Indian Journal of Agronomy 

About: Indian Journal of Agronomy is an academic journal published by Indian Society of Agronomy. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Sowing & Cropping system. It has an ISSN identifier of 0537-197X. Over the lifetime, 2039 publications have been published receiving 16678 citations.

Climate change and agriculture: Adaptation and mitigation stategies

Abstract: Changes in climate can be expected to have significant impacts on crop yields through changes in temperature and water availability. The purpose of mitigation and adaptation measures is therefore to attempt a gradual reversal of the effects caused by climate change and sustain development. There are several mitigation and adaptation practices that can be effectively put to use to overcome the effects of climate change with desirable results. These methods fall into the broad categories of under crop/cropping system-based technologies, resource conservation-based technologies and socio-economic and policy interventions. These measures are discussed to suggest effective strategies among them to combat climate change with specific reference to India.

Energy management in crop production

Abstract: In India, agriculture not only provides food for all, but also employment to 70% of the population, generates 40% of the national income and consumes about 10% of the commercial forms of energy. Crop cultivation requires application of both animate (bullock, human power) and inanimate (tractors, tillers etc.) forms of energy at different stages. Nutrients are provided through farmyard manure, chemical fertilizer or both. Pesticides are required to check or prevent pest attack. Irrigation is done either manually (manually and animal operated) or through diesel/electric pumpsets (to lift ground water). To meet the basic food needs of our expanding human population, a productive sustainable agricultural system must become a major priority.The depletable resources are fossil fuels, which are non - renewable since the rate of their utilization far exceeds the rate at which they are formed.

Effect of planting geometry and nitrogen on yield, economics and nitrogen uptake of sweet corn (Zea mays)

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 2002 and 2003 at Central Research Station, OUAT, Bhubaneshwar to study the effect of planting geometry and nitrogen on sweet corn (Zea mays L.) cv ‘Madhuri’. Twenty treatment combinations, comprising four spacings (45 cm × 30 cm, 45 cm × 20 cm, 60 cm × 30 cm and 60 cm × 20 cm) allotted to the main plots and five nitrogen levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg/ha) to the subplots, were tested in split-plot design with three replications. The spacing of 60 cm × 20 cm significantly increased the number of prime cobs (54,108/ha), green-cob yield (9.21 tonnes/ha), nitrogen uptake (53.62 kg/ha), protein yield (174.35 kg/ha) and accrued highest net return (Rs 48,571/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.55), followed by 45 cm × 30 cm spacing. Application of 80 kg N/ha produced significantly highest number of prime cobs (62,328/ha), green-cob yield (9.80 tonnes/ha), length (17.5 cm) and girth (16.7 cm) of cobs, green-forage yield (17.35 t/ha), total N uptake (91.2 kg/ha) and protein yield (280.8 kg/ha). Significantly highest net returns (Rs61,532/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.76) were realized with 80 kg N/ha, followed by 60 and 40 kg N/ha.

Production potential and economics of different crop sequences.

Abstract: A two years experiment consisted of nine crop sequences viz, Fallow mustard, Greengram-mustard, Blackgram-mustard, Maize mustard, Pearlmillet wheat, Groundnut wheat, Soybean wheat, Pigeonpea wheat and clusterbean wheat showed that the blackgram mustard gave maximum net returns followed by greengram mustard.The predominant sequence of area fallow mustard gave a net return of Rs 8017 ha only.

Integrated farming system and agriculture sustainability.

Abstract: There are 115 million operational holdings in the country and about 80% are marginal and small farmers. To fulfill the basic needs of house hold including food (cereal, pulses, oilseeds, milk, fruit, honey, meat, etc.), feed, fodder, fiber, etc. warrant an attention about Integrated Farming System (IFS). Undoubtedly, majority of the farmers are doing farming since long back but their main focus was individual components but not in a integrated manner. At the ICAR and State Agricultural Universities level, lot of efforts have been made aiming at increasing the productivity of different components of farming system like crop, dairy, livestock, poultry, piggery, goat keeping, duckery, apiculture, sericulture, horticulture, mushroom cultivation etc. individually but lacking in their integration by following farming system approach. The integration is made in such a way that product of one component should be the input for other enterprises with high degree of complimentary effects on each other. The fodder fed to the cattle produces milk. The dung, urine and litter produce farmyard manure and energy used for crops and fish pond. The siltation of fish pond is utilized as manure to crops. The farmyard manure can substitute about 25% of recommended N P and K for crops, besides improving the physical and biological properties of soil. The fish pond water can be used by gravity method while there is breakdown in electricity supply. Oil-seeds provide nectar for honeybee, edible oils for human and oilseed-cake for animal feed. Integrated nutrient management can enhance the productivity of cereals by 0.5 to 1.0 t/ha. Processing of different products enhances the value addition to the extent of 25 to 50% besides generating 50-75-man days/family/year of employment. The fish pond embankment comprising 20–30% can be used for growing cucurbits and fruit trees which provide effective soil cover to checks the soil erosion and also make the system economically viable. The apportionment of farm land involving different enterprises, viz., cereal (40%), pulses (10%), oilseed (10%), horticulture (15%), fishery (10%), livestock (10%), poultry/piggery/goatry (2%), storage, threshing floor, implement shed, vermicompost, straw storage and farm building etc. (3%) for the efficient use of resources available and to enhance the input use efficiency. The preliminary research investigations advocated the benefits of productivity improvement by 30–50% depending upon the number and kind of enterprises and their management. The information on farming system in a systematic way is presented here. The methodology is explained keeping in mind the work done so far to realize better productivity, profitability and sustainable production systems that would help to solve the fuel, feed and energy crisis, create more employment avenues, ensure regular income and encourage agricultural oriented industry.