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Use of perennial grasses as vegetative barriers to reduce soil erosion from farm and nonfarm lands is increasing world-over. A number of perennial grasses have been identified for their soil conserving properties, but their effectiveness varies with location and method of planting. Installing vegetative barriers in combination with suitable mechanical measures, like bunds or trenches or both, on the appropriately spaced contours may enhance their conservation potential. Hence, the effect of vegetative barriers, viz., sambuta (Saccharum spp.)-a local grass, vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) planted in combination with trench-cum-bund, on runoff, soil loss, nutrient loss, soil fertility, moisture retention and crop yield in the rainfed uplands, was studied in Kokriguda watershed in southern Orissa, India through 2001-2005. However, runoff, soil and nutrient losses were studied for 2002, 2003 and 2004 only. Analysis of the experimental data revealed that on a 5% slope, the lowest average runoff (8.1%) and soil loss (4.0 Mg ha -1 ) were observed in the sambuta ? trench-cum-bund treatment followed by vetiver ? trench-cum-bund (runoff 9.8%, soil loss 5.5 Mg ha -1 ). Lemongrass permitted the highest runoff and soil loss. Further, the conservation effect of grass barriers was greater under bund planting than berm planting. Minimum organic C (50.02 kg ha -1 ), available N (2.49 kg ha -1 ) and available K (1.56 kg ha -1 ) loss was observed under sambuta with bund planting. The next best arrester of the soil nutrients was vetiver planted on bund. Significantly better conservation of nutrients under sambuta and vetiver resulted in the soil fertility build-up. Soil moisture content was also higher in the sambuta and vetiver than lemongrass treated plots. Increase in the yield of associated finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) due to vegetative barriers ranged from 18.04% for lemongrass to 33.67% for sambuta. Further, the sambuta and vetiver treated plots produced 13.23 and 11.86% higher yield, respectively, compared to the plots having lemongrass barrier (1.17 Mg ha -1 ). Considering the conservation potential, and crop yield and soil fertility improvements, the sambuta barrier with trench-cum-bund is the best conservation technology for treating the A. Dass

In Indian mustard and wheat, newly developed phosphorus fertilizers, Suphla of 20:20:0 grade with 60 and 80% water solubility were comparable with di‐ammonium phosphate for crop productivity. Residual effect of newly developed phosphorus fertilizers sources was significant in succeeding maize and soybean crops. All P sources were found equally effective and recorded higher yields and nutrient uptake compared to omission of P. Phosphorus fertilizer sources, Suphla of 20:20:0 grade with 60 and 80% water solubility can be used to meet out the P requirement of mustard–maize and wheat–soybean systems. Crop responses to P fertilization, in terms of productivity, phosphorus‐use efficiency (PUE), and residual fertility in soil, can depend on the form of P applied. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of various P fertilizer forms on productivity and PUE indices in two predominantly practiced Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.]–maize [Zea mays (L.)] and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Flori & Paol]–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cropping rotations. The experiment was conducted during 2012–2014 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. A ‘Suphala’ P fertilizer, with 30, 60, and 80% water solubility was compared with single superphosphate (SSP) and di‐ammonium phosphate (DAP), all including the recommended dose of N and K through urea and muriate of potash. The seed yield (6.0—21.3%), crop equivalent yield (4.7–10.3%) and system net returns (1.8–11.8%) of Indian mustard were higher with direct application of SSP over other soluble and partially soluble P fertilizers. Wheat yield (4.6–9.6%) and system net returns (2.7–9.6%), were higher using DAP. However, the residual effect of P fertilizers exerted a significant influence on the performance of succeeding maize and soybean crops. Using DAP as P fertilizer form recorded higher grain yield and system net returns of maize and soybean than other soluble P forms. Irrespective of the fertilizer form, treatments involving P application improved P use indices, and apparent N and K recovery in Indian mustard and wheat crops. Hence, the studied P fertilizer forms will result in higher productivity, sustainable use of resources and reduction in production costs for these cropping systems.