R. S. DHILLON*, MURARI LAL, KARISHMA NANDA, SATPAL, MAMTA PHOGAT, MEENU AND GULAB SINGH
Krishi Vigayan Kender, Bhiwani, Department of G & PB (Forage Section)
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: rsdhillon67@gmail.com)
(Received: 4 March 2025; Accepted: 1 April 2025)

SUMMARY

n Indian agriculture, livestock plays an essential role in the development and progress of mankind with crop production program as a complementary enterprise. However, livestock productivity is constrained by an acute shortage of feed and fodder. Estimate on demand-supply gap in fodder availability shows a net deficiency of 11.23% green fodder, 23.40% dry fodder and 28.90% concentrate feed materials in the country. By 2050, the demand for green and dry feed will be 1012 and 631 million tones, respectively. In the year 2050, with the current rate of expansion in forage supplies, there will be an 18.4% deficit in green fodder and a 13.2% shortfall in dry fodder. Agroforestry is latest advertise opportunity and sustainable climate-smart cultivation, land stewardship and environment for animals. Silvipastoral agroforestry practices are low-input intervention for the waste/ unutilized lands, to check the further degradation and supply the livestock fodder through tree leaves and forages besides fuel wood, small timber and pasture seeds. The potential of agroforestry seems to be substantial; but it remains under recognized as a greenhouse gas mitigation option for agriculture in the world.

Key words: Agroforestry, fodder, sustainable, climate change, mitigation

1-9

SEVA NAYAK DHEERAVATHU, SRINIVAS. A*, SRAVANTHI G., THULASI BAI VADITHE, KETHAVATH MADHUDEEPIKA AND SAIDA NAIK VADITHE
Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad-500 030 (Telangana), India
Department of Crop Physiology, Agricultural College, Bapatla (ANGRAU)
ANGRAU-Agricultural Research Station, Jangameswarapuram, Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), India
*(e-mail: srinivas@millets.res.in)
(Received: 2 June 2025; Accepted: 29 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Millets are resilient, climate-smart crops with short growing seasons and low input requirements, making them ideal for smallholder and marginal farmers. Cultivating and processing millets, along with value addition technologies, can significantly improve farmers’ incomes, nutritional security, and rural employment. Millet processing and value addition technologies have emerged as pivotal solutions in promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing the economic viability of millet growers. The establishment of primary millet processing units involves the integration of advanced machinery such as graders-cum-aspirators, destoners, dehullers, and milling machines. These technologies facilitate cleaning, grading, and dehulling processes, improving the quality, shelf life, and marketability of millet products while reducing labor intensity and post-harvest losses. Value- added products—including baked goods, extruded snacks, fermented dishes, pasta, noodles, flakes, and puffed millets—have gained prominence by aligning with modern dietary trends. Innovations in baking, extrusion, and fermentation techniques, complemented by suitable packaging solutions, enhance both product appeal and nutritional value. Despite challenges such as impurities, pest infestations, and high moisture content, village-level processing setups have provided scalable models for economic empowerment, reduced dependency on intermediaries, and improved nutritional security. By integrating the agronomical and physiological traditional with modern processing techniques, millet value chains and business opportunities can achieve a transformative impact on farmer incomes, consumer health, and rural livelihoods.

Key words: Business opportunities, major and minor millets, processing, value addition, technology

10-16

POOJA GUPTA SONI*, SARITA RANI, SATPAL, PARAS KAMBOJ, ROOHI, RAVISH PANCHTA AND KRISHAN KUMAR
Department of G&PB (Forage Section), Department of Soil Science, Department of Agronomy
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
IARI-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shikohpur, Gurugram-122 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: poojagupta.agri@gmail.com)
(Received: 2 June 20225; Accepted: 28 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Fodder crops are essential to agriculture because they are grown mainly for animal feed. These crops, which include legumes and grasses, are essential to keeping animals’ diets steady and wholesome. One of the main causes of the cattle population’s low productivity is the lack of enough feed and fodder resources. In India green fodder, dry fodder, and feed concentrate are currently in low supply to the tune of 11.23, 23.40 and 28.90%, respectively. A major problem in agriculture, weeds lower crop productivity and quality, including fodder crops, and result in large financial losses. They are one of the major biotic constraints in agricultural production. Fodder crops, such as alfalfa, clover, and various grasses, are integral to livestock farming as they provide essential nutrition for animals. However, weed infestation significantly hampers fodder yield and quality by competing for nutrients, water, light, and space. Effective weed management is vital to ensure optimal fodder crop productivity. This review presents an overview of weed problems in cultivated fodder crops, evaluates various weed management strategies including cultural, mechanical, chemical, and integrated approaches and outlines future research priorities.

