Soil moisture conservation techniques for rainfed Alfisols and Vertisols R B Sahadeva, K R Y Pavan, J V Siva, R P Venkata, R A Malliswara Plant Science Today, 2025 In rainfed regions of India, where agriculture is largely reliant on rainfall. Soil erosion, water scarcity and land degradation pose threats to the viability of agricultural enterprises in rainfed areas, which comprise over 39.11 lakh ha, or 58.21 % of the net planted area. Soil water conservation is a tailored-made land management strategy that encompasses increased water availability in the soil matrix. This process involves minimizing evaporative losses, improving water infiltration and promoting retention of available moisture to support plant growth and ecosystem stability. By maintaining optimal soil moisture levels, these practices contribute significantly to agricultural resilience, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, while simultaneously mitigating the adverse effects of drought and water stress on crop productivity. This paper emphasizes the necessity of tailored conservation strategies to address the unique challenges posed by erratic rainfall patterns and fragile ecosystems. It discusses the critical significance of soil water conservation in enhancing soil health, supporting agricultural productivity and fostering environmental sustainability in regions prone to drought. Techniques such as subsoiling, conservation tillage, contour cultivation and various mulching methods are elaborated, highlighting their effectiveness in improving soil moisture retention, reducing erosion and promoting crop resilience. The integration of innovative practices such as crop rotation, intercropping and the use of soil amendments also shows promise in enhancing moisture conservation and agricultural yields. Furthermore, the document emphasizes the necessity of these practices in the wake of climate change, advocating for future advancements that combine traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology. By integrating these soil and water conservation measures, the research advocates for sustainable agricultural practices that not only enhance productivity but also protect environmental integrity in rainfed regions of India. Overall, it underscores the imperative of sustainable agricultural practices in ensuring food security and ecological balance.
Optimizing fodder cropping systems for green fodder production and Lamb performance in scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh B S REDDY, G S MANJULA REDDY, D B V RAMANA, J M UPENDRA, A M REDDY, et al. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2025 An experiment was conducted over three consecutive years (2021 to 23) at Agricultural Research Station, Anantapuramu, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The study evaluated the performance of five fodder-based cropping systems Stylo + Rhodes grass (T1), Lucerne + Anjan grass (T2), Stylo + Sewan grass (T3), Cowpea + Jowar (T4), and Cowpea + Bajra (T5) in alfisols, as well as the growth performance of lambs maintained with the fodder produced from these systems. The results demonstrated that the choice of crops in different cropping systems significantly influenced green and dry fodder yield, as well as their crude protein content. Among the systems, the highest green and dry fodder, and crude protein yield were recorded in the Cowpea + Bajra system (T5), while the lowest yields were observed in the Stylo + Sewan grass system (T3). Daily average fresh feed intake was also highest in T5 (1.48 kg/lamb), followed by T2 (1.25 kg/lamb) and T3 (1.22 kg/lamb). The average daily gain (ADG) of lambs fed fodder from the T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 systems was 82, 82.5, 75.0, 80.5, and 88.0 g/ day, respectively. Lambs in the T5 system showed highest ADG, while the lowest values was observed in T3 system. Although ADG was comparable among T1, T2, T4, and T5 systems, lambs in T5 system exhibited a significantly higher live weight gain (p<0.05) compared to those in the T3 system. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating diversified fodder crops into cropping systems to meet the nutritional requirements of livestock effectively. The enhanced average daily gain observed in lambs fed fodder from the T5 system highlighted the critical role of nutrient-rich, diversified fodder in supporting optimal livestock growth and productivity.
