Conservation agriculture strategies for soil health and carbon restoration in humid subtropical agri-food systems Ram Dayal Chaudhary, Sunita Kumari Meena, Moti Lal Meena, Arpita Nalia, Ajeet Kumar, Vipin Kumar, Mohammad Hasanain, Raj Kumar Jat, S Pazhanisamy, Anil Kumar Singh, Vijay Singh Meena Results in Engineering, 2026 • Raised Bed Maize–Zero Tillage Lentil–Zero Tillage Green Gram (Sc8) increased soil organic carbon (SOC) to 5.2 g kg⁻¹ and total organic carbon (TOC) to 8.9 g kg⁻¹. • Water-stable aggregates (WSA) improved markedly under Sc8, reaching 35% at 0–15 cm, indicating stronger soil structural stability. • Sc8 enhanced macronutrient availability, recording 227 kg N ha⁻¹, 19.3 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, and 212 kg K₂O ha⁻¹. • Microbial biomass carbon and soil respiration were highest in the RBM–ZtLt–ZtGG system, demonstrating superior biological activity. • Both Sc8 and Sc1 substantially improved soil carbon indices, supporting greater long-term soil resilience. Soil degradation and declining fertility pose serious challenges to agricultural sustainability and agri-food and nutritional security across the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India. This study evaluated eight climate-resilient cropping system scenarios (Sc1–Sc8) integrating cereals, pulses, and oilseeds under conservation agriculture (CA) from 2020–2023. The experimental sites are characterized by deep, fertile alluvial soils classified as Inceptisols (Typic Haplustepts/Typic Eutrudepts) under USDA Soil Taxonomy. The systems involved Oryza sativa L. (rice), Triticum aestivum L. (wheat), Zea mays L. (maize), Lens culinaris Medik. (lentil), Vigna radiata L. (green gram), Brassica juncea L. (mustard), and Sesamum indicum L. (sesame). Post-harvest soil sampling assessed soil organic carbon (SOC), total organic carbon (TOC), carbon indices, nutrient availability, microbial biomass, soil respiration, bulk density (BD), and water-stable aggregates (WSA). Significant differences among scenarios were observed. BD was highest in Sc4 (puddled transplanted rice–zero tillage mustard–green gram) at 1.56 Mg m⁻³, reflecting the compaction effects of puddling. WSA were greatest in Sc8 (raised bed maize–zero tillage lentil–zero tillage green gram) with 35.1% at 0–15 cm. Nutrient availability was also highest in Sc8, recording 227 kg N ha⁻¹, 19.3 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, and 212 kg K₂O ha⁻¹. Micronutrient concentrations (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) were significantly elevated in Sc8, surpassing all other scenarios by 12-22%, with biological properties further supporting the superiority of Sc8.Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil respiration (SR) were 18-25% higher compared with Sc1–Sc7. Raised bed maize–zero tillage lentil–zero tillage green gram (Sc8) recorded the maximum SOC (5.2 g kg⁻¹) and TOC (8.9 g kg⁻¹) along with substantial improvements in carbon lability, carbon management index (CMI), pool index (CPI), and recalcitrant carbon fractions. Sc1 (direct-seeded rice–zero tillage wheat–zero tillage green gram) also showed favorable improvements but remained below Sc8. Overall, this study provides novel evidence that integrating raised-bed maize with legumes under zero tillage particularly (Sc8) enhances soil structural stability, carbon sequestration, and biological functioning. The findings strongly support scaling raised-bed and zero-tillage legume-based systems to combat degradation and improve long-term soil resilience and agri-food security in alluvial ecologies of the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India.