Key words: Berseem, fodder, maize, sorghum, weed management

17-23

GULAB PANDOVE*, NIRMAL SINGH, AMANDEEP SINGH SIDHU AND AMAN PREET
School of Organic Farming, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004 (Punjab), India
Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail: gpandove@pau.edu)
(Received: 2 June 2025; Accepted: 29 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Biogas slurry is a by-product of anaerobic digestion, it can act as a valuable organic fertilizer as it is enriched with essential plant nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. It can serve as an efficient soil conditioner, enhance fertility, improve crop productivity, and support eco-friendly farming practices. The application of biogas slurry improves soil structure by increasing aeration, water retention, and nutrient availability, thereby fostering healthier plant growth. Since the slurry undergoes anaerobic decomposition, it reduces unpleasant odours and suppresses harmful pathogens, making it a safer alternative to raw manure. The microbial population in biogas slurry includes nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing microbes, and plant growth-promoting bacteria, along with various enzyme-producing organisms that contribute to organic matter breakdown and nutrient release. Additionally, biogas slurry has been observed to exhibit antifungal properties, which can aid in controlling plant pathogens and enhancing crop resistance. This review will focus on the following aspects: microbiome of biogas slurry, Physico-chemical properties of biogas slurry, Impact of biogas slurry on crop productivity and quality, application method of biogas slurry, Impact of biogas slurry on soil health, pest disease resistance and antifungal potential of biogas slurry. The insight gained from the litrature reviewd herein will further assist the scientific community in exploring the potential of biogas slurry across a range of forage crops.

Key words: Beneficial microorganisms, biogas slurry, enzymes, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, pathogens

24-28

MANISH V BORATKAR*, HASANALI NADAF, ANIL REDDY AND PRABHAKAR BABU GUNTURU
Foragen Seeds Private Limited, Hyderabad-500034 (Telangana), India
*(e-mail: mb.cotbreeder@gmail.com)
(Received: 03 June 2025; Accepted: 28 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses were carried out with six quantitative characters of hundred and ninety four brown midrib sorghum advanced breeding lines. Principal factor analysis identified three principal components which explained about 62.5 % variability. PC 1 explained maximum variability of 24.7% of total variation for morphological characters and PC 2 loaded with 20.2% of total phenotypic variability and PC 3 had contributed 17.5 % of the total variation. PCA revealed that Days to 50% flowering, Plant height (cm), Internode length (cm) and Green fodder yield (t/ha) depending upon their loading variables on a common principal axis. Brown midrib Sorghum advanced breeding lines viz., FBMRS-24, FBMRS-31, FBMRS-42, FBMRS-43, FBMRS- 87, FBMRS-88 and FBMRS-167 were identified as superior lines based on principal component analysis. Hierarchical cluster analysis emphasized on 194 BMR sorghum advanced lines and grouped into twenty clusters. Cluster number 1 had only two lines and both were to be superior for highest green fodder yield and highest brix percentage. Both PCA and clustering registered same level of variability between breeding lines. Hence these superior brown midrib advanced breeding lines may further be utilized in breeding programmes for developing BMR sorghum varieties with high yield and for developing high yielding BMR hybrids.

