively. T₁ grain and straw yielded more than T₂ in the early years than in subsequent years. The conventional till transplanted rice–zero-till wheat–zero-till green gram system produced 33.6, 37.6, and 27.7% greater net returns than the zero-till direct-seeded rice—zero-till wheat—zero-till greengram system, respectively. Conventional till transplanted rice–conventional till wheat–fallow had the biggest reduction (0.41%) in soil organic carbon from the initial value. The findings of the study demonstrated that adopting the transplanting method for rice, followed by zero tillage for wheat and green gram, enhanced productivity and profitability, while simultaneously preserving soil health.

Millets are esteemed for their healthy benefit incorporates nutrients, minerals, carbohydrates, and dietary filaments source and potential medical advantages. Millets have gained attention in recent years due to their remarkable nutritional composition and potential health-promoting properties. This review examines the diverse types of millets, their historical significance, and their distribution across different cultures. The paper highlights millets' rich nutrient content, including proteins, dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet. Furthermore, it explores the gluten-free nature of millets, catering to individuals with specific dietary requirements. The health benefits of millet consumption are discussed, focusing on their potential in preventing and managing chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The presence of bioactive compounds, such as antioxidants and polyphenols, is investigated for their role in supporting these health benefits. Additionally, the review discusses the impact of millets on gut health and their future prospects to global food security and sustainability. Overall, the findings underscore millet as a promising and nutritious option for enhancing human health.

Sustainable agriculture is crucial for meeting the growing global food demand. With the pressure of climate change, resource depletion, and the need for increased agricultural productivity, innovative approaches are essential. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Despite its promising benefits, the safe implementation of nanotechnology in agriculture requires careful consideration of potential health and environmental risks. However, there is a lack of comprehensive documentation on the application, potential and limitations of nanotechnology in the field of agriculture. To address this gap, a desk research approach was used by utilizing peer-reviewed electronic databases like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct for relevant articles. Out of 157 initially identified articles, 85 were deemed pertinent, focusing primarily on potential nanotechnology in smart agricultural systems. Taking into account research findings worldwide, we found significant improvements with nanotechnology over traditional methods which underscores the practical benefits of nanotechnology, including increased crop yields, efficient resource use, and reduced environmental footprint. The objective of this systematic review is to explore the nexus between nanotechnology and agricultural systems, highlighting its potential to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience and to inform researchers, practitioners, and policymakers about the transformative impact of nanotechnology on sustainable agriculture and underscores the need for further research to address safety concerns and maximize its potential for agricultural advancement.

A long-term field experiment was conducted to study the effects of different combinations of integrated nutrient management (INM) on carbon sequestration and wheat yield in a rice-wheat cropping system. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments that were replicated three times. The organic manures used in the study included farmyard manure (FYM), wheat straw (WS), and green manure (GM) with Sesbania aculeata. The results of the experiment revealed that the application of 50% of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) along with 50% nitrogen (N) through FYM during rice cultivation, and RDF during wheat cultivation, led to a significant increase in soil organic carbon (SOC). Specifically, the SOC content was enhanced by 46.4% (18.29 Mg ha^-1) compared to RDF in rice and wheat, resulting in a C sequestration rate of 0.22 Mg ha^-1 year^-1. These increases were higher in treatments that combined organic and inorganic inputs. Additionally, the application of 50% RDF and substituting 50% of the nitrogen with FYM during wheat cultivation resulted in a 24.7% increase in grain yield compared to RDF in rice and wheat. The INM treatments, showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), partial factor productivity (PFP) of N, P and K, and carbon pool index (CPI) compared to the application of inorganic fertilizers at the recommended dose. Moreover, the INM treatments also exhibited lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity. Application of neither chemical fertilizers nor organic manure (T₁) resulted in maximum GHG emission intensity (328.1 kg CO₂ eq Mg⁻¹ yield). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the combined use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures significantly increased crop yield and soil organic carbon sequestration while reducing GHG emissions in a rice-wheat cropping system in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP) of India.

Rapid industrialization, modern farming practices, and other human activities are contributing significant amounts of harmful heavy metals to the environment. These metals can accumulate and magnify through food chains, posing substantial risks to human health. Recognizing the global environmental threat and its health implications, researchers have developed cutting-edge methods to address heavy metal contamination. Phytoremediation stands out as the foremost method, offering effectiveness and environmental suitability. Combining plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with phytoremediation can be a viable option for minimizing contamination. PGPR enhances plant growth and aids in metal cleanup through chemical synthesis, the secretion of chelating agents, redox reactions, and acidification. This review conducted a comprehensive online search across peer-reviewed electronic databases using specific keywords related to PGPR in heavy metal phytoremediation. This review included 129 relevant articles out of the initially identified 187 articles and outcomes were represented with schematic sketches and in-depth tables. The articles selected were focused on the potential of PGPR in phytoremediation, with emphasis on the contribution of rhizo and endophytic bacteria in accelerating the benefits of phytoremediation. There is little information available about the mechanisms involved in plant-PGPR relationships for metal accumulation. The causes and effects of heavy metal toxicity in the environment were examined in this review, along with the usage of PGPR as a different biological strategy to reduce metal contamination and prevent metals from migrating into edible plant parts. Finally, these prospects will provide some perspectives for future studies on these bacteria in agriculture and offer the possibility of major breakthroughs through knowledge expansion and the allocation of trial sites for the transfer of phytoremediation technology to the farmers in a better way.

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy, and there is an increasing global emphasis on automating agricultural processes. With the tremendous increase in population, the demand for food and employment has also increased significantly. Agricultural methods traditionally used to meet these requirements are no longer adequate, requiring solutions to issues such as excessive herbicide use and the use of chemical fertilizers. Integration of technologies such as the Internet of Things, wireless communication, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep learning shows promise in addressing these challenges. However, there is a lack of comprehensive documentation on the application and potential of AI in improving agricultural input efficiency. To address this gap, a desk research approach was used by utilizing peer-reviewed electronic databases like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct for relevant articles. Out of 327 initially identified articles, 180 were deemed pertinent, focusing primarily on AI’s potential in enhancing yield through better management of nutrients, water, and weeds. Taking into account research findings worldwide, we found that AI technologies could assist farmers by providing recommendations on the optimal nutrients to enhance soil quality and determine the best time for irrigation or herbicide application. The present status of AI-driven automation in agriculture holds significant promise for optimizing agricultural input utilization and reducing resource waste, particularly in the context of three pillars of crop management, i.e., nutrient, irrigation, and weed management.