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Subhash Babu
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam Meghalaya India

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Research article
Published: 13 August 2021 in Land Degradation & Development
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Depleting soil properties, low diversification and productivity are the major issues for keeping large area as fallow after rainy season rice (Oryza sativa L) in south-east Asia. Long duration rice cultivars along with conventional till farming and lack of irrigation facility limits the chances of growing succeeding crop like pulses in rice fallow. Therefore, a field study was conducted to test the hypothesis that cultivating short duration rice and lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) cultivars along with residue retention through mulching or standing rice stubble under a no-till (NT) farming for lentil can enhance productivity in rice fallow areas and economic returns from the cropping system by conserving of soil moisture, improving soil properties, and carbon stocks. Two rice cultivars (viz., Shahsarang-1: high yielding & medium duration and Mendri: Local, low yielding & long duration variety), two high biomass lentil varieties (DPL-81: early duration and IPL-406: medium duration) and three rice residue management practices (viz., residue removal, 20 cm standing stubble and mulching @ 5 Mg ha-1 in lentil) were tested in rice-lentil system. After harvest of rainy season rice, lentil was sown under NT using a manually operated furrow opener. Results of 3-year study revealed that rice residue retention as mulch at 5 Mg ha-1 and 20 cm standing stubbles (~2 Mg ha-1) conserved residual soil moisture and recorded significantly lower bulk density (1.10 & 1.09 Mg m-3), increased water holding capacity (57.05 & 55.14%), and improved water infiltration rate (3.47 & 3.30 cm h-1) compared to residue removal. Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase enzyme activity, available nitrogen and phosphorus contents at 0-15 cm soil depth were significantly higher by 7.2-11.1, 3.9-6.8, 4.1-6.7, 2.7-6.4 and 2.7-8.0%, respectively, under standing rice stubbles/mulching than residue removal. The SOC stock under mulching (25.3 Mg ha-1) was significantly higher than that recorded under residue removal at 0-15 cm (23.4 Mg ha-1) and remained non-significant at 15-30 cm depth. Significantly higher mean seed yield of lentil was obtained under mulching (1.68 Mg ha-1) and standing stubbles (1.49 Mg ha-1) than removal (1.27 Mg ha-1). Average productivity of lentil (1.53 Mg ha-1) after medium duration rice variety Shahsarang-1 was greater than that grown after local long duration rice variety Mendri (1.43 Mg ha-1). The mean seed yield of early lentil variety DPL 81 grown after medium duration rice was significantly higher (1.60 Mg ha-1) than medium duration lentil variety IPL 406 (1.36 Mg ha-1). Thus, cultivating medium duration rice (Shahsarang-1) followed by early duration lentil variety (DPL 81) and rice residue retention either through mulching or standing rice stubble is recommended for improving soil properties, carbon stock and productivity of lentil in rice fallow areas of eastern Himalayan region of India and similar other agro-ecosystems.

ACS Style

Jayanta Layek; Anup Das; G. I. Ramkrushna; R. Krishnappa; P. K. Ghosh; Rattan Lal; B. U. Choudhury; K. P. Mohapatra; Subhash Babu; G. S. Yadav; Utpal Dey. Managing rice fallow lands of eastern indian himalayas: impacts of residue management and varietal interventions on soil properties, carbon stocks and productivity. Land Degradation & Development 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Jayanta Layek, Anup Das, G. I. Ramkrushna, R. Krishnappa, P. K. Ghosh, Rattan Lal, B. U. Choudhury, K. P. Mohapatra, Subhash Babu, G. S. Yadav, Utpal Dey. Managing rice fallow lands of eastern indian himalayas: impacts of residue management and varietal interventions on soil properties, carbon stocks and productivity. Land Degradation & Development. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jayanta Layek; Anup Das; G. I. Ramkrushna; R. Krishnappa; P. K. Ghosh; Rattan Lal; B. U. Choudhury; K. P. Mohapatra; Subhash Babu; G. S. Yadav; Utpal Dey. 2021. "Managing rice fallow lands of eastern indian himalayas: impacts of residue management and varietal interventions on soil properties, carbon stocks and productivity." Land Degradation & Development , no. : 1.

Research article
Published: 13 August 2021 in Land Degradation & Development
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Soil quality restoration and sustainable crop production in the rainfed ecosystem of the Indian Himalayas can be achieved through effective conservation tillage and organic management. Hence, a six-year (2013 to 2019) study was conducted to quantify the effect of tillage and organic nutrient management on soil properties, productivity, and profitability of the maize-vegetable pea system. Three tillage systems [conventional (CT), reduced (RT) and no-till (NT)] and four organic nutrients management practices [(ONM)- farmyard manure @ 8 Mg ha-1 farmers practice (ONM1), 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through manures (ONM2), 75% RDN through manures + maize/vegetable pea stover in either of the crops (ONM3), and 50% RDN through manures + maize/vegetable pea stover in either of the crops (ONM4)] was tested. The results indicated that the NT had higher soil organic carbon (SOC, 16.49 g kg-1), available N (354.5 kg ha-1), and lesser bulk density (1.31 Mg m-3) and penetration resistance (1.85 MPa) in comparison with that of CT at 0-10 cm depth. The system productivity under NT was 9.6% higher than that obtained under CT. The ONM3 had higher SOC content, plant-available N, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) than ONM1. The integration of RT-ONM2 enhanced SMBC, DHA, maize, and vegetable pea yield by 27.2%, 35.7%, 38.0%, and 60.3%, respectively over CT-ONM1. Thus, the study suggested that the adoption of effective conservation tillage with adequate organic nutrient management has the potential to advance the soil properties and productivity of maize-vegetable pea system in the Himalayan region.