Key words: Brown midrib, sorghum, green fodder yield and brix percentage

29-34

TEMAM UMAR*, SOLOMON DEMEKE AND ZEMENE WORKU
South Western Agricultural Research Institute (SWARI), Tarcha Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia Department of Animal Science, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Department of Animal Science, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
*(e-mail: tamamumar2019 @gmail.com)
(Received: 14 May 2025; Accepted: 10 June 2025)

SUMMARY

This study was carried out at Alge Sachi Woreda to evaluate the effect of lime application rates on growth characteristics and dry matter yield of cowpea varieties on acidic soil. The experiment was laid out in a 3×5 factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design replicated three times with the involvement of three cowpea varieties (Bole, Bekur, and Sewunet) and five rates of lime (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 tons/hectare). All collected data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance using the general linear model of SAS software version 9.3. Significant treatment means were separated using the least significant difference at a 5 % significant level. The results obtained indicated that the interaction effect of varieties and lime application rates significantly (p<0.05) resulted in the highest mean dry matter yield of cowpea forage at the Sewunet variety assigned to the plot dressed with 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 tons/hectare, and the Bole variety assigned to the plot dressed with 0.9 and 1.2 tons/hectare of lime application rates. The results of partial budget analysis showed that 8.26 t/ha of adjusted forage dry matter yield obtained at the Sewunet variety assigned to the plots dressed with a 0.6 ton/hectare lime application rate was economically feasible and brought 2.63 Ethiopian birr extra income. Therefore, the Sewunet variety assigned to the plot dressed with 0.6 ton/ hectare of lime application rate was economically feasible and recommended for farmers’ use in the study area and in other areas with similar agro-ecologies and soil types.

Key words: Acidic soil, Cowpea varieties, Lime, Rate

35-46

MEHAK NAGORA*, SATYAJEET, AMARJEET NIBHORIA, JITENDER KUMAR, NAVISH KUMAR, ASHOK KUMAR DEHINWAL AND MOHINDER SINGH
Regional Research Station, Bawal-123501 (Haryana), India
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana-125004 (Haryana), India *(e-mail : nagoramehak@gmail.com)
(Received: 3 June 2025; Accepted: 29 June 2025)

SUMMARY

The experiment was carried out at CCS HAU, Regional Research Station, Bawal during Rabi, 2023-24 to study the effect of seed priming on wheat under late sown condition. The experiment was comprised of thirteen Seed priming (SP) treatments viz., SP₁: Control, SP₂: Water @ 6hr (hours), SP₃: Water @ 9hr, SP₄: Water @ 12hr, SP₅: KH₂PO₄ @ 1% 6 hr, SP₆: KH₂PO₄ @ 1% 9 hr, SP₇: KH₂PO₄ @ 1% 12hr, SP₈: KNO₃ @ 1% 6 hr, SP₉: KNO₃ @ 1% 9hr, SP₁₀: KNO₃ @ 1% 12hr, SP₁₁: GA₃ @ 50 ppm 6hr, SP₁₂: GA₃ @ 50 ppm 9hr and SP₁₃: GA₃ @ 50 ppm 12hr. Among various treatments, seed priming of wheat with KH₂PO₄ @ 1% 12 hr took minimum number of days to emergence (6.03), anthesis (71.60), grain filling (85.69) and physiological maturity (120.89), while maximum days were taken by control treatment with respect to days to emergence (10.00), anthesis (75.90), grain filling (95.66) and physiological maturity (126.92). Maximum number of grain/spike (50.90), 1000 grain weight (41.61 g), grain yield (49.14 q/ha), straw yield (93.82 q/ha) and biological yield (142.96 q/ha) were obtained by seed priming of KH₂PO₄ @ 1% 12 hr followed by KNO₃ @ 1% 12 hr, while minimum no. of grain/spike (46.33), 1000 grain weight (36.30 g), grain yield (45.64 q/ha), straw yield (84.77 q/ha) and biological yield (130.41 q/ha) were recorded in control. highest gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio was recorded in case of KH₂PO₄ @ 1% 12 hr (Rs. 144,185/ha, Rs. 61,749/ha and 1.75, respectively). While, lowest gross return, net return and B:C ratio was recorded in control (Rs. 132,850/ha, Rs. 51,912/ha, and 1.64, respectively).

