The present experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2022 and 2023 at Zero Budget Natural Farm (ZBNF), Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural Farming, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. The soil of the experimental field was silty clay loam, slightly acidic in nature (5.76), low in available nitrogen (230.5 kg/ha) and medium in available phosphorus (15.8 kg/ha) and potassium (220.6 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in RBD design with 3 replications viz. bioformulations prepared with inputs of seven different cattle breed viz Indigenous cow (Pahari) lactating, Indigenous cow (Pahari) dry, Indigenous cow (Sahiwal) lactating, Indigenous cow (Sahiwal) dry, Exotic cow (Jersey) lactating, Exotic cow (Jersey) dry, Indigenous bull (Pahari). Results showed that the application of bio-formulations prepared from inputs of Indigenous cow (Pahari) dry resulted in the least days to

initiation of first floral bud, days to initiation of first flower, days to initiation of first pod and days to first pod maturity.

The research aimed to analyze the impact of climatic conditions on proso millet performance under rainfed conditions over three Kharif seasons from 2020 to 2022. Rainfall increased from 459.7 mm in 2020 to 663.4 mm in 2022, with August being the wettest month. Temperature data showed maximum temperatures ranged from 33.4°C to 37.2°C, and minimum temperatures varied between 24.6°C and 8.1°C. Growth metrics demonstrated significant improvements: plant height increased from 15.41 cm 

at 15 days after sowing to 115.3 cm at harvest, alongside increases in branches, root length, leaf area index and crop growth rate. Yield parameters remained stable, with productive tillers ranging from 3 to 5, total dry matter between 55.4 and 57.3 g/plant, panicle length from 33.8 to 34.2 cm, grain yield from 7.2 to 7.8 g/plant, straw yield from 23.4 to 25.6 g/plant, and a harvest index of 0.31 to 0.34. These results highlight the beneficial effects of increased rainfall and stable temperatures on proso millet growth and

yield, emphasizing the importance of sufficient water availability and favorable climatic conditions for optimal crop performance during the Kharif season.

The edible mushroom has both nutritional value and health benefits to man. The present study was carried out to evaluate the phenotypic characteristics of three species of mushroom which the substrates were amended with lime. The factorial experiment was conducted at the Crop Development Laboratory of Ebonyi State University Mushroom Farm, Abakaliki. The design was completely randomized (CRD) in three replications. Factor A comprised three species of mushroom (Pleurotus ostreasus, Pleurotus sajor and Pleurotus florida) while factor B comprised four levels of lime (0, 5, 10 and 15 gram/15kg mixture). Data were collected on some agro-morphological characteristics and analysed for their variances. The three species of mushroom showed significant differences (p<0.05) with regards to percentage spawn running, number of branches, stalk diameter, cap diameter and fresh weight of mushroom while lime doses had non-significant differences (p>0.05). In the same vein, the interaction effect of mushroom

species and lime rates were significantly different (p<0.05) with regards to percentage spawn running, number of branches, stalk diameter and fresh weight of mushroom. Pleurotus florida expressed the highest mean value for fresh and dry weights, fruit number, branches and productive bags hence performed better than the other two species studied. The 5g and 10g lime rates expressed higher mushroom yield components. The mushroom species were recommended to farmers to be grown using 5 – 10 g of lime for commercial cultivation.

Garden pea is one of the most important vegetable cash crops of Himachal Pradesh which ranks among top ten states in pea production. Pea has enormous potential in domestic and export market. The state Government is also stressing for development of machines and tools for pea cultivation for small and medium level farmers in view of emerging labour problem. In hilly areas, most of the farmers are using traditional methods of pea sowing. So, keeping this in view, the present study was planned for adoptive

trials of pea planter for mechanized intervention of pea sowing and to compare and assess the economic cost and the rate of drudgery involved. The planter had length of 95cm, width of 30cm and height 110cm. It included a 2.5 kg capacity seed box and had one vertical disc with 12 spoons on the plate for seeding mechanism. Two persons are required for operating the machine in push and pull mode. After 20 days of sowing, the germination percentage for planter was 93.8% and 98.6% in manual planting respectively. Total cardiac cost of work for pea planter was 595.83 and for traditional sowing was 867.88.

Heifers are the future cows of the herd. Moreover, the heifers are considered as the most important animals in cattle herd, as they are replacement animals. The investment on the heifers is considered as the investment in the future. Sahiwal is one of the superior milch breeds of India, and the breed is well known for its remarkable milk production, heat tolerance, disease resistance and low maintenance cost. Slow growth, delayed puberty and late attainment of sexual maturity in zebu heifers have been major constraints in maximizing their production efficiency. With an overall objective of improving reproductive efficiency of Sahiwal heifers, the present investigation was carried out. The data spanning ten years (January, 1996 – December, 2005) of the Sahiwal herd maintained at NDRI, Karnal were analysed for reproductive performance. The least squares analysis was used to assess the effects of the season of birth and birth weight on the reproductive traits, namely age at first service, age at first conception, age at first calving and numbers of services per conception. The mean age at first service, first conception, first calving and number of services per conception were 780.26 ± 7.35, 833.90 ± 9.71, 1107.39 ± 8.91 days and 1.88 ± 0.07 respectively. The effect of season of birth was significant on age at first service, age at first conception  and age at first calving. The birth weight had significant effect on number of services per conception.

