Study of appropriate planting time and response to agronomic management practices is imperative for the newly introduced cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) into a semi-arid region of India. Responses of cactus pear to agronomic practices (planting time and irrigation and fertilizer application) were evaluated to determine the potential for fodder production and livestock feed in a semi-arid environment of India. We assessed four planting times (February, March, July and October) and two agronomic managements (with and without irrigation and fertilizer application) during 2016–2020 at Jhansi, India. Cactus pear establishment and growth improved with planting time in July and October due to favorable soil moisture and congenial temperature. However, plant height (19 cm) and cladode weight (118 g) were greater in July than in October planting. Nutrient uptake and crude protein contents, however, were higher for the earlier plantings of February and April compared to June and October. Irrigation and nutrients application had little effect on the cactus pear plant growth, except on plant width and cladode length and width. Cactus pear can be planted during July in moderately fertile soils without any agronomic intervention in semi-arid situations of India and has potential as an effective alternative source of forage for livestock during the summer months.

A fixed plot field experiment was conducted at New Delhi during the kharif and rabi season of 200910 and 201011 to evaluate the effect of cropping systems, legume residue management, and N levels on system pro- ductivity, energetic and economics of wheat {Triticum aestivum(L.) emend. Fiori & Paol}based cropping systems. The system productivity was the highest(8.62 t/ha)in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)wheat cropping system with residue incorporation closely followed by without residue incorporation (8.23t/ha). Groundnutwheat and soybean {Glycine max (L.) Merrill}wheat cropping system with residue incorporation recorded higher mean en- ergy use efficiency (11.84 and 11.80 respectively), while maize (Zea mays L.)wheat produced more gross energy output (268.7 103 MJ/ha) and net energy (242.55103 MJ/ha). On an average, groundnutwheat cropping system with residue incorporation recorded higher net returns (72.01 103 /ha), net returns per rupee invested (1.97) and system productivity (8.62 t/ha). System productivity, gross returns and net returns were the highest with 150 kgN/ ha, however application of 150 kg N/ha was statistically similar to 100 kg N/ha with regards to net returns and net returns per rupee invested. There was saving of 50 kg N/ ha in wheat cultivation, when it was grown as succeed- ing crop after legume.