Key words: Environmental stresses, emergence, grain filling physiological maturity, wheat and yields

47-51

GANGADHAR NANDA*
AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, Directorate of Research
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa-848125 (Bihar), India
*(e-mail: gnanda@rpcau.ac.in)
(Received: 7 May 2025; Accepted : 20 June 2025)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2023 at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India, to assess the productivity, profitability, and nitrogen use efficiency of forage maize genotypes under varying nitrogen levels. The study was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications, involving seven maize genotypes and three nitrogen (N) levels (60, 100, and 140 kg N ha^-1). Results revealed significant variation among genotypes and nitrogen levels for green fodder yield, crude protein yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and economic returns. The genotype FSM-2021-1 produced the highest green fodder and crude protein yields, while the application of 140 kg N ha-1 was most effective among N treatments. The highest partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) was recorded in genotype J-1006 (104.7 kg DF kg^-1 N) and under the 60 kg N ha-1 treatment (114.2 kg DF kg^-1 N). Economic analysis indicated that FSM-2021-1 achieved the highest net return (Rs. 55,479 ha^-1) and benefit-cost ratio (2.86), followed closely by the 140 kg N ha^-1 treatment (Rs. 56,003 ha^-1 and B:C ratio of 2.86). The study highlights the potential of selecting suitable genotypes and optimizing nitrogen application to enhance forage maize productivity and profitability.

Key words: Forage maize, genotype, nitrogen application, nitrogen use efficiency, green fodder

52-56

SATENDER KUMAR*, DEV RAJ, RAJBIR GARG, VIKAS, ANKUSH KAMBOJ AND PRIYANKA SANWAL
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: satendernarnoliya7@gmail.com)
(Received: 20 April 2025; Accepted: 27 June 2025)

SUMMARY

The suitability of PAU-LCC for N management in evolved Basmati rice (PB 1718) was evaluated at Research farm of KVK Panipat during kharif 2020. The investigation was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and eleven treatments. The results of the experiment revealed that the yield and yield attributes like grain yield (4311 kg/ha), straw yield (6203 kg/ha), harvest index (43.11%) and number of tillers (246.7) was higher when nitrogen was applied according to recommended PAU-LCC band 4 (T3). Physiological parameters (Dry matter accumulation (DMA), CGR, RGR and chlorophyll content) were also affected by various nitrogen treatment, Highest mean values were recorded when N was applied as per PAU recommended LCC band 4 N management practice. The highest value of DMA (487.03 g/m²) was observed at harvesting stage. CGR was significantly higher (8.62 g/g/m²) at 100 DAT, maximum RGR (0.181 g/g/day) was recorded at 21 DAT and maximum chlorophyll content.

Key words: Evaluation, leaf colour chart, yield attributes, dry matter accumulation, CGR, RGR, chlorophyll

57-62

RENU DEVI, SHWETA, SATPAL, ANU*, ANIL KUMAR, RAJESH KUMAR, POOJA, KRISHNA AND POOJA DALAL
Department of Agronomy,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: anusheoran151@gmail.com)
(Received: 1 April 2025; Accepted: 31 May 2025)

SUMMARY

A field study entitled “Effect of variety, planting time, and spacing management on growth parameters of fodder Moringa,” was carried out at Agronomy Research Farm of CCSHAU, Hisar, Haryana, India using the crop that was sown in the summer season of 2023. Sandy loam soil with a somewhat alkaline composition, 0.43% organic carbon, low available nitrogen, medium available phosphorus, and medium available potash was found at the experimental site. In factorial RBD with three replications, two varieties viz. PKM-1 and Moringa desi were assessed on two sowing dates (10 March and 25 March) and three spacings (30 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 30 cm, and 45 cm × 15 cm). According to the results, the PKM-1 variety performed noticeably better than Moringa Desi in terms of growth characteristics. Better growth, nutrient uptake, and financial gains were obtained from sowing on March 10th as compared to March 25th sowing. Wider spacing improved the performance of individual plants, whereas, 30 cm × 15 cm spacing produced the highest gross and net returns. The results reveal that the PKM-1 variety, which was displayed on March 10 at a spacing of 30 cm × 15 cm, has the potential to maximize yield and financial returns in Moringa farming.