Climate smart agricultural practices is a holistic way of agriculture, which tries to bridge the widening gap between demand from man and supply form nature by taking care of the environment. This study examines the perception of peri-urban farmers’ attitude towards climate smart agriculture (CSA) and to find out the constraints to adoption of CSA techniques and practices for food production. Data was collected from May to September of 2022 from 160 randomly selected farmers in eight villages of Dhamrai upazila in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain data from the farmers and Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were performed to collect supplementary information from the different farmers and stakeholders. SPSS software was used for data management and analysis. Results revealed that 11.76% and 41.18% of respondent farmers for rice production and 22.73% and 54.55% for vegetable production are regularly and partially practiced CSA techniques respectively. The study observed that the vegetable producers use more CSA technologies than rice grower. Results from the logit model indicate that farmer’s level of education, cultivated farm size, farming experience, training experience and extension services showed significant positive attitude towards CSA. The study found that the lack of knowledge and understanding of the principles of CSA

was the top-notch constraints followed by lacking training, insufficient financial and technical support services found the related hindrances to adoption of CSA techniques and practices. This study provides fundamental support for policymakers in-order to reinforce the adaption strategies of CSA to the periurban farmers and guide policies accordingly. 

The study evaluates the nutritional profile of a cookie formulated using coconut flakes and nipa palm fruit flour. The chemical analysis reveals a balanced macronutrient composition, with moderate caloric density, reasonable fat and protein levels, and modest sodium content. These findings highlight the potential of the Coco-Nipa cookie as a sustainable and health-promoting food option. The use of coconut flakes provides dietary fiber, healthy fats, and natural sweetness, contributing to cardiovascular benefits and

improved digestion. Meanwhile, nipa palm fruit flour enriches the product with essential carbohydrates and nutrients, enhancing its overall nutritional value. Despite aligning with dietary guidelines, the analysis underscores areas for optimization, including the quality of fats, sources of carbohydrates, and potential supplementation with protein to enhance its role in a balanced diet. Furthermore, enhancing its fiber and micronutrient content is recommended to support metabolic and heart health. These insights serve as a foundation for product improvement, ensuring that the Coco-Nipa cookie not only appeals to healthconscious consumers but also addresses their dietary needs. This study underscores the significance of utilizing locally available, sustainable ingredients like coconut and nipa palm fruit in functional food production. Future studies can explore flavor variations, shelf-life stability, and additional health benefits, solidifying the Coco-Nipa cookie’s potential as a nutritious, innovative product for diverse consumer markets.

The principles of crop ecology provide valuable information onto optimizing agricultural practices and improving crop productivity. Ecological management of the crop environment focuses on creating a balanced and diverse ecosystem that promotes natural pest and disease control while minimising the use of chemical inputs or enhancing the use of integrated Nutrient Management. Agriculture is built upon fertile soil, a favorable climate, ample freshwater, a diversity of plant and animal species, and the skills and labor of farmers and farm workers. These are the ecological foundations of our food system. They are also endangered by depletion, disruption, or trough diseases. Finding ways to better preserve the health of agricultural ecosystems is key to the long-term sustainability of our food supply. The increasing food demands of a growing human population and the need for an environmentally friendly strategy for sustainable agricultural development require significant attention when addressing the echological issue of enhancing crop productivity. Here we discuss the role of integrated nutrient management (INM). This review examines the concepts, objectives, procedures and principles of INM. A comprehensive literature search revealed that INM enhances crop yields by 8–15 % compared with conventional practices, increases water-use efficiency, and the economic returns to farmers, while improving grain quality and soil health and sustainability. Model simulation and fate assessment further reveal that reactive nitrogen (N) losses and GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions are reduced substantially under advanced INM practices. Lower

inputs of chemical fertilizer and therefore lower human and environmental costs (such as intensity of land use, N use, reactive N losses and GHG emissions) were achieved under advanced INM practices without compromising crop yields.