Dry Spell Dynamics Impacting the Productivity of Rainfed Crops Over the Semi-Arid Regions of South-East India Santanu Kumar Bal, Koilakonda Ashok Kumar, Kaipa Venkata Subrahmanya Sudheer, Abburi Venkata M. Subba Rao, Kanagala Pavani, et al. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 2024 The crop productivity in rainfed regions is driven by the quantum and distribution of rainfall during the crop growth period. The dry spell index (DSI) was used in the present investigation to quantify the cumulative impact of dry spells on major rainfed crops of the kharif season (June–September) in India's semi‐arid regions of Andhra Pradesh. The effect of DSI on the yield of major rainfed crops, i.e., groundnut, pigeon pea, cotton, maize and pearl millet was estimated and compared with the widely used standard precipitation index (SPI). Our results revealed that among the various districts, a higher DSI (> 16.1) was noticed in Anantapur that experienced a DSI of 8.1–16.0 in 77% of the years during the study period (1998–2019), which indicated that the crop suffered stress conditions during the season affecting the crop yields. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between the yields of various crops (groundnut, pigeon pea, maize and pearl millet) and DSI. On the other hand, SPI analysis showed that 74%–83% of the years experienced normal (−0.99 to 0.99) to moderately dry (−1.00 to −1.49) conditions, indicating normal rainfall status during the season. At the same time, no significant correlation was found between the SPI and crop yields. Therefore, the present study revealed that the DSI performed better in quantifying the dry spells and their impact on crop yields, especially under rainfed conditions in the semi‐arid regions of south‐east India.
Effect of integrated rainwater-management practices on soil properties and productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in arid and semi-arid regions of Andhra Pradesh A. MALLISWARA REDDY, A. PRATAP KUMAR REDDY, B. RAVINDRANATHA REDDY, M.V.S. NAIDU, P. SUDHAKAR, et al. Indian Journal of Agronomy, 2023 A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season (kharif) of 2017 and 2018 at Agricultural Research Station of the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, to study the effect of integrated rainwater-management practices on soil properties and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 9 rainwater-management practices with 3 replications. Results indicated that, application of shales @ 300 t/ha as surface mulch combined with 2 supplemental irrigations of 10 mm each when dryspell of 10 days occurs after 50% flowering treatment (T7 ) increased the porosity, water holding capacity, infiltration rate by 17.8, 41.2 and 24.6%, respectively, and bulk density was reduced by 5.0% compared to dryland groundnut (T1 ). Similarly, the same treatment (T7 ) enhanced the groundnut pod yield by 39.68% compared to the control (T1). Thus, application of shales @ 300 t/ha as surface mulch combined with 2 supplemental irrigations of 10 mm each when dryspell of 10 days occurs after 50% flowering proved the best integrated rainwater-management practice to improve soil properties and increase the productivity of groundnut under arid and semi-arid regions of Andhra Pradesh.
Yield stability analysis of pearl millet genotypes in arid region of India using AMMI and GGE biplot R. Narasimhulu, R. Veeraraghavaiah, B. Sahadeva Reddy, C. Tara Satyavathi, B.C. Ajay, et al. Journal of Environmental Biology, 2023 Aim: To assess genotypes with ability to sustain yields under arid region and to understand the significance of interactive effects of genotype × environment to develop resilient cultivars for rainfed farming. Methodology: Performances of 12 pearl millet varieties and hybrids released for commercial cultivation in India, were estimated using RBD with three replications during rainy seasons of 2018, 2019 and 2020. The trials were conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, ANGRAU, Ananthapuramu, located in the Scarce Rainfall Zone of Andhra Pradesh, India, with an average annual rainfall of nearly 553 mm and 300 mm to 400 mm during rainy season. Results: The environment and genotype effects were highly significant in the Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model, implying that environments are varied and genotypes performed differently in each environment offering a great scope for selecting better adaptive genotypes. Apart from moisture stress, the amount of rainfall received during both the anthesis and grain maturation stages were influenced grain yield through plant height, 1000-grain weight and dry fodder yield. Environment 3 was the best discriminating environment and the hybrids Pratap, 86M86 and NBH 5767 had outperformed the popular open pollinated varieties in ideal conditions. Interpretation: In terms of grain yield,Pusa Comp. 612 and Pratap have proved to be reliable and had a mean higher than the general mean over environments. As a result, Pusa Comp. 612 and Pratap are suggested for large-scale assessment in a wide range of locations in rainfed situations of arid regions. Key words: GT-biplot, Grain yield, Pearl millet, Stability, Trait associations
Constraints in dry chilli cultivation practices and mechanization of harvesting in Southern India C Yella Swami, Senthil Kumaran G, Naik R K, Sanjeeva Reddy B, Rathinakumari C A Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 2022 Dry chilli production in India condition faces many challenges apart from adverse weather conditions, labor-intensive production practices and higher overall production costs are limiting profitable dry chilli cultivation. Therefore, a study was carried to know the key constraints in current chilli production practices in eight major production districts of three states. A systematic research and development approach is essential to know the range of constraints and farmers preferences over technological options for field operations. The harvesting operation alone demands 43% of labour 360.5 man-days/ha. So, red chilli harvesting mechanization is a definite immediate requirement to reduce labour input. Farmers (47%) prefer small size self-propelled chilli harvester over tractor operated equipment. In the production catchments, farmer also inferred to change the cultivation practices to mechanize chilli production operations, but 18% of farmers hesitant to adopt one-timeharvesting chilli varieties due to suspicion about the yield potentials.