Key words: Moringa, variety, sowing time, spacing, management, growth, productivity, quality, profitability and fodder

63-68

NARESH KUMAR, KULDEEP KUMAR AND RAJESH KATHWAL
KVK, Kaithal
Department of Agricultural Economics, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004
Regional Research Station (Horticulture), Buria,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana (India)
*(e-mail : kt1977rajesh@gmail.com)
(Received: 18 April 2025; Accepted: 15 June 2025)

SUMMARY

The present study was conducted during the year 2011-12 in district Sirsa (Haryana) to see the impact of mechanization on guar productivity of farms among the farmers of Haryana. There were 120 farmers under study selected purposively. The average productivity of guar per hectare was found to be maximum under own mechanized farms (13.42 q/ha) as compared to custom hiring farms (10.50 q/ha). The percentage increase in the guar productivity on own mechanized farms were 27.81 over custom hiring farms. The guar productivity of large farmers was found to be maximum under own mechanized farms (14.50 q/ha) as compared to custom hiring farms (11.25 q/ha). The percentage increase in the guar productivity on own mechanized farms was 28.89 per cent. Maximum benefit cost ratio was achieved in own mechanized farms (1.70) as compared to custom hiring farms (1.31). In nut nutshell, it can be concluded that farmers who owned their machines were more beneficial as compared to custom hiring farm implements.

Key words: Custom hiring farm, Guar, Own Mechanized Farms, B:C ratio, productivity

69-72

MOHAMMAD NABI*, SURESH KUMAR, SATPAL, ANIL KUMAR, KANIKA, KANNOJ AND RAM NIWAS
Department of Agronomy, Directorate of Research, Department of G&PB (Forage Section),
Department of Agricultural Meteorology and Department of Maths & Statistics
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: nabi.habibkhail@gmail.com)
(Received: 3 May 2025; Accepted: 23 May 2025)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2022 and 2023 at Hisar, Haryana to evaluate the effect of irrigation intervals and moisture conservation practices in fodder sorghum. Two irrigation levels (10 and 15 days interval) were tested with ten moisture conservation practices in split plot design with three replications. Among irrigation levels, sorghum irrigated at 10 days interval recorded the maximum plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf stem ratio (L:S), leaf area index (LAI) and dry matter accumulation (DMA) at all the growth stages. Among moisture conservation practices, application of hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha + mulching @ 4.0 t/ha (M₈) recorded the best results in terms of growth parameters but was found statistically at par with the application of gond katira @ 10.0 kg/ha + mulching @ 4.0 t/ha (M₁₀) during both the years. So, it can be concluded that with application of hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha + mulching @ 4.0 t/ha along with irrigation at 10 days interval was the most suitable practice to achieve maximum growth of fodder sorghum in summer season under semi-arid conditions of Haryana.

Key words: Fodder sorghum, gond katira, hydrogel, leaf stem ratio, LAI, mulch and summer

73-79

MOHIT SHARMA, R. S. GARHWAL*, DINESH TOMAR, ANIL KUMAR DHAKA, CHARAN SINGH, KRISANU GOLUI AND HARSH POONIA
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana) India
*(e-mail: rsg.rca2011@gmail.com)
(Received: 2 April 2025; Accepted: 4 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Land use can significantly impact soil formation from similar parent material even under similar climate. The present study of rice and adjacent non-rice growing soils was carried out to evaluate the pedological development of soils in Kaithal district of Haryana with the help of field morphology rating system, focusing on the dynamics of soil morphological properties. A total of four pedons were excavated comprising of two rice and two adjacent non-rice pedons in the month of November 2024. To evaluate pedological development, a rating scale was used by comparing adjacent horizons for the relative horizon distinctness (RHD) and comparing horizons with the C- horizon for relative profile development (RPD) in different soil pedons. All the soil samples were alkaline in nature and none of the samples were saline in these pedons. The old alluvial soils of rice growing and adjacent non-rice growing pedons have RHD ratings varied from 3 to 12 and 1 to 5, respectively, and RPD ratings varied from 7 to 14 and 5 to 8, respectively, indicating that pedological development was in the order of rice growing pedons > adjacent non-rice growing pedons.

