Two-year field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Tamil Nadu, India, to evaluate the effect of continuous flooding (CF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation strategies on rice grain yield and greenhouse gas emissions from double-cropping paddy rice. Field observation results showed that AWD irrigation was found to reduce the total seasonal methane (CH₄) emission by 22.3% to 56.2% compared with CF while maintaining rice yield. By using the observed two-year field data, validation of the DNDC-Rice model was conducted for CF and AWD practices. The model overestimated rice grain yield by 24% and 29% in CF and AWD, respectively, averaged over the rice-growing seasons compared to observed values. The simulated seasonal CH₄ emissions for CF were 6.4% lower and 4.2% higher than observed values and for AWD were 9.3% and 12.7% lower in the summer and monsoon season, respectively. The relative deviation of simulated seasonal nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from observed emissions in CF were 27% and −35% and in AWD were 267% and 234% in the summer and monsoon season, respectively. Although the DNDC-Rice model reasonably estimated the total CH₄ emission in CF and reproduced the mitigation effect of AWD treatment on CH₄ emissions well, the model did not adequately predict the total N₂O emission under water-saving irrigation. In terms of global warming potential (GWP), nevertheless there was a good agreement between the simulated and observed values for both CF and AWD irrigations due to smaller contributions of N₂O to the GWP compared with that of CH₄. This study showed that the DNDC-Rice model could be used for the estimation of CH₄ emissions, the primary source of GWP from double-cropping paddy rice under different water management conditions in the tropical regions.

Soil health is a vital determinant of agricultural productivity and the supply of essential ecosystem services, including water retention, nutrient cycling and the support of microbial communities. However, industrial activities near croplands can adversely affect soil health through contamination by pollutants such as heavy metals, chemicals and waste materials. This study evaluates the soil health of agricultural lands adjacent to industrial areas in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, with an emphasis on physical, chemical and biological soil properties. A total of 128 soil samples were collected and categorized into three groups: Primary Impact Sites (PIS), Secondary Impact Sites (SIS) and Reference Soils (RS). The analysis revealed that soils in proximity to industrial zones exhibited significant degradation in key indicators, such as bulk density, water holding capacity (WHC), organic carbon (OC) content and microbial activity. Soils at Primary Impact Sites demonstrated the most pronounced decline, characterized by higher bulk density, reduced WHC and lower OC levels, indicative of poor structure of soil and diminished fertility. In contrast, soils at Secondary Impact Sites and Reference Soils exhibited better overall quality, with higher microbial activity and enhanced nutrient retention. The findings of this study emphasize the indirect effects of industrialization on agricultural productivity through soil degradation.

The agricultural sector will need to transform into one that is sustainable more quickly to meet the demands of a growing population with rising incomes. Pests are thought to be growing and spreading quickly in agriculture and forestry ecosystems due to climate change. This study aims to examine the consumption pattern of pesticides in India and to assess the farmers’ perception of pesticide use. The consumption of pesticides in India was 52466.45 t in 2022-2023 which has declined from 63284.07 t (2021-2022). The consumption of pesticides was maximum in Maharashtra followed by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and Haryana. In India, pesticide consumption per ha of gross cropped area was 0.322 kg/ha in 2017-18 and declined to 0.289 kg/ha in 2021-22. Jammu & Kashmir leads with rates of 2.097 kg/ha and 3.603 kg/ha in 2022–23 followed by Punjab, Haryana, and Telangana with 0.679 kg/ha, 0.619 kg/ha, and 0.613 kg/ha respectively. Perceived pesticide related environmental and human health impacts influence the farmers' decisions to follow appropriate and sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers are at significant risk of pesticide exposure due to their over- reliance on pesticides, ignorance of safe handling techniques, and limited access to pesticide training which demands prompt action to increase knowledge on those aspects for sustainable pest control, environmental and health protection. The association of mandatory training in the form of seminars and farmers’ field schools relating to pesticide application limits, use of personal protective equipment, risks to human health and the environment, enforcement of safety standards and laws for pesticide use and alternative pest management practices with financial support viz., incentives and subsidies may be extremely beneficial.

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a sustainable farming approach that focuses on reducing soil disturbance, retaining crop residues and promoting crop diversity to enhance productivity and environmental health. This review examines the diverse benefits of CA, emphasizing its role in enhancing nutrient use efficiency through improved soil nutrient retention, increased soil organic carbon and stimulating microbial activity. Additionally, CA contributes to climate resilience by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and thereby enhancing carbon sequestration. It also improves soil structure and water retention, while mitigating issues such as sodicity, thereby enhancing both the physical and chemical properties of soil. CA practices increasing energy efficiency, reducing production costs and improving farmers' economic returns. Furthermore, CA helps manage pests, diseases and nematodes by promoting healthier soil ecosystems. However, its adoption faces challenges, including technical difficulties, limited access to appropriate machinery and socio-economic barriers. This review emphasizes the transformative potential of CA in creating sustainable agricultural systems. It also highlights the need to address existing barriers to fully harness its benefits for ensuring food security and combating climate change.