ACS Style

Raghavendra Singh; Subhash Babu; Ravi Kant Avasthe; Ram Swaroop Meena; Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Kamal Prasad Mohapatra; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Amit Kumar; Chandu Singh. Conservation tillage and organic nutrients management improve soil properties, productivity, and economics of the maize‐vegetable pea system in the Eastern Himalayas. Land Degradation & Development 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Raghavendra Singh, Subhash Babu, Ravi Kant Avasthe, Ram Swaroop Meena, Gulab Singh Yadav, Anup Das, Kamal Prasad Mohapatra, Sanjay Singh Rathore, Amit Kumar, Chandu Singh. Conservation tillage and organic nutrients management improve soil properties, productivity, and economics of the maize‐vegetable pea system in the Eastern Himalayas. Land Degradation & Development. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Raghavendra Singh; Subhash Babu; Ravi Kant Avasthe; Ram Swaroop Meena; Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Kamal Prasad Mohapatra; Sanjay Singh Rathore; Amit Kumar; Chandu Singh. 2021. "Conservation tillage and organic nutrients management improve soil properties, productivity, and economics of the maize‐vegetable pea system in the Eastern Himalayas." Land Degradation & Development , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 24 May 2021 in Heliyon
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Low soil moisture during dry season, poor soil properties and lack of adequate crop varieties are the major constraints for sustainable intensification of eastern Himalayas in changing climate. Suitable varieties, tillage alteration and integrated nutrient management with emphasis on locally available crop residues/plant biomass may help addressing these issues. The role of minimum tillage (MT) and no-till (NT), and organic matter substitution on conferring of favourable root environment, improvement in morpho-physiology and subsequent productivity of the crops are not objectively studied in Himalayan ecosystems. Thus, a six year field study was conducted for examining the residual effect of tillage and nutrient management (NM) practices applied to summer (rainy) rice (Oryza sativa L) on root growth-attributes and impact on morpho-physiology of succeeding winter pea (Pisums ativum L.) grown uniformly under NT. Higher root surface area, total root length, root volume, root length ratio (RLR) and root tissue densityin pea crop were observed under residual effect of conventional tillage (CT) relative to NT and MT. In addition, significantly higher values of functional root traits viz., root length ratio (RLR), root mass ratio and root finenessin pea were observed under CT and application of 50% NPK and 100% NPK relative to other tillage and NM practices. However, increased root exudation was observed under NT and MTalong with organic residue addition. Noticeable changes in stress responsive morpho-physiological traits like enhanced chlorophyll pigmentation and favourable leaf characteristics were observed in pea crop grown under NT with 50% NPK+weed biomass (WB)/green leaf manure (GLM) applications. Higher leaf area expansion and thickness were recorded with optimum turgidity under NT and MT than that under CT. Comparative increase in green pod and stover yield of pea with enhanced partition efficiency and harvest index were recorded under MT/NT along with 50% NPK+WB/GLM application than that under CT and other NM practices. Thus, adoption of MT/NT along with 50% NPK+WB/GLM in summer rice is recommended for inducing favourable root environment and optimised pea production in succeeding winter season in study region of the Eastern Himalayas, India and other similar agro-ecosystems.

ACS Style

Anup Das; Krishnappa Rangappa; Savita Basavaraj; Utpal Dey; Meghna Haloi; Jayanta Layek; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Rattan Lal; Nishant A. Deshmukh; Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Shishomvanao Ngachan. Conservation tillage and nutrient management practices in summer rice (Oryza sativa L.) favoured root growth and phenotypic plasticity of succeeding winter pea (Pisum sativumL.) under eastern Himalayas, India. Heliyon 2021, 7, e07078 .

AMA Style

Anup Das, Krishnappa Rangappa, Savita Basavaraj, Utpal Dey, Meghna Haloi, Jayanta Layek, Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti, Rattan Lal, Nishant A. Deshmukh, Gulab Singh Yadav, Subhash Babu, Shishomvanao Ngachan. Conservation tillage and nutrient management practices in summer rice (Oryza sativa L.) favoured root growth and phenotypic plasticity of succeeding winter pea (Pisum sativumL.) under eastern Himalayas, India. Heliyon. 2021; 7 (5):e07078.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anup Das; Krishnappa Rangappa; Savita Basavaraj; Utpal Dey; Meghna Haloi; Jayanta Layek; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Rattan Lal; Nishant A. Deshmukh; Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Shishomvanao Ngachan. 2021. "Conservation tillage and nutrient management practices in summer rice (Oryza sativa L.) favoured root growth and phenotypic plasticity of succeeding winter pea (Pisum sativumL.) under eastern Himalayas, India." Heliyon 7, no. 5: e07078.

Journal article
Published: 12 May 2021 in Sustainability
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‘Participatory-mode’ adaptive research was conducted in wheat in north-western Himalayas (NWH) during 2008–2014 to develop an improved chemical weed management (ICWM) technology. First of all, two years ‘on-farm experimentation’ was performed in a randomized block design at 10 locations in NWH using seven treatments (Clodinafop @ 60 g a.i./ha (Clod); Clod followed by 2,4-D (Na-salt) @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Clod-fb-D); Isoproturon 75 WP @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha (Iso); Iso + D; Sulfosulfuron 75% WG @ 25 g a.i./ha + Metsulfuron 5% WG @ 2 g a.i./ha (Sulf + Met); weed-free-check; and un-weeded-check). In this study, the post-emergence application of Sulf + Met reported the lowest weed-index and NPK depletion by weeds with higher weed control efficiency (86.4%), weed control index (81.1%) and herbicide efficiency index (2.62) over other herbicides. Sulf + Met exhibited significantly higher wheat productivity (3.57 t/ha), protein yield, net-returns and water-productivity, which was followed by Iso + D and Clod-fb-D, all of which remained statistically at par with each other. An impact assessment of intensive technology-transfer programme (2008–2014) revealed a higher technology adoption rate (71–98%) of ICWM leading to higher wheat productivity (~22%) and net income gains (2.8–26.4%) in NWH. Overall, Sulf + Met proved highly effective against mixed weed flora in wheat to boost wheat productivity, profitability, quality and water productivity in addition to a higher technology adoption rate and NIGs to transform rural livelihoods in NWH.

ACS Style

Anil Choudhary; D.S. Yadav; Pankaj Sood; Shakuntla Rahi; Kalpana Arya; S.K. Thakur; Ramesh Lal; Subhash Kumar; Jagdev Sharma; Anchal Dass; Subhash Babu; R.S. Bana; D.S. Rana; Adarsh Kumar; Sudhir Rajpoot; Gaurendra Gupta; Anil Kumar; Harish M.N.; A.U. Noorzai; G.A. Rajanna; Mohammad Khan; V.K. Dua; Raj Singh. Post-Emergence Herbicides for Effective Weed Management, Enhanced Wheat Productivity, Profitability and Quality in North-Western Himalayas: A ‘Participatory-Mode’ Technology Development and Dissemination. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5425 .

AMA Style

Anil Choudhary, D.S. Yadav, Pankaj Sood, Shakuntla Rahi, Kalpana Arya, S.K. Thakur, Ramesh Lal, Subhash Kumar, Jagdev Sharma, Anchal Dass, Subhash Babu, R.S. Bana, D.S. Rana, Adarsh Kumar, Sudhir Rajpoot, Gaurendra Gupta, Anil Kumar, Harish M.N., A.U. Noorzai, G.A. Rajanna, Mohammad Khan, V.K. Dua, Raj Singh. Post-Emergence Herbicides for Effective Weed Management, Enhanced Wheat Productivity, Profitability and Quality in North-Western Himalayas: A ‘Participatory-Mode’ Technology Development and Dissemination. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (10):5425.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anil Choudhary; D.S. Yadav; Pankaj Sood; Shakuntla Rahi; Kalpana Arya; S.K. Thakur; Ramesh Lal; Subhash Kumar; Jagdev Sharma; Anchal Dass; Subhash Babu; R.S. Bana; D.S. Rana; Adarsh Kumar; Sudhir Rajpoot; Gaurendra Gupta; Anil Kumar; Harish M.N.; A.U. Noorzai; G.A. Rajanna; Mohammad Khan; V.K. Dua; Raj Singh. 2021. "Post-Emergence Herbicides for Effective Weed Management, Enhanced Wheat Productivity, Profitability and Quality in North-Western Himalayas: A ‘Participatory-Mode’ Technology Development and Dissemination." Sustainability 13, no. 10: 5425.

