Background: Water is the most important environmental factor for sustainability of rice production. Traditionally rice was cultivated by continuous flooding. Due to global climate change and rapid industrialization and urbanization, the amount of water utilised for agriculture is declining which increases the water scarcity for irrigated rice production. Methods: The present experiment was carried out during Kuruvai (July-November) 2022 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Experiments were carried out with five treatments viz., T1- 100 % Saturation under drip irrigation, T2 – 150 % Saturation under drip irrigation T3 – 200 % Saturation under drip irrigation, T4 – System of Rice Intensification (SRI), T5 – Conventional method. Result: Results of the experiment showed that growth parameters was higher in SRI method and this was on par with conventinal method. SRI method recorded significantly higher yield parameters and grain yield. From the above results, it can be concluded that. SRI method performed well compared to different method of cultivation due to the synergistic effects of various cultivation principles followed in this method.

Intercropping presents an opportunity to optimise land use and resource efficiency in cotton cultivation, particularly for small and marginal farmers facing climate-related challenges and rising input costs. This study explores the potential of intercropping short-duration vegetables with cotton to transform this production system into a more economically viable and sustainable one. The study was conducted in the Cotton Department of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore during the winter irrigated season, from August to January, in both 2020 and 2021. The growth, yield parameters, equivalent yield (3645 and 4234 kg ha⁻¹), and net return (Rs. 123,434 ha⁻¹ and Rs. 154,034 ha⁻¹) were higher in the intercropping system with the paired row planting of Bt cotton with two rows of cluster bean. Upon comparing sole cropping and the paired row method of planting, it was found that adopting the paired row system of planting Bt cotton with two rows of cluster bean was highly profitable in all aspects of crop production. Therefore, the adoption of paired row cropping systems with compatible intercrops that promote synergistic effects on the main crop should be considered for enhancing overall productivity, as well as sustainability.

In the twenty-first century, climate change results in a combination of natural and human impacts, including extreme weather and variability. Carbon farming has the opportunity to significantly reduce global warming while increasing resilience. Carbon farming is a holistic agricultural practice that seeks to minimize climate change and enhance ecologically sound sustainable farming. Enhancing soil and vegetation’s potential to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) may assist in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while also enhancing soil health and agricultural productivity. This review explores the key carbon farming practices such as conservation agriculture (CA), agroforestry, cover cropping, intercropping, tillage practices and mulching and their role in promoting soil organic carbon and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Global programs such as the Agricultural Carbon Project in Australia and Kenya, the Chicago Climate Exchange and the 4 of 1000 Initiative, indicate that carbon farming might boost food security while simultaneously addressing climate change. High-impact regions can enjoy economic gains amounting to as much as $63 billion from things like crop rotation and organic farming under the umbrella of emissions trading initiatives that encourage environmentally sound agricultural techniques. However, drawbacks include a lack of financial assistance, ineffective policies and restricted supply of water. Carbon farming may be efficiently promoted with strong government assistance, financial incentives and improved stakeholder awareness. Through increased adoption of carbon farming practices, agriculture becomes more resilient, sustainable and aligned with sustainable development goals (SDG).

Background: Pearlmillet is conventionally cultivated by farmers either broadcasting or uniform row spacing of 45 cm where it is difficult to accommodate an intercrop. Modified planting pattern provides additional space for intercrop component as well as harvest better solar energy in the system. Methods: The field experiment was conducted in Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Kharif (July-October) of 2019. The experiment was laid out in split plot design and were replicated thrice. Different crop geometry viz. 45 x 15 cm, 60 x 15 cm, 30/60 x 15 cm and 30/90 x 15 cm were adopted in main plots, whereas intercropping [S1- Greengram, S2-Sesame and S3- No intercrop] were allotted in subplots. Result: Pearlmillet grown under paired row sowing 30/90 x 15 cm recorded higher growth attributes and yield parameters. Grain and stover yields was also recorded higher in the above-mentioned crop geometry. In intercropping system higher growth and yield parameters was observed in sole crop treatment and it was on par with greengram intercropping system. Pearlmillet grown under paired row sowing 30/90 x 15 cm (M4) + greengram (S1) recorded higher equivalent yield.

A field experiment was conducted during the summer of 2023 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, to evaluate the effects of various pre- and post-emergence herbicide combinations on weed dynamics and productivity in wet direct-seeded rice. The experiment employed a randomized block design with ten treatments replicated three times. The study assessed various weed management practices, including pre-emergence herbicides followed by post-emergence herbicides, pre-emergence herbicides followed by hand weeding, post-emergence herbicides followed by hand weeding, and the farmer's practice of two hand weedings. Key observations included weed flora, density, dry weight and crop parameters such as plant height, leaf area index, total dry matter production and yield attributes. The study found that, Echinochloa colona and Leptochloa chinensis were the dominant grasses, Cyperus difformis was the dominant sedge and Eclipta prostrata was the prominent broad-leaved weed. The pre-emergence application of pretilachlor + pyrazosulfuron ethyl effectively controlled grasses, sedges and broadleaf weeds, particularly at 20 DAS. The ready-mix formulation of pendimethalin followed by triafamone + ethoxysulfuron was most effective at 40 DAS and harvest, significantly reducing weed density and improving yield parameters.

Background: The plant roots pay a vital role in the uptake of water and nutrients. This experiment evaluated the changes in root growth and soil enzyme activity with respect to different rice cultivation methods. Methods: The study was carried out during Kuruvai (July-November) 2022 at Wetlands farm, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Experiments were carried out with five treatments viz., T1- 100% Saturation under drip irrigation, T2- 150% Saturation under drip irrigation T3- 200% Saturation under drip irrigation, T4- System of Rice Intensification (SRI), T5- Conventional method. Result: The result of the experiment shows that higher root growth, enzyme activity was observed in SRI method of rice cultivation. Higher grain yields were recorded in SRI method. It can be concluded that most favourable method of rice production.