Principal components of genetic diversity and association studies for yield related traits in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] R. Narasimhulu, C. Satyavathi, B. Reddy, B. Ajay Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 2022 One sixty-eight pearl millet germplasm accessions were evaluated using multivariate techniques, principal component and cluster analysis to explore the extent of genetic diversity and association among the yield and yield contributing traits. The first three principal components PC1, PC2 and PC3 with eigen values more than one explains 25.27, 22.15 and 13.38 per cent, respectively, with a cumulative effect of 60.80 per cent of the total variation. Based on factor loading of three PC’s and association analyses explained that the traits viz., number of productive tillers per plant, 1000-seed weight, panicle diameter and plant height function as excellent selection indicators that exhibit positive loading toward genetic diversity. In cluster analysis all the germplasm accessions under the study were sorted into seven distinct clusters. Cluster I having the highest number of lines followed by cluster IV due to similar ancestry of parental lines. The germplasm accessions 4129, 4163, 4157, 5007, 5058, 4104, 4105, 4146, 4150, 4140, 4123 and ICMV 221 exhibit diversity in both cluster and PCA analyses, indicating that utilizing these lines for hybridization procedure to harness heterosis and to select superior segregants in pearl millet.
Physio-morphological and mechanical properties of chillies for mechanical harvesting C Yella Swami, G Senthil Kumaran, R K Naik, B S Reddy, A C Rathina Kumari Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 2021 The plants and its produce characteristics are the basis to design a crop specific harvester. The objective of this study was to determine the physical, morphological and mechanical properties of chilli crop and fruits, that can be used in the design of harvester machine. The observations and data were collected by taking measurements at harvesting stage of three chilli cultivars. The fruit bearing behavior of plants was solitary with fruit position erect in Demon F1 and pendent in Araka Meghana and Mahyco Tejaswini. The plant height ranged between 81.76 to 84.87cm depending on cultivars and fruits per plant were170.25 number for Tejaswini, 158.96 and 156.15 number, respectively for Araka Meghana and Demon F1. It was observed that the length and diameter at shoulder of fruits was in the range of 4.97 to 10.44 cm and 0.8 to 1,25 cm, respectively. The moisture content reduced in leaves, stems and fruits as the maturation changed from matured green fruits bearing of plants to semi dry condition. The detachment force of fruits from plants increased as the fruits colour changed from matured green to fully ripened red and there after decreased.
Effect of planting geometry and fertility level on growth and seed yield of cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L)] under scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh Legume Research, 2011
Influence of seed size in different varieties of groundnut on its productivity Legume Research, 2009
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Effect of levels of nitrogen and phosphorus on the performance of sunflower in rice fallow vertisols BN Reddy, SNS Babu, G Ravishankar, BS Reddy, A Jayapradha Journal of Oilseeds Research 19 (2), 226-228 , 2002 2002 Citations: 16
Field evaluation of cotton genotypes against Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida. P Radhika, K Sudhakar, BS Reddy, SB Mohiddin 2006 Citations: 15
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Yield stability analysis of pearl millet genotypes in arid region of India using AMMI and GGE biplot R Narasimhulu, R Veeraraghavaiah, BS Reddy, CT Satyavathi, BC Ajay, ... Journal of Environmental Biology 44 (2), 185-192 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
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