Journal article
Published: 02 February 2021 in Field Crops Research
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through agriculture, especially in the rainfed ecosystem, can be achieved by effective conservation management practices. Therefore, the study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the inclusion of intensified leguminous live mulch systems can improve system productivity, carbon management index (CMI), and soil health. Two cropping systems viz, summer maize-rainy season maize-lentil (SM-RM-L); and summer maize-rainy season maize-mustard (SM-RM-Ma) and five tillage and mulching practices such as 1) no-till (NT); 2) NT with live mulch (NT-LM); 3) reduced tillage (RT); 4) RT with live mulch (RT-LM); and 5) conventional tillage (CT) were tested in a split-plot design. Results revealed that yield attributes and yields of summer and rainy season maize, and cowpea were higher under SM-RM-L than the SM-RM-Ma cropping system. But in the winter, crop yields were higher under SM-RM-Ma than the SM-RM-L cropping system. NT-LM and RT-LM recorded 39.5 % and 48.4 % average higher grain yield of summer maize over the CT. The soil under the NT-LM had the maximum very labile C (2.32 g kg−1); the labile C fraction was the highest in soil under CT (1.72 g kg−1). The non-labile C fraction of soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher under NT and NT-LM than the rest of the tillage/mulch treatments in 0−10 cm depth. The soil under RT-LM had a higher lability index (LI,1.62) than the rest of the treatments in 0−10 cm depth. Conversely, in 10−20 cm depth, the soil under NT had higher LI (1.77) than the rest of the treatments. The soil under NT-LM and RT-LM had higher CPI and CMI than those in the rest of the treatments. Water holding capacity (WHC), infiltration rate, and cumulative infiltration were significantly higher under NT-LM and RT-LM than the other treatments. Thus, the study indicated the positive role of LM based conservation tillage practices in improving soil properties, carbon management indices, and productivity of maize-based cropping systems in the eastern Indian Himalayas.

ACS Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; M. Datta; K.P. Mohapatra; Raghavendra Singh; Vinod K. Singh; S.S. Rathore; Mandakranta Chakraborty. Productivity, soil health, and carbon management index of Indian Himalayan intensified maize-based cropping systems under live mulch based conservation tillage practices. Field Crops Research 2021, 264, 108080 .

AMA Style

Gulab Singh Yadav, Subhash Babu, Anup Das, M. Datta, K.P. Mohapatra, Raghavendra Singh, Vinod K. Singh, S.S. Rathore, Mandakranta Chakraborty. Productivity, soil health, and carbon management index of Indian Himalayan intensified maize-based cropping systems under live mulch based conservation tillage practices. Field Crops Research. 2021; 264 ():108080.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; M. Datta; K.P. Mohapatra; Raghavendra Singh; Vinod K. Singh; S.S. Rathore; Mandakranta Chakraborty. 2021. "Productivity, soil health, and carbon management index of Indian Himalayan intensified maize-based cropping systems under live mulch based conservation tillage practices." Field Crops Research 264, no. : 108080.

Journal article
Published: 19 January 2021 in Journal of Environmental Management
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Globally, various estimates are available on the above-ground (plant parts) carbon (C) sequestering potential of agroforestry systems (AFSs). However, information on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration potential is limited for AFSs. Furthermore, the impacts of AFSs established for the restoration of C in degraded soils (prone to soil erosion, C and nutrients loss, etc.) of Himalayas are rarely investigated. Thus, a study was conducted on an agroforestry block established in 1989 at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Research Complex for North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region, Lembucherra, Tripura, India. The AFSs comprised of four multipurpose tree species viz., teak (Tectona grandis Linn), sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Ex DC.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus L.), and neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) in combination with pineapple (Ananas comosus L. merr.). Planted in three times replicated randomized block design. After 28 years of establishment, the impacts of these AFSs were assessed on SOC stocks and its fraction pools. Results revealed that sissoo + pineapple system stored the highest SOC stocks in 0–15 cm (22.1 ± 1.4 Mg/ha) and 30–60 cm (18.0 ± 4.3 Mg/ha) depths, whereas the SOC stocks in 15–30 cm (12.2 ± 1.2 Mg/ha) and 0–30 cm (34.0 ± 1.6 Mg/ha) were the highest under teak + pineapple. When considering the entire 0–100 cm soil profile, the SOC stocks ranged between 65.3 and 71.6 Mg/ha across the diverse AFSs which was significantly higher than that under cultivated land (52.8 ± 2.6 Mg/ha). The sissoo + pineapple system had the highest SOC stock in 0–100 cm (71.6 ± 5.8 Mg/ha). The share of passive carbon (PC, less labile + non-labile) pools to SOC stocks under AFSs followed the order of sissoo + pineapple > teak + pineapple > neem + pineapple > eucalyptus + pineapple. The PC or recalcitrant pools of SOC stocks at 0–100 cm were 54.2–60.6% under various AFSs. Results revealed that the establishment of AFSs with pineapple on degraded lands increased a significant amount of C and had a considerable effect on soil quality in comparison to C present in soils under cropland. Thus, a large scale adoption of AFSs may restore C lost through the cultivation of the crop in degraded lands and provide a feasible option for livelihood through concurrent cultivation of multipurpose tree species and agri-horticulture crops.

ACS Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; B.K. Kandpal; Anup Das; Subhash Babu; K.P. Mohapatra; A. Gangarani Devi; H. Lembisana Devi; Puran Chandra; Raghavendra Singh; K.K. Barman. Impact of 28 year old agroforestry systems on soil carbon dynamics in Eastern Himalayas. Journal of Environmental Management 2021, 283, 111978 .

AMA Style

Gulab Singh Yadav, B.K. Kandpal, Anup Das, Subhash Babu, K.P. Mohapatra, A. Gangarani Devi, H. Lembisana Devi, Puran Chandra, Raghavendra Singh, K.K. Barman. Impact of 28 year old agroforestry systems on soil carbon dynamics in Eastern Himalayas. Journal of Environmental Management. 2021; 283 ():111978.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; B.K. Kandpal; Anup Das; Subhash Babu; K.P. Mohapatra; A. Gangarani Devi; H. Lembisana Devi; Puran Chandra; Raghavendra Singh; K.K. Barman. 2021. "Impact of 28 year old agroforestry systems on soil carbon dynamics in Eastern Himalayas." Journal of Environmental Management 283, no. : 111978.

Journal article
Published: 07 January 2021 in International Soil and Water Conservation Research
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Poor soil properties especially low soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient and water retention capacities are major concern for sustainable agriculture in Himalayas. Field experiments were conducted to assess the effects of six combinations of tillage [conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT)] and land configurations [flat bed planting (FB), ridge and furrow planting (RF), and raised bed planting (RB)] on productivity and carbon (C)-sequestration potential of maize [(Zea mays L.) for green-cob in summer]-maize (for grains in rainy season)-field pea [(Pisum sativum L. in winter] cropping system under humid mild-tropical climate of Tripura, India. The maize under NT-FB in 2012 and NT-RF in 2013 produced significantly higher green cob yield than that under CT-RF. However, in rainy season, CT produced higher maize grain yield than NT systems. Field pea seed yield was significantly the highest under NT-RB. After two cropping cycles, NT systems had higher available N, P, K and 18.6–31.4% higher soil moisture content after rainy season maize than CT system. The highest SOC-stock (0–30 cm) was observed under NT-FB, whereas, SOC-sequestration rate was maximum under NT-RB (0.85 Mg ha−1 year−1). Therefore, NT based systems can enhance the productivity and improve SOC-sequestration in cultivated soils of eastern Himalayas. Hence, study recommended adoption of NT-RB/NT-FB to raise maize-maize-field pea system for improving productivity, improving C- sequestration and soil properties in the eastern Himalayas and similar eco-regions elsewhere.

