Assessing and prescribing fertilizer use is critical to profitable and sustainable coffee production, and this is becoming a priority concern for the Robusta coffee industry. In this study, annual survey data of 798 farms across selected Robusta coffee-producing provinces in Vietnam and Indonesia between 2008 and 2017 were used to comparatively assess the fertilizer management strategies in these countries. Specifically, we aimed to characterize fertilizer use patterns in the key coffee-growing provinces and discuss the potential for improving nutrient management practices. Four types of chemical (NPK, super phosphate, potassium chloride and urea) and two of natural (compost and lime) fertilizers were routinely used in Vietnam. In Indonesia, NPK and urea were supplemented only with compost. Farmers in Vietnam applied unbalanced quantities of chemical fertilizers (i.e., higher rates than recommended) and at a constant rate between years whereas Indonesian farmers applied well below the recommended rates because of poor accessibility and financial support. The overuse of chemical fertilizers in Vietnam threatens the sustainability of Robusta coffee farming. Nevertheless, there is a potential for improvement in both countries in terms of nutrient management and sustainability of Robusta coffee production by adopting the best local fertilizer management practices.

The emerging environmental markets have been adopted by various sectors and industries worldwide, with regulations being implemented to make it compulsory to protect against environmental degradation through emission reduction. Thus, understanding the framework of environmental markets and their implications in mitigating climate change and addressing challenges is crucial. Following the updated PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted to provide important insights into environmental labels and their values in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their potential for investments in emerging business opportunities was also explored. The literature search was limited to the past 20 years and focused on peer-reviewed journal articles in the agricultural sector, using databases such as CAB Abstract, Business Sources Ultimate, Scopus, and ProQuest between March and May 2022. It is worth noting that this study did not use other popular databases (e.g. Web of Science), which might result in the omission of some relevant studies in the environmental market domain, potentially introducing some imprecisions to the findings. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 51 articles were finally selected for the study. Thematic content analysis was conducted using Nvivo software, and the results were synthesized and presented in different themes. The findings indicate that carbon, environmental, and eco-labels are among the seven identified labels, wherein environmental and carbon markets, among the four identified markets, were found in new emerging and popular markets in most countries. There has been substantial growth in the value of environmental goods and services due to increasing demand from different stakeholders seeking environmental protection, as mandated by regulations. Overall, consumers have a positive response to the willingness to pay (WTP) premium prices, particularly for environmentally friendly labels and products (eco-label and environmental labels) than conventional ones (carbon and organic labels). Further, there is huge potential for investments in the newly emerging environmental markets, e.g., the carbon market through carbon/greenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon offset/credit market by soil carbon sequestration and carbon neutral products. This study contributes to the understanding of the market structure, the main drivers influencing new environmental markets, its advantages, and co-benefits for the various stakeholders in the value chain. Overall, the adoption of environmental strategies and practices can contribute to the socio-economic and environmental benefits, as well as lead to environment-friendly sustainable production.

Blackgram, a protein-rich pulse crop (24%), is crucial for combating food insecurity, particularly in malnourished and economically weak countries. Enhancing blackgram production requires improved, input-saving management practices. Given the challenges of climate change and population growth, efficient water management is vital for increasing pulse productivity and water use efficiency with minimal investment. This study aimed to identify cost-effective irrigation methods to optimise blackgram yields. Experiments were conducted at the National Pulses Research Centre in Vamban, Pudukkottai, and the Agricultural College and Research Institute in Kumulur, Tiruchirappalli, during the kharif season of 2021 and 2022. The study compared different treatments of irrigation methods, such as check basin, raised bed, drip, sprinkler and rain hose irrigation. Results showed that the rain hose system maintained the highest soil moisture (23.93% at 10 cm depth and 19.71% at 20 cm depth). Even though drip irrigation resulted in a higher seed yield (1363 kg ha⁻¹), the rain hose system proved to be more cost-effective, saving 27.09% in costs and achieving a 15.23% higher benefit–cost ratio. These findings suggest that the rain hose method, combined with current agronomic practices, is a viable low-cost technique for sustainable blackgram cultivation, optimising water use and maximising profits. This research provides valuable insights into water-saving irrigation methods for pulse crops.

Pulses are essential components of vegetarian diet and play a pivotal role in addressing malnutrition by providing a vital source of dietary protein. However, weed competition remains as a significant obstacle to blackgram (Vigna mungo L) production, resulting in 25 to 35% yield losses. A field experiment was carried out at the National Pulses Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Vamban, Pudukkottai, India during Kharif seasons of 2020 and 2021, to assess the suitable post-emergence herbicides for appropriate weed control in blackgram grown under irrigated conditions. The experimental field was observed to contain notable grass weed flora, specifically Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Chloris barbata, as well as broadleaved weeds, such as Flaveria australica, Cleome gynandra, Eclipta alba, Convolvulus arvensis, Digera arvensis, Vicia spp., and Celosia argentea. The results demonstrated that among the chemical weed management methods, spraying of Fomesafen @ 220 g + Fluzifop p-butyl @ 220 g ha⁻¹ at 20 days after sowing (DAS) as a post-emergence herbicide treatment exhibited superior weed control efficiency, recording 66.80% and 68.53% at 30 and 45 DAS, respectively and recorded higher seed yield of 1088 kg ha⁻¹. Additionally, this method generated 8.1% higher net income and 12.5% more benefit–cost ratio than hand weeding, making it an economically profitable strategy for maximizing blackgram yield and effective labour management.