Key words: Morphology, rice, pedons, relative horizon distinctness, relative profile distinctness and Kaithal (Haryana)

80-86

PAWAN KUMAR*, PARVEEN KUMAR, SARITA RANI, ROHTAS KUMAR, ANIL KUMAR, HARSH AND DANVEER SINGH
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, (Haryana), India
Department of Agrometeorology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: pawanktwl4596@gmail.com)
(Received: 24 April 2025: Accepted: 10 May 2025)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India during kharif 2023 and 2024 to assess the influence of sewage sludge, FYM and nitrogen on yield and agrometeorological indices of fodder sorghum. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with sewage sludge (2.5 and 5 t/ha) and FYM (2.5, 5 and 7.5 t/ha) in main plot, whereas, control, 50%, 75% and 100% recommended doses of nitrogen (RDN) in sub-plots with replicated thrice. Yield and agrometeorological indices viz. thermal use efficiency (TUE), photo thermal use efficiency (PTUE), helio-thermal use efficiency (HTUE) was significantly higher with the application of sewage sludge @ 5 t/ha and FYM @ 7.5 t/ha during both years. The 100% RDN treatment also showed significantly higher yield and agrometeorological indices viz. TUE, PTUE and HTUE during both years.

Key words: Agrometeorological indices, sorghum, fodder yield, TUE, PTUE, HTUE

87-90

LOKESH KUMAR JAT*, HARPHOOL SINGH, Y. V. SINGH1, HANUMAN SINGH JATAV, INDUBALA SETHI, HANSRAM MALI AND N. K. BAROD
Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute (SKN Agriculture University, Jobner), Durgapura, Jaipur-302 018 (Rajasthan), India
Department of Soil Science & Agril. Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005 (U.P.), India
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (SKN Agriculture University, Jobner), Navgaon, Alwar-301 025 (Rajasthan), India
*(e-mail: ljatlkjat.soils@sknau.ac.in)
(Received : 2 May 2025; Accepted : 29 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Field experiments were conducted for two years on a sandy loam soil at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to assess the effects of combined application of organics with chemical fertilizers on concentration and uptake of major nutrients in rice-wheat cropping system on Alluvial soils of Varanasi. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments comprised control (no fertilizer), 100% NPK and seven combinations of 70% NPK with different organics viz., FYM, pressmud and vermicompost. The treatments were applied in rice and the residual effect of treatments was evaluated in subsequent wheat crop in the sequence and the cycle repeated twice. The result revealed that the substitution of 30% N by pressmud and FYM equally is significantly improved the yields, concentration of macro nutrients in rice and the residual effect also found significant in wheat. Application of 70% RDF + 30% N through FYM and pressmud recorded maximum yield of grain as 4.90 t/ha in rice and 4.20 t/ha in wheat, highest concentration of N (1.30 & 0.69%), P (0.35 & 0.34%), Cu (7.82 & 16.84 ppm), Mn (15.64 & 53.99 ppm) in grains and straw, respectively of rice crop. Meanwhile, the higher concentration of K and S recorded in other treatment combinations. In wheat crop, the highest uptake of N (63.59 & 51.25 kg/ha), P (17.25 & 25.17 kg/ha), K (17.67 & 104.56 kg/ha) and S (18.17 & 29.10 kg/ha) by grains and straw of rice, respectively was recorded with application of 70% RDF + 30% N by FYM. Similar residual effect in terms of concentration and uptake of nutrients was also reported in subsequent wheat crop during both the years.

Key words: Alluvial soil, integration, nutrition, Oryza sativa, Triticum aestivum and yield

91-97