ACS Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Subhash Babu; Kamal Prasad Mohapatra; Rattan Lal; Dipjyoti Rajkhowa. Potential of conservation tillage and altered land configuration to improve soil properties, carbon sequestration and productivity of maize based cropping system in eastern Himalayas, India. International Soil and Water Conservation Research 2021, 9, 279 -290.

AMA Style

Gulab Singh Yadav, Anup Das, Subhash Babu, Kamal Prasad Mohapatra, Rattan Lal, Dipjyoti Rajkhowa. Potential of conservation tillage and altered land configuration to improve soil properties, carbon sequestration and productivity of maize based cropping system in eastern Himalayas, India. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. 2021; 9 (2):279-290.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Subhash Babu; Kamal Prasad Mohapatra; Rattan Lal; Dipjyoti Rajkhowa. 2021. "Potential of conservation tillage and altered land configuration to improve soil properties, carbon sequestration and productivity of maize based cropping system in eastern Himalayas, India." International Soil and Water Conservation Research 9, no. 2: 279-290.

Journal article
Published: 21 December 2020 in Heliyon
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A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of irrigation scheduling and use of superabsorbent polymers on growth, seed and water productivity, soil moisture dynamics in Indian mustard under semi-arid conditions. During the first year of the study, the increase in the mustard seed yield with irrigations applied at IW/CPE (Irrigation water, mm/Cumulative Pan Evaporation, mm (CPU) ratios 0.8, 0.6, 0.4 and no-irrigation (rainfed) with hydrogel application (+HG) was 18.6, 17.9, 14.4 and 28.3%, respectively, over no hydrogel (-HG). The seed yield enhancement by hydrogel application during the second year varied from 3% under sufficient irrigation to 24.9% under rainfed conditions. The pooled data indicated that the production indices and economics with hydrogel use improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05) under limited irrigation or rainfed condition. A net increase of 38, 27.7, and 10.7%, in production efficiency (PE), the net return, and profitability of mustard respectively was observed due to the use of hydrogel improved under the rainfed condition. Under limited irrigation (single irrigation at IW/CPE 0.4), a net increase of 24.2 and 31.8%, in the marginal and gross water productivity of mustard respectively, was recorded with hydrogel use. Similarly, in rainfed conditions, hydrogel increased gross water productivity by 22.6%. The energy intensity under irrigations scheduled at IW/CPE 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, and rainfed condition, was enhanced by 4.9, 5.9, 6.7, and 10.5%, respectively, due to hydrogel application. Thus, the use of hydrogel both under the rainfed condition and deficit irrigation has the potential to enhance productivity, profitability, and bio-energy output of Indian mustard in semi-arid agro-ecologies.

ACS Style

Sanjay Singh Rathore; Kapila Shekhawat; Subhash Babu; V.K. Singh. Mitigating moisture stress in Brassica juncea through deficit irrigation scheduling and hydrogel in ustocherpts soils of semi-arid India. Heliyon 2020, 6, e05786 .

AMA Style

Sanjay Singh Rathore, Kapila Shekhawat, Subhash Babu, V.K. Singh. Mitigating moisture stress in Brassica juncea through deficit irrigation scheduling and hydrogel in ustocherpts soils of semi-arid India. Heliyon. 2020; 6 (12):e05786.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sanjay Singh Rathore; Kapila Shekhawat; Subhash Babu; V.K. Singh. 2020. "Mitigating moisture stress in Brassica juncea through deficit irrigation scheduling and hydrogel in ustocherpts soils of semi-arid India." Heliyon 6, no. 12: e05786.

Journal article
Published: 10 November 2020 in International Soil and Water Conservation Research
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The sustainability of prevailing maize-fallow system in rainfed ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayan region (EHR) of India is often questioned due to poor economic return and negative impact on soil health. Hence, the six cropping systems, maize-fallow (M-F), maize + cowpea-rapeseed (M + C-Rs), maize + cowpea-buckwheat (M + C-Bw), maize + cowpea-barley (M + C–B), maize + cowpea-garden pea (M + C-GP) and maize + cowpea–rajmash (M + C-R) in the main plot and three soil moisture conservation measures, no-mulch (NM), maize stover mulch (MSM) and maize stover + weed biomass mulch (MSM + WBM) in sub-plot were evaluated for four consecutive years (2014-18) at a Research Farm in fixed plot fashion. Results indicated that cowpea co-culture with maize and inclusion of winter crop increased maize yield by 6.2–23.5% over M-F. Among the systems, the M + C-GP recorded the highest crop productivity. The residual effect of MSM + WBM increased maize grain yield by 19.1% over NM. Cultivation of maize + cowpea-winter crops significantly improved the available N (3.2–12.9%), P (3.6–12.7%), K (1.9–26.3%), organic carbon (9.2–16.8%), microbial biomass carbon-MBC (15.2–43.9%) and dehydrogenases-DHA (17.2–42.3%) in soil at 0–15 cm depth as compared to M-F. The M + C-GP also recorded maximum net return (US $2460 ha−1), benefit:cost (B: C) ratio (2.86) and energy use efficiency (7.9%). The MSM + WBM recorded higher net return (US $1680 ha−1) and B:C ratio (2.46) over NM. Hence, cowpea + maize-garden pea (M + C-GP) along with the application of MSM + WBM is a sustainable production practice to intensify the organically managed maize-fallow system in rainfed regions of the EHR of India and other similar ecosystems.

ACS Style

Raghavendra Singh; Subhash Babu; R.K. Avasthe; Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; K.P. Mohapatra; Amit Kumar; Vinod K. Singh; Puran Chandra. Crop productivity, soil health, and energy dynamics of Indian Himalayan intensified organic maize-based systems. International Soil and Water Conservation Research 2020, 9, 260 -270.

AMA Style

Raghavendra Singh, Subhash Babu, R.K. Avasthe, Gulab Singh Yadav, Anup Das, K.P. Mohapatra, Amit Kumar, Vinod K. Singh, Puran Chandra. Crop productivity, soil health, and energy dynamics of Indian Himalayan intensified organic maize-based systems. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. 2020; 9 (2):260-270.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Raghavendra Singh; Subhash Babu; R.K. Avasthe; Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; K.P. Mohapatra; Amit Kumar; Vinod K. Singh; Puran Chandra. 2020. "Crop productivity, soil health, and energy dynamics of Indian Himalayan intensified organic maize-based systems." International Soil and Water Conservation Research 9, no. 2: 260-270.