Effects of nutrient sources and weed management on yield and weed suppression in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) M K Shraddha, R Lalita, K Navnit, P Biswajit, S Sumit, K Ajeet, P Jyostnarani, K Rajan, K Mukesh, K Suruchi Plant Science Today, 2026 Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is a climate-resilient and nutritious crop; however, imbalanced nutrient application and inadequate weed management can limit productivity. A field experiment conducted at Pusa Farm, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University , Samastipur, Bihar, during kharif 2024. The experiment conducted in a split plot design with two nutrient sources (N1: 100 % Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) via chemical fertilizer, N2: 75 % RDN + 25 % RDN via farmyard manure (FYM)) as main plot factor and four weed management practices (W₁: Butachlor at 1.0 kg ha-1 (Pre-emergence (PE)) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1 (Post-emergence (PoE)); W₂: Oxyfluorfen at 0.1 kg ha-1 (PE) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1, W3: Weedy check and W4: Weed free as sub-plot factor. Results showed that 100 % RDN increased plant height (101.79 cm), dry matter accumulation (897.8 g m-2) and no. of tillers (5.18 plant-1). Weed-free plots exhibited more tillers (5.76 plant-1) and accumulation (827.1 g m-2). The weed-free plots suppress weed by 75.4 %. In weed-free plots, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium consumption rose 19.4, 16.8 and 18.7 %, respectively. Application of oxyfluorfen (0.1 kg ha-1) fb 2,4-D (0.5 kg ha-1) resulted in highest net returns Rs. 88881 ha-1 with benefit-to-cost ratio (2.61). This 1 season study supports long-term experimentation, but it shows that 75 % RDN along with 25 % FYM and oxyfluorfen at 0.1 kg ha-1 (PE) followed by 2,4-D at 0.5 kg ha-1 (PoE) can boost finger millet productivity and profitability.
Effect of adaptive management practices on carbon footprint of sugarcane in the agroecological landscape of Bihar, India Babita Kudi, Sunita Kumari Meena, Ajeet Kumar, Vijay Singh Meena, Ranjan Laik Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2025 This study evaluates adaptive management in sugarcane cultivation through varied input strategies and legume integration. A total of 380 soil samples were collected across blocks at two depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm). Results showed that at 0–15 cm, oxidizable soil organic carbon (SOC) ranged from 3.19 to 8.01 g kg −1 , and at 15–30 cm, it ranged from 2.50 to 6.90 g kg −1 . The C indices showed a decreasing trend with depth. Total organic carbon (TOC) varied from 5.68 to 11.4 g kg −1 at 0–15 cm and from 3.85 to 11.4 g kg −1 at 15–30 cm. Permanganate-oxidizable carbon (KMnO 4 -C) ranged from 145 to 382 mg kg −1 at 0–15 cm and from 122 to 356 mg kg −1 at 15–30 cm. Carbon stock ranged from 12.6 to 25.9 Mg ha −1 at 0–15 cm, and from 10.2 to 24.5 Mg ha −1 at 15–30 cm. The active carbon pool decreased by 17.59%, the passive pool changed negligibly (0.22%) with depth; lability and recalcitrance indices showed carbon stability differences. Study offers key farm-level insights on carbon footprints and adaptive sugarcane management.
Advanced and Emerging Techniques in Soil Health Management Sunita K. Meena, Ajeet Kumar, Khem R. Meena, Sanjeew K. Sinha, Lalita Rana, Navnit Kumar, Anil K. Singh, Hanuman P. Parewa, Vijay S. Meena Microorganisms for Sustainability, 2024
A study of knowledge and traditional wisdom of makhana cultivation in bihar Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 2021
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Seasonal Adaptability of Black Bengal Goats: A Four-season Study of Serum Biochemical, Mineral, Hormonal and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers AAK Komal, Ayush Ranajn, Anil Gattani, Kaushalendra Kumar. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 1-6 , 2026 2026
Phyto-fabricated gold nanoparticles and heterologous platelet-rich fibrin potentiates cutaneous wound healing dynamics in canines R Kumar, GD Singh, A Behera, A Kumar, VK Singh, PK Ray, M Kumar, ... Tissue and Cell, 103407 , 2026 2026
Phenotypic and genomic characterization of three lytic bacteriophages against MDR Escherichia coli from livestock in India Anjay, P Kaushik, A Prajapati, RK Jaiswal, Bhoomika, SS Roy, A Kumar, ... BMC Microbiology , 2026 2026
