A two-year experiment was carried out at Shenyang Agricultural University’s research field area in China to evaluate the impact of the combined application of straw mulch (0 and 8 t ha⁻¹) and biochar (0, 4, 12, and 36 t ha⁻¹) on the morphological traits and grain development of rainfed maize during 2018 and 2019. The results showed that straw mulch and different biochar application rates significantly impacted the maize growth index. Compared to non-biochar-treated soils, the introduction of straw mulch improved plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index (LAI), leaves, stem, root, and crop growth rate (CGR), and dry weight of rainfed maize crop. The highest plant height, stem diameter, LAI, leaves, stem, root growth rate, CGR, and dry weight of rainfed maize crop were reported when soil was treated with a higher rate of biochar (36 t ha⁻¹). Biochar increased grain filling rate while decreasing grain filling duration in rainfed maize crops. Our results indicate that straw mulch and biochar-based soil management strategies can improve the rainfed maize growth with the environmental benefits of global warming mitigation. However, due to the wide range of biochar properties, the interactions between straw mulch and biochar should be given special consideration in the maize cropping system.

Reusing organic wastes in land applications would enhance the recovery of resources, following the concepts of the circular economy. The sugarcane-based sugar industry produces various by-products (e.g., sugarcane filter mud, molasses, and bagasse) that have the potential to contribute to crop production and soil fertility, owing to their high contents of organic matter and nutrients. Although the agricultural benefits of compost utilization in agriculture have been well-documented, to the best of our knowledge, few scientific data are currently available on the effects of sugarcane filter mud combined with the application of compost for increasing crop production. Thus, a field experiment was carried out to study how sugarcane filter mud, in combination with two compost sources, affected the growth and yield of sweet maize (Zea mays var. saccharata). We compared (i) two types of compost made from brassica residue and household waste applied at a rate of 9 t ha⁻¹, and (ii) two application rates of sugarcane filter mud: 0 and 2 t ha⁻¹ to two controls without any compost application: one with (+SFM) and one without (−SFM) sugar filter mud. The results highlighted that all crop growth and yield parameters benefited more from the domestic waste compost than from the brassica straw compost. Moreover, the addition of sugar filter mud to the compost further boosted the crop performance. Based on the above results, we concluded that the addition of sugarcane filter mud to locally available composts is a feasible approach for more sustainable production of sweet maize, combining efficient waste disposal and the provision of organic matter to the soil.

| A field trial was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm (ARF) of The University of Agriculture Peshawar during summer 2016 to investigate the effect of various tillage implements and nitrogen sources on maize yield and soil organic matter. Randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having four replications was used. Tillage implements (mould board plough, rotavator, disk harrow and cultivator) were applied in main plots while nitrogen sources (control, cattle manure, poultry manure, sheep manure, mushroom spent, mungbean residue and urea) in subplots. The results exhibited that, higher plant height (200.4 cm), grains ear -1 (351), seed index (228.8 g), grain yield (3522 kg ha -1 ), and biological yield (10799 kg ha -1 ) were observed with nitrogen sources incorporated with mould board plough. In case of nitrogen sources; poultry manure (3507 kg ha -1 ), sheep manure (3468 kg ha -1 ) and mushroom spent (3450 kg ha -1 ) gave at par grain yield with urea (3667 kg ha -1 ). However, soil organic matter was significantly higher in organic fertilizer applied plots compared to urea treatments. Conclusively, organic sources incorporated with mould board plough could be better alternative urea to improve maize productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basis.

| Phosphorus (P) if applied in proper quantity in soil with appropriate tillage implement may enhance oil and grain yield of sunflower. In this regard, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of phosphorus (P) levels and tillage instruments on grain and oil yield of sunflower at Agronomy Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar (Pakistan) during summer 2017. Split plot arrangement of the Randomized Complete Block design was used with four replications. Tillage instruments including mouldboard (MB) plough, cultivator and rotavator were allotted to main plots and P levels (control, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha -1 ) to subplots. MB plough applied one time was followed by cultivator; while cultivator and rotavator were applied once in separate experimental units. The results revealed that higher number of achenes (grains) capitulum -1 (974) and thousand achenes weights (51.4 g) were produced with MB plough which were statistically at par with cultivator, while higher achene yield (2080 kg ha -1 ) and oil yield (873 kg ha -1 ) were observed under MB plough tilled experimental units which were statistically at par with rotavator. In case of P levels, higher plant height (157.3 cm), higher number of achenes capitulum -1 (1028), thousand achenes weight (53.8 g), higher achene yield (2527 kg ha -1 ), oil yield (1146 kg ha -1 ) and maximum oil contents (38.5%) were observed in experimental units supplied with P @ 90 kgha -1 . Finally, it was concluded that tillage operation with MB plough followed by cultivator or only rotavator and P @ 90 kg ha -1 were better to maximize grain and oil yields in sunflower.

Phosphorus (P) plays a pivotal in plant growth, particularly in enhancing root development, fortifying stem strength and improving overall resilience in legume crops (Alamzeb et al. 2024). Adequate...

The rice transplantation method is still the predominant cultivation practice. However, with increasing water scarcity, high-cost production, and adverse effects on soil health and the surrounding environment, alternative crop production methods should be practiced for sustainable rice production. In the current study, we evaluated the transplantation and direct seeding rice cultivation methods under different nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) fertilization rates. We used four different input rates for both N (i.e., N0 = 0 kg ha-1, N1 = 90 kg ha-1, N2 = 120 kg ha-1, and N3 = 150 kg ha-1) and Zn (Zn0 = 0 kgha-1, Zn1 = 5 kg ha-1, Zn2 = 10 kg ha-1, a nd Zn3 = 15 kg ha-1). The results showed that the transplantation rice method coupling with N3 and Zn2 substantially improved yield and yield-related components compared to the direct seeded method and other fertilizer treatments. Considering weed density and non-productive tillers, the transplantation rice method coupled with N3 and Zn2 recorded lower weed density and non-productive tillers as compared to the direct seeded rice method coupled with nitrogen and zinc fertilization treatments. The transplantation method with N3 and Zn2 significantly improved leaf area index, leaf area duration, net assimilation rate, and photosynthetically active radiation in comparison to other treatments applied. Furthermore, the transplantation rice method recorded higher economic returns compared to the direct seeded rice method. It was concluded from the findings of this study that the transplantation rice method, along with a suitable amount of N and Zn fertilizers, could enhance yield-related components, leading to higher production and substantially higher net income. While the transplantation method showed promising results, future research should explore ways to address the challenges of the direct seeding method, such as managing weed density and non-productive tillers, to make it a viable alternative for sustainable rice production.