Journal article
Published: 30 September 2020 in Scientific Reports
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Appropriate land configuration and assured nutrient supply are prerequisites for quality organic baby corn (Zea mays L.) production in high rainfall areas of the delicate Eastern Himalayan Region of India. A long term (5-year) study was conducted during 2012–2016 on a sandy loam soil in the mid attitude of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayan Region of India to evaluate the productivity, produce quality, the profitability of baby corn, and soil properties under different land configurations comprising flatbed, ridge and furrow, and broad bed and furrow, and organic nutrient management practices comprising un-amended control, farmyard manure 12 t ha−1, vermicompost 4 t ha−1 and farmyard manure 6 t ha−1 + vermicompost 2 t ha−1. The baby corn sown on broad bed and furrow had the tallest plant (149.25 cm), maximum dry matter (64.33 g plant−1), highest leaf area index (3.5), maximum cob length (8.10 cm), cob girth (6.13 cm) and cob weight (8.14 g) leading to significantly higher fresh baby corn yield (1.89 t ha−1), and net returns (US$ 906.1 ha−1) than those of other treatments. Mineral composition (phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc), protein, and ascorbic acid content were also the highest in baby corn grown under the broad bed and furrow system. The soil of broad bed and furrow had a higher pH, organic carbon content, organic carbon pools, microbial biomass carbon, and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, and acid phosphatase) compared to soils of other land configurations. A combined application of farmyard manure (6 t ha−1) + vermicompost (2 t ha−1) improved the crop growth and produced 117.8% higher fresh baby corn and 99.7% higher fodder yield over control (0.9 t fresh corn and 13.02 t fodder yield ha−1), respectively. This treatment also registered significantly higher gross return (US$ 1746.9 ha−1), net return (US$ 935.8 ha−1), and benefit–cost ratio (2.15) than other nutrient management practices. Fresh cob quality in terms of protein (22.91%) and ascorbic acid content (101.6 mg 100 g−1) was observed to be significantly superior under combined application of farmyard manure (6 t ha−1) + vermicompost (2 t ha−1) than those of other nutrient management systems. However, fresh baby corn cobs produced with vermicompost 4 t ha−1 had the highest concentration of phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc. Application of farmyard manure 12 t ha−1 registered the maximum increment in soil organic carbon content (1.52%), its pool (40.6 t ha−1) and carbon sequestration rate (0.74 t ha−1 year−1) followed by integrated application of farmyard manure (6 t ha−1) and vermicompost (2 t ha−1). The maximum soil microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activities [dehydrogenase (22.1 µg TPF g−1 soil h−1) and fluorescein diacetate (67.1 µg FDA g−1 soil h−1)] were noted with the combined use of farmyard manure (6 t ha−1) + vermicompost (2 t ha−1). Thus, the study suggests that the broad bed and furrow land configuration along with the combined application of farmyard manure + vermicompost could be an economically feasible practice for quality organic baby corn production and soil health improvement in the Eastern Himalaya and other similar eco-regions elsewhere.

ACS Style

Subhash Babu; Raghavendra Singh; R. K. Avasthe; Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Vinod K. Singh; K. P. Mohapatra; S. S. Rathore; Puran Chandra; Amit Kumar. Impact of land configuration and organic nutrient management on productivity, quality and soil properties under baby corn in Eastern Himalayas. Scientific Reports 2020, 10, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Subhash Babu, Raghavendra Singh, R. K. Avasthe, Gulab Singh Yadav, Anup Das, Vinod K. Singh, K. P. Mohapatra, S. S. Rathore, Puran Chandra, Amit Kumar. Impact of land configuration and organic nutrient management on productivity, quality and soil properties under baby corn in Eastern Himalayas. Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (1):1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Subhash Babu; Raghavendra Singh; R. K. Avasthe; Gulab Singh Yadav; Anup Das; Vinod K. Singh; K. P. Mohapatra; S. S. Rathore; Puran Chandra; Amit Kumar. 2020. "Impact of land configuration and organic nutrient management on productivity, quality and soil properties under baby corn in Eastern Himalayas." Scientific Reports 10, no. 1: 1-14.

Preprint content
Published: 17 July 2020
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Increasing weather aberrations cause frequent crop failure in monoculture cropping system. Specialized crop production systems, where few seasonal crops occupy vast arable lands, resulting in more biotic and abiotic stresses in agri-ecosystem. Therefore a diversified agroforestry systemwas evaluated to ensure resilience underlimited water conditions, with an aim to augment carbon footprint with enhanced productivity and profitability. The study hypothesised that integration of perennial fruits trees with seasonal crops will have benign effect for sequestering more carbon and improving livelihood of the farmers. This is one of the first timesthat arid fruits tress along with leguminous,and other low water requiring crops were studied for improved carbon sequestration, livelihood of the farmers andfor better resilience in production system. The experimental findings showed that arid fruit trees along with leguminous, oilseeds and cash crops resulted in higher profitability and thus improved livelihood of the farmersin arid and semi-arid areas of South Asia. Diversified phalsa-mung bean-potato and moringa-mung bean-potato were the most productive agroforestry system (36.7t/ha and 36.2 t/ha respectively. Under limited irrigation conditions, Karonda (Carisa spp.)-mung bean potato system was found best in improving livelihood with maximum net return of $ 3529.1/ha with higher profitability/day ($ 19.9/day). Phalsa -MB-potato system was also recorded maximum water use efficiency (33.0 kg/ha-mm), whereas density of SOC was in Phalsa-cowpea-mustard (9.10 Mg/ha) and moringa-mung bean -potato AFS (9.16 Mg/ha). Carbon footprint analysis revealed that maximum net C gain was in Phalsa-mung bean -potato system (7030 Carbon equivalent kg CE/ha/year).

ACS Style

Sanjay Singh Rathore; Kapila Shekhawat; Vk S Singh; Subhash Babu Babu; Rk Singh; Pk Upadhyay; Ranjan Bhattacharyya. Diversified agroforestry systems improve carbon foot printand farmer’s livelihood under limited irrigation conditions. 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Sanjay Singh Rathore, Kapila Shekhawat, Vk S Singh, Subhash Babu Babu, Rk Singh, Pk Upadhyay, Ranjan Bhattacharyya. Diversified agroforestry systems improve carbon foot printand farmer’s livelihood under limited irrigation conditions. . 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sanjay Singh Rathore; Kapila Shekhawat; Vk S Singh; Subhash Babu Babu; Rk Singh; Pk Upadhyay; Ranjan Bhattacharyya. 2020. "Diversified agroforestry systems improve carbon foot printand farmer’s livelihood under limited irrigation conditions." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 15 July 2020 in CATENA
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Land use management exerts a tenacious impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics; however, the impact varies with climate, soils, and management practices. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of changes in SOC pools and its fractions is necessary to reduce carbon (C) emissions and adopt efficient land use planning for sustainable soil management in the North Eastern Himalayan (NEH) region of India. The soils under five prominent land uses [e.g., alder (Alnus nepalensis) + large cardamom (Amomum subulatum), alder + turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginger (Zingiber officinale) + maize (Zea mays), ginger and undisturbed forest] were sampled down to 45 cm depth to assess the impacts of land use systems on SOC content and storage, its fractions, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and the dehydrogenase (DHA) activities. Results demonstrated that undisturbed forest soil had the highest organic carbon (OC, 145.8 Mg ha−1), active C (AC, 73.7 Mg ha−1), passive C (PC, 72.1 Mg ha−1) pools, MBC and DHA activities followed by alder + large cardamom system (140.7 Mg OC ha−1, 70.9 Mg AC ha−1, and 69.8 Mg PC ha−1, respectively). The soils under undisturbed forest and alder + large cardamom system had a higher share of the very labile C fractions for all depths than other land uses. Conversely, soils under sole ginger and ginger + maize land uses had a greater proportion of non-labile C (NLC) fractions; however, absolute values of the NLC pool were the highest under undisturbed forest soil. Alder + large cardamom land use system had the highest AC: PC pool ratio (1.13) and C stratification (1.02–1.05) compared to the other land uses. Of the various land uses, SOC pools (0–45 cm) in six years were reduced nominally under alder + large cardamom system (4.2%), while the reduction was maximum under the ginger system (11.2%) as compared to the SOC pools of undisturbed forest. The study demonstrated that the cultivation of crops like maize and/or ginger is more degrading and will always have a negative impact on the fertility and overall health of the Himalayan soil. Hence, alder + large cardamom system may be promoted to restore the soil C in the Sikkim Himalayan region of NEH, India, and other similar regions of the world.

