Yield limitation and widespread sulphur (S) deficiency in pearl-millet-nurturing dryland soils has emerged as a serious threat to crop productivity and quality. Among diverse pathways to tackle moisture and nutrient stress in rainfed ecologies, conservation agriculture (CA) and foliar nutrition have the greatest potential due to their economic and environmentally friendly nature. Therefore, to understand ammonium thiosulphate (ATS)-mediated foliar S nutrition effects on yield, protein content, mineral biofortification, and sulphur economy of rainfed pearl millet under diverse crop establishment systems, a field study was undertaken. The results highlighted that pearl millet grain and protein yield was significantly higher under no-tillage +3 t/ha crop residue mulching (NTCRM) as compared to no-tillage without mulch (NoTill) and conventional tillage (ConvTill), whereas the stover yield under NTCRM and ConvTill remained at par. Likewise, grain and stover yield in foliar S application using ATS 10 mL/L_twice was 19.5% and 13.2% greater over no S application. The sulphur management strategy of foliar-applied ATS 10 mL/L_twice resulted in significant improvement in grain protein content, protein yield, micronutrient fortification, and net returns (₹ 54.6 × 1000) over the control. Overall, ATS-mediated foliar S nutrition can be an alternate pathway to S management in pearl millet for yield enhancement, micronutrient biofortification and grain protein content increase under ConvTill, as well as under the new NTCRM systems.
The detailed treatment description under different tillage and Sesbania use (mulch or fodder) practices during 2013-2017 at Jhansi, India Treatment details Tillage protocol Sesbania* loppings as fodder or mulch as per treatment Abbreviations Details CT-CT+SF Conventional tillage during rainy season (CT) followed by conventional tillage during winter season (CT) and without Sesbania mulch
Context.In developing countries there is a preference to grow food crops rather than forage. However, suitable food-fodder based systems ensure year-round green fodder availability for profitable livestock production. Aims. This study aimed to determine whether including single cut Egyptian clover (SEC) in the existing cropping systems could improve system productivity, forage availability and economic returns. Method. Nine SEC based cropping systems were tested in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Key results. Sorghum-SEC-wheat (late sown) cropping system produced 18% greater wheat equivalent yield compared with a popularly adopted sorghum-wheat system (8.9 Mg ha −1 ). The water productivity (1.80 kg m −3 ) of this system was also improved in the sorghum-multi-cut Egyptian clover system (1.74 kg m −3 ). There was a marginal increase in dry matter yield and crude protein content of the succeeding sorghum crop when it was rotated with Egyptian clover. The inclusion of Egyptian clover also improved the soil organic carbon (23%) and available nitrogen (15%) compared with cerealcereal systems. The findings identify a sustainable intensification option in the sorghum-based cropping system with short duration Egyptian clover (single cut) as an economically feasible and ecologically effective approach. Conclusion. Integration of single cut Egyptian clover in sorghumwheat rotation as a catch crop recorded greater system productivity, water-use efficiency and economic returns to achieve the sustainable crop intensification. Implication. The SEC can be an effective option for diversification and intensification of cropping systems to improve fodder availability, yield, boost income and improve soil health.
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