Evaluation of Hip Denervation with Supplementation of Epiitalis for Management of Hip Dysplasia in Canine A Kumar, R Kumar, R Tiwary, A Kumar Indian Journal of Animal Research 1, 7 , 2026 2026
Partial Cystectomy for Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma in a Dog R Tiwary, K Kumar, A Kumari, R Kumar, A Kumar, MK Singh International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management 17 (1), 1-5 , 2026 2026
Theileria annulata infection: disruption of erythrocyte antioxidant defense and enhanced lipid peroxidation in bovine Theileriosis AKAK Amrita Behera, Sweta Rani, Satya Prakash Yadav, Ajeet Kumar, Munna ... Journal of Livestock Science 17 (1), 55-64 , 2026 2026
Transcriptional assessment of pro-inflammatory and immune markers in the endometrium of bitches affected with CEH-pyometra A Kumar, D Kumar, JK Prasad, A Behera, A Kumar Animal Reproduction Science, 107952 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa A Kumar, JK Prasad, N Kumar, S Verma, M Anand, A Behera, A Kumar, ... Scientific Reports 15 (1), 22818 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Assessment of Ferroptotic Anti-Cancer Potential of Ammonium Ferric Citrate and its Associated Biochemical Changes in Mammary Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cell Line S Rani, A Behera, H Bhardwaj, RA Siddique, K Kumar, A Kumar Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology 24 (1), 48-53 , 2025 2025
Recoding the Codon Usage of fis Gene of Pasteurella multocida with Rare Codons Reduces Pathogenicity AKBS 47. Ajeet Kumar, Parthasarathi Behera, Muhammed Kutty, Prabhakar B ... Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology 19 (2), 1460-1468 , 2025 2025
Quercetin in semen extender curtails reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and improves functional attributes of cryopreserved buck semen A Kumar, JK Prasad, N Kumar, M Anand, S Verma, R Dhariya, A Kumar, ... Cryobiology 116, 104931 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Evaluation of In vitro antioxidant activity of polyherbal formulation containing Trigonella foenum-graecum, momordica charantia, syzygium cumini and Catharanthus roseus N Kumar, A Kumari, A Kumar, RK Nirala, I Ali, RR Kumari, GK Choudhary Journal Of Veterinary Pharmacology And Toxicology 23 (1), 59-64 , 2024 2024
Prevalence of canine renal insufficiency: A decade-long retrospective study in and around Patna, Bihar SKGDS HIMALAYA BHARDWAJ, MUNNA KUMAR, SATYA P YADAV, SWETA RANI, AJEET KUMAR ... Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 94 (10), 847–851 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Evaluation of uterine antioxidants in bitches suffering from cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex A Kumar, JK Prasad, S Verma, A Gattani, GD Singh, VK Singh Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 43-52-43-52 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Cardiac and physico-chemical responses to xylazine and fentanyl analgesia in Bubalus bubalis GD Singh, A Gattani, A Kumar, A Kumar Buffalo Bulletin 42 (4), 587-595 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Blood biochemical profile of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in captive state. A Ranjan, Komal, A Gattani, A Kumar Haryana veterinarian 62 (1), 106-108 , 2023 2023
A RARE CASE OF UNILATERAL BARTHOLIN GLAND CYST IN A JERSEY COW A KUMAR, JK PRASAD, A KUMAR Haryana veterinarian 62 (2), 146-47 , 2023 2023
STUDY ON EFFECT OF TERT-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE ON RED SINDHI BULL SEMEN CRYOPRESERVATION PSAK Chandan Kumar , Ankesh Kumar Anil Kumar , Archana Ruminant Science 12 (1), 143-148 , 2023 2023
Theileria annulata Induced Bilateral Ocular Signs in Cattle and its Successful Therapeutic Management: A Case Report AK Anil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar, Sonam Bhatt, Ajeet Kumar, GD Singh Iranian Journal of Parasitology 18 (3), 404-407 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Isolation and Characterization of Lytic Bacteriophage against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Pyoderma in Dog. P Kaushik, A Kumar, S Kumari, P Kumar, P Shekhar Indian Journal of Animal Research 56 (7) , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Effect of heat stress in tropical livestock and different strategies for its amelioration SK BV, K Ajeet, K Meena Journal of stress physiology & biochemistry 7 (1), 45-54 , 2011 2011 Citations: 281