ACS Style

Subhash Babu; K.P. Mohapatra; Gulab Singh Yadav; Rattan Lal; Raghavendra Singh; R.K. Avasthe; Anup Das; Puran Chandra; B.A. Gudade; Amit Kumar. Soil carbon dynamics in diverse organic land use systems in North Eastern Himalayan ecosystem of India. CATENA 2020, 194, 104785 .

AMA Style

Subhash Babu, K.P. Mohapatra, Gulab Singh Yadav, Rattan Lal, Raghavendra Singh, R.K. Avasthe, Anup Das, Puran Chandra, B.A. Gudade, Amit Kumar. Soil carbon dynamics in diverse organic land use systems in North Eastern Himalayan ecosystem of India. CATENA. 2020; 194 ():104785.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Subhash Babu; K.P. Mohapatra; Gulab Singh Yadav; Rattan Lal; Raghavendra Singh; R.K. Avasthe; Anup Das; Puran Chandra; B.A. Gudade; Amit Kumar. 2020. "Soil carbon dynamics in diverse organic land use systems in North Eastern Himalayan ecosystem of India." CATENA 194, no. : 104785.

Journal article
Published: 14 July 2020 in International Soil and Water Conservation Research
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A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at North Eastern Indian Himalayan region to assess the effect of soil moisture conservation measures on soil and water productivity of different rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) - based cropping sequences. Results revealed that double mulching with in-situ maize stover mulch (MSM) + fresh biomass of white hoary pea (WHP-Tephrosia candida) and MSM + fresh biomass of ragweed (RW- Ambrosia artemisiifolia) improved soil moisture content (SMC) and leaf relative water content of crops during dry season. The SOC content and stocks under MSM + WHP and MSM + RW mulches were significantly higher than that under no mulch at 0–15 cm depth. The soil microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity were maximum under MSM + WHP/RW. The highest system productivity was obtained from maize-French bean (PT) sequence under MSM + RW followed by MSM + WHP. The water productivity was the highest under MSM + WHP. While SOC content was the highest under maize-French bean (PT), the maximum plant available nitrogen and phosphorus were obtained under maize-black gram sequence.Thus, double mulching technology involving MSM and RW (available in plenty) is a viable option for improving soil, crop and water productivity under rainfed hill ecosystems of eastern Indian Himalayas.

ACS Style

Bidyapati Ngangom; Anup Das; Rattan Lal; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Jayanta Layek; Savita Basavaraj; Subhash Babu; Gulab Singh Yadav; Probir Kumar Ghosh. Double mulching improves soil properties and productivity of maize-based cropping system in eastern Indian Himalayas. International Soil and Water Conservation Research 2020, 8, 308 -320.

AMA Style

Bidyapati Ngangom, Anup Das, Rattan Lal, Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti, Jayanta Layek, Savita Basavaraj, Subhash Babu, Gulab Singh Yadav, Probir Kumar Ghosh. Double mulching improves soil properties and productivity of maize-based cropping system in eastern Indian Himalayas. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. 2020; 8 (3):308-320.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bidyapati Ngangom; Anup Das; Rattan Lal; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Jayanta Layek; Savita Basavaraj; Subhash Babu; Gulab Singh Yadav; Probir Kumar Ghosh. 2020. "Double mulching improves soil properties and productivity of maize-based cropping system in eastern Indian Himalayas." International Soil and Water Conservation Research 8, no. 3: 308-320.

Journal article
Published: 02 July 2020 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Sustainability of conventional agricultural production systems is threatened by triple challenges of energy and environmental crises, deteriorating natural resources bases, and declining farm profitability. Current agricultural management practices (energy-intensive, inefficient external and natural input use, and crop biomass burning) are negatively impacting the ecosystem services which are the principal drivers for food security and human survival. Hence, there is a need to shift from unsustainable production practices to cleaner production systems. Energy use, carbon footprint (CF), and economic sustainability are important indicators of any clean production systems. Thus, a hypothesis was formulated that no-till (NT) cultivation along with mulching can provide an environmentally clean crop production practice that can enhance energy use efficiency, economic profitability, and reduce the CF. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted for four consecutive years (2012–15) to evaluate the energy budget, CF, and economics of NT along with bio-mulching for a cleaner upland rice production system. The experiment comprised of two tillage practices i.e., conventional tillage (CT) and NT in main plots and four bio- mulches in subplots i.e., rice straw mulch (RSM), Gliricidia sepium mulch (GLM), brown manuring mulch (BMM) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), and no mulch (NM) as a control. Results revealed that the adoption of NT curtailed energy use by 48.50%, specific energy by 49.63%, CF by 16.48%, and cost of cultivation by 35% in addition to enhancing energy use efficiency and benefit to cost ratio in comparison to CT. It was also observed that mulching, particularly the BMM, boosted the energy use efficiency, economic productivity, net returns, and benefit to cost ratio over NM. The results suggested that NT with BMM is an environmentally clean production technology to enhance the energy use efficiency, besides reducing the CF of direct-seeded upland rice production system in the Eastern Himalayas and similar eco-regions of the world.

ACS Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; K.P. Mohapatra; Raghavendra Singh; R.K. Avasthe; Saptamita Roy. No-till and mulching enhance energy use efficiency and reduce carbon footprint of a direct-seeded upland rice production system. Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 271, 122700 .

AMA Style

Gulab Singh Yadav, Subhash Babu, Anup Das, K.P. Mohapatra, Raghavendra Singh, R.K. Avasthe, Saptamita Roy. No-till and mulching enhance energy use efficiency and reduce carbon footprint of a direct-seeded upland rice production system. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020; 271 ():122700.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; K.P. Mohapatra; Raghavendra Singh; R.K. Avasthe; Saptamita Roy. 2020. "No-till and mulching enhance energy use efficiency and reduce carbon footprint of a direct-seeded upland rice production system." Journal of Cleaner Production 271, no. : 122700.