The irrigation planning and Management either at field, water course, sub-canal or main canal level requires the information of crop evapotranspiration. The estimation of the crop water requirement or crop evapotranspirations requires the information of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and crop coefficient (KC) for different stages of crops. The sizable research has been done to determine the crop evapotranspiration (ETC) and crop coefficient (KC) using the Lysimeter instrument. However, a few attempts have been done in world on the ETC and KC measurement using the Canopy Chamber. An attempt was done to collect the past work relevant to ET0, ETC, Lysimeter and KC. From these reviews, it can be said that the Penman- Monteith (PM) equation reveales the most accurate one. Therefore,in this research work the well proved Penman-Monteith equation has been used as standard method to compare the different empirical methods. The Weighing type Lysimeters has been developed for measurement of

crop evapotranspiration. However, there are some limitations in using the Lysimeter. The higher initial cost, regular maintenance and complex construction of the instrument restricts its use on field-scale. It can be used for only single crop in one season. For avoiding such problems, canopy chamber method has been developed for measuring crop evapotranspiration. However, very few studies have been conducted on development of automatic closed canopy chamber for evapotranspiration measurements. Crop coefficient of some important crops is not given in FAO-56 guideline; therefore, it is very necessary to develop region specific stage-wise crop coefficient of field crops. The main objective of the paper is to provide an overview of recent research in development of closed canopy chamber for evapotranspiration measurement. The study done in the areas during the last few years has been reviewed from the national and international research works. The application of artificial intelligence in development of automatic closed canopy chamber has been also taken into account 

India being an agrarian country produces huge amount of agro-wastes which can be sustainably bio converted through mushroom cultivation. It entails minimum investment for a small scale enterprise and ameliorate income of rural households of India to combat poverty. As a by-product of mushroom production, the Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) is generated which consists of unused fungal parts, semi mineralized lignocellulosic waste and retrievable mineral nutrients. The genesis and application of SMS comprises an integrated approach of rural bio-entrepreneurship because it can be converted into several aspects supporting circular economy. The semi fermented biomass can be re-utilized as source of compost, bio fertilizer, or as substrate for a fresh or 2nd cycle of mushroom production. Plant pathogens can be minimized by SMS derived bio pesticides. SMS can be used as an amendment of livestock and aquaculture feed thus reducing the cost of procuring commercial foods. Biofuels can be extracted from SMS and various bioremediation processes can be achieved by its Biochar. Industrially important lignocellulosic enzymes are retrieved from SMS and used in various applications minimizing agro-wastes from the field. With such versatile benefits at hand, no critical review was observed addressing the

challenges and constraints associate with SMS application like standardization steps, toxicity concerns and commercial feasibility. Thus, this review article focusses to abridge various aspects of SMS utilization with the technical pros and cons to reduce and safeguard environmental consequences.

Livestock and dairy farming are an important occupation of Indian farmers which boost economy of country. India has first rank in milk production worldwide but milk productivity is less due to unavailability of quality fodder round the year. Feeding of animals with any fodders not found suitable for milk productivity, health and profitability of dairy farming. Dairy cattle require nutrients to produce milk, especially during the first 3 to 4 months after calving, when milk production is highest. Green fodder is an economic source of nutrients for the dairy animals. It is highly palatable, digestible and primary source of vitamin A. Micro-organisms present in green fodder help in improving digestibility of crop residues under mixed feeding system. Feeding of green fodder including Azolla to milch animals means

not only enhance the milk production but also increase the quality of milk by increasing the content of unsaturated fat, Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and carotenoids. It also helps in maintaining good health and improving breeding efficiency of animals. Increased use of green fodder in the ration of animals may reduce cost of milk production. Keeping in view the above facts, this review paper has highlighted forms of green fodder and latest released varieties of fodder crops in India.

This paper investigates the influence of climate change on drought events, with a particular emphasis on the global implications, severity, and frequency of droughts that are intensified by evolving climatic conditions. The interplay of high temperatures and low precipitation has resulted in intensified droughts, particularly flash droughts, as climate change accelerates atmospheric water demand. The study examines a variety of droughts, including meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic, and emphasizes their cascading effects on human health, water resources, ecosystems, and agriculture. Additionally, the investigation explores the mitigation strategies necessary to mitigate drought risks and provides policymakers with suggestions for the development of sustainable water management practices and the improvement of resilience in vulnerable regions. This article emphasizes the pressing necessity of a proactive strategy for drought preparedness in light of the ongoing evolution of climate variability.

their ability to produce a variety of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties. There are many studies indicating the application of these compounds as alternatives in sustainable agriculture practices. The scientific and medical community face an alarming threat on account of the increase in antimicrobial resistance among bacteria and fungi. Natural antimicrobial peptides from Bacillus species can be a promising alternative for antibiotics and hence a potential treatment for infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms. This review highlights research on the potential of Bacillus species as viable sources of environmentally friendly biocontrol agents. The newly identified member in the genus, Bacillus nakamurai, is a soil saprophyte. Recent research has revealed its ability to produce a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including non-ribosomal peptides like surfactin and bacillaene, as well as ribosomally synthesized peptides such as plantazolicin. These metabolites exhibit strong activity against various bacterial and fungal pathogens, positioning B. nakamurai as a promising biocontrol agent for agriculture. A comparative genomic analysis of five sequenced B. nakamurai strains revealed that non-ribosomal products dominate the species’ core metabolome, while ribosomally

synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are more unique to individual strains. This review proposes the need for exploring the antimicrobial capabilities of B. nakamurai and enhances its role in biocontrol strategies for both clinical and agricultural applications.