Modulation of antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte by dietary supplementation during heat stress in buffaloes A Kumar, G Singh, BVS Kumar, SK Meur Livestock science 138 (1-3), 299-303 , 2011 2011 Citations: 76
Molecular modeling and docking characterization of Dectin-1 (PAMP) receptor of Bubalus bubalis BS Yadav, V Tripathi, A Kumar, MF Khan, A Barate, A Kumar, B Sharma Experimental and molecular pathology 92 (1), 7-12 , 2012 2012 Citations: 34
Influence of season and sex on hemato-biochemical traits in adult turkeys under arid tropical environment A Gattani, A Pathak, A Kumar, V Mishra, JS Bhatia Veterinary world 9 (5), 530 , 2016 2016 Citations: 28
Amelioration of heat stress by feeding electrolytes, ascorbic acid and zinc in buffaloes BVS Kumar, M Kataria, A Kumar Buffalo Bull 30 (4), 229-239 , 2011 2011 Citations: 25
Quercetin in semen extender curtails reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and improves functional attributes of cryopreserved buck semen A Kumar, JK Prasad, N Kumar, M Anand, S Verma, R Dhariya, A Kumar, ... Cryobiology 116, 104931 , 2024 2024 Citations: 16
Nutritional and physiological responses of broiler chicken to the dietary supplementation of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract and ascorbic acid in tropics R Kumar, K Kumar, A Kumar, S Kumar, PK Singh, RRK Sinha, C Moni Tropical animal health and production 53 (4), 428 , 2021 2021 Citations: 16
Changing the Codon Usage of hfq Gene has Profound Effect on Phenotype and Pathogenicity of Salmonella Typhimurium P Behera, VHM Kutty, A Kumar, B Sharma Current microbiology 72 (3), 288-296 , 2016 2016 Citations: 12
Evaluation of uterine antioxidants in bitches suffering from cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex A Kumar, JK Prasad, S Verma, A Gattani, GD Singh, VK Singh Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 43-52-43-52 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Hematobiochemical Alteration in Naturally Infected Cattle with Fasciola under Tropical Region A Gattani, A Kumar, GD Singh, R Tiwary, A Kumar, AK Das, S Samantaray Research & Reviews: Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology 4 (1), 20-23 , 2015 2015 Citations: 9
Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte of dog infested with Demodex canis A Kumar, A Gattani, GD Singh, R Tiwary, S Samantaray Research & Reviews: Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology 4 (2), 1-3 , 2015 2015 Citations: 9
An epidemiological and ultrasonographic study of renal failure in canine SP Singh, P Shekhar, GD Singh, V Kumar, AK Singh, JK Prasad The Pharma Innovation Journal 9 (6), 121-127 , 2020 2020 Citations: 5
Evaluation of polyether ionophores against coccidiosis in broiler chicken S Kala, A Gattani, A Kumar, S Samantaray Haryana Vet 52 (1), 63-67 , 2014 2014 Citations: 5
INFECTION DYNAMICS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF EIMERIA IN CHICKEN S Kala, A Gattani, A Kumar, S Samantaray Animal Science reporter 7 (4), 139-145 , 2013 2013 Citations: 5
Surgical correction of congenitally fused vulva labia in a Holstein Friesian cross bred heifer R Tiwary, A Gattani, A Kumar, A Kumar, GD Singh Haryana Vet 55 (1), 108-109 , 2016 2016 Citations: 4
Hemato–biochemical alteration in naturally infested goats with monieziosis A Rnajan, AG Komal, A Kumar, D Kumar, MK Sinha Pharm Innov J, 1547-9 , 2022 2022 Citations: 3
Transcriptional assessment of pro-inflammatory and immune markers in the endometrium of bitches affected with CEH-pyometra A Kumar, D Kumar, JK Prasad, A Behera, A Kumar Animal Reproduction Science, 107952 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa A Kumar, JK Prasad, N Kumar, S Verma, M Anand, A Behera, A Kumar, ... Scientific Reports 15 (1), 22818 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Theileria annulata Induced Bilateral Ocular Signs in Cattle and its Successful Therapeutic Management: A Case Report AK Anil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar, Sonam Bhatt, Ajeet Kumar, GD Singh Iranian Journal of Parasitology 18 (3), 404-407 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Isolation and Characterization of Lytic Bacteriophage against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Pyoderma in Dog. P Kaushik, A Kumar, S Kumari, P Kumar, P Shekhar Indian Journal of Animal Research 56 (7) , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