Journal article
Published: 19 March 2020 in Ecological Indicators
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The contribution of soil to supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural functions as well as its role in the ecosystem services is well-known in the international literature. However, in the domain of organic agriculture, the impact of cropping systems shifts from cereal-cereal to high-frequency diversified cropping sequences with legume as a component crop on soil carbon dynamics is not widely known. In order to identify an alternative cropping system to widely prevalent rice-fallow production system in Himalayan region of India, seven cropping sequences viz., rice -fenugreek (green vegetable) - maize (R-F-M); rice -vegetable pea - maize (R-Vp-M); rice-coriander (leaves)-cowpea (R-C-Cp); rice - fenugreek (green vegetable) - baby corn (R-F-Bc); rice - broccoli - Sesbania (green manuring) (R-B-S); rice - buckwheat (R-Bw) and rice - maize (R-M) were assessed for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2018 for their productivity and resource conservation values. Results revealed that the inclusion of legumes in rice-based sequences increased the rice grain yield by 13.4 to 24.6% over R-M (3.13 Mg ha−1) sequence. The R-B-S sequence had the highest very labile carbon (VLC) (4.6 g kg−1 soil) followed by the R-Vp-M. Relative proportion of various organic carbon fractions in the top 10 cm soil followed the order of VLC (30.2%) > non labile carbon (NLC, 27.6%) > labile carbon (LC, 23.4%) > less labile carbon (LLC, 18.9%). The carbon management index (CMI) was the highest (100.9%) in the R-B-S sequence followed by R-C-Cp (98.0%). The addition of a third crop in the sequence increased the active carbon (AC) pool by 1.1 to 5.8%. The passive carbon (PC) pool was highest in soil under the R-C-Cp sequence (9.15 Mg ha−1) at 0–10 cm soil depth. The carbon retention efficiency under the R-C-Cp cropping sequence was the highest (15.1%) followed by the R-B-S (14.9%). R-B-S and R-C-Cp sequences had 12.5% and 10.6% higher soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) over the R-M sequence, respectively. Similarly, R-B-S and R-C-Cp increased the FDA by 49.6 and 41.8%, and DHA by 135.0% and 103.9%, respectively over R-M sequence. In conclusion, the management of crops from organic agriculture aimed at improving soil ecosystem services, in contrasting degradation of soil health and the decline of SOC, can also have positive effects on crop productivity in the eastern Himalayan region of India as well as all over the world.

ACS Style

Subhash Babu; Raghavendra Singh; R.K. Avasthe; Gulab Singh Yadav; K.P. Mohapatra; Thiru Selvan; Anup Das; Vinod K. Singh; Donatella Valente; Irene Petrosillo. Soil carbon dynamics in Indian Himalayan intensified organic rice-based cropping sequences. Ecological Indicators 2020, 114, 106292 .

AMA Style

Subhash Babu, Raghavendra Singh, R.K. Avasthe, Gulab Singh Yadav, K.P. Mohapatra, Thiru Selvan, Anup Das, Vinod K. Singh, Donatella Valente, Irene Petrosillo. Soil carbon dynamics in Indian Himalayan intensified organic rice-based cropping sequences. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 114 ():106292.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Subhash Babu; Raghavendra Singh; R.K. Avasthe; Gulab Singh Yadav; K.P. Mohapatra; Thiru Selvan; Anup Das; Vinod K. Singh; Donatella Valente; Irene Petrosillo. 2020. "Soil carbon dynamics in Indian Himalayan intensified organic rice-based cropping sequences." Ecological Indicators 114, no. : 106292.

Journal article
Published: 13 March 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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Achieving a circular economic model in agriculture and meeting the food requirement of the growing population is a global challenge. The task is much more daunting in the Eastern Himalaya where low productive maize–fallow is a predominant production system. To enhance system productivity and energy use efficiency while maintaining environmental sustainability and economic profitability, therefore, energy-efficient, low carbon footprint (CF; CO2-e) and profitable short duration crops must be made an integral part of the maize fallow system. Thus, six cropping systems viz., maize–fallow, maize–French bean, maize–soybean, maize–black gram, maize–green gram, and maize–toria were evaluated for seven consecutive years (2011–2018) to assess their energy requirement and efficiency, carbon footprint (CF; CO2-e), economic returns and eco-efficiency. The results revealed that the maize–French bean system had the highest system productivity (11.4 Mg ha−1), energy productivity (17.9), energy profitability (15.9) and non-renewable energy use efficiency (9.97). The maize–French bean system had also the highest net profit (US$ 3764.5 ha−1) and benefit to cost ratio (2.54). The energy consumed under different inputs/activities across the cropping systems for chemical fertilizers, diesel and machinery ranged from 50.0–62.7%, 17.3–20.8% and 4.6–15.4%, respectively. The maize–fallow system had the highest CF (0.34 kg CO2 e per kg grain) while, the maize–French bean system had the lowest CF (0.19 kg CO2 e per kg grain). The maize–French bean system had also considerably increased eco-efficiency both in terms of energy use (US$ 0.23 MJ−1) and (US$ 1.78 per kg CO2 e) over maize–fallow system. Thus, the study has suggested that maize–French bean system is energy-efficient, economically viable and environmentally safer systems to utilize maize fallow and improve food security, may help in achieving green/circular economy.

ACS Style

Subhash Babu; K.P. Mohapatra; Anup Das; Gulab Singh Yadav; Moutusi Tahasildar; Raghavendra Singh; A.S. Panwar; Vivek Yadav; Puran Chandra. Designing energy-efficient, economically sustainable and environmentally safe cropping system for the rainfed maize–fallow land of the Eastern Himalayas. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 722, 137874 .

AMA Style

Subhash Babu, K.P. Mohapatra, Anup Das, Gulab Singh Yadav, Moutusi Tahasildar, Raghavendra Singh, A.S. Panwar, Vivek Yadav, Puran Chandra. Designing energy-efficient, economically sustainable and environmentally safe cropping system for the rainfed maize–fallow land of the Eastern Himalayas. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 722 ():137874.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Subhash Babu; K.P. Mohapatra; Anup Das; Gulab Singh Yadav; Moutusi Tahasildar; Raghavendra Singh; A.S. Panwar; Vivek Yadav; Puran Chandra. 2020. "Designing energy-efficient, economically sustainable and environmentally safe cropping system for the rainfed maize–fallow land of the Eastern Himalayas." Science of The Total Environment 722, no. : 137874.

Original article
Published: 25 February 2020 in Environmental Sustainability
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Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) being an exhaustive crop and mostly grown in marginal uplands and sloping lands, requires appropriate nutrition and land management for its organic production. Field experiment was conducted in mid-altitude (999 m ASL) of Meghalaya, India, during 2009–2011 with eight treatment combinations comprising two land configurations i.e. flat bed and raised bed along with four organic sources of nutrient supply i.e. 100% nitrogen (N, 120 kg ha−1) through farmyard manure (FYM), 100% N through vermicompost (VC), 50% N through FYM and VC each [integrated sources of nutrient supply (ISNS)] and farmers practice (FYM 5 Mg ha−1). Results revealed that average rhizome yield under raised bed was 36.6% higher compared to that under flat bed. The rhizome yield of ginger under ISNS (10.21 Mg ha−1) was significantly higher compared to those under VC (11.82 Mg ha−1) and farmers practice (8.6 Mg ha−1). The quality parameters like starch content and ginger powder yield were also significantly highest under raised bed and ISNS. The N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake under raised beds were 15.6, 27.5 and 63.6%, respectively higher compared to that of flat beds. The soil organic carbon and available N, P and K in soil at the end of the study were also significantly higher under raised bed and ISNS compared to those under flat beds and other sources of nutrient supply. Thus, raised beds with ISNS is recommended for sustainable organic ginger production in hill ecosystems of eastern Himalayas, India.

ACS Style

Anup Das; Jayanta Layek; Subhash Babu; Manoj Kumar; Gulab Singh Yadav; Dharmendra Prasad Patel; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Rattan Lal; Juri Buragohain. Influence of land configuration and organic sources of nutrient supply on productivity and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) grown in Eastern Himalayas, India. Environmental Sustainability 2020, 3, 59 -67.

AMA Style

Anup Das, Jayanta Layek, Subhash Babu, Manoj Kumar, Gulab Singh Yadav, Dharmendra Prasad Patel, Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti, Rattan Lal, Juri Buragohain. Influence of land configuration and organic sources of nutrient supply on productivity and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) grown in Eastern Himalayas, India. Environmental Sustainability. 2020; 3 (1):59-67.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anup Das; Jayanta Layek; Subhash Babu; Manoj Kumar; Gulab Singh Yadav; Dharmendra Prasad Patel; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Rattan Lal; Juri Buragohain. 2020. "Influence of land configuration and organic sources of nutrient supply on productivity and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) grown in Eastern Himalayas, India." Environmental Sustainability 3, no. 1: 59-67.

Research article
Published: 05 February 2020 in Land Degradation & Development
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Poor soil properties and low soil moisture content are major limitations for cultivating a second crop after the rainy season rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the uplands of Eastern Himalayas. Information on impact of conservation tillage and residue management to alleviate soil constraints is limited in the region. Thus, a field study was conducted in a rice–rapeseed (Brassica campestris Var. Toria) system under rainfed conditions with two tillage systems (CsT ‐ conservation and CT ‐ conventional) and five residue management (RM) practices [100% NPK fertilizer, 50% NPK; 50% NPK + in‐situ rice residue retention (ISRR, 5 Mg ha−1), 50% NPK + weed biomass [WB, 10 Mg ha−1 fresh weight basis (FW)]; 50% NPK+ green manuring (GM, 10 Mg ha−1 FW)] and their impact on soil quality parameters were assessed after 3 years. Significantly lower bulk density and penetration resistance (0–15 cm) and higher water infiltration rate were recorded under CsT than CT. The soil water holding capacity (WHC) and moisture content (SMC) in rapeseed were significantly higher under CsT than those under CT at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths. The WHC and SMC were the maximum under 50% NPK + GM/WB and the minimum under sole application of 50% NPK. After 3 years, there were 5.7% higher available nitrogen (N), 7.3% phosphorus (P) and 3% potassium (K) (kg ha−1) in 0–15 cm depth under CsT than those under CT, respectively. Similarly, SOC stock (0–30 cm), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) under CsT were significantly higher than CT. Application of 50% NPK+ WB/GM/ISRR registered significantly higher available NPK, SMBC and DHA in soil than those under 50% and 100% NPK. Thus, CsT along with 50% NPK + WB/GM/ISRR are recommended for improving soil properties under rice ‐rapeseed system of the region. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACS Style

Anup Das; Jayanta Layek; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Savita Basavaraj; Rattan Lal; Krishnappa Rangappa; Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Shishomvanao Ngachan. Conservation tillage and residue management improves soil properties under a upland rice–rapeseed system in the subtropical eastern Himalayas. Land Degradation & Development 2020, 31, 1775 -1791.

AMA Style

Anup Das, Jayanta Layek, Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti, Savita Basavaraj, Rattan Lal, Krishnappa Rangappa, Gulab Singh Yadav, Subhash Babu, Shishomvanao Ngachan. Conservation tillage and residue management improves soil properties under a upland rice–rapeseed system in the subtropical eastern Himalayas. Land Degradation & Development. 2020; 31 (14):1775-1791.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anup Das; Jayanta Layek; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Savita Basavaraj; Rattan Lal; Krishnappa Rangappa; Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Shishomvanao Ngachan. 2020. "Conservation tillage and residue management improves soil properties under a upland rice–rapeseed system in the subtropical eastern Himalayas." Land Degradation & Development 31, no. 14: 1775-1791.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2019 in Ecological Indicators
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ACS Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Rattan Lal; Ram Swaroop Meena; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; S.N. Bhowmik; Mrinmoy Datta; Jayanta Layak; Poulami Saha. Conservation tillage and nutrient management effects on productivity and soil carbon sequestration under double cropping of rice in north eastern region of India. Ecological Indicators 2019, 105, 303 -315.

AMA Style

Gulab Singh Yadav, Rattan Lal, Ram Swaroop Meena, Subhash Babu, Anup Das, S.N. Bhowmik, Mrinmoy Datta, Jayanta Layak, Poulami Saha. Conservation tillage and nutrient management effects on productivity and soil carbon sequestration under double cropping of rice in north eastern region of India. Ecological Indicators. 2019; 105 ():303-315.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gulab Singh Yadav; Rattan Lal; Ram Swaroop Meena; Subhash Babu; Anup Das; S.N. Bhowmik; Mrinmoy Datta; Jayanta Layak; Poulami Saha. 2019. "Conservation tillage and nutrient management effects on productivity and soil carbon sequestration under double cropping of rice in north eastern region of India." Ecological Indicators 105, no. : 303-315.

Journal article
Published: 12 July 2019 in Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science
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ACS Style

Anup Das; Savita Basavaraj; Jayanta Layek; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Rattan Lal; Krishnappa Rangappa; Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Probir Kumar Ghosh; Shishomvanao Ngachan. Can conservation tillage and residue management enhance energy use efficiency and sustainability of rice-pea system in the Eastern Himalayas? Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 2019, 66, 830 -846.

AMA Style

Anup Das, Savita Basavaraj, Jayanta Layek, Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti, Rattan Lal, Krishnappa Rangappa, Gulab Singh Yadav, Subhash Babu, Probir Kumar Ghosh, Shishomvanao Ngachan. Can conservation tillage and residue management enhance energy use efficiency and sustainability of rice-pea system in the Eastern Himalayas? Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 2019; 66 (6):830-846.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anup Das; Savita Basavaraj; Jayanta Layek; Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti; Rattan Lal; Krishnappa Rangappa; Gulab Singh Yadav; Subhash Babu; Probir Kumar Ghosh; Shishomvanao Ngachan. 2019. "Can conservation tillage and residue management enhance energy use efficiency and sustainability of rice-pea system in the Eastern Himalayas?" Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 66, no